February 7th Challenge Day

[BeccainSC]

Sorry, no catchy title....

Thought I'd share my affirmation of the day with the group at large.




I POSSESS THE COURAGE TO CHOOSE THE DIRECTION OF MY LIFE


I can live the kind of life that the deepest part of me desires. I have the courage to choose the direction of my life. I have the courage to make decisions which will enhance my life, and I have the willingness to act upon my decisions.


I am on a voyage of discovery. I am discovering the core issues that prevent me from enjoying life. I am discovering the specific fears that inhibit the growth of my full potential.


I am discovering my motivations and intentions so that I can make clear decisions about my life. All of my discoveries help me to take full responsibility for my life and help me to create new and positive paths to follow.


I feel my true essence emerge and express itself. Today I am inspired to search within for the strength to continue to freely choose the direction of my life.





Just something for you guys to think about today. :D


We all have the courage to do what we need to do to change our way of eating or lack of exercise or whatever needs doing to improve ourselves. We wouldn't be here if we didn't want to change!



'becca

[maxlharris]

Becca,

Nice & good morning.

My thought for the day:


God gives every bird his worm, but He does not throw it into the nest.

The change you want is out there. It is ready for you. If only you will leave the nest of old habits, old methods, old thinking, and make it happen.

If you had a NO yesterday, make an extra effort to get your worm today. If you had a YES, do it again. If you had a maybe, well, I'm not gonna say anything mean, but sometimes things are black and white.

Go and make it happen folks.

[mepc06]

Good Morning Becca....you don't need a catchy title :)


I feel my true essence emerge and express itself. Today I am inspired to search within for the strength to continue to freely choose the direction of my life. Oh yes, everyday, but today is the priority as it's the one I have to deal with directly...today.

Day number 7 and things are rockin' in my world. I'm on vacation in 17 days...okay it's a short vacation...but anytime away from work and the daily grind is a good thing, especially if you actually get to go somewhere new. I'm very committed to staying on plan for each and every one of those 18 days, just as I have the first 6. Trust me, you will be hardpressed to find anyone more committed or determined to make this month the best month...ever....

I am at times in awe of myself and what I have accomplished thus far, I try not to dwell on how far I still have to go, instead I just get up everyday and commit to keep chipping away at it...like a frozen ice sculpture that is a work in progress....shave away a little here, melt a little off there until finally you have an artful masterpiece.

The picture of me and my daughter....the one I had up for 3 days as my Avatar....you know the one of my BIG backside.....hangs on the wall in my cubicle at work in all it's 8X10 glory. I look at it everyday and go....GOD!!!I can't believe that is me....no one else can either....but I can look at that throughout the day, as I sit at my computer and eat my tuna or eggs or whatever and think....yep...you're doing the right thing.

I wish I could share with all of you, who are struggling to make this work, some of the energy and determination that I have found within myself to succeed at this. I wish for all of you everyday though that you will eventually find the "key" within yourselves that turns on the switch for you to stick with it and be successful with whatever you wish to accomplish here.

Happy thoughts and an "Excellent" day ahead,
Michelle

[Mitra]

Good morning Becca, Max, Michelle :). Thank you all for giving us so much encouragement to have a good day. It sounds as if Shadow can look forward to a resounding "yes" from at least three people today :D.

[Billie]

What a great start everyone, with those thoughts and that frame of mind...look out world!

[Missy]

Morning ALL!

Thanks for starting us off on a nice thought BECCA! :D ~ Work on the "fancy title" part though! lol...I like that! (Notice IIIIIIIII don't get up to START us off...but surely can COMPLAIN...lol with LOVE, OF COURSE! LOL)

Michelle! Girl...YOU are a daily inspiration...and YOU are my example...YOU GO FOR IT, YOU STICK TO IT and YOU LEAD ME DEAR GIRLFRIEND!!! More POWER TO YA!!!!! :thumbsup: I ALWAYS want us to HEAR about your EXCELLENCE!!!! ~ each and every day...and I don't what you to be SHY about it! You deserve to shout it from the HILLTOPS! No MORE of this mamby pamby quiet "E"...business! LOL Got it?...not that I'm being BOSSY or anything...:cool: :D I'm SO PROUD of you!!! We're going to GET YOU THERE and help you MAKE IT STICK!!!!! I know it!!!!

MAX...I'm MAKING IT HAPPEN! :D ~ and NOW that I've figured it out....WELL GANG....LOOK OUT! :cool: :D

[Missy]

I mean it....Look OUT!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

A NEW MISSY HAS COME TO TOWN!!!!!!!!

[Missy]

..........:cool: ...........

[maxlharris]

Back from Gym:
Did shoulder workout, pushed hard, but not too hard.
Started looking at building towards one legged squats. Did a set of negatives (you only do the down stroke, then you sit and stand back up with two legs) and started a set of partials (you do just the top half of the downward movement and go back up), but just wasn't feeling it, so put it down and got a shower. Odd, but I just wasn't feeling it, Not pain, not strain, not boredom. Maybe a little frustration, but not much of anything. *sigh*

Fixing my laptop today. I think the video cable has come loose, so I'm digging in it today at work. I found that I can't install worthwhile stat software on my work computer, so I'm gonna work it on my laptop. The idea of working on this project at home on my own time is just icky to me on so many levels.

