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!
Reason: Removed sticky 9/12, had been up since 9/4
Molly, I just joined today, and I have to admit - I think I've burned a good thousand calories just laughing at your duck story! (Not that duck hunting via golf ball is amusing 
)
I have horror stories regarding my fridge, and my kitchen.... perhaps one day I'll turn them into an anecdote to share, however, as of right now I will never, EVER eat pizza again.
... but that's a good thing, I guess.
Well, Molly, if the Lord wants you to have that job, you'll get it. Try not to worry about it.
Caro
Molly, if they don't offer you the job, they are idiots. Who wants to work for an idiot?
I'm grumpy again today. I think I was in a reasonable mood when I got up but I pulled a pair of pants from the bottom of my drawer that I thought had been too loose. THey were too TIGHT! I grabbed something else, got dressed, and on my way out the door my DH mentioned that he might try making eclairs today. ECLAIRS!? I just smiled weakly. (Yes, this is the same guy who had a bread baking marathon over the weekend.) I couldn't even comment because I knew it wouldn't come out well. ("That's nice honey. I guess you want my BUTT TO BE AS BIG AS A BARN DOOR!!!)
I did remember a little later that those pants are actually a pair that I haven't worn much because the waste -a "mom jeans waste" which lands somewhere near my armpits- was already a little tight. Glad I refrained from yelling at DH. I'm sending the pants to the Goodwill before they can bother me again.
"Also i once cried for an hour after trying to pull up a pair of jeans that were in my wardrobe, until i realised they were my 14 yo daughters no wonder they wouldn't go over my bum "
Thanks, sammii08, that had me in stitches!!! I could just see me doing that!
Chris, you have much more self-control than I do. I got home from a meeting last night at about 7:20, hungry (translate - grumpy) as could be, and on the counter I see a newly-opened really huge can of cashews. Now cashews are my total weakness, and DH knows this. Why in the world would he even bring them in the house? He *said* he was planning to hide them before I got home, but after my scathing look he decided to take them out to his car and take them to work for snacking there!
It is a mystery to me -- I know that he wants me to be healthy and lose weight, and he knows that I have this weakness. (Before I got on the wagon, he used to buy me cashews as a treat.) I don't think he'd overtly try to make me get off-track, would he do it subconsciously????
That's my rant du jour!
"THE POWER OF THE RED SHOES!"
One of my CC buddies reminded me that since I wore my cute red suede flats to my Monday job interview, the interviewer would be unable to let me leave the room without offering me the position. Apparently, the red shoes worked on a "delayed reaction" basis since he waited about 20 hours before calling me to offer the position!!! WOOO HOOO! Of course, that does mean that I have to figure out yet another cute outfit to wear for today to go and sign paperwork, but I'm opting for jeans (new ones), pink socks, a cute pink sweater and crisp white tennies. (I don't think he's quite ready for my pink high tops, LOL!)
Anyway, the job is local for me (Fresno, California), but I will be a research interviewer for the University of Michigan's Health & Retirement Study. This means I get to fly from California to Michigan on Friday, February 15 and go through seven straight days of training in Ann Arbor (Feb 16-22), before flying home on Saturday February 23, 2008. Brrrrr..... good thing I have cute pink boots, huh? They provide breakfast and lunch for all 7 days of training, and my plan is to just think "portion control" and do my best .... while taking diet and diabetic-friendly healthy snacks with me, plus lean protein for snacks (love that pouched salmon and beef jerky!) My weight goal for the trip ... maintenance, maintenance, maintenance.
Anyway, I'm pretty excited .... and will be spending some time between now and then figuring out what to wear since my clothes supply has dwindled and what I wear in California (I had shorts and a tank top on yesterday afternoon) really won't work for Michigan. The position is temporary, part-time and intermittent ... and starts in February and runs through (possibly) December ... which is the length of the study (which is repeated every 2 years). It involves phone stuff, computer stuff, as well as face-to-face interviewing of respondents in their home.... 20ish hours per week, intermittently. This is perfect for me ... I wanted to earn some extra "play money" ... but didn't want to get too tied down with being trapped in an office all day! YAY! My wonderful DH is very supportive and very excited for me!
Just thought you'd want to know!!!! (As Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz says, "One pair of red shoes can CHANGE YOUR LIFE!")
Thank you, Lord, for the job ... and thank you all for the encouragement!
=^..^= MOLLY THE EMPLOYED!
Hooray for Molly! You are such a vivid personality in print, I can only imagine in person that anyone would be clammering to hire you on the spot! 20 hrs eh? Wow that might be a new record!!!
Power to the red shoes!! I am going to pick out an outfit tomorrow that I can wear my cute red plaid flats with!
Way to go Molly. I am proud of you again!
God Bless,
ST
Congratulations! Way cool (and yes, very cold in Michigan)
All this talk about red shoes reminds me--I'm planning to wear a red sweater tomorrow, maybe I should pull out the cute red flats...
