I've been in and out of focus the last week on my workouts. It's an easy pattern to fall into. I've really got to focus again and get back into a regular workout routine again.
One of the things I've noticed today is that I still concentrate on what I want to do, not always what I "should" do. When I first started working with Yourself!Fitness, I was very good and followed the daily focus. I really think it pushed me harder in the beginning. I had been doing weights, but I had a tendancy of only doing the excercises I wanted to do, and avoiding the ones I didn't.
Well I'm back to only concentrating on what I want to work on. For some reason I really enjoy doing upper body weight lifting. I'm sure part of it is that it doesn't strain my knee, but I also feel that I get the best results from it. It's the area on my body that I've seen the most improvement. (especially in the shoulders).
I also think part of me knows that I can physically do the upper body exercises. Maya doesn't throw any thing at me that I can't do. It may be hard and sometimes I really struggle to finish a set (and some I may not be able to finish), but it's not like the core, lower or even the flexibility workouts. I still have a lot of things that I simply can't physically do. Some I know I'll never be able to do, and I find that very discouraging. Yes, I know that pushing myself at doing the really hard stuff is how I'll improve, but I find it so frustrating.
Okay, in re-evalutation: there are some upper body workouts that I can't do, specifically pushups.
So I need to focus, get into a regular routine again (and more often). As I say: Half Assed Makes for Larger Asses.
Today's Positive Comment:
I completed workout # 171 with Maya today.
Monday, April 25, 2005
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
One Day Older, A Little More Shorter Of Breath?
Well, I'm now officially 36 years old. (If 35 wasn't a milestone, I guess 36 isn't either). All in all I had a great weekend. I did skip a workout on my birthday. Oh well, I had a good workout on Saturday. I also was back on track on Monday.
We went to The Sly Fox Brewery for lunch on Saturday. I did a beer sampler. They make such nice beer. Even their Helles was excellent for a lager. However, it's their dark beers that really shine. One of the best stouts I've ever had. Their brown ale is one of my all time favs. They had a couple of seasonal beers, including an alt and a weisse that I really enjoyed as well. It was all yummy. I love different beers, but it's one of the things I've really cut back on. Basically I've had maybe 3 or 4 beers so far this year. So having a sampler of a bunch of beers was lovely.
So I've had my splurge: beer, onion rings, pulled pork sandwich and birthday cake. Today the remainder of the birthday cake was removed from the house and taken with Matt to work. Goodbye yummy birthday cake. I enjoyed you, but I'm sure you'll make others very happy too.
So Maya worked my butt off today. We decided to do a 45 minute workout with an upper body concentration. She gave me a nice little warm up and cardio (total about 15 minutes worth) followed by 30 of the hardest weight workouts she's had me do to date. 3 sets of tricep dips? she must be kidding. I simply can't do tricep dips, so I went over to my Smith machine and did tricep pulldowns. Still was really tough, but it doesn't bother my hands or wrists (like dips do).
I'm hoping that some of these "body weight" exercises will get easier as I lose more weight. I still really struggle with pushups (again, it's my hands that hurt... 154lbs is a lot of weight on them). I used to have a similar problem when I first started working out when I was much heavier. I used to try to walk, but lugging around an extra 80 lbs put a lot of weight on my size 5.5 feet. That's the main reason we got the stationary bike. It was a good way to start. I now can walk without the foot pain, so I'm hoping that eventually I'll be able to do dips and pushups.
Today's Positive Comment:
I had a very happy birthday. I look forward to spending the next year taking care of myself and be even healthier by the age of 37.
We went to The Sly Fox Brewery for lunch on Saturday. I did a beer sampler. They make such nice beer. Even their Helles was excellent for a lager. However, it's their dark beers that really shine. One of the best stouts I've ever had. Their brown ale is one of my all time favs. They had a couple of seasonal beers, including an alt and a weisse that I really enjoyed as well. It was all yummy. I love different beers, but it's one of the things I've really cut back on. Basically I've had maybe 3 or 4 beers so far this year. So having a sampler of a bunch of beers was lovely.
