My *new* 2014 weight loss blog

[JDAZ11]

I love it too. But also, be careful with it - they aren't all created equal....

One of my crazy tricks is to always order the dressing and any cheese on the side (or anything else clearly less healthy than the veggies and protein).

I'll then just add a little of the cheese or maybe a few carby ingredients in - usually a little less than half of what they give me. With the dressing - I know this sounds weird - I lightly dip my fork in the dressing and then proceed to take a bite of the otherwise dry salad.

That only works if you're ok-ish with a lightly dressed salad. Otherwise (my DH's method) is to just get oil and vinegar.

Anyway, some of those chicken salads can really surprise you with calories.

[ides]

Go Kris!

[spotty_dog]

Just the fact that you're thinking about it is GOOD. Whatever you choose will be great! Hope you had a nice evening.

[MDPhDWife]

Go Kris! I'm just getting myself back on the wagon too, so we can be buddies!

[JDAZ11]

How did it go at dinner? Was the salad ok?

[PrincessFiona]

So the dinner salad was okay. I pushed the bacon to the side and ate the egg and little bit of avocado. The chicken itself was done really nicely but it was coated in a seasoning of unknown origin...so I can't speak to how light it was. I made the mistake of putting too much dressing on the salad, so I gave a bunch of my salad (with dressing) away to dh and tried to stick with what wasn't so full of dressing.

All in all, I think I did okay and the salad tasted okay. I just can't be sure on calories.

I'm definitely a burger and fries gal and it was really, really hard for me to depart from this. DH basically suggested that I give myself one day a week to break my diet and eat one if I want. I'm thinking on that.

Last time when I lost weight, I ate whatever I wanted but halved the portions ... and I walked an hour every day.

Despite the plantar fasciitis, I did get in a 45 minute walk yesterday, so that was good.

Today I did a shake for breakfast 1/2 a sandwich with ham/swiss cheese/no dressing and a yogurt.

Problem is, I was starving by 4. Out of my mind hungry. I ate an apple and that did nothing. I added 2 handfuls of grapes. Nothing. I literally felt hungry enough to be sick to my stomach. My hands were shaking. It's totally ridiculous. I finally cut myself a normal slice of DH's homemade spelt and rye bread and ate that and it calmed my appetite.

But I feel guilty and like I failed. :/

And I'm kind of looking forward to dinner....

I just am so desperate to be successful. I feel like I have lost 70 pounds before and I can do it again. I have to get my appetite under control.

My foot feels so much better today than it has been, so I am committed to going for another 45 minute walk.

Kris

[spotty_dog]

I am happy that you are paying attention and eating mindfully, at every snack even! This is a move in a great direction. I do feel like you are moving the goalposts a bit. Low carb, low fat, low cal? Can you articulate what is your long term goal for eating well to nourish mind, body, and spirit? (Even just if you clarify it to yourself!)

Yay for your foot feeling better! Don't overdo, building the habit of daily activity is more valuable than any specific number of minutes right now. You rock! You've done it before and you will do it again!

[ladymoreta]

Great job! When I'm ravenous like that, a small cup of reduced fat milk or a cheese stick helps a lot. I think it's my body craving fats, so fruit does nothing. Along with listening to your body telling you if/when it's hungry, sometimes you have to listen to what its hungry for, or you'll just keep eating other things.

[PrincessFiona]

I probably am moving the goalposts a bit. I wanted instant weight loss at first. Now I'll settle for slow and steady.

I'm down a pound.

[spotty_dog]

I probably am moving the goalposts a bit. I wanted instant weight loss at first. Now I'll settle for slow and steady.

I'm down a pound.

W00t!

(Don't watch the scale too closely...blur your eyes a bit. It's trends you're after, not single data points, yeah?)

So, I guess I am thinking that an afternoon snack of fruit and whole grain bread sounds like a terrific choice, and unless you were 100% committed to low-carb/high-fat (and you pretty much have to commit 100% when you choose that dietary approach, right?), it makes me sad that you felt like you failed because of it. But keep it up, lady! You're doing it!

[MsSassyBaskets]

Great work! I agree with SD, you need to create some very specific goals or guidelines that you stick to-- by changing things or having fuzzy guidelines, you're only going to make it harder for yourself and feel discouraged. And LM is right, I think lean proteins can help with hunger a lot better than fruit, because you metabolize the sugar in fruit so quickly and then there's nothing left to fill you up. Keep it up, and keep us posted!

[MsSassyBaskets]

W00t!

(Don't watch the scale too closely...blur your eyes a bit. It's trends you're after, not single data points, yeah?)

So, I guess I am thinking that an afternoon snack of fruit and whole grain bread sounds like a terrific choice, and unless you were 100% committed to low-carb/high-fat (and you pretty much have to commit 100% when you choose that dietary approach, right?), it makes me sad that you felt like you failed because of it. But keep it up, lady! You're doing it!

Oh yes -- I don't think that having a slice of homemade whole grain bread is a failure at all! That's a very reasonable choice!

[Michele]

You know my approach. It's all about the calories. I don't fuss if they are from cake or salad, for me it's strictly the numbers that matter.

But initially it's easier to make a few basic changes....moving more, eating half portions. Then after those become habits, figure out which approach (calorie counting, low carb, etc) appeals to you.

With your feet hurting, consider focusing on strength training. Soup can bicep curls, triceps kick backs and over the head raises. Squats with a bag of rice. Lunges through the hall. Standing pushup at the counter top. Calf raises when you are washing your hair or brushing your teeth.

More muscle mass means more calories burned at rest.

[PrincessFiona]

I haven't done as well with the eating. I've had good days, but not enough consistent good days. I'm up 5 pounds.
BUT
I started physical therapy for my back and it has motivated me to move more. The program is comprehensive and addresses the whole body. I've started going to the ymca between pt sessions to keep working out.
Truth is I'm feeling better. It's kind of a first step for me.

[JDAZ11]

I haven't done as well with the eating. I've had good days, but not enough consistent good days. I'm up 5 pounds.
BUT
I started physical therapy for my back and it has motivated me to move more. The program is comprehensive and addresses the whole body. I've started going to the ymca between pt sessions to keep working out.
Truth is I'm feeling better. It's kind of a first step for me.

That's great!!! Finding a good PT and moving with less pain is a great step! It is really all about how you feel. The number on the scale really doesn't mean much. Strong work!