Congrats on landing the job, Molly! I'm glad you didn't have to wait until Friday to get the news. Have fun in Ann Arbor - if that's possible.
Not ready for red yet; try NOT to draw even more unwanted attention to myself.
My rant today: I can't stand the tv commercials this time of year; seems like every other commercial is about losing weight or getting in shape. What really annoys me is that most if not all of the commercials show perfect hardbodies, people who probably haven't been fat a single day in their life. Of course, if you read the small print that is quickly flashed across the bottom of the screen, "results are not typical". What a bunch of crap! Errrrgh! And, don't get me started on all of the ads for losing weight that pop-up on almost every web page I visit! Makes me crazy.
Oh, yeah, I also can't stand those people who always complain about having to lose 5 pounds. Really? Are we going there? Try having to lose 195 pounds, then we'll talk! Geesh, that just irks the crap out of me! I just want to tell those people that they could lose a quick 5 pounds if they have their brain removed since they're obviously not using it! SIBs just don't get it.
Original Post by tracywscott:Not ready for red yet; try NOT to draw even more unwanted attention to myself.
My rant today: I can't stand the tv commercials this time of year; seems like every other commercial is about losing weight or getting in shape. What really annoys me is that most if not all of the commercials show perfect hardbodies, people who probably haven't been fat a single day in their life. Of course, if you read the small print that is quickly flashed across the bottom of the screen, "results are not typical". What a bunch of crap! Errrrgh! And, don't get me started on all of the ads for losing weight that pop-up on almost every web page I visit! Makes me crazy.
Hmmm.... I must admit that I have never really been the "blend in quietly" sort ... after all, I have three pairs of lime green shoes (not to mention red tennies, pink tennies and blue and green plaid tennies!) Oh, and pink boots! And the colors I wear the most often are pink and hot pink, lime green, bright orange, bright yellow, red, purple, and various shades of aqua.
Well, I have some more details about the training in Michigan ... it's technically in Dearborn, Michigan (and not Ann Arbor)... and we're staying at the Ritz-Carlton. I checked out the hotel website (it's a pretty snazzy place) .... and here are some pertinent features....
The Fitness Center
- Cardiovascular and strength training
- State-of-the-art training room and fitness equipment
- Treadmills
- Elliptical training machines
- Stair climber machines
- Free weights
- Indoor swimming pool
- Jacuzzi
- Men's and women's sauna
- Complimentary water
- Complimentary reading materials
- Television in workout area
- Massage therapy (in the fitness center or in-room by appointment)
The rooms have a CD player and stereo, alarm clock, blowdryer, AND A SCALE! (woo hoo ... or uh oh, depending on the situation)
Our breakfast and lunch are catered in, and we're on our own for dinner. I was checking the restaurant menus, and thought that there were some nice options on both .... (of course the prices are scary!) .... of course I'd ask for no cheese and no dressing (I bring my own!) There is also a mall across the street if the weather is ok ... but food court foods aren't very diet-friendly, either. (Of course, they would be cheaper.) Anyway ... here are some possibilities ...
Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon
Chevre whipped potatoes, fennel, chantrelles, sweet corn, peas, sherried tomato sauce…twenty-three
The Grill Center Cut 7 oz. Filet
Tillamook au gratin potatoes, duo of asparagus, marchand de vin…twenty-nine
Grilled Chicken Pita
Tawook marinade, cucumber tzatziki, red onion, feta, lettuce, tomato, hummus…twelve
Cedar River Farm’s Chop House Burger
Angus only! Lettuce, tomato, shaved red onion, pickle, choice of cheese…fourteen
Classic Chicken Cobb
Romaine hearts, smoked bacon, egg, tomatoes, avocado, crumbled blue cheese, sunflower seeds, buttermilk dressing $16
Kobe Chop House Burger
Served on a kaiser roll with choice of cheese $14
Turkey Club
Swiss, smoked bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo, toasted wheat $14
Atlantic Salmon
Truffle whipped potatoes, forest mushrooms, wilted baby spinach, garlic aioli $29
Amish Chicken
Herb spaetzle, roasted spring onions, corn, chantrelles, Madeira cream $24
So .... looks like I will be trying to "healthify" burgers and having salmon once or twice ... though that chicken pita with hummus sounds yummy. And yay for a pool! (Now to see if any of my skinny swimsuits fit....)
=^..^= MOLLY
I've only stayed at a Ritz-Carlton once, but it was a very excellent experience. (Of course work paid for it) I think the staff would only be too happy to assist you in providing healthy options of everything, all you would have to do is ask nicely I would think.
Ooh, that sounds so nice! The fitness center sounds great - a bit of a workout, take a sauna, treadmill a little more, hit the jacuzzi. etc.
