Well! Here we were, past the 3 week mark, and it really is getting a little easier to eat healthy. I still get cravings at weird hours of the day (specifically right before bed!), and I do still want to eat some of my favorite junk foods, but cutting pop and juice out has been successful, and controlling those portion sizes is a lot easier too. I'm still working on incorporating new foods and recipes, but overall I'm feeling a lot better and starting to believe that I really can make this happen.
I do attribute that feeling to going to the gym as well. I've gone a few times now, and I'm actually looking forward to going whenever I can. I couldn't go today because I'm in class when my parents go, and I was pretty bummed about it! I'm feeling sore (in all the right ways) and I want to keep pushing myself to go further. I really, really feel like I can do this!
I want to take a moment to thank everyone that has been supporting me through this journey, and give a special shout out to everyone that actually takes the time to read this blog. I know I'm not the most witty person, nor are my posts particularly interesting (I think), but I do hope you find the links useful, and are encouraged to try to better your lives as well. It's not about fitting into the ideal of society, it's about feeling good in your own skin and being healthy. Keep working hard, and I promise I will too!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Trail Mix
So, calorie counting went out the window this weekend - understanding it, that is. I went to Anna's JROTC competition Saturday morning, spent almost 2 hours at the gym, took a nap, and celebrated Dad's birthday with dinner and a bit of cake. And today I caught up on a little sleep, got sucked into bowling a tournament (thought I have no idea why), and went to dinner with Nate's family.
I have eaten pretty well - not the best, but better than before this blog for sure. I also stopped on the way home tonight to pick up some fresh fruit, and a few things for home made trail mix - Multi Grain Cheerios, almonds, cherry-infused craisins and some dark chocolate M&Ms. I eyeballed the mixing/serving size, but I'd say the entire container of trail mix for each day is about 1/4 cup, and I've got plenty of leftover ingredients to make more.
I'm looking forward to getting back into the gym this week (at least 3 times if I have anything to say about it). I'm pretty sore today, in my arms/shoulders, but it's a good kind of sore. I don't feel overworked, and I can still move and pick things up, it's just a little uncomfortable instead of painful. I'm guessing that means I did something right? Either way, it felt great to be active and I slept a lot better last night.
A real quick link before I go, 20 Best Foods for Fiber. I've already added whole wheat/whole grain to my diet, which was a pretty big change for me to get used to. I can definitely begin making the change to all whole wheat ingredients now, including pasta. I've added oatmeal, but I still can't eat it every day - it's a texture thing! I already love my fruits/veggies, like apples, raspberries and (a little bit of) broccoli. What I would like to work on incorporating is brown rice, which would seem like a change similar to switching from white to wheat bread, and I'd like to try more avocado. I've only had it a few times, on sandwiches I've ordered out (my fave was a roasted turkey sandwich from 'wichcraft in Vegas), and avocado was the saving grace in the sushi I tried that nearly killed me (not really, but it wasn't very appetizing!). I'm not sure if I'd like the whole guacamole thing, but I could definitely go for the raw version on sandwiches! Got any avocado recipes? Please share!
I have eaten pretty well - not the best, but better than before this blog for sure. I also stopped on the way home tonight to pick up some fresh fruit, and a few things for home made trail mix - Multi Grain Cheerios, almonds, cherry-infused craisins and some dark chocolate M&Ms. I eyeballed the mixing/serving size, but I'd say the entire container of trail mix for each day is about 1/4 cup, and I've got plenty of leftover ingredients to make more.
I'm looking forward to getting back into the gym this week (at least 3 times if I have anything to say about it). I'm pretty sore today, in my arms/shoulders, but it's a good kind of sore. I don't feel overworked, and I can still move and pick things up, it's just a little uncomfortable instead of painful. I'm guessing that means I did something right? Either way, it felt great to be active and I slept a lot better last night.
A real quick link before I go, 20 Best Foods for Fiber. I've already added whole wheat/whole grain to my diet, which was a pretty big change for me to get used to. I can definitely begin making the change to all whole wheat ingredients now, including pasta. I've added oatmeal, but I still can't eat it every day - it's a texture thing! I already love my fruits/veggies, like apples, raspberries and (a little bit of) broccoli. What I would like to work on incorporating is brown rice, which would seem like a change similar to switching from white to wheat bread, and I'd like to try more avocado. I've only had it a few times, on sandwiches I've ordered out (my fave was a roasted turkey sandwich from 'wichcraft in Vegas), and avocado was the saving grace in the sushi I tried that nearly killed me (not really, but it wasn't very appetizing!). I'm not sure if I'd like the whole guacamole thing, but I could definitely go for the raw version on sandwiches! Got any avocado recipes? Please share!
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Gym
Wow. Well, I skipped a post yesterday, my apologies. Had a rough night at bowling, got home late, and was feeling guilty about my Taco Bell fix on the way back home. This whole process is not as easy as it sounds, and I definitely have some good days and some bad days.
Today went a bit better though, and it included my first-ever trip to an actual gym. I didn't do a lot there, but I got started, and I actually want to go back again and start pushing myself. I did a half hour on a treadmill will varying speeds and inclines (had to reduce the incline after a short while though because my hip was hurting), and then I did 20 minutes on a stationary bike, with 1:30 lengths of a decent speed, then :30 of doubled speed to raise the heart rate. About 10 minutes in, I was ready to give up, but I kept going for the full 20 minutes, and I'm proud of myself for that. Gotta celebrate the little things, right?
I'm not gonna lie, being at the gym was a little intimidating, especially because I saw a few people I know. It's different telling people online about my journey, because they usually don't see this until after I've already logged off for the day, and I can't see their reaction in person. No, the people I saw today didn't come up and say anything to me, nor did they even give me a passing glance, but it was still a scary beginning and messed with my confidence a little bit.
One thing I am surprised about (for now), is that I'm not as sore as I thought I'd be. Granted, I did exercises that my body has done before, but I still expected to come away feeling tightness in my legs and hips. If anything, my leg feels a bit better now that they've been stretched out and used in a non-bowling way.
I'm definitely going to buckle down and focus on learning a bit more about a balanced diet and counting calories this weekend, and try to make it to the gym again as often as possible. I'm excited to see what kind of shape I can get into. Maybe it'll help with the self confidence issues? We'll see!
Today went a bit better though, and it included my first-ever trip to an actual gym. I didn't do a lot there, but I got started, and I actually want to go back again and start pushing myself. I did a half hour on a treadmill will varying speeds and inclines (had to reduce the incline after a short while though because my hip was hurting), and then I did 20 minutes on a stationary bike, with 1:30 lengths of a decent speed, then :30 of doubled speed to raise the heart rate. About 10 minutes in, I was ready to give up, but I kept going for the full 20 minutes, and I'm proud of myself for that. Gotta celebrate the little things, right?
I'm not gonna lie, being at the gym was a little intimidating, especially because I saw a few people I know. It's different telling people online about my journey, because they usually don't see this until after I've already logged off for the day, and I can't see their reaction in person. No, the people I saw today didn't come up and say anything to me, nor did they even give me a passing glance, but it was still a scary beginning and messed with my confidence a little bit.
One thing I am surprised about (for now), is that I'm not as sore as I thought I'd be. Granted, I did exercises that my body has done before, but I still expected to come away feeling tightness in my legs and hips. If anything, my leg feels a bit better now that they've been stretched out and used in a non-bowling way.
I'm definitely going to buckle down and focus on learning a bit more about a balanced diet and counting calories this weekend, and try to make it to the gym again as often as possible. I'm excited to see what kind of shape I can get into. Maybe it'll help with the self confidence issues? We'll see!
