Saturday, March 19, 2011

Food Vacation

Well, let's see. It was Monday this week when I woke up and got back on track for these last few pounds. I would like to say that it was to lose the last 20 lbs, but in fact, I had gained a few back, and I actually need to lose 24 when I woke up and started paying attention to my calories again on Monday.
On March 14, I was weighing 189. Today, I'm weighing 184 again. So, to reach my new goal, I am 19 lbs away.
Back in August, I posted that I was 176. And at the time, I had a goal of 170, so I was only 6 lbs away. But I see that it's possible for me to get to that 165 mark, so that's my new goal. And it's less than 20 lbs away.
I've been in this range for so long now, since around September, that it seems this is my new regular weight. But it gets me thinking... when I started at 256, and I began eating super healthy, I lost 12 lbs in one week! If this is my new weight range in the mid 180's, then why can't I lose 12 lbs of water weight immediately when I get on track again?? It's not fair somehow. :-)
But 5 in one week is fine with me. Seriously, for those of us that are in our normal range, or close to it, the maintaining is something that will be with us forever. I've learned what a month of random snacking can do to my waistline. And it was over 13 months ago when I decided my "food vacation" was over. I have to remind myself every day that I'm not on a food vacation.
On the other hand, when vacation really does get here... well, all bets are off. :-)

Friday, March 18, 2011

Yogi Chips


Snacks! I've gotta have 'em! And I've gotta have 'em every couple of hours, or my tummy reminds me. I'm thrilled that summer is coming and I'll have berries and fresh stuff in my snack box for work. I usually take one apple, one cheese stick, and two or three bars of some type. I usually have my egg whites before I leave for work, and by the end of the day, with my 4-5 snacks, I go into dinner time with about 600 calories under my belt. That leaves me with 4-500 to spend for dinner.

The other day, at the Grocery Outlet, I found something new. A type of chip, that is only about 110 calories for a bag. Granted, the bag is only a fraction of an ounce, I think, but just because they're lightweight, doesn't mean they're low on flavor!

They're made by Wai Lana, and they're called Yogi Chips. The main ingredient is yucca flour, so they're different than a basic potato chip. These little gems are flattened and formed to resemble a chip, but the consistency is more like a Pringle. They come in different flavors, like bbq or sweet and sour. They're more of a sweet snack, as opposed to a salty chip snack, but the sweet and sour flavor is so good with the little cinnamon they put on them.

Also, for anyone interested, they are also gluten free. That makes a difference for some people. I've never had any trouble with gluten foods, but I know some people have an allergy to wheat, so this is a good replacement snack.

Since I found them at the Grocery Outlet, the quantities were limited, and when they're gone, they're gone! But I couldn't imagine that this product was there because it had been discontinued. It was just too good. So I checked around. You can buy them by the case on Amazon, and I think Whole Foods has them. Here locally, I found I can buy them at our Co-op market, which specializes in local and organic groceries.

They're worth checking into. They make a great treat for me when I need something sweet, without breaking the bank on calories!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Mares eat oats...


Yesterday, on a quest to find something new and fun for breakfasts, I found myself standing in front of the oatmeal. No surprise. I love oatmeal, and I've been waiting for someone to make it not only healthy and low cal, but also good tasting. So good, that I wouldn't need to add my standard sugar and butter. I love, love, love a big bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar and butter. But, it doesn't like me. So imagine my delight when I found this new oatmeal at the store yesterday!

Now, I might be the last one on the boat here, and you all might have found the same, or similar oatmeals. But until now, I've been eating the Coach's Oats. My Bunna bought me a case a while back, and as much as I like oatmeal, I've not gotten through all four bags yet. One is still in the freezer, and one I gave to my Mother last time she was in town.

The Coach's Oats are a steel cut oatmeal, microwavable, and about 160 calories for a 40 g. serving. They're good and hearty, but kinda blah, and I always feel the need to add sugar and butter or at least raisins to make it interesting and delicious.

Enter BetterOats OatFit: The NEW oatmeal! I suppose it was just matter of time before the oatmeal people got on the bandwagon and started adding sugar substitutes and artificial flavorings to their oatmeal. This one is the best I've tried. For a 28 g. serving, portioned out into little bags, it has only 100 calories. It's microwavable in a couple minutes, and best of all, it needs no add-ins! I bought the cinnamon roll flavor, and I swear... it's like it has the sugar and butter in it already! Love this stuff!

Granted, it's a smaller serving than the Coach's Oats, but it's got less fat and less carbs than the steel cut oats. On the other hand, it's also got less protein and fiber. It's got a bunch more sodium, too. Seems like a fair trade though, for the awesome flavor.

Now, I can have my oats, and eat them too! And as for the Coach's Oats... well, they make a darn good cookie. :-)

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Wake up!


Okay. I'm facing the facts. I gained. Ugh. I GAINED.
I knew it was happening... the jeans slowly feeling less baggy and more like they fit, and then suddenly, too tight? YIKES.
I was hovering around 178-182 for the longest time, and then all common sense went out the window. Calories? Who cares! Well, I realized that a month of "who cares" turned into about a 7 lbs gain.
Yesterday, I weighed 189. That was my wake-up call. And I got back on track and stopped with the bowl of cereal at 9:00 pm, and the extra helping of rice at dinner. This morning, I'm down a little to 187.
In three months, I'll be going on vacation to sunny Myrtle Beach, via sunny North Carolina and my sister's house. Swimming, in the pool and the lake, and then sunning on the beach. This body is not going to stay at 187 for long! I've got some work to do! I've got to wake up and smell the coffee! ...black coffee, no cream, no sugar, please. :-)

Monday, March 14, 2011

Good morning... is it Spring yet?


I've been on a mental vacation. Don't ask me when it started, but for some reason, I have put aside all the things that had been so important and in the forefront, and gone into some kind of auto-pilot. Maybe it's the weather or just that time of year, but the motivation I thought was returning a month ago, has only drifted farther away, and I'm not any closer to losing that last 20 lbs.

As a matter of fact, I weighed myself this morning and faced the sad fact that I knew would be there when I stepped on the scale. I have gained 7 lbs. I had a feeling it would be around that much... my size 12 jeans are just tight enough that I don't want to wear them anymore. And I have found myself wearing a nice spandex-infused cotton pair, size 14, almost everywhere. They are my comfortable jeans, and the others are sitting on the shelf.

I did, however, buy a pair of new walking shoes. The last pair I bought were a Walmart special, and were heavy and clunky and not-so-comfortable. They didn't get used much, and I've had them for about 8 years.

The new pair are Reebok DMX Max. Air pillows on the sole, that when you walk, the cushion travels from the heel of your foot to the ball of your foot. They're kinda like walking on trampolines. :-)

I wore them out for the first time yesterday, just out grocery shopping. Very comfy, and light. As soon as this rain stops, I'll venture out into the real world. Temps are still in the 30s in the mornings, and only up to the low 50s in the afternoons. And we'll have just one day of no rain this week.

Spring is a beautiful time, but pre-Summer is better. It's that time between heavy rains and unbearable temps that I love. It will probably hit just about the time I leave Idaho on vacation... in June. :-)