Suzy: I think I need to have that talk with myself, too, where my health is concerned!

Went out to lunch with 2 (slim) friends & they had soup--like CLAM CHOWDER & SALAD WITH REGULAR DRESSING!! I had bean soup (a cup--low fat & a small apple)...

Concentrated on the conversation & it wasn't so bad!

--Suzy

suzy, poor you. glad you enjoyed the conversation.

mary

Suzy- most restaurants will leave off the fattening items from a salad (or you can just get the tossed side salad, usually only lettuce blends) and ask for your dressing on the side. A oil and vinegar dressing would be your best bet. Then you can limit the amount that you put on.

I feel for you, but don't let the slim friends discourage you from your goal. They in fact, may have been saving up for the more fattening treat by eating healthier at other times. Keep on doing what you are doing!

My log jam of the day is getting some client photos ready to go back to the printer to redo. I have put this off way too long and intend to get it done when I get home from work today so it isn't hanging over my head!!

Kristil:
So glad that things are starting to move along for you! WHOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO How is the house coming along with DH gone working some? Do you get to rest before you start to go thru things? You have to feel wonderful?!

Suzy:
Just think of your food as "special" and that you can choose to eat healthy or not. I found the other day, once I started visiting with inlaws, I didn't miss the bread and butter....just ate my salad with the dressing on the side, and dipped the lettuce into it. Far less than I would have eaten had it been on it.

You don't have to be the "victim" be the healthy one! Different metabolisms, etc. we are all unique. That is going to be my other mantra this year, as I HAVE to loose weight if I want to be healthy and I do! We can do this together and not feel like we are being "deprived", want to join in too Bless?

Yes, please, Diana! Most definitely! I'll "toss" those extra pounds and clear the log jam to being a healthier me!

Just had 2 organic apples. Skipped lunch & it's 2:30 so I'm thinking I'll maybe have some vegetable soup or tomato juice & rye crisp & low fat cheese or something in a couple hours to hold me over until dinner.--Suzy

One thing I've found: I can't skip meals. If my blood sugar drops too far, then I eat ANYTHING and am far more likely to make poor food choices. Keeping up very light grazing on high-proteins, whole grains, good fats, etc really does help keep things on an even keel, and I do a lot better. (By light grazing, I mean, having a 1/4 cup of raw or home-toasted almonds, or four crackers with peanut butter, or a carrot dunked in peanut butter (sounds odd, but it's SO GOOD), or a piece of fresh fruit, or tortilla chips and fresh salsa if I'm cravy crunchy/salty.

The other thing is in eating THE BEST foods. Life's tooooo short for low-quality chocoloate. The average candy doesn't tempt me--I'll hold out for two pieces of Very Good, Very Dark chocolate, thanks!

My Logs Are Jammed Up!

Unfortunately, most of the logs are hinging on finishing the desk painting, and painting has these rotten enforced drying times. But it's been four days since I've had a functional kitchen, and the whole house is getting desperate.

Things I can do to clear it: Keep plugging away at the paint layers, with a goal of being able to mount the desk on the wall tomorrow night (or possibly even afternoon). I can do laundry, though it's inconvenient to squeeze past the desk each time... inconvenient, but do-able. Trying to get more done on a work project, too... nibbling at the edges!

Elizabeth, I do the same thing if I miss any meals. I like the peanut butter and the carrot. and the salty crunchy hits more than the sweet.

I picked up some cut fresh fruits, some lo-fat cottage cheese, and alot of other healthy things to pick on and use. I also love garbanzo beans on my salad. I like the spring salads and put some great balsomic vinegar with a dash of raspberry sauce as the salad dressing. YUM A small dish of pasta, and two meatballs, slice of garlic bread (would have eaten more than that in the past!). Might have some "ice cream" for a snack later.

I also found the thin bread for my lunch every few days. Made water packed tuna with the thin bread and lo fat swiss cheese.
Fresh strawberry and pineapple and a snack for lunch/breakfast.
Missed breakfast due to going out early. Tomorrow I can grab a cereal bar.

Suzy and others, this is my attitude to food:

Eat healthy most of the time. Pick nutritious food and control the quantity. You all know what I mean. HOWEVER:

DS and I don't eat out often, in really "nice" restaurants. When we do, it is an Event, usually related to a birthday or something equally important. I've read advice on how to eat in restaurants, which says things like "Don't eat the bread,"
"Don't put dressing on your salad," and so on. I think the bread at some places is wonderful, and I definitely eat it (but don't go overboard). I definitely put SOME dressing on my salad, and so on. If you aren't going to savor what is offered, why bother? I order what I want, which might be lobster, or shrimp in cheese sauce, etc. I really enjoy the meal. But then I don't eat like that again for months.

If we give ourselves rewards now and then, which can be anything from the occasional ice-cream cone to a full-blown spread at a seafood place, we can be motivated to "eat right" the rest of the time. I brown-bag lunches to work mainly because it's cheaper, but also because I can control what I eat, and don't waste time standing in line somewhere. With the money I save, I can occasionally splurge on something I really like.

I don't recommend constant deprivation. The occasional treat can be a great motivator to eat properly 90% of the time.