So now that I am down to a trim 143.5, I am finding one overwhelming challenge that I didn't really consider prior to starting this whole weight loss plan. Clothing. On August 1st I was solidly filling out a size 10. By August 28th an 8 was pretty comfortable. Now, on September 11th, I find that some of my 8's (like my almost new GAP dress pants in grey AND black) literally fall off of me if I put them on, and some 8's (like my New York and Company black pants) are still a squeeze. I can get them on, but I need a larger top to cover the bulges....and I KNOW you know what I mean!! :) More complicated still, I have 2 pairs of pants in a 6 that fit fairly well now.
The challenge? Finding things to wear when I don't want to spend much money on things that are larger than I will end up. How do you handle these "in between" stages???
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Chickpea Flour
One of my favorite fall treats has got to be pumpkin bread....make that bread, cake, bars, muffins, coffee....really anything. This is a really hard one to let go of this year. I have searched high and low for recipes that I can adapt to "sort of" meet my restrictions, and it is next to impossible. I did purchase Karen Hurd's Book "The Bean Queen's Cookbook" which included a recipe for pumpkin muffins using chickpea flour, and they. were. TERRIBLE! Total waste of the $12 it cost to buy the chickpea flour and xanthan gum.
This failure makes me feel very apprehensive about trying the yeast bread with chickpea flour. Any suggestions you may have on recipes that could be adapted to keep one of my favorite fall treats on the radar would be most appreciated!!
Sigh. Back to the drawing board.
This failure makes me feel very apprehensive about trying the yeast bread with chickpea flour. Any suggestions you may have on recipes that could be adapted to keep one of my favorite fall treats on the radar would be most appreciated!!
Sigh. Back to the drawing board.
Update- Week 4
It has been a while! Between my first week or so back to work, and the start of K4 for Addison, we have been wrapped up in a whirlwind of a week! I have a few meal ideas to share before the big reveal. First up, thanks to a comment on Facebook by Rachel over at Rachel's Ramblings, I decided to give pizza a try this week using a portobello mushroom cap as the crust. It was DELICIOUS!!! We flipped the cap upside down and scooped out the stem, spread on some sauce, cheese, and a little italian sausage, and grilled. AMAZING! Even if you are not into going no carb, it was fabulous. I highly recommend it!
I also tried BOCA black bean burgers this week. Another surprisingly good filler! I have never thought that I would be a fan of such a thing, but even out of the microwave it was tasty! (And I am VERY picky, so this says a lot!!)
I spoke with my nutritionist last night, and she is VERY pleased with my progress. I did have some questions about breakfast ideas, and she offered a few good ones. Feel free to comment if you have any suggestions on ways to have breakfast on the run, without carbs, but with beans. That's a head scratcher for sure!!
My numbers for this week????
145.6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am now down 14.4 pounds from day one. Yay me!! The biggest success? Not the number on the scale, but the number in my pants. I wore a pair of size 6 khakis that I bought in August of 2007, and haven't work since September of 2007. Not only did they fit, but they were comfy! Now I remember why I bought them in 3 different colors....
I also tried BOCA black bean burgers this week. Another surprisingly good filler! I have never thought that I would be a fan of such a thing, but even out of the microwave it was tasty! (And I am VERY picky, so this says a lot!!)
I spoke with my nutritionist last night, and she is VERY pleased with my progress. I did have some questions about breakfast ideas, and she offered a few good ones. Feel free to comment if you have any suggestions on ways to have breakfast on the run, without carbs, but with beans. That's a head scratcher for sure!!
My numbers for this week????
145.6!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am now down 14.4 pounds from day one. Yay me!! The biggest success? Not the number on the scale, but the number in my pants. I wore a pair of size 6 khakis that I bought in August of 2007, and haven't work since September of 2007. Not only did they fit, but they were comfy! Now I remember why I bought them in 3 different colors....
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Week Two....and Three!!
