Kimmy Dawn's Healthy Eating thread...

[slogo]

KimmieDawn you have the right idea for a discussion. We need to have a serious thread for discussing eating well, so everyone will feel like joining in. It is lots of fun meeting daily and being funny ....yet I know there would be more to use the forum if we have a serious side too. I have noticed that the other new people haven't been back. The more folks on the forum, the better it is help each other make it! I am going to your thread to post now and I encourage the rest of us Babes & Hunks to come along.

COME ON FRIENDS LETS GET HEALTHY TOGETHER. :)

[Vowel Lady]

I feel like I have been very successful with my weight loss, but realize that everyone needs to formulize their own plan based on their needs and goals.
I started off with Weight Watchers and this brought everything into line. I also started with very moderate exericse and was able to very slowly increase the intensity and duration. This was actually rather painful at first. So difficult, that I had to ask my doctor for Naprosen, take hot baths and get massages.

I eat low calorie, low fat, small portions and as healthy as possible. Now that I'm at goal weight, I do allow myself a little treat most nights. This might include one of those 60 calorie chocolate treats from Hersheys or one of those 100 calorie snack packs (usually cookies, etc.) you get from the grocery store. (Max calorie intake for a sweet snack is 100)

My routine has been very successful; it is as follows:
1) Morning: usually one omega three egg. I only have half the yolk. I often have a half of a waffle with this, a little real butter and some honey. Sometimes I have high fiber cereal or oatmeal instead, but I almost always have the egg combo. This reduces my carb cravings.
2) Lunch: Most often I have a very large salad, lots of veggies, 3 ounces of chicken or turkey. A little very low fat salad dressing.
3) Snack: One fruit: usually an apple
4) Dinner: One or two vegetables, 3-4 ounces of chicken, turkey or fish. Sometimes I eat a little brown rice or 1/2 of a potato
5) Snack: When dieting, I often had a fruit or sugar/fat free yogurt. Now that I'm at goal weight, I often have something with sugar in it, but no more than 100 calories.

I use the treadmill or ellipitical machine 3-4 times a week for 35-45 minutes.

My cholesteral is perfect and my blood pressure has reduced significantly since doing this routine. (Formerly had high blood pressure).

I've also iincreased my vitamin intake, especially b12.
My energy is much better. I'm at normal weight and I have no more "blues."

I'm considering adding a fiber supplement.

Greatly recommend the following books:
You: The Owner's Manual
The Real Age Makeover
The Complete Food Counter
What to Eat When You're Eating Out

[Jo*mar]

I need to get into this but I'm waffling?? {not getting serious about it}
So get a whip out and "encourage" me.

my typical day of eating is this-
7:30 am -1 or 2 cups of coffee w/ 2 spoons of sugar & half n half
10:00 am - a small homemade pizza or leftovers from dinner or oatmeal or bagel w/cream cheese - {not much into eggs or cold cereal}
1:00 pm - snack - veggies, fruit - sometimes tostitos chips {salt cravings}
dinner can be anytime from 4-7ish {hubby on a odd work schedule}
either a standard meat & potato & veggie type meal or a cassarole or stir fry.

mainly I try to limit portion sizes {sometimes it is soo good though} and not eat after 7pm.

I know I need to drink more water and increase veggies a LOT!
plus exercise- {fix my treadmill!}

so what ya gonna do with me??

[janster]

I know I need to drink more water and increase veggies a LOT!
plus exercise- {fix my treadmill!}

so what ya gonna do with me??

I need motivation too--BIG TIME! I started with some walking, and um... woe is me....I'm not real faithful like I used to be.

HELP!!! We need plans!!

WHERE ARE ALL OF THE CHEERLEADERS???? HUDDLE TIME!!

I need a kick in the butt or something!!

What are you gonna do Jo? Anyone, what are you guys gonna do? We used to do a virtual walk at a specific time. I need some kind of organized something, and I'm not an organizer. I admit it. :o Does anyone have any kind of exercise plan? I don't have a treadmill though......