[Ottawa]

I mean it....Look OUT!!!

:D :D :D :D :D :D :D

A NEW MISSY HAS COME TO TOWN!!!!!!!!

It looks like the town might have a new Sheriff and she's packin' heat!:D
Way to go on the attitiude!!!

SUPS: Yes
Water: Getting there
Protein: On track
Carbs: a few extra tp spare
Exercise: Scheduled at 12:10

Today will be totally on plan with a 50 minute Body Sculpting class at lunch, meals and snacks lined up and a special on-plan dinner tonight for our "surprize" guests.
We have a large Salmon filet (20") and I'll cover it with sweetened, sliced ginger and lemons topped with Tumeric and Cumin. I brush on butter and lemon partway through cooking.

Watched "Lady in the Water" again last night with family and it is just one amazing, uplifting movie.

[Bonnie]

Morning all,

Becca, I like it. Don't worry about catchy titles, your thoughts are great. Woke up to a couple of inches of snow. Took me all of 5 minutes to totally clean off the car. I drove in to work wondering why the streets were so empty. Not nearly the usual traffic. When I got to work I noticed that one of the programs this morning was cancelled and asked about it. They closed the schools! Now in years past, Baltimore City Schools were among the last to close, but the city schools and all of the surrounding county schools were closed. Apparently, they had snow days burning a hole in their pocket and felt they had to spend them.

I guess that means the computer center will be swamped today. The kids have to go somewhere.

Bonnie

[Karole]

How sweet it is----already we have met our February challenge head on for a week. A quarter of our month will be gone with today.

Doesn't seem possible for the days to fly by so fast. And they do fly, whether we stay on track or not. The only difference will be the result of what we have chosen or allowed ourselves to do. Did we stick to it or did we stray? Did we give it our all, or shrug it off and think it doesn't matter this time.
We still have 3 weeks of our challenge to go. What choices are awaiting us in those weeks? It isn't easy. This is why it's called a challenge.

[Missy]

It looks like the town might have a new Sheriff and she's packin' heat!:D
Way to go on the attitiude!!

Oh...you KNOW IT BABY! :D

Acutally Randy...do you know that YOU are more then HALF to blame for this NEW FOUND attitude? hum?!! Yep, Hawk mentioned to ME about hidden carbs that YOU once tipped her off for her situation...in her coffee...and THAT got ME to thinking how much sweetener I was using in my TEA and that I went to discover that sweetener WASN'T CARB free...AND that caused me to learn MORE about what sweetener can DO to someone's blood sugar response! AND WELL....WAHLA!!!! THAT is and could be my ENTIRE problem as to why losing weight is/has been a NO WIN situation for me!

I wasnt counting it because I thought it was GOOD for me!

Okay....THERE I've talk about it AGAIN! lol Sorry about the ONE TRACK MINDED THING that is all I talk about! BUT this is HUGE!

my body is responding immediately to this change! I'm so excited!!! And I want EVERYONE to rethink their use of sweeteners and ask themselves "How much of this am I really using?" AND if I am "what do I KNOW about what it's really doing to me?" and "What can I do to improve or change?"

ESPECIALLY if your are doing the PLAN but the process is slow?!

That's my soap box, and I'm sticking too it! LOL :D

[kpow]

Hi, there.

Wow, you guys are awesome! Such great attitudes today! :) Thanks for the inspiration.

Got in my walk earlier than usual, and I added a few extra minutes to boot. I see a resistance workout in my near future too. ;) Fixed the deep dish pizza thingy last night and it was soooo good. Try it, you'll like it! :D

Not much happening today, just choir rehearsal this evening. I'll be giving myself tough love with decluttering today. ;)

Shadow, give me a YES for 2/6.

Yes, Michelle, let's have an EXCELLENT day! :)

Kathy

[maxlharris]

Morning all,

Becca, I like it. Don't worry about catchy titles, your thoughts are great. Woke up to a couple of inches of snow. Took me all of 5 minutes to totally clean off the car. I drove in to work wondering why the streets were so empty. Not nearly the usual traffic. When I got to work I noticed that one of the programs this morning was cancelled and asked about it. They closed the schools! Now in years past, Baltimore City Schools were among the last to close, but the city schools and all of the surrounding county schools were closed. Apparently, they had snow days burning a hole in their pocket and felt they had to spend them.

I guess that means the computer center will be swamped today. The kids have to go somewhere.

Bonnie

I share your weather, but sadly, the Federal Government is opened today. :cry::tear::crybaby:

[maxlharris]

Yep, Hawk mentioned to ME about hidden carbs that YOU once tipped her off for her situation...in her coffee...and THAT got ME to thinking how much sweetener I was using in my TEA and that I went to discover that sweetener WASN'T CARB free...AND that caused me to learn MORE about what sweetener can DO to someone's blood sugar response! AND WELL....WAHLA!!!! THAT is and could be my ENTIRE problem as to why losing weight is/has been a NO WIN situation for me!


Coupla things:

1- Water has no hidden carbs. Well, maybe trace carbs, but I think you'd have to drink your weight (8.6 lbs to the gallon anyone who wants to try) to have a problem. And it's good for the skin. And I hear that Dr. Atkins, Eades, Eades, Vernon, Sears and even Ornish recommend it for weight loss.

