Well, as predicted, I did not lose this week. What was not predicted was the fact that I gained 1.6 lbs. I can't decide if it is was 1. a real gain but I don't feel like I hate over 4k more calories than I burned this week, 2. It is that week every month where no matter what I will weigh more or 3. whether my last two weigh ins were a little low because I had drank the night before and drinking dehydrates you. Whatever the reason, I was not too happy.
I have definitely learned that traveling is one of my trigger points to eat more than I should. Let's face it, even though the food might not make me FEEL so good, it is designed (by scientists) to taste good to me and it does. When I am out of town it is usually more stressful than when I am in town. I am not sure why this is but I find that I am a lot more tired, I am running around and time slips away from me. All this seems to contribute to me eating mainly when I am starving and have to take whatever is available instead of carefully planning it all out. So, in order to try to fix this, I am going to bring snacks for tomorrow with me on the road and then tomorrow night we are going to go to the grocery store to get snacks for the rest of he week. I am not sure exactly what I will get but the goal will be to keep me from getting to the point where I will eat more than I should. We have already picked out our restaurants and I know some of the food will be tempting, plus it is my first time trying to travel without eating meat. It will be quite a challenge.
The other thing for next week is to make sure I leave work at a decent time and go down to the hotel gym for an hour before dinner. I have already told my employee traveling with me that this was my plan and she wanted to join (she just had a baby) so I think that the plan might stick. I am just a little worried because I have to get up so early tomorrow and I am already worn out from last week.
Wish me luck :-)
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
D23RS
Well, today was not the best of days. I woke up a little hungry and ate my normal breakfast but still felt really hungry. That is pretty unusual. Usually I don't feel hungry after breakfast and I don't until around 10:30 or 11 when I have a snack. Hmmm. It seems like through the afternoon I was hungry too even though I ate all the normal stuff for the day (and even a little extra because of being so hungry this morning).
Tomorrow I leave town until Saturday. I will still eat most meals at home tonight (not sure what to do about dinner yet since my flight leaves at 7 but gets in at 9, maybe a big lunch and a bar??). I have been pretty good on the points for the week (minus today) so I should have a few saved up that I can use this weekend.
Next week I am pretty worried about. My senior and I have picked out the places we are going to eat (sadly it is all we have to look forward to on the trip) but when I looked up the nutritional facts there were very little items that didn't contain meat (and I really want to avoid it if possible at all) and most of the items that didn't contain meat were very high in calories. I can't eat just lettuce and vinegar and oil for all my meals. I looked up the veggie burger for Ruby Tuesday and it is 923 calories!! That is 20.5 pts on WW and I only get 21 for a whole day! I think that includes the cheese and mayo (and I don't eat mayo) but still. That is a lot of calories. Anyone have any suggestions? We are eating at the following places:
Ruby Tuesday
Outback (there is a salad I like here that comes with chicken salad and isn't too bad caloriewise so will be better without chicken salad on it)
Zaxby's
Random "All-American" type place...I can get a side salad and baked potato there
Japanese Steakhouse - I plan on just getting the rice and veggies..still high in calories but I don't normally eat all of it.
Red Bone Alley
I know that I can maintain because I have done it for the last few trips but after looking up the restaurants tonight, I am not sure that I can lose. So, it will be ok in the future once I reach my goal weight but it sort of sucks when I am on such a roll.
I look forward to any suggestions :-)
Tomorrow I leave town until Saturday. I will still eat most meals at home tonight (not sure what to do about dinner yet since my flight leaves at 7 but gets in at 9, maybe a big lunch and a bar??). I have been pretty good on the points for the week (minus today) so I should have a few saved up that I can use this weekend.
