Diet

I am still eating a very-low-carb diet. (The one I’m following is LCHF, very similar to Paleo. Look back a few entries in my LJ for more info about the diet itself.) So far, it is an awesome life-change for me and I am actually enjoying it. Compared to other “points” or “calorie restriction” diets, it has been much easier to follow and stay on. I have been losing about 2-3 pounds a week when I’m paying close attention, and staying about the same when I become lazy or cheat more than 1 day per week.. but it seems quite sustainable. ...

TL;DR Powerpoint version: I have been on the LCHF plan for 4 weeks LCHF means “Low Carb High Fat” So far, lost 3 lbs. per week Haven’t felt hungry at all What is LCHF? LCHF is a version of the low-carb Atkins-like diet that is also being called the Scandinavian diet. Read more about it here or Google it. Rather than repeating what other web sites have said about it, let me just say what I like, and what drew me to it. ...

While visiting my mom, I saw a video extolling the virtues of a plant-based diet versus an animal-based diet. The video was not the greatest in terms of production values, (i.e. most of the film was shots of someone talking, or stills with voice-overs) but it certainly got the point across. Most of the content was stuff that I already knew, but which I’ve been somewhat comfortable with ignoring. For example, I already knew: ...

So far I have been paying attention to portion sizes, and not trying to cut down quantities, really, but cutting out a few small things here and there (like candy, pretty much entirely. According to the suggested POINTS goal, I’m doing well and coming in under the suggested amount. One day was well under the daily (41 points), and the other day was over the daily amount, but uses less than 1/7th of the weekly overflow (35 extra/week). ...

First day of exercising in the morning. Nothing too exciting… this morning’s workout took roughly 10 minutes and consisted of: 3 stretches, 4 mini-crunches, 5 leg lifts, 3 mini-push-ups, jogging in place for 160(x2) steps, and 7 jumping jacks. This was “Level 2” on the fitness scale (see previous post for link to _The Hacker’s Diet_ chapter: “What, Me Exercise?”). It was pretty easy to complete, but I spent the next half-hour coughing up something from my chest, so I’m perfectly willing to follow Walker’s advice and stay at this “level” for a week before turning it up a notch. ...

It’s January, and I’m a little late for “resolutions”, but I’d like to go through part of the exercise anyway. That is, I want to take the opportunity to examine myself and decide what I would like to change about myself. Whether I follow through and end up in a better place next year is not yet certain, but at least I’ll have a record. I’m now at 290, the heaviest I think I’ve been in my life. I haven’t exercised more than a few minutes total since May or June. I usually eat what I pick up at restaurants (both lunch and dinner). I’m not really “stress eating” per se, but I so far haven’t taken the time to make food for myself, and my crappy commute makes it even harder to make and execute a meal plan. ...

This morning I weighed 283.0.

I gained back what I lost earlier this year. I’m now at

2 jars cucumbers, carrots and onions Slice produce and cram into jars. About when they are half-full is when you want to slip the fresh dill into the sides with a butter knife or something. This time I sliced the onion across the midsection (so each slice has like 10 concentric rings) but left the slices in slice form rather than popping out the individual rings. These take up less space when crammed in the jar and you can cram in more food. Usually a single-batch recipe is enough brine to cover the produce crammed into a 1-liter jar. A double-batch of brine solution is enough for 2 1L jars. The 2X version consisted of:

As mentioned before, Miche and I are hosting an Ice Cream Social here at our place today between 2pm and 6pm. If you are in the area, please feel free to come by. Drop in any time in that range, stay as short or as long as you want. Directions are here: click me. (Posting this for folks on my friends list who I believe I have actually met in person at least once. If you are reading this, you’re invited!) ...