I almost titled this post, “The Wine Problem”. Because it was an issue for me this week. I should have been down several pounds. I flirted with 143 again, briefly, before three days of wine got in the way. I know this. I know that having wine more than once or twice a week, stalls weight loss. Yet, I went out three nights in a row this week and had wine each time. The wine itself isn’t bad as I can sort of plan for it. But, it has a tendency to lead to fuzzy food portion judgement. It’s easy to control meals when I make them. When I’m out somewhere and someone keeps topping off my glass of prosecco, it’s hard to track how many calories I’ve had. It’s even harder to say no to the most delicious, super moist chocolate birthday cake when someone sets a plate in front of me.
But, I tried. I had two bites, then passed to plate to a friend to finish it off. I didn’t end the week at 143 or lower like I’d hoped. But, it could have been worse. I was down a pound, so 144. I have to limit going out, or at least having wine or my weight is going to see-saw, down a few pounds during the week, back on over the weekend. I don’t want that to happen. However…..this coming week, I am giving myself a little bit of a pass. My goal is to not gain weight. I’m going on a mini-vacation, to Chicago with three of my favorite writer friends and I can’t behave the whole time. Chicago is known as a foodie town, and I am me. Just being realistic. I know that some wine will be happening. 🙂
So, enough of my bad behavior. What is working on this diet? Here’s the plan I’ve been following and it is working as long as I don’t deviate too much. I use the Myfitnesspal app to track what I eat and the nutrition. This helps me to make better choices. I’m mostly having fresh fruit for breakfast, either cantaloupe or honey dew melons. Both are high in potassium, and vitamins A and C. Trying to have one starch a day, either potato of some kind or rice. Lots of lean protein like chicken and fish. I’m also trying to mix it up so I have different proteins, like chicken one day, seafood the next. Lots of salad and fresh veggies, and good fats like avocado and nuts (but not too many as I don’t need to deal with The Walnut Problem again. Wine twice a week and 30 minutes of cardio at least 5x a week. Trying to drink more water and less coffee. I am bad about that.
Today, had cantaloupe, a small serving of Vietnamese shaking beef and rice and am heading to a clambake soon where I will be having lobster, and yes, wine. 🙂
If you are dieting, how is it going? Any good tips you’d like to share?
Since I may have tortured some of you with that picture of fresh lobster meat, here’s my favorite recipe for what I like to do with it.
Lazy Lobster Casserole
One pound of fresh lobster
One stick of butter
One sleeve of Ritz crackers (or Townhouse)
drizzle of sherry…optional
sprinkle of fresh parsley.
Melt half the butter and crush the crackers to crumbs. Mix the melted butter and crumbs together, then stir in the lobster. Put in a casserole dish, top with chunks of the rest of the butter and drizzle of sherry if you are using it (maybe a tablespoon or so). Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes just until lightly browned. Serve with chopped fresh parsley. This is how lazy-man lobster is made in many Cape Cod restaurants that I’ve worked in. Enjoy! 🙂