I talked Jason into going for a long walk with me this morning at 7 AM since I couldn't swim. He's so supportive. He usually wakes up around 9 so the fact that he agreed to get up at 7 is a miracle and very sweet.
However, I didn't get up. My alarm went off and I just couldn't do it. I was so sore and my body just wanted to stay in bed. This morning I listened to it.
I think my shoulder is better today. The pain migrated down to just under my right shoulder blade, but it's not as sore. I spent last night lying on my heating pad and watching TV and I think that did me some good. I'm really bad about letting myself rest if I'm hurt or sick. Depending on how I feel, I'm going to try swimming on Friday, but I may just have to call this week a wash and start again Monday.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Ow
I wish I could tell the difference between the times when I don't feel like going to the gym because it's rainy and I really don't want to leave behind a snuggly husband and kitty in my nice warm bed, or because my body actually needs a breather. Today I think my body was trying to tell me to stay in bed because it wanted a break.
Around lap 60 I pulled something in my shoulder. I managed to do 20 more laps, but was really hurting by the time I was done. I took some ibuprofen and the warm water in the shower made it feel a bit better. In fact, it feels better now than it did when I got out of the pool. This just makes me feel old and decrepit.
Oh well, I guess I have been pushing it pretty hard, going from no swimming to swimming 4-5 times a week. Hopefully tomorrow it will feel even better. Now that I'm in my swimming groove, I don't really want to go back to the elliptical.
Around lap 60 I pulled something in my shoulder. I managed to do 20 more laps, but was really hurting by the time I was done. I took some ibuprofen and the warm water in the shower made it feel a bit better. In fact, it feels better now than it did when I got out of the pool. This just makes me feel old and decrepit.
Oh well, I guess I have been pushing it pretty hard, going from no swimming to swimming 4-5 times a week. Hopefully tomorrow it will feel even better. Now that I'm in my swimming groove, I don't really want to go back to the elliptical.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
He's So Helpful
This morning, in between my sets of crunches, Tiny decided that I was the perfect resting place.
Jason said Tiny just provided more resistance for me.
Jason said Tiny just provided more resistance for me.
Almost Made It
1500 in 27:45
I still didn't hit 27:30, but I got pretty darn close. I shaved 1:30 off my time from yesterday and I'm happy about that.
110 laps this morning (I love Saturdays when I don't have to be anywhere afterwards). I did a little butterfly after the 1500, although by about the 3rd lap, my arms were yelling at me. Then I came home and did some weight exercises and some crunches and such. Today is my high calorie day and I thought I should earn it.
I still didn't hit 27:30, but I got pretty darn close. I shaved 1:30 off my time from yesterday and I'm happy about that.
110 laps this morning (I love Saturdays when I don't have to be anywhere afterwards). I did a little butterfly after the 1500, although by about the 3rd lap, my arms were yelling at me. Then I came home and did some weight exercises and some crunches and such. Today is my high calorie day and I thought I should earn it.
Friday, April 25, 2008
1500
Part of my workout today was to swim a 1500 (ie, 60 laps) in 27:30. Honestly, I don't know if I've ever swam 60 laps in a row in my life. I used to swim 32 and 40 laps pretty regularly and time myself, but this seemed like a whole new ball game.
Turns out, not so much.
I was kind of intimidated, but I gave it a shot and I did it! 60 laps. In a row. Go me.
My time was pretty dismal, though - 29:15. I think I'm going to try it again tomorrow morning and push myself a little harder. I definitely think I could have swum harder, although I did pick up the pace for the last 400. If I had kept that pace the whole way, I'm sure I could have made it in 27:30.
Turns out, not so much.
I was kind of intimidated, but I gave it a shot and I did it! 60 laps. In a row. Go me.
My time was pretty dismal, though - 29:15. I think I'm going to try it again tomorrow morning and push myself a little harder. I definitely think I could have swum harder, although I did pick up the pace for the last 400. If I had kept that pace the whole way, I'm sure I could have made it in 27:30.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Still Heading Down
And I'm down another half pound today. Awesome.
I think as my metabolism speeds up it's making me hotter. I mean, as in physically hot. I mean, temperature-wise. I suppose it's making me hotter in the other way too.
I have my own personal thermostat in my office at work and on Tuesday I could not make it cold enough. Usually I've got the heat pumping so much that my boss refuses to come in and we hold all meetings in his office. Also, every little movement when I'm getting ready in the morning makes me all sweaty. Also, I'm roasting at night and kick the covers off, while Jason is huddled under the down comforter.
I asked some people in one of my SparkPeople teams about whether they had experienced this. Turns out, a bunch of them had, but they thought they were weird so didn't mention it to anyone else. A couple of them have been through menopause and said this heat was completely different from hot flashes. The good news: they said once their bodies adjusted, their temperatures regulated again. So I won't be sweaty forever! I'm sure everyone around me is happy to hear that.
A friend's personal trainer once told her that as her metabolism sped up, she might notice a lot more sweating during her workouts. Anyone else ever experience the additional sweating or the extra heat thing?
I guess I'm reacting well to the swimming and the calorie cycling. My newest pair of Lane Bryant pants, in the smallest size they carry, are almost officially too big for me to wear anymore. As it is, the waist is definitely too big and pokes out weirdly when I wear clingy shirts. Very attractive.
I think as my metabolism speeds up it's making me hotter. I mean, as in physically hot. I mean, temperature-wise. I suppose it's making me hotter in the other way too.
I have my own personal thermostat in my office at work and on Tuesday I could not make it cold enough. Usually I've got the heat pumping so much that my boss refuses to come in and we hold all meetings in his office. Also, every little movement when I'm getting ready in the morning makes me all sweaty. Also, I'm roasting at night and kick the covers off, while Jason is huddled under the down comforter.
I asked some people in one of my SparkPeople teams about whether they had experienced this. Turns out, a bunch of them had, but they thought they were weird so didn't mention it to anyone else. A couple of them have been through menopause and said this heat was completely different from hot flashes. The good news: they said once their bodies adjusted, their temperatures regulated again. So I won't be sweaty forever! I'm sure everyone around me is happy to hear that.
