I've got to get back on track, so my vow is to begin to update this blog again in hopes of finding my way back to the food-consious Erica I once was.
I haven't completely fallen off this wagon-- in fact, I'm probably over-exaggerating like normal. But I've found the longer I'm "out" with this whole broken foot thing, the easier I'm finding it to be to make excuses as to why it's okay to be on a break from healthy living. However, I was rejuvinated last week. I had a FANTASTIC workout on Tuesday with Brandi (she was administering Melissa's workouts while she was out of town), and I really felt super recharged the rest of the week. I ended up getting super sick at the end of the week, making my Thursday workout impossible because I couldn't breathe, but I did move during the weekend, so lots of heavy lifting was involved.
I've moved out on my own again, which scared me, at first. I know shopping for healthy food on a budget is tricky, but thank God for Pinterest. I've found so many helpful hints on how to eat well on limited funds. My first shopping trip included: rainer cherries, gala apples, chicken, non-fat greek yogurt, 98% fat free chicken broth, and green beans, to name a few items.... and I stayed within my budget! I also made sure to bring my yoga mat and exercise ball (including resistance bands and DVDs) with me. Also, when my foot gets back to 100%, I'll be back to running. I'm literally one house from College Avenue (where the school I work at is located), and it's a mile run around the school. My plan is to start running that in the mornings before work (if not then, it'll happen right after work) when I'm released to do so. Plus, I'm right next to a trail called The Riverwalk, so I can get my cardio on there, too.
I'm excited for this new challenge, and I have not lost one ounce of my motivation (for my mother who is reading this, don't worry). In fact, my motivation has doubled, and I have no choice but to continue this journey. I'm destined for so much more. Watch out!
Monday, August 13, 2012
Friday, June 22, 2012
Minor Setbacks/Moving Forward
It's been awhile since I posted...
I'm sure there are many more updates since I last posted that I'll forget to mention, but there is one thing that I really felt the need to write about. July 1, 2012 will be exactly one year since I started my weight loss journey... one year since I decided that I couldn't (and wouldn't) be able to continue living like I was and expect to see 50... one year since I made a decision to put ME first.
When I started in 2011, my one year goals were to lose 100 pounds and learn to love running. I didn't start with an end weight in sight because I don't know what I want that to be. Well, I didn't lose 100 pounds, but I did lose 60. That's not bad for 365 days.
But I won't be going "balls to the wall" into my one-year anniversary as I hoped. I broke my foot on May 31, and I will be out of commission for an undetermined amount of time.
Thankfully, Melissa is still willing to work with the new, less-mobile me and is still helping me workout as much as I can. I can't really do any running or biking (heck, I can't even walk), but I'm still sweating it out in the gym with weights and pushups and abs. I still have to keep moving.
So here is my new goal: a 10k on Sept. 30. It's a lofty goal, I know, but I know my body is still capable of competition, even if it's not so at the moment. I go back to the doctor this coming Wednesday to see where I am in the healing process. My hope is that he tells me I can: 1) do the stationary bike, 2) go to South Africa in two weeks, and 3) be up and running, literally, by August 15. If I train hard for a month and a half, I'm sure my body will get back what stamina it has lost in the past few weeks.
If prayer is your thing, please pray for a quick healing and that my foot is stronger after this setback than it was before.
(For any of you wondering, I broke my foot in the ocean. Who does that? Only me...)
I'm sure there are many more updates since I last posted that I'll forget to mention, but there is one thing that I really felt the need to write about. July 1, 2012 will be exactly one year since I started my weight loss journey... one year since I decided that I couldn't (and wouldn't) be able to continue living like I was and expect to see 50... one year since I made a decision to put ME first.
When I started in 2011, my one year goals were to lose 100 pounds and learn to love running. I didn't start with an end weight in sight because I don't know what I want that to be. Well, I didn't lose 100 pounds, but I did lose 60. That's not bad for 365 days.
But I won't be going "balls to the wall" into my one-year anniversary as I hoped. I broke my foot on May 31, and I will be out of commission for an undetermined amount of time.
Thankfully, Melissa is still willing to work with the new, less-mobile me and is still helping me workout as much as I can. I can't really do any running or biking (heck, I can't even walk), but I'm still sweating it out in the gym with weights and pushups and abs. I still have to keep moving.
So here is my new goal: a 10k on Sept. 30. It's a lofty goal, I know, but I know my body is still capable of competition, even if it's not so at the moment. I go back to the doctor this coming Wednesday to see where I am in the healing process. My hope is that he tells me I can: 1) do the stationary bike, 2) go to South Africa in two weeks, and 3) be up and running, literally, by August 15. If I train hard for a month and a half, I'm sure my body will get back what stamina it has lost in the past few weeks.
If prayer is your thing, please pray for a quick healing and that my foot is stronger after this setback than it was before.
(For any of you wondering, I broke my foot in the ocean. Who does that? Only me...)
Thursday, April 12, 2012
$tarbuck$
Starbucks... my biggest addiction to date. "I just can't quit you!"
The average Starbucks drink will cost you $4.00. If you're me, you can find yourself paying $6.00 for 12-24 ounces of caffeinated goodness. And that's everyday. I go to Starbucks probably... easily... 6 times a week. That is almost $40 a week I spend on coffee (delicious, delicious coffee). That's scary.
What's more frightening is this...
The average Starbucks drink contains 200 calories, and that doesn't include the frappucinos. The average frappucino can cost you upwards of 500 calories... per drink! That's anywhere between 3-7 average-sized apples, 5 medium bananas, one 6" ham and turkey Subway sandwich WITH baked Doritos! 500 CALORIES IS A TURKEY BURGER WITH FAT-FREE MOZZARELLA CHEESE, A CUP AND A HALF OF GREEN BEANS, AND A SUGAR-FREE JELLO AND WHIPPED CREAM DESSERT! Essentially, you are drinking an entire meal.
And not in the good way, either.
I used to work for Starbucks, and I will be the first to tell you that it is an AMAZING company to work for. The benefits are great, they treat their employees awesome, and they do a lot of good in the community. But dang, their drinks are dangerous.
I would stop at Starbucks every single day before my 40 minute commute to work. I used to get a Venti Soy 1-pump Vanilla Chai, and I wore every single bit of those 360 calories. Then I switched to Venti Soy Sugar-Free Vanilla Lattes. It saved me almost 100 calories, but I was drinking it all day, which wasn't good. So then I switched to a Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte... Finally, 100 calories! But the secret weapon is the amount of sodium and sugar! 125mg of sodium and 13g of sugar!
I decided that I was giving up Starbucks this week. I haven't been there in 6 days, and I'm surviving. Actually, I feel really good. I have an extra $30 in my pocket to boot!
I won't lie when I say I didn't give up the Bux for the lack of nutritional value; it was all money. But then I got to thinking What could I eat for 100 calories? Well, that's an extra banana or apple a day, an extra few slices of protein-packed meat on my sandwich, an extra mid-day snack to help tide me over until dinner, or a small sweet treat at the end of the day. (OR an extra 100 calories to add to my calorie deficit each day!) For a food addict, I was really wasting my calories!
I urge you to see where you can cut unnecessary calories each day. This has been a trying week in many ways, so I'm focusing on challenging myself with this. I will say that I've also taken on the challenge of no sweets until June 9. I had a piece of cake today for a co-worker's birthday, and I'm done. There is this dress that Amber over at Live. Love. Fit! let me borrow, and I will wear it for Leah and Brett's wedding! If I can pull this off, it will be SIX sizes smaller than the dresses I wore when I first started this journey.
Let the challenges begin! How will you challenge yourself this week?
UPDATE: I still can't quit it. UGH!
The average Starbucks drink will cost you $4.00. If you're me, you can find yourself paying $6.00 for 12-24 ounces of caffeinated goodness. And that's everyday. I go to Starbucks probably... easily... 6 times a week. That is almost $40 a week I spend on coffee (delicious, delicious coffee). That's scary.
What's more frightening is this...
The average Starbucks drink contains 200 calories, and that doesn't include the frappucinos. The average frappucino can cost you upwards of 500 calories... per drink! That's anywhere between 3-7 average-sized apples, 5 medium bananas, one 6" ham and turkey Subway sandwich WITH baked Doritos! 500 CALORIES IS A TURKEY BURGER WITH FAT-FREE MOZZARELLA CHEESE, A CUP AND A HALF OF GREEN BEANS, AND A SUGAR-FREE JELLO AND WHIPPED CREAM DESSERT! Essentially, you are drinking an entire meal.
And not in the good way, either.
I used to work for Starbucks, and I will be the first to tell you that it is an AMAZING company to work for. The benefits are great, they treat their employees awesome, and they do a lot of good in the community. But dang, their drinks are dangerous.
I would stop at Starbucks every single day before my 40 minute commute to work. I used to get a Venti Soy 1-pump Vanilla Chai, and I wore every single bit of those 360 calories. Then I switched to Venti Soy Sugar-Free Vanilla Lattes. It saved me almost 100 calories, but I was drinking it all day, which wasn't good. So then I switched to a Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte... Finally, 100 calories! But the secret weapon is the amount of sodium and sugar! 125mg of sodium and 13g of sugar!
I decided that I was giving up Starbucks this week. I haven't been there in 6 days, and I'm surviving. Actually, I feel really good. I have an extra $30 in my pocket to boot!
I won't lie when I say I didn't give up the Bux for the lack of nutritional value; it was all money. But then I got to thinking What could I eat for 100 calories? Well, that's an extra banana or apple a day, an extra few slices of protein-packed meat on my sandwich, an extra mid-day snack to help tide me over until dinner, or a small sweet treat at the end of the day. (OR an extra 100 calories to add to my calorie deficit each day!) For a food addict, I was really wasting my calories!
I urge you to see where you can cut unnecessary calories each day. This has been a trying week in many ways, so I'm focusing on challenging myself with this. I will say that I've also taken on the challenge of no sweets until June 9. I had a piece of cake today for a co-worker's birthday, and I'm done. There is this dress that Amber over at Live. Love. Fit! let me borrow, and I will wear it for Leah and Brett's wedding! If I can pull this off, it will be SIX sizes smaller than the dresses I wore when I first started this journey.
Let the challenges begin! How will you challenge yourself this week?
UPDATE: I still can't quit it. UGH!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
That's INSANE!
Two nights ago, with the help of a Graduate Assistant in my office, I started Insanity. I'm sure you've probably heard of it, but it's a program (like P90x) that is geared toward changing your body by completing 60-ish days of intense interval training. It's like Jane Fonda's Buns of Steel on steriods... and for your entire body.
I completed the Fit Test, which consisted of minute-long spurts of 8 different exercises (high knees, power jumps, power jacks, etc.) where you count your reps. You then do the fit test four other times throughout the process and compare your reps to see your progress. It's an interesting idea, and even the fit test was difficult. My reps weren't good on some of the exercises, but I was impressed with my outcomes on some.
If I choose to do the whole program, it will take me more than two months simply because I'm not going to double up on Melissa days with Insanity Days. I'm not THAT crazy. Melissa has sad before that what we do is basically Insanity-like procedures; I believe that. She also made a comment last night that Insanity isn't really designed for weight loss. I can see that, too. Even people on P90x don't lose that much weight doing the program because they are gaining so much muscle. I think the big difference between what Melissa and I do and what Insanity does is the intensity. Insanity is 6 days a week with the 7th being a rest day. With Melissa, we go hard two or three days, and the other days are strictly cardio days like running or walking or other exercises. We do the strength training, but it has to be combined with cardio.
I think that if I take anything from this journey, it has to be that too much cardio makes you start losing muscle mass, and too much strength training will not help you lose weight effectively. Yes, muscle helps you burn fat, but cardio boosts your metabolism, so there has to be a balance between the two to acheive results.
Updates for me include my additional loss of 8.8 inches last month. I may have already updated that, but I forgot if I did... so there you go. I haven't run at all since the 5k. That is definitely on my list of things to do this week as soon as it stops being cold and snowy outside (yeah, snow).
I completed the Fit Test, which consisted of minute-long spurts of 8 different exercises (high knees, power jumps, power jacks, etc.) where you count your reps. You then do the fit test four other times throughout the process and compare your reps to see your progress. It's an interesting idea, and even the fit test was difficult. My reps weren't good on some of the exercises, but I was impressed with my outcomes on some.
If I choose to do the whole program, it will take me more than two months simply because I'm not going to double up on Melissa days with Insanity Days. I'm not THAT crazy. Melissa has sad before that what we do is basically Insanity-like procedures; I believe that. She also made a comment last night that Insanity isn't really designed for weight loss. I can see that, too. Even people on P90x don't lose that much weight doing the program because they are gaining so much muscle. I think the big difference between what Melissa and I do and what Insanity does is the intensity. Insanity is 6 days a week with the 7th being a rest day. With Melissa, we go hard two or three days, and the other days are strictly cardio days like running or walking or other exercises. We do the strength training, but it has to be combined with cardio.
I think that if I take anything from this journey, it has to be that too much cardio makes you start losing muscle mass, and too much strength training will not help you lose weight effectively. Yes, muscle helps you burn fat, but cardio boosts your metabolism, so there has to be a balance between the two to acheive results.
Updates for me include my additional loss of 8.8 inches last month. I may have already updated that, but I forgot if I did... so there you go. I haven't run at all since the 5k. That is definitely on my list of things to do this week as soon as it stops being cold and snowy outside (yeah, snow).
Monday, April 2, 2012
5k? CHECK!
The day after my first 5k... I never thought it would come.
When Melissa told her You First clients (back in January) that we were all running a 5k on April 1, I think we thought it was an April Fool's joke. Well, it wasn't. We all ran, and we all ran really well!
The course was, as she put, the most difficult you'd find in the area and surrounding areas... I believe it. I'd tell you where we ran, but unless you're from here, it will make no sense. I'll just say that there were a LOT of hills. Then again, running outside in West Virginia isn't the easiest thing.
That's why I was fine with a time of 56:29. I did 3.1 miles a week before in 51:00 flat, but I was also running on a treadmill. I'd be interested to see my time on a flat course, but overall, I'm very, very pleased with how things went.
I ran about a mile and a half before I stopped to walk for a bit. That also was when the first substantial hill came, so there you go.
All in all, my philosophy was to just keep moving. Other than the 10 seconds I stopped to tie my shoe, I didn't stop. I knew if I stopped, I wouldn't start again.
Well, it's sideways, but here I am crossing the finish line (I know it doesn't look like I'm running, but I am)
I'm hooked. I can't wait to do more 5ks this spring/summer. I figure that if I can conquer this course, I can do about any other course around. I am already committed to doing The Color Run on Sept. 22 in DC (www.thecolorrun.com), but I know there's a few festival 5ks in the area this summer, as well as a mile run for a festival in the town I work in. I'm going to seriously sign up for every single one I can.
I don't think anything can beat the feeling of doing something that you never thought you'd be able to do. A year ago, 50 pounds ago, 35 inches ago, I would have never imagined I would ever be able to run, let alone enjoy it. There, I said it. I love running. It might hurt, but it's a good hurt.
