Diet/Exercise/Health/Wellness Support Thread

Parent Cafe
2001

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<p>My wife and I have been “discussing” dinner restrictions like that as well. My attitude is that I’m losing a steady 2 pounds a week eating nice meals and skipping the snack grazing, so leave me alone on the dinners. I don’t want to cut back to four shrimp and a brussel sprout when I know there’s no gnoshing on pringles, sour gummy worms, extra butter popcorn, or Dunkin Donuts later on. The idea here, IMO, is for me to establish a new combination of eating and exercise that I can live with. I’m not really looking to try to implement things that make me miserable as that is counterproductive. </p>

<p>If I get to the point where I can’t have a nice dinner and lose my steady 2 pounds a week, then we’ll deal with that when the time comes.</p>

2002

<p>Idad…that’s cool! I will not try to influence my H. It’s his choice. But I will say that I didn’t find it very restrictive. And with me, I have reached a plateau after losing 10. It seems like nothing will make that scale budge so I’m willing to try things that aren’t painful to me. It’s hard when you’ve cut out all the junky stuff (I don’t even want it anymore) but still are above your desired weight. So, now, all I really have left is portion control. And the small plates and bowls should help. </p>

<p>And yeah, I was panting too after this 1 hour workout. This was a gift from friend! 4 more sessions to go and then I’m on my own.</p>

2003

<p>I’ve used a small plate for dinner for quite some time now. But for dinner, I typically eat a piece of meat that’s the size of a deck of cards (one serving), maybe a starch (3/4 cup or so) and something green like broccoli or asparagus. I just don’t need the larger plate.</p>

<p>DH, on the other hand, fills the big plate and always has seconds. No matter how much is on the big plate for the first serving, he always takes seconds.</p>

<p>After 32 years of marriage, I know what my DH will do, everytime.</p>

2004

<p>I have the deck of cards, rarely have a starch, and have a lot of vegetables and a salad. I seem to be stuck on the 10 pound loss plateau too. And I didn’t get to the gym today, because I’m busy trying to get stuff done so I can take two days off looking at American. I did at least go for a walk.</p>

2005

<p>Hmmm, I too use smaller plates- much easier now that the children are gone. I learned early on that my H preferred smaller servings because he always wanted seconds.</p>

2006

<p>I sometimes use the smaller plate. I never have seconds. I rarely have the starch. I have lost about 17 lbs in 2 1/2 months. With lots of guests and the kids home I gained some back but am back down again. At this point I am happy. I am exercising some but I think the portion reduction is what is helping with the weight loss. Some of my jeans are too baggy but I have plenty in my closet in the next size down. I think putting on the smaller jeans and having them fit comfortably is incentive to stay on course. I have eliminated all impulse eating. If I am out and I am starved I will go into Whole Foods and grab some chicken salad. It still has mayo but it fills me up and I feel satisfied. In the past I would have picked up a big burrito or a huge cookie or even a hamburger from in and out.
I have never been a big chocolate eater. But I am interested in dark chocolate as a treat. What brands do you like?
Are most of you empty nesters? I find it hard to go all out healthy with a HS still at home.</p>

2007

<p>I have stopped making the starch dish for dinner. I always used to have rice, pasta, or potatoes most nights. Now I just don’t make it. I make sweet potatoes frequently. I’m trying to really up the vegetable intake. Last night we had fish, mixed vegetables, and golden beets. The first time I have cooked beets in my life (and that’s 37 years of cooking dinners). They were organic and just wonderful.</p>

2008

<p>If you don’t enjoy pity parties, stop reading here!</p>

<p>Started feeling a bit under the weather yesterday, and it got worse during the night. Thought I was coming down with a cold, and around 1AM decided to get out the cold-mist humidifier… only to find out it doesn’t work anymore. Sore throat continued to get worse and then came the headache and body aches. Finally headed up to Walgreens around 9AM to buy a new humidifier. Later, I really wanted some saltines and jello, but of course we don’t keep saltines in the house anymore. H arrived back in the country around 1PM, so I called him and asked him to pick up some saltines and jello on his way home from the airport. He says, “We have jello in the house”, so I look, and of course it’s sugar-free jello, but was satisfying. I ate two. Then he shows up with the saltines, and as I’m nibbling on them in my bed, and think my taste buds must really be changing because the saltines are OK, but just not the same as I remember; I see him grab a handful (and think, wow, his body must be all out of sorts for him to eat saltines). Later I go downstairs and see that he bought fat-free saltines. So at this point in the day, I’ve had two things of sugar-free jello, some fat-free saltines and a few slices of cheese to go on them to disguise the flavor. I also wanted some applesauce and we didn’t have any, so I had an apple.</p>

