05/23/2016
183.5 this morning
I hurt a pinky toe (left foot) last Tuesday; a heavy door "squarshed" it.
I couldn't put any weight on it for about 24 hours without the pain almost
sending me to the ground. It may be/may have been broken or fractured--I don't know.
I didn't seek medical attention because I know nothing can be done,
medically speaking, for a broken toe except to do what I have been doing,
which is be careful and wear comfortable shoes. Besides the pain of the thing,
what I'm missing are my twice-daily walks. I thought maybe I could try to
resume them today (or at least one), but I realize that ain't gonna happen.
Let's see, tomorrow makes one week since the toe got injured. There's
improvement but not enough. So who knows how long it will be before
I'm walking for exercise again. Clearly, at this point, I don't need the walks
for losing pounds; that's coming along nicely, thank you. But I do enjoy
those walks for...call it emotional sanity. I know, it's only a temporary
situation but it's still frustrating.
Adele's Response:
I understand completely. Exercise, mostly walking, was how I slowly worked through the emotions I had been eating down with "yummy" foods, although I honestly didn't understand that's what I was doing until I'd done it a few years and some long-buried ones sort of bubbled up. I found listening to music while I walked also helped bring my feelings to the surface.
I have also probably broken a toe a few years ago (probably because I never saw a doctor so don't have confirmation), I know that pain, it takes 4-6 weeks to go totally away.
You may find your cravings increasing somewhat as your best emotional outlet is temporarily taken away from you. I hope you won't resort to eating them down to make them go away. I honestly think they HAVE to come out, and that they will in their own good time. All the while you're eating clean through them, learning you can have feelings and not need to "fix" or "treat" them.
Honestly when I was at your point in the journey, I was pretty sure I had no emotional ties to food/eating, that I just had a fussy body that needed to be fed right whether I liked it or not. And while I wasn't wrong about my body, it slowly dawned on me that both things were true: I had a fussy body AND had developed a system to shut uncomfortable emotions off at the pass.
If that all sounds like too much, just ignore me, lol. Just eat clean and let your body (and your mind, if it needs to) deal with the consequences of that. Also, I never said you couldn't binge if you "need" to. You can binge on any lowcarb vegetable you want. I did, probably more than a few times. It didn't harm my body at all. And of course it was totally ineffective at shutting down feelings. I believe that was all part of the slow learning I had to do to change my relationship with food and my body.
Adele
(I forgot to weigh myself today, but I'm healing and positive I'm not gaining weight, lol)
05/25/2016
Oh joy, oh rapture--let the daily walks resume!!
I just got back from one...thought I'd give it a try, just to see how the toe would respond.
There's no pain whatsoever, as long as I don't hurry. And there's no reason to hurry; it's
not as if I'm race-walking. It's the summer term here at the university where I work, so the
campus is practically empty. NICE!
Adele, I hear what you're saying about "eating down emotions". I'd venture to guess that almost
everyone who has a problem with food has issues dealing with emotions. The walking seems to help me,
because I allow my mind to wander while I walk. What's that called? Free association or something
like that. Anyway, you know what I mean. It often seems easier to ponder things and work them out
as I walk...no ringing telephones, no co-workers, no interruptions. And being "clean" helps to foster
a strong base from where I can gently search out feelings and issues. Yet I also remind myself often that
I don't have to resolve all of my issues at once. I feel I have plenty of time for that, another strength that being
"clean" has given me.
Hope you're healing well!
05/26/2016
Waffling between 183 and 182.5 today
The toe is bothering me today, when I stand or walk. I am loathe to say this is due to yesterday's walk, but it's either that or the weather system hanging over us right now (barometric pressure from a severe thunderstorm). In any case, I will not walk my route today as I do not want to irritate the injury further.
It's very interesting to be in a place/state of mind where I can appreciate the sight and smells of high risk foods but yet not be tempted to indulge. For instance, last night The Husband and I ate at our favorite restaurant, the little family style joint in the next town. The Husband asked for onion rings as an appetizer, and our waiter suggested he try them with honey mustard. The Husband did, loved them and said, "You've got to try these!" He almost insisted (which would have pissed me off, pardon my french). The onion rings smelled good, and I said so to him, but I wasn't even tempted to go off plan. It helps to keep in mind that weakness Adele talks about in one of her essays (can't recall the name). Someone made the comment that she was so strong to eat the way she does, but Adele corrected the person. Basically saying that no, she was actually weak; that she knew if she took just one bite of the high-risk food then she wouldn't be able to stop. That weakness, the knowledge and acknowledgement of it, actually gives us strength.
