It seems Fuchs is quite preoccupied with everything below the higher education level. It feels as though the Prime Minister pulled him out of retirement with the promise that he would finally have the breathing room to fix the academic sector—specifically the University of Chicago, which has been a major headache since the last administration. If he had taken a moment to truly reflect, he might have realized that half of his department will likely be swallowed up by COVID-19 issues, and that public attention will naturally gravitate toward the lower levels of the education system. It’s just logical, really; it's what anyone would expect. As it stands, he won't have enough time to seriously tackle university instruction and those mounting problems in that field, nor will he be able to clearly articulate any meaningful reform plans for elementary and high schools. Of course, the Department of Education is massive, and we shouldn't expect one person to handle everything, but perhaps he could have delegated more effectively and set clearer goals and a more manageable pace. I suppose Divjakica was a mixed bag, but I always got the impression she had a more defined stance on various issues and a greater ability to adapt—not to mention her communication skills with the public were certainly more pronounced.
Teaching can be a beautiful thing at times—noble, selfless, and filled with those intangible rewards—but I suppose we shouldn't fall into the trap of over-idealizing it. I’ve been an external consultant at a university for quite some time now, which means I work within the educational system, even if it isn't my primary profession. I feel quite fortunate that I teach adults who, ideally, have chosen their field of study with intention and purpose, yet I still find myself constantly battling that innate human tendency to seek the path of least resistance and look for shortcuts.
For instance, I spent a good portion of my morning going back and forth via email with a student who was practically begging me to reduce the reading list for her term paper. It’s a relatively simple task—she really just needs to skim a few books and read the specific sections relevant to her topic—but she claims she can't handle sitting in the library for long periods while wearing an FFP mask because it gives her headaches and leaves her feeling completely dazed and unwell. Since our classes are online, that part isn't an issue, but apparently, the library has become a total nightmare for her. So, what am I supposed to do? I advised her that she would need to submit a formal request to the University Student Services office so they could evaluate whether there is a legitimate medical reason to adjust her academic requirements; otherwise, I simply don't have any grounds to lower the standards for her assignment. That’s when the excuses started rolling in—claiming there wasn't a physical ailment per se, just that she feels this way "sometimes." Then came the inevitable, "Oh, wouldn't it be easier if there were a topic where all the literature was available as a PDF or online?" *Deep sigh.* Another round of emails begins...
I suppose I consider myself an emotional eater as well. 😁
However, I truly believe there is a way to prevent that weight from creeping back on. In my experience, the absolute most important thing is making sure you don't let those first couple of regained pounds snowball into four or five, and then ten, and eventually fifteen... You really have to address it immediately when it happens! Once you finally embrace a solid, steady, and healthy routine, getting back on track actually feels quite manageable. You might have a week or two where you're just indulging, crying, stressing out—you know, just riding the highs and lows of life—but then you can simply return to the exercise, the nutritious meals, and everything else. 👍
So, I guess you could say there isn't really such a thing as a 'life after dieting.' Exercise needs to be a constant, and watching what you eat is just part of the deal too. That’s just how it is. I think the sooner we all come to terms with that reality, the better off we'll be!
Ah, college dining halls, such bittersweet memories... *sniff*... I think I’m still carrying around those last five pounds I put on during my university years. I suppose I can only hope they decide to disappear by the time autumn rolls around! 😠
Personally, I am a firm believer that one shouldn't be overly restrictive when it comes to these things. To be perfectly honest, if I weren't allowed to indulge in a little chocolate or something sweet once a week, I suspect I would have ended up relapsing in Beverly Hills ages ago. 🙂 I find that this particular reward system really works for me, and if I'm being truthful, I probably would have given up on this whole regimen a long time ago without it.
It isn't as though I haven't seen some real progress despite that tiny bit of weekly indiscretion. 😉
driftingwolf79 said:well—if I may be so bold as to ask for some thoughts on what I suppose we might call 'seasonal overindulgence' regarding tomato salad. It’s honestly my absolute favorite meal every summer once the real, ripe tomatoes start coming in. I was wondering if there's any real issue with eating a massive portion alongside just a little bit of bread as the sole component of the meal? I mean, something like maybe half a kilo of tomatoes, a cucumber, a bit of onion, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and perhaps about 100 grams of some soy or sunflower seeds from Trader Joe's 😉
I seem to recall a friend mentioning how her family actually ended up in the hospital because they were obsessively gorging on tomatoes; apparently, their bloodwork went a bit sideways—I can't quite remember if it was their potassium or sodium levels or something similar that got thrown off. So, I suppose, one probably shouldn't go completely overboard with it. 😁
...but summer also means heatwaves, ice cream, and just lounging around on the couch...all pretty much non-aerobic activities. 😁 Honestly, I’m already dreading the trip back home...
