MOLLY'S RANTS

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 6, 2015 22:43:32 GMT -5 @patstab said:

Tonight we had boiled shrimp with cocktail sauce.

I did something today I'm ashamed of, I didn't even realize at the time.

My DD picked up a cherry pie in the checkout line at Walgreens, she wanted it. I turned it over and

said noway, this thing is 480 calories, thats about a 1/4 of what you should eat all day. That's right

now while we are losing.   As I put it back on the shelf my eyes came up on the gal behind her. Oh

my gosh, she was not much taller then DD and probably weighed over 200.  I turned around real

quick but I bet she heard me. I wasn't paying any attention at the time and now I feel bad. I would

not intentionally hurt someone like that, but I bet I did.

I really need to pay attention around me before I say things like that, that was totally insensitive.

Other then that she and I are still on the path and so far its been pretty effortless, don't know for

how long though.

@patstab, I hope you don't beat yourself up too badly.  I was an overweight youth, and I wish my mom would have taken a healthier approach to grocery shopping and other support.  Keep it up.  You two are doing a very good job. 

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I carry glucose tablets in my backpack, car and bike basket for blood sugar lows. And I often have my testing meter with me, too.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Just a reminder: that this isn't an all-purpose DIET thread. I've removed the DIET part of the title, because I have changed my focus from watching and discussing scales and pounds, to what things I am doing for health. It's been a gradual change for me over the past few months, and it's part of my mental health approach to getting healthier. I know that for some, my decision to stop dieting and just focus on my behaviors may seem like the same thing as dieting ~ but it isn't.

Obviously, I can't stop people from using this thread as their own personal diet discussion thread, but I'd prefer that not be the case ... and I'd suggest that anyone who wants to be posting about calorie restrictions, restrictive eating, weight loss, scales and pounds start their own thread.  I know some people will disagree with this request, and I respect that. And I'm perfectly OK with using the block feature so I don't get off track by others' discussions about calories and chasing a number on the scale.

I do, however, welcome discussions about nutrition and foods and healthy eating. As well as health-related eating restrictions, food preferences, general steps to improve health (i.e, what foods to eat to help with cholesterol) and striving to get more active.... I'd just prefer to keep the discussions health related v. weight related.

 

[Jaguar]

That's why in the 2015 WIR get's Get Fit thread I stated I have no goal that I want to reach. I just want to eat healthier and move more, and lets see where that takes me. It's a mindset/lifestyle change that's what I want to achieve.

Thanks ❤ mollymouser ❤ , for being my get healthy inspiration.

[tractor]

One quick tip regarding protein powders/shakes. If you are like me and are concerned about your cholesterol intake, check the labels carefully. I was shocked at the elevated levels of cholesterol in many of the powders/shakes. I am using one now with very low cholesterol and sugar levels and have noticed a difference in my weight because of it.

Just something I never thought of until I started using more and more protein supplements, only to see my cholesterol levels spike. Now I know why.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Jan 8, 2015 9:06:11 GMT -5 tractor said:

One quick tip regarding protein powders/shakes. If you are like me and are concerned about your cholesterol intake, check the labels carefully. I was shocked at the elevated levels of cholesterol in many of the powders/shakes. I am using one now with very low cholesterol and sugar levels and have noticed a difference in my weight because of it.

Just something I never thought of until I started using more and more protein supplements, only to see my cholesterol levels spike. Now I know why.

It's always a good idea to read labels for all sorts of things ... ingredients, added sugar, fiber content, sodium, cholesterol, artificial ingredients, possible allergens, etc... and to make choices that meet your health goals or restrictions! There are also different sources of protein in most protein shakes ... some people are avoiding soy, or whey, or animal protein sources, etc.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I went for my quarterly doctor's visit today.... (and I feel like a kid sharing her report card, LOL!) I had to fast before the visit so that they could draw blood to check my cholesterol and A1c numbers compared with September 2014.

Blood Pressure ~ improving!

Cholesterol ~ improving!

Triglycerides ~ improving!