My MID-MONTH NUTRITION REPORT shows how I've been doing, nutritionally and calorically, for January 1-15, 2008. This helps let me know if I need to "tweak" anything for the second half of the month. Here's the results ...
Fat - 14.0% (374 grams) (GOAL ... around 15%)
Protein - 32.6% (1,953 grams) (GOAL: 30-35%)
Carbohydrates - 53.4% (3,198 grams) (GOAL: 50-55%)
Daily Calorie Intake - 1,439 cals (GOAL ... 1500 calories)
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 170 mg (GOAL ... under 200 mg)
Daily Fiber Intake - 61 grams (GOAL ... over 45 grams)
I am pretty pleased with the results for the first half of January ... my fiber is higher than ever (how DOES that happen?) and my carbohydrates are exactly where they need to be to help keep my blood sugar under control. And, since I am currently burning 2440 calories per day ... the 1439 still gives me an average of 1000-calories-per day as a deficit. So far, so good!
How's everyone else doing for January?
=^..^= MOLLY
Not as well as you!
Fat - 20.7% (415 grams) -- need to get this lower
Protein - 20.9% (940 grams) -- need to get this higher
Carbohydrates - 55.4% (2,498 grams) -- this is about right
Daily Calorie Intake - 1,183 cals -- can't figure this out, except maybe it counts today and I've only eaten my morning oatmeal. I promise I am staying above 1200.
Daily Sodium Intake - 2,534 mg --need to get this down. I'm working on getting it under 2400 a day as my goal
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 100 mg -- looks good, but as I raise my protein I'll have to watch.
Daily Fiber Intake - 21 grams -- as a short term goal, looking to go up over 25 a day.
So, does anyone have any suggestions for low-fat, low sodium, high protein, high fiber foods? I confess as I have been looking for lean protein, all the items seem to come with sodium and/or fat attached.
"Oh, yeah, I also can't stand those people who always complain about having to lose 5 pounds. "
I just had to chime in there. Be careful who you pick on, it might be yourself some day. For a long time I had 35-40 pounds to loose, then I lost it. Time passes, a few pounds sneak on and I have 10 pounds to loose. Then it's five, then it's 10 again. It's hard for everyone! 195 pounds or 5. As a matter of fact, I can guarantee you it is harder to loose 5 when you're 5 pounds 'overweight' than to loose 5 when you're 200 pounds overweight. (Just go into the burn calculator and you'll see what I mean.) I'm not pooh poohing what it takes to face loosing a lot of weight, just realize that it's not up to anyone but yourself when the amount is 'legitimate'.
Someone may, with good reason, point out that a person who's 5-10 pounds from their goal doesn't have the health issues of another who's 50-200 pounds off. That is certainly true and does make the smaller amount less 'important' to loose. It is also true that if our dietary and exercise habits aren't good, 5 becomes 10, becomes 50, etc. How long is a person supposed to wait to address it?
Let's all support each other. [End of rant.]
[Edit: Hope that didn't sound too grumpy! I didn't mean it that way, just trying to show what it's like in another pair of shoes. Any grumpiness is just because my pants are too tight...and they weren't a month ago!!! 
]
Congrats on the job Molly! I have to admit I don't have any red shoes, but I do have a pair of ribbon flats -- and the ribbons are all different colors! They really help perk me up! Hmm, maybe I should wear them to my next job interview?
As for your meal choices while in Michigan, ASK the server! I would ask for no sauce and no starch with double vegetables. It should not be a problem for them to accomodate you.
Today's rant: plateau. I have been working on the same 5 pounds since mid October. Arrggghhh! All I want is the scale to cooperate. 
It is not. I know that my inches are going down b/c the jeans I bought new in the beginning of October that were tight on my legs are now too big, but....... Of course I'm also ticked off at my younger middle school/high school self. I didn't want to have to buy more (ie bigger) pants so I squeezed myself into the smallest ones I could (hellooo muffin top). Zee problem now? That is how my fat has decided to permanently arrange itself. It doesn't help that I've got a ruler shape and my stomach is where I gain weight. Oh well.
My stats for January -- not terrible! Good idea to check, Molly - makes me feel better about what I've been doing these past couple of weeks!
Fat - 26.6% (650 grams)
Protein - 23.7% (1,298 grams)
Carbohydrates - 49.7% (2,726 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0% (17 grams)
Other - 0.0%
Daily Calorie Intake - 1,368 cals
Daily Sodium Intake - 1,818 mg
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 152 mg
Daily Fiber Intake - 24 grams
Regarding red shoes - I have a pair of ruby red patent leather slingbacks I got a couple of months ago. Love them! They are on the dark side of red, but not as dark as a burgundy. And they have comfortable little heels and a black grosgrain ribbon bow. They get noticed every time I wear them. Had to go back for the same shoe in black I love them so!
Like a personal,portable nutritionist.
Text food salad to
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