Went to Cafe Gratitude (raw foods restaurant on Shattuck) with Pauline yesterday. After thinking, like Bora, that I would not be eating there anytime soon, our raw foods blogging and my increased raw diet made me curious. So, Pauline humored me (her friend Pearl loves the place).
All the menu items are these "I am" statements. So you are supposed to go in and order in a very self-affirming way. "I am fabulous. I am satisfied. I am present. I am a little embarrassed(JK)." Then they ask you a question of the day which I assume you can answer or not. Ours was,"what motivates you?" Pauline commented that it was a good question. There are also these little sage cards with little stories and philosophical musings.
We got the "cream" of broccoli soup- I am thriving and the sampler plate- I am abundant. Everything was very tasty I have to say. Pauline said she would order the spring rolls from the sampler plate again- I am insightful. I have to say that I left intrigued but feeling like I had been to Jamba Juice, AND I was the blender. I would go back again and try the grain bowls or salads. Anyone interested?
Should we get a half marathon progress blog started?
Friday, October 19, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Raw
Inspired by the last two posts, here's my current action plan. I am going to combine the genius of weight watchers with the power of raw foods. I will have 20 weight watchers points every day--not going to use the rollover points--but I will not count points for raw food. This means that I can eat all fruits, veggies and nuts with impunity--as long as they're RAW (roasted nuts don't count). This includes and avocados and other "high point" foods.
I'm hoping that this will be a hybrid between dieting and lifestyle change and help me deal with long, sometimes stressful days at work. I get super hungry and point counting seems so hard that I usually give up and go out for Thai food. With this new system, I can keep raisins and raw walnuts at my desk and eat them without feeling guilty.
There's definitely some work involved--most immeidately taking the time to shop for and prepare enough raw food to bring to work. Given that my work life is most intense at the beginning of the week, I should probably shop Saturday and chop Sunday.
If I don't lose weight on this new system, it's back to the drawing board.
This, combined with running, marks a vast improvement in lifestyle for me.
If I do lose weight, I can market this and get rich.
I'm hoping that this will be a hybrid between dieting and lifestyle change and help me deal with long, sometimes stressful days at work. I get super hungry and point counting seems so hard that I usually give up and go out for Thai food. With this new system, I can keep raisins and raw walnuts at my desk and eat them without feeling guilty.
There's definitely some work involved--most immeidately taking the time to shop for and prepare enough raw food to bring to work. Given that my work life is most intense at the beginning of the week, I should probably shop Saturday and chop Sunday.
If I don't lose weight on this new system, it's back to the drawing board.
This, combined with running, marks a vast improvement in lifestyle for me.
If I do lose weight, I can market this and get rich.
Friday, October 12, 2007
Chimin' in: A new wagon
So I'm still determined - or at the very least, hoping very hard - to get my pants looser. The points thing ain't got much lifestyle traction for me anymore. And yes, I concede.
I just so happened to record an episode of Oprah early this season. (Really, this is related...) It was one with her pal, Dr. Oz, Mehmet Oz. Oprah sure has a knack of finding people who explain things well and make things very accessible. And she then has a knack for making them famous. Anyway, there were 3 segments of the show that day that have been settling into me and creating a new resolve and strategy for eating and pants-loosening.
I humbly present the 3 below, along with my initial applications:
1) More fiber
We all know this one - and our preferred method and product has been Fiber One. Unlike a while ago, I can eat it now but chocolate soy milk is pretty integral to the experience. With regular milk, I can hardly keep it down.
With this one, I don't need to explain my theories - you know them, you've laughed, and you've come to believe. But if you check out Dr. Oz's "experiment" with 2 low-to-no-fiber diet, European truck drivers the point really hits home. He made each swallow a transmitter pill that tracked their digestion and how long it was taking "from end to end." It took one of the drivers, Wolfgang over 40 hours to pass the pill. Both were then given a high-fiber diet (I wish they'd give more specifics and ideas here) and Wolfgang cut his time down to 12 hours!
And of course, this isn't speaking specifically to weight loss but you know my "grease the skids" theory. And there are plenty of other positive effects of fiber as Dr. Judy's advised.
Link to Oprah/Oz fiber experiment.
D's initial application: More thought to fiber intake. Been starting each day with a packet/bowl of oatmeal - and been eating it (scarfing it down) before I leave the house. High-fiber cereal on hand at work too.
2) More calcium
I remember an article that ran (HA!) in Runner's World a couple of years ago about dairy's impact on weight loss. There wasn't much detail but it made an impression. Well, leave it to Dr. Oz to do an experiment (don't ask me why all his subjects are European) that hits the point home.