Blood sugars ~ improving!

YAY! I was pretty pleased to see improvement in all four areas. My next appointment is in four months (first week of May). In the meantime, my plan is to keep eating my veggies and riding my bicycle! It's now been 2 full months since I was able to go off insulin!

[swamp]

Yay!

[swamp]

Just a little out loud musing here.

Back when high carb/low fat was the rage, I piled on the pounds, was hungry all the time, no energy, etc. I went on that diet at the recommendation of a dietician. This was in the mid 1990's.

Then atkins type diets became all the rage. I tried it, or at least a modified version of it.  More Mediterranean diet-ish. Holy crap do i feel better.

Fat doesn't make you fat. It makes you full. And energetic. And makes food way tasty. At least for me.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I agree that fat doesn't make anyone fat, but I do think that some fats are healthier than others and better choices. Certainly, higher fat foods like nuts/seeds and avocados and salmon/tuna and olives are generally accepted to be great additions to the diets of most people.... in contrast, saturated fats and trans fats are generally accepted to be far less healthy on a repeated or continuing basis. (Which is why reading labels can be helpful ~ since not all fats are created equal, it seems!)

And, as with all "general" nutrition advice, it's usally best to figure out what works for each individual, based on health goals, health restrictions, food preferences, and allergies/intolerances. (Those of us with olive allergies, for example, need to stay FAR away from things like Olive Oil. And those of us with coconut allergies, likewise, need to stay FAR away from Coconut Oil! In a similar fashion, people with lactose intolerance issues often benefit from avoiding too much dairy, etc. And for people battling known inflammation issues, a lower fat diet usually brings about some improvement in inflammation symptoms completely unrelated to calorie restrictions or weight loss.)  In the end, listening to one's body is often a great starting point!

[swamp]

Jan 8, 2015 15:42:49 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

I agree that fat doesn't make anyone fat, but I do think that some fats are healthier than others and better choices. Certainly, higher fat foods like nuts/seeds and avocados and salmon/tuna and olives are generally accepted to be great additions to the diets of most people.... in contrast, saturated fats and trans fats are generally accepted to be far less healthy on a repeated or continuing basis. (Which is why reading labels can be helpful ~ since not all fats are created equal, it seems!)

And, as with all "general" nutrition advice, it's usally best to figure out what works for each individual, based on health goals, health restrictions, food preferences, and allergies/intolerances. (Those of us with olive allergies, for example, need to stay FAR away from things like Olive Oil. And those of us with coconut allergies, likewise, need to stay FAR away from Coconut Oil! In a similar fashion, people with lactose intolerance issues often benefit from avoiding too much dairy, etc. And for people battling known inflammation issues, a lower fat diet usually brings about some improvement in inflammation symptoms completely unrelated to calorie restrictions or weight loss.)  In the end, listening to one's body is often a great starting point!

Unfortunately, my body seems to tell me it wants cheesecake and fries with gravy an awful lot. 

[Wisconsin Beth]

Mine was saying chocolate was an awesome idea today.  Sigh. 

Hey Molly - I ordered the carrot and tomato wraps and they arrived yesterday.  DH will eat them as the soy isn't GMO and I warned him about making sure to follow the directions on the packaging for getting them out/made. 

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Jan 8, 2015 15:44:14 GMT -5 swamp said:

Jan 8, 2015 15:42:49 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

I agree that fat doesn't make anyone fat, but I do think that some fats are healthier than others and better choices. Certainly, higher fat foods like nuts/seeds and avocados and salmon/tuna and olives are generally accepted to be great additions to the diets of most people.... in contrast, saturated fats and trans fats are generally accepted to be far less healthy on a repeated or continuing basis. (Which is why reading labels can be helpful ~ since not all fats are created equal, it seems!)