When Melissa told her You First clients (back in January) that we were all running a 5k on April 1, I think we thought it was an April Fool's joke. Well, it wasn't. We all ran, and we all ran really well!
The course was, as she put, the most difficult you'd find in the area and surrounding areas... I believe it. I'd tell you where we ran, but unless you're from here, it will make no sense. I'll just say that there were a LOT of hills. Then again, running outside in West Virginia isn't the easiest thing.
That's why I was fine with a time of 56:29. I did 3.1 miles a week before in 51:00 flat, but I was also running on a treadmill. I'd be interested to see my time on a flat course, but overall, I'm very, very pleased with how things went.
I ran about a mile and a half before I stopped to walk for a bit. That also was when the first substantial hill came, so there you go.
All in all, my philosophy was to just keep moving. Other than the 10 seconds I stopped to tie my shoe, I didn't stop. I knew if I stopped, I wouldn't start again.
Well, it's sideways, but here I am crossing the finish line (I know it doesn't look like I'm running, but I am)
I'm hooked. I can't wait to do more 5ks this spring/summer. I figure that if I can conquer this course, I can do about any other course around. I am already committed to doing The Color Run on Sept. 22 in DC (www.thecolorrun.com), but I know there's a few festival 5ks in the area this summer, as well as a mile run for a festival in the town I work in. I'm going to seriously sign up for every single one I can.
I don't think anything can beat the feeling of doing something that you never thought you'd be able to do. A year ago, 50 pounds ago, 35 inches ago, I would have never imagined I would ever be able to run, let alone enjoy it. There, I said it. I love running. It might hurt, but it's a good hurt.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Just Do It!
It's finally come... the night before the night before my first 5k run.
No, this whole post won't rhyme, although I'm fairly certain I could do it if I try.
Sunday is when I run my first 5k. This past Sunday, I thought I should probably get on the treadmill and see if I could even go 3.1 miles without keeling over. So my uncle and I went up to Anytime to do just that. (I love when he's in town because 1) I never get to see him, and 2) he's always down to show me up at the gym) So I got on the treadmill and covered up my time and distance, set my speed to 3.8 (.2 mph faster than I have been running), and just went.
SIDENOTE: A week ago, I ran half a mile for the first time, all at once. I was super pumped. Read on....
Well wouldn't you know that I hit one of my goals: running a mile without stopping.
I never, never, NEVER thought I would be able to do that. NEVER. I absolutely couldn't believe it. I'm not sure how quickly, or slowly, I did it, but I don't care. It took me 51 minutes to complete 3.2 miles, so I know it was less than a 20 min. mile average.
And then I did it again on Wednesday.
I'm feeling much better about this 5k now. Melissa keeps driving home the point that it doesn't matter if you come in first or last becuse if this is your first "race," it'll be your best one yet. I really have taken that to heart lately because in the end, life is just a race against yourself. It doesn't matter if you're running slower than the person in front of you because you're not trying to change their body-- you're doing this for YOU.
Whatever time I get on Sunday will be my slowest ever. I fully intend on keeping up with running because there are some advantages. "A run never takes more than it gives," or so says Nike. I believe it.
I did find that the Couch 2 5k program was more of a hinderance than something that pushed me. I finally had to put it away and just run, not caring when I was supposed to take scheduled breaks or jog. Now I just go until I need to walk, and when I know I can go again, I do. If you want to do something, all you have to do is do it.
From here on out, my new goal is everytime I go to run, walk, jog, or any combination thereof, I will never do less than 3.1 miles. I can't, because I always have to keep moving forward. I have 3 months before I go to South Africa, and I need to do as much as I can in that time.
I have another 5k scheduled for the morning on June 9 in my hometown. I would also like to do another one, maybe the Strawberry Festival or Italian Heritage Festival 5k. There's also this thing called The Color Run that I'm hoping Melissa and I can do together. With everyday, she's becoming so much more of a friend, and I'm always so thankful she has taken a chance on me. When I went to run that half a mile the first time, she stayed right there with me and made me push past the pain and the negativity in my mind. She could have just run on and lapped me, but she didn't. I thank God daily for her.
No, this whole post won't rhyme, although I'm fairly certain I could do it if I try.
Sunday is when I run my first 5k. This past Sunday, I thought I should probably get on the treadmill and see if I could even go 3.1 miles without keeling over. So my uncle and I went up to Anytime to do just that. (I love when he's in town because 1) I never get to see him, and 2) he's always down to show me up at the gym) So I got on the treadmill and covered up my time and distance, set my speed to 3.8 (.2 mph faster than I have been running), and just went.
SIDENOTE: A week ago, I ran half a mile for the first time, all at once. I was super pumped. Read on....
Well wouldn't you know that I hit one of my goals: running a mile without stopping.
I never, never, NEVER thought I would be able to do that. NEVER. I absolutely couldn't believe it. I'm not sure how quickly, or slowly, I did it, but I don't care. It took me 51 minutes to complete 3.2 miles, so I know it was less than a 20 min. mile average.
And then I did it again on Wednesday.
I'm feeling much better about this 5k now. Melissa keeps driving home the point that it doesn't matter if you come in first or last becuse if this is your first "race," it'll be your best one yet. I really have taken that to heart lately because in the end, life is just a race against yourself. It doesn't matter if you're running slower than the person in front of you because you're not trying to change their body-- you're doing this for YOU.
Whatever time I get on Sunday will be my slowest ever. I fully intend on keeping up with running because there are some advantages. "A run never takes more than it gives," or so says Nike. I believe it.
I did find that the Couch 2 5k program was more of a hinderance than something that pushed me. I finally had to put it away and just run, not caring when I was supposed to take scheduled breaks or jog. Now I just go until I need to walk, and when I know I can go again, I do. If you want to do something, all you have to do is do it.
From here on out, my new goal is everytime I go to run, walk, jog, or any combination thereof, I will never do less than 3.1 miles. I can't, because I always have to keep moving forward. I have 3 months before I go to South Africa, and I need to do as much as I can in that time.
I have another 5k scheduled for the morning on June 9 in my hometown. I would also like to do another one, maybe the Strawberry Festival or Italian Heritage Festival 5k. There's also this thing called The Color Run that I'm hoping Melissa and I can do together. With everyday, she's becoming so much more of a friend, and I'm always so thankful she has taken a chance on me. When I went to run that half a mile the first time, she stayed right there with me and made me push past the pain and the negativity in my mind. She could have just run on and lapped me, but she didn't. I thank God daily for her.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Some Inspiration
Sometimes, you just have to realize you're no good at something. For me, it's updating this blog.
So, I've got some big news.... After months of being at -46 pounds lost, the numbers on the scale have finally started moving again. I have finally hit my first goal...
-50 pounds!!!
51.5 to be exact, but I couldn't be more relieved.
I was talking with Matt, the owner of Anytime Fitness, about my next steps. He's been waiting for me to be ready to take pictures. You know, one of those "see how big my pants are" pictures, where you stand there and hold your pants out. Those are fine and all, but am I the only person who considers the fact that of course they're going to be bigger than your body... there's nothing filling them out! Personally, I don't see enough difference in myself with 50 pounds gone to really make that picture mean anything to me, let alone anyone else. So I'm waiting until I lose another 50 pounds.
However, I did tell Matt that my goal is to be on a billboard. Right now, AF has a few billboards up displaying weight loss of their clients, which I think is AWESOME. I WANT ONE, TOO!! :) Amber over at Love. Life. Fit! is on one, and she made the comment that she never thought she would be on a billboard promoting weight loss. I just think it's so cool, pushing so much and working so hard to start inspiring yourself!
Any of us on this journey feels a small burden to inspire other people; I know I do. It's rare that I inspire myself, but I think that's so important. Amber inspires me, and I hope she inspires herself! I want to be there, too. So my goal is to push myself to the point of self-inspiration. I'm not sure what that will take, but I think I'll know it when I see it.
For now, I've been set back just a little. I sprained my right wrist, so weight lifting and planking are out for me for a bit. I know Melissa will still work me hard, though, using other means. There are plenty of exercises where I don't need weights. :) The jarring of running doesn't feel too good, but I'm hoping that if I keep using this wrist brace, I'll start to feel better soon. After all, the 5k is in two weeks, which is really scary. I know I'm not ready for it, and I highly doubt I'll be making my "Run a 5k in less than 40 minutes" goal a reality, but I'm sure going to try. I'm hoping that some burst of energy and courage hits me that day, and I'll at least make my "run a mile without stopping" goal happen.
Fingers crossed!
So, I've got some big news.... After months of being at -46 pounds lost, the numbers on the scale have finally started moving again. I have finally hit my first goal...
-50 pounds!!!
51.5 to be exact, but I couldn't be more relieved.
I was talking with Matt, the owner of Anytime Fitness, about my next steps. He's been waiting for me to be ready to take pictures. You know, one of those "see how big my pants are" pictures, where you stand there and hold your pants out. Those are fine and all, but am I the only person who considers the fact that of course they're going to be bigger than your body... there's nothing filling them out! Personally, I don't see enough difference in myself with 50 pounds gone to really make that picture mean anything to me, let alone anyone else. So I'm waiting until I lose another 50 pounds.
However, I did tell Matt that my goal is to be on a billboard. Right now, AF has a few billboards up displaying weight loss of their clients, which I think is AWESOME. I WANT ONE, TOO!! :) Amber over at Love. Life. Fit! is on one, and she made the comment that she never thought she would be on a billboard promoting weight loss. I just think it's so cool, pushing so much and working so hard to start inspiring yourself!
Any of us on this journey feels a small burden to inspire other people; I know I do. It's rare that I inspire myself, but I think that's so important. Amber inspires me, and I hope she inspires herself! I want to be there, too. So my goal is to push myself to the point of self-inspiration. I'm not sure what that will take, but I think I'll know it when I see it.
For now, I've been set back just a little. I sprained my right wrist, so weight lifting and planking are out for me for a bit. I know Melissa will still work me hard, though, using other means. There are plenty of exercises where I don't need weights. :) The jarring of running doesn't feel too good, but I'm hoping that if I keep using this wrist brace, I'll start to feel better soon. After all, the 5k is in two weeks, which is really scary. I know I'm not ready for it, and I highly doubt I'll be making my "Run a 5k in less than 40 minutes" goal a reality, but I'm sure going to try. I'm hoping that some burst of energy and courage hits me that day, and I'll at least make my "run a mile without stopping" goal happen.
Fingers crossed!
Friday, March 2, 2012
Beach Blog!
I'm back at the beach, but I'm in Ocean City, MD this time. Thank goodness I actually get to go to the beach in MAY when it's WARM! Until then, it's indoor workouts for me.
I was very determined to control my environment this time, as my last beach trip to SC ended in a less than lackluster health performance on my part. So this time, I prepared steel cut oats beforehand, Zone Perfect bars, natural peanut butter, kiwi, splenda, Breakfast-on-the-Go packs, and fruit cups. I was determined to eat healthy this trip to prove to myself that I have control over what I put in my body in strange environments. So far, so good. I will say that I plan on indulging in a small steak tonight. It's been almost two years since I've had a steak for dinner.
This morning, I even got up at 8am and ran. I'm 2/3 way finished with Week 5 of Couch 2 5k. This is the furthest I've gotten in the program, and I feel great! I'm so surprised how easy running is becoming. I ran for 8minutes straight today, which is the longest I've run at a time. I wasn't even winded!! I can't believe that; I even felt like I could have run more. The last day of this week has me running 10 minutes in a row. I KNOW I can do it!!
It is exactly 29 days until my first 5k. One of my goals at the beginning of the year was to run a 5k in under 40 minutes; I'm getting there! It's coming up so fast.
That's all for now, but I'll leave you with this: you have complete control over your environment. If you don't control it, it will control you.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Perspective
And to think, I'm only 1/4 of the way to my goal. Speechless...
My life is being saved, one pound at a time. I just wish I would have realized the severity of things sooner. But I guess it's true... it's better late than never.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Insight!
I'm starving. Absolutely starving. I ate dinner AND dessert! Turkey chili, an orange, and sugar-free jello. That's a lot.
I started wondering, Why am I so hungry?! So I looked at my food journal (byrdee1985 on MyFitnessPal... look me up and add me!), and I've eaten nearly 1,900 calories today! My max is 2,100, so I didn't go over, but really, 1,900 is a LOT of food.
Then I started looking at exactly what I was eating today: chex mix, a cupcake... really, really empty carbs, empty calories... hardly any protein. Okay, so a lightbulb went off in my head:
Why would I waste so many calories on empty food when I could be eating so much more food, food that would STAY with me throughout the day, for the same amount of calories? If I'm a food addict, I should be wanting to feed my face with as much as possible, right? So why not choose the foods that are GOOD to put in your body?
Okay, so that may be a bit extreme, but to really drive my point home: On Saturday, I ate almost 500 calories less than today AND burned almost 350 off in exercise, and I wasn't starving ONCE. Why? Because I had good food, like egg whites, whole grains, proteins, fiber... not refined sugar and complex carbs. Insight, right?
Being in an environment where it's the norm to eat out at lunch or grab snacks at every turn can be... scratch that... IS hard. I just need to start remembering that it's my choice what I put in my body, and I can either suffer now to have success later, or succumb now to suffer later.
I think I'll choose to suffer now by NOT giving in or giving up so I can succeed later by running laps around everyone on the couch.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
I started wondering, Why am I so hungry?! So I looked at my food journal (byrdee1985 on MyFitnessPal... look me up and add me!), and I've eaten nearly 1,900 calories today! My max is 2,100, so I didn't go over, but really, 1,900 is a LOT of food.
Then I started looking at exactly what I was eating today: chex mix, a cupcake... really, really empty carbs, empty calories... hardly any protein. Okay, so a lightbulb went off in my head:
Why would I waste so many calories on empty food when I could be eating so much more food, food that would STAY with me throughout the day, for the same amount of calories? If I'm a food addict, I should be wanting to feed my face with as much as possible, right? So why not choose the foods that are GOOD to put in your body?
Okay, so that may be a bit extreme, but to really drive my point home: On Saturday, I ate almost 500 calories less than today AND burned almost 350 off in exercise, and I wasn't starving ONCE. Why? Because I had good food, like egg whites, whole grains, proteins, fiber... not refined sugar and complex carbs. Insight, right?
Being in an environment where it's the norm to eat out at lunch or grab snacks at every turn can be... scratch that... IS hard. I just need to start remembering that it's my choice what I put in my body, and I can either suffer now to have success later, or succumb now to suffer later.
I think I'll choose to suffer now by NOT giving in or giving up so I can succeed later by running laps around everyone on the couch.
Yeah, that sounds about right.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Week 4
I know I've been so slack in updating... Guess I haven't kept this resolution...
It's okay, because I've been putting my efforts in other areas of my life, like eating healthy and running :)
So I'm back on the Couch 2 5k program...for the third time. I started at Week 4 this time, and I completed it tonight successfully. I think I've finally learned how to focus enough to control my breathing. And I think I finally learned what it felt like to "hit my stride." That was a cool feeling. I can now run six minutes without stopping, which is a minute improvement.