A friend's personal trainer once told her that as her metabolism sped up, she might notice a lot more sweating during her workouts. Anyone else ever experience the additional sweating or the extra heat thing?
I guess I'm reacting well to the swimming and the calorie cycling. My newest pair of Lane Bryant pants, in the smallest size they carry, are almost officially too big for me to wear anymore. As it is, the waist is definitely too big and pokes out weirdly when I wear clingy shirts. Very attractive.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Ask and Ye Shall Receive
Apparently all I need to do to lose weight is complain about it enough. Today I'm down 2.2 pounds from yesterday! Crazy.
In reality I think my body is finally catching up with what I've been doing to it, which is exercising a lot and eating enough calories to keep my metabolism going. So now I'm back to where I was when I started calorie cycling and I hope that it just keeps going down.
However, if my first assessment is correct, I would just like to say that I'm really sick and tired of Ed McMahon not coming to my house with balloons and a giant check. Sick and tired.
In reality I think my body is finally catching up with what I've been doing to it, which is exercising a lot and eating enough calories to keep my metabolism going. So now I'm back to where I was when I started calorie cycling and I hope that it just keeps going down.
However, if my first assessment is correct, I would just like to say that I'm really sick and tired of Ed McMahon not coming to my house with balloons and a giant check. Sick and tired.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
90 Laps Today
My Swim Plan workout was very simple today. Warm up, 12 100's on 2:00, cool down. I did the first 100 in 1:40 and did all the others at 1:45. Actually, the last few, I was back toward 1:40, which made me happy because it means I can keep a steady pace even when I'm tired and I can even push it and make myself go faster at the end. Now I just need to get faster all around.
In other news, I'm not losing weight. In fact, I've gained a couple of pounds. However, my measurements are holding steady and my waist even decreased a little over the past couple of weeks. Swimming is good for the abs.
So I'm chalking this up to starting swimming again and using muscles I wasn't with the elliptical. Also, I'm calorie cycling again and my body is getting used to that. Meaning it's getting used to a lot more calories than I was feeding it. My BMR is 1600-1800 calories and then I'm swimming 4-5 times a week. I was only eating around 1500 calories and I've just increased that a whole bunch and I think my body is a little freaked out. Hopefully this will be the week I get it figured out.
I'm just trying to come up with reasons here. Do you think mine make sense?
I also had a piece of chocolate cake Friday and Saturday (half on Friday, half on Saturday). I could not get it out of my head. I figure I can have a piece of chocolate cake occasionally, darn it. Other than that, my eating has been pretty stellar.
Sometimes I wonder if my body just has a set point around 180-185 and I'm going to be stuck here forever.
In other news, I'm not losing weight. In fact, I've gained a couple of pounds. However, my measurements are holding steady and my waist even decreased a little over the past couple of weeks. Swimming is good for the abs.
So I'm chalking this up to starting swimming again and using muscles I wasn't with the elliptical. Also, I'm calorie cycling again and my body is getting used to that. Meaning it's getting used to a lot more calories than I was feeding it. My BMR is 1600-1800 calories and then I'm swimming 4-5 times a week. I was only eating around 1500 calories and I've just increased that a whole bunch and I think my body is a little freaked out. Hopefully this will be the week I get it figured out.
I'm just trying to come up with reasons here. Do you think mine make sense?
I also had a piece of chocolate cake Friday and Saturday (half on Friday, half on Saturday). I could not get it out of my head. I figure I can have a piece of chocolate cake occasionally, darn it. Other than that, my eating has been pretty stellar.
Sometimes I wonder if my body just has a set point around 180-185 and I'm going to be stuck here forever.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Let the Swimming Whining Begin!
100 laps today.
I like swimming on Saturday mornings because I'm not constrained by time and I don't have to get out and go to work. I was going to do 86 laps and then I tacked on 10 more and then I just thought, why not make it an even 100? So here I am and despite taking a shower I feel like I smell faintly of chlorine.
What I do not like about swimming on Saturdays is that the pool is only open certain hours for lap swimming, beginning with an early morning chunk from 5:30-8:30 AM.* Since it's Saturday, I figured I would show up at 7:30 and take advantage of that last hour. So did everyone else apparently. Another woman and I were waiting on the side of the pool to see if anyone was close to getting out. I've seen her at the pool almost every day this week and she recognized me too. She came over and said, "It's a beautiful day. Why are all these people here, inside?" I said, "Yeah, go for a run, people!"
I had to circle swim for the first 20 minutes, which I despise. Circle swimming is when there are three or more people in a lane, so you swim up the right side of the black line and back down the other side. When you're on a team you usually do this with at least 4 other people. However, unlike when you circle swim during team practice with lots of people who know what they're doing, the odds of you winding up in a lane with people who swim the same pace as you and/or know what they're doing are not so high.
Both of the guys I was sharing with decided to do breaststroke up and freestyle back. A) I kind of hate sharing a lane with someone who insists on doing breaststroke because I feel like every time I go by them I'm dodging flailing feet and arms. I've been kicked in the gut and the thigh a couple of times by wayward breaststrokers and it's not really something I want to repeat. B) Unless you really know how to do it, breaststroke is sloooooow. Heck, I know how to swim and I can't do a 50 of breaststroke in under a minute to save my life. Since I was swimming freestyle, I would go to pass one guy, and the other guy would be coming down the other side of the lane and I would have to stop in the middle of the pool and wait.
It's just annoying. Thankfully, most of the time I only had to share with one person.
So I swam 5 times this week and according the the SparkPeople fitness calculator I burned about 4000 calories. I think the calculator is probably a little off. I'm going to say it was more like 2000-2500. Unlike the elliptical, I do not get bored of swimming, especially with fancy SwimPlan workouts to keep me motivated. It definitely keeps me going to the gym.
* Anyone else feel really sorry for the lifeguard who has to be there at 5:30 on a Saturday?
