Hello, my apologies for not having posted for such a long time. The sugar-free-year stil continues and is going well!
Things have been hectic in my personal life, though -- my Mum had a stroke on September 8 and I have been travelling a lot to see her (1600-km round trip each time), hence the lack of regular posts.
It was a large hemorrhagic stroke due to an aneurysm, which in turn was probably due to high blood pressure -- will research the effects of sugar on blood pressure and get back to you. My aunt died of a cerebral aneurysm, so perhaps this is a familial tendency I can head off with careful diet.
Meanwhile, I know all my friends will be sending encouragement and sympathy on behalf of Mum -- thank you in advance! She is still in hospital and will shortly move to an extended care home.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Sugar-free year continues!
Still continuing sugar-free -- the only drawback (as I mentioned in the previous post), is that because my appetite is dampened compared to what it used to be, in stressful situations it tends to almost disappear.
My wonderful boss recently announced he's leaving, and the resulting uncertainty at work has caused me to lose a few pounds -- I actually have to force myself to eat. I'm hoping some vigorous exercise today coupled with a delicious dinner tonight with friends will reverse this trend!
It's interesting -- I always used to wonder when reading Dickens, Austen, etc. how the characters could lose their appetites when stressed. Modern North Americans seem to do the reverse ("comfort eating"). Now I understand, as this is exactly what happens to me.
My wonderful boss recently announced he's leaving, and the resulting uncertainty at work has caused me to lose a few pounds -- I actually have to force myself to eat. I'm hoping some vigorous exercise today coupled with a delicious dinner tonight with friends will reverse this trend!
It's interesting -- I always used to wonder when reading Dickens, Austen, etc. how the characters could lose their appetites when stressed. Modern North Americans seem to do the reverse ("comfort eating"). Now I understand, as this is exactly what happens to me.
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Japanese attitudes to sugar
We're currently hosting a Japanese high-school student, Takuya Kozai, for three weeks. He and his classmates, who are staying with other host families in our city, frequently (though very politely, of course) comment on the large portions and the sweetness of Western food.
For example, we took Takuya out for Chinese food, and he found the Lemon Chicken much too sweet. He and his friend Yasuhiro also laughed incredulously when I served them THREE scoops of ice cream -- this struck them as totally excessive and sent them off on a discussion of the general largeness of North American life, including enormous shopping centres, cars, etc. (Our local shopping centre is actually quite small compared to those in Vancouver!) As well, Takuya has told me a couple of times that the packed lunches I send for him are too large. . . I'm slowly learning!
A couple of times during the visit I've eaten sugar by mistake (e.g., setting hospitable example and eating Japanese dumplings with (sugary) dipping sauce, eating at a restaurant) -- the resulting increase in sugar cravings and general appetite is surprising.
On the other hand, I've discovered a pitfall -- in times of stress, my appetite tends to diminish anyway, and this effect is even more pronounced now that I'm sugar-free. Last week I was so busy and tired that without realizing it, I didn't eat enough, and almost fainted at work (to the alarm the colleague with whom I was meeting at the time).
Perhaps due to aforesaid stress/busy-ness, weight is now 136.5 lb - inching closer to high-school weight of 128. Having said that, though, I feel very strongly that body composition is much more important than weight -- better to be heavier and leaner than thin and flabby, as I am now. But I can fix that!
For example, we took Takuya out for Chinese food, and he found the Lemon Chicken much too sweet. He and his friend Yasuhiro also laughed incredulously when I served them THREE scoops of ice cream -- this struck them as totally excessive and sent them off on a discussion of the general largeness of North American life, including enormous shopping centres, cars, etc. (Our local shopping centre is actually quite small compared to those in Vancouver!) As well, Takuya has told me a couple of times that the packed lunches I send for him are too large. . . I'm slowly learning!
A couple of times during the visit I've eaten sugar by mistake (e.g., setting hospitable example and eating Japanese dumplings with (sugary) dipping sauce, eating at a restaurant) -- the resulting increase in sugar cravings and general appetite is surprising.
On the other hand, I've discovered a pitfall -- in times of stress, my appetite tends to diminish anyway, and this effect is even more pronounced now that I'm sugar-free. Last week I was so busy and tired that without realizing it, I didn't eat enough, and almost fainted at work (to the alarm the colleague with whom I was meeting at the time).
Perhaps due to aforesaid stress/busy-ness, weight is now 136.5 lb - inching closer to high-school weight of 128. Having said that, though, I feel very strongly that body composition is much more important than weight -- better to be heavier and leaner than thin and flabby, as I am now. But I can fix that!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Want to avoid cancer? Be "as lean as possible," study advises
This site sumarizes a report released in October 2007 by the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research.
The report describes the results of five years of study, during which nine teams of scientists reviewed 7,000 studies on diet, exercise, weight and cancer.
They concluded that cancer isn't something that "just happens" -- rather, it's the long-term result of dietary influences and other factors.
Their #1 recommendation for preventing cancer? "Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight."
This means having a body mass index of between 21 and 23.
The report describes the results of five years of study, during which nine teams of scientists reviewed 7,000 studies on diet, exercise, weight and cancer.
They concluded that cancer isn't something that "just happens" -- rather, it's the long-term result of dietary influences and other factors.
Their #1 recommendation for preventing cancer? "Be as lean as possible within the normal range of body weight."
This means having a body mass index of between 21 and 23.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Licorice temptations
weeping-willow Flickr Photo (CC)My recent visit to my mother was a challenge:
- I forgot to mention about the sugar-free year, so she'd scattered bowls of licorice allsorts and jelly beans around to welcome me (so kind!)
- She's quite forgetful and kept offering and re-offering the candy, even after I'd explained. After the tenth time, I just said, "Not right now, thanks!"
- I was hungry from travelling!
Continued weight loss
poppalina Flickr Photo (CC)Two days ago (while travelling) I weighed in at 137.5 pounds (62.4 kilos), the lowest in more than 10 years. This is exciting!
I wasn't trying to lose weight, as my starting weight of 143 pounds was fairly healthy at my height of 5'8" (1.72 m). However, I'm happy with the loss, as I have a small frame and feel it suits me.
According to this chart, which references frame size, I'm now solidly in the "weight with lowest mortality rate" slot -- but before the SFY started, I was slightly above.
Hmmm, maybe my starting weight wasn't so healthy after all.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Problem with energy levels
It's not the usual problem experienced by many people my age -- too little energy -- my "problem" is just the reverse! Energy to BURN, a strong urge move, cravings for a sprint or a nice long walk . . . crazy! And so wonderful.
A couple of times last week at work, I just had to DO something -- hid in the corridor next to my office and did a bunch of jumping jacks, garnering funny looks from my co-workers. Then yesterday it was lunges around the parking lot and fast walks up and down a small hill while waiting for my son at his school.
I remember wondering as a child how adults could just SIT all the time -- it's great to be rediscovering those feelings, and my long-lost energy, at age 47.
A couple of times last week at work, I just had to DO something -- hid in the corridor next to my office and did a bunch of jumping jacks, garnering funny looks from my co-workers. Then yesterday it was lunges around the parking lot and fast walks up and down a small hill while waiting for my son at his school.
I remember wondering as a child how adults could just SIT all the time -- it's great to be rediscovering those feelings, and my long-lost energy, at age 47.
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