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Rescue
What a day! I definitely did not sleep well last night, which resulted in me being very tired after work, and ended with me not being productive at all. I did fairly well though, some fruit and water for breakfast/grazing through my internship, half of a yummy BBQ beef brisket sandwich at Traffic Jam (which was on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!) for lunch with my sweetheart, a nice loooooong nap, and a bowl of cereal and whole grain toast for dinner. We'll be switching things up tomorrow and doing breakfast for dinner, so I'm going to try to stick to a lot of fruit and some lunch meat to get be through the day.
I wasn't completely useless today, which is why I titled this post 'Rescue.' When Dad and Anna got home from the store today, I went to unlock the door and let the dogs in, and there was a chocolate lab sitting by the gate! Friendly, well groomed, so he had to be a pet that had just escaped a yard or someone's house. But he didn't have a name tag on, so I didn't know who to call. I ran inside to get the phone number for Animal Control, called them and they were closed. So I went back out to try to find the dog again, and maybe sit with him outside to see if someone would come out looking for him. Unfortunately, he was gone, but I did spot another dog, probably about 8 lbs, and a breed I couldn't name off-hand. I scooped him (her?) up too, and ended up waiting outside to see if someone would come claim this dog. When a neighbor a few houses down poked their head out the front door and whistled for a dog, it clicked that this might be the dog they were looking for. Turns out it was, and they had already snagged their lab and brought him back inside too. I might not have reunited an owner from across town with their beloved pet, but I did help a neighbor rescue their little guy from the cold, and it felt pretty good to do so.
I typically rely on the Yahoo News homepage for updates throughout the day, and I can almost always count on them having at least one article in the top stories about health and/or fitness. No such luck today! I also haven't gotten around to finding a chart/table/article with a calorie counter for everyday foods yet - that's my goal for this weekend. I do still have a link to share though! This will only work for a short time (maybe a week or so), but give it a listen if you'd like! I'm currently interning at 96.3 WDVD, and I made my on-air "debut" this morning, because something funny happened with me and a fellow intern. Blaine & Allyson decided it was a worthy topic, and brought me on air to explain what went down. If you follow the link and look for the podcast titled "Accidental Text" you should be able to hear exactly what happened. 96.3 WDVD Podcasts Enjoy!
I wasn't completely useless today, which is why I titled this post 'Rescue.' When Dad and Anna got home from the store today, I went to unlock the door and let the dogs in, and there was a chocolate lab sitting by the gate! Friendly, well groomed, so he had to be a pet that had just escaped a yard or someone's house. But he didn't have a name tag on, so I didn't know who to call. I ran inside to get the phone number for Animal Control, called them and they were closed. So I went back out to try to find the dog again, and maybe sit with him outside to see if someone would come out looking for him. Unfortunately, he was gone, but I did spot another dog, probably about 8 lbs, and a breed I couldn't name off-hand. I scooped him (her?) up too, and ended up waiting outside to see if someone would come claim this dog. When a neighbor a few houses down poked their head out the front door and whistled for a dog, it clicked that this might be the dog they were looking for. Turns out it was, and they had already snagged their lab and brought him back inside too. I might not have reunited an owner from across town with their beloved pet, but I did help a neighbor rescue their little guy from the cold, and it felt pretty good to do so.
I typically rely on the Yahoo News homepage for updates throughout the day, and I can almost always count on them having at least one article in the top stories about health and/or fitness. No such luck today! I also haven't gotten around to finding a chart/table/article with a calorie counter for everyday foods yet - that's my goal for this weekend. I do still have a link to share though! This will only work for a short time (maybe a week or so), but give it a listen if you'd like! I'm currently interning at 96.3 WDVD, and I made my on-air "debut" this morning, because something funny happened with me and a fellow intern. Blaine & Allyson decided it was a worthy topic, and brought me on air to explain what went down. If you follow the link and look for the podcast titled "Accidental Text" you should be able to hear exactly what happened. 96.3 WDVD Podcasts Enjoy!
A Slight Delay
Yes, there will technically be two posts today, since I'm doing yesterday's right now. I had class all afternoon and evening, State of the Union was on, and then I got into bed. Unfortunately I didn't sleep much, but I couldn't sit up a minute longer to try to write.
I really didn't have much to add today, except this article: 7 Fitness Myths Busted. While "myth" number 2 might not have scientific facts to support it, I will continue to stretch before physical activity only because I personally feel like the muscles are looser, and I feel less pain when I begin exercising/bowling/riding/you name it. It also helps me fall into a natural rhythm more quickly, since the muscles are already warmed up.
I do want to say that what I ate today was pretty good, an English muffin, a lot of fruit, a whole grain PB&J. Not a lot of inventiveness today, but that's tough to do when I'm not home to cook.
Up early this morning and not-so-ready to go, but looking forward to a busy day (and a long nap)!
I really didn't have much to add today, except this article: 7 Fitness Myths Busted. While "myth" number 2 might not have scientific facts to support it, I will continue to stretch before physical activity only because I personally feel like the muscles are looser, and I feel less pain when I begin exercising/bowling/riding/you name it. It also helps me fall into a natural rhythm more quickly, since the muscles are already warmed up.
I do want to say that what I ate today was pretty good, an English muffin, a lot of fruit, a whole grain PB&J. Not a lot of inventiveness today, but that's tough to do when I'm not home to cook.
Up early this morning and not-so-ready to go, but looking forward to a busy day (and a long nap)!
Monday, January 23, 2012
They Fit!
Yep, that's right! They fit! I had my own little Progresso commercial moment - you know, the one where the ladies call in saying "It fits!"? I definitely pulled out my favorite pair of size 10 jeans, and they fit! (They were actually a little short in the length, but the waist and thighs fit great!) Of course, I had to do a little happy dance this morning! I just have to stay on track, especially after my little "cheat" day this weekend.
As promised, I've got quite a few yummy links for today. First, we'll start with Diet Mistakes That Make You Fat. Luckily for me, these are mistakes that I'm trying to fix (I actually prefer my fruit without dip, just gotta work on the veggies), and they didn't include the mistakes I've been making. *cough*cheatdays*cough* I will say that on cheat days I make sure to keep my intake for the rest of the day at a minimum, even though I'm pretty sure that's not the best way to do it. (For example, on Fat Tuesday I plan on eating two paczki, and then eat nothing else for two days. HA!)
Down to business. I mentioned yesterday that I had found a site with details about a 1,500 calorie diet, and here it is: What Does a 1,500 Calorie Diet Look Like? This isn't a very long article, but it's easy to understand, and it gives you a simple formula to figure out how many calories you need to sustain your weight and how many you should cut to begin losing weight. For me, I should consume roughly 2,100 calories per day to sustain my current weight. To lose a healthy 1 pound per week, I'd need to cut at least 500 calories out every day, so that I'm eating roughly the amount pictured in the link. I could theoretically cut myself down to the minimum 1,200 calories per day, but that seems a little extreme. I'd rather feel full and spend some time working off those extra calories because it'll help build my stamina and strength. (The next step in this process is actually figuring out how many calories are actually in the foods I eat, which is something I hope to discover within the next week.)
One of the neat things about the link above is that it also links to some pretty cool recipes/ideas for 3 meals and a snack. I picked out some of my favorites (meaning ones I'd like to try), and I'm interested in trying a few others considering there's a number of ingredients I've never used before (let alone even tasted!). Once I figure out how many calories are in my favorite foods, I can probably work on some substitutions to the recipes (Iron Chef those bad boys!) and make them more to my tastes.
So here's what I picked for my 1,500 calorie day:
Breakfast: Multi-Grain Waffles or Healthy Pancakes
Lunch: Turkey Pastrami Sandwich (minus the sauerkraut, maybe add homemade cole slaw instead??)
