Healthy Eating, Walking, and Bible Verse Smiles

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post, which is at no additional cost to you. :)

Weight Loss Progress Thanks to Healthy Eating & Walking!

Woohoo! I’m enjoying summer even if it is a wee bit HOT around our Sacramento area! In between healthy eating meals and snacks, I’ve managed to find a few routes, including walking trails, with plenty of shade and usually walk early, so I’m staying exercised in spite of the heat.

AND, speaking of my new healthy eating diet regimen, I’ve lost 20 pounds over the last couple of months, along with about 2 inches +/-!!!! That makes me a VERY happy baby boomer, indeed! My diet is not for everyone. I take after my dad, so I can eat the same thing for months on end and not mind it. Which is pretty handy when you’re trying to stick to 1400 calories AND not go hungry. So it’s working for me. But might be a bit boring for others. But for inquiring minds, here’s my main meal plan.

Good Healthy Meals

My Healthy Breakfast

• 1 poached egg on 1 piece of uber healthy toast. Right now it’s flax seed bread from Trader Joe’s. After I finish this loaf, though, I’m going back to the organic 12 grain omega 3 bread I purchased from Raley’s in Roseville. I don’t remember the name, just that it was in their refrigerator section. GOOD flavor!
• 2 stalks celery cut in small pieces
• 5 strawberries
• 1/2 grapefruit
• I usually do my 2 mile walk right after breakfast, then come back and have my snack

Healthy Snacks in the morning

Dannon Activia probiotic yogurt – I love the cherry/berry flavors – 100 calorie cup (4 oz I think) I also like their Vanilla but if it’s in a bigger cup, I don’t finish it all.

My Healthy Lunch

• Sandwich:
• Home Pride Wheat or other low cal, preferably healthy eating bread option – I’m a wuss! For sandwiches I like fluffy bread. I even take the crust off – which is, of course, lower calories.  😉
• Lunch meat – chicken or turkey, low fat, as little additives as possible tho I’m not that picky. Right now, my fave has been Hillshire Farm Naturals
• 1/2 avocado – thin sliced on one or both sides to replace mayo
• mustard sometimes
• lettuce
• tomato (my senior mom’s garden is giving me the BEST tasting ones!!!)

In addition to the sandwich, I enjoy:

• 2 stalks celery cut in small pieces
• 2 stalks celery cut in small pieces
• 5 strawberries (sometimes a peach – but those are higher calories)
• 1/2 grapefruit (sometimes a whole)

Healthy Snacks mid-afternoon

• 1/2 grapefruit
• Outshine fruit juice only popsicle bar – I LOVE all the red and pink ones from Outshine and only 25 calories. I also love their Pomegranite (70 calories) and their Raspberry (80 calories) but rarely eat them due to hitting my max of 1400. 😉

My Healthy Dinner Options (this I vary a little)

• Chicken – either breast or my personal fave – thighs (but those are higher in calories so I have to adjust) – often use Shake and Bake or other coating and count those calories in  OR Beef – lower calorie cut or grass-fed beef as that is lower calorie but NOT cheap
• Red or russet potato – SMALL
• 1/2 tablespoon of Brummel and Brown spread with yogurt
• Occasionally a vegetable like corn or peas but mostly
• 2 stalks celery cut in small pieces
• 5 strawberries
• 1/2 grapefruit

My Healthy Dessert Snacks

• Banana (helps fight off leg cramps)
• Walnuts – approximately 9 half pieces (GREAT source of Omega 3 which is good for so many reasons)
• Popsicle – usually I can only have the 25 calorie bar – but it’s yummy!
• Grapefruit – sometimes

Fairly Healthy Fast Food

All these healthy eating options fill me up so well I don’t mind a bit when my senior mom enjoys her nightly ice cream. So far, chocolate has NOT been calling my name. Or if it is, I’m not hearing it. YAY 🙂

I keep track of all my calories with my app – CalorieKing. I have set my max at 1400 and usually don’t go over, or if do, it’s only by 15 or so. I was at 1500 but that was slow or up/down. Since I’ve gone to 1400, I’m doing much better and never starving (unless I get busy writing and forget to eat 😉 ).

I’ve been eating like this for about 6 weeks and very happy with how things are going. I haven’t had any sodas or caffeine since early May. And no candy or regular ice cream either – hooray. I’m praying I can stick to it when I’m done (another 20 pounds is my goal. That’s the really hard part, isn’t it? 🙂

I was worried I’d be too lethargic without the caffeine. Not to mention not be able to lose weight without that extra energy to stay active. But I’m doing good and walking two + miles daily. If I start to drag in the afternoon, I eat my snack of the popsicle and a 1/2 grapefruit and that perks me up

Vacation Bible School is coming up soon and I already have my healthy eating plans for that. Eat my breakfast as usual, take my yogurt to eat for morning devotions and brunch at our church. Then have a bag packed with walnuts, banana, and some Triscuits for mid-morning snack time with the kiddoes. (My occasional “splurge” is to have the Balsamic Vinegar and Basil Triscuit Crackers with a tiny piece of very thin sliced Colby cheese – very tasty and filling if I need it. But for church it will be too hot to take the cheese so just the crackers.)

For lunch, I’ve already calculated the calories for Taco Bell’s crunchy taco supremes – 2 tacos, easy on the meat and no sour cream, should equal about 150 calories each. Three would be 450. Both options are fine for me.  Plus I will also plan to visit Chick-Fil-A for a grilled chicken market salad or 3/4 of a chicken salad sandwich ;).  Both of which will also be within my calorie allotment.

Well, there you are. What do you think? Too boring? I’m loving it, but know it’s not for everyone. 🙂 It’s definitely eating healthy and tasty though. And once I hit my goal and can add a few more things in, it will be even nicer.

Vacation Bible School

Speaking of Vacation Bible School, here’s the next of my Bible verses for kids. This is one of 5 Bible verse coloring pages. This is Wednesday’s:

 

For the others already posted:

• Monday
• Tuesday

Water-wise Good-byes

Well, that’s it for this post. Have a lovely rest-of-June. And be sure to remind your elderly parents to drink extra water if you are as hot in your neck of the woods as we are. In fact, have them drink extra anyway. It’s always good to drink plenty! Also, if you are working on weight loss goals, let us know how YOU are doing and any hot weather healthy eating or exercising tips you have to share. We’d love to hear them!   😉