I recently had the opportunity to read Tim Ferriss's The Four Hour Body. His book is worth a look - quite an interesting viewpoint. The diet he promotes is low carb, but he encourages beans or lentils - a lot of them.
What interested me, though, was the excuses I read:
"This is obviously written for a bachelor/young man who eats out twice a day."
"I can't follow this because I'm a woman and this was written for a man."
"I can't do this because I'm a mother with young children at home and I'd have to prepare two meals."
"I can't....
"I can't....
See the pattern?
Honestly, darn near any weight loss program you choose to follow will work over time. Watch your calories, up your protein (ladies especially), eat lots of vegetables, easy on the fruit, no processed foods.
If you want something, you will find a way. If not, you will find an excuse.
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight loss. Show all posts
Monday, April 9, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
Running and Meal Planning
I have managed to end the week on a high note, having consistently run every morning (interval sprints, 6 rounds). If you know me, you know that I am not a runner - it's just not something I care for, probably because I always end up sounding like I'm about to have a heart attack at any moment.
I've also gone back to planning my meals better now that my round is over. See, with kids at home, I find it challenging to come up with healthy meals that are really conducive to weight loss. I just think that cooking good, homemade meals (as opposed to processed foods) is just better for you than junk foods.
So last week I sat down and came up with a menu for over a week. I created "planned over" meals (for example, planning a beef soup using the broth from a pot roast I made the previous day), and ended up with delicious meals for almost two weeks.
I really think that putting thought and planning - including planning dessert - into mealtimes will get you a lot further than doing things at the spur of the moment. We were having too many evenings where I would just grab a pizza because I could not face planning, shopping, cooking..... and then I'd have "just a slice" and there went my diet for the day.
Plan ahead - you'll eat better, feel better, and save money too! It makes it so much easier to stick to the protocol!
I've also gone back to planning my meals better now that my round is over. See, with kids at home, I find it challenging to come up with healthy meals that are really conducive to weight loss. I just think that cooking good, homemade meals (as opposed to processed foods) is just better for you than junk foods.
So last week I sat down and came up with a menu for over a week. I created "planned over" meals (for example, planning a beef soup using the broth from a pot roast I made the previous day), and ended up with delicious meals for almost two weeks.
I really think that putting thought and planning - including planning dessert - into mealtimes will get you a lot further than doing things at the spur of the moment. We were having too many evenings where I would just grab a pizza because I could not face planning, shopping, cooking..... and then I'd have "just a slice" and there went my diet for the day.
Plan ahead - you'll eat better, feel better, and save money too! It makes it so much easier to stick to the protocol!
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Breaking Plateaus
Well, 23 days into a 40 day round and I've been on a plateau for a week and a half. I've lost 7 pounds overall, but the scale is now stubbornly refusing to budge. What to do, what to do?
1. I am going to add exercise back in, slowly and gently. I haven't been going to the gym because of mental and emotional overload, I'd prefer to work out outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. So, now that the warm weather seems to be coming to stay, I plan to do interval walking/running for 30 minutes every evening before bed.
2. A more fun way to spike the metabolism is the cheat day. On HCG, we take our "cheats" at the beginning in the three load days. I have heard doctors and health professionals say that one "cheat" day a week helps boost the metabolism and break a plateau. I believe I can hold out and have a Saturday cheat day this week and see if that works. (And by "cheat," it will be a full-on eat-till-I-want-to-puke load day.) That's if I don't break the plateau before then. Sometimes, too, we just can't take dieting anymore. I'm hoping the "re-load" will help.
3. Add breakfast. Something as simple as a protein shake in the morning may help. A scoop of vanilla protein, a double handful of frozen strawberries, and water, and whirl in the blender. The nice thing is that it almost feels like a cheat in and of itself. Another good breakfast if you're in a hurry would be simply to hard-boil some eggs the night before and eat them in the morning. What you want in the morning is protein - it keeps the hungries away.
I can see some differences, however - jeans fitting a bit looser, tummy feeling a bit more toned - but not the differences I had expected this far into the round. Evidently I'm not doing what I need to do So....hopefully these tweaks will help me stay on protocol, and break the plateau. I'll keep ya posted!
