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Post by clueless on Feb 7, 2015 10:16:47 GMT -6
As far as eggs, dairy, caffeine, this is where individual sensitivities come into play. Doesn't matter what science says, it matters what happens to me. If I were you, I would be attempting to decipher the reason you are hungry. I think that is either not enough protein or not enough fat in your diet. That would be the first thing I would pursue. And these LC desserts, artificial sweeteners included? Might also be something to look at when you are deciding what approach next to take. Consider going to actual carbs and not net? Yes, it's always worth doing those little n=1 experiments! My only theory on my change in appetite was the change in my workouts. I've been doing those StrongLifts 5x5 workouts, which involve heavier weights than the bodyweight workouts I was doing before. I don't know if that could really explain it or not, that was just my one hypothesis. And I have been running again, which I had noticed before increased my appetite, but *not* my weight (I guess the aerobic fat-burning stuff balanced the appetite increase before, but maybe not this time). That's a good idea about looking at my fat and protein intake - I will go back over my MyFitnessPal records today and report back. I don't think that I go crazy on the artificial sweeteners, and I don't think that I've increased them recently, but yes that has been on my mind as well. It's one of the things about the New Atkins program that impressed me: even within your carb "allowance" there is a limit placed on those. I'm not of the mindset (as are many of my friends) that non-caloric sweeteners are just as bad for you as sugar. Pretty sure that's an idea that's been promoted by the sugar industry! But still, it can't be good to go overboard. So I'm glad you mentioned it. I only recently switched to counting net carbs because I felt like psychologically that gave me more encouragement to eat veggies. The weight gain pre-dates this switch. That's not to say I wouldn't go back to counting total rather than net if there would be some benefit! I hope it doesn't sound like I'm shooting down all of your ideas. I'm just thinking them through! I REALLY appreciate your help, and if you can think of any other ideas, suggestions, questions, etc. please speak up. I'd love to know if you think the change in workouts could account for the appetite. I haven't been doing the 5x5 stuff for that long, so I don't really know if that would do it. To give you an example, the primary exercise is squats. I started out doing squats bodyweight only, and at my last 5x5 workout on Wednesday, I had worked up to using 15 pound dumbells for the first time. (And I was barely able to complete all 25 reps, so I will probably stay at 15 next time rather than increasing.) It's higher weight but lower reps than what I was doing before. Those BodyPump classes that I used to take included over a hundred squats each time! But I haven't done that in ages. I think I'm rambling. I'll quit now. Change in allergy meds can cause change in appetite. Allergy symptoms can also cause a huge change in appetite. Darin and I talked about that sometime back when he had some allergy symptoms. He said he was crazy hungry. My daughter also says she feels like eating all the time when her allergies act up. Studies show that people who use allergy meds are 55% more likely to be overweight than people that do no take antihistamines. Google allergy meds and weight gain. The problem with allergy meds is you HAVE to breath. You see no way out. Without the meds you are absolutely miserable, even with the meds you can be pretty freaking miserable. I feel your pain Greta. I literally used to sneeze until my whole body hurt. I gave myself whip lash a few times. Got to the point I couldn't even drive when my allergies were acting up, almost wrecked a few times from sneezing. Good luck. I gained a ton of weight before I figured out it was the allergy meds. But I wasn't on allegra it was chlortab. But, that stuff worked great on my allergies.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 7, 2015 16:37:41 GMT -6
About artificial sweeteners being "bad for you." The thing comes down to how do they work for you? I know that when I use them--even chewing gum--I want more. The wanting more is "bad for me". I am sure in some people it interrupts good things that could happen for them regarding nutrition and digestion. The question is is it harmful to your other priorities? That's the thing. Since you are confounded by what to do next, one suggestion is to be extreme for a week or two to see what happens. Stop exercising that presses the body. Sure, lovely walks but nothing exerting. Eat plain. Way low carb. Meat, fat, maybe an occasional veggie (no fruit). It is only for a week, 10 days, 2 weeks to see what happens. Something is bound to happen you just don't know what it is. Of course you'll keep taking the allergy meds so you can operate. I would give something like this at least a week, two would be better. It's an experiment. Depending on what outcomes are you would add something back in that you wanted but not immediately jump back into how you are eating now.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 9, 2015 6:37:22 GMT -6
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 9, 2015 8:12:59 GMT -6
Change in allergy meds can cause change in appetite. Allergy symptoms can also cause a huge change in appetite. Darin and I talked about that sometime back when he had some allergy symptoms. He said he was crazy hungry. My daughter also says she feels like eating all the time when her allergies act up. Studies show that people who use allergy meds are 55% more likely to be overweight than people that do no take antihistamines. Google allergy meds and weight gain. The problem with allergy meds is you HAVE to breath. You see no way out. Without the meds you are absolutely miserable, even with the meds you can be pretty freaking miserable. I feel your pain Greta. I literally used to sneeze until my whole body hurt. I gave myself whip lash a few times. Got to the point I couldn't even drive when my allergies were acting up, almost wrecked a few times from sneezing. Good luck. I gained a ton of weight before I figured out it was the allergy meds. But I wasn't on allegra it was chlortab. But, that stuff worked great on my allergies.