Phew, I just finished catching up on everything everyone has said... I was away for a few days and it looks like you all had quite the lively discussion. 😁
I don't really feel like getting into a whole debate, so I’ll just toss in two quick observations:
- You can actually find Miller's pastries (and his bread) over at Clarion bakeries, since he produces for them.
- That Granulated Gold cheese absolutely RULES, though it seems like the price has gone up again (honestly, blame capitalism and inflation for that one! 😠). It's currently $3.75!!!!! at Walmart. 😲 On the other hand, if you go to Diana's, it's only 10. 😉
I suppose I have to admit, it took me quite a while to really get my head straight regarding all of this. It wasn't until I was about 23 or 24 that I actually started focusing on my physical well-being. Throughout elementary and high school, I just ate whatever my mom put in front of me—and if there's one thing I've learned, it's that parents and weight loss rarely go hand in hand; my mom is convinced I don't have a single extra pound on me 😁. After that, I spent several years living in a tiny dorm room with nothing more than a kitchenette, which meant relying on that massive, greasy dining hall downstairs. Only now, finally being truly independent, can I actually cook for myself and live the way I want to! 👍
And, you know how it goes with marijuana—there isn't much that has been definitively proven by science yet. Although, it is typically suggested that short-term memory suffers (which might be why people feel a bit 'dim'), and in younger individuals, it can potentially trigger psychosis or schizophrenia (though presumably only if there is already a genetic predisposition there). Not to mention the fact that people often tend to gain weight. 😁
Based on my own experience with the groups I’ve spent time with, all the effects of weed seem to be quite fleeting. Once they stop using it, most of them eventually return to their normal selves after a while. I haven't personally noticed anyone suffering from any lasting consequences.
A friend of mine has been picking up those oxygen-infused waters from Whole Foods—I believe they cost about 15-$6.75 dollars per liter. He’s doing it based on his doctor's recommendation, though, to be honest. He’s dealing with quite a handful of health issues lately, so I suppose I’m not entirely sure what the specific goal is. Maybe it's intended to help with kidney function or perhaps something related to psoriasis... 🤔
Elizabeth Patel67 said:Well... I've been sticking to a healthy diet (with varying degrees of struggle) for several months now... and every single day, I find myself craving something delicious... something like chocolate, or Nutella, or ice cream, or even just some cookies... and every day I have to come up with a fresh excuse for why I shouldn't buy and eat it.
That is exactly it. Though, fortunately for me, those cravings don't hit me every single day anymore. It feels almost like we're rats in a maze with conditioned responses. I feel down—food! I'm tired—food! I'm bored—food!! Well... ☕
Dana Miller2 said:I get those cravings too, but it's easier for me to keep them under control when I'm eating healthy. The urge stays in the back of my mind, but if I give in just once, then it turns into this unstoppable need for more and more, and there's just no way I can resist it. However, when I manage to hold out, it gets easier every day, and if I really crave something sweet, I'll just have a little dark chocolate or make myself a healthy dessert.
I've established a sort of mechanism for myself that prevents that "more and more" spiral. It’s based on a temporal boundary: sweets are eaten ONLY on Sundays. As long as that day lasts, it's allowed. Monday morning—NOT!!
It works! 😉
Ethan Garcia8 said:And what's mentioned above is easily explained. It's because people are foolish and uneducated; they are ignorant in most cases. For many, the idea of learning anything at all is unthinkable, let alone learning something about nutrition.
I thought it was quite something when my old neighbor made a comment that her granddaughter might be carrying a bit too much weight (the little girl is 75 lbs and 7 years old) and that she probably shouldn't be feeding her so many cookies, and the two of them were absolutely livid. Granted, the old woman should have minded her own business, but still. You shouldn't mess with a child's health right from the start. 🙄
You have a point there. I only actually started learning about nutrition about two years ago. Before that, I must admit, I was acting completely mindless. Now, it seems inconceivable to me that, despite being a college-educated person and an intellectual, I was totally uneducated regarding food. 😲
And now I just find myself appalled when I realize that most people are still like that! I hear it all the time in real life... and well, even here, from the total novices on the forum who show up asking things like, "is the moon diet okay?"...😵
I have certainly experienced something quite similar myself. In fact, I was just reflecting yesterday on how it has become completely second nature to limit my sweets to once a week and generally stick to a more nutritious diet. It doesn't even require much conscious effort anymore. After a full year of this, it has truly just become a habit! 👍 Furthermore, I feel much better overall—I don't deal with that midday fatigue, nor any digestive issues... basically, all five of them!
