Second Quarter of 2016: April 3-June 30: Winners All at Losing Weight!

mdubbs1

The sun was quite welcome!

I lost a pound last week.

I had eggs for breakfast, salad with turkey for lunch and 1/2 NS mac n cheese mixed with chili to make two dinners.

I'll miss that. I'm hoping the Wonderslim mac n cheese will work as a sub but I won't be trying that until I run out of NS.

Still no lab results for either me or Jessicat. Tomorrow morning I have an appointment with the gastroenterologist DH used for his colonoscopy. I don't really want to switch but since they insist you have a person there to drive you home - and DH doesn't want to go to my guy - I guess I'm switching.

KonaKat

Maryanne--Congrats upon another pound down. I understand the rationale but I really hate that restriction on not being able to drive home.

I just checked the NS site. There are still two different mac and cheeses being offered. The luncheon version is white cheddar mac and cheese and the dinner is mac and cheese with turkey sausage.

I trimmed shrubbery today which meant I removed a foot of new growth. I now have a mess but I don't feel like picking it up as I am zapped. I still have to fine tune the trimming.

I don't have much appetite as a result of the work but I'll discover some acceptable frozen entrée either Lean Cuisine or Atkins in about an hour.

mdubbs1

I haven't tried the lunch mac n cheese yet. It's in a cup and probably will work fine. The dinner one I tried and didn't like at all. Definitely not something I'd want to mix with the chili.

This new gastroenterologist is somewhere I could actually walk home. So having to have someone there is totally silly but I know my professional is to blame so I guess I can't complain too much.

Just ordered on the NS Memorial Day sale. 50% off shelf stable a la carte items AND it still let me use my Success A La Carte 20% off and free shipping. I stocked up on snacks I like and a few other items. Threw in some frozen items while I was ordering but those aren't 50% off.

KonaKat

I had Quaker Weight Control oatmeal for breakfast. I'm off to the city at 7am to make sure I make a 9am appointment. Then I will do an immediate return as I go to work at Noon.

Helene610

Glad to know I could do an a la cart order for the 50% off. I've been getting a lot of emails trying to tempt me back to a plan. I'd like some of the muffins and oatmeal bites so I think I'll order them.

The dentist visit went well and surprisingly, my back tolerate the trip. We split the driving both ways and made a stop each time so we only drove about 90 minutes before a break. The trip each way is 3 hours. I go back in four weeks for the permanent crown. And that will finish the dentist until fall.

We had drizzle for most of the ride but today is gorgeous. I guess I'd rather have the nice day when I can be out and about even though driving in rain isn't so pleasant. The worst part of the drizzle is having to switch the wipers on and off every few minutes. By the time we got to CT, the rain had past there but we rode back into it when we got to MA again.

KonaKat

I had the Atkins Mexican Style Chicken and Vegetables for dinner. I added some mushrooms to it. This is so, so good! I'll be buying more of this.

Helene--Driving in a drizzle is better than the pouring rain, but driving in sun is the best. I think driving is so enjoyable when it is sunny but not when it is pouring the rain. I've had to pull over at times on some trips as you couldn't see.

mdubbs1

Wow, Helene, you and Jean both do some serious travelling for what for us "city folk" would be much shorter trips.

I got my lab work. Cholesterol looks good. I was hoping my fasting glucose might drop a little. It seems to run 97-102 and not be correlated with my weight. I probably should ask the endocrinologist about this since I've read several articles lately about "under treatment" of pre-diabetes.

I met with the gastroenterologist yesterday and scheduled my colonoscopy for early July. I was not amused that he was a half hour late for a 9:10 appointment. And in the middle of our brief appointment he jumped up and left the room to "put in your order". Sounds like a restaurant. But DH insists I go to this guy because he's close and "my" doctor isn't. I admit he has excellent references but still......

I still don't have Jessicat's lab work back.

I'm planning Wonderslim pancakes for breakfast. Then I have to go feed the colonies (subbing today) and do some grocery shopping.

