I am back in Canada, munching on an imitation cheddar cheese flavored piece of styrofoam (rice cake) and starting a new journal. I’ve been here before. I did okay last year, but frankly, I don’t think I would have done anything at all if it were not for the caring and support of the wonderful people I met and came love at Diettalk. I am originally from Memphis and had to go back late last November for what I thought would be about 3 months. That actually turned into 6 months. What a nightmare! I eventually let it get to me and started eating my way through Tennessee, and with zero exercise (Canada tastes much better).

I am going to try something different this time. First of all, I am going to try not to obsess over dieting like I did the last time. I was counting every calorie, every gram of fat, every ounce of weight gain/loss and exercising quite a bit, particularly on my bicycle. I was feeling really good, but the weight was not coming off for reasons I still don’t understand. I started getting frustrated and feeling disappointed. This time I want to try to take the non-diet approach and simply start making better choices in food. I want to allow myself to be a priority in my life.

Having to “serve” 6 months in Memphis was like an awakening to me in many ways. It opened my eyes a little in being able to see:

a) who I had been before moving to Canada 4 years ago
b) who I am now and
c) who I would like to be

a)When I was in Memphis I had a fresh look at how I had been living my life before moving to Canada. I realized that I always felt terribly guilty if I didn’t put myself dead last in the order of priorities. Almost immediately I could see that it was in people’s minds that the problems they created for themselves would become my problems to solve. Long story, but I realized that I had been trained very well! It's nobody's fault but my own. I allowed it.

b)I love my life in Canada and I never feel taken for granted here. All the mental and emotional ‘whipping’ I get is from myself.

c)I want to be a healthy, self-confident woman. I want to be able to set goals and achieve them without zoning out and feeling that I should give up before I fall on my face. I want to stop caring what people think and to stop letting them control my emotions. I want to obtain total control over myself. I want to learn to like me, a lot! (I feel guilty just typing that, LOL!).

So the plan I choose this time will not involve getting on the scales (until my clothes are baggy) or calorie and fat gram counting. I love long rides on my bicycle and will not worry about what people think of the fat woman struggling up a hill. I bet I can outride most of those skinnies anyway. Putting myself on the top of my list of priorities... whew! This will be tough!

Maybe I can learn to type shorter messages too (grin)... but probably not :)

Cheers!
Linda

http://www.interworks.bc.ca/Linda/1tmayder.gif

Hi. I LOVE your icon:laugh: and I LOVE what you wrote. I'm with you all of the way. I don't count calories or anything. I mean I know what a healthy, balanced diet is - so I eat that without measureing and weighing, etc. doing that would drive me absolutely bonkers.

A friend of mine is doing WW and she told me that at one of the meetings someone was obsessing over how many calories or carbs or something that were in a serving of carrots as oppossed to other veggies and another member shouted, "Don't even worry about it - let's face it, we're not fat because we ate too many root vegetables!"

I don't weigh myself either. I have this fantasy that I'd like to wait until I get to the weight that I feel most comfortable at and THEN weigh myself to see what that equals on the scale instead of the other way around. I have a 'goal' weight because that is what I looked/felt best at before, but maybe that's changed.

I'm a theatre actress so I've lived all over this country and others. I loved that comment that 'Canada tastes better than Tennessee'. Personally I think that Chicago tastes really great, spain tastes unbelievable and England (though my favorite place in the world) doesn't taste good at all.

Nice to meet you. I have a feeling that you're going to have an amazing journey on many levels.

Glad to see you again Linda. SOunds like you are off to a good solid start. You are finding alot of answers that will definitely help you in your journey. Take care. :x

Hey Linda,

Great to see you back!!Also love your new approach, the baggie clothes guide.We'll be in touch lots for this part of the journey!

Pat

BRAVO!
Thats all I want to say:D

Hi, Tmayder! I was curious, is your user name your first initial and last name, or is it a cute way of saying, "tomato?" Sometimes, I will refer to tomatoes as "tamayders," and so everytime I see, "Tmayder," I think that. Of course, no disrespect is meant if that is your name!

Thank you for your kind post in my journal. You're very sweet, and your post touched me deeply. I saw posts from you in others journals, and you're very supportive. I appreciate that. After reading your post in your journal, I found we have a lot in common as far as esteem issuse go. I'd like to say that I *used* to have esteem issues, but I know I'm still struggling with a few things. It's getting better, though. The other day, I went out to see MIB II, and I felt so guilty because I wasn't home cleaning, or making dinner, or out buying a surprise for my daughter.

"I want to stop caring what people think and to stop letting them control my emotions. I want to obtain total control over myself. I want to learn to like me, a lot!" I have struggled with this all my life, and if you're ever interested in talking about it with someone who has gone (and sometimes, still goes) through it, I'd be happy to hear you out, and offer suggestions that have helped me get through rough spots. I think you have enormous potential to surmount life's obstacles, and I can see you becoming strong both emotionally and physically. You have a good heart.

I, too, am not actively "dieting." I am still eating what I love, but say, I'll buy a frozen pizza, and replace the toppings with fat free cheese and turkey lunchmeat. It's working really well for losing weight. I think it will be a great new approach for you! Also, I've started taking supplements that are supposed to aid in weightloss. Currently, I take green tea, kelp/lecithin/vitamin B (that's all one pill) calcium, apple cider vinegar, and Alpha-Lipoic acid. I just recently added the calcium, and have noticed more weightloss since then, than with all the other stuff combined. Maybe you'd be ineterested in trying it. I've read a lot about how calcium is supposed to be great in aiding weightloss, and I now know it's true. :) (At least, I think that's why I can have a bad day here and there without reprecussions.)

WELL, I guess I've gone on in your journal long enough. Sorry to take up so much space. I love to type and to write. :)

Have a wonderful new lifestyle!

-Andrea-

I just realized the head on your icon was a tomato. At first, I thought it was a pumpking. Anyway, that probably answers my questions pretty well about "Tmayder!" That's too cute. Where did you find it?

-Andrea-

Thank you so much Anastasia, Lindasue, patricians, Christine and Andrea for stopping in to visit!

Anastasia, thank you for all the kind words! I dropped by your journal and left a message so I won’t repeat myself and put you to sleep here. I love the carrot story! :laugh:

Pat, I hope you got my mail!

Andrea, I am glad you figured out tmayder! I guess you could say that it is a southern tomato. A few years before I married Bill I was in Canada visiting and he said it sounded like I said t’mayder instead of tomato (but I don’t really say it like that! I think it sounds more like tah-may-doe). Anyway, he still calls me t’mayder and I call him Tayder… I suppose that makes us produce, huh? Never worry about taking up space in my journal, I love the chat! As you can already see, I do quite a bit of chatting myself. That’s what journals are for, right? I also take vitamins and at times I drink green tea. How much tea do you drink per day? For vitamins I take C (1000mg), B100, Calcium & Magnesium (500/250), Niacin (500mg), and garlic. I would like to know more about the apple cider and the Alpha-Lipoic acid. Thank you so much for your offer of help. I am always open for sharing!

It seems that another challenge comes along every time I get going in my attitude adjustment. Last night I had just started putting dinner on the plates and I turned around just in time to see my husband (Bill) go down to his knees. He was having terrible vertigo and he started sweating and throwing up. What scared me even more was that I asked him to PLEASE let me get him to the hospital and his answer was to call 911. This is Bill we are talking about, and if he says to call 911, then it's really extra serious. Getting this man to the doctor about anything is usually a struggle.

His blood pressure was terribly high but they still do not suspect heart problems. They were asking him a lot about his personal history and of course he made light of everything. They really didn't want to hear from me, but I kept trying to get across to them that he did have problems with blood pressure and cholesterol last year but was able to correct it through healthy eating and exercise, BUT heart disease runs in his family. I still don't think they paid any attention. Bill kept saying it was the meds (and I hope he is right) and the doctor seemed to think that way too. But dammit, I want to KNOW FOR SURE, given his family history. In the end, they gave Bill a shot for the nausea, then some adavan and watched his blood pressure go from 188/124 to 177/110 and sent him home. I am not impressed. He still feels bad this morning and of course he doesn't want to hear my nagging about going back to the doctor today. I am worried sick. What in the world would I ever do if something happened to my Bill? He is a very special man and I am a very lucky woman to have him in my life.

I find that I do not hold up well under pressure. I puffed away last night. I bought some chocolate, too. An interesting learning experience about myself there. I'll keep working on it and will have to figure out an alternative to my bad 'comfort' habits.

Breakfast:
Shreddies with blueberries and skim milk

Morning Snack:
1 Nanner

-Meditation, 20 minutes
-Rode my bike to run errands instead of driving. No biggie, this is a small town but at least my heart got some exercise on the hills. About 4K

Lunch:
Subway (Turkey, no cheese)

Snack:
Granola
And…. Another snack
FF pudding

Dinner:
Grilled pork
Mixed greens salad

Stressed out comfort food and bad habits:
Milky Way and smokes

I'm so disappointed in me!

Off I go to 're-align'.... again!

Cheers!
Linda

Linda,

I think under the circumstances, the indulgences were an understandable way of trying to cope. Obviously you don't want to get caught up in an ongoing cycle of that, but PLEASE - the man you love was in a health crisis. Keep us posted on how he is doing and you try to hang in there yourself.

Thanks for dropping in, and for your concern, Anastasia. I had to get Bill to the hospital again today after another wave hit him while he was sleeping and woke him up. We got a different doctor this time who listened and didn't mind explaining things. Don't you just hate doctors that don't want to take the time to tell you what is going on? Anyway, she gave me good reasons to keep me from worrying that it has anything to do with his heart, so I am feeling much better about that.

Other than that, today was a wash in diet and exercise. It just wasn't convenient to eat healthy today. (Are you buying that?) Hopefully I will get back on track tomorrow!

Cheers!
Linda

HI LINDA,
I just wanted to say hi because I'm so excited to finally be able to get into the journals. I did get your message.
You really had a scare with Bill! Is it terribly hot there? Not that it usually is, but I think you had a heat wave last week. Did that have anythink to do with his attacks?
How are you doing yourself? Is your own blood pressure under control? Just wondering, because when we are really concerned about a loved one, we tend to forget about our own health,
Pat

Linda-
You and Bill are in my prayers. I sincerely hope things get better. You will come through this whole........"eating under pressure" thing. The main thing is that you now recognize it. And you didnt do bad,especially considering all you are going through.

Hello~~ well hope your hubby is ok. could it be from the heat?
my hubbys family has heart problems and i always worry too. actually i dont do well under pressure and am a worrier too.
i am on ww. i do follow the program but every sat. night i have a meal where i dont count anything and i dont coutn on holidays either. it works for me.
you seem to be on right track for what will work for you. all the best!

We are having a much better day. No trips to the hospital today!

Pat, it was pretty hot last week, but not this week. So no, the heat hasn't anything to do with Bill's attacks. I expected my blood pressure to be high because it usually is in times of stress. I checked it for the last few days and was amazed that it is lower than it has been in years. Go figure! High blood pressure runs in my family so it is something I keep an eye on.

