Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Some Things I Have Eaten to Lose Weight So Far

Several of you have asked how I have been losing my weight and I thought I would take a few minutes to tell you what I have been doing. It's not a big mystery. I am not going to Weight Watchers. I do recommend it though. I have gone about 20 different times. Off and on from 1969 until last year. I don't mean 20 meetings, I mean 20 periods of it. I have lost large amounts on it and also I have not been in the right frame of mind and I only lost a little and gave up.

I am someone that has had a huge issue with overeating for over 40 years. I love to eat when I'm happy, sad, depressed, excited, tired, etc. You get the picture. Food has meant more than a means of staying alive and nourishment for many long years. In the last year or so I have gained so much and unfortunately I weighed the most I have ever weighed the beginning of December. I had been reading Maree's blog, At Home and read about her adventures losing weight and staying on plan. It was and is inspiring to me. She shared some before and after pictures and it really got me enthused. She's younger than me, but we are both grandmas and I just kept thinking, "Trish, she looks fabulous, why don't you face reality and get on board?" So I did. I feel better and look forward to my Monday 'weigh-ins' by myself.

Here's some of the things I eat now. I eat lots of soup. Usually, vegetable or clear broth soup with some chicken, but I also eat chili sometimes, too. Soup is very satisfying to me and low in calories overall. I love Wolfgang Puck organic soups and I look forward to breaking open a can on a cold night. I also eat Pepperidge Farm Wheat Crackers. Get the small ones because you can have like 14 or so and it makes you feel like a really nice meal.

I eat some salads, but I try not to go overboard on them because to me salad is no where near a comfort food and I enjoy soup so much more. I eat a lot of Sugar Free Jello. Also, I splurge and have the Diet Puddings with a little Lite Cool Whip. It's yummy and the pudding is only 60 calories a container. The jello is 10 calories so I usually have 2 or 3. I am not saying I count calories, but after years and years of being conscious of how many calories are in everything I intellectually know what is better for me. My problem has been having my mind ready to take the steps to do what I needed to.

I have a couple of different breakfast choices and it seems to work well for me. I have LUNA bars or scrambled egg whites and fruit with turkey bacon. I enjoy these choices for breakfast, but it is not my favorite meal. I love fish, chicken and most vegetables.

Pop over to Maree's blog and look at some past posts when she has talked about eating out and food suggestions. She has inspired me and I am totally indebted to her for getting me on the right road.

I mainly want to lose weight for my health, but I will be honest...I am tired of being the 'thick chick' whenever I go anywhere. It also ages me. I don't mind looking my age, I just don't want to look 10 or 15 years older because of my size. Carrying around this extra weight is hard on my body and I recently was diagnosed with high blood pressure and losing the extra pounds should help.

I think portioned meals like Lean Cuisine and Weight Watchers are good for me. When I am in a setting where I have access to family-style cuisine I tend to want to overeat. Buffets were a blank check where I felt like I needed to get my money's worth. I want to move around better and I want to ease some of the pain of my arthritis. I have another 60 lbs. or so to go. I realize it will start coming off slower, remember I have been down this road before. I must keep reminding myself that this is a marathon and not a sprint. It was a process putting it on and it will be a process taking it off.

Unfortunately, people tend to treat heavy set people differently than they treat thin people and that has always bothered me. I am so thankful the Lord loves me thick or thin. I just want to feel better and be healthier. I pray 2009 will be a healthy year for you, too. We are blessed and life is good where I am worrying about losing weight and so many people in the world are worrying about where to find food to eat.

I will let you know from time to time about my journey with this situation that has consumed me for years and years. I can tell you what size I was when I did significant things in my life. I somehow always measured myself by my size. It's not who I am, I'm more than a fat woman, it's just that I am so much healthier and happier being smaller. We can say all day long over and over how it's just important what kind of person we are on the inside, but truthfully, and you know it's true....people do judge by our size. It's not supposed to be that way, but it is. I hope this isn't depressing to you, but I guess I just needed to get it off my chest......and hips and all over. I love you guys and appreciate you being there.

