In Search of My Body....Not the One I ATE! Vol. 5: Goddesses are Always on Top!

[3DisneyKids]

I am not on the no alcohol wagon this time around. I did it for 6 weeks (with 3, I think, planned nights off) and I saw NO difference in weight from not drinking. So BRING. IT. ON.

 

[RodK1975]

Yeah, I mean, yahoo search and google are lifesavers. Anytime I have a question about some food or what's in it, I yahoo search or google it.

You know, E, I have a little theory which seems to be the case with me and I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed or thought of this. It seems like, as long as I keep most of my diet veggies (fresh and raw when possible) most especially when I'm in a snacking mood, that I don't have a problem losing and maintaining. Also, I had to treat chocolate, candy, ice cream, potato chips the way an alcoholic treats alcohol when they quit drinking. I can't eat it, it's like flirting with disaster. (guitar, dunt dunt, dunt)

Make sense?

 

[3DisneyKids]

YES! This makes total sense to me. Part of what makes Weight Watchers so successful for many people is that they can still have their treats...as long as they track it, etc. For me, though, I do much better if I just avoid it entirely while I am in losing mode. I am great at maintaining. It is just the losing that is a problem.

 

[3DisneyKids]

LIZZ--here is the recipe for last night's dinner:

Mexican Bean Pie:

INGREDIENTS

* 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (I usually omit this in favor of nonstick spray. Or I just steam the onions and peppers)
* 1 onion, finely chopped
* 1 small green bell pepper, chopped
* 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained
* 1/3 cup salsa
* 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
* 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 2 (9 inch) unbaked 9 inch pie crusts
* 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (or less, to reduce the fat content)
* 1/2 c frozen corn kernals

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
2. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and green pepper until tender. Sir in beans, salsa, red bell pepper, chili powder, cayenne and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Spoon half of the mixture into one of the pie crusts and cover with half of the cheese. Repeat with remaining beans and cheese. Top with remaining crust.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.

Obviously, if you use two pie crusts, you are going to way up the fat content. So I do I variety of things here...use only one crust instead of two. Use whole wheat crusts. Or more often, just make my own "crust" out of whole wheat, low fat/low carb flat breads and/or tortillas.

 

[RodK1975]

My last name is Kennedy, which, incidentally, is why I drink very, very little > I'm afraid to.

 

[3DisneyKids]

*Googling you right now*

 

[adsrtw]

My doctor is actually in Egypt for 3 weeks and she was there for the consult, ordered the tests and then had her nurse call me on Monday with the results. So no I have not talked to her since she left. I did not ask what my insulin level was so I will ask that.

My carb numbers are like my moms but since she is no help on other things I am not sure how to compare to her for anything else. My triglicerides were high but all other aspects of cholesterol were low.

I meet with the dietician next week so my numbers may very well change but the numbers I am going on are based on sheets from a diabetic sheet packet I was given and told to follow a "diabetic diet" even though I do not have diabetes. From what I understand PCOS mimicks many of the same problems as diabetes and Metformin is also given to PCOS patients for relief of syptoms associated with Metabolic syndrome. I am new to all this so I am sorry if I mis-speak for those of you way more advanced in this arena! Ugh!

Can you refresh my memory on why you watch your insulin? I am trying to remember. Sorry.

I have insulin resistance. I don't really understand why they didn't tell you what your insulin level was immediately when you recieved the results.

 

[HockeyKat]

E, have you tried layers of corn tortillas? I have found ones as low as 40 cals each. D and I sometimes make a corn tortilla chili pie casserole of chili layered with them and some low fat cheese...

I have never tried with black beans, though, may need to. I would omit the tbsp of oil and use cooking spray.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Kat--yes! I do that all the time.

And I usually steam the onions and pepper or use the spray as well. And if I am going to use oil, I only use olive oil.

 

[adsrtw]

Yeah, I mean, yahoo search and google are lifesavers. Anytime I have a question about some food or what's in it, I yahoo search or google it.

