confuzzledwife
New member
Hi Kevin.
My name is Kathy
I am staying positive as much as I can.. and yes, the positive upbeat music helps out a LOT!
Here I go again
- Thread starter confuzzledwife
- Start date
Hi Kevin.
My name is Kathy
I am staying positive as much as I can.. and yes, the positive upbeat music helps out a LOT!
Hi Kevin.
My name is Kathy
I am staying positive as much as I can.. and yes, the positive upbeat music helps out a LOT!
Hi kathy, I found this quote earlier from another member and I feel its so important its worth repeating..
"It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about." Dale Carnegie
He has a great book, "How to win friends and influence people", I've read it..but I need to read it again, it's that good.
How did your day go Kathy? Hope all is well..
confuzzledwife
New member
Hi Kevin! Thanks, that's quite an inspiring quote.. you would think at my age I would have read that book.. it's one of those things I say I'll get around to but never have... I find myself preoccupied with so many other things or problems.. that I really don't take time to think good thoughts. I need to get out of this pattern!
Anyway.. back to how things have been going for me!!
Yesterday was a terrible day, but my eating hasn't been affected. I'm wondering if I'm having caffeine withdrawals or sugar withdrawals.. I am so moody lately, and I feel terrible about it. I went from having 7-8 cups of regular coffee every day to 3 with Splenda and fat free cream, and the only one with caffeine is my morning coffee..
I haven't counted calories, because I think mine have been too low.. I'm going to add them all up later. Yesterday I didn't eat breakfast until 10:30, that was my usual egg sandwich with 4 strawberries and vitamins. The next time I ate was about 3 hours later, some sort of snack pack I found in the house.. I wasn't hungry at all- but felt I needed to get calories in.. I was debating between this snack pack and whatever else I had in the house.. this snack pack looked interesting. It was organic, ingredients were pretzels, white chocolate, raisins, and milk chocolate- 100 calories! I said hey.. this sounds great! Well, I opened it and there were 6 raisins, 1 white chocolate chip, and 2 milk chocolate chips, the rest were pretzels, maybe 50 tiny ones.. I was sort of disappointed!! But I ate it.. the next time I ate was at 6 PM - I had a grilled cheese, a very small side garden salad with my salad spritzer and skim milk. I got about 1/2 way through and was FULL- really I felt stuffed. I knew I didn't have enough calories and if I didn't eat now I'd be starving later, so I forced it down- then around 9 last night I ate an apple.
I ended up going to the track about 8:00 last night.. it was beautiful outside! The weather was perfect, not too hot or humid.. My goal was to walk a mile (4 laps), I ended up going around 5 times, so that's a mile 1/4, I felt great and if it weren't dark out I would have gone longer.. by the end of the 5th lap, I started to sweat... next time I'm going to wear a sleeveless shirt- the tshirt was a bit much on me.
I am tempted to weigh myself, but I promised myself I wouldn't until tomorrow morning. I'm trying to get used to this "full" feeling after only eating a little bit. During the week I was doing better- eating every 3 hours- the weekends always mess me up though.
Tomorrow should be interesting - the kids are now out of school. My 8 year old will join in exercising with me... my youngest son will be another issue though- I'm going to try to wake up before him and get my workout done, but I'm not sure it's going to go as planned.. I've tried exercising with him in the same room and he will just start giggling and touching my feet, and I'm just afraid he'll get hurt. He's 5 years old, but he has the mentality of a 9 month old, he's diagnosed with low-functioning Autism, among other things,...But like I said before if I can't exercise until he's in bed that's OK too. Just not really what I'd like to do.
OH.. When I was cleaning out my closet the other day, I found a stepper.. I TOTALLY forgot I had this!! I've attached a pic of it.. I can adjust the resistance. So I hopped on that a couple nights ago.. it didn't take much for my upper legs to start burning! So I've been doing that a little at night, maybe 50 steps a night.
I think I'm going to find something to do today.. I did nothing yesterday, sort of hung around the house- I live in the middle of nowhere! lol.. I need to find something fun to do with the kids -
I find myself preoccupied with so many other things or problems.. that I really don't take time to think good thoughts. I need to get out of this pattern! Anyway.. back to how things have been going for me!!
Yesterday was a terrible day, but my eating hasn't been affected. I'm wondering if I'm having caffeine withdrawals or sugar withdrawals.. I am so moody lately, and I feel terrible about it. I went from having 7-8 cups of regular coffee every day to 3 with Splenda and fat free cream, and the only one with caffeine is my morning coffee..
