Under normal circumstances, I probably wouldn't have blogged today. Things have been very busy here, and to be honest. I. Am. Exhausted. I seriously don't know how you military wives/moms and wives of offshore workers do it. The husband was out of town all week last week, and is gone the first half of this weeks, so that means me, the 3 year old princess, and the 20 month old Momma's boy all by ourselves. Please excuse any random "James Joyce" stream of consciousness in this post. :)
But today just isn't any day. Today, as of this morning's weigh in, I have officially lost over 100lbs. (100.7 to be exact). When this all started about 19 months ago, I doubted I'd ever get here. Who attempts to lose 100lbs or more and actually does it???? The numbers certainly weren't in my favor. It's taken a lot of hard work, a lot of discipline, a lot of sacrifice, a lot of self-examination. There have been really great days, and there have been really dark days. To be honest, all of this.... this whole process... is not about body, or weight at all. It's all about what's in our heads. What we choose to believe about ourselves. What we have let others talk us into believing about ourselves. Why is it we refuse to see how much goodess is in each of us? We deserve better than we treat ourselves. I deserve better than how I was treating myself. Who told me that I couldn't do it? Who told me that I wasn't good enough? (anyone else see the biblical reference here???) The Christian group Casting Crowns has a song that has always meant a ton to me and has served as constant inspiration when I have felt down and discouraged, here are the lyrics....
THE VOICE OF TRUTH by CASTING CROWNS
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
To the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out his hand
But the waves are calling out my name and they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. 'Boy, you'll never win!'
"You'll never win"
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
And the voice of truth says "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a Sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again "boy, you'll never win!
"You'll never win"
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth
______
It has to be a choice to really listen to the truth about ourselves and to silence all the negativity that so many (especially women) are prone to. Even today, I found myself having to push those harmful thoughts out of my head..."Sure, you've lost 100 lbs, but you still weigh 195... so and so had a STARTING weight of 195 in her weight loss process..... most women would be horrified to be at 195, what's there to be proud of, it's still not good enough...." THOSE ARE NOT WORDS OF THE VOICE OF TRUTH. They are lies. They have no purpose other than to hurt, tear down, and derail. Believing them leads to failure, and at the end of the day, who cares what so and so did, or so and so thinks.... I LOST 100 effin pounds. I will never know what it's like to be 130lbs and not have to worry about weight, and of course, I have always been envious of those girls who seemed to have the "perfect" body. What I am learning is that EVERYONE has a cross. Mine is just one that you can see. I am choosing to believe the voice of truth and truly celebrate all of the hard work that I have put in.
People ask me "how I did/am doing it" all the time. Of course I mention that it's at least 80% what you eat and 20% how much you move, but to be honest. I changed my mind. I made up my mind. I realized that my thought patterns/decisions have been often disordered thinking. I learned the value of delayed gratification (SO hard to do in our "I want it now" culture). I stopped being ashamed of where I had gotten myself. Shame only leads to guilt, which leads to binging, which leads to shame, which leads to guilt, etc....) MAKE UP YOUR MIND. YOU ARE WORTH THE TIME AND ENERGY. If you're a Mom like me, you have MANY obligations. You may envy those who seem to have all this time to workout, afford gym memberships, gym equipment, nutritionists, diet plans, etc. Let me remind you. I am a stay at home mom to 2 children 3 and under. Every hour of my life is spent with my children (most of the time I ADORE it :P) I have no gym membership. I have only a treadmill (bought on sale) and some hand weights. I have no nutritionist (the internet has great resources). I don't go to meetings, or pay for a diet plan. I did this. I don't say that to inflate my own ego, but simply to state that it's not about the external things in our lives. It's not about the money, or the time. It's about your choices. What do you want to be consumed by? What example do you want to be for your children? When was the last time you felt that you accomplished something and were proud of yourself for it because you KNEW how much HARD WORK it took? IF I CAN DO IT, YOU CAN DO IT. MAKE UP YOUR MIND TO DO IT. Starting is scary. Not starting is deadly. I'd rather be scared than dead.
Even though this day is just a step in the life long journey I will be on with my weight, I can't close this post without a few thank you's....
My husband, mom, sister, father, all of my family and friends, all the FB friends and followers... thank you so much for your love and support. Thank you for your non-judgment of where I had been. Thank you for your excitement for where I am now. And of course, to the little girl and little boy who inspired me to realize that not only do they deserve to have me around as long as I can, but I deserve to live in a body that I deserve to have an interior life free from the chains of self-doubt, self-loathing, and self-destruction.... I love you more than anything in this world, and I will continue to do my best to be the Mommy that you both deserve.
Be kind. Not only to other. Most importantly, to yourself.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
Are you ready for some football???
Hey everyone! Sorry it's been so long since I've blogged. Hopefully you've found me on Facebook and have been keeping up with me there. Here's the link!
