Birdy Takes Flight

[Birdy]

Hello everyone,
Our home computer crashed and I haven't been able to post for quite a while. I'm on a break at work and wanted to take the opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I hope to have our computer back in a week or two.

My weight is holding steady at 153, down from my starting weight of 163. I seem to be the kind of person who loses slowly and have had to come to terms with the fact that my weight fluctuates up and down a few pounds here and there. The steady downward trend is the thing for me to focus on. Weighing every morning helps keep me on track.

I've also found that cheese and wheat to a lesser degree are trigger foods for me. Dr. Neal Barnard is right when he says that cheese is addictive! I can go several days without it and then cave in. Gotta work on that.

Hugs to you all!

[Ege Bamyasi]

Welcome back to the boards, Birdy!

I'm in total agreement with you on the cheese thing. Last month I had a 3 or 4 day SAD episode which culminated in a pasta bread bowl from Domino's. Very creamy, cheesy sauce. Horribly greasy, too. I felt like death warmed over for a day after eating that thing, but I continued to have (unanswered) cheese cravings for days afterward.

Don't worry about your weight being a bear to get down where you want it. I'm having the same problem, but I've started exercising again and the thumb screws on my food choices are tightened way down. Change will come for me, and it will for you too. Always remember that the plan is doing wonders for you internally whether the weight comes off predictably or not.

[Birdy]

Merry Christmas!

Our computer is now up and running again, so I should be able to post more often.

I've been amazed that my weight is holding steady since I've been eating more holiday treats (which I will not name because it might set someone's mouth to watering).

I've been busy, as I'm sure most of you are, and am thinking about setting the intention of walking a minimum of 30 minutes each day as a goal for 2010. As you said, Ege Bamyasi, exercise helps so much with weight loss. I'm glad you're hanging in there and appreciate your encouragement too. I noticed you're homing in on the 100 pounds lost mark! That is so kool!

We have had family visiting and now my oldest daughter's best friend is here for the holidays. I sewed two beautiful pillows this year for presents and can't wait for my daughter and her friend to open them. It's so gratifying to make presents! I'm also working this whole week except for Friday. Today I got an e-letter with a Tofurky recipe that involves basting with an apple juice based marinade. Has anyone tried this for a special dinner and is it good? I'm making sweet potatoes, brussel sprouts, a green salad, green beans and maybe the Tofurky for Christmas Day dinner. Now that I'm writing that, I remember Mary McDougall also publishes a holiday meal dinner menu, so I'll check that out.

I'm still off coffee. Can't remember if I wrote about having a gastric ulcer. That got me off coffee and now I drink only lightly brewed Darjeeling tea and green teas. I'm sleeping better and interestingly am dreamin more and/or remembering my dreams more. Some of them I'd rather not remember, but that's another subject! I also notice feeling much calmer, having more energy, and I'm not experiencing the constant breast tenderness that I had for years prior to quiting coffee. Weird.

I'd love to go to the McDougall weekend in February when Rory Friedman (I think that's her name) will be one of the guest speakers. They have a really good lineup. Are any of you going? It would be so fun to meet Mary McDougall (I met Dr. McDougall years ago at a Seattle Taste of Health), and to meet other presenters and McDougallers. Still thinking about it.

I've made up for lost time writing this long post!

[Ege Bamyasi]

Tofurky is very rich, but worth it in my opinion. Jeanette and I both liked it when we made it three years ago. This past Thanksgiving, we had a vege-bird from Whole Foods. It was a pretty big thing, and it came with really good stuffing, although the gravy for this one was a bit too salty. The Tofurky gravy isn't as salty and it's also thicker, so you should really like it.

Sorry to hear about that gastric ulcer. It should heal up, though, if you remain on plan.

I haven't had the funds to make it to a McDougall event yet, but I'm hoping to someday. Need a reliable car first, and then the discipline to save up money for the trip. I wish we made enough that $10k for a 10-day event wasn't a problem. To do that, I'd have to venture back out into the world and hit a major jackpot in a casino! I've never had much more than a $10 or $20 per week gambling habit even when times were relatively good, so I don't see that happening. Ah well.

Have a great Christmas if you don't make it back on before it's all over!

[Birdy]

Hi everyone. Just a quick check in before I go to work. I was doing great with food until a friend of my daughters brought a large tin of peppermint chocolate bark and a large bag of chocolate truffles into the house for Christmas. I managed to have just one until yesterday when I pigged out. Ugh. Strangely, I haven't gained weight over the holiday, but I've got to get back on track now! I'm betting I'm not alone in the holiday temptations category.