Ok. It has been a bit! This was my first week back in school, which left me with a few challenges. First, time. Isn't time ever elusive??? Second, how to maintain this diet while working, without going crazy???
Here's what I have been doing. Breakfast was the biggest challenge, but thanks to my ever creative husband, we came up with an idea. We whisked a few eggs, black beans, ham, green peppers, and mushrooms together, divided the mixture between a few muffin tins, and baked at 375* for 30 minutes. Voila! Mini quiches that fit the bill! Topped with a bit of salsa, they were delicious!
Lunch has primarily consisted of canned black bean or lentil soup (Wolfgang Puck has one of each that are amazing!), or a salad with beans sprinkled on. Nothing new or overly creative to report for dinners this last week or so, but this week's challenge is to try chickpea flour yeast bread. Could be a HUGE lifesaver if it is palatable!
The stats?
Well......
Day 1: 160 lbs
Today: 150.2 lbs
Almost below 150!! Yay me!!!!
And that is with the Snicker Swirl from Culver's that I "snuck" yesterday......
Here's what I have been doing. Breakfast was the biggest challenge, but thanks to my ever creative husband, we came up with an idea. We whisked a few eggs, black beans, ham, green peppers, and mushrooms together, divided the mixture between a few muffin tins, and baked at 375* for 30 minutes. Voila! Mini quiches that fit the bill! Topped with a bit of salsa, they were delicious!
Lunch has primarily consisted of canned black bean or lentil soup (Wolfgang Puck has one of each that are amazing!), or a salad with beans sprinkled on. Nothing new or overly creative to report for dinners this last week or so, but this week's challenge is to try chickpea flour yeast bread. Could be a HUGE lifesaver if it is palatable!
The stats?
Well......
Day 1: 160 lbs
Today: 150.2 lbs
Almost below 150!! Yay me!!!!
And that is with the Snicker Swirl from Culver's that I "snuck" yesterday......
Saturday, August 13, 2011
We're Back!!
Update on the weekend:
In spite of eating out, odd eating schedules, and a myriad of locations for meals, I was able to stick to it! The only exception: I did succumb to a piece of Addison's birthday cake. The results? Wicked headache and nausea. The culprit? Sugar. It had to be. I was FINE up until about 5 minutes post eating, and was fine again once I had a few bottles of water and a delightfully tasty dinner, whose recipe is posted below. Interesting, huh? Apparently sugar really IS bad for you! (Insert obvious shock and awe)
Tuna and White Bean Salad (a delightful side dish, or surprisingly satisfying main course!)
Ingredients
1 garlic clove
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 (15- to 19-oz) can cannellini or other white beans, drained and rinsed
1 (1-lb) seedless cucumber (usually plastic-wrapped), quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices
1 lb tomatoes (3 medium), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 (6-oz) cans tuna packed in oil (preferably olive oil), drained
Preparation
Mince garlic and mash to a paste with a pinch of salt using a large heavy knife. Whisk together garlic paste, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined well. Let stand at room temperature 10 minutes.
Gently toss beans, cucumber, tomatoes, and parsley with half of dressing. Transfer to a platter or bowl and arrange tuna on top, breaking up any large pieces with a fork. Drizzle remaining dressing over tuna.
www.epicurious.com
In spite of eating out, odd eating schedules, and a myriad of locations for meals, I was able to stick to it! The only exception: I did succumb to a piece of Addison's birthday cake. The results? Wicked headache and nausea. The culprit? Sugar. It had to be. I was FINE up until about 5 minutes post eating, and was fine again once I had a few bottles of water and a delightfully tasty dinner, whose recipe is posted below. Interesting, huh? Apparently sugar really IS bad for you! (Insert obvious shock and awe)
Tuna and White Bean Salad (a delightful side dish, or surprisingly satisfying main course!)