So I've had my splurge: beer, onion rings, pulled pork sandwich and birthday cake. Today the remainder of the birthday cake was removed from the house and taken with Matt to work. Goodbye yummy birthday cake. I enjoyed you, but I'm sure you'll make others very happy too.
So Maya worked my butt off today. We decided to do a 45 minute workout with an upper body concentration. She gave me a nice little warm up and cardio (total about 15 minutes worth) followed by 30 of the hardest weight workouts she's had me do to date. 3 sets of tricep dips? she must be kidding. I simply can't do tricep dips, so I went over to my Smith machine and did tricep pulldowns. Still was really tough, but it doesn't bother my hands or wrists (like dips do).
I'm hoping that some of these "body weight" exercises will get easier as I lose more weight. I still really struggle with pushups (again, it's my hands that hurt... 154lbs is a lot of weight on them). I used to have a similar problem when I first started working out when I was much heavier. I used to try to walk, but lugging around an extra 80 lbs put a lot of weight on my size 5.5 feet. That's the main reason we got the stationary bike. It was a good way to start. I now can walk without the foot pain, so I'm hoping that eventually I'll be able to do dips and pushups.
Today's Positive Comment:
I had a very happy birthday. I look forward to spending the next year taking care of myself and be even healthier by the age of 37.
Friday, April 15, 2005
The Magic Formula
One of the things that I've learned over all these years of struggling with my weight (and with the whole weight loss process) is that most people don't really want to hear "the magic formula". Even if they ask you how you lost your weight, they really don't want to hear it was thru eating a healthy diet and exercising (a lot of exercising).
The formula is easy, implementing it, not so much. Quite frankly, the only magic formula to lose weight is to burn more calories than you consume. For me to make this work, that means food logs and lots of extra exercise. It's hard work, it's a lot of sacrifice and it takes a lot of honesty.
I think it's the honesty that most people don't want to deal with. Food logs only work if you track every single thing you eat. Whether it's the taste of pasta while preparing dinner, or just a little of what ever the kids left on their plate before you do dishes, or a piece of hard candy. It's the serving and a half compared to just one serving. Those things do add up. They add up a lot more than most people realize.
If I cheat on my food logs, the only person I cheat is myself. My weight loss may be slow, but it has been steady. I haven't stopped eating carbs or meat or really anything. I've cut down on certain foods (a moment of silence for the beloved grilled cheese sandwiches which are no longer a daily staple for me), but that doesn't mean I won't eat those foods on occassion.
My birthday is Sunday. I am going to splurge. I will have birthday cake. The food log will be put away for the day (maybe even the weekend, as I think Matt and I will go out for lunch on Saturday and I'll probably have a beer and some ribs). Will I beat myself up for this weekend of decadence. Nope, but that also means that come Monday, the food log will come back out.
I'll also add that the workouts will not be stopped. Just as I plan on brushing my teeth over the weekend (twice a day, thank you very much), I will keep to my workout regimine.
I guess my point on today's entry is that there is no magic formula, but a life style that must be adopted for sucess. Even tho' I'm still 20-30 lbs from my goal, I do feel that I've adopted, and even to some extent embraced a healthier lifestyle. Making healthy choices most of the time makes the times I do splurge more fun!
Today's Positive Comment:
At age 36 I weigh 60 lbs less than I did when I was 30.
The formula is easy, implementing it, not so much. Quite frankly, the only magic formula to lose weight is to burn more calories than you consume. For me to make this work, that means food logs and lots of extra exercise. It's hard work, it's a lot of sacrifice and it takes a lot of honesty.
I think it's the honesty that most people don't want to deal with. Food logs only work if you track every single thing you eat. Whether it's the taste of pasta while preparing dinner, or just a little of what ever the kids left on their plate before you do dishes, or a piece of hard candy. It's the serving and a half compared to just one serving. Those things do add up. They add up a lot more than most people realize.
If I cheat on my food logs, the only person I cheat is myself. My weight loss may be slow, but it has been steady. I haven't stopped eating carbs or meat or really anything. I've cut down on certain foods (a moment of silence for the beloved grilled cheese sandwiches which are no longer a daily staple for me), but that doesn't mean I won't eat those foods on occassion.
