In a pinch

For the first year of my diet new lifestyle, I scorned fast food.  When I drove-through, I'd have a Diet Coke and a salad, but never, ever anything else.

Now, though, I've softened my stringent guidelines.  I once ate salad with my fingers while driving, but I've had a mind-set shift and that seems a little outrageous to me.

We went to Long Beach on a quick overnight trip (three hours in the car each way).  We left on Black Friday--and I went to Target that morning at 8 a.m. to buy cat food.  I know.  Poor planning on my part, but I had no idea we were out of cat food.  I noted the long line in electronics and decided to stick with my short list (cat food and . . . oh, I bought two DVDs).  I returned home by 9 a.m., packed up everyone (so much packing for just one night!) and cooked my bowl of oatmeal.

One of my sons was hunting for something (his shoes?) and distracted me just as I dumped my oatmeal into a bowl so I could shovel it down quickly before we bolted out the door.  Then, distracted by the teenager, I sprinkled my oatmeal with a generous shake of . . . POULTRY SEASONING.  It was unfixable, so I left home with no breakfast.

By lunchtime, we were all ravenous and welcomed a pit-stop at Dairy Queen.  I ordered a kid's cheeseburger meal, ate it slowly and found it to be enough.  Fine.  Easy to eat.  Portion-controlled.

Circumstances prevented me from eating dinner (we went clam-digging at dinner-time, and after dinner I found some free wi-fi so I could work online for two hours).  At 8 p.m., I was cold and starving.  McDonald's was close by . . . so I had a Happy Meal.

You know, this is real life.  That's how I handled my hunger.  And I'm all right with it.  I chose small portions.  I didn't go crazy.  I think that's all right.

(Here we are, at the beach.  We had a great time . . . and more importantly, I thought my face looked thin in the pictures.)

Comments

[Karen]

You have a beautiful family, and you look great!

[Sandy McCann]

I agree, wonderful picture! I think you have the thinnest face in your clan.

On the fast food...just curious (based on my weaknesses) can you really eat the fast food and not take the "next step"? For me, once I allowed myself anything but salads I started messing up. I am still trying to figure out why I no longer want to take the "eat salad with your fingers challenge."

[JanB]

I can relate to your struggle with eating out. I try to go for chicken if I can, as long as it's not fried. Other than that, Burger King makes a good veggie burger, I get it without the mayo and ketchup on it. I think more about what eating the meat and fries would do to my digestion since I am not used to fats, I would be in the bathroom for two days. I am just getting back to normal after eating all that fat in the Thanksgiving meal. Strange how just one day can take three or four to get the digestion back on track.

[pastaswife]

Hi Mel,

You made good choices. One day you will be tired of them as well and go back to salad and veggies...which are better choices. You are living life and not giving up.

I am now asking the Biggest Loser question from the guy trainer..."Is it worth it?" before I put anything in my mouth.

You look great! How tall are you?

[MJ]

HEY! Are those PACKER hats I see?

[Mister E]

Good to read you are able to work in real life food with your new lifestyle. I have lost almost 50 pounds in the last year thanks to exercise and portion control. I also indule every now and then so I don't feel like I am depriving myself of the good sweet stuff out there. A friend turned me on to Laloo's Goat Milk Ice Cream. It has half the fat and half the calories as regular cow milk ice cream and it doesn't lose any of the yummy ice cream taste. Just thought I'd pass along the info. Check it out at www.laloos.com

[Missie]

Mel,
You look great! And not only that, think of all the energy it took to do what you did this weekend! You couldn't have done all that before you lost your weight. Your family is adorable. Glad you had a good time.

[Patti Justice]

Mel, you look great not only your face but your neck is really slim. Your family looks just wonderful you all look like you had a great day. I think you made great choices for your meals. When you're going to be out you have to know what is close to your normal meal.

[iportion]

You did well

[breckgirl]

You look marvelous, darling. As for the fast food dramas - I think most of us are tested on this topic more often than we would like to be. I'm glad that these places are starting to serve healthier fare (have you had the grilled chicken snackers at McD's? They are GREAT and small - you can eat two and not feel guilty) but still, if I am craving fries and a cheeseburger, I am going to have that. But the Happy Meal option is much better than the #4 with cheese (Quarter Pounder, giant fries and Coke!) so congrats on exercising portion control! Am still recovering from Thanksgiving gluttony but my weight has bounced back to lower than I was last Thursday morning so I am relieved... You go girl - you're doing great.

[Gina]

I think you look great!

And did those boys grow since I saw them in July?

[Cindy Swanson]

LOVE the picture, Mel! You look really pretty!

I've got to tell you, I made one of the WW pumpkin pies you linked to, and it was GREAT...really helped me get through Thanksgiving without feeling deprived. What's more, my non-diabetic family loved it too! I think I used too small a pie shell, so it took forever to cook--but I'll know better next time.

Anyway, thanks...and I'm glad you had a nice Thanksgiving!

[Kristin]

If you happen to read this by Wednesday Nov. 28, you might be interested in Oprah today... she has "amazing weightloss stories" and Bob Greene. I plan on watching the 9:00 re-showing tonight.

[JP]

I usually stick to a kid's meal or smaller food when I decide to eat fast food. I love the fruit and yogurt parfaits and McD's... has anyone tried the yogurt at other restaurants?

[Steph]

I love the picture of you all with your clam guns. :-)

I grew up in Long Beach, I wish i was still close enough to go for a weekend. Although i don't think I'd ever choose to live there again.