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!

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.

Preparation and Low Carb

Yes, low carbing can be done.  I used to think it was too hard - before my first round of HCG and having my eyes opened.  You know what?  When you know what you CAN eat, and how to cook it so it's tasty, low carbing is easy.

Restaurant out?  I always explain to the waitress that I'm on a low carb diet and would she please hold the rolls, croutons, and potatoes?  I've had the wonderful staff at Texas Road House bring me 2 side salads - because salad was the only side I could have, and i was entitled to 2 sides.  (I only asked for one.  Texas Road House in Lehi, UT.  The waitstaff there is awesome.) And grilled steak is fine, yum!

The tough times for me are when I am out with the kidlets - who are hungry - and I need a quick snack.  I want to avoid the drive through in any case - so I tend to bring apples, grapes, and raisins for the kids to snack on.  It really just takes a little forethought.

I also like Saving Dinner.  Leanne takes the thinking out of menu planning.  And she has a low-carb option - but all the options are healthy!  Again, just a little forethought - ordering the menus, going to the store once a week - and the payoffs are delicious meals and a slimmer, healthier you!

Not to mention more cash in your bank account from the money saved on junk snacks.

Eating thoughtfully

One of my personal rules when deciding what to eat these days is simply this.  If I'm going to spend the calories on it, it had better be absolutely delicious.

Fortunately, I love to cook.  Last night my kids spend the night with their nephews, and I had Chicken Supreme (from Saving Dinner) and a large green salad.  I put the tablecloth on the table, set myself a place, and had a lovely dinner.

What a change from the days when I'd scarf down whatever is in sight.  Ok, I'm still doing that sometimes - but not as often, and I'm more aware of it.  And I'm still working on not eating "just to be eating" and the late night munchies.  I have to often ask myself if I'm hungry, or just want to eat.  If I just want to eat, maybe I can take that walk around the block.  If I'm hungry, am I really thirsty?  Get some water and see if that helps.  (Note to self - Water, not soda.)  What is it I want to eat?  Is that double cheeseburger really worth the calories?  Or can I find something else that will satisfy me and nourish me better?

Being thoughtful about what you eat can help you release the weight you're looking to get rid of.  It's the mindless munching that will get you!

A Little Preparation....

I've realized that part of the reason I'm backsliding like mad is that I'm not preparing my food for the day in advance.  I'm not taking lunch to the office, so then I munch on....foods I'm not supposed to eat.....instead of apple slices with cinnamon or cucumber with Tabasco sauce.  Little Debbie Snack Cakes and Hostess Donuts just don't do much for weight loss.

So I'm going to start planning in advance.  We have a fridge at work, and I keep it well stocked with Diet Coke and bottled water.  I have Crystal Light packets.  Now I need to bring lunch and/or a snack. Bringing apples and my apple slicer will do wonders.

I'm also using the low-carb Menu Mailer from Saving Dinner.  (I really should become an affiliate for this site - I absolutely cannot say enough good things about it.  But I don't earn any money from Leanne, so you know this really comes from my heart!)  I love love love not having to think about dinner - except for once a week, when I get my shopping list and look over the menus.  After that - no thinking required!  I love it!

When you plan things ahead, you are really making a commitment to yourself that you'll improve your diet.  It's easier to avoid the drive-thru when you've already got the makings for dinner at home, your lunch with you, and fruit for a snack.

Low Carb Diets - Are They Too Hard?

I've seen a few Tweets about this very idea lately - and I've been thinking a lot about it.  Following the HCG protocol is very low carb.  And here's what I've found.

Going low carb isn't hard at all. 

I really thought it would be.  I love bread, and rice, and pasta, and all that yummy stuff.  I also love sugar in all its glory.  But when it came time to low-carb it - I was able to easily drop all that.  And now carbs tend to make me ill. 

It's really not that hard to push away the bread basket at the table.  Even at a restaurant.  It's not a challenge to tell the waiter that you just want the meats and veggies, thanks.  They understand that.

It can be a challenge to wean yourself from french fries and sandwiches - but it's about learning new eating patterns anyway, isn't it?

One way to do it is to use Saving Dinner's Menu Mailer.  I love this concept.  You get your menus for the week in a PDF download, which includes Low Carb, Heart Healthy, and Regular.  (Regular is still freaking healthy, and they are all delicious.)  Just following the menus can help you re-learn how to eat. 

So far, I've lost released over 30 pounds.

And if I can do it, you can do it. 

Getting back into the swing of things

I think I'm finally mastering my desire to stuff myself.  Finally.  The past couple of days have been much better.  Perhaps posting about emotional eating has helped!  I've become more aware of what I was doing, and that helped drop the craving.

I've also been using EFT to help with cravings. 

I don't usually eat during the day, and I have a good meal for dinner (usually a low carb Menu Mailer offering from Saving Dinner - Leanne has saved me more times than I can count).  I've taken to stashing apples in my office fridge, along with plenty of Crystal Light, water bottles, and Diet Coke. 

I'm riding a scooter around while the weather is good, which means I can't eat and ride at the same time.  For some reason, riding takes a lot out of me and wears me out, so I'm less likely to eat after a long day.

I'm still bouncing around on my weight, but I'm determined to conquer the cravings and master myself.

Only 27 pounds to go!

What's for Dinner?

Just to show you can eat "real food" on this diet - I'm having kabobs for dinner, made with chicken breast meat, orange sections, and bell peppers.  Yum!  (Thanks to Saving Dinner's low carb Menu Mailer).  I've lost weight every day using her menus - the only problems I've had have been (as usual) eating stuff I'm really not supposed to, like Pop Tarts and Swiss Cake Rolls, LOL. 

Saving Dinner

I'm  preparing to take better care of myself and my family by signing up for Saving Dinner.  After all, I still have to take care of younger children (who are NOT on a diet!) and some of her dishes turn out to be HCG friendly.  I want to eat good foods when I'm between rounds.

I used Saving Dinner for a couple of years back in '07 and '08, and then I kind of fell off the wagon.  They actually email you your shopping list and menus for the week.  Then all you have to do is follow instructions.  No thinking required.  It brought my grocery bill way down, kept me from filling my cart with "convenience" foods, and fooled my dad into thinking I was a great cook and homemaker.  (Seriously - she taught me to cook.

So I'm up for another round of her menus. I highly recommend them. 

And my accountability for today - weight 162.0, down 3 pounds from yesterday.  Goal 125.0.