It is a story like this that reminds me of why I am on this diet and working so hard to lower not just my weight, but ultimately my cholesterol.
Former WNBA Star Suffers Heart Attack, Dead at Age 37
I am not sure why she suffered a heart attack or if she had high cholesterol, but ever since I realized what cholesterol actually was (blocking of the arteries that pump blood to the heart), I have been afraid of suffering a similar fate.
I may not love every day of my life or all parts of it at all times, but I love my life and I don't want this to happen to me because I was more interested in eating ice cream and cheeseburgers in my 20s than taking care of my self and my health.
RIP Margo Dydek.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Hazardous Workplace
I work in the worst possible place for dieting. There is always a dessert, leftover lunch items, donuts or other snacks sitting in the kitchen. I also feel like for the small number of people who work here, there is an amazing number of birthdays and in turn cakes celebrating these birthdays. There’s a chocolate frosted pound cake sitting on the counter in the kitchen as I write this.
I constantly have to repeat the mantra “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” in my head whenever I go into the kitchen at work.
Over time and consistent execution of willpower, it’s gotten easier to resist these free treats. However, yesterday was too much--there was a baby shower for one of my coworkers and his wife complete with chips, dips, delicious looking fruit cake and of course dozens of mini cupcakes topped with mouth-watering frosting. As I watched my coworkers peel off cupcake wrappers and crunch into chips, I felt the urge to make an exception and have some.
I constantly have to repeat the mantra “Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels” in my head whenever I go into the kitchen at work.
Over time and consistent execution of willpower, it’s gotten easier to resist these free treats. However, yesterday was too much--there was a baby shower for one of my coworkers and his wife complete with chips, dips, delicious looking fruit cake and of course dozens of mini cupcakes topped with mouth-watering frosting. As I watched my coworkers peel off cupcake wrappers and crunch into chips, I felt the urge to make an exception and have some.
"The cupcakes are mini, they can’t be that bad,” someone said to me. I shared with her the information I dug up earlier in the day when I wanted to pop a leftover chocolate munchkin in my mouth: a single donut hole is 70 calories. That cupcake was for sure a lot worse than either of us probably thought. The word “mini” is deceiving.
In order to avoid anymore temptations, I left the party and heated myself up a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee (courtesy of the Box of Joe left out from an afternoon meeting). I hoped it would curb the cravings I’d developed after simply being in the same room as that delicious food. Saturated fat is contagious. Knowing that I had just enough calories left in my daily budget for dinner and an evening snack, I sipped on the coffee, forcing myself to forget how good that chocolate-chocolate frosting cupcake probably would have tasted.
It wasn’t working so I called my mom. I told her about the willpower I was using and wanted her to congratulate me on being strong. She did and told me she was proud of me. That helped, but not for long. At 4 p.m., I headed to the kitchen and scooped some leftover taco dip (my favorite) on my plate along with a couple broken chips. Normally I would pretend it didn’t happen and that I didn’t cheat because no one saw me do it, but for some reason I have developed a sense of guilt that drove me to look up the calories for these things and add them to my count. Because of the slip, I needed to go for a run after work if I wanted to have any after-dinner snacks.
I didn’t end up using the extra calories I burned and earned from my run. Too bad I can’t carry them over… today is a new day with a new cake to resist.
Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels… Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels…
In order to avoid anymore temptations, I left the party and heated myself up a cup of Dunkin' Donuts coffee (courtesy of the Box of Joe left out from an afternoon meeting). I hoped it would curb the cravings I’d developed after simply being in the same room as that delicious food. Saturated fat is contagious. Knowing that I had just enough calories left in my daily budget for dinner and an evening snack, I sipped on the coffee, forcing myself to forget how good that chocolate-chocolate frosting cupcake probably would have tasted.
It wasn’t working so I called my mom. I told her about the willpower I was using and wanted her to congratulate me on being strong. She did and told me she was proud of me. That helped, but not for long. At 4 p.m., I headed to the kitchen and scooped some leftover taco dip (my favorite) on my plate along with a couple broken chips. Normally I would pretend it didn’t happen and that I didn’t cheat because no one saw me do it, but for some reason I have developed a sense of guilt that drove me to look up the calories for these things and add them to my count. Because of the slip, I needed to go for a run after work if I wanted to have any after-dinner snacks.
I didn’t end up using the extra calories I burned and earned from my run. Too bad I can’t carry them over… today is a new day with a new cake to resist.
Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels… Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels…
Gettin' Baggy With It
I have some good and some bad news to share.