This group was given a diet high in dairy-based calcium one week, followed by a one low-in-dairy/-calcium the next. Stool samples were taken and the amount of fat that was absorbed/passed through was measured and compared. Conclusion: Calcium can double your fat excretion! And leave it to Dr. Oz to bring in a dramatic visual - 6.5 pounds of lard! Yup, he said that a daily intake of 1200 mgs of calcium a day can mean 6.5 pounds of fat loss in a year! Hey, SIGN ME UP!
More Oprah /Oz calcium details and explanation here.
D's initial application: Less regard for points and an increased, unabashed consumption of soy milk. 1-3 cups a day. Being better with my calcium supplements (but I wish it said how much magnesium was in these things too). And I think I've put ice cream on a figuratively lower shelf now too. Well, at least the fancy kind Marty received as a thank you gift here at the office. YUM! :-)
3) Raw food
So they fed another group of European subjects raw food. ELEVEN pounds of it (raw fruit, vegetables and nuts) per day for 12 days! Poor peeps. But the results were sort of astounding... cholesterol dropped 25%, blood pressure 10%, and each lost 10 pounds and over 2 inches off their waist - all in 12 days!
Nutrient-rich foods. Yup, I'm a believer. And I think this is where Weight Watchers was good in translating the benefits making raw veggies zero points. But also not so good overall - because I could focus on and be successful with my points but still be missing key nutrient and not have a well-balanced diet. Remember my post back a few months ago about needing to eat more vegetables? Yup. And really this #3 (raw food) has a high correlation with #1 (more fiber).
Link to Oprah/Oz "raw food" summary.
D's initial application: I've been trying to eat more veggies, thinking about this raw food component. Don't make reservations at Cafe Gratitude yet! - I ain't going that far. Just more veggies - 11 pounds is extreme but I'm trying to increase my relative volume. Also WW was/is so anti-nuts because of the fat, but I'm slowly re-programming myself to move toward them rather than away. Mmmm, pistachios!
Haven't started yet - but my mom has for many years been starting her days with what she calls "nutrition soup." She blends 5-6 different vegetables/fruit into a "smoothie." Drinks it down and she's already ahead of the health game for the day. I like it - the idea of getting in the veggies and fiber that efficiently. And it tastes ok. Not bad, really. I think you have to treat it like good medicine. But the hassle has made it a non-consideration. But times are a-changin'. I'm planning to start blending after our household's next Berkeley Bowl run.
Here's some tips from my mom if you're interested:
Usual ingredients:
Main ingredient - organic oat bran (1/3 or half cup)
1) 1 small apple (or half big one) - keep the skin on
2) 1 kiwi - skin off
3) two stalks of celery
4) some berries (blueberry is preferred)
5) some dark green veggies - e.g., a few broccoli florets
then add water.
So in response Bora's last question (points vs. lifestyle): Lifestyle.
I feel freer to be without points, but now strategizing with these new learnings/convictions. Right now, my pants... have been tighter, and have been looser. But I'm feeling pretty good and we'll see if this jumpstarts some good, loosening, longer-life-living change!
:-)
I just so happened to record an episode of Oprah early this season. (Really, this is related...) It was one with her pal, Dr. Oz, Mehmet Oz. Oprah sure has a knack of finding people who explain things well and make things very accessible. And she then has a knack for making them famous. Anyway, there were 3 segments of the show that day that have been settling into me and creating a new resolve and strategy for eating and pants-loosening.
I humbly present the 3 below, along with my initial applications:
1) More fiber
We all know this one - and our preferred method and product has been Fiber One. Unlike a while ago, I can eat it now but chocolate soy milk is pretty integral to the experience. With regular milk, I can hardly keep it down.
With this one, I don't need to explain my theories - you know them, you've laughed, and you've come to believe. But if you check out Dr. Oz's "experiment" with 2 low-to-no-fiber diet, European truck drivers the point really hits home. He made each swallow a transmitter pill that tracked their digestion and how long it was taking "from end to end." It took one of the drivers, Wolfgang over 40 hours to pass the pill. Both were then given a high-fiber diet (I wish they'd give more specifics and ideas here) and Wolfgang cut his time down to 12 hours!
And of course, this isn't speaking specifically to weight loss but you know my "grease the skids" theory. And there are plenty of other positive effects of fiber as Dr. Judy's advised.
Link to Oprah/Oz fiber experiment.
D's initial application: More thought to fiber intake. Been starting each day with a packet/bowl of oatmeal - and been eating it (scarfing it down) before I leave the house. High-fiber cereal on hand at work too.
2) More calcium
I remember an article that ran (HA!) in Runner's World a couple of years ago about dairy's impact on weight loss. There wasn't much detail but it made an impression. Well, leave it to Dr. Oz to do an experiment (don't ask me why all his subjects are European) that hits the point home.
