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Menu Monday-the beginning of a new lifestyle for me
By Elizabeth | August 18, 2008
My dear readers, MomCooks had herself a bit of a stern lecture at her doctor’s office last week. Because of my completely sedentary lifestyle and lack of any attention paid to my diet, I have gained twenty pounds in the last year. My weight is now approaching the 200 pound mark, and for someone who is 4 foot 11 and a half, that is morbidly, dangerously, my-heart-won’t-take-much-more, SERIOUS.
I am scared.
My doctor asked me if I wanted to see a nutritionist at a nearby hospital. But as anyone who is overweight knows, it’s not a matter of having no idea WHAT to eat. I know all about lean meats and dairy products and low fat cereals and grains and more fruits and vegetables. I know that it takes 60 minutes of exercise a day every day to lose weight, and at least 20 minutes a day once ideal weight is reached to maintain.
I know HOW to lose weight. I just don’t DO it.
Yep. Scared.
I’m scared that I’ll fail. Again. Do you know how many times I have joined and re-joined Weight Watchers? A dozen, probably. Why haven’t I ever stuck to it? Because it requires sacrifice. Because it requires figuring out other ways to comfort myself besides with food. Because it will mean having to face my anxieties and my insecurities and my demons, without burying them behind a protective layer of fat. And that is scary.
So there you have it, my dear friends, I hope you understand why today’s post needed to be much more deeply personal than usual. I know you come here looking for fun family recipes and I want to give them to you, so here’s where you can help: what can I do to keep you here reading MomCooks?
1. Continue to post a weekly menu that uses recipes from Betty Crocker and Kraft Food and Family and my own concoctions, like I have in the past, without regard to calories or fat.
OR
2. Post a weekly menu of what I am ACTUALLY eating and serving my family, which will be a lower fat, probably lower carb diet, with whatever low cal, low fat treats are allowed. I bought the Hungry Girl cookbook and I’ve got tons of back issues of Light n Tasty magazine, so it won’t mean boring rabbit food, I promise. For example:
Breakfast: 1 medium bagel, toasted, with 1 Tbsp cream cheese
1 large skim cappuccino with Splenda
6 points or around 300 calories
Lunch: Roast beef sandwich made with 4 ounces deli-style roast beef, 1 tbsp mustard, 4
lettuce leaves and 2 slices light high fiber bread
1 cup sliced sweet red pepper dipped into 2 Tbsp guacamole
7 points or around 350 calories
Dinner: Boneless skinless chicken breast with lemon and herbs
Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes
Roasted Veggies
Light Vanilla Ice cream with bananas and vanilla wafers
9 points or around 450 calories
Snacks: Cocoa-Coated Popcorn or Sugar Free Jello with 1 tbsp light Cool Whip
1 point or around 50 calories
Those of you who read and don’t comment (lurkers! I love you anyway!), this is the one time to please come out of hiding and leave a comment. I don’t want to lose readers over this, but being a food blogger and providing readers with healthy recipes is the direction I’m leaning in. What do you think???
Topics: Menu Monday, Personal, Weight Watchers |
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15 Responses to “Menu Monday-the beginning of a new lifestyle for me”
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August 18th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I didn’t know you were so short!
Go with the low-fat, good-for-you but still yummy stuff. Looking at the statistics for this country, (did you hear that they’re saying within the next so many years, everyone in the US will be obese?) I think that is exactly what people need.
It’s really important to set a good example for your kids, too - get them moving and eating right. Show your readers it can be done!
Annas last blog post..It’s All New to Me
August 18th, 2008 at 3:06 pm
Hiya! I’m brand new to your site, just found it today via entrecard. BUT, I totally hear you on this post. After my hysterectomy in October I’ve gained a lot more weight than I expected. I’m 5′3″ and nearing the 200lb mark myself. I’ve told myself that I will NOT weigh 200 lbs ever, and I intend to stick to that, but I need to do more, too. It’s been hard with travels and not having a routine with anything (see my blog for more details on that). I need to get serious, too. Thanks for being honest!!
