Burger King Choices

This week, I stopped at Burger King and I wanted to make a "healthy" choice. I was going to get the Tendergrill Chicken sandwich instead of my standard Whopper. Since I wanted a burger, I went with the Whopper Jr. Out of curiosity, I went to the BK web site and found something interesting:

• Whopper (680 Calories, 40g Total Fat)
• Whopper Jr. (370 Calories, 21g Total Fat)
• Big Fish Sandwich (640 Calories, 32g Total Fat)
• Tendergrill Sandwich (490 Calories, 21g Total Fat)
• Tendergrill Salad w/ Light Italian Dressing (340 Calories, 18g Total Fat)

Hmmmm, the grilled chicken sandwich isn't better than the burger. In fact, the salad barely is, either. Although, with the salad, it would be the full lunch rather than having fries, too.

Diet Update: Effing Halloween

I haven't done one of these posts in a while.

I was down to 168 lbs. after my return from New Orleans. That was good, I thought, since my stomach ache kept me from pigging out. I'd made up my mind that I wouldn't get too down on myself if I came back a few lbs heavier as long as I had a good time.

Then came Halloween and a less-than-expected number of ghosts and goblins. That meant one thing — I was overstocked on the candy. Kit Kats, Butterfingers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, and Hershey bars. They didn't last very long.

Last week, it was more eating from the naughty places. Filet-O-Fish, a Whopper, and the fries to go with them. And I've been drinking a lot of regular soda rather than water.

I suppose I should be happy that I weighed in this morning at 173 lbs. I'm fluctuating in this 5 lb range so that's a good thing.

Diet Update: Sugar-Free Apple Pie

There wasn't any news to report last week. I was up a bit to 170 lbs. and the same this week. Disappointing that I'm not any closer to 165, but I'm happy that I'm not creeping back up to 184 where I started.

Now that it's autumn, it is time for all things apple here in the great northeast.

In the spirit of dieting, here's my simple recipe for sugar-free apple pie.

I use Pillsbury Ready Pie Crusts. (The store brand doesn't seem as good.) My grandmother, who was an expert pie maker and made one about every day of her life, switched to these saying she couldn't make a crust from scratch any better. Who's to argue with an expert?

Place the first crust in a 10" pie dish. I have a glass one made of Pyrex. No need to grease or butter the plate first.

Use 6-8 Empire apples. These seem to have the best taste and hold up well when baked.

Wash, peel, cut in half, core, and slice. Place into dish trying to arrange them tightly against each other and eliminate air space.

After putting half the apples in the bottom crust, preheat the oven to 350˚.

Sprinkle liberally with Allspice and a single packet of Splenda. If you're not sure about Splenda and don't want to spend the money, pick up two complimentary packets the next time you're out at a place that serves coffee.

Cut and place the remaining apples into the dish.

When the apples are mounded in the dish, about 1-2" above the top of the pie plate, sprinkle another packet of Splenda on the top and a liberal amount of Cinnamon.

Place four dabs of butter (about a 1/2 pat each) around on the top of the apples. Don't use margarine.

Unroll the other crust across the top. Use a wide-tined fork to go around the edge and crimp the top and bottom crusts together. Trim off the extra crust with a knife.

Vent the pie by cutting into the top crust. A couple of well placed X cuts will do the trick.

Place in the oven and bake until golden brown. In my oven, with a glass plate, it takes about 55 minutes.

That's it. If you'll be sharing, I'd suggest leaving out the part about being sugar free. That seems to effect people's opinion before they even taste it. Use some lo-cal Reddi Whip or Cool Whip to jazz it up.

Diet Update: Oreos Are Evil = -1

Week #12 and I'm down 1 lb to 169. I was going to end the diet posts today since it has been 12 weeks and it is turning into a tedious, up and down "lifestyle" rather than a diet. But, since I lost a pound, I figure I'll keep going at least for another week. Perhaps this self-threat will get me back on track.

Last Friday, on a quick trip through the grocery store, the cookie aisle was calling. Mind you, one of the ways I keep to my diet is to keep crap out of the house. If I wander down by the cookies, strolling slowly and whistling like I'm walking past a graveyard at night, I buy the Murray sugar free cookies if I succumb to temptation. They're really good, actually, and I'd eat them even if I wasn't on a diet.

However, this day, it was the reverse Oreos that were calling to me. Those with vanilla cookie with chocolate creme centers. I bought a package. Now, to make matters worse, they have a new way to reseal them so they don't go stale. That was one of my built-in safeguards. I could always count on eating half a bag since the rest would eventually be soggy.