Thank you so much, Cheryl, for letting me know all this. I had no idea there was such a strong connection between allergies/meds and appetite/weight. Like you said, we have to breathe, so I have to find *something* to keep my symptoms under control. But I sure would prefer something that won't make me gain weight!!!
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 9, 2015 8:24:28 GMT -6
About artificial sweeteners being "bad for you." The thing comes down to how do they work for you? I know that when I use them--even chewing gum--I want more. The wanting more is "bad for me". I am sure in some people it interrupts good things that could happen for them regarding nutrition and digestion. The question is is it harmful to your other priorities? That's the thing. Since you are confounded by what to do next, one suggestion is to be extreme for a week or two to see what happens. Stop exercising that presses the body. Sure, lovely walks but nothing exerting. Eat plain. Way low carb. Meat, fat, maybe an occasional veggie (no fruit). It is only for a week, 10 days, 2 weeks to see what happens. Something is bound to happen you just don't know what it is. Of course you'll keep taking the allergy meds so you can operate. I would give something like this at least a week, two would be better. It's an experiment. Depending on what outcomes are you would add something back in that you wanted but not immediately jump back into how you are eating now. Yes, I agree with you wholeheartedly on this point! I feel that for me, artificial sweeteners give me the flexibility to make low-carb very livable, to make it feel like a way of life and not a deprivation diet. So for me, they're "good for me". But even so, I have to be mindful of the way I'm using them. Using an artificial sweetener to make a high-fat, filling, satisfying dessert to indulge in after a meal from time to time? Great! No problem at all. Using them to sweeten a glass of tea that I'm going to drink between meals? Now we have a problem. Suddenly I'm hungry even though I was not before drinking the tea. So I know it's not a real, physical hunger, but an entirely psychological one, yet it still feels like hunger! Thanks for this suggestion! I had thought about doing a more strict "Atkins Induction" type diet for awhile to see if that helped shake my body out of this mode its in. And I've thought about giving up dairy again, as we talked about. None of these thoughts have transformed into action yet. I admit I'm a little hesitant to change my exercise routine. I really love what I'm doing right now, and feel that it's very beneficial. But I will think it over. Thank you!
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 9, 2015 8:28:32 GMT -6
I just wanted to express my profound gratitude for everyone in helping me through this. Thank you for helping me think it through, but also thank you for letting me whine and complain to you. I really wish that I had taken some measurements before, and could compare now, to be sure where this weight is going. That way if it were going to my belly, I would have some objective proof rather than just eyeballing it with my paranoid eyes. And if were going to my muscles I could rest assured that the weight-lifting is doing wonderful things for me and I shouldn't worry about what the scale says. So, lesson learned: the scale tells you very little. A tape measure is a better tool!
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 9, 2015 22:03:36 GMT -6
I managed on on target day of eating. Not too much food. Yea! Haven't been on the scale in a few days. Didn't exercise today. Abs. Blek.
Greta, come to any decision about how to next proceed?
