My journey to good health

[jjjay]

Well done on the good choices and exercise Shygemini - sounds like you are really commited to making these changes. Doing really well on the exercise too!

Keep it up hon!

 

[JanaNanner]

I am pretty darn proud of myself right now. We went out for supper to a really good pasta place with a bunch of family that is in town. I read through the menu, weighing my options. I really wanted pasta (obviously) but if i got what i wanted, it would be a creamy sauce and tons of calories. So i avoided the pasta. Then i thought i'd get a salmon and substitute the pasta on the side with a salad. However i was worried about how they'd cook the salmon (likely unhealthy) and the sauce on the salmon. So i ended up ordering a garden salad, with dressing on the side, and a grilled pesto marinated chicken breast. It was really good actually, and I think it was the healthiest choice on the menu, ,aside from getting just the garden salad with no chicken on it (but i like protein, lol). I also had a glass of wine, which i felt i could enjoy guilt free due to my good choices with the meal.

I really feel like my perception of food is changing. Yes i still love and enjoy food, but i weigh my options with what i eat now. I didn't feel like indulging today, so i chose carefully, when the 10 other people i was eating with had pasta in delicious thick sauces, i was munching on a salad. Sometimes I feel silly doing so, but it is for my health afterall.

Anyway, sorry for blabbing on. I also walked for 30 minutes today, and walked up and down 8 flights of stairs (in a row).

Total Calories: 1739

Aww, don't apologize for rambling. It's your diary. I remember when I first started my "diet" about 5 weeks ago I went to Olive Garden for dinner with my Dad. Fortunately they post nutrition information for all their food on their website. But it was still so, so tempting at that time to get the pasta loaded with creamy alfredo cheesiness. I ended up resisting though and got the salmon with apricot sauce and broccoli on the side. It was amazing and I'll have no problem having that when I go back. The interesting thing is that this actually opens you up to things you may never have tried before because you always went straight to the unhealthy option before, you know? In this way, eating out can still be about discovering and enjoying new foods.

Good job.

Went to gym and did 30 minutes on a cardio machine, burned 340 calories.

I think i did really good at red lobster today..they had a little page with healthy choices so i checked out what to order and that is how i made my decision...it was good and healthy! AND i avoided the fat filled cheese biscuits they bring to the table, as well as the clam chowder which i love.

Total: 2191

I LOVE when menus offer a little healthy eating section. They should all do that. Aaaaah, those cheese biscuits. You're courageous to say no to them.

 

[shygemini]

Well done on the good choices and exercise Shygemini - sounds like you are really commited to making these changes. Doing really well on the exercise too!

Keep it up hon!

Thank you so much! I am feeling really committed, and too many times in the past i've said "oh it is just one meal, i can get what i want" and regretted it later.

 

[shygemini]

Aww, don't apologize for rambling. It's your diary. I remember when I first started my "diet" about 5 weeks ago I went to Olive Garden for dinner with my Dad. Fortunately they post nutrition information for all their food on their website. But it was still so, so tempting at that time to get the pasta loaded with creamy alfredo cheesiness. I ended up resisting though and got the salmon with apricot sauce and broccoli on the side. It was amazing and I'll have no problem having that when I go back. The interesting thing is that this actually opens you up to things you may never have tried before because you always went straight to the unhealthy option before, you know? In this way, eating out can still be about discovering and enjoying new foods.

Good job.



I LOVE when menus offer a little healthy eating section. They should all do that. Aaaaah, those cheese biscuits. You're courageous to say no to them.

Great job at olive garden!! We don't have one here, but i would certainly be tempted to get something unhealthy there!

You are totally right about being opened up to more healthy foods. I find that I am now disappointed when a restuarant doesn't offer a good salad option. Red Lobster- bad salad options. They just had a caesar salad, which I am sure is full of fat from the dressing. My mom (who is at a healthy weight) almost always orders salads at restuarants...and often gets teased about it, but I can totally understand why now and will be jumping on that bandwagon.

