Posts by danielnotdan

The problem with "socialist economic tendencies" is that those "tendencies" tend to  keep growing into greater and greater tendencies until they are edicts, then mandates then -- the hell with it -- the Nannygov't has to just take it all and dole out exactly what it feels you need. Why don't 'wicked liberals' like you ever take this "tendency" to it's natural conclusion? Have you nothing to say about the ever-increasing federal and state taxes? Do you EVER see an end to this "tendency"? When will you FINALLY get pissed off enough to say, "Y'know, gov't, I was silent when you were taking 45% of my income, but, now that it's crept up to 79+% I'm starting to get just the weeeeeeeeee bit concerned...." Do you think it's somehow "doing your fair share" to keep giving away more and more of your income to an ever-increasing, over-bloated government so that it can "spread it around"? Or do you feel that paying more taxes is the ...eh-HEM... "patriotic" thing to do? Socialism is a failed philosophy. It goes against practically every human instinct and how we're "wired".

Democratic socialsim vs. fascist capitalism? Please! National Socialism and Fascism are both socialist movements, with the government in control of every aspect of the economy. Good grief! Fascism does not allow for individual choice independent of the State. Capitalism cannot work if the individual is not free to choose within the marketplace. Fascism and Capitalism cannot co-exist.

Whoops! Knock on the door. Gotta go! ...now, where are my jack boots?

Great topic!

I think it may be time to explore this idea further, but I'd have to say that the Fat Cats in D.C. would be among the first to overthrow any attempts at changing the system. Just look at how they rail against term limits! The lust for power and control over a, say, $30M budget (in hypothetical and smallish "Red-ica") just won't hold a candle to a $300M budget and the juice that this yields for the entrenched Republocrats in the current democracy.

I'd be most concerned about prying THEIR greedy little fingers and mouths off of America's teats than I would about someone in Oregon wondering how or where they're going to live.

I understand the checks and balances of the current system, and it was brilliant at the time of its inception and for many years afterward. I truly wonder, though, if "Blue-ica" and "Red-ica" would be better off. Let the Blues have their huge socialist utopia, where EVERYone makes the same amount of money and lives in exactly the same housing (except for the government ops, that is). Let the Reds have their Bible-thumping, but limited government capitalism. However, I see this as turning ugly, because only ONE of those (albeit roughly-described) systems has ever worked WITH human nature. And the Have Nots would eventually swell with resentment and begin coveting the blessings and resources of their neighbors.

On its surface, a secession seems like it would quell great deal of the vicious bickering between ideological polar opposites. Not that everyone would agree in either Redica or Blueica, but if a country's citizens are ideologically aligned, why not let them choose by which benevolent dictatorship they'd agree to be governed?

I hate my scale! I have one of those "talking" ones, y'know, the ones that actually "speak" the weight?

But I'm gonna return it and complain to the manufacturer. Every time I get on it, it says, "HEY! BUDDY!! One at a time!!"

(ba-dump-BUMP!)

TOUGH LOVE TIME:
Like the above poster said, it's an honest companion. Remember, "FACTS are your FRIENDS."

"Afraid of the scale" is yet another way that we (and when I say "we" I mean "I") avoid facts. I've forgotten who first said it, but it's true: "Anything that can be measured can be improved."

The scale is NOT my enemy. My eating habits and attitude toward what goes in my mouth will be reflected (more or less, allowing for 'normal' fluctuation) by the numbers I see staring up at me from between my left and right foot. I recently stopped compulsively weighing myself everyday (couldn't take the aforementioned 'normal' fluctuations!!) and moved to a weigh-in every 10-days. I'm thinking of switching to a weekly weigh-in, but for now, I don't stress NEARLY as much as I used to.

In any case, it seems silly to me hating/fearing the very tool that will give you the feedback you need to make healthier decisions. Kind of like fearing the blood-pressure cuff, etc. We need to embrace these sort of things for what they are and deal with the REAL issue(s), which -- can we just be honest? -- is/are our habits and choices, and NOT those (lying!, no-good!!, stinking!!!) spring-loaded contraptions.

Look, there are times when NOTHING will taste better to me than a cold, carbonated soda. But, I just keep thinking about all the chemicals and putting that stuff through my intestines just starts to gross me out.

