Log: Day 21
Hope you’re all having a good weekend. Here it is, a lovely spring Sunday, and we’re headed to the theatre and then out to dinner. A special treat – we’re going to Elway’s for dinner. The good news about this is that I can stick to the parameters of my diet without much problem. As it happens, steak is on my dinner menu today – a good steak and a large salad will do the trick. If they have a vegetable that is prepared without butter, I can add that, too – usually grilled asparagus. Anyway, I’ll let you know how that goes.
You’ve probably noticed that the diet is seriously salad heavy – having salad for both lunch and dinner on most days. As I’ve told you before, I do love my greens. The diet offers a salad “recipe” (who doesn’t know how to make salad?). I think the point is the amount of greens. I don’t usually add the spinach; not that I mind spinach, it just depends on what’s available. What I discovered in the early going of this diet is that it doesn’t really help to use this recipe. The lettuce doesn’t stay fresh for very long and you can’t actually store it with the tomato already in it. Here it is:
Salad 4 cups = 1 serving
1 head romaine lettuce, cleaned and chopped
1 bunch fresh spinach leaves, cleaned and chopped
2 bunches scallions, chopped
4 stalks celery, chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
1 green pepper, seeded and chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 bunch parsley, chopped
Combine all ingredients, store in fridge.
Anyway, I’m all about making this as easy as possible, so I do use bagged lettuce. I especially like the chopped variety. I don’t often add spinach, although that wasn’t a conscious decision. We just don’t always buy spinach. I generally do add carrots, snap peas, celery, and tomato, and the smallest amount of vinegar and oil. It works.
So what’s next?
Forgetting about all the diet “shoulds,” I’m going to focus on how much better life will be when my body is as functional, mobile, and healthy as it can possibly be.
I’ve noticed in the stories of people who have lost a great deal of weight that they often focus on small blessings and achievements – being able to walk up stairs, or play with their kids, or having more energy. So, today I am going to celebrate that I’ve averaged more than 2500 steps for the past four days.
Real, lasting changes in diet and lifestyle require a wholesale change in attitude. And I think that includes looking for incremental changes in the right direction. In looking for immediate improvements in quality of life, I’m seeing that I am definitely moving more, and on some nights I’m actually sleeping better.
Losing weight isn’t magic. My life is still my life. My aches and pains are still here. I’m hoping with a healthy amount of body fat, my life will become a little bit easier and better. Maybe I’ll be a little more functional and mobile. So when I talk about fat, I’m not telling you (or myself) how to feel about me. I’m going to try to keep the focus on positive changes I hope to see.
Follow up: Fabulous dinner at Elway’s. One small cheat – baguette. All-in-all a great day
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