Tuesday, May 24, 2011

What Thin People Don't Know . . .

Some of us were born into obesity. 
Maybe not directly, but some of us have a link that ties us there, something that almost guarantee's our fate into being overweight. 
A pre-dispositioning if you will. 
Whether it be genetic or environmental, no one can say, but the fact is, there are over 60 million obese Americans with medical costs of over $140 billion annually, and that statistic is growing year by year.

Even so, it's very common for "thin" people to look down on obese people. 
They look at the "fat" as though they are lesser humans. 
They look at us as though we are bad people. 
They point. They stare. They laugh. 
They shout cat calls when they see a fat person walking or jogging or working out. 
They giggle when a fat person can't fit into a restaurant booth. 
They gasp when they see a larger person out dancing or riding a bike. 

For a thin person, it's easy. 
They look at an obese person and say "why don't you just put down the fork" or "why don't you just exercise". 
They will never understand that it's just not that simple. 

You see, we obese people have a lot to deal with. 
Of course there's the physical aspects of just being obese - the health problems such as shortness of breath or swollen joints and ankles; the fact that it's difficult to fit into small spaces or sometimes to maneuver around obstacles. 
But there's also some very deep psychological and emotional issues as well. 
First we deal every day with societies views of the obese. 
Second we deal with the reasons we are obese to begin with (for many of us, it stems from some form of trauma). 
Third, we deal with an addiction that is stronger and more powerful than any drug or cigarette could ever be.

Yes. I said addiction.

See, this is my point - thin people don't understand the addiction, and they probably never will. 
For a thin person, it's about 
"eat when you're hungry, stop when you're not". 
For a food addict it's about 
"eat everything that tastes good until you feel sick to your stomach then eat a little bit more" 
and then there's 
"I'm sad . . . let's eat" 
"I'm pissed . . . Let's eat" 
"I'm happy! Let's eat!"
You see the pattern here?
This is not the way thin people think.
For thin people, celebrations include things like shopping, dancing, driving, swimming, fishing, etc.
For obese people, celebrations are all about the food.

So here's what thin people will never know:

Weight loss is a daily struggle against an addiction that many people either don't realize they have or can not control. 
There is a lot more than just "putting down the fork" or "getting up off your butt" to it. 
Each and every day is a struggle, sometimes to just get out of bed and face the sizest world we live in. 
It is a struggle to make the choice to eat that piece of fruit, rather than that chocolate bar. 
It is a struggle to NOT pick up the phone and call Pizza Hut, no matter what our bank account is. 
It's a struggle to cook every healthy meal, to look at the scale, to just look in the mirror.

So, for my thin friends, I ask this favor.
When I am struggling, be supportive.
When I am hurting, be a shoulder.
When I am crying because I can't have chocolate, offer me a hug, and an apple.
When I'm whining about having to get on that stupid eliptical again, offer to go for a walk with me.
Don't look at me like I'm crazy.
Don't assume I'm being melodramatic.
And please, don't tell me to "just do it"
Because you will never know that it's just. not. that. easy.


Friday, May 20, 2011

Starting Over

It WILL happen.
You WILL "fall off" the wagon.
It's inevitable.
In some ways, it's necessary.
Because without those setbacks, we cannot move forward in some cases.
That's when we pick ourselves up.
Dust ourselves off.
And start over.

Tomorrow marks my "starting over" day.
I've been "off" two weeks now.
I never imagined how much I needed the WW meetings.
How much I needed the tracking.
How much I needed to PAY ATTENTION.

I missed two weeks ago because of finals.
I missed again last week because I was out of town.
I don't want to miss any more.

I am terrified of the scale tomorrow.
I'm worried to see how much I've actually gained in the last two weeks.
I'm worried that I will be right back to my starting point.
I'm afraid that I will feel like giving up for good.

But I know that I am surrounded by family and friends that love me.
And I know that my health is top priority.
So, even if I AM back to 292, it won't matter.
Because I'm starting over.