Anyway, these next few months are my absolute favorite time of year....Football games, holidays, and sweater (or gumbo) weather! I am very much looking forward to the break from the Louisiana Summer heat and anxious to get some longer outdoor workouts in. One of the things that I think of when I think of Fall, however, is tailgating and comfort food. There's nothing like a hot bowl of creamy soup to make those Fall days perfect. These next few months are also the time when it's easiest to stray away from healthy eating habits. Tailgating parties can be the greatest places for temptation. It seems like every "tailgating" recipe contains at least one of the following words: cheese, creamy, fried, potato, BBQ, Buffalo, Nacho, etc. Not very healthy. And that's not even mentioning the alcohol. It can be very easy to consume over 3000 calories in no time. So here's a few tips, tricks, and recipe ideas to make it through. And here's the thing.... if tailgating is something you don't do regularly, but is rather a once a season occurrence, have fun, enjoy, and don't stress about it. But... if you're a die hard fan who is out at Death Valley or the Dome every home game, those Saturdays or Sundays can completely undo all of the good work that you'd done during the week.
1. Tips:
Eat a high protein breakfast before you even head out to the stadium. It may seem counterproductive to eat rather than "save" the calories, but protein will keep you from feeling starved which leads to binge eating.
Bring something: If you're potlucking it, bring a healthy homemade main dish so that you know you'll at least have you're own dish as a good choice.
Tell people that you want to stay on track with your eating habits. Have a friend police you! Listen to that friend when they tell you to stop!!!
In the stadium, stay away from Nachos and go for the peanuts.
2. Swap:
Veggies for chips, or if you're going to go for chips, choose a popped chip. (You can find them at most grocery stores)
Hummus for creamy Ranch dips, or make Ranch dip with Greek yogurt. Try this recipe from Weight Watchers. Ranch Dip
In pizza recipes, use Turkey pepperoni instead of regular pepperoni. Only 4 grams of fat for 17 slices!
Use ground turkey/chicken or even buffalo for burgers instead of ground beef.
3. Skip
QUESO!!!!!! Choose Pico de Gallo, salsa, or guacamole instead.
Chicken covered in Buffalo or BBQ sauce- Instead prepare chicken that is well marinated in rich flavors and then grilled
High Calorie Alcohol: Stick to a "skinny" version. It's scary to think how many calories are in some of those regular drinks!
Those are just a few ideas. Oh, and GEAUX TIGERS and WHO DAT?!?!?!?!
Here's a FB Note I wrote last year with some ideas for the holidays!
1. Eat a high protein meal prior to the one you are attending/hosting. For example, if you are attending a Thanksgiving lunch, eat breakfast at home. I will probably have an omlete with lots of veggies on Thanksgiving morning. AND as easy as they may be to make. SKIP THE CINNAMON ROLLS.
2. If your family is doing a pot luck like mine is, bring one or two dishes that you know will help you succeed in your weight loss journey. Bring veggies, a salad, brown rice for that gumbo that will undoubtedly be there, or even make a sugar free dessert.
3. Let's talk about the gumbo. Some cajuns will kill me for this, but there are ways to cut back a TON of calories when making our favorite dish. First, go with a roux mix (Like Tony Chachere's) instead of the regular roux that has a ton of added fat calories because of the oil. Second, instead of regular smoked sausage, used Turkey smoked sausage. Your guests will never notice the difference. Third, use boneless white chicken breasts instead of high fat dark meat. I promise, the gumbo will taste delicious, and your hips will thank you!
4. Alcohol. Stay away when you can, but if you'd like a lower cal option, bring along some Skinny Girl Cocktails. PS- they are delicious in Crystal Light Mocktails!!!
5. Dinner time... remember your eyes are bigger than your stomach. First, eat salad.... bring your own dressing if you have to (I really like the dressing sprays, you can totally control how much you use!). Second, use a dessert or salad plate when filling up on entrees and side dishes. Third, skip the dark meat and stick with Turkey breasts. Fourth, skip the bread rolls, or have just ONE. Fifth, don't go back for seconds. You really don't need them. Next, fill up on the things that you brought and know what is in them. Lastly, don't feel obligated to eat something because so and so made it.
6. Drink plenty of water with lemon. It will help prevent water retention.
7. Desserts. If you brought a sugar free dessert, stick to it. If you didn't bring something, eat very small slices of desserts that are "special occasion" items (that pie or cake that only gets made this time of year). Stay away from desserts that you could make "whenever" (ie cookies, brownies, etc.... you wouldn't believe the amount of calories you could save by doing just this.)
8. Get out and move. The temptation to just sit at the table and chat and eat all day is a tough one, but why not suggest a family walk or game of football after lunch?
9. Don't turn one "special occasion meal" into a whole week of more relaxed eating. If you have leftovers that are higher in calorie content, don't eat them all at the same meal. Mix them with lower calorie items like veggies, etc.