<p>About 8PM I took two Tylenol, then around 8:30 took two Advil, so I was feeling better and decided I needed to take advantage of it and get to the grocery store. H is leaving early in the morning for NCAA regionals and I’ll be alone again. As I was on my way, I realized a Wendy’s chocolate frosty would REALLY hit the spot, so I got one (haven’t had one since starting this whole healthy eating thing). Picked up some popsicles (NOT sugar-free), oatmeal and applesauce at the grocery store, and feel like I’ve got food for tomorrow. Oh, had to indulge myself and get a small box of Frosted Mini Wheats - not too much appeals to me right now, so I have to eat what my taste buds will allow.</p>

<p>The frustrating part is, I’m supposed to leave Sunday and meet H and D1 down in Florida for a week. If I have any congestion in my head at all, I can’t fly (last time I did, my eardrum ruptured on the flight), so I made an appt. to see my doctor at 10AM tomorrow morning (one thing I love about my doctor’s practice is the availability of electronic access to schedule appts., so I was able to schedule it tonight, online, long after their office had closed for the day. My nose is not stopped up, but I have a bad sore throat and lots of body aches, as well as a fever (don’t know how high the fever gets without taking Tylenol/Advil, though), so I’m either thinking sinus infection or strep. I’m just a couple of weeks away from my annual physical when he usually takes blood to check cholesterol, etc, so maybe he will write the orders tomorrow. I’m just seriously hoping I get over this by Sunday, or my vacation might be in jeopardy. My only other option is to go to my ENT and have him insert a small hole in my eardrum to relieve pressure so I can fly (I’ve not had it done before, but after the last eardrum rupture, the ENT told me he could do that… it scares the crap out of me).</p>

<p>So for now, I’m eating what feels good on my throat, and probably will not work out until I’m sure I’m over this. Slight setback, but, oh well, that’s life.</p>

2009

<p>We have a box of low salt salteens. What’s the point?</p>

2010

<p>Teri
Don’t be surprise if u have the flu. Hopefully, you’ll feel better in a few days, then get to FL and rest. Unfortunately, weather in FL has been cool.</p>

2011

<p>Teri, hope you feel better to make your trip. I love the electronic scheduling at the doctor’s office. What a great feature!</p>

2012

<p>Teri,
Sounds like what I had for a week and am just getting over. I felt so achy that I kept taking my temp thinking I must have a fever, but none. My throat hurt, had chest pain and a tight cough. Tried mucinex for the first time for 3 of the days, which helped a little. I stayed home from work also. Do you have pain/sore spots inside your mouth also? Kind of put a damper on eating, though I still had an appetite. Anyhow, what finally masked the symptoms completely in order to work was Afrin for sinus (which comes on by day 4 or so) and motrin for sore throat. Still not 100% but so much better.
Many I know are on various antibiotics for either sinus infection or even pnumonia, but I think it’s the same virus.
I bet the Afrin helps you on the plane as it shrinks all the swollen stuff & rids the mucus in your head. No pressure therefore. Don’t forget the sugar-free gum & hopefully you’ll be fine for your vaca, without any scary ear problems!</p>

2013

<p>Thanks for RSVP’ing to my pity party! The confusing thing is I’ve had both the flu shot and the H1N1 shot, although I know that doesn’t preclude me 100% from getting it.</p>

<p>Funny thing is, my nose isn’t congested and I’m not sneezing, which leads to believe it’s not a cold. I was born with a cleft palate, so anything sinus related causes me great grief when it comes to flying. I wish something as simple as Afrin and Sudafed would help, but they’re simply not enough. When my eardrum ruptured last time, I was put on a medrol dose-pak (steroids) and within the first 36 hours became borderline psychotic (OK… I’m exaggerating, but the doctor immediately took me off them due to my reaction), so I can’t even do the steroids. I think my only option will be the myringotomy (without the tubes), if I choose to do so. If you’ve ever had anything done to your ears when they’re already hurting, then you know how excruciating a procedure can be.</p>