The good news: My workout pants are too big for me.
The bad news: My workout pants are too big for me.
I just bought these pants when I was home last week because I need a few more pairs now that I’ve been running more and Massachusetts doesn’t tax clothing. In the confines of the dressing room, the large size fit just fine. I could do lunges without them riding up and they sat nicely on my hips, none of that low rise crap. However, when I put them on for the first time Tuesday, they started to slide down as soon as I started running.
The same thing happened yesterday when I was running: I had to pull up and roll my favorite pair of jogging capris at the waist because they kept sliding down. This gave me a weird wedgie and I felt a little like Steve Urkel.
While it’s good news that it seems I have slashed a size from my midsection, it’s also tricky—I have entered the in-between- sizes stage.
When I was shopping, I opted for the large pants because the medium was a tad too tight and I’ve never been a fan of the way my backend looks in skin-tight Lycra. During the same trip I also purchased a pair of size 10 jorts (jean shorts--but not the acid-washed kind with the fringe), which fit comfortable and are a size smaller than I’m used to wearing. However if I lose a little more weight they’re going to sag. I didn’t get a second pair of plaid shorts that I loved because the 10’s were a little too tight and the 12’s were too big. I didn’t want to overestimate the amount of weight I’m going to lose—I’ve done that before and ended up with nothing but a pile of clothes I never fit into.
I get it—you’re probably thinking “Oh poor Kim, she’s getting skinnier! Boo hoo.”
Make no mistake; I am ecstatic over this change in body size, awkward clothes stage and all. It is so motivating and rewarding to see and feel all of my hard work finally paying off. Since I weighed myself with my fancy scale in mid-April, I’ve dropped a total of four pounds. In reality, I've probably lost more because I’ve increased my exercise and in turn my muscle mass. My work pants are baggy to the point where it’s getting annoying to constantly tug them up and I am excited to shop for new ones. Well, excited to shop for a size smaller… shopping for dress pants is about as fun to me as trying on bathing suits in flourescent lighting.
So what’s a girl to do?
Wait and see I guess. And maybe get some Steve Urkel suspenders or a fanny pack to hold up my pants while I run. Kidding, the latter accessory is reserved for the days when I wear my new jorts.
The good news: My workout pants are too big for me.
The bad news: My workout pants are too big for me.
I just bought these pants when I was home last week because I need a few more pairs now that I’ve been running more and Massachusetts doesn’t tax clothing. In the confines of the dressing room, the large size fit just fine. I could do lunges without them riding up and they sat nicely on my hips, none of that low rise crap. However, when I put them on for the first time Tuesday, they started to slide down as soon as I started running.
The same thing happened yesterday when I was running: I had to pull up and roll my favorite pair of jogging capris at the waist because they kept sliding down. This gave me a weird wedgie and I felt a little like Steve Urkel.While it’s good news that it seems I have slashed a size from my midsection, it’s also tricky—I have entered the in-between- sizes stage.
When I was shopping, I opted for the large pants because the medium was a tad too tight and I’ve never been a fan of the way my backend looks in skin-tight Lycra. During the same trip I also purchased a pair of size 10 jorts (jean shorts--but not the acid-washed kind with the fringe), which fit comfortable and are a size smaller than I’m used to wearing. However if I lose a little more weight they’re going to sag. I didn’t get a second pair of plaid shorts that I loved because the 10’s were a little too tight and the 12’s were too big. I didn’t want to overestimate the amount of weight I’m going to lose—I’ve done that before and ended up with nothing but a pile of clothes I never fit into.
I get it—you’re probably thinking “Oh poor Kim, she’s getting skinnier! Boo hoo.”
Make no mistake; I am ecstatic over this change in body size, awkward clothes stage and all. It is so motivating and rewarding to see and feel all of my hard work finally paying off. Since I weighed myself with my fancy scale in mid-April, I’ve dropped a total of four pounds. In reality, I've probably lost more because I’ve increased my exercise and in turn my muscle mass. My work pants are baggy to the point where it’s getting annoying to constantly tug them up and I am excited to shop for new ones. Well, excited to shop for a size smaller… shopping for dress pants is about as fun to me as trying on bathing suits in flourescent lighting.
So what’s a girl to do?
Wait and see I guess. And maybe get some Steve Urkel suspenders or a fanny pack to hold up my pants while I run. Kidding, the latter accessory is reserved for the days when I wear my new jorts.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Freezer Burned
I've had another rice cake moment. This time with ice cream.