You know, E, I have a little theory which seems to be the case with me and I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed or thought of this. It seems like, as long as I keep most of my diet veggies (fresh and raw when possible) most especially when I'm in a snacking mood, that I don't have a problem losing and maintaining. Also, I had to treat chocolate, candy, ice cream, potato chips the way an alcoholic treats alcohol when they quit drinking. I can't eat it, it's like flirting with disaster. (guitar, dunt dunt, dunt)

Make sense?

YES! This makes total sense to me. Part of what makes Weight Watchers so successful for many people is that they can still have their treats...as long as they track it, etc. For me, though, I do much better if I just avoid it entirely while I am in losing mode. I am great at maintaining. It is just the losing that is a problem.

Roddy & E, you are right on! Those treats are a drug for me ~ can't flippin get enough of them. The jingle goes "no one can eat just one, no one can", hum. All those nuero-transmitters start firing and POOF an instant high. What has helped me when those sugar cravings slap me in the face, is finding a low sugar & low cal treat. One that I LOVE is sugar free jello. Say hello to jello. It's only 10 cals a serving. Ohhhh and pudding!!! Only 60 cals.

The great thing is that after 7-10 days of eating healthy and avoiding the crap, I felt like a completely new person. Energy started going through the roof! The crankies went out the door. And better than all of this, my confidence took off like a greyhound chasing the rabbit. And I continued to succeed because failure was not an option for me. Yes, I have setbacks, but that's life. Now I am back in control and I want this empowerment that living healthier has given me.

Please allow me to share what happened when I started exercising! I started craving less and less all while I was getting stronger (and boosting my weight loss). Even though I don't have all of the time in the world, I look forward to sneaking in 15 mins here and 30 mins there of exercise. That rush that I get when I finish is like no other. It's Amazing!

 

[goofyfan-12]

Just checkin in for a second, but i did want to report (especially for Nancy & Paula) That yes I went and worked out. Because the thought of you standing over my head with a whistle was much scarier than the thought of getting out of bed at 5:45....

Yeah... so glad you went! Now I don't have to get up at 5:45 to make sure you go

Evening Ladies. Just popping in to say "Hello".

Paula, Nancy, Liz. Yeah, I've been kind of scarce this week. It's just been a tough week at work, nothing bad just busy. To top that off, I've had a bad week with my RA and I've been in a lot of pain so I've basically been getting up, going to work, coming home and crashing. The RA has gotten into my jaws and it makes my whole face hurt when it acts up. My jaw joints push down on my jaw bone, my teeth don't fit together right and it's unbearable sometimes. So, that's my week.

Roddy - sorry you are not feeling great this week. Hope you feel better soon.

My last name is Kennedy, which, incidentally, is why I drink very, very little > I'm afraid to.

too freakin' funny....

Hey gang - made it to LI with relatively no issues. Prepping for tomorrow so not much time to post here. I'll check in tomorrow night though.

Have fun!

 

[BrcsDisneyPrncs]

I agree, i love googling!! Often at work when its super slow we'll google image search our names to see what pictures pop up. It's insane!

So, i'm pissed, i gained 1.5 lbs this week.... although i can't say i'm surprised. I only worked out 2 days and gave into cheesecake factory badness yesterday. No one to blame but myself, oh well.... dust off and move on right? Back on track and have to stay there.

I'm really excited, Bruce has the weekend off, so we'll actually get to hang out!

E - i'm really not a bean fan, but i have to admit that pie sounds tasty!

Amiee - i know what you mean about the exercise, when i was in my routine, i LOVED getting up in the morning and going.... just gotta get back to the routine i guess!

Hi Roddy! So sorry to hear that your RA is acting up.... hope you are feeling better soon!

Kat - i'm there with you on the meat and potatoes german...... and also lots of fatty yummy german pastries...... yummm.... that was a hard habit to break!

