What do I want to eat?
This was the question that was on my mind almost 24/7. Then something fun happened that required I keep an eating journal. This blog was created to be a place to log my daily entries. I know, I know...why would anyone want to post an eating journal? Not to mention, who one earth would want to read an eating journal? I don't know - all I do know, is that I need to keep one to help me eat more responsibly.
The following was recorded on Tuesday April 22, 2008.
Last Friday night Stephen was on a campout with the Young Men so Sonnet and I were out and about together. We decided on a double feature – one movie @ the plaza and another @ Edwards. We had a little time between show times so we wandered around the shops @ Edwards. Russo’s Books looked good so we stopped in for a browse. The first book I picked up had us laughing out loud so we decided to get it. It is called Neris and India’s Idiot-Proof Diet. The authors are India Knight and Neris Thomas. The next two days we were mesmerized and took turns reading out to each other. The authors, India & Neris, became our new best friends and this diet adventure is a result of our time together with them through the printed word.
'How It All Began' is where I have posted the first two months journal. There after the most recent post will contain the most current week. I will say this, as I look back through it I realize what started out as just an accountability tool, has evolved into something much, much more meaningful for me.
Chicken fajitas are delicious. Totaling 4 blocks, Stephen can have 3 corn tortillas filled with chicken, bell pepper and onion garnished with tasty avocado just for good measure. That has been popular this week. I found I really enjoyed ½ a cantaloupe topped with ½ cup cottage cheese for a 2 block treat.
Our ultimate favorites however, are our handy dandy 1 block snack bags. Together Stephen & I make a trail mix of jerky, dried fruit and almonds. In a small snack size baggie they make the perfect grab and go goodie. The jerky and fruit keeps you chewing while the almonds add a satisfying crunch.
Feeling’ strong and sticking to my commitment well.
P.S. Look at this cabbage soup I made. Stephen loves vegetable soup and it is pretty easy to throw cabbage, onions, stewed tomatoes and seasonings into a pot. Even I can do that.
This has been a good week for all of us. Stephen has been sticking to the Zone pretty well and is down 4 pounds. We went out walking together yesterday but that was the only time. We hope to go walking or biking more often. Right when Stephen gets home seems to be the best time for us. In addition to our walk, I did manage to get to the gym one other day. Clearly there is room for improvement in the exercise arena.
Staying on the Zone is not difficult per say, but does require a different mind set. A few of our habits had to change. I was to an unhealthy point of having pretty much what I wanted when I wanted it. We have never really stocked the house with cookies, soda pop, chips or ice cream, which is good; however Stephen and I were very quick to go out to eat or stop somewhere and get a ‘treat’. I will admit the later was almost always my idea. Even without sweets in the house, it is not hard to pack it on with everyday foods. For example I love cereal, peanut butter and honey sandwiches and cheese on bread to name a few. Days without some of these favorites has not been too bad but will take self discipline and control down the road. We were able to go out for Friday night date night to our favorite restaurant though. La Costa Mariscos serves the best fish ever. A generous serving of grilled white fish comes with steamed vegetables, a small salad and pot beans – perfect!
One thing I love about Zoning is the prescribed portion control. I feel great on the amount of food I am eating. It is much less than I usually eat and a few times last week I was feeling the void. But all in all, it is an epiphany to me to find out how well - even better my body functions on less food. Especially if it is the right kind of food.
Sonnet checked in and she and Christian are both Zoning well. Sonnet’s big challenge is satisfying her desire to cook. She loves to cook. I have a Zone cook book that I wish she had. It is full of recipes that would keep her interested. Totally out of character for me, I just Googled ‘The Zone Diet’ and found a great website. There is a plethora of recipes to choose from. Another challenge is the fact that Sonnet is home most of the day with little Ruthie. Without a structured schedule full of tasked to occupy the day, snacking is almost a form of entertainment. You know, eating becomes something to do. That is a difficult situation every new mom faces. It takes a concerted effort to refrain and get off that baby weight.
