T-Tapp's viewpoint on diets.

[teresatapp]

First of all, I do not advocate any type of diet when first starting the T-Tapp program...it is better to concentrate on MOVING the body in the special T-Tapp sequence of movements following the game plan that comes with the system instead of altering your food intake. It is easier for your body to focus on one new change (exercise via T-Tapp)which that alone is going to improve digestion, assimilation and elimination. T-Tapp is more than an exercise program that burns calories, it actually rebuilds primary body functions as well as increase base metabolic rate and resting glucose utilization rate. As most of you know, I advise not to decrease nor increase calorie intake during first week of T-Tapping but satisfy hunger with good food (meat & veggies, soups and salads) limiting man-made, processed carbs to every third day.

I've studied many dietary plans throughout the years and I've always believed in BALANCE of nutrients limiting processed foods as much as possible. Yes, we need protein, fat and carbs. Do I eat man-made foods? Sure I do. Do I eat Krispy Kreme donuts? Sure I do (especially now that a Krispy Kreme store just opened nearby) Do I all the time? No (but often enough) but whenever I do I know how to T-Tapp away with a few more Hoe Downs as well as adding another T-Tapp workout during the week. Do I calorie restrict? No...I have a hearty appetite and consume 2000 to 3000 calories daily with plenty of "treats" Do I T-Tapp every day? No but it varies...when getting ready for a fitness event I'll do a 4 to 10 day boot camp but then I might go a week or two (sometimes even longer) without doing anything but PBS, Hoe Downs and AL) I've even gone up to 6 weeks without anything but then the back pain (along with extra inches) brings puts me back on track.

Regarding the NHE program....seems to work for a lot of people, especially those who are insulin sensative (due to glucose overload/antrophy of internal spinal density)as well as/or due to hormonal fluctuations -especially for those with estrogen dominance.
A lot of NHE is similar to what I've been recommending. I don't like how it makes one constantly "count" grams of this and that...but then again I don't like any program that makes one obsessive about counting calories, points, grams etc....BUT some people need a very structured program. I prefer to listen to my body and optimize nutritional density majority of the time - T-Tapp enables me to cheat more often.

I like weight watchers except I don't really like how they focus everything on how much one weighs each week...BUT the program does teach people portion control and balance of nutrients. My sister just recently lost 25 lbs with weight watchers...and now she doesn't count points any more nor worries about her weight. She achieved her goal and now that the weather is getting warmer, she's been able to increase her activity (busy mom with 2 kids) Weight Watchers seems to work very well with T-Tapp.

Regarding NT ... seems to work for some. I personally would not follow it. Lani's certified to teach the program and she's had personal success with NT so you can ask her questions.

I do not recomment NHE nor NT in the beginning with T-Tapp because it can slow inch loss...but add after first 30 days of following the regular game plan- ie: boot camp followed by every other day, then every third day then twice a week. Then add either of these programs.

Regarding "all or none diets" (like no carbs, no fat, etc) I don't recommend them because they can create imbalance metabolically and with weight gain returning quickly and often with even more weight added to original amount before drastic diet.

Regarding Zone....yes, I like this program but it can be a bit confusing for some due to the way it was written.

Regarding Blood Type Diet... use as a guideline but I don't recommend it to be followed as written in the book. It doesn't take into account genetic crossovers of parent's blood line and I don't agree with some of the author's viewpoints (I've always held a higher opinion of the author's fa

[monica213]

:D

Michelle Barbuto
Pennsylvania T-Tapp Trainer
http://www.ttapp.com/trainers/michelle/
michelle@t-tapp.com

[Sherry]

I posted this on another thread but thought I'd add it here. The book, The Schwarbein Principle offers an outstanding explanation as to why and how GM/MM works. The author is not affiliated with Teresa and she doesn't call the eating approach GM/MM but it is very similar to the GM portion and the explanation around that is outstanding. Thank goodness, however, that we have Teresa to keep things sane with one out of three days being MM!

I definitely don't see GM/MM as dieting because you eat all you want and virtually anything you want as long as it is GM for two days out of three. No measuring, no counting, no cutting any food group ... nothing. And, it is highly effective! Hard to beat such a sensible, easy approach to nutrition.

T-Tappin' best from Houston,Texas
Sherry, T-Tapp Trainer
http://realresults.freeservers.com

[ladyjenevive]

bump!

________________________________________________
~jen

'of all earthly music that which reaches farthest into heaven is the beating of a truly loving heart...' awb

[Debarbie]

Thank you so much Teresa for your GM/MM plan. I am not obsessing about my food intake. I started to watch what I was eating with Michael Thermans eating program but it is way too low fat and dont eat this or that. GM/MM is easy and I feel so much better. Thank you so much! Can't wait for your book.

Deb E.

[monica213]

bump :D

Michelle Barbuto
Pennsylvania T-Tapp Trainer
IFPA Certified Personal Trainer

http://www.ttapp.com/trainers/michelle/

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

[sostinkinhappy]

Seriously Michelle, I think we are totally on the same wavelength! I have been trying for a couple of days to get my search function to work so that I could bump this thread to the top for a client! 'preciate the help. [:p]

Melynda Fitt
TTapp Trainer, Northern VA


Be good, do good, and gosh darn it, smile once in a while! :)

[angellique]

A lot of good info... I'm trying to figure out if to quit WW or follow the GM/MM.
Thanks for the bump :D

Sheilah

"Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent"
- Eleanor Roosevelt

[Lori French]

Sheilah, can you not combine them and do both???

[u]Lori</u>

[angellique]

Maybe, I would love to stop counting though... I've never done the core part of WW's (the one where you don't count...
:)

Sheilah

"Remember, no one can make you feel inferior without your consent"
- Eleanor Roosevelt

[Lori French]

Ahhhhh;)

[u]Lori</u>

[VeggieGirl]

I feel like a broken record, but I think there must be something to the blood type diet. I am an A blood type. Ever since I was a kid I never liked to eat meat. My mom always tells me. When I turned 16, I pretty much stopped eating it completely. I always wondered why I never liked the taste or smell of meat, perhaps it does have to do with my blood type? Don't know, but at least I feel like I have somehwat of an answer!

Jean

[brngckn]

Up!

Kirsten, the Travelin' T-Tapp Trainer from Texas
Personal Motivation & Wellness Consultant
www.boxofpolkadots.com

"The past is a guide post, not a hitching post." ~ L Thomas Holdcroft

[gonono]

Hi everyone,
[:I]I'm new to T-Tapp and have been perusing the Forum now for a couple of days. I have a question about the diets listed in Theresa's reply.[?]

What is the NHE diet and what is the NT diet? I am the queen of diet books and have never heard of these diets.

Thanks,
N

[Tina71]

NHE is Natural Hormonal Enhancement.

NT is Naturally Thin. You can check out more about it on Lani's site:

http://www.lanimuelrath.com/

And here is the forum about it too:

http://p066.ezboard.com/fbodywisdombylanifrm2

Tina

"The ultimate in being healthy is to operate at full throttle—physically, emotionally, and spiritually."


— Oprah Winfrey

[gonono]

:)Thanks Tina!

BTW This workout really works. I've done the Instructional Tape #1 with the Instructional Tape #2 for 6 days now. I can't wait to take my measurements tomorrow. My old standard pair of jeans are starting to hang on me a bit![:I]
Nanette

[Tina71]

Your welcome! That is wonderful about the jeans, Nanette! YEAH! :)

Tina

"The ultimate in being healthy is to operate at full throttle—physically, emotionally, and spiritually."