I haven't counted calories, because I think mine have been too low.. I'm going to add them all up later. Yesterday I didn't eat breakfast until 10:30, that was my usual egg sandwich with 4 strawberries and vitamins. The next time I ate was about 3 hours later, some sort of snack pack I found in the house.. I wasn't hungry at all- but felt I needed to get calories in.. I was debating between this snack pack and whatever else I had in the house.. this snack pack looked interesting. It was organic, ingredients were pretzels, white chocolate, raisins, and milk chocolate- 100 calories! I said hey.. this sounds great! Well, I opened it and there were 6 raisins, 1 white chocolate chip, and 2 milk chocolate chips, the rest were pretzels, maybe 50 tiny ones.. I was sort of disappointed!! But I ate it.. the next time I ate was at 6 PM - I had a grilled cheese, a very small side garden salad with my salad spritzer and skim milk. I got about 1/2 way through and was FULL- really I felt stuffed. I knew I didn't have enough calories and if I didn't eat now I'd be starving later, so I forced it down- then around 9 last night I ate an apple.
I ended up going to the track about 8:00 last night.. it was beautiful outside! The weather was perfect, not too hot or humid.. My goal was to walk a mile (4 laps), I ended up going around 5 times, so that's a mile 1/4, I felt great and if it weren't dark out I would have gone longer.. by the end of the 5th lap, I started to sweat... next time I'm going to wear a sleeveless shirt- the tshirt was a bit much on me.
I am tempted to weigh myself, but I promised myself I wouldn't until tomorrow morning. I'm trying to get used to this "full" feeling after only eating a little bit. During the week I was doing better- eating every 3 hours- the weekends always mess me up though.
Tomorrow should be interesting - the kids are now out of school. My 8 year old will join in exercising with me... my youngest son will be another issue though- I'm going to try to wake up before him and get my workout done, but I'm not sure it's going to go as planned.. I've tried exercising with him in the same room and he will just start giggling and touching my feet, and I'm just afraid he'll get hurt. He's 5 years old, but he has the mentality of a 9 month old, he's diagnosed with low-functioning Autism, among other things,...But like I said before if I can't exercise until he's in bed that's OK too. Just not really what I'd like to do.
OH.. When I was cleaning out my closet the other day, I found a stepper.. I TOTALLY forgot I had this!! I've attached a pic of it.. I can adjust the resistance. So I hopped on that a couple nights ago.. it didn't take much for my upper legs to start burning! So I've been doing that a little at night, maybe 50 steps a night.
I think I'm going to find something to do today.. I did nothing yesterday, sort of hung around the house- I live in the middle of nowhere! lol.. I need to find something fun to do with the kids -
That's funny, I have a form of high-functioning autism, called aspergers. Not as severe as autism, but I'm still ackward sometimes around people.
I jogged a little over a mile today, 3rd day in a row on couch 2 5k program, my ankles are beginning to hurt so I think I may take tomorrow off running. I'm just afraid if I skip a day exercising I won't lose anymore weight..meh
My ankles and shins were really hurting about halfway through the jog, I could barely walk, the pain is alot less severe now but still is sore.
I jogged a little over a mile today, 3rd day in a row on couch 2 5k program, my ankles are beginning to hurt so I think I may take tomorrow off running. I'm just afraid if I skip a day exercising I won't lose anymore weight..meh
My ankles and shins were really hurting about halfway through the jog, I could barely walk, the pain is alot less severe now but still is sore.
confuzzledwife
New member
Hey Kevin!
Y'know.. after my youngest son was diagnosed with Autism, my mother and I were talking about how, when I was a kid, I was extremely shy, socially awkward, and never made eye contact.. always considered a loner.. to this day I still feel "odd" in social situations.. and I've always had an above average IQ.. I've always been a bit OCD as well- which is oftentimes associated with different forms of Autism.. and my husband was dx with OCD and adult ADHD, which I recently learned are all forms of Autism- my stepson also has Aspergers.. he's extremely smart and way above his peers in the intelligence area. BUT - Kevin, your shin pain is starting to worry me!!!
I did very good today.. one thing I didn't like was how late I started my meals this weekend.. I didn't have breakfast until 12:30 today. (My usual egg sandwich). During the week I eat by 9 am.. when I eat late I tend to only have 2 meals a day and 2 snacks and my calories are too low- which I know isn't good. I ended up taking my kids to a walking trail- my little one started freaking out when we got there and he never has behavioral issues.. we tried stopping a few times, but he was just so upset we ended up going back in the car. He's non-verbal so at this time he can't even communicate to me what was wrong. We took him to McDonald's figuring maybe he's hungry, I got the apple walnut salad, I never eat the walnuts because I don't like those candied ones and I don't eat the grapes.. all I had was the apple and yogurt dip- I can't figure out the calories in just that. My son seemed very calm after that.. we went back to the walking trail and he threw himself on the ground crying.. so that was it! lol.. guess he wasn't in a walking mood!
