Witchy Weight Loss & Support - Page 3

[saphire]

Who am I? Sunshine, 33. Mama to 2 dd's.

Goals? I want to firm up! See some muscle tone. I want a flat tummy. This means loosing another 5-8 lbs. I just finished a marathon and lost some training for that.

How it's gonna happen: More raw/vegan foods. Less carbs. I'm vegetarian, and I love bread, pasta, sweets. So I want to focus on proteins and raw foods, and eat the carbs in moderation. And I will run 10-20 miles per week, plus yoga at home. Maybe some Bikram yoga thrown in and swimming when the pool is done.

[Maiasaura]

Weight Watchers is great, but they are still way too much on the artificial sweetener bandwagon, and to me, trying to "cheat".
They say you can have any food, and you can. But there are so many recipes for sweets and things. IMO I don't think it's about trying to eat healthier as much as trying to fit in sweet things and not-as-healthy foods in, with smaller portions and artificial sweeteners, and healthier versions of unhealthy things.
You really have to be aware, and pay attention, and WANT to eat healthier/change habits.
Plus they kind of have a party line. They do try to accommodate vegetarians and people with "other" food preferences, but really, you fit in best if you eat meat and dairy and bread and a mainstream American diet. That's who it caters to best.

Cabbage: I just love it stir-fried with sesame oil and tamari with maybe some onions thrown in. Or you could make cabbage rolls (stuffed cabbage) if you're feeling ambitious!

This morning I weighed at 184.2. I have a WW scale that measures in 0.2 increments.
I had for breakfast a bubbled egg, a banana, and half a protein (Atkins) bar. And a couple snitches of dates (maybe 1/4 tsp).
Lunch was a cold chicken breast with some warmed up leftover zucchini/yellow squash/onions, and a couple of small pieces of celery with peanut butter (maybe a Tb or so).
And a cup of...well, I made this weird thing and it's ho-hum, not good not bad. Have you ever had the WW pumpkin fluff recipe? Well, I tried it with chocolate pudding. Not that great. But I wanted to see if pumpkin went well with chocolate. Eh-- it was edible

Dinner will be grilled steaks with some veggie or other (salad, maybe). And maybe some leftover brown rice, just to get rid of it.

Haven't done any exercise yet. Might wait till ds gets home. Dunno. Don't feel like it. That probably means I should do it anyway

[Valerie.Qc]

Lunch: cold leftover pork roast and a big salad.

I havent' made the soup yet... might do a small one for me and do hamburgers for DH and the kids. Will see how I feel about it after the ball game.

[witchygrrl]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura

Weight Watchers is great, but they are still way too much on the artificial sweetener bandwagon, and to me, trying to "cheat".
They say you can have any food, and you can. But there are so many recipes for sweets and things. IMO I don't think it's about trying to eat healthier as much as trying to fit in sweet things and not-as-healthy foods in, with smaller portions and artificial sweeteners, and healthier versions of unhealthy things.
You really have to be aware, and pay attention, and WANT to eat healthier/change habits.
Plus they kind of have a party line. They do try to accommodate vegetarians and people with "other" food preferences, but really, you fit in best if you eat meat and dairy and bread and a mainstream American diet. That's who it caters to best.

Cabbage: I just love it stir-fried with sesame oil and tamari with maybe some onions thrown in. Or you could make cabbage rolls (stuffed cabbage) if you're feeling ambitious!

And a cup of...well, I made this weird thing and it's ho-hum, not good not bad. Have you ever had the WW pumpkin fluff recipe? Well, I tried it with chocolate pudding. Not that great. But I wanted to see if pumpkin went well with chocolate. Eh-- it was edible

I totally agree with you on your WW assessment. I think my friend's problem is that she has a lot of mental/emotional house cleaning to do, and that holds her back. But yeah, I *hate* artificial sweeteners, and faking it til I'm making it won't do it for me.