If you remember, this past Wednesday was my weigh in day. I didn't lose (or gain) anything... again. Two months. Now, I weighed myself Saturday, and I lost half a pound! I don't care if it was just that small amount-- it was something. After 60 days of nothing, I'll take what I can get.
My mother said to me the other day, "You don't even look like the same kid." Well, I'm adult, but I get her point. That was nice to hear. A lady at work told me she's noticing I'm dropping inches a lot. I guess it's nice to know that other people are noticing... you look at yourself so much that you don't tend to notice.
I'm taking that half pound and running, literally, with it. Week 5, I'm comin' for ya!
It's okay, because I've been putting my efforts in other areas of my life, like eating healthy and running :)
So I'm back on the Couch 2 5k program...for the third time. I started at Week 4 this time, and I completed it tonight successfully. I think I've finally learned how to focus enough to control my breathing. And I think I finally learned what it felt like to "hit my stride." That was a cool feeling. I can now run six minutes without stopping, which is a minute improvement.
If you remember, this past Wednesday was my weigh in day. I didn't lose (or gain) anything... again. Two months. Now, I weighed myself Saturday, and I lost half a pound! I don't care if it was just that small amount-- it was something. After 60 days of nothing, I'll take what I can get.
My mother said to me the other day, "You don't even look like the same kid." Well, I'm adult, but I get her point. That was nice to hear. A lady at work told me she's noticing I'm dropping inches a lot. I guess it's nice to know that other people are noticing... you look at yourself so much that you don't tend to notice.
I'm taking that half pound and running, literally, with it. Week 5, I'm comin' for ya!
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Weigh Day is Way Lame
Just a quick post to update you on yesterday's weigh day.
As you can probably tell from the title of this post, it didn't go that well. I haven't lost anymore weight. Same weight I've been for almost two months. At least I didn't gain anything, right?
I have, however, noticed that I've been losing inches. This would normally be about the time I'd quit it all, but I'm not. I've never stuck to something this long in my entire life, and I'm not about to give up.
This journey is a roller coaster, and coasting is better than climbing.
As you can probably tell from the title of this post, it didn't go that well. I haven't lost anymore weight. Same weight I've been for almost two months. At least I didn't gain anything, right?
I have, however, noticed that I've been losing inches. This would normally be about the time I'd quit it all, but I'm not. I've never stuck to something this long in my entire life, and I'm not about to give up.
This journey is a roller coaster, and coasting is better than climbing.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
We Must Stop Meeting Like This...
...after more than a week. It's my fault. I didn't call or write. I'm so sorry to leave you hanging.
Truth is, I almost quit everything. The gym. The healthy foods. The blog. The (sometimes, but usually less-than) inspiring words. Everything. I needed a moment to reel things in.
A week ago, I didn't leave this blog on the best terms. I didn't think anything I was doing was working. The numbers on the scale weren't moving; that was the most disheartening thing. I also was weighing myself everyday (sometimes multiple times a day), which wasn't good for the soul. If I heard someone tell me that I was "changing my body from the inside out" or "muscle weighs more than fat" one more time, I was going to scream.
I went into last Thursday's workout like a raging bull, only I was using the silent treatment on Melissa. I was pissed and quiet, two things you never want a woman to be. Despite the (at the time) annoying "What's wrong?" questions Melissa was throwing me, I didn't say anything. That workout ended, and I was out the door so fast that the background was scrolling and dust clouds were flying from my feet.
I went to a hip hop class that night. I went as a favor to a friend who was teaching it. I didn't expect to like it, let alone LOVE it. I was kind of re-energized after that because I saw, again, that exercise could be fun. But it was never the "fun" factor I was worried about; I just plain thought my body was completely resistant to losing weight because of past and present tendencies.
After much pushing and proding, I finally told Melissa what was bothering me. Just talking about it helped. I also had my mother hide the scale. I will now only weigh myself on pay day, which is every two weeks. Pay Day, Weigh Day. I like things that rhyme, so I thought this was appropriate.
The thing that really helped me get through this slump was spending some serious time in my own head. Weight loss and exercise is, after all, a head game, right? I had to dial this back and realize why I started this journey in July in the first place. Was it to lose weight? Was it for the satisfaction of seeing those number dwindle on the scale?
No.
When I stepped into Anytime Fitness, the first question I was asked was, "What is your fitness goal?" My answer? "To feel better." That was it. That was my entire goal. I knew that if I worked out to feel better, the pounds would take care of themselves. I didn't even step on a scale the first two and a half months I did this.
Do I feel better? Yes.
I really had to get back to my roots on this one. I'm feeling re-focused and re-committed.
Melissa said that every single client she's ever had has had this happen to them. "I've had this conversation with every client before you, and I'll have this conversation with every client after you," she said to me. So, I know I'm not the only one.
The main thing to remember is focus on why you were compelled to start your weight loss journey, and don't ever lose sight of that focus. It is what was and will continue to be your strongest drive.
Truth is, I almost quit everything. The gym. The healthy foods. The blog. The (sometimes, but usually less-than) inspiring words. Everything. I needed a moment to reel things in.
A week ago, I didn't leave this blog on the best terms. I didn't think anything I was doing was working. The numbers on the scale weren't moving; that was the most disheartening thing. I also was weighing myself everyday (sometimes multiple times a day), which wasn't good for the soul. If I heard someone tell me that I was "changing my body from the inside out" or "muscle weighs more than fat" one more time, I was going to scream.
I went into last Thursday's workout like a raging bull, only I was using the silent treatment on Melissa. I was pissed and quiet, two things you never want a woman to be. Despite the (at the time) annoying "What's wrong?" questions Melissa was throwing me, I didn't say anything. That workout ended, and I was out the door so fast that the background was scrolling and dust clouds were flying from my feet.
I went to a hip hop class that night. I went as a favor to a friend who was teaching it. I didn't expect to like it, let alone LOVE it. I was kind of re-energized after that because I saw, again, that exercise could be fun. But it was never the "fun" factor I was worried about; I just plain thought my body was completely resistant to losing weight because of past and present tendencies.
After much pushing and proding, I finally told Melissa what was bothering me. Just talking about it helped. I also had my mother hide the scale. I will now only weigh myself on pay day, which is every two weeks. Pay Day, Weigh Day. I like things that rhyme, so I thought this was appropriate.
The thing that really helped me get through this slump was spending some serious time in my own head. Weight loss and exercise is, after all, a head game, right? I had to dial this back and realize why I started this journey in July in the first place. Was it to lose weight? Was it for the satisfaction of seeing those number dwindle on the scale?
No.
When I stepped into Anytime Fitness, the first question I was asked was, "What is your fitness goal?" My answer? "To feel better." That was it. That was my entire goal. I knew that if I worked out to feel better, the pounds would take care of themselves. I didn't even step on a scale the first two and a half months I did this.
Do I feel better? Yes.
I really had to get back to my roots on this one. I'm feeling re-focused and re-committed.
Melissa said that every single client she's ever had has had this happen to them. "I've had this conversation with every client before you, and I'll have this conversation with every client after you," she said to me. So, I know I'm not the only one.
The main thing to remember is focus on why you were compelled to start your weight loss journey, and don't ever lose sight of that focus. It is what was and will continue to be your strongest drive.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Rant, /Rant
I just need to rant for a minute.
A month.
That's how long I've been on this plateau. A month is 8 or 10 pounds I could have lost. 30 days.
I workout out; I watch what I eat; I try to stay positive.
I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but I'm obviously doing something wrong. There are only so many times I can say to myself, "I'm changing my body from the inside out," or "Muscles weighs more than fat." I'm to the point where being positive is really, really annoying.
I mean, I could go eat an entire pizza because I probably won't change a thing.
I think my body is resistant to losing weight. This is why I've always been unsuccessful.
Ok, /rant.
A month.
That's how long I've been on this plateau. A month is 8 or 10 pounds I could have lost. 30 days.
I workout out; I watch what I eat; I try to stay positive.
I have no idea what I'm doing wrong, but I'm obviously doing something wrong. There are only so many times I can say to myself, "I'm changing my body from the inside out," or "Muscles weighs more than fat." I'm to the point where being positive is really, really annoying.
I mean, I could go eat an entire pizza because I probably won't change a thing.
I think my body is resistant to losing weight. This is why I've always been unsuccessful.
Ok, /rant.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Back on the Wagon
Even though it wasn't a vacation, Charleston sure felt like one. Although I was out of my normal eating and exercising routine (I didn't make it to the gym once), I still managed to eat alright and walk a LOT. I may have indulged in a margarita which, to my (not) surprise, was totally blowing my caloric intake one day. As Melissa said, "Each exercise and workout routine deserves some rewards." Ole!
I somehow managed to not gain any weight. Phew. So back at it tomorrow.
One thing I did learn is that when you're around people from your past life (meaning people that you primarily knew from when you were unhealthy), you start to get temptations to go back to that lifestyle. Being around my college crowd was difficult in that sense. Where I did slip up and make some unhealthy choices, I figured out why I did, which will help me not do so later on.
One thing I have to remember is that the college me (and the three years after graduation) is the exact person that put me in the position I'm in now... the position that I'm desperately trying to change... the position that I desperately NEED to change. I know these friends from my past won't dislike me if I don't indulge in what they do, so I need to take them up on that.
In a month, I go to Ocean City, MD for four days with the same crew. Next time, I'll do better.
In other news, I am beyond excited to get back into the gym with Melissa tomorrow. She'll kick my butt, and I'll love every second of it.
One thing I did accomplish: learning all the words to Nicky Minaj's "Super Bass."
I somehow managed to not gain any weight. Phew. So back at it tomorrow.
One thing I did learn is that when you're around people from your past life (meaning people that you primarily knew from when you were unhealthy), you start to get temptations to go back to that lifestyle. Being around my college crowd was difficult in that sense. Where I did slip up and make some unhealthy choices, I figured out why I did, which will help me not do so later on.
One thing I have to remember is that the college me (and the three years after graduation) is the exact person that put me in the position I'm in now... the position that I'm desperately trying to change... the position that I desperately NEED to change. I know these friends from my past won't dislike me if I don't indulge in what they do, so I need to take them up on that.
In a month, I go to Ocean City, MD for four days with the same crew. Next time, I'll do better.
In other news, I am beyond excited to get back into the gym with Melissa tomorrow. She'll kick my butt, and I'll love every second of it.
One thing I did accomplish: learning all the words to Nicky Minaj's "Super Bass."
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Progress
I love Charleston. I love that you can walk everywhere. I love that I enjoy walking.
A year ago, I would have driven everywhere. Now, I don't mind to walk places because it's not a struggle. I don't get out of breath or tired from a two-block trek. Progress.
Friday, January 27, 2012
The Weight of It All
I hate that Im on an iPad now because I won't be able to type as fast as my mind will be working. I'll try my best
I think I've replaced my addiction to food with an addiction to weigh myself. Being out of town the past two days has been a struggle because, against my better judgement, I decided against bringing my scale to SC with me. I've been bouncing between seven pounds for about a month now, and in light of that, I've started weighing myself everyday (sometimes up to four or five times a day). I'm so mentally ready to be in new numbers that I just pray every time I get on that scale, I've lost another two pounds.
I know weighing myself so much is detrimental to the head game that goes along with weight loss, but I'm admittedly addicted to the thing people hate the most. It's the weirdest thing. I feel like I have a serious eating disorder with my scale.
I was talking with a friend of mine tonight, expressing my utter disdain about how I don't feel like I look like I've lost any weight. I feel my face is puffy, and, despite my ever-(slowly)-shrinking wardrobe, I feel like nothing is working. She brought up a good point: that I'm so focused on the number on the scale that, even though I am physically giving all I can during my workouts, am I mentally giving it my all? Somewhere in the back of my mind, am I thinking that what I'm doing isnt really going to do anything?
I think she's right. And I think that I'm scared to be smaller. Most people can't wait to be thin, but the truth is, I have no idea who I am skinny. I've only known the funny, fat girl who loves to make people laugh and smile. If you remember, Melissa said that she wondered if I was still going to be funny when I'm not able to make fun of myself. I'd like to think I will be, but I have no idea. I have no idea how or who skinny Erica will be.
I'm usually some form of Positive Polly as much as possible, but for the first time, I'm not sure how to tackle this mental roadblock I've come across.
I think step one is asking my mother to hide the scale. I think I'll only weigh myself on payday, which is twice a week. I hope I can stick to that, because I've gotten serious anxiety not being able to weigh myself the past two days.
On a side note, I did a lot better with food today! A 6" Subway sub for lunch and a grilled chicken Cobb salad for dinner. I was even able to get about 2.5 miles of walking in tonight, including a 90 walking ghost tour of downtown Charleston. Tomorrow, Amber and I are hitting the gym before the tournament starts.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Greetings from North Carolina!
So we made it to Statesville, NC last night by about 12:30am (which is why I didn't post). It also may have taken us an extra hour because someone (cough cough) has been drinking so much water that a bathroom break every hour definitely happened.
Also, bear with me. I'm blogging from an iPad, so typing may be a little off.
One challenge I faced yesterday: road trip snacks and the temptations to grab something quick and unhealthy at the gas station because you're unsure of when you'll get to eat another real meal. I can't say I resisted completely, but I could have done worse. Being with my college friends kind of brings back old habits, so I need to realize who I am now and stick to it. Good thing is that I have 4 days to figure it out!
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
Edit: Ration water for the rest of the drive to South Carolina.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Recipe!
So I went to the doctor today, and he said no exercise because of whatever is wrong with me. (I do know it's getting better, though, so that's a plus.) So instead of working out today, I came home and made these:
Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
Ingredients:
37.5oz Hormel 97% fat free chicken breast in water (you can use fresh instead of chicken in a can)
1 package Neufchatel cheese
Nasoya Egg Roll Wrappers (20 to a package)
Broccoli slaw
Hot sauce of your choosing
Directions:
Heat chicken and cheese in large pan until cheese is melted. Add hot sauce to taste.
Lay out egg roll wraps on clean surface (watch out because they stick together). Make a small bed of broccoli straw in the corner of a wrapper and add chicken mix on top.
How to fold:
Make the wrapper a diamond with the bottom point facing you. Ingredients should be placed horizontally about 1/4 the way up from the bottom corner. Fold bottom corner up. Bring outer corners (3 o'clock and 9'clock) in like you're folding a paper airplane. Make sure to fold any openings in like you're wrapping a present. Roll until only the upper corner is showing. Wet finger and moisten the corner, folding it and "pasting" it down.
Baking:
Place on greased, elevated rack. (I used canola oil spray and a cookie cooling rack.) Lightly spray the rolls with the canola spray and bake in an oven at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes. Edges should be golden brown.
Yields 20, Serving Size- 1 roll
I originally found this recipe on the Can You Stay for Dinner? blog, but they had blue cheese in them (yuck). I sat down and calculated every single nutritional value of one egg roll. Here it is:
126 calories
4g fat
2.4g saturated fat
0g trans fat
38g cholesterol
400mg sodium
13g carbs
<1g fiber
1g sugar
11g protein
This was actually super fun for me because (here's a little known fact) I love doing math for fun...
So obviously, if you're watching your sodium, don't eat too many (or any) of these. I didn't realize the sodium was going to be so high on these, so I definitely went over today. I've been under every other day though, so that's an improvement!