1. I am going to add exercise back in, slowly and gently. I haven't been going to the gym because of mental and emotional overload, I'd prefer to work out outdoors in the fresh air and sunshine. So, now that the warm weather seems to be coming to stay, I plan to do interval walking/running for 30 minutes every evening before bed.
2. A more fun way to spike the metabolism is the cheat day. On HCG, we take our "cheats" at the beginning in the three load days. I have heard doctors and health professionals say that one "cheat" day a week helps boost the metabolism and break a plateau. I believe I can hold out and have a Saturday cheat day this week and see if that works. (And by "cheat," it will be a full-on eat-till-I-want-to-puke load day.) That's if I don't break the plateau before then. Sometimes, too, we just can't take dieting anymore. I'm hoping the "re-load" will help.
3. Add breakfast. Something as simple as a protein shake in the morning may help. A scoop of vanilla protein, a double handful of frozen strawberries, and water, and whirl in the blender. The nice thing is that it almost feels like a cheat in and of itself. Another good breakfast if you're in a hurry would be simply to hard-boil some eggs the night before and eat them in the morning. What you want in the morning is protein - it keeps the hungries away.
I can see some differences, however - jeans fitting a bit looser, tummy feeling a bit more toned - but not the differences I had expected this far into the round. Evidently I'm not doing what I need to do So....hopefully these tweaks will help me stay on protocol, and break the plateau. I'll keep ya posted!
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Plateaus - and the Walmart HHCG
Well, first off, I need to adjust my review of WalMart's homeopathic HCG. It does work, but it tastes nasty, until you get used to it. (It's chocolate mint flavored. I didn't think anything could make me dislike chocolate mint. Eww.) Once you get used to it, it's not bad.
It does work. Did I mention that? Works just fine.
So, I've been plateaued for a week. It's been driving me crazy. Apple day helped some, but then I stalled again the next day. So I went back to that old standby that always helps me.
Exercise.
Now, Dr Simeons does not prescribe exercise in his protocol, but I suggest that you include it in your regimen if you are physically able to do so. Even if it's just a stroll around the block. Your body was designed to move, not to veg out in front of a screen. So start walking. Just gentle walking, you don't need to run or do power walks!
I would not suggest starting an Olympic training protocol while on the HCG protocol, but you do need to move.
My routine will be a run around the block. I do interval training - a 5 minute warm up, then 1 minute running and 2 minutes walking for six rounds, then a five minute cool down. However, I am used to training! I've been working out all my life on some level or another. I've worked with Olympic trainers and done boot camps, I've done a lot of weight training, and I will say this over and over.....
Listen to your body!
You may not be able to do what I do. Find something that is gentle enough for you to stick with, and then stick with it!
I'm kind of weird about working out these days, I'm so busy that I just can't stand to go to the gym and add another thing to my list. But I can manage a quick run around the block (and I do this just before bedtime, by the way). Somehow getting in the car to drive to the gym is just that one more thing I don't want to do.
So get out and move. There is so much to do!
Oh, and I dropped 2 pounds overnight after my first little run. It will work.
It does work. Did I mention that? Works just fine.
So, I've been plateaued for a week. It's been driving me crazy. Apple day helped some, but then I stalled again the next day. So I went back to that old standby that always helps me.
Exercise.
Now, Dr Simeons does not prescribe exercise in his protocol, but I suggest that you include it in your regimen if you are physically able to do so. Even if it's just a stroll around the block. Your body was designed to move, not to veg out in front of a screen. So start walking. Just gentle walking, you don't need to run or do power walks!
I would not suggest starting an Olympic training protocol while on the HCG protocol, but you do need to move.
My routine will be a run around the block. I do interval training - a 5 minute warm up, then 1 minute running and 2 minutes walking for six rounds, then a five minute cool down. However, I am used to training! I've been working out all my life on some level or another. I've worked with Olympic trainers and done boot camps, I've done a lot of weight training, and I will say this over and over.....
Listen to your body!
You may not be able to do what I do. Find something that is gentle enough for you to stick with, and then stick with it!
I'm kind of weird about working out these days, I'm so busy that I just can't stand to go to the gym and add another thing to my list. But I can manage a quick run around the block (and I do this just before bedtime, by the way). Somehow getting in the car to drive to the gym is just that one more thing I don't want to do.
So get out and move. There is so much to do!
