(GIMME) SHELTER AT HOME

Coronavirus is basically the only thing people are talking about.
On Saturday at 5PM, the state of Illinois 'shut down' with the "Shelter at Home' directive.

Sunday morning weight: 258 lbs.

I kinda hope I live long enough to enjoy the sacrifice of eating health(per)

.

Illinois residents adjusting to life after stay at home order goes into effect

NEWS

by: Michelle Madaras

Posted: Mar 21, 2020 / 11:01 PM CDT / Updated: Mar 21, 2020 / 11:01 PM CDTIllinois Governor 

JB Pritzker says the decision to order residents to shelter at home was one that was not made lightly but he says it is what is necessary to flatten the curve of the coronavirus in the state.

Well before the order to shelter at home was given in Illinois, many residents started preparing for this moment.

Things like grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, gas stations, and medical offices will remain open. Restaurants will only be open for takeout and delivery.

But no matter where you are health officials are stressing social distancing, so folks are trying to find a safe way to keep busy.

For now, folks say they’re trying to make it through and help out where they can, but the uncertainty of how long this pandemic could last and what will happen in the meantime is in the back of their minds.

The order to shelter at home is expected to last at least until April 7th in Illinois.

SMALL RECOVERY

Yesterday my 'weigh-in' was extremely annoying.  After being under the impression that my weight had dropped to 214 - my scale sucker punched me back and informed me that I was 222 lbs.  This seemed utterly impossible - how does one gain 8 lbs in one week?  It's not like I had been on an all-you-can-eat 8-days 7-nights cruise ship for the past week!  Nevertheless, one must accept reality.

This morning, I did weigh myself again and the scale taunted me with an improved reading.  This morning, the scale indicates 219.5 lbs.  (After yesterdays shock - I'll take it) As if I have a choice...

All the clothing that I had been fitting into and/or nearly fitting into has not changed.  What I know now is that I did not gain 8.2 lbs in one week...but apparently my weight loss the week before was a bit overestimated.  So really, things are still going according to plan.  In fact, I will continue to INCREASE my calories a little bit as I simply require the additional fuel to operate efficiently.  Although my doctor had given me the blessing to continue on 1000 calories per day somewhat indefinitely - that decision was predicated on the fact that I was feeling good.  As I reported recently, lately I have NOT felt that I was giving my body enough fuel.  So I am going to carefully increase my calories consumed each day.

SATURDAY MENU

breakfast cup oatmeal, w/prune, two poached eggs, two slices turkey 'bacon'            355 calories

lunch       spinach salad w/hearts of palm, cherry tomato, mushrooms

                CABBAGE SOUP                                                                                        167 calories

dinner     TRADER JOE'S SALMON BURGER, bowl MISO SOUP, 8 pickles

                spinach salad w/hearts of palm, cherry tomato, 4 small apples                    490 calories

TOTAL CALORIES 1012 CALORIES

calories burned

10PM elliptical machine 446 calories

SATURDAY NET CALORIES   568 CALORIES

SUPER BOWL ANALYSIS

Yesterday the Super Bowl took place in Arizona.  More than 110 Million people in the United States, and millions more around the world, watched the New England Patriots defeat the Seattle Seahawks.   Many people watch the game just to see the expensive commercials run by corporate America.  (I am one of those people.)

Is it just me, or does this football look a little bit deflated?

My super bowl is different.   My super bowl is a SOUPER BOWL.   Today, I want to tout how delicious so many of my meals have been when combined with soup.  I started getting into the soup habit when I started eating healthier on the road a few weeks ago. At Jason's Deli and Panera Bread, there are some delicious soup options, for example, Tortilla Soup, that still leave room for a half-sandwich. I have added soup to practically every lunch and dinner prepared at home.

Shopping at Costco, Mariano's and Trader Joe's has been a very rewarding for discovering healthy, low-calorie soup options.   Some of my favorites (1 cup serving) have been:
(1 CUP=8 fl oz.=240 ml)

TRADER JOE'S BUTTERNUT SQUASH SOUP               90 CALORIES
TRADER JOE'S ORGANIC CRAMY TOMATO SOUP     90 CALORIES
TRADER JOE'S SWEET POTATO BISQUE                    130 CALORIES
TRADER JOE'S PUMPKIN SOUP (seasonal)                  100 CALORIES
HEALTHY CHOICE CHICKEN with RICE                       110 CALORIES
HEALTHY CHOICE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP              90 CALORIES

This is my SOUPER BOWL.   Each one is a winner!

