Revolving Diet

Morning Motivation...

Morning Motivation...

Summary of the Potato Diet

I have to start off by saying I would definitely stick out the Potato Diet longer than a week.  

I love potatoes every which way, but especially mashed.  Over the years I have tried pretty much every potato except for purple/blue potatoes and sweet potatoes.  I was unable to find the purple/blue potatoes ...but the sweet potatoes were definitely a plus to this diet!  That probably sounded pretty bizarre that I have never had them before, but that natural sweet nutty flavor gave this diet an extra boost!  Having all the potatoes in pretty much their natural state (no milk, cheese or gravies) - I found that having them primarily plain , they were just as good.  It could be that my taste buds adjusted away from the added fat I am used to having with my potatoes, but adding spices made them enjoyable.

 

Potatoes offer so much.  Not only the vitamins and all the healthy stuff, they offer convenience ...Forgot lunch?  Drive through Wendy's for a ready prepared one, or your local grocery store and nuke in microwave. They are fairly inexpensive, there are endless recipe opportunities, most diners and restaurants have some type of potato on the menu and then there is the quick decision making in what you are going to have for a meal...potatoes.  A super big plus - - they are filling!

 I was unable to eat all the potatoes I should have and my calorie intake was much lower than it should of been - but I was NOT hungry. 

I liked this diet.  I know it's not a regular diet that includes all the recommended basics, but it provided filling meals, I was more than satisfied by mixing it up and I am no worse for wear after the week.

 I am however not going to give up my favorite mashed potatoes with cream and butter at Thanksgiving (or sooner)...but I might just add a sweet potato to the mix more often!

 

**** DO NOT DO ANY DIET WITHOUT TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR FIRST ****

 

Day 45.2 ~ 3/6/11

Hi everyone!  Happpy Sunday...

No exercise today ....just not feeling it today. I really should of after my bacon derailment this morning!

Innocent mistake (REALLY)...making breakfast for hubby and baked the maple honey bacon in oven...the house smelled amazing.  I took cooked bacon out of oven and in the process of making him a plate I ate 2 slices.  GUILT IMMEDIATELY!  This was NOT a potato or anything near a potato...BUT IT WAS SO GOOD!

 I got right back to potatoes.......

Today's Meals

Breakfast: 2 slices honey maple bacon

Lunch: (3) Sweet & (3) Regular oven baked potato chips (they were so good yesterday)

Dinner: (2)  Boiled, cubed mashed potatoes (1) sprinkled with Franks Red Hot Buffalo wing sauce, (1) with salt pepper & lemon

I had really wanted to make the Potato Hummus yesterday (worse case today) but I could not locate Tahini (a component of the hummus) in two different grocery stores....I've included recipe below just in case anyone is interested, I can't remember where I got this recipe (off internet) if I find later I'll add link.

I found the baked potato chips easier to eat - just like snacking - I ate (6) potatoes between 11:30 am and 4:30pm....

Potato Hummus

1 pound potatoes (3 medium), peeled
    and cut into 1-inch cubes
4 large cloves garlic
1/2 to 3/4 cup roasted sesame tahini (available
    in natural food and Middle Eastern stores)
1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
Approximately 2/3 cup water
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Red, green and yellow bell pepper strips
Pita bread, cut into wedges

In a heavy saucepan with a tight-fitting lid, cook the potatoes and garlic in 2 inches of salted boiling water until tender, approximately 15 minutes.

Drain thoroughly and pass through a ricer or food mill into a bowl. Add the tahini, lemon juice and oil and blend thoroughly. Gradually stir in the water until the mixture is the proper consistency for dipping. Add the cumin and cayenne, then season with salt.

Serve with pepper strips and wedges of pita bread.

I hope your day was RELAXING and you are ready for a new week!

Have a super night and a wonderful tomorrow!!

Life has no limitations, except the ones you make.

 

Day 44.2 ~ 3/6/11

Yep...you saw it - I FINALLY hit 50 pounds!  Doing a Different Diet weekly has given me slow steady results without boredom of one diet.  I hope I can hang onto this milestone and get past it - it's been a long time coming!  Upcoming vacations, business trips, etc....are all on the horizon.  If I can get through these types of obstacles/weeks with staying the same (losing more always better....I still have a lot to go!!).......... I will be a happy camper!

 

No exercise today, runnnig errands took up the majority of my day.  I did however make oven baked potato chips (sweet & russet potatoes used), recipe below.