2- Missy, I know you are in the thrill of the moment with your AS detox. And I'm proud. But, don't get super invested in this being the change until you get on the scale or measure something. I am with you, I think it will work, but let's not set ourselves up for disappointment. Or, weigh yourself next week and know. Either way.

[Ottawa]

...and THAT got ME to thinking how much sweetener I was using in my TEA and that I went to discover that sweetener WASN'T CARB free...AND that caused me to learn MORE about what sweetener can DO to someone's blood sugar response! AND WELL....WAHLA!!!! THAT is and could be my ENTIRE problem as to why losing weight is/has been a NO WIN situation for me!

I wasnt counting it because I thought it was GOOD for me!

My wife thinks that is part of my problem as well although I use SweetZfree which is carb free. I tend to think it is more related to still eating large meals, being down to 19% BF and ... not being too worried about it although I still check the scale several times a week.:D

I've noticed a few here target 20 ECC/day and I think that attitude may help if they miss something in their count that they assumed was carb free (Liver, shellfish, cream, most sweeteners, chewing gum, breath moints, other organ meats, etc.). I'm not suggesting people drop to 20 but there are little extras that we often don't include on a daily basis that does add in.

If you want you could try that for a month or using Fitday.com and entering EVERYTHING just to track closely for a while. I use Monitor Mondays for this since it is just once a week, but I include absolutely everything for an accurate count.

[Shadow]

My word - what a bunch of impressive posts already today :thumbsup: :D! Thank you 'Becca, Michelle and Max for such inspirational thoughts and quotes today! You guys are just awesome!

Note: Today is the end of the week so if possible, I need those who haven't been posting to catch up and those who have been to make sure they reported the last couple days :). I will have the tally up tomorrow for everyone to see the great results of this first week.

[Claudette]

Good Morning, all,

Today I am in my 2nd Excel class:o

Pretty awake today considering I spent the night in my MIL's hospital room on a reclining bed/chair thinggie. I'd forgotten just how noisy hospitals can be at night. It's a wonder anybody gets any sleep.

She is doing better, it has turned out to be dehydration (95% of the elderly are borderline) and med adjustment. I am glad her doc is keeping her for several days to make a huge med adjustment and get her straigtened out.

She also suffers from multi-infarc dementia, so she remembers some things are not others. She ceretainly doesn't have "executive" funcioning anymore, so she won't ever be able to be left alone.

We the kids have a plan, so we can help my FIL with her management.

On a postive side, I went for a check-up yesterday afternoon,(semi-annaul) ,and my doc was beaming as by his scale Iwas down 7 lbs and my ABD measurements were down 2" from my last visit.
I will have my fasting labs drawn later this week and am looking forward to great results there, also.

Will post later.

Have a great day.

[Mitra]

Claudette, I'm sorry about your MIL. Those are hard times that most of us have to go through some time or other.

That's great news about your progress, though. Good going :D.

[lizi145]

I'm glad to hear that your MIL is doing better.


On a postive side, I went for a check-up yesterday afternoon,(semi-annaul) ,and my doc was beaming as by his scale Iwas down 7 lbs and my ABD measurements were down 2" from my last visit.

Yahoo! I'm doing a happy dance right along with ya!

[Ammy]

This hotel computer I'm on is SLOWER THAN MOLASSES!!! AAARRRGGHHH!!

I'm in sunny St Petersburg today...high 74!! It's going smoothly today, after a rough arrival yesterday.
I'm about to head up for the luncheon, but wanted to check in. I KNOW I will have too many carbs today, but I also know I'm going to make as smart of decisions as I can. I did have time for a GREAT workout. DId 30min on the treadmill and 25 on the recumbent. AAHHHHHH
This afternoon we're heading to John's Pass, so I'll get my walking in today as well!

Anyway, I will check in again later, but if the computer doesn't speed up, I could go crazy!! We get SO spoiled with cable internet, huh???
This is, and I'm NOT exaggerating...SLOWER than dialup!!!!

[Missy]

Amy! John's PASS! Oh! I know RIGHT where you are! My parents winter in that area...Clearwater, which isn't too far from where you are!!! Gosh, it's fun to read something that someone's AT that's recognizable to me!:D Tell the Gulf I said hello! lol

Do the best you can Ammy...but...well, YOU KNOW these things happen from time to time! Glad you arrived safe and that you checked in with us! IF I were on a plane in sunny florida WAITING to arrive home, hell they could KEEP me on the tarmack as LOOOOOOOOOOONNNNG AS POSSIBLE! lol

Claudette....glad to hear about the update on your MIL. GOOD FOR YOU on the Dr./scale/loss thing! :D

[Missy]

Coupla things:

1- Water has no hidden carbs. Well, maybe trace carbs, but I think you'd have to drink your weight (8.6 lbs to the gallon anyone who wants to try) to have a problem. And it's good for the skin. And I hear that Dr. Atkins, Eades, Eades, Vernon, Sears and even Ornish recommend it for weight loss.

2- Missy, I know you are in the thrill of the moment with your AS detox. And I'm proud. But, don't get super invested in this being the change until you get on the scale or measure something. I am with you, I think it will work, but let's not set ourselves up for disappointment. Or, weigh yourself next week and know. Either way.