I knew buying a half gallon of Edy's double churned ice cream at Target the other day was going to be a mistake. I reasoned that I shouldn't deprive myself and I've done well with portions over the last month. Old habits die hard I guess.
Just so you have a little background: I had a crummy day at work which fed into a larger crummy life day. I also didn't make it to the gym because the Celtics-- who are down 3-1 in this playoff series and not playing all that great-- were on at 6 p.m. and I didn't want to get caught in the severe storms weather.com was warning on their website. So I decided to come home, make a light dinner and wallow in self-pity, all while minding the 500 calories I had remaining in my budget (I ate some leftover snacks in the kitchen at work today which cost me some serious calories).
Fast forward to 7 p.m., my head stuck in the freezer as I shoved the largest spoonful of ice cream ever into my waiting, gaping mouth. I packed the large soup spoon, probably three normal spoonfuls worth, full of ice cream thinking it would be the same amount of calories because it was only one spoonful. Wrong. That's when I had to stop and check myself... after I finished licking the spoon clean of course.
I'd just been freezer burned.
I didn't even have the energy to give myself a stern talking to for what I just did. I knew I did wrong and tried to think of how I could prevent my old self from stuffing my face or slipping up in times of sorrow. Seeing I couldn't exactly lock the freezer or the carton of ice cream, I did this. Hopefully it works:
I knew buying a half gallon of Edy's double churned ice cream at Target the other day was going to be a mistake. I reasoned that I shouldn't deprive myself and I've done well with portions over the last month. Old habits die hard I guess.
Just so you have a little background: I had a crummy day at work which fed into a larger crummy life day. I also didn't make it to the gym because the Celtics-- who are down 3-1 in this playoff series and not playing all that great-- were on at 6 p.m. and I didn't want to get caught in the severe storms weather.com was warning on their website. So I decided to come home, make a light dinner and wallow in self-pity, all while minding the 500 calories I had remaining in my budget (I ate some leftover snacks in the kitchen at work today which cost me some serious calories).
Fast forward to 7 p.m., my head stuck in the freezer as I shoved the largest spoonful of ice cream ever into my waiting, gaping mouth. I packed the large soup spoon, probably three normal spoonfuls worth, full of ice cream thinking it would be the same amount of calories because it was only one spoonful. Wrong. That's when I had to stop and check myself... after I finished licking the spoon clean of course.
I'd just been freezer burned.
I didn't even have the energy to give myself a stern talking to for what I just did. I knew I did wrong and tried to think of how I could prevent my old self from stuffing my face or slipping up in times of sorrow. Seeing I couldn't exactly lock the freezer or the carton of ice cream, I did this. Hopefully it works:
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Breaking Up is Hard to Do
Romantic relationships can be tough—full of extreme highs and low lows. They’re filled with lots of joy and butterflies that eventually all get swallowed up by a pit in the bottom of your stomach when things end. Relationships begin with a smile (or a drunken hello) and end with a tear, but everything in between is a rollercoaster of emotions and a series of decisions that directly or indirectly affect the outcome.
I’ve come to a recent epiphany. I’ve had lots of ups and downs in my love life (or what I now fondly refer to as my love-less life) during the last seven months, but I would have to say that the hardest break-up I’ve had to go through—and at the same time nonetheless—is my split from high-calorie, greasy, heaping portions of food.
I guess food is just like a romantic relationship—every meal starts with a smile (how could I ever frown at a bowl of ice cream or a juicy, medium-rare hamburger with a side of crispy tater tots), but eventually the relationship turns sour and leaves me with nothing but a stomachache.
I always thought that bowl of ice cream and I shared a mutual love only to discover a nasty secret—our relationship has been one sided the entire time. While I was enjoying every lick or spoonful, the saturated fats and added sugars were increasing my cholesterol and adding inches to my waist. It may or may not have been trying to hurt me on purpose, but that’s life. Trans-fat happens. Ice cream can, and will, literally break my heart (heart attack).
It is depressing to accept that such joy could ever leave me in such dire straits. Same happens with love. Once in a while I look back and, as the Turtles song “So Happy Together” plays in my head along with the memories of an old flame, I can’t quite recall how things got to this point. Were those fleeting moments of happiness with hot fudge worth the pain I feel now that I can’t button my pants? Maybe. It’s hard to judge the decisions made while in love once that love has fizzled.
Like all relationships, eating certain foods usually seems like a good idea at the time. I love ice cream and hamburgers. I love most food, like I love most types of men. But not all food or men are suitable for my well-being.
