HI Everyone, well, a sad morning for us here in the UK as our undemocratically mis-elected government have chosen to bomb Syria. A more misguided and cynically greed-driven action I cannot contemplate. Not in our name, Mr Cameron, not in our name.
However. This is not a political blog, but my feelings (as you know) sometimes spill over. Back to what we are usually about. This is my Catch Up post on our progress with getting sugar out of our bodies and out of our lives. Which does not mean we shall never ever eat a piece of cake or chocolate again, I'm not anti-pleasure!
We are in the middle of our EIGHTH WEEK! And it is going well. We're eating lots of salads and veggies, and pretty normal meals with lovely fat included, the occasional slice of good bread, pasta or rice in small amounts and infrequently, and NO processed foods. Unless you count good quality sausages, and tinned tomatoes, sugar-free passata etc.
Jim's blood glucose is down and his blood pressure is down from 160/90 to 120/80. Mine is 138/78 which I hope will also make an improvement from that 138 (which neither the GP nor I am very worried about. ) Jim's lost just over half a stone and I have lost just short (less than a pound) of ONE STONE in seven weeks. More to the point I feel I am doing myself a whole lot of good getting the sugar out of my system, moving further and further away from that Metabolic Syndrome I have been dicing with for years. My liver is thanking me profusely for enabling it to get rid of its visceral fat. My appestat is back and working so well I can actually tell to the last mouthful how much is too much on my plate, and frequently leave a little. Unheard of before. And the effect on my grehlin-producing gland in my stomach, which used to tell me I was hungry all the time has been wonderful - we are just not hungry between meals. Curiously, my GO has asked me to come in to the surgery as she want to reduce my thyroid medication, due to the blood test results. I have no idea whether there is a connection with the sugar free thing - but I have been on the same dosage for about 10 years and have a thyroxine level blood test done every year. Coincidence that the level needs adjusting right now? I don't know, but I shall be investigating! Sugar has an insidious effect on so many of our hormones, until you cut it out you just don't realise.
Some people have asked for some links to videos, so here they are. Find them on you tube.
"Auckland 2014 : Low CArb New Zealand Seminar" 8 videos, including one by Sarah Wilson, who wrote the I Quit Sugar books. Also include and English GP and an Aussie Dietician and practitioners in the diabetic area.
Dr Robert Lustig , a paediatric neuro-endocrinologist who is on a long term campaign "Sugar: the Bitter Truth" "Fat Chance" "Processed Food : An experiment that failed"
David Gillespie "Sweet Poison"
Dr Gary Taubes "Why we get fat"
Damon Gameau "THAT Sugar Film" and "THAT Sugar Book"
Happy watching!
And just so that I can include a bit of bright hooky scrumptiousness, here are some photos of the crochet I've been doing this week. Yes, I've almost finished my SECOND Ripple Blanket, in a colour scheme not a million miles away from the first one, but it IS different. I'm darning in the dangly bits and finishing the edges on Saturday when I shall be working in Jane-Anne's beautiful studio over the other side of the county.
And here I've made a start on the NEXT project (there has to be one!) which is another one of Lucy's of Attic24 fame. It is her Cosy Stripe Blanket, which has alternate colours worked in just two patterns. First is 2 rows of plain treble, then follows two rows of clusters of three trebles, which is all easy peasy and NO COUNTING! Here it is after just two rows, I've done about eight now. The inspiration for Lucy's colour scheme was a collection of Autumn leaves, flowers and fruits. A really warm and rich combination.
So there it is, I hope this has been food for thought and a feast for the eyes!
With having diabetes I can fully relate to your new eating habits. Years ago I didn't dream there was sugar in carrots, corn and peas. So I cut those veggies back drastically. But loving salads and soups as I do it was easy to do. Your blankets are beautiful ....I always use one color or multicolor yarn as I was never sure how to finish off ends. So happy you and hubby are doing well on the new eating habits!
