Starting into day three of South Beach, I was thinking about what my long term goals are. When I started this blog over two years ago, I thought my having to be accountable with everything I ate, taking pictures of my food, etc. would almost guilt me into making he right choices. I remember back in September of 2008 saying I was 160 pounds, and Biggest Loser had just started and that I was going to have my final weigh in the same night as the season finale three months from then.
At the time, I thought 10 pounds a month was an attainable goal. Well, here I stand over two years later, at 169 pounds. I decided that it was time to set some goals, so the first thing I did was go to a BMI calculator. I typed in 5 feet 2 inches, 169 pounds which gives me a BMI of . . .30.9, According to that calculator I am on the low end of being obese.
Can I just tell you that I don’t feel obese? Just yesterday during our 45 minute walk at lunch, I ran up the hardest hill carrying 4 pound weights. Last week I walked on the treadmill at a 5.0 incline, 3.5 mph speed all while throwing a 6 pound medicine ball back and forth for 45 minutes.
So while I don’t want to be a numbers person, I am afraid I have to – based on the BMI calculator, in order to be a “normal” weight for my height, I have to be below 135 pounds, 135 being at the top end. My diabetes doctor would love for me to be around 125. So for now, I am just pushing to be a normal weight – so 135 is the goal . . . 34 pounds to go! When reading Helen’s Tuesday 10 yesterday, I had to agree that I want this blog to be a success story, and I know with my families support and having all of you as my virtual cheerleaders, I will get there! 😀
I do have to say though, I thought by today I would be drooling for a jalapeno cheese bagel, but I am not. In fact, I haven’t really been remotely hungry between meals. I actually ate a serving of walnuts throughout my day yesterday because I didn’t think I was eating enough calories for the day!
I had a can of pinto beans in my pantry, and decided to incorporate those into my breakfast.
I dumped the whole can, juice and all in a stock pot, then added garlic, cumin and Mexican oregano (and maybe a couple splashes of Tabasco!) and let it cook for 10 minutes, just until the beans were soft enough to smash with a fork.
So the base of my breakfast was 1/2 cup of the beans, then an egg I cooked in the microwave, 2 slices of crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and diced red pepper.
I ate this at 9:00, and I didn’t even eat lunch until 1:45 – after our walk, that’s how long this kept me full!
For lunch I had spaghetti squash marinara. Usually when I microwave a spaghetti squash, I let it cool slightly and then try to scrape it out of the shell – this time I let it cool completely on the counter, put it in my fridge overnight and then scraped it out when it was cold for my lunch bag – it came out perfect!
I just forget how few calories are in spaghetti squash – with my 3/4 cup of meat marinara and 1 teaspoon shredded parmesan, lunch only came in at 276 calories, 37 carbs, 9.4 protein, 11.5 cat and 4.4 fiber. But considering I ate lunch so late, and snacking on walnuts, I was fine.
I originally had Greek chicken on my menu, but I defrosted pork chops by mistake! I love vinegar, and a balsamic glaze is one of my favorites.
I just took 5 ounces of vinegar and reduced it until it started to get thick – about 15 minutes. Meanwhile I put together a cauliflower gratin (minus the bacon – I forgot that part!), and pan fried our pork chops.
Stats for Tuesday:
- 1389 calorie,s 89 carbs, 94 protein, 75 fat and 19.8 fiber
- 49% of calories from fat
- 45 minute walk with 4 pound weights
- Blood Sugar Average 112
Shout Out Time!
- I won Danica’s $75 Wholly Guacamole Gift Basket (thank goodness avocados are South Beach friendly – I would have hated to win a bread basket! 😀 )
- Errign of Errign’s Adventures has a CSN giveaway for $45! You have until November 10 to enter.
- It’s not too late to enter your BSI – of Chiles! You have until Sunday, November 7th to enter – just link to me and send me an email at bdl319@gmail.com and let me know 😀
- My Boston friend Beth @ 990 Square is up for a local blogging award – if you have time, I’d love it if you stopped by her blog and voted for her – she makes amazing food people and has stunning photos – not just of food either! 😀
Make it a good day!
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Such great food and great perspective. (and no cursing! heh heh. yay you!)
All the best as you venture forth. You can do it, you’ve certainly got the cookery skills to support your efforts! Go for it!
Thanks Beth!
Wow – that breakfast looks outstanding Biz!
South Beach gets easier and easier after the first couple of days.
Those BMI charts are messed up. I would never be able to sustain what they recommend and wouldn’t want to. I like my curves I just want to shrink them down, not lose them completely. I still want to throw something at my Wii after I weigh in and it says “that’s OBESE.” Getting closer to “overweight” though. 😉
Hope you have a great weekend!