Yes, water is just fine...but right now, I'm just testing my options....and quite frankly its a MINI MIND OVER MATTER study for me to just adjusting myself to the flavor and difference of unsweetened tea. It's a lifelong habit that I'm beating and staring down the face of to concur. Water is certainly an acceptable "choice"...for sure. Water IS the best choice...but, I'm going to incorporate that routine as well.

2. Yep, Max..I totally agree with you too on your "caution"..and the TRUTH will be in the "invested" change with the TRUTH of the scale...and THAT is a part that I have NEGLECTED to share with you all....till THIS MOMENT! :D

You see, now that I'm showered for the day...my SCALE today says 350!!! :D Yep, THREE FIFTY!!!! ...and over the last couple of days I haven't had it be doing the BOUNCE thing....it's steadily dropping and NOT bobbing.....:D SO PROOF IS HAPPENING!!!!...but ~ I don't want to get..as you say emotionally/mentally "super invested" with this till it's a continuous thing. :D ~ but...let's face it.....I'm THINKING IT IS!!! :D

I know what you MEAN about being careful NOT to get too ramped up over this one....goodness KNOWS MAX I've done that over ALOT of things in my learning to adjust to these changes over the course of making this a woe for me....you can't even IMAGINE. Heck, that's been a corner stone in my disappointment and emotional downfail at times...even IF I'm on the right track with "whatever" it was I was newly discovering. BUT.....BUT...this is so STUPID SIMPLE to understand that I don't know WHY it didn't dawn on me BEFORE to investigate!

So, thank you for caring about me and caring enough to make sure I'm prepared for this possibly NOT to be my answer. I'm listening, I'm being caucious.....but MAX....I'm thinking THIS is IT. I really do. My body IS responding.

[Mitra]

http://img99.exs.cx/img99/8577/yupi3ti.gifI think this calls for a celebration http://img99.exs.cx/img99/8577/yupi3ti.gif

[Missy]

My wife thinks that is part of my problem as well although I use SweetZfree which is carb free. I tend to think it is more related to still eating large meals, being down to 19% BF and ... not being too worried about it although I still check the scale several times a week.:D

I've noticed a few here target 20 ECC/day and I think that attitude may help if they miss something in their count that they assumed was carb free (Liver, shellfish, cream, most sweeteners, chewing gum, breath moints, other organ meats, etc.). I'm not suggesting people drop to 20 but there are little extras that we often don't include on a daily basis that does add in.

If you want you could try that for a month or using Fitday.com and entering EVERYTHING just to track closely for a while. I use Monitor Mondays for this since it is just once a week, but I include absolutely everything for an accurate count.

Ottawa....these things maybe "carb free" or SO we think? Sweetfreeze may SEEM carbfree...but it just may be LESS then <1 carb...and that isn't CARB FREE. How many drops do you use???

I have changed NOTHING about my plan...and according to my records with what I eat, I'm comfortably between 30 and 40 per day (MINUS knowing about the hidden carbs in the iced tea) and the ONLY change I've made IS the complete reduction of the sweetener...thats IT!

Randy, it's MORE then the carbs though...it what the "SWEET" impressing is leaving on our brain/cells. It's making our body's THINK sweet is coming....so it over produced the insulin...and keeps the insulin receptors that we are HOPING to impove remain resistant.

HENCE, why my body, DESPITE me doing EVERYTHING that I THOUGHT was acceptable and legal within the plan...wasn't getting the RESULTS!

This is HUGE.

I'm at the point that I don't want to completely give up on sweeteners...but use them sparingly....VERY SPARINGLY..and for "special" treats.. and that doesn't MEAN diet pop or sweetened tea....because those drinks are drinks that I'm depending upon. That's NOT a treat.

[Missy]

http://img99.exs.cx/img99/8577/yupi3ti.gifI think this calls for a celebration http://img99.exs.cx/img99/8577/yupi3ti.gif

LOL...NOT YET MITRA!!!!! lol 349 calls for ONE!!!!!!!!! :D THAT might be TOMORROW! lol

LOVE THE SMILIE!!!!!! lol

[Missy]

Ottawa...we need to find out the ACTUAL count on Sweetfreeze...and share it. I need to go to the gym though.

[oceanblueLA]

Good morning Everyone!

I signed up for the challenge, and while keeping true to my meal and (somewhat) to my exercise goals, due to a work deadline, I got off-track about being present on the board. But thanks to our fearless leader for noticing I wasn't around and checking in with me... here I am, ready to do what I set out to do... be part of this great group and contribute to our collective success. :-)

I have noticed that if I make a nightly mental checklist of how I did during the day and plan what my eating and exercise will be the next day, I actually stick to it. Planning and follow through... what a concept! It makes sense, sure. But I never really practiced it like I do now. I am sure the focus is contributing to my success in following through.

