GI Index for Healthier Eating

Closing this blog

2010-01-19T19:51:00.004-05:00

This blog is now closed.

While the information in this blog is still valid and relevant to anyone who does want to lose weight in a healthy manner such as has been descibed here, this blog and diet no longer apply to me.

I have just spent 6 days in hospital during which I have discovered that I did not lose weight on any diet. Certainly not on the G I diet.

NO

I lost weight because my thyroid was overactive. An overactive Thyroid causes an increase in the metabolism. This is why I lost weight.

It's called Graves Disease.

Weight Loss plus Insulation Loss equals COLD

2009-12-20T19:55:00.003-05:00

It's ssssssooooooo ccccccooooollllllddddd.....

That is me - shivering.

Having lost 70 pounds, I am now in the most unsual position of being very cold during the winter. As I mentioned a while ago, I no longer have the padded backside I used to have. My thighs are not as large as they used to be and my arms are now quite small. I was always a small boned child.

I grew up in a mild climate where the weather seldom went below -6 degress celsius in winter. Now I live in a climate where -30 degrees celsius is quite normal during the winter.

I find that I now have to wear more layers than I used to when I go outside. And even when I am inside the cold still goes right through me. Our building does have central heating but it is set down very low.

So I got a SNUGGIE for Xmas a few days ago. When I am watching TV my snuggie keeps me nice and warm.

I did some research and my body will eventually get used to this new thinness and cold temperature, but it may take a while. One comment even said, the longer you were overweight, the longer it may take your body to get used to new temperatures. I was obese for over 20 years!! I hope I dont take another 20 years to get used to such cold temperatures.

The weight loss is now slow but steady

2009-12-11T07:55:00.006-05:00

My spouse and I switched to eating lettuce salads recently. Lettuce, diced or grated carrot, radishes, green onions (AKA spring onions), grated cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced cucumber and a little dressing. The dressing we make from mayonaise, lemon juice and a little pepper. Plus we drink water only.

I have lost another 5 pounds and today I am finally at 150 pounds. The spouse has also lost 5 pounds as well.

My body is taking a while to get used to this low weight. My stomach has shrunk back to its original size. Last year (2008), I used to have no trouble eating 3 slices of pizza - now I can only eat one. Any more and I literally feel sick.

So I am hoping I may still get down to 140 pounds, but it will just take a little while longer. My BMI is now down to 25.7 The healthy BMI tops out at 24.9. I am almost there.

Still going down

2009-10-01T08:18:00.004-04:00

I must have been on a long plateau because I have lost another 5 pounds and am now at 155 pounds. Just 15 pounds to go, to reach my goal weight!!!

I went to a friends book launch a few weeks ago. We havent seen each other for a year so when she looked at me the first time, she just said hello.

But an hour later when she looked at me the second time, she said my name and then she said, I didnt recognise you. You look so different. You have lost weight.

Losing 60 pounds really makes a change.

End of the plateau

2009-08-28T06:50:00.003-04:00

Well I am still at 160 pounds, I still eat some rice, but my body says it doesn't like rice anymore. I tend eat more pasta now. I have also lost the taste for soda pop. Now I drink just water.

Having stayed steady at 160 pounds for 2 months now, I have to accept that the PCOS will not let me lose any more.

Anyway I am very pleased with what I have done so far - I lost 60 pounds. I look better, I feel a LOT better and best of all, no more MIGRAINES.

Plateaus are good too

2009-07-25T10:01:00.003-04:00

I have been on a plateau for the last 6 weeks. I started getting tired of rice, so I cut down to just one rice meal a day and then have just gone for 4 days with no rice at all. I still drink water.

This morning I weighed myself and I am now down to 160 pounds. The PCOS that causes weight gain is starting to lose the battle of the bulge.

A few weeks ago I went out and purchased some new clothes for me. Mostly interview clothes as I am in the middle of a serious job search.

My BMI is now 27.5. I am now just 20 pounds away from my goal.

