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trimB
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Posted: 29 May 2006 03:09 am |
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Better day today. :) I was snacking at work, but mostly grabbed relatively good things. This is all relative. I remembered today how little I weighed (probably too little) before I started working with pastries and desserts all day. If I could just abstain from the sugar/flour/butter/eggs/evil altogether, then I wouldn't even be having these 26% body fat issues. I'll have to give some serious thought to this. Mainly I just don't feel strong enough for total abstinence... or maybe I'm not yet at the point where I want to go cold-turkey.
For today: 2 protein bars, mini roast beef sandwich, bites of chocolate mousse cake, yogurt with strawberries, mini quesadilla, carrot, quinoa with indian-spiced eggplant. Total 1500, 29%P, 17%F. Cardio workout for 40 minutes followed by weight-lifting.
Love that indian eggplant "stew"... I can eat a giant bowl and still be okay with my cals! On a sadder note, brussel sprouts are apparently no longer available at whole foods. No fresh, no frozen, for 3 weeks now. They were my fav :(
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trimB
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Posted: 29 May 2006 09:40 pm |
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Good day so far. My regular day off work happens to fall on this holiday. I can't decide if this is good or bad. At least I have a day off when other people do too... but then I'm certainly not getting a bonus day off like most of the country. Ah well, I'm in a good mood so who cares!
This evening I have consented to go to the new chinese buffet with my beau and some friends.  I'm hoping this pre-post will keep me honest about what exactly I'm eating tonight. I know they have a salad bar and a sushi bar... so I'm planning to fill up on mostly those things. Perhaps some tastes of other things. I believe they also have a dessert buffet, jeezus help me.
So far today: 1/2 of a melon, egg white omelet, leftover eggplant w/quinoa, crackers, cottage cheese, protein bar. Total 800, 30%P, 13%F.
Plan to do yoga and maybe maybe maybe my pilates dvd too, if I can keep myself from getting bored with it. sheesh.
*** chinese buffet update***
I had sushi, lots of kimchee (pickled cabbage), a few dumplings, and a small cup of soft serve ice cream. A bit of damage - but not too bad and my %s were still fine.
Total for the day: 1700, 23%P, 13%F.
Did 30 minutes of pilates and 20 minutes of yoga. Rodney Yee kicked my booty once again, so I quit halfway through the dvd. Ugh.
Last edited on 30 May 2006 10:44 pm by trimB
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trimB
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Posted: 31 May 2006 01:08 am |
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Forgot my protein bar for breakfast and random early-morning snacking ensued. I went home to get it (I only work a few minutes away), so the rest of the day was ok. Right now I'm craving a giant plate of chili cheese fries for some odd reason. I'm also feeling very lethargic and not inclined to do my workout. So I'm compromising by skipping my workout but also skipping the cheese fries. I am having a cup of veggie chili for dinner though. Today was a successful "low calorie" day.
The scale says I'm up a couple of pounds??!! I'm hoping this is just bloating or something, because I feel as if I've been right on plan lately.
For today: strawberries, mini quesadilla, bites of chocolate mousse, protein bar, spinach salad w/ tomatoes & can of tuna, cottage cheese, sesame crackers, cup of chili. Total 1250, 27%P, 23%F.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 1 June 2006 10:33 pm |
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Yesterday was a planned "maintenance day" as far as calories go. I did manage to workout too, but only for 30 minutes of cardio work. There is no air-conditioning where I work. So it is 8 or 9 hours running around in the sweaty kitchen, and the last thing I want to do is come home and get sweaty again while working out. There is poor air-conditioning in the workout room in my apartment building too. Plus I really need to get some workout shorts... I only have pants. Ugh, so all those things put together result in me avoiding my workouts when it is hot hot hot outside.  These are the days when I long for a gym membership that has a pool. I'll have to think of some other alternatives though, because this hot weather will be around for a couple more months at least.
For yesterday, Wednesday: 2 protein bars, apple, giant chicken breast, ww roll, cottage cheese, sesame crackers, homemade empanadas filled with chicken & veggies (this was my main splurge, yum!). Total 1800, 34%P, 23%F.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 2 June 2006 03:08 am |
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Today felt like a roller coaster. Goods and bads alike. I started off with my typical homemade protein bars, but then there was no food around for most of the rest of the day. I found about a quarter of a leftover chicken breast, but I was still famished for lunch. So I had... a brownie ... and... a lemon bar . So there I admitted it. My overall %s were okay for the day, since everything else I had was almost fat free. But really, that's not the way I want to do things.
So I was really ready to go do my cardio workout this afternoon. I won't say excited - but I was ready and committed. There's only 3 machines in my mini-gym, and I was on one. Some guy came in about 20 minutes into my workout and moved his machine so that he was facing right into my bum. Uhhh awkward?!?! I left soon after that. Also my little cheapo tape player broke mid-workout (yes, I said tape player, $10). Ugh.
For today: 2 protein bars, brownie, lemon bar, piece of chix breast, banana, cottage cheese, egg white omelet with loads of veggies. Total 1450, 32%P, 18%F.
