The FastDay Forum

[Tracieknits]

I did just see some rather large portions in the UK last week. I posted a picture of deep fried pizza and a deep fried mars bar that my son got in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile (Bene's). A friend of mine commented that Scotland is trying to out-America America At one place, he was served the same amount of roast gammon (ham) that I would feed to my family of three for dinner!

Something clicked for me while we were on our canoe trip last week. Right before we went in we stayed at my friends place and she served me Earl Grey tea. I have never had it before and it was so yummy to me! Once I got out of the BWCA a week later my need for coffee (and creamer) was gone and I have replaced it with tea. Any way long story short my cravings are half what they were and get this......

I have lost 2 pounds!

The only reason I drank coffee was for the yummy creamer and now that I have a replacement for that for some reason I have better control. I don't understand it but maybe things are finally looking up?? My mom was mad when I told her I switched to tea because she says my teeth will turn yellow. But I was thinking about it and I would rather have a healthy weight than white teeth and I"m sure there are things that can help with the staining. I was looking up the heath benefits of Earl Grey and it looks like one of them is craving control? It's not like I don't have tea I home, I have lots but this one seems to be working for me

Well that's my update for today. I'm on a fast day today and it is going very well. I'm not hungry at all

@Canoegal, coffee stains teeth just as much as tea, if not more. Great that you've found something simple that works for you. I'm lucky in that I enjoy black coffee and plain tea...though I occasionally have condensed milk in my coffee (my friend and I call it "pure evil" for a reason!)--not on a light day though!

The dentist who was arrested for disturbing the peace was found not guilty.
Which I think was the right outcome.

Well I have been ADF'ing for a couple of weeks now and it is going well. It's easier in this weather I have to admit although today I'm not fasting and felt really hungry for the first time in a while so I OD'd somewhat on manna bread, but that does not happen very often. I have started running again but I'm worried that my old hip injury will start up. I need to go and buy a foam roller - the evil black one that hurts like hell but works on ironing out the muscles. Can anyone recommend a good place I can get one from?

[Tracieknits]

I have no idea what a foam roller is. If you can describe it more, perhaps we can find you a place to get one. Amazon.com and ebay are always good choices for things I can't find anywhere else.

I agree that coffee is just as guilty as tea for tooth staining. It's great you've kicked the creamer habit, Canoegal The best I've done (which is still pretty decent) is swapped a splash of whole milk for the large lugs of cream and sugar I used to add. I aim for about 1 tablespoon of milk per shot of espresso, but I think that lately, that's been creeping up a bit.

Foam rollers can be purchased at most local sporting goods stores. And of course, Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Roller-LuxFit-Pre ... oam+roller

An 18" (45cm) long one is adequate for most purposes.

And what can you do with it?

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/ ... -exercises

Just for us, and mostly for fun - the 30 worst foods in America -

http://www.foodmatters.tv/articles-1/th ... ica-beware

Who orders or buys this stuff anyway??

Who orders or buys this stuff anyway??

Not us! The only establishment on the list that we ever go to is Macaroni Grill, where you can get a healthy meal, especially if you share it - or bring half home.

Not us! The only establishment on the list that we ever go to is Macaroni Grill, where you can get a healthy meal, especially if you share it - or bring half home.

I agree - share with a friend - or two !!!!

This reminds me of that NYTimes article about eating out in the US. Portions and ingredients are out of control. I'm scared of what will happen to me when I leave Japan. It's quite easy to get a reasonable meal here when you eat out.

It's all in the mind, @MaryAnn. Well, it should be, anyway. You sit down in front of a huge plate of food and say to yourself, "Oh, lovely, dinner for the next three days!" That doesn't work so well when traveling though.

Well I have been ADF'ing for a couple of weeks now and it is going well. It's easier in this weather I have to admit although today I'm not fasting and felt really hungry for the first time in a while so I OD'd somewhat on manna bread, but that does not happen very often. I have started running again but I'm worried that my old hip injury will start up. I need to go and buy a foam roller - the evil black one that hurts like hell but works on ironing out the muscles. Can anyone recommend a good place I can get one from?

Love the foam roller ! I have the black roller and bought it on Amazon. Hurt so good, when your done you feel more like a spring chicken, lot's of spring in your step. I use a softball to press out the tight spots around my hip where the IT band connects, does wonders. Learned about it at Phys Therapy. The therapist accomplished the same thing using her elbow on my sore hip muscles.

[Tracieknits]

Phew - @lovemyparrot I must be doing something right as I've never ordered any of those and the only restaurant on that list I ever eat at is PF Changs.

It's not just the US with huge portions. I was just in Scotland and France. In Scotland, there were several times I coudn't finish my meals. I love fish and chips (I know it's terrible but I only order it in the UK) and the portion sizes were outrageously large. My son was served roast gammon (ham/pork) at one place - and it was the amount of meat I would have served for my entire family of three - just on his plate.

In France, we went to an alsatian restaurant. The choucroute platter the boys ordered was absurdly huge, and my "small" flammenkuchen was huge. Then we went to a southwestern restaurant. I ordered cassoulet and they brought out enough to feed at least three people - just for me. And I was already almost full because the appetizer salad I had ordered was huge as well.

Wow, those pictures and y'all's comments make me realize that my tummy has become well-trained and I expect, like, and eat huge portions in restaurants. I went to lunch last week with my naturally thin friend and we both ordered the lime-citrus salad-- yummy flavors. I ate mine and felt satisfied. She ate half of hers and took the other half home in a box. I think this is something I will work on in the future, smaller portions, since I am guilty of large portions in my at-home eating too. Right now I'm working on curbing my constant evening snacking and one project at a time is all I can handle, but you know what? being here and reading your comments and hearing your stories makes me excited to see what I can do with changes in my life! Onward and upward