The Scale, The Inches, & Chocolate Cake

At the start of 2011 I weighed in at 180lbs. Last time I weighed myself I was down to 140lbs. I'd like to lose more weight but more and more that number is meaning less and less to me.

I recently put my scale out in the garage so that I would stop compulsively standing on it, sometimes 10X in a row! Then last night as I was buying some groceries I kinda cringed when I saw the total...

I continued to think about this on my 15minute drive home and it kinda hit me...this isn't a race. This is a life long commitment to my health. This is a life style that I need to live and love. So my groceries are a little more expensive but I'm happier and I'm healthier. Plus b/c I workout on a regular basis, I'm stronger and more energetic!

Think about this:

Eating healthy is expensive and time consuming
Exercise can be expensive and time consuming...

HOWEVER

Depression is like a slow death and treatment is EXPENSIVE
A heart attack or stroke could cost you your life
Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and various other weight related ailments are costly

I think a little time and cost on preventative measures is way better than the alternative

You choose: LIVE and I mean actively LIVE your life or slowly die a little more every day from poor decisions

Good points.. but I want to throw out there.. before I changed my eating habits my grocery bill was nearly 500 dollars a month, now I am down to 250-300 a month (roughly) so really eating healthy isn't that much more expensive. But I also coupon, and watch for sales/instore deals which makes a HUGE difference in the grocery bill.

I have to say that you have done a remarkable job this year and you look fantastic (especially the huge smile) I totally agree with you that while it may be a little more expensive up front it is definitely worth it in the long run!

I think the groceries are more expensive, but I eat out much less....so I think it works out to about the same. But even if it is more I agree it is well worth it!! Let me add that I would rather spend a lot on good running shoes than on medicine or doctors visits because I failed to do what is in my power to do---eat well and exercise a lot.

Fresh fruits and veggies definitely cost more - but what about all that cereal and junk food? That stuff is ridiculous expensive (chips, cookies, snacks bars...). I'm spending more on fruits and veggies, but my fridge is full. My cabinets are not as full - but the snacks that are in there last much longer, so I'm saving $.

I actually find it scary ho cheap junk food is - being a high school teacher i see kids with limited funds making terrible choices because it's cheaper and it fills them up - large fries with gravy $2.50, small salad $5. In Toronto cereal is always on sale, same with kraft dinner, frozen entrees, hot dogs and soda ($0.99 for 2L). Lean meats, fresh fruit and vegetables add up, and they don't last in the fridge for ever!

Great points about the eating less & not eating out as often...I didn't think about that. Also, I really need to coupon lol I feel old saying that.

@Krystyn: thank you so much. I'm pretty ok with my weight all of a sudden...would still like to reach my goal weight obviously but I'm not stressin bout it.

really encouraging stuff! i also started at 180, Im only 5 weeks into seriously changing my eating habits, but i'm slowly making progress. i have had the same epidemy (did i spell that right?), in realizing this is a lifelong commitment and that there's no quick fix. I was always tiny (108lbs) until I turned 30, got married and had surgery. I always ate whatever whenever and never thought about what i was putting in my body. so im in the process of learning for the first time in my life, the right way to eat. Doing well, struggling a bit with sweets and chocolate (my vice) but for the most part, i still enjoy "healthy" foods. you look great and I'm excited to see someone else with the same basic goals and see that it is obtainable. Good luck and God bless.

I'm new here and was looking through the posts and this really hit home to me. We just spent nearly $250 in one trip, and my husband wasn't too happy ... He hates how often we throw away produce. Anyone have tips on how to use fresh produce before it goes bad?! I always have the best intentions to eat it all and then, I find something "tastier" and not as healthy ...

Kara, I think planning is key. Plan out your menu for the week and be realistic in what you can consume, especially since you're probably eating less that you used to. I also have issues with my eyes getting bigger than your stomach, but error on the side of buying a little less than you think you need. It also doesn't hurt have a a "use things up" dinner towards the end of the week, before your next shopping trip. Soups, salads, pasta dishes, and omelettes are great ways to use up some odds and ends.

