Tag: choices

Julie & Katie

CourtneyOJanuary 26, 2018Comments OffConversations

Hi Katie!!

Read your column from Sunday with great interest because I’ve been seriously thinking that I need to finally win my battle with sugar!!! I’m turning 53 soon and feel much older at times especially in the morning trying to get out of bed :/.

I’m probably not the first to write you for support but would love any advice and support you can offer?!?!?! Fortunately I can say I don’t eat a great deal of sugar but enough that I know giving it up and bread (that’ll be more difficult for me) would produce great benefits.

Thanks so much

Julie. 🙂

Julie,

Bread is definitely a hard one but since it is loaded with sugar, the best thing I did was identify it as “poison”. I know that sounds extreme but the way I was feeling each day felt like someone was slowly poisoning my body. I knew I would never actually eat poison so I looked at the foods I would miss the most as poison and that made me not want them. I haven’t had bread all year and I really doubt I will again. I feel so much better physically and have energy like I did 20 years ago. If you can set a goal for one month and get through that hard part, I know you can make it. The withdrawals and irritability get replaced by energy and feeling strong. You have to totally cut it to get there though. Maybe shoot me an e-mail every time you get tempted and I will see if I can help?

I have had lots of people e-mail me for support. More than I was expecting actually. There are lots of people like you that want to do this so take comfort in knowing you aren’t alone!

Debra

CourtneyOJuly 13, 2015Comments OffConversations

Good Morning,

I read your article about breaking the sugar addiction and I just wanted to know how did you detox. I try so hard and also tried so many times I just can’t get past the 2 week mark and the sugar grip gets me reeled back in…

Suffering and declining at 53 🙁

Debra

Debra,

There is no easy way unfortunately because you are getting rid of a drug from your body. I had a cranky 3-4 weeks. I used one Granny Smith apple in the morning and one in the afternoon my first month. I cut fruit completely for the second month so I knew the addiction was gone. I added back in modest amounts after that in my diet for vitamins but my main source is always vegetables. I have cut up veggies around all of the time. They are essential to your success.

Good luck with your journey. Check in any time. You will feel like a different person if you can get through the first month. It is smooth sailing from there.

Katie Coombs

Christy

CourtneyOJune 29, 2015Comments OffConversations

This article is me as well I believe thought i haven’t started the process. I know I have too much sugar and for my kids too. Do you have recipes to share that help ? And I would love to see the snacks yo give your kids. I am ready to get rolling on this asap and get my energy back!

Thank you for sharing your story!
Christy

Hi Christy,

The best recipes come from Paleo cookbooks even though I don’t follow Paleo exactly. The kids snack on lots of chopped vegetable and fruits or nuts and seeds. They do not eat as clean as I do but we are slowly getting them transitioned. They always eat a clean dinner.

I have also had lots of success on Google. You can just google clean chicken recipes or sugar free/carb free meal ideas and there is so much that comes up. You will eventually stop living to eat and completely shift to eating to live. Food isn’t about variety or even taste anymore but about health. With that said, some of the recipes out there are delicious. I own about three Paleo cookbooks and we use those lots.

Good luck in your journey. Check back in and let me know how it goes!

Katie Coombs

Letter from G.B.

CourtneyOJune 1, 2015Comments OffConversations

I read your editorial today and believe it works. What is a typical breakfast, lunch, and supper? What would you substitute for bread when making a sandwich? What do you substitute for snacks between meals?

Thanks.
G B

A typical day for me looks like this:

Breakfast -Protein shake if I work out or a banana and a hard boiled egg if I don’t Lunch – Usually chicken with raw cut up vegetables or steamed vegetables Dinner – Protein with vegetables.

I would substitute lettuce for bread if I was going to have a sandwich. I haven’t eaten any bread since January 2014 and feel so much better.

I don’t usually feel a need to snack, but if I do it is on sugar snap peas, celery, or fruit in moderation.

I do have an occasional cheat and that is usually a decaf mocha from Starbucks or popcorn. Sometimes, one of my younger kids will make chocolate chip cookies so I might have one but I usually do not feel good after so the cheats become not worth it and easy to avoid.

Good luck in your journey. Feel free to reach out anytime.
Katie Coombs

Christy

CourtneyOMay 18, 2015Comments OffConversations

Hi Katie,

First of all – thank you for sharing your story.

My name is Christy and I’m from St. Louis.

I feel that I have always been somewhat fit – but I don’t seem to feel that great. No major health issues, I just don’t think my quality of life is what it could be.

After reading your article, I am going to commit to doing what you did. I have quite the sweet tooth and although that will be a tough one, I want to feel good more than I want the sugar.

To give you a bit of info – I’m 53, 5’9 and weigh about 155. People tell me I’m skinny, but you know, I don’t have the energy or stamina I wish that I had. Honestly, I don’t think I look that thin – at least not by a healthy standard.

I am going to – beginning right now – cut out sugar and cut out bread.

I’m training for a 1/2 marathon with my nephew in October, so the exercise part is in check.

What is not in check – and why I would like your input   – is this –  WHAT DO YOU EAT? I guess what I would like from you is a sample menu of what foods you eat that leave you with having the energy to do your exercise routines, and feeling satisfied.

I would like to lose some weight, but more that that goal, I want to feel energetic and fit.

Unlike you, I don’t have any kids, so honestly, there is no excuse for me not being in amazing shape. I work full time and seem to come home from work, turn on the television and the night is shot.

Do you by chance have a book that would have this info in it?

Proof is in the pudding and you look great. Any tips you can send my way are appreciated. I looked up Dr. Dunlap, and although I cannot come to Nevada to see a doctor, I can certainly take away your tips. I asked my doctor this year if he thought an annual check-up is a good idea. He said no – not really – they just want your money.