Have you ever been to the Olive Oil/Vinegar Store in Long Grove? I’ve been there and they have many different Oil and Balsamic Vinegars and they little taste tests which are so much fun. One of my favorites is the Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar.
Ugh, I hate the BMI scale – my doctor actually doesn’t rely on it as she says it’s fairly antiquated and doesn’t take into account the “whole picture.” Even celebs like Brad Pitt/George Clooney/etc are considered overweight-obese on the BMI scale! I went to find out about getting a “medically necessary” breast reduction last year and my insurance company turned me down for being obese. Um, I just ran a marathon around that time!! My husband was “normal” in college when he weighed in around 150 pounds and he’s 6’2″…he looked emaciated!
Keep leading a healthy lifestyle and focus on that/how great you feel instead of all the numbers, you are doing amazing and the stupid BMI scale is not allowed to rain on that parade! 😉
What is important is that you are trying! It’s obvious from you’re blog that you spend a lot of time preparing healthy meals and working out and that is great! Keep up the good work – I know you can do it :).
– Beth @ http://www.DiningAndDishing.com
I am obese too, my Wii reminds me every time I weigh in! We are the same height and you have far less of a way to get to 135 as I do. Actually, I don’t think 135 is realistic for me so I am shooting for 150. Have been for four years now :(. But I am back on WW and taking it 5 lbs at a time. I find it less daunting that way. If it weren’t for the weekends I achieve this in not time! But hey, health and success is more than the number on the scale. I ran two half marathons this summer and numerous other races through out the year despite the extra weight. All these small victories to build up the success story! And before you know it you’ll get there.
everything looks soo good!
bah. to be honest, BMI is bullshit. It just doesn’t fit every body characteristics and categories. I think it’s good as a basic guideline, but one shouldn’t be too obsessed with those man-made charts. But you can do it, Biz! Get to a healthy weight…not just measured by charts, but the energy and lightness that you feel in everything you do.
I hate those BMI charts! While yes, I really am obese I’m sure, I don’t feel “obese”…just overweight! haha Thanks to you, I have been looking into the South Beach Diet, seems very doable!
You will do it! I will be following, and learning too! You’re an amazing woman Biz!!
Oh BMI…evil, evil BMI. I think being at the top of your BMI range is totally acceptable…especially if that weight is maintainable. You’ll do great!
I am cheering for you Biz! You are such an awesome cook, your South Beach foods looks amazing. The great thing about eating healthy carbs is how hunger is held at bay!
I should see what my BMI is…I’m kind of scared to find out. I think you are going to rock this plan Biz!
I just made spaghetti squash lo mein: 4 oz shrimp, 1/2 cup of julienned carrots, celery, scallion and mushrooms (I know… leave out the damn scallion, Biz. I probably just made you throw up a little) and put it on top of warmed up spaghetti squash with a whisked together mix of spicy schezuan sauce, lite teriyaki sauce, garlic, ginger and mirin.
It was so good, but my mouth is on fire. I don’t have your heat-resistant taste buds!
I never thought to do lo mein with spaghetti squash!! And yep, did throw up in my mouth a bit on the scallion! 😀
I think the South Beach plan is probably the healthiest diet out there for heart health. I eat this way most of the time. I love so many of their recipes. Have you tried the balsamic flank steak one? I think it is in the first book. So easy and so good. I like to make extra of this and then freeze it and I use it on salads and sandwiches for quick meals. I too am a balsamic fan. I can eat it on most anything. Even straight. I just picked up some infused vinegar-orange flavor and fig flavor. Yummy!
That sounds so good – I heart balsamic (well vinegar) anything! 😀
Keep pushing girl. You will get there. We’re all cheering you on! I love your breakfast. Homemade “refried” beans are always so tasty. And the cauliflower gratin looks amazing to me. A great side.
You’re so funny with your meat comments on my blog 🙂 (MOST) Meat doesn’t gross me out. I cook it pretty much every night for my husband. He is a huge chorizo fan- I will have to make those croutons for him
I read somewhere that just doing a straight weight/height for your BMI is not 100% accurate. It’s best to have a doctor do your BMI w/ true measurements b/c the calculation is actually more intricate w/ regards to your muscle and inches. The calculators are kind of a “guideline” so I’d double check w/ your dr. next visit! You are definitely NOT obese! I wouldn’t even put you in the fat category! When I met you in real life I guess I was kind of expecting somebody more plump since you talk about weighing and exercising and losing weight so often on your blog. You surprised me at how tiny you were!! (Never knew a way to tell you that before, haha it seems awkward and semi-rude)
I love the bean breakfast! It’s unbelievable how filling they are, isn’t it? A lot of times if I do a meatless meal I incorporate beans and those always seem to be the nights I’m not hungry later for snacking. Must be all the fiber?
Oh and I made your bleu cheese cauliflower! I need to post about it – it’ll probably go up tonight or tomorrow! It was yum!
