The New Year

Well, the Holidays put a bit of a damper on the whole new eating plan. Not that I overate, but that I didn't give all aspects of it the attention I should have and to have any success at weight loss, I really have to pay attention to everything and make sure I follow through. So, with my cool new Iphone that my hubby got me for Xmas, I have downloaded all kinds of Apps to help me get restarted. There are apps for everything! Along with a scrabble game, I now have a calorie counter with nutritional info and food log and exercise log, a pedometer that is very accurate and a beginner yoga stretching routine. I've been doing the morning walk with the pooch but then going out for a brisk 2 miles by myself since I don't have to stop to sniff or pee every ten yards. Using the pedometer along with my Iphone tunes keeps me motivated and counting everything that goes in my mouth is the best way to keep track. I plan on doing the yoga routine a few times a week to get more flexible. I've been feeling my age lately.
What is also a big help is that my husband has agreed to do this plan with me. So, I am tracking his calories since I am the one who makes his food and hopefully we can encourage each other and be able to live longer with each other. I know it won't be easy for him but I hope he knows it will be worth it as he starts to slim down and feel better. And knowing someone is depending on my help, I am more apt to work harder for myself. So, I'll try to check back in here more often and let you know how it's going.

Eating Habits

More and more, I'm moving towards a vegetarian diet. Part of it is because I'm trying to eat healthier but I think a lot of it has to do with all the reading I've done . Michael Pollan's book " In Defense of Food" which I blogged about, was a big influence on how I look at the food we eat. His previous book, "The Omnivore's Dilemma" dealt with how the food we eat gets to the table. I couldn't read the chapter on beef and chicken because I knew what was in there and I knew after reading it, I would have a hard time enjoying eating meat....and I wasn't ready to give it up.
A New Book by Jonathan Safran Foer is Eating Animals. Foer, author of the acclaimed novels Everything Is Illuminated and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, uncovers some ugly truths about America's meat production system, but he also weaves in stories from his own family history—and shows how stories can shape our diets. While others have argued for reforming our system of factory farms, Foer argues for much more radical change:giving up meat. So, I think I am going to read the book.....soon.