New Year´s Resolution - weight loss!

[Lilya]

I need to add weightloss to my previous New Year´s Resolution. :


It´s getting more and more difficult as the years go by, and at the age of 45 the weight doesn´t come off effortlessly. Usually I am at the rigth weight, but after three months of being sick, I haven´t been able to exercise, and that is not only important for weightloss, it´s essential to beat this illness. When my doc diagnosed me with Bi-Polar 2, he told me I would have to balance healthy food, exercise and rest to live a good life.

This Christmas I had to put on such a tight corselet to squeeze into my red velvet, I couldn´t believe it! Yet again. And last summer I was dancing in the parc wearing only a short top and an African pareo showing my bellybutton and feeling like a teenager and being proud of it. Now I´m a heavyset old matronly woman!

Well, no blues, only diet. I bought Cathy Ireland´s exercise tape and since I cannot jog outside without getting more colds and flues, it´s now home exercises and not eating at midnight but skim yoghurt and a hard boiled egg.

I hope some of you have some calories to burn, so let´s get crazy and celebrate a new year with healthy bodies - or at least getting there.

Use adversity

[lurkings]

~Lilya,
I am an extremly active person! I broke my foot last Sunday and have been so bummed out because krutches makes it hard to go a few feet. But today I am starting to walk on it, YEAH!!!! I know the feeling over having to stay indoors and do other things. More power to you for doing it, even if I wanted to loose weight I could never do excersises on TV! Right on girl, good deal!

Keep up the positive attitude and rock on!

[Juls]

Lilya,

A very good way to help lose weight is to eat two to three apples or pears per day. Of course exercise is very important also. But exercise combined with that fruit will help you get in shape fast.

My weight is o.k., but I do need to exercise more, so that will be one of my New Year's resolutions. Even if it's only 15 minutes a day, I will get out and walk and do some stretches and things. I am looking to take a yoga class because that is so good for flexibility. The last time I took Yoga was when I was pregnant and the instructor I guess didn't know that yoga, or at least certain positions can bring on labor. I don't know it that's what did it but I started having preterm labor at 16 weeks, and I had been doing the yoga since I found out I was pregnant. I thought it would be a good and gentle way to stay in shape during my pregnancy. Even though my daughter was born 9 weeks early she was very healthy and is fine.

Juls

[Lilya]

Lurkings,

How nice to hear from you. I´m so sorry you broke your foot, but you have a good, positive attitude. It´s great that you can walk now. Good going!

I prefer to be part of a group to do exercise, but it´s not an option right now, so home movies exercises are the ticket to good health. It´s also disgusting how much food I have gobbled up around midnight during my sickness. It´s a frightful French custom. We call it the midnight dinner, because we stay up late. Then we sleep heavily and the calories just become pure fat.

Juls,
Thanks for the tip about the apples. Unfortunately I´ve been allergic to apples for a long time. I get colites if I eat them, which is a shame because I love the hard, red ones. I might try it though.

I didn´t know yoga could induce labor! My God, you were lucky to have a healthy baby. I know belly dancing can start it and was in fact invented in hte harems to help women go through labor more quickly.

I´m glad you´re committed to exercise as well, so let´s get going. Rock and roll!:shades:

Use adversity

[Juls]

Oh no, Lily, don't eat the apples if you are allergic. What about the pears, can you eat them.

Juls

[lobstermom]

Hi there- I'm kind of new to this site, but find myself replying to most posts involving food. First of all, I am overweight (obese, actually) and have been this way all of my life. However, my job is that i go into people's homes and explain how to incorporate healthy eating into "real" lives. Mostly this is with folks who have been diagnosed with diabetes or heart trouble, but also with families who want to be healthier. I have made several changes, and see weight coming off very slowly, but that's good for keeping it off. I would encourage you to have 10 (yes 10) servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Want a snack? eat fruit.. Another snack? eat more fruit! And water- a good amount of water keeps you feeling full, and also you get extra excersize from running to the bathroom every 10 minutes! Don't be so strict as to set yourself up for failure. Instead of a hard boiled egg, try a scramble with onions and green peppers, and turkey bacon (though it is pretty salty). And last but not least- my #1 tip- mix equal parts fat-free yogurt (I use chocolate flavored, it's SO good) with reduced fat peanut butter, and mix, mix, mix it until it becomes smooth- use it as a dip for apples (oh, not apples then), celery, pretzels, etc. The chocoalte peanut butter flavor tastes super sinful on strawberries, too!! Good luck.