I like swimming on Saturday mornings because I'm not constrained by time and I don't have to get out and go to work. I was going to do 86 laps and then I tacked on 10 more and then I just thought, why not make it an even 100? So here I am and despite taking a shower I feel like I smell faintly of chlorine.
What I do not like about swimming on Saturdays is that the pool is only open certain hours for lap swimming, beginning with an early morning chunk from 5:30-8:30 AM.* Since it's Saturday, I figured I would show up at 7:30 and take advantage of that last hour. So did everyone else apparently. Another woman and I were waiting on the side of the pool to see if anyone was close to getting out. I've seen her at the pool almost every day this week and she recognized me too. She came over and said, "It's a beautiful day. Why are all these people here, inside?" I said, "Yeah, go for a run, people!"
I had to circle swim for the first 20 minutes, which I despise. Circle swimming is when there are three or more people in a lane, so you swim up the right side of the black line and back down the other side. When you're on a team you usually do this with at least 4 other people. However, unlike when you circle swim during team practice with lots of people who know what they're doing, the odds of you winding up in a lane with people who swim the same pace as you and/or know what they're doing are not so high.
Both of the guys I was sharing with decided to do breaststroke up and freestyle back. A) I kind of hate sharing a lane with someone who insists on doing breaststroke because I feel like every time I go by them I'm dodging flailing feet and arms. I've been kicked in the gut and the thigh a couple of times by wayward breaststrokers and it's not really something I want to repeat. B) Unless you really know how to do it, breaststroke is sloooooow. Heck, I know how to swim and I can't do a 50 of breaststroke in under a minute to save my life. Since I was swimming freestyle, I would go to pass one guy, and the other guy would be coming down the other side of the lane and I would have to stop in the middle of the pool and wait.
It's just annoying. Thankfully, most of the time I only had to share with one person.
So I swam 5 times this week and according the the SparkPeople fitness calculator I burned about 4000 calories. I think the calculator is probably a little off. I'm going to say it was more like 2000-2500. Unlike the elliptical, I do not get bored of swimming, especially with fancy SwimPlan workouts to keep me motivated. It definitely keeps me going to the gym.
* Anyone else feel really sorry for the lifeguard who has to be there at 5:30 on a Saturday?
Thursday, April 17, 2008
No More Apples
I bought this big thing of Empire apples at Costco last week and have been happily plucking out one apple per morning to eat before my workout. Yesterday, I ate an apple and one tablespoon of peanut butter (thanks for the suggestion!) and it seemed to be the perfect combination pre-90 laps. Today, I grabbed out an apple, only to find that one side was smushy and brown. OK. Next apple. It had a hole in one side and one end appeared to be rotting.
Hi apples, you're in the fridge. You're supposed to keep a loooong time in the fridge, or so I've been told.
So I have no more apples. This morning pre-workout, I ate a tablespoon of peanut butter. I was running late and am not much of a morning person and couldn't be creative enough at that moment to come up with another idea. So I sucked down a big spoon of peanut butter.
I was running so late that I only got in 60 laps before I had to get out or be REALLY late to work. On either side of me were these super fast guys who were kind of creating big waves every time they went by me. Then I heard them talking about how they're getting ready for a triathlon and one of them did an Iron Man last year. That made me feel not so bad about the fact that they were consistently lapping me.
No gym tomorrow because I have to catch an early train up to Boston. Saturday I'm going and then I will have been 5 times this week, for which I'm going to give myself a little pat on the back.
Hi apples, you're in the fridge. You're supposed to keep a loooong time in the fridge, or so I've been told.
So I have no more apples. This morning pre-workout, I ate a tablespoon of peanut butter. I was running late and am not much of a morning person and couldn't be creative enough at that moment to come up with another idea. So I sucked down a big spoon of peanut butter.
I was running so late that I only got in 60 laps before I had to get out or be REALLY late to work. On either side of me were these super fast guys who were kind of creating big waves every time they went by me. Then I heard them talking about how they're getting ready for a triathlon and one of them did an Iron Man last year. That made me feel not so bad about the fact that they were consistently lapping me.
No gym tomorrow because I have to catch an early train up to Boston. Saturday I'm going and then I will have been 5 times this week, for which I'm going to give myself a little pat on the back.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Pre-Workout Snack
80 laps this morning. I did a slightly modified version of a Swim Plan workout, which totally kicked my butt. In a good way. I will definitely be using those workouts since they push me hard.
I think I need to eat more before my workouts. An apple was holding me for the elliptical, but for swimming I need something more substantial. By the time I got to work (where I eat my breakfast) I was feeling light-headed. Swimming definitely burns more calories than the elliptical. I seriously don't know how people work out on a completely empty stomach. I would pass out.
Any suggestions for a pre-workout snack that has more calories than an apple (about 80 calories), but is quick?
I think I need to eat more before my workouts. An apple was holding me for the elliptical, but for swimming I need something more substantial. By the time I got to work (where I eat my breakfast) I was feeling light-headed. Swimming definitely burns more calories than the elliptical. I seriously don't know how people work out on a completely empty stomach. I would pass out.
Any suggestions for a pre-workout snack that has more calories than an apple (about 80 calories), but is quick?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Bad Food! Bad!
I swam 70 laps this morning and felt amazing! Getting back into the pool this time is a lot less difficult than it has been in the past because I'm not starting from scratch. I've been ellipticaling regularly for a little while and apparently that has primed my body for swimming. I swam 60 laps one day last week and did 70 today. Tomorrow I'm shooting for 80. Usually, I have to do 60 for a week or so, then 70 for a week or so, and so on.
Someone referred me to Swim Plan, where you can enter in some information about yourself and they give you a workout routine. I'm going to try the first one tomorrow. According to their gradation of skill based on times, I am "Quite Good". The scale goes Beginner, Slow, Average, Above Average, Quite Good (squad swimmer), Good (competitive swimmer), Very Good, Strong and Advanced. Well, I know I'm not at competitive level right now, but it's nice to know I'm only one level below that.
