Couldn't write yesterday. Was at Kohl's shopping at 5 am and saved 75% off on my total bill. The went to visit dear dear fiends in Columbus for the day. We are in Dayton, Ohio for Thanksgiving and it has been non stop eating and drinking. I brought my scale and have weighed my self daily but it is not pretty. BUt it has been great to see my son and his family, especially the 3 grand babies.
Today we drive back and I will get my Christmas decor out and wrap a bunch of presents. I am planning on making pumpkin bread, cookies, fudge and buckeyes for gifts this year. The gaining season begins. I will go out now and walk to get in steps before we leave for the 9 hour drive home. Starting today I write my food down again.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Thanksgiving
I am thankful for all of the wonderful blessing in my life but today I want to focus on one particular blessing this year for this blog. My dad was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in July. Diabetes scares me. The fear of it keeps me on my diet.
Diabetes is the 7 th leading cause of death in the US and "Among those age 50 and older, diabetic men lived an average of 7.5 years less than men without diabetes, and diabetes reduced women's life expectancy by an average of 8.2 years. Life expectancy free of cardiovascular disease was reduced by 7.8 years in men and 8.4 years in women with diabetes." (from ScienceDaily June 12, 2007)
I am sooooooooo very thankful and proud that my dad has attacked his type 2 diabetes. He has lost almost 50 pounds, is working out regularly and has no symptoms of diabetes anymore. I couldn't be more thankful because I know that this means I will have my daddy around a lot longer in my life. I love you Dad and today am so thankful for you in my ( and my family's) life/ lives and the many years to come.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Triglycerides
Every year my doctor takes blood and analyzes my Lipid panel, which is cholesterol and triglycerides. The past 2 years my triglycerides were 241 and 267. Normal is less than 150.
My cholesterol levels haven't been above 200 combined, but my good cholesterol (HDL) was too low and my bad cholesterol (LDL) was to high. I found out today that there is an inverse relationship between good cholesterol and triglycerides. No wonder.
I got my blood work results yesterday and my triglycerides are down to 98 ( at 63% drop or I was 272% higher last year than this year!! ) My LDL is about the same but my HDL (good) is up 27%. What a difference a year makes. Seeing the triglycerides number way down is the greatest reward. If I am honest I think that is what scared me into getting really serious about the weight loss. I was on a fast track to type 2 diabetes and I knew it. Diabetes runs in my Dad's family and I was solidly pre-diabetic. No more.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Hair Lost and Found
My hair has been coming out in clumps in the shower for months. It stopped for a while and has started again. I got my hair cut yesterday which I do about once a year whether I need it or not. My stylist said that hair loss was normal with rapid weight loss and then I found this at health-emark.com:
"Hair Loss: This is also a typical short term effect of weight loss surgery. Hair loss in rapid weight loss plans generally occurs due to reduced in take of proteins. Following weight loss surgery, hair loss starts occurring in the fourth and fifth month. This results from the shedding of your hair follicles. With reduced protein intake your body sacrifices hair that is made from proteins to make the little protein available to more important body functions. It especially pronounced in weight loss surgery as these individual have extremely low protein diets.Fortunately once your nutrition goes back to normal and you provide enough dietary protein, the hair loss stops and your hair thickness goes back to normal. " (thankfully)
I know I am not alone in this which helps. Also, I found out that the shorter hairs near my temple which look a bit like some one cut a lock of hair is actually new spontaneous growth. My body decided to start to grow hair in a place it didn't before. Very weird. I have a short bob now, a bit shorter than expected but nice. It will grow out well and will accentuate my curls.
"Hair Loss: This is also a typical short term effect of weight loss surgery. Hair loss in rapid weight loss plans generally occurs due to reduced in take of proteins. Following weight loss surgery, hair loss starts occurring in the fourth and fifth month. This results from the shedding of your hair follicles. With reduced protein intake your body sacrifices hair that is made from proteins to make the little protein available to more important body functions. It especially pronounced in weight loss surgery as these individual have extremely low protein diets.Fortunately once your nutrition goes back to normal and you provide enough dietary protein, the hair loss stops and your hair thickness goes back to normal. " (thankfully)
I know I am not alone in this which helps. Also, I found out that the shorter hairs near my temple which look a bit like some one cut a lock of hair is actually new spontaneous growth. My body decided to start to grow hair in a place it didn't before. Very weird. I have a short bob now, a bit shorter than expected but nice. It will grow out well and will accentuate my curls.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Hunger
1.02 billion people on our planet experience chronic hunger, about one sixth of all humanity. How can we live in world where this is possible? So I think of these people as I struggle with a disease of affluence. That I worry about eating to much when so many do not have enough.
In this country there are soup kitchens that feed the hungry. I volunteer at one and I can tell you that the food is good and nutritious. There is always fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and green salad in addition to main courses, bread and desserts. (The bread and desserts which come largely from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods) There are also food shelves where people can get groceries. I have never been hungry in the true sense of the word. We did get crates of free food bulk cheese I remember in the 70's. I could have gotten free lunch at school but preferred to pack my own.
Be grateful this week as you stuff your self on Thursday, that you can and think about how blessed we are to have food on the table and to never go without. So in my own twisted way I will be grateful for my weight loss struggle. I could literally be starving.
In this country there are soup kitchens that feed the hungry. I volunteer at one and I can tell you that the food is good and nutritious. There is always fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and green salad in addition to main courses, bread and desserts. (The bread and desserts which come largely from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods) There are also food shelves where people can get groceries. I have never been hungry in the true sense of the word. We did get crates of free food bulk cheese I remember in the 70's. I could have gotten free lunch at school but preferred to pack my own.
Be grateful this week as you stuff your self on Thursday, that you can and think about how blessed we are to have food on the table and to never go without. So in my own twisted way I will be grateful for my weight loss struggle. I could literally be starving.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thanksgiving Tips
Here's how to slim down your Thanksgiving meal.
1. No Green bean casserole. For your green vegetable try Brussels sprouts or broccoli. Spray with Pam, season salt and garlic powder oven roast for 45 min to one hour. Or steam fresh green beans, serve with I Cant Believe It's Not Butter spray.
2. No candied yams. Just bake the yams and enjoy with out butter or with I Cant Believe It's Not Butter spray.
3. Turkey- White meat only. No skin.
4. Gravy- Use fat free stock and flour mixed in water only, not rue, to thicken. Pour off the fat and use the dark part stuck to the pan (de-glazed with stock) to flavor the gravy.