Sweet Mummys last blog post..The Inspirer
August 18th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
My vote is to do what works for you. I’d like to know that you actually tried the recipes that you are promoting, so if you are eating healthier, then those are the recipes I want to see.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:10 pm
In the course of 4 stressful years, I put on 70 pounds. Last September (at 209), I decided I’d had enough of the fat and joined Weight Watchers online. I’ve never gone to a meeting, and I haven’t exercised (I have a desk job and sit all day, but never sit once I’m home because I’m busy with housework). Anyway, I’ve lost 40 pounds so far. It’s slow, but steady. I know I could speed it up with exercise, but I don’t have much time for it. I’ve found that some good-for-you foods are actually tasty, and I’d love to see healthy recipes that list nutrition info and WW Points (if possible).
Karens last blog post..Max Monday
August 18th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Hang in there– you’ll lose it. I LOVE vegetables but have such a hard time finding good recipes for them (without cream or cheese sauces, etc– yuk!). I think you just might fill a niche if you have posts centering in on uber-healthy foods, and creative ways to serve them. Plus, it would be a great service to us non-Betty Crocker gals out here. :D
All the best!
Mrs. Mecombers last blog post..Biking Across Upstate NY
August 18th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
Oh Elizabeth…. I feel for you, I do!
I say do what is going to help you. We don’t eat the fat-filled, processed food in our house (although I do dream about some of the desserts you’ve posted), so I’m all for finding healthy foods and alternatives.
If you haven’t already discovered it, check out Clean Eating Magazine (www.cleaneating.com). It is fantastic. The latest issue has 4 weeks of healthy recipes plus a shopping list. The food all looks good — I’ve only tried a few and YUM!
Hang in there and you will find what works for you!
mimipz5wjjs last blog post..Kickin’ Butt and passing it along…
August 18th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Well I, for one, would LOVE to learn more healthful ideas and recipes. I’ve just embarked on a similar quest, and I need all the help I can get!
Here’s a few tips, for you or for anyone else out there looking to start eating right:
Counting calories sucks, but it’s the only way. If you haven’t already decided on a plan, google “BMR” and calculate how many calories you want to eat per day. Most people who are looking to lose weight healthfully and gradually end up in the 1500-1700 range. When in doubt, go higher instead of starving yourself!
Whole wheat pita + tomato sauce + mozz cheese + chunks of green pepper = delicious pizza for one, mine comes in under 300 cals.
Plain yogurt mixed with garlic powder, spices, maybe even a healthful soup mix to taste = great veggie dip that’s high in protein and low in the bad stuff.
Learn to love middle eastern food like hummus - it’s great and great for you, especially with whole wheat pita.
NEVER GO HUNGRY. Always have snacks on hand like fruits, veggies, individual yogurts, etc.
Good luck!
August 18th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
I can’t wait to get ideas on healthy eating. I am in the same boat as you. Sitting at this computer for the past year has done awful things for my weight and health. We can get through this together.
August 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am
I totally dig the “rabbit food” :)
I left the link here for the free ebook with the diet I use - I went from size 18 to 11 in less than 6 months without counting a single calorie & still losing :) I eat stuff like microwavable spinach omelet w/whole grain toast, chicken salad wraps, my easy one pot veggie spaghetti, and sugar free chocolate pudding :) It has a few basic recipe ideas at least that might give you some inspiration :)
August 19th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Go with the healthy foods that you’re eating! Eating healthy is great for everyone, and a lot of people need to eat healthy for health reasons.
Charlas last blog post..Four Foods on Friday #42
August 19th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I could so relate with your post today! I am obese and KNOW what to do but just never do it! I would really love to see what healthy recipes you are going to share with us!
Tinas last blog post..Tina needs……..
August 20th, 2008 at 12:05 am
Go with the healthy recipes! A lot of people are looking for healthy recipes, or trying to eat more healthy, and posting recipes for them to use is a great way to get people motivated. I know I am more inclined to eat something healthy if I find a recipe for it that looks yummy.
Stefanies last blog post..Reader Survey
August 20th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Oh, I can so relate to this, I can put on weight very easily (thanks, genetics!) and have 2 girls who are very into healthy eating and exercise (as am I) - but it does get very tiresome and boring sometimes…still, I am excited to read your future posts and I wish you all the best, you can totally do it!!
I found you through Entrecard, but put my Kitchen Retro blog as my website (it is my WP blog so not on Entrecard) as I’ll bet you would get a kick out of KR more…
Lidians last blog post..Kathy’s Excellent Artex Adventure
August 20th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Do what you need to do! We’ll stick around.
Anns last blog post..Ah, the beach…
September 5th, 2008 at 7:22 am
There are lots of recipe websites that have healthy recipes….. I have listed some healthy foods that should help you out….