Monday, October 14, 2013

Behaving Myself

Paraphrasing a recent comment, Lynn asked how am I staying disciplined to eat right, especially now that I'm dealing with another injury?

Well, considering that I've gone through this once before with less than stellar results (otherwise known as the coconut M&M phase), I understand that it's not going to help me if I stress eat a bunch of sugar.  I'm already feeling like a flabby blob after just a short time without running; adding extra weight from sugary treats would make me feel so much worse, and my mental state can't afford any additional pile-ons at the moment.

Mostly I am employing the "being kind" method by having good food that I want to eat readily available.  I make myself buy fresh fruit and appealing veggies each Monday.  The fruit is whatever I want, and if I want Fuji apples, red seedless grapes, pineapple and blackberries, then I buy it all.  Same goes for veggies; I'm not making myself eat something that I don't particularly want (have I mentioned lately that I'M FIFTY, and I don't have to eat the yucky vegetables anymore?), but what I want, I get.  I've been setting myself up for the week with a well-stocked fridge, which is something that I can get lazy about doing, especially since Jeff travels so often and when it's just me, I can very easily live on Greek yogurt, craisins, and granola.  Hey, just being honest here...not the most well-rounded diet, but at least it's not Taco Bell, right?

I still have my above-mentioned yogurt concoction for breakfast just about every day, but since I haven't been getting up early to exercise, I've been enjoying my lazy mornings with several cups of coffee, which curbs my hunger and I don't end up having breakfast until mid-morning.  I'm not usually hungry for a real lunch because of the late breakfast, but that's when I'll have some fruit and then an iced latte (milk = protein, so there's some nutrition with that, right?), and then dinner at a normal time.

For my solo dinners, lately I've been hooked on Jennie-O turkey burgers - Sam's Club sells a big box of them, individually vacuum-sealed, which works perfect for me.  I've been cooking them in a non-stick skillet and making burgers with avocado slices, tomatoes and lots of lettuce, and multi-grain sandwich thins for the bun (I won't buy these again for buns, though - they fall apart too easily, probably due to the moistness of the burger).  Very tasty, and I feel like I've actually had a meal with this instead of just eating something to quell hunger. 

I guess this post took a turn from the original question, but this is the key:  I sort-of have a plan, and I mostly stick to it.  I'm not counting calories or limiting myself when it comes to real food like fruit, but I am forcing myself to remember that sugary treats will neither heal an injured body nor cure disease, no matter how much my emotions would like for that to be true.  And somehow, that helps remind me to behave myself when it comes to eating right.

20 comments:

  1. You use what works for you and that's why you stick to it. How many times did we follow a diet in the past that had us eating things we didn't really like? In my case I would always end up eating more sugar/snacks because I wasn't satisfied.

    I don't do concessions either to fruits and vegetables and I buy good meat at the butcher. Fresh products are important to me, I try to eat as less processed foods as possible.

    I think you are doing great! You have come a long way: you don't eat away problems/injuries that you have to deal with.

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  2. YES!! what fran said in her final sentence too. I KNOW what I do will for sure not work for anyone else but me---because we are all so unique--but Ive found what works for ME.
    as you have.
    although I am compelled to point out we both love the JENNIE-O :)

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  3. It's definitely smart to have good food that you want to eat on hand - why does it take us all so long to figure that out? It seems so obvious!

    Have you tried toasting the sandwich thins? That's what I do when I use them for burgers, and they do hold their shape a bit better.

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    1. Hey, at least it didn't take you as long as it took me to figure this out... ;)

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  4. That thing that happens when you turn 50--pretty cool, huh! And turkey burgers--I love them. Now I want one tonight, instead of what I already planned for. But I can change my mind, right? I'm WAY over 50. Sometimes I use whole grain English muffins for my burger bun. And I toast them too. But sometimes they still fall part.

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  5. I find that if I toast the Arnold Thins they hold together better - if that doesn't work, Thomas makes a high fiber english muffin - 100 calories and 7 grams of fiber that will hold up to the burger. :D

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    1. Well, that's three peeps who recommend toasting, so I'll give that a go with the remaining buns - thanks!

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  6. I think you have a good plan and not having bad food in your house to eat is even better. Sorry about your injury!

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    1. Oh yes, not having bad food in the house saves me from myself during my weak times!

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  7. See, this is what I say to folks who think I'm crazy because I spend some of my weekend free time prepping food for the upcoming week! If I don't, I'm just setting myself up for trouble, especially being married to someone who pretty much could care less about a vegetable.

    Do you have the Fiber One brand out there? They make a hamburger bun that is 110 calories and 5 grams of fiber. Sure, you'll pay more than a store brand bun but worth it IMO.

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    1. I'll check for the Fiber One buns next time I'm at HEB, thanks!

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  8. Sounds like you are being very sensible in handling the food issue, and hope the hammie heals up quickly!

    And, for what it's worth, I use a lettuce wrap for a bun, and save the carbs for beer! Um, yeah, so perhaps I'm not a nutrition role model... :)

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    1. LOL - hey, you make nutrition work for you, and I respect that. :)

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  9. That's why I have John put stuff out of reach. If it is in the pantry, it sets me up for nibbling.

    I laughed at the veggie comment because I just wasn't feeling the broccoli for dinner. I said to John "Do you ever have days when you just don't care if you eat the veggies?" He said "I call those 'every days'!" :D

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  10. Good answer :) I've set myself free from fruit, actually. I forced fed myself the stuff for years, and for awhile I liked all kinds of fruit, but for whatever reason, I'm content with just an occasional apple or banana or maybe some berries. Being honest, I'd rather drink pinot than eat grapes! LOL

    Sadly I have little discipline when it comes to your granola :( I have to hide the pipe, man! It's criminal!

    Maybe you're not always feeling it, but I love the positive voice you put out here despite your injury. I don't tell you this often enough, but it's your all around happy that gets me through some, let's just say...interesting...times in my life :)

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  11. Sounds like you have your head screwed on straight and are doing great!!!!

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  12. Coconut M&Ms are terribly tempting. If you've been wondering about the pumpkin spice ones, aside from the fact that they're chocolate, they're kind of meh. They taste a little bit like that Mexican chocolate that comes in a circle and is kind of gritty, but they're not that great. You're welcome.

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  13. They make coconut M&M's???? :) Yay you for makin' a plan, sticking to it...and the results show! Have a great day Shelley!

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