When I decided it was time for me lose weight, I started keeping track of everything I ate.  I was very diligent about adding up the calories.  I was so proud of myself for keeping such good track of my food and drink intake.

I’d add up my figures at the end of each day and finally have a grand total at the end of the week.  According to my figures, I should have been losing at the minimum two pounds a week.  It wasn’t happening.  It didn’t take me long to get discouraged on my weight loss journey.

I figured out why I wasn’t losing two pounds a week.  My calculation of what was a portion size was way off the mark.  I wasmaking good food choices but I was eating more than what the National Institutes of Health described as a portion size.

If you use the following list as a guideline when eating, you will be able to successfully track your calorie intake:

1. ONE CUP of PASTA IS  =  A WOMAN’S CLENCHED FIST.
2. A HALF CUP OF VEGETABLES  =  HALF A TENNIS BALL.
3. ONE TABLESPOON IS  =  TWO THUMBS PRESSED TOGETHER. (thumbs up)
4. ONE TEASPOON IS  =  A THUMB TIP.
5. ONE FRUIT SERVING IS  =  ONE TENNIS BALL.
6. THREE OUNCES OF MEAT IS  =  A DECK OF CARDS.

It takes awhile to get acustom to using the correct method of portion size.  It’s kind of like bowling, the more you practice, the better you get.  I’ve started using smaller plates so it looks like I’m eating more.  When growing up, my sisters and I were not allowed up from the table until or plates were clean.  I have retained that mentality into adulthood which is partly what has caused me to be overweight.  It only makes sense for me to use smaller plates….I can have a clean plate without excess calories. 

You know the old saying…..What ever works!!

Two days ago, after my husband and I finished cutting a customer’s lawn, I got a craving for a milkshake.  It’s been so many years since I’ve had one.  I couldn’t even think of a place in town that made them.

I went to this icee place and had to settle for a root beer ice cone.  I didn’t care for it.  It tasted wayyy too sweet.  Since I don’t care much for sugar, I wasn’t able to eat it.

When I got home, I still was thirsty for a milkshake.  Low and behold I had some Blue Bunny strawberry frozen yogurt in the freezer.  I used that large glass in the picture and filled it with ice cream and 2% milk.  Wow,  was that ever good.  In fact, I made myself one of these strawberry shakes two days in a row.

I was feeling guilty about all the calories. I was kicking myself for indulging in such a manner.  I decided today to take a look at the calories and sugar I consumed. Ahhh….not as bad as I thought.  There are 90 calories in half a cup (I used a cup) and there are 120 calories in 8 ounces of 2% milk (I used 2 cups).

The shake really filled me up and on both days it ended up actually being my lunch.  I’m not feeling so bad now.  I’m glad to see my indulgence wasn’t as bad as I had orginally thought.  This actually could be considered a weight loss drink.  It  filled me up so I didn’t need any lunch.  It kept me full and I didn’t do any snacking before supper.

This is my newest weight loss recipe.  It’s funny how I can go from feeling so guilty for indulging to realizing this milkshake is going to help me lose weight.  Wow…what a win-win recipe.

Milkshake Pros:             Milkshake Cons:

1.  Filled me up            1.  Over 16 grams of sugar

2.  Only 330 Calories       2.  No Fiber

3.  Zero fat               3.  More calories than I usually drink at one time

You should check out the Blue Bunny website.  They have information a nutrional guide, recipes, and even a $1.00 off coupon for their ice cream.

It’s time for me to get my grass cutting shoes on….where off to make another customer happy.