This group was given a diet high in dairy-based calcium one week, followed by a one low-in-dairy/-calcium the next. Stool samples were taken and the amount of fat that was absorbed/passed through was measured and compared. Conclusion: Calcium can double your fat excretion! And leave it to Dr. Oz to bring in a dramatic visual - 6.5 pounds of lard! Yup, he said that a daily intake of 1200 mgs of calcium a day can mean 6.5 pounds of fat loss in a year! Hey, SIGN ME UP!
More Oprah /Oz calcium details and explanation here.
D's initial application: Less regard for points and an increased, unabashed consumption of soy milk. 1-3 cups a day. Being better with my calcium supplements (but I wish it said how much magnesium was in these things too). And I think I've put ice cream on a figuratively lower shelf now too. Well, at least the fancy kind Marty received as a thank you gift here at the office. YUM! :-)
3) Raw food
So they fed another group of European subjects raw food. ELEVEN pounds of it (raw fruit, vegetables and nuts) per day for 12 days! Poor peeps. But the results were sort of astounding... cholesterol dropped 25%, blood pressure 10%, and each lost 10 pounds and over 2 inches off their waist - all in 12 days!
Nutrient-rich foods. Yup, I'm a believer. And I think this is where Weight Watchers was good in translating the benefits making raw veggies zero points. But also not so good overall - because I could focus on and be successful with my points but still be missing key nutrient and not have a well-balanced diet. Remember my post back a few months ago about needing to eat more vegetables? Yup. And really this #3 (raw food) has a high correlation with #1 (more fiber).
Link to Oprah/Oz "raw food" summary.
D's initial application: I've been trying to eat more veggies, thinking about this raw food component. Don't make reservations at Cafe Gratitude yet! - I ain't going that far. Just more veggies - 11 pounds is extreme but I'm trying to increase my relative volume. Also WW was/is so anti-nuts because of the fat, but I'm slowly re-programming myself to move toward them rather than away. Mmmm, pistachios!
Haven't started yet - but my mom has for many years been starting her days with what she calls "nutrition soup." She blends 5-6 different vegetables/fruit into a "smoothie." Drinks it down and she's already ahead of the health game for the day. I like it - the idea of getting in the veggies and fiber that efficiently. And it tastes ok. Not bad, really. I think you have to treat it like good medicine. But the hassle has made it a non-consideration. But times are a-changin'. I'm planning to start blending after our household's next Berkeley Bowl run.
Here's some tips from my mom if you're interested:
Usual ingredients:
Main ingredient - organic oat bran (1/3 or half cup)
1) 1 small apple (or half big one) - keep the skin on
2) 1 kiwi - skin off
3) two stalks of celery
4) some berries (blueberry is preferred)
5) some dark green veggies - e.g., a few broccoli florets
then add water.
So in response Bora's last question (points vs. lifestyle): Lifestyle.
I feel freer to be without points, but now strategizing with these new learnings/convictions. Right now, my pants... have been tighter, and have been looser. But I'm feeling pretty good and we'll see if this jumpstarts some good, loosening, longer-life-living change!
:-)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
People using google reader UNITE!
Long silence here, I know. I am back on full force. What makes this different from just a good intention you ask?
I am committed to the following things:
-making less interesting, but infinitely more healthy dinners. Let's face it: fat is fun and tasty.
-ordering the healthiest thing on the menu even if it is the most expensive thing
-preparing food for my lunches as well as for dinner. Lentils, quinoa chili, cooked chicken breast.
I am I felt confirmation when my kids ate up all their lentils and rice last night. A good start!
I am committed to the following things:
-making less interesting, but infinitely more healthy dinners. Let's face it: fat is fun and tasty.
-ordering the healthiest thing on the menu even if it is the most expensive thing
-preparing food for my lunches as well as for dinner. Lentils, quinoa chili, cooked chicken breast.
I am I felt confirmation when my kids ate up all their lentils and rice last night. A good start!
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Accountability
How's everybody doing?
First I got busy, then I went on vacation, then I got sick. All part of regular life but healthy eating always seems to be the first thing to go. Am I correct in assuming that blog silence means that you all are also traveling, busy, overwhelmed, sick...and have let your original resolve slide a bit?
There's a reason weight watchers makes you come to weekly meetings.
I have a proposition for you (wink wink, nudge nudge).
Each person who "signs up" for this plan would check in via a blog post ONCE A WEEK. It's just a check in and can say, "All is going as planned," or "I'm struggling" or "I've lost all motivation." The only requirement is a check in.
Carrot: If everyone who signs up manages to check in weekly for four weeks, we can treat ourselves to a drink at Cesars.