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 10, 2015 5:23:51 GMT -6
Ugh, my sleep pattern is disturbed. Piffle. Second morning I am up at 2 a.m. Yesterday, I drank some chamomile tea, went back to bed and did go to sleep for a while. Not so this morning. Well, I didn't even attempt to go back to bed. Sigh.
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 10, 2015 7:38:58 GMT -6
Greta, come to any decision about how to next proceed? Nope. Though my weight is hovering at a higher level than it normally does, it isn't actually increasing any more. So I'm thinking of just "hanging out" here for awhile (meaning, just continuing to do what I'm doing) to see what happens. Maybe my body is just adjusting to the new activity level, and needs some time to settle in. If I start fiddling with things, I could just give it more challenges to adjust to, you know? Tell me honestly what you think of that plan! It's just a thought.
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 10, 2015 7:40:40 GMT -6
Ugh, my sleep pattern is disturbed. Piffle. Second morning I am up at 2 a.m. Yesterday, I drank some chamomile tea, went back to bed and did go to sleep for a while. Not so this morning. Well, I didn't even attempt to go back to bed. Sigh. Not sleeping well can disrupt life in so many ways. I hope that you have a better night tonight.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 10, 2015 7:57:47 GMT -6
Greta, I think waiting is good is a very good option. Poor bodies can't get used to anything if we are always always always fiddling.
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storytha
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Post by storytha on Feb 10, 2015 12:14:32 GMT -6
rejoicealways8 I'm sorry about your sleep. I treasure sleeping and hope you find your REM. Melatonin? My dad swears by it. My mom swears by Zzzquil. I don’t really like her choice.
gretalyn I think you have a good plan. Keep doing what you are doing for a bit. Who knows? Maybe by next Monday you’ll have an answer or two. You’ve changed quite a bit lately. Getting off Benadryl after using it for so long must affect the body somehow. I find Claritin works better for me than Allegra for my seasonal allergies-and even though they claim to be the same, my body treats them differently.
My life has taken a stressful turn for the last 5 days. Though I am taking steps to deal with it. I'm finding old comforts are creeping in. I am trying to make conscious choices at least.
It's gotta get better, right?
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 10, 2015 15:46:57 GMT -6
It's always something isn't it, Storytha? Yes, it is. I admit I haven't been able to give up my own "old comforts" when troubling times come but I can point to I am less dependent and the time spent there is shorter. These are good things. I hope it is so for you, too.
There is no telling about the sleep. High allergy reaction these past few days (cedar) so taking allergy meds, Mom's health changes, my own cortisol may be shot. It'll get better. I continue to do my little bits of toning--today is squats and push-ups. I can tell I am getting stronger on the push-ups. Can't quite control a reverse all the way down yet but I am making progress.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 11, 2015 7:14:00 GMT -6
I did sleep through the night, thankfully, all the way to 5:30 which is pretty astounding for me of late. I am not winning the fat-loss game at the moment, though, which would be super nice, too.
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 11, 2015 7:40:33 GMT -6
rejoicealways8 and storytha Thank you both so much. That's what I will do then, nothing. I really appreciate the encouragement and support. It's so great to have others help you work these things out.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 12, 2015 7:37:44 GMT -6
Pretty good sleep last night. Weight still in the high 130s. I sleep at home the next three nights. Not that it will effect fat loss but it will be good.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 13, 2015 9:55:58 GMT -6
Wine is so nice but two glasses (as poured at a restaurant) is way too much for me now. Alcohol has long disturbed me sleep and I woke up about 2 and feeling ugh. It's 10 now and all that has passed. I am oft times a slow learner. Ha!
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storytha
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Post by storytha on Feb 13, 2015 13:05:16 GMT -6
rejoicealways8 ugh. Sorry. Many people use alcohol to "help" them sleep. But it really causes light and restless sleep. I've even been guilty of trying it. Red wine is the only alcohol to ever cause me a minor hangover.
Hope everyone's week went well. Mine is ending better than it started. DH and I don't usually do anything big for Valentine's day. Usually he's out of town. But this year he leaves Monday instead for a week. I was thinking grilled steak on the BBQ and try to find asparagus. The weather here is starting to break. We've actually had some sun.