For dinner I ate a grilled cheese sandwich and a diet coke.. when I was cooking it I felt like I was STARVING! and I thought that wasn't going to be enough..... but once I ate that I felt (and still feel) very bloated and full- that was about 2 hours ago. A little while ago I did the stepper .. I did 60 steps and surely felt the burn!!
That's about it.. I gotta get a bit of housework done... can't wait until my official weigh in tomorrow!
Not really sure what's causing the shin pain, I'm guessing just not used to running. However, before I started my couch to 5k program (which I've been doing 3 days in a row now), I did go jogging/walking, but I didn't push myself as hard as with the couch to 5k program. I bet if I went back to day 1 of jogging/walking before I started the couch to 5k program I couldn't run 60 seconds, I think I've made progress. My next goal is to be able to run from my house to the mail box to get the mail...I'm not quite there yet, 60 seconds is really pushing it. The 4 or so days before I started couch to 5k program I jogged and walked but had no shin pains, it only began to hurt when I started couch to 5k. Right now the pain is still there but its very mild, I'm just afraid if I go running tomorrow it will flare up again bad..
I don't want to take it easy tomorrow and not exercise, because I want to keep losing the weight. About the aspergers, I have an average IQ (101), but I also have OCD as well. I hate it, I have to double check everything, and I seem to obess over different things. I just hope this healthy lifestyle change isn't just an obessions...but its working out well, my craving for junk food is gone now. I'm a little hungry sometimes but it's ok
I did good today, went to subway and had a 6 grain sub sandwich turkey, with olives, letteuce, green bell peppers, cucumbers and pickles.
For breakfast I had the usual quaker cereal...we went to the store and picked out some fish, we're gonna probably put it on the grill today. I picked out a bunch of fresh fruit (a variety this time), and some good bread.
confuzzledwife
New member
I just had to update this morning!
I got on the scale and lost 6 lbs this week! I know from past experience my first week is always the biggest drop- and I was so tempted to get on the scale the past couple of days.. but wow.. I'm just SOOO excited! I didn't expect to be out of the 190's this quick!
I'm down to 189
Getting ready to exercise and eat my breakfast... still not sure if I'll be able to do it this morning with my son, but I will update later!
I got on the scale and lost 6 lbs this week! I know from past experience my first week is always the biggest drop- and I was so tempted to get on the scale the past couple of days.. but wow.. I'm just SOOO excited! I didn't expect to be out of the 190's this quick!
I'm down to 189
Getting ready to exercise and eat my breakfast... still not sure if I'll be able to do it this morning with my son, but I will update later!
confuzzledwife
New member
Hi Kara!
Thank you! I'm sure you'll be in the 160's before you know it.. the amount of weight you've lost is impressive, to say the least. I also went to your web site yesterday and saw some great recipes and I love the photography also... take care
Thank you! I'm sure you'll be in the 160's before you know it.. the amount of weight you've lost is impressive, to say the least. I also went to your web site yesterday and saw some great recipes and I love the photography also... take care
6 lbs?? Dang! Way to go girl!
Keep it up!
Keep it up!
Owl1
New member
Way to go on the 6 lbs!
Was reading your entry about your Son, my son was dx with Aspergers when he was 4. I always just thought he took after me and was very OCD about everything, but with him it goes deeper then just that. He is the best kid though, a blessing really, because I thought karma would kick me in the butt and give me a hellion like I was when I was young but he's so mellow.
Was reading your entry about your Son, my son was dx with Aspergers when he was 4. I always just thought he took after me and was very OCD about everything, but with him it goes deeper then just that. He is the best kid though, a blessing really, because I thought karma would kick me in the butt and give me a hellion like I was when I was young but he's so mellow.
confuzzledwife
New member
confuzzledwife
New member
Today's Update:
It seemed like I was grazing all day today.. not sure why I wasn't feeling really satisfied with anything I ate.
Here's how it went.
Breakfast: Egg Sandwich
1 egg made with skim milk, PAM in the pan, 2 slices white bread, 1 slice american cheese. 10 oz glass skim milk and a teeny tiny bit of chocolate low fat milk for flavor. (plus my vitamins).
Total Calories: 440
Then I had a tiny bite of a granola bar, 1/4 or less of that- ? calories?
Then I had 2 ice pops (15 calories each). - 30
Lunch:
Corn Flakes with skim milk - 150 calories.