And, as with all "general" nutrition advice, it's usally best to figure out what works for each individual, based on health goals, health restrictions, food preferences, and allergies/intolerances. (Those of us with olive allergies, for example, need to stay FAR away from things like Olive Oil. And those of us with coconut allergies, likewise, need to stay FAR away from Coconut Oil! In a similar fashion, people with lactose intolerance issues often benefit from avoiding too much dairy, etc. And for people battling known inflammation issues, a lower fat diet usually brings about some improvement in inflammation symptoms completely unrelated to calorie restrictions or weight loss.)  In the end, listening to one's body is often a great starting point!

Unfortunately, my body seems to tell me it wants cheesecake and fries with gravy an awful lot. 

I had to read that TWICE .... and was concerned for a moment that you wanted to put gravy on your cheesecake. THAT would be wrong on so many levels. (grin)

As for gravy on fries, ewwww. Fries for me are a delightful excuse to eat ketchup!

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Jan 8, 2015 15:54:42 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Mine was saying chocolate was an awesome idea today.  Sigh. 

Hey Molly - I ordered the carrot and tomato wraps and they arrived yesterday.  DH will eat them as the soy isn't GMO and I warned him about making sure to follow the directions on the packaging for getting them out/made. 

I've made some yummy BLTs with avocado on my tomato wraps

[Wisconsin Beth]

Jan 8, 2015 21:44:49 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

Jan 8, 2015 15:54:42 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

Mine was saying chocolate was an awesome idea today.  Sigh. 

Hey Molly - I ordered the carrot and tomato wraps and they arrived yesterday.  DH will eat them as the soy isn't GMO and I warned him about making sure to follow the directions on the packaging for getting them out/made. 

I've made some yummy BLTs with avocado on my tomato wraps

Ooooh, I know what I'm doing for a meal soon! 

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

I tried a new vegetable today: rapini. (They were selling it at Whole Foods) Sauteed with garlic, it's still a bit bitter, with a flavor reminiscent of turnip greens. (Considerably tastier than radicchio, but not as tasty as chard.)  I thought it went fine with my sesame tofu, butternut squash, baby bok choy and fresh broccoli.

[Deleted]

I am so impressed with your lifestyle change . Great job!

You have encouraged me to eat more vegetables .

[Bonny]

Sept 15, 2014 21:35:39 GMT -5 Peace Of Mind said:

Maybe next time, I'll post a Biking Rant?

LOL!  I first read that as "bikini rant" until I read Flamingo's comment and realized you said biking.

I want to hear your bikini rant.  Thank you in advance. 

And word on the street is all scales are wrong.  And they are stupid.    I'm just sayin'.   

I've just started reading this thread and started laughing. It wasn't until I read POM's post that I too, read bikini rant.

You know, pool, scale ...bikini not BIKING!

[Bonny]

Sept 22, 2014 22:11:44 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

It's the time of year when Pumpkin-flavored EVERYTHING seems to be hitting the shelves, but not always in a diet-friendly version. I think I've figured a way around this, though. Part of my daily breakfast is a protein shake made with a vanilla (or strawberry) flavored protein packet, a MEDIUM banana, 12 oz of liquid, and a dozen ice cubes. I was checking the label on some canned pumpkin (NOT pumpking pie filling, just canned pumpkin) and discovered that I can have a whole cup of canned pumpkin for about 85 calories  ... which means that I can make a PUMPKIN PROTEIN SHAKE for breakfast when cool fall weather finally arrives. I'm pretty excited about this, and will see how it does. If needed, I can actually add another 1/4 cup of pumpkin to make it even pumpkinier for the same calories as a MEDIUM banana! And, of course, I'll sprinkle some pumpkin pie spice on top!

I just have to remember to bike for exercise ... but NOT to eat the blue rubber band.

OK I'm only part way through the thread but this section of your post stopped me.

PUMPKIN POOP ALERT!

I love pumpkin but have to be very careful about consuming too much; it's very fiberous. MIL feeds her 3 corgis canned pumpkin and let me tell you there's nothing like walking through the woods on a beautiful fall morning and picking up steaming pumpkin pup poop!

I know, late to the (poop) party!

[Bonny]

I just finished binge reading Molly's thread. All that I can say is "You go girl!"

