Watch video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1l1Mb8CuCA&t=1468s
Category: Food
I’m Losing!
A few days ago, I weighed myself. If I were to count when my weight was the heaviest, that would’ve been a couple of years ago, I have lost 20 lbs! All having to do with eating healthy fats, high protein (good organic, grass-fed and finished red meat, chicken, salmon, etc.), and low carbs.
I allow myself up to 4 slices of bread a day. I learned what that equals when my doctor had me on my hypoglycemic diet in my early twenties. I allow myself an extra slice of bread a day though. It works for me. Back then, this diet was a strict one allowing only 3 slices of bread a day for three years.
A slice of bread is equal to a 1/2 cup of rice, 1/2 cup of noodles/pasta, 1/2 cup of potatoes, same measurements for peas, carrots, and certain beans like pinto beans.
I could eat all the nuts I wanted. At that time, I didn’t like nuts, so it wasn’t really a big deal to me. lol But now, I eat a bit of them with my organic, whole milk Greek plain yogurt with added organic fresh blueberries. I eat 2-3 fruits a day on average, just like I used to do on that strict diet, except it allowed 3 fruits a day. And the only sugar I have other than the fruit is a 1/2 tsp of raw local honey when I sometimes have tea or coffee.
I cut out 100% fruit juice back in 2019 because I was having some stomach issues, and my doctor suggested I eliminate the juice from my diet. Didn’t think I could or had the will power to do this because I was a juiceaholic throughout my childhood and beginning twenties. Was a sugarholic too.
But I only eat desserts on special occasions, the last one being I allowed myself a small slice of cheese cake and three bites of key lime pie while on vacation back in July. Haven’t had any desserts since then and am happy I don’t crave it! Thinking the fruit is filling the void!
For veggies (which is my hardest thing to consume for me all my life lol) I like to have Greek salads and other salads. Broccoli, sour kraut, and some cabbage dishes.
I’ve heard that a woman’s taste buds change during menopause, and for me, it has. I now love fresh medium sized cut mushrooms in my sauces I’ve been cooking.
Anyway, I’ve noticed a difference when walking. My body feels lighter, and it’s easier to stand up straight (part of the latter’s reason is my chiropractic adjustment last week lol).
I’m now at a weight I haven’t seen since I was in my early to mid twenties, before becoming pregnant with Niko, my firstborn! This may be TMI, but I’m happy to have gone down two sizes in the bust area. Never thought I’d be back to my regular size when I was in my twenties. Never thought this would ever happen! So thrilled! My back feels a bit of relief too. 🙂
Wow. What an accomplishment. And I feel quite good. I also do a bit of walking on my treadmill at least three times a week. I’d like to do four days a week, and sometimes I do. But at least I stretch every day.
It looks like I may actually have to buy some clothes that fit me better now. In a time of menopause when a woman on average gains ten pounds that are hard to get rid of, I’ve accomplished this and then some! Amazing times for me. 🙏🙌🥹
SUGAR and Other FOODS
Cutting down on sugar a year ago this month was a good choice for me. Especially at my age. I didn’t want to continue eating so much every day. It isn’t good for people’s health (been learning a lot about it. Although, I kind of knew that years ago).
In the last eight or so months, I’ve lost 10-12 lbs., just because I’ve scaled down sugar. I allow myself a cheesecake slice or something along those lines on special occasions, and that’s worked well. The weight came off very easily, and this is pretty awesome since I’m in menopause, where the average weight you gain is 10 pounds! I’m now in the weight range I’m supposed to be in for my height.
In the last three years up to recently, I’ve had to really watch eating the food at my work. I’d have it every now and then, but at this point, I’d like to go back to not eating any fast food, except when it can’t be helped, which can happen on road trips. Before 2021, I’d only eaten Burger King once since before 2011. I have eaten at Subway several times in the past decade up to now. I don’t know it that is considered fast food.
When I went to non pre-processed food and organic whole foods back in 2011, that choice was also crucial for my blood sugar and overall health. Before doing that, I had to eat every three hours because I wasn’t getting the nutrients I needed in the food I was consuming (including too much sugar and starches, along with the other things I just mentioned here). Within a couple of years, I was finally able to fast before Communion the proper way (no food after midnight on Saturday evenings until Communion Sunday late morning). I also didn’t have hypoglycemic attacks for years and could go longer without eating throughout the day.
Thankful I don’t snack during the day and don’t eat after dinner at night. That’s always been a thing for me. But it’s a good thing, anyway!
I’ve also been keeping up on walking on my office-sized treadmill for four months so far. I walk at least 4 times a week, and that works well for me.
In addition, I should really go back to eating a high protein, low carb diet I was on in my early to mid-twenties due to my borderline hypoglycemia. It really balanced my blood sugar so well.
I do know for a fact that there is only one type of meat that makes me feel completely balanced, whole, and clear-headed. It’s beef in the form of either a burger or steak. It’s especially healthy if you eat grass-fed, organic beef with 85% fat. If you go higher in less fat, like 90%, it will raise your insulin levels, so keep to the 85%.
Eating whole foods is important because they give your body the nutrients it needs, and you aren’t hungry for several hours at a time. Organic whole milk is good to drink for its omega fats and has “more disease-fighting antioxidants than non-organic milk”, or non-whole milk, for that matter. Organic pasture-raised eggs are really good for you as well. I really like the eggs with the orange yolks. They taste better to me than the ones with yellow yokes. Just my preference.
I watched an amazing documentary last night and the rest this afternoon. Although, I’ve always kind of known this because of my experiences with these foods over the past 30+ years, some info I didn’t know, and so it was so helpful. I will post it below so you can watch if you’re interested.
Through my research of food and my own experiences over 30+ years, I found the biggest component in one’s health is what he/she eats. Food is the pinnacle of health. So, it’s important what we put into our bodies. Second would be exercise, although you don’t have to kill yourself doing exercises. Simple walking, biking, stretching, gardening, tai chi, and yoga works well. I do know some basic weight lifting (like 1-2 lb. hand weights) can help. Eating healthy fats and proteins helps your energy levels, creates muscle, and keeps your brain functioning well with no brain fog or grogginess.
I felt like sharing all of this info and hope it helps those who read this who were curious or interested in knowing about these things. Also, I hope you find this info interesting if nothing else. 🙂
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Modest Musings 