[Lilya]

Hello Lobstermom and welcome!

Thanks for the great advice. It´s amazing what you do for a living. I have never heard about it in Europe, but what a smart way to work!

I have to try the dip. Juls, I went to the market today and got 6 pears and I´m eating one as we speak. I stuck out the hunger last night, although it became almost unbearable. I don´t know how I will feel tonight, but I will eat more fruit.

The problem is, Lobstermom, that I start work at 11.00 in the morning and finish late at night. Sometimes I have to work till 3 AM and then getting a hard boiled egg seems more practical then making a scrambled one. Is it too fattening?

Another aspect of my problem is that 2 years ago I went on an extended trip to the Far East. I had to take malaria tablets for 8 weeks and let me tell you, it´s a guaranteed dietpill. I´ve rarely felt so nauseous in my life and you just don´t want to eat. I became fashion model thin - which is not what I want to be anyway - and when I starteed eating like a normal woman I ate like I´d been starved for a year, which in a way I was.

I hope I´m over that and the fruits will help me to get these 14 pounds off. I´m dedicated and haven´t strayed since yesterday.

I hope others will share as well. Thanks for all this great advice!

Use adversity

[2stop]

I have been working on weight loss/health issues since May. I have some weight, don't know how much, but know some dresses of mine fit now! I have been drinking tons of water, walking 2 miles a day getting the kids to/from school, lots of strectching and sit ups, some weioght/strengthening exercise, all of this in small doses as I have a herniate disc and amessed up shoulder, but slowly slowly I am getting toner in spots, I want my belly buton pirced and a silver ring in it by simmer...and I will wear a bikini again!! LOL>.........I also really watch portion sizes more than what I eat, I am a vegeterian, have been all my life, and eat limited dairy products. Lots of deep breathing and meditation with it has helped me lose inches before, more oxygen, more calories burned. Little by little I am reaching my goal.....it is a great way for me to discipline myself, but have to be careful, was bilimic/anorexic in my late teeens. Never "looked" anorexic, but binged and purged a lot...yuck...never want to be like that again, so hard to overcome.....

Here's to a healthy, happy slimmer and awesome 2004!!!

WE CAN DO IT LADIES!!!!!!!!!!

[lobstermom]

Sorry if I missed the mark on the egg thing- if you like hard-boiled eggs, then by all means, choose that. I just see so many women (and men, I guess) who say to themselves- "okay, i am only going to eat one hard boiled egg, as plain as can be, 2 carrots, and a rice cake today. Nothing else."- To me, that's just not the right way to think about eating. I encourage people to change their diets in ways that might not knock off the pounds immedietly, but rather stop any more pounds from adding on, and perhaps in the long run, lower their weight. Little things like eating more fruit, drinking water, lowering the fat percentage on your milk (admittedly, I am not yet drinking skim milk, but over the course of 2 years have down-graded from "whole" milk to "1%" milk- that's 15 less pounds of liquid fat passing my lips every year!), eating less sugar, eating whole grains, etc. Some things that I have not changed (I call them my "allowances")- I still drink half and half (cream) with my coffee, and I still have real butter on my bread (though I do use the soft margarine when cooking). I may change these things in the future, but they're staying for now.
My job position is meant to be utilized by those families recieving state medical aid, welfare or food stamps, but usually i have more interest from the older folks who have already ruined their bodies with life-long bad habits. I have seen some scary and sad things, and it has made me feed myself and my son much healthier foods. I'm only 31, but I see what happens at 50, 60, 70.
If you are interested (anyone) in getting some good, healthy recipes and quick, healthy snacks, I only have about 3 filing cabinets full of info and recipes, so feel free to ask!
I was also on medication that proved to be a "miracle" diet, though in my case it was a stimulant that ended up making me have hot flashes, babbling like a mad hatter, and in the end, making my heart race to the point that i always felt like I was having a heart attack. No more of that for me, thanks.!!
Take care......

[Lilya]

Lobstermom,

I think you´re an amazing woman! How lucky we are to have you to guide us here.

The food I´m referring to is only the midnight food. That´s where I have problems. I eat little during the day and then later, because I´m a night person I eat the biggest quantities at night. In France, dinner is eaten at 9 PM and is the biggest meal.