One story I don't think i've shared here yet is about Chilil's Restuarant. We used to always go there and get the Quesadilla Explosion Salad. It was a huge salad, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, cheese, chicken, onions, peppers etc, with these quesadilla wedges on the side. We thought about going there earlier this week and I looked up the calorie info: it is 1400 calories, and over 2000 mg sodium (if i recall correctly). Isn't that horrible? If you ordered the ribs, that would be a better choice. Ridiculous, and as far as i'm concerned false advertising. Actually after reading that we decided to avoid chili's as much as possible, because basically there is nothing healthy on their menu.

Totally agree that all restaurants should have a healthy eating section. But until they do, we just have to be 'pests' like i was yesterday at red lobster.

"How is your salmon cooked? Do they baste it with butter?"
"I want the broccoli without the seasoning salt mixture on it"

Etc.

 

[JanaNanner]

Great job at olive garden!! We don't have one here, but i would certainly be tempted to get something unhealthy there!

You are totally right about being opened up to more healthy foods. I find that I am now disappointed when a restuarant doesn't offer a good salad option. Red Lobster- bad salad options. They just had a caesar salad, which I am sure is full of fat from the dressing. My mom (who is at a healthy weight) almost always orders salads at restuarants...and often gets teased about it, but I can totally understand why now and will be jumping on that bandwagon.

One story I don't think i've shared here yet is about Chilil's Restuarant. We used to always go there and get the Quesadilla Explosion Salad. It was a huge salad, lettuce, tomatoes, beans, cheese, chicken, onions, peppers etc, with these quesadilla wedges on the side. We thought about going there earlier this week and I looked up the calorie info: it is 1400 calories, and over 2000 mg sodium (if i recall correctly). Isn't that horrible? If you ordered the ribs, that would be a better choice. Ridiculous, and as far as i'm concerned false advertising. Actually after reading that we decided to avoid chili's as much as possible, because basically there is nothing healthy on their menu.

Totally agree that all restaurants should have a healthy eating section. But until they do, we just have to be 'pests' like i was yesterday at red lobster.

"How is your salmon cooked? Do they baste it with butter?"
"I want the broccoli without the seasoning salt mixture on it"

Etc.

... I never even thought to ask them not to add salt. I remember last time I went out and had a nice biiig side-dish of vegetables, it tasted like it had been marinating in salt water for a couple days. I will be requesting no added salt from now on. Woo. Pests of the world united in our quest to control our sodium intake.

It is a very, very scary world when you can't even fully trust a salad... But your Mom reminds me of my Dad, haha. He already does most of the stuff that I am now doing and is ridiculously healthy at 55 years of age (when your parents can win against you in a race (read: leave you in their dust), be very, very concerned). Though we have a constant debate (WWIII) over sodium intake going on lately because he is a salt addict.

 

[shygemini]

... I never even thought to ask them not to add salt. I remember last time I went out and had a nice biiig side-dish of vegetables, it tasted like it had been marinating in salt water for a couple days. I will be requesting no added salt from now on. Woo. Pests of the world united in our quest to control our sodium intake.

It is a very, very scary world when you can't even fully trust a salad... But your Mom reminds me of my Dad, haha. He already does most of the stuff that I am now doing and is ridiculously healthy at 55 years of age (when your parents can win against you in a race (read: leave you in their dust), be very, very concerned). Though we have a constant debate (WWIII) over sodium intake going on lately because he is a salt addict.

Yeah, she looked at me like i was crazy when i said about the broccoli, lol

The thing is, I ordered that baked potato, and it came CRUSTED in salt crystals. I couldn't believe it. But, i never eat potato skin anyway, and it wasn't inside the potato so it was fine. I just don't think that is necessary!

Plus I feel that when you specify something about food (like no salt) that means they have to cook you a fresh batch of whatever it is..so you are eating tastier food in the sense that it hasn't been sitting around for awhile

That is awesome about your dad! My mom drinks diet pop which we have debates about as well.

 

[shygemini]

Only did a 10 minute walk today.