My birthday is Sunday. I am going to splurge. I will have birthday cake. The food log will be put away for the day (maybe even the weekend, as I think Matt and I will go out for lunch on Saturday and I'll probably have a beer and some ribs). Will I beat myself up for this weekend of decadence. Nope, but that also means that come Monday, the food log will come back out.
I'll also add that the workouts will not be stopped. Just as I plan on brushing my teeth over the weekend (twice a day, thank you very much), I will keep to my workout regimine.
I guess my point on today's entry is that there is no magic formula, but a life style that must be adopted for sucess. Even tho' I'm still 20-30 lbs from my goal, I do feel that I've adopted, and even to some extent embraced a healthier lifestyle. Making healthy choices most of the time makes the times I do splurge more fun!
Today's Positive Comment:
At age 36 I weigh 60 lbs less than I did when I was 30.
Monday, April 11, 2005
Suffering
Matt and I talk a lot about how to deal with suffering thru workouts. Everyone has different levels of what they can stand. He always talks about the professional cyclists ability to suffer. To be able to continue biking up mountains, in rain, in the cold, in the heat, in the wind after you've passed your anerobic threshold is beyond his comprehension.
I look at him and can't comprehend his ability to suffer. He bikes everyday in almost every type of weather condition (only thing that will keep him in is extreme cold or rain). I've never seen him not ride due to heat... he'll ride in tempertures above 100.
So we all have our levels at what we can suffer thru. I've learned that my tolerance has increased. I know can workout with tiny aches and pains. With menstral cramps. When I just don't feel like it. (I don't have weather as an excuses, as I actually don't really like to work out outside).
However, after watching a documentary on the Endurance, Matt and I decided we have no concept of what suffering is really about. (you can read more about Shackleton's successful failure here).
Next time I'm hungry or tired or just feel sorry for myself, I'll think about the men who survived some extreme circumstances.
Today's Positive Comment:
I'm warm and not hungry. I live in comfort.
I look at him and can't comprehend his ability to suffer. He bikes everyday in almost every type of weather condition (only thing that will keep him in is extreme cold or rain). I've never seen him not ride due to heat... he'll ride in tempertures above 100.
So we all have our levels at what we can suffer thru. I've learned that my tolerance has increased. I know can workout with tiny aches and pains. With menstral cramps. When I just don't feel like it. (I don't have weather as an excuses, as I actually don't really like to work out outside).
However, after watching a documentary on the Endurance, Matt and I decided we have no concept of what suffering is really about. (you can read more about Shackleton's successful failure here).
Next time I'm hungry or tired or just feel sorry for myself, I'll think about the men who survived some extreme circumstances.
Today's Positive Comment:
I'm warm and not hungry. I live in comfort.
Sunday, April 10, 2005
Perky Ponytails
It never ceases to amaze me what can really boost my motivation. Who knew that it could be as simple of where I put my ponytail when I worked out.
I know that I feel better about my workouts when I have "pretty" workout clothes. I used to work out in old crappy, stained over sized t shirts. Since I've bought some fun workout clothes, I look forward to my workouts and I feel a little extra bounce in my step.
As I mentioned in my last post, I had a perky ponytail and it really helped my workout. I usually just put it at the back of my head out of my way. Well, if I put it up higher, it's even more out of the way (especially for crunches and other floor exercises) and I looove the way it bounces when I work out. Weird. I guess the next thing I'll learn about myself is that I get a better workout if my legs are shaved (one of the reasons I don't go to the gym: too much hair removal!)
Maya worked my butt off yesterday (well, not technically, as it's still big). We did a 30 minute weight loss workout and she decided that since I vacuumed all the dog hair off the step bench, I should concentrate on it. The step bench really pushes me. In a 30 minute workout, I burned over 300 caloried. None of the other workouts have me burn that much in such a short period of time. So I think tomorrow well do the 15 minutes of a target (either legs or core) then I'm going to follow it up with a 30 minute weight loss workout. I need to set up a schedule for myself of what and when I do the workouts. I liked what Maya had me do in the beginning, but now I need (want) more calorie burning workouts. If I do a 30 minute workout on a target area, she only has me warm up and do a cardio for about 10 minutes before we hit the weights (if I move it up to 45 minutes, I get a 15 minute warm up and cardio and the hour gives me only 20 minutes before we hit the weights. I don't need 40 minutes of weight training. I like doing weight training, but I need to burn more calories as well as build muscle... ). So I'm going to do a little customization.