And I plan on doing that with my cabbage today! Thanks!

Also, I've made pumpkin cupcakes with chocolate chips and cinnamon icing before. Totally vegan, and totally not diet frendly, but OMGS, so good!

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by witchygrrl

But yeah, I *hate* artificial sweeteners, and faking it til I'm making it won't do it for me.

And I plan on doing that with my cabbage today! Thanks!

Also, I've made pumpkin cupcakes with chocolate chips and cinnamon icing before. Totally vegan, and totally not diet frendly, but OMGS, so good!

I don't mind artificial sweeteners-- but like everything else, in serious moderation. As in, I don't drink much soda, like 3 or 4 a year, but when I do, I drink diet ones. I just don't like regular ones. I don't mind FF/SF jello or pudding. But I don't do these things as staples of my daily diet. I don't buy, for instance, yogurt with aspartame. I always check labels and almost never buy things with aspartame. Once in awhile, though. I love, for instance, Weight Watchers amaretto yogurt, so I will break my rules for that
And I do use cool whip sometimes.
I just think WW pushes that line WAY too much.

I've made pumpkin cupcakes/muffins/cookies with chocolate chips, and I think it totally goes, but this fluff recipe with chocolate pudding was just weird. I ate it anyway

I was trying on clothes, trying to decide what to bring to MA, and when I started, I wasn't feeling all that bad-- then got a look at myself in some things and just went
Ugh. I think I look simply awful.
I keep affirming "M loves me. He loves me just the way I am. He thinks I'm hot". Which he does. But I think looking at me is like looking into a funhouse mirror. I'm a distorted image of my former self, plus years of age. Gah. It's so hard to do a day at a time when I want not to look like this right now.

I am beautiful just like I am. I am beautiful just like I am. I am beautiful just like I am. Rinse and repeat.

[_ktg_]

Originally Posted by liza-s

Witchy aspect: "keep the witchin' in the kitchen' I need to put food in perspective and eat with intention & purpose. Food should be prepared with love and intention for health and growth. Food should not be wrapped in plastic and processed for cheapness & convenience. I need to honor the source of my food and support the farmers who produce it.

I love this !! I agree I need to refocus and put forth the purpose of the kitchen. For us its the heart of the house, and if the heart is not working right.. well no one is happy then

Checking here, wow I'm starting with a bang and let's hope I don't fizzle.
Dinner was meh IMO - but I like strong flavors and I did a light seasoning (S&P&Garlic with others) on my salmon. DH & the kiddos liked it so balance is the key.

Last night I sweated doing the plyometric workout for p90x, which is basically jump & squat training. I sweated my a$$ off last night.

This morning a speedy bike ride (30min) and had my coffee/cream/CO & stevia along with a scrambled egg & pesto italian sausage.

Lunch is leftover salmon & salad with added protein fixings from the salad bar here and then lots of water.

Snack - hummus and veggies

Did a quick pop on the scale and I believe it said 205 (with my bleery sleepy eyes). Will confirm over the coming days.

[_ktg_]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura

I was trying on clothes, trying to decide what to bring to MA, and when I started, I wasn't feeling all that bad-- then got a look at myself in some things and just went
Ugh. I think I look simply awful.
I keep affirming "M loves me. He loves me just the way I am. He thinks I'm hot". Which he does. But I think looking at me is like looking into a funhouse mirror. I'm a distorted image of my former self, plus years of age. Gah. It's so hard to do a day at a time when I want not to look like this right now.

I am beautiful just like I am. I am beautiful just like I am. I am beautiful just like I am. Rinse and repeat.

OT - this is something I'm going to do for my camp week FYI, and I think its going to be very very cool

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by Autumn Breeze

Then maybe I'll sit down and cruise youtube to look for some beginner belly dancing videos.

I *think* I saw some belly dancing videos on hulu. I know I saw some on netflix...but I don't know if they are available for streaming or only DVD.

