Making a better me!

[Harley04]

Just a quick note to tell you I think you're doing great. You have a "hellofalot" more willpower than I. And....I would have eaten the bee.

[p_wreath]

Hi Harley! Thanks for visiting! Yeah, well, I'm a wimp about bees, clearly.

Queen--All hail the cinnabon!! I'm so glad you gave cottage cheese a chance--it's good in so many things. Have fun discovering all its uses.

Today was a really great day, but this entry will have to be brief because I still have hours of work ahead of me. I got the results of my cholesterol test that I took on Monday and I’m at 186, which is super good for me! My doctor even told me some people would “kill” for my triglyceride number. Yay for me!! And my glucose is good, too, which is comforting to know. Heart disease and diabetes run on both sides of my family so I’m really trying to take control of my health now before it controls me.

At my group tonight, a friend brought some cookies she and her daughter made for Valentine’s Day. Usually I would have justified having one—saying that I deserved it, especially after seeing how good my blood results were. And the truth is, I do deserve it. But what is “it” exactly? In fact, “it” is what I’m trying to change. I’m working on giving myself the gift of good health and that starts with eating well consistently. That is the most important gift, far more important than a cookie here or there. And it doesn’t mean denial either. This Saturday I’m meeting a friend for lunch and my DH is taking me out for our Valentine’s celebration. These events don’t offer me a license to binge, but I my stray from a strict SB diet. Which I believe is fine to do once in a while and then get back to eating normally at the next meal. I’m so grateful I have this board to post to—it’s only a short time but so far it’s keeping me honest!! I could go on but I really have to get back to work.

Okay, this is what I ate today:

Coffee
ff 1/2 & 1/2
V8
Breakfast square (egg substitute, veggie sausage, spinach, mushrooms, onions, LF cheddar)

Thai Chicken for the crockpot (1 serving)
Broccoli (2 servings)
SF Jello (2 servings)

Coffee
ff 1/2 & 1/2
Pistachios, 1 oz

Chef’s salad: light salami, light jarlsberg, kidney beans, 1 cherry tomato, cuke, 1/4 of an avocado, romaine
Lite Ranch, 2 tbsp

Light salami
Laughing cow

Fudgsicle
SF hot chocolate

96 oz of water

Calorie total: 1394

[queenoftheu]

Queen--All hail the cinnabon!! I'm so glad you gave cottage cheese a chance--it's good in so many things. Have fun discovering all its uses.

I had it for breakfast today, too... It's my new crack.

I love the above post. I think that's what this whole diet is about. Changing the "it". I would love to say someday, "I deserve a bubble bath," or, "I deserve a new book," instead of, "I deserve a triple chocolate brownie!" I'm working on it

[Amity228]

Hi P,

You and queen keep talking about the mock cinnabon and I am thinking I have to try it. I have been on SB since 1/8 and never even knew about it.

The bee story was great, frustrating to you I am sure. Glad you didn't leave him him in the salad.

Looks like you are doing great.

-Amity

[p_wreath]

Hey, Amity! Definitely try the cinnabon—it’s addicting! I was on (and off) SB for a year before I even head about it. Actually, I didn’t even know this board existed until a friend told me about it.

Today was day 7 of Phase 1 and it has been the most difficult day of the week. Probably because it’s Friday, the end of a long week, I’m tired and I want a treat! And, I was hungry, too. On Fridays I teach from 11-12:50 and 1-2:50 so I don’t have time to have anything but snacks, healthy ones, of course!

My DH and I made a pact this morning that we would not cave in to the desire for pizza tonight and we didn’t, but it was hard. I wanted it as soon as I got home and he wanted it after we had dinner. But we preserved. Instead, we had a healthy dinner and I made bean brownies, which somehow satisfied our cravings. Tomorrow I’m eating lunch and dinner out—I know I’m not going to stick to South Beach, so I’ll just enjoy myself but, at the same time, not go crazy. I hope!

