One MEAL at a time...

So, I wanted to address this issue because I struggle everyday with choosing the right thing to eat, everytime I wanna eat. And Mrs. Buttercream just wrote how she is discouraged. Here's the thing...putting on weight, for most of us is, is as easy as one day of pigging out. There are the some who have trouble keeping weight on, and how we envy them! But whatever your struggle is, it's a struggle, and this is ours. However, taking off the weight is just not gonna happen thanks to one good meal, or in the blink of an eye...where is I Dream Of Jeannie when we need her? If I had a spell that I could cast to do it, I'd a had done cast it! And even then, when I say those things, if you read anything ever about Wicca, it's about believing in something you want, and asking the world to help you achieve it through your own "white light." It's not about changing something, or manipulatiing someone else, it's about changing you and your thinking. (ok, another subject for a different blog, a different page, a different world. LOL)

Mrs., if you could take the time to look at it as one meal at a time, it may not be so bad. For instance: I wrote on here last time how much I wanted pizza. One phone call, no effort, and it would have been here. But I thought about how I'd feel if I did it, I thought about the consequences. So I told myself, "it's 4pm, let me eat something healthy, I can feel proud of myself for, and then if I'm not satisfied, I'm ordering pizza later tonght." I ate the healthy choice, and then I was full, and thought, "good, no pizza. I feel good about myself, and my body will be happy, and I will be happy come tomorrow."

When I tell myself that I'm gonna go the whole day without sugar, it seems daunting and overwhelming. I hate that feeling, and then all I want is sugar, sugar, sugar!!! Every morning when I wake up, the first thing on my mind is food, what will I eat? And I think what am I craving, and how can I satisfy it and still do it healthy? That way if I mess up later, at least I ate one good meal. Then, when the next meal comes I think, well I ate good this morning, do I wanna blow today by eating a bad lunch? And then on, and on, like a domino effect. Then hopefully you make it through the day, three days, a week. And then the best motivation is how you feel about yourself, physically and mentally! Don't underestimate the feeling of you being proud of yourself whether your scale reflects it or not! The feeling of having more energy, your clothes fitting just a little bit better, the satisfaction of knowing you are doing something for you!

And some meals you will blow it, but it doesn't mean you go, "well I already ate that, screw today." So you had the meal that was bad for you, but yummy. Make up for it now, by staying on track the rest of the day.

I did my gig over this last weekend, so no, I didn't blog either. But let me tell you this part...I walked in to it feeling good having lost my ten+ pounds. I felt lighter, and happy. And then the reactions I got were so wonderful, that I left thinking how much I wanna keep it up. To hear all the compliments, it was pure motivation. I hopped on the scale this morning, and it's actually finally at the 15 pound mark, so do I wanna blow that now? NO! So what I'm trying to say is, little by little, the small accomplishments accumulate to one bigger one, and that will keep you going. But it's the first hurdle you have to get to so that you can make it to the next one. It's slow. I may have passed you, Lis, but it's taken me two months to get to 15 lbs. And really, it's taken me a year to get here. I woke up everyday saying I need to lose the 20, I need to lose the 20... But when I realized I was going to have surgery, I thought, this is it, this is my chance to take advantage of making my body better all around. It was my next "click." So I eat better while I'm recovering. And every meal, I think, what's gonna be healthy and satisfying, and full of flavor, so I don't want to eat the bad choice? But I also bought a cupcake over this weekend so I could eat the frosting off of it. :)

Get creative, too. Have little treats you can look forward to. I love buying the little jellos and I top them with whip cream. Not sugar free whip cream, or anything non fat. Real whip cream from the can. It's my treat. But it's not over the top. I eat a piece of dark chocolate some days. Picking all the low/no fat/sugar free stuff for everything isn't as good. A little of the real stuff goes a long way, it's more satisfing. But be reasonable. Drink some hot chocolate with a couple marshmallows or whip cream on it. Best creamy dessert - ricotta cheese with cocoa powder, and splenda, little whip cream on top. Cottage cheese with your favorite fruit. Use real cheese for full flavor, just less. It's gonna give you the flavor you're looking for. When I made my fritatta, I used six eggs, but only three of the yolks, and I used a nice sharp white cheddar cheese, cuz it's strong, and I can use less of it, but still get a full flavor. Use your zip-n-steam bag, and put in some parmesean; or do a little soy with splenda and sesame seeds, and a splash sesame oil. It's like terriyaki! Toss in pineapple! And if you have time, brine your chicken overnight before you take it to work: a big bowl, fill with water, squeeze in a whole lemon, and toss the lemon in too, salt and real sugar if you want, or splenda, and an herb flavor - bay leaf, frresh rosemary, thyme, whatever. (think oranges too, not always lemon). Flavors your whole piece of chicken, and keeps it moist. Marinate it in soy the night before. So many things to do get the flavors your craving!

Ok, I've talked enough! Call me for more ideas. :) You can do this!