As you may have noticed I have not been eating true Body For Life style. With BFL you are supposed to aim for ratios of 40 :40 protein to carbs and my meals have been carb heavy and included things like dark chocolate. God Bless it (even though BFL doesn’t.)
For a second and a half I felt bad about slacking on this plan, but before I would let myself get upset I realized I should keep building on the changes I have made so far. I have already noticed a huge change in my blood sugar and hunger patterns. I normally feel like I cannot stop myself from afternoon snacking and nighttime eating. Now that I make sure protein is a big part of every meal that has become a lot more controllable. It is a noticeable difference and I’m happy with that even if I am not losing pounds like crazy.
My afternoon snack was roasted broccoli (that was disgusting because I accidently poured salt all over it instead of sprinkling) and a few wasa crackers with hummus and turkey. This snackage got me through my photography class – I credit the protein
One of the bigger changes from my attempt at BFL is the fact that after years and years of vegetarianism I am eating poultry. Since I don’t have any “go to” chicken recipes I had to use one of my mom’s. Well, it’s an improvised recipe. Tonight I chopped up 3 large chicken breasts and sautéed them with onions and zucchini.
Once the chicken was cooked and zucchini soft, add a can of Campbell’s condensed Cream of Mushroom soup (my mom’s staple recipe), a bag of mushrooms and a cup of cottage cheese. Finally I seasoned with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
Done and delicious! It was great!
I served this with rice for Ben:
And a sweet potato for myself 
Ben photo bombed my wine picture!
On Weight loss: I have been getting a lot of questions on how BFL is working and weight loss. Since I am not following BFL exactly I didn’t want to weigh myself last Friday. I will update that sometime this week or next.
My Intuitive Eating background keeps me very hesitant to do anything that feels like a diet. Easing into a more balanced way of eating (with more protein and fat instead of copious amounts of cereal) has helped me to feel comfortable with these changes and know that I can maintain them long term.
In order to keep building on my BFL efforts I am going to add a mini-goal to my week every week for the next 6. For the rest of this week I am going to switch out my dessert with a protein ice cream shake 🙂 This goal is going to be fun.
Favorite part of your post- Intuitive eating. Amen sista, Amen. Trust your body.
Nice informative article you wrote there mate. It is really providing great information to the readers. Running does not require you to sprint your way through. In fact it is considered an exercise that is performed on a slightly faster pace than jogging. To give you an understanding; consider jogging to be a form of brisk walking. Well in that case, it can be said that running is a form of fast jogging. One of the most important things to pay special attention to during the process of losing weight fast through running is maintaining a healthy diet. People always surpass this. Sometimes they don’t eat enough, or sometimes they eat mindlessly to compensate for the lost calories.
I have been eating more protein and more fat lately; I basically have slowly increased my intake over the last three or so months and I feel great. I have lost my ten nagging pounds. Sometimes if I eat a really high fat meal, I feel sluggish and gross afterwards, so I try to keep the fat moderate at meal times and then have a snack with a good proportion of fat. I now have way fewer sugar cravings — I don’t even want cereal anymore! Good luck!
Totally on the same page! Since finally “getting” Intuitive Eating I have stopped cereal binges and now I’m feeling more in control with other things too 🙂
good luck monica
It sounds like you’re just letting yourself figure out what works for you, which I honestly think is for the best. Your dinner looks so yummy!
My favorite chicken recipe:
Sear chicken breasts in an oven safe pan with some oil. Get a good sear, so they’re all crusty on the bottom. Flip them over, smother them with whole grain mustard (the kind with the seeds) and throw them in the oven until they’re cooked all the way through. SO GOOD.
Thanks! I will totally use this 🙂
i’m glad you’re doing what works for you. i know it works for other people, but i do NOT do well on plans that tell you specifics on what to eat. i do much better by trying to eat healthy and balanced meals at least 80% of the time and the rest of the time it will all balance out!
i like the ice cream shake goal! 🙂 i might have to join you on that one. mmm.
I am trying my hardest to follow BFL but honestly, it is confusing to me. I just don’t get the 40% protein 40% carbs thing…I will say that with what I am doing may be working. I have not dropped any weight..and acctually think that I have picked up a few lbs but I feel stronger and I think I noticed that my jeans are a bit less snugg…but it could be becuase I am on day 3 of them..lol… I took one week pictures and I think I can see a tiny difference…maybe very tiny..lol
Protein ice-cream? Don’t mind if I do!