I've found that I have to grab three cookies when I raid the pantry. Not one. Not two. Not four or five. Exactly three. And despite this, I've kept in check and managed to lose a pound this week. It could have been two if it hadn't been for those meddling Oreos.

Diet Update: Labor Day Hiatus = +1

Week #10 and I'm up 1 lb to 173.

This was a "non-diet" week where I didn't pay that much attention to my calories. Or should I say, I paid attention, but ate pretty much what I wanted.

It was the county fair this weekend and that means sausage sandwiches, fries, lemonade, and fried dough with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Last night, I went next door for dinner and had two plates full of goulash, rolls with butter, and chocolate cream pie. Only to finish the evening off with a slice of cherry pie when I got home.

I also took a relaxing drive last Wednesday that involved more bad eating which I will post about tomorrow.

Anyway, I need to buckle down again and see if I can shed a couple pounds in the coming week. My immediate goal is to get back under 170.

Diet Update: Holding Steady

It is week #9 and I'm holding steady again this week at 172.

I have been eating quite a bit more and made it out to walk three times this week. I know, big deal, right? Not much compared to y'all who are a lot more active than me.

I've also found a potential problem. Way back when I started all of this, you may recall that I started taking "dietary supplements" that were supposed to help. Fish oil, Green Tea, and 1000mg Vitamin C.

I ran out of the regular Green Tea extract capsules so I had to get more. I found Mega-T Green Tea caplets at the drug store. It said they would stimulate my metabolism (without caffeine), curb my appetite, and burn fat. How could I lose? Well, they stimulate my appetite. I mean, they make me feel like I haven't seen food in a month! So I dropped them and I'll have to look for the regular stuff. I know I should actually drink the tea but I never have liked hot or cold tea. Likewise, I don't like beer, so that's a good thing!

One of my weaknesses, fresh sweet corn, is posing a bit of a problem but I'm not willing to deny myself. It's only about a month where we get it so I'll enjoy it while I can. I've been using butter, too, and you can't eat corn alone so I've been making my favorite sandwiches to go with it, the BLT without the B, since the tomatoes are so fresh. (That being said, my mayonnaise intake is way up as well. I could live on mayo!) Then I had a hankering for Mike's Hard Lemonade...yep, let's have some empty calories from alcohol. When I was taking the Mega-T, I'd double the amount of food, with two ears and two sandwiches at a single sitting!

I consider this week a success. I've eaten a lot and didn't put any weight back on.

Diet Update: Ups and Downs

It is week #8 and I'm holding steady, on a week to week measure, at 172.

Last week, I questioned whether I should actually start eating more because I thought that my body might by holding on because it was in starvation mode. In the comments, long-time reader MSM suggested that the body needs 750 calories a day just to carry on its normal functions. I know that I had been under that on many days...water, jello, lettuce, and popcorn just don't add up to very much.

I also mentioned that I had two weeks where I was beginning to increase instead of lose. So I started thinking what I had changed. The first thought was a cup of coffee every morning. I had dropped it but added it back in when I had some dieting success. I drink it with Splenda and Half-n-Half. Probably about 100 calories. But I think it changed my metabolism.

I'm not a breakfast eater but they say that most folks who have long term success with a diet always eat breakfast. I read that it is important to get your metabolism going with protein first thing in the morning. Hence why eggs are a big part of our morning meals. Then I read that many people start their bodies with the caffeine in coffee instead. That, I think, was a mistake. At least in my case. I have cut coffee out.

Okay, so I decided that I would drink a Slimfast shake every morning in place of coffee and a meal. It has lots of protein, it's a "diet" drink, and I like the taste. Win, win, win. I found that it made me very hungry throughout the day. Famished, in fact. I would stand in front of the fridge wondering what I was going to devour next.

Mid-week, I hopped on the scale and I was up another 2 lbs to 174. I was pissed! I normally weigh in on Monday mornings only but I knew something wasn't right.

Here's where I'm at...no more coffee, no more Slimfast, eggs (if anything) in the morning, and about 1000 calories a day. In the half week I was doing that I shed those extra two pounds.

For the week, it seems my weight is even, but I've been up and down 2 lbs in the meantime and learned more about what works for me.

Diet Update: Another Setback

It is week #7 and I am up another pound to 172. I've found that I'm sick of the diet food. What once was delicious baby lettuce greens are now monotonous rabbit food! I succumbed to hamburgers and ice cream. I'm also wondering if my body has gone into starvation mode since I was averaging about 750 calories a day for the first five weeks. Is it possible I need to eat more to lose more? In my dreams, perhaps!

