Vegetarian Diary

V

vegetarian

New member
Hi All,

I'm new, so I thought I might start by answering the basic questions suggested by the site:



-- How much weight do you want to lose? :

The last 10 lbs.


-- What is the timeframe for reaching your target weight?:

I started trying over a year ago with no success. I'm leaving to go back to the U.S. in a few months, so I guess 2.5 months.

-- How do you want to accomplish your goal (what methods do you want to use)?:

Diet and Exercise (but I really struggle with both)

-- Who or what can support you in reaching your goal?:

I'm here alone, so its just about me. . .

-- How realistic is your goal?:

I hope its realistic!

-- When will you start?:

Yesterday!


What is your current height and weight?

Height: 5 foot 6
Weight: 130 - but this includes NO muscle tone, and no breasts, etc. Mainly my weight is in my butt and thighs (in the form of cellulite, unfort!)

If you were at an ideal weight now, what would that weight be?: 120

At what weight would you like to be at four months from now?: 120

Why do you want to lose weight?: I just don't like the look of my thighs/butt/abdom when I get to this weight. My face looks round and my clothes fit tightly.

Do you want to lose weight for a specific life event such as wedding or reunion? If so, when is that event?: Nope

What obstacles could get between you and your weight loss goals?:

I am a u.s. citizen living in a foreign country (Argentina) where there are not many options for vegetarians. I am constantly tempted by bread, sweets, pasta and more. Carbs (and I don't mean veggies/fruit) have always been the main way I gain weight. Also, I have a diet that is maybe TOO high fats - I eat too many olives, use too much oil (for frying veggies), and love me some cheese and full fat ice cream!


Why do you think that you now have a weight problem?:

Living in a stressful world that involves learning a new language just to get by. Also, in Buenos Aries, there is a cafe culture (where I meet with people all day long) - and anything I order (tea, diet soda, even water. . . ) comes with little pieces of cake!! I don't know enough spanish to say in advance don't bring them to me, but letting them just lie there . . . they speak to me.


What lifestyle changes do you think would help you lose weight?

I would really like to be able to stick with something. I can make healthy changes (exercise/eat right) for a few days, but then I'm off the wagon.

Have you lost weight in the past? If so, what has worked in the past to help you lose weight?

Unfort, in the past, the only time I ever lost weight I did it through a dangerous combination of starving myself, laxatives, etc. I'm committed to healthier changes!

Why do you believe that you did not lose weight or you gained the weight back?

First, I love food. I always hated being one of those girls who was "on a diet" - and was happy to have a beer, eat some cheese and just accept my body for what it was. For awhile. . .that is. . . but I would like to be able to maintain my ideal weight, and not feel compelled to get the pasta.

What are your three favorite foods?:

Only three?!?!? I just couldn't!!! Gruyere on warm french bread, goat cheese ravioli in a cream-sage sauce, big bean burrito smothered in cheddar cheese, sour cream and guacamole, chewy crusted pizza toped with black olives tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, garlic and basil, thanksgiving stuffing, mint chocolate chip ice cream, home-fried potatoes, cheesecake, croissants, hot fudge brownie sundae, spicy thai tofu in a thick, sweet peanut-butter sauce, hummus on hot pita, feta cheese drizzled in olive oil, fresh made flour tortillas, sharp cheddar - followed by a bite of dark chocolate - followed by a big gulp of amazing belgian beer. Repeat. Heaven!!!
 
Diet in Buenos Aires

So let me give you a little glimpse into what my daily diet life is like here (as a veggie in the steak capital of the world!):

Breakfast:

I had this orange energy diet drink I found in the local pharmacy. Don't know all the ingredients, but caffein is the major one. Hoping it my boost my fat loss, but if nothing else, its a welcome change from coffee!

Big bowl of Oatmeal, with a bit of salt and soymilk. There is no such thing as light soymilk here - in fact, even soymilk is a real stretch! It tastes like its been sweetened heavily and with a touch of pineapple. Here, they manufacture "soy juices" - including flavors like lime, stawberry, etc. but I'll stick to the natural (aka plain) flavor of Ades Leche de Soja.

Mid morning I downed a half cup of peanut butter (the natural kind!). Nothing else, just spoonful after spoonful of peanutbutter. I was really craving protein and fat - and that was the best I could do in the moment.