It's raining, lightning and thundering like crazy, so I'm going to get this posted before we lose power!!
Adele's Response:
Just some random thoughts. Mostly I want to urge you to just keep going. You WILL be tempted, I *still am momentarily tempted now and then, just keep walking the straight path, telling that little girl inside you that you know she wants something fun...good...sweet, but you're taking charge and making stronger decisions. One day at a time. Day after month after year. But mostly as they say in AA, "stay in the day" -- be careful about overthinking and getting ahead of yourself. We all seem prone to doing that, I sure do.
One piece of advice for broken toes I've read is to tape the toe to the toe next to it. Can't remember if I did that or not, but if your toe is broken, you're going to have to baby it for a while. Remember: this will pass. And if you let it, this can be the first emotional challenge of this cleaner journey you're on. You will likely WANT to medicate your frustrations and feelings away. Remember, you don't HAVE to. The feelings will pass whether they are medicated or not. If you medicate, you'll bring more problems on yourself. Just eat steady, steady, steady!
I had a tiny bit of sugar yesterday in the surgeon's office, I *might have had a low blood sugar episode brought on my severe pain when he removed my surgical drain. He said give her some sugar! I declined at first, but was clammy and trembling all over, so I had a single lifesaver--and it helped. I'll post about it in my own thread, maybe early next week. I'm okay, I won't cave, but sugar definitely still has power over me these many years later.
I'll look forward to reading your next post, Tricia!
Adele
(134 this morning)
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Weighty Matters 05/10-20/2016
05/10/2016
185.5 this morning
Yes, I'm going to continue the no-butter phase for at least another week. I think I
originally said 30 days, but I'm pretty sure I'll know results after this week. I doubt
that one tablespoon of butter a day (used to scramble 6 eggs, split btwn Hubby & me)
makes much difference. Still it's good to find out...and it's good to know that I don't
feel the NEED to use butter.
05/13/2016
186 this morning
All right, the butter ban is ended, as of today.
No changes in sinus issues whatsoever. *shrug*
I tried. And I'm glad I did; it was worth it.
I went two weeks without using butter. The first
week I used bacon grease for the morning eggs;
the second week I used extra light olive oil. The
only change I saw was no weight loss in week two.
Coincidence between no weight loss and olive oil?
Hmm...who knows.
This morning my weight was 186 and, I must admit,
I experienced a momentary flash of pissed-offedeness.
Just for a second, and then I got my emotions back under
control. And when I wrote the number down in the
pocket calendar I use to record my daily weight, I
noticed that the same thing happened last week
(where I had no pounds lost in a three day span).
This is another reason why it's important to weigh daily
AND write that number down. Because I had forgotten
about the no-pounds-lost in a 3 day span of last week.
Seeing that pattern made it okay; as in, it's happened before
and it'll probably happen again. I'm still a pound lighter this
week than last week. I didn't gain all of my weight overnight
and I certainly won't lose it overnight. It's going to take
time, a LOT of time, and I am in this for...well, forever really.
I started to write "for as long as it takes", which is essentially forever.
I have come to realize...no, not realize. I have admitted and
acknowledged to myself that I cannot eat certain foods
and expect my body to thrive.
On a positive note, I am at the point where I need to wear
a belt with my khaki pants, otherwise I am constantly
hitchin' up my britches on my daily walks.
05/16/2016
185.5 this morning
I've been leading with the diet for one month, and I feel so much better
now than 30 days ago.
It hasn't always been easy, although with implementation of the 4Ps life gets
more simple (planning, preparation, patience, and practice).
Wait...it's not easy, yet it's simple--what does that mean??
Well, it IS simple...you plan your meals ahead of time, and you cook ahead
of time what needs to be cooked, along with chopping and dicing, and even
packaging it up so you can just grab and go. You know exactly what you're
going to eat and when you're going to it, and you rarely (if ever) deviate from
that plan. Then you have to practice patience; the weight coming off is a waiting
game of sorts, and it will happen...but you have to have patience when, say,
you're only losing half a pound every week or two.