Next week I am pretty worried about. My senior and I have picked out the places we are going to eat (sadly it is all we have to look forward to on the trip) but when I looked up the nutritional facts there were very little items that didn't contain meat (and I really want to avoid it if possible at all) and most of the items that didn't contain meat were very high in calories. I can't eat just lettuce and vinegar and oil for all my meals. I looked up the veggie burger for Ruby Tuesday and it is 923 calories!! That is 20.5 pts on WW and I only get 21 for a whole day! I think that includes the cheese and mayo (and I don't eat mayo) but still. That is a lot of calories. Anyone have any suggestions? We are eating at the following places:
Ruby Tuesday
Outback (there is a salad I like here that comes with chicken salad and isn't too bad caloriewise so will be better without chicken salad on it)
Zaxby's
Random "All-American" type place...I can get a side salad and baked potato there
Japanese Steakhouse - I plan on just getting the rice and veggies..still high in calories but I don't normally eat all of it.
Red Bone Alley
I know that I can maintain because I have done it for the last few trips but after looking up the restaurants tonight, I am not sure that I can lose. So, it will be ok in the future once I reach my goal weight but it sort of sucks when I am on such a roll.
I look forward to any suggestions :-)
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Weigh In Day
I haven't been as good about staying with the blog again, but today is weight in. I am down another 1.6lbs. That is 3 weeks in a row with a loss and down 6.4lbs since Jan 1st. I am pretty excited about that.
I have worked out quite a bit this past week but I also have gotten better about only eating the amount of points that I should eat for the week and it is getting a lot easier. I am still eating unprocessed and wholesome foods.
I am a little nervous about next week because I travel again. I am going to try to make sure I get a lot of exercise in before my trip and then eat healthy while I am there. It might not be so bad since I will only be gone for 3 days. The week after I am going to traveling for 5 days so that might be a little tougher but I have tried to plan out where we will eat for most of our meals (though subway is out now because of the processed meat) so I am hoping that will help. I also booked the hotel that has new treadmills (just installed in Dec) and they have TVs attached. I am hoping to get in an hour walk before dinner each night to try to keep up some of the exercise.
I have worked out quite a bit this past week but I also have gotten better about only eating the amount of points that I should eat for the week and it is getting a lot easier. I am still eating unprocessed and wholesome foods.
I am a little nervous about next week because I travel again. I am going to try to make sure I get a lot of exercise in before my trip and then eat healthy while I am there. It might not be so bad since I will only be gone for 3 days. The week after I am going to traveling for 5 days so that might be a little tougher but I have tried to plan out where we will eat for most of our meals (though subway is out now because of the processed meat) so I am hoping that will help. I also booked the hotel that has new treadmills (just installed in Dec) and they have TVs attached. I am hoping to get in an hour walk before dinner each night to try to keep up some of the exercise.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
D14RS
Weigh In Day. Never thought I would get excited about this but I am now that I had a good result this morning. I lost another 2lbs (down a total of 7 since I started). This is a victory for a few reasons. 1. I lost weight for the second week in a row (don't think I have done that since I started this journey). 2. It means I kept the loss from last week off. 3. I didn't really have to stop eating anything that I normally eat (I ate everything the same, but I just measured to make sure I was only eating a serving and also made sure that I stopped when I was satisfied and not full). 4. I had a total of 5 beers this week so I didn't have to sacrifice my social life (as minimal as it is here, I was proud of this fact...especially since it is the most beer I have had in a week in gosh knows how long).
This past week I just really made sure that I counted everything that went in my mouth. It was my tough week of the month and so I made sure I counted the multiple servings of cheezits that I snacked on and the two Reese's cups that I ate one day. It really wasn't that bad. I did exercise a lot this week. One hour of spin class gives me 7 pts and I had a total of 36 pts by the end of the week. That is pretty good. You can use the pts to eat more food (which I usually have to do because I get so hungry when I exercise more) but this week I still had 29 of those points unused (though I usually will still lose weight even using all of them). That means that had I not has any of the beer, I would have been within my points. Quite an accomplishment over past weeks and proof that you don't have to eat low fat, fake food (though some of what I ate was) and you can eat wholesome food in moderate quantities and even enjoy yourself and still lose weight. YAY me!