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trimB
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Posted: 2 June 2006 11:09 pm |
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Boy was I craving some cheesey pizza last night. Funny how most of my cravings revolve around cheese... cheese fries, cheese pizza, cheesy nachos. In the light of day, it rarely seems as appetizing. I had a cup of hot tea and a granola bar instead.
I've been sitting here trying to figure out how to make the best of what I've done so far with my day. I had a big lunch and a couple of bad junk food snackings - so I'm almost at my calorie goal for the day. I know I will get hungry again, and I'm not one to just let myself go without. I'm thinking giant salad for dinner... but will the ugly cravings rear their head again??
Plus I'm dreading going back to the mini-gym with the reoccuring rude man. In a bigger gym, maybe it wouldn't matter so much. Seriously rethinking my decision to opt out of an actual gym membership. I know, I know - I say that at least a few times per month.
So far today: 2 protein bars, bites of cheesecake, multigrain roll, handmade tortilla, hardboiled egg, feta cheese, mashed potatoes. Total 1400, 20%P, 27%F.
** edited to update...**
I joined a gym!!!!  It's about time, and it's a very nice one too. I was hoping to spend a bit less money, but what can I say. I know I will use it. I didn't have time to actually work out there. But I had a bunch of errands to run, and I walked very briskly to all of them. Over an hour total I'd say.
I finished off the day with a giant salad of romaine, carrot, tomato, broccoli, and pepper. Plus a cup of miso soup. New total 1600, 19%P, 24%F.
Next week's plan will be fun - including all the new classes and equipment I get to try!! :D
Last edited on 3 June 2006 02:03 am by trimB
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trimB
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Posted: 3 June 2006 02:31 am |
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Week Review, May27-June2:
-Average Calories 1521 (goal was 1500)
-Average Protein 26.7% (goal was > 25%)
-Average Fat 20.6% (goal was < 20%)
-Instead of 1 high cal day and 2 low cal days, I ended up with 2 semi-high days and 2 semi-low days. I like the general idea of having a maintenance day, but I need more discipline about it.
-3x cardio workouts (one was only 20 minutes), 1x weights, 1x yoga, 1x pilates, 4x walking 30 minutes or more. I was short 2 cardio workouts from my goal, but I had a couple of days when I speed-walked for over an hour. I think I was too ambitious as far as workouts this past week. A couple of them were half-hearted because it seemed just a little too much for me. Maybe I can work up to this much soon, but not quite yet.
-I looked back through my food logs, and I ate meals with big portions of veggies on 5 days. The other two days were not so big servings. This is getting expensive though!!
-Skinfold calipers seem to have inched down to 14-15 mm... which is about 25% body fat. Yay!! My measurements and weight have been fairly steady the past couple of weeks.
Next week's goals, June3-June9:
-Calories 1500, Protein > 25%, Fat < 20%
This is going to be very challenging because I will be out of town for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday to attend a wedding. I need to make a plan for road-trip snacks and coping with party food (ie assume that there will be no suitable choices). I would like to eat slightly less calories for the early part of the week to compensate, but I'm having PMS-type cravings right now that are becoming hard to resist...
-New gym!!!! Cardio 4x, Strength training 2-3x, yoga class 1x, pilates class 1x. I am hoping for slightly longer workout sessions, but perhaps slightly less often.
-Dress shopping has been postponed until tomorrow. But I'm definitely looking forward to it!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 3 June 2006 08:58 pm |
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Slight panic at the moment. I got home from work a little bit ago and felt very hungry. So I made myself a generous but healthy lunch. Now I added everything up, and I'm not on track for my goal at all! I promised my beau we'd make meatloaf for dinner, and I bought the extra extra lean beef. But now I'll have to have a teeny piece and probably still be over my goal. <pout>
For today, so far!: 2 protein bars, piece of bread, honeydew chunks, cup of oatmeal, cottage cheese, tuna bean "salad" on a roll with a piece of cheese. Total 1300, 30%P, 18%F.
I hope to squeeze in a workout... at my new gym!!!! My car is finally available, so I have to drive to go shopping for a wedding outfit. Must take a brief nap now though... 4 am  baking is not fun.
**edited to update**
had small piece of meatloaf and a large serving of zucchini. Total for the day 1575, 32%P, 21%F.
Didn't go workout. Spent 3 hours driving around & trying on dresses for wedding in less than a week. Dress looks great, but I spent way more money than I planned.
Last edited on 4 June 2006 11:33 pm by trimB
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trimB
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Posted: 4 June 2006 11:36 pm |
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Today isn't going too much better than yesterday. Getting to the gym is my number one priority this evening, and I am headed out very shortly. No lunch at work... I snacked on bad things. Need a better approach than this. I felt too busy to stop working to make myself something good to eat. Bad. All this week will be very busy too.
For today, so far: half of a bagel, 2 protein bars, bites of cookie dough, bites of lemon bar, bit of brie, meatloaf with green beans and corn, melba toast. Total 1150, 25%P, 27%F.
