If you’re new to the series, I’m putting my mom on a diet (because she asked me to, and I’ve lost 135 pounds myself (naturally). So here’s what you need to know: Part 1, here is the plan I designed for her, and here are her weekly updates: week 1, week 2, week 3, week 4, week 5, week 6, week 7, week 8, week 9, week 10, week 11, week 12, week 13, week 14, week 15, week 16, week 17, week 18, week 19, 1 month eating on her own, 1 year later.
Monday
Breakfast: 1 1/2 cups Cascadian Farm Honey Nut O’s cereal (165) + 1 banana (100) + 1 cup 1% milk (110) = 375
Lunch: Fall salad
3 handfuls baby spinach (15) + 1 cup chopped roasted butternut squash (60 for 1 cup of squash cubes alone + ~15 for a light coating of olive oil (15) = 75) + 2 tablespoons dried cranberries (~60) + 2 ounces roasted chicken breast (from a rotisserie chicken, ~80) + 2 tablespoons crumbled goat cheese (~50) + dressing made from 2 teaspoons olive oil, 2 teaspoons honey, and 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar (all whisked together, ~100) = 380
Snack: Honey Crisp apple (100)
Dinner: Slow Cooked Sweet Potato Chili (435) + small square of cornbread (150) = 585
Dessert: Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwich (150)
Total: 1590
….
Tuesday
same B, L, S (855)
Dinner: Lemon Garlic Tuna Burger (175 for tuna patty + 100 for English muffin = 275) + 1 1/2 cups roasted carrot “fries” (150) = 425
same dessert as always (150)
Total: 1430
….
Wednesday
same B, L, S (855)
Dinner: Breakfast for Dinner
2 eggs fried in 1 teaspoon olive oil (140 for eggs + 30 for oil = 170) + 2 slices bacon (70) + 1 slice toast (100) + 1 teaspoon butter (30) + 2 teaspoons jam (~30) + 1 cup red grapes (60) = 460
same dessert as always (150)
Total: 1465
….
Thursday
same B, L, S (855)
Dinner: Chicken Stir-Fry (270) + 1 cup brown rice (200) = 470
same dessert as always (150)
Total: 1475
….
Friday
Breakfast: Thomas’ English Muffin (120) + 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter (100) + 1 banana (100) = 320
Out to lunch: Ham and Swiss sandwich on whole wheat bread with lettuce, tomato, and yellow mustard (~450)
Out to dinner at a Chinese restaurant: 1 large buffet plate with assorted apps and entrees (fried rice, Mongolian beef, crab rangoon, chicken finger, etc. = 1000)
Total: 1770
….
Saturday
Breakfast: ½ cup dry old-fashioned rolled oats (150) made with 1 cup water, topped with 1 tablespoon brown sugar (60) and 2 tablespoons chopped pecans (100) = 310
Lunch: PB&J 2 slices challah bread (180) + 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter (200) + 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves (100) = 480 + 1 cup red grapes (60) = 540
Out to dinner: Fish & Chips (Mom ate half, ~700)
Dessert: Fudgicle (60)
Total: 1610
….
Sunday
Breakfast: 1 1/2 cups Cascadian Farm Honey Nut O’s cereal (165) + 1 banana (100) + 1 cup 1% milk (110) = 375
No lunch
Family Dinner: 3 ounces roast beef (180) + 1 cup roasted potatoes (200) + 1/2 cup mashed butternut squash (sweetened with brown sugar, 120) + 1/2 cup steamed green peas (60) = 560
Dessert: a taste of a few different pastries from a local bakery (200)
Total: 1135
….
Week 18 Weigh-In:
Starting Weight: 210
Week 1 Weight: 201.4 (down 8.6)
Week 2 Weight: 199.4 (down 2.0)
Week 3 Weight: 199 (down 0.4)
Week 4 Weight: 196 (down 3)
Week 5 Weight: 194.4 (down 1.6)
Week 6 Weight: 193 (down 1.4)
Week 7 Weight: 192 (down 1)
Week 8 Weight: 188.8 (down 3.2)
Week 9 Weight: 187.6 (down 1.2)
Week 10 Weight: 186.4 (down 1.2)
Week 11 Weight: 186.4 (same)
Week 12 Weight: 186 (down .4)
Week 13 Weight: 183.6 (down 2.4)
Week 14 Weight: 183.2 (down .4)
Week 15 Weight: 182 (down 1.2)
Week 16 Weight: 179.8 (down 2.2)
Week 17 Weight: 179.6 (down .2)
Week 18 Weight: 178.6 (down 1)
Total Pounds Lost: 31.4 pounds
Mom’s thoughts on progress so far:
“Hi everyone,
As always, thank you so much for all your comments and all of your continued support! Things are going well — still eating healthy and for me that is a miracle as I am generally such a quitter! I must say again though that this past week was tough for me in the eating department as I was on the road a lot and kept passing McDonald’s every time I was starving. I was lucky enough to keep telling myself “Wait, you’re almost home and then you can eat something better.” Every time I went to the grocery store (and I went a lot this past weekend), I had to divert my attention away from the candy aisle. Every time I went to Homegoods (and I went there a lot, too), I had to pay without buying the candy from the front of the store. I sometimes found myself wondering: would it really make that much difference in my weight if I just ate a big bag of peach rings? Even knowing that I could have them if I truly wanted to, I have a feeling that I wouldn’t choose to stop after eating just one package, and that’s what keeps me from buying them.
