This and That
First, I want to thank those of you who responded to my post: “All
swirled up, need encouragement.”
Katchy and Thomas, I am in admiration that you have this down to a
science. I am not yet at that place; and honestly, I don’t know if I
ever will be. I’m nearly 51 now, and I’ve been following some sort
of eating program, off and on, since I was about 15. You name it,
I’ve probably been on it. But not knowing that my body could not
handle certain foods, from the Blood Type aspect as well as the
carbohydrate aspect, I just kept trying and trying. Having a little
bit of success, and always ending up gaining what I lost, plus more,
until I finally topped out at 256 lbs. on my short frame of 5′3″.
Beginning with Dr. Abravanel’s Body Type program, I managed to get
down to 232 lbs. Then I began the Dr. D’Adamo’s Blood Type program,
but switched to Dr. Atkin’s program. On the Atkins program, I
managed to get down to 214 lbs. quite easily, but felt worried the
entire time because I was eating things that the Blood Type said are
Avoids (dairy and bacon).
Finally, I’ve just stopped everything, and have gained back 8-10 lbs.
I want to begin a program again, and my mind tells me it should be
the Blood Type as it goes along with my blood type, not just a
standard High-Protein, Low-Carb program, but I am worried about the
fruit, fruit juices, and grains. But the thought of eating only
protein, veggies, and fats endlessly seems too difficult.
Plus, I have recently read posts by two people talking about onions,
and I see that even within the Type O foods, there are variations and
exceptions, which undermines my confidence, because I do not know
which things I truly can and cannot eat.
I also saw postings about sleep patterns for O’s, and I can tell you
that the book by Dr. Abravanel was helpful and fascinating to me. I
found out what body type I am, and now I understand more why I am the
way I am. And I am a dominant Thyroid type, with a secondary Gonadal
type. Thyroid types are the ones who “come alive” at night, and so
most likely whoever said that in these posts is probably a dominant
Thyroid. And also according to this book, I also understand my
emotions more, as your dominant gland has something to do with that
as well. Women have four types: Adrenal, Gonadal, Pituitary, and
Thyroid. Men have three types: Adrenal, Pituitary, and Thyroid. I
could tell instantly what dominant type I was by the pictures in his
book.
But when I came across the Blood Type book, I also knew that there
was great value to be learned here as well. So, I’m trying to piece
it all together; realizing that some of my difficulties are due to
having developed a diet mentality from all the many years of dieting,
and not feeling free to just eat what I like, but rather, what some
program tells me I “should” eat. I become mentally fatigued, my
emotions take a nosedive as I become more and more discouraged until
I simply shut down. That’s where I am right now.
I feel that the Blood Type program is the correct one, but I don’t
know how to trust it completely until I know what I can and cannot
tolerate. As I have said in previous posts, I eat something they say
is HB, and I got sick. Then I ate something which was not HB, and I
was fine. The confusion causes indecisiveness. Interestingly, the
Body Type program also says that as a dominant Thyroid Type, I need
protein, veggies, and fats at each meal, with a limited amount of
carbs for the day. It also specifies a particular tea which supports
your dominant gland (mine being Raspberry Leaf).
I can see putting these two programs together as they are so
compatible, but I think what I must do is find a way to get actual
food allergy testing so I can know which foods among the Blood Type
foods I can really eat with no problem. It seems odd that I can eat
so many Avoids and feel fine. I need to find out my Secretor or Non-
Secretor status as well.
So, I’m gearing up to begin again as soon as my mind and emotions
feel ready. I want to prevent any more weight gain and loss of good
health.
Thank you, and take care!
Jemmi *_*
March 24th, 2007 at 2:01 pm
In a message dated 10/2/2003 9:23:56 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
info@… writes:
You mean 1 gram right?
March 25th, 2007 at 12:43 am
Jane
Thanks for these again. Most helpful I think.
Jane
O
from Virginia
March 25th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Jemmi,
I believe that I understand your confusion–but I can only offer
you my humble opinion because as you know everything must be
customized for each person. With regards to personal food
intolerances, last month I had a sophisticated and expensive done by
the Great Smokies Diagnostic Lab. The test is $144 for 88 foods, and
I added on 21 additional food for $31.50. If you are interested you
should consult your physician regarding “Food Anti-body Assessment”
(this is the ELISA blood test and covers immediate food allergies and
delayed food intolerances). What this told me was that I was very
intolerant to rice and a little intolerant to cow’s milk–I tested
fine on beans, wheat, and other things that are not supposed to be
good for O’s. Those scientific results make more sense than the
muscle testing that I had done the year before (lucky my
acupuncturist did it for free). Perhaps the muscle testing for food
sensitive makes sense for some people, but it helped me little. But
the blood testing only goes so far–I was sure that I would show up
with an intolerance to soy (because I certainly feel it) but nothing
showed up. My body tells me things that the food intolerance test and
the BTD do not. The blood test cannot tell you how the lining of your
gut will react–which can be effected by Candida and Leaky Gut issues
(for some people NOT everyone). So for me to make a plan that works
it truly does take combining different theories and methods. I do not
feel guilty for combining theories and methods–because no one has
the monopoly on knowledge of the human body and all of its processes.
