Just a note to say I like reading about your RL pursuits, including your weight loss. I don't feel like you're flinging this in anyone's face! It's simply a very important thing to you right now, so of course you are talking about it.
*hugs* It really is important to me. I have worked very hard these three weeks to -- hmmm -- reconfigure my default settings? There's been a lot that's been really, really difficult. Cutting out sodas, to name one. To bring my own food to work, for another -- mostly, though, to figure out what the hell I was doing.
I'm leery of offense because of work, mostly, I think. I work with a number of people who often talk about losing weight but continue with the same habits that gained in the first place -- I was fully one of that number until recently. I might talk about it, or think about it, but the doing of it was overwhelming. I think a lot of people feel very much the same, and I don't want to make them feel WORSE. I'd rather be an inspiration, fwiw, than be a nag.
I do think I'll keep it as down low as I can at work and social things, but if someone flat out asks me, I will talk about it happily.
I agree, little splurges are necessary for sanity, but in the beginning of changing the eating habits of a lifetime you have to hold them in check pretty severely. Hopefully as your habits change you'll be able to loosen that up a bit. But at the same time you can't deprive yourself too much or it's just like a spring being wound too tight...it'll bust free somehow with sometimes catastrophic results! o.O
Since carbs were my biggest enemy - and I do adore my carbs! - I would placate myself with lean protein. I used to keep cooked chicken breasts in the fridge. Different flavors - Mexican, Moroccan, different herbs, whatever - to much on. I tried to find small breasts so I could tell myself 'Look! I'm enjoying a whole piece of chicken!' Sometimes it worked and sometimes not. But at least when you go overboard with boneless, skinless white chicken you're going into fairly shallow water. *G* I also sometimes keep packaged ham lunch meat for snacking. When I'm grilling I grill extra, lean hamburger patties because I like them Moroccan
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OMG, third floor would be hard. But good at the same time, if that makes sense? I live in the land of no stairs, which I kind of appreciate, and yet I think about the fact that I would HAVE to exert myself with them and I am not sure any longer. *g
( ... )
My father-in-law is a bio-chem professor, but did a lot of research work in nutrition. He has always said you need a lot of lean protein if you are trying to lose weight because it is what gives you the fullness the longest. He actually recommends having an egg for breakfast every day if you don't have fat/cholesterol concerns. He does an egg most mornings, with veggies for lunch, and a balanced dinner - and he saves his splurging for wine, as he LOVES his wine, does tastings and the whole thing.
I think what you're doing is great, and this is your journal so you should feel free to talk about it as much or as little as you want. *hugs*
One thing I notice when I am trying to loose weight is that if I am hungry all the time, I'm going to eventually go on a binge. I try to have things I can snack on (celery/carrot sticks, sliced cucumber etc) when I feel hungry that aren't going to really affect much calories/fat etc, wise. It puts something in my stomach to get rid of that hunger without me binging on something that I'd totally rather have like a big cheeseburger or a ginourmous plate of fries. =P Also, most diet gurus ;) suggest that your snacks be crunchy as crunchiness apparently equals satisfaction in some part of your brain. Not sure I believe that (my brain much prefers salt and chocolate *laughs*), but at any rate, I suggest having snacky foods on hand that aren't loaded with calories that will help get rid of that hunger without messing up the diet.
*hugs* Congrats on the awesome job you've done so far!
Hmm, I am currently so hungry the desk is starting to look appetizing!
Nah -- I'm about to eat breakfast, srsly. *g* BUt YES! This is why I carry GROCERIES to work every morning -- I have breakfast (if not already eaten) and lunch, plus a variety of fruit to snack on during the day. I mean, if it's close at hand it's a lot more appealing than if it isn't, and it keeps me from hitting up the gift shop (which only has crap to eat, of course).
I think crunchy things (apples in my case) are also fibery, typically, so they create a feeling of fullness, add bulk to your tummy. I'm not sure they really satisfy better, either (man, a banana does a better job than an apple), but it's a coping mechanism for me to have them always, always available. Apple, pear, mango, clementines, banana, that's the usual selection.
