Determined To Succeed

Day ninety-nine.

One of the things I remember growing up was my mom, JoAnn Larson, telling me there’d be new rules and regulations at home when she was displeased about something. It didn’t matter whether it was money, cleaning up, work, school for me, clothes…anything. If it needed fixin’ there were gonna be “new rules and regulations.” Well, at this point in my body’s life and my weight loss journey I need to state the same on two other fronts.

One, I am going to begin eating human portions again. I got to 225 eating what a normal, skinny guy would eat and it worked. I have the most success when I can put extraneous food(s) away and say “enough!” Like this mroning, I had a muffin for breakfast and ice water (see…not even coffee). I could have had another muffin but I didn’t. I am starting fresh to get my eating act together. I will also go workout today to help that along because I so feel like a hot air balloon today. Ugh. I feel so bloated. What a way to start the week. I am up a staggering three pounds in my weight (I’m at 242.8) and I am just puffy, bloated, fat and kind of grumpy about it. The good news is that I did get in a couple of really good workouts this weekend. The bad news continues to be my portion control. That is the problem. That, and snacking. Even though I have a wonderful, homemade trail mix of walnuts, Craisins and raisins, I eat way too much of it and drink waaaaaay too much Coke Zero. Sigh, and all that makes up the hot, heated air that makes my stomach inflate like…you guessed it…a balloon.

Two, after much thought, there are going to be some changes to my weight loss blog, Determined To Succeed, and its contents. Thanks to screwing up so much of my life over this past year I have wasted tons of time, time that I could have spent working on projects that are key and important to me. That means I am going to be cutting back on writing my blog to three times a week. It will still be regular (like metamucil) and I will continue to write the blog on Mondays, Wednesdays and probably Fridays (although that may change to Saturdays – we’ll see). This way I can devote more time, brain space, creativity and writing “umph” to those projects I mentioned. I must. It also means that certain sections of my website will be pared-down and/or eliminated. I just can’t keep up with them and know I won’t be able to regularly. I am so sorry about that but I want to give you the best blog and website possible. I don’t know which sections will stay or go (although MEMORIES OF MY MOTHER will remain definitely) but you will see soon. So if you see changes that is why.

I hope all of you who have followed my blog regularly will continue to follow me. If you follow me daily, thank you. If you follow me weekly and/or monthly, thank you. Thank you all. Please continue to do so. I will continue to write from the front lines of the battle of the bulge. I need to if only to keep myself current and accountable. I also hope my journey continues to help you guys too. I am just taking the time and energy I need to devote to some other things going on which you will learn about very soon (that, and the 40 or so things I plan to do for my 40th birthday).

All that being said it’s time to buckle down with our new rules and regulations. So if you are checking in today the next new blog will be Wednesday morning which by then will mean, hopefully, I have worked out like a fiend and have the chiseled body that inspired statues and countless works of art over the millenia. No? Well, at least have worked out and have eaten less so I can start that damned downward trend for the last bloody time. To win the battle of the bulge and not just fight it all the time. Have a great day everyone. Talk to you on Wednesday.

My friends, good morning and Happy Eaters. Er, I mean, Happy Easter.

So sorry for the Freudian slip there. Even as us Christians celebrate the holiest day of the year, as always, it’s food that’s on my mind. While I have to say I didn’t do well eating yesterday at all, for the weekend I think I will end up doing OK. That means today is critical in my eating (especially since yesterday I mentioned how anyone – including yours truly – can successfully lose at least a pound a week).

As I said, for me and my mom it was always ham at the center of the Easter dinner. Nowadays we recognize it to be a higher-fat food, but you can still have it. If you’re trying to be good just choose extra-lean ham, which typically weighs in (ha, I’m punny today) at just over 100 calories and 4 grams of fat per 3-ounce serving. Or, you can try a tasty and low-calorie alternative – like a wonderful Low-Calorie Honey Glazed Salmon. It may surprise you how easy it is to prepare a healthy fish dinner! Pair that with steamed vegetables and a garden salad for a colorful and flavorful low calorie meal. Mmmmmmm, tasty.

Low-Calorie Honey Glazed Salmon

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 5 oz. salmon fillets
• 1 Tbsp canola oil
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped fine
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F

2. Place the salmon fillets, skin side down, on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. In a small dish, whisk together the oil, honey, and garlic and set aside. Sprinkle the salmon fillets evenly with the salt and black pepper. Using a basting brush, spread the honey mixture evenly over the salmon fillets.

3. Bake the salmon for 20 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Serves 4

Per Serving Calories 244

Mom and I loved loading up our plates with side dishes. And the more the merrier. If her friend Rosalyn made dinner (which she almost always did) it was sure to be the best greens, corn bread, potatoes, both mashed and candied sweet, green beans – ok, I have to stop as my drool went into overdrive. These days, I try to stay away from tons of side dishes. It doesn’t always work but I do try. If you and your families are trying to be healthier focus on fresh, colorful vegetables to brighten your meal. Now, my mom and I were meat and potatoes people (being from Chicago it’s almost a necessity). So, below are two choices. One is Parsley Smashed Potatoes and the other is Honey Roasted Asparagus.

Parsley Smashed Potatoes

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 lb. peeled, cubed yukon gold potatoes (about 3 cups)
• 1/2 cup 1% low-fat milk
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Preparation:

1. Place the potatoes in a large pot, and add enough water to cover them. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes or until they are tender. Drain off the cooking liquid, and return the potatoes to the pot.

