tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20843993274973983122013-08-29T00:55:25.263-07:00Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-550623725108398672013-03-22T09:24:00.000-07:002013-03-22T09:24:00.622-07:00Stunned this morning by this question from a weight class instructor---but it jogged my memory back to a time when I would get up at five am, run around a lake nearby,,head off to work and then when I came home head out to run a short two miles before a late date...there sure is some intensity to youth----and somehow one has to get that excitement back...I will keep you posted...Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-69362990284000949392013-03-22T09:15:00.001-07:002013-03-22T09:15:57.462-07:00I cut back today with a soy latte, but then in a moment 0f pure joy I ordered a blueberry sceone--oh how healthy it looked---then at home I looked up the calories--450.....it just ruined the day...stay tuned.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-34588201890462947262013-03-22T09:11:00.002-07:002013-03-22T09:11:40.048-07:00Be the mediterannean----shop fresh, not canned or frozen...If you must drink, drink nothing with the word "diet" on it---if you do, you will be pounds heaveier soon....ok, and yes you might learn to salsa or tango....Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-41517523374450223412012-12-24T17:07:00.001-08:002012-12-24T17:07:14.911-08:00Tonight I decided to have a celbratory Manhatten...on the rocks,,,with the usual whiskey and a shot of sweet vermouth. Then my wife came up with the terrible thought of calculating what the actual calories were: and so we did..with the shot glass...and it turned out that this was a 500 calorie Manhatten. What a shock. And the point....the key element of weight loss is that we lie to ourselves and others..and it is liberating to just put the numbers down...just as they are...and now...yes..I am looking to substitute a little cherry juice, low calories..for the sweet vermouth...just to get the calories down....Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-56604581908903491232012-12-24T17:02:00.001-08:002012-12-24T17:02:20.299-08:00I had been having oatmeal for breakfast...and having a portion control problem for a few decades, I did have more than one half cup and yes had some brown sugar etc and some raisens....and today in a weight class I was confronted by the fact that there is something called splenda brown sugar that is a way out to save calories, and in addition, I can use a packaged oats to keep it at 130 calories per serving..then I can add blueberries or whatever to the top, and get a better result....this is typical of the type of exchange type thinking that is necessary to win the math game called weight control...and it is a numbers game...and my mantra is that I am good at that kinda game...stay tuned. Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-49180029296196372752012-11-19T14:53:00.002-08:002012-11-19T14:53:50.380-08:00I always liked to review after running three miles or so, in the early years, that i could just about eat anything I wanted if I was running twenty miles or so a week. And that type of thinking I held on to years after I had stopped running.....And last week when I sprained my ankle on a treadmill, it was an ooho moment. Now I had to face the music and stick real close to the line.....The instuctors had always warned us...do not run to eat...it does not work....Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-47966869364971084012012-11-19T14:50:00.000-08:002012-11-19T14:50:29.836-08:00The other night we made some stir fry cabbage along with some peapods and some small sampling of vegetables left in the fridge....I actually enjoyed it, and expecially when I just threw the calorie count over my shoulder....Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-89664911507758405202012-11-19T14:48:00.001-08:002012-11-19T14:55:21.080-08:00Today was the day....I had been holding out over the past months to make sure I ordered some "seafood sensation"===just had to have some thrill in the sandwich after "giving up" the cheese and the dressing and the meat.....but today I faced it and said "No cheese" just a footlong veggie please....the clerk even asked "Are you sure?" "YUP" I said....I could hear the angels singing as I paid at the register....I never thought I would see the day....I even had a little extra onion to make me remember it.....Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-41710362673661623792012-10-19T08:08:00.001-07:002012-10-19T08:08:23.320-07:00Recently I went out with friends to a Chinese restaurant, and they ordered Potstickers...and I sampled one....and I was sold....Now I have been checking out the various brands, and the different ways of cooking them...boiling, frying, and steamed. I think I am hooked. Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-91927059705659740602012-10-19T08:06:00.000-07:002012-10-19T08:06:17.813-07:00My instructor in a weight class today asked me: "As a writer, how often do you write"? I replied instantly: "Everyday". "Yes" that is correct," she replied. And whatever line of work you do, a teacher, runner, athlete, doctor, the answer is the same. And if your mission is to lose weight or maintain weight, you must write down the foods you eat ...how often...EVERYDAY. Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-77072572558893665792012-07-19T11:48:00.001-07:002012-07-19T11:48:35.819-07:00In a prior post I mentioned that one of the alternatives to bread or buns with burgers or bean burgers, is to wrap it in a leaf of lettuce. Ok, I assume that would be romaine lettuce....but we did experiment growing Spinach Mustard this year, and we have experimented with wrapping a bean and rice dish in the wrap of spinach mustard leaves---it does take a little getting used to, but it saves 100 calories each wrap in bread calories....so there it is...a little update on how we are changing the bun scene....stay tuned.