Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Desperate times call for desperate measures


Une femme has reached the point where reality trumps ideology. At first, I tried accepting the ten pounds I gained suddenly last year, but I just don't feel like myself. I've tried eating like a French woman, cutting carbs, skipping dinners. Nothing seems to be budging the extra avoirdupois. Even my doc says, "Weight Watchers." So a-Pointing I will go. I feel like such a sellout, but I'm tired of squeezing into my clothes and not feeling my best.

At least they don't make you eat liver once a week any more, or yummy meals like this one:

~
Posted by at 5:00 AM
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49 comments:

  1. Ah Deja! I love that first ad - hilarious - and what a terrible problem to have? What is it - pure lard?

    I indulge too much in chocolate, so am at that same point where my pants are getting a bit tight, I'm not buying new ones, but have started to do some exercise and am watching what I eat.

    I'm trying to convince myself that eating chocolate is depriving me of a gorgeous body and a long healthy life!
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  2. Best of luck! It's so hard to get rid of those post-50 creeping pounds.
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  3. Agreed. At this certain age, it is so easy to gain a few kilos, but losing them is s o difficult.I also have to watch every mouthful I eat. Haven´t tried any diets yet,but.. I avoid going to the groceries ( my hb does that ), so that I won´t pick up anything extra. He buys the `usuals´,as we call the food we buy. So my menu is about the same all the time. It is seldom we dine out. But I must have my chocolates in the winter, and that means that I too must skip meals every now and then. You try the Weight watchers and tell us if it is working for you.
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  4. Take walks every day and consider adding some weight training to your repertoire, if it isn't in there already. It helps.

    Liver! My greatest foe. My 400-pound, Weight Watching mother made it constantly when I was a kid, and today I cannot bear the smell, taste, or texture of it. Even if it's the most exquisite foie gras, it induces a gag reflex the moment it hits my mouth. I don't even bother anymore.

    Bonne chance! It really is a constant struggle, no?
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  5. ACK ACK ACK ACK ACK!!!

    WW has worked for me recently simply because it forces me to take note of what I have eaten, and teaches you to get much more food mileage by eating more of the good things (veggies, whole grains etc)

    but I remember it from the 70s and 80s - all of that horrid LIVER! Thank goodness they dropped the focus on that and on the "fake foods" (NB, mashed green beans are NOT guacamole - enjoy green beans as what they are, do not mix up lies, expectations and disappointment with food)

    Ack!
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  6. I'm certain that there is a direct correlation between the number of posts that you write for a blog and the number of pounds you gain.
    I've put on the poundage myself this year....definitely from too much time sitting in front of a computer.
    Has WW substituted Foie Gras for liver?
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  7. As you may know, I am a WW acolyte. I lost a bunch of weight and have kept it off for nearly a year now. Feel free to e-mail me if you want any extra input/support -- I can talk about WW for much longer than I should, as my IRL friends will attest.

    As for feeling like a sellout -- phooey. If you are happier without ten extra pounds, you have the right to lose them without betraying your feminist principals. I would argue that taking control of your own body -- at whatever weight you feel comfortable, provided you're healthy -- is one of the best ways of expressing said principals. Secondly, I seriously had no idea how much of my mental & emotional energy was being taken up by my unhappiness with the way I was shaped. Once I got my body to the point where I wanted it to be, it was more than just a physical weight that lifted for me.
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  8. I think the advice of eating like a French woman is great, but it's not the way to shed weight if you have more than 5-10lbs. Of course, this manner of eating will result in shedding weight, but it's not dramatic enough to produce a steady rate of 1-2lbs per week, which is probably what you'll average at WW. Combine WW with the French eating principles, and you'll be successful. I do WW, but I don't succumb to the lure of fat-free and sugar-free foods. I enjoy real foods in moderation.
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  9. Jillian Michaels, 30 day shred. 20 minutes every morning at 5:30. $8 at Amazon. I lost 20 pounds, and firmed up my twins stomach, which I was starting to this wasn't possible. I'm back in my 8s and eating whatever I want. Seriously. ymmv of course, but exercise has always worked for me better than dieting. And here's the kicker: I don't even care about the weight. It's the emotional stability and extra energy that I can't do without. Best luck
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  10. You know I like W-Squared as we call it in my house. Don't freak out when they till you "their idea' of you "goal' weight as it might be terrifyingly low. Just do your thing, keep to your pointsies, don't buy their packaged 'snacks' and have a few laughs along the way, I know you will!

