[angleigh]

There's been some request to start a food thread...well here it is. A place to talk about different things we're eating, what you've tried that's work for you, have you found a snack you just love..etc. Whatever it is..let's talk here!

[Sara Arell]

LOVE it! It will definitely work for me!

For me, it's salads, salads, salads, and even though it's very hot outside, we have homemade, healthy soup many nights for supper.

I make our salads chock full of all kinds of veggies - little different every time - and I really never tire of them (or at least haven't yet) -

I drink a full glass of V-8 Juice every morning - it's my favorite. It's filling and yummy.

I have also been eating cottage cheese with tomatoes some days around 11 am and then something light around 3 pm to tide me over til supper.

Rich is so good about going along with light foods most of the time, but he did have his steak and baked potato the other night when we went out while I had my "wee dinner salad" - which is actually a big salad - they just call it that cause it's an Irish Pub.

I don't drink beer or anything alcoholic so no calories there (at the pub) - just my diet coke while Rich has his couple of beers.

That's what I've been doing and probably will continue to do cause it seems to work for filling me up and giving me the energy I need to get through the day.

Oh, and lots and lots of cold water too! I don't know how much but I am sure I drink a gracious plenty during the day!

[SodScrap]

Thanks for starting this Angie!! Speaking of food, I'm hungry and I need figure out what to fix for dinner...*sigh*

[Sara Arell]

SodScrap, on 07 August 2011 - 03:37 PM, said:

Thanks for starting this Angie!! Speaking of food, I'm hungry and I need figure out what to fix for dinner...*sigh*

Did I post about the right stuff, Conda? I'm assuming we are kind of posting the things we eat daily (like a food diary) and what works for us.......

I have been so good today - actually have not had much to eat at all and am thinking about a last hoo-hah for supper before Monday gets here - something yummy and that I can't eat next week? Ya think? LOL

[Becster]

I think my last hoo-hah was last night! We went out to celebrate DD's and my birthdays (late for her, early for me!) and it was yummy.

What is working for me is simply cutting back on my portions and trying (but not always succeeding!) to avoid taking seconds. Exercising has helped immensely, too.

[Becster]

Oh, about cold water? This is interesting. Up until last Fall, when all our schedules changed, we had a weight loss group at the church - The Lord's Losers! *g*

One of the men who attended with his wife was a retired PE coach. He said that drinking cold water instead of room temp water burns more calories. Your body has to work harder to warm up the water to your body temp. Score!

[Sara Arell]

Becster, on 07 August 2011 - 04:09 PM, said:

Oh, about cold water? This is interesting. Up until last Fall, when all our schedules changed, we had a weight loss group at the church - The Lord's Losers! *g*

One of the men who attended with his wife was a retired PE coach. He said that drinking cold water instead of room temp water burns more calories. Your body has to work harder to warm up the water to your body temp. Score!

Well, shoot, then, Becky - guess I'll have to change my cold water to room temp! I guess that'll be allright......

Well, I didn't have a last hoo-hah as I had planned - Rich and I decided to just go out and eat - I figured I'd have my usual salad but they had this wonderful pita wrap filled with all veggies - now, the sauce on it probably wasn't great for me, but I figure the veggies had to kind of even things out - it had squash, zucchini, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, peppers and it was scrumptious! I even ate about half of the pita bread which I usually don't do!

YAY me!

[Sara Arell]

Becster, on 07 August 2011 - 04:09 PM, said:

Oh, about cold water? This is interesting. Up until last Fall, when all our schedules changed, we had a weight loss group at the church - The Lord's Losers! *g*

One of the men who attended with his wife was a retired PE coach. He said that drinking cold water instead of room temp water burns more calories. Your body has to work harder to warm up the water to your body temp. Score!

Well, shoot, then, Becky - guess I'll have to change my cold water to room temp! I guess that'll be allright......Thanks for the tip!

Well, I didn't have a last hoo-hah as I had planned - Rich and I decided to just go out and eat - I figured I'd have my usual salad but they had this wonderful pita wrap filled with all veggies - now, the sauce on it probably wasn't great for me, but I figure the veggies had to kind of even things out - it had squash, zucchini, broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, onions, peppers and it was scrumptious! I even ate about half of the pita bread which I usually don't do!

