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Wednesday, August 4, 2010

getting better

Well I did the same run/walk on the treadmill that I did two days ago that I thought was going to kill me. However, this time, I did much better!! I didn't feel like was going to collapse. It was tough but in a good way. I can feel the soreness in my hips a little bit now but that's okay. I like to know that I did something. I am doing well with the eating plan. I have a smoothie (that I make) on the way to work. then I will have a piece of toast with peanut butter (1 Tablespoon). Sometimes I have a snack in the morning and afternoon of fruit, cottage cheese, and/or a string cheese. Then for lunch this week I have been having cream of wheat made with milk. For dinner, I try to eat sensibly -- I had some leftover turkey meatloaf with some potatoes and lots of veggies. I hope I can continue on this road.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Gym is getting better

Last night I tried to go harder on my goal of being able to run a 5K. I can walk right now, but not extremely fast. I am using the couch to 5K program to help me do it. I am to the point where I am supposed to do a 5 minute brisk walk to warm up, then 90 seconds of jogging, 90 seconds of brisk walking, 3 minutes of jogging, 3 minutes of brisk walking, and repeat once and cool down. Well, that 3 minutes of jogging about killed me!! I think part of it may have been that I forgot to grab a snack before I went, so I was running on empty. But boy, it was tough. I thought I was going to collapse!! Maybe I am not cut out for this running thing. But I made myself (and others) promise so I am not going to quit. I am just hoping it gets better/easier. All these people tell me how much they love to run, but right now, I just don't see it.

So, this morning at the gym, I did my strength training. I have been concentrated on my upper body and stomach most days since I am doing the running and I don't want to do anything that will hinder that process. But today I worked arms and some shoulders. I have to admit, I love weight training!!! The cardio is for the birds, but I can hold my own here. I don't know if it's just more interesting or what, but this is what does it for me! I can already feel that I had a good workout and I like it!

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

good day so far

Well, it looks like I am doing well so far today. I went to the gym this morning and was on the treadmill for 30 minutes -- half jogging half walking. My arms are sore from last night at the gym still which is always encouraging. For not getting a ton of sleep, I am pretty awake right now!!! Must be the exercising.

I have also been eating well today. At breakfast I had fruit and greek yogurt smoothie and some cream of wheat. For lunch I made a salad with beans and tuna -- it was pretty tasty and had some cheese. So far so good. Hopefully, I can keep the momentum up and do well at dinner.

good workout last night

I decided to go to the gym last night since I didn't get up early to go. I decided not to do the treadmill last night since it often bores me and I needed the motivation. So, I decided to do some weight training. It was great! So much more fun. But, boy is the gym more crowded in the evenings. I think I like the quite tranquil morning better but maybe it can be motivation as well. My arms are a bit sore today but not my stomach -- will have to work harder on the abs next time.

Monday, July 26, 2010

gym

Well, I am going to the gym again. The first day back was quite brutal. It has gotten better though. My plan was to train for a 5K but I don't know if I am runner material. I am going to stick with my goal, but I don't know if I enjoy it yet. I cut my time on the treadmill to only half an hour last time I went because it got boring. So I went and worked on the weight machines since I enjoy that more. I did not get up early this morning to work out (Mondays are always hard to wake up early), so after work I plan on going to the gym. I am going to skip the treadmill tonight and just work on weights. I know I can motivate myself for that, but not for the running/walking on the treadmill. And right now, as long as I can stay motivated to do some sort of exercise, I am okay with that.

I'm back better than ever!

I know I took a little bit of a hiatus, but I am back better than ever!! I may take on a different format for my postings -- I think my posts were getting a little boring. I am going to post regarding how my eating habits are going as well as exercise, but it won't be quite so clinical. If there is anything anyone wants to know about, please let me know, I would gladly start posting additional information if requested.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

back on track

It feels to be back on track again!! On Tuesday, I had my breakfast of pumpkin protein bars, chobani yogurt and snacked on some beef jerky. For lunch I had some rice cakes with peanut butter and some turkey pepperoni. For dinner I had some veggie cauliflower, 2 turkey franks, some fruit salad and then some fudgesicles!! Yummy!! I have quite the sweet tooth!! My totals for the day were 1321 calories, 144 carbs, 51 g fat, 89 g protein.

