Should I Give Up Dairy to Lose The Rest of My Goal Weight?

Monday, November 02, 2009

I've been eating dairy for the nutrients we know each item contains. However, I've read several articles that advise to give up dairy completely for optimal health. I'm cornfused! (smiling) Yes, I'm a cheese eater (within calorie daily goals), and I drink non-fat milk and eat eggs. Perhaps just cutting out the eggs? Having learned so much during my first year of this healthier eating adventure, I realize that there is SO much more to learn. What has worked best for you? To dairy or not to dairy, that is the question.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SKYEFYR 11/3/2009 6:54PM

Humans are the only ones who still consume dairy after their first year of life. Any other animal is weaned and the they lose their tollerance for it. Studies are showing that many more people suffer from milk allergies than before realized. (And no, eggs don't count.) There are varying degrees of intollerance, but many people are happier without it. Today, it's pretty easy. Soy milk, rice milk, calcium fortified foods.... My ex was diagnosed lactose intollerant and it was really hard finding anything back then outside of going to the health food store! Oh, and they have ice cream that is lactose free. And health food stores have soy-based cheeses. Personally, unless I start having major side effects, I'm sticking to milk. I love the stuff. My ex tells me that flavor has come a long way on the lactaid and lactose free stuff, but I'll stick to milk personally. And something to think about. If you have an intollerance and give up milk for 7-10 days, your body will really rebel if you try and put it back in. So be sure you want to know before you try! What might be a minor allergy now could become a major pita if you give it up and try and go back to it. Report Inappropriate Comment

FLORIDASUN 11/3/2009 9:44AM

Hi dear one...I gave up dairy pretty radically when I went RAW/CLEAN..it was a stretch for me who poured 3 times as much skim milk into her cup as coffee. I gave up coffee with the RAW challenge and the first day I had a SPLITTING headache..I was a hard core coffee drinker..3-4 BIG cups every morning but nothing more throughout the day or evening. Surprisingly when I had my fruit smoothies to look forward to I completely lost the craving for it. Amazing by any stretch of the word..because I was close to an addicted coffee lover. I also LOVED cheese...all cheese any kind of cheese..the more the better.. I don't even miss it now and on my RAW/CLEAN I can still have small amounts of RAW goat cheese or sometimes when I have a Greek Salad I'll have the little bit of feta. Here's the secret..you have to do your own research and then make your own choices...I happen to think our dairy supply, especially our milk and eggs are for the most part tainted..full of hormones and chemicals from the animals that they come from...I'm sure there are some organics out there if you can find them that still might be healthy. I also think that when these foods are tainted that they do strange things to our bodies...I'm telling you I am NEVER hungry eating REAL food...I was ALWAYS hungry eating processed food...I'm living proof..real food is the way to go! That's my two cents worth..but you have to find your own journey..and you'll find it as soon as you start doing the research..check out my blogs..there is plenty of research to be found! Whoop da! Report Inappropriate Comment

THEADMIRAL 11/2/2009 9:13PM

Maybe it's something to bring up with your physician? I wasn't much of a milk drinker until I married DH, who is a big-time milk lover. So I drink milk with breakfast every day. I really enjoy yogurt and have eaten it for years. Since I'm post-menopausal and I don't like to take pills of any sort let alone calcium "horse" pills, my GYN doctor told me to eat extra yogurt. Of course, exercise increases the strength of our bones, regardless of age. Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTDOIT011 11/2/2009 3:16PM

When I ran out of my skim milk one week, I was short on my calcium intake every day. So, I always have skim milk around now, to keep my calcium levels up. Bone mass for women peaks around the late 20s, so it's really important to build strong bones before it's literally too late and your body can't build up its bones any more. I also loooove my plain nonfat yogurt (with berries!) so I couldn't give that up. It's how I get 60+g of protein/day. Just make sure to keep all your macronutrient and micronutrient levels up, whether you decide to eliminate dairy or not! Report Inappropriate Comment

MSLZZY 11/2/2009 2:20PM

I haven't given up dairy as I really like my yogurt daily. I drink milk occasionally but even do not use butter or cream as much as I did when I was younger. I never noticed if it made a difference in weight loss or gain. Sorry, I'm not much help on this issue. Report Inappropriate Comment

TYLERDRANGUET 11/2/2009 1:23PM

Maybe just a glass or two here and there, but make sure that you keep you calcium levels up. Other than that, you decision. Personally, I couldn't live without my yogurt. Report Inappropriate Comment

