Let's Do Lunch Class at my church

[Bethann]

I continue to be amazed and thankful how helpful everyone is here!
Blessings to you today! 

Welcome Terlyn, Leisuregranny, Rhonda and any other recruits! LDL is wonderful! It is so worth it! 

[leisuregranny]

Tonight's class was great again.  Crickadoodle brought a crockpot full of her version of Nikki's Favorite Bean Soup.  It was absolutely outstanding. Can't wait to make this soup in a few days.  I'll be doing the soup and fruit flush again this Monday, and I want to stay with a lighter soup for that.  4.6 pounds gone in one week. Whoo Hoo!  Love it, love it, love it.

Blessings,
Sylvia

[julie409]

Sylvia,

That's terrific!  Congratulations!

Julie

[crickadoodle]

Julybug -- from experience with your husband you've gained such sensitivity for others.  Isn't that what the problems of life were meant to do?  Thank you for sharing what you did.  I do know of a person in our church who can't read at all and I'll bet she doesn't attend the classes for that very reason.  I'm sure there are others. 

Thank you, Sylvia, for your enthusiasm.  I'm glad the soup was delicious!  I was a bit worried, since I have a cold and it really didn't taste right to me -- but nothing has been tasting right!    I could tell that the soup was very creamy and it felt so good on my throat.  I had 9 different kinds of beans in this one and it was hard to find many that were totally intact!  The beans I used were: big limas (which I couldn't see anywhere in there!), black beans, small red beans, regular red beans, black eyed peas, split peas, pinto beans, white beans and lentils.  FYI -- I buy 9 -- 1 lb. bags of beans.  I get 3 -- 1 gallon ZipLock bags.  I put 2/3 cup of each of the 9 bags of beans in each one gallon bag and end up with 3 -- 3 lb. bags of nine beans -- Oh, except, I left out the lentils until I was ready to cook the soup.  I knew they'd disintergrate way too soon if I soaked them overnight.

Julie -- you are so right that if even just one person is helped, it is rewarding to share with others what we've been so blessed by.  I think more than one is catching on, though!  Our second class wasn't as big as our first -- probably about 1/2 the size.  I was prepared for that, though.  When you share about LDL, it seems too good to be true or sometimes people just think they can't give up grains -- breads, potatoes, whatever.  I made sure that I covered the whole LDL plan with them the first night, and gave them a sheet with the info, in case they didn't make another class.  Last night class was a review of LDL and then we looked at what stress, sleep and exercise do for your weight.  Next class will be on ways to increase your metabolism.  So, it isn't going to be solely on LDL, but it'll be a place they can go to get support while just getting started on LDL.  They'll always be time for questions.

[Bethann]

Audio book! Great idea!
We have learned how wonderful they can be since my Mother has lost her sight! She sure loves her audio books!

[wendysgoodnews]

I love the idea of an audio book.  I listen to teaching tapes when I travel and when I walk so this would be a great book to add to my library.

[crickadoodle]

Well, the class at church is going very well, I feel.  I love getting the feedback that people are losing weight.  I can see how excited some of them are -- so it is the same experience I had with LDL.

Since LDL is so simple, the first class covered the basics.  I've gone on to a few other topics that are important to realize about losing weight.  The second class dealt with 3 things I felt really helped me lose weight -- de-stressing my life, getting enough sleep, and exercise.  It was very interesting to study up on those 3 things.  Stress and a lack of sleep really do sabotage weight loss.  Exercise helps you get rid of stress and also helps you sleep better at night.  I guess all three fit together.

The third class was about ways to speed up your metabolism.  I really think this is so important to know.  I did research online, again.  The most amazing thing I realized was that as you age your metabolism decreases to the same degree that as you age your muscle mass decreases.  Muscle burns more calories than fat and the statistics are so telling.  The main thing you really need to do is increase your muscle mass.  So many people think any kind of exercise will do this, but that is not the case.  Aerobic exercise doesn't increase muscle mass -- so that means walking, running, cycling, etc. will not cause you to gain muscle.  Muscle is built by doing resistance and weight bearing exercises.  This is crucial -- and I see it visually in my poor mom.  Her muscle mass has gone to almost nothing.  I decided that every other day she is going to use light free weights (dumb bells) and ankle weights to build up some muscle. 

Oh, that is the good news.  No matter how old you are, you can build muscle.  I know now that even though I've lost muscle mass, I can build muscle back and actually have more muscle than I had in previous decades.