Breakfast
Bananas - Raw, 1 medium (7" to 7-7/8" long) 105

Lunch
Dairyland - Sour Cream, Light, 2 tbsp 30
Generic - Onion, Sauteed, 1/4 cup 115
Generic - Medium White Bread Roll, 1 roll 140
Butter - Unsalted, 0.33 tbsp 34
Minute Maid - Limeade, 16 oz 240
Generic - Potato and Cheese Perogies, 9 perogies (120 g) 428

Dinner
Baby Potatoes - Baby Potatoes, 7.5 potatoes 120
Dairyland - Sour Cream, Light, 1 tbsp 15
Fresh Express - Iceberg Garden Salad Mix, 1.5 cups 30
Generic - Hamburger Bun (White), 2 (50g) 280
Generic - Homemade Hamburger Patty Plain, 1/4 lb cooked 232
Heinz - Ketchup, 1 Tbsp (15ml) 15
Kraft - American Cheese Fat Free Singles, 1 slice 25
Kraft - Creamy Caesar Fat Free, 1.5 tbsp 30

Snacks
Trident White Gum - Cool Colada, 2 pieces 5
Generic - Orange (Med), 0.5 Orange 40
Ryvita - Muesli Crunch Crispbread, 2 slices (31g) 130

Total: 2014

 

[JanaNanner]

Yeah, she looked at me like i was crazy when i said about the broccoli, lol

The thing is, I ordered that baked potato, and it came CRUSTED in salt crystals. I couldn't believe it. But, i never eat potato skin anyway, and it wasn't inside the potato so it was fine. I just don't think that is necessary!

Plus I feel that when you specify something about food (like no salt) that means they have to cook you a fresh batch of whatever it is..so you are eating tastier food in the sense that it hasn't been sitting around for awhile

That is awesome about your dad! My mom drinks diet pop which we have debates about as well.

I don't blame you about diet soda debates. It's filled with bad stuff to make up for the lack of other bad stuff... the only difference is it is more obscure, sneaky, hidden bad stuff. Diet soda is scary. Anytime you can consume something that claims to have no calories, be afraid. It's like putting non-fuel substances in a car engine. o.o

Keep keeping strong with healthy choices with your family there visiting! You can do it!

 

[shygemini]

I don't blame you about diet soda debates. It's filled with bad stuff to make up for the lack of other bad stuff... the only difference is it is more obscure, sneaky, hidden bad stuff. Diet soda is scary. Anytime you can consume something that claims to have no calories, be afraid. It's like putting non-fuel substances in a car engine. o.o

Keep keeping strong with healthy choices with your family there visiting! You can do it!

Thanks Jana

The family visit is over, so there should be less food temptations coming my way! I also feel way better this week so I'm happy about that.

Totally agree about the diet soda and other zero calorie/zero fat/zero salt food..sigh...

Saw some pics of myself from the family gathering and i must say in some I was looking like I might have toned up a bit from the weight loss...my arms are still huge but looking better anyway!

 

[shygemini]

Walked for a total of 85 minutes today, and ate well....resulting in that I am really under calories right now. I might eat something a bit later because I don't like being so low in calories.

Breakfast
Generic - Orange (Med), 1 Orange 80
Generic - Hamburger Bun (White), 1 (50g) 140

Lunch
Generic - Orange (Med), 1 Orange 80
Nectarines - Raw, 1 fruit (2-1/2" dia) 60
Yoplait - Yoptimal Vanilla Yogourt, 100 g 90
Unico - Black Beans - Canned, 93.75 mL (1/2 cup) 98
Fresh Express - Iceberg Garden Salad Mix, 2.25 cups 45
Kraft Salad Dressing - Sundried Tomato & Oregano Calorie Wise, 15 ml 35
Starbucks - Iced Caramel Macchiato - Tall - Nonfat milk, (12 fl oz ea.) 140
recent

Dinner
Chicken, Avocado and Rice Salad, 1 serving 539
Generic - Medium White Bread Roll, 1 roll 140
Becel - Light Calorie-Reduced Margarine, 1 tsp 18

Snacks
Ryvita - Muesli Crunch Crispbread, 1 slices (31g) 65

Total: 1530 calories

 

[JanaNanner]

Thanks Jana

The family visit is over, so there should be less food temptations coming my way! I also feel way better this week so I'm happy about that.

