Sept.8, 2009 Diet Blog

Remember when I said that there would be that gap in between blog times because my daily routine was resuming? Now is that time. You may also remember that I was writing each blog the morning following each day of dieting? Today I will post yesterday, which was Labor Day and today because it will catch me up to myself with the new time I have to blog. Then we'll continue on each day forward from there, together.
Labor Day: I began the day looking at the girl in the mirror. I saw her a little differently somehow. I am proud of her. She's really trying, and it's not an easy task. She was dreading yet another day in a bathing suit around family and friends, but it was the last pool day of the season and there was no choice. The girl in the mirror sighed back at me. We knew we were in this together. I told her that she looked as good as she could for today and to go and enjoy herself. As it turns out, she listened.
I wore the bathing suit almost instantly because my niece and nephew arrived and wanted to play. We played in the water. I was active and laughing. I drank all of my water and did quite well on the diet to that point.
For breakfast I had the weight control oat meal again; a plumb for a snack; Smart Ones baked ziti for lunch; cup of carrots for snack and then at 5pm we were off to my BFF's house for a little family barbecue. I brought a bottle of red wine with me- the favorite of my BFF-Ruffino's and an ice cream cake for the children from Carvel. She has four kids. I had two 70% lean burgers without the buns. I had about a tablespoon and a half of potato salad because its my favorite; and about two tablespoons of a wheat pasta salad that she made because she was so proud of it. I did have 2 1/2 glasses of wine. I steered absolutely clear of the ice cream cake. We called it a night around 10:30pm and I left happy with myself for hanging in there. Occasions are very hard on dieters. No one really understands and so we are forced to tell them of our situation. It could go either way after telling people that in my experience. Some go for sabatouge where other go to extreme support...it's the toss of the dice so to speak. Luckily, my BFF is routing for me. I had told her in advance. We have been close for many, many years.
While there at the bbq I learned that her husband and several neighbors were on some kind of a diet that has beads under a band aid behind their ears. Further investigation made it clear that the diet was one I could never stick to; beads or no beads. They get two servings of vegetables and a piece of fruit for two days; then only fruit for two days; then 20 ounces of milk ONLY for one day; no food. The process then begins again. I'd be starving. I'd never make it through the milk day.
He had lost 12 lbs. the first week though. Apparently the trick is that you roll the beads behind your ears to stop hunger pains. It cost $75.00 up front, and then $50 every ten days or so he said. He also said that the person he paid this money to is fat. That would've deterred me right there. If the person teaching you this method is fat, can it work? Unless- like me, he is doing it himself and telling them how and what he is doing along the way, but how could he do that and accept money?
But... that may be just me and my way of thinking. It may work for them, it's just not for me. I don't knock it- like I said, I'm open to any suggestions or ideas that may help someone...but can someone possibly maintain that forever as a lifestyle? What happens when you stop and go back to eating real food in real portions? What about going out for dinner? Holidays? Vacations? ...Family Barbecues...? For me it's not a good way to go. It's not free, and I need real food. The beads don't really work in my opinion. I base that opinion on what I saw. Remember I've known him as long as I have known my BFF. He complained of hunger and this normally big old teddy bear was a grizzly bear because of it. Still, I must admit... I rubbed behind my ears with two little ball earrings last night to see if there was anything to it....;-) I told my reflection that she was a nut. She agreed...
Today:
My sweet husband started my day at 5:30 am by bringing me breakfast in bed. It was such a sweet thing to do, especially because he did not make me go off of my diet and it was a purposeful act on his part not to. He brought me two scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee made my way- with no sugar. It was great. I told my reflection that she was loved by him.
The only problem was that by 10am when I usually grab a snack I was ravenous! I could have ate the counter at work because I was so hungry. I went to get my plumb, but spotted my cup of carrots and chose to have that instead. There was more of it and it was heavier than just having the plumb. It worked and I was able to hold the stomach pains and growls at bay until lunch. For lunch I enjoyed a Smart Ones pizza. I had a Sprite Zero with it and a bottle of water. I was thoroughly satisfied. For my 3pm snack I had the plumb. For dinner I had 2 roasted chicken thighs-with no skin, green beans and a lovely salad.
The topic of conversation during work was dieting as well. One of my co-workers told me that I inspired her. I was glad to hear it. We talked about how her life style at this time required her to have take out almost every night as well as being responsible for bringing it to several others. I understand how hard that must be. Luckily for her its only temporary, but it is going to be this way for her for awhile. This particular night she is going out to get hot dogs for the parties involved and for herself as well. It's literally a dieter's nightmare for her right now. She cannot formulate a plan or tactics to get around any issues that might arise.
Still she felt that she wanted to do something to begin watching her weight. After thinking about it, I suggested removing the buns and just eating the hot dogs. At least it would be something. And then, as if a light bulb went off in her head she said that she could also take a moment to look for anything that might be healthier in the place where she was picking up the hot dogs. I felt so proud of her. Plus during the day when she actually has control of it she diets well. I am proud. She's really trying too and I hope she tells her reflection "good job" tomorrow morning as she begins her grueling routine again.
In one conversation later with another person, the question of diet pills arose. There are many different kinds and I will not use their names because I'm absolutely going to go the negative route about them. I say that because I truly believe from the depths of my core that no magic pill exists to help us in this struggle. Believe me I would've found them by now and would've gone broke to purchase them. I do think that there are pills or powders that work temporarily. My question to those who disagree is this: Can you maintain a lifestyle where you take them forever? Are you sure that you are not being damaged in some way by the long term use of the pills? What happens when you stop using them? And let me stress THIS one question with the most emphasis of all: Did your doctor say it was okay to take them? When putting any kind of medication into our bodies we should ask a medical expert. Oprah asks Doctor Oz, Bill Green, and experts with medical and nutritional knowledge beyond her own all of the time. Being health conscious is important. Taking care of you is not a joke or something to be taken lightly ever. Always ask your Doctor before beginning any diet but especially if some kind of pill regimen is part of it.
Do they work? I imagine that they do. If your Doctor says it's okay, I'm all for anything that will help a fellow dieter stay the course...but the doctor MUST say it's okay or it's not. It's simply not.
Our goal here is "free" though to get back on track. Those pills are costly. Even if you pay for them 'over the counter,' your grocery bill spikes. We're trying to do this using our normal groceries at home. The grocery store is where the diet actually begins physically speaking, isn't it? We think of the diet and plan it; Then initiate the plan of action by going to the grocery store.
Some other tips that came up from successful dieters were to eat fruit on an empty stomach to burn more calories; Never mix carbs and protein; Have carbs with vegetables or meat with vegetables but not meat with carbs. I had not heard that one before but it sounded okay if you want to try it. I think I've been doing that by accident anyway, except for at the BBQ yesterday. If that tip does not fit your lifestyle, no worries. Put one on here that does. Share it with us.
I'll sign off here reminding you to remember that you look the best you can for today. Tomorrow you will look that much better. Don't let your perception of your body stop you from enjoying life. Have a great day/night. ;-)