Balls and Walnuts
more than you ever wanted to know
The latest
My scale seems pegged between 172.5 and 173.5. Yes, I know you’re not supposed to weigh yourself daily, but I can’t help it. I’m obsessed. And I’m half tempted to take a diuretic just for the rush of seeing a few pounds drop off in a matter of hours.
(And that’s why doctors shouldn’t treat themselves.)
I’m dieting, kind of, and still exercising, but it’s not happening fast enough for me. A pound a week, that’s all I ask for! Is that so much? I want to get back to 163. I look and feel good at 163. When I made it there before (scarcely two or three months ago), I decided wrongly that exercise alone would keep me there, so I stopped watching my diet.
Anyway, here is what my doc recommended:
Ram one of these babies down your esophagus, and you won't eat for days.
It’s hoodia, or Hoodia gordonii, a cactiform succulent from the Namib desert. Extracts supposedly act as diet suppressants, and since I’m not the suggestible type I’m going to assume that my current bloated feeling is proof of concept. I think I need to take the medication earlier, though, since the bloat struck well after dinner. On the other hand, I avoided dessert, which I usually cannot do. So perhaps we are getting somewhere.
Does it work? I mean, is there good solid evidence for this stuff? Wikipedia says only that it is “being investigated as an appetite suppressant.” According to some website called NaturalNews.com, a study from Leicester, England, showed that patients on Hoodia consumed 1000 calories per day less than controls. That’s remarkable. That translates to a two pound per week weight loss . . . if true. Obviously, I would have to continue exercising to keep up my muscle mass, watch my diet to avoid malnutrition, etc. But I’m not sure I trust a place called NaturalNews.com. It ain’t Nature, you know?
Then I had the brilliant idea: what does my friend the Fanatic Cook have to say about it? Since she’s my go-to gal for all things dietary. But, unfortunately, Bix doesn’t have much to say, other than she likes her appetite and doesn’t want to see it suppressed.
So I’m left thinking, “Well, if I can at least prove it won’t kill me, what’s the harm in trying?” Over at drugs.com, I learned
Hoodia has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/ or advantages of Hoodia may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/ health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/ health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
So I should be good, provided my Hoodia doesn’t contain mercury, lead, cadmium, or Kryptonite. (Honestly, though, this is one of the few negative reports on Hoodia, but the strongest argument they make is that your Hoodia might be bogus.)
Oh, and I’m drinking green tea now, too.
D.
A few years ago, I had a writer do an article for me on hoodia. My goal was an objective article; not one slanted one way or the other. I don’t sell or promote the stuff, so my only objective was providing information.
As I recall, she wasn’t able to find anything stories that claimed it to be “bad” for you. Obviously, you want to make sure you’re getting it from a reputable source, so you’re getting something that’s genuine and not contaminated. But, the hoodia itself was, as I recall, safe.
So, if your doctor recommended it, I’d say it’s worth a try. If you trust doctors, of course. 😉
Mind you, however, I am going by memory here, and I’m not a nutritionist or a doctor or anything of that sort, so don’t blame me if you end up looking like Skeletor.
Or Jabba the Hutt.
I’ve been thinking about Hypnosis. I can just picture the mantra… “don’t eat dessert… don’t eat dessert.. don’t..*murmle murmle* CAKE!”…
Or something like that. What’s worse, injesting something potentially harmful, or having someone mess with your mind. Hmm.. maybe I’ll need a chaperone.
ha ha ha!!! my avatar above… is perfect!!!
So far, so good. I’m convinced. I went from 7 AM to 1:20 PM on 200 calories (some cereal and milk) and I’m eating right now mostly because I’m lightheaded. Ordinarily I would be in search-and-consume mode by 10 or 11 AM. The food tastes good to me, but I’m not devouring it.
Interesting.
After the holidays I usually don’t weigh again until late January, sometimes even later.