DOWN three pounds here! Consistently down three since we started blogging!

Little Things mean BIG results!

I just read something that said if you consistently eat 100 calories more than you need each day, that turns into a 10 pound weight gain in only 1 year. That's how this happens! I wonder if you underate by 100 if you would lose 10 pounds per year?
We are having chicken skewers with peppers and onions and tomotoes. That should fix it! No over eating today!!!

Grilled Chicken Skewers with Satay Sauce

GRILLED CHICKEN SKEWERS WITH SATAY SAUCE
Servings: 4
9 oz uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into 8 pieces of 8 chicken tenderloins
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
3/4 cup fat-free sour cream
2 Tbsp reduced fat peanut butter
1 TBSP low-sodium soy sauce
2 tsp dark sesame oil

Preheat outdoor grill or broiler

Thread chicken tenders onto 8 individual metal or wooden skewers (soak wooden skewers in water first to prevent charring); season to taste with salt and pepper. Grill or broil skewers until chicken is cooked thoroughly, turning skewers frequently, about 5 to 7 minutes

Meanwhile, whisk together remaining ingredients to make satay sauce. Yields 2 skewers and about 1/4 cup of sauce per serving.

Watch the Ounces

I heard a woman yesterday that was talking about saving money and she said, "You know, it's like the old saying, 'watch the ounces and the pounds will take care of themselves'". I thought about that for awhile and two things came to me that I hope to remember a LONG time.
(1) It really IS both those little ounces that add up to all these unwanted pounds! And when I cut out little things, like using lowfat or fatfree products, or throwing in an extra amount of carrots in the soup, I am taking care of all those big things, addressing them through the little things. And when I get on the scale, those lost ounces really DO matter. The scale didn't go up pounds at a time, it was ounces. The weight must come off the same way.
(2) Have you ever noticed that when you are out of control in one area, you are out of control in others? And when you conquer a vice, it is easier to conquer another one? That is so true when I am gaining-losing weight. When I am on an eating binge, the money is usually spent on less fruitful purchases and before you know it, the bills are piled up on the desk. When I am in control of my eating habits, the bills suddenly get paid and the money is more available. Weird but that's how it often is with all of us. Out of control in one area of our lives (eating) yields out of control in another. Why in the world would I want something like food to be in control of my like(or my bank account)?

A New Week is Coming!

I have made a promise to spend time on the week's menu on Saturday. Do all the shopping on Sunday afternoon and see how this works out. I think planning the entire week while leaving room for those changes out of necessity will really help keep me on task.

HALT

In treatment realms we teach people to avoid being overly Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. These things can cause an urge to use that could result in a relapse. I am convinced that the same things in life can cause someone to relapse who is simply trying to lose weight. The catch is all in how to avoid them.
Hunger - When trying to reduce, most people find themselves totally hungry at times due to eating so much less than their bodies are accustomed to. There is a big problem here. When you allow your body to experience true hunger, the sugar levels fluxuate and set up a craving, especially for those of us who are sugar addicts. The sugar released into your system due to hunger makes you want to run to the kitchen and eat it all.
Anger - When a person gets truly angry, not only does it make all kinds of changes in the chemistry of your body but many of us EAT when we are upset!
Lonely - This prompts eating out of boredom or feeling sorry for ourselves.
Tired - This too plays with the sugar levels in your system and once again, you find yourself craving stuff that you are likely to eat.
Now, how in the world do we avoid these things? First, I can eat regularly, just reduce portions and change WHAT I eat to healthy fruits and veggies. I can also keep a supply of baby carrots, apples, things handy that I can eat a lot of it I want to and it won't hurt a thing. Also, I can continue to increase my water intake. When I feel a little hungry, I can drink water to calm the sleeping giant.
Angry - Reframe like. In the grand scheme of things, ask myself what it really matters anyway?
Lonely - FACEBOOK! lol
Tired- Not figured that one out yet.

I QUIT

I was looking over a book that I have to read for a class and there it was. An alcoholic with a bunch of guys (who weren't drinking) and he buys a six-pack. The other men say, "I though you quit!" to which he answers, "I quit everyday. Quittin's the easy part!"
I thought of weight loss. You draw the comparison. The question is not whether I will change my eating habits but will I have to do it again tomorrow? How many times in a week do I "quit"?