Originally Posted by witchygrrl

Now mind you, I'm coming from a TF perspective, so I think healthy fats are a good thing.

That's a hard one for me. I do believe in healthy fats....but I don't think it is working for my body type. There are MANY reasons I am so overweight, and many of them are emotional and not at all related to food. But I do believe that my body has been squirreling away all the fat instead of using it...and that is from years of raw milk and pastured eggs and real butter.

I totally think TF is good and proper for a balanced metabolism. And I want my children to eat that way. But for me, until I get to a healthy weight I need to restrict my fat intake. I will make sure that what fats I have are healthy. I intend, once I get to that healthy weight, to experiment with a TF diet again and see how it works for me then.

~~~

Wednesdays and Sundays are my 'off' day from exercise. On the one hand I want to go work out because I don't want to 'loose ground.' But on the other, I can see the benefit of letting my body rest.

So I took my daughter and went to trader joes and to an organic market. I just had a cup of nonfat greek yogurt with fresh organic blueberries mixed in. That snack totally doesn't feel like being on a calorie-restricted diet at all.

Tonight's dinner will be fresh corn on the cob, fresh green beans, sauteed tofu and whole wheat pasta. YUM.

Other than that, I can tell I need to do some tapping. Some really negative tapes have started playing themselves again since I've been working on weight loss. I have so much emotional/mental baggage from childhood that is an integral part of my weight. I feel like no matter what I do I won't loose the weight until I can let go of the need for it mentally and emotionally.

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura

I am beautiful just like I am. I am beautiful just like I am. I am beautiful just like I am. Rinse and repeat.

to the 'rinse and repeat'
to the affirmation

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura

I am beautiful just like I am. I am beautiful just like I am. I am beautiful just like I am. Rinse and repeat.

to the 'rinse and repeat'
to the affirmation

[Aubergine68]

You know, my inner vision of a kitchen witch is kind of chubby -- a Russian/Ukranian baba type with a kerchief, though not a Baba Yaga - and she makes a lot of bread. She has a soup pot and does things with garlic, but mostly bakes goodies. And does yummy things with potatoes. She's high carb. She could make a whole cottage of gingerbread, but she wouldn't eat the little children who came to visit.

I need a low carb vision of a kitchen witch with a Vitamix who eats a lot of raw. Hit me with some fit and healthy Goddess images, please. What would Artemis eat?

[Indigo73]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

You know, my inner vision of a kitchen witch is kind of chubby -- a Russian/Ukranian baba type with a kerchief, though not a Baba Yaga - and she makes a lot of bread. She has a soup pot and does things with garlic, but mostly bakes goodies. And does yummy things with potatoes. She's high carb. She could make a whole cottage of gingerbread, but she wouldn't eat the little children who came to visit.

I need a low carb vision of a kitchen witch with a Vitamix who eats a lot of raw. Hit me with some fit and healthy Goddess images, please. What would Artemis eat?

My kitchen goddess is Hestia. And I do see her as all sleek and fit, on a nice healthy mediterranean diet.

[witchygrrl]

Artemis being a hunter would probably eat a lot of game plus whatever vegetation/nuts she'd find along the way.

Great idea to visualize a goddess with a healthy appearance!

And Liza, I meant to comment on your post, but I truly believe that eating mindfully is the way to go for both body and soul.

[mary3mama]

Hestia has long been my goddess of choice.
When I was burnt out on 'mama-ing' and caring for an entire community it was Hestia that helped. She represents an ability to care for others (as the hearth keeper) and yet not neglect self. That's powerful for a mama to remember.

I totally think that Diana/Artemis would be a great one...especially if one is omnivorous.

Demeter always comes to mind too, as the goddess of a ripe and plentiful earth...maybe that one is more helpful for veg-mamas.

I know there's more to goddess-mythology than the Greek and Roman names, but that's still where my reference point comes from.