23 comments:

Strider said...

Good luck on your endevor! Strider....I would like to lose 20 lbs my self...the old clothes are getting tight!

Sparky said...

That's it! Time to slim down a bit. I told Steve we're doing this! We are on a soup, salad, fruits, crackers, lean meats way of eating. Thanks for the guidelines and encouragement Nana Trish. Appreciate this bunches. We'll keep you posted as to how much we lose at our respective blogs, 'k?
God bless! ♥ ∞

ChaChaneen said...

That is a wonderful beginning! You go girl!

Dr. Karen said...
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nanatrish said...

What is it with all the spam lately?

Unknown said...
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steviewren said...

Thanks Nana for the info. Like you I know how to lose weight. It is just getting to the point that I am ready to do it and stick to it. It is time for me too. Thanks for the inspiration.

Maree said...

Hi sweety! This post makes me want to jump for JOY!! I'm so proud of you!

It's our insides that have to change...that takes time.

I'm moving so I've taken a rest from the blogging about losing weight...I'll be back though!

God is fine tuning me right now and I could really us your prayers!!

Love you!

Maree said...

I'm praying for you too...always!

Love the picture of the beach!

Anonymous said...

Huh, alright I'll try some of these! Thanks!

Anonymous said...
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Anita said...

Thanks so much for sharing with us. You're an inspiration.

Erica Hanks said...

Yay Trish!! That is so awesome!

Barbara said...

I wish you every success Trish.

Linda said...

AWESOME TRISH!!!I have missed you..very pretty picture you have posted. Blessings

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Great plans you are following Trish! I once lost 35 pounds on the "South Beach Diet" ( low carbs) It was to look good for my son'r wedding, but when I went back to normal eating the weight came back. So now I've decided NOT to diet but to eat healthy and in smaller portions and I feel better and I'm slowly losing weight which is the way we are supposed to lose.

Keep up the good work getting healthy!

Hugs, Pat

Dustye said...

Yes Trish, 2009 is our year...I too have not put myself first in a long time but that changes this year. I love to cook and entertain but I know they're healthy ways to do so. I wish you the very best and I will also let you know about my progress. Good luck my friend!

Indian Lake Papa said...

Keep at It !! And if you get down here we can go out to eat - maybe some chili ??!!

Debby said...

I've been sort of easing into a vegetable based diet for the cancer fighting benefits, although I am not become a vegetarian. Oatmeal for breakfast, a vegetable wrap for lunch, and a regular supper. Weight is sort of easing off although I am not dieting, even though I am never hungry.

Good luck in your efforts. Let's get together and compare notes later in the year.

Nihal said...

Smiling Hello Nana Trish:)
Hope this note finds you in the best of health, and .. most importantly, I bet it'll bring you a big smile. Listen:

I just do not know if there's a logical explanation abt it but right now before leave home for the club, I received your wonderful card! My God, its sent on 9.29.08, can you believe?! I was wondering why rest of those cards from our summer swap did not arrived.. when I think of my residence that's in the heart of the city and a very quick timely delivery from every part of the world to here. I thought this was weird, unusual and why??

I see life's full of surprises each other day. Perhaps rest of those 2-cards will be delivered in 2009, worth to waiting:)

Sigh* wish you a happy Saturday w/ lots of my love. Again, and again thanks so much for your creative piece of art.

Ohh I should underline I'm badly drawn to your banner! What an exotic photo, marvelous! I hardly wait summer..

N~

Barb said...

Hi Nana Trish,

Happy New Year to you. I know I am late in wishing it but still.....

I wanted to thank you for your support and friendship over the year.
You are a very special lady.

Good luck on the weight loss. I would love to gain what is being shed-hehe.

love you,
Barb

a woman who is said...

NanaTrish, I am encouraged by you sharing your journey. I need to get serious myself and lose some poundage. Lord help me get motivated!

Blessing to you!

ThreeGirlyGirls said...

This was some really good advice!! I too am on the life-long journey it seems, of trying to get weight off! ugh!! Thanks for sharing this!!