Oh, and I dropped 2 pounds overnight after my first little run. It will work.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Weekends....
Weekends are hard for me when I'm dieting. See, I'm single. So I date a little. Which means....restaurants.
I very seldom eat at restaurants in any case... I like my own cooking. But, it's so hard to resist all those extras when someone else is cooking! However, I stuck to grilled chicken breast, salads with dressing on the side, vegetables, and steaks.
This weekend, I am up about a pound and a half. Not too bad, really, and I'm satisfied that I can get right back on track and start releasing again.
Stats: 165.8, down 4.2 overall.
I very seldom eat at restaurants in any case... I like my own cooking. But, it's so hard to resist all those extras when someone else is cooking! However, I stuck to grilled chicken breast, salads with dressing on the side, vegetables, and steaks.
This weekend, I am up about a pound and a half. Not too bad, really, and I'm satisfied that I can get right back on track and start releasing again.
Stats: 165.8, down 4.2 overall.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Dealing with Cravings
I thought the first three days would be the hardest, but I would kill someone for a piece of cake. Or a box of Nilla wafers. I hope this eases up!
We had a Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts last night, and some sick person brought a chocolate cake. With chocolate icing. I adore chocolate. My ex came since our Jared was receiving awards (the religious square knot and his 5th Arrow Point on the Wolf Trail) and kept offering that cake to me.
Or a hamburger. With french fries. And fry sauce. Or onion rings.
Oh, well, I will hold strong. I'm drinking lots and lots of water, some with Crystal Light, so I don't feel hungry. I'm really not hungry, I just want to eat. Since I can recognize the difference, I can tap on it and hold strong through it. Sometimes it's just a matter of staying busy. Sometimes it's a matter of just looking at the photo I have of when I was thin, and knowing that I just have 35 more days to go, and then I'll be at my goal weight.
The thing to remember is that this is all worth it....
So: Lots of water, green tea, coffee, diet soda (or whatever other liquids work for you), and hold out just a little longer. Reach out for support. Hang in there. Sometimes just getting busy for 15 minutes at a time will help. EFT helps.
Stats: Weight this morning, 165.4, down 4.6 pounds in 4 days from start weight of 170.0. Consistent loss of a pound a day. GOAL: 135.
We had a Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts last night, and some sick person brought a chocolate cake. With chocolate icing. I adore chocolate. My ex came since our Jared was receiving awards (the religious square knot and his 5th Arrow Point on the Wolf Trail) and kept offering that cake to me.
Or a hamburger. With french fries. And fry sauce. Or onion rings.
Oh, well, I will hold strong. I'm drinking lots and lots of water, some with Crystal Light, so I don't feel hungry. I'm really not hungry, I just want to eat. Since I can recognize the difference, I can tap on it and hold strong through it. Sometimes it's just a matter of staying busy. Sometimes it's a matter of just looking at the photo I have of when I was thin, and knowing that I just have 35 more days to go, and then I'll be at my goal weight.
The thing to remember is that this is all worth it....
So: Lots of water, green tea, coffee, diet soda (or whatever other liquids work for you), and hold out just a little longer. Reach out for support. Hang in there. Sometimes just getting busy for 15 minutes at a time will help. EFT helps.
Stats: Weight this morning, 165.4, down 4.6 pounds in 4 days from start weight of 170.0. Consistent loss of a pound a day. GOAL: 135.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Day 3 VLCD
I weighed in this morning at 166.4. That is down 3.6 pounds from my start weight of 170. I'm pretty hopeful now that a 40 day round will see me to my goal weight of 135. I am already seeing my tummy start to "deflate." It's exciting to see the changes so quickly!
One of the things I noticed before, is that if I allow myself a cheat -- even one -- it opens everything up and I might as well hang up the round. I have to be really, super careful. I'm like that in a lot of ways in my life - if I leave my savings account alone, I'm fine, but once I dip into it, it's open season. If I allow myself a day to sleep in, pretty soon I'm sleeping in all the time. It's like, once I cross that boundary, it becomes very difficult to re-establish that boundary.