Stick: If you say you will check in weekly but fail to, even after your friends gently remind you, you have to pay $25 into a common pot, which will go toward future outings to Cesars or some such place.
Let's see how this plan appeals or doesn't--if I get enough takers, I'll post an offcial start date.
First I got busy, then I went on vacation, then I got sick. All part of regular life but healthy eating always seems to be the first thing to go. Am I correct in assuming that blog silence means that you all are also traveling, busy, overwhelmed, sick...and have let your original resolve slide a bit?
There's a reason weight watchers makes you come to weekly meetings.
I have a proposition for you (wink wink, nudge nudge).
Each person who "signs up" for this plan would check in via a blog post ONCE A WEEK. It's just a check in and can say, "All is going as planned," or "I'm struggling" or "I've lost all motivation." The only requirement is a check in.
Carrot: If everyone who signs up manages to check in weekly for four weeks, we can treat ourselves to a drink at Cesars.
Stick: If you say you will check in weekly but fail to, even after your friends gently remind you, you have to pay $25 into a common pot, which will go toward future outings to Cesars or some such place.
Let's see how this plan appeals or doesn't--if I get enough takers, I'll post an offcial start date.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Salad Spritzers
I discovered Salad Spritzers on my trip to LA. I bought the sesame ginger flavor and it was good! 1 calorie per spray. Unfortunately, there is high fructose corn syrup as a main ingredient which isn't great for me or anyone. However, I will try and make my own version. It's a great idea and I have been meaning to try it. I managed to lose weight on my trip to LA due to a largely vegetarian diet thanks to Christina and having no time to eat helped as well. Also, spending hours each day trying to feed my mom minced hospital food and Ensure didn't do much for my appetite. I need to tighten up though, because in my less than 24 hour stay at my sister's house I ate about 6 pieces of pepperoni pizza and three bowls of spaghetti- not to mention Caesar's with mayonnaise and garlic bread. I have sort of continued the trend over the weekend.
Friday, June 1, 2007
Point #3
The quantitative and qualitative difference between what I was eating pre-WW intervention this time and last time is significantly lesser than less - which is positive in the grand scheme of things but stubbornly-quiet when it comes to instant gratification.
What this probably means is...
...less positive reinforcement. Oh, the joys of losing multiple pounds a week! I recall most of us dropped 4 pounds in the first week the first time around, and rarely less than one in subsequent weeks.
...a long road ahead. So I think I cannot expect much in immediate results. I'll have to be satisfied with going from spilling over to less spill-over, to snug, to almost comfortable... Many weeks to go and back to reconsidering the meaning of, and my commitment to "lifestyle change."
(sigh)
What this probably means is...
...less positive reinforcement. Oh, the joys of losing multiple pounds a week! I recall most of us dropped 4 pounds in the first week the first time around, and rarely less than one in subsequent weeks.
...a long road ahead. So I think I cannot expect much in immediate results. I'll have to be satisfied with going from spilling over to less spill-over, to snug, to almost comfortable... Many weeks to go and back to reconsidering the meaning of, and my commitment to "lifestyle change."
(sigh)
Thursday, May 31, 2007
The sides of the wagon are slippery
Well, it's been a tad quiet here in Week 2. You still there, everyone? (Echo: everyone, everyone)
I have to make this short. I went hard core for 7 days and freed myself for the Memorial Day BBQ, with a bit of spill over into Tuesday (no pun intended). Now, other than the bit of looseness reported on Day 2, I don't know if there's been much of a difference. Maybe 1/2 pound? I've had to think about that. Here are some of my thoughts:
1) Quality of point: I realized - maybe it was yesterday - that my quality of point hasn't been great. I have managed to stay within or JUST slightly over allotment but I think I have kind of left my body hungry. My first time around on WW I made sure most everything was supplemented with veggies - and LOTS of them. The other day I realized I hadn't had hardly any vegetables the whole day. Maybe the easy foods have become too easy - I just plug and play and can't even lift another finger to add the healthy 0's (zero point foods).
2) Continued from #1, body left hungry: I think of Sharon's anecdote from one the meetings about that guy who kept eating under his range but wasn't losing - and an unsatisified body lacks trust. (how poetic) It doesn't trust to drop the weight if it's not sure it will be nourished. My poor abused and neglected body. (sigh)
3) I don't know if I have a third point. I guess most of my points were in #1 - or were expended on my lunch. ;-) (couldn't help myself, a little WW humor)
Keep on keepin' on - more sauteed zucchini and mushrooms, I say!
