And the beat goes on...

[mom2w]

Ok, I'm back. For good. With focus. And, I'm seeing progress. That helps.

I started the v-diet last Sat (20th) and as of this morning I've lost 6.5# (including .75" off navel; .5" off waist; 1" off hips) All this is without a single Biotest product in my pantry (according to the article, you can't do it successfully without buying their stuff! )

Hubby & I have come to the conclusion that something in my solid food diet was causing me to bloat. It was fairly low carb so grains shouldn't be the culprit. Maybe eggs? Dairy consisted of cheese only so I'm not sure where that fits in. Anyway, when I start to transition off the v-diet, we're going to be very careful about what I start eating -- maybe even eat the same solid meal every day -- to see if we can figure out what bloats me and makes me not look so great!

Workouts are still good. Squats are in the 130# range. Deadlifts are around 150#. Bench stays around 80# (we've been doing decline lately). I felt a little wonky the first two workouts this week, but yesterday was definately stronger and more endurable. The weather has been beautiful this week so the daily walks are very pleasurable. Of course, I'm still due to get one in today and the dark storm clouds are quickly approaching. I may be on the recumbent bike instead.

We're going out of town this weekend so I need to make up my little shake packets (or load half the mini-van with 4# protein jugs!) I'm due a solid meal this weekend, but I'm not sure when/where it'll be. Since we're staying with other people I'll have to wing it around the schedule I run into. We're also picking up 400# of beef on Sunday so if I can hold out until Sun night and have a good steak dinner, that would rock!

So look for me. I'll be here.

[Lost Dog]

Hey! Good luck on the v-diet. It's not so bad...

Actually, it always sucks at the beginning, and t-nation says you'll fail without Met Drive, so the dieter thinks that's why it sucks, right? I'm not saying that Met Drive isn't good tasting, thick and creamy, etc. A good tasting powder would certainly make it easier to comply with. I suppose a good protein blend might make it slightly easier, too. Personally, I feel the starve just the same with casein or whey.

Welcome back!

[UConnJulie]

Hey Brenda ... welcome back!

Just wanted to let you know that it CAN be grains (even if it is only small amounts) ... I am currently experimenting with going gluten-free ... it's been 2 weeks and I am feeling lots better (I don't have digestive issues, but rather other symptoms, like achy joints). Check out this quiz and this quiz ...

[mom2w]

Thanks Roland! Have you done it before? Sounds like it. I'm using 100% Whey and 100% Casein powders and blending them. I do have 1 chocolate blend and 1 cookies & cream blend as well. So far, it's really not that bad. The thought of no solid food is a lot worse than the reality. It sure takes the thought of "what to eat" off the table.

Julie -- Thank you as well. I checked those quizzes and I'm at a low to moderate risk. I've been looking at different intolerance sites and seeing a lot of things that have plagued me over the years. Many of them seemed to clear up on Atkins so I have my thoughts that there is some intolerance of gluten in my gut. Yeah me. Of course I'm also lucky that there's a gluten free bakery down the street so I have options if that's the case! I think wheat is one thing I'll keep out long term as a check. Are you following a specific gluten free plan or just eliminating known products?

[Lost Dog]

I did do it. It went fine, but like every other diet I tried, it stalled after two weeks. It wasn't all that bad, either.

[L'ilJ]

BRENDA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!


you better stick around this time.

[mom2w]

Ok, I will be gone for a few days but, come Monday, I'll be here as bright and early as possible! (how's that?)

I'm proud of myself -- I went outside and walked in the threatening weather and it was actually a nice time. I wish it weren't illegal to burn leaves these days. The temp and feeling of my walk would have been very similar to walking home from school in the fall (decades ago!) if only the smell of burning leaves were in the air. I became a GREAT-aunt again this week so I guess I'm allowed flights of fancy from time to time!

My supps & powders are all partitioned and packed. Fingers crossed that I don't forget anything. I'm subbing psyllium husks for flax meal this weekend so I don't worry about rancidity. Hopefully the different fiber source won't cause problems. It's also a blender free weekend for me. I may be regretting that and hightailing it to Walmart. I only have about $150 into this diet--- what's another $15?

You all have a great weekend! Enjoy your friends and families!!!

[gregl515]

Good luck with the diet this weekend!

[UConnJulie]

Yeah, good luck with it! Travelling and all liquid ... yeesh!!

I am not following any specific gluten-free plan, still following Dr. Schwarzbein's program, and now avoiding all sources of gluten along with casein for the next few weeks. Then I'll add back in the casein (butter, cream, yogurt, cottage cheese, cheese) and see how I react. But the gluten thing is going to be permanent for me. I've been experimenting a little over the last month or so and notice a definite reaction (increased aches and pains, water retention, fatigue). The reason to eliminate casein initially too is that gluten and casein are very similarly structured molecularly, and sometimes when you eliminate gluten, the body confuses casein and you will get the same reactions. Hopefully that will not be permanent as I love my dairy products and really miss them!!

[mel]

The V diet is scary stuff to me, so I'm impressed with your desire to stick with it! Good Luck. Sending out good diet vibes for the weekend. Enjoy that steak!

mel

[tkinsley]

Originally Posted by mom2w

Ok, I'm back. For good. With focus. And, I'm seeing progress. That helps.

