Mowens's Diary
- Thread starter Mowens1984
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Florence
New member
That's awesome Mowen,
well done on your 20 minute walk. That is an achievement and definitely worth bragging about.
Mowens1984
New member
Thank you all. The encouragement means a whole heck of a lot. I know it might seem silly to get so excited over such a small achievement when others are walking hours upon hours a day, but for me, this was a big step forward (no pun intended).
Yesterday, the day after my 'cheat day', I allowed my boss to talk me into going and getting quesadillas with him at the work cafeteria instead of eating my low calorie lunch I brought with me. Then for dinner, my wife didn't want to cook anything for herself so I let her talk me into going to eat at a local Mexican restaurant. The worst part of that was they got my order wrong, so they let me keep the plate of wrong food and then also brought me a plate with my correct food. Pizza and tacos are my weaknesses, so I ate waaaay to much.
Needless to say, I have not been able to lose anything or even maintain in the last couple of days and I'm frustrated with myself for losing sight of what I want.
It's really hard not to want to point fingers or feel as though you're being sabotaged at every turn. I need to work on accepting responsibility for what I ultimately choose to eat and not allow myself to be so easily influenced by others.
On the plus side, my wife and I went for a mile long walk with our kids (in a stroller) and even though my calves were burning by the end of it, it felt great. Weather was a nice 75 (23 Celsius) for walking outside.
Yesterday, the day after my 'cheat day', I allowed my boss to talk me into going and getting quesadillas with him at the work cafeteria instead of eating my low calorie lunch I brought with me. Then for dinner, my wife didn't want to cook anything for herself so I let her talk me into going to eat at a local Mexican restaurant. The worst part of that was they got my order wrong, so they let me keep the plate of wrong food and then also brought me a plate with my correct food. Pizza and tacos are my weaknesses, so I ate waaaay to much.
Needless to say, I have not been able to lose anything or even maintain in the last couple of days and I'm frustrated with myself for losing sight of what I want.
It's really hard not to want to point fingers or feel as though you're being sabotaged at every turn. I need to work on accepting responsibility for what I ultimately choose to eat and not allow myself to be so easily influenced by others.
On the plus side, my wife and I went for a mile long walk with our kids (in a stroller) and even though my calves were burning by the end of it, it felt great. Weather was a nice 75 (23 Celsius) for walking outside.
You´re not being sabotaged, people are just still doing what they (and you) were doing before. It definitely makes it harder but they´re not doing it to spite you. Ignore the scale for a day or two: all that sodium is going to make a huge difference, but what you are seeing is 80% water weight. Just stick to what you know and remember this moment next time people try to get you to do what the old you would have done. Next time you´re in a restaurant situation: look at the options and find something low-cal. It´s there. And if you can´t find it, choose soup and an entrée instead of what you usually would have had. Well done on your mile!
Mowens1984
New member
It's been an exciting weekend as far as the diet is concerned. I walked my first mile and a half without stopping (well, for the first time in about 15 years). What used to be 10 minute walks is now averaging closer to 20 minutes per walk -- or more when I'm not at work.
I've also been telling people for the last couple of weeks that I'd lost "about 20 pounds" when I was closer to 17 or 18. As of this morning, I've officially passed 20 pounds so I can tell people I've lost "over 20 pounds" and not be perfidious about it.
I've also gotten my wife to contribute and partake in some meal prepping. It's just a couple of chicken breasts, some white rice and broccoli with Italian dressing on it. We made a couple of servings last week just to gauge the amount we could get away with. Decided to cut the amount of rice per serving from 1/2 a cup down to just 1/4 cup. Padded out with the broccoli, it still looks like a decent amount of food, and if my calculations are right, it should be about 375 calories including the dressing.
I've also been telling people for the last couple of weeks that I'd lost "about 20 pounds" when I was closer to 17 or 18. As of this morning, I've officially passed 20 pounds so I can tell people I've lost "over 20 pounds" and not be perfidious about it.
I've also gotten my wife to contribute and partake in some meal prepping. It's just a couple of chicken breasts, some white rice and broccoli with Italian dressing on it. We made a couple of servings last week just to gauge the amount we could get away with. Decided to cut the amount of rice per serving from 1/2 a cup down to just 1/4 cup. Padded out with the broccoli, it still looks like a decent amount of food, and if my calculations are right, it should be about 375 calories including the dressing.
Mowens1984
New member
If I'm really being honest, I've never given spinach a fair shake. I just automatically said I didn't like it because it is a vegetable and not meat/potatoes/cheese.
My wife buys spinach to throw in her eggs, maybe I'll give it a go next week and see how I like it. Mixing it in with something else will definitely make it easier.
My wife buys spinach to throw in her eggs, maybe I'll give it a go next week and see how I like it. Mixing it in with something else will definitely make it easier.
