Don’t Want To Overeat? Start With Thanksgiving Day Pledge

low carb thanksgiving, weight loss,

I’m planning to load up on turkey and keep the stuffing in check! (Image: An awesome Turkey with Brown-Sugar Glaze via marthastewart.com).

Check out the Thanksgiving Pledge over at Keep It Up, David.  He has four simple rules that he follows — no seconds, photograph what you eat, no grazing and exercise on Thanksgiving — plus a simple pledge to make sure he sticks to his rules.

If you’re concerned about overeating on Thursday (and who isn’t?), these rules can really help you keep your eating in check.

I would add no elastic waistbands. Stretchy pants enable you to keep eating. But if you wear jeans, you’ll feel it even if your eyes want you to keep eating. As my grandmother always said, “Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.”

So true on Thanksgiving.

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Kitchen Battle Royale — Dot vs. Dog

"Technically speaking I'm in the hallway, not the kitchen."

“Technically speaking I’m in the hallway, not the kitchen.”

There is an ongoing battle in my home. Peekabu, my 100+ pound Old English Sheepdog, loves lying in the kitchen right under my foot. I can’t tell you how many times I trip over her or step on her big paws. I shoo her out of the kitchen and within minutes she inches closer to the action.

Yesterday she was within seconds of getting a jalapeño pepper that rolled off my kitchen island.  Thankfully I got to the pepper in the nick of time.

No matter how often I send her to the living room, she quietly sneaks back into the kitchen. It wouldn’t be so bad if she stayed near the back door (where her water dish is) or near the kitchen entry way. But no, she loves to lie between the island and the sink, where I do my food prep.

I’ve tried a squirt bottle. While a squirt bottle does wonders on the cat, Peekabu just opens her mouth and tries to bite the stream of water coming her way.

Sigh…

After my workout on Monday, I think it’s time for some serious dog whispering!

 

 


Damn You Water Retention

water retention and weight gain

Swollen feet, knees, hands and face means I’m retaining water. Just in time for my weekly weigh in!

I knew going into my Weight Watchers meeting that I’d show a gain. Not only were my hands, feet and knees swollen, but my face was puffy too. Great! Nothing like water retention on weigh-in day.

The old me would skip the meeting.  I never wanted to step on the scale if I had a bad week or knew I gained weight. I didn’t get that stepping on that scale week after week makes you accountable to yourself. Without accountability, I’d fail…and I did.

I must admit the thought of skipping yesterday’s meeting did cross my mind…for about half a second. I can no longer fear the scale. The scale is just a snap shot in time and doesn’t tell the full story. Sure Weight Watchers will officially record a gain.  But the difference is I know that it’s water weight and it will fall off in a day or so. The new me knows weight loss is about baby steps and I’m not going to always have the losses I’ve had the last few weeks.

I also know if I want to reach my 3-month goal of losing 19.5 pounds by year’s end, this was the one Weight Watchers meeting I’d be foolish to miss. Thanksgiving is this week and I need all the good karma I can get before Thursday.

This week I’m up 2.8 pounds. I’m less puffy today than yesterday, so I know I’ve lost a chunk of the water. The real test is coming up — no, not Thanksgiving. I’m talking about making it to the post-Thanksgiving weigh-in.

 

 


Back-2-Back Thanksgivings Next Week

low carb thanksgiving, weight loss,

I’m cooking up a healthy, low carb post-Thanksgiving turkey feast for me and the hubby. (Image: An awesome Turkey with Brown-Sugar Glaze via marthastewart.com)

Since the husband and I are visiting friends for Thanksgiving, we’ve decided to prepare our own little, low carb turkey feast on Friday. The beauty of going low carb is we don’t have to fear leftovers.

I don’t want to prepare something that we eat everyday. I want something out of the ordinary. Considering I’m weighing in the next day, I don’t want to go too crazy.

