MOLLY'S DIET RANTS! (ranting, raving, motivating & more)

RANTING BURNS CALORIES!

This is an open, ongoing, support-encourage-motivational-RANTING thread. Feel free to skip to the end, or spend days reading through all of this ...

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I have decided that "Diet" is a 4-letter word.

I find myself muttering and uttering the word around my house these days with loathing and vehemence previously reserved only for comments directed toward liberal politicians. In fact, I seem to be talking to myself a lot more these days .... sort of a running, sarcastic commentary on all the foods I can't eat, or on various other related topics. I wonder if there is a link between calorie-deprivation and Tourettes Syndrome? Grrrrrrrrr.....

I am now on Day 8 of the dreaded D-word. This is already the longest period of time that I have ever successfully remained on a diet. And I seem to be growing grouchier and feistier each day..... at least when I am alone and no one is around to hear my running rants. (My wonderful DH has heard some of my more memorable rants on the subject of broccolli and reports that I am hysterically funny when I am hungry!) I am counting carbs. I am counting calories. I am counting fat grams. Sheesh ... now my math anxiety is about to kick-in!

Mini Rant #1 .... what masochist decided that the serving size of cereal was anything less than 2 cups? Have you ever measured out 2/3 a cup of cereal? Or even a full cup? And placed it in a bowl? Those few little flakes and pieces just sit forlornly at the bottom of the bowl, shivering and lonely, even when we dribble on a few meager droplets of skim milk! Sheesh. Well, I can tell you that there is simply no way that my oversized body is going to be happy with that tiny amount of cereal ... so I have been eating TWO servings for breakfast. SIGH. And while the side of the box says that I can supplement the cereal with some fruit, they probably don't mean eat 45 cherries with your cereal -- much less 1/2 a watermelon, huh?

Mini Rant #2 .... Things NOT to say to someone who has told you that they have just started on a diet:

1.Good, you sure needed it.
2. It's about time.
3. Really? It doesn't look like it.
4. Again? Haven't we heard this before?
5. Gosh, how much weight do you need to lose?
6. What do you weigh? I've always wondered.
7. I never need to diet, I have a fast metabolism.
8. Really? I can eat all I want and never gain weight.
9. Is THAT why you are so grouchy?
10. I sure hope you plan to exercise a lot more.

AAAUGGH! All of these responses are just the thing to make me even grouchier .... so just smile and say something encouraging and supportive, ok? I will let you know how it is going.

_____

=^..^=  Molly 

WELCOME TO MOLLY'S MOTIVATIONAL RANT / CHAT THREAD ... FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR RANTS, TOO!  YOU CAN EITHER READ FROM THE BEGINNING OR JUST JUMP ON IN ON THE LAST PAGE ... JOIN US! 

Dieting Week 12....well, that's something to rant about, isn't it? Why oh why must we suffer the loss of enthusiam that occurs 3-6 months into this?

I like the "speed bump" idea....means I may be slowed down right now, but soon I'll be roaring ahead again! Much beter than a wall...which requires going around or over, and would be much more discouraging!

OH-oh, jelly....that concentrated sugar sure can set off our food obsessions, can't it? In our house there's a "30 day and gone rule"....if DH hasn't eaten up a tempting item, it goes right into the trash!! That way there is at least a time-limited serpent residing in the cupboard/refrigerator!

Oh I hear you regarding week 12 and I'm so glad to realise it isn't just me (d'oh, when is it ever?!).  I'm a bit beyond week 12 but have been a somewhat lackadaisical (sp?) since then.  I have decided I WILL be motivated when I get back from my holiday, no "mights" or "want to's", I WILL be.

So, on the holiday front - thanks for the advice, Molly :-)  Hand sanitizer - check, Imodium - check, water chlorination tablets - I was umming and ahhing over these, so will now be buying some tomorrow!, Neosporin - I'm not sure what this is - Wikipedia says antibacterial & painkiller but we don't have it here.  I'm hoping Savlon will do the trick!  I also have antihisthamine tablets, steroids (in case I get bitten - bad allergy), oral rehydration salts (even the description sounds bad!), antihisthamine cream (are you sensing a pattern?) and regular painkillers.  At least I got to buy a pretty little bag to put it all in!

So, this is probably my last "rant" for a while - no doubt you'll be hearing about sand, camels and the rest when I get back.

In the meantime, keep at it everyone!  A big thanks to everyone that posts as it keeps me sane and reminds me daily why I'm doing this.  It'll be great to have a week's worth of posts to read in one gulp!

Caro

Neosporin is an antibiotic cream...great for cuts, etc. (also works well on piercings, but thats beside the point).  Look for a tube :).  The stuff I have is store brand, and works great.