Ingredients
1 garlic clove
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 (15- to 19-oz) can cannellini or other white beans, drained and rinsed
1 (1-lb) seedless cucumber (usually plastic-wrapped), quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick slices
1 lb tomatoes (3 medium), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 (6-oz) cans tuna packed in oil (preferably olive oil), drained
Preparation
Mince garlic and mash to a paste with a pinch of salt using a large heavy knife. Whisk together garlic paste, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined well. Let stand at room temperature 10 minutes.
Gently toss beans, cucumber, tomatoes, and parsley with half of dressing. Transfer to a platter or bowl and arrange tuna on top, breaking up any large pieces with a fork. Drizzle remaining dressing over tuna.
www.epicurious.com
Friday, August 12, 2011
First Weekend Away
So this weekend we are heading to Rockford to spend some time with my parents and grandparents for Addison's 4th birthday. I am a bit anxious about how I am going to keep this all going while away from the convenience of home. My plan has been to pack a few of the essential items, like beans and nuts, and just rely on eggs and salads, which are usually available anywhere, to get me through. Here's hoping for the best!
No change today in weight loss, but no change = no gain, so that's great! Below is a picture of today's lunch. Greek salad with white beans, and a sprinkle of feta cheese(I know cheese is technically cheating, but how much harm can it do???)
Have a great weekend!
No change today in weight loss, but no change = no gain, so that's great! Below is a picture of today's lunch. Greek salad with white beans, and a sprinkle of feta cheese(I know cheese is technically cheating, but how much harm can it do???)
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Followers
A quick shout out to those of you who have actually pledged to follow this blog regularly through the time it took you to click through the follow me prompts. Many thanks!! I HATE being embarrassed in front of others, so knowing there are people out there reading this, you have no idea how motivating that is. I have also received several private facebook messages from college friends, and they are also so appreciated! Many hands make light the work, and in this case, many posts make easier the journey!
Week One
They say the first few days are the hardest...and "they" are not kidding. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday were accompanied by gut-wrenching headaches, thanks largely to the caffeine and sugar withdrawals. Wednesday was much easier in terms of that, but as also the day that I wanted desperately to swing through McDonald's for a tall, icy Coke.
I managed to resist, however, and happily chowed down on black beans. Again.
So here's where I'm at after 4 days. Remember my starting weight on Sunday was 157.4, and the Friday before I was at 160.0 (which I know for a fact as I had to get an accurate weight for the initial consultation). Drum roll, please!!!!
8/7 157.4
8/8 155.2
8/9 155.0
8/10 154.6
8/11 154.2
Decent, hey??? Down 5.8 pounds in just under a week!! Now that is some motivation that helps me gag down every bite of legumes, which I have never been a fan of, by the way!
So truth time. Has it been tough? There have certainly been moments. The first 2 days were hard. Sitting at the Cheesecake Factory for a dear friend's birthday celebration, surrounded by cheesecake, was rough. But to be perfectly honest, I have not really missed sugar or soda once I got over the initial hump. Dairy has also been easy to let go of, since I don't get to eat Oreos, there is no need for a tall glass of milk alongside!
What have I been eating, you ask? Let me share a few of the most recent concoctions!
Dinner last night was actually quite tasty!
Fresh Salmon Salad with Chickpeas and Tomatoes
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 (5- to 6-ounce) salmon fillets (about 2 pounds)
2 cups chickpeas from two (15-ounce) cans, drained, rinsed
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup (scant) Niçoise olives or other small black olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon salt-packed capers, rinsed, or drained capers in brine
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, torn if large
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in each of 2 heavy large skillets. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper. Add 3 fillets to each skillet and cook until almost cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Cool slightly.
Heat remaining 4 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.Add chickpeas and all remaining ingredients except basil. Stir until warm. Season with salt and pepper. Divide chickpea mixture among 6 plates. Tear salmon into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces; scatter over chickpeas. Garnish with basil leaves and serve.
www.epicurious.com
Another tasty side dish that we have enjoyed this week, and has actually proven quite versatile, is Black Beans with Cilantro. I have had this alongside everything from Tuna with Wasabi Butter Sauce to scrambled or fried eggs. Delicious!
