Dave’s Update: Friday 7-7-09
So, some of you called me out on my choices of food this week, questioning my decision to eat granola bars and Cheerios.
Let’s get something straight, okay? I have a horrible diet. I’ve NEVER eaten what most people consider healthy foods. I despise most vegetables and don’t eat any meat other than chicken (yes, that means no seafood). So, my diet had always been very bland and made up of starches and junk food. Cooking for me is not fun because I’m also very picky.
A picky fat guy? Imagine that.
I have asked a friend of a friend, a chef, to create a sample menu for me, which I will be experimenting with once he’s got it ready for me. But in the meanwhile, don’t expect to see lots of posts with words like salad, boiled salmon, and water chestnuts. I don’t even know if the last one is healthy, but it sure sounds unappetizing.
While turfdad suggests I am either all in or all out, I would disagree – slightly. I understand what you’re saying. However, I believe the first thing I need to do is stay under the 2,000 calorie mark and weight will come off even if I am eating Cheerios, which are actually better than most breakfast foods, not to mention better than previous foods I indulged in. While choice of foods does play into body functions there is no doubt that limiting my calories WILL cause weight loss – if I am able to stick to it.
I understand why my lack of variety or truly healthy foods causes concern. Part of it may be that I will grow bored of this and go off the wagon. I get that and I AM going to do my damndest to ensure that doesn’t happen.
While ideally, I should be eating healthy foods, the change to a healthier diet will have to be gradual. I know me.
What this means:
- I am going to eat better foods as I experiment and add new items to my menu.
- I am still going to snack on things like Cheerios and granola bars, but I will also add fruit such as apples and bananas.
- I am going to eat less packaged foods and cook more meals at home, store some in the fridge for later.
Yesterday:
Breakfast: chicken sandwich, mustard, 2 slices of wheat bread – 280 calories
Lunch: Pasta w/ light parmesan sauce 450 calories
Dinner: 6 cheese raviolli’s and marinara – 400 calories
Snack: banana (150 calories), Fiber One bar (140 calories)
total 1420 calories
Thanks to everybody who has joined me this week. Keep the comments and suggestions coming. If you have any recipes for foods that even a junk food junkie will enjoy, feel free to share them (keeping in mind my no beef, seafood or pork policy). Now you see what my wife has to put up with!
Oh yeah, I went walking yesterday, too. Half an hour. Look to increase it this weekend.
One warning: Sunday is my birthday, so don’t expect a great update on Monday. My dad is making some good food and I plan to enjoy it.
So, what did you do today? What will you do tomorrow?
6 Responses to “Dave’s Update: Friday 7-7-09”
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Sure, if you limit your calories, you can even lose weight on a diet of Snickers. You are just making it bloody hard for yourself. I can only imagine how it must be to leave the comfort zone and try new things. Working together with your chef-friend sounds like a brilliant idea. You could try ‘salads’ with wild rice and tomatoes or beans with sweet corn and lots of herbs. Very healthy and satisfying.
Good for you that you went walking. Last night the rain poured down in big waves – I couldn’t be bothered to take up the little walk to the gym. Bad excuse, I know.
I read an article today about a book that about the food trap created by the food industry. ‘The end of overeating’ by David A. Kessler. Interesting thoughts…
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I eat a lot of granola bars. A serving is a package of two. Yes, it is 1/4 “sugars,” but I don’t find sugar to be necessarily a bad thing.
I have a tendency to have spells of hypoglycemia when working out. If I have some granola bars before I get to the gym, that doesn’t happen. I generally eat them on the way — with a cup of coffee.
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Dave, I’d actually come to your rescue the other day, just that the comments always seem closed when I try to leave one (and the blog doesn’t show up in my reader for some reason, it did today though). Don’t let MM wind you up
. Cheerios are grand, a bit sugary, but they are my favourite sweet craving busters, a small portion always manages to take the edge of my sweet cravings, and they’re sure better than cake and chocolate.
It does take time to change your taste buds. But it can be done. Before I first dieted, I would never eat a raw tomato. Now I quite like them. Not as much as chocolate to be fair. Taste buds can be changed, but yes, it’s not an overnight process.
Have a good birthday! (and I hope this comment will actually go through for a change, grumble grumble)
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Dave, It takes guts to be honest and share truthfully what is going on with your weight loss efforts. My little speech yesterday was supposed to be more about me being “all-in” and that it was working for me and that I think it can work for you too. If it came across any other way I apologize.
The new menu from your chef friend is a great idea. It may take a while, but you’ll find some healthier meals that you can live with.
I think the turkey-dogs scared me more than the Cheerios.
How many calories a day does the BMR tool say you can eat to burn one pound a week? I bet its more than that 1400 you had yesterday.
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Dave,
Another thumbs up on your walking. This weekend try to do the same distance but in less time. Add a little intensity, even if it’s only in short spurts. Interval training is a great way to burn extra calories.
As for your Sunday birthday meal, make a conscious effort to to eat in moderation, a little of this and a little of that. It doesn’t have to be an all or nothing event. Just be thoughtful in your choices. And don’t show up to the meal with an empty stomach or all attempts to stick with the program will fly out the window.
I hope you have a happy birthday. On Monday tell us all about your birthday cake in great detail so that we can all enjoy it vicariously (no calories that way!).
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I think you have to cut yourself some slack on the transition from junk food junkie to healthy eater. It takes time to change. I recommend you look into marinades to change the flavor profile of the chicken you are eating. They’re not too hard to do and add flavor without many calories – they also tenderize white meat if you put something acidic in them.
I also recommend making frozen fruit frappes. Take a fruit you like, cut it in bite-size pieces and freeze it well in saran wrap in one-serving size containers. When you want something sweet, take out the parcel, smash it on a table to break up the brick of frozen fruit it has become, and put it in a blender with crushed ice, sweetener of your choice, low-fat milk, and whatever else will enhance the flavor (cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, etc.). Frappe it well and then eat it with a spoon. It’s very filling, healthy, sweet and low calorie. You can do it with nearly any fruit, though bananas tend to give the most satisfying, creamy texture. The crushed ice adds a lot of volume (I use about 1 cup per banana) so you feel fuller.
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