Two weeks ago, I saw my physician for my annual physical. She was so glad that I’d lost weight, especially because she’s been nudging me to do it for a while now. She also did my blood work and all my lab results came back showing great improvements. For the first time in my life (before starting this healthy eating journey), my cholesterol was starting to skyrocket; I had never had high cholesterol in the past. Now, my total cholesterol has dropped from 229 (at my last visit in April 2013) to 169 and my LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) dropped from 139 to 106. I am so happy to be in a healthy range again. I was saying to Andrea the other day that it just feels really good to be in better health, and seeing these numbers reflecting all of my effort is so fulfilling. It makes me motivated to keep going.
Take care,
Maryellen”
CLICK HERE for a printable version of this week’s meal plan!
That is great news!! More than the number on the scale, I too, am very motivated by the changes in my cholesterol levels. I was happy to find out this year that my Triglycerides have gone down 70 points, and my HDL went up. I am hoping that with an increase in exercise my LDL will go down as well. Good luck to you, Maryellen!
Wow, those are impressive numbers. I’m going to send this to my husband because he needs to get his cholesterol down. Other than that he’s healthy, but wants to work on that. Those numbers are very encouraging, even with no exercise!
Congratulations! I was in my early 20’s when I found out my cholesterol was 265. I changed my eating habits, and two months later I had it in the 220’s, then soon after it was in the normal range. It’s a struggle sometimes, but I know that I am in much better shape than I was 5 years ago, especially since adding in an exercise program. Still, I have to remember that food can get you into trouble, and that it can get you out too. :)
Andie, this is my favorite week of meals yet! That is, the ones that you planned for mom. :) Maybe it’s just because I’m hungry late at night, but I’m a sucker for burgers and chili and these pictures look extra divine!
You know Andie when you find a partner in life and settle down that person is going to be the luckiest person. Because you will feed them the most amazing of meals but control portion sizes so they won’t get over weight and out of shape. What a lucky person that is going to be.
That aside I think slow cooked sweet potato chili with the cornbread is my out and out favorite.
Maryellen you go girl. Thanks for the snippets of feedback. This is becoming high drama as we all become inspired and entertained by this adventure in health.
Wish you had a taken a pic of that Fall Salad..sounds amazing!!
Great job Maryellen! You are an inspiration. That isn’t just lip service either, you are actually inspiring me and others to make changes in our own lives. Keep it up lady!
I haven’t commented yet, but I’ve been avidly reading your updates! Congratulations Maryellen — you’re doing a wonderful job! Also, congratulations to Andie — so lovely that you’re able to share all that you’ve learned with your mom. :)
That tuna burger looks so good!!!
Way to go, Maryellen. So happy for you on the medical results!
Awesome, Maryellen! Congratulations on the new healthy numbers. You are doing so great. I am so inspired.
I think I might have to make chili and corn bread very soon. *drool*
Many, many congratulations! Those stats are amazing!! And I have to thank both of you: I fit into my size 12 jeans again–granted, they’re a bit on the snug, but wearable. This means I’m 15 pounds away from my goal. I was wearing a size 16 back in June (or rather, a size 14 sausage casing). I remember trying the jeans I’m wearing now and not being able to get them past….halfway up my thighs.
Thanks guys. I’m thrilled for you and want you to know that you’ve really played a role in this process for me. Keeping me going and getting me back on track after a few stumbling blocks.
Congrats to your mom on all her hard work and to you for being such an inspiration and guide through this weight loss. I currently am working on losing weight and I’m down 22 pounds in 2 1/2 months and my lipid panel recently came back with my cholesterol numbers all within normal range for the first time in six years(!) so I was very excited to read about your mom’s progress in that department as well! Keep it up ladies!
Well, it’s so good to hear that you found a new way to measure improvements, besides the scale. Now you know why the peach rings should stay in the shop: so your heart should be heatlthy! What better reason?
Isn’t it empowering to see how your choices make a difference? It all adds up! It is not just looking better in your cloths. You feel better in your skin. AND you are are building the foundation for long-term health. Maryl, congrats on your blood work results! Andie, I’m passing on your blog to my mom in hopes that she will be inspired to take control over her cholesterol too.
P.S. If anyone is looking for inspiration for more healthy, delicious meals, I’d love for you to visit my website! I recently made some tasty banana-coconut granola bars and a veggie chili con carne will be up soon.
YAY!! awesome news for your check up :). you’re doing amazing <3
I am really impressed with the menu’s and effort you have put into helping your mum to loss the weight. My cholesterol is high so I will be taking your advise on board.
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