This Fallen World (reprise), take 3

Tried the kefir last night. It basically looked and tasted like thin plain yogurt. Not too exciting since it has more calories than plain yogurt. Oh well, now I know.

Today was insanity defined. Called Long's and they said still no prescription. Called the doctor; they said he wouldn't give me a prescription without coming in to see him (for the $85 fee, of course!). My doctor wasn't in, but they set me up with a female physicians assistant. On my way to the doctor I ran into the owner who was getting ready to put a new lock in. He gave me the key to the new lock, and the laundry room key. The building manager is supposed to leave a new elevator key in my apartment.

When I got to the doctor's office, the physician's assistant wrote me a prescription for 30 Xanax of 0.5mg strength. I left the prescription there so they could fax it to Long's and they could have the prescription for me by tomorrow.

Then down to Alameda Towne Center where my bank has a branch. I deposited the vacation money. Then I took the bus down to WalMart and did some shopping: a new purse and makeup case to replace the stolen ones; a new pullman travel case to replace my pullman backpack, which is in sorry shape; and a new laundry basket as the one I have is so broken as to be useless. I also got the new house key and the gate key copied so I would have a set to give to Brad when he watches my cats when I go on vacation.

I got to work and was promised I would have a new key card today. Meanwhile, a package had arrived. It was my new phone! I opened it, activated it, got the number changed, and then called my family with the new numbers. I programmed in a bunch of numbers. This is a real nice phone with a camera feature. Whether or not I will ever get those pics from the phone to my computer...well, that remains to be seen.

I retrieved two messages I'd received in the meantime. One from my sister that I knew about, and the other from the chiropractic office saying the doctor already sent the check in, and he would be charged $5 when it bounced. Therefore, the $55 I owed for my last appointment is now $60. :(

I jumped online and paid a bunch of bills, but my Verizon bill isn't showing the charge for the new phone (?).

I have the mail-in rebate ready to mail in except that all my stamps were stolen with my purse. I borrowed an old stamp from Susanna down the hall, and need to add two 1 cent stamps to it when I get home.

I wrote out another rent check, this for the entire amount of the August rent, and I'll put that in the drop box when I get home tonight.

So I'm sitting here struggling with the new phone, frazzled beyond belief. I won't be able to grocery shop tomorrow before work. I think I'll ask Brad if he can take me shopping on Friday afternoon.

Excuse me while I scream.

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Day 44

Weight: 139.4 (same as yesterday)
Calories eaten yesterday: 1835
Calories burned: 1882
Deficit: 47 calories
Carbs: 44g (good)
Fat: 79g (good)
Calories burned in exercise: 88

Under 140 for the fourth day in a row! Yippee!

I had to see the doctor today (see above post), and she ordered more blood tests for me. She said it's been over a year since I had a thyriod test, so I'll be getting that, and I asked for a Glucose Tolerance Test. She ordered the two hour kind.

Walked over 10,000 steps yesterday, even considering I did not make it to the gym.


Click to enlarge.
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Day 43

Weight: 139.4
Calories eaten yesterday: 1397 (yippee!)
Calories burned: 1850
Deficit: 453 calories
Carbs: 45g (too high for the number of calories)
Fat: 45g (way too low)
Calories burned in exercise: 0

Up almost two pounds today, but I'm still under 140! :) In fact, this is my third day in a row and my fifth day total under 140. Yippee!

I know I ate very little yesterday. (Less than 1400? Yike!) I was out of the house most of the day, came home and ate something, and by the time I was hungry again it was time for bed, and it's easy for me to go to bed hungry.

Walked part of the way to work today and managed to rack up 30 minutes and 88 calories, so not too bad there. Hopefully I will be able to walk again tomorrow. I have GOT to get some exercise in. I won't let some crazy, stupid nutjob stop me from achieving my goals! And at the very least,when all else is out of my control, I do have control over what I eat, which is why I haven't fallen off the wagon due to this. My weight and fitness are under my control and not the nutjob's, and thank God for that!

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This Fallen World (reprise), take 2

Was very busy yesterday, even though I got very little accomplished. First I went to the bank to open a new checking account. They couldn't close out my old one because there was one charge pending. Once that clears I can request it be closed. I also withdrew $40 in cash so I could start replacing the stuff in my purse.

