Sunday Shopping

Disclaimer:  I am not a professional nutritionist or dietitian.  Therefore, you cannot sue me like that guy sued Mickey Ds for making him fat.  However, I have researched a lot about eating healthy throughout the years and the information listed below is merely my conclusion after such said research.

Today, Mom and I went to Sam's.  Mostly she needed stuff for their business and my strong muscles.  If you have been reading my blog, then you realize this is my third trip in 7 days.  Wow!  I must plan better. 

I decided that today I would talk about what my nonprofessional opinion is about the GAME ON DIET.  I can't give my complete true opinion yet, because I haven't read the book.  It is sold out at Barnes and Noble and I am too lazy to drive across town to the Hastings.  My SIL, said she would let me borrow hers, and since I'm cheap that way, I will wait. 

I did read this recently ( I forgot my source...please don't sue me for plagiarism)  Foods linked to weight loss in order of impact were yogurt, nuts, fruit, whole grains, and vegetables.  Yea! Game On!

It is about creating a healthy lifestyle.  Ridding yourself of the chemicals and "stuff" found in processed foods and my much loved diet dps.  I am not a vegan, vegetarian or organic nut.  I am a meat eater.  I actually LOVE beef, but red meat is harder for your body to process (slows down your metabolism and is typically higher in fat)  Therefore, I try to limit my beef intake to once a week 

It is about portion control and eating foods that have a low Glycemic Index.

What is the Glycemic Index?

Not all carbohydrate foods are created equal, in fact they behave quite differently in our bodies. The glycemic index or GI describes this difference by ranking carbohydrates according to their effect on our blood glucose levels. Choosing low GI carbs - the ones that produce only small fluctuations in our blood glucose and insulin levels - is the secret to long-term health reducing your risk of heart disease and diabetes and is the key to sustainable weight loss.

Man, can you tell I'm a teacher?  Here's the DL (down low for those who aren't as ghetto as me):

When choosing your carb for your meal, fruits generally have a lower GI than the other carbs.  For example, the GI of an apple ranges between 30-40.  Anything below 55 is considered low.  A baked white potato is almost 100.  Now, if you eat the skin, the GI goes down. Don't ask me why, because I don't eat the skin, so I didn't research it.  Something about that's where are the nutrients are, blah blah. 

Here are some cool websites to help you with GI

South Beach Diet - this is where I first heard about the GI (8 years ago) and where I got the original recipe for the delicious Quiche Cups .  It is broken down into 3 categories, Low GI, Med GI  and High GI (STAY AWAY!)

Glycemic Index - here you can do a search for a specific food

Crossfit - this is how my hubby has lost about 30 pounds since January.  Crossfit is a type of workout, but they also teach you about GI

The Glycemic Gourmet - here you can get a printable shopping list of 101 low GI foods.  Warning, they try to get you to buy their cookbook.  You have to give them your email, then they prompt you to buy the cookbook, twice.  Say no if you don't want it, and the list will be emailed.  You can download and print. 

Enough about the carbs and GI, let's talk proteins.  Fish, Chicken and Turkey are better choices than red meat.  Greek Yogurt (low GI, 14 grams of protein) is a good choice.  Cheese is a good choice (low GI), but watch the fat content.  Laughing Cow is the best brand of cheese for watching your weight.  See here where I talk about Babybels and Wedges. 

My mom buys Low-Sodium Starkist Tuna Packets for her "snack" protein.  I'm not a big fan of tuna, but if you are, it is GREAT choice. 

Here is my morning snack...it works great for me at school.  Sometimes the I eat a banana instead of the apple.

I lost 2.6 pounds this week.  Gained one pound back after my "free day".  I am still getting my weight loss bonus.  

I hope this helps your Sunday Shopping. 

Game OFF

Today, I got paid for cleaning my own house!  I know you are jealous.  You too can have $3.23 cents if you want to come clean my floors and dust!

After cleaning, I took a nice run.  It felt really good this morning.  My breakfast consisted of water and a large spoonful of peanut butter.  My favorite prerun snack.  Very rebellious, I know.   Then I fooled around and didn't eat again until around 1pm.  Mom and I visited Rosa's Cafe, where we had nachos, chips, queso, and SWEET tea! 

Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and we left a lot of chips.  If you know me well, you know I love my chips and hot sauce.  What is wrong with me?  In the past I could easily put away a basket by myself.  I actually took a picture of my nachos, but I got a new phone this afternoon and it is on my old phone.  Sorry. 


Then before the game, we had Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers and another SWEET tea.  We didn't even eat much of the fries. 

Speaking of Game OFF...My Red Raiders took the game off, unfortunately, Iowa State did not.  We got our Scarlett and Black bottoms beat at home after beating OU in Norman last weekend.  The Rangers took the Game Off last night, so I guess that just sums up my sports weekend.  Thankfully, I'm not a Cowboys fan so I won't mind if the lose tomorrow. (do they even play?).  Anyway, Mom and I enjoyed popcorn, m&ms and I had hot chocolate at the game Jones.

Now, I am making my brownies about 12 hours later than I planned.  I'm going to enjoy one before bed and save the rest for my kids to enjoy tomorrow.  I really don't think I will be that tempted.  If I am, they will be going in the trash.   

Did you notice, I did not have one single diet dp today?  I am going to try to stay away from them.  I do so much better on my running when I don't have them.  I hope to make them a once in a while treat.  My sweet tea will probably be a once a week treat, but I'm okay with that.  And, NO, I am not going to sweeten it with Truvia or any of that other "natural" sweeteners.  I like plain white sugar in my tea. 

 

Decisions, Decisions & Great Buys

For those of you new to the Game On Diet, you get one meal off a week and one whole day off each week!

I am struggling on when to take my meal off and day off.  I mean, do I really want to take my meal off Friday evening and all day Saturday?  Is that sabotaging my Monday morning weigh in?  Maybe my meal off should be in the middle of the week if my day off is on the weekend?  Then, another part of me is thinking I shouldn't really take a WHOLE day off. 

I took a mini York peppermint patty today and ate it about 2 pm.  It really hit the spot.  Now, I'm still full from my evening meal and am trying to decide if I really need to "spend" that other 50 calories. 

Food RE-Review

I bought the Oscar Mayer brand turkey bacon last night at Sam's  and it was very good this morning.  I just heated it up in the microwave.  Maddox, my five year old, loved it!  It is a million times better than Jennie O.  Don't waste your money!  My sister-in-law said the Butterball brand is also good. 

Another great find at Sam's was the Chobani brand Greek Yogurt.  They have a 12 pack for a little under $12.  It has strawberry, peach and blueberry.

I also picked up some little Babybel cheese.  Jaxxon, my son, loves these.  I thought about the laughing cow, and passed.  Lyneil said she would go pick some up and we could share.  We decided it would be pretty tasty on the Triscuits she found. 

The Rangers' World Series game was delayed due to rain in St. Louis, so I am going to enjoy my extra sleep!  Keep drinking the water! 

Stealing a line from Jim at 50 after 40

Be Great Today!

Christmas Day Run

My father-in-law cooked a 40 pound turkey!

After opening presents from Santa, we drove out to the country to have Christmas Day with my in-laws.  My mother-in-law really outdid herself with turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, green beans, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, and a assortment of homemade pies.  I chose Mamaw Billie's coconut!  While the boys played with their new nerf guns and the girls enjoyed their American Girl dolls, I went for a run...SOLO. 



His gun came with a tactical vest and four clips.  Nerf bullets everywhere!



Mother-in-law, niece and Maddox (looking tired)

Lucky for me the afternoon warmed up nicely for a four mile run.  I was excited to try out my new red Sony Cybershot that my hubby got me to replace my ghetto Canon Powershot.  It was a great camera, but had been dropped by a 4 year old one too many times.   

Flat, West Texas road surrounded by stripped cotton fields.  Not much of a shoulder to run on, but the module trucks were taking Christmas Day off so I was safe. 

After my run, the adults got to open presents.  While in San Antonio for the RnR, I bought me my mother-in-law bought me a Coach purse at the outlet and I finally got to unwrap it!  She is so great about letting me pick out my own presents, but she always takes them away and makes me wait til Christmas.  I really have the most fabulous in-laws.  Christmas Day is also my father-in-law's birthday.  Poor him, he never really gets much for his birthday.  Hope you and your family enjoyed your Christmas.