Wednesday, April 9, 2008

on my way to 75 lbs gone...

I've been so close to losing 75 pounds for about the last month and a half. Last week I really hit the wall when I gained 2/10ths of a pound. I started going in the other direction and it scared me. It just goes to prove my theory of how easily I could gain all this weight back once I make it to goal. I'm SOOO petrified of that.

But this morning, I weighed myself at home and was 188.8. I need to be 190 when I get to WW this Saturday morning. My scale at home is anywhere from 2/10ths to a pound less than at WW. So I should be okay. But I've been having such a hard time lately, I'm doubting myself.

I've been eating everything to the letter and trying to be healthy about it along the way. I've started taking Flaxseed Oil supplements because I have VERY little oil in my diet. I know the pills are a poor substitute, but at least I'm doing SOMETHING. I want to switch to regular flaxseed oil but it's very hard to find. I've been to 4 stores so far and nothing. I think I'm going to have to go to a health food store. I've been tempted to just get the ground flaxseed and sprinkle it on my cream of wheat in the morning but I don't think that will take care of my oil deficit.

I've been watching my sugar because I'm not eating artificial sweetener any more. I've been trying to get my sugar from natural sources like honey and fruits.

I'm trying to eat as many whole grains as possible. Baking with whole wheat flour. Eating whole wheat and whole grain bread. Etc.

I'm just so paranoid about not making it this week. I know... there's always next week. I'm just so tired of almost being there.

Why is this so hard? It was so much easier to gain the weight, wasn't it?

The main thing I'm looking for is a way to eat healthy. Not just "good". Or low-fat or low-calorie. But healthy. I figure that's the only way I can keep this weight off for a life time.

So what do you guys eat that's healthy? Maybe I can get some inspiration from you guys for a change.

8 comments:

Cindy said...

I think you are gonna make it. If you keep sticking to it the rest of the week to weigh in and maybe make sure you drink plenty of water. It sounds like you are doing really good but I know that feeling of fear that creeps in. One thing I have added for my healthy diet is fiber. I use very high fiber cereals. I used to have them with skim milk but now I mix them with my lowfat or nonfat yogurts. I have found that increasing my fiber and making sure I get it every day has made a difference. I also make sure I get enough protien which is usually in the form of tuna, salmon, chicken breast or other lean meats, so I get the highest protein with the least amount of fat and calories. I do have red meat from time to time but save it for days/weeks when I have been eating less. My rule of thumb is getting the biggest bang for my calorie buck. In other words I read labels and to research on what foods have the most of what I want with the least amount of what I don't want. So, I want high protein but less fat and calories. And so on. Good luck on the weigh in..

FluffyDonna said...

Have you ever tried Nature's Path Pumpkin FlaxPlus Granola? I LOVE IT!

(This link has the nutrition facts)
http://www.naturespath.com/products/cold_cereals/muesli_and_granolas/pumpkin_flaxplus_r_granola

It's 3 points for a 1/2 cup, which is a little high, but it definitely gives you the bang for your buck! It's super yummy, organic, no fake sugars, 18g of Whole Grains, has Omega Acids
AND when I mix it with my yogurt, I feel full for hours! I usually eat it around 11am, and stay full until at least 4pm, if not all the way until dinner. ;)

Costwise, it's probably a little expensive for the small size, but I buy a two pack at Costco for around $8.

Betsy said...

Hey! I didnt realize you were so fearful of gaining your weight back. It seems like after getting this far it wouldnt be a problem but on the other hand I totally understand that feeling.
I think your unstoppable! Even if it feels like your moving at a turtles pace, your on you way and as far as it coming back I think you've broken too many habits to go back that way.
Someone told me stick to something for 30 days and those habits are broken.
Im so impressed with you.. your a true inspiration.

Deborah said...

Ok, this may not be the place for it but this is Cara's Mom and I just have to share a recipe with those of you looking for a special treat. I have to preface it with a little story. When Cara was a child I used to make 6 week bran muffins (so named because the batter keeps in the refigerator or up to 6 weeks) for breakfast and over the years I've lost the recipe. Well I found it (or one like it on-line). I've modified it to be lower in calories and divided it to not make 8 dozen, so here goes.

1/2 cup boiling water
1/2 cup All Bran Cereal
1/4 cup Crisco Shortening
3/4 cup Splenda or Sugar
1/4 cup egg beaters
1 cup low fat buttermilk
1 cup Kellogg's Special K (if you have trouble going to the potty here is where you add another cup of All Bran Cereal)
1 1/4 cup Self Rising Flour

In a small bowl, pour boiling water over the 1/2 c. Bran; set aside.
In a larger bowl, cream together the shortening and sugar/Splenda.
Add the Special K and mix well.
Add flour and mix well.
Fold in the water/cereal mixture.
Spray Pam into muffin tin.
Fill to 3/4 full.
Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes.

Makes 1 dozen.
For the WW persons out there they are 2 points each.

--cara said...

Cindy, I know I get alot of fiber, but I'm probably lacking in the protein department. I might be getting more than I think, but I haven't been keeping track of it. I eat peanut butter alot, well, as much as I can have with my little 24 pts a day. I try to eat chicken all the time but I probably only get it (realistically) maybe 3-4 times a week. I'll have to work on getting more protein.

Donna, I haven't hear of the Pumpkin FlaxPlus Granola. I'll have to look for it. Wow, look at the Omega Acids content. I love granola on yogurt!!

Betsy, I think my habit of bad eating is such a deep rooted problem (I've been practicing at it for about 40 years now) that I'm afraid it'll surface as soon as I'm done losing. Thanks for the compliment, though, that was the main reason I started my blog in the first place was to try and air my failures and triumphs in hope to help someone else not make the same mistakes I've made. I wish I would have found some of your guys' blogs when I first started WW. I've sure made some bonehead mistakes over the months.

Mommy, so cool you posted a comment on my blog. I can't wait to try the muffins. 'Course now I'm going to have to go out and buy some cereal, I think I've got the rest of the ingredients already. And i can attest, these are AWESOME muffins in case anyone wants to try them.

Jodie said...

Cara - What an inspiration you are..Your before/during pictures are a testimony to the awesome work you've been doing! I probably don't get as much protein as I should either, but for good snacks I like Fiber One Chocolate and Oat bars and Trader Joe's fat free caramel corn.
I eat a lot of eggs, so that's how I get most of my protein I think.

Gains are hard, but I usually try to think of them as shocking my system to lose weight again. At least its a positive spin to it. I'm going to add you to my sites I read. I'm at www.weightlessblog.blogspot.com!
Way to go so far!

Candace MacPherson said...

Hi Cara, Thanks for leaving a message on my blog. WOW, 5 dress sizes in a year. You're amazing! And that March photo comparison is awesome.
To answer your question, my WW goal is 150, so I'm supposed to stay under that. But, they give you a 2lb buffer, so I don't have to pay as long as I'm 152 or less. For me, I chose a WW goal that was 10 lbs above my 'real' goal. I did this for 2 reasons: 1) wiggle room, and 2) my 'real' goal may change in 5-10 years time. Regardless, I've been through all of these numbers within the past 10 years and knew that I didn't want to be comfortable in the 150's. We have around a 30 lbs range to make our goal, so choose whichever one is right for you. 160 just didn't seem to be 'me'.
Take care and I'm looking forward to following you last few pounds melt away.

Deborah said...

I have a correction for the bran muffins. I accidentally put in the amount for sugar instead of Splenda so if you use sugar it really is 3/4 cup and if you use Splenda it is 1/4 cup + 2 TBSP. Sorry about the mistake.