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, yes, we are amazed with how well we feel and how well we are doing. I don't worry too much about the carbs in veggies, though we have sweet potato more often than white potatoes and no mash! But the refined carbs are certainly curtailed very strongly and it shows!
DeleteFinishing off dangly ends is really day, Linda - you just attach a tapestry (blunt end) needle, and weave the end a little way along the same colour row and down the next, cut the end off as closely to the wool and there you are! Get some stripy colourfulness into your yarn work!! Lxx
Wow, well done on all fronts, can't beat good news on the health and medical front. We are currently doing the 10 hour eating time, recommended by a GP. We eat breakfast at 8am and our final meal at 6pm. We hardly ever feel hungry after that! Good so far.
ReplyDeleteHi Dc, yes, I have done a little 5-2 dieting and it is quite successful- but I don't 'dowel on diets so it went the way of all the others. However, the principle of fasting is a sound one, so, as I have been a breakfast avoider for decades (unless away on holiday) I find it so easy to keep fasting until lunch time when we have our main meal (generally). We then have a light supper, say a salad, boiled eggs, etc around 7pm. Same theory, just arranged differently, and the healthy amount of fat we now happily consume keeps us satiated from one meal to the next. I wish fervently that I had discovered all this 20 years ago! Lx
DeleteHello there sweetie pie! It is wonderful to hear of all your marvelous health changes and the results of making these changes. What a great way to be getting ready for the new year and a new way of appreciating good health. Congratulation on having your meds cut.
ReplyDeleteOh, and your blanket is beautiful . . . but then I'm a huge fan of all of your needle work.
Happy holidays!
Connie :)
Hello Connie! Yes, isn't it great? I really don't know whether my thyroid is responding to the sugar-free environment, I need to check that out with the doc next eek, but it is a big coincidence isn't it? And I am having so much fun with these blankets, becoming quite addicted to making them! So soothing and comforting to make and use! Lxx
DeleteHi Lynne
ReplyDeleteLove your work. I am doing a ripple blanket from Attic 24 as well. Looking at your photo, you have a lovely rug with different colour squares. If you don't mind, could you tell me where you got it from please as I've been looking for one like that. I also live in Norfolk on the outskirts of Norwich.
Pat
Hello Pat how lovely to hear from you, always good to 'meet' someone new from the county! Yes, now I have to think about that rug - we got it from the chair shop - which also does rugs at the back - on the Tesco shopping estate near Curry's. I THINK!!!!I can't remember what it was called it was some time ago. I hope this is of some help…though I doubt it is really! Good luck!
DeleteOh Pat! I forgot to say it was the Kings Lynn branch. It may have been DFS but I'm not sure…. L xxx
Deleteit is so interesting to hear how you are getting on lynne - keep up the good work - i know you've been ill so i hope you are feeling better tonight - we are just collapsing in a heap after a 3 day visit from our youngest son and family - lovely BUT i get so tired these days - i must try to quit sugar as best i can!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteDear Lynne, yes, still feeling rather grim, I think now it has been a nasty little virus, still have stomach pains (well, low abdomen) and feel very weak but the other aches have gone thank goodness. And you know Quitting Sugar will help your energy levels!! But I agree, grandchildren are wonderful but more tiring the older you get! xxx
DeleteThat is really interesting re the thyroid meds. I would like mine reduced.though it is been stable for years. Be interested to hear more.
ReplyDeleteTrish I'll be sure to keep the blog updated. I've no idea about the connection- but the coincidence is timely, isn't it? Lxx
Deletewell done on the sugar. I have thought of doing something like it myself. I havent eaten any fast food for a long time and then ate chips at the weekend in Devon. I am paying for it now. my body is not happy at all.
ReplyDeleteLove the colours in this ripple blanket. I hope to teach myself from youtube.
Hi Sol, well it's been the best thing I ever did for myself, it really has. The weight loss has been great but I'm so pleased about my blood-glucose / insulin response, and liver improvements.
DeleteAs for youtube for instruction- it really is the BEST, some posters are incredibly good tutors. Good luck with yours and I hope you will post your results!