The statistics say that the average American loses 0.5 % of muscle every year from age 25 - 60.  Then at 60 it doubles to 1% a year.  At 70 it doubles again to 2%, 80 -- 4% and 90 -- 8%.  It is due to inactivity.  If you stay active and do weight bearing exercise -- or work like gardening -- you can maintain and even reverse this. 

Muscle and metabolism are just about one in the same.  That's why men lose weight so much faster than women -- they have more muscle!  It just all makes so much sense to me now and I'm so glad I got the chance to teach this class.  Teachers always learn so much more than their students.  It is good to be armed with information.  It strengthens your resolve to do what is right. 

Now, I know that you will still lose weight following LDL if you don't exercise, but eating LDL will not increase your muscle mass.  We need to do our part to keep our bodies strong.  I have lost my weight with LDL and it is the only way I'd tell people to lose weight.  That being said, I do want to encourage everyone to do weight bearing or resistance exercise to build muscle mass.

Another thing I realized is that women especially fear being muscle bound. (You don't have to be a body builder about it!)  They also fear the weight they'll gain having muscle, because they've heard that muscle weighs more than fat.  OK, let's think logically about this.  A pound of fat takes up more space than a pound of muscle.  Imagine a pound of feathers and a pound of lead.  The lead will be smaller, take up less space -- right?  You can have two women of equal heights and bone size who both weigh 130 lbs.  The one with more muscle mass will be smaller than the one who lacks muscle.  I'm thinking that as I gain muscle mass, I could actually gain weight, but that will be a healthy weight gain and I will be smaller in size.  Don't fear gaining weight that is muscle weight -- you will be smaller in size. (And stronger to do the things you need to do, even in old age.)

I have experienced being stronger in my legs.  I know that there was a time that I had to hold onto the railing to climb the stairs.  Today, I can jog up the stairs.  That has empowered me.  Seeing my mom need a walker to walk really drives the point home to me -- she is not overweight.  Weight is not the only thing we need to be concerned about as we age -- and we are all aging.  I love my Total Gym, because I am stronger because of it.  It wasn't expensive from a sporting goods store -- around $100, a little more.  Or -- you can get some free weights.  As you get used to the weight of your free weights, get the next size weight.  Also, remember that you need to skip a day between weight training workouts, so your body can repair the small tears in your muscles.  These tears are good and they are what build your muscles.  You don't have to skip days between aerobic exercise, because you aren't building muscle with that type of exercise.

[crickadoodle]

Well, I have just one more class to teach and so far it has gone well.  The students have begun sharing their successes.  Last night some reported on their weight loss so far.  After a month one had lost 13 lbs., a couple lost 10, a few said 8 lbs. and one lady reported 6 lbs. -- but she doesn't appear to have very much to lose.  She is loving this way of eating and her husband (who isn't taking the class) lost 10 lbs. too.  She said they have decided that they love eating this way and will continue for life.  That's what I call a success story. One man in the class has lost 10 lbs. and had set a goal to be able to sit in one of the desks in the room we meet in.  He's always had to bring a folding chair in to sit on.  Well, last night at the end of class he decided to try to sit in the desk and he did it.  We all clapped for him.  I told him we call those non scale victories.    He is now looking for the tool he has somewhere that makes notches in belts.   

Many are pursuing good health.  Some are hoping to be able to get off medicines.  I'm firmly convinced that if we continuing sharing the LDL way of eating and losing with others, we can drive down the cost of health care in real ways without government intervention.  Can you imagine if all people took responsibility for their health in this way what changes they'd experience?  I have experienced it for myself and know that I am so much healthier today than I was at this time last year -- or 9 months ago.  I have strength and energy to do what I need to do for my family. 

Anyway, I am so pleased that people are being helped by the information I was able to give them about LDL and other things I've found that helped me reach below my goal.  I got a church building reserved for a week from Saturday for our LDL Potluck Lunch, then the next day I'll leave for the San Antonio LDL convention. 

Oh, my last class to teach will be a review of what we learned and then a few things students wanted to learn -- like how to read labels, and how to do some weight bearing exercises with free weights.  Also, we are going to look at some menus and find ways to eat out while making wise choices. I actually will have only taught 4 classes.  I can't imagine what I'd have done if I did the full 6 weeks.  I had to cancel one week, because of Mom's surgery and the last week is canceled because of the LDL Convention -- but when I do it again, I'll tell them it'll be only 4 weeks long.  No use making it longer than it has to be. 