Oh yes and with all this weight loss, my bones are really showing now. My shoulderbones and collar bones positively shriek to me that I have lost weight. I can no longer sit on a park bench for any length of time, because I no longer have a padded backside to sit on.

Flu is good for losing weight

2009-06-15T06:43:00.003-04:00

I have been nursing my family through the flu the last 2 weeks. I even missed two days of school. I finally succumbed to the flu myself 4 days ago. My throat is still sore and yesterday I lost my voice. I seem to have it back as a whisper right now.

Flu seems to be good for losing weight as well. My spouse has lost 15 pounds in the last 2 weeks. I have lost another 5 pounds and am now at 165 pounds - just 25 pounds to get to my goal weight. My BMI is 28.3.

Condiments and the GI Diet

2009-05-25T13:26:00.004-04:00

Green Food Items - Condiments

Condiments are seasonings and these can be eaten at any time.

Garlic
Herbs
Spices
Hummus
Mayonnaise - Fat Free
Mustard
Soy Sauce - Low Sodium
Teriyaki Sauce
Vinegar
Worcestershire Sauce

I LOVE Worcestershire Sauce

Red Food Items - Condiments

These must be eaten very sparingly

Ketchup
Mayonnaise
Tartar Sauce

Yellow Foods - Lunch & Dinner

2009-05-24T16:36:00.004-04:00

Yellow Food Items - Lunch & Dinner

Ground Beef - Lean
Lamb - Lean Cuts
Pork - Lean Cuts
Turkey Bacon
Eggs - with Omega-3
Tofu
Milk - 1%
Cheese - Low Fat
Yogurt - low fat
Cream Cheese - Light
Pita Bread - whole wheat
Tortillas - whole wheat

Apricots
Artichokes
Bananas
Beets
Corn
Kiwifruit
Mangoes
Papaya & Pawpaw
Pineapple
Potatoes - boiled
Potatoes - sweet
Squash
Yams

Update on my GI Lifestyle.

2009-05-24T16:20:00.008-04:00

Just a quick note to say I now weigh 170 pounds. My BMI is now 29.2. I am thrilled about this as well.

This lifestyle DOES WORK.

Now I call it a lifestyle, because you have to accept that you can never drink bottle and bottles of soda, pop and beer for the rest of your life. You can only ever drink WATER. I have found that I have lost the taste for pop now, because I drink only water. When I do buy or get given a very occasional pop, I cannot even finish it. Mostly because there is just too much sugar and because the gas bubbles are causing discomfort in my stomach.

You also have to accept that you can no longer eat chocolate, cake and candy every day. ONE bar of chocolate, once or twice a month is fine, but NOT every day. And while you dont have to eat rice all day everyday, you do need to eat more of the green foods and a LOT LESS of the red foods as posted on this blog.

GREEN FOODS - LUNCH & DINNER

2009-05-18T21:52:00.004-04:00

GREEN FOODS - LUNCH & DINNER

Fish and Seafood - all types, fresh, frozen or canned
(NO batter, NO breading)
Beef (Lean cuts)
Chicken Breasts - Skinless
Turkey Breasts - Skinless
Ground Beef (Extra Lean)
Lean Ham
Veal
Cheese (fat free)
Cottage Cheese (2% or fat free)
Fruit Yogurt (non-fat)
Ice-cream (low fat and NO added sugar)
Milk (Skim)

Bread (Stone ground whole wheat)
Bread (whole grain, high fibre)
Crispbreads (high fibre)
Pasta (spaghetti, fettucine, macaroni, liguine)
Rice (basmati, wild, brown, long grain)

Apples
Asparagus
Avocado
Beans (green & lima)
Blackberries
Brussel Sprouts
Broccoli
Cabbage
Carrots
Cauliflower
Celery
Cherries
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Grapes
Leeks
Lemons
Lettuce
Mushrooms
Olives
Onions
Oranges
Peaches
Pears
Peas
Peppers (Bell)
Peppers (Hot)
Pickles
Plums
Potatoes (boiled new)
Radishes
Raspberries
Snowpeas
Spinach
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Zucchini

Almonds
Canola Oil
Olive Oil
Mayonnaise (fat free)
Salad dressings (low fat, low sugar)
Soft margarine

Clear liquid vegetable soups (no cream soups)

Signs of weight loss definitely showing now

2009-04-27T21:34:00.002-04:00

I seem to be on a plateau right now - but thats ok. My body seems to take a break every 20 pounds or so. I am still on 180 pounds.

