Wrapped Casserole

on January 16, 2009
in All Posts

One of my favorite things to do with leftover casseroles is create a wrap!

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My yummy lunch consisted of a half serving of last night’s Red Lentil Casserole, Cesar Dressing, and spinach, all wrapped up in a 100-calorie whole wheat wrap.

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Holy yum!!!

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My lunch also included a sliced carrot….

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And cheerful cherries…

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It feels SO good to eat normally and healthfully again.  I was really getting sick of eating out.  It’s almost impossible for me to eat "normally" when all my meals are eaten at restaurants! The healthy dishes always sound so "blah" in comparison to the fun and decadent meals.

 

So… I gained a total of four pounds while on my weddingmoon and honeymoon.  Four pounds isn’t a lot in the grand scheme of life, but it does mean I couldn’t wear several pairs of pants towards the end of our vacation!  Trust me, this is not *water weight*.

 

I’d like to be able to say that gaining weight on the honeymoon didn’t mentally affect me, but that would be lying.  And I never lie on the blog!! My running shirts are pretty fitted, and I did feel self-conscious for the first time in a long time on a few runs in San Francisco. But I reminded myself that this is a special time and enjoying food and drink was part of the experience.

 

I did feel better when I got home and realized it was ONLY a 4 pound weight gain (I thought it was going to be more, to be honest).  That’s really not a significant number, and it will be easily lost with healthy eating and constant running.  I will be back down to maintenance in no time.

 

Due to past discussions on the blog, I try not to discuss my weight or pounds gained/lost too much because it’s really NOT important in terms of living a healthy lifestyle.  However, I think this gain is worthy of mention as:

 

  • It proves I’m only human;
  • It reminded me what it felt like to be body-conscious and reinforced why I appreciate living a healthy lifestyle so much; and
  • It proves that "restricting" is not necessary.  I’m not going to "diet" in response to the gain, I’m just going to go back to normal habits. 

 

Back to the grind!  See you for a run and a fun dinner. 🙂

{ 44 comments }

 

  • HangryPants January 16, 2009, 10:06 am

    What kind of wrap is it?

    Thanks for sharing about the Honeymoon weight gain. I think it’s natural to feel a little self conscious. I am sure you will be back to your old self soon enough, but for now it was good to hear your down to earth perspective. It would have been annoying if you said it didn’t bother you at all! 😀

  • Marissa January 16, 2009, 10:06 am

    Your lunch looks delicious! Kudos to you for having a healthy attitude!!

  • KT January 16, 2009, 10:07 am

    Thanks for sharing your honeymoon with us! Thanks also for mentioning the (tiny!) gain, because I do think it is cool to see your no-big-deal perspective and how you’re just planning on going back to regular, healthy habits.
    I’m a pretty new reader, so congrats on the wedding.

  • Caitlin (see bride run) January 16, 2009, 10:12 am

    heather – hahah yea that wouldve been really annoying, and it wouldve been a big lie! you’d be hard-pressed to find any women who didn’t mind somewhat.

    KT – thanks for the support and encouragement, and i’m glad you found the blog!! thanks so much again.

  • Jess January 16, 2009, 10:15 am

    I think your healthy attitude is awesome. You’re absolutely right you should be able to enjoy the food and drink on your honeymoon! And the weight will come off when you return to your normal habits!

  • fodie818 January 16, 2009, 10:21 am

    i love your healthy attitude and strive to have something like that. i gained about 5 pounds over the holidays and am panicking! how do you keep yourself from the dieting mentality?

  • ttfn300 January 16, 2009, 10:23 am

    oh, it looked like such a fabulous time!! you would’ve regretted it had you not enjoyed yourself. and you didn’t go overboard, so i’m sure getting back into a routine you’ll be back in those pants in no time 🙂

    we missed you too!! i don’t think i’ve ever put a casserole in a wrap… see, this is why i need you around 😉

  • girlrunningaround January 16, 2009, 10:25 am

    4lbs is nothing. It was worth getting out there and enjoying your honeymoon to the fullest. You’ll have that off in no time!

  • Caitlin (see bride run) January 16, 2009, 10:25 am

    fodie – thanks! i think i can stay away from the dieting mentaility because (1) in the past, when i “dieted” i ended up gorging myself on cheesecake because i felt so deprived. i know dieting only means i will eventually undo all my hard work. (2) i KNOW my maintenance eating habits work. (3) my running goals and habits force me to eat a well-balanced diet. if i don’t eat enough, i won’t be strong enough to race successfully and improve my times.