— Oprah Winfrey

[SuperK]

I so need to lose about 60 lbs but just struggle with doing any kind of diet. Everytime I've tried to do GM/MM I've given into sweets on the GM days [xx(] . But I'm curious, has anyone lost a lot of weight on GM/MM or know someone who has???

I guess once your body gets used to real food, you don't crave sweets and other processed foods so you end up eating fewer calories and your body processes the good stuff much more efficiently so you end up losing weight. It seems like a long process but a real life change that one could potentially maintain forever.

But I still would like to know of people who have actually lost more than a few pounds following the plan.

Thanks!
Karen



Karen

[Lizzy Joy]

Good question, Karen! :D

Thanks everyone for bumping this thread! You've really inspired me!

I've lost SO MUCH WEIGHT on SO MANY HEALTHY DIETS... only to gain it all back again (plus some), as the saying goes! Over and over, year after discouraging year! I am with you, Sisters!

T-TAPPING is the only thing I've LOVED and stuck with for the past four years! [^] I just wish I could stop being such a big "Yo-Yo" with my eating! I tend to go full force, or not at all. [V] BUT, I WILL NEVER GIVE UP!!! :D WE CAN DO THIS... YES, WE CAN !!!

Teresa's GM/MM has been my choice for a permanent eating style. I still tend to go "off" for several days in a row... craving man-made carbs whenever they are around me... tempting me to splurge or "binge". :([B)]:(

Then, it's hard to get back "on" again. UNFORTUNATELY, our family physician actually prescribed "ATKINS" or "South Beach" dieting for my husband (who has a heart condition)... and then for me too (with my low blood sugar and insulin resistance). I honestly believe that ATKINS/SOUTH BEACH has ruined me... making me extremely carb-sensitive now... and it also may be partly to blame for my yo-yo-ing so much. [?]

I do better eating GM/MM every other day, and not stressing out about the occasional slip up. Once I finally do get back on to God-made food, I'm afraid to stop for a day to eat man-made, for fear of overdoing it again. Of course, I end up "giving up" again. UGH! WHAT'S MY PROBLEM?!! [:I] Ha! Ha!

I bought the Naturally Thin (NT) book and have also tried juicing and eating ALL yummy God-made foods... but again... within no time at all, I end up somehow giving in to one of my old "favorites". [:I]

How about you? Any favorites you can't live without? With GM/MM you don't have to worry about it... just keep T-Tapping and enjoying the foods your body calls for... in moderation and with balance, of course! My "bad" foods really aren't that bad... just man-made! (Like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with a big glass of milk... or a couple slices of cheesy pizza on white pizza dough). YUM! With four kids, I can't help myself! [:P]

Anyway, with GM/MM there is NO GUILT for the occasional treat... so I will persevere, and surround myself (and my large family) with as many God-made choices as possible! :D

We can make it a "GAME"... by writing out our shopping list for buying healthy G/M foods from all the letters of the alphabet: Apples, Almonds, Asparagus, Avocados, Bananas, Blueberries, Barley, Bran, Carrots, Cucumbers, Celery, Cherries... MAKE IT FUN FOR EVERYONE!


Blessings,
Lizzy Joy

"The joy of the Lord is my strength!"

[DebG]

Bumpin' it again!!!!!

[Miriam40]

Love that idea about writing out the shopping list according to the alphabet. Gonna try it!

Miriam

http://miriamfirmfaith.blogspot.com

[Tina71]

back to the top ;)

Tina

"If you're holding anyone else accountable for your happiness, you're wasting your time."


— Oprah Winfrey

[kml]

Here is something I've recently learned about carbohydrates: Our bodies burn carbs for energy more readily than they burn fats, and if we overeat carbs, we'll store virtually all of the fats we eat. Although it may seem that eating too many carbohydrates makes people fat, usually what's happening is that the carbs are allowing the dietary fat to be stored and preventing body fat from being used. However, this doesn't mean that we shouldn't eat carbohydrates, just that we should eat the right amount. Also, if a person is on a diet that is extremely carb-restricted while being relatively high in fat, and that person resumes eating carbohydrates without reducing the amount of fat, then the result will be to quickly regain any weight that was lost.

I'm working on reducing the amount of grain-based carbs that I eat, and I'm trying to have most carbs come from fruits and starchy veggies (other than white potatoes). And I'm also working toward a general reduction of processed foods. However, at this point I'm not trying to totally eliminate anything. In fact, I'd rather think of it as simply increasing the good stuff to the point that there's just very little room -- or desire -- for any kind of junk. I think I've made some progress in this regard, but it really is a journey with twists and turns and backtracking and getting ahead.

Krista

[monica213]

up :D

Michelle Barbuto
Senior T-Tapp Trainer
www.fitwithsix.com

[gr8fisch]

i just learned that 4gm of sugar = 1 tsp. some carbs are purely sugar...can be a challenge to discern the difference & similarity of sugar esp. for those who are sugar sensitive (addicted), insulin resistant, detoxing from alcohol & other food attachments for health reasons. it's been helping me recently to use fat blocking foods up til noon (think fiber insoluble & soluble) & fat burning ones after noon (think proteins & greens). some nutrients for fat burning work better for me divided doses between meals, & they (& this has been very intriguing to me) have also helped my mind focus (brain fuel as it were). lani started me on jean antonello's book "breaking out of food jail", & it's been a process. recently i started reading 'potatoes not prozac' which fine tunes the process. i've been cutting down on real & artificial sugars for two months, & can now tell within 20 minutes or so if it's one or the other...real sugar triggers anxiety attacks...imagine that... so...it's become easier to notice the consequences to better or less choices & stick to them. eating less overall has also helped me...leptin style timing, gm/mm choices, hydration & supplements, exercise & relaxation, creativity & fun, teamwork & solo...balance is a dance...

keep movin'..the path shows up behind you...

[BrendaK]

Bump~

Don't tell God how big your storm is, tell the storm how big your GOD is!

[Mermaid]

I think Teresa's advice is generally good. I don't know why anyone would want to eat a krispy kreme though--yuck!! Guess I've lost my taste for that kind of crap, thank goodness.

Some of us do need to count our carbs, T-Tapp or not, want to or not. It's probably a matter of genetics more than anything. I'm not aware of any diet out there that advocates "no carbs." It's all about finding your own carb level, where you can lose weight or maintain weight, and feel good. For women, it really helps to go heavy on the veggies.

The best book on the low carb approach is Jonny Bowden's Low Carb Living. He really is an expert, and supports his assertions with scientific evidence.

[ida]

Mermaid - Just an FYI but there is an old diet called Stillman's The Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet) that is pretty much no carbs. Lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and skim milk cottage cheese, farmer's cheese and pot cheese. That's all. Not zero carbs but pretty close.

[gillmings]

YUCK! I remember that one -- and the umpteen incarnations of it ever since, in every magazine "lose 5 pounds next week" article ever written, for the next couple decades. It's the one that gets passed around high school locker rooms (alternated with the grapefruit diet) and has even been recommended by the gym teachers themselves!

Life involves finding balance in everything. I love Teresa's name for her way of eating. Reminds me that God made grains, fruit, and potatoes, too, and I believe He intends for us to eat them (but not necessarily binge on them or eat them to the exclusion of all the other healthy things He created for us;)).

-Moyne

"She is too fond of books, and it has addled her brain." -Louisa May Alcott

[Lizzy Joy]

Oh Yes! [:p]

I agree completely... if God made it, then it is permissable for me to eat it. Romans chapeter 14 addresses food much differently than the old testament book of Leviticus... when God's people had to have so many "laws" to follow in order to be "good".