I just saw on the news yesterday that Mars, a local grocery store chain, is going out of business at the end of July. I immediately started thinking about the things I count on them for. It's going to be a loss for sure. I will especially miss my beloved Healthy Ones Maple Ham at the deli counter. Jessicat loves it too. I looked on their web site and the closest place they list that carries it is 45 miles away. Sorry, Jessicat! Mars started in 1946. I'm sure the family that owns them is upset and I feel so sorry for the employees. It's always been such a friendly place to go into. They sold 5 of the stores but not the one near me and the rest they are closing unless another buyer presents itself.

mdubbs1

Okay, so I just opened my email and found another test result. Apparently they did an A1C on me and that's normal at 5.4%. Not prediabetes. So I guess that's good!

KonaKat

Maryanne--Good news on the test results, not so good on the store closing. You might have to end up going an hour plus one way to shop for the desired groceries like I do. I am not a major traveler; I put around 10,000 miles a year on the car. The upcoming Branson trip is the first really long distance trip I have done in 3 years.

The weight is creeping down; down is good but I wish it would speed up a little. The Branson trip will likely undo my efforts as I usually gain 5 pounds when on a vacation despite eating only half of the meal, etc. and watching the other person chow down the whole thing without gaining.

Breakfast was two eggs scrambled with mushrooms and orange pepper for about the same calorie count as the Quaker Weight Control oatmeal.

mdubbs1

I checked out the walmart here for NS frozen food and found nada. I guess we're not in the test area.

OTOH my NS frozen shipment came today. I'm amazed how good the french toast is. Even DH commented on it!

Hopefully my SS will come in the next day or so.

KonaKat

Maryanne--I've not seen NS frozen in WalMart. There used to be a lot of South Beach but I haven't seen that for a long time. There isn't as much WW as there once was either. Lean Cuisine, Atkins, Healhty Choice and Amys seem to be the popular ones here. For WW, the items tend to be either breakfast or desserts.

I had the NS bean Bolognese for dinner. It is a luncheon item but I decided to try it. I added a bunch of sliced mushrooms to it. It is really good.

mdubbs1

I think the best WW frozen are the breakfast and the desserts. For lunches and dinners I tend to go to Lean Cuisine.

I have to get my spreadsheet made up for today. Then I'll be ready for the day!

I have to do a couple errands and then get down to work. Next week is the June cat show so I need to be all caught up. I'll lose some time for that. Loading, setting up, etc.!

I'm catching up on the Patterson "Private" books. I think the next thing I'll catch up on is David Baldacci. I'm really behind so that should take me awhile!

Helene610

I'm trying to post this from home. It's hit or miss if I can get into the site from my laptop. I've been trying to eat healthier since I've been home. I've lost 2 of the 5 pounds I gained during my travels. I think most of the gain was from the travel and visiting family on the way home. My back is better finally. I'm back on my monthly visit to the chiropractor. I was pleased it only took 3 visits to get me back to normal.
Maryanne..Great job on your losses and on the medical tests. Jean..How nice you're also seeing results from your hard work. Like you, I'm a slow loser.
Pam...Are you back home now?

Helene610

I'm trying to post this from home. It's hit or miss if I can get into the site from my laptop. I've been trying to eat healthier since I've been home. I've lost 2 of the 5 pounds I gained during my travels. I think most of the gain was from the travel and visiting family on the way home. My back is better finally. I'm back on my monthly visit to the chiropractor. I was pleased it only took 3 visits to get me back to normal.
Maryanne..Great job on your losses and on the medical tests. Jean..How nice you're also seeing results from your hard work. Like you, I'm a slow loser.
Pam...Are you back home now?

Helene610

I'm trying to post this from home. It's hit or miss if I can get into the site from my laptop. I've been trying to eat healthier since I've been home. I've lost 2 of the 5 pounds I gained during my travels. I think most of the gain was from the travel and visiting family on the way home. My back is better finally. I'm back on my monthly visit to the chiropractor. I was pleased it only took 3 visits to get me back to normal.
Maryanne..Great job on your losses and on the medical tests. Jean..How nice you're also seeing results from your hard work. Like you, I'm a slow loser.
Pam...Are you back home now?

KonaKat

Helene--Good news on losing part of the weight gained while traveling. Also, good news on the improvement on the back. I'm off to see the chiropractor again this morning.

mdubbs1

Helene - it's so weird that you're having so many problems with this site. I hope you get it worked out! I'm glad you're feeling better!

Jean - I hope you also get some relief!