Black Beans with Cilantro
1/4 lb dried black beans (2/3 cup), picked over and rinsed
1 small onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
2 fresh cilantro sprigs
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
6 cups cold water
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Bring beans, onion, cilantro sprigs, oil, and water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy pot. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until beans are just tender, about 1 1/4 hours. Add salt and simmer, uncovered, until liquid is evaporated to just below level of beans. Season with salt and discard cilantro sprigs.
www.epicurious.com
We used canned black beans for this recipe, and it turned out amazingly well!
Breakfast from this morning.
While I know I won't continue to drop at this rate, it is exciting to see such a strong start! Pray for continued resolve and self control!
Happy cooking!!
I managed to resist, however, and happily chowed down on black beans. Again.
So here's where I'm at after 4 days. Remember my starting weight on Sunday was 157.4, and the Friday before I was at 160.0 (which I know for a fact as I had to get an accurate weight for the initial consultation). Drum roll, please!!!!
8/7 157.4
8/8 155.2
8/9 155.0
8/10 154.6
8/11 154.2
Decent, hey??? Down 5.8 pounds in just under a week!! Now that is some motivation that helps me gag down every bite of legumes, which I have never been a fan of, by the way!
So truth time. Has it been tough? There have certainly been moments. The first 2 days were hard. Sitting at the Cheesecake Factory for a dear friend's birthday celebration, surrounded by cheesecake, was rough. But to be perfectly honest, I have not really missed sugar or soda once I got over the initial hump. Dairy has also been easy to let go of, since I don't get to eat Oreos, there is no need for a tall glass of milk alongside!
What have I been eating, you ask? Let me share a few of the most recent concoctions!
Dinner last night was actually quite tasty!
Fresh Salmon Salad with Chickpeas and Tomatoes
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
6 (5- to 6-ounce) salmon fillets (about 2 pounds)
2 cups chickpeas from two (15-ounce) cans, drained, rinsed
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup (scant) Niçoise olives or other small black olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon salt-packed capers, rinsed, or drained capers in brine
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, torn if large
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in each of 2 heavy large skillets. Sprinkle salmon with salt and pepper. Add 3 fillets to each skillet and cook until almost cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Cool slightly.
Heat remaining 4 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat.Add chickpeas and all remaining ingredients except basil. Stir until warm. Season with salt and pepper. Divide chickpea mixture among 6 plates. Tear salmon into 1- to 1 1/2-inch pieces; scatter over chickpeas. Garnish with basil leaves and serve.
www.epicurious.com
Another tasty side dish that we have enjoyed this week, and has actually proven quite versatile, is Black Beans with Cilantro. I have had this alongside everything from Tuna with Wasabi Butter Sauce to scrambled or fried eggs. Delicious!
Black Beans with Cilantro
1/4 lb dried black beans (2/3 cup), picked over and rinsed
1 small onion, finely chopped (1/2 cup)
2 fresh cilantro sprigs
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
6 cups cold water
1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
Bring beans, onion, cilantro sprigs, oil, and water to a boil in a 2-quart heavy pot. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until beans are just tender, about 1 1/4 hours. Add salt and simmer, uncovered, until liquid is evaporated to just below level of beans. Season with salt and discard cilantro sprigs.
www.epicurious.com
We used canned black beans for this recipe, and it turned out amazingly well!
Breakfast from this morning.
While I know I won't continue to drop at this rate, it is exciting to see such a strong start! Pray for continued resolve and self control!
Happy cooking!!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Day One is the Hardest...
Headaches. All. Day. Long. What I wouldn't give for a tall, icy Coke....
SLAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back to reality here. Instead of what I wanted, I had this:
Now, don't get me wrong. It was great. But it was no Coke. Or Oreo. Or anything laced with sugary icing and dripping with butter.....