Snack: Quick Kebabs or Crunchy Cereal Trail Mix (paying close attention to portion size, modified for personal taste)
Dinner: Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Grape Sauce (you can choose 2 sides with this, 1 starch and 1 vegetable - follow the link from the 1,500 Calorie page for options)
This, to me, sounds delicious. I can only image how clean I would feel after eating like this for a day. And just think about how full you'd be if you drank lots of water during the day. Think about the fiber and protein! It would fill you up!
Seeing some of these facts finally come together is another huge step in the right direction, and it has refueled my desire to try new foods and start cooking more. If you've got any good recipes, please share! And if you happened to design your own 1,500 calorie day, I'd like to hear that too! Maybe you picked something I overlooked that would be worth trying!
For now, it's time to enjoy sweet, sweet dreams about that size 8, the next step down!
As promised, I've got quite a few yummy links for today. First, we'll start with Diet Mistakes That Make You Fat. Luckily for me, these are mistakes that I'm trying to fix (I actually prefer my fruit without dip, just gotta work on the veggies), and they didn't include the mistakes I've been making. *cough*cheatdays*cough* I will say that on cheat days I make sure to keep my intake for the rest of the day at a minimum, even though I'm pretty sure that's not the best way to do it. (For example, on Fat Tuesday I plan on eating two paczki, and then eat nothing else for two days. HA!)
Down to business. I mentioned yesterday that I had found a site with details about a 1,500 calorie diet, and here it is: What Does a 1,500 Calorie Diet Look Like? This isn't a very long article, but it's easy to understand, and it gives you a simple formula to figure out how many calories you need to sustain your weight and how many you should cut to begin losing weight. For me, I should consume roughly 2,100 calories per day to sustain my current weight. To lose a healthy 1 pound per week, I'd need to cut at least 500 calories out every day, so that I'm eating roughly the amount pictured in the link. I could theoretically cut myself down to the minimum 1,200 calories per day, but that seems a little extreme. I'd rather feel full and spend some time working off those extra calories because it'll help build my stamina and strength. (The next step in this process is actually figuring out how many calories are actually in the foods I eat, which is something I hope to discover within the next week.)
One of the neat things about the link above is that it also links to some pretty cool recipes/ideas for 3 meals and a snack. I picked out some of my favorites (meaning ones I'd like to try), and I'm interested in trying a few others considering there's a number of ingredients I've never used before (let alone even tasted!). Once I figure out how many calories are in my favorite foods, I can probably work on some substitutions to the recipes (Iron Chef those bad boys!) and make them more to my tastes.
So here's what I picked for my 1,500 calorie day:
Breakfast: Multi-Grain Waffles or Healthy Pancakes
Lunch: Turkey Pastrami Sandwich (minus the sauerkraut, maybe add homemade cole slaw instead??)
Snack: Quick Kebabs or Crunchy Cereal Trail Mix (paying close attention to portion size, modified for personal taste)
Dinner: Pork Tenderloin with Roasted Grape Sauce (you can choose 2 sides with this, 1 starch and 1 vegetable - follow the link from the 1,500 Calorie page for options)
This, to me, sounds delicious. I can only image how clean I would feel after eating like this for a day. And just think about how full you'd be if you drank lots of water during the day. Think about the fiber and protein! It would fill you up!
Seeing some of these facts finally come together is another huge step in the right direction, and it has refueled my desire to try new foods and start cooking more. If you've got any good recipes, please share! And if you happened to design your own 1,500 calorie day, I'd like to hear that too! Maybe you picked something I overlooked that would be worth trying!
For now, it's time to enjoy sweet, sweet dreams about that size 8, the next step down!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Loose Jeans!
Like I mentioned yesterday, I'm feeling my jeans fit just a bit more loosely, and I can't be more excited! I was fitting a little loose in my size 12's when I started, but now they feel like they're falling down - a lot. Maybe it's time to bring out the 10's again?!
I had a very minimal day today - pancakes and a banana, a Snickers bar (yes, I had to! If you're a girl, you'll understand!) and some crackers with PB&J on them. Sounds like it isn't much, but I didn't do too much today, so I didn't feel the need to eat that much. I wasn't using energy, so I didn't need to put any extra in.
I do want to share this link for tonight: 6 Mini Meals or 3 Square Meals? It's a short read for those of you who choose to do so. For me, I'll stick to the 6 mini meals. I tend not to eat a lot at one sitting, so when I do feel hungry, I like to satisfy that hunger so I don't get the urge to overeat at a big meal. What do you prefer? 6 minis or 3 square??
A little teaser before I go to bed - after following a few links in various articles, I came across this calorie-counting page that has suggestions on what a 1,500-calorie day looks like, with tips and recipes. I'll have time tomorrow to look it over, and hopefully I can share something useful with you!
I had a very minimal day today - pancakes and a banana, a Snickers bar (yes, I had to! If you're a girl, you'll understand!) and some crackers with PB&J on them. Sounds like it isn't much, but I didn't do too much today, so I didn't feel the need to eat that much. I wasn't using energy, so I didn't need to put any extra in.
I do want to share this link for tonight: 6 Mini Meals or 3 Square Meals? It's a short read for those of you who choose to do so. For me, I'll stick to the 6 mini meals. I tend not to eat a lot at one sitting, so when I do feel hungry, I like to satisfy that hunger so I don't get the urge to overeat at a big meal. What do you prefer? 6 minis or 3 square??
A little teaser before I go to bed - after following a few links in various articles, I came across this calorie-counting page that has suggestions on what a 1,500-calorie day looks like, with tips and recipes. I'll have time tomorrow to look it over, and hopefully I can share something useful with you!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Two Down, One to Go
Officially 2 weeks into this journey, and I'm feeling pretty good! It's silly, but I've noticed my jeans are fitting a bit more loose, and I'm enjoying all the healthy foods I'm eating. I don't have any links or stories today, just an quick update that I'm feeling good. I did have a bit of a cheat day, and enjoyed a little bit of soup and salad, as well as some Thai food. (I also gave in to my cravings for cheesey nachos, yummm.) It sounds like a lot, but I didn't eat much of anything (except the nachos). A had less than half of the sandwich, a few good spoonfuls of soup, and just a few bites of Thai, which was interesting. Definitely needed a bit more spice than I got. That's not all I ate though - I made sure to have a light breakfast and a whole apple this morning, so I got some good stuff in!
I'll be making some more chicken salad tomorrow, and indulging in a lot of fruit to help cleanse my system of all the crap from today.
I'll be making some more chicken salad tomorrow, and indulging in a lot of fruit to help cleanse my system of all the crap from today.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Try New Foods!
Wow! I want to share this story right off the bat! How I Lost 115 Pounds This woman had massive motivation to get started, but she's using some of the techniques I'm trying. She set a goal that is much larger than mine (and I'm hoping mine doesn't take as long), but hearing success stories is such a great motivation!
Alright! So, today! Feeling a lot less sleepy, thankfully. (Even though I was a pain in the butt to wake up this morning.) Had some PB&J toast, a Tubby's sub for lunch on the way home from practice, and then Nate made a scrumdiddlyumptious cheeseburgers! I made a big salad to go with it, and we had some no sugar added raspberry vinaigrette. So yummy! I'm planning on some fruits as snacks at the bowling alley (as a spectator only), and perhaps a nice dinner and a trip to the casino tomorrow?
