I'LL DRINK TO THAT!

Did you ever notice when you buy a magazine at the grocery store or drugstore that promises you on the front cover that you can lose 30 lb. by Christmas or some such similar nonsense, that it never includes anything to drink?   It is the same old chicken, fish, veggies and maybe a protein shake for breakfast.
Is that really real?  Doesn't anyone drink coffee, tea or wine?  Firstly, it is unrealistic.  Secondly, if you followed it to a "T", you would be dehydrated.  Most of these diets don't even mention water.

First let's talk about wine.  I love a good glass of wine with my meals but I limit myself to a couple of times a week and mostly when I go out.  A glass of wine is 4 points on the Weight Watchers program or about 90 calories in other programs.  There was a theory in recent times that red wine was better than white although personally, red wine sometimes give me a headache because of the tannins in it.

Well finally, there is a new study out of Loyola University that says sipping one serving of alcohol daily dials down your risk of dementia by 23%.  If my Dad were alive, he could probably attest to that and he had more than one glass of scotch a day and passed away in his 95 year.  Who knows, how long he would have survived if they hadn't taken him off it when he went into an old-age home a couple of years earlier.  When he did die, he was still pretty alert.  Alcohol may strengthen your brain cells against future stressors, making you less susceptible to cognitive decline.  I think this is based on one glass a day however.  Indulging more can up your risk of dementia.  Maybe they are just covering themselves so you don't become an alcoholic.  Anyway, let's drink to your memory.

My other favourite drink is coffee.  There were all kinds of studies done on that drink.  Here is the good stuff on it.  Caffeine causes an increase in dopamine, which is how it boosts your confidence, focus, and mood.  I will drink to that too.  In addition to its stimulating properties, a cup of coffee has more antioxidants than a glass of grape juice (I didn't say wine, here) or a serving of spinach.  And it contains two phytonutrients, norhaman and harman, which function like a class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors.  People who drink a few cups of coffee daily have a decreased risk of brain disorders such as depression and dementia. 

Well, now I have a lot to drink about.  Happiness rules.  Other foods for thought are eggs, grass-fed butter (yum), grass-fed beef, arugula, walnuts, tomatoes, Chile peppers and Garlic.  I am sure there are other foods that are good for us but this is my blog so I can talk about my favourites.

DID IT - AM MOVING ON

I love to have a glass of wine with dinner especially at a party, event or eating out.  I know that it affects my appetite and food intake.  But I still do it at least once a week and usually AFTER I weigh in, knowing full well that I have a week to take it off.  Sometimes I get so caught up in chatting and laughing, I lose track of what I am eating, too!  Fortunately, I have learned some good habits over the 3 and a 1/2 months I have been with Weight Watchers so I can get back on track.

Also, the results are gratifying.  Day by day, as I check off my good health guidelines and track my food and activity, I can see that overall, I am living a healthier lifestyle.  Other than the 20 pounds I have shed, I am now patting myself on the back for the 30 blocks I walked in New York on one day and the beautiful black lizard high heels I wore last night that I haven't been able to wear in years.  A few weeks ago, I also added an hour of Gyrotonics to my 2 hours a week of Pilates.  It all helps and these milestones are worthy of a little control in my diet.

Avoiding deprivation and embracing flexibility is part of the plan.  I choose to enjoy a special event and usually use the biggest part of my Points Plus program on one meal.  This program allows for that and the more I exercise, the more points I am allowed.  So I don't get down on myself after I do it. 
After all, I have the rest of the week to be more diligent.

I am ready again for entertaining at home.  I plan to send guests home with doggie bags, freeze what I can and throw out anything that doesn't fit into those categories that might be driving me to indulge.  I have reframed, anchored myself and am focusing on the pleasures of the season.

10% CHALLENGE; 90% REACTION

I think this sums up what I learned today at Weight Watchers.  Everyone has challenges especially during the holiday season.  The leader this time was a fill in and a former teacher who had lost over 100 pounds.  I was inspired by her.  It is how you deal with the problems not the problem in itself.  The proportion is 10% problem and 90%  is how you deal with it.  It is a good thing to remember.

The leader had everyone take a pen and write down the holiday challenges.  None of mine were food but stress alone can make you overeat.  It was a wonderful exercise. I was slow at getting started but once I thought it through I found it was a good exercise.
My personal challenges are:
1     People that are stupid or rude, something that is more prevalent during the holidays.  Yesterday, I had someone cut me off and nearly run me off the road on the 401.  Then when I reached my destination, I waited for a person in a car to leave his parking spot.  As soon as the person was far enough out of the spot, another man shot ahead of me to get the parking spot.
2     Buying Chanukah gifts especially for kids.  It is a challenge.
3     Listening to Debbie Downers talk about their illnesses
4     Crowded places and people pushing you around.  I always hated that and was shocked at the US reports about how people used pepper spray and actually in two places took a gun and shot people to get ahead of the crowd on Black Friday. 
5     Being overworked

So can I help any of the above challenges?  Probably not but I can help put my reactions into perspective.  I try to get enough sleep and workout.  I try and plan ahead because for me being organized is being in control.  Then take a big, deep breath and focus on the pleasures of the season.