In other news, I contacted the farm that has the cows that are grassfed, here to ask them how much room the 1/4 of a cow would take up in the freezer (we have a whole fridge/freezer downstairs that we never use so why not use it) and to see if they ever had any beef any other time of the year. Well, it turns out that they still had some 1/4s left this year (since they just did it all in dec and since they process all at the same time but didn't sell it all) and so I have emailed her back to get our 1/4 of a cow! I am super excited about this meat. It is probably some of the best for you meat you can get and it is actually a good price. It is $5 a pound which is about what I pay at the local grocery for some of their no hormone/no antibiotic beef (though it is probably still factory farm beef with animals treated bad and with them eating grain), but it is less than I would pay for more quality cuts and a little more than I would pay for ground beef (by only $1 a lb). It kind of sucks to have to go and get the meat because it is far away but it is only a once a year thing so I can suck it up. I am pretty excited about taking these steps into eating beef that is even better for us and not having to sacrifice it because of the factory farming practices.
Now to find some chicken and eggs (actually, I found an egg share that I might join. you get a dozen every other week and it is cheaper than in the store for cage-free which I learned really doesn't mean much). Oh well. If you are interested in finding local meat in your area that is healthier you can go here and search by state. If you are interested in finding a CSA (fruit and veggies) then you can try here. I am not an expert but the more I read, the more I learn.
This past week I just really made sure that I counted everything that went in my mouth. It was my tough week of the month and so I made sure I counted the multiple servings of cheezits that I snacked on and the two Reese's cups that I ate one day. It really wasn't that bad. I did exercise a lot this week. One hour of spin class gives me 7 pts and I had a total of 36 pts by the end of the week. That is pretty good. You can use the pts to eat more food (which I usually have to do because I get so hungry when I exercise more) but this week I still had 29 of those points unused (though I usually will still lose weight even using all of them). That means that had I not has any of the beer, I would have been within my points. Quite an accomplishment over past weeks and proof that you don't have to eat low fat, fake food (though some of what I ate was) and you can eat wholesome food in moderate quantities and even enjoy yourself and still lose weight. YAY me!
In other news, I contacted the farm that has the cows that are grassfed, here to ask them how much room the 1/4 of a cow would take up in the freezer (we have a whole fridge/freezer downstairs that we never use so why not use it) and to see if they ever had any beef any other time of the year. Well, it turns out that they still had some 1/4s left this year (since they just did it all in dec and since they process all at the same time but didn't sell it all) and so I have emailed her back to get our 1/4 of a cow! I am super excited about this meat. It is probably some of the best for you meat you can get and it is actually a good price. It is $5 a pound which is about what I pay at the local grocery for some of their no hormone/no antibiotic beef (though it is probably still factory farm beef with animals treated bad and with them eating grain), but it is less than I would pay for more quality cuts and a little more than I would pay for ground beef (by only $1 a lb). It kind of sucks to have to go and get the meat because it is far away but it is only a once a year thing so I can suck it up. I am pretty excited about taking these steps into eating beef that is even better for us and not having to sacrifice it because of the factory farming practices.
Now to find some chicken and eggs (actually, I found an egg share that I might join. you get a dozen every other week and it is cheaper than in the store for cage-free which I learned really doesn't mean much). Oh well. If you are interested in finding local meat in your area that is healthier you can go here and search by state. If you are interested in finding a CSA (fruit and veggies) then you can try here. I am not an expert but the more I read, the more I learn.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
D11RS
So far, so good this week. The last two days I have done an hour ride on my bike (at 500 calories burned each time) and then today I am going to a spin class at the gym and possibly staying for a yoga class. I have been wanting to retry yoga for a while because I did it at one time and found it very relaxing and I like the stretching. I would like to try it before they start charging for the classes (that still makes me so mad). Then I plan to do a short ride tomorrow on my bike (about 30 mins) and the two spin classes on Saturday morning. Then it will be time to weigh in again.