The key is to stick with things for long enough though–so that you
can truly assess how your body is handling your new approach. When I
have tried something for 4-6 months and it doesn’t seem to be working
I take a closer look to make sure that I am really doing what I set
out to do. This doesn’t mean completely changing your approach for
the latest fad diet, but it can mean tightening up your plan and
paying extremely close attention to how everything you put in your
mouth impacts your health.
Let me just say that this is all very hard, but you know that it
is not beyond any of us. If anyone says that living a healthy life is
no work at all then you have just got to wonder about them! We are
our bodies best friend and nothing is too good for our best friend. I
understand losing confidence in different approaches and even in you
own body (goodness, the body certainly changes with time!), all you
can do is your best right now–and I believe that you have all the
tools that you need. All you need you already have–but a few food
tests can help clarify the picture if you feel that you really need
them. Don’t pay money for tests that you don’t really need though
just because others have. I would start very simple–meat, beneficial
& neutral non-starchy veggies, & fat (this is basically the Paleo
diet with no fruit). If you feel bad food reactions then look to the
veggies or type of fat (is it a nut that could be causing a
problem?). My naturopath had me do this–if I saw no reaction after 4
days then I could introduce another veggie group or fat. The aim of
this is to find something that will be your very foundation–I know
that this type of personal food testing is restrictive (that is why
many choose the blood test–I did both), but it will serve greater
purpose later on. Remember–even difficult does not last forever–
these things are a means to an end! I find very few problems on a
Paleo diet with BTD food choices as long as I control fruit. I know
that you want fruit–but do you want it more than body knowledge and
results that this simple test can give you? I don’t think so.
You suspect that you might be a non-secretor–well, I am one. If
you look at the recommendations it says 0-3 servings of beans &
legumes weekly, 0-3 servings of grains & starches weekly, and 1-3
servings of fruit a day. The key to look at is 0, that is the
beginning of the range–meaning that you might do better without that
stuff all together depending on your circumstances. You came off of
Atkins and it might seem like too many choices now–but if I were you
I wouldn’t get my carbs from any beans or grains–but from tasty
colorful veggies and maybe one piece of fruit daily (although not if
it produces digestive issues–also don’t combine this with any meat).
Right now you are trying to improve your health and lose weight–but
once you get to a better body weight for you then it will be okay to
add in fruit (or more if you are already eating one piece), and the 0-
3 servings of bean & grains weekly (coming from Atkin’s
think “Maintenance Life Plan”). Your approach should be determined by
your goals, that is what you did when you were on Atkins. You gave up
complex and simple sugars to see results–and you would do well to
continue in that same vein, but with some healthier food choices (no
pork & the right veggies) and no dairy (which I’m sure stalled my
Atkins progress years ago!). Just remember that just because
something is allowed in the BTD doesn’t mean that it is for you given
your current goal–you don’t have to eat it just because you can.
Also remember what D’Adamo and many other say about skipping
meals–it is terrible for your metabolism and is be
counterproductive. Personally it has been hard for me to go from
eating 2-3 decent sized meals a day to 5 smaller meals spread out not
more than 4 hours apart–but I know that this is what my body needs
in order to be healthier. Eating more often kicks up your metabolism-
-it is very good tool!
I know deep down that exercise makes all the difference in the
world–physically, mentally, and spiritually. A cheap and easy way to
get starting is by buying a $25 mini-trampoline from Target, Kmart,
GI Joes’ Sports or wherever (also known as a rebounder) and to just
bounce up and down on it for 10 minutes. Work your way up to 40
minutes (take 3 months to do that if you need to) and you will feel
much better and your lymphatic system will be so happy! There is very
little impact to the body (80% less when running on it then with
street running) and my sister who is 240 lbs loves it. I use one too
because I can’t afford a gym membership–I can do it whenever I want
and I have never seen an injury. I think that it really complements a
weight training program. I am short like you and tend to be muscular
but too round in the middle–I find that this combination works well.
