Why is this extra delicious?
When we started our diet ages ago, I pretty much cut peanut butter out of my diet. I love it immensely, but when calculating the amounts, I just didn't get enough long term satisfaction and often felt pretty hungry before dinner came along. In actuality, I cut out tons of sauces, jams, and the like and started eating most foods plain (and often kind of bland) because those were calories I could spend better elsewhere.
Then we went off the extreme diet and tried to just eat healthy. I'd have a good old pb&j (with less j than the old days and still on low cal bread) or I'd just have it on an apple slice or banana so I could still enjoy the flavor. The point is, this made PB last months in our house. I buy at Costco - 2 large jars. I bought them a year ago and we just ran out last month so I picked up a regular jar at Target thinking it would last anyway.
Well, last week, I cut up and apple, doled out 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, and had it with coffee for breakfast. Holy cow. I thought "Is this what fresh peanut butter tastes like? Were those jars older than I realized?" So tasty! I knew I had the same brand and had picked up creamy as usual. Next morning, I had it on banana and could not get over how delicious it tasted.
Third day, I'm making a pb&j for Jane's lunch (we only do it about once a month or so because kids don't need all the sugar either, right?) and I look at the jar. Huh. Did they redesign the package? It seems a little less blue. Nope. It's 25% less fat - and by this, about 50 calories less per serving!
Long story to say that I love love love when you think something tastes better and then realize it's better for you!
Full Disclosure
People often ask if we've lost more weight. Simple question, but by now you've probably guessed it's kind of a pet peeve. Frankly, it's no one else's business. Mostly I buck up and admit we haven't, but we're trying to maintain. Sometimes they say that's great, as long as you're not gaining.
But the secret is I do gain. And lose. And go back on the diet and fall off the wagon and up and down. It's about a 10 pound fluctuation so it's not really anything to be concerned about, but I'd really like to go down down down. Who wouldn't? The stupid thing is I'll be doing great on the diet, lose a little, then get depressed before I fall off the wagon. You'd think depression would come after? Maybe my hormones are still off from the surgery last year, but... that's eighteen months ago.
Either way, I'm super frustrated and feeling again like there's no support. When Scott wanted to lose weight, I supported him; just like when he wanted to go back to school and the time he wanted to change jobs after 16 years at one company. Where's my support? Not to complain because I've been appreciating him a lot more recently, but... when it comes to this, we can both stand to lose. His balance isn't awesome at all, he's not very flexible, and he still gets winded if we speed walk - three things that are not true for me so on the overall health, it seems like I've got less work to do.
Well, anyway, now I'm high on frustration because I've been counting calories, working out extra, been very careful for two weeks now. Just weighed myself and lost 1 pound. In two weeks of feeling very stressed and working really hard, that number changing so slightly makes me angry and frustrated. I don't know what to do to increase. Yeah, I should be happy about one pound, but I can't be when I'm working as hard as I was when I was able to lose an average of 2 pounds a week - and the first weeks I lost more because of the change in diet so why isn't it working?
I guess because we weren't going way way overboard, but honestly the last couple of months, we have. Makes me tired. It also makes me want to hole up in the house whenever someone asks if I've lost more weight. I mean, the fact that we did is obviously proof that we can and as we know, everyone else gets to decide my happy weight (insert 'sarcasm' sign here) so please. Ask me about it more. It's the only thing I am of value; my weight.
Off to do my first workout of the day, now, and try not to get discouraged.
Showing posts with label philosophy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label philosophy. Show all posts
Friday, February 1, 2013
Friday, October 12, 2012
Update
Yes, we've been neglectful. We've actually been back onto good eating habits along with continuing our walks for the last few weeks. My scale broke, but if my pants are an indication, I've lost at least a few little pounds.
Back on track
Things that are hard to get back to resisting: baking (I so LOVE to bake!), putting sauces on food to make them more palatable, and choosing butter OR jam for toast; not both. In comparing stories, I hear much about how people think they are eating better, but can't lose weight. One thing I notice on counting calories is they skip counting cream in coffee, butter on toast, etc, etc. So, this is my official statement to remind people, you must count everything that passes your lips, even if they are hanging on to something else like a little parasite. Low fat, low calorie dressings still add calories to your salad. Nuts may contain good fats, but also a lot of calories. Adding croutons, nuts, raisins, OR bacon bits to a salad can make it more tasty. Adding all of them makes it a hamburger (from the calorie perspective.)
It's all about choices and when you are confining yourself to a strict diet of difficult choices, it makes other things easier to avoid. Today I thought I might treat myself to that leftover cupcake from book club last week. I kept it covered, but took a bite and...it was tasty, but a little dry. Not delectable so I realized that in my moment of weakness I was about to sell out several hundred calories for that disappointment and I threw it away. If I'm going to have a goodie, it better be melt in the mouth, taste-bud party delicious. Otherwise I'll save it for a reliable tasty goodness like my favourite creamer in coffee or a little cheese on my tomato bisque lunch.
Other things: I turned on TV the other day to while away some time while making a Halloween decoration only to be confronted by a certain TV doctor (from over the rainbow?) who I regard highly, but who I do disagree with on rare occasion, touting the evils of artificial sweeteners. Look, I know they aren't good for you, but I still say if you are trying to lose weight, unless you are the rare breed who can change their life completely overnight and not be tempted by anything, then it's a lesser evil. In order to make the whole diet thing doable, I, personally, being a human being with thoughts, feelings, temptations, and weak moments, must have one treat a day to get me through. For me, it's diet soda. Sure I'd do better if I quit the soda, but that's unrealistic. Asking someone to be 100% perfect in how they eat and how much the exercise is the unrealistic bit. For some people, having nutra sweet makes them crave MORE sweets so if that's the case, they shouldn't use this substitute. No one can do our exact diet because it wouldn't work for someone else.
Anyone who wants to eat healthy must hear the news every day and consider becoming anorexic because it's impossible to make sense of one study after another. That being said, This TV Dr. mentioned the cancer risks associated with artificial sweeteners and this bothered me. Just because you've heard something for decades doesn't make it true. The fact is the one study showing cancer risks to mice in the 70s has been dis-proven hundreds of times. I lost the article with the exact numbers, but I assure you it was a reputable source. Besides, artificial sweeteners do not affect diabetes or tooth decay. (I thought it did, but according to a New York Times article comparing sweeteners, they do not! Good to know!)
I have some to realize that the knowledge we gain in high school health class is like basic math. It's find for everyday life, but in order to solve REAL problems (like imbalance, losing weight, gaining weight, making up for allergies, etc) you need to know Calculus Nutrition. I'm becoming a bit more Algebraic Nutritionist with all my research, but the way I live and eat day to day is more remedial. I just feel so bombarded with information saying whatever choice you make is the wrong choice. It's completely overwhelming! Of course, the information they fill our heads with is maintaining perfect nutrition. If you're off, you'll need to compensate, and if you need to lose weight, well, forget it. There really is, imo, no way to lose weight and still eat everything you're supposed to eat. Still, it's better than OVEReating bad fats so I'll only defend the choices to a point.
When you are in a group, especially with women, there will always be that person who has the answer to your problems, too. If you tell them you are doing everything, they will have the key to why you aren't losing weight. They can be wrong, but still convinced because it is what worked for them. There are the ones who convince you it's easy if you just hit the right formula or do this one trick they know.
It does get easier, I'll give them that, but it's not easy. I repeat, is in not easy. Not at any point, and especially at the jumping off point. I think it's the combination of too much BAD information from sources people trust (the news, TV doctors, and uninformed physicians - who act like experts, but let's keep in mind they are required to stay refreshed on their specific specialty and between that, patients, and a personal life are unlikely to become armchair experts in anything else like nutrition), pressure from friends and family, people who make it sound like your social obligation to be thin, and people who make it all sound so easy that sets many people up for failure when it comes to weight loss. At some point, just close your eyes, point, commit to a plan, and follow it no matter what else you learn along the way. Of course if you realize you're not eating foods with potassium, you could adjust your diet to include bananas or if you have low iron, it might be good to pile on spinach to the salad or eat more meat, but every time a study pops up or someone tells you you are doing it wrong is not enough reason to quit or sabotage the plan.
Workouts
Last note, a few weeks ago I was told about a webpage <a href="http://www.skimble.com/">Skimble</a>. It has a great variety of workouts and it's easy to find what you need to focus on. It is designed as a smart phone app, but for those of us who like our phones stupid, it's still easy enough to navigate and do in front of the computer screen. We walk 7 days a week, but I do my other workouts 2-3 times a week (my goal is 3-4, but I have to be proud of every little accomplishment these days!) and I have found mixing these in keeps it lively. Not all require equipment, but many do. It's just another nice resource.
Back on track
Things that are hard to get back to resisting: baking (I so LOVE to bake!), putting sauces on food to make them more palatable, and choosing butter OR jam for toast; not both. In comparing stories, I hear much about how people think they are eating better, but can't lose weight. One thing I notice on counting calories is they skip counting cream in coffee, butter on toast, etc, etc. So, this is my official statement to remind people, you must count everything that passes your lips, even if they are hanging on to something else like a little parasite. Low fat, low calorie dressings still add calories to your salad. Nuts may contain good fats, but also a lot of calories. Adding croutons, nuts, raisins, OR bacon bits to a salad can make it more tasty. Adding all of them makes it a hamburger (from the calorie perspective.)
It's all about choices and when you are confining yourself to a strict diet of difficult choices, it makes other things easier to avoid. Today I thought I might treat myself to that leftover cupcake from book club last week. I kept it covered, but took a bite and...it was tasty, but a little dry. Not delectable so I realized that in my moment of weakness I was about to sell out several hundred calories for that disappointment and I threw it away. If I'm going to have a goodie, it better be melt in the mouth, taste-bud party delicious. Otherwise I'll save it for a reliable tasty goodness like my favourite creamer in coffee or a little cheese on my tomato bisque lunch.
