Okay....I am now convinced that writing down either how often you exercise or how much and what you eat really helps to control your intake and boost your output. I recently went out of town and then celebrated my father's birthday this past weekend- let's just say I didn't exactly count my calories. I have gained about three pounds, which is not terrible, but I know how EASY it is to fall out of the habit of "clean" eating and no exercise. Not to mention, all the yummy leftovers in my fridge...and I thought briefly about throwing away the food but had a personal crisis and just could NOT do it. not to mention that my husband would stroke out if I threw away lots of perfectly good food. He still eats Chinese food that is two weeks old....he likes my mama's idea of dieting and feel comfortable putting his intestine through torture. Me, however...no way!
So...I feel like I fell off the bandwagon. Writing everything out makes me feel accountable, because I know the WHOLE WORLD will know my downfall and maybe I can pick it up (if I don't start working out, it will take me two trips to pick my rear up!!) So, I am trying to "detox" and stick with lots of veggies and no bread or pasta again for a while.
I will say, however, that even though I have gained a few pounds, my doctor assures me that weight fluctuates and just keep sticking to the diet. Also, I am told I need to have a day that I can relax the diet and have some foods I really enjoy....I am not sure, because I am afraid I will pig out and spend the whole next week trying to fix what I screwed up. So I discovered a little trick....READ THE LABELS ON THE PACKAGING...eat the ice cream, but stick with ONE serving. NEVER NEVER NEVER take the entire package to the couch or to the table...and don't ask me this story...but don't take packages to the bathtub either...hot water, wine, and snacks equals five pounds. Period. Always......I said don't ask!
So...hopefully this week I can make up for the week I took off from healthy town and get back on track...minus one more night of leftovers...just small portions of leftovers....
Signing off,
Miss Mad
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Falling off the Turnip Truck
Well, maybe I didn't FALL off, but I think I am half way there! In short, I have been snacking a little too much on foods I need to avoid. I ate some chips earlier today, and even though I chose Kettle chips, which are made in a healthier way, I still don't want to eat them. this week I have been SO freakin hungry. I am wondering if it is because I have been exercising more and I have been weight training. Many people believe that engaging in exercise leaves you feeling hungry. So does exercise increase hunger?
Researchers in the UK have concluded that exercise does indeed make you hungry - but the overall result will still give you a calorie deficit.
Researchers took 6 men and 6 women through the following steps.
The exercising group consumed 913 Calories at the buffet. The non-exercising group ate 762 Calories. However, during exercise, the first group burned 492 Calories compared to 197 Calories.
The net result: the exercisers ultimately took in around 144 less Calories.
So I guess it is natural for me to feel a little more hungry, even though this study does not seem to speak much toward anything but exercise means you are burning more calories so when you eat, you are negating some of your intake. But...it makes me feel better, so THERE!!
Oh, and my good news is....I'VE LOST 15 POUNDS!!!!! I am very excited and motivated.....and hopefully, even though I have been hungry this week, I am trying to make sure the snacks I eat are as healthy as possible...green veggies, no chips or chocolate, and yogurt. Or high levels of protein...I feel like I am getting to the point I need to step up to avoid the plateau. Also...I really want to try swimming- great overall body workout!! It's just that whole bathing suit thing...I am just not ready to put one on yet! Maybe in a few more months when I hit another 15 pounds....maybe....
Signing off,
Miss Mad
Researchers in the UK have concluded that exercise does indeed make you hungry - but the overall result will still give you a calorie deficit.
Researchers took 6 men and 6 women through the following steps.
- Ate the same breakfast.
- Wait for an hour.
- One group did 60 minutes of stationary cycling (at 65% max heart rate). The other group did nothing.
- Wait for an hour.
- Everyone enjoyed an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The exercising group consumed 913 Calories at the buffet. The non-exercising group ate 762 Calories. However, during exercise, the first group burned 492 Calories compared to 197 Calories.
The net result: the exercisers ultimately took in around 144 less Calories.
