My first homemade smoothie

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Last week, I met with a nutritionist to learn more about how I should be eating if I want to lose weight and reverse my prediabetes. Many of the tips she provided were familiar, but there were several I had never tried such as fixing smoothies for breakfast. She highly recommended a morning smoothie because it was an efficient way to add more fruits and vegetables to my diet.

This morning, I woke up and threw the following into my blender:
1/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup skim milk
4 oz vanilla yogurt
1 c. fresh, sliced strawberries
1 c. fresh spinach leaves
1 T flax meal
1/2 c frozen banana slices

I got a 20 oz smoothie for about 320 calories. It was a ghastly color, but really delicious! Not good for a snack, but perfect for a meal. Plus, the prep and cleanup didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would. I love the idea of chopping everything first, putting the solid ingredients in a container and just pouring it into the blender in the morning. That will definitely save time.

It's not even 9am and I've already had 1 serving of vegetables and at least two servings of fruit. Nice!

Onward and downward.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SIRENNEA 5/24/2012 12:49PM

Stealing this recipe for my *book* and thread on my team! Thanks! Report Inappropriate Comment

LILSHINE 5/23/2012 8:31PM

I've been green smoothing for the past 3 weeks. I drink either as a meal replacement or as a snack. I feel so much better since I started doing this. I use spinach, whey protein powder, peanut butter, banana, skim milk. I add a lot of spinach so it's mainly green but it taste aww sooo good. I've tried a few other varieties with pineapples, mango and also beets with carrots, apples and kiwis. Mix it up I've been told you'll be glad you did. So far I have been. I have lots more energy and the weight loss has been great too. Report Inappropriate Comment

SLFGOLF 5/23/2012 1:01AM

I really need to start having something for breakfast. That has been my weakness all along. Smoothies might be a smart way to go. This sounds like a great recipe. I'll have to give it a try. Report Inappropriate Comment

JAZZEJR 5/23/2012 12:10AM

Ummmm, yummmy. Did the spinach & strawberries make it burgundy colored? :) ButtapecanB, I like to juice spinach (a fistful), carrots (1 lb), a couple of celery stalks, and an apple. It's good! Report Inappropriate Comment

SONYALATRECE 5/22/2012 7:23PM

Sounds tasty! I love smoothies for breakfast, too. Win-Win all the way. ~Sonya Report Inappropriate Comment

BUTTAPECANB 5/22/2012 10:04AM

I want to try something similar like this with juicing. Not exactly sure what to add though...any suggestions? Report Inappropriate Comment

Met with the dietitian

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Friday, I met with the dietitian. Thanks to SP, I already had excellent information about what I need to be doing as a prediabetic, so it's good to know I'm on the right track. Keep in mind, the tips below were provided to me in the context of my desire to lose weight, incorporate more fruits and veggies into my daily habits and bring my A1C down.

1. For every meal, half of your plate should be fruits/veggies, 1/4 lean protein, 1/4 starch (for example, peas, corn, whole grains).

2. Consider blending spinach or kale in with a morning smoothie. It sounds crazy, but it's a great way to add a serving of veggies to the serving of fruit with one meal.

3. Instead of sautéing vegetables in oil, heat them plain until they start sticking to the pan, then add enough water or chicken broth to unstick them; repeat until the veggies are done.

4. Wait until your meal is almost done to add salt. This way, you get more salt taste and less sodium.

5. If you're a fan of junk food, consider getting "Heavy Girl" recipes and preparing lower calorie versions. OR google recipies and see what you get. (I will also look at more SP recipes)

6. To lose 1 lb of fat a week, find out your BMR x activity factor, then subtract 500 calories. For me, that means eating around 1,200 calories a day. Since the body releases water when it burns fat, the scale will register more than one pound.

7. Collard greens can be softened in water and used as wraps in place of tortillas. (I plan to try wrapping one around some red beans, whole grain rice and turkey sausage to see if it is something I'll like).

8. Instead of focusing on what you can't or shouldn't eat, flip the script and focus on incorporating healthier choices. Eventually your healthier choices will crowd out your less healthy choices.