As I go on this adventure to lose weight (but also a journey to get healthier in general) I have been reading a lot of books. The latest one that I read Eating Animals has pretty much made me decide that I am no longer going to buy meat that is not raised on a true farm. The book is pretty much an advocate for vegetarianism but I just am not sure I could do that. I don't think that I like enough things that have protein in them but that aren't meat. He also makes the point of if you are going to buy meat, know where it comes from. I have found a farm near here (about an hour and a half drive) that raises cows on their farm (they actually have online pics of them in the pastures and stuff) and then you can purchase packages (some small, some larger) or a 1/4 of a cow. I am considering doing this. Unfortunately it is not available until next Nov/Dec because that is when the cows are ready. Until then I think that there is another farm that comes to a local market on Saturdays that also raise their cattle themselves so I can do that. Their prices are not as good but it shouldn't be about money. I am also considering doing an egg share (like a crop share but eggs, need to research how many you get at a time though because we don't use a ton or maybe I should find more recipes with them in it). Did you know that most chickens that lay eggs only get a cage the size of a piece of paper and the ones they raise for meat COULDN'T walk around, even if they wanted to? That breaks my heart. The book is really sad but I highly recommend it because it really does make you think. He also makes the point that once Americans start demanding that animals are treated better, it will happen. Money talks and that is why I can't give them anymore money (and yes, I know I am only one person but I will feel better and maybe one of you will read it too). I also have decided that I am going to be a vegetarian on the road. I have no way of knowing where the meat that restaurants are using comes from (unless they make a point to say it is grass-fed or organic or something) or if it is even meat. I think that this will be one of the hardest adjustments that I will have ever made. I seem to eat chicken at every meal on the road. Who knew? I am going to really try though so if anyone has any advice, let me know. I am not trying to lecture anyone and everyone has to make their own choices in life, but if learning more about where your meat comes from, this is definitely a good read.
Next up on the list is Good Calories, Bad Calories (thanks Drena) and then the Omnivore's Dilemma (which is actually references a bit in Eating Animals.
As I go on this adventure to lose weight (but also a journey to get healthier in general) I have been reading a lot of books. The latest one that I read Eating Animals has pretty much made me decide that I am no longer going to buy meat that is not raised on a true farm. The book is pretty much an advocate for vegetarianism but I just am not sure I could do that. I don't think that I like enough things that have protein in them but that aren't meat. He also makes the point of if you are going to buy meat, know where it comes from. I have found a farm near here (about an hour and a half drive) that raises cows on their farm (they actually have online pics of them in the pastures and stuff) and then you can purchase packages (some small, some larger) or a 1/4 of a cow. I am considering doing this. Unfortunately it is not available until next Nov/Dec because that is when the cows are ready. Until then I think that there is another farm that comes to a local market on Saturdays that also raise their cattle themselves so I can do that. Their prices are not as good but it shouldn't be about money. I am also considering doing an egg share (like a crop share but eggs, need to research how many you get at a time though because we don't use a ton or maybe I should find more recipes with them in it). Did you know that most chickens that lay eggs only get a cage the size of a piece of paper and the ones they raise for meat COULDN'T walk around, even if they wanted to? That breaks my heart. The book is really sad but I highly recommend it because it really does make you think. He also makes the point that once Americans start demanding that animals are treated better, it will happen. Money talks and that is why I can't give them anymore money (and yes, I know I am only one person but I will feel better and maybe one of you will read it too). I also have decided that I am going to be a vegetarian on the road. I have no way of knowing where the meat that restaurants are using comes from (unless they make a point to say it is grass-fed or organic or something) or if it is even meat. I think that this will be one of the hardest adjustments that I will have ever made. I seem to eat chicken at every meal on the road. Who knew? I am going to really try though so if anyone has any advice, let me know. I am not trying to lecture anyone and everyone has to make their own choices in life, but if learning more about where your meat comes from, this is definitely a good read.
Next up on the list is Good Calories, Bad Calories (thanks Drena) and then the Omnivore's Dilemma (which is actually references a bit in Eating Animals.
Monday, January 11, 2010
D8RS
I am still feeling a little under the weather and really am having a hard time deciding whether I want to ride my bike tonight or whether I should wait until I am 100% (hopefully in the morning). I think that I am going to do it for an hour tomorrow instead to make up for not doing it tonight. I just am unmotivated and would hate to get sick again because of it.