10. Skip the soft drinks and DRINK MORE WATER. (I know this is a repeat, but it's important!)
Anyway, these next few months are my absolute favorite time of year....Football games, holidays, and sweater (or gumbo) weather! I am very much looking forward to the break from the Louisiana Summer heat and anxious to get some longer outdoor workouts in. One of the things that I think of when I think of Fall, however, is tailgating and comfort food. There's nothing like a hot bowl of creamy soup to make those Fall days perfect. These next few months are also the time when it's easiest to stray away from healthy eating habits. Tailgating parties can be the greatest places for temptation. It seems like every "tailgating" recipe contains at least one of the following words: cheese, creamy, fried, potato, BBQ, Buffalo, Nacho, etc. Not very healthy. And that's not even mentioning the alcohol. It can be very easy to consume over 3000 calories in no time. So here's a few tips, tricks, and recipe ideas to make it through. And here's the thing.... if tailgating is something you don't do regularly, but is rather a once a season occurrence, have fun, enjoy, and don't stress about it. But... if you're a die hard fan who is out at Death Valley or the Dome every home game, those Saturdays or Sundays can completely undo all of the good work that you'd done during the week.
1. Tips:
Eat a high protein breakfast before you even head out to the stadium. It may seem counterproductive to eat rather than "save" the calories, but protein will keep you from feeling starved which leads to binge eating.
Bring something: If you're potlucking it, bring a healthy homemade main dish so that you know you'll at least have you're own dish as a good choice.
Tell people that you want to stay on track with your eating habits. Have a friend police you! Listen to that friend when they tell you to stop!!!
In the stadium, stay away from Nachos and go for the peanuts.
2. Swap:
Veggies for chips, or if you're going to go for chips, choose a popped chip. (You can find them at most grocery stores)
Hummus for creamy Ranch dips, or make Ranch dip with Greek yogurt. Try this recipe from Weight Watchers. Ranch Dip
In pizza recipes, use Turkey pepperoni instead of regular pepperoni. Only 4 grams of fat for 17 slices!
Use ground turkey/chicken or even buffalo for burgers instead of ground beef.
3. Skip
QUESO!!!!!! Choose Pico de Gallo, salsa, or guacamole instead.
Chicken covered in Buffalo or BBQ sauce- Instead prepare chicken that is well marinated in rich flavors and then grilled
High Calorie Alcohol: Stick to a "skinny" version. It's scary to think how many calories are in some of those regular drinks!
Those are just a few ideas. Oh, and GEAUX TIGERS and WHO DAT?!?!?!?!
Here's a FB Note I wrote last year with some ideas for the holidays!
1. Eat a high protein meal prior to the one you are attending/hosting. For example, if you are attending a Thanksgiving lunch, eat breakfast at home. I will probably have an omlete with lots of veggies on Thanksgiving morning. AND as easy as they may be to make. SKIP THE CINNAMON ROLLS.
2. If your family is doing a pot luck like mine is, bring one or two dishes that you know will help you succeed in your weight loss journey. Bring veggies, a salad, brown rice for that gumbo that will undoubtedly be there, or even make a sugar free dessert.
3. Let's talk about the gumbo. Some cajuns will kill me for this, but there are ways to cut back a TON of calories when making our favorite dish. First, go with a roux mix (Like Tony Chachere's) instead of the regular roux that has a ton of added fat calories because of the oil. Second, instead of regular smoked sausage, used Turkey smoked sausage. Your guests will never notice the difference. Third, use boneless white chicken breasts instead of high fat dark meat. I promise, the gumbo will taste delicious, and your hips will thank you!
4. Alcohol. Stay away when you can, but if you'd like a lower cal option, bring along some Skinny Girl Cocktails. PS- they are delicious in Crystal Light Mocktails!!!
5. Dinner time... remember your eyes are bigger than your stomach. First, eat salad.... bring your own dressing if you have to (I really like the dressing sprays, you can totally control how much you use!). Second, use a dessert or salad plate when filling up on entrees and side dishes. Third, skip the dark meat and stick with Turkey breasts. Fourth, skip the bread rolls, or have just ONE. Fifth, don't go back for seconds. You really don't need them. Next, fill up on the things that you brought and know what is in them. Lastly, don't feel obligated to eat something because so and so made it.
6. Drink plenty of water with lemon. It will help prevent water retention.
7. Desserts. If you brought a sugar free dessert, stick to it. If you didn't bring something, eat very small slices of desserts that are "special occasion" items (that pie or cake that only gets made this time of year). Stay away from desserts that you could make "whenever" (ie cookies, brownies, etc.... you wouldn't believe the amount of calories you could save by doing just this.)
8. Get out and move. The temptation to just sit at the table and chat and eat all day is a tough one, but why not suggest a family walk or game of football after lunch?
9. Don't turn one "special occasion meal" into a whole week of more relaxed eating. If you have leftovers that are higher in calorie content, don't eat them all at the same meal. Mix them with lower calorie items like veggies, etc.