9. Limit but don't eliminate your favorite foods. Find ways to do them differently. I told her about my BBQ addiction. (Imagine that--we're in Kansas City, lol) She endorsed my current strategy which is to alternate between pork spareribs and chicken and to ditch the potato salad and baked beans in favor of grilled veggie kebabs.

10. Buy some flax meal (not flax seed) and sprinkle it into your soups, casseroles, cereal and other dishes.

I also got a handout about other strategies for sneaking more fruits and veggies into my diet. Most of the items on this list are familiar--things like adding fruits and veggies to omlettes, oatmeal, pizza, spaghetti sauce, etc. My dietitian also works at a Whole Foods Grocery Store and mentioned they give free store tours and offer weight conscious recommendations during the tour. Whole Foods also hosts cooking classes, which was news to me.

In a nutshell for me, I need to identify two or three strategies to incorporate into my eating habits each week. What eating like this requires is being able to plan, plan plan. It starts with finding good recipes, intentional and strategic grocery shopping, and making the time to cook at home. I'm planning to get more active with my SP cooking healthy team, so I can keep this momentum.

BTW--after shaking off that nasty plateau, I put my scale away. No plans to weigh in again until around June 9th.

Onward and downward.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MDWSTRNR 5/21/2012 9:00PM

Thanks for sharing these great tips! Report Inappropriate Comment

FLEURGARDEN 5/21/2012 5:02PM

Sounds like you have a great plan! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUZIEMAH1 5/20/2012 3:14PM

Great blog, I liked the idea of using collard greens as a wrap. I'm gonna try that with other leafy vegetables as well... Report Inappropriate Comment

UMBILICAL 5/20/2012 3:03PM

Great Info. Report Inappropriate Comment

My Plateau has Ended!!

Friday, May 18, 2012

Woo hoo!!

I weighed in today and discovered that I had lost one pound! After four weeks of weigh ins with no results on the scale, I FINALLY saw a loss.

The lesson learned?

DON'T GIVE UP.

No matter how frustrated and tired you are...

DON'T GIVE UP.

On those days when you've eaten more than you should've...

DON'T GIVE UP.

When those cakes, cookies and pies are calling your name and you know you shouldn't have one, but...

DON'T GIVE UP.

When it's too early to exercise or you can't find time or it's too late or you're injured...

DON'T GIVE UP.

No matter what happens in your life while you're on plan....

DON'T GIVE UP.

Remember, it is always darkest beyond the dawn. If I can do it, you can do it and together, we can succeed if we...

DON'T GIVE UP!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

JAZZEJR 5/20/2012 1:46PM

See! So glad you didn't give up! Yea! Report Inappropriate Comment

XTINEMAS 5/19/2012 11:10PM

What's worse than a plateau is a gain Report Inappropriate Comment

BUTTAPECANB 5/18/2012 8:54PM

Amen to that!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

DIBANANA 5/18/2012 8:18PM

Awesome! So glad to hear it. I'm on a losing streak right now.Hope it continues for a while. I was not losing but then I wasn't being the greatest. I am back on track now so things are good. You are so right, Don't give up, That is what I did in the past which is why I never got to where I wanted to be! Diana Report Inappropriate Comment

CMCBRIDE37 5/18/2012 4:35PM

WTG! You are right don't give up! I believe plateaus are the body's way of leveling off and resting and resetting its set points before a second wind of loss. Good luck to you. Report Inappropriate Comment

Tried on summer dresses

Thursday, May 17, 2012

I have a high school graduation to go to, so I went to the department store to shop for a new outfit. When I'm heavier, I usually gather up a few outfits, try them on and just buy the one that fits, whether or not its flattering.

Today, I went to the store and tried on five summer dresses. I looked terrific in four of them! Instead of seeing lumps, rolls, bumps and double chins, I saw toned shoulders and arms, smooth, clear skin and the beginnings of an actual jawline and waist. How often does THAT happen? I was so undecided about which dress to buy that I had to put them on hold while I think it over.

