I've always been a snacker. Unless it's a big family dinner, I'm mostly content to just graze all day and eat a variety of things at a variety of times.
(While some weight loss plans/experts suggest this is a good thing, it requires a person to be very aware of what is being grazed upon and the bad food count can add up FAST. But this post isn't about that, so I'll leave it alone for now.)
As I've been working on improving my eating habits I've been discovering I actually like various healthy foods, like apples and oranges and smoothies. (I'm a little obsesses with smoothies right now, but ones I make at home, not the sugar bombs you can buy in the food court.) The one thing I've been discovering with healthy snacks, though, is that many of them are hard and crunchy, especially when eaten as-is. (Like aforementioned apples and nuts and baby carrots.) Sure, oranges, cucumbers, yogurt, among others, don't crunch, but they're also generally cold and juicy. Of course, they should be, so that's not the problem.
The problem is that I often get a craving for something chewy and I've yet to find the perfect healthy snack to satisfy this craving.
And when I say chewy, I mean something like bologna and cheese on Wonder Bread. Pizza with melty cheese. Pasta with meat sauce. Mushroom risotto. Food that doesn't make a sound when you eat it, except the slurping sound you make as you shovel it in. Nom.
Perhaps it's not so much my love of chewy food, but what kind of chewy food I reach for that's my problem. You'll notice the examples I listed are deliciously carby and awesome calorie bombs. And any decent eating plan will include chewy foods, carby and otherwise. I'm just still looking for the "otherwise" kind of chew that will both quash my cravings but not my weight loss goals.
Wouldn't a meatball sub be awesome right now?
Showing posts with label eating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eating. Show all posts
Monday, May 13, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
My new-and-improved, wacky-and-wonderful eating habits
It would be easy to blame it on spring, if spring had arrived when it was supposed to. To be honest, I'm not really sure why it happened and I can't definitely point to when it happened, but it happened and it's great.
My eating habits have become pretty awesome.
Maybe it was because I decided to step away from the scale and Weight Watchers for a bit. Maybe it was because spring kept flirting with me. Maybe it was because I subconsciously felt kind of blah and decided to fix that. Whatever it was, I'm suddenly eating apples; obsessed with salads; not really wanting carbs; seriously craving protein; and starting most days with a smoothie.
Sure, I was a bit hung over this past Saturday so I had pizza and chicken bites but the next day I had a smoothie and a super healthy dinner of fish and vegetables. I still drink coffee every morning (okay, often more than one) and I still have a beer or a chocolate bar when I want one but for the most part I suddenly feel wired to want to eat better.
I was talking to the Beau about this and he told me about when he made a serious change to his eating habits many years back (before I even knew him); he wasn't looking at the scale but was focused on being active and viewing whatever he ate as what would be good fuel for his body. So maybe taking a break from the scale was the impetus behind my new habits. I have to admit, it's very tempting to hop on because I want to believe that my new habits have magically helped me lose all the extra weight I'm carrying.
But I'm going to stick to my commitment to stay away from the scale until May 22. When I do weigh in again, I'm going to have to seriously think about how I want to continue on. I know that Weight Watchers is a good program (I had great success when I first started) but maybe it's just not the program for me. Maybe the program for me involves staying off the scale while making sure I properly fuel my body.
For now, though, I have no plans to stop eating well because I'm really enjoying how it makes me feel and when I do weigh in again, it may even show up on the scale too!
And here's the smoothie recipe I'm currently obsessed with. I may add some strawberries or raspberries next time, to make it more like a PB&J in a cup!
1 cup skim milk
2 tbsp protein powder
1 1/2 tbsp natural peanut butter
1 medium banana, sliced
Blend together and enjoy!
My eating habits have become pretty awesome.
Maybe it was because I decided to step away from the scale and Weight Watchers for a bit. Maybe it was because spring kept flirting with me. Maybe it was because I subconsciously felt kind of blah and decided to fix that. Whatever it was, I'm suddenly eating apples; obsessed with salads; not really wanting carbs; seriously craving protein; and starting most days with a smoothie.
Sure, I was a bit hung over this past Saturday so I had pizza and chicken bites but the next day I had a smoothie and a super healthy dinner of fish and vegetables. I still drink coffee every morning (okay, often more than one) and I still have a beer or a chocolate bar when I want one but for the most part I suddenly feel wired to want to eat better.
I was talking to the Beau about this and he told me about when he made a serious change to his eating habits many years back (before I even knew him); he wasn't looking at the scale but was focused on being active and viewing whatever he ate as what would be good fuel for his body. So maybe taking a break from the scale was the impetus behind my new habits. I have to admit, it's very tempting to hop on because I want to believe that my new habits have magically helped me lose all the extra weight I'm carrying.
But I'm going to stick to my commitment to stay away from the scale until May 22. When I do weigh in again, I'm going to have to seriously think about how I want to continue on. I know that Weight Watchers is a good program (I had great success when I first started) but maybe it's just not the program for me. Maybe the program for me involves staying off the scale while making sure I properly fuel my body.
For now, though, I have no plans to stop eating well because I'm really enjoying how it makes me feel and when I do weigh in again, it may even show up on the scale too!
And here's the smoothie recipe I'm currently obsessed with. I may add some strawberries or raspberries next time, to make it more like a PB&J in a cup!
1 cup skim milk
2 tbsp protein powder
1 1/2 tbsp natural peanut butter
1 medium banana, sliced
Blend together and enjoy!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
"I'm not hungry, I just feel like eating"
And THAT, dear friends, is a big part of my problem.