There’s usually a life-altering moment that helps one come to such a realization. Mine was when I got my high cholesterol numbers and stern instructions from my doctor to drop some serious pounds. I had to make an immediate decision to better my life—I was forced to break up with ice cream (and hamburgers and goldfish and pizza…).
Like an emotionally abusive boyfriend, my relationship with these foods was hurting me—maybe even slowly killing me. I didn’t feel physical pain, and the havoc it was wreaking on my body, as well as the long-term damage it had the potential to cause, might have only been immediately obvious to a professional. But it was something that needed to be ended in order to save myself from future, more significant pain.
I’ve been forced to sever my relationships with these things I love, just like I had to let go of a romantic relationship because it was no longer healthy. Instead, I have to focus on filling my life with things that are good for and give back to me in a positive way—like spinach, and a man who calls back without 24 hours.
Life is too short, and sometimes made even shorter, by the decisions we make in our lives, both romantically and culinary. They are very different yet often equally as hard. And while there is room for the occasional bowl of ice cream (and summer fling), I have to keep my eyes on the prize—a healthy and happy me.
Although my heart is still a little lovesick (and my stomach still a little rumbly), I at least know it’s healthier now that I’ve broken up with things that are bad for me. Both food and men.
I’ve come to a recent epiphany. I’ve had lots of ups and downs in my love life (or what I now fondly refer to as my love-less life) during the last seven months, but I would have to say that the hardest break-up I’ve had to go through—and at the same time nonetheless—is my split from high-calorie, greasy, heaping portions of food.
I guess food is just like a romantic relationship—every meal starts with a smile (how could I ever frown at a bowl of ice cream or a juicy, medium-rare hamburger with a side of crispy tater tots), but eventually the relationship turns sour and leaves me with nothing but a stomachache.
I always thought that bowl of ice cream and I shared a mutual love only to discover a nasty secret—our relationship has been one sided the entire time. While I was enjoying every lick or spoonful, the saturated fats and added sugars were increasing my cholesterol and adding inches to my waist. It may or may not have been trying to hurt me on purpose, but that’s life. Trans-fat happens. Ice cream can, and will, literally break my heart (heart attack).
It is depressing to accept that such joy could ever leave me in such dire straits. Same happens with love. Once in a while I look back and, as the Turtles song “So Happy Together” plays in my head along with the memories of an old flame, I can’t quite recall how things got to this point. Were those fleeting moments of happiness with hot fudge worth the pain I feel now that I can’t button my pants? Maybe. It’s hard to judge the decisions made while in love once that love has fizzled.
Like all relationships, eating certain foods usually seems like a good idea at the time. I love ice cream and hamburgers. I love most food, like I love most types of men. But not all food or men are suitable for my well-being.
There’s usually a life-altering moment that helps one come to such a realization. Mine was when I got my high cholesterol numbers and stern instructions from my doctor to drop some serious pounds. I had to make an immediate decision to better my life—I was forced to break up with ice cream (and hamburgers and goldfish and pizza…).
Like an emotionally abusive boyfriend, my relationship with these foods was hurting me—maybe even slowly killing me. I didn’t feel physical pain, and the havoc it was wreaking on my body, as well as the long-term damage it had the potential to cause, might have only been immediately obvious to a professional. But it was something that needed to be ended in order to save myself from future, more significant pain.
I’ve been forced to sever my relationships with these things I love, just like I had to let go of a romantic relationship because it was no longer healthy. Instead, I have to focus on filling my life with things that are good for and give back to me in a positive way—like spinach, and a man who calls back without 24 hours.
Life is too short, and sometimes made even shorter, by the decisions we make in our lives, both romantically and culinary. They are very different yet often equally as hard. And while there is room for the occasional bowl of ice cream (and summer fling), I have to keep my eyes on the prize—a healthy and happy me.
Although my heart is still a little lovesick (and my stomach still a little rumbly), I at least know it’s healthier now that I’ve broken up with things that are bad for me. Both food and men.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Cinco De My-Oh-My
Q: What happens when you spend Cinco De Mayo at your favorite margarita joint but can't have one of the famous killer margaritas?
A: Wear a funny hat and have tons of fun with your friends! Oh, also eat some chips and salsa and sneak a sip of theirs.
Amazingly, I was actually OK with this solution. A month ago I never would have turned down one of these frozen margaritas and would have come up with a lame excuse as to why I deserved to drink it. The chips-- and a sip-- were enough for me. I will, however, never turn down the chance to wear a sombrero.
