So, apparently, I am not good at this posting every day thing. I suck at it. So, I'll post when I post. And, I can't seem to keep a diet diary....so, yeah.
BUT, I feel good. Yesterday, for the first time, I got on the scale and when it shot a number at me that I didn't like, I didn't care. Because, I could FEEL that I had lost weight. And, for the very first time in my life, I really didn't care about the number. I mean, I've lost two pounds, so that's great, but I wanted to see more movement. I guess I got spoiled earlier on, when I had more to lose.
Nonetheless, it made me smile, because I know that a scale is really not a great thing to attach yourself to. Numbers fluctuate, muscle is gained, water is held, etc. So, I feel the change, and that's even better than a huge drop on the scale.
I've been eating only the following things:
Egg whites
Oatmeal
Prunes
Reduced Fat Triscuits
Almonds
Pears
Bananas
Granola
Almond Milk
Chicken Breast
Broccoli
Cauliflower
COFFEE
I think that's it. Again, the rule is, "Is it good? Otherwise, no." It's amazing what two days of that kind of diet will do. I felt bloating disappear and I have less of a muffin top in my favorite tight jeans. Good stuff. My body treats me better when I treat it better, and all of those weight loss cliches.
Thanksgiving is coming up, and I don't plan to hold back.
Life is simply too short to pass on mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Diet Diary and Food Stuff
I'm going to be horrible at this food diary thing, but let me try to cover today.
Reduced Fat Triscuits - One of the few processed items I allow myself, because they only use three ingredients: Wheat, Oil and Salt. So, I'm down. And, they're tasty and satisfy cravings for chips, which I get a lot. I've had about a handful of these today.
Prunes - I LOVE PRUNES AND I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY. Seriously, these are one of my diet secrets. Total fiber overload, satisfies my sweet tooth, and fills me up quickly and for a long time. I'll eat about 10-12 of these today.
Chicken - I'm making some chicken tenderloins right now to have in the fridge for quick snacking and meals. I coat them, lightly, with ollive oil and then just give them some sea salt and black pepper. I try to use olive oil for certain items, even when I don't necessarily have to, because I tend to forget to eat fat. It's easy to do that and go all OMG VEGGIES, but then I feel like crap and realize that I've had little to no fat for days. That's as bad as eating too much fat, so I like to use the olive oil just in case I forget to fit fat in somewhere else.
More Chicken - I also like to dump a large can of chicken in a bowl, add a few tablespoons of 2% Greek yogurt (Fage is the only brand you should ever be considering) and then spice it all up with Tapatio hot sauce, which I love because it reminds me of a kicked up worcestershire sauce. It would be great as a chicken salad sandwich, but I'm not doing breads right now, so I just eat it out of the bowl. I am a person who is kinda crazy about mayo, sour cream, and all things cream based, so the healthy yogurt is an awesome substitute for the less healthy other options. One large can will last a few days after I've made the salad, and it's good to have in there to grab a bite or two of as a snack. I've got an ulcer, and at the slightest hint of hunger, I get pretty serious pain. Eating makes it better, immediately. So, I know that I'm likely to grab something quickly, out of anguish, and I'd rather have this healthy thing waiting for me when I need to.
Broccoli/Cauliflower - Had 1 1/2 cups, lightly steamed, and again drizzled very lightly with olive oil for flavor.
I've had two cups of coffee in the past 24 hours, and I used random seasonal creamers. Because, I don't fuck with my coffee. I also drink diet soda (Caffeine Free Diet Coke) and I know I shouldn't, but I do. Period. I'm okay with that for now, but I'm looking to cut it out soon.
I'll probably have a handful of grapes or a pear later, but that's about it for today. I honestly have no idea what kind of calories I worked with today, because it was a weird day, and I was up all night, and I just didn't feel like counting. I just listened to my body.
And, tomorrow, I start the shakes again. Been trying to hydrate all day, because I'm dehydrated, and the green concoction can really mess ya up if you're not hydrated.
But, like I've said, all it really comes down to is one question. "Is this good for me?" If the answer is no, don't buy it/eat it/order it/look at it.
Reduced Fat Triscuits - One of the few processed items I allow myself, because they only use three ingredients: Wheat, Oil and Salt. So, I'm down. And, they're tasty and satisfy cravings for chips, which I get a lot. I've had about a handful of these today.
Prunes - I LOVE PRUNES AND I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY. Seriously, these are one of my diet secrets. Total fiber overload, satisfies my sweet tooth, and fills me up quickly and for a long time. I'll eat about 10-12 of these today.