I hope that you can get past the “too difficult” issue–because
what is really too difficult is putting your body through the back
and forth thing (I ought to know–I seem to fall off the wagon every
4 years when a crisis hits me hard!). It really is much easier to
stick with one thing for a while and know that you can be less
restrictive later on after you have achieved your goals. I not
talking about less restrictive being a free for all (certainly not if
you want good health & to keep your results)–but the strictest part
of a weightloss & health program doesn’t have to go on forever if you
are diligent. Short term sacrifices (could be some or all fruit, and
mostly likely all grain & legumes) could mean greater health in the
end–it is worth the sacrifice and the commitment–this is the only
body you have. When I am struggling it helps me to reframe my
thinking from “this is so hard and this food is boring & always the
same” to “this is a challenge and every bite of this wonderful food
brings me closer to better health and greater fat loss” (yes, I do
like Tony Robbins!). I don’t think that your greatest challenge is
the food–I think it is how you see the process–don’t tell yourself
that it is draining, you are working on your body for life–day by
day. I really relate to you and this is just me, a regular person,
suggesting to you that you stop telling yourself that it is too
difficult and too confusing. You have all the answers that you need
at this time–you just need to see yourself making it happen and get
out of your own way. It won’t be easy, but it will always be worth
it. You can kick butt–you know that you can! You just have to be fed
up enough with your current situation and you have to be hungry for
positive results and good health!
Namaste,
Katchy
March 26th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Michael,
You crack me up! I love your sense of humor! And it eases up on the
intensity that I feel when I am on eating programs. I guess 35 years
of dieting has ruined me. If you don’t have “diet mentality,” then
it is more difficult to relate, but if you do, then you understand
perfectly.
Here’s my momentary problem, and this is for anyone to help me with.
Thomas gave me some excellent advice on simple meal planning, and he
mentioned 1 gram of protein per pound of weight. I looked up the
word, “gram,” and have tried to calculate that into something close
to ounces. I don’t know if I have it right, so someone please help
me.
What I read was that a gram was 0.035. In my mind, I decided that 3
grams equals approximately 1 ounce. If that is correct, then for my
present weight of 220 lbs., I should eat about 7 1/2 to 8 ounces of
protein a day. Is that correct?
And I just got the “Eat Right” book; I’m in the first chapter, so I
have a lot to read, but I do at least know the basics, as I have had
the pocket guidebook for awhile now.
I’ll write more when I get the chance. Thank you!
Jemmi *_*
March 26th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Thomas says that 7 grams = 1 oz. of protein. So 220 grams divided by 7 grams
per ounce comes out to about 31 ounces of protein. Yes this is a lot by most
standards, and I rarely get my 26 oz. of protein a day. When I get close on a
regular basis, I do feel much better. Then you won’t ‘need’ those carbs so
much.
Kate
Here’s my momentary problem, and this is for anyone to help me with.
Thomas gave me some excellent advice on simple meal planning, and he
mentioned 1 gram of protein per pound of weight. I looked up the
word, “gram,” and have tried to calculate that into something close
to ounces. I don’t know if I have it right, so someone please help
me.
What I read was that a gram was 0.035. In my mind, I decided that 3
grams equals approximately 1 ounce. If that is correct, then for my
present weight of 220 lbs., I should eat about 7 1/2 to 8 ounces of
protein a day. Is that correct?
Thank you!
Jemmi *_*
March 27th, 2007 at 7:54 am
In a message dated 10/4/2003 8:18:03 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Jem5252@… writes:
There are abut 7.5 grams of protein per ounce of beef.
March 27th, 2007 at 4:12 pm
Thank you, Michael…that was as clear as mud! haha :p
And no, math is not my best subject, especially when it’s to the
right of the decimal point. I do fine with basic math, even helping
other people straighten out their checkbooks…egads! (I find people
worse off than me…can you imagine?) but I honestly was ill as a
child when they were teaching about fractions and decimals, and I
still struggle with it, as you saw. (I was thinking .035 x 3 = .105
or a little over 1 oz. hee) I even tried learning as an adult, but I
do know enough to get by, and humble enough to ask for help when I’m
clueless.
