Liz and Shelley to the Rescue

It has been more than a month since my last post. Where has the time gone? Where have my healthy eating habits gone? I can no longer say that I have stalled or that I've hit a plateau. Otherwise that plateau would be as wide and long as the Sahara. I have gone from being frustrated, to disgusted to not caring.

I remember when starting this blog, I said I was not going to count anything. I wanted to take baby steps and make the changes seem as painless as possible. My first challenge was drinking water. I worked exclusively on it, and it worked. I am still drinking at least 6 glasses a day, most days it is 8 or 9.

Now I am counting things and I even purchased a portion control plate, which is now sitting on the top shelf almost out of reach. I am not happy, nor am I succeeding. I  think I know a few changes to make, but first, some inspiration from Liz Taylor and Shelley Winters, two actresses who had weight issues. Perhaps some of Shelley's wardrobe ideas would help while I try whittling  the weight off.  The hairdo is definitely not an option. The cocktail is. I could wear something like that wherever I go. The supermarket, drugstore, gas station. I bet it would get me in and out of places quickly. All I need to add is sunglasses and a cigarette holder.

Or Liz's jewelry techniques might help. I could walk around with the strand of pearls I use when photographing my soap products. I could just hold them across my face like Liz and make sure to pull the strand under my chin extra tight for some added lift. Maybe I could combine the two looks! Now we're talking!

Or maybe I could cut the new habits I had not planned on picking up. I have started taking advantage of the Lean Cuisine frozen entrees on sale, and I notice that I am ordering food for delivery more. You can get just about anything delivered here, no need to pick it up or drive through.  My excuse for Lean Cuisine is that it is perfect for portion control. I have a few excuses for delivery, which is NOT pizza, by the way. One delivery item that I like so much is good for 2 or sometimes 3 meals. There is so much of it and I don't have to cook. For both options, the price is right. But is it really?

I know cooking can be a pain in the neck, but it is what I always did. Even though I was cooking for one, I enjoyed making meals that I really like; I also did not mind eating the same thing a few times a week. That meant I did not cook every night.

Recently a friend of mine, who is a lot younger than I am, observed that we are the only people we know who still cook. Everyone she knows is ordering, driving through, or microwaving. I think it is true for most people I know, too.  Now I am not being critical of those who do this. I know lots of people do not cook, nor do they want to. I never liked the idea of cooking every single night. I love to dine out, and ordering food occasionally is something I have always done. Those things will not change.

What I am talking about is my personal choice to drift away from what I always did, which was to make most of my own meals. Now I am going to sound like the old fuddy-duddy that I am. When I cooked, I knew what went into my food. I can taste the salt in the food I purchase whether it is delivery or frozen. My friend made another important observation. "Who knows what preservatives are in that stuff?" How true. Having worked in many restaurants (some considered fine dining establishments) as a waitress, I know what she is talking about.

I don't know what is going to happen next. I often feel that I will continue to struggle and never lose, but just maintain these extra pounds. In the meantime, I am staying away from the frozen food aisle. If you are still with me, thanks so much for reading all the way to the end. As always, I would love to read your comments.
Marie