Encouraging healthy choices -support thread

[Katya]

As well as looking at what is going into the food, portion size is a good way of controlling what is consumed.   I don't agree with the Cyndi O'Meara comment that good quality food will control quantities.... it certainly doesn't happen with me 

One of the small changes I made was to make sure that I had a smaller portion of carbohydrates than my OH and to put less on the plate than I thought I wanted.   I could always have a second helping but would wait 5 minutes before going for it and, more often than not, would find that I was full.

Another tip is to eat slowly and chew more before swallowing.

[cookie1]

Some great points have been made. I think it is very important to be aware of what we put in our mouths. The weight goes on easily but is very hard to move once it's there. All things in moderation. If you crave a biscuit by all means have it. But only the one and don't be angry at yourself for having it. The most important thing for me is not to give up when you fail, just pick yourself up and 'be good' again. It is so easy to lose a little, relax, and then put on twice as much weight.

[quirkycooking]

why is it that the more exercise i get the more chocolate i want to eat? lol

Ha ha ha!!!!  Me too!! 

[quirkycooking]

Great thread!  I don't actually have a problem with gaining too much weight (actually, I've always struggled to gain weight, being naturally a skinny-minny), but over the years I've made more and more healthy food choices... changing things little by little... Natural, unrefined sweeteners (in moderation), freshly ground (preferably soaked) wholegrain flours (not wheat, as it tends to cause a lot of health problems), raw or fermented dairy in small amounts (but now I can't seem to handle it hardly ever), and lots of fresh (organic) fruit and veges.  Raw cacao, rapadura, coconut oil, organic foods... it all takes time to change over the way you used to do things, but it's so worth it.

I don't always succeed in this - especially when I get really busy and forget to soak grains, or I'm out and have to buy something to eat, but I try to do 90% healthy, 10% not (if I must).  I'm a lot healthier than I used to be!  I think that when you're eating the right diet for your body, and excercising, your weight will level out to where it should be.  When I started getting serious about eating healthy (and avoiding sugar, wheat and dairy), for the first time in my life I got rid of the hayfever and allergies and headaches I'd always had, slept better, gained weight to a healthier level, stopped having blood sugar lows, my skin cleared up (I'd had a bit of trouble with adult acne), stopped having leg cramps... so many things improved!!!  I really notice it when I get slack with my diet - I get so tired and fuzzy-headed and head-achy and sneezy - it's awful.

So it's made a big difference for me! 

[Sonan]

hhmm ..that's very interesting reading ! I always have been skeptical of the no wheat/dairy but that is a big difference for you and we have several of those symptoms in this house which have not been cured by going (mostly) organic/chemical free, so maybe it's time we cut down on wheat/dairy and sugar ! 

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

I just went dairy and sugar free for just over a week (not long I realise ).

Without dairy my hayfever and sinus problems cleared up completely and I felt wonderful.  Last night we had people over for dinner though and we had some homemade pizza (with cheese) and homemade ice cream.  I only had tiny serves, but today woke up sneezing and feeling very yucko.  I know dairy makes me feel terrible, but I find it so hard to refuse.

Going without sugar/rapadura was really tough and I was SO crabby for a couple of days.  I was really getting addicted to it though and craving something sweet every 2/3 hours.  Not good!  I don't crave sweet things anymore and am on top of it now thankully.  I have read that sugar addiction normally takes 2 weeks to get over but I was fine by the 4th day. 

[Meagan]

Well today I had healthy breakfast bircher fruit yoghurt and clsa one piece of toast as a snack with nut butter and a scrape of jam, salad for lunch with a bit of cheddar and cashews a few crackers with capsicum cashew dip on it. Quirky Jo's TMX fried rice with veg for dinner. Not a bad effort  and I took both boys out (not together) on the new wee hoo I-go we bought www.weehoobicycletrailer.com/iGo.html just around two blocks but it is a start

I am trying to be more aware of snacking and eating out of boredom and for relaxation. I know that sounds crazy but I often want to eat when the kids are napping or in bed for the night because I can enjoy it uninterrupted  . I also really am battling my sweet tooth. Baby steps

[versaceyoyo]

This is a thread which really interests me.  I think the TMX can really support healthy choices - and not so healthy ones!  I found myself becoming so intoxicated with bread recipes that I was eating far too much of it and paying the price on the scales (and exercising very little doesn't help this scenario).  The TMX makes so many 'treat' like recipes so easy that it can be too easy to just whip up a batch of double choc biscuits or some ice cream...