Writing things down really helps me.  Yesterday, I wrote a list of the hors d'ouevres that are served that are not accounted for in any Weight Watchers lists.  Mostly they are mini things like mini quiches, mini egg rolls and a variety of small unusual things.  Whether right or wrong I have tried to calculate points based on calorie count.  Generally a lot of these hors d'oeuvres are about 100 calories.
I have in the past used my Weight Watchers calculator to convert calories into points with the exception of fruits or veggies which are free, 30 calories seemed to be about a point.  So something that is 100 calories might be 3 points.

The best thing I learned when I was a Girl Guide was to "be prepared".  It has served me well through life and dealing with unexpected challenges.  I have a few tactics to deal with no time to cook and being hungry.  I keep a few things in the freezer like soups and things I have made in the slow-cooker, pizza, pasta and lasgna, and mini muffins I make.  I buy and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits than I have in the past.  My go to fruits are apples and bananas but everyone is different.  Sometime I buy trays of veggies that are meant for parties because there is just enough of each type to go for days.

This morning when I weighed in I brought my pretty designer coffee cup with a top and 2 of my mini-banana muffins to eat and drink during the meeting... after weigh in, of course.  And, how am I doing after two weeks of eating out in New York and attending parties and the like?  I am down in small increments but going in the right direction.

MORE JOY, LESS STRESS

T'is the season to be jolly, tra-la-la-la-la.  It is also the season where most people get stressed including me.   It is the onslaught of the holidays, gift buying and hosting parties. That doesn't bother me too much as I usually have that under control.   It is the oncoming Mistletoe Ball that has been a challenge and would be to the greatest of veterans.  We have just wrapped up two large booklets... or should I say I have just wrapped up two large booklets:  a 48-page programme book and a 36 page auction catalogue.  Everyday there were changes.  Everyday there was a new problem.  All this goes with leadership I suppose.  The Mistletoe Ball is 10 days from now and although most of the big stuff has been done there is still table seating and dealing with the daily complaints.  There is something to be said if you don't do anything there is nothing to criticize.  If you give people options to participate, they will and not always favourably. 

I have just come back from 4 days in New York.  What a treat that was.  It was just what the doctor ordered.  I needed a break away.  I am a great list maker whether it is menus, to-do lists,  or just to focus on making the holidays more manageable.  For the last two weeks I haven't weighed in because the church where Weight Watchers is held, was having their Christmas Bazaar and I was away in New York the second week.  My plan was at least to keep the status quo weight-wise.

So this is how I am coping with the mad rush of parties, the chairing of a major event, and coming of Chanukah, travelling, Christmas and New Year's.  First of all, don't let Santa be the only one making a list and checking it twice.  Make your own list and keep very organized.  As far as food is concerned, eat pizza with your friends but only 1 or 2 slices.  Munch on meringues.  They are lower in calories or points than other desserts.  Hold the cheese please.  Make mini muffins from a recipe that calls for bigger ones.  Instead of leaving them in the oven for 25 minutes, leave them in for 12 minutes.  You can even eat a candy cane.  The smell of the menthol will pep you up.

There are other ways too that don't involve food to fill this holiday season with happiness, health, joy and inspiration.  There is always the power of flowers, or pretty things with nice scents.  Also, helping others increases your own level of gratefulness and positive emotions.  A cheery attitude increases the chances that people around you feel warm and fuzzy too.  Hold hands with your sweetie to calm and counter stress.  Treat yourself to a facial.  I did in New York.  Hit the snooze button and bolster your immunity.  I have done that too.  If you are tired coping becomes more difficult.  Pamper your peds. I did that this week too.  Buy a new lipstick or make-up.  It seems I have bought a few lipsticks lately.  Then plan your next vacation.

Even if yesterday was a challenge.  Today can be a fresh start.  This season should be the season to be jolly with more joy and less stress.

REGAINING MY BEARINGS

I just noticed a week has passed since I have written a blog.  That is probably not a good thing for me because the blog is one of my support systems. I know I have gained a couple of pounds.  It has been an exhausting week.  I have had a major catalogue and a major programme to put together for the upcoming ball.  That and lunches with sponsors and the like and 5 evening events in 5 days have put me under the gun and not being that judicious about my eating habits.

