Changing the way we eat around here

My plan to lose weight:
I originally planned my day around the idea that I would eat 1200 calories of food that was low on the glycemic index. That meant vegetables, no simple carbs, lean meat, egg whites, and a little dairy. That did cause me to lose weight very quickly. Because I made it my policy to exercise fairly intensively twice every day, I learned that 1200 calories isn't enough food. After about a month and a half, I found that I could add a few things to my diet, so I added more milk, another fruit and a small glass of red wine. I tried to balance my diet so that I was eating enough good food. I wanted to eat exactly what my body needed every day. I've found that I eat according to a basic plan but keep things flexible because we like to eat out in restaurants, at church and at family gatherings. I also wanted to eat what was freshly grown in my garden. And...I love meat.
Every day I eat:
3 glasses of 1% milk
1 cup organic plain yogurt
2 fruits
3 meals with protein
2 snacks with protein
unlimited vegetables and olive oil
flax meal
2 tsp cinnamon (for helping control blood sugar levels)
4 oz. merlot
2 servings of nuts
1 good cup of coffee (that means strong, with evaporated milk)

If we eat out:
Mike and I share a plate or
I take half of mine home for my daughter or
I eat the main meat entree and skip the rice and chips or pasta
I mainly choose chicken or fish
Every month we eat a ribeye steak, just a smaller portion than we used to eat


I haven't been good about adding grains back in my diet but I am working on it. I have an occasional serving of whole wheat pasta or brown rice but I should have some every day.


I do not count calories and I do not like to be hungry!
I have been eating this way for about 3 months and I have lost about 10 pounds per month.

Here is a typical day for me:
coffee with about 2 tablespoons evaporated milk, 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (the ingredients are peanuts and salt) and a fruit (usually a medium apple or plum) as a pre exercise snack
Take my 4 mile walk. Once or twice a week I walk 6-7 miles. I recently have been running 1 1/2 miles twice a week as part of my 4 mile walk
Flax meal "muffin" with egg whites and cinnamon, 8 oz. milk
lunch-leftovers or a serving of meat with vegetables or salad. I don't use any salad dressing. I would rather have a little cheese,  one glass milk
exercise at 3 o'clock-from a dvd or exercise machine for 45-60 minutes
1 glass milk, 1 serving almonds or walnuts as a snack
4 oz. merlot
swim
supper-lots of vegetables roasted with olive oil and salt. Lean meat, 1 cup plain organic yogurt with a serving of fruit. I like peaches or necarines or strawberries with my yogurt.

I don't want to know the calorie count. It is probably pretty high but I do 2 exercise sessions and am still losing weight, so I am okay.

I think a really good part of eating like this is the fact that I can eat this way every day, for the rest of my life, and be completely satisfied. I can treat myself at family gatherings and have some dessert or fried food and no harm is done.

Next, I will tell about my exercise plan. (I've had to buy new clothes 3 times in the last 4 months)

Incentive for my lifestyle change

The results of this blood test, taken in March, are the reason that I made some changes to my lifestyle. The doctor suggested I go on a medical "partial fast". That would consist of 4 prescription shakes a day plus one meal-a Lean Cuisine. I would lose 50 pounds in a few months and then maintain that weight with 1200 calories a day for the rest of my life.  He guaranteed that my bloodwork would return to normal and I wouldn't become a diabetic. I left the doctor's office feeling very hopeless. Live on prescription shakes for 3 or 4 months and then suddenly deal with real food and stick to 1200 calories? Sound good to you? After a few hours, I realized that I could do this on my own in a much better, healthier way. I couldn't wrap my head around his medical advice so...I didn't follow it! I happen to think he gave me unsound advice. I am not a doctor, and I am not a nutritionist but I think my plan has worked very well, and I have been very healthy and have more energy than I ever have. I can't imagine following the partial fast and putting all those artificial things into my body. I want to live in the real world, with real food, and be able to eat a healthier way for the rest of my life. So many people have asked me to explain what I was doing and how I was eating. I thought I would spell it all out here for anyone who wants to read the whole story. I told the doctor to give me 6 weeks and then we would see if I had even made a step in the right direction.