I totally killed my buzz with lunch. I brought in a healthy lunch of chicken breasts, tomatoes and an apple, but at about 11:30 my boss asked if another attorney and I wanted to head out to lunch. Of course you say yes to lunch with the boss. He took us to a Cuban place. The food was amazingly good and amazingly bad for me. The menu didn't allow for a lot of healthy fudging, so I resigned myself to an unhealthy lunch. It tasted so good.
Now, though, I feel awful. The buzz from the simple carbs in the sandwich bread has left my system and I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. I feel drained and just blah. Eating healthy feels so much better, that's for sure.
This weekend I came up with a new smoothie and it's my favorite now since I was getting a little tired of the all berries, all the time smoothies.
Pineapple-Orange-Strawberry Smoothie
6 ice cubes
6 strawberries
3/4 C. Dole chunk pineapple (no sugar added)
3/4 C. orange juice
1/2 C. plain yogurt (Greek or otherwise)
(I usually add 1/2 T. flax meal as well and 1/2 a packet of Stevia)
Blend and enjoy! So citrusy. So good.
Someone referred me to Swim Plan, where you can enter in some information about yourself and they give you a workout routine. I'm going to try the first one tomorrow. According to their gradation of skill based on times, I am "Quite Good". The scale goes Beginner, Slow, Average, Above Average, Quite Good (squad swimmer), Good (competitive swimmer), Very Good, Strong and Advanced. Well, I know I'm not at competitive level right now, but it's nice to know I'm only one level below that.
I totally killed my buzz with lunch. I brought in a healthy lunch of chicken breasts, tomatoes and an apple, but at about 11:30 my boss asked if another attorney and I wanted to head out to lunch. Of course you say yes to lunch with the boss. He took us to a Cuban place. The food was amazingly good and amazingly bad for me. The menu didn't allow for a lot of healthy fudging, so I resigned myself to an unhealthy lunch. It tasted so good.
Now, though, I feel awful. The buzz from the simple carbs in the sandwich bread has left my system and I'm struggling to keep my eyes open. I feel drained and just blah. Eating healthy feels so much better, that's for sure.
This weekend I came up with a new smoothie and it's my favorite now since I was getting a little tired of the all berries, all the time smoothies.
Pineapple-Orange-Strawberry Smoothie
6 ice cubes
6 strawberries
3/4 C. Dole chunk pineapple (no sugar added)
3/4 C. orange juice
1/2 C. plain yogurt (Greek or otherwise)
(I usually add 1/2 T. flax meal as well and 1/2 a packet of Stevia)
Blend and enjoy! So citrusy. So good.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Musica
Over the past several weeks, I've been compiling a list of the songs that keep me pumped on the elliptical. Most of them have a driving bass and keep me going around 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 mph. The thing is, I love my music and I don't want to get completely sick of it. Anyone got some pumping tunes ideas?
Here they are, exemplifying my schizophrenic taste in music:
Workout:
Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna
Aria - Delerium
Whine Up - Kat DeLuna
Stutter - Elastica
Into the Night - Santana feat. Chad Kroeger of Nickelback
You Wreck Me - Tom Petty
Heart - Pet Shop Boys
Sorry (Live) - Madonna
Shh - Frou Frou
Must be Dreaming - Imogen Heap
Star 69 - REM
SOS - Rihanna
Song 2 - Blur
Trompe le Monde - Pixies
Daylight Robbery - Imogen Heap
Lift Me Up - Moby
Ray of Light - Madonna
The Boxer - Carbon Leaf
Voodoo People - The Prodigy
Cowgirl - Underworld
Calling You - Aqua
Control - Traci Lords
The Promise - When in Rome
Local God - Everclear
Blue Orchid - The White Stripes
Buddy Holly - Weezer
Here It Goes Again - OK Go
The Walk - Imogen Heap
Seether - Veruca Salt
Pump It - Black Eyed Peas (Awesome for short intervals. Slow down a bit during the verses and ramp it up during the chorus. Lift Me Up by Moby is also good for this)
Hate to Say I Told You So - The Hives
Ya Mama - Fatboy Slim
Warm Up/Cool Down:
Yummy - Gwen Stefani
Hella Good - No Doubt
Don't You Want Me - Human League
Praise You - Fatboy Slim
Stronger - Kanye West
E-Pro - Beck
Camel Walk - Southern Culture on the Skids
Here they are, exemplifying my schizophrenic taste in music:
Workout:
Shut Up and Drive - Rihanna
Aria - Delerium
Whine Up - Kat DeLuna
Stutter - Elastica
Into the Night - Santana feat. Chad Kroeger of Nickelback
You Wreck Me - Tom Petty
Heart - Pet Shop Boys
Sorry (Live) - Madonna
Shh - Frou Frou
Must be Dreaming - Imogen Heap
Star 69 - REM
SOS - Rihanna
Song 2 - Blur
Trompe le Monde - Pixies
Daylight Robbery - Imogen Heap
Lift Me Up - Moby
Ray of Light - Madonna
The Boxer - Carbon Leaf
Voodoo People - The Prodigy
Cowgirl - Underworld
Calling You - Aqua
Control - Traci Lords
The Promise - When in Rome
Local God - Everclear
Blue Orchid - The White Stripes
Buddy Holly - Weezer
Here It Goes Again - OK Go
The Walk - Imogen Heap
Seether - Veruca Salt
Pump It - Black Eyed Peas (Awesome for short intervals. Slow down a bit during the verses and ramp it up during the chorus. Lift Me Up by Moby is also good for this)
Hate to Say I Told You So - The Hives
Ya Mama - Fatboy Slim
Warm Up/Cool Down:
Yummy - Gwen Stefani
Hella Good - No Doubt
Don't You Want Me - Human League
Praise You - Fatboy Slim
Stronger - Kanye West
E-Pro - Beck
Camel Walk - Southern Culture on the Skids
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Uno's is Healthy? Does Smoking Cure Cancer Now?
