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August 19, 2003 Since I had my two boys, I have not been able to lose those last 10 pounds. Until about 8 years ago, I never had to worry about what I ate. I had a super fast metabolism, did plenty of physical activity, and had no understanding of others who struggled. Then I had a c-section, a colon resection, then a second c-section, all within 5 years. I think those surgeries contributed. Of course, approaching 40 could be a contributing factor too. In any case I want to lose to get back to the old me. I tried The Zone after Eli was born. I was working out a ton and really trying to keep up The Zone. I did lose a little and I was in great shape, but I still didn't get to where I wanted to be. The Zone was hard to keep up long term. Last week I came across the South Beach Diet as I was online. I looked through their info, and decided to try it. It sounded good and the menus and recipes looked really appetizing. It also sounded like a plan I could live with long term. I looked at Atkin's Diet too. It was similar (the newest version of it which seems healthier than the older version of it that was so widely stomped on). I think what appealed to me about South Beach was the menus and the recipes. They were things that I wanted to eat. I could hardly wait to start: tomatoes with basil and mozzarella, marinated steaks, turkey rolled up with lettuce and herb mayo, even a simple dessert. It said I'd lose 8-13 pounds in the first two weeks. I've been on it for a week and have lost 6 pounds so far. Then temptation arrived. The new Baker's Catalogue, from King Arthur Flour, came in the mail. It is killing me. If I could, there are tons of things I would order. I look through it for days when it arrives. There are great things for baking all sorts of things. There are great ingredients and little things that you can't find anywhere else - cool gingerbread man cutters, square pans for sticky buns, mixes for stollen, excellent chocolate- in blocks, chunks, etc., pans for baking doughnuts and for square muffins. There are dried fruits that you never knew they had (strawberries), nut flours and dried vegetables for breads. Basically, if you like to bake, you need to see this catalogue. It makes me think of all of the things I could be whipping up over the next few months. As fall approaches, I always start thinking about baking more. Every page has things that I am not supposed to have for at least another week, and then only as occasional indulgences. I have to keep steady though. I need to do this for me. I will order something though. I need to since I love it. But I will only eat a little and give away the rest. It is silly to get so excited by just one catalogue, but it is so good and filled with things I'd love to have to create and indulge in my cooking and creative side. It inspires me. I will bake. I will eat in moderation. But I will continue this new way of eating. I have to. I need to stay healthy. I need to lose weight for my own self image. I will succeed. It will be hard, but I have to remind myself that I am getting older, my body is changing, I have to make some sacrifices. We all eat so much refined things, so much sugar, so much processed food. We as a nation need to be more aware of what we put into our bodies. Think about what you eat. Try to eat less "bad carbs" (all the white things- rice potatoes, pasta, bread), and more good ones: veggies, whole grains, fruits. Eat enough protein and the right fats. A few years ago, I had a few months of thinking that I might die soon from colon cancer as my friend Julie did. But I was lucky. I didn't. But I see things differently now than I did before that. I have new priorities. I make time for people more now. I try to make things that will make others happy, as it makes me happy. I hope my kids will learn the importance of staying healthy for those you love, and the importance of doing things for others. I have to eat healthy. I also need to indulge (in moderation) as you never know how much time you have left. Enjoy life. My South Beach "Potatoes" These definitely are amazingly like potatoes. I can say that I like them equally as much, although I was incredibly skeptical. The recipe in the book calls for a more, hmm, severe recipe. I couldn't quite bring myself to making it with the spray butter, so I use butter. They are really worth trying. 1 head of cauliflower Cut the cauliflower florets off of the head. |