Putting life into perspective

Sometimes it takes an unfortunate event to make you realize there is so much more to life than the little things we all worry about.

Today I found out that a very sweet student that I was in contact with this year passed away suddenly on Sunday June 24th. He was only 25 years old and from what I experienced, a very genuine and hard working young man. His name is David Wood and he remains in the hearts of all who knew him.

I feel so selfish. While I was stressing over stupid insignificant things in my life today and yesterday, a young man's family was mourning over an uncessary loss.

This was a rude wake-up call for me. I wish his family support and strength in this tough time I will also stop worrying about little things and remember to count my blessings. I'm glad I have my health and the love of many around me. That's what is most important. Not books, not papers, not exams, not working out, not eating, nothing.

Take a moment to reflect on all the good you have in your life. It will make your worries seem so unimportant.

Cinnamon linked to better blood sugar control

6/26/2007 - Using cinnamon as a functional ingredient may lead to slower emptying of the stomach and reduce the rise in blood sugar after eating, says a new study.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, adds to a growing body of research reporting that active compounds in cinnamon may improve parameters associated with diabetes.

"Inclusion of cinnamon in the diet lowers the postprandial glucose response, a change that is at least partially explained by a delayed [gastric emptying rate]," wrote lead author Joanna Hlebowicz from Malmo University Hospital, University of Lund

The scale only tells you one thing.

Before I get to the topic that my title eludes, I'll let you all know that I finished the book on time.

In just 6 weeks, along with my writer, we submitted 96,000 words and well-over 365 pages of material. The book was the new diet and training book for Women's Health magazine. Basicially, it's what the Abs diet is for Men's Health. It should be out VERY soon.

Now, my topic:

For the past two weeks while working on the book, I only lifted once, (but still walked on my treadmill at least once a day) and ate an incredible amount of food. Since I was stressed, I dug into the nut jar and also ate so many vegetables that I'm surprised I've not turned green. Also, while I was in Vegas, I indulged in A LOT of food at two great buffets....easily ate over 800 kcals in one sitting

So, despite the lack of lifting and good eating, my scale had different ideas for me. As you know, I was at 128 lbs when I finished my hardcore Velocity diet for 28 days, but when I got back from Vegas AND after the 2 weeks of crappy habits, I weighed 125!

Thankfully my clothes still fit, but I was pretty soft compared to how I usually am.

Which got me thinking: Why the heck do I even weigh myself? All the scale tells you is ONE thing: how much you weigh. It DOES NOT tell you how much body fat or muscle you carry, and it sure in the heck does not differentiate between water and tissue.

Obviously I lost muscle as I lost the weight, which is NOT what I wanted.

In fact, the V-diet combined with the Se7en and the intense training I was doing probably stimulated massive protein synthesis. All that quick digesting, high-leucine containing whey was great for muscle growth.

But, if you're like most women (and some men), if you see the scale go up when you think it should go down, you think your diet or training is bogus and you quit.

I wish we were just able to determine changes in body fatness instead of trying to figure what's going on in our bodies with a simple scale.

So, what we need to do is use different methods: how clothes feel, how we feel, how we look in a bikini. NOT what the stupid, inaccurate, mind-of-it's own scale says.

As one girlfriend of mine said this weekend: I can make the scale lie (i.e. by leaning against the wall or something like that), but I can't change the way my jeans fit.

Good point.

In other news, now that I'm back to my real life (not book life) it means I can do many things I've put off... primarily my disseration and my wedding plans.

PhD and Mrs Cassandra Pribanic, here I come (actually, I'll keep my current last name and add Justin's with a hyphen)

That's a lot of letters: Cassandra Elizabeth Forsythe-Pribanic, PhD, RD, CSCS, CISSN.... count 'em, it's 50!!! Yikes.

Quick update --I'm on the radio

Yes, I'm in stressful book-writing mode right now... In fact, I've been up for almost 24 hours straight today, and I've barely moved off my butt. Ughhhh

But, in lighter news: I'm on Big Butt Radio this week (coincidence, I think not!)

Check out the show here: http://www.bigbuttradio.com/

It was a lot of fun to do that show. The crew at BBR are great! I couldn't stop laughing (you'll hear when you get to my part of the show).

And I want to send out a great big thanks to everyone that has sent me an encouragement email or text message. Thanks for letting me know you care.


OK.. I need to stretch and take my own advice: sleep may be a good thing.

TWO MORE DAYS!!

One week to go

I'm back from beautiful Las Vegas and I'm now cranking with everything I've got to get this book done on time. There is MUCH to do, so I will be likely not posting again until after the 22nd.

Thank you to all the women who have contacted me with their stories of low-fat diet horrors. If I haven't gotten back to you yet, I will shortly; I've just been really over-loaded since I got back.

After the book is done I'll tell you all about it, but right now, it just needs to be written.

Thank you!

Wish me stamina and focus! (That's what I need right now)

Cassandra

Vegas here I come!

I'll be away for the next few days in beautiful (and fun, and exciting, and stress-free.... ) Las Vegas for the 4th annual International Society of Sports Nutrition annual meeting.

If anyone reading this blog is going to be there, please find me and say hello. I'd love to meet you.

Here I go!

Has a Low-Fat diet failed you?

For my new book, I'm looking for a few testimonials from women that have tried a very-low fat diet and found that it failed them.

If this is you, I'd love to include your story.

Just let me know what happened to you when you followed the diet. Did you gain weight? Did you become depressed? Did you crave peanut butter? etc.

You can either post your comment here or send me a direct email at cassforsythe@gmail.com.

Thank you!

THREE MORE WEEKS UNTIL THE BOOK IS DUE!!! Oh my goodness... :)