Okay - so really - I have to lose weight and get healthy. I'm 54 years old, I have a beautiful 1 year old grandson who I want to be able to help take care of - but at my current weight I'm out of energy quickly - it's harder to stoop over and pick him up, I run out of breath and turn red in the face - that can't be good. I have off the charts high cholesterol and triglycerides and I don't want to have to take medication. Fortunately I'm not diabetic or even borderline but the amount of sugar I've been pumping into my body is definitely impacting how I feel and I can't continue at the pace I've been going in the last year.
I'm frustrated with myself because I've done the yo-yo weight loss and gain for too many years now. Just last year I lost about 40 lbs. I felt good, I didn't "miss" the things I had stopped eating, everyone was telling me how great I looked, which boosted my self esteem - and yet I stopped that pattern of eating and went right back to what I had done before. The 40 lbs quickly came back on and I'm close to adding another 10! I don't know why I don't stay motivated when everything about the weight loss is positive and I'm feeling well and energized. I definitely don't now.
So....this time I decided to make it a public battle. By writing on a blog and knowing friends and strangers alike are reading it, perhaps I'll feel more accountability and will stay the course better. Beginning September 1 (which for some reason has become my dieting "new year" and when I make my resolutions!) I'm joining Weight Watchers and will chart my progress as well as vent my frustrations and challenges on this blog. I'm posting current photos of me below, and as I lose I'll update photos for the visual effect as my body hopefully changes (definitely clothed however!)
I'm being brave by showing these photos - but it's the only way I know to really get my own attention!
A public attempt to finally change my lifestyle and eating habits so that I can age more gracefully and healthfully. I want to be healthy - for myself, for my children and grandchildren, and for my friends.
About Me
In Search of..... Fun Foods to Eat Under 300 Calories
Pizza - Who would have thought that you could still eat pizza on a diet? A normal slice of pizza (1/8 of the whole pizza) is roughly 140 to 196 calories, depending on the size of the pizza and what other stuff will on there. I would stick to the thin crust cheese pizza, with maybe one additional topping of mushrooms, chicken, veggies, maybe pepperoni. A slice of pizza and a small tossed salad with fat free dressing can make a great meal.
Grilled Chicken Salads - The BK Garden Salad with Tendergrilled Chicken is your best bet. The whole salad along with the packet of Fat Free Ranch Dressing is exactly 300 calories. A perfect lunch. I never add the croutons to the salad and they probably add a little more. Shoney's has a similar salad along with a side of fruit. A cursory look at several regular restaurants and fast food restaurants shows that in many places you have to be REALLY careful with the salads. You can easily be fooled into thinking you're eating healthfully (which in theory you are) but especially the restaurant salads like you get at O'Charleys, Logans, etc., are going to be anywhere from 500 to 1,000 calories! Yikes! (Thanks to Hungry Girl for that tip)
A Filling Breakfast - I've never been a good breakfast eater and tend to wait until late in the morning, and then stop off at McDonald's for a sausage and biscuit. I've discovered a very filling breakfast for just below 300 calories is a toasted English Muffin with a tbsp. of jam (preferably sugar free), and two boiled eggs. That's more that I would ordinarily eat, but since I'm having to make do until lunch, I figure I should get that protein from the eggs. You could also make your own Egg McMuffins and stay well within range.
Grilled Chicken Salads - The BK Garden Salad with Tendergrilled Chicken is your best bet. The whole salad along with the packet of Fat Free Ranch Dressing is exactly 300 calories. A perfect lunch. I never add the croutons to the salad and they probably add a little more. Shoney's has a similar salad along with a side of fruit. A cursory look at several regular restaurants and fast food restaurants shows that in many places you have to be REALLY careful with the salads. You can easily be fooled into thinking you're eating healthfully (which in theory you are) but especially the restaurant salads like you get at O'Charleys, Logans, etc., are going to be anywhere from 500 to 1,000 calories! Yikes! (Thanks to Hungry Girl for that tip)
A Filling Breakfast - I've never been a good breakfast eater and tend to wait until late in the morning, and then stop off at McDonald's for a sausage and biscuit. I've discovered a very filling breakfast for just below 300 calories is a toasted English Muffin with a tbsp. of jam (preferably sugar free), and two boiled eggs. That's more that I would ordinarily eat, but since I'm having to make do until lunch, I figure I should get that protein from the eggs. You could also make your own Egg McMuffins and stay well within range.
Blogs and Websites I Encourage You to Check Out
My Inspirations
- Hayden - my beautiful grandson!
- Susan - Weight Watchers weight loss queen!
- Rosalee - an old friend who looks fabulous!
- Debbi H. - for reasons that have nothing to do with weight
- Julia - likewise - no weight issues - but an absolute angel and lesson in courage
Things I Hate About the Diet Industry
- The high cost of being healthy! Why is it that the food that is good for you is more expensive than the junk food?
- Unrealistic images of women in media
- Every quick weight loss ad on television
- Magazines that tell you how to lose 30 pounds in 10 days but also have 10 page dessert recipe spreads
- Mixed messages in the media
A formal portrait made in February 2008
Me with my "son" James in June 2008