Christine, Minnie, thank you so much for your kindness and support! Minnie, your diet plan sounds pretty good! We all need a little reward now and then if we (I) can just leave it at that!

I have been thinking of what I need to do to get my act together here. For one thing, I need to commit to the water. I almost always drink water with meals and when I am thirsty anyway, just not enough of it. I found a 1 litre bottle that I will start using tomorrow so that I can try to keep up with it.

With the weather so nice we have started making plans for bike tours. When we decided to try a healthier life style last year we got a few cheap mountain bikes. When I started riding I could bearly go 10k (6 miles) without needing the rest of the day to get over the ride. It just wore me out! Eventually I worked up to 20k, then 40, and finally we rode 100k in a little over 5 hours through the Canadian Rockies. That was only after I quit smoking and watched what I ate. I stayed smoke free for 5 months and then lost the quit after having to return to Memphis for 6 months. I let the pressure get to me. Again, I MUST find some other ways to get past those bumpy roads. Anyway, 100k through mountains on these very cheap heavy bikes was quite something. This year we both have much better bicycles and the difference in the ride is amazing. I have a very light weight hybrid that is so easy to shift. That was a huge problem with last year's bike. If I tried to shift into a lower gear to go uphill, sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Bill got a recumbant. I'm too scared of that bike to try it, but he sure flies on that thing!

This year we want to do a bike tour from Jasper to Banff (about 395K). This will be about a 4 day tour and through some tough mountain passes on the Icefield Parkway. At the rate I'm going I will never be able to do that. I MUST change. A few weeks ago we bought camping equipment that we can load on our bikes for overnight trips. We rode about 20k outside of town to a campsite for a night, just to try out the camping gear and to see how we do with loaded bikes. I had no problem on the first day, but I struggled going back the next day. I think it was a combination of lack of sleep and just plain being out of shape and overweight. Even though we camped as far away from the highway as possible, I would wake up to the sound of 18-wheelers. This picture is of our bikes loaded. I ride the Trek (on the right) and Bill rides the recumbant.

Yak, yak, yak! Time for me to stop talking! Help! I'm having a runaway!!!

Cheers!
Linda

http://www.interworks.bc.ca/loaded300.jpg

Hello Linda! I am so glad to see you back here again and I can't wait to see how your new approach works! Putting yourself first can be very hard, but once you do, and you're happy, then you have so much more to give.

I am going to say some prayers for you and Bill. Sounds like a scary time! I sure hope he's feeling better now.

Shannon

Hi, Linda. I've been out of town, or else I would have been to your journal sooner. Wow, you have had a lot going on. I'm sorry to have heard about your husband. I'm glad things have gotten better for the both of you.

I think the water and biking will work well for your diet, and I hope you both remain happy and healthy.

Best wishes--

-Andrea-

P.S. I really like your signature line.

Hope everything has been going well for you. Miss seeing your posts. I guess it's only been a couple of days, but when you have a job that keeps you on the computer all day (and visiting DT because of it most every day, too), two days seems like a long time. Too bad typing doesn't burn many calories. I'd never have to do anything else.

Hugs!

-Andrea-

Welcome back Linda...this is just going to be a small post because my big posts seem to be getting nuked. I am impressed with your goal of riding from Banff to Jasper. I don't doubt that you will succeed. The more you start incorporating healthy lifestyle changes the more it takes over your life and pretty soon you are fit and happy. I am applying that theory to myself.

Take care and best wishes.

Hi Everybody!

Thanks for the concern about Bill. We have been hospital free for the last 2 days and he goes to his regular doctor tomorrow, so I am optimistic :cheer:

Shannon, thanks for stopping in and for your encouragement :) It is always a pleasure to hear from you!

Andrea, I know exactly what you mean about the typing! That is a lot of the reason that I didn't post anything yesterday. Once I get started in Diet Talk I can't stop! I have a runaway! I was determined to get some other things caught up. Do you ever go to online chat when you are at work? I used to eat lunch in the office when everybody else was out just so I could do that. 8-} Yep, I was even more addicted to the internet then than now.

Hey, Artsy, so glad to see you again!!! How are things in my old neighborhood?

I managed to get all my water in. The weather wasn't such that I could go out and exercise, but if I didn't lose 10 pounds running up and down the stairs to the washroom the way I did all day, I will be very surprised. Whew! Is there a point where my system will get used to all the extra water? If not I should be at goal weight in no time!

Baby steps. My major goal this week is water and exercise. I'm not doing horribly bad with the food, but I am working on it, or trying to ease into it. I love berry season! I've been munching on blueberries and strawberries for a week and went to the store to get more today. They didn't have the blueberries, but they had raspberries. I made a sauce to go on angel food cake after dinner tonight. It probably has a few too many calories, but I doubt it had any fat in it... but I could be wrong.

Breakfast:
Shreddies
Blueberries
Strawberries
Skim milk

Meditation, 20 minutes

Lunch:
Grilled Cheese Sammich
Tomato soup

Snack:
Scone
Skimmed milk

(Okay, I was bad mid day) 8-|

Dinner:
Steak & Veggie Stir Fry
Brown Rice

Snack:
Angel Food Cake w/homemade raspberry sauce


Til next time!
Linda

Hi, Linda. Oh, geeberz, do I know about not being able to stop. I work from home, so... I can do internet stuff unlimited, and usually, find myself entertaining myself that was during the 1st half of my shift when I'm too busy to get up and do anything else. Often, I find myself here at DT, interested in other's progress, and needing the support (not to mention, distraction) to stick with the diet/exercise. I get to these journals, and just want to go on and on about everything--especially when I am tired, as I am now.

Mmmm... Yep, berry season is awesome. Too bad they only discount the berries (at least here) for about the first week of the season. Strawberries went from .99/pound to 2.49 a pound! :( Still, gotta have them. I wish I could grow my own.

Oh, I just got all giddy. You said, "sammich." I love when I see other people applying the same cutsie words that I do. :) It makes me feel... bonded ;). Also, I love stirfry. We had chicken/vegetable/rice stirfry for dinner just last night. Good stuff.

I should really go to bed. Here's that "can't stop," thing we were discussing, huh?

Great to hear Bill is going to see a doctor. I hope he gets the treatment he needs. Your relationship sounds terrific.

Love and strawberries,

-Andrea- :rose:

Linda~~Glad to hear Bill is doing better now! I'm sure that's a relief to both of you!! :stoh:

If you figure out how to get your body used to all the water then fill me in!! I've been at it since I started my diet last year and I still have to run to the little girl's room A LOT! :laugh:

Shannon

Hi Andree! I work from home too! What do you do? BTW, I usually use the worse "cutesy" words known to man, and many unknown. I tend to use the worst grammer too but I am trying to behave here... 8-| This terrible language of my own started out as something to make fun of my southern hickness heritage but it is starting to be a habit. Yikes!! Wow, that's quite a difference on your berry prices there! Still cheaper than here though... they import most of them in. The last blueberries I bought came out of Arkansas, so they traveled almost as far as I did to get here.

Thank you Shannon! Bill saw the doctor today and nothing disturbing came up from his blood tests. They think it was the wellbutrin and told him he would have to quit smoking cold turkey. I am stunned that this is such a violent side effect from this type of drug! I'm just glad it is the drug and not something that would be hard to fix.

I know I need to get busy and stop 'planning' my diet and just get with it. I have been trying to learn more about carbs, as in which are good and which are bad. We rode our bikes to the north of town this time, about 15k. That isn't very far but the road is in farm country and is like a roller coaster. There isn't a lot of time to rest on the flats before having to make another hill. So all in all it was a good workout.

I need to find some good berry recipes! Half my fridge is nothing but berries!

Cheers!
Linda

Linda...just wanted to thank you for your brilliant suggestion about saving my posts BEFORE I send them into the ozone by posting. I haven't lost a post since you gave me that tip! Thanks for restoring my confidence with posting.

Hey...a 15 km bike ride is nothing to sneeze at...good work.

Hi Linda; I'm typing fast here because I have lost everything I've tried to post here for the past week1 And I can't seem to get into the journals very often either.
I don't know if it's the site or because I had to change to a new computer.
So I won't say anything profound till I know it's not going to be hurled into cyperspace.
Pat

Hi Linda,
I love reading your journal. It's very funny and interesting.
Christina

Hi, Linda! I'll be checking in often to read the cutsie word of the day. ;) I make up my own, too. Like: "Smunger, doober, beejeeberz, hobidoe, and penoikin," to name a few. It's spiffy that we have that commonality.

Great on the bike ride. That's one thing I don't get on the stationary bile--the uphill. The tension doesn't work, so I can't even simulate going uphill :(. I bet that's great for your thighs! Maybe I should invest in a real bike one day. I just know it'll be one of those things that I'll buy just to say I have one. Sigh. Here in NM, it's too hot to do much of anything outdoors--except maybe swim, which we've been doing.

I'll keep a look out for berry recipes for you, as I, too, think that sounds good. It seems like I read about them all over the board, but I never remember to write them down. I will make a point to do that.

It's almost Friday! Wishing you a spectacular remainder of the week!

-Andrea- ~:>

Hi Artsy! I am glad the copy/paste thing is working for you. I am going to copy and paste the info I gave you here for poor patricians....

Pat, I am so sorry you are having such a rough time! I think that sometimes it really is the fault of the website, but I see that they are trying to work the bugs out. The next time you write something, try copying before you submit it. Here's a copy of the info I put in Artsy's journal:

I know all too well how frustrating it can be to lose those long posts. Something I do now before hitting that submit button is copy so that I will still have the message if something goes wrong. If you don't know how to do that, just click in the message area, hold down the Ctrl button and hit A at the same time. This will highlight the whole message. Then hold down the Ctrl button again and press C. This will copy the message. If something goes wrong after you submit, all you have to do is go to the message screen again and type Ctrl V. This will paste the whole message back in.

I hope this works for you!

Hello Christina, how sweet of you to visit! Nice to meet you!

Andrea, this is for you. See if you understand: Welp, 15k on a bike ain't no thang, but I b wayyyyy behind ole Beyill on the upslope, but he hasta move on over and git outta my way for the downslope, else I'll run over his ace. He has learnt not to wait on me cuz even if I b backaire goin up I come on down purdy dern strong! There b certain advantages to outweighin' 'im.

Ok... I'm over it....

I'm still not doon great on my food and I still need to work on the wadder, although I'm gettin' bedder at it. The wadder is easy as long as I'm sittin' still, but out of sight, out of mind. I must figger out a way to do bedder. Gonna wirk on that food by the weekend!

Oh! Maybe I wasn't over it.... down girl!

