Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Been a minute

I tell ya, it is amazing how fast time flies! So here's an update one what's going on...I've doing pretty good with my eating plan. I will say that I was too successful with not eating meat prior to 6 pm the weekend of MLK. But hey, that was only a weekend. I got right back to my eating plan that Tuesday. Mistakes happen. Since then I've been consistent. I'm still eating a substantial amount of fruit and veggies during the day and drinking plenty of water. When I do eat meat, I'm trying to eat only chicken & fish. If I do have beef, I make sure it is lean beef.

All in all, things are going okay.

Nutrition Diva

This is a great source for information on eating healthy: Nutrition Diva

She offers an audio podcast you can subscribe through iTunes (iTunes URL), a newsletter, a twitter feed, and a facebook page.

Direct link: http://nutritiondiva.quickanddirtytips.com/

Oh, take a look at some of the other offerings from the Quick & Dirty tips website - they are good also.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Travel

One thing I was worried about with this program was eating on the road. Between now and the early part of March I will be traveling a great bit. Just like the weekends, when my schedule is interrupted, so is my eating. Well, I had an overnight trip this week and I did okay. Not good, but okay.

On the day of travel, I veered off track and had a cookie while on the road. That was the only blip that day. The next day, I did fine with breakfast, but I didn't have any snacks between breakfast and lunch. That meant I was really, really hungry by the time lunch rolled around. That is not a good thing because I tend to overeat when I'm hungry. I also wasn't good about drinking water that day so that didn't help. Anywho, I did have a basil pesto whole wheat pita pizza and a cup of soup for lunch. I made sure to take my time as I ate so that I could begin to feel full. I finished off the cup of soup and 2 slices of the pizza.

As I was getting on the road to return home, I realized I wasn't going to make it without something else in my system. I stopped by Smoothie King for a smoothie. That helped. I made it home with the smoothie and 32 ounces of water. I didn't eat any meat prior to 6 pm!

I'll be on the road again in about 2 weeks. I need to plan better and take some snacks. eeeee

Monday, January 12, 2009

Dried Mango



Generally, I like something sweet after I eat lunch. I need just a little bit of something. In the past, it was a Weight Watchers snack cake, a small piece of chocolate, or a 100 calorie snack pack. Since I'm trying to stay away from those items (I'm not too successful on the hershey kiss though), I needed something to takes its place.

Dried mango! Thus far, it works. Sometimes.

The only place I've found them in my town is at Whole Foods Market. You should try it! Delicious!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

So far, so good - bullet style

  • I've been at this for a week, and I did pretty good!

  • I managed to steer clear of all meat until after 6 pm.

  • I ate apples, oranges, grapes, strawberries, hummus, yogurt, spinach, whole wheat pita bread, oatmeal, mixed nuts, salad, portobello mushrooms, carrots, broccoli rice casserole, edamame, baked sweet potato, toast w/ peanut butter, and, grits, eggs, dried mango.

  • I also had baked fish, grilled chicken, baked chicken, fried fish, and pizza.

  • Water. Water. Water.

  • I had 1 glass of wine.

  • I had 1 margarita.

  • Coffee. I had coffee. I loved it!

  • I prepared bacon yesterday morning for my nephews and I didn't eat any of it.
*Will post about the dish I prepared with the portobellow mushrooms this week.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Not a Competitor

There’s a meeting tomorrow in my building for a Biggest Loser competition. I’m not participating. I don’t’ believe in competing to lose weight. That is not what I’m about. I’m about living a healthy lifestyle.

While I applaud those who’ve lost weight on The Biggest Loser, I don’t think it’s realistic. I watched a few episodes a few years back and quickly became a bit disgusted with the show. Losing weight, to me, is not only a truly personal decision, but one that is quite emotional. The emotions displayed on that show (and other reality shows) doesn’t appeal to me. I’m not really impressed with the manner that is taken to losing weight on The Biggest Loser. Everyday persons don’t have the opportunity to do what they do on that show.

Yes, it takes support and encouragement, to lose weight which the participants gather from fellow contestants, a trainer, and a nutrition person (I think). The trainer that is constantly pushing them with various exercises and the nutrition person helps with selecting better foods.

What I don’t like is the banishment of a person that is just beginning to lose weight. I’ll admit, I’ve never watch an entire season of the show, but I am aware that individuals are sent home very early in the weight loss process. I think those persons are done a disservice. I’m not saying that those persons aren’t successful once they go home, but it is highly likely that they struggle and go back to their old ways. They have truly adopted a new lifestyle. I think that is my biggest issue: focusing on a number and not a lifestyle.

Back to the competition that will occur at my job. I have a strong feeling that many of the participants will do so for the competition, not to change their lifestyle. I’ve come to that conclusion based on the chatter that I’ve heard. They can see themselves making changes for 6, 8, or 12 weeks, but not long term. I’m not of that philosophy. Therefore, I know that I will not participate. I’m going to continue about my way with healthier eating and plenty of physical activity. I’ll also indulge, on occasion, but it will not defeat my overall person of being a healthier and fit person.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Why lessen the meat?