I like your eat more veggies and drink more water thinggy. I'm gonna start with that for now, cuz I'm kinda doing ok.....kinda. I'm a snacker. I'm kinda waiting for snack recipes.

Does anyone have anything for a plan? :confused: I need to do something, and guess I'm too lazy to do start it....... :o
Hugs,
LS

[bizi]

Dear Jo,
What about having some cottage cheese or yogurt for breakfast?
Please eat some more protein thru out the day...your blood sugars are probably fluctuating and is contributing to mood swings as well as carb cravings.
Have you ever tried the low carb meal replacement bars or shakes?
It is a way to get more protein in your diet and I think they taste pretty good.
South beach diet makes a couple that I like...kind of like a rice crispy bar with chocolate.
It uses sugar alcohols as a sweetener along with splenda and is very satisfiying. One bar has around 200 calories and costs about $1.25 a bar in the 6 bars to a box.

Do you like hard boiled eggs?
I have boiled a dozen and then keep them ready to be eaten when I don't feel like fussing with a meal.
2 eggs is a great source of protein and very inexpensive.
In the past I have scrambled eggs with brocolli and cheese for a really satisfying meal any time of the day.
I also use a bit of tony sacheres spices to give it a little kick.
I have recently remembered how a one ounce cheese stick of mozarella cheese, 80 calories...eating 2 of them is a very satisfying snack.
I have sun flower seeds and pumpkin seeds and peanuts also to snack on when I get muchy in the evenings.
I also discovered they make 100 calorie bags of popcorn that are really good!
The 9pm snacking cravings are really a killer and I used to eat 3 ice cream bars...(i ate a box of 12 in a week)now I just don't buy them....I don't have the will power if they are around.
bizi

[Jo*mar]

thanks - i don't see a whip yet though--LOL

I think I'm a bit lactose intolerant - cottage cheese:eek:
I do like yogurt and eat it on & off.
But I think I'll get my healthy eating books out and set them on my desk- so i'll get some extra inspiration too.

janster - maybe we can flog each other to get in gear!

OK- my plan for tomorrow - get my books out
aim to drink 3 big glasses of water
prepare carrot sticks & califlower for snacking
Oh and yoga/floor/pilate type exercises for 20 minutes everyday
does that sound like a good start?

[bizi]

Go Jo Go!!!!!
YOu can do this....
I am sure of it!!!!
Have a great day and remember today is another day to be successful in what ever you put your mind on....it is like a do over
bizi

[KTM5665]

ok...Im here!

I cant stand to look at cottage cheese. It remids me of sour milk! I did try it in good faith, even mixing it with peaches. And it came up the same way it went down. I start my day with a cup or two, perhaps...three or four of black coffee. Sometimes accompieneid with a bagel.

for lunch, I'll eat something usually like a lean cusine. If I eat lunch...

and for dinner...at aroun 5 or 6ish...it's your typical all american family style dinner....protion controlled. and I stop when Im full. Sometimes!:rolleyes:

I drink diet soda. I could do better on my water, but hate water. Now that my topomax has been bumped, Im craving water, and salt. which Ive been a good doobie and switched to the fake salt.

Next!:cool:

[janster]

Hey Biz~
Great tips! I especially liked the scrambled eggs with brocolli & cheese for a meal. Great way to get in a veggie and fill up! I'm gonna do that!

I also didn't realize you could get mood swings and stuff from low blood sugar. Or it is contributing to it. I guess it makes sense. See how smart a person gets here? Now if a person, ok, maybe ME, could remember half of it....... :o
Hugs,
LS :)

[KTM5665]

Hey Biz~
Great tips! [b] I especially liked the scrambled eggs with brocolli & cheese for a meal.[b/] Great way to get in a veggie and fill up! I'm gonna do that!