<p>Off to see what they say, and maybe pick up another Frosty; it really hit the spot last night!</p>

2014

<p>Special dispensation on the Frosty. </p>

<p>Right now, you just need to take care of yourself! I really hope you get better in time to make your trip, but if you don’t just stock up on books (or load your kindle) and pamper yourself. Pretend you aren’t home. </p>

<p>Want me to come over and fluff your comforter???</p>

2015

<p>Doc put me on Cefdinir and told me to call my ENT. Called the ENT and since he is not in the office on Fridays, I have to go this afternoon… probably for a myringotomy. They said it will make the flight Sunday a piece of cake, but the hole may close up by my return flight. The hope is that by the return flight, I will be at the end of the course of antibiotics and the eustachian tubes won’t be an issue.</p>

<p>While I was waiting for the doc to come in, I weighed myself on their scale, so I could then come home and calibrate my own scale. They are two pounds off, meaning, I actually weigh two pounds less than what my scale says (mine is electronic, so less accurate). That made me feel a bit better : )</p>

<p>So while I still have to look at my weight as taken on my home scale and use that as a base for my loss, whenever I do weigh myself at home, I can deduct two pounds for an accurate weight!</p>

<p>After a basically liquid diet yesterday, I did stop by Dunkin’ Donuts on my way to the pharmacy and get a breakfast sandwich. I was craving something more solid and wanted something more solid in my stomach since I’m starting a new antibiotic (have never had this one before and I have a tendency to get digestive upset from certain ones). But I will hit the Wendy’s on the way out for my ENT appt. I was supposed to have dinner with a friend tonight at a Thai place, but cancelled. Will eat what appeals to me. </p>

<p>I’m a bit apprehensive (OK, a lot) about the appt. this afternoon, but know if I can get through it, I’m set for warmer weather come Sunday! What would make my day, is if Syracuse busts Butler’s butt tonight!</p>

2016

Go orange!!

2017

<p>Goodness, Teri. What an ordeal. Absolutely eat while you are on an antibiotic- the last thing you need are stomach problems. </p>

<p>I used to love (probably still would) Egg McMuffins. I have started making my own at home - whole wheat English muffin, Canadian bacon, soy cheese (I like it for whatever reason) and of course the egg (usually with the yolk). Somehow I have convinced myself that this is healthier than going to McD’s. </p>

<p>Teri, I also have an electronic scale that supposedly calculates your BMI as well. I am not convinced that it is reliable but it “stores” your weight. Back in January 2008 I tried to lose weight- and promptly gained. Happily I am now back to my original starting weight. I am already feeling more optimistic about my chances for long-term sustained weight loss.</p>

2018

<p>well, I did order it on an English muffin and chose the egg white!</p>

<p>I have made them at home, basically the same way you do… but with a multi-grain muffin, and low-fat swiss cheese. And I know it’s healthier than McD’s!</p>

2019

<p>Wow!!! I just got a HUGE reprieve!</p>

<p>The ENT told me that if he put the holes in my eardrums, I would not be able to swim or snorkel on our vacation. AGH! And since I am still able to pop my ears with some effort, he thinks I’ll be OK. But it will require my keeping them open by diligent popping between now and my flight.</p>

<p>However, and this is the best part… he said if something happens and on Sunday I can’t get them to pop, to call him and he would meet me in the office and do the procedure! So I’m not forced to make a decision today, and can wait to see if I can maintain the openness for now. I didn’t realize it would preclude me from swimming, and more importantly snorkeling. But now I have other options. What an awesome doc!</p>

<p>Oh, and I enjoyed my Frosty again, too.</p>

2020

<p>I am a little bit proud of myself because I threw ice cream away today. Went to Intercourse, PA, for a day trip. I have been trying to eat only “real” foods. There was a shop with homemade ice cream - from the cream made from their own dairy cows. I ordered 2 scoops thinking it would be just fantastic. It wasn’t fantastic at all - I ate one scoop and ditched the second one. If you have never been to Intercourse, it is a little ways from Blue Ball, PA. Ha! True!</p>