I agree with your train of thought. Preventative health is just as important as treating real time illness. My mom is a diabetic – I don’t want to follow suit if I can help it.

Thank you Katie and keep up the great work.
Christy

Christy,

Thanks for sharing your story. My diet is so boring it might seem unsustainable but I have followed it for so long now I don’t even think about it.

Breakfast – Protein shake if I work out which holds me over to lunch. Banana and a hard boiled egg if I don’t work out

Lunch – Protein and vegetable

Dinner – Protein and vegetable

The Paleo cookbooks have great recipes to spice things up a bit. I don’t follow Paleo 100% as I do eat some dairy.

I have two things I cheat with occasionally – Starbucks Mocha and popcorn. That’s it. Otherwise I stay away from carbs and sugar. I eat fruit but very moderately as it has sugar so you want to be careful there. It took me about a month to cut out sugar and stop the withdrawals. Then the benefits of feeling great started kicking in and I don’t think about it much anymore. Occasionally I will eat something the kids bake but it usually makes me sick which is a great motivator not to touch it.

Good luck on your journey. Check in anytime you want!

Katie Coombs

Kathy & Katie

CourtneyOOctober 10, 2014Comments OffConversations

Hi Katie,

I really enjoyed your article on the battle with sugar. I can relate to so mayn points in your story and would really like to give up sugar and get healthier.

You mention cutting out carbohydrates,sugar and grains, so I was wondering if you could give me a sample of what you eat over a few days?

Thanks and regards,
Kathy

Kathy,

Good luck with your plan!

A typical day for me would be as follows:

Morning – protein shake or a banana

Lunch- baked chicken and vegetables (steamed or just cut up raw veggies)

Dinner- Steak with vegetables and a salad with dressing (be careful of the dressing – check for carbs and sugar)

I limit the red meat each week so dinner could be chicken or pork or shrimp. There are good recipes in the Paleo cookbooks out there. I eat cheese so I’m not 100% Paleo but close.

I make sure my portions fill me up. If you need to snack, pick vegetables or a fruit. Your body will adjust to this and not crave anything else within a month if you really stick to it. I don’t want any of the junk foods that I used to eat. They don’t taste good to me.

I hope this helps get you started. Reach out anytime.

Katharine & Katie

CourtneyOOctober 4, 2014Comments OffConversations

Hi Katie,

I just read your article about your life change. I live in Portland Or. I have many of the same “symptoms” as you said you had and my A1C this month was at 7.4. I am only 34 and pregnant with my first. My fiance and I are both morbidly over weight according to BMI.

I am wondering what you did for your mornings. I love carby sugary stuff in the morning with sugary coffee creamer. I believe starting the day out steong can help. I just don’t know how to add variety and satisfaction.

Also, How did you begin and stick with it with others in the house? I would need to be 100 in charge of all food and cooking if I wanted us both to do it and I dont want to deal with that.

Do you have any literature to recommend.

Thanks for sharing
Katharine, Portland Or. But Reno native.

Katharine,

The mornings also were why I had to make my biggest adjustment. I started by walking or running for 30 minutes before eating and then would do a protein shake. That was filling and kept me full until lunch. If that isn’t enough at first, I would add a banana and some scrambled eggs. You have to make sure you get enough calories to keep that baby fed! Once you get the sugars out, you will be amazed at how great coffee tastes plain. I always used to add cream (lots of it)!

In my house it is impossible to get all of the kids on this diet. You have to commit to this being your own journey and just avoid the foods that you know are poison for you. It took me some time and I slipped a few times but I got there. You will have to resist these temptations everywhere so if you can count on yourself at home then you can succeed anywhere. Keep chopped up veggies ready to eat always!! I use those as a substitute for chips, cookies, or anything I might grab just to be eating something.

All of the Paleo literature is helpful. I read articles on the Internet all of the time. I have a Paleo cookbook but I still eat a little bit of dairy (but not much). Be patient on healing your body. My stomach upset took 9 months to resolve but it is cured from this. That was very exciting after that long wait.

Good luck! Make sure to get permission from your obstetrician before making any a rule decisions.

Please reach out anytime if you need extra motivation!

Carole & Katie

CourtneyOOctober 2, 2014Comments OffConversations

Hi Katie,

When you say cut out all sugar, what exactly does that mean?
– Do you only eat naturally sweet things like fruit?
– Do you also avoid artificial sweeteners?

When you decided to cut out sugar and almost all carbohydrates, did you basically just stop eating sweet things, white bread, rice, and pasta? Or did you get into more complicated meal planning, counting, etc?

Thank you for any input.

PS I wouldn’t mind being copied on others’ questions and your answers. I’m sure it would all be helpful.

Carole,

I will be working on getting questions and answers up on the website this week so everyone can see it.

I don’t eat anything with artificial sweeteners. I did use lots of fruit in the beginning (mostly apples) to get me through withdrawals. I don’t want those sweet fruits anymore. I usually have bananas if I have fruit.

I don’t have time for complicated cooking but I did get two Paleo cookbooks. There are quick recipes (mostly the chicken ones) that are delicious. A typical dinner for me would be a chicken dish and the sides are broccoli and cauliflower and a salad with a dressing without sugar. I eat until I’m full so I really don’t skimp on portions at all. I stay clear of pasta for many reasons. The pasta itself but also the sauces which are typically loaded with sugar.

It’s really simple what I do each day as it is just eating to live instead of living to eat. Once you adjust to that mindset, your life changes completely.

Hope you have a great Monday.

Thanks Katie! Cauliflower should be a piece of cake…at least for me. I like it. My wife doesn’t care for it, but is willing to try. We are both around 50, and used to he able to eat anything. The last few years, on went a few pounds, and both of us feel “blah”, most of the time.