I do have one link for today. 15 Small Diet Changes
This article is pretty neat, because it has tips and tricks from a bunch of different experts. I LOVE number 4, eating a salad every day. That is something I can and would love to do! I had salad tonight for dinner, and definitely love my veggies (broccoli is growing on me), so this is a rule I could live by. Another rule that I would like to add to my cause is number 9, protein at every meal. While the description about this rule is brief, it says the key words: helps stave off cravings. The protein will fill you up with stuff your body needs, and prevent you from craving the things that are bad for you. Number 12, choose Greek yogurt will be a tough one - at Costco they had samples of Greek yogurt with fruit in it, so I decided what the heck, I'll give it a try. I've never been a fan of regular yogurt, so I didn't know how this would go. Turns out I don't like the Greek kind either! It was a lot more tolerable than the regular kind, but half of the sample size was all I could manage (it equaled about one spoonful). The last rule I'd like to comment on it number 15, try new recipes. Nate and I just talked about this one today, and we're definitely going to sit down with the multitude of cookbooks I bought when Borders went out of business. We want to pick out some recipes to use in the slow cooker (greatest invention ever), and some salmon recipes to try, and then get rolling on those next weekend.
I do need to get honest here for a moment. I need to keep the walking/riding thing going! Mom is switching her gym membership to a location closer to home, so hopefully I can jump on that bandwagon in the next week or so. I just wish this weather would clear up! I was loving the mild winter we were having - I wish it would come back!
Still waiting for that healthy mac and cheese recipe! Good night!
Alright! So, today! Feeling a lot less sleepy, thankfully. (Even though I was a pain in the butt to wake up this morning.) Had some PB&J toast, a Tubby's sub for lunch on the way home from practice, and then Nate made a scrumdiddlyumptious cheeseburgers! I made a big salad to go with it, and we had some no sugar added raspberry vinaigrette. So yummy! I'm planning on some fruits as snacks at the bowling alley (as a spectator only), and perhaps a nice dinner and a trip to the casino tomorrow?
I do have one link for today. 15 Small Diet Changes
This article is pretty neat, because it has tips and tricks from a bunch of different experts. I LOVE number 4, eating a salad every day. That is something I can and would love to do! I had salad tonight for dinner, and definitely love my veggies (broccoli is growing on me), so this is a rule I could live by. Another rule that I would like to add to my cause is number 9, protein at every meal. While the description about this rule is brief, it says the key words: helps stave off cravings. The protein will fill you up with stuff your body needs, and prevent you from craving the things that are bad for you. Number 12, choose Greek yogurt will be a tough one - at Costco they had samples of Greek yogurt with fruit in it, so I decided what the heck, I'll give it a try. I've never been a fan of regular yogurt, so I didn't know how this would go. Turns out I don't like the Greek kind either! It was a lot more tolerable than the regular kind, but half of the sample size was all I could manage (it equaled about one spoonful). The last rule I'd like to comment on it number 15, try new recipes. Nate and I just talked about this one today, and we're definitely going to sit down with the multitude of cookbooks I bought when Borders went out of business. We want to pick out some recipes to use in the slow cooker (greatest invention ever), and some salmon recipes to try, and then get rolling on those next weekend.
I do need to get honest here for a moment. I need to keep the walking/riding thing going! Mom is switching her gym membership to a location closer to home, so hopefully I can jump on that bandwagon in the next week or so. I just wish this weather would clear up! I was loving the mild winter we were having - I wish it would come back!
Still waiting for that healthy mac and cheese recipe! Good night!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Back on Track... Sorta.
Whew! What a long few days, and many apologies for not posting!
Unfortunately this one will be short and sweet, so I'll have to spend some time tomorrow with links and stories. I can't believe how tired I've been the last two days! I've been keeping up every day with the fruits and fiber, gotta work some more on the protein. I'm definitely looking forward to making some more homemade food and maybe enjoying a night out with Nate.
One thing I do want to comment on before I retire for the night, and it's about cravings. I've been having these awful cravings for some chocolate, and it's killing me! I think I'm going to have to give in and buy some dark chocolate bites so I can satisfy that craving when I need to. As long as I can keep up the good eating, I think I'll be okay. Oh, another thing I'm craving: mac and cheese! I could eat a whole pot of it right now! Anyone know any healthy recipes or alternatives?!?
I promise, tomorrow will be a much more fulfilling post! I know you guys are counting on me, and I'm relying on this blog to keep me accountable, so I can't give up now!
Unfortunately this one will be short and sweet, so I'll have to spend some time tomorrow with links and stories. I can't believe how tired I've been the last two days! I've been keeping up every day with the fruits and fiber, gotta work some more on the protein. I'm definitely looking forward to making some more homemade food and maybe enjoying a night out with Nate.
One thing I do want to comment on before I retire for the night, and it's about cravings. I've been having these awful cravings for some chocolate, and it's killing me! I think I'm going to have to give in and buy some dark chocolate bites so I can satisfy that craving when I need to. As long as I can keep up the good eating, I think I'll be okay. Oh, another thing I'm craving: mac and cheese! I could eat a whole pot of it right now! Anyone know any healthy recipes or alternatives?!?
I promise, tomorrow will be a much more fulfilling post! I know you guys are counting on me, and I'm relying on this blog to keep me accountable, so I can't give up now!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
A Healthy Schedule
Right off the bat I'd like to share this article I found today (hooray for Yahoo News sharing at least one weight loss-related article every day!). How To Lose Weight All Day Long
I get the idea that a regular schedule will help you get into a rhythm and whatnot, but how do I make it work for me, when one day I'm awake at 2:30 and the next I can sleep in until 9? Ah, the perks of being a college student! One of the ideas I really like about this article (and a few others I've read) is to get up and work out right away. It seems like almost everyone would agree that morning is the best time to get a light workout in, and it's something I'd like to try. I've noticed that even slight physical activity (like bowling or walking) seems to give me an extra boost in energy (or adrenaline?) that can keep me going for a few extra hours. Pair that with a healthy, sustainable breakfast and I'm set until lunch and my midday snack!
Down to business - quickly, since I've got that 2:30 wake-up call - I had a bowl of cereal, 4 slices of deli ham, a PB&J wheat sandwich, some grapes, a banana today. Everything except the cereal I packed and took with me to school, but come dinnertime (5:30 pm) I knew I'd need more to eat than just a sandwich and banana to keep me going through a 3 hour class, so I bought a 6 inch ham and turkey sub from Subway (on wheat, lots of veggies, and very light dressing). I haven't been that hungry in a while, so I'm guessing my body was trying to tell me something, like EAT A BETTER BREAKFAST. No fruit or fiber this morning, so I was feeling hungry for lunch sooner than normal, and definitely needed more to eat for dinner. I'm feeling much better now, and think I've learned my lesson. Definitely planning my meals better tomorrow!
Just a quick thank you to Laura for the homemade trail mix suggestion! I'll have to tweak it to my tastes, but it's something I hadn't thought of that would help fill me up - gotta love that protein in peanuts! If anyone has any other healthy snacking ideas, let me know. I'm looking to mix it up a little bit so I'm having more than just raw fruits and veggies. (Even though those are soooo good!)
I get the idea that a regular schedule will help you get into a rhythm and whatnot, but how do I make it work for me, when one day I'm awake at 2:30 and the next I can sleep in until 9? Ah, the perks of being a college student! One of the ideas I really like about this article (and a few others I've read) is to get up and work out right away. It seems like almost everyone would agree that morning is the best time to get a light workout in, and it's something I'd like to try. I've noticed that even slight physical activity (like bowling or walking) seems to give me an extra boost in energy (or adrenaline?) that can keep me going for a few extra hours. Pair that with a healthy, sustainable breakfast and I'm set until lunch and my midday snack!
Down to business - quickly, since I've got that 2:30 wake-up call - I had a bowl of cereal, 4 slices of deli ham, a PB&J wheat sandwich, some grapes, a banana today. Everything except the cereal I packed and took with me to school, but come dinnertime (5:30 pm) I knew I'd need more to eat than just a sandwich and banana to keep me going through a 3 hour class, so I bought a 6 inch ham and turkey sub from Subway (on wheat, lots of veggies, and very light dressing). I haven't been that hungry in a while, so I'm guessing my body was trying to tell me something, like EAT A BETTER BREAKFAST. No fruit or fiber this morning, so I was feeling hungry for lunch sooner than normal, and definitely needed more to eat for dinner. I'm feeling much better now, and think I've learned my lesson. Definitely planning my meals better tomorrow!