I've been having an off-blog conversation with a group about my efforts. One of the questions that came up was about the timing with veggie by day. Specifically:

Isn't it better to eat meat during the day when your body can work it off, instead of at night only? Or is it a mental thing for you too?

Valid question. Here's my answer:

I don't think giving up meat will necessarily lead one to be more healthy. I think it is more of what and how you eat that makes more of a difference. Cutting out high fat and sugary foods and replacing them with more natural and filling foods is the key. At least that is what has worked for me.

This exercise, for me, is a bit of a mental thing. I want to see if I can do it for a sustained period of time. I'm not totally giving up meat, but I am paying attention to how I am eating meat.

Monday, January 5, 2009

How'd I do?

Not too bad! As I stated previously, my biggest challenge will be not drinking coffee. I broke down and had a cup this morning. I did decrease the amount of sugar that I put in it, but I just couldn't pass it up. Anywho, I was good the remainder of the day.

I never let myself get hungry. I ate a little bit of something every few hours. Luckily I have the type of job that I can do that. I recognize that everyone doesn't have that luxury. I'm thankful that I can eat as needed at my desk.

So, back to my day, I balanced my eating out and I wasn't hungry or missed the idea of eating meat or items with refined sugar. For dinner tonight I did have meat, since I can after 6 pm and I didn't actually eat until after 7 pm. I had smother okra with shrimp served over rice.

I was quite consistent with drinking water. Oh gosh, almost too much! It seemed I was in the bathroom ever 45 minutes.

My food items are ready for Tuesday already. Generally, I prepare my food items for the next day as soon as I get home from work. If I don't, then I stay up too late. Getting it done immediately gives me more time to relax and do much of nothing later in the evening.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Day 1 tomorrow

Well, tomorrow's the day. My plan is to eat no meat during the day. I've packed my lunch and snacks for the day:

fat-free milk*
naval orange
grapes
strawberries
fat-free yogurt
hummus
whole-wheat pita bread
baby carrots
lettuce, tomato, & cucumber salad
balsamic vinaigrette dressing
mixed nuts

One of the tenets of this eating plan is to not consume any refined sugar prior to 6 am. That is going to be the hard part. I put sugar in my coffee and I like a small something sweet right after lunch. I'm going to have to ease into that part of this plan.

I am, however, headed to the gym in the morning. I'll write more about my workout plan (which I've been doing for quite awhile) on another day.

*I keep (plain) oatmeal and cereal at the office for breakfast. That's why you see milk, but nothing to go along with it.

Why try this?

Why not? I counter. In all seriousness, I just want to lead healthy lifestyle. If I can make changes that will lead to a healthier and more fit me - then I'm all for it.

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Simple till Six

I recently read an article in my favorite magazine, Reader's Digest (January, 2009), by Mark Bittman about his Simple till Six eating plan. I was inspired! Upon completing the article, I thought, I could do that! It shouldn't be too difficult. I already try to eat whole grains, a significant amount of fruit & veggies throughout the day, and water, water, water. My biggest challenge will be the refined sugar snacks during the day and COFFEE!!!

Currently, I'll have cheerios or oatmeal for breakfast along with grapes. My morning snack consists of yougurt. For lunch, I'll either bring leftovers or have a lean cuisine frozen meal with an apple, and a Weight Watchers snack cake. My late afternoon snack will be another fruit. Then I'll have some baked fish, chicken, or some other meat for dinner. Over the course of the day I'm constantly drinking water. Therefore, I think I can make the changes needed to eat Simple till Six.

I think I'll have the most trouble with giving up coffee. I heart coffee. I drink at least one cup every morning, sometimes two. I don't think I can give coffee up cold turkey. I think I'll have to wean myself off it over the next few weeks. I recognize the challenge I have with that.

Overall, I really think I can do this. I sent a link of the article to my sister-in-law telling her that I was going to give it a try. She said that I would probably be successful because I am very disciplined. I'm hoping that discipline will help me with my coffee addiction. I'll keep this space posted.

Grocery shopping

Headed to the grocery store this morning. Some of the things I'm purchasing:
  • frozen veggies
  • yougurt
  • whole wheat wraps
  • mushrooms
  • hummus
  • salad items
  • couscous
  • fruit
  • milk

Friday, January 2, 2009

Thursday, January 1, 2009

5 small changes to help you lose weight

5 small changes to help you lose weight: "Tim Kassouf lost 45 pounds, and it all started when he got really mad at his girlfriend.

(Via CNN.com.)

Chronicling my changes

Cheerio!

This space will chronicle my ups and downs with trying to be a veggie by day. I recently read an article about a person who led, what he called, a semi-vegetarian lifestyle. I've decided to take up that challenge beginning on January 5th. I'll use this space to talk about the foods that I'm trying, my progress, and my ups and downs.

More to come...