It's been no secret to friends especially those I'm in contact with on Facebook that recently I've been taking measures to lose weight. Yes, a measly 5lbs is all I'm aiming to lose because my ideal figure for a woman is one with curves and some meat on the bones. But the overall look needs some uplifting. Sure, I've always been comfortable with my body no matter what weight but I want to go back to the days when the self confidence matched the physical appearance.
I can be quite diligent when it comes to exercise but dieting is a challenge that has never been seriously taken on. It's easy enough to understand. Who doesn't love delicious food? It's the biggest of life's little pleasures. Family and friends bond over food. We frequently have veggies at home but more so with pork. I have weekly lunch or breakfast and sometimes both with friends. And having three different sets of friends doesn't help. Well, it does wonders for my inner self but my outer self bears the hard evidence of all the calories piled on.
All I planned to do was exercise so I could continue to enjoy food but a month of doing regular exercise didn't make me lose even a pound of weight. Sure, muscles were getting toned here and there but I longed to see the desired number on the weighing scale more than anything else. While the resolve was made to eat healthier, the next obstacle was what to eat that's both healthy and filling to keep my mind off food.
A couple of weeks ago we started eating healthier. It was pretty frustrating at first that while the recipes online and in books were simple and easy, finding the ingredients here was not. But keeping in mind that vegetables are healthy and fish and chicken were better choices for meat, it's a workable obstacle. I haven't been paying mind to the actual calorie count though.
Grilled herbed chicken with beans and yellow capsicum from a recipe of Rachel Ray. I had low-salt soy sauce with drops of sesame oil and lime for dip.
Broccoli and Garlic Pasta without any meat was surprisingly well-received by the kids.
Salad with grilled chicken with mangoes and veggies and my made-up recipe of pesto and light mayonnaise dressing
The show Asia's Next Top Model was on and I almost forgot to take a photo. Good thing we still had some left. For the kids I added pasta because they still need their carbohydrates.
So far so good. By doing this and exercise, we're also setting an example for our daughter that there is a healthier way to lose weight and get in shape. It takes a lot of discipline and on times when I could have fallen off the wagon, my body actually wouldn't take more than what it has gotten used to.
So far so good. By doing this and exercise, we're also setting an example for our daughter that there is a healthier way to lose weight and get in shape. It takes a lot of discipline and on times when I could have fallen off the wagon, my body actually wouldn't take more than what it has gotten used to.
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i posted a documentary video "hungry for change" on my facebook wall...maybe it will help ;) -Shan
ReplyDeleteHi Mana,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, ive never tried capsicum. What does it taste like? lol! Similar to bell pepper? Second, I am in awe that you can make your kids eat vegetables! You really did great in raising them up. Hope to get tips from you when my time comes. Third and last, great that you have finally started eating healthy. Thank God for cooking shows like Rachel Ray. You can also try Jamie Oliver, he has this 15 minute cook prep show on TLC. Do share your pasta recipe with broccoli. I want to give that one a try.
Capsicum is really yummy, especially when grilled. It's sweet and not at all bitter or spicy.
DeleteThe kids eat veggies but not all kinds and the Ate eats more of it. I find that following a recipe drives me crazy because I cannot complete the ingredients needed. What I do is just buy different stuff and when it's time to cook, just throw the ones that would taste good together.. Much like dressing up.. Hehe..
Hi Sands, same with Apple... hats off ako to you for making your kids eat veggies. Mine don't eat the green and leafy ones, but I'm hopeful that they'll do once they get older. Eating healthy is the right but often difficult choice, but as they say starting it is the challenge, and once we get used to it then eating healthy becomes a habit. :)
ReplyDeleteThey don't really have that much choice if it's the only viand in front of them.. Hehe.. For the boy, I put a portion on his plate that he has to finish. The Ate though will take seconds and thirds esp of veggies she really likes.
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