Shape it up!

I've come back from the dead... in terms of working out and eating well that is. (With a stray cookie or what-not thrown in for good measure). I have been keeping a food diary, which helps me know just what I am eating, and just how often I'm cheating. I've been doing circuit training which is extremely hard and helps not get bored at the gym (and I can do a lot of it in my room!). Who knew jumping jacks and jumping rope were so damn good for you?!? I may not actually be dropping pounds, but I am dropping inches. It's amazing. 

I am happy to report that I am confident I will fit back into my too-tight red pants this fall. So thank you circuit training.

Trying Hard, but not Working It, so to speak

So, I've been eating really well since the Strep incident because my stomach literally cannot handle a lot anymore. Which, I suppose is a good thing, keeps me from over eating. I've been eating pretty much everything homemade these days, only eating out for lunch twice for about 10 days, which is good for me. The only thing I've eaten from the vending machine is a Nature Valley granola bar, which considering the other options is awesome. I have certainly been drinking too much, and need to be aware of the empty calories that accompany even just a couple of beers or glasses of wine. I know tonight and Friday night are going to be bad because I'm going to two shows and out for my roommie's birthday. Oh well... I'm hoping that I can get back into the work out cycle that I am used to now that I am no held back by my immune system. I have been doing light circuit training and yoga in my room as well as walking every day for at least 20 minutes, so I'm not a total bum.

I do however think the scales at my Doctors office are rigged because every time I go in there I weigh a completely different amount than the last time I hoped on the scale. I try not to pay attention to the numbers too much because I feel good, and though I am completely menstrual, tired, bloated and irritable, I like my body this week. And that, my friends is always a good thing.

Currently Starving

So I am currently sitting in studio (at school) at 9:30 pm on Monday...and starving. For breakfast I had a small piece of toasted raisin challah with labne. Mid morning I had half an Arden's Gardens juice and then a small cup of soup (tomato basil) with a tiny piece of bread - no joke on the tiny. My tummy started hurting an hour or two later, I'm assuming my acid reflux was kicking in - so I at half a green apple. Went to yoga this evening. Trying to do a mini-workout before yoga because my instructor claims that will help you get more out of the yoga, but I did not make it to the gym early for that today. After yoga I had a handful of pistachios. Dinner will come eventually but I really don't like eating late - trying hard to avoid that. But with my school schedule doesn't always work out that way.

So here I sit, hungry but not realy sure what I want or what it will be. Rode my bike to school so I will be riding it home despite the continual down pours in Atlanta.

Also, I really hate the mirrors in yoga. I just am not in a good place with my body and being in all those positions just isn't flattering for me right now! Still trying to figure out how my boyfriend is losing pounds by the minute but shoveling his face full of food on many occasions. Argh.

Strep Throat Blues

Yeah. So I haven't done crap since Sunday. I had no appetite because of the Strep Throat, so I had frozen waffles and fruit, coffee, then didn't eat again until I had a taste of my soup. Chicken sausage, sweet potatoes and mustard greens came out quite nicely, yet I wasn't hungry for it until Monday.

And even on Monday I only had the stomach for egg whites, cheese, and tomato on half a bagel. The peach was really hard to swallow, so I had to hold off and eat that later. Then a nice hearty bowl of my soup and a ton of hot tea. I also rearrange my room and took a hot bath.

Woke up today feeling much better.
For breakfast I ate my usual bowl of cereal and fruit- this time, Multi-grain Cheerios and berries.
Lunch: a salad with shrimp, broccoli, Jicama, tomato and cucumber, with a hot pepper and lemon juice dressing. For snack I had the most gigantic Honey Crisp apple ever with peanut butter
Dinner: a veggie burger with the fixings (and a little avocado) on half a bagel. I had a mild strawberry sorbet too which made my throat feel amazing. I guess that is a lot considering the previous days were far less. Hmmm... need to be careful not to over do it on days that follow lighter ones. Hopefully tomorrow I will feel well enough to go to yoga. That would be really great.

Baby Steps

I ate breakfast today!

I almost didn't but after getting up way earlier than usual and going on a mad cleaning spree I decided breakfast was in order.