YAY me!

[mimes1]

For me, portion control has been huge, and cutting out the sweets. The cookies, brownies, cake, etc. Chocolate/chocolate combo is impossible to resist, so what I've been doing is allowing myself dessert only once per week on Monday. It gives me something to look forward to, and knowing it's coming gives me encouragement to resist throughout the week.
Oh, and the checking in helps too. When I see how hard I'm working it's easier to walk away from the sweets.

[Becca]

Great idea to start a thread like this!

If I had to pick any one food that's helped me stay on track, it would be Greek yogurt. I eat a fruit-flavored one almost daily for lunch. And I'll use the plain kind to make chicken salad sometimes to add some variety to lunch. It keeps me full longer than any other thing does during mid-day.

I also keep reusable bottle of water by my side all day long. I sip it constantly.

[tinkerbell11]

This is a great thread! Thanks for starting it ladies!

I think having veggies already cut up in the fridge so I can quickly grab them instead of something less healthy is helpful for me! And fruit already washed and cut up too!

[Bride]

Water is so important and I'm trying to get a minimum of 64 oz in per day. Already today (at 7:40 am est) I have 32 oz drank so I'm half way there and have only been up for not quite 4 hours!

I'm with you Amy - I need portion control and to watch my sweet tooth. For now I'm counting carbs and sugar grams trying to keep them below a certain daily level.

[Jane in N.Z]

Well its hard here to eat salads at the moment as its winter but i do eat plenty of veggies.

I find porridge with cinnamon on is a great breakfast starter and stops the snacking while at work. I drink plenty of water and carry a bottle with me at all times even at work so I remember to drink.

One snack we are all into at work is the weight watchers jellies they are so tasty and sometimes I just add fruit to them and they really do stop a craving.

[Sara Arell]

Bride, on 08 August 2011 - 06:42 AM, said:

Water is so important and I'm trying to get a minimum of 64 oz in per day. Already today (at 7:40 am est) I have 32 oz drank so I'm half way there and have only been up for not quite 4 hours!

I'm with you Amy - I need portion control and to watch my sweet tooth. For now I'm counting carbs and sugar grams trying to keep them below a certain daily level.

Wow! Lei! That's alot of water already under the bridge (no pun intended)! I'm working on the water thing. I have a water bottle I keep filled and refill it several times during the day but I'm bad to grab the diet ginger ale from the frig and drink that instead.

[CreativeSparkle]

I've not been doing good with the sweets lately. It's really hard for me to have them around or be around them at all. I try not to keep them in the house, but somehow they keep making their way into my kitchen. I like Amy's idea of limiting it to once a week, but to be realistic for a start I think I'm going to say three times a week. Not necessarily something totally decadent, but a treat of some kind spread throughout the week. I'm sure that sounds awful, but honestly it's progress for me.

I also want to set a goal to drink eight 8oz glasses of water per day. I always carry a water bottle and I drink lots, but I'm not sure I get the recommended 64oz daily.

My other goals in regards to food are "5 a day" of fruits and veggies. Preferably 2 fruit and 3 veggie. I do count juice and try not to drink lots of it as I know it can be high in calories. I've found when I'm eating more fruits and veggies I am already full and not craving sweets so hopefully that will help too.

When I journal what I eat and plan ahead I do much better. I use a program called FitDay and I monitor my caloric intake, fiber, and fat grams. I've also started watching carbs and protein. I just don't do it regularly. I think I need to set a goal on that too. I'll have to think on it though. It really seems to take lots of time for me to plan it all out. Maybe if I schedule a day to plan out the weeks meals and then do my best to stick to them it would help.

[Sara Arell]

The push to drink water is very encouraging to me - I drink alot but I know I don't drink enough - I do drink alot of iced tea though and am now making it sugar free and am having to get used to that - that's a real test for me having always all my life been a sweet tea drinker. But there is lots of water in tea, right?

