I had to pick up a few things at the supermarket last night and while I was walking around the store with my 3 year old screaming jingle bells the whole time providing entertainment for the entire store I was taking notice of the things in peoples carts and I started noticing a trend, virtually every person had a cart full of processed food items. Ho-Ho's, Hostess muffins, soda of all types, pre-packaged fish and tv dinners and it became clear to me why so many people are over weight these days, myself included. I use to be that guy walking through the isle (well my wife was that person I usually stayed home) with all of those things in the cart and now here I was with a bag full of apples, another full of pears and a bunch of bananas sitting next to some green tea a carton of eggs and a package of light multigrain english muffins not to mention the skinless chicken breast in my cart. I was waiting in line at the deli counter for some American cheese and next to me was a woman with a kid in her cart and he had a box of cheese nips in the little seat next to him and his fingers were covered in cheesy goodness and he was digging in, but so was mom so its just what normal life is to the little guy. I thought about that kid and how he may just turn out to be a 534 pound fella like I was some day, I thought "She should have given him a bag of grapes to graze on while they shopped" and then thought about how I was that person once upon a time, I was that guy with the open bag of chips in the cart while walking through the isles just munching away and not so long ago my thought may have been closer to "Ohhh cheese nips! now there is an idea!" as I dropped a couple boxes into my own cart, It is amazing how we perceive things depending on the state of mind we are in.
I like to believe that I have turned myself around 180 degrees where health and my eating habits are concerned, I know that I will live longer because of my decision, I know that my kids and wife will have me around just a bit longer and we will do more in that time because of making the choice to get healthy again and lose this weight. It is not only my family that is getting a benefit from this change either, I get email messages from total strangers telling me how something I wrote made something click inside them and they have been eating better because of it and I have to admit that messages like that make me want to stay on track even more than I already do. I have made friends through this blog that if not for my weight I would not have had the pleasure and I have received some great messages from people from all over the place asking me questions or telling me of their success and in what way my blog has helped them in that and thats not something that I expected to happen when I started writing in this blog. I started writing because I wanted a place to stay accountable and I left it public because then I knew there was a chance someone would see it, then on my 4th post there was a comment by "Anonymous" and I thought "wow someone read this? pretty cool" and then in the next week a couple more comments came in and it really made me want to write more on this blog that I started on a whim. Now I see that 49 people have added themselves to the "follow" part of this page (I know there are more of you that are not on that list too) and I thinks thats very cool! there are a few of you that have emailed me and we chat often and then there are others that have never left a comment and I appreciate each of you that choose to follow along with me as I get healthy again, this blog has helped me stick to plan more than you know, so Thanks. Ok ok before I start getting sappy or something have a look at yesterdays menu.
I like to believe that I have turned myself around 180 degrees where health and my eating habits are concerned, I know that I will live longer because of my decision, I know that my kids and wife will have me around just a bit longer and we will do more in that time because of making the choice to get healthy again and lose this weight. It is not only my family that is getting a benefit from this change either, I get email messages from total strangers telling me how something I wrote made something click inside them and they have been eating better because of it and I have to admit that messages like that make me want to stay on track even more than I already do. I have made friends through this blog that if not for my weight I would not have had the pleasure and I have received some great messages from people from all over the place asking me questions or telling me of their success and in what way my blog has helped them in that and thats not something that I expected to happen when I started writing in this blog. I started writing because I wanted a place to stay accountable and I left it public because then I knew there was a chance someone would see it, then on my 4th post there was a comment by "Anonymous" and I thought "wow someone read this? pretty cool" and then in the next week a couple more comments came in and it really made me want to write more on this blog that I started on a whim. Now I see that 49 people have added themselves to the "follow" part of this page (I know there are more of you that are not on that list too) and I thinks thats very cool! there are a few of you that have emailed me and we chat often and then there are others that have never left a comment and I appreciate each of you that choose to follow along with me as I get healthy again, this blog has helped me stick to plan more than you know, so Thanks. Ok ok before I start getting sappy or something have a look at yesterdays menu.
01/22/09
Breakfast
8:00 AM
2 light english muffins 180
1 serving turkey pepperoni 70
sliced tomato 15
2 wedges laughing cow cheese 70
1 dill pickle 5
11:45 AM
1 pear 85
Lunch
2:30 PM
1 banana 105
1 T peanut butter 95
3:15 PM
2 slices whole wheat bread 140
1 T peanut butter 95
1 T jam 50
Dinner
6:45 PM
1 can tuna 150
1 T miracle whip 35
2 80 cal rolls 160
1 dill pickle 10
sliced tomato 15
8:30 PM
1 Pear 85
1 Apple 90
Thats a grand total of 1455 calories for the day, I did get in a 25 minute ride on my stationary bike last night as well but I am afraid I have to admit that the ships have not left port in a couple of days. I do hope thats on the schedule for the day at some point because tomorrow is weigh in day and I am afraid its looking bleak if some of these ships don't clear out. Otherwise this week has gone well enough that I think there will be at least a small loss tomorrow morning and if not? no worries there is always next week right? Thats it kids, another episode is behind us and hopefully another pound or 3 gone for good, You know the place so be here tomorrow for the next episode of as the fat man turns.
Don't forget that H2O that you deserve for reading the post.
As Ever
Me
Oh my....I was getting really anxious to know what the whole "ships in port" part was going to say!! LOL!! I was like, "where's the part about the ships??!!" LOL!