Then I went to 24 Hour Fitness to have them start drafting my new checking account. They already put through a charge on the debit card. That will be rejected and returned and there's nothing anyone can do. The club manager promised I'd have access to the club even while this is getting sorted out.

Then over to Long's Drugs, where I remembered my Xanax had been in my purse. My prescription had expired, so the lady there helped track down my current doctor to ask him if I could get my Xanax. He was unreachable, and after two hours I finally left. While there I bought a few items that had been in my purse - nail clippers, a coin purse, a yellow highlighter, and a travel size Secret deodorant.

Then down to Alameda Towne Center to Walgreens to buy Slim Mints, the mints that I carry in my purse. Then over to Petco for a frivolous purchase - a Betta fish to replace the one that died quite a while back.

Today I first walked around my neighborhood checking garbage cans and dumpsters for my purse or its contents. Then I got on the bus and my first stop was Farmer Joe's where I was able to finally buy kefir. They only had the quart size. I will have a 1/2 cup tonight to see if I can stomach it or not. I've never tried it. I also picked up a pint of Half & Half since I need something like that to make the communion bread this Friday.

I got the spare keys copied today so I can now give them back to the building manager. They are needed for when I lock myself out or some such. I still need a new laundry room key and a new mailbox key. I have also left a message for the building owner about the laundry and mail keys.

Bought a new wallet at WalMart and had my eye on a brown denim purse (I don't want to get the exact same blue denim purse), but didn't have the cash for it and most places don't take starter checks without name and address printed on them. The checks will take a while because Washington Mutual almost never get the checks right the first time and I have to return them and have them redone.

I will make sure I can wear my new purse over my head and across my chest so it can't be snatched!

Called Long's. Still no word from my doctor. Called him again and left another message for him to phone in the %^$*#& prescription!

Got my check for the vacation time I cashed out. Will deposit that tomorrow and check on my prescription again. I could sure use the Xanax right now.

Jon is back from vacation so he gave me a new key to my locker. Carla says she will process my new key card just as soon as Louise gives it to her, so it is in the works.

I did walk part of the way to work today. I came in from Eastmont Mall and instead of getting off at the BART station I stayed on until we crossed the ramp, then got off and walked the rest of the way. Counting going to WalMart and a little detour, I racked up 30 minutes and burned 88 calories.

I also want to add that I have been overwhelmed by the amount of help that has been offered to me (you know who you are!). Thank you. I think I will be okay, but your generosity means a lot. And thanks to B for reminding me that I will need to update PayPal with my new information when I get it. That totally escaped my notice.

My vacation check came today and that will go a long way toward paying bills, rent, etc.

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Week 6 Weigh-in

Week 0: 144
Week 1: 147.2 (+3.2 lbs.)
Week 2: 143.2 (-4 lbs.)
Week 3: 141 (-2.2 lbs.)
Week 4: n/a
Week 5: 141 (0 lbs.)
Week 6: 137.6 (-3.4 lbs.)

Total loss: 6.4 lbs.

This is a new low for me! My previous low was 139. Yippee! I know it's because I did really well yesterday due to the incident.
Calories eaten: 1390
Calories burned: 1821
Deficit: 431 calories
Carbs: 41g (too high for the number of calories)
Fat: 51g (way too low)
Calories burned in exercise: 0

I'll be up tomorrow and probably next week's weigh-in, too, but that's okay. I'm getting there. I'm spending more and more time in the 130s and less and less in the 140s.

Since 138 is my goal and I met that today, and even though I know I'll be over 138 tomorrow, I'll go ahead and reset my goal to 137.

The biggest thing I am looking forward to at goal is to be able to loosen up on Saturdays and indulge a bit. For now I will stay restrictive that day.

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This Fallen World (reprise)

I don't know what it is about summer that brings out the criminals. My purse got snatched today while I was waiting for the bus headed for the gym. He ran up the street, jumped into his car, and sped off before I knew what happened. At least there was no gun this time.

Unlike last time where they only took my wallet, this time they took the whole purse including my keys, my bus/train passes, and my cell phone. And that cute little kitty key ring I got as a late Christmas present.

Please pray. I'm frazzled, scared, shaken (not stirred) (that was a little humor there). Pray for the recovery of my stuff, even though I know the money will be gone. Pray someone finds the purse.

