Dreaded Middles
Nov 6th 2007
Julia LondonOn Writing! & When Goddesses Fall To Earth
Usually when I bring up dreaded middles, I am talking about writing the middle of a book. I don’t know how it is for the other goddesses, but the first part of my book usually flies. It is the middle where I bog down and wonder what the hell was I thinking. Why did I ever think this would work? What am I supposed to do with the characters and plot now? Working through that dreaded middle takes a lot of muddling through and a lot of stress eating. But I find that if I just keep on writing, I will eventually make it to the end, and then I can go back and trim it, tighten it up, tone it into an appealing middle you’ll want to read.
And then there is the other dreaded middle. Oh yeah, I’m talking about the one that is bulging over the button of my jeans and slowly encroaching on my breasts. I freely admit it—I am growing a tire. It’s come on slowly, a little bit each year. But in the last few months, it sort of exploded with the stress of trying to produce a whole bunch of books in a very short time frame and keep a family life intact.
The only problem is, I can’t trim it down and tone it in a couple of weeks like I can a book. My dreaded middle—given my age and sort of lazy lifestyle—is a whole lot harder to change.
So I have joined Weight Watchers.
I am telling you this because I need to. I figure if I announce I am going to lose twenty pounds to all of you, then I have to do it. If I say it out loud, I will feel compelled to give updates, or live in horror that the next time you see me, nothing has changed. I hope it will motivate me to stick to it, because I have noticed the older I get, the less inclined I am to suffer. Trust me, I am suffering as I write this blog. I am freaking starving. But hey, I have walked out on that plank, so now I have to jump.
Wish me luck, goddesses! I am on a mission to lose 20 pounds and get my old self back! You can all do me a favor by telling me a) a great stress-relieving snack and b) what to do with a husband who likes his meat and potatoes (minds out of the gutter, please).
42 Comments »
42 Responses to “Dreaded Middles”
Tracy Kay on 06 Nov 2007 at 12:55 am #
I just wanted to share with you that I am also on Weight Watchers!!!! I’ve been at it now for 34 weeks and I’ve lost 65 1/2 pounds. I am a true believer in the system and I really hope that it works out for you!
I started at 19 years old, at 274 pounds and I am proud to say that I am now at 208 1/2. I know that anyone can do this if I can so I am truly wishing you the best of luck!!!!
Hope to hear about your success soon!
-Tracy :o)
Judy F on 06 Nov 2007 at 5:42 am #
Good Luck Julia. My Niece just joined (so does not need to) but her Aunt does. LOL
I wish I had words of wisdom for you on stress eating. I know my friend Ann who is thin is a big fruit and veggie snack person.
Stacy ~ on 06 Nov 2007 at 6:33 am #
WTG Tracy - that’s amazing! You should be so proud of yourself. I am so bad, so undisciplined, but I try to exercise more if I can’t, er, don’t, eat as healthy as I should. I walk at breaks or at lunch, or do some sit-ups at home, stuff like that. Good luck Julia. We’re here for you.
Sherri Erwin on 06 Nov 2007 at 7:06 am #
The great thing about WW is that you can have meat and potatoes, just watch the portion size and count the points. Choose lean cuts, maybe substitute chicken or turkey more often. The WW website has some great weekly meal ideas for when you’re stuck.
My favorite healthy snacks: air-popped popcorn, jello or fat free pudding cups, red pepper strips with hummus. You can do it, Julia! Best wishes.
Sherri Erwin on 06 Nov 2007 at 7:08 am #
Oh, almost forgot– skinny cow ice cream sandwiches are fantastic and feel indulgent when they are not that bad at all.
Aemelia on 06 Nov 2007 at 7:34 am #
Good Luck Julia!
I have a great recipe for EASY 1 point cupcakes (yes…1 point) you take your cake mix of choice, add a can of diet soda…mix, bake, and top w/fat-free whipped topping. They are extremely moist and delicious.
