Category: Health and Fitness

Not By Bread Alone

In recent years, I’ve written about Christmas services, traditions, and worship practices. I’ve shared the origins of Christmas carols and posted pictures from family and church celebrations. I’ve never even written a short note about white bread. 

Until now. 

In 1942, Ellen Barbara Segner created Little Miss Sunbeam for the Quality Bakers of America. The character was based on a young girl Segner observed playing in New York’s Washington Square Park. Over the years, she produced over 30 oil paintings of Little Miss Sunbeam for the company in its marketing

For well over 60 years, the Quality Bakers of America has changed its bread packaging just after Thanksgiving to add an image of Little Miss Sunbeam bowing her head in prayer. Next to her, the phrase “Not by bread alone” is written. This is a portion of a quote from Jesus who, in Matthew 4:4, said “It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God.” This packaging usually remains until early in the new year.

The Quality Bakers of America’s blog states that the annual temporary change in marketing “serves as a gentle nudge to look beyond the material aspects of life. It encourages consumers to reflect on the spiritual nourishment that goes hand in hand with the festive season.”

I don’t know anything about the Quality Bakers of America. Their executives and employees may simply be continuing the packaging for tradition’s sake or as a marketing technique. Regardless, the image and message has reminded millions at Christmas time that people need more than the meeting of physical needs to truly live. 

We need the “bread of life.”

We need Jesus.

*Image courtesy of the Quality Bakers of America

**Special thanks to my friend Dr. Shantrell Byrd

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Our Battle Against Gluten

Last year, my wife noticed she had a skin condition. When it didn’t clear up, she saw a doctor. In fact, over the next three months, she visited six doctors, some multiple times, including two dermatologists. One said she had dry skin. Another said she had contact dermatitis. A third was certain it was shingles. Finally, Doctor #7, aka Dermatologist #3, ran a series of tests because he suspected she had Celiac disease.

Celiac is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the ingestion of gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley) leads to damage in the small intestine. In other words, when my wife eats gluten, her body goes on the offensive against itself and mounts a serious immune response which attacks and damages her small intestine. 

Dermatologist #3 said, “It might be Celiac disease. Stop eating gluten.” Then, in drop the mic fashion, he left the room. 

There was no applause.

“That’s it?” my wife asked the nurse. “Is there any information that will help me be gluten-free?”

She shrugged and replied, “Don’t eat gluten.”

How insightful. 😑

The next week, Dermatologist #3’s assistant called my wife and said, “It’s confirmed. You have Celiac disease. So, stop eating gluten and start taking iron pills. 

Even though we expected it, my wife didn’t expect such an abrupt call. She asked the nurse if she could send the information about the diagnosis and further instructions over the hospital portal so she could read over it thoroughly. Later that day, she received the following message over the portal: 

“You have Celiac disease. Take iron pills.”

Doctor #7 then referred Kathy to a rheumatologist (Doctor #8). He confirmed her diagnosis and said, “Act like you have an extreme allergy. Rid your home of gluten. You can’t even smell bread.”

Back at home, I went through our kitchen to rid it of gluten. I carried a big box of glutenized items to my office. Apparently, we were living in Gluten Central. 

But no more. We now live in a gluten-free home.

Some people have said to me, “You can have gluten in your home. She just can’t eat it.” That’s true, but since it’s just the two of us, we’ve found it easier just to be gluten free at home. I don’t want her to have to read labels at home before she eats. 

We’ve learned a lot over the last year. My wife took an online course, visited specialists, we both met with counselors, and we even went on a cruise designed for people with Celiac (check it out at www.celiaccruise.com. It was great.) 

Living with Celiac has been a huge shift in our lives. Do I miss gluten at home? Sure, but I’m getting used to it. 

And she’s worth it. 

Every bit. 

*Image courtesy of Michiel Annaert

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The Lose It App at the One Year Mark

I did it! Well, more or less.

As of yesterday, I have officially been using the Lose It App for one year. In that time, I’ve lost and kept off 42 lbs. I’ve also wanted to throw my phone into Lake Pontchartrain 27 times, not because the app has done something wrong or malfunctioned, but because I get tired of being disciplined.

Weight loss is hard work and I’m not talking about entering the foods I eat. I mean the decision after decision to not eat something when I really want it. I mean the decision to exercise at least three times each week. I mean the extra steps I take when I really want to veg out in front of the tv. I mean the decisions to skip dinner when I’ve already used up my calories for the day.

It’s been a long year of hard work (with a little bit of cheating) but all in all, I’m glad I decided to use Lose It. It’s been a disciplined route to weight loss without pills, without shots, without surgery, and without anything weird. Just tracking diet and exercise with a longterm goal in mind.

It works, so I renewed it yesterday for another year.

Thanks Lose It.