Today's Positive Comment:
Has nothing to do with fitness or diet. I finished one of the prettiest sweaters I've ever seen. It only took me 3 months to knit and I love the finished sweater!
I know that I feel better about my workouts when I have "pretty" workout clothes. I used to work out in old crappy, stained over sized t shirts. Since I've bought some fun workout clothes, I look forward to my workouts and I feel a little extra bounce in my step.
As I mentioned in my last post, I had a perky ponytail and it really helped my workout. I usually just put it at the back of my head out of my way. Well, if I put it up higher, it's even more out of the way (especially for crunches and other floor exercises) and I looove the way it bounces when I work out. Weird. I guess the next thing I'll learn about myself is that I get a better workout if my legs are shaved (one of the reasons I don't go to the gym: too much hair removal!)
Maya worked my butt off yesterday (well, not technically, as it's still big). We did a 30 minute weight loss workout and she decided that since I vacuumed all the dog hair off the step bench, I should concentrate on it. The step bench really pushes me. In a 30 minute workout, I burned over 300 caloried. None of the other workouts have me burn that much in such a short period of time. So I think tomorrow well do the 15 minutes of a target (either legs or core) then I'm going to follow it up with a 30 minute weight loss workout. I need to set up a schedule for myself of what and when I do the workouts. I liked what Maya had me do in the beginning, but now I need (want) more calorie burning workouts. If I do a 30 minute workout on a target area, she only has me warm up and do a cardio for about 10 minutes before we hit the weights (if I move it up to 45 minutes, I get a 15 minute warm up and cardio and the hour gives me only 20 minutes before we hit the weights. I don't need 40 minutes of weight training. I like doing weight training, but I need to burn more calories as well as build muscle... ). So I'm going to do a little customization.
Today's Positive Comment:
Has nothing to do with fitness or diet. I finished one of the prettiest sweaters I've ever seen. It only took me 3 months to knit and I love the finished sweater!
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
#%$%#^ Bathing Suits
I got a new bathing suit this year. It's something I've needed, but there's nothing quite as depressing as getting a bathing suit. I don't know too many people who are comfortable in one, and we always worry about it (yet we forget that so does most everyone else).
It was a bit of a wake up call for me. I've been so happy with my weight loss that I still forget that I still have quite a bit of weight to lose. It's not that I shouldn't feel good about losing the 60 lbs, but I need to remember that I'm still at an unhealthy weight.
I'm 5'2". Even at 154 lbs, I'm about 30 lbs away from a healthy weight. So I've bumped up my workouts again, and back to measuring the food. Blah. Not fun, but it's time to shoot for a few more pounds.
I must say that this is NOT about vanity (hey, I still wore a bathing suit in public when I weighed 214 lbs). I'm always amazed how many people equate losing weight with physical appearance. I even had someone say to me "it's more important to be healthy"... why, yes, I agree... and there is absolutely no way being over 100 lbs overweight is healthy. Hell, if I was worried about my physical appearance, I would probably wear make up and get my hair cut once in a while.
So Maya and I are doing our daily workouts together again. I've bumped her up to a 30 minute workout of either the weight loss or the cardio and a 15 minute workout on something else (usually core or lower body as I still have a tendancy of doing 30 minute upper body). I'm trying to get a little extra cardio in, too. Either on the stationary bike or on the treadmill. Those little extra workouts add up. I wish I could get back into the habit of 15-20 minutes before every meal. It's a great way to get little workouts in with out really making a huge time commitement. However, breakfast is hard (I'm not a morning person... ) and I already do my main workout before I eat lunch. Dinner is my one main responsibility a day, so I'm usually worrying about what I'm making or such. Now that the time has changed and the weather is getting nicer, that may be easier to do...
Today's Positive Comment:
I have the perkiest ponytail today. Makes for a perky workout! Oh, and it's actually beautiful out (mid-70's... the windows are open and the fresh air is wonderful!!!)