***updated to add***
tuna bean "salad" with more melba toast, cottage cheese. End total 1500, 29%P, 24%F.
New gym is very very nice. Good cardio workout for 30 minutes. Then some strength training - arms, abs/back, and hips. Felt very good to workout again. Maybe that's why I've been in a funky mood for the past couple of days. Why do I always forget how much better I feel after a workout?? :?
Last edited on 5 June 2006 03:39 am by trimB
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trimB
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Posted: 5 June 2006 07:52 pm |
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Still snacked on bad things at work today. Other than that it was a good day. As I was leaving, my boss was joking that I needed to work extra hours to make up for my three days off this week to go to the wedding. Last time I took an extra day off they cut my pay, so I don't think she was entirely joking. Yet I've worked 6 days a week most weeks since I started this job a year ago. I feel as though I'm entitled to an extra day off every once in a while. I'm going to be very hurt if they cut my pay again this time. ERRRRR!!!!
For today: pineapple chunks, part of a chix breast, piece of bread, bites of pecan diamond, bites of lemon cake, small hummus sandwich, 2 protein bars, cottage cheese, melba toast, homemade veggie pizza. Total 1600, 29%P, 17%F.
Cardio for 40 minutes, then strength training. Very nice weights at the new gym!
Last edited on 6 June 2006 03:40 am by trimB
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trimB
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Posted: 7 June 2006 04:43 am |
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Quick post. Very munchie today. Can't seem to stop being hungry. Even tried filling up on veggies.
For today: strawberries, piece of a scone, 2 protein bars, hummus sandwich, leftover homemade veggie pizza, cottage cheese, carrots, broccoli. Total 1550, 25%P, 15%F.
45 minutes of cardio at the gym.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 8 June 2006 01:00 am |
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Oy another not-so-great day at work. The new hot-side chef NEVER has leftover food around for us to eat lunch. This could be good, since I'm no longer being pressured to eat unhealthy food. However, I depend on getting free food at work. So this is just a matter of adjustment. Maybe I plan a repetoire of impromptu mini-meals that I can quickly make and eat... cup of oatmeal, plain yogurt with berries, a stash of hummus? Anyway it's moot for the next three days, cause I am off work!!!! Leaving for Detroit tomorrow morning really early. Wedding is on Friday night. Hopefully the dress still looks as good as it did when I tried it on a few days ago.
For today, so far: 2 protein bars, piece of bread, cake scraps, chocolate pudding cup, leftover pizza. Total 1100, 20%P, 24%F.
My back is a bit sore today, so I am skipping the gym. I walked to the grocery store and back carrying 40 pounds of groceries. About 30 minutes total.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 13 June 2006 09:23 pm |
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I'm finally back from the wedding/road trip to michigan and catching back up at home and at work. I mostly stuck to my plan while on mini-vacation. I had one day that was higher than maintenance calories - but the other days were on target or reasonably close. Also I managed to limit my fat intake on all the days. I'm not going to type out all my food diary contents, but I did keep track. My average calories for the week were a little under 1600, which is about what I expected.
My goals for this week started yesterday...
For Monday: strawberries, cherry tomatoes, 2 protein bars, bite of muffin, piece of bread, veggie curry & rice, melba toast, salad with dressing. Total 1250, 19%P, 24%F. A bit too much fat this day, because I had dinner "out" with a friend. But calories were good because I didn't do too much snacking. I got a salad for dinner and the dressing was a bit much.
Went to the gym and did cardio work for 40 minutes then lifted weights for a bit.
My goals for the week June 12-June 18:
-Average calories of 1500. Friends are visiting from out of town starting Friday, so I will really need to focus to accomplish this one.
-Keep my fat intake under 20% and protein above 25%.
-Visit the gym 4 times, doing cardio work and either strength training or a class each time.
Feeling pretty good today, since I accomplished my mini-vacation with only temporary setbacks.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 13 June 2006 09:26 pm |
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Eating more today, but doing less junk food at work (for now ) - so I think I'm okay with that.
For today so far: pineapple, strawberry, piece of bread, 2 protein bars, apple, bite of a brownie, turkey wheat sandwich, soy crisps. Total 1300, 25%P, 12%F.
**edited to add**
Really ended up with the munchies post-workout and for dinner.
I had a granola bar, then a giant piece of ciabatta bread with 2 slices of swiss cheese for a "pizza". Total for the day 1900, 22%P, 16%F.
Did 40 minutes of cardio & a bit of weights.
Not sure why I ate so much, but it was pretty much a concious decision. I didn't want to try to resist any cravings (usually leads to making poor choices eventually).
Last edited on 14 June 2006 03:13 am by trimB
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 14 June 2006 10:45 pm |
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Today not so great so far.