I have been working out with weights twice a week for the last 6 weeks and have noticed a positive change in my energy level. Not to mention it is easier to sit at a desk for all hours after making my back and abs stronger. And keeping my ECCs below 30 is such a great approach to eating. After trying every single food plan and every variation of a protein based plan, I have finally hit the jackpot with PP and the 30 ECC limit. I can have an apple, or my favorite fiber crisp crackers when I need a crunch. My favorite meal has been a staple. I have a big salad for dinner every night with chicken or beef in it, lots of vegetables, and a satisfying ranch/vineragrette mix dressing. I just plan on having it now so the only other food choices are breakfast, lunch and snacks. Since I just keep foods around that fit the program, I am able to eat well and stay on the plan. For me, it's all about planning and then keeping a picture of general health in my mind and how my current meal or activity fits in with the total plan. Clearly, I haven't always been successful with how I eat or I wouldn't have 45 pounds to lose. But I think I have found a formula that works for me.

I feel like I'm in one of those 'gift spots'.... where what I strive for and what I am actually doing have dovetailed and are working! It's a wonderful place to be. and I am so grateful. And it re-started for me when I committed to this challenge. Thank you all for that.

I am happy to be here and look forward to getting to know you all.

I hope you are having a wonderful day.

Best,

Blue :-)

[Mitra]

Oceanblue, it's good to see you again :) and great to hear your enthusiasm!

[Ottawa]

Welcome OceanBlue. You should be able to provide lots of color. Our lakes and rivers are now all white.;)

I'm glad the program is working for you.

Missy
"Ottawa....these things maybe "carb free" or SO we think? Sweetfreeze may SEEM carbfree...but it just may be LESS then <1 carb...and that isn't CARB FREE. How many drops do you use???"

I use lots of drops. A shake would have 5 (equivalent to 7.5 tsp. plus the sweetener in the Whey Protein.

"Randy, it's MORE then the carbs though...it what the "SWEET" impressing is leaving on our brain/cells. It's making our body's THINK sweet is coming....so it over produced the insulin...and keeps the insulin receptors that we are HOPING to improve remain resistant."

Although I can see that happening a few times, since the body had loads of practice with carb binges and was "learning" to react sooner to the onslaught of a carb binge. The same is true with people who get heartburn from certain fats. For some, the heartburn effects begin as soon as they bring the food to their mouth.
I find our bodies incredible biological machines, but believe that these "false" insulin spikes would disappear after a short time, when sweet no longer causes a glucose overload.

The fact that the SweetZfree (http://72.32.36.211/forum/www.sweetzfree.com) product is pure sucralose, "with 0 calories" leads me to believe that it is truly carb free, but could evoke an insulin reaction the first few times if you were one of the few people with bodies that react to sweet taste or smell by generating insulin, without the actual glucose trigger.

(http://www.sweetzfree.com/)

[Stephie]

Happy Wednesday everyone!

What a week - I'm very busy. Sorry I didn't check in last night, but I loved me by spending my evening surfing some other websites I haven't visited in a while.

Shadow: Goal Recap for Tuesday, 2-6-07: YES

I haven't planned for the week as well as I would have liked, and that has left me scrambling for things. I've taken care of that today, and I'll be cooking enough tonight to get me through the rest of the week.

I'm heading for the gym after work tonight, I'll check in again after that.

Thanks for the good thoughts everyone.

BTW - Missy/Hawk/Randy - I bet there are some websites that list those "hidden" carbs. Any links to share?

[SherryJ]

Shadow, YES.

Sherry

[Shadow]

Blue - So happy to see you again :D! And if it's easier, you can just account for the whole week in one post rather than trying to backtrack and do each day :).

Amy - Thanks for letting us know you're safe and sound!

Claudette - I am so sorry about your MIL but I'm sure it helps immensely having a plan!!! And way to go on those successes :D!!!!!

[maxlharris]

As I have said, the carbs are in the filler.


Sucralose (Splenda) is spun from regular sucrose sugar in such away that the body doesn't recognise it, so it is not absorbed. Thus it contributes no calories or carbohydrates in its pure form. It remains stable in heat, so is ideal for cooking and baking. Splenda is available for home use as a bulk sweetener, which measures spoon for spoon exactly the same as sugar. It is also available in a more concentrated form in convenient packets. However, these Splenda products also contain maltodextrin, which gives it the necessary bulk. Thus, it does contribute a small amount of calories and carbohydrate. Either form of Splenda, whether it's the bulk form in the box, or the little packets, will yield 0.5 carb grams per amount equivalent to 1 tsp (5 ml) of sucrose sugar. Just remember that the powder in the little packets is much more concentrated, so a smaller volume is needed to give the desired sweetness.
*from http://www.lowcarb.ca/tips/tips006.html

As I say, mileage varies with these things. I believe I have heard of a person or two who get insulin response from pure sucralose. I may be recalling this incorrectly. In Splenda that measures spoon for spoon with sugar, you are getting mostly 1 spoon of maltodextrin and dextrose. I think, by volume, a spoon of Splenda, is less that 1/100th sucralose.

The SweetZFree claims to be pure liquid sucralose. It should not produce an insulin response, unless you are sensitive, or you are the type of person who gets insulin spikes from anticipation. I am pretty sure the Eades discuss this in PP or PPLP. I have experienced this, sitting over a box of doughnuts that I was not going to eat. The scent and presence trigger hunger and craving, which my reading suggested was a pre-emptive insulin response, prepping my system for an oncoming sugar rush. I dunno if you can train yourself out of this (this might be the question Staceyo was asking in the Living PP forum). I haven't really tried, though I don't really eat anything but very dark chocolate in small portions now.