Cate
Long term member
We mix it in with almost everything. Seeing you say -
It's really good to see you getting around other diaries & showing support Mowens. That is what this forum is good at & you are a welcome part of that. Cheers, Cate.
had my mouth drop open. Please, please, please start trying more vegetables. Try baking them in a little olive oil, salt & pepper- suggestions( carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions or leeks, zucchini(courgettes), capsicum(bell peppers). Cover your baking tray with some baking paper first. Vegetables just boiled can be really boring & tasteless, but baked- YUM!
It's really good to see you getting around other diaries & showing support Mowens. That is what this forum is good at & you are a welcome part of that. Cheers, Cate.
Mowens1984
New member
I've taken baby steps with vegetables. I've gone my entire life eating cheeseburgers plain with just cheese, quesadillas with just meat and cheese.
The last couple of times I've eaten Mexican (which is more often than I like to admit) I've left on the lettuce on a taco or requested the tomatoes and green peppers on a quesadilla. I have to admit, it adds variety to the meals, but it certainly doesn't come easy to me.
I don't eat any raw vegetables, but I will eat peppers, onions, asparagus, and carrots if they are cooked.
And I'm trying to introduce myself to more people on the site. If you knew me in person, you would know I'm extremely shy and introverted in real life. I can happily go through days or even a week speaking only a few dozen words if my company would allow -- and some days, I do. But everyone has been so open and supportive, I'm trying to reflect some of that back.
The last couple of times I've eaten Mexican (which is more often than I like to admit) I've left on the lettuce on a taco or requested the tomatoes and green peppers on a quesadilla. I have to admit, it adds variety to the meals, but it certainly doesn't come easy to me.
I don't eat any raw vegetables, but I will eat peppers, onions, asparagus, and carrots if they are cooked.
And I'm trying to introduce myself to more people on the site. If you knew me in person, you would know I'm extremely shy and introverted in real life. I can happily go through days or even a week speaking only a few dozen words if my company would allow -- and some days, I do. But everyone has been so open and supportive, I'm trying to reflect some of that back.
Mowens1984
New member
I ate one of those pre-prepped meals today (chicken, rice, broccoli) and I feel like I had to have done something wrong. The broccoli completely overpowered the rest of the food and it tasted like I was just eating a giant container of broccoli. Maybe I didn't marinate the chicken long enough, or maybe I need to try a dry rub on it.
But yeah, I was raised on corn, peas and green beans and that's about it as far as veggies go. When you grow up 3 hungry boys in a low income family, the idea was always high calorie, easy to make meals and I've never truly broken that habit.
But yeah, I was raised on corn, peas and green beans and that's about it as far as veggies go. When you grow up 3 hungry boys in a low income family, the idea was always high calorie, easy to make meals and I've never truly broken that habit.
Cate
Long term member
I'm really glad that you have felt welcome in our community & it has given you the confidence to be so open & sharing. It's good to feel safe & comfortable.
Broccoli is not nice over-cooked. Spinach would probably be a better addition to most of your meals & maybe some courgettes. They absorb flavour well. Spinach adds moisture. We add spinach when we are heat veg. Often we pre-cook other veggies so that when we cook meat or a casserole or whatever we add shredded spinach as we heat the veg in the microwave. We just add it last at the last minute to so many things, including soup, omelettes, toasted sandwiches......I am starting to sound like a spinach salesperson lol I know quite a few people who will only eat what they call John Deere Veg ( peas & corn) plus potatoes, white bread & well-done grilled or fried meat. I love that you are willing to try new things. It's a matter of experimenting & your willingness to try. Baked veggies is the way to go I think. Start small Mowens, like everything else. Cheers, Cate.
Broccoli is not nice over-cooked. Spinach would probably be a better addition to most of your meals & maybe some courgettes. They absorb flavour well. Spinach adds moisture. We add spinach when we are heat veg. Often we pre-cook other veggies so that when we cook meat or a casserole or whatever we add shredded spinach as we heat the veg in the microwave. We just add it last at the last minute to so many things, including soup, omelettes, toasted sandwiches......I am starting to sound like a spinach salesperson lol
I know quite a few people who will only eat what they call John Deere Veg ( peas & corn) plus potatoes, white bread & well-done grilled or fried meat. I love that you are willing to try new things. It's a matter of experimenting & your willingness to try. Baked veggies is the way to go I think. Start small Mowens, like everything else. Cheers, Cate.
Butterfly88
New member
Maybe you can add some meat flavoring to your spinach shake? I'm sure they sell some kind of meaty flavoring. Or maybe add a touch of chicken or beef broth.
Mowens1984
New member
Feeling good on this Friday morning. Down 1.6lbs on the scales. Been having a spot of trouble with my walking. I'm still doing it but finding I'm tiring earlier than I expect to. I've been having trouble sleeping for the last 4 days (nothing new there) so I'm chalking it up to a bit of fatigue.