It is really hard when you are tired.  You are all dressed up in your evening clothes and look forward to that glass of wine that seldom stops at one.  By the time dessert comes and you are trapped at the table, your defences are down, you look at the prettiest part of the meal and you nibble away.  At least that is my scenario.  I noticed they removed the plates around me in a timely manner but mine was left at least, last night.  I picked away at the dessert and I can't say I didn't enjoy it all the while knowing I would pay for it tomorrow.

I am sure part of the reason for my downfall this week was knowing I didn't have to weigh-in.  The church where I go to Weight Watchers were having their annual Christmas bazaar and pre-empted the Weight Watchers meeting.  Of course, I would happen to be away in New York next weekend and will not weigh in again.  So I am left to my own devices, to my own discipline, which hasn't been good in the past without a watch dog looking over me.

Well, yesterday and the four days preceding it are now today and it is time to change my perspective.  I will count last week as a resting my laurels place for me and this week is to regain my bearings and self-control.  I started the day by getting control of the things around me.  Five days of loot bags were spread on the kitchen counter as well as a couple of days of evening purses.  Once I put that all in order and the rest of my house too, I was ready to put my body in order too.  It is funny that organization runs across the board.  You seldom see a guy with a messy desk that is well-dressed and on the ball.

To start with, I declined my husband's generous offer to take me out to brunch and dinner.  I decided it would be a good idea to set down some ground work to at least start the week right.  My first actual meal other than a couple of lattes was at 11:45 a.m.   I made omelettes each with two whites to one yolk, some salsa and cheese and a slice of fibre fruit bread.  By late afternoon we were ready to eat again.  This time it was a substantial salad with feta cheese, Parmesan sprinkles, poppy seed dressing and canned mandarin oranges and garbanzo beans.  Other than that I haven't had anything but an apple since and I still have points left if I feel like them.

So I feel I have turned the corner and to quote Sir Edmund Hilary "It's not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." 

A CLOSE CALL

I am in that stage where I have lost close to 20 pounds and after around 17 weeks I am thinking some of the good habits are sinking in.  This, however, is not without its challenges.  I am between sizes.  Some things are too big but in some cases not ready for the next size down. Until now, I have lost 2 sizes and the girls around me are noticing I am getting narrower.  That is an interesting observation and everyone loses weight differently. Some seem to lose it in one place or another.  Not me, I just get narrower.

Last night was a close call.  I had bought a fabulous new long lace skirt with a fur top.  I wasn't sure which event I was going to wear it but certainly had enough events ahead of me.  I was glad I didn't wear it to the Mistletoe Ball in a month from now.  I felt well dressed for the wedding I attended.  As we pulled up to the Royal York Hotel and I got out of the car, I felt the skirt was a bit loose.  As I walked up the steps to the foyer, I felt my skirt was falling down... and then my pantyhose.  Oh my God.  What a feeling!  I held onto the skirt up the escalators so I wouldn't get the lace caught in it.  By the time I was on the convention floor, I was clutching my skirt for dear life.  There was a sea of people and even though I knew exactly where the washrooms were, I couldn't see it for the crowd.  Paul went to ask someone as I zigzagged through the crowd trying not to greet anyone and turning away the wait staff who offered drinks and hors d'oeuvres. 

It was a sigh of relief when I reached the washroom.  The Royal York is an older hotel and has a sitting room in front of the washrooms.  I tried in vain to make a knot in the waistband which was a soft stretchy knit material.  I asked for a pin and I was pointed to the place where the ladies wash their hands.  To my delight, the bride, who had thought of everything, had baskets of possible necessities for her guests including safety pins.  I put in 3 of them and I felt more secure now to go out into the reception prior to the wedding.  The more I think about it, all the weddings of my children, there wasn't a reception until after the vows and ceremony were done.

I didn't do handstands with the pins in the skirt.  As a matter fo fact, one popped open during the ceremony and I quickly handed Paul my evening purse and tried as discreetly as possible to reunite the pin with the clasp.  I was thinking about dancing during the dinner but decided against it when I stood up and had to return to the washroom to pull up my pantyhose and adjust the skirt.  These are the dilemmas of losing weight although very much worth it.

I am getting used to being judicious with my eating habits.  After a successful 2.5 pounds loss at weigh in yesterday morning, I went to lunch with my family at Barques Smokehouse where I had a full 8 ounces of smoked burger.  I had planned for the wedding to omit the hors d'oeuvres, drink the wine and go for the 3-bite plan at the dinner.  The first course salad was the best.  It had lettuce, beets, pear, feta, toasted hazelnuts and I asked for only a spoonful of the preserved lemon dressing.  It was easy to stick with the 3 small-bite option for the main course.  The filet of beef was tough, the truffled potato plank was tasty but rich, and the heirloom carrots and broccolini were fine.  I also ate the oyster mushroom but didn't understand why it was called Confit of King Oyster Mushroom with Perigourdine Jus.  To me it was just a mushroom.   It was getting very late and we never stayed for dessert.