[Bethann]

So interesting Crickadoodle!
Thank you for sharing!  :rose:
Have a great time at the convention!  :thumbsup:
We who can't go envy you!  :sad:

I said a prayer for your Mom!

[crickadoodle]

thank you so much, Beth Ann! 

I have the Wed. night class left and on Sunday night we just reviewed and shared our successes.  I did talk a little about eating out and making wise choices there and I showed them a few weight bearing exercises with free weights.

Mom and I are going to the convention and we are looking forward to it.  I'm hoping it won't be too much for her.  We'll take it slow, though.  I figure we should stop often so she can walk around a little. 

[VickiLynn]

Crick,

From your previous posts I understand that your going to the convention was a last minute decision.  I'm so happy that your mom is well enough so that you are able to attend.  I'm looking forward to meeting you both there  .

Vicki

[crickadoodle]

Vicki Lynn -- No, it really wasn't last minute, because I'd been hoping to be able to go.  With having to care for Mom and her being almost 84 yrs. old and having diabetes and an illeostomy with a side of dementia  -- I just can't always plan anything definitely.  Well,  I'm taking a chance that we can be there and I've made reservations.  Mom is feeling well and I'm getting her stronger.  We are having problems with her illeostomy appliance not staying on more than a day -- should last a week.  So, I'm hoping that gets resolved before the trip.  Keep us in prayer.

[VickiLynn]

I'm taking a chance that we can be there and I've made reservations.  Keep us in prayer.

Crick,

I'll definitely keep thinking of you  and hoping you won't have to cancel your reservation.

Vicki

[crickadoodle]

I can't cancel, will just lose the money -- so that is an added incentive.  The nurse came today and helped some.  Hopefully we won't have trouble with it.  We are trying different things.  We are going to go, though. 

My last class was last night.  I ran out of things to share, but I really liked the last class because the students got to share their favorite recipes, things they'd learned and they let us know how much weight they lost.  So many others have started eating this way because of the class -- but who weren't in the class.  Family members and friends of the students have started losing this way too.  I loved hearing the stories.  It is very rewarding to know that I was a little part of people being blessed by LDL.  God is so good to us to show us how to take care of our temples. 

[crickadoodle]

I'm going to start another class at my church April 21st.  People have shown such interest, so I'll keep doing them until all have heard who want to hear.  My pastor approved it, so I'll start in a week.

One of my friends who was in my first class has lost 40 lbs. on LDL.  She started in December -- so 4 months.  I'm so proud of her.  I told her she is my star pupil!    She has inspired many to jump on board. 

[Bethann]

Wonderful to hear this!
"I am only one
But I am one
I can do what I can do
and by God's help
Make a difference! "
(taken from: Truth For Life)

Thanks for being such a blessing and making a difference! 

[crickadoodle]

Thanks, Bethann!    I guess I feel like most of us do.  I have been so blessed by LDL and feel it would be wrong for me to keep it to myself.  So many people struggle with their weight and we use it as an excuse to not participate in life, basically.  Think of all the things you didn't do because of weight.  I know that I didn't go a few places, because I didn't have something appropriate to wear -- because I couldn't find something that fit me and looked nice.  Sometimes when I went, I felt out of place, because I felt like I looked out of place.  Then, all those things I couldn't do because my weight hindered me from being able to do it.  These are the more physical things.  I want to be fit and strong and not have any excuse.  I want to be able to participate in life fully.  If God calls me to do something, I want to have no excuse.  You know?  I want to help others to get to that point too.  There is a lot to do out there and we all need to be fit to do whatever it is we are called to do to help others and make our world a better place.  I guess that's my bottom line motivation.  Sounds a little corny and Pollyanna-ish, but I really think that way.  At this season of my life, I'm basically tied down to my home, since I care for Mom.  I can encourage others to get out and do stuff.  I can do things that take me away from home for a couple of hours at a time, though.

[julie409]

Doodlebug - Congratulations! 

Starting a second class is a real blessing!    And I love hearing about your star pupil. It is so gratifying to see this work so well and get those who want it - back on the path to good health.

You are wonderful to give your time. 

Julie

[Joyful Friend]

Good for you.  It's the least we can do for a plan that works.  People really want better health.  Then it's up to the person to get the book, and follow the LDL plan.  They know there is reinforcement from you if needed.  Forty ##.  Wonderful!!!  As I told my group, there is success if one follows LDL guidelines.  It's not about me, but  about the program in the book by Roger Troy Wilson. thumbsup:  Joyful Friend