Hi Oolala - NoS is the foundation in my life for my eating. Everything started from there, when I realized I actually needed to sit down and eat a "meal" rather than grazing all day. I love it and I love this forum, which gives a basic structure to my days.
However, for me it was health reasons that got me changing what was on the plate after 5 years of basic NoS (which I definitely believe halted what was becoming a rather speedy weight gain in my 30's). Prediabetes (and terrible post-meal fatigue because of it), pre-hypertension, a kidney stone, kidney function issues, arthritis. I finally decided to move away from processed foods in December 2017. I lost about 5 pounds by the end of spring 2018, then in the summer began eating more animal foods and reducing grains in my meals. That's when my body started feeling better. My joints are so much better that I RUN now. Running was painful for me even in college, so I've come to believe it actually is a food thing in my case. My gut, which had been problematic, seems to thrive on my daily yogurt. I used to need a nap mid-afternoon (of course I didn't usually get one and just dragged along) - and since changing my diet I don't have that afternoon slump anymore. My blood pressure is actually LOW now - sometimes I forget there was a time when it was elevated. My blood sugar is still a problem, although most doctors wouldn' tell me that anymore or catch the problem during a routine checkup. I just know what ideal blood sugars are, and mine aren't them.
In my case, I believe that I damaged my metabolism (specifically, my mitochondria) with decades of eating processed foods (particularly industrial seed oils and refined carbohydrates). I believe we all have different genetic susceptibilities to the level of processed food we can eat before some sort of health problem emerges. Because of my metabolic damage, I can't tolerate the same kinds of foods that any otherwise healthy person could. I believe that if I had never eaten processed foods throughout my life, I would not have prediabetes and I could eat more carbohydrates without problem. I don't think carbohydrates CAUSED my metabolic derangement, but because of my current damage, I don't get to play in the "carb sandbox" as much as people without this damage. I believe/guess my joint pain was either from processed seed oils (lots about how pro-inflammatory they are these days), or a more intrinsic sensitivity to grains. I don't really know. These sorts of things are always so difficult to suss out.
I have not done fasting at all - been tempted but never strongly. I listen to podcasts and read books about fasting ALL.THE.TIME. and it's kind of like watching animals in a zoo. I'm like, "hun. Interesting. But I don't like being hungry for long."
![Mr. Green :mrgreen:](./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif)
I do think in my case it's good not to push my inner rebel. I'm at a good place with my food choices and mealtimes and I don't want to tempt fate by adding a layer of discipline that fasting would require. One place that I differ from you at this point (time may shift this!) is that I still prioritize protein. Although I completely respect the concept that protein restriction can increase lifespan in animal models, I personally believe that my muscle mass is my best organ of longevity. I don't want to risk, by protein restriction, losing one ounce extra than aging takes from me. But these areas of discussion are constantly changing and I love following the research. What's particularly fascinating for readers of the science is that we can read an argument and be convinced, but STILL not feel it's worth it to implement in our way of eating. In that sense, Reinhard is STILL the best.
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
We have to find a sustainable way of eating that checks most of the boxes about our beliefs. And then we need to get on with living!
Pinkie - I am really excited about my summer painting projects! I love blue, like you, but I also ADORE burnt yellows and burnt oranges. Those could go well together, right?
Monday, June 22
125.something - ugh. I guess I had too many sourdough pretzels and chips
I was actually a little depressed yesterday because I could FEEL my body want to overeat on the sourdough pretzels I made. It was like a little switch flipped in my brain and drug addiction pathways were being followed. I was hoping the homemade product with the high level of sourdough starter in it, would not trigger that pathway. No such luck.
Eating
B: coffee w/cream
L: leftover sourdough waffles, plain and snacked out during a yard work break.
D: pork loin chop! Oh man I baked them just right. They are so juicy! Yay for me to finally cook something properly.
a large glass of wine
My sauerkraut is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! I'm thrilled that I can do this so easily.
Moving
Goal - morning and afternoon dog walks
What I care most about today
*walk/jogging
*pull-ups to failure
*weeding around blueberry bushes and strawberries - pulling out some sod to enlarge the area
*taking some things to Goodwill - holy cow.... the donation line was 2.5hours long and the attendant told me it's like that way all day every day! I guess I'll try again in a month, haha