[Vicky-B]

Today is day FOUR of my RD plan and, up until today, I've been feeling really good.

This morning, however, I woke feeling quite uneasy... almost weak. I feel I am seriously lacking something, most likely some sort of protein. I've been eating salads like crazy, along with following the 5 day plan to every detail. But I just don't feel so good today and can't quite understand why. I want to eat some eggs or even a small piece of meat, for more brain/body power but I know I still have a few more days before I can. My last protein day was actually done on my first day.

Is this normal? My husband is a little concerned by the way I'm walking around.

Vicky

[Lauretta]

Vicky-B, on 14 September 2011 - 11:04 PM, said:

Today is day FOUR of my RD plan and, up until today, I've been feeling really good.

This morning, however, I woke feeling quite uneasy... almost weak. I feel I am seriously lacking something, most likely some sort of protein. I've been eating salads like crazy, along with following the 5 day plan to every detail. But I just don't feel so good today and can't quite understand why. I want to eat some eggs or even a small piece of meat, for more brain/body power but I know I still have a few more days before I can. My last protein day was actually done on my first day.

Is this normal? My husband is a little concerned by the way I'm walking around.

Vicky

Vickey,

Hi. Lauretta here again. You need to incorporate beans into your diet. I eat some variety of them everyday. Otherwise, you do not get enough protein. I also, log everything that I eat in a free online website called Caloriecount.com. There are lots of those site out there. It tells me if I am eating enough protein, calcium, fiber, etc. For my dairy in the morning, I have been eating a yogurt called Siggi's which is Icelandic yogurt but has the texture of Greek yogurt and it has lots more protein that regular yogurt.

Also, I bought a very good vitamin and take them everyday. They make me feel better.

Having said all this, if you feel this way, have an egg or some chicken. Your body knows what it needs. When I first started this diet, sometimes at night before going to bed I would be very hungry to the point where I could not go to sleep. So, I has a yogurt.

You should know that I lost those 19 pounds in one month but I always had about 100-125 more calories each day than what the diet suggests. I like to saute spinach in a little olive oil and I use olive oil in my salad dressing. My body is happy when I eat olive oil. Yours might also.

I hope this helps.

Lauretta

[Vicky-B]

Lauretta, on 14 September 2011 - 11:54 PM, said:

Vickey,

Hi. Lauretta here again. You need to incorporate beans into your diet. I eat some variety of them everyday. Otherwise, you do not get enough protein. I also, log everything that I eat in a free online website called Caloriecount.com. There are lots of those site out there. It tells me if I am eating enough protein, calcium, fiber, etc. For my dairy in the morning, I have been eating a yogurt called Siggi's which is Icelandic yogurt but has the texture of Greek yogurt and it has lots more protein that regular yogurt.

Also, I bought a very good vitamin and take them everyday. They make me feel better.

Having said all this, if you feel this way, have an egg or some chicken. Your body knows what it needs. When I first started this diet, sometimes at night before going to bed I would be very hungry to the point where I could not go to sleep. So, I has a yogurt.

You should know that I lost those 19 pounds in one month but I always had about 100-125 more calories each day than what the diet suggests. I like to saute spinach in a little olive oil and I use olive oil in my salad dressing. My body is happy when I eat olive oil. Yours might also.

I hope this helps.

Lauretta

Oh Lauretta, thank you for such kind and helpful advice! And wow, congrats on losing that much weight in one months' time!!

I am pretty sure I am not getting the protein that I need. I am eating plenty of fruit, salads and starches (multigrain bagels, tiny small pototos, and corn on the cob) but I still feel I am lacking something.

I took it upon myself and ate two egg whites about 20 minutes ago.

This afternoon, I bought a chewable multi vitamin called One a Day Gummies, and I also bought calcium Gummies, too. I started taking these vitamins this afternoon so, hopefully, this will help me in the long run.

One thing I have not been doing is counting my calories on this RD plan. I have been going strictly by the "allowance" chart, sometimes mixing two starches of the same as my one meal allowance. (eg: 1 whole bagel at breakfast, instead of 1/2 bagel), and/or with my veggies. But calorie counting was never something I could ever get use to.

For breakfast this morning, I had the following:

1 whole bagel
1/4 cup non fat Greek Yogurt (Leeney suggested I cut the Greek allowance in half from regular non fat yogurt due to the higher calories)
1/2 banana

For Lunch today:

1/2 bagel
4 cubes of watermelon
Medium size salad with Balsamic Vinegar/Olive Oil dressing

I do love olive oil a lot and just recently discovered this salad dressing mentioned above. I absolutely LOVE this dressing so I'm sure I will be using it every day on my salads. It is yummy good.