The scale is at best still fluctuating at the same weight as the past several months. I had really hoped I might be slowly dropping some fat by now. I'm paranoid and can't seem to get a consistent reading from my calipers. Am I back up to 16mm (26% body fat)? I thought I was getting closer to 14mm (24.5%), but now I really don't know. Tape measurements have been the same for a month or two now. Slightly annoyed. If I'm maintaining - then that means that I'd have to either eat less or exercise more in order to lose some body fat. Should I just accept that this is the shape I will be in from now on? I know I still steal bites of desserts while at work... what's a girl to do?!
For today so far: 2 protein bars, bites of experimental fudge "brownie" using cake scraps, piece of fritatta that alex made for lunch, couscous, cottage cheese, peach. Total 1250, 20%P, 32%F.
Luckily I have some scallops to have a light and protein-rich dinner. Hopefully the day isn't "ruined".
***edited to add***
had scallops with lots of stir-fry veggies and a little bit of rice for dinner. Total 1500, 22%P, 27%F.
didn't make it to the gym either. lots of errands to run this afternoon, and now an entire evening of cleaning to get ready for my live-in-laws visit. energy sadly low.
Last edited on 15 June 2006 02:59 am by trimB
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 18 June 2006 06:28 pm |
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It's been a hectic week. My weekly average of calories, fat, and protein are all off from my goals. I'm interested to see how the calipers & the scale are impacted. I was starting to get the idea that maybe I had restricted my calories too much, so this will be a good test. I will post the results tomorrow.
My beau's parents had been visiting all weekend, so I was cleaning, etc all week to get ready. Then entertaining them the past few days. Lots of touristy stuff, not my fav. The baseball game yesterday was the best ever, go Nats!!!  But the lack of working out since Wednesday is really starting to affect my moods. Grumpy dumpy. Luckily I know why, and I should be able to remedy later today or tomorrow at the latest!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 19 June 2006 10:20 pm |
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Week Review, July12-18:
- Average Calories 1620. This was alot higher than my goal of 1500. The scales say I am down a pound or two (fluctuation?), and the tape measurer says I've lost a half inch off my hips. The calipers read the same, about 26% body fat. So maybe the slightly higher calories wasn't so bad after all??
- Average Protein 22%, Average Fat 24%. Fat alot higher than my under 20% of calories goal. Maybe the calipers would have moved down too if I wouldn't have eaten so many fatty things at work. Definitely have to work on that.
- Exercised 3 times for 40 minutes each. Also did a small amount of weights 3 times. Had my in-laws visiting from out of town which limited the amount of time I had available.
- I had one day where I just ate too much in a social situation. Then another day I was feeling really munchie, so I just indulged myself. In the future, I would only like to have one splurge/maintenance day per week.
Week Plan, July19-25:
- Calories 1600, Protein above 25%, Fat below 20%. This will be an experiment to see what impact the slightly higher calories has on my body.
- Go to the gym 5 times this week. Nothing hectic going on in my personal life, so I should be able to accomplish this. Work is extremely busy, but I'm getting pretty good at asking for more help when I get overwhelmed. This should keep my work hours managable, and leave me with some energy for exercise at the end of the day.
- Keep eating plenty of veggies. I have to keep this one a part of my goals, or I tend to forget about it. I still get the cravings for the "monkey bucket", so that is good.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 20 June 2006 04:36 am |
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Today's highlights - snacks of blueberries, baby carrots, protein bars. 45 minutes of good cardio exercise, lifted some weights.
Today's lowlights - lunch was a hot dog at work, nibbled on a leftover mini cheesecake & leftover m&m's (from a party with a sundae bar) at work.
My beau's grandmother died this morning, so we're driving to Ohio to the funeral later this week. I will try to minimize the impact on my exercise & nutritional goals. Road trips are always a challenge.
*** edited to add***
I forgot to mention my totals for the day were fairly close to goal... about 1600 calories, 25% protein, 22% fat.
Last edited on 20 June 2006 04:37 am by trimB
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trimB
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Posted: 21 June 2006 04:29 am |
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Today's highlights: snacks of baby carrots, a giant bowl of cucumber with red wine vinegar, protein bars, cottage cheese. 45 minutes of cardio exercise.
Today's lowlights: nibbles of chocolate cake trimmings, both lunch & dinner featured starchy pasta (although reasonable portion sizes.
Very close to target: 1600 calories, 23% Protein, 17% Fat.
Will miss workout Wed & Thurs due to driving to Ohio for funeral.
Last edited on 21 June 2006 04:32 am by trimB
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trimB
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Posted: 24 June 2006 03:09 am |
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Went straight from work on Wednesday to the road trip to Ohio. My beau's grandmother had passed away, and I think everyone was more upset than they were initially showing. So it turned out that I was very glad that we made the drive. They treated us to the "hometown" pizza joint, and I indulged (too many calories & too much fat). Thursday was the funeral and the return drive home. Calories were in line, but too much fat again. Not having protein bar for breakfast is disruptive.
Today was challenging as well. The crew begged to order pizza for lunch, and they got their wish. I knew it was coming, so I decided to have one piece then stop. Mission accomplished. I had nibbled on blondie trimmings & biscotti ends before that though. Catching up on sleep, I missed my workout this evening as well. I really wanted to go, because it keeps me sane. But I'm such a wimp when it comes to making up for lost sleep. It feels like the highest priority often.
