Super Foods

My workplace has an awesome Wellness Committee. It seems that almost every week we have someone coming in to give us a presentation on something concerning wellness. This month alone, we have had a speaker come and give a Yoga Demonstration, a dance teacher come to speak about the Advantages of Dance, and a nutritionist come to talk to us about Super Foods.

It was this last speaker that got me realizing that I have had to change the way that I eat to be successful. If she would have come and given the same presentation one year ago, I wouldn't have known what any of the foods on her list were. This year, after reading several blogs, articles, books, etc., I have a much better understanding of what I am eating. There were still many foods on her list of "Super Foods" that I have not tried, but more that I have incorporated. So here's the list given to me on Thursday:

"Kale"

"Flax Seeds"

"Broccoli"

"Blue Foods"

"Orange Foods"

"Calcium"

"Nonfat Yogurt"

"Curry and Spice"

"Beans"

The one that stuck out to me, since I work in a Nursing Home, was Curry and Spices. The handouts that we received stated that curry and other spices contain powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation. A recent study from UCLA shows that turmeric might have potent anti-plaque forming effects that could slow, stop, and maybe even reverse Alzheimer's disease. Turmeric in curry powder is also associated with improvements with ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, and arthritis. Of the 50 foods highest in antioxidants, 13 were herbs and spices.

Another thing that I have found interesting is that I am not at all bothered by spices and spicy foods any more. I actually prefer a little spice, where previously, I would have eaten most things more bland.

Eat your super foods. I still haven't gotten around to reading 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life, but all the super foods on this list are also in the book.

Friday Foods

Well, this is more of a product than a food. I bought some Ziploc Zip'n Steam Bags. They are so easy to use. Throw what ever you want in the bag; this week I threw broccoli, mushrooms, carrots, and potatoes in the bags at various times and yesterday I had all four in the bag at the same time. On the back of the bag, it gives recommended times to leave them in the microwave. I went with the highest time: potatoes~7 minutes. When my veggies were done they tasted great. The potatoes were done, but the carrots have remained a little hard each time I've tried them (tried them in three different bags so far, with three different varieties of veggies, but never by themselves).

I will be using these during our upcoming kitchen remodel for sure, but it is just as easy to throw veggies on the stove and almost just as quick.

Take 5

I was reminded yesterday to take 5 minutes to reflect about how far I have actually come. This month has been a tough one. I'm maintaining fine, but the urge to overeat will always be there. Take 5 minutes to think about what you have changed. What are 5 things that have changed within the last 5 months?
1. 5 months ago~I was 2 pants sizes bigger than I am today and now I have given all my "big" pants away so there is no temptation to head back to them.
2. 5 months ago~I was just finding out that baby #4 was on the way, what a difference 5 months can make!
3. 5 months ago~I was trying to get under 200 for the first time in 15 years and now I am looking at the weight I was in high school.
4. 5 months ago~I was walking an average of 11,000 steps daily and I have raised my average over 1,000 now.
5. 5 months ago~I was just getting ready for winter by digging out our garden and raking our leaves and now I have survived the WORST snowfall total in Wisconsin since 1879.

5 Weeks

Five weeks sounds like such a LONG time. What can be accomplished in five weeks? Five weeks is 35 days plenty of time to start a new habit, plenty of time to lose 4-8 pounds, plenty of time to time a new recipe, read a good book, start an exercise program, etc. But is it enough time to redo an entire kitchen? Apparently so! Today, I received the schedule for our kitchen remodel starting April 21. Demo, framing, rough plumbing and rough electrical the first week. Inspections the following week followed by 6 work days of drywalling. Leaves us three days to paint followed by cabinet installation, floor installation, finishing the electrical and waiting one week for the counter tops. How will this gone done? It seems so overwhelming.

Just as a long term weight loss goal seems so overwhelming. Now that I see the schedule it makes so much more sense. Short term goals and following a plan will get you where you want to be. I will definitely be interested to see if this project stays on plan. I'll take pictures along the way as I am SO excited to be finally getting a new kitchen. Everyday I have been standing in the kitchen preparing my oatmeal wondering how we've managed to utilize our kitchen with no cabinets or counter top space for 8 years. It will make making healthy meals a much easier process.

Journaling

I've been journaling without exception since last April. This week, I have been experimenting with not journaling. I have found that I eat pretty much the same breakfast and lunch, so why not try? The reason I have found: it is much easier to snack and add a handful of this or a bite of that when you're not keeping track of what you're eating.