A: Wear a funny hat and have tons of fun with your friends! Oh, also eat some chips and salsa and sneak a sip of theirs.
Amazingly, I was actually OK with this solution. A month ago I never would have turned down one of these frozen margaritas and would have come up with a lame excuse as to why I deserved to drink it. The chips-- and a sip-- were enough for me. I will, however, never turn down the chance to wear a sombrero.
Loose Pants Dance
"Those pants are huge on you!" Abby said as we got on the elevator the other day.
I smiled. Her words were music to my ears. After months of disciplined dieting and running, I have finally started to feel a difference in the way my clothes fit. Now, I am fully aware that I've probably stretched out these pants from constant wear and they might fit a little tighter once I throw them in the wash, but for now I'm going to enjoy the loose-fitting feel they have. I enjoy the fact that I can fit my thumb in between my stomach and the buttons of my pants and that I don't have a red indentation across my midsection after sitting all day.
The ultimate test was today when I slipped on my favorite pair of work pants and didn't feel like I was going to split the back of them when I walked or bent over. The last time I wore these pants I brought a second pair in my work bag just in case that happened-- that's how tight they were. There is now also room for my thumb to slide along the inside of the pants at the waistline where they used to roll over and bunch because I could barely button the one remaining button. They were so tight, that halfway through the day I would unbutton them while at my desk in order to prevent a permanent red line across my belly--it hurt too!
You might be laughing (I would be too), but I'm serious. I'm not proud of it but I love these pants. I've had them since college and love the way I feel and look in them. Despite the stomach rolls (hidden by a baggy shirt) and the torture of a tight waistline, I felt skinny in them because of the way they fit on my legs. They're also the prefect length to wear with heels. They're like my own personal pair of Traveling Pants-- I feel confident and pretty when I wear them.
Now I may have lost some of my gut, and I don't have a six-pack or a flat stomach by any means, but I am so proud and happy that I can wear these pants without the fear of them splitting. Again, you're probably laughing but it was such a concern before that I stopped wearing them all together recently--the way they made me feel didn't outweigh the fear of public embarrassment if that happened.
I am fully aware that these pants too may be stretched out a little, but I'm going to enjoy the way this feels until laundry day.
I smiled. Her words were music to my ears. After months of disciplined dieting and running, I have finally started to feel a difference in the way my clothes fit. Now, I am fully aware that I've probably stretched out these pants from constant wear and they might fit a little tighter once I throw them in the wash, but for now I'm going to enjoy the loose-fitting feel they have. I enjoy the fact that I can fit my thumb in between my stomach and the buttons of my pants and that I don't have a red indentation across my midsection after sitting all day.
The ultimate test was today when I slipped on my favorite pair of work pants and didn't feel like I was going to split the back of them when I walked or bent over. The last time I wore these pants I brought a second pair in my work bag just in case that happened-- that's how tight they were. There is now also room for my thumb to slide along the inside of the pants at the waistline where they used to roll over and bunch because I could barely button the one remaining button. They were so tight, that halfway through the day I would unbutton them while at my desk in order to prevent a permanent red line across my belly--it hurt too!You might be laughing (I would be too), but I'm serious. I'm not proud of it but I love these pants. I've had them since college and love the way I feel and look in them. Despite the stomach rolls (hidden by a baggy shirt) and the torture of a tight waistline, I felt skinny in them because of the way they fit on my legs. They're also the prefect length to wear with heels. They're like my own personal pair of Traveling Pants-- I feel confident and pretty when I wear them.
Now I may have lost some of my gut, and I don't have a six-pack or a flat stomach by any means, but I am so proud and happy that I can wear these pants without the fear of them splitting. Again, you're probably laughing but it was such a concern before that I stopped wearing them all together recently--the way they made me feel didn't outweigh the fear of public embarrassment if that happened.
I am fully aware that these pants too may be stretched out a little, but I'm going to enjoy the way this feels until laundry day.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
In my last post, I wrote about how my love for Man Food-- hamburgers, meat, steak, etc-- has suffered since this whole diet thing started. Burgers are one of my favorite foods. I love making them, I love getting them at cookouts, and I love ordering them hot off the grill at great restaurants. Hand-packed ground beef, medium rare, topped with BBQ sauce--for me it doesn't get any better. One of my favorite days last summer was when I attended the Burgerfest festival here. It's one of the cravings that has never really subsided as I've cut out bad foods (or all foods it seems like) from my life.