Other things: I turned on TV the other day to while away some time while making a Halloween decoration only to be confronted by a certain TV doctor (from over the rainbow?) who I regard highly, but who I do disagree with on rare occasion, touting the evils of artificial sweeteners. Look, I know they aren't good for you, but I still say if you are trying to lose weight, unless you are the rare breed who can change their life completely overnight and not be tempted by anything, then it's a lesser evil. In order to make the whole diet thing doable, I, personally, being a human being with thoughts, feelings, temptations, and weak moments, must have one treat a day to get me through. For me, it's diet soda. Sure I'd do better if I quit the soda, but that's unrealistic. Asking someone to be 100% perfect in how they eat and how much the exercise is the unrealistic bit. For some people, having nutra sweet makes them crave MORE sweets so if that's the case, they shouldn't use this substitute. No one can do our exact diet because it wouldn't work for someone else.
Anyone who wants to eat healthy must hear the news every day and consider becoming anorexic because it's impossible to make sense of one study after another. That being said, This TV Dr. mentioned the cancer risks associated with artificial sweeteners and this bothered me. Just because you've heard something for decades doesn't make it true. The fact is the one study showing cancer risks to mice in the 70s has been dis-proven hundreds of times. I lost the article with the exact numbers, but I assure you it was a reputable source. Besides, artificial sweeteners do not affect diabetes or tooth decay. (I thought it did, but according to a New York Times article comparing sweeteners, they do not! Good to know!)
I have some to realize that the knowledge we gain in high school health class is like basic math. It's find for everyday life, but in order to solve REAL problems (like imbalance, losing weight, gaining weight, making up for allergies, etc) you need to know Calculus Nutrition. I'm becoming a bit more Algebraic Nutritionist with all my research, but the way I live and eat day to day is more remedial. I just feel so bombarded with information saying whatever choice you make is the wrong choice. It's completely overwhelming! Of course, the information they fill our heads with is maintaining perfect nutrition. If you're off, you'll need to compensate, and if you need to lose weight, well, forget it. There really is, imo, no way to lose weight and still eat everything you're supposed to eat. Still, it's better than OVEReating bad fats so I'll only defend the choices to a point.
When you are in a group, especially with women, there will always be that person who has the answer to your problems, too. If you tell them you are doing everything, they will have the key to why you aren't losing weight. They can be wrong, but still convinced because it is what worked for them. There are the ones who convince you it's easy if you just hit the right formula or do this one trick they know.
It does get easier, I'll give them that, but it's not easy. I repeat, is in not easy. Not at any point, and especially at the jumping off point. I think it's the combination of too much BAD information from sources people trust (the news, TV doctors, and uninformed physicians - who act like experts, but let's keep in mind they are required to stay refreshed on their specific specialty and between that, patients, and a personal life are unlikely to become armchair experts in anything else like nutrition), pressure from friends and family, people who make it sound like your social obligation to be thin, and people who make it all sound so easy that sets many people up for failure when it comes to weight loss. At some point, just close your eyes, point, commit to a plan, and follow it no matter what else you learn along the way. Of course if you realize you're not eating foods with potassium, you could adjust your diet to include bananas or if you have low iron, it might be good to pile on spinach to the salad or eat more meat, but every time a study pops up or someone tells you you are doing it wrong is not enough reason to quit or sabotage the plan.
Workouts
Last note, a few weeks ago I was told about a webpage <a href="http://www.skimble.com/">Skimble</a>. It has a great variety of workouts and it's easy to find what you need to focus on. It is designed as a smart phone app, but for those of us who like our phones stupid, it's still easy enough to navigate and do in front of the computer screen. We walk 7 days a week, but I do my other workouts 2-3 times a week (my goal is 3-4, but I have to be proud of every little accomplishment these days!) and I have found mixing these in keeps it lively. Not all require equipment, but many do. It's just another nice resource.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Less update, more rant.
Sometimes it feels like we're all so busy trying to find ways to be offended by other's words and actions that we don't even hear each other anymore. Sometimes is feels like we are all so full of complaints that we don't have any room in our lives to worry about other people's pain.
I'm loathe to say I'm actually offended, but even well intentioned friends and family members can say things that are annoying and upsetting. This is going in this blog mainly because I stand by my opinion that my weight loss is mine and mine alone. Just because it's something you notice outwardly doesn't really give you the right to decide whether or not I'm allowed to put on a couple of pounds.
Word of advice, though. Taking a break seems like a great idea after you've lost 100 lbs, but getting back on the wagon is really, really difficult.
Btw, it is made so much easier (sarcasm alert!) when you over hear conversations about your weight and such or when a friend makes a comment right to you face.
Also, using the excuse that you only care because I (we) seem happier only means you have no idea what's been going on lately. Bullshit that it's about our health or happiness. I don't see you smacking that candy bar out of a skinny person's hand and saying it's about their health and happiness. I still believe people are more driven by what's aesthetically pleasing than really caring about their health.
The fact is, we're eating pretty well, just not perfectly. We're exercising every day. Losing weight is an all or nothing commitment and if you aren't going to count calories and commit to reducing them from previous eating habits, then you can be eating healthy, exercising, and still not lose weight. Some people just have to eat better to drop lbs. For others, it is a 100% commitment of time and energy. This is the exhaustion that led us to our current "break". We treat ourselves too much when we are out with friends, but no one can see how meager we eat at home. It's just not balancing out, but that's still our choices, not yours to make.
I'm loathe to say I'm actually offended, but even well intentioned friends and family members can say things that are annoying and upsetting. This is going in this blog mainly because I stand by my opinion that my weight loss is mine and mine alone. Just because it's something you notice outwardly doesn't really give you the right to decide whether or not I'm allowed to put on a couple of pounds.
Word of advice, though. Taking a break seems like a great idea after you've lost 100 lbs, but getting back on the wagon is really, really difficult.
Btw, it is made so much easier (sarcasm alert!) when you over hear conversations about your weight and such or when a friend makes a comment right to you face.
Also, using the excuse that you only care because I (we) seem happier only means you have no idea what's been going on lately. Bullshit that it's about our health or happiness. I don't see you smacking that candy bar out of a skinny person's hand and saying it's about their health and happiness. I still believe people are more driven by what's aesthetically pleasing than really caring about their health.
The fact is, we're eating pretty well, just not perfectly. We're exercising every day. Losing weight is an all or nothing commitment and if you aren't going to count calories and commit to reducing them from previous eating habits, then you can be eating healthy, exercising, and still not lose weight. Some people just have to eat better to drop lbs. For others, it is a 100% commitment of time and energy. This is the exhaustion that led us to our current "break". We treat ourselves too much when we are out with friends, but no one can see how meager we eat at home. It's just not balancing out, but that's still our choices, not yours to make.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Reflection.
I'm just reflecting on what makes a good day. Yesterday was a good day. We did a few fun things that involved exercise. I twisted my ankle, but today has proven it's not as bad as I feared (swollen, tender, but clearly not anything too serious). We spent time with awesome people during the afternoon and then again at night. We ate fondue and seven layer dip for dinner.
When you are on a weight loss plan, you forget that good days should not be measured by how far you walked or how many minutes you spent doing aerobics. Instead it should be remembered as walking to the school and playing on the playground set with your kids. A good day is not one in which you only ate your allotted calories with specified ratio of fats to protein and number of vegetables. It should be remembered as enjoying that seven layer dip and fondue because it is so rare that you eat those things, it becomes a treat.
This is the most difficult part of the balance. Weight loss is not a life style change unless you want to become a person whose good days and bad days are measured by what you ate and how much you exercised instead of how much you enjoyed your foods and who you spent time with. The part that can be "lifestyle" related is integrating these things into your day.
It becomes bigger than the rut we fall into. First, you find yourself coming home from work, turning in the television, and only turning it off to go to bed. Society demonizes this as laziness. A person who comes home and reads all night is just as lazy, but more accepted because in the end, it isn't about laziness. It is about forming a habit that does not lead to social interaction. If you have a significant other or kids, it is so much easier to bond with them by having the daily habit of following work with a nice long walk or a game of Let's Dance on the Wii. If you live alone, find someone else who lives alone and create a walking group.
I would still love more interaction with my spouse than what we have now, but it has been a great stride toward that simply by finding opportunities to spend more time away from the house. One of the ways we do that is by going for our walks which get longer as our health improves.
Second, the rut becomes wanting those thing we enjoy eating more and more often. By not eating those things, when we do treat ourselves, they taste ten times better. Laying off is not only about what we put into our bodies for health, it is also a way to enjoy those things even more. The funny part is that some of the fatty foods don't taste good to me at all now so even fewer of the things I once enjoyed are things I even want when I am heading for a treat.
So again, I reiterate, it isn't a lifestyle change. It is a mentality. Start thinking differently and eventually that is the way you will think. Act differently and eventually it is the way you will act.
I am trying to put my thoughts into words. We have used the term "maintaining" and the phrase "taking a break" to explain where we are at right now. People want to know what we are doing to lose weight because it doesn't seem to be working right now. Well, we could say that we are watching what we eat and continuing our activity levels in order to maintain, but for me, at least, that isn't exactly true. I am not gaining weight, it is true, but I check it less often because I'm not going anywhere very quickly. Maybe it is taking a break, but it's mostly taking a break from thinking about it. The habit of a daily walk is now so necessary and refreshing that we go for the walk every day because we want fresh air and to escape the mundane house. We eat what we want and I try to steer my tastes toward things that aren't too salty or sweet so that when I am at a holiday party (of which there will be many this season!) I can enjoy the variety provided there. We are not on a maintenance plan, we are simply sitting in a general weight range because we now think differently enough about what we eat and what activities we do that we can just rest on those new habits.
This could easily become falling back into old habits, of course, so a small amount of thought does go into those things each day. It is still good to monitor the weight and use it as a reminder that we don't want to fall back into those bad habits.
