Hey B, the tulips are great! Of course the rain will deter a few tourists...oh darn We live right in the middle of tulip fields so it can be a crazy time of year.

Do you have a food scale? I use mine to weigh meats, cheese and even a serving of chips. I also use measuring cups/spoons quite a bit. I even bought an extra set of both so I could leave some in certain foods (like cereal, oatmeal, rice, etc).

I agree that adding healthier choices to your menus is a great way to start. That is how I started and I did that for about 8 months and lost 40 pounds. I then got more serious about the exercise and portions. It took me another 16 months to lose the last 43 pounds. My motto this time was "slow and steady wins the race". I have kept it off for over a year now and can't see myself falling off the wagon again.

I try to make a new recipe at least once a week and then there are times I go a few months without trying a new recipe. Just do what is best for you and your hubby.

When I first started I loved going grocery shopping and trying new healthier choices. I find it harder now, but when I do find something new I still get excited! It keeps it fun for me

quote:

Originally posted by B:
In addition, I'm wondering how to go about revamping/overhauling our meals without completely scaring us into failure.

quote:

Originally posted by Bee:
I don't know how much you are eating now but my $.02 would be not to try to cut down on your portion sizes too quickly. Make the changes gradually and cut down a little bit at a time until you get to the right portion size.

I think the tendancy is to try to do everything at once and make sweeping changes. That can be very overwhelming!

Welcome from me too, B! You make a VERY wise comment there about "scaring us into failure." I think that happens with a lot of people. They go "pedal to the metal" in a drastic direction (often without adequate information on what they're doing) and then are disappointed with the results. No wonder!

I wanted to ditto some of the things that Bee said above. I think that, with the way most folks eat, just making small changes will start to show great results. Before I started "officially" eating healthy in July 2003, I thought I had already made some positive changes and was eating healthier on the whole than I had been a decade before. Still, my first blood test after July 2003 was astounding...my cholestrol dropped 69 points! Obviously, I wasn't eating as healthy as I thought prior to July 2003!

Start looking at the things in your meal plans that are the fattiest and make changes in those areas first. For example, if you're drinking whole milk, switch to 2%. If you're drinking 2%, switch to 1%. Some people here have reported mixing different kinds of milk 50/50 to ease their family into the change. If you're deep frying, try baking. If you're eating a lot of beef, increase the chicken and fish.

I was a lifelong veggie hater so a big deal for me was eating more vegetables. There were days before July 2003 when I didn't eat a single vegetable (except maybe a potato!). Even after almost 3 years, it's still a struggle for me to get as many servings of veggies a day as I should have, but I eat SO many more veggies now than I did 3 years ago. And nearly 100% of the veggies I eat are "clean" (i.e., not cooked or served with fat)...raw baby carrots and grape tomatoes, green beans, snow peas or sugar snap peas steamed with or cooked in chicken or vegetable broth, salads with lowfat or fat free dressing, etc.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by B:
In addition, I'm wondering how to go about revamping/overhauling our meals without completely scaring us into failure. Do you just slowly start incorporating Kathleen's recipes over the course of a week? How do you determine portions and calorie limits? QUOTE]

I started by going to www.caloriecontrol.org and putting in my favorite foods and getting the portion sizes from there. www.mypyramid.gov also has a list of serving sizes.

In general, I try to make sure my lean protein is the size of the palm of my hand (or a deck of cards) and that my starch is around 1/2 a cup (what would fit in my cupped hand). I don't worry about portion controlling veggies (unless they have fat on them) and usually load my plate up with them.

I don't know how much you are eating now but my $.02 would be not to try to cut down on your portion sizes too quickly. Make the changes gradually and cut down a little bit at a time until you get to the right portion size.

In terms of foods, I actually started by just making my family's favorite foods but just healthier and in smaller amounts.

I slowly incorporated new recipes/tastes/foods over the course of a year.

I think the tendancy is to try to do everything at once and make sweeping changes. That can be very overwhelming!

Just take it slow and you will get to your goal!