Just a quick thank you to Laura for the homemade trail mix suggestion! I'll have to tweak it to my tastes, but it's something I hadn't thought of that would help fill me up - gotta love that protein in peanuts! If anyone has any other healthy snacking ideas, let me know. I'm looking to mix it up a little bit so I'm having more than just raw fruits and veggies. (Even though those are soooo good!)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Trends
Another successful day, I'd say! Some healthy meal choices, including a wheat bread bologna sandwich again, and I grabbed up more English muffins, grapes and strawberries from the store. I also felt pretty accomplished, helping Mom say no to ice cream! We actually had a discussion about it, and spent about 10 minutes down the ice cream aisle, reading the nutrition facts on some of the boxes.
I had asked Mom if I really wanted ice cream, should I eat a low fat version, or a no sugar added kind, or if I should just try sherbert instead. Basically, she said that for the ice creams that take something out (fat or sugar), they have to add something else in to make it taste the same (fat or sugar). So if you take one bad thing out, you're adding another right back in there. So really, it's best to just stick with the stuff that has the most benefits (Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Raspberry ice cream bars have 2g of fiber!), but eat less of it (only around 5g of sugar per serving). Another thing we decided on is that Dove dark chocolate bites are the perfect snack, and boy am I craving one or two of those!
Another success story involves bowling - I actually got up and practiced today, and for a whole 3 game set threw the ball very well. Bowling has been a constant sore spot for me the last few months, so to finally make some progress today has definitely lifted my spirits and encouraged me to go out and do more. I've also given myself a goal, with the promise of a reward at the end, if I manage to do well.
As for the link I promise last night... here it is! Best and Worst Food Trends 2012. This article offers 4 good trends and 4 bad trends. As far as bad trends are concerned, I'm most upset with the "all natural" one. I mean, isn't that false advertising? It feels like it's so hard to get away from all of the artificial crap they pump into our food. I'm actually quite upset to learn how abused the word "natural" is. Part of the responsibility is on us as consumers, but they're certainly not making it easy for someone like me!
A good trend that I'm excited to learn about is that many restaurants and brands are cutting back on the amount of sodium in their food/products. I've cut out a lot of overly salty products from my diet already (potato chips, for example), and I try not to overuse salt when I cook. I also make sure to buy low-sodium varieties of soup and other products when available. Like the article says, salt doesn't necessarily make you fat, but it makes you retain water weight, which we don't want!
Actually, I'm pretty excited about all 4 of the good trends for this year. Healthier fast-food breakfast options just in case I'm on the go, out of town, or running late? Yes please. And dessert shooters at restaurants? If I eat a healthy menu option and eat well during the rest of the day, I might get to have a sweet treat once in a while! Yes!!
Speaking of sweet treats, I'm hoping to start finding and preparing some awesome recipes for snacks that will fill you up but still be healthy, as well as some alternatives for dessert that will let you satisfy that craving for something sweet. (Mmmm, chocolate!) If you have any good recipes or links, feel free to share them here!
I had asked Mom if I really wanted ice cream, should I eat a low fat version, or a no sugar added kind, or if I should just try sherbert instead. Basically, she said that for the ice creams that take something out (fat or sugar), they have to add something else in to make it taste the same (fat or sugar). So if you take one bad thing out, you're adding another right back in there. So really, it's best to just stick with the stuff that has the most benefits (Weight Watchers Dark Chocolate Raspberry ice cream bars have 2g of fiber!), but eat less of it (only around 5g of sugar per serving). Another thing we decided on is that Dove dark chocolate bites are the perfect snack, and boy am I craving one or two of those!
Another success story involves bowling - I actually got up and practiced today, and for a whole 3 game set threw the ball very well. Bowling has been a constant sore spot for me the last few months, so to finally make some progress today has definitely lifted my spirits and encouraged me to go out and do more. I've also given myself a goal, with the promise of a reward at the end, if I manage to do well.
As for the link I promise last night... here it is! Best and Worst Food Trends 2012. This article offers 4 good trends and 4 bad trends. As far as bad trends are concerned, I'm most upset with the "all natural" one. I mean, isn't that false advertising? It feels like it's so hard to get away from all of the artificial crap they pump into our food. I'm actually quite upset to learn how abused the word "natural" is. Part of the responsibility is on us as consumers, but they're certainly not making it easy for someone like me!
A good trend that I'm excited to learn about is that many restaurants and brands are cutting back on the amount of sodium in their food/products. I've cut out a lot of overly salty products from my diet already (potato chips, for example), and I try not to overuse salt when I cook. I also make sure to buy low-sodium varieties of soup and other products when available. Like the article says, salt doesn't necessarily make you fat, but it makes you retain water weight, which we don't want!
Actually, I'm pretty excited about all 4 of the good trends for this year. Healthier fast-food breakfast options just in case I'm on the go, out of town, or running late? Yes please. And dessert shooters at restaurants? If I eat a healthy menu option and eat well during the rest of the day, I might get to have a sweet treat once in a while! Yes!!
Speaking of sweet treats, I'm hoping to start finding and preparing some awesome recipes for snacks that will fill you up but still be healthy, as well as some alternatives for dessert that will let you satisfy that craving for something sweet. (Mmmm, chocolate!) If you have any good recipes or links, feel free to share them here!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sleepy
What a long day! Up early to bowl in a tournament, I didn't do so well, and then I find out I have to go in to my internship in the morning, when I was told I had the day off.
One of the awesome things about today is that Nate got up early to make breakfast! He made some super yummy eggs, wheat toast and sausage, delicious! I made sure to pack an apple and a few strawberries to snack on at the tournament - instead of getting that tasty bowling alley food. I also made my own chicken salad last night! Very proud, and it turned out great! It was a good snack for the ride home, and it was on wheat crackers! And for dinner I had an open-faced PB&J sandwich, since I was still relatively full from the strawberries and chicken salad.
Not sure yet what I want to eat tomorrow, but there's definitely some new fruit in the house - grapes!! - and some lunch meat left, so I'm thinking and indoor picnic? Also looking forward to a good practice session in the afternoon, and getting that homework done!
I did find an interesting article online today, but I didn't get a chance to finish reading it yet, so be on the lookout tomorrow - hopefully it'll be insightful!
One of the awesome things about today is that Nate got up early to make breakfast! He made some super yummy eggs, wheat toast and sausage, delicious! I made sure to pack an apple and a few strawberries to snack on at the tournament - instead of getting that tasty bowling alley food. I also made my own chicken salad last night! Very proud, and it turned out great! It was a good snack for the ride home, and it was on wheat crackers! And for dinner I had an open-faced PB&J sandwich, since I was still relatively full from the strawberries and chicken salad.
Not sure yet what I want to eat tomorrow, but there's definitely some new fruit in the house - grapes!! - and some lunch meat left, so I'm thinking and indoor picnic? Also looking forward to a good practice session in the afternoon, and getting that homework done!
I did find an interesting article online today, but I didn't get a chance to finish reading it yet, so be on the lookout tomorrow - hopefully it'll be insightful!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Rooting for the Underdog
Yeah, I'm watching football, cheering for the underdog. Glad to see the 49ers win, hoping Denver can pull it out too!