However, I believe we all have something to offer…here’s mine:
Our Love
I look in your eyes and I see the pain, and I want to love it away
You place your hands on my face and I can feel their warmth on my
cheeks
I look at your mouth, and I want to kiss you till you are full of
smiles
Your chest, so large and manly, invites me to find refuge inside
I look at your strong arms, and I want your satisfaction to be with
me in them
You stand behind me and I fit within your frame perfectly
As you hold me close to your beating heart
I can feel you nuzzling my hair, and I hear you sigh
For at last you have found the one who truly loves you
And I have found contentment only within your embrace
You lie next to me and whisper low and deep what I long to hear
You are strengthened by my sweet intimacy with you, and my giggles
I trust in you, for you are my confident tower of protection
You give in to my tender touch, but that is our secret…
I would not betray you, for to you I am a loyal companion
In return, you cherish my delicateness, and swear valor
I am yours, wholly, truly, my affection has no bounds
You are mine, truthfully, with no hesitation or deceit
You look into my eyes, and you know I adore you
Your heart is honest with me, and I am truly loved
Copyright 2000
Eilene *_*
Jem5252
March 28th, 2007 at 8:36 am
In a message dated 10/5/2003 1:24:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
Jem5252@… writes:
You’ve got it for a good rule of thumb. I ended up getting a book for about
$5.00 that listed the calories, carbs, fat, protein, etc for common foods and
you may want to do that. Every food has a different protein count. Of
course, they usually list them as 4 ounce portions so you’ll still have to do
the
math–LOL.
March 29th, 2007 at 12:50 am
the same qualities with a grin.
I’ve got a kelpie/aussie mix who pokes me enough (she likes to
poke you with her nose)
April 1st, 2007 at 3:11 am
In a message dated 10/9/2003 1:15:38 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
SnipSnip@… writes:
If you’re not swelling from illness, Drink more water. Our bodies hold water
because we don’t drink enough, at least, that’s the case with me. I used to
cut way back on salt but once I read about drinking more water and shifted to
sea salt, I can eat all of the salt I want.
April 1st, 2007 at 7:04 am
1/4 teaspoon for an entire pot of stew is NOT a lot of salt.
Very minimal in fact.
April 1st, 2007 at 11:11 am
enough water…that is true. Being a hairstylist (and one who is
booked solid for months in advance) sometimes I don’t get
luxuries like lunch or water breaks or sitting down…heck I go
potty first thing in the morning (6am) and don’t go again until I
get home at 4pm. NO time. I swear I have a bladder the size of
Lake Erie! My body is conditioned for that though because that
has been my life for the last 22 years. I do what I can…but
water gets put on the back burner sometimes (a lot). I end up
drinking most of my water at night and then do the “middle of the
night trip to the bathroom” thing. I will work on it though
because you are right…it is a big part of the swelling problem.
My feet only swell up at night after being on them for 12 hours
straight. Blah, blah, blah….man can I ramble…
And you need to learn to “snip” your replies.
Can you have a bottle of water at your station that you can at
least sip on inbetween customers? It takes two seconds to grab a
drink.
April 1st, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Very minimal in fact.<<
I was referring to the 749 mgs of sodium for 1-1/4 cup serving size.
Wow, Belinda, you are grumpy today. Thanks a bunch.
April 1st, 2007 at 8:43 pm
Har har.
April 2nd, 2007 at 3:53 am
In a message dated 10/9/2003 9:33:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
SnipSnip@… writes:
Gee, I don’t mean to preach and I used to hate the pain-in-the-ass people who
preached to me but they were right. You sound a lot like the way I used to
be except I was in the Navy. I went for years like that. Nobody asked me but:
My pearl to you is that if you don’t take the time to take care of your body
now, time will be provided for you. How much hair can you cut if you’re
laying on your back with a rock on your chest or you can’t walk because one side
of
your body doesn’t work. I got the rock, my over-achiever neighbor got the
half dead body. Give yourself 5-10 minutes an hour for hydration and a bathroom
break. Lecture over, sorry.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:09 am
Snip,
I think you read the recipe too hastily. It is 1/4 tsp. sea salt to a final 8
cups of soup ( 6 servings @ 1 1/3 cup per serving). The recipe is low sodium.
The recipe sounds absolutely delicious Axel, I’m going to try it real soon.
Thanks!
Jannette
From: SnipSnip
Subject: Re: [ER4YT-O] sweet potato-lentil stew
Yes, I know. But that is a bunch of sodium for a little cup of soup! I will try
it with low sodium broth and no salt. It sounds delicious!!
Snip
From: susan forrester
2000 mg. of sodium a day is considered low sodium.
Just for your information.
Susan
April 2nd, 2007 at 3:06 pm
I apologize, Coryn. I had not seen this analysis. That could also depend on
what brand you use or if you made your own. Vegetable broth is something I’m
not too familiar with? Does anyone know a good low salt brand, for if you
have to buy it?
Sarah