My shoulders used to be well protected with muscle and fat, and I never had any trouble resting my shoulders against a wall while reading a book. Usually if I was waiting for someone or something.

I discovered this weekend that I cannot lean up against a wall anymore. My shoulders are now quite bony. I can feel the hinge/joint easily.

I also discovered my collar bones. They are now quite prominent. I dont think I have ever felt them before. Certainly not in the last 30 years.

My face used to be square. Now it's noticeably angular.

Update on GI Index diet

2009-04-05T09:54:00.003-04:00

I know, I know, I havent posted for 3 months. I am still following the GI diet.

Well at Xmas I was 195 pounds. I had lost 25 pounds in the previous 6 month. As of today I am now down to 180 pounds. Which means I have lost another 15 pounds in the last 3 months. My goal weight is 140 pounds. My goal is to lose 80 pounds total - from my starting weight of 220. [25+15=40]. Right now I am half way to my goal and I am THRILLED.

Green Foods - Snacks

2008-12-22T19:16:00.004-05:00

These foods you can eat for snacks.

Green Food Items - SNACKS

Almonds (small handful)
Applesauce (unsweetened)
Canned peaches or pears (in water or juice)
Candies (sugar free hard candies)
Cottage Cheese (1% or fat free)
Extra Low Fat Cheese
Fruit Yoghurt (non-fat)
Hazel nuts (small handful)
Ice cream (low fat and no added sugar)
Fresh fruit (most kinds)
Fresh Vegetables (most kinds)
Pickles
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds

Yellow Foods - Snacks

2008-12-22T19:12:00.003-05:00

These foods can be eaten in MODERATION

Yellow Food Items - Snacks

Bananas
Dark Chocolate (70% cocoa)
Ice cream (low fat)
Most nuts (small handful)
Popcorn (air popped)

RED FOODS - Snacks

2008-12-10T21:57:00.004-05:00

Because it is a bad idea to leave your stomach empty, snacks are an important part of the GI Diet. You must eat something every 2 and a half to three hours. After breakfast you eat a healthy snack, and then lunch and then another snack and then dinner and another snack. However the last snack is optional.

Snacks do NOT include cookies, cakes and icecream.
GI snacks include fruit, granola bars, raw vegetables, yogurt and low fat cottage cheese.

This is the RED Foods Snacks list - these are the snacks you can eat in small amounts and on some occasion - NOT every day. You can have them as treats once a week if you like.

Bagels
Candy
Cookies
Crackers
Donuts
Flavoured Jellos (all flavours)
French Fries
Ice Cream
Muffins (commercial)
Popcorn (regular)
Potato Chips
Pretzels
Puddings
Raisins
Rice Cakes
Sorbet
Tortilahips
Trail Mix
White Bread

Update on me

2008-12-10T21:49:00.003-05:00

I have been really busy with school lately, and also I have not been exercising as much or as often as I should be, Mostly due to the snow and freezing cold weather.

Today the roads were ploughed to remove the snow and ice, but they were not salted. Probably due to the downturn in the city hall budget and the national economy which has officially been announced as a RECESSION.

But over Xmas and into January I plan on getting into some real cardio exercise. I am still carrying around 190 pounds. If I were to exercise a bit more, I should drop more weight - I hope.

Mega Wraps Recipe

2008-11-28T19:30:00.027-05:00

I had a Mega Wrap today. I think they are very healthy as well - but it also depends on what you put in them. These are easy to make at home. This is a recipe for what I always have. I do not eat raw onion pieces because of the strong smell. I eat green peppers instead. This one wrap was a very satisfying meal.