I've been carrying around an extra 40 pounds for the last 8 years. I let it pile on when we moved to AZ and I got out of my exercise routine.

For the last 5 years or so I take January off and stop eating sugary deserts and no alcohol. This allows me to enjoy the holidays without feeling guilty.

This year I started a "Body Pump" and cardio class in mid November. I'm happy to report that I didn't gain ANYTHING over the holidays. Hopefully I will drop a couple of pounds this month by eliminating the sugar and alcohol and that could be a jump start on getting rid of the extra weight I've been carrying around.

I like your focus on the healthy eating and exercise vs counting calories.

But most of all I LOVE your tongue in cheek adventures. Keep us

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

My new bike is here!
My new bike is here!
My new bike is here!

(Did I mention that my nifty new hybrid bike is here?) It's not only here, it's home. We picked it up last night after work, and unloaded it this morning. My wonderful DH did a lovely job of installing my new lights, my new seat cover, my reflective spoke covers, my gel seat cover, and getting it all adjusted for me. SQUEEE! It's a hybrid (half road bike and half mountain bike) in a delightful lime green ... a Specialized Expedition Sport Low Entry.

Unfortunately, our air quality here is "don't you DARE do anything outside that even resembles exercise or you'll flop over dead" at the moment, so all I was allowed to do today was quick spin around the block. Seriously, we rival Los Angeles every year for the worst air quality in the nation and for the past week or so it's been positively Beijing-Like. Today's Air Quality Index was a 167 ~ which is considered "Unhealthy for EVERY group" ~ a step worse than the "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" (which, is where I fall .... with chronic/severe asthma). So ..... I didn't get to go biking today, and I don't get to go biking tomorrow, either.... it's (again) forecast for "Pathetically Smoggy."  What we really need is some rain. Or some wind. And until that happens, the smoggy, stagnant polluted air remains and is keeping me from playing with my new toy! (Or my old toy, for that matter.)



For those of you who missed it (or who don't follow obscure, recently-invented UK holidays), last Friday was "Tell a Friend They're Fat Day" ~ no doubt the brainchild of some clueless man with (hopefully) good intentions. I like to refer to it as "Find out which friends of yours think you're a clueless idiot since they assume that most chubby people haven't noticed that they are chubby." I also like to think of it as "punch a busybody ex-friend in the throat day." <snort>  Of course, if the holiday came with cake and presents, I might be more open to it. "Here, Molly, I brought you some cake. And an expensive present. Since you're my friend, I wanted you to know that you're fat."  For the record, I made it through the ENTIRE day without anyone announcing to me that I was fat. Which also means I made it through the entire day without either a slice of cake, or an expensive present.  Anyway, for those of you with British friends, mark January 9 on your calendar for next year so you can see if you get throat-punched and report back to the rest of us.

I have one friend whose Facebook page is currently filled with a linkfest of articles about "Clean Eating" which, as I understand it, has absolutely NOTHING to do with the 5-second rule, or washing your vegetables before eating them. Which is too bad, because I'd actually be interested in reading things about the 5-second rule, and I almost always wash my vegetables before eating them. (I'd say "always", but sometimes I think I get distracted and forget.... thank goodness I haven't died yet from dirt, bugs and pesticides, huh?) I think my only complaint about that terminology is that those who constantly espouse "clean" eating are pretty much announcing that what the rest of us are eating is "dirty." Which, for the record, isn't really true ... because I really do endeavor to wash my veggies and fruit. I don't wash my Fiber One before I eat it, but I think I should get a pass on that.... it would probably just get soggy.

Did you know that there is a Downton Abbey brand of Earl Grey tea. (Whenever I hear the phrase "Earl Grey Tea" I instantly reveal my inner Trekkie Geekness and reword it mentally to "Tea. Earl Grey. Hot" a la Jean-Luc Picard)  Anyway, I brewed a spot of tea tonight and enjoyed it while watching Downton Abbey and I felt positively British. By the way, I'm fat. Where's my cake? And presents?