Enjoy your trip!

my daily rant:

i've been dealing with some health issues for the past half year and had to quit my part-time job at the coffee shop. i was getting sick after everything i ate, and just had really bad stomach cramps, etc. i'm finally getting some answers about whats going on with me but what i hate the most is going into the coffee shop or running into friends i haven't seen in awhile and hearing:

"oh you look better! your skin isn't so grey...you actually look somewhat healthier.."

THANKS. if i looked THAT sick before, why didn't anyone tell me? i could have worn extra makeup or something.. i'm glad i'm looking healthier but i don't really want to be reminded or told that i looked that awful before..

This coming Sunday will be my 12-week mark of dieting.  This is the longest I've ever stuck with dieting (eating healthy, eating healthy, eating healthy ... oh, heck ... DIETING) in my whole life. I think I once lasted 5 weeks, drinking these dreadful chalk-y shakes five times a day. (bleccch!)  It feels very milestone-y for me, but I'm not quite sure why.

My initial goal when I first started this on August 22, 2007 was to lose the 40 pounds that I'd managed to gain in the past 2 years since I started taking insulin at age 40. As of my last weigh-in, I'd accomplished that goal. Wow. I feel like I've reclaimed those two years, ya know?  And the coolest thing? I am now 1/3 of the way to my "ultimate" goal of losing 120 pounds. (I will need to lose more after that, of course, but for now my focus is on losing that first 120 pounds!) It's rather to cool to think that I've lost 10 percent of my starting weight.

In some ways today was very hard, but it was also very gratifying. I made a delicious lunch for my wonderful DH Ron and our houseguest, Jim .... but didn't eat any of it -- instead choosing a healthier, low-calorie, diet-suitable option. It was a bit hard, sitting here eating my scrambled eggs and apple while they chowed down on mouth-watering sizzling beef fajitas, gooey melted cheese, and salty chips. But I just smiled and ate my own nourishing, tasty lunch. 

Tonight was another challenge. They ordered a pizza because they are flying an all-night overnight mission tonight and wanted pizza for now and later (they took the leftovers with them.)  I made my own healthy mini pizzas (recipe in my journal), and ate a yummy acorn squash ... while they ate their pizza.  Part of me wanted what they were having, but a bigger part of me DIDN'T.  That is sort of a first for me. I mean, I could've "fallen off the wagon" and had 2 slices, but I didn't want to cheat on my diet and fall off the wagon after doing so well for almost 12 weeks.  Now that they've left for the evening and I'm home alone, part of me is really happy that I made good, healthy choices today.

(sigh) But this IS hard, no way around that. It's hard to say no when you want to say yes. It's hard to choose wisely when you want ooey-gooey melted high fat cheese. But I want to keep my cholesterol at a healthy level. And I want to keep my diabetes and blood sugar under control. And I want to "win" that trip to Hawaii in the spring! (My DH has promised me a trip to Hawaii for losing my first 50 pounds.)   So, while I may be navigating some speed bumps and ranting and whining a bit, I know that my eyes are still on the prize ... all of the prizes.

Happy Ranting, peeps. Remember, it burns calories! (smile)

=^..^= MOLLY

Molly, You should be so proud of yourself with the pizza! Coincidently I failed my own pizza test last night. I wanted to order a vegy pizza but my hubby wanted meats (and the boys ALWAYS want meat!) Instead of ordering a third healthier pizza I had some of the 'kitchen sink' pizza my DH likes; Two pieces and as I took the last couple of bites I actually felt kind of sick! Just too much fat at one time for this tummy.

You chose wisely.

Molly, ditto - you should be proud of yourself for choosing to stay with your plan.  It is hard sometimes, but it just seems that you get to a certain point where you've got so much invested in making progress that the pizza, or whatever the object of desire is, just doesn't seem worth it.  I've certainly found myself looking up at the "wagon", having fallen off.  Sometimes I find that it really helps to just say to myself that I have a big desire to eat whatever it is, the brownie or the pie or the pizza, and really just admit it and stay with that feeling, and then for some reason it's easier to walk away.  I don't know why exactly, it just seems to work for me. 

You know, sorta like: "Oooh, I REALLLLYYY WANT that", said in a moany, rumbly voice - if you do it rumbly enough, maybe it burns off a calorie or two.

I ditto those thoughts on the pizza. We decided a "once a year" treat of pizza was OK last weekend. And it was so expensive...dollar and calorie wise, that we're not likely to repeat it for 2 or 3 years!!

I've found that when I really "have to" have pizza, I go for one of the Weight Watchers or Lean Cuisine things....controlled amount, satisfies the tase buds enough to get over the craving, but not so much that it extends the cravings. I like the homemade mini muffin or pits pizzas too.

Interesting, megan, how you've learned that acknowledging the feelings help get through them! I'll have to try it....maybe Sat while the family is having B'day dessert?