Chicken - I'm making some chicken tenderloins right now to have in the fridge for quick snacking and meals. I coat them, lightly, with ollive oil and then just give them some sea salt and black pepper. I try to use olive oil for certain items, even when I don't necessarily have to, because I tend to forget to eat fat. It's easy to do that and go all OMG VEGGIES, but then I feel like crap and realize that I've had little to no fat for days. That's as bad as eating too much fat, so I like to use the olive oil just in case I forget to fit fat in somewhere else.
More Chicken - I also like to dump a large can of chicken in a bowl, add a few tablespoons of 2% Greek yogurt (Fage is the only brand you should ever be considering) and then spice it all up with Tapatio hot sauce, which I love because it reminds me of a kicked up worcestershire sauce. It would be great as a chicken salad sandwich, but I'm not doing breads right now, so I just eat it out of the bowl. I am a person who is kinda crazy about mayo, sour cream, and all things cream based, so the healthy yogurt is an awesome substitute for the less healthy other options. One large can will last a few days after I've made the salad, and it's good to have in there to grab a bite or two of as a snack. I've got an ulcer, and at the slightest hint of hunger, I get pretty serious pain. Eating makes it better, immediately. So, I know that I'm likely to grab something quickly, out of anguish, and I'd rather have this healthy thing waiting for me when I need to.
Broccoli/Cauliflower - Had 1 1/2 cups, lightly steamed, and again drizzled very lightly with olive oil for flavor.
I've had two cups of coffee in the past 24 hours, and I used random seasonal creamers. Because, I don't fuck with my coffee. I also drink diet soda (Caffeine Free Diet Coke) and I know I shouldn't, but I do. Period. I'm okay with that for now, but I'm looking to cut it out soon.
I'll probably have a handful of grapes or a pear later, but that's about it for today. I honestly have no idea what kind of calories I worked with today, because it was a weird day, and I was up all night, and I just didn't feel like counting. I just listened to my body.
And, tomorrow, I start the shakes again. Been trying to hydrate all day, because I'm dehydrated, and the green concoction can really mess ya up if you're not hydrated.
But, like I've said, all it really comes down to is one question. "Is this good for me?" If the answer is no, don't buy it/eat it/order it/look at it.
Monday, November 14, 2011
On Maintaining, Inspiration and Getting Back Into It.
So, I've just been maintaining. It hasn't been too horrible, I have to admit. I've been eating pretty much anything I want (seriously) and staying right around 160. I fluctuate into the lower 150's and up to about 163, but that's it. Just maintaining. And, it's good to know that I can and that my metabolism can keep up with me when I eat ridiculously.
But, I have also kept up on the exercise, which is really the key. I still put on my headphones and go nuts for two hours a day or more, and it's still just as enjoyable, a year later. Pretty sure I could never get on a boring treadmill ever again.
But, I have a December wedding in Miami to attend, and I'd like to lose some more.
So, here I go again. One of my friends asked me to post a diet diary, so I'm going to try that out, at least for a week. I start tomorrow. I picked up some HealthForce Warrior Food (protein) and some HealthForce Greens superfood and I loaded up on granola and lots of veggies and fruit. It'll be a pretty strict diet, but I'm really curious to see what I can do if I really bust my ass and try to lose a lot.
So, here goes nothing. :) I'll start the diet diary tomorrow!
But, I have also kept up on the exercise, which is really the key. I still put on my headphones and go nuts for two hours a day or more, and it's still just as enjoyable, a year later. Pretty sure I could never get on a boring treadmill ever again.
But, I have a December wedding in Miami to attend, and I'd like to lose some more.
So, here I go again. One of my friends asked me to post a diet diary, so I'm going to try that out, at least for a week. I start tomorrow. I picked up some HealthForce Warrior Food (protein) and some HealthForce Greens superfood and I loaded up on granola and lots of veggies and fruit. It'll be a pretty strict diet, but I'm really curious to see what I can do if I really bust my ass and try to lose a lot.
So, here goes nothing. :) I'll start the diet diary tomorrow!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The One Where I Act Like It Hasn't Been Six Months Since I Last Posted...
Yeah, I know, I kinda gave this blog up. It's been irking me for the past six months, because, despite the fact that there are very few people actually reading this, this blog represents the changes I worked so hard to make - physically and emotionally.
And, there was a good reason for my lack of posts.
I stalled. I stalled in my effort to be a positive person and I stalled in my weight loss. I didn't gain much, went up into the lesser 180's, but I had lost that spark. The willpower to resist temptation.
I didn't know if it would come back. I was seriously concerned. I decided that even if I didn't lose another pound, I was down 70 pounds, and that would have to do. But, that didn't set well with me. I didn't want to be "thinner". I want to be FIT. STRONG. HEALTHY.
So, I certainly didn't post here. The few people who had been reading this blog asked what had happened, why wasn't I posting?
Uh, because I was failing! I don't want to post about that!
