Your own health and nutrition

[Rivka P]

I am meeting with a nutritionist in a group setting and she's going to set up a personalized meal plan for me. I am pregnant and already overweight from previous pregnancies. I can't afford to gain too much this time around!
Anyone else have other stories about what they are doing to protect their own health? We need to be role models for our patients and the community. Let's make sure the shoemaker's children have shoes!

[Marva S]

I believe everyone has their own specific target weight range. There is no perfect number when it comes to weight. When I feel I am straying from my healthy normal range I use a free app on my phone to document everything I eat. The app I use is called DB Tracker, there are many apps available for your phone or computer, but this one is free and you can add foods to the database. Surprisingly many kosher foods are already available. The app helps me track calories, carbs, protein and fat intake, as well as exercise activities and calories burned. You can adjust the amount you require for each food group. I did research based on my height, age and gender to identify my daily needs.

Personally it helps me to avoid eating too many carbs in one day, and reminds me to eat my daily requirement of protein. All in all, it helps me be more conscious about my eating habits.

This has helped me get back on a healthy track multiple times.

[achot]

Marva what a great idea, thanks for the tip on the DB Tracker!!
Riv, BeSha'ah Tova, what great news that you are expecting!
During my pregnancy with twins I was super careful from gaining too much weight but needed to ensure proper nutrition for the two babies, I also developed gestational diabetes which I kept in balance by diet and measuring sugars like 7 times a day. I measured my thighs weekly and kept a record. I added protein powder to my food and multivitamins. Besides that, we all know plenty of fresh vegies (lettuce, peppers, carrots, etc), moderate fruits, proteins and low fat, I really cut down on the carbs and salt. For the babies sakes I just cut certain foods out of my diet like pizza and ice cream, etc.
A good friend of mine joined Overeaters Anonymous and raves about it. Another friend lost a ton of weight by planning and preparing her entire days meals in the morning and never deviating not even a little bite. She calls herself a food addict and just as alcoholics cant even take a sip of wine, she cant take a half tsp of ice cream. She has kept her weight off for 15 years now, and is an inspiration for us all,
I also think its important to find enjoyment in other facets of our life, if its a bubble bath with a cup of good herbal tea, or splurge on a bottle of expensive perfume or body lotion whatever will make you feel like you are pampering yourself in other ways might help.
Good luck with the dietitian!

[bobbie613]

Rivka, Good for you! I use the livestrong app which is like the DB app. It is also free and tracks water, vitamins, exercise and weight. I found their suggested daily caloric amount for weight loss to be on the low side per a nutritionist. I've lost 10 lbs. with 20 to go. In the weeks that I walk more, I lose more. Like Chavie's friend, I plan and track the ENTIRE day's worth of food and then that's it. No substitutions. I try to avoid the kiddush table except for the salad and, if necessary will bring and leave some cut up veggies in the coat room. Egg salad, tuna salad, hummus, challah and cookies is not helpful. Chavie had great ideas for pregnancy related nutrition. B'hatzlochah!

I remember Mordechai started an excellent thread a long time ago about Venishmartem........a similar thread.

[Rivka P]

I got a treadmill and a bathroom scale. Though I have yet to open the package of the bathroom scale, I did use my treadmill today. Another great app is called my fitness pal. check it out!

[Rivka P]

I bought a food scale too. Then I found out I might have gestational diabetes and I really do need to be monitoring all my food intake and blood sugars etc for at least 2 weeks. Had I not been thinking in this mindset and purchased the scale in advance, I would have been even more thrown off balance emotionally that I already was. Thank You, Hashem!