I hope you felt better later in the day.

Toward the end of last month, Randy started cooking differently. It started with pancakes. In that same week we had spaghetti, beans and rice, and macaroni and cheese… Bree suggested I talk to him about it. So I did… He’s worried about the price of food going up and up. He thought one way to cut costs was to eat less meat and more starches, using meat as a small portion of the meal. That’s hard when I’m trying to avoid starches because they make me feel yucky. But I understand his point, and in order to show solidarity for the rest of the household who isn’t concerned about money and is very set in <her> ways (daughter-in-law!), I am going to go along with the new menu without complaint.

Now, I’ve just got to figure out how I’m going to workout. I usually wake up with a headache or neckache, feeling very bloated and groggy, so working out in the morning just isn’t happening anymore. Once the day gets going, I find it easier to make excuses…

I’m not sure how this is going to work out, but work out it must.

Deb, it isn’t fair that the healthier foods are more expensive. Are there any farmers markets near you where you could get more vegetable at least for the next few weeks?

I agree with Joan - try making the bulk of your meals fruit and veggies instead of startchy carbs.  I’ve done some research and for people who are training to lose weight starchy carbs should be limited to first thing in the morning (after a long overnight fast) and the 3 hours after a workout.  I am having trouble sticking to that rule, but it makes sence.  Do you like nuts?  You can get some good quality protein and healthy fats from nuts.  Walnuts are are one of the best.  Use them for a snack at some point in the day - just limit it to a handfull - they are high in calories, but good quality calories.  How bout eggs?  I have them every morning - 1 egg + 1/4 cup eggwhite - scrambled. 

Keep making efforts and talking to your husband to let him know how you feel and what you want to accomplish.  He should be more supportive if he knows what is at stake.  It’s not just your physical health.

I too have problems with eating lots of starchy foods; it just seems to suck the energy out of me. I have found that as I have been eating more veggies and fruits that I’m not as hungry. I have decided that as the diet has improved and is better meeting my nutritional needs that maybe that is why I am not as hungry. Don’t quote me, that is just thought of Shawna not any authority that I know of. That has helped a little with the budget. Now if I could just convince the teenagers that they can eat a portion of something and don’t have to inhale the whole thing. teehee. Good luck with that.

I was glad to hear on the Motivation to Move Show Deb, that you’ve been corresponding with Scott. Do you think that pacing yourself will help?

Let me say Randy does buy me vegetables and I still get to have my salad for lunch. I’m trying hard to limit the carbs, sometimes more successfully than others.

Do I sense a reprimand Joan? I apologize; I should respond in a more timely manner…

I’ll try to explain… Scott has said you build self esteem by small, daily, consistent successes...Well, for the past year, I have been having small, daily, consistent failures, and I’m building whatever the opposite of self esteem is. And quite frankly, it’s wearing me down… I feel that coming to MTM and posting my failures every day is very embarassing and quite demoralizing. I don’t think it’s so good for the community either. So I’ve been cutting back.

I"m not sure what you mean by pacing myself, care to explain a bit?

Absolutely NO reprimand, Deb. That would be foreign to me and certainly nothing that would help you.

By pacing, I was referring to Scott’s suggestion in response to your letter that we should all make sure we don’t do so much on Monday both in diet and exercise that we have nothing left in us by the time we get to Wednesday.

Sorry about that Joan, I was a day behind in my FB and hadn’t listened yet…

I don’t think I was working too hard, but I think Scott hit it on the head with keeping the vision...I’ve been trying to do this with will power for quite some time and we all know how successful that is...will power never lasts beyond Wednesday… I don’t quite know how to get that vision back, right now I’m feeling pretty beat up, emotionally speaking…

I shouldn’t have assumed that you had listened to the podcast. Some times I’m way behind.

Hope this is a good weekend for you. I’m concentrating on housework. Somehow it doesn’t get done by itself!

Deb...I get the feeling you are feeling off your game. You are the person who inspired me more than anyone. Dig down deep and find that place where you know how to move forward successfully. Don’t stop now, there is so much more ahead for you and you have the know-how and the determination.

((HUGS)) Denise

Photo by “wildflowerafternoons”

That picture is gorgeous! Thanks Denise. I am working on finding my lost vision. The good news is that I’ve listened to Scott for so long that I find it nearly impossible to quit...So, I’m trying to take care of myself as I work my way back to my path… Thanks for your words of encouragement, they are greatly appreciated…

I just happened to listen to Scott’s fitness boost where he read your letter.  How’s it going with keeping things in balance so you don’t burn out mid week?  I just had two days off of official training and I was able to do better things in the gym today.  Take a rest day or two when you need to, but dont’ wait till next week to start up again.  Keeping things in balance (i.e. rest and work) is so important.  And they are both important components to your training.  Just be sure one is not overemphasized and the other neglected. 