Working out will be a challenge the rest of the week, as I'm traveling to South Carolina tomorrow evening after work. There is a fitness center at the hotel and nearby, so I know the resources are there. It's just a matter of finding the time, as I'll be judging a speech tournament. I have a workout buddy there, so that'll be better!
Baked Buffalo Chicken Egg Rolls
Ingredients:
37.5oz Hormel 97% fat free chicken breast in water (you can use fresh instead of chicken in a can)
1 package Neufchatel cheese
Nasoya Egg Roll Wrappers (20 to a package)
Broccoli slaw
Hot sauce of your choosing
Directions:
Heat chicken and cheese in large pan until cheese is melted. Add hot sauce to taste.
Lay out egg roll wraps on clean surface (watch out because they stick together). Make a small bed of broccoli straw in the corner of a wrapper and add chicken mix on top.
How to fold:
Make the wrapper a diamond with the bottom point facing you. Ingredients should be placed horizontally about 1/4 the way up from the bottom corner. Fold bottom corner up. Bring outer corners (3 o'clock and 9'clock) in like you're folding a paper airplane. Make sure to fold any openings in like you're wrapping a present. Roll until only the upper corner is showing. Wet finger and moisten the corner, folding it and "pasting" it down.
Baking:
Place on greased, elevated rack. (I used canola oil spray and a cookie cooling rack.) Lightly spray the rolls with the canola spray and bake in an oven at 400 degrees for 12-14 minutes. Edges should be golden brown.
Yields 20, Serving Size- 1 roll
I originally found this recipe on the Can You Stay for Dinner? blog, but they had blue cheese in them (yuck). I sat down and calculated every single nutritional value of one egg roll. Here it is:
126 calories
4g fat
2.4g saturated fat
0g trans fat
38g cholesterol
400mg sodium
13g carbs
<1g fiber
1g sugar
11g protein
This was actually super fun for me because (here's a little known fact) I love doing math for fun...
So obviously, if you're watching your sodium, don't eat too many (or any) of these. I didn't realize the sodium was going to be so high on these, so I definitely went over today. I've been under every other day though, so that's an improvement!
Working out will be a challenge the rest of the week, as I'm traveling to South Carolina tomorrow evening after work. There is a fitness center at the hotel and nearby, so I know the resources are there. It's just a matter of finding the time, as I'll be judging a speech tournament. I have a workout buddy there, so that'll be better!
Fat v. Muscle
If you're like me and have a difficult time grasping medical terms or fitness explanations, HERE is a really, really good article about muscle v. fat written in easy-to-understand terms.
Don't pay attention to the email part at the bottom, that is, unless you want to be emailed every 30 days. Just read the article. So when you're depressed that you haven't lost any weight while toning, start thinking how great it is that you're turning 5 lbs of fat into 10 lbs of fat-burning muscle.
Don't pay attention to the email part at the bottom, that is, unless you want to be emailed every 30 days. Just read the article. So when you're depressed that you haven't lost any weight while toning, start thinking how great it is that you're turning 5 lbs of fat into 10 lbs of fat-burning muscle.
6 Months Ago/Today
- Starbucks Scone and Venti Soy Chai for breakfast (810 calories... more than 1/3 my daily allotment) / Yogurt, Organic Granola, and a granda skinny vanilla latte (430 calories and nutrient-rich)
- Couldn't last 30 seconds on an elliptical / Can last almost an hour on an elliptical
- Couldn't do 10 jumping jacks / Can do 200 jumping jacks
- Hated sweating / loves sweating (sweat is fat crying)
- Always ordered an appetizer when dining out / Not only realizes the appetizer is (sometimes) the proper portion for a meal, but also that it's the deadliest trick on the menu
- Never looked at the nutrition label when purchasing food / The nutrition label is the absolute FIRST thing I look at (can I pronounce all the ingredients?)
- Thought "grilled" on a restaurant menu was synonymous with "healthy" / Realizes "grilled" usually means "first dipped in butter," so I always ask how something is cooked before ordering
- Hated tomatoes / Loves tomatoes (about 90% loves, anyway)
- High anxiety in restaurants / no anxiety in restaurants
- Was uncertain of the existance of collarbones in the body / FOUND 'EM!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Breakfast To Go
I thought I'd share the Steel Cut Oats Breakfast with you, in case you're looking for a healthy, whole grain, low sodium, QUICK breakfast option (other than a protein bar).
1 2/3 cups steel-cut oats
4 cups water
Large pinch salt
Mix-Ins:
Milk or soy milk
Cinnamon or other spices
Raisins or other dried fruit
Walnuts or other nuts
Jam
Honey
Equipment
5 pint-sized Mason jars with lids (I used wide-mouth jars)
Large saucepan
Ladle
2. Bring the oats, water and salt to a boil. Simmer for about 3 minutes then turn off the heat.
3. Ladle the oats and water into the jars. Cover the jars tightly with their caps and rings. Leave on the counter overnight. (This is how I make my oatmeal and I have had absolutely no problems with it, healthwise, but if for some reason you are not comfortable leaving hot oatmeal out overnight, you can also refrigerate the jars. The oatmeal won't be quite as well cooked in the morning; it will be a thinner, less creamy oatmeal. But it will still be fine.)
4. The next morning, put all but one of the jars in the refrigerator. Take the cap off one jar and stir up the oatmeal inside. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, or until quite hot. Add any milk, raisins, or other mix-ins. Enjoy!
Additional Notes:
• You can also add your raisins, cinnamon, or other mix-ins to the rest of the jars before putting them away in the refrigerator. Then all you have to do is grab one and go on your way out the door.
****Note: I thought you could do this process in something other than mason jars with the rings/lids, but you can't. My mother, the scientist, told me that the reason this particular recipe works the way it works is because the heat from the boiling water actually seals the lids overnight, keeping it bacteria-free. She's so smart. So I won't be doing this until I find some canning jars.
Make a Week of Steel-Cut Oats in 5 Minutes
Ingredients1 2/3 cups steel-cut oats
4 cups water
Large pinch salt
Mix-Ins:
Milk or soy milk
Cinnamon or other spices
Raisins or other dried fruit
Walnuts or other nuts
Jam
Honey
Equipment
5 pint-sized Mason jars with lids (I used wide-mouth jars)
Large saucepan
Ladle
Instructions
1. Collect your jars and other equipment. I like pint-sized jars for this as they allow a little more room for adding nuts, raisins, and milk later. But you can also use half-pint jars.2. Bring the oats, water and salt to a boil. Simmer for about 3 minutes then turn off the heat.
3. Ladle the oats and water into the jars. Cover the jars tightly with their caps and rings. Leave on the counter overnight. (This is how I make my oatmeal and I have had absolutely no problems with it, healthwise, but if for some reason you are not comfortable leaving hot oatmeal out overnight, you can also refrigerate the jars. The oatmeal won't be quite as well cooked in the morning; it will be a thinner, less creamy oatmeal. But it will still be fine.)
4. The next morning, put all but one of the jars in the refrigerator. Take the cap off one jar and stir up the oatmeal inside. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes, or until quite hot. Add any milk, raisins, or other mix-ins. Enjoy!
Additional Notes:
• You can also add your raisins, cinnamon, or other mix-ins to the rest of the jars before putting them away in the refrigerator. Then all you have to do is grab one and go on your way out the door.
****Note: I thought you could do this process in something other than mason jars with the rings/lids, but you can't. My mother, the scientist, told me that the reason this particular recipe works the way it works is because the heat from the boiling water actually seals the lids overnight, keeping it bacteria-free. She's so smart. So I won't be doing this until I find some canning jars.
Playing Catch Up
I know. I went and broke another resolution. I haven't updated since Thursday. In my defense, I've had a pretty big weekend.
Friday- I was supposed to have class, but it was canceled because of snow. I contracted some sort of plague situation from a co-worker. ;)
Saturday- I was supposed to have class, but it, again, was canceled because of snow. I bought a car instead.
Today- Today was supposed to be the day I did nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was going to be epic because I've been pretty sick all weekend. Cold/sinus infection/fever/newly-formed semi-laryngitis. But my plans to relax never seem to work out. I had to purchase some clothing items because certain... important... garments of clothing were getting too big for comfort (I'm not complaining). That turned into lunch with a friend's family, then slight grocery shopping, running, then making dinner for my family (BBQ chicken, edamame, and smashed roasted potatoes).
I'm really, really tired.
Honestly, part of me would love to just sleep all day tomorrow in hopes of feeling better, but I can't... and I won't. I just have to keep moving. There are a lot of important things to do at work. Plus, I'll be in Charleston, SC Thursday-Sunday anyway.
So bottom line: I worked out 5 days instead of 6 days this week, and I blogged 5 days instead of 7 days this week. I told you I'd fail a lot.
Moving on.
My running tonight wasn't the greatest, but it wasn't bad. I blame it on the fact that I can't breathe when I'm sedentary, let alone pushing this huge body through the air at a high(er than normal) speed. It was Week 3 Day 2 of Couch to 5k. Alternating 2min walking, 2min jogging, 2min of walking, and 3min of jogging x2. The first 3min jog was weird... I jogged the first two minutes, but couldn't catch my breath. So I walked for 30 seconds, and then finished the last 30 seconds jogging. The rest of it was fine. Anyone have any thoughts?!
I've been doing well on the sodium front. I haven't gone over more than 100mg (if I go over at all) each day (loads better than the 1,000-2,000mg overage I was having). Melissa suggested drinking Perrier carbonated water to help regulate the sodium in my body. I don't really understand how it work, but I just do what she says. For example:
She told me to get steel cut oats for my breakfast in the morning. I could make all week's worth on Sunday, store them in mason jars (or any container), and take them to work to heat up. I could add any kind of fruit I wanted to.
So I bought steel cut oats today.
She's also been keen on something called flaxseed, so I bought some natural peanut butter (low sodium!!) with flaxseed in it. Target has some awesome organic stuff and a way lower price than like, Kroger.
Basically, I just do what Melissa tells me to do. Most of the time. I really try, though.
So because I'm out of town the end of the week, I'm training with Melissa tomorrow and Tuesday, and I'm ending the run with PiYo on Wednesday night before I leave Thursday morning. I'm excited to see what kinds of things we'll be doing this week. Part of me wants to try some interval training with some sprints and weight combos. I don't know if that would do much other than get my heart rate up, but I think it would be fun (yes, fun).
Exercise has become kind of addictive. I hated that I couldn't be in the gym Friday and Saturday because of this illness/cold/whatever. I couldn't breathe, and I didn't want to infect anyone. I was antsy to workout today. It just gets in your blood. So for anyone who is just starting the working out process, give it 4 weeks. In four weeks, it becomes routine. You'll thank me later. In fact, just in case you forget to tell me, you're welcome.
In return, if anyone has any suggestions on how to increase endurance while running, please tell me. I'm better at regulating my breathing. Now, I just need to figure out how to make my legs feel less like concrete and more like feathers.
Update: I am down 2 whole bra sizes and 1 one jacket size.
Total sizes lost since July:
Pants- 2
Shirts- 1
Jackets- 2
Underwear- 1
Bra- 2
Shoe- 1 (yes, your feet shrink)
Rings- 1
I'm getting my new, smaller yoga pants in the mail this week. Color me excited.
Friday- I was supposed to have class, but it was canceled because of snow. I contracted some sort of plague situation from a co-worker. ;)
Saturday- I was supposed to have class, but it, again, was canceled because of snow. I bought a car instead.
Today- Today was supposed to be the day I did nothing. Absolutely nothing. It was going to be epic because I've been pretty sick all weekend. Cold/sinus infection/fever/newly-formed semi-laryngitis. But my plans to relax never seem to work out. I had to purchase some clothing items because certain... important... garments of clothing were getting too big for comfort (I'm not complaining). That turned into lunch with a friend's family, then slight grocery shopping, running, then making dinner for my family (BBQ chicken, edamame, and smashed roasted potatoes).
I'm really, really tired.
Honestly, part of me would love to just sleep all day tomorrow in hopes of feeling better, but I can't... and I won't. I just have to keep moving. There are a lot of important things to do at work. Plus, I'll be in Charleston, SC Thursday-Sunday anyway.
So bottom line: I worked out 5 days instead of 6 days this week, and I blogged 5 days instead of 7 days this week. I told you I'd fail a lot.
Moving on.
My running tonight wasn't the greatest, but it wasn't bad. I blame it on the fact that I can't breathe when I'm sedentary, let alone pushing this huge body through the air at a high(er than normal) speed. It was Week 3 Day 2 of Couch to 5k. Alternating 2min walking, 2min jogging, 2min of walking, and 3min of jogging x2. The first 3min jog was weird... I jogged the first two minutes, but couldn't catch my breath. So I walked for 30 seconds, and then finished the last 30 seconds jogging. The rest of it was fine. Anyone have any thoughts?!
I've been doing well on the sodium front. I haven't gone over more than 100mg (if I go over at all) each day (loads better than the 1,000-2,000mg overage I was having). Melissa suggested drinking Perrier carbonated water to help regulate the sodium in my body. I don't really understand how it work, but I just do what she says. For example:
She told me to get steel cut oats for my breakfast in the morning. I could make all week's worth on Sunday, store them in mason jars (or any container), and take them to work to heat up. I could add any kind of fruit I wanted to.
So I bought steel cut oats today.
She's also been keen on something called flaxseed, so I bought some natural peanut butter (low sodium!!) with flaxseed in it. Target has some awesome organic stuff and a way lower price than like, Kroger.
Basically, I just do what Melissa tells me to do. Most of the time. I really try, though.
So because I'm out of town the end of the week, I'm training with Melissa tomorrow and Tuesday, and I'm ending the run with PiYo on Wednesday night before I leave Thursday morning. I'm excited to see what kinds of things we'll be doing this week. Part of me wants to try some interval training with some sprints and weight combos. I don't know if that would do much other than get my heart rate up, but I think it would be fun (yes, fun).
Exercise has become kind of addictive. I hated that I couldn't be in the gym Friday and Saturday because of this illness/cold/whatever. I couldn't breathe, and I didn't want to infect anyone. I was antsy to workout today. It just gets in your blood. So for anyone who is just starting the working out process, give it 4 weeks. In four weeks, it becomes routine. You'll thank me later. In fact, just in case you forget to tell me, you're welcome.
In return, if anyone has any suggestions on how to increase endurance while running, please tell me. I'm better at regulating my breathing. Now, I just need to figure out how to make my legs feel less like concrete and more like feathers.
Update: I am down 2 whole bra sizes and 1 one jacket size.
Total sizes lost since July:
Pants- 2
Shirts- 1
Jackets- 2
Underwear- 1
Bra- 2
Shoe- 1 (yes, your feet shrink)
Rings- 1
I'm getting my new, smaller yoga pants in the mail this week. Color me excited.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
8.7 from the American Judge
I won't type much tonight, as I just finished my presentation for class, my hand is swollen (good story enclosed), and I have a fever. I'm kind of tired, so I think sleep should be in my near future. Just a few highlights from today's workout...
