carbs, how i love thee

[buenabuena]

I don't know if I've mentioned it on here or not, but my Very Stern Doctor put me on a diet three weeks ago to lower my cholesterol and take off some weight. If anyone wants to hear more about the details, feel free to follow the cut. I decided to keep a little record on here for myself, and if it helps someone else too, then awesome.

Comments

[gothicgranola]

Yay! I'm so proud of you! Something you might want to try: check out the Dallas Farmer's Market for fresh produce. If salads have been getting boring, maybe the difference in super fresh/local stuff will help. I know, I find regular produce to be rather bleh now that I'm used to the good stuff.

[buenabuena]

Aw, thanks sweetie!

That's a good suggestion--I've never been much of a "fresh produce" girl, since we grew up on canned and frozen stuff, so I never really developed much of a taste for it or really knew how to prepare it. Been experimenting, though, so hopefully I will get better on that front. ;)

[inateapot]

I am SO proud of you, too! The most important thing is to have your health, I've always believed that. It sounds like your doctor is very supportive - which goes a long way. Here's to a healthy & happy YOU!!!!

[buenabuena]

I don't know that he's supportive, so much as he is seriously intimidating. Hehe. When that guys tells you to do something, you DO IT. I think that his no-nonsense manner is a good match for my "but...I *like* that stuff!" attitude, though, so it all works out.

[trixieskips]

I'm on a "no white" diet myself and it is really hard because I am so sensitive to processed/refined stuff and my brain LOVES IT. I abuse it so my therapist is making me stop!

When I have wanted to lose weight in the past, I've always keep certain things around to help (and they do!):

1) Dried fruit in individual packets (boxed raisins are good). They feel like a sweet candy, but are healthier.
2) Frozen meals. Kashi makes some killer meals that are aroun 350 calories and have tons of fiber
3) Veggie soup. Weight Watchers has a recipe I used to make and it tasted great but had virtually no calories. Any veggie soup homemade will be pretty healthy (no mean, no beans, no carbs in it).

For me, I am always going to have bing-ey days. I can't stop them! But exercising some every day takes the stress off that and makes weight loss safer and easier. Some days I totally ride my ass off, but even just a walk around the block a few times burns calories.

[buenabuena]

Oh, I feel you on the abuse--my body is a total fiend for carbs and sugar. "Gimme gimme, it says! You are Irish and therefore BORN to love potatoes!"

I looked into dried fruit, but it came up high on the glycemic index chart I consulted so I haven't indulged in any just yet (*love* raisins, though!). I'll have to keep an eye out for the frozen Kashi meals--those sound like they would be super handy to have around. As for the soup, that's a great idea, and something that I could take to work fairly easily too. Thanks so much for the suggestions! It's nice to know that someone else I know out there is having to deal with this.

And yep, while I cheated a bit over my vacation weekend, I knew that I'd be worse off if I didn't. Sometimes you just need a little something extra to keep you going, right? I love walking, so I have mostly been doing that so far for exercise. Just need to get some proper workout clothes (that FIT) so that I can do a better job of it. :)

[trixieskips]

It sounds like you are doing great. If you get unmotivated, I suggest Weight Watchers. I really liked it there. It was cheap--$12 a week--and they had meeting to attend. The best thing is leaning what a healthy amount of calories looks like. For example, I didn't know that a serving of beef is FOUR ounces, not the eight or ten you see on menus

[buenabuena]

Wow--you're really doing great, sounds like. :) I'm not looking forward to the plateaus, to be sure.

(I don't even want to know what my BMI is right now. I've got a LOT of undoing ahead of me, after all of my fried-food and soda indulgence. Oy.)

And yep, I know that portion control is one of my biggest issues, so I bought some small bowls to help me "see" what a portion should like and regulate myself accordingly. So far, it's been working! Plus, my stomach has shrunk some, so I get full a lot sooner than I used to.

The "cheat" time is definitely a great idea--after days of eating the same stuff, it would definitely be fun to eat something a bit more tasty. If it improves the weight loss, even BETTER.

[hoss74]

Way to go babe. Send some of that will power up to me wouldja. God knows I need it

[buenabuena]

Hehe. You should do this *with* me, then! I can be your support system and VERY STERN JUDGE all at once. ;)

[hoss74]

Well the "very stern" part is very intriguing...

How stern are we talking? *raises eyebrow*

[buenabuena]

Hehehe. Like *super* stern, of course! ;)

[darlafornia]

Here's something I heard about a couple years ago. I started to do it, and it REALLY helps. Doesn't sound like it would, but it does. Set down your fork, etc. between each and every bite, until you've swallowed and are ready for the next bite. Also, chew your food really well (I don't swallow 'til it feels quite mushy, like baby food).

The first tip gives your body a chance to realize your stomach is filling up. I've realized that when I inhale my food, I tend to eat more 'cause the "full" signal hasn't yet reached my brain. The second tip just makes it easier for your body to digest the food. I have much less discomfort and gas when eating that way. Using those two methods I lost about 20 pounds (in a year??? I forget exactly) and wasn't even trying. Goodness only knows how much I would've lost if I was eating better foods as well.

[buenabuena]

Wow, that is really good advice, mi esposa fabulosa. I will definitely try this.

I never even thought about the whole "digestion" angle, but it does make sense. Plus, since I'm eating a lot less now, it'll seem like more if I eat it more slowly, right? :)