Today's Meals

Breakfast:  (3) Sweet Potatoes, boiled and mashed, srinkled with cinnamon and a pinch of salt

Lunch: (2) Potatoes boiled & mashed then added garlic,parsley and 2 tablespoons chopped carmelized onions*

Dinner: (1) Russet Potato, (1-1/2) Sweet potato chips (oven baked), sea salt & pepper

* Just a note on my carmelized onions, I use sweet onions only, no added sugar or oil.  I just sautee them until they carmelized on their own

I had actually made (4) baked potato chips (2) russet & (2) sweet....hubby dove in for some.....

 

 Baked Potato Chips Recipe 

Cooking oil spray, preferably canola

2 medium russet or Yukon gold potatoes, about 1 pound total, scrubbed

Salt to taste

Preheat oven to 375° F. Line two large baking sheets with foil. Spray lightly with oil, then use a paper towel to spread it all over the bottom and remove any excess. Slice the potatoes crosswise, about 1/8-inch thick. Place on the baking sheets in one layer. Spray the tops lightly with the oil. Pat off any excess with a paper towel. Place in oven on two racks and bake, switching racks halfway through, until brown and crispy, about 30 minutes.

Gently remove the chips from the pans and place on paper towels. Add salt while still warm. Chips can be served immediately.  Leftovers (if there are any) stay crispy if wrapped loosely in foil and stored in the refrigerator. Bring them back to room temperature before serving.

(Some of the slices may brown more quickly than others. If that happens, just remove them and continue baking the others.)

I had made and threw out my first batch of chips as they burned and stuck to foil,,,I switched to non-stick aluminum foil  and had no problems other than some slightly burnd edges....they were good (healthy and no perservatives or additives)...hubby thought too much work - wanted me to go out and just buy a bag of chips...for the record not alot of work, you just have to keep an eye on them and not slice them too thin.

I am looking to change things up over the coming weeks.  I have been looking into a couple of diets that in my opinion would need at the minimum two weeks to see if they are successful....I am still reading about hem - so as I find out more I will keep you up to date on if/when/how.....

Have a GREAT night!!

The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire, the size of your dream and how you handle disappointment along  the way.

Day 43.2 ~ 3/4/11

Let's start today with questions for you....

Have you been keeping up your own exercise program?  What about your diet (or healthy eating)?  Are you cheating a little or a lot?  Are you using helpful tips you picked up here or on another website daily?  Are you keeping away from people or obstacles that sabotage your diet? Have you found some new ideas that you thought you would look into and just put aside for when you had time?

Look at how far you have come.  Are you feeling good about it?  Is there something you could change to motivate yourself more, have more confidence in yourself or just flat out get yourself refocused (if you are in the middle of a lapse)?

If you made the first step – you know you got the biggest obstacle out of the way.  If you slowed down or sort of lost interest (it’s too hard, the weight isn’t coming off fast enough, just hate to diet)….and you still want to look good….start pulling out some summer clothes you haven’t been able to get into and select 2-5 items and try them on EVERYDAY…nothing will get you motivated faster!

Getting Motivated in the beginning is easy - - it's the 2nd, 3rd ,4th,  5th, 6th  plus months after that can start to bring you down....I am here to remind you (and me) .....

The First Day of Spring is March 20th - In 16 Days...

Memorial Day (Start to summer kick-off) - Only 12 weeks away....

You  (and me) Healthier - -Little by Little EVERYDAY!!!!

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: (2) boiled, cubed and mixed with carmelized onions with a little balsamic vinegar and salt & pepper

Lunch: Wendy's - my baked potato savior!  (2) baked with salt & pepper

Dinner: (2) Sweet Potato Fries (yesterday's recipe)....YUMMY!! (a little more lemon juice and a little less cumin - next time)

Picture of Sweet Potato Fries BEFORE Baking:

Picture of Fries AFTER Baking:

Not much different from Before Picture....the seasonings were good, they took longer to cook than directions in yesterdays recipe - like 30 minutes longer.  But the flavor is pretty good.  Not sure if I would make them again.....tomorrow I am going to try Potato Hummus - will post recipe & picture tomorrow

Another good day (always good when I get exercise in) - slightly bloated feeling (still have period and my potato only consumption may have something to do with it)....

BUT IT IS FRIDAY!! Another work week done and hopefully a productive (keep my mind off food) weekend!  The plan is to do a couple of small home fixes that have sat too long

Have a SPLENDID Night and a Bright and Sunny Saturday!!

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.