Please do not be offended by my "Sunday Morning Sermon" here! [:I]

Paul exhorts us to stop judging others by whether they eat meat or vegetables, or whether they fast or do not fast. "He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone." 14:7-8

"As one who is in the Lord Jesus, I am fully convinced that no food is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for him it is unclean." 14:14

AMEN, SISTERS! [8D]

Paul talks about how LOVING our fellow brothers and sisters is more important than being distressed over what to eat or not to eat, and that judging or looking down on others will cost us in the end! [:0]

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble." 14: 19-20

Hallelujah! I am free indeed! Everything is accepted with thanksgiving to God! Our hearts and mental attitudes are what matter most! Gluttony and laziness are "bad things", not "food"!!!

But... Paul also tells us that "all things are permissable, but not all things are beneficial, all are permissable, but I will not be mastered by any of them!"

Sugar masters me and makes my body become so "BLAH"! [xx(] So... I make the choice to abstain from it as much as possible. And I would never expect someone else to judge me for it, and vice versa!

WE SHOULD LOVE EACH OTHER, RIGHT?!?!?! :D LIVE IN PEACE, SISTERS!

Thank you for bearing with me. ;) Please don't kick me off the forums. This is the day that the Lord has made, so rejoice and be glad in it!


Blessings,
Lizzy Joy

"The joy of the Lord is my strength and my song... He is my Life!"

[Mermaid]

Thanks Ida, I didn't know about the no carb diet. I think, though, that many people mistakenly refer to the Atkins diet as no carb. I also heard Art Ulene state that Atkins restricted everyone to 20 grams of carbs. He is either illiterate, didn't bother reading the book, or was deliberately misquoting.

I sure don't mind people debating different diets, but we should be careful to get the facts straight. And as Lizzy Joy points out, we should also honor other people's choices about what they choose to eat. I personally think krispy kremes are gross (think of all the other yummy satisfying choices!), but anyone who wants to eat them has my blessing. One caveat: I guess I would cringe at anyone feeding them to kids, especially in light of the type II diabetes epidemic.

Interestingly, when I get on a weight loss plateau, I can most easily break it by doing the Kekwick diet (fat fast) that is in some of Atkins's books. I only do it for two or three days, and it detoxes me and restarts fat loss. I'm glad I was open-minded enough to try it. And the Atkins diet has saved my life. It is the ONLY thing that controls my blood sugars to the point that I need no insulin or drugs. My last A1C was 5.3 and is probably lower now. T-Tapp is a great help too, but it will be a long while, if ever, before I can just eat anything I want.

[Lizzy Joy]

I agree!

And the "anything I want" is the "anything God has made"! [:p] YUM!

The only problem is... when I've eaten certain man-made, processed foods, my body seems to want more! WHY IS THAT???

Maybe it is psychological... but I just do NOT feel physcially satisfied after I eat the man-made stuff! I have to eat protein and fiber with every meal, or my cravings take off like an addiction to alchohol or drugs! (Which is probably exactly what it is!) [:I]

I really believe that this is why so many of us "binge" on the man-made foods, and not on the God-made ones. Has anyone ever craved or binged on a whole bag of apples? Carrots? Almonds? Not me!

Our bodies must be constantly craving nutrients, not just calories for energy... so we eat and overeat other foods until we think we feel "satisfied"!

I still love Teresa's GM/MM concept! It makes great sense to me!!!

So... in order to feel "satisfied" I keep almonds and a low-carb meal replacement bar in my purse, in the car, and on my desk! And on days when I just "have" to have pancakes or something sweet, I make sure that I enjoy a handful of almonds with it!

Another thing I do at home, it to add "vanilla whey protein mix" to my kids' cereals, muffins, pancake mix, etc.... or I grind up almonds and sprinkle the powder over some of their foods. They also love peanut butter for dipping veggies and fruits! Me too!

The extra protein really helps us cut our cravings for second helpings or even for "desserts"! ;)



Blessings,
Lizzy Joy

"The joy of the Lord is my strength and my song... He is my Life!"

[semmens]

quote:The only problem is... when I've eaten certain man-made, processed foods, my body seems to want more! WHY IS THAT???

Maybe it is psychological... but I just do NOT feel physcially satisfied after I eat the man-made stuff!

It sure isn't psychological, but just your body's response to having your blood sugar raised too rapidly and then dropped down again when your pancreas throws all that insulin at it. I eat almost no processed foods and wheat especially was a real problem for me. I love to bake but didn't love what it was doing to my body.

O+ secretor

[Mermaid]

I agree with semmens about the blood sugar drop. I've definitely experienced it.

Also, I once heard on a radio health show (I believe it was Udo Erasmussen) that our body monitors the nutrients in our blood stream, and does not want us to stop eating until it reaches the right level. So, when we eat junk, we are getting more than enough calories, but our bodies know that we still need more vitamins, minerals, protein, etc. so it signals us to keep eating. I have never researched it further, but it sounds plausible to me. Sure enough when I eat nutrient-dense food, I only have to eat a little bit to feel satisfied.

[AllieCat0817]

Mermaid, thank you for continually defending Atkins!! I am on Maintenance now and eat a delicious variety of foods, including whole wheat bread and potatoes. That is what Maintenance is about. People think Induction level carbs (less than 20 net grams) per day is all there is to the plan. No there are 4 distinct phases, and I have thoroughly enjoyed losing and keeping off almost 90 lb while going through these phases. Life is good and I thank God for Dr. Atkins!!

I also thank Teresa for T-Tapp because it also has CHANGED MY LIFE. With T-Tapp, I am able to eat at a much higher carb level and still maintain fabulously! And my outlook is just great. Mental, physical, I have it all thanks to Atkins and T-Tapp.

On LowCarbFriends.com, T-Tapp now has a pretty huge following on the Exercise forum. We have a thread that I (or someone else) starts at the beginning of every month. People are continually joining and ordering T-Tapp and loving it.

Amen.!!! :) Thanks Mermaid.

Allie's Weight Loss Pages
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-AllieCat0817
213.5/126.5-131/140 5'5"

[Mermaid]

Thank you too Allie. I feel equally grateful for Teresa Tapp and Dr. Atkins. I'm excited to check out the Low Carb Friends thread on T-Tapp. How cool!

[emijan]

Just wanted to say 'hi' to Alliecat. I am loving the lc woe and T-Tapp.

emijan

[Heather73]

Hi, everyone! I began Tapping as a low carb dieter and I really appreciate this discussion as I am in the process of weaning myself off of a low carb way of eating. Although I do agree with some of the above posts that attest to the success of certain low carb diets (and have been able to gain better control of my own weight through the management of my blood sugar levels by low carbing), I feel that I personally cannot continue low carbing forever.

I am a bit nervous about this changeover, though, because I still have a few pounds I would like to lose--actually, I have a few more inches I would like to lose, and have a scale number stuck in my head that tends to correspond with that size. Although, with T-Tapp, I might actually get to that size without losing the weight.

Being an "A" blood type, I have some concerns that I eat far too much meat and animal fat for optimum health. Whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables have so much nutrition to offer, and are generally less costly than meat, and I have been putting them back into my diet lately. I didn't get to be overweight by eating whole foods anyway. I gained while pregnant--by overeating sweets and baked goods.

