FR Diet, Exercise, and Fitness Thread

[retrokitten]

NO VERBAL ATTACKS! NO NAME CALLING! NO BASHING! THE OVERWEIGHT! NO NASTY PICTURES! NO OFFENSIVE KEYWORDS! They will only be deleted anyway. This will be a thread about getting healthy and no attacks will be tolerated.

Todays theme is HEALTHY RECIPES! Please share your favorite! Here are a few I found...

Spinach, Grapefruit and Almond Salad

This recipe serves: 6

Preparation time : 15 minutes
Cooking time : 10 minutes

Ingredients

For the vinaigrette:
1 tablespoon soy sauce
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
1/3 cup olive oil
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper

For the salad:

1/2 cup slivered almonds
4 cups spinach, cleaned and torn into bite-size pieces
1 grapefruit, peeled and sectioned

Cooking Instructions
For the vinaigrette:
1. Place all the ingredients in a container with a tight-fitting lid. Shake well.
2. Add the salt and pepper to taste.

For the salad:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Spread the almonds on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes.
3. Place the spinach in a bowl and toss with the vinaigrette.
4. Transfer the dressed spinach leaves to a serving plate. Arrange the grapefruit sections on top and sprinkle with the almonds.
To roast whole, slivered, chopped or sliced almonds: Spread in an ungreased baking pan. Place in a 350°F oven and bake 10 minutes or until golden brown and fragrant; stir once or twice to ensure even browning. Note that almonds will continue to roast slightly after removing from oven.

Veggie City Dip

This recipe makes: 8 servings

Preparation time : 30 minutes
Cooking time : 25 minutes

Ingredients
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/3 cup finely chopped onions
1/3 cup finely chopped green or red bell peppers
1/3 cup finely chopped zucchini
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 cup peeled and finely chopped eggplant
1/3 cup chopped tomatoes
1 teaspoon chopped, fresh basil (dried is fine)
salt to taste
freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1/3 teaspoon sugar

Cooking Instructions
1. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and peppers. Cook for 2 minutes.
2. Add the zucchini, celery and eggplant. Cook 2 minutes more.
3. Add the tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer about 20 minutes, uncovered. Let cool.
4. Add the vinegar and sugar. Adjust the salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve cold as a dip with pita bread, crackers or tortilla chips.

Atkins Broiled Orange-Chili Chicken Breasts

Servings: 4

Prep time: 0:10:00
Bake/Cook time: 0:15:00
Calories: 402
Fat: 22 grams
Protein: 47 grams
Carbohydrates: 1 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Net Carbs: 1 grams

1/4 cup orange juice
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon granular sugar substitute
1 teaspoon grated orange rind
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
4 boneless chicken breast halves, with skin (about 2 pounds)
salt and freshly ground black pepper

In a large resealable plastic bag, mix orange juice, garlic, oil, chili powder, sugar substitute, orange rind and cayenne pepper. Add chicken breasts; toss to coat. Refrigerate 6 to 8 hours, or overnight Heat broiler. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Position broiler rack 6 inches from heat source and broil chicken 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway through cooking time, just until cooked through.

Atkins Mascarpone Parfait

Servings: 4
Prep time: 0:15:00
Bake/Cook time: 0:00:00
Calories: 458
Fat: 48 grams
Protein: 5 grams
Carbohydrates: 3 grams
Fiber: 0 grams
Net Carbs: 3 grams

1 cup heavy cream
1 (8-ounce) container mascarpone, slightly softened
1 tablespoon granular sugar substitute
4 small mint sprigs and strips of lemon peel, for garnish

In the large bowl of an electric mixer, beat heavy cream on medium-high to soft peaks. Reduce speed to medium; add mascarpone and sugar substitute, beating just until smooth, 15 to 30 seconds. Divide and spoon the cream mixture into four parfait cups. Garnish with mint sprigs and lemon peel, if desired.