We do intend to return to the more strict regime in the future. I won't use the holidays as an excuse because we did pretty well during the holidays last year, but I think we just felt so burned out by the constant thoughts, that we need to remember who we are without the weight loss before we will feel ready to push ourselves again. That's okay. You wouldn't think so because of the sheer number of people who ask what we're doing now, how much we've lost recently, and, of course (my pet peeve) offering unsolicited advice on how we can lose more, but it really is okay!
It has always been my advice to take yourself away from a situation that is burning you out if you can because it only takes willpower to return. Willpower is difficult at time, but in the end, you have control over it. If you continue to push and push, you will burn out completely and never return. In fact, it is my belief that burning out completely is what leads to a return of bad habits more quickly - because you worked too hard and now all your brain wants are the things that are bad for you. It is better to keep yourself in check and if you can't think about it right now, just step away and return refreshed instead of keeping your head in the game until you just can't think about it anymore.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
A few words about depression.
About 5 years ago when I joined Curves, they gave me a book. I brought it home and it sat around for a couple of months before I read it and when I finally did, I found a lot of information I had heard before. After years of being overweight, you become an arm chair expert on losing weight whether you like it or not. Everyone has advice. Pretty soon you start sorting out the information based on source and practicality. The rest of it gets filed away and dismissed because it's a bunch of hooey. Still, you hear it all. The book had very little "new" information to share, but it did start out by offending me with its chapter about how eating is immature because it is giving in. Whatever! It's called survival instinct whether a person overeats or not. It's about limits. Calling eaters immature is a rude, bullying tactic - something I recognize quickly after years of school bullying.
Anyway, at the end of the book, it claimed to be reporting a series of studies showing how exercise affected depression. The source they used had three groups; one that was on anti-depressant medication, one which combined medication and exercise, and the third used exercise alone to control depression. According to them, of course, because we must sell, sell, sell the gym, they reported that the third group had the most success.
I've dealt with depression, too, and have gotten pretty damn good at hiding it. I've heard eating right and exercise is all a person needs to get over it. I've heard many things relating the two, actually. Reading it in that book gave me so much hope - I pinned everything on it.
Today I would like to say to all those people who say exercise will help with depression: You are all liars. LIARS. After a number of months at Curves, the depression started to settle in. I tried doing things for other people. I tried eating better. I tried exercising even more. I feel sure it wasn't related to my weight or weight loss because it wasn't something that came up when I felt bad, nor did thinking about those things make me feel worse. I just felt blue, then down, then worse and nothing helped. Nothing in my life gave cause for this (just to dispell people who think only when bad things happen to a person do they have the right to be depressed) it was just there like a dark shadow.
Well, maybe I have reason now, but my life is pretty good. I have kept exercising great. Yeah, I haven't been perfect on my diet, but I'm not eating a ton of bad stuff (except when I'm at parties. I don't know what it is, but I'm allowing myself to indulge when I'm in a party setting more than I had been). At home and most of the time, I eat within my calories and even when I go over, there are quite a few great things I'm eating so the bad isn't a bunch of Twinkies or potato chips. Still, it's been bad. Bad enough that I look back at that time at Curves and look at things now and have two cases where I can confirm YOU ARE ALL LIARS. It is ridiculous to think a fat person is depressed because of how they eat or how much they exercise. No one would accuse a skinny person of the same thing.
I don't want to talk about it too much, really, but trying to claw my way out is just as exhausting as being depressed in the first place. Still, I think I've pretty well established my reluctance for medical help no matter how bad things get. Hey, next time I almost bleed to death, I promise to go to a hospital.
Anyway, at the end of the book, it claimed to be reporting a series of studies showing how exercise affected depression. The source they used had three groups; one that was on anti-depressant medication, one which combined medication and exercise, and the third used exercise alone to control depression. According to them, of course, because we must sell, sell, sell the gym, they reported that the third group had the most success.
I've dealt with depression, too, and have gotten pretty damn good at hiding it. I've heard eating right and exercise is all a person needs to get over it. I've heard many things relating the two, actually. Reading it in that book gave me so much hope - I pinned everything on it.
Today I would like to say to all those people who say exercise will help with depression: You are all liars. LIARS. After a number of months at Curves, the depression started to settle in. I tried doing things for other people. I tried eating better. I tried exercising even more. I feel sure it wasn't related to my weight or weight loss because it wasn't something that came up when I felt bad, nor did thinking about those things make me feel worse. I just felt blue, then down, then worse and nothing helped. Nothing in my life gave cause for this (just to dispell people who think only when bad things happen to a person do they have the right to be depressed) it was just there like a dark shadow.
Well, maybe I have reason now, but my life is pretty good. I have kept exercising great. Yeah, I haven't been perfect on my diet, but I'm not eating a ton of bad stuff (except when I'm at parties. I don't know what it is, but I'm allowing myself to indulge when I'm in a party setting more than I had been). At home and most of the time, I eat within my calories and even when I go over, there are quite a few great things I'm eating so the bad isn't a bunch of Twinkies or potato chips. Still, it's been bad. Bad enough that I look back at that time at Curves and look at things now and have two cases where I can confirm YOU ARE ALL LIARS. It is ridiculous to think a fat person is depressed because of how they eat or how much they exercise. No one would accuse a skinny person of the same thing.
I don't want to talk about it too much, really, but trying to claw my way out is just as exhausting as being depressed in the first place. Still, I think I've pretty well established my reluctance for medical help no matter how bad things get. Hey, next time I almost bleed to death, I promise to go to a hospital.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Baking
I miss baking so much. I didn't even bake all that much a couple years ago, just time to time, but I haven't wanted to waste any calories on goodies so I haven't baked much of anything all year. Finally decided I had to bake this excellent pumpkin cake recipe I got (Thanks, Becky!!) and it made me return to baking.
I've invented a new lime cupcake which people seem to enjoy (naughty baking recipes will appear on a different webpage) and today I'll be making zucchini bread.
What does this have to do with this blog?
Of course it's okay to have a treat once in a while. It's when you have one every day or multiple in a day that your hips and thighs begin to look like jodhpurs. The solution is easy. We all know people who love treats and aren't watching their caloric intake. Give them away! I've been spreading the love, a few here and a few there, so as not to dump a whole bunch of sweets on any one person, but allowing everyone to have that once in a while treat. I'll be doing the zucchini bread in small pans so that I can offer just a few servings.
Point is, I love the baking part and am so glad I can do it and still find will power to give the delicious goodies away.
Have lost a couple more pounds. Progress is slow going, but it's still the right direction and I feel pretty great which, we remind ourselves constantly, is the real goal.
I've invented a new lime cupcake which people seem to enjoy (naughty baking recipes will appear on a different webpage) and today I'll be making zucchini bread.
What does this have to do with this blog?
Of course it's okay to have a treat once in a while. It's when you have one every day or multiple in a day that your hips and thighs begin to look like jodhpurs. The solution is easy. We all know people who love treats and aren't watching their caloric intake. Give them away! I've been spreading the love, a few here and a few there, so as not to dump a whole bunch of sweets on any one person, but allowing everyone to have that once in a while treat. I'll be doing the zucchini bread in small pans so that I can offer just a few servings.
Point is, I love the baking part and am so glad I can do it and still find will power to give the delicious goodies away.
Have lost a couple more pounds. Progress is slow going, but it's still the right direction and I feel pretty great which, we remind ourselves constantly, is the real goal.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Back to Blog
We fell off "the wagon."
Actually, we held hands and jumped off. We still ate reasonably, but no counting calories. Scott went for short walks, I...did what I could, working up to longer walks. This means we gained a few pounds over the last few weeks.
Everyone is surprised I didn't lose weight after surgery. I think that's only for people who spend the first two weeks in hospital, but with this modern age of "drive-thru surgery" as I've heard it termed, we spend more time recuperating at home where lovely friends and family help out by bringing delicious foods. Meanwhile, there's too much pain in discomfort to walk the miles a day I did before. Of course I gained weight. I know some people can keep weight off just by walking a little. We all know people who can keep weight off by eating reasonably even if they don't exercise much. If that worked for me, this diet and activity regimen we are on wouldn't be necessary.
Getting back on the bandwagon can be difficult, too. I don't know why. Every day starts out great, but by end of day, I'm famished and craving things I haven't even craved for a long time. Still, the exercise part has been easy to re-commit to. In fact, this week I walked one mile in the morning and another in the evening. Doing two miles at once would probably be hard on me, but splitting it up means I get a good workout every day without too much discomfort. I'm not quite up to our old speed, but I'm close. Now I've lost all but two of the pounds I put on while I was laid up. It's definitely time to start eating better in the evenings. Even eating a couple things I know I shouldn't each day, I'm still under 2,000 calories (except one or two days where I went to an event and threw caution to the wind) so with exercise it goes to show your body does learn to adjust.
Meanwhile, I've noticed a few things.
1) The three step program. Several commercials, ad campaigns, and books advertise that losing weight is a three step program. Eat right. Exercise. Buy My Product.
I mentioned this to Scott saying it's actually a two step program of eating better and being more active. The whole point I'm trying to make with this blog and with life is that it doesn't take money to do everything. Spending money on a program might make certain people commit to a program, but if you are truly ready in mind and spirit, spending money doesn't have to enter into it. Walking, hiking, borrowing friends' exercise equipment (everyone knows someone with a neglected treadmill!) costs less than a gym membership. Taking the time to figure out what and when to eat costs less than weight watchers. Yes, it's more work and in this busy world, we have to make time for it, but for some, just doing the work makes it enough to commit.
Well, having decided that it was a two step program, Scott and I we saw a billboard with syndicated characters (I want to say Mickey Mouse and friends, but I can't recall for sure now) who had the ultimate three step version which I would gladly endorse.
Eat healthy. Be Active. Have Fun.
Don't forget that last step! It is certainly the most important.
2) Several self-help health "gurus" are really bothering me. The new comment making its rounds is that overeating is immature. They talk about how giving in to a craving is childish and tell people to "grow up".
Of course, I hate it because they are attacking me so I automatically want to disagree, but I do have an argument against their propaganda that I think is fairly sound.