 

[RodK1975]

Roddy & E, you are right on!

Thank you very much. My super ego, ego and id all three needed a stroke today!

The great thing is that after 7-10 days of eating healthy and avoiding the crap, I felt like a completely new person. Energy started going through the roof! The crankies went out the door. And better than all of this, my confidence took off like a greyhound chasing the rabbit. And I continued to succeed because failure was not an option for me. Yes, I have setbacks, but that's life. Now I am back in control and I want this empowerment that living healthier has given me.

Good point! When I finally got up the courage to stop using food (especially junk food) as a crutch, after about two weeks of not eating any junk at all, my cravings for the ****e basically disappeared. I have a craving now and then (and yes, on rare special occasions I'll have a cookie or thin slice of cake) but if I eat 1 cookie and stop, or a bite or two of cake and STOP, I don't fall off the wagon or back into having full, hard cravings for the junk. But, for about a year into my weight loss venture, I didn't eat any of it.

Also, one of the biggest "control" issues for me and when I really knew I was owning my weight problem was when I learned to say "NO" to the cravings and succeed at them. For me, being able to not eat a piece of cake or a chocolate when it was banging on my front door, that was the biggest confidence and self-esteem booster ever.

I was reading through a whole weeks worth of the board, today. There's so much I want to comment on but don't have the time to do it. But, earlier in the week, I think it was Paula or someone to Paula, was talking about how much progress she had made and how well she was "owning it" (I think was the phrase). First off, a million kudos and congrats to you, Paula ! WHOA! Awesome, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious job! I'd give you a "peanut buttah jelly" banana if I didn't hate it so much. But, my point is, that we really know for sure that we're "owning it" when we can resist eating something that is a hard temptation for us.

 

[adsrtw]

Me too!!! What are you reading these days?



Okay, Turkey Sausage & Orzo Casserole:

1 can (28 oz) tomatoes
Beef broth
Package of turkey sausage (hot, mild or mixed - whatever you like), casings removed and sliced up
2 large onions
2 tablespoons fresh or 2 teaspoons dried basil
2 cups orzo dried pasta
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese

1) Drain the juice from the tomatoes into a measuring cup, and add enough beef broth to equal a total of 3 cups of liquid. Set aside.

2) Put sausage and onions in a 3 quart casserole dish. Cook in 450 degree oven for 45 minutes. Add tomatoes, broth mixture and basil, and scrape down the dish to get the burned bits up. Cook in oven for 10 minutes more.

3) Add pasta. Cover tightly and cook for about 15 more minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Sprinkle with cheese.


This recipe takes a long time to cook, but it tastes amazing!

Have a great day!

I love reading paranormal romance or as I call it ~ Vampire Smut. Your recipe sounds yummy!

Sounds YUMMY. Do you think it would work in a crock pot?



I think it's all of us at some point in time or another.




One dress left to hem.

So glad you were able to get the alterations finished!!!!

Having a boring dinner tonight of egg beaters and a salad with just romaine and artichokes since I at lunch out and about. My boss' boss' boss took us girls to lunch at a local mexican restaurant. They have so many things that I can eat that are healthy. Plus, if there was something that I had in mind that wasn't on the menu, they would always try to accomodate. And they have never disappointed. The owners granddaughter is savy in the healthy eating department (of course they have the normal fare to). I picked the stuffed pablano, with black beans, rice and lots of grilled onions along with a salad. Yum!!! They make their guacamole fresh, so I indulged in a bit of it.

 

[adsrtw]

I agree, i love googling!! Often at work when its super slow we'll google image search our names to see what pictures pop up. It's insane!

So, i'm pissed, i gained 1.5 lbs this week.... although i can't say i'm surprised. I only worked out 2 days and gave into cheesecake factory badness yesterday. No one to blame but myself, oh well.... dust off and move on right? Back on track and have to stay there.

I'm really excited, Bruce has the weekend off, so we'll actually get to hang out!