I watched a classy lady-long and lean, walk across the parking lot today and really admired her business attire and confident stride. I am actually wearing my favorite "classy" business outfit today and tried to picture myself in the same outfit but quite a few sizes smaller and smiled to myself. Life is always going to have stress. Skinny people are not stressless! Stress eating comfort food is not the answer!
I will attend my Grandmother's 93rd birthday party tomorrow. Her humor and sass are timeless! I love that she still slings witty zingers. She is my role model.
Have a great 3 day weekend!!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2015 20:29:32 GMT -6
Hi guys! I've been off NK for 5 or 6 months and I'm ready to get back on the bacon wagon. I gained a few lbs, but some of that is probably fluid from refilling glycogen stores. My clothes still fit and the only reason for that is I've been loosely doing intermittent fasting. I could go back to strict IF for weight loss because it does work for that purpose, but I know now that I need a higher fat, low carb diet for my health. I had an episode of mental/emotional agitation a few nights ago. It's kind of hard to describe how it feels - I could not sleep and my mind was racing, but it was not like insomnia. I'm not under any kind of extreme stress that might trigger this kind of distress, and my experience is this is only happens when I'm eating carbs. All I know is that keto is very calming and I'm feeling better and more normal since starting back on NK 2 days ago. Here is today's log for posterity. It's a little low in fat and high in protein (for me) but I'm getting used to eating higher fat again. Breakfast - eggs, bacon, cheddar. coffee with half & half (I'm out of hwc) Lunch - full fat Greek yogurt, almonds Dinner - bunless cheeseburger, pickle, pork rinds 1550 calories, 25 carbs, 119 g fat, 98 g protein. I'm off work the next 4 days and that will make it easier to transition back, plus I can do lots of cooking.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 14, 2015 7:29:01 GMT -6
Bunniee! So good to hear from you. Isn't it great to know this about yourself? That a cause for an anxious feeling in you is easily fixed by jettisoning carbs? No doctors, no medications, just yummy food. Hope we get to enjoy your company more often.
Storytha--hope you have a superfun Valentine's Day with your hubby....and that Grandma was delighted and delightful in the celebration of her long life.
I go some good sleep last night so that's wonderful. The scale number is sliding down a little. I like that.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2015 19:02:09 GMT -6
I'm feeling a little under the weather today - tired and slightly nauseated. It might be from allergies or my body adjusting to LC. Maybe both?! I ate a good breakfast and lunch but now I'm not hungry at all. I'll drink some broth and see how I feel in a bit.
I got some cooked, shredded chicken at the grocery store (yes I'm lazy) and want to make a casserole. Not sure what kind yet but I have cheeses, heavy cream, spinach, broccoli, and cauliflower.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 14, 2015 21:28:41 GMT -6
Cedar fever all over Texas right now and the Austin area is usually particularly bad. Feel better soon Bunniee.
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 15, 2015 8:35:56 GMT -6
@bunniee So good to see you again! Glad that you're back! storytha Hope that you had a lovely Valentine's Day with your husband, and a great time with your grandma too. My husband is sick, so V-Day was pretty subdued this year. Poor guy - this is the second time he's been sick this winter, which is VERY unusual for him. But the last two winters have been rough. Last year he had the flu and was sick for a month. This year two bad colds in a row. There have been many, many years in the past when I would be sick all winter, and he would be fine. Lately the situation seems to be the opposite. Of course, there's still plenty of time and opportunity for me to get sick too. rejoicealways8 Glad that you're seeing some improvements in your sleep and the scale! Both are about the same for me: not exactly where I'd like them to be, but no worse either. So I'm good. I made something of a milestone in my weight workouts yesterday. I did my squats holding two 17.5 pound dumbells. I realize to most people that probably doesn't sound like much at all, but for me personally, well I've never lifted that much in my life - not even when I was in my 20's. So I was kind of proud of my 41 year-old self for doing something new and more challenging, and breaking through the 15-pound barrier!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2015 9:02:38 GMT -6
gretalyn - congrats on the lifting milestone! I keep telling myself I need to start lifting weights, especially now that I'm over 50. Right now though I'm just trying to get in the habit of going for regular walks. storytha - I hope you enjoyed your grandma's birthday party and Valentine's Day. Woke up with a headache this morning, probably due to the dang cedar pollen. Feeling better now after coffee and a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs. I ended up drinking a protein shake last night because I just was not hungry for dinner. I added a spoonful of almond butter to get in more fat, and it was really tasty! I mixed up a casserole with the chicken using broccoli, swiss cheese, heavy cream, mayo, and herbs. I sure hope it tastes okay because I'll be eating it for lunches this week. I did save some of the cooked chicken to make chicken salad.