Alright! Yummy breakfast today, another muffin and banana, and it kept me full until dinnertime. Nate's parents took us out tonight, which was a challenge. But I didn't want to say no and spoil some family time. First, I only drank water, yay! No soda, no adult beverage, and it felt great! I also got a club sandwich on wheat bread, and I only ate half of it, instead of forcing myself to eat it all. Oh, and I cheated with a couple fries too. (Only a couple, I promise!) I'm also thinking about a Snickers as a treat tonight - I haven't had a dessert in a while, and I've already got a day full of yummy meals and very healthy snacks for tomorrow, plus they say if you're going to choose a candy bar you should choose a Snickers because it has peanuts in it, yum protein! (See: Fun, Sneaky Ways to Lose Weight )
Here's another link I'd like to leave you with. I originally shared it on Facebook just before starting this blog, so some of you might have seen it already, but I think it's worth sharing again. Best Ways to Stop Your Food Cravings. One that I'd like to add myself is to simply drink a full glass of water when you think you're feeling hungry. The key is to really figure out if your body needs food, or if your brain just thinks it wants food. In the past, I gave in to a lot of the wanting part, and you add that on top of the needing, and you end up 40 pounds heavier than you want to be.
Something I'd like to try... if anyone out there is actually reading this and you have any serious questions for me, I want to hear from you. It would give me a good direction to go when I'm crafting these posts, so I don't just bore you with updates about what I eat. You can post them in the comments sections, or on my Facebook, and I'll try to answer every single one. It can be a question for me personally (about my struggles, my motivation, etc.) or it can be a question about being healthy and physical fitness, which would also help guide my research throughout this process. Is there something you've always wanted to know about calorie-counting? Or the best way to craft a work out? Ask me, and I'll do my best to figure it out.
Keep an eye out tomorrow to see what I made for lunch tomorrow! Until then...
Alright! Yummy breakfast today, another muffin and banana, and it kept me full until dinnertime. Nate's parents took us out tonight, which was a challenge. But I didn't want to say no and spoil some family time. First, I only drank water, yay! No soda, no adult beverage, and it felt great! I also got a club sandwich on wheat bread, and I only ate half of it, instead of forcing myself to eat it all. Oh, and I cheated with a couple fries too. (Only a couple, I promise!) I'm also thinking about a Snickers as a treat tonight - I haven't had a dessert in a while, and I've already got a day full of yummy meals and very healthy snacks for tomorrow, plus they say if you're going to choose a candy bar you should choose a Snickers because it has peanuts in it, yum protein! (See: Fun, Sneaky Ways to Lose Weight )
Here's another link I'd like to leave you with. I originally shared it on Facebook just before starting this blog, so some of you might have seen it already, but I think it's worth sharing again. Best Ways to Stop Your Food Cravings. One that I'd like to add myself is to simply drink a full glass of water when you think you're feeling hungry. The key is to really figure out if your body needs food, or if your brain just thinks it wants food. In the past, I gave in to a lot of the wanting part, and you add that on top of the needing, and you end up 40 pounds heavier than you want to be.
Something I'd like to try... if anyone out there is actually reading this and you have any serious questions for me, I want to hear from you. It would give me a good direction to go when I'm crafting these posts, so I don't just bore you with updates about what I eat. You can post them in the comments sections, or on my Facebook, and I'll try to answer every single one. It can be a question for me personally (about my struggles, my motivation, etc.) or it can be a question about being healthy and physical fitness, which would also help guide my research throughout this process. Is there something you've always wanted to know about calorie-counting? Or the best way to craft a work out? Ask me, and I'll do my best to figure it out.
Keep an eye out tomorrow to see what I made for lunch tomorrow! Until then...
Friday, January 13, 2012
Baby, It's COLD Outside
Whew. Almost forgot my doctors appointment this morning! Luckily I didn't, because I got some uplifting news! I weighed in at 181.5 lbs on Wednesday December 28th, and started this journey 6 days ago. I can only imagine that I might've gained a pound or two between my first "weigh in" and when I started eating healthy. Well, today I weighed in at 178!! It's only a 3.5 lb loss, but I'll take it! It's a step in the right direction, and a good boost to morale so I can keep going. Pardon me while I do my happy dance!
So, everything went as planned today - the stir fry was extra yummy, and I got a few minutes of practice in while I could. I'm going to be a mall walker tomorrow with Nathan, to keep active but out of the snow, and attempting to make some chicken salad to go with the wheat crackers we just bought today.
Other than that, I'm just mentally preparing for the tournament on Sunday, and hopefully doing some of that research I talked about yesterday. ;D Happy Friday!
So, everything went as planned today - the stir fry was extra yummy, and I got a few minutes of practice in while I could. I'm going to be a mall walker tomorrow with Nathan, to keep active but out of the snow, and attempting to make some chicken salad to go with the wheat crackers we just bought today.
Other than that, I'm just mentally preparing for the tournament on Sunday, and hopefully doing some of that research I talked about yesterday. ;D Happy Friday!
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Bowling Alley Food
...is not good for you! But it tastes so delicious! I'm in a bowling alley so often, and I didn't even think about how the fact that I've taken that deliciousness away from myself! Today I was strong though, and only took one bite of chicken, and 3 fries, and only because I was really, really hungry from not eating yesterday.
All that said, I had a pretty good day today. I got up early and worked on homework until school. I was really craving milk this morning - a sign that I'm definitely feeling better - so I had one bowl of cereal, and for dinner I had a bagel with a little cream cheese. Nothing fancy, nothing fruity, but besides that aforementioned bowling alley bites, that's all I ate today. Probably not the best way to eat healthy, but I was afraid to eat too much after being so sick, plus I didn't have much of an appetite. I ate when I felt hungry, and stopped when I felt full, so I wasn't forcing myself to make up for what I had lost the day before. I was also quite dehydrated, so all I really wanted was a lot of water.
Tomorrow's plan is to get in a good walk on the treadmill - 20 degrees and snow outside, yikes! - before some more practice for the tournament this weekend. I'm looking forward to some more hydrating, a fiber muffin and some homemade chicken and veggie stir fry. Also need to plan my meals for Sunday, since I'll be spending a good portion of it in a bowling alley!
Before I go, I wanted to share this link I found last week. It's a few weird weight loss tricks, a couple of which I'd like to try. This is the article that made me decide to want to really buckle down and lose weight, because I'm not the best at using traditional methods. So, I thought that by trying to add one or two of these, I might be more successful. (I've done #8 the "toothpaste diet" - works!!)
Read for yourself: Weird Weight Loss Tricks Really Work! (It should open in a new window!)
All that said, I had a pretty good day today. I got up early and worked on homework until school. I was really craving milk this morning - a sign that I'm definitely feeling better - so I had one bowl of cereal, and for dinner I had a bagel with a little cream cheese. Nothing fancy, nothing fruity, but besides that aforementioned bowling alley bites, that's all I ate today. Probably not the best way to eat healthy, but I was afraid to eat too much after being so sick, plus I didn't have much of an appetite. I ate when I felt hungry, and stopped when I felt full, so I wasn't forcing myself to make up for what I had lost the day before. I was also quite dehydrated, so all I really wanted was a lot of water.
Tomorrow's plan is to get in a good walk on the treadmill - 20 degrees and snow outside, yikes! - before some more practice for the tournament this weekend. I'm looking forward to some more hydrating, a fiber muffin and some homemade chicken and veggie stir fry. Also need to plan my meals for Sunday, since I'll be spending a good portion of it in a bowling alley!
Before I go, I wanted to share this link I found last week. It's a few weird weight loss tricks, a couple of which I'd like to try. This is the article that made me decide to want to really buckle down and lose weight, because I'm not the best at using traditional methods. So, I thought that by trying to add one or two of these, I might be more successful. (I've done #8 the "toothpaste diet" - works!!)
Read for yourself: Weird Weight Loss Tricks Really Work! (It should open in a new window!)
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Oh So Sick!
Maybe my hunger pains last night were actually the warning signs that I'd caught a stomach bug? Ew.
