Well, after my last post I went on a search to find brands of italian sausage that would be lower in sodium. I found a link for instructions on how to make homemade italian sausage. It looks pretty easy, in fact, FUN! I think I might try it. If you’re interested, give it a try: http://www.lowsodiumliving.com/italiansausage.htm
I plugged all the ingredients into a Livestrong “recipe” and, assuming that the 2 lbs of ground pork would make 8 links of a size equivalent to the ones I used in my pizza soup recipe (which contained two links in the crock pot that ultimately served four people) the sodium per link would go from over 1000 to about 380. I think most of that is contained in the parmesan cheese that goes into the making of the italian sausage. Now if I could only find a low sodium parmesan cheese!
In any case, it is much better! It sounds yummy.
Tags: decreasing sodium, italian sausage, parmesan cheese, using less salt
A couple of weeks ago I posted about my goal to (re) lose 15 pounds of the weight I regained since hitting my low of 148. At the time I weighed 172 and thought that setting in around 157 would be a nice, maintainable weight to have.
In the time since posting about that goal, I have fluctuated quite a bit, both in my eating habits and (of course) a weight that corresponds to eating behaviors. I realized that much of the gain would be in water weight and would quickly come off. I was right. Within three days, five pounds was gone and I weighed 167. But, five days after that I was all the way up to 174. (Obviously some bad eating choices the night before that weigh-in!) Slowly, the weight has been coming off again, as I’ve resettled back into some good routines. I was at 166 on Sunday but by yesterday back up to 169.
I try not to let little fluctuations of 1-3 pounds bother me that much — as long as they are not consecutive. In fact, the three pounds that reappeared this week were based on sodium, not calorie intake. In fact, on Sunday I only consumed approximately 1224 calories. However, sodium was just under 3000mg. I tried a new crock pot recipe for pizza soup (which was fabulous, by the way) and I guess I didn’t realize how high on sodium it would be until I entered it (after consumption) into my Livestrong database ingredient by ingredient. I guess to make it next time I’ll have to modify it slightly to make it lower in sodium. Note to self: italian sausage is high in sodium! Duh.
When it comes to those fluctuations, however, it is important to look at them as trends. If I say I won’t fret over a two pound gain, then I have to follow that up with “but I can’t be ok when there are five consecutive two-pound gains” without the corresponding entries in the CREDITS (losses) column. I’m no accountant, but to have a good balance sheet, the debits and credits (or gains and losses) have to negate one another!
So, as a trend, I am doing well. If I weighed 169 this morning, that means I’m down three pounds and my goal is 20% complete. When I was losing all my weight, I kept reminding myself how important it was to think of it not as losing 100 pounds but losing 10 pounds ten times. That was much more doable for me, and allowed me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. So, if my math is correct, I just need to lose three pounds four more times. No problem!
Tags: crock pot pizza soup, fluctuations in weight, goals, high in salt, italian sausage, livestrong, progress, sodium intake, weight loss, yo-yo
I have an easy three-ingredient recipe for you for a tasty entree that is easy to prepare and provides a good amount of protein:
10 ounces of canned tuna packed in water
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup egg substitute (or two eggs)
Mix all ingredients and then form into patties. Spray a medium heat griddle or frying pan with non-stick spray and then cook on both sides until lightly browned.
This makes about six patties, each with less than 100 calories. They are roughly 9g carb, 11g protein and 1g fat.
Tags: Recipes, tuna patties
I was all excited to share with you a review for something I had on my Christmas list. In fact, it was what I wanted most. Of all the luck… I didn’t get it! I’ll try one more time for my birthday (in April) but after that just buy it myself. I’m worth it. 
I wanted a riser for the Wii balance board to use during step aerobics and step routines. It makes the balance board be higher off the floor, providing for a better workout. It can be adjusted from four inches to six inches in height for a varied workout.
Based on the reviews, it looks awesome. One of my favorite activities in Wii Fit is the Advanced Step on the Aerobic menu. And, on the EA Active More Workouts, there are a few different step routines that I really like. I had a few other Wii fitness games on my list that I also did not receive, but I’m sure that with all the games out there, both already owned and those wanted, that I’d have plenty of opportunities to use this cool step platform.
Does anyone else have it, or one like it? I see there are other varieties and name brands, but I kind of liked this one because it had the adjustable height.
Tags: balance board, EA Active, step aerobics, step platform, Wii Fit
This morning the scale sighed and belched out the number 172. I know that number reflects about five pounds of inflated water weight, but it was still depressing to see. I’m guessing a week from now most if not all of that five pounds will be gone and that only about 10 pounds of actual weight will have to be relost. But, I am going to state the goal of 15 pounds as a resolution. I’m thinking it will take until about my birthday (April) to lose it, but perhaps even a little longer. It will be nice being back at goal weight for the warmer months — shorts and skirts weather. Being in Wisconsin, I’m already looking forward to warmer weather!
I wish I didn’t have these cycles of gaining and losing weight. Perhaps my resolution should really be to practice moderation consistently so that I didn’t allow myself a binge every now and then. Yes, the food is good. No, DELICIOUS. But, do I really want to feel like I have to have a long recovery and rebuilding process to get back to where I want to be? Not really.