So I guess it is natural for me to feel a little more hungry, even though this study does not seem to speak much toward anything but exercise means you are burning more calories so when you eat, you are negating some of your intake. But...it makes me feel better, so THERE!!
Oh, and my good news is....I'VE LOST 15 POUNDS!!!!! I am very excited and motivated.....and hopefully, even though I have been hungry this week, I am trying to make sure the snacks I eat are as healthy as possible...green veggies, no chips or chocolate, and yogurt. Or high levels of protein...I feel like I am getting to the point I need to step up to avoid the plateau. Also...I really want to try swimming- great overall body workout!! It's just that whole bathing suit thing...I am just not ready to put one on yet! Maybe in a few more months when I hit another 15 pounds....maybe....
Signing off,
Miss Mad
Friday, February 11, 2011
Confessions of a fat girl...
My food confessions:
1. I once ate an entire bag of cheeto puffs....and not one of those little bags, either.
2. I think french fires are delicious and when you put feta cheese on them, I cannot say no.
3. I ate cheesecake today- it was one of the BEST I have ever eaten (made by my friend Pam).
4. When I was in high school, I ate at Dairy Queen at LEAST once per week- onion rings, DOUBLE cheeseburger, milkshake...
5. Until AFTER college, I hated drinking water...
6. I used to eat two and three servings of food...with salt...and extra cheese...
7. I was drinking at LEAST 2 glasses of wine almost every day (this has been off and on the past few years...)
8. I over analyze my caloric intake.
9. I used to drink at LEAST 2-3 Cokes a day.
10. I once ate a medium pizza BY MYSELF...and then had ice cream...
I'm sure that most people can relate to any of these confessions and everyone has had moments in their food history that they regret. One point I am trying to make to myself is that I have really changed my eating habits into something not perfect, but perfect for me. I think it is important to look at what you eat and put things into your body that make you a better you....so here are the top ten points I am most proud to be changing:
1. I drink 2-3 liters of water every day.
2. I have discovered I can feel full AND eat smaller portions.
3. Soda can kill you....
4. My skin is looking better with all the good food.
5. I discovered I love vegetables...especially beets!
6. I get at least 45-60 minutes of cardio at least three times a week.
7. I discovered I can still eat cake and be healthy- a slice, not a "hunk".
8. I now drink maybe 1-3 sodas per month and NONE in the past 8 weeks.
9. I sleep better and have better BMs....seriously...THAT feels AMAZING to be regular!
10. My clothing fits and I feel like it looks good!
So I guess if I can change my bad habits and get healthy, anybody can!
Signing off,
Miss Mad
1. I once ate an entire bag of cheeto puffs....and not one of those little bags, either.
2. I think french fires are delicious and when you put feta cheese on them, I cannot say no.
3. I ate cheesecake today- it was one of the BEST I have ever eaten (made by my friend Pam).
4. When I was in high school, I ate at Dairy Queen at LEAST once per week- onion rings, DOUBLE cheeseburger, milkshake...
5. Until AFTER college, I hated drinking water...
6. I used to eat two and three servings of food...with salt...and extra cheese...
7. I was drinking at LEAST 2 glasses of wine almost every day (this has been off and on the past few years...)
8. I over analyze my caloric intake.
9. I used to drink at LEAST 2-3 Cokes a day.
10. I once ate a medium pizza BY MYSELF...and then had ice cream...
I'm sure that most people can relate to any of these confessions and everyone has had moments in their food history that they regret. One point I am trying to make to myself is that I have really changed my eating habits into something not perfect, but perfect for me. I think it is important to look at what you eat and put things into your body that make you a better you....so here are the top ten points I am most proud to be changing:
1. I drink 2-3 liters of water every day.
2. I have discovered I can feel full AND eat smaller portions.
3. Soda can kill you....
4. My skin is looking better with all the good food.
5. I discovered I love vegetables...especially beets!
6. I get at least 45-60 minutes of cardio at least three times a week.
7. I discovered I can still eat cake and be healthy- a slice, not a "hunk".
8. I now drink maybe 1-3 sodas per month and NONE in the past 8 weeks.
9. I sleep better and have better BMs....seriously...THAT feels AMAZING to be regular!
10. My clothing fits and I feel like it looks good!
So I guess if I can change my bad habits and get healthy, anybody can!