Then I had 2 Gobstoppers candies - 6 of these are 59 calories, so I guess I had about 20 calories here.
3 cups of coffee with Splenda and Fat Free cream - about 60 calories each- 240
1 sheet Honey Maid Honey Graham crackers - 60 calories
5 saltine crackers - 60 calories
4 oz diet pepsi 0
Dinner: Life cereal (2 servings= 1 1/2 cups) with skim milk - 320 calories
In between this I was drinking a little water.
Total calories today: 1320 (not counting the bite of the granola bar) that's a bit higher than I'd like to go.
I woke up to no fruit in the house, hubby took my last apple - but I just got back from the store with fresh apples and strawberries
I was able to get my exercise done today! I was so happy because I wasn't sure with my son how it would go- but my 8 year old stepped up to the plate and kept him entertained with ice pops!!
Tomorrow my son has a dentist appointment.. his tooth appears to be bothering him, I think- for a couple days he'll put his hand near a certain tooth and cry. In the past, this has meant he's hungry, but food or drink didn't seem to do the trick- The appointment is early in the AM, which means I won't be exercising until I get back- and the dentist is about an hour's drive.. yippee!
Funny, at every meal today I didn't have that "full" feeling, which I'm so used to. I think that's why I kept looking around for more food, and just randomly snacking on different things. Right now I do feel full- and bloated. I don't like it, but it's like I can't stop eating until I feel this way and I know that has to change... What I'm gonna do tomorrow is drink a full glass of water before a meal, then see if I notice a difference after I eat.
It seemed like I was grazing all day today.. not sure why I wasn't feeling really satisfied with anything I ate.
Here's how it went.
Breakfast: Egg Sandwich
1 egg made with skim milk, PAM in the pan, 2 slices white bread, 1 slice american cheese. 10 oz glass skim milk and a teeny tiny bit of chocolate low fat milk for flavor. (plus my vitamins).
Total Calories: 440
Then I had a tiny bite of a granola bar, 1/4 or less of that- ? calories?
Then I had 2 ice pops (15 calories each). - 30
Lunch:
Corn Flakes with skim milk - 150 calories.
Then I had 2 Gobstoppers candies - 6 of these are 59 calories, so I guess I had about 20 calories here.
3 cups of coffee with Splenda and Fat Free cream - about 60 calories each- 240
1 sheet Honey Maid Honey Graham crackers - 60 calories
5 saltine crackers - 60 calories
4 oz diet pepsi 0
Dinner: Life cereal (2 servings= 1 1/2 cups) with skim milk - 320 calories
In between this I was drinking a little water.
Total calories today: 1320 (not counting the bite of the granola bar) that's a bit higher than I'd like to go.
I woke up to no fruit in the house, hubby took my last apple - but I just got back from the store with fresh apples and strawberries
I was able to get my exercise done today! I was so happy because I wasn't sure with my son how it would go- but my 8 year old stepped up to the plate and kept him entertained with ice pops!!
Tomorrow my son has a dentist appointment.. his tooth appears to be bothering him, I think- for a couple days he'll put his hand near a certain tooth and cry. In the past, this has meant he's hungry, but food or drink didn't seem to do the trick- The appointment is early in the AM, which means I won't be exercising until I get back- and the dentist is about an hour's drive.. yippee!
Funny, at every meal today I didn't have that "full" feeling, which I'm so used to. I think that's why I kept looking around for more food, and just randomly snacking on different things. Right now I do feel full- and bloated. I don't like it, but it's like I can't stop eating until I feel this way and I know that has to change... What I'm gonna do tomorrow is drink a full glass of water before a meal, then see if I notice a difference after I eat.
KaraCooks
New member
I can tell you exactly why you never had that full feeling and weren't satisfied with anything you ate:
granola bar - carb and sugar
ice pop - carb and sugar
corn flakes - carb and sugars (and a tiny bit of milk protein)
gobstoppers - carb and sugar
coffee w/ splenda and fat free cream - carb w/ a tiny bit of protein
graham crackers - carb and sugar
saltines - carb and sugar (yes, saltines are pretty high in sugar)
diet pepsi - nothing
life cereal - carb and sugar (and tiny bit of milk protein)
Other than the eggs you ate this morning you had no protein and no healthy fats. Not to mention no veggies. You had a crapton of simple carbs and sugars - not even complex carbs that have some protein value to them.
Proteins take longer to digest and process, so they make you feel more full for longer.
Healthy fats trigger your satiety receptors and help you feel more full for longer.