Friday morning I’m planning on a muscle workout, followed by a spinning class and finally some yoga. That means it’s a “high-carb” day (100g of carbs). So stuffing is on the menu!

Low Carb Thanksgiving Menu
I’m going with a turkey breast and not a whole turkey. There’s only two of us for this meal, so no need for a full bird.

I came up with a lot of options including pumpkin-macadamia soup, apple-topped mashed sweet potatoes and garlic cauliflower mash. But I’m focused on keep the carb count under control. I’ll only have 30-40g of carbs available for dinner. Other than the stuffing, I’m keeping the net carbs for each dish at or under 5g.

  • Roasted Turkey Breast (0g)
  • Broccoli Au Gratin (4.1g)
  • Stuffing with Sage and Chives (19g)
  • Crustless Low Carb Pumpkin Pie (5g)

On paper the recipes look tasty. I’ll post the recipes if the dishes actually taste good.


Sluggish Workouts And The Importance Of Tracking

diet and exercise, tracking food

Forgetting to track my food for a few days has screwed up my diet and makes me sleepy!

When you forget to track your food, bad things happen. Like what?  How about sluggish workouts and a complete lack of energy.

That’s how I’ve felt the last couple of days. I think my carb and protein intake are far too low.

During my weight training Wednesday morning, every exercise was difficult. Not too unexpected since my trainer is really pushing me — increasing weights, focusing on upper body, and challenging my endurance.

When I did my 5K training later that afternoon, my legs felt like lead. While I finished the training, it seemed harder than normal. I chalked it up to tired legs after working out with my trainer.

Yesterday during spin class, it’s clear that I’m getting stronger as my resistance level increased over last week’s class. But where I’m usually energized after spin class, today I just wanted to curl up in bed. And when it came time to do yoga last night, I struggled to finish the session.

I just didn’t feel right. Something was up. I’m not coming down with anything. So I’m thinking its diet.

When I went to look at my tracker, I realized the problem immediately.  The last time I tracked was Tuesday dinner.

Crap!

Since my trainer changed my diet, I’ve tracked religiously. Anytime I felt hungry, I made a note in my FitBook and looked at the tracker to see if I need to make adjustments to my meals.

I’m usually all over my tracker like a monkey on a cupcake!

But the last few days have been hectic. Just lots of errands, projects and breaking up too many pet fights (damn you evil overlord cat!).

How quickly things get out of whack when you don’t track for a couple of days. And scary how easy it is to forget to track.

I tried to remember everything I ate yesterday. It’s harder than you think.  What I pieced together indicates that I missed my morning and afternoon snacks. Not good. Also I ate about 20g of carbs, about 30g shy of what my trainer wants. I worked out for nearly 2 hours and 20g of carbs just doesn’t cut it.

As for protein, I was down 5 ounces.  No wonder I woke up starving this morning. Not eating enough to sustain your body is not how you lose weight.

This morning I’m back on track. I logged my breakfast — Kashi Go Lean, Almond Breeze Unsweetened Milk and one cup of strawberries — the perfect breakfast before this morning’s muscle workout and yoga class.

I prepared my protein shake so it’s ready for me when I get home — I just need to add 1/2 a banana and ice.

I also logged it.



Seared Ahi Tuna with Wasabi Vinaigrette Recipe

I enjoyed seared ahi tuna for my fish challenge last night. It was delicious. Is sushi in my future?

I enjoyed seared ahi tuna for my fish challenge last night. It was delicious. Is sushi in my future?

My fish food challenge continued last night with a delightful Seared Ahi Tuna appetizer. My husband took pity on my sore legs and treated me to a date night at the Outback Steakhouse.

I noticed the tuna on the menu and decided to try it.

It was yummy! The tuna tasted amazing. Seared perfectly, the fish and had the right amount of seasoning – it didn’t over power the taste of the tuna.

After I ate the tuna, my husband pointed out that I essentially had sushi. He wants me to visit a sushi bar next week. Not sure if I’m ready for that adventure yet.

