Sue's Journey Through August - The Biggest Loser Fansite Forums

FrugalSue · #1 (**permalink**) 08-01-2007, 01:04 PM

This month is going to be a journey, literally and figuratively. I'll be traveling a lot, and the travel involves a lot of family issues, which I'm sure will be transformative.

I'm thinking about how to make sure I eat healthy on my trip to Minneapolis. Betsy and I are going to take a cooler with us. In the past when I've made roadtrips and brought a cooler, it was mostly to save money by picnicking instead of buying so many meals out. But now my focus has changed, and I want to bring a cooler so I can get some healthy food no matter where I am. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to find many low-fat, organic foods at truckstops in North Dakota! We will eat some meals out, but I'd like to keep that to a minimum, so I'm not tempted to eat a bunch of stuff I don't really need to be eating.

It should be easy to eat right while I'm in Minneapolis. We'll be staying with my sister, and she doesn't cook. So I can buy and make whatever food I want. I'm sure she will appreciate eating whatever I cook!

FrugalSue · #2 (**permalink**) 08-02-2007, 10:20 PM

I have gotten a lot of things done that I needed to accomplish before leaving for my trip. I took some time today to just sit in the sunshine--I'd been too busy to do anything like that for a while, and it felt great.

I took my measurements yesterday to order some clothing online, and I was happy to see that I was down a size from the last time I'd done that.

FrugalSue · #3 (**permalink**) 08-03-2007, 09:47 PM

Today I picked up my family's share of the steer that we split with some friends, and oh my gosh what great beef that is. It comes from a friend's ranch in Eastern Washington that is called Happy Cows. Actually I haven't tasted any of it yet, but I am making swiss steak for dinner, and you usually have to cook the round steak a while before it gets tender. Well, this meat was already tender just when I was cutting it up. I'm really pleased that we did this--organic grain-fed beef is usually very expensive at the store (like $8 or more a pound for some cuts), but buying a quarter to put in the freezer made it affordable.

By the way, swiss steak is easy and doesn't have to be fattening. If anybody wants my recipe, let me know. It's my kids' favorite!

Missy · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 11:21 AM

I can't even remember the last time I had steak...it's probably been a few years at least. My dad was always the steak cook and made it delicious on the barbecue, he still does, but since I don't live there I don't get it anymore.

I also wanted to say congrats on being down in size, what a huge accomplishment!

FrugalSue · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 06:09 PM

Thanks, Missy! Weight loss has been slow going without being able to exercise very much, but it is still happening.

I think the key for me is to concentrate on nutrition. I'm trying to eat "nutritionally dense" foods, as the leader of a healthy eating group on MySpace calls it. In other words, choose foods that pay off in a big way nutritionally without being a lot of calories. So, for example, instead of making just a green salad, make it a salad that has lots of different colors and types of vegetables in it. Or, with carbs, I'd rather eat whole grain bread that is packed with fiber and protein than, say, rice cakes. The bread may be more calories, but I'm getting better nutrition, so it's worth it.

I'm also finding that I really don't have nearly the desire for junk food that I used to. On the MySpace group, somebody was asking for substitutes for Cool Whip the other day, and I was just grossed out by the whole discussion. I can't imagine wanting to eat Cool Whip these days LOL.

I guess as time goes by, I'm getting more into the "eat to live" rather than "live to eat" frame of mine. I do still really enjoy food and cooking, but only if it's good for me.

I know I've changed fundamentally because, in preparation for going to Minneapolis, I was researching on the Web where the natural foods stores and farmers markets are near my sister's house. And I know I really will go and stock up on good, fresh foods when I get there. I'm not going to let this trip derail my progress. If anything, I'm going to relish the larger varieties of farm-fresh foods that are available in the Midwest!

Missy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 02:40 PM

I know what you mean about the junk food. I have cravings for ice cream every now and then and may have a scoop on cheat day...but I have no desire for all the things I once enjoyed when I was bigger. We used to stash tons of candy and sour keys and chocolate, licorice, chips..you name it. When I think about it now the thought just disgusts me. I can't believe all the gross crap I used to put into my body.

I have been eating tons of fruits lately, I can't seem to get enough of strawberries or the blueberries. I even started buying grapes which I never used to be a big fan of.

I always had a problem with snacking too, but they say loading up on protein and water can help cure that problem

FrugalSue · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 08:22 PM

Today we went up to the local Indian reservation, where there is an outlet mall, and did some fall clothes shopping. We got Betsy a couple of pairs of jeans, and I got a pair of jeans, a cute jacket and a couple of pretty Ts to go with the jacket. I'm going through my closet this fall and getting rid of anything larger than a size 16 (I was a size 20 to 22 when I started with this group last September).

After shopping, we went to the casino and ate at their buffet. They had some excellent choices--salmon, salads, fresh fruit--plenty of things that I felt okay about eating. They had tiny desserts so you can eat several, but I just had one sliver of pie, which completely satisfied my sweet tooth.

Betsy drove all the way home on the freeway. She is definitely ready to do half of the driving on our big roadtrip! We are leaving on Thursday a.m. I'll have my laptop with me, so you guys won't even have time to miss me LOL.

FrugalSue · #8 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 02:24 PM

Yesterday I started going through my closet to get rid of clothes that are now too big for me. It's almost everything! I am keeping maybe one piece of clothing for every five pieces that I am giving away. When I get done with this sorting, I will have about 3 pairs of pants, a skirt or two, one dress, and an assortment of maybe 15 Tshirts, dressier tops, vests and jackets.

I think this is great. I had way too many clothes that I never wore anyway, even back when they did fit me. A friend of mine works for a social service agency for families, and they really need plus size women's clothing, so that's where my stuff is going. 'Cause I'm not going to be a plus size gal anymore!

Missy · #9 (**permalink**) 08-07-2007, 10:58 PM

You should keep a few items just to show off how much you've lost and keep them as a reminder of where you were and where you never want to be. I still have my "fat pants" and they are HUGE on me now. I can't believe I fit into them before comfortably. I have taken a few pics in them....like they do in the ads...of me wearing them and holding them out to show how much I've lost. I think my pants are either a size 18 or a 22, I can't remember exact, I'll have to look....but right now I fit into a 10!

Rocky · #10 (**permalink**) 08-10-2007, 03:10 AM

Congrats on the loss of plus sized clothes!!! That's a huge accomplishment! Right now I ONLY fit into my biggest sizes (18/36). It makes me mad that I can't fit into clothes that used to fit me fine last year or even 6 months ago... and I can't blame it ALL on my broken back, as much as I would like to. Only down hill from here.(where clothes sizes are concerned) =) Keep up the great work!