In preparation for our healthy lifestyle thread.......

[DD]

The health thread should be nonsmoking :!:

Except for the drinkin', smokin, cussin SoWal slumber party. ;-)

 

[Sheila]

Except for the drinkin', smokin, cussin SoWal slumber party. ;-)

I don't smoke. Can I still be invited? I guess I could show up with candy ciggies? Or would I just be required to drink and cuss more to make up for the smoking requirement?

 

[Mermaid]

I think I posted on this before so please excuse me if this is a repeat. But due to some recent health problems (not weight related), I was required to give up a few things in my diet. My husband, who had high blood sugar, also joined me in the effort, and even though neither of us were looking to lose weight specifically, we both did anyway. I dropped 10 pounds and my husband dropped 20, in about 2 months. And it wasn't hard. Here's our deal:

1: Eliminate all sweet drinks immediately (sodas, gatorade, sweetened tea, whatever.)
2. Eliminate or drastically reduce white flours, sugar, corn syrup (read those labels), processed grains like white rice
3. Increase proteins, but keep the meat lean! Increase dark leafy greens.
4. Don't get too dogmatic or it will backfire. Once a week we eat whatever we want--pasta, mexican food, whatever. It's OK. We never gave up beer either.

Our meals now look something like this, they're all delicious, and they keep the weight off:
--BBQ chicken breasts on or off the bone served with a great salad
--Spicy turkey cheeseburgers and cole slaw (sometimes on low carb or high fiber bread, sometimes not)
--Blackened grouper with lemon butter asparagus
--Grilled chicken/veg quesadillas on low-carb tortillas with guacamole
--Greek spinach pie/spanikopita (easy to make)
--Eggs and turkey sausage if we eat breakfast, (which we're supposed to but often don't)
--Dessert: Sugar free mint choc chip ice cream (Kroger makes the best, you cant tell its sugar free, we have it almost every night!)
--Snacks: Lots of honey roasted nuts, strawberries and cherries

It's basically eating the way farmers and europeans eat...less processed foods, more simple, real food. Its the processed stuff that puffed us up, we found. Sadly, that meant giving up breakfast cereal, (my fave food!), but I got through that. I never gave up drinking, but I don't have more than a few beers throughout the week.

Once a month or so, we let ourselves get donuts or cake. Once a week, we go out to eat and order whatever the heck we want. Anyway, your mileage may vary, but this diet worked for us like a charm, got my husbands blood sugar down to healthy levels, and as a bonus, we both lost weight.

Now if only I can get my lazy butt exercising.....

KB, what you've described is pretty well the Weight Watcher's plan. It's funny but when you cut the sweets out of your diet, you actually lose the taste for them. And same thing about overly-processed food. After a while you can taste the preservatives, salt and flavor enhancers in them, and you start preferring homemade food more. Well, except for potato chips. I don't know if you ever loose the taste for a good salty chip!!

 

[DD]

I don't smoke. Can I still be invited? I guess I could show up with candy ciggies? Or would I just be required to drink and cuss more to make up for the smoking requirement?

Of course, you're still invited!!! And yes, you will be required to drink and cuss more!!

 

[lindatat]

how about sonotaudie ???

I love it! :clap_1:

 

[Mango]

Of course, you're still invited!!! And yes, you will be required to drink and cuss more!!

You can drink for me! and I will take care of the smoking :funn:
Sorry, won't be able to join in the funn tonight- got to babysit the nephews.

 

[lindatat]

Lindabobhat, tell us how you started and how you stayed committed and focused every day. What was the single most important thing to your success.

Cork's Wednesday. Have a busy day so cork is gonna shoot for some arm weights, sit ups and an exercise tape. Hold me to it guys! Claps if I do it :clap_1: . Razzes if I don't .

will let you know tomorrow eve if I get it done.

How I got started - saw pictures of myself from a wedding we attended last September and just about died from embarrassment. Started eating very high fiber/low fat. I eat very generous portions, but try to stick with foods I know are good for me. Started exercising every day (for about the first 4 months I didn't skip a day because I knew I needed to get into a regimen.) 30-45 mins on any cardio machine. I was feeling healthier within weeks. I had really never exercised before in my life and I am still amazed at how "centered" I feel when I am working out. I have mild asthma and have not had a single attack in about 10 months - I can't get over at how much better my lungs are functioning. I will also admit that I took Meridia for about 8 months - it's a prescription appetite suppressant. Had to weigh in with my doctor every month in order to get my refill and he also checked my blood pressure. He would not have allowed me to continue with it if he had not been satisfied that I was making the necessary lifestyle changes to go with it. And I think that's really the key. Don't look at it as dieting. Don't think that "one day I'll reach my goal" and allow yourself to fall back into old, bad habits.

What keeps me motivated - there are a few things. For one, I don't want to end up like my diabetic mother who is in a wheelchair with one leg amputated below the knee and the other badly in need of amputation. For two, I just feel better, inside and out. I know my kids are happier and I want to be a good example for them. Finally, as a somewhat dependant female contemplating divorce, well let's just say I am finding such strength in myself. (That was very hard to put into words.)

The only other thing I can add is that I think it's very important to not deprive yourself. Healthy foods can be so satisfying, but we all need to indulge once in a while. Sometimes I have a bite of ice cream or some other rich dessert. When I was on vacation last month I had some foods I usually wouldn't allow myself (like at Old Florida Fish House when the grouper with lime cilantro butter sauce arrived at my table with the sauce right on it instead of on the side, I just ate it. And when the server at Smiling Fish Cafe offered complimentary Creme Brulee cheesecake to make up for some service problems. Both were worth the indulgence.) And I do drink wine when I want to (and even an occasional jello shot or two or three....) But I agree with the ladies who suggested that laying off the liquor for a week or so would be a good jump start. Katieblue offered some great meal suggestions - I have others if anyone's interested.

Cork, we're all anxiously waiting to hear how you did with your plans for today!!!!!!

 

[DD]

You can drink for me! and I will take care of the smoking :funn:
Sorry, won't be able to join in the funn tonight- got to babysit the nephews.

How are we gonna make it tonite without you? I always know you're gonna be on when I'm on late and I'll have someone to talk to. Guess we'll have to share you with the nephews!

 

[Biff]

YOU TWO ARE HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NICE PICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DD, Cork, et al:

I have some photos from pilates/yoga class this morning with me and Corky-Baby. Cork - may I post them? they look just fine, really! And shall we start a new, serious thread about all of our attempts to get in shape and look cute?

what are your thoughts?

 

[Mango]

How are we gonna make it tonite without you? I always know you're gonna be on when I'm on late and I'll have someone to talk to. Guess we'll have to share you with the nephews!

I'll probably be able to hop on a bit tonite. I'll be home by 10 pm latest. My little sister and brother in law have to go to church tonight for Baptism training!
Mr. Mango was selected as the "Godfather". He is so flattered. Tried to upload a pic, but the filesize was too large and I can't figure out how to make it smaller.