The Revolving Diet

Summary ~ Eat More, Weigh Less

The GREAT  News.....Down 1.4 pounds for the week!

The diet is essentially vegetarian. In trolling the internet there are plenty of recipes that can be made that are low calorie and vegetarian and surprisingly there are an abundance of vegetarian recipes out there that the fat content alone would have you running to your nearest bakery for something less fattening!

The recipes I found were tasty and satisfying.  I did stick to recipes that had several servings making the week easier on myself.  This is not a diet to be done longterm without having to prepare fresh flavorful food.  I think if you were going to try this longterm, if you don't put the time and effort into prepping and making your meals you would fall off this diet very easily.

I personally do not kow anyone that is fully vegetarian.  I had always thought  going vegetarian would be pretty easy and maybe it is if you are just choosing not not eat any meat or fish products whatsoever and eating only rice, beans, pasta, bread and cheese.  But I would think you probably could become very heavy if you stuck to the higher end fat content breads and cheeses.  Being a vegetarian you would still walk a fine line of still watching what you eat.

I am not meant to be a vegetarian.  If it was the last diet on earth = yes I could do it.  I could do this diet longer - but I am not sure how long I could stick to it without totally caving for a cheeseburger. (Exercise saved my butt this week on that craving!!)

*** DO NOT DO ANY DIET WITHOUT FIRST CONSULTING YOUR DOCTOR ***

Day 354 ~ 1/9/11

Had a GREAT SUNDAY!!  We went into NYC to see a show (tickets hubby & me for Christmas present) - the show was RAIN - Beatles Tribute.  Pretty good - started from early years thru to Sgt. Pepper, Abbey Road, etc.  I am not a huge Beatles fan - but I like their music and the show was well worth seeing.

I always have a great time going into NYC...but I rather it be in April/May - - - winter months not so great (WAY TOO COLD & WINDY).  Stuck to diet pretty good for breakfast and dinner...grabbed two quickie snacks in city(not so good)...

Breakfast: 1 slice whole wheat bread, 3 egg whites, 4 oz grapefruit juice

Lunch –  1 Krispy Kreme donut, 1 slice plain pizza...YIKES!!!!

 Dinner – 1-1/2 cups Rice and Beans (left over), 2 oranges

I love to people watch and I especially like to put words in others mouths (without them knowing) .....We had a guy on the train that was on his cellphone off and on several calls and he got to his last call (before getting off train) and asked for housekeeping - hubby turned to me and said - did that guy just ask for housekeeping and I of course replied yes...well then the guy goes into this very LOUD conversation in Spanish (speaking very loud, very fast and animated) - which I translated to my husband (thanks to my three years of High School Spanish - which I remember nothing) and proceeded to tell my husband how this guy left his hotel room only to come back and find out someone pooped (yes, he said pooped in my version - not took a dump) on his bed and ate all the peanuts out of the mini bar, which of course is the only thing he likes,  but he was too tired to call earlier, he just rolled the sheets up and threw them into the tub so that he could get some sleep and he expects that housekeeping clean his room and that he is given an extra (only one - does not want to inconvenience anyone) complimentary chocolate on his pillow for his aggravations prior to his return later tonight. 

My husband could not look at me - he just stared out the train window laughing.  The above does not sound as funny as the actual event - as you really needed to be there as I was spot on in my translation of his conversation. I have been doing this as long as I could remember (translate others conversations - even when they speak English) but to get an idea of what I was doing I can only point you in the direction of Mystery Science Theater - - if you have seen this show, you know EXACTLY what I was doing....if you have no idea what I am talking about you can check out one http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCcJJfhdf_o

Back to the work week grind tomorrow...I hope your weekend was FANTASTIC!!!  HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!!!!

You don't have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great

 

 

 

Day 353 ~ 1/8/11

Happy with loss today - finally hit over 44 pounds....last time I saw/hit the 44 pounds was during the Pizza Diet.....

With no plans today, I took advantage of a lazy Saturday and slept late. No exercise today.

Snowing again in NJ/NY....I hope it stops - we have tickets to a NYC show tomorrow!!!

Breakfast – Oatmeal with Cinnamon , vanilla non fat yogurt, 1/2 cup grapefruit juice.

Lunch –  BIG salad....mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, chickpeas, shredded  low fat cheddar cheese, green & red ppeppers...mixed a little mustard with balsamic vinegar for dressing - not bad. Also had 1 orange.

Dinner – Baked Frittata (made the same one as Thursday - it was good ,quick and filling!) and 1/2 cantalope.

 Have a great night and enjoy the rest of your weekend!!!

Your News Years Resolution is on track....one more day to say you made it through the first week!!  KEEP GOING, KEEP POSITIVE!!!

Success will never be a big step in the future, success is a small step taken now

Day 352 ~ 1/7/11

I am a glutton for punishment - after working out last night (to get the cheeseburger off my mind),  I hopped right on the tread-climber this morning for another 30 minutes ...