SUPER BOWL ANALYSIS

As I have previously reported, one of my favorite stories that I learned within the past two years from my Rabbi at my Chabad House in Chicago involves a story about the great sage, Rabbi Hillel.   This 2000+ year old story goes something like this: A man interested in converting to Judaism said that he would accept the teachings of Judaism if a Rabbi could teach him the entire Torah (Five Books of Moses) while the prospect stood on one foot.   He first asked this of a Rabbi who was insulted by the 'ridiculous' request.   The prospect was undeterred.  The prospect approached Rabbi Hillel.  Rabbi Hillel rose to the challenge, and he said:

'What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbor. That is the whole Torah; the rest is commentary - go and study it!'

It is from this famous quote that I have fashioned the name of my 'weight loss plan'.  You could ask me what is the name of my weight loss plan.   You could task me with divulging this information while you stood on one foot.

'What is unhealthy for you, do not eat. That is the whole plan; the rest is commentary - go and have lunch!'

AND HERE IS THE EXPLANATION
WHY THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS 
DEFEATED THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS IN
THE SUPER BOWL.  

'What was harmful to their team, they did inflict on their opponent.  That explains their success; the rest is commentary - go place your bet for next year.'

SUNDAY MENU 

Breakfast   three eggs, scrambled    two strips turkey 'bacon'                         280 CALORIES
Lunch         3 oz beef, baby spinach with vinaigrette,  creamy corn soup       307 CALORIES
Dinner        4 oz salmon filet, baby spinach w/vinaigrette, pumpkin soup      349 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED
6AM   30 minutes ELLIPTICAL   340 CALORIES
4PM   30 minutes  ELLIPTICAL  360  CALORIES


NET CALORIC CONSUMPTION  236 CALORIES

THE RETURN OF TRADER JOE'S

The return of Trader Joe's? Not Quite. Trader Joe's never went anywhere. I guess it would be more accurate to say it was me who returned to Trader Joe's.  Yesterday afternoon I went on a mini shopping spree. I carefully examined everything I bought and checked calories. I bought some Brussel Spouts, Spinach and chopped vegetables.  I found some interesting soups with low calorie counts: Pumpkin, Chicken Noodle and Sweet Potato Bisque.  Lastly I purchased Mahi Mahi Patties, Pre-Cut Angus Beef and Sweet Apple Chicken Sausages.  This should make some of my upcoming meals more interesting next week.  Food Shopping is now both important to me and fun for me.

While walking the aisles at Trader Joe's most ridiculous thing I did see (which of course I did not buy) was CHOCOLATE COVERED POTATO CHIPS.  Really, Trader Joe's?   Potato Chips are not unhealthy enough?  They need to be covered in chocolate?  The sad truth is, had I been in Trader Joe's a month ago - I am sure I would have bought this product!

It is fun to lose weight.  (I remember this as I lost 80 lbs seven years ago, before I stupidly gained every pound back and tacked on nine more for 'good luck.')  One thing that I am looking forward to is seeing friends, family and customers after I have lost enough weight for it to be immediately noticeable.   Yesterday, I saw my friend, my favorite Chabad Rabbi for the first time since before December 24th.   The very first thing he said to me was, "Slim!"   I really didn't expect anyone to notice how much weight I had lost quite yet. Apparently my Rabbi has amazing powers of observation.  It was very gratifying to know that my efforts are now becoming visible to others. It felt great!

Sunday was another low calorie day:
BREAKFAST   three poached eggs with two slices of turkey 'bacon'                           280 CALORIES
LUNCH            1 cup Trader Joe's Chicken Noodle Soup, one Maryland Crab Cake   290 CALORIES
DINNER           2 cups Healthy 8 Chopped Veggie Mix, one Maryland Crab Cake      270 CALORIES

                                TOTAL CALORIC CONSUMPTION SUNDAY      840 CALORIES

SUNDAY MORNING 4 MILE WALK @ 4 MPH for 60 MINUTES - BURNED 600 CALORIES

NET CALORIC INTAKE WAS ONLY +240

The many billions of fat cells in my body are now fighting a war that they cannot win!

My favorite question that I am looking forward to hearing: HAVE YOU LOST WEIGHT?

Since I had promised my Rabbi that I would join him for morning minyan on Monday - I completed my workout for Monday a little earlier than usual.   I started at 12:30AM and finished at 1:30AM.   I have had bundles of energy these past few weeks.   I have been either staying up late, or getting up very early, sometimes both.