I've been toying around with the )O( imagery lately and thinking about what that has for me as I endeavor to get to a healthier weight. One thing that comes to me is that I am done with baby-making and breastfeeding. I no longer need to be the full, rounded moon. I am beginning to move towards those crone days (slowly!) and the slimming that comes as the moon recedes. I've been just letting that simmer to see if it gives me a new focus...

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by _ktg_

OT - this is something I'm going to do for my camp week FYI, and I think its going to be very very cool

Huh? What did I miss? What is something you are going to do for your camp week?

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

What would Artemis eat?

This would make the awesomest bumper sticker!

[saphire]

Healthy dinner ideas:

Polenta Lasagna
Sushi
Asian Stir Fry
Grilled veggies ( asparagus, sweet potatoes, green beans, zucchini, summer squash..) and Brown rice with barley. I cook b rice and barley together, it's tasty and a little extra chewy, which I like.

I was going to try to think of more ideas, but some hungry kids are hounding me for food. Tonight is homemade pizza with marinara, fresh mozzarella and basil. And a green salad- which I love a little balsamic vinegar on.

I ate pretty good today, and walked 4 miles. I did bake a cake though.

[Maiasaura]

Walked 4 miles! Go you! I did...about twelve minutes of Pilates. Which I've never done before, and I had to dash out the door to go pick up DS. But it was interesting. It's Pilates For Dummies, which I picked up at the library.
The lady hosting it looks like Arnold Schwarzenegger in drag

The 30-day shred DVD has been shipped. Maybe if I'm lucky it'll come here before I leave to go see M

I'm also hoping against hope that this letter will arrive in the mail before I go. I can't find (threw out? ) the rejection letter from BCBS. The new insurance people need that as proof my kid was deemed ineligible, along with my application. And I have 30 days to get all this in (that's me hurrying )

So. Tomorrow morning we're walking around the corner because there's a cemetery there, and I know a great place to pick berries, if there aren't any yellow jackets this year. DS wants to ride his bike around the graveyard, and I can jog a bit

I have collected quite a lot of berries so far this year. They're all in the freezer, and I know where there are tons more. Berry pie for Lammas! Well...maybe this year just berries and cream
Any ideas, mamas? For a yummy berry dessert that isn't fattening?

So dinner tonight was steak and salad. I had mine plus real blue cheese dressing on my salad, and half of ds's steak too
AND I had about half a cup of mincemeat with a Tb. or so of hard sauce for dessert
BUT. For 3 days now I have not eaten after 8:00pm

Even after all that dinner, I was dying, just dying, for chocolate, and I didn't eat any. I have a huh-YOOGE hershey bar in the cabinet because it was left over from ds's camping trip at school, and they gave it to me, for s'mores. I also have a bag of marshmallows and a thing of graham crackers and we haven't used any of it yet. DS wanted to open the Hershey bar, but I knew I'd be toast if I did. So I resisted

I'm thinking 4th of July for that My ex roommate is coming to care for ds while I'm in MA, and maybe for that one day I'll just have the one meal,or eat light for the rest of the day so I can have the chocolate.

[Aubergine68]

Maia, do you have a blender that chops ice worth anything?

How about a berry sorbet -- frozen berries, ice, maybe mint or sweet herbs of some sort pureed with the minimum liquid you need to do it and then further thickened in the freezer like ice cream? Or berry sauce over low-fat ice cream?

[witchygrrl]

Maia--I've been experimenting with adding only half the sugar that a recipe calls for, and I find that the flavors really come through! So maybe a berry pie/tart with way less sugar?

[Valerie.Qc]

I'm thinking of creating chocolate shells (good quality dark chocolate mixed with coconut oil) to serve as bowl for my berries. I'd use only a small amount of chocolate for each shell so it would still be healthy.


We are going to a party this afternoon... I'll try to stay away from the chips and other snack food that will be offered. I'll probably bring some wine or sangria to avoid the beer...