I am still having some trouble getting enough protein in. I may have to add more egg whites to my meals. If anyone has any other suggestions, I would love to hear them!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

holiday weekend

Well, I think I over did it over the holiday weekend. But here is to a fresh new start. I would like to blame the margaritas for my problems but I think it was my own will power. I am kicking it into high gear now moving forward!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Ice cream!

I did well today even though I had ice cream!
My breakfast was some pumpkin protein bars and I snacked on an orange pepper. My lunch consisted of a salad again, some fruit salad, and a string cheese. For dinner I had beef stew and some chocolate icecream. My totals were 1350 calories, 44g fat, 186 carbs, 72 protein. I know its at the higher end of the spectrum this time, but I was helping someone move into a new place and was cleaning all the grime in the kitchen so I think I hopefully burned off any extras.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Started off ok.....

Well I started off okay on Tuesday until the evening when I had company who brought chocolate cream pie -- I only had a small piece but it did put me over a little.
For breakfast I had pumpkin protein bars, egg whites, and munched on a pepper.
For lunch I had a big salad with chicken and almonds and a fruit salad. Dinner consisted of a veggie lasagne -- without noodles, used cauliflower (will post recipe later) and the chocolate cream pie.
My totals were 1433 calories, 69 g fat, 144 carbs, 82 g protein. Well, it looks like my protein wasn't quite there again. will have to keep working on that.

I am hoping I didn't ruin this week's progress with that pie. Will have to be extra diligent this weekend.

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

A case of the Mondays!

Well back on track it was for me and the momentum of having a loss last week is pushing me forward to keep up with the good work! For breakfast I had pumpkin protein bars (2), Chobani greek yogurt and some egg whites. Lunch was salad with chicken and almonds as well as some string cheese. For dinner I had some left over chili with couscous and a sugar free pudding cup. My tv snack was some fruit salad made with grapes, oranges, apple and nectarine. Yummy!! My totals for the day were: 1250 calories, 25g fat, 194g carbs, and 94g protein. Well, I didn't get enough fat in and I was 10 grams shy on the protein. It's hard sometimes to eat enough protein when I have a sweet tooth so I go for the fruit. I guess it's better than having a brownie.

Monday, June 28, 2010

A loss!!! :)

I am happy to say that I did end up losing weight last week. Over the weekend I did have a cheeseburger and some cake and icecream, but I still managed to lose. I guess being very good during the week makes a big difference. I am down to 179. I am hoping to continue the downward trend!

Friday

I did fairly well on friday considering I was traveling. For breakfast I had two of those pumpkin protein bars. My lunch was some chili, some string cheese and a piece of blueberry buckle that someone made at work. For dinner on the road, I had 2 slices of white pizza with broccoli. All in all, my totals were: 1338 calories, 187 carbs, 41g fat, 57g protein.

Friday, June 25, 2010

Thursday had ice cream!!

Another good day even with an icecream cone! It was so hot out, I just had to have something. I had my protein bars for breakfast and snacked on some greek yogurt and a string cheese. Lunch consisted for a salad with chicken and an apple and an orange. For dinner I had half of a large wrap and then a medium twist ice cream cone!! I was a little higher than the past two days, but still within my range (Calories - 1354, Fat - 35, Carbs - 190, Protein - 81).

I am hoping this weekend goes well since I am going up to my mother's for her birthday, I know I will inevitably have some cake and icecream. However, I do know that it will be a pool party, so maybe I can get some laps in to make up for it. I am doing well this week, so I really don't want to screw things up over the weekend. The weekends are my hardest times since that's when people go out and I don't have the normal structure that I do during the week.

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Pumpkin Protein Bars

Ingredients
8 egg whites
1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese (1%)
2 cups of oats
1 cup canned pumpkin
4 scoops of vanilla protein powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup splenda
1/2 cup water

Directions
Mix all ingredients and pour into 9x12 pan spayred with cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes. Cut into 16 bars. If you want these crunchy, then take the bars and cut in half sliced down the middle. Spray cookie sheet with cooking spray and place cut side down. Re bake at 375 until brown and crunchy.

Nutritional breakdown (per bar)
Calories - 81.2
Fat - 1.1g
Carbs - 9.8g
Protein - 9.2g
*Nutritional information will change depending on the protein powder used.

When I made these I didn't have pumpkin pie spice so I just used cinnamon. Next time will definitely use pumpkin pie spice, I think it needs a little more of a kick.