10. Skip the soft drinks and DRINK MORE WATER. (I know this is a repeat, but it's important!)
Saturday, July 7, 2012
What have you been told about your weight?
Sorry it's been so long since my last post, but of course, this mom has been busy with 2 little ones. Weight wise, things have been going pretty well, just over 84lbs lost, and I've started using the My Fitness Pal app on my IPhone. Who knew I wasn't eating enough??? I guess that can easily happen when you switch to a diet that is mostly made up of veggies and lean proteins. So, quick tip, if you are at a plateau, check your caloric intake....
I decided to post tonight about something that's been on my mind for a while now, especially after watching The Weight of the Nation (HBO Documentary which can be viewed online here.)
Let me first say, that I really do LOVE my doctors. I am very very very happy, in general, with both my OBGYN and my PCP; however, the more I think about it, the more upset... concerned... (can't quite find the right word...) over the fact that throughout my life I have been told VERY LITTLE in regards to my weight and my need to lose. Since being diagnosed with PCOS, the ONLY thing I was ever really told about my weight and the process of losing weight was, "Since you have PCOS, it'll be very hard for you to lose weight." That's it.
When I went in for a blood pressure check in Aug of 2008 and was subsequently diagnosed with hypertension (you don't want to know how high my BP was), it didn't even come up in discussion. Not at all.
When I had my 10lb 10.5 oz baby girl (induced at 37 weeks 5 days), and watched her, in the NICU, have trouble with blood sugar issues in her first days of life, all that was mentioned was that I must have had Gestational Diabetes and the test (which had came out normal) missed it. Of course, as I am losing more weight and more importantly, learning more about sugar, insulin, etc, I KNOW that I may not have had GD, but I am POSITIVE that I had insulin resistance (which leads to an increase of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin= growth, weight gain etc). One sign of insulin resistance is dark patches of skin on different places on the body, especially on the back of the neck. I had these (emphasize HAD). Since I have been losing it... the dark patches have disappeared- an outward sign that my body chemistry is changing. Again, NONE of this was mentioned or suggested by any of the doctors I saw (including a few MFMs-high risk pregnancy OBs.)
I am again stating, just in case this gets to any of them or their relatives etc.., I really do like my doctors, and I don't at all think that their skirting around the weight issue is unusual (unfortunately). I can't quite figure out why some doctors are afraid to be frank with patients about how much harm extra weight does to the body and organs. Maybe they don't know the extent of the damage??? Maybe they don't want to offend??? Maybe it's a conversation too wrought with emotion, anger??? Maybe it hits too close to home for them (especially the ones who have themselves, struggled with weight)??? I don't have the answer. I wish I did. I wish that we all would just "get" it one day and the struggle would be over.
Talking to someone about their need to lose weight is such a hard thing to do. No one wants to admit the number on the scale has gotten out of control, that they've lost control, that they've allowed it to go that far (good opportunity to do something I have been avoiding. 295, that's my number. That's where I started in March of 2011-. There I said it.). No one wants to be that person who is getting "reprimanded" by anyone. BUT SOMEONE has to start that discussion. This cycle of obesity is getting worse with every generation. I would think that our doctors would be a great place to start. So, if you are in the medical field, I have a suggestion and a plea. PLEASE TRY to communicate just how serious this is. Do so in a way that is respectful and mindful of how hard this struggle is. Do so with compassion, love, and genuine concern. Don't mention looks, clothes, sizes. Talk about health. Talk about their children. Talk about their future. Talk about solutions (NOT JUST MEDICATION). Offer support. Just start the conversation. Too many people who are obese are going around with the false assumption that they are "healthy" because their doctors don't mention their weight and their blood work is coming back OK. It'll catch up with them eventually, and I can't imagine being a doctor and thinking, "What if I would have just said something...."
I decided to post tonight about something that's been on my mind for a while now, especially after watching The Weight of the Nation (HBO Documentary which can be viewed online here.)
Let me first say, that I really do LOVE my doctors. I am very very very happy, in general, with both my OBGYN and my PCP; however, the more I think about it, the more upset... concerned... (can't quite find the right word...) over the fact that throughout my life I have been told VERY LITTLE in regards to my weight and my need to lose. Since being diagnosed with PCOS, the ONLY thing I was ever really told about my weight and the process of losing weight was, "Since you have PCOS, it'll be very hard for you to lose weight." That's it.
When I went in for a blood pressure check in Aug of 2008 and was subsequently diagnosed with hypertension (you don't want to know how high my BP was), it didn't even come up in discussion. Not at all.