1 serving

1 Pita Bread Pocket
Sliced lettuce
Sliced cucumbers
Sliced pickles
Diced tomatoes
Diced green peppers
Diced grilled chicken breasts
Tahini sauce

Grill a piece of Chicken breast meat - The skin MUST be removed.
Slice or dice the meat into bite size pieces.

Take one Pita bread, sliced around the edge, but only half way around. This makes a pocket. You hold the pocket so that the opening is at the top and the bottom of the pocket is bent and flat on the bench.

Into the pocket you place a small handful of shredded or cut lettuce, a small handful of diced tomatoes, some diced green peppers, a few slices of cucumber and pickle and lastly some diced grilled chicken breast pieces.

A few squirts of tahini sauce (see below) goes on last.
Then lift up the pocket and shake everything down to the bottom.
Wrap the pita pocket up and eat.

This is an absolutely delicious meal.
Be careful while eating, because this can be messy.
Often the tahini sauce escapes out the bottom of the pita bread pocket.

Tahini Sauce
Tahini Sauce is made from tahini - a sesame seed paste. Tahini sauce is thinner and used in pita sandwiches, marinades, and dips. Tahini sauce is very easy to make. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will keep for about two weeks.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
3 gloves garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice

Preparation:
In a food processor or mortar and pestle, combine garlic and tahini. Add salt.

Remove from food processor and add olive oil and lemon juice. If too thick, add a teaspoon of warm water until desired consistency.

Serve immediately or refrigerate.

Homemade Muesli - Recipe

2008-11-27T06:26:00.003-05:00

2 servings

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
3/4 cup skim milk
3/4 cup non fat fruit yogurt with sugar substitute
3/4 cup diced apples, pears, berries
2 tbsp sliced almonds
sweetener to taste

Place oats in a bowl, cover them with skim milk and leave to soak in the fridge over night. The next day - add the yogurt, fruit and sweetener and mix well.

Green foods - Eat everything but in small portions

2008-11-23T15:35:00.006-05:00

GREEN FOOD ITEMS - Breakfast

These foods have a GI number below 55 and are safe to eat all the time.
But PLEASE make your portions small.
When you feel full, stop eating.
It is NOT required to empty the plate.

Back bacon
Lean Ham
Egg Whites
Buttermilk
Fat Free Cheese
1% or Fat Free Cottage Cheese
Non Fat Fruit Yogurt
Skim Milk
Plain Soy Milk
Low Fat Soy Milk

All Bran Cereal
Bran Buds
Fibre First
Homemade Muesli (see recipe)
Kashi Go Lean
Oat Bran
Porridge (rolled oats)
100% Stone Ground Whole Wheat Bread
High Fibre Crispbreads
Muffins (see recipe)
Home made Granola Bars (see recipe)
Whole Grain High Fibre Breads

Apples
Berries
Cherries
Grapefruit
Grapes
Oranges
Peaches
Plums

Most vegetables

Almonds
Canola Oil
Hazelnuts
Olive Oil
Soft Margarine

Yellow Foods - Eat in Moderation

2008-11-23T15:19:00.008-05:00

YELLOW FOOD ITEMS - Breakfast

GI numbers between 55 and 70
Eat in Moderation

Turkey Bacon
Whole Omega-3 Eggs
Light Cream Cheese
1% Milk
Light Sour Cream
Low Fat Yogurt (with sugar)
Kashi Go Lean Crunch (cereal)
Kashi Good Friends
Red River
Shredded Wheat Bran
Crispbreads with Fibre
Whole Grain Breads
Apricots
Bananas
Fruit Cocktail in Juice
Kiwi (aka Kiwifruit)
Mango
Papaya
Pineapple
Unsweetened Apple Juice
Unsweetened Orange Juice
Unsweetened Pear Juice
Unsweetened Grapefruit Juice
Most nuts
Natural Nut Butters
Natural Peanut Butter
Soft Margarines
Vegetable Oils

