The PGX Experiment Part Deux

I think it's working

In fact I am ready to get a couple pom-poms in the the PGX pink and white and become their unsolicited cheerleader.

I'll know for sure, like For Sure-for sure a week from now.

This week, I'm in process of an annual detox for liver and insides. That aforementioned 'lifestyle' was more than likely a little hard on my machine, so I figure as I creep towards middle age I should be kind enough to repay it with some pampering every now and then.  No better time than after the seasonal brew-ha-ha.

As not to overload a detoxing system, I eased up on a few of the daily vitamins, and have dropped the PGX completely
(See PGX experiment part one)
Well holy moly, sistas and brothas of the SAD sect, those carb cravings are back, and back with a vengeance. Snuck up on me they did. A couple handful of natchos and dip, a toasted english muffin, some popcorn, another couple handfuls of natchos, some cereal and some crackers and still wanted MORE. It occurred not only was I grazing, but grazing from a field of wheat and corn.

  Ruh-oh *carb alarm, carb alarm , reewoo reewoo*

The good news - I haven't had the unconscious grazing until now.

I stopped the PGX on January 1.

  3 days ago.  

Coincidence

I think not. 

Unfortunately any observations after today (the point of awareness) are all null and void as there may be an intellectual bias involved.   But I will finish the detox without the PGX and be super conscience of all my carbohydrate intake.   (I have yet to explain the devil details of carbs and Seasonal Affective.)

I'll let you know what happens this week but I can tell you on Sunday morning coming I will be thrilled to get back on the PGX train.

Wish me luck.

The PGX Experiment

A little bit of personal background on me.
I'm fascinated with human machine. It's design, it's use, its commonalities and differences. It's natural mutations, for both perceived 'good' and 'bad'. The maintenance of the machine and its control panel (body and brain) are all in my realm of knowledge. In fact at one point, I was a certified fitness instructor and I am still a bona fide geek.

 I am a font of useful physiological information.

 I am also somewhat lazy.

I am the proud owner of a metabolism that runs like molasses in January AND I suffer from SAD - so though I'm smart enough to know what the machine needs, the control panel often overrides and self medicating on the couch is not an uncommon event during the winter months.

Ugh - It's enough to make me hate myself (or at least my machine) during the dismal days of effin winter.
(I did at one point 'run-away' from winter to a sub-tropical isle, but that's another story, and we'll get to that sooner or later)

So, with that said.
A lot of things I've got in my SAD Sack-o-tools are results of experiments conducted by me, to my machine, by deducing similarities in physiological results and reactions either due to Seasonal Affective Disorder, depression, emotional changes, physical side effects of diet, supplements and external factors.

I also am NOT a fan of popping a pharmaceutical 'solution' - I believe that in many cases they cause more harm than good. (In a winter of desperation, I did try a little helper by the name of Prozac. It was not my friend, it did not help and we can talk about that later)

Now, back on point.
This winter has a new experiment, that seems to be going quite well. I need to do more research and actually need to follow through until March, but so far, so good.

While pedaling my way to endorphin  happiness I spied fitness guru Kathy Smith (love her) on Breakfast Television talking about her book and various other things.   She simply mentioned PGX.  I Googled.

Turned out that PGX as a weight management supplement could and should (in my opinion) help with some of the seasonal side effects from SAD.  The carb craving, desire to over eat, sugar imbalances and thus mood imbalances, could all be helped by PGX. I read on, there were no stimulants, it was high in fibre, invented in Canada (this meant a lot to me), and all in all had few side effects and regardless if it produced weightloss, In my opinion should help with my SAD.
So, I bought some.
I am pretty sure it's working.   I sure don't seem to have the mood highs and lows (GI fluctuation, carb binging, sugar spike shitness of winter). In fact, my internal demon which repeats "I want bread, I want potatoes" is silent. Honest.

It could be placebo effect,

But I don't think so. 

The machine is behaving differently

Control panel diagnostics say so

My experiment will continue, I'll keep you posted. 

I'm also going to contact PGX to see what they know. 

Now for the record. I am NOT taking PGX with hopes of weight loss. I AM taking PGX to see if I can avoid the usual weight gain that comes with my ESS.AYE.DEE.