Tomorrow I'm working a double shift, so no work out then either. 6am to 9pm yay! Extra money will be helpful though. And I can resume my workouts on Sunday.
I've purposefully been staying away from the scale. I want to complete this experimental week of eating slightly more calories, and see what happens to my measurements, etc. Maybe it would be good for me to weigh once a week from now on - we'll see on Monday...
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 27 June 2006 12:42 am |
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Week Review, June 19-25:
- Average Calories 1545. Goal was about 1600.
- Average 20.8% Protein. Goal was 25%.
- Average 24.4% Fat. Goal was 20%. So I somehow managed to eat close to the right amount of food, but quality was relatively poor. The two days that I was "on the road" did almost all of the damage.
- Went to the gym 4 days, did 40 or 45 minutes of cardio each day. Also lifted weights twice. This is not too bad considering that 4 days was the maximum I could possibly have made it to the gym (2 days was out of town, 1 day worked 16 hour shift).
- Weight not changed enough to notice, body fat still at about 16mm on the calipers, measurements are 33"bust-28"waist-32"hips. I believe that's a slight reduction. Perhaps I'm starting to lose a bit of fat & gain a bit of muscle, and it will show up soon on the calipers?? I hope so!
Week Plan, June 26-July2:
- Calories 1600, Protein 25%, Fat 20%.
- Work out each day Monday through Friday, total of 5 times. Do a bit of strength training each time.
- Leaving Saturday morning for family vacation in Kentucky. Plan to focus focus focus on filling up on fruits & veggies. Maybe even take my own stash?
Exactly what are my overall goals here?? I guess to lose fat. Then on that front I haven't made much progress since I started almost 6 months ago! Well I've only been measuring for a few months, but it hasn't changed since then. Since I'm already pretty much at my goal weight (maybe another 5 pounds, who wouldn't like that?) - losing fat only seems to be a big challenge. I feel like I'm losing motivation due to seeing extremely slow results. Especially the last few weeks since I joined the gym - seems as though increased exercise should be showing up soon?!?
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 28 June 2006 12:05 am |
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Not so great day - eating a bit too much fat again. I confess to the following: bites of brownie as I'm cutting them into mini-squares for a lunch party, bites of mini cheesecake trying to see if I put enough vanilla bean in, a few leftover figs wrapped in proscuitto (yum!), bites of leftover antipasto fixings. Luckily I end up snacking like this all day long while at work... and I don't end up eating much for real "meals". Maybe it keeps my metabolism revved up (that and considering the fact that I run around on my feet all day). But it's still alot of fat.
For the day, 1550 calories, 25% protein, 29% fat.
Been fairly good about making it to the gym though. At least when I'm in town - too many road trips lately!!! I do about 40 minutes of cardio work, give or take 5 minutes. And then I do a several random weight machines. I like that my gym has alot of different machines targeting specific muscles, because I get bored with weights so easily. Not sure if I could ever be motivated to create a weights "routine".
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 29 June 2006 02:58 am |
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Slightly better day today, although I'm having difficulty working up the motivation to go to the gym. I know I'll feel happy if I go... so I just need to get my booty out the door!
The only unhealthy thing I had today was a hot dog for lunch and a teeny bite of cookie dough. My coworker cooked lunch for everyone - and he asked me "pasta or hot dogs?". Honestly I'd rather have a fatty hot dog than carb-heavy pasta. But then again a giant salad would have been even better (although not free anymore). I guess I'm a sucker for free meals just like other diarists here. My beau and I cooked stir fry for dinner with lots of veggies & tempeh. I limited myself to one modest serving of rice noodles with it.
Total so far 1200 calories, 23%P, 30%F. I'm sure I'll be ready for little post workout snack a little later....
I visited a website where your body fat can be estimated from your measurements. This says I am 22% body fat. My calipers say about 24-25%. According to the website, if I go down an inch or two in my measurements and lose about 5-10 pounds, then I will be at about 20% body fat. Oy the final 5 pounds are so incredibly stubborn!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 30 June 2006 05:11 am |
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| Did workout yesterday, and today too. This week is quite on track as far as my exercise goals. But horrible horrible horrible amounts of fat eaten. Yuk! Too many unhealthy lunches and snacks. :(
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CapeCoddess
New Member
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Posted: 30 June 2006 03:05 pm |
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Oy the final 5 pounds are so incredibly stubborn.
I know what you mean! I was stuck with that extra 5 lbs for a few weeks and finally I checked 'Eat To Live' out of the library again and re-read it. I've been flirting with it for about a week now. Gained a couple of lbs from salt, but once I figured that out I've now lost half of those stubborn 5 lbs.
Now I just have to keep it up! It's hard when all you guys are eating pastries and stuff! :(
2 1/2 more lbs and *I'm* going to have something junky, too...like CHOCOLATE!!!!:chew: Altho, once I'm off the sugar, if I eat any again then the game's all over. Guess I'll have to re-think that. Maybe a whole wheat pizza would be a better choice.
