Week 44, Tuesday, Diet with Dianna

“When we were utterly helpless [sinners], Christ came at just the right time and died for us. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Romans 5:6-8 NLT

What is in your refrigerator? 

Have you really changed your unhealthy eating habits? Well, you think you have but with further investigating you might still be harboring foods that could sabotage your weight loss. Believe it when I say that a higher fat content is better for you than lower fat...the added sugar is much worse for you than the fat. Limit your serving sizes and enjoy the extra fat. REALLY! Take a tour through your fridge and remove the diet dangerous foods.

Here is my list of Better Food Choices to stock in your fridge.

FRIDGE:

Mustard

REAL mayonnaise 

Dill pickles 

Soy or Almond Milk

Cream or half & half

Butter (avoid margarines and diet butters they are full of fake ingredients and sugars).

Fresh baby spinach

Cheese (swiss, cheddar, mozzarella, gorganzola)

Eggs or Egg whites (Free Range, cage free, organic feed) Pricer but nutritiously better!

Sugar free syrup

Low sugar or sugar free jam/jelly

Italian salad dressing (low fat usually has added sugar)

Fresh strawberries, blueberries

garlic

basil

onion (scallions, whole yellow & white)

Bay leaves

Worcestershire sauce

grape tomatoes

sweet potatoes

carrots

broccoli sprouts

sunflower seeds & almonds

Fiber One 50 calorie yogurt (5 grams sugar)

Soybee Zero or Lifewater Zero (sweetened with Stevia)

FREEZER:

Whole wheat waffles (freezer) (whole wheat is better than regular and lower in sugars)

Chicken (boneless, skinless, breast...freezer)

Fish (freezer...look for wild or Alaskan -- Farm raised are not as nutritious)

Mixed veggies

Broccoli

Peas

Brussel Sprouts

Green beans

Turkey Sausage (regular sausage is higher in fat but is still okay).

lean ground beef

Lean steak

Pecans/nuts

85% chocolate bar from Lindt

Foods to AVOID:

Anything labeled low fat or fat free are usually full of added sugars

yogurts (very high in sugars) Plain is better and much lower in sugar, but who like plain?

grapes are very high in sugars

beer

juices

Milk: 2%, 1%, fat free, Whole (too high in sugar)

margarines and diet margarines

salad dressings are full of added sugars (oil and vinegar dressings are ideal)

Apple sauce (VERY HIGH IN SUGAR and fructose)

jellies & jams

Ketchup

Salsa (make your own...it better for you and so easy).

syrup

sweet pickles

low fat or fat free mayonnaise

Sodas/Pop (Too much sugar)

Energy drinks (TOO much sugar)

Diet Soda/Diet Pop (artificial sugar is equally bad, but it is free of sugar and calories).

Limit your fruit (higher sugar content)

Processed meats

Processed breads

Ice cream

cakes & cookies

Frozen pizzas

Week 44, Monday!, Diet with Dianna

Ecclesiastes 11:7 Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.

Well, it's a new day, new week, and I have new opportunities to eat well, exercise, and be healthy. I am shopping for the new bicycle! I am so excited and ready to ride. 


Today, my inspiration comes from www.Caloriecount.com newsletter.  

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See the full article.  
Losing 144 Pounds without Surgery 
 [Highlights of the article]:
Q:How has your life changed now that you've lost weight?
A: Wow, where do I start? I'll do this in point form:
- I no longer suffer diabetes, liver, blood pressure, heart disease risks!!!!
- For the first time ever, my doctor has said I'm in "perfect health"
- I can actually feel/see my bones for the first time ever.
- I get cold easier. LOL
- I can buy any clothes that I want, NOT based on size restrictions.
- I can fit comfortably into any seats.
- I can make educated nutritional choices.
- I'm never out of breath easily.
- I feel like I have unlimited cardio ability.
- I don't sweat as easily.
- The list goes on...!

Q: What five tips do you have for other dieters?

A: -Don't consider your journey difficult. Just think of it this way; life is about choices, they don't have to be hard or easy, just different.

-Be persistent and don't give up. Persistence and finding a pattern that works for you, is key.

-Have a cheat meal once in a while.

-Count your calories!!!

-Always step it up. Don't be satisfied; always try to improve yourself whether that means stepping up your diet, or increasing exercise to get even FITTER!

Week 43, Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, Diet with Dianna

Luke 24 36-42 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, “Peace to you.” 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.”
40 When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.41 But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, He said to them, “Have you any food here?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.43 And He took it and ate in their presence.

Thank you Jesus for your supreme sacrifice! Praise God! Eternal Life is for all who believe!
Now be baptized in Spirit and flesh. Follow Him [Jesus]. Love one another! Let us be bold and share the Good News with all who will hear! 

