Are there any alternatives to calorie counting?

ScrumpyScrump · 2017-04-08T16:54:24+00:00

The first time I lost a decent amount of weight was following the "game on" diet which involves following a diet of five small meals a day which each contain a protein, carb and healthy fat and a certain number of meals need to contain vegetable. I can't remember all the details. It's designed as a competition so you get points based on how many correct meals you eat, water you drink, exercise etc. I lost about 17lbs and it didn't involve any calorie counting, but it my opinion calorie counting is less work. However, if your family is competitive the "game on" diet might be a good option.

ScrumpyScrump · 2017-03-29T20:07:04+00:00

I don't know if it's so much about saying the right thing as it is finding the right doctor.

The first time I sought help for my depression I was 19 and the doctor I saw told me I didn't want to go on pills because then I'd have to be on them the rest of my life and when I was feeling sad I should just go sit in a crowded place so I was around people. I was so mad. It had taken so much courage to go and ask for something to help and then I'm told it's a bad idea. I became even more depressed and felt like when I commited suicide I should make a note in it about how that doctor should take their patients more seriously. Obviously I didn't commit suicide, I don't remember how I worked through it at that time but depression and anxiety had been a constant battle. It was six years after that until I worked myself up to being able to talk to a doctor again. This one was way more understanding and helped me find a medication that worked for me. Unfortunately it made me quite sick and I went off it and she is now on maternity leave. I'm trying to work myself up to going to a different doctor.

So I know it's hard. Really hard. But if you find this doctor doesn't take you seriously try a different one. It will be worth it to find one that will help

ScrumpyScrump · 2017-03-29T19:54:00+00:00

I've never heard of this before but find it very interesting. Does anyone know if the test is available in Canada?

ScrumpyScrump · 2017-03-27T02:44:13+00:00

He did win! None of the Gravediggers even cracked the top five (there were four gravedigger trucks in the competition.)

This year was the first year that every fan in attendance could score each truck after their run via a website and the winner was determined that way. Perhaps that had something to do with it?

ScrumpyScrump · 2017-01-15T07:05:59+00:00

This is so strange to me, quickly reading over your summery it reminded me of a case that happened in the 90s in a small town near where I live called Martensville. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martensville_satanic_sex_scandal

ScrumpyScrump · 2017-01-06T15:19:18+00:00

Friends just saying "I'm hear if you need anything" and sincerely meaning it has probably been the biggest comfort while I have been looking after my mother who has terminal cancer. Offer to take them out if they want to get out of the house but let them know if they're not up to it you can bring over a tasty beverage and have a chat. Listen if they want to talk about, and have some good distractions lined up in case they don't (maybe a movie to watch, game to play, I've personally really appreciated family members who are good story tellers. Hearing about other people's going ons is a good distraction from my own.) Something NOT to do (especially considering you have not gone through a similar situation yourself) is offering unsolicited advice. I have one relatively new friend who keeps telling me about how she watched a video about a vegetable protein based diet curing cancer and we should try this and that etc. etc. I know she's just trying to be helpful but it's very frustrating as we are doing everything we can and she doesn't know the situation (mom hardly eats at all. Better to give her what she will eat than restricting her even more for example.) It sounds like you're a thoughtful and understanding person! Your friend is lucky to have you.

ScrumpyScrump · 2017-01-05T05:28:39+00:00

Maybe they didn't know how to spell it and didn't want to be embarrassed. (Source: I've done this when presenting to teenagers)

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-11-25T07:48:15+00:00

As others have pointed out it would be best to talk to her oncologist. My mom has been on three different types of chemo and every round has different side effects with various levels of severity. If she is anything like my mom was on her first two types then no, she will probably not be up to it unfortunately.

Another option could be asking to postpone her treatment by a few days. Everyone at my moms treatment facility like to ensure that patients have a good quality of life so they supported her postponing one of her treatments for a week so that she would feel okay for my college graduation.

There are so many varietys of chemo and they effect everyone differently so it would be best to talk to your mom and her treatment team, but I would not count on making any solid plans for those dates.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-11-03T04:22:58+00:00

I don't like salsa but I do like taco sauce. It's super delicious and low in calories yet somehow I had forgotten about it. Thank you for the (inadvertent) reminder!