There are many habits you learn as a child that you may think you outgrow but when you actually examine your habits you realize you've been doing it that way since you were knee-high to a grasshopper. (I do love that expression). And so is the case with me: I've always been a fast eater and an over-eater. I was always a little chubby as a kid but I grew up in the country, in a time when you shoved your kids outside after breakfast and only let them back in when it got dark. Lunch would happen, of course, but it was usually whatever the parents could cram down my throat rather than a formal affair. So being a fast eater and a heavy eater didn't matter as much because I was running around outside burning it all off.
It caught up with me in high school, when we moved further into the country and much further removed from neighbours. Suddenly I didn't have friends' houses nearby to walk or bike to or a swimming hole to spend all summer at. And then my PCOS blossomed and suddenly none of my pants fit and I had this tire around my stomach (which is still there, BTW). Despite this, my eating habits didn't change.
And in university, of course I put on weight. I mean, my meal plan let me eat at fast food restaurants every day, every meal if I wanted and there was no one to tell me differently. Sure, I knew it was bad but this was also the late '90s and early 2000s, so the fast food industry wasn't yet the despised beast it is now, but rather a decent outlet for an occasional lazy dinner.
Even after university, when I started making a better effort to eat well, I kept up with the fast eating and eating when I felt like it, whether I was hungry or not. I'm not even sure why I became such a fast eater. I was an only child until I was 10 so I wasn't competing for food with several siblings. And when you're a fast eater you finish your reasonable portion and still feel hungry you so go in for seconds and when your body finishes digesting you're suddenly stuffed to the seams and, more often than not, in a bit of pain. I speak from too many years of experience but - and here's the rub - I keep doing it. Egad.
I know I need to slow down and I know I need to cap how much I eat and how often I eat but, honestly, it's really hard. I've been doing this since I was a wee lass and it's not easily switched off even when I know it's bad for me and that it is the main contributor to my weight and body image issues.
So this is the big thing for me to tackle this year: eat slower, eat less, eat when hungry and STOP when I'm full.
There are many habits you learn as a child that you may think you outgrow but when you actually examine your habits you realize you've been doing it that way since you were knee-high to a grasshopper. (I do love that expression). And so is the case with me: I've always been a fast eater and an over-eater. I was always a little chubby as a kid but I grew up in the country, in a time when you shoved your kids outside after breakfast and only let them back in when it got dark. Lunch would happen, of course, but it was usually whatever the parents could cram down my throat rather than a formal affair. So being a fast eater and a heavy eater didn't matter as much because I was running around outside burning it all off.
It caught up with me in high school, when we moved further into the country and much further removed from neighbours. Suddenly I didn't have friends' houses nearby to walk or bike to or a swimming hole to spend all summer at. And then my PCOS blossomed and suddenly none of my pants fit and I had this tire around my stomach (which is still there, BTW). Despite this, my eating habits didn't change.
And in university, of course I put on weight. I mean, my meal plan let me eat at fast food restaurants every day, every meal if I wanted and there was no one to tell me differently. Sure, I knew it was bad but this was also the late '90s and early 2000s, so the fast food industry wasn't yet the despised beast it is now, but rather a decent outlet for an occasional lazy dinner.
Even after university, when I started making a better effort to eat well, I kept up with the fast eating and eating when I felt like it, whether I was hungry or not. I'm not even sure why I became such a fast eater. I was an only child until I was 10 so I wasn't competing for food with several siblings. And when you're a fast eater you finish your reasonable portion and still feel hungry you so go in for seconds and when your body finishes digesting you're suddenly stuffed to the seams and, more often than not, in a bit of pain. I speak from too many years of experience but - and here's the rub - I keep doing it. Egad.
I know I need to slow down and I know I need to cap how much I eat and how often I eat but, honestly, it's really hard. I've been doing this since I was a wee lass and it's not easily switched off even when I know it's bad for me and that it is the main contributor to my weight and body image issues.
So this is the big thing for me to tackle this year: eat slower, eat less, eat when hungry and STOP when I'm full.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
WW Weigh-In #44
I'm back on the scale this week!
Last week: N/A
Two weeks ago: 188.2 lb
This week: 189.4
Total gained this week: 1.2 lb
Honestly that's about what I expected. I've treated my body so poorly over the past couple of weeks and, I'll admit, I'm having a really hard time getting back into any kind of routine. I know I just need to force myself so that's the plan tomorrow. Even if it's just for a walk, at least it's something.
The house is coming along nicely, though, and I spent a good portion of today carting boxes of books from the basement to the main floor (cardio + strength training, am I right?!). And the election kept me out pretty late last night - I didn't get home until 4:30 this morning. So I'm pretty tired tonight.
I'm still aiming for 185 lb by the end of the year - and with the Christmas season approaching that will be a challenge. But I know me: once I start making time for exercise my body will want food that will keep it fueled for more exercise...and the upward spiral will start.
I just need to get back to the gym!
Last week: N/A
Two weeks ago: 188.2 lb
This week: 189.4
Total gained this week: 1.2 lb
Honestly that's about what I expected. I've treated my body so poorly over the past couple of weeks and, I'll admit, I'm having a really hard time getting back into any kind of routine. I know I just need to force myself so that's the plan tomorrow. Even if it's just for a walk, at least it's something.
The house is coming along nicely, though, and I spent a good portion of today carting boxes of books from the basement to the main floor (cardio + strength training, am I right?!). And the election kept me out pretty late last night - I didn't get home until 4:30 this morning. So I'm pretty tired tonight.