5. Mashed potatoes- Use fat free sour cream and fat free turkey stock to make, not butter or cream. Substitute cauliflower for half of potatoes.
6. Dressing - add no fat, use bread cubes (not croutons) or corn bread, cook vegetables like celery, onion and green pepper in fat free turkey stock add to bread. Season to taste, I use poultry seasoning, season salt and pepper. Spray pan with Pam and spray Pam on top. Bake.
7. Have a green salad with spray dressing.
8. Cranberries- Boil fresh cranberries, sweeten with splenda and add to sugar free orange jello. Or just eat the regular jelly like I do- eat less and count the calories.
9. See pumpkin pie alternatives below.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember all the blessing you have to be thankful for.
1. No Green bean casserole. For your green vegetable try Brussels sprouts or broccoli. Spray with Pam, season salt and garlic powder oven roast for 45 min to one hour. Or steam fresh green beans, serve with I Cant Believe It's Not Butter spray.
2. No candied yams. Just bake the yams and enjoy with out butter or with I Cant Believe It's Not Butter spray.
3. Turkey- White meat only. No skin.
4. Gravy- Use fat free stock and flour mixed in water only, not rue, to thicken. Pour off the fat and use the dark part stuck to the pan (de-glazed with stock) to flavor the gravy.
5. Mashed potatoes- Use fat free sour cream and fat free turkey stock to make, not butter or cream. Substitute cauliflower for half of potatoes.
6. Dressing - add no fat, use bread cubes (not croutons) or corn bread, cook vegetables like celery, onion and green pepper in fat free turkey stock add to bread. Season to taste, I use poultry seasoning, season salt and pepper. Spray pan with Pam and spray Pam on top. Bake.
7. Have a green salad with spray dressing.
8. Cranberries- Boil fresh cranberries, sweeten with splenda and add to sugar free orange jello. Or just eat the regular jelly like I do- eat less and count the calories.
9. See pumpkin pie alternatives below.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and remember all the blessing you have to be thankful for.
Positive Self Talk
The diet sabotage is coming from focusing on the negative. Shift and change your mind. Why do I eat/ over eat knowing what the results will be? I am a very intelligent woman and I know when I am eating more than I am burning and I do it anyway. Why??? In the past I have known when I was over eating on a regular basis and I remember thinking "am I trying to gain as much weight as possible?" I think it happens when I feel bad about myself, frustrated, tired and when things feel a bit out of control.
Something shifts and I just stop caring for a minute or more. I eat unconsciously. I am wondering about the psychology behind why people are heavy. I think my self-sabotaging behaviors are all symptoms of a self-image that’s inconsistent with present results. Emerson once wrote, “Of what use to make heroic vows of amendment if the same old lawbreaker is to keep them?" Jesus taught us that it is folly to put new wine into old bottles or a patch new material on an old garment. Maybe I haven't change that much.
I am trying to change my self image by driving my Jag and getting out my (mouton) fur coat from college, with moderate success. I have been "pleasingly plump", "sack of potatoes" and "pumpkin"my whole life, while my sister was "skinny mini" and "princess". It is a hard thing to change the vision of myself that was put there so long ago. I know rationally that I look good but in my heart I don't feel it some days and I comfort myself with food. Until the inside matches the outside this will continually be a struggle for me.
I will write down the body image I want and fake it until I make it. (As my wise minister says, "act as if") I will put the body image I want in my gratitude journal, make a daily gratitude for my body and put myself on prayer list to love my body and not abuse it with wrong food or over eating. Treat it as sacred. My body is the temple where my soul lives. The food I eat and the exercise I do, the offerings.
Something shifts and I just stop caring for a minute or more. I eat unconsciously. I am wondering about the psychology behind why people are heavy. I think my self-sabotaging behaviors are all symptoms of a self-image that’s inconsistent with present results. Emerson once wrote, “Of what use to make heroic vows of amendment if the same old lawbreaker is to keep them?" Jesus taught us that it is folly to put new wine into old bottles or a patch new material on an old garment. Maybe I haven't change that much.
I am trying to change my self image by driving my Jag and getting out my (mouton) fur coat from college, with moderate success. I have been "pleasingly plump", "sack of potatoes" and "pumpkin"my whole life, while my sister was "skinny mini" and "princess". It is a hard thing to change the vision of myself that was put there so long ago. I know rationally that I look good but in my heart I don't feel it some days and I comfort myself with food. Until the inside matches the outside this will continually be a struggle for me.
I will write down the body image I want and fake it until I make it. (As my wise minister says, "act as if") I will put the body image I want in my gratitude journal, make a daily gratitude for my body and put myself on prayer list to love my body and not abuse it with wrong food or over eating. Treat it as sacred. My body is the temple where my soul lives. The food I eat and the exercise I do, the offerings.
Friday, November 20, 2009
Grandma's Booty Tricks
I had a long and wonderful conversation with my grandma yesterday. She will be 90 in May, has short term memory issues according to my step mom, but is always just great and herself whenever we talk.
I told her about my weight loss and my doctors visit. She has a few tips for me on toning and firming. She called them isometrics and mentioned that is was the Jane Fonda exercise.
1. While walking, every ten step hold stomach firm (core) for ten steps holding breath. Walk ten steps normally, then repeat.
2. The one I really liked was how to keep your bottom high. "Clench and release through out the day and no one will ever know. As you lose weight your bottom won't sag."
Gotta love booty tips from grandma!
I told her about my weight loss and my doctors visit. She has a few tips for me on toning and firming. She called them isometrics and mentioned that is was the Jane Fonda exercise.
1. While walking, every ten step hold stomach firm (core) for ten steps holding breath. Walk ten steps normally, then repeat.
2. The one I really liked was how to keep your bottom high. "Clench and release through out the day and no one will ever know. As you lose weight your bottom won't sag."
Gotta love booty tips from grandma!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Annual Physical
I had my annual Dr appointment today and for the first time in long time I was actually looking forward to the appointment. I knew that my doctor would be impressed and she was.
My heart rate and pulse rate were very low, my blood pressure was 106/88. I weighed 38 pounds less than I did last year at this time which was 10 pounds lighter than the year before.
We are both looking forward to seeing the results of my blood work. The past 3-5 years my triglycerides/ blood sugar and cholesterol have been creeping up. My good cholesterol is very low and bad is high and the total has been within acceptable range but a concern because of the good being too low.
