What do I Eat?

I've received a few emails and blog post requests lately asking about what I eat.

When I was losing, I was very, very structured and wrote ALL OF MY FOOD choices down on a post it note.  Pretty old school, but it worked.  115 lbs gone in 14 months.

Keep in mind:

• I never counted fat grams, EVER.
• I never counted carbs, EVER
• All I kept track of was calories and protein.  That's it.
• Oh yeah, I also cut out ALL alcohol.

Here's what I ate when I was losing:

I will usually eat like this now that I'm in maintenance approximately 5 of the 7 days of the week.  I have nicknamed this menu plan or way of eating "hard core." Don't ask me why, I just do. 

Those other two days where I loosely follow this plan, I will also eat other foods that will take my calorie counts up to about 2000+ each day.  I will not tell you what those specific foods are because what happens on "Fat Girl Fridays" can only be discussed using whispered hushed voices.  Shhh...

Anyways, now it's your turn.  I encourage you to post about what you are eating to be a successful loser.  I want to know.

What I Should Have Asked Santa For...

A spreadsheet.

Yep.

Don't roll your eyes at me.

Seriously....I want a Biggest Loser spreadsheet.  It would look like this:

I don't need contestant names, that's not what I'm after.

I want some data on long term maintenance of the contestants' weight loss.

Using my pretty sketchy math skills, I guess that there's been about 250 contestants so far?  They just began season 13 and there's anywhere from 15 to 20 contestants per season.

What I want to know is this: How many contestants have kept their weight off?

There was a Biggest Loser reunion show a few weeks ago where they highlighted a few old contestants who of course have kept their weight off.  The common theme that I noticed with these featured contestants was that their weight loss was either very recent or they had somehow made their healthy lifestyle part of their income stream.  Yep, they were either working as personal trainers or selling some kind weight loss product (Brita water bottles) or eating plan (Biggest Loser meals).  They have sponsors.  They are workin' it.  They have some serious accountability (cha-ching!) to keep the weight off.

But what about the other approximate 200 or so contestants.  What's happened to them? Have they maintained their weight loss?

So, Santa, if you're reading this....I've been a very good girl.

**************************

PS: I'm having a slight weigh-in crisis.  I saw 148 lbs on the scale! Either my scale is officially dying or my Christmas week of poor food choices has caught up with me.  Sigh.

Do You Feel Like You Know a Weight Loss Secret? (and a Silly New Year's Eve Photo)

Have you seen all those new TV commercials with celebrities selling the latest weight loss plans?

It's the new year, so I guess that's what us Americans are supposed to do: lose weight.  I hate the concept of a new year's resolution.  What's wrong with starting fresh or making changes on July 27th? Or how about March 19th? Those are perfectly good days to begin a healthy lifestyle.

It seems with these new years resolutions, we all are supposed to pretend to try to lose weight for about three weeks and then give up like every other year.  Oh, and let's remember to also join a gym that we will only go to for a few weeks.  I did it.  For many, many years.  Every January.  I get it.  I'd lose about 20 lbs and then promptly gain it all back (plus some more) by spring time.  What fun that was. *Note: sarcasm*

The one commercial that seems to be on repeat all day every day lately is Janet Jackson and her Nutrisystem.  I'm so glad that she is convincing Americans that if they eat little boxes and cans of pre-packaged food that they'll lose the weight and keep it off.  Right. *note: MORE sarcasm*  And don't even get me started on that HCG diet.

When I see any of these weight loss infomercials or ads, I sometimes think to myself:

"Whew! I am so relieved that I have figured it out already. I've actually done it and I know how to keep it off."

It's like I know a secret or something.  But it's no secret.  Everyone knows what they need to lose weight: eat less, move more.  But we all know it's not that easy.  Easier said than done, of course.

That's why I am so happy to have some extra help with this tool, the Lap Band.  It's helping me in my weight loss and maintenance.  It's the one thing that has worked for me.  

Your secret may be the sleeve, Gastric Bypass, Weight Watchers, or whatever works for you.

OK, here's the silly new year's eve photo that I promised.  This is what happens when I drink too much whipped cream vodka and strawberry soda...and yeah, those are Christmas stockings on my feet:

Would You Like to See Some Florida Vacation Photos?

Oh my...

Where to begin?

Let's see...let's begin with our FABULOUS evening on Christmas day at the Hollywood Studios Walt Disney World.  The dancing light displays were AMAZING!

At approximately 6:20AM EST on December 26th, I could be seen prancing deliriously around in spicy brown boots in JCPenney's shoe department at their after Christmas sale.  Yep. It happened. These boots were originally $100 and I bought them for $20! Score!  A big 'thank you' to my sister, Queen of the Coupon Universe, for snagging that JCPenney coupon out of the newspaper.

I had some help blogging while I was in Florida - here's 'Indi', my Sister's cat:

Here I am with my sister and parents. Aren't we festive in our red n' green?  After seeing these pics, I dare anyone to play the "I can't lose weight because of my genetics" card with me. It is possible.

Cocktail time at the Polynesian Resort at Walt Disney World! I had a key lime pie martini and my Sister had an island breeze. YUM:

Here we are at the Magic Kingdom....along with 50,000 of our closest friends.  It was packed! But we had tons of fun.  I went on my FAVORITE Disney ride: The Carousel of Progress. I also got to see my favorite characters: "The Dapper Dans." By the way, do you like my new hat? I think that I'll wear it on my first day back at the office.  Nothing says 'business casual' like bright pink furry ears, right?

I would like to thank my Brother-in-Law for this last pic.  He was testing out a new flash attachment on his camera.  He jumped through the doorway and captured this moment of me sneaking some Christmas cookies. 

Busted!  

(P.S.: his Mom is a bandster too!)

It was a very memorable trip and the best part was the time catching up with family and friends.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!