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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 9 May 2006 10:52 pm |
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I am totally engrossed by Christina Pirello's book. I only bought it because of the title "Cooking the Whole Foods Way", I have included so many foods that I've never really eaten before and needed some guidance in preparing them. What a lucky choice for my first cookbook!!!
She writes "The single element in our lives over which we have themost control is the food we eat. The quality and quantity of the food we eat directly determines the kind of people we become. We create ourselves - our personalities, our outlook, how we act and interact and react ot what life sends our way." I read this and thought "yes, yes, and yes". Cause I know that the amount of energy and vitality my body brings to each day, the humor, insight and calmness I can now bring to stressful situations that used to send me scrambling for cover (or ice cream), the eagerness and enthusiam I have when dealing with life itself are all a direct reflection of the "quality and quantity" of the food I eat daily.
Before I first got serious about changing my eating habits my meals came 50% from restaurants/fast food places and 50% from straight-up processed junk food. So much cooking at first was a chore, a challenge, a time-consuming pain the tush and a source of frustration. I remember thinking that I liked cooking, but not that much and had to find ways to minimize it so I'd be able to keep it up long-term. I minimized what I could by commercial protein bars and eating at work so someone else had to do some of it. Then, it became kinda fun. Now, it's actually a joy. So, I gotta quote Christina again cause I can't say it any better: "Understanding the energy of food unlocks an entire world of culinary adventure. It makes cooking a natural extention of your life, not a burden to be dealt with as quickly and painlessly as possible, or worse yet, something to let someone else hand for you." Like I said, what a lucky choice for my first cook-book!
Nir wrote: oops, I see you are talking about cups so I guess, being a water-rich vegetable, it compresses in cooking so a cup has more calories. Yup, the cups thing. Ran into the exact problem with acorn squash. It would be a little easier if my recipes used grams for veggies or I were more mentally flexible in doing the conversions in my head.
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 May 2006 11:19 pm |
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That does sound like a great cookbook!!! I've really started to like cooking too (except for the clean up :?) It's amazing, after awhile I started to feel a sense of accomplishment in creating yummy meals that were actually healthy. And suddenly I could put different things together without looking at a recipe and they tasted good together.
yay! for cooking yummy, healthy meals!
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 10 May 2006 08:57 pm |
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Next Tuesday morning at 6:30 am. That's when I'm participating in my first group (a training run) activity with my new running club. I am equally good excited and bad excited. The "good excited" is jumping up and down cause it's new - I've never run with a group, I think this is going to be fun and different, yada yada. The "bad excited" (otherwise known as anxiety) is worried I'll look like an idiot, lagging far behind the pack, wondering if everyone (but me) is going to be oh so totally fit and trim. Just typing this I'm feeling the level of anxiety rise a little bit more. I'm stepping waaaay outside my comfort zone here. I know this is a good thing but I also know the butterflies in my tummy are gonna multiply day by day until next Tuesday.
Good work-out this am. For some reason I was feeling the weights more than the cardio so I went back to my old 1/4 mile run between sets routine instead of the hour cardio followed by weights I had planned. After two days I realize that I don't like doing that much cardio and weights on the same day so the rest of the week I'll just decide when I get to the gym what I'm gonna do - weights or run.
I have a great new role model/inspiration for my work-out routine. I was reading fitnessRX and there was a profile of a girl who has my same height and body frame with the exact body shape I'm going for. Her "before" was about 12 lbs heavier than I am now. I'm looking at her work-out program and diet program and realizing that I could sooooo do that cause it's pretty close to what I'm already doing. In fact, the only difference in diet is that I don't use turkey or chicken. So when I do my week's exercise plan on Sunday I'm adopting that work-out routine and sticking with it for the next month and see where that takes me.
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Irish lass
Member
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Posted: 10 May 2006 09:20 pm |
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Hi Sueno's,
I took part in a six mile race many moons ago and I came in last:( They sent out a car looking for myslef and two friends.
When we got into city centre everyone was still waiting, well most of them and they started to clap and shout, my two friends ran off and after that everything is just blank!
My husband said to me the next day he arrived home from work that I was never to embarrass him like that again!
I didn't!
But I did balloon up to 250 lbs.:(:D
Irish lass
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 10 May 2006 09:35 pm |
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| yes Irish lass, I've had that mini-movie in my head ever since I agreed to join Tuesday's group run. I'll be fine for the first mile or two, then they'll round a bend, I'll lag further and further behind, they'll crest a hill ...... and somewhere along the finish line as all the lean, tan, toned people are giving each other high fives over their wonderful times someone will say "Hey, where'd that chubby chick go?":) If I don't post next Tuesday by noon.....send help!
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Irish lass
Member
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Posted: 10 May 2006 09:47 pm |
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suenos wrote: yes Irish lass, I've had that mini-movie in my head ever since I agreed to join Tuesday's group run. I'll be fine for the first mile or two, then they'll round a bend, I'll lag further and further behind, they'll crest a hill ...... and somewhere along the finish line as all the lean, tan, toned people are giving each other high fives over their wonderful times someone will say "Hey, where'd that chubby chick go?":) If I don't post next Tuesday by noon.....send help!
Hi Suenos,
I think your wonderful to do it and don't worry about the skinnies!
Maybe next year I will be fit enough to join you on one of your races...
I have big plans for joining the walking club and perhaps travel the world:D
Anything is possible once you put your mind to it:D Right!
I look forward to hearing how you get on.
Irish lass
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Mountain Mike
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 10 May 2006 10:52 pm |
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Suenos,
Congratulations! Don't let fear get the better of you. I had the same anxiety as you; I was afraid of being at the end of the pack or last. I had been running on my own for over 4 months before I entered a race. I was so excited when I came in 3rd in my age group in that first race!!! (I did look a little funny, because I didn't have any running garb; I wore my old college gym shorts and a white t-shirt). I'm sure you have cute workout clothing.
I'm not sure what kind of run that you are doing exactly, but if it is like any of the group training runs I've been on, they tend to be very relaxed, with people of all speeds involved. Do you have any idea how many people do these runs? The local runners here are very supportive, and I hope yours are that way, too. Often, you will meet people at events that run about the same speed as you, and informal planned training runs develop. Of course, if you've joined some kind of elite club, who knows...
One of the most fun events they have in this area are "fun runs" where you pick a distance (1, 2, or 3 miles) and predict your time. No watches are allowed, and whoever comes closest to their prediction is the "winner." Therefore, someone who runs a 12 minute mile has the same chance to win as a 6 minute miler. Another variation on this that I've done is a 10K race that uses a countdown clock. Runners leave as the clock counts down to their predicted time, and try to make it back when the clock counts down to 0:00. Everyone is trying for the same thing, so you have a big mass finish at the end.
All the best..........Mike
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Krystin
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 May 2006 11:19 pm |
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| Aryn would be a good person to talk to. She hasn't been around on the site much, due to familial issues, but take a look at her old diary entries. Most runners are super supportive, non-judgmental, and are fun to be around. Everyone started out less than their best and they all remember where they came from. Most are more than willing to offer pointers and some will slow their pace and chat with you as you jog. Let us know how it goes!
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 12 May 2006 01:55 am |
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Okay, this is the world's shortest diary entry cause I'm hot, tired and hungry but promised myself I would post an entry every single day till I made my weight goal. No gym this am, did the beach thing instead so will probably go this pm (or not, cause I feel a teeny heat headache starting in - but that may just be hunger). Had a protein shake and 2 pieces of fruit (stayed waaaaaaay longer than intended) and now must go eat the biggest salad I can throw together, shower, and sleep under the a.c. - in that order.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 12 May 2006 07:55 pm |
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Nice, serious, work-out this am - two mile run and abs. Scale holding steady. I started this week thinking I was gonna use some of my wonderful, long anticipated freedom from work to do soooooo much extra exercise-wise. And it sooooooo did not happen. Instead I did much less than usual and reveled in every second of it. And since I'm not running around at work, I haven't been as careful as usual about getting my protein in and balancing my meal ratios. Interestingly enough, my appitite (which I'm continuing to trust with crossed fingers as my food intake guide) has done a good job of matching my lowered activity level this week. I guess that's why (luckily) the scale is just sitting still rather than going the other way. I was actually a leeeetle scared this morning when I hopped on.
I suppose normal people just get on the scale, record their weight and walk away. I get on the scale, look at the number, get off, get on again and look to see if it's the same (it always is of course), then I get on one more time, shift my balance a little and...it's still the same. Knowing how stupid that is does not prevent me from doing it everytime I walk into the gym. Reason number two I refuse to own a scale: I can picture myself hopping on and off 20 times a day.
It's been a fun, relaxing week but I'm very much looking forward to getting back into my normal routine.