But no, it is NOT easy. You cannot rely on anybody else but yourself.
Don't expect anyone else to support this way of life.
Don't expect not to be tempted by smells or sights of certain foods because, oh baby,
those temptations are ALWAYS hovering just below the surface. It's not willpower
that will carry you through but sheer stubbornness and determination to turn away/
walk away from the things you need to. Don't expect not to get mad and depressed
at your own body for not being able to handle all the junk foods that everybody
else on the planet seems to be able to shove in their mouths and not gain an ounce.
05/18/2016
184.5 this morning
Wow...I think my husband understands what I'm doing with the eating plan* I've implemented.
Tomorrow I'm tagging along with him to a trade show of sorts, that is being held in a city a couple
of hours away...well, an hour and a half at least. Anyway, food will be provided/catered but you
know how that goes; I expect a lot of carbohydrate-laden foods. I already had a plan in place,
although I was going to wait until tomorrow to bring up the subject. To my surprise, he
said to me this morning, "I'm not sure what you're going to do about food tomorrow." I told
him I was planning on taking my own food, just in case, and he thinks it's a good idea. Now
I have to admit that I was expecting some push back from him, some level of...I don't know.
Embarrassment maybe? But no, he seemed genuinely concerned for my situation. It was
touching. Since I don't know if there will be a microwave available, I'm going to take along
some baked chicken thighs and a large salad. That should suffice until supper.
*I refuse to use the word "diet"--I don't like that word.
05/20/2016
184 this morning
The trade show situation went extremely well yesterday. I packed my salad and chicken (already cut up) the night before, so all I had to do the morning of was grab the container, and make sure I had a fork and olive oil. The purse I carry is big enough that everything fit inside nicely. I was very glad I brought my own food, because there was nothing at the banquet I could have eaten. (Trigger warning*, menu below.) When the time came, I simply pulled out my container and had at it. Another locksmith who sat at our table, said, "You're smart; you brought your own food!!" I enjoy being at a place in my life where I'm not bothered or embarrassed to bring my own food. It's a fact of life...no different really than doing it because of food allergies.
The fourth notch...
I think I mentioned having to wear a belt with my khaki pants (which is a good sign, truly it is.) The weird thing is that I am now using the fourth notch on the belt. I have had this belt for...oh, I don't know. Probably at least 5 years. At my heaviest weight (198 last January), I was using the second notch, and it was getting uncomfortable--thought I would have to drop down to the 1st notch. Now here I am, all the way over on notch #4. The first time I put on the belt with the khakis this week, I slid the prong into notch #3, but it was way too loose. Yet when I put the prong into notch #4, my mind said "that can't be right, you're bigger than this...aren't you?" Isn't it funny how our minds can sometimes work against us? --Which is why I try to stay out of my head as much as possible where these things are concerned. It's really just a number, all of this--clothing sizes, belt sizes, etc. Don't attach too much value to the number; buy what fits you.
Adele's Response:
I love reading your updates. It sounds like you're acknowledging your past patterns, and working hard to engineer your own success. You're doing everything right, it's working. The biggest battle for the next few years will be mastering control of your inner teenager. If you can do that without interruption for a long time, you will SLOWLY divorce your emotions from your food decisions. I can't remember the names of the pertinent essays on that, Growing Up Emotionally and the one about computer hard drives come to mind. I'm on my tablet right now and can't look them up. Mostly though you just lead with the diet, and let your feelings go wherever they want. Stay prepared, stay at least one day ahead. If you build it--a strong simple plan with no deviations--they will come. "They" are all the emotions you've been eating down. If you stop eating them down, you'll slowly build new skills for experiencing feelings.
I'm getting ahead of myself! Just keep going and keep me/us posted. I'm so happy for you. You did great with taking your own food to an event and being ready to deal with the consequences.
Adele
138 this morning
185.5 this morning
Yes, I'm going to continue the no-butter phase for at least another week. I think I
originally said 30 days, but I'm pretty sure I'll know results after this week. I doubt
that one tablespoon of butter a day (used to scramble 6 eggs, split btwn Hubby & me)
makes much difference. Still it's good to find out...and it's good to know that I don't
feel the NEED to use butter.