But the TMX can definitely help people make healthy choices more easily.  I am just reading the vegetarian cookbook again - try cooking more pulses, different types of grains and serve this with some steamed fish, chicken and a big salad with some tasty TMX dressing made with a cold pressed oil - extremely healthy eating, and tasty.  Make some dukkah as per the EDC and smear it over some salmon pieces and bake in the oven, and serve with steamed vegetables.  Just some suggestions which I know are healthy, tasty and satifsying!

As for carbs, the information on this website extremely useful - http://philmaffetone.com/2weektest.cfm.  Those engaged with the 'battle of the carbs' may find it of some assistance. 

[Zan]

OMG thanks Jo. I used to have really terrible blood sugar lows (all my life) but have been so much better the last few years, but yesterday had a medium bad one. I'm eating so much more carbs with tmx meals than I had been though was starting to cut back (well think about it).
Will try to go low carb again and see how I go.

Don't like to hear about the weight thing. I'm finding after number 3 and past 40 my 'natural' weight is just not where I want it to be!!

[johnro]

Thanks for starting this thread Meagan, wonderful support and ideas from all - the inspiration which I needed as a motivator - thank you all.        

[Chelsea (Thermie Groupie)]

Great going Meagan.  You are off to a champion start!!!

I just thought of something that has really been helping me along.  I was worried about giving up some of the baking that I normally do as I really enjoy my baking (and eating).  I decided that I needed to focus on enjoyable things other than food, so I wrote a big list of things that I enjoy doing.  Each night when I feel I deserve a little reward for my healthy day, I choose something to do off my list.  Some of the things I have on there include reading a novel in my comfy chair, soaking in a bubble bath, giving myself a manicure and buying a trashy gossip magazine .  Thinking about my list brightens my day and gives me something special to look forward to when the boys go to bed (instead of a couple of biscuits). 

[Meagan]

Great going Meagan.  You are off to a champion start!!!

I just thought of something that has really been helping me along.  I was worried about giving up some of the baking that I normally do as I really enjoy my baking (and eating).  I decided that I needed to focus on enjoyable things other than food, so I wrote a big list of things that I enjoy doing.  Each night when I feel I deserve a little reward for my healthy day, I choose something to do off my list.  Some of the things I have on there include reading a novel in my comfy chair, soaking in a bubble bath, giving myself a manicure and buying a trashy gossip magazine .  Thinking about my list brightens my day and gives me something special to look forward to when the boys go to bed (instead of a couple of biscuits). 

I love your idea Chelsea I used to knit at night but with Thermomix and the forum and house stuff it has fallen to the wayside maybe I need to get back into that as my 'treat'

What do you all think about eating fruit and yoghurt at night 9/9.30 as an alternative to ice-cream lol I did that last night. I guess it is better than something filled with non natural sugar

[Katya]

What do you all think about eating fruit and yoghurt at night 9/9.30 as an alternative to ice-cream lol I did that last night. I guess it is better than something filled with non natural sugar

Sounds like a great idea Meagan.  On our Small Changes course we would suggest dried fruit as an after-dinner snack if people felt they needed it.   Another idea is to postpone having your pudding until later in the evening rather than having it immediately after the meal.

[Meagan]

I have just thought of another couple of things I want to do ......drink more water, I have a new water bottle which is helping with this one. Also go to bed earlier so it is not soooo hard to get out of bed in the mornings, which in turn will help me to do early morning exercise
I also have a voucher for three sessions with a personal trainer that I asked for for Christmas so I must book that in with her soon so I can formulate a plan of attack.

Anyway I am going to sleep now.

[Cuilidh]

Many years ago I was pretty sick and, in the course of trying to find some help with my illness, I went to a traditional Chinese medicine doctor.  We were discussing food, eating, etc. and he said that, according to the principles of Chinese medicine, it was not good for your body to eat within four hours of going to bed.  I try to follow that advice and, personally, I haven't really found much difference, so I can't say whether it is so or not, but I also prefer to eat earlier than later in the evening anyway.

My husband (who always has to have a cuppa after dinner) has also found that drinking Rooibos tea (southern Africa's "bush tea" for anyone who reads Alexander McCall Smith's books) makes a difference at night as it is either no or low caffeine so allows him a more restful sleep.

I think QuirkyJo will know more about these matters than I, but just wanted to pass on those comments.