Today I had:

Mock Cinnabon (yes, for breakfast!)
V8
Coffee

Refried beans, 1/2 cup
Cheese stick
Light Salami

Balsamic Glazed Salmon
Asparagus
Sautéed Mushrooms

Fudgsicle
Bean Brownies w/Lite Cool Whip

96 oz of water
28 minutes of walking

Calorie intake: 1783
Calories burnt: 162
Net: 1621

[Amity228]

Good job sticking to your guns with the pizza. I know exactly how you feel because that was our routine as well. Friday night was order out night but now I just make dinner and I actually prefer it. If I do want the night off I just get a salad.

Last night DH and I went out to dinner with out the kids and I did splurge had some of husbands dessert. Kind of felt guilty and still do but I know it was just a one time thing. I was supposed to have the day off from exercise but think I might do something.

[Amity228]

Thanks for the positive reinforcements queen and p I really appreciate it. You are doing really well too. I think we should all be proud of ourselves. Having SB friends like you is the motivation that keeps me going.

[queenoftheu]

You go, P! I love that you didn't get the pizza!

I need ask you, though... Are the bean brownies really good? Like, really really? Do you have any psychological issues with them? Because I KNOW if I make them, all I will be able to think about is the fact that I made them with beans. Then again, I'm crazy

[p_wreath]

Hey, Amity! I think it's totally fine to have some of your husband's dessert. I think what's important is that it's not a regular occurrence. I also think it's great that you shared the dessert--that shows moderation, IMHO.

Queen--As for the bean brownies....No, they do not replace real brownies. Psychologically, just think of them as another kind of grain. They provide the base but don't really add much to the flavor. I think you should play around with the recipes to make them taste like something you'd really like. I definitely recommend using a white bean and lots of cocoa powder (at least 4 tbsp). Add some Cool Whip or one of the "frosting" recipes and you've got yourself something that will probably satisfy your cravings. I know I'm going to make some tonight because I'm still in a craving sort of mood. Good luck with them!


So, I didn't post yesterday because it was my eating out day (see earlier posts). I didn't stay on South Beach for lunch and dinner, but I didn't go crazy either, so I'm not going to give myself a hard time for it. I had mexican for lunch and I didn't eat any chips, which I'm really proud of! I knew if I ate just one that I'd eat a lot more, so I just said no and kept that promise. I did have chicken mole enchiladas with rice and beans, which were delicious.

For dinner, my DH took me to an absolutely amazing French restaurant. It was delicious and romantic, truly a special treat and a great way to celebrate a belated Valentine's Day.

What has been a challenge is getting back to a healthy WOE today, which has kind of gotten my spirits down. I started the day off well by making Lemon Ricotta pancakes. But then we went to my mom's for lunch to celebrate my grandpa's birthday and she made food that he'd like, which is absolutely appropriate, of course. But, it's mostly food I can't stand or don't want to eat: ribs and buffalo chicken wings (I know it's weird, but I hate to eat meat that's on a bone); corn; potato salad; rolls; mac & cheese; salad. I did the best that I could and filled up half my plate with salad w/ a little bit of blue cheese dressing, a small serving (maybe a 1/4 of a cup) potato salad; corn w/ maybe a teaspoon of margarine and, literally, a bite of chicken.

It wasn't terribly filling, and then she brought out dessert. Cookies, pie, grapes & pineapple. The grapes were sour and the cookies were calling. I did not answer but I wanted to have one so badly. In fact, I'm in a bad mood because I didn't let myself have any dessert. I felt deprived when I left my mom's. Well, after tonight's dinner I'll make bean brownies and hopefully that wil make me feel satisfied.

[p_wreath]

I just made the most delicious bean brownies I’ve had to date. I posted my recipe here if you’re interested:

http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/for ... 290#867290

[p_wreath]

Today I ate:

Lemon Ricotta pancakes
Sugar Free syrup
Turkey bacon, 1 pc
V8
Coffee

Salad
Blue Cheese dressing
Corn on the cob, 1 ear
Potato salad, 1/4 cup
1 bite of chicken

Turkey Burger
Sauteed zucchini
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
Broiled tomato

Bean brownies
Cool Whip


Calories: 1350

[queenoftheu]

P! Get out of here! That's crazy! What hotel? What kind of theatre do you do?