So, while I am not able to workout, I have been thinking more about some other goals that I want to set for myself. The first goal is to find a way to utilize the gym without being a slave to the treadmill and without my classes. I will still use the credits that I am going to get for my classes (they are going to give us some credits but then charge $1 per class so I will have to cut down on the classes a bit) but after that I will need another way to use the gym without always being on a cardio machine.
Here is what I am thinking, I need a weight training schedule. I have used personal trainers before so I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of HOW to do most exercises (at least ones they would have women do) but I just don't have a good routine. I used this website before and I really liked it. I was lifting a little more at the time and so I did the Intermediate exercises here and I liked the pyramid idea. It didn't seem like it was as boring (and I can sometimes find weight training to be) and you didn't really need a partner (which I don't have). I thought that I had checked this website a few months ago and it was not free to get the workouts but when I just went to look to type this, they were free to print. Guess I will do that and then have a few to choose from. There are 4 weeks in the Intermediate and that will take me through a month and then I could start all over again. I guess I liked to check stuff off as I went and to see progress. Are you guys like that? Do you have a plan or a notebook when you workout or do you just wing it? I am learning that there are very few people in life who wing much of anything. Sure, the small things but it sort of seems to me that the healthy way to live (physically, emotionally, and mentally) is by making plans to help easy stress. I guess I just learned that.
Something else that is sort of new to me is eating just until I am satisfied. I guess technically it is not new because I have known that I should do it for a while but I just feel successful at it in the last few days. I am hoping to hone in on it even more but the way I started was by literally measuring out whatever a serving size was in the recipe I was making and eating only that. I have found that it is a lot smaller than I would have thought but that I am also satisfied (though not full) when I am done eating it. Sometimes I get hungry later but I have been trying to satisfy that with a healthy snack and so far, so good.
Hopefully this funk I have had will be done with after a goo night's sleep tonight and I can get back in my routine..most notably I want to be able to attend my two spin classes on Saturday and my one on Thursday...that alone is about 1500 calories for the week extra.
So, while I am not able to workout, I have been thinking more about some other goals that I want to set for myself. The first goal is to find a way to utilize the gym without being a slave to the treadmill and without my classes. I will still use the credits that I am going to get for my classes (they are going to give us some credits but then charge $1 per class so I will have to cut down on the classes a bit) but after that I will need another way to use the gym without always being on a cardio machine.
Here is what I am thinking, I need a weight training schedule. I have used personal trainers before so I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of HOW to do most exercises (at least ones they would have women do) but I just don't have a good routine. I used this website before and I really liked it. I was lifting a little more at the time and so I did the Intermediate exercises here and I liked the pyramid idea. It didn't seem like it was as boring (and I can sometimes find weight training to be) and you didn't really need a partner (which I don't have). I thought that I had checked this website a few months ago and it was not free to get the workouts but when I just went to look to type this, they were free to print. Guess I will do that and then have a few to choose from. There are 4 weeks in the Intermediate and that will take me through a month and then I could start all over again. I guess I liked to check stuff off as I went and to see progress. Are you guys like that? Do you have a plan or a notebook when you workout or do you just wing it? I am learning that there are very few people in life who wing much of anything. Sure, the small things but it sort of seems to me that the healthy way to live (physically, emotionally, and mentally) is by making plans to help easy stress. I guess I just learned that.
Something else that is sort of new to me is eating just until I am satisfied. I guess technically it is not new because I have known that I should do it for a while but I just feel successful at it in the last few days. I am hoping to hone in on it even more but the way I started was by literally measuring out whatever a serving size was in the recipe I was making and eating only that. I have found that it is a lot smaller than I would have thought but that I am also satisfied (though not full) when I am done eating it. Sometimes I get hungry later but I have been trying to satisfy that with a healthy snack and so far, so good.