I also didn't realize you could get mood swings and stuff from low blood sugar. Or it is contributing to it. I guess it makes sense. See how smart a person gets here? Now if a person, ok, maybe ME, could remember half of it....... :o
Hugs,
LS :)

yum.why didnt I think of this? that sounds really REALLY good. I may have to try this one day.

[janster]

I drink diet soda. I could do better on my water, but hate water. Now that my topomax has been bumped, Im craving water, and salt. which Ive been a good doobie and switched to the fake salt.
I'm on Topamax too-400mg/day for close to a year now. How much have you been bumped to? I'm sure you know the importance of the water cuz of the possible kidney problems. I kinda had a problem one day this summer. I was sweating like a stuck hug cuz I was really working--had a good pain day. I wasn't drinking anything, and am on Lasix (fluid pill) besides--double whammie.

Anyway, late afternoon I started doing the where I had to go potty really bad, but when I got in there, either there was a drop, or nothing--kinda like a bladder infection. I was puzzled, so I thought, well, maybe cuz of the no water thing....

I started drinking like a wild woman. Forcing fluids--all water. It took a few hours, but that's what it was. I learned my lesson. Drink lots of water. I don't know if diet soda qualifies or not, so I'm sticking to water. It might, but I'm not gonna chance it and go through that again!

Just wanted to share my story for your benefit!
Hugs,
LS

[KTM5665]

that's my dose, too. I take it for epilepsy. I hear ya about being outdoors. I was outback fixing the septic tank yesterday with Dh,...we live in Florida...blech...and good Lord Jelly beans...I almost DIED. it was so bloody hot. I sat down in my chair, and saw stars....my kids are on it too...I worry about my son, he races motorcross. I dont know how he does it. Luckily, he drinks like a fish. We had to pull my DD off of it becasue of renal tubular acidosis.

Maybe a lemon with some crushed ice in it. And a party umbrella...and a visiual of being on a cruise ship might help some~:eek:

[Sherloc56]

The stopping when you are full is a good thing. I have gotten to where I do that and not only does it help weight wise it seems my reflux isn't bothering me much at all these days. I also try to use a smaller plate, therefore smaller portions.

I am not a dieter. I can't diet no matter how hard I try. I guess its a mental thing of telling me I can't have!

I try to bake most everything. I am a fried food nut!! Love fried anything!! Jamie's daughter was 177 lbs. at 10 years old and a food junky. I have never seen anyone get so excited about food in my life as she does. She has dropped to 157 just from making her walk to the bus stop, eating low fat stuff and learning to read labels. She likes rice cakes so she snacks on those and I get her fat free pudding, and cheese. She loves cheese like I do. So we both try to watch each other. Its hard sometimes when her Dad brings in the chocolate bars and junk. We are trying to learn to eat smarter. I stopped the diet soda's so much because they have aspartame in them and it causes symptoms to alot of people that are like Fibro, Ms, and things like that. I haven't yet been able to stop my soda's though. They are my coffee in the morning and all day actually. My fix they call it around here. :eek:

I love tuna, but only the white albacore agrees with me so I eat it. Usually with celery or a few crackers. I try to leave the mayo out of it and if I do put it in I use very little. I used to have to have gobs of it. I rarely eat mayo anymore.

Right now I have been slipping real bad.....depression does that! But I am going to kick myself hard so I get motivated. Jan you kick me and I'll kick you too! ;)

Take care ladies and keep the good advice comin.

Sher

[bizi]

dear sher,
Have you ever tried the diet drinks with splenda in them?
I don't think they have the same health effects like nutri sweet...
just wondered. Diet rite uses splenda and so do some others.
Oh bad hubby!!!!!
candy bars and junk....
awful!
I found that I really like using a low fat balsalmic vinegrette in my tuna... paul newmans...gives it some zip and a lot less calories than mayo.
bizi

[kimmydawn]

WOWOW! I just saw this!!! thank you so much for this discussion! Don't hesitate to PM me next time and say, "hey, girl..." ;)

IN A NUTSHELL...I need help. :(

For instance, today I had two soft pretzels, two cups of coffee and water and pop. I'm getting ready to eat a piece of a steak sandwish. This is typical of my every day. :(

I usually don't eat until 2 or 3 in the afternoon. Does anyone have suggestions on foods that won't nauseate(sp?) first thing in the a.m.? Can anyone help me with good supplements?