I'm still aiming for 185 lb by the end of the year - and with the Christmas season approaching that will be a challenge. But I know me: once I start making time for exercise my body will want food that will keep it fueled for more exercise...and the upward spiral will start.
I just need to get back to the gym!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Self-sabotage
Guys, it's time I admit it: I've been self-sabotaging.
The past few weeks my weigh-ins have been a little bit of a loss or a little bit of a gain, but no major progress/regress has been made. And it's all my fault. Sure, I've admitted to being a lazy points tracker but it's more than that. I haven't been tracking points because I've been making lousy food choices and I've been too embarrassed to track them. Well, also lazy. And I've been drinking more beer and wine than I really should be.
Wow, it feels good to finally admit this.
I've said I want to find a balance in my lifestyle, something I can sustain weight-wise but that will also make me happy. Thing is, I haven't been trying all that hard. I did so well at the beginning because I was trying, I was making smart choices, I was being honest with myself. Now, I'm just taking too much for granted.
And while I'm being honest, I'm struggling with finding my groove again.
To get back on track, I need to figure out where the self-sabotaging is coming from and I had a bit of a breakthrough on this last night. I've been having a hard time with stress eating ever since we started house shopping. I've tried to play down the stress but it's there and not just the stress of finding a place but the stress of getting our condo ready to sell - and that's the bigger issue. There is so much to be done and we're starting but nothing major can really happen until we buy a place and have schedule to work with. And the house hunt has consumed all our free time, whether it be for viewings or prepping the condo. I tried to go out of town this past weekend and had to cut my trip short to view a house - and the house was a piece of shit.
So now what? Now that I know what the stressors are, does everything get fixed? And what about the bigger theme here, namely how do I deal with stress without sabotaging myself?
None of these questions are easily answered, but as the saying goes, the first step is admitting you have a problem.
If only finding the solution were so easy....except I know the solution. It's just getting from "knowing" to "doing" that I have to work on.
The past few weeks my weigh-ins have been a little bit of a loss or a little bit of a gain, but no major progress/regress has been made. And it's all my fault. Sure, I've admitted to being a lazy points tracker but it's more than that. I haven't been tracking points because I've been making lousy food choices and I've been too embarrassed to track them. Well, also lazy. And I've been drinking more beer and wine than I really should be.
Wow, it feels good to finally admit this.
I've said I want to find a balance in my lifestyle, something I can sustain weight-wise but that will also make me happy. Thing is, I haven't been trying all that hard. I did so well at the beginning because I was trying, I was making smart choices, I was being honest with myself. Now, I'm just taking too much for granted.
And while I'm being honest, I'm struggling with finding my groove again.
To get back on track, I need to figure out where the self-sabotaging is coming from and I had a bit of a breakthrough on this last night. I've been having a hard time with stress eating ever since we started house shopping. I've tried to play down the stress but it's there and not just the stress of finding a place but the stress of getting our condo ready to sell - and that's the bigger issue. There is so much to be done and we're starting but nothing major can really happen until we buy a place and have schedule to work with. And the house hunt has consumed all our free time, whether it be for viewings or prepping the condo. I tried to go out of town this past weekend and had to cut my trip short to view a house - and the house was a piece of shit.
So now what? Now that I know what the stressors are, does everything get fixed? And what about the bigger theme here, namely how do I deal with stress without sabotaging myself?
None of these questions are easily answered, but as the saying goes, the first step is admitting you have a problem.
If only finding the solution were so easy....except I know the solution. It's just getting from "knowing" to "doing" that I have to work on.
Friday, May 11, 2012
No carbs, no loss
I hopped on the scale quickly this morning to see if forgoing carbs for two days had any immediate effect on my weight. The result: no change at all. I'm still at the same as my Wednesday weigh-in, 186.5 lb.
I hadn't expected any huge change, I was really just curious. I'm also not sure if I want to continue with this. While it seems incredibly easy - and I did eat well the past two days - I was incredibly tired and sluggish all day yesterday and this morning. I could hardly get myself out of bed! Of course, I'm making a completely non-scientific, non-doctor-supported, hugely generalized conclusion by saying that two days of no carbs makes me sleepy and sluggish and blah.
So will I try it again? Maybe one more week; I honestly can't say for sure. I do know, though, that this is not something I want to do for the rest of my life so unless I start losing huge amounts of weight, I just don't think it's going to be worth it. And if I do lose huge amounts of weight, I'm sure I'll put a bunch of it back on as soon as I start eating carbs seven days a week.
And so it goes with the fad diets.
I hadn't expected any huge change, I was really just curious. I'm also not sure if I want to continue with this. While it seems incredibly easy - and I did eat well the past two days - I was incredibly tired and sluggish all day yesterday and this morning. I could hardly get myself out of bed! Of course, I'm making a completely non-scientific, non-doctor-supported, hugely generalized conclusion by saying that two days of no carbs makes me sleepy and sluggish and blah.
So will I try it again? Maybe one more week; I honestly can't say for sure. I do know, though, that this is not something I want to do for the rest of my life so unless I start losing huge amounts of weight, I just don't think it's going to be worth it. And if I do lose huge amounts of weight, I'm sure I'll put a bunch of it back on as soon as I start eating carbs seven days a week.
And so it goes with the fad diets.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
WW Weigh-in #12
Well, shit:
Last week: 187.8 lb
This week: 189.0 lb
Total gained this week: 1.4 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 8.2 lb
I've gained almost 2.5 lb these last two weeks. I'd really like to blame it on my menstrual cycle but really, I've eaten like crap. And by like crap, I mean lots of delicious food that caused me to gain 2.4 lb.