05/13/2016
186 this morning
All right, the butter ban is ended, as of today.
No changes in sinus issues whatsoever. *shrug*
I tried. And I'm glad I did; it was worth it.
I went two weeks without using butter. The first
week I used bacon grease for the morning eggs;
the second week I used extra light olive oil. The
only change I saw was no weight loss in week two.
Coincidence between no weight loss and olive oil?
Hmm...who knows.
This morning my weight was 186 and, I must admit,
I experienced a momentary flash of pissed-offedeness.
Just for a second, and then I got my emotions back under
control. And when I wrote the number down in the
pocket calendar I use to record my daily weight, I
noticed that the same thing happened last week
(where I had no pounds lost in a three day span).
This is another reason why it's important to weigh daily
AND write that number down. Because I had forgotten
about the no-pounds-lost in a 3 day span of last week.
Seeing that pattern made it okay; as in, it's happened before
and it'll probably happen again. I'm still a pound lighter this
week than last week. I didn't gain all of my weight overnight
and I certainly won't lose it overnight. It's going to take
time, a LOT of time, and I am in this for...well, forever really.
I started to write "for as long as it takes", which is essentially forever.
I have come to realize...no, not realize. I have admitted and
acknowledged to myself that I cannot eat certain foods
and expect my body to thrive.
On a positive note, I am at the point where I need to wear
a belt with my khaki pants, otherwise I am constantly
hitchin' up my britches on my daily walks.
05/16/2016
185.5 this morning
I've been leading with the diet for one month, and I feel so much better
now than 30 days ago.
It hasn't always been easy, although with implementation of the 4Ps life gets
more simple (planning, preparation, patience, and practice).
Wait...it's not easy, yet it's simple--what does that mean??
Well, it IS simple...you plan your meals ahead of time, and you cook ahead
of time what needs to be cooked, along with chopping and dicing, and even
packaging it up so you can just grab and go. You know exactly what you're
going to eat and when you're going to it, and you rarely (if ever) deviate from
that plan. Then you have to practice patience; the weight coming off is a waiting
game of sorts, and it will happen...but you have to have patience when, say,
you're only losing half a pound every week or two.
But no, it is NOT easy. You cannot rely on anybody else but yourself.
Don't expect anyone else to support this way of life.
Don't expect not to be tempted by smells or sights of certain foods because, oh baby,
those temptations are ALWAYS hovering just below the surface. It's not willpower
that will carry you through but sheer stubbornness and determination to turn away/
walk away from the things you need to. Don't expect not to get mad and depressed
at your own body for not being able to handle all the junk foods that everybody
else on the planet seems to be able to shove in their mouths and not gain an ounce.
05/18/2016
184.5 this morning
Wow...I think my husband understands what I'm doing with the eating plan* I've implemented.
Tomorrow I'm tagging along with him to a trade show of sorts, that is being held in a city a couple
of hours away...well, an hour and a half at least. Anyway, food will be provided/catered but you
know how that goes; I expect a lot of carbohydrate-laden foods. I already had a plan in place,
although I was going to wait until tomorrow to bring up the subject. To my surprise, he
said to me this morning, "I'm not sure what you're going to do about food tomorrow." I told
him I was planning on taking my own food, just in case, and he thinks it's a good idea. Now
I have to admit that I was expecting some push back from him, some level of...I don't know.
Embarrassment maybe? But no, he seemed genuinely concerned for my situation. It was
touching. Since I don't know if there will be a microwave available, I'm going to take along
some baked chicken thighs and a large salad. That should suffice until supper.
*I refuse to use the word "diet"--I don't like that word.
05/20/2016
184 this morning
The trade show situation went extremely well yesterday. I packed my salad and chicken (already cut up) the night before, so all I had to do the morning of was grab the container, and make sure I had a fork and olive oil. The purse I carry is big enough that everything fit inside nicely. I was very glad I brought my own food, because there was nothing at the banquet I could have eaten. (Trigger warning*, menu below.) When the time came, I simply pulled out my container and had at it. Another locksmith who sat at our table, said, "You're smart; you brought your own food!!" I enjoy being at a place in my life where I'm not bothered or embarrassed to bring my own food. It's a fact of life...no different really than doing it because of food allergies.
The fourth notch...