I have had no exercise, either. The humidity has been oppressive and we've had thunder and lightning almost every day. The lawn is usually showing signs of distress (brown patches) at this time of year but everything is very green.

Diet Update: First Setback

It's Week 6 and I'm up 2 lbs. to 171. Last week I celebrated being in the 160s, but that was a fleeting moment given this morning's display on the scale.

I'm getting tired of dieting, too, even though I've had great progress. I find myself saying, "Oh, one little piece of pie won't hurt." Or a Taco Bell steak fajita burrito.

Diet Update: Back To The 60's

It's back to the 60's. The 160's, that is. (I'm taking some poetic license.) One more pound puts me down to 169, 15 lbs. total at the end of Week 5. To celebrate, here's one of the top songs of 1969:

Diet Update

Quick update. Week five and I'm down another 2 lbs. I was hoping to dip down into the 60's but I'm teetering on the precipice. I'm at 170 lbs. this morning. Did I ever mention I'm 5'10"? That gives you some perspective.
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I'm Home; Diet Update

I have returned safe and sound and had an absolutely outstanding time! I have a ton of pictures and can't wait to share them.

On the diet front, last week was week 4. If you'll recall, it was a loss of 10 lbs for week 1, then nothing for weeks 2 and 3. I was concerned about the trip and blowing my progress. My friend Melanie is a fantastic cook and I had given myself permission to splurge. As it happens, I am down another 2 lbs to 172. I had a bit of a nervous stomach during the week, so between skipping a few meals and making wise choices, I didn't do too bad.
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Diet Update; The Coming Week's Vacation

Well my dears, it has been three weeks since I started chanting "30 lbs in 3 weeks." It all seemed in reach after that first week when I was shocked to report that I had, indeed, dropped 10 lbs. I thought maybe there was something to all that talk about the power of positive thinking.

The second week, although keeping on the diet but not walking as much due to rain and/or heat and humidity, revealed I had hit a plateau. I hadn't lost anything additional. Perhaps my body had decided that it was starving and needed to slow down and hang on. Or maybe week number one was water loss. Those seem like a lame excuses, though.

Yesterday marks the end of the three week period. I had July 4th to contend with, but truth be told, I'm really not someone who goes ape shit on holiday food with multiple trips to the buffet. Even on Thanksgiving. But the 4th did present itself with tempting dishes and I indulged a bit...a grilled cheeseburger on a roll, a few ribs, some potato salad, and two large chocolate chip cookies.

I had no weight loss in week three so it would appear that this diet was front loaded, building excitement and expectation, but failing to deliver a big bang in the end. Not unlike the majority of dates I've been on.

The result..."10 lbs in 3 weeks." Not bad, and I'm going to continue because once I set my mind to it, I have really strong willpower and maybe I can shed another 10-20 lbs before Labor Day. Just in time for the cold weather to roll in and the need for me to cover up.

One good thing is that the tan I paid for back in April/May before the NYC blogger weekend hasn't faded much. And my hair is longer and silverier.

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The reason for this drastic diet, you may recall, is that I had scheduled a vacation to visit friends I haven't seen in 10 years. They remember me at 155 lbs from when I bulked up from 130. Now I'm at 174.

Tomorrow is the day I leave bright and early. I'll be spending today trying to cram 5 days worth of crap into a single carry on so I can avoid the $50 baggage check fee. Then I get to deal with all the harried airline personnel as I make my way West changing planes in Chicago. Although I have to say I rather like the United terminal in Chicago.

I'm bringing my skis back with me so I'll have to pay for that on the other end. I'm afraid of the charge for oversized bags. Yes, my skis have been in their garage for 10 years. Hey, when you have friends that live in Park City, UT, why would you ski anywhere else?

Aside from the world famous film festival in January, Park City is the home of the U.S. Olympic Ski Team — the 2002 Olympic downhill was held there, as well as the bobsled/luge and ski jumping competitions. Those venues were just starting construction the last time I was there.

I'm bringing the laptop but I'm not sure if I'll have easy access to high-speed Internet. If it ain't high speed, I ain't dealing with it.

I'll have my new camera so I may be able to upload pics as I go. If not, I'll do some posts next week. I plan on taking lots of shots of Temple Square in downtown SLC and lots around town in Park City. There is a place called Thanksgiving Point that promises lots of gardens so I may take a day and drive down there. Some people like to hit the bars when they travel, others the museums. Me, I seek out the botanical gardens!