  • Tina January 16, 2009, 10:25 am

    Right on! Four pounds is nothing, and I can tell you enjoyed your honeymoon a lot. It’s a once in a lifetime experience! And, if you’re in wine country, you gotta enjoy yourself! Love your outlook!

  • Laughing Lindsay January 16, 2009, 10:30 am

    I recently gained 4 lbs over my birthday- it lasted what seemed like forever with all the cakes and deserts and eating out.

    It got to me quite a bit. Deep down, I know it will come off with my regular eating and excercise but I still beat myself up a little.

    Thank you for posting how you view weight gain and how you were affected by it. It makes me feel so much more normal.

    I’m SO glad you’re back.

  • Colleen January 16, 2009, 10:35 am

    You know what cheers me up after overindulging and knowing that I gained a pound or two? Increased glycogen stores!!! I know it sounds silly, but I can tell when I’ve depleted mine, so overindulgence can be good sometimes…my runs almost always feel good when I’m “getting back on track.”

    So glad to have you back! 🙂

  • sweetandfit January 16, 2009, 10:36 am

    100-calorie wrap, i’m with HangryPants…what brand is that? I’m so glad you aren’t killing yourself over the 4 pounds. I don’t think it will take that long to come off once you get back into your regular exercise and eating routine. welcome back =)

  • Hilary January 16, 2009, 10:48 am

    I was wondering about the brand of the wraps too!

    Your outlook is so refreshing. I really appreciate reading that. You’re setting such a wonderful example for so many women. Thank you!

  • Caitlin (see bride run) January 16, 2009, 11:04 am

    the wraps are La Tortilla Factory Smart & Delicious Soft Wraps

  • Sarah (lovINmytummy) January 16, 2009, 11:21 am

    Great attitude about the weight gain. I’m excited to see how healthfully you take the pounds off!

    That’s why you and Meghann are friends…she made a leftover casserole wrap yesterday! OK, so probably not the ONLY reason you are friends 😉

  • fitforfree January 16, 2009, 11:27 am

    Thanks so much for being open and honest, both with yourself and with the blog!

  • Chic Runner January 16, 2009, 11:30 am

    What a great idea 🙂 Thanks for sharing all the pictures and so glad you had fun! Have a great day!

  • greendogwine January 16, 2009, 11:38 am

    I TOTALLY understand your feelings – you are EXACTLY where I was after we got back from our honeymoon (except I was closer to 6lbs – yikes!)

    With how motivated and dedicated you are, you’ll be down those 4lbs again in no time! So glad your back!

  • VeggieGirl January 16, 2009, 11:58 am

    GORRRRRRRRRGEOUS wrap!!

  • Sarah W. January 16, 2009, 12:00 pm

    I hope to someday have the attitude you have, especially the whole being at maintenance thing! working on it and just started running

    your outlook is refreshing! mmmm cherries. its winter here so the only good fruits are oranges apples & pears and I"m SICK of it! grapes are way too expensive, berries are waaay too expensive.

  • leslie January 16, 2009, 12:04 pm

    I just SO love your outlook!

    That wrap looks delicious, and your honeymoon sounded fantastic. 4 tiny pounds is nothing compared to the once in a lifetime fun you had!

  • tfh January 16, 2009, 12:10 pm

    Beautiful cherries. I think you did a great job on your honeymoon– you managed to run! Sometimes a little weight gain is helpful because it makes ya even more motivated to eat healthfully and keep up the exercise, right?

  • RhodeyGirl/Sabrina January 16, 2009, 12:15 pm

    thanks for sharing so openly with us!!!! it really helps to know that we are ALL human!

  • dailygoods January 16, 2009, 12:23 pm

    your honeymoon is a once in a lifetime event, so i’m glad you enjoyed it thoroughly! i’m sure you’ll be back to your previous weight in no time with your healthy lifestyle 🙂

  • Nicole (anotheronebitesthecrust.wordpress.com) January 16, 2009, 12:25 pm

    Your lunch wrap looks fantastic. I love the creative ways to use up leftovers 😀

  • Beadie January 16, 2009, 12:30 pm

    I really need to try the wrap/casserole thing.