I started the v-diet last Sat (20th) and as of this morning I've lost 6.5# (including .75" off navel; .5" off waist; 1" off hips) All this is without a single Biotest product in my pantry (according to the article, you can't do it successfully without buying their stuff! )

Hubby & I have come to the conclusion that something in my solid food diet was causing me to bloat. It was fairly low carb so grains shouldn't be the culprit. Maybe eggs? Dairy consisted of cheese only so I'm not sure where that fits in. Anyway, when I start to transition off the v-diet, we're going to be very careful about what I start eating -- maybe even eat the same solid meal every day -- to see if we can figure out what bloats me and makes me not look so great!

Workouts are still good. Squats are in the 130# range. Deadlifts are around 150#. Bench stays around 80# (we've been doing decline lately). I felt a little wonky the first two workouts this week, but yesterday was definately stronger and more endurable. The weather has been beautiful this week so the daily walks are very pleasurable. Of course, I'm still due to get one in today and the dark storm clouds are quickly approaching. I may be on the recumbent bike instead.

We're going out of town this weekend so I need to make up my little shake packets (or load half the mini-van with 4# protein jugs!) I'm due a solid meal this weekend, but I'm not sure when/where it'll be. Since we're staying with other people I'll have to wing it around the schedule I run into. We're also picking up 400# of beef on Sunday so if I can hold out until Sun night and have a good steak dinner, that would rock!

So look for me. I'll be here.

Well, well, well.

Welcome back, Brenda. V diet, huh? I did a bastardized version with one solid meal/day. It ws surprisingly not that tough, for some reason.

400 LBS of beef? When should I show up for the BBQ?

[Victoria]

Hey Brenda! Welcome back! Yeah, 400 lbs of beef? I hope it's not still in one piece!

Have a great trip!

[mom2w]

Thanks for all the support! This weekend really went easier than I expected. I was super-aware of the social/situational aspects of food and eating though. We went to a Big 10 football game and I really wanted a brat at the tailgating party we stopped by and when ds and dh wanted pizza at our favorite spot in the world. I guess I'm learning to savor the smells! I definately prefer my shakes in the blender, but survived ok otherwise. I ended up with several A&W/vanilla shakes just for the ease of travel.

MIL had a nice turkey dinner but I just claimed an upset stomach and held out for steak. Ummmm.... tenderloin on the grill, spinach salad w/tomatoes, feta, red onion and my first stab at olive oil/balsamic on my own. I had a few fresh cheese curds too. The rest of the beef is safe & secure and resting in the freezer as we speak. (dh grew up on a dairy farm and we buy 1/2 steer about every 18months from a neighbor; it works out to about $2/lb for everything and we know the source, butcher, etc so we don't worry about recalls)

Julie: Really interesting about the casein mimicking gluten. Obviously, casein plays a big part in my diet this month (or I'd be chewing my arm off after 45 min or so) so either I tolerate it well or I could be down even more.

Greg & Mel: Thanks for the support!

Tina: Hustle on over in about 7 days and I'll fire up that grill! It is nice to have it all readily available until we get to the end and have 25# of ground beef remaining. I feel like the Forrest Gump of the hamburger world.

Victoria: Definately cut up! I'm glad there are few vegetarians around here or they'd be totally disgusted.

It's supposed to be a nice day here. I guess that means I should start raking or else wait for a big windstorm to blow them to the neighbors (I wish!) My walking partner (Alex the dog) is back from Grandma's, where she spoiled him rotten. At least I have someone to talk to as I walk though; people smile when I talk to myself!

[Lost Dog]

How do you get the root beer and protein powder mixed on the go? It sounds good!

[mom2w]

Originally Posted by Lost Dog

How do you get the root beer and protein powder mixed on the go? It sounds good!

Either use a shaker bottle -- carefully! I can only put a little root beer into the bottle to mix the powder and, even then, there is a carbonation factor that may/may not pop the topper a little (just the little cover, not the entire topper). Then I add more rootbeer and stir with the straw. Or, carry a spoon along. It was a little chunkier that way, but I kept adding rootbeer as needed and it worked out. I guess the chunks make it a little more like a root beer float.

I've been meaning to ask you about your past coffee/protein powder disaster. Were you shaking it in a bottle or using the blender when it popped big time? I've been holding off on trying that because your experience keeps playing over in the back of my mind.

[Lost Dog]

Originally Posted by mom2w

Either use a shaker bottle -- carefully! I can only put a little root beer into the bottle to mix the powder and, even then, there is a carbonation factor that may/may not pop the topper a little (just the little cover, not the entire topper). Then I add more rootbeer and stir with the straw. Or, carry a spoon along. It was a little chunkier that way, but I kept adding rootbeer as needed and it worked out. I guess the chunks make it a little more like a root beer float.

I've been meaning to ask you about your past coffee/protein powder disaster. Were you shaking it in a bottle or using the blender when it popped big time? I've been holding off on trying that because your experience keeps playing over in the back of my mind.

It was a shaker bottle. The type with the snap-on lid. Never know, a screw on lid might have been even worse!

Just hot coffee and powder is enough to pop the lid open, but shaking it makes it explode.

If you have access to a microwave, best bet is to mix with a bit of water or cooled coffee, then add the hot to that liquid. Nuke it, if necessary.

A blender works pretty well, if you like it foamy. But start slow. It can pop, too.