But not all hope is lost! I know I can lose the gained weight - and more - because I've proven to myself I can do it. I just need to do what I've been saying I should do for the past two weeks and get back on track. All will be well and I'm even going to go so far and make a prediction: next week, I'll weigh in at 187 even. Two pounds gone. Yeah I said it.
Also, no more Popeye's chicken. In all honesty, that will be the easy part!
Last week: 187.8 lb
This week: 189.0 lb
Total gained this week: 1.4 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 8.2 lb
I've gained almost 2.5 lb these last two weeks. I'd really like to blame it on my menstrual cycle but really, I've eaten like crap. And by like crap, I mean lots of delicious food that caused me to gain 2.4 lb.
But not all hope is lost! I know I can lose the gained weight - and more - because I've proven to myself I can do it. I just need to do what I've been saying I should do for the past two weeks and get back on track. All will be well and I'm even going to go so far and make a prediction: next week, I'll weigh in at 187 even. Two pounds gone. Yeah I said it.
Also, no more Popeye's chicken. In all honesty, that will be the easy part!
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
The next weigh-in
I let myself go the past couple of days and I'm pretty sure tomorrow's weigh-in will be a gain. I know that's okay but I can't help feeling a little frustrated with myself. I knew after last week's weigh-in that I had to smarten up, be more aware of what I ate, keep up my activity, get back to the habits I had when I started WW. So it's hard not to beat myself up (of course, I'm writing this pre-weigh-in and I could surprise myself) and I know I'll be disappointed if the scale shows a gain. And it's almost spring!
My new mantra: get back on track!
My new mantra: get back on track!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
WW Weigh-in #6
It's been an interesting week for me. The past few weigh-ins I've been wondering if I'd actually lose as I felt I'd been eating poorly. So far, though, I've always managed to drop a pound or two. But this past week I've been bad and I know it. I got my period and all I've wanted is carbs. I still managed five work-outs but all the bread and cake and pizza I've eaten caught up with me:
Last week: 191.2 lb
This week: 192.2 lb
Total gained this week: 1.0 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 10.4 lb
Honestly though, I'm okay with gaining a pound, for a couple of reasons. First, it's only a pound and easy enough to lose. Second, I needed to experience this to know where my eating line is and when I've crossed it. Regardless of what I have planned or what I want to eat, I know I have to make the right choices and now that I've experienced a gaining week I know better where the "do not cross" line of indulgence is.
Also I have an ear infection and I'm more focused on my throbbing head than my weight. That's right, pity me. =S
Last week: 191.2 lb
This week: 192.2 lb
Total gained this week: 1.0 lb
Weight loss target: 181.8 lb
To reach target: 10.4 lb
Honestly though, I'm okay with gaining a pound, for a couple of reasons. First, it's only a pound and easy enough to lose. Second, I needed to experience this to know where my eating line is and when I've crossed it. Regardless of what I have planned or what I want to eat, I know I have to make the right choices and now that I've experienced a gaining week I know better where the "do not cross" line of indulgence is.
Also I have an ear infection and I'm more focused on my throbbing head than my weight. That's right, pity me. =S
Monday, January 9, 2012
Party hearty
Last night was my BFF's birthday party and my first real test since starting Weigh Watchers. I went into the soiree with 13 points left in my daily allotment but I knew those wouldn't last long. Before going, I checked into the points values of white wine, as that's what I'd planned to drink. The result: 5 points for a 5 oz pour. And I had two glasses, so those 10 points pretty much wiped out my remaining allotment.
Over the course of the evening, I consumed a lot of veggies (hurrah broccoli, carrots and edamame!) but I also indulged in some cheese, a few crackers with prosciutto, some hummus and spinach dip for the veggies, a couple of shrimp and, of course, birthday cake. The grand total? 41 points of party fun (including the 10 points on wine).
My grand total on the day was 60, almost double my daily allotment and I burned through 28 of my weekly bonus points. I'm not beating myself up or anything as this is a learning experience (and also the reason for those extra weekly points). But it's helped me realize just how bad my choices were before. I always knew wine was loaded with sugar but thought that a couple of glasses couldn't be that bad. And birthday cake - 9 points! - wasn't something I ate regularly but it was something I didn't exactly restrain myself from when the opportunity presented itself. I also learned that 2 oz of brie rings in at a hefty 5 points. That's lotsa points for a wee bit o' cheese.
Of course I don't want to spend every party eating only the carrot sticks but fortunately my social calendar just busy enough to allow me to save my weekly points for indulgences. And if I go over, so what? I do want to lose weight and I'm serious about it but not to the point where I stop having fun. It will be hard to give up cheese but I can cut back on that; and I can easily cut down how much alcohol I drink. But I'm still going to have fun!
This coming weekend presents the next challenge: dinner with the Beau's siblings/siblings-in-law which will include baked brie; cornish hens; cornbread stuffing; a chocolate fondue; and ample wine. Again, I'll make the best choices I can but I won't let those points stop me from enjoying the evening.
I'll just have to add another workout or two!
Over the course of the evening, I consumed a lot of veggies (hurrah broccoli, carrots and edamame!) but I also indulged in some cheese, a few crackers with prosciutto, some hummus and spinach dip for the veggies, a couple of shrimp and, of course, birthday cake. The grand total? 41 points of party fun (including the 10 points on wine).
