Friday 1 June 2012

Baking & Weightloss

For those of you reading who know me, you'll know that I absolutely love cooking & baking, and eating! As you can imagine this is a tricky combination when it comes to losing weight. Before I started this healthier regime/life change in September I would cook & bake to my hearts content, happily devouring all my wares...however, I've had to draw a line. I've had to re-train my mind, and remember what I actually NEED in terms of calories, and what a "treat" actually is!

Before September, I'd think nothing of polishing off a share-size bag of crisps, or a whole packet of biscuits. I'd snack & graze almost constantly, and actually sort of saw this as my right as an adult, and as a human.

What I've had to learn is that "naughty" (high calorie) foods, are meant to be eaten in small amounts, infrequently. Not every single day just because i feel like it. MODERATION is the key!

And what has happened is interesting. Not only have I lost a lot of weight, but I've also began to see foods in terms of worth. What does eating this doughnut mean in terms of exercise? Is it worth it? Will it make me happy? And often the answer is no. Because I understand that eating one doughnut is the equivalent of 45 mins on the cross trainer, or 2.5 mile walk...and when I think of it like that it seems far less appealing!

I have also noticed that my enjoyment of those high calorie foods has increased because when I eat them now it actually truly feels like a treat. Something naughty. Instead of being part of my daily diet.

People keep asking me how I bake so much & am losing weight steadily, really the answer is firstly to always work out the calories per portion of what you're baking, that will help you to make an informed & realistic decision when it comes to deciding how much of it you're going to eat.
Secondly, SHARE!! With whoever will receive the baked goods gladly....work friends, family, neighbours...you're not only perking up someone else's day, but you're removing the temptation from your own clutches. I always have "a taste" of whatever I've made, albeit just a small mouthful or a whole portion, but I always know what it's worth, and certainly eat a much smaller percentage of what I make than before.

Liam & I got baking last night in aid of Breast Cancer Care, as he is holding a bake sale at work today to raise money for our 10 mile walk in a few weeks. I baked some cheese muffins, and Liam made Pretzels (one naughty shaped one which was specially requested as well as 'normal' pretzels), boobie iced buns & homemade chocolates! The kitchen was busy all night, but all in aid of a great cause!