As I head into the last week and a half of my 90 day challenge, I feel a little saddened that I will probably not make my mark, but encouraged that I have been able to reach my halfway mark AND maintain that during the ROUGHEST holiday season of the year as far as dieting goes. :)
With that being said, I know that I have relaxed on my exercise, and I have not been eating the best 100% of the time. With pure craziness surrounding me, I have skipped meals, or taken little nibbles of treats and goodies here and there to hold me over until the big meal at the end of my day. It is surprising that I have been able to keep anything off with schedules like that!
I fully own up to my mistakes, but am pretty pleased at the effort and success of keeping off the weight that was lost prior to the biggies (i.e., Thanksgiving and Christmas!). Afterall, at one point, when all is said and done, maintenance is key. I did decide, about mid-November, to switch from drinking protein shakes as meals to eating three meals and drinking half a protein shake once or twice a day for snacks instead. This way, my protein still stays in tact, but I can feel human and actually eat meals as opposed to drinking them. Drinking a meal always seemed like cheating to me, but it's a great jumpstart to get the ball rolling and help feed your motivation. AS LONG AS IT'S DONE CORRECTLY!!
So here has been a typical day's meals for me since the switch.
Breakfast: Cinnamon Raisin Bagel with Cream Cheese (or butter, I alternate) and 8 oz. glass of V-8 Fusion.
Morning Snack: String Cheese, Applesauce, Handful of Nuts, or half a protein shake.
Lunch: Fish and chips (all baked, nothing fried!)
Afternoon Snack: Same as above.
Dinner: Chef Salad, Taco Salad, Baked Chicken with Rice and Steamed Veggies, or Pork Chops with Homemade Cornbread Stuffing (that way there's no High Fructose Corn Syrup!) and Green Beans.
I always baked meats, and usually, my meat is cooked in my George Foreman grill. Veggies are steamed and in the last 5 minutes of steaming, I add one tablespoon of butter to the veggies, mix it around and then let it finish steaming. This way, there is great butter flavor, but without the greasy taste when you eat the veggies. I have been incorporating a LOT more veggies into the mix, and I am finding new ways to eat the things that I love and have loved all my life. There is a healthy way to make MANY things. You just have to have the desire.
So here's to the last week and a half! May pounds continue to roll off, and may everyone have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. :)
~ Coree