I’ll take it that you thought I was tiny!! Thanks for that Christina – so looking forward to our Blogger Meet Up in a couple weeks! 😀
I think that you have to factor in that BMI is not the only indication of your health ~ what is most important is how you feel and look. I think it’s great to set a goal to shoot towards – it definitely motivates me.
I just have to say I am super impressed with the fact that you can throw a medicine ball while walking on the treadmill – seriously, I’d stumble and fall off for sure.
South Beach is great ~ I did it for a month and lost 10 lbs on it, never felt hungry and really felt amazing while doing it. I can say that SBD online (http://www.southbeachdiet.com/referrals/DanicasDaily) helped me a ton (loved picking/choosing from the menu plans, grocery lists, recipes, and community board chatter) as well as their cookbooks just for ideas – you can check them out at the library or buy them. There are always amazing bloggers that do SBD too so another option. It’s an awesome program for diabetics too.
Guacamole ~ totally phase 1 friendly as well as the salsa!
Good luck, Biz! I 100 million % believe in you and your ability to achieve anything you put your mind too.
Danica
It’s funny, because when I told my husband that I won your $75 Wholly Guacamole gift basket – I screamed – we can eat avocados! 😀
I’ll check out your link too – thanks Danica!
This is so interesting that your wrote this post today, as this was almost the exact post I was going to write today. I went to see a Personal Trainer last night – she weighed and measured and she pointed at the BMI and I too was “obese”. I was sitting there thinking… I just ran a freaking marathon two weeks ago and I’m considered “obese”. I am only 5 foot 1 but seriously? I am not going to think too much about that – and I don’t think you should either. We are both obviously making choices to become healthier and be active. And everything I have ever heard about the BMI is not good anyways. So with that, I say keep up the good work – I’m here to cheer you on!! 🙂
Sucks to be short right? Thanks for being my cheerleader!
Hang in there you can do it ! Woohoo! On Nov 1 I had my 1 year CrossFit anniversary, it felt great to make it so far. I have never stuck to a workout program more than 3 months and this lasted a year and I still want to go all the time. You are doing a great job at your excercise and eating healthy!
We are the same height. I have trouble getting below 145 and I hate the fact that I am still considered overweight – even though I wear size 8 pants. What gives? Charts blow.
Just keep trucking downwards and find a good settling point. If you eat well and be active, that is the most important thing. Not a number.
I agree – charts blow – and you are one of the fittest people I know!
I had my obese moment when I looked at my doctor’s chart…
listen… quality of life, Ability to do things, keep up with family and friends, that’s what’s important. Anything else just complicates your wardrobe.
I’ll take an “obese” me as I am now vs the same weight me from a couple years ago.
You know what’s important.
Thanks Dave! 😀
Good luck to you! I’m 5’2″ and 203lbs. I’m way over obese and regardless of the charts being garbage, I don’t want to have my BMI be obese ever again. My goal weight is 120-130.
Jen
Best of luck, Biz – I know you can do it! You have the motivation and the great arsenal of recipes to cook to keep you motivated!!
i think numbers can be overrated! but, they can serve as a great motivator, huh…it’s cool that south beach is working for you so far. i think the key for you is that all your meals are still diverse and unique and look delicious! sometimes people rely on a diet and then eat the same 5 foods over and over, or BORING foods which is the biggest downfall!!!!!!!!!
I hate the BMI. That’s as bad as that weight chart saying everyone has to be a certain weight. You know, God didn’t make us alike why do we have to weigh alike. Oh I know we need to be healthy and all, I don’t have a problem with that but I do with that chart. I’m fat, I’m obese but I can run circles around some of my daycare parents. I work harder and work my hubby into the ground at times and they aren’t fat or obese. Take that little man with the chart. I’m going to try and follow your chart but I’m still not going to like it.
Have a great day and thanks for stopping by. I’m down having my fit now. :o)
God Bless!!
I think the BMI chart is garbage too. I’m 5’3ish and when I weighed 150, I was considered overweight/borderline obese. I felt the best when I weighed 150. I’m also a very curvy girl (and always will be!) and have some muscle to factor in. I don’t think BMI can truly dictate what our weight is “supposed” to be. Eff that!
I’m impressed with how creative you have gotten with your meals and it’s only 3 days in! I can’t wait to see what more you have in store!
You can do it, Biz! (((hug))) I hate that label, too. I try to not let myself get caught up in the scale numbers, but I’ve noticed that I maintain just *below* the “obese” cutoff, and I still eye “normal” with a tinge of longing. Even though, from what I’ve read, BMI charts are suspect; they assume individuals with a sedentary lifestyle, which you and I are not. (A friend sent me this NPR article when I was batting around ideas of “what weight should I go for?” and feeling some despair at attaining BMI normality http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106268439&sc=fb&cc=fp.) I kind of wish doctor’s offices had those body fat percentage devices, because they would tell us so much more than the scale does. I suspect, though, because my waist measurement is >35, I’d still be considered overweight.