E - i'm really not a bean fan, but i have to admit that pie sounds tasty!

Amiee - i know what you mean about the exercise, when i was in my routine, i LOVED getting up in the morning and going.... just gotta get back to the routine i guess!

Hi Roddy! So sorry to hear that your RA is acting up.... hope you are feeling better soon!

Kat - i'm there with you on the meat and potatoes german...... and also lots of fatty yummy german pastries...... yummm.... that was a hard habit to break!

Yes Stacey! I highly encourage getting back into the habit. Even a few minutes does a world of good.

 

[adsrtw]

Thank you very much. My super ego, ego and id all three needed a stroke today!

No problem! Anytime!!!


Good point! When I finally got up the courage to stop using food (especially junk food) as a crutch, after about two weeks of not eating any junk at all, my cravings for the ****e basically disappeared. I have a craving now and then (and yes, on rare special occasions I'll have a cookie or thin slice of cake) but if I eat 1 cookie and stop, or a bite or two of cake and STOP, I don't fall off the wagon or back into having full, hard cravings for the junk. But, for about a year into my weight loss venture, I didn't eat any of it.

Also, one of the biggest "control" issues for me and when I really knew I was owning my weight problem was when I learned to say "NO" to the cravings and succeed at them. For me, being able to not eat a piece of cake or a chocolate when it was banging on my front door, that was the biggest confidence and self-esteem booster ever.

I was reading through a whole weeks worth of the board, today. There's so much I want to comment on but don't have the time to do it. But, earlier in the week, I think it was Paula or someone to Paula, was talking about how much progress she had made and how well she was "owning it" (I think was the phrase). First off, a million kudos and congrats to you, Paula ! WHOA! Awesome, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious job! I'd give you a "peanut buttah jelly" banana if I didn't hate it so much. But, my point is, that we really know for sure that we're "owning it" when we can resist eating something that is a hard temptation for us.

Spot on again Roddy! You nailed it. Food being used as a crutch or an excuse can be so bad. I can't say that I don't crave now and again. I would be super human if I didn't. Isn't it nice to not have cravings own you?

 

[RodK1975]

Spot on again Roddy! You nailed it. Food being used as a crutch or an excuse can be so bad. I can't say that I don't crave now and again. I would be super human if I didn't. Isn't it nice to not have cravings own you?

Yes! I couldn't have put it better, myself. I mean, there is so much in this world that we do not have control over. But the one thing we all do have control over is what we put in our stomachs. The other day, for example, I walked into a restaurant to have lunch. On the way to my table, I walked past a guy eating a huge plate of chili-cheese fries. My brain immediate said, "OH HELL YEAH, CHILI-CHEESE FRIES, GET 'EM, GET SOME, THOSE WOULD HIT THE SPOT TODAY, YOU'VE HAD A CRAPPY WEEK, YOU'RE RA HAS BEEN HELL, YOU DESERVE THOSE CHILI-CHEESE FRIES." And I had to say, "NO, I'm ordering a garden salad with grilled chicken." Because if I'd gotten the fries, the rest of the day I'd have been feeling bad because of the bad choice I made and I am the type that I beat myself up pretty badly when I screw up like that. Not to mention all of the foul havoc the fries would have wreaked in my digestive tract and the potential harm it would have done everyone in my office.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Oh good God, again with the cheese fries???

 

[RodK1975]

Oh and one other thing. And, thinking about this now it just seems strangely idiotic. But, one thing I had to stop doing was rewarding myself with food. Now, think about that. I'm not sure about any of you, but when I was failing at losing weight for years, I would lose a pound or two, then reward myself with food. Bad food that got me fat in the first place. Which would immediately be followed by a fall off the wagon and a gaining back of five pounds. I just had to stop that stupid sabotage. I hate to use the alcoholic example again, but that's like an alcoholic going for a drink when they've been quit drinking for a month.

 

[RodK1975]

What the flip about cheese fries? What am I missing, Erika?