Carbs and sugar - and especially simple, white flour carbs - cause you to produce a spike of insulin which is quickly processed through your body and then leaves you with low blood sugar - which means you want more food. When you load carbs and sugar all day, you're setting your blood sugar level on a huge roller coaster ride - with the upshot being that you're always hungry and always wanting more.
I said this on another thread, but when you reduce your calories to 1200 or 1300 you MUST MUST MUST make sure that every calorie counts. You don't have the wiggle room that someone who has 1700 or 2000 calories does to munch on nutritionally empty calories.
Drinking a full glass of water isn't going to help. Eating more protein and healthy fats and adding some veggies and fruits to your diet will make a huge difference.
granola bar - carb and sugar
ice pop - carb and sugar
corn flakes - carb and sugars (and a tiny bit of milk protein)
gobstoppers - carb and sugar
coffee w/ splenda and fat free cream - carb w/ a tiny bit of protein
graham crackers - carb and sugar
saltines - carb and sugar (yes, saltines are pretty high in sugar)
diet pepsi - nothing
life cereal - carb and sugar (and tiny bit of milk protein)
Other than the eggs you ate this morning you had no protein and no healthy fats. Not to mention no veggies. You had a crapton of simple carbs and sugars - not even complex carbs that have some protein value to them.
Proteins take longer to digest and process, so they make you feel more full for longer.
Healthy fats trigger your satiety receptors and help you feel more full for longer.
Carbs and sugar - and especially simple, white flour carbs - cause you to produce a spike of insulin which is quickly processed through your body and then leaves you with low blood sugar - which means you want more food. When you load carbs and sugar all day, you're setting your blood sugar level on a huge roller coaster ride - with the upshot being that you're always hungry and always wanting more.
I said this on another thread, but when you reduce your calories to 1200 or 1300 you MUST MUST MUST make sure that every calorie counts. You don't have the wiggle room that someone who has 1700 or 2000 calories does to munch on nutritionally empty calories.
Drinking a full glass of water isn't going to help. Eating more protein and healthy fats and adding some veggies and fruits to your diet will make a huge difference.
confuzzledwife
New member
I can tell you exactly why you never had that full feeling and weren't satisfied with anything you ate:
granola bar - carb and sugar
ice pop - carb and sugar
corn flakes - carb and sugars (and a tiny bit of milk protein)
gobstoppers - carb and sugar
coffee w/ splenda and fat free cream - carb w/ a tiny bit of protein
graham crackers - carb and sugar
saltines - carb and sugar (yes, saltines are pretty high in sugar)
diet pepsi - nothing
life cereal - carb and sugar (and tiny bit of milk protein)
Other than the eggs you ate this morning you had no protein and no healthy fats. Not to mention no veggies. You had a crapton of simple carbs and sugars - not even complex carbs that have some protein value to them.
Proteins take longer to digest and process, so they make you feel more full for longer.
Healthy fats trigger your satiety receptors and help you feel more full for longer.
Carbs and sugar - and especially simple, white flour carbs - cause you to produce a spike of insulin which is quickly processed through your body and then leaves you with low blood sugar - which means you want more food. When you load carbs and sugar all day, you're setting your blood sugar level on a huge roller coaster ride - with the upshot being that you're always hungry and always wanting more.
I said this on another thread, but when you reduce your calories to 1200 or 1300 you MUST MUST MUST make sure that every calorie counts. You don't have the wiggle room that someone who has 1700 or 2000 calories does to munch on nutritionally empty calories.
Drinking a full glass of water isn't going to help. Eating more protein and healthy fats and adding some veggies and fruits to your diet will make a huge difference.
Hi Kara!
Y'know.. I don't think you're nagging me at all... matter of fact, you seem to have a wealth of food related knowledge, and I truly appreciate all the advice you give me. I need help, and welcome all suggestions. I had no idea the high sugar content in saltines! That was a real eye opener... and it's funny, but I've been so obsessed with food this past week, that I'm making different choices for my kids usual snacks also. I never looked at labels and I'm learning so much as I go along.. but still need help! For example, my youngest son LOVES goldfish crackers.. I found a little healthier alternative in the natural food isle. Luckily, he's not a picky eater and does eats lots of fruits/veggies, fish, pretty much everything- I could take a lesson from him!
I have been adding in some fruits/veggies most all week- I did have salad in the house and considered having some, but didn't.. I should have! For both lunch and dinner, I was craving cereal, like "I HAVE to have cereal".. When my hubby got home, I ran to the store to get some fruits- I missed them today, didn't realize how much I would miss them either. Since I started adding in fruit with breakfast last week, I really wanted some today. I'm not into fish of any kind. I don't like chicken, turkey, ham or really any other meat outside of beef (probably not the healthiest choice). I bought some sandwich steak while I was out and figured I'd make that with onions and broccoli but then I got home and headed for the Life cereal.