Megan, I, too, am going to try the "just admit the truth" strategy.  It is a great idea.

Chris, about the wine jelly...maybe you could get the recipe from the lady at the church bazaar.  I find that it helps if I have the recipe of something that I crave and know I could make it for myself if I got desperate.  As you can tell, I have problems with feeling that I can "never" have something and letting myself know I could have it if I really, really wanted it helps stop the panic.  I was only able to quit smoking because a new grocery near our house was open 24/7 and I knew that with my car keys and a credit card I could always get cigarettes, even in the middle of the night, if I was desperate.  It was a "baby" strategy, but it worked.

We will be traveling to visit some old friends of the DH and I am in a panic because they haven't seen me since I've gained so much weight.  They are nice people so I don't think anyone will say anything mean.  I already feel embarrassed about them seeing me.  I've even considered not going which just makes me angry with myself.  grrrrrrr...I'd just like to be "normal"!

Thanks for listening,

Jane 

Original Post by meganr:

You know, sorta like: "Oooh, I REALLLLYYY WANT that", said in a moany, rumbly voice - if you do it rumbly enough, maybe it burns off a calorie or two.

This is EXACTLY what I need!!! I've been ranting, sure, but maybe if I add moaning and whining I will burn even MORE calories? Hmmm.... It seems preferable to ...say... actually exercising.  heh heh heh

"I'm sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to stay home and whine!"

(And, yes, I DO want cheese with my whine -- that's why I am whining!!!!)

=^..^= MOLLY

I find it ironic that pizza seems to be the topic today...since I am having pizza for dinner tonight!  We're ordering papa murpheys (take and bake) so it will be less greasy, and 1/8 of a medium hawaiian with original crust is only 190 cals!    And its very yummy!

So I determined this morning that my cat must want to get healthier as well.  I was doing my pilates and she sat with me the entire time.  She needs to lose weight to help with her diabetes, so I think working out would be great for her...if she'd actually do it!

I've also noticed that since I've started eating less so has she.  She's still getting her half cup of the special diet food that the vet has me feeding her, but I used to have to give her a little bit more at night (she gets fed in the AM) when she gets her shot.  Now, she has plenty left at night. :)  So maybe my kitty IS trying to lose weight with me!  *Talk about an accountability partner*

Ok, so I know its not a rant, kind of an anti-rant, but it is proof (at least to me) that cats are just as good as dogs at helping in weight loss!!

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS ... 

Well, we've decided just to stay home for Thanksgiving this year. Our friend who had invited us over moved Thanksgiving dinner from Thursday (which is Thanksgiving Day) to Wednesday, and my wonderful DH Ron is flying a mission that day. After much discussion, I decided I didn't want to go without him AND not be able to eat most of what's being cooked (more from a diabetic standard than even a dieting standard), so our plan is to just stay home.

And NOT have turkey!!!

I have to say, the joy of turkey seems to have passed for me. I now eat sliced, oven-roasted turkey 3-4 times a week. And ground turkey breast. And turkey pepperoni. And turkey sausage. And turkey fat free hot dogs. And even turkey pastrami.  I have begun to sprout feathers and make this faint "gobblegobblegobble" sound as I waddle through my kitchen. The cats follow me, and it is somewhat disconcerting.

So I think I will make something special, but non turkey-fied.  Maybe a nice lean pot roast? Or some ostrich burgers? Maybe even ostrich STEAKS ... I saw some at Whole Foods. (I'd have sashimi yellowfin but my wonderful DH would probably not appreciate that, ya know?)  And I will make some grilled asparagus and some herbed bulgur or herbed quinoa, and yummy pumpkin crunch for dessert! And some low-calorie egg nog! (I am working on perfecting the recipe ... I will post it when I've got one I really like!)

Thanksgiving

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Thanksgiving 8000 calorie poem

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey plump,
May your potatoes and gravy
have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious
and your pies take the prize,
and may your Thanksgiving dinner
stay off your thighs!
-Unknown

gobblegobblegobble!

=^..^= MOLLY

Pumpkin crunch?  I was going to do a baked apple thingie, but pumpkin crunch sounds good too - did I miss the recipe somewhere?

Original Post by brandy_m_gray:

Ok, so I know its not a rant, kind of an anti-rant, but it is proof (at least to me) that cats are just as good as dogs at helping in weight loss!!

Some of my very best exercise involves chasing my cats around the house trying to retrieve something they've stolen. Yesterday, an inquisitive, kleptomaniac kitten named McIntosh kept running off with all of my measuring spoons. (How weird is that!?)