2. Add the milk, salt, and pepper. With a potato masher, mash the potatoes until they are smooth and free of lumps (you may use an electric hand mixer on medium speed for this step, if preferred). Stir in the parsley.

Serves 6

Per Serving Calories 65

Honey Roasted Asparagus

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed
• 1 Tbsp canola oil
• 1 Tbsp honey
• 1 Tbsp apple juice
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt

Preparation:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

2. Whisk together the canola oil, honey, apple juice, garlic powder and salt in a dish. Add the asparagus, and toss together until the asparagus is coated. Lay the asparagus in a shallow baking dish coated with cooking spray.

3. Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the asparagus is fork-tender.

Serves 4

Per Serving Calories 66

Finally, mom and I were big (I MEAN BIG) on desserts. It really didn’t matter what kind of dessert as long as it was sweet, good and there was lots of it. Since I can’t ever say we made a homemade dessert of any kind except for the poor man’s version of strawberry shortcake (made with, you know, with the store bought round short cakes in a package, fresh strawberries and a small tub of Cool Whip). So I dug up a recipe that sounded good to me (and one I think she would have enjoyed) – a Milk Chocolate Chip Pudding:

Milk Chocolate Chip Pudding

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 Tbsp corn starch
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups non-fat milk
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 oz. milk chocolate chips (2 Tbsp)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preparation:

1. Combine sugar, cornstarch, and cocoa powder in a medium-sized saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk until well-blended.

2. Over medium-high heat, cook the pudding, stirring constantly, until it starts to become thick and small bubbles begin to break the surface, about 4 minutes.

3. Have the egg beaten in a medium-sized bowl. Gradually add the pudding mixture into the egg, and whisk until well-blended.

4. Return pudding to the saucepan, over medium-high heat, and stir in the chocolate chips until they are melted and the pudding is smooth.

5. Remove the pudding from the heat, and stir in the vanilla.

6. Divide pudding among 4 small ramekins, cover with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator.

Per Serving Calories 174, Calories from Fat 30, Total Fat 3.5g, Cholesterol 56mg, Sodium 78mg, Pro 6g, CHO 30g, Fib 0g

So there you have it. Some light recipes I hope will get you through your day watching calories AND wanting to eat and enjoy with family. I have to say writing this today brought back some cool memories of my mother which I love sharing with you guys. She meant the world to me, as I am sure your families, loved ones and friends mean to you. We may not have had a lot, but sometimes all you need is love and a few morsels to keep you going. So hold family tight today, tell them you love them and celebrate the day. And thanks for sharing at least a part of this Easter Sunday with me and my mom.

Mom, I love you and miss you very, very much.

Well, it’s finally happened. I finally got off my plateau and dropped a pound.

All I have to say is WOOHOO!

In these battles for losing poundage this pesky little pound was hard fought but I did it and I am pleased. And today I am 236.7. Thank goodness. That was some good news this morning countered almost immediately by the heart-racing, anxious feeling you get when the blue screen of death comes on.

All I have to say is AIEEEEEEE!

(Knock on wood) All seems to be better now and I head into this weekend excited about this new downward trend that I hope continues. Especially since a photographer from the Philadelphia Inquirer is coming to take a few pictures today for an article running in Monday’s edition about my weight loss journey and this website. I am very excited.

I’ve realized something along the way – I need to keep healthier snacks in the house for times like these, when my emotions make me prone to overeating and snacking. I have to admit I’ve had to attack snacking almost as much as I’ve attacked my Coke habit (again, the soft drink not the icky powder stuff). So I went to the store yesterday and got myself several healthier snacks including some awesome looking bananas, some peaches and, best of all, some Clementines. Those seedless oranges are the perfect snack. They not only quench your thirst for something sweet (like a Coke would) but they also give you something to chew. And anyone with a food addiction like me likes to feel as though we are eating something. I don’t know WHY that is. It just is.

I am doubly glad I did because yesterday I wrote another emotional entry in my “Memories of My Mother” blog. It was about buying one  of those Throwback Pepsi bottles you’re seeing commercials for these days. I tried one in hopes I would have a small taste (literally and figuratively) of my childhood. Well, as they say, you can’t go home again and I became very sad. So sad I did what I do. I reached for food.

Although this time I grabbed much healthier snacks after a good cry, and I felt better. So as I plopped down on my couch and watched “Goodfellas” (which is an amazing movie, by the way) I felt a bit of relief that I had the foresight to get those fruits on which to snack. That I didn’t get any Coca-Cola for the house. I just reached for my darling Clementines and they were good. And refrigerated they are the best.

Last weekend I said I was going to be a weekend food warrior. This weekend I think I’m just gonna pull back a notch or two and just THINK about what I’m eating and WHEN. I will be careful in my food and drink choices and take each meal as it comes.  I am not going to predict I will be the best but will just be the best I can be at each meal. That’s all I can do.

That’s all any of us can do. So that by weekend’s end I can be happier, food-wise. And maybe, just maybe, shave another pound off the old waist in the process. I’ll keep you posted.

JoAnn Larson, circa the 1960s, near Lake Michigan in Chicago

Page under construction…This page will be devoted to my personal memories of JoAnn Larson, my mom, who passed away on June 9, 2009 from pancreatic cancer. While it may sound like a downer, her life was rich and full and I will share with you some wonderful memories and photos of her (and of me) as I come across them