Totally agree about the diet soda and other zero calorie/zero fat/zero salt food..sigh...

Saw some pics of myself from the family gathering and i must say in some I was looking like I might have toned up a bit from the weight loss...my arms are still huge but looking better anyway!

I'm so happy for you that you felt positively about the changes you could see in the photographs. I understand about the arms, though. The fat on my upper arms and my chin fat are the things that bother me most. And just think, those are photos after a 10 lb loss. There's more to come.

Walked for a total of 85 minutes today, and ate well....resulting in that I am really under calories right now. I might eat something a bit later because I don't like being so low in calories.

Total: 1530 calories

That's a lot of good walking! I wish I had the patience for that amount of walking but I get bored, which is why I do so many dance-type workouts.

 

[shygemini]

thank you jana yes it was nice to at least feel a bit better about how i look! i hate my chin fat too

I wouldn't likely be able to walk so much either but i go walking with a friend, so its fun because we are chatting the whole time

I did end up eating more yesterday, bringing me to a total of 1880 calories. Today was odd...i was stuffed full at lunchtime, but then got hungrier later. I attribute it to not having enough to eat at breakfast.

Breakfast
Dairy - 1% Milk, 1 cup 110
Kellogg's - Special K - Original, 1.8 cup (3g) 216

Lunch
Chicken, Avocado and Rice Salad, 0.5 serving 269
Yoplait - Yoptimal Vanilla Yogourt, 100 g 90
Generic - Orange (Med), 1 Orange 80
Mott's - Fruitsations Apple Pomegranate, 111 g 50

Dinner
Chicken, Avocado and Rice Salad, 1 serving 539
Parmigiano Reggiano - Parmasan Cheese, 15 g 59
Dairy - 1% Milk, 1.5 cup 165

Snacks
Nectarines - Raw, 1 fruit (2-1/2" dia) 60
Costco - Soy Energy Blend , 1/4 cup 150
Dairy - 1% Milk, 0.33 cup 36
Kellogg's - Special K - Original, 0.67 cup (3g) 80

Total: 1904 calories

 

[JanaNanner]

thank you jana yes it was nice to at least feel a bit better about how i look! i hate my chin fat too

I wouldn't likely be able to walk so much either but i go walking with a friend, so its fun because we are chatting the whole time

I did end up eating more yesterday, bringing me to a total of 1880 calories. Today was odd...i was stuffed full at lunchtime, but then got hungrier later. I attribute it to not having enough to eat at breakfast.

I was reading an article yesterday that talked both about the importance of sleep and of eating a big, filling breakfast. If you don't sleep well the night before, it can make you feel hungrier the next day. So, how did you sleep, then? Maybe it's a combination of both. The important thing is that, even though you felt hungrier, you still did well with your caloric intake. Good job.

 

[shygemini]

I was reading an article yesterday that talked both about the importance of sleep and of eating a big, filling breakfast. If you don't sleep well the night before, it can make you feel hungrier the next day. So, how did you sleep, then? Maybe it's a combination of both. The important thing is that, even though you felt hungrier, you still did well with your caloric intake. Good job.

Thanks

Yeah i didn't sleep very well the night before, so that could very well have been why i was hungrier!


I was excited today because I am in the 260s (official weigh in tomorrow) but tried on some old capri pants..which i was wearing this time last year..and they were still too tight So i guess i have to lose more before they will fit again, which makes sense because i know i was around 264 or so at the time. So i'm guessing in another 10lbs they will fit for sure. Those are, by the way, my capris that i bought because my old ones didn't fit anymore (they are size 18). Currently wearing the capris i bought because those didn't fit (size 22), and they are looser than they have been, even right out of the wash. If i hadn't sold my size 20 capris, i am pretty sure they would fit right now. So all in all not horrible, i just got ahead of myself

ps i still have my size 14 pants in my closet which were my goal pants when i was 220lbs (and i could do up but they were tight). I can't wait until i can wear those, and some of my awesome size 16 clothes. I have so many nice things i can't wear right now!

