Today is theoretically day four of our diet plan, except that we kinda quit following it very closely after day two. This was mainly due to a couple work events R had and me being on the road today. However, we have been following it more or less, and overall we have been eating much healthier than we normally would have.
For instance, tonight we had to run some errands, and normally we would have either eaten out or grabbed fast food to go. Instead, we decided to buy a rotisserie chicken with our groceries, and we also got a can of fat free baked beans, a bag of broccoli slaw, and some lower calorie cole slaw dressing. When we got home, it took us two minutes to whip up dinner, and it was delicious! If you've never tried the broccoli slaw (we hadn't) I highly recommend it.
Anyway, I haven't stepped on the scale, and I'm not sure I will, because that tends to derail me when I have been making healthy choices. But I did go to Macy's today, because I had a job interview out of town, and there happened to be a Macy's two blocks from the office. Two months ago when I lost my job, I bought a pair of black pants specifically to wear for job interviews, because none of my nice pants fit me so well anymore. I knew these pants were kind of big on me last time I had an interview, but nothing that kept me from wearing them.
Until I walked into the Macy's dressing room today, caught a glimpse of myself in these giant pants, and realized I looked like a clown! Or a homeless person. Or something. I mean, they were HUGE. Holy cow.
So I bought a new pair of black pants. In one size smaller. Yay!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Rapidish Startish Day Two
Well, we did fairly well with our plan yesterday. We both followed the program except that we both ate a small piece of banana bread last night. And I never did eat my snack that was to be a pear. (Does banana bread count as a fruit?)
This is the problem I have with new eating plans. I hate to throw out perfectly good food that I already have. Especially when that food is already prepared. And I'd made this yummy banana bread a few days before.
Plus, we were hungry. So, we agreed to each have a small piece. I figure, all in all, it was a vast improvement over what we would have normally eaten in a day. (For one thing, R would have had a HUGE piece of the banana bread in the evening.) We each ate fruits, vegetables, high fiber cereal, low fat yogurt, and lean protein. I drank hot tea (black) most of the day instead of my usual two to three diet sodas.
Plus, we went for a bike ride after supper. Then we worked painting our garage.
I'm calling it a success.
Tonight we're eating a bowl of soup, even though that's not technically on the plan for today. But, I'd made the soup Sunday, and it needs to be eaten. And it's healthy anyway. I made it with ground turkey this time, and the rest is all beans, vegetables, and spices. We'll just skip the cheese and crackers we would normally eat with it.
This is the problem I have with new eating plans. I hate to throw out perfectly good food that I already have. Especially when that food is already prepared. And I'd made this yummy banana bread a few days before.
Plus, we were hungry. So, we agreed to each have a small piece. I figure, all in all, it was a vast improvement over what we would have normally eaten in a day. (For one thing, R would have had a HUGE piece of the banana bread in the evening.) We each ate fruits, vegetables, high fiber cereal, low fat yogurt, and lean protein. I drank hot tea (black) most of the day instead of my usual two to three diet sodas.
Plus, we went for a bike ride after supper. Then we worked painting our garage.
I'm calling it a success.
Tonight we're eating a bowl of soup, even though that's not technically on the plan for today. But, I'd made the soup Sunday, and it needs to be eaten. And it's healthy anyway. I made it with ground turkey this time, and the rest is all beans, vegetables, and spices. We'll just skip the cheese and crackers we would normally eat with it.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Rapid Start
Have you noticed that whenever a blogger posts something like, "I'm going to post every day for thirty days!" or, "Starting today, I'm working out every day for a week!" it's a sure sign that they will not, in fact, do whatever they say they are going to do?
Well, here I am! To tell you all about the diet plan that I'm doing! No, really, ya'll, I'm doing it!
But I'm only committing to following it exactly for three days. R and I are doing it together. I figure, anyone can do anything for three days. And at that point, we'll see if we feel any better, are any less hungry, want to strangle each other, whatever.