One down, one to go

I wish Christmas was in the summer. For real. It would make more sense, after all Jesus was born in July or something like that. I understand the want to celebrate and gather during the short days and the long standing traditions of winter solstice (I'm not gearing up for a theological discussion, in fact it's the LAST thing I want to discuss) 

But it would be awesome for me if Christmas was in July.

The gatherings of friends and family kick crap out of me, the SAD seems to suck 3 times as much energy just to be social, let alone entertaining. inquisitive and um.. nice.

It would be straight truth for me to say, I would rather stay home and putter than force myself to these gatherings. If friends or family read this, DO NOT TAKE THIS PERSONALLY. It's not about you. 

Regardless, I muster the momentum and follow the smell of turkey and remind myself of the 'rules' the whole way there.  

For you, fellow sufferer, et me recap.

Alcohol this time of year is BAD - have very little - (a glass with dinner should suffice)

Mash potatoes, buns, stuffing - BAD - have little to none, (I ALWAYS cave with the stuffing and gravy, but hey, it's stuffing and gravy)

Sweet treats - ya, those are BAD too - just starts the sugar/mood coaster.  

(In theory PGX should help all this 'wrong' intake, but I'm not ready to experiment with the machine this year, I don`t feel like using the hard way to finding out where the limits exist)

Bed Early - a few late nights can really, really wrench the system, so careful. Tying to pull yourself out of the funk in January is a true bitch of a job

Take your vitamins - simple rule, just follow it

Exercise - I know, I know, hard to do when away from home and with many gyms being closed, but get creative. (I find this to always be the hardest to accomplish and will admit, my batting average is very, very low)  I try to be sure and meditate instead - meditate on a visual of a tropical beach with the sun and the sand.  *shrugs* it works.

There, that`s the end of my lecture.

Luck to you and Merry Christmas.

Now pass the turkey.

**oh while cruising some other blogs - I came across this http://fightingthedarkness.blogspot.com/2011/12/fighting-stress.html

She does a great job of detailing the sugar affects. 

MMMM Vitamin Barf

I've got an arsenal of vitamins and supplements in my

  SAD Sack-o-tools 

The ever so precious Vitamin D
B complex (mood adjuster)
An awesome multi-vitamin 
Fish oil (cause it's good for me, and you)
Milk Thistle (for the 'self medicating' days)
Glucosamine with MSM (this I try and take all year, that could explain the absence of joint issues)

This winter I'm trying something new. I added PGX to the mix to see if I can keep the carb and 'always hungries' away.  So yes, another experiment with 'the machine'  I'll fill you in in a post or two. (so far, so good!!)

3 of the first, 1 of the second, 2 of the third and forth, 2 Gluco and now 2 or 3 PGX (3x a day) and then a milk thistle or two if needed.
This morning - as I type this - I'm looking at 11 pills to be taken in the very near future.
And though I know they're good for me and they do wonders for my state of mind

I am always a little trepidatious.

There is always the chance of the dreaded Vitamin Burps and then every once in a while there is total vitamin revolt.

Vitamin Barf happens

Yesterday, there was Vitamin Barf - MMMMM awesome. So for those of you who have never experienced this, let me share.  Often with such a large selection of vitamins there will be a couple or three vitamin burps, a lovely kickback that smells and tastes like ick, but it's par for the course and seldom creates an issue.

Vitamin barf on the other hand drives me nuts. There's no rhyme or reason. I've systematically repeated conditions to see if I could MAKE it happen and nothing happens. Daily I ensure there is both water and absorbent(s) (aka food) in my belly. And I never take them in one big handful. In theory all systems should be go.

But holy shit - when they want to kick back, one has about 3 breaths to get to some form of receptacle.

First Breath "hmm something doesn't feel right in there"

Second Breath "just breathe deep, it will pass"

Third Breath "ruh-oh there's that 'mouth' feeling"

By now - I'm on the move

and out it comes. 

The crappiest part. Looking in the bowl and thinking, 'goddam, I have to take ALL those again'. *sigh* 

I do suppose there is good news, I've never had a case of the double barf....

(now see that: if it wasn't for the SAD sack-o-tools - that last sentence would not exist - there would only be the 'glass half empty version and the world would be ending)