So, if you are getting insulin response from SweetZFree, either :

it is not as it claims (pure sucralose)
you are sucralose sensitive
Sucralose does provoke insulin response despite claims otherwise
you are having a pre-emptive insulin release in anticipation.I suppose there could be other possibilities, but I find #1 very hard to believe and don't know that I buy #2. #3 could be true, but, "qui peut dire".

I suspect, if we want to unpack Missy's results and changes, that her problems are most likely with the filler in her sweetener of choice (Sweet & Low, aka Pink) or the sweetener itself, which I don't know a lot about, except that it used to cause brain cancer but now it's safe. Or at least that's the thought process on it. Blue used to be safe, now it causes some horrible stuff. And I am pretty sure there are people who believe that Yellow causes all manner of problems, mostly linked to the brain (this is an old fear about AS, dating back to Ancient Rome... REALLY). The quantity of the sweetener she was using might've been problematic as well. Lastly, her body might be a slow learner (it would be if you aren't 100% compliant with the carb limit, since it would have to stay on its toes for the next sugar rush, even if it's only once a month), or otherwise just be doing preemptive insulin for the sweet taste or other anticipation.

I don't know, but that's where I'd look. I like food, I like sweet. If I thought my sweetener were the problem, I'd cut it like Missy, then I might look into something like SweetZFree or some other pure, unadulterated sweetener, to see if I have a sweetener problem or a filler problem. That's just me, I do what I do.

Any rate, I hope this helps clear things up.

The archives of alt.support.diet.low-carb have a TON of information on this stuff, as does the FAQ of that group. You can get to it through google groups. I wouldn't recommend the group because it's highly argumentative and completely non-supportive at this point in time, but there are some pretty sharp angry cranks there who pour over research and share experience like you wouldn't believe. I might do a search tonight at home, but right now, it's time to pack and go.

Later ladies, Doc, Doctari and Randy.

[Grandma Moe]

Splenda has always put me right to sleep. When I was working on my recipes I bought atkins chocolate muffin mix. I'd make cookies out of it and everytime it put me right out. When I use xylitol and a very little splenda or stevia I see no real difference in the way I feel. All those Atkins sweets took me out about 30 minutes after I ate them.

I am having a heck of a time checking in. When did February get here? I have been a faithful little follower this month except for Saturday night. I had a whopper and fries. It made me sick. the next morning my whole body ached and I was really puffed up. I have repented. Good choices since then. I am exercizing about 15 minutes on my power plate and feeling pretty good today.

[Anniesnan]

Evening, everyone!

DH is now taking his turn being sick - hope I don't get it back, we were really careful, and actually he doesn't have the same symptoms, but he's at the docs right now so I have a minute.

No time to post earlier, providing TLC.

I am a NO again, but a good NO. I understand that's an odd concept for many people, but it means I am completely on target with my eating and water and getting my arms (with dumbbells) and abs, with and without ball, but NOT walking.
It is just too cold, too soon after being sick. But I am happy and fine with it. :D As soon as my stamina is back up from being sick and it is warm enough that I can walk 5 feet, I'll be walking again.

[Shadow]

Yeah for you, Agnes :D! But since you did do your resistance today, that counts as exercise, so.... it could be a "yes" if you wanted it ;). Unless your signature should read walking every day - see what I mean :)?

[Anniesnan]

Yeah for you, Agnes :D! But since you did do your resistance today, that counts as exercise, so.... it could be a "yes" if you wanted it ;). Unless your signature should read walking every day - see what I mean :)?


thank you, Shadow, but even though I didn't write EVERY day, that's what I meant :nod:
So, I'll still count it as a NO.



And I almost caught myself going over on carbs today...ate an apple without realizing just how many carbs were in it and was going to eat a Clementine.

[Karole]

Last report for the day and I'm glad it is about over. DH and I both haven't felt very well. Sinus problems for both of us. Hopefully tommorrow will be better.
Protein 138
ecc 26
water 90 oz.
supps am and pm
exercise 30 min. working resistance in 5 min. intervals.
Nice to me: I tried a new chicken recipe that turned out very well, but it really has a looooot of calories as there was a lot of butter in the sauce.

02/07/07

all goals met-- yes

[Missy]

First of all...YES Shadow. :D Okay...got THAT out of my system!

Thanks Max, Randy for helping ME understand this all better!! soooo sorry for being a one track minded poster on this subject, BUT...for me this could be CRITICAL, and MY ANSWER...so I want to make sure I'm understanding this better...so thank you one and all for helping me!

Randy, I own sweetfreeze as well, but have "saved it" for recipes...and AGAIN, I thought I was doing fine by the thing I'm accustom too...(pink)...so? I didn't see the sense in switching, you know..old dog, new tricks! Not to mention the expense of it?

Randy...you wrote "I find our bodies incredible biological machines, but believe that these "false" insulin spikes would disappear after a short time, when sweet no longer causes a glucose overload."

YOU THINK??! hum.....what if they don't though? What if they are just continuing to be fooled and therefore UNWILLING to release with ease because of the presence of this false "sweet"?



