Lately I have been working on other projects and have not been writing on the blog much. Well, here I am and as usual I have something to say. This morning I was watching TV and a commercial came on for a diet product. I watched and was intrigued by the claims that "fat literally melted off," and also that, "you did not need to change a thing. Eat as you always have and take [this pill] and the weight will melt off." Finally something dawned on me: this is false hope marketed to people who have become hopeless. What is the cost of hope? Apparently it is $1.00 a day for this product. I have seen it much more expensive, but this one plays right into people's emotions. Did I mention that the disclaimer at the bottom listed patients losing 3.8 pounds over an 8-week period. That is LESS than one-half pound a week. Therefore, as consumers, we are willing to pay $7.00 a week (plus shipping and handling) to lose less than one-half pound. Putting this onto perspective, if you need to lose 100 pounds it will take you 4 years and cost $1,460. My guess is you will have given up long before then. People, wake up! Stop drinking Coke for a week, lose 1/2 pound and put $3.50 or more in your pocket.
Weight loss marketing is insanity! Why? Because those of us who have large amounts of weight to lose do not think that we can do it. We NEED someone, something to help us and guide us. It's a lie. There are two ways to lose weight: #1 Eat less or #2 Change the types of food you eat. Period. Diets may work, but very few people have permanent success from them. Look at Kirstie Alley. How many times in the last 25 years has she been fat, thin, fat, thin..... Look at yourself. Is this your cycle? It was mine until I finally gave up on losing weight. I had decided that I was destined to be fat, I liked food too much, and if people didn't like it just leave me alone. I lied. I am not destined to be fat. I made a choice to be fat. My choices were pizza, chips, cookies, ice cream, and the list continues. I liked them. I wanted them. I hid behind them. I made them my life. I am trying to fix that situation.
Recently, the past few weeks, I have been eating a healthier diet. I am cutting out most processed foods. I have been having 3-5 meatless meals each week. I have tried several vegan recipes. Now, I am not becoming a vegan, but I have to admit, the food has been exceptionally good and I have lost weight. My pants are getting loser and my shirts are getting longer. What I have found is, by eating healthy and finding recipes that taste good, my cravings are lessening. A few days ago I ate a handful of potato chips. They are one of my weaknesses and something I craved in the past. They were okay, but not as good as I remembered from a month ago. They felt greasy in my mouth and later that day I had stomach issues that sent me to the bathroom. I know it was the chips. Healthy food is a super hero; it takes away the need for junk. I know that I will never be a vegetarian in full and someday I know I will have a steak, but I do not have the desire I had a few weeks ago. Earlier today I thought about beef and noodles and while I love them, I thought about how heavy they make my stomach feel and the thought left me.
I guess what I am trying to say is that by not looking at this as a diet and thinking, "when I hit my goal I will have......" that I have been making it a lifestyle. It feels good. It feels right. It feels like I do not need false hope at any price. Think about what foods you love and check out a vegan recipe. There are many on Pinterest. Give it a try. It is a very different mindset, as we tend to plan our meals around the meat. I am going to give you a quick and easy, although NOT a vegan, recipe for my biggest diet downfall. It will help save me, as it satisfies my cravings and my taste buds. Plus the kids love it. I don't have to eat less, because I am changing how I eat. It seems to be working. Maybe I have found my miracle!
Kelly's Pizza (Kelly is my daughter who is on this quest with me.)
1 whole wheat pita bread per person
spaghetti sauce (We use the 99 cent a can Hunt's Traditional)
lowfat shredded mozzarella cheese (and a small amount of feta cheese for the grown-up's pizza)
mild banana pappers
diced green pepper, onions, mushrooms, olives, anything you like
turkey pepperoni
Spread sauce on pita breads (leave them whole). Sprinkle with cheese, add turkey pepperoni, and top with your favorite veggies. Lots of veggies= being full faster
Spray cookie sheet(s) with Pam. Bake at 400 degrees for 5-10 minutes depending on how crunchy you like the crust. Cool slightly. Cut into each pita into 4 pieces and enjoy!
