Countdown to Flexitarianism

For reasons of health, and inpsired by the many carnivores I know who've recently gone vegan for health purposes, I have decided to officially become a flexitarian.

For those of you who don't know, this is basically an ovo-lacto vegetarian diet. However, two to three servings of meat per week are allowable, preferably fish or poultry. But even steak and bacon can be enjoyed guilt-free! (Well, not entirely guilt-free for me as I'm allergic to pork)

To help me along my path, I've joined a CSA and farm fresh produce will be delivered to my door. I've committed to one delivery/month to start. They recommended twice a month for a couple and I'm half as many people. I can always make that more frequent if necessary.

This week, I'm eating the two pounds of steak I had in the freezer and looking forward to getting those fun grains quinoa, bulgur and barley into my eating plan.

What I like best about this change is that I'm not thinking about it as a diet. I'm thinking about it as a lifestyle choice. That's a new perspective for me.

Of course, losing weight would be fantastic, but that's not the goal here. The goal is to eat healthier and be healthier.

If you have any yummy vegetarian recipes, I would love to hear about them. I will try to be good and blog about any yummy things I make as well as what's in my CSA delivery and what I make with it.

Change is exciting, and also delicious!

What I Ate - 2/15/11

Yesterday I did my BMI calculation and I'm down 2 points! I also tried on some new clothes and I have dropped a Dress Size. yay!

So even though I strayed a bit from my healthy plan (see after dinner snack), I still think it was a pretty good day!

B: Toast w/peanut butter, OJ, Protein Shake
S: Coffee, Apple, Orange
L: Juice Box, Turkey Chili, Salad
S: Coke Zero, Brussel sprouts
D: Broccoli Beef
S: Ben & Jerry's Imagine Whirled Peace

What I Ate - 2/14/11

It's been one month since I started trying to eat healthier. I've lost 14 pounds! Go Me!

B:Cereal w/nonfat milk, orange
S:Coffee, black bean brownie (I made them for the office for Valentine's Day)
L:Coffee Bean Grande Chai NSA Ice Blended, Chili Two Ways(two kinds of chili in a bowl)
S:Sliced Peaches, Access bar
D:Grilled Steak, Sauteed Cauliflower & Tomatoes
S:Black bean brownie

What I Ate - 2/13/11

I've been writing down what I eat as part of my plan to try and be healthier and lose weight. I decided to post some of my food journaling here to help keep me honest.

Menu for Sunday February 13:
B: Oatmeal with peaches & brown sugar, coffee
S: Roast Beef Sandwich bite, Turkey rollup bite, Tall Light Frappucino
L: Pasta Primavera with Shrimp & Pesto, Orange
S: Bagel w/Peanut Butter
D: Turkey Veggie Chili, Sauteed Cauliflower & Tomatoes
S: Lowfat Ice Cream bar

Diet Update

Everyone who knows me knows that I have struggled with my weight for my entire life. Largely due to a medical condition I have had since childhood and the lifelong treatments, my growth was stunted and my metabolism and liver suffered damage. On top of that is my genetic pre-disposition to be overweight. So it's not been easy to try and lose weight.

When I turned 40, I decided that I would stop depriving myself and instead decided to focus on improving my health. I started walking regularly and I also started cutting back on all things fried.

I also threw out my scale, only getting weighed once in awhile - at the doctor's office or at the studio nurse. I hadn't gotten weighed since being laid off in January, but this weekend I weighed myself on my new roommate's digital scale.

I have lost 25 pounds since last November. That is approximately 2 pounds per month. I am very proud of myself and just had to toot my own horn by posting it in my blog.

The great part is that it hasn't been that hard because my friends and family are so supportive. My softball coach invited me to join his "good health pool" which I did. I tied for 1st last month and split the jackpot! My walking buddy called and said she missed walking with me after work (since the layoff) and could we try it and meet on weekends or a couple evenings a week. A co-worker shared her before pics with me, told me how hard it was for her to lose weight, but how she persisted and had managed to keep it off.

So thanks to all of you and to my determination, I have this small victory. Onward!