If I had a complaint about the dish it was the choice of lettuce for the “salad.” Ice burg…really? Why bother?  I skipped the lettuce and devoured the tuna.

The wasabi sauce was nice, although I wanted more heat. I only tried a small amount – I have no idea what’s in it but assumed it would do nothing to help me lose weight.

This is something I need to try at home, but as a proper salad. I found this little recipe on The Food Network. It had me at the mixed greens!  The recipe calls for using all the vinaigrette on the salad. That’s actually too much for my taste.  I recommend making the dressing as the recipe calls for, but using only one tablespoon on the mixed greens. You can use the rest of the dressing over a couple of days before trashing it.

Seared Ahi Tuna with Wasabi Vinaigrette
Net Carbs: 2
Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 6
Single serving

Ingredients

  • 1 Ahi tuna steak
  • 1 Tsp. coarse salt and coarse black pepper
  • Cooking spray or olive oil
  • 2 C mixed greens
  • ½ Tsp. wasabi paste
  • 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
  • 3 Tbsp. virgin olive oil

Directions

  • Season your tuna with salt and pepper.
  • Spray grill pan or lightly oil with olive oil and then heat grill pan on grill
  • Add tuna steak on to the hot surface and sear tuna for 2 minutes on each side. Remove tuna from heat.
  • In a small bowl, whisk wasabi, vinegar and soy sauce. Whisk in oil to combine dressing. Drizzle 1 tbsp. of dressing over your salad and toss to coat evenly.
  • Slice Tuna on an angle and arrange on the salad.

Fun At The Color Run (And Ran My Best Time)!

Before the colors fly! So happy a few minutes before The Color Race starts.

Before the colors fly! So happy a few minutes before The Color Race starts.

Yesterday I did my first Color Run 5K in Baltimore. If you’re thinking about doing a Color Run, do it! It’s known as the “happiest 5K on the planet,” and it is. Everyone is happy — the volunteers, the 25,000 runners (dang!), the staff. Even the cops providing security on a Sunday afternoon were having a blast.

After we arrived, I could tell my husband started feeling a bit envious that I was in the race and he wasn’t. Although he perked up when he spotted the La Cakeie cakemobile. He quickly ordered and devoured the (aptly named) Ribbon Cake.

He did promise to run with me next year.

The Color Run, weight loss, 5Ks

Covered in color! I wiped my face a couple of times during the run and I ended up looking like a hot mess! But it was worth it.

How Did I Do?
The Color Run is not a traditional 5K — it is not timed. It’s all about having a good time while exercising and raising money for local charities. I did this race for the experience and not with the idea of setting records.

I still made a point of looking at my phone for my start time — 1:46.

This was my first race without any inclines. The whole route stayed around the Camden Yards ballpark — home of the Baltimore Orioles. An easy route, my pace started faster than normal, usually meaning I won’t finish strong. But I had such a great time during the race, I ended up with my best race time yet.

When I crossed the finish line, the time on my phone read 2:34. Holy cow…48 minutes!

My last 5K, The Goblin Gallop, I ran/walked in 55 minutes. Wow!

Why was this one quicker?  For the Goblin Gallop, my interval training lasted only 1 mile. During The Color Run, my interval training spanned the entire race.  I’m not sure if it was the sensory overload or the sheer amount of fun, but I never felt tired.

In fact, I can’t believe to cross the finish line when I did. It didn’t feel like I just ran/walked 3.1 miles.

Of course, I paid for that great time when I got home. My right knee and left ankle started swelling.  This morning I woke up to very sore legs.

Thankfully today’s muscle workout helped to relieve the stiffness. I plan on an easy walk this afternoon to help with the soreness.