D
I have to make this short. I went hard core for 7 days and freed myself for the Memorial Day BBQ, with a bit of spill over into Tuesday (no pun intended). Now, other than the bit of looseness reported on Day 2, I don't know if there's been much of a difference. Maybe 1/2 pound? I've had to think about that. Here are some of my thoughts:
1) Quality of point: I realized - maybe it was yesterday - that my quality of point hasn't been great. I have managed to stay within or JUST slightly over allotment but I think I have kind of left my body hungry. My first time around on WW I made sure most everything was supplemented with veggies - and LOTS of them. The other day I realized I hadn't had hardly any vegetables the whole day. Maybe the easy foods have become too easy - I just plug and play and can't even lift another finger to add the healthy 0's (zero point foods).
2) Continued from #1, body left hungry: I think of Sharon's anecdote from one the meetings about that guy who kept eating under his range but wasn't losing - and an unsatisified body lacks trust. (how poetic) It doesn't trust to drop the weight if it's not sure it will be nourished. My poor abused and neglected body. (sigh)
3) I don't know if I have a third point. I guess most of my points were in #1 - or were expended on my lunch. ;-) (couldn't help myself, a little WW humor)
Keep on keepin' on - more sauteed zucchini and mushrooms, I say!
D
Saturday, May 26, 2007
I'm back!
It hit me at dinner at Susi's and lunch with Kim that I am truly back in the Weight Watchers mode. It really hit me when I decided to bring a Top Dog veggie dog to D's BBQ- as an option (and my own bun). I realized that I have not been "on the wagon" really since I was pregnant with Noa. I mean it took my dietician threatening me (Third conversation about the need to gain weight- Sharon: When do you think this will become a problem? Dietician: This _is_ a problem. I don't want to see Fiber One anywhere on your log. I don't want to see any meal where you do not have butter, bacon or some kind of fat. And, I want to see you next week.) to get me to eat more fat and cut out my fiber one when I was pregnant with Noa. I had only gained ten pounds six weeks into my third trimester.
But, boy, do I love FAT. And, I am the queen of the slippery slope. So, that has been the hardest thing (and portion control) about truly being on the wagon again. So, when I found myself being happy with my hummus and cucumbers and whole grain cracker instead of grabbing that piece of bread and slathering her butter sludge on it; when I measured both the dressing in teaspoons and cheese with the scale for the Caesar's; when I actually was not fantasizing about eating some fat laden BBQ thing at D's, I knew I was back. Wow, I guess exercise will be the same process. Not immediate. hmm...that's depressing. Another blog?
But, boy, do I love FAT. And, I am the queen of the slippery slope. So, that has been the hardest thing (and portion control) about truly being on the wagon again. So, when I found myself being happy with my hummus and cucumbers and whole grain cracker instead of grabbing that piece of bread and slathering her butter sludge on it; when I measured both the dressing in teaspoons and cheese with the scale for the Caesar's; when I actually was not fantasizing about eating some fat laden BBQ thing at D's, I knew I was back. Wow, I guess exercise will be the same process. Not immediate. hmm...that's depressing. Another blog?
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Another reason counting points is good for me
Wes: Let's go running.
Me: Nah. I'm too tired. I had a long day at work and I didn't get enough sleep and I'm sore from riding my bike up from Rosa Parks. You're on a fitness rampage with climbing Mt. Shasta, running, biking, soccer...I'm just trying to keep my head above water. I'd rather hang out and talk anyway--we need some time to talk.
Wes: It will earn you 2 extra points.
Me: Let's go.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Jolly Times
Jolly Time sells low fat microwave popcorn ("Healthy Pop") in smaller, 100 calorie bags with flavors like Butter and Kettle Corn.
Kettle Corn: 90 cal, 2 g fat, 8 g fiber, and you can eat the whole bag! Such a silly little trick, but don't you feel more satisfied, knowing that you ate a whole bag of popcorn, didn't waste anything, and all for ONE point?
Kettle Corn: 90 cal, 2 g fat, 8 g fiber, and you can eat the whole bag! Such a silly little trick, but don't you feel more satisfied, knowing that you ate a whole bag of popcorn, didn't waste anything, and all for ONE point?
Temptation
As a reward for the Compensation department's hard work over the past six months, our Director is treating our department to a day at Pier 39, including lunch at Bubba Gump's, fried food heaven. The big day is Thursday.
Here's my plan of attack: I already checked out the Bubba Gump's menu on their website so that I won't be overwhelmed by the myriad of fried food temptations. I decided I'm either going with a chicken salad (dressing on the side) or a salmon/veggie skillet; no alcohol or appetizers; key lime pie for dessert. In the morning, I'll skip the cream in my coffee and keep my breakfast to 2 points. I'm allocating 20 points for lunch, and 5 to 7 points for a small dinner, keeping my total for the day under 30 points. I'll let you know how it goes.
