No Diet for Hubby

Thursday, January 14, 2010

My husband refuses to diet. Yes, he's overweight--a lot--but his blood pressure ad cholesterol are great. Unfair, huh? Anyway, he says he'd rather die than spend the rest of his life eating low fat this and low sugar that. He LOVES the
Atkins diet because he can have steak, lobster, butter, all the high cholesterol he wants. I'm a flexitarian. I prefer vegetarian foods, but I'm flexible. Which is good because yesterday he called and said, "I feel like a big fat (at least 16 oz) juicy steak.
He watches the Foodnetwork occasionally even though he doesn't cook much. He DOES cook breakfast, bacon, sausage, and eggs because I don't eat those and prefer not to cook them. But he only does it on weekends. On weekdays he meets a group of men for a big egg breakfast in a local restaurant.
Anyway, while he watches food network, he'll call me over to see a recipe. He knows I love to cook and love being in the kitchen. So he saw homemade lasagne on one show and a beef stew in a baked potato bowl with mashed potatoes on top. He said he'd like them both for dinner this week, if possible.
So tonight I have a big batch of bubbly, cheesy, lasagne in the oven. Luckily it has lots of meat in it so I'll take a very small piece just to taste it. My dinner will probably be a salad and one piece of garlic bread.
I guess it works out for both of us. I get to play in the kitchen, he supplies the money for the ingredients, and we both get to eat what we want. I just wish he'd eat a little less fat.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

ARMYWIFE4GOD 1/19/2010 11:40AM

Yeah I agree with the ladies here... BBAHONORS & RURAL3... alter the recipes a little, use healthier ingredients... he'll never know the difference and he'll be eating what he wants, but a bit healthier too. :D GL! Report Inappropriate Comment

RURAL3 1/15/2010 2:10PM

Use the low fat or 2% cheese. He will never know the difference. I do that all the time and my DH loves it. Cut the butter or margerin in recipes to 1/2. It tastes the same honestly. There are several tricks you can use and he will never know unless he sees you cooking it. Report Inappropriate Comment

BBAHONORS 1/15/2010 8:13AM

When you're doing the cooking, maybe you can alter the recipes a bit to decrease some of the fat in the dish. That way, your DH gets the food he wants, and you get to make him eat a LITTLE healthier without him knowing about it. Hmmm...sounds like a WIN-WIN to me! Report Inappropriate Comment

MSMEADOWANN 1/14/2010 9:02PM

I know how you feel. Only not only is my hubby overweight, but his BP & cholesteral is not good. I eat healthy & have lost weight. I still have BP probleams & also diabetic. So not fair. But I do have to say he has picked up a few good habits since I have lost most of my weight. Good luck with your hubby. Thanks for the post. Report Inappropriate Comment

Sit too Much

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

I think I sit to much--sit to hold grandbabies, sit to read, sit to babysit, sit to work on the computer, sit to read everything in SPeople. What to do? One thing I could change is to sit on the stability ball. I know that it's suppose to help you with balance and make your inner core stronger. It just takes up too much room.
I do my cardio, my strength training, but other than that, I sit! It's hard to do too much moving around while babysitting toddlers. Yes, I have to follow them around, but when they're in the room with me, I sit!
In the car I sit, in the evening I sit. I have a treadmill but it's upstairs and I only use it when I don't have the grandbabies. And lately I've had them from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. So I do a lot of sitting. They are not too happy if I put on a Leslie Sansome tape or try using the Wii. They want to use it! So I sit!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PAULASTRAS 1/13/2010 4:36PM

Oh Geri How cute,:) I sit too lol in bed, on the phone, when I eat, riding in a car, sit on my walker, sit in my wheelchair, sit at the sewing machine, I just sit every where. lol this blog is so precious :) luv'ya my friend :) hugs, Paula:) Report Inappropriate Comment