What we're doing is the Rapid Start plan from Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution
. I know this book is old. And Dr. Phil kind of annoys me. But my ex-husband and I followed this plan for a few weeks about six years ago, and it really worked for us. I think the main reason I "fell off the wagon" is that there are very few carbs, and I swear, I need carbs. You get a bowl of high fiber cereal in the morning, and then that's it for your carbs. (Well, other than fruits and vegetables, I know those are technically carbs, but I'm talking bread, pasta, cereal, rice.)
Anyhow, we both know our eating habits are a mess, and even if we don't follow this plan exactly or forever, mainly we just wanted to kind of reset our brains and our bodies, and I think this plan will help. It helped me before.
So far, day one, we've had our one cup of cereal, (which isn't much cereal. Really, measure it and see.) one cup of skim milk, one egg, one piece of fruit, and tea for breakfast. Now for me, that's more breakfast than I would ever eat. I would have cereal OR eggs OR fruit. Granted, I'd have more cereal. But still.
And R had his fruit for his morning snack, but I'm not even hungry again yet, so I haven't had mine. Then lunch is a big salad with some tuna and 2 tablespoons dressing. Again, not very much dressing. I probably normally use twice or three times that.
I made R a HUGE salad, because it says "a generous portion of greens." Mine is quite a bit smaller, but I know he is used to eating a lot. So, he gets more lettuce, cucumbers, celery, and carrots. He came home and ate it, then I sent him on his way with a light yogurt for his afternoon snack.
We'll see if he's gnawing on his arm by the time he gets home for dinner. And I'll keep you all posted on how our three day diet plan goes!
Well, here I am! To tell you all about the diet plan that I'm doing! No, really, ya'll, I'm doing it!
But I'm only committing to following it exactly for three days. R and I are doing it together. I figure, anyone can do anything for three days. And at that point, we'll see if we feel any better, are any less hungry, want to strangle each other, whatever.
What we're doing is the Rapid Start plan from Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution
. I know this book is old. And Dr. Phil kind of annoys me. But my ex-husband and I followed this plan for a few weeks about six years ago, and it really worked for us. I think the main reason I "fell off the wagon" is that there are very few carbs, and I swear, I need carbs. You get a bowl of high fiber cereal in the morning, and then that's it for your carbs. (Well, other than fruits and vegetables, I know those are technically carbs, but I'm talking bread, pasta, cereal, rice.)Anyhow, we both know our eating habits are a mess, and even if we don't follow this plan exactly or forever, mainly we just wanted to kind of reset our brains and our bodies, and I think this plan will help. It helped me before.
So far, day one, we've had our one cup of cereal, (which isn't much cereal. Really, measure it and see.) one cup of skim milk, one egg, one piece of fruit, and tea for breakfast. Now for me, that's more breakfast than I would ever eat. I would have cereal OR eggs OR fruit. Granted, I'd have more cereal. But still.
And R had his fruit for his morning snack, but I'm not even hungry again yet, so I haven't had mine. Then lunch is a big salad with some tuna and 2 tablespoons dressing. Again, not very much dressing. I probably normally use twice or three times that.
I made R a HUGE salad, because it says "a generous portion of greens." Mine is quite a bit smaller, but I know he is used to eating a lot. So, he gets more lettuce, cucumbers, celery, and carrots. He came home and ate it, then I sent him on his way with a light yogurt for his afternoon snack.
We'll see if he's gnawing on his arm by the time he gets home for dinner. And I'll keep you all posted on how our three day diet plan goes!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
I'm Not Fat, I'm Fluffy!
Each of us here at DTTBMMLF plays mama to two doggies, which can actually be a great way to help you lose weight. Dogs have to be walked, right? Regina reminded me the other day of the saying, "If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise."
Unfortunately, I don't think the reverse is necessarily true. My Daisy and Rudy are pretty healthy, but that's not so much because I walk them as it is because they chase each other around my yard and my house like they are qualifying for a NASCAR race. I think they keep each other fit. Maybe my boyfriend and I need to join in the chase more often!