Here's the good news: I'm eating veggies again. Last night for dinner, I made baked chicken, soba noodles, boiled mustard greens and almond butter sauce. I could control the points in my homemade sauce and it added flavor to the boiled greens. Pretty satisfying meal. Hank has unofficially joined the WW wagon. I'm happy that he's eating healthily, and he's happy that I'm cooking more.
Here's my plan of attack: I already checked out the Bubba Gump's menu on their website so that I won't be overwhelmed by the myriad of fried food temptations. I decided I'm either going with a chicken salad (dressing on the side) or a salmon/veggie skillet; no alcohol or appetizers; key lime pie for dessert. In the morning, I'll skip the cream in my coffee and keep my breakfast to 2 points. I'm allocating 20 points for lunch, and 5 to 7 points for a small dinner, keeping my total for the day under 30 points. I'll let you know how it goes.
Here's the good news: I'm eating veggies again. Last night for dinner, I made baked chicken, soba noodles, boiled mustard greens and almond butter sauce. I could control the points in my homemade sauce and it added flavor to the boiled greens. Pretty satisfying meal. Hank has unofficially joined the WW wagon. I'm happy that he's eating healthily, and he's happy that I'm cooking more.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Holy Boba!
16 oz. boba milk tea: 11 points.
Sure, varies store by store but still...can't vary by more than 3 points, right?
Rats. Other boba drink nutritional info here.
Sure, varies store by store but still...can't vary by more than 3 points, right?
Rats. Other boba drink nutritional info here.
Bora's Plan
Okay. This is what I'm going to do. I'm going to use the old system and give myself full fiber credit. And when I cook something super healthy (like the fresh fava, sprouted garbanzo, edamame saute I'm making tonight), I'm going to lean toward the low side of point attribution.
But I'm going to hold to a daily target of 20 points. I will use the weekly bonus 35 points for things like lunch with friends (Tomikawas on Saturday) and parties (Memorial day barbecue). And of course, cocktails (2 points for 1.5 oz shot of booze).
My goal is to lose some weight but also to jump start my way into healthier eating (quality and quantity). Here's the thing: I love healthy food. I can happily nosh on huge salads, whole grains, fruits and tons of veggies. Okay, I also love baked goods and fast food. But isn't the biggest challenge (for us all) figuring out how to eat well, sleep well and exercise, even when life gets busy and stressful?
But I'm going to hold to a daily target of 20 points. I will use the weekly bonus 35 points for things like lunch with friends (Tomikawas on Saturday) and parties (Memorial day barbecue). And of course, cocktails (2 points for 1.5 oz shot of booze).
My goal is to lose some weight but also to jump start my way into healthier eating (quality and quantity). Here's the thing: I love healthy food. I can happily nosh on huge salads, whole grains, fruits and tons of veggies. Okay, I also love baked goods and fast food. But isn't the biggest challenge (for us all) figuring out how to eat well, sleep well and exercise, even when life gets busy and stressful?
Day 1 Reflections
Well, Day 1 has come and gone - and overall, it wasn't so bad! It certainly wasn't the intense detox of my maiden voyage. And call it water loss or psychosomatics, but I think my pants are already a smidge looser. Yay!
Here is what totaled my 23 points:
- 5/8 cup TJ's high fiber O's cereal
- 1/4 cup non-fat milk
- snow peas (many pods)
- water
- 1/2 a head of green leaf lettuce w/a bit of TJ's sesame ginger dressing
- Weight Watchers Creamy Rigatoni w/chicken and broccoli
- 5 ok-mok crackers
- tall mocha frappaccino, no whip
- TJ's chicken chile lime burger patty
- 2 slices high fiber bread (w/veggies and ketchup for burger)
- water
- diet coke
- Jell-O 100-calorie chocolate pudding
I also think our crew is so well-resourced. The spreadsheets the Reeds' created/sent are great! I thought I still had to go through my piles to search of the old point calculator - but not any more! And if you put the two documents on google, it is quite portable!
I'm lovin' the frappaccino and the TJ's!
On to Day 2,
D
Here is what totaled my 23 points:
- 5/8 cup TJ's high fiber O's cereal
- 1/4 cup non-fat milk
- snow peas (many pods)
- water
- 1/2 a head of green leaf lettuce w/a bit of TJ's sesame ginger dressing
- Weight Watchers Creamy Rigatoni w/chicken and broccoli
- 5 ok-mok crackers
- tall mocha frappaccino, no whip
- TJ's chicken chile lime burger patty
- 2 slices high fiber bread (w/veggies and ketchup for burger)
- water
- diet coke
- Jell-O 100-calorie chocolate pudding
I also think our crew is so well-resourced. The spreadsheets the Reeds' created/sent are great! I thought I still had to go through my piles to search of the old point calculator - but not any more! And if you put the two documents on google, it is quite portable!