All animals eat. If you put a dish of cat food and a can of tuna in front of a cat, what are they going to eat? The cat food is healthier for them, but we all know they'll gorge on tuna. It's base animal need to eat and it's basic animal instinct to eat what tastes good. This isn't about maturity unless you are going to say a woman desiring sex when she's ovulating is also immature.
What's immature, really, is thinking that we are so important that we have to answer our cell phone calls as soon as they come in - no matter what we are doing. To me, maturity is demonstrated when a person understands and accepts consequences for their actions. Believing you can talk on a cell phone whilst driving and still give 100% to both is ignoring the fact that there could be consequences for your actions. Dismissing a person's human struggles by calling them childish and immature is a bit of a bullying tactic.
The latest "guru" I heard using this tactic was a motivational speaker pushing his book on the news. This isn't news, kids. This is a guy who has worked to make money without working by persuading and probably bullying people into thinking they are stupid if they don't agree with him. Of course, my experience with motivational speakers so far is that you take a dash of charisma, a modicum of logic, and a lot of useless words to convince people you are right when, if you are smart enough (and MATURE enough) to see the bigger picture, you realize their logic is flawed, their charisma is fake, and their words contradict each other as much as they try to hide reality. It is also my opinion that 90% of self-help books are just mass market motivational speaking. "If I write a book with my 'hook' (a line that is useless and nonsensical, but sounds good and is often catchy so people remember it even if it's lame. The Secret springs to mind...) I can reach millions with my garbage and even if it is garbage, I'm $1,000,000 richer so who cares?" They don't care about your health and well being. They care about their money. It's a get rich quick scheme that is sadly working the world over because people need an answer. The want it to be easy and quick so badly that they will pay anything for it.
It's hard to believe that it really is just as easy as eating better and exercising more. I know that. For years I couldn't figure that out because I ate somewhat healthy and exercised some. It just wasn't enough. If it's not working, eat even healthier (cut more calories or substitute more carbohydrate-high foods for broccoli and protein) and exercise even more (find more activities to do or get heart rate a bit higher). Of course, this is still just my opinion. If you listen to it without question, then I'll become one of those loathe-some motivational speakers...
Actually, we held hands and jumped off. We still ate reasonably, but no counting calories. Scott went for short walks, I...did what I could, working up to longer walks. This means we gained a few pounds over the last few weeks.
Everyone is surprised I didn't lose weight after surgery. I think that's only for people who spend the first two weeks in hospital, but with this modern age of "drive-thru surgery" as I've heard it termed, we spend more time recuperating at home where lovely friends and family help out by bringing delicious foods. Meanwhile, there's too much pain in discomfort to walk the miles a day I did before. Of course I gained weight. I know some people can keep weight off just by walking a little. We all know people who can keep weight off by eating reasonably even if they don't exercise much. If that worked for me, this diet and activity regimen we are on wouldn't be necessary.
Getting back on the bandwagon can be difficult, too. I don't know why. Every day starts out great, but by end of day, I'm famished and craving things I haven't even craved for a long time. Still, the exercise part has been easy to re-commit to. In fact, this week I walked one mile in the morning and another in the evening. Doing two miles at once would probably be hard on me, but splitting it up means I get a good workout every day without too much discomfort. I'm not quite up to our old speed, but I'm close. Now I've lost all but two of the pounds I put on while I was laid up. It's definitely time to start eating better in the evenings. Even eating a couple things I know I shouldn't each day, I'm still under 2,000 calories (except one or two days where I went to an event and threw caution to the wind) so with exercise it goes to show your body does learn to adjust.
Meanwhile, I've noticed a few things.
1) The three step program. Several commercials, ad campaigns, and books advertise that losing weight is a three step program. Eat right. Exercise. Buy My Product.
I mentioned this to Scott saying it's actually a two step program of eating better and being more active. The whole point I'm trying to make with this blog and with life is that it doesn't take money to do everything. Spending money on a program might make certain people commit to a program, but if you are truly ready in mind and spirit, spending money doesn't have to enter into it. Walking, hiking, borrowing friends' exercise equipment (everyone knows someone with a neglected treadmill!) costs less than a gym membership. Taking the time to figure out what and when to eat costs less than weight watchers. Yes, it's more work and in this busy world, we have to make time for it, but for some, just doing the work makes it enough to commit.
Well, having decided that it was a two step program, Scott and I we saw a billboard with syndicated characters (I want to say Mickey Mouse and friends, but I can't recall for sure now) who had the ultimate three step version which I would gladly endorse.
Eat healthy. Be Active. Have Fun.
Don't forget that last step! It is certainly the most important.
2) Several self-help health "gurus" are really bothering me. The new comment making its rounds is that overeating is immature. They talk about how giving in to a craving is childish and tell people to "grow up".
Of course, I hate it because they are attacking me so I automatically want to disagree, but I do have an argument against their propaganda that I think is fairly sound.
All animals eat. If you put a dish of cat food and a can of tuna in front of a cat, what are they going to eat? The cat food is healthier for them, but we all know they'll gorge on tuna. It's base animal need to eat and it's basic animal instinct to eat what tastes good. This isn't about maturity unless you are going to say a woman desiring sex when she's ovulating is also immature.
What's immature, really, is thinking that we are so important that we have to answer our cell phone calls as soon as they come in - no matter what we are doing. To me, maturity is demonstrated when a person understands and accepts consequences for their actions. Believing you can talk on a cell phone whilst driving and still give 100% to both is ignoring the fact that there could be consequences for your actions. Dismissing a person's human struggles by calling them childish and immature is a bit of a bullying tactic.
The latest "guru" I heard using this tactic was a motivational speaker pushing his book on the news. This isn't news, kids. This is a guy who has worked to make money without working by persuading and probably bullying people into thinking they are stupid if they don't agree with him. Of course, my experience with motivational speakers so far is that you take a dash of charisma, a modicum of logic, and a lot of useless words to convince people you are right when, if you are smart enough (and MATURE enough) to see the bigger picture, you realize their logic is flawed, their charisma is fake, and their words contradict each other as much as they try to hide reality. It is also my opinion that 90% of self-help books are just mass market motivational speaking. "If I write a book with my 'hook' (a line that is useless and nonsensical, but sounds good and is often catchy so people remember it even if it's lame. The Secret springs to mind...) I can reach millions with my garbage and even if it is garbage, I'm $1,000,000 richer so who cares?" They don't care about your health and well being. They care about their money. It's a get rich quick scheme that is sadly working the world over because people need an answer. The want it to be easy and quick so badly that they will pay anything for it.
It's hard to believe that it really is just as easy as eating better and exercising more. I know that. For years I couldn't figure that out because I ate somewhat healthy and exercised some. It just wasn't enough. If it's not working, eat even healthier (cut more calories or substitute more carbohydrate-high foods for broccoli and protein) and exercise even more (find more activities to do or get heart rate a bit higher). Of course, this is still just my opinion. If you listen to it without question, then I'll become one of those loathe-some motivational speakers...
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Plateaus (or trouble getting started)
I know it seems crazy for me to put more advice out there while I'm cutting back on exercise and only barely able to keep from gaining (none so far, but I feel like it's just around the corner...The longer I go without exercise, the easier it is to skip it.)
If you are stuck on a plateau, however, or if you are starting a regimen and not seeing results, there are a few things you can try. I have found some of these to be very helpful, but I would recommend trying them in the following order.
1. Reassess:
A. Look again at what you are eating. Are you counting all calories? Mayo added to a sandwich must be counted along with all the incidentals we sometimes forget. A lot of seasonings are zero calories, but check those mixtures. A packet of onion soup mix added to your yogurt dip is 50 calories. "I'm just going to have a couple of my kid's french fries" turns into 6-10 fries? Count it. I am pretty lax about counting calories now (I will eat 2 fries and not count them), but in the beginning or when re-booting your eating habits, it is important to count every little item. If you haven't changed your caloric intake, but you've lost a few pounds, it might also be time to cut another 200 calories. Just remember; according to most medical advice and nutritionists, you should eat at least 1200 calories a day. If you were eating 1200 calories and you think that's the problem, you may have to skip to the last resort (below).
B. Are you still exercising the same as when you began? We started going for walks, but have slowly increased speed. At one point, we both slowed weight loss so much that it was practically stable. That meant it was time to add distance. If you've become accustomed to your workout, it might be time to push a little harder or add a little more. Second idea, change it out. I also found that by adding some strength training into my routine 2-3 times a week, it jump started me back onto the path.
2. Stress:
Easier said than done, that's for certain, but try to reduce stress levels. Sometimes this requires looking over aspects of your life and reminding yourself not to worry about the things you cannot change. At the very least, if you are worried about a plateau, then you may be covered in stress you can control. Relax and just start over with your thoughts on why you started, what your goals might be, etc. Look at how far you have come and find joy in simple things.
3. Last resort:
If you still cannot seem to boost things along, you may have to take a break. Keep counting calories, only eat more. Add a few hundred to your allowance and make sure you eat that much for 3-5 days and no more. If you have been eating 1800-2000 calories, bump up to 2500. If you have been with us and only eating 1200, bump up to 1800-2000. After that time, cut your calories again and push your exercise routine just a little.
It can be frustrating at times, but I do believe results are possible. I used to think I was one of those people who couldn't lose weight because I did try diet and exercise as well as a few other fad tactics, but either it wasn't successful or it was impossible to sustain. It takes great commitment and sometimes you have to repair your body and mind in order to be ready to lose weight, but I now believe it can happen. Whatever method you choose, make sure you can maintain and sustain.
If you are stuck on a plateau, however, or if you are starting a regimen and not seeing results, there are a few things you can try. I have found some of these to be very helpful, but I would recommend trying them in the following order.