Spent most of the morning puking my guts up, and the rest of the day sleeping and trying to get something to stay down. Managed a glass of water, some saltines, a tiny baked potato, and a glass of warm Vernors to finish the night.
Still not feeling great, but hopefully tomorrow I can get back to somewhat of a more normal routine and work in some active time! For now, time to get some more sleep.... Zzzzzz....
Spent most of the morning puking my guts up, and the rest of the day sleeping and trying to get something to stay down. Managed a glass of water, some saltines, a tiny baked potato, and a glass of warm Vernors to finish the night.
Still not feeling great, but hopefully tomorrow I can get back to somewhat of a more normal routine and work in some active time! For now, time to get some more sleep.... Zzzzzz....
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Short and Naturally Sweet
Just a short, quick update tonight, since I just got home from class and have to be up again at 3 a.m. Ai yai yai!
No walk again today, because I was still feeling very drained. I'm thinking it's because I didn't eat enough of the filling foods yesterday. I'm guessing I need more protein? I'm not sure, so that's one of the things I need to learn more about. Obviously you don't want to eat a lot of bad carbs and sugars, but I need more of the good stuff that'll fill me up without having to eat too much of it.
Same thing goes for today, honestly. I had another English muffin today, minus the jelly. I took a bowl of strawberries and blueberries as a mid-afternoon snack since I ate breakfast pretty late. (I decided to get ready for school before eating.) I had a wheat bread PB&J sandwich for dinner, a whole apple and a Fiber One 90 Calorie bar as a special treat for myself, a low-calorie way to satisfy the chocolate cravings I've been having. (Those are the worst!) All that being said, I'm STARVING. At least, I think I am... normally, I'd give in and have a bagel or a bowl of cereal, watch a little TV and then crawl into bed. But I know better, so I'm going to bed hungry, and I'll try to eat better tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow, it should be interesting. I know I can eat healthy at home, but Nate and I are going to a special dinner at Roast - CAN'T WAIT - but I have to make sure I don't overeat for the rest of the day. More apples and strawberries please! Also, no excuses! I'm going for a bike ride with Parker tomorrow, and I might even have to walk on the treadmill after dinner to work off the filet mignon and macaroni and cheese!
Pictures are coming soon, I promise. (Especially of tomorrow's dinner!) I'm also going to share a few links I like, and hopefully get some research done so I can share some good stuff with anyone else who might be following along and attempting a weight loss journey of their own. *cough*MomandRachel*cough*
Everyone out there supporting me, thank you again, because after 3 days I had already thought about giving up, but after some kind words and hearing that I'm motivating others, I know that I can't. Like Mom said, it takes three weeks to make it a habit, and this is definitely a habit I want to keep.
No walk again today, because I was still feeling very drained. I'm thinking it's because I didn't eat enough of the filling foods yesterday. I'm guessing I need more protein? I'm not sure, so that's one of the things I need to learn more about. Obviously you don't want to eat a lot of bad carbs and sugars, but I need more of the good stuff that'll fill me up without having to eat too much of it.
Same thing goes for today, honestly. I had another English muffin today, minus the jelly. I took a bowl of strawberries and blueberries as a mid-afternoon snack since I ate breakfast pretty late. (I decided to get ready for school before eating.) I had a wheat bread PB&J sandwich for dinner, a whole apple and a Fiber One 90 Calorie bar as a special treat for myself, a low-calorie way to satisfy the chocolate cravings I've been having. (Those are the worst!) All that being said, I'm STARVING. At least, I think I am... normally, I'd give in and have a bagel or a bowl of cereal, watch a little TV and then crawl into bed. But I know better, so I'm going to bed hungry, and I'll try to eat better tomorrow.
Speaking of tomorrow, it should be interesting. I know I can eat healthy at home, but Nate and I are going to a special dinner at Roast - CAN'T WAIT - but I have to make sure I don't overeat for the rest of the day. More apples and strawberries please! Also, no excuses! I'm going for a bike ride with Parker tomorrow, and I might even have to walk on the treadmill after dinner to work off the filet mignon and macaroni and cheese!
Pictures are coming soon, I promise. (Especially of tomorrow's dinner!) I'm also going to share a few links I like, and hopefully get some research done so I can share some good stuff with anyone else who might be following along and attempting a weight loss journey of their own. *cough*MomandRachel*cough*
Everyone out there supporting me, thank you again, because after 3 days I had already thought about giving up, but after some kind words and hearing that I'm motivating others, I know that I can't. Like Mom said, it takes three weeks to make it a habit, and this is definitely a habit I want to keep.
Monday, January 9, 2012
And They're Off!
Today was a rather weak and uneventful start to this process. It's going to be a lot harder than I thought...
For the most part, I feel like I did a lot better with managing my food. I started with a fiber-packed light multi-grain English muffin, with a tiny bit of PB&J at 3 a.m. Blah. (The muffin was good, the wake-up call was not.) Last night I pre-packed a breakfast for my internship - I took a packet of oatmeal, added a good-sized teaspoon of brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon, and made it with some milk. (I skipped the packet of sweetener I usually use, and cut back on the amount of brown sugar by a third.) I also took a whole Jazz apple, peeled and cored, as well as a banana. I ended up eating the apple and oatmeal, but wasn't feeling that hungry, so I skipped the banana and saved it for later. When I got home, I had a bologna sandwich on wheat bread, lots of lettuce. Yum! And for dinner I made 2 scrambled eggs, no salt, my banana and a glass of OJ.
I managed to skip any unnecessary snacking, and avoided any type of guilty pleasure like cookies or soda. Here's where it got tough though... I was so wiped out from being up at 3, and quite sore from my frozen bike rides the last few days that all I could manage to do was crawl in bed and nap for a few hours. No walk, no bike ride today. Quite upsetting.
A further explanation for skipping my bike ride is because I've been dealing with some rather uncomfortable pain in my lower body. I've been seeing a chiropractor for the last 8 months or so, and have been feeling a lot better than normal, but with the loss of my job (twice now), I had to cancel my appointment for today and can't reschedule until I find another form of income. It's rough because this pain not only effects my ability to be active, it also impairs my bowling and causes me to lose sleep because I can't get comfortable. No amount of stretching, ice, or heat has helped reduce or relieve the pain. Regular visits to the chiropractor and Aleve have. However, I'm not a big fan of taking medication unless absolutely necessary, and since this isn't blinding pain, I'd rather not take anything. I might have to take it easy some days, and just do as much physical activity as my body can handle. I'm not sure what else I can do, but if anyone has any advice, feel free to share because like I said before, I want to do this more than anything, but my body isn't exactly cooperating.
Oh, one more thing before I go... I swear, if I see one more person quoting Billy Madison about going back to school, I might just lose it. Good night =)
For the most part, I feel like I did a lot better with managing my food. I started with a fiber-packed light multi-grain English muffin, with a tiny bit of PB&J at 3 a.m. Blah. (The muffin was good, the wake-up call was not.) Last night I pre-packed a breakfast for my internship - I took a packet of oatmeal, added a good-sized teaspoon of brown sugar and a pinch of cinnamon, and made it with some milk. (I skipped the packet of sweetener I usually use, and cut back on the amount of brown sugar by a third.) I also took a whole Jazz apple, peeled and cored, as well as a banana. I ended up eating the apple and oatmeal, but wasn't feeling that hungry, so I skipped the banana and saved it for later. When I got home, I had a bologna sandwich on wheat bread, lots of lettuce. Yum! And for dinner I made 2 scrambled eggs, no salt, my banana and a glass of OJ.
I managed to skip any unnecessary snacking, and avoided any type of guilty pleasure like cookies or soda. Here's where it got tough though... I was so wiped out from being up at 3, and quite sore from my frozen bike rides the last few days that all I could manage to do was crawl in bed and nap for a few hours. No walk, no bike ride today. Quite upsetting.