Thursday, May 12, 2011

Recipe! Yummy Breakfast Taquitos

This recipe is a modified version of Hungry Girl's Egg Mug recipe.

Servings - 1
Points Plus Value - 6

Ingredients:

1/2 C Liquid Egg Whites
1 oz turkey sausage crumbles
1/4 C Baby spinach, chopped
1 Wedge Laughing Cow Spread, Chipotle Flavor
1 Slice reduced-fat American Cheese
1 Low-Carb Whole Wheat Tortilla, Fajita Size

Directions:

Eggs:
Spray a large microwave-safe mug or a microwave-safe bowl with cooking spray. Combine egg whites, sausage, spinach, and laughing cow in the bowl. Microwave on high for one minute. Stir to break up bits and add american cheese. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring after each one, until eggs are set but still creamy.

Tortilla:
Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. Put tortilla on the pan, dry, and heat thoroughly until tortilla starts to blister slightly. Remove from heat to serving plate.

Wrap:
Spoon egg mixture into tortilla and wrap burrito-style. Enjoy!!

*Note - I like to serve this with a side of fruit*

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Life On Weight Watchers . . . Decisions, Decisions . . .

Oh, the decisions we make in life.
What to wear.
How to wear our hair.
Who to marry.
And what to eat.
Sometimes these choices are a no brainer (like marrying my husband for example - I didn't have to think twice about that one!)
And some of these choices . . . notsomuch

The hardest choice I have on a daily basis is what to eat.
I have a plan, sure.
But some days I just don't stick to it.
Not because I don't want to, mind you,
But because I other choices looming over me
Hovering with their "Jennifer-come-eat-me" stares.
It's hard to say no and run away, isn't it?

That's the best thing I've found about the Weight Watchers plan -
I don't necessarily HAVE to run away.
I still have to make the decision to (generally) eat the right thing,
But every once in a while . . .
When you want something delicious and delectable . . .
You can make THAT decision too!

Even so, MOST of the time we still have to make the conscious decision to eat things that are healthier -
Let's face it, you're just NOT going to lose weight eating fast food every single day.
So here are some ways to make those choices easier:

1) pre-prep favorite veggies like carrot sticks or raw broccoli and  keep them in storage containers wrapped in dry paper towels for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can put them into baggies in serving sizes (remember, most veggies are free, so you can eat as many as you like!) - also wrapped in paper towel.

2) keep favorite fruit on hand and in plain sight! Fruit bowls for apples, bananas and citrus fruit are great for this. In the fridge, put plums, nectarines, strawberries, mango - whatever fruit you like - in plain sight on the top shelf of the fridge. Also, the trick with the raw veggies? Works great for fruit like grapes and blueberries. NOTE - do not wash strawberries until you are ready to eat them!! They will spoil quicker.

3) make the healthier choice more accessible than the unhealthy one - create meal kits and pre-prep meal ingredients so cooking doesn't take quite so long on an in-a-hurry night. Have a freezer meal made and frozen, ready to pop into the oven on a night that you just don't feel like cooking. Utilize your crock pot for big meals and freeze individual portions of leftovers. Make sure the healthy snacks are visible and the unhealthy ones hidden.

4) don't buy the junk. This sounds easier than it is, I know - I have three children - it's next to impossible to keep the junk out of our house. But the fact is, if you don't buy it, it won't be there to tempt you. You children will have to make healthier choices in the long run as well, so this is one that benefits everyone.

So remember, if you take some simple steps now to make the healthy stuff more accessible to you, you will find it easer to make the right choice when it comes to food!


Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tasty Tuesday - Taco Taters

When I was at my Weight Watcher's meeting this weekend, our Fearless Leader, Christie, inspired me.
She told me that you can bake potatoes in the CROCK POT.
I just about died.
You see, I am the
CROCK POT QUEEN
You tell me I can cook something in the crock pot and I am all over it like white on rice.
THEN she proceeded to tell me what she does with said potatoes.
She makes a big batch of taco meat and then stuffs the potatoes with it.
Oh.
My.
HOLYCOW.
My two favorite things in the world combined to create a luscious little pocket of spicy, starchy, taco-tater LUV.

