.:Weekly Averages:.

Week ending 30 June 2007

Finally!

Lost that pesky pound.

Only eleven pounds to my first goal!

Salisbury Steak

This was very tasty. The “steak” was actually a quarter pounder veggie burger. The gravy was made from a mix and had only 9 calories per 50 ml. Brits out there will know what I mean when I say, “Ahhhh! Bisto”. Here’s the numbers.

• Calories = 345
• Fat = 6 grams
• Carbs = 51 grams
• Fiber = 7 grams
• Protein = 24 grams

Oopsie

Fell slightly off the proverbial wagon last night at dinner. Had meatloaf with steamed veggies. Calorie wise I came in at 500 but it was the 226 fat calories that did me in. So, a simple calculation: 226×100/500=45% No, no, no, this will never do. Dinner was 45% fat! Way too many fat calories for just one meal. The meatloaf was delicious though so I guess that’s why I had a bit too much.

Anyway, weight is holding at 262 pounds. I’m not worried about it though because my body does this every few weeks. It will hang onto the pounds and then will lose several pounds in a few days. My arthritis has flared up lately so I suspect I’m retaining some fluid around my joints. *Shrug* Who knows. I don’t have periods but I’ve read that a woman’s body still goes through monthly cycles, for example, bloating, water weight gain, etc., even though there is no actual bleeding. And we are in a full moon. I’m not superstitious (more scientific) but perhaps the full moon does have an effect on a woman’s body, after all, the feminine cycle is about every 28 days, right?

Welp, I’d best get on with my day.

Toodles.

Yikes!

What Kind of Junk Food Are You?

You are practical, straightforward and unpretentious. While you may not be the best communicator, people appreciate your simplicity and modesty!

Another Pound Lost

One more pound gone….forever!

305/262/250

Only twelve pounds away from my first goal.

It's Official

305/263/175

Today I am officially obese. I never thought I’d see the day that being obese would make me so happy.

This may sound a bit childish to some people, but I keep a paper log of my weight loss and other data relating to my health. When I reach a goal, I put little sticky gold stars in my log along side the particular goal. So, a gold star for me. I will NEVER be extremely obese EVER again.

Sunday Lunch

Sunday lunch today was gorgeous. Baked salmon with dill on a bed of couscous, steamed baby carrots, peas and spring onions. No added fat.

• Calories 478
• Fat 13 grams (omega 3)
• Carbs 51 grams (complex)
• Fibre 6 grams
• Protein 40 grams

Now, a light dinner and I’ll come within my calorie range for the day. It almost seems impossible to be losing weight while eating food like this but that’s what I’m doing.

.:Weekly Averages:.

Week ending 23 June 2007

Dinner is over and here are my average counts for the week. Still weighing and measuring food and still making good choices.

Good Days

The past few days have been good days in that I’ve continued to make healthy food choices. Not feeling as well as I’d like but I suspect I need time to adjust to the meds.

The inlaws came in for the weekend and they are very supportive of my lifestyle changes. FIL also has diabetes so he understands why I turn down certain foods. MIL understands as well since it is she who manages FIL’s diabetes.

Anyway, we had a BBQ yesterday and I chose wisely. I do a home made BBQ sauce and I made a potato salad -potentially high fat -high calorie foods - but the BBQ sauce is spread thinly over the meat so that’s not too bad. The sauce for the potato salad was made with a smidgen of mayo and the rest with plain low-fat yogurt. We had lots of raw veggies available as well. So, I had a grilled chicken breast with BBQ sauce, about three tablespoons potato salad, lots of raw veg, corn-on-the-cob with a teaspoon of margarine and iced water. Not much considering how much I used to eat when we grilled out. Normally I would have skipped lunch - never a good thing to do - to save up for the following: a chicken breast, a hamburger, (and possibly a hot dog) loads of potato salad made with 100% mayo, corn smothered with butter, a couple sesame rolls all washed down with sugary iced tea or lemon ade. Oh, and I would have had a few glasses of wine before the meal!! Yep, that’s the way I used to eat. It’s no wonder I’m sitting here with type 2 diabetes. I’m surprised I’m not dead by now.

I’ve decided to set mini-goals for myself instead of the one huge goal as before. My weight loss goals are in 50 pound increments. If I’ve reached a specific goal (which I’ve not yet set) by Christmas, I’m going to reward myself with a digital SLR camera. Just another incentive to keep on track.

TTFN.

Another Pound Lost

Yipee

One more pound and I will be -according to FitDay- obese - instead of extremely obese. So, I’ve reached a mini-goal. Yay for me!