I used to be addicted to food and now eat only when tummy hurts. It's not healthy. I know that. I need to get my metabolism back up as well.

Y'all are AWESOME!

[janster]

Hey KD~
First of all, I've always been told you should eat breakfast to get your metabolism going. It kicks into gear then, but you know that or you wouldn't have mentioned it. So get a gettin' woman!!!

Did anyone see Janet Jackson on Oprah yesterday? Her weight trainer--the guy that helped her lose the 60 pounds she put on for a movie, then they didn't make it, (or something like that) had her eating 5 (or was it 6) meals a day because of this.

The foods that might help you in the morning of course would be the bland, non greasy ones. The first things that come to mind are crackers or toast. I don't know too much, but I'm sure some of the other gals will have some good ideas.

This is what I take for supplements, but I have Neuropathy and other stuff. I'll be adding vitamin C soon too.

Fish Oil Omega-3 1000mg/day
Vitamin B1 250mg/day
Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin 5MG/day
Vitamin B50
Woman’s Multi Vitamin

You should post here to mrsd and ask her. She's the expert. I bet others would benefit from her answer too.

Good to see your post!
Hugs,
LS (Little Sister)--Nancy aka BS (Big Sister) is older than I am! :D

[janster]

I found that I really like using a low fat balsalmic vinegrette in my tuna... paul newmans...gives it some zip and a lot less calories than mayo.
bizi
When I was at WW another lifetime ago we used mustard in our tuna. I like the uniqueness of it like that. Of course it hasta be almost black with pepper too! I heard once that using a lot of pepper is good for your arteries. I wonder if there's any truth to that? :confused: Has anyone ever heard anything about that? Just curious. Not you curious! :D
Hugs,
LS

[kimmydawn]

Thank you!!!! woohoo...mrsd??? ;)

I've begun taking a multi vitamin. So that's good there. I've increased my water as well. See, I'm trying. ;)

I literally forget to eat. :( I thought I'd buy some oatmeal and cream of wheat. I love both of those...especially with cold weather coming. I love to add raisins to them as well.

Does anyone know anything about coral calcium and black cohosh? I'm thinking of adding those due to recommendations. I guess I need to ask that one in our other forum. ;)

Maybe for now, I could work on adding a breakfast and making that a good goal? OK, I will make that vow right now. My birthday is monday so as a birthday gift to myself, I'm gonna start eating a good breakfast. :)

Thanks so much again!

KD

[bizi]

Hi kimmydawn!
Have you figured out a way to be better prepared to eat more healthy?
You may have a lot of responsibilties and a family who are needing you and maybe you are neglecting yourself.
Do you usually get nauseated in the mornings?
Have you ever talked to your doctor about this...could it be something physically wrong?
Until 6 weeks ago...I would sleep in until 9am then get up and go to work for 10am....I had done this for years...but for years I felt guilty about it and felt like a slug getting harder and harder to get up.
finally I decided to bit the bullet and join a health club.
Spending that money, deciding that I was worth it...gave me a direction that I needed to take. I have been getting up early and making it to the gym most mornings.
I am very proud of myself for sticking with it.
I am meeting people and feeling more flexable and stronger which helps my mental health greatly.
Everyday we decide what we will do...
We make these choices.
Make yourself first if you can.
Be brave!
bizi

[janster]

Thank you!!!! woohoo...mrsd??? ;)KD
Sorry, I forgot you didn't know her. mrsd is a vitamin/prescription med guru. She knows her stuff. She helps us all with what supplement should I take for xx, and I'm on this med, is it ok to take xx.