I got a spare house and gate key from the building manager, and have to get copies made. I got tomorrow off work to start all this. I don't think my home address was anywhere in my purse (I use my P.O. box for everything), but please pray for protection for my apartment, the stuff inside it, and my cats. I'm at work as I type this because not coming in wasn't an option. I really wish I were home.

I ordered a new cell phone - will cost $80, but then I get a mail-in rebate for $50. I cancelled my debit card (I don't have credit cards), and stopped payment on all the checks that were stolen (including a couple still floating around). I think I want to close out my account just to be safe, but I have to go to a branch to do that.

I have a confession and a question, if I may be permitted to get so open on a public blog. I've been giving to my church each time I get paid like clockwork. I get a paycheck, I write out a check to them based on percentage. Well, I got paid last Thursday and after subtracting the grocery receipts and writing out a check for half the rent, I was already in negative numbers. So for the first time since I can remember I didn't give anything to the church. And then my purse gets stolen today. Is God punishing me?

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Sixth weekend

Weight: 139.4
Calories eaten yesterday: 1890
Calories burned: 1968
Deficit: 78 calories
Carbs: 53g (okay)
Fat: 90g (yippee)
Calories burned in exercise: 118

Total deficit for week: 1416

Back into the 130s today! Official weigh-in is tomorrow. I'll be really good and drink plenty of water and hope for a good number tomorrow. I'm losing slowly, but the numbers are going down. I will do this!

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Sabbaths and Sundays, Common Proof Texts, #8

Claim: Hebrews 4:1-10 says that Christ is our Sabbath rest. Therefore, literal Sabbath keeping has been done away with.
Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.

Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.

The NASB translates verse 9 like this: "So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God."

First, let's look at who the book was written to and when. I think we can agree that it was written in the first century and the opening verses show it was probably written to Jewish Christians. Therefore, it was extremely likely that these Jews kept the Sabbath on Saturday.

In Hebrews 4 we find the author using the Sabbath as a metaphor for Jesus, but far from doing away with the Sabbath, he says that in Jesus there is a new dimension added to the Sabbath - that as we rest from our works "as God did from his" (Hebrews 4:10), we remember what God has done for us through Christ. It's not an abrogation of the Sabbath; it's a deeper meaning!

The word used in the first half of verse 9 for "rest" or "Sabbath rest" (depending on the translation), is a word found nowhere else in the Bible. The word is sabbatismos. It is found in extra-Biblical literature later meaning a literal Sabbath rest, but it appears here that the author was coining a new word to explain something that couldn't be explained any other way. He was explaining the new layer of meaning the Sabbath has in Jesus, not doing away with the Sabbath.

What we see in this passage is that Jesus is our true rest: this passage clearly indicates that there is another "rest" which is not fulfilled in the Sabbath observance (see verses 9-11). But this second meaning does not negate the literal Sabbath observance.

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Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Back up

Weight: 141
Calories eaten yesterday: 1864
Calories burned: 1938
Deficit: 74 calories
Carbs: 46g (good)
Fat: 83g (yippee)
Calories burned in exercise: 88

Back up today. I haven't lost anything in three weeks. I know I'm close to goal so the movement is slow, but it's still disheartening. My official weigh-in is Monday, so I need to behave. Hopefully I can get on my exercise bike when I get home from church this afternoon.

I heard about a new kind of low-carb soy milk on the low-carber forum. Soy Slender is made by WestSoy and comes in four flavors. It has only 1 net carb, but unlike the unsweetened soy milks that taste nasty without sweetener, these are already sweetened with Splenda! I didn't think I would ever find this product, but when I walked into the health food store yesterday to buy some L-Glutamine (helps build lean muscle and fight cravings), I saw this sitting in plain site. They had the cappuccino and chocolate, which are the ones I was most interested in anyway. Even better, it has fewer calories than the unsweetened - 70 versus 100.

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Back into the 130s!

Weight: 139.8
Calories eaten yesterday: 1703
Calories burned: 1905
Deficit: 202 calories
Carbs: 48g (good)
Fat: 68g (too low)
Calories burned in exercise: 79

Hit the 130s (again), though not a new low. :) My previous low was 139, so that's the weight to beat. But I'll gladly take 139.8. It's still out of the 140s, and that's what matters.