If you remember in my post Magnificant MILEstones, I recounted a workout that took me exactly one hour to do for one time through. The couple before me took one hour to do two times through. This discouraged me because I was slower, and it was taking it twice as long to finish a workout. Until tonight. Tonight I entered what Melissa called "Two-Cycle Territory."
I almost cried.
Tonight's workout was a strength/cardio combo training session. For example, we would do a set of 20 strength-building exercises (20 lunges, 20 leg lift/chest press combo, 20 sumo squats) alternating with a set of 20 cardio-intensive exercises (mountain climbers, jumping jacks, high knees). The desired outcome is that we are building muscle at the same time we are burning fat. Remember, muscle is important because it helps us burn fat while we are doing NOTHING (which I like to do).
My motto tonight was (take notice that I sometimes adopt mottoes during my workouts to keep myself motivated), "Move, move, move." See, I almost cancelled this session because of this presentation and my not feeling well (Melissa said she would have persuaded me to come anyway... challenge accepted), so I just had to keep telling myself to move, no matter what.
I actually went from each set fairly quickly, cutting off enough time to apparently land in Two-Cycle Territory, which I'm not complaining about. After finishing the hour off with planks, abs, and sun salutations, I had sweat pouring off me.
Oh wait. I forgot the best part.
During cycle 2 of high knees (you alternate bringing each knee into the air by jumping; sometimes requires a wind up), my right foot came down on the weight I was using (I guess I kept creeping forward). My foot rolled with the weight, and I landed on my butt. Not my most prized moment, considering the back of the room was full of football camp trainees, but I apparently landed pretty gracefully... not without trying to catch myself with my right hand and stoving it... bruising it... something. I just know it's swollen, and it hurts. I wish I could say that nothing was hurt but my pride, but...
Workout goal for the remainder of the week: Friday is a rest day because of class (and because my body really, really needs it... hence why I'm sick). Saturday is Week 3 Day 2 of Couch 2 5k, and Sunday is Week 3 Day 3.
Food goal for the remainder of my life: Keep a close eye on my sodium. MyFitnessPal keeps track of it, and I'm always over by close to or exceeding 1,000mg. Maybe this is why I'm always puffy. Also, because of this, I will increase my water intake by 2.
If you remember in my post Magnificant MILEstones, I recounted a workout that took me exactly one hour to do for one time through. The couple before me took one hour to do two times through. This discouraged me because I was slower, and it was taking it twice as long to finish a workout. Until tonight. Tonight I entered what Melissa called "Two-Cycle Territory."
I almost cried.
Tonight's workout was a strength/cardio combo training session. For example, we would do a set of 20 strength-building exercises (20 lunges, 20 leg lift/chest press combo, 20 sumo squats) alternating with a set of 20 cardio-intensive exercises (mountain climbers, jumping jacks, high knees). The desired outcome is that we are building muscle at the same time we are burning fat. Remember, muscle is important because it helps us burn fat while we are doing NOTHING (which I like to do).
My motto tonight was (take notice that I sometimes adopt mottoes during my workouts to keep myself motivated), "Move, move, move." See, I almost cancelled this session because of this presentation and my not feeling well (Melissa said she would have persuaded me to come anyway... challenge accepted), so I just had to keep telling myself to move, no matter what.
I actually went from each set fairly quickly, cutting off enough time to apparently land in Two-Cycle Territory, which I'm not complaining about. After finishing the hour off with planks, abs, and sun salutations, I had sweat pouring off me.
Oh wait. I forgot the best part.
During cycle 2 of high knees (you alternate bringing each knee into the air by jumping; sometimes requires a wind up), my right foot came down on the weight I was using (I guess I kept creeping forward). My foot rolled with the weight, and I landed on my butt. Not my most prized moment, considering the back of the room was full of football camp trainees, but I apparently landed pretty gracefully... not without trying to catch myself with my right hand and stoving it... bruising it... something. I just know it's swollen, and it hurts. I wish I could say that nothing was hurt but my pride, but...
Workout goal for the remainder of the week: Friday is a rest day because of class (and because my body really, really needs it... hence why I'm sick). Saturday is Week 3 Day 2 of Couch 2 5k, and Sunday is Week 3 Day 3.
Food goal for the remainder of my life: Keep a close eye on my sodium. MyFitnessPal keeps track of it, and I'm always over by close to or exceeding 1,000mg. Maybe this is why I'm always puffy. Also, because of this, I will increase my water intake by 2.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
One Decision, One Step
We had a staff luncheon today. Italian food. Bread. Pasta. My weakness.
I filled half my plate with salad, and had half a cup of pasta with a tiny bit of sauce. I even held off on dessert.
I don't like cheesecake, so that made it easy.
I realized how anal I've become. When someone came around and asked if I wanted cheese on my pasta or salad, I asked what kind of cheese it was. He had no idea, so I passed. (I only eat mozzarella, swiss, or provolone.) Another co-worker said he was proud of me because he would have never thought to ask about the cheese. It made me feel good.
One step, one decision at a time. Step one foot in front of the other. Decide if what you're about to do is worth it. Remember: It takes 7,00 jumping jacks to burn one pound of fat, but it only takes 3,500 calories to gain it back. What's more important?
(Sorry I'm not posting more tonight. The schedule I've been keeping as really, really been wearing me down, and I have a presentation to do for class on Saturday.)
I filled half my plate with salad, and had half a cup of pasta with a tiny bit of sauce. I even held off on dessert.
I don't like cheesecake, so that made it easy.
I realized how anal I've become. When someone came around and asked if I wanted cheese on my pasta or salad, I asked what kind of cheese it was. He had no idea, so I passed. (I only eat mozzarella, swiss, or provolone.) Another co-worker said he was proud of me because he would have never thought to ask about the cheese. It made me feel good.
One step, one decision at a time. Step one foot in front of the other. Decide if what you're about to do is worth it. Remember: It takes 7,00 jumping jacks to burn one pound of fat, but it only takes 3,500 calories to gain it back. What's more important?
(Sorry I'm not posting more tonight. The schedule I've been keeping as really, really been wearing me down, and I have a presentation to do for class on Saturday.)
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
a FEET of Strength
(I know I spelled that wrong.)
Tonight's workout was challenging in a few ways. We kind of kicked it old-school and went back to basics: lunges, bicep curls, renegade ro's (I'm not sure how you spell that), etc. We also did something that was new for me, and I don't know what they're called. For all intent and purpose, I'll call them The Box of Death Switchfoot Jumps.
To appreciate these exercises, I have to explain something to you. I have a very, very real fear of falling. Falling down, falling and breaking something, falling and not being able to get back up, whatever. This is very real. So when the boxes come out, I get nervous. This is (not exactly) what they look like:
(I don't look that good in shorts and a tank.) So there are actually three heights of boxes. If I had to guess, there are a 1ft, 2ft, and 3ft tall boxes. These Switchfoot Jumps are very similar to what this cool animated hottie is doing, only instead of just bringing the knee up and back down, we kind of jumped and switched feet in the air, bringing the opposite foot back down. We did these on the smallest (1 foot) box.
I associate this Box of Death with Box Jumps of Death, which I've been too afraid to try. Knowing me, I wouldn't jump high enough, catch my ankle, fall, break my shin, bust my knee, crack my teeth, and break my nose. (I'm super positive.) So when this exercise came up, I choked. I literally stood in front of this box (after watching the two other girls that train with me do them) and cried. I couldn't bring myself to even step on the thing.
I'm so thankful to have people in my life who will encourage me and help me prove myself wrong in situations like this. Between Rhea, Kat, and Melissa, who all pumped me full of positive energy and strength, I did them. I didn't do them well, and I could hardly see the box through the tears, but I finished them.
I found out my feat... or FEET... of strength tonight, and I realized it extends far beyond what I can do on a 12-inch step. We are at the gym everyday, busting our butts, to find our outer strength... the strength people physically see. But what about our inner strength? That's the strength that really counts. That's the strength that gets us through hard workouts, trying days, nights without sleep, one more rep, one more minute, or one more mile.
Health and losing weight is 80% nutrition (what we put IN OUR BODIES) and 20% working out (what we see on the OUTSIDE). Think about that. Our heart, mind, and spirit is what drives our strength and gives us the emotion, the rage, and the pure adrenaline to push through just one more. What will you do to build your inner strength?
Edit: That guy is super distracting. I'm sorry. If you have any good name suggestions, let's hear 'em.
Tonight's workout was challenging in a few ways. We kind of kicked it old-school and went back to basics: lunges, bicep curls, renegade ro's (I'm not sure how you spell that), etc. We also did something that was new for me, and I don't know what they're called. For all intent and purpose, I'll call them The Box of Death Switchfoot Jumps.
To appreciate these exercises, I have to explain something to you. I have a very, very real fear of falling. Falling down, falling and breaking something, falling and not being able to get back up, whatever. This is very real. So when the boxes come out, I get nervous. This is (not exactly) what they look like:
(I don't look that good in shorts and a tank.) So there are actually three heights of boxes. If I had to guess, there are a 1ft, 2ft, and 3ft tall boxes. These Switchfoot Jumps are very similar to what this cool animated hottie is doing, only instead of just bringing the knee up and back down, we kind of jumped and switched feet in the air, bringing the opposite foot back down. We did these on the smallest (1 foot) box.
I associate this Box of Death with Box Jumps of Death, which I've been too afraid to try. Knowing me, I wouldn't jump high enough, catch my ankle, fall, break my shin, bust my knee, crack my teeth, and break my nose. (I'm super positive.) So when this exercise came up, I choked. I literally stood in front of this box (after watching the two other girls that train with me do them) and cried. I couldn't bring myself to even step on the thing.
I'm so thankful to have people in my life who will encourage me and help me prove myself wrong in situations like this. Between Rhea, Kat, and Melissa, who all pumped me full of positive energy and strength, I did them. I didn't do them well, and I could hardly see the box through the tears, but I finished them.
I found out my feat... or FEET... of strength tonight, and I realized it extends far beyond what I can do on a 12-inch step. We are at the gym everyday, busting our butts, to find our outer strength... the strength people physically see. But what about our inner strength? That's the strength that really counts. That's the strength that gets us through hard workouts, trying days, nights without sleep, one more rep, one more minute, or one more mile.
Health and losing weight is 80% nutrition (what we put IN OUR BODIES) and 20% working out (what we see on the OUTSIDE). Think about that. Our heart, mind, and spirit is what drives our strength and gives us the emotion, the rage, and the pure adrenaline to push through just one more. What will you do to build your inner strength?
Edit: That guy is super distracting. I'm sorry. If you have any good name suggestions, let's hear 'em.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Reset.
So today, I started running... again. I had my reset weekend, and it's over. Now, back to work. I had to start the Couch 2 5k program again (if you recall, I stopped after Week 4 last time). I knew I didn't need to start back at Week 1, so I started at Week 3, which turned out to be alright.
Week 3 consists of a 5 min warm-up walk, and then a 2-min jog, 2-min walk, 3-min jog, 2-min walk pattern you repeat twice, then a 5 min cool-down walk... total of 30 min. My breathing is getting way better, as I'm able to breathe deeper and go longer without thinking my eyeballs are going to pop out of my head.
I did my warm-up and cool-down walks at 3.0, my jogs at 4.3 (I'm still not sure as to my stride, so I hope to lengthen them and up the speed soon), and my in-between walks at 3.2. I was taking it a little easy tonight because I have some sort of inflamed hamstring situation in my right leg. No good. I've been icing it for the last hour and a half.
My goals for this week: Tuesday- Melissa workout, Wednesday- PiYo, Thursday- Melissa workout, Friday- Off because of class, Saturday- Week 3 Day 2 of C25k, Sunday- Week 3 Day 3 of C25k.
On another note, today was a really good day. I really enjoy my work atmosphere and the people that comprise it. Everyday, my boss asks me something new about my workouts or eating habits, and he's expressed many times that he feels compelled to eat better or change things in his own life because of the results I'm seeing in mine. Another coworker has said that I am "97% the reason she's sticking with her healthy eating." (I'm not sure where I went wrong with the other 3%.) That's really encouraging, and it's motivation for me to keep going.
The Catch-22 of the complete and utter honesty of this blog is that people will call you out when you're slacking, like I was this weekend. I'm not sure how many of you readers I know in real life, but if I disappointed anyone, I'm sorry. Just thought I should throw that disclaimer out there.
The truth is, the more you get to know me throughout this journey, you'll start to learn that I mess up... a lot. That's part of my charm, really. But I'm never afraid to admit when I mess up, because if you can't be honest with yourself, who can you be honest with? It's like that "age-old," "famous" saying... "Your body knows the truth even if your food journal doesn't." I'm not sure if that's really a famous saying, but it should be.
I'm kind of stumbling through this adventure, half blind and picking up pieces and clues as I go. I'm still learning how to eat correctly (creating calorie deficit) and exercise correctly (I never think my butt is up when it is) and ask for advice when necessary (doesn't Google know everything?). I'll share what I've learned, but you're learning with me, which is kind of cool.
Current frustration: I keep bouncing around 5 lbs in either direction. If anyone knows how to get off the plateau, please let me know. I have another 50 lbs to lose in the next 6 and a half months, and I'd like to start as soon as possible.
Edit: Thank you to the 9 people in Russia who are viewing my blog.
Week 3 consists of a 5 min warm-up walk, and then a 2-min jog, 2-min walk, 3-min jog, 2-min walk pattern you repeat twice, then a 5 min cool-down walk... total of 30 min. My breathing is getting way better, as I'm able to breathe deeper and go longer without thinking my eyeballs are going to pop out of my head.
I did my warm-up and cool-down walks at 3.0, my jogs at 4.3 (I'm still not sure as to my stride, so I hope to lengthen them and up the speed soon), and my in-between walks at 3.2. I was taking it a little easy tonight because I have some sort of inflamed hamstring situation in my right leg. No good. I've been icing it for the last hour and a half.
My goals for this week: Tuesday- Melissa workout, Wednesday- PiYo, Thursday- Melissa workout, Friday- Off because of class, Saturday- Week 3 Day 2 of C25k, Sunday- Week 3 Day 3 of C25k.
On another note, today was a really good day. I really enjoy my work atmosphere and the people that comprise it. Everyday, my boss asks me something new about my workouts or eating habits, and he's expressed many times that he feels compelled to eat better or change things in his own life because of the results I'm seeing in mine. Another coworker has said that I am "97% the reason she's sticking with her healthy eating." (I'm not sure where I went wrong with the other 3%.) That's really encouraging, and it's motivation for me to keep going.
The Catch-22 of the complete and utter honesty of this blog is that people will call you out when you're slacking, like I was this weekend. I'm not sure how many of you readers I know in real life, but if I disappointed anyone, I'm sorry. Just thought I should throw that disclaimer out there.
The truth is, the more you get to know me throughout this journey, you'll start to learn that I mess up... a lot. That's part of my charm, really. But I'm never afraid to admit when I mess up, because if you can't be honest with yourself, who can you be honest with? It's like that "age-old," "famous" saying... "Your body knows the truth even if your food journal doesn't." I'm not sure if that's really a famous saying, but it should be.