When I had my 10lb 10.5 oz baby girl (induced at 37 weeks 5 days), and watched her, in the NICU, have trouble with blood sugar issues in her first days of life, all that was mentioned was that I must have had Gestational Diabetes and the test (which had came out normal) missed it. Of course, as I am losing more weight and more importantly, learning more about sugar, insulin, etc, I KNOW that I may not have had GD, but I am POSITIVE that I had insulin resistance (which leads to an increase of insulin in the bloodstream. Insulin= growth, weight gain etc). One sign of insulin resistance is dark patches of skin on different places on the body, especially on the back of the neck. I had these (emphasize HAD). Since I have been losing it... the dark patches have disappeared- an outward sign that my body chemistry is changing. Again, NONE of this was mentioned or suggested by any of the doctors I saw (including a few MFMs-high risk pregnancy OBs.)
I am again stating, just in case this gets to any of them or their relatives etc.., I really do like my doctors, and I don't at all think that their skirting around the weight issue is unusual (unfortunately). I can't quite figure out why some doctors are afraid to be frank with patients about how much harm extra weight does to the body and organs. Maybe they don't know the extent of the damage??? Maybe they don't want to offend??? Maybe it's a conversation too wrought with emotion, anger??? Maybe it hits too close to home for them (especially the ones who have themselves, struggled with weight)??? I don't have the answer. I wish I did. I wish that we all would just "get" it one day and the struggle would be over.
Talking to someone about their need to lose weight is such a hard thing to do. No one wants to admit the number on the scale has gotten out of control, that they've lost control, that they've allowed it to go that far (good opportunity to do something I have been avoiding. 295, that's my number. That's where I started in March of 2011-. There I said it.). No one wants to be that person who is getting "reprimanded" by anyone. BUT SOMEONE has to start that discussion. This cycle of obesity is getting worse with every generation. I would think that our doctors would be a great place to start. So, if you are in the medical field, I have a suggestion and a plea. PLEASE TRY to communicate just how serious this is. Do so in a way that is respectful and mindful of how hard this struggle is. Do so with compassion, love, and genuine concern. Don't mention looks, clothes, sizes. Talk about health. Talk about their children. Talk about their future. Talk about solutions (NOT JUST MEDICATION). Offer support. Just start the conversation. Too many people who are obese are going around with the false assumption that they are "healthy" because their doctors don't mention their weight and their blood work is coming back OK. It'll catch up with them eventually, and I can't imagine being a doctor and thinking, "What if I would have just said something...."
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
What to eat???
After posting via Facebook that my family and I were having salmon, mocked mashed potatoes, and asparagus for dinner, a friend of mine commented that she wished she could buy meals from me to help her along in losing "it". I thought this compliment was a great opportunity to share some tips/tricks/meal ideas with my friends. Remember, I'm not a dietitian, weight loss expert, and don't have nearly the cooking skills of my mother.
Changing an entire way of eating seems like an insurmountable task, but what I realized was that small substitutions and changes added together equals huge results.
So... here we go with a few of my tips/tricks/substitutes etc.
BREAKFAST:
ALWAYS EAT BREAKFAST....
I almost ALWAYS have an eggwhite omelet with veggies and some sort of complex carb each morning. This may sound like a lot of work to do, but it's very quick, especially if you prepare a week's worth of veggies at a time. On Monday morning, I usually saute onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms in REAL BUTTER. Let's be clear... not a TON of real butter, but maybe 1/2 Tbsp or so. When I was in college, I took an economics class.... for some reason the professor got on the topic of margarine, and informed us that margarine is actually gray in color. When it was first "tested" people in test groups wouldn't eat it as a butter substitute because of it's bland color.... so they added yellow food coloring. For some reason that just stuck with me.
Here's a picture of the butter I use.
Changing an entire way of eating seems like an insurmountable task, but what I realized was that small substitutions and changes added together equals huge results.
So... here we go with a few of my tips/tricks/substitutes etc.
BREAKFAST:
ALWAYS EAT BREAKFAST....
I almost ALWAYS have an eggwhite omelet with veggies and some sort of complex carb each morning. This may sound like a lot of work to do, but it's very quick, especially if you prepare a week's worth of veggies at a time. On Monday morning, I usually saute onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms in REAL BUTTER. Let's be clear... not a TON of real butter, but maybe 1/2 Tbsp or so. When I was in college, I took an economics class.... for some reason the professor got on the topic of margarine, and informed us that margarine is actually gray in color. When it was first "tested" people in test groups wouldn't eat it as a butter substitute because of it's bland color.... so they added yellow food coloring. For some reason that just stuck with me.
Here's a picture of the butter I use.
For a while, I was using whole eggs for my omelets, but simply because of time, I started using eggwhites.
Sometimes, I'll add a little bit of cheese in there as well, and lately I've been adding Chia seed. LOOK UP ITS BENEFITS!!! It's the "new" flax.
For my morning carb (and sandwiches when I have them). I started using the "Hungry Girl" Flat Out bread. It's only 90 calories and high in fiber
Oh, and of course, I have iced coffee with a splash of unsweetened almond milk (less fat, carbs, more calcium than regular dairy milk) and sugar free vanilla syrup. (yes... it's splenda based, but I only have a little once a day....)