We got very optimistic today and decided that we were going on a 40k bike ride when Bill got home from work. When the time came we jumped on the bikes and went to Subway to get dinner to take on a picnic we planned to have about mid way. I didn't figure in the heat factor. We took off on the Yellowhead Highway going west and the sun was blazing! I think it was 30c (85F) today which is mild compared to the heat I was used to in Memphis, but it got to me! I was on a downslope and poor Bill was about to move over for safety when I had to stop. I really hated to be such a party pooper but I felt like I was on fire under that helmet. It was truely making it hard for me to keep my energy level up. When I told Bill that I was worried that I wouldn't make it back if we went much further, he almost looked relieved. That made me feel a little better. We turned around and had our dinner in the park in town. The total distance was about 27K, but according to my cycle's little computer, I spent an hour and a half in motion. That's slow! And I am aching!

I also managed to smoke only 2 cigarettes today. I think I will do better when Bill quits and there are no cigs available.

Til next time!
Linda

Linda...27 km in the heat...wow!! You are right to be proud of that. I work out with my husband, too. He is much fitter than I am, but he supports me. It is great to do something together.

Dumb question re: the copying and pasting. What happens to the copied info if its not used? Does version #1 get replaced by version #2 the next time you copy? Does it just disappear when you shutdown the computer?

Can't stay long. Loved your post. Just wanted to leave a quick suggestion on the water. I take supplements, and I think 50% of the reason they work so well, is because they make me so thirsty that I HAVE to drink water. I *THINK* it's one of these: Cider Vinegar, Lipoic Acid, or Green Tea. I KNOW the Ripped Fuel makes me thirsty, but I'm wary about recommending it, because I have read bad, bad stuff about it. It hasn't hurt me, but I'd never want someone else to follow my suggestion, and end up sick or worse because of it! Also, I KNOW Cayenne makes me thirsty, but I can't take it anymore. Too spicy.

Anyway... Maybe that will help, if it doesn't, I'm almost positive these supplements have played a significant roll in my weightloss.

Better go! Big hugs!

-Andrea-

Hi Linda;
Two smokes a day! You're almost clear of them!
Know what, last year when you were quittingand you were sucking on the Jolly Ranchers? Well I'm so susceptible to the power of suggestion when it comes to treats that I was sucking them back too! And I still contintued to lose weight. But now I've been losing and gaining the same four pounds since Jan. Maybe I need to crack open the Jolly Ranchers again.
PAT

This was a pretty uneventful day. It was up to 35C (95F) and too hot for me to get a lot done. I didn't even want to cook. We took off on the bikes at around 7:30 and rode over to McDonald's for a salad. We had the Roasted Veggie Chicken. That had to be the worst salad I ever ate. The next time we go out for fast food salad we will have to stick to Wendy's. We rode around just a little after that. I am not real crazy about riding on a full stomach, whereas Bill is rarin' to go. I forgot to look at the odometer, but I would guess that we rode no more than 10K... if that much.

Artsy, it is abosolutely a big help to have a husband that is willing to exercise with us, isn't it? Bill loves cycling as much, if not more, than I do and is almost always ready to ride. As for your copy question: The item you copy will stay were it is unless a) you do another copy, then yep, it gets replaced or b) you reboot or shut down the computer. It stays in what is called 'clipboard' until one of those things happen.

Andree, thanks for your great suggestions! I've never heard of Ripped Fuel but from what you are saying, I should probably pass. I like to go the holistic way in all that I can, but if something is potentially harmful it kind of defeats the holistic purpose for me. I'll look for those other items!

Pat, I have been thinking lots about those jolly ranchers.. LOL! I remember that after a week or two of no smoking last year my mouth felt like war had been declared inside it because of cuts from the slivers. I wonder if you are as susceptible to suggestion as Bill is. He has it so bad that he gets what he calls "Sympathy PMS" every month. :sick:

See yawl tomorrow!
Linda

Lol. I thought all men got sympathy PMS! I don't think it's just Bill. ;) My boyfriend gets it, too--even the cramps! Cute, huh? It's contageous!

Ripped Fuel is a product by Twin Lab. It's supposed to be for body building--but it's really just the same as their diet pill, without some ingredients. Hmmm. Anyway, it's the Ma Huang in it that's supposed to be bad. Personally, I think all the bad stories I've heard have been about people that OD'd on the stuff... but, who knows?

I PM'd you yesterday. I was just wondering if you got it.

BIG HUGS to you! :rose:

-Andrea-

Good morning Linda! :D

You are doing very well with your exercise! It is awesome that Bill loves to do it with you. It's always easier to exercise when you have a buddy who will go with you!

I don't like McDonald's salads either, but I haven't tried Wendy's. I usually eat Subway's salads, but I'm not a huge fan of salads so I'm not a very good judge of what's good & bad! lol

Have a great weekened!
Shannon

Hi Linda! I have had so much fun reading your journal and hope we will be friends. I am down here in Oregon having a rotten heat wave too. Kudos to you and Bill (he sounds like such a neat guy) for exercising even in the heat. That is awesome that the two of you can share exercise and healthy habits together. It is great for his blood pressure too so maybe you guys won't have those horrible scary trips to the ER anymore! I am so glad that it turned out to just be a problem with his meds. That had to have been awful!

I am glad you are not going to try Ripped Fuel, because it does have ephedra in it and that stuff is dangerous. I know Andree is just being helpful and everyone has to make their own decision, but extra weight already taxes our cardiovascular systems and ephedra causes extreme strain on that system which can cause heart attacks and strokes, it is well documented. It is going to be banned in the U.S. soon, in my opinion.

On a happier note, I do like the salads at Wendy's especially the new oriental chicken one. Keep doing great! I will be cheering for you!
Love, Heather

For once I am struggling to think of something to talk about. Imagine that! Two more uneventful days here. I didn't do any cycling yesterday because there were record breaking temperatures again. I didn't ride today either. I guess I just had the 'can't help its". Hopefully tomorrow will be nice. If so, I WILL ride! I want to eventually start walking in the mornings, too... or find an alternative exercise.

I did take the time to do a little more reading in order to figure out what kind of non-diet I wanted to do. I finally got it together and made a grocery list and I will get started tomorrow. I'm going to try to make it healthy, yet simple this time.

LOL Andrea... Bill gets the cramps too! I had no idea other men did this. None that I ever knew did. I'll have to tell Bill, he might be relieved to know he isn't alone. BTW, I pm'd ya back, did you get it?

Hi Shannon! I'm with Heather, that mandarin chicken salad at Wendy's is VERY good! It's always been fresh when I got it too. Well duh! I eat at Subway all the time and never thought about getting a salad there. Are they very big, like dinner size?

Hi there Heather, so nice of you to drop in! It sounds like we have things in common, yep! As I said above, that Wendy's manderin chicken is my favorite. Oregon is such a beautiful state. I hope to do some cycling there some day. Yes, Bill is a pretty special guy and it makes a world of difference to live with someone who wants to pursue a healthier lifestyle with me.

Love to all,
Linda

Ya know sometimes it's nice to have those days that are so uneventful that you can't think of what to write in your journal. At least I sure don't mind having those days every now and then! :D

I think taking your time to find the right diet is important. It's hard to stick with one you hate, and you feel a thousand times better when you find what works for you. I hope you find what works for you soon! :)

Shannon

Hi Shannon! It's always great to hear from you! I tend to get on a roll when it comes to those uneventful days..

Speaking of which.... it was another uneventful day! I got the grocery shopping done and now I am ready to buckle down and eat right.

We went on a steady 48 minute bike ride on the west road. It's a bit hilly, but I felt really good when I got home!

Til next time!
Linda

Hey Linda,
Just wanted to pop over and say hi :) BOY you are doing great with your exercsie! It is nice that you and Bill share that. I agree with everyone else......he sounds like such a great guy! Im so glad to hear that his health issues were related to meds.......Im sure that was a weight off your shoulders. You keep up the wonderful progress!!

Hi Christine! Yes, it is a relief that Bill's problem was the medicine. My own blood pressure is much better now :)

I woke up feeling better than I have in quite some time and had a good day all around. I am sure it's the exercise.

Today I inhaled:

Breakfast:
Shreddies
Skim milk
Blueberries
Nanners

Meditation, 20 minutes

Snack:
Fruit salad

Lunch:
LF Chicken Sub

Snack:
Raw Baby Carrots
Apple

Dinner:
Rosemary & garlic chicken
Brown Rice

Snack:
FF Fudge ice cream bar

Cycling: 40 minutes around town
Stop, go, stop, go, stop, go… ugh!

Cheers!
Linda

This is TOO funny. My daughter just walked in and looked at the computer screen and asked, "Why's a punkin' riding a bike?" I guess I'm on the only one who saw a pumpkin head! I wish you could have heard her. She asked it in such a cute way... Let's see if I can simulate in typing, "MOMMY! WHY's a PUNKIN riding a BIKE????" I just laughed a lot.

As for the sympathy PMS, you should tell Bill about it, because until you said that about Bill, I'm sure my boyfriend thought he was the only one! Pheremones, maybe?

I have a kitten sleeping in my lap at the moment. It's the most precious things. I like to say I'm a canine person, but... shucks, I love these critters. Do you have pets?

Hope you have the most wonderful of weeks!

-Andrea-

Well, you're doing wonderful! Your non-diet sounds terrific. I love the way you did breakfast--in all cutsie ;).

That weather can really be a pain when it comes to outdoorsie stuff, huh? I think that's why I opted for a stationary bike over the real thing. I don't know how hot it gets when there's a heat wave in Canada, but when there's one in NM, it gets into the 100's. I don't even like walking to the car (much less, getting in the thing.)

Boy, am I ever smart!!! I am soooo glad I copied this long message before submitting it and watching it evaporate into the ozone the first time around!!! I would have been majorly P.O'd!

LOL Andrea. I could just hear her! I had to tell Bill (he made the animation for me) and he thought it was funny too. I guess it does kinda look like a pun'kin, 'cept it's red. :laugh: I don't have pets at the moment, but I am waiting for a needy animal to find me. My cat of 12 years died a couple of years ago and I still miss her a lot. Bill had a cat until a year ago, but the cat was very clear... he belonged to Bill. I do love animals, and that is one thing I love about cycling. You see so much that you might miss if you were zooming by in a car. When we cycle through Jasper we sometimes have to slow down for the critters crossing the road. I love it... unless it happens to be a bear.

(Slippin' into hick mode)
I had to look to see about that cutsie breakfast you were talking about. I see what ya mean with them nanners... but I remembered that they don't sell Shreddies in the states.. or I don't think they do. That's the real name of a whole wheat cereal made by Post. :up:

Today's Fewd:

Breakfast:
Shreddies
Blueberries
Skimmed milk

20 minute bike ride around town

Snack:
Nanner

Lunch:
Spring salad made with
Leftover Rosemary/Garlic Chicken &
Spoonfulla cranberry trail mix
Raspberry Vinaigrette dressing

Snack:
Bagel w/light cream cheese

Dinner:
Grilled Salmon
Green Salad
LF Ranch Dressing

40 minute bike ride, north road (total 1 hour for the day)

I was doing a lot of cycling last year and got so very discouraged because no matter how hard I tried I would go 4 weeks without losing a pound. I didn't want that to happen this year, so I have been looking through online bike forums to find out if anybody else had this problem. Usually people just say to exercise and stop eating (Shallow Hals). I decided to take one last plunge today and throw the question at them about what I could be doing wrong. I knew all the nutrition stuff that most people replied with, nothing new. But finally, someone posted some info that I wasn't totally aware of. Just when I think I know everything.....