My grand total on the day was 60, almost double my daily allotment and I burned through 28 of my weekly bonus points. I'm not beating myself up or anything as this is a learning experience (and also the reason for those extra weekly points). But it's helped me realize just how bad my choices were before. I always knew wine was loaded with sugar but thought that a couple of glasses couldn't be that bad. And birthday cake - 9 points! - wasn't something I ate regularly but it was something I didn't exactly restrain myself from when the opportunity presented itself. I also learned that 2 oz of brie rings in at a hefty 5 points. That's lotsa points for a wee bit o' cheese.
Of course I don't want to spend every party eating only the carrot sticks but fortunately my social calendar just busy enough to allow me to save my weekly points for indulgences. And if I go over, so what? I do want to lose weight and I'm serious about it but not to the point where I stop having fun. It will be hard to give up cheese but I can cut back on that; and I can easily cut down how much alcohol I drink. But I'm still going to have fun!
This coming weekend presents the next challenge: dinner with the Beau's siblings/siblings-in-law which will include baked brie; cornish hens; cornbread stuffing; a chocolate fondue; and ample wine. Again, I'll make the best choices I can but I won't let those points stop me from enjoying the evening.
I'll just have to add another workout or two!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Day One
Today is the first day I'm monitoring my food on Weight Watchers and I've already had a couple of eye-openers.
I've become rather lazy of late and started eating breakfast at work. I always get a breakfast sandwich from Tim Horton's, but before you condemn me, I get it on an English muffin and only egg and cheese - no meat. Combined with my standard (and very necessary) x-large coffee I always felt this was a decent breakfast. I've even looked at the nutrition info and at 280 calories it seemed pretty decent. Imagine my surprise when I logged it into Weight Watchers and it came up at 8 points. That's 1/4 of my daily points value right there, in one hockey-puck shaped meal of eggy goodness.
The next surprise came at lunch. I've fallen in love with this bbq chicken ranch salad here at work. It's big and filling and delicious and even has creamy dressing but comes in at 390 calories (dressing included). And it keeps me full until after my afternoon workout, which seemed even better. And then I entered it into Weight Watchers and the dressing alone came to 6 points. I should have guessed it would be high, seeing how it has 20g of fat (!!!) but at 190 calories for the packet, it still kept my lunch at around 400 calories which, again, didn't feel that bad.
I'm dreading dinner a bit tonight as I'm at work and I'll have to be very careful with serving sizes and then with finding the food in WW. But this week is going to be more about seeing where I'm at then about being super strict with my points. Still, though, I'm already a bit in shock over food I thought was better for me (and that I really enjoy). What will matter is how I do each day and where my points are at by the end of the week and if it's still worthwhile fitting these things into my diet.
Oh, and I weighed myself again this morning. All week I know I'll be a little obsessive about it because I was so disappointed with the number yesterday. Though this morning I weighed in at 201.8 lb, which is down 0.2 lb from yesterday. While it's not much, it does indicate that even getting back to my pre-Christmas eating habits will be good for me. I also threw out the last of the Christmas baking last night. There are a couple of boxes of chocolates at home but they'll be done soon; then the last of the temptations will be gone and I can focus on what's good for me. Tomorrow I plan to stock up on fruits and veggies too. It's doing the little things that will help make the bigger things happen - namely being less of a bigger thing!
I've become rather lazy of late and started eating breakfast at work. I always get a breakfast sandwich from Tim Horton's, but before you condemn me, I get it on an English muffin and only egg and cheese - no meat. Combined with my standard (and very necessary) x-large coffee I always felt this was a decent breakfast. I've even looked at the nutrition info and at 280 calories it seemed pretty decent. Imagine my surprise when I logged it into Weight Watchers and it came up at 8 points. That's 1/4 of my daily points value right there, in one hockey-puck shaped meal of eggy goodness.
The next surprise came at lunch. I've fallen in love with this bbq chicken ranch salad here at work. It's big and filling and delicious and even has creamy dressing but comes in at 390 calories (dressing included). And it keeps me full until after my afternoon workout, which seemed even better. And then I entered it into Weight Watchers and the dressing alone came to 6 points. I should have guessed it would be high, seeing how it has 20g of fat (!!!) but at 190 calories for the packet, it still kept my lunch at around 400 calories which, again, didn't feel that bad.
I'm dreading dinner a bit tonight as I'm at work and I'll have to be very careful with serving sizes and then with finding the food in WW. But this week is going to be more about seeing where I'm at then about being super strict with my points. Still, though, I'm already a bit in shock over food I thought was better for me (and that I really enjoy). What will matter is how I do each day and where my points are at by the end of the week and if it's still worthwhile fitting these things into my diet.
Oh, and I weighed myself again this morning. All week I know I'll be a little obsessive about it because I was so disappointed with the number yesterday. Though this morning I weighed in at 201.8 lb, which is down 0.2 lb from yesterday. While it's not much, it does indicate that even getting back to my pre-Christmas eating habits will be good for me. I also threw out the last of the Christmas baking last night. There are a couple of boxes of chocolates at home but they'll be done soon; then the last of the temptations will be gone and I can focus on what's good for me. Tomorrow I plan to stock up on fruits and veggies too. It's doing the little things that will help make the bigger things happen - namely being less of a bigger thing!
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Ugh.
That's all I've got - ugh.
Started feeling icky last night and woke up this morning with a scratchy throat and stuffy head. I didn't have to work today because of all my hours last week, but I can think of better ways to spend a day off. Plus, my ear is sore and when combined with a scratchy throat it makes me fearful of strep throat. I haven't had strep in awhile but it pretty much always starts like this. Le sigh. Hopefully I'm better by tomorrow.