CC
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 1 July 2006 01:31 am |
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You're right CC... maybe I should just purchase the ETL book this time, so I don't have to keep checking it out from the library.
If I had as much focus as you, maybe I wouldn't be eating the pastries. Today wasn't so bad on that account actually. I amazingly didn't eat junk food. But I did fill up on a giant bowl of berries & yogurt for breakfast. I also had an atypically large dinner of canned tuna, toast, and a bowl of chili. I also had a modest lunch. So fat percentages are down in the normal range, but amount of food eaten is a little high. Total for the day 1750 cal, 24%Protein, 18%Fat.
My theory about the sugar-indulgences is that it depends on your personality. Some people are better off avoiding it altogether! I'm probably one of those.
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zenobia
Moderator
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Posted: 2 July 2006 07:36 am |
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i hear you about avoiding sugar! but it is so impossible! i guess i would rather be able to have some than have to swear off of it for life. i honestly don't think i could! nicotine was easier to give up! it's all about finding the discipline, i guess.
aren't berries and yogurt the best breakfast? I like to throw in high fiber and protien cereal for extra crunch and sweet- still low cal too!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 6 July 2006 01:42 am |
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HAHA I never promised I would swear off sugar. It's like the nicotine addict who knows smoking is bad but doesn't actually want to quit smoking... yet. At this point in my life, it would be extremely challenging not to taste something at work just to see if it turned out correctly. One little taste and all bets are off.
I drove 11 hours each way to family retreat in Cumberland, Kentucky this past loong-weekend. Luckily my mom stocked the cabins with lots of fruits and veggies. Sure I nibbled on a chip or a cookie here or there, but I also really filled up on the veggies & fruit for several meals . On the down side, I had three really poor "road trip" meals  . We'll just say my craving for pizza should be satiated for quite a while.
I decided (while zoning out driving in the middle of Virginia) that I would give up calorie counting for a while and see how it goes. I want to focus each decision on healthy ideals, instead of fudging here and there to get the right "answer". My guidelines for are:
- choose a food or meal that is nutritionally dense. This could be either vitamins/minerals or fiber or protein or any combination.
- only eat when truly hungry and only eat enough to barely fill this hunger.
- workout almost every day.
I need to learn to stick to these guidelines so consistently that they become second nature. So far today... well I'm still learning. I had big bowl of plain yogurt & berries for breakfast, but then was nibbling on cinnamon roll cubes I was cutting up for bread pudding. I had stir fry veggies with tempeh and noodles for lunch, but then I had a couple of bites of cookie dough left over from a kids' activity we did on the trip (I threw the rest away). Going to the gym and staying focused for the rest of the evening!!!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 7 July 2006 12:29 am |
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I want to focus each decision on healthy ideals. My guidelines for are:
- choose a food or meal that is nutritionally dense. This could be either vitamins/minerals or fiber or protein or any combination.
- only eat when truly hungry and only eat enough to barely fill this hunger.
- workout almost every day.
Still learning, but feeling good about my new approach. I chose a yogurt with berries breakfast and an apple for a quick snack. I nibbled on the trimming from a big sheet cake. Lunch was not so great: a hot dog and a couple of fish sticks (we were cleaning out the freezer at work). I just had an orange a some melba toast to tide me over until dinner. My beau and I are doing a secret shopper thing for a nice bar/restaurant that we like. I just looked at their menu online so that I can narrow it down now. I'm debating between a grilled fish sandwich (protein, yay!) and a big salad (lots of veggies, yay!).
Skipping my workout tonight. Started my period today (quite a few days early!?!), so this is my indulgence. I could have squeezed a workout in after work, but I felt like crawling into bed in self-pity.... so I did! I feel rejuvenated, and I know I'll have a good workout tomorrow.
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nevd
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 7 July 2006 02:34 pm |
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I need to learn to stick to these guidelines so consistently that they become second nature.
You're not wrong there. I've seen with so many others that there is no substitute for sticking with the plan and being consistent.
I think you're right that it shouldn't matter if you quit calorie counting and focus on food choices. Counting cals is great discipline when you're starting a weight loss campaign, but not something you'd want to commit to for life! And, as long as you're logging stuff in this thread, it should be easy enough to monitor things on a weekly basis, so you're sure you're still on course.
Nil desperandum est! (Those Romans knew a thing or two about perseverence).
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 8 July 2006 01:14 am |
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Thanks for the reinforcement nevd. :) I started to have doubts today about whether or not I am really ready to stop counting calories and start relying on my decisions only to guide me. I tend to stop thinking and even forget that I nibbled on this or that. I remember this is why I started this diary 6 months ago. I'll give myself a few more days, then reevaluate this experiment.... maybe I can think of a plan to wean myself off of the calorie counting more gradually. I believe I had started to slllooooowly trim a teeny bit of fat off my body - so I don't want to mess it up now.