Today and tomorrow are reprieve days, followed by 5 days of cocktail parties, menu tasting, dinners including two black tie events.  Oh my goodness, what I am I going to wear?

THIS ONE IS FOR ME

Today is a Mistletoe Ball meeting at my house.  Days like this are tough.  I really have to be careful with the popable foods.  I know in my heart that inside me there lives a skinny woman crying to get out.  The only problem has always been that I can usually shut her up with a cookie.  It is my intention to leave this world very old but still looking decently attractive rather than skidding into my coffin sideways with a martini in one hand and a chocolate in the other looking like a fat, old and disgusting witch.

So far, so good today. I have had my first mini skim, lactose-free latte at home at 7:40 a.m. with 2 of my home-made, low-fat mini banana muffins.  I slipped out for a bit to the grocery store and bought some fresh Thai spring rolls for lunch.  I had 2 little 3" ones with a medium-sized, skim milk latte from The Second Cup and 4 ginger Sha Sha cookies that are only one point for the 4 of them.  Now I have another half day to go.

There is always something fattening, something vegetarian and a variety of morsels to indulge in at meetings in Casa Godfrey.  I made sure today there was something for me too, like some jumbo, fresh shrimps and a salad.  The plan was not to cook at all today but to order in sushi and pizza for my guests but I never manage to pass a store without coming out with a trunk full of stuff.  Today was no exception.  I decided, okay we will go rustic.  I have a few interesting wooden boards.  I will do an antipasto or charcuterie platter or two so I purchased the salamis, pepperonis, olives, bocconcini and other things for the platter.  They aren't supposed to be for me.  I also stopped through the bakery and bought a marble loaf and an apple cinnamon loaf and some chocolate-coated leaf cookies.  When I brought them home, my housekeeper reminded me of the iced cupcakes, blondies and lemon squares in the freezer from the last time I entertained.

Hey, wait a minute, this isn't supposed to be an entertainment.  This is a meeting.  It is supposed to be less formal and less plentiful than my usual fare.  God forbid someone should leave my home hungry. It is something inherent.  I don't know that I will ever get over that.  I always have leftovers and that makes me feel there was enough to eat.... even though I don't have to eat it all.  Well, at least I can pride myself with the fact that I am able to throw a party, excuse me... a meeting together in a heartbeat.

ONE SPARE TIRE TO GO, PLEASE!

BMW was not the only one today who reminded me about tires, except their call was to put on the winter ones.  My call to myself was to get rid of the spare tire around the middle.  I am tired today.  Granted it is late afternoon and one could call it the midday slump but I believe it is starting the day with carbs and then craving them all day.  I had a healthy breakfast of Fibre One, raspberries and skim milk.  It wasn't even lunch time and I was craving an oatmeal raisin cookie and then potato chips.  Sometimes you have to backup and regroup. 

I just happen to read something on fighting hunger pains with protein. I remember that and it could be my secret weapon.  I know that protein keeps you feeling full longer than carbs or fat.  A new study supports this idea:  Researchers from the University of Sydney found that people who ate a diet of 10% protein reported feeling hungrier and ate 12% more calories throughout the day, mostly from mindless snacking, than those eating a 15% protein diet. 

The fact is protein is the building block of muscle and more calories are required to maintain muscle than to preserve fat, which means muscle helps boost your metabolism.  The bonus is foods rich in protein are also filled with zinc and B vitamins, both of which strengthen your immune system to help ward off colds and flu.  So maybe, instead of Fibre One with raspberries, I should have eaten low-fat cottage cheese with raspberries. 

Everybody has their own favourite grab-and-go proteins at Weight Watchers.  A few of the ladies love low-fat beef or turkey jerky.  I haven't tried that.  If I delve back into the furthermost corner of my brain, I would have to say mine would be cheese strings and hard-boiled eggs, both of which are low in points and pack a power punch of energy.  I am thinking it has be for single-fisted consumption so I can drive a car at the same time.  Let's face it, a steak or a piece of chicken is messy.  I am smiling to myself thinking about the car passing in the other direction watching me with a chicken leg or steak in my mouth.  What a funny sight that would be.

Anyway, I am glad I wrote this down. It is a reminder to myself that protein is a dieter's best friend for helping to get rid of that spare tire.