DH is big on supplements. I think he totally buys into that "supplements = safe" and "prescription meds = side effects". I've tried to tell him about the studies that prove that people who know about side effects get those side effects and therefore one shouldn't google side effects in advance. But he's not buying. He read an article in the newspaper and had me searching at the grocery store for Certo. Supposedly you mix with grape juice for arthritis. I found it (believe it or not) and brought some home. He said "this is liquid?". Well, yeah, the article even said it was a liquid. LOL! So then I had to search for the powdered version. Haven't thought about Sure-Jell in decades but they still sell it. Now what's funny, or sad depending on how you look at it, is he'll probably never try it.

I checked out the newly opened Giant near me. It's in the same little shopping center as it was before. I'm surprised they built this new huge store because one of the reasons I went to this one was it was never buys - although always fully stocked - and it sort of felt like my little secret. I couldn't believe all the people at the new store on a Thursday morning. Not a soul I recognized behind the deli counter. Swarming with apparently newly hired clerks so maybe they knew what they were doing. I had the joy of standing there while an older gentlemen tried to tell a 20-something how to measure our 1.5 pounds of something. Geesh. You can tell he never had me for math. The parking lot in this new store is on quite an incline. Very odd place to put a store.

I have a hair appointment mid day today. On the way I have to feed the colonies. The colony caretaker - who severed ties with CROM decades ago (her choice not mine) - has cancer. The CROM volunteer who is helping her lives way northeast of Baltimore. The colonies are near me. I'm doing what I can to help. She had a port put in for chemo on Thursday. Something happened yesterday and she's in the hospital. I told Lil I'd feed today and Monday. She has to come over to do the woman's house but I convinced her that she could set it up so she only had to go every other day. I'm NOT going into this woman's home. I'll help find a pet sitter if it comes to that but I don't want the responsibility for someone else's beloved cats. The doctors are hoping to give this woman 5 years. If not, a lot of her cats will likely have to be euthanized. They are feral and older and apparently her son isn't helping.

KonaKat

Maryanne--Supplements can cause side effects also. Some people believe that if the label "natural" is applied to them that they are safe. I don't think I would ruin the grape juice by adding something to it. I guess the theory is that the supplement and the grape juice is some magic combo.

After the chiropractor appointment, I raided WalMart and got some more of those Atkins dinners which I found to be very tasty.

KonaKat

I had the NS bean Bolognese for dinner with mushrooms and bell pepper added. This made for a very filling meal. I need to add more of these to my next order. It may be a luncheon entrée but it makes for a very filling dinner entrée for only 200 calories.

mdubbs1

I fed the colonies yesterday and decided something had to be done about the bowls so I hit up Petsmart for cheap bowls. Not sure if I'll bother washing any or just replace. What's there are really cruddy.

I'm going to try making meal loaf today and both control the calories somewhat and calculate calories so I know what I'm eating. Usually I just dump ingredients into a bowl but I'm going to try calculating this time. I'm starting with 96% lean ground beef. I already use skim milk and I'm going to try using egg beaters. My rough calculations are I can come up with servings about 250 calories. And I'll have frozen meat loaf for DH to eat during the June fund raising events I always leave him a plate.

KonaKat

Maryanne--The meatloaf sounds great and you are taking a sensible approach to making it. I also think the kitties will appreciate new bowls. I doubt that they know the price but they will make the food smell and taste better.

I'm going to visit a friend in the capital city tomorrow. Today's agenda calls for loading the car with donations for Good Will to be dropped off near there. I did hop on the scales but received no reward...and I was so good the past week. I'm waiting until I return from Branson to add the exercise component as my BMR is so low that low calories alone just doesn't do it.

According to My Fitness Pal, my BMR is:
Your estimated BMR is: 1,222 calories/day*

PamS53

Hello from Texas! I realized this morning that I don't even remember the last time I posted anything, so I guess it's been awhile. Not much to report as it's been a pretty routine week. I'm still limping along, literally. In the mornings it is better, but as the day goes on, my limp gets more pronounced. I'm still getting odd pains in different parts of my foot from time to time, almost like a muscle cramp, but it moves around. It's very odd and hard to describe.