Tiffany checked in and is having success with her running. Most days last week she hit the road and loved every minute of it. When Kevin was gone for a few days she power walked pushing a stroller with Audrey. Now that he is back she can take off by herself.
This has been a successful first week. We can be pleased.
Day three and feeling good. I was worried about the Relief Society birthday dinner last night for no reason. They served up a salad bar – perfect. I had a delicious dinner and easy skipped on dessert. Today the missionaries are coming for dinner and I am serving taco salad. Stephen & I can make ours just the way we need to and the missionaries can eat away. I usually serve dessert when the missionaries come so I decided to make a pan of brownies, cut them up and send them on a plate out the door with them when they leave. Brilliant. I checked in with Sonnet today and she said they had been Zoning all day. This is day one for them. Good Job!
I didn’t mention that Tiffany is now in the mix.
In talking to her she expressed a general dissatisfaction with her lack of exercise. During a Baltimore winter there are weather challenges to getting out and moving. Her activity of choice is running and just had not managed to get up the gumption to hit the road. When we talked, I mentioned that S&C as well as Dad & I were starting the Zone. She said she would start running while we started Zoning. Great to have a support group. I got a text from her yesterday saying she went for her first run – good for her. I guess we are all on our way.
Hello Pigs to Twigs. So nice to check in and catch up a little. I am afraid the song is pretty much the same – weight is a constant struggle. The good news is that Sonnet and Christian came for a visit over his spring break. Of course they brought cutie-pie Ruthie. She is so fun and adorable.
Sonnet is holding on to baby weight as well as plain old Sonnet weight. Stephen and I are both heavier than we want to be as well. It was so nice to have Sonnet to talk to about it. I have discovered that I am a person that really needs a support group or person/cheerleader when it comes to weight loss. Not so much maintenance but defiantly weight loss. After talking about which strategy to attack the problem with, Sonnet and I decided to go back to the Zone diet by Dr. Berry Sears. Years ago when the kids were in high school Stephen & I went on the Zone. The kids did too as I recall. We really learned a lot about foods and the importance of balance between protein, carbs and fat. Over the years whenever I attempt to do what I call, ‘eat right’ or ‘be good’, I am generally referring to following Zone guidelines.
We told Stephen and Christian of our plan and they were all in. Christian by no means needs to loose any weight – he is fit and trim. He does however, have weight gain goals and would like to build some mussel mass. After talking about it we decided to begin today. Today for Stephen & I that is. Sonnet & Christian will begin on Wednesday when they get back to Arizona. We all weighed in and measured and were given the amount of blocks of food allotted per day (akin to ‘points’ if you are familiar with weight watchers). This ‘portion control’ as it were, will be a great help to me.
Stephen & I stopped by the store Saturday to pick up a few things to get us started. I will go more detailed shopping today. The definite down side of this venture is the whole cooking thing. I am not a cook. As I flipped through the recipe portion of the books, I was not thrilled. It just looks like uninteresting work. When Sonnet lived with us we ate delicious meals and she loved every minute of it. All that shopping and chopping was fun to her. Yuck – not for me. However, Stephen is a big help and I must admit if we are cooking or preparing food together I can actually say I enjoy the experience.
I have thought about it though and decided that I do have the time right now to do this for Stephen & me. I mean, with the kids gone my life has less demands on it and focusing on health and nutrition is a good use of my time. Especially if we want to realize our goals of being healthy enough to serve missions and be a part of our grandkids lives. And if I can be a help to Sonnet like she is a strength to me, it is well worth my efforts.
So, here we are – Today – starting the Zone. Stephen packed his lunch last night and has his breakfast all planned. I ate some cottage cheese and an apple this morning. I will have a dried fruit and jerky trail mix for a snack and a yogurt and fruit parfait for lunch. I did manage to pick out a few meal suggestions from the recipe book and will try one tonight. My schedule brings a little opposition though - wouldn’t you know I have the Relief Society birthday dinner tomorrow night and the missionaries for dinner the following night. Augg, it’s always something but we will endeavor to persevere.
