There is a funny saying when talking about losing weight, “If you can’t lose it, decorate it.” Maybe this explains my attraction (addiction?) to jewelry and all accessories with bling. As we enter this new year, it is customary to do a self-evaluation and determine if we are happy with our weight or if we have a New Year’s resolution to make. After the famous eve celebration was over and the ball dropped, I decided it was time to get “on the ball” and take control of my eating habits once and for all before everything I wore was covered in Swarovski crystals.
So, what plan to choose from? There are so many infomercials, magazines, and Facebook ads that tell us to try low carbs, high protein, low fat, all vegetables and fruit, counting calories, counting points …and I am sure there are more. It might be fair to say that most women have heard of or thought of many of these ideas when it comes to a weight loss plan. However, choosing and implementing are two different things, which is a proven fact based on the number of DVDs and books on this topic that are collecting dust at my house. So what did I choose?
Lose the sugar! Sugar is an old friend that always finds me and I have greeted it warmly and encouraged an ongoing and close relationship. But sugar, like some friends, has a bad side. When I look down and my belly is the first thing I see, we have problems, Houston. When I am sluggish by 2 p.m. and drink more caffeine to “wake up,” only to be yawning the entire ride home, something needs to change. Because, believe it or not, I am not getting younger (crap!) and my old friend sugar is now my crazy “stage five clinger” (see Wedding Crashers movie for this reference) a necessary change was in order.
As painful as it has been, the following previous staples of my daily food plan have been removed for 2017: pop, crackers, chips, candy, and white bread. This will not be easy; I am going to need strength when the chips and dip appear at the party or the candy bowl at work is looking at me. But, hopefully, this summer will be the summer the smaller size clothes come out of the closet for good and take front stage from now on.
If you are in the same boat I am, be strong and just know that someone else is struggling just like you. Maybe we can support each other and meet up later this spring wearing skinny jeans and a big smile. We can do it!
From Weight Watchers…a grilled veggie idea for your Super Bowl Party.
Ingredients
1⁄4 cup fresh parsley, finely minced
1 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, finely minced
1⁄2 tsp sea salt
¼ tsp pepper
2 medium green pepper, cut into 8 chunks each
12 medium grape tomatoes
12 medium baby bella mushrooms, wiped clean, stems trimmed
Instructions
Preheat an outdoor grill to high….or cook on the George Foreman indoors.
In a medium bowl, combine parsley, oil, garlic and salt; add vegetables and toss to coat. Thread vegetables onto 4 long metal skewers. Grill, turning once, until tender and charred, about 6 to 10 minutes, depending on desired degree of doneness.
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