Red Foods - these are for treats only

2008-11-23T14:23:00.006-05:00

RED FOOD ITEMS - Breakfast

Items with GI numbers above 70.
Eat these foods sparingly or as a treat

Sausages
Regular Bacon
Whole Regular Eggs
Cheese
Cottage Cheese
Cream
Whole Milk
Sour Cream
Yogurt
All Cold Cereals
Granola
Muesli (commercial)
Bagels
Baguette
Cookies
Croissants
Donuts
Muffins
Pancakes
Waffles
White Bread
Applesauce with Sugar
Canned Fruits in Syrup
Melons
Most Dried Fruits
Fruit Drinks
Sweetend Juices
Prune Juice
Watermelons
French Fries
Potato Chips
Hash Browns
Butter
Hard Margarine
Vegetable Shortening
Peanut Butter
Tropical Oils

A few things about the GI Diet

2008-11-23T14:13:00.003-05:00

1 - Low GI foods are slower to digest and so you feel satiated (full) for longer.
2 - Keeping insulin levels low inhibits the formation of fat and assists in the conversion of fat back into energy.
3 - The key to losing weught is to eat Low G I, low calorie foods.
4 - Include some proteins in all your meals and snacks.
5 - Eat only low-fat proteinm preferably from both animal and vegetable sources.
6 - Eat foods that have NOT been highly processed and that do NOT contain highly processed ingredients.
7 - Eat less fat overall and look for low fat alternatives to your current diet.
8 - Eat mono-unsaturated and poly-unsaturated fats and oils.

Losing Weight on the G I Diet

2008-11-20T23:12:00.001-05:00

There are two steps in Easy Low GI Diet weight-loss plan:

Step I : During this step, weight reduction, avoid Yellow and Red zone Foods. Focus instead on eating Green zone Foods that are low G.I. and also low in sugar and fat.

Step II : Once you've achieved your desired weight, you enter step II, maintenance, and you can start to enjoy Yellow zone foods now and then.

Remember that the Low GI Diet is just one part healthy eating.

Don't forget to:

o Eat at regular times
o Eat from a variety of food groups
o Limit sugar and sweets
o Eat less fat
o Include foods high in fiber
o Limit salt, alcohol and caffeine
o Drink plenty of water
o Make regular physical activity part of each day

Easy Low GI Diet

GI diet - Rick Gallop

Some GI foods.

2008-11-20T21:53:00.000-05:00

By now you must be eager to know which foods you can eat and which you cant.

The GI traffic lights program

Remember Traffic lights?
Green means go, Amber means slow down and Red means stop.

For the GI index,
Green means below 55 and therefore good,
Amber means between 55 and 70 and can be eaten in moderate amounts
Red means over 70 and a BAD food. Eat as little as possible.

On the website above - click the green, amber and red on the left side, and then click the food group you want to look at, also on the left side.

This idea comes from a book called The GI Diet by Rick Gallop.

Easy Low GI Diet is nothing but exchanging Red Zone Foods for Green Zone Foods in the same group, Choosing right foods to eat. For example, choose Porridge or Muesli instead of Corn Flakes. For achieving a successful Low GI Diet, simply follow these tips:

o Eat at least three low GI foods throughout the day, ideally one at each meal. All carbohydrates that you eat do not need to be low GI.
o Do not avoid all high GI foods, but try and eat them with low or intermediate GI foods whenever possible. This will decrease the average GI of the meal.
o Eat breads that contain a high proportion of whole or cracked grains, stone-ground whole wheat flour, oats, bran and/or seeds.
o Eat unrefined cereals, like large-flake rolled oats, wheat bran, oat bran, muesli and cereals made with psyllium.
o Eat brown, wild, basmati or converted (parboiled) rice.
o Eat sweet potatoes instead of regular white potatoes.
o Snack on fruits, vegetables, yogurt or nuts
o Eat fruit- and dairy-based desserts, such as low-fat ice cream.
o Eat pasta, legumes, vegetables and low-fat dairy products more often.
o Eat a variety of salad vegetables.
o Spread the amount of carbohydrate you eat evenly throughout the day.
o Try tofu, barley, bulgur or lentils.
o Try to include at least one low-GI food at each meal.