So the hardboiled egg, the fruit and yoghurts are for the midnight snack only. I eat regularily during the day and am trying to eat more then, so I won´t feel as hungry at midnight.

Juls, I ate two pears when I felt hungry at 2 AM and I ignored the hunger pains when I woke up at 4.30 AM feeling so hungry my insides screamed. It´s a little like going through alcohol and drugs withdrawals again. I´m going out to the Arab market to buy yet more pears.

Some people in my country recommend diet while sleeping. Sleeping cures are common in France. What do you think of that? I also want to ask you about Betalean. It´s one of those American dietpills, that is supposed to make you burn calories faster and make you less hungry.

Use adversity

[lobstermom]

I have to ask this, even though it feels rude of me- why do you not eat when you are that hungry? Your body is telling you that it has used up all of the fuel that you have provided, and it needs more. Do you like oatmeal? If you have a bowl of oatmeal before you go yo sleep (or even for your midnight snack), it kind of "sticks to your gut", if you will, and would probably help those hunger pains in the deep hours of the night/morning. An added benefit- a bowl of oatmeal or whole grain cereal a day help to lower cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease.
I think it funny that when attending seminars, so many american dieticians discuss the French and their diets, and how the heck they stay so thin and healthy- good bread, cheeses, etc. However, they most usually are also saying how prevalent wine is in France and how a glass of wine a day helps with health. (That statement continually boils me, but oh well, can't win 'em all) But I think the French are just more sensible than us Americans when it comes to processed foods and "super-sizing" meals.
I can't say anything about diet pills, because I just don't beleive in them. They may work well (if anyone can tell me a success with them, I'd love to hear about it), but generally I think many people can get adddicted to them, especially if there is a stimulant involved.
I'm coming to the conclusion that I just talk way too much about FOOD!! (LOL)
Take care...

[Juls]

Hi LobsterMom,

Glad to have you here, and you can talk as much "food" as you like, but only if YOU like. I like the idea of sleeping cures. I have done that when I have been going through difficult times. I will sleep more, until I feel better. Not 24 hours a day, but more. I have also been to homeopaths when I was having alot of trouble with anxiety that also told me to get as much bed-rest as I could.

I don't know about the diet pill Betalean, but I would never take a diet pill. I'm too scared that it could do something harmful to me. Did you hear about the problems that were caused by Phenteramine and SenSen. I wouldn't advise them. Also, there are still many that have Ephedra in them which is a stimulant and can cause heart problems for some people.

I have problems with hunger at night too. I try to have some fruit, or non-fat milk, but the thing that helps me the best is low-fat cottage cheese, and now studies are showing that calcium also plays a role in weight loss.

Juls

[2stop]

~Lobstermom~ I love reading your posts, please keep right on talking. I have a question for you. I am a vegeterian, was raised one have never ate meat, I do prepare it for the family thouhg, Ieat some dairy but would like to cut out as much as I can....I believe dairy causes alot of sinus problems, not to mention gastrointestinal, I cannot eat much ice cream at all. Yogurt I can eat, cheese gives me migraines a lot, so for calciuma s I continue to cut out more dairy are the calcium supplements really enough to get my daily allowance. Have heard so much is not absorbed and that must take magnesioun and vitamin D with it. Can you give me the best calcium supplement ouit there, and also are those chewy things forget the name are they good? Thanks so much for your time...so glad to have you here!!!! ***hugs***

[2stop]

Forgot to add, if anyone is taking sublingual B-12 and wants to add niacin, check the liquid B-12 to see if it alreday has niacin in it...My poor hubby! I gave him his Vit C and E and his liquid B-12 and a niacin tablet, well...he had what is called a "niacin rush" I felt soooo bad I have always ben the type to read labels, wotking as a nursing assistant before and helping nurses pass out meds...well, he turned all red, said he was buring from the insode out...it passed within an hour...but I felt so bad..My dad said it is called "the Niacin rush" and in the Veterans hospitals some of the guys will take extra niacin if they think the docs are going to discharge them soon......

[lobstermom]

Do you really want the truth about milk? It won't make you happy....