Also, my little Joey (4 years old) said he needed fiber in his diet (he's a real parrot) and then said, "what's a diet?" As I explained your diet is simply what you eat, it hit me again. Why do we say we are on a diet? Everyone who eats is on a diet of somekind! I am simply modifying that diet!

Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

A true realization came my way while I was working on a term paper for one of my classes. The assignment had to do with procrastination again. I don't know why this subject keeps coming up but it does. This is the SECOND lengthy assignment I have completed in two classes about procrastination. The first one is posted on my school blog (which I am behind on) at ribboncandy.blogspot.com and is called "The Very Idee".
Anyway, the current assignement has to do with procrastination and planning, how both of them contribute to failure of a project or to its success. I was just typing away when it hit me. It's the missing link in my "get healthy" plan! I remember this working well once before and how I could have forgotton so quickly is beyond me!
I will spend some time (as long as it takes) to put together a total and complete menu for the entire week, recipes and all. I will post it on the frig. I will make my grocery list from the menu and will stick to it. I will each what is on the menu! I will, at the end of everyday be able to see how many calories or points I consumed. This is something that will benefit me immensely even if it sounds a little corny. This is what works for me and it might for you. It just takes a little homework up front but its well worth it. So stay tuned for more and post your own ideas!

The Mind is a Funny Thing

OK, so I got the messages from you guys about throwing away the food. The first thought was in reply to you, Candice, when you said I had the poor person's mentality. At first I went with that thought and then I changed it to "there are other people in this house besides me". You know, someone else would be deprived if I selfishly threw away all the food. It's not all about me...............
And then in all this arguing over whether to throw the food away or not, it came to me. The other people that I am saving it for are just an excuse to keep it for ME. These little kids don't care if there is Strawberry Shortcake in the refrigerator or not. They haven't even eaten one piece yet. And they had rather have those fresh strawberries sitting in the frig.
And that bunny cake, they have not asked for it since Easter. And the fun of the bunny cake was making it anyway, not eating it. And as for Dad, well HE ASKED me to cook healthy! So the bottom line is this:
IT'S NOT ABOUT WASTING THE FOOD AND IT'S NOT ABOUT KEEPING IT FOR OTHERS- IT IS ALL ABOUT ME!
Somehow, this simple realization provided a measure of freedom to choose and freedom to lose. It was a liberating thought to know I was being selfish! The mind is a tricky thing, always bringing things back around to the protection of my secret drug. FOOD. Somehow, this felt like a major breakthrough when I realized my altruistic approach to the preservation of the Easter feast was all about ME!
So, the bunny cake and the Strawberry Shortcake are history. All the mini carrot cakes went to work with Dad to put by their coffee pot. The sausage casserole and cheezy potatoes are gone. All that's really left now is the ham. That I can cut off the bone and freeze in small pkgs to use at another time for seasoning or something modest. It's all gone.
Now, I wonder what reason I have for holding onto these pounds. Is it a security blanket? Am I cocooned inside for a reason? The mind is tricky, I tell you! There's more than meets the eye here. What's the real deal anyway? There's more to ponder.

Somedays drinking all this water can be a real inconvenience!

Dear God:

How can I tell you what a terrible/great weekend this was? Family around you with all the great foods we love to eat. I was in trouble from the beginning of the holiday, even though I did things like make the strawberry shortcake from a diabetic cake mix. And use low fat or fat free stuff.
Then they all went home and to work and left me in this house with all the leftovers. Today has been terrible! I pray I have the strength and willpower to begin again tomorrow (Tuesday) and successfully complete the week. If I can just do it one day at a time. No, that's too long. I will divide the day as follows:
1) I will make it from wakeup time to 10am without eating things I cannot have.
2) I will make it from 10am to noon without eating things I cannot have.
3) I will make it from noon to 3pm
4) I will make it from 3pm to 5PM (this is my danger time)
5) I will make it from 5pm until dinner
6) I will make it from dinner to bedtime.
Thanks,
Glenna

I can do this and I will. Tell me about your strategy. Maybe it will help. I'm desperate and feel terrible.

The maximum amount suggested for an adult when monitoring sodium intake is 2300 mg. I just looked it up and a fastfood chicken dinner (they didn't say nuggets or strips or from which FF place) is 2246 mg! Holy Cow! No wonder America suffers with high blood pressure. And just think of what you are giving the little ones when you get a chicken nugget Happy Meal!