I'm lovin' the frappaccino and the TJ's!
On to Day 2,
D
Monday, May 21, 2007
Fiber
The current version of the weight watchers point system limits fiber "credit" to 4 grams. I don't like that. The old system, which did not limit the fiber "credit" may have resulted in abuse, but I like eating super high-fiber foods...and I like a system that is biased toward more fiber versus just fewer calories. Still thinking about it, but I may go with the old way of counting points. It worked great for me before. Why should I change? Plus, at my age, I have my colon to think of.
One week on...
I'm on the wagon-have been for a week. Though I have ramped up (or is it down?) to the 20-24 point range. That sounds good to me. My staples are: whole grain bread and gruyere toasted (2 points), homemade hummus (3 points for 5 oz or 1/2 cup), popcorn (2/3 cup kernels for 2 tsp canola oil), indian turkey and peas recipe, soba noodle salad, salad with shredded chicken, quinoa chili, anything from two books (feeding the whole family and the Mayo clinic cookbook).
Keys to success for me 1)hardcore measurement of food by weight or volume. 2)hardcore measurement of points (1.85 points is actually more like 2 points than 1 point)
I'm thinking about going back to the meetings and will investigate moving my goal weight down. I probably won't because of the cost. I am a lifetime member with weight watchers with a goal weight of 118 pounds (the goal weight has to be within the healthy range according to the weight watchers program). What does that mean? I became a lifetime member by reaching my goal weight and maintaining it for 6 weeks. 118 at the time was 25 lbs less than I was, but at the end of the maintenance period I had actually lost 30 lbs and was down to 112/113. Anyway, I was told early on not to put my goal weight too high, because psychologically that is what you will maintain. But, putting a goal weight of 115 or 110 seemed too ambitious. Right now I am at 118, but I feel I am carrying more weight than I ought to be. I have read quite a bit about how much your heart has to work when you are even carrying an extra 5 lbs.
How do I psychologically move my official goal weight down? Any ideas? Maybe we could have our official looser pants goal weights.
Sharon
Keys to success for me 1)hardcore measurement of food by weight or volume. 2)hardcore measurement of points (1.85 points is actually more like 2 points than 1 point)
I'm thinking about going back to the meetings and will investigate moving my goal weight down. I probably won't because of the cost. I am a lifetime member with weight watchers with a goal weight of 118 pounds (the goal weight has to be within the healthy range according to the weight watchers program). What does that mean? I became a lifetime member by reaching my goal weight and maintaining it for 6 weeks. 118 at the time was 25 lbs less than I was, but at the end of the maintenance period I had actually lost 30 lbs and was down to 112/113. Anyway, I was told early on not to put my goal weight too high, because psychologically that is what you will maintain. But, putting a goal weight of 115 or 110 seemed too ambitious. Right now I am at 118, but I feel I am carrying more weight than I ought to be. I have read quite a bit about how much your heart has to work when you are even carrying an extra 5 lbs.
How do I psychologically move my official goal weight down? Any ideas? Maybe we could have our official looser pants goal weights.
Sharon
Lynn's In
A strange thing happened after I started writing regularly in the mornings: I began craving deep fried foods, didn't matter what kind; fish and chips, tempura, french fries. I would go through whole days not eating any veggies or fruit.
The other thing that happened was that I couldn't make myself go running anymore. Time wasn't so much the issue. Lack of sleep really wasn't the issue either. I just could not make myself go. It was as if all the willpower I had went into writing and praying, but that was it. Eating healthily? Exercising? No way.
So my small victory in exercising was that I called up Sarah and asked her if she would go running with me at lunch time, 2x a week, around Lake Merritt. It's good for me, my health, my friendship with Sarah. Good for me not to be so isolated, good to have a healthy interdependence. We've kept this up for over a month now, and the interesting thing is that I still cannot make myself go run without a friend. The only thing keeping me running is that I have to/get to meet Sarah.
All to say, I'm in on the WW wagon, but not sure of my specifics yet. I may give myself a wide berth, like make my daily point total 27 or 30 points - my main thing is to eat more healthily and stop using fried foods as a way to relax. Not spilling over the tops of my pants would be nice too.
The other thing that happened was that I couldn't make myself go running anymore. Time wasn't so much the issue. Lack of sleep really wasn't the issue either. I just could not make myself go. It was as if all the willpower I had went into writing and praying, but that was it. Eating healthily? Exercising? No way.
So my small victory in exercising was that I called up Sarah and asked her if she would go running with me at lunch time, 2x a week, around Lake Merritt. It's good for me, my health, my friendship with Sarah. Good for me not to be so isolated, good to have a healthy interdependence. We've kept this up for over a month now, and the interesting thing is that I still cannot make myself go run without a friend. The only thing keeping me running is that I have to/get to meet Sarah.