Lunch: Passed a little fruit stand on the street and bought a HUGE box of brussel spouts for 5 pesos (or less than 2 dollars). Also bought a package of precut salad for later (about $1). Took the sprouts home and zapped them in the micro. Gave them a generous sprinkle of cold-pressed safflower oil, some salt (a major addiction of mine), and some freshly ground pepper. This was lunch. It doesn't sound like a lot - but I probably ate about 30 medium sized sprouts. I can EAT!.

Met up with a local for coffee and language exchange. I ordered a black tea (less calories that the full-fat lattes I was ordering), but it came with two little delicious alfajores. Alfajores are basically two thin, corn flour biscuits, with about an inch of thick, creamy caramel. Then the whole cookie sandwich is dipped in dark chocolate and covered in nuts. There are many varieties, all of them painfully delicious. I was successful in only having one (and not the two provided along side my tea).

Now, I"m home. One challenge of being here is that everyone eats dinner around 10 or 11 PM! So, I still sometimes get hungry (like now its only 6:11 PM), so I end up eating TWO dinners. Hmmmm. . . how to get around that? I might start with a salad or something now, and then - well - I'm not sure. I don't really have any food in the house. Need to go grocery shopping or order in. . .

That's my day so far. Later on I'm going to the movies (more sitting - no exercise today!). One dangerously yummy thing they do here in Argentina is that movie popcorn (pochoclo) comes in two flavors - salty/butter and SWEET! I say I won't have any, but we'll see if my willpower makes it through. . .
 
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something you might want to really keep track of and that's calories - doesn't really matter so much where those calories are coming from -healthy foods nor not - they all still count..

1/2 cup of peanut butter is probably about 700 or so calories... so you really might want to consider keeping track..

the stickied threads in nutrition forum should give you a general idea of how many calories a day you should be getting...

welcome to the forum and hope you enjoy your stay here.

what brings you to argentina? A hot cowboy? :D
 
Thanks for the heads up about the peanut butter! I know - its one of my vices. I think the problem I'm having is that in the U.S. - as a vegetarian, I have a lot of healthy ways to solve my protein cravings: tofu (in all its amazing forms), seitan, soy yogurt, protein shakes, etc., etc.

Here, in Argentina there is just none of that! I was eating lentils for awhile as a substitute, but I just didn't get full - and I would end up really overeating them. The thing I like about peanut butter is that I feel very full after I have some - although I realize half a cup is way too much!

Okay - well the rest of my diet went fairly well yesterday. I had a big salad for dinner, and followed it with a big bag of raisins. When I went to the movies - I didn't even have any popcorn.

This morning's breakfast was energy drink and a big bowl of oatmeal. Going to try to work up the discipline to go jogging for a bit.
 
Out for a Run/Walk - Couch to 5K in 9 Weeks

Hi All:

So I had said I was going to try to work up the willpower to go for a jog/walk -and I did it. I've been using a free podcast called Couch to 5K in 9 Weeks. You are supposed to follow a program of timed jogging and walking recovery to slowly build your capacity to run over 9 weeks.

The program recommends that you do the session 3 X a week, with a resting day in between. Of course, when I first started, I went overboard - and did it everyday! I worked up to week 4 - which had my longest running interval of 5 minutes (I get out of breath really easily while running, even though I can walk forever).

When I had out of town visitors, I stopped all together - and I've been on and off inconsistently ever since. Today I went back to Week 3 to try to get into it. Its a gorgeous day here - a little windy and cold, but I had an enjoyable run around a great lake. The only thing that is hard is having to stop to cross all the huge traffic-streets here - makes it annoying to time my walks and runs.

Anyway - one of my goals is to get more regular exercise - not only to lose weight, but also just to feel healthier in general. If anyone is interested in the podcast - it can be found here:
 
That's so cool that you moved from the US to Argentina. I recently moved from Canada to Australia. It's quite a change, eh?

Good for you not having popcorn at the movies!
 
Yesterdays - A day of Fatty foods, and dancing until 4:30 AM!

So Saturday was a funny day food wise.

Breakfast was good - just some oatmeal, soymilk and energy drink, as I wrote before, and then out for my run.