Here is a paste of part of those replies that I thought were interesting. Besides, I don't want to lose the info. Diettalk will save it for me right? Right????

Fruits, while an excellant source of nutrients is actually not a good energy source for you as they contain sugars(fructose)that is a very ready stored as fat (so consume but don't overdo ie juices). Protien is important to preserve muscle as that is the engine that burns fat. If you reach a point early in the rides where you seem to hit the wall, train to work through it (w/o consuming sugar) as your body is switching over to burning fat rather than sugar .Fat burning is less efficient than sugar burning so you will feel sluggish at first but with training you will become more efficient at fatburning

That might explain why I can go 100K some days, yet struggle to get 10K in on others. On those tough 10K rides, maybe I am burning fat and I simply quit too soon because I am feeling sluggish and worry that I won't make it back to the garage. It could be that I am not getting enough protein in order to ride for long on those days too.

On the fruit just stick with low gylcemic high fiber types. Cherries work well and can be eaten while riding(w/ good handlebar bag).

Oh great. Now I have to find a low glycemic high fiber index. I thought I had researched everything about food. I should be a PHd by the time I learn all of this. I always thought a carb was a carb.

The trick for you is to get in fat burning state w/o cutting calories to the point the body gets into a survival mode where it tends to hold onto fat stores.You probably have enough stored body fat to fuel a crosscountry trip. The trick is to convince the body to use it because it tends to like to hold on to it.

Oh no... another trick... :c(

To summarize, the important thing about nutrition is balance.Try not to eat protien,carbs or fats alone but combine them in small frequent meals to avoid getting depleted and going into starvation mode. Particularly avoid processed simple sugars (or really any carb) alone as they will immediately stop all fat burning. Avoid hydrogenated fats but eat a variety of others incl. some saturated . Favor low glycemic high fiber carbs and always eat w/ fat and/or protein.A better substitute for fruit than I mentioned in the last post is a balanced trail mix.

Sometimes I wonder if I will ever get the perfect menu together for myself. But I am gonna try! I have to!

And when I do, you can call me Dr. Tmayder.... :doc:

Cheers!
Linda

Hello Linda~~ your post made me laugh about some things.
are you a country gal?
i too like shredded wheat and nanners.
i give yopu credit for the cycling. i cycle but indoors and some days i can go at top speed and other days my legs wont move.
maybe i nedd more protein too.
i also love animals. i have tropical fish now. i had several animals over the years. we also have a dog and i had a cat and he died. i loved him so and miss him so we had gotten another cat and he was so destructive to my house i gave him back to his owner which he destroyed there house as well so he is now living on a farm. LOL
well have a good day!

Lol. Doctor Tmayder's got a ring to it, doncha think? :) Wow, Bill made your icon? He's got a talent, doesn't he? I have a website I could use some help with. Is he for hire? ;)

Interesting tips. I should try them. I always try this or that. My latest thing has been the smaller, but more frequent meals. I don't think this is going to work. You're supposed to never feel hungry, but I ALWAYS feel hungry. Bah. How's your weight loss coming along? I know you don't weigh yourself, but are you noticing extra room in the clothes?

I'm sorry to hear about your cat :( We had a 10yr old cat that we had to give away because he was ticking everyone in the neighborhood off... Okay, not everyone. Just one stupid, anal retentive neighbor that would (hypothetically) get ticked off at our landlord if he stubbed his toe on the sidewalk--he'd probably demand him to level the sidewalk, or something. He found our cat sleeping in the back of his pick-up truck, and threw a FIT. How childish is that? Anyway, it's a long, long story about our Izzy, but I really hope he's found a happy place to live. Our kittens have to be indoor kitties, of course.

Anyway, 'nuff said. I'm in on an adrenaline high. I think HeatherC was right when she said it was good you weren't going to try Ripped Fuel. I think I've become addicted, and that's BAD. I need to wean myself of the junk. How are you doing with the water, anyway? I've joined the "Losing for Love" challenge, and this weeks challenge is to drink tons of water. I officially invite you! If you're interested, that is. I think a challenge will be really helpful for me. I need mini goals.

Better go before you fall asleep reading all this! I love to write as much as you do, if not more ;).

Have a.... marvelous day!

-Andrea-

Hey Minnie! No, I am not really a country girl, I'm originally from Memphis, a large city. Yankees 'n Canadians think I tawk funny.. but really, it isn't me! It's youse guys, eh? It took a few years in Canada before I could get used to being called a yankee. I always looked around to see who they were talking to. I lived 40 years in Tennessee and never once did anyboby ever call me a yankee! It takes getting used to! I don't know why I never knew that the world outside of the US borders called ALL Americans 'yankees'.

Please know that I realize the Civil War is over and I have no problems with northern US citizens. I'm just being silly.

Andrea, yep, Bill is a terrific artist. Actually, we have a commercial website development business and Bill does all the graphics. Me, I'm totally untalented in the art department, but I can do some mean website programming... or at least I try. What kind of help do you need on your website? Wow... do you really think Ripped Fuel is addictive? If so, you should start tapering off the stuff before it really starts causing problems!

Fewd ah et tewday:

Breakfast:
2 slices of WW Toast
1tbsp Becal

Snack:
Fruit Salad

Lunch:
LF Chicken Sub

Snack:
Granola Bar

Dinner:
Parmesan Chicken
Portabella 'shrooms

Snack:
Vanilla Yogurt

Morning bike ride, 20 min

I'm not really looking forward to rethinking a meal plan again. It took me forever the last time!! Geez! I guess I have to if I want to lose weight and keep cycling. The stuff I ate today is not cuttin' it as far as the suggestions I am getting from the bike forums are concerned.

Back to the drawing board!
Linda

I keep forgetting to mention how I'm doing on water. I've been able to drink 2 liters per day but that also translates into sleepless nights for me. I don't know what to do about this problem!

I had to cut back to just a little over a liter yesterday because I needed to get some sleep last night... and boy, that was nice! I should be drinking 3 liters per day but how can I do that if only 2 keeps a worn path between the bedroom and the bathroom? It isn't like I drink very much before bedtime. I usually have the remainder of 2 liters down by the end of dinner. I just sip a little the rest of the evening because I am thirsty.

Mercy!

Hello! i can relate to the water thing. i drink alot and i too run to the bathroom often including during the night sometimes several times and it does get annoying but i guess we should get used to it cuz the more we drink the more wee pee and the more we lose. so theres a price to come with everything. just think of the exercise in running to the bathroom. LOL
well have a good day!

Hiyas. Making some sleepy, before bed time rounds. So, if I make little sense, I'm sorry. Ripped Fuel is addicting. Yep. Read it on a website. I'm trying to taper off. It is hard though. I guess Ma Huang (the primary ingredient in the Fuel) has cocaine like aspects. "Quitting" the stuff can cause major withdrawls, including fatigue, depression, hunger...ad nauseum. Sigh. I'm trying, though.

Um... what else was I going to say? About the website. I could use any help I can get. These are my two sites. Mine: www.moonspryte.com and the one I made for my sister: www.taking-a-breath.com I guess I want hers to look more professional, and mine... I don't know. Not to look so thrown together.

Sorry I just responded to the bits that pertained to me. I'm tired beyond all belief. Will be back soon to read up on, and thoroughly comment on your ventures.

Till then--
:rose: :rose:

Andrea

Hi Andrea!

Thanks for the links to your websites. Are you the poet? What type of HTML editor do you use? I don't think the 2nd link you gave me is working right, or at least there isn't a personal website coming up.

Hi Minnie! I sure hope my all nighters will stop soon! If not I will have to take a break from all the water from time to time because I cannot function without sleep! Either that or invent a potty pillow and just stay in there. There certainly isn't much chance of my falling in during the catnaps.

We went to Jasper National Park today and headed for Maligne Lake to try kayaking. We went ocean kayaking when we were in Florida in March and have been thinking about the possibilities of buying a few solo kayaks some day. Okay, mostly Bill has been thinking about kayaks. I like them lots and it would be fun, especially where we live, but I have been so busy cycling that I guess I forgot about them. This would be a good exercise in addition to the cycling because while cycling only works the lower body, kayaking would take care of the upper body.

So anyway, we get to the rental place and they only have one solo and six tandems available. Also, the cost of the rentals was more than I expected. I know how much Bill had been looking forward to the solo so I encouraged him to go on without me. He didn't argue with me too long and rented the solo. He had a great time and I suppose we will have a few kayaks of our own within a year.

While he was gone, I walked around a lot and took lotsa pictures. I'll scan them once the pictures are developed. I have to tell you, I live in God's country. If you have not ever been to heaven, go to Jasper and Banff Parks and you will wonder if you can ever trust your eyes again. It's breathtaking and I am grateful to live here.

There is a huge amount of wildlife here as well. I cannot believe how stupid people can be!!!! When we were driving to the lake we saw 2 vehicles pulled over to the side of the road. I was so stunned to see 2 idiot tourist, cameras clicking away at a bear. Mind you, the bear was on the edge of the road and they would have had great pictures without getting out of their RV's, but these guys were in danger and didn't even know it!!! They were both 6 feet from the bear, circling the darned thing. If bears feel threatened, you is bear fewd! Bears can also run 20MPH. Six feet of air between these guys and an angry bear would not have saved them.

Ok, enuf of that!

Til next time!
Linda

Hello~~ glad you had a good time. sounds like fun.
the bear thing was unbeleivable what soem people will do. i wouldnt as i am afraid of large animals up close.
people sometimes dont think or dont care.
well have a good weekend too!

Hi Tmayder! Thanks for stopping by my journal! I just wanted to let you know I posted a big, long response in my journal to your questions about the milk article. Here's the link: (I hope!! ;) ) http://www.diettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21161

Hi Linda....I agree, Jasper National Park is incredibly beautiful. I prefer it to Banff National Park because there is less development (at least when we were there in 1986). Do you live close the the parks? For some reason I thought you lived in Calgary.

Re: bears. I just saw a documentary, and bears can travel at 40 MPH...they can beat a quarter horse in the quarter mile (something a girl from Tennessee has probably seen). Every year bears have to be destroyed because they become habituated to humans.

You can go crazy with diet and nutrition information. What I have found is that to lose weight I have to follow some rules, and not necessarily the same rule every time. For instance, I have lost weight on high protein diets, WW, blood type diet, etc. When I get into trouble it is trying meld a couple of different diets. You have to have SOME rules, but they can change. As far as cycling goes, I have heard that since it uses the quadriceps so much it is a good idea to cross-train with an activity that uses the hamstrings...like running, stairmaster or walking hills. That keeps the muscles around the knees in balance so you don't wind up with knee problems.

Hi everybody!

