"If hunger isn't the problem, then food isn't the answer."

Food can't listen to us when we just need to talk.

Food can't dry our tears and give us a shoulder to cry on.

Food can't encourage us, pray for us, advise us.

Food can't respond to our emails, our PMs, our phone calls.

Food can't fix what's making us worry.

Food can't fix what's making us sad.

Food can't keep us from being lonely, bored, depressed, or anxious.

All food can do is fuel our bodies.... and teach us the importance of self-control.

*   *    *

For too many years, I opened the fridge instead of opening up to a friend. Then one day I realized that so-called comfort food really wasn't all that comforting, after all. And I decided to take control over food, rather than letting food have continued control over me any longer.

That's the day I joined this website and started a new journey.

=^..^= MOLLY

HELLO AND WELCOME to my cheery little profile page! Be sure and check out my photo gallery ... it shows both of our rescued dogs and some of our rescued kitty cats...and me! Let me introduce myself --  My screen name is MollyMouser (Molly) and I am early 40s, a happily-married wife and kitty mom, married to my DH Ron who is active duty military (a pilot!) in the California Air National Guard -- with multiple deployments flying the not-so-friendly skies over Iraq.   Be sure and check out my journal (I usually post my daily menus), as well as "Molly's Diet Rants" in the Motivation Forum, too! Oh, and I am proud and privileged to be one of the Volunteer Moderators for this wonderful website!

I have been a SAHW (stay-at-home-wife) since October 2005 and I love it!  I quit my job (as a litigation attorney) in October 2005 and have been staying home and doing animal rescue and "housewifey" things since then --- and I am so blessed and grateful for that opportunity! I really don't miss practicing law or spending my days arguing with other lawyers, hee hee hee!  My undergraduate degrees were in Journalism and English (double-major, cum laude) ... and I worked as an advertising copywriter before heading to law school in San Francisco. I've also worked for our local Zoo doing fundraising.

I joined this site in late August 2007 after realizing that I just could not stand being SO VERY UNHEALTHY any longer. My endocrinologist (diabetes doctor) really said that I needed to lose the 40 pounds I'd gained since going on insulin in 2005 or we would NOT be able to get my diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control. (I am a  Type II diabetic, and at the time it was very poorly controlled.) After years of living in denial and feeling trapped in bad eating habits ... I guess I was just ready to ask for help (from the Lord and my wonderful dear husband) and start a new, healthier LIFESTYLE.... not a "temporary diet!"  August 22, 2007 was the day I said "NO MORE!" It's hard to believe that was only a few months ago -- it seems like another lifetime!

For those of you keeping track of such things, my starting weight was 375 pounds ... and my ultimate goal is to lose 125 pounds (down to 250). At that point, my goal is to maintain for a while and focus on that. My short-range goals for weight loss were to set "baby step goals" and to lose the 40 pounds I gained in the 2 years since going on insulin shots. In fall 2007, I accomplished that 40-pound goal!   What has been my plan for weight loss? First, by getting educated ... and this site is sooo wonderful for that. Second, by learning how many calories my body actually needs to maintain its present weight (now around 2300 in my case, down 500 calories from 2800 when I first got here!) Finally, by reducing my calorie intake each day to around 1,500 calories... and adding in exercise! I am now reading labels, measuring portions, looking at serving sizes, and trying to keep my carbs at a reasonable level, too. AND I LOG ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING I EAT!!!! (This helps keep me accountable and learn what foods are calorie dense, and which ones are very diet-friendly! The key to making wise food choices is KNOWLEDGE!)

So, what do I eat? I divide my calories up for the day in what I call a "Daily Calorie Budget" ... then I build meals out of basics (lean proteins and healthy carbs.) I am not following a specific diet plan, but many who've seen how I eat say that it is similar to the maintenance phase of South Beach with a few more carbs. I eat a LOT of fresh vegetables, whole grain products, and lean proteins. I've tried my best to reduce or eliminate junk food, fast food, trans fats, fried foods, high-fat foods, high fat cheeses/salamis, potato chips, hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, added-sugar foods, caffeine, and greatly reduced my intake of packaged food (with the exception of high-fiber bread and cereal products.) Because I am diabetic, I had already eliminated things with sugar and foods like white flour pasta, white rice, and white bread. I watch my vegetable servings, my fiber grams, my vegetable servings and my percentage of carbohydrates -- all using the Food Log database.  I also take a variety of supplements (cinnamon, fish oil, biotin, pantothenic acid, garlic, other Omegas).

A healthy weight loss plan needs to include some form of exercise, no matter what you weigh! Of course, get approval from a doctor before starting any sort of exercise regime -- especially if, like me, you are out of shape!  I started off very simply: walking around the block and biking around the neighborhood on a tricycle.  Once I'd lost some weight, I graduated to a standard cruising bike (a nifty one in purple and lime green), and my wonderful DH also bought me a treadmill!  We've recently added a recumbant exercise bike that's located smack-dab in the middle of the family room in front of the television!  Hand-weights are also part of my very simple routines.... and don't forget that things like housework and gardening and playing with pets all burn calories, too! The real key is to find some activity or exercise that you like (or don't mind) doing ... and then just DO IT!