My favorite is Spice or Carrot Cake mixed w/diet orange soda (next time I think I will try diet cream soda). Chocolate cake mixes well w/diet cola or diet cherry cola.
I’m a sweet fanatic…so this helps me!
Emmiebee on 06 Nov 2007 at 7:52 am #
Whoohoo Julia!
The decision to join WW and start your journey is such a huge stumbling block for many people- celebrate your courage right now! I lost 65 pounds about three years ago, put some of it back on, then lost it again. Losing weight is very hard, but so is keeping it off. The trick for me is to make the situation a CONSTANT reward program. I will fight restriction tooth and nail, and the Universal Law “for every diet there is an equal and opposite pig-out” applies to me as well. So, I must love everything I eat, and take care to not eliminate even one smidge of joy from my life, even if I am not the “perfect” weight that week.
Skinny Cow Mint Cones are not indulgent, they are a necessary part of my body chemestry. The Hungry Girl website has hundreds of light, tasty was to enjoy favorite snacks (my favorite foods) and meals without much hassle at all! She also reviews “light ” products to let the rest of us know if they are any good. Kudos to everyone on the path to health!
Karen Hawkins on 06 Nov 2007 at 8:01 am #
WOOOOOWZA, Tracy! That’s AWESOME! You’re an inspiration!
I’ve always heard that WW works. I should try it, too.
You guys have some great ideas here. I’m going to try those cupcakes. I loooove cake.
As for a snack, Julia, I highly recommend Healthy Choice Premium Fudge Bars have only 80 calories and 1.5 grams of fat. They’re INCREDIBLY awesome!
PJ on 06 Nov 2007 at 8:12 am #
Congratulations on the start of your journey, Julia! I joined WW online three years ago and lost 40 pounds. I found it to be an easy system to use and I hardly ever felt like I was depriving myself. The WW website has oodles of snacks that you can have without going over your daily points. I love fruits and veggies and do a lot of snacking on those. Skinny Cow makes great snacks. WW Fudge Bars are really good too. WW makes some pretty good frozen dinners for those days when you’re busy writing and don’t have time to cook.
~PJ
DebMarlowe on 06 Nov 2007 at 8:56 am #
First of all Julia, I am in awe of your photo shop skills! You totally crack me up!
Best of luck with the WW! I’ll wait anxiously to hear how you feel about it. I’ve often thought about joining, and it may be just what I need to kick myself into gear.
You guys have already thrown out some great tips. Aemilia–all you add is the diet soda? No egg or anything?
Gannon on 06 Nov 2007 at 9:22 am #
Woohoo, Tracy!! That’s awesome! Best of luck, Julia. I should probably join WW too, so I deflate that tire that I’m growing.
I agree with the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches–my whole family loves them.
jessie on 06 Nov 2007 at 9:39 am #
Good luck!! My aunt and cousin joined, and they both lost a lot of weight.
a) My favorite, delicious healthy snack is strawberries and slices of orange (cut the oranges as if you were making ambrosia) mixed up with lime juice squeezed over them.* You get a little sweet and sour, and it’s divine. Also, those 100 calorie packs of oreos or chips ahoy or whatever are nice.
b) Make teensy portions. My roommate puts all of her meals on sectioned plates to control portion size. I can’t quite control myself that much, but it seems to work for her.
*I got this idea from Seventeen magazine about three years ago.
Tracy Kay on 06 Nov 2007 at 9:44 am #
Thanks girls! It’s been a hard journey so far and I’ve got 48 1/2 pounds to go, but I’m totally pumped to do it!!! Thats why I KNOW Julia can do it too!!!!!!!
Oh a little tip on a snack - a few of the girls have mentioned the WW fudge bars, but they also have ice cream cups that are like….fudge brownie, choco. chip cookie dough…etc. They’re very good. They also have these cookie crumbly type ice cream bars that are almost like an oreo ice cream bar…those are absolutely fantastic!!! We’re chocolate freaks in my house so we’ve got a ton of good chocolate ideas!
