Time Flies

Our first week in San Diego has been very busy with many get-togethers with family and friends.  Plus taking care of annual business like establishing a new medical home and consulting a professional tax preparer for the first time.

As a general practice I don't post many pictures of my family in my blog, but here they are!  One good looking group, don't you think?

This was taken a few blocks from their home in Sunset Cliffs when we went for a Sunday morning walk with the dogs. 

Food is always a big part of our lives. We enjoyed these Eggs Benedict at the far end of the walk.

It looks like it will be a long time before I will allow myself to indulge in a yummy dish such as this again. The outcome (which I totally expected) of my doctors visit and blood work was the advice to lose weight, stop drinking wine, and get more exercise. 

Those of you who followed this blog in 2012 may remember how hard I worked to lose 50 pounds and get healthier. Well, three years later I have to do it again. I did manage to keep the weight off for most of a year, but in the last two I have eaten my way to health problems once again.  

I know I can lose weight. I know I can eat in a more mindful way. I have made a new commitment to myself and my own health. 

My goal is to lose 50 pounds again by November when I come back to see the same doctor. I can do it! I think I will start by reviewing all the 2012 posts. I know they were very positive.

In keeping with that goal I bought myself a new toy.

A spiffy new 3 speed "beach cruiser" bike. Jeannie Sparks has been an inspiration to me with all of her posts about the things she sees on her rides. I intend to start slowly with daily rides around the parks we visit. When my legs get stronger I will be able to farther afield. I think this is a good "before" picture. Look at those fat thighs and puffy arms!  Eight months from now I WILL BE THINNER!

Good intentions? 

Yes.  

But this plan of action have been delayed.

Why?

On Sunday I was in a hurry and I fell while going down the Alfa stairs.

I was holding a bag of trash and talking at the same time. I am usually very careful, but not this time, and I fell. 

Sprained my ankle.   Ouch!                                                                                                                                           

It is not a really bad sprain, but it will take some time before I can ride.  Right now I'm just looking forward to being able to walk again.

This too will be a memory someday!  But for now it is a bummer.

I'm Keeping the weight off

So far, so good.  

I reached my weight loss goal of getting down to a normal BMI in September. 

I then went on to lose another five pounds in October and have ben flirting with one or two more since the beginning of November.

I am not doing anything "diet like."  I am trying to eat mindfully and think before I put something in my mouth.  I weigh myself every morning.

So far, so good.  

I think I established some better eating parameters over the last ten months, and do not find it difficult to stick with them. 

I am not a vegan, nor a vegetarian.  I avoid beef, most dairy, white flour, alcohol, processed foods, fast food restaurants, most pasta, and dishes with creamy sauces.  

I fry fish but do not eat deep fried fish. 

I have discovered baked sweet potatoes made with olive oil and lots of garlic is much better than french fries.

I have learned to eat  veggies in many low fat ways.

I never leave the table hungry.

So far, so good.

I was extra careful the week before Thanksgiving, and enjoyed all the goodies for three days. (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.)  I  had to be more than careful for the week after to lose the three or four pounds that I took on. I think they were just food in the "system,"  and a bit of bloating from salt, not gained fat.

Hopefully I will be able to enjoy Christmas with the same mindful eating.  Enjoy, but not over do. Smaller portions, not self denial.


I plan to weigh the same on January 9th as I do today. I'll post my progress again then.

... One small cup of Eggnog, not a half gallon!

I will not use the Holidays as an excuse to overindulge.  

Craig is getting skinny

Craig has been very supportive of my "healthy" food choices this Spring, and has been eating all of the same dinners as I have, with the addition of extra bread.  I may have one thin slice, he usually has several. The rest of the day he is on his own and has not really cut back on higher calorie foods.  


We each get our own breakfasts, I eat a high fiber cereal, and he usually has ham and rolls, or some  frozen packaged dish.  He likes Chile Rellenos from Trader Joe's. 


He usually snacks at night, but isn't buying things that would  tempt me.  We used to share ice cream and/or English Toffee on a regular basis, but not any more. 


As I look over at him right now, he is eating a bowl of one of his favorite sweets. Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk. It's almost like liquid white chocolate!  I never could just eat it like he does, straight from the can. 

On a recent shopping trip he bought chocolates and cookies.








He also continues to drink a couple of glasses of wine almost every evening.  That IS a temptation for me, but it is my choice to not indulge.  (In the last couple of weeks I have slipped a few times.)   And just because I shouldn't have any doesn't mean he can't.

BUT, what urks me is he has lost weight!   He is getting skinny!  


It seems that if I lose one pound, he loses two. 


His doctor did tell him he should lose ten or so pounds, but he has dropped more than that. I think he is close to his weight when he was in his 20's!


 Why is it so easy for him and so hard for me?


He doesn't even exercise and I walk on the treadmill every day!


Not fair!    His hair isn't turning gray either!


I AM happy with my own progress.  I'm down 29 pounds, with a long term goal of losing 15 more to get to where the charts say is best for my height and age. If I don't, I'm OK. I feel very good right now.

Black Bean Soup and Lentils

A couple of followers asked for the recipe for the slow cooker black bean soup I made last weekend.  I'm not going to post it because I don't think it turned out very well.  It was a recipe that came in the little book with the cooker, and used dried black beans.  Even though I had soaked them overnight, and simmered them all day, they were still pretty hard.  The seasonings weren't great either.  So if you really want a Black Bean recipe, look for one that uses canned ...

On the other hand, I would like to share my best personal food discovery in years.  


Trader Joe's Steamed Lentils!




They are refrigerated, and vacuum packed, so they will keep well in the fridge. 


They can be used in many ways, both in cool salads or warmed in the microwave, with or without any additional seasonings.

Their nutritional numbers are excellent.


1/2 cup, which is just about right for a side dish, is only 120 calories, a whopping 8g fiber, and 20g Carbs with only 2g of those as sugar. 
 Their glycemic index number is good too.  Somewhere between 30 and 40. Mashed potatoes are over 100.
They are also a good source of protein, 9g.


Whenever I try a new food, I like to try it in it's simplest form. In this case unseasoned,  warmed in the microwave as specified on the package. 


 They were really good!  And very satisfying.  I've stopped eating potatoes and have been experimenting with a variety of grains.  These lentils were even better than mashed Yukon golds!


This morning I added a left over 3/4 of them to a can of basic low sodium chicken broth and had a very filling and satisfying breakfast for less than 200 calories.  WITH 10g of fiber!


There are a couple of my e-friends who have had or are going to have bariatric surgery.  As you resume eating small amounts of food, these might work well for you.  I could imagine scooping just a tablespoon or two from the package for your mini meals.  Ask your dietitian about them.


My next few posts will probably be about food.  I mentioned I had lost ten pounds (it's more like 13 now) and I would like to share some of my healthier food choices.

Bad Words

Blah Blah Blah Fat, 

Blah Blah Blah, Calories,

Blah Blah Diet, 

Blah Blah Blah Exercise!

When I was 16 my weight and my IQ were about the same.  I was skinny, and smart.

I have gained a lot of knowledge and experience over the years. 


 Do you think that is why I weigh so much more?  I have a fat brain.

I have dusted off the treadmill and dug out the lower calorie cookbooks. 







The only other option I have is to just shoot myself, and hope for reincarnation!

 But with my luck I would come back as a whale 

                                                          or an elephant.  










Best to just work with what I've got this go round.


Life is so hard.