=^..^= MOLLY

There's the Smart Balance peanut butter that you could try. It's not bad and i dont think it has too much sugar in it? idk... just an option, i know there's no partially hydrogenated oils in it... my fiance and i don't eat anything that has trans fat! So i definately know what you mean about those hydrogenated oils. Gluck.

Original Post by meganr:

Pumpkin crunch?  I was going to do a baked apple thingie, but pumpkin crunch sounds good too - did I miss the recipe somewhere?

MOLLY'S EASY PUMPKIN CRUNCH -- SEVERAL OPTIONS

one can of canned pumpkin (NOT pumpkin pie filling)

Fat Free Cool Whip OR already-made Jello Sugar Free Pudding (vanilla)

pumpkin pie spice, nutmeg, cinnamon ... to taste

Your favorite crunch cereal (preferably a healthy one... LOL!)

* * *

Depending on your calorie options and how creamy you want things, combine the can of pumpkin with either SugarFree Vanilla Pudding or about 1/2 a container of Fat Free Cool Whip. Sprinkle in the spices listed above, to taste.... I love pumpkin pie spice!  Taste it often! (hee hee hee!)  Scoop it into individual serving dishes, then sprinkle your favorite crunch cereal on top.

OPTIONAL: toasted nuts and raisins are also nice sprinkled on top. A further dollop of Cool Whip (or equivalent) is also nice.

NOTE:  Obviously, if you add less pudding/CoolWhip, it's more pumpkin-y tasting and lower calorie ... but it seems more special and creamier with the pudding or Cool Whip .... so decide what works for you. Toasted nuts on top with the cereal really help dress it up if you want to make it special.

CALORIES ... 

one cup of canned pumpkin (per this site) is 83 calories. (Read your label, some brands are less densely packed and can be less!)

Fat Free Cool Whip .... 15 calories a serving

Sugar Free Cool Whip ... 20 calories a serving

Kraft Sugar Free Jello Pudding ... 26 calories a serving (per this website)

Cereal ... just read your box and figure out what a 1/4 cup is (or less!)

=^..^= MOLLY

"And NOT have turkey!!!"

And where is it written that we must have turkey??? Pilgrims and Natives ate venison, I believe. Many folks of Italian extraction eat lasgna. So why not Ostrich!!??

My daughter will be in town this weekend, briefly, and as she'll be in Paris on Thanksgiving Day, we've deided to have family gathering Tanksgiving meal this Sat. And, she requested NO turkey, please! Our menu: Roast Chicken, Zucchini Stuffing (I'll be putting that recipe in the Recipe Browser later today), brussel sprouts, (one other unknown veggie dish being brought by SIL), and B'day Cake (well, not me, but the rest of the family) as it's B'day for daughter & my Dad!

And, I'll be getting a free 14lb turkey from the boss, as he does every year, on the Monday before Thanksgiving Day, which will stay frozen until further notice.

so everyone is in a rut, huh? so am i. im having keeping-my-hands-out-of-the-candy issues that i thought i had resolved for 3 days until last night when i spent the evening crying cuz im lonely and bored at home everyday and worried that the computer people will always be my only adult conversation and into the candy bowl i went. might as well have dived completely naked into it as i swam though the forbidden food. i was over 2000 calories for the day and im only suppose to have 1200 for dieting and 1800 for maintaning. ug. so what did i do? wake up this morning and have 3 cookies dipped in warm milk for some comfort ( i never did find any comfort in that food. but was somehow convinced that if i kept eating i would.) all i found was a stomach ache and at 2:40 in the afternoon im over my 1200 and lacking in protein and feeling like a failure and totally wishing for a dark cave to hide it.

know any good caves? 

My mom works in a Casino and cannot get Thanksgiving day off.  Last year, we did ours early (her days off are Monday and Tuesday) but the kids are in a Texas schools this year and they don't get the whole week. 
So I'm taking them to be with their dad for the holiday, and the DH and I will be solo this holiday.  Which means probably NO holiday fare for us, just normal stuff.  But my mom is going to give me her free turkey that she gets from work, and I'll probably just cook it and slice it up for lunch meat.  (I'm like Molly, turkey is every day stuff, so nothing really "special" about it.)

I sure am gonna miss my mom's cornbread dressing this time, though.  Oh well, there's always Christmas!!

silveraynbow,you have experienced what is known as "the phenomenon of craving" By eating the candy you set into motion an abnormal, seemingly unquenchable craving for more sweets. And you are quite right that any comfort we once got from excess food has long ago been reversed so that now the comfort becomes our pain.

Oh, heavy duty thoughts, huh? But you have hit on some good points:

• Remember HALT, don't get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired
• Boredom eating can be avoided by not getting bored. Always have a list of "things to do instead of eat when there's nothing else to do"
• Remember "If hunger is not the problem, food is not the answer!"

 Don't hide in a cave...GO FOR A WALK!!