However, one of the most daunting tasks that has plagued me ever since I started this journey over a year and half ago was the fact that I really don't know how to cook that many meals (especially not nurtitious ones!) nor do I really care to know how- and although I've had to put my big girl pants on and learn how to cook veggies and implement new recipes, I can say that it is possible to lose weight, eat in a healthy way, and not turn into a wannabe-gourmet chef. Please hear me, if clean eating/cooking is your passion and you wouldn't dare consider eating a frozen dinner, MORE POWER TO YOU- but, that's not me and although I knew I would have to step outside of my comfort zone so that my diet didn't consist of all things white, fried, and buttery, I'm losing weight by eating in a way that is nutritious, yet realistic for MY lifestyle which (SHOCKER) often includes eating:
- Healthy Choice Meals
- Drinking Diet Soda
- Putting Creamer in my Coffee
- Enjoying SmartOnes Desserts
Maybe it's silly but for awhile I've been ashamed to admit that I still make those choices a regular part of my diet- as if I ever ate something with preservatives in it the weight would just never leave. I knew from the beginning that what I ate was going to have to change in a MAJOR way (and it HAS!) but I continue to choose my battles according to my priorities and I know that for me, monitoring my daily calorie/carb/fat intake is just what's most important in this journey right now. Ahhh- maybe no one else struggles with having no desire to cook or kick all things preserved/frozen out of their lives and feels guilty about it- but I just needed to get that off my chest and encourage anyone that feels overwhelmed by cooking and what seems to feel like an obligation to become an organic/clean eating/vegan chef/eater that IT'S OKAY, you can still lose weight if you monitor your calories/carbs/fat, keep a strict food journal, and are honest with yourself.
Ok, venting sesh over :)
And because I can be cooking challenged, one of the reasons I enjoy reading blogs is to get healthy meal ideas from other bloggers- I love seeing what you're eating and creating- so I figured I would share what my eats have been this week (yes, I pretty much eat the same thing everyday, for one week- it's what works for me!)- and you've already been warned that none of it is very culinarily impressive :)
Dinner one night was this yummy salad! (Consisting of: romaine, spring mix, Trader Joe's reduced fat shaved parmesan, slivered almonds, and TJ's cranberry garganzola dressing (LUV!)
Lunch for this week was a new recipe I tried (pat on the back for me!); chicken fried rice! It consisted of: minute brown rice, egg whites, white meat from a rotisserie chicken, 1 bag of mixed veggie steamers, lots of garlic and garlic powder, and lite sodium soy sauce. 280 calories for a 1 1/4 cup serving! Here's an up close shot:
Nothing super fancy, but I was definitely impressed with myself and it was YUMMY. Next time I plan on trying to make a Vietnamese version with Jasmine rice and coconut milk.
This was one of my snacks this week (I usually eat 2 per day); Trader Joes pretzel slims (23 for 110 calories), with a serving of TJ's garlic hummus. Yum!
My dinner from last night: Lean Cuisine 4 cheese frozen pizza (with some mushrooms I added) and a diet Arizona green tea.
I've just gotta keep it simple. Right now I'm staying within a 1500 calorie budget and plan to move it down to 1400 by the end of September. So, what about you guys- have any of you struggled with not caring to learn to cook or just not having the experience? Are frozen meals still a part of your diet? Psst- there's no shame if you have totally kicked them out either!
Alright- that's all for me today! Hope everyone is kicking butt! Oh- and if you haven't gotten a chance to check out my Israel Blog Site- please do! Especially because the rest of the MULA is due today and I still have a wayyyyyyys to go! :) You can visit it at: www.youcansend.me/tiffanyhendrix
Peace out ya'll!
Girl, I am so cooking impaired. I stick to raw veggies...green salad ALOT. I eat the basic same things every day for breakfast and lunch, and then eat what my family eats for dinner but in a smaller portion. I had meatloaf and pasta for dinner last night. I hate the chopping and sauteeing and all that goes with good cooking. Give me basics. Congrats on 121. I'm almost to 70. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog. My new year resolution this year was to get healthy. In 8 months I have changed my eating habits and I have added exercise 5x a week to my routine. I've lost 45 pounds (slowly) but it has stayed off.