Compared to a year ago when she said I was quite healthy given my weight, this year I am 10 times healthier- my words not hers. I have all but stopped drinking alcohol, am exercising very regularly and eating much better including the daily snickers.
The results, imperceptible day by day, are huge year by year. I can't help but feel great about my body today. What a difference a year makes.
My heart rate and pulse rate were very low, my blood pressure was 106/88. I weighed 38 pounds less than I did last year at this time which was 10 pounds lighter than the year before.
We are both looking forward to seeing the results of my blood work. The past 3-5 years my triglycerides/ blood sugar and cholesterol have been creeping up. My good cholesterol is very low and bad is high and the total has been within acceptable range but a concern because of the good being too low.
Compared to a year ago when she said I was quite healthy given my weight, this year I am 10 times healthier- my words not hers. I have all but stopped drinking alcohol, am exercising very regularly and eating much better including the daily snickers.
The results, imperceptible day by day, are huge year by year. I can't help but feel great about my body today. What a difference a year makes.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Pumpkin Pie
I have to make a pumpkin pie for my husband to take into work tomorrow for a holiday pot luck. I will do so in a bit, but I thought I'd tell you about 2 options to really cut calories for the holidays. Instead of pumpkin pie try pumpkin custard or pumpkin mousse.
Pumpkin custard
(a reduced calorie version of crustless pumpkin pie)
Two cups Pumpkin
2 eggs
1 cup skim milk
10 packets of sweetener
1T Cinnamon
1 t cloves
Spray glass or ceramic pan with pam and bake like you would a pie. About one hour at 350.
Calories seven servings- total 350 calories or 50 calories per serving. Top with whipped cream, add 20-30 calories
Pumpkin Fluff
1 large can pumpkin
1 8 oz. low fat whipped topping
1 box fat free vanilla or butterscotch pudding
Pumpkin pie spice to taste
Mix together and refrigerate. 50 calories per half cup serving.
You can have your pie and eat it too. Just stay away from the high calorie ones and especially the crusts.
Pumpkin custard
(a reduced calorie version of crustless pumpkin pie)
Two cups Pumpkin
2 eggs
1 cup skim milk
10 packets of sweetener
1T Cinnamon
1 t cloves
Spray glass or ceramic pan with pam and bake like you would a pie. About one hour at 350.
Calories seven servings- total 350 calories or 50 calories per serving. Top with whipped cream, add 20-30 calories
Pumpkin Fluff
1 large can pumpkin
1 8 oz. low fat whipped topping
1 box fat free vanilla or butterscotch pudding
Pumpkin pie spice to taste
Mix together and refrigerate. 50 calories per half cup serving.
You can have your pie and eat it too. Just stay away from the high calorie ones and especially the crusts.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Quiting Smoking Was Easier
I just got an email form my mom saying that she caught up on my blog and hadn't realized how hard this was for me. My response was that this is way harder than quiting smoking. This is by far the toughest thing I have ever done. I have lost 45-50 pounds depending on the day, and it was not by accident or minor changes in my life.
This has been an all consuming mission that has taken extreme focus, determination and really hard work. I have over hauled my whole life. From my spiritual practices, my time management and most extremely what ever I put in my mouth. I have to be in the present every moment to be aware. No unconscious living or eating allowed. Planned meals, snacks, beverages and scheduled exercise.
No part of this is easy or enjoyable. (No part of the process other than the results). I know I look 100% better; I have confidence that I haven't had in years. It is hard to remember that when I want a cookie. Tonight I have a cocktail party for work to go to and I am looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. Dreading the hard choices that I will have to make to keep on my plan. The wine and food (free!) that will be there to tempt me. It is every minute of every day and it is never easy. Yesterday was free night for veterans at Golden Corral. My husband is a Vietnam vet and we have gone with friend for the past 5 or so years for this night. I couldn't go because I can't trust my self at huge buffet like that and I wont have a good time if I can't eat what I want. I didn't go and it was the right choice, but a hard choice.
I used to say I was great at quitting smoking. I do it all the time. I just wasn't great at staying quit. Well after many tries, I quit cold turkey with my husband and we haven't smoked since. After a year I never even thought about it and now the thought of a cigarette turns my stomach. It will never be that way for me and my weight. A year later, and I could go back to my old ways of over eating and drinking tomorrow, (or even tonight, right now!)
This has been an all consuming mission that has taken extreme focus, determination and really hard work. I have over hauled my whole life. From my spiritual practices, my time management and most extremely what ever I put in my mouth. I have to be in the present every moment to be aware. No unconscious living or eating allowed. Planned meals, snacks, beverages and scheduled exercise.
No part of this is easy or enjoyable. (No part of the process other than the results). I know I look 100% better; I have confidence that I haven't had in years. It is hard to remember that when I want a cookie. Tonight I have a cocktail party for work to go to and I am looking forward to it and dreading it at the same time. Dreading the hard choices that I will have to make to keep on my plan. The wine and food (free!) that will be there to tempt me. It is every minute of every day and it is never easy. Yesterday was free night for veterans at Golden Corral. My husband is a Vietnam vet and we have gone with friend for the past 5 or so years for this night. I couldn't go because I can't trust my self at huge buffet like that and I wont have a good time if I can't eat what I want. I didn't go and it was the right choice, but a hard choice.
I used to say I was great at quitting smoking. I do it all the time. I just wasn't great at staying quit. Well after many tries, I quit cold turkey with my husband and we haven't smoked since. After a year I never even thought about it and now the thought of a cigarette turns my stomach. It will never be that way for me and my weight. A year later, and I could go back to my old ways of over eating and drinking tomorrow, (or even tonight, right now!)
Monday, November 16, 2009
Weekend Effect
I am so glad that it is Monday. The house is quite and I am back on my diet after it getting completely derailed over the weekend. I am up 5 pounds from my lows. How can that be??
The 'weekend effect" is well documented. Washington University in St Louis did a study and participants had a steady dip in weight Monday through Thursday and then no weight loss Friday through Sunday. Everyone cheats on the weekends.
Do how do you manage around the weekends? Step up the exercise. Next weekend I will double exercise rather than giving myself a break. Plan and count the calories. Maybe a protein powder shake for breakfast and lunch on the weekends to allow for more calories later in the day when hubby wants to go out or party.