Irish Lass wrote: "I have big plans for joining the walking club and perhaps travel the world" One of the girls in my gym (I thought I trained hard until I checked out her routine) has a goal of running in at least one race in every state. I think she said she's made 10 so far.
Mountain Mike wrote: "I bet you have cute work-out clothes": HA! I have lots of work-out clothes - and none of them resemble anything cute.
Last edited on 12 May 2006 08:07 pm by suenos
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 13 May 2006 10:26 am |
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I never believe the scale when I've lost weight, I get on and off over and over to make sure it's right, I guess I'm always expecting it to go up, even if i have been faithful to my diet. for some reason I just can't believe I'm capable of losing weight.
I'm so glad you enjoyed your time off!!! You deserve it girl!!!
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 13 May 2006 08:40 pm |
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This is my 18th week's food/exercise plan. I will have zero time to do this tommorrow so it's now or never. I've re-thought the way I want to manage my food/exercise for the next 30 days. Initially, I'm gonna do it for one week, evaluate, and fine tune as I approach weeks two, three and four. This is the most specific I've been with my food/exercise plan, but this month I'm not just looking to drop fat, but to increase my fitness and body shaping to the next level. I'm mentally thinking of this next week as a "no excuse" week. Unless I'm bleeding, broken or held down and force fed by aliens, I'm giving myself no excuse to not follow my plan. Tired, busy, sore, ect. don't count.This week's workout routine:
Mon/Wens/Fri: 60 mins cardio, cardio to include 15 mins ab crunches, 15 mins incline and speed interval. Tues/chest back and abs (presses, flyes crossovers, pul-downs, rows, pullovers, crunches, hanging knee raises, oblique crunches Thurs/ quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves (squats, lunges, presses, leg extenions, stiff-legged lifts, ab/adductions/ leg curls, standing and seated aalf raises. Sat/ shoulders, biceps and triceps (arnold press, lateral raises, upright rows, bent lateral raises, preacher and hammer curls, overhead extenions, triceps pressdowns) : all weights are 3 sets, 15 each, except crunches which are 3 sets at 33 reps each).
This week's diet:
Tofu, hummus, eggs, cauliflower, button and portabello mushrooms, garlic, onions, red and green peppers, romaine, baby spinach leaves, broccoli, acorn squash, spring mix (baby lettuces, greens, endive and radicchio), bok choy, avocados, zucchini, eggplant, baby corn cobbs, pumpkin, blackberries, blueberries, rasberries, grapefruit, plantain, papaya, grapes, oranges, almonds, pecans, walnuts, flaxseed, salmon, orange roughy, tuna, flounder, cod, halibut, crab, shrimp, scallops, protein shakes, green tea, herbal tea, olive oil, jello, whole wheat flour, soy flour, rye flour, scottish oatmeal, long grain brown rice, spicy bamboo shoots, seaweed, unsweetened cocoa power, organic honey, almond milk. No eliminations/substitutions/additions. Must have daily: tuna or salmon, papaya, spinach, blueberries, 6 egg whites, almonds, walnuts, 2 tbs olive oil, green tea, 1/2 grapefruit or whole orange, 1 protein shake, flaxseed. Must have 3x weekly: 2 tbls dark cocoa powder, broccoli, 1 whole grain, cauliflower, bok choy. May have 3x weekly: mushrooms, squash, tofu or soy flour, scallops, crab or shrimp, 1 serving blackberries or rasberries, 1 serving cantalope, baby corn, romaine. May have 2x weekly: avocado, pecans, grapes, plantains, rice. May have 1x weekly: any item from food list. If I stick to my daily "must haves" and make good calorie and nutrient dense choices among my weekly "must" and "may" haves I exect to see the following results at the end of 30 days: 1) continued, steady fat loss, 2) automatic ability to make good caloric/nutrient choices based on sheer repetition, 3) increased and sustained energy to handle my work-out routine. I already know this is gonna be a little tough at first. But the part that is saying "isn't this a little hard" is the slacker in me that always balks at being challenged. I know that by now my body is up to it and I've learned enough about what I'm eating to make the best choices. I've dropped 33 lbs, 5 dress sizes, dozens of inches and significant body fat by following my instincts about what does and does not work for my body. Right now my instinct is screaming that it's time to get a little bit mentally tougher and a little more plan specific if I want to continue moving forward.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 15 May 2006 07:55 am |
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Looooong day! It's over, over, over. The only day of the year where random strangers are comfortable asking do I have children - no? - when do I plan to have one? Hello, my space, your space - please take a step back. Mommy Day makes me cranky I guess. Or working 14 straight hours makes me cranky. Or both.
I bought (and scarfed down while driving home) a huge commercial protein bar cause all I got to eat today was a plate of cabbage and turnip greens and a piece of tilapia. It was (the bar) something crazy like 320 calories but 32 grams protein, 3 net carbs, and required no work on my part other than paying the clerk and opening the wrapper. I purposely did not read the ingredient label. Probably the worst food day I've had in months, but in the big picture, nothing to lose sleep over.
I had plans with a co-worker to hang out after work, but at the end of the night we just sort of looked at each other, said "How 'bout Tuesday" and crawled to our respective cars. Oddly enough, I'm totally looking forward to running in the morning. Some how I'm convinced that one good, long, sweaty run is gonna mark the start of a great week to come.
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 15 May 2006 09:08 am |
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suenos wrote:
I bought (and scarfed down while driving home) a huge commercial protein bar cause all I got to eat today was a plate of cabbage and turnip greens and a piece of tilapia. It was (the bar) something crazy like 320 calories but 32 grams protein, 3 net carbs, and required no work on my part other than paying the clerk and opening the wrapper. I purposely did not read the ingredient label. Probably the worst food day I've had in months, but in the big picture, nothing to lose sleep over.
At least it wasn't chocolate cake, I think in a bind it was a wise decision. I hope you enjoy your long, sweat covered run!!! Sometimes I feel like exercise jump starts my healthy eating habits too.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 15 May 2006 07:51 pm |
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Felt so great to run this am. Only got to 4.5 miles cause I had to get in my planned crunches and incline intervals but it was just what I needed mentally and physcially. Didn't get to weigh this morning cause I actually forgot to get on the scale until I'd already started running. No more worries about group training run tommorrow. We're actually running on a high school track, which is nice and level. As long as we don't go over 4 miles I'm pretty sure I can keep up with the pack. I just wish it was not going to be on a weight training day cause I'm still gonna have to hit the gym right afterwards for my planned chest/back/ab workout.
I recently read an article (the same one I took this month's workout plan from) where the author said that the hardest part of any new training program is not developing physical endurance, but mental stamina. The whole time I'm waiting for my work-out partner to arive this am I'm thinking "well, I'm going to try this morning but I'm sick on the stomach, probably from that protein bar last night, and my head hurts, and I'm probably a little out of condition from last week" etc, etc, etc. I was just sort of mentally giving myself permission to do less than I was capable of before I even began. When I realized what I was doing I thought about that article. Hopefully, by the end of this month I'm not only gonna be in better physcial shape, but will have increased the mental stamina that will tell me "I can do it no matter what" instead of "I can try but it's gonna be hard for the following dozen reasons".
I must have been dreaming about food last night (little wonder, I doubt I hit 1000 calories yesterday) cause I woke up this morning with a fully detailed recipe in my head for both tuna and veggie pot pies. I'm gonna make a couple dozen (cup cake sized) and then freeze them tommorrow. A co-worker is coming over to hang out for the afternoon. Little does she know.....she's gonna be in my kitchen for a couple hours washing and peeling and dicing! Yey.....I've always wanted my own sous chef.;)
edited to add
Thin Girl wrote: "At least it wasn't chocolate cake" This reminded me that the coolest thing has happened - don't know why I forgot to mention it Somewhere along the line, and I'm really not sure exactly when, where,why or how, but one of the biggest issues I've had with food my entire life (addiction to sweets and junk food) has just....evaporated. I really, truly, actually don't want cake or cookies or pie or chips, etc. Not fighting cravings, not denying myself, just not wanting to the point where I'm actually a little repelled by the thought of eating certain things. I actually look at ice cream and think "ugh, frozen cow mucus". Okay, I know that sounds gross, and is probably not true, but it's what goes through my head and I'm delighted 'cause if the urge ever comes on me to binge again it sure won't be the 1/2 gallon of ice cream I could once consume using double stuffed Oreos as my "spoon":D.
Last edited on 15 May 2006 08:22 pm by suenos
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Corina
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 15 May 2006 10:32 pm |
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Suenos,
You are so right about the mental stamina that we need in order to lose weight. This morning I had a similar dilemma. I had eaten an apple and peanut butter as a pre-workout snack, but hadn't had my "official" breakfast. Half way through the workout I thought I was getting hungry and wanted to eat my breakfast instead of finishing the workout. But, I told myself to stop being lazy and finish what I started. And I did!
