Cjessfit

Well, it’s not every day I tell a guy…”I’ll wear leggings next time so you can measure my thighs,” but that phrase did escape my lips a few weeks ago.  That guy wasn’t just any guy, but the doctor helping to keep me on track with my fat loss goals.  I say “fat loss” because I’m more concerned about watching my  fat percentage decrease than I am fixated on reaching a desired weight.

Women and food are funny…and maybe it’s really everyone who’s funny, but I notice food faux pas much more with my girlfriends and other gals.  What is it that separates men and women in terms of food?

First of all, men seem to be able to eat more and gain less, or at least less rapidly than women.  Similarly, it’s like they can go on a diet for a week and lose what a woman would take a month to lose.  So what gives?  Well, there is actually a very scientific explanation as to why this occurs, but that’s far less interesting than the differences in the relationships men and women have with food.

I know….a little weird to follow up a blog post on food porn with one about relationships with food….but bear with me.

Maybe its the recovering addict in me, but I’ve always battled much more with my diet than I have with intense workouts.  Delicious food is referred to as “comfort food” for a reason.  Food serves as a the focal point for many a get-together.  In many other countries, dinners and luncheons can last upwards of 2-3 hours.  But for on the go Americans, fast food was an expected addition to our culture and lifestyle, and has been the cause of countless health problems.  Just think about it…anything worth having is worth waiting for, but when there rarely seems to be enough hours in the day, how can anyone make the necessary time it takes to make a wholesome and healthy meal?

It can be tough to eat well, especially if you’re single and don’t have anyone else to cook for.  I can’t speak for busy moms and dads who most likely have an equally trying time planning their family’s meals, but I do know that I enjoy cooking much more when I have others to cook for.

I’ve written about all kinds of quick snacks and foods on the go, but the best tip of all for eating healthy is to plan, and plan early!  Here’s one thing I’ve noticed women being much better at.  I’m sure there are men who will make the time, I just haven’t met many.  Heck, I can’t hardly get my boyfriend to pack his own lunch when I shop and pre-cook food for him!

I’ve been buying and preparing a week’s worth of food on the weekends, so that each day all I have to do is reach into the fridge, grab a bag, and head out. I’m fortunate enough to have a kitchen at work, and with this new diet, need only worry about the 2 cups of vegetables that accompany my pre-packaged soup mix for lunch.  Mornings and snacks have been easy with a ready-made hot chocolate protein mix for breakfast, and an afternoon low-carb cranberry bar.  But dinner takes a bit more creativity.

Just as important as mixing up your workout routine, you have to be creative with your meals.  I’m ok having the same breakfast, lunch, and snack while I continue on my fat loss journey, but at the end of the day, there’s nothing better than a home cooked meal.

Many might be bored with the idea of meat and veggies every night, but if you think outside the box, you can enjoy hundreds of different healthy variations, here are a few of my favorites:

Water chestnuts/asparagus wrapped in turkey bacon (low sodium)

elk steak with sauteed shrimp

grilled chicken salad with apple cider vinegar and mustard as a dressing

cucumber/apple cider vinegar, ground pepper salad

IP veggie chili with sauerkraut

grilled chicken or lean beef steak topped with pico de gallo (tomatoes, cilantro, red/yellow onions, white or cider vinegar and sea salt)

no-mayo tuna salad with chopped dill pickles (no sugar added) iceberg or green leaf lettuce (chopped), pepper, sea salt, apple cider vinegar, cucumbers; cut bell peppers and use them for dipping; make tuna lettuce wraps, or add to a larger bowl of lettuce for a salad–*I add mustard too.

mixed bell pepper & cucumber salad with vinegar, add meat, lettuce, or serve on its own

steamed broccoli with parmesan cheese and black pepper (add to soup or lean beef or flank steak)

sauteed sliced mushrooms with minced garlic, virgin olive oil, black pepper, sea salt (add to soup, chicken or steak dish)

grilled chicken with lemon juice, parmesan cheese, minced garlic, pepper, bell peppers, vinegar/hot sauce to taste

Clearly, there is a pattern here.  I use the same seasoning for just about every dish.  I love rich, rich food, as well as spicy food, so I always add hot sauce. Also, I try to stick to the lowest carb veggies possible, and just mix and match my arrangement of them into different meals.  Think of stuffed bell peppers, deer, bison, or elk steak, and don’t forget about seafood, which can be much lower in calories and fat.  Also, water chestnuts are great for texture and a little something different, and I love the acidic quality and flavor of sauerkraut; neither of which are veggies you hear much about.  Salads don’t have to be boring; just add spices!  My favorite dressings are an oil and vinegar (apple cider) with sea salt and pepper mix, with a little bit of flavorful hot sauce.  Plain mustard is good too!

Once you’ve got the meals handled, though, there are two major things you have to battle; social gatherings, and cravings!

I’ve found that as long as I stick to my plan before the planned get together, drink lots of water, and commit to myself beforehand that I’m not going to “cheat,” than I do ok.  Anymore, people respect and appreciate a healthy eater.  You can also count on fresh veggies or meat trays if it’s a party or reception you’re attending, but if you can bring your own dish, do it!  Drink a lot of water whenever you’re in a tempting situation. That’s about all I’ve found to really help curb my false appetite.  *A shot of apple cider vinegar is also known to boost metabolism and provide a sense of fullness, while also alleviating fatigue.  I’ve become kind of junkie for the stuff (2-4 tbs. daily).

If you’re lucky, you can find a friend so you don’t have to go it alone.  I know that my best friend, another perpetual dieter, is the first person I call when I’m thinking about splurging.  Kind of cheesy, but you’re less likely to do something like “cheat” if someone else knows or will find out about it.  Like my “diet coach.”  There’s no way I want to walk into his office with a food journal filled with sugary treats.

As for the sweet tooth….(siiiiigh) I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t having dreams about donuts, but I simply know how awful the guilt of giving in feels, and would rather avoid breaking a good streak if at all possible.  So, what do I turn to?  Hot tea.

Boooooooooooorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggggg!!!!!!

Yes, it’s totally boring, but I’ve found a few favorites that seem to help a lot; Wild Berry Zinger and Stash’s Licorice Spice (taste’s like black licorice).  At night I like to have Sleepy Time tea too.  Hot things are more filling than cold, and when I’m having a good water day, I’m always freezing cold and in the bathroom half the day.  Oh the price we pay…..

Once you reach your desired goal, you can add  all kinds of healthy treats into the mix, but I dare not start fantasizing about those now….

Tags: Diet, healthy meals, Ideal Protein, Low carb snacks, meat & veggies, paleo meals, The differences between men and women, Weight loss