1. Reassess:
A. Look again at what you are eating. Are you counting all calories? Mayo added to a sandwich must be counted along with all the incidentals we sometimes forget. A lot of seasonings are zero calories, but check those mixtures. A packet of onion soup mix added to your yogurt dip is 50 calories. "I'm just going to have a couple of my kid's french fries" turns into 6-10 fries? Count it. I am pretty lax about counting calories now (I will eat 2 fries and not count them), but in the beginning or when re-booting your eating habits, it is important to count every little item. If you haven't changed your caloric intake, but you've lost a few pounds, it might also be time to cut another 200 calories. Just remember; according to most medical advice and nutritionists, you should eat at least 1200 calories a day. If you were eating 1200 calories and you think that's the problem, you may have to skip to the last resort (below).
B. Are you still exercising the same as when you began? We started going for walks, but have slowly increased speed. At one point, we both slowed weight loss so much that it was practically stable. That meant it was time to add distance. If you've become accustomed to your workout, it might be time to push a little harder or add a little more. Second idea, change it out. I also found that by adding some strength training into my routine 2-3 times a week, it jump started me back onto the path.
2. Stress:
Easier said than done, that's for certain, but try to reduce stress levels. Sometimes this requires looking over aspects of your life and reminding yourself not to worry about the things you cannot change. At the very least, if you are worried about a plateau, then you may be covered in stress you can control. Relax and just start over with your thoughts on why you started, what your goals might be, etc. Look at how far you have come and find joy in simple things.
3. Last resort:
If you still cannot seem to boost things along, you may have to take a break. Keep counting calories, only eat more. Add a few hundred to your allowance and make sure you eat that much for 3-5 days and no more. If you have been eating 1800-2000 calories, bump up to 2500. If you have been with us and only eating 1200, bump up to 1800-2000. After that time, cut your calories again and push your exercise routine just a little.
It can be frustrating at times, but I do believe results are possible. I used to think I was one of those people who couldn't lose weight because I did try diet and exercise as well as a few other fad tactics, but either it wasn't successful or it was impossible to sustain. It takes great commitment and sometimes you have to repair your body and mind in order to be ready to lose weight, but I now believe it can happen. Whatever method you choose, make sure you can maintain and sustain.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
The truth about 'obesity'
I'm not saying that if you are obese, you don't need to lose weight. I'm not saying there isn't something to the numbers of overweight and obese people in the world. Unfortunately, I caught an episode of The Talk today (I don't typically watch these types of shows; partly because they are shallow, but mostly because they get me riled up) so what I am going to say is that I believe there is a certain amount of publicity out there that is working AGAINST us, not FOR us.
Let's start with the truth about the supposed increase in obesity. Twenty years ago obesity was measured on a scale of body mass percentage. Now with the misapplication of BMI (an index originally used as a scientific statistical tool which does not take into account bone structure, muscle, or other factors such as the amount of fat a woman is supposed to carry in comparison to men!) the new scale has increased the number of people who would qualify as overweight by up to 50% according to medical websites. This accounts for nearly the entire statistical increase of overweight, obese, and morbidly obese people.
Let's turn to the episode of The Talk I made the mistake of watching today. I don't mean to pick on anyone - the only reason I would turn to the show ever is that I have secretly paid attention to Holly Robinson since starring in 21 Jumpstreet (great show!), I always thought Leah Remini did great guest spots on comedies, Sara Gilbert played the best "depressed teen" for years - so much that I watched Roseanne even though I didn't really like the show, and Sharon Osborne's accent is just plain entertaining - but I'm going to name names in order to keep things straight.
They begin by showing the current cover of Men's Health magazine. On the cover is some congressman with his shirt open and his sexy abs looking nicely oiled. I was not offended by the nice body, of course, but the comments that followed brought to my attention the way that we use weight to justify shallow opinions! Candace Cameron Bure, guest hosting, started by saying something along the lines of "he's bringing awareness to obesity." No! He is flaunting a well toned body, but that is not linked to obesity. Working out until you have that kind of toned muscle; applying oils to make the appearance even more aesthetically pleasing, choosing the open shirt and that particular pose - these are all things that have nothing to do with health or bringing awareness to anything other than the fact that he has a nice body. No matter what you say, posing like a model simply does not relate to weight issues. It's shallow. I am not in better health because I buy nice shoes, am I? No, but they make my feet pretty and I want to show them off so I will wear them and claim it's about health and somehow it becomes a less arrogant quest.
Am I the only one who sometimes feels like people jump on the anti-obese bandwagon because they don't want to look at fat people? They are often not pretty to look at so if we focus instead on "health", then we can guilt fatties into losing weight so they are more pleasing to look in the eye. No one asks a thin person about their health. No one assumes a thin person has health problems even though there is a large percentage of the 'thin' population that is malnourished and there are many people who don't exercise or eat properly.
Holly Robinson Peete went on to say that the magazine cover is not an exploitation because she likes his abs, she likes abs, and she likes looking at a six pack. Right, but it is an exploitation because his abs are not and should not be the reason why we vote for him.
Julie Chen claimed that seeing him like that might encourage her to look at the issues. I think she gives way to much credit to the public. Again, people vote on aesthetic appearance whether they should or not and frankly, he's exploiting that with his appearance. He's clinched the deal for the next election, imo, by knowing which part of himself to sell. A sad reality in which we live...
In the next segment, the ladies took on an Atlanta ad campaign where a child stands before the camera and says she doesn't like going to school because the kids tease her for being bigger than they. Not that it makes a lot of difference, but the child they showed is not nearly as obese as some kids I've seen. They chose one who was pleasantly plump so that you wouldn't automatically turn away. The campaign then goes on to post statistics that are disputable; the percentage of kids who are now considered obese (see above for change in definition), the number of kids who are overweight in Atlanta (again based on the new definition by which, I might mention, George Clooney is overweight in comparison to his height), and the fact that kids will not live as long as their parents.
In a previous post, I mentioned that it's about the example we set. Of course we want to be good role models for our children, but we also need to let our children be children. Instead what we are doing with an ad like this is saying that it's okay for children to intimidate other children if they are fat because fat is unacceptable. We are also telling kids that if they are overweight, they should feel bad about themselves. Somehow we think this will jolt them into better eating habits, but the fact is, a child does not know how to deal with this pain. They do not think like adults. They don't have the same control over their lives that an adult does, therefore the only way to make themselves better is to escape into a world of television and video games (T.V. never teases a child) and food. It is my perception that this only increases the problem until they become adults with such a huge weight problem, the idea of turning it around is incredibly intimidating.
I talked about the booklet I received from school for my daughter, too. I feel like it also gave unrealistic expectations that would just cause a child to feel bad about himself or herself if she can't keep up. What's the incentive of a child who has little control over his or her life to improve things when the expectations are so high? I simply don't think that the information is being presented appropriately to encourage healthy choices in children. We brainwash them with adult thoughts and don't really account for balance.
As for obese children not outliving their parents, the statistics claim that obesity may only reduce lifespan by a few months. Others claim it could be up to ten. The problem here is that there is no solid information and all studies are disputable to the point that it may not shorten life spans at all! Additionally, evidence does show that many obese children have obese parents - therefore if there is a link, their parents likely have the same problem working against them.
After that had been covered, a comment was tossed out that obesity is linked to cancer, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. The links to cancer and strokes are tenuous at best and because the studies have been focused on weight, I think the attitude is dismissive. No where near the money is tossed at studies that try to make these links between anything other than weight so by blaming it all on weight, we may be missing other important and preventative factors. As for type 2 diabetes, it is linked much more strongly with a sedentary lifestyle than obesity. It looks like it is related to obesity because many large people are sedentary and have trouble processing sugars, but if that were the case, then only obese people would have type 2 diabetes. The truth is, there are many people with type 2 diabetes who are and always have been thin.
Next, Leah Remini spoke about her child and how "she wants the white pasta, she wants the carbs, she wants the bad stuff. CARBS ARE NOT BAD! Pasta is all right. It’s the serving size that is the problem. Read the labels. You can still give her the food she likes, just in portion control. Jane loves pasta and sauce, but we don't serve it with garlic bread or added meat anymore. By pre-measuring the pasta and sauce instead of having them both self serve, we find a normal serving size to be plenty filling. Save the garlic bread for another night so you don't overdo the carbs, but we need to stop thinking they are bad just by existing.
Leah then went on to say that she can't change her daughter because she has already introduced these foods. I get where she is coming from, but you don't know until you try. Jane likes a lot of the substituted foods we eat in this house - even some I was certain she wouldn't. When it comes to other things, we make compromises and keep trying things until she is happy as well. It's not easy, but it can be done if you care enough about your child's health to go through the process.
Right before the end of the segment, Holly then went on to say that it needs to be more convenient. Well, it is, but you have to get over the brainwashing we have going on. A happy meal with chicken nuggets, apples, and apple juice is quite healthy. Take some time to sit on the internet and look up other drive through menus. Salads are not automatically a good choice, but there are a few good ones out there. Seeing the Arby's version of the chicken salad sandwich is not the same as the Subway Apply Orchard (with the added mayo, nuts, etc, it is higher calorie). A burger at Wendy's might be lower calorie than a similar one at McDonald's. If you really care, take the time to look them up so you can still grab a bite in a hurry.
Of course, I have this whole idea that has nothing to do with weight loss, too. If you're getting fast food all the time and claiming that it's because of time, maybe it's time to slow down your life. We do not need to be running a race that doesn't allow time to enjoy a meal. In fact, if you enjoy your food, you tend not to need as much of it. Slow down! It is okay to skip signing your kid up for every sport and just encourage them to ride their bike around the block with you. It is okay to find time to relax at least a few days a week.
In the end, it's about excuses. As long as we keep making excuses, we are not ready to change our eating habits. A person either changes them or doesn't. Commit.
*Not a proper bibliography, but a bulk of my information comes from USA Today and The New York Times, both of which quoted doctors, scientists, and the New England Journal of Medicine.
Let's start with the truth about the supposed increase in obesity. Twenty years ago obesity was measured on a scale of body mass percentage. Now with the misapplication of BMI (an index originally used as a scientific statistical tool which does not take into account bone structure, muscle, or other factors such as the amount of fat a woman is supposed to carry in comparison to men!) the new scale has increased the number of people who would qualify as overweight by up to 50% according to medical websites. This accounts for nearly the entire statistical increase of overweight, obese, and morbidly obese people.