I have also been eating sugary baked goods for the past two weeks as well. And I do a set or two of hoedowns after indulging. The junk foods haven't caused weight gain (yet), but they really don't agree with my stomach on an everyday basis, so I am willing to give Teresa's GM/MM guidelines a try. The concept is intriguing, really.:)

~ A Happy Tapper! ~

[AllieCat0817]

Hi Heather:
You said "Whole grains, beans, fruits and vegetables have so much nutrition to offer, and are generally less costly than meat, and I have been putting them back into my diet lately"

That is the beauty of Atkins. As you progress through all four phases, you add back in beans, whole grains, fruits, veggies, all in their respective phases. I've been eating all of these things for a long time. It's not just a meat/fat way of eating. And yes it is about finding what works for your individual self!!:)

Allie's Weight Loss Pages
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-AllieCat0817
213.5/126.5-131/140 5'5"

[Heather73]

Hi, Alliecat. Thank you for being kind enough to respond.

I do understand about the carb ladder that Atkins offers. I didn't follow the Atkins plan, though. I also am a firm believer that some people are not suited to eat higher amounts of carbohydrate no matter what plan they are on. I am probably never going to be able to eat a standard high carb diet as I always seem hungry and get jittery and moody with lots of grain products and sugar (even from fruit). But, my previous maintenance experience says I can do larger quantities of non starchy veggies, beans and modest amounts of whole grain and fruit with little trouble. Those foods are not what caused me to get fat.


My low carb plan was based in the Protein Power system, in which no food group is completely forbidden at any phase, but a certain carb level is considered a daily cap. Once weight loss is acheived, small amounts are added back in until weight stabilizes. It works, I lost all of the pregnancy weight. And thanks to T-Tapp, I am smaller than before my last pregnancy even though I weigh the same.

ETA: Although PP never eliminated any foods, I voluntarily gave up most concentrated starch and sugars because they would have used up my daily carb allotment too quickly. When I say I am adding them back in, it may be misleading, because I have had a bite here and there of just about everything during my entire weight loss.

Low carb eating is not new to me and I know how frustrating it can be to try to help others understand that LC is not just 'meat and fat'. My diet has certainly not been just meat and fat, but, according to the information Teresa provided, I still am eating a lot more animal products than is healthy for my blood type (although my dad is an O, so that may explain why low carbing has worked so well for me?)Also, I have noticed that eating red meat does not seem to sit as well with me as do eggs or poultry or fish

...I have used one variation or another of the LC method to lose weight after 3 of my 4 pregnancies, and it has not failed me. But, once the weight is off, I don't need to count every carb in order to maintain. I just need a method of monitoring the quality of foods I eat so I don't overeat junk. I am trying to find the proper maintenance balance without having to count everything. I want to be done with the food obsession and just live. And Teresa's guidelines make sense to me in that. I do understand that some people need to be much more precise with what they eat, and I don't have a problem with that.

I expect we can agree on the statement that each of us is individual, and it is up to the individual to find the proper macronutrient ratios for herself....No one else can do this for us. Any general statement concerning xxx number of carbs or fat--or certain foods--or percentages is only a starting point. From there, we all have to experiment to see what really works with our own body's chemistry.

Anyway, I figure it can't hurt to give it a try within my own personal range of limitation.:)



~ A Happy Tapper! ~

[Mermaid]

You might find [u]Atkins for Life</u>helpful in your transition to less meat and a higher carb level. It's pretty liberal. I think if you follow his advice of only adding 5 grams of carbs each day at a time, at one-week intervals, you'll ease your body into it, and avoid weight gain. Hopefully with T-Tapp you'll still lose the inches you are aiming for.

[Jalilifer]

Color me clueless -- what is the NHE program and what does NT stand for?

Take care,

Mary
mom to Lili (11), Jenny (9), and Jack (7)

"I think, therefore I have a headache." -- Me

[Heather73]

Thank you, Mermaid, for the advice.

I know Atkins is a good program, and my original intention of posting here was not meant to discredit low carb programs. Low carb has been good to me in helping me lose the extra weight and getting away from eating the sugary junk that caused my weight and health problems. Although I see what Teresa is saying about BALANCE of nutrients, I do have to say that for some of us, our perfect balance would seem UNbalanced to people who can tolerate a higher carb diet. Everyone is different, so each person's diet will vary somewhat from whatever proportions are considered 'ideal'.

One of the things I noticed about Teresa is that although she has her own beliefs about what is considered healthy--she does appear to advocate finding out what works for each of us as individuals. I understand this is what the blood typing/family heritage profiling is about. In this, I respect her tremendously because so many diet experts will promote their own particular brand of eating as the 'only and best' way for everyone, regardless of nutritional needs or health issues.

I really do know how to add carbs back in order to find maintenance levels :) I promise!, and my hope is that once I get to that point,I will be able to let go of the carb counting mentality. Since I eat pretty much the same things day in and day out, I should have little trouble with this. One thing dieting has done for me is helped me to learn to 'see' portions of foods, and this is what I would rather note than making exact calculations for the amounts of certain nutrients I am eating. As long as I am 'ballpark' with the amounts of carbs I eat, AND am exercising regularly, I don't seem to gain more than a couple of pounds from my low carb weight. And I don't panic about the couple of pounds because I know eating higher carbs and exercising often causes a bit of water retention.

The only part of adding carbs that causes me trouble is that I am no longer in ketosis, which I was relying on for sugar craving control. I can eat more carbs without gaining, but at a certain point, I start to want to eat sugar. Chocolate in particular. A lot of low carb people seem to be happy staying very low in carbs and say they don't crave sugar any more. But I am witness to the loads of sugar substitute recipes that these same people enjoy. So, I think the desire for sweetness is often still there, but others feel comfortable using things like sucralose, saccharine, maltitol, etc. Although I have used those products sometimes, the only one I feel 'safe' using is stevia, and although it is great in drinks and yogurt, it doesn't do baked goods as well. Actually, I honestly don't feel that any of the low carb 'goodie' recipes are as satisfying to me as the real sugar/flour counterpart. At least, I haven't found any that I could say this about.

So, anyway, I have to be honest with myself and admit that I am not 'over' my love for sweet things (although I am with the poster who wrote that Krispy Kremes sound nasty). And I probably never will be. In my mind, the smart thing to do is recognize the tendency and manage it effectively.

My thought in trying to incorporate Teresas suggestions for diet is not that I want to ignore my need to eat moderate-lower carb generally, but rather that I appreciate the guideline on how to be able to enjoy the foods that I know I like to eat--without making them a daily habit. To me, GM/MM may have a little different meaning than it does to some. I can eat my regular diet on a GM day (which for me, translates to the lower carb diet I have been eating--meats, eggs, lots of non-starchy veggies, some yogurt, nuts, and a little fruit. I would like to tweak this a bit for my blood type--decrease red meat, increase the veggies and grapefruit--and see what happens. On MM days, I could eat the foods I know I am more sensitive to, like starches, cheese and the desserts that I really do still enjoy.

What impressed me about Teresa's recommendations is that they appear so flexible, they seem to be adap

[Heather73]

My understanding is that NHE is a program called Natural Hormone Enhancemant, which is a body building diet program. And NT is Naturally Thin, which is a non-diet way of eating. At least, this is what I found when I did a search.
quote:Originally posted by Jalilifer

Color me clueless -- what is the NHE program and what does NT stand for?

Take care,

Mary
mom to Lili (11), Jenny (9), and Jack (7)

"I think, therefore I have a headache." -- Me


~ A Happy Tapper! ~

[Jalilifer]

Thanks, Heather!