 

[JanaNanner]

Thanks

Yeah i didn't sleep very well the night before, so that could very well have been why i was hungrier!


I was excited today because I am in the 260s (official weigh in tomorrow) but tried on some old capri pants..which i was wearing this time last year..and they were still too tight So i guess i have to lose more before they will fit again, which makes sense because i know i was around 264 or so at the time. So i'm guessing in another 10lbs they will fit for sure. Those are, by the way, my capris that i bought because my old ones didn't fit anymore (they are size 18). Currently wearing the capris i bought because those didn't fit (size 22), and they are looser than they have been, even right out of the wash. If i hadn't sold my size 20 capris, i am pretty sure they would fit right now. So all in all not horrible, i just got ahead of myself

ps i still have my size 14 pants in my closet which were my goal pants when i was 220lbs (and i could do up but they were tight). I can't wait until i can wear those, and some of my awesome size 16 clothes. I have so many nice things i can't wear right now!

Good job on making it into the 260s! I'm proud of you and I'll be joining you there soon.

Seriously, an AMAZING wardrobe is one of my big motivators. I am going to put myself in the poor house once I can finally fit into really, really cute stuff. It's a little dangerous, but I'm willing to take the risk! And yeah, I have a pair of pants too that don't fit me anymore and I'm just waiting for that day they fit again. I know the feeling.

 

[shygemini]

Good job on making it into the 260s! I'm proud of you and I'll be joining you there soon.

Seriously, an AMAZING wardrobe is one of my big motivators. I am going to put myself in the poor house once I can finally fit into really, really cute stuff. It's a little dangerous, but I'm willing to take the risk! And yeah, I have a pair of pants too that don't fit me anymore and I'm just waiting for that day they fit again. I know the feeling.

thank you for always being here to motivate me

yeah i can't wait, i haven't let myself buy many clothes as i have tons but they are just small right now. and i can't wait until i can really go crazy shopping and actually try on things in more than 3 stores in the mall, lol

 

[shygemini]

Today i had a brief 10 minute walk after lunch (which was quite nice!) and then did a 1 hour zumba class, burned 636 calories in that. I was disappointed because the instructor actually stopped the class early, so it was really only 45 minutes of workout and 5 minute cool down. It also wasn't really zumba...more like just aerobics. HOwever, I burned lots of calories and that is the main thing!

Breakfast
Kellogg's - Special K - Original, 1.8 cup (3g) 216
Dairy - 1% Milk, 1 cup 110
Generic - Orange (Med), 1 Orange 80

Lunch
Endive - Raw, 1 cup, chopped 9
Spinach - Raw, 3 cup 21
Tangerines, (mandarin oranges) - Raw, 1 cup, sections 103
Nuts - Walnuts, english, 0.33 cup, chopped 253
Chicken - Chicken Breast, Skinless, Boneless, 3.5 oz., 4 oz 164
Kroger - Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette, 4 Tbsp 100
Water - Municipal, 2 cup (8 fl oz) 0

Dinner
Rice - White, medium-grain, cooked, 0.75 cup 181
Homemade - Broccoli Steamed, 1 cup cooked 54
Chicken - Chicken Breast, Skinless, Boneless, 3.5 oz., 8 oz 328
Minute Maid - Pink Lemonade, 16 fl oz 200

Snacks
Starbucks Coffee - Iced Grande Coffee - Sweetened W/ Nonfat Milk, 110
Bananas - Raw, 1 small (6" to 6-7/8" long) 90
Ryvita - Muesli Crunch Crispbread, 1 slices (31g) 65

Total: 2084 calories

 

[jjjay]

Glad the family visit went well Shy and that it wasn't TOO tempting!!

I find that sleep and breakfast are really really important elements for me - if I eat a good breakfast at the right time, then I don't snack all morning, lunch is later rather than desperately early and I can go most of the afternoon with just a sensible snack or two rather than raiding the vending machine!! No sleep = more trips to Starbucks which is never a good idea!!