ARMYWIFE4GOD 1/13/2010 2:18PM

I totally agree with the previous posters... do something with them that doesn't involve 'SITTING'. Dance, jump, walk, crawl, chase around the house just for fun. ANYTHING that gets you moving is better than sitting, lol and can be counted as Exercise! It may not be able to be recorded on SP fitness tracker, but still you can consider it as exercising. BTW, you're not alone I do it too... and I've got to break away from it... been doing a bit better lately about it though. Gotta keep this mind busy otherwise if I sit too long and do nothing, then my mind starts wandering and start thinkin about hubby and missing him, etc. Report Inappropriate Comment

VANILLABERRY 1/13/2010 12:17PM

Romp around in the woods! I absolutely love doing that... Report Inappropriate Comment

SPIFFYCAT 1/13/2010 12:01PM

Take them for a walk, put the non walkers in a stroller... But most of all enjoy them Report Inappropriate Comment

NUTRON3 1/13/2010 11:25AM

Put on music and dance around with them. Report Inappropriate Comment

10 Healthy Idea

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

These 10 ideas come from the Jan./Feb. 2010 issue of Cooking Light
1. Try something new
2. Choose healthy fats
3. Cook more often
4. Eat less red and processed meats
5. Eat more whole foods
6. Start the day off well (breakfast)
7. Indulge adventurously
8. Eat out creativeely
9. Be portion aware
10. Drink well (Make alcohol a part of a healthy social life)

These are all good rules to start our healthy living. Get the new issue if you'd like to learn more.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

PAULASTRAS 1/12/2010 7:15PM

great message, thank you for blogging this and sharing it. i must print it and clip it to the frig. love and hugs, Paula :) Report Inappropriate Comment

I Did Something New

Monday, January 11, 2010

About every 6 weeks we go to the coast, especially in the winter's fog so we can see the sun. When we go to Carmel, I have a set thing I do. We go to the beach and the beach is down a sand dune from the parking lot. I usually stay on top of the dune and feed the squirrels. It's something I've done for as long as I can remember. My hubby goes down the dune and walks the dogs on the beach.
I decided to join him, my daughter and grandson. Going down the dune, I knew I would be in trouble coming back. It was steep! We walked a long way down the beach letting the dogs run and play. We were really close to the Pebble Beach Golf Course. Anyway, returning, I knew I wouldn't make it up the dune. I tried and kept sliding back. My daughter said to keep going a little ways and the sand dunes farther down weren't so steep. I got there and saw that there was little difference. I knew I was screwed because I can't climb well.
I called my grandson (12) over and told him I was going to hold onto his jacket and keep pace with him. I told him I was only walking 100 steps and then I was quitting. They could call a helicopter to get me. I walked my 100 steps and when I stopped and saw I was only about 15 steps from the top. I waited there to catch my breath (I didn't see any helicopters coming) and then I finished the climb. Would I do it again next time. You bet! It HAS to get easier, doesn't it?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GEINAHG0757 1/12/2010 12:14PM

Way to go, Geri! Especially for not giving up! I love your attitude of, "Would I do it again next time? YOU BET!" You ARE getting stronger... Report Inappropriate Comment

MARLY53 1/11/2010 10:36PM

Way to go Geri! Wow I am impressed! Report Inappropriate Comment

AJDOVER1 1/11/2010 7:58PM

I'm so glad you made it! Waiting for the helicopter would have taken a long time and then it would have just blown sand in your hair, eyes and mouth. Doing something new is a MUCH better alternative! Report Inappropriate Comment

ARMYWIFE4GOD 1/11/2010 6:40PM

That's AWESOME! I'm sure the more you do it + the more exercise you get between each time you do... it WILL get easier with time. Report Inappropriate Comment

HARMONYBLUE 1/11/2010 2:28PM

How wonderful to be able to join your family by the beach! Yes, it WILL get easier:) Let us know how much in six weeks! Report Inappropriate Comment

CTENBRINK 1/11/2010 12:27PM

Nice job! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRIGFROST 1/11/2010 12:18PM