Week 44, Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Where have I been? Where did the days go? I have been so busy I forgot to blog! Ahh! 
I like blogging and I don't know where my head has been? I think it is so very important for me to blog...not for the sake of having someone read this blog, but for myself. Writing about my day and the foods I eat, and my feelings is such a HUGE help! It sort of helps me be accountable, knowing that someone might read what I ate for the day.


I don't want to have to confess that I ate like a pig and blew my diet...healthy eating plan...
I haven't been exercising like a should. Shameful, I know. I have put other things in place of my exercise. Sleeping, watching my favorite programs...which I could easily exercise while watching those...lazy! IT's time to get my butt back in gear! 


I really dislike the humid weather and the fact that it is rapidly getting hotter outside. I so enjoy the cooler weather...NOT COLD weather, just cooler temperatures. The extreme temps are just not exciting and, if I'm not careful, I use that as an excuse to skip the walking! 


NO! Hot or cold...I have to walk. Tired or not, I have to exercise! No one can do it for me. I am a failure or a success of my own volition. I cannot complain if my diet stalls because I have been lazy or eating the wrong foods!


SO, I am getting back on track. By the way, I have lost two more pounds, so I haven't really been doing so bad. BUT, I will not let the old bad habits creep back in. NO!


Memo to me:

1. Make good, healthy food choices
2. Eat small portions
3. Exercise - Aerobically
4. Exercise - Muscle strengthening
5. Don't allow poor choices to get back into my NEW lifestyle!
6. Give God all the glory!
7. Be grateful
8. Love my family
9. Love my friends
10. Love my neighbors
11. Love strangers
12. Love my enemies! 

Week 43, Friday through Sunday, Diet with Dianna

Easter is almost here! Christians recognize Jesus’ resurrection every day, but once a year the church sets aside Easter for a special celebration of everything that Jesus’ death and resurrection means for us.Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week—the period of time beginning with Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem and ending with his death and resurrection. [www.BibleGateway.com]

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Friday, I was out all day running errands and then hurriedly dressed for girls night out at Bass Performance Hall to see the Broadway Musical, "Mary Poppins". We arrived two hours early, parked, then walked 7 city blocks to P.F. Chang's for dinner! My daughter and I had the four course dinner for two. My youngest sister and mother went also. After dinner, we walked at a brisk pace, in dress shoes, back to the parking garage to store the leftovers then over to the Theater where we climbed a lot of stairs to get to our seats. Even though we were on the main floor, we still had to climb stairs. Then the lady's bathroom was down two fights of stairs! Ugh! I'm thankful for the exercise, but I should have had on my walking shoes! [I ate very well at dinner...no rice, only protein and veggies; I gave my dessert away!]

Let me just say that I was transformed, in my mind's eye, back to a little girl of three years old. I felt giddy and so thrilled as I was entranced with the entire show. I simply had a grand time! The musical's story followed the book rather than the popular Disney classic movie. However, the music was just the same with a few original scores specifically written just for the original Broadway musical.

What a fabulous show! I was just amazed with the scenery and the rapid scene changes that magically and seamlessly transformed before my eyes. The actors were superb and the singing was top notch and the music was over the top! Truly a grand show! I teared up as the main actor that played Mary Poppins flew off the stage at the end...and I was again transformed back to reality and adulthood once again!
 

Evanne, Carrie, Mary Poppins, Me, Britt 

As an extra added treat, I was just so blessed to have my picture taken with my daughter, Sister, Mother and Mary Poppins. Happy times!
P.S. Please notice in the photo, even without knowing, we lined up in order of our height.

Saturday:Just a day of lazing around until time for worship service! WOW! Pastor Robert Morris gave us such an awesome word from the Lord! The praise time was such an spiritually uplifting time. I hated for it to stop. We also took communion, which I was blessed enough to be able to help serve. So Cool!

EXERCISE: Resistance bands...my back was sore on Sunday!
MENU: No breakfast...I got up too late
Lunch: Hamburger and fries from Five Guys Burger and Fries
Dinner: None, but I had a Soy Vanilla Frappe - sugar free
Snack: Nuts and raisins

Sunday: Another day of hanging at home, but not such a lazy day. Went for a long walk, ate breakfast, started the laundry, watched my sweet, sacrificing husband mow the yard--thanks sweetheart-- baked two cakes [going to be making wedding cake balls this week], a batch of cookies for my family, and dinner. WHEW!

EXERCISE: 2.5 mi walk! Felt so good!
MENU: eggs and sausage sandwich & Coffee {my family ate donuts and I ate donut ball}
NO LUNCH but I ate a snack of 50 calorie yogurt with nuts and raisins.
Dinner: Whole wheat tortilla pizza with basil pesto, baby spinach, and low fat skim mozzarella cheese.
Snack: Snack size Redenbacher Kettle Corn


Great eating and good exercising!