It was a bit of a wake up call for me. I've been so happy with my weight loss that I still forget that I still have quite a bit of weight to lose. It's not that I shouldn't feel good about losing the 60 lbs, but I need to remember that I'm still at an unhealthy weight.
I'm 5'2". Even at 154 lbs, I'm about 30 lbs away from a healthy weight. So I've bumped up my workouts again, and back to measuring the food. Blah. Not fun, but it's time to shoot for a few more pounds.
I must say that this is NOT about vanity (hey, I still wore a bathing suit in public when I weighed 214 lbs). I'm always amazed how many people equate losing weight with physical appearance. I even had someone say to me "it's more important to be healthy"... why, yes, I agree... and there is absolutely no way being over 100 lbs overweight is healthy. Hell, if I was worried about my physical appearance, I would probably wear make up and get my hair cut once in a while.
So Maya and I are doing our daily workouts together again. I've bumped her up to a 30 minute workout of either the weight loss or the cardio and a 15 minute workout on something else (usually core or lower body as I still have a tendancy of doing 30 minute upper body). I'm trying to get a little extra cardio in, too. Either on the stationary bike or on the treadmill. Those little extra workouts add up. I wish I could get back into the habit of 15-20 minutes before every meal. It's a great way to get little workouts in with out really making a huge time commitement. However, breakfast is hard (I'm not a morning person... ) and I already do my main workout before I eat lunch. Dinner is my one main responsibility a day, so I'm usually worrying about what I'm making or such. Now that the time has changed and the weather is getting nicer, that may be easier to do...
Today's Positive Comment:
I have the perkiest ponytail today. Makes for a perky workout! Oh, and it's actually beautiful out (mid-70's... the windows are open and the fresh air is wonderful!!!)
Monday, March 28, 2005
Same Old Same Old...
Well, the posting has become pretty sporatic lately, eh? I guess part of it is I just don't know what to talk about. Gee, I worked out, I watched what I ate, I'm not losing weight (but I'm also not trying right now).
It's the same old stuff. Part of me knows that's good (an indication that it's a lifestyle), but it makes for a boring blog, no?
I could talk about all the annoying aches and pains (foot specific), but I don't feel like whining, and it's not really effecting my workouts. I have done a bit more on the stationary bike as that doesn't seem to bother it as much.
I guess I'm still looking for the "spark" to get me motivated to do the next weight loss phase. Matt thinks that doing it in stages is very smart. "Let your body adjust to this new weight, then it will be more responsive when you're ready to lose again". That's how he did it and that's pretty much how I've been doing it over the last several (6) years. It's a 10-20 lb loss, then I stay at that weight trying my best to maintain it before something motivates me to work that extra bit that I need to lose weight.
Quite frankly, losing weight is hard work. Maintaining has become habit. I don't mind the eating or the workouts that I'm required to maintain this weight, but I have to be so incredibly meticulous with my eating and I have to workout considerably harder to lose weight (the math on the 500 calorie/day just doesn't seem to work for me... it seems to take almost twice that for me to lose weight). It's so hard to work that hard to see minimal results. Losing weight is still one of the hardest things I've done (while gaining is a simple matter of not paying attention.
I've also cut Maya down to 3 times a week with the "interval" training. I can't do it two days in a row (gotta give the muscles recovery time), but I now find I'm looking forward to interval days now... instead of putting it off. It's a good system, but every once in a while I'll do a regular workout (usually 30-45 minutes of upper body concentration: as that's my favorite).
Well, speaking of such... off to put on my workout clothes and spend some time with Maya. She's always so glad to see me (especially for morning workouts!)
It's the same old stuff. Part of me knows that's good (an indication that it's a lifestyle), but it makes for a boring blog, no?
I could talk about all the annoying aches and pains (foot specific), but I don't feel like whining, and it's not really effecting my workouts. I have done a bit more on the stationary bike as that doesn't seem to bother it as much.