About my near future use of any sweetener I think for NOW, I need to PROVE this to myself...so that's my POINT of cutting it ALL out as best as possible to see if my body does respond (and it is!) and if this is a minor response OR a major one that lasts....and IF it lasts..and I get down significantly doing what I'm doing...THEN I could experiment to see IF I can add different sweeteners to see what I can do to fly under the radar IF I feel it's something I miss. Heck, I may be so THRILLED that I find NO real good reason to add it back?! MAYBE, metobolising REAL sugar (limited) might be the BEST solution...one day? YOU KNOW?!

Thanks Max for that link, I'll check it out. I must tell you though, MAN when it gets snarky and unfriendly...I find I can't handle that, as it stress's me out to no end. I don't mind debate, but when it gets mean, well, it overwhelmes me....and it doesn't HELP ME...that is MY WHOLE POINT!! lol

Max...I am probably one of THOSE who gets the insulin spike your talking about over temptation....because I noticed I'm even fighting it with the whole tea without sweetener "emotion" factor...but, well, that can be beat. I think you can train yourself out of this actually. We shall see...I'm going to be curious about myself and that, for sure.

Max...I'll bet it's BOTH the filler AND the sweetener it's self...I just have that hunch...and well, I'll experiement with myself ONE DAY...but not till I'm FAR away from this particular 350 number! LOL :o

Max, if you find anything interesting, I'd sure be interested in a link!!!

[Missy]

Oh, AND...tonight, my DH and I went to the funeral home for the visitation of my girlfriends boss..and (he was my chiropractor)...and we went to comfort her....and she saw us and came up to hug me and she started to cry...and as she's hugging me, crying, she instantly whispers into my ear "YOU are looking THIN woman!" LOL THROUGH HER TEARS and at this sad moment THIS shouldn't be what she's thinking! LOL :eek:

Mind you ~ you guys...this subject (my weight) hasn't been something we've talked about in a while...lol ~ so this is a sincere compliment! :D

Cool! lol

[Claudette]

Hi, all,

Thanks for the wishes on my MIL.

I am at home tonight, SIL is at the hospital, so I can really rest.


Final results today: Shadow:

yes, on plan!


Claudette

[gitfiddle]

Claudette, rest well!

Missy, my goodness! :thumbsup:

There's a lot going on here today and I've been booked up all day, unable to communicate. I have to take a NO for today SHADOW, but it's only because I missed my shake this morning and didn't get all my sups.

School's back in session and I'm paying for my time off! :rolleyes:

[BeccainSC]

Shadow goals met for today - YES

'becca

[pelhamga]

carbs 24
pro 100
water YES
Supplements YES
my love-I tried a new shake recipe w/ sugarfree choc and yogurt, cream and pro powder and it was really good.I didn't want any dinner so this was the ticket (kids ate pizza,I wasn't even tempted)
water YES
not an exercise day

[mepc06]

Good Evening All

Amy.....my mother is, as we speak, in Largo....I've been to John's Pass many times...Last time we were there.....My backside photo was taken....I took my daughter on the Pirate Ship Cruise out of John's Pass....Love it.

Missy....I too have limited my sweetners. I've heard new stuff about the Splenda, we've all heard about the Equal and Sweet-n-Low stuff. I just think I'm better off if I try to get off the stuff. A one-time diet soda addict(years and years), I now only occasionally drink them....A one-time "Monster" energy drink addict (18 months), I could drink 5 of those babies in a day......

I'm trying to do better on my plain water. I buy bottled water (20 oz bottles), I do use some drink mixes but try and limit to 2 bottles a day, I typically also get about 20 oz of herbal tea a day. I drink 40 oz fluid, before 7 a.m. MST, I get in about 80-100 before noon, another 20-40 in the afternoon and 20-40 from the time I get home until bed. Getting enough fluid has NEVER been my problem.

Gonna curl up with my new book....Good night all,
Michelle
Todays Totals

Protein-87
ECC: 16
Fluid: 150 oz
Exercise – Cardio Bands, 1.25m walk at work, lots of stairs
Suppl: Yes
Blood Sugars- 100 92
I ate 5 times today
Love Me© bought a new book today, gonna start it tonight

[mepc06]

Shadow.....Yes it was an EXCELLENT DAY!!!!
Day 7 complete
Week 1 complete
7 Beautiful YES's all in a row

Michelle

[lah]

Hey Anniesnan, didn't you go to the store today and walk around in it? Doesn't that count for walking? Huh, Huh? Obnoxious, ain't I!

Shadow: Yes to all my goals

Lee

[hawk]

shadow...yes,,,,,,

[Anniesnan]

Hey Anniesnan, didn't you go to the store today and walk around in it? Doesn't that count for walking? Huh, Huh? Obnoxious, ain't I!

Shadow: Yes to all my goals

Lee

thanks for the thought, Lee, but actually all the walking I did on 2/7 was up and down some stairs (which I do every Mo-Fr) and to my car and back (and, since I got decent parking spaces, there wasn't much of that).