So, for the next week, I have scheduled posts for each morning. Depending on how things go, I may or may not be able to respond to comments — but I'd appreciate them anyway so I can read them when I return!
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Diet Update

I just ended week 2 of the "Lose 30 Lbs In 3 Weeks" diet. I didn't lose a pound this week after losing 10 the first week. I didn't cheat (except for eating that entire bag of Doritos nacho cheese chips in the middle of the night last Tuesday). Looking on the bright side, if I average it out, that's still 5 lbs a week!
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30 Lbs In 3 Weeks

Is it doable?

I'm going on vacation to Park City, UT in 2 weeks. Last Sunday, I began a serious effort to drop some extra weight. I decided 30 lbs in 3 weeks. A lofty goal to be sure but a rallying cry that rolls off the tongue.

Most of this came to a head when I had to get my passport renewed a couple of weeks ago. Man, when I compared my photos of today from the photos of yesteryear, I was shocked. Shocked, I tell ya!

To be sure, I'm not overweight. In fact, when I tell people I'm going on any sort of diet they tell me I'm crazy. That I look healthy. When I say I'm looking at dropping 30 lbs., you'd think I just landed from Mars.

I did this 2 years ago before a trip back to CA. Truth be told, I wanted to look awesome so my friends would tell my ex how great I looked. My gay friends said I never looked better, my straight friends said I looked gaunt. Since it's more important to appeal to one population over the other, I'll accept gaunt vs. healthy!

The goal is not as absurd as I originally thought. In the past week, I've lost 8 lbs. From my all-time high of 184 down to 176 this morning. I was 155 in the "before" passport photo and the last time I was in CA. My friends in Utah still remember me when I was at 129 lbs. and was struggling to gain by working out, eating like a pig, and drinking high-calorie protein shakes.

Before you get up in my grill about how my method is unhealthy, I'm just going to point out that the crap I've been eating (and I'd bargain that you are eating) isn't very healthy either.

How did I do it, you ask?

• I'm starving. I'm not really hungry, but I'm starving my body on a VERY low calorie diet. This isn't sustainable, but I'm in weight loss mode now, and I'll add things back in later on.
• A cup of coffee with Splenda and half-and-half first thing in the morning.
• If I'm hungry, half of a banana.
• First meal of the day is centered around eggs (about noon). Usually two soft boiled with most of the yolks drained after cooking so I get the taste without the fat. Sometimes it is one scrambled egg with yolk and some low fat shredded cheese and chopped onions added in. I put it on a slice of 12 grain toast that I've sprayed with "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter." I realized that the reason I used so much butter before was because I don't like the dryness of toast so this works without compromising texture or taste.
• Next "meal" is a bag of microwave popcorn (about 2:30). I bought the kind with nothing added, and then I melt two pats worth of real butter to drizzle over it. I'm not big on the fake butter so this is a good compromise. Shake the bag to distribute the butter.
• Next meal is centered around a large tomato (about 5). I like to mix a can of albacore tuna with some mayo (full calorie Hellmann's, thank you very much) and eat half of the mixture with half the tomato sliced in wedges. The rest of the tomato is sliced into wedges and added to a lot of iceberg lettuce for a tossed salad. Add tasty dressing a little at a time. The secret here is to do the tossing! Use a coverable bowl, like tupperware, and put the top on and shake vigorously. If it still isn't to taste, add a bit more dressing. The key is not adding more than you need.
• The next "meal" (about 6:30) is usually a treat, like a single-stick popsicle if it is hot out.
• The next meal (about 8) is centered around lunch meat. Just the meat with a little bit of mayo (if it is low fat turkey) or mustard (with ham). The highlight of the meal? A big calorie-free dill pickle!
• I have eliminated sweets like cookies and doughnuts, replacing them with canned pineapple chunks in juice and mandarin oranges in juice.
• I have eliminated soda (regular and diet) and only drink water. BTW, be wary of juice which is high in calories from natural sugars.
• I'm back to walking 30 minutes a day as well so I'm getting some aerobic exercise.
• I'm taking 1000 mg Vitamin C, 1000 mg Omega 3 Fish Oil, and 150 mg Green Tea Extract capsules because someone told me these give a kick start to your metabolism.

This is what I have done and it is working. I offer this for your consideration, not really your critique.

I have a woman I've known for 2 years who has been on a diet as long as I've know her. How much weight has she lost? Zilch. The conclusion that I've reached, but she hasn't, is that her method either doesn't work or isn't sustainable.