Day 42.2 ~ 3/3/11

Last night I was pleasantly surprised by the sweet potato.  I had never had them before. Anytime I have seen them it’s around Thanksgiving and they were baked with brown sugar and marshmallows and cinnamon – I always blew them off for the mashed potatoes….NEVER AGAIN!  They are great, I am including them daily from now (except tonight) on during this diet!  I can not believe how mildly sweet they are and all I did was bake (microwave) and a pinch of salt & pepper (didn’t need).  Found a recipe I am going to try tomorrow (including it below)

Breakfast: (2) potatoes - potato pancakes/knishes

Lunch: (2) Wendy’s Baked Potatoes with salt & pepper (worked out great yesterday…drive thru & eat )

Dinner:  French Fries (1 tablespoon ketchup) and a side of mashed potatoes (no butter, only salt & pepper)

Having a Wendy’s nearby is really working out well (it’s all about the convenience) – all I have to do bring my bottled water and I am good! 

Tonight I had dinner with dad and his girlfriend – had to go with French fries and a side of mashed.  No baked potatoes on menu.  Skipped the butter.

Another good day overall – I am feeling good since I am back on a regular exercise schedule – this milder weather has helped getting me back on track.

 Savory Sweet Potatoes Recipe

 Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes (peeled, cut into French fries, rinsed and dried)
1 tablespoon rosemary (minced)
1 tablespoon tarragon (minced)
1 tablespoon parsley (minced)
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon lemon juice
salt, to taste
freshly ground pepper, to taste

Preparation:
1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Cut into french fries, toss the potatoes together with all other ingredients to coat.
3. Place on a sprayed baking sheet.
4. Bake for about 20-25 minutes (or until golden and crispy).

 Have a TERRIFIC NIGHT!!!

I am not discouraged because every wrong attempt discarded is a step forward.

Day 41.2 ~ 3/2/11

Blood sugar creeped up a little – 97 – but still not bad.  Outside again today for a half hour walk – INVIGORATING!  Walking outside makes me feel like I get a better workout than on the tread climber, I think it’s just the fact of breathing in fresh air.

Breakfast: (2) potatoes - potato pancakes (I made last night) – more like knishes…

Lunch: (2) Wendy’s Baked Potatoes (convenient) with salt & pepper and a squeeze of lemon on both (brought my own)

Dinner: (2) Baked Sweet Potatoes, salt , pepper...OMG!!!  I have never had a sweet potato before (totally true)  - these were AWESOME!!! 

Another good day – but still not able to get past 7 potatoes.  They really are filling.  I was reading more info on The Potato Diet Blog and found that Chris Voigt had trouble eating the 20 potatoes in the beginning.

While gettng ready for work this morning I looked at the abundance of clothing to choose from and why I always seem to wear a good portion of the same things over and over.  Then taking that further how did I go from a smaller size to a larger, then larger, then larger, then larger....size? (My mind wanders in the morning - it's a wonder I get to work at all)

My guess (and I hope you are there with me) is when I first started to gain weight and went shopping trying on new clothes and them feeling snugger wasn't my fault.  They just started cutting the clothes differently or a new designer. Finally finding something that fit (next size or two up) and then the next shopping experience, looking for the same maker of the last, let say dress pants, and finding they were tight.  Proceeding to try on every pair of pants in the now larger size and them being too small.  Asking myself if it's possible that they are cutting clothes smaller (again)?  It took three shopping visits to convince me that "it's not them, it's me" that needs to change things up or I'll be seeing even larger sizes.  

So now I have a closet (and several storage containers) of clothing from size 8 up through 16 (now loose).  It was through to 18W (18 Women - or as I like to say 18 WIDE), which since losing some weight, I have been able to donate or throw out.  I know it's frustrating.  I ask myself why was I such an idiot - maybe instead of clothes shopping - I should of tried on a bathing suit and scare myself straight back then.  I got lazy and did not believe I had let myself go.  Denial was my friend.

The weekly diets will continue - I am losing slowly - but I am losing and have variety.

I hope your day went well and if you found yourself in a similar situation as I described above - you are not alone.  Just be happy you recognized it and are doing something to make yourself healthier!

Have an AWESOME night!!!

 The only way to find the limits of the possible is by going beyond them to the impossible.

 

Day 40.2 ~ 3/1/11

 I am finishing  up the last three days worth of the Mulberry Zuccharin supplements(10 day supply in a box).  I thought I might as well since I am eating more carbs with the potatoes and I was surprised when this mornings blood sugar was 93.  That's after a day of potatoes!

I walked outside today - got 1/2 hour in and it felt great!  The sun shining and warming me while I pushed myself to feel good & healthy!

 
 Potato Diet going pretty good.  Above is a picture of (3) potatoes - oven baked with olive oil, rosemary & sea salt...YUMMY!  Of course I made this for me and chicken cutlets (for hubby)and he liked the couple of fries I shared with him.