Take care,

Mary
mom to Lili (11), Jenny (9), and Jack (7)

"I think, therefore I have a headache." -- Me
[/quote]

~ A Happy Tapper! ~
[/quote]

Take care,

Mary
mom to Lili (11), Jenny (9), and Jack (7)

"I think, therefore I have a headache." -- Me

[Mermaid]

Heather73,
I'm really impressed with the way you have been willing to experiment, listen to your body, listen to others' ideas, and synthesize it all into a workable plan for yourself. I think you'll do just great. The most important thing is to be aware of what you are eating, why you are eating it, and how it is being handled by your body--and you seem to be pretty good at that!

It's when we mindlessly follow others' advice and slip into denial about what is happening to our body, that we can slip into ill health all too quickly. I've definitely been there--and came out diabetic. It's people like me, who have really messed themselves up that I worry about and really want to help. Fortunately, most T-Tappers do not fall into this category (I think), and can safely follow the more loosely structured eating plans. I'm very happy for people who can eat more than 30 grams of carbs a day and still lose/maintain weight and be healthy. My husband is one of those, and life is definitely easier for him.

[Heather73]

quote:Originally posted by Mermaid

Heather73,
I'm really impressed with the way you have been willing to experiment, listen to your body, listen to others' ideas, and synthesize it all into a workable plan for yourself. I think you'll do just great. The most important thing is to be aware of what you are eating, why you are eating it, and how it is being handled by your body--and you seem to be pretty good at that!

It's when we mindlessly follow others' advice and slip into denial about what is happening to our body, that we can slip into ill health all too quickly. I've definitely been there--and came out diabetic. It's people like me, who have really messed themselves up that I worry about and really want to help. Fortunately, most T-Tappers do not fall into this category (I think), and can safely follow the more loosely structured eating plans. I'm very happy for people who can eat more than 30 grams of carbs a day and still lose/maintain weight and be healthy. My husband is one of those, and life is definitely easier for him.


Thank you, Mermaid. LOL, I am a walking experiment. And I have definitely done my share of mindless following in the past. But, hopefully, I have taken away some good lessons. It is good that you think to look out for those who are new to the maze of information that is available. [^] One person's salvation can literally be poison to someone else, so I believe it is always good to research well and know your options.

I am sorry to learn of your diabetes. I understand it can be very difficult to live with. Someone who is close to me is in a dangerous position with gestational diabetes and her doctors are telling her to eat more low glycemic carbs and take insulin at night to control her soaring blood sugar. I don't get that. It seems to me if she ate fewer carbs she wouldn't need so much insulin. [?]

I sent her my copy of Teresa's seminar in which she explains how hoedowns can help control blood sugar but I don't know if she is trying it. I have been doing them often whenever I eat starch or sugars, and I feel so much better than I did pre-T. Higher carb meals used to make me feel sluggish and sleepy, but when I do hoedowns, I feel energized and I can avoid the post meal slump I often had before. Sometimes I do a double set if I am not too wiped out after the first set.

Are you able to eat more carbs if you do hoedowns after meals?





~ A Happy Tapper! ~

[Mermaid]

Thanks for your thoughtful reply, Heather.

Hoe-downs only drop my blood sugar about 10 to 15 points usually. A whole workout only drops it about 20-30 points. But the good news is that I keep it generally under 130 anyway. Those dramatic blood sugar drops Teresa refers to are people who cruise at a much higher blood sugar level to start with, like 180+.

My diabetes started with gestational 5 years ago. I was lucky that my mainstream hospital dietician (who was type 1 diabetic) advocated controlled carbs/no insulin. I was able to keep my blood sugars under 120 most of the time with no insulin or drugs by eating around 60 grams of carbs per day, with no more than 15 to 20 grams at one meal. The only starchy thing I allowed myself was 2 slices of Alvarado Street organic sprouted bread (YU-MMY!!) at 15 grams carbs per slice. The rest of my carbs came from veggies. I felt fine, no complications, and baby was not overweight. I am giving you these details so you can tell your friend, whose body is getting a battering by the standard high carb/insulin routine. Argh!!!

I also cannot understand how overeating carbs is supposed to help a diabetic. Makes absolutely no sense. If you have a blood sugar monitor, then you can eat the RIGHT amount of carbs to keep your energy/nutrition level high, and blood sugars normal. It really should be as simple as that.

BTW: Anyone can get a blood sugar monitor on Ebay for under $15. Finger pokes really are no big deal, and can give you an important reality check. HbA1c home tests are also available for around $20. There are supposedly millions of undiagnosed diabetics and pre-diabetics out there, and probably lack of insurance is causing people to be undiagnosed. That was so in my case, and it did a lot of damage to my body that I am having to work hard to undo now! By all means, do see a doctor if you can afford one, but be wary of their sometimes outdated diet advice.;)

[Heather73]

Hm. I feel like I am hijacking this thread. But I suppose since we are discussing how diet affects blood sugar levels, it is okay?

Thank you for your insight, Mermaid. I actually bought some bs testing equipment so I could test the claims made for hoedowns. The aforementioned experience with mindless following has made me much more cautious about recommending the newest 'wonderful' diet or exercise routine to anyone else. Anyway, I get a 10-15point drop as well. I am not diabetic, so I suppose I should consider that a good thing. I would end up with low blood sugar if it actually cut me by 30 points!

It is wonderful you got the care you needed during your pregnancy. And that your doctor understands about the carb-blood sugar connection. Thank you for sharing your experience. I have already suggested to my friend that she try to cut way down on her starches (potatoes, white rice, bread,) and supplement with non-starchy veggies like salads, green beans, broccoli, etc. And to limit fruit to one or two servings a day. The things she would be cutting out don't have all that much nutritional content anyway. Mostly just calories and starch. She did try that one night for dinner and her two hour test was 'perfect', she said. I don't want to play doctor to her, but I think it is awful that her doctors seem to refuse to help her with her diet. Well, they think they are helping, I guess. But the official dietary regimine where she lives seems to be the high carb/slow carb-lower fat thing.[V]
She actually lives in a country that has a socialized medical system, so she can get basic health care, testing and such without having to pay out of pocket and she has blood sugar testing equipment for home... Apparently, though, she needs specialists which she does have to pay for.

My friend also has trouble with high blood pressure and too much weight gain during the pregnancy ( I tend to blame out of control insulin for the weight). On the one hand her docs are giving her trouble about her weight while on the other they are giving her next to no support in the area of nutrition. I don't know if these people are ignorant by choice or if they truly do believe the only healthy way to eat is high carb--but they are gambling with her life and it makes me really mad.

The Alvarado Street bread is the BEST! Not too heavy, but very satisfying and wholesome tasting. The California Style has always been my favorite. And it used to be pretty low carb compared to most breads. But I think they changed the recipe a couple of years ago, so now it is closer to regular bread. Still, it is tasty![:p]

Obviously, higher carbs work for some people, and I wouldn't try to convince someone who eats that way and is healthy that they are eating the wrong things. Low carb eating definitely does have its place, and I personally believe if you already have a messed up metabolism (either by genetic default, unavoidable disease or carb-abuse) that eating low carb will not cause the damage that some people believe. The damage has already been done and so the carb intake needs to match the body's ability to process the blood sugars. Trying to eat more than your body can handle will only cause problems. I actually have read of people "recovering" their ability to eat higher carb diets once they gave their body a break from floundering around in the Sugar-Syrup Sea. I understand not everyone will have that experience, but it can happen. :D

I am fascinated by T's statements about how the exercise program actually 'rebuilds primary body functions as well as increase base metabolic rate and resting glucose utilization.' Since I am very new to T-Tapp, I only have a few months experience behind me. I can't say whether or not I agree with this yet. Increased metabolic rate I already believe, since increased muscle does raise resting metabolic rate.