Thank you for the warm welcomes from Kat N. and Bee. It is definitely encouraging me to keep checking the site. I am going to start the journaling tomorrow and hopefully begin a process of improving the eating habits of my husband and myself.
I really want to achieve positive results with this program and want to make sure I am eating correctly. I am wondering how everyone determines proper portion sizes for their meals. It is simple with packaged food that provides nutrition information, but when you are dealing with the actual serving size of cooked food and/or fruits and vegetables it's harder for me. In addition, I'm wondering how to go about revamping/overhauling our meals without completely scaring us into failure. Do you just slowly start incorporating Kathleen's recipes over the course of a week? How do you determine portions and calorie limits? (My husband is interested in losing weight and wanting to improve our eating habits but he probably will not be able to do the journaling portion. At least he's wanting to take part and supports eating changes. I think it will be more convincing when he finds out the food is actually good and it's not adversely changing the quality of our meals.)
I'm sorry to ramble on here. It's nice to be able to connect with people who are also concerned about similar issues and focused on good health practices. I'm so tired of hearing about friends starving and torturing themselves to supposedly receive immediate results. I'm trying not to pressure myself about making this process perfect because as Kathleen says in her books it is a never ending practice. If you hadn't already noticed, I have the tendency to worry about doing things "right."
It was fun to find out about Kat N. being in my little corner of the world. Kat how are the tulips doing right now?
Thanks everyone again for the warm wishes and support. I'm excited to become part of this community. Again I apologize for rambling. I hope I haven't bored anyone. Have a great week!

Welcome B! I noticed you are from Bellingham. We are neighbors..I live in Mount Vernon

I think you should start eating healthier now..don't wait until the exercise can take place. Many people start with the eating healthier and exercise comes when they are ready. You will have success by changing your eating habits.

Read Kathleen's books and it will inspire you. Try some new recipes, choose a small goal, check out the daily homeworks and join in (don't be afraid of us...we are a nice group, make your next meal a little healthier.

Let us know how it goes and good luck on the recovery.

quote:

Originally posted by B:
So I'm brand new to the list serve forum world. I'm actually kind of nervous about writing something and sending it to an unknown number of people in cyber space. It's kind of the new kid feeling all over again.
I have the first Cooking Thin book and was very inspired by Kathleen's forward. I have purchased the second Cooking Thin book and 52 week journal, but have not had the opportunity to read them yet. Unfortunately I am currently recovering from a back injury so I am not able to jump and get on the treadmill right away. I am wondering if I should wait until my back is better or if I should just start with the 52 week eating plan. I guess I'm just wondering if any of you have any advice on the best way to start this new journey. I am really excited but somewhat nervous. I don't want this to be just another thing to try, I want it to work.
Good luck to you all. It looks like you have some interesting and informative posts.

Welcome to you B!

I certainly don't think you need to wait to start eating healthy. The exercise piece can come when you are able.

Just pick a couple of small changes to make in your diet and start there.

PS I hope you have a very smooth recovery from your surgery!

So I'm brand new to the list serve forum world. I'm actually kind of nervous about writing something and sending it to an unknown number of people in cyber space. It's kind of the new kid feeling all over again.
I have the first Cooking Thin book and was very inspired by Kathleen's forward. I have purchased the second Cooking Thin book and 52 week journal, but have not had the opportunity to read them yet. Unfortunately I am currently recovering from a back injury so I am not able to jump and get on the treadmill right away. I am wondering if I should wait until my back is better or if I should just start with the 52 week eating plan. I guess I'm just wondering if any of you have any advice on the best way to start this new journey. I am really excited but somewhat nervous. I don't want this to be just another thing to try, I want it to work.
Good luck to you all. It looks like you have some interesting and informative posts.

I really had not been keeping up with the daybook. My husband and I both want to journal every night so I asked him if we could do it together. We tried it for the first time last night -- it was nice.

I started Bob Greene's "12-week Body Makeover" yesterday. This book does not recommend a specific diet plan other than some big guidelines, so I think that between the increased activity and "eating KD style" I could have a good weight-loss plan. I need a jumpstart into my summer tri training. The weight training in the book is basic stuff but enough that I will see some results -- I'm sore today.

I found the Body Makeover book on sale at Krogers for 25% off and I always liked "Make the Connection," so I thought it was a good way to kickstart.

I defend my dissertation proposal May 3. That is all going well, but I'm having some frustrations on other fronts, especially with my work situation. I am waiting for an important phone call/message and it just won't come....

So this is week 1.... I made 3 of the recipes through out the book. I need to have ready made dinners so that I can take some for lunch and have a better plan for my day. AND I snacked on all of them while making them, and so no need to eat dinner tonight!! I made the mushroom stew, summer squash - basil - parmesan fritatta, and the really yummy corn, black bean, avocado, tomatoe salad (can't think of the title for some reason...)
So I am looking forward to starting my week off on the right foot.