Today, I was doing a "In the News" group with several residents. There happened to be a story about Rachel Corrie. There is a play about her short life "My Name is Rachel Corrie." When reading the story to the group of residents, we started talking about dairies. I asked everyone in the group if they had ever written in a dairy. Every single one of them admitted that they had NOT written in a dairy, but also everyone wished that they would have. Most did know someone who kept a dairy. Several had mothers who kept journals of the weather, daily menus and chores. One resident had a mother who became very ill, but the family was able to keep everything running smoothly as she had kept details notes in her dairy.

I've kept a dairy at my bedside since getting married and write in it every so often when I have something exciting to share. Usually, I write about big purchases, personal milestones, job changes, family additions and the such, but on occasion I have written about regular days. It is definitely these regular days that intrigue me the most and I tend to re-read those entries most often. Our lives are made up of mostly regular days and it's those regular days that shape our lives.

I will continue to keep a dairy and start writing more often as I know I am not writing for myself because I rarely read what I write, but more for those who will read it sometime in the future. I will also continue to journal my food daily as it will help to remind me of the importance of my choices.

More Snow!

I posted this awhile back, but the is ridiculous! We are now #2 on the snowiest winter in Milwaukee history list. 96 inches of snow! Only 9 more to go for the all time record, which was set in 1897! Anyone remember that year, I won't name any names ;)

Happy Easter, I'm staying away from the computer this weekend. Self imposed break.

8 GHG's

I was amazed at all the response to Roni's question of the Week. She asked "What is your breakfast of choice?" Being one of "those" Weight Watcher members that try to get in my 8 Good Healthy Guidelines in daily, I am one of the many that stick with oatmeal. {Whole grains.} I also have been adding canola oil lately. {Oils.} Usually that's it except for a bit of peanut butter {protein} and a splash of sugar free maple syrup. {Limit sugar and alcohol.} Not bad for breakfast to get 4 of 8. I do usually have a fruit snack mid-morning and count that as part of my breakfast too. {At least 5 fruits and veggies.} Don't forget the vitamin {one daily vitamin} along with the 32 oz. WW mug full of water {drink at least 6 8oz. glasses of water.} I could easily add dairy, but what would I eat the rest of the day?

The meeting that I went to over the weekend had a clever way to remember all the healthy guidelines:

1-Vitamin
2-Dairy
3-"W" using pointer, middle and ring finger~Whole grains
4-"For" your health: eat protein
5-Fruits and Vegetables
6-Glasses of water
7-"L" Making an L with pointer and thumb~Limit your sugar and alcohol
8-Last, but not least...oil!

I had really been fine with all of them except the oil. I do not want to spend precious points on oil. I have to admit, since adding oil to my oatmeal, it has made a noticeable difference with my body. Hope you're getting your healthy foods in while still eating what you want.

{{Hoping I don't get busted by the WW police for talking about their guideline, but like I said on the WW message board today, there's no magic potion in there materials}}

Weekly Update

This Week: 190.2

Last Week: 186.6

Starting Weight 270.2

Total Loss: 80

Well, I am tired. I've decided to go to bed early tonight and get some sleep. My eating trigger last night was because I was overly tired. I lied a bit and actually ate 2 slices of cold pizza, 3 100 calorie packs of Reese's, and a good half box of All-Bran Crackers. It's no wonder I gained over 3 pounds since Saturday.

Tonight, I will face the trigger head on and get some shut-eye. Good night.

Get to the Point!

I have had a great week. Stayed within my points everyday, but Saturday. I used only a few of my weekly points allowance. I exercised everyday, usually I take one day off.

And then it hit, I realized I had so many points left for the week that I just HAD to use some. Tonight, I went to choir and came home to watch the Biggest Loser. Now, it's 11:30pm and I am snacking to make up for the rest of the week. Why do I do this? I feel obligated to use my points. I have them, I NEED to use them. After exercising, I have eaten a 100 calorie snack pack and a huge slice of pizza.

This is just the opposite of what I was feeling yesterday. Yesterday, I passed on the shake and ended up having a great day and today I am rewarding myself with food.

I still have a lot of work to go before I am ready to go without journaling everything I eat. Ugh!