I don't eat a lot of beans, Lauretta, but can I eat unsalted sunflower seeds or peanuts? I have both, actually, because I feed them to my little bandit friends (raccoons) who come to see me at night. I hand feed them, including their babies. So I am always plenty stocked up on unsalted nuts/seeds!

Vicky

[Lauretta]

Vicky-B, on 15 September 2011 - 12:12 AM, said:

Oh Lauretta, thank you for such kind and helpful advice! And wow, congrats on losing that much weight in one months' time!!

I am pretty sure I am not getting the protein that I need. I am eating plenty of fruit, salads and starches (multigrain bagels, tiny small pototos, and corn on the cob) but I still feel I am lacking something.

I took it upon myself and ate two egg whites about 20 minutes ago.

This afternoon, I bought a chewable multi vitamin called One a Day Gummies, and I also bought calcium Gummies, too. I started taking these vitamins this afternoon so, hopefully, this will help me in the long run.

One thing I have not been doing is counting my calories on this RD plan. I have been going strictly by the "allowance" chart, sometimes mixing two starches of the same as my one meal allowance. (eg: 1 whole bagel at breakfast, instead of 1/2 bagel), and/or with my veggies. But calorie counting was never something I could ever get use to.

For breakfast this morning, I had the following:

1 whole bagel
1/4 cup non fat Greek Yogurt (Leeney suggested I cut the Greek allowance in half from regular non fat yogurt due to the higher calories)
1/2 banana

For Lunch today:

1/2 bagel
4 cubes of watermelon
Medium size salad with Balsamic Vinegar/Olive Oil dressing

I do love olive oil a lot and just recently discovered this salad dressing mentioned above. I absolutely LOVE this dressing so I'm sure I will be using it every day on my salads. It is yummy good.

I don't eat a lot of beans, Lauretta, but can I eat unsalted sunflower seeds or peanuts? I have both, actually, because I feed them to my little bandit friends (raccoons) who come to see me at night. I hand feed them, including their babies. So I am always plenty stocked up on unsalted nuts/seeds!

Vicky

Vicky,

I don't know how many calories your bagel has but you are allowed 3 starches at about 80 calories each which would equal 240 calories. Also, you can have 3 cups of raw vegetables and even more if they are free veggies. I would use all of them and don't skimp!!!

About the protein, you can eat nuts but they are also considered a fat and have lots of calories. Do you like split peas, lentils, quinoa, they all have protein. How about edamame? They have lots of protein and are high in fiber. They also are low in calories and very filling.

Do you not eat all beans or just some. If you wanted to venture into the bean arena, I have some fabulous recipes.

Let me know.

Lauretta

[MonicaC]

Vicky, you may have a electrolyte imbalance here is a recipe to try to rectify that.

Recipe for Vegetable Broth
A vegetable broth made from organically grown vegetables can be an excellent source of essential electrolytes.
Dice 3-4 unpeeled organically grown potatoes of any variety
Dice one small organically grown onion
Thinly slice 3-4 stalks of fresh organically grown celery
Thinly slice 1 or 2 fresh organically grown carrots
Chop a large handful of organically grown greens such as kale or chard
A finely diced sweet potato or yam adds a wonderful flavor, if you like.

Place in 3 quarts of pure clean or distilled water. Simmer for 20 minutes, Strain the liquid, discard the veggies and drink.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Adding a teaspoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar and a dash (or more) of cayenne pepper livens up the flavor. Fresh or dried organically grown herbs such as parsley, oregano, thyme, savory or any salt-free, msg-free and other additive free-herbal seasoning blend can be added for extra flavor. Truly, any organically grown vegetable of your liking can be added to the broth.

[Vicky-B]

MonicaC, on 15 September 2011 - 01:46 AM, said:

Vicky, you may have a electrolyte imbalance here is a recipe to try to rectify that.

Recipe for Vegetable Broth
A vegetable broth made from organically grown vegetables can be an excellent source of essential electrolytes.
Dice 3-4 unpeeled organically grown potatoes of any variety
Dice one small organically grown onion
Thinly slice 3-4 stalks of fresh organically grown celery
Thinly slice 1 or 2 fresh organically grown carrots
Chop a large handful of organically grown greens such as kale or chard
A finely diced sweet potato or yam adds a wonderful flavor, if you like.