Now the weekend starts and with it boredom and lack of distractions that may cause me to eat more.

I checked my calendar and discovered I do have a chiropractic appointment today, so I should be able to get some exercise by walking to and from the 57 bus.

Regarding the raw foods vegan who's been trying to convert me to her way of eating, I remembered yesterday that I do have a vegan linked in my dropdown list. Lira at Unknown Island North is a recently converted vegan, but she doesn't feel a need to go around telling others how unhealthy their diets are.

Personally, I don't think consuming that much soy is healthy for anyone (soy is the only non-animal complete protein that exists). If humans were meant to be vegan, carbohydrates would not be unnecessary. But they are, while fat and protein are necessary. And I say this as someone who likes tofu and eats other soy products as part of my low-carb diet. I believe that humans are meant to consume animal protein - meat, dairy, and eggs.

Honestly, if I had the money I'd buy organic, but I'm not that rich. I can barely afford organic eggs, never mind meat, which I eat more of. Organic and free-range are better because they are less cruel, but I don't believe that eating meat is inherently cruel. Send me money and I'll buy organic free-range meat. ;)

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How's your body image?

Your Body Image is 16% Unhealthy, 84% Healthy

You have a great body image. You know that no one looks perfect, and you're happy the way you are. Also, you don't judge other people on their looks... and it helps them feel better about their own bodies!

How's Your Body Image?

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Day 38

Weight: 140
Calories eaten yesterday: 1793
Calories burned: 2083
Deficit: 290 calories
Carbs: 49g (good)
Fat: 81g (yippee)
Calories burned in exercise: 272

Day 38 of my new start. I thought for sure my weight would be up today because my sodium intake was sky high yesterday, but my weight held. Coolness! Slowly it's coming down. Cutting the calories back just a bit has really helped.

I want the taste of all those delicious carby binge foods, but I also know that I would set myself back for a few weeks if I were to do so. Thus far that has kept me in check. Atkins works, but you have to work the program!

Why does the bakery section have to be right by the produce section at the grocery store? I am tempted by those huge chocolate muffins every week.

I'm trying something new with my cooking, since staying up late every Thursday and trying to cook, do laundry, and pack lunches all at once is a bit frazzling. Today I bought a buttload of ground turkey, and plan to stay up late tonight and hopefully get enough burgers cooked for two weeks, which will mean no cooking next week. I think I have tomorrow free, also, to finish anything I don't get done tonight.

My paycheck was disappointing this week. I put my church giving right behind rent and groceries. Well, after rent and groceries, there was nothing left over. And forget paying bills. My bank account is back in the negative and I just got paid today! I can't wait for my vacation check to get here. Paying my Internet service up has really messed with my finances, and I really want to get my blood tests done ASAP. It's been over a year since my last one. *sigh* I know it'll all work out - it always does - but I just don't need the stress. Maybe I should cash in more vacation time and leave just enough for my vacation in August.

I've been evangelized by a raw foods vegan on Flickr. I swear, I respected Tina when she went that way, but I don't respect people who think their way is the only way and you must be a moron if you don't understand that. *sigh*

It's the same mentality as those on the low-carb board who think you're an idiot if you do Weight Watchers. I found myself in the strange position of defending WW because my Mom has done great on it - she lost 70 pounds and has kept the weight off.

I started getting ready for Conference by buying a jar of organic peanut butter today to supplement my breakfasts there. I'll get a loaf of low-carb bread a little closer to the date I leave. I like meat and eggs, but it gets really tiring after a real short time as the only breakfast choices, and at least one day the only thing they serve that I can eat is eggs. So peanut butter on low-carb bread it is. It'll be a nice treat as bread does make me gain weight, but I loosen up a bit on vacation. :)

I'm going to wow everyone at Conference by wearing those size 8 shorts that were skin tight last year. This year they fit!

Well, this is my Friday so wish me luck as I head into my weekend, that I stick to my diet and not gain! Weekends are the hardest. At work I have stuff to distract me; no such luck at home.

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Another pic from Rob's BBQ

Click for full size.
Julie and I
June 24, 2006
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Day 37

Hope you all had a great 4th of July!

Weight: 140.2
Calories eaten yesterday: 1703
Calories burned: 1940
Deficit: 237 calories
Carbs: 50g (okay)
Fat: 80g (yippee)
Calories burned in exercise: 112

Down one pound today so not too shabby. I thought I would be up. I'll get there yet!