A couple other tips- buy lettuce and wash it yourself, rather than buying bagged lettuce. If you rinse it in a salad spinner then rip it or cut it with a plastic or ceramic knife (to prevent browning) and store it in a ziplock bag with a paper towel, it will last up to a couple weeks. Bagged lettuce goes bad in a couple days once you open it, plus its way cheaper. Hydroponic butter or boston lettuce will also keep for quite a while.

Keep some frozen veggies on hand, too, so you can use them to supplement your fresh veggies if you run out, which will help you to feel more comfortable buying less or give you more flexibilty to cut a certain dish from your menu this week. Fruit that is on the verge of going bad can usually be moved to the fridge to buy you a few more days to eat it and if it's slightly overripe, it will make a terrific smoothie.

It may also help you to process your veggies right after you get back from the grocery store- do any washing, trimming, and chopping before you put them away and you'll be more likely to use them during the week if you just have to cook them.

Hope that's helpful!

Natalie, those are awesome tips! Thanks for sharing. I also have the problem of buying tons of produce, and too much of it goes to waste.

Awesome tips! Never knew about the lettuce! That is the biggest thing I waste! There is an entire bag sitting now, but I'm planning on having a big old salad for dinner

Yep.

Soup is a great way to use up veggies, and it freezes really well. I like to portion out either single servings or enough for me and the BF for dinner. Makes for an easy weeknight meal.

We also make "refrigerator scrambles" pretty frequently. Scrambled eggs with leftover veggies/meats we have on hand.

Overripe fruits are perfect for smoothies, which also freeze well!

Overripe fruit is perfect for compots (don't add any sugar though, if the fruits are overripe the chances are they are sweet enough; but some vanille or cinammon won't hurt). Also, if we are talking large amounts: home made jam, but, again, no or almost no sugar. This way we can "save" the fruits and have some low-sugar no-additives treat.

I use a lot of these tricks but found I was still throwing out fresh veggies and fruit. My solution was to do a big shopping for staples over the weekend and then supplement fresh fruit and veggies with a trip to the store mid-week if necessary. I also buy meat and such in bulk to limit running around to 5 different stores. Then the mid-week trip doesn't seem so bad..especially if I need other things like milk or cat food....

oh and..... take over ripe bananas,peel, cut into chunks and freeze...put them in blender or food processor with just enough milk to get it going...you want this thick, blend till smooth and voila "banana soft-serve" so good with a little drizzle of chocolate syrup.

mmm good idea Joshsteeny! That sounds yummy!

umdterpsgirl, I never thought of freezing smoothies- what a great idea! I bet if I took one out in the morning and let it thaw on my desk for a couple of hours, it would make a perfect midmorning snack. Thanks!

@NoChubbyMom

You look amazing and you are right there is no going back!

I have made huge changes in my lifestyle as I know I will have to contol my 'fat brain' til I die. Though I feel more in control now, than at any other in my life. I know myself better now, I like myself more now and want to be around and healthy for as long as possible.

I used to worry about dying...though oddly not the dying part, more the being wheeled to my final resting place in a huge specially ordered box that not even 6 stong men could lift. Having lost 61 lbs so far I think I'd fit into a nice little off the peg box these days...lol

Groceries in the UK are expensive too. Why oh why are the offers are always on junk....AAARRRRGGGGG!!!! We have a great local butcher and buy in bulk with a 15-25% discount, getting a better product than at the supermarket for about the same price or less.

We have also made a home gym, using the money we would have spent on a two week vacation on quality equipment that will last and get used because it feels like the stuff in the gym. So we traded two weeks of memories and photo's for a (hopefully longer) lifetime of fitness.

Changing habits means changing priorities, like many here, I choose my health, yes it costs, but how much would you pay for an extra year of life?

Some great tips here too...thank you everyone.

Di XX