Had a big bowl of yogurt & berries for breakfast, but was hungry again by 11. Had a small hummus & whole wheat sandwich. Co-worker made lasagna for lunch several hours later and I had a piece. Also just had a pre workout snack of apple & microwaved egg whites with salsa. Here's to a great workout!!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 8 July 2006 10:08 pm |
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Horrible horrible day so far, and I really want to go back to calorie counting. I just don't trust myself. Not sure how to fix the trust problem. Today I had a bowl of yogurt, berries, and granola for breakfast. I made a romaine salad with veggies for lunch. Then I proceeded to snack on scraps of the warm biscotti I was making for the rest of the afternoon. Now my stomach hurts.
Both my measurements and my weight are up?!? Could this possibly be related to current period-type bloating? If I plug my measurements in to the body-fat calculator website - it says I am 30% body fat!!!! Not sure how this drastic of a change could have happened over the last two weeks. I thought I was inching towards 22% or so, and measurements were inching down. Really not sure how to react right now.
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Nir
Senior Administrator
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Posted: 9 July 2006 12:24 am |
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| I stopped calorie counting on Sunday the 28th of May. Within a few hours I was eating 1000 calories of chocolate chip cookies. I binged for around 2 weeks. In the end I decided that, if I wasn't counting calories, I at least had to do some sort of counting to keep myself in check. I don't write nearly as much anymore. I used to use one A4 sheet per day. Now one sheet lasts me around 6 days and there is much less work involved. But I find keeping some sort of record invaluable in keeping myself under control. I still make some bad choices, but I feel a certain level of control.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 9 July 2006 01:29 am |
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Thank you for responding. I was starting to wonder if I was the only one unable (at least for now) to control myself without at least some form of tracking. I thought about it some more since I last posted... I think it is a personality-related trait. Related to obsessive-compulsive behaviors maybe? Or maybe just a data-based mindset. I can definitely relate to numbers easily, so it makes sense that I might feel very comfortable controlling my eating this way.
I mapped out a plan (using the handy calculators on this site, thank you) to get me down to 20% body fat in 5 months or so. This will involve a very modest calorie deficit of 2700 per week. That's not quite 400 per day. This will be accomplished through a combination of exercise and healthy eating. I know the healthy eating thing should be a given, but apparently it takes some effort for me.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 9 July 2006 10:47 pm |
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I like how this new approach feels. Yes, I know I am still stuck in the "tracking what I eat" phase. But I'm starting to think of it like keeping a budget. I'm fairly compulsive about that too. I use a money-tracking program on my computer, and I enter in every receipt & catergorize it so that I can track what I spend. I have data going back for at least 4 years. Sounds nerdy, but I definitely know what is going on with my budget at all times.
So I know what my average calorie usage is, and I have to work towards a 400 calorie deficit every day. Today will be some exercise and some smart eating. I like this because it means if I want to have the homemade falafel and eggplant dip for dinner, then I just have to make sure I'm still at my deficit for the day. I plan on entering my totals for each week.
No bad nibbling to report today. I made a batch of "energy bars" at work, and sampled two little ones. I won't be making them again... they were more like blondies with some dried fruit, oats, and wheat bran thrown in. Not extremely healthy. My favorites are still nevd's recipe and the peanut butter granola bar recipe I tried a few weeks ago.
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CapeCoddess
New Member
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Posted: 9 July 2006 11:19 pm |
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I started counting calories again yesterday. I do this when I start swinging a little too wide with my food plan, aka eating too many grains and sugars.
Back in the good ol' days (the 15 yrs prior to last year) I only needed to count cals 2 or 3 times a year for few days or so to get back on track. Altho thru most of that time I, too, was entering every cent into my finance program. ;) Something I am not so diligent about today.
Anyway, this time, since I feel like I'm starting at the very beginning again with my weight and food plan, it seems I need to count more often. This is the 3rd time I'm counting in almost as many months.
I wouldn't worry about it tho, T...I believe that eventually, when it all becomes 2nd nature and we're comfortable, we'll drop the counting.
Meanwhile...count on!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 10 July 2006 08:36 pm |
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Thanks, CC, for chiming in. I suppose your approach (counting calories as needed for a "reality check") is the one I have used for years as well. It's just taking me an extra long time to get back in line this time. Being around food all day feels very challenging for me.
Yesterday didn't go quite as well as planned, but still better than any day last week (when I wasn't counting). We made a giant Lebanese feast  for dinner, and although it was completely veggies and whole grain based , I still managed to rack up a bit more calories than I intended . I'm trying to make up for it today, but I don't think I'll quite make it. Today and tomorrow I start work at 4am , so my eating times get really messed up.... looking forward to my gym workout though.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 13 July 2006 10:32 pm |
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This week, so far so good concerning my plan. I'm counting my calories burning using RMR plus a small factor (considering my active job) plus any cardio exercise I do. Aiming each day for my calories in to be less than my calories burned by about 400. I've made it fairly close to that, except for Tuesday because I did not exercise. Decided to catch up on my sleep instead.