At any rate, I have also found that for optimal weight control it's best if you do not eat like Rudy does:
If you'd like to meet some new fluffy friends, join in the fun. Happy Blog Hopping!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Amish Friendship Banana Bread Recipe
I've been experimenting with variations of an Amish Friendship Bread recipe Regina gave me. The original recipe is cinnamon bread, which is delicious. However, after making it every ten days for weeks, I've been wanting new variations, and I'm trying to straddle the line between great taste and healthy ingredients. I made this banana bread this weekend, and it has been yummy!
This recipe does use the starter that Regina gave me, but just in case she didn't give you one too, you can find recipes for the Amish Friendship Bread Starter online.
Amish Friendship Banana Bread
1. Pour entire contents of the starter into a large, non-metal bowl. Be sure to stir with a non-metal spoon and use non-metal pans also.
2. Add 1 1/3 cups flour, 1 ½ cups sugar, 1 1/3 cups milk. Mix well. (For four starters. For only one, add only ¾ cups of all ingredients.)3. Label 4 (or only 1) one gallon ziplock bags with “Day 1…” and the date. Put 1 c. of the batter mixture into each of these bags. These are the starters for you to pass on to your friends. You may keep one if you want to continue making the bread yourself.
4. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees.
5. To the remaining batter, add:
3 eggs
3/4 c. canola oil (or ½ oil and ½ applesauce. I didn't like the texture as well when I used the applesauce, and I thought the bread just tasted like apples. Which isn't bad, but isn't what I was going for.)
½ c. skim milk
1 c. sugar
2 mashed ripe bananas
½ tsp. vanilla
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
2 c. whole wheat flour
1 large box banana instant pudding
1 c. chopped walnuts (I saved back about 1/4 cup and sprinkled them on top.)
1/2 cup milled flax seed
6. Grease bottom and sides of 2 large loaf pans. Dust the inside of the pans with a bit of sugar, making sure to coat sides and bottom.
7. Pour batter evenly into the 2 pans.
8. Bake for approximately 1 hour (until a toothpick comes out clean. Mine took more like an hour and ten minutes).
Sorry, I don't have calorie counts or fiber content or any of that stuff. I just figure it's much better for me than using white flour, whole milk, etc... And the banana, walnuts, and flax seed are nutritious. A slice of this with my coffee makes a pretty filling breakfast too.
For more great Tuesdays at the Table, visit Cole at All the Small Stuff.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
I Really Should Take My Own Advice
Remember my post about why I wasn't weighing myself? Well, I weighed myself today, and then I wished I hadn't, for all of the reasons I wrote about in that post.
Since becoming unemployed, I've been home more, so I've been cooking more healthy meals (rather than eating out so much). And honestly, despite the financial strain, I've been feeling less stress than I had in a year or more, so the stress eating has diminished.
I've been busy on a couple painting projects that have had me climbing up and down ladders for days on end, carrying heavy objects, and using my arms a lot. I've even started walking again, and did five out of seven days last week.
It seems like my pants are getting looser, and I'm seeing some new definition in my arms. Plus, riding my bike has gotten a lot easier.
So, silly me. I figured I'd step on the scale and marvel at my own progress, then come here and let all of you marvel at my progress as well.
Except that I gained a pound and a half.
Seriously?! How is this possible?!
What's worse is what it did to my mood. I went from feeling really good about myself and my progress to feeling like a slug. A fat slug. A fat slug who eats too much junk food and sits on the couch most of the day.
I did snap out of it this afternoon finally, enough to take my walk and cook a healthy dinner. But I think I'm going back to the no scale plan for a while.
Since becoming unemployed, I've been home more, so I've been cooking more healthy meals (rather than eating out so much). And honestly, despite the financial strain, I've been feeling less stress than I had in a year or more, so the stress eating has diminished.
I've been busy on a couple painting projects that have had me climbing up and down ladders for days on end, carrying heavy objects, and using my arms a lot. I've even started walking again, and did five out of seven days last week.
It seems like my pants are getting looser, and I'm seeing some new definition in my arms. Plus, riding my bike has gotten a lot easier.
So, silly me. I figured I'd step on the scale and marvel at my own progress, then come here and let all of you marvel at my progress as well.