The main event in this particular diet is legumes. So, the challenge is finding ways to make the 3+ servings of beans that I have to incorporate into my diet on a daily basis. I will start with the bean salad that we made for lunch today, and actually took to our church picnic this morning. Surprisingly enough, people ate and enjoyed it!
Black Bean and Bell Pepper Calico Salad
(recipe featured on InnCuisine.com, adapted from Williams-Sonoma Vegetarian)
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed thoroughly and drained
1 can (15 ounces) corn, rinsed thoroughly and drained
1 red bell pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
1 orange bell pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeed, deribbed and chopped
1 medium red onion, peeled and chopped
2-3 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons fresh, flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
In a large bowl, combine black beans, corn, bell peppers, garlic and parsley, tossing to combine. Add olive oil and red wine vinegar, plus salt and pepper to taste. Toss again, combining well. Transfer salad to a glass serving dish that allows its gorgeous colors to take center stage. Enjoy at breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Also, serve at happy hour or snack time alongside fresh tortilla chips or toasted pita chips.
Serves 6-8.
It was good. And versatile. Today I had it with breakfast mixed into scrambled eggs, and for lunch and dinner served along side lime marinated chicken breasts. Tomorrow, I am planning to mix the remaining salad into a can of tuna for lunch.
Water count for today: 9 glasses! Success!!!
SLAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Back to reality here. Instead of what I wanted, I had this:
Now, don't get me wrong. It was great. But it was no Coke. Or Oreo. Or anything laced with sugary icing and dripping with butter.....
The main event in this particular diet is legumes. So, the challenge is finding ways to make the 3+ servings of beans that I have to incorporate into my diet on a daily basis. I will start with the bean salad that we made for lunch today, and actually took to our church picnic this morning. Surprisingly enough, people ate and enjoyed it!
Black Bean and Bell Pepper Calico Salad
(recipe featured on InnCuisine.com, adapted from Williams-Sonoma Vegetarian)
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed thoroughly and drained
1 can (15 ounces) corn, rinsed thoroughly and drained
1 red bell pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
1 orange bell pepper, seeded, deribbed and chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeed, deribbed and chopped
1 medium red onion, peeled and chopped
2-3 cloves fresh garlic, peeled and minced
3 tablespoons fresh, flat-leaf (Italian) parsley, finely chopped
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
In a large bowl, combine black beans, corn, bell peppers, garlic and parsley, tossing to combine. Add olive oil and red wine vinegar, plus salt and pepper to taste. Toss again, combining well. Transfer salad to a glass serving dish that allows its gorgeous colors to take center stage. Enjoy at breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Also, serve at happy hour or snack time alongside fresh tortilla chips or toasted pita chips.
Serves 6-8.
It was good. And versatile. Today I had it with breakfast mixed into scrambled eggs, and for lunch and dinner served along side lime marinated chicken breasts. Tomorrow, I am planning to mix the remaining salad into a can of tuna for lunch.
Water count for today: 9 glasses! Success!!!
The Beginning of the End
It must have been almost 2 weeks ago when I was walking quickly down the sidewalk at a local outdoor mall, and caught a surprising glance of myself in a store front window. I had thought that I was getting pretty good at "sucking in my gut", but apparently, I was living in some kind of dream world! The sight I was met with was appalling, and just enough to jerk me back into the reality that it was time to step away from the Coke and Oreos, and regain some control of my eating habits!
As I started to reflect on my behaviors in an effort to develop a game plan, I was met with the following shocking, and disgusting, truths:
1. I routinely knock back a solid 32-64 ounces of sugar laden Coca Cola.....DAILY.
2. My favorite go-to breakfast is Oreos....with Coke.
3. Two weeks ago, I actually ate an entire 4 pack of Cinnabons....by myself....in 36 hours.
4. Vegetables are something that I only eat when my husband is watching.
5. The last time I had a piece of fruit was so long ago that there is absolutely no reason that I am not afflicted with scurvy.
