Fitness Friday--The Mealtime Version

OK Ladies!!!! Here we go....

I didn't have the most exceptional week on the will-power front. I snacked too much and too many chocolate Kisses crept into my mouth. BUT, I made better choices than I usually do and also made many good choices along the way. I guess that's what will eventually make the difference--little good choices each day. Needless to say, my clothes are not falling off so much just yet.


This week's topic was: What are you doing differently at mealtimes?

There are several changes I have made. First of all, I'm drinking unsweetened, decaffeinated iced tea with my meal. I used to drink 2 cokes with my meal so this is bound to make a difference. I did have a coke or 2 this week when I didn't have any tea made and just couldn't stand the thought of water. But 2 cokes for the entire week is VERY different than 2 cokes with one meal, wouldn't you say?

The next change I have made is I have been trying to eat a salad with my meal. Now I've heard that you are supposed to eat your salad first so you will fill up and not eat so much of your entree. I have also heard that you should eat your salad last because it aids in digestion. Does anyone know the answer to this?

The most important change I have made is a change of plates. You heard me right--I am no longer eating on the every day dishes that we have. Instead, I am using some of my grandmother's Fire King Jadite plates. Look at the difference in these two plates:



The apple plate is 10" and the Jadite plate is 9".

OK, the actual diameter is only 1 inch different, but the area where food can sit is much smaller on the Jadite plate. Here was my lunch this week (leftovers):
Here is the exact same lunch put on one of our larger everyday dishes.

See how much empty space there is? That plate just BEGS for more food to be piled on it! And guess what? That's exactly what I have probably been doing! But when I eat on the smaller plate, I feel like I have lots of food. Pioneer Woman talked about her Jadite dishes in this post and she was amused by how much smaller the serving sizes were when these dishes were made. It's true you know. Our portion sizes have gotten HUGE! We have to get a grip on this and one way to do it is to get yourself a smaller plate. Just go to an antique shop and get a cheap, pretty, smaller plate to eat off of. It really does make a difference. (I find the smaller plates that came with our dishes are just too small.) Oh, and I challenge someone to slip a tape measure in their purse next time they go to a restaurant. Let me know how big the plates are there!

Coca-Cola advertised many years ago that a 16 ounce bottle of coke "serves 3!" Seriously? Sixteen ounces serves 3 people? Then how come I have sucked down Route 44s from Sonic for years? Hmm. Hard to figure why I'm overweight, isn't it?

So, in review: drinking tea, eating salads, and eating on smaller dishes. Now, my goals this week are to snack healthy, drink healthy, watch portion sizes, and stay out of the candy! Oh, and I'll try to walk at least 2 times this week.

I can't wait to hear how everyone is doing and get lots of tips and encouragement!