Also, I find that the planning of everything is a huge help to me - I see things that I didn't realize I needed to see before when I put it down on paper - I use the app on my phone every day and for the last two days, it has said I'm not eating enough so that makes me feel kind of good when I see it.

The sweets will be very hard for me too cause I love to bake! And not buying any M&M's has been really hard on me cause I always have a bag of them on hand to munch on - what I didn't realize was just how many bags I would go through if I sat and snacked on them! (blush)..........

[angleigh]

Here's some things I've found that have been helpful since I started this journey back in January.

First and only thing I did when I started was cut out sweets. I know myself too well, and knew if I allowed that I would sabotage myself. The first few weeks were very hard, but after that point it became second nature.

As for food I did not deprive myself of anything. I had done that too many time in the past and found once I caved in to the craving I way over did it and then got off track. So if I wanted pizza..I had it, but only 1 or 2 pieces and a salad instead of 4.

For the first 3 months I had a small bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and then a salad or a whole wheat wrap for lunch

In April (or May) I started doing protein shakes for breakfast/lunch mainly because I was getting bored with making my own meals. Now I'll have them twice a day..but if I feel like it I will have a regular meal instead. They just make for a quick/easy meal



And a few helpful hints..that's not always easy to remember

First...the less you eat doesn't mean the more you'll loose. That's a really hard thing I had to get through my head and took a few months. Once I started going to the nutrition center here in town on a regular basis it really sunk in. There's only been a few weeks since then that i've gained weight that week. Both time were during really busy weeks where I would sometimes only have 1 meal a day. You would think you would loose the weight those weeks...just the opposite I gained. You have to remember you have to eat to get your metabolism going. If you don't your body will go in survival mode and store anything you eat as fat (because it doesn't think it will get more food)

You should eat something within 30 min of getting up. I am horrible at this...and have been up to about 3 weeks ago. The main reason is I get up, check emails, get dressed and go for my walk. I don't want to have this food sitting on my stomach while walking..I feel icky. So I wouldn't eat..and I would find myself at 11 (or later) eating breakfast for the first time. Not good. So now I get up, grab a banana as I walk through my kitchen and check emails. I have noticed a change since I've started doing that. The last few weeks I have consistently lost 2-3lbs a week, and I think this has helped

You need to eat something every few hours to keep your metabolism going. I find this very hard, so I started keeping a daily journal. Mine consist of the following: water, steps (I strive to hit 12000 a day...10000 in my walk 2000 after that) other exercise I do..then time and what I ate. I don't keep track of portions or anything like that..just what it was. That way I can see at 6 I had my banana, 815 shake, 11 nuts..etc


I think that's it for now..i'll write more if I think of it.

[CRS]

Thanks for starting this thread, Angie! And thanks for the tips!

[Sara Arell]

angleigh, on 08 August 2011 - 11:27 AM, said:

Here's some things I've found that have been helpful since I started this journey back in January.

First and only thing I did when I started was cut out sweets. I know myself too well, and knew if I allowed that I would sabotage myself. The first few weeks were very hard, but after that point it became second nature.

As for food I did not deprive myself of anything. I had done that too many time in the past and found once I caved in to the craving I way over did it and then got off track. So if I wanted pizza..I had it, but only 1 or 2 pieces and a salad instead of 4.

For the first 3 months I had a small bowl of oatmeal for breakfast and then a salad or a whole wheat wrap for lunch

In April (or May) I started doing protein shakes for breakfast/lunch mainly because I was getting bored with making my own meals. Now I'll have them twice a day..but if I feel like it I will have a regular meal instead. They just make for a quick/easy meal



And a few helpful hints..that's not always easy to remember

First...the less you eat doesn't mean the more you'll loose. That's a really hard thing I had to get through my head and took a few months. Once I started going to the nutrition center here in town on a regular basis it really sunk in. There's only been a few weeks since then that i've gained weight that week. Both time were during really busy weeks where I would sometimes only have 1 meal a day. You would think you would loose the weight those weeks...just the opposite I gained. You have to remember you have to eat to get your metabolism going. If you don't your body will go in survival mode and store anything you eat as fat (because it doesn't think it will get more food)