I think I mentioned having to wear a belt with my khaki pants (which is a good sign, truly it is.) The weird thing is that I am now using the fourth notch on the belt. I have had this belt for...oh, I don't know. Probably at least 5 years. At my heaviest weight (198 last January), I was using the second notch, and it was getting uncomfortable--thought I would have to drop down to the 1st notch. Now here I am, all the way over on notch #4. The first time I put on the belt with the khakis this week, I slid the prong into notch #3, but it was way too loose. Yet when I put the prong into notch #4, my mind said "that can't be right, you're bigger than this...aren't you?" Isn't it funny how our minds can sometimes work against us? --Which is why I try to stay out of my head as much as possible where these things are concerned. It's really just a number, all of this--clothing sizes, belt sizes, etc. Don't attach too much value to the number; buy what fits you.
Adele's Response:
I love reading your updates. It sounds like you're acknowledging your past patterns, and working hard to engineer your own success. You're doing everything right, it's working. The biggest battle for the next few years will be mastering control of your inner teenager. If you can do that without interruption for a long time, you will SLOWLY divorce your emotions from your food decisions. I can't remember the names of the pertinent essays on that, Growing Up Emotionally and the one about computer hard drives come to mind. I'm on my tablet right now and can't look them up. Mostly though you just lead with the diet, and let your feelings go wherever they want. Stay prepared, stay at least one day ahead. If you build it--a strong simple plan with no deviations--they will come. "They" are all the emotions you've been eating down. If you stop eating them down, you'll slowly build new skills for experiencing feelings.
I'm getting ahead of myself! Just keep going and keep me/us posted. I'm so happy for you. You did great with taking your own food to an event and being ready to deal with the consequences.
Adele
138 this morning
Weighty Matters 05/05-09/2016
186.5 this morning
Something I've noticed with clean eating is that food tastes so much better.
I've gone back to using olive oil on my salads. Maybe I was simply using too
much of it before, because the taste of olive oil is once more appealing to me.
I'm still going to try the brand you mentioned, Adele.
I'm using bacon grease to scramble my morning eggs with, and it's working great.
Striving for two 15-minute walks a day; but at the very least one if I can't get in
both walks. Still no temptations or cravings.
I eat pretty much the same items every day, weekday or weekend, no matter what.
I haven't even been logging my food into Fitday because it's always the same.
(Maybe I should still do it; I don't know...)
Breakfast is 3-4 strips of bacon and 3 eggs.
Lunch is a protein (baked chicken thighs, burger patties, etc.),
a salad (IB lettuce, celery, sweet peppers, and OO dressing),
and a low carb veggie (green beans, cauliflower, or broc.).
Supper is a protein--depending on how hungry (or not) I am, then I'll add some LC veg.
It's a beautiful sunny day here in Southeast Missouri, although a bit chilly.
...About time for my morning walk!
Adele's Response:
Make no mistake, temptations and cravings (along with frustration and every other possible human emotion) WILL come. I am not free of either, they slowly became much less frequent and (I think?) because I decided that waggling was off the table for me as a choice. I feel pretty certain that I VERY SLOWLY learned to unhook all my food (and other) feelings and yearnings from my food actions. I don't mean to make it sound like it was easy at all--or even what I set out to do! But a repetitive diet, in that way, over time turned out to have kind of a "calming" effect. A kind of simpler, physical/emotional tethering as one long-ago list participant put it.
I eat pretty much the same items every day, weekday or weekend, no matter what. I haven't even been logging my food into Fitday because it's always the same. (Maybe I should still do it; I don't know...)
I think as long as it's working well, there's no need to plot it out each day although it might help to have it down "on paper" and calculated out (the calories, fats, protein and carb counts and percentages that is...)because if you hit a long plateau you will have it for a reference point for comparing to see if you've drifted, or if perhaps you want to gently tweak it (for instance, increase fat percentage while decreasing protein) to see if it changes anything. Your diet sounds somewhat similar to how I eat virtually every day, except I generally don't eat bacon unless we're at a restaurant for breakfast on a trip. (I'm NOT suggesting you stop eating it--clearly your body is responding well.)
I'm enjoying watching things go so well for you, Trisha!
Adele
(139 this morning)
186 this morning
How I gained half a pound and did not lose my mind
Friday morning the weight was at 186 1/2.