LEONALIONESS 11/2/2009 1:22PM

I don't eat dairy or eggs (or meat or fish ... or, you know, any animal bits) and I'm perfectly healthy. It may not be necessary to give up any of them to lose weight but I feel MUCH better not eating them. Most humans are intolerant of dairy to some degree or another. I actually just read an article about lactose intolerance actually being the norm and lactose tolerance the odd thing. It's really an American/European thing to do so much dairy. In many cases, folks who give it up feel a lot better. When you feel borderline unwell all the time you get used to that as your baseline. When I gave up dairy I was amazed at how much better I felt. IMO, it's worth a try. You absolutely do not need dairy to be healthy. I really dislike how it's pushed on everyone even though it's a statistical fact that most humans can't tolerate it to varying degrees. Cow milk is for baby cows. Period. Report Inappropriate Comment

IFDEEVARUNS2 11/2/2009 12:36PM

I didn't start losing until I started the dairy. I needed not only the calcium but the protein as well. Go figure! Report Inappropriate Comment

JYATES77 11/2/2009 12:20PM

You need the calcium and I have read that one 8oz glass of milk a day helps with wieght loss. Try giving up the cheese. Report Inappropriate Comment

JLITT62 11/2/2009 12:18PM

Well, we need calcium -- but not necessarily dairy. Yeah, it's definitely confusing. I don't usually eat a whole lot of dairy, but obviously I do love my cheese. So I have it in moderation, but drink soy milk (which has its own set of problems, of course -- everything does!), eat tofu, etc. etc. Oh, and I don't consider eggs to be dairy. They're the perfect protein! Again, in moderation. Report Inappropriate Comment

VVKIMBO07 11/2/2009 12:04PM

I wouldn't give up anything you love completely. I find that giving things up make you crave them so much more and then you might indulge a little too much after a while and can derail your entire program. But that's just my personal experience from the past. Report Inappropriate Comment

Goodbye Daylight Savings, Hello Sunlight Lamps

Sunday, November 01, 2009

I decided to create my own indoor extended daylight this year. When darkness falls early, I feel like it's time for bed and have to push myself to make the evening hours meaningful. Really don't want to go through the winter like that. Started researching sunlamps and, to my surprise, they are actually very affordable. I found great deals on both Amazon and Ebay. For now, got two sunlight lamps and have started turning them on before the time change to see how I liked them. They are definitely a soothing influence on the indoor environment. I'll use the dark nights to get into my exercise dvd's so I don't become a hibernating bear. (smiling) Happy November to all!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

WOLFSPIRITS 11/3/2009 7:01PM

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SKYEFYR 11/3/2009 6:45PM

Thank you for the reminder! Last year I was lucky enough to work in front of a great big window and get morning sun. For the last three years I haven't had a problem with SAAD (or however you spell it). I need to think about a light right now, before it starts. Do you really like yours? Would you recommend them? Report Inappropriate Comment

HOKU-ALOHI 11/1/2009 7:57PM

Hooray Jesse! lamps sound awesome and talk about health benefits. For years Daylight Savings meant twice a year I get jet lag and have not gone anywhere. This year for the first time ever, I don't even feel it. Wow...another win thanks to SP's healthy lifestyle. Ciao for now (((Hugs))) of Aloha ~ Maya Report Inappropriate Comment

MSLZZY 11/1/2009 4:06PM

I'm checking them out today! Report Inappropriate Comment

Life is a Theater, ­ Invite Your Audience Carefully

Saturday, October 31, 2009

I found this on the website of a San Diego radio deejay - Delilah - and wanted to share it. Thanks, Delilah!

“Life is a Theater, ­ Invite Your Audience Carefully”

Not everyone is spiritually healthy and mature enough to have a front row seat in our lives. There are some people in your life who need to be loved from a distance.

It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go, or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going-anywhere relationships, friendships, fellowships.

Observe the relationships around you.
Pay attention to:

Which ones lift and which ones lean?
Which ones encourage and which ones discourage?
Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill?
When you leave certain people, do you feel better or feel worse?
Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know and appreciate you and the gift that lies within you?

When you seek growth, peace of mind, love and truth, the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.

You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people you are around.

Ask God for godly wisdom and discernment, and choose wisely the people who sit in the front row of your life.