I keep expecting this to get easier. That one day it wont be a struggle. I don't see that happening yet and I just can't see it on the horizon. So I slug it out day after day, fighting with the hungry pig inside that keeps wanting.
The 'weekend effect" is well documented. Washington University in St Louis did a study and participants had a steady dip in weight Monday through Thursday and then no weight loss Friday through Sunday. Everyone cheats on the weekends.
Do how do you manage around the weekends? Step up the exercise. Next weekend I will double exercise rather than giving myself a break. Plan and count the calories. Maybe a protein powder shake for breakfast and lunch on the weekends to allow for more calories later in the day when hubby wants to go out or party.
I keep expecting this to get easier. That one day it wont be a struggle. I don't see that happening yet and I just can't see it on the horizon. So I slug it out day after day, fighting with the hungry pig inside that keeps wanting.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Zen of Weight Loss
I have adopted several spiritual practices that have helped me on this journey. The Zen has been in the practices that to me seem like meditations:
1. Weekly yoga and Pilate's that integrates my mind, body and spirit.
2. Planning my food and writing down all I eat. I am in the present, focused and observant of my choices.
3. Daily weighing.
4. Walking in nature, especially by water I find to be very spiritual.
5. Writing this Blog.
This weight loss journey has been like a labyrinth. A spiritual journey to my center. "Your life is a sacred journey. And it is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path... exactly where you are meant to be right now... And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love." Caroline Adams
If I remember that I am exactly where I need to be and follow the path, knowing it is the right one and it will lead me back to the world with a greater understanding of who I am at my center.
1. Weekly yoga and Pilate's that integrates my mind, body and spirit.
2. Planning my food and writing down all I eat. I am in the present, focused and observant of my choices.
3. Daily weighing.
4. Walking in nature, especially by water I find to be very spiritual.
5. Writing this Blog.
This weight loss journey has been like a labyrinth. A spiritual journey to my center. "Your life is a sacred journey. And it is about change, growth, discovery, movement, transformation, continuously expanding your vision of what is possible, stretching your soul, learning to see clearly and deeply, listening to your intuition, taking courageous challenges at every step along the way. You are on the path... exactly where you are meant to be right now... And from here, you can only go forward, shaping your life story into a magnificent tale of triumph, of healing of courage, of beauty, of wisdom, of power, of dignity, and of love." Caroline Adams
If I remember that I am exactly where I need to be and follow the path, knowing it is the right one and it will lead me back to the world with a greater understanding of who I am at my center.
Saturday, November 14, 2009
To Dye or Not to Dye
That is the question I have been struggling with for the past few months. I used to have a nice subtle gray streak on the right side and I thought it looked striking. And then a bit came in on the left and it looks a bit bride of Frankenstein.
Through this weight loss I have started losing hair. My very, very thick hair has started thinning. Coming out in clumps in the shower. I think it has slowed down a bit but it freaks me out. I have read on the Internet that it can be associated with extreme weight loss. I am not worried since I start out with twice as much hair as anyone I know except my mom. I am more hair focused than I have been in the past. Thinking about what type of a doo the thin me wants.
I want to go lighter- light chestnut brown, no gray and maybe dry blow drying my hair and seeing how I look with straight hair for a change. So I sit here with the dye in hair waiting the 25 minutes I need to let the color set, excited and nervous about how it will turn out. My husband said he didn't want me to dye my hair because he doesn't want to dye his. He looks distinguished. I think I will look better this way. Maybe next time I will leave the streak gray and not dye that part.
Through this weight loss I have started losing hair. My very, very thick hair has started thinning. Coming out in clumps in the shower. I think it has slowed down a bit but it freaks me out. I have read on the Internet that it can be associated with extreme weight loss. I am not worried since I start out with twice as much hair as anyone I know except my mom. I am more hair focused than I have been in the past. Thinking about what type of a doo the thin me wants.
I want to go lighter- light chestnut brown, no gray and maybe dry blow drying my hair and seeing how I look with straight hair for a change. So I sit here with the dye in hair waiting the 25 minutes I need to let the color set, excited and nervous about how it will turn out. My husband said he didn't want me to dye my hair because he doesn't want to dye his. He looks distinguished. I think I will look better this way. Maybe next time I will leave the streak gray and not dye that part.
Friday, November 13, 2009
New Spin on Calorie Math
I do not like spin class. I do not get a rush after the class is over. My only joy is that I have burned over 300 calories and can watch the calorie count go up as I work my butt off (literally- I have almost no butt now!)
On Veteran's Day I ate like there was no tomorrow and that nothing counted. I realized that I need a new kind of calories math. Now, before eating I will consciously calculate how many minutes on the bike it takes to burn off what I am putting in my mouth and decide if it is worth it.
I burn 300 calories in 45 minutes, that is 15 minutes on the dreaded spin bike to burn every 100 calories. I've really got to want it to make it worth that price.
On Veteran's Day I ate like there was no tomorrow and that nothing counted. I realized that I need a new kind of calories math. Now, before eating I will consciously calculate how many minutes on the bike it takes to burn off what I am putting in my mouth and decide if it is worth it.
I burn 300 calories in 45 minutes, that is 15 minutes on the dreaded spin bike to burn every 100 calories. I've really got to want it to make it worth that price.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
7 p.m. Cut Off
It is 9:40 p.m. and I ate my last morsel (snickers) at just before 7 p.m. It is the late snacking that is killing my diet. I know that I shouldn't and then I just snack a little. I also know that it is the difference between losing and not. Those last 2-300 calories.
I am done. This is something that I can do through the holidays too. I can cut off the food and turn into a pumpkin at 7. It will not be fun, but it will be effective. So from now on I eat my 1500 calories before 7 and if I can't stand it and am starving then I need to drink a bunch of water and go to bed.
So now I will go into the kitchen and drink a bunch of water and then go to bed. Goodnight.
I am done. This is something that I can do through the holidays too. I can cut off the food and turn into a pumpkin at 7. It will not be fun, but it will be effective. So from now on I eat my 1500 calories before 7 and if I can't stand it and am starving then I need to drink a bunch of water and go to bed.
So now I will go into the kitchen and drink a bunch of water and then go to bed. Goodnight.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sweeteners Exposed
High fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has gotten a very bad rap. It has been linked to all sorts of evil. I used to work for Cargill in the Sweetener division at several corn milling plants, so I have direct knowledge of which I write. The starch in field corn is broken down into slurry, then to corn syrup (glucose) and through enzyme reactions changed to dextrose. The 2 are mixed to get the desired sweetness, 55 Fructose is the same sweetness as sugar syrup and thus is used to replace sugar in food and beverages.