Say what you will about water, but our bodies crave it. "In some organisms, up to 90 percent of their body weight comes from water. Up to 60 percent of the human body is water, the brain is composed of 70 percent water, and the lungs are nearly 90 percent water. About 83 percent of our blood is water, which helps digest our food, transport waste, and control body temperature. Each day humans must replace 2.4 litres of water, some through drinking and the rest taken by the body from the foods eaten." --source

So, hydration is important. Do you have to like it? Nope. I think the whole "soda" thing is like "Sweetest Day" and "Grandparents Awareness Week" -- an artificial need created and marketed like hell. I choose not to drink soda because of the chemicals, not because of the calories, etc. And I'd be lying if I said I don't drink it once in a very great while, but I'm 99.76% soda free. 

I really like the bubbly tingly sensation, so I've switched to carbonated water -- NOT tonic water EWW! (my grocery store has liter bottles of natural lemon or lime flavored carbonated water -- VERY good).

And, I've found that once you start making the switch to water, the addiction (and it's a type of addiction) to diet or sugared soda goes away. Believe it or not, you'll actually start to WANT and DEMAND water. Even now, if I take a drink of soda I taste the "fakeness" of it, if that makes sense.

To each his or her own, though. That's my 2 cents' worth -- less than the refund on a recylced Diet Coke can!

=Dnd

I don't know if you care for chocolate and fudgy chewy  brownies, but if so, look for and try NOPUDGE (visit their Website) nopudge dot com.

You simply add a tablespoon or so of lowfat yogurt (I use vanilla flavored) to their mix, nuke it for about 1 minute, and I'm telling you -- it's as good as any Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker. SERIOUSLY.

32g = 120 calories,
0 = fats & cholesterol,
100g = Sodium
28g = Carb
1g = Fiber
22g = Sugars
2g = Protein


Yum!

=Dnd

I've trained in the martial arts for over 20 years (Okinawan karate, taekwondo and most recently T'ai C'hi and kung fu). I can tell you from first hand experience that, if you're looking to destress, choose T'ai C'hi, hands down.

T'ai C'hi is "moving meditation" -- a kind of relaxation through body, muscle and (especially) breath control. Control your breath and you control your world.

At the school where I currently train, The School for Chinese Martial Arts I take only Kung Fu. Due to financial reasons (recent job loss and financial setback) I can't afford both. Otherwise, I would do both.

You're spot on about them being related. In fact, I'll go so far as to say, you can't really understand either art fully without the complement of the other.

That said, given your desire to destress, T'ai C'hi has no downsides. I train in Kung Fu because as Melkor so ...um... delicately put it it's all about the whoopass (more to the point, "whoopMYass" as I need and love to sweat, Sweat, SWEAT when I train, so the KF workout does that with a passion). Also, while my art is not philosophically aggressive, there's no question that we train for defense, and there are plenty of whoopass techniques that fit that description. Now, we ALWAYS practice our breathing -- it's central to our art and approach, but that's a little less important than defending against a haymaker aimed at your head.

Now, any seasoned practitioner of T'ai C'hi will need only to speed up most of the techniques to illustrate how devastatingly brutal T'ai C'hi could be, if applied as a defensive art, but that would defeat the entire purpose. And that's not to say that T'ai C'hi won't make you break a sweat (it should, IMHO). But the mental state at the end of both classes is entirely different, I've found.

I'm tired and relaxed after training in Kung Fu. I'm energized and at peace after training in T'ai C'hi. Ultimately, that's the goal for KF, but, hey! I'm still a grasshopper.

I hope that helps.

All the best,

=Daniel

First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS. Wow! Super job!

It took me about 15% of my weight before anyone noticed.

As it relates to me (a guy) regarding saying ANYthing to a woman about her weight, I think losing 20% of your initial weight will cause eyebrows to raise and, as dmarie pointed out, for people to break their silence and just "HAVE" to know for sure.

I know what you mean about wanting others to notice. I'm exactly the same way, lemmetellya. I'm a highly emotional guy, and I just CRAVE that "validation" from others about my weight loss efforts. I never mention ANYthing about 'dieting.' In fact, not long ago, I got very upset with my wife when she casually 'announced' my weight loss progress to my sister-in-law. My S.I.L. of COURSE congratulated me, but I felt like it was kind of an 'obligatory' thing. I should just be happy with the compliment, I know. But I'm weird that way (and, come to think of it, many other ways).

Also, I think it's safe to say here that we all have our "fat" clothes, yes? C'MON!! I CAN'T BE THE ONLY ONE!!! I think better fitting clothes (not to sound like I'm dissing your wardrobe, mind you!) will cause others to notice.

Of course, you may want to wait until you reach another goal to reinvest in clothes. Entirely your call, of course. It all depends on what motivates you.