I'm going to look up some info on seeing what foods have protein.. I'm no expert in the nutrition area at all! Everytime I think protein, I think peanut butter, then I look at the calories in just a little bit and freak- I know there are plenty more protein rich foods, but I just need to find out what they are! Again, I appreciate your advice- you lost weight the "right" way, and I want to do the same thing.
KaraCooks
New member
I'm glad I can help. I know that sometimes my posts come across as blunt, but a lot of that is trying to get everything out of my head and have my fingers catch up.
To give you more info: First, peanut butter is a great snack. There have been weeks I've been on a pb kick and had it 3x a day. Don't be afraid of calories if they're packed with nutrition. It's not so much about how many calories (mostly) as how VALUABLE they are.
If it helps, think about calories the way you think about money. You'd feel terrible if you spent $1000 on a piece of cheap glass, but if you invested $1000 in a high quality diamond, it would be worth it right? Calories are the same. If you "invest" your calories in nutrient rich food, then you know they're calories well spent.
Ok, that said, protein rich foods and snacks:
24 almonds = 1 serving = 160 calories and 6g protein
1 cup of low fat yogurt = 90-110 calories (depending on the brand) and 8 - 20g protein (depending on the brand)
2 pieces of string cheese = 160 calories and 14g protein
2 boiled eggs = 140 calories and 12 g protein
whole grain toast = 110 ish calories and 6 g protein (if you have to have something carby, this is a good idea)
1/2 cup cottage cheese = 100 calories and 12 g protein (honestly I'm willing to spend the calories on full fat cottage cheese becuase I thnk the low fat version tastes like crap, but if you don't mind it, then LF cottage cheese still has the same amount of protein for fewer calories)
edamame - 90 calories and 9 g protein
1/4 cup hummus - 120 calories and 5 g protein (make your own - it's much better and you can control the flavor any way you want)
What I try to do is always combine one of the above with either fruit or veg. So I might have an apple and some string cheese, or some veggies and hummus, or toast with a banana, or boiled eggs with tomato juice (I really love low-sodium V8, but whatever works for you - just watch the sugar content). 1 piece of whole grain toast spread with 1T (1/2 serving) of peanut butter is under 200 calories and something like 14 g protein. That way you get your carby snacky toast, and the goodness of peanut butter.
My latest snack craving is 1/2 a serving of almonds (about 12 or so of them) and 1/4 cup of golden raisins. I have to make sure I get 4 or 5 raisins in the same bite with each almond. I don't know why but lately I've been CRAVING that every afternoon and it makes a good pre-workout snack, having a nice combination of protein and carbs.
I know you said you don't like meat other that beef, but what about fish? Can you eat tuna in water? That's a GREAT source of protein. You can get those foil packs of tuna and mix it with a little mayo or mustard or even Italian dressing and get nearly 25g protein for about 100 calories.
Also, what about chicken breast in a can and making chicken salad? That might get away from the taste/texture of a whole chicken breast and is almost as protein rich as the tuna.
Both are great for lunches.
Oh, oh oh ... cereal. If you absolutely cannot get along w/out cereal, I'd recommend any of the Kashi brand cereals (they're at least not full of artificial ingredients and preservatives and they've got a decent balance of protein and complex carbs). Or oats - instant oatmeal (the plain kind, not the kind with sugar and junk added) is fine, but steel cut oats will provide more fiber and all of the good stuff that helps lower cholesterol.
I know that sometimes my posts come across as blunt, but a lot of that is trying to get everything out of my head and have my fingers catch up. To give you more info: First, peanut butter is a great snack. There have been weeks I've been on a pb kick and had it 3x a day.
Don't be afraid of calories if they're packed with nutrition. It's not so much about how many calories (mostly) as how VALUABLE they are.If it helps, think about calories the way you think about money.
