September, 2007 Newsletter

If you have been following my website, you know there has been a major change in my point of view in the last 9 months. My healthful (I thought) way of eating was no longer working for me. I was gaining weight for no apparent reason. All my blood tests were normal. So I began researching on my own.

I know that many “older” people finally just accept that they are going to be heavier, have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, digestive problems, etc., etc. I wasn’t willing to accept that. There had to be a reason.

So I started researching it. I read Dr Atkins book (See recommended books), then other books along the same line, and looked at the research and science behind the books. I suspected my problem was an insulin problem.

But my doctor would have none of it. He just knew that my low fat way of eating was the best way. And my fasting blood sugar tested normal.

I knew from my research that my blood sugar was normal probably because I was pumping out massive amounts of insulin to keep it that way. I also knew that massive amounts of insulin could cause massive problems. (See insulin related diseases.) So I went on a high protein, low carb diet. I went down two clothing sizes. Not to super model size, but to a comfortable, healthy size. More than that, some of my other problems went away. I no longer had heartburn and digestive problems,. I no longer had any joint and movement problems. I no longer had headaches. Although my total cholesterol is over 200, a good percentage of that is HDL, the good cholesterol.

“Are you trying to stay low carb? Try it for a week and see if you don't feel better. Take your vitamins. Don't go hungry. You can eat as much as it takes to satisfy you of meats, cheese, allowed vegetables. Make salads and use real salad dressings. Add feta cheese and avocado. Sauté shrimp in real butter. For snacks have a handful of nuts. Eat celery filled with peanut butter or cream cheese. Dip crunchy vegetables in cheese dip or sour cream dip. Sweeten cottage cheese with Splenda for dessert. Have small servings of fruit at night. Observe serving sizes listed on food list page: www.food-addicts-weight-loss.com/food-list.html “

Whether or not you are overweight, portion sizes of food are a major factor in determining how much you eat. In a recent study, researchers at Pennsylvania State University in University Park measured how much normal and overweight people ate (Obesity, June 2007). They then fed these people fifty percent larger portions of food at every meal. Both overweight and normal weight people increased their intake of food equally and they continued to eat far more food for the duration of the study. You might expect that when people overeat, they would eventually reach a point where they feel full and stop taking in too much food. However, this has not been shown to be the case. When people are offered large portion sizes, they continue to eat more food and it doesn't matter whether they were fat or thin when they received the larger portions.

http://www.DrMirkin.com

This would go along with our behavior modification ideas, www.food-addicts-weight-loss.com/behavior-modification.com Set the table, Use smaller plates. Do not serve the meal family style. Place the food on the plate and carry it to the table instead of putting bowls and platters of food out.

My above mentioned friend gets up a 6 AM and walks at a fast pace for one hour. She is losing weight even before she started a diet.

2 or more cups of mixed salad greens
1 ripe tomato, diced and added, juice and all
Chopped cucumber, radishes, and green onions
2 tablespoons or more of chopped walnuts
1 ripe avocado, diced
2 tablespoons or more of feta cheese
2 tablespoons or more of real bacon bits
Spritz with olive oil cooking spray

That is how I like it. How do you like it?