My only "cheat" for July 4th was a sugar-free chocolate bar (no sugar alcohols). I was really craving chocolate and decided to give in since it was a holiday, even though I was stuck at work. I subtracted the pork rinds to keep the calories down.

Hit the gym this morning. Didn't rack up many steps though because I did 20 minutes on the recumbent bike and that doesn't make the pedometer click. So I won't make 10,000 steps today. Still, FitDay says I burned 272 calories, so that's good. Felt good working out today - lots of energy, even though my carbs yesterday were normal.

I'm slowly getting stronger. Today I did arm curls with the 20 pound dumbbells and I could do five reps the first set instead of four. The last two sets were only four each. And on the weight assisted chin up I've gone from six reps to about eight, so doing good there, too.

I've started working in more leg exercises - walking squats up the ramp by the emergency door, leg presses, etc. I've also added back in the Smith machine to strengthen my arms and pecs, while using the compound row for my arms, back, and shoulders.

Woot! Go me!

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Independence Day Red, White, and Blues

Happy July 4th everyone!

Weight: 141.2
Calories eaten yesterday: 1646
Calories burned: 1932
Deficit: 286 calories
Carbs: 50g (okay)
Fat: 71g (a bit low, even for the number of calories)
Calories burned in exercise: 89

Up 0.2 today. Why can't I lose? If this keeps up much longer I'll binge out of sheer frustration. At least I'm back to double digits with the cheat free days.

Talked to Helen today and described my extremely sleepy feelings after binging on carbs last Thanksgiving. She said it sounded like high blood sugar (she has diabetes and so knows this sort of thing), and with the history in my family, she said I should ask my doctor about glucose tolerance test to be sure that I'm not hypoglycemic or something.

I'm not due to see my doctor for a long time, but it's something to file away as "Maybe something to do in the future." It couldn't hurt, right? At most, including everything, I might lose about three weeks worth of dieting work. I know I have to carb up before the test, eating lots of carbs for a few days before to switch my body back to a primarily carb burning mode. It'll wreak havoc with my weight for quite a while, but it'll just be water. I'll just have to put the scale away for several weeks.

No exercise today due to my meeting with Helen, but I did wrack up 11 minutes walking up the hill and another 27 minutes walking the last leg to work. FitDay says 112 calories. At least that's something.


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Week 5 Weigh-In

Week 0: 144
Week 1: 147.2 (+3.2 lbs.)
Week 2: 143.2 (-4 lbs.)
Week 3: 141 (-2.2 lbs.)
Week 4: n/a
Week 5: 141 (0 lbs.)

Total loss: 3 lbs.

*sigh* Didn't lose anything. 141 for the third straight day and second straight weigh-in. The only thing that's changed in the last couple weeks is drinking copious amounts of diet soda. I know in the Carbohydrate Addict's Diet, the Heller's talk about sweet things causing an insulin release even if they are sugar free things. I don't know if it's true. It could be. It definitely should be studied. Insulin is the fat storage hormone. Anyway, I'll cut back on the diet sodas to one a day except on weekends and see if that helps.

Three pounds in five weeks isn't that bad. It's just the not losing for the past two weeks that has me bummed.

Did pretty well yesterday.
Calories eaten: 1840
Calories burned: 2089
Deficit: 249
Carbs: 53g (okay)
Fat: 85g (yippee)
Calories burned in exercise: 272

Had to run into San Francisco today, so no gym. I'll only make it to the gym twice this week. I did walk the last leg to work, though. FitDay says 89 calories. Not as good as the 272 of yesterday, but at least it's something.

Eating three fried eggs for breakfast every morning has really helped with the hunger before lunch. I know protein and fat satiate while carbs make you hungry, so I have to think it's the protein and fat in the eggs (and the very low carbs) that keep my tummy happy for so long.

Walked over 10,000 steps yesterday, counting my gym time.


On the work front Jon is on vacation, so I tracked down Thad and had him make out the paperwork to turn 60 hours of vacation into cash. That should be enough to get me out of the hole created by paying up my Internet service for a year, and have enough left over for the blood tests I need, plus maybe pay a couple bills. :) With that in the works, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Nothing special planned for tomorrow. I have a meeting before work, then come in for my regular shift. No special food planned either. Just my usual. Just another day, though I expect when I come home tomorrow night the cats might be a bit more hyper than usual from all the loud noises they'll be subjected to.