I did not eat enough for lunch that day. Part of my
chicken was under cooked, and the amount of veggies
I had brought were not enough to make up the difference.
I knew I had not eaten enough, because by supper time I
had no energy whatsoever. Hubby and I went to our
favorite little restaurant, where I ordered a pork chop,
broccoli, and green beans.
Saturday morning the weight jumped up half a pound to
187, and I knew immediately it was the green beans.
They had a lot of onions mixed in, and also tasted like
sugar had been added. But I was so hungry, etc. etc.
I think this was the first time in my life that I have
registered a weight gain on the scales and NOT had an
emotional breakdown. I noted the half pound change,
knew what had caused it, and simply went on with my day.
I did not plunge into the depths of despair. I did not immerse
myself in "bad" foods (because what's the use).
I know that leading with the diet works, because I have the
numbers to prove it. And sure enough, Sunday when I stepped
on the scale, I was down to 186 pounds.
Yesterday Hubby grilled pork steaks for Mother's Day. I asked
him to leave two steaks naked and he gladly obliged. I ate one
for lunch, along with green beans and cauliflower. He and his mother,
and my daughter ate the pork steaks slathered in BBQ sauce.
Now I will admit that the smell of the BBQ sauce was almost
overwhelming. But I was able to keep myself detached, and
just appreciate the smell of it without stuffing any of it in my mouth.
This is what eating clean does...if I eat clean foods consistently
then I reap a multitude of benefits, not the least of which is
slow and steady weight loss.
P.s. I bought a bottle of the Filippo Berio olive oil, and love it!
P.p.s. I've noticed that my general walking pace has quickened.
P.p.p.s. I've finished one week of no-butter, with no change in sinus issues.
Adele's Response:
1. It will take some major time for sinus issues to clear--a minimum of two weeks. Probably longer. It's your body, your science project, but I'd urge you to keep going. Personally I find it heavenly to NOT have them any more. Butter also contributes (at least in my opinion) to turning some boring foods into swoon foods. Keep calm and carry on, as they say!
2. Every Single Time I eat out, I go up at least a pound, often 2-3. It comes off in a few more days. It is the cost of eating out. When you're in the weight loss phase especially, it can definitely be demoralizing. I'd urge you to avoid it as much as possible. This is where staying ahead and prepared helps immeasurably.
3. Glad to hear you like the olive oil. I find it virtually tasteless.
Adele
(136 this morning)
Something I've noticed with clean eating is that food tastes so much better.
I've gone back to using olive oil on my salads. Maybe I was simply using too
much of it before, because the taste of olive oil is once more appealing to me.
I'm still going to try the brand you mentioned, Adele.
I'm using bacon grease to scramble my morning eggs with, and it's working great.
Striving for two 15-minute walks a day; but at the very least one if I can't get in
both walks. Still no temptations or cravings.
I eat pretty much the same items every day, weekday or weekend, no matter what.
I haven't even been logging my food into Fitday because it's always the same.
(Maybe I should still do it; I don't know...)
Breakfast is 3-4 strips of bacon and 3 eggs.
Lunch is a protein (baked chicken thighs, burger patties, etc.),
a salad (IB lettuce, celery, sweet peppers, and OO dressing),
and a low carb veggie (green beans, cauliflower, or broc.).
Supper is a protein--depending on how hungry (or not) I am, then I'll add some LC veg.
It's a beautiful sunny day here in Southeast Missouri, although a bit chilly.
...About time for my morning walk!
Adele's Response:
Still no temptations or cravings.
I eat pretty much the same items every day, weekday or weekend, no matter what. I haven't even been logging my food into Fitday because it's always the same. (Maybe I should still do it; I don't know...)
I'm enjoying watching things go so well for you, Trisha!
Adele
(139 this morning)
186 this morning
How I gained half a pound and did not lose my mind
Friday morning the weight was at 186 1/2.
I did not eat enough for lunch that day. Part of my
chicken was under cooked, and the amount of veggies
I had brought were not enough to make up the difference.
I knew I had not eaten enough, because by supper time I
had no energy whatsoever. Hubby and I went to our
favorite little restaurant, where I ordered a pork chop,
broccoli, and green beans.
Saturday morning the weight jumped up half a pound to
187, and I knew immediately it was the green beans.