One more tip…if you’re having a hard time getting in your 2 healthy oils (most people have a hard time with that), we just toast some bread, put the oil on, and put a slice of tomato on it. It’s really good and you can put a little dash of parmesean(sp?) cheese on it to make your own little bruschetta!
Good luck again!!!!!!!!
TrustMe_2_Forget on 06 Nov 2007 at 9:47 am #
yep…just a cake mix and a can of soda (it doesn’t have to be diet)
SuzyQ on 06 Nov 2007 at 10:08 am #
Julia, I lost 19 pounds on WW. It is a great system because you can eat the foods you like - just control the portions and count the points as Sherri said. I agree with KarenH on the Healthy Choice fudge bars - they taste too good to be true! I have a problem with anything diet - I just can’t stand the taste - but these are reeeeallllyyyy good.
Tracy - that is awesome! Good luck in reaching your goal!
cail on 06 Nov 2007 at 10:17 am #
WW is totally the best diet. I’m partial to Kettle Corn that is made with Splenda. the whole bag is about 3 points.
The best thing I did was kept a little notebook with my list of food. I also jotted down my weight at the top of the page every morning. its so fun to see that number slowly decrease.
Good luck everyone with their diets and don’t forget to excercise! (even running up the stairs a few times a day does the trick!)
cail on 06 Nov 2007 at 10:18 am #
and oh my goodness, is that really true about the cupcakes being only 1 point? i’m going to have to experiment tonight!
Jami Alden on 06 Nov 2007 at 10:43 am #
Good luck Julia! As for a stress relieving snack, I’m big on cut up veggies and hummus. the veggies give you that really satisfying crunch when you’re staring at the screen wondering where the f*** your plot has gone.
Julia London on 06 Nov 2007 at 10:44 am #
Tracy Kay, congratulations!! You have inspired me!
Stacy, I used to be so diligent about exercise, but I’ve slacked off this year. I am trying to fit it in again. That’s the danger, I’ve discovered. Other stuff starts to fill that time slot, and then its hard to find the time to work out again.
Sherri, you know me — I am well stocked on the fat-free,sugar free puddings, LOL
Aemelia, I can’t wait to try those cup cakes!
Suzy Q — that’s about what I need to lose. How long did it take you?
Julia London on 06 Nov 2007 at 10:44 am #
Jami–that is SO my problem!!! I am going to go and buy a big bag of carrots today.
Darla on 06 Nov 2007 at 11:12 am #
Good luck to you…I still have about 100 lbs to go…have lost 30 so far. I did the same thing you did. I told everyone I know so they’d be aware and help or cheer me on, it works wonders!
I didn’t join weight watchers I am going to a nutritionist at my local hospital…shes good at what she does and very enthuseastic (spelling)! I meal plan 2 to 4 weeks at a time…you’d be suprised how nice it is to come home and know what your eating and not wondering around the kitchen asking each other what do you want? I also keep track of everything I eat. The nurtitionist looks at it and helps me spot problem areas and gives me ideas etc.
Tracy Kay…congrats, thats quite an accomplishment! Keep up the good eating!
Claudia Dain on 06 Nov 2007 at 11:20 am #
Julia!! You clearly came to the right place to get the support and encouragement you need right now. I’m sure you’ll do great, lose tons, and feel so wonderful and virtuous that you’ll be impossible to be around. *G*
I’ve never heard so many amazing dieting solutions in my life! Diet soda in cake mix? I’m astounded. I’m going to have to try that for DH. I wonder if he’ll notice the difference. Does it taste…wetter? Less rich without the eggs? Anything? He’s Mr. Baker and has the most refined palate, can taste three grains of cinnamon at 100 paces. I’m sort of seeing this as a challenge, something to pull over on him.
