I have to lose weight. No choice. I am old and too much strain on the internal organs and external joints. And my past life of hiking and running ended abruptly with a bad fall on the ice where I injured my back.
I look around me and realize that it is the skinnier ones who live long and healthily and preserve their joints well by walking or other form of exercise every day. My doc advised swimming but a brother tells me not a good idea as the surfaces are very slippery and my footing is none too reliable and I doubt if I could carry George, my trusty cane, into the pool. Walking some days is not as challenging as others, depending on the pain in my knee joints and my back. But persistence is my middle name.
I lost 5 pounds in the last two weeks. I can never quite think well in metric, the old imperial measures have more meaning for me. 5 pounds converts to 2.27 kilos but that sounds kind of pitiful next to 5 large pounds. Kilos are too dainty. Miserly almost.
So yesterday I made my dairy free, gluten free, salt free, fish chowder. I don't use recipes for the most part so if anyone wants, I can list what I threw in it but not the quantities.
I find soup nourishing and I don't feel so deprived when eating it. My father, a stickler for table manners, told us we "ate" soup, and only peasants "drank" it. We were also told that only the uncivilized cut their buns, the civilized broke theirs gently, not crushing the innards. Considering we were one generation removed from poverty stricken tenant farmers this was a giant leap to "grandness" in table manners. Emulating our betters. I could tell you more stories.
So I was able to put 4 jars in the freezer while saving another bowl for tonight. I have to be very strict with myself as food calls my name more often than not. And having had spells as an anorexic in my past I have to be vigilant and mindful and, well, disciplined. Ouch.
I got into a great routine during hardcore Lockdown - walking, gently and slowly each and every day for one hour. On my own so I could set my own pace. I didn’t go far but I did it for a full hour.
ReplyDeleteMy arthritis improved, my sleep improved.
On the days I couldn’t go out I walked from the kitchen to the front room and back, repeatedly, for an hour.
Now we’re being told it’s “over” it’s hard to remember and maintain such a simple dedicated routine.
Life has come back to get in the way.
Oh Anne, it's not over by a long shot as we well know. Deaths are on the rise and have been under reported to avoid alarm but scientists have caught up with the deception by scrutinizing the mortality rates.
DeleteGood tip on the walking. An hour would be way beyond me right now so I am going to set more manageable targets. A slow process.
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You should be able to walk the hallways of your building for an hour, back and forth. I have a friend in a senior's complex, and when she can't get outside to walk, she either walks in her apartment or in the hallways. She has to tell people they can't stop her to talk as she has to keep moving.
DeleteI'm going to start with 5 minutes Delaine as my breathing is quite awful at the moment. But that's the plan anyway and I'll see how it goes.
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5 minutes is a good target, then suddenly you will find yourself doing 10 minutes without realising it. And that's how it goes.
DeleteBuilding up a minute at a time, patience and forbearance. Easier said than done as we know but worth it in the long run. I remember training for races and that didn't happen overnight but took a lot of work. :D
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Good luck with losing the pounds. I have no wise advice as I'm lucky enough to have always been my recommended weight.
ReplyDeleteIt's disappointing when a favourite food gets a new and usually inferior recipe after some new company takes over. Why do they do that?
Making a lot more money Nick. Saving on good ingredients and adding really awful stuff like palm oil and corn products. It's a sin. Truly.
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I hear you. On rather a lot of counts. Home made tastes sooooo much better than the commercial substitutes. And I cook to a recipe (more or less) when I make something for the first time, and rarely after that. Good luck. And enjoy your soup.
ReplyDeleteThank you EC, so far so good in my new journey.
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I was checking out intermittent fasting to find out what the health benefits are. Supposedly there are some; weight loss being among them. I'm not concerned about my weight but couldn't fast anyway; if I don't eat three meals a day -- migraine comes on. Also how much more difficult would it be if one was home all day? I'm in an office where there is no food around except what I bring for lunch; that would help if I were going to do the fasting thing. Which I probably never shall. I'd give another think to swimming though, Ms M. Or water exercises, whatever those may be. Surely there is a way to get you safely in and out. -Kate
ReplyDeleteNot really Kate on the swimming thing. Slippery floors, etc. I will try the walking for 5 minutes tomorrow. I did about 4 minutes today with a few breaks. I'm eating just 1000 calories a day, less strain on my internal organs. I will be glad when I have more time into it as it's challenging but I'm doing it.