- Author Unknown

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SKYEFYR 11/3/2009 6:43PM

Lots of really good information and advice in there. Thanks for sharing! Report Inappropriate Comment

YATMAMA 11/1/2009 9:40PM

That was awesome and SO true. The healthier I become, the less tolerance I have for those who sap the life out of me, leech my strength and faith, drain my mind. Healthy people attract healthy people. Users attract users. Thank you for sharing this. Missy Report Inappropriate Comment

RICH530 11/1/2009 9:58AM

Thanks! That was great!! Hugs, Lee Report Inappropriate Comment

BSTAKINGACTION 11/1/2009 9:29AM

The older I get, the more this becomes vital to my existence. I used to collect friends...now, I select them. Who we are is influenced by so many things...the experiences we choose to participate in, how we respond to the things we can't control, AND the people we choose to surround ourselves with. Thanks for posting this...its been proven in my life and I couldn't agree more. Report Inappropriate Comment

VALERIENEAL 11/1/2009 9:11AM

This is so true, there are some people who will just literally suck you dry when you are trying to help them, and then there are those who will take advantage of you. Report Inappropriate Comment

JUSTFOXXY 11/1/2009 9:01AM

Great reminder that we hold the power to our destinies. We can be proactive and not reactive. Great blog. Report Inappropriate Comment

WALNUT5612 11/1/2009 8:56AM

I like that! Report Inappropriate Comment

LASHARINK 10/31/2009 9:47PM

This is definitely right on the money. Thank you for sharing. Report Inappropriate Comment

HOKU-ALOHI 10/31/2009 4:46PM

Yes I have learned the hard way that it is important to not fill the first row with folks holding tomatoes and trash. They can view via television where they can glean positive energy from me and I am not aware of their trash talking. What a wonderful analogy. Love the whole idea because for the first time ever, I understand where to seat folks when they come to visit my world. This is the most fantastic helpful information for me in many years! Report Inappropriate Comment

1NICUBABE 10/31/2009 12:45PM

Thanks for the great blog. Very true and inspiring. Report Inappropriate Comment

BOO-SHAY 10/31/2009 12:33PM

Loved reading the article, I've not read this before and it is so true. Thanks Report Inappropriate Comment

MSLZZY 10/31/2009 7:43AM

I've read this before but it still gets me thinking! Thank you! Report Inappropriate Comment

SIMPLELIFE4REAL 10/31/2009 6:55AM

Thanks for the great post! It's a good reminder for me. Report Inappropriate Comment

JLITT62 10/31/2009 5:12AM

"You cannot change the people around you, but you can change the people you are around." Thanks for sharing this -- what a great line! Report Inappropriate Comment

RENA1965 10/31/2009 12:44AM

Super Blog, many people use alot of energy on these going nowhere people.. My family drained me in general, so love them from a distance- another country.. Each of us in our respective countries I ain't cursing them or keep bad feelings anymore. I can even wish my own mother good health and luck. Sometimes we have to cut the cord to survive.. Report Inappropriate Comment

Why Do I Feel Heavier Now At 30 lbs Less, Than A Year Ago?

Friday, October 30, 2009

Last year I weighed 30 lbs more than today. Yet, I feel bigger and heavier now than I did then... how can that be? Maybe I'm more sensitive to the extra meat on my bones and aware of how much I want to be rid of it. In fact, some days (like today), I feel twice as big as I actually am. Like a Macy's Day balloon float in the Thanksgiving parade. Honestly, I can't "weight" to get the rest of this yucky stuff off of me. Tired of feeling tied down when I want to fly. (in a manner of speaking- I don't really have wings.) p.s. Thanks to all for your encouragement during my caffeine detox. Going into day 5 and starting to feel like a new person. No kidding!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SKYEFYR 11/3/2009 6:38PM

Could you be bloated? Have you backslid a little and your clothes are a little tight? I know when I have a lot of salt I feel like the goodyear blimp the next day. You'd think I'd avoid that, but there are times you just have to have the salty stuff! I think sometimes we also get stressed when the scale doesn't move and we start seeing ourselves as big people even though we're not. I actually have a "skinny" picture of myself that I make sure I look at on days when I feel that way. Remember to be kind to yourself! Report Inappropriate Comment

DDOORN 11/1/2009 8:57AM

Takes a while for our body image to catch up with reality. In the meantime, I can SO relate to that "wanting to fly" feeling...I crave any activity that brings me a step closer to that feeling...whooshing along on my bike, swimming in the open waters of a lake, buzzing along on a trail in the great outdoors...LOVE the feeling of freedom when I'm doing these things and for a bit I can really revel in the weight loss I've accomplished! Hope you can find similar types of activities for yourself! :-) Don Report Inappropriate Comment