They had a lot of onions mixed in, and also tasted like
sugar had been added. But I was so hungry, etc. etc.
I think this was the first time in my life that I have
registered a weight gain on the scales and NOT had an
emotional breakdown. I noted the half pound change,
knew what had caused it, and simply went on with my day.
I did not plunge into the depths of despair. I did not immerse
myself in "bad" foods (because what's the use).
I know that leading with the diet works, because I have the
numbers to prove it. And sure enough, Sunday when I stepped
on the scale, I was down to 186 pounds.
Yesterday Hubby grilled pork steaks for Mother's Day. I asked
him to leave two steaks naked and he gladly obliged. I ate one
for lunch, along with green beans and cauliflower. He and his mother,
and my daughter ate the pork steaks slathered in BBQ sauce.
Now I will admit that the smell of the BBQ sauce was almost
overwhelming. But I was able to keep myself detached, and
just appreciate the smell of it without stuffing any of it in my mouth.
This is what eating clean does...if I eat clean foods consistently
then I reap a multitude of benefits, not the least of which is
slow and steady weight loss.
P.s. I bought a bottle of the Filippo Berio olive oil, and love it!
P.p.s. I've noticed that my general walking pace has quickened.
P.p.p.s. I've finished one week of no-butter, with no change in sinus issues.
Adele's Response:
1. It will take some major time for sinus issues to clear--a minimum of two weeks. Probably longer. It's your body, your science project, but I'd urge you to keep going. Personally I find it heavenly to NOT have them any more. Butter also contributes (at least in my opinion) to turning some boring foods into swoon foods. Keep calm and carry on, as they say!
2. Every Single Time I eat out, I go up at least a pound, often 2-3. It comes off in a few more days. It is the cost of eating out. When you're in the weight loss phase especially, it can definitely be demoralizing. I'd urge you to avoid it as much as possible. This is where staying ahead and prepared helps immeasurably.
3. Glad to hear you like the olive oil. I find it virtually tasteless.
Adele
(136 this morning)
Weighty Matters 05/02-03/2016
May 2, 2016
188 this morning
Two weeks "clean".
No sugar, no dairy*, and no grains.
I feel great. I feel happy and strong and powerful.
But I also continue to remind myself that "there but for the grace of clean eating go I".
I never want to forget that I am one bite (slip) away from falling into a ravine yet again.
And I don't like it in the ravine. It's dark and hopeless down there.
I like being on top of the hill where I can see the sun shine and smell the flowers.
I have found that I really don't like the taste of olive oil; it's too heavy for me.
So I've begun using plain ol' vegetable oil on my salads. Oil, salt & pepper are the
only things I need. I've taken to carrying a small squeeze bottle of oil with me,
when I know The Husband and I are going out for a meal.
* The only dairy I consume is 1 tablespoon used for scrambling morning eggs.
Doesn't seem to affect me. But one day (soon) I should probably drop it, at
least for a while, just to see if I notice a change.
Adele's Response:
May 3, 2016
187.5 this morning
Well, I cook the eggs in cast iron, so I'm not sure using only water would work.
(The rule with cast iron is hot skillet/cool oil (or butter or something)) for non-stick cooking.
But I'm certainly willing to give it a try! I'll try the water tomorrow morning.
Thanks for the link explaining vegetable oil. I didn't know any of that, yeesh.
I was using the Bertolli brand of (extra light) olive oil, but maybe the Filippo brand is better.
Again, I'm willing to try it.
Luckily I have some of the Bertolli at work, so I can ditch the veg. oil starting today.
Adele's Response:
Oh...I thought you were *adding cream to your eggs before putting them in the skillet.
I have 3 cast iron skillets and use them almost exclusively. I use either rendered pork fat or the Berio olive oil for cooking my eggs.
I didn't realize those facts about vegetable oils for a long time myself. Because of my dislike of olive oil, along with it's higher cost, I used cold pressed sunflower oil for several years assuming it would be a healthy choice. I was wrong! I switched back to the olive oil about a year ago.
Adele
138 this morning
A month without butter...the thought of that is a little scary. Which probably means I need to do it.
What if that tablespoon of butter is the only thing left causing my sinus issues? Wow, it would be
wonderful to stop needing antihistamine tablets and nasal spray. Okay, I'm in; I'm going to quit
butter. I can do this. I can find a different way to cook the eggs. Now I'm excited!
