Physical Check-In

I actually favor a vegetarian diet. I have found it very difficult to be on a vegetarian diet and find the protein sources without too many carbs, including complex carbs.
There are some vegetable based protein powders now. Some also qualify for athletic training, as they have a complete profile of amino acids. I have yet to meet a veggie protein mix I can stomach.
I cannot do many complex carbs. My metabolism just does not do well . If I have a carb, it will be complex; however, I have to severely limit them.
I am very attracted to the expansive energies of vegetables, as opposed to the more contracted energies of other foods, like meat, for example.

Just a note of interest (possibly):

I 'd studied /ate a macrobiotic diet/lifestyle for a full year. Lots of brown rice, miso and seaweed. Lol! A big part of the macrobiotic teachings have to do with the "energetic" properties (expansive vs contracted, as well as balancing yin/yang.)within the diet, as well as in the body.

Expansive foods are thought to be more healthy. One way to increase the expansive energetic nature of a cooked food is to use gas as the fuel for cooking, which makes a food, brown rice for example, more expansive then the same rice cooked on an electric burner. Rice cooked with gas is often more fluffy and each piece of rice is more expanded. Rice cooked by electricity tends to be less fluffy, more condensed, more contracted than that cooked on gas.
It was an interesting experience. (The hub of the macrobiotic teachings are at the Kushi Institute in Massachusetts, USA)

Hi @BirdDancer !
Me too!!! I can also eat low fat easier than low carb. I'm supposed to be cutting back on carbs(pre-diabetes), and I have found it extremely difficult to cut it back because it's a staple of my breakfast, lunch and dinner and carbs make me feel full, and tide me over to the next meal. If I eat something high in protein and low in fat like eggs, even with toast, I don't feel satisfied! I have to consider cost(family budget) and ease of preparation(my mental issues), so that brings me back to Raisin Bran for breakfast, Instant Grits for lunch, and frozen meals for dinner when my stepmom isn't cooking. I would prefer whole grains in my frozen dinners, but the affordabe ones are made with refined carbs! Truthfully though, I've made many small changes which I'm proud of, and am doing my best.

P.S. I'm sorry about your cold, it sounds pretty bad! I hope you can stay warm and eat nutritious food to heal quicker!

Hi @Wild Coyote ! I found the information on expansive foods and energy fascinating! You know, considering that we are made of energy, it makes sense to me that the foods we eat and how we prepare them can balance or put into imbalance our being! I always remember, "You are what you eat!", but not in the "everything is made of energy, work for balance" sense! Thank you for sharing! I hope I understood that a little!

BirdDancer ! Ugh I’m so sorry to hear about your head cold. Oh gawd they are so miserable I hope it passes quickly !

Wild , Yes cooking on gas does make a huge different in rice and pasta ..When we were in Florida of course it was electric , I was burning food left and right !!!! I honestly hate the thought of ever going back to electric!

I think we all need to cherry pick from the vast expanse of food choices that will allow us to not feel starved nor miserable because we can’t have X food, feeling deprived is a sure fire way to gain weight

I think this is why I have decided to do a diabetic diet, it’s very simple. I did it while pregnant. Keeping my glucose levels steady will also help me my liver disease.

Everything is just a choice

I have gotten sleep 2 nights in a row ! Shocking I know lol

Im still dealing with some extreme SOB issues upon activity but I got my whole house vaccumed and Bathrooms clean and rugs in the washer. I have a few loads of laundry to do, and will strip the bed and remake, but I have no choice but to take breaks and I’m okay with it

I pulled chili out of the freezer for dinner. It makes me really happy that I spend time pre cooking and freezing so many meals.

Being off meds for psoriasis and the PsA is really becoming a problem. My head is starting the insane itching no plaques yet but they will happen soon. All my joints feel swollen, I can barely make a fist and walking is just ridiculously painful but I have things I must get done, so in a way it’s good, allowing my joints to stretch.

Humira needs to hurry up and leave my body so I can get on something else. This ongoing big difficulty breathing is really wearing me down emotionally.

Yes!

I find one of the best ways to pick out foods is to ask myself, (yes, myself) which foods are best for me? I mean really tap into oneself and do ask that question.
I believe we all intuitively know what is best for our dietary needs, especially those of us somewhat educated on this topic.

Look at ~Christina, for example. She has reflected, made a decision which makes sense for her and is all set with it. I think ~Christina has tapped into her intuition and knows herself well.

So while we might play with different diets to see what fits us, we, at some point, would do well to proactively decide what type of a diet/lifestyle is best for each of us... and just do it!

This is advice from a currently overweight, physically unfit member of PC!
So, take this with a grain of salt!!!

Love to All!

I went over on carbs and calories today. I don’t know why but I was drawn to sugar and snacks today. I had a slice of French toast with syrup in the morning (along with eggs and bacon-thanks breakfast buffet!). I had a low carb lunch and dinner, but I snacked on tortilla chips and pineapple salsa! I NEVER snack after dinner anymore. I also had a big slab of leftover ice cream cake (I threw the rest of the cake out so I won’t be tempted). I feel horrible. There’s a reason I stay away from carbs! I seem to forget until I go overboard.

I mean all told I had 150g carbs which isn’t as bad as it could have been but still.

