Living the Lifestyle- 5/21/2019

GavinFlynn1

We meet here to explore, share, celebrate and (sometimes) agonize over how we do (or don't) incorporate weight loss guidelines into our daily lives. "It's a lifestyle, not a diet" is easily and often said, but sometimes not so simply put into practice.

This is a thread for everyone. If you're new to GoaD, or to weight loss, your questions and comments are always welcome. If you're maintaining, or a long-term loser, your thoughts on the topic may be just what someone else needs to hear. If you're reading this, join in the discussion!

Each weekday, a new topic is offered up for discussion. Thread starters for May are below:

Monday - myallforjcbill (Bill)
Tuesday - GavinFlynn1 (Gavin)
Wednesday - gadgetgirl (Regina)
Thursday - misterhub (Greg)
Friday - Al_Howard (Al)

Today's topic: Happy Surprises

When we began our healthy lifestyle journeys, many of us found we were happily surprised at the things we did not expect to like. Sometimes it was a new food we had never tried, sometimes it was a new way of cooking a food we didn’t like before, sometimes it was a new exercise. What are some of the happy surprises you’ve had in your own journey?

Bonus question: do you still see coward new foods, tastes or exercises?

podkey

One of my obvious (to me) happy surprises was unexpectedly being below my WW goal weight weighing in one fateful Sunday morning. I really "knew" I was weeks away from that weight and on a snail's pace of teensy losses of 0.2 pounds or same weight.

I discovered a wonderful new herb plant last year called various names from "mexican tarragon", "mexican marigold", or "mexican mint". The leaves of this wonderful plant taste like French Tarragon but perhaps a titch lighter. Very tasty and easier to grow to. I read that in a cold climate it could overwinter if not too cold and even though dead on top would come back from the roots. I took the large pot of it in and out of the garage until it turned brown. I left it in the garage over the winter and it is now very lush again. It has marigold colored flowers on it and is pretty. Sadly Bonnie plants isn't offering it in our are this year but I am keeping it going.I think it might over-winter outside in PacNW and just die to the ground. Can be divided or save seeds too.

I discovered the joys of cooking on my wood pellet Trager too. Early on I decided "life is too short" to not have the combination of smoking and grilling. Makes simple foods taste great and I don't have the energy to do much recipe stuff.

Keep the joys coming I say.

misterhub

Quinoa. I had never heard of it prior to joining WW. I have found it to be an excellent source of protein, and it works anywhere that rice and pasta work. It's become one of my favorites.

imastar2

This is a difficult one for me as far as happy surprise(s) for foods. To me it was more of what I had to give up. I guess a happy surprise might have been that sacrifices were not as great as I thought they might be. The happiness of the weight gain any negatives that might come my way. I remember being to eat more fruit than I had been previously eating. I really was happily surprised to be able to eat more vegetables and found recipes for vegetables that I hadn't discovered previously.

Jimb376mfp

Happy surprise
1. I found that the quantity of food I need/want to eat has shrunk.
2. I don’t have to eat snacks every night.
3. I can resist the idea to have a treat/binge.

gadgetgirlIL

My happy surprise is just how much pleasure my veggie packed omelette gives me every morning. Yes, I have one every day when I am home. For a kid who would only eat corn, potatoes, and tomato sauce this is a huge change!