Sugar, honey and HFCS are all similar in calories per gram and all cause the same bad results like diabetes and weight gain if over consumed. The reason that HFCS is preferred is that it is cheaper than cane sugar in the US to protect the beet farmers. This is not the case in Mexico or Cuba where sugar is cheaper and so they use sugar to sweeten their soft drinks - mostly. Dextrose is sweeter per gram than HFCS and is used to reduce calories. Using dextrose would be a way to get the same sweetness with less calories and I am not sure why it hasn't caught on. It would save a ton of weight for the masses.
Then there are the non caloric sweeteners- saccharin made from methyl benzene (a solvent), NutraSweet/aspartame, spleenda/ suralose and stevia a natural plant extract. They are all bad as far as I can tell except stevia which has only recently been allowed to be sold as a supplement NOT as food additive most likely due to lobby pressures. Anyone can grow or sell stevia- there are no patents.
When I was growing up there was a book Sugar Blues about how bad sugar is for you and that it is an additive drug. That our bodies are not made to break down refined sugar because the other things we need to process the sugar are lost in the refining process. I am an addict and today again I couldn't layoff the sweets. I may need to wean myself off the snickers and get the sugar and sugar substitutes out of my diet because they all are unhealthy - maybe stevia is OK but I am not sure. I need to stop with the 3 diet sodas a day and the chocolate and refined sugar. I think it is making it harder for me to stay on my plan. It is like a drug the more I have the more I want a little more the next day etc. Jan 1 I stop. (I just can't see doing that through the holidays.)
Sugar, honey and HFCS are all similar in calories per gram and all cause the same bad results like diabetes and weight gain if over consumed. The reason that HFCS is preferred is that it is cheaper than cane sugar in the US to protect the beet farmers. This is not the case in Mexico or Cuba where sugar is cheaper and so they use sugar to sweeten their soft drinks - mostly. Dextrose is sweeter per gram than HFCS and is used to reduce calories. Using dextrose would be a way to get the same sweetness with less calories and I am not sure why it hasn't caught on. It would save a ton of weight for the masses.
Then there are the non caloric sweeteners- saccharin made from methyl benzene (a solvent), NutraSweet/aspartame, spleenda/ suralose and stevia a natural plant extract. They are all bad as far as I can tell except stevia which has only recently been allowed to be sold as a supplement NOT as food additive most likely due to lobby pressures. Anyone can grow or sell stevia- there are no patents.
When I was growing up there was a book Sugar Blues about how bad sugar is for you and that it is an additive drug. That our bodies are not made to break down refined sugar because the other things we need to process the sugar are lost in the refining process. I am an addict and today again I couldn't layoff the sweets. I may need to wean myself off the snickers and get the sugar and sugar substitutes out of my diet because they all are unhealthy - maybe stevia is OK but I am not sure. I need to stop with the 3 diet sodas a day and the chocolate and refined sugar. I think it is making it harder for me to stay on my plan. It is like a drug the more I have the more I want a little more the next day etc. Jan 1 I stop. (I just can't see doing that through the holidays.)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Salt
I love salt and salty things and many people have recommended that I reduce my salt intake. I will not. My blood pressure is low to normal and there are not any other health risks that I know of associated with excess salt consumption. I figure if I am craving salt then I need salt. I sweat a lot more than I used to and I think that I am loosing a lot more salt, which in turn needs to be replenished.
A very low sodium/ salt diet will allow you to lose weight very quickly because you are loosing water. Salt makes you retain water. Once you eat salt again, the weight comes right back. There are people that say it makes you thirsty and hungry and you will eat more, or that it makes you store more fat. I am not buying it. I subscribe to the calories in and calories out school of thought.
I will continue to shake on the salt and enjoy my salty food, as long as I am counting the calories it should come out fine. However, I do have my annual physical coming up next week and I may cut back on the salt for a day or 2 before just for a temporary weight dip. I know it won't be a real weight loss if it is just water and that I will put it back on, but that is OK. Just another part of the mind games I play with my self. The annual weigh-in is an important mile stone for me and I really want to be below 180.
A very low sodium/ salt diet will allow you to lose weight very quickly because you are loosing water. Salt makes you retain water. Once you eat salt again, the weight comes right back. There are people that say it makes you thirsty and hungry and you will eat more, or that it makes you store more fat. I am not buying it. I subscribe to the calories in and calories out school of thought.
I will continue to shake on the salt and enjoy my salty food, as long as I am counting the calories it should come out fine. However, I do have my annual physical coming up next week and I may cut back on the salt for a day or 2 before just for a temporary weight dip. I know it won't be a real weight loss if it is just water and that I will put it back on, but that is OK. Just another part of the mind games I play with my self. The annual weigh-in is an important mile stone for me and I really want to be below 180.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Under the Weather
I woke up with a morning sore throat and didn't want to get out of bed. I forced myself to go to the sportsplex for a walk on the treadmill with incline and then a 50 minute swim work out with hard core athletic friends. By the time I got on the treadmill the sore throat was gone and I felt better all day.
This is my pattern in the winter, so it must be starting. The low grade cold/ scratchy throat that doesn't turn into anything. I feel fine most of the day. Here's what I need to do:
1 Drink lots of water
2 Take vitamins (plus extra vitamin C and air raiders)
3 Get plenty of rest
4. Stay warm- going from inside to outside It is during the change of seasons that it effects me most.
5. Stop eating over it. I think I need to eat to feel better. That is my M.O. I could never remember if it was "starve a cold and feed a fever" or the other way so I always ate.
So I will bundle up while helping out at church to collect parking money for the Men's UNC Basketball game tonight, I will take my vitamin C and air raiders, I will go to bed early and drink lots of water to stay healthy. I won't over eat about feeling a little under the weather.
This is my pattern in the winter, so it must be starting. The low grade cold/ scratchy throat that doesn't turn into anything. I feel fine most of the day. Here's what I need to do:
1 Drink lots of water
2 Take vitamins (plus extra vitamin C and air raiders)
3 Get plenty of rest
4. Stay warm- going from inside to outside It is during the change of seasons that it effects me most.
5. Stop eating over it. I think I need to eat to feel better. That is my M.O. I could never remember if it was "starve a cold and feed a fever" or the other way so I always ate.
