Eat to Live: Day 18

Energy: Up!
Mood: Happy
Health: Feeling good.
Hunger: I'm doing well.
Craving: Biscuits and Gravy and Bacon ...oh that sounds so good. But my breakfast of fruit and nuts filled me up and is so much better for me.
Big Cheat Confessions: Celebrated Thanksgiving with the Senior Adults at church last night... I did okay on portions, but then I ate a big bowl of  homemade mac & cheese. Um, delicious!! Totally worth the calories. :)
Current weight: 169.0 lbs.
Total Lost: 7.8 lbs - I am really trying to hit 10 lbs. by 3 weeks... that will be next Tuesday, so I am going to try to exercise this weekend in addition to eating healthy. Wish me luck!

I got a little sad the other day, I looked back at the posts I did on the Spring Fittness Challenge a few years back. I got down to 138... and was still trying to lose weight. I would be so happy to be at that weight again. Hopefully it won't be too long.

At 10 pounds lost, I'll post a before picture from this summer and a current pic.

Eat to Live: Day 16

Energy: Feelin' Good


Mood: OK,
 Health: Good- wish Penelope was better. She's got a cold, poor baby.


Hunger: OK, last night I was super wanting to snack after dinner, so I got out the baby carrots and some "not so bad for me" dressing and ate a bunch of those little carrots.


Craving: Pepsi !!!!

Big Cheat Confessions: I ate FIVE, ugh, yes- Five... mini chocolate donuts on Sunday. I blame my husband for brining them into our house. I also drank a Large Coke on Monday. Current weight: 169.8 lbs.- Total Lost - 7.0 lbs Whoot!! Whoot!!

Portobello & Red Pepper Pita

This is my new Favorite Lunch.

Whole Wheat Pita Pocket
1 big Portobello Mushroom or several slices
 1/4 cup Chopped Red Pepper
1/2 cup Match Stick Carrots
1 cup of "Rainbow Slaw" (shredded veggies)
1/4 cup Chopped Onion
Chopped Dried Dates (maybe 2)
Low Sodium Soy Sauce ( 1-2 Tablespoons)
Grapeseed Oil
Garlic Powder
Onion Powder
maybe even throw in a couple Tablespoons of raw shelled sunflower seeds.

The textures in this a great. The crunchy veggies and sunflower seeds contrast with the soft mushrooms. The tastes are great too, the sweet dates, and slightly salty soy sauce. It's so good!! My husband even likes it, although I leave the mushrooms off of his.

I don't usually cook with measurements, so this is sort of guesswork on what I do here, so you can adjust as you want.
So I throw all the veggies in a pan with just a tad of Grapeseed oil. OR you can put them in a casserole dish in the oven for about 10-12 minutes at 350.  Either way.
I put my pita bread in the toaster on the lowest setting, then fill it up.  This should make enough for 2. Yum!!

I've adapted this recipe from the Eat to Live Book by Dr. Fuhrmann

Eat to Live: Day 11

Energy: Good
Mood: Great
Health: Good
Hunger: OK
Craving: Almond Joy Candy Bar

Current weight: 170.8 lbs.- Total Lost - 6.0 lbs  Whoot!! Whoot!!

My taste buds are changing and my desires for foods are changing. I am looking at foods that are not nutrient dense and thinking that is so not worth putting in my body. I am wanting to eat veggies.

Eat to Live: Day 8

Energy: GoodMood: Optimistic


Health: Good
Hunger: OK
Craving: Still having trouble not eating after dinner.
Current weight: 171.8 lbs.- Total Lost - 5.0 lbs

So I have not been very strict with myself. I think it's important to have some balance. I will move forward no matter what "slip up" occurs. I will not be legalistic about this. I am making life changes. I am taking it one step at a time.
 I ate one of the kids chicken nuggets the other day. I had a few choc chips last night after dinner...I have been drinking coffee with sugar EVERY morning. However, I have eaten more veggies and fruit than I have in a LONG time. And I haven't had any Soda (well, I did have a sip of Ella's with that chicken nugget on Sunday). I have been a Soda addict drinking at least one a day for months now.

The biggest change has been in my thinking. I am making it my goal to eat nutrient dense foods. To make the calories I eat to be full of nutrients. It makes the most sense for my body. I really do want to eat the right foods to help my body to do it's job. I am learning about myself. Learning that food doesn't have to be my reward or treat for "making through my day". Food is not my comfort. Turning to prayer to meet my emotional needs instead of food. Wow. Why are things we know in our minds are so hard to put into practice?

I am most afraid to fail. To go back to frivolous eating, to gain every pound back. Praying that God gives me strength to make the right choices for this body that he gave me and the right choices for my spirit.

Eat to Live: Day 5

Eat Smart Veggies

Energy: Medium
Mood: Optimistic

Health: Feeling good
Hunger: Not bad
Craving: Candy
Current weight: 172.6 lbs. - total lost 4.2 pounds. Whoot Whoot
 
That 4 pounds is totally motivating me to keep going!!
I've added coffee back into my morning routine. I just missed it too much.
I have been eating TONS of veggies. I've been buying the "Eat Smart" bags of veggies. I just toss a bag of stir fry veggies in the microwave and then add a touch of Mrs. Dash, garlic, and low sodium soy sauce. So good. And totally fills me up. I've also found ways to sweeten oatmeal with bananas and dates.

Eat to Live: Day 2

Rough Day, not gonna lie. I gave in to temptation and reasoned it out that somehow because Ella had strep, that I got to treat myself. What?! Does anyone else do that sort of flawed, "treat yourself" reasoning?

Energy: Lower


Mood: not as Optimistic

Health: Stuffy/Runny Nose

Hunger: Full
Craving: Oops GAVE IN to my craving for Chick-Fil-A today. And I didn't even eat the grilled sandwich like normal I ate the fried one... and it was tasty. But not worth it.

Day One: "Eat to Live"

This morning I started my "Eat to Live" 6 week plan. I had a big bowl of strawberries, cantelope, and part of an orange. I sprinkled Flax seeds on the cantelope for added fiber.

Energy: Low
Mood: Optimistic
Health: Stuffy/Runny Nose
Hunger: Very Full after my big fruit breakfast
Craving: COFFEE with TONS of sugar and something starchy (bread, crackers, etc.)
Current weight: 176.8 lbs.

My Goal is to feel better. I have aquired a several aches and pains over the last year due to weight gain. My energy level is at an all time low, so I would like to gain some energy, and just feel better. My weight goal is to lose 20 lbs in 6 weeks and eventually lose another 18 pounds to reach my goal weight of 138. All of these are very reasonable goals. But they seem HUGE to me right now.