Oh, and I totally get this: “I thought my having to be accountable with everything I ate, taking pictures of my food, etc. would almost guilt me into making he right choices.” That was part of my intention with my food blog, but its effectiveness seems to have worn off over time. I’m wondering if perhaps it’s good to change how we manage the food part now and then, sort of like how doing the same exercise without changing things up reduces its effectiveness?
(Meant to say, “health problematically overweight,” with respect to that waist measurement >35. I feel fine where I’m at right now, and my particular health numbers are right on target, but I’m wondering if I’d be even healthier or feel even better at a lower weight.)
Thanks Pubsgal! And I think your right – we need to shake things up a bit 😀
Try not to worry too much about numbers-it’s consume you! Stay strong, stay focusedm stay healthy and you’ll get where you need to be!
I’m on board too! I ran 2 marathons (well jogged and walked) at one of my highest weights of 199! I think just because you are overweight, doesn’t mean you aren’t totally unhealthy.
Think of skinny models who drink coffee and smoke cigarettes all day to stay skinny! There are a bunch of thin people out there who can be just as unhealthy, so I don’t worry about it too much.
I’m with you Biz, we can do it!!
Those BMI calculators are so over-simplified it’s insane! Being healthy and capable is really what matters.
Ahhhhhh I so feel you my friend. Me too – I need to whip my butt and my weight into shape! Let’s be success stores together, okay?
Absolutely!! Thanks for being such a great friend Helen! 😀
Ah biz, I feel your pain.
I am 5’2.5″ (so I round up). The highest healthy weight for my height is 139. Today, I was 138.8. But in early 2002, I was 182. Definitely in the obese category. I’d been over 170 lbs for a few years. And I didn’t *feel* obese either. I trained for and walked a Breast Cancer 3-day walk while obese. I worked out regularly.
But…hiking up the local mountains was really hard. And as I said, you have inspired me to try to lose the 8 lbs I’ve gained since I stopped running 15 miles a week (since June).
While 125 is not realistic for me (well, it is, but my family tells me I start looking old and gaunt), 132 is. The good news is that my blood pressure dropped like a stone. From 130/90 to 108/65, no meds involved before or after. So, it’s worth it!
Keep up the good work!
Biz-don’t totally base your assessment off of BMI. It looks like you have a lot of muscle on that frame, and people with muscle are always skewed on a BMI chart. Not that I’m saying you shouldn’t try to lose weight, but keep up the other healthy habits too!
My personal trainer is constantly telling me that the BMI chart is garbage. Though it is a good guideline, those numbers don’t take muscle mass, body structure, age, or how fit you are into consideration. He is 6′ 4″ without an ounce of fat on him and he is considered “obese” by the BMI chart. If he is obese, then I think we should all strive for obesity!
Happy Hump Day!
It is so strange to be considered obese when you are so fit. I didn’t feel obese when I was either. But having that label really is a wake-up call, isn’t it? I’m glad the SBD is workign out for you. I also notice when I low-carb it that I’m less hungry. You and SB Steve are making me want to try this diet.
I saw you posted your blood sugar – great! What is it supposed to be normally? I know you have to be a numbers person on that!
I have to agree with you on the BMI thing tho’ – if at 5’2 you should be under, around 135 then what the heck am I supposed to weigh at 5’8? With my low sodium diet I am having a hard time gaining weight and hover around 121 -123 lbs. I would be thrilled to put on 10 pounds….but that BMI calculator is telling me I need 20 -25 – where would I put it? I mean if they want my chest and my behind to be augmented – well then sure – slap the weight there, but short of 10 lbs on my arms and legs – I am at a loss for where an additional 10-15 would go. [Perhaps I need bigger hair? I kid, I kid].
I think as long as the important numbers are good – your sugar, cholesterol, etc…and you are exercising – keeping the heart healthy – then why look at a chart that is telling you that you are obese. And I have seen your pics – that is ridiculous! [And where are you hiding this supposed 169 lbs Bizzy? I think your scale is broken or you need to stop wearing that Paula Deen wig when you weigh yourself. heehee]
I think you look great – you have a doctor, you are cooking healthy and exercising. And controlling your diabetes. That is the best thing. So you go girl. And stop reading the BMI chart. It ain’t good for the eyes!
Maybe I should just take my contacts out, then I can’t read the BMI chart! 😀
Thanks Skippy! 😀
Oh, and any blood sugar average below 140 is considered a controlled diabetic 😀
You can do it Biz! 🙂
Thanks for the shout out! Two prizes up for grabs – one CSN gift certificate & one package from me for best flavor!