I wanted to put out there - my tread-climber is a Bowflex.  I have been using the treadmill function of the tread-climber for my exercise.  I know if you look up a Bowflex tread-climber - they run about $1,499 to $3,500.  I got mine off of Craigslist for $700 - it was a deal I couldn't pass up and I have to say it's one of my better purchases (along with auto start for the car and a heating blanket)...

Just be careful with Craiglist ads (do not go to someones house without a friend-better to be safe)...When I went to look at and eventually buy mine - hubby came with me.  The people we were buying from were an older couple (the husband had bought for wife after she had back surgery and she only used it a month, then it became a large clothes hanger)-they asked us to follow them to a storage unit.  We get there and while sitting in car waiting for them to get there, hubby and I discussed how to back each other up just in case one of them pulls something.  My first thought was they might be luring fat people to the storage unit to make sausage out of them ( I do run to the other side of the spectrum when thinking "worse case scenario"), hubby's was more tame - they might rob us.  Neither happened - they turned out to be really nice people.

Anyway if you are thinking about purchasing any exercise equipment - look around - Craigslist is a great option for picking up a name brand that has creditable testimonies to back it up - at a fraction of the cost.

Breakfast – Oatmeal with Cinnamon , 6 oz orange juice

Lunch –  2 slices toasted whole wheat bread, non fat cheddar cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, 1 teaspoon mustard, vanilla non fat yogurt

 Dinner – 1-1/2 cups Rice and Beans, 1/2 cantaloupe, 1 apple

 Rice and Black Beans Recipe

• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
• 3/8 onion, chopped
• 3/4 clove garlic, minced
• 1-1/3 cups and 1 tablespoon canned black beans, drained
• ½ can diced tomatoes
• ½ cup corn (frozen or canned)
• ½ lime
• 1/4 cup uncooked white rice
• 1/2 cup low sodium, low fat chicken broth
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1-1/3 cups canned black beans, drained

Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft (approx. 5 minutes). Add the rice and sauté for another 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil, cover and lower the heat and cook for 15 minutes. Squeeze lime juice, add the spices, tomatoes, corn and black beans cook for another 15 minutes.

Rice and Bean Recipe was easy and tasty!!  This is something I would normally make for a side dish but being that I am a vegatarian this week it worked out great for dinner!

Have a wonderful night! 

I hope your week went well and any obstacles that presented themselves... you overcame!

Remember the end result isn’t just about losing weight, but also about keeping that weight off and being healthy.

Day 351 ~ 1/6/11

I am not going to lie - this diet makes me feel lighter - - BUT - - I could SO go for a cheeseburger......If you only started your "New Years Resolution" diet/exercise program, right now it all seems fairly easy to you - - I have been doing this just about a year, I am not bored (mixing up the diets is a real help)....I just am not meant to be a complete vegetarian. 

) As I stated before - this diet is fairly restrictive

2) Beans make you gassy and the need to fart is great (sorry TMI)

3) There is no "3"....

I just want a cheeseburger.....

Breakfast – Oatmeal with Cinnamon , vanilla non fat yogurt, 1 orange 

Lunch –  (1) Veggie Stuffed Pepper, 3/4 cup three bean salad

Dinner – Baked Frittata, 3/4 cup three bean salad (had to finish it up)

Easy Baked Veggie Frittata Recipe

• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 clove garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 zucchini, halved lengthwise and cut in 1/4 inch slices
• 1 cups cooked and diced potatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh tomato
• 3 egg whites
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 pinch dried oregano
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/4 cup shredded low fat mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup no fat feta cheese

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Mix all ingredients (except cheeses)  and put into a 8 x 8 pan (I used my brownie pan) that has been lightly sprayed with Pam (cooking oil spray).
2.  Mix cheeses together and sprinkle over top.
3. Bake for about 30 minutes - - until egg mixture is set and cheeses have melted/browned a little.


No exercise this morning, I am going to workout and forget about the cheeseburger, sugar, anything fatty......going to work out now!

Have an AWESOME NIGHT!!  BE STRONG - Do not give into temptations!!

Those who try to do something and fail are infinitely better than those who try to do nothing and succeed

Day 350 ~ 1/5/11

Pushed to 20 minutes on the tread-climber today (WOO-HOO!!)  I still hurt though!

I know you are doing your exercise and watching what you eat (we all do religiously in the beginning of the New Year)...it's too early to throw in the towel!! 