Place in 3 quarts of pure clean or distilled water. Simmer for 20 minutes, Strain the liquid, discard the veggies and drink.
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Adding a teaspoon of raw organic apple cider vinegar and a dash (or more) of cayenne pepper livens up the flavor. Fresh or dried organically grown herbs such as parsley, oregano, thyme, savory or any salt-free, msg-free and other additive free-herbal seasoning blend can be added for extra flavor. Truly, any organically grown vegetable of your liking can be added to the broth.

Wow Monica, this sounds actually yummy. Thank you, I think I'll try it!

Vicky

[Vicky-B]

Lauretta, on 15 September 2011 - 01:17 AM, said:

Vicky,

I don't know how many calories your bagel has but you are allowed 3 starches at about 80 calories each which would equal 240 calories. Also, you can have 3 cups of raw vegetables and even more if they are free veggies. I would use all of them and don't skimp!!!

About the protein, you can eat nuts but they are also considered a fat and have lots of calories. Do you like split peas, lentils, quinoa, they all have protein. How about edamame? They have lots of protein and are high in fiber. They also are low in calories and very filling.

Do you not eat all beans or just some. If you wanted to venture into the bean arena, I have some fabulous recipes.

Let me know.

Lauretta

Lauretta, I don't know what the calorie count is on the bagels I have in the freezer. I buy them in bulk from Safeway. I will ask the girls there what they have on record. Maybe they can give me some insight on this.

I have never heard of edamame. Is it a vegetable? I think I'll Google this one! *lol*

So far, over the past 4 days, I have only eaten "free" vegetables - aside from corn on the cob, a starch. I really don't have anything in the house right now that isn't free veggies. I have frozen peas but that is the extent of it, I think. Most of what I have (lettuce mix, cucumbers, mushrooms, radishes, red onions) are pretty much the 'free' vegetables.

It's not that I wouldn't eat beans... I just never cook them or have any stored away here in my house. I do love split pea soup, though, but haven't made it in years.

What type of recipes do you have? I'd love to read up on some of them. But if I don't have beans available, what would be the next best thing, replacing beans, that I might be familiar with?

Vicky

[Lauretta]

Vicky-B, on 15 September 2011 - 04:14 AM, said:

Lauretta, I don't know what the calorie count is on the bagels I have in the freezer. I buy them in bulk from Safeway. I will ask the girls there what they have on record. Maybe they can give me some insight on this.

I have never heard of edamame. Is it a vegetable? I think I'll Google this one! *lol*

So far, over the past 4 days, I have only eaten "free" vegetables - aside from corn on the cob, a starch. I really don't have anything in the house right now that isn't free veggies. I have frozen peas but that is the extent of it, I think. Most of what I have (lettuce mix, cucumbers, mushrooms, radishes, red onions) are pretty much the 'free' vegetables.

It's not that I wouldn't eat beans... I just never cook them or have any stored away here in my house. I do love split pea soup, though, but haven't made it in years.

What type of recipes do you have? I'd love to read up on some of them. But if I don't have beans available, what would be the next best thing, replacing beans, that I might be familiar with?

Vicky

Vickey,

Hi. Are you feeling better today?? I will round up a couple of recipes and send them tomorrow. Today was rather busy.

Pasta has some protein and also spinach. Spinach is also high in iron which you need. There is a grain called quinoa which is very good and has protein. You can find it in the health section of your grocery store. Also, Kashi has a cereal that has 13g of protein which is very good. It is 140 calories but if you need some more protein it is worth it. I had some this morning before I worked out at the gym. I need to up my intake of protein on the days I work out as I expend a lot of energy.

Talk soon and weigh yourself in the morning in your underwear. And, if you gain a little, don't worry, it will come back off in a day or two

Lauretta

[Vicky-B]

Lauretta, on 16 September 2011 - 01:02 AM, said:

Vickey,

Hi. Are you feeling better today?? I will round up a couple of recipes and send them tomorrow. Today was rather busy.

Pasta has some protein and also spinach. Spinach is also high in iron which you need. There is a grain called quinoa which is very good and has protein. You can find it in the health section of your grocery store. Also, Kashi has a cereal that has 13g of protein which is very good. It is 140 calories but if you need some more protein it is worth it. I had some this morning before I worked out at the gym. I need to up my intake of protein on the days I work out as I expend a lot of energy.