MSLZZY 10/30/2009 5:59PM

It is a mind game so try to get past the thoughts. Think positive! Thirty pounds is quite a bit and since you have quit the caffeine, your mind latched onto something else. Do not be deterred! You CAN do this! You are unique! You are special! You are worth the effort! THINK THIN! Report Inappropriate Comment

FAMILYTRADITION 10/30/2009 11:29AM

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. I do agree with Maya-Sparks...you are in withdrawals...just like smokers quitting cigarettes (like me)....your body and emotions are going through a lot of changes. Keep riding the wave, keep working toward your goal. Be aware of your feelings, work through the negative onces, the irrational ones, move to the next thing. I have a feeling you look fabulous and you will see that soon :) Report Inappropriate Comment

RICH530 10/30/2009 6:39AM

Congratulations on 5 days caffeine free!!! A great accomplishment! I think we all have a preconcieved conception of what we see in the mirror and sometimes, even when the changes are big, we don't the change. Our mind sees and feels the same person we were. We need to convince ourselves that there is a change!! Just keeping telling yourself what a great job you are doing and it will come!!! A positive attitude helps in many ways!!! Keep up the good work!!! Lee Report Inappropriate Comment

JLITT62 10/30/2009 5:01AM

I, too, am almost 30 lbs lighter. Most days I really see it & feel it -- but some days I still feel really fat. I guess we will always have days like that. Getting rid of 30 lbs is a huge accomplishment tho! We have to celebrate it, no matter how much more we have to go. Now, instead of lugging my cats around with me everywhere I go, it's just Chester. Gotta get rid of that puppy, so to speak. Report Inappropriate Comment

DESERTDREAMERS 10/30/2009 3:24AM

Over a 3 year period, I have lost more than 100 pounds - and I still "see" myself as larger than I am. I bought some new pants on line using my taped measurements. When they came, they were large (not XL, XXL, or XXXL). I freaked a few minutes, took them out, and they fit. Can't believe it. I can feel my ribs (OK, I have to push a little, but still ...) Congrats on your weight loss! Report Inappropriate Comment

Day 4-Finally Feeling Better-Starting Psychological Cravings Though

Thursday, October 29, 2009

My 4th day of no caffeine and I am finally feeling better. Yes, as one sparkfriend commented, this has been unreal considering the small amount of coffee I was drinking daily. However, since I made it very strong, and am sensitive to the stuff, I think it's a cumulative buildup in my body that I'm dealing with.

Of course, this morning the thoughts started about how everyone else can have it, but I can't. (feeling deprived) How cold it is and wouldn't it be nice, etc. All of those potentially-sabotaging thoughts. I have herbal tea on-hand to make, and will stick to my guns.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SKYEFYR 11/3/2009 6:35PM

Herbal teas are wonderful, and if you look around, you can find some of the most fabulous flavors! I probably have over 20 flavors, and not only do they warm you up, but they can be fabulous treats when you need something yummy. There are peach, ginger, blueberry, all kinds of deserty stuffs. And celestial seasonings has a fantastic gingerbread one (and candy cane too). Have fun with them, and as always, good luck! Report Inappropriate Comment

THEADMIRAL 10/29/2009 8:54PM

You're making progress! Instead of the physical effects, now you're going through the emotional ones. Keep those tea bags ready at all times Report Inappropriate Comment

JCORYCMA 10/29/2009 7:23PM

Glad to hear you are feeling better! Joanne Report Inappropriate Comment

MSLZZY 10/29/2009 5:27PM

Quite honestly, I prefer herbal tea to coffee! I always make sure I have several different flavors on hand so I can mix it up and not feel deprived or bored. It is such a cozy feeling to drink tea in the evenings when I want to relax and call it a day ( 11 PM). Stick to your guns and keep feeling better! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOOSEINGIT 10/29/2009 4:27PM

Way to go ..set your goals and and stick with them.. Report Inappropriate Comment

HOKU-ALOHI 10/29/2009 2:23PM

Mmmm herbal tea!!! Yum!!! Congratulations on your coffee detox!!! Good-bye cup - no mo joe!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KIZIDOG 10/29/2009 1:54PM

Drink that tea girl, you are doing great. Someday I will join you. Star Report Inappropriate Comment