No, this is not my favorite radio station. This is what my scale said today. I was so floored that I re-weighed myself three times. This is the lowest I have weighed since my first marathon before having kids almost 12 years ago. At that time I weighed 106 lbs. Normally I don't really pay that much attention to my weight unless it skyrockets. I am usually more focused on the composition of my body. But today this number means a whole lot to me. One year ago after we were evacuated and left to go back to the US I was in a pretty low place. Not only was my world turned upside down but my running was pretty non-existent. I wasn't running very much and my eating habits were not good...not to mention all the eating out I was doing at my favorite restaurants. I was shocked when I stepped on the scale a year ago to see the numbers read between 118-120lbs. Yikes. Losing almost 13 lbs in one year is actually incredible for how short and petite I am. I carry all my weight in my hips, thighs, and butt. As a runner it is really an unfortunate place to carry such weight. I have been fluctuating between 110-115lbs for quite some time and it hasn't been until just recently that I was finally able to break the 110lb barrier. What was the secret....exercise AND eating healthy! With all the running I do you would think it would be enough. I think I finally reached a point in my life where I realized it wasn't enough anymore to just run to keep my weight down. I knew I had to do something to eat healthier and to eat more frequently to avoid unhealthy snacking and have better portion control. I have completely converted to a 5 meal plan and have cut out SOME things that are just plain not good for me. I am not an extremist so I will never cut out chocolate completely....it is my love you know. I can affored 100 calories and 3g of fat from one chocolate covered marshmallow egg. Aside from my eating I carry around my favortie jug all day so I remember to drink plenty of water. I also take a multivitamin everyday. So what is it that I eat? Keep in mind that this is still a process of learning for me. For now, this is a good start and I only hope to add more things that will not only taste good but will fuel me with great things.
Breakfast: usually plain oatmeal with strawberries or other fruit and just a pinch (literally) of brown sugar. I also enjoy Raisin Bran Crunch sometimes or eggs and toast.
Mid Morning Snack: always a fruit smoothie--frozen raspberries, frozen blueberries, frozen blackberries, fat free vanilla yogurt, milk, and dollop of redi whip on top.
Lunch: any kind of salad---I am on the lookout for a variety of salads to get me through the week. My favorite is probably spinach and romaine with black beans, corn, avocado, and my poppyseed dressing. A little chicken on top is always nice too.
Afternoon Snack: Kashi Go Lean Crunchy Chocolate Peanut Protein and Fiber Bar. 5g fat, 9g protein, 6g fiber and 180 calories of pure goodness. I am usually on the go so this has been a staple for me. I also enjoy apples and cheese or just some other fresh fruit when I am at home and can prepare it.
Dinner: I eat what my family will eat for dinner. It is interesting to note that my portions are A LOT smaller than what I used to eat. I usually serve either a vegetable or salad with all our meals. Our favorite meals are:
-Fajitas with grilled chicken, peppers and onions marinated in Mesquite Lime and Maranade sauce on whole wheat tortillas
-Garlic Chicken Farfalle
-Egg Burritos
-Fettucine in Charred Tomato Sauce and Shrimp
-Egg Burritos
-Fettucine in Charred Tomato Sauce and Shrimp
-Chili and Cornbread
-Asian Meatballs and Rice
-Katsudon (pork with egg over rice)
-Cream Cheese Chicken in Crockpot over rice
-Stuffed Manicotti
-Parmesean Chicken over whole wheat spaghetti
-Sweet n Sour Chicken with rice
I am still looking for great meals that everyone will eat and that are nutritious. The kids favorite meal is Cream Cheese Chicken in the Crockpot but it is definitely not one of the healthiest because of the cream of chicken soup and cream cheese....nevertheless...it is a favorite of all. They could really use the extra fat because they are all too skinny. I try and only have one to two chicken dishes, one red meat, and one to two pasta dish in a week. It would be nice to fit in a nice fish dish as well. We do eat leftovers and occasionally we will have a hectic day and night so we do something quick and easy like breakfast for dinner or hot sandwiches or even cereal! It's not perfect but it works.
Looks like you have found a nice formula. Good menu, but I agree: there should be a fish dish in there. Why not substitute a fish dish for a chicken dish? Fish gives you good Omega-3 oil and is high in protein (and to tell you the truth, I'm not sure if you can trust how chickens are raised.)
ReplyDeleteIf only my kids would eat fish it would be an easy switch. I do have to cook what they will eat. Mike did make a mean Salmon on a smoked board so maybe we will have to try that again. I do make them try new things but that only goes so far. We get our chicken from the commissary here on base. The chicken thing doesn't bother me like it bothers some people. It is kind of a staple here in this house. I try to only really stick to 2 meat dishes a week (chicken and beef). Wish me luck!
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