Breakfast – 2 slices toasted whole wheat bread, 1/2 grapefruit

Lunch –  2 cups mixed salad with 3/4 cup three bean salad tossed in, 1 baked (more like microwaved) potato

Dinner – (2) Veggie Stuffed Peppers, 1 apple

Low Cal Veggie Stuffed Peppers

 Preheat oven to 400 degrees F

 4 green bell peppers

3 slices low fat mozzarella cheese (cut each slice in half)

1/2 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes

1/2 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce

1 cup uncooked white rice

1 (15 ounce) can black beans (drained & rinsed)

1/2 tablespoon chili powder

1/2 tablespoon cumin powder

 Additional Spices (if you want to spice up sauce)

Garlic (fresh or powder)

Basil (fresh or dried)

Oregano (fresh or dried)

 As an EXTRA

Spoonful of NON-FAT Sour Cream on top when serving

 Cook rice per package directions. Combine cooked rice with black beans and chili powder. Cut the tops off of the peppers and remove the ribs and seeds. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the rice and bean mixture into the bottoms of the peppers. Lay a slice of cheese on top and repeat 3 more times, ending with cheese on top.

Bake in preheated oven until peppers soften, about 45 minutes

Meanwhile, heat diced tomatoes & tomato sauce in a small saucepan over low to medium heat adding some spices to taste (basil, garlic & oregano)

Slice peppers in half, top with tomato sauce and serve.

This is the year we ALL hit our goals (no matter how BIG or SMALL) - getting older and slowing metabolism does not help in losing weight...Men and Woman have the same weight loss issues - - ALL of our bodies slow down.  Some people are born with slow metabolisms and just cutting calories does not always work.

Over the years there has been plenty of research on aging and slowing metabolism and even if you have a naturally slow metabolism, weight gain is not inevitable--and though it may be harder to shed body fat, it's nearly always possible through exercise and building lean muscle to lose weight.  Adding weights or doing weight training helps to tone up those flabby areas (muscle weighs more than fat) and adding muscles helps to tone and streamline the body.

In addition, most of the scientific data shows that food choice (fats, proteins and carbohydrates) seem to affect metabolism similarly.  What does matter is how much you eat. Your metabolism is programmed to decrease whenever you slash calorie intake below what is needed to sustain your basic functions it's your body's way of conserving energy when food is in short supply. The more calories you cut your body turns around and holds onto reserves instead of burning them.

Bottom line is not to starve your body and to increase your exercise.  What works for some, may not work for everyone - you have to find what works best for you.

Have a GREAT night!!  Keep your eye on your goals!  KEEP POSITIVE!!

If you have begun then you are already halfway to your goal.  Getting started is the HARDEST part! 

Day 349 ~ 1/4/11

 Today Breakfast and lunch are the same as yesterday - only because it was easy and satisfying (plus I was running late this morning)....every bone in my body hurts - - I think the half hour yesterday and the 15 minutes I got through this morning on the tread-climber did me in - - -I just could not seem to get my body moving.

Breakfast – Oatmeal with Cinnamon , vanilla non fat yogurt, 6 oz grapefruit juice

Lunch –  2 slices toasted whole wheat bread, non fat swiss cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, 1 teaspoon mustard, 2 small mcintosh apples.

Dinner – 3 egg whites with 1/2 cup sauteed spinach, 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes and fat free feta folded in, 3/4 cup three bean salad, 1/2 grapefruit

Three Bean Salad  Recipe  (4 - 3/4 cup servings) 

1 cup green snap beans, cut into bite size pieces

½ cup baby lima beans, drained & rinsed

½ cup chickpeas, drained & rinsed

1 cup frozen & thawed peas

½ medium red onion (use less if not big into onion)

1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

½ tsp dry mustard

½ tsp dried oregano

½ tsp dried basil

¼ tsp salt

 Mix all together in large bowl – refrigerate 4-6 hours or overnight. The longer it sits, the better it tastes.  Original recipe called for 2 tablespoons oil, I have omitted.  I also used Boars Head Deli mustard instead of dry mustard.

 Have a TERRIFIC NIGHT!! 

Your going in the right direction, even when you don't know it sometimes. Have faith, work hard and never  give up, especially when you don’t think you can go any further

Day 348 ~ 1/3/11

This diet is restrictive and vegetarian....NO MEAT....but lots of good, healthy natural foods and I feel lighter already (not 10 pounds lighter....but I peed like crazy today). A good variety of dense complex carb loaded  options that made the meals today satisfying.

Breakfast – Oatmeal with Cinnamon , vanilla non fat yogurt, 6 oz grapefruit juice

Lunch –  2 slices toasted whole wheat bread, non fat swiss cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce, 1 teaspoon mustard, 2 small mcintosh apples.

Dinner – Baked potato, 2 tablespoons shredded low fat cheddar, 1 bag BirdsEye Steamed Broccoli & Cauliflower, 1 orange

Got my half hour on the treadclimber - the longest half hour EVER!!! I did wear workout clothes to bed (no excuse in morning) - - I will do same tonight, but no guarantee I will make another half hour - my legs are killing me!!

I hope your day was without temptations and you made it through - one day at a time - be proud of today's accomplishments and move onto tomorrow!! 

Have a SUPER night!!

The only way of finding the limits of the possible is by going beyond them into the impossible