    Caitlin, thanks for being so honest about the gain. I think your attitude about it is remarkable and I hope to one day have the same healthy attitude. You rock!

  • Melissa January 16, 2009, 12:47 pm

    I hear ya! I gained 6 pounds on an all-inclusive vacation last january! yikes!!!

    But thank you for fessing up and mentioning it….I agree, it makes you more relatable and honest to your readers!!!

    Yes, it will come off in no time!!

    Yummy looking wrap 🙂

    P.S. The knee brace you recommended to me saved my life! I LOVE IT!!!!!

  • K January 16, 2009, 1:08 pm

    Thanks for sharing about the gain – like you said, it will go back down! You’re so healthy and active it won’t be a problem. The fact that you aren’t stressing about it is fabulous 🙂

  • Megan January 16, 2009, 1:09 pm

    That wrap looks amazing! And that weight will be gone in NO time. I’m glad you had a great time on your honeymoon!

  • megan January 16, 2009, 1:34 pm

    I’m a new reader to your blog and I just wanted to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed it! This is my first time commenting, but I find myself reading your blog every day and I really enjoy your honesty and fresh perspective. I love how you aren’t afraid to be yourself, whether other people approve or not 🙂

  • Betsy in Pgh January 16, 2009, 1:34 pm

    Ugh I know what you mean – we went on a cruise after xmas and I gained 3-4 lbs. Probably would have been more if I didn’t get seasick and lose my dinner/appetite early the week! It does feel good to get on track and in control though.

  • Sammie January 16, 2009, 1:44 pm

    I’m glad you enjoyed yourself on your honeymoon – it only happens once. It is really nice to have you back. I really enjoy your blog. You are such a positive and inspiring individual no matter what life throws at you.

  • magpie January 16, 2009, 1:59 pm

    thanks for this post 🙂 in the grand scheme of things, 4 pounds is nothing to worry about!! but I’m glad that I’m not the only one who feels self-conscious when my body changes, even if it’s just a little bit. you’ll be back to your old self in no time 🙂

  • Danielle January 16, 2009, 2:10 pm

    What a great attitude about the tiny gain. I’m sure like you said just returning to your normal day-to-day habits will have it off in no time.
    In 10 years you’ll remember how much fun your honeymoon was and not that you gained any weight while there.

  • just me January 16, 2009, 2:40 pm

    that seriously is the best kind of attitude ever.

    so glad you’re back! now i can see you and meghann!

  • Mica January 16, 2009, 2:40 pm

    You have a great attitude! It sounds like those silly four pounds were totally worth it, considering what a fantastic time you appear to have had! Enjoy getting back to healthy habits and being a married lady!

  • emily January 16, 2009, 3:01 pm

    thanks for the refreshingly honest post; it’s always interesting to see other people’s responses to small weight gains; it’s great that you are “dealing with it” in a healthy way. I have never made a casserole wrap, but it sounds pretty exciting, I need to make a casserole so there can be one in my future!

  • biz319 January 16, 2009, 3:18 pm

    Glad your back safe and sound! I don’t comment often, but keep up with your life – congrats on the wedding!!

    And seriously, 4 pounds is no big deal!!!

  • An Apple a Day January 16, 2009, 4:10 pm

    I applaud you for addressing this topic with such honesty and sincerity. This is enough to send anyone at least into a little bit of a bad mood, but you are bouncing right back.

    Thanks for being a great example to how women should act in these situations!

  • Meg January 16, 2009, 6:58 pm

    4 pounds is definitely not bad at all, and I applaud your healthy outlook!

    Great idea for leftovers!

  • eatingbender January 16, 2009, 10:39 pm

    I love that you wrapped the casserole! That’s awesome.

    Your outlook is so positive and it just shows you are at such a great place emotionally/mentally when you say that going back to normal habits instead of dieting is all you need to do to feel better. You rock! :o)

  • alicia January 16, 2009, 11:47 pm

    Glad to have you back safely and congrats again! 🙂

    Thanks for sharing about the weight gain thoughts as it definitely affects most women. What I like is the positivity that you have and I would remind myself to think positively in the event I do put on weight in future.

    I’m sure that you will lose the 4 pounds in no time at all. 🙂

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