I will be making these tomorrow to celebrate my very last day - EVER - of college classes.

Here's the recipe!

Taco Taters I
Serves: 4
Points Plus Value: 10

4 medium baking potatoes, washed
1 T olive oil
1 lb lean ground turkey
1 packet commercial taco seasoning OR you can make your own
1/4 c water or chicken broth
1 can ranch-style beans (or any bean, really) OR 1 can corn, drained

Toppings:
cheddar cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomato, onions, scallions, cilantro, avocado, salsa, etc.

Wrap potatoes in foil and place in crock pot, making sure they don't touch the sides of the crock (bottom touching is acceptable here). Cook on low 6-8 hours. Remove from crock pot, remove foil, and set aside.

In a 12 in skillet brown meat in 1 T olive oil. Add taco seasoning and water or broth. Allow to reduce for about 5 minutes. Add beans and cook for another five minutes or until beans are heated through. Remove from heat.

Split potato and scoop out part of the middle (optional, but it gives you more room for filling!). Fill potato with 1/4 meat mixture and top with desired toppings. Repeat with remaining potatoes.

Enjoy!

Another recipe was born from this inspiring nummy creation.

Taco-Taters II
Serves 4
Points Plus Value: 4

2 medium baking potatoes, washed and cut into wedges to make about 16 wedges.
1 packet commercial or home made taco seasoning
2 T olive oil

In a large bowl, toss potatoes, olive oil, and taco seasoning. Turn out onto a baking sheet lined with foil and sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 425 for ten minutes, then turn the potatoes and bake for a remaining 10 minutes, or until browned all over. Serve with light sour cream, if desired.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Sketchers Shape Ups: My Review

Okay, so here's the deal kiddies, I don't do a whole lot of produce plugs as you well know. And with good reason - I will NEVER EVER plug a product I don't believe in or love.

I have fallen in love . . . with SHOES!!

As someone that is . . . well, as big as I am . . . It's really REALLY hard to find shoes that are supportive of my weight - especially during walking or elliptical sessions. May times I'm left with sore ankles and/or knees as a result. But somehow these shoes are more supportive than any I've ever owned.

The idea behind Sketchers Shape Ups is that they are curved on the bottom to allow for a different flow of energy when you walk. They're meant to "tone and shape" your bottom half including your legs and butt.

But here's what the ads don't tell you . . .
The first couple of days my balance had a hard time getting used to them. But once I did, I didn't want to take them off. Here's why -
I have had ongoing hip pain for several months now. Wearing these shoes, for some reason, helps alleviate that. Scientifically, it's supposed to be linked to the shape of the shoes - they allow for a different distribution of weight along your foot, and thus along your knee and hip joints. Whatever the science it, they work.

Now I have to admit, I haven't worn them long enough to see a difference in my legs or my tush, but I have a feeling that will come in time. I still have a lot to lose yet!

Interested in reading my "official" Sketchers review?
Here ya' go:

Originally submitted at SKECHERS

Great!!
By SuperMomBlues from Bowie, TX on 5/1/2011
4out of 5
Sizing: Feels true to size
Width: Feels true to width
Pros: Comfortable, Stylish, Good Cushioning, Good Arch Support
Best Uses: School, Casual Wear, Walking, Exercise
Describe Yourself: Weight concious, Stylish, Comfort-oriented
The very best thing about these Sketchers shoes is the versatility and comfort. I wear them daily as I am a stay at home mom and am on my feet a LOT during the day. I am morbidly obese and working on losing weight, these shoes help me to get a workout and tone, BEFORE my workout session! Also, being morbidly obese, many shoes just don't feel right or support me. These do - beautifully!