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Chick graphic courtesy 3 Fat Chicks.

Got protein?

I'm learning some really interesting stuff from the Protein Power book. I just started the book yesterday and I'm already on page 97. It's that good! I have to read with a highlighter pen handy. You have to get this book! Available on Amazon for as little as a penny (plus shipping) - about $3.50. That's what I paid for my copy.

Here's what the Eades' say about the importance of protein when dieting to lose weight:

Your lean body mass (LBM) is the metabolically active part of you, consuming most of the energy...Ideally, you want to keep all of it.

On typical low-calorie, high-carbohydrate, low-fat diets, protein intake is often marginal, and as a result as much as 50 percent of weight loss can be muscle weight. Each pound of active muscle mass lost reduces your rate of metabolism...

The proper care of a lean body mass requires that every day you provide it with enough high-quality complete protein to carry out all its vital functions. (pgs. 92-93).

A pound of muscle takes 50 calories a day to maintain, and a pound of fat only 2 calories (source). Basically, the more muscle we have, the more we can eat and still lose weight, so losing muscle is a very bad thing. I know I was losing an alarming amount of muscle before I added a protein shake after my workout. That was a huge help.

Losing too fast isn't good for the lean body mass. A person can only lose 2 pounds of fat a week. Anything above that is water and/or lean mass. Woman generally lose at the rate of 0.5-1 pound per week, a safe pace and more likely to spare lean muscle.

A moderately active person needs 0.7 grams of protein per pound of lean body mass (LBM). He gives a formula for calculating your LBM. That's the minimum. I'll be calculting mine when I get home and look up my LBM in my fitness folder where I keep that info. It is perfectly safe however, to eat as much as 1 gram of protein per total body weight. For me, this means I can have up to 140g a day - which I usually meet and often exceed.

Why are low-fat diets so often deficient in protein? Because protein foods often contain fat as well - meat, dairy, eggs, cheese - and in cutting the fat, they slash the protein along with it. Both are replaced with carbohydrates, which bring their own slew of problems.

Protein Power is a high-protein, moderate-fat, low-carb approach to weight loss - not too different than what I'm doing now.

I've been reading Dr. Michael Eades' blog nearly every day. He has so much good information there.

I want to build muscle so I start my day with protein; today was three fried eggs. On days I work out I take an Atkins shake with me to get protein into me as soon as possible after my workout. There's a very small window to take in protein after a workout before your body starts cannibalizing its own muscle. Since I can't have a protein snack because I am at the gym, I opt for the shake.

Work it, baby! And eat your protein.

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Fifth weekend

Weight: 141 (same as yesterday)
Calories eaten yesterday: 1988
Calories burned: 2012
Deficit: 24
Carbs: 63g (too high)
Fat: 93g (yippee)
Calories burned in exercise: 183

Total calorie deficit for last week: 1866

I'm really happy with an 1866 deficit last week, but it's depressing when I think that a pound is 3500 calories.

Tomorrow is my official weigh-in. I hope it's a good one. I'll definitely be good today, but I am so hungry.

Made it to the gym. 30 minutes of weights, 30 of cardio on the elliptical, and 20 of walking. FitDay says 272 calories. I was craving chocolate so I took a Chocolate Royale shake with me instead of strawberry. Yum!

I walked over 10,000 steps yesterday - rare for a Saturday - by going for a 1 hour walk around the neighborhood. Whew! That tired me out, but I needed to burn the calories.


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Day 33

Weight: 141
Calories eaten yesterday: 1752
Calories burned: 1832
Deficit: 80
Carbs: 60g (the high end of acceptable)
Fat: 70g (too low)

Back up to 141 today. I knew that would happen and I can live with it. I'm still doing pretty good. Today was a very long day, beginning at about 6 a.m., so calories are higher - more than I burned. I knew I'd be at church longer than usual, so I brought a small lunch with me rather than just a protein shake. We had lunch at Leona's, with cake for Becky's birthday. I bummed one bite of cake off someone and that took away my desire for any more. On low-carb a "taste" is enough!

Next week should be more normal; the week after will be an all day affair with one of our bi-annual meetings so I will have to pack a big lunch.