Some of her suggestions:
• "You need to eat more." Huh? It's called a diet which means eating less.
• "You need to eat 4 servings of veggies, 3 of fruit, and 3 of protein." Um, that's more than I eat when I'm not dieting!
• "You need to drink 64 oz of water a day." Well, if three urologists and 20 kidney stones haven't encouraged me to do this, I don't think a diet will. The truth is, I've also seen studies that say this is way too much water to drink. I did switch to water from soda.

I'll keep you posted on how well I do.
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Low Cal Diet Tip #7: Don't Date A Good Cook

For all his faults, my ex was an awesome cook. He could whip up a pie crust from scratch in minutes; simmer an asparagus soup to die for; or spend all day preparing an elaborate Tikka Masala for an incredible dinner party.

When the food is good, you eat more. The irony is that he always reminded me to watch my weight — I was never over 180 lbs which is where I am now — but he'd keep making high-fat, high-calorie meals and wouldn't accept eating anything less in the house. Hmmmm, keep 'im fat so I have something to bitch about.

Lesson: Want to lose 10 pounds of ugly fat? Cut your head off. Want to drop 150 lbs of ugly fat? Get a divorce! Rimshot.
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Low-Cal Diet Tip #6: Halloween Candy Ain't So Scary

You'll find tons o' treats in the Halloween aisle of you local grocery and drug stores. But the trick is to diet-proof your purchases so you don't scarf too many ahead of time or get stuck with too much bad stuff after!

Miniature Tootsie Pop
20 calories each
Suckable and long lasting!

Tootsie Roll Midgees
11 calories each
Chewable and long lasting!

Twenty midgees equal one regular size Kit Kat Bar!
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Low Cal Diet Tip #5: Vending Machines Are Evil

Those mid-morning and mid-afternoon hankerings at work arise to the delight of the ubiquitous vending machine. They're evil for a diet, sent direct from hell by Satan himself.

Compare:

Kit Kat Bar
220 calories

Reese's Peanut Butter Cups (2)
230 calories

Milky Way Bar
260 calories

Low Calorie Alternatives:

Act II 94% Fat Free MiniBag of Popcorn
100 calories
Bulky and filling.

Or, bring one of these from home:

Jello Chocolate/Vanilla Pudding Cup (Dairy Case)
110 calories

Jello Sugar-Free Chocolate/Vanilla Pudding Cup (Dairy Case)
60 calories

You can satisfy your sweet tooth and chocolate cravings and save hundreds of calories simply by steering clear of the chocolate bars.
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Do You Have Any Diet Tips To Share???

I'm only going to do these diet tips for a week. I've already got the posts written, as many of you on a feed realize, since I mistakenly posted Tip 6 last night when I was writing it.

But, after several of you have put some tips in the comments, I thought it might be cool to open it up a bit.

If you have any practical and easy to follow dieting tricks, you can continue to put them in the comments, or send me an email at manfromtheoc@yahoo.com and I'll do a single post on Day 8 that are reader responses/ideas. Let me know if you want me to give you credit (I'll include a link to your blog too) in the post or if you want to remain anonymous.

Cheers!
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Low-Cal Diet Tip #4: Fast Food (Lunch/Dinner) In The Fast Lane

It's so easy to get a quick meal during the week when you don't feel like cooking. The pick-up window is a tempting prospect.

Lunch/Dinner Meal: Burger King #1 Whopper Meal
Whopper (No Cheese) — 670
Add Cheese — 90
Medium Fries — 360
Medium Coke — 200
Total Calories — 1,230 (1,320 w/ Cheese)

Alternative #1: Burger King Dinner Salad
TenderGRILL Chicken Dinner Salad — 240
Croutons — 60
Light Italian Dressing — 120
Medium Diet Coke — 0
Total Calories — 420

Alternative #2: Wendy's #5 Grilled Chicken Meal
Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich — 320
Substitute Side Salad for Fries — 35
Reduced Fat Ranch Dressing — 90
Medium Light Lemonade — 10
Total Calories — 455

Benefit from a huge reduction of calories just by making smart choices. While I like the BK Whopper meal, it is really high in fat and I enjoy the Wendy's Chicken Sandwich just as well.

One thing I'm noticing is that the calorie count on the larger dinner salads can be a bit deceiving if you opt for regular instead of reduced fat dressing. And as you can see here, choosing a salad is not necessarily a lot fewer calories than the alternative sandwich.

Please drive through!
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