I am going to start working out at the gym at the beginning of February. Until then, I go to physical therapy a couple of times a week and they manage to give me a work out that works me, but not too much. It is a nice way to ease into the gym, and I am supervised to make sure that I’m not hurting my back further by doing the exercises wrong. I also get a massage, heat pack and electrodes on my back to help relax my muscles.
I have also been paying more attention to what I eat. I am planning on following Bob Greene’s eating and fitness plan. I’ve done loads of research (Plus, everything I learned when I was really heavy. You would be surprised at how informed fat people are about diet and exercise.) and I have decided that his is a very simple plan that fits my personality and lifestyle.
Until I go gungho in February, I have been easing into it by just making smarter eating choices. I use restraint when possible, eat WAY less refined sugar and white flour. My rule of thumb that has been working really well is to look at the fiber content in what you eat. If it’s above 4, it is awesome, but it has to be above 2 for me to feel ok about eating it. (Keep in mind that I also try not to rail on myself if I eat something naughty. If I start down that road, this whole thing will fail. I want this to be a lifestyle instead of a quick weight loss fix)
So far I have lost six pounds since the beginning of January. Not bad, but I have more to go. I have a weight goal in mind, but the fitness level and how I feel are paramount to me at the moment. I have had a lot of fun figuring out nutritious things to snack on and serve for meals.
I tried a new “Sandwich” for lunch today that was so nummy I thought I would share.
(I had two because I was STARVING. One would be enough for a light lunch or substantial snack)
Take one Wasa multi grain crispbread-(45 calories, 0 fat, 2g fiber)
(You can add fat free mayo, but I like my sandwiches dry for the most part, so I didn’t)
Add a vine ripened tomato (5 calories, 0 fat, 0 fiber)
Baby lettuce greens-(0 calories, 0 fat, 0 fiber)
To give flavor instead of mayo, I am in LOVE with Wishbone salad spritzers. ONE CALORIE A SPRAY! I used 2 spritzes of the balsamic vinaigrette (2 calories, 0 fat, 0 fiber)
Turkey breast-(40 calories, .4 g fat, 0 fiber)
It is one yummy sandwich. I was worried that the Wassa bread would fall apart, but it is one sturdy cracker. It is also a really yummy bit of CRUNCH! In my meal. I love texture in food, I do.
To round out my meal I had a handful dried Mediterranean apricots: (50 calories, 0 fat, 3g fiber)
To add everything up, just times the sandwich by 2 and my intake for lunch is:
CALORIES:232
FAT: 0.8g
FIBER: 7 g
Not bad, eh?
Mmm. I think that looks good, but I’d definitely be slapping on some mayo and mustard.
Yah, I know that I am weird in this opinion. I do like mustard and mayo in some things, but really, I think it just gets in the way of my sandwich so I usually just leave it off.
“You would be surprised at how informed fat people are about diet and exercise”
Ain’t that the truth.
dang…keep posting your healthy eating secrets. you’re inspiring me. it looks good!
Boy. You and Froyd are so right on the money about fat people being REALLY informed about diet and exercise. I know everything in the book about diet and exercise. I just don’t apply it to my everyday life. You go kick ass at the gym, LL!
Too bad you haven’t gone to culinary school so that you could start your love affair with mayo. I wish I had gone to culinary school so that I could start my love afair with Sam on Top Chef. What a hottie! He likes mayo, so I am contemplating re-thinking my position.
To have a love affair with Hot Chef Sam, I would totally love mayo. Just for him and cause his is a babe-a-licious BABE. Knowing me I would get stuck with Marcelle, though.
He’s even more annoying than Butt-Heebies Stephan.
Fiber really is the key. Eats lots of it and whatever goes in will come out quickly. And smoothly.
I hope the diet goes well! I am still eating the same as before, only not as much. I’ve taken a strange liking to Lean Cuisine, facilitated by the fact that they’re on sale at No Frills for $2.
Yum.
Okay, as the fatest (most fat?) one here- I am just under 200 freaking pounds!!! I would have to third or forth that notion! I knows all about proper (and more importantly- balanced) nutrition.
Believe it or not, we do pretty good around here with the veggies and lots of fruit and whole grains. I even use whole wheat flour to make pancakes for a treat on the weekend! They are suprisingly good and fluffy! Plus, you can add some fresh fruit and not feel like you are sinning to badly!
Anyways, congrats on your healtyh choices, Lo! I hope you consumed more calories and a little fat with breakfast and dinner, because your body does need more than just over 200 calories per meal, even if you are trying to lose weight. Even a mildly active person needs a couple of grams of fat in their diet and a few hundred more calories.
I am in awe of your self control- we all know how much you like your cheesy chips and such!!
Wahoo, even from a Weight Watchers stand point, that sandwich rocks. Very few points! Your whole lunch, 2 sandwiches and all, is very low points.
You rock! I guess though, that this means game night will have to have healthy treats……dang.
i hate food.
i hate diets.
i hate calories.
and you know what, you don’t even have to be fat to be obsessed with diet.
i hate this post.
i hate fiber.
i do love you, tho, lor. those pictures make me hungry tho, and that makes me mad.
i hope i don’t regret this post later. :)
that’s awesome, my diet keeps me about 230 – 270 cals a meal. So, I will definately be trying your sandwich in future. yay, did I tell you I lost another 8.2 lbs in the last week? I’m so excited.