So I will bundle up while helping out at church to collect parking money for the Men's UNC Basketball game tonight, I will take my vitamin C and air raiders, I will go to bed early and drink lots of water to stay healthy. I won't over eat about feeling a little under the weather.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Day of Rest
We had a big dinner party last night and I am tired. I blew off church to clean up the kitchen after a 10 course Chinese dinner for 15 fellow Carleton alums. After cleaning and putting the house back together I went back to bed for a nap. I have basically done nothing today. A day of rest. I am tired and have been making poor food choices because of lack of sleep.
"According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average woman gets only six and a half hours of sleep per night. Chronic sleep deprivation can have a variety of effects on the metabolism and overall health. Inadequate sleep:
1 Interferes with the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates and causes high blood levels of glucose, which leads to higher insulin levels and greater body-fat storage.
2 Drives down leptin levels, which causes the body to crave carbohydrates.
3 Reduces levels of growth hormone--a protein that helps regulate the body's proportions of fat and muscle.
4 Can lead to insulin resistance and contribute to increased risk of diabetes
5 Can increase blood pressure
6 can increase the risk of heart disease
Even in young, healthy people, a sleep deficit of three to four hours a night over the course of a week has a triple-whammy effect on the body. Just this limited amount of sleep deficit interfered with the ability to process carbohydrates, manage stress, and maintain a proper balance of hormones. In just one sleep-restricted week, the study participants had a significant loss in their ability to process glucose and an accompanying rise in insulin. Insulin levels were so high, in fact, that the men were considered to be in a pre-diabetic state." (from Sleep More, Lose Weight: Getting Enough Snooze Time May Be The Best Diet Secret of All By Mary Shomon, About.com Updated: September 07, 2007)
Bottom line I should not have stayed up until midnight last night watching that movie and having that beer, winding down, because I had to pay for it twice today- tired and unproductive all day and making bad food choices. I wasn't even motivated to exercise on this gorgeous day. Now I know that getting my beauty rest is critical to staying on my plan.
"According to the National Sleep Foundation, the average woman gets only six and a half hours of sleep per night. Chronic sleep deprivation can have a variety of effects on the metabolism and overall health. Inadequate sleep:
1 Interferes with the body's ability to metabolize carbohydrates and causes high blood levels of glucose, which leads to higher insulin levels and greater body-fat storage.
2 Drives down leptin levels, which causes the body to crave carbohydrates.
3 Reduces levels of growth hormone--a protein that helps regulate the body's proportions of fat and muscle.
4 Can lead to insulin resistance and contribute to increased risk of diabetes
5 Can increase blood pressure
6 can increase the risk of heart disease
Even in young, healthy people, a sleep deficit of three to four hours a night over the course of a week has a triple-whammy effect on the body. Just this limited amount of sleep deficit interfered with the ability to process carbohydrates, manage stress, and maintain a proper balance of hormones. In just one sleep-restricted week, the study participants had a significant loss in their ability to process glucose and an accompanying rise in insulin. Insulin levels were so high, in fact, that the men were considered to be in a pre-diabetic state." (from Sleep More, Lose Weight: Getting Enough Snooze Time May Be The Best Diet Secret of All By Mary Shomon, About.com Updated: September 07, 2007)
Bottom line I should not have stayed up until midnight last night watching that movie and having that beer, winding down, because I had to pay for it twice today- tired and unproductive all day and making bad food choices. I wasn't even motivated to exercise on this gorgeous day. Now I know that getting my beauty rest is critical to staying on my plan.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Self Esteem
I am a very practical and frugal person and have never been one for luxury items. But now, after losing more than 50 pounds I am drawn to luxury items and treats for myself. I think it is related to the weight. I felt I didn't deserve expensive luxury items and now some how things have shifted; I feel a need to treat my self to some nice expensive things every once in a while.
Perhaps this shift has occurred because I have taken ownership of my life and am becoming more myself and living authentically. Or that since I am depriving myself on some levels I need to treat myself on others. Psychologically it is an interesting question.
It may be related to self esteem. That is what I have gained from losing 50 pounds. I have always been heavy or plump and I think that damaged my self esteem and then I ate to feel better and gained more weight and lost more self confidence which lead to more weight gain and then you spiral down and are a size 20 for 10 years. The luxury items and feeling that I am worth it, is a reflection of my new self confidence and self esteem. My body image has improved greatly and I have stopped beating myself up for my weight, FINALLY. This is all new behavior for me. Completely out of character. I am coming into a new more powerful stage in my life- I value me.
I am happier than I have been in a long time. "In order to be happy, the study subjects most needed to believe they were autonomous and competent, to have self-esteem and to feel a sense of closeness with others." (From a study of college students in the February '01 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology) Getting a Jaguar didn't make me happy or fill a hole in my life. But losing the weight gave me the self esteem I had been lacking and filled up the hole that allowed me to believe I could treat myself to my dream car and that I am valuable.
Perhaps this shift has occurred because I have taken ownership of my life and am becoming more myself and living authentically. Or that since I am depriving myself on some levels I need to treat myself on others. Psychologically it is an interesting question.
It may be related to self esteem. That is what I have gained from losing 50 pounds. I have always been heavy or plump and I think that damaged my self esteem and then I ate to feel better and gained more weight and lost more self confidence which lead to more weight gain and then you spiral down and are a size 20 for 10 years. The luxury items and feeling that I am worth it, is a reflection of my new self confidence and self esteem. My body image has improved greatly and I have stopped beating myself up for my weight, FINALLY. This is all new behavior for me. Completely out of character. I am coming into a new more powerful stage in my life- I value me.
I am happier than I have been in a long time. "In order to be happy, the study subjects most needed to believe they were autonomous and competent, to have self-esteem and to feel a sense of closeness with others." (From a study of college students in the February '01 issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology) Getting a Jaguar didn't make me happy or fill a hole in my life. But losing the weight gave me the self esteem I had been lacking and filled up the hole that allowed me to believe I could treat myself to my dream car and that I am valuable.
Friday, November 6, 2009
Daily Weigh-In
There are mixed views on daily weighing. Some people think that due to the fluctuations that you should not weigh daily. Once a week only. I have been weighing daily for about a year now- (except those few months when I went rouge and gained a bunch back) and it is just like with the quality training what you measure improves. If you focus on something and measure it, it will improve. I have lost over 50#s to date and it is due to 3 things primarily: 1500 calories a day, 300+ minutes of exercise per week and weighing myself daily.