I'm waiting until I reach a loss of 50 lbs. before I buy new(er) clothes. I get this sort of macabre enjoyment out of cinching my pants ever tighter and seeing that damned waistband fold over and over on itself. It's like I'm crushing the hell out it!  And, yes; I'm not ashamed to say that I love crushing the hell out of it.

You're an inspiration, Kim79my. A real loser. (Which, oddly enough, on this site means, "winner"). Celebrate your victories, even if it's by yourself in the mirror, and never, NEVER give up. You're going to make it!

All the best,

=DnD

DURGY:

That was ME, you ninny!

I thought the 'sneer' was cute, tho. And that arm/finger sign you made is a mating gesture in my native country.

In any case, I can take a hint. Besides, the bellhop looks promising...

=DnD

Congratulations, nek! Well done on all fronts!

You know, there's lots of people who lament, "MAN! I wish I was [17, 22, 30, etc.] again!" But not me. I wouldn't trade your age for mine for ANYthing!

These years can be real crappy for you, so don't waste time with people who mistreat you or whom you feel you might hurt their feelings by NOT hanging with them. Even if it's your family.

haliz is spot on: "Feeling good about yourself and living life is so much more important than what others feel about you."

And, more than that, YOU are spot on!: "today im just going to appreciate how far ive come."

Y'know, kid, that's a lesson most ADULTS haven't learned (some never will!).

It's totally okay to pat yourself on the back. "Content but not Complacent."

I genuinely and sincerely congratulate you.

All the best,

=DnD

Wow! That's a great story!

You've really, REALLY done a lot of work and a great job, Moke! Congratulations!

You look absolutely fab.

And -- if I may be so bold, don't be surprised at all if you happen to hear a few wolf whistles!

All the best!

=DnD

krisc1145/Paigec88/glynis4321:

Thanks for your posts. I could reply with a book (ok, maybe a chapter) to each post.

Krisc: I 'try' to fill up on water, etc., but sometimes the soup isn't there and yet ... there's all that bee-U-ti-ful past-ahhhhh! I get what you're saying tho.

Paige:
it helps to know I'm hitting a raw (pun intended, glynis) nerve.

I did the bulimic dance for months, but I simply couldn't stand vomiting anymore. I used ipecac and it got to where I'd merely inhale the stuff and start wretching my guts out. Uck! If anyone reading this is bulimic, PLEASE understand that it is a no-win situation. You absolutely destroy your innards. Better to smoke no-filter Camels instead. (And if you're both a bulimic who smokes no-filter Camels, you're kinda screwed!)

I'm sincerely glad you shared your 'lovely story.' It helps to know how not-so-isolated I am and the extreme measures I (along with others) have taken to slay this damn dragon.

Glynis:
I've considered straight veganism and raw more than once. I won't pretend that it isn't entirely possible, but I'm simply not certain I can do it.

I sort of have this mentality that, "Look. I'm a f&*%#ing human being, okay? My species built the Pyramids of Giza and are building a space station. YOU, are a slice of Pizza! I don't care how much 'you're lovin' it' you're still a GD'd french Fry! I am the Alpha dog, here! I ought to be able to handle a G*&^D#^m smörgåsbord! It's FOOD! Not AIR!!" Right? I mean, I'm going to be around food of all sorts the rest of my life, so, it's not the pizza's fault/responsibility, is it?

Now, I TOTALLY hear you about the chemicals in food. I once asked a nutritionist -- and this guy was TOPS -- what I should eat. He responded with all candor and seriousness, "Don't eat ANYthing with a label on it!"

Can you believe it? I mean, that's hard core. AND I GET IT!!

Maybe all of this is just fodder for me to 'come to terms' with it and COMMIT to the DECISION (i.e., for more than a few weeks, or the first wave of success hits) to stay vegan (or raw in this case).

I'm a spoiled brat, though. If I don't see results (and I mean that little dial on the scale not WINCING when I step on him!) I get pissed, and down and depressed. SOMETIMES I sabotage, but most of the time I just brood and kick the sh** out of myself.

QUESTIONS WORTH PONDERING:
Is kicking oneself senseless the true addiction? Is THAT what I'm getting out of this (i.e., keeping myself overweight)?

If I remove the crutch of being overweight, will I have ANYTHING ELSE truly worth hating myself over?

What would I do if I saw my reflection in the store window and said, "Damn! You're kinda buff, dude. Nice!"

I SOOOO want to feel good about how I look and fit into clothes. And, truth be told, OUT of clothes.