Lunch was at a local cafe, where I had black tea and a salad of beets, potatoes and a arugula, dressed with oil and vinegar. Luckily - I said "no bread with my salad please!" They looked at my like I was crazy, but oh well. The black tea came first, and came with three little cake squares covered in powdered sugar and almonds. At first I promised myself I wouldn't eat them - and patiently drank tea while waiting on the salad. Anyone who has been to Buenos Aires knows - table service here is sloooooow. More than 1/2 hour later, my puny-sized salad arrived, and I promptly wolfed it down. I was SO hungry by then. But then - the caffeine hit. Do you guys ever get a feeling of nausea from black tea on an empty stomach? It happens to me on occasion, so I reached for the nearest "cure" - those little cake squares. Swallowed those up ASAP.


Was hanging out with a local friend later - and we went to the grocery store. He wanted us to buy a snack - and I was feeling hungry. He got all these cute little croissants called medialunas (he bought the kind stuffed with cream), and despite the cute bakery guy telling me there was a 20 percent discount that day - I just walked away. . . straight into the cheese aisle!

Went home with a block of mozzarella (no such thing as low fat - but I picked a small one), and pretty much devoured the whole thing at various points yesterday.

We went for "merienda" (afternoon tea/drinks) at 6:30 - where we ordered a "picada." Bascially a bunch of small plates of salty yummy things. Here is the point where all my willpower just broke down. I didn't eat in big quantities (well, unless you add them all together!) - but I had a dark beer with a tiny plate of potato chips, some green and dark olives (with pits you eat them more slowly), little fried bread things (only a few), chunks of cheese, and heavily salted peanuts. Luckily, the peanuts were almost TOO salty - so I steered clear - and I have to say, I"m happy I didn't have any of the bread that came along. Normally, I would have made myself a mini-cheese-and--olive sandwich.


So - yes a lot - but you have to remember - that wasn't even DINNER here! We had plans to go for dinner, but instead we took a long nap (9:30 - 11:30 PM). When we got up, we got ready and went out. It sounds late, but here it is VERY normal.

We arrived at a small bar at 1:30 AM for our first drink - I ordered a mojito (it was kinda of expensive - and I just had one). After, took a taxi to a fabulous dance club, where I had one gin and tonic (I asked for a vodka and soda, but the bar tender told me that bars in Argentina do not stock soda water!!! Crazy!).

The best part is I packed in plenty of cardio. We danced widely until about 4:30 AM (and I'm an energetic dancer).

Took a taxi home, drank a lot of water and went to sleep by 5 AM. Its about 11 AM now on Sunday, and I've just woken up! Was hungry right away, but didn't want to wake my friend to go out - so I munched on the only thing I had left - a sliver of that mozzarella from yesterday and some orange energy drink. Its gorgeous but cold out today - and we plan on doing a lot of walking!
 
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Ice Cream in Buenos Aires

Didn't get to breakfast/lunch until about 2 PM because my friend was SO slow to get ready. When I finally got there, I happily ordered a huge plate of breaded soy, accompanied by mashed potatoes and mashed pumpkin. It may have been a lot, but I ate every bite. To my credit, I didn't even think of touching the bread basket (even though the cream sauce they served with it was fantastic) - and had only sparkling water to drink.

Mid afternoon, has a wonderful cone of Argentina's FAMOUS ice cream. Def full fat, full sugar and incredible. For those of you who ever travel here, you HAVE to try the dulce de leche. I had planned on this indulgence, so I didn't feel bad about it (there was nothing impulsive about it).

Was walking home, and realized I had no food. Was proud of myself for dragging my TIRED TIRED TIRED butt to the supermarket and buying a range of healthy foods. I never have problems with impulse purchases at supermarkets - just kiosks. I bought oatmeal for tomorrow AM, salad, a can of beans, spices, fat free yogurt drink and some fat free, low sugar yogurt, and some light soup packets. All in all some good (quick choices) for the next few days.

Okay - I'm exhausted. We'll see if I end up eating tonight, or just passing out. Little sleep followed by a day of a lot of walking around. . . lovely.

Tomorrow - I am planning to exercise - so hold me to it!
 
Tips on Portion Control?

Tonight was strange. I wasn't very hungry -but I just kept eating and eating and eating. It wasn't bad food - salad - but I think I had enough for 4 people! I made a special dressing that was beyond yummy of peanut butter, soy sauce, water, chives and spicy peppers. It was totally satisfying - but I just kept eating! Tips on how to stop? If I have something in my house its SO hard not to just gobble it up.