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-74388957059640202382012-07-10T13:49:00.001-07:002012-07-10T13:50:26.370-07:00Well we planted Kale in the garden, and are experimenting with various recipes of this. According to some vegetarian friends, this is the perfect food---anyway, i like it, and do not count any calories from it as a matter of principle, so am interested in seeing a variety of recipes that will make it interesting. I have already sprinkeled it in an omlette which was fine...stay tuned. yes....this is a 180 degree from a McDonald egg, cheese and bisquit.... That is on the prohibited list.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-68377161754976770862012-07-05T11:28:00.000-07:002012-07-05T11:28:03.173-07:00The obsession this past week has been on vegetarian soups, and we have been experimenting with various combinations. Ok. I would set a limit on three servings of Garbonzo beans in 24 hours---more than that...well...you are on your own. But at this moment, Garbonzo beans are making a run for it as one of my favorites. I do not count anything for veggie soups, just throw them over my shoulder in the counting game.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-86721525276123548932012-06-19T18:01:00.001-07:002012-06-19T18:01:37.207-07:00Six months ago, I reviewed the pictures from a wedding---and I was stunned by what I saw. Sure, I could have said that it was just a bad camera shot..but I knew. Here was a man that was not only overweight, but dying...and it was clear as day. And I called my doc and made an appointment...and then asked for the opportunity to get into weight loss care....What a difference it has been. Review the pictures...review the battles you have fought in your life...forget the blame and explanations....it is just a time to be reborn or to die...period. Review the pictures.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-44299957818031461462012-06-16T16:04:00.000-07:002012-06-16T16:05:06.548-07:00Eventually, when you get to the point of eliminating the size of your buns, you get to the project of eliminating those buns---the hamburger and brat type. Last week at my favorite weight managment class, we blue skyed some of the alternatives....the little flatbread roll up bread at 80 calories is nice, and yes the 100 calorie pocket bread works, and I like various versions of that, and then I got a jolt when the weight instructor mentioned that one could use "a lettuce bun"---yo. I have been checking with my peers, and many of them, and probably you also, my dear reader, are a little dismayed---but I am going to test which type of lettuce makes the best bun, and have decided already that I will not use ketsup but mustard, and then a brand that will wash off clothes easily. So there it is...cut the buns if you want to lose em.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-51424313352654770512012-06-16T10:10:00.002-07:002012-06-16T10:11:49.129-07:00Down in Vero Beach last winter visiting my sister Susie and my brother in law, Ed. Our first trip was to a next to new---my sister has developed a regular circuit of bargain events--as we walk in, there was a man in his very late sixties who came in after us, and then waved to the storekeeper. What struck my eye was the framed print the man was carrying, which depicted a young man holding a surfboard, with the caption: "If it moves, ride it". As I was shopping in the print shirt isle, this gent was near me because he was an extra large size---and I found a great Hawaii print that he admired, but he noted that I had been there first, and it was mine. After we left, Ed chuckled and said he was shocked by the framed print. I fully understood because Ed is a retired college prof, and is an art collector in his own right. I just smiled and replied: "Ya Ed, he was just a wild and crazy kind of guy, and I understand those guys." At certain age, you have to figure out how to roll with the waves, to change, without thinking too much, picking the next wave out front, and not giving the last wave much thought...that is what makes a great surfer...and for those who are changing for the better, as in weight loss, it is not about the loss, it is about the gain in quality ahead... So... If it moves, Ride it.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-33150248303768921642012-06-16T09:43:00.000-07:002012-06-16T10:15:02.352-07:00Eventually you have to figure out what vegetable is your favorite---for me my top favorites are brussels sprouts, green beans and beets. I think my most favorite is beets. I first got some canned beets and used them as topping for salads. At 40 calories per serving, I was pretty pleased. Then I noticed the sodium of 250 milligrams per serving.....and decided to switch to fresh beets from the store, and what was nice about that choice was that I got the beet greens....which I just loved on salads. Now we are growing beets in the garden, freezing the beets for winter use...and what could be better. So there it is. The beet goes on. And how about you? What is your favorite veggie?Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-75093203923814173882012-05-24T12:42:00.002-07:002012-05-24T12:42:50.350-07:00Recently at a weight management class, I as well as most of the class had to report how much they were doing for exercise. I had listed five times the past week for gym visits. My instructor just paused and asked; " Are you driving to the gym?" "yup" I replied....and I did get the point.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-4175909044911821722012-05-24T12:36:00.000-07:002012-05-24T12:36:14.277-07:00At the beginning of a recent weight management class, our instructor asked us to complete the usual sheet that listed the weight last week, the elements of our plan, and very specific things about the last week....then she mentioned as an aside, that she liked the details, and that yes it did seem a little bit anal for some...... But then I came to the anal defence---It is not anal, but rather like all the record keeping that folks training for a marathon might do, or a century of bike racing, or for that matter weight lifting...and in fact, it was what I call CHAMPION training, which I had forgotten about over the years of raising my kids...and it is absolutely ESSENTIAL if one is to raise the AWARENESS and as we call it in some circles, MINDFULNESS that is needed if we are to get in touch with ourselves and get a balance of weight that we can thrive with.