Signing off,
Miss Mad
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Jack it up!
Okay...get ready for it.....ready.....I'VE LOST 13 POUNDS! Oh, yeah, that's right, 13 down!!! I am almost half way to my goal of losing 30 pounds. I could hardly believe it this morning, mostly because I have been sick over the past few days and haven't really worked out since early last week. But I have been very careful about what I eaten the past few weeks and I think that is the biggest difference. I cannot tell you how nervous I was to weigh-in this morning; all I could think was "please don't let me gain any back." It felt GREAT...and it feel really great when other people comment that "You look like you've lost weight." I wanna shout "HELL, YEAH I'VE LOST WEIGHT....WOO HOO" and maybe dance around in a circle while I smack my ass. That's I feel like doing.
However, I must admit that I worry about the dreaded "plateau"- you know, when your body adjusts to what you are doing and stop LOSING and start MAINTAINING the weight...so, how can we keep dropping the LBs without starving yourself or having a stroke at the gym...
Here are my suggestions for pumping up the volume:
1. Increase your gym intensity. Did you know that toned muscles burn 50 more calories per HOUR? So start throwing in a little more weight training. You can find really good workouts online...and they even have those "dummy-proof" ones with pictures if you are like me and will literally hurt yourself unless you have a picture.
2. Start a food journal to make sure you are cutting out anything unnecessary OR if you can go to a healthier version: cut the whip cream on the latte, switch to the fat free salad dressing, put the salt DOWN!
3. Buy Spanx (that's on my to-do list also)
4. Uhhh...let me think...there was something else...Oh yeah! Stretch regularly to help relieve body stress. When we are stressed, our body produces excess Cortisol which triggers our bodies to store and hold onto fat...think survival mode.
So there are a few ways I avoid the plateau. Of course, sometimes you need a splurge- go ahead and treat yourself, but remember that means you will have to work a little harder at the gym....with the skinny blond girls...sucking your IQ down....sorry if you are skinny and blond. My favorite splurge of the week- fat free Klondike bars. Holy COW did it taste DELISH and I promise it tasted better because I felt like I really earned it!!
I think maybe I might earn that treat again in a few days!
Signing off,
Miss Mad
However, I must admit that I worry about the dreaded "plateau"- you know, when your body adjusts to what you are doing and stop LOSING and start MAINTAINING the weight...so, how can we keep dropping the LBs without starving yourself or having a stroke at the gym...
Here are my suggestions for pumping up the volume:
1. Increase your gym intensity. Did you know that toned muscles burn 50 more calories per HOUR? So start throwing in a little more weight training. You can find really good workouts online...and they even have those "dummy-proof" ones with pictures if you are like me and will literally hurt yourself unless you have a picture.
2. Start a food journal to make sure you are cutting out anything unnecessary OR if you can go to a healthier version: cut the whip cream on the latte, switch to the fat free salad dressing, put the salt DOWN!
3. Buy Spanx (that's on my to-do list also)
4. Uhhh...let me think...there was something else...Oh yeah! Stretch regularly to help relieve body stress. When we are stressed, our body produces excess Cortisol which triggers our bodies to store and hold onto fat...think survival mode.
So there are a few ways I avoid the plateau. Of course, sometimes you need a splurge- go ahead and treat yourself, but remember that means you will have to work a little harder at the gym....with the skinny blond girls...sucking your IQ down....sorry if you are skinny and blond. My favorite splurge of the week- fat free Klondike bars. Holy COW did it taste DELISH and I promise it tasted better because I felt like I really earned it!!
I think maybe I might earn that treat again in a few days!
Signing off,
Miss Mad
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Small steps forward is still progress!!