One of the things I noticed before, is that if I allow myself a cheat -- even one -- it opens everything up and I might as well hang up the round. I have to be really, super careful. I'm like that in a lot of ways in my life - if I leave my savings account alone, I'm fine, but once I dip into it, it's open season. If I allow myself a day to sleep in, pretty soon I'm sleeping in all the time. It's like, once I cross that boundary, it becomes very difficult to re-establish that boundary.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Results from Day 1, how Day 2 is going
I began loading at a weight of 170.0. After load, my weight was 172.4. This morning, my weight was 167.4! That's down 5 pounds from yesterdays, weight, and 2.6 pounds from my start weight.
THIS is why I love this diet plan so much. The hunger isn't too bad, and the results are outstanding - and immediate!
I'm preparing my lunch right now. Salad with Waldon Farms dressing, grilled chicken, apple dusted with a bit of cinnamon. Dinner will be the same, but with asparagus instead of salad.
Incidentally, for the "You'll gain it back" crowd, I began this in 2010 at a high weight of 189. I have kept most of the weight off for 2 years. Once this weight comes off it is staying off for good. Part of the program is to weigh daily, so you can adjust your food intake, which I did. Most of the time when the weight is re-gained, it is because the habit of weighing in is lost. You can't manage what you don't measure!
Tips and tricks:
Weigh every day, whether you're on protocol or not. Then you can adjust your regimen if the weight begins to creep back on.
Waldon Farms dressing has no carbs, no fat, no sugar, no gluten, no calories. If you can't stand to skip dressing, try it and see if it stalls you.
If you don't like/can't find Waldon Farms, try putting your salad dressing on the side. Dip the fork into it before taking a bite of salad, you get just a bit of the salad dressing taste without the calories.
Have a mint if you are craving foods. Even water tastes nasty after a mint.
Water, water, water! Dr Simeon recommends a high fluid intake. Pure water is best, but Crystal Lite, or lemon in your water, green tea, herbal teas, or black coffee will do as well. I drink Diet Coke throughout, with lots of water, and that helps with the hunger. The carbonation helps me feel fuller as well.
The first 3 days are the hardest. HCG doesn't do much for hunger for me, it helps release the fat in the body. The first 3 days, the stomach is getting accustomed to the reduced food intake. After that, you'll be used to it and it will become easier. My first round, I almost didn't want to quit because I was used to it!
If you're going to an event, plan in advance (if you can) how you will handle food. For example, my son's Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts is tomorrow. I'd forgotten it when I began the protocol. We're having tacos. So I will enjoy the seasoned ground beef with lots of shredded lettuce. Voila! Taco salad!
THIS is why I love this diet plan so much. The hunger isn't too bad, and the results are outstanding - and immediate!
I'm preparing my lunch right now. Salad with Waldon Farms dressing, grilled chicken, apple dusted with a bit of cinnamon. Dinner will be the same, but with asparagus instead of salad.
Incidentally, for the "You'll gain it back" crowd, I began this in 2010 at a high weight of 189. I have kept most of the weight off for 2 years. Once this weight comes off it is staying off for good. Part of the program is to weigh daily, so you can adjust your food intake, which I did. Most of the time when the weight is re-gained, it is because the habit of weighing in is lost. You can't manage what you don't measure!
Tips and tricks:
Weigh every day, whether you're on protocol or not. Then you can adjust your regimen if the weight begins to creep back on.
Waldon Farms dressing has no carbs, no fat, no sugar, no gluten, no calories. If you can't stand to skip dressing, try it and see if it stalls you.
If you don't like/can't find Waldon Farms, try putting your salad dressing on the side. Dip the fork into it before taking a bite of salad, you get just a bit of the salad dressing taste without the calories.
Have a mint if you are craving foods. Even water tastes nasty after a mint.
Water, water, water! Dr Simeon recommends a high fluid intake. Pure water is best, but Crystal Lite, or lemon in your water, green tea, herbal teas, or black coffee will do as well. I drink Diet Coke throughout, with lots of water, and that helps with the hunger. The carbonation helps me feel fuller as well.
The first 3 days are the hardest. HCG doesn't do much for hunger for me, it helps release the fat in the body. The first 3 days, the stomach is getting accustomed to the reduced food intake. After that, you'll be used to it and it will become easier. My first round, I almost didn't want to quit because I was used to it!
If you're going to an event, plan in advance (if you can) how you will handle food. For example, my son's Blue and Gold Banquet for Cub Scouts is tomorrow. I'd forgotten it when I began the protocol. We're having tacos. So I will enjoy the seasoned ground beef with lots of shredded lettuce. Voila! Taco salad!
