Fresh Air

1,200 a Day - Week 3

Well, I've gotten through the first 10 pounds, but not the easy way.  I don't know if getting sick in the middle of your lifestyle adjustment pattern really counts as "effort", but I can tell you that the net results of a sinus infection and bronchitis combined sucketh in the extremeth, no matter how many pounds come off as a result.

My friend Cathy has gone all rice-and-fruit-happy, and if it works for her, I think that's awesome.  But give me four bites of really good steak and a plateful of broccoli any day over THAT.  1,200 doesn't mean denial; it means portion control and balanced consumption.  And exercise.

About the latter; I don't know of rolling gently, carefully from fetal position A to fetal position B counts as exercise, but if it does, that's great, because that is how I have spent the last 4 days.  Having a sinus infection means that any adjustment in pitch, roll or yaw of your head results in severe, instant pain.  Think migraine on steroids.  Now you know why food during this period hasn't been an option.  To chew is to die.

Prior to my getting sick, my Truly Energized Husband had completed the well-designed Home Gym in Garage concept, in a configuration that would make even Martha Stewart happy.  It comes complete with reading lamp over the elliptical trainer, a DVD- enabled TV and lots of natural light if you count opening the garage door allowing the entire neighborhood to view your personal collection of work-out wear.  As a bonus, there is a fridge housing beverages of your choice for that mid-workout break (Guinness, anyone?), and a pantry in case you need a Girl Scout Cookie or a can of tomato paste to see you through.

The number of times I've used said environment?  0.  Nada.  The big Zippo.  Why?  It's COLD, which I understand can be motivating for some.  Me?  I'd rather have a fireplace in the corner than freeze my assets off while working out. Oh, and a hot tub to soak in after the fact. 

Thankfully, Spring is here (almost) and this too shall also change.  And, I'll be able to open the side door, which provides a sneak peek to no one; my strong  preference when wearing all things lycra-esque.

Speaking of lycra, I do have a nice, inspiring picture of me in a bikini, taken in my parents pool about 1992 or so.  I looked *awesome*.  And I will look that way again.  So on to the next five pounds, which I'd prefer to lose standing up and under my own power, thanks much. 

** P.S. If this seems a little stream of consciousness, I apologize.  I am on serious meds and will be for two weeks.  God knows what you could get me to write about!

1,200 a Day - Week One

Well, I am happy to report that the first 5, very easy water related pounds have been shed.  I'm also happy to report that if you drink a lot of water or seltzer, you really don't end up being that hungry.  And if you're already swimming in a sea of anxiety (see the entries on Bowling with Planets to know more about THAT) who cares if you're hungry when you're already too nervous to eat?

Seriously, I've developed what I think are some reasonable tactics to allow me the flavors I crave (i.e. butter, chocolate and meat) with the calories I've given up (i.e. most everything else.)

As mentioned previously, I am an averred carnivore.  Reduced calorie breakfasts and lunches are no difficulty, but dinner time rolls around and I am usually both famished and exhausted.

We've tried to get clever in our household since my husband is usually in about the same (ragged) shape.  We buy in bulk at Costco, and freeze portions individually, or in the case of some meats or fish, full size but flat for quick defrosting. 

And just to show his support, my Truly Sensitive Husband has given up feeding me rib steaks (oh so delectably marbled with fat) for the much healthier New York or flank steak.  One of my favorite marinades for flank steak is Wishbone Italian dressing; a standard in my parent's household.  Just tenderize the steak by rapidly poking a fork in 1" intervals on both the topside and bottom.  Pour the Italian dressing over the steak and let 'er soak for 1-24 hours.  Flip it once.  This can also be very conveniently done in a zip-lock as well.  Broil or BBQ to taste, and slice cross grain on the diagonal to serve.  Add Mamma's Onion Rice (recipe follows) and a nicely steamed green vegetable, like asparagus or broccoli.  Add a fresh grate of Parmesan to the veggies or rice for a nice garnish.  You can also add a salad if you're feeling energetic. 

Here's the recipe for Mamma's Onion Rice.  It's easy and good enough to serve to company:

2/3 c. long grain rice
1 can Cambells's Onion Soup
2 T. butter

Heat a skillet over medium heat.  Melt the butter and add the rice, stirring to brown the grains a bit.  Add the onion soup and 1/2 can - 1 can of water.  Turn down the heat to a simmer, cover and let steam till done; about 20 minutes.  Serves 4 with a reasonable portion (i.e. half cup or a little more) but can easily be doubled.  A grating of fresh Parmesan is good, as is a dusting of crispy fried onions.

Enjoy!

1,200 a Day, Ready or Not

We had a lovely dinner at my parents house last night, and my Truly Noble Husband spent hours setting up a new computer for Mom.  While he was pounding the keys downstairs, I was hanging with Mamacita upstairs. 

Their kitchen  has taken on an accretive quality as of late.  I can discover a relatively complete subtext of my parents existence within six feet of the kitchen table.  I find this comforting. 

Last night, I found my mother's weight loss program emboded in a 2001 email posting on "1,200 Calories a Day."  Mom looks great - svelte, sassy and sexy.  She exercises like a maniac and has apparently been on this 1,200 program for the past couple of months.  (When you write it like that - it seems like something you'd pick up on religious television, but she insists that she didn't.)

I've struggled with weight ever since a high school back injury twisted around my metabolism and my standard exercise regime.  Couple that with fertility treatments and you've got an ongoing challenge.  I was highly successful with Atkins, mostly because I'm an avowed carnivore, so meat, meat, meat actually has its appeal.  I even joined the e-diets version of Atkins, which I did not find helpful but understand that many others do.  I also found that for me at least, it is not a sustainable lifestyle, and those 30 pounds came back in a couple of waves.

Ergo, I looked with interest at her email diet, none of which seemed out of line (unlike what you can see Weight Watchers was up to in 1974, thanks to Nexus and her resources.)  It seems doable, and I *did* just join a gym (again) right up the street.  Now I just need to exercise the self discipline to carve out the time. 

Going public with this crusade is one more way to hold myself accountable.  It's not about being skinny - but it is about being strong, graceful, and having the stamina to do things I like to do rather than just thinking about them.  So here is my goal: 40 pounds, end of year.  This is assuming that pregnancy doesn't intervene, but I would like to be less corpulent in that event in any regard.

So there you go.  Any encouragement you can muster would be greatly appreciated as I embark much more stringently on this process.  Ergo Sum!