Unless you can consume 3 glasses a day of human breast milk (which is highly unlikely! ), the next best thing is cow's milk. You can take calcium supplements, but the RETENTION (absorbtion) level of calcium is not the same. There are calcium added orange juices that state on the outer package "As much calcium as milk!"- but when you drink that (as well as the supplement pills or chocolate chews), your body does not retain as much of the calcium, because it is coming from a synthetic (?) source. And the whole Vitamin D thing- You need the vitamin D in order to absorb the calcium. If you live in an area that has nice, full sunlight during the day, and you are outside in that full sun for 20-30 minutes a day, your body will make it's own Vitamin D, and will help you absorb more of the calcium. If you don't live in one of those places- for instance I live in Maine, and I know for a fact that during the winter months, the sun is not even at a proper angle to provide "full sun", therefore we can't possible make the Vitamin D ourselves, so i drink the milk with D added. Yogurt, likewise has about a 30-40% retention level, which I think is about the same for the fortified OJ. Cheese is similarly low in retention/absorbtion. Soy milk , I beleive, is even lower. I'm not sure about the sinus thing- I have heard that before, mostly from the vegan police (sorry, but know the type I mean). It is something to research, I guess. Likewise with the gastrointestinal issues.
Now comes my favorite speech (I have so many working this job!)- DRINK YOUR MILK!!!! You know when older ladies break their hips? People always say- "Poor old Edna, she just tripped, fell, and broke her hip. That was the beginning of the end for Edna."- The TRUTH? Poor old Edna's bones were so brittle from improper calcium that she simply stepped on her leg as usual and her hip snapped, then she fell to the ground. (This is usually much more the case that the "fall then break" theory) That's scary.
Let me take this oppurtunity to state that I DO NOT have a degree in Human Nutrition, and that with any person's claim, you should feel free to double-check what I am saying about anything!! I have a supervisor who is the "brains" of our program, and she has a multitude of degrees in Nutrition, Family Living, and Social Work. I take all of her knowledge out into the field, and "preach it to the masses". Most of my knowledge has come from her, the field experience itself, my daily life, or from the USDA Nutrition Program.

[2stop]

Thanks so much Lobstermom, sometime I WISHED i WASN'T RAISED VEGETERIAN...THERE IS THIS MENTAL BLOCK TO BEING ABLE TO EAT IT, AND OF COURSE ALL THE LECTURES ABOUT "UNCLEAN MEAT", MAN........i APPRECIATE YOU SHARING SO MUCH! tHANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO REPLY, AND i DO KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN BY THE VEGAN POLICE..i DO NOT JUDGE ANYONE FOR WHAT THEY EAT, i JUST HAVE ISSUES FROM HOW i WAS RAISED i GUESS, AND WHEN YOU ADD RELIGION AND THE FEAR OF GOING TO HELL...IT GETS UGLY....i LIVE IN PA and it gets pretty dark in the winter months, I am also battling agoraphobia, which I am doing much better with, but some days cannot leave the house at all, not even the back yard...but as I said it is getting better.......Hope your day is going great!! Mnay thanks again.....***hugs***

[lobstermom]

Oh yeah, I also give lessons about food safety, and what I've learned has made me pretty darn cautious, let me tell ya! Generally, I don't eat pork at all- we conducted an experiment that was so gross, I won't even share the details!, and I eat beef if I don't have time to think about what it is I'm eating (though i cook the crap out of it before I eat it), and usually never in a restaurant- I've worked food service, i know that there are some things that go out that should not have-eeeuuu!!!. Cooking/roasting chicken scares because I'm always afraid that there is some little bacteria lurking that somehow avoided the heat of my oven. However, I will still eat a red hot dog (sorry- for you non-Maine people, our steamed hot dogs up here are dyed red, which we love, but they look pretty freaky to anyone else!). Go figure. I have started to eat a lot more meat-substitutes- we love beans in just about everything (I created bean-based meatballs so I could have my meatball sub without guilt!), and I'm starting to use more of the Veggie-Burger type patties (we had the sausage ones this morning, actually) but they are more expensive, and experimenting with the soy texture-flakes and various recipes (my kitchen is, most days, a mini-lab of recipe trials and taste-tests). I was raised just the opposite- in a total meat and potatoes family, where spaghetti was an odd thing to have (no obvious meat there). Blessed be me,though, I was raised in a Maine fishing family, so I do love lobster, clams, most shellfish, and some "real" fish like Haddock, but not land-fish like salmon or trout (just doesn't taste right to me without the salt, I guess). And fish is generally good for you, and much less fat than land animals. I think as I get older, I am slowly moving over into the vegetarian-ish diet, but I take exception to drinking cow's milk- I actually get mine fresh from a local farm, and then I don't have guilt about inhumane farming practices- I know the 6 cows by name, for goodness sake!
Were you raised to avoid all animal-based foods/products? I find that I'm okay with the thought of milk, but the thought of eggs, and eating meat/flesh does gross me out, pretty much. I generally think that if you can't politely discuss what you are eating at the dinner table while you are eating it, you shouldn't be eating it. (See, we wouldn't have any issues about discussing a big fat veggie salad, a fruit salad, or even baked beans, but talk about killing chickens and butchering up cattle would tend to be looked down on, eh?)
I have to learn to cut down my replies a little bit- i'm a babbler by nature, but goodnes, doesn't that show up when you're writing stuff out!!!