    Imogen: I eat one small square a day (from a Lindt bar); without it I feel too deprived. That one square is very important to me.
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  11. I'm not sure I could resist any meal described as "snappy".

    Though really I can't resist any meal at all and we eat out sooooooo much.
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  12. I did the same "reality vs. ideology" thing 8 or so years ago when I realized my unhappiness with myself was boring others and making them unhappy and it was time to take action. We're just not wired to cope with the abundance of food and food messages that surround us so relying on what's "natural" doesn't work. I really found WW helpful -- re-educated me about eating, made me feel I was worth the time, effort, and cost of feeding myself for a healthy weight. I did the points 'til I lost what I wanted to, but for maintenance I've relied on whatever they're calling the other option, sticking mainly with certain "healthier" foods.
    You'll soon be feeling much better about your daily patterns, I suspect -- in fact, I rather envy that stage when you get into the discipline groove -- keep trying to gear myself to get back there again!
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  13. Good luck Deja. My husband started a week ago with his best friend at my suggestion. I knew the male competitive thing would keep them both going.

    Just remember 20 raw cashew nuts and an apple is only 2.5 points. As long as my between meal snacks are sorted I find I'm OK.

    Bon courage ma chere!
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  14. It's not so much what I eat, it's my lack of activity. I must start making myself go to the gym--I'm fine once I'm there, the getting ready that's hard.
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  15. You're not a sellout. If you were happy with your body, that'd be one thing ... but since you're NOT, getting some help from WW just means that you've made caring for yourself a priority. And I think that's awesome. Hope that didn't sound unbearably preachy ...
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  16. I think the only way to decide these things is whether we feel ok about ourselves or not. I put on about 10lbs in my early 50s and couldn't budge it and began to hate the way I looked in my clothes. Then, a couple of years ago, various changes in my life meant I started walking more - not heavy excercise, just walking locally instead of driving. Within a couple of months, the weight went and it has never come back on. Now, in my late 50s I am a weight I feel happy with. It might be coincidence and I know that when I was working in a very busy and demanding job (I now work from home) I just didn't have time to walk to places. Good luck but don't deprive yourself - that doesn't make you feel better either.
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  17. Oh I hear you Deja Pseu! Please keep us informed on how this goes.
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  18. I hear you! I used to be able to eat anything and never gain an ounce. In my forties, I gained 15 lbs. Then I realized it's because I had started eating 3 meals a day. I used to have no breakfast; a light snack for lunch then a complete dinner. I was too thin before and like my curves now. But to maintain I walk, walk, walk. I did go out and buy all new jeans, no more boy cut for me anymore!
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  20. Interesting to hear of the changes in WW! Of course exercise and watching what you eat are the foundations of health, but when you reach that certain age it may also be sluggish thyroid. This can be helped with certain yoga exercises; there are also some good thyroid supplements which leave out the actual hormone, but support your thyroid gland so it can make more of its own. Worth checking out if your doing the diet and exercise right and still nothing works.
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  21. Oh Pseu...I was just on the site yesterday, trying to talk myself out of spending the money, but I know it is the only thing that works! Keep us posted, I'll let you know how I do, as well...although I've got way more than 10 pounds to eradicate!
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  22. I slunk back to WW last year "en désespoir de cause" after having slammed the door on it in 1994 because I couldn't have two pieces of toast for breakfast.

    I don't know when you last tried it, but Flexipoints is WONDERFUL. It is now possible to tailor it to what suits you.

    Good luck-- I hope you'll like it as much as I do. (Comment deleted and resubmitted after correcting a big fat "faute de français")
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  23. Eating like a Frenchy might work if we Angelenos WALKED as much as our French cousines. Even on days when she walks the dog and/or hikes before work, Miss J still spends too much time in a car!