Monday Musings

This past weekend, I went to my WW meeting and afterwards, I came home and made pancakes for the family. Later in the day, we went to my in-laws for lunch and dinner. Somehow the conversation of what I have been eating came up. My wife asked if I had any pancakes for breakfast, my answer was "no." I have been eating the same breakfast for the last several months and usually the same lunch too. On this Saturday noon, I ate what everyone else was eating. For dinner as well, I ate what everyone else was eating. Yet, it got me thinking if I have been eating like everyone else. Tonight, McDonald's sponsored a special night for my daughter's school. A percentage of the profits were donated to the school. Of course we ate McDonald's tonight. Or did WE? We ordered a 20 piece chicken nugget since there is always a special on them on Mondays, three small fries, a double cheese burger, a medium Shamrock Shake and a medium Strawberry Shake, which turned out to be a Chocolate Shake. My kids and my wife devoured the food and while I was making myself a salad, I discovered that MY Shamrock Shake was also being devoured. It really didn't bother me either. I know in the past, it would have irritated me that my children were sipping my shake. I actually was relieved that I didn't have to drink the whole thing. I got enough and was satisfied. What's my point? I am not eating what everyone else is eating, I'm eating what I WANT to eat. If I really wanted that Shamrock Shake, I would have hoarded it in the kitchen while preparing my salad. If I wanted pancakes, I could have finished the 5 that stayed on the plate and I disposed of afterwards. I'm eating what I want to eat and no one is telling me what I can and cannot eat.

Easter
What Part of the Chocolate Bunny Do You Eat First? Fun little game. See if you get called a "Sick Freak" like I did.

Money
Apparently, I didn't win Powerball since I'm still here. Don't know what I would have done with that much money, but I know I would have found something fun. $275 split between 8 people. Each person will get ONLY $12. I heard there were 11 people that worked in the department and only 8 of them went in on the tickets. I think I'd be kicking myself if I were one of those three.

March Madness
Can't wait till the College Basketball Tournament begins this Thursday. I'm not a fan until this time of the year and I always root for the underdog. I'm also not stupid, so I will not be picking Coppin St. or Mt. St. Mary's!

100 Best Cities

I heard about the top 100 Best Cities according to Prevention Magazine, to walk in on the news this evening and decided to check the list out for myself. Being from Wisconsin, I checked out the top 10 cities in Wisconsin. Not surprisingly, Milwaukee was not the top of the list. It was #7. Technically, I'm not in Milwaukee, but a suburb that is within walking distance of Milwaukee. I wasn't surprised by the #1 cities in Wisconsin and the criteria did make sense. I love walking in the parks and tend to stay away from residential areas when I'm walking. Check out the list for yourself and see if you agree with it. I would disagree with Green Bay being #10, but after reading the "why" I understand that it is cold for a good amount of time, but Appleton, which was #1 in Wisconsin is not more than 50 miles south of Green Bay.

I love my two mile route that I have mapped out around my house and feel lucky to have a great place to walk. The weather is starting to warm up and I am getting out everyday for at least a short walk. As the evenings grow warmer, I will start taking walks after dinner, but for now I am happy with my lunch time walks and short walks around the block.

Took a Detour

Weekly Update

This Week: 186.6

Last Week: 189.6

Starting Weight 270.2

Total Loss: 83.6

I didn't get to go to my normal Wednesday meeting this week and I was just feeling lazy on Thursday night and didn't go then either. So I got my formerly fat but out of bed and decided to head to the earliest Saturday meeting. I couldn't believe how many people actually wake up at 6:30 on a Saturday to go to WW! There was a huge crowd and it seemed like many of the ladies in the group had been coming for quite some time and many of them appeared to be at a healthy weight. I always like to scan the room for things like that.

The leader was great. Barb started the meeting by recapping the previous meeting, which focused on the 8 Good realthy Guidelines. She had a great way of remembering them using her fingers. The meeting today focused on DETOURS. One of the members brought up the fact that a Detour is usually thought of as a negative. We chose a more friendly term of a "scenic tour." I'm not sure about where you all live, but this time of the year is filled with potholes, road construction and blinding morning sunshine. All things that were used to apply to our weight loss journey. We all hit potholes along the way, and the road is never a straight and sometimes we lose site of what we're really trying to accomplish.

I'm glad I didn't let the "tank run to empty" this week and actually took the time to find a meeting. I shall return to another Saturday meeting in the future it was a very insightful way to start a Saturday. Plus, it's a good excuse to head to Starbucks for a Skinny Latte. It's the first time I tried one since Starbucks is right across from the WW center.

Friday Foods

Yesterday, Dinah Soar wrote about Laughing Cow Cheese. I have to admit, I will not be trying low-fat cheese as I like the real stuff after growing up in the dairy state. I have tried a cheese sauce that I will continue using, Taco Bell Mild Salsa con Queso is a great substitute for cheese for me. I use it when eating taco salads, on my eggs, and I have tried it on my Boca Burgers, but I have found that I like them just so I can eat ketchup.