Hopefully this funk I have had will be done with after a goo night's sleep tonight and I can get back in my routine..most notably I want to be able to attend my two spin classes on Saturday and my one on Thursday...that alone is about 1500 calories for the week extra.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
D8RS
Well, I did my weigh in this morning and I was down 2 lbs. YAY. I was a little concerned about it because I have been sick since Tuesday which makes it harder for me to eat healthy. I know it might be a little weird but I just don't want to eat veggies or drink as much water when I am sick. I seem to crave bread and stuff. I tried to stay on track as much as I could so I was hoping it would turn out well but I also was only able to exercise twice this week.
I was able to cook my meals each night and even made some beef stew which I froze for future meals (and which is pretty easy, pretty low in calories and all natural ingredients).
Hopefully I am finally kicking this cold and can get to the gym next week.
I was able to cook my meals each night and even made some beef stew which I froze for future meals (and which is pretty easy, pretty low in calories and all natural ingredients).
Hopefully I am finally kicking this cold and can get to the gym next week.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
D3RS
So far, so good. Still seem to be fighting off this funk that C and I have had but hopefully that will be gone soon.
I have eaten on plan and very healthy for the last three days. I do feel that I get a little hungry in the afternoons and can't really figure out what I want to eat for a snack. I might try some cereal of some sort and a piece of string cheese. I have gotten in all my veggies/fruit and all my water for the last 3 days (only 3 days but you have to start somewhere). I made it to the gym yesterday for a spin class and I am thinking about going to one today (though can't decide with the funk that I have). I have plans to go to at least 3 more classes at the gym this week too. I really do miss them. The snow might mess up that plan but lets hope not!
I am feeling pretty good, really in control, and pretty relaxed about it all. I had no idea how much making weekly menus would help me. I look forward to the cooking and eating of my planned out meals...let's keep it up.
My newest obsession has been couponing! I am completely addicted and am really making an effort to fit it into my healthy eating. I will let you guys know how I do.
I have eaten on plan and very healthy for the last three days. I do feel that I get a little hungry in the afternoons and can't really figure out what I want to eat for a snack. I might try some cereal of some sort and a piece of string cheese. I have gotten in all my veggies/fruit and all my water for the last 3 days (only 3 days but you have to start somewhere). I made it to the gym yesterday for a spin class and I am thinking about going to one today (though can't decide with the funk that I have). I have plans to go to at least 3 more classes at the gym this week too. I really do miss them. The snow might mess up that plan but lets hope not!
I am feeling pretty good, really in control, and pretty relaxed about it all. I had no idea how much making weekly menus would help me. I look forward to the cooking and eating of my planned out meals...let's keep it up.
My newest obsession has been couponing! I am completely addicted and am really making an effort to fit it into my healthy eating. I will let you guys know how I do.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
D1RS
That stands for day one, restart :-). I weighed in this morning because it was my normal day to weigh in and I was down 1.3. That is pretty good since I didn't really try last week (didn't go to the gym and did finish up the cookies my mom baked).
So far, so good. I got in all my 5 servings of veggies today, cooked a healthy dinner and have drank all my water for the last 3 days. I am even within my points for today. Tonight I was very careful to make sure that I only ate what was supposed to be a serving and afterward I wasn't full but I also wasn't hungry. I do feel satisfied so I hope that I can keep it up.
I think that one of my crutches for a little while will be a nighttime latte (decaf) if I still feel hungry after dinner. They are filling but are only the calories of a cup of milk so it will be a good way to have a late night snack but not a lot of calories. I am hoping that knowing this will help me to not overeat for dinner.
Since we only ate a serving for dinner, we have yummy leftovers for other days :-) YAY!!
So far, so good. I got in all my 5 servings of veggies today, cooked a healthy dinner and have drank all my water for the last 3 days. I am even within my points for today. Tonight I was very careful to make sure that I only ate what was supposed to be a serving and afterward I wasn't full but I also wasn't hungry. I do feel satisfied so I hope that I can keep it up.
I think that one of my crutches for a little while will be a nighttime latte (decaf) if I still feel hungry after dinner. They are filling but are only the calories of a cup of milk so it will be a good way to have a late night snack but not a lot of calories. I am hoping that knowing this will help me to not overeat for dinner.
Since we only ate a serving for dinner, we have yummy leftovers for other days :-) YAY!!
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