Maryanne, another way to lighten up your meatloaf is to use ground turkey. I sometimes use half ground beef and half turkey, and DH never knows there's anything different in his beloved meatloaf. I'm not sure how much lower that makes the calorie count, but I know it is less greasy. I also use a pan that has perforations in the bottom of a sort of sling-like piece that the loaf sits in. This goes inside the actual loaf pan so all of the grease drains down into the loaf pan and your meat loaf isn't sitting in and soaking up the grease.

Jean, are you looking forward to your summer break? I know you enjoy the extra income, but by this point in the school year I suspect the teachers are as ready for a break as the students. When do you leave for Branson? I enjoyed my visit last year. It's a very pretty area and there are a lot of entertainment options.

Helene, it's so odd that this site gives you problems when you try to post at home. I find it fairly trouble free, so far. I'm glad your back isn't wrecked after your drive home from Florida. Taking the drive in stages probably helped a lot.

I'm gradually getting back to doing more housework and cooking, much to DH's relief. He was a real trooper handling all of it while I was sick and mostly immobile, but I know he appreciates that I'm able to do more now. Especially since he's now doing a lot more outdoor work since the grass, flower beds, and pool are needing more attention.

mdubbs1

Pam - I was thinking I needed a pan like that. I wonder for today if it would work to put starting to go stale bread in the bottom of the loaf pan to soak up some grease. Strange idea I know! Meanwhile I will check on those pans as DH does love meat loaf and it's such a great thing to have in the freezer.

The calorie count I found for 96% lean ground beef was less than ground turkey so I gave up on the idea of foisting turkey on DH. LOL!

PamS53

The bread on the bottom of the meatloaf does work, but it's hard to peel off the bottom of your loaf. At least that's what I experienced when I tried that trick. The advantage of using turkey is that you can use ground beef with more fat, which some say gives it more flavor, but the addition of the turkey still makes it lower in calories and fat overall. I've had my pan for a long time and it works well.

mdubbs1

Pam - ah, that makes sense! I found non stick loaf plans with those perforations online. Have to get some of those. I decided against the bread - sounded too kooky and I did wonder about it sticking to the meat loaf.

The meat loaf is in the oven. By my count the total calories are 2150. I split between 3 loaf pans (I even weighed!). So 1/3 of a loaf pan is 240 calories and 1/4 of a loaf pan is 180 calories (rounding off).

One thing I hadn't focused on was - there are a lot of calories in Italian bread crumbs!! Since I hadn't focused on it, I hadn't looked for alternatives. Another thing that has more calories than you'd expect is ketchup! But I still think the per serving came out pretty good.

PamS53

Maryanne, some people use rolled oats or crushed crackers. I'm not sure how either of those compare to Italian bread crumbs in calories. I usually add some salsa to my meat loaf, which is also lower in calories than ketchup and adds flavor. Of course, not everyone likes salsa as much as my DH, so that might not work for you.

mdubbs1

I only put ketchup on top as glaze so it's not a lot quantity wise. I've been investing sugar free BBQ sauce; guess I also need to investigate sugar free ketchup. Apparently Heinz reduced calorie ketchup gets a thumbs up from a lot of people. I do NOT like Walden Farms stuff.

The end result was denser than my meat loaf usually is. I don't know if that was the leaner ground beef, the egg beaters (seems unlikely), a few less bread crumbs or a little less milk. DH and Sammy both ate it though (Sammy, our new guy, always comes joins us at dinner time to investigate what we are having)!

PamS53

I'm sure it was delicious! That's one of DH's favorite comfort meals. The denser texture was probably due to the leanness of the beef. What did you make to go with it?

KonaKat

This talking about meat loaf is making me very hungry for meat loaf.

I have a car loaded with things for Good Will to drop off at the donation center near where I am going tomorrow.

I sent the vet an email regarding Midnight's upcoming stay there while I am gone. I always give them info on what and when he eats, etc. plus any additional things he might need such as nails trimmed.

Helene610

We went to a local nursery today and purchased some herbs and some annual flowers for the pots we put out on the deck. It was too late to start planting when we got home so that's the plan for tomorrow. We may get showers but we can do some of the planting indoors if necessary. I got rid of another bag of clothes today. We have a Goodwill bin at our transfer station. That's what they call the landfill these days. I figure if I keep chipping away, I should eventually see progress.