You'd feel terrible if you spent $1000 on a piece of cheap glass, but if you invested $1000 in a high quality diamond, it would be worth it right? Calories are the same. If you "invest" your calories in nutrient rich food, then you know they're calories well spent. Ok, that said, protein rich foods and snacks:
24 almonds = 1 serving = 160 calories and 6g protein
1 cup of low fat yogurt = 90-110 calories (depending on the brand) and 8 - 20g protein (depending on the brand)
2 pieces of string cheese = 160 calories and 14g protein
2 boiled eggs = 140 calories and 12 g protein
whole grain toast = 110 ish calories and 6 g protein (if you have to have something carby, this is a good idea)
1/2 cup cottage cheese = 100 calories and 12 g protein (honestly I'm willing to spend the calories on full fat cottage cheese becuase I thnk the low fat version tastes like crap, but if you don't mind it, then LF cottage cheese still has the same amount of protein for fewer calories)
edamame - 90 calories and 9 g protein
1/4 cup hummus - 120 calories and 5 g protein (make your own - it's much better and you can control the flavor any way you want)
What I try to do is always combine one of the above with either fruit or veg. So I might have an apple and some string cheese, or some veggies and hummus, or toast with a banana, or boiled eggs with tomato juice (I really love low-sodium V8, but whatever works for you - just watch the sugar content). 1 piece of whole grain toast spread with 1T (1/2 serving) of peanut butter is under 200 calories and something like 14 g protein. That way you get your carby snacky toast, and the goodness of peanut butter.
My latest snack craving is 1/2 a serving of almonds (about 12 or so of them) and 1/4 cup of golden raisins. I have to make sure I get 4 or 5 raisins in the same bite with each almond. I don't know why but lately I've been CRAVING that every afternoon and it makes a good pre-workout snack, having a nice combination of protein and carbs.
I know you said you don't like meat other that beef, but what about fish? Can you eat tuna in water? That's a GREAT source of protein. You can get those foil packs of tuna and mix it with a little mayo or mustard or even Italian dressing and get nearly 25g protein for about 100 calories.
Also, what about chicken breast in a can and making chicken salad? That might get away from the taste/texture of a whole chicken breast and is almost as protein rich as the tuna.
Both are great for lunches.
Oh, oh oh ... cereal. If you absolutely cannot get along w/out cereal, I'd recommend any of the Kashi brand cereals (they're at least not full of artificial ingredients and preservatives and they've got a decent balance of protein and complex carbs). Or oats - instant oatmeal (the plain kind, not the kind with sugar and junk added) is fine, but steel cut oats will provide more fiber and all of the good stuff that helps lower cholesterol.
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confuzzledwife
New member
Today's update:
Breakfast:
egg sandwich (1 egg made w/ skim milk) Pam instead of butter, 2 slices white bread, 1 slice cheese, 1 glass 1% milk (about 8 oz.)
1/2 apple w/ 1 TBSP peanut butter. vitamins.
calories: 500
3 Cups of coffee (made w/ splenda and FF half and half). Approx 240 calories
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwich w/ ketchup, pickle. (2 slices white bread, 2 slices cheese) 8 oz. Tropicana fruit punch
calories: 370
Dinner: salad (1 cup lettuce with salad spritzer 10 sprays), & 1 med sized tomato. - 55 calories
2 ice pops. (30 calories).
Total calories: 1195.
On a side note: I ended up doing my workout this evening... ugh.. I hate evening workouts so much! I'm not really a morning person, but it's always been a good feeling for me to do it early and have it done for the day.. hopefully tomorrow I can get it done in the AM!
Breakfast:
egg sandwich (1 egg made w/ skim milk) Pam instead of butter, 2 slices white bread, 1 slice cheese, 1 glass 1% milk (about 8 oz.)
1/2 apple w/ 1 TBSP peanut butter. vitamins.
calories: 500
3 Cups of coffee (made w/ splenda and FF half and half). Approx 240 calories
Lunch: Grilled cheese sandwich w/ ketchup, pickle. (2 slices white bread, 2 slices cheese) 8 oz. Tropicana fruit punch
calories: 370
Dinner: salad (1 cup lettuce with salad spritzer 10 sprays), & 1 med sized tomato. - 55 calories
2 ice pops. (30 calories).
Total calories: 1195.
On a side note: I ended up doing my workout this evening... ugh.. I hate evening workouts so much! I'm not really a morning person, but it's always been a good feeling for me to do it early and have it done for the day.. hopefully tomorrow I can get it done in the AM!
confuzzledwife
New member
Hi Kara,
Thanks for the suggestions.. I totally forgot about almonds, that one I should have known, and I love them.. and walnuts. It's so sad, when I did my grocery shopping I realized I allowed nothing for myself. In the past I'd just grab ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream for me... Everyone else would be eating all the normal/healthy foods, I'd cook the meals, then have my ice cream- honestly, I lived off it for months- that and pizza or fast food. When I think of it now I get sick.
I didn't allow enough for my own food in my grocery allowance and now I'm low on cash until next payday, 8/13. Ugh!
I ran out of skim milk so I had to go get some more today, I also got tomatoes and peaches.