I'm kind of stumbling through this adventure, half blind and picking up pieces and clues as I go. I'm still learning how to eat correctly (creating calorie deficit) and exercise correctly (I never think my butt is up when it is) and ask for advice when necessary (doesn't Google know everything?). I'll share what I've learned, but you're learning with me, which is kind of cool.
Current frustration: I keep bouncing around 5 lbs in either direction. If anyone knows how to get off the plateau, please let me know. I have another 50 lbs to lose in the next 6 and a half months, and I'd like to start as soon as possible.
Edit: Thank you to the 9 people in Russia who are viewing my blog.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
No, Jack Squat is Not the Name of an Exercise
The more you get to know me, you'll start to learn some interesting facts about my life. For instance: 1) I love strawberries, 2) As little as I do it, I love to clean, and 3) Sometimes I go into hiding. This weekend was the latter.
I didn't workout at all this weekend. Not one bit. And I didn't eat all that great, either, but that was really only part of the day on Saturday. I just kind of felt like my life was in disarray, and I needed to get it together to be functional in other areas of being.
Things I Did This Weekend:
Slept In
Went to a Birthday Party
Ate Paula Dean's Banana Pudding Cake
Cleaned my Bedroom
Cooked... a lot
Grocery Shopped
Homework
Laundry
Cleaned my Car
Edited Pictures
Watched Two Movies
So, it's obvious the only resolution I really kept this week was to update my blog everyday. That's okay though, because I really think that sometimes, we need some time to decompress. I didn't really fall off my new healthier lifestyle of eating better (minus the banana pudding cake... man, that was good) or working out (I still worked out over half the week). The main thing is that I haven't lost focus. I don't see this weekend as a break from healthy. It was a break from life, which I thoroughly enjoyed and needed. (Actually, my goal was to go into hiding around 7pm last night and not resurface until Monday morning at work, but that didn't happen because I had to grocery shop.) And this break from life was what I needed to recharge and get back at it tomorrow with some running.
I think the point to really remember (I'm really just telling myself this) is how good you feel after you work out, eat right, get up early, drink lots of water, and inspire others. That's what it's all about.
Monday brings a whole new Erica, in more ways than one.
Edit: I have realized that when I don't exercise every day, I get weird, unexplainable pains in my body. Currently, my lower back is hurting. Weird.
Edit 2: I found beautiful, fresh strawberries at Kroger today. Om nom nom nom.
I didn't workout at all this weekend. Not one bit. And I didn't eat all that great, either, but that was really only part of the day on Saturday. I just kind of felt like my life was in disarray, and I needed to get it together to be functional in other areas of being.
Things I Did This Weekend:
Slept In
Went to a Birthday Party
Ate Paula Dean's Banana Pudding Cake
Cleaned my Bedroom
Cooked... a lot
Grocery Shopped
Homework
Laundry
Cleaned my Car
Edited Pictures
Watched Two Movies
So, it's obvious the only resolution I really kept this week was to update my blog everyday. That's okay though, because I really think that sometimes, we need some time to decompress. I didn't really fall off my new healthier lifestyle of eating better (minus the banana pudding cake... man, that was good) or working out (I still worked out over half the week). The main thing is that I haven't lost focus. I don't see this weekend as a break from healthy. It was a break from life, which I thoroughly enjoyed and needed. (Actually, my goal was to go into hiding around 7pm last night and not resurface until Monday morning at work, but that didn't happen because I had to grocery shop.) And this break from life was what I needed to recharge and get back at it tomorrow with some running.
I think the point to really remember (I'm really just telling myself this) is how good you feel after you work out, eat right, get up early, drink lots of water, and inspire others. That's what it's all about.
Monday brings a whole new Erica, in more ways than one.
Edit: I have realized that when I don't exercise every day, I get weird, unexplainable pains in my body. Currently, my lower back is hurting. Weird.
Edit 2: I found beautiful, fresh strawberries at Kroger today. Om nom nom nom.
Grocery List
Asparagus
Bananas
Lettuce
Onions
Tomatoes
Cauliflour
Zuchinni
Cucumber
Scallions
Gold Potatoes
Italian Seasoning
EVOO
NY Strip for the father unit
Pork Roast
Natural Applesauce Cups
Pita Chips
Italian Bread
Buffalo Mozzerella
Deli Mozzerella
It feels good to know over half your shopping list is in the produce section.
Edit: Congratulations to my 600th reader, whoever you are! Thanks for all the love.
Bananas
Lettuce
Onions
Tomatoes
Cauliflour
Zuchinni
Cucumber
Scallions
Gold Potatoes
Italian Seasoning
EVOO
NY Strip for the father unit
Pork Roast
Natural Applesauce Cups
Pita Chips
Italian Bread
Buffalo Mozzerella
Deli Mozzerella
It feels good to know over half your shopping list is in the produce section.
Edit: Congratulations to my 600th reader, whoever you are! Thanks for all the love.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Just a Thought
Kung Fu Panda is a great movie about fulfilling a destiny...
Basically, the panda is the warrior everyone has been waiting for, but he's overweight, undertrained, and nothing like who they thought the Chosen One would be. Do we view ourselves (or others) as a product of our present or fulfiller of our future?
Just something to chew on.
Basically, the panda is the warrior everyone has been waiting for, but he's overweight, undertrained, and nothing like who they thought the Chosen One would be. Do we view ourselves (or others) as a product of our present or fulfiller of our future?
Just something to chew on.
Friday, January 13, 2012
The Misconception of Fatitude
(For the sake of saving my own rear end, I'll try to code this blog to where you can understand what I'm talking about without me actually having to say the names of particular goods-distributing businesses.)
I hope the girl in the sports bra aisle of "Rollback Heaven" is reading this. I hope her dad is, too.
I'd like to shed a little light on the misconception others have of overweight people. Not all fat people are lazy. Some of us actually like to workout.
So tell me, why is it that it's so hard to find workout clothes in plus sizes?
All I wanted was a sports bra. That's it. Something used to make others' viewings of heavier people working out tolerable. Lock 'em. Load 'em. You're welcome. I had to go to THREE different places tonight to find something that fit. (I will be so happy when I can walk into any store and pick something to wear and have it fit. Honestly.)
Stop 1:"Rollback Heaven"
I will say that the selection here wasn't all that bad, but I feel things are completely mis-sized. I was fine after not finding anything that would work for me until this girl who couldn't have been bigger than a size 6 was shopping for a sports bra with her dad (awkward). Her dad pointed to a specific option and asked why she couldn't wear that one, to which the girl replied, "Because dad, I'm fat. I can't be seen in public in that."
Hold up. What?
You're the size of my left thigh**, and I would kill to look like you. Here's the kicker: her father said nothing. He did say, "Oh no you aren't," or, "Honey, you are beautiful the way God made you." No; he just continued to let her think her size 6 body was overweight. After that, I was so frustrated that I just left.
Stop 2:"Richard's Athletic Goods"
All I have to say is this: If you're promoting health and fitness, maybe start carrying sizes that people who actually need to workout would wear. Also, no one sells goods at the "SMRP" anymore (I just learned that means "suggested manufacture's retail price" tonight, so I thought I'd use it... if you don't use it, you lose it), so how about having a sale?
Stop 3: "The Big Bulls-eye in the Sky"
I love this store. I should have went there to begin with. Thank you for understanding that people of all sizes need all types of clothing.
People of every size need options. No, I won't be this size forever, or even next week, but seriously.
**Editor's Note: I know I use self-effacing humor a lot, making fun of my size, but it's really not funny. It's reality. Melissa often wonders if I'll still be funny when I'm thin. I'd like to think so, but I'm definitely going to have to brush up on it. I don't encourage this way of thinking; this is something I really have to work on. But for anyone who sees me in real life: when I'm out in yoga pants, don't think I'm just trying to make you think I work out. I really do.
Update: I missed my workout this evening. There are no excuses. It just didn't happen... and for the record, I feel crappy about it. (The upside: I'm going two-a-day at it tomorrow.)
Update 2: I found individually-packed Edemame steamers at "Rollback Heaven" today. Consider me pumped.
I hope the girl in the sports bra aisle of "Rollback Heaven" is reading this. I hope her dad is, too.
I'd like to shed a little light on the misconception others have of overweight people. Not all fat people are lazy. Some of us actually like to workout.
So tell me, why is it that it's so hard to find workout clothes in plus sizes?
All I wanted was a sports bra. That's it. Something used to make others' viewings of heavier people working out tolerable. Lock 'em. Load 'em. You're welcome. I had to go to THREE different places tonight to find something that fit. (I will be so happy when I can walk into any store and pick something to wear and have it fit. Honestly.)
Stop 1:"Rollback Heaven"
I will say that the selection here wasn't all that bad, but I feel things are completely mis-sized. I was fine after not finding anything that would work for me until this girl who couldn't have been bigger than a size 6 was shopping for a sports bra with her dad (awkward). Her dad pointed to a specific option and asked why she couldn't wear that one, to which the girl replied, "Because dad, I'm fat. I can't be seen in public in that."
Hold up. What?
You're the size of my left thigh**, and I would kill to look like you. Here's the kicker: her father said nothing. He did say, "Oh no you aren't," or, "Honey, you are beautiful the way God made you." No; he just continued to let her think her size 6 body was overweight. After that, I was so frustrated that I just left.
Stop 2:"Richard's Athletic Goods"
All I have to say is this: If you're promoting health and fitness, maybe start carrying sizes that people who actually need to workout would wear. Also, no one sells goods at the "SMRP" anymore (I just learned that means "suggested manufacture's retail price" tonight, so I thought I'd use it... if you don't use it, you lose it), so how about having a sale?
Stop 3: "The Big Bulls-eye in the Sky"
I love this store. I should have went there to begin with. Thank you for understanding that people of all sizes need all types of clothing.
People of every size need options. No, I won't be this size forever, or even next week, but seriously.
**Editor's Note: I know I use self-effacing humor a lot, making fun of my size, but it's really not funny. It's reality. Melissa often wonders if I'll still be funny when I'm thin. I'd like to think so, but I'm definitely going to have to brush up on it. I don't encourage this way of thinking; this is something I really have to work on. But for anyone who sees me in real life: when I'm out in yoga pants, don't think I'm just trying to make you think I work out. I really do.
Update: I missed my workout this evening. There are no excuses. It just didn't happen... and for the record, I feel crappy about it. (The upside: I'm going two-a-day at it tomorrow.)
Update 2: I found individually-packed Edemame steamers at "Rollback Heaven" today. Consider me pumped.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Humility and All That Comes With It
Post 2 for this evening... I didn't think this really fell into the same vein as the previous entry, so I made it its own post... because I can do that.
If you recall, one of the main reasons I started this blog was in hopes of inspiring one person to start taking steps to better their life (maybe health-wise, maybe not). I was humbled to hear that a post I wrote (The Devil Inside) was shared at a youth group meeting at a church in Ohio last night. I know the youth leader and some of the kids from a mission trip I do each summer.
It's a very cool feeling to know that someone, somewhere thinks that what you're writing is worthwhile.
I received a Facebook message from one of the youth girls after she got home last night. After a long time of not going to youth group, she decided to go last night. After her experience (of which my blog was a part), she decided to start her own blog about the changes she wants to make in her life. You can read it here... show her some love.
My blog wasn't the entire sermon, nor do I choose to believe I was the sole purpose she chose to make some life changes, but it's kind of nice to think I may have had a part in it. So I guess I've reached my goal.
I guess that means I can stop writing this blog.
But I won't, because what does working out teach us? You can always do one more. So I'm updating my goal: I want to reach 10 people and inspire them... in whatever way. So there you go.
Update: This should have gone in this evening's first post, but here works, too. I didn't do leg lifts the past two mornings because I was running late to work (I'm sorry, Melissa). I did them in the evenings though... not quite as effective. Also, I really thought I wouldn't be able to walk after the It Will Rain Sweat x1000 workout on Tuesday, but surprisingly, I was fine! But tonight, after 80 total seconds of jump squats, I need a Hover-round. How about that?
Tomorrow's challenge: Do life and run.
If you recall, one of the main reasons I started this blog was in hopes of inspiring one person to start taking steps to better their life (maybe health-wise, maybe not). I was humbled to hear that a post I wrote (The Devil Inside) was shared at a youth group meeting at a church in Ohio last night. I know the youth leader and some of the kids from a mission trip I do each summer.
It's a very cool feeling to know that someone, somewhere thinks that what you're writing is worthwhile.
I received a Facebook message from one of the youth girls after she got home last night. After a long time of not going to youth group, she decided to go last night. After her experience (of which my blog was a part), she decided to start her own blog about the changes she wants to make in her life. You can read it here... show her some love.
My blog wasn't the entire sermon, nor do I choose to believe I was the sole purpose she chose to make some life changes, but it's kind of nice to think I may have had a part in it. So I guess I've reached my goal.
I guess that means I can stop writing this blog.
But I won't, because what does working out teach us? You can always do one more. So I'm updating my goal: I want to reach 10 people and inspire them... in whatever way. So there you go.
Update: This should have gone in this evening's first post, but here works, too. I didn't do leg lifts the past two mornings because I was running late to work (I'm sorry, Melissa). I did them in the evenings though... not quite as effective. Also, I really thought I wouldn't be able to walk after the It Will Rain Sweat x1000 workout on Tuesday, but surprisingly, I was fine! But tonight, after 80 total seconds of jump squats, I need a Hover-round. How about that?
Tomorrow's challenge: Do life and run.
You Never Regret a Workout
Yesterday was... bad... to say the least. I don't know if it was the constant non-stop schedule I've been keeping the past week or the killer workout Tuesday, but Wednesday was a hard, hard day.
I know that along this journey, there will always be times I want to give up, give in, and just plain give it nothing. I have been super busy at work the past two weeks (which I love because it means kids want to come to my school... which ROCKS), and the weather has been rainy and crappy, and I've been fighting heinous headaches every after noon, and for some reason, I have just been plain STARVING all day, every day. I stick to a strict 2,100 calorie a day diet (without counting the calories I lose when I'm exercising) to be on track to lose 2 pounds a week (which is healthy... I want this to stick, so I'm not all about losing 20 pounds a month, however nice that sounds).
The past few days, I've been within 100 calories of 2,100 every day, which is so not normal for me. I usually end around 1,700-1,800. Not sure what that whole situation is about. Anyway, not the point of the story.
The point is that I can give a million excuses as to why all I wanted to do when I got home from work was get in bed and not resurface until this morning. Where I may have taken a nap after work, I got my butt up and went to PiYo to work out.
I didn't look pretty, and I didn't feel pretty, but my butt was on that yoga mat by 7pm. And by the end of class, I was better for it.
Why?
Because you never regret a workout.
I have come to realize that I got fat because of excuses: "Well, all my friends wanted to grab a bite of dinner at (insert any restaurant name here), so I just went with them;" "oh, well if we're watching a movie, we HAVE to have popcorn!;" "Well, I'm already this fat, so what is one more late-night snack?"
My entire life has been one excuse after another as to why I can eat and why I can't workout.
That stops. Now. I made a resolution that I would work out 6 days a week, and I took Monday off. So there you go.