6. I had my second child exactly 7 and 1/2 months ago, and have yet to drop ONE SINGLE OUNCE of baby weight.
7. And perhaps the most astonishing? Below is a picture of me from 6 years ago. 6. That's right. 6. Many of you didn't know me then, but there it is.
Now lest any of you think that I am living in a fantasy, I know that post thyroid disease, 2 babies, and a serious Coke addiction, I will NEVER be in a size 2 again. But really? Can't I get back to a 6 even with effort?????
So this is where the story turns to the plan. Now, we have all tried, and failed, at an endless list of diets, pills, drinks, and fads in an attempt to lose weight. I am way past that. This time, I consulted with nutritionist Karen Hurd (www.karenhurd.com), in an effort to develop a new pattern of living. Hopefully, with her help, I can get back to what I know "good" feels like. The diet goes a little something like this:
__________________________________________________________________________
No List
(these things will worsen your condition and should be eliminated)
Sweets (cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts, candy, ice cream, jello, pudding, muffins, sweetened breads [pumpkin bread, zucchini bread] etc.)
Natural sweeteners (honey, jam, jelly, syrup [even 100% pure maple syrup], molasses, etc.)
Artificial and “natural-artificial” sweeteners (Splenda, Stevia, Sweet N Low, Equal, Nutrasweet, aspartame, xyitol, mannitol, agave nectar, etc.)
Sweetened beverages (lemonade, Koolaid, hot chocolate, punch, Gatorade, etc.)
Sodas (diet or regular, caffeine free or not)
Fruit juice
Fruit
Caffeine (coffee; black, green, orange pekoe teas; Anacin, Excedrin, etc.). This includes decaffeinated beverages.
Dairy (milk, cheese, butter, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, buttermilk, etc.)
Fragrances or perfumes (this includes scented laundry products, soaps, shampoos, scented candles, aroma therapy, etc.)
Saturated Fats (fatty meats [bacon, sausage, bratwurst, hotdogs, etc.], deep fried foods, fried chips, butter, margarine, cheese, sour cream, etc.)
Gum (regular or artificially sweetened)
Tea (of any kind, even if it’s herbal)
Starches (bread, rice, noodles, potatoes, cereal, crackers, chips, pretzels, corn, popcorn, grains)
B-Complex
Alcohol
Do List
(these things will improve your condition and are required to be accomplished daily)
Eat a palm-size portion of lean efficient protein at every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Efficient proteins are: eggs, meat (beef, pork, venison, lamb, buffalo, elk, rabbit, etc.), poultry (chicken, turkey, pheasant, dove, duck, goose, etc.), fish (of any kind), seafood.
Eat 1/3 cup of legumes 3 separate times in the day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Legumes are beans such as pinto, kidney, garbanzo, Great Northern, navy, lentils, limas, black, brown, white, red, black-eyed peas, yellow-eyed peas, pigeon peas, green split peas, yellow split peas, refried beans [without the added lard], hummus (ground chick peas), etc.
Eat 5-7 servings of vegetables daily with your meals or snacks. (Remember that corn is not a vegetable.) One serving = 1/3 cup, unless it is salad, then one serving = 1 cup. The vegetables can be raw, steamed or cooked. They can come from cans or the frozen state. Consider tomatoes a vegetable.
Drink ½ gallon of water daily. The water must be purified.
1 quart is 32 fluid ounces, ½ gallon is 64 fluid ounces, ¾ gallon is 96 fluid ounces
Sleep/rest 8 hours in a twenty-four hour period or a total of 56__ per week. The hours do not have to be consecutive.
Allowed List
(these things will neither worsen or improve your condition and are allowed ONLY if the do list is being accomplished everyday)
Nuts, seeds, and their butters (i.e. peanuts and peanut butter, almonds, and almond butter, etc.)
Soy products (tofu, tempeh, miso, soy nuts, unsweetened soy milk, etc.)