Spent the morning going through my skinny fat clothes and I’ve found so many outfits that I can now fit into. I have so many clothes I don’t have room for all of them in my closet. I found dresses, trousers, tops, shorts, suits and brand new bras and panties. Some of the clothes are actually too big for me and will have to be altered! Guess what I’ll be doing for the next few days - altering, washing and ironing. We have a huge four-poster bed and it can’t be seen for the pile of clothes.

For the past few days I wasn’t feeling well because my arthritis kicked up and I was hurting all over. The weather has been really bad lately, cloudy and raining and cold - not good for my arthritis. But, I took some ibuprofen for a couple days and now I’m fine. I feel great today and finding so many outfits that I can now wear has motivated me even more to keep going with my weight loss plan.

I’m only 14 pounds away from my first goal and 89 pounds away from my goal of 175 lbs. As I near 175 lbs, I plan to have my weight loss slow down by increasing my calorie count (not fat calories though). Then I’ll coast into 165 lbs to be maintained for the rest of my life. I will NOT be fat EVER again. I’m 50 years old, and if I live as long as my mother, who is nearing 90, I want my last 40 years to be good years. I don’t want to live my last years sickly and possibly in a wheel chair. That’s not fair to me and it’s not fair to my husband -who is twelve years younger than me. I don’t want him to have to push me around in a wheel chair because I was so selfish that I gained so much weight and made myself ill. If I end up in a wheel chair, it won’t be because I’m fat.

Well, I’d best get off here and start on fixing up those *new* clothes.

Toodles!

Another Pound Lost

Not Much to Report

Still on track, still exercising, still losing. Will blog more when there’s a change.

Getting Stronger Everyday

Went shopping with hubs today and did a lot of walking then came back home and had a very huge, very healthy salad for lunch. Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green olives, cooked pinto beans, linseeds and wheat germ swimming in homemade dressing of fat-free yogurt with Mexican seasoning.

• Calories = 417
• Fat = 11 grams (omega 3 and 6)
• Carbs = 57 grams (complex)
• Protein = 25 grams
• Fibre = 11 grams

Then hopped on the stationary bike for 10 minutes, Tai Chi for 10 minutes and weights for 5 minutes. Not too very long ago I would not have had the strength to do all this. I’m happy.

.:Weekly Averages:.

Week ending 16 June 2007

Here’s how my week ended up of measuring and weighing food and counting calories.

• Starting weight: 305 lbs
• Current weight: 266 lbs
• Weight lost: 39 lbs
• First goal: 250 lbs
• Second goal: 225 lbs
• Third goal: 200 lbs
• Fourth goal: 175 lbs
• Ultimate goal: 165 lbs

Healthy Choices

Took a trip to the Health Food store yesterday and picked up a few items to add to my diet. It’s amazing how much one can find out about diet and nutrition with only just a little bit of research.

Linseeds

Linseeds are a good source of fibre and omega 3 fatty acids. They have anti-cancer effects and may help manage menopausal symptoms. They can prevent and relieve constipation as well as soothe digestion. One tablespoon of linseeds will keep the bowel regular and meet your body’s Omega 3 fat requirements. Linseeds are high in calories and should be eaten sparingly.

Wheat Germ

Wheat germ, a health-food basic, is the embryo of the wheat kernel. It is one portion of the wheat kernel that is removed when it is processed into refined flour. It provides a bevy of minerals, including all-important iron and zinc.

Wheat germ makes a nutritious and often undetectable addition to a myriad of dishes, including breads, pancakes, waffles, cookies, cereals, and milk shakes. It’s a lower-fat alternative to granola that can be added to yogurt and cereals. When adding wheat germ to baked goods or quick breads, you can replace one half to one cup of the flour with it. Because wheat germ tends to absorb moisture, you may want to add one to two tablespoons of water for every one-quarter cup of wheat germ you add to a recipe.

As you work on your weight-loss plan to cut back on fatty meat dishes, remember that wheat germ can provide you with those vitamins and minerals you may be missing, as well as give you fiber to satisfy your appetite.

Another One Bites the Dust...

…..and another one gone, and another one gone!

One More Pound Gone...Forever!

Only seventeen pounds away from my first goal. At the rate I’m going I should reach my first goal by my birthday in August. What a great birthday present that will be from me to me. And then by August 2008, I should be at my goal weight. Happy days.

I just looked at the numbers again and according to FitDay I should reach my first goal of 250 lbs by 4 September instead of August as I had originally thought. That’s still not too bad. It will just have to be a belated birthday present from me to me. Still….Happy Days!