I guess I'm still looking for the "spark" to get me motivated to do the next weight loss phase. Matt thinks that doing it in stages is very smart. "Let your body adjust to this new weight, then it will be more responsive when you're ready to lose again". That's how he did it and that's pretty much how I've been doing it over the last several (6) years. It's a 10-20 lb loss, then I stay at that weight trying my best to maintain it before something motivates me to work that extra bit that I need to lose weight.
Quite frankly, losing weight is hard work. Maintaining has become habit. I don't mind the eating or the workouts that I'm required to maintain this weight, but I have to be so incredibly meticulous with my eating and I have to workout considerably harder to lose weight (the math on the 500 calorie/day just doesn't seem to work for me... it seems to take almost twice that for me to lose weight). It's so hard to work that hard to see minimal results. Losing weight is still one of the hardest things I've done (while gaining is a simple matter of not paying attention.
I've also cut Maya down to 3 times a week with the "interval" training. I can't do it two days in a row (gotta give the muscles recovery time), but I now find I'm looking forward to interval days now... instead of putting it off. It's a good system, but every once in a while I'll do a regular workout (usually 30-45 minutes of upper body concentration: as that's my favorite).
Well, speaking of such... off to put on my workout clothes and spend some time with Maya. She's always so glad to see me (especially for morning workouts!)
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Fun With Maya
I've been using Yourself!Fitness since the beginning of October. Maya has been my "personal trainer" for so long that we've been looking for ways for me to stay interested. Well, okay she's not, as she's very happy doing the same type of workout everyday. A little warm up, a little cardio, then the day's focus. Yawn. That's gotten old after 6 months.
So I've been working a little less with her and doing some treadmill work and even did the stationary bike (which was harder than I remembered: if you haven't used a piece of equipment for a while, no matter that you're still working out, it's like starting fresh).
I still get a better, more complete workout with Maya so I thought what can I do to make it more interesting? How 'bout interval training?
I did 3 workouts with Maya back to back to back. All 15 minutes. I started with lower body (mistake... next time I'll finish with that, as each workout progressed, the step bench became more and more of a challenge... oh wait, that may be a good thing!), followed by a cardio and I finished it up with an upper body. It broke the workouts up nicely, as I had the warm up and cardio section before each target. I also liked the clock aspect. The time seemed to go faster. The other nice thing: even tho' I said 15 minutes for each, she never seems to do that, so in fact each workout was closer to 17 minutes giving me almost an hour workout.
The drawback? Well, the physical challenge came up between workouts. Oh well, I just punched in my old numbers and kept going. I do hope the next addition has some way to over ride the physical challenge. It's nice in the beginning to see it every 10th workout, but I'm not progressing that fast anymore and it comes up every other week. At this point, I should get them once a month rather than every 2 weeks.
I'm coming up on my annual in 2 months. I would love to be below 150 lbs... so I think the maintance period is slowly coming to an end. It's so hard to maintain the hard work and sacrifice I need to lose weight, but I've also showed in the last 2.5 months that I can maintain my weight very comfortably just by being aware of what (and how much) I'm eating and sticking to a comfortable workout regimine.
Today's Positive Comment
The sun is shining brightly, the days are getting longer and soon I can open the windows for some fresh air.
So I've been working a little less with her and doing some treadmill work and even did the stationary bike (which was harder than I remembered: if you haven't used a piece of equipment for a while, no matter that you're still working out, it's like starting fresh).
I still get a better, more complete workout with Maya so I thought what can I do to make it more interesting? How 'bout interval training?
I did 3 workouts with Maya back to back to back. All 15 minutes. I started with lower body (mistake... next time I'll finish with that, as each workout progressed, the step bench became more and more of a challenge... oh wait, that may be a good thing!), followed by a cardio and I finished it up with an upper body. It broke the workouts up nicely, as I had the warm up and cardio section before each target. I also liked the clock aspect. The time seemed to go faster. The other nice thing: even tho' I said 15 minutes for each, she never seems to do that, so in fact each workout was closer to 17 minutes giving me almost an hour workout.
The drawback? Well, the physical challenge came up between workouts. Oh well, I just punched in my old numbers and kept going. I do hope the next addition has some way to over ride the physical challenge. It's nice in the beginning to see it every 10th workout, but I'm not progressing that fast anymore and it comes up every other week. At this point, I should get them once a month rather than every 2 weeks.