I am an evangelical, born-again, bible-reading, praying, always-learning Christian, and I get a lot of strength and encouragement from my faith and from the Lord. I am always willing to pray for any and all prayer requests -- so feel free to share yours.  Whether you are -- or aren't -- a Christian, that is fine with me ... I promise not to chase you around with my bible!  * * * Feel free to add me to your buddy/friends lists, or to send me PMs. I will always do my best to answer as quickly as possible. * * *

I am also willing to answer any questions about dieting, weight loss, my cats, my faith, or anything else you might want to know ... just ask me! And you'll find that the other Volunteer Moderators (and most of the CC regulars) are also willing to answer questions and lend helping hands -- this is an AWESOME online community!

 MY HEALTH IS REALLY IMPROVING! 

DOES CHANGING YOUR DIET MAKE THAT BIG A DIFFERENCE? 

LOSING WEIGHT = I'M GETTING HEALTHIER!

• MY BLOOD SUGARS (A1C) ARE NOW DOWN TO 6.6!
• MY CHOLESTEROL IS NOW IN THE NORMAL RANGE!
• MY TRIGLYCERIDES HAVE DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY (AND STILL DROPPING)
• MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS NEARLY NORMAL!
• I AM NOW OFF OF ONE ORAL DIABETES MEDICATION (GLYBURIDE)
• I AM NOW OFF OF INSULIN! (WOO HOO!)
• I CAN NOW WALK, BIKE 10+ MILES AT A TIME, TREADMILL AND PLAY WITH MY KITTIES!!!

*  SPECIAL WEIGHT-LOSS INCENTIVES FROM MY HUSBAND  *

I am blessed to have a loving, caring, supportive husband (and best friend) who has done everything he can to encourage and motivate me on my Healthy Eating Adventure ... and he's come up with some pretty nifty incentives to help keep me on track and motivated ...

LOST 50 LBS .... NEW CRUISING BIKE!

LOST 73 LBS ... 7-DAY ALASKAN CRUISE! 

GOT OFF INSULIN ... NEW RECUMBANT EXERCISE BIKE!

LOST  100 LBS ... TRIP TO HAWAII!

I NEED A NEW INCENTIVE, DON'T I?

!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!*!

A Dieter’s Prayer
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;
He maketh me to lie down on vinyl-covered gym mats.
He leadeth me to flavored calorie-free waters;
He restoreth my goals.
He diverteth me from the path of midnight snacking for my health's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the alley of the Vendors of Pastry, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me;
My diet and exercises, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
Spread with veggies and low-fat protein;
Thou steameth my fish in foil,
My resolve runneth over.
Surely, if I follow this living plan all the days of my life,
My hips will be slim forever.
Amen.

IF YOU ARE READING THIS, GO DRINK MORE WATER, OK?

THE DANCING CARROTS REMIND YOU TO EAT YOUR VEGGIES!

MY PERSONAL TARGETS AND GOALS

CALORIES................... 1500

FIBER ......................... 50+ GRAMS/DAY

FATS ........................... 20 PERCENT

PROTEIN ...................... 40 PERCENT

CARBS .......................... 40 PERCENT

VEGGIES ...................... 9 SERVINGS/DAY

EXCERCISE ................... 4 DAYS PER WEEK

WEIGHT LOSS HOPE  ..............  ONE POUND PER WEEK 

DAILY CALORIE BUDGET

300 BREAKFAST

400 LUNCH

500 DINNER 

300 SNACKS

1500 TOTAL

NATURAL PEANUT BUTTER IS GOOD FOR YOU!!!

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF WEIGHT HAVE I LOST?

100 POUNDS LOST = 26.8%

BE SURE TO EAT PLENTY OF LEAN PROTEIN!

A FEW TINY PHOTOS OF ME (TAKEN MAY 2007 ... BEFORE DIETING)

A FEW TINY PHOTOS OF ME (TAKEN DECEMBER 2007) ... 60 POUNDS LESS AND LOOKING CUTE IN RED

A FEW TINY PHOTOS OF ME (TAKEN APRIL 2008) ... 88 POUNDS LESS AND LOOKING GOOD IN GREEN

(SIGH) I MISS ICE CREAM, DON'T YOU?

 IT'S OK TO BE SILLY SOMETIMES!

WHATEVER ELSE YOU DO, KEEP SMILING!

ARE YOU EATING ALL YOUR VEGGIES???

APRIL, 2008 (5th anniversary ... about 90 pounds lost)

FISH LIPS .... FISH LIPS ... ROLY-POLY FISHY LIPS!

IT AIN'T EASY BEING GREEN .... (OH YES IT IS!)

TRYING -- UNSUCCESSFULLY -- NOT TO GIGGLE