LUNCH:
Usually a wrap with again, lots of veggies, turkey or chicken, and maybe edamame. The key is to find a wrap that's low in calories and high in fiber (some wraps have over 250 calories!!!!) This one is my fav (thanks to my Mom who told me about them!) They only have 100 calories and have 12 grams of fiber (6 net carbs). I also use them for taco night.
TIP ALERT: Substitute fresh spinach for lettuce! We use it for everything. Cut it up to use for tacos. Way more nutrients than lettuce!
SNACKS:
I try to stick to cut up veggies/fruit. Cheese sticks are always go (try the Weight Watchers smoked Gouda ones!) but I've been trying to stay away from dairy as much as possible lately. Now I opt for Almond butter and celery or sometimes will have a protein drink. I usually use the Jillian Michaels version.
DINNER:
I've found that the key is to keep it simple. A lean protein and 1-2 veggies. Most of our meals seem pretty boring to most, but again, it's about making it work for your lifestyle. Little substitutions help out a ton. We have completely stopped cooking red meat. I use ground turkey or ground chicken for everything. Also, we've incorporated more fish into our diet, especially salmon.
Try to make your favorite foods rather than ordering in. Even if you make a pizza at home and use full fat cheese, etc. it'll still be healthier than anything you'd order. When we make pizza, we use the already made thin pizza crust and turkey pepperoni.
TIP ALERT: Cauliflower is AMAZING. I've used it for "potato" soup, "mashed potatoes" and even fried rice.
Also, I try to modify things my family already loves (like Spaghetti). I usually add veggies like shredded carrots and zucchini to my spaghetti sauce, and I have my serving over sauteed onions or spaghetti squash (the rest of the family eats it over whole wheat angel hair pasta).
OTHER TIPS:
Stay away from boxed dinners and canned veggies. They have a TON of sodium and will make you retain fluids.
Speaking of retaining water. Other than my coffee in the morning, I stick to water or green tea for the rest of the day. I also have 1 serving of Dandelion Root tea a day (I brew it with Mint Green
. tea because it's pretty bitter on its own). I usually sweeten it a bit with honey. Dandelion Root is supposed to be good for liver function and help with water retention.
Stay away from Low or Reduced fat processed foods. They usually add carbs to these foods to make them taste decent.
Try to reduce the amount of salt you use in what you're cooking. Explore other spices instead.
I think that's all for now... I'm sure I'll think of more soon.
It may sound overwhelming, but even if you try one or two of these things, you'll see results in how you feel!
Sunday, June 10, 2012
The key.
Thought I'd give an update on how the week went. The hubby was off this week, which would usually have meant trips to eat out, junk food, etc. In other words, things would have been a lot more lax than normal, but one thing that I am learning is that in order for this weight loss to really stick and have it become a manageable lifestyle, there has to be BALANCE. It's impossible to stick on a completely healthy eating plan 24/7 FOREVER. (at least for me it is)...
In starting this process and giving myself 2 years to get to my goal, I was giving myself permission to eat off plan for a meal and not breakdown because of my possible perception of completely thwarting my efforts. Balance is key. Balance is something, however, that is SOOOOO contrary to the messages that we are fed via the media about everything, be it food, alcohol, sex, possessions, etc. On one hand, we are given the "perfect" body images to aspire to, but on the other, there is little to no element of self-control honored or respected by our culture. Give me what I want, when I want it. I "deserve" it. No one can attain a weight loss goal if constantly listening to the messages screamed around them. Watch TV for five minutes and you'll be bombarded with fast food and candy commercials, only interrupted by commercials for lingerie with women who look nothing like most of the women I encounter in real life. This system is designed to keep us from succeeding. Give in to the cravings (why deny yourself???) BUT AFTER YOU DO.... FEEL HORRIBLE about yourself. You're worthless for giving in. How could you??? Of course this leads to more eating, more self-loathing, more eating.....
So the key? Balance. Something Americans no little about. Delayed gratification. Something we know even less about.
Yes, we ate out this week. Twice to be exact. (which is a lot less than we have in previous "vacation" weeks). The first time, we took the kids to a popular chain restaurant. We did get an appetizer (spinach dip) and guess what. I had some. But instead of ordering whatever I wanted for my meal (probably would have been a burger), I had grilled chicken (minus the rice that it came with) and added extra broccoli.
Second meal "out" was actually an order in Sushi dinner. This was my one "splurge" meal of the week. It was something that I looked forward to all week. Having it in mind at the beginning of the week gave me reason to be cautious in what I was eating because I knew I'd be having a treat later in the week. All in all, I had a loss of about 1lb this week whereas in previous vacation weeks, I've gained up to 5lbs.
Next thing to work on: Get my butt back on my treadmill.....