[Mamabear]

Hi lobstermom,
Nice meeting ya!
Food is one of my favorite topics
Girls,
In case you're wondering if this board is effective, consider this: I read this thread, got up and dumped my high calorie, sugared up cappucino and ate a tart, fresh apple
Aren't ya'll proud?
About that egg, Lilya, just chuck the yoke and eat as much white as you want loaded with delicious freshly ground hot pepper....good protein, little to no fat. I have been trying to eat one cup of tuna or salmon for lunch(usually I dress it w/ lemon and seasoning) and boy does that stave off binges.) I eat far too little protein I think and that really helps.
Hey, lobstermom, How much pasta is a good amount in one meal. Keep in mind you're talking to an Italian American here!
((((((((peace))))))))))
mamabear

[2stop]

I know alot about making veggie and soy-based "meats" black beans are excellent in veggie burgers, lentils I like too, although I find some do not like lentils very well, It took me awhile to become comfortable making meat, but my husband swears I make the best teriyaki chicken, New York strip steak and meatloaf....poor guy waas scared to eat the meat I cooked at firts, I wore gloves!! and with the bloodier meats I actually had amask on, I just could not handle it, I am fine now, and my husband loves my cooking, even made an excellent spiral ham with honey glaze and turkey...haven't made a dry turkey since I been with him...I think it's the love I put into it that works, because believe you me, it took love my first meatloaf....OMG...the ground beef about made me barf and I kept seeing thge pretty black and white Holsteins out in the pasture.....LOL.......the things we will do for our men eh?

[Juls]

Tammi,

Were you raised a Seventh Day Adventist? Just curious, becuase I know they don't eat meat. I am like you in that I do not like to handle any kind of meat. Ugh, I hate the feel of it in my hands, and I try not to touch it as much as possible. I'm not a vegetarian though, and I do enjoy a good steak every so often. I love fish, but I am afraid of the reports of mercury in fish, especially in tuna fish which I really enjoy.

Mamabear, that's great that you gave up your capp for an apple.

Lobstermom, thanks for all the great nutritional advice. Back in the day I used to an aerobics instructor, personal trainer, and also gave nutritional advice. I did alot of research on my own to find things out, and the information as really served me well. How did you get the job you have where you go to people homes to tell them about nutrition. Is it part of a Social Worker program, or a hospita? It sounds like a really great job.

Juls

[Lilya]

Lobstermom,

I think you´re great! I love reading your posts. I will answer your questions further up: I am trying to stop eating so much food before sleeping. That is supposed to be bad, isn´t it? I eat most before bedtime and my nurse told me to change the system - eat more breakfast, lunch and less dinner and night snack. The hunger pains will be there for 4-5 nights more, but I can take it. However, your oatmeal tip is fantastic and I will have a bowl before going to sleep tonight.

Let me tell you the secret why we French stay so thin - although this French girl is 14 pounds overweight - the dairy products are all lowfat, no one dreams of eating 100% cream or milk unless you´re a farmer. Also, the portions are half of what you eat in other countries. Most women drink green tea and carbonate soda if they are on a diet. My grandmother used to do that.

The funny thing is that most latin men prefer overweight women. Once I was going to a dinner on a beautiful spring night, proud of my slim body in a new summer dress. A very handsome man walked towards me. But he didn´t look at me, but the overweight woman behind me. When she had passed, he whistled and made this declaration: "Yep, that is how women should be!Vow, you´re fantastic!"

Lobstermom, you would not get any peace in Paris. Men would be all over you!

