Tuesday

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Pretty nice day. Very busy at work. Ate OK - had a big lunch 'cause I was extra hungry, but figured that was OK if I had a light dinner -- which I did. Got the "Fat and the Furious" on tonight (that's what I call it), so can't wait to see what happens. The contestants are all starting to look so different.

Nothing exciting going on. Fell asleep last night at 8:15 p.m. so I had a really good night's sleep. All is OK. Looking forward to a nothing expected weekend. I'll try to motivate to do some painting (rooms, not art). I turn into a slug when I don't have plans and I don't like a lot of weekend plans (getting old and home is the best place). Will take a walk and have dinner with my friend and that is the extent of my schedule.

  

Guests Bringing Dessert - Not a Good Idea

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Last night I made dinner for company and got through that pretty good. Stayed in calorie range, but went quite a bit over in fat. I find fat to be the hardest thing in watching the calories if there is any type of special dinner. My guest wanted to bring dessert and I said OK because it would make her feel good. Big mistake. She brought a decadent chocolate something cheesecake (cheesecake is a big weakness). Everyone got full and no one ate dessert (imagine that??). So there was that beast in my refrig. Dh and AFS daughter each had a piece around 11:00 p.m. It took all my effort not to go in there and eat about 3 pieces. I was so tempted and nearly did, but somehow resisted. They better finish it off today or it is going in the trash. I also had snacks before dinner which were not healthy and ended up eating 2 deviled eggs, 2 pieces of salami, and 5 green olives. Those were something I could have done w/o and really helped increase my fat intake. I didn't have to put out snacks and probably won't again because I kept having to tell people to have some and they probably didn't even care if it was there.

So I've learned:

1) I'm not going to have any snacks before dinner. It isn't necessary when you have a full dinner.

2) No one can bring dessert over here. Most of the time people are full and don't need dessert -- or I can make something healthy - or at least something that is a small quantity, will be gone, or I will send it home with them.

Live and learn.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DRAGONFLY88 2/25/2008 2:29PM

You've learned some important things. Keeping desserts out of my house is one of my big missions. I don't even like them that much, but if they are sitting in my fridge I know I will be tempted. Anytime someone brings dessert, or even if I make one myself at someone else's request (birthday desserts, etc.) I always send it home with someone so it doesn't stay in my house. Maybe next time someone offers to bring dessert you could just tell them something like, "Oh, thank you so much for offering, but since we're having a big meal I purchased some beautiful fresh fruits for dessert." Have a great week! Report Inappropriate Comment

*CAPOPPY* 2/25/2008 11:16AM

Excellent, you learned, that's what it is all about. I never understood the whole dessert thing. It does seem most bring it because they just want to bring something. So in the future, I will bring flowers to the hostess/host instead of dessert. And you are right about the appetizers, they really are not important. Its the company that matters the most. Report Inappropriate Comment

Interesting Dinner Challenge

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Last night for dinner I knew the menu, but not the specific ingredients. I used the nutrition tracker to figure out (and eliminate some things) as best I could. I felt prepared for dinner. Once at dinner it was interesting. I used my eating slow techniques, chewing lots, putting down fork. The amount of rice pilaf I got as a serving -- now to me seemed to be about 3 servings. I pushed about 2/3rd of the yummy rice over to the side. My dinner roll, which I had planned to eat 3/4th of, wasn't that tasty so I was able to eat about 1/3 of it. Did not use butter (torture). I ate slow and sneeked peeks at every one else's plate. The 3 people at my table ate every bite. I wasn't stuffed, but satisfied. Didn't really want anymore. Dessert came (and I didn't really know what it was going to be). Sort of a very chocolately brownie/cake thing in a square piled up with whipped cream (not real - so that wasn't important to me anyway). Knocked the whipped cream off and then ate about 1/2 of the brownie thing. I felt so good after that dinner -- that I had 1) tried to preplan 2) took control of my eating and didn't just say, Oh, well this is special. It is so encouraging to see that I am able to change my old ways and really think about what I'm eating and ask is it worth it? Is it healthy for me. I am slowly making the right choices and it is truly a wonderful feeling.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SAFEHAVEN 2/26/2008 8:59AM

that is so cool what you did! WAY TO GO WOMAN! this helped me to keep thinking before i stuff my face! YOU ARE AWESOME! Report Inappropriate Comment