As a reward for how well I have been doing and how hard I've been working, I decided I was allowed to treat myself to a juicy, delicious burger on Tuesday. Some friends and I were gathering to watch the Celtics game at one of my favorite places to order a burger. For the entire day on Tuesday, I walked around work with a Cheshire cat grin on my face thinking of my upcoming dinner. There might even have been a time or two when I had to wipe drool from my mouth as I thought of my first bite.
Because I had planned out my splurge, I made sure to keep an eye on what I ate for the rest of the day. I told myself I would also only eat half the bun and have just a few tater tots off the plate before giving the rest away. It was a good idea in theory.
When I got my burger, I decided that I was in it to win it and enjoyed the entire thing--both halves of the bun-- and all of the tater tots on my plate (luckily, this restaurant is cheap when it comes to their side portions so there were only about 12 tater tots). It was everything I had been waiting for and more.
As the pink juice from the burger dripped down my fingers with each bite, I couldn't help but appreciate the moment. In all honesty, I don't think a burger has ever tasted so good. I savored each bite knowing I wouldn't be able to order another one of these for a while. Before, because burgers are my favorite, I would order one almost every time I ate out. Now whenever I eat out (which isn't that often) my meal consists of carefully chosen grinders from Subway (aka turkey or veggie sans cheese) or something involving lots of lettuce.
The next day I suffered from a burger hangover. I loved eating something so filling and substantial and greasy that it was hard to get back into my routine. My can of tuna mixed with 1 tablespoon of Miracle Whip and accompanied by celery sticks tasted like sh*t. Hopefully lunch will be a little less disappointing today since I'm more than 24 hours removed from my burger high.
Excuse me, I have to go wipe the drool off my chin now.
As a reward for how well I have been doing and how hard I've been working, I decided I was allowed to treat myself to a juicy, delicious burger on Tuesday. Some friends and I were gathering to watch the Celtics game at one of my favorite places to order a burger. For the entire day on Tuesday, I walked around work with a Cheshire cat grin on my face thinking of my upcoming dinner. There might even have been a time or two when I had to wipe drool from my mouth as I thought of my first bite.
Because I had planned out my splurge, I made sure to keep an eye on what I ate for the rest of the day. I told myself I would also only eat half the bun and have just a few tater tots off the plate before giving the rest away. It was a good idea in theory.
When I got my burger, I decided that I was in it to win it and enjoyed the entire thing--both halves of the bun-- and all of the tater tots on my plate (luckily, this restaurant is cheap when it comes to their side portions so there were only about 12 tater tots). It was everything I had been waiting for and more.
As the pink juice from the burger dripped down my fingers with each bite, I couldn't help but appreciate the moment. In all honesty, I don't think a burger has ever tasted so good. I savored each bite knowing I wouldn't be able to order another one of these for a while. Before, because burgers are my favorite, I would order one almost every time I ate out. Now whenever I eat out (which isn't that often) my meal consists of carefully chosen grinders from Subway (aka turkey or veggie sans cheese) or something involving lots of lettuce.
The next day I suffered from a burger hangover. I loved eating something so filling and substantial and greasy that it was hard to get back into my routine. My can of tuna mixed with 1 tablespoon of Miracle Whip and accompanied by celery sticks tasted like sh*t. Hopefully lunch will be a little less disappointing today since I'm more than 24 hours removed from my burger high.
Excuse me, I have to go wipe the drool off my chin now.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Eating on a Budget
When you have to count calories, it kind of ruins eating and makes it extremely frustrating. There have been many times when I've wondered how many calories are in my arm, because I just wanted to eat it off. Would it be any less calories than celery with peanut butter spread all over it? PB packs protein, but also plenty of calories. I read that the reduced-fat version is worse for you... there's a 10 calorie difference but they take out the good fat and replace it with bad sugars to lower the fat grams.
Healthy eating also usually requires spending more money on good foods like hummus, fresh fruit, vegetables and chicken. I have learned that processed foods are cheap for a reason. In the last month, I've been forced to get creative and in some cases, spend a little extra money on certain foods that prove to be worth beyond their monetary value.
Here are some things I've come up with to keep my diet both healthy and easy on the wallet.
More Exciting Vegetables
a. Baby carrots dipped in light Italian dressing. The dressing packs some flavor, but at 35 calories for one tablespoon, it doesn't take up too many calories.
b. I sprinkle Parmesan cheese over frozen broccoli. It just adds a little zip and kind of convinces you that you're eating something gourmet. One cup of the green stuff and a sprinkle of reduced-fat grated cheese is about 50 calories.