1 small bowl of Kashi Go Lean Crunch with soy milk
1 banana
1 small glass of orange juice

The difference in energy levels I felt after eating that was amazing. It was firm proof I need to keep this up.

Lunch was

1 small bowl of chicken salad (lean white meat, half a teaspoon of mayo, a nice drizzle of lemon vinaigrette and a dash of black pepper) on a bed of lettuce
2 slices of Cracker Cut low fat cheddar cheese (the little slices that are cracker shaped)
1 can of Cherry Coke Zero (Boo but necessary since I skipped my morning coffee)

I did workout even though my body is still very sore from the extreme workout I did on Saturday. I did two slow paced miles on the treadmill and some arm exercises. I think tomorrow and possibly Wednesday will be yoga days to stretch my sore muscles out.

Not sure what dinner is going to be but it will be one of my behave myself challenges. I have class tonight at 6 with the vending machine right next to my classroom and the mall and it's food court right across the street. I'm going to try to cut up some fruit and take it with me.

Over the Weekend

Well... I had a funny Friday. I got in bed with an old lover and 1. realized how out of shape I am by how sore I was (and still am) post coitus and 2. Didn't feel bad about, obviously... being sore from sex is not a bad thing in my humble opinion! And, said-lover told me that he loved my body. And he meant it. He was enjoying my body a lot, touching me all over, in places I consider to be more out of shape than others, and helped remind me that I'm the one who sees those flaws, he doesn't care about them! He also said I have a great butt, to which I completely agree. :) It's just really nice to hear sometimes, as it's easy to forget that men love woman. Really. Even if you think you look like a disaster, they still think you look amazing. I was rocking this whole Patti Smith look- black jeans, white T-shirt, Chucks and some red jewelry for flair, so I guess I looked pretty cute being completely dolled down, which is awesome. I think I needed that ego boost after feeling so bummed out lately about men in general and my body. So thanks!

As for eating and exercise... not so much. I had friends in town, so we went out for Thai. I originally ordered Pad Thai with veggies and tofu, but found a piece of plastic in it, so they brought me garden roles and a seaweed salad for free! After that we walked around a lot on U St. and ended up having a Bloody Mary and a beer at Busboys and Poets. I didn't eat anything else until I got to the cookout, of which I ate way too much. It always happens that way. I had a hot dog, a few deviled eggs (my favorite!!), some bacon wrapped thing, cheese and crackers, THREE cookies... damnit... and probably a whole bottle of wine and a beer or two. Not my finest hour. But that's ok. I'm going to eat breakfast here soon, fruit, egg whites and soysage with about a gallon of coffee, (I am extremely tired). I'm definitely going to try and hit the gym today, or maybe walk up to the Adams Morgan Day Festival... it's a great long walk, so that'd be good... but we'll see how that pans out. And tonight I'm making chicken sausage, kale and sweet potato soup from scratch! I'm pretty excited about it, and will certainly tell you how it turns out.

Of Workouts and Take Out

Had a really good exercise day and a shamefully awful food day. I wasn't going to write anything at all but one of the reasons I like the idea of this blog is that it makes me realize if I'm this ashamed of the way I treat my body I shouldn't be doing the things I'm doing to it.

Breakfast: None. It was my first night of sleep in almost a week so I slept until almost noon this morning.

Lunch: 4 frozen buffalo wings. Half a portion of frozen mac n cheese (I know. that again.) a bowl of lettuce with Italian Dressing. Not the most awful lunch in the word and in my minor defense we have no food in the house right now but not the kind of lunch I want to be eating.

Dinner: Chinese Food. Singapore Noodles to be exact.

Exercise: 4 miles on the treadmill

Something I haven't gotten a good handle on yet is curbing the extreme hunger that usually comes after a high impact workout. I usually burn so many calories that an hour after stopping I feel like I haven't eaten anything in days. I try to fill myself up with good food (salads, brown rice, small portions of lean proteins) but I'm not always successful. It's on my list of things to work on because I want my work outs to be working towards something, not just evening my daily calorie count out.