If you'd start a thread and put her name in the title I'm sure she'd help you. She's really nice, and like I said, knows her stuff. I bet a lot of people would benefit from her answer.

Hey Biz~
I'm proud of you too~
YOU GO GIRL!!
GO BIZI ~ GO BIZI ~ GO BIZI

Hugs,
LS :)

[Sherloc56]

I never thought of that in my Tuna. I just bought some too! I must have known you were going to suggest it....;) . I have never tried it on my salad but my sister loves it so I thought I would try it. I am always up to new ideas. Appreciate that.

I do like Tab but have actually never looked to see what is in it. I don't like diet coke or pepsi. They both give me indigestion. Tab also keeps that bloated feeling away I get with some of the other soft drinks. I also like smoothies and am going to try Bilie's soon. Sounds so yummy!

Thanks again

Sheryl

[mrsD]

She directed me to this thread... I missed it!

Kimmy--- are you not hungry, not eating because you are ill?

Often when people are sick, they won't eat food, but they will drink liquids.

You can make smoothies, with fresh fruit/yogurt/milk/soy milk, whatever you
want. Adding some powdered whey, will give you quality predigested protein.

I guess if I had to recommend a way to start the day, when you aren't
comfortable with "breakfast", I'd suggest a smoothie.
The smoothie would give some quality protein, potassium, calcium, etc and would be easier than "food" which you would have to chew and swallow.
Vegans can use soy milk, rice milk.

From the foods you listed Kimmy-- I don't see good potassium sources, right off the bat. Bizi put a potassium thread on here recently...which is very good.

Often when people are EFA deficient (Omega-3) they lose interest in eating..since the stomach cannot maintain itself when Omega-3s are low.
There are foods now with them in it.
Smart Balance Mayo
Omega-3 eggs
Smart Balance peanut butter (has flax oil in it)
Smart Balance spreads...two types
There are flax breads out there now. I have a gluten free one from Whole Foods even.
You can make Good season's Salad dressings with flax oil, and get it that way.
Zone Perfect bars have Omegas in them.

If you have lots of nausea as part of some illness process, you could try ginger extract 1 hr before eating. I have a congenital GI birth defect that causes nausea for me, and I found ginger really helps..and can last up to 8hrs and is better than anti-nausea drugs most of the time. Ginger extract comes in capsules and is very inexpensive. You should take it with at least 6oz of water though.

When you eat some protein with each meal, you control insulin levels, and feel better. This controls spikes in insulin, which can cause low blood sugar attacks. The Zone Diet plan controls metabolism this way so you can feel better.

It is important also to get minerals..like zinc. Zinc is really important for thyroid hormone conversion, skin health, preventing and getting over colds/flu, and even emotional stabilty. If you take a multi, make sure it has zinc in it.
I use OptiZinc daily as an extra insurance policy since I am exposed to sick people all the time... (but since you have nausea--I would take it would food). OptiZinc is the easiest to tolerate (zinc sulfate commonly in stores is awful).

This is a pretty big subject for you... to make some lifestyle changes. I found when I did this over 10 yrs ago in my home, we all just did one new thing every few days, and slowly phased out unhealthy habits. It is a huge task
to make alot of changes all at once. I think people do better with a slow approach.

Any questions, ask here, or PM me. This month has turned out to be rather
tight for me (so goes my attempted retirement!)...:p

[janster]

KimmieDawn you have the right idea for a discussion. We need to have a serious thread for discussing eating well, so everyone will feel like joining in. It is lots of fun meeting daily and being funny ....yet I know there would be more to use the forum if we have a serious side too. I have noticed that the other new people haven't been back. The more folks on the forum, the better it is help each other make it! I am going to your thread to post now and I encourage the rest of us Babes & Hunks to come along.

COME ON FRIENDS LETS GET HEALTHY TOGETHER. :)
While rereading old threads I came across this one. Have we all made our plans? I thought this was a very interesting thread, so I'm also bumping it up. There's some good information here!
Hugs,
LS