Weight Watchers Recipes

Atkins Recipes

South Beach Recipes

Body For Life Recipes

General Low Carb recipes

Food Fit.com's guide to summer vegetables

[dittomom]

Hey there! Congrats on all the pounds you are getting to leave as well! Actually, I have been satisfied to listen to talk radio while I tread the mill. But I also like having Rush's dittocam running. Problem with that is I have to turn my head to see it, so my hubby is considering getting me a flat screen mounted on the wall in front of the treadmill. There is a media tray on my treadmill but I don't think it's big enough for a laptop. A point to ponder though - it could work - thanks for the suggestion.

Well, it's almost time for El Rushbo, so I gotta get movin'!

[~Vor~]

The chicken is very good....and eating low carb/low or no sugar has gotten by sugar down from 512 to between 90-95 which I've been maintaining for the last 2 weeks or so. The doctor did put me on 250 mg of Metformin a day, but that's a rather low dose compared to what some people I work with are taking...one is taking 2,000 mg's a day plus an insulin shot at night...but, this person can also be seen in the break room chowing down on a honey bun for breakfast. I am determined NOT to get to that point!

[pissant]

Oh yeah. they make some good Pizza. And if you get an outdoor seat, you can watch the rollerblading chicks go by too!

[najida]

Out of fairness,
On threads such as that you've been very polite.

I'm referring to other threads.

[irishtenor]

Wow, keep it up. My Blood Sugar is at about 185-235 when I don't exercise. When I do, it is at about 110-120.

[irishtenor]

Amen.

[retrokitten]

Sorry to bitch like this.

Don't apologize at all! That is why I wanted to start a thread like this, so we could help each other out and not get discouraged when things aren't going as we planned.

I'm not a sweets eater either, but I do love salty foods, like chips. Pringles 100 calorie packs do the trick for me. They come in a box of 6 prepackaged containers that are 100 calories each. I have one nearly everyday in my lunch.

[irishtenor]

There is a new brewery in White Cener (not the best area to visit) that makes some very good beer. Oh, and the one in West Seattle, in the junction.

[pissant]

That seems an odd place for a brewery. I really like the food at the Elliott Bay Brew-pub in the junction. Their burger with bacon and blue cheese is to die for.

[retrokitten]

but that's a rather low dose compared to what some people I work with are taking...one is taking 2,000 mg's a day plus an insulin shot at night...but, this person can also be seen in the break room chowing down on a honey bun for breakfast

We must work at the same place. I have several diabetic coworkers who make regular trips to the vending machine for Twinkies and Zingers. Not to mention all of the fast food they eat for lunch several times a week (they aren't getting Wendy's salads either). Then they complain about not being able to lose weight or their blood sugar being high. Gee...do you think that maybe related to the Zingers?

[Spiff]

For breakfast, low-fat yogurt. For lunch, a "salad" that's really a small baggie of grape tomatoes and slices of red bell pepper, cucumber, and zucchini. For dinner, the same salad, or possibly a burger (no bun) or chicken breast or can of tuna.

You eat this every day? That's got to be boring.

For me, breakfast is usually a NO-fat yogurt with a little bit of whole grain granola mixed in. Compare a no-fat yogurt with your lowfat yogurt and you'll see the difference in fat calories and calories in general. Whole grain granola can be tricky to find - the normal stuff is not what you want. I also drink a 6 oz glass of Spicy Hot V8 (Mmmmm). Around 10am I'm usually hungry and I eat a piece of fruit - normally a banana.

For lunch, I often eat a big salad, sometimes with some small chunks of chicken breast on it. I'm very careful about how much salad dressing I put on it and I stick with the very low fat or no fat dressings. Otherwise, I eat leftovers from home in small portions. I used FitDay.com to track the calories, fat, carbs, protein in my lunch dishes long enough to know what I can and can't eat and how much.

I usually have an afternoon snack of 94% fat free popcorn or reduced fat Triscuits or something semi-healthy that does not contain too much fat or calories.