The mind really does play tricks on you. You just have to overcome it and tell yourself that you can do it!
Corina
PS Thanks for writing in my diary! As soon as I get some extra free time I'll write about the soy and grains thing.Last edited on 15 May 2006 10:33 pm by Corina
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 16 May 2006 09:07 pm |
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I figured out why I like doing my diary post-work. I hate when I have to write "no gym today" so it's a little extra push of motivation to get up and out. The exercise, followed by this little period of focusing on my goals, sorta keep me on track the rest of the day. So it was a busy morning, group training run and weight routine at gym. And today was measurement day.
(2/21) (2/28) (3/16) (3/24)(4/6)(4/19)(5/2)(5/16)
upper arm: 13 shoulders: 45.5 chest: 41
upper arm: 12.5 shoulders: 43.75 chest: 40.5
upper arm: 12.5 shoulders: 42.5 chest: 39.5
upper arm: 12 shoulders: 42 chest: 37.5
upper arm: 12 shoulders: 43 chest: 36.5
upper arm: 11.5 shoulders: 42 chest: 35.75
upper arm: 11.25 shoulders: 40.5 chest: 35.50
upper arm: 11.00 shoulders: 40.5 chest: 36.50
waist: 35 ab: 40 hip: 43 thigh: 25 calves: 16
waist: 33.5 ab: 37.5 hip: 42 thigh: 24 calves: 16.75
waist: 33 ab: 37 hip: 41 thigh: 24 calves: 16.75
waist: 32 ab: 36.5 hip: 40 thigh: 24 calves: 16.75
waist: 31 ab: 36.5 hip: 39 thigh: 23 calves: 16
waist: 30.5 ab: 35 hip: 39 thigh: 22 calves: 15.75
waist: 29.75 ab: 33.5 hip: 37.75 thigh: 21.75 calves: 16
waist: 29.75 ab: 33.00 hip: 37.50 thigh: 21.50 calves: 15.75
weight: 186
weight: 176 totals to date: 33 lbs, 34.5 (known) inches
weight: 172 inches: -8 lbs: -4 (7 day period)
weight: 168 inches: -4.75 lbs: -4 (16 day period) body fat %: 35%
weight: 166 inches: -5.5 lbs: -2 (7 day period)
weight: 163 inches: -4.75 lbs: -3 (13 day period) body fat %: 33%weight: 159 inches: -5.00 lbs: -4 (13 day period)
weight: 156 inches -5.5 lbs: -3 (13 day period) body fat %: 28.75%
weight: 153 inches -1.5 lbs: -3 (14 day period) body fat %: 27.81%
No real surprises, only lost 1.5 inches overall - except chest which increased by an inch. I wasn't expecting any big decreases this period due to vacation. lbs loss is steady and pretty much due to diet, inches lost/gained are due to what I do/don't do in the gym. Being on vacation didn't affect my eating habits, so I continued to lose weight at the same pace, but I know what I did not do with weights and it shows clearly in the lack of inches lost. Inch gained on chest is also a reflection of what I did chose to do when I hit the weights. I like working my upper body but, unfortunately, I have the body type to "bulk" pretty quickly if I'm not careful about what I do and how I do it.
So, training run this am. Not the big scary beast I'd built it up to be. I've got a schedule of all activities for the next couple weeks, including a 5k race next month so I'm gonna sit down and figure out what I can fit into my schedule. One thing I already know is no more morning runs on a weight training day.
After only two days, surprisingly happy with change in revamped meal plan. Mike, formerly known as Ivan, seriously wants me to work with him on creating a healthier diet for him. My plate is already full this week but I told him I'd think about it and let him come over next Tues. and teach him to cook. Oddly enough considering our rocky past, he's actually turning into a friend. Go figure. I still don't understand how in the heck the man ever got to be a personal trainer, and can't think of a nice way to ask.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 17 May 2006 08:35 pm |
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Tough workout this am. No workout partner so I was highly tempted to do weights, but I'm on a mission to stick a close as possible to my planned schedule - so I ran. I didn't really want to run cause while yesterday was really fun, I ended up not getting to bed until around 3 am and was fairly tired when I got up this am. After 30 mins on the treadmill I began casting longing glances at the weight room.
I spent the next half-hour giving myself stern little mini-lectures. "You can do this, you just don't want to", "You're going to feel bad about yourself the rest of the day if you don't do this", "you're gonna feel great if you just suck it up and keep going". Yes, I have a split personality: a drill instructor and a total slacker both inhabit my body. So far this week the drill instrictor seems to be winning. And the truth is, when my little machine finally flashed "60 mins completed" (my favorite three words) I did feel better about myself than I would have if I had quit.
So, a good portion of yesterday was cooking. The plan was to make mimi-pot pies but we ended up making tons of little stuffed dumplings instead. Soooooo good. The wrappers (whole wheat & rye) came out at around at 160 cals. per 8, so they are only as calorie dense as the stuffing: (nut, berry, spinach, acorn squash, crab, plantain, shrimp, mushroom, pepper). Now on days I plan to eat a whole grain I can just pop a couple in the oven and bingo!
Tonight is movie night and it's a leeetle scary. I have chosen not to go for the last few months because I have never gone to the movies in my entire life without downing a huge bucket of salted extra-buttered popcorn. Not once. So this will be a test. I will smell it. I will see it. I will hear it. People to the left and right of me will be :chew:. I want to take a big sign "no popcorn zone" and tape it in the aisle. I don't think either my friends or the staff will let me do that. Actually, I know at this point I can sit through a movie without giving in the urge (which I know will come) to stuff a handful of the salty greasy yummy stuff in my mouth. But the point is, I also know (predict) I will be very uncomfortable - which is not the point of a social activity. I'm a big baby - I want to spend my night off enjoying myself, not testing my willpower.
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Mountain Mike
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 17 May 2006 09:21 pm |
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Hi Suenos,
Don't deprive yourself---have fun!!! Teach yourself to live with realistic lifestyle choices.
Here are my suggestions: 1. You could get the popcorn sans butter. Just build it into your diet--I don't think that would be too bad. Or, 2. Air-pop your own at home and bring it and some bottled water in a big purse. As an alternative, bring baggies of sliced veggies. (I'm sure the theater management would love these suggestions!)
BTW, what's the movie???
Mike
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 17 May 2006 10:03 pm |
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Mountain Mike wrote: Don't deprive yourself---have fun!!! Teach yourself to live with realistic lifestyle choices.
Hiya Mike!!! I know what you mean about "depriving myself" but, when it comes to food, I always have to determine if I'm denying myself something that's good for me and I want, or something that's bad for me that I want. With the movie popcorn, if I don't add the salt and butter I'm still suspicious of the oil used. Then, even it it were air popped (highly doubtful) I know from years of experience that a meal/snack comprised of a highly starchy food sets me up to start :chew::chew::chew::chew:. And while I could take along some contrabrand veggies, I also have to remember that I've worked for too hard, for too long to eat (and totally enjoy eating) only when I'm hungry - not as a response to a social or emotional cue.
If my problem was just that I occassionally overate, or made poor food choices I would go ahead and indulge in a small bag of the stuff, come home and do 30 mins. of step and life would go on. My thing, sadly, is I'm basically a binge eater, and might always be one . That's one of the realities I have to account for when making lifestyle choices. So I've learned (painfully) that I have to be careful not to do things that have a high possibility of starting a binge session. Truthfully, that's all I've learned how to do. Not start. Cause if I actually started on one, I don't know if or how I could stop it. Before it starts, I care enough about my physical and emotional health to make rational food choices. But, once it starts, I gotta tell you I don't care about anything but the next (and next and next) bite of food that I can shove into my mouth.
That's why, 7 hours before hand I'm thinking my behavior through. I guess I'm sorta like a problem drinker who has to decide if sitting in a bar with friends for two hours is a good lifestyle choice. Oh yea, I don't know what the movie is yet - but it better be darn good!!!
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 18 May 2006 02:15 pm |
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suenos wrote: The wrappers (whole wheat & rye) came out at around at 160 cals. per 8, so they are only as calorie dense as the stuffing
Are you saying you can make some sort of 'wrapper' for around 20 calories? Sounds great, but just HOW do you make them? (quantities, method please)
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 18 May 2006 08:37 pm |
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Okay Nir, this one's for you! First though, don't start unless you've got a little free time to do this cause it is time intensive
Recipe for dumpling wrappers:
You need a rolling pin, a sifter, a 3" diameter cookie cutter, a cookie sheet and/or a steamer and/or a large pot for boiling, a strainer spoon for removing from pot and a couple sheets of wax paper.
Ingredients:
3 cups whole wheat flour (100 cals per 1/4 cup)
1 1/4 cup ice cold water (you want to put some ice cubes in the water and sit in the fridge for about 15 mins.)
