Back to Familiar Stomping Grounds
Posted by Allison at 6/15/2008 2:25 PM and is filed under uncategorized 
| Water, Beef, Water, Onion(s), Bell Pepper(s) Red (and), Bell Pepper(s) Green, Soy Protein Concentrate, Catsup {Tomato(es) Concentrate <Water,Tomato(es) Paste>,Corn Syrup High Fructose,Corn Syrup,Vinegar,Salt,Onion(s) Powder,Spice,Natural Flavor(s)}, Seasoning {Salt,Onion(s) Powder,Yeast Extract Autolyzed,Cornstarch Modified,Flavor <Soy Sauce Decolorized,Dextrose,Cornstarch Modified,Celery Extract>,Celery,Wheat,Soybean(s)}, Sugar, Spice, Turmeric, Dextrose, Garlic Powder, Caramel Color, Disodium Inosinate, Disodium Guanylate], Potato(es), Margarine [ Soybean(s) Oil, Water, Salt, Soybean(s) Oil Partially Hydrogenated, Mono and Diglycerides, Soy Lecithin, Sodium Benzoate, Natural Flavor(s) (and/or), Flavor Artificial, Beta Carotene, Vitamin A Palmitate], Tomato(es) Diced [ Tomato(es), Tomato(es) Juice, Salt, Calcium Chloride, Citric Acid], Tomato(es) Paste, Corn Maltodextrin, Cornstarch Modified, Cream Powder [ Cream, Soy Lecithin], Beef, Au Jus Concentrate [ Beef Stock, Flavor, Soy Sauce {Water,Wheat,Soybean(s),Salt,Sodium Benzoate}, Beef Fat, Caramel Color, Whey Cultured {Milk}, Cornstarch, Onion(s) Powder, Sugar, Garlic Powder, Salt, Cornstarch Modified, Potato(es) Starch, Beet Powder, Lactic Acid, Corn Syrup Solids], Milk Non-Fat, Beef Type Flavor [ Corn Gluten Hydrolyzed, Soy Protein, Wheat Gluten, Yeast Extract Autolyzed, Dextrose, Soybean(s) Oil Partially Hydrogenated, Cottonseed Oil Partially Hydrogenated, Soybean(s) Oil], Onion(s), Yeast Extract Autolyzed, Garlic Roasted, Salt, Sugar, Corn Oil, Pepper(s) Red, Pepper(s) Paste Red [ Bell Pepper(s) Red Roasted, Dextrose, Water, Salt, Yeast Extract, Potato(es) Starch, Natural Flavoring, Soy Sauce {Water,Soybean(s),Wheat,Salt}], Worcestershire Sauce [ Vinegar Distilled, Molasses, Corn Syrup, Water, Salt, Caramel Color, Garlic Powder, Sugar, Spice, Anchovies, Tamarind, Natural Flavor(s), Sulfite (Added as a preservative)], Xanthan Gum, Parsley, Pepper(s) White, Corn Syrup Solids High Maltose, Emulsifiers [ Mono and Diglycerides, Milk Non-Fat, Wheat Starch], Chives, Black Pepper, Garlic Granulated, Soybean(s) Oil, Spice, Spice Extractive. |
Would you ever guess that this is Weight Watchers' "Meatloaf with Gravy and Garlic-Herb Mashed Potatoes"? Yet, this is the kind of SAD stuff WW has us eating. So why do I keep going back to this program? Mainly because I do better with the accountability, and I like all of the other support - the books, health information, support meetings, and myriad tools to help with recipes, exercising, etc. If there were a raw group like WW I would go there instead, but for now this is all I've got.
For those of you unfamiliar with Weight Watchers, they have you pay a weekly fee to attend a support group and receive helpful materials aimed at helping you lose weight. You get a food tracker and you document everything that passes your lips (including water, since that's good for you!). All foods have Point values based on their fiber, fat and caloric content. The healthiest foods have the lowest Points, naturally, so that you are encouraged to eat more of them. On the "Core Program" you don't even count Points; you just stick to the foods on the Core foods list and eat until you are satisfied. Perfect for a raw foods enthusiast, as just about every common fruit, herb and vegetable we'd eat is on the Core plan. You get weighed every week and, during the lecture, you hear the WW Leader tackle a variety of issues related to weight loss and health. The best meetings for me are those with a lot of people (so I can hide in the back) and a charismatic, enthusiastic and creative leader who truly lets the needs of the group trump any weekly lesson plan offered by WW Inc.
