Just an Author Trying to Get Healthy in a Fast Food World

I am failing miserably at this diet thing... I just want to look better and feel better and be healthy. The pandemic did me in...I'm serious. Suddenly I was no longer alone in the house, which was nice, but it turned me from getting my steps in while watching tv, and trying a new on-demand exercise routine to sitting. Mr. G working in the other room has me more self conscious about doing any of those things that I used to. And yes, that's a ME problem. Then there was the community panic of "Stores are going to run out of food!" So we were buying anything we could find in anticipation for empty shelves. (Now we know the only shelves that went empty were toilet paper, paper towels, I'm hearing baby formula, and cat food. Then breakfast sandwiches-which was odd.) But I went from buying all fresh veggies and proteins to whatever I could find. I still don't eat frozen chicken nuggets or strips, and I do make frozen fresh chicken. BUT my eating habits went crazy. I ...

One thing about getting healthy is, YOU have to be ready. No one telling you it is time to start ever works. YOU have to be the one that makes that move and really feels it in your soul. Trust me. I've started more Mondays and 1st of the months than you can imagine, and I wasn't ready so it didn't work. I've had people try to motivate me and again, that doesn't work.  I planned to start again this past Monday, but this weekend I really FELT it, I was READY. Day three and I haven't failed yet. So, I'll put that in the win column! I haven't started to exercise yet because this goofy weather has me miserable/ill with migraines and sinus issues. But making those better food choices at each meal/snack is step one. And drinking my water. Getting started is the hardest part, but I'm working it and taking it meal by meal. Two days down and a lifetime to go!  

Okay, today I am starting over (again). I put it off long enough, but up until this afternoon, I was mentally ready to do this and I had motivation to do this. I was good until lunchtime and I was at the store. I was STARVING at at the store, looking at homemade pizzas... But I persisted on. I didn't take one. I did think that maybe this weekend we would have one for dinner (I am doing the be good M-F, then can eat cheat food on the weekends).  Now, I considered eating before I went out, but it wasn't time for lunch yet, and I KNEW that by the time I got home and was STARVING that it would be too late for lunch, too close to dinner. And I was right...ugh. But I am trying to push on. I am tired of feeling like crap and having no energy. I want to do better and be better. Even if it is the hardest thing I've done since the pandemic started... I'm focusing on the fact that I am ready to do this mentally and feel motivated. Now to push through the food cravings is the next ...

A bit of honesty... My biggest issue (besides motivation to start) is self-control. I like food. I have always liked food. I'm Italian, I like bread and pasta! I like chips and cookies and cake. When I was serious about Burton Nutrition in 2018, I could eat all of those things and only eat a small portion and it was enough. I am back to the place where no amount is enough. I eat one portion, I want more. I still feel hungry. I still "crave" more of what I was eating. It's miserable. Willpower is not my friend. I have to work at it. And getting started is the most difficult part. Excuses are easy. I'll start on Monday. I'll start after this sandwich. I'll start after this last piece of dessert. I'll start once the cookies are gone....and on and on. I did good in 2018. I want to get back to that. But starting is hard. Right now I am fighting that exact thing. Had a piece and a half of a sandwich for dinner. I know that was enough in my head. But my stoma...

So, the squats didn't work out so well. I hurt something and had to wait until it was healed to start again.  But this week we are trying to get back in the swing of things. I took liberties with dinner way too many times over the last few months (while not really feeling like myself mentally) and ordered out, ordered pizza, or made a frozen pizza for dinner. Well, that's over. My dinner plans for the next two weeks include chicken, chicken, and more chicken. (Can you hear the groans from my family?) Well, I was going to make tacos one night, but the grocery store was not only out of the taco dinner kit, but out of ground meat - soooo.... no tacos until I can get to a different store and get what I need. The slow cooker cola bbq chicken last night did not go over so well. Tonight is teriyaki grilled chicken and asparagus. I've literally been sitting for two years. As soon as the "stay at home" started I stopped trying to get my steps in. It was too hard. Mr. G was...

