Committing To Weight Loss
It happens every year around this time; a full fledged promise to lose weight by exercising and eating right. It also happens that a large percentage of us screw this up royally in the first few weeks. I am guilty as charged with the offense of making resolutions that I can not stick to. Unfortunately every year that passes without committing to a weight loss program is only making the road ahead that much harder. At what point do we say, "Enough is enough. Today I am making up my mind to become the healthy person I was meant to be." I don't know about all of you but for me, the trek to lose weight has been fraught with denial and lots of it too!
One of my biggest excuses is, "I love food and food has to taste good. Diet food does not taste good, period, end of story". That is not the end of the story at all, and as I have committed to a real life change this year, I am discovering that low calorie food can taste great if you know how to maximize flavor. The last few weeks have been very exciting actually and for the first time I feel as if my goals are not too far off to achieve. I love to cook and create, so along with my promise to lose weight I also challenged myself to finding and creating high flavor, low calorie meals.
Finding the right meal plan isn't easy and it does take time and planning. I think our overall health is worth the effort, don't you? Spend some spare time searching up "low calorie" recipes on Google. The wealth of information that is out there is ready for those who are willing to look. One of the best resources available right now on the internet for weight loss (and is free) is Spark People. I have been a member for three years and when I set my mind to getting involved with the ‘community' I have managed to achieve weight loss goals. I will admit I slacked off for quite some time, but now I am back there and guess what? Many of the ‘friends' I made there are still there, either continuing their goals or being beacons to those who are trying. It was like coming home! Have a look for yourself, and I promise you will not be disappointed. Spark People is truly a gift in a world where everything seems to cost something these days!
My husband has been a wonderful support to me, and even bought me a treadmill for Christmas. The poor man has been living off of chicken and thankfully doesn't seem to mind. Last night I went in search of something to make for dinner that would maximize flavor yet tantalize the taste buds. I found this fabulous recipe for Sweet and Spicy Shrimp Skewers. All it has you do is marinate the shrimp in brown sugar, oil, lemon juice, lemon zest and a healthy dose of cayenne pepper. Unfortunately I only had half of the cayenne they called for but subbed the other half with red pepper flakes. I also decided to use shrimp and chicken. I served it with rice pilaf which I felt was a compliment to the sweet and spicy aspect of the dish. This is a flavored layer dish; first you taste the sweet, then the heat comes a little at a time, yet the mint sauce explodes in the end and cools things down. A truly gastronimc experinece! I don't like spicy but this is a satisfying exception. This is calorie friendly without sacrificing flavor; a perfect example of how to eat healthy and enjoy every bite!
I would love to hear from readers who are willing to share their stories with us. Nothing is more motivating than to hear from others who have the same issues as the rest of us. Camaraderie is the one thing that really unites a cause and makes one feel less alone. Don't use your real name if you don't want to, but join in and let's make a change.
Grilled Sweet and Spicy Shrimp with Mint Dipping Sauce
Makes 12 first-course or 6 main-course servings.
1/4 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
3 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 pounds large uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined
2 cups (packed) fresh mint leaves
Metal skewers (If using wood or bamboo skewers, soak them in water for an hour to prevent burning)
Mix brown sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons oil, lemon peel, cayenne pepper, and salt in medium bowl to blend. Add shrimp and stir to coat. Let marinate 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. *( I marinated for 4 hours and would go longer next time)*
Meanwhile, place mint, remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, and remaining 1/2 cup oil in processor. Blend until mint is finely chopped and mixture is smooth, scraping down sides occasionally. Season mint dipping sauce with salt.
Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Thread shrimp onto skewers. Grill shrimp until just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Serve with mint dipping sauce.
Bon Appétit 2003
I Understand
Well Tracy,
I understand your angst on weight loss as I always yo-yo 15-20 pounds every Winter.
The best luck I ever had was a high protein, low carb (not a carb restricted, but smart carbs). I cut out bread, pasta and rice completely.
My concentration was on fish, shrimp, white meat chicken and lean beef (92-95% ground or lean steak cuts). I ate alot of greens as well. I felt great in no time but for about a year, I walked 4 miles per day. Then I injured my shoulder and the exercise stopped.
So, here I am wanting to lose 15 pounds again. My doctor told me this week that they only way I could do this was to exercise for 30 minutes per day for 5 days per week and still eat the way that I do. Albeit, I really don't think I eat that much.
Supplements also help as well. I take a multi-vitamin, goji berry tablets, acai tablets and pomegranate tablets daily. I find this works well and whether or not it is in my head or not; I feel better and healthier.
Tea also helps with weight loss. Iced tea is my favorite and all Summer I drink gallons. Now I drink green tea and white tea and they act a a diuretic and get rid of that bloated feeling.
Although I fit into the same clothes I always have, I know that I can get down one more pant size and I know that I have to do so for my health.
Try those shrimp with a nice honey lime sauce. 1/2 cup of honey with the juice of 4 limes squeezed in and then baste the shrimp.
Something else that you may want to try is to ask your butcher for tenderloin tails. They are generally much less pricey than tenderloin steak and have little or no fat.
And, don't forget fresh roasted turkey breast...low in calories and very high in protein.
I've been down this road a few times...it can be tough to lose 10-15 pounds but keep with it and....you will succeed.
By the way, with all of the walking that you will be doing at Disney World...you will lose a few pounds!!!!
I don't really understand why I despise cooking so much yet could spend all day baking, but it is what it is. My S.O. does most of the cooking and is not one for sauces and fancy creations. His idea of "fancy" is to saute fresh fish with garlic. I've been bold enough to suggest trying new stuff once in awhile just to add a little variety but it's something I end up having to put the effort into and I don't enjoy it enough to get creative on my own. Thank goodness for people like you! This sounds delish...
Since my S.O. is an avid fisherman and hunter, our freezer is usually full of good "healthy" meat. I have become so used to eating venison, that beef from a grocery store now tastes "funny" to me. We also eat alot of chicken and fish. I feel that our diet is balanced out pretty well, but we both still manage to pack on the pounds during the winter months. My problem isn't so much what I eat, it's how I burn it off. I am not one to get into aerobics, weight lifting, or even yoga. I might use a treadmill but we don't have the room for one in our house at the moment. I keep thinking I should just buck up, bundle up and get out of the house during these long cold months, but it's so hard to motivate yourself to do that. I keep thinking that would be another good reason to get a dog; force me to go out and walk around the block even on the worst days, but it's still something I should be able to find the motivation from within.
(By the way, that's not the only reason I'd want a dog...just another reason in a very long list of why I'd love a 4-legged, furry, slobbery companion).