Let's turn to the episode of The Talk I made the mistake of watching today. I don't mean to pick on anyone - the only reason I would turn to the show ever is that I have secretly paid attention to Holly Robinson since starring in 21 Jumpstreet (great show!), I always thought Leah Remini did great guest spots on comedies, Sara Gilbert played the best "depressed teen" for years - so much that I watched Roseanne even though I didn't really like the show, and Sharon Osborne's accent is just plain entertaining - but I'm going to name names in order to keep things straight.
They begin by showing the current cover of Men's Health magazine. On the cover is some congressman with his shirt open and his sexy abs looking nicely oiled. I was not offended by the nice body, of course, but the comments that followed brought to my attention the way that we use weight to justify shallow opinions! Candace Cameron Bure, guest hosting, started by saying something along the lines of "he's bringing awareness to obesity." No! He is flaunting a well toned body, but that is not linked to obesity. Working out until you have that kind of toned muscle; applying oils to make the appearance even more aesthetically pleasing, choosing the open shirt and that particular pose - these are all things that have nothing to do with health or bringing awareness to anything other than the fact that he has a nice body. No matter what you say, posing like a model simply does not relate to weight issues. It's shallow. I am not in better health because I buy nice shoes, am I? No, but they make my feet pretty and I want to show them off so I will wear them and claim it's about health and somehow it becomes a less arrogant quest.
Am I the only one who sometimes feels like people jump on the anti-obese bandwagon because they don't want to look at fat people? They are often not pretty to look at so if we focus instead on "health", then we can guilt fatties into losing weight so they are more pleasing to look in the eye. No one asks a thin person about their health. No one assumes a thin person has health problems even though there is a large percentage of the 'thin' population that is malnourished and there are many people who don't exercise or eat properly.
Holly Robinson Peete went on to say that the magazine cover is not an exploitation because she likes his abs, she likes abs, and she likes looking at a six pack. Right, but it is an exploitation because his abs are not and should not be the reason why we vote for him.
Julie Chen claimed that seeing him like that might encourage her to look at the issues. I think she gives way to much credit to the public. Again, people vote on aesthetic appearance whether they should or not and frankly, he's exploiting that with his appearance. He's clinched the deal for the next election, imo, by knowing which part of himself to sell. A sad reality in which we live...
In the next segment, the ladies took on an Atlanta ad campaign where a child stands before the camera and says she doesn't like going to school because the kids tease her for being bigger than they. Not that it makes a lot of difference, but the child they showed is not nearly as obese as some kids I've seen. They chose one who was pleasantly plump so that you wouldn't automatically turn away. The campaign then goes on to post statistics that are disputable; the percentage of kids who are now considered obese (see above for change in definition), the number of kids who are overweight in Atlanta (again based on the new definition by which, I might mention, George Clooney is overweight in comparison to his height), and the fact that kids will not live as long as their parents.
In a previous post, I mentioned that it's about the example we set. Of course we want to be good role models for our children, but we also need to let our children be children. Instead what we are doing with an ad like this is saying that it's okay for children to intimidate other children if they are fat because fat is unacceptable. We are also telling kids that if they are overweight, they should feel bad about themselves. Somehow we think this will jolt them into better eating habits, but the fact is, a child does not know how to deal with this pain. They do not think like adults. They don't have the same control over their lives that an adult does, therefore the only way to make themselves better is to escape into a world of television and video games (T.V. never teases a child) and food. It is my perception that this only increases the problem until they become adults with such a huge weight problem, the idea of turning it around is incredibly intimidating.
I talked about the booklet I received from school for my daughter, too. I feel like it also gave unrealistic expectations that would just cause a child to feel bad about himself or herself if she can't keep up. What's the incentive of a child who has little control over his or her life to improve things when the expectations are so high? I simply don't think that the information is being presented appropriately to encourage healthy choices in children. We brainwash them with adult thoughts and don't really account for balance.
As for obese children not outliving their parents, the statistics claim that obesity may only reduce lifespan by a few months. Others claim it could be up to ten. The problem here is that there is no solid information and all studies are disputable to the point that it may not shorten life spans at all! Additionally, evidence does show that many obese children have obese parents - therefore if there is a link, their parents likely have the same problem working against them.
After that had been covered, a comment was tossed out that obesity is linked to cancer, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. The links to cancer and strokes are tenuous at best and because the studies have been focused on weight, I think the attitude is dismissive. No where near the money is tossed at studies that try to make these links between anything other than weight so by blaming it all on weight, we may be missing other important and preventative factors. As for type 2 diabetes, it is linked much more strongly with a sedentary lifestyle than obesity. It looks like it is related to obesity because many large people are sedentary and have trouble processing sugars, but if that were the case, then only obese people would have type 2 diabetes. The truth is, there are many people with type 2 diabetes who are and always have been thin.
Next, Leah Remini spoke about her child and how "she wants the white pasta, she wants the carbs, she wants the bad stuff. CARBS ARE NOT BAD! Pasta is all right. It’s the serving size that is the problem. Read the labels. You can still give her the food she likes, just in portion control. Jane loves pasta and sauce, but we don't serve it with garlic bread or added meat anymore. By pre-measuring the pasta and sauce instead of having them both self serve, we find a normal serving size to be plenty filling. Save the garlic bread for another night so you don't overdo the carbs, but we need to stop thinking they are bad just by existing.
Leah then went on to say that she can't change her daughter because she has already introduced these foods. I get where she is coming from, but you don't know until you try. Jane likes a lot of the substituted foods we eat in this house - even some I was certain she wouldn't. When it comes to other things, we make compromises and keep trying things until she is happy as well. It's not easy, but it can be done if you care enough about your child's health to go through the process.
Right before the end of the segment, Holly then went on to say that it needs to be more convenient. Well, it is, but you have to get over the brainwashing we have going on. A happy meal with chicken nuggets, apples, and apple juice is quite healthy. Take some time to sit on the internet and look up other drive through menus. Salads are not automatically a good choice, but there are a few good ones out there. Seeing the Arby's version of the chicken salad sandwich is not the same as the Subway Apply Orchard (with the added mayo, nuts, etc, it is higher calorie). A burger at Wendy's might be lower calorie than a similar one at McDonald's. If you really care, take the time to look them up so you can still grab a bite in a hurry.
Of course, I have this whole idea that has nothing to do with weight loss, too. If you're getting fast food all the time and claiming that it's because of time, maybe it's time to slow down your life. We do not need to be running a race that doesn't allow time to enjoy a meal. In fact, if you enjoy your food, you tend not to need as much of it. Slow down! It is okay to skip signing your kid up for every sport and just encourage them to ride their bike around the block with you. It is okay to find time to relax at least a few days a week.
In the end, it's about excuses. As long as we keep making excuses, we are not ready to change our eating habits. A person either changes them or doesn't. Commit.
*Not a proper bibliography, but a bulk of my information comes from USA Today and The New York Times, both of which quoted doctors, scientists, and the New England Journal of Medicine.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Are you giving good advice or being a dismissive jerk?
If I have to hear this - or any variation of it - one more time, I sometimes think I might lose my mind!
In order to lose weight, you just have to burn more calories than you eat. No kidding. Really? What are you? A genius?
Do you really think saying that (or "eat less, exercise more", "keep active and watch what you eat", etc) makes you sound smart? Like some kind of weight loss guru? Come on! It's the most dismissive thing you can say to someone. It actually makes you a little bit of a jerk.
You can count calories fairly easily these days. On the internet you can get ideas of how many calories are in all those foods that don't come with labels (fruit is the first thing that pops into mind). You can also find charts that give an idea of how many calories you are burning per activity, but those rarely take into account things like your weight (if you weigh more, you'll burn more since you have more to carry around. Thinner people can replicate the numbers by adding weights), your previous activity level, how fast your heart is beating and how much sweat you are building. Many things can affect your calorie burning, but none of it is taken into account. Additionally, you burn calories just by getting our of bed, taking a shower, and even breathing. How on earth are you expected to calculate those calories? It's impossible!
In a general 30 minute workout - which is all that is really asked of an obese person starting out - we probably only burn about 150-250 calories. Are we meant to only eat 200 calories a day to offset that? Of course not! That perspective is what makes that "advice" dismissive and bordering on rude. Funny how the people who give that advice are not the kind of people who have ever spent time counting calories and calculating how many they burn in a day. Oh, right, because they think simply by understanding the concept they are somehow smarter than those of us actually doing the work. Guess what? I already knew that stupid thing you just said. I just understand it better than you.
When asked casually how we're losing weight, though, we do respond with a variation. "We're eating less and exercising more." Of course, this is only used with the same people who ask "How are you?" and only want to hear "Fine" because it's a polite question that does not require a sophisticated answer.
It's easy, but it's complicated. It's possible, but it's not always fun. It does, I have found, get easier and more fun as it all becomes part of life, though.
I just want people (in my ideal, unrealistic, utopian world) who say these things to realize that their comments are cliche, redundant, useless, and completely dismissive to a real struggle that someone else is having. I want people to know that a simple "you look great" compliment goes a long way and does not need to be related specifically to weight. I wish people understood that even if they like their comment about burning vs. eating calories, when the subject comes up and that person is on the thin side talking to someone who clearly isn't, it is perfectly okay not to say anything at all.
Hmm. That last bit could be true in an entire world view, couldn't it? Not just regarding weight, exercise, or even health, but also politics, religion, and day to day living. Sometimes it's okay not to say anything at all!
In order to lose weight, you just have to burn more calories than you eat. No kidding. Really? What are you? A genius?
Do you really think saying that (or "eat less, exercise more", "keep active and watch what you eat", etc) makes you sound smart? Like some kind of weight loss guru? Come on! It's the most dismissive thing you can say to someone. It actually makes you a little bit of a jerk.
