Monday, September 26, 2011

Failure or Success??

That is the question of the day!!  Last week, I watched what I ate, followed Weight Watchers, weighed and measured my food, and didn't cheat.  For me that was the hardest thing -- no cheating.  I can find ways to excuse eating what I shouldn't better than anyone I know.  This morning I stepped on the scale and had lost 2-1/2 pounds.  Not a lot, that's for sure.  But it's a start.  And I feel better.  My blood sugar numbers have been good, and so I guess it's success.

After Retired Knitter posted about the WASA crackers and Laughing Cow cheese, daughter Mary picked up the crackers and two kinds of the cheese wedges - the French Onion, and the Mozzarella with Sun Dried tomato and basil.  For my snack in the evening, I take two crackers and spread them with one wedge of the cheese.  And it's so good and it's satisfying.  Thanks, RK for this suggestion.

I think I probably would have shown more of a loss had I consumed more water.  I'm not a big drinker and I think that's part of my problem.  I know that I need water to cleanse my body, and my goal for this week is to drink the water suggested by WW.  Wish me Luck!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Chubby Bee Meets Chubby Bear



One of granddaughter Izzy's favorite Disney characters is Special Agent OSO.  The only present she asked for from our trip was an OSO teddy bear. She got her bear, but I also made sure that we got a photo with OSO and Mary got her an autograph.  I'm hoping that the next time I meet OSO,  I'm not so chubby.

Yesterday went pretty well.  The oatmeal kept me feeling full until lunch time.  My tuna pasta salad was delicious and filling.  We ended up with waxed beans for dinner because there was no cabbage for cole slaw. The grits were a pleasant and unexpected surprise.  We followed the directions on the bag for 6 servings.  But we ended up with a huge pot full of grits.  We stirred in a can of evaporated skim milk, and before we added the cheese, Pat suggested that we take a bowlful out.  She felt they would be good for breakfast with maple syrup.  Being northerners, we don't eat many grits, but I was willing to give it a try.  While the grits were still hot, I threw in a handful of dried cranberries.  And we decided to try it right then and there.  I added a little of my sugar-free syrup and it was delicious.  We let the rest of the bowl cool off a little before we put them in the refrigerator.  So, as soon as I finish this blog, I'm heading to the kitchen for some of my grits.  Just the thought of them makes me smile.

Daughter Pam made wedding soup last night and has offered to bring me a bowl for my lunch today.  It's chilly and rainy here today, so soup will be very welcome.  I cooked a turkey over the weekend, and since it's just Rod and I for dinner tonight, we are going to finish up the gravy and turkey with hot turkey sandwiches.  A perfect dinner for a fall evening.  Have a healthy day.

Monday, September 19, 2011

A New Beginning

Having just returned from a trip to Walt Disney World, I realize how much I need to be overhauled.  As you can see from the photo of me with Donald Duck, it's hard to tell who is the chubbier.  Walking is very difficult for me, and so I use a scooter when we travel.  And this trip when the scooter broke, I was terrified of how I would manage the rest of my vacation.  Renting a scooter solved that problem, but it encouraged me to look inside myself.  I am a diabetic, but don't always eat like I should.  My biggest problem is that I love food, the look, the smell, and the taste.  And so, I have decided to make a conscious effort to eat more healthy and concentrate on eating less and moving more.  Hopefully, this blog will help to keep me honest.  


Eating is not a problem, food preparation is.  I never seem to spend the time necessary to prepare breakfast and lunch.  Since returning from my trip, I have made lists (oh how I love to make lists).  Lists of breakfast foods, lunches that can be prepared in advance, and healthy snacks.  And I added what I need to buy to my grocery list.  I've made myself a "diet kit".  It's a clear plastic container into which I have put my digital scale, my own set of measuring cups and spoons, and the sheet of meal suggestions that my dietitian gave me. It is sitting on the back of the kitchen table where it is well within reach.


My husband, Rod, makes a mean oatmeal.  Last night, he made a big pot of oatmeal to keep in the frig.  This morning, I measured out 1 cup and heated it in the microwave.  I added some spices and dried blueberries, and it was so good.  Not something I would have done before embarking on this journey.  Daughter Pat boiled some pasta for me while cooking steak sandwiches yesterday evening.  Last night before going to bed, I measured out 2/3 cup of pasta and mixed it with some hard cooked egg, some tuna fish, pickle relish, and a dressing made with 2 tbls. mayonnaise, some cider vinegar and some splenda.  Lunch for today is ready and in the frig.  Dinner is never a problem, but I am an evening snacker.  My list of evening snacks includes sugar free puddings and jellos, yogurt and cottage cheese.  For dinner tonight, I have some very lean, boneless ribs in the crock pot with barbeque sauce.  Planned sides are cole slaw and a Weight Watchers recipe for Cheesy Grits.  


And so, life for me begins anew.  I'll need you for support, and to help me stay honest.  So, climb aboard and travel with me.