My Belated First Post

I won't go too much into what I've eaten or done this week because it hasn't been the week for healthy eating. Two things did happen that reminded me of why I want to get back in shape and stay back in shape so badly.

1) The first night we were in PA dinner was a thrown together ordeal of whatever was in my uncle's refrigerator because even going out to eat or ordering take out seemed too exhausting. My grandfather was an avid gardener and when he passed away five years ago my uncle took over maintenance of the garden. Along with the frozen mac n cheese I ate because it is and always will be the greatest comfort food invented I had a salad made with fresh vegetables from the garden. It's been a long time since I've had peppers, cucumbers or onions that tasted so amazing. I like eating vegetables but it's rare that I love eating them or prefer them to the less healthy fare on my plate. These vegetables and their bold flavors and fresh smells filled me with more comfort than the mac n cheese could ever hope to. Veggies are awesome and I might just write that on a piece of paper and stick it on my fridge.

2) Going through my grandmother's old photos I found several from my 18th birthday. That was my thin period and I was shocked at how good I looked. My body was fit, my hair looked amazing and there was a clearness to my skin. I then found pictures from when I was 24 which was my seriously overweight, depressed year. If my mother hadn't stopped me I would have torn every single one up right then because I don't want anyone to remember me like that.

I'm in the middle of those two periods right now and heading downwards towards my 18 weight but I could be going faster and making less trips back up towards my 24 weight.

I stress eat. I get overwhelmed by changes in my schedule and forget to work out. I skip meals and get so hungry I eat huge ones. I love soda and Mochas from Starbucks. I drink beer and wine and don't remember until later that they have calories in them. I love chocolate more than anything.

My Getting Started Goals are:

- Eat breakfast. Cereal, fruit, yogurt if I can make myself choke it down. Plain ol coffee, hold the mocha and the soy milk.

- Eat a fruit or veggie every day. I'm at almost every day but on the days I don't always feel worse.

- Develop a work out regime that I stay constant with. As I just found out I have ZERO hours at work this week it'll be a good week to get back on that. I love my treadmill and the hiking trail by my house but I've yet to find a strength training workout I like as much as my cardio ones.

- Balancing being a Baking/Pastry student with eating real, solid meals every day.

- Eat healthy even when I'm out. I tend to never order healthy things at restaurants even if there's a healthy choice on the menu that looks really good.

Weekend Bound and I Am Worried...

It's true, people, the weekend always trips me up. Too much to eat, too much  to drink, going out to eat, arg! Today's been okay, I guess.

Breakfast: 1/4 cup Fat Free Plain Yogurt (slightly passed its prime, bleck) with honey and granola, and a few almonds, 1.5 cups coffee
Lunch: Turkey Reuben on Rye, side of mixed fruit, bubbly water
Snack: Green Tea, one square of chocolate (had to!)
Dinner: not sure yet...

I have friends in town tomorrow, so I know we'll be having lunch somewhere, I'll try to be good.Then I'm going to cook out where I know many beers will be had. Crap. Sunday I'm making homemade chicken sausage, sweet potato and kale soup though, so that should be good! I'll try.

Exercise: Jumping Jacks/Jump rope for 500 count, 45 min-hr Cardio, Abs.

Damnit!

I have to admit that every day I want a Kit Kat bar. One of my coworkers keeps them IN PLAIN SIGHT on his desk for anyone to come in and snag. ARG. All week, all I can think of is a stupid Kit Kat.

Today I've eaten:

Breakfast: two frozen Kashi waffles with jelly, a glass of milk (actually it was straight out of the container, so could be any amount... though there wasn't much), and 1.5 cups coffee
Lunch: Leftovers! All that potato, tomato, corn and pea deliciousness.
Dinner: I have class tonight, so I packed a bagel and cream cheese and a peach, hopefully that will be all, though I assume some green tea will enter the picture.... and maybe that goddamn Kit Kat.
P.S. I totally ate the Kit Kat.

Food for thought, Tuesday and Wednesday...

Yesterday I ate pretty well... with a few exceptions.