For dinner, it is usually a healthy dish that my wife makes. Casseroles made with whole wheat pasta, low fat cheese, fat free sour cream, fat free cottage cheese, a little bit of lean meat if any meat is used. Usually a side salad with small amount of low fat or fat free dressing on it. In a rush, I'll eat a Lean Cuisine or something.

For dessert in the evening, if I eat one, it is usually a sugar free or fat free pudding or something like it. My wife has become good at cooking up hot, low cal, low fat desserts and I've had a variety as she tries out different recipes.

Now, I'm male and you're female and things may work differently. However, my wife is doing the same basic diet but just eat less that I eat because she weighs a lot less, is quite a bit shorter, and her metabolism requires far fewer calories. She eats basically the same things I eat, just somewhat less of it. It is harder for her because she has far fewer calories to work with, but she's done it somehow and has hit few plateaus.

You really need to analyze your diet using something like FitDay.com to see exactly what you're eating and how it breaks down by fat, carbs, and protein. You'd be surprised how many fat calories you're eating even if you try to stick to "low" fat foods. And don't be afraid of carbs - just stay away from empty carbs. White bread is a no-no. Whole grain wheat bread is the way to go. If I eat a burger or something, I eat it on a whole wheat bun or just put it between two slices of whole wheat bread. But, for the most part, I stay away from ground beef and stick to leaner cuts and poultry IF I am even eating meat at all for the meal.

[I'm ALL Right!]

THANKS!!

[confederacy of dunces]

You're not b!*ching. What you're putting up with is incredibly frustrating.

Popcorn is good for salty-type craving things. So are pretzels. Just make sure to watch the portions.

Also, lots of doctors don't know a thing about nutrition. What you are eating sounds like what a doctor tried to get me to do longer ago than I will admit to you. The results were not at all good.

Maybe it would be worth your while to get in touch with a nutritionist.

Also, you may have answered this before, and I don't want to pry, but are you taking any medications? Some are a real problem when it comes to losing weight. You can Freepmail me if you want.

[irishtenor]

It is an odd place for a brewery, but they make some great beer. It is on, like, 14th or something. I think they sponsor the Rat City Rollergals.And yes, I love the burgers at the Elliot Bay Brewery. That was the one I mentioned in the Junction, just couldn't remember the name. I even know one of the waitresses there.

[StrictTime]

Xenalyte, you need to add more calories to your diet. I would seriously question the doctor who put you on such a low calorie regimen. Since being on this extreme diet, have you had any emotional episodes that aren't normal for you? I remember when I was doing a "diet" (under 1000 cal. per day) when my blood sugar would get so low that I would feel cloudy and paranoid. Not to mention bitchy as all get out. It was very unhealthy. Any diet that brings you in under 1200 calories a day is IMO dangerous. Plus, like a previous poster said, you will lose weight at first, then your body goes into "starvation mode" and will save every bit of fat and calories.

If you are working out hard, you might need to add a couple hundred more calories a day to fuel your body.

Good luck! Please check with your doctor again about that diet. It's hard for me to believe that a professional would recommend it.

[motormouth]

I wasnt picking on you btw, it was said in jest.

:o)

MM

[Dashing Dasher]

Get him to do the routines with you!

That would be fun!

[Spiff]

For dinner, it is usually a healthy dish that my wife makes. Casseroles made with whole wheat pasta, low fat cheese, fat free sour cream, fat free cottage cheese, a little bit of lean meat if any meat is used. Usually a side salad with small amount of low fat or fat free dressing on it. In a rush, I'll eat a Lean Cuisine or something.

I should have mentioned that my wife has become an expert at making low calorie, low fat dishes that even the kids don't mind eating. If it wasn't for her good diet cooking, I wouldn't be able to lose this weight while being able to eat a variety of dishes. However, if it wasn't for her good cooking in general, I probably wouldn't have had most of the weight in the first place.

Maybe I can get her to register on Free Republic and post some of her diet recipes.

[pissant]

LOL. I used to know most of the waitresses when I lived in W. Seattle. It's been a few years now. Circa on Admiral & California is my fave place there though.