Sunday, February 26, 2012
So far, so good!
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I did gain 2 pounds during loading. However, that is perfectly normal on the HCG diet. I'm a little hungry today, but then again I only ate 1 meal instead of the 2 I am allowed - I wasn't hungry at dinnertime! Lunch was a chicken breast grilled on my George Foreman grill. I bought it because it's too cold to use the outdoor grill. And romaine lettuce, an apple, and the croutons from a Caesar Salad kit. It's a very filling lunch, and then at dinnertime I just wasn't hungry.
A cheat that I use to get some dressing taste (no dressings allowed except for balsamic vinegar), is to put the dressing in a cup on the side, dip my fork into it, then spear the lettuce. I get just a hint of dressing as opposed to a salad swimming in it, still get the taste, and don't stall my diet.
The absolute wonderful thing about this program is that it works, it works very quickly, and that I am able to easily keep the weight off once it's gone. Even the "approved" weight loss protocols don't do that. When I work out and eat well, I can only maintain. HCG is the only thing that has worked for me for weight loss.
The absolute wonderful thing about this program is that it works, it works very quickly, and that I am able to easily keep the weight off once it's gone. Even the "approved" weight loss protocols don't do that. When I work out and eat well, I can only maintain. HCG is the only thing that has worked for me for weight loss.
I'm still nursing that sore shoulder - the pain isn't as bad, but my arm still goes to sleep at inopportune times, like when my kids are leaning against me and want affection. It's irritating as can be.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Reviewing HCG
I am beginning a new round of HCG (today was my 2nd load day) and realized that not only am I nearly out, I don't know if I can get more from my supplier in time. So I've been looking at other brands of homeopathic HCG to see what my alternatives are.
I've been getting some good laughs reading the reviews. Remember - Homeopathic HCG has a vibrational fingerprint of HCG, so everyone who is used to the shots is screaming "Oh my hell, there's no HCG in that!" Of course not. And I don't care! I want to know one thing, and one thing only.
Does it work in conjunction with the Simeons Pounds and Inches protocol?
After reviewing several sites and brands, I have decided that nearly any brand will work. Don't freak out if it says "hormone free" - homeopathic does not contain anything but water. And that's OK, because it still works. I don't care if it's a placebo effect, I care if the scales are going down and my clothes are getting too big - and if I still feel good through the process.
Tomorrow I begin the diet itself. I've got chicken breast, apples, cucumbers, and lettuce waiting for me. After gorging for two days, I'm looking forward to eating what I know will work. Cucumbers are delicious sliced up with salt and maybe some hot sauce - just as good as chips! Apples with a dusting of cinnamon, perhaps a dip of stevia, strawberries dipped in a little stevia for a treat.... I am never hungry on HCG, in fact often the salad and protein are plenty.
I'd tried to do a few more rounds before, but just could not stick to the diet, mostly for emotional reasons, and ended up quitting within a couple of days. This time I have firmly decided that the last 40 pounds are coming off. I should reach that by Easter.
So far as the running, I'm struggling to get that done. I have come to enjoy running, but the added step of getting to the rec center seems to be more than I want to do right now. I did go yesterday, and I plan to go today. Last week I was so exhausted for some reason that I was sleeping 12 hours or more a day and just felt like I couldn't function. I don't know what the challenge was - last time that happened I was on vacation in Central America and fell asleep every time I was in the car, in addition to nights and siesta. I must have been pushing myself way too hard (which would also explain the shoulder injury).
I will report back tomorrow!
I've been getting some good laughs reading the reviews. Remember - Homeopathic HCG has a vibrational fingerprint of HCG, so everyone who is used to the shots is screaming "Oh my hell, there's no HCG in that!" Of course not. And I don't care! I want to know one thing, and one thing only.
Does it work in conjunction with the Simeons Pounds and Inches protocol?
After reviewing several sites and brands, I have decided that nearly any brand will work. Don't freak out if it says "hormone free" - homeopathic does not contain anything but water. And that's OK, because it still works. I don't care if it's a placebo effect, I care if the scales are going down and my clothes are getting too big - and if I still feel good through the process.