Minnie, I think that people tend to get wrapped up in the excitement of showing the guys back home some really good pictures. I don't think it crosses their minds that they are risking their lives for it. They just don't think!

Heather, thank you very much! It really is interesting!

Artsy, yes, diet and nutrition does make me nuts at this stage of the game. I am coming to the conclusion that nobody knows the exact answers. There are so many opinions! Geez!! I agree, I do need to balance out my exercise. Running isn't my thing, but I want to start walking soon. Maybe in the morning!

Welp, didn't do great as far as food this weekend, but I didn't go crazy either. We rode out west a bit and got a total of 17K on the bike. I can tell I am getting stronger and so could Bill. He commented on how I surprised him on the hills today. I could tell I am taking them easier too! I had a 2 day break from cycling, and I think that helped too.

See yawl tomorrow!
Linda

*Whistle* Hey, baby, you're lookin' buff! What's your sign? ;) Bill better watch out, or he's going to notice strange men eyeing his fine woman. Even worse, he'll find himself pedaling in your dust, because you'll be a super strong speed demon. Or is that worse? Hehehe.

:) Hope your Monday started off well. Have a fun week!

-Andrea-

Oh my, Andrea... the only reason men would be looking at me is because they are taking bets on how much slower I can ride my bike on a steep hill before I simply fall over!

I am getting better at it though. We rode 22K last night on Bear Lake Road. I like the lopey hills, but the last one is a doozey! I was moving along pretty good at that point but after an hour of riding my legs were tired. The entire ride was 1 hour, 10 minutes.

No matter how much I say that I won't be obsessed with diet this time, I fight it every day. I doubt that I know what I am doing. I went ahead and put my food into Fitday to see how I am doing on my own and I am, of course, disappointed.

Breakfast:
2 slices WW toast
1 tbsp Becal Margerine

Snack:
Yogurt

Chicken Sammich on WW Bread
w/light mayo
skimmed milk

Snack:
Small spring salad with
1 tbsp cranberry trail mix &
raspberry vineagrette dressing

Dinner:
Baked parmeasan cod
cauliflower
salad (same as snack salad)

After cycling:
Starbuck's Frappuccino
(Bad girl!).... Gawd, that was refreshing, but I hafta stop doing that!

According to Fitday numbers, 1221 Calories for the day, 32% calories from fat (YIKES!), 22% from protein, 46% from carbs. Darn!!!!!

Just a few tablespoons of the trailmix was high in fat, but it was high in protein as well. I am trying very hard to build up the protein and lower the fat and carbs. I'm getting a headache.

Fitday also shows that I burned off 1128 calories in cycling, 1547 in Basal, 926 in lifestyle for a total of 3631 calories burned. I am not sure what the heck all this means... and I feel an obsession coming on. Help! Stop me!

I guess I will copy and paste this over to the help section and see if I can get some type of understanding.

Cheers!
Linda

Hiya Linda. Men would look at you because you're beautiful, of course. Silly girl!

I have done FitDay, too, but bored of it really fast. I doubt you'll get too obsessed. First off, looking at your numbers, YOU ARE DOING INCREDIBLY WELL! Let's see if I can help:

Lifestyle: Basically means the calories you've burned doing what it is you do... Like, dishes, shopping, gardening. Etc. This, like your basal, is determined by what you chose at the lifestyle option: busy, lax, moderate...etc.

Basal: Essentially, your metabolism. It's the calories you burn sleeping, sitting, watching TV, picking your nose, sniffing a flower--you get it, whenever you're inactive.

You understand the bit about biking, I'm sure.

A pound of body fat is 3500 calories. You consumed 1221 (that is EXCELLENT--nothing to be disappointed over!), and burned...great--my cat erased it while I was editing, and I have no reference to go back to. Well, you burned a great deal. So, you "lost" 2,410 calories for the day. If you burn off 1090 more than you eat, just today, you'll lose a pound of fat! If you consume the same amount of calories that you did yesterday, today, you'll go over 1090 with your basal and lifestyle, alone. :) Spiffy, huh?

Okay. I'm really tired, so, I hope I made sense. Fie on landlords that say they're coming to inspect your apartment at 9am--making you get up at 7am to clean; only to come knocking on your door at 9:30, to tell you they've changed the time to 3pm!!! Argh!

Oh, yeah, and I wanted to tell you that most of the fat in that trail mix was probably from the nuts--which is the good kind of fat. http://www.peanut-institute.org/11-22-99_GoodFatPeanut_PR.html You can't feel too bad about that, right? :)

Hugs. You're doing an amazing job with the diet, and your biking just blows me away. 1/2 an hour on a stationary bike has me huffing and puffing!

:rose: Have a monounsaturated fat day!

-Andrea-

Hi Linda! Just wanted to say great job on the cycling! You and Bill are a formidable team. :)

I love walking. It is so nice to be out there, your own pace, taking in nature and all the beauty and sounds...I solve a lot of my problems on my walks. I think it would be a good complement to cycling. Let me know if you try it!

Isn't Andree great? That was some good info. You learn something new every day! At least I did, lol.

You are doing great! Keep smiling! Love, Heather

Not much to talk about today. It was way too windy for cycling, so other than a 15 minute walk around town I didn't get any exercise in.

Today's food:

Breakfast:
Shredded WW Cereal
Blueberries
Skim Milk

Snack:
Grapes

Lunch:
Chicken Sandwich on
Whole Wheat Bread
LF Mayo

Snack:
1/2 Cantalope

Dinner:
Grilled Chicken
Small Baked Sweet Potato
Spring Salad with Strawberries & 3 crumbled Pecans
Raspberry Vineagrette Dressing

Snack:
Peaches and LF Cottage Cheese

Total Calories 1543
Fat 18%
Carbs 50%
Protein 32%

Hi Andrea! Great info, thank you! I used FitDay last year too, and every single morsel of food was accounted for. I wasn't in my right mind. I am only using it now to try to help get an idea of what I might be doing right or wrong. BTW, I still think you would do great on a real bike! I couldn't last hardly 15 minutes on the stationary... I was bored out of my saddle! The variety of the road helps me stick with the riding, but the different view of the world from the bike is fun too.

Heather, yep, that Andrea is sumpin else! The weather should be getting better soon, so I am going to try to start walking in the mornings... probably next week. I've had a nerve problem in my back that is too jumbled if I walk now. I've got an appointment to get a massage on Thursday, that should help.

I guess I will go look around the journals a bit.

Love to all,
Linda

I wish I could vent my @ss off. I would be at goal right now.

S**t!

(clipped, chopped and eaten)

Ok... better now... deep breath....

I want pizza, then chocolate for dessert, and lots of it...

THANKS FOR LISTENING EVERYBODY!! YOU ARE SUCH SWEET WONDERFUL PEOPLE!

Oh, sweetie. :( I've had that kind of day, too. I totally empathize. Elizabeth's grandmother sounds so much like your mom. She'll call me up all freaking out and urgent sounding...to tell me Liz scraped her knee. I know this doesn't help. If I could think straight (I'm seeting PO'ed, too) I would offer something more. I will try to do so soon. I care. You know I care. PM or email me, if you need to.

:rose: :rose: :rose:

-Andrea-

Tmayder....ITS GREAT TO SEE YOU BACK...AND YOU ARE BACK WITH SUCH GREAT MOTIVATION!!!!
YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!!
How is Bill doing now? That was really scary...
Otto
:rose:

Oh, Linda I am so sorry. You mom came along and peed on your parade in a big way...

Ok, now what would would our enlightened, authentic selves do in this situation? I think my authentic self would tell me to pause a moment and try to find something to be grateful for: that brother is going to be ok, that we are NOT over-reacting disaster worshippers like SOME other people we know, that we have loving, supportive hunky husband and that we can come to DT and your friends will let you vent ANY TIME YOU WANT, babe!

Ok, it is hard to be enlightened when we are pissed. And you have every right to be. But it probably won't make you feel better, and in a way, it gives your mom that power over you, to make you feel crappy and ruin your day. That does not mean that I would do or feel any different...my ex was mentally sick and abusive at one point, and even though I knew he was wrong, his ranting and abuse would get to me.

But don't let the crap keep you down. As much as you want the pizza and ice cream (hell I do and nothing bad happened to me!) I know you will feel worse later. So try to hold out if you can...

You are a wonderful, kind, supportive person. You deserve love and support, not fear and guilt. I wish I could give you more than a hug, but here is one anyway :hug: with all my good thoughts for a better day tomorrow...
Love, Heather

-------------------END WHINING-------------------

Forgive me for my moment of weakness and for all my ranting in the previous post. Sheesh.. Pitiful! I had to cut that message out because I really want to be able to make this journal a positive thing.... I NEED THAT! Oh, I don't promise not to vent from time to time, but I do need to get a grip. I did feel better after the rant. My only problem with living in Canada is I have no friends to talk to other than Bill (and I am sure he would like a break now and then). My only problem with living in the USA is constant consecutive days like today where somebody is always sucking up every ounce of energy I have.

I'm over it. Somebody is looking over me because not 30 minutes after that long drawn out babbling, a massage therapist that I had been trying to see about a muscle spasm called and asked me if I wanted to come in to see her today. No joke, perfect timing. So that's what I did. Every muscle in my body was as hard as a rock.

I'm always writing in other peoples journals about emotional eating. I do that because I am the world's worst. I didn't do great on my diet today, but I didn't have pizza but I did have a sugar packed granola bar. I really must figure out what my deal is with emotions and eating or get therapy! lol!

Dearest Andrea, thank you so much, and yep, I do know you care, I can feel it :) I care about you as well and I hope you know that too. Wouldn't it all be easier if those ne'er do wells would figure out that life isn't always about misery?

HOLY MOLEY! IT'S OTTO!!!! LTNS GIRL!! How are you??? I have not seen you around, I will have to put my glasses on and see if you have a journal I can invade! Bill is doing great, thank you! HUGS!!

Heather, you wise thing! You are so right about those sneaky ways that people can have of controlling us! I unfortunately have more than a few family members like that in TN. You would think that 3,000 miles between us would put me in a safety zone, but noooooo.... lol! I thought I had a handle on that kind of crap, but this one really got to me today. No excuse. I just have to stop letting my buttons get pushed.


Seriously, you are such wonderful people. Thank you for caring.

Love to you,
Linda

Aaahh yes, POSITIVE THOUGHTS ARE BREWING!!! But we need to vent somewhere...better here than in the FRIG!
Sounds like you are really loosening up and getting ready to kick butt!!!!
Tmayder--I have been hanging out here on and off. I have been having good times and bad times, then more bad than good. But I am back on track since Monday (for the 999th time) and feeling pretty good. although-we are leaving for vacation on Sunday and I am due for TOM...but I will keep on trying! I don't have a current journal at this time...I don't think I am going to start a new one...I am going to take another approach.
I am certainly glad to hear Bill is doing good again!
I look forward to seeing more of your photos of your travels...
Have a HAPPY AND HEALTHY FRIDAY!!
Otto
:rose:

Thank you Otto, you have a grand Frydie yerownself!! I should have some pictures over the next few weeks. We are going on a bike camping trip this weekend (50K each way) but it's just to prepare us for a 3 or 4 night trip in the first week of August. That one will be from Jasper to Banff, somewhere around 300K (GULP!) I hope I'm ready for that. I guess I am going to find out!