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Lose It App After 6 Months

Six months ago, I started using the paid version of the Lose It App.

As of this month (December 2022), I’ve lost 34 lbs with no surgery, no medication, and no supplements.

Here’s how it works: 

  • First – I track my food intake. I type in my food or scan its barcode. If the food is not included in the app, I can add it using its real, or estimated, caloric information. 
  • Second – I stick to my calorie budget (mostly). When I started my account, I entered my height, age, current weight, and goal weight. The app shared how long it will take for me to reach my goal weight IF I follow my personalized daily calorie budget. Currently, I’m scheduled to reach my goal weight by mid-March 2023. (We’ll see)
  • Third – I enter my daily exercise. When I exercise, not only am I raising my metabolism, but I earn extra calories which are added to my daily budget. My steps app is connected to my Lose It App. After 7500 steps, I can earn extra calories. 

With the Lose It App, I can eat whatever I want as long as I enter my calories. I’ve discovered that when I track my calories that I tend to eat rather than drink my calories, drink more water, and make healthier choices simply because I have to enter what I eat. Also, when I make healthier choices, I get to eat more (which I like). Fortunately for my weight loss and unfortunately for my taste buds, as I lose more weight, my daily caloric allowance lessens. At first, I was upset about this, but now I understand because I’ve continued to lose weight.

I usually weigh once a week on Friday morning. Then, sometime during that day, I give myself a weekly treat (but I still keep track of its caloric information). 

Have you had success using Lose It or another weight loss system?

If so, good for you. Let me know about your journey in the comments section.

*Photo courtesy of Samuel Ramos

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The Day Before Black Friday

Sometimes I feel sorry for Thanksgiving. 

Some have called it the most neglected of the major holidays. Although it gets more attention than Ground Hog Day (sorry Bill Murray), it’s slowly getting squeezed out by the Christmas, the king of the hill as far as holidays are concerned. Even Black Friday, which has taken over Thanksgiving Friday and is making its moves on Thursday, gets more respect than it deserves. 

Thanksgiving does lack the pageantry and presents of Christmas. It’s meant to be simple, but so much has changed. It’s now become a day that’s more about overeating (gorging might be a better word), football watching (the original binge watching), dish washing (somebody has to do it), and Christmas shopping (sigh). 

But it doesn’t have to be that way.

We can choose for Thanksgiving to be more of what it was meant to be. (It’s actually more of what Christmas should be as well) – a day when family and friends cease from their labor, thank God for his blessings, and enjoy some of his blessings, all the while growing closer together and closer to him.  

Sorry, Thanksgiving, for the way I’ve treated you over the years. This year, help me remember to be truly thankful. 

*Image Courtesy of Priscilla Du Prees

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Lose It App at the 16 Week Mark

For 16 weeks, I’ve been trying my best to find a way to cheat the Lose It App. 

Finally, I’ve figured it out. You cheat by not entering everything you consume into the App.

However, the results are like cheating on an eye exam. I can cheat for the day by not entering everything I eat, but it doesn’t translate to my bathroom scale at the end of the week. I guess the proof is always in the pudding (as long as you enter it into the app).

After 16 weeks, I have begun to embrace the intermittent fasting feature as well. At first it seems silly to think of fasting for a 12 hour period. I mean, what good will that do? I probably come close to that several times a week anyway. However, when I begin the fasting time (which I now do about twice a week) I’ve come to see how often I do reach for food late in the evening or even when I wake up in the middle of the night. This feature helps me keep myself accountable and helps me leave it alone.

So, here’s the moment of truth. After 16 weeks, I’ve lost a total of 28.6 lbs. Not bad. It’s kind of exciting when I realize that I could be at the 30 lb mark in another week or so. 

Thanks for following my Lose It App journey. I plan to make an update every 4 weeks or so. See you at the 20 Week Mark.

*Image courtesy of Drew Beamer

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Fighting For Survival

Today, I found myself in the midst of a battle. 

I was minding my own business, trying my best to provide for my family, 

When my adversary felt it was time to hinder my progress. 

At first, I was gentle and friendly, communicating with him that I wanted the best for both of us.

But he didn’t go for it.

Instead, his stubbornness grew.

I tried moving him to the left but he wouldn’t budge.

I tried moving him to the right to no avail. 

Suddenly, a crowd formed around us to watch the struggle.

Embarrassed by the attention, I redoubled my efforts to win the skirmish.

But it didn’t work and my frustration grew with every passing moment.

My fists soon developed minds of their own and they pounded the sides of my opponent.

When I could take it no longer, I grabbed my enemy and raised him over my head.

My strength multiplied as I yanked at his layers and finally ripped him in two. 

I dropped my foe to the ground and held on to the portion I had snatched away.

And then, following my neighbor’s example, I licked my thumb and rubbed it across the plastic bag I held in my hand as I stood in the produce aisle of the grocery store.