Tomorrow I begin the diet itself. I've got chicken breast, apples, cucumbers, and lettuce waiting for me. After gorging for two days, I'm looking forward to eating what I know will work. Cucumbers are delicious sliced up with salt and maybe some hot sauce - just as good as chips! Apples with a dusting of cinnamon, perhaps a dip of stevia, strawberries dipped in a little stevia for a treat.... I am never hungry on HCG, in fact often the salad and protein are plenty.
I'd tried to do a few more rounds before, but just could not stick to the diet, mostly for emotional reasons, and ended up quitting within a couple of days. This time I have firmly decided that the last 40 pounds are coming off. I should reach that by Easter.
So far as the running, I'm struggling to get that done. I have come to enjoy running, but the added step of getting to the rec center seems to be more than I want to do right now. I did go yesterday, and I plan to go today. Last week I was so exhausted for some reason that I was sleeping 12 hours or more a day and just felt like I couldn't function. I don't know what the challenge was - last time that happened I was on vacation in Central America and fell asleep every time I was in the car, in addition to nights and siesta. I must have been pushing myself way too hard (which would also explain the shoulder injury).
I will report back tomorrow!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
No running today....
Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate with me. And I've been exhausted all day. Ugh. Tomorrow, I will go to the city rec center and run there. (I hope they have treadmills.) At least it will be warm.
I noticed yesterday that I was a lot more winded than I had been after running. It will take some time to build up conditioning and shock my body into releasing the weight.
I also plan to do a salt water flush in the morning. Sounds pretty nasty, but if it helps me lose weight, I'm all for it.
I noticed yesterday that I was a lot more winded than I had been after running. It will take some time to build up conditioning and shock my body into releasing the weight.
I also plan to do a salt water flush in the morning. Sounds pretty nasty, but if it helps me lose weight, I'm all for it.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Getting back to workouts....
I injured my shoulder about 6 weeks ago. After 3 weeks of trying to work through/around it, I finally had to let it rest. It was bad enough that working was agony - and I work at the computer!
It's starting to get better, so I decided to start running again. I do interval runs only, 5 minutes of warm up walking, then 6 rounds of running for one minute, walking for 2. Then a 5 minute cool down.
Interval running burns more fat than "steady state" cardio does, and gets you into shape faster. I don't know if it's desirable to do the hard, hard, intense workouts - I know trainers who promote them, but I believe I can reach my goals with a much gentler approach. What good does it do me to work out hard if I keep hurting myself?
My plan is to maintain my nutrition, plenty of vegetables and fruit, lean protein, a gallon of water a day, and stay off the Diet Coke. I'm using this weekend to start easing myself into it. Then I'll do the "hard core" dieting during Lent, appropriately enough. :) Actually, 40 days ought to be enough time to take the bulk of the weight off and get used to a new eating plan. I will also do the interval runs every day except Sunday. I may run tomorrow anyway to establish the habit. (There is a major winter storm supposed to be coming in tonight, so the weather will be a factor in running tomorrow.)
So, anyway, I just finished my run, and it was very difficult this time. I was winded - I hadn't been winded during an interval run in ages. The lack of exercise has been showing up in a tighter (almost uncomfortable) fit to my jeans, not just on the scales. But since I know what to do, I'll keep up the hard work and know it will come back off. Then it will be a matter of working off the rest of the extra weight....
It's starting to get better, so I decided to start running again. I do interval runs only, 5 minutes of warm up walking, then 6 rounds of running for one minute, walking for 2. Then a 5 minute cool down.
Interval running burns more fat than "steady state" cardio does, and gets you into shape faster. I don't know if it's desirable to do the hard, hard, intense workouts - I know trainers who promote them, but I believe I can reach my goals with a much gentler approach. What good does it do me to work out hard if I keep hurting myself?
My plan is to maintain my nutrition, plenty of vegetables and fruit, lean protein, a gallon of water a day, and stay off the Diet Coke. I'm using this weekend to start easing myself into it. Then I'll do the "hard core" dieting during Lent, appropriately enough. :) Actually, 40 days ought to be enough time to take the bulk of the weight off and get used to a new eating plan. I will also do the interval runs every day except Sunday. I may run tomorrow anyway to establish the habit. (There is a major winter storm supposed to be coming in tonight, so the weather will be a factor in running tomorrow.)
