h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

"SC, are you going to go back on WW or what? Please do join us. It really does help to have a support group for this."

Thanks, I *will* join you!

Hyp, I find it kinda hard to go a full JUDDDD -- I take insulin, and that makes it difficult to fast, since it involves adjusting my dose. What I've decided to do is use the WW Points system to get an idea of the calorie density of my food choices, and use GI Load info to choose LOW GI Load foods every other day. Calories may be in a close range on either day, I figure, but the speed thay metabolize (AND get stored as fat!) will be different.

The math is already making my head spin...

SC

That sounds like a good plan for you, SC. I find the GI Load to make more sense than just using the GI Index. Even though technically on JUDDDD you can have whatever you want on up days, it still makes sense to make healthy choices. Having low GI Load meals just sounds like a no brainer for all of us.

What I've learned after a lifetime of dieting is that no single diet or maintenance plan is right for everyone. We have to find what works for us individually. That's why I'm so angry with myself for getting off of alternative fasting for so long. My body responds really well to it and it is liveable. I need to stop fritzing about with other ideas and just stick with it. Forever. Because if I stop the program, I regain weight. I can't think of it as a temporary thing. It has to be a permanent lifestyle. With more liberal down days when I get to my goal, but still with down days.

Down days. Hmmm, down is sort of a negative term. I wish Dr. Johnson had picked a more "upbeat" term than "down"!

Maybe, we could go with a hip-hop spin: "down-with-it" (prepostition? -- if slang can *be* a part of speech... ) Oops, that has a rather iffy acronym: dwi !

Maybe high and low instead of up and down. I agree that down often has a negative conotation. Except for weight going down, which is a good thing.

Well, I'm "down with it", because it works!

Maybe I'll just call them my days, as it takes some discipline and harmony to stay the course. Oooohhhhhmmmmmm.

I like that! Really. It's perfect.

Hyp alternating with Hyp

I think I might go with something a little less than for my "up" days -- how about up being more of a or day?

*is now in debt to the next three months in smiley allotments...*

How about ? Seems appropriate.

I shall be Hyp and Hyp

SC <zen.

So far, I've had some oatmeal (one packet of quick oats, 1 Tblsp dried cranberries), and LOTS of "cream" tea. By "cream", I mean fat free half and half, not nearly so GAH as it sounds!

Harumph!

SC

How can half and half be fat free? That is a product I've never seen. Amazing what is available these days.

So far today I've had a bit of cheese and three slices (thin) of summer sausage. And 12 peanuts.

One of the things that helps me most on days is drinking hot chicken or beef broth. And winter is around the corner, making it even a better idea.

So far, I've had no luck finding MSG free broth of any kind. I should start checking the health food shops...

I can find it without MSG, but I can't find any without yeast extract. I think Swanson has a more natural broth now without MSG. And so does Rachel Ray. I make my own.

Hyp

Hey Ti, what happened with your higher fat experiment? Are you still doing it?

Currently not doing anything at all except trying not to panic and also trying to get anough sleep - this time of the year is the beginning of the long dark teatime of my soul.

I think we are too afraid of fat in our diet. I need to reread that book I have about the studies on saturated fat actually not showing what the doctors claim they show in relationship to heart disease.

I sympathize with you about your long dark winters. That would bother me a lot. Even the gray days in winter bother me.

Well, increasing my intake of saturated fat lowered my cholesterol last time it was checked - but for the last few months my skin all over my body has dried up like you wouldn't believe it. Please don't tell me this is what's it like to be growing older!

How odd that your skin would dry up with more fat in your diet.It should do just the opposite. Yes, it happens as we age. I've found that increasing my water consumption helps my skin in the winter when it tends to dry out.

Yay!!!!! Thanks for telling me about your cholesterol results. I do remember that the book I read said that increasing fat and lowering sugars and starches would actually lower cholesterol. I'm so glad to hear that it works at least for some people. I really think sugar and refined flour products is the enemy, not saturated fat.

Now trans-fats are a different kettle of fish. Very unhealthy.

Reporting in again, I finished the day with a can of WW soup and 6 whole wheat low fat crachers. Also, not as GAH as they sound.

On the fat-free half and half -- most supermarkets now carry it. The original stuff came from Land O Lakes brand, but now a lot of stores have house brand versions. It's not bad, even in , which I *live* on when it gets cold.

Now, if only I don't go MAD on my days...

SC