I've never been able to do squats because I have bad knees. As as in life, my bad knees that prohibit me from doing certain exercises are partially due to my weight! #catch22 There are so many aerobic moves that make my knees do nothing but click, and my really bad knee will sometimes give out on me. So, that brings me to my new purchase. I bought the DBMethod machine. It is essentially to help you do squats while keeping the pressure off of your joints. But it is an overall aerobic workout (so it says) and helps with your pelvic floor (again, something that not only age but weight destroys) I did 10 the other day and my legs were like jello after, I couldn't walk, LOL Today I did 30. I think my form is correct, and I could feel the burn in my thighs. (again, I hope that is what I should be feeling, lol) I will go up a little each day until I get where I should be for an ideal daily workout. I can be the guinea pig to see if this machine is worth the money, lol. It's small,...

Just cutting out the pop (again) and trying to get 6 glasses of water in daily, as well as adding my protein shake back in as my lunch, I lost 2lbs this week. I'm still snacking on these little chocolates we have hanging around the house, as well as some chips or cheetos here and there - all things I need to stop. My problem is, if they are here, I will eat them. The willpower is non-existent, lol. But it's a start, and that's all that matters - I've started. Now just need to keep going!

I've had a rough go of it. While some of you were exercising, dieting, and bettering yourself during the pandemic I was going back to my comfort foods that I stopped eating when I began getting healthy. Chips, bread, bread, bread, did I mention bread? And sitting, well, let's just say I've barely moved since the pandemic began. Sadly. I need to change that starting today.

I haven't necessarily been following my healthy eating plan the last few weeks (which puts me about 3 weeks behind in my year plan) but today I chose to make a protein shake for lunch like I had planned instead of ordering fast food like Mr. G suggested. (granted, that fast food would've tasted yummy...lol) Baby steps, right?

I stopped the intermittent fasting and last week I went back to tracking my calories, trying to drink all my water and ate little or none after 8pm.  I lost 1lb. My goal was 2lbs, but I'll take 1lb, since I GAINED weight while I was doing intermittent fasting!! I also planned out the year ahead of me. If I can lose 2lbs a week, I'll hit my goal. Slow and steady, that's how I'm taking it. 

Yeah, I'm convinced that intermittent fasting is not for me. It works great for some people, but just like the keto diet, it isn't for me. Next week I'll go back to what I was doing before the Pandemic hit. My goal will be 2lbs a week, and in about a year I will hit my long term goal. I enjoyed what I was doing before. Fasting just confused me, since I was used to a couple small meals spaced out. It is great for some people, just not for me. (plus coffee on an empty stomach didn't work so well for me) If you have any lower carb and lower calorie recipes you love, send them my way! I am always looking for something to make for dinner and love a good muffin or cupcake that won't wreck my calorie count for the day! I'll update you next week as to how getting back at it is going...

I just don't know if this intermittent fasting is for me. And I think I'm over it. Stopping eating by 8pm is still a good idea. But, I always eat as soon as I get up. So not eating til noon has thrown me off my healthy eating game. I didn't even weigh myself last week because I stressed out and ate too much bad food that I figured there was no way I lost weight. Even though I only ate from 12-8. So we shall see this Friday, but I'm not counting on it. I still think I need a punching bag to work out my stress instead of eating, and a treadmill. Alas...we just had to get new tires for the Jeep, so looks like my exercise items get pushed to the back burner. I haven't given up, I'm just taking it  minute by minute.  As you do when you love food but want to get healthier...

I'm trying something new this week. I'm going to try intermediate fasting, kind of. My own version of it. Meaning I'm going to fast 16 hours/8 hours. During my 8 hours of eating I'll follow how I've been eating (protein shake, protein snacks, fruits, veggies, cutting back on the carbs and sugar). I figure I'll try it for a week. I've already been trying not to eat after 8pm, so only not eating breakfast as soon as I get up will be the issue. I looked at the Hungry Root food delivery service, but it seems so confusing. I just want recipes and ingredients sent to me. Planning the meal is the hardest part for me. I was super pumped about it until I noticed there is like 2 or 3 actual recipe selections, then the rest just say "main meal + side" and have ingredients. I can only assume I need to figure out what to do with those ingredients. There is where I fall short. And yes, I'd hire a personal chef for dinner in a HEARTBEAT if I could... that...

  UPDATE: I've really been trying this week, with a few little slip ups (I like good food, what can I say?) But, the good news is ... I lost 5lbs this week! 💥 Getting back to my shakes for lunch and trying to count the calories felt good. Water was a little more difficult, but I really tried. Before the pandemic I was at a place where I could eat what I wanted when I wanted to, fast food, carbs, desserts, and I was maintaining my weight. But the pandemic threw that into chaos. I have been loving the carbs. (so much bread...) The point is, I can do this. I knew that already, but getting started again always is a challenge.