This came in my email from SparkPeople.com today: "Sometimes the hardest part of weight loss is keeping it off. It can be daunting to know that within two years, most dieters regain two-thirds of what they lost! But researchers at Brown University Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island studied 291 people (mostly women) who had lost at least 10% of their body weight (an average of 44 pounds) in the previous two years. Participants were given scales (and encouraged to use them daily), as well as different levels of support (either a monthly email, an internet chat group, or face-to-face meetings). At the onset of the study, 40% of the dieters were weighing themselves daily. After 18 months, 65% of those who chatted online and 72% of those who received face-to-face support weighed themselves daily, while those without support weighed themselves less. On top of that, 68% of dieters who did NOT weight-in daily gained five pounds or more over the course of the 18-month study. "
So my advice and now my life time practice will be daily weighing. I do not want to gain any of this back. Over the holiday's we will have a contest through through the UNC program that encourages daily weighing through the holidays. To the extent that we comply, food will be donated to the food bank. I am already planning to take my scale when we travel, no reason for me to miss a single day!
This came in my email from SparkPeople.com today: "Sometimes the hardest part of weight loss is keeping it off. It can be daunting to know that within two years, most dieters regain two-thirds of what they lost! But researchers at Brown University Medical School in Providence, Rhode Island studied 291 people (mostly women) who had lost at least 10% of their body weight (an average of 44 pounds) in the previous two years. Participants were given scales (and encouraged to use them daily), as well as different levels of support (either a monthly email, an internet chat group, or face-to-face meetings). At the onset of the study, 40% of the dieters were weighing themselves daily. After 18 months, 65% of those who chatted online and 72% of those who received face-to-face support weighed themselves daily, while those without support weighed themselves less. On top of that, 68% of dieters who did NOT weight-in daily gained five pounds or more over the course of the 18-month study. "
So my advice and now my life time practice will be daily weighing. I do not want to gain any of this back. Over the holiday's we will have a contest through through the UNC program that encourages daily weighing through the holidays. To the extent that we comply, food will be donated to the food bank. I am already planning to take my scale when we travel, no reason for me to miss a single day!
Thursday, November 5, 2009
God Bless Us Everyone
The Holiday season is fast approaching. It is almost time for me to get out the Christmas CDs. On the way to meet a friend to walk and spin I called in and won 2 tickets to A Christmas Carol (the play) I knew the answer to the question what was it the last line in the play. "God Bless Us Everyone"
This came after a discussion in the car with my daughter about how impolite the kids at her table in school are. She thought that they didn't like her but it seemed really that it is that they are just not polite, not kind like she is. If we "bless us everyone" we are kind and polite and treat everyone as we would like to be treated.
My intention for the holiday season is to remember the words of Tiny Tim and live by them. "God Bless Us Everyone." To remember the divine in everyone and be polite and patient.
My other intention for the holiday season is to loose another 5 pounds before Thanksgiving down to 178 and maintain 175-179 during the holiday season and start the year at 179 and after Jan 1 get down to 165 by reunion in June.
This came after a discussion in the car with my daughter about how impolite the kids at her table in school are. She thought that they didn't like her but it seemed really that it is that they are just not polite, not kind like she is. If we "bless us everyone" we are kind and polite and treat everyone as we would like to be treated.
My intention for the holiday season is to remember the words of Tiny Tim and live by them. "God Bless Us Everyone." To remember the divine in everyone and be polite and patient.
My other intention for the holiday season is to loose another 5 pounds before Thanksgiving down to 178 and maintain 175-179 during the holiday season and start the year at 179 and after Jan 1 get down to 165 by reunion in June.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Mindless Eating
We all do it. A bag of chips gone before you know it. Mindless eating while watching TV, reading the paper, what ever. Last night the session for my weigh in was on mindFUL eating. It is really powerful. Here are the steps:
1. Take 3 deep calming breathes
2. Think about your hunger. Where are you on a scale of 1-7? Are you eating for physical or emotional reasons?
3. Decide what you want to eat. Make a decision. Yes I am going to eat this apple. Think about the apple the color, the origin, inspect it, then prepare to eat the apple.
4. Take a bite, let it sit in your mouth, feel the texture and taste, chew slowly, concentrate, be present in the moment. What is going on in your mind, mouth, body? Swallow and feel the food. Complete the first bit and then take a sip of water and take a second bite, start the process over.
I did this (partly anyway) last night while I was eating alone after my daughter's stage debut in Music Man Jr. Hubby and kid went to Wendy's and I passed for Mexican salad (125 calories) at home. I was famished- it was 7:30 by the time I got home,so I made a huge salad and after eating mindfully I only finished half. I swear if you do this you will eat less, guaranteed. It worked again this morning and at lunch- I had the other half of the salad from last night and didn't finish it again.
If you put down your silverware, take sips of water between bites, completely finish a bite before getting the next one ready, you will eat less. SLOW DOWN. It is just like golf. They say the only thing you have to get used to if you slow down your swing is the ball going further. Same with weight loss, the only thing you have to get used to if you slow down your eating is weight going down further. Live in the present, in the now; don't think about all the other stuff in your life while eating. Enjoy it, let be like a prayer or a meditation. Be aware or the experience of eating you will enjoy it more.
1. Take 3 deep calming breathes
2. Think about your hunger. Where are you on a scale of 1-7? Are you eating for physical or emotional reasons?
3. Decide what you want to eat. Make a decision. Yes I am going to eat this apple. Think about the apple the color, the origin, inspect it, then prepare to eat the apple.
4. Take a bite, let it sit in your mouth, feel the texture and taste, chew slowly, concentrate, be present in the moment. What is going on in your mind, mouth, body? Swallow and feel the food. Complete the first bit and then take a sip of water and take a second bite, start the process over.
I did this (partly anyway) last night while I was eating alone after my daughter's stage debut in Music Man Jr. Hubby and kid went to Wendy's and I passed for Mexican salad (125 calories) at home. I was famished- it was 7:30 by the time I got home,so I made a huge salad and after eating mindfully I only finished half. I swear if you do this you will eat less, guaranteed. It worked again this morning and at lunch- I had the other half of the salad from last night and didn't finish it again.