I know the news that Health magazine named Uno's Chicago Grill the healthiest chain restaurant is kind of old, but I just read an article about the article that made me laugh. Some friends and I were thinking about going to Uno's today and one of them mentioned the Health article. I checked out the Uno's menu and Health magazine must have been smoking crack.
They have a couple of okay-sounding salads, as long as you remove the tortilla chips and have the dressing on the side. Almost every dressing is something creamy so you may just want to have a dry salad.
They have a couple of okay-sounding sandwiches, as long as you remove the fatty spreads and at least one of the cheeses* and the bacon.
Other than that it's your standard burgers, ribs and, lest we forget, deep dish Chicago-style pizza. Have you guys eaten Chicago-style pizza? Having lived in Chicago for 3 years I have had my fair share of Chicago-style pizza, every single piece oozing with at least half a pound of cheese. And I think that's probably only a slight exaggeration. Yummy? Yes. Healthy? No way.
I suppose I have to look at the context: chain restaurants. Not a lot of healthy there, though one of my favorite places is The Cheesecake Factory because of their huge salads. OK, yes, dressing on the side, no tortilla chips or wonton strips, ease up on the cheese. But you still start with a giant pile of lettuce and veggies, which is a good thing.
You just have to know how to order at these places and I think that's the problem. Most people will order whatever sounds good, and, let's face it, deep fried and cheesey fatty mcfat fat always sounds good. I am shocked just talking with friends how things that are so obvious to me (don't order breaded things, always get the dressing on the side or your salad will be swimming) aren't common knowledge. I have made an effort to educate myself because it interests me, but it's too bad that basic nutrition education isn't, well, basic.
I'm not talking about the ever-changing food pyramid, I'm just talking about how NOT to eat as many saturated fats and pounds of sugar as you can cram into your mouth in one day, which seems to be the modus operandi of most people I know. And me when I'm not paying attention.
To sum up, Uno's is not healthy. Go home and bake yourself some chicken.
*******
My ellipticaling self is back. 40 minutes and 4.03 miles today.
* Is it necessary to have mozzarella AND feta on one sandwich? Really?
They have a couple of okay-sounding salads, as long as you remove the tortilla chips and have the dressing on the side. Almost every dressing is something creamy so you may just want to have a dry salad.
They have a couple of okay-sounding sandwiches, as long as you remove the fatty spreads and at least one of the cheeses* and the bacon.
Other than that it's your standard burgers, ribs and, lest we forget, deep dish Chicago-style pizza. Have you guys eaten Chicago-style pizza? Having lived in Chicago for 3 years I have had my fair share of Chicago-style pizza, every single piece oozing with at least half a pound of cheese. And I think that's probably only a slight exaggeration. Yummy? Yes. Healthy? No way.
"In addition to healthful dining options, the restaurants offer discounts on salads when ordered with entrees because, as the menus state, 'We want you to get some greens in your diet.' Health called that 'a blue-ribbon commitment to health.'"Seriously? So you can order the huge deep dish pizza or the giant burger and fries, but as long as you throw some lettuce on top of that, the restaurant earns "a blue-ribbon commitment to health." Um, no.
I suppose I have to look at the context: chain restaurants. Not a lot of healthy there, though one of my favorite places is The Cheesecake Factory because of their huge salads. OK, yes, dressing on the side, no tortilla chips or wonton strips, ease up on the cheese. But you still start with a giant pile of lettuce and veggies, which is a good thing.
You just have to know how to order at these places and I think that's the problem. Most people will order whatever sounds good, and, let's face it, deep fried and cheesey fatty mcfat fat always sounds good. I am shocked just talking with friends how things that are so obvious to me (don't order breaded things, always get the dressing on the side or your salad will be swimming) aren't common knowledge. I have made an effort to educate myself because it interests me, but it's too bad that basic nutrition education isn't, well, basic.
I'm not talking about the ever-changing food pyramid, I'm just talking about how NOT to eat as many saturated fats and pounds of sugar as you can cram into your mouth in one day, which seems to be the modus operandi of most people I know. And me when I'm not paying attention.
To sum up, Uno's is not healthy. Go home and bake yourself some chicken.
*******
My ellipticaling self is back. 40 minutes and 4.03 miles today.
* Is it necessary to have mozzarella AND feta on one sandwich? Really?
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Sometimes I Even Scare Myself
I had a flash of brilliance yesterday that was so completely obvious that now I feel kind of dumb to have not realized it before.
I like beans, right? Black beans and garbanzo beans in particular. What I do not like is how jam packed with sodium the canned beans are. I'm trying to keep my sodium low. For 4 of the past 6 days I've managed to keep my sodium below 1000 mg. (Thank you, SparkPeople, for allowing me to be completely OCD with your calorie and nutrient monitor).
So yesterday I was thinking of what I could do to eat more beans and still keep my sodium low when like a flash of lightning it hit me. Duh, Kelly, buy dry beans. Let me say it again. Duh.
After work I needed to buy some broccoli so I also hit the bean aisle and stocked up on several different kinds. I know this will take more effort, but with my commitment to eat more healthy,
eating in general is taking more effort. And that's fine.
I started adding non fat Greek yogurt to my berry smoothies and wow, does that taste good. I put in anywhere from a half cup to a cup of plain yogurt, depending on what I want the calories to add up to, and add a half packet of Stevia for additional sweetness. The yogurt gives a slightly sour tang to the sweetness of the berries and the juice and I love it. I also love Sour Patch Kids. It's not quite that tart, but maybe I could market the Sour Patch Kids smoothie.
I ellipticaled for 30 minutes this morning and thought I was going to die. I just couldn't make it to 40 minutes. I felt nauseated and my second wind never kicked in. Usually I get an endorphin push at around 20 minutes, but this morning, nothing. Here's hoping tomorrow is better.
I like beans, right? Black beans and garbanzo beans in particular. What I do not like is how jam packed with sodium the canned beans are. I'm trying to keep my sodium low. For 4 of the past 6 days I've managed to keep my sodium below 1000 mg. (Thank you, SparkPeople, for allowing me to be completely OCD with your calorie and nutrient monitor).