You can count calories fairly easily these days. On the internet you can get ideas of how many calories are in all those foods that don't come with labels (fruit is the first thing that pops into mind). You can also find charts that give an idea of how many calories you are burning per activity, but those rarely take into account things like your weight (if you weigh more, you'll burn more since you have more to carry around. Thinner people can replicate the numbers by adding weights), your previous activity level, how fast your heart is beating and how much sweat you are building. Many things can affect your calorie burning, but none of it is taken into account. Additionally, you burn calories just by getting our of bed, taking a shower, and even breathing. How on earth are you expected to calculate those calories? It's impossible!
In a general 30 minute workout - which is all that is really asked of an obese person starting out - we probably only burn about 150-250 calories. Are we meant to only eat 200 calories a day to offset that? Of course not! That perspective is what makes that "advice" dismissive and bordering on rude. Funny how the people who give that advice are not the kind of people who have ever spent time counting calories and calculating how many they burn in a day. Oh, right, because they think simply by understanding the concept they are somehow smarter than those of us actually doing the work. Guess what? I already knew that stupid thing you just said. I just understand it better than you.
When asked casually how we're losing weight, though, we do respond with a variation. "We're eating less and exercising more." Of course, this is only used with the same people who ask "How are you?" and only want to hear "Fine" because it's a polite question that does not require a sophisticated answer.
It's easy, but it's complicated. It's possible, but it's not always fun. It does, I have found, get easier and more fun as it all becomes part of life, though.
I just want people (in my ideal, unrealistic, utopian world) who say these things to realize that their comments are cliche, redundant, useless, and completely dismissive to a real struggle that someone else is having. I want people to know that a simple "you look great" compliment goes a long way and does not need to be related specifically to weight. I wish people understood that even if they like their comment about burning vs. eating calories, when the subject comes up and that person is on the thin side talking to someone who clearly isn't, it is perfectly okay not to say anything at all.
Hmm. That last bit could be true in an entire world view, couldn't it? Not just regarding weight, exercise, or even health, but also politics, religion, and day to day living. Sometimes it's okay not to say anything at all!
Monday, April 18, 2011
But low carb diets work better for me than cutting calories…
...or so I've heard.
When you start dieting these days, people love to tell you how you should be doing it. Here's my response to the Low-carb, high-protein advocates:
Low carb has become the new foundation for better dieting and faster weight loss. It is the go-to diet that has been around long enough to lure people into a false perception that it is not a fad diet. Low carb is perceived as an alternative to calorie counting, but what’s the truth about low carb (aka high protein) dieting?
When you start dieting these days, people love to tell you how you should be doing it. Here's my response to the Low-carb, high-protein advocates:
Low carb has become the new foundation for better dieting and faster weight loss. It is the go-to diet that has been around long enough to lure people into a false perception that it is not a fad diet. Low carb is perceived as an alternative to calorie counting, but what’s the truth about low carb (aka high protein) dieting?
The theory behind low carb diets begins with the truth. Carbohydrates are sugars, but remember that our bodies turn starch into sugars, too, so we get glucose readings from all kinds of high carbohydrate foods; including breads, pasta, rice, potatoes, sweets, and fruit. That’s right, many low carb diets won’t let you have fruit! Glucose provides long-term energy and if we use that energy to exercise or live actively, we will burn those carbohydrates. Back to the theory we are told that what we don’t use turns to fat in our bodies. On a high protein diet, you consume so few carbohydrates, that your body is forced to feed off the fats in your body instead of using protein or carbs. In actuality it can also feed off muscle which is why weight training is often pushed with low carb diets – so you don’t lose muscle tone and realize that the diet is hurting you. Low carb advocates would have you believe that by leaving carbs out of your diet, you’ll know you are burning fat because that’s all there is to burn for energy. Am I the only one who thinks this sounds exhausting? Our bodies are designed in a very intelligent way and if its initial instinct is to burn carbs, the idea of forcing it to burn fats seems inefficient to me. Now wonder it’s the diet of the lazy. I am not criticizing laziness because I am the first to admit that I hate exercise! I just can’t fathom feeling more energetic while taking away your body’s main source of energy.
“But it works!” is the cry of low carb dieters as they tell me how their struggle with counting calories has never worked. Why does it work? First of all, ask yourself how filling is junk food? Usually if you eat potato chips, french fries, a candy bar, or a tasty filled sponge cake treat, you enjoy the flavor while it lasts, but almost immediately want to eat more. These don’t fill you up and they certainly don’t provide a long term satisfaction. If you eat a slab of meat with a side of carrots, you’ll feel full sooner and the feeling will last longer. You have, therefore, just consumed fewer calories than most overweight people do when they indulge in delicious treats. The evidence is out there. Low carb diets cut calories, too. A person who consumes 2,000+ calories in meats, butter, and other high fat foods – also known as high protein diet approved foods – loses weight because they were consuming more than that before they started their diet. It fills the tummy quicker than high carb foods so they think they are eating more when, in actuality, they have cut their calories the same as me.
The second reason people get such “great results” on a low carbohydrate diet is that protein acts a little like a diuretic. Ever been on a water pill? What’s the first thing that happens? Several pounds drop off like they are melting and often the weight loss program you are on is enhanced so that you lose just a little more at a time than when you are not on a water pill (that is, if you take the water pill on a regular schedule). Proteins force the kidney’s to work harder which sort of washes the weight out of your body. This is not sustainable. Imagine for a moment what this does to your kidneys! Hydration becomes an issue, followed by overworking the kidneys.
Confirming the theory that the low carb diet is giving these dieters great results is that if they eat just a few carbs and cheat, they put weight on. Clearly this means that the low carbs are keeping the weight off. Let’s go back to the water pill. What happens when you stop taking them? Immediately, you gain weight. Your body needs water so flushing it out of the system with a diuretic or by eating foods with diuretic properties is not going to help the problem.
Low carb diets are also not sustainable. For people who have found success on the diet, it’s only because when they reach their weight loss goal they are willing to go back on the low carb diet often in order to maintain. I find it to restrictive and know myself well enough to know I would have trouble recommitting if even for a few days a month.
One of the most important things to consider in any diet is you. You have to be committed or no diet will work – low carb included. This means that if you are finally ready to commit to a diet full of meat, cheese, butter and often very little fruit, you are probably ready to commit to a low calorie diet that didn’t work for you before. It’s a state of mind and maybe you just weren’t ready before. Nutritionists and scientists can agree on one thing. Calories are calories whether they are protein or carbohydrate. If you burn more than your consume, you should lose weight. Yeah, that part sounds easy, but not everyone burns at the same rate so for some it might take more work or fewer calories than their neighbor which is why some people don't think they lose weight.
I suck a little because I read a resource and checked the credentials so that I could say this with inarguable clarity, but I lost the source now. Yesterday I read that a study was done where men on a low calorie diet and men a low carbohydrate diet were compared long term (not just the first week). Evidence showed that in an overall comparison, the people on both diets cut calories and both groups lost weight at the same rate.
Now comes the scary part.
That state where the body feeds on its own fats instead of carbs? That has a name. It’s a metabolic state known as ketosis and by forcing your body to burn a lot of fat instead of glucose, the body produces ketones “which can cause organs to fail and result in gout, kidney stones, or kidney failure. Ketones can also dull a person's appetite, cause nausea and bad breath. Ketosis can be prevented by eating at least 100 grams of carbohydrates a day.”2
High protein diets do provide calcium, but the more meat proteins a person consumes, minerals including calcium are leached from the bones. Now you are at risk for osteoporosis and aren’t women at enough risk as it is?
High protein = higher fats. Clog your arties and increase your cholesterol? Sounds like a great plan. This, of course, leads to heart disease…
Now the good hard facts. A balanced diet is about 40-50% carbohydrates. In my research I found plenty of sources about how little you should eat for a low carb diet and how a healthy diet has more. Eventually I stumbled across sources written by a certified nutritionist, a doctor, and a medical resource page which all recommend something in that range. Sometimes it is easier to find what we shouldn’t be eating than what we should!
It's unpopular to say these days, but I challenge the belief that Low Carb diets are the way to go. The way it should go, imo, is the way of the Tab cola and the grapefruit diet. Away.
Sources include, but not limited to:
2. WebMD
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Taking a break...
So, this is why it's a mistake to take a break sometimes. Yes, we have to treat ourselves from time to time. We walked an extra mile on Saturday because we ate some birthday cake on Friday night. We ate another small piece on Saturday. We both had more on Saturday and just a tiny leftover piece from the cake we took to Jane's school on Monday. Yeah. Thank heavens her birthday is over! Crap. I gained only a smidge to that point, but actually more than I gain in daily fluctuation sometimes. Swore I'd be better on Tuesday, but I just wanted crunchy stuff and ended up eating salty popcorn and veggie chips. I didn't go over calories for the day, but it was so salty and carb-filled, I felt bloated. Then Wednesday came and Jane was invited to go to Chuck A Rama. Unable to resist the scones, we joined them when S got home from work. {shrug} Bad choices and a lot of them in a row. Yeah, I've got a little to work off, but it's not about the weight. It's about something else. I have felt a little stressed and tired, then bloated and bored with the diet. Counting calories gets exhausting after a while.
The point is, it's okay! I am telling myself this in print because I'm feeling NOT okay. I think if I eat that much cake, I am doomed. I feel like it's all pointless and like there is no end, but I recommitted today and have thus far eaten pretty well.
And then, of course, there are the people who bug me. I say I ate cake and they say "Oh, I don't miss cake. I've never really liked cake..." usually they can't stop there. They just keep going on and on about it, making me feel like there's something wrong with me liking a piece of cake (or a potato chip, cookie, pretzel...whatever) Guess what. We wouldn't have cake in this world if someone didn't like it. I'm not asking YOU to like it. I'm only asking you to show some compassion for my temptation because I'm sure you have a temptation and I'm not judging you for it. Gah. Some days it just makes me want to smack a person and tell them that weight loss is not a group activity and anyone who thinks so is just as brainwashed as those of us who like a freakin' piece of cake!