You should eat something within 30 min of getting up. I am horrible at this...and have been up to about 3 weeks ago. The main reason is I get up, check emails, get dressed and go for my walk. I don't want to have this food sitting on my stomach while walking..I feel icky. So I wouldn't eat..and I would find myself at 11 (or later) eating breakfast for the first time. Not good. So now I get up, grab a banana as I walk through my kitchen and check emails. I have noticed a change since I've started doing that. The last few weeks I have consistently lost 2-3lbs a week, and I think this has helped

You need to eat something every few hours to keep your metabolism going. I find this very hard, so I started keeping a daily journal. Mine consist of the following: water, steps (I strive to hit 12000 a day...10000 in my walk 2000 after that) other exercise I do..then time and what I ate. I don't keep track of portions or anything like that..just what it was. That way I can see at 6 I had my banana, 815 shake, 11 nuts..etc


I think that's it for now..i'll write more if I think of it.

Those are awesome tips, Angie. Just wondering - what do you put in your protein shakes?

[angleigh]

I actually started using Herbalife shakes. I use their Formula 1 (which is the shake base) and their protein base instead of milk. They come in several base flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cookie n cream, berry..and other then that you can add fruit or sugar free pudding to make different flavors.

I love them, and so do the boys. They've been having them twice a day all summer.

[Sara Arell]

angleigh, on 08 August 2011 - 12:47 PM, said:

I actually started using Herbalife shakes. I use their Formula 1 (which is the shake base) and their protein base instead of milk. They come in several base flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cookie n cream, berry..and other then that you can add fruit or sugar free pudding to make different flavors.

I love them, and so do the boys. They've been having them twice a day all summer.

Thanks, Angie - I'm pretty sure we have someone around here who sells Herbalife - I've seen it around locally. I used to drink the Slim-Fast Shakes - I used the powder to make them - not the ones in the can......but I'm not sure now how they would equate with the Herbalife?

[Bride]

Good tips Angie! I always head to the pool on an empty stomach (except for water I drink) because I don't like a full tummy feeling while working out - especially in the water. I am back home usually by 6:45 and that is when I eat breakfast. I volley back and forth between oatmeal (with walnuts, cinnamon, purvia and unsweetened almond milk) most days and a few days I'll have 2 scrambled eggs (sometimes with 2 TBS shredded cheese and 2 TBS Salsa. On the oatmeal day, I will carry either a yogurt, stick of cheese or 1 hard boiled egg - if I get hungry it is usually the protein I'm needing.

Lunch is usually a salad, 3 oz of protein (tuna, chicken or 1/2 C cottage cheese) and 1/2 to 1 C hot veggie (green beans, brocolli, etc) I try to have no added sugar - and for dressings sugar needs to be the 5th item (or more) on the list. I really watch "low fat" stuff because for taste, a lot of times they will bump up the grams of sugar so the product tastes good, thus I was advised to steer clear of "diet dressings".

If I can go 3 to 5 days without sweets I find I don't crave them.

I also try to have some little snack on hand at work for about 4:00/4:30. I get out of work at 5 and somedays I come home feeling famished and can graze my way straight through to the dinner hour - If I have a hand full of almonds or a cheese stick or sometimes a yogurt, I find that curbs my grazing and I can hold off until dinner.

My biggest struggle is going to be night time. I LOVE popcorn ( movie butter & kettle corn) and it has always been a little treat I share with the dogs (plug your ears/close your eyes, Shannon). We don't have it every night but I know with counting carbs it is one thing I really need to cut out this August round of Shred.

[angleigh]

Sara Arell, on 08 August 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

angleigh, on 08 August 2011 - 12:47 PM, said:

I actually started using Herbalife shakes. I use their Formula 1 (which is the shake base) and their protein base instead of milk. They come in several base flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cookie n cream, berry..and other then that you can add fruit or sugar free pudding to make different flavors.

I love them, and so do the boys. They've been having them twice a day all summer.