Julia London on 06 Nov 2007 at 12:28 pm #
Emmiebee, that website is fabulous! I love how they calculate the points for you, too. Thanks for pointing that out. check it out all you fellow dieters:
http://www.hungry-girl.com/index.php
Lisa H on 06 Nov 2007 at 1:00 pm #
Hi Julia,
I buy the low cal bread, and when I am hungry I can have 2 slices of toast (only 1 point) and I put peanut butter on one slice and lowfat marg. on the other. It sits well with me, making me feel full
I love those tiny Andes candy mints. One or two will give you your chocolate fix and they are real chocolate!
Low cal lowfat hot coco mix is nice in the evening and also those baby carrots dipped in low fat ranch dressing is a nice snack.
I don’t eat all low fat things, I indulge in the “real stuff” now and then, but only small portions.
I lost 10 lbs over the summer with WW, but I now need to get back on track. This is a good time of year to reevaluate our eating habits!
Suzanne Enoch on 06 Nov 2007 at 1:34 pm #
My only suggestion is to serve your meals on smaller plates. Then the smaller portions look…proportionally the same.
SnikWhite on 06 Nov 2007 at 1:42 pm #
As someone who has some work to do on her own middle, I offer my vote of support! Best diet tip I ever got was if I think I’m hungry, drink a big glass of water then wait 30 minutes. You will eat less. ALSO with weight watchers and the points system, if you are like me and do your shopping once a week, I am horrible with packing my lunches/snacks. On grocery day, I would make snack packs with the points written write on them so that the rest of the week I didn’t have to think about it.
BEST OF LUCK!!!!
cail on 06 Nov 2007 at 2:49 pm #
oh! also, for a chocolate fix- those quaker rice cakes that are chocolate flavored. they totally satisfy the crunch and the sweet craving. i get the mini ones and put them in serving sized zip locks to keep and eat when i need a pick me up.
Mia Rose on 06 Nov 2007 at 2:50 pm #
Julia, I just thought about you while making my Lean Cuisine lunch
(I’ve been eating those damn things every work day for a year!)
and noticed on the container it states that is says my Chicken, Bacon, Tomato, Ranch and Cheese Panini sandwich is 7 weight watcher points.
Seriously though, I know a lot of people Weight Watcher’s has worked wonders for… and a girl I worked with would label with a black sharpie what the points were for everything in her pantry and fridge. That way she didn’t even have to think or calculate, she could just grab a snack and go.
GOOD LUCK!
goddess2574 on 06 Nov 2007 at 3:04 pm #
WOOHOO JULIA!!! Welcome to Weight Watchers. I myself am on the program to living right. I am at week 10 and have lost 20 lbs. You can do it, I have faith. You can tell that you are going to have lots of support, and that will make a big difference and help a bunch. Just go with it and the weight will come off. You have several comments as proof!!! Plus if you keep writing and I keep reading while we do this, then the world will keep turning!!! LOL
Amy
SuzyQ on 06 Nov 2007 at 3:33 pm #
Julia, it took me about 4 or 5 months to lose the weight. My first week I lost 4 pounds and then I lost about a pound a week. There were a few weeks where I couldn’t lose anything, but at least I didn’t gain. I found at times I stopped losing I would change the foods I was eating and that seemed to help.
Julia London on 06 Nov 2007 at 4:12 pm #
Snikwhite, that is a great idea.
Mia, I will check into the lean cuisines!
goddess2574, That’s fantastic! I hope I can take it off that quick!
SuzyQ, that’s a good tip, too, to change foods when and if I plateau.
I think baby carrots are going to be my new best friend
RachelG on 06 Nov 2007 at 4:42 pm #
I joined weight watchers and gained 5 pounds. It was the weight watcher’s ice cream that did me in. I had to quit. The only thing that works for me is low carbs.
rachel
Mia Rose on 06 Nov 2007 at 5:07 pm #
Can I just add that whoever created cake mix with soda is a genius and should be celebrated daily.