1/4 teaspoon starch
1/4 teaspoon seasalt or kosher salt
- you can substitute up to 1 cup with soy flour but that will slightly increase the calories upwards (120 cals per 1/4 cup) - or you can substitute 1 cup with rye flour and that will slightly decrease the calories (90 cals per 1/4 cup). It's a matter of taste, the rye makes a better wrap for baking though. If you are planning on baking rather than boiling or steaming, add 1/4 teaspoon baking soda to the flour before sifting.
Preparation:
Sift dry ingredients together into large mixing bowl
Remove ice cubes from water and slowly add to flour mixture until you can form a large ball - you may not use all the water and that's fine. Be careful not to add too much water or you will have to adjust by adding more flour.
Cover and allow dough to rest for 30 mins.
Seperate dough into 60 roughly equal balls.
Using a lightly floured rolling pin, place each ball on sheet of wax paper and roll out till uniformly flat, cut with cookie cutter. You'll be tempted to just roll out a large amount of dough and cut out all at once - don't.
Place completed wraps onto fresh sheet of wax paper. Put filling (about a level teaspoon) in middle, fold over to half-moon and crimp edges using a fork dipped in cold water.
Cooking:
You can then place in a steamer or brush with egg white and bake, or boil. If boiling you have to use a 3 times rise - place in boiling water, add 1/4 cup ice water, dumplings will rise, bring back to boil, add 1/4 ice water, sink and rise, repeat one more time, on third rise will be done.
Filling:
Keep in mind that you can only fit a level teaspoon of filling into each wrap so you want to finely chop your ingredients. I like spicy food so I added a lot of seasoning, chopped garlic and onion to each of them. If you buy a bunch of little disposable bowls to place the fillings in it makes clean-up a non-issue.
I used walnut/honey, blueberies & rasberries for baked and these were all good.
I used mushrooms, spinach, shrimp, acorn squash, red/green peppers and zucchini for steaming and these were all good except the mushrooms, and zucchini.
I used scallops, eggplant, salmon, zucchini, acorn squash and spinach for boiling and everything was good except (again) the zucchini and eggplant.
Have fun!!!
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Krystin
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 18 May 2006 09:34 pm |
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Ok... Scrap the writing a book idea. Instead, get your own Food Network show..... Then write a book about it. :yumm:
Where did you learn to cook like that? I assume you were forced to in order to make your food healthy choices paletable... well more than paletable... scrumptiously delicious is more like it. ;) I've read that you started cooking when you started eating better, but did your recipes get that advanced so quickly?
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 19 May 2006 07:17 pm |
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This morning was hands down the most fun I've ever had running. The same 60 mins. that seemed to draaaag by on Wens., just flew by this a.m. I think I'm starting to see a pattern. When I have a work-out that really hard to complete, mentally or physically, if I push through it, the next time I do it, it not only seems easier, but it actually feels good. This was my last cardio day until Monday so I'm glad it finished on a high note.
Krystin wrote: Instead, get your own Food Network show..... I am addicted to the Food Network Channel. I watch every show I can and have learned soooo much and gotten so many great ideas. Except for Paula Dean - I had to give up on even trying to adapt any of her recipies cause fat, dairy and sugar seem to be the foundation of every single meal she prepares.
Where did you learn to cook like that? I assume you were forced to in order to make your food healthy choices paletable... It was get serious about cooking well or eating most things raw (which I pretty much did for a while there:D) The funny thing is that the entire first year I lived in my present house I did not even own a mixer and did not turn on my oven one single time!!! Now you could probably run a small catering operation out of my kitchen cause I've got so many "toys". how did your recipes get that advanced so quickly? I like to take basic recipies (from friends, cooking shows, the internet, magazines, etc.) and play around with the ingredients till I end up with a healthier version that tastes as good, or better, than the original. Sometimes it works, sometimes I have to admit defeat and move on.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 21 May 2006 05:42 am |
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I think I've just had the worst day and half I can remember in a loooong time. I should have just come home from work last night, gone to bed like a responsible adult, gotten up this a.m. and went to the gym as usual. Instead I decided to hang out "briefly" after work which turned into my getting into bed at nearly 4 am, obviously not only missing going to work-out this am but not waking up until I had to run around in a groggy fog getting ready for work and being in a bad mood all evening to the point where I just gave it up and came home early.
And I had a #%@&! time last night. Mostly because I let my buttons be pushed all night by a girl who I once considered a friend. For some reason known only to her, every single time we are together lately she manages to turn the conversation to the fact that she is a size 0, she does not have to exercise, she can eat as much as she likes of whatever she likes. I swear if somebody says "Do you think it's gonna rain" the chick would say "Oh I hope not cause I wear a size 0 raincoat but I can't find one that small and if I got wet I'd weigh 96 pounds instead of 95." I've known her for three years and never, ever heard her talk like this until I started losing weight and people started commenting on it. It's like she's waving a sign saying "hello, look at me, remember I'm the thin, pretty one"
Okay, I'm ranting, but anytime I'm around heranymore I end up really wanting to starve myself down to her size or binge in hopeless self-negativity. I just don't know what's going on with her, can't avoid her, just got to stop letting her get into my head and push my buttons.
So, no gym today, screwed up sleep, poor energy and rotten mood. But, as always tommorrow is another day. I'm going to wake-up with the expectation that something wonderful will happen - and maybe it will.
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 21 May 2006 06:27 am |
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suenos wrote: And I had a #%@&! time last night. Mostly because I let my buttons be pushed all night by a girl who I once considered a friend. For some reason known only to her, every single time we are together lately she manages to turn the conversation to the fact that she is a size 0, she does not have to exercise, she can eat as much as she likes of whatever she likes. I swear if somebody says "Do you think it's gonna rain" the chick would say "Oh I hope not cause I wear a size 0 raincoat but I can't find one that small and if I got wet I'd weigh 96 pounds instead of 95." I've known her for three years and never, ever heard her talk like this until I started losing weight and people started commenting on it. It's like she's waving a sign saying "hello, look at me, remember I'm the thin, pretty one"
Okay, I'm ranting, but anytime I'm around heranymore I end up really wanting to starve myself down to her size or binge in hopeless self-negativity. I just don't know what's going on with her, can't avoid her, just got to stop letting her get into my head and push my buttons.
First off, you're hilarious suenos'! I hear you about the size 0 friend though, I have a friend that was fat but now isn't and she does the same thing, I was even writing about how I want to starve myself around her too. I thought someone who was in my shoes would be more sympathetic!!! Keep you chin up suenos' karma has a way of kicking you in the @$$ when you least expect it and it sounds like she's due!!!
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 22 May 2006 12:35 am |
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This is my 19th week's food/exercise plan. I just realized that although every January I make a thousand resolutions, this is the only one I've ever managed to keep. So far I'm basically satisfied with last week's plan and will only make a few modifications this week.This week's workout routine:
Mon/Wens/Fri: 60 mins cardio, cardio to include 15 mins ab crunches, 15 mins incline and speed interval. Tues/biceps, triceps, back, abs and core work. Thurs/ thighs, butt, calves, abs. Sat/ shoulders, thighs, abs, core work + 30 mins extra cardio: same weight, reps and sets as last week.
This week's diet:
Tofu, hummus, eggs, cauliflower, button and portabello mushrooms, garlic, onions, red and green peppers, romaine, baby spinach leaves, broccoli, acorn squash, spring mix (baby lettuces, greens, endive and radicchio), bok choy, avocados, zucchini, eggplant, baby corn cobbs, pumpkin, blackberries, blueberries, rasberries, grapefruit, plantain, papaya, grapes, oranges, almonds, pecans, walnuts, flaxseed, salmon, orange roughy, tuna, flounder, cod, halibut, crab, shrimp, scallops, protein shakes, green tea, herbal tea, olive oil, jello, whole wheat flour, soy flour, rye flour, scottish oatmeal, long grain brown rice, spicy bamboo shoots, seaweed, unsweetened cocoa power, organic honey, almond milk. Once again, no eliminations/substitutions/additions to food list. No changes to "must" and "may have" amounts. I need to weigh Tuesday and again with body fat% and measurements the following Tuesday to see how well, or not well, this is working reduction-wise. Nutrionally, I'm super satisfied. Fairly consistant energy levels despite REALLY tough week in terms of physical activity and exercise Must have daily: tuna or salmon, papaya, spinach, blueberries, 6 egg whites, almonds, walnuts, 2 tbs olive oil, green tea, 1/2 grapefruit or whole orange, 1 protein shake, flaxseed. Must have 3x weekly: 2 tbls dark cocoa powder, broccoli, 1 whole grain, cauliflower, bok choy. May have 3x weekly: mushrooms, squash, tofu or soy flour, scallops, crab or shrimp, 1 serving blackberries or rasberries, 1 serving cantalope, baby corn, romaine. May have 2x weekly: avocado, pecans, grapes, plantains, rice. May have 1x weekly: any item from food list. This week's highlights: Did group run without making an idiot of myself - and still made it to gym to do planned work-out. Got through 5 of 6 planned work-outs this week. Had two serious urges to binge, able to think my way out of both. The first I sorta expected so it was not that hard, the second was pretty touch and go cause it came out of nowhere. I was in a super negative mental space at the time and was already rationalizing my behavior in advance when the not yet sugar/salt/fat saturated part of my mind said "you're actually planning to binge" and it brought me back pretty quick. This week's lows: Letting my buttons get pushed into almost binging. Almost doesn't count - but still too scarily close for comfort. Missing my last planned work-out for the week. In retrospect, it would have given me a sense of personal accomplishment to have completed the entire week without a single wimp-out. I feel very, very ready for the upcoming week. The term that comes to mind is "Armed and Dangerous"
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 22 May 2006 07:16 pm |
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Good cardio work-out this am, mind and body in sync. First weigh-in since last Tuesday and apparently I've dropped a few pounds this week. I'll weigh again tomorrow and record that weight. I guess I'm just satisfied that my little fat-loss body shaping train is just chugging along right on track.