So, anyway, I just finished my run, and it was very difficult this time. I was winded - I hadn't been winded during an interval run in ages. The lack of exercise has been showing up in a tighter (almost uncomfortable) fit to my jeans, not just on the scales. But since I know what to do, I'll keep up the hard work and know it will come back off. Then it will be a matter of working off the rest of the extra weight....
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Changing tactics
Well, it seems that I have to be very careful about exercise. I have injured my shoulder trying to do heavy workouts requiring a lot of focus early in the morning (when I'm honestly not yet awake). I have decided to stick to interval training in the evenings for now. I'm also watching what I eat very carefully. The weight is coming off more slowly, but it is coming off, and that is what counts!
Tips? Guess what, there's an app for almost anything you want to do!
The top thing I've found for weight loss is water. Lots and lots of water. Temperature doesn't seem to matter. I found a "Drinking Water" app for my android phone that allows me to keep track of how much water I'm drinking.
I'm also using "Lose It" for tracking food and exercise. I don't know how accurate it is, but it does help keep track of approximate values, so I'm not scarfing down everything in sight and wondering why I don't lose weight!
Tips? Guess what, there's an app for almost anything you want to do!
The top thing I've found for weight loss is water. Lots and lots of water. Temperature doesn't seem to matter. I found a "Drinking Water" app for my android phone that allows me to keep track of how much water I'm drinking.
I'm also using "Lose It" for tracking food and exercise. I don't know how accurate it is, but it does help keep track of approximate values, so I'm not scarfing down everything in sight and wondering why I don't lose weight!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Killer workout
Just finished another killer workout. Trimetrics has us raising our heart rate, intertwining cardio and weight training, in a way no other trainer does. It is amazing. Of course, I feel like a dork some of the time because I have balance problems and bad knees, but that's ok. I finished class today drenched in sweat and almost done with my first 1/2 gallon of water.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Tri Metrics!
For the past 8 weeks I've been working with Michael Banks. So far - 3.5 inches off my waist, kicked the Diet Coke habit, and 8 pounds released. I am so excited, and looking forward to further success!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Back to Working Out
I've looked hard at my nutrition and eating habits. I eat fine, plenty of veggies and protein, easy on carbs. Nothing extreme, which I think is how nutrition should be. I should have a healthy relationship with food, not worrying about everything I ever put in my mouth. I've eliminated sugary foods and most carbs, focusing more on fresh stuff.
Now I need to get back to exercising. When I have lost a lot of weight before, I worked out every day, sometimes twice a day. I'm going back to that. Couch to 5k, developed by coolrunning.com, is designed to help a non-runner (like me) work up to running 3.1 miles a day (5k) comfortably in a 9 week program. It's interval training, which should make my trainer, Mat, happy - he preaches intervals and tabatas.
I've been injuring myself a lot (shoulder, hip, knees), so I will probably take longer than 9 weeks.
One of my challenges with working out is simply that I have so much to do, I need to get up early in the morning to do my workouts, and I don't like getting up early. However, my alarm is set, and I'm planning on a 6:30 wakeup every day to get this in.
And, she's off.....
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Haven't been working out....
Between bad knees, an injured shoulder, and a pinched nerve in my hip, I feel like I'm falling apart. I've taken 3 weeks off from boot camp, hoping that the rest will help my poor body heal. I do feel a lot better, and I think I'll be able to return to my regular workout schedule next week.
Nutrition has been going well, except I still don't like vegetables, and I still don't like salad, and I know I'm going to have to eat grilled meat and salad to get this weight off.
Nutrition has been going well, except I still don't like vegetables, and I still don't like salad, and I know I'm going to have to eat grilled meat and salad to get this weight off.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Going Low Carb
OK, maybe Homer was taking it a little too far. Salad is great - but the fact remains that most Americans don't eat nearly as much protein as they need. (Or fat, either, but that's another post.) American women are the worst of the lot! A few strips of grilled chicken on a salad is not enough protein for a 130 pound woman. And salad is not very filling.
I have decided to go rogue on the HCG. For one thing, I've been gaining weight, and that is not acceptable to me. Remember, for my height and frame, I should weigh about 135. I'm at 170 - I've gained back 20 pounds. Yes, it was emotional eating. Yes, I kept the weight off for over a year. I'm not knocking HCG. But I'm also looking at other options. Low carb seems to be the way to go.