Condiments (mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, salsa, tartar sauce, salad dressings, pickles, olives, etc.)
Lemon and limes
Carbonated water that has natural flavors but no sweeteners
Oils (olive, canola, peanut, etc.) except palm kernel oil (i.e. coconut oil)
Unsweetened almond milk
_________________________________________________________________________
There you have it. Here's hoping the money I spent on the consultation and meal plan are worth it. Here's hoping I can muster up some will power and stay away from the junk I tend to love. And here's hoping that those of you reading this blog will keep me accountable....prayerfully and otherwise. This is where I will vent when the only thing I want is a huge bowl of ice cream. Read often, comment more. Keep me going!
So....now the grossly embarrassing part.....
If I am really going to do this....really....I need to put it all out there. So here goes....
I am starting this off on Sunday, August 7th, at 5'2'' tall, and weighing in at 157.4 pounds. The ultimate goal is to get back down to 130 pounds.
Now you know. I am off to choke down another 12 ounces of water before I fall into bed, and attempt to shake this caffeine deprivation headache that I have going.
Going forward, I am planning to post pictures and recipes of meals that have been created, with the ever loving support and culinary expertise of my husband (who still looks like he did 6 years ago...no, 10 years ago, by the way), as well as updates regarding progress, conversations with said nutritionist, workouts, and just plain hungry venting. No pressure to enjoy, just read!
Since I posted a pic of myself skinny, here is a current one....or at least the only one I am brave enough to post.
The irony of this pic, is that it was taken today, on the first day of my journey, and my child is posing with a Reese's in her mouth. I would really have liked to rip it out and devour it during the taking of this photo. I restrained. No children were harmed during the shoot.
As I started to reflect on my behaviors in an effort to develop a game plan, I was met with the following shocking, and disgusting, truths:
1. I routinely knock back a solid 32-64 ounces of sugar laden Coca Cola.....DAILY.
2. My favorite go-to breakfast is Oreos....with Coke.
3. Two weeks ago, I actually ate an entire 4 pack of Cinnabons....by myself....in 36 hours.
4. Vegetables are something that I only eat when my husband is watching.
5. The last time I had a piece of fruit was so long ago that there is absolutely no reason that I am not afflicted with scurvy.
6. I had my second child exactly 7 and 1/2 months ago, and have yet to drop ONE SINGLE OUNCE of baby weight.
7. And perhaps the most astonishing? Below is a picture of me from 6 years ago. 6. That's right. 6. Many of you didn't know me then, but there it is.
Now lest any of you think that I am living in a fantasy, I know that post thyroid disease, 2 babies, and a serious Coke addiction, I will NEVER be in a size 2 again. But really? Can't I get back to a 6 even with effort?????
So this is where the story turns to the plan. Now, we have all tried, and failed, at an endless list of diets, pills, drinks, and fads in an attempt to lose weight. I am way past that. This time, I consulted with nutritionist Karen Hurd (www.karenhurd.com), in an effort to develop a new pattern of living. Hopefully, with her help, I can get back to what I know "good" feels like. The diet goes a little something like this:
__________________________________________________________________________
No List
(these things will worsen your condition and should be eliminated)
Sweets (cakes, pies, cookies, doughnuts, candy, ice cream, jello, pudding, muffins, sweetened breads [pumpkin bread, zucchini bread] etc.)
Natural sweeteners (honey, jam, jelly, syrup [even 100% pure maple syrup], molasses, etc.)
Artificial and “natural-artificial” sweeteners (Splenda, Stevia, Sweet N Low, Equal, Nutrasweet, aspartame, xyitol, mannitol, agave nectar, etc.)
Sweetened beverages (lemonade, Koolaid, hot chocolate, punch, Gatorade, etc.)
Sodas (diet or regular, caffeine free or not)
Fruit juice
Fruit
Caffeine (coffee; black, green, orange pekoe teas; Anacin, Excedrin, etc.). This includes decaffeinated beverages.