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Shoot, sorry about that Anonymous thing. I hit Publish too soon. Then again I know you know it's me, so just this twice ... -Kate
ReplyDeleteI believe Blogger positively hates Word Press Kate. :D
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I have considered doing what advice given above is, from other readers, about walking -- winter is coming, the wind is nasty, the road can be icy, it's sometimes dangerous out there -- but surely I can walk to the end of my driveway and back for an hour? We shall see. -Kate
ReplyDeleteYes, I am lucky in that I have miles of hallways here as we have just two storeys on the flat, and a whole pile of flat it is! No excuse for me.
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Great post I'm having soups too in an effort to beat the bulge... hope you carry on and lose as much again, well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the support Chris and backatcha on the success. Soups are great and very nourishing and balanced when they don't have crap in them.
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Are you allowed footwear at the pool? There are non-slip swim shoes. I used to wear them all the time when I swam in the pond, my feet are super sensitive to stones and whatnot. I can't exercise so I am gaining weight, walking is how I used to stay thin, now I guess I'm going to have to diet. I have tried fasting and it is effective in losing weight, but it's not fun. I just made a salmon chowder tonight, several meals worth.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm going to avoid the pool until I'm more sure of my footing Annie. I am so sorry you are not exercising as I know you love the outdoors and all it does for you. I can't fast due to health issues and as I used to love fasting unhealthily that's a good thing.
DeleteYum, salmon chowder. Next on my list. Last night I put cod and scallops into mine.
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It sounds like you're committed to your new diet and exercise regimen, so good for you. Persistence is good, but don't over do it!
ReplyDeleteI won't overdo it Tom as I learn from the past of over extending capacity,
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Slimmer people do seem to live longer and be more mobile, so I hope your effort is worth your while. Making larger quantities and freezing them is a good idea.
ReplyDeleteI see you've been observing too Andrew. Quite a lesson there. I watch a 98 year old every morning, still independently living, wearing the same size she had "as a 20 year old bride" doing her outdoor calisthenics in the garden. Her driver's licence was pulled when she was 95 and she's still bitching about it. A total inspiration to many.
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Five pounds is an excellent beginning, now work on the next five pounds and after that the next and so on. I need to get cracking on my own weight loss/exercise routine. I made such a good start right before covid, but it all came back once I was staying inside and sitting down all day.
ReplyDeleteI know River, it's very very tough being in lockdown and my building was not enforcing the protocols so I couldn't walk the halls. Thank you for your good wishes.
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I am in agreement with your father. Soup is to be eaten, excepting perhaps clear broth, and the bread definitely broken and never cut! I am quite sure the bread welcomes the loving touch touch of hands gently moving it from plate to mouth but recoils at a sharp blade descending on it! Good luck with your resolve to eat less and lose weight. Easier said than done.
ReplyDeleteI do love your description of the bread David, perhaps cowering from that sharp knife. Yes, Dad was a stickler for proper table behaviour including for all those old fashioned and rare banquets where one worked one's way from the outside cutlery pieces at the seven course meal. I remember fish knives and sorbet courses to cleanse the palate!
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I've lost some weight through intermittent fast though i notice that's not an option for you.
ReplyDeleteSoup is always great and I find it the most interesting way to eat vegetables.
A 2kg loss is huge! at my best I lose 1kg/ month
1000 calories a day leaves very little flexibility in my eating plan Kylie but doc approved it as the urgency outweighed the limited plan. Too much strain on my kidneys. I wish I was underweight as that would help. But so far so good. I find a small snack at around 9.30 helps - protein and a bit of fruit.
DeleteCongrats on your loss!
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Knorr soups are still available in India and some other brands as well. I think that I will follow your formula but since I am a vegetarian, will choose something else.
ReplyDeleteIt must be frustrating to have to make improvements in small increments when you can so easily remember those long walks with your beloved dog. After some setbacks, I'm trying to build up strength again, too, and have been brought to frustrated tears at times.
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