Also, not looking forward to the scale tomorrow as I've eaten like awful this past week. Pizza, lasagna, red wine, chocolate croissant, bacon dip with chips - so good at the time but so bad come Wednesday morning.
And because I'm sick I'm whiny so right now everything is all kinds of ugh.
UGH.
Started feeling icky last night and woke up this morning with a scratchy throat and stuffy head. I didn't have to work today because of all my hours last week, but I can think of better ways to spend a day off. Plus, my ear is sore and when combined with a scratchy throat it makes me fearful of strep throat. I haven't had strep in awhile but it pretty much always starts like this. Le sigh. Hopefully I'm better by tomorrow.
Also, not looking forward to the scale tomorrow as I've eaten like awful this past week. Pizza, lasagna, red wine, chocolate croissant, bacon dip with chips - so good at the time but so bad come Wednesday morning.
And because I'm sick I'm whiny so right now everything is all kinds of ugh.
UGH.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Up-Down Challenge Weigh-in #26
Let's get right to it:
Last week: 191.6 lb
This week: 191.0 lb
That's a loss of 0.6 lb, which is the right direction but I'm still not doing what I need to do. And we're halfway through September, meaning I've got just over three months to lose 21 lb. It's time to make the hardest decision I think I've ever had to make:
No. More. Sweets.
I'm pretty sure that's what's doing me in. I've got a sweet tooth and a HUGE weakness for chocolate and cookies, particularly together. (There's a reason I don't make chocolate chip cookies at home anymore. I eat way too many of them.)
Other than sweets, I know I'm making better choices than I used to and I'm making an effort to really watch my portion sizes.
I'm also going to try to get used to drinking my coffee without sugar. This is going to be a challenge, for sure, but I'd like to do this for a week and see what the results are like. Because I REALLY want to be below 190 lb next week!
Well sugar, it's been nice knowing you...
Last week: 191.6 lb
This week: 191.0 lb
That's a loss of 0.6 lb, which is the right direction but I'm still not doing what I need to do. And we're halfway through September, meaning I've got just over three months to lose 21 lb. It's time to make the hardest decision I think I've ever had to make:
No. More. Sweets.
I'm pretty sure that's what's doing me in. I've got a sweet tooth and a HUGE weakness for chocolate and cookies, particularly together. (There's a reason I don't make chocolate chip cookies at home anymore. I eat way too many of them.)
Other than sweets, I know I'm making better choices than I used to and I'm making an effort to really watch my portion sizes.
I'm also going to try to get used to drinking my coffee without sugar. This is going to be a challenge, for sure, but I'd like to do this for a week and see what the results are like. Because I REALLY want to be below 190 lb next week!
Well sugar, it's been nice knowing you...
Thursday, August 18, 2011
About those numbers...
So, remember the numbers I posted about awhile back? Well, I've got a different perspective on those numbers now. I just got back from seeing my doctor and when I told him I was keeping a food journal, he directed me to My Fitness Pal to log what I eat and how much I work out.
Upon returning to my desk (armed with a salad for lunch, as much out of guilt as out of a desire to eat well) I signed up and got some different information.
To lose a pound a week, I have a daily limit of 1,520 calories. Much lower than the approximate 2,000 I was given before. I also have to work out five times a week for an hour to be able to eat that much; if I work out less, I eat less. This feels a little daunting but I'll see how it goes. The most important part is going to be seeing the calorie totals from what I eat. There's also a mobile app for my Blackberry, so even while I'm on vacation next week I'll be able to log what I eat. Next week could be scary.
BUT - if I keep at this and maintain these targets, I should be down 5 lb by the end of September, which would make me very happy!
---------------------
Plank-a-day: 16/18
Upon returning to my desk (armed with a salad for lunch, as much out of guilt as out of a desire to eat well) I signed up and got some different information.
To lose a pound a week, I have a daily limit of 1,520 calories. Much lower than the approximate 2,000 I was given before. I also have to work out five times a week for an hour to be able to eat that much; if I work out less, I eat less. This feels a little daunting but I'll see how it goes. The most important part is going to be seeing the calorie totals from what I eat. There's also a mobile app for my Blackberry, so even while I'm on vacation next week I'll be able to log what I eat. Next week could be scary.
BUT - if I keep at this and maintain these targets, I should be down 5 lb by the end of September, which would make me very happy!
---------------------
Plank-a-day: 16/18
Friday, August 12, 2011
Goal Recap
Over a few posts, I've listed out the various goals I want to achieve between now and December 31, 2011. Here's a quick recap:
Goal:Plank - do a plank a day for the month of August (and - why not? - the rest of the year)
Goal:Run - be able to run 5 km
Goal:Food - maintain a food journal
Goal:Weight - weigh 170 lb
Goal:Pants - fit into my Esprit jeans
Goal:Dress - fit into my pretty purple dress
Goal:Debt - to have only $5,000 remaining on my student loads
--------------------
Plank-a-day update: 10/12 (I missed yesterday out of laziness/forgetfulness - worst excuse ever)
Goal:Plank - do a plank a day for the month of August (and - why not? - the rest of the year)
Goal:Run - be able to run 5 km
Goal:Food - maintain a food journal
Goal:Weight - weigh 170 lb
Goal:Pants - fit into my Esprit jeans
Goal:Dress - fit into my pretty purple dress
Goal:Debt - to have only $5,000 remaining on my student loads
--------------------
Plank-a-day update: 10/12 (I missed yesterday out of laziness/forgetfulness - worst excuse ever)
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Goal:Food
Check out my new notebook:
Isn't it cute? And it's an EcoJot one so when I bought this little guy, another one was donated to a child in need. Win-win.