You can put me in that category, too. Been doing a lot of lurking lately -- no time to post and not much to contribute anyway. I have been keeping up with my daybook entries, but I'm writing stuff in the "What I Wish I Hadn't" box way too often!

quote:

Originally posted by patty-mom/of/3:
I'm kinda guilty lately too. I have been reading but not replying.

(sigh) This seems like a real epidemic around here lately. No wonder it's so quiet.

P.S. It's great to see you posting!

Jen,

I agree . I'm kinda guilty lately too. I have been reading but not replying. Eating cookies have been my downfall lately and the scale proved it today . But on a postive my home gym is finished and even my dh is on the treadmill atleast 2 days a week a BIG baby step for him and bigger insentive for me not to slack. Weekly check-ins on fridays work for me though.

ttfn
Patty

I'd love to see this thread pick up some momentum again. Maybe we could have a weekly check-in on Fridays?

My last week was just OK -- I ate out more than I should have and made some bad choices (like a snack of Doritos and Oreos from the office store -- probably the worst choice I have made in a long time, foodwise.

On the upside, I have been getting my workouts in and have been seeing some results from that.

Hi all !!! I bought the book today and haven't been able to put it down...... !!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't wait to join you on this interesting adventure!

quote:

Originally posted by Terri:
I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and each other, and I look forward to us getting reaquainted. Take care everyone..keep smiling!!

Good to see you, Terri! Glad you're feeling (and looking) terrific!

quote:

Originally posted by kd:
I see I've made a GRAVE error in the Daybook. Give yourself a grade was not supposed to encourage us to beat ourselves up. So from now on - GIVE YOURSELF A GRADE means - add up all the new, great and wonderful stuff you've done this week - smiles to strangers, 2 minutes longer on your walk, biting your tongue at a cranky salesperson, throwing yourself in front of a moving train for a stranger (i joke and digress) but you know what I mean and THEN give yourself a grade. I want to see A's! A plus, A plus, plus, A or A minus plus. That's it. No more bad grades. There's only one way to look at this journey - the glass IS half full

Here it is, it was way down on page 4!

quote:

Originally posted by Angela F:
Ok, it is a do over week for me too. I'm finally over the bug that has been going around and since last week was a waste for me, I'm going to do week 3 over.

We get do overs here???!!! How wonderful, never occurred to me. Can I have last Saturday back please

I'm on Week 5, coming up with brilliant "next week I'm going to. . ." replies that I then ignore. But the worst grade I've given myself is a "C" so I guess I should give myself credit for that.

Hi guys...I miss you all!! I've had no time to do much online as I've been working, then going to the gym, come home, shower...cook and pass out!! Weekends are more fun, but I cook for my man, and we spend time together, again no time.

However, now the job I was at has ended (I was there representing a temp agency)..so I will have more time to be online.

I feel amazing. Something funny happenned to me today...I went to the store to buy clothes...ok..I'm in a size smaller..that's aweseome (the working out is working!!). HOwever, the funny thing...I bought my undies in my old size...UGH...what was I thinking?? LOL. And you can't return them!! Sooo...kind of funny, but in a really good way. Hey..at least they weren't too small right??

I'll be online more often now, and I plan to go get the daybook as well! Hope I can find it here, but I'm sure it's somewhere.

I hope you all are taking care of yourselves and each other, and I look forward to us getting reaquainted. Take care everyone..keep smiling!!

I know diets don't work because that is what has gotten me to this point in the first place. With every diet I went on I gained the weight back, plus, so now I need to lose about 100 lbs. I have Kathleen's journal and plan to begin eating healthy and being responsible for what I do. I appreciate her approach and look forward to finally taking control of my health. I also look forward to reading everyone elses triumphs and struggles so you can help me along my way. Keep you posted!

quote:

Originally posted by teacheragz:
I just found this website and am very excited! I was huge fan when Kathleen was on Food Network. Hod do I get started with this Cooking Thing Fit Club?

Lots of different ways -- you can join in any of the discussions on this board, try our Homework assignments, discuss your struggles. You might want to browse the Member Introductions and add your own.

There is also a Cooking Thin Daybook (advertised on the home page) that has its own tips and assignments and ideas. This particular part of the forum was created for us to discuss that daybook.

Welcome and enjoy!