Last night I'm munching my way through a piece of whole-wheat flatbread topped with spinach/walnut/hummas spread, thinking "this is better than anything I could possibly buy - even in a restaurant." So I have a new idea for my recipe book which I'm sloooowly working on. I'm gonna take 25 of the most practical to make, nutrient dense and unexpectedly yummy ones, and borrow my girlfriend's digital camera to take some nice pictures and make personalized little mini-cookbooks for gifts. There's always a baby shower, birthday, etc. I always like having an ongoing creative project and this is one I can easily incorporate into my weekly cooking day.
Thin Girl wrote: "I hear you about the size 0 friend though, I have a friend that was fat but now isn't and she does the same thing, I was even writing about how I want to starve myself around her too. I thought someone who was in my shoes would be more sympathetic!!! " I'm also surprised that your friend, who as been in the same boat, is not being more supportive. The only excuse I can make for my friend is that she has never had an issue with being overweight and possibly does not understand how hurtful her behavior is. I have a plan for dealing with her though. The next time she starts in I'm first gonna take the high road and give her the attention/approval she is obviously seeking by telling her how great she looks, etc. Hopefully, that will work. If not, I'm gonna unleash my inner mean girl. Something along the lines of "It's great you don't have to exercise to stay so little. I have such a hard time running cause I've got such big boobs. You're so lucky you're flat chested - kinda like a teen-age boy"
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trimB
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 22 May 2006 08:47 pm |
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From all of us teenaged-boy shapes out there... ouch.
Granted, she sounds like she may, in fact, deserve an ego-deflater.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 22 May 2006 10:11 pm |
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Trimblebe wrote: "From all of us teenaged-boy shapes out there... ouch. " See, that's why I keep my inner mean girl on a tight leash - she sometimes shoots without aiming.:)
Granted, she sounds like she may, in fact, deserve an ego-deflater. I actually think that she must have a pretty poor self-image - otherwise why go out of her way to keep bolstering her ego by constantly pointing out how thin she is compared to me? I also know she's a little self-concious about having a really small bust so I'm kinda hoping if I bring it up everytime she points out how she would "just be swimming" in a size 8 she'll see how it feels and cut it out - quickly.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 23 May 2006 08:09 pm |
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150.14 lbs. Finally, finally, finally. I had to stop myself from grabbing onto the arm of random strangers in the gym and shouting "I weigh 150 pounds!" My goal is to be in the 140's by end of the month - even if it's 149.90. One week to go, it may just happen. The only thing is I pretty much always average 3-4 pounds every 2 week period. So, I've got to keep in mind that this might just be the last time the scale is gonna reflect a loss for this period. Or, (fingers crossed) it could be that this is a reflection of my revamped food and exercise plan and if I stay on course, I'll show a 2 lbs drop this week as well.
Last night I woke up hungry at around midnight which is weirdly unusual. I'm lying there, stomach growling, debating the wisdom of getting up and making some eggs. My primary concern was silly in the light of day. I was thinking "I'm gonna weigh in a couple of hours, might be better if I don't eat now." Huh? Like a couple of egg whites was gonna make a single bit of difference. Hunger won out and I scarfed down the eggs (and some spinach and mushrooms too!). If it happens again, I might need to go through the dreaded tedious process of recalculating my average daily intake against my average daily activity - I might be too low on calories again. Hard to believe though cause I feel like I eat enough to feed two people as it is.
I have a new work-out partner for my weight days now which is very, very cool. We used to work together, lost touch for about a year and it turns out that now we belong to the same gym. She's totally hard-core into weights which will keep me from slacking off as well. So now I not only have two gyms (one for cardio, one for weights), but a cool work-out partner for each one. I knew it was gonna be a good week!
Today is my cooking day, but first I gotta shop cause I am out of almost every single food on my "must have daily" list, including protein drinks, oranges and grapefruit. Post work-out breakfast was tuna fish mixed with cantalope drizzled in a little honey- not bad but not exactly the tastiest combo in the world. I'm peering into my fridge thinking "protein and carbs - now" and that was the result. I decided I had worked out entirely too hard to waste the effort by being finicky. Lesson learned: never run out of protein drink or citrus fruit ever, ever again.
And a final thought. I'm seriously considering running in my first 5k on June 6. It's a tough call. When I'm actually running I feel like, "yeah, I'm ready to try this", but the rest of the time I'm not so sure. There's a great big fat difference between running in the gym or running around a track with a group of other people and running along a course with lots of strangers looking on. I alternate between talking myself into it - and out of it.
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sjm
New Member
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Posted: 23 May 2006 08:42 pm |
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Oooh, go girl! You just have to go for the run. It's hard work up to the day, but the feeling crossing the finishing is just fantabulous! See it's so good that even the English language cannot cope with the extent of the power in the feeling! Honest, I just did a run last weekend, no matter how long the run, it's always the same feeling. Plus, if you get people to sponsor you you're doing a good deed for a charity too!
GO FOR IT!!! You'll never look back, I promise!
 xx
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 24 May 2006 10:06 am |
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I ran out of what I usually eat too, and haven't had the funds to go shopping (not till Friday at least) The positive; I'm trying a lot of new things (found in my freezer). New this week: turnip greens  and rice milk in my oatmeal , very interesting, but over-all not good.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 24 May 2006 07:57 pm |
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I decided last night that I'm just soooooo tired of losing weight. Yesterday was exactly 4 months to the day since I started. I knew it was gonna take a long time and I think I've been fairly patient along the way. I know the dangers and drawbacks of too rapid weight loss. I know without question that I've benifited tremendously over the last four loooooong months. That said, if someone came along in the next hour and said "take this pill and you'll wake up 15 pounds thinner by tomorrow" - I really think I'd take it.
I don't know if this makes sense - maybe I'm just whining. Logically I should be feeling really, really good right now. I am now looking at reaching my goal in terms of weeks, not months. I am physically fitter than I have ever been in my life - even when I was skinny. I can now slid my booty into my girlfriend's size 7 jeans, have tons of energy, eat well without worrying about calories, have made a couple of really cool new friends from the gyms, have a good handle on my binge behavior, yada, yada, yada. And yet, I am tired to death of losing weight.
I just want to be there - wherever the heck "there" is. I know I can happily spend the rest of my life maintaining a healthy weight. I run and weight train because 97% of the time it's something I love - not a chore. My eating habits are 99% about health, energy and feeling good - not weight loss. I finally figured out that if I just concentrate on the nutrients, the calories will pretty much take care of themselves. So there's no "diet" to go off of when I hit my target.
Seriously, if I had a couple of extra $$$$ lying around, I go and have these last 15 lbs sucked out. But I don't. And there's no magic pill. I did spend some time looking around at various diets that offer fairly healthy versions of quick weight loss. But to change my eating pattern at this point, no matter how temporary, just seems counter-productive. So, I guess I'll keep slogging along. I'm just wondering why I'm suddenly feeling so darned impatient. Maybe, like my early sugar cravings, this too will pass.
SJM wrote: "but the feeling crossing the finishing is just fantabulous! See it's so good that even the English language cannot cope with the extent of the power in the feeling! Honest, I just did a run last weekend, no matter how long the run, it's always the same feeling" Thank you!!! When I read that I got a mental picture of myself crossing the finish line and how awesome that would feel - and it out weighted all the negatives I've been building up about participating.