Another successful day

I am pleased to announce that I did well again on Wednesday. I need to keep the momentum going! Below was what I ate:

Breakfast
Pumpkin protein bar (recipe to be posted later today)
Strawberry greek yogurt
beef jerky

Lunch
Salad with teriyaki chicken and light Italian dressing
apple
Orange

Dinner
Whole Wheat Couscous
Chili
sugar free fudgesicle

Snack
100 calorie bag of popcorn

My totals for Wednesday were:
Calories - 1269
Fat - 19g
Carbs - 100g
Protein - 105g

Well, I was within all the necessary ranges, except fat. I guess I have eat more fatty food items instead of getting fat free all the time. Everyone needs a little fat in their diet.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Tuesday was a success!

Well, I must say, Tuesday I did much better with the eating plan. Here is what I ate:

Breakfast
Banana Oatmeal Square (see previous post for recipe)
Fit & Active Chocolate Peanut butter meal replacement bar

Lunch
Burger (no cheese and no bun)
1 serving of shelled edamame beans
one string cheese

Dinner
Teriyaki marinated chicken breast
one baked potato with one tablespoon of smart balance light

Snack
100 calorie bag of popcorn
one sugar free fudgesicle bar

All in all, my totals for the day were was follows:
Calories - 1283
Fat - 53 g
Carbs - 136 g
Protein - 80 g

I am trying to keep to the following ranges per day, the higher end would be for days I exercise.
Calories: 1229-1409
Fat: 44-61
Carbohydrates: 35-52
Protein: 105-140

As you can see, I was within each range except for protein. It looks like I didn't quite get enough protein in. I can handle that, at least I kept up with the rest. Wednesday I will try to get the right amount of protein in. I am trying to go a little lower carb with this, just because I know I can really overeat with them.

Banana Oatmeal Bars Recipe

Here is the recipe of the banana oatmeal bars that I have for breakfast a lot. They are very filling. Are good room temperature or even toasted. I make a big batch and then freeze them so I can pull them out when as needed.

Banana Oatmeal Squares
2 cups dry oatmeal (not instant)
1 & 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup splenda (or sugar)
1 Tablespoon of cinnamon
2 medium bananas, mashed
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup egg beaters
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix dry ingredients together and set aside. Mix wet ingredients. Add wet ingredient mixture to the dry mixture. Pour into sprayed 8 x 8 square pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cut into 6 pieces.

Nutritional Info:
Calories - 174.8
Fat - 2.3 grams
Carbs - 33.5 grams
Protein - 7.2 grams

The first day

My first, Monday wasn't as good as I was hoping. I started off well with my banana oatmeal squares for breakfast (will post recipe later today). However, it slowly turned bad -- I ended up having to help someone move and then as a thank you they took us out to Friendlys - of course I could resist a sundae. Somehow I doubt I burned enough calories carrying stuff. I think now I can move forward and do what I am supposed to do.

Monday, June 21, 2010

first weigh in

Well, today is the first weigh in day to start this off. And boy, I must say I almost had a heart attack. I knew it was going up but I didn't realize that much. I weighed in today at 181.8 pounds. I guess I have been doing more damage than I thought. But today is a new and fresh start and I can do this. I am ready to get back on track and do what is needed for me. I will update this later tonight or tomorrow with what I ate today and any activity I have done.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Why I am here

I lost over 100 pounds a couple years ago. I only had an additional 10-20 pounds to lose in order to be at my goal weight. However, some personal issues came up in my life that hindered my results. I ended up going through a divorce, which was very unpleasant to stay the least. My life was uprooted and my good eating and exercise plan went out the window. I looked to food for comfort and a way to control one thing in my life. Now I am about 25 pounds heavier than before the divorce and I am ashamed that I no longer fit into all the cute clothing in my closet. I have been trying to get back on track, but have been unsuccessful. I am trying to get the right mindset to do this right. As motivation, I am trying to keep myself in check. Please follow me on this journey. I would love to hear from other successful individuals or those who are just starting out on their own weightloss journey. I am willing to assist anyone I can or just be an ear or offer a word of encouragement. For me right now, it is being motivated. I know what I am supposed to do but when confronted with a goodie, I lack the motivation to say no.

On Monday, I will enter my starting stats. Each day I will enter my food intake and any exercise I performed that day. I will try to include nutrient counts each day for what I eat. I plan to weekly enter my weight to keep track of how things are going. When I learn things along the way, I will post them here as well as any recipes or tips that I have.

For now, I am going to take the weekend in order to geared up for my new program on Monday.