But, I'm no longer failing. A few weeks ago, that spark returned. I suddenly had the resolve not to eat bullshit food and I had the URGE to exercise like mad. So, that's what I've been doing.
I weighed in at 171.5 this morning. Officially my lowest weight since going on this journey. All of my size 14s are getting a little loose, and I can fit into my slender boyfriend's jeans again. I'm starting to need size mediums when I used to look for XXLs.
It's on again, and I'm not gonna quit until I'm where I want to be. I'm thinking roughly 120, depending on how much muscle I wind up with.
Hello, again. :)
And, there was a good reason for my lack of posts.
I stalled. I stalled in my effort to be a positive person and I stalled in my weight loss. I didn't gain much, went up into the lesser 180's, but I had lost that spark. The willpower to resist temptation.
I didn't know if it would come back. I was seriously concerned. I decided that even if I didn't lose another pound, I was down 70 pounds, and that would have to do. But, that didn't set well with me. I didn't want to be "thinner". I want to be FIT. STRONG. HEALTHY.
So, I certainly didn't post here. The few people who had been reading this blog asked what had happened, why wasn't I posting?
Uh, because I was failing! I don't want to post about that!
But, I'm no longer failing. A few weeks ago, that spark returned. I suddenly had the resolve not to eat bullshit food and I had the URGE to exercise like mad. So, that's what I've been doing.
I weighed in at 171.5 this morning. Officially my lowest weight since going on this journey. All of my size 14s are getting a little loose, and I can fit into my slender boyfriend's jeans again. I'm starting to need size mediums when I used to look for XXLs.
It's on again, and I'm not gonna quit until I'm where I want to be. I'm thinking roughly 120, depending on how much muscle I wind up with.
Hello, again. :)
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Smooth as Silk Milk.
I have written before about the benefits of using an alternate form of milk (coconut, almond, soy), rather than animal milk. I hear camel milk is ridiculously healthy for you - but, I don't believe it's legal to sell, so you have to visit a camel farm to try that (thanks for the info, Dirty Jobs!)
I went on and on, in this blog, about coconut milk. I was excited to use it, and it IS good for you, but if I'm being honest...I didn't like it much. It works well in recipes, but a glass of coconut milk is really an acquired taste. I was plenty okay, but a glass of plain coconut milk has a pretty odd taste. I never did get used to it.
Got some Silk PureAlmond almond milk tonight. I got the original and I got the dark chocolate. I'll get the dark chocolate out of the way - it's absolutely amazing. Thick and dark and sweet. I couldn't tell one bit that it wasn't regular milk. Of course, the chocolate milk will only be had in moderation, when I'm just aching for something sweet. The "original" milk also has a bit of sugar in it. It isn't a ton of sugar (evaporated cane sugar, by the way), but it's there. I'm looking forward to finding the unsweetened version at Whole Foods the next time we head that way.
The moral of the story is, TRY ALMOND MILK. You can also make your own almond milk at home, really easily, and I have to look into that soon.
I went on and on, in this blog, about coconut milk. I was excited to use it, and it IS good for you, but if I'm being honest...I didn't like it much. It works well in recipes, but a glass of coconut milk is really an acquired taste. I was plenty okay, but a glass of plain coconut milk has a pretty odd taste. I never did get used to it.
Got some Silk PureAlmond almond milk tonight. I got the original and I got the dark chocolate. I'll get the dark chocolate out of the way - it's absolutely amazing. Thick and dark and sweet. I couldn't tell one bit that it wasn't regular milk. Of course, the chocolate milk will only be had in moderation, when I'm just aching for something sweet. The "original" milk also has a bit of sugar in it. It isn't a ton of sugar (evaporated cane sugar, by the way), but it's there. I'm looking forward to finding the unsweetened version at Whole Foods the next time we head that way.
The moral of the story is, TRY ALMOND MILK. You can also make your own almond milk at home, really easily, and I have to look into that soon.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Happy New Year!
All I could think last night, as the clock struck midnight, was, "Wow, so this is what it's like not to cry and be depressed on New Years!"
Every year, I have the same reaction to New Years' Eve. I cry, I mope, I'm depressed and I feel guilty. I don't honestly know if I've ever actually made a New Years' resolution to lose weight. I wouldn't have bothered, because announcing your intentions only to forget you did so the next day...well, there's nothing impressive about that. I know for sure that I've never made a resolution to be more positive. I wouldn't even have thought to do that. I was pretty comfortable in my negativity - it felt like home. And, that's so sad.