Plus, I remembered a snack that I absolutely love… but I’m really not sure how healthy it is… edamame. You can buy it at the store in the frozen section and all you have to do is pop it in the microwave and then snack (mine take a turn in the freezer first, because I like them chilled).
They’re a lifesaver when I feel the need to chew on something even if I’m not hungry… bad habit.
claudia dain on 06 Nov 2007 at 5:42 pm #
Rachel, my body is designed the same way. Weight Watchers would have me adding calories to my day, plus I can’t eat any sugar and lose weight. Low carbs is my lifeline.
Ann in IL on 06 Nov 2007 at 6:17 pm #
I’ve tried the cake mix and diet soda thing. We use fat free Cool Whip on top. You can use any combination of soda /cake mix. My next is going to be lemon cakemix and Sierra Mist. I only wish it worked with angelfood. That is my favorite cake.
lisa on 06 Nov 2007 at 6:24 pm #
I HAVE GOT to try that cake mix and diet soda thing.
I just recently read the Skinny Bitch book. It promotes a vegetarian (vegan really) lifestyle. I’ve adopted some of the practices but not all of them. I feel better and look leaner too, in just three weeks.
So that’s what I’m trying at the moment. I swear to God, it’s a life long journey.
FreshEChelle on 06 Nov 2007 at 7:22 pm #
Julia, you do well on WW as long as you check in on this site every week to share your progress with us. The cheerleading helps. It’s the weigh in victories that keep you going. I lost 75 lbs on WW and it was easy to lose ‘coz I was falling in love…with baseball unfortunately … at the same time. Sadly, I’ve put most of it back on but it was entirely my fault and my bad choices. I still believe in their program. Focus on losing 10% of your body weight first and you’ll be so proud when you reach that. If you don’t exercise now, start when you hit a weight loss plateau, it’ll be the jump start you’re looking for. Best WW advice I wish I followed - one shouldn’t lose the same pound twice.
Ann in IL on 06 Nov 2007 at 7:34 pm #
Here’s another cake you can try.
Take a Duncan Hines Spice cake mix and a can (15-16 oz) of pumpkin - NOT pumpkin pie filling. Mix together and bake in a bundt or angelfood pan. This cake is less than a point per piece. It is very dense, but moist and yummy.
Aspen on 06 Nov 2007 at 8:29 pm #
I like Suzanne’s comment about a smaller plate. Great way to psych yourself out or thin or whatever.
I have also heard that your plate sholuld be COLORFUL. I don’t mean buy red and orange plates but have color in your meal selections. Its a rule of thumb that the more colorful the more healthy.
I applaud you Julia in your weight loss challenge!
You go Girl!
Aspen
Julia London on 06 Nov 2007 at 11:19 pm #
Thanks you guys! I will let you know how the weight loss is going when I post.
Ann, the pumpkin thing sounds really good. I must try that one, too.
Aspen, I was all excited — I have yellow plates — until I read your post again, hahaha.
Rachel and Claudia, OH to have your trouble!
Fresh, you may have gained the weight back, but you still have baseball, right?
Lisa — its so funny you say that. My husband announced one day we were going vegan. We still aren’t sure what it means, but he instantly gave up when I told him ice cream wouldn’t be on the menu.
TinaLouiseF on 07 Nov 2007 at 12:30 am #
Congrats Tracy Kay on getting rid of the weight.
Santa on 07 Nov 2007 at 12:49 am #
Congrats to Tracy Kay and everyone else who’ve found success at WW.
Julia - I applaud your goal and know you can do it. If your DH is a meat and potato guy just don’t have as big a piece of meat or potato. Stock up on those vegetables. Great snack - cut up fruit and low fat vanilla or lemon yogurt to dip in. Delish.
And exercise. Don’t forget to exercise. My trainer put me up to that but it’s so true.
Good luck!