Except that I gained a pound and a half.
Seriously?! How is this possible?!
What's worse is what it did to my mood. I went from feeling really good about myself and my progress to feeling like a slug. A fat slug. A fat slug who eats too much junk food and sits on the couch most of the day.
I did snap out of it this afternoon finally, enough to take my walk and cook a healthy dinner. But I think I'm going back to the no scale plan for a while.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me?
I did something crazy today. Something so radical, I'm certain it will revolutionize the world of weight loss. And no, it had nothing to do with injecting myself with urine from pregnant cows.
I went for a walk.
Shocking, I know.
I put on my shoes and my ipod, and I stepped out into the fresh air and sunshine, and I put one foot in front of the other. I did this for about 30 minutes. Straight.
I think I might do it again tomorrow. And see what happens.
Most Awesome Song I Heard While Working Out: "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" by Keith Urban
I went for a walk.
Shocking, I know.
I put on my shoes and my ipod, and I stepped out into the fresh air and sunshine, and I put one foot in front of the other. I did this for about 30 minutes. Straight.
I think I might do it again tomorrow. And see what happens.
Most Awesome Song I Heard While Working Out: "Who Wouldn't Wanna Be Me" by Keith Urban
Monday, September 6, 2010
Yes. No. Maybe.
Does this blog make me look fat?
Yes.
It points out my terrible LACK of Weight LOSS. It highlights my failures / my detours / my lack of focus. I'm afraid that instead of a site for motivation - my posts may soon be used as "what not to do" or perhaps more likely "how to not do much about it at all."
Does this blog make me look fat?
No.
If "think thin" (or thin-er) power can be harnessed to prevent us from further backsliding on our weight goals - I think I've tapped that energy! Even though I may NOT be making much movement in the forward direction - at least I have managed to not go above my "start weight" during this project. I have thought of you all when I considered making bad choices. I have also thought of you when I made better choices. And while I'm sorry that this hasn't been a journal of overwhelming success - it has been a picture of reality.
Does this blog make me look fat?
Maybe.
Back to that picture of reality - the truth is that I need to lose weight - so maybe I do look a bit fat. It never fails to amaze me that "fat" and "thin" is so based on a comparison to who you are with. At one of my job sites -I was referred to this week as "skinny girl". It took me a few moments to realize they were talking about ME. And I wasn't at all deluded into thinking it was the truth - just that I had maintained something "closer to thin" than these ladies. Which also is a reminder that it's funny how our eyes round up when we are judging ourselves and how often we are willing to "round down" when we are judging others. So maybe you'll catch me on a fat day, maybe on a looking okay day - either way, the scale continues to be my forever frenemy!
Yes.
It points out my terrible LACK of Weight LOSS. It highlights my failures / my detours / my lack of focus. I'm afraid that instead of a site for motivation - my posts may soon be used as "what not to do" or perhaps more likely "how to not do much about it at all."
Does this blog make me look fat?
No.
If "think thin" (or thin-er) power can be harnessed to prevent us from further backsliding on our weight goals - I think I've tapped that energy! Even though I may NOT be making much movement in the forward direction - at least I have managed to not go above my "start weight" during this project. I have thought of you all when I considered making bad choices. I have also thought of you when I made better choices. And while I'm sorry that this hasn't been a journal of overwhelming success - it has been a picture of reality.
Does this blog make me look fat?
Maybe.
Back to that picture of reality - the truth is that I need to lose weight - so maybe I do look a bit fat. It never fails to amaze me that "fat" and "thin" is so based on a comparison to who you are with. At one of my job sites -I was referred to this week as "skinny girl". It took me a few moments to realize they were talking about ME. And I wasn't at all deluded into thinking it was the truth - just that I had maintained something "closer to thin" than these ladies. Which also is a reminder that it's funny how our eyes round up when we are judging ourselves and how often we are willing to "round down" when we are judging others. So maybe you'll catch me on a fat day, maybe on a looking okay day - either way, the scale continues to be my forever frenemy!
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