But it's not just an adorable notebook with cupcake-like owls on the front; it will also be my food journal. I've read countless times that a big factor in successful weight loss is keeping a food journal. I've scoffed at the idea under the premise that I can keep track of what I eat on my own, but the real reason I haven't logged my eating habits yet is because I'm scared of what will end up on the page. It's not that my eating habits are bad, it's that they could be better.
Which is why I've started a food journal.
GOAL: To keep a food journal for the rest of the year to evaluate my eating habits
STATUS: Started on August 3
PLAN: Keep my journal with me at all times (or as much as I can) so I can accurately log what I eat
I'm going to use it to see not only what I eat and how much but how I feel after. I get gurgly tummy more often than I'd like and I've wondered if I might be lactose intolerant so this will help me keep track of what dairy I eat and how I feel after. And, after each weekly weigh-in, I can look back at what I ate over the week to see how that has influenced my weight loss (or gain).
But it's not just an adorable notebook with cupcake-like owls on the front; it will also be my food journal. I've read countless times that a big factor in successful weight loss is keeping a food journal. I've scoffed at the idea under the premise that I can keep track of what I eat on my own, but the real reason I haven't logged my eating habits yet is because I'm scared of what will end up on the page. It's not that my eating habits are bad, it's that they could be better.
Which is why I've started a food journal.
GOAL: To keep a food journal for the rest of the year to evaluate my eating habits
STATUS: Started on August 3
PLAN: Keep my journal with me at all times (or as much as I can) so I can accurately log what I eat
I'm going to use it to see not only what I eat and how much but how I feel after. I get gurgly tummy more often than I'd like and I've wondered if I might be lactose intolerant so this will help me keep track of what dairy I eat and how I feel after. And, after each weekly weigh-in, I can look back at what I ate over the week to see how that has influenced my weight loss (or gain).
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
On diet and exercise
Here's an interesting blurb I found on the Globe and Mail:
I know I've fallen into the trap where I think because I exercise I don't have to worry about my eating as much or that I can eat more or eat bad things. In a perfect world, I'd have time for a 75 minute brisk walk every day because that would be lovely and calming (as well as exercise-y and good for weight loss) but I'd only lose a pound a week if I did that every day. And who has time for that?
And this all comes back to the idea of making a lifestyle change, adjusting my diet and factoring in regular exercise in a way that I can maintain it. Because even if you can find time to power walk for 75 minutes every day, can you do that for the rest of your life?
I sure can't. (But if you can, could you let me know how???)
Myth:
You don’t need to worry about food if you’re exercising.
Reality:
It takes a lot of exercise to generate a calorie deficit large enough to impact the bathroom scale. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, it takes roughly 35 minutes of jogging, 75 minutes of brisk walking, or 110 minutes of weightlifting to burn 500 calories. You’ll need to do that every day to lose a pound each week. (Plus, it’s easy to justify eating a little more if you’ve worked out, a common mistake that can hinder weight loss.)
Cutting calories makes a bigger impact on weight loss since it’s relatively easier to eat smaller portions, but the best approach is a combination of diet and exercise. Health benefits aside, you’ll be more likely to maintain your weight loss if exercise is part of your regime.
I know I've fallen into the trap where I think because I exercise I don't have to worry about my eating as much or that I can eat more or eat bad things. In a perfect world, I'd have time for a 75 minute brisk walk every day because that would be lovely and calming (as well as exercise-y and good for weight loss) but I'd only lose a pound a week if I did that every day. And who has time for that?
And this all comes back to the idea of making a lifestyle change, adjusting my diet and factoring in regular exercise in a way that I can maintain it. Because even if you can find time to power walk for 75 minutes every day, can you do that for the rest of your life?
I sure can't. (But if you can, could you let me know how???)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Up-Down Challenge Weigh-in #5
This is going to be quick because I'm knackered, thanks to stupid daylight savings time and losing an hour of sleep. Every year it knocks me on my bum and this year is no exception.
So my weight this week isn't that great, but I've just got to realize I've got to keep working at it and I'll get there. Eventually.
Since I bailed on weighing in last week due to shame and frustration, here's a quick recap:
Starting weight: 200.2lb
Week 1: 197.6 lb
Week 2: 195.2 lb
Week 3: 196.0 lb
Week 4: 196.4 lb
Week 5: no weigh-in
Week 6: 198.0 lb
So I'm really only 2.2 lb down from when I started this challenge back on January 31. That is not good progress. I'm going to keep going but it's still incredibly frustrating. At one point, I was down 5 lb and I'm still annoyed I couldn't keep that momentum going.
I know it's my diet. I know that. I'm just being stubborn in really accepting that.
But all I can do is keep trying.
So my weight this week isn't that great, but I've just got to realize I've got to keep working at it and I'll get there. Eventually.
Since I bailed on weighing in last week due to shame and frustration, here's a quick recap:
Starting weight: 200.2lb
Week 1: 197.6 lb
Week 2: 195.2 lb
Week 3: 196.0 lb
Week 4: 196.4 lb
Week 5: no weigh-in
Week 6: 198.0 lb
So I'm really only 2.2 lb down from when I started this challenge back on January 31. That is not good progress. I'm going to keep going but it's still incredibly frustrating. At one point, I was down 5 lb and I'm still annoyed I couldn't keep that momentum going.