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 2 Boiled & cubed potatoes with salt, pepper and a couple of drops of tabasco

Lunch:  2 baked potatoes, salt, pepper and a squeeze of lemon

Dinner:  3 rosemary baked french fries, fresh brewed ice tea

Again a lot of water - no cal & low cal beverages okay .

Below picture is my version of potato pancakes via Potato Diet (no egg, bread crumbs, oil) - 2 potatoes cubed, boiled and mashed, added parsley, garlic powder, salt & pepper - cooked in non stick pan with 1 tablespoon buttter - I made (2) batches of these (total 4 potatoes) this is prep work for tomorrrows breakfast/lunch meals.

 

 Only got (7) potatoes in...I can not believe how full I am.  I can not fit another bite in(even if it was chocolate cake) and today I got my period...you would think I would jump at the chance!  But I am not even craving that type of carbs (Mulberry Zuccahrin at work??) 

Variety is definately going to get me through this week. 

I hope you are feeling ENERGIZED and and your program is going well!  If you set up goals for yourself - - Do not over extend yourself, you do not want to get discouraged.  Settting unrealistic goals will only make you give up...taking small steps (believe me I know I want to get there fast too) but you & I are going to reach our goals...we are in it together!

Have a GREAT NIGHT!!

 With every mistake and every disappointment, to keep moving forward isthe hardest thing in life.  We will fall and stumble a thousand times...But life doesn't stop ...Just pick up and try again.

Day 39.2 ~ 2/28/11

Potatoes.  It's going to be a LOOOOOOOOOONG Week!

The first day was rough.  Potatoes are filling!!  I had figured in order to get to at least 1,600 calories I need to eat 14-15 potatoes (medium sized each at 5.3 ounces).  The picture I took of the potatoes (within the Potato Diet outline -right side bar) each of those potatoes weighed between 13.8 oz - and 1 pound 2 oz - total weight 64.5 oz  - My 4 potatoes weighed as much as 12 average potatoes. I only ate 3 of those big potatoes (approximately 9 average potatoes)

Breakfast:  1 boiled and cubed potato seasoned with 1 tablespoon olive oil and italian seasonings

Lunch:  1 baked (microwaved) potato, salt & pepper and 2 tablespoons light sour cream

Snack: Small bag Lays Potato Chips (only oil & salt...no preservatives, tried to keep it more natural)

Dinner: 1 baked (again microwaved) potato - cut up and tossed with A pinch of Goya season salt, pepper 1 tablespoon butter.

What you may or may not know about Complex Carbohydrates (Yeah, Potato!)

Potatoes are Complex Carbohydrates.  

Complex carbohydrates, are made mostly of long strands of simple sugars. They are found in grains, fruits, legumes (peas and beans), and other vegetables. Complex carbohydrates include three types of dietary fiber - cellulose, hemicellulose and gums and starches.

All starches are plant materials. Cereal grains, like wheat, rice and corn, are rich sources of starch, constituting a large part of the world's food supply, generally in the form of breads, pastas, potatoes and legumes.

Starchy foods, usually avoided by dieters as fattening, are actually a good source of energy for those who want to lose weight. Many people think that starchy foods such as bread, potatoes and pasta are high in calories. They aren't - until the bread is thickly buttered, the potatoes generously topped with sour cream, and the macaroni mixed with cream and cheese sauce. Starches (and proteins) provide only four calories per gram, while fat provides nine calories per gram. Without the toppings, or with only moderate amounts, complex carbohydrate foods can be less fattening than animal-protein foods that naturally contain fat.

Researchers have found a diet high in carbohydrates just may be more slimming than a diet of comparable calories that is high in fat. Research has also suggested that altering the composition of the diet in favor of a higher carbohydrate-to-fat ratio may decrease the incidence of obesity. The researchers also found that when test subjects  switched to a diet high in complex carbohydrates, they became full more quickly and unconsciously decreased their caloric intake.

I drank a ton of water today to help wash down the potatoes.  I am full.  The secret to keeping on this diet is going to be mixing up flavors and seasonings.  I have looked over some of the recipes from the original potato diet and will be trying to mix it up with them.

This will be a challenge - but I think fun at the same time.  I have to keep trying different to see what works and what doesn't.

Making changes in diet, exercising more and getting out of those heavy winter coats and sweaters  as the weather gets warmer helps me to keep motivated and I hope it does for you too!  We had a teaser last week and this coming week it looks like we might have a few more nice days - GET MOVING!! and KEEP MOVING!  It's the only way to feel good and get healthy!!

I hope your Monday went well and you are MOTIVATED!!!

Have a WONDERFUL NIGHT!!!

 Whatever it is you're trying to accomplish...Love Life. Do Good. Live Well.