This morning I added 1/2 apple with 1 TBSP peanut butter, along with my egg sandwich. I've never had pb w/ apples and it looked great, until I went to eat it.. the pb was sliding off the apple- it had a horrible taste to it! It was a store brand and just really gross... I usually get Peter Pan or Naturally More, but with money being tight I got the store brand, big mistake there.. I did eat it but I didn't like it! What I noticed immediately was that I felt satisfied.. not full, not bloated, but satisfied. And I wasn't hungry in between.
I don't like fish of any kind.. but I was thinking I would eat a chicken cutlet- normally I fry them in vegetable oil but I could always bake them or fry them in Pam or another healthier oil.. I can't do chicken salad.. I am so picky when it comes to food it isn't funny. Of your list, the things I would have are the hard boiled eggs, yogurt, and almonds... I had no idea what edamame was.. lol..had to look that one up! I did see that beef has protein, so maybe a lean meat might be another good way for me to get some protein. One good thing is I'm not too picky about fruits and veggies, and almost anything dairy (except cottage cheese). I do like cream cheese, but I assume that's high in calories.. haven't looked it up yet. I haven't tried string cheese yet.
As for cereal.. funny, I get my kids Kashi's mighty bites.. never tried it myself though. It's so darn expensive! Is it just me or are all the healthy foods over priced? The cereals I prefer are Life, Corn Flakes or Honeycomb. I used to LOVE Grape Nuts but my teeth and all the work/money I've put into them over the past years I feel like I'll ruin them eating something so hard like rocks.. people used to think I was weird eating Grape Nuts but I do love them & miss them.
Thanks again for the advice!!
I'll be sure in my next paycheck to allow food for myself and also bring some more variety into play. Your advice is great by the way!
Thanks for the suggestions.. I totally forgot about almonds, that one I should have known, and I love them.. and walnuts. It's so sad, when I did my grocery shopping I realized I allowed nothing for myself. In the past I'd just grab ice cream, hot fudge, and whipped cream for me... Everyone else would be eating all the normal/healthy foods, I'd cook the meals, then have my ice cream- honestly, I lived off it for months- that and pizza or fast food. When I think of it now I get sick.
I didn't allow enough for my own food in my grocery allowance and now I'm low on cash until next payday, 8/13. Ugh!
I ran out of skim milk so I had to go get some more today, I also got tomatoes and peaches.
This morning I added 1/2 apple with 1 TBSP peanut butter, along with my egg sandwich. I've never had pb w/ apples and it looked great, until I went to eat it.. the pb was sliding off the apple- it had a horrible taste to it! It was a store brand and just really gross... I usually get Peter Pan or Naturally More, but with money being tight I got the store brand, big mistake there.. I did eat it but I didn't like it! What I noticed immediately was that I felt satisfied.. not full, not bloated, but satisfied. And I wasn't hungry in between.
I don't like fish of any kind.. but I was thinking I would eat a chicken cutlet- normally I fry them in vegetable oil but I could always bake them or fry them in Pam or another healthier oil.. I can't do chicken salad.. I am so picky when it comes to food it isn't funny. Of your list, the things I would have are the hard boiled eggs, yogurt, and almonds... I had no idea what edamame was.. lol..had to look that one up! I did see that beef has protein, so maybe a lean meat might be another good way for me to get some protein. One good thing is I'm not too picky about fruits and veggies, and almost anything dairy (except cottage cheese). I do like cream cheese, but I assume that's high in calories.. haven't looked it up yet. I haven't tried string cheese yet.
As for cereal.. funny, I get my kids Kashi's mighty bites.. never tried it myself though. It's so darn expensive! Is it just me or are all the healthy foods over priced? The cereals I prefer are Life, Corn Flakes or Honeycomb. I used to LOVE Grape Nuts but my teeth and all the work/money I've put into them over the past years I feel like I'll ruin them eating something so hard like rocks.. people used to think I was weird eating Grape Nuts but I do love them & miss them.
Thanks again for the advice!!
I'll be sure in my next paycheck to allow food for myself and also bring some more variety into play. Your advice is great by the way!
Keep it up...great day today.
I almost walked to the store and bought myself a bike today...but I think I'm gonna stick to running. You may also be interested in kashi's cereal bar's with fruit, they are good too, and you can even get some chocolate pieces in them, as far as I remember they were low in calories and healthy. Kashi's stuff really is the best, they make great stuff.
I almost walked to the store and bought myself a bike today...but I think I'm gonna stick to running. You may also be interested in kashi's cereal bar's with fruit, they are good too, and you can even get some chocolate pieces in them, as far as I remember they were low in calories and healthy. Kashi's stuff really is the best, they make great stuff.