    Best wishes, Miss Pseu.
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  24. okay - my sister who i adore has always battled weight. When she turned 50 two years ago, she started getting depressed and developed fibromyalgia. She is
    4'11, a D cup and 45lbs over weight. She tried everything, clensing, nutra-systems, jenny craig etc....she became very frustrated because by now she is 52 and has difficulty exercising. she called me one morning and asked me to go with her to weight watchers. i did not want to go at first, but thought that it would help her so i did. she is now 22lbs lighter and is starting to feel better. she just joined a gym and will be starting to excercise. i am so proud of her. i am a true weight watchers believer. especially for someone over 50 - it works. i wish you much success.
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  25. I reached that point last week. We have a newspaper here, the Guardian, that does an eat right diet scheme. Probably a bit like WW but no public weighing. I get a sheet with meals for the week and can alter them within what is available for that meal plus a shopping list and an exercise sheet. I am doing more of that anyway for myself. I lost what was required for week one and am now on week two. I feel better for having committed myself and optimistic that I can shed the extra pounds.

    All the very best. Let us know how you get on.
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  26. Another post that hits me where I live...

    We know now that those excess pounds that attach themselves firmly to our middles as we age are the most dangerous ones when it comes to our health. Diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's -- nothing empowering about those things.

    Do what works for you -- everyone is different -- but find a sensible nutrition plan with a pleasant variety and stick to it. Find out what supplements are most helpful. Get regular sleep.

    And just as important -- find a form of exercise to love. I took up belly dancing. It's fun, great for the spine (better than yoga!) and -- with a teacher who's even older than I am -- seriously empowering to this post-menopausal woman.

    Bonne chance!
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  27. Sorry, after "Kelp-a-Malt" I couldn't concentrate. With a name like that, how could it fail?
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  28. If you haven't already, look into the glycemic index and glycemic load of foods. Foods with low GI/GL numbers keep your blood sugar steadier instead of spiking it. That is not only healthier in sooo many ways (esp. if you have or are at particular risk for diabetes), but it also keeps you feeling full longer. And while many good foods are low carb, it's more about a balance of good carbs & low/no carb foods.

    As someone who is prone to gaining weight and has a family history of weight related diseases, I have to watch my weight. I hate to watch the GI numbers, plus portion sizes, plus calories, plus ingredients. I try to avoid trigger foods (I keep carob in the house often, but not chocolate usu. unless it's really dark so I can't eat much), I try to avoid ingredients like HFCS & MSG that trick your body into being hungry, I try to avoid eating out, I try to avoid processed foods (i.e. stuff in boxes), and I stock my kitchen with healthy foods -- but not a lot of food. Because I rather eat food than "waste" it, I have to be careful to only buy just enough food to get me between grocery trips except for some staples like dried beans (so I'll never starve, lol).

    Other things that have helped me are taking walks with my honey, finding ways to be more a little more active (e.g. parking further away from stores, taking stairs instead of elevators), & trying to hit the treadmill when I watch video at home.

    On the plus side, though, I eat so much better stuff now than when I was skinny and could eat anything without gaining weight. It's even tastier in that "real food" way -- so much so that I swear I can taste preservatives now (yuck!). And I enjoy getting out to walk with my husband.
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  30. Imogen - chocolate is actually good for you... seriously! Especially dark chocolate which is loaded with flavanoids. I plan to work in a small square of 70% dark chocolate every day.

    Couture Allure - thanks.

    metscan - live without chocolate would be very dull indeed. I'll try to give this thing a fair shake and report back.
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  31. Marsi - actually, thanks to mes chiens I do get between 25-50 minutes of brisk walking daily. I'm trying to walk more on my lunch break as well.

    Ack! - I'm so with you on the liver and fake food. I'd rather have just a teaspoon of real olive oil on my salad than "diet" salad dressing.

    Belle - LOL about blogging. Foie Gras? I'd bet against it...
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  32. Style Spy - thanks for that. What you've said about mental and emotional energy is especially resonating with me right now.

    Gina - I so agree about sticking to "real" foods. I definitely plan to do that.

    Dana - I'll have a look at that. Exercise alone has never done much to impact my weight, but I could do with some strength and firming...
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  33. Duchesse - you're so right about the packaged snacks. I remember reading the ingredients in something a co-worker had brought in, and the very FIRST ingredient was "high fructose corn syrup!" And yes about the one square of chocolate. If you buy good chocolate (I'm fond of Spicy Maya or super-dark Valhrona) a little is all you need.

    WendyB - the words "snappy" and "mackerel" should never be placed that close together lest it tear a hole in the space-time continuum.

    mater - Thanks! I hope I hit the groove soon...day 1 was tough!
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  34. GP - good to know, thanks! I've been keeping a stash of raw almonds, but apparently they're much higher in points for the same amount.

