Sunday, June 27, 2010

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

7 comments:

Carolee Crafts said...

Oh Marie I feel for you, my weight has always been an issue and as I have got older and heavier, dieting is the pits and something I hate. I am sure you will get there and be happy when you are, Have a great week x

gail said...

I am still here! LOL I wish I could do some of my own cooking, but I dont do that too much. Maybe its something I should work on! I am maintaing away, I need to step it up and do a little better this week. I am ready!!!
Happy week, (()) gail

lisa said...

Marie

I love take-out but it just does not work for me or my family. Pizza every once in a while is about it.

I'm a cooker too! It lets you control the salt, fat, and all the other bad stuff.

Love the idea of using pearls to hide my double chin. I'll have to give that a try.

Kath' said...

Marie
I feel for you so much. This read made me cry and then laugh and then cry again. I will pray for you to loose the weight you want. I have been in many programs and one of them years ago was at our church and they made prayer be a main part of it. We drew a name and prayed for that persons name that we drew each week. I loved it. I felt it when they were praying.
I am going thru all of these same emotions so I understand your up and downs with your feelings. I think you need to focus on the positive things that you have done. I am still drinking one water a day. You are faithfully drinking 8 or more ??? Wow.. Now that you have that licked start one more thing to stop or start. I will come and check and you and you are in my prayers. Kath'

Shabby Shan said...

Marie,
I really like your ideas for dressing like Liz and Shelley! I may have to try that too! Hee! Hee! :)
Trying to lose weight is no fun...I am working on that too. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

Shannon
Shabby Shan's Cottage

Mary Patterson said...

Oh Marie,
I can identify with all you said! I have struggled pretty much my entire adult life with my weight and done almost every 'program' out there, simply to gain it all back. I wish I could just be content where I am, but that is really hard. With several health issues adding to it all, I struggle daily. I continually ask for God's help and for peace with it, wherever it is. That is all I can do at 62+ yrs old. I'll pray for you, too, Marie.
Thanks, Mary Patterson
http://MarysCottageTreasures.com/

Roxie Morrow said...

Oh Marie, I'm with ya girl. I thought after 2 months of this, I would have lost at least 4-5 pounds.
I've made so many changes, thought my body would react in a more positive way.
One thing I've learned this week, I'm taking in way too many calories and not burning enough off.
This has got to change immediately. I've screwed off for two months, but I really need to look at it as my learning period.

We can do this Marie, we don't have to accept that we are going to just keep these extra pounds on. I think we know what it is that we have to do, it's just getting inspired and focused enough to make those important changes in our everyday lives.

xoxo
Rox