I have found that making small changes, adds up as time goes by. I started drinking coffee with lots of cream and sugar and have gradually gotten to the point where I am starting to prefer it black. I was eating my grapefruit with sugar, then switched to using Splenda, but have now gotten to the point where I eat it plain. While I was eating lunch at work today, one of my colleagues was drinking sweetened Green Tea. A few others were teasing her, but I complimented her stating that it's the small changes that start adding up and make a HUGE difference in the long run. She had been drinking at least 3 sodas a day. Regular sodas! That's a lot of empty calories. Now, she's drinking a few glasses of the sweetened tea. The tea only has 70 calories versus over 250 for the soda. Eventually, she'll switch to the unsweetened stuff I'm sure.

Small steps add up!

Truth is Stranger than Ficture

What a strange story. I really can't believe this one. I know after drinking so much water, sometimes I feel like just living in the bathroom too, but this is ridiculous.

What is a Regular Week?

Kathy from Kathy Calculates is one of my favorite blogs. I look forward to visiting her blog daily and today she wrote about a seemingly harmless comment that I left her: "Here's to a REGULAR week of oat bran, fruits and veggies." I love special functions, family gatherings and other related events that throw a bit of spontaneity into my food choices. I have pretty much stuck to the same breakfast and lunch for at least the last six months. My breakfast has changed from yogurt, fiber one and fruit to oatmeal and peanut butter, but for the most part, the points have remained unchanged. My lunch does change as I pack what is available in the house, but I always stick close to the same amount of points for lunch as well. My dinners are where I change things up. I like it that way and rarely plan what's for dinner before getting home from work. Planning my whole menu ahead of time would make me bored, which is something I am afraid would set me up for a snacking disaster.

The special functions, etc. help change things up and I do enjoy them, but I tend to eat too much and am always happy when my REGULAR week returns. Over the course of the last year, it has definitely been those REGULAR weeks that have gotten me where I am. I would not go so far as to call them "normal" weeks as nothing seems normal nowadays with three kids, a pregnant wife, and going through a major kitchen remodel.

TUESDAY TIP:
I just finished watching the Biggest Loser and one of the "Trainer Tips" hit me. Plan a "cheat day" each week. After viewing the show, I hopped on the WW website and there was already a nice thread started about the subject "Cheat Day" I have been eating more food one day a week. Got the idea actually at my WW meeting when someone suggested it as a way to get your body moving in the right direction. I definitely track everything I eat and do not go over my weekly allotment for points, but I do specifically pick one day, usually during the weekend to eat a little more. It has worked for me and I will continue to use my one day a week to eat more, but do I call it a "cheat day"? Probably not. I'm not cheating, I'm just trying to trick the system a bit. Call it cheating if you wish, but it does seem to work.

Got my Free Sample

Kathy from Kathy Calculates had recommended this magazine in a recent post. I received a sample copy in the mail this week. After looking through the magazine, it really is not too female focused. It does have a few articles focused towards the women, but on the whole, it looks like a great magazine. Loaded with recipes, tips, gadgets and other helpful info. If I had more time to cook and a good workplace (ie. new kitchen), I may consider subscribing.

THE GODS MUST BE CRAZY

I've been on a mission to watch interesting movies while riding on my elliptical lately. I find that the time goes super fast when I watch action packed movies, but this week I decided to watch "The Gods Must Be Crazy." I borrowed it from work and it was a really thought provoking movie. I enjoyed the simplistic nature of the "Bushman"~Xi. A coke bottle, "the evil thing" falling from the sky changed the whole thinking in the Bushman camp. Xi goes on a mission to throw it off the end of the Earth. What an unique point of view. If everything in life were so simple. The Bushman had no idea of the civilized world and they were happy. If only I could worry less about the small things and stop to enjoy life more, I could be as happy as a little Bushman.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Friday Hodge Podge

FRIDAY FOODS

I don't go out of my way to buy Weight Watcher products normally, but they have come out with a few new flavors of yogurt. My new favorite has become Amaretto Cheesecake. Apparently, I am not the only one to find this new flavor as it has been sold out every time I've checked at my local grocery store. I did manage to get my hands on some recently and will continue to keep my eyes open for this flavor. There are other new flavors including Cherry Cheesecake and Boston Cream Pie, but I was not impressed by the Cherry Cheesecake and for some reason, brown yogurt just did not appeal to me as this was the color of the Boston Cream Pie.