Crunchy and salty
a. 94 percent fat-free popcorn. I eat the whole bag. It's made with whole grains, come on!
Sweet tooth
a. Two tablespoons of lite Cool Whip is 20 calories. Four tablespoons, drizzled with a tablespoon of chocolate syrup, is a 90 calorie treat.
b. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are usually reserved for baking, but at 70 calories for 30 of them, I'm able to sate my sweet tooth without spending too many calories.
Bread
a. I spend an extra dollar to get a loaf of light wheat bread with flax seed in place of regular wheat bread. Two slices of the light equals one regular. This makes it a lot easier when it comes to eating things that require bread like PB & J sandwiches or a veggie burger.
b. A slice of this bread sprinkled with a cinnamon-Splenda concoction (hold the butter- the sugar still stays on if you keep the toast straight) is a 40 calorie addition to my oatmeal in the morning.
Meat
a. Make no mistake, my obsession with Man Food like hamburgers has suffered. However, thanks to Morningstar Griller Originals, I get the taste of a hamburger in veggie burger form (wow, I just sounded like a commercial). This is an instance in which it is well worth the money-- about $3.50 for a four pack and they cost just 120 calories. Easy on the ketchup (more sugar, more calories), heavy on the mustard and relish (basically 0 calories unless used in extreme excess).
b. Morningstar also has a Spicy Black Bean burger that is delicious. Topped with a pinch of skim mozzarella cheese (35 calories for 1/8 cup --I don't even use half that) and some mustard (maybe a little ketchup depending on the day), this is a treat for the taste buds.
c. Target's frozen chicken is one of my freezer staples. I've started dousing it in Tony's Creole seasoning and sauteing it in a frying pan with a little olive oil. The robust flavor and zing make up for the bland salad I pair it with. I mix in a little bit of light Italian dressing and if tossed thoroughly, the salad tastes a little like flavor fireworks in your mouth.
I haven't figured out the whole french fry part, but I keep learning as I go. If I ever figure it out, although I'm guessing this is one case where a substitute just won't replace the original, I'll let you know.
Healthy eating also usually requires spending more money on good foods like hummus, fresh fruit, vegetables and chicken. I have learned that processed foods are cheap for a reason. In the last month, I've been forced to get creative and in some cases, spend a little extra money on certain foods that prove to be worth beyond their monetary value.
Here are some things I've come up with to keep my diet both healthy and easy on the wallet.
More Exciting Vegetables
a. Baby carrots dipped in light Italian dressing. The dressing packs some flavor, but at 35 calories for one tablespoon, it doesn't take up too many calories.
b. I sprinkle Parmesan cheese over frozen broccoli. It just adds a little zip and kind of convinces you that you're eating something gourmet. One cup of the green stuff and a sprinkle of reduced-fat grated cheese is about 50 calories.
Crunchy and salty
a. 94 percent fat-free popcorn. I eat the whole bag. It's made with whole grains, come on!
Sweet tooth
a. Two tablespoons of lite Cool Whip is 20 calories. Four tablespoons, drizzled with a tablespoon of chocolate syrup, is a 90 calorie treat.
b. Semi-sweet chocolate chips are usually reserved for baking, but at 70 calories for 30 of them, I'm able to sate my sweet tooth without spending too many calories.
Bread
a. I spend an extra dollar to get a loaf of light wheat bread with flax seed in place of regular wheat bread. Two slices of the light equals one regular. This makes it a lot easier when it comes to eating things that require bread like PB & J sandwiches or a veggie burger.
b. A slice of this bread sprinkled with a cinnamon-Splenda concoction (hold the butter- the sugar still stays on if you keep the toast straight) is a 40 calorie addition to my oatmeal in the morning.
Meat
a. Make no mistake, my obsession with Man Food like hamburgers has suffered. However, thanks to Morningstar Griller Originals, I get the taste of a hamburger in veggie burger form (wow, I just sounded like a commercial). This is an instance in which it is well worth the money-- about $3.50 for a four pack and they cost just 120 calories. Easy on the ketchup (more sugar, more calories), heavy on the mustard and relish (basically 0 calories unless used in extreme excess).
b. Morningstar also has a Spicy Black Bean burger that is delicious. Topped with a pinch of skim mozzarella cheese (35 calories for 1/8 cup --I don't even use half that) and some mustard (maybe a little ketchup depending on the day), this is a treat for the taste buds.
c. Target's frozen chicken is one of my freezer staples. I've started dousing it in Tony's Creole seasoning and sauteing it in a frying pan with a little olive oil. The robust flavor and zing make up for the bland salad I pair it with. I mix in a little bit of light Italian dressing and if tossed thoroughly, the salad tastes a little like flavor fireworks in your mouth.