188 this morning
Two weeks "clean".
No sugar, no dairy*, and no grains.
I feel great. I feel happy and strong and powerful.
But I also continue to remind myself that "there but for the grace of clean eating go I".
I never want to forget that I am one bite (slip) away from falling into a ravine yet again.
And I don't like it in the ravine. It's dark and hopeless down there.
I like being on top of the hill where I can see the sun shine and smell the flowers.
I have found that I really don't like the taste of olive oil; it's too heavy for me.
So I've begun using plain ol' vegetable oil on my salads. Oil, salt & pepper are the
only things I need. I've taken to carrying a small squeeze bottle of oil with me,
when I know The Husband and I are going out for a meal.
* The only dairy I consume is 1 tablespoon used for scrambling morning eggs.
Doesn't seem to affect me. But one day (soon) I should probably drop it, at
least for a while, just to see if I notice a change.
Adele's Response:
Just a couple of pointers/ideas...
1. Scrambled eggs really are fine without anything added, I promise. I actually prefer them that way! Or try 1 tablespoon of water. If you are highly reactive to dairy, that much can make a difference.
2. I use Filippo Berio Light Olive Oil, because I too really dislike the strong taste of regular or extra virgin olive oil. I like the taste (almost no taste!) of the Berio very much. The advantage of olive oil over regular vegetable oil is that it contains Omega 3's, which are good. Most vegetable oils are full of Omega 6's, which are "bad". Here's more info on that: The Ugly Truth About Vegetable Oils
Adele
140 this morning
1. Scrambled eggs really are fine without anything added, I promise. I actually prefer them that way! Or try 1 tablespoon of water. If you are highly reactive to dairy, that much can make a difference.
2. I use Filippo Berio Light Olive Oil, because I too really dislike the strong taste of regular or extra virgin olive oil. I like the taste (almost no taste!) of the Berio very much. The advantage of olive oil over regular vegetable oil is that it contains Omega 3's, which are good. Most vegetable oils are full of Omega 6's, which are "bad". Here's more info on that: The Ugly Truth About Vegetable Oils
Adele
140 this morning
187.5 this morning
Well, I cook the eggs in cast iron, so I'm not sure using only water would work.
(The rule with cast iron is hot skillet/cool oil (or butter or something)) for non-stick cooking.
But I'm certainly willing to give it a try! I'll try the water tomorrow morning.
Thanks for the link explaining vegetable oil. I didn't know any of that, yeesh.
I was using the Bertolli brand of (extra light) olive oil, but maybe the Filippo brand is better.
Again, I'm willing to try it.
Luckily I have some of the Bertolli at work, so I can ditch the veg. oil starting today.
Adele's Response:
Oh...I thought you were *adding cream to your eggs before putting them in the skillet.
I have 3 cast iron skillets and use them almost exclusively. I use either rendered pork fat or the Berio olive oil for cooking my eggs.
I didn't realize those facts about vegetable oils for a long time myself. Because of my dislike of olive oil, along with it's higher cost, I used cold pressed sunflower oil for several years assuming it would be a healthy choice. I was wrong! I switched back to the olive oil about a year ago.
Adele
138 this morning
My Response:
For what it's worth, even a tiny amount of butter produces some unpleasant dairy symptoms in me, not sure how universal that might be. I'm honestly not sure it affects my weight because once I figured out the diet I had to follow to lose weight and came to accept it by staying with it for a very long time, I've never toyed with it long enough to test that. For me it causes sinus clogging and post nasal drip within a couple of hours, which makes me feel like I constantly have to clear my throat, and those symptoms will last for at least several days. After years of living without sinus issues, it was a no brainer to not have to deal with that for so little "sacrifice."
It's your call, of course, but if I were you, I'd want to see what happens with none, then try adding it after a month or longer.
It's your call, of course, but if I were you, I'd want to see what happens with none, then try adding it after a month or longer.
What if that tablespoon of butter is the only thing left causing my sinus issues? Wow, it would be
wonderful to stop needing antihistamine tablets and nasal spray. Okay, I'm in; I'm going to quit
butter. I can do this. I can find a different way to cook the eggs. Now I'm excited!
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