So yesterday I was thinking of what I could do to eat more beans and still keep my sodium low when like a flash of lightning it hit me. Duh, Kelly, buy dry beans. Let me say it again. Duh.
After work I needed to buy some broccoli so I also hit the bean aisle and stocked up on several different kinds. I know this will take more effort, but with my commitment to eat more healthy,
eating in general is taking more effort. And that's fine.
I started adding non fat Greek yogurt to my berry smoothies and wow, does that taste good. I put in anywhere from a half cup to a cup of plain yogurt, depending on what I want the calories to add up to, and add a half packet of Stevia for additional sweetness. The yogurt gives a slightly sour tang to the sweetness of the berries and the juice and I love it. I also love Sour Patch Kids. It's not quite that tart, but maybe I could market the Sour Patch Kids smoothie.
I ellipticaled for 30 minutes this morning and thought I was going to die. I just couldn't make it to 40 minutes. I felt nauseated and my second wind never kicked in. Usually I get an endorphin push at around 20 minutes, but this morning, nothing. Here's hoping tomorrow is better.
Monday, April 07, 2008
Getting Your Water
Did you know that there is really no basis for that whole "get 8 glasses of water a day" advice? I always assumed there must be something out there supporting it. I have tried to get Jason to up his water intake and he's always asked me what study shows that you need lots of water. He's always asking me what study proves such and such an idea. Kind of annoying.*
I feel like I experience benefits of drinking lots of water. I mean, other than peeing at least once an hour.
- After I work out, I LOVE chugging the water. It makes me feel so refreshed and rehydrates me.
- Ice cold water is honestly one of the things that helps me when I have a bad headache. No idea why, but there it is.
- I think it helps get sodium out of my body. That may just be an effect of dilution, according to the article, but diluted sodium is better than chunky, non-diluted sodium, right? I have no basis for that. It's my very unscientific analysis.
As to whether it makes my skin better, I don't know since my water increase usually coincides with eating better and working out, which does make my skin look more fresh. Maybe all of my good feelings about water are all in my head, but I'm ok with that. I still think drinking water all day is better than drinking soda and I'll stick by that.**
* Are you getting a sense of the clashes that go on in our home between the attorney and the biologist?
** To which Jason always says, "Chemicals in soda? There's chemicals in everything. What does it matter what source it comes from?" Infuriating.
I feel like I experience benefits of drinking lots of water. I mean, other than peeing at least once an hour.
- After I work out, I LOVE chugging the water. It makes me feel so refreshed and rehydrates me.
- Ice cold water is honestly one of the things that helps me when I have a bad headache. No idea why, but there it is.
- I think it helps get sodium out of my body. That may just be an effect of dilution, according to the article, but diluted sodium is better than chunky, non-diluted sodium, right? I have no basis for that. It's my very unscientific analysis.
As to whether it makes my skin better, I don't know since my water increase usually coincides with eating better and working out, which does make my skin look more fresh. Maybe all of my good feelings about water are all in my head, but I'm ok with that. I still think drinking water all day is better than drinking soda and I'll stick by that.**
* Are you getting a sense of the clashes that go on in our home between the attorney and the biologist?
** To which Jason always says, "Chemicals in soda? There's chemicals in everything. What does it matter what source it comes from?" Infuriating.
Fast Report
I was a little ornery and really tired by the end of the day, but other than that, the fast went fine. I woke up on Sunday morning down another 1.2 pounds, which I knew wouldn't stick once I started back on solid foods. Sure enough, today I'm back up half a pound. However, that's not much at all and I'm pleased with my results.
Since Sunday 3/31 I lost 4.2 pounds, 3/4 inch off of both my hips and waist and a little bit on my legs and arms. Considering I feel like I've been at a plateau for forever now, I'm really happy because I feel like I've finally got the weight loss going.
Today is Day 10 of 11 of the detox so tomorrow is the last day. I do admit to trying a dessert at the reception following Jason's choral Evensong last night. I grabbed the tiniest piece of a corn syrupy pecan pie looking thing. I took one bite and gave the rest to Jason. Too greasy! Like last year, I'm hyper-aware of heavy fats now that I've been off them for over a week. I plan to keep up these good eating habits (adding in some carbs and dairy of course) and stay aware of what feels bad to my body as long as possible.
Since Sunday 3/31 I lost 4.2 pounds, 3/4 inch off of both my hips and waist and a little bit on my legs and arms. Considering I feel like I've been at a plateau for forever now, I'm really happy because I feel like I've finally got the weight loss going.
Today is Day 10 of 11 of the detox so tomorrow is the last day. I do admit to trying a dessert at the reception following Jason's choral Evensong last night. I grabbed the tiniest piece of a corn syrupy pecan pie looking thing. I took one bite and gave the rest to Jason. Too greasy! Like last year, I'm hyper-aware of heavy fats now that I've been off them for over a week. I plan to keep up these good eating habits (adding in some carbs and dairy of course) and stay aware of what feels bad to my body as long as possible.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
The Fast
Today is fast day, meaning I alternate drinking 1 C. of "Miracle Juice" and 1 C. of water every hour. The Miracle Juice is a blend of 100% cranberry juice, water, orange juice and lemon juice, spiced with some ginger, nutmeg and cinnamon and sweetened with a little Stevia. It's okay, but a little tart for me to drink just for refreshment. Jason LOVES it so I made him his own pitcher this year.
I had to endure ruthless teasing from Jason and his friend Matt last night. They went to the website of the nutritionist who created the detox and I will admit, the website is super cheesy. The book is pretty peppy as well. But it is created by a nutritionist and I did some further looking into detoxes and discovered that most of the foods in this detox are generally accepted as detox foods.
Jason and Matt were all, "What are you detoxing from? You have toxic things in your system? Oh my gosh! Toxins!" all said with heavy sarcasm. They're not so much into anything smacking of new agey natural remedies. Scientists.
