Excuse me how many calories are in that?

Last January I decided it was time for me to take some small steps to healthier eating, no I do not mean some fad diet like Paleo, Raw Vegan, and Gluten Free. No pills, drinks or patches because in all honesty those do not work. A diet that restricts or removes the food you enjoy is never going to succeed the way you want it to. I would hate to think that I could never sit down again and enjoy my favorite (fill in the blank) because it is not on the list of foods I can have. I also don’t want to take anything that hasn’t been approved by the FDA that ten/fifteen/twenty years down the road are going to find out that those little diet aids cause (fill in the blank), thank you but I have enough problems as it is.

Last January I did not set out on this mission to lose weight. For a person with my medical condition(s) it is extremely hard if not impossible to lose weight what I wanted to do was to see what I was eating every day, what I wasn’t eating and how much. The tool I chose to use asked that I set some sort of goal for myself, and in return, the tool calculated what my calorie intake for each day should be. I am able to record what I eat every single day right down to the last grain of whole wheat. Yes on occasion I have to do some research and math to figure out calories for home cooked meals, but for me that is actually very fun. I like figuring out exactly what goes into a home cooked meal that I prepare for my family. What it has come down to is portion control, and I have found some serious discrepancies in food manufactures serving size and weight. I am honest when I record meals and snacks, which I thought would be hard but I have found that it is simple. I still eat what I want just smaller portions, but I have changed what I eat to make sure I am getting more fruits, vegetables and whole grains into my body. You are also able to record exercise, which is hugely helpful.

I do not weigh in as a dieter does. My doctor weighs me every 12 weeks when I go in to see him. As I said, I never really expected to lose a single ounce I started this to keep track of what I was eating, and to see what was lacking in my diet. I still eat flour, sugar, butter, snack foods and the many other things I like just in healthier portions. Last week was a 12 week check up and to date I have lost 18lbs. Now those are hard won pounds and I have been steadily losing weight since I started this mission and for that, I am very grateful. I haven’t had weight loss success since I shed 291 pounds back in 2002…o.k. 217 of those pounds were my X husband, but the rest was all me and some really unhealthy eating habits that I had, lack of job(s), and no life. Therefore, getting two jobs with no time to eat and developing a social life made me shed pounds like crazy, but it was not healthy. The weight slowly came back and then I got sick in 2008, so the weight stayed. I didn’t go over X my weight stayed the same give or take 3 lbs for years, but as we get older are body betrays us, and an old illness reared it’s very ugly head a couple years back and my weight started to slowly creep up. My eating habits were the same, so I needed to look at what I was eating.

Simple you ask. No, being honest about your dietary shortcomings in never easy, being honest about what I was eating and what I am eating now has gotten easier. Therefore, you do not see me in line for that grande mocha frap anymore Mon through Fri, but you might see me in line for one on Saturday morning…a tall one with no whip, non-fat or maybe even coconut milk. I give myself weekends off from keeping track. Oh, I know the experts say that never works, well I am here to say that for me it works. Sure I could probably shed weight faster if I didn’t take weekends off, but I never signed on to lose weight remember. So being able to sit down to a huge steak with home made mac and cheese on a Saturday night with a bottle of my favorite (I have many favorites) is important to me. Want to hear something funny the portions have gotten smaller, and if we go out, I look to see what veggie is served up with dinner.

Knowing my way around a kitchen has certainly helped me change my eating habits I have become more willing to try new things and more meals with no meat. It is fun to try new things and to revamp some old recipes. The addition of Katsu to our household has also upped my activity level. My sweet puppy gets three walks a day. The warmer weather also aids me getting out (when not to hot) to take in a bike ride. What I find funny is if for example I get home from work on a Monday and I really want to have a bowl of (fill in the decadent dessert here) I know I need to take my sorry butt out to the garage and go for a bike ride…after I walk the puppy…Checks and balances that is really what it is all about.

At the end of the day, I am happy with my weight loss, but I am more thrilled that I have gotten a handle on what I am eating, and that I have started to exercise more. Now if you will excuse me I need a big iced mocha so I need to find my cycling shoes.

Breakfast

I have always been a firm believer that what you have for breakfast is not nearly as important as having breakfast. I do not care if you sit down to a two egg, two link and hash browns and toast or a bowl of granola and yogurt as long as you eat something. I distinctly remember feeding my kids tortilla chips one morning (o.k. it happened probably six times) for breakfast because I had forgotten to pick up cereal at the store the day before...no I did not pour milk over them...thought about it but decided against it. Seriously, what is the difference between a bowl of corn flakes and a handful of corn chips? I don't know any red blooded American who hasn't stood over a kitchen sink cramming in a slice of last nights pizza as they head out the door to work...not exactly breakfast fare (but sooo delicious). Now with all that being said I have a hard time forcing myself to eat food before the sun is fully up, coffee yes bring the pot and do not forget the creamer food however I just can’t seem to get around that in my head or in my stomach first thing in the morning.

I have had to make some changes to help improve my overall health and productivity and one of those changes was to start eating something in the morning, but I do it after I get to work during the week. I usually eat a bowl of instant oatmeal or maybe a container of yogurt and some fruit (keep in mind I have been up for three hours at this point). Where most kids hated oatmeal in the morning as children, I loved it. My mother made the creamiest oatmeal and would top it with a dab of butter and a little brown sugar or she would cook up Malt O Meal, which I liked, and have a box on my panty shelf as I type. F.Y.I make the muffin recipe on the box of Malt O Meal and your kids will love you forever. Those muffins warm from the oven with a little butter on them taste just like pancakes. I was never a cold cereal kind of girl, but today my favorite is Honey Nut Cheerios. Sure, I love pancakes, French toast, waffles and all of that but who in the real world has time for that during the week? Not to mention how bad that would be for you.

I was reminded this week of how yummy oatmeal can be because while sitting home sick I watch a lot of Food Network (and re-runs of Law and Order) and I saw Ina make super creamy oatmeal with dried fruit in it, and it looked almost as delicious as my moms did. I do not have time during the week to spend making creamy oatmeal or rib sticking food as I said it usually consists of instant oatmeal or yogurt, which I keep at work, but on the weekends, I do like to eat something a little more appetizing.

Homemade granola is always a hit. I posted the recipe in an earlier posting.

Quick and delicious weekday morning meal. Toast an English muffin topped with a little cream cheese, pistachios and a little drizzle of honey.

Weekend french toast made from a loaf of French bread is amazing.

Serve that French toast with some bacon.

I guess what I am getting at is eat something, anything and do your body some good...Now would somebody pass me the cold pizza from last night and get me another cup of coffee?