Use adversity

[lobstermom]

Lilya- did you hear that sound- it was my suitcase closing- I'm headed to France to impress the men!!
I have to start drinking the green tea- i have heard so much about it having good effects on so many health-related issues. Will be very hard though, as I am a total coffee (w/cream + sugar, no less) head.

Juls- here's my super-long title- I am a Nutrition Aide for the Expanded Family Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and the Food Stamp Nutrition Education Program (FSNEP), both outreach programs from the Cooperative Extension Service, paid for by grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (phew!)
What that actually means- I recruit clients through the food stamp office, WIC, Head Start, and other "low-income" service providers, as well as TANF/AFDC and Medicare and Medicaid offices. I go into their homes (if invited), asses how to incorporate better nutrition into their diets, and then work with them until they feel comfortable with what they've learned. I also go speak to groups (seniors groups, parents groups, PTA's, etc), as well as conduct classroom nutrition programs for the 9 elementary schools in my particular "zone". Oh- the program is completely FREE, too. We have 3 aides covering our whole county. I think that is such a wonderful program, but it is very stressful in that I have to recruit people to sign up for the program, and more often than not, folks feel personally attacked if you suggest they could change their diets, especially young mothers. And others assume that I am a "state worker" (which I'm not).
My biggest success as of yet? I was working with an older (57?) man who had lived with his mother until her recent passing, never having cooked for himself. He was diabetic and living off the Schwan's truck!! I taught him to make pancakes. And meatloaf. Seems like a small thing, but to him, it meant a lot. My worst case- having a client lose their home and have to go live in a homeless shelter because they couldn't keep up with the morgage.
I love my job though- I meet so many people, and get to help some, too.
And now for the plug- if any of you (in the USA) think you'd like one of me to talk to you, look up "Cooperative Extension" in your phone books, and asked if they have a nutrition program. If you have a family (children under 18), you need not neccesarily qualify as "low-income" to participate. It's there. it's free, and it needs some numbers!! (Plus, you get several free cookbooks to boot!)

I encourage all women to read that thing I wrote earlier about poor old Edna (I will die if I ever tell that story and there really is an Edna in the group!)and her brittle bones. The younger girls that I know all get the speech just about every time they see me- they roll their eyes and I hope they hear me....

[Lilya]

Lobstermom,

I read all about old Edna and I believe you. If I don´t drink milk I get cramps in my calf (I´m 45).

Can you explain something to me? How come I can eat and eat for 18 months or so and stay slim. I exercise a lot and drink green tea, but I can eat big quantities of chocolate and fatty food without gaining a pound. I seem to slim down on chocalte and soda.

Then I get into another phase where I gain weight. It´s never drastic and it´s not that much. It´s 14 pounds or so, but I´m tall and can hide it (with my corselets ). But this is like a cyclonic phase. 18 months thin, then 18 months a bit plump. Then back to being thin. It´s been like this since I had my first child at 17.

Use adversity

[lobstermom]

See, now you're getting too medical on me! I can only guess that you might have a metabolism that fluctuates for some reaon (a bum thyroid gland? maybe?) I'm not sure. With no offense intended, 17 is young to have a child (a young woman's body is still growing at that age), perhaps that effected your life-long health. Or if you believe in natural cycles, perhaps your body prepares itself for pregnancy every 18 months and fattens up to support it. (Can you tell I'm just throwing out ideas here?) It may be something to bring up to your physician, and if it happens that regularly, try to attack it head on, with eating a healthier diet when you are most prone to adding on weight.
Corselet is such a pretty word, much nicer than... girdle!! that's it, have to put France on my list of destinations in this lifetime. (mental note- France= corselets, men who like full figured women, good bread, topless beaches, and August holiday!) (LOL)

[lobstermom]

mamabear- i forgot to answer your pasta question- I would say that for you, an Italian American, you should have no more than 2 5-gallon buckets a day (Sorry, I couldn't resist that!) Seriously, a serving is about 3/4 of a cup, and you should have between 6-11 servings of carbohydrates a day, but since whole grain are best, I wouldn't have all of the servings come from pasta. By the way, my a's first three names (out of 5) are Gianno Giuseppe Vincenzo, so don't even tell me about the Italian thing. And to make it worse he is in LOVE with your Philadelphia Eagles. You want him? I'll give you a good deal.. :p (LOL)