I'm coming up on my annual in 2 months. I would love to be below 150 lbs... so I think the maintance period is slowly coming to an end. It's so hard to maintain the hard work and sacrifice I need to lose weight, but I've also showed in the last 2.5 months that I can maintain my weight very comfortably just by being aware of what (and how much) I'm eating and sticking to a comfortable workout regimine.
Today's Positive Comment
The sun is shining brightly, the days are getting longer and soon I can open the windows for some fresh air.
Friday, March 11, 2005
Don't Blame Me
I have to say I've about had it with Blogger. I've been trying to post for over 2 days now and it simply won't let me. I tried to leave comments on a friend's site, and it won't let me. I guess I'm going to have to move this blog back to my own domain, but I'm going to wait a bit until I have some blogging software (hint hint Matt: when you get done developing my photo album, can you write me a blogging program please?)
Anyway, I've been suffering from a nasty head cold this week. Actually, it's not that nasty, but I've got a lot of sinus pressure and I'm having problems breathing thru my nose.
I didn't think this would effect my workouts (I assumed I mouth breathed for workouts)... but I was so very wrong. I took Saturday off (my normal day off), but I also took Sunday and Monday off due to the cold. Thought I was feeling better on Tuesday and had to cut my workout short. The cold was much more of a problem than I expected. So I took Wednesday off too... now I'm starting to actually miss working out and feeling that I need to get back on schedule.
I was able to workout yesterday. Still not pleasant, but it did feel good to move and feel like I got a good workout.
I also have new motivation to lose the next 20 lbs. My current knitting project is going to be too small for me (I read part of the directions incorrectly, and I'm about 6" smaller circumfrance than I wanted). I've spent a lot of time on this sweater, and I looooove it, so I think if I work hard over the summer, it's going to fit me next fall.
My knitting is actually one of the major drawbacks in the size reduction. I have some beautiful finished sweaters that I can't wear any longer since I dropped 60 lbs. I have projects started that aren't going to fit me either. It's a price I'm more than willing to pay for a healthier lifestyle... and the great thing about knitting: it's only yarn, and projects can be ripped out and restarted!
Well, let's see if this gets posted, then I'm off to do a workout (I think it's an upper body workout today... may shoot for a 45 minutes workout for that... I'm making a sleeveless top for summer)
Anyway, I've been suffering from a nasty head cold this week. Actually, it's not that nasty, but I've got a lot of sinus pressure and I'm having problems breathing thru my nose.
I didn't think this would effect my workouts (I assumed I mouth breathed for workouts)... but I was so very wrong. I took Saturday off (my normal day off), but I also took Sunday and Monday off due to the cold. Thought I was feeling better on Tuesday and had to cut my workout short. The cold was much more of a problem than I expected. So I took Wednesday off too... now I'm starting to actually miss working out and feeling that I need to get back on schedule.
I was able to workout yesterday. Still not pleasant, but it did feel good to move and feel like I got a good workout.
I also have new motivation to lose the next 20 lbs. My current knitting project is going to be too small for me (I read part of the directions incorrectly, and I'm about 6" smaller circumfrance than I wanted). I've spent a lot of time on this sweater, and I looooove it, so I think if I work hard over the summer, it's going to fit me next fall.
My knitting is actually one of the major drawbacks in the size reduction. I have some beautiful finished sweaters that I can't wear any longer since I dropped 60 lbs. I have projects started that aren't going to fit me either. It's a price I'm more than willing to pay for a healthier lifestyle... and the great thing about knitting: it's only yarn, and projects can be ripped out and restarted!
Well, let's see if this gets posted, then I'm off to do a workout (I think it's an upper body workout today... may shoot for a 45 minutes workout for that... I'm making a sleeveless top for summer)
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Supersize Me
Supersize Me finally arrived from Blockbuster Online (well, that was a while ago... as I said, I'm a bit behind my postings) and it was definitely an interesting watch.
I think we all knew that eating a high fat, high simple carb diet (let's not forget all that sodium too) is bad for us, but I don't think anyone expected it to effect the body so quickly (including the doctors that were involved) or how hard. Within 30 days, Morgan's health was at serious risk...