<grin>

[Jaguar]

You are so absolutely hilarious, I sit here reading your posts while drinking zinfandel just laughing myself into a silly stupor....oh gawd that could be the wine. Anyway I just want to say I love all of you, for your wit and wisdom.

[ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ]

Thanks for the laughs once again, ❤ mollymouser ❤ - and for the record, as kids we used to pick veggies out of the garden patch  and  being kids, we'd semi-rinse them under the garden hose - that had been sitting out in the yard for a few seasons - to half-assed get the dirt, mud & bugs off of them before chowing-down.  I can say for the record, that none of us died from this method of food-prep when we were kids.

It probably added a bit of fiber, protein and iron into our diets.

[marvholly]

snasselfrass.I forgot to watch Downton Abby last niht.

[Wisconsin Beth]

We made wraps with the tomato wrap ones.  Dh doesn't think a whole lot of them flavorwise.  I tend to agree.  But he decided he was good with them once he heard about the 25 calories per sheet.    And he wants to check out the other flavors. 

I'm a failure in getting the things to seal after wrapping them.  So I flip them so the seal line is on top and eat them that way.  Life is good and not spilling out of my sandwich. 

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Jan 12, 2015 8:36:28 GMT -5 Wisconsin Beth said:

We made wraps with the tomato wrap ones.  Dh doesn't think a whole lot of them flavorwise.  I tend to agree.  But he decided he was good with them once he heard about the 25 calories per sheet.    And he wants to check out the other flavors. 

I'm a failure in getting the things to seal after wrapping them.  So I flip them so the seal line is on top and eat them that way.  Life is good and not spilling out of my sandwich. 

I think the best part of the tomato wraps is the calorie aspect of things ... but I actually like the tomato flavor. Then again, I love tomato flavored stuff (I put ketchup on my ketchup).  Don't feel bad ... mine flip over, too. I tend to think of them as big taco shells and eat them flipped up in a happy little triangle.

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

(whine) I've finally caught my wonderful DH's cold ... and it's wreaking havoc with my asthma (along with the scary bad air quality) My sinuses hurt, my head hurts, my throat hurts and my chest hurts. (Did I mention that I'm whiny?) I am taking Tylenol and Zyrtec and I've got mentholatum rub ... that's about all I can do to treat it (other than just wait it out.) I am drinking a lot of liquid, too.

[Jaguar]

Jan 13, 2015 18:01:35 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

(whine) I've finally caught my wonderful DH's cold ... and it's wreaking havoc with my asthma (along with the scary bad air quality) My sinuses hurt, my head hurts, my throat hurts and my chest hurts. (Did I mention that I'm whiny?) I am taking Tylenol and Zyrtec and I've got mentholatum rub ... that's about all I can do to treat it (other than just wait it out.) I am drinking a lot of liquid, too.

<<< BIG HUGS >>>

[Wisconsin Beth]

Awww, poor sweetie.  but don't pass this on to me via the internet please. 


I brought the tomato wraps into work, I'm having them with egg salad inside for lunch today.  And I was counting - I bought the 6 packs.  They're clearly labeled as 6 packs.  They had more than 6 in there.  There's 3 left and DH and I had at least 4 wraps, possibly 5.  Something either stuck or the manufacturer is giving bonuses.   

Actually, it looks like they're not doing the 6 count packs anymore.  I was poking around and keep seeing 10 or 12s.  I'd rather try the different flavors with smaller packs but it's not that big of a deal. 

[Iggy aka IG]

Jan 13, 2015 18:01:35 GMT -5 ❤ mollymouser ❤ said:

(whine) I've finally caught my wonderful DH's cold ... and it's wreaking havoc with my asthma (along with the scary bad air quality) My sinuses hurt, my head hurts, my throat hurts and my chest hurts. (Did I mention that I'm whiny?) I am taking Tylenol and Zyrtec and I've got mentholatum rub ... that's about all I can do to treat it (other than just wait it out.) I am drinking a lot of liquid, too.

Have you ever tried Musinex?  It helps loosen up asthmatic lungs while ill.