Breakfast: bowl of Kashi Hear to Heart cereal with blueberries and milk, 1.5 cups coffee
Lunch: tuna on seaweed rice crackers with 1/4 cup cottage cheese, spinach, cucumber and tomato salad (no dressing)
Snack: white peach, cup of sugar free hot chocolate (so I wouldn't eat the Kit Kat that was staring me down!)
Dinner: roasted sweet potato, red potato, onion, apple garlic and ginger hash, 1/2 cup green peas, sautéed corn, tomato and yellow pepper
THREE beers.
Work out: 45 minutes on the Elliptical, jump rope (count to 500), abs class.

Today:

Breakfast: bowl of Kashi Hear to Heart cereal with blueberries and milk, 1.5 cups coffee
Lunch: Spinach and Arugala salad with beets, olives, grapes, cucumbers, feta (lite balsamic)
I might have some tea in a bit.
Dinner: Too much beer and a bowl of veggie chili with cheese and crackers.
Work Out: Walked to Georgetown and back (which is ohhh, 25 blocks), Walked to Dupont Cirlce then to work (15 min each way). About 100 drunken crunches. :)

And it's Wednesday

Having not responded to the very first blog entry of this group, I think leads right into one of the first goals I want to set for myself:

1. Consistency and Pattern. I think this is something I am struggling with at this particular time in my life. Growing up, I was the picture of consistency and pattern – with an intensely busy (and repetitive)schedule throughout middle school and high school, along with a Dad who would make me a brown bag lunch every day and a Mom who stocked the pantry/fridge with delicious healthy food, I didn’t encounter many challenges to staying on track. Needless to say, with living on one’s own comes the challenge of controlling oneself. It’s very nice to have the ability to choose my lifestyle and diet, but I feel like, especially over the past couple months, my choices have been wildly inconsistent. Establishing a pattern between dating, happy hours and going out hasn’t really happened either. I’ve been feeling kind of out of control of the direction of my life, and I think focusing on key lifestyle choices like exercise and diet will help center me – or at least take out those variables so that I can have a more clear perspective.
2. Make time to work out. This very well may mean that I join a gym, although I have been resisting for all the reasons in the book. But not having a place that I can always work out gives me even more excuses to not get into a pattern of working out. If I want to work out on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday – then I better make time on these days and if it’s raining, GO TO THE GYM.
3. Limit my drinking. I’ve had my summer of fun binging whenever the H I felt like it, but limiting drinking doesn’t have to mean stopping. It means having 2 beers instead of 6. Not hard. And cheaper!

My weaknesses are: salt, snacking, and beer. Surprisingly, the sweets have almost entirely faded from my tastes besides the occasional cupcake. I can’t even handle sweet in my mixed drinks. But man, gimme a bag of cheese-its and I’m done. And now with football season I foresee a lot of chicken wing, beer, and chip Sundays in my future unless I do something about it.

I really can’t wait to start on this blog. I think it may take some time to figure out what exactly we want it to be, but for now, I’m going to do an entry at the end of each day with a list of things I’ve eaten in addition to whatever else. Hope this doesn’t overload the blog! Maybe we can come up with some

So here’s what fed the hungry wolf yesterday:

• Breakfast: Egg whites, bacon
• Snack: greek yogurt
• Lunch: Salad with tofu chicken, tomatoes, cheese, avocados; roll with bruschetta; nutter butter bar (1)
• Dinner: Light salad, roll, marinated chicken, potatoes, broccoli and cauliflower
• Snack: Small bowl Oatmeal Squares
• Workout: NONE (barf)

Time To Share

So this is me. I'm in grad school which is stressful, eats most of my time and provides little time for sleep. Subsequently, the first year of grad school I lost weight but not for very healthy reasons. The second year of grad school, despite riding my bike to school almost everyday, I gained weight. I think one of the main culprits here was the "living with my boyfriend situation." Boys eat whatever, whenever and my boy especially loves ice cream - something that I usually eat very sparingly because I love it so freaking much. So yes I am responsible for what I put into my body, but this is the second time that I have let the eating habits of a man determine my eating habits. I CAN NOT let that happen anymore. Sure it's hard, and annoying but not as bad as not fitting into my jeans, or feeling the pudge hang over the side of my pants.