Thanks, Angie - I'm pretty sure we have someone around here who sells Herbalife - I've seen it around locally. I used to drink the Slim-Fast Shakes - I used the powder to make them - not the ones in the can......but I'm not sure now how they would equate with the Herbalife?

I'm not sure...I never really did Slim Fast, couldn't get past the "can" taste of the liquid ones so they ruined me for life. lol

[angleigh]

Bride, on 08 August 2011 - 01:25 PM, said:

Good tips Angie! I always head to the pool on an empty stomach (except for water I drink) because I don't like a full tummy feeling while working out - especially in the water. I am back home usually by 6:45 and that is when I eat breakfast. I volley back and forth between oatmeal (with walnuts, cinnamon, purvia and unsweetened almond milk) most days and a few days I'll have 2 scrambled eggs (sometimes with 2 TBS shredded cheese and 2 TBS Salsa. On the oatmeal day, I will carry either a yogurt, stick of cheese or 1 hard boiled egg - if I get hungry it is usually the protein I'm needing.

Lunch is usually a salad, 3 oz of protein (tuna, chicken or 1/2 C cottage cheese) and 1/2 to 1 C hot veggie (green beans, brocolli, etc) I try to have no added sugar - and for dressings sugar needs to be the 5th item (or more) on the list. I really watch "low fat" stuff because for taste, a lot of times they will bump up the grams of sugar so the product tastes good, thus I was advised to steer clear of "diet dressings".

If I can go 3 to 5 days without sweets I find I don't crave them.

I also try to have some little snack on hand at work for about 4:00/4:30. I get out of work at 5 and somedays I come home feeling famished and can graze my way straight through to the dinner hour - If I have a hand full of almonds or a cheese stick or sometimes a yogurt, I find that curbs my grazing and I can hold off until dinner.

My biggest struggle is going to be night time. I LOVE popcorn ( movie butter & kettle corn) and it has always been a little treat I share with the dogs (plug your ears/close your eyes, Shannon). We don't have it every night but I know with counting carbs it is one thing I really need to cut out this August round of Shred.

What about instead of cutting it all together use air popped and some Molly McButter on it? I know it wouldn't be the same...but maybe it would help get past the craving.

[Bride]

angleigh, on 08 August 2011 - 03:33 PM, said:

Bride, on 08 August 2011 - 01:25 PM, said:

Good tips Angie! I always head to the pool on an empty stomach (except for water I drink) because I don't like a full tummy feeling while working out - especially in the water. I am back home usually by 6:45 and that is when I eat breakfast. I volley back and forth between oatmeal (with walnuts, cinnamon, purvia and unsweetened almond milk) most days and a few days I'll have 2 scrambled eggs (sometimes with 2 TBS shredded cheese and 2 TBS Salsa. On the oatmeal day, I will carry either a yogurt, stick of cheese or 1 hard boiled egg - if I get hungry it is usually the protein I'm needing.

Lunch is usually a salad, 3 oz of protein (tuna, chicken or 1/2 C cottage cheese) and 1/2 to 1 C hot veggie (green beans, brocolli, etc) I try to have no added sugar - and for dressings sugar needs to be the 5th item (or more) on the list. I really watch "low fat" stuff because for taste, a lot of times they will bump up the grams of sugar so the product tastes good, thus I was advised to steer clear of "diet dressings".

If I can go 3 to 5 days without sweets I find I don't crave them.

I also try to have some little snack on hand at work for about 4:00/4:30. I get out of work at 5 and somedays I come home feeling famished and can graze my way straight through to the dinner hour - If I have a hand full of almonds or a cheese stick or sometimes a yogurt, I find that curbs my grazing and I can hold off until dinner.

My biggest struggle is going to be night time. I LOVE popcorn ( movie butter & kettle corn) and it has always been a little treat I share with the dogs (plug your ears/close your eyes, Shannon). We don't have it every night but I know with counting carbs it is one thing I really need to cut out this August round of Shred.

What about instead of cutting it all together use air popped and some Molly McButter on it? I know it wouldn't be the same...but maybe it would help get past the craving.

