New Rider Needs Diet Inspiration

[solveig]

Hi Pam,
Maybe this will help. I'm not a pastry chef (by a long shot) but do come from a family in which sweets were a part of every meal, as well as between meals. I still have the sweet tooth, but I've mitigated it quite a bit. Like tonight I had a mini Reeses PB cup, and that was all I wanted.

Anyhow, one way I made the transition towards less sugar was to realize that when I was eating dessert after most meals, it wasn't something that made me feel good. I felt heavy and bloated and sugar-rushey afterwards, rather than really enjoying the dessert's richness or decadence. So I just told myself that when it felt like an indulgence to be savored, I'd have some...but when it felt like "the thing I always have at the end of the meal that leaves me feeling blobby," I was better off skipping it.

Does that make sense? When it feels oppressive, free yourself!

S

[Tuckervill]

How about having a taste and then spitting it out? Like wine tasters. There are no calories to burn if you don't swallow it.

Karen

[pastrypam]

How about having a taste and then spitting it out? Like wine tasters. There are no calories to burn if you don't swallow it.

Karen

Have done that alot, and when my will power is "intact" I am good about it. I just need to remember that a taste is sufficient and as "solveig" says too much of a dessert makes one feel sugar rushy etc.
For me it is all about staying in the moment and paying attention to what I am doing. When you have food or desserts around you all the time it is so easy to eat unconsiously.
Thank you both for your comments and suggestions. I have been re-reading all the posts, almost everyday and it is helping me keep on track.
I love this TE site and you are all a great bunch of gals
Pam

[BirraNulu]

I was a cook for alot of years so I understand where you are coming form. A few Ideas. Remember that you are tasting for quality control not personal consumption!!! No more than two bite size taste. Guzzle water,chew gum and keep a 1/8 pan full of veggies on your work station for when the need strikes. This helped me and I also cut sugar (I still indulge in only high quality chocolate) out of my diet. It took about two years but I think the health benfits are worth it.Good luck. Maybe you could try transfree fat/sugar free recipes into your restaurants menu?
B

[pastrypam]

Thanks for your post BirraNulu. As a former chef I know you understant what it is like to have food around all the time. Love your suggestion of having veggies at my station to munch on. I do drink water to keep full and have tried chewing gum too. Great ideas that I needed to be reminded of.

Will be getting off sugar June 1 when my season ends and I have my summer off. It is so much easier to make good choices when the food (sweets) are not in front of me all the time.
Pam

[JenLeath]

Wow, this is a subject I struggle with always. I weighed 204 in 1/05, I lost 40 lbs by 5/04. I had to count everything I put in my mouth. I had 1600 calories a day, less than 20% fat. It was very tedious. I found that some things I just couldn't eat and keep my mix right. Cheese, baked goods, simple sugars and beef. Kept it off all summer and part of that fall. Then slowly started to gain some back. I am currently 176, but I have not been as dedicated to weight training in the last year, so I know I look like I've gained more. My family had some upsets that year and we are still feeling the backlash. I didn't have the where with all to keep up my nutrition. I really need to lose 20 lbs by this summer to fit back into my wetsuit, or sell it and buy a bigger one .

[pastrypam]

Hi JenLeath,
I hear you and can appreciate your struggle. Congratulations on keeping 28 of those 40 lbs. off. Try to think about the fact that you have a lot less to loose now and take baby steps, plus keep exercising. I find that cutting calories helps but you have to exercise as well. For me one or the other doesn't work, I have to do both.
I also find that when I am under a lot of stress, to go out on a bike ride or to the gym helps me handle it so much better. I know how hard it is to stay focused at all times. My will power is kaput some of the time and at other times I have a lot. I just don't get it!!
I have the jersey WE CAN DO IT and I wear it and try to live it. Yes, we can do it, we just have to set our minds to it and let nothing get in our way. You will get back into that wetsuit. YOU CAN DO IT!!
I am going to give up sugar as soon as I get off work for the summer and yes
I CAN DO IT
Pam