I didn't keep a record on food today, but I did okay. The worst of it was that I ate another one of those granola bars. We rode out on the east highway which has a couple of very challenging hills, about 17K total. This is the same road that we will travel this weekend for our camping trip. We are doing this one to try to get ready for the big Jasper trip. We will have to go through some serious hills and a very challenging mountain pass at the Columbian Ice Fields on that one. (GULP-GULP!) The reality is that it will be more like (GASP-GASP!!)

Nuttin' else new here!

Cheers!
Linda

have fun on the trip and enjoy the weekend too!

Linda...thanks for the warm, encouraging note you left in my journal the other day...it helped.

You need some girlfriends! My family and my husband's family are quite needy (not to mention suspect mentally on occasion) and I would feel the pressure from that so much more if I didn't have friends. It sounds rotten, but I have told my friends that I would take a friend over a sister any day. I lost a wonderful friend last year and I really felt the loss.

So...you need to get out an recruit friends. I met my closest friend at a conference...we were the only two women there. I found it really easy to talk to her, and after I flew home I sent her an e-mail and asked if she would like to become friends. The rest is history. We don't live in the same community, but we talk on the phone a couple times a week. If you run into somebody you like, seize the moment and see if they want to go for coffee or something.

Take care...online friend.

Things looked good (weatherwise) Friday night so we packed up and got everything ready for our weekend bike tour. We woke up Saturday to rain... lots of rain. That pretty much put an end to our planned 100K (roundtrip) ride out east on the Yellowhead, but we decided to wait and see if the weather would clear. It did eventually, but it was around 3pm. We went to plan B, which was to load up the bikes and drive to the campgrounds. If the weather would stay clear, then we would ride our bikes back home the next day and drive my truck back for the other truck.

Once we had everything set up at the campsite we got on the bikes and rode to Niton Junction (total 20K). It started raining again just before we got there. We ducked into a convenience store and .... and.... I had an out of body experience and watched myself reach for an ice cream and then actually eat it. Does OBE ice cream count since I wasn't in my body? (Are you buying this story?) We woke this morning to more rain and it is still raining. So there was nothing we could do but load up and come back home.

Yep, Artsy, I do need some girlfriends! I've only lived in small towns in Canada, and like any small town, it is kinda tough for a 'farner' to fit in. I did some volunteer stuff in BC just to get an opportunity to meet some people. I did make one good friend out of that, but then we had to move here. Since I moved here, I got with 2 organisations that I thought would put me in the mix with other women who had the same interests that I do. Don't get me wrong, they were certainly friendly enough. It's just a small town and everybody already has their own cliques going on. They never invite me out for a coffee or anything, know what I mean? It is partly my fault too because I have had to be away so much. I have all that settled now, so it should get a little better. I have not given up yet :)

Cheers!
Linda

Hello Linda~~ the rain can be a bummer when you have plans but at least you got to go.
I dont have many girlfriends either. i have friends at work but no one does anything together outside of work either. mostly i do things with my hubby and kids and my sister who is one of my best friends next to my hubby.
i consider all of you here on line my friends too and enjoy talking with all of you . well enjoy your day and things will work out for you.

Feel sick. Can't think. BUT, you're in my thoughts. Had to come give you a :hug: Will write more soon when can think, not sick.

Love & Flu Shots

-Andrea-

Linda~~I've been so busy and haven't had time to visit your journal! Shame on me! I will catch up tonight though! I hope you had a wonderful weekend! :D

Linda...you are really getting in some long bike rides and I'm impressed! Did it take you long to get used to the bike seat? When I go to the gym there is a great "racing bike" that has all kinds of neat computer programs (you can race against somebody else). I love it EXCEPT for the seat. I always look around to make sure nobody is watching me get off the bike because I'm sure my gimacing face would give people some laughs.

Take care and keep pedalling!

Hello Minnie! Like you, my hubby is my best friend, but he was my best friend long before I ever thought we would be more than that. But he is a guy and there are some things that I feel that a woman would better relate to. But he tries! LOL... poor thang!

Andrea, I hate that you are having to go thru so much. I should be making you some broth or something. Hope you are getting better!

Shannon, nobody is under any obligation to visit my journal, so don't worry about that, okay? I'm not one of those who expects a visit back if I visit with them. I love to hear from my DT friends, don't get me wrong! The support is great!! But I don't take it personally if I don't hear back. I post to other journals because I have something to blab about, not because I want my ratings in the journals to go up.. lol! Thank you dear friend for stopping in... I hope life gives you a chance to relax a little this week.

Artsy, the bike seat is always an issue with people who do a lot of cycling. The bike I had last year was a pain in the @ss. I got a gel cover for the 'wedgie' seat, but in the end (no pun intended) I learned that it mostly has to do with the position of the seat. Raising or lowering a wedge seat (and handle bars for that matter) can make a huge difference. If you can adjust the seat or bars on the stationary, try slight adjustments at a time. You want to try to shift your weight away from those problem areas. I have a better bike this year but the cycling pro's always want to make fun of my comfort seat. It is a little wider (but not tractor wide) and it has spring suspension in the seat post. The pro's think the hard wedge is the only way to go. I don't understand that. This seat has caused me no trouble at all this year, not one day of soreness. The pro's just need to get over it, I like it :)

I am being spastic about my diet again. I do great for a day or two, then I eat something dumb. I've decided it is because I am lazy. If I could just get my hands on a daily menu, I would follow the darned thing. It sometimes takes me hours to plan a weekly menu and then make a grocery list, go hunt down the groceries and then sort stuff out according to plan. I have determined that I don't mind eating healthy at all! I'm just too lazy to plan it. This is the #1 reason I would like to see a nutritionist.... just pay somebody else to do the planning. Oh well....

It is still raining off and on here and the winds have been very cold! After the record high temps I can't believe I have been tempted to turn on the heat. Geez! I MUST get back to that bike. I have very little training done and I am starting to worry if I will be strong enough for next week's tour or not.

:eyes:

I guess I will find out!

Cheers!
Linda

Thanks for the well wishes! I think I'm mended. Bloody 'ell though, it'd figure I'd get TOM the day my stomach flu starts going away. What's with that? Sheesh.

I oughtta stick to a menu, too. My parents used to do that when they were dieting, but they were boring. They had the "chicken and fish diet." So, the menu went something like this, Mon. Chicken, Tues. Fish, Wed. Chicken, Thurs. Fish... you get it. Maybe our menus should be a little more...varied? I wish cookbooks would come with menus, as well. That way, we can shop & cook accordingly. I wonder why nobody's thought of that? Want to write a book with me? :) I bet a lot of people forgo health eating because they don't have the energy to prepare a meal. Heck, that's why I eat so much pizza. You've really got me thinking.

Your weather sounds wonderful. Oh what I would do to have weather that's got me wanting to turn up the heat... oooh, and drink hot chocolate! I can't drink hot chocolate when it's warm outside. It's never felt right. I HAVE to move to Canada! Sigh. Someday. I've actually never even been to Canada, but I've hear great things. I would love to live somewhere with less litter. You hear all about American pride here, but then you see people's disrespect for the country all over the streets. You know? Blah.

Wow. Work's really picked up. Gotta go.

Lot's o' love,

Andrea

Hi Linda;
I've been totally out of commision computer -wise for weeks, I finally had to get a new one. I have to start work in Edmonton during the last week in August, so I need to start making plans to haul @ss across Canada. I'll keep in touch to let you know how it's going.
Pat

Linda
my apologies about not visiting your most wonderful journal but I was off on a pity party that I am now over.... so hello and may I introduce myself and contribute to your journal. My husband and I share your love of cycling and bike a lot....around 40k 3 times a week and are aiming for 80 k soon but anyways I am also doing the dieting thing so understand your frustration at the not so quick losses.

perhaps could offer some input if I new how many pounds you are trying to lose as it is different the closer you get.

The one thing I have found frustrating is balancing calorie deprivation with performance as I am riding as much as DH but on less calories.

I have a few suggestions on the weight loss front as I log everything and found a few suggestions hopefully I can swap for some brilliant biking suggestions of yours.

First I found that the longer the ride the more I lost that week. Especially once it went longer than a few hours. This was even true when compared to weeks where I did other activities spread out and burned the same cals in the day. So I had a hypothesis that the longer rides really helped. then I found exrx.com and a study that says after 1 hour of sustained intermediate aerobic activity that you burn 7's the fat for calories than the first hour. I can always tell when I hit this as on my heart monitor my heart rate goes up.

so whatcha think??? have you noticed that???


also I found those padded shorts to be a godsend and I too think that pros are a little weird about the comfort seats.
I keep a thread of products I love in the products section and put some bike stuff in there. I would love to hear what you have found and would recommend.....here is the link

products I love and am not getting paid for
http://www.diettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17804

here is my journal if you want to stop by ( don't feel like you have to as I am like you and just like to pop in and out of peoples lives)
http://www.diettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21689

and here is my thread of facts I came up with that has some great links to exercise sites. its opinionated ( by humble me) but where I post stuff I run across so I can reference it... you might find a few of the links helpful

CJ's journal excerpts
http://www.diettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21636

I also really like
www.triathlete.com for biking stuff
do you know of some good ones if so post in my journal or pm me.


I wish you the best with your fitness quest and look forward to reading your wonderful journal
CJ

Linda...I think it is a great idea for you to go and see a nutritionist who can devise a diet that will support your biking activity...since you are obviously very hooked on the biking, you need something to support that and help you get to your weight goal.

CJ made some interesting suggestions for you...interesting post, CJ.

Hey...who cares what the pros say about your bike seat? The more comfortable you are the more likely you are to keep pedaling off into the sunset, and they can end up with "numbness" and problems where they don't want problems!

Hello~~ well you made me laugh with the post in my journal about watering the dog. it was too funny. but thanks for the laugh.
as far as planning meals i dont make a weekly menu but i buy foods i know are good for the week then each morning i write down all 3 meals i will have and add up the points. it works good but you gotta put the effort in it. somedays i dont feel like it but i follow it if i didnt list it i would overeat.
you are doing great job. well have a great night!and i agree men dont understand everything but women do can count on that one.

Brrrrr!! It rained until 7:30pm and since we have not been able to get any riding in, we jumped on the bikes at 8:15. It was so cold!! I'm still shivering. This is the first time I have gone on a ride wearing blue jeans and a long sleeved shirt in quite some time. I am definitely slower with cold muscles. We didn't get but 15K in because of the cold and because we didn't want it to get dark on us. I just checked the temperature and it is 5C (or 40f). The lowest temp on this date ever was 4C (39F). Go figger, this weird weather! It has been from one extreme to another for the last few weeks.

Andrea, I agree, TOM has way too much control over our lives. Hey, I like the book idea! Let's conquer this stupid weight thing and do it!