That's good - the one thing to remember though about fruit is that it has a lot more sugar in it than veggies which can wreak havoc when trying to loose weight. But it seems to be working for you and that's the main thing. *hugs*
I don't limit fruits, but I also don't go absolutely crazy with them, either. Fortunately I am not a diabetic, too, which -- yes, I am very thankful for that! I don't worry about it very much, to be honest?
That book is fascinating, and yes -- eat food, mostly plants, not too much! Have you read Omnivore's Dilemma? It was my first exposure to his writing/thinking, and it was riveting.
Protein definitely does a better job. I tested it yesterday morning with an egg scrambled with fresh spinach on a whole-wheat English muffin -- it really stayed with me most of the morning.
I just want you to know that you're totally inspiring me. I started my weight loss program 3 weeks ago and I'm down 9 pounds (hurrah!). I have about a hundred to go, and I really look forward to reading your posts because I can so relate to everything you're going through. I hope you continue to share all your stories because even though I don't say much, know that there are lots of us out here going through it all too and cheering you on :)
AWESOME!! That is fantastic! It's been a tough thing for me at first to wrap my head around how much I have to lose, but I find I sort of focus on shorter-term goals -- like the first one is to reach 225 (started at 245), and then to break 200. Rather than think, OMG, I lost 13.4 lbs but I still have 98 to go. 98 isn't a number that computes really well for me. *g* OTOH, knowing I only have 6.6 to go to reach my first goal -- that is a doable goal!
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I'm leery of offense because of work, mostly, I think. I work with a number of people who often talk about losing weight but continue with the same habits that gained in the first place -- I was fully one of that number until recently. I might talk about it, or think about it, but the doing of it was overwhelming. I think a lot of people feel very much the same, and I don't want to make them feel WORSE. I'd rather be an inspiration, fwiw, than be a nag.
I do think I'll keep it as down low as I can at work and social things, but if someone flat out asks me, I will talk about it happily.
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Since carbs were my biggest enemy - and I do adore my carbs! - I would placate myself with lean protein. I used to keep cooked chicken breasts in the fridge. Different flavors - Mexican, Moroccan, different herbs, whatever - to much on. I tried to find small breasts so I could tell myself 'Look! I'm enjoying a whole piece of chicken!' Sometimes it worked and sometimes not. But at least when you go overboard with boneless, skinless white chicken you're going into fairly shallow water. *G* I also sometimes keep packaged ham lunch meat for snacking. When I'm grilling I grill extra, lean hamburger patties because I like them Moroccan ( ... )
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One thing I notice when I am trying to loose weight is that if I am hungry all the time, I'm going to eventually go on a binge. I try to have things I can snack on (celery/carrot sticks, sliced cucumber etc) when I feel hungry that aren't going to really affect much calories/fat etc, wise. It puts something in my stomach to get rid of that hunger without me binging on something that I'd totally rather have like a big cheeseburger or a ginourmous plate of fries. =P Also, most diet gurus ;) suggest that your snacks be crunchy as crunchiness apparently equals satisfaction in some part of your brain. Not sure I believe that (my brain much prefers salt and chocolate *laughs*), but at any rate, I suggest having snacky foods on hand that aren't loaded with calories that will help get rid of that hunger without messing up the diet.
*hugs* Congrats on the awesome job you've done so far!
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Nah -- I'm about to eat breakfast, srsly. *g* BUt YES! This is why I carry GROCERIES to work every morning -- I have breakfast (if not already eaten) and lunch, plus a variety of fruit to snack on during the day. I mean, if it's close at hand it's a lot more appealing than if it isn't, and it keeps me from hitting up the gift shop (which only has crap to eat, of course).
I think crunchy things (apples in my case) are also fibery, typically, so they create a feeling of fullness, add bulk to your tummy. I'm not sure they really satisfy better, either (man, a banana does a better job than an apple), but it's a coping mechanism for me to have them always, always available. Apple, pear, mango, clementines, banana, that's the usual selection.
*HUGS*
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That's good - the one thing to remember though about fruit is that it has a lot more sugar in it than veggies which can wreak havoc when trying to loose weight. But it seems to be working for you and that's the main thing. *hugs*
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Protein definitely does a better job. I tested it yesterday morning with an egg scrambled with fresh spinach on a whole-wheat English muffin -- it really stayed with me most of the morning.
*HUGS*
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*hugs*
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