"Wonderful Stroy" inspiring...Keep it up, Just for yourself.... "Great Motivation Story.... Good for You you-didn't quit and did't give up... Wonderful-You broke into new territory and covered new ground..... Report Inappropriate Comment

TINK33 1/11/2010 12:15PM

I actually teared up when I read your blog! CONGRATULATIONS! You have to be so proud of yourself! I'm proud of you. :) Good for you for accomplishing this - now you KNOW you can do it. . .with a little extra effort and time. It will get easier - every time you do it! Good luck on your journey! Report Inappropriate Comment

JOHNMARTINMILES 1/11/2010 12:14PM

It gets easier a lot faster than you would think. The 100 steps will give way to 125, 150, 200, 300, 500, and even 1000! Report Inappropriate Comment

Where to Put the Blame

Friday, January 08, 2010

For years I wondered why mom didn't do more to keep my weight in check. I wasn't a fat child but I continued putting on weight through the years. I couldn't figure out why she didn't try harder to tell me about good foods to eat and the power of exercise. But then again, I was born in the 40s and a good meal consisted of meat and potatoes or casseroles. And then I turned 18--out of my mom's control, more or less--and I continued to gain weight over the years. Why or why didn't my mom prepare me more for life in the thin lane?
But 40 more years have gone by. I know the reasons I'm fat. I know how to eat right and exercise. I've known for years. And I know that fads don't work. Yet I still continued to gain.
What I've learned is that it's all inside of ourselves. Only we can make or break our cycles and bad habits. We KNOW what's right and wrong, but we still make the same mistakes. My motto, "If it is to be, it is up to me!" helps me at times. I still make mistakes. I made mistakes with my children. I cooked well but I didnt' really "lecture" them about proper eating and exercise. I have one son who only eats fast foods. That's his choice because that's not how he was raised.
But I have made a big change with my grand children. They eat lots of fruits and veggies at my house. I limit snacks. I make sure they get lots of outside play (exercise) and they walk with me. Now I'm finally doing the right things. They won't be able to say, "Gramma, why didn't you tell us how to live right?" They are living right right along with me.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

CLADY326 1/11/2010 6:28AM

Very well said Geri....I don't think our parents generation had any inclination of the need to eating right. Obesity wasn't something that was commonly addressed or thought of as a "problem" back then. I think that only in the past 10 - 15 years has there been a PUSH for really EDUCATING parents and children about eating right/exercise and the benefits of "whole foods" vs "processed foods". After seeing and reading all the reports and studies that have been done, society has realized the "obesity" is a HUGE problem in the US and their is a great need to educate from here on out the need for healthy living lifestyles. So all in all....KUDOS to YOU for teaching your grand kids the healthy way to live. Starting them out young will prove to be a long lasting lesson they will carry throughout their lives. That is the best GIFT you could ever give them. Hugs, Anna Report Inappropriate Comment

GEINAHG0757 1/9/2010 9:24PM

I often wonder if our parents - many children of the Great Depression - encouraged us to EAT because they had experienced want. They were only trying to make sure we never endured what they did. Good job on leading the way with the GK's!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

WORKNATIT 1/9/2010 3:41AM

Well I say blame no one...just fix it (as u r) and b happy...no time in life to blame...ur grandchildren r lucky to have u to teach them to eat healthy... Report Inappropriate Comment

DIAMONDROSE53 1/8/2010 9:54PM

Geri we can't always blame our parents for what they were taught. I know As my Mom was n't the best at teaching me. We can however blame genetics our environment, and yes ourselves. But first we have to learn how to share the blame so we can see where to correct the training we had growing up. i know how hard that is and struggle with it daily myself. i know what it is to fall off the wagon and try to stay in focus. We can look at our past and learn and move forward and know that we can as we have tools today our parents didn't have. We can be glad we are in a more enlightened era and there fore more informed. Keep up the good work Polkamama1 Report Inappropriate Comment