Unfortunately, I am still trying to break out of the dieting mentality. Not just carb counting, but I was counting EVERYTHING-fat, protein, calories. It is tiresome, a

[AllieCat0817]

Heather, thank you for your posts!! I appreciate them.

Allie's Weight Loss Pages
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-AllieCat0817
213.5/126.5-131/140 5'5"

[Mermaid]

I am posting on this thread because I feel the need for an alternative opinion on low-carb dieting. I sincerely thank Teresa and moderators for allowing that. On many forums, these posts would simply vanish.

Heather--your friend's high blood pressure could indeed be related to too many carbs. Look up "syndrome X" on Google and you can find studies that point to that.

I don't blame you for not wanting to count every little gram or calorie of what you eat. Even Dr. Atkins said that many low-carbers just do it by feel after they get the hang of it, like he himself did. If they start feeling crappy or gaining weight, they just rein in a little. That's pretty much what I do now, although I go by my blood sugar checks in addition to how I feel. And look at George Stella's family (author of Stella Style cookbooks)--his family of four lost over 500 pounds total by eating low-carb, but not counting carb grams or calories. In addition to being much thinner, they all look pretty healthy too.

[Heather73]

quote:Originally posted by AllieCat0817

Heather, thank you for your posts!! I appreciate them.

Allie's Weight Loss Pages
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-AllieCat0817
213.5/126.5-131/140 5'5"
:)Thanks, Allie. I am new to Tapping, but definitely not new to diet/nutritional issues. You name the program, and I have probably at least heard of it or read of something similar!:D If I didn't think outside the box so much, I might really enjoy becoming a registered dietician--or nutritionist. But I doubt I would pass the required exams because I think I disagree too often with 'standard' dietary wisdom. Oh, well, sharing is fun! If someone can be helped by my experience/mistakes, all the better. But definitely don't take my word for anything. Each of us needs to be responsible for our own choices. The way I see it, the more we know about what food does to our own bodies the wiser will be our decisions in choosing what we should eat. If anyone says you *should* or *should not* be eating something because it does or does not agree with them personally, thank them for their concern and keep it in mind, but don't base your own choices on their say-so.

I have come to believe that NO food is good or evil of itself. Nutritionally rich or poor-- Beneficial to an individuals body chemistry or not when consumed-- these things should be noted, for sure. And, by all means avoid what you cannot tolerate. But I do think it is a mistake to demonize any food category, be it meat, fat, carb, cooked, or even manufactured. I have tried this and ended up obsessed with every bite that went into my mouth. And I felt serious GUILT whenever I ate something that was not on my 'approved' list. That would often lead to binging because I felt I had 'failed' my eating plan. No matter that I had been 'perfect' for the previous 3 weeks, or that it was only one serving of the forbidden food.

My experience: My attitude toward food and eating makes a huge difference in what/when/how much I eat. It is only food. It doesn't need to control my life, but it does have a proper place--and can and should be enjoyed within those boundaries. So, my new attitude is this: Maximize the foods that suit me. Minimize the ones that don't (without making a religion out of it) and ENJOY LIFE!

T's plan of alternating days is a perfect solution for me. I can eat what suits me most of the time and still have an occasional treat. I still think I will save the least nutritious choices (like baked goods or candy) for once a week or less. This isn't so different from a typical body builder's diet that is fairly strict most of the week--perhaps cycling carbs/calories every 3 days or so--with one 'cheat' meal per week. Well, it is different in that many body builders/atheletes use complex calculations to optimize their food intake. I don't want to go back to that.

T-Tapp's GM/MM does not have to mean I eat stuff that does not suit my body. According the blood type diet recommendations, I should be eating a lot of grain products and practically NO animal proteins. Sure I could if I want to put back the 20 pounds I finally got off and end up weak and sick. I know I do need less grain and at least some form of protein foods. Perhaps not pork or beef, but at least eggs or chicken or fish EVERY day. I also know I need some form of healthy fats (more than is recommended for my blood type). But I have found olive oil, fish oil, a bit of flax seed oil and a little coconut oil and butter are fine. I just bought a jar of red palm oil to try, but I don't know if I like it, yet. I don't do well with fatty meats or heavy cream on a regular basis, so I have no trouble dumping them.

You know, I was just thinking about what we tend to bring to mind when we see or hear the word 'diet'. Most of the time, we conjure up thoughts of sever

[Heather73]

quote:Originally posted by Mermaid

I am posting on this thread because I feel the need for an alternative opinion on low-carb dieting. I sincerely thank Teresa and moderators for allowing that. On many forums, these posts would simply vanish.

Heather--your friend's high blood pressure could indeed be related to too many carbs. Look up "syndrome X" on Google and you can find studies that point to that.

I don't blame you for not wanting to count every little gram or calorie of what you eat. Even Dr. Atkins said that many low-carbers just do it by feel after they get the hang of it, like he himself did. If they start feeling crappy or gaining weight, they just rein in a little. That's pretty much what I do now, although I go by my blood sugar checks in addition to how I feel. And look at George Stella's family (author of Stella Style cookbooks)--his family of four lost over 500 pounds total by eating low-carb, but not counting carb grams or calories. In addition to being much thinner, they all look pretty healthy too.


Thank you, Mermaid. I have heard of syndrome X but not done a lot of research on it. Maybe it is time!

I agree, it is very gracious of the powers that be to allow us to discuss the pluses and minuses of eating specifically to T-Tapp recommendations. I did note I am hogging up the thread,though, so I will back off now.

I am definitely a 'by feel' sort of girl, And have seen ads for the Stella Style books but have never actually read one. I might have to check my library or bookstore, now.

~ A Happy Tapper! ~

[Mermaid]

quote:I agree, it is very gracious of the powers that be to allow us to discuss the pluses and minuses of eating specifically to T-Tapp recommendations. I did note I am hogging up the thread,though, so I will back off now.

I copy that, Heather. Mermaid out! ;)

SPLASH!

[Brenna]

bump

[monica213]

bump :D

Michelle Barbuto - Senior T-Tapp Trainer
Total Workout, MORE, Hit the Floor and Lady Bug certified

Updated website and training schedule www.fitwithsix.com
Join me! November T-Tapp YOU online class (http://www.t-tapp.com/events/event_detail.asp?event_id=607)

[AngelLeigh]

Bump

AngeLeah &gt;&lt;((((º&gt;¸¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•...¸&gt;&lt;((((º&gt;

[AngelLeigh]

THAT is one of things i love about T-Tapp...it is sooo Sane!
I don't think dieting is right...
I think nutrition education...and trying to eat the best for you is great. The God-Made foods....feed you...the rest can just be added for taste...cheating if you want to call it.
I used to see everything as black & white....good/bad food....
I've let up..and have a better time eating now...

AngeLeah &gt;&lt;((((º&gt;¸¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•...¸&gt;&lt;((((º&gt;

[Annie4637]

BUMPETY BUMP BUMP bump bump....[:p]

Lisa

<center>Learn from yesterday, Dream for tomorrow,
Live for today...</center>

[angelmaria46]

Hi,
After having read this topic the first couple of pages, interested in knowing what NT or NHE is. Could anyone tell me? And is there a list of initials anywhere on this website because I am confused what the initials are. If I knew I would not ask and could understand what everyone is talking about, but I don't.