All to say, I'm in on the WW wagon, but not sure of my specifics yet. I may give myself a wide berth, like make my daily point total 27 or 30 points - my main thing is to eat more healthily and stop using fried foods as a way to relax. Not spilling over the tops of my pants would be nice too.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Bora's Pantry...
Will now be stocked with
—eggplant hummus
—high fiber bread
—whole grains like pearl barley and wheat berries
—popcorn
but I need more suggestions!
Work will be the biggest challenge for me. There's always junk food around and I eat to fight off boredom. Strategy: popcorn and 2 mini 3 musketeers per day to deal with the late afternoon craving for sweets. (1 point). Also, may try drinking my tea with a little sugar to make it more satisfying.
I'm either in or out. I haven't been that good at finding a pleasant middle. I don't know what I think about that...why moderation in normal life is so difficult for me...
Wes is really happy about this. He wants to eat better but doesn't want to do any work. He'll just ride on our coat tails, probably lose weight at twice the rate we do, and still eat more crap. Oh well.
—eggplant hummus
—high fiber bread
—whole grains like pearl barley and wheat berries
—popcorn
but I need more suggestions!
Work will be the biggest challenge for me. There's always junk food around and I eat to fight off boredom. Strategy: popcorn and 2 mini 3 musketeers per day to deal with the late afternoon craving for sweets. (1 point). Also, may try drinking my tea with a little sugar to make it more satisfying.
I'm either in or out. I haven't been that good at finding a pleasant middle. I don't know what I think about that...why moderation in normal life is so difficult for me...
Wes is really happy about this. He wants to eat better but doesn't want to do any work. He'll just ride on our coat tails, probably lose weight at twice the rate we do, and still eat more crap. Oh well.
Preparations
So here we all are again... gettin' back on the wagon.
I've had a week plus to prepare my mind - and appetite for this undertaking. Here are a few thoughts and findings to share with you:
My goal: 5-10 pounds in 6 weeks.
Things I'm stocking up on: high-fiber bread, high-fiber cereal, Jell-O chocolate pudding snacks, Zen Bakery muffins, water, high-fiber sleep (if only it existed)
Some strategies: Gotta eat breakfast! (mostly, I get to work and get going and remember breakfast at 10:45 am), plan a morning and afternoon snack and supplement/ward off hunger with water, start with easy WW frozen lunches, less-to-no sweets.
Helpful links: Reunited with Dotti's Weight Loss Zone, specifically the Restaurant list
Restaurant list: http://dwlz.com/restaurants.html
Trader Joe's point list: http://dwlz.com/Restaurants/traderjoes.html
0-point food list: http://dwlz.com/WWinfo/0point.html
1-point food list: http://dwlz.com/WWinfo/1point.html
3 points or less: http://dwlz.com/WWinfo/3pointfoods.html
Shocking and most amusing finding: How many points for a ClaimJumper Country Fried Steak? No one trying to lose weight should even step foot into one of those restaurants. I don't know exactly what goes into a country fried steak. But with the point total, I'd say you would not only gain weight, but you'd have a heart attack. How many points?! 85.5
Two more suppers before our Monday commencement. Should the last be a special one?
Glad we're in this together!
I've had a week plus to prepare my mind - and appetite for this undertaking. Here are a few thoughts and findings to share with you:
My goal: 5-10 pounds in 6 weeks.
Things I'm stocking up on: high-fiber bread, high-fiber cereal, Jell-O chocolate pudding snacks, Zen Bakery muffins, water, high-fiber sleep (if only it existed)
Some strategies: Gotta eat breakfast! (mostly, I get to work and get going and remember breakfast at 10:45 am), plan a morning and afternoon snack and supplement/ward off hunger with water, start with easy WW frozen lunches, less-to-no sweets.
Helpful links: Reunited with Dotti's Weight Loss Zone, specifically the Restaurant list
Restaurant list: http://dwlz.com/restaurants.html
Trader Joe's point list: http://dwlz.com/Restaurants/traderjoes.html
0-point food list: http://dwlz.com/WWinfo/0point.html
1-point food list: http://dwlz.com/WWinfo/1point.html
3 points or less: http://dwlz.com/WWinfo/3pointfoods.html
Shocking and most amusing finding: How many points for a ClaimJumper Country Fried Steak? No one trying to lose weight should even step foot into one of those restaurants. I don't know exactly what goes into a country fried steak. But with the point total, I'd say you would not only gain weight, but you'd have a heart attack. How many points?! 85.5
Two more suppers before our Monday commencement. Should the last be a special one?
Glad we're in this together!
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