I've noticed that cookies and chips will pack on pounds rapidly, but ice cream (high protein and fat) does not. When I did low-carb for a few days, I saw a 5 pound weight loss in just a few days. When on HCG, I would lose weight faster if I skipped the apple and the Melba toast and ate a ribeye steak (more fat) instead of lean meat.
So I'm going to begin following a very low carb diet for a couple of weeks. I'm interested to see how I react to it. I'm loading up on saturated fats - bacon drippings to cook my eggs in, butter (real butter, not margarine!), whole milk, a tablespoon of coconut oil in my protein shakes, and meat with lots of fat on it.
Yum.
I will keep everyone posted on my progress!
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Struggling
I have been struggling with my weight since November, when I was at my lowest weight in years. It's been going the wrong way on the scale, creeping back up to my high weight. This is just no ok. What am I doing wrong?
For one thing, I've been underestimating the amount of food I eat. Today, I signed up with FitDay.com to start a food diary. I'm good at journaling anything, so hopefully (!) I will start to see where I should be adjusting my diet so my weight comes back down.
My intention is to go with a high fat, high protein, low carb diet. Lots of natural fats (lard, butter, whole milk, olive oil, coconut oil, etc), not Frankenfats (margarine, shortening, etc), and delicious meats. All the green veggies I can hold. And gallons of water.
Given that you can't manage what you don't measure, I decided it was time to start measuring, instead of guessing (and forgetting about the bag of chips I absent-mindedly scarfed down while reading, etc). I'm also going to include more walking in my plan - when switching tasks, taking a few minutes to walk around the block. The idea is just to get moving, instead of sitting still for so long.
I am committed to this weight loss. My goal weight is 135, and I plan to get there by the end of the summer. :) I can do this! You can, too!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
When You Fail To Plan, You Plan to Fail
Right now, I feel like I've got workouts handled. Mat Gover over at EXL Fitness keeps me on the straight and narrow regarding my workouts (and starting next month, I plan to add Cardio Camp to Boot Camp to fire up my metabolism even more).
However, exercise is only part of the weight loss equation. The other part is the part I struggle with.
Nutrition.
I like to eat. And like most people, I like to eat things that end to pack on pounds. Sweet and salty refined carbs.
I tend to *forget* to eat. The problem with that is two fold - one, your body begins to think you're starving and your metabolism slows to conserve fuel, and two, when you do remember to eat, you eat a lot more than you would if you'd eaten regular small meals.
So you have to plan ahead.
I've been using protein shakes and protein bars to boost my protein intake and to make sure I'm consuming small meals at least every 3 hours. I seldom remember to eat a full meal, but I make sure I have what I need to fix a supplemental meal frequently.
I also plan my meals a week in advance. SavingDinner.com has been a huge help there. When I already know what I'm cooking for dinner, and I have all the ingredients on hand, it's a lot easier to cook at home, where I can control what's going into my food.
So take the time. Sit down for an hour a week, plan your evening meals with your family, plan your nutrition for the rest of the day, and you'll find that you feel like you're eating all the time, you're never hungry, and you're losing bodyfat.
However, exercise is only part of the weight loss equation. The other part is the part I struggle with.
Nutrition.
I like to eat. And like most people, I like to eat things that end to pack on pounds. Sweet and salty refined carbs.
I tend to *forget* to eat. The problem with that is two fold - one, your body begins to think you're starving and your metabolism slows to conserve fuel, and two, when you do remember to eat, you eat a lot more than you would if you'd eaten regular small meals.
So you have to plan ahead.
I've been using protein shakes and protein bars to boost my protein intake and to make sure I'm consuming small meals at least every 3 hours. I seldom remember to eat a full meal, but I make sure I have what I need to fix a supplemental meal frequently.
I also plan my meals a week in advance. SavingDinner.com has been a huge help there. When I already know what I'm cooking for dinner, and I have all the ingredients on hand, it's a lot easier to cook at home, where I can control what's going into my food.
So take the time. Sit down for an hour a week, plan your evening meals with your family, plan your nutrition for the rest of the day, and you'll find that you feel like you're eating all the time, you're never hungry, and you're losing bodyfat.
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