So, anyway, I've spent my first week on the WW plan using the Flex Program, which allows you to eat whatever you want but requires you to count Points. You have a certain number of Points you can consume weekly, based on things like your weight, gender and activity level. Being overweight, I can eat a lot of Points right now. I've lost 8 lbs as of today, the end of week 1. Going raw on WW will be a challenge, so it's something I'll do gradually and will involve switching to the Core plan. Eventually I'd like to be eating whole, vegan foods - some cooked- while on this plan. Some raw foodists may think I should jump right into eating raw, but I have to do this my way- and right now I'm just happy to lose weight and get myself motivated!
By the way, I'm on week three of my hypothyroid medication (Armour) since starting it up again. My hair doesn't appear to be falling out yet. I've also continued to stay away from eating raw foods that inhibit thyroid function. Since the variety of raw foods available to me is greatly decreased because of this, I've decided to bring back some of the goitrogenic vegetables and eat them cooked, as cooking removes the thyroid-inhibiting effect. That means that for dinner today I'll be eating broccoli for the first time in ages!
I want to validate you for 1) listening to your body; 2) having the courage to find your own path; and 3) for getting the support you need. Your story is full of heart and soul.
I've flipped back and forth from WW Flex and eating wholesome, raw foods. There are a ton of low point, highly processed foods. Of course, fruits and veggies are so low so this is a plus!
Keep sharing your journey. Thank you!
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You're so good at articulating your thoughts into a good read. Your explanations make sense. I'm glad you're doing this for yourself. Having local support from WW while raw will be very exciting as you continue to lose weight. I hope your success will encourage some others in your new group to jump on board. (next thing you know, they'll be asking you to start up a rawfood potluck!) Then as you see regular results, it will encourage you to keep it up.
Encouragement: Today I tried on my old skin-tight jeans and they're getting baggy. Definitely feeling encouraged!
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Allison, It is great to know that cooking removes the anti-thyroid effect of certain foods. Thanks for the info. I was "working" in California-in the desert-near Vegas-I thought about you frequently while there. If I do some more work in that area-maybe we can connect for a raw food dinner or at least a brief hello.
Daily-while working, for my protein, I ate the hemp protein with maca and E3Live that I had ordered from Angela Stokes' website. During the 3 week work period in Ca, I was as stong as any other woman within 15-20 years of my age-if not stronger, had more energy, and was so "happy". Hmmmm-maybe what they say about maca and/or E3Live worked for me.
Due to my strength and health now, I think the best thing I have ever done for myself was juice feasting and having David initially as my coach. It took awhile for me to see the results (probably because some days I was too exhausted to do the juicing), and there were times when I had extreme doubts as to the benefits. Your blogs have helped me learn some needed things on the journey. Many blessings to you and to all of us who are taking the path to better health.
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I am so happy to hear you've already lost 8 pounds!! That's really amazing and you know what works best for you. I am going in this week to have my thyroid checked. I have been suspicious for sometime that there may be an issue. I may be hitting you up for diet tips if it's off.
Congratulations on your great start with WW!
xo....Penni
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Hi. You mentioned that you were on week 3 of Armour and "no hair loss yet". Hair loss is not directly from Armour, but from staying on the low starting doses too long without raising. And there's hair loss from having low ferritin. It's all here: www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/things-we-have-learned Hope that helps. Nancy
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Hi RawAllison - made my decision-- looks like you'll have a raw (or as much raw as possible) flex-plan twitter-pal! Just found your blog-- and totally agree with you! It works for me too, AS LONG AS I don't cheat the system and save up points for a DQ blizzard- agh! I'm very weak at times. NEED to get back on track, focus, and need a system of sorts for me too. Figure I NEED to start tomorrow morning -my Ben and Jerry UNraw pint of the new cakebatter flavor did me NO good tonight, except bring on guilt- but time to look ahead, so back to greens tomorrow- and a new hope! Here's to flex plan- transition to core plan/freedom WW!! Sending good vibes your way!!
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Hello! I wondered what had happened to you. I am so glad to read your inspiring words. As another African-American woman trying to improve her health, I am so glad to have you as an example. Get in touch when you have time. Have you heard of soulvegfolk?
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what an inspiring blog.
thank you thank you for posting all this time.
glad i found it.
you rock!
tommy
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So, how's it going with the ww this week? I don't get to pop onto Twitter much these days and when I do go, it doesn't let me look at more than just the first page. UGH
Anyway, I hope it's continuing to go well for you, Allison! It sounds like it's working well for you!
My holistic doctor keeps wanting me to take thyroid meds for my low thyroid, but I still haven't done it. I have some more tests coming up, so we'll see what they show after almost 2 years of raw. At least thyroid meds don't have a lot of negative side effects, from what I've read. Are you feeling okay with it, so far?
I'm sending lots and lots of love to you!
Wendi
XOXOXO
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Thank you, Tommy!
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no, no. thank you.
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