Comments on: Your 30 Day Weight Loss Challenge Starts Now!

By: Bernice

Bernice — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:15:54 +0000

Thanks, Terra for the info on caffeine. I have decaf coffee, and decaf tea but I never tried decaf in the morning. I don’t know why. Sugar, pasta, my beloved homemade bread have not been a problem, but my one cup of coffee has been the most difficult. I’ll try the decaf today.

By: Terra

Terra — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:57:31 +0000

Alrighty – I have sat here reading everyone’s posts trying to find someway to keep the bread and pasta… but hells bells – I don’t think I can. But like you’ve said, it’s only temporary and then I can slowly bring the more natural carbs back in, so I’m in.

I do have one question about a specific sugar substitute – Xylitol. Everything I have read states that it’s 100% pure derived from corn. The ingredients do not list anything except Xylitol and the nutrition panel reads 4grams of carbs, 0grams of sugar, and then 4grams of sugar alcohol. Once the 30 day challange is over and I begin to incorperate some of the grains back into my diet, is this a good substitute for using sugar or is it just another chemically processed sweetener hiding behind the “natural” brand?

By: Terra

Terra — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:40:33 +0000

Caffeine – ahhh the most wonderful drug in the world! I gave up caffeine about 3 months ago and though I went through almost a week of withdrawels (which is HORRIBLE) it’s amazing the changes my body went through.

1. First and foremost for me … I don’t have to use the restroom near as much as before. I don’t know the exact reason, but caffeine is an irritant to your bladder. If you ever need to “pee in a cup” drink something caffinated and you shouldn’t have any problem.

2. Caffeine is a dietary stimulant – it raises your body’s level of cortisol which can increase your feelings of “stress” and it can raise your dopamine level which is what gives you the “feel good” feeling now and the ‘low” feeling later. – Simply put, no more afternoon crashes. I feel alert and all day (as long as I get enough sleep)

3. Taking in too much caffeine can cause cravings for other sugary, fatty foods and that leads to more fat on the belly! I actually lost about 7lbs in the two weeks following giving it up – It was however the same time I ramped up by workouts to overcome my plateau, but I have never before had that kind of results so I really believe that omitting caffeine had a lot to do with it too.

My suggestion to caffeine-aholics: eat an apple! A medium sized apple will give you more energy than a cup of coffee – and it’s naturally sweet so there’s no need for any processed sugars or artificial sweeteners. Since you like your coffee in the morning – maybe try decaf coffee, or better yet, a decaf tea.

I do not suggest going cold turkey like I did. It was four days of misery. Cut back half for a day or two and continue cutting back half every day or so until you have eliminated all of it.

By: Roy

Roy — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 02:20:39 +0000

Got the book, will give it a shot. If I can dump the coffee, we’ve got a true miracle.

By: Bernice

Bernice — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:39:23 +0000

I’m sure I’ve missed a blog entry about the horrors of caffeine, and I can see a problem with caffeinated drinks, but I’m having trouble giving up my morning heart starter. Can you site the blog entry where caffeine is discussed.

By: Mary Poulin

Mary Poulin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:14:14 +0000

I would like to do this. I need some push, some extra motiviation. I’m going to read the pdf and hopefully get this started. It is 7/26/2010. Anyone else in?

By: Bernice

Bernice — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:40:21 +0000

Three days w/o bread, pasta, and sugar. I didn’t know how addicted to sugar (cookies) I was. Thanks for the info on on cardio classes. I’m doing six a week and strength training every other day, and you’re right I was always starving. I thought all those workouts would let me eat without counting calories. Thanks for the truth. Did I misunderstand the 30 day challenge program. Are you sending “something” out to subscribers three days a week?

By: Mike OD

Mike OD — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 21:56:48 +0000

Yes eating on the road is a challenge, but remember that you are in control….and can make most restaurants cook up something how you want it too. If your hotel room has a fridge you can also go shopping at a local market for foods to have around as well. Good luck! May take some planning and creativity, but that is how we all learn what can work!

By: Bernice

Bernice — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:57:32 +0000

I’m in, thank you. I do OK at home, but I travel for my job a few days every other week. It is so hard on the road to get anything really healthy at hotels and nearby restaurants? Any suggestions?

I’ll be back in town on Friday. Thank you so much. I’ve been trying IF since I found this site, but this support will be helpful

By: Mike OD

Mike OD — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:23:15 +0000

Yes, but I would go for other fish such as salmon, herring….more omega 3s and less Mercury/PCBs.