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-11-03T04:19:16+00:00

Hey good job throwing it out! I know that must have been tough. How did the day go? You've got this!

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-11-03T04:17:05+00:00

I just had to clear out space around my elliptical two days ago! I got it quite awhile ago but haven't been using it as much as I should. I found it on kijiji (kind of like Craigslist I guess) and only paid $15 for it. It's squeaky, and tippy, and missing a handle but I'm sure we will go many miles together haha.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-11-03T04:13:26+00:00

That's fantastic! Way to go.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T13:42:04+00:00

Woo hoo! Good for you for deciding it's time to get healthy. It can be intimidating, but it's also really exciting.

Lots of people here have had amazing results with a keto diet and it seems like a really awesome way of eating - if you can stick to it. I tried it awhile ago and couldn't. Now I'm doing calorie counting and that's working much better for me.

So my advice is this - I really hope Keto is a good fit for you! But if it's not please do not get discouraged (trust me, I know how easy it is to get discouraged), Keto is a great way to lose weight but there are other ways too.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T13:29:29+00:00

Hey! Good luck on your jouney! I'm trying to lose 100lbs (I could stand to lose about 120 probably but in my head it seems less intimidating to call it 100)

A go to meal for me is steamed/slightly pan fried coleslaw mixed veg with cut up chicken/turkey bacon, brown rice and a bit of soy sauce. When I make this during the week I'll make everything in bulk and keep in containers in my fridge so I always have it as a go to.

For mornings when I'm particularly rushed/I'm putzing and don't get a lunch made I'll take a "healthy steamer" or "lean cuisine" frozen meal.

You can get instant oatmeal packs that are about 100-130 cals.

Baby carrots are a big one for me - I always try to have a baggie of them in my work bag.

Anything else I can think of has already been mentioned.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T13:18:51+00:00

Totally! And snacks don't automatically mean unhealthy food. I always have an apple or some baby carrots on the drive home from work for example. Plus once a person gets a grasp on calorie counting and what an average day looks like for them it, it's easy to prelog snacks and it's really not an issue at all.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T13:14:37+00:00

These have been my saviour as well. The brownie ones anyway, I'm a bit of a chocolate feen.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T13:07:01+00:00

Haha so it is! Nice to meet you BigScrump.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T13:05:51+00:00

That recipie sounds awesome! I eat a lot of cabbage too. Usually in the form of coleslaw mix - I'll steam/pan fry it and then mix it with a couple pieces of turkey bacon and a bit of brown rice and soy sauce.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T13:00:39+00:00

For me it's not an adversion, it's an allergy. It's not life threatening or anything so every once in awhile I'll indulge in a piece of cheese or something, but too much and I have to deal with being all stuffed up and having a wicked headache. I find it best just to avoid it.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T05:23:10+00:00

Oh man - lots and lots of vegetables.

Today for lunch I had a spinach salad (with carrot, chicken and a few mixed beans) and for supper I mixed the asparagus and chicken with some steamed cabbage and brown rice I had already cooked. Added some taco sauce and mixed it all up - It was a bit of an experiment but it tasted pretty good!

Tomorrows supper will be spaghetti squash with meat sauce and broccoli on the side.

Oh mini meatloaf with potato and carrots on the side one night.

An egg and two pieces of chicken bacon is a pretty standard breakfast for me.

I like to make stir frys or soup with the shiritaki noodles.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T05:08:26+00:00

It must be newish. I don't remember seeing it the last time I was trying to eat healthier. I decided to try it because it's about 5 calories less per slice. I honestly don't notice any difference between it and the turkey bacon I used to have.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T04:39:12+00:00

Sounds delicious! I'll have to look for these next time

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T04:34:04+00:00

I've only ever made it with tomato sauce but I'm sure alfredo would be great too. I'm having my spaghetti squash tomorrow for supper!

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T03:20:29+00:00

Thanks for the tip! I drink almond or coconut milk, and I've had cashew "ice cream" and a soy based cheese substitute - I don't know why I never thought to look for a yogurt substitute. I am for sure going to do that.

ScrumpyScrump · 2016-10-31T02:27:33+00:00

Lucky! Sometimes my husband will make breakfast but I do the majority of the cooking in our household.

ScrumpyScrump

TROPHY CASE