But, I do know the formula. That is something I have definitely perfected. The knowledge has been learned, put into practice over and over again. Weight loss is a science, that’s for sure.
Tags: goal, New Years Resolutions, water weight, weekly weigh-in
I had a couple more people subscribe to the blog today. Welcome!
While I have reached my goal, I hope you find value in the archives of my blog. I don’t post as much as I used to, and when I do it seems to be with some simple revelation of something, somehow, I knew all along. But, I will try to provide some tips here and there of things that have worked for me or to commiserate with you if I have fallen slightly off the wagon. (I think my lifestyle changes are implanted well enough that I will never fully revert back to what I used to be, but everyone has setbacks — such is life! — and post-holiday blues are always a little tough on anyone, not to mention those with tendencies to overeat. The holidays always provide so many food temptations!
In fact, I need to refocus, double up efforts, and sweat off an extra ten pounds or so. I’m a little higher than I’d like to be right now, so I am going to start off the week tomorrow with a weigh-in. I hate to see the scale, but I promise to report what it reads no matter how embarrassing!
Tags: goal, holidays, New Years Resolutions, weight loss
I have really been absent for a while! The last you heard from me I was complaining about Halloween candy and getting ready to attend a wedding. Well, the wedding was really nice. Lucky (or unlucky) for me, Hershey kisses were the party favors. I love Hershey kisses. I think my avid readers are well aware of that fact! Two of my three kids don’t like the dark chocolate ones, which meant that in addition to all the tasty milk chocolate ones of my own, I got a couple extra helpings of the dark chocolate variety. Yum!
I wore a wonderful form-fitting dress that really flattered me, I think. I was a little cold, because it had short sleeves, but I wore a crocheted shawl over my shoulders and it kept me warm enough for comfort. This is one of my new favorite photos of me and my husband:
Since Halloween, I have had a few family celebrations, including the wedding, Thanksgiving and the first of several family Christmas-season feasts. For most days of the week, my eating is admirable. But, that one day a week, I seem to blow it. Thankfully, I know exactly what to do to get back on track, and I don’t spiral out of control. But, if I could only be a little more reasonable on the 7th day and not overindulge to the point of embarrassment, I’d have much less time spent in rebound mode! Here’s what the last four weeks look like:
There were only a few days in the 150’s, which is where I really want to be. I need to buckle down and get back there!
Tags: chocolate, Hershey kisses, holidays, maintenance mode, moments of weakness, wedding favors, yo-yo
Well, mostly browns actually. That chocolate is a killer on my willpower! I didn’t have much (willpower, that is) and did have much (chocolate, that is) so overall I didn’t fare too well this Halloween. My kids did though — they had quite a haul of treats. Yikes. I’m talking in circles here— kind of like my waist. Scary! (like my pumpkin this year!)
Ok, enough. 
The good news is that we’re far enough past the holiday that all the good stuff is gone and I am no longer tempted by dum dums and double bubble.
I did put on six pounds over the last couple of weeks but already took four of it back off again. I’m now looking forward to a wedding next weekend and being able to fit into a form-fitting black dress. It is exciting to know that now I can have fun on the dance floor (if I want to) without feeling like everyone is watching the fat girl with two left feet. Now I’ll just be the average-size woman with two left feet. I’ll just stick close to my husband and kids. They are not much better in the dancing department and I’ll fit right in.
Tags: cheating, chocolate, Halloween candy, holidays, moments of weakness, yo-yo
There is something magical about losing 100 pounds. One year ago today I hit that mark. The day nearly came and left without acknowledgement on my behalf but my friend Katie sent me an email asking about how long I had been at my goal weight. Her question made me realize the fact that I could celebrate an anniversary!
Since losing 100 pounds, I lost another 20 and hit 148 on 3/28/11 and have been as high as 165 since then. Now I’m at 158 and seem to be in a pattern of gaining and losing the same 5-10 pounds over and over.
Maintenance is hard! But, I do take pride (and comfort) in the fact that I’ve learned the ins and outs of the process and when I do screw up I know exactly what to do to get back to where I want to be.
From here, I’m striving to (re)lose five pounds and hover as close to possible in the low 150s. I think I will be comfortable there.
So soon after my last rant about not being able to exercise if my life depended on it, I thought I would offer as a balance to my negativity the fact that I can — I just don’t do it often, ha!
Anyway, this Saturday morning I am going to be “stepping out”, a walk to help the American Diabetes Association put a stop to diabetes. Both my sister and dad have diabetes, and a few other ancestors had it as well. I have been fortunate to escape it, and even during my pregnancy a few years ago managed to keep both blood sugar and blood pressure in check. (Given the family history and the fact that I was over 100 pounds overweight at the time, I was surprised.)
Last year my sister did the Step Out for Diabetes walk and had asked if I wanted to join her this year. So, for the past couple of months I have been planning this exercise. It should be fun, and I hope the weather cooperates! (Maybe I should PLAN for more exercise, actually schedule it or commit to an exercise partner?)
Just in case any of my readers are wealthy and don’t have any other plans for extra funds, feel free to sponsor me for the upcoming walk!
Tags: American Diabetes Association, diabetes, exercise partner, Step Out Walk for Diabetes
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