Over the summer I made a valiant effort to watch what I ate, did yoga 3-4 times a week and either ran or did the exercise bike on the days I wasn't at yoga. I also watched what I ate - quantity and types of food. I haven't lost much weight but I did seem to gain a lot of muscle and I do feel better - I don't get winded very easily and I sure can lift a heavy box or do a surprising number of push-ups.

So I feel healthy and strong but still pudgy. I'd like to trim up and loose some of this excess weight that just makes me feel uncomfortable. I know I'm close to a breakthrough, but I feel like my body is more interested in gaining muscle than losing fat. I don't even break a sweat at yoga - which must mean I'm in good shape but I need something more intense to add to my repertoire. I do ride my bike to school and wherever else I can, yoga 1-2 a week, and lots of walks with my dog. Looking into adding another exercise class into the mix - but due to lack of funds I'm using whatever is available through school.

In terms of food, I'm making a point to eat breakfast and small meals or snacks throughout the day - lots of fruit. Just been craving fruit these days. Small reasonable dinners is on the menu as well.

My weaknesses include mexican food, beer, ice cream and quantities - I have to really try hard to say "no, I've had enough".

So that's me and my challenges with food and exercise.

PS Today for breakfast I had: a smoothie - chocolate soy, banana, mango, peanut butter (i'm a veggie who gets very cranky without protein), honey and cinnamon.

Welcome to Feed The Hungry Wolf

Happy Day After-Labor Day everyone, and welcome to the very first Share the Wellness blog! I hope we can all keep each other motivated and try and stay on whatever track it is you want to create. I've got some ideas on how to get started.

1. Set goals. Do you want to lose weight? Get in better shape? Control portions? Eat better food? Cook more? Try something new? Get back into something you've forgotten? Whatever it maybe, you don't have to share, but it might be helpful in getting you to reach that goal.

2. List weaknesses so you can stop feeling so guilty if you spurge or if you can't seem to stay away from them.

3. Be honest! I know it will be easy to say "well, I only had a little..." but that won't help in the long run.

4. Share. Ideas, tips, recipes and most importantly, encouragement! We all need a little push sometimes, and it's always great to hear that you're doing well. And if you need a little tough love, just say so.

5. Get it out there. This blog is to help each other. Don't be afraid to just say "I don't feel like it today" and maybe someone will give you the boost you need to try anyway.

Ok, so I guess here goes.

I want to get back in shape. I feel that I have lost control over my portion size, my snacking, and my drinking. I don't want to feel guilty about wanting to eat what I like, and I want to be able to feel good in my skin, because I know that I am putting in the effort to make myself feel better. I know I have fallen off the work out wagon, and I want to get back on. I need to be able to set a schedule and stick to it, school will help, but that is only one part of my life. i want to enjoy half price burger night... while being able to fit into my red pants again. :)

My weaknesses are eating when bored, and not when hungry. Drinking too much. Making a healthy meal then deciding that I can splurge on a snack later because "it wasn't that much", or "it was really light". I love sweets, but I don't think that's a bad thing... it's just a thing. I want to be able to give into the chocolate cravings without feeling like I'm failing. I sometimes feel like I eat when others are eating too, even if I'm not all that hungry. Just because its in front of me, does not require consumption. Neither does clearing your plate... left overs are good! I stress eat. I don't drink enough water. I don't push myself in ways that I should because deep down, I'm kinda lazy.

I've started food diaries before, but I kept stopping. I need to make it a part of my daily life, and I need to make sure that what I am putting on the page is true. If I'm willing to put it in my body, then I should be willing to put it in writing.

I will make a conscious effort to put recipes, tips and ideas on here as much as I can. I like to walk, so everyday, sometimes while in the midst of my daily grind, I try to step outside and talk a walk, even if its just to the Post Office, at least I got up and stretched my legs. If anyone wants to go to Yoga, let me know, I want to get back into it. I felt like I was in the best shape of my life when I was doing Yoga all the time. I am going to try and go to the Yoga class at my gym on Wednesdays.

I think, for now, that might be it. Perhaps later I'll tell you what I've eaten today.