Need to get off this computer and do charting. I have a months to do.
bizi

Dinner:
6oz of lemon peppered talapia, sauteed in coconut oil
serving of chopped spinach.
4 small dark chocolate squares. normally have 2 after dinner every night.....2 more sounded good!
I may have a bit of low carb ice cream later.

@~Christina
I am happy that you got 2 nights sleep.
Am sad that you suffer with pain and SOB, COPD.
It sounds like you have been productive and that is good, and a distraction.
(((((((HUGS))))))
bizi

Thank you Bizi !

Your dinner sounds yummy ! I really enjoy you posting about your meals as your being so smart by having such a variety of foods.

That is something that I need to be very mindful of when I start my weight loss journey , keeping up a variety. I have fallen into the trap of chicken and veggies and burn out on it.

Yes two nights of sleep for me is a wonderful thing. I know eventually my lungs will work correctly and I’ll just have trouble if I get bronchitis, I’m fine with that , the standard steroid shot and oral meds usually fix me right up.

This bizarre reaction to Humira is by far the biggest poor reaction to a medication through out my entire life.

Do you have a busy week coming up ??

Hi @Wild Coyote ! The last thing you wrote is so funny! But they say it's good to be able to laugh at ourselves and not to take ourselves too seriously! You made me smile! I appreciate your thoughts on the matter, especially the part about asking yourself which foods are best for you! I liked that!

I will be happy for you when you can start a new med to help your asthma!!!!

Yes I have 3 busy weeks before we leave to go north to Indiana. We drive there twice a year. 2 days, stop in memphis for the night then get there the next day in the evening. We will be gone 2 weeks total over christmas and new years. I really dislike this trip....it is too stressful. I am terrible about presents so will get gift cards for my family. Have to prepare for cold and snow....hate it!

We have a sick cat. Hattie has cancer, it has been operated on twice and came back. From it, She has a large wound on her back that requires dressing changes. So we will board her while we are away.
I believe we should put her down....Jeff is not willing to do that. sigh

When do you go to florida?
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

Ahhh you also have a 2 week trip coming up. I so understand about the stress of it all , we leave the 22nd ! The only thing that unlike you driving North into winter and snow etc , we head south and are right back into shorts and even in December it can be miserably hot and muggy.

We make the trip straight through.. we usually switch driving when ever we stop for gas , but both of us has driven the whole way many times. It’s roughly a 13/14 hour drive.

I really wish steves sons would make a trip up to see us but they are mostly selfish and have busy lives.. but they all travel to other countries, go figure

I’m sorry about Hattie. It’s so hard to make the decision to put a pet down it’s a very difficult thing to do , I try not to think of that day for my dogs. Does Hattie do okay being boarded ? Or does it cause her stress ??

Here’s hoping both our trips are as easy as possible

Hattie hates to go to the vets...she will hate this. I am hoping the vet talks my hubby into putting her down. Her wound smells...yuck!

sigh
bizi

I'm even sicker today than yesterday. I slept a little last night then woke up at 12:15 am with an evil sore throat and couldn't sleep much after. Then the headache started with general malaise. I have used about every cold type remedy I have (Tylenol, Vicks Vapo Rub, nasal spray, arnica rub, warm compress on my head). Hubby bought me chicken soup last night. I drank water throughout the night.

I do feel slightly better now than earlier, probably because it's morning and my system is going into daytime mode.

I also just got my monthly. Nice!

I cancelled my therapy appointment today. Hubby thinks I can get through this without my PCP since I haven't had a fever. I guess I will try today. If I am still bad tomorrow, I will go.

Sorry for the lack of good sleep and for your illness.
I hope you start to improve.
((((((HUGS)))))
bizi

I am so sorry you are going through this!
You have had more than enough going on lately!
I hope you can rest and will feel better soon.
Much Love to You!

I had gotten a real tough workout yesterday. Had to clear out a space for the builders to work when they remove most of the back wall of our home. They are starting on the ground level and are working upward, eventually. I rather they did not do this in this cold weather. They assure me they will put up a barrier for a wall and will heat it, too. We will see! I need to just go with it because I have been reporting the water damage for 10 years now. It has been so long that more damage has been done, so the condo association must pay the entire bill, which will be HUGE!

So, lots of physical labor yesterday. Could barely walk when done. Agony. After some rest/sleep, I am a tiny bit more improved. I am grateful!!!
Love To All!

And...After All I did yesterday, as well as all my handyman did this morning, I've received a call that the carpenters are not coming tomorrow. They are now coming after Christmas!

Maybe I should plan a vacation for that time. I cannot imagine listening to non-stop hammering and power saws.

Love to All!

That is a bummer! I totally understand what you are writing about. Last winter we had deck repairmen come and they took four days, and that was more than I wanted. I felt really sorry for them, though. It was brutally cold when they were doing the work. I was giving them hot coffee and snacks the whole time.

I wonder if it is our bipolar disorder, or just anyone would feel the same, but such disruptions are hard for me to tolerate, too. I remember once my husband was in Czech Republic and I was home alone with a painter. The painting company sent a 17 year old guy to do the work and it took him 7 days to do a 2-day job. It was so stressful not having my downstairs. Plus, when I expressed my frustration, the young man was begging me not to call his boss, saying he "wouldn't get paid". He was likely an illegal immigrant. I felt really bad, but I had to complain, but the boss wouldn't send a second painter. I was so angry at that boss.