Fat lose: Losing Weight with Lorelei

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Losing Weight with Lorelei - Day 12

Nov 12, 2010 Lorelei Sieja

Losing Weight with Lorelei - photo by author

I'm back from my trip, and somehow I managed to not gain weight! The motel did not offer continental breakfast, as so many do. Instead, I went to St. Louis Bread Company for cinnamon roll and coffee with cream. I decided to enjoy breakfast. Lunches I snacked on raisin & peanut mix, but then joined my husband for wonderful dinners.

The first evening, I chose a bowl of chicken and wild rice soup instead of a burger with fries. I really liked the soup! It was thick and creamy, and probably not really "diet" food, but I didn't over-eat or feel bloated. My husband, on the other hand, chose a burger and fries. He said he wished he'd tried my soup, as it was quite late when we ate, and it was too close to bedtime.

Today's Healthy Tip: Eat Around your Plate!

The second evening dinner was served in a fancy restaurant as part of the convention. It was delicious, but the servings were not humongous as they typically are in restaurants. I had a dinner salad, then two slices of roast beef, a square of au graten potatoes, buttered steamed carrots and green beans, and one glass of wine. I tried a new diet tip - take a bit of something you enjoy, then switch gears. It's a way of slowing down when you eat, and not over-indulging. Here's how it works. Say you really like the roast beef (which was cooked perfectly! Melt in your mouth tender, with a slight pink center), but aren't as crazy about the carrots. Take a bit or two of the roast beef. Savor it. Enjoy it. Then take a bite two of the carrots. If you keep eating the roast beef until it's gone, you won't really enjoy the last bite as much as you did the first, and you may be tempted to go for seconds. Instead, you refresh your palate by tasting the carrots. They were pretty good, too, as they were just barely heated, and still crunchy. I don't like my vegetables the consistency of mashed potatoes. By eating this way - a bite or two of everything, the go back for a bite or two of everything again, you allow yourself to fill up on the vegetables, so you're less likely to overeat the more fattening foods.

On the second day, I was also able to avail myself of the gym and swimming pool. The first and last day the only exercise I got was hauling my suitcase from one end of each airport to the other, then sit and wait to board. It wasn't good exercise, and I fully expected to have gained weight - or at least, not to have lost any. I started at 203, and weighed in this morning between 198-199. Scales are just not that accurate, and mine looks like I'd better scrub it up before I take the next picture. Still, I'm happy with my results so far.

I hope you all are having a great start. If not, don't beat yourself up. Every journey begins with a single step. What will yours be? Will you start to drink more water? Find a half an hour to exercise? Eat around your plate? Take smaller portion sizes? Find your motivation, and get started today.

Low Calorie Daily Menu

bagel with low-fat cream cheese, coffee
juice
peanuts, banana, raisins, water
water, apple slices
home-made sub sandwiches, no mayonnaise

Daily Exercise Helps You Gain Fitness and Lose Weight

I'm moving for the next couple of days. I'll be packing, carrying boxes and unpacking them. When the old apartment is empty, I need to repaint all the walls with white primer. I'm only moving maybe the distance of a football field, but I'm going from a one-bedroom to a four-bedroom apartment. I'm thrilled for the extra space, even if I'm not excited for the work. Still, lifting, carrying, hauling, unpacking has to count for something! Then I still have a dog that thinks she needs a walk.

Good luck! And I look forward to reading your comments.