Being sick wreaks havoc on your diet- some medications, like steroids, can increase your appetite and when your breathing is wheezy, that is not exactly conducive to regular work outs. So basically, the only sick that you would probably LOSE weight is the stomach flu...funny story: My mama once said that a quick way to lose 10 pounds is to eat rancid fish....2 days and you will be 10 pounds lighter! But I just don't think the misery is worth it.
So...being sick the past two days and either on the couch or in the bed. I truly have NOT been hungry but I began thinking about all those times I didn't feel good or perhaps was hurt and just SNACKED. I think we all engage in mindless eating at SOME point. So in order to combat this, I am trying a few alternatives:
1. Lots of magazines. I recently read all about Reese Witherspoon's engagement to Jim Toth- how exciting! But this alternate habit to eating can get expensive, unless you look up the tidbits online.
2. I tried movies, but honestly...I just want to eat popcorn, which is not helping my weight loss...because popcorn sucks without butter. Avoid this alternative
3. Paint your toenails...or your husbands if he will let you, which mine did not...I don't get the big deal- like he EVER wears open toed shoes...
I will say that I have still kept off my 10 pounds...I actually have lost another 1/4 of a pound, which depressed me a little. I was hoping for another 2-3, but only 1/4?? REALLY? I haven't even sniffed bread or pasta and I have been sweating like a ho in church at the gym...for only 1/4??? Then Scott pointed out that my behind looked nice. And then I felt better.
But of course, I had to stop and think about the mentality behind my feelings- I feel so healthy and great and I am upset that I ONLY lost 1/4 of a pound? This plays into the whole acceptance problem I have with my body. So....I made myself look at my naked body again to remind me that I am changing even if my numbers weren't. And I still wear the same sizes in clothing, but I can tell a difference in fit and comfort. In addition, I truly don't even miss bread...I miss pasta, but I am getting to the point I can add that back on occasion and in extreme moderation. Tonight Scott made hamburgers and fries; I didn't even WANT more than 2 fries and I nixed the bread. I was very proud of myself. I added a bowl of mushrooms and beets and felt completely satisfied.
Okay, world, I am tired and my head is hurting...time for my meds....signing off,
Miss Mad
So...being sick the past two days and either on the couch or in the bed. I truly have NOT been hungry but I began thinking about all those times I didn't feel good or perhaps was hurt and just SNACKED. I think we all engage in mindless eating at SOME point. So in order to combat this, I am trying a few alternatives:
1. Lots of magazines. I recently read all about Reese Witherspoon's engagement to Jim Toth- how exciting! But this alternate habit to eating can get expensive, unless you look up the tidbits online.
2. I tried movies, but honestly...I just want to eat popcorn, which is not helping my weight loss...because popcorn sucks without butter. Avoid this alternative
3. Paint your toenails...or your husbands if he will let you, which mine did not...I don't get the big deal- like he EVER wears open toed shoes...
I will say that I have still kept off my 10 pounds...I actually have lost another 1/4 of a pound, which depressed me a little. I was hoping for another 2-3, but only 1/4?? REALLY? I haven't even sniffed bread or pasta and I have been sweating like a ho in church at the gym...for only 1/4??? Then Scott pointed out that my behind looked nice. And then I felt better.
But of course, I had to stop and think about the mentality behind my feelings- I feel so healthy and great and I am upset that I ONLY lost 1/4 of a pound? This plays into the whole acceptance problem I have with my body. So....I made myself look at my naked body again to remind me that I am changing even if my numbers weren't. And I still wear the same sizes in clothing, but I can tell a difference in fit and comfort. In addition, I truly don't even miss bread...I miss pasta, but I am getting to the point I can add that back on occasion and in extreme moderation. Tonight Scott made hamburgers and fries; I didn't even WANT more than 2 fries and I nixed the bread. I was very proud of myself. I added a bowl of mushrooms and beets and felt completely satisfied.
Okay, world, I am tired and my head is hurting...time for my meds....signing off,
Miss Mad
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