Talk soon and weigh yourself in the morning in your underwear. And, if you gain a little, don't worry, it will come back off in a day or two

Lauretta

Truth be told, Lauretta, I fell off the wagon. I ate an entire hamburger yesterday, bun and all. I was SO discouraged to see that added 1 lb I gained, I fell apart.

Today is a new day and I will start again.

I have been eating bagels each morning and I know this is probably not such a good idea. I combine my breakfast allowances to allow me to eat one full bagel at breakfast but I just don't think this is the right thing to do. That bagel is delicious and is what I've been looking forward to each morning. But I think I better revamp my RD eating because I just don't think I'm doing things right.

I will definitely look into the Kashi cereal, thank you!

It was such a huge letdown to see that I gained 1 lb after trying soooooo hard for 4 or so days. It literally threw me for a loop. Here I thought I was doing things fairly correctly, and even paying the price by feeling pretty yucky the past 1 1/2 days, but still gained a pound. I was really weak on my 4th day.

I think, knowing that my body really needs certain foods to even function semi-normally, is that I should looking more closely at these alternatives you and Leeney have been suggesting to me. I am not doing it right, I don't think.

I am hoping to get my book this coming week. I was trying for this week but it didn't happen. I definitely need the RD book to make heads/tails out of everything.

Thanks, Lauretta.

Vicky

[Leeney]

We live and learn, Vicky. It's not so much a matter of right and wrong on the rd, it's just finding what works for you and doing it. Each of us is different and our bodies require different things at different times. The key is to tune in and take note. Are you spending any time journaling, meditating, or doing some kind of spiritual practice? I ask because it's an integral part of working the rd. The premise is that we are treating ourselves in a wholistic fashion...eating in a healthy way, learning about how food works in our bodies, and spiritually revamping our relationship with food.

Yesterday is gone. Take the steps you need to be well today.

[Lauretta]

Vicky-B, on 16 September 2011 - 09:17 AM, said:

Truth be told, Lauretta, I fell off the wagon. I ate an entire hamburger yesterday, bun and all. I was SO discouraged to see that added 1 lb I gained, I fell apart.

Today is a new day and I will start again.

I have been eating bagels each morning and I know this is probably not such a good idea. I combine my breakfast allowances to allow me to eat one full bagel at breakfast but I just don't think this is the right thing to do. That bagel is delicious and is what I've been looking forward to each morning. But I think I better revamp my RD eating because I just don't think I'm doing things right.

I will definitely look into the Kashi cereal, thank you!

It was such a huge letdown to see that I gained 1 lb after trying soooooo hard for 4 or so days. It literally threw me for a loop. Here I thought I was doing things fairly correctly, and even paying the price by feeling pretty yucky the past 1 1/2 days, but still gained a pound. I was really weak on my 4th day.

I think, knowing that my body really needs certain foods to even function semi-normally, is that I should looking more closely at these alternatives you and Leeney have been suggesting to me. I am not doing it right, I don't think.

I am hoping to get my book this coming week. I was trying for this week but it didn't happen. I definitely need the RD book to make heads/tails out of everything.

Thanks, Lauretta.

Vicky

Vicky,

Hi. You know, your body probably needed that hamburger!!

Getting the book is very helpful. I refer to it all the time and I make recipes from the book also. Since I do have a lot of weight to lose, I am trying to follow the suggested portions that they recommend in the book. Having said that, I do add more protein now to my breakfast on the days I work out so I don't run out of gas at the gym. Also, sometimes I am very hungry late at night before I go to bed and I will eat something, like a little yogurt, to tie me over.

Cheer up!! Be happy!! Tomorrow is another day! Let me know if I can help you or answer any questions.

Talk soon.

Lauretta

[Vicky-B]

Leeney, on 16 September 2011 - 11:52 AM, said:

We live and learn, Vicky. It's not so much a matter of right and wrong on the rd, it's just finding what works for you and doing it. Each of us is different and our bodies require different things at different times. The key is to tune in and take note. Are you spending any time journaling, meditating, or doing some kind of spiritual practice? I ask because it's an integral part of working the rd. The premise is that we are treating ourselves in a wholistic fashion...eating in a healthy way, learning about how food works in our bodies, and spiritually revamping our relationship with food.

Yesterday is gone. Take the steps you need to be well today.

Thanks, Leeney... Yes, I have been writing down my foods per day and quantities. And I have just started to count calories as well.