ReplyDeleteAnyway!! I know just what you mean about noticing that other people are buying junkier food than yourself. I like the way that feels. I like to think to myself, "You may want to buy that junk to have in your house, but not I. My family doesn't need that kind of junk in the house anymore."
Of course, I realize that I still have a lot of improvements I can still make, as I often allow my 3 year old to snack on junk whenever she wants to.
It's a cruel reality for someone who has been allowed to gratify themselves with junk food all of their lives to wake up one day and realize that they need to learn how to actually have willpower and resist giving in to every craving and urge to eat junk that they have. It's probably how I ended up overweight in the first place. I was the baby of the family - - probably never told "no." I was allowed to satisfy my cravings for food whenever I pleased. So, it's no wonder that it's difficult for me to resist things that I WANT. I've never had to before, so naturally I'm no good at it!
In other words, I've been spoiled all of my life with junk food. I really don't want my kids to grow up without the ability or sense enough to resist every unhealthy craving. I'm going to have to work on that more...
I am one that reads your blog every day (since October 2008...I think I am addicted!). Sometimes I leave comments and sometimes I don't. I see so many simularities in your situation and mine. We are about the same age, with kids and we WERE about the same size. I saw someone who was just like me actually losing weight and seeing positive results in his life. I realized that if you could do it, I can do it too. I have just started my journey and I am off to a really good start...I have been following your "blueprint" and have even created a blog for the accountabilty. So, I want to thank you for making your journey public and inspiring me to make changes in my life.
ReplyDeleteRobyn I KNEW the ships in port part would be the part you were looking for and knew you couldn't resist a comment lol I really did!
ReplyDeletedid ya drink any water today? do it!
Kdog, My pleasure :) the fact that others get something out what I am doing is actually pretty gratifying if I am being honest so Thank YOU for following while I get healthy.
As Ever
Me
I'm with Robyn...I wasn't expecting the ships to be what they are LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for the laugh! And GOOD LUCK with that ;)
I love to perv other people's carts a the grocery store.
Yes, I was THAT person too (otherwise I wouldn't be where I am now would I?)
I feel proud of myself walking around with my cart full of grocery goodness!
Processed food is our demise!
I'm losing weight quickly NOT eating it. When I did WW and followed points I never lost weight this fast. I believe it's because of all the processed food no matter what the point value of it was. Our bodies do not like that crap! There's no nutrition in it.
I love blogging this journey too.
I'd've NEVER met all these wonderful people otherwise, it's true.
I'm really admiring your persistence and your success!
Those purple feet (me) makes it an even fifty! Congrats on all you've accomplished - and here's a glass lifted in your honor (filled w/green tea, natch)
ReplyDeleteI try not to judge people based on what food they are buying or eating. Just because someone is buying some ho hos doesn't mean they eat ho ho's all the time or are unhealthy in general. Maybe they dieted all month or saved all their weight watcher points for those cheese nips or ice cream. Who am I too look at them and make assumptions?
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how your shopping changes rather dramatically. I have a cart full of fresh fruit and veggies nowadays. I hardly ever buy processed junk.
ReplyDeleteI have followed your blog since January 2008. I remember some of the first posts you made at 3FC. I am only down 17 pounds from Jan08.
ReplyDeleteIt seems I just don't have the energy to exercise. I hardley ever eat anything, probably why I've lost 5 of those pounds the last week w/o even trying.
You inspire me. If only healthy food items were as cheap as jumk food. For a family with a low budget it's hard to always shop healthy. Do I spend $12.00 on boneless, skinless chicken breast or buy 4 packs of 20 count chicken nuggets for $12.00 that will make 8 lunches compared to the chicken which makes 1 dinner.
Thats why I find it hard to diet.
But I am losing weight, I have cut all soda and drink much more water now, I don't eat at restarunts practically never.
Anyway, I am so happy to see you staying on plan, making your goals and making healthy life style changes.
I have a feeling you will be much less than 350 lbs by June! =)
Note to self. No more cheesy goodness for the 2yr old at grocery store. Thanks for the wake up call.
ReplyDeleteCrystal, I remember your comments from then :) on the "budget shopping" I know all about budget shopping! and we do actually spend less money now, shoot me an email and we can discuss ;) hmmm maybe I will do a post on how I shop, it is possible to eat healthy on a budget!
ReplyDeleteTo the first Anon comment, I doubt that the 60 pound 3 year old saved his points or dieted all month, its irresponsible eating plain and simple. (on the parents part of course in that case, the kid is just an innocent bystander in this case), but that wasn't the point of the post :) maybe another day and another post.
Thanks to the rest of you as well for the comments!
As Ever
Me
I am not on the follower list but I do look at your blog a couple of times a week. The other day my family was having ice cream and to give myself the will power to not partake I logged on the computer and took a quick look at your page to get some insperation. It worked, I didn't have any ice cream! Some days I just need a reminder that others are having success and I can too if I babystep my way there with every food choice I am confronted with.
ReplyDeleteAwww...I liked that last Anon comment! That's the way I get by sometimes, too. Get on here and read some blogs to get through a time when you might otherwise overeat or eat unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteHey...it works! :)
Oh, and yes...the ships setting sail thing always makes me anxious to read on....
:P
(my word verification is "lioness." hahaha)
Gotta love the 3 year old logic. Of course, she will probably ONLY eat chicken next week. OR decide there is something else she doesn't like. I like the idea of substituting ground turkey for beef. hmmmm wonder if I could slip that by hubby???? Thanks for dropping by my blog. I appreciate the comments. GBY!
ReplyDelete