Hello Dear Reader,
You really are so very kind with all your advice and I appreciate all the nice and well meaning things you all have added. I consider myself a reasonably healthy eater, I don't eat out of packets, I can't remember when I last ate a take away however I have a big appetite and have eaten myself overweight........a lot over weight. I know you're being kind but I really don't want to shop in the big knicker aisle!!!
So, I'm weighing portions to get it right. I don't weigh green vegetables such as kale, swede or salad but other food such as starches or proteins get weighed. 100g of meat is really substantial enough for anyone as is 100g of cooked starches such as new potatoes ( the new season potatoes are heavenly cooked with a sprig of mint).
To show you portion size, I've placed a teaspoon in the middle of my plate to show that my meals are now balanced, and correctly portioned. As much as I would have loved roasties crisped up in beef dripping, some gluten free Yorkshire puddings and a big dish of apple crumble and homemade custard to follow but I made do with a small yogurt with raspberries as a healthier option.
I shall eat healthily balanced meals, albeit on a budget - the beef was £4 a kilo, I cooked 800g and got four portions - beef loses half its weight when cooked so £1 for the braised steak from the local butchers. As Slimming World suggests, it isn't a diet, it's healthy eating for life. I've just got to retrain myself to eat enough and not to over eat.
I'm six days into carefully portioning my food and I'll keep you up to date as to whether I lose any weight or not.
In the meantime, I really need to lose weight just to get to a healthy weight and there isn't any chance that I'll end up as skinny as the bird on the infamously 'bikini ready' poster that caused such controversy. To put my weightless ambitions into perspectives, she's a size eight and I want to get back into my size twelve clothes. Thanks again for your concerns. Now my challenge is to have 'lighter' recipes that anyone can cook on a budget.
Until tomorrow,
Love Froogs xxxxxx
it really is for life. My sister has slimming world'ed for probably nearly 30 years. She is a perfect size and has no problem if she adds some weight when on hols to take it off when she gets back. I on the other hand have to go back and forth as I get lazy and forget. I do find though that if I eat eggs for breakfast I seem to stay filled up. and eggs are free or they were when I paid to go. it might all be different now.
ReplyDeleteAnd for a dessert so you dont feel like you are being hard done by. if you eat bananas, freeze them already sliced. and when frozen whizz them with fat free yoghurt. this also used to be free. I like it quite sour, but for others you can add a touch of splenda for sugar hit. yummy.
Good luck!
Healthy eating for life sounds about right for me.
ReplyDeleteJ x
Looking forward to seeing your healthy meals on a budget xxx
ReplyDeleteYou are super disciplined and will get there. Portions are key! Plates are so big these days and I find comfort eating is my down fall… Good luck and best wishes x
ReplyDeleteYesterday my aunt was laughing at us. You see we eat salads in the cooler months of our year. This is because the intense heat of our summers mean many veg are not in great condition.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you showed the teaspoon as it does give a sense of size. For years we have eaten off entree plates. Recently I swapped over the dinner plates and our meals now swim on the bigger plate. Interestingly I would expect 800g of meat to go much further. I allow 400 to 500 g for 4, per meal.
Weighing the meat and potatoes/pasta has kept my weight in check. I try to do 180 - 200 gms of meat or fish/pots or pasta for two of us divided between lunch and tea. With lots of veg, especially greens, to fill the plates we often skip the puds!
ReplyDeleteThink of it as a Live-it not a Die-t!
ReplyDeleteHow does this compare with weight watchers?
ReplyDeleteI think I eat quite a lot but I'm a size 12. I walk for about an hour every day and if I cut back on that, the weight starts creeping on. I don't eat cakes or desserts mainly because I don't like them and they don't like me (sensitive stomach) but I do eat a couple of squares of good chocolate or a biscuit if I get a sweet tooth. I never diet because it doesn't work for me - I just seem to lose weight then pile it back on later. Good luck x
ReplyDeletePortion control really is the key isn't it.
ReplyDeleteI was astonished to read that even our plates are bigger these days than normal 'dinner' plates used to be. I moved down a size in plates when I did LBTL last week, I think I'll stick to using the smaller plates all the time.
Also on TV programme I watched last week it showed that the sizes of ready meals has actually grown, bulked up with the cheaper ingredients no doubt, but still making everyone that eats them more used to larger portions. I am always shocked that the folk that take their children to McD's and similar for a meal, let their children eat the same sized portion that they are consuming, it's no wonder that so many children are now overweight.
The only thing I really have against WW and SW is that they take your money and keep persuading you to go back over and over, there was a television programme all about them a while ago (I'm starting to see I watch too much television!!), and they spoke to the founders and directors who blatantly admitted that they had hit on a good 'cash cow' knowing that what they teach will keep most folk returning to them over and over or keep them with the programme for years and years. (Sol's comment backs this up.). They now generate billions with the food stuffs they sell and their branded items and books. Think of the money people have paid out only to STILL be the same weight or even heavier than when they started!!
Perhaps it is better to be a member for a while and then take what you learn and continue with a friend for inspiration and to compare weigh ins, that would keep you accountable but save a small fortune.
Hey Sue, with SW once you hit your target weight you never pay again to go. I dont know if that is the same with WW. It keeps you in check.
DeleteI was very pleased this morning when I tried on a pair of jeans I bought back in 2001- yes I don't throw stuff out when I really like it_ and I can wear them again. keep on going as you are. it has worked and continues to work for me
ReplyDeleteIt still looks like a huge amount of food!
ReplyDeleteI think that it does look a lot, Lynda, until you compare the pile of veggies/mashed swede etc to the new potatoes (I see two, maybe 3 small ones) and a smalish portion of meat. Loads of veggies, a few carbs, some protein. It's the way to go!
ReplyDeleteI'm really interested to see how you get on. I'm guilty of eating too large portions. I was brought up (as most of us were) to clear my plate, so if it's in front of me I will eat it. Good luck. Although with your determination and self discipline I doubt you'll need it. X
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