AT WORK WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE
Wowsers! I was very worried about making it to my 6 pound goal for my Weight Loss Challenge because on Tuesday when I sneaked a peak at work, I was still 3 pounds away from my goal. I didn't think not eating breakfast would have such an impact, but that's what I did yesterday. I didn't eat or drink anything from 6:00pm Wednesday till the time I weighed in (10:30am) on Thursday. I was completely taken by surprise when I weighed in at 184! I needed to weigh 188 on the scale to reach my goal and I easily surpassed my goal. At the time I weighed in, only 6 people had reached their goal, so we should be receiving a nice little check soon :)

WEIGHT WATCHER TRAINING
Last night, I completed my training as a receptionist. It's amazing how many people came to sign up for WW last night. There were 8 new members at the first meeting. My mentor told me that this usually does happen when word of the free registration spreads. Free registration for Weight Watchers ends tomorrow. I felt much more comfortable this week and did not feel rushed and nervous like I did last week. There are definitely certain steps that need to be followed when checking someone out, like you must weigh in before purchasing items unless you go through a few extra steps. I am excited to start for real a week from Wednesday. Today, I received my name tag in the mail, so I will look like an official employee rather than a trainee.

Lifetime

Last Week: 188

This Week: 189.6

Starting Weight: 270.2

Total Weight Loss: 80.6

I did it. I've been drinking tons of water and know I drank too much yesterday, so I'm not worried about my 1+ gain. I brought all three of my kids to weigh in last night and found out that my regular leader wasn't there, so I just weighed in, collected my "bling" and left. It was a great feeling! We got home and took these fun pictures. Notice my little guys gut is bigger than mine now. I've gone from a tight size 44 to a loose size 32.

4EVER

The only thing that has been on local television all day has been the retirement of Brett Favre. I can honestly say, he has been a hero of mine for a long time. Exactly half my life as a matter of fact. 17 years on the Packers and bringing me joy and grief, stress and triumph. I was about 185 pounds when he started playing for the Packers and know I am back to that weight after spending much of his playing days at a much higher weight. It's amazing how long 17 years really is. I will truly miss his competitive nature. With that said, I did not weigh in for our at-work weight loss challenge. I hate losing! I weighed myself on the scale at work yesterday and I was 1.5 pounds too high. I may change my mind on Thursday and try weighing myself. There are 45 people in the challenge and at the end of today only 2 people had reached their goals. I am buckling down and eating less yesterday, today and tomorrow to try to make my goal. Not really the WW way to do things, but I want to win!

Here's to Brett Favre, a hero, a role-model, a "winner" from TB a big "loser!"

What Would You Do?

Today, I judged a Forensics Tournament for Junior High Students. I had a great time. For the first round, I was the timer for Impromptu Speaking and for the power round, I judged Demonstration. It was round two that got me down. I was a standby judge and waited in the Judges' Room until I knew I was not needed. When the second round began and everyone was settled, I decided to eat lunch. Judges receive a FREE lunch ticket. How could I pass it up. The choices were this: Main course of either Nachos or a slice of Papa John's Pizza, Side dish of either assorted candy bars, assorted chips, assorted cookies.

What would you pick to eat with these limited options?

Several of the judges decided to go out for lunch at local restaurants after finding out the choices. The other judge from my daughters school decided to trade his lunch ticket in for a soda instead of the food.

I was amazed at how many judges actually passed on the lunch. After looking at them, it seemed to be all the judges that were at a healthy weight. One particular guy stuck out as he was a standby judge in the second round as well. He chose to sit and play on his cell phone the entire time only getting up to get lunch. He get his free lunch, but also bought an extra slice of pizza. That would have totally been me last year.

Well, I'll tell you that I picked a slice of pizza. Beggars can't be choosers. I was hungry. I also got a side of cookies. Grandma's Peanut Butter Cookies had been one of my snacks of choice from the vending machine. Even before eating them, I realized they were not the best choice anymore. I did enjoy my lunch and then decided to make a wise choice. Since I had an hour and a half to burn, I went for a walk. I decided that since today was March 1, I would put my Winter coat away and pull out my Spring coat. Call me crazy, but 30 degrees in March somehow feels warmer than 30 degrees in December. I was plenty warm and took an hour walk around the outside of the school. In an hour, I walked over 8,000 steps making my walk over 4 miles. So even though I made a poor choice eating my FREE lunch, I do feel that I made up for it with my exercise today.