This year, though, I had no tears. I am officially down 15 pounds since I started this blog. I have comfortably adjusted into this diet. I started out a bit too severe, making myself kind of sick, and slowly and thoughtfully opened myself up to more food options, rounding things out a bit better. I still eat very, very minimal processed foods and no red meat. We've been eating a lot of fish. I make sure I eat tons of veggies, and I keep my sodium low. I think I was actually keeping it too low, as I wasn't eating much sodium at all, so I make sure to get enough to stay healthy. The body does need salt, after all. I drink a lot more water, especially when I feel hungry, and I don't drink milk or eat cheese. I think I've eaten a few pieces of potato here and there, but overall, no simple starches.
I have also discovered a love for butternut squash. Who knew? I should say that I loathe squash. I still dislike regular squash - I find it slimy and bland. I can't get over the texture. Same reason I seriously dislike eggplant. I had had butternut squash on several occasions, but I could never get into it.. I always had the requisite dollop on Thanksgiving, but I hated every bite.
This Thanksgiving, however, my boyfriend and I were invited to a new friend's home, to enjoy the holiday (and the food!) with her and her family. Keely is a new friend, but we meshed immediately, and I can't say enough amazing things about her (and, her gorgeous family). Anyhow! Keely made butternut squash. When I saw it cooking on the stove, I balked. I wasn't rude and I didn't say anything, but I wasn't super excited about it. But, requisite dollop, right?
Keely made the squash differently, though. I don't know exactly what went into it, but I'd venture not much. It was simply pureed and retained all of it's flavor and texture. Where I've had sugar on top or had the squash be completely obliterated by creams or oils...this squash was simple and stood on it's own. My tiny dollop of squash was quickly finished and replaced with a decent sized pile, while my typical lover, mashed potatoes, mostly went ignored in favor of the fresher and brighter tasting squash.
I have loved it, ever since. I sincerely have her to thank, because butternut squash is very, very good for me. My boyfriend made some last night, and I thought of Keely.
Thanks, Keely :) You took a veggie in my "Hate" list and moved it right over to "Love" for me. That's not easy - I tend to stick to my food preferences and dislikes. The veggie kingdom has burst into song and ushered me lovingly into Squashland. Thank you.
Now, what can you do with celery?
Every year, I have the same reaction to New Years' Eve. I cry, I mope, I'm depressed and I feel guilty. I don't honestly know if I've ever actually made a New Years' resolution to lose weight. I wouldn't have bothered, because announcing your intentions only to forget you did so the next day...well, there's nothing impressive about that. I know for sure that I've never made a resolution to be more positive. I wouldn't even have thought to do that. I was pretty comfortable in my negativity - it felt like home. And, that's so sad.
This year, though, I had no tears. I am officially down 15 pounds since I started this blog. I have comfortably adjusted into this diet. I started out a bit too severe, making myself kind of sick, and slowly and thoughtfully opened myself up to more food options, rounding things out a bit better. I still eat very, very minimal processed foods and no red meat. We've been eating a lot of fish. I make sure I eat tons of veggies, and I keep my sodium low. I think I was actually keeping it too low, as I wasn't eating much sodium at all, so I make sure to get enough to stay healthy. The body does need salt, after all. I drink a lot more water, especially when I feel hungry, and I don't drink milk or eat cheese. I think I've eaten a few pieces of potato here and there, but overall, no simple starches.
I have also discovered a love for butternut squash. Who knew? I should say that I loathe squash. I still dislike regular squash - I find it slimy and bland. I can't get over the texture. Same reason I seriously dislike eggplant. I had had butternut squash on several occasions, but I could never get into it.. I always had the requisite dollop on Thanksgiving, but I hated every bite.
This Thanksgiving, however, my boyfriend and I were invited to a new friend's home, to enjoy the holiday (and the food!) with her and her family. Keely is a new friend, but we meshed immediately, and I can't say enough amazing things about her (and, her gorgeous family). Anyhow! Keely made butternut squash. When I saw it cooking on the stove, I balked. I wasn't rude and I didn't say anything, but I wasn't super excited about it. But, requisite dollop, right?
Keely made the squash differently, though. I don't know exactly what went into it, but I'd venture not much. It was simply pureed and retained all of it's flavor and texture. Where I've had sugar on top or had the squash be completely obliterated by creams or oils...this squash was simple and stood on it's own. My tiny dollop of squash was quickly finished and replaced with a decent sized pile, while my typical lover, mashed potatoes, mostly went ignored in favor of the fresher and brighter tasting squash.
I have loved it, ever since. I sincerely have her to thank, because butternut squash is very, very good for me. My boyfriend made some last night, and I thought of Keely.
Thanks, Keely :) You took a veggie in my "Hate" list and moved it right over to "Love" for me. That's not easy - I tend to stick to my food preferences and dislikes. The veggie kingdom has burst into song and ushered me lovingly into Squashland. Thank you.
Now, what can you do with celery?
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