After 6 weeks, I returned for a second blood test. My goal was to have lost 10 pounds. (I prayed for 15 though). I started following a diet based on the glycemic index. I chose foods that were low on the index so that my blood sugar would remain level and spike. I was going to fight my insulin resistance by eating this way and exercising to lose my belly fat. I chose to exercise 45 minutes twice a day. I also counted calories at first and stuck to 1200. The doctor told me that amount would maintain 140 pounds so I thought I would get used to eating that amount of calories. I got these results back:

This is super good news! Not only had a lot of these numbers returned to normal, but I had also lost 24 pounds. I received a note from the doctor saying to continue this program and return in 6 months.

Over the next few months, I continued to exercise. I'm entering into my 4th month now and I've started running twice a week. Yesterday I ran 1.3 miles without stopping. I then walked another 2 1/2 miles and finished with a .3 mile run. I wanted to say that I ran a mile and a half.
I exercise twice a day still, and follow the glycemic index, but I no longer count calories., I will outline how I eat in detail soon. I just wanted to tell how and why I got started.


Here I am after my walk/run yesterday morning. I have now lost 40 pounds. I'm still losing very quickly but know that it will even out soon and I will start maintaining my weight. Let me tell you this, it takes a lot more than 1200 calories for me now.

Congratulations Debbie and Alan!

Before I post details of my lifestyle changes, I just have to say Congratulations!
to some very dear friends.....on their engagement.

Lifestyle changes

I've been busy exercising and working out a great eating plan for me and my family. A "not so good" report from the doctor gave me the incentive to make some lifestyle changes. I've now lost 40 pounds and work out twice a day. I bought size 10 pants 2 weeks ago and I've never worn that size. I want to return to my blog. I miss it! Soon, I will be outlining my plan on this blog. So many people want to know what I'm doing to lose this weight. Instead of explaining it to individuals. I think it will be simpler to tell my story here-for anyone who wants to read it. I'll get busy and post some pictures, my daily menus etc. Hope some of you will be interested in hearing about my daily plan for fitness and good health.

Me at a bachelorette party in March-40 pounds ago

TAC Tuesday evening Memorial Service

Jesus overcame the sting of death to rise and open up the Kingdom of Heaven

This Worship Service focused on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The names of the members who passed away this year were read aloud. Beautiful orchestra music  accompanied the sermon and remembrance.

Monday, Tuesday Worship at TAC

Here are some images from the Worship Services so far at the Texas Annual Conference of the Methodist Church. The focus is remembering the "Seasons of the Church".  Business meetings were held today and the first 2 presentations by our guest speaker were enjoyed. Tonight is the Memorial Service and Eucharist.

                                                           Christ the King is born

                                                                       Praise Music

                                             The crowd participates by singing along

                                               The Season of Advent is celebrated

                                             Our Bishop gives the opening address

                                                                    Palm Sunday

                                       Dramatic presentation of the Passion of Jesus Christ

                                              Solemn remembrance of the Crucifixion

Texas Annual Conference of the Methodist Church, Monday

For the next fews days, I will be blogging from Galveston, Texas. Mike and I are attending the Texas Annual Conference of the Methodist Church. We had a very easy, 3 hour trip into Galveston. We are staying at the beautiful San Luis Resort on the Seawall. Lunch was at the Cafe here in the hotel and we both had delicious Baja Fish Tacos. Our room is on the 7th floor with a spectacular view of the Gulf of Mexico. Tonight, we will attend the opening Worship Ceremony and the Conference will begin tomorrow morning. Check back for more pictures and details!

Coming into Galveston

                                                         Here we are at the Seawall.

                                             The view from the "hallway" at our hotel.

                                                       The view from our balcony.