ThinGirl wrote: "I ran out of what I usually eat too...I'm trying a lot of new things... turnip greens and rice milk in my oatmeal , very interesting, but over-all not good." Don't you hate it when that happens? Sounds sorta like my tuna fish/cantalope combo - interesting but not to be repeated in this lifetime. I love turnip greens though. My grandmother made them every Sunday with lots of fresh onions, cornbread and turkey or chicken:chew::chew::chew:. BTW, have you tried Almond Milk? That actually tastes pretty good with oatmeal.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 25 May 2006 07:21 pm |
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Mentally, I am still in this suddenly impatient space, but, I am not going to whine two days in a row.
I do think I know what it's about though. Pretty much every week for 18 weeks I had something, food or exercise wise, to adjust. So, as far as achieving my weight loss goal, there was some new food to try every week, a new fitness level to reach for, a new change to evaluate. Now I'm kinda at the end of that particular road.
There are foods I'm going to add down the line but they are pretty much just for variety (i.e. barley, daikon) and won't make any impact (+ or -) on my overall weight loss. At the moment I'm at what feels like maximum effort/effectiveness in both cardio and weight training so there's not going to be any changes there for a while.
So, suddenly I'm left with no new challenges, adjustments, etc. - just the prospect of another 5-6 weeks of plugging along, waiting patiently for my body to do it's own thing. This is the point when I'm just gonna have to close my eye and count to ten everytime I see or hear an advertisement promising "10 pounds in 10 days"
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Mountain Mike
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 May 2006 08:10 pm |
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Good Morning, Suenos,
If you are looking for new challenges, they are out there. Some examples:
Start riding a bike, and build up to where you can ride a "century" (100 miles or kilometers).
Start swimming laps. Build up to a mile.
Train for a triathlon (run, swim, bike).
Finish a 10K race.
Find a mountain to climb...literally (easy for me here in CA).
Or something completely non-physical:
Enroll in a "fun" yet challenging course at a local Jr. College (music, art, philosophy, foreign language, whatever).
Learn a new craft or skill.
---
Okay, I'll shut up for now....c'mon, get out of the doldrums.....
-Mike
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 25 May 2006 08:25 pm |
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| Hi Mike. Do I sound like I'm "in the doldrums"? This is why I should not whine!!! Seriously, I'm not feeling down, or bored so much as just irritatingly impatient about these next 15 lbs. It's not a feeling about my life in general cause I'm fairly content (most days:D) in that department. It's a feeling exclusively about weight loss - I want it to be done already!!!
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 26 May 2006 07:32 pm |
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I love my work-out partner! We started our weight loss program together (along with two other friends who have long since given up) and have always tried to be each other's motivation.
This morning on the way to the gym I mentioned feeling what I have decided was a case of "senioritis". To my complete delight (cause sometimes misery just wants company), she admitted to feeling the same way! So she came up with this idea that had no logic behind it - but we did it anyway - and it soooo worked.
After slogging through the normal Friday cardio routine we each had to do an additional 1000 cal burn in anyway possible. This was much harder than it sounds, especially after a HIIT routine. In my case I elected to do a 15% incline at 4.5 on the treadmill. Strangely enough, instead of being exhausted at the end, I was super charged. Mood-wise, I could practically feel the endorphins racing through my sweaty body. It was like I just shook out (more likely scared away) the cobwebs that were clouding my long-term vision.
The whole way home we're both going "I can't believe how good I feel." I have no idea why something that simple worked - but God bless her for thinkng of it!
The other cool thing is that I have finally dispelled any lingering doubts about my ability to maintain my weight loss this time. As loud as that impatient little voice in my head was ("C'mon, there's got to be a way to drop these next 15 lbs quicker"), I automatically rejected the idea of eating, no matter how temporary, in a way I consider unhealthy.
I just don't look at food strictly in terms of weight loss/gain anymore. In my mind it's either healthy or unhealthy. If it's healthy, I need to take in sufficient quantities to nourish my body - if it's unhealthy, I can't think of any reason to put it in my body. Now that's a point of view I never expected to end up with!!!
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 27 May 2006 07:53 pm |
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So, apparently I've re-gained nearly 2 lbs in the last 4 days!! Weigh-in this am at 152. And, to my great surprise, I'm not freaking out, not even a little bit. Okay, just a little bit a first. I actually just wanted to put my shoes back on, forgo the planned weights routine, and come home and lick my wounds.
Then, somewhere in the middle of my routine I remembered what the head p/t of my weights gym told me months ago when we were first evaluating my weights routine and body fat goals. I think I even wrote it in this diary but am too lazy to go back and look. But it was something along the lines that if I remained consistant about hitting the weights, when I got down to the 150's (I was about 172 at the time), I would start seeing a significant gain in muscle mass.
At the point where I had less fat to lose my body would start to transition from muscle preservation and strenthening (the average body really resists losing fat and gaining muscle at the same time) to actual muscle gain and the scale would be "practically useless" for awhile. She has this bikini perfect body and she told me that she although her body fat % was some freakishly low % ) I forget the exact number) she actually weighs 10 lbs more then when she first began weight training.
The funny thing is I managed to somehow forget most of this. I know that's how I got the target weight goal of 135, cause I must have been thinking "optimal weight of 125 plus 10 lbs" (optimistically assuming that the extra 10 lbs. was gonna be lean muscle:D). In retrospect, this was the reasoning behind the gym's dogmatic (my interpretation) advice of only weighing once every six weeks - advice I've disregarded from day one.
I'm wondering if I can ignore the scale for the next six weeks and just record bi-weekly body fat% and measurments.......naw, ain't gonna happen. But I will remember that the number is probably gonna go up and down, up and down and will have as much significance for awhile as a child's finger painting.
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Phoebe
Senior Member
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Posted: 27 May 2006 08:32 pm |
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Suenos-
I have been following your journal for some time, congratulations on your healthy life style. You really have it nailed!
I am especially impressed with your devotion to exercise. Don't you find yourself looking forward tomorrow's workout while you're doing todays? Sometime I don't feel like getting on my bike, but once I do, I LOVE IT. It only takes about 1/8 of a mile and I am smiling, thinking of what route I will take and how I can increase the distance.
Of course you're gaining lean body mass (muscle) and that is what is weighing more. My sister weights 100 lbs, I weigh 112 ish, we wear the exact same size, and are the same heights as well (5'2"). She was surprised that I weighed that much more than her, but I spend about 9 hours a week riding my bike (in the winter I also lift weights, but I can't be inside a gym in the summer), and therefore have more muscle weight. My body fat is at 15.7% .
You are doing really great, keep up the exercise and you will get to be the size that your happy with (forget the number that = weight, this is a useless number).
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 29 May 2006 07:50 am |
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This is my 20th week's food/exercise plan. This evening after work I impulsively decided to do some "motivational" shopping. Picked out a cute black, ribbed "wife-beater" type tee shirt and pair of size six lowrider jeans. To my amazement, we are talking one sneeze away from being a perfect fit! I just stood there for the longest time staring into the mirror. My first thought was "Oh my gosh - I look like ME again!" I can't really explain the feeling but I was actually on the verge of tears. I have not seen that reflection looking back at me for nearly four years. So, this week's food/exercise plan is my personal declaration to myself that the last four months and 1 week have been worth it. Worth every Sunday night I have sat down in front of my computer with all my little notes and gone through the sometimes tedious task of making a new week's plan. Worth every Tuesday spent shopping, portioning, weighing and cooking. Worth Every morning I've dragged my butt to the gym at the crack of dawn. Worth enduring each and every single sugar craving and binge battle. Worth the dozens and dozens of times I've said "no" to someone urging me to "have just a little bit". I've gained and lost and re-gained weight before. And each time I've ended up with a slower metabolism, flabbier body, and more pounds to lose. The last time I also gained a nasty compuslive binge disorder that I now believe was dangerously close to bulimia. I thank God for giving me the strength to start on the weight loss journey yet once again - but have to remember as I continue down this path that there really and truly will be no "finsh line" where I can say "I'm thin now, I can....." This has to be the last time, this will be the last time - I'm not losing "myself" ever again. In the past I gave myself permission to let myself go, can't blame anyone but ME cause no one force fed me junk or tied me to my couch in front of the t.v. Failure to acheive and maintain a healthy body is no longer an option. If I have to spend the first 30 mins. of my day, every day for the rest of my life, determining my food and exercise choices for the day, then so be it. I prefer that to the alternative. This week's workout routine:
Mon/Wens/Fri: 60 mins cardio, cardio to include 15 mins ab crunches, 15 mins incline and speed interval. Still a challenge so no changes. Tues/biceps, triceps, back, abs and core work. Thurs/ thighs, butt, calves, abs. Sat/ shoulders, thighs, abs, core work + 30 mins extra cardio: same weight and sets as last week, increasing reps by 5 each.