Tomorrow, I have an appointment with a nutritionist to discuss my prediabetes. I sent her two week's worth of my SP food diaries along with responses to some questions she emailed me. I am looking forward to getting feedback on how I can improve my eating habits.

Overall, it's been a good day, which is something I never take for granted.

Peace.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SONYALATRECE 5/18/2012 3:58PM

Wonderful! I'm SO proud of you, soror! Report Inappropriate Comment

FLEURGARDEN 5/18/2012 11:24AM

Woo Hoo! Congratulations! I have always hated trying on clothes, but doesn't it feel awesome when you actually like how you look? Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBAELLEN 5/17/2012 11:41PM

Bad days, good days. This was a GOOD one! I know we're supposed to focus on the physical benefits of all our hard work, but realizing you look terrific while trying on new dresses is hard to beat! No question, this should help alleviate your frustration as you work your way past that crummy plateau! Report Inappropriate Comment

LMGBRIAN 5/17/2012 10:41PM

:-) congrats on your shopping success and new found confidence! Since you put them all on hold pick the one you like best for the graduation then keep trying on things it can be very motivating to see your progress in styles you might not have chosen before. Report Inappropriate Comment

Sooo Frustrated with the Scale

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Time for a divorce. From my bathroom scale, that is. I weighed myself yesterday and learned that I'd gained half a pound (of water). It seems that when the scale doesn't give me immediate good news, I weigh constantly until the scale gives me a number I want. Daily weigh ins are probably fine for maintenance, but I'm gonna go nuts if this continues.

So I've pledged that after my official weigh in on Saturday, that I won't weigh again until Saturday, June 9th. At least then, I'll have a couple of weeks of sanity.

I am working diligently to move off of this plateau. I've read and implemented all of the SP tips about changing up the exercise, calorie cycling, etc. What the articles and message boards DON'T tell you is how LONG it takes to see results.

The only cure to a plateau I'm seeing is patience, which I'm ABOUT to run out of. I'm just SO frustrated with plateauing at such a high number. Why not a plateau when I'm 15 lbs from goal?? Why not a plateau because I quit tracking my food or reduced my exercising?? But NOOOO!! It has to happen when I'm RAMPING UP the exercise and CONSISTENTLY keeping a food diary!!

In the words of the late, great Marvin Gaye, "Makes me wanna holler; throw up both my hands."

For real---I'm literally ready to scream. But the only thing I can do is just keep on keepin' on.

(sigh)

Time to press forward.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DIBANANA 5/17/2012 7:53PM

I agree with you on divorcing the scale. You know you are doing what you should to lose. It will show up when you least expect it!. Once a week weighing is better than daily! Hang in there. Diana Report Inappropriate Comment

AANGEL3 5/16/2012 5:57PM

Yep...I'm right there with you. Up a half pond or so..then down a half pound or so. I was weighing everyday but I've stopped doing that...or I'm trying too. It's just too depressing! Report Inappropriate Comment

FLEURGARDEN 5/16/2012 4:24PM

Glad to know I'm not the only one who keeps weighing myself in hopes of seeing a number I like better than the first one (or two, or three). :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

JAZZEJR 5/16/2012 2:33PM

Why not then? Because the weight loss will show tomorrow or next week!!! IF you stay on your plan. Who says you haven't actually already lost a lb that's just not showing on the scale? I read that even barometric pressure can affect the scale--nothing to do with our bodies. So yes, divorce yourself from the scale for now--you two can have a reconciliation in a week :) Comment edited on: 5/16/2012 2:35:03 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

BARBAELLEN 5/16/2012 2:30PM

I've commented before that I LOVE your blogs, because they remind me to practice patience (which is not my strong suit). Sooooo -- I suggest you go back and read your previous blogs (and your weight tracker) to remind yourself that patience and persistence HAVE worked! They will continue to do so! BTW, if you think that plateaus will be easier to handle when you're nearer your goal, think again. You're gonna get there, but losing pounds is a much slower process when working from a reduced base, so get ready to add patience workouts to your program. :) Report Inappropriate Comment