In starting this process and giving myself 2 years to get to my goal, I was giving myself permission to eat off plan for a meal and not breakdown because of my possible perception of completely thwarting my efforts. Balance is key. Balance is something, however, that is SOOOOO contrary to the messages that we are fed via the media about everything, be it food, alcohol, sex, possessions, etc. On one hand, we are given the "perfect" body images to aspire to, but on the other, there is little to no element of self-control honored or respected by our culture. Give me what I want, when I want it. I "deserve" it. No one can attain a weight loss goal if constantly listening to the messages screamed around them. Watch TV for five minutes and you'll be bombarded with fast food and candy commercials, only interrupted by commercials for lingerie with women who look nothing like most of the women I encounter in real life. This system is designed to keep us from succeeding. Give in to the cravings (why deny yourself???) BUT AFTER YOU DO.... FEEL HORRIBLE about yourself. You're worthless for giving in. How could you??? Of course this leads to more eating, more self-loathing, more eating.....
So the key? Balance. Something Americans no little about. Delayed gratification. Something we know even less about.
Yes, we ate out this week. Twice to be exact. (which is a lot less than we have in previous "vacation" weeks). The first time, we took the kids to a popular chain restaurant. We did get an appetizer (spinach dip) and guess what. I had some. But instead of ordering whatever I wanted for my meal (probably would have been a burger), I had grilled chicken (minus the rice that it came with) and added extra broccoli.
Second meal "out" was actually an order in Sushi dinner. This was my one "splurge" meal of the week. It was something that I looked forward to all week. Having it in mind at the beginning of the week gave me reason to be cautious in what I was eating because I knew I'd be having a treat later in the week. All in all, I had a loss of about 1lb this week whereas in previous vacation weeks, I've gained up to 5lbs.
Next thing to work on: Get my butt back on my treadmill.....
Friday, June 1, 2012
What I'm doing
Alrighty, the kids are taking a nap (yes, both of them!!!!!) so I decided it would be a good time to write.
Picking up where the last post left off...
After I made the decision to lose the weight, and to allow myself 2 years to lose the 110lbs, I had to figure out what "method" was going to work best for me. My mom (who has also battled the scale her whole life) joined Weight Watchers and began going to meetings. Attending meetings was impossible to fit into my schedule, so I decided to join online.
I did well for the first couple of weeks and lost about 20 lbs right away, but for me, the freedom of the points system was leading me to make not so great choices. Because of my weight, and the fact that I was breastfeeding a newborn, I was allowed a TON of points each day. (I think 57!!!!) Eating that much during the day and making sure they were healthy choices wasn't easy. I remember actually eating Nutella on crackers simply to make sure I got all my "points" in. Needless to say, it wasn't working for me.
A few years ago, before I even met my husband, I had lost a bit of weight on South Beach diet. From that personal experience as well as through my research on PCOS (Polycystic ovarian Syndrome----- diagnosed at age 18), I determined a low carb, lean protein diet would be best. I wasn't able to cut out ALL carbs, again, because I was breastfeeding a newborn and carbs are VERY important in milk production.
My plan was (and still is) to have my carbs before 2pm (low calorie/high fiber bread). LOTS of veggies and lean proteins. I also cut out most of my dairy. Our family is on Almond milk completely, and I have the unsweetened original type in my coffee in the morning.
I also try to follow a couple of key rules
Drink plenty of water
Take a multivitamin
Stay away from anything white
Stay away from anything boxed or canned (the amount of sodium in these processed foods is unreal!)
Try to add extra veggies to anything possible (I add shredded carrots and zucchini to spaghetti sauce)
Get rid of red meat (we use ground chicken/turkey)
Eat more fish (especially salmon)
Don't eat after 7:30pm
Leave room to "cheat" one day a week
I'll talk about exercise in another post, but I really believe something that I heard a Dr. say in the HBO documentary The Weight of the Nation. Exercise is important, of course, but the MOST important part of LOSING weight is and has to be diet change.
Picking up where the last post left off...
After I made the decision to lose the weight, and to allow myself 2 years to lose the 110lbs, I had to figure out what "method" was going to work best for me. My mom (who has also battled the scale her whole life) joined Weight Watchers and began going to meetings. Attending meetings was impossible to fit into my schedule, so I decided to join online.
I did well for the first couple of weeks and lost about 20 lbs right away, but for me, the freedom of the points system was leading me to make not so great choices. Because of my weight, and the fact that I was breastfeeding a newborn, I was allowed a TON of points each day. (I think 57!!!!) Eating that much during the day and making sure they were healthy choices wasn't easy. I remember actually eating Nutella on crackers simply to make sure I got all my "points" in. Needless to say, it wasn't working for me.
A few years ago, before I even met my husband, I had lost a bit of weight on South Beach diet. From that personal experience as well as through my research on PCOS (Polycystic ovarian Syndrome----- diagnosed at age 18), I determined a low carb, lean protein diet would be best. I wasn't able to cut out ALL carbs, again, because I was breastfeeding a newborn and carbs are VERY important in milk production.
