Diet for an “almost” Nifty-Fifty

OK, so let’s get the ground rules straight!

FIRST, am NOT a doctor, and am in no way, shape, manner or form giving anyone who reads this post medical advice! So, you know the good rules of health (hopefully)–always check with YOUR physician before embarking on any weight loss plan!

NOW having said that……..I have GOT to get this off my chest.

Being almost 50 is a huge milestone for me! Not just because I am a woman–but because I lost my Dad suddenly to cardiac arrest 30 years ago, about a month after his 50th birthday.

Dad was a bit overweight–but smoked cigarettes like a chimney. (something I never, ever wanted to do for a number of reasons). In his case, his physician believes the 4 pack a day habit “did him in” much sooner than most folks.

However, because of my approaching 50, needless to say, I am concerned about following Dad’s bad fate.
The good news is that I was a non-smoker my whole life–it sure helps. Unfortunately have battled weight issues forever. THIS TIME around though, I think I got it RIGHT–at least for myself!

My doctor was clear that the weight had to go.  Thankfully not pre-diabetic or have any high blood pressure issues. So I asked him what the best method was?  His answer: the one that gets the job done sensibly INCLUDING exercise. OK? No big deal. Same ole, same ole.

On Memorial weekend this year, I made a firm commitment to knock of 40 pounds–and I did this “sensibly.”

VERY SIMPLE plan:

I cut out one thing–white sugar.
The other thing—I cut down (NOT OUT) on fats. Olive oil for example is a good fat to work with.

WHAT I DID NOT DO was deprive myself of desserts. HOW?
Most of the stuff that I like (lucky for me) can be purchased as a sugar-free item.
For example–sugar free ice cream or pudding or cookies.

AGAIN even THAT in moderation.
Increased my veggies, watched out for some fruits (some are quite sugary metabolically speaking).

Drank water more often. (My trick is right before a meal).

I do not skip breakfast and made sure it has some form of protein (for lasting power). Eggs OK, but hold the fries please!

FOR myself the pounds melted off and I never feel deprived. I want a snack–I will have a snack–but the RIGHT snack (low carb).
IF there is a party, I just run to the salads and proteins and perhaps may have 1 slice of bread. For me, as long as I keep my carbs under 60 grams, this plan works.

I have a little ways to go before hitting goal, but my mind is not about numbers. My mind is about health.
I think this was the true key to weight loss success thus far!

Child of the 70′s…

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Ahhh the Pepsi generation! I will NEVER forget bragging to my parents as a teenager in the wild and wacky 70′s! Looking back, I ACTUALLY thought that I was a cooler person to be a kid from the “Pepsi” generation–(whatever that meant to us kids back in the day)!

Growing up in good ole’ Manhattan NYC, I could honestly say life was simpler then. My trip to HS everyday, began and ended with a ride on the Lexington Ave. # 6 train. IN FACT, this is the EXACT subway ride depicted in the 1970′s movie classic: “The Taking of Pelham–123″. Not to get into the movie too much at this juncture, but let’s just say the story-line of that flick depicted passengers held hostage for a Million dollars ransom–paid for by –you guessed it, the city of NY!

Having read the book first, ON the #6 Lexington Ave. line, and then seeing it on the silver screen made it all come alive before my very eyes.

All that aside, I must say it was COOL to be a kid in the 70′s…at least, so I THOUGHT!

NOW my older sister was a teen in the 60s. To me, the 60s had their own version of what it meant to be cool.  Was only a pre-schooler during the “British Invasion.” Yet, I still clearly remember the first time The Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. I guess that had to be cool, if you were a teen then. The Sgt. Pepper album was a family staple in my neighborhood–and it was actually almost unheard of to substitute the phrase Happy Holiday, for Merry Christmas.

My humble downtown beginnings taught me LOTS. Mom still lives in what is now considered a very “trendy” neighborhood. Funny how, as a 1970s kid, residing in the eXact same apartment and building, you couldn’t PAY someone to live in back in the day. What was thought to be useless or forgotten about then, somehow is beautiful, revitalized, WAY TOO expensive, and perish this word (at least from the author’s vocabulary) “trendy”.

WHICH reminds me, I really DISLIKE this word–”trendy”. It makes me personally wretch!
Why? I don’t know—perhaps it has something to do with be 1970s kid. Oh yeah, we had our trends-and many of them when looking back at old pix are like, “YIKES”-ville to me. BUT we didn’t have to BEHAVE in a so-called trendy fashion. IF we did, than accept my apology for not recalling this. However, at least, in my downtown Little Italy mentality, we just didn’t ACT trendy.

It was more like a comfortable existence. It was actually NOT A BIG DEAL to knock on a fellow apt. dwellers door (then called “neighbors”)and really “borrow” a cup of sugar, or flour, or tea, etc. It was comfortable, and in my Mom’s generation it was totally normal. Heck, we even actually REPLACED whatever was borrowed, too! LOL

Can’t foresee me doing that right now. Ask a neighbor for a cup of sugar where I live and I just may either receive ONE of the following responses:

1. HUH? Not working?

2. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

OK just joking–I still believe there is SOMEONE out there willing to loan someone a cup of sugar in a pinch. In fact, I KNOW there are.

SO I guess this is my plea –or personal mantra. Many of us back in the 70s REALLY DID TRY to save the world and make it a better place. I suppose, that in my own little corner of the world, I still want to do this.
BUT I can’t do this alone. There comes a point in life when all of us have to assume some positive responsiblilites.
IS IT asking too much to revive:

1. Give up your bus or subway seat for someone in need?

2. Help feed the hungry even AFTER the holidays are over? I mean, seriously, our generosity to the homeless and needy shouldn’t end on January 2nd each year!

3. Smile at people (just because). OK no fake smiling either–real 70s kids HATE PHONY-BALONEY smiles (just because).

4. Bring back respect and consideration of others? You’d be surprised how much better YOU will feel if you put someone else’s feelings before your own.

5. Really commit to making your world a better place. My theory is simple: if everyone took care of their own little domains BETTER, and we all did this in UNISON, just imagine the INCREDIBLE impact.

You see it really doesn’t matter whether one came from the Coca-Cola, OR Pepsi generation when it comes to hanging on to tried and true principles that really, really do work.

And now that I am approaching “NIFTY-FIFTY” sure am glad to have used them at least once or twice…………………….

Best Thanksgiving wishes,

Janet