I'm trying to focus on losing another 4 pounds to once again be in the 140s range. I haven't weighed in this range for many years... about 12 years I'd say. My blood pressure is still running high around the 150/90 range which worries me because there's a strong history of stroke in my family. I think I'll post a question on the health forum about it.

I'm looking forward to the New Year. Blessings to you all in 2010!

[Anna Green]

Birdy,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

No you are not alone in the Holiday temptation department. You are also not alone in your goals to get on track. We'll all do it together. You got loud raucous cheering punctuated with gyrating coming from down south to support your efforts.

[bunsofaluminum]

hi birdy

I was just thinking about you this morning, thinking I hadn't seen you post recently (I have had just one millisecond of un-claimed time per day,so I haven't read through the journals in more than a week)

but it looks like you did great over Christmas. Me too, and then New Year's did me in! and tummy ache has been my punishment. Back to plan, then! it's a new year and we'll do great! for sure

[Birdy]

Hey Anna, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I'm ringing in 2010 with a bad cold that's been going around the office where I work. Other than that, I'm good. We ate salsa spiced blackeyed peas with corn, spinach and rice for dinner which I make every year, being a Southern Girl by birth. It was a wonderful success, vegan and very lowfat, and even my groaning husband liked it. I served a small bowl of shredded cheese for them. My youngest child's birthday is today and I also made her requested brownies topped with ice cream. I ate 1/2 a brownie and passed on the ice cream. Actually with the cold, I'm not hungry and nothing tastes good. Well, I don't have too much to say. Wishing you all the very best. Hugs!
P.S. Hi bunsof aluminum! You and I were posting at the same time. Sorry about your tummy ache. I'm hoping that sticking to McDougall diet will help us both feel better!

[sksamboots]

Hope your feelin better. I was sick last week, no fun. My thoughts are with ya

[Reni]

Today I'm reading through journals to help with resolve. Just wanted to say thank you for putting your journey up here for others to read.

Reading your struggles & successes encourages confidence that one can take on the McDougall diet and not be overwhelmed by the thought of it.

Keep up with the great journal!

-Reni

[Birdy]

Reni, thanks for your post. I noticed that you and I have lost about the same amount of weight and have about the same amount to lose. Have you lost it by McDougalling? I've been eating mostly plant based and losing weight, but eat lots of things that aren't weight loss friendly, such as avocados, nuts, etc. and also eat some fish and eggs now and then. Mostly though I'm content eating plants. It's actually surprised me how much weight I've lost, albeit slowly.

I've noticed an interesting psychological quirk as I've lost more weight. I find that I talk to myself about "oh maybe I'm losing this weight because I have diabetes" or "maybe I have cancer." It's the weirdest thing. So there's some psychology of putting up obstacles based on fear. It doesn't really make sense to be afraid of losing weight and to associate it with ill-health, but that's what I catch myself thinking. Does anyone else have this experience?

This morning is the first day in almost a week that I've felt okay, finally! sksamboots I'm glad you're also feeling better! I haven't exercised in a week and look forward to going for a walk today.

Last night we had a Mexican casserole that was made with corn tortillas, tofu and some cheese. The cheese actually tasted gross to me. As I wrote in a previous post, I've found cheese and wheat (bread in particular) are addictive foods. So to have cheese not taste good is progress!

My goals for this week are, one, to eat strictly plant based, and, two, to walk more. Next week, if my energy comes up to normal (the illness has made me feel weak), I plan to start strength training.

Have a great day everyone!

[Birdy]

Just to clarify my last post, I do not have diabetes or cancer! Just weird fears spring to mind about weight loss. I hope this makes sense. I've been eating too much rich food this week and am up 2.5 pounds, but my weight also seems to naturally bounce around quite a bit. Time to put the breaks on goodies!

[Mrs. Doodlepunk]

Birdy, I do the SAME THING. Like, think that maybe, just maybe I actually have cancer, because everyone knows I just can't lose weight. So that must be why I've been able to lose. Weird, huh?

Nice to see you back.

[Anna Green]

Birdy, I do it too. Over the Holidays I ate a lot of SAD, did not gain but a lb, easily lost it and another in the last week and have had those thoughts. Probably guilt on my part for eating animal products, hurting them, myself and the environment. Sure hope I don't have diabetes.

Congrats on the being grossed out by cheese. It helps doesn't it? Enjoy your weekend.

[Mrs. Doodlepunk]

I would LOVE to be grossed out by cheese. Where can I get some? Grossed out, that is.