Ok. here it goes: I want OTHER PEOPLE to remark on how good I look, too.

There. I said it.

I know that's totally vain. I feel like EVERYONE who would be asked to describe me would say, "Fat, balding guy." And, while I hate the fact that I'm losing my hair, I'd TOTALLY settle for, "Balding guy, great build!"

I hate so much being fat. I really, REALLY do! And I want to be trim LAST WEEK ALREADY! I know others feel the exact same way. Hang in there with me, please.

Glynis: I'll look into your 'raw' links. Thanks for your informative reply.

=DnD

Original Post by gadzooks:

....

I was depressed, hating myself, and just unhappy. Then I found CalorieCount. I made the decision to focus on my health instead of the number on the scale. I decided that "good" foods and "bad" foods needed to be banned. Most importantly, I decided that food didn't control me.

Throwing my "all or nothing" mentality out the window helped me tremendously. It's okay to have a treat once in a while and it doesn't mean that your day is ruined. Weight-loss is a long term journey and there are no quick fixes. ...

Thanks for your kind and genuine reply. I apologize in advance for such long posts. I'm twisted in knots right now....

So much of what you say is true. Other posters I've read hit it squarely on the head like you. It's not like I haven't realized this, but weight loss is 99.9% mental. The concept is kindergarten simple: (for the great majority of us) consuming less calories than you burn will result in eventual weight loss. I -- any of us -- can do that basic task.

But this basic task becomes sometimes completely unmanageable for me.

It's like standing. A pretty basic thing, right? You NEVER think about standing, or how your arms are hanging, what your hands are doing, etc. until you're in front of a crowd. Then, it's like EVERYTHING you do is micro-processed. "Does this look right? Am I too casual. Is my face relaxed? Why is my hand like that?"

AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!

I've managed to surround and empower food with mystical powers, almost. I'll look at my wife and say, "You're gonna throw out half your Kraft Mac & Cheese because you're FULL??!! No WAY! You NEVER throw away m&c!! You wrap it and save it for later!" Or tater tots, or ice cream, etc. It's like leftovers at The Last Supper, fercryinoutloud! "Are You done with that bread, Jesus? Fine. Pass it to me and I'll wrap it up for Peter's lunch tomorrow!"

God forbid I throw away a half-eaten ear of corn!

There's all this mental garbage that kicks in for me, especially in times of sabotage.

The transformation that takes place in me in those times -- almost as if it's Jekyll/Hyde in nature -- fascinates me. I have to be careful about typing "I'm powerless against it!" and lies like that. But I do feel overwhelmed.

I'm seeing a family therapist who likens this to a drug addict seeking his fix. It's different from that though, in that I don't NEED heroine, or crack or alcohol (no one does, of course). But everyone -- absolutely everyone -- needs to eat.

So, there I am, with my fix staring me in the face, almost daring me to not OD.

I feel like something's terribly wrong with my wiring. There's something the matter with me. I mean, C'MON!! It's only a slice of pizza, after all! I've had two pieces already and, by all accounts, I'm full. But that doesn't really matter anymore. There's something about leaving food, GOOD food, uneaten. And I am absolutely obsessed with eating just one, hell, maybe even two or three more pieces. (Perhaps before anyone else does!).

During this sideshow, another part of me acquiesces, and quietly resolves to let the lion eat his fill.

What's going on there?

==
I completely relate to the no-such-thing-as "good/bad" food mindset. Fries, cake, ice cream, etc. aren't "bad." However, consuming too much (VERY subjective, I know) may cause weight gain.

Neither do I like the term "cheating." That always bothered me. I think a healthier way to frame it is "choosing."

You see? I have all the intellectual pieces for losing weight. I suspect most of us here do. There is nary a piece of diet admonishment or advice I read to which I give pause and think, "Hmmm. Now THERE'S a new one!"

I'm always thinking that I'll read or hear or see something -- the key -- that pushes me over the edge, eventually into that "Wow! I look good! I love my body!" mindset. I dream of this!

As much as I obsess about how much I hate my body, you'd think I'd change it. You'd think that would motivate me to not sabotage myself.

I can hear it now, though. "Hate doesn't motivate. LOVE motivates!"

Yes, I've heard that "Loving oneself is the key." It's simply not (entirely) true. I've changed without "loving myself." But it must work for some.

ok. I might as well just come out and say this: If I knew (and was sure of the key(s)) I wouldn't be here. And, certainly, the keys are different for everyone.

Enuf 4 now.

=DnD