I know it's my diet. I know that. I'm just being stubborn in really accepting that.
But all I can do is keep trying.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Sabotage!
I get a Tim Horton's coffee every morning at work. And, most afternoons, I get a second coffee (but decaf - I'm trying to limit/prohibit caffeine consumption after lunch in an effort to help me sleep better).
So with 5-10 coffees a week, I was pretty excited to see the return of Roll Up the Rim. I'd have to win all kinds of stuff, right?
I've only won once so far...and it's healthy eating sabotage!
To me, this is all part of Tim Horton's devious plan to get me back into their store, buying stuff. Everyone comes in for coffee, right? So don't give away free coffee; make people pay for the coffee, which they'll do when they come in for a free donut!
I'd like to say that I'll give this away, but I got some news today that requires celebration so I may allow a donut indulgence. What is this news?
So with 5-10 coffees a week, I was pretty excited to see the return of Roll Up the Rim. I'd have to win all kinds of stuff, right?
I've only won once so far...and it's healthy eating sabotage!
 |
| It really says "Win Donut". Stupid Blackberry photo. |
I'd like to say that I'll give this away, but I got some news today that requires celebration so I may allow a donut indulgence. What is this news?
.....stay tuned.....
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
On food and food relationships
I've been thoroughly enjoying my super salad lunches and I'm contributing some of my scale success with my healthier lunch habits. But I also know that, sometimes, I need something other than a salad. Case in point: last Friday, I decided to celebrate it being Friday with chicken wraps from Tim Horton's. They're still good for me and have lots of protein and they're a lovely change from salad.
It's okay to indulge every so often (if chicken wraps can be considered an indulgence) and I'm reminded of this because of a conversation I overhead at the salad bar:
Woman #1: Look at you, salad bar queen! You're here every day. You must be sick of salad! (laugh)
Woman #2: (serious) Yes, I'm getting pretty sick of it.
Woman #1: I was wondering. I'm on my third day of spinach and strawberries and I'm already sick of them!
What a depressing relationship these women must have with food. Yes, I know that's a broad assumption to make based on the snippet of (paraphrased) conversation listed above, but I don't think it's too far off. If you're eating at the salad bar everyday because you want to, good on you. If you're doing it because you feel you have to but you're hating it, then eat something else.
Sure, the cafeteria at work doesn't exactly produce Wolfgang Puck-Oscar food, but there are enough options to make it work. But the bigger point is that eating should be about enjoying food as much as about being healthy and giving your body what it needs.
I know tomatoes are good for me, but man, I hate those damn things! So I don't eat tomatoes. I also don't like a lot of fruit and I'm hit and miss when it comes to yogurt (mostly miss). Salmon is good, but only on occasion. But I love me some vegetables and I'm happy to load up on them; lately I've been loving cauliflower. (Later, I'll share with you a way to eat an entire head of cauliflower by yourself!)
I think this bad relationship with food is why so many diets fail and why programs like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig tend to be more successful. Diets restrict food, force you to eat the same things over and over, make you feel guilty about having a Timbit; on the flip side, weight loss programs let you have a little bit of everything while teaching you how much to eat and how it will impact your body (at least this is the impression I get of them; I've never actually done one). While I'm not participating in any weight loss program now, I am working on finding foods I like that are good for me and filling my meals with them.
Eating should never make you miserable, whether it's eating salad every day and hating it or eating poutine every day and feeling guilty about it. As goes the old adage, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die!" Even with leaving off the dying part, it's still pretty good advice.
It's okay to indulge every so often (if chicken wraps can be considered an indulgence) and I'm reminded of this because of a conversation I overhead at the salad bar:
Woman #1: Look at you, salad bar queen! You're here every day. You must be sick of salad! (laugh)
Woman #2: (serious) Yes, I'm getting pretty sick of it.
Woman #1: I was wondering. I'm on my third day of spinach and strawberries and I'm already sick of them!
What a depressing relationship these women must have with food. Yes, I know that's a broad assumption to make based on the snippet of (paraphrased) conversation listed above, but I don't think it's too far off. If you're eating at the salad bar everyday because you want to, good on you. If you're doing it because you feel you have to but you're hating it, then eat something else.
Sure, the cafeteria at work doesn't exactly produce Wolfgang Puck-Oscar food, but there are enough options to make it work. But the bigger point is that eating should be about enjoying food as much as about being healthy and giving your body what it needs.
I know tomatoes are good for me, but man, I hate those damn things! So I don't eat tomatoes. I also don't like a lot of fruit and I'm hit and miss when it comes to yogurt (mostly miss). Salmon is good, but only on occasion. But I love me some vegetables and I'm happy to load up on them; lately I've been loving cauliflower. (Later, I'll share with you a way to eat an entire head of cauliflower by yourself!)
I think this bad relationship with food is why so many diets fail and why programs like Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig tend to be more successful. Diets restrict food, force you to eat the same things over and over, make you feel guilty about having a Timbit; on the flip side, weight loss programs let you have a little bit of everything while teaching you how much to eat and how it will impact your body (at least this is the impression I get of them; I've never actually done one). While I'm not participating in any weight loss program now, I am working on finding foods I like that are good for me and filling my meals with them.
Eating should never make you miserable, whether it's eating salad every day and hating it or eating poutine every day and feeling guilty about it. As goes the old adage, "Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow you may die!" Even with leaving off the dying part, it's still pretty good advice.
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