The Dieting Mind

I've been on a diet my whole life. Ever since I can remember. And when I wasn't on a diet, it was because I was in a "Oh, just be fat and happy" stage. But , I was never happy about being fat, which ultimately led me to whatever the latest and greatest diet fad was to go on. It was a vicious cycle and often self-defeating. The most success I ever had dieting was a 30 lb. loss and that was acheived through a "doctor supervised" diet of deprivation (no sugar, no bread, no oil, no alcohol) along with a side of Phen-Fen to go with it. How crazy is that? Well, in times of desperation, nothing's crazy. Every false promise of weight loss following some ridiculous program, I believed. I was willing to try it all, each time believing, wholeheartedly, that this "diet du jour" would be the answer to it all. Low carb, low cal, Grapefruit diet, 3 Day Diet, Atkins, Nutrisystem; I tried them all and more. Each diet had it's long list of rules and regulations, stipulations, food choices (good and bad) and combinations. I would absorb it all like I was studying for a big-time exam and prepared myself to follow all the rules, which I would always do. Until I fell off the wagon. That usually led to inhaling all the foods on the "don'ts" list in epic proportions.



I have thought about this mindset of a dieter a lot lately. Why do we need lists and rules and do's and don'ts when it comes to eating?? Really, isn't that absurd? I'm starting to believe so, but I think I know why we need them: we don't trust ourselves enough around food. The temptations are everywhere; the outside influences are strong to lead us to the dark side of excess. But, if we truly listen to our bodies and just feed our bodies to function while still enjoying what we are eating, it's got to be "the answer" , don't you think? It's definitely worth a try =)



On to the food...



I was a bit sore this morning from some weight lifting yesterday, so I decided to forego my regular morning workout and thought I might visit my long lost friend Wii Fit later. I got right to breakfast - a whole wheat cinnamon raisin english muffin topped with 2 tbsp. PB2...







Then I spent some time fiddling with Twitter. I am such a novice at this techy stuff, but it was fun fooling with it all! I finally broke myself away so the daughters and I could head over to my MIL's for lunch with our Aunt and cousins who were visiting from Texas. My MIL ordered Italian hoagies from our favorite place, John's Village Market. So good...




There was also a delicious macaroni salad made by my SIL...

along with bowls of nuts, pretzels and assorted peppers. I chose to eat one of the sandwiches with a few sweet peppers and a scoop of the macaroni salad. I took my time and enjoyed every bite...

Out came the dessert next. I made a flourless chocolate walnut pie (sorry, I forgot to take a pic - *think* fudgy dense brownie). We also had raisin spice cake, homemade oatmeal and chocolate chip cookies and bowls of chocolates everywhere. I didn't have a thing. No, I didn't have a fever. I just checked in with myself and realized that I was very satisfied with my lunch. It was tasty and full of flavor. Definitely not the healthiest choice, but it was the offering on the table and instead of feeling scared to eat it or denying myself, I ate what I needed to be satisfied and enjoyed it. No need to eat more than that. I hear you saying, "who is this lady and what did she do with Marisa?" =)

For dinner, I was definitely craving some fruit and veg. I opted for both! I made a tomato, cucumber and mozzarella salad...

and a fruit salad...

and had a light, but filling dinner...

I know my posts have been extremely long; thanks for hanging in there if you made it to the end! It feels good to be able to share my thoughts with you all as I try out this new way of eating life and I'd love to hear your thoughts about it, too!

Oops, way past my bedtime...have a great night!

Branching Out

Today was a lot better. I got right to the exercise; no fooling around. I thought my run might be a little weak, but it was great! I got in a nice, strong 40 minutes. Much needed after the eats yesterday.


Breakfast was a whole wheat cinnamon raisin english muffin topped with 2 tbsp. PB2. A delicious and hearty 3 POINTS...


After breakfast, I cleaned up and did something I never thought I would do. I joined a gym! I am now a proud member of Planet Fitness. They are having an amazing deal right now of a year's membership for $99. It's a cool place with tons of weight machines, ellipticals, bikes, treadmills and a 30 minute express workout circuit. I thought it was about time that I got out of my basement with my archaic fitness equipment although, it has done me well all this time. I'm really excited about trying something new and I'm looking forward to getting a good weight training routine together. I'm hoping this will be just the thing I need to drive me to goal! I won't get to the gym very often until the daughters go back to school, but I wanted to join now while the special was going on (which is only until July 22, if you're interested). So, more on my new gym adventures when I get there...

Lunch was a leftover barbecue chicken calzone (about two-thirds of the calzone) and some super sweet cherries that my MIL brought us. A delicious 7 POINT lunch...

Snack time called in the afternoon and just to prove to myself that I can eat only 1 serving of friggin' Cheez-its, I portioned out a serving for 3 POINTS...

And that was it! Mainly because there wasn't much left in the box ;P

More leftovers for dinner. I'm trying to be good about using up stuff in the freezer and fridge. I made Veggie "Fried" Quinoa -Italian style...

• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• couple tbsp. chopped red onion
• 1/4 c. diced carrot
• 1/4 c. diced zucchini
• 1/4 c. diced mushrooms
• 1 egg white, beaten
• 1 tbsp. parmesan cheese
• s + p
• pinch of dried oregano
• pinch of red pepper flakes

Heat 2 tsp. olive oil in a nonstick pan. Add ingredients and stir-fry until veggies are slightly softened....

I also had the leftover tomato, cucumber and mozzarella salad ( minus 1 mozzarella ball -given to big daughter)...

A nutritious 10 POINT dinner...

It was such a beautiful night, we went for a leisurely family walk after dinner. Then came back home for dessert. I had a No Pudge Brownie - straight up - for 2 POINTS...

Now, I'm ready for some relaxing! Have a great night, everyone =)