By the way, just wanted you to know I nominated you for a blogger award. http://asideofsimple.wordpress.com/2011/01/19/live-and-blog-your-style/
I had to do the exact same thing when I decided to start Clean Eating. I bought the reading materials and was so excited about it, and then immediately started beating myself up when I couldn’t do it all perfect on Day 1. I am still working at it, and am proud to say that now about 50%-75% of my diet is Clean. Changes like these are a work in progress, keep it up and Good Luck on your goal. And like the others said, keep doing what works for YOU, not what works for the books. <3 you RER!
A change that is that big seems like it would have to be entered into slowly. Otherwise I think I would get sick or my body wouldn’t adjust properly.
Also, I don’t see how it’s humanly possible to not eat chocolate.
I’ve definitely noticed the impact protein has on my hunger levels (and cravings!). Now that you’re eating chicken, I have a bunch of crockpot chicken recipes that you might like for nights when you’re super busy (if you don’t have a crockpot you SOO need one).
We just had this last night (ugly picture) and I was reminded how good and easy it was: http://www.thesweetslife.com/2009/11/crockpot-salsa-chicken.html
Also good and fairly healthy: http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/11/crockpot-chicken-and-basil-dumplings.html & http://www.thesweetslife.com/2010/10/slow-cooker-orange-chicken.html & http://www.thesweetslife.com/2009/10/indonesian-chicken-with-peanut-sauce.html
Okay chicken overload. Sorry. I just love showing people how awesome crockpots are 🙂
That chicken recipe looks fabulous and easy–I’ll definitely try it for my husband!
I think what you eat seems just right for someone with your activity level. I wish I ate as well! Something about having a baby turned me into a college boy in terms of eating (cold pizza for breakfast, etc.) I think the reason I don’t see any change in how my clothes fit is because I don’t get a lot of chances to eat 🙂
Another thing I like about eating higher protein (and lower carbs) is that I don’t crave sweets nearly as much. It’s a win-win!
I love the 100 cal dark chocolate snacks! Not sure if you knew (you prob do but wanted to share just in case), but Mama Pea at Peas and Thank You has a whole page on BFL.
Oh yeah! I loved reading this. Monica, have you ever considered doing a vegetarian BFL challenge? Also, are you planning on “starting” the actual program or are you just going to loosely follow the ideas and do your own thing?
I like your mini goal idea, I think that is smart ; )
I also like that you are going to switch out your ordinary snack at night for protein icecream! I have not made that in forever, I need to!
I also want to say, good job, just listen to your body and do whats best for you!
I think you’re doing great Monica! You can definitely tell a higher increase in your protein which is really commendable. Don’t sweat it if your intakes are not exact, you’ll get to where your body works best. 😉
Heya! I’ve completed one full week of it – Actually to be honest – I did a trial week of it before officially starting and still saw some changes – as you said, I’m not hungry, more alert and so much more conscious of the food choices I am making…
Now am trying to follow it pretty much to the tee (it’s bloody hard when you’re not used it let me tell you!!) and just wanted to let you know that I’m already seeing pretty good results!
Haven’t dropped too much weight (just under a kilo) but lost 1 inch on my thighs, hips and butt 😀 AND I can feel my strength rapidly increasing. If I don’t follow it strictly I’m not beating myself up for it (there may have been a moment or two when I snuck a handful of chocolate chips in, plus a glass or two of wine :P) but it IS working.
So take it at your own pace but stick with it! 😀
Thank you! I’m glad you agree that it’s hard if you’re not used to it – it’s been a struggle for me. I appreciate your take on it 🙂
I had no idea what that acronym stood for, so it makes more sense now 🙂 I agree that protein works wonders for satiety. I am trying to up my protein intake so I don’t overeat!
I agree with Sana! I’m glad you aren’t being hard on yourself about not following BFL 100%. I think gradual changes will be much more likely to become a routine. Glad to hear the protein and fat is helping satiate you through the afternoon. Apple & peanut butter is my afternoon snack staple. It does wonders to keep me full until dinnertime.
What is this protein ice cream? Sounds delicious!
I love that you are doing what works for you 🙂