The starting point for today’s post is that everything is going well.
I managed to take my antibiotics without mishap (yes, although I haven’t written about it yet, I even had a problem with antibiotics on my return from hospital), am well-rested, and am looking forward to a breakfast of scrambled eggs. I’d bee looking forwards to a breakfast of scrambled eggs on toast even more, but one of the first casualties in my war on weight is toast. It’s always been a target, but it has to be eliminated ruthlessly. My previous successful attempts at weight loss have not been through fancy diets, just through simple stuff.
A couple of years ago I stopped having toast at breakfast and cut down to one sandwich at lunchtime. Even without exercise, I managed a small but steady weight loss. Part of my problem is that I used to have active days featuring a lot of walking and lifting and, as I became more managerial (as in chair and car-based) I carried on with the calories and reduced the burning. Same for leisure. I reduced the walking and increased the TV. But mentally, I didn’t make the shift.
Same when I gave up smoking. I felt my metabolism shift, but I didn’t alter my intake.
So, when you strip away all the Hollywood glamour, the miracle cures, the avocados and the steaks, you are left with the truth. If you want to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you eat.
And if you can’t walk far you are going to have to achieve the rebalancing by eating a lot less. That’s why targeting bread is always good – it also cuts out the cheese, the McDonalds and the snacks.
It’s a bleak picture of a spartan retirement, but after the last few days I’ve had to ask myself a few questions about how I want the rest of my life to be, and that starts with a very simple question – long or short? I can work on the details later.
Meanwhile, whilst hovering round Death’s garden gate recently (it’s the one where you enter and dawdle along Death’s garden path until you actually reach Death’s Door) I had to make an official decision for medical purposes. I went for resuscitation, partly because it’s a new spelling to learn, and partly because my bed was in the corridor outside the resuscitation room, which seemed like a sign. Or a hint.
And that, in my weakened state, is enough for now.
Quinoa Salad – health on a plate
Pictures of salad are harder to find than pictures of fish and chips or cake. I will let yuo draw your own conclusions.
You have certainly hit on the secret of losing weight, eat less. There is no substitute.
I like the idea of death’s garden path. I hope yours will have many a twist and turn before you reach the end.
Me too. I’m happy to dawdle along that particular path.
Laurie’s suggestion is a good one. There is also the old 80/80 rule – 80% well 80% of the time. Your “not today” policy is also a good one.
Glad to hear Julia is doing better.
🙂 80/80 sounds realistic, and something I can manage.
😉
🙂
Perhaps once a week, you could allow yourself to have bread, say, on a Saturday or Sunday. To deprive yourself forever of something you love is a bitter pill and often doesn’t work. In our house, we eat light and healthy six days a week, and allow ourselves one cheat day.
We normally allow ourselves toast on Sunday, when breakfast used to be more leisurely. Now we are retired every day is Sunday and most breakfasts are relaxed . . .
You are correct though. I gave up smoking by putting my cigarettes to one side and saying “Not today.” Officially I haven’t given up, merely passed 9,000 days without having one today.
Yay!!!!
🙂
I can introduce you to some American salad websites…glad you’re on the mend even if it’s toast less
Thank you. I would like to look at those websites, though I fear they may be full of calories, as American food is known for being tasty and generous rather than diet . . .
I solved my problem when I dropped my dentures on a concrete floor and I haven’t got around to getting a new set. So I eat simple easily masticated foods.
It’s a fine and practical solution, though I’m still on my original teeth and it might not me the best way for me to go. 😉 I will try more porridge and soups.
How is Julia?
Much improved thanks. The scar is finally healing. The only fear is that at outpatients on Tuesday they will decide to start it all again.
Fingers crossed
Yes, us non-urology patients keep out fingers crossed. 🙂
I identify with all your considerations – I have far less fry-ups and when I do that’s it for the day – brunches are usually fry-ups – otherwise we don’t have breakfast
Yes, we have been inclining towards a brunch fry up, possibly followed by an evening soup and sandwich. 🙂
That works for us
That will do for me. It seems to do the trick. Happy Birthday to Jackie, by the way – I noticed but haven’t been commenting. 🙂
Thanks a lot, Quercus