I've been struggling. While so many folks used the stay at home during the pandemic to exercise and eat right, we were all stuck at home, in this little house, 24/7. I stopped making my shakes for lunch because whatever Mr. G was having for lunch smelled so good (yes, I am weak).  Then there was the bread. I love Italian bread and bought a lot during the pandemic. It was only $1.99 and worked to soak up the dressing of a salad, or make a nice sandwich, then it became toast for breakfast (which is my favorite thing ever - toasted Italian bread with butter) And I quickly remembered why I stopped buying bread and crackers...because I enjoy them! It's been rough. And I've gained weight back. I've gotten out of my eating pattern and am kinda down about it all. I know better than anyone that there is no quick fix, it takes work and time. So I am starting over. I need to take a long look at my current eating habits and figure out how to change them. I am not sure what it's...

You know...when you're trying to lose weight and get healthy, but you LOVE food??      This Pandemic has me feeling some way, and I am having a heck of a time getting out of it.   At least I'm not making bad food choices for EVERY meal... but I need to still do better. Yeah...lol.

It's been a rough week. I'm not expecting fantastic numbers on the scale on Friday either. It is what it is. I have grabbed an unhealthy thing more times this week and last then I should have. But I'm not getting down about it. I just try to do better the next meal. (not that that helps the pounds, but it does help my mental state) Looking into getting a treadmill now. We have all hills around us and I'm just not in shape enough to walk them. And maybe I'll actually walk if I don't have to leave the house to do it. (I'm weird, I know) But I am convinced I need to get exercise in somehow. More than just the 3-4K steps I'm attempting. But the fact remains is I want to do this and I can.

I am pretty sure that I threw my back out yesterday. I don't know what I could've done. Except, I just started while I was walking (I get my steps while watching television) I was taking larger steps, working harder and raising my heart rate in the process. Maybe that's what did it, I dunno...but I can't do much of anything at the moment. So my plan to start exercising more has hit a snag today. Sadly. I'm hoping I can take care of this on my own. I used to have a chiropractor but he has since stopped practicing. Here's hoping I feel better tomorrow or the next day. Trying to eat right. Funny how hard that is to do when you aren't feeling well. Feeling bad has me wanting comfort foods...which is never good. (I love bread and salty snacks...) I just forced myself to eat carrots and PB since I was snacky. At least I avoided the comfort foods, lol. Now to keep it up for the rest of the day, gah! I better just count those calories closely and stay within my numb...

Week Two - Day One Okay, one week down, and I got through it. But if I didn't want it so much, today I'd throw in the towel. Why? Because I am craving every bad food. I know this will pass, I just have to stick to it. Easier said that done, huh? I don't know about you, but I have some guilty pleasure tv shows (yes, I enjoy watching Keeping Up With the Kardashians...don't judge) I see these ladies eating LOTS of salads, but they do indulge in good/tasty looking foods too. So I am wondering if I am missing something in my Getting Healthy plans.  Yes, I am counting calories and drinking my water and trying to get "some" steps in. And when I say steps, I mean since the pandemic, I dropped to like 1K steps a day - IF I WAS LUCKY! Gah! So I've been aiming for 3-4k per day.  You have to understand, it is still winter here and cold outside (today it is slightly warmer, so maybe the weather will break sooner than later). I try to write or market most of the day, so...

Week One, Weigh In Day! I was eager to do it yesterday but held off until today. And I lost 4.5lbs! YAY!! I am sure it was all water weight, but I'll take it! Every pound lost gives me more incentive to keep going. And if I keep going I will get back to pre-pandemic weight and I will really feel good about that. Of course pre-pandemic weight means figuring out how to get past that nasty plateau that I had hit. That might mean adding more veggies to my life and less carbs, or adding more exercise. The first week back at it started off rough. I knew the choices that I needed to make, I just wanted the bad choices, lol. But I pushed through, and drank my water. Even tried to get some steps in. I added my protein shakes back as my lunch. I now need to find some other recipes. I have one that I like and drink it every time. It's the Elvis Shake, Peanut Butter and Banana! Salty and sweet - best of both worlds! But if I'm going back to a shake everyday, I think it will benefit me ...