(PS I was in bed by 9:30 last night)
Today, thankfully, was much better. I think I can attribute my headaches to the weird rainy/snowy weather and the fact that I don't really disperse my calories correctly throughout the day. I tried eating a way bigger breakfast this morning (almost 700 calories... Special K, banana, turkey sausage, and I may have splurged on a non-fat, one pump vanilla chai from Starbucks), and that got me through until lunch. Hit up some Subway for a grilled chicken salad (overloaded on veggie style) and some Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips (another 600 calories), but by 4pm, I was hungry. So I ate another banana and a protein bar and hit up my session with Melissa, where we pumped out the Spartacus 2.0 workout. I sweat a LOT.
By the way, if you're looking for a good workout, try this one. It's a great combination of cardio and strength training. I like this one because how well you do is completely dependent upon how much you're willing to put in. You get 40 seconds to do as many reps of each exercise that you can, so you either pump it out or you wuss it out. I was a good compromise between the two today.
Melissa has also told me to get back on the Couch 2 5k plan, which she asked me how that was going for the week. It's been nonexistant because I've been with her Tuesday-Thursday (I'm totally not complaining), but I'm gonna run Friday and Sunday and hit it up two-a-day style on Saturday with an AM Bootcamp workout and a run that evening.
Note: I don't know why I'm talking all gangster-style situation lately. I kind of like it, though.
I know that along this journey, there will always be times I want to give up, give in, and just plain give it nothing. I have been super busy at work the past two weeks (which I love because it means kids want to come to my school... which ROCKS), and the weather has been rainy and crappy, and I've been fighting heinous headaches every after noon, and for some reason, I have just been plain STARVING all day, every day. I stick to a strict 2,100 calorie a day diet (without counting the calories I lose when I'm exercising) to be on track to lose 2 pounds a week (which is healthy... I want this to stick, so I'm not all about losing 20 pounds a month, however nice that sounds).
The past few days, I've been within 100 calories of 2,100 every day, which is so not normal for me. I usually end around 1,700-1,800. Not sure what that whole situation is about. Anyway, not the point of the story.
The point is that I can give a million excuses as to why all I wanted to do when I got home from work was get in bed and not resurface until this morning. Where I may have taken a nap after work, I got my butt up and went to PiYo to work out.
I didn't look pretty, and I didn't feel pretty, but my butt was on that yoga mat by 7pm. And by the end of class, I was better for it.
Why?
Because you never regret a workout.
I have come to realize that I got fat because of excuses: "Well, all my friends wanted to grab a bite of dinner at (insert any restaurant name here), so I just went with them;" "oh, well if we're watching a movie, we HAVE to have popcorn!;" "Well, I'm already this fat, so what is one more late-night snack?"
My entire life has been one excuse after another as to why I can eat and why I can't workout.
That stops. Now. I made a resolution that I would work out 6 days a week, and I took Monday off. So there you go.
(PS I was in bed by 9:30 last night)
Today, thankfully, was much better. I think I can attribute my headaches to the weird rainy/snowy weather and the fact that I don't really disperse my calories correctly throughout the day. I tried eating a way bigger breakfast this morning (almost 700 calories... Special K, banana, turkey sausage, and I may have splurged on a non-fat, one pump vanilla chai from Starbucks), and that got me through until lunch. Hit up some Subway for a grilled chicken salad (overloaded on veggie style) and some Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips (another 600 calories), but by 4pm, I was hungry. So I ate another banana and a protein bar and hit up my session with Melissa, where we pumped out the Spartacus 2.0 workout. I sweat a LOT.
By the way, if you're looking for a good workout, try this one. It's a great combination of cardio and strength training. I like this one because how well you do is completely dependent upon how much you're willing to put in. You get 40 seconds to do as many reps of each exercise that you can, so you either pump it out or you wuss it out. I was a good compromise between the two today.
Melissa has also told me to get back on the Couch 2 5k plan, which she asked me how that was going for the week. It's been nonexistant because I've been with her Tuesday-Thursday (I'm totally not complaining), but I'm gonna run Friday and Sunday and hit it up two-a-day style on Saturday with an AM Bootcamp workout and a run that evening.
Note: I don't know why I'm talking all gangster-style situation lately. I kind of like it, though.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Just keep moving...
I thought I'd use the remaining 15 minutes of my lunch to go ahead and tell you all about the 1,000 Rep workout I did last night. Like I told you already, I was really nervous, and I wasn't sure how I was going to make it through (since I looked up what I thought it was going to be online... it wasn't it... probably better that way). My 45 minute drive to the gym (I don't live 45 minutes from the gym... I just drive straight from work) was a never-ending pep talk where I decided my mantra was going to be "Just keep moving..."
This is me before the workout (notice the positive thumb-upsky).
I know, not the best picture. Who cares. You take a pretty picture after that workout. I think I sat in this position for a good minute because I really couldn't move. After all that, I still had to go home and cook dinner (which I don't mind). I also cried for a very long time when I got home.
I think I scared my dad.
I think I cried partly because I didn't think I could do it and partly because my body was so physically tired that cooking seemed so difficult.
Lesson learned: Your body can do more than you think it can, so push it.
Sidenote: If anyone knows how to make roasted potatoes, let me know. I had to throw mine out because apparently, you have to cook them before you roast them in the oven. Who knew?
This is me before the workout (notice the positive thumb-upsky).
I can't even tell you what all we did. 100 pushups, some leg and back situations... I kind of blocked it out. My goal was to finish the entire thing under an hour. 57 minutes flat. "Just keep moving..." I will now dub this workout the "It Will Rain Sweat x1,000" workout. This is me after.
I know, not the best picture. Who cares. You take a pretty picture after that workout. I think I sat in this position for a good minute because I really couldn't move. After all that, I still had to go home and cook dinner (which I don't mind). I also cried for a very long time when I got home.
I think I scared my dad.
I think I cried partly because I didn't think I could do it and partly because my body was so physically tired that cooking seemed so difficult.
Lesson learned: Your body can do more than you think it can, so push it.
Sidenote: If anyone knows how to make roasted potatoes, let me know. I had to throw mine out because apparently, you have to cook them before you roast them in the oven. Who knew?
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Just in Case...
I have this sneaking suspicion that I will be far too tired to post anything this evening after my "1,000 Rep Workout," so I'm posting this now (to keep with my resolution).
I think the anticipation as to what this workout will entail is going to end up being far worse than the workout itself (or at least I hope). I kind of wish I had never been given this vague yet vicious tidbit of information.
I've already heard some horror stories, but nothing specific. I'm eating 4 tbsp. of peanut butter beforehand, just in case. I know I'll work it off, but I know I'll need the calories to get me through.
I've actually given myself a headache thinking about it so much, so I'm going to stop. Wish me luck!
Update: 15 leg lifts this morning with no break! Up 5 from yesterday. Progress!
I think the anticipation as to what this workout will entail is going to end up being far worse than the workout itself (or at least I hope). I kind of wish I had never been given this vague yet vicious tidbit of information.
I've already heard some horror stories, but nothing specific. I'm eating 4 tbsp. of peanut butter beforehand, just in case. I know I'll work it off, but I know I'll need the calories to get me through.
I've actually given myself a headache thinking about it so much, so I'm going to stop. Wish me luck!
Update: 15 leg lifts this morning with no break! Up 5 from yesterday. Progress!
Monday, January 9, 2012
I Can (NOT) Cook
My life is being taken over by Pampered Chef!
I'm selling Pampered Chef to help raise money for my mission trip to South Africa this summer. You can go here if you'd like to order some. My show closes tomorrow at 11:59EST, and make sure to list Erica Byrd as your host. (Awesome gadgets if you're looking to eat a little healthier!)
Anyway, this installment isn't about buying Pampered Chef. It just lends itself nicely to what I wanted to write about, which is food.
I've never been much of a cook because that's my dad's job. He cooks the meals, and he's good at it. Why fix what's not broken, right? Until I realized everything he cooks is less than stellar for me. So my parents decided that we would start eating by my standards (yes, I still live with my parents). Where I am so excited my mom and dad have decided they want to start eating healthier, this is a bit of a catch-22. Because now I'm in charge of not only the grocery shopping, but also the cooking.
Yikes.
So here is the plan I try to follow:
Breakfast: 300-500 calories
Snack: 200-300 calories
Lunch: 500-700 calories
Snack: 200-300 calories
Dinner: 400-500 calories
I try to make my biggest meals breakfast and lunch, that way my body has time to process what I'm eating and break it down before I go to bed. I normally don't do many carbs for dinner since I normally don't eat until 7pm. The carbs I do eat that time of day are usually vegetables because they break down easier than, say, pasta or bread.
Usually my days go something like this:
Breakfast (8:30am)
Kroger Carbmaster yogurt- around 60 calories (any flavor... my favorite is the Strawberry Pomegranite)
Luna Bar - around 190 calories (my favorites are Lemon Zest and Vanilla Almond)
Some sort of coffee drink, like a Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks - 160 calories
BREAKFAST TOTAL: 410
Lunch (noon)
Wrap with Ham, Cheese, and Mayo
(Tumaro's Gourmet Tortillas, 96% fat free jalapeno & cilantro - 120 calories, 1 tbsp. reduced fat mayo with olive oil - 45, 3 oz. reduced sodium ham - around 70 calories, and 1 slice Sargento's swiss or mozzerella cheese - around 70 calories)
10 Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips - 130 calories
Then I usually either do an medium apple (72 calories) or a Mott's Natural No Sugar Added applesauce (50 calories)
Sometimes there is 2 tbsp Kroger Reduced Fat Peanut Butter (170 calories) if I know I'll be training with Melissa for an extra bit of protein.
LUNCH TOTAL: approx. 600
Afternoon snack (3:30ish)
This just depends... sometimes I'll do a banana (105 calories), or I'll eat the apple if I didn't earlier.
Dinner (7:00ish)
This just depends, too. I don't eat red meat, but I do a lean meat like chicken, turkey, or pork. I pair it with a vegetable (usually green) like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus, and sometimes a carb (pasta or potatoes). It usually never exceeds 600 calories, and it highly depends on what kind of workout I've done that day or how late I'm eating.
So the adventure in all this is that I'm having to learn how to cook, making me scour the internet and friends' cookbooks for healthy options. If you've ever been on Pinterest (you should be), it's a great place to find some good recipes, like this one:
(Sorry that my phone camera makes everything look orange or yellow.) This is a Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Crockpot recipe I found that is so delicious, and only 453 calories! (I added a cup of green beans, which is additional calorie intake.)
Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
1- 10.5 oz 98% fat free Cream of Chicken Soup (I've only found this in Kroger brand)
1- packet of Hidden Valley ranch seasoning
2- turkey bacon slices, chopped, cooked in naked pan
1- 8oz. fat free sour cream (again, I've only found it in Kroger Brand
1 tbsp minced garlic (I used garlic salt)
1 tbsp onion powder
8 oz. frozen chicken tenders
8 oz. pasta of your choice (I used whole wheat rotini)
Directions:
Put frozen chicken in crockpot. Mix soup, ranch packet, cooked bacon, sour cream, minced garlic, and onion powder together to form sauce. Pour over frozen chicken. Cook on HIGH for 3-3.5 hours in crockpot, stirring occasionally. Boil pasta according to box, drain, and serve chicken mixture over 2 oz. pasta. Enjoy!
Yields: 4 servings
It's really easy, and if you're eating at a relatively normal dinner time (not 7pm), it's a great option. It would probably also taste good with steamed broccoli! Heck, you could even mix the cooked broccoli into the pasta! Yum! (I realize this doesn't follow my "No Pasta at Dinner" rule, but like I said, if you're eating at a NORMAL time...)
_________________________
I've been really researching "trick" foods lately, especially on Eat This, Not That, and it's really helping. For example, caffeine is OKAY to have, as long as it's in its natural form, like black coffee. Coffee actually helps to speed up your metabolism! Caffeine is NOT okay in things like carbonated sodas (even diet ones), which that's okay with me because I don't drink soda anyway (I will rarely crave a Sierra Mist, and I'll get the Natural kind when I do). It's not that the caffeine in soda is different than in that of black coffee-- the sugars in the soda will kill your diet (even diet soda). Even if you're just counting calories, the hidden dangers in soda (especially diet soda) are what you have to look out for. They slow down the process of your body.
One thing I don't do is have a "cheat meal" a week. It's not because I'm trying to limit myself... it's more my weird brain that says, "If you have a CHEAT meal, that means you are on a diet and not making a lifestyle change." Again, that's me, and it's different for everyone. If a cheat meal works for you, that is absolutely fine.
The one thing to remember is if you have something that's less than healthy for you, it's okay. Don't beat yourself up. Just move on.
Again, I'm not a health expert or fitness guru. I'm just thinking out loud, and maybe my thought process will work for you, too.
P.S. I started my day off with 30 leg lifts. They were definitely easier in the morning, and I found myself energized (oddly enough) after. I opted not to run tonight because 1) I worked late, 2) my legs are sore, and 3) I'm apparently doing some 1,000 rep Melissa workout tomorrow. I thought I'd need to be at full capacity for that. It just means that I'll be hitting it hard Tuesday-Sunday (to stick to my resolutions).
I'm selling Pampered Chef to help raise money for my mission trip to South Africa this summer. You can go here if you'd like to order some. My show closes tomorrow at 11:59EST, and make sure to list Erica Byrd as your host. (Awesome gadgets if you're looking to eat a little healthier!)
Anyway, this installment isn't about buying Pampered Chef. It just lends itself nicely to what I wanted to write about, which is food.
I've never been much of a cook because that's my dad's job. He cooks the meals, and he's good at it. Why fix what's not broken, right? Until I realized everything he cooks is less than stellar for me. So my parents decided that we would start eating by my standards (yes, I still live with my parents). Where I am so excited my mom and dad have decided they want to start eating healthier, this is a bit of a catch-22. Because now I'm in charge of not only the grocery shopping, but also the cooking.
Yikes.
So here is the plan I try to follow:
Breakfast: 300-500 calories
Snack: 200-300 calories
Lunch: 500-700 calories
Snack: 200-300 calories
Dinner: 400-500 calories
I try to make my biggest meals breakfast and lunch, that way my body has time to process what I'm eating and break it down before I go to bed. I normally don't do many carbs for dinner since I normally don't eat until 7pm. The carbs I do eat that time of day are usually vegetables because they break down easier than, say, pasta or bread.
Usually my days go something like this:
Breakfast (8:30am)
Kroger Carbmaster yogurt- around 60 calories (any flavor... my favorite is the Strawberry Pomegranite)
Luna Bar - around 190 calories (my favorites are Lemon Zest and Vanilla Almond)
Some sort of coffee drink, like a Skinny Vanilla Latte from Starbucks - 160 calories
BREAKFAST TOTAL: 410
Lunch (noon)
Wrap with Ham, Cheese, and Mayo
(Tumaro's Gourmet Tortillas, 96% fat free jalapeno & cilantro - 120 calories, 1 tbsp. reduced fat mayo with olive oil - 45, 3 oz. reduced sodium ham - around 70 calories, and 1 slice Sargento's swiss or mozzerella cheese - around 70 calories)
10 Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips - 130 calories
Then I usually either do an medium apple (72 calories) or a Mott's Natural No Sugar Added applesauce (50 calories)
Sometimes there is 2 tbsp Kroger Reduced Fat Peanut Butter (170 calories) if I know I'll be training with Melissa for an extra bit of protein.
