Hope

Health

For those who hadn't heard yet, Scott's last doctor's appointment went very well. The doctor took him off of the diuretics (water pills) and without that he didn't need the potassium pills. He suggested that Scott may not need the metformin any more, but after blood tests he decided to leave him on because it will aid in the continuing weight loss. He was told he didn't need the compression socks constantly anymore so he can wean himself off of them. It's worth all the work for the money and hassle you save on medication!

Weight

I think I'm officially over my block. Inching up on the 60 lbs off line now and I had to buy a belt just to keep my pants from falling off when I walk. Yeah, I should just get new pants, but that costs money and as long as I can still get some wear out of the now-huge things I own, I'm going to try to milk it as long as possible. Still, it feels like I'm wearing skirts on each leg...

I haven't asked Scott for a couple of days, but I think he's lost another 10 lbs, too. Sometimes the progress feels very slow, but I have to remember to look back to the beginning.

Delusions

Part of me has known this all along, but the important part of my brain refused to process. For the first many years of our marriage, Scott and I would go out to eat. I'd pick a gyro (which is usually under 500 calories) and he'd get a pastrami burger (which we now know is usually 1200+) I'd get the chicken sandwich and he'd buy the triple stack with bacon. In general I ate better than he did - not that this is a race - but when we first started eating better together, I thought I generally ate healthier than he did so therefore I was healthier. Relative term, right, because if I sat next to a vegan, I'd look like the greasy pig. The point is, you can be healthier, yet still not healthy. Basically I was doing superb at maintaining weight, but a little work to be even healthier in eating and exercise habits was definitely in order.

In the end, though, it's not a contest to be the healthiest person or the most informed when it comes to food. It's a personal journey and I do grow tired of it feeling like weight loss is a group activity...

...unless, of course, you're in it together with the person.

Eating out

We tend to go with large chains because it's easier to get an accurate calorie count. Keep in mind, though, that because of small changes in preparation and location, nutrition information on the internet can be a little off. I tend to round up whatever I order just in case.

burgers
You've heard the amusing quote "some days it's not worth chewing through the straps"? Well, I admit it. Some days it's like chewing on a strap to gnaw on carrots when all you want is a french fry.

This weekend, I craved a burger like mad. I don't even like beef very much, but it felt like the only thing that would taste good.

Well, for under 600 calories, we put together a little meal at Wendy's which was totally delicious and satisfying. First, order the HALF size Apple Pecan salad, but make them keep the pecans. The pecan packet is 110 calories so if you desire the pecans, you must skip the second part of the meal. About half of one pomegranate vinaigrette pouch is enough to coat the salad, but you still come in under the 600 if you use the whole thing. Delectable salad, I assure you!

Second, order the Jr. bacon (yes! bacon!) cheese (and cheese!) burger, but make sure you ask them to hold the mayo! This is a good tip wherever you go because you can save 50-100 calories just by asking them to leave the mayo off. Moisturize your sandwiches with mustard instead for no calories or carbohydrates. If you only have 500 calories to spare for dinner, use no more than half of the dressing packet on your salad and request that they hold the lettuce and tomatoes as well. You will go over 500 slightly, but not as much as if you leave those things intact. Btw, you can order these together in a Pair 2 special for just $5.

chinese
Panda Express can be a friend. Anything with tempura batter, noodles, or rice will be packed with calories so look for something more vegetable heavy. Order steamed veggies instead of rice or chow mein, then enjoy delicious entrees like beef & broccoli, mushroom chicken, black pepper chicken, potato chicken, or veggie spring rolls. I recommend a bowl with just one entree, but sometimes you can afford enough calories to splurge.

I know, however, that all that crispy delightfulness and sauce on the orange chicken or sweet and sour from some other place are what I'm really craving so those dishes don't really fill the bill (except the veggie spring rolls. I do love those!) Instead I bought the Panda Express orange chicken sauce from the store and then I carefully measure 2 Tbsp on a grilled chicken breast. For a larger dish, stir fry the grilled chicken with some "free" veggies and then add the sauce. Keep the food calories low since the sauce is 70 calories per 2 Tbsp.

Another way to enjoy sweet and sour style chicken is to get the nuggets at Chick-Fil-A and choose Polynesian sauce. 8 nuggets and one packet of sauce is just 370 calories. Top off the meal with a medium fruit (70 calories) and it satisfies. I know several places have reasonable nuggets and offer sweet and sour sauce, but I really find the Polynesian and the way they make their nuggets are more satisfying for the Chinese feel than any other.

mexican
Green taco sauce has less than 5 calories (many of them like the ones we keep on hand in the fridge these days are 0 calories) so it's a great thing to add to any dish to make it feel more Mexican. For me, I've found that going to Taco Bell is a favorite. Fresco Tacos are less than 200 calories each (the burritos are over 300) so I order 2 of the chicken ones at 150 each. If I'm especially hungry and have enough calories, I tack on one Nacho cheese steak gordita for 260 and come in under 600.