AF Biggest Loser/Fitness Challenge-May 3 to Whenever We're Not Fat Anymore

[chimp3]

I hope it's OK for me to jump in at this point. 4 months ago I was way out of shape. 264 lbs. 2 years into a stressful desk job sitting in front of computer. Feet swelling by end of work day. I joined fitness center. Kept a food / exercise diary. Down 23 lbs now. In better cardio health but striving for the max. Have had many set backs and food relapses but am on track. This weekend I decided to vary my diet with more vegan choices to alternate with low carb. I used to cook for a living. Cooked in many vegan/ natural foods restaurants. Also, my grandmother was Syrian and I learned to cook from her.  So, vegan alternatives such as hummus, tabouli, etc. are comfort food to me. I am joining in this support thread because I need support. On the road to skinny!

Cool!
Care to share some of those Syrian recipes?  

Sure! Syrians and Lebanese would consider this a staple. Like white beans and cornbread in the southern U.S:

Lentils and Rice. Mujadara. I substitute Brown Basmati or Texmati for the traditional white rice. Regular brown rice takes to long and the lentils get mushy. I also don't rely on rigid measurements so bear with me.

The key to the traditional flavor is how dark you cook the onion. Should be way past caramelized and nearly black. So, take three large white or yellow onions diced. Cook in olive oil until nearly black. Use nonstick cookware to reduce the amount of olive oil needed. Although it is very good with a lot of extra virgin olive oil.

In a soup pot , cook 2 cups lentils in 4 cups water or stock until all liquid is absorbed. Then add 2 cups Brown Basmati rice and 4 cups water with the blackened onions and bring to simmer. Stir while cooking and add extra liquid as needed. The 2-1 ratio of water to rice may not work as the lentils may absorb more liquid. Cook until rice is soft. Season with salt and pepper.

This is really good as a complete protein source and served with sliced vegies - cukes, tomato, peppers, olives.

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Gained back a few pounds 2 weeks ago..been having some weird extreme hungers from time to time. But I lost a little of it this week, I wish it were as easy to remove as it is to put on.

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I hope it's OK for me to jump in at this point. 4 months ago I was way out of shape. 264 lbs. 2 years into a stressful desk job sitting in front of computer. Feet swelling by end of work day. I joined fitness center. Kept a food / exercise diary. Down 23 lbs now. In better cardio health but striving for the max. Have had many set backs and food relapses but am on track. This weekend I decided to vary my diet with more vegan choices to alternate with low carb. I used to cook for a living. Cooked in many vegan/ natural foods restaurants. Also, my grandmother was Syrian and I learned to cook from her.  So, vegan alternatives such as hummus, tabouli, etc. are comfort food to me. I am joining in this support thread because I need support. On the road to skinny!

Good luck chimp! By my calculations we're close to the same weight.

6'2". Hoping to get to 196 for BMI recommendation.