    Nancy - I don't mind going to the gym, but these days it would involve getting a babysitter at $15/hour. I'm having to stick to walking the dogs and riding my stationary bike after the young'un goes to bed.
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  35. Sal - not preachy at all! Thanks for the support.

    Sheila - I hear you. Been there, done that when it comes to deprivation. Life's too short to eat crappy food.

    Cybill - thanks, will do.
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  36. Sher - it sounds like you've achieved a healthy balance, good for you!

    Pomona Belvedere - actually I had my thyroid removed a couple years ago, and have been taking synthetic thyroid hormone ever since. The docs monitor it pretty closely, so I think in my case that's probably not the issue.

    Maravonda - it's a deal. If this works, it will be entirely worth the money.
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  37. Joan - glad to hear that it's working for you now, and what you say about the flexibility makes me think maybe I can make it work for me. I've committed more "fautes de français" than I'd care to admit...
    ;-)

    Miss Janey - that's a good point. Drat our car-centered lifestyles!

    maria - oh, I'm so glad to hear that it's working for your sister.
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  38. Completely Alienne - that sounds like a workable plan. Sometimes the hardest part is committing to do it, n'est-ce pas?

    Carmen - merci! The belly dancing sounds like fun.

    Fritnancy - hard to believe that was an actual product, eh?
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  39. Meg - thanks! Actually I've been eating a (relatively) low GI diet for a few years now, as I tend toward hypoglycemia, and the low GI eating tends to keep my blood sugar levels on an even keel.
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  40. Hilarious: snappy mackerel. Oh, please that sounds icky!

    Well, WW worked for me after baby, and it works for lots of people. I wish you the best. You can do it!
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  41. Snappy mackarel? Yikes, if you don't cook it properly, does it snap off fat? Is that the clue?

    I'm going to WW for the first time. I'm a diabetic and apparently even WW can work with that. And the good news is, even diabetics can "cheat" with ice cream. Mostly I'm hoping to get healthier food ideas for the family.

    My year younger sister started WW in January after her doctor told her she was a prime candidate for diabetes. He did a blood glucose and found she was pre-diabetic. Just by losing 20 pounds she's back to normal.

    And yum, there are some delicious 70% cacao bars that are delicious.

    Good luck!

    Christine
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  42. I've always hated liver, and fortunately, wasn't forced to eat it. Some time ago, I read an article that was asking cancer doctors what they do personally to avoid cancer - one Dr. said he avoids liver because it's a biochemical cesspool!
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  43. It was incredible how quickly my metabolism changed when I turned 50. I have had to face the fact that, even though I do power yoga nearly every day, my body just doesn't need the calories any more. And I just don't feel good when I'm 10 or 15 pounds over my usual weight. So I have learned to "unlove" food, eat small portions and take no seconds, and have lots of veggies. (Though I still eat too much chocolate, but I can't worry about everything.)
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  44. Salymandy - the only mackerel I'll eat is the good stuff at the sushi bar. :-)

    Christine - that's good to hear! My MIL (who has never been overweight) was diagnosed a couple years ago with Type II, and has been controlling it with diet.
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  45. Rita - that's my thinking as well. Kidneys, liver...why eat the organs responsible for filtering the body's impurities???

    Leanne - too much chocolate? Is there really such a thing? Seriously, though, I can see that I'm going to have to make adjustments beyond what my appetite (which has shrunk considerably in last few years) dictates.
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  46. ha ha that ad is hilarious!! Diets don't work do they. I did a spoof diet on my blog once: The Felt Diet - full of fiber and zero calories. I couldn't stomach eating the stuff tho! good luck a-pointing.
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  47. I love WW and went right out of college when I had ballooned out of my clothing. I learnt so much, and am now "naturally thin." WW will help!!!
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  48. Mireille is wonderful and inspiring but your Doc is right. W.W. works but does make one feel like a sell out! I never tell anyone when I am counting the points.
    I just found you but think I have been here before- as a fellow Parisjunkie I love your blog and am now following!
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  49. EmmaK - Felt? As in the stuff they make hats from? High fiber indeed.

    Karen - well, just don't go eating any of that Kelp-a-Malt! Have a blast in Venice!

    Angela - bonjour, et bienvenue! I probably won't tell anyone IRL either. I've been one of those tiresome "can't eat that on my diet" people in the past and don't want to become one again. I do plan to eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies, and no tasteless rice cakes!
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