Hubs will be back tonight from his business trip to Germany. I’m happy about that because I really really miss him when he’s away. Thankfully I’ve not turned to food for comfort (although I did have two yogurts last night instead of one). Still, I came in under my daily calorie/fat intake.

Life is good and is getting better everyday.

More Energy

One thing I’ve noticed about my body, since I’ve changed my eating habits and taking my diabetic meds, is that I’m beginning to regain my energy. Like today, for example, I’ve been doing housework (I hate housework). So far this morning I’ve: dusted everything, washed the kitchen floor, cleaned the downstairs bathroom, hand-washed a load of dishes and scrubbed the sink, vacuumed the downstairs, cleaned the fish tank and bathed the dog all before lunch, and I’m not at all tired. Talk about a workout! Only a couple months ago had I attempted this kind of chore, I’d be so tired and dizzy and my heart would be pounding before I could get the kitchen floor washed. I used to could have cleaned my entire house before lunch and not be tired….oh! how I’m looking forward to those days again. After lunch I’ll do a few loads of laundry then shower then chill for the rest of the evening. If I get enough good carbs through the day then I’ve got enough energy to last through just about anything.

Hubs is away on business in Germany for the next two days so I’m missing him terribly. We talk on the phone each evening though so it’s not too bad. He knows I get very lonely when he’s away.

.:Weekly Averages:.

Week ending 9 June 2007

Just had dinner and this is how my week has ended. I’ve not starved nor have I felt deprived. Weighing and measuring everything is a real pain. However, by the time I reach my goal, I will have educated myself enough regarding nutrition and portions so that I’ll never have to weigh and measure again. Small price to pay as far as I’m concerned.

The Beast

Here’s the beast that’s going to - hopefully - help me tone and build muscle as I lose weight. But I’m telling you, I’m going to have to pad the seat with foam rubber and duct tape because it kills my big booty. Hubs bought this for me a couple years ago and it’s been jammed in the office with stuff on and around it. He dug it out for me the other day and I’m going to seriously start using it. I had him put it in my sewing room where I have a TV and stereo to help pass the time.

Food choices are still good. Keeping total fat calories to around 20% of daily calorie intake - carb calories to between 45-65% of daily calorie intake - and protein calories to between 15-20% of daily calorie intake. Weighing and measuring all my food is sometimes a pain but I’m reaping the benefits so I’m not complaining. My diabetic meds are working and my BSL is dipping to below ten. I feel better than I have in months. Staying off the alcohol is helping loads as well. Today is one month since I’ve had any wine and I’m not going back to it either. Hubs is happy about that as he doesn’t drink at all.

Went shopping the other day and bought six pair of really cute knickers. They’re a bit too small but I’m not worried because they’ll fit once I reach my 250 lb goal if not before. It’s the first time I’ve ever bought a smaller size of anything in anticipation of losing weight.

Dinner tonight will be whole wheat pasta with mushrooms, broccoli, ham and green onion - and any other vegetable I decide to toss in with it.

Another Pound Lost

Finally! Out of the 270’s. So far I’ve lost 36 pounds since weighing myself at my highest weight ever of 305 lbs. Once I reach my first goal of 250 lbs, I’m going to divide the remainder into three parts of 25 lbs each until I reach my ultimate goal of 175 lbs. For my height (5′8″) and my frame (medium) 175 lbs will be a good size. I’m considering 165 lbs to be maintained for the rest of my life. I’m not trying to become a stick insect.

Yum

Last night’s chicken vegetable soup was very satisfying and - for a big bowl - came in at 339 cal, 7g fat, 49g carbs and 23g protein. Much better than yesterday’s lunch. Tonight will be baked salmon, couscous and peas. Gotta get my quota of omega-3 for the week.

I’ve decided to add another exercise to my regime. In addition to Tai Chi I’m going to start again on my stationary bike. I’ll probably not log anything at first but give myself a month to do ten minutes or so a couple times per day. The thing has a speedometer, odometer and a gizmo that will measure my pulse rate. But I’m not going to do that just yet. As the saying goes - Rome wasn’t built in a day - and I’m not going to get this blubber off in a day either. I’m a patient person.

Everything else is good, despite the weather being cold and cloudy. Hubs and I have started watching our Babylon 5 dvd’s in the evening. We watch it from the beginning every couple of years. I love that show.

I'm Stupid

Well, the turkey bolanaise for last night’s spaghetti was OK, not fantastic, just OK. It saved hella fat calories though so I can’t complain too much. It will take getting used to. Next time I’ll try the Quorn and see how that goes. Hubs said he liked it but he’s not a picky eater. He’s probably about 20 pounds overweight so it won’t take much to help him shed that amount.