Good idea ... but its the carbs that I need to limit for now. I SHOULD be able to give up anything for 30 days and I am committing to not over doing carbs on this round of 30 day shred ... we'll see how I do. :-)

[Bride]

angleigh, on 08 August 2011 - 03:32 PM, said:

Sara Arell, on 08 August 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

angleigh, on 08 August 2011 - 12:47 PM, said:

I actually started using Herbalife shakes. I use their Formula 1 (which is the shake base) and their protein base instead of milk. They come in several base flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cookie n cream, berry..and other then that you can add fruit or sugar free pudding to make different flavors.

I love them, and so do the boys. They've been having them twice a day all summer.

Thanks, Angie - I'm pretty sure we have someone around here who sells Herbalife - I've seen it around locally. I used to drink the Slim-Fast Shakes - I used the powder to make them - not the ones in the can......but I'm not sure now how they would equate with the Herbalife?

I'm not sure...I never really did Slim Fast, couldn't get past the "can" taste of the liquid ones so they ruined me for life. lol

I use to do the slim fast bfst and lunch drink then eat a regular dinner. One time at a health food store, the clerk told me to read the label of the slim fast ... it has a minimum of 18 gr of sugar!! I was stunned. That is a lot of sugar for a "diet drink"!! When I use to log in fitday and I logged in slimfast they (the pie charts etc) said I was not getting good nutrients from the slimfast drinks. HTH Sara.

[Sara Arell]

Bride, on 08 August 2011 - 03:52 PM, said:

angleigh, on 08 August 2011 - 03:32 PM, said:

Sara Arell, on 08 August 2011 - 12:52 PM, said:

angleigh, on 08 August 2011 - 12:47 PM, said:

I actually started using Herbalife shakes. I use their Formula 1 (which is the shake base) and their protein base instead of milk. They come in several base flavors: vanilla, chocolate, coffee, cookie n cream, berry..and other then that you can add fruit or sugar free pudding to make different flavors.

I love them, and so do the boys. They've been having them twice a day all summer.

Thanks, Angie - I'm pretty sure we have someone around here who sells Herbalife - I've seen it around locally. I used to drink the Slim-Fast Shakes - I used the powder to make them - not the ones in the can......but I'm not sure now how they would equate with the Herbalife?

I'm not sure...I never really did Slim Fast, couldn't get past the "can" taste of the liquid ones so they ruined me for life. lol

I use to do the slim fast bfst and lunch drink then eat a regular dinner. One time at a health food store, the clerk told me to read the label of the slim fast ... it has a minimum of 18 gr of sugar!! I was stunned. That is a lot of sugar for a "diet drink"!! When I use to log in fitday and I logged in slimfast they (the pie charts etc) said I was not getting good nutrients from the slimfast drinks. HTH Sara.

Thanks, Lei - that does help. Sugar! Just what I'm trying to get away from!

One more thing I have done is to journal in a little notebook instead of my app on my phone - I kind of like having it all right there in front of me and I LOVE my phone app, but there are some drawbacks to doing everything I do technology wise.

[SodScrap]

Wow-great ideas ladies! Thank you Angie for all of your information! I don't eat anything first thing, but have wondered about that. I'm like you, it would be 10 or 11 and I'd just be eating breakfast.

[KayMitch]

Hi all I have been reading all your tips with great interest but I've just received an important email that I thought I would share.

Health Message:-


1. If walking/cycling is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

2. A Whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water and is fat.

3. A Rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years.

4. A Tortoise doesn't run, does nothing... yet lives for more than 150 years.



AND YOU TELL ME TO EXERCISE??????!!!!!!!

JUst a thought. HEHE Kay

[angleigh]

KayMitch, on 08 August 2011 - 09:11 PM, said:

Hi all I have been reading all your tips with great interest but I've just received an important email that I thought I would share.

Health Message:-


1. If walking/cycling is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

2. A Whale swims all day, only eats fish, drinks water and is fat.

3. A Rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years.

4. A Tortoise doesn't run, does nothing... yet lives for more than 150 years.



AND YOU TELL ME TO EXERCISE??????!!!!!!!

JUst a thought. HEHE Kay

HeHe...too funny!