If you put down your silverware, take sips of water between bites, completely finish a bite before getting the next one ready, you will eat less. SLOW DOWN. It is just like golf. They say the only thing you have to get used to if you slow down your swing is the ball going further. Same with weight loss, the only thing you have to get used to if you slow down your eating is weight going down further. Live in the present, in the now; don't think about all the other stuff in your life while eating. Enjoy it, let be like a prayer or a meditation. Be aware or the experience of eating you will enjoy it more.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Coffee, tea or soda
I love a good cup of coffee and I really like an OK cup of coffee and I will drink a medorcre cup of coffee all day long. I love the smell, the color with a bit of milk and the feel of the warm cup in my hand. Wait, hold that thought I am going to nuke the left over decaf from this morning to enjoy while I write.......There that is much better. Yes I mircowave coffee and think it is just fine. I know this will horrify a few of my dear friends. I am not a coffee snob, just a lover.
Tea is OK, I like Earl Grey and jasmine tea every once in a while. When I lived in Amsterdam and Beijing I drank tea a lot more. In China I had Jasmine tea all the time and even white tea if I didn't want the caffeine (hot water). What is it about having a nice cup of something hot that is loved world wide? Is it the caffeine? Not for me because I am almost completely off of caffeine now for more than a month and the only side effect is that I have been sleeping much better. No more need for Tylenol PM (actually it is just the benedryl that puts me out)
I drink a lot of diet soda too. Big K diet root beer at $2 a 12 pack is my current favorite, Diet caffeine free Dr Pepper is next on my list but a diet coke is great too especially with lime. Tea has no calories and coffee does, why am I still drinking so much coffee? And then there is water. I drink a lot of water too for thirst, not for pleasure.
Coffee has 2-5 calories per 8 oz cup and tea has none (0-2) neither does diet pop but you have the artificial sweetener. Water is by far the best choice, but I will keep my coffee with skim and I figure it is about 70 calories a day with half a cup of skim and a 10 cup (6 oz cups) pot. I will drink more water going forward because I know it is best for me.
Tea is OK, I like Earl Grey and jasmine tea every once in a while. When I lived in Amsterdam and Beijing I drank tea a lot more. In China I had Jasmine tea all the time and even white tea if I didn't want the caffeine (hot water). What is it about having a nice cup of something hot that is loved world wide? Is it the caffeine? Not for me because I am almost completely off of caffeine now for more than a month and the only side effect is that I have been sleeping much better. No more need for Tylenol PM (actually it is just the benedryl that puts me out)
I drink a lot of diet soda too. Big K diet root beer at $2 a 12 pack is my current favorite, Diet caffeine free Dr Pepper is next on my list but a diet coke is great too especially with lime. Tea has no calories and coffee does, why am I still drinking so much coffee? And then there is water. I drink a lot of water too for thirst, not for pleasure.
Coffee has 2-5 calories per 8 oz cup and tea has none (0-2) neither does diet pop but you have the artificial sweetener. Water is by far the best choice, but I will keep my coffee with skim and I figure it is about 70 calories a day with half a cup of skim and a 10 cup (6 oz cups) pot. I will drink more water going forward because I know it is best for me.
Monday, November 2, 2009
MOJO
I have lost my mojo. I need a new motivation. I haven't stayed out off the Halloween candy or the cookies. I haven't counted every calorie. I haven't been diligent about my exercise. Again I am face to face with the slippery slope. Why does is always sneak up on me and slap me in the face.
I know how to get out of it, but I am not sure I am ready. Weight loss is hard. Harder some days than others. Impossible some days. So what is the plan? First, stop eating cookies then do all the rest of the stuff that I know works. I think I need to review:
1. Plan all meals and snacks- max 1500 calories a day. That really means MAX 1500.
2. Schedule exercise 60 minutes per day
3. Drink water before during and after meals
4. Take vitamins, fiber and calcium supplements
5. Have a reward system that works.
I am not motivated by the clothing allowance anymore, so I need to change my motivational reward system. I bought my Jaguar today. A 2005 champagne on champagne S series. It is spectacularly beautiful. My reward for losing 50 pounds. Maybe I can't drive the car unless I am on the plan and working it.
Mojo is the only way off the slippery slope and following the plan is the mojo.
I know how to get out of it, but I am not sure I am ready. Weight loss is hard. Harder some days than others. Impossible some days. So what is the plan? First, stop eating cookies then do all the rest of the stuff that I know works. I think I need to review:
1. Plan all meals and snacks- max 1500 calories a day. That really means MAX 1500.
2. Schedule exercise 60 minutes per day
3. Drink water before during and after meals
4. Take vitamins, fiber and calcium supplements
5. Have a reward system that works.
I am not motivated by the clothing allowance anymore, so I need to change my motivational reward system. I bought my Jaguar today. A 2005 champagne on champagne S series. It is spectacularly beautiful. My reward for losing 50 pounds. Maybe I can't drive the car unless I am on the plan and working it.
Mojo is the only way off the slippery slope and following the plan is the mojo.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Clean Plate Club
"Finish your food, don't you want to be a member of the clean plate club? There are children starving, finish your dinner..." We all heard this growing up and I realized I am breaking the habit of being in the clean plate club when I go out to eat. This past week I did something new. Something I don't remember doing. Not finishing my food and not asking for a go box. There was an ice cream brownie dessert at a business meeting. I had a few bites (which I accounted for) and sent the rest back to be thrown away. Then there was the wild rice that came with my shrimp and scallops and I ate a small part of it and sent the rest back. My husband and daughter didn't want it and I wouldn't eat it later.
This may seem minor to some, but throwing away and wasting food is a big button for me. I hate to see food wasted so I sacrifice myself, my weight and health so that food is not wasted. No more. Better in the trash than in my tummy on the inside and then on my tummy on the outside.
I still don't waste food at home. I am consciously making smaller portion for myself and the family and I eat a lot of leftovers for lunch but the portions are small. So I am still a member of the clean plate club at home when I have measured the portions out. Just not in restaurants and not cleaning off my families plates if they leave food. Better for the dog than for me.
This may seem minor to some, but throwing away and wasting food is a big button for me. I hate to see food wasted so I sacrifice myself, my weight and health so that food is not wasted. No more. Better in the trash than in my tummy on the inside and then on my tummy on the outside.
I still don't waste food at home. I am consciously making smaller portion for myself and the family and I eat a lot of leftovers for lunch but the portions are small. So I am still a member of the clean plate club at home when I have measured the portions out. Just not in restaurants and not cleaning off my families plates if they leave food. Better for the dog than for me.
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