What are you eating (Ver. 2.0)

[Shantel]

I'm trying to eat a bit more... at least for a few days while my body adjusts to being lighter.

Yesterday was particularly high... I was at 1800 calories until I ate the full sized chocolate bar my daughter gave me from her stash (Hershey's w/ Almonds - which is why I was gifted it). The kids are VERY posessive of their candy this year (the 8 and 4 especially), so it was actually sweet of her to give it to me freely.

Over recent years I had to rethink the whole business of eating. Realizing that I didn't need a whole dinner plate full with toast for side boards and later go back for seconds, because I was no longer that active 19 year old and my body wouldn't now need a quarter of that energy and I would be wearing it in the usual places as stored rolls of hanging fat and look like the Michelin tire man. I'll submit this thought with the holidays coming up, Thanksgiving and Christmas always entailed a lot of food, usually there were a number of hors d'oeuvres in the form of chips, dips, stuffed celery, black olives, smoked salmon, crackers, nuts and other finger foods along side the usual bowl of spiked punch, so that it was quite possible to consume a 2000 calorie snack before dinner is even served. The best exercise any of us can do is to think first, "Do I want to look good in my clothes in 2014 or do I want to wear this and be miserable? 

[KabitTarah]

Over recent years I had to rethink the whole business of eating. Realizing that I didn't need a whole dinner plate full with toast for side boards and later go back for seconds, because I was no longer that active 19 year old and my body wouldn't now need a quarter of that energy and I would be wearing it in the usual places as stored rolls of hanging fat and look like the Michelin tire man. I'll submit this thought with the holidays coming up, Thanksgiving and Christmas always entailed a lot of food, usually there were a number of hors d'oeuvres in the form of chips, dips, stuffed celery, black olives, smoked salmon, crackers, nuts and other finger foods along side the usual bowl of spiked punch, so that it was quite possible to consume a 2000 calorie snack before dinner is even served. The best exercise any of us can do is to think first, "Do I want to look good in my clothes in 2014 or do I want to wear this and be miserable? 

A number of years ago I tried to lose weight... and I did the best I ever had until now (back then I hadn't fixed the problem).

The first week, I ate as I normally did... including a weekly lunch out with work people at Chili's and a few trips to fast food. The only difference was that I recorded all of those meals. It was entirely disgusting... which got me to lose 25 lbs (that I ended up putting back on by doing all those same things again).

Since Aug 5 (my rebirthday) my diet has changed drastically... I've lost 40 lbs... and I will be keeping it off. Recording my food is the most important thing. Yesterday I hit 2081 calories (1800+ of them were on purpose - and I had that first chocolate bar of the diet last night), but I've been usually between 1400 (uncommon, a low day) and 1700 (though 1800 at the start of all this). My limit is currently set to 1600. I haven't been hungry in the least until this week... I try to eat bulky foods (lots of lettuce) and enough protein (mostly chicken)... plus low salt.

The only thing that has really changed this week is the time change and finally reaching <195 lbs. I think eating an hour later is really affecting my hunger... but I also think I need to plateau and maintain for a few weeks to let my body reset... then onward to <180 (BMI "normal" at 5'11"). I'm also trying (somewhat unsuccessfully) to work in more fitness. I need it, it's cold outside and in the basement, and I don't really want to do it. Working through that block will be difficult for me.

[Shantel]

You're doing great, I'm proud of you and have been watching your progress. I got dinner down to salad plate portions, we eat at 4PM and I'll have a apple later in the evening. I have pegged my caloric intake around 1300 per day which is fine for me because I'm only 5' 7" tall and retired, and though I do a little workout every mid-morning I don't expend a lot of energy anymore.

[KabitTarah]

My weight is finally back down to what it was when I started HRT 4 months ago, as of this morning.  I suppose I should be a little more careful in tracking, but I usually don't have the self-discipline for that.  One HUGE difference for me is avoiding alcohol.  Just the alcohol has lots of calories, and getting loosened up a little sparks the hunger desire to eat...

I've cut back on alcohol a lot. I used to be really into craft beer (and I will be again... but not until I'm in a very steady state). I still have some - usually whiskey or scotch on the rocks. About 100 calories in a jigger.

For me, though... recording is definitely #1. I never had the drive before - but I had psych issues (i.e. not out of the closet) that kept me from doing my best.

[Beth Andrea]

Tootsie Pop (pomegranate)



Ah-onnnne.....to-whoooo...thuh-ree....



...the world may never know.

[Jamie D]

I am coming down with a cold.

So tonight I made myself a cup of tea and had some Kedem brand tea biscuits.

[LordKAT]

I don't about tea biscuits, but biscuits with cheese and assorted toppings sounds good.

[Terracotta]

Spinach dip and water crackers <3

[Jamie D]

For my cardio rehab session on Friday, I have made a potato-corn chowder with smokie sausages.  Doesn't sound so healthy at first glance, but by using 2% milk instead of cream; low sodium chicken broth; grapeseed oil instead of butter; turkey sausage instead of pork or beef sausage; and 2% cheese instead of full-fat cheese; I can cut fat, cholesterol, salt, and calories ... and still have a hearty soup.

Instead of trying to bump up the taste with salt, I am using a salt substitute and chipotle Tabasco sauce.

¡Aye carumba!

[Cindy]

Barossa smoked Ham, chips and salad

[LordKAT]

Stuffing

[Shantel]

Stuffing

Wait, are you sure there's not a taxidermist in the room?

[Sammy]

Sushi

[LordKAT]

Wait, are you sure there's not a taxidermist in the room?

Oi, not while I have teeth and claws. Besides, Cindy would steal my hide so that wouldn't work anyway.

[Hayley]

Fried Mac and cheese. Not the healthiest dinner and quite a bit of work but it is so worth it

[DriftingCrow]

I am having some club crackers, but that fried mac n cheese looks much better.

[Marissa]

OMG what's next, fried ramen noodles? 

[Devlyn]

Fried Mac and cheese. Not the healthiest dinner and quite a bit of work but it is so worth it

Please tell us that you're going to post your recipe in our Cookbook.

[LordKAT]

caraway rye bread with cheap peanut butter.

[Hayley]

Please tell us that you're going to post your recipe in our Cookbook.

Well it's just the food networks recipe for fried Mac and cheese balls. Except I used Colby-jack instead of cheddar and Gouda. And I like to use a spicy tomato bisque instead of marinara sause for dipping.