Started reading Protein Power by Drs. Michael R. Eades and Mary Dan Eades today. It's really cool because it goes into the role of not just insulin and carbohydrates in making us fat, but also the role of glucagon in helping make us slim. Dr. Atkins never really talked about glucagon in his book. No one low-carb author has all the facts, so I think I will learn more in this book.

I don't think insulin problems made me fat. I think Zoloft stimulated my appetite and cravings for carbs, I ate more than I burned, and the insulin nicely crammed all that carbohydrate into my fat cells. It's possible that Zoloft actually screwed up my insulin, but I thinks it's more likely it just caused me to eat too much.

However, with a history of diabetes on both sides of my family, I almost certainly would have developed diabetes in the future. I had three strikes against me: diabetes on both sides of the family, obesity, and too many carbohydrates in my diet. Now I just have one strike (the family history), and diabetes cannot develop when carbohydrate intake is low. So as long as I stay on this diet, I will dodge that bullet. I have Dr. A to thank for that. :)

Tomorrow I should be able to make it to the gym, then Monday is my bi-monthly mail run into the City, Tuesday I see Helen, Wednesday I can go to the gym, and Thursday is groceries. And that's my week. So only two gym sessions.

I have excess tummy skin from my weight loss, and it's ugly. I got a good look at it when I stepped into the shower yesterday. So ugly. *sigh* Everyone says it will tighten up, but I'm skeptical. But I guess it's better that it's rolls of skin rather than rolls of fat, which is what I first thought it was.

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Sabbaths and Sundays, Common Proof Texts, #7

Today we tackle what is probably the most often used "proof" verse of them all, so it's a bit longer and includes links to other sites with further info.

Claims: Colossians 2:13-15 says that the law has been nailed to the cross, and Colossians 2:16-17 says the Sabbath has been done away with.
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (vv. 13-15).

There are several different ways to translate,"handwriting of ordinances." The one above is KJV. The NIV translates this as "the written code, with its regulations," and the NASB says, "the certificate of debt." So what does the Greek say? The Greek word is cheirographon. This is the only place in the entire Bible that this word is used, so we must look outside the Bible to find its usage and meaning.

Scholar Samuele Bacchiocchi says, "It's usage in apocalyptic literature indicates the cheirographon is the 'record-book on sins' or a 'certificate of sin-indebtedness' but not the moral or ceremonial law. This view is also supported by the clause 'and this he has removed out of the middle' (2:14). 'The middle' was the position occupied at the center of the court of assembly by the accusing witness. In (this) context...the accusing witness in 'the record book of sins' which God in Christ has erased and moved out of the court" (Bacchiocchi, The Sabbath in the New Testament, pg. 111)

So we see the the NASB is probably the closer translation here. Far from the law being nailed to the cross, it is the record of our sins that has been nailed to the cross, thereby destroying any legal reason for our condemnation! We are truly set free in Christ! "What God destroyed on the Cross was not the legal ground (law) for our entanglement into sin, but the written record of our sins (Bacchiocchi, ibid.).

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. (vv. 16-17).

Colossians 2:16 deals with how the Sabbath is celebrated, not if it is to be celebrated. Paul is not doing away with the Sabbath here - he is telling us not to judge each other in how it is kept.

The key here is the phrase "in respect of." The "shadow" referred to in verse 17 has to be something in respect to these other days. What could the shadow be? The most reasonable explanation is the sacrifices that the Sabbath, new moon, and festivals all shared. Those sacrifices were a shadow of Jesus' perfect sacrifice. So the shadow referred to in verse 17 is the sacrifices, not the Sabbath itself.

To quote Ken Burdick (a Seventh Day Baptist pastor), "The idea of Col. 2:16 is: don't let the false teachers talk you into keeping the Jewish ceremonies of the Old Covenant. Don't let them judge you for giving up the dietary laws and the Temple ceremonies (with the burnt offerings Moses commanded for the Sabbath--and for the New Moons and festivals). Reason: 'These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ' (Col. 2:17). The 4th Commandment was never a shadow of Christ's coming. The burnt offerings, however, were a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Christ's body on the cross."

See also the law was nailed to the cross for more information.

See the Seattle church's Sabbath FAQ for a more complete and lucid answer to this question.

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