Thursday, March 31, 2016

Spring Into April With A Healthy Diet

Tomorrow is the first day of our Spring Open House at work.  Classes, refreshments and special sales.
So many things going on and so much work to do.......and I have today off.  I don't know why.  And I have to just let it go.  I am becoming "redundant" one time by one item.

I purchased a "ham end" at the little grocery where my daughter works.  I am planning a nice pot of lentil soup. Usually, it's just vegetarian but this time it will have the ham bits in it.

I received a comment on the way I eat.  Thank you.  When I was on the 1200 calorie diet in 2007 (for the entire miserable year), I learned that I could eat more for less calories if I ate things with 5 or less ingredients.   I also learned to shop the "perimeter" of the grocery rather than the midsection where all the prepared foods are.  Read the labels of regular and low calorie times--side by side.

I made homemade soups and totaled all the ingredients (down to the tablespoon) and then divided it into servings of two cups. I didn't follow the rules of tiny portions, but usually those soups in 2 cup portions came in at around 200 calories.  Even at 300 it was a bargain.  In this way, I could eat almost anything I wanted. I weighed dry pasta on my scale and then cooked the 2 ounce portion which is a serving.  I weighed it every time--never guessed.  I weigh everything then and now to "know"  and "learn" what a serving actually is.  I even counted out a serving of potato chips and then decided a whole steamed potato was a better choice (smile).

Five ingredient yogurt is hard to find in the low calorie section.  So I purchased plain, usually full fat, and make my own fruit and yogurt with whatever is on sale.  Pineapple chunks with yogurt is great but segments of red grapefruit is out of this world good.  Raspberries are great but I like to combine them with peach slices (canned in juice or frozen).  I "sweeten" the yogurt with a Tablespoon of sugar free, calorie free liquid Splenda flavored with vanilla.

Salads are 4 to 8 cups of carrot, romaine, red cabbage shreds, arugula or wild greens.  When I was eating high protein/fat I added a cup of chicken with mayo or tuna with mayo.  The dressing is always EVOO with balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.  I like a super big salad.   Last night G had steak and I had baked potato plus sour cream and chives, big green salad and steamed green beans.  My total for the day with Bran flakes for breakfast, yogurt and grapefruit for lunch was under 1400.  This time around (I am smarter) I allow myself to fluctuate between 1200 and 1600.  Sometimes I eat less than 1200.

It's been 30 days and I have lost 9 pounds.  I have a long way to go, but I have been down this road before and I know that no "mistake" is bad enough to make me quit.  I do kick myself for having gotten to this place (again) but--well, I am only human and humans make mistakes.

2 comments:

Paula, the quilter said...

I don't eat red meat or port and DH can't eat fowl. Makes life interesting around my house.

Anonymous said...

Go Joanne!! I believe that you can do it!!