How to eat on the GI diet

2008-11-20T21:40:00.000-05:00

There are NO totally bad foods in the GI diet. As I said before, you must have SOME glucose in your body. That is the energy by which you can move around and do things all day.

The good thing about eating GI is that if you do eat some high GI foods and some low GI foods in the same meal, the entire GI index of that meal becomes averaged out - more like middle GI.

Now there are TWO numbers you MUST know. 55 and 70.

As I said earlier the baseline is 100 and that is for PURE white sugar. Every single food has a rating BELOW 100. BUT the good GI foods have ratings of BELOW 55. The middle GI foods are between 55 and 70. And anything about 70 is a HIGH GI food and must be eaten in small amounts.

So if you want to lose weight fast, you can eat all foods that are below 55. Thats is perfectly ok. No counting calories, and just keep the portions small.

One more thing.

The second aim of this diet is to get you to eat more frequently. Not 3 times a day but 5 or 6 times a day. YES I did say SIX times per day. The reason for this is to eat small portions and allow the glucose to be released into the body at a slow and steady rate. The problem with eating 3 meals a day is that they end up being BIG meals because everyone is hungry and low in energy by the time they come to eat, so they eat too much.

The best timetable is to eat within the first hour of waking up, then again 2 and a half to 3 hours after that and in gaps of 2 and a half to three hours for the rest of the day. You do not need to eat 6 meals a day. You can stop at 5 meals and allow your stomach to empty after the evening meal. Certainly the bedtime snack (if you do have it) must still be a LOW GI food (NOT a cookie) and must not be less than 1 hour before you go to bed.

So what is the GI diet?

2008-11-20T20:54:00.000-05:00

Not all carbohydrate foods are created equal, in fact they behave quite differently in our bodies. The glycemic index or GI describes this difference by ranking carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels. Choosing low GI carbs - the ones that produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin levels - is the secret to long-term health reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes and is the key to sustainable weight loss.

Source - The Glycemic Index

The baseline is 100. That is how much glucose is released into the blood stream when we eat sugar. 100 Percent - All of it.

For those of you who know what it is to be Hypoglycemic. You know the shakes you get when your blood sugar is low - and you know you have to eat some sugar ASAP. That is the effect of not enough glucose in your system.

Hyperglycemia is the opposite when you have too much glucose in the blood sugar and you must stop eating to get it down ASAP. This usually is a sign of diabetes. And your body does not create enough insulin to get rid of the glucose.

The problem with blood sugars is what happens when you get too much of it in your system at one time. You get a high, and fairly soon after you crash, and you have to eat something else to get "high" again. By HIGH I mean attentive, energetic, interested in whatever you are doing, sometimes always moving, bouncing off the walls, fidgeting, etc. But this means that a whole lot of sugar is dumped in tne body. And the body does not need to use it all. So the excess gets dumped in the fat cells as glucose. This is what makes you fat.

The glycemic index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrates on a scale from 0 to 100 according to the extent to which they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high GI are those which are rapidly digested and absorbed and result in marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels.

Recent studies from Harvard School of Public Health indicate that the risks of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease are strongly related to the GI of the overall diet. In 1999, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recommended that people in industrialised countries base their diets on low-GI foods in order to prevent the most common diseases of affluence, such as coronary heart disease, diabetes and obesity.

This has been known about for the last 8 years - but do the doctors tell us about this? NO THEY DO NOT.

You wanna know why they dont tell you? Because it does not make them any money.

Doctors are paid very well to PUSH the drugs that the Big Pharma companies sell them. The more drugs they push, the more the symptoms continue and the more you keep going back for more drugs.