Some Color Run Advice
If you want to do a Color Run, here are some tips for you:

  • This is not the race for designer tracksuits! The color is just powdered cornstarch and does come off…mostly.
  • Keep your phone in a plastic bag. Trust me, the color gets everywhere!
  • Ladies, before the race, use leave on hair conditioner or spray coconut oil in your hair…you’ll thank me later (especially if you’re a blonde)!
  • No makeup! Just makes it easier for the color to come off in the shower. Plus, why would you exercise wearing makeup anyway?
  • Regardless of time of year, always wear white. It’s the best way to proudly display your colors.
  • Arrive early! The crowds are huge — 25,000+.  Runners are released in waves. I was in the second wave. The last wave of runners started as I crossed the finish line.
  • Prepare for the color zones. Along the 5K route, I ran through five color zones – yellow, orange, purple, green and blue.  When you hit one of these zones volunteers squirt you with the colored cornstarch.  I wish I had my sunglasses on to protect my eyes from the powder. Some people wore bandanas over their nose and mouth.  But that means no multicolored tongue!
  • If you want a lot of color on you, run on outer edges of the color zones. The volunteers will nail you! Less color? Run straight down the middle of the zone.
  • Stay for the after party! The Color Run is one big party with a 5K in the middle. It has a DJ, Zumba class, food vendors, and lots of color!

Awesomely Amazing Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe

Whipping up some delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies Saturday night.

Whipping up some delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies Saturday night.

I indulged myself this weekend. The urge to bake was strong and I came across a cookie recipe in my Livestrong newsletter that I just had to try — Pumpkin Chocolate Chip!

The timing was perfect. I normally bake cookies and treats as Christmas presents for family and friends.

I started looking for recipes about a week ago.  The plan is to bake a few test batches, taste a cookie or two and see how it holds up for shipping (Does the cookie get too dry/stale? Crumbly?). The remaining I’ll send with my husband to his office for his teammates to devour.

A little indulgence now and then prevents the binging! These cookies are awesome and hit the spot!

A little indulgence now and then prevents the gorging! These cookies are awesome and hit the spot!

How awesomely amazing are these cookies? I think I ate about 5 cookies the last couple of days – always right after a workout!  They are amazing, but I need them out of the house.

In this recipe I substituted the cup of granular sugar with Xyla. It’s a tree sugar that tastes, cooks and bakes just like sugar but has 40% fewer calories and 70% fewer carbs.

I’m also on the hunt for a gluten-free version of this recipe for a particular friend. If I find something equally tasty, I’ll post it.  My guess is the gluten-free recipe will have fewer carbs!

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Net Carbs: 17
Weight Watchers PointsPlus: 4
Serving Size: 3 Cookies
Makes 40-45 Cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1 cup Xyla (Xylitol)
  • 1 cup dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
  • cooking spray

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a cookie sheet with cooking spray.
  • Cream the Xyla, applesauce, pumpkin and vanilla extract together. Make sure Xyla is completely mixed in with the other wet ingredients. Set aside.
  • In another bowl, mix flours, baking soda, baking powder, salt and pumpkin pie spice. Once mixed, add the dry ingredients into the wet and mix to combine.
  • Add in chocolate chips and mix well.
  • Use a spoon and drop cookies onto the prepared sheet and bake for 15 – 18 minutes, or until browned.

I’m Down 3 Pounds And Closing In On Year-End Goal

weight loss, weekly weigh-in

With my 3 pound weight loss this week, I’m now down a total of 86.6 pounds!

Woo hoo! I lost 3 more pounds this week, bringing my total weight loss to 86.6 pounds. Back in October I set a year-end goal of dropping about 20 pounds by December 31. As of today, I’m about half way there with 10.9 pounds to go in just a little over 6 weeks.

Clearly I didn’t do much math when I set the goal, because I’m just 13.4 pounds away from losing 100 pounds since this little journey began. Holy cow!

Well with Thanksgiving on the horizon, I’m not changing my 3-month goal now. Instead, I think hitting 100 pounds lost on my birthday (early January) is an awesome bonus!