ReplyDeleteYou are such an inspiration (probably more than you know) to others. I am super impressed because I know how hard it is to stay on track.
Good for you Tiffany. Keep up the great, fantastic, super, phenomenal work.
I'm not a great cook and admittedly rely on my hubby for his healthy meal cooking ability! I DO eat some frozen meals but after doing LA Weight Loss for a while I learned which ones are "better" choices and which ones are not, so when I buy them I choose those "better" meals and limit them to 2 times per week. The sodium in those things is killer and my body knows this! But I don't have an issue whatsoever is that is how someone else chooses to eat. If it works for you DO IT! :) You're doing amazing! Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I've started taking Healthy Choice meals for lunch again and was so SURPRISED at how good they taste now AND that they have ones that say "All Natural & No Preservatives!" So, I see no shame in taking them for lunch now! I'm gonna start stocking up on them when they go on sale now, because they're so darn good, easy, and low calorie!
ReplyDeleteYou'll get no criticism from me! Over the 17 months I was losing weight, I think I cooked 4 times. :) I cook more now, but it's an evolving thing. When I don't want to cook, I find something that meets my nutritional goals. Good for YOU for figuring out what works for you. You just cant argue with success! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't eat frozen meals but I do eat frozen vegetables and things like that. I am slowly starting to make more meals for myself (especially since I was able to buy a real cookware set). And I love to cook, so it'll be funny trying newer, healthier recipes. All I gotta say is baby steps. Cooking can be a lot of fun, just start out easy. :)
ReplyDeleteI have a family to cook for so naturally I have learned to enjoy cooking. Girl, do what you have to. It impresses me that you have figured out what really works for you. I love the ideas you shared. Thank you! Inspired my post for Wifey Wednesday next week! Thanks. Have a fun weekend. www.startingat500pounds.com
ReplyDeleteGirl, I am so glad you shared that - it can be so encouraging to those who are a bit overwhelmed. Eating clean is AWESOME, i'm sure, but it is way too unrealistic for me to eat like that all the time. I have been scared to mention that i drink coffee on my blog (though i mention it anyway & nobody has made a comment about it), but for every article about how it's bad for you, there's another one saying it's good for you! & the creamer i use is not high in carbs, which is the main thing i have to watch (b/c of insulin resistance). I agree w/ you that it's mainly about what you EAT. I didn't lose weight all that time b/c - even though i was exercising 4-5 days a week & eating healthy by most standards - i was not watching carbs/sugar (b/c i didn't know i was insulin resistant) & that is what i needed to be watching!
ReplyDeleteAnyway... i did quit diet soda in January but will still have one RARELY - maybe once every 2-3 months. I am glad to be on water now. I don't have frozen dinners often, but sometimes i do. It just depends. Main thing for me is tracking everything i eat, & watching my carbs/calories!
You go girl! 121 down!!!! YES! :)
You gotta do what you gotta do...and what you're doing works! Keep it up sista!
ReplyDeleteI love this post. It shows that you don't have to do things "perfectly" in order to still see success, or reap the benefits of even making small changes. I don't think anyone has to eat clean, green, vegan, or organic just to see positive changes, however I do think that eating cleaner is just as good to strive towards as adding more exercise in for someone who didn't use to exercise at all. kwim? So while I strive to eat clean, and get in regular exercise, I refuse to deny myself of the things that I love, or the things that make it easier for me to stay in control. It's an individual thing, and each person needs to just do the best of what they can for themselves and you obviously have been doing a great job of this!!! You look amazing, keep up the great work!
ReplyDeletehiya -- just stumbled upon your blog and in a word -- wow!]
ReplyDeleteyou are just amazing and i loveeee your honesty because most of us dont make elaborate meals -- even those of us who like to cook. who the heck has the time even?
anywho -- just wanted to say hi!
♥cyn♥
misadventures of a chunky goddess
I so know what you are talking about. I am not much of a cooking person myself. For me cooking frequently during the week is problematic due to time issues. After work I basically don't feel like cooking. This weekend I actually had scrambled eggs for the first time ever. ;)
ReplyDeleteI am getting there slowly. It's good to actually read a blog like yours. Someone who I can identify with, when it comes to cooking, or not cooking Thank you for that. ;)