Mistletoe and Holly... And Cookies and Pie... And Stuffing and Gravy...

I haven't posted in a while, but I'm happy to report that I've been exercising regularly (3-4 times a week), and am watching what I eat.  I've only lost 4 pounds so far, but a few people have noticed a difference.  I think it's mainly because I've just lost some of my puffiness, but hell, I'll take the compliments. 

Now that I've gotten into a groove and am on the right track, I'm afraid the holidays will derail my efforts.  If you've ever tasted my mom's Christmas cookies, you know how yummy - and fattening - they are!!  She makes them with lots of love and even more butter.  How can I resist a treat that is full of flavor, calories and love?  The answer is... I don't.  I don't deny myself anything.  If I want it, I have a small amount or just a taste.  We've all heard it a million times, but the key really is moderation.  I've found if I deny myself, I wind up eating lots of "good" food to try to fill that craving.  Or I go completely off and eat a bag of potato chips, just because I was craving some fat.  The fact is, the only thing that will satisfy my craving is to have the food I'm actually craving.  You can't fool me by telling me that if I'm craving cake to have a piece of fruit instead because it's also sweet.  Yeah, it's sweet, but I'm craving the combination of sweet and fat.  So unless that piece of fruit is sandwiched between layers of cake and topped with something creamy, it ain't gonna cut it!

I've found that when I just have a small piece, it satisfies my craving and I'm fine.  And - maybe this is just me - I actually lose weight more quickly when I eat like this.  Some people can't give into their cravings at all because it triggers a binge, but thankfully I'm not like that.  You have to do what works for you.  That's why I have trouble with diet programs; I can't fit into the mold of how they want me to eat or count or measure my food.

Which brings me back to the holidays.  I went to my department holiday party on Friday and, within the course of about 5 hours, consumed the following:  2 glasses of white wine, a BBQ pulled pork slider (but I only ate the meat, not the roll), one chicken finger, a few fries, a bit of nachos, a southwestern egg roll, two mini red velvet cupcakes, and a piece of raspberry bread pudding.  And when I got up the next morning, I had LOST a pound.  But that next day, I ate mindfully: a salad for lunch and a small Wendy's chili for dinner.  And in between - yes, I did have several of my mom's cookies. 

And on Christmas, I plan on eating several raviolis, my mom's awesome stuffing, and dessert!  But, of course, I plan to hit the gym as much as possible. 

That's how I'm getting through the holidays. How about you?

Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah!

Happy New Year!

Thanks, as always, for your support and encouragement!! 
And God Bless Our Waistlines... Every One!!!

The Joys of Canned Pumpkin

Haven't posted in a while, but I am still exercising.  I also am now trying to eat smarter, adding more fiber, fruits and veggies into my diet.  One of those veggies is canned pumpkin.  NOT pumpkin pie filling - 100% pure canned pumpkin, which is very low fat and high in fiber.

The amazing thing about canned pumpkin is that it's perfect for baking.  It can replace oil and eggs in a recipe.  If you're familiar with Hungry Girl, you know how she raves about it, and is always posting recipes and ideas of how to use it.  Some are kinda weird (pumpkin instead of refried beans in an enchilada?), but some are great! 

I may have mentioned before that if I deprive myself, I will go in the opposite direction and eat the worst possible foods (think greasy cheesesteak and fries...).  So, thanks to my friend Sharon who mentioned this recipe over the weekend, I made myself some low-fat chocolate cupcakes on Sunday.  Here's the extremely complicated recipe:

(1) Box of chocolate cake mix

(1) Can of 100% pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

Mix. Bake*. Eat. Yum!

*(350˚ for about 20 minutes)

I figured out the calories on livestrong.com.  Lots 'o carbs, but otherwise pretty good calorie and fat-wise:  183 calories / 3.6 g fat / 2.5 g fiber (5 pts on Weight Watchers).

These are actually very moist and pretty tasty!  I think they need a little spicing up, though, so I'm going to tinker with the recipe and try some variations with spices and maybe add some fruit.  Sharon said she's going to try it with a spice cake mix - that sounds awesome!  Maybe add some raisins, shredded carrots and a non-fat cream cheese icing; instant low-fat carrot cake!

My friend, Liz, also gave me a recipe for Squash Cheesecake Bars, which I'm going to try with the canned pumpkin as well.   Pumpkin cheesecake is so much more appealing than squash cheesecake... ick.

I think that these lower fat versions of some of my favorite goodies will help keep me on track!  Right after Thanksgiving.  Hey, I should be able to enjoy that day in its full-fat glory!

Happy Full-Fat Thanksgiving to you!!  

"Everything in moderation, including moderation."
~ Author Unknown

Working out the kinks... literally and figuratively

Straight cardio last night (Mon 11/14):

TREADMILL
15 minutes
5 incline

STAIRMASTER
6 minutes

STATIONARY BIKE
10 minutes

According to livestrong.com - burned over 400 calories.   Still having issues with my back.  Wondering if I should maybe take a yoga class to really stretch out.  Swimming is helping, though.  Going to swim tonight.

Didn't eat well, though.  Still having trouble getting into an eating program.  Really don't want to diet, per se, but I need something fairly structured to follow.  Wish I could afford a nutritionist.

It's not exactly going swimmingly...

Even after the setback of hurting my back, I refused to stop exercising.  On Saturday and Sunday, I walked.  It hurt a little, but I paced myself and kept at it.

Last night, I was so excited, because it was my first night swimming!!!  I had my new swimsuit, my new swim cap, my new goggles... Everything was in place, and I was so excited!! 

Like this:

 (Except my hair is darker, and I'm a little older than that, and I'm not a cartoon.)

Anywhoo...


I was all excited, and in my excitement, I probably was walking a little too quickly to the pool.  And then...

SPLAT!

I fell right on my ass! 

Thank God there weren't too many people in the pool because, of course, I was mortified!  And I was also worried that I'd hurt myself again.  Luckily, the worst of it that my wrists are sore from trying to break my fall.  But I was undeterred, and dammit, I got right in that pool!!!  I swam for about 40 minutes, using the kickboard like my friend Kathy showed me.  I also did underwater bicycles with my legs, and other stuff, just to keep myself moving.

I absolutely loved it, and plan to do it again on Friday!  That is, if I can stay healthy and uninjured between now and then. 

Wish me luck ;-)

Setback

So - as Murphy's Law would have it - as soon as I start working out regularly and getting excited about going to the gym, I get hurt!

This afternoon, while I was doing squats, I felt weakness in my legs and really struggled to complete the squat. When I moved onto lunges, I couldn't do it at all.  I felt something sort of pop and now have a pain in my lower back/glute area. I could barely walk to the train to go home.

When I got home, I took Advil and laid down with a heating pad; it's a little better, but I've decided not to continue with that program. I couldn't afford to have the trainer work with me, so I think I was doing one or more of the exercises incorrectly and strained myself.  

For now, I'm sticking with cardio, swimming, and maybe an aerobics-type class.  I popped my head into a class called Zumba Toning, and it looked like something I could do.  But for the next week, if my back/butt continues to bother me, I'll stick with walking and swimming.

I just want to keep doing something because I'm in a groove now and don't want to stop!! 

**UPDATE**
Took a walk around my complex/neighborhood this afternoon for about 40 minutes.  At first, I went fairly slow, but then felt pretty good and picked up my pace a bit.  Then suddenly, I felt the pain again and had to stop, and I've been sore the rest of the evening.  I won't let it stop me - I'll definitely walk again tomorrow - but I'll take it a little slower.  And maybe swimming a couple times next week will help.