I do not meditate, only because I cannot stay focused enough. I do, however, live a very special life these days along side my American Indian husband who has taught me many things about life (outside of my old cement walls of the bay area of California) and about spiritualism. In fact, this is how we live today, 24/7, and the concept of spirituality revolves around us and our work on a daily basis - primarily by way through the music that we produce. My hubby is a recording artist on the Native American flute. And the flute, itself, opens many wonderful doors to spiritual enlightment. So yes, I am heavily involved in this regard though my focus levels are sometimes a little unsteady just because of the slight ADD factor.

My husband always tells me to watch the animals... how they live, what they eat, etc. They seem to know what is best for their bodies, from a natural and most healthy standpoint.

Yet I know I have issues with food deprivation as a child, carrying this into adulthood, so food issues (or, from what my subconscious tells me... the possible lack of it), has caused me to eat whatever I want, whether good or bad. And this has clearly kept me in trouble with my weight, all through my 53 years of life. It is a real hard one to shake.

Vicky

[Vicky-B]

Lauretta, on 16 September 2011 - 01:20 PM, said:

Vicky,

Hi. You know, your body probably needed that hamburger!!

Getting the book is very helpful. I refer to it all the time and I make recipes from the book also. Since I do have a lot of weight to lose, I am trying to follow the suggested portions that they recommend in the book. Having said that, I do add more protein now to my breakfast on the days I work out so I don't run out of gas at the gym. Also, sometimes I am very hungry late at night before I go to bed and I will eat something, like a little yogurt, to tie me over.

Cheer up!! Be happy!! Tomorrow is another day! Let me know if I can help you or answer any questions.

Talk soon.

Lauretta

Ohhh Lauretta, it did, it did!!! And I sure felt a lot better after eating it! Of course, it won't be something I do every day but sheesh... I sure felt better after that hamburger!

I do not work out, though I do a great deal of running around every day. We are pretty busy 7 days a week so my schedule does not permit me to take time off. But I feel confident that I get enough of a work out just walking so much all the time. And I also have a habit of walking a little faster than normal, which is a good thing!

Today, I'm still in a little frump about that 1 pound but I'll get over it. I haven't been on the scale since then, either, and probably won't for another few days until that juicy hamburger is long gone from my system. *lol* I, too, am always hungry just before bedtime and so I am trying to change that as we speak. We sometimes eat dinner late, as well, which is also not good. Gotta try shooting for earlier dinners.

Vicky

[MonicaC]

There are times I don't weigh myself everyday as it gets too frustrating and it can take my focus off of doing the process of eating good meals and letting it go after the last bite is done. I find drinking more water helpful whether in herbal tea form or just straight room temperature water.
Be gentle with yourself. I know what you mean by interpreting one thing as a slip up whether it be burger or otherwise. Just know that it will all work out at the end as long as your are working the program. Know there are alot of people here to learn from and to get the much needed support.
Love and Light to you Vicky.

[karolinakat]

If I slip up these days, I consider it a bounce to get my metabolism going again, do a little extra walking and get back on plan. Seems to work

[Vicky-B]

MonicaC, on 18 September 2011 - 01:53 AM, said:

There are times I don't weigh myself everyday as it gets too frustrating and it can take my focus off of doing the process of eating good meals and letting it go after the last bite is done. I find drinking more water helpful whether in herbal tea form or just straight room temperature water.
Be gentle with yourself. I know what you mean by interpreting one thing as a slip up whether it be burger or otherwise. Just know that it will all work out at the end as long as your are working the program. Know there are alot of people here to learn from and to get the much needed support.
Love and Light to you Vicky.

Thank you, Monica. I'm trying not to beat myself up over this whole thing and decided to actually weigh myself every few days rather than every day. I'm trying to drink lots of water but, knowing me, it is very tough. Still though, I am drinking it. Hopefully, I'll grow to love water!

Vicky

[Vicky-B]

karolinakat, on 19 September 2011 - 04:32 PM, said:

If I slip up these days, I consider it a bounce to get my metabolism going again, do a little extra walking and get back on plan. Seems to work

I hear you on this, Kat.... slip ups are bound to happen on occasion, even to the best of us. What I am trying to do is listen to my body in the interim of all of this, and not overdue it. Somehow, my body tells me I don't have enough protein on one particular day, so I eat a tiny bit of meat and feel SO much better.

I suppose this RD thing can really get quite individualized, since each of us are so different. I tend to listen to what my body is saying, always very in tune with it, so I act accordingly but never in abundance.

Vicky