I am well aware that any benefits I experience may just be a result of the placebo effect. But I have been eating very well this past week and have felt cleansed of all the sugar and processed foods I've been eating for the past several months. I wanted to stop eating all the crap and it took something kind of extreme for me to get started.
This week I've lost 3.6 pounds and 2 inches, and this was all while working out and getting in about 1300-1400 calories a day. I figure I did something right to get my metabolism going.
I'll check in tomorrow to let you know the results of the fast day.
I had to endure ruthless teasing from Jason and his friend Matt last night. They went to the website of the nutritionist who created the detox and I will admit, the website is super cheesy. The book is pretty peppy as well. But it is created by a nutritionist and I did some further looking into detoxes and discovered that most of the foods in this detox are generally accepted as detox foods.
Jason and Matt were all, "What are you detoxing from? You have toxic things in your system? Oh my gosh! Toxins!" all said with heavy sarcasm. They're not so much into anything smacking of new agey natural remedies. Scientists.
I am well aware that any benefits I experience may just be a result of the placebo effect. But I have been eating very well this past week and have felt cleansed of all the sugar and processed foods I've been eating for the past several months. I wanted to stop eating all the crap and it took something kind of extreme for me to get started.
This week I've lost 3.6 pounds and 2 inches, and this was all while working out and getting in about 1300-1400 calories a day. I figure I did something right to get my metabolism going.
I'll check in tomorrow to let you know the results of the fast day.
Friday, April 04, 2008
I'm the Biggest Dork in the World
Didn't get to the gym this morning because, um, I fell down the stairs. There are 7 HARD, concrete stairs outside the back door and I missed the first step and fell the whole way.
It was all in slow motion. The first second I thought, what's going on? I'm falling? The next couple of seconds I thought, Surely I can't fall the whole way. Let me just grab the railing and stop myself. Finally I realized I would not be stopping and yes, I was falling all the way down the stairs.
I have two huge bruises on each leg, one near the ankle and one at the knee. I hit my right knee so hard that it drew blood and ripped my great waterproof warm up pants, which makes me sad. I also have a big bruise on the tip of my middle finger where I grabbed the railing really hard in a desperate effort to stop.
I limped back upstairs and crawled into bed next to Jason, whining, "I fell down the stairs."
He woke up immediately and said, "What? Oh my goodness." Then he cuddled me and helped me feel better. Husbands are nice when you fall down the stairs.
There was a reason I fell besides just being a giant klutz. One of my contacts ripped, but I can't workout with my glasses on, so I only had one contact in, which screws up my depth perception. I didn't realize how much I depended on that to walk down a flight of stairs I've walked down hundreds of times before.
So yeah, no gym. I was really looking forward to a nice swim too! I think it's a good sign that I get bummed out and feel like something is missing when I don't make a workout. Maybe this is actually finally becoming a habit for me. I'm not supposed to work out tomorrow because I'm doing the "fast" part of the detox, but I think I may go for a quick half hour swim. I can't go four whole days without exercising (yesterday, today, tomorrow and Sunday because we're heading up to Boston kind of early). I'm into the groove now and I don't want to lose it.
It was all in slow motion. The first second I thought, what's going on? I'm falling? The next couple of seconds I thought, Surely I can't fall the whole way. Let me just grab the railing and stop myself. Finally I realized I would not be stopping and yes, I was falling all the way down the stairs.
I have two huge bruises on each leg, one near the ankle and one at the knee. I hit my right knee so hard that it drew blood and ripped my great waterproof warm up pants, which makes me sad. I also have a big bruise on the tip of my middle finger where I grabbed the railing really hard in a desperate effort to stop.
I limped back upstairs and crawled into bed next to Jason, whining, "I fell down the stairs."
He woke up immediately and said, "What? Oh my goodness." Then he cuddled me and helped me feel better. Husbands are nice when you fall down the stairs.
There was a reason I fell besides just being a giant klutz. One of my contacts ripped, but I can't workout with my glasses on, so I only had one contact in, which screws up my depth perception. I didn't realize how much I depended on that to walk down a flight of stairs I've walked down hundreds of times before.
So yeah, no gym. I was really looking forward to a nice swim too! I think it's a good sign that I get bummed out and feel like something is missing when I don't make a workout. Maybe this is actually finally becoming a habit for me. I'm not supposed to work out tomorrow because I'm doing the "fast" part of the detox, but I think I may go for a quick half hour swim. I can't go four whole days without exercising (yesterday, today, tomorrow and Sunday because we're heading up to Boston kind of early). I'm into the groove now and I don't want to lose it.
Thursday, April 03, 2008
Weight Down Again
Another .4 lbs today. That's almost 3 pounds lost since Sunday. I figure this may keep up, or my body will adjust in another day or two and I'll just gain the weight back. I'm hoping it keeps up, although I will try not to be too disappointed if it doesn't.
My friend who is doing the detox with me hasn't lost any weight and is bummed about it, but I told her I didn't really lose any the first time either. However, I do think it was a good kick in the pants for my metabolism.
I'm getting kind of tired of chicken breasts with diced tomatoes, I will say that. It's been my basic lunch for the past 5 days. On days 1-3 I thought it was so, so yummy! Day 4 I was sort of not as enthusiastic, but I ate it. Today, I know I need to eat my lunch, but chicken and tomatoes AGAIN just isn't appealing to me. It's my own fault for not making sure I was stocked up on salmon before I started. Then at least I could alternate between salmon and chicken. Tomorrow I'm going to go shopping to get some final supplies for the rest of the detox and salmon will definitely be on the list.
I have impressed Jason no end with my smoothie-making abilities. He told me my smoothies taste just like the store ones and asked me, in awe, how I learned to make them. I think I really impressed him when I told him I just made it up. When I'm figuring out his half of the groceries*, I don't charge him for the stuff I know only I'm going to eat such as berries and juice for the smoothies, so he told me he would pay me 50 cents a smoothie. We're very egalitarian in our marriage.
