Unheralded

LA VALLEUR COMMUNICATES: Musings By Barbara La Valleur — No News Is Good News: Day 150

A note to Fish readers: On Jan. 2, I began a nutrition plan complete with a certified nutritionist coach. After learning that I’m a journalist and blogger, she invited me to blog about my experiences. The following is the 13th of my weekly blogs.

“No news is good news” we often say in my photojournalism profession. So I haven’t felt compelled to write a blog lately about my new nutrition plan. There haven’t been any significant changes in the past few weeks.

However, when I noticed today on my daily Metabolic Balance® diary where I track all my meals that it was actually Day 150, I felt like that was a milestone worth marking.

I’ve also taken iPhotos of almost every meal. I’m not quite sure what I’m going to do with all those photos — now numbering close to 450!

On Jan. 2, I chose to start this German nutrition plan based on my blood tests inside of my commitment to live a healthier, longer life.  It took a few weeks to get in the groove (See Blog No. 3, March 18), now it all seems very routine.

There are eight simple, yet important rules:

  • Eat only three meals a day.
  • Take a five-hour break between meals.
  • Don’t allow any meal to last longer than 60 minutes.
  • Always begin each meal with two bites of protein.
  • Eat only one type of protein per meal.
  • Don’t eat after 9 p.m.
  • Drink ½ fluid ounce per pound of body weight or seven 16.9-fluid-ounce bottles.
  • Eat fruit as part of your meal or for dessert.

I’d also add these practices that I’ve learned support me reaching my goal:

  • Stock your refrigerator with healthy, mostly fresh foods and organic if possible
  • Weigh your food and eat the recommended portions outlined in your MB® nutrition plan.
  • Never eat seconds.
  • Listen to and follow recommendations of your MB® coach who is there to make sure you win at this game!
  • No snacking.
  • An apple a day ―I love the Minnesota Honeycrisp variety.
  • Learn to make your own sourdough rye bread. I love bread and rye is the only bread on my plan because the only rye breads in the U.S. market that I’ve found also contain a large percentage of wheat. Now I make sourdough rye bread about every 10 days.
  • Eat only goat cheese.Who knew there were so many delicious varieties?!
  • Choose only healthy oils like organic olive oil, organic omega-3 flax oil or coconut oil.
  • No alcohol.*
  • No popcorn.*
  • No chocolate.*
  • Enjoy full fat ― and healthier foods on your plan like 100 percent plain Greek yogurt
  • Enjoy and “don’t go wild” on your once a week treat meal.
  • The asterisk means you can’t drink alcohol or have chocolate except for once a week during your treat meal ― just don’t over do it! I have yet to have one of my favorite snacks ― popcorn ― even when I go to the movies!

So, I’ve gotten in the groove, I’ve learned the plan and I’m following it more than 98 percent of the time.  Yes, there are times when I’ve run out of the full weight of a particular protein. I’m too practical to throw that small amount away so I have, on rare occasions, mixed proteins to reach the correct protein weight for my meal. Only a few times in the past 150 days have I not weighed my food.

I’m proud of the fact that I have not had “one bite” in between meals since I started in January ― not even when my husband is making soup and wants me to taste it to see what other spices he should add.

With resolve and intentionality, I’m committed to reaching my goal before the end of this year.

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ResultsPeople are taking note of my success, which is a great boost to my moral. This past week I lost another pound, for a total of 39.5 pounds. I am within 5 pounds of my half way goal.

Tips: The good news is that each day you have many choices. The bad news news is that each day you have many choices. Ask yourself, will this choice support my end goal? Choose.




3 thoughts on “LA VALLEUR COMMUNICATES: Musings By Barbara La Valleur — No News Is Good News: Day 150”

  • Bev Benda June 14, 2016 at 2:46 pm

    I wonder if one of the secrets to your success is how you take the time to “present” your meal so beautifully to yourself? Too often we eat fast, dashboard dining in the car, or chowing down in front of the TV, often with paper plates, and no silverware, not paying attention to what we eat. I admire how you use lovely napkin rings, and wow, real cloth napkins! You put lime slice in your beverage, and slice your apples with precision. You have made eating well not a chore, but an art form. This is one of the secrets to continuing your plan… creating joy and beauty in how you eat. Kudos to you, Barbara!

    Reply
  • Christine June 14, 2016 at 2:57 pm

    Bev made such a good point that there is something really important about the art of eating. It’s not just about the food and this is something that you, Barbara do so well. When we talked at the beginning about paying attention to the taste, the presentation, the occasion, all the details, you took that seriously. And you still do. And that’s why you have all those photos – maybe a photojournal with recipes included for MB followers?

    Reply
  • Helen Murphy June 14, 2016 at 3:25 pm

    Congratulations! You look great! Your plan sounds like it took many adjustments but obviously they are working. Like most plans, persistence and determination are key. My husband is diabetic and is now on a very low sodium and limited fluid diet so we are working through that together and learning a lot by reading labels. I too try to make them look appealing and focus on what he can eat and not what he can’t. Continued success to you and good health.

    Reply

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