This week's diet:
Tofu, hummus, eggs, cauliflower, button and portabello mushrooms, garlic, onions, red and green peppers, romaine, baby spinach leaves, broccoli, acorn squash, spring mix (baby lettuces, greens, endive and radicchio), bok choy, avocados, zucchini, eggplant, baby corn cobbs, natural apple sauce, pumpkin, blackberries, blueberries, rasberries, grapefruit, plantain, papaya, grapes, oranges, almonds, pecans, walnuts, flaxseed, salmon, orange roughy, tuna, flounder, cod, halibut, crab, shrimp, scallops, protein shakes, green tea, herbal tea, olive oil, sesame seed oil, jello, bean threads, whole wheat flour, soy flour, rye flour, scottish oatmeal, long grain brown rice, spicy bamboo shoots, seaweed, unsweetened cocoa power, organic honey, almond milk. Added bean threads, natural apple sauce, sesame seed oil. Incorporating into "must" and "may have" catagories based on calorie density and glycemic load. I think I'll probably continue the "must" and "may have" for a while. It ended up being really simple to follow, ensures a pretty good nutritional balance and further reduces my need to count calories.Must have daily: tuna or salmon, papaya, spinach, blueberries, 6 egg whites, almonds, walnuts, 2 tbs olive oil, green tea, 1/2 grapefruit or whole orange, 1 protein shake, flaxseed. Must have 3x weekly: 2 tbls dark cocoa powder, broccoli, 1 whole grain, cauliflower, bok choy. May have 3x weekly: mushrooms, squash, tofu or soy flour, scallops, crab or shrimp, 1 serving blackberries or rasberries, 1 serving apple sauce, 1 serving cantalope, baby corn, romaine. May have 2x weekly: avocado, pecans, grapes, plantains, rice, bean threads, 2 tbs sesame seed oil. May have 1x weekly: any other item from food list. This week's highlights: Completed 6 of 6 planned work-outs!!!!!!! Haven't done that in a while. Realized I'm thiiiis close to a size 6. Really curious to get "official" measurements & body fat on Tuesday in light of dropping nearly a whole size but regaining nearly 2 lbs. This week's lows: Getting impatient about my weight loss progress. I'm actually surprised it didn't happen sooner - instant gratification is my middle name. Still can't make up my mind to sign up for 5k - and time is running out. It's been a long week, stressful at work, drama in personal life, irrational irritation at progress of weight loss. But an impulsive shopping trip gave me the motivation and optomism I needed to face the coming week.:D
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OnceUpon-A-ThinGirl
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 29 May 2006 11:00 am |
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suenos wrote: This is my 20th week's food/exercise plan. This evening after work I impulsively decided to do some "motivational" shopping. Picked out a cute black, ribbed "wife-beater" type tee shirt and pair of size six lowrider jeans. To my amazement, we are talking one sneeze away from being a perfect fit! I just stood there for the longest time staring into the mirror. My first thought was "Oh my gosh - I look like ME again!" I can't really explain the feeling but I was actually on the verge of tears. I have not seen that reflection looking back at me for nearly four years.
Suenos' I am so happy for you!!! You are such an inspiration. You have worked so hard (just want you to know someones noticed). I'm really hoping to "look like ME again" someday too! Keep up the good work! And thanks for posting, it really does help others!
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 29 May 2006 07:17 pm |
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I have had the most fantastic morning!!! Gym closed due to holiday so I got to sleep in. Of course, working in a restaurant, holidays take on a new meaning since every one is a mandatory work day (except Christmas). It's either gonna be a crazy-busy-do-the -pee-pee-dance-all-shift (i.e. Thanksgiving) kinda night or it's gonna be a mind-numbingly-please-just-shoot-me-now-slow-shift (Memorial Day).
So, woke up in fabulous mood, sun shining and all right with the world feeling. What's a girl gonna do when she wakes up feeling like that and the gym is closed---go shopping of course. Real, spend money and take the clothes home shopping, not the motivational "someday if I'm good" kind. I'm thinking "It's the first day of summer" and I was sooo happy cause I realized that this summer I'm actually gonna look cute. And I know that kind of mind set is vain and shallow - but after the last three summers of self-consciously walking around in the Florida summer wearing ugly over-sized tees and baggy pants - I'm gonna happily wade for just a leeetle while in the shallow end of the pool.
OOOOOH, the shopping. My first real, serious shopping trip in years. I was like a kid in a candy store. Mostly tops cause I don't expect many changes in my upper body while the lower body is still very much a work in progress. Six months from now I might very well look back at today's purchases in horror and go "what was I thinking!!??" Red and yellow and green and blue "show me what you're working with" tops. What can I say, it was fun.
Phobe wrote: "Don't you find yourself looking forward tomorrow's workout while you're doing todays? " I am sooo glad you said that cause I do it all the time - I truly thought it was just my personal quirk!"
ThinGirl wrote: "I'm really hoping to "look like ME again" You will!!!! I know it's hard and some days it feels like forever, but just keep plugging away and the day is gonna come when you look in the mirror and see "yourself" staring back. First you'll do this  and then this :) and finally this :D. Then you'll grab that adorable baby of yours and run off to the mall to buy yourself lot of :xmas_gift::xmas_gift: .
Last edited on 29 May 2006 07:18 pm by suenos
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 30 May 2006 08:17 pm |
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(2/21) (2/28) (3/16) (3/24)(4/6)(4/19)(5/2)(5/16)(5/30)
upper arm: 13 shoulders: 45.5 chest: 41
upper arm: 12.5 shoulders: 43.75 chest: 40.5
upper arm: 12.5 shoulders: 42.5 chest: 39.5
upper arm: 12 shoulders: 42 chest: 37.5
upper arm: 12 shoulders: 43 chest: 36.5
upper arm: 11.5 shoulders: 42 chest: 35.75
upper arm: 11.25 shoulders: 40.5 chest: 35.50
upper arm: 11 shoulders: 40.5 chest: 36.50
upper arm: 11 shoulders: 41.5 chest: 35.5
waist: 35 ab: 40 hip: 43 thigh: 25 calves: 16
waist: 33.5 ab: 37.5 hip: 42 thigh: 24 calves: 16.75
waist: 33 ab: 37 hip: 41 thigh: 24 calves: 16.75
waist: 32 ab: 36.5 hip: 40 thigh: 24 calves: 16.75
waist: 31 ab: 36.5 hip: 39 thigh: 23 calves: 16
waist: 30.5 ab: 35 hip: 39 thigh: 22 calves: 15.75
waist: 29.75 ab: 33.5 hip: 37.75 thigh: 21.75 calves: 16
waist: 29.75 ab: 33.00 hip: 37.50 thigh: 21.50 calves: 15.75
waist: 28.5 ab: 32.75 hip: 36.5 thigh: 20.75 calves: 15
weight: 186
weight: 176 totals to date: 37 lbs, 39.75 (known) inches
weight: 172 inches: -8 lbs: -4 (7 day period)
weight: 168 inches: -4.75 lbs: -4 (16 day period) body fat %: 35%
weight: 166 inches: -5.5 lbs: -2 (7 day period)
weight: 163 inches: -4.75 lbs: -3 (13 day period) body fat %: 33%weight: 159 inches: -5.00 lbs: -4 (13 day period)
weight: 156 inches -5.5 lbs: -3 (13 day period) body fat %: 28.75%
weight: 153 inches -1.5 lbs: -3 (14 day period) body fat %: 27.81%weight: 149 inches -5.25 lbs: -4 (14 day period) body fat %: 25.69
Now that's what I'm talking about!!!!!!! Once again my shoulders are going up (did not factor into inches lost) but this time I'm not going to alter upper body training routine cause I'm happy with the proportions and I want to keep that extra muscle to keep my fat burn high.
I was so excited about the lower body measurements I insisted on having them done three times just to be sure:). I was scared to get on the scale, seriously expecting to see something crazy like 155. Once I hopped on I nearly fell over in shock. The body fat is a little lower than I get with my handy little home calipers, but the gym uses a 6 point system which I'm trusting is just a little more accurate so I'm going with that one. I was so excited by the time I actually started working out that I totally forgot what routine was planned for the day so I did abs, back and core.
I was gonna re-evaluate my new weights routine and food plan after following it for 2 weeks and getting period measurements/body fat. It's a no-brainer. My body likes it - it really likes it - so no changes on the horizon.
Today is cooking day and I'm thinking soups. Of course, I have to spend the next seven days eating much of I produce today - not sure I want to eat that much soup. But I'm also thinking about combining a lot of my 3x week "may haves" into desserts so a bowl of soup followed by a fat yummy treat (I'm thinking berry stuffed tarts and nut/chocholate puffs) might be just right.