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-6357583872839739602012-05-24T12:24:00.000-07:002012-05-24T12:24:58.721-07:00Go ahead and put the veggies on the grill---the squash and zuccini work best on the elevated back burner, and yes you can put the small red and small white potatoes right on the grill...do not worry about the carbs of potatoes...you are not chunky because of potatoes---remember it was the french fries that did the damage..... For burgers go with the bean burgers....the stock black bean burgers at 120 calories is the beginning, but then improv with white and red beans....It's memorial day celebration this weekend, and there is not an Ounce of BEEF in the forecast....I know..the cost of beef for the celebration is rising...but as far as I can tell the cost of beans has not budged....I do not want a word said about cheese. No way. That is just a product that capitalists sell to school children to make them chunky.....Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-36104363182768275162012-05-17T17:53:00.000-07:002012-05-17T17:53:03.623-07:00When you can't keep your pants up, and have to shop for a smaller belt and new pants....that is a rush...and I cannot remember doing this since I was 21. I am down 23 pounds and have 25 more to go. But with each pound the excitement builds....Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-77864303549324633592012-05-17T17:49:00.002-07:002012-05-17T17:49:34.018-07:00Recently someone in a weight management class had "shared" some feedback that the classes were a little bit "boring". I could tell our instructor was a bit concerned this morning, but was restrained as she asked how long the essential principles of weight management had been around---yes like quite a long time...and the key thing was that when the behavior was changed the results would come, and it would all begin with the listening... It did remind me a bit of recently at Church, when the pastor tried to answer the child's question, "Why do I have to go to Church...it's so boring." I plan using the same technique for both. When I am in Church, I look for one idea that I can use the next week to make things better...and the same thing in weight class...In today's weight class, a fellow classmate brought a digital weight scale that one could weigh food on and it would calculate the calories quickly for the precise amount...no more fudging whether it was a medium or large banana...Now the exact calories could be recorded...and I moved quickly to get one.... So there it is...are you bored with the things you are learning, or are you moving with the new.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-40177849464638357722012-05-11T17:20:00.003-07:002012-05-11T17:22:18.871-07:00One of my favorite videos of yesteryear was the famous video of Jeff Foxworthy titled "You might be a redneck"' O.k. You might have some stubborness in your family....I have some in mine...but at what age would you say that aversion to change began...If you spend a while reflecting on habits...I think you might be surprised at the answer....to some of the answers....I do remember asking my dad once, living in Mahtomedi, and having an extensive garden and beef at a food locker, "Do we have to have chuck steak and corn on the cob EVERY night?" Just from the stare I got on that question, I never asked it again...it was the height of ingratitude to suggest that Chuck steak was anything but the highest food on the pyramid of life to eat...anyway..I digress. Somewhere, during an appointment with a physician where the subject of weight might come up, like after high blood pressure readings or high cholesterol readings come up, and the necessity to lose weight is discussed....was there any further discussion if the matter was at the five minute mark of a ten minute appointment.....The doctor took one look at you and KNEW....you were TOO OLD to CHANGE.....You just wanted a pill..... So there it is...you might be a redneck...if you are obese, tired of change, and PROUD of it.....and dying at no extra charge.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-86810361963252041362012-05-06T17:28:00.001-07:002012-05-06T17:28:32.167-07:00When you think of our local football teams, there is nothing better than that feeling of pride that we have when we think of beef, beer, American pie, milk, cheese, and all those items that give us pride and directly appeal to....well....with respect to the Midwest....it's HEART....and just checking for a moment....are they good for your heart? Better check.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2084399327497398312.post-57518700545474584822012-05-06T17:22:00.001-07:002012-05-06T17:22:19.056-07:00One of my instructors in a weight class always liked to ask in the preparation of the weekly report, "What were the underbudget days?" HUH? Obviously I just have days that I keep the budget and then a few that are over....it never occurred to me that I should PLAN for the overbudget by undereating....and it was clear by the expressions of my classmates that it sure was preferable just to toss the overbudget over one's shoulder and forget it...and that the forgetting it had resulted in the pounds going directly to the stomach.....but the bright side is that when you plan to party...you can abstain or cut back in anticipation of that party, and it should make the party better...That's the theory anyway...check it out.Evansville Observerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13781214756297623080noreply@blogger.com0