Eating With Friends

I frequently have the opportunity to spend my lunch hour and the occasional social outing with colleagues.  And, of course there are times when I do the same with friends and family.  With the loose summer schedule just around the corner, these opportunities are going to quickly pile up.


These days, I am either enjoying one of my five-a-day Medifast meals, my Lean & Green meal for the day, or sipping on water.  


There were times when it felt weird to be doing something "different" than the rest of the crowd, but I feel differently about that now.  I am making the choice to do what is best for me.  I am good with that and go into these situations not even thinking much about it.   


Somewhere along the line, I got to thinking, "What are they thinking?"  Do the people around me think I'm just the crazy woman eating food that mostly comes in space packets?  Are they thinking that I'm judging them?  If I'm only sipping water, do they think I'm starving myself?  


It can be a strange thing being the kid who's doing her own thing.  Go ahead, sing the "Sesame Street" song in your head - I am!


Yep, I am often eating food that comes in space packets - though by the time they see me with it, it's either mixed up in my little Medifast/Take Shape for Life cup or in an insulated cup.  No, I am not starving myself.  As a matter of fact, I'm not even hungry unless I push the limits with when I need to eat.  And, I am not judging anyone.  If you know me, you know that I LOVE FOOD.  All food.  Ice cream, donuts, cake, frozen custard, butter burgers, fried cheese curds, lasagna, garlic bread, chocolate, pancakes, muffins, cookies, ham, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes...you get the picture.  And, those things will someday make an appearance passing my lips - on rare occasions.  But, that day is not today.  It is not tomorrow.  It was not yesterday.  


These are my choices regarding food and taking care of me.  I love the people around me and want to spend time socializing and catching up with them.  If it's time for me to eat, I'm going to eat.  If it's time for them to eat, I want them to eat.  And to eat what they want. And if you have something that I can be okay choosing to eat, you can bet I'm going to want some, ask for some, and go ahead and have some.  


Yep, I had a pickle today.  I skipped the brownies.  That's my choice.  And, it's now almost three hours later and I am not regretting that choice.


Eat on, friends.  I'll be at the table with you!  And, if you're coming here, I'll even cook for you!

Bring On the Challenge

And...we're all caught up with the blogs from my mymedifast blog.  
Here is today's installment...


It's here!  Tomorrow begins the May challenge on my health coach's facebook group.  Everyday there is a themed check-in.  There are prizes at the end.  We track points for participation and weight-loss.  There's even a "rest day" on Sundays.  Oh, I can't wait!

I've had a great weekend of preparation.  My other facebook group of fabulous MFing friends has been on a Clean & Simple challenge since Friday.  For that, I've cut out snacks, condiments and any little blt sneaks that may occasionally pop into my mouth for consumption.

I have been preparing for this.  I have tidied up my food cabinet - The Battle Station - and updated my BeSlim Club order for tomorrow.  The grocery list is on the fridge and I've been walking on a regular basis.  Yesterday, I ran.  In the rain. 

 

Tomorrow also is the official start of my training for the Wisconsin Bike MS event that I will participate in for my 6th year in August.  My last ride was way back in 2008.  I've been out of the loop due to injuries and surgery.  This year, I'm back!  

And, let's not forget that Biggest Loser competition at work.  Tomorrow is weigh-in #2.  Hmm...I wonder what my colleagues have been eating this weekend.

Well, whatever the challenge, I'm up to it.  I'm prepared, I have a plan and I will achieve what I set out to do.

Wishing you another great day of Medifasting success.

Go get 'em, tigers!

Tonight's Pinch Hitter: Tuna Salad

Originally Published April 24, 2012


I was inspired by CurvyTika to switch up my dinner tonight from what I'd planned.  Not to say that Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is anything to run away from, but I have a bit of tuna on hand, so I thought I'd whip up something else for tonight.

I like to just have everything mixed together, so instead of tuna boats and tomato cups, I made a tuna salad and put that on 2 cups of romaine.

Tonight's Dinner: Tuna Salad over Romaine

7 oz. tuna, drained

1 T. ff mayo

1 t. tartar sauce

1 dill spear, diced

1 tomato, diced,

S & P to taste

Mix together. Serve over 2c. chopped Romaine.

Warning:  Final product is larger and more filling than it appears!

Love When the Man in Brown Visits

Originally Published April 20, 2012


My newest order came today and I am happy to share that I will have some more variety in my 5 MF meals for the coming weeks...and not a moment too soon!

The only new-to-me things in my order are the Chocolate & Vanilla Appetite Suppressant Shakes.  I'm going to include one each day and see what I think.  I'll be sure to share after a few days.