Andrea, that parental diet is funny! It reminds me of all the TV families of years gone by... Friday's fish... Sunday's pot roast.. etc. It was never like that when I was growing up. You got me to thinking now. My parents had me as teenagers and even though my mom didn't work, it was always Monday, chicken pot pie... Tuesday, Krystals... Wednesday, chicken noodle soup... Thurdays, tamales (either canned or from a place that made them... no Taco Hell back then). Our whole diet was mostly those darned chicken pot pies and Krystals and soup. The only time we got home cooked meals was either at grandma's on holidays, or sometimes dad would broil steaks. I started on bad eating habits from birth! Once I moved away from home I never ate another pot pie or chicken noodle soup. Barf!

I am a good example of a bad example to parents who raise their kids on carry out.

Pat!!! I tried to PM you but your message box is full. I hope I can get a message to you before you haul @ss across Canada.. :rofl:

Wow, CJ!!!! I had no idea that somebody else was into OTR cycling. I love it!! You are doing GREAT to get 40K 3x's per week! Geez, what kind of roads do you have where you live? 80K takes some time for me... LOL.. I have to have the whole day off! Last year we did 100K through Jasper and it took us exactly 5 hours and 15 minutes. Of course 4 of those hours were going uphill for 50K, then just a little over an hour getting back on the downhill... Wheeeee!!! :freedom:

CJ, I would love any advice that you might have. I think I need to lose around 60#. I'll post my food tomorrow. I learned a lot last year. As you know, you have to do a lot of snacking when on long cycling tours in order to keep your energy levels up. Last year I fed on nothing but fat free stuff. I had no idea that this was all wrong because of the extremely high carbs. I was putting back all the calories I was eating. I am getting some advice from other cyclists that tell me I should be eating anything from trail mix to fig bars. It is confusing to me because the trail mix is high fat, but the fig bars are high carbs. Everybody has a different opinion. I am trying to learn about the snacks that will keep me burning fat instead of carbs. I'm still trying to figure it out. It is hard to get good sound advice on this because endurance training on a diet is a lot different than spending a few hours at the gym. Only another cyclist would understand that, right?

It's good that you have a heart monitor. I have not used mine this year and I need to. One of the few things that everybody agrees on is that you actually burn less fat at the top of your maximum heart rate. So the best thing for the dieter is long slower rides. I really enjoy cycling with Bill, but we really don't always ride very close together. I can't ride within his MHR any more than he can ride within mine. It wouldn't be beneficial to either of us. I don't know what I am prattling on about, you probably already know all this.

I have to wear the bike shorts too, and I don't care how goofy I look.. lol! I had to wear jeans tonight because of the cold, but I could really tell the difference. The only problem I have with my bike shorts is that all of them have elastic in the leg hems. This drives me nuts. I noticed that men's don't have elastic. Thanks for the links, I'll check them out!! I'll gather up a few of mine and post them to your journal.

Can I have a runaway or what???

Hey Artsy! Yeah, some of the cycling crowds are kind of snotty about what you wear and what you ride. I think some are in it for appearances only. It gets silly sometimes. I just like to ride my bike!

Hi Minnie! I tend to obsess over menu's. I do try to plan but it takes me forever... mostly cuz I have no idea what to do for food in conjunction with cycling. By the time I get to a grocery list I am so frustrated that I have no confidence in what I am eating.

As if I have not yakked enuf (I think this must be a record post for me!!), I might as well show you the pictures of our kayakin' trip a few weeks ago. We'll be riding 300K thru these mountains next week.

Kiyakkin Bill
http://www.interworks.bc.ca/Linda/kiyakinbill.jpg

Maligne Lake
http://www.interworks.bc.ca/Linda/malignelake.jpg

Medicine Lake from a distance
http://www.interworks.bc.ca/Linda/medicinelake.jpg

Beautiful pictures Linda, makes me look forward to Alberta. I don't know what the story is on my mailbox. I checked it "from the beginning" & there is nothing in it. So I don't know what's wrong with it.
As for your musing on snacks & energy etc; i suspect you are like me; very sensitive to carbs, in my case just about everything Iwas eating was wheat based. I'd do OK with the trail mix because it is oatmeal.
I have been really off base with my weight loss for a while. I've been really lucky to hold it at 165, but I'm only 5'1". I just bought a book called "The Healthy Kitchen" by Andrew Weil & Rosie Daley. I'll have to buckle down & do some cooking out of it. It looks really good; I'll let you know if I discover anything new, I remembered it when you mentioned trail mix, because there is a good granola recipe in it.

Pat

Linda
I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND of course as there is a huge difference between what cyclist who have 4% body fat eat and what someone trying to lose weight can get away with. I am not sure if I am the perfect example but I normally eat very small meals 3-6 times and unfortunately I don't eat as many carbs as I found that just screws my weight loss efforts hence I compromise speed and endurance to get the benefits of weight loss. Last year I worked my little tail off and lost a big fat ZERO pounds because I wasn't tracking what I ate enough so I ate slightly higher than I was burning off. in any case my husband wolfs down food and can put a lot more out because of it as well. But eventually on the bright side you will keep it off for sure because if you love cycling than it consumes so many cals that once you get it off you can keep it off. I started cycling almost 6 months ago and in that time have lost (185-155) 30 pounds. I would still like to lose 20-25. When I started I followed a 15% protein 20% fat 35% carb split ( which worked great and I lost 2 pounds a week) then stalled out in the 160's and have fought hard for every pounds since by dropping and then raising my cals or carbs with each week so my body can't adjust. But then I looked back at my early training and found I was cycling longer (2-2.5 hours) more consistently and had put more hill rides in so decided that was key and am going back to that now.

AS for where I ride ...............Right now with college we live in cycling heaven as this is where the pros all come to train and we have year round sun here in the desert with long open roads. I also have a trainer ( cyclops fluid) that I got 4 weeks ago to sneak in miles right now in the summer as after 8 am there is no riding as it is 100 (F) plus here all summer. Basically all winter we just bike outside but summers are when we have to improvise here in Tucson or if we need to get rides in before work as there can be a bit of ice on the roads. Now as far as hills you could probably kick my rear as you train on them a lot more than I do. We do a nice flat speed loop on a bike trail by our house that is 26-35 miles (40k-56k) and I top off the rest in my trainer when it gets hot. Then weekends we do hill training as it takes a lot more time to half the distance and lots of rests...... As far as how I eat when I train for weight loss. I basically screw performance at times to get the benefits of fat metabolism......grr which is slow and inefficient. when I am riding I give myself around 50 cals an hour and try to make it mostly carb with a bit of protein. When I get home I make a protein drink that is low carb and add glutamine so that my muscles repair but that I am still burning fat.

So when I had 60 to lose I got by on 1500 cals now I do 1000-1200 for 4 days then raise them to 1400-1600 for 3 days and then drop it back down. that way my body doesn't go into starvation mode but is always burning. This seems to work the best of everything I have tried in conjunction with the longer bike rides. Ofcourse I will let you know as I am only 1 week into this new plan after stalling out and plateauing for quite a while.

We are hoping to do a century ( tour de tucson 111 miles ) this fall ( November) so I am training for that and eventually of dreams of doing at least 1 triathlon. As far as touring goes.... you are hard core. I do have some great ideas for light backpacking as my husband is slowly converting me as I get in shape and can drag my less heavy butt up the mountain.

Right now I am focusing on getting my cadence up as when I started I rode in a heavier gear and of course we are doing all this on mountain bikes as that is what we have. they are nice bikes but in a few months I will be able to scrape together the dough to sink into some road bikes. I found that my average cadence was in the 80's so I am pushing doing intervals and the likes to get it up to 90-100 rpm


Well I could rattle all day as I love to cycle and seldom meet anyone who loves to do it ..........and ...........is trying to lose weight at the same time .............we are a rare breed ......the ladies I have met on the trail who are serious cyclists either have no body fat or have told me they haven't lost a pound. I think this is because carbs just hold off fat metabolism tooooooo easily and you have to be willing to sacrifice performance to get the fat to burn as it is slow and produces more lactic acid.

anyways look forward to reading more and having a fellow friend as a road warrior...........lol
Cj

oh and I hate riding in jeans did it when I started and killed my you know what!!!!!

I wear some blended poly lycra pants for days when it is cold


BTW I was raised in the rockies so I was drooling over your bueatiful picks though I bet winters there are long and nippy.. I hope your long ride turns out to be a huge success. Do you guys have kids and if so how do you juggle it all ....We are 29 and 27 and just thinking of starting a family?

linda, those pics are beautiful!!! how lucky you are to live in a place like that!!!!!

I enjoy reading about your biking, as I have just started riding my self within the past 2 weeks!! was looking to lose weight at the same time...CJ has given me some great tips!! I also can't figure out what I'm supposed to eat to burn off the fat but I'm not biking anywhere as much as you guys...so it's just learning to be patient for me!!! at least I'm not gaining and weight is coming off but it ain't easy!!!

can't beleive you have weather in the 40's right now!!! it's been so hot & humid and the last 2 days have been beautiful & in the 70's so maybe we're getting some of your chilly weather over this way, I hope!!!!

take care!!! buji

I-) :tongue:rotest:

It's July 31, right??? So why did it snow just 30 miles from here? Why did I have to turn the heat on? WEIRD WEATHER WE ARE HAVING!! I didn't get any exercise done.

I had to run a few errands around town and stopped in a new place called Sister's Pace Fitness. Anybody ever heard of this place? They have all this exercise stuff in a circle about the room and music is playing and every so often a voice says "change position". Then everybody goes to the next thing. This lasts for 30 minutes. I don't know if it would be kinda hokie or not.

http://www.sisterspacefitness.com/

Hey Pat! You are having the same problem I was having. I wrote to John who promptly wrote back to tell me that my outbox was full. You have to look for a tab that will show you all folders in order to delete the messages. I had stuff in there from when I first became a member last year. If you have a problem with that and want to drop me a line, I don't have any problem with anybody here knowing my email address. I do have a problem with those darned spam robots that go around the net picking up email addresses. I learned that the hard way. I'm still getting email from people who want to help me enlarge body digits that I don't possess. [-X So decipher this email addy and drop me a line if you care to: tmayder@coldmail.com. I hope you know what I mean... the opposite of coldmail is....

CJ, you are doing an amazing job on your weight loss!! I need to find out what you are eating! I recorded todays food. I know I didn't do it exactly the way I should, but I was trying to up proteins and fiber, but I snagged too much carb while I was at it. This is where I always have a problem. I focus on one thing and lose it on the other.