To my amazement, it finally opened.

Celebrating my victory, I placed my zucchini inside and continued my battle for food.

I repeated the process in the broccoli section.

I never learned this skill as a child. 

It wasn’t taught at home, at church, or at school, 

Yet, be forewarned good people,

For it is necessary for survival.

*Image courtesy of attentie-attentie.

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Lose It App at the 12 week mark

I’ve been using the Lose It App for 12 weeks now. 

And…(Drumroll please)…

I’ve lost 22.2 lbs. 

I’m still pretty impressed with the process.

The app doesn’t judge me on what I eat, it simply tracks my caloric intake, my water consumption, my steps, other exercise (if I enter it), and my weight loss. It also encourages me to complete a 12 hour fast once a week. I typically do it from either 6pm to 6am or from 7pm to 7am.

I know, it sounds like a wimpy fast to just do it overnight. However, it’s been beneficial to me because I’ve found myself following that practice on at least half if not most of my nights now. 

And because fresh vegetables are lower in calories than most everything else I consume, I can eat more of them. This process has drawn me toward them in a subtle way.

Touche’ Lose It App people. Pretty clever of you.

I’ve got a long way to go, but this slow process of dropping weight has been good for me. I’m making a real lifestyle change and it feels good. 

Be watching for another update at 16 weeks.

*Image courtesy of Lose It

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I Got The Tofu

Recently, I took my first bite of what I thought was a steamy plate of sliced chicken and vegetables in a savory Asian sauce. Suddenly, my gag reflexes began to engage. Something was incredibly wrong.

“Dear,” I said to my wife. “I think there may be something wrong with my chicken.”

“That’s not chicken,” she replied.

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s tofu.” she answered with a smile. 

“Tofu!” I exclaimed. “Oh no! I’m not sure I’m ready for us to start eating tofu.”

For those of you who are unaware, tofu is a semi-food substance prepared by coagulating soy milk, then pressing the resulting curds into solid white blocks of varying softness, and finally marinating it overnight in liquid sadness.

“The secret to eating tofu,” my wife explained, “Is to eat it with something else on your plate. You see, on its own, it has no taste.”

“That’s the truth!” I said.

“Try some more,” she said. “You might even start to like it.”

Instead, I shook my head and said, “I’m not sure I can eat tofu. It sounds like a condition you get from an old pair of sneakers.”

“Eat your dinner,” she replied.

“I’m not sure about this,” I said. “What if I get sick and people ask me what I have? I’ll have to say, ‘I’ve got the tofu.’ Then people are going to start saying, ‘There goes John. He never washes his feet and now he has tofu.’”

“Eat your dinner,” she said once again.  

“I’m expected to finish this?” I exclaimed.

The expression on her face indicated that I had no choice.

So, I carefully partnered every bite of tofu with vegetables and wiped the plate clean of the sauce which also masked the absence of taste and personal freedom.

So far, we haven’t eaten tofu again. But there’s a block of it in our refrigerator. I discovered it after thinking it was cream cheese for my bagel. 

Sigh…

*Image courtesy of Sherman Kwan.

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Lose It App at the Eight Week Mark

Eight weeks ago, I realized I was fat. I’m not sure what happened. All I did was eat way too much consistently over several years and then boom, suddenly I’m fat. I knew I needed a lifestyle change with a directed plan. So I visited my friendly App store and downloaded the paid version of the Lose It App.  

Here’s how it works: 

  • First, I track my food intake. The app database has over 33 million foods. I either type in my food or scan its UPC barcode. If the food is not included in the app, I can add it using its real, or at least estimated, caloric information. 
  • Second, I stick to my calorie budget (For the most part). When I started my account, I entered my height, age, current weight, and goal weight. The app shared how long it will take for me to reach my goal weight IF I follow my personalized daily calorie budget. Currently, I’m scheduled to reach my goal weight by mid-March 2023. 
  • Third, I have the option to enter my daily exercise. When I exercise, not only am I helping myself raise my metabolism, but I earn extra calories which are added to my daily budget. Currently, my exercise of choice is walking. I’ve connected my steps app to my Lose It App. After 7500 steps during the day, I begin to earn extra calories. 

After 8 weeks using the Lose It App, I’ve lost 15 lbs. Not too shabby. 

The Lose It App’s biggest weakness is probably what I like about it. I can eat whatever I want as long as I enter my calories. As you can imagine, my wife is thrilled about that (Yeah, right). Even so, I’ve found that I tend to eat rather than drink my calories, drink more water, and make healthier choices simply because I have to enter what I eat. Also, if I make healthier choices, I can eat more (which I like).

Have you had success using Lose It or another weight loss program app? Let me know.

*Image courtesy of Volodomyr Hryshchenko and Unsplash

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