I'm excited for the return of Peanut Butter Soft Serve to my cabinet.  Also making a return appearance are Chocolate Pudding, Fruit Punch, and one of my favorites Cherry Pomegranate Shake.  I like to blend the shake (Fruit Punch, too) with a bit of sugar-free Jell-O).  There is a bowl of Jell-O waiting in the fridge to add a kick to these shakes.

Today is Day 5 and I'm doing well.  Water intake is increasing again and I'm not as sluggish as I was the first few days of this week.  Heck, I haven't even taken a nap today...there's progress!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend of medifasting and fun!  

Go get 'em, tigers!

I Survived My First Baseball Game of the Season

Originally Published April 17, 2012


I just got home from my first Brewers' game of the season and it was an all around SUCCESS!

Most importantly, the Brewers' one the game in the 9th inning!

And...I survived the game ON PROGRAM!!!

Believe me, that is a victory.  All around me was a sea of nachos, beer, cheese curds, brats, beer, hot dogs, cotton candy, beer, licorice, ice cream, beer, and all sorts of other yummy smelling and looking foods.  On the beer front, I hardly ever drink - Medifasting or not - but it's MILLER Park...in Milwaukee...there is LOTS of beer consumed around here.

I finalized my plan for the game this morning.  I logged all of my meals early in the day so that I'd know exactly where I'd be for tonight.  I split my l&g a bit so that I could stretch out my meals to last later into the day.  And...it worked.  

I know, this is how it goes.  I've done this before.  Oh, I fondly remember how excited I was at my last few games of last season when I was super cozy in my seat that suddenly was much roomier than it had been all season.  The seat was still roomy and I still got through the game on plan.  

Day #2 is done.  I'm ready for Day #3.  

Bring it on!

Recommitted Day 1...Check!

Originally Published April 16, 2012


Ah...happy Monday night!

I am happy to report that I have successfully completed this day and have stayed on program.  No frozen custard, cheese curds, adult beverages, butter burgers, or chips & guacamole.  Hey, I'm in Wisconsin - it's everywhere I turn...especially the cheese curds & butter burgers & frozen custard & alcohol...and there are 2 yummy Mexican restaurants within 4 blocks of home.  You get the picture.

I did get a quick trip to the grocery store in to pick up dinner fixings.  I had a tasty steak with peppers and mushrooms and a lovely salad.  Yum!  It's been a shaketastic day other than that decadent dinner.

My newest order for MF food was processed earlier today, so by the end of the week I should be able to add a little more variety to my day.

Now, I'm working on my plan for tomorrow...I'll be going to the Brewers game tomorrow night and brats and Cracker Jack will not be on my menu.  We can carry food in, so I may pack my l&g to enjoy at the park and a shake for later in the game.  Hmm...I'm going to have to sleep on that one.

On that note, sweet dreams dear medifriends.  See you tomorrow!

Putting It All On the Table

I've shared with a few friends and family that I am doing Medifast.  So, socially, it's been easy (so far) to control my food in social situations.  

Of course, everyone has lots of questions...what can you eat? what do you eat? when do you eat? you drink how much water a day?  I answer everything and know that by putting it all out there, that I'm setting up for a successful weight loss journey.  The people around me will understand my choices and my needs, and being out and about will continue getting easier as I move through this plan.

Last night, two of my best friends were over for dinner and hours of conversation.  We talked about back-to-school issues, family things, personal things, EVERYTHING.  It was one of the best nights I've had in a while.

Over the course of the past week, having all of this time that I'm not cooking, and all this time alone in my house, I've come to the point where I can share my thoughts and feelings about my divorce (in process).  

I spent the first month of this change in my life focusing on getting logistical matters taken care of - closing the mutual bank account, taking his name off of in-case-of-emergency paperwork, changing who has access to my medical information, finding a new place to live, moving, settling in, and starting to focus on me - again.  

Those first weeks flew by and everyone kept commenting on how strong and amazing I was with how I had been handling the loss of my marriage.

Well, the tide changed somewhere in the past ten days.  The anger that had been occasionally rearing its ugly head for brief appearance had dropped its bags in my house and was staying until I did something about it.

I've had a few opportunities in the past week to spend time with friends and family, and share a little bit - or a lot - of what's going through my head, what the past few months were like, and putting all of my feelings, fears and beliefs on the table.

It was scary to start these conversations, but it's easier moving forward having shared what I'm dealing with and what challenges may be ahead of me.

It doesn't matter whether it's a struggle with a relationship or food, having it all out on the table with the people around you makes the detour to your path much smoother.