To be honest, I was a bit scared to get on the scale. Lately, I’ve been naughty. The special political stress—or rather PTSD, Political Traumatic Stress Disorder, has been hitting hard the past few weeks so the cheese and Herr’s Tortilla have been very comforting to me.
Mommy needs willpower–In the past year, I most likely polished off about a dozen CASES of these little pillows of lead!
Anyway, it was time to face the truth. 160 pounds of me. The scale didn’t lie.
This is a great photo. At 6 pounds over what these women are, it’s interesting to see how the same 154 pounds looks on each of these women of different heights. Every one of them looks healthy! It depends on our comfort level and how toned we are!
The biggest disappointment? Last year at this time, my weight would fluctuate between 142 and 145 pounds but I kept it in check. Well…. I kept it in check until November. Between my brother’s passing, the trip to Paris during last Thanksgiving weekend in which I ate everything that came within mouth distance, Christmas and then—the Pandemic, let’s just say everything but my mouth was on lockdown!
Umm. I really think Patsy was talking to me and not Eddie!
Isn’t it funny how the weight creeps up? You think you’re doing ok and then—bam! You look at yourself sideways in the mirror and you see that huge belly. Your face appears slightly rounder. The clothes are tighter and then like magic—most of your wardrobe doesn’t fit. It’s that sloppy 15 to 25-pound gain. Not a tremendous amount but more than a few pounds.
That’s what I’m talking about! My gut. I can do the same thing as her! Only mine is bigger and flabbier!
In the past Weight Watchers has been a reliable program for me—but when I go off, the weight comes back unless I follow it forever.
And there’s more to life than salad and zero point foods!
Intermittent Fasting? I just don’t think it’ll work at this time. If I had a job that I enjoyed, I could probably do the IF, but every day brings frustration and stress during my 9 to 5 life and when I get home from not eating all day, I’m a hangry bitch –like a hungry canine, I’ll shove any foodstuff into my face and then I feel bad and by the time dinner comes around I’m eating again.
I lose my girly and behave like a hungry dog if I fast! And I would actually walk around with pizza hanging from my mouth!
Truthfully, I’m tired of spending money to lose weight. So, I’m going in a new direction.
I am eating more salad. I’ll be truthful. It’s not my jam but it’s satisfying!
That, my lovelies, is the direction of willpower and being accountable for my actions.
I’ll be writing down what I eat. And throwing away all sugary sweets.
Bottom is a Pain aux Raisin from a batch I made for my husband. I made them on Saturday. I have not eaten any. Instead I’m reaching for the Gala apple!
I’ll be researching healthy recipes and I purchased a book (I honestly didn’t even spend money on it because I used my Discover Cash Back rewards) that was recommended to me by a high school friend and reader of the blog, Cyndy Floor! In fact, when I finish writing the draft of this post, I’m headed upstairs to begin reading.
I’ve started to read the VB6 book by Mark Bittman. I’m a few pages into it and it’s a very good read so far! Thank you Cyndy!!!
And so, I figure if we do this together, we’ll all benefit!
One of the most important things for me is to get rid of trigger foods. Cheese, pasta, bread, and tortilla chips are my triggers—all carbs. It’s also difficult to bake for my husband and family because—and this is going to sound so disgusting to some of you—but I’m being transparent—it’s difficult to bake because I like the cookie dough before it’s cooked. Doesn’t matter what kind either. Same with cake batter—I’ll like the bowl cleaner than Chippy can—and I don’t care that the eggs are raw either. Frosting, luckily doesn’t contain eggs but I’ll make more than called for so I can graze on it. Ohhh I feel so much better releasing this confession! So, what are your trigger foods?
I had to purge all the macaroni in the house because I’ll eat it. And I never cook a little–I cook an entire box! For me!
Exercise is another thing. I’m so mentally drained when I arrive home from work that I cannot even bring myself to take a walk around the block. Instead, I’ve been walking around my office twice a day. I swear I wish I was back in New York City where I walked everywhere! But I shall make the effort to walk more.
And getting dressed for work every day is helping. My current wardrobe (the clothes that fit) is one with a ton of stretch–thank goodness I didn’t need to purchase larger clothing. I just packed away the clothes that didn’t fit. And when the weight comes off, I’ll bring them out of hibernation!
I’m a big fan of the J. Crew Factory Jamie pants–the elastic waistband is very Pandemic Weight Gloss friendly!
Today I wore a “so-old-they-are-almost-vintage” pair of the original J. Crew Pixie pants. The stretch component is incredible! The shirt I’m wearing is from Gretchen Scott Designs…
has a ton of stretch but also sucks the flabby bits in! These are the clothes that will get me through!
Excuses need to be stopped and action needs to be taken. Meals need to be planned.
This template is what I need. How about you?
In fact, Bonaparte is mulling over what I should make for Saturday evening’s dinner. I have decided to make Chicken Breasts with Tomato and Black Olives, topped off with Basil!
Everything you need is right here!
Chicken Breasts with Tomato, Black Olives and Basil
Ingredients: 8 Roma/Plum tomatoes cut into quarters lengthwise
4 Chicken Breasts boneless, skinless and pounded flat. Preferably organic.
One can of Black Olives—pitted. Size doesn’t matter. I like large and I cut them in half
Lengthwise. SAVE the Olive juice!!!!!
Fresh Basil
Olive Oil
White Wine-about ¼ cup.
Garlic—2 large cloves, minced or—mashed through a microplane
Red pepper flakes
Pour a bit of the white wine into a pan, add the tomatoes and garlic. There’s really no need for the olive oil because the tomatoes will sweat. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes and a bit of salt. Cook them till just soft because you don’t want them mushy. Set aside.
Drizzle olive oil in another pan. Add the chicken, the remaining wine and some of the olive juice to keep the chicken moist. When the chicken is lightly browned on both sides, add the tomatoes. Add the olives and cook about five minutes more.
Top with julienned basil. This is healthy and you can have leftovers for your next meal!
Any tips you want to add or if you want to add your starting weight—place in the comments! I think we’re going to have a good time! And we’ll be here to support each other! I’m thinking at some point maybe we can have a Zoom meeting!
PS. I’m not giving up my aperitif on the weekends!
I certainly don’t smoke but that aperitif isn’t going anywhere but in my belly! We all need a treat!