I apologize. I haven't been up-to-date with the "codes", that's what I am calling them. I have been busy and was ill for a short time, but still what are the codes/initials being shortened for if the Newbies like myself don't know what they mean. That's all I'm going to say for now.


Thank you
~Empress Jerica~ :-)
aka Cindy

With God's Will, I Can Do It!

[kml]

NT stands for Naturally Thin, which is a method followed by the T-Tapp Trainer Lani Muelrath. Here's the link to her bio:
http://www.ttapp.com/trainers/lani/

I think with NT the aim is to teach your body to respond correctly to healthful amounts of food by never letting it go into starvation mode. So I believe NT would be considered a way of eating rather than a "diet."

I'm not familiar with NHE, but I hope the NT info will help a little bit. You can probably get lots of info from Lani.

Krista

[Heather73]

NHE: Natural Hormonal Enhancement by Rob Faigin http://www.amazon.com/Natural-Hormonal-Enhancement-Rob-Faigin/dp/0967560500

<center>~ A Happy Tapper! ~

**Freedom allows us to make our own choices. It also requires us to take personal responsibility for those decisions**
~Tapping back to a healthy size after welcoming our 5th tiny blessing 4/25/08~
Perpetual Construction Zone: Your patience is appreciated!
</center>

[angelmaria46]

Thanks Krista & Heather!
Now I understand what Teresa is talking about on the first page when she mentions several weight loss eating plans (meaning "diets", I prefer calling the prior), which some of them are fad eating plans.

I'm following the Inside-Out Diet (I prefer calling it weight loss eating plan, it's all organic) because I'm semi-ovo vegetarian. I occasionally eat chicken (2-3Xs/month) and rarely turkey (usually on Thanksgiving). Health Improvement and no inflammation is very important to me because I am diabetic (blood sugar is under control), have rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure and hyperthyroid (but I think the dr meant hypothyroid). I'm consuming vitamins and herb supplements including the medications, and doing some of the T-Tapp program and a free weights program. My muscles need a lot of strength, so I have been doing T-Tapp for several months then one of my doctors recommended adding free weights to strengthen my joints, too.

I completely trust Teresa's viewpoint, but anyone else I have to do research and read, see other posts to be able to understand them and decide to believe or not what they have written. I apologize. I am not all-knowing, I'm just careful, because there have been quite a few misconceptions from a couple of ladies on this website. I will not mention their names, I have respect and care for them. They are awesome and have cool personalities. :)

Thank you
~Empress Jerica~ :-)
aka Cindy

With God's Will, I Can Do It!

[Cindi]

Theresa mentions the Zone Diet, but states it's confusing, which it is.

A book that uses the Zone principles but makes eating the program a lot easier is a book that's out of print, but can still be ordered on Half.com or Amazon, it's called 40-40-30 Fat Burning Nutrition by Gene and Joyce Daoust.

[Lizzy Joy]

Today I stumbled across this thread, and didn't even remember posting on it several years ago... it is no coincidence! I needed to read Teresa's viewpoint on dieting again today! :)

Thanks for bumping this up! YAY!!!

My husband and I have been doing a healthy "Juice Fast" every Monday... and recently felt led to try it every other day for a couple of weeks. We hoped it would help give us more "control" over our eating and result in weight loss and added energy.

We prefer God-made foods, but also enjoy the convenience (and sometimes crave the flavors) of a fast-food burger and fried onion rings every once in awhile! With four kids and a busy schedule, GM/MM works best for us. I needed to be reminded of this. :)

Unfortunately, on our most recent weight loss journey (we never say diet!) my hubby and I found that AFTER a healthy juice day, our regular eating days began turning into "binge days"... and often on less than healthy choices. :(

Thank you, Teresa... your words of wisdom came back to me at just the right time!


Regarding "all or none diets" (like no carbs, no fat, etc) I don't recommend them because they can create imbalance metabolically and with weight gain returning quickly and often with even more weight added to original amount before drastic diet.

[Piglet2u]

Personally I thing GM-MM way of eating makes the most sense of it ALL.
The blood type diet is very interesting, although I don't know that I agree with all of his theories. My husband and I, before knowing about this book noticed that when we eat, he naturally dives into the veggies first and I the meat. It was a curious thing when we discovered that I am a blood type O - the type that benefits most from meat and he is a blood type A, the type more given to vegetarianism. Now he is not a vegetarian, but he loves his veggies and fruits moreso than I do.

I believe our Creator designed our bodies so specifically and with so much detail that if we listen to our bodies, it tells us what we need...but we do have to use our wisdom and intelligence to determine what FORM of that need to give it. Nutrition is a wonderful science that I wish I had studied many years ago. But it's never too late to learn what is best for our bodies.

I love how Teresa has shown us that we can still "cheat" within reason and that after our body has been retrained, its innately designed efficiency will help maintain its proper weight and form. It's normal for our weight to fluctuate a few pounds. It's keeping that balance that will keep us happy all the way around! :)

[Piglet2u]

I recently read the ESE book and have to say that I have a new mindset towards it now. It's very doable and fasting is wonderful for helping the body detox.

With the January Jump Start Challenge and being on a 21-day spiritual fast where I have not been eating meat, sweets or leavened bread, I have been eating most of my meals at home. I weigh myself almost daily and with my more simplified eating choices I can really tell when I eat something I didn't make, the difference in the scale. Certain choices can drive that body fat and weight up in less than 24 hrs! Amazing and a real eye opener.

This Daniel Fast & the January Jump Start Challenge has me looking at food very differently. I am learning which foods make a negative difference and now I ask myself if that particular food is worth the temporary set back to my reducing? In most cases the answer is no. I have identified some foods that I am going to remove from my diet long-term. I am learning to think of those foods as negative foods instead of yummy comfort foods. What comfort is a food that adds to my already excessive fat?

Now some foods will be worth it...but on a very infrequent basis. I don't have to list my cheat foods because we all have them and they are different for everyone. But one thing I know is that I'm not going to use food for a "reward". I would rather reward myself with a smaller size of clothing or a massage or some other type of personal pampering.

I am so grateful for this new beginning! If changing my eating choices will get me the Fit & Fabulous Body I'm working for, then I embrace learning all about the foods that will see me on my T-Tapping way! :clappinghands:

[Blissful]

that's great Piglet, so glad you've found something that works and feels right for you!

[Lori French]

Anything by Michael Pollan.

Food, Inc and King Corn are fabulous movies he was involved with.

His books Food Rules: An Eater's Manual, In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto, and

The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals are all excellent books,

readily available at all libraries and will make you rethink the way you eat. And what you eat.

Eat food, it's that easy.

We especially liked Food Rules. It can be read in minutes and be understood by even the youngest!

[Lori French]

Oops, sorry Asha!

Does India not *do* libraries or is there just not one in your neck of the woods??

And of course, they probably wouldn't have Pollan anyway........

[BlessedMama]

piglet, that is GREAT! I'm so happy for you! And good thoughts--if it makes me feel badly or fat, it's not really comfort food--it's our enemy! :behave:

Lori, I'll have to check out those books!

My 18 yodd and I are going gluten free for awhile. I'm not sure if it's gluten per se or just wheat, but we both have issues.

I noticed Sherry mentioned Schwarzbein--I've had good results when I eat that way! In fact, I'm trying to get back to that overall plan!

Thanks for bumping this up, Asha! It's always good to reread!

[Sorsha]

Hi Teresa and all!