Well I do not support Big Pharma anymore. Not that I take a lot of drugs, I never did. In fact I prefer to use the lowest amount of drugs possible at any time. Despite being obese, I am actually quite healthy. I do not get sick easily.

SO back to the GI diet. How does it work?

The basic technique for eating the low GI way is simply a "this for that" approach - ie, swapping high GI carbs for low GI carbs. You don't need to count numbers or do any sort of mental arithmetic to make sure you are eating a healthy, low GI diet.

Read that again.
There is NO CALORIE COUNTING and NO MEASURING in this diet. You do have to watch your portions but you do not have to count anything. The only measuring you do is when you are following a recipe.

The high GI foods are the processed foods and those with lots of sugar and starches. You do not have delete these foods entirely from your diet, but you do have to cut down on how much of them you eat - as in any diet. I actually have chosen to not eat any processed foods at all. I find that they are not very good for my system.

These are some examples of what you can eat to lose weight.

Use breakfast cereals based on oats, barley and bran

Use breads with wholegrains, stone-ground flour, sour dough

Reduce the amount of potatoes you eat

Enjoy all other types of fruit and vegetables

Use Basmati or Doongara rice

Enjoy pasta, noodles, quinoa

Eat plenty of salad vegetables with a vinaigrette dressing

The GI Diet

2008-11-20T19:57:00.000-05:00

Hands up those of you who have heard of the G I diet?
Anyone?

I hadn't. At least not until just this month.
BUT it turns out I have been following it for the last 4 months.

I have been obese since I was a teenager. NOT because I ate too much, but because of PCOS. There are those who say that PCOS is just an excuse for eating too much and putting on weight. Perhaps. PCOS does mean that the girl (women - always female)does tend to become depressed and when you are depressed, you eat too much. I know I did. I think the walking I did helped to keep my weight down and stopped it from ballooning out of control.

Anyway I had never heard of the GI index or diet up until October. BUT for some reason I was losing weight. In July since I started back at school, the income for my family had dropped sharply and there was now only one income. This is because I am not earning any money. So the only thing I could eat that I liked that was cheap was rice. So I started eating rice.

Rice with curry and lemon juice and sometimes tuna. I can live on this all day most days of the week. I love it. By the middle of August I had lost 6 pounds. I thought this is great. I dont know what I am doing, but I kept on doing it. And in September I lost another 6 pounds. By the middle of October I had lost a total of 20 pounds and I still had no idea why. I was only eating rice and tuna with curry and lemon juice and occassionally I ate pasta or something else. I was also drinking water and walking.

Then at the beginning of November, I came across the GI diet. This is why I losing weight. Even now at the end of November I have lost another 5 pounds.

I am 5 feet 4 inches and in July I weighed 220 pounds. My BMI was 37 in July. Now it is 33. I have weighed 220 pounds for much of the last 20 years. I ate ice cream, dranks lots of soda, walked around lots and always wondered WHY I stayed the same weight.

For the last 5 years (2002-2007) I was easily drinking between 2 and 4 litres of soda (vanilla coke, black cherry vanilla coke, ginger ale and creaming soda) every single day as long as I had the money to buy it. I stayed away from the diet sodas because Aspartame does very nasty things to the human body.

Then in March this year I read that the Coca Cola company was stopping the black cherry vanilla brand. That was rather upsetting to me. First they bring out vanilla coke and then they stop it and they change it to black cherry vanilla and now they are stopping that too.

So I decided that it was better and cheaper to just drink water. Tap water. It took a few weeks to really wean myself off the sodas but having no money really did help. So I have been drinking only water since July this year.

So now I drink water and eat rice and do a lot of walking. So far (in 4 months) I have lost 25 pounds.

My goal is to get down to 140 pounds. That will give me a BMI of 24 - which is at the upper end of the normal weight scale for the BMI. So I have another 55 pounds to lose.

This blog will be a diary of my attempts to get to 140 pounds. But I also want to use this blog to post GI foods - good and bad - and also some recipes and other tips.