GLORYSEEKER65 2/24/2008 1:28AM

Way to go Gena! That is awesome you were controlled and you not only met the goals you set for yourself you even did better! I still have a stomach virus ! Keep me in your prayers. I'm sure it is great for weight loss to nauseated to eat much! lol Thank for checking on me! Report Inappropriate Comment

CAP0824 2/23/2008 6:30PM

Great job, Gena! You are doing such a good job on changing your eating habits! I am sure you will keep this up for life the rate you are going! You rock! Report Inappropriate Comment

DRAGONFLY88 2/23/2008 6:03PM

Congratulations. You deserve a big pat on the back. This is what it is all about--we're learning to make changes in how we live every day! Great job! Report Inappropriate Comment

Figuring Out Dinner

Friday, February 22, 2008

Just played around with nutrition tracker to try to get calories figured out for dinner tonight. It is hard when you have the menu, but you're not sure what they use as ingredients exactly. I've taken out 1/4 of a roll, eliminated the pat of butter (darn - why eat the roll), eat so much of this and that. Guess I'll also have to use judgment. They have a dessert that I don't even know what it is, so a total guess. I may look at it and just take one bite. Maybe I will not like it ("fat" chance). Anyway, I think I'll do OK. Tomorrow I'm making dinner, so I'll have control. It will be fattening so some extent, but I can use portion control. Now I find out I'm going to a HFI Board dinner at a fancy restaurant and again I'll have to use control. This is sort of getting hard this week. There is always broiled fish. I just don't like this much uncertainty in such a sort time period, but I'll be strong.

Today I hit a weight that I haven't even seen in 30 years. Wow, that was really something. From here on out it is all new territory. I also went to doctor today who was impressed. I'm going to get off my blood pressure medicine and see how that goes. I'm very pleased about that. It will all be worth it -- all the above challenges. I even told the nurse and doctor about Spark People today -- that they should check it out and if they have over weight patients (which I'm sure they have all the time) to let them know about Spark People and all the help it has been to me and about 2 million other people.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DRAGONFLY88 2/23/2008 2:35PM

Congratulations on your amazing weight loss! And how wonderful that your blood pressure is improving too! Keep up the good work. Report Inappropriate Comment

CAP0824 2/22/2008 7:34PM

Gena, That is awesome news about your weight loss and getting of your hypertension meds!! Way to go!! I am so proud of you! I know you will do great with your food choices, and if you go over, there is always tomorrow! Hang in there and keep up the good work! Hugs, Cathy Report Inappropriate Comment

*CAPOPPY* 2/22/2008 5:18PM

That is really wonderful news about the medication, I am so proud of you!!! Your diligence is amazing! Report Inappropriate Comment

Thursday

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Long day, left at 7:45, home at 7:30. Overtime and then Winco for shopping. How can you stop for a few things and spend over $70? Home, Robert brought groceries in and I put them away. Heated chicken stir fry leftovers. Tasted better today. Got my ingredients to make my lasagne, bread and salad with a few appetizers for our Saturday dinner. Tomorrow night I go to the play "Flaming Idiots" with my AFS student, Tim, from Germany. Dinner comes w/play. So two bigger meals on Frid & Sat. so I better be very careful.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

56ROSE 2/22/2008 10:50AM

Yes, do be careful! It is a good thing to be aware! That way, you can juggle calories throughout the day and still win the battle!! Thanks again for your comments on my Sparkpage blog. Just realized you are living in Boise! The weather has been nice this week. Funny, we are planning a shopping trip to Winco this evening. Take Care. Rose Did you feel the earthquake?? Comment edited on: 2/22/2008 10:50:11 AM Report Inappropriate Comment