Tomorrow I've decided to make my little house "summer pretty" so it's gonna be a long hot day of hitting up flea markets (I love those places), gardening, fabric changing, etc. I'm sitting here wondering who I can enlist in my plans. Unfortunately at this point everybody knows that when I call and say "Ya wanna come over and hang out" I secretly mean "Ya wanna come over and and do some unpaid labor?":(
And I'm still happily spashing around in the shallow end of the pool. Cause I woke up this morning and gotta admit my first lucid thought was "I have a closet full of cute clothes to chose from today."
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 31 May 2006 07:31 pm |
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Niiiice group run this am. Dragged my work-out partner along. Spent some time running with really cool guy who is as "obsessive" (maybe even a tad more) about his weights routine as I am. Mostly though, I just totally enjoyed the feeling of running which I am loving more and more these days.
On the way home I was thinking about back in January when I could barely walk fast for half and hour and it was struggle to keep a sustained jog for more than a min or two. My current "warm-up" pace was my "peak intensity" back then. I'm starting to run just cause I love to run, not because of the calorie burn, or even the cardio benefits. It just feels good to run. I can't even explain it well when I'm not doing it - just this neat feeling that takes over my mind and body after a couple mins. where nothing seems as important as keeping in motion and covering the distance in front of me.
So, now I've got soup. Lots and lots of soup. Why did I think this was a good idea? I hope it freezes well cause at this moment I never want to eat another bowl of soup. I had three bowls last night (different kinds) for dinner. It was surreal.
Downed the first bowl (sesame flavored with thick cut veggies). Surprisingly still hungry. Next bowl (hot & spicy with lots of peppers and brown rice). Okay, stomach really full but somehow still hungry. Final bowl, thinking maybe not enough protein so threw in lots of shrimp. Uhmm, belly practically hurting with each bite, but my mind is screaming "I'm hungry!!!!!" Thankfully a little rational voice popped up "is it that time?" Tossed some dark cocoa powder on some berries and three bites later hunger switch totally flipped off. Jeeze, I know this.....but I keep forgeting.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 1 June 2006 07:00 pm |
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My weights gym has a new member. This girl has a body I would die for, she made perfectly ordinary work-out gear look like it came from Victoria Secret. And I'm watching in equal parts envy, amusement and disgust as she flits from machine to machine (always choosing one where the most men are clustered) and going "oohh, what do I do?" Quite predictably there were guys tripping over their feet to "help" her. I'm looking a Mike trying to make my face say "take one step in that direction and you die". Poor baby.
Scale still holding steady at 149.10. I half expected to see another increase. I really wish I knew the mechanics of this a little better. If I'm doing fairly intense weights and cardio with a daily calorie deficit does my body temporarily stop burning fat and concentrate on repairing muscle tissue which leads to weight gain, then resume fat burning which leads to fat loss? Is it possible for both to happen pretty much at the same time? Not that knowing would change anything, cause my body is gonna do what it's gonna do whether I understand or not. But I'm just curious.
I had a million things I wanted to do yesterday, but, post work-out, my body just rebelled. I spent the day just sorta laying around thinking about all the stuff I was not doing. Don't know if it was hormonal induced lethargy, my body needing to take a rest, ordinary laziness asserting itself, or a combination of all three. The end result was the same - I was a slug.
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 2 June 2006 08:17 pm |
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I woke up this morning feeling very, very calm, focused, and, for lack of a better word, centered. There is one, very clear, idea in my head: I don't have to keep trying to lose weight.
That sounds weird because I have 14 or so lbs and two sizes to go to before I meet the goals I targeted so long ago.
The thing is, I realized that my eating habits have one intention only: nutrition. Period. I've run through the list in my head (cheesecake, double sausage pizza, chips, fried chicken, french fries, ice cream, oreos, etc.) and there is not one single thing I used to munch on with reckless abandonment that I would even consider eating even one bite of - now or in the forseeable future. Knowing my lifetime eating habits, it still surprises me a little that I now have strong convictions about what I will and will not put in my body for health reasons.
I exercise - a lot:) - because I like it. I haven't always liked it, I actually sorta hated it for a while. I can't count the times I woke up and just lay there trying to convince myself why I didn't have to go to the gym that morning. I had some really, really creative reasons. But over time, it's become a vital part of who I am and what I do.
So, the question I'm asking myself, is where do I go from here? I think this must have been the germ of the idea I was having a week or so ago when I became suddenly impatiant with my weight loss program. I guess the answer came to me this morning. I'm really just not on a weight loss program anymore. I'm eating the way I plan to eat for the rest of my life, exercising the way I plan to continue until I'm too old to life weights or run (and even then I might just toddle down the street). I really believe that my body is going to continue shedding fat until it reaches the point (and I don't know where that is) that it needs to stop.
Although it was helpful, and probably necessary, for so many months, I can't think of a single reason to continue making a weekly meal/exercise plan. I'm even comfortable with the idea of weighing myself every 2 weeks (along with body fat% and measurements).
As far as being on a "weight loss program" I just feel like I'm at the end of that pursuit. Period. I guess if the goal when I started was to weigh x number of pounds at the end, I failed miserably. But somewhere along the line the goal became to learn a healthy way to live and I feel like that was a hands-down success. So, I'm just gonna keep plugging along on my little track with the expectation that if I continue following the nutrients and exercise, the calories and remaining excess fat will take care of themselves.
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Corina
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 June 2006 10:33 pm |
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You are so right Suenos! We all have to keep in mind that we must make lifestyle changes in order to lose weight and stay there. You have really come a long way the past five months and have been great example!
Like you said, just keep plugging along and sooner then later you'll be completely satisfied with your weight/size.
I'm so happy for you!
Corina
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personsmom
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 6 June 2006 05:43 pm |
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Just stopping by to say Hi :) Have been reading your posts. Now that I have time to reply... Way to go Girl! I have been impressed with your mindset. Keep up the good work. How's the Running club going? Did you do the race. If you have not yet, think of how good it will feel to cross the finish line at ANY TIME. All the people cheering!
Take aim at your "0" friend. SHOOT. That comes from a tiny hiny'd boy shaped woman. Size has nothing to do with manners. It is NOT all about her! Assert yourself in a positive way. If it angers her and she doesn't speak to you than you won't have to hear her WHINE any more!
Congratulations on the new Suenos!
for you and  hugs too
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suenos
Moderator
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Posted: 7 June 2006 07:21 pm |
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Crazy busy week since I last posted. Even my day off yesterday wasn't a "day off" from anything. Today I'm ignoring the world, treated myself to a nice "light" abs only work-out, a rare cuppa coffee, and time to let my mind catch-up to itself.
Weight this am was 147. I had planned not to weight myself until next Tuesday, but that scale knows my name and called me every morning when I walk into to gym. So I compromised by telling myself that it would say what it would say, but I wouldn't attach any significance to the numbers or make any changes based on them. Good thing 'cause every single day it has fluctuated between 148 and 149. Then today it said 147 so I'll take that for a while.
I've only had one good run this week 'cause I managed to do something (still not sure what) to my right knee. I suspect it was a combination of doing a fairly hilly group run last week in the wrong shoes. This morning the pain was mostly resolved so I'll get some new shoes (which I've avoided cause it's so darn expensive) and start back seriously running again on Friday or Monday.
Since the last 6 days have pretty much all been strength training work-outs I increased protein by adding an extra daily serving of both nuts and fish, and decreased carbs by eliminating rice, bean thread and whole wheat flour. I miss bread and noodles but without the cardio this week I decided my body didn't need the extra carbs.
Corina wrote: Like you said, just keep plugging along and sooner then later you'll be completely satisfied with your weight/size. Well, if I'm gonna be honest, I'll never be completely satisfied with my weight/size - hey, I'm female, I'm single and I live in a beach town. But I'm in a mentally happy place where I feel good about myself when I get dressed to face the world everyday and I can live with that. We were having this discussion at work the other night where everyone was saying what they didn't like about their bodies and would pay to have fixed if they could (boob jobs and tummy tucks were at the head of the class). I kinda irritated everybody cause I said that I basically like the way my body was at this point and anything I didn't like I could change in the gym. I couldn't help wondering if men sit around having these pointless self body-bashing sessions - somehow I doubt it.
Personsmom wrote: How's the Running club going? Did you do the race. If you have not yet, think of how good it will feel to cross the finish line at ANY TIME. All the people cheering! The running club is the best thing I ever did! It was the final push I needed to go from running because "I have to" to running because "I want to". I'm antsy to do my first race but I think it'll have to be one several weeks down the line.
Take aim at your "0" friend. SHOOT. Sadly enough, she just needed to be stroked and fluffed like a petulant cat. "Yes, yes, you are still the fairest girl in the land" kinda thing. In an odd way, I'm glad she pushed my buttons cause it did force me to recognize and resolve some of my own lingering body image/eating issues. I still kinda wish karma would step in lower her metabolism just a tad. No more Big Mac's for you Missy!!!!
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