Breakfast:
2 slices of whole wheat toast
1 tsp Becal

Snack:
Nanner

Lunch:
Chicken Sammich made with FF Chicken
Skimmed milk

Snack:
Cantalope
Light instant cocoa

Dinner:
Lean slice of Ham
Asparagus
Baked Sweet Potato
1 tsp Brown Sugar & Cinnamon

Snack:
Light Popcorn

According to FitDay
Total Calories: 1183
Fat: 25 – 21%
Carbs: 188 – 58%
Protein: 65 – 22%
Fiber - 18

Normally I have a whole wheat cereal with fruit in the mornings, but I just wasn't in the mood today. I probably should have had more raw veggies, but I wasn't in the mood for that either. Would it have made that much difference? The hot cocoa was made with sugar substitute, so no carbs there. The bulk of my carbs today came from the bread and the yogurt. I don't understand what you meant by fat & carb split. So what should I do? Cut the bread? If I cut the bread, I cut the fiber and have to get that somewhere else... somewhere that I probably don't like to go.. LOL.

Bill and I have been talking about going to Arizona to do a bike tour during the winter, just to be able to keep up with a little training. How's the weather there during the winter? I don't think I could handle cycling there in 100 in the summer. I'm a weenie. I'd like to know more about protein drinks and glutamine. What's the benefit there? I know that if you are riding 120K per week you will be surprised at how you do on the Tucson tour. I was doing the same thing last year before I did my first century... and I did that on a CCM junk mountain bike that was a total pain. The gears would work sometimes... and sometimes they wouldn't. The bike weighs a ton too. But I am glad I had that bike to give me the confidence to know that I was sticking with it. We saved for better bikes and I got a hybrid this year. It is amazing how easy it was to ride this thing!!! I still didn't spend thousands of dollars, but I figure I might get there in a few years. For now I am satisfied.

I hope this isn't boring the pants off of everybody... I am just so excited to meet another cyclist on a diet who understands what I am talking about! I'm not sorry!

Hey buji!!! It's so nice to meet you! Welcome to cycling, your newest addiction! I can't see how anybody can get on a bike on a beautiful day and ride around without a silly grin on their face! Okay... maybe that's just me.... CJ said it right, you know when you are in fat burning mode when you are slow and feeling a bit sluggish while riding. Carbs are high energy, and a much quicker energy... but if you are dieting, it is the fat you want to burn. I'm not worried about speed. I just want to lose weight and enjoy myself. Thank you for coming by!!

Off to bed for me!

Cheers!
Linda

There have been only 2 hours without a constant downpour in the last week. Not a good week for exercising outside! We are now officially on vacation, but we had to change our plans. The original plan was for a 4 day cycling tour from Jasper to Banff. The forecast shows no sign of sunshine next week and lows around 4C or 39F. I can handle riding in warmish rain, even though I am not fond of it. I can handle 4C, even though my cold muscles slow me down. But I can't handle 4 days in the mountains, riding 300K in the cold rain. Uh-Uh!

We had to change the plans and now we are going to British Columbia's Sunshine Coast to do a cycling/camping tour for 4 days, then go to Vancouver to visit Bill's daughter who just got back after being in London for 3 years. We will probably do some kayaking while we are there, too.

So I am outta here bright and early in the morning and I will holler when I get home. Good luck with your diets and non-diets, you losers!! Have a great week!

Cheers!
Linda

Linda...you are smart to head to the coast for your holidays...they have been getting the best weather in BC this month. It was 4C in Fort St John last week. We have been getting highs of about 20C, but not too many sunny breaks. We haven't had any rain for almost 2 weeks though.

One thing you might like for your biking lunch is an exercise bar called "BioProtein Bars". They are about 350 calories with a pretty high protein content, but they taste great. My favourite is the chocolate peanut butter on, followed by the Cookies and Cream one. They are alot better than grabbing some granola bars, because you don't get a big blood sugar spike. I used to eat 1/2 of one before lifing weights...really helped my stamina.

I am still losing quite well on the Atlkins diet...keep your fingers crossed for me.

I'm FINALLY getting around to some journaling. I saw that picture you posted. I think I had a heart palpatation. That is BEAUTIFUL. If it's not too nosey, how much do you pay on your mortgage? I ask because I would... I would give up food to live in a place like that. That is near where you live, right? :)

I was so mesmerized by your pictures, I'm left with nothing much to say! I will be back soon, though. I need to check in more frequently. You've become such a popular lady, that I had to go back two pages to see what my last post to you was! :)

Kudos and :hug:s

-Andrea-

Hi Linda,
Just checking in, what a smart move to transfer vacation to B.C.! i was there this time last year and i loved it. The climate seemed to inspire exercise.
Andrea's entry is a hoot! When I move to Alberta will I be inspired to give up food too! Dang I'm probably not going far enough north!
Pat

just wanted to drop by and see how your doing and say hello. i see your doing great so i will wish you a very happy sunday. from one cyclist to another(although for now i di indoor cycling).

Hello Linda!! :)

I have been trying to catch up on your journal and I am amazed at you and CJ!! I love to ride my bike, but I often dread doing it b/c my *you-know-what* hurts afterward! Then I end up walking funny and it hurts to even sit! :o lol I think I probably just need to do it more often so I get used to it.

I am curious about the mix of carbs, protein & fat combinations you are tracking. I think I have stalled in my weight loss b/c I consume a LOT of carbs. I'm wondering if I don't need to change that up some. I suppose eating more veggies would help too! :laugh: I think I might have to start watching my levels and see what happens over the next couple weeks. Keep posting what you are doing though because I'm always curious to see what's working for other people.

Peek-a-boo, where are you??? Your house didn't get washed away while riding your bike, did you? Lol. I see, you're in a sunnier area riding your bike. I just need to read a little. Well, my dear, you are missed :). I hope you're having a great time.

-Andrea- :rose:

Hi Linda
sorry didn't get back to your pm because I was on the way out the door to go on a road trip. Got a kick out of it and appreciated the support.

Yes I would love to start a thread in the excercise forum. I tried before but only me and minnie mouse wanted to post. there are a lot of hobby bikers and indoor bikers and a few cyclist ( you and me....lol)

OH and Tucson is excellent all year round. if you are coming I will give you some great recommends and maybe even can meet you for a ride and show you around. In the summer we bike at 4 am but the rest of the time you can bike all day. your thick canadian blood will keep you warm and you will have a great time. Northern AZ like flagstaff and up is about the same weather you get in early spring. but tucson and phoenix area would be really nice.. Especially if you are camping.

OH girl do I know what you mean it is nice to have some cycling friends trying to lose weight. if you want we can start a thread and share are many experiences there in the excercise forum and save your journal from numerous biking rants.

dang that stinks that areas are seeing snow already. That would be hard for me because I have found that the trainer is ok but prefer biking outside.

BTW you ask about that fitness center. we have ones in the states called curves. I honestly think that they would be good for the average couch potatoe but doubt it would do much for you. I have thought about asking if I could try it out one day pretending to want to sighn up to see if you can even get a workout.


But a suggestion I have that might work is the following
Alot of us on DT do a 30 minute weight workout that can be aerobic if you do level 4 and is really good. Very cheap too as it only takes a few weights and a aerobic step or weight bench. I think it is the best bang for excercise time and money.. I posted the info along with some other stuff in this thread

http://www.diettalk.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21636

hope that helps
CJ

:flower:
Hi Linda...I hope your vacation is going well and I hope the sun has come out for you!!!
My vacation last week was HOT, HOT AND HOT! Way too hot...but enjoyed it cause we went to the beach everyday.
Those pictures of the mountains are beautiful...I love your pictures! So peaceful and pretty!
I will look for your return with your happy report on your week!
:cheer:
Otto
:rose:

Hi Linda;
Hope you are having a great time; I think I get an apartment in Edmonton, keep in touch;
Pat

LANDED!

Hi Everybody! I got back home around 3am this morning. We had a good vacation even though nothing went as planned, but that is another story that I will post later.

The best thing that could happen did happen! After 4 long years and after the past 9 months of grueling paperwork and disappointments, we took the last set of papers to the US border and flag-poled back into Canada to see what else the government would want from me before considering me a duly permanent resident of their fine country. Every time I thought I was close they wanted something else that would take forever for me to achieve. This time I handed the immigration officer my papers and LO AND BEHOLD, she deemed me legally LANDED with all rights and privileges of a Canadian, except I can't vote yet. YES!!!!!!!! No more crossing that border every 6 months, I can come and go as I please! Yeah!!!

Andree, as you can see, you cannot just simply move to Canada. I am married to a Canadian and that isn't enough for them to allow permanent residence here. First you need a sponsor, then you have to file for landing, (about $1500 in form fees), then you have to have a medical by the Canadian government's appointed doctors (who say the Canadian medical requirements are the toughest in the world), then you have to get a passport, you have to do FBI fingerprinting and then wait for the report from them that you will need (stating no record), you have to give them complete details of every move you ever made, including jobs and addresses, since your 18th birthday (which meant reliving 30 years for me, I'm 48), and every time I turned around I was having to have more photographs done. It goes on and on, but WHEW!!!!!!! I'm done!!! But since you are much younger, this probably would not be near as hard for you to get done. You need to have a sponsor, though.

Thanks to everybody who visited this past week. I promise to answer you all soon. I need to get dinner going.

Cheers!
Landed Linda

Hi Landed Linda!!
Congrads (I think); I mean should I be pleased that someone is heading from a hot climate to a place where you can't bike in August without freezing off various body parts??
I think you know I was looking for a new job. Actually my friend with the same qualifications and I both were. It was down to two jobs; she ended up getting the Yukon, I got Edmonton. We call it our "freeze your arse off adventure". For some reason my hubby thinks outdoor construction in winter is more pleasant in Bermuda than Edmonton! Explain that one!
So you finally got through all the paperwork! Good job!! It's so funny, many people have the idea that Canada is the easiest country in the world to get into; and that terrorists use it as a gateway to the US. Oh wait, now I see where you were going wrong! You were doing it legally!
Anyway welcome to the country and welcome back from BC. Did you run afoul of my biggest trap in BC?? Purdy's hedgehogs!!
I even bought the little stuffed hedgehog, the kids at school loved it, because some of our reading books are about hedgehogs.
So tell us all about your adventure, even if it didn't involve chocolate.

Pat

I forgot to ask; are you involved yet in that great Canadian fall ritual- bringing in the wood? I usually manage to get it timed so that I can avoid a lot of it, but this year it's all catching up to me! The #@$^$ truck just dumped a big load in the driveway!! My hubby and son are tied up night and day building a house for my brother. They need to finish it before we all go off to various parts of the world for a bit, so that leaves me to get it started!
Pat

Welcome back, Linda...I'm glad you are back because I haven't lost any weight since you left! Now that you are back I am expecting great things to happen in that department! I hope your holiday was great and I look forward to hearing about some of your adventures.

Congratulations Landee (is that a word?) I am glad you can just live here and not have to run back and forth to Tennessee. Are you planning on becoming a full citizen, or is that even more hoops to jump through?

Take care.

congrats to you!!!! that's great news!!!!

wow, I had no idea you had to go thru such an ordeal!!! but I'm glad you made it!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS YOU LITTLE CANADIAN!!!
Nothing like feeling at home!
I hope you had a good Monday!!
Have a good tomorrow!
Otto
:rose:

We've missed you. Welcome home. :( to not being able to move to Canada very easi