The point is, it's okay! I am telling myself this in print because I'm feeling NOT okay. I think if I eat that much cake, I am doomed. I feel like it's all pointless and like there is no end, but I recommitted today and have thus far eaten pretty well.
And then, of course, there are the people who bug me. I say I ate cake and they say "Oh, I don't miss cake. I've never really liked cake..." usually they can't stop there. They just keep going on and on about it, making me feel like there's something wrong with me liking a piece of cake (or a potato chip, cookie, pretzel...whatever) Guess what. We wouldn't have cake in this world if someone didn't like it. I'm not asking YOU to like it. I'm only asking you to show some compassion for my temptation because I'm sure you have a temptation and I'm not judging you for it. Gah. Some days it just makes me want to smack a person and tell them that weight loss is not a group activity and anyone who thinks so is just as brainwashed as those of us who like a freakin' piece of cake!
Saturday, April 2, 2011
This week...
Some days it just feels awful and frustrating. Some days I forget to eat all day then I eat too much that night. Skip two mornings later and I've put on two pounds. Two whole pounds! It takes me 1-2 weeks to take off two pounds depending on too many factors to calculate. I'm hopeful that was just one of those daily fluctuations and that I didn't really do that much damage. I had that happen earlier this week. I've been stronger since then, but I won't weigh myself for a couple days because those numbers can really mess with my head.
After walk the next morning, I lost all focus of the point and started to get down on all sort of other sucky things going on around me/us. Even keeping my head about me and saying "it's okay" to myself as well as "forgive yourself" and "today is a new day" which are my most common affirmations, I just couldn't get it to sink it. I did okay with food and exercise that day, but I felt like I was going through the motions and not enjoying anything.
You know, you can pick an easy, flexible diet that works for you and STILL have shit days.
After walk the next morning, I lost all focus of the point and started to get down on all sort of other sucky things going on around me/us. Even keeping my head about me and saying "it's okay" to myself as well as "forgive yourself" and "today is a new day" which are my most common affirmations, I just couldn't get it to sink it. I did okay with food and exercise that day, but I felt like I was going through the motions and not enjoying anything.
You know, you can pick an easy, flexible diet that works for you and STILL have shit days.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Diet? Lifestyle change? Who cares?
I know we're not supposed to call it a diet; it's a lifestyle change. I know diet is a four letter word and that using the word lifestyle indicates permanence.
Can I be politically incorrect on this subject for a moment?
I HATE THAT TERM.
We have changed our diet. Diet is not actually meant to be synonymous with fads and unhealthy weight loss programs. The word diet is simply supposed to encompass what you eat. We have simply changed our diet. Permanently.
We have increased our activity level which, in certain ways, affects other small areas of our lives, but it is 30-60 minutes out of the entire day we're talking about here. Maybe more because I also do little things like walk into the bank instead of drive through and take the stairs if it is only a flight or two. Still, it is a simple increase of our activity level.
My overall lifestyle was and is fine. I see nothing wrong with it. I have not changed my personality or my responsibilities which are the major things that make up a lifestyle, imo. Skinny people's lifestyles are not defined by what they eat or whether they exercise. Neither is mine.
So if I avoid the term and I say things like 'diet', please don't think I have any delusions about the permanence of this change. I just hate trendy terms and find that in this instance, it actually belittles me as a person because it takes everything I am away and replaces it with the fact that I'm losing weight.
Can I be politically incorrect on this subject for a moment?
I HATE THAT TERM.
We have changed our diet. Diet is not actually meant to be synonymous with fads and unhealthy weight loss programs. The word diet is simply supposed to encompass what you eat. We have simply changed our diet. Permanently.
We have increased our activity level which, in certain ways, affects other small areas of our lives, but it is 30-60 minutes out of the entire day we're talking about here. Maybe more because I also do little things like walk into the bank instead of drive through and take the stairs if it is only a flight or two. Still, it is a simple increase of our activity level.
My overall lifestyle was and is fine. I see nothing wrong with it. I have not changed my personality or my responsibilities which are the major things that make up a lifestyle, imo. Skinny people's lifestyles are not defined by what they eat or whether they exercise. Neither is mine.
So if I avoid the term and I say things like 'diet', please don't think I have any delusions about the permanence of this change. I just hate trendy terms and find that in this instance, it actually belittles me as a person because it takes everything I am away and replaces it with the fact that I'm losing weight.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
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.
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.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Start Simple (snack)
Aside: I often get asked "Don't you feel better?" I know I'm supposed to answer "yes!" but... I don't. I didn't feel -not good- before. This is one of those things people say with a certain expectation; that you either had failing health or failing self-worth which led you to begin a change of life. Every commercial on TV has people saying "I lost ___ lbs and I feel great!" or similar platitudes. The rebel in me wonders if I didn't want to lose weight because it's just pandering to "their" campaign to make us feel bad about ourselves. "They", as far as I'm concerned, are trying to brainwash "us" into thinking that if we are obese, we have to feel bad about ourselves; that it's our social responsibility to lose weight. Neither is true.
Meanwhile, I do think the person who asked me if I feel better last night would benefit from some sort of weight management program. I am quite certain he would feel better.
Veggies – Try crunching on fresh carrots or celery. Pick up cucumbers or bell peppers. Yeah, I’m not a big fan of carrot or celery either, but try eating them with the following dip:
Dip – Go to the dressing aisle where they sell the dip mixes. We like to mix it up with either the Harvest Dill or classic Ranch, but occasionally it’s nice to use the Italian dressing mix. Now head over to the dairy products. Pick up that low-fat sour cream, but before you put it in your basket, pick up a container of light or greek yogurt in a plain flavor. Compare calories. Hmm, interesting, right? Now look at serving size. You get one whole cup of yogurt for about the same calories as just 2 tablespoons of sour cream! This varies, of course, but you will never get to enjoy as much sour cream dip as you can if you just make it with plain yogurt. You could easily eat 2 tablespoons of dip and want more, but by the time you’ve eaten ¼ cup you would be done so divide the calories in the yogurt by 25% and that’s all you would likely want. Mix the packet into the yogurt and keep it in the fridge. Yeah, it’s not as creamy, but I assure you if you give it a chance you will find that it really satisfies!
Pickles
Nalley Kosher Dill is one of our favorite foods in this house. We could eat them all day and night! The sodium count keeps us from doing so, but remember that pickles are a free food. Even bread and butter pickles are low in calorie. If you like sweet pickles, it might be a problem, but consider the mini ones as a treat because you will be happier if you let yourself have your favorites from time to time. Theaters used to sell pickles and the ones that still do are a great alternative to candy.
Crave potato chips and other crunchies a lot? Have a healthy 9 year old in your house who doesn’t need to diet and can be a little finicky? These are foods that have worked great in our house. Not only do we dieters enjoy them, the young one here has no (or few) complaints.
Baked Lays – lower in calories than their counterparts, they actually taste delicious. In fact, at the last family dinner where a bag of regular chips were open, I ate two, realized they tasted oily, and didn’t want any more.
Quaker Rice Cakes РLike Cheetos? Get the Cheddar Cheese. Like sweets? The Caramel cakes hit the spot. We tried Ranch, Wild Blueberry, and Cr̬me Brulee. While the blueberry may curve a craving for blueberry muffins (those delicious ones from Costco are over 600 calories! I was bummed!) I would recommend the former two. They tasted best and are the only ones I wanted to repeat. If you like Ranch, go for the Baked Lays and dip (above).
Special K - These crackers are 70 calories for 17 crackers. We tried Multi-grain and Savory Herb. I don’t typically like wheat or multi-grain so I fully expected herb to be my choice. No! The multi-grain crackers are delicious! I don’t really like the herb ones at all – though they’d be nice to put out at a party.
Sweets
From time to time, I would crave candy bars. During these times, I would go crazy! When I started this healthy campaign, I knew I had some sugar addictions to cut because the last couple years it had become a daily desire. Instead I bought Quaker granola bars and had them as a snack. It weened me off nicely and now I don’t crave them at all.
Alternate treat – I had a package of lemon pirouettes from World Market when we made this change. I found I could eat just one at around 35 calories as a sweet snack, too, but when they were gone, I didn’t care to buy more.Friday, March 11, 2011
The part of weight loss that isn't about eating healthy or exercise...
Now that I’ve got all the complicated stuff out of the way, I want to get on with why we wanted to create this blog. We’ve tried a bunch of foods, we’re working on recipes, and sometimes weight loss is just funny. After the 4th person asked us "No, really. How are you doing it because I would like some tips?" we thought maybe a blog would be a good idea. In theory, it will make us accountable - although that hasn't really been a problem since we're not extremely strict - and it will give us an outlet for things. Sometimes we just want to scream from the rooftops "Holy crap! These crackers are only 50 calories, but they taste freakin' delicious!" Other times I want to complain about my pants falling off even though everyone else wants to remind me that it's a good thing.
Losing weight is supposed to be fabulous and special all the time. Of course the kudos make us feel good. One time, somebody said that complaining was ungrateful. I was a little miffed by that because ungrateful indicates that I am spitting in the face of a gift. I have worked my ass off literally so to whom, exactly, am I being ungrateful?
So, here is the high-end problems that come with weight lost. He is cold all the time. Seriously, without the padding he just feels cold. Admittedly I am the commander (dictator) of the thermostat and I had to turn up the temperature schedule one degree, too, but apparently when you cut the fats from your diet, you can’t keep warm!
The next thing I noticed is that my ass hurts. All the time it hurts. It's not muscle pain, either, but instead the pain of sitting - even on the cushy couch. I’ve started doing butt-strength-training in hopes that some muscle will provide padding, but the fact is that I’ve lost just enough padding that I only feel bones. How do you skinny people do it?!Meanwhile, the other night I dreamed a shark was eating my leg. When I woke up, I realized it was my underwear. It’s too big and it loves to wrap its way around my thighs when I’m sleeping, walking, and somehow when I’m sitting. Stupid underwear.
See? Losing weight isn’t all it’s cracked up to be!
Make it fun because miserable does not help you send those pounds away.
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