However, I suppose it isn't always quite that straightforward. You know how former smokers sometimes have those intense dreams? For instance, someone might have quit twenty years ago and then suddenly wakes up one morning shouting, "I need a cigarette!" 🤣 It suggests that certain patterns are permanently etched into the brain. For me, every two or three weeks, something just snaps and I find myself giving in—it's inevitable! It feels stronger than my willpower, regardless of whether my blood sugar is low at the moment. I suppose I react much like a recovering addict would. 😁 I suspect this won't ever fully disappear, though I imagine these episodes will simply become increasingly rare over time!
Why don't you swing by our emotional support corner for the ladies? We're all just hanging out down here on the same level. 😉We really look out for one another—cheering each other on, venting, and honestly, crying together for months now! Every single new "struggle story" is more than welcome here.
If I may suggest, it might be helpful to read through the entire thread over in the Recreation and Fitness section titled 'How to Lose the Belly Fat,' and you might also find 'Weight Loss Through Healthy Eating and Exercise' or 'What to Eat When...' useful.
There is a wealth of information there, but I truly believe it’s worth your time!! You will learn so much, and I think it might give you that extra bit of motivation needed to tackle the weight loss journey—the healthy way, of course!!
And please, try not to be too hard on yourself whenever you slip up. I suppose the most important thing is to just get back on track that very same day, almost as if nothing happened at all. You can certainly eat after 5 PM; it isn't going to cause you to gain weight. It’s honestly no wonder it feels impossible to stick to such strict regimens, because I think I would die if I didn't have a little something to eat before bed!!! 😲 Even so, I managed to lose 37 pounds. 😉
It seems like we ladies on this forum instinctively start discussing protein intake and avoiding high-carb meals right before bed. 😬 😉 However, you didn't actually mention whether your goal is weight loss or if you're just looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Personally, I find oatmeal made with milk (similar to Quaker Oats) to be a wonderful breakfast option, especially if I stir in a teaspoon of ground flaxseeds—which I truly believe is an incredibly nutritious addition. You could also toss in some dried fruit, some crushed hazelnuts, a drizzle of honey, or even a bit of cocoa powder... really, whatever appeals to you. I always suggest experimenting a little! 👍 Similarly, I absolutely love whole-grain toast paired with various cream cheeses (as we've touched on before). If you head to a place like Publix, you'll find such a massive variety that it might take you weeks just to sample everything! Once you're set on that, you could always switch to toast with jam, and even then, the selection is quite vast.
For dinner, I typically opt for low-fat cottage cheese served with a little bit of prosciutto and a hard-boiled egg. Sometimes I'll add some fresh tomatoes or a small side salad. Tuna canned in water (rather than oil) is also a fantastic choice. You could even whip up a crazy little tuna and veggie salad, for instance.
Oh boy, I suppose I've gone on quite a tangent here... 😁 Anyway, that's my two cents. Just keep moving forward!
I seem to recall spotting some mats in a shop over in Middleton, right there between those high-rises near the Doherty brothers building. But honestly, that was at least a year ago. I knew they looked decent, and since I am absolutely obsessed with pilates, I really could have used them, but I was a little short on cash at the time. Now I’m kicking myself because I still don't own a proper mat. 😢 On another note, I do my workouts at Club Pilates, and I actually follow this whole video series—well, I downloaded it online... if you know what I mean... 🙂—and it truly works! I'm a bit on the curvy side... okay, maybe more than just a little curvy... but even so, I can manage every single move! I really push myself and work up quite a sweat, and I feel like the results show up pretty quickly! I'd definitely recommend it!
My mother actually told me the exact same thing. Though, to be fair, she was specifically talking about washing my hair rather than taking a full shower. She made sure to explain that I might deal with more intense pain or muscle cramps if I tried to wash my hair during those first couple of days... but honestly, I don't usually pay too much attention to those kinds of warnings...🙄