Yesterday’s lunch was brilliant but today’s was, well, a bit high in calories and not very filling. Yeah, I made a mistake. Cream of Tomato soup and cheese on toast. Mind you, the cheese was only 15 grams worth and I ended up nuking it on the toast and spreading it like butter. Today’s lunch was 408 calories and 18 grams of fat! It’s not even like I was craving cheese or something. Oh well…

On the brighter side, I’ve lost another pound. Too many more mistakes like today and I’ll start gaining. Tonight’s dinner will be homemade chicken vegetable soup.

Oh yeah, that’s my little yorkie on the graphic.

TTFN

Lunch For Today

With this kind of lunch, who needs an afternoon snack? I really enjoyed this. Talk about filling!

The numbers…..

• Calories = 268
• Fat = 3g
• Fat calories = 30
• Carbs = 51g
• Fibre = 5g
• Protein = 11g
• Protein calories = 44

Dinner tonight will be spaghetti bolanaise made with ground turkey instead of ground beef. I’ve never subbed turkey for beef in recipes before so I’m not sure how this is going to taste. Will blog about it tomorrow unless it’s totally gross. If it turns out it will save a lot of calories and fat grams.

TTFN

Pizza?

Dinner last night was not bad. I had originally planned on having salad but changed my mind and had pizza instead. No, not the pepperoni pizza from Pizza Hut I normally would have had, but a little homemade one. Here’s the deal.

From Pizza Hut’s own website their Medium Italian Pepperoni Feast looks like this:

• per slice
• calories=306
• protein=15.9g
• carbs=26.8g
• fat= 15g

My homemade one like this:

• per slice
• calories=188
• protein=42g
• carbs=21g
• fat=5.5g

Now, normally I would have had two (or more) slices of Pizza Hut’s pizza and judging by their numbers I would have packed on some major calories. My little homemade one had pizza sauce -obviously- mushrooms, olives and low fat mozzarella cheese on a slice of toasted whole wheat oat bread. Granted, Pizza Hut’s would have been way more tasty but I can no longer tolerate that many calories or fat grams in my diet. My homemade one was tasty and very satisfying and I can always add peppers and onion next time. I’m going to experiment with different breads as well so when I want pizza, I can have it.

And I’m down another pound.

Another Pound Lost

Week number two of counting calories and weighing food and finally I’m out of the weight-loss doldrums. I’ve dropped another pound so I guess my body needed time to adjust to my new eating habits. I thought I was never going to lose anymore weight.

The end-of-week average figures are looking good:

Calories….1378
Fat…………32 grams
Carbs……..197 grams
Protein…..76 grams

I still have dinner to add to these figures but it shouldn’t be much more because I plan on having a salad. Anyway, BSL is hovering around 9-10 so needless to say, I’m feeling much better these days.

Someone asked me once what “plan” I was on. Well, I’ve cut out all processed sugar, down to one mug of coffee per day, cut out wine, cut down to between 30/40 grams of fat per day, I cook all my food - none of that processed poison for me. I’m constantly looking for food substitutes and I go easy on the artificial sweeteners. I’m not starving nor do I feel deprived. I don’t reward myself with food when I reach a particular goal. I weigh myself every morning so that I can react swiftly should there be any drastic change. So, I guess you could call that a plan. *shrug* Regardless what other’s might call it, it works for me so I’m sticking to it.

I still have a long way to go before I meet my personal weight loss goal. But once I drop this weight, I’ll never, ever go back to the way I was/am. I remain motivated because I want to live. Being morbidly obese is not living but merely existing.

.:Weekly Averages:.

Just ate dinner and plugged the numbers into FitDay and here is what my week looks like. I’m quite pleased. However, I would like to increase the fiber in my diet. That shouldn’t be too difficult though. Tomorrow we’ll go to the farmer’s market and I’ll get lots of fresh fruit and veg. Can’t wait!

Plateau

Well, I seem to have reached a plateau in my weight loss. I’m holding steady at 272 lbs (33 lbs. lost) but I’m not worried because my body needs time to adjust to my new eating habits. Still choosing wisely, although last night I did eat a bowl of homemade beef stew with two slices of whole wheat bread and a bit of butter. I still came in under my max caloric intake but the fat calories were too high. So, for today, I’ll cut back on fat calories by eating salad tonight for dinner.

Decided to get my new digital camera now instead of waiting for my mini-goal later. After I thought about it for a while, I realised that since I have stopped drinking wine, I’ve saved a bunch of cash. So, I took the cash I’ve already saved (and will save) and bought a kick ass camera. I still need to learn all the buttons and dials and settings but that will come with practice.

TTFN