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rejoicealways8
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Post by rejoicealways8 on Feb 15, 2015 12:55:43 GMT -6
Just got in from having BBQ with my sister. This particular place doesn't use any sauce. Yea! So I has a slice of brisket -- with full fat on -- and a pork rib and a sliver of cheese. My kinda food.
Greta--Don't belittle your accomplishment. It's great!
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 15, 2015 13:41:41 GMT -6
gretalyn - congrats on the lifting milestone! I keep telling myself I need to start lifting weights, especially now that I'm over 50. Right now though I'm just trying to get in the habit of going for regular walks. storytha - I hope you enjoyed your grandma's birthday party and Valentine's Day. Woke up with a headache this morning, probably due to the dang cedar pollen. Feeling better now after coffee and a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs. I ended up drinking a protein shake last night because I just was not hungry for dinner. I added a spoonful of almond butter to get in more fat, and it was really tasty! I mixed up a casserole with the chicken using broccoli, swiss cheese, heavy cream, mayo, and herbs. I sure hope it tastes okay because I'll be eating it for lunches this week. I did save some of the cooked chicken to make chicken salad. Thanks! Walking is a GREAT idea. I did that for an entire year before I started any other form of exercise (well, I've had this on-again, off-again thing going on with exercise for my whole adult life), and I think it provided a great base or foundation, so to speak. It's still my favorite form of exercise. Glad that your headache is gone, and your casserole sounds delicious! I have a very similar one planned for later this week. Found the recipe at Linda's.
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gretalyn
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Post by gretalyn on Feb 15, 2015 13:44:13 GMT -6
Just got in from having BBQ with my sister. This particular place doesn't use any sauce. Yea! So I has a slice of brisket -- with full fat on -- and a pork rib and a sliver of cheese. My kinda food. Greta--Don't belittle your accomplishment. It's great! Aw, thanks! I love BBQ too! We have a place here that has pulled pork in some sort of brothy, savory sauce instead of the usual sweet, tomato-based sauce. I love it! They also offer a fattier cut of brisket, which I love too. It's low-carb heaven!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 8:15:37 GMT -6
Breakfast is a little carby today but so good. I made a flax & almond meal pancake, and topped it with peanut butter and homemade strawberry chia seed jam. So glad I took a vacation day - the temperature dropped 25 degrees and it's raining out, yuck. I'm just going to stay inside and wait on Amazon deliveries.
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Post by reepicheep1981 on Feb 16, 2015 9:09:05 GMT -6
Hi everyone! I've been so slammed at work and home that I haven't had a chance to catch up on the threads. I'm still going strong... I've lost 12 pounds. Hope everyone is doing well and surviving the -15 degree windchills!!! We file our annual report this Friday, so hopefully I'll be back to interact more often... Stay warm and be healthy!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2015 19:52:50 GMT -6
I've been reading through some of the older NK threads and found rejoicealways8 link to Dr. John Lee's site. I did the symptoms quiz, and it seems I might be low in progesterone. I'd like to try a progesterone cream, but that may not be a good idea without having my hormone levels tested. They are definitely out of whack - TOM is 8 days overdue and I'm still experiencing PMS symptoms. Today's log: 1700 calories, 30 carbs, 99 g protein, 135 g fat. Breakfast - flax & almond meal pancake, peanut butter, sugar free strawberry jam Lunch - spinach salad with chicken, shredded cheese, mayo, and Frank's Red Hot sauce Snack - chocolate cream cheese pudding Dinner - ro-tel dip with pork rinds
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