More importantly, I have NOT been snacking on junk food at work. My fat percentages have just fallen in line since I've been able to do this. AMAZING! I just need to consciously keep this up until it becomes an unconcious habit. I still get little sweet tooth cravings... but if I must indulge I have to do it at home. Earlier in the week, I made a healthy cobbler with fresh nectarines and a reduced fat&sugar struesel topping. Yum!
May need to vary my workout routine next week in order to keep my body from getting in a rut!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 14 July 2006 09:21 pm |
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Remember what I wrote yesterday about NOT snacking on junk food at work? Well, someone brought in some pre-made petit four samples today - and asked me to try one. So I did. Then I tried another. Then later in the day, I could barely resist the cookie dough I was scooping. After that, I actually could not resist trying a piece of a new lemon oat bar recipe I had tried. Bad Bad Bad day.
The good thing that came out of all this is that I learned something valuable about myself. It only takes one little bite of something sweet & naughty to set me in motion on that path for the day. So if I can just stick with my new NO JUNK FOOD AT WORK habit despite this little slip-up, then I think I will be ok.
The scale has inched up a bit, despite my new plan. I think perhaps I have overestimated my base calories burned. I fairly certain that my cardio-workout-calories-burned is accurate (I've been taking the numbers from the machine at the gym and reducing them by 25% to account for the overestimation of the machines). And I've been more careful about recording my calories eaten down to the last nibble. I'll make adjustments for next weeks plan which starts Sunday.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 15 July 2006 07:44 pm |
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Ummm I'm embarassed to write today, but I have to confess anyway. I ate a healthy breakfast, but it was all downhill from there. We merged with another catering company, and I 'inherited' alot of their inventory of frozen stuff. I really honestly needed to take teeny samples of a couple of their things... to compare their recipes with ours and decide recipe to keep. But - as mentioned yesterday - one teeny sample just opens the floodgates for me.
I sampled some of their chocolate and vanilla cake (obviously from a mix!! scoff!), and then several nibbles of their pecan diamonds (their crust is better, our filling is better), and then many nibbles of their assorted cookie doughs (good but nothing to write home about). I feel horrible about it, but I guess I accomplished most of my mission on that account, so that I can move on with my life. ugh.
I'll try to move on and have a good day from here on out.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 16 July 2006 06:20 pm |
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Decided not to go to the gym yesterday. I honestly think my body was worn out, and I had gone 5 times during the week. 5 times per week is a good goal for me. I've definitely made it a priority and a habit, so if my body wants to sleep extra (which is what I did instead) - then I'm okay with that.
We went out to Chinatown last night to a place that handmakes their own noodles and dumplings. I had a romaine salad with balsamic vinegar before we left to help ease my hunger. Then I opted for the noodle soup with veggies. I hope that was at least a compromise. I ate all the veggies first, then about half of the noodles and broth (which was still at least one "serving" worth). My strategy mostly worked, I think - so minimal damage to my plan.
Last week's review:
Went to the gym 5 times and did good cardio work. Slacked off on my weights though - I tend to get lazy easily on that account. Need to vary my routine now, so I don't get in a rut. Did good in the beginning of the week not eating junk food at work. Not so good at the end of the week. I ate too much overall despite that though. By my calculations, I ended up at about -2000 calories for the week (instead of the -2700 I was aiming for).
This week:
Make it to the gym 5 or 6 times this week. Vary my workouts - running, intervals, walking with steep incline, elliptical. Then add more focused weight training - 2 days each of lower body and upper body. Focus on veggie-heavy meals and NOT eating junk food at work. Aim for -2700 calories for the whole week.
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 17 July 2006 10:14 pm |
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Pretty good day yesterday. My first day off work in a couple of weeks. Let's just say some scandal occurred while I was off, so I'm not sure when I'll be able to take another day off again. Oh well, I'll try to work relatively short days to make up for no days off. :?
I really paid attention to my hunger yesterday and only ate just enough to quench the hunger and no more. I ended up eating about 5 little meals, and came out to my goal of net -400 calories for the day. This included about 40 minutes of jogging at the gym plus weights focusing on my upper body. It felt good to jog again, and my back is doing fine so far.
No junk food snacking today at work. Yay me! I did wake up really hungry, though I was able to distract myself until about 6am or so (two hours after I got to work, sheesh! ). Plan to go to the gym this afternoon, a long slow burn of a workout (my muscles are a little sore from jogging yesterday).
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 18 July 2006 08:56 pm |
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Good and long workout yesterday. Cooked a great dinner - indian curry. Filled with veggies and some coconut milk & yogurt. The rice we made to go with it put me a little over my goal for the day - but I'm okay with that.
I have a doctor's appt this afternoon, so I'm taking the opportunity for a day off from working out. Plus my feet are really achey from running around for 9 hours straight at work. Oddly busy week for the middle of July. Plus I'm short one person (AGAIN!) so stress is creeping up. On the plus side, I was too busy to even look twice at a cookie or a cake bit. Since I'm not working out, I'm aiming for lower calories today. I hope I can make it!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 20 Jul | | |
