Friday, March 2, 2012

"Sing Hallujah! Come on get Healthy!"

As some of you know, I've been on Weight Watchers for 3 weeks now.  It's going well, and I'm not often hungry.  With the new Points Plus system where fruits and vegetables are 0 points, I've been eating more of those than I normally would.  And any hunger gaps that are left have been filled in with Weight Watchers and other snacks (such as WW little Choco Mint cookie = 2 pts) which are usually sweetened with fructose.


What does that mean for me?  Four things:

  1. Yum!
  2. I've lost 6 lbs so far! 
  3. Oodles of fibre
  4. I can still indulge my sweet tooth.


However, it's also come with some drawbacks.  


The extra fibre has been playing havoc with my digestive system!  There are the quite  frequent trips to the bathroom when my tummy speaks to me -- and speak it does!  It's downright chatty with it's gurgling and popping and whining!  And if it's not the tummy then it's the opposite end -- "Here a toot, there a toot, everywhere a toot-toot!"  Pardon me!  and thank goodness I work alone most of the time.  But I'm assured by my WW leader that (excuse the deliberate pun) this too shall pass!  Harharhar!  And the problem is a little better this week.  

The second drawback I've found is that I have a low tolerance for fructose (which may be contributing to my toot-elage)!  I had my usual green smoothie yesterday morning at 7 am (with spinach, yogurt, 1/2 banana and 2 Clementines); then I had an apple during my work break at 10 am.  And almost immediately, I had the most excruciating tummy pains and bloating.  This kind of thing has happened a few times in the past; but this time, I immediately looked it up online and then I put 2 and 2 together and came up with 4. 
 4-get the Fructose!

Yup!  Pretty sure it's excess fructose; and the culprit is probably that awful man-made chemical fructose.  I've also noticed that if I have a WW snack bar for my dinner-time dessert, I feel kind of sluggish the next morning.  So, it's a definite IXNAY on the chemical sweeteners for me.  But I'll also be watching my intake of fruit -- at least until my tummy quiets down so I can hear what the rest of my body is saying!  

So now, I've a new challenge to rise to.  How do I feed my body and my  cravings for sweets and chocolate in the most healthy way possible?  Never fear!  Doris the Great is here!  


Armed with her 57 years of knowledge (weeding out the naughty stuff, of course), high-speed internet, a daughter who's a health-food nut, a few good cookbooks and her amazing stick-to-it-ive-ness, Doris will delve deeply into superfruit and veggie-dom and boldly go where she hasn't gone before!  I'm excited.     


I hope you'll join me on this new food journey.  I'll be experimenting with some new recipes and sharing some of the amazing health facts that I find along the way.  

And who knows:  perhaps this will enable me to age a little more gracefully.........  
Or give me increased energy to find more wonderful (and harmless) ways to continue to age disgracefully!









10 comments:

Sea Witch said...

Fantastic and good for you. I wish you much success. Sea Witch

Pam @ Frippery said...

Sandy you are killing me! I have had the same problem twice this week and since I just started a 40 hour week in the cubicle I don't want to alienate the office pals. Too much roughage or perhaps ruff age haha. Anyway my boss stopped eating wheat and says it has made all the difference in bloating. Wow who would have thought this would be an interesting topic back when we were in high school? Times change. Too funny!

Pam @ Frippery said...

I forgot the most important thing, yeah, 6 pounds!

Red said...

This sounds like cruel punishment to me! Sort of unappealing food that makes you feel windy?? I don't think so.
Good luck on your journey. When you get there it will be worth it.

Terra said...

You described your symptoms in a funny way, girl.
I will check back since I might get some hints here for healthy snacks.
I keep water in the refrigerator so it is nice and cold, and tasty and I like Mojo bars.

Unknown said...

6 pounds gone that's wonderful! I've found the older I get the more tummy rummbles I have...just lucky I work from home. Thanks for visiting my blog. Warm hugs, Esther

Pamela Gordon said...

It's scary how much fructose is in our food, even the diet kind. I try to avoid it but it tastes so good. It sounds like you're on a good journey to good health. I am trying to lose 10 - 15 pounds on my own and it's SO hard! (it's my age and a super slow metabolism) Keep up with the battle! I like the new look of your blog. Have a good weekend. Pamela

TARYTERRE said...

Did I hear you tooting your own horn? LOL CONGRATS on your 6 lbs. That's a big deal. RESULTS are the best motivator. I absolutely HATE high fructose corn syrup in my foods. I try to avoid it but it's so hard. Everything seems to have it. Hang in there. Take care.

wendy said...

ah, weight loss...the ever going battle for a women. (well, most women)
I have lost 9 lbs. since the middle of January. Not great results, cause I cheat too much.
When hubby says, "lets go our for beer and wings", I have a hard time saying no.
no will power.
But I will keep at it.
Exercising every morning. Get this ol'body of mine moving.
I have 13 before I reach my FIRST goal. then if I could loose 5 more after that...EPIC.

Betsy said...

Hi Sandy,

I laughed out loud! I have the same problem sometimes. I am inspired by your weight loss/healthy living journey. I need to face reality and get serious about eating more healthy so I'll check back for more information. Oh the joys of getting older!

Betsy

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