Now, obviously, the average person doesn't eat at McDonald's (or any fast food resturant) every meal every day, but I think the movie showed how bad the average American diet is. (1 in 4 Americans eat at a fast food resturant every day). It also showed how the resturants are making these foods worse for us than they have to be (Chicken McNuggets have extra chicken fat injected into them... for moistness and extra flavor). There also was a lot of emphasis on the marketing (especially towards children). It was actually fairly scary.
I have to say one of the main changes that Matt and I made when we started a more healthy lifestyle was the removal of eating out on a regular basis. For me it's a control issue. First, I don't have the control over how the food is made or with what (if I were to make chicken nuggets at home, I would not inject them with extra chicken fat), plus I also give myself "free reign" with ordering.
Altho' the focus of the documentary was on McDonald's, this is true of every resturant. Most resturants give nutrional data, but they can be hard to find while in the resturants (most are available online... and thanks to this: I'll never order a large mochaccino from Starbucks). Saying that, I went to Houlihan's for lunch with a friend and while trying to update my food log, I looked up their resturant and this is what they say about the nutritional content of their menu:
I think we all knew that eating a high fat, high simple carb diet (let's not forget all that sodium too) is bad for us, but I don't think anyone expected it to effect the body so quickly (including the doctors that were involved) or how hard. Within 30 days, Morgan's health was at serious risk...
Now, obviously, the average person doesn't eat at McDonald's (or any fast food resturant) every meal every day, but I think the movie showed how bad the average American diet is. (1 in 4 Americans eat at a fast food resturant every day). It also showed how the resturants are making these foods worse for us than they have to be (Chicken McNuggets have extra chicken fat injected into them... for moistness and extra flavor). There also was a lot of emphasis on the marketing (especially towards children). It was actually fairly scary.
I have to say one of the main changes that Matt and I made when we started a more healthy lifestyle was the removal of eating out on a regular basis. For me it's a control issue. First, I don't have the control over how the food is made or with what (if I were to make chicken nuggets at home, I would not inject them with extra chicken fat), plus I also give myself "free reign" with ordering.
Altho' the focus of the documentary was on McDonald's, this is true of every resturant. Most resturants give nutrional data, but they can be hard to find while in the resturants (most are available online... and thanks to this: I'll never order a large mochaccino from Starbucks). Saying that, I went to Houlihan's for lunch with a friend and while trying to update my food log, I looked up their resturant and this is what they say about the nutritional content of their menu:
This is the biggest crap I've ever heard. No matter what the spin is on this, this is a copout. Quite frankly, if you are afraid to tell, then I'm afraid to eat it. I take full responsibility for my food decisions, but I need to have the proper information available for me to make my choices.Nutritional and Recipe Information-
Our restaurant’s chefs prepare menu items each day from scratch. Each restaurant receives produce from local growers, insuring the freshest ingredients. Whether you order our famous Baked Potato Soup or the newest entrée, Mustard Crusted Salmon, you can be assured that it has been made with the freshest ingredients available. We are not able to list nutritional information, as there may be slight variances in the recipes because of item availability.
Houlihan’s Restaurants employs top chefs to produce the recipes used at our restaurants. The Chefs are constantly updating and revising these recipes. We view these recipes as confidential and do not share them.
Thank you for understanding.
I also found the "addiction" aspect of eating these high fat, high calorie foods to hit home for me. It's so true. As someone that had to ween herself off of soda and candybars, there's definitely the same issue with food as with any type of addiction. The fact that Morgan's liver showed the same type of damage as an alcoholic really makes it even more obvious that food has the same impact on us as any kind of addiction.
I think the thing that I've noticed more than anything since I've adjusted my eating habits it the way we Americans feel the "right" to eat whatever whenever we want. There's such a sense of glutony and "I deserve this". We defend our eating habits as if it's our American right to overindulge. We are defensive about it, even tho' we know that we shouldn't eat this way.
An interesting movie, to be sure. As someone who already had changed a lot of my attitudes about food, I'm not sure it opened my eyes, but it definitely validated some of my decisions about my lifestyle.
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