3 posts tagged “diet”

I have been counting calories.  That's most of my diet.  I have been working out gently, when I'm not sore, but I am on my feet moving most of the day anyway.  The workouts are pretty light.  Mainly I am counting calories.  But if I really need an extra snack or something, I do better if I allow myself that, then I do if I try to brave it out and then go nuts and eat worse later,  So I kinda feel like I've been slacking this week, and we'll see if the scale continues it's slow descent this week.  The evil hormones had me in there grip last week, but today feels good.  I had to have half a small fry yesterday with my fast food lunch.  The first fries I have had since dieting.  They tasted so good; but then I just wanted more bad stuff later and had to fight the cravings.  I'm back on track today.  In between looking up calories for produce and things that aren't labeled, I have been reading articles on the Calorie Lab Website.  I had to share this one.  I like the "Don't be afraid of fat" bent.  Dr G told me a long time ago that a little pat of real better was better than margarine.  She recommended this diet to me before the American Institute for Cancer Research presented their report, back in 2000.  So she was on the ball.  Wish she hadn't retired.  But I thought it was neat that now people are getting back to moderation.  I was so interested in this because I have always felt like some meat or dairy helps me feel satisfied.  Ditto with grains and legumes.  I will be hungry sooner if I try to eat just a veggie salad.   So we are back to balance and eating many types of foods at the meal to get nutrients and be satisfied.  Works for me.  Feels free-er.  I try to mostly count the calories, but to feel full you need to balance out the meal with lower calorie vegetables anyway.  And I like veggies.  I feel so vindicated. 
Today I feel strong again.  I can do it!

  I had to buy a big net to catch my fast, young Rainbows.  I moved them to the 10 with the Beta and got a Turquoise Rainbow today from the closest LFS.  I have some trepidation, because all the fish I got there when I first started my tank died of MB.  Reason enough for me not to try it.  But it was 1/2 price and one I really wanted, so...  I did it again.  He's in with the UV filter.  IF he lives, I'll go back and get another one, in a few weeks. 
  The 20 g tank has had an outbreak of BBA.  I never hit it as hard as the 10, so I am in the middle of Excel treatments and wondering if I should add it tonight or skip a day because of the new fish.  Really wasn't an ideal time to get the fish.  And I really need another Dwarf Gourami to balance out the two I have- but I wanted the new Rainbow more.  The four young Rainbows I already had are wild-type.  Some day 'll have lots of Rainbows in a 75, hopefully. 
At the end of the month I have the aquatic plant club.  I loaned out two berried Amano Shrimp to a member who's experimenting with raising the semi-salt water larval shrimp.  A huge thing for him if he's successful.  I haven't heard of anyone doing it yet.  Hopefully the girls are still doing well, have dropped the eggs and I'll get them back soon.
  We had date night last night.  My DS watched my boy.  It was nice.  It was also the only break I've taken from calorie counting.  It'll be hard if the scale doesn't drop again this week.  We had a nice, relaxing night and the food was good.  I had veggie sides and skipped desert.  I didn't go crazy, but I'm sure I was over on my calories for the day.  My nephew is coming over tonight so my sis can have date night.  A good exchange.  We are taking the boys out for sorbet and ice cream.   This will be my first time abstaining in my favorite treat store.  Wish me luck.

Food for this family is a huge chore.  Worse than the regular drudgery of grocery shopping and cooking- which I hated and wasn't good at, respectively, long before I got married.  It's my least favorite of all the work I do to take care of the family.  And to add to this I have an addiction to food.  Seriously.  Growing up we really didn't eat healthfuly.  And food makes you feel good.  Well, for a while at least.  Now that I am getting older I need to consider the health risks to extra fat.  Especially belly fat.  I was borderline for Gestational Diabetes and Pregnancy Induced Hypertension in my last trimester with my son.  I certainly don't want to develop Diabetes, now.  It's all down hill once that happens.  And I want a healthy heart and arteries.  All of these are related.  So I have been trying to take control.  It's very hard for me.  This is the one area of my life I have always struggled with.  My sister can cut calories for a whole week and seem to breeze by.  Not me.  I'm a grumpy, hungry mess.  I am hungry all day.  But I am doing it.   I'm concerned about managing my weight long term, as well as loosing weight now.  It feels like more than I can do by myself.  So I have to pray about it.  In the past I could do a killer workout and eat whatever I want.  Can't do everything I used to, so I need to mind the calories.  I have been shooting for 1200 a day.  Some days more, but always less than 1400.  I lean heavily on Healthy Choice foods.  I have to mark them with a marker to boldly remind everyone that they contain milk.  I've never kept food with dairy before, but I'm trusting my 4 yr old son can't microwave his own meal.  I have been learning how to diet with regular food, too.  I even have some eating out choices.  I have lost 7 pounds.  I know some/most of that is the initial water weight and it will get harder.  I was afraid to blog about it- afraid to fail again.  I am very proud of myself.  It's early though and I need to stay motivated.  I have been doing some light workouts and trying not to give up everything I like.  My saddest moment was realizing that there was no way I could fit cold stone premium ice cream in the plan.  I would have to get the kids size Fat Free sinless stuff and still account for those calories by cutting my meals.  I've never liked diet ice cream.  I doubt I'd be happy with it.  Instead I just go without.  That will have to be my very special occasion treat, knowing the scale won't drop that week.  I am addicted to food and dairy was my favorite.  Ice cream was my favorite food overall.  Sad.  But true.  (Buh Waaaaahhhhhhh!)  OK I'm done crying now.  See this is how grumpy I have been.  God Bless you people (KC) who can diet and still be pleasant.  I need to get a grip.  What would I do if I couldn't complain in my blog?