My plan was (and still is) to have my carbs before 2pm (low calorie/high fiber bread). LOTS of veggies and lean proteins. I also cut out most of my dairy. Our family is on Almond milk completely, and I have the unsweetened original type in my coffee in the morning.
I also try to follow a couple of key rules
Drink plenty of water
Take a multivitamin
Stay away from anything white
Stay away from anything boxed or canned (the amount of sodium in these processed foods is unreal!)
Try to add extra veggies to anything possible (I add shredded carrots and zucchini to spaghetti sauce)
Get rid of red meat (we use ground chicken/turkey)
Eat more fish (especially salmon)
Don't eat after 7:30pm
Leave room to "cheat" one day a week
I'll talk about exercise in another post, but I really believe something that I heard a Dr. say in the HBO documentary The Weight of the Nation. Exercise is important, of course, but the MOST important part of LOSING weight is and has to be diet change.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The start.
Here's the problem with starting a blog. You have to actually start one. There has to be a first post. The post. The post that gives this blog meaning and direction.... but how do you start a blog about a struggle you don't remember the start of....
For those of you who don't know me or my struggle, I'm talking about weight.....It's something that I've struggled with my whole life, something my whole family has struggled with. There's a family history of it all: diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, high blood pressure... you name it, it's there. I could go on and on recounting the hows and whys of the up and down (mostly up) journey of my poundage... and I'm sure that will get posted eventually, but for now I wanted to share why I had a serious mindset change about a year ago.
I was playing around with my daughter (then almost 2 yrs) while my newborn son took a nap. I decided to pretend like I was sleeping. She came up to me, and began to try to wake me up. I continued to pretend to be asleep. She again tried to wake me, and when I didn't respond, she began to cry.
That moment changed everything. I am a stay-at-home mom and all I could think was, "What if something really happened to me while I was home alone with them? This is how she would react. This is how scared she would be."
Losing the weight was no longer about fulfilling some impossible image ideal forcefed (no pun intended) to women via the media. It wasn't about fitting into a certain size or trying to please anyone. It was about her. It was about my son. It was about giving them the best mom I could be. I didn't want to be the mom that isn't being an active part of their lives because I couldn't be active.
So that day, I decided to lose it...
This blog is getting a late start in my journey (cut me some slack! I was taking care of 2 little ones!), but I will try to remember and recount the steps along the way. I still remember having a converstation with my husband about how impossible the journey seemed. 110lbs to lose. How in the heck was I supposed to do it? Where in the world was I supposed to start? There was no way for me to get to a gym... how was I going to make it work??? I even remember posting on my Facebook page a request for inspirational quotes. I think I actually asked something like "anyone has any good quotes for encouragement to overcome something that seems impossible."
It wasn't until I finally gave myself the permission for this process to take a while (I gave myself 2 years to get to goal) that it seemed manageable. 110lbs in 2 years was doable....
------
I have so much more that could have been said in this "first" post, but of course, the little one is stirring in his sleep...
For those of you who don't know me or my struggle, I'm talking about weight.....It's something that I've struggled with my whole life, something my whole family has struggled with. There's a family history of it all: diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, high blood pressure... you name it, it's there. I could go on and on recounting the hows and whys of the up and down (mostly up) journey of my poundage... and I'm sure that will get posted eventually, but for now I wanted to share why I had a serious mindset change about a year ago.
I was playing around with my daughter (then almost 2 yrs) while my newborn son took a nap. I decided to pretend like I was sleeping. She came up to me, and began to try to wake me up. I continued to pretend to be asleep. She again tried to wake me, and when I didn't respond, she began to cry.
That moment changed everything. I am a stay-at-home mom and all I could think was, "What if something really happened to me while I was home alone with them? This is how she would react. This is how scared she would be."
Losing the weight was no longer about fulfilling some impossible image ideal forcefed (no pun intended) to women via the media. It wasn't about fitting into a certain size or trying to please anyone. It was about her. It was about my son. It was about giving them the best mom I could be. I didn't want to be the mom that isn't being an active part of their lives because I couldn't be active.
So that day, I decided to lose it...
This blog is getting a late start in my journey (cut me some slack! I was taking care of 2 little ones!), but I will try to remember and recount the steps along the way. I still remember having a converstation with my husband about how impossible the journey seemed. 110lbs to lose. How in the heck was I supposed to do it? Where in the world was I supposed to start? There was no way for me to get to a gym... how was I going to make it work??? I even remember posting on my Facebook page a request for inspirational quotes. I think I actually asked something like "anyone has any good quotes for encouragement to overcome something that seems impossible."
It wasn't until I finally gave myself the permission for this process to take a while (I gave myself 2 years to get to goal) that it seemed manageable. 110lbs in 2 years was doable....
------
I have so much more that could have been said in this "first" post, but of course, the little one is stirring in his sleep...
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