LUNCH TOTAL: approx. 600
Afternoon snack (3:30ish)
This just depends... sometimes I'll do a banana (105 calories), or I'll eat the apple if I didn't earlier.
Dinner (7:00ish)
This just depends, too. I don't eat red meat, but I do a lean meat like chicken, turkey, or pork. I pair it with a vegetable (usually green) like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus, and sometimes a carb (pasta or potatoes). It usually never exceeds 600 calories, and it highly depends on what kind of workout I've done that day or how late I'm eating.
So the adventure in all this is that I'm having to learn how to cook, making me scour the internet and friends' cookbooks for healthy options. If you've ever been on Pinterest (you should be), it's a great place to find some good recipes, like this one:
(Sorry that my phone camera makes everything look orange or yellow.) This is a Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Crockpot recipe I found that is so delicious, and only 453 calories! (I added a cup of green beans, which is additional calorie intake.)
Skinny Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
Ingredients:
1- 10.5 oz 98% fat free Cream of Chicken Soup (I've only found this in Kroger brand)
1- packet of Hidden Valley ranch seasoning
2- turkey bacon slices, chopped, cooked in naked pan
1- 8oz. fat free sour cream (again, I've only found it in Kroger Brand
1 tbsp minced garlic (I used garlic salt)
1 tbsp onion powder
8 oz. frozen chicken tenders
8 oz. pasta of your choice (I used whole wheat rotini)
Directions:
Put frozen chicken in crockpot. Mix soup, ranch packet, cooked bacon, sour cream, minced garlic, and onion powder together to form sauce. Pour over frozen chicken. Cook on HIGH for 3-3.5 hours in crockpot, stirring occasionally. Boil pasta according to box, drain, and serve chicken mixture over 2 oz. pasta. Enjoy!
Yields: 4 servings
It's really easy, and if you're eating at a relatively normal dinner time (not 7pm), it's a great option. It would probably also taste good with steamed broccoli! Heck, you could even mix the cooked broccoli into the pasta! Yum! (I realize this doesn't follow my "No Pasta at Dinner" rule, but like I said, if you're eating at a NORMAL time...)
_________________________
I've been really researching "trick" foods lately, especially on Eat This, Not That, and it's really helping. For example, caffeine is OKAY to have, as long as it's in its natural form, like black coffee. Coffee actually helps to speed up your metabolism! Caffeine is NOT okay in things like carbonated sodas (even diet ones), which that's okay with me because I don't drink soda anyway (I will rarely crave a Sierra Mist, and I'll get the Natural kind when I do). It's not that the caffeine in soda is different than in that of black coffee-- the sugars in the soda will kill your diet (even diet soda). Even if you're just counting calories, the hidden dangers in soda (especially diet soda) are what you have to look out for. They slow down the process of your body.
One thing I don't do is have a "cheat meal" a week. It's not because I'm trying to limit myself... it's more my weird brain that says, "If you have a CHEAT meal, that means you are on a diet and not making a lifestyle change." Again, that's me, and it's different for everyone. If a cheat meal works for you, that is absolutely fine.
The one thing to remember is if you have something that's less than healthy for you, it's okay. Don't beat yourself up. Just move on.
Again, I'm not a health expert or fitness guru. I'm just thinking out loud, and maybe my thought process will work for you, too.
P.S. I started my day off with 30 leg lifts. They were definitely easier in the morning, and I found myself energized (oddly enough) after. I opted not to run tonight because 1) I worked late, 2) my legs are sore, and 3) I'm apparently doing some 1,000 rep Melissa workout tomorrow. I thought I'd need to be at full capacity for that. It just means that I'll be hitting it hard Tuesday-Sunday (to stick to my resolutions).
The Devil Inside
I saw this movie tonight. It wasn't the greatest. Actually, don't waste your money; wait until it comes out on NetFlix. But, it did get me thinking.
Why has it taken me 26 years to finally realize that I was headed down such a disastrous path?
We all make important decisions at different times in our lives. I know some 20-year-olds that are far more grown up than me, and I know some 50-year-olds that have no idea how to manage their own money. Why is it that when we turn 18, some magic "Act Like an Adult" button isn't activated? I think it is because we're all facing some sort of battle... some demon... within us that tells us that we can't do something.
Learning to silence those demons is the first step.
Everyday, when I get to the gym, the track, a training session, I still have that voice inside my head that says, "I don't know why you keep trying. You are never going to be thin." Every plank I do, I hear, "You can not hold it this anymore. You are going to fall." Everytime I bump up the speed on the treadmill, that voice screams, "What are you doing?! You can not run this fast. You are FAT, do you not remember?!?!"
So why do I still go to the gym? Why do I hold that plank another 10 seconds? Why do I keep speeding up my runs?
Because I can. And I will. And I have.
Getting healthy is not an easy process. If you have never struggled with your weight, you better thank God every single day that this is one demon He is not testing you with. The demon that tells you that you will never be good enough, strong enough, fast enough, or thin enough is way harder than any other demon I have ever faced. But what does the Good Book tell us?
Proceed with faith, and be strong. "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13) This is what I have to continuously remind myself of every day I enter the gym, go out to eat with co-workers, or find myself being lapped at the track. This verse gives no stipulations like: "I can do all things (in 6 months) through Him that gives me strength," or, "I can do (some) things through Him who gives me strength." ALL THINGS. PERIOD.
Including this, which I received from my Melissa in the middle of the movie:
How are the resolutions coming?
Why has it taken me 26 years to finally realize that I was headed down such a disastrous path?
We all make important decisions at different times in our lives. I know some 20-year-olds that are far more grown up than me, and I know some 50-year-olds that have no idea how to manage their own money. Why is it that when we turn 18, some magic "Act Like an Adult" button isn't activated? I think it is because we're all facing some sort of battle... some demon... within us that tells us that we can't do something.
Learning to silence those demons is the first step.
Everyday, when I get to the gym, the track, a training session, I still have that voice inside my head that says, "I don't know why you keep trying. You are never going to be thin." Every plank I do, I hear, "You can not hold it this anymore. You are going to fall." Everytime I bump up the speed on the treadmill, that voice screams, "What are you doing?! You can not run this fast. You are FAT, do you not remember?!?!"
So why do I still go to the gym? Why do I hold that plank another 10 seconds? Why do I keep speeding up my runs?
Because I can. And I will. And I have.
Getting healthy is not an easy process. If you have never struggled with your weight, you better thank God every single day that this is one demon He is not testing you with. The demon that tells you that you will never be good enough, strong enough, fast enough, or thin enough is way harder than any other demon I have ever faced. But what does the Good Book tell us?
Proceed with faith, and be strong. "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:13) This is what I have to continuously remind myself of every day I enter the gym, go out to eat with co-workers, or find myself being lapped at the track. This verse gives no stipulations like: "I can do all things (in 6 months) through Him that gives me strength," or, "I can do (some) things through Him who gives me strength." ALL THINGS. PERIOD.
Including this, which I received from my Melissa in the middle of the movie:
How are the resolutions coming?
As for the first
goal: Get back on the couch to 5K program (keep me posted).
Also incorporate the following interval treadmill workout once a week
(it is 25 minutes).
5 minutes
|
3 speed
|
4 minutes
|
3.5 speed
|
7 minutes
|
4 speed
|
4 minutes
|
4.5 speed
|
5 minutes
|
3 speed
|
This week: Start every morning with...
you guessed it: LEG LIFTS. Starting them fresh will make a difference
in how many you will be able to do! And doing them first thing in the
morning will help build STRENGTH! See you Tuesday!
(Doesn't she seem so chipper at the end!?)
If you recall, I had to make a list of resolutions to follow to start off the new year right. I have followed every single resolution this week (this blog still counts as Sunday because I started it before midnight, and I haven't been to bed yet). Now this whole interval situation on the treadmill... I've never done a 4.5 running speed, let alone run for 7 minutes in a row. But guess what... I'm gonna try.
Oh, and early morning leg lifts. Guess I need to find my bedroom floor. Goal for tomorrow morning: 15 in a row. (Trying to keep the goal SMART, and I've never done more than 10 in a row.) I'll update tomorrow night.
If you're reading this, and if you do this, I'm asking you to take 30 seconds and say a prayer for me. Pray that I continually find the strength to keep this up. I believe in the power of prayer, and with over 300 blog views in 4 days (in over 4 countries), I know it will help. Thank you!
Sidenote: I ran at the track today. Bad idea. This is the end result (and yes I have pants on). Again, I saved it right-side-up. Also note the Christmas socks. (The blue thing is a heating pad.)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
This One Has a Picture...
So I didn't do the workout I posted yesterday. No 5x of the 100 Calorie Workout. Instead, I just decided to beat my mile.
Which I did.
Mile time on 1/5...... 18:18
Mile time tonight...... 16:29
Cut of 1:49
I normally walk at a 3.0 and jog at a 3.8. Tonight, I walked at a 3.2 and jogged at a 4.2. I know that's still slow, but in my defense, it hadn't even been an hour since I ate dinner. After about a mile and a half, I got a cramp in my stomach and stopped. It's okay though... I still did something. I'm also going to credit my slower time on Thursday to the fact I had a hard 50 minute workout before I ran.
Not sure what I'll do tomorrow. Cardio of some situation.
On a side note, I really like grocery shopping AFTER I workout. Yes, I'm usually hungry, but I'm also riding the endorphin high and feel pretty good. I equate that feeling to buying healthier food. Hence...
Which I did.
Mile time on 1/5...... 18:18
Mile time tonight...... 16:29
Cut of 1:49
I normally walk at a 3.0 and jog at a 3.8. Tonight, I walked at a 3.2 and jogged at a 4.2. I know that's still slow, but in my defense, it hadn't even been an hour since I ate dinner. After about a mile and a half, I got a cramp in my stomach and stopped. It's okay though... I still did something. I'm also going to credit my slower time on Thursday to the fact I had a hard 50 minute workout before I ran.
Not sure what I'll do tomorrow. Cardio of some situation.
On a side note, I really like grocery shopping AFTER I workout. Yes, I'm usually hungry, but I'm also riding the endorphin high and feel pretty good. I equate that feeling to buying healthier food. Hence...
me with some grapefruit. Sorry it's sideways. I can't figure out how to turn it. Also, I know I look like a hot mess, but if my philosophy is: If you're still beautiful after a workout, you didn't train hard enough. So there you go.
Edit: Go Mountaineers.
Small grocery list of the evening:
10lb of grapefruit
10 Luna bars
2 bags Stacey's Simply Naked Pita Chips (a way healthier option than potato chips)
According to Eat This, Not That (I'm addicted to them), grapefruits are good belly-fat busters. I usually take people at their word, so I believe them. If it's not true, it's still fruit, so I don't feel bad.
I'm not going to write anymore. My computer is processing slower than Noah's Ark was built.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Gotta Get Down on... Saturday
Goals for Tomorrow's Workout:
I'm going to do 5 cycles of this, ending with a 1 mile jog/walk situation (I'll update my time tomorrow).
A little something extra.
I'm going to do 5 cycles of this, ending with a 1 mile jog/walk situation (I'll update my time tomorrow).
A little something extra.
9 Months Along (and no, I'm not pregnant)
I don't think I mentioned this already, but I'm an Admission Counselor at a small private college. Basically, I assist students who are interested in my institution through the admission, acceptance, financial aid, deposit, and registration process of college. That's it in a nutshell. Oh, and I work with these students' guidance counselors and teachers on a daily basis. Some day are great (like yesterday), and some days are... harder... than others (like today). Even through the bad days, I love my job and the difference I make in peoples' lives. I guess you can say I've kind of hit my goal I mentioned at the end of my first post, but I wasn't really talking about my work life.
Anyway... that was important because what I'm about to tell you wouldn't make sense if you hadn't known my role in society. Back in March 2011, I was assisting a Director of Financial Aid in a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid... you fill it out when you want help paying for college) workshop at a local high school. The workshop was held in this room called the LGI (no idea what that stands for) where the seating consisted of these swivel chairs that attached to long table-desk things. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about despite my very vague description. The chairs only extended from the table so far.
I was too big to sit in the chair and face forward. I had to sit at an angle to make room for the non-existant 9-month-old fetus in my belly.
Fast forward 9 months to today when I started my first class as a graduate student (Master's of Arts in Corporate Communication Studies... sounds fancier than it is). It's part of the Extended Learning program at West Virginia University, which means the classes aren't at the University (45 minutes away from home). Classes are 6-9 two Fridays a month and 9-5 two Saturdays a month. Anyone want to take a stab at where the classes were held?
Yep.
So tonight, I found myself face-to-face with the same chair-filled room that I did last year. Will I fit in the chair? Will people notice if I am extremely uncomfortable? How am I going to sit 8 hours in this chair without wanting to kill myself? Are they judging me? These are the thoughts running through my head. Finally, I said to myself, "Well, you have no choice. You would look more awkward standing." So I sat.
Caution: Success story ahead.
I fit. I could sit down and swivel around to face the professor... and still breathe! Holy cow.
So this day turned out to be better than it started.
Update: I am forfeiting the gym tonight in an attempt to actually sleep. To keep to my resolutions, I will be working out tomorrow and Sunday to hit my 6-days-a-week goal. I've been in the gym Monday-Thursday this week.
Anyway... that was important because what I'm about to tell you wouldn't make sense if you hadn't known my role in society. Back in March 2011, I was assisting a Director of Financial Aid in a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid... you fill it out when you want help paying for college) workshop at a local high school. The workshop was held in this room called the LGI (no idea what that stands for) where the seating consisted of these swivel chairs that attached to long table-desk things. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about despite my very vague description. The chairs only extended from the table so far.
I was too big to sit in the chair and face forward. I had to sit at an angle to make room for the non-existant 9-month-old fetus in my belly.
Fast forward 9 months to today when I started my first class as a graduate student (Master's of Arts in Corporate Communication Studies... sounds fancier than it is). It's part of the Extended Learning program at West Virginia University, which means the classes aren't at the University (45 minutes away from home). Classes are 6-9 two Fridays a month and 9-5 two Saturdays a month. Anyone want to take a stab at where the classes were held?
Yep.
So tonight, I found myself face-to-face with the same chair-filled room that I did last year. Will I fit in the chair? Will people notice if I am extremely uncomfortable? How am I going to sit 8 hours in this chair without wanting to kill myself? Are they judging me? These are the thoughts running through my head. Finally, I said to myself, "Well, you have no choice. You would look more awkward standing." So I sat.
Caution: Success story ahead.
I fit. I could sit down and swivel around to face the professor... and still breathe! Holy cow.
So this day turned out to be better than it started.
Update: I am forfeiting the gym tonight in an attempt to actually sleep. To keep to my resolutions, I will be working out tomorrow and Sunday to hit my 6-days-a-week goal. I've been in the gym Monday-Thursday this week.
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