The photo thing just happens gradually - I've found that really weird and the only way to measure the difference in how you are looking is a) clothes that no longer fit and b) put like 3 or 4 photos side by side and see the progression over a few months - then it becomes obvious.

As for clothes...gasp...I'm going to be having financial problems soon - there are SO MANY nice clothes out there that I always just had to look longingly at before. Now that I'm a UK16 bordering on a 14, they are all within reach - ok, so most of the styling is still for skinny minnies but I can go and try it on - I can TOUCH THE PRECIOUS THINGS! in the normal stores!! Can't explain how lovely that feels after years of worrying and fretting that i won't be able to find an outfit for an event, a wedding or work that FITS let alone one that I LIKE let alone one the LOOKS GOOD....after having such desperation, to have a plethora of choice...I feel like a kid in a candy shop being told to "fill my bucket as quick as I can"...

 

[JanaNanner]

thank you for always being here to motivate me

yeah i can't wait, i haven't let myself buy many clothes as i have tons but they are just small right now. and i can't wait until i can really go crazy shopping and actually try on things in more than 3 stores in the mall, lol

No, thank you. You always do just the same for me.

Haha, I know what you mean about those three stores. I will be so, so happy never to go into those stores ever again.

Today i had a brief 10 minute walk after lunch (which was quite nice!) and then did a 1 hour zumba class, burned 636 calories in that. I was disappointed because the instructor actually stopped the class early, so it was really only 45 minutes of workout and 5 minute cool down. It also wasn't really zumba...more like just aerobics. HOwever, I burned lots of calories and that is the main thing!

Total: 2084 calories

Hey, as long as those calories are burning, it's all good. Good job.

As for clothes...gasp...I'm going to be having financial problems soon - there are SO MANY nice clothes out there that I always just had to look longingly at before. Now that I'm a UK16 bordering on a 14, they are all within reach - ok, so most of the styling is still for skinny minnies but I can go and try it on - I can TOUCH THE PRECIOUS THINGS! in the normal stores!! Can't explain how lovely that feels after years of worrying and fretting that i won't be able to find an outfit for an event, a wedding or work that FITS let alone one that I LIKE let alone one the LOOKS GOOD....after having such desperation, to have a plethora of choice...I feel like a kid in a candy shop being told to "fill my bucket as quick as I can"...

YES. I don't care if I can't afford it. It's going on my body, even if for only 2 minutes. I will stand there and look at myself in the mirror (probably cry a little from overwhelming happiness, take a couple pictures, etc... ) and ENJOY IT, even if I can't afford it. I've waited a long time for it and I'll have worked hard for it, so that's all there is to it.

 

[shygemini]

Glad the family visit went well Shy and that it wasn't TOO tempting!!

I find that sleep and breakfast are really really important elements for me - if I eat a good breakfast at the right time, then I don't snack all morning, lunch is later rather than desperately early and I can go most of the afternoon with just a sensible snack or two rather than raiding the vending machine!! No sleep = more trips to Starbucks which is never a good idea!!

The photo thing just happens gradually - I've found that really weird and the only way to measure the difference in how you are looking is a) clothes that no longer fit and b) put like 3 or 4 photos side by side and see the progression over a few months - then it becomes obvious.

As for clothes...gasp...I'm going to be having financial problems soon - there are SO MANY nice clothes out there that I always just had to look longingly at before. Now that I'm a UK16 bordering on a 14, they are all within reach - ok, so most of the styling is still for skinny minnies but I can go and try it on - I can TOUCH THE PRECIOUS THINGS! in the normal stores!! Can't explain how lovely that feels after years of worrying and fretting that i won't be able to find an outfit for an event, a wedding or work that FITS let alone one that I LIKE let alone one the LOOKS GOOD....after having such desperation, to have a plethora of choice...I feel like a kid in a candy shop being told to "fill my bucket as quick as I can"...

Thank you!

Totally agree about the sleep and breakfast. It just sets me off on the wrong foot for the whole day otherwise.

Oh yes, i can't wait to try on all sorts of lovely clothes..and i am determined to wear a mini skirt sometime in my life! Mostly, i can't wait to feel better in my own skin again.