Dairy (milk, cheese, butter, cottage cheese, yogurt, sour cream, cream cheese, buttermilk, etc.)
Fragrances or perfumes (this includes scented laundry products, soaps, shampoos, scented candles, aroma therapy, etc.)
Saturated Fats (fatty meats [bacon, sausage, bratwurst, hotdogs, etc.], deep fried foods, fried chips, butter, margarine, cheese, sour cream, etc.)
Gum (regular or artificially sweetened)
Tea (of any kind, even if it’s herbal)
Starches (bread, rice, noodles, potatoes, cereal, crackers, chips, pretzels, corn, popcorn, grains)
B-Complex
Alcohol
Do List
(these things will improve your condition and are required to be accomplished daily)
Eat a palm-size portion of lean efficient protein at every breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Efficient proteins are: eggs, meat (beef, pork, venison, lamb, buffalo, elk, rabbit, etc.), poultry (chicken, turkey, pheasant, dove, duck, goose, etc.), fish (of any kind), seafood.
Eat 1/3 cup of legumes 3 separate times in the day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Legumes are beans such as pinto, kidney, garbanzo, Great Northern, navy, lentils, limas, black, brown, white, red, black-eyed peas, yellow-eyed peas, pigeon peas, green split peas, yellow split peas, refried beans [without the added lard], hummus (ground chick peas), etc.
Eat 5-7 servings of vegetables daily with your meals or snacks. (Remember that corn is not a vegetable.) One serving = 1/3 cup, unless it is salad, then one serving = 1 cup. The vegetables can be raw, steamed or cooked. They can come from cans or the frozen state. Consider tomatoes a vegetable.
Drink ½ gallon of water daily. The water must be purified.
1 quart is 32 fluid ounces, ½ gallon is 64 fluid ounces, ¾ gallon is 96 fluid ounces
Sleep/rest 8 hours in a twenty-four hour period or a total of 56__ per week. The hours do not have to be consecutive.
Allowed List
(these things will neither worsen or improve your condition and are allowed ONLY if the do list is being accomplished everyday)
Nuts, seeds, and their butters (i.e. peanuts and peanut butter, almonds, and almond butter, etc.)
Soy products (tofu, tempeh, miso, soy nuts, unsweetened soy milk, etc.)
Condiments (mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, salsa, tartar sauce, salad dressings, pickles, olives, etc.)
Lemon and limes
Carbonated water that has natural flavors but no sweeteners
Oils (olive, canola, peanut, etc.) except palm kernel oil (i.e. coconut oil)
Unsweetened almond milk
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There you have it. Here's hoping the money I spent on the consultation and meal plan are worth it. Here's hoping I can muster up some will power and stay away from the junk I tend to love. And here's hoping that those of you reading this blog will keep me accountable....prayerfully and otherwise. This is where I will vent when the only thing I want is a huge bowl of ice cream. Read often, comment more. Keep me going!
So....now the grossly embarrassing part.....
If I am really going to do this....really....I need to put it all out there. So here goes....
I am starting this off on Sunday, August 7th, at 5'2'' tall, and weighing in at 157.4 pounds. The ultimate goal is to get back down to 130 pounds.
Now you know. I am off to choke down another 12 ounces of water before I fall into bed, and attempt to shake this caffeine deprivation headache that I have going.
Going forward, I am planning to post pictures and recipes of meals that have been created, with the ever loving support and culinary expertise of my husband (who still looks like he did 6 years ago...no, 10 years ago, by the way), as well as updates regarding progress, conversations with said nutritionist, workouts, and just plain hungry venting. No pressure to enjoy, just read!
Since I posted a pic of myself skinny, here is a current one....or at least the only one I am brave enough to post.
The irony of this pic, is that it was taken today, on the first day of my journey, and my child is posing with a Reese's in her mouth. I would really have liked to rip it out and devour it during the taking of this photo. I restrained. No children were harmed during the shoot.
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