For desert (because I love a sweet taste after salty) I had a mini-yogurt drink. Its only 40 cals, fat free, delicious and good for me.
 
This Morning

Today, I got up blurry eyes and had a cup of earl grey tea w. soymilk and a glass of orange energy drink. I followed this with a bowl of oatmeal (prob about two servings) with a bit of soymilk and salt.

Then - hooray - I went for a run/walk. I did the second installment of the week 3 in the couch to 5K program. My neck was sore (maybe I hurt it sleeping), and its cold - but at least it was sunny and gorgeous. ITs a holiday here in Buenos Aires, so not so many people out - but plenty of walkers/joggers in the park.

Maleficent - you mentioned that I could find other people doing the couch to 5K program in the clubs section, but I'm having a hard time finding it. If you have a moment (and see this post), would you mind giving me some tips?

Finally, weighed myself today, but no changes. I'm just getting so sick of lugging these big thighs around!!!!
 
So Hungry!

Thanks for the link - I will check it out!

So as part of my diary just wanted to write a quick observation about HUNGER. Oh my lord I am hungry right now! How do you all deal with your hunger?

THis morning I had a good sized breakfast (two portions of oatmeal with soymilk) at about 8:30 AM.

It is now only 11:30, and I am STARVING. Had a small yogurt (40 cals) and a yogurt drink (another 40 cals), but I'm not feeling any fuller. I want to wait until lunch before I really eat something, but I'm worried I'm going to be SO starving by the time 1 PM rolls around that I will have a hard time sticking to the diet. Tips on managing hunger?
 
try drinking water and seeing if your body isn't just thirsty and not hungry...

Generally the carbs/fiber/protein in your breakfast should keep you full for a while.. are you sure it was 2 servings that you had?
 
Thanks for the tip! I'm drinking water as I type!

Yes - used two of those "packets" of oatmeal this AM - so I"m pretty sure about that. One just doesn't cut it for me right now.

Like I mentioned before, I had a snack of yogurt and yogurt drink around 11:30 (total 80 cals),

and I SOMEHOW made it to 1 PM to eat lunch. Made a sort of quick soup - 1 packet of light asparagus soup powder (only 31 calories) to which I added a big can of Alubia beans (about 240 calories). It was more carbs than I wanted, but I needed a protein fix and the beans provided a solid 14 grams, not to mention over 20 grams fiber!

I thought the warm soup might be good to fill me up (plus its cold here). But I'm just sitting here right now (just after I ate) thinking HOW will I make it to dinner?!?!

Like I posted earlier, dinner is VERY late here! Might go to a tango show for work later tonight - and that will be tough. Many are "all included" type shows that serve you bread, pasta, salad, wine and desert alongside the dance. The problem is the show won't start until about 10 or later, so I'm not sure how I can make it that late and not just show up RAVENOUS. Set meal + late night + hunger = bad combo.
 
I recommend snacking every 3 hours give or take. Have a couple pieces of fruit or veggies, or a handful of nuts, or a few crackers. Try to eat every 3 hours to keep your metabolism going. I've noticed that when I eat every 3 hours, I tend to get the hunger pains more often, but I know its because my metabolism is speeding up.
 
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I recommend snacking every 3 hours give or take. Have a couple pieces of fruit or veggies, or a handful of nuts, or a few crackers. Try to eat every 3 hours to keep your metabolism going. I've noticed that when I eat every 3 hours, I tend to get the hunger pains more often, but I know its because my metabolism is speeding up.
Click to expand...

Thanks Adeon. Yeah - so I ate at 1, but not a ton (just the bean soup), so by 3 I was famished. Decided to make another soup - this time just a bit of vegetable bouillon and some shredded carrots and celery. Thought maybe a little snack would help. No sooner was I done with the soup, that I had another HUNGER ATTACK.

I had three teaspoons of peanut butter as a result. I"m feeling better, but I can't honestly say I'm feeling like I'm not hungry. I'm drinking plenty of liquids (1 cup of herbal tea and 1.5 liters of water so far), but darn, this hunger thing is so hard!!
 
With me, if I deal with the hunger pains long enough they eventually go away. try that and see if it works.
 
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