A new chapter

Sorry I have been MIA--my computer is dead, yet again, and so I am at the mercy of using my husband's computer.

Last week's fruit/veggie was mango. I found I quite liked mango. It's not my favorite fruit (PEACHES!!!!!) but it will do. I even managed to snag a ripe one, and since there were only three at the store I thought I did quite well. I figured that the one with the red side was more ripe. I'm guessing that's right.

This weeks' veggie is curly endive, also known as chicory or frisee. I've had teeny amounts of it, but not enough to really know what it's like. My husband said it looked like Medusa's head as we put the massive thing in a bag at the store. I didn't have a plan this week; I just walked in and saw those two lonely heads of endive and figured since I was planning on having salads this week, and my husband said he didn't care for lettuce (he prefers spinach in his salads) he was up for whatever and this curly beast seemed to pique his interest. I'll letcha know.

So, the new chapter thing. I'm re-adjusting how I eat. Years ago, I found success with a low-carb diet. Now, I wasn't eating eggs, bacon, and butter all the time, and I refused to eat the pork rinds that all Atkins dieters seemed to love. I have never had a pork rind and frankly, if I'm going to have one, it's not going to come out of a shiny bag. I ate a lot of veggies, a lot of salads, and a lot of lean meats. I stayed away from sugar (I did use Splenda back then but as I now have aversions to it, I stick to regular sugar) and all white processed foods. This was all really great, and I did this for about 2 months and lost about 10-15 pounds. I wasn't really getting any exercise, either, since at the time I was preparing for my senior recital and my classes/rehearsals were pretty time consuming. I did try some of the stranger low-carb recipes, and had mild success with them. However, the things I loved the most were those that were simple--a flavorful, well-seasoned lean piece of protein, with a veggie side and a fresh salad with olive oil and vinegar. That's what I had tonight--roasted chicken, green beans, and a spinach salad w/balsamic. I had so much energy eating this way.

Oh, and I did have a healthy love of cheese...still do. So, I will still be having that!

Something that I think I will change from my old venture into this nutritional style:

1. I will eat yogurt. I have a big ol' tub of plain, lowfat yogurt in the fridge and I bought frozen berries. According to the old Atkins, you couldn't have milk or yogurt. Well, screw you. I'm having yogurt because I can't stand the thought of eating eggs every morning.

2. I will allow myself the occasional rice, bread, or pasta. Just not every night. More like once a week.

3. No artificial sugars. Fruit is fine. Some fruits weren't allowed before, but this time I'm going to allow most fruits and vegetables. I have some amazing looking tangelos on the counter right now.

Um, I think that's it. This time, my lovely husband will be around for the ride, except he doesn't know what I'm doing. He'll eat whatever, and since he doesn't eat lunch with me, he can have his bread/pasta/rice then. I doubt he'll miss anything.

And finally, the last rule: alcohol on the weekend only, one day. And, well, okay, this is the final rule: one free day a week. This is when I can have the cake, the pasta, the bruschetta, whatever I want. No consequences. Just what I want. And only one day a week (not that I'm going to be eating foods I don't want the rest of the time, but I think you know what I mean).

I will post what I have eaten every day. Even if I don't have a computer. I will walk the dog every day. Even if it's cold. I can only not walk her if it is raining/storming, which is a possibility in the upcoming weeks as we get further into April.

My weight loss goal? 40 pounds. That will put me back to a weight that I am comfortable with. I am not afraid to be a 12...I am, however, afraid of being a 20 and that is the road I am currently going down.

Today's food:
B: Green tea w/lemon (late morning)
L: 6 oz sirloin, mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli (TGI Friday's)
S: One (really icky, instantly regretted) pinwheel tortilla roll thing and a small serving of champagne at a housewarming party (which gave me horrible, nausea-inducing, take-my-breath-away heartburn)
D: Roasted chicken w/au jus, steamed green beans, spinach salad w/tomatoes, balsamic, shaved parm.
DS: I think I'll have some grapes

Wish me luck. I know one person in particular has had great success in the last year with a more drastic low-carb diet. I envy her dedication. I need a more moderate approach but I think this will work for me. I always feel better and this is a way to get more veggies in, anyway!