(That makes me think that I would like to learn more about what the “experts” think of rest - think Scott would devote some time to it?)

Good point Catherine-

Joi and I are watching The Biggest Loser right now and I caught you note. 

Rest is very important - in fact, I believe it to be THE most important part of getting in shape.  I’m going to make a point to cover that subject on next weeks programs - I think there are more than a few folks in MTM Land that could use that info.  Thanks.

Deb - 16 September 2008 03:46 PM

Let me say Randy does buy me vegetables and I still get to have my salad for lunch. I’m trying hard to limit the carbs, sometimes more successfully than others.

Hiya Deb,

I don’t know if you do the whole COSTCO experience, but they have salad greens for next to nothing, and they’re particularly fresh. You can get (5) huge heads of Romain Lettuce for less than $4, a big box of spring greens (yum) for less than $5, grape tomatoes, baby carrots, bell peppers, you name it!

I’m also big into convenience, so I’ve been rockin’ the steamed veggie bags in the frozen foods aisle. Local stores are making knock-offs, so you don’t necessarily have to get the priciest brand. $1.50 for a bag of cauliflower on sale, for instance, is a great deal. No prep work, just steam and go!

(***NOTE*** Read the bags, as some come SEASONED… which is code name for fat and salt added. Danger, Will Robinson, Danger!)

We are on a super tight budget at the moment, so I’m also rockin’ the crock pot. Certain veggies like celery absorb the flavor of whatever you’re cooking, and are a low calorie option to add bulk, fiber, and yummy good times to your recipe. Mushrooms are good in this arena too, we have found, and if cooked right can feel as filling and tasty as the meat that they are cooked with in the crock pot.

And a big box of mushrooms at the COSTCO is around $4. We’re talking a BIG box… yum.

If you don’t have a COSTCO in your neck of the woods, perhaps you have an international market nearby. We have these markets called SUPER H (or G, I forget), which people lovingly call the Korean food store. They have the freshest, cheapest, and most interesting veggies around! You can walk out of there with 3 to 4 bags of fruits and veggies for under $20 - that’s a savings!

Whatever you do, remember, you’re doing VERY well… and you’re an inspiration to many, including me. Yay Deb!!!

Cheers,
~ Josette ~

Catherine, it’s really hard for me to start up again after a day off, a matter of will power not working for me. That why I’m working on regaining my passion and vision. I remember when I was excited about it all, and I can’t seem to find that again.

Thanks Josette. We don’t have a Costco, but so far veggies aren’t the problem. He buys me romaine and spinach for greens along with tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, carrots, and onions, along with odd veggies that are on special. My problem is that he is getting away from meat, starch, veggie for supper (in which I could just forgo the starch) in favor of starch with a taste of meat and veggie because the price of meat is going up and starch is cheap. So I’m having to deal with spaghetti, macaroni, rice, potatoes with some kind of sauce. The starches are causing me a lot of swelling, which is causing sleep problems and lethargy. And for some reason they also make me sad (I wouldn’t go so far as to call it depression), so that makes everything much harder. But I’m working on it…

Deb, it’s good to hear from you. And “working on it” is a step forward.

You’re right, Deb… starch is cheap. I can get 10 ramen noodle packs for a dollar. I love bread. A lot of those foods are comfort foods too (mac n cheese, spaghetti, pancakes, etc) that remind people of childhood and happier times.

Who knew our parents were trying to save a buck or two, or get us to eat ANYTHING. I have a stepson who is a picky eater, and by picky, I mean he only wants starches.

I’d tell you what they serve for school lunches in Richmond, VA where he lives, but you’d just shake your head in your hands.

The point is that you are trying, regardless of your surroundings. And like Buddha says, even a vegetarian shouldn’t refuse meat if given it by his host.

(I guess it depends on how you feel about meat, doesn’t it, Buddha? LOL)

Keep smiling, you’re doing SOOOOOo well! We’re all proud as punch of you, Deb

Cheers,
~ Josette ~

Deb, you are such an inspiration to so many of us.  Wish I had some suggestions that would help.  The only thing I can think of - maybe you’re not getting enough protein to fuel your journey - what about beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc?  Not as expensive as meats…

I lost a lot of weight very quickly (too quickly) 2 years ago; then I gained back almost half of it.  Now I’m trying to lose the pounds again, more slowly this time.  I find it hard to stop kicking myself for having gained it back.  But listening to Scott read your letters, and now finding your thread, has helped me keep my head up and keep going.  Thank you, Deb

Deb, you are an inspiration - I hope you find your motivation soon. Thank you.