SC - OT, OOP Diet was skinny cooks

[Bonne of Traquair]

the
>only way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat sensibly and exercise, 
>which is
>what I'm trying now.
>
>Kiri

I'm on the strict budget diet plan because  I've not been working since we 
moved. Eating better and exercising more is a result of not being able to 
afford otherwise.  We can afford enough fresh, whole food to prepare 
breakfast and dinner for a month.  The girls buy their lunch at school, Tony 
and I have leftovers.  There is almost no such thing as snacking.  If the 
girls want to save their lunch money for other purposes, or there aren't 
leftovers, lunch is PBJ or cheese sandwiches.

We can't afford to waste one bit of the food we buy.  The bulk of the food 
is bought first of the month, and carefully wrapped and refrigerated. We 
used to be so careless and threw out many gooey vegetables still in the 
cello bag from the store.  Prep work like cutting up meat or cooking the  
dried beans is done that day.  We used go out to eat because the meat/beans 
in the house weren't in a ready to cook for dinner state.  Leftovers are 
packaged up promptly to ensure they don't spoil before becoming another 
meal, you know, roast becomes pie.  Trimmings and scraps become broth.

The flour is for bread, not cookies.  The bottle of oil and 2 lbs of butter  
must last the month, so I cook with far less fat. I cut  pats of butter for 
spreading on bread at table.  Similarly, I put measured portions of other 
toppings, like salsa or  sour cream, into little bowls on the table.   The 
girls think I've just gone crazy over serving things 'nicely'. But the real 
purpose is portion control. It also lowers the spoilage rate since the stuff 
is unrefrigerated for just minutes instead of an hour or so.

The only meat we eat is that which is on sale for 99 cents a lb or less on 
shopping day, and we eat only the 'deck of cards' recommended serving size.  
   Our meals contain far more vegetables and  breads/grain/pasta.  The milk 
must last the week and box of tea bags for iced tea last the month so we 
actually do drink water between meals.  The coffee and cream must last the 
month, so we each only drink one cup. (We could buy cheaper coffee and use 
milk in it, but then we wouldn't want the first cup.)

We only want to buy two tanks of gas a month, so I'm doing a lot of errands 
on foot.  I'm not counting calories, but I'm much more aware of my caloric 
needs.  If I've been out on foot, I take the second helping.  If I've been 
home reading or doing homework, I pack it for lunch.   When I have to spend 
the day out of the house, I pack a sandwich and go to a park or the beach 
between errands rather than getting fast food.  I never fail to eat before 
going to class because I don't want to waste the quarters on a snack out of 
the machine.

Prior to meals I feel empty, which isn't at all the same as hungry.  Feeling 
empty is just a function of having digested the last meal before eating the 
next.   If you aren't snacking all day, this happens.  (look of amazement)   
The late afternoon hungries are the cue to fix dinner, not the cue to eat 
junk food.  No, I don't eat while cooking, but dinner is ready before I'm 
truly hungry.  When do I snack, it is likely to be yogurt, fruit, or toast 
w/jam.

I don't know how much weight is gone as I don't own a scale.  Enough for 
Tony to notice when he hugs me. Enough to use the middle set of hooks on my 
bra instead of the last set.  I'm considering taking a dart in my waistband! 
  My birthday money late this month will definately go for new pants.

So, that's the strict budget diet plan.  Don't misunderstand, we aren't in 
financial dire straits.  Living this frugally is a conscious choice for the 
time being.  Losing weight is a side benefit.

Bonne



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