Smoothies for the Fast Track Detox**
2 C. frozen or fresh berries
.75 C. orange juice
.25 cup Trader Joe's triple berry juice***
1/2 packet Stevia (optional, depending on how sweet your berries are. Sometimes the frozen ones can be a little sour)
6-8 ice cubes
1/2 scoop vanilla whey powder (I find a whole scoop changes the flavor significantly. And not for the better. Also, I include this because it's part of the detox. I leave it out of Jason's smoothies.)
Put it all in the blender and blend. Ta-dah!
No gym today. I've been 3 times this week, and I'll go tomorrow. My legs were really feeling tired yesterday and we stayed up late watching a movie so when the alarm went off at 6, I just reset it for 7. And then got up at 7:30. Because that's how I roll.
*Because we haven't gotten around to creating a joint bank account yet for our common expenses.
** When I'm not detoxing, I'll often add a banana or a little plain, vanilla or berry yogurt to change things up.
***Or whatever other juices you think sounds good.
My friend who is doing the detox with me hasn't lost any weight and is bummed about it, but I told her I didn't really lose any the first time either. However, I do think it was a good kick in the pants for my metabolism.
I'm getting kind of tired of chicken breasts with diced tomatoes, I will say that. It's been my basic lunch for the past 5 days. On days 1-3 I thought it was so, so yummy! Day 4 I was sort of not as enthusiastic, but I ate it. Today, I know I need to eat my lunch, but chicken and tomatoes AGAIN just isn't appealing to me. It's my own fault for not making sure I was stocked up on salmon before I started. Then at least I could alternate between salmon and chicken. Tomorrow I'm going to go shopping to get some final supplies for the rest of the detox and salmon will definitely be on the list.
I have impressed Jason no end with my smoothie-making abilities. He told me my smoothies taste just like the store ones and asked me, in awe, how I learned to make them. I think I really impressed him when I told him I just made it up. When I'm figuring out his half of the groceries*, I don't charge him for the stuff I know only I'm going to eat such as berries and juice for the smoothies, so he told me he would pay me 50 cents a smoothie. We're very egalitarian in our marriage.
Smoothies for the Fast Track Detox**
2 C. frozen or fresh berries
.75 C. orange juice
.25 cup Trader Joe's triple berry juice***
1/2 packet Stevia (optional, depending on how sweet your berries are. Sometimes the frozen ones can be a little sour)
6-8 ice cubes
1/2 scoop vanilla whey powder (I find a whole scoop changes the flavor significantly. And not for the better. Also, I include this because it's part of the detox. I leave it out of Jason's smoothies.)
Put it all in the blender and blend. Ta-dah!
No gym today. I've been 3 times this week, and I'll go tomorrow. My legs were really feeling tired yesterday and we stayed up late watching a movie so when the alarm went off at 6, I just reset it for 7. And then got up at 7:30. Because that's how I roll.
*Because we haven't gotten around to creating a joint bank account yet for our common expenses.
** When I'm not detoxing, I'll often add a banana or a little plain, vanilla or berry yogurt to change things up.
***Or whatever other juices you think sounds good.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Another Half Pound
I got on the scale this morning and thought, "Okay that 2 pound thing was probably just a momentary fluke and I'm not going to scream/cry/pout if my weight has gone up." Imagine my surprise when the scale said my weight was down another half pound. That's 2 1/2 pounds since Sunday. Nice.
I think a HUGE part of this is my sodium intake. Last year my blood pressure was verging on high-normal so I started really watching my sodium and by September it was well within normal ranges. I used to have low blood pressure and would totally crave salt (I have a theory about the linkage between low bp and salt cravings), but now I find that I can do fine without it. Especially when I use good spice mixes.
However, the past several weeks have been high sodium party time. I've been eating a LOT of sushi, soup and take out. Realtively healthy take out choices, but still take out, which I know is chock full of sodium.
Since starting the detox my sodium intake has been well below the RDA of 2300 mg per day and unless I do something really dramatic with the salt shaker in the next 12 hours, today's intake should be under 1000 mg. I think my body is just decompressing from all the sodium. And totally digging the healthy foods.
I swam this morning: 60 laps. And I'm being reminded of new muscles that I forgot about.
I think a HUGE part of this is my sodium intake. Last year my blood pressure was verging on high-normal so I started really watching my sodium and by September it was well within normal ranges. I used to have low blood pressure and would totally crave salt (I have a theory about the linkage between low bp and salt cravings), but now I find that I can do fine without it. Especially when I use good spice mixes.
However, the past several weeks have been high sodium party time. I've been eating a LOT of sushi, soup and take out. Realtively healthy take out choices, but still take out, which I know is chock full of sodium.
Since starting the detox my sodium intake has been well below the RDA of 2300 mg per day and unless I do something really dramatic with the salt shaker in the next 12 hours, today's intake should be under 1000 mg. I think my body is just decompressing from all the sodium. And totally digging the healthy foods.
I swam this morning: 60 laps. And I'm being reminded of new muscles that I forgot about.
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Feeling the Detox
As of today I'm down 2 pounds since Sunday. Woot!
However, I'm also really, really tired. I ellipticaled this morning and felt every single second. And I'm still feeling it in my thighs. Which doesn't make much sense since I've done the elliptical many times over the past couple of weeks without sore muscles hours after the fact. I believe muscle aches are a side effect of detoxing. That's right, body, flush out those toxins.
At least I don't have a killer headache like last year. I just kind of want to lay my head down on my desk and have a little nap. Maybe I'll have some applesauce. Fruit always perks me up.
However, I'm also really, really tired. I ellipticaled this morning and felt every single second. And I'm still feeling it in my thighs. Which doesn't make much sense since I've done the elliptical many times over the past couple of weeks without sore muscles hours after the fact. I believe muscle aches are a side effect of detoxing. That's right, body, flush out those toxins.
At least I don't have a killer headache like last year. I just kind of want to lay my head down on my desk and have a little nap. Maybe I'll have some applesauce. Fruit always perks me up.
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