Thank you so much for posting this. I've tried to listen to my body and eat without any particular food plan...but I just kept gaining and gaining. I recently re-joined Weight Watchers and like using the point system. I feel like following the points gives me a way to measure my appetite. The first week, I was so hungry between meals, that my tummy was growling at me. :-)

I've been following Weight Watchers since March and as of this Friday, I achieved my first 5% goal. My tummy rarely growls at me anymore.

Last night, I tried the MORE workout and was able to do the workout all the way through for the first time in months. I was so proud of myself and could really feel my abs the rest of the night. What a strange fascinating feeling that is!

I so badly needed help with my portion control, and Weight Watchers is helping me with that. I also like being able to go to weekly meetings with a friend at work and having a buddy makes a huge difference. The other thing I love about WW is the awards we get. I love earning a Bravo Star Sticker for doing something positive during the week. I'm also looking forward to earning my 10% key chain and all the little charms I'll get to earn to put on that key chain.

T-Tapp is amazing, but for someone who desperately needed help with portion control, WW is the perfect partner.

So, last night I did the MORE workout...this morning, when I weighed myself, I was down another whole pound. :-D With WW, participants are only supposed to lose 2 pounds or less a week...I suspect that number will be easily attainable now that I'm T-Tapping again. :-)

Hugs,

Sorsha

[Joyfirst]

Sosha, so glad you found what works for you!

[TaraC]

Thanks Teresa for the GM/MM healthy eating plan, I love it!! :clappinghands:

I have tried many diets in my time but have always jacked them in. Your plan is great and easy to follow. I never have any cravings on GM days, apart from chocolate at that time of the month! but even those cravings are less now.

It's so easy when you know that you can have the cookie or ice-cream or whatever in a couple of days if you want it! It helps me to abstain!!

Thanks again Teresa :D

[NeonJungle]

Anything by Michael Pollan.

I second that! I love his motto: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."

Other good books I've enjoyed:

"The End of Overeating" -- very interesting, and written by the former head of the FDA. Opened my eyes about "food scientists."

I also liked "Fast Food Nation" and "Fat Land: How Americans Became the Fattest People in the World" -- they are eye openers about the foods, restaurants, additives like HFCS, etc. that I "grew up" with, being born in '67.

[Brenna]

I'm thinkin maybe theres some wisdom behind just tappin and worryin aobut food later. I'm thinking maybe that might be it. maybe for some of us we have to be really tappin for years or at least a while before our body is ready to channge the diet or our minds or whatever. I've heard of some tappers who, after like 2-3 years of t-tapp, their body took gm/mm eating better than before.

so maybe, our bodies aren't always ready for the change.

[Blissful]

I'm thinkin maybe theres some wisdom behind just tappin and worryin aobut food later. I'm thinking maybe that might be it. maybe for some of us we have to be really tappin for years or at least a while before our body is ready to channge the diet or our minds or whatever. I've heard of some tappers who, after like 2-3 years of t-tapp, their body took gm/mm eating better than before.

so maybe, our bodies aren't always ready for the change.

I think that's a great observation Brenna, just concentrate on one thing at a time and T-tapp is a great start then s -l - o - w - l - y add other health improvements. If you can add some extra water or extra fruits/veg and high quality protein during the day , great! don't beat yourself up if you don't.

I've seen it said many times on here that we start feeling better when doing T-tapp and it makes you WANT to do good things for your body! Your body almost seems to start craving the right stuff because it's rehabbing itself with the workout and needs those nutrients to build all that new muscle!:clappinghands:don't overwhelm yourself at the start:)

[Anne Marie]

Like Teresa's sister, I lost about 25 lbs. on WW a few years ago, and kept it off until it started creeping back recently...at which point I remembered T-TAPP! And hustled my increasing fanny back where I belong. :) WW has a lot of sensible positives, and the meetings can be both inspiring and affirming in that you meet friends who are pursuing the same goal. But I do agree w/Teresa about the obsession with counting points. Just learning to eyeball your portions, find the fruit & veggie platter at the party, and think before you put something in your mouth is quite helpful. If you can use WW with that in mind, I'd certainly do so. AFTER I finished my Tapping for the day!

[cbuffy]

Brenna - I totally agree. I have been tapping now for almost a year. (started July 30) Last month I decided to take the bull by the horns (well, actually my dh's bull by the horns - he is a very reluctant tapper, but NEEDED to lose 30-40 pounds...) I decided to go cold turkey and clean up our eating.

Cut out dairy 100%. Cut out grains, seeds, nuts 100%. Cut out ALL added salt and sugar. Protein in EVERY meal with a QUALITY carb and veggie. LOTS of green leafy veggies, lots of other, more creative veggies than I've ever served before. We eat 5 meals everyday - I have everything pre-cooked and pre-portioned for the day-time meals and then cook for our evening meal. It was actually quite painless! The first few days there were some cravings, but once I learned to be more creative in my prep, we have done really well. So far he has lost 25 pounds (started June 1) and I have lost 9.

I continue to tapp EOD (BWO+) but now that the layer of fat is gone, I'm LOVING the cut of my muscles!!!!!

[Blissful]

So far he has lost 25 pounds (started June 1) and I have lost 9.

!!

MEN!!! not fair! LOL

[TaraC]

We eat 5 meals everyday - I have everything pre-cooked and pre-portioned for the day-time meals and then cook for our evening meal. It was actually quite painless!

I'd love to know what you're eating. Could you tell us some examples of the pre-cooked, pre-portioned meals please?? :thinkingabout:

[NeonJungle]

I'd love to know, too! It would be great to pre-portion meals, have a day where I pre-cook for the week. Was it time consuming to get into a schedule of doing that? Can you share some tips on how you got the process going? With no dairy and no nuts or grains, I'm wondering about the protein, too! I am the odd one out in our house, as I'm not a big chicken fan unless it's fried or cooked in an unhealthy way. So when we eat boneless, skinless breasts, it's like shoe leather. I do like the leanest beef, and we eat that. But I'd love some ideas for more sources of protein, especially since you don't do dairy or nuts. I like nuts, and dairy, but my DH isn't a fan of either. But -- go figure -- he loves the chicken, no matter how I cook it, and when it's baked or steamed it is just tough and stringy to me. I've taken to pounding the breasts with my pressure cooker pot in hopes of making it more tender when I try to cook it in a healthy manner. Thanks in advance for any ideas! :)

[Donnella]

I'd love to know, too! It would be great to pre-portion meals, have a day where I pre-cook for the week. Was it time consuming to get into a schedule of doing that? Can you share some tips on how you got the process going? With no dairy and no nuts or grains, I'm wondering about the protein, too! I am the odd one out in our house, as I'm not a big chicken fan unless it's fried or cooked in an unhealthy way. So when we eat boneless, skinless breasts, it's like shoe leather. I do like the leanest beef, and we eat that. But I'd love some ideas for more sources of protein, especially since you don't do dairy or nuts. I like nuts, and dairy, but my DH isn't a fan of either. But -- go figure -- he loves the chicken, no matter how I cook it, and when it's baked or steamed it is just tough and stringy to me. I've taken to pounding the breasts with my pressure cooker pot in hopes of making it more tender when I try to cook it in a healthy manner. Thanks in advance for any ideas! :)

Try marinating your chicken breasts overnight in a good oil & vinegar with sea salt & fresh ground pepper. I usually sear mine on both sides in a skillet that is oven-proof, then cover and finish in the oven. It's also great sliced cold and added to salads.

[NeonJungle]

Thanks, Donnella! I'll try that!

[JoyfulMomof6]

Time for a bump!

[pharmhoust]

What does NHE stand for ?
What does NT stand for?
Thank you