Went grocery shopping last night and got everything to pre-prep meals and stick to the diet. Feeling positive overall. My birthday is coming up (Tuesday) so I hope I don't indulge myself too much.
I've also gotten my wife, my cousin and her husband to do the MyFitnessPal and count their calories as well. Combined, the 4 of us have lost over 50lbs. The extra motivation of my phone buzzing at me telling me how we're doing is working well for me.
Went grocery shopping last night and got everything to pre-prep meals and stick to the diet. Feeling positive overall. My birthday is coming up (Tuesday) so I hope I don't indulge myself too much.
I've also gotten my wife, my cousin and her husband to do the MyFitnessPal and count their calories as well. Combined, the 4 of us have lost over 50lbs.
The extra motivation of my phone buzzing at me telling me how we're doing is working well for me.
Mowens1984
New member
Co-workers today telling me I have no life and need to "live a little" when I don't indulge in the cakes and cookies the office always seems to be passing around. I don't judge people for the way they choose to live their lives, I only wish people didn't judge me for the way I choose to live mine.
One person said, "But if you diet, you gotta do that for the rest of your life!"
To which I replied, "If being happier and healthier in my own body is a bad thing, then sign me up."
However, if I'm upsetting people with my lifestyle, I must be doing something right.
One person said, "But if you diet, you gotta do that for the rest of your life!"
To which I replied, "If being happier and healthier in my own body is a bad thing, then sign me up."
However, if I'm upsetting people with my lifestyle, I must be doing something right.
Cate
Long term member
Good thinking on getting others to join MFP with you Mowens.
I love it. Well done, you!
Butterfly88
New member
Yes, you are doing something right. Good job!
Mowens1984
New member
I behaved myself for the most part over the weekend. Went to my best friend's 30th birthday and ate a bit too much finger foods, but then attended a pool party at an aquatic center for a few hours and burned off most of whatever I ate. It's been a while since I've swam in an Olympic-sized swimming pool. I've forgotten how exhausting that can be. 
I looked into possibly joining the YMCA as I have one right down the street from where I work but I was a bit surprised that the fees are something like $45 USD a month for an adult and I would probably only utilize the gym and pool at most. I don't think I can commit to that kind of money when I could buy some of the equipment for home for not a lot more.
Only lost 0.2lbs over the weekend, but progress is progress. Considering I wasn't being terribly careful, I'm still pleased. We pre-prepped this weeks meals last night and I took cate's advice and added some spinach to one of them. It's likely going to be more of a "how well I stomach this" than how well it tastes, so I'll see how it goes today.
I've walked a few 1.5 mile sessions at my home at this point. I use that "Record" app that syncs to MyFitnessPal and it has an option where it speaks to you at regular intervals to tell you how long you've walked and how far you've gone. I find that super motivating in the moment. And I listen to podcasts to distract me from thinking about any soreness.
I actually attempted to slowly jog after about 12 minutes into a walk over the weekend. The impact of hitting the ground felt like it shook my brain. I almost immediately felt dizzy and unable to focus. Haha! I wasn't expected it to be so forceful. I don't know if it was just from how tired I was becoming or just the fact that I haven't seriously tried to "run" in years. I read somewhere that 1lb of weight is like the equivalent of 3lbs when running because of the extra force on your joints. If that's the case, every pound lost should make a big difference if I ever start regularly jogging.
Anyway, I didn't intend to write a novella, so off to work I go.
I looked into possibly joining the YMCA as I have one right down the street from where I work but I was a bit surprised that the fees are something like $45 USD a month for an adult and I would probably only utilize the gym and pool at most. I don't think I can commit to that kind of money when I could buy some of the equipment for home for not a lot more.
Only lost 0.2lbs over the weekend, but progress is progress. Considering I wasn't being terribly careful, I'm still pleased. We pre-prepped this weeks meals last night and I took cate's advice and added some spinach to one of them. It's likely going to be more of a "how well I stomach this" than how well it tastes, so I'll see how it goes today.
I've walked a few 1.5 mile sessions at my home at this point. I use that "Record" app that syncs to MyFitnessPal and it has an option where it speaks to you at regular intervals to tell you how long you've walked and how far you've gone. I find that super motivating in the moment. And I listen to podcasts to distract me from thinking about any soreness.
I actually attempted to slowly jog after about 12 minutes into a walk over the weekend. The impact of hitting the ground felt like it shook my brain. I almost immediately felt dizzy and unable to focus. Haha! I wasn't expected it to be so forceful. I don't know if it was just from how tired I was becoming or just the fact that I haven't seriously tried to "run" in years. I read somewhere that 1lb of weight is like the equivalent of 3lbs when running because of the extra force on your joints. If that's the case, every pound lost should make a big difference if I ever start regularly jogging.
Anyway, I didn't intend to write a novella, so off to work I go.
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