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One thing that a lot of you have been saying lately is that I’m brave for doing this. I’m not sure that bravery really has anything to do with this. I’ve been working under the assumption all these years that I’m the only one that’s noticed that I’ve gained weight.
The truth of the matter is that anyone who knows me, knows I’m heavier than they have ever seen me before. It’s one of those unspoken things that you don’t typically say to a friend. But even when no one tells you, YOU know. Suddenly clothes that used to fit are a little tight. You can’t fit into a size 8 or 10 or even12 and you stop looking at numbers and go straight for the L and XL sizes. Victoria Secret, for goodness sakes, doesn’t carry your bra size. You stop coveting the cute dresses that are more form fitting and go to the woman’s section. Your back may hurt because you’re carrying so much weight in the chest area. Your knees are constantly in pain and you stop using the excuse that you’ve strained it. No amount of concealer can hide the double chin and no matter how you apply your blush, it really can’t disguise the roundness of your cheeks. Sometime and somehow you begin to accept that the ‘damn dryer’ didn’t really shrink your clothes. So, I know. I know. I’m confronted by it each and every single day when I walk into a closet that has more clothes that are NOT used than are used.
Brave? A lot of you have also told me that what I’ve been saying is what you’ve been feeling. So maybe instead of bravery, I’d like to consider myself as telling the truth about what some of us are feeling. Any other truth you’d like to add to my list?
It’s been a week, so I got on the scale. 2.5 pounds. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was disappointed. I take comfort, however, in knowing that I’m doing all the right things and it’s only a matter of time. I’m done with those 2.5 pounds.
I was complaining a couple of days ago about not finding something to snack on that wasn’t chock full of calories. Elizabeth Londregan, a friend who has herself lost tons of weight (and kept it off) gave me this list of healthy snack options, which I’m passing on to you.
Small piece of fruit
Small piece of fruit and almonds (12 – 15)
¼ c almonds with ¼ c raisins
Apple with 2 Tbsp of natural peanut butter – Costco organic p/b is very good (contains no hydrogenated oils or sugar)
Low fat yogurt (6-8 oz)
Low fat yogurt (6-8 oz) with ¼ cup fiber one, grape nuts, organic granola
Low fat string cheese (1) with an apple or Kashi crackers (8-10)
1 Laughing cow cheese wedge with 8-10 Kashi crackers
!/2 whole wheat pita w/2-3 Tbsp hummus
Tuna salad with low fat mayo and Kashi crackers (8-10)
4 oz. container of low fat or fat free cottage cheese with pineapple
4 oz. container of low fat or fat free cottage cheese with salsa mixed in with Multigrain tortilla chips (Food Should Taste Good brand) 12 chips and celery and baby carrots (1 cup)
Baby carrots, celery sticks, green pepper slices with 2 Tbsp hummus
Pop corn (Orville Smart Pop) 2 cups with 1 cup of fruit (berries, grapes etc.)
Multigrain tortilla chips with salsa (Food Should Taste Good brand chips) Costco, Giant, Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods all sell this brand (12-15 chips)
Sliced turkey breast (Boars Head turkey pastrami is very good) rolled up in a romain lettuce leaf with a little lite mayo or mustard or dijonaise
Whole wheat tortilla (La Tortilla Factory brand is low carb, low fat, low cal and has 8 g of fiber- very tasty-Giant in the deli cheese section)spread tortilla with natural peanut butter/granola/apple slices or banana slices – roll up and eat
Protein shake made with water/skim milk/light soy milk-best in blender with a little ice. You can add some fruit if you like. Whey protein is good or EAS brand protein powder- Costco sells in Vanilla/Chocolate. Look for low sugar content and low cal per serving
Protein bar of choice – Kashi Roll are very good, South Beach Peanut Butter protein cereal bars are good. Stay away from any with high fructose corn syrup.
Truthfully yours,
Val
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