A further explanation for skipping my bike ride is because I've been dealing with some rather uncomfortable pain in my lower body. I've been seeing a chiropractor for the last 8 months or so, and have been feeling a lot better than normal, but with the loss of my job (twice now), I had to cancel my appointment for today and can't reschedule until I find another form of income. It's rough because this pain not only effects my ability to be active, it also impairs my bowling and causes me to lose sleep because I can't get comfortable. No amount of stretching, ice, or heat has helped reduce or relieve the pain. Regular visits to the chiropractor and Aleve have. However, I'm not a big fan of taking medication unless absolutely necessary, and since this isn't blinding pain, I'd rather not take anything. I might have to take it easy some days, and just do as much physical activity as my body can handle. I'm not sure what else I can do, but if anyone has any advice, feel free to share because like I said before, I want to do this more than anything, but my body isn't exactly cooperating.
Oh, one more thing before I go... I swear, if I see one more person quoting Billy Madison about going back to school, I might just lose it. Good night =)
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Here Goes Nothing
Where to begin? How about with the truth. I'm not happy with myself, plain and simple. I'm not unhappy about my relationships or school, but I'm unhappy with my body. I knew it six months ago when stretch marks showed up on my legs, when I couldn't fit in my size 8 jeans anymore, and I definitely knew it when I stepped on the scale at the doctors office last week and the number glaring up at me was 181.5.
Some of you might be saying, Wow, 180 is great! Size 12 is beautiful! I don't buy it. By no means do I need to be a size 0, or weigh 100 pounds. But I've been healthier and smaller and weighed a lot less than 180, and I was all of that only 2 years ago.
Honestly, my unhappiness isn't solely based on the number, but more about how I feel, how I look, and how healthy I am. Aside from bowling and walking at work, I am in no way active. I indulge in a snack (or two or three) almost every day that isn't healthy for me, I eat late at night, and I eat in front of the TV. I've broken just about every rule of healthy eating and have done everything right to gain weight, not lose it. It's time to fix that.
According to the BMI calculator on webMD, I'm overweight.
The person's weight in pounds and height in inches: BMI = (pounds x 700) divided by (inches squared)
For me, that means (181.5 x 700) / (67 in squared) = 127050 / 4489 = 28.3
If your BMI is 25 to 29.9, you are in the overweight category.
This was absolutely frightening to learn. While falling into this category doesn't necessarily mean you're unhealthy, I know I am, since I'm not active and my eating habits are horrible. Bordering that close to obesity isn't a pleasant feeling. Ideally, I should weigh somewhere between 130 and 160, depending on my healthy habits.
My goal for myself is to weigh 140 pounds, and/or fit into a size 6, whichever comes first. The ultimate goal is to develop healthy and active habits so I can naturally prevent as many health problems as I can, and to get back to a place where I am comfortable with my body again.
What's my motivation? My health first and foremost. My poor puppy has also been suffering from a lack of activity, so she will be the motivation to get up and move, even if that means walks and bike rides in freezing weather. Second, my happiness. I've been so miserable with myself that it's been pouring out of me and into my relationships - not cool. And last but not least, my appearance. I want to wear that size 6!
So, how am I going to get this done? I already know I can take bike rides Mondays/Wednesdays after my internship, and Tuesdays/Thursdays before class, so that's a start. I'm also cutting out pop - except for the very occasional Bacardi and Coke - and chips, which I've done before, with success. I'd also like to cut out the fast food, i.e. Taco Bell and KFC. (So long grease-soaked beef product!) I can't deprive myself of all yummy-tasting foods - tried that, didn't work - but I can cut back; only one little snack per day, if I'm really feeling the urge and I've eaten healthy all day. (Only one scoop of ice cream, not four!) It's time to increase the amount of fruits and veggies I eat, and make sure I eat good stuff that makes me feel full so I eat less.
I'm also going to make every attempt to keep up with this blog. (I'm not even sure that anyone will read it, though I hope someone does.) I plan to keep track of everything I eat throughout the day, post it on here, and use that to really take a look at what I'm eating and how I can make it better. (I might even vent about the stuff that's bugging me, sorry!) I'm going to be completely honest with myself and anyone who might read this. I might include pictures of food, motivation, or even my stretch marks (ugh). I'm going to share any progress I feel I've made, as well as any success I might have found in other parts of my life.
It's time to make a change in my life so that I can be happy again, and I'm willing to try anything. If you're reading this, thank you. If you're supporting me, thank you. If you're here to hold me back, get out of my way, because I want this more than anything right now, and I will run you over like Ndomukong Suh. Here's to 2012 and getting back to happy!
Some of you might be saying, Wow, 180 is great! Size 12 is beautiful! I don't buy it. By no means do I need to be a size 0, or weigh 100 pounds. But I've been healthier and smaller and weighed a lot less than 180, and I was all of that only 2 years ago.
Honestly, my unhappiness isn't solely based on the number, but more about how I feel, how I look, and how healthy I am. Aside from bowling and walking at work, I am in no way active. I indulge in a snack (or two or three) almost every day that isn't healthy for me, I eat late at night, and I eat in front of the TV. I've broken just about every rule of healthy eating and have done everything right to gain weight, not lose it. It's time to fix that.
According to the BMI calculator on webMD, I'm overweight.
The person's weight in pounds and height in inches: BMI = (pounds x 700) divided by (inches squared)
For me, that means (181.5 x 700) / (67 in squared) = 127050 / 4489 = 28.3
If your BMI is 25 to 29.9, you are in the overweight category.
This was absolutely frightening to learn. While falling into this category doesn't necessarily mean you're unhealthy, I know I am, since I'm not active and my eating habits are horrible. Bordering that close to obesity isn't a pleasant feeling. Ideally, I should weigh somewhere between 130 and 160, depending on my healthy habits.
My goal for myself is to weigh 140 pounds, and/or fit into a size 6, whichever comes first. The ultimate goal is to develop healthy and active habits so I can naturally prevent as many health problems as I can, and to get back to a place where I am comfortable with my body again.
What's my motivation? My health first and foremost. My poor puppy has also been suffering from a lack of activity, so she will be the motivation to get up and move, even if that means walks and bike rides in freezing weather. Second, my happiness. I've been so miserable with myself that it's been pouring out of me and into my relationships - not cool. And last but not least, my appearance. I want to wear that size 6!
So, how am I going to get this done? I already know I can take bike rides Mondays/Wednesdays after my internship, and Tuesdays/Thursdays before class, so that's a start. I'm also cutting out pop - except for the very occasional Bacardi and Coke - and chips, which I've done before, with success. I'd also like to cut out the fast food, i.e. Taco Bell and KFC. (So long grease-soaked beef product!) I can't deprive myself of all yummy-tasting foods - tried that, didn't work - but I can cut back; only one little snack per day, if I'm really feeling the urge and I've eaten healthy all day. (Only one scoop of ice cream, not four!) It's time to increase the amount of fruits and veggies I eat, and make sure I eat good stuff that makes me feel full so I eat less.
I'm also going to make every attempt to keep up with this blog. (I'm not even sure that anyone will read it, though I hope someone does.) I plan to keep track of everything I eat throughout the day, post it on here, and use that to really take a look at what I'm eating and how I can make it better. (I might even vent about the stuff that's bugging me, sorry!) I'm going to be completely honest with myself and anyone who might read this. I might include pictures of food, motivation, or even my stretch marks (ugh). I'm going to share any progress I feel I've made, as well as any success I might have found in other parts of my life.
It's time to make a change in my life so that I can be happy again, and I'm willing to try anything. If you're reading this, thank you. If you're supporting me, thank you. If you're here to hold me back, get out of my way, because I want this more than anything right now, and I will run you over like Ndomukong Suh. Here's to 2012 and getting back to happy!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)