:rolleyes:

[Bonnie]

Shadow,

Feb. 7 --YES

Bonnie

[maxlharris]

The short of it: YES

The long:
Pro: 210!!! (story below)
CHO: 28
Water: 3L + various sipping at home + 4 oz Beaujolais Nouveau + 8 oz of green tea
Pills: Yes
Exercise: Shoulder Resistance A + 10K steps + a set of negative 1 leg squats (quads uncomfortable today, in a major way)
Love: Yes (details below)

I got home, made dinner (strip loin steaks, trimmed to 0% fat for DW and seasoned liberally with granulated garlic... pan seared for a minute on each side, then broiled for 2 mins per side... pan sauce of BJN+heavy cream+black pepper + worchestshire sauce + red hot, which steaks were tossed in post resting.) I made 3 steaks, with the intention of taking one to lunch today. I finished my steak (~5 oz cooked) and decided to eat the lunch one. I think it's because my metabolism is running hot and felt the need for more material. Yesterday I had the following metabolic enhancements going:

2 doses of Amphetamine Salts (for ADHD)
8 oz of green tea
Muscle building workout in the AM
10K of steps
5 meals
Afterburn from Intervals on Tuesday
Conjugated Linoleic Acid (a possible fat burner)On the upside, to sate the hunger, I ate more protein. On the downside, 210G protein seems like way over my need (if I went up a category in activity, I'd need 140) and I fear might lead to some excessive gluconeogenesis and produce an insulin spike. At any rate, I don't think this was inevitable, but I am getting to be a lot better at listening to my body, especially wrt food. So, I didn't go off plan (plan was >125G pro) and I fed the beast. But I must stress: while this may be hunger, it's not like hunger cramps or any traditional hunger. It's a whole body feeling of being fired up and wanting more. This is the third time I've experience this since I started doing intervals and eating five meals. It hasn't stalled me, so I'm not exactly worried. Although with a wife who doesn't LC, there's some carbage around the house (english muffins being the big one, though not tempting). I will keep an eye on it.

Love for 2/7 - I fixed my laptop at work. It felt really good to crack something open, take it apart and put it back together. Granted, I didn't take it down to full components (and probably won't since I don't know that I could put it back together), but I did get in there, take some panels off, pull some plugs, unscrew the cooling system, unhinge the monitor and take the monitor off. It also felt so good to be right about what was wrong with it (the screen first would be balky, and display sometimes then fade, and come back if I jerked the screen angle) and not have to pay anyone to do it. Another lesson in the damage of procrastination. Laptop has been broken for nearly 8 months now, and unused. It took me maybe an hour and a half to take it apart, replug all the plugs and reassemble it. And it felt so GOOD.

I also read some Men's Health, and applied a tip about intersex relations. Without getting graphic, I started massaging wife's feet and wound up with a top five all time Biblical Knowledge experience. Top Five in my experience (which is not super vast, but big enough that top five is something). That's some powerful love.

[Missy]

Yay MAX! lol ....honestly, you SO CRACK ME UP! lol ~ I gotta get my husband to read THAT article! lol :D

[Ottawa]

....and she saw us and came up to hug me and she started to cry...and as she's hugging me, crying, she instantly whispers into my ear "YOU are looking THIN woman!"

For scale addicts, those so tied to the pounds and inches lost and just a general motivation from external input ... What a compliment!!!


Our Surprise Dinner was great. The woman, Jill is slightly Celiac (sp?) and mentioned that she could almost be LC since she can't have wheat flour. At the end of the meal I made up some Microwave bread with added ground flaxseed and she fell in love with it. Max, her husband has some British passions and he liked the bread as well but said that nothing beats fried bread in grease as a meal topper.:eek: We all had fun and they will have us over for a LC meal that they will prepare.

Shadow: Yes, just under the full ECC, more than enough protein and a major workout as well.

[maxlharris]

Yay MAX! lol ....honestly, you SO CRACK ME UP! lol ~ I gotta get my husband to read THAT article! lol :D

http://www.menshealth.com/cda/article.do?site=MensHealth&channel=sex.relationships&category=better.sex&conitem=9f7905ad9518f010VgnVCM10000013281eac____

The couch.

[Missy]

Ottawa! YES! HUGE compliment..and at what an unexpected time! lol I'm spending time with her at lunch today...so she'll fill me in to EXACTLY where she sees it! She's good like that when she notices a change! NOT preimpeted by me either!!

She was sweet to me today when we discussed "where" to eat lunch...and the FIRST thing she said was "Where can YOU eat?"....and I told her I can anywhere..and thats not the point, the point is what would SHE like to comfort her?! But, again, that was sweet, and tells me what a good friend she is.

MAX!!!! LOL I'll be getting my husband a subscription! :D LOL...and I'll leave GO any further additional comments....lol although...lol THAT would be AMUSING! lol ~ I have NOOOOOOOOOO DOUBT!!!! lol

The couch...hum. lol Haven't read them all....lol but, I MAY...no, I won't...lol get back to you on this! lol

[maxlharris]

Let's say, it started with the Couch, but we invented where it left off. That's the last thing I'm gonna say on that to anyone but the wife.

[Missy]

Let's say, it started with the Couch, but we invented where it left off. That's the last thing I'm gonna say on that to anyone but the wife.


ahhh.....yes....SUDDENLY the TWO "most chatty" members SUDDENLY aren't going to TALK! LOL ~ NOW THATS FUNNY!

[lizi145]

Shadow....nyet, I was planning on doing a makeup workout on account of Tuesday's snow but I was at work later than usual and too tired to workout.:(

[gator8me]

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS for this day... sorry i forgot it was the end of the week. aughhhhh

ally