I haven't figured out the whole french fry part, but I keep learning as I go. If I ever figure it out, although I'm guessing this is one case where a substitute just won't replace the original, I'll let you know.
Home Running
Usually when people say they have to "run home," they mean they have to get home quickly or make a quick stop there. When I say I have to run home, it means I lace up my sneakers, secure my keys and cell phone somewhere in my sports bra and literally run home.
I have to thank my coworker for getting me into this. She always has run from work to a bus stop three miles away, and when she found out I had to lose weight and up my cardio, she insisted I join her. Abby has been one of my biggest supporters through this whole diet and exercise debacle and I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by such awesome coworkers (my other coworker Kristin is always there to give me reasons why I should run when I feel like taking to L home). They're even urging me to run my first half marathon in August. But that's another story for a different day.
I decided to take Abby up on her offer and mapped the route from work to home-- exactly 4.3 miles. A scenic route through neighborhoods like the Gold Coast, where I pass houses I'll never afford to live in, including the original Playboy Mansion. The first time I ran with Abby, I clutched my L pass in one hand expecting to hop of the L or bus halfway into the run. Surprisingly, I was able to run the entire way... slowly. By the time I reached the steps to my apartment, I thought my lungs were going to explode.
But I stuck with it. Abby ran slow with me (probably slower than her usual pace) and another time I pushed her to run a half mile further than she was used to. I started running home from work on my own during days when Abby had a different workout to do. (Did I mention that on days I run home I get home about 10-15 minutes later than I do on days I take the L?).
To give us an incentive to stick with it, we both signed up to run a 10K the first weekend of June. To add another incentive, we made a deal that once we hit five miles in one run, we get to treat ourselves to lunch at the Chinese buffet downstairs in our building--on the condition that we hide in a dark corner while eating it.
Today, I ran home from work in record time. I don't know if it's because I've had practice, because I ran 4.6 miles this weekend or because I drank an abnormal amount of water this afternoon but I had a bounce in my step that pushed me to jog faster and shave about 10 minutes off my usual time. I felt amazing (and I don't use that word lightly because I feel it's often inappropriately overused) during my run, even through my "hump" (between miles two and three). And when I got home my lungs didn't hurt.
This can mean only one thing: it's time to tack on some more distance to the run. Chinese buffet here I come!
I have to thank my coworker for getting me into this. She always has run from work to a bus stop three miles away, and when she found out I had to lose weight and up my cardio, she insisted I join her. Abby has been one of my biggest supporters through this whole diet and exercise debacle and I consider myself lucky to be surrounded by such awesome coworkers (my other coworker Kristin is always there to give me reasons why I should run when I feel like taking to L home). They're even urging me to run my first half marathon in August. But that's another story for a different day.
I decided to take Abby up on her offer and mapped the route from work to home-- exactly 4.3 miles. A scenic route through neighborhoods like the Gold Coast, where I pass houses I'll never afford to live in, including the original Playboy Mansion. The first time I ran with Abby, I clutched my L pass in one hand expecting to hop of the L or bus halfway into the run. Surprisingly, I was able to run the entire way... slowly. By the time I reached the steps to my apartment, I thought my lungs were going to explode.But I stuck with it. Abby ran slow with me (probably slower than her usual pace) and another time I pushed her to run a half mile further than she was used to. I started running home from work on my own during days when Abby had a different workout to do. (Did I mention that on days I run home I get home about 10-15 minutes later than I do on days I take the L?).
To give us an incentive to stick with it, we both signed up to run a 10K the first weekend of June. To add another incentive, we made a deal that once we hit five miles in one run, we get to treat ourselves to lunch at the Chinese buffet downstairs in our building--on the condition that we hide in a dark corner while eating it.
Today, I ran home from work in record time. I don't know if it's because I've had practice, because I ran 4.6 miles this weekend or because I drank an abnormal amount of water this afternoon but I had a bounce in my step that pushed me to jog faster and shave about 10 minutes off my usual time. I felt amazing (and I don't use that word lightly because I feel it's often inappropriately overused) during my run, even through my "hump" (between miles two and three). And when I got home my lungs didn't hurt.
This can mean only one thing: it's time to tack on some more distance to the run. Chinese buffet here I come!
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