I used to do all kinds. I was a huge musical nerd, and I love straight plays, too. But now, because of my crazy work schedule, I only get to do the V-Day benefit of the "The Vagina Monologues" every year. That way, if I miss a rehearsal, I'm not making anyone else's rehearsal suffer, and I help raise money for battered women's shelters

I hear you about the difficulties. Sometimes, I just want to say, "Forget it! This is so crazy!" But I'm comforted by the fact that those times are definitely coming fewer and farther between the times where I think, "Holy crap! I can already tell it's working! Take that genes for diabetes, heart disease, and high choleserol!"

I know you can stick with it. This is how you will make your life better and longer. Seems to me that would be worth it.

[p_wreath]

Yeah, I have to keep reminding myself that it’s all for my health and to give myself the longest, healthiest life I can. It’s hard to connect the dots sometimes when there are cookies staring me in the face. Still, I’ve resisted, so I guess the connections are become more solidified. Yay for that. Pizza and cookies are becoming just fantasies, not something that I have to actualize. Nonetheless, too many of my calories today are from sweet treats. I’m not going to beat myself up about that, but I am going to acknowledge it.

Today’s menu:

Cheesy frittata

Coffee
Fat free 1/2 & 1/2, 3 tbsp
Bean brownie, 1/2 serving

1.5 turkey burgers
jello w/cool whip

1/2 apple
Peanut butter, 1 tbsp

Spanish Tilapia
Cheesy Baked Artichokes
Spinach w/ Laughing Cow (mmmm… this was so good!! It tasted like creamed spinach!!)

2 Fudgsicles
Cool Whip

60 minutes of walking
60 oz of water

Calories in: 1433
Calories Burnt: 216
Total: 1217

[Amity228]

Hey p,

Just giving a shout out and wanted to tell you again you are doing great. Seems pretty slow around here. Hope everythings going well. Drop me a line when you get a chance.

-Amity

[p_wreath]

Hey, Amity! It is pretty quiet around here. Glad to know someone's reading, especially on days like today. Thanks for stopping by!

I’m pretty disappointed about how I ate today. I’m not sure what it was exactly that made me so hungry, but I never felt satisfied all day long. Maybe oatmeal is a trigger food for me? That would be a huge bummer because I love it and it’s healthy. Or maybe I’m still recovering from my Valentine’s dinner on Saturday night and I should have gone back to phase 1 instead of phase 2. Maybe I should be eating my whole grains for dinner instead of for breakfast. Or maybe the book I’m reading bummed me out and I look to food to make me feel better. [btw—It won’t help to say don’t read the book; I have to read the book, I’m working on my Ph.D.] Or maybe it’s a combination of all the above. It seems daunting to be able to sort it out, but I guess that’s part of the work I have to do here.

Yes, it could have been worse. Instead of eating the healthier phase 1 peanut butter cookies, I could have eaten the cookies that are much worse for me. I’m disappointed because it felt like I was on a binge. But I’m not giving up. I’m here to work through this, and hopefully this public journaling will help.

Today I ate:

Oatmeal
3/4 cup berries
1/2 cup 1% milk

Coffee
Fat free 1/2 & 1/2, 3 tbsp

Peanut Butter, 1 tbsp
1/2 an apple

White fish salad on a bed of greens w/tomatoes, cucumber & radish (No bees this time!!)
1/2 serving of bean brownie
Cool whip

Cheese stick
Tomato Basil Hummus, 2 tbsp
Fudgsicle

Tilapia w/Chile Puree
Peas
Brussel Sprouts w/Garlic

Cinnabon
Healthy Choice Bar
Way too many Phase 1 Peanut Butter Cookies

92 oz of water
31minutes of walking

Calorie Intake: 2034
Calories Burnt: 112
Total: 1922