HLSG: Week of 8/20/01

[lindrusso]

Getting a jump-start here, perhaps in part to motivate me to get one more cardio session in today!

Last week was marginal for exercise - the swim lessons every morning have thrown my routine off-track. I got in one upper body work out, one lower body and one cardio :( - so I need to run today for sure! I also have a Pilates tape I'd like to try out, so maybe I'll try that today as well.

On a positive note, last week we tried quinoa and sweet potatoes and will be adding these as regulars to our diet - we enjoyed both of them. And, I had used some soy milk for smoothies for the kids and I, so this morning I used it on my cereal and found, much to my surprise, that I liked it! I don't like soy milk plain (just to drink), so I'd been avoiding trying it. But then I realized that I don't really like to drink milk either, so why not try the soy?? :)

I was motivated to try the soy because of the Eating Smart section of the September CL - they discuss different soy products and their soy protein content. 25 grams is the recommended amount, but it sure seems difficult to get that every day considering the amount of each item you'd need to eat! I get my soy mainly from my morning cereal (and now the soy milk as well), but after that, I don't get much the rest of the day. I also can't see myself eating edamame or tofu every day! Maybe I'll have to rely more on soy nuts - only 1/3 cup gives you 25 grams (but also 7 grams of fat)! Even my sons love these!

Happiness and good health to you all!

[funnybone]

You are early lindrusso, but that is okay by me.

By the way, any exercise is better than none. And those swim lessons count as exercise as well.

This past week for me has been extremely well, excercise wise. I have committed to the "21 day challenge" in Taebo and am now into day 8. It really is an energy booster for me, and it really is helping my abs as well.

I am also noticing better posture. As a teenager, I had great posture, but over the years I have noticed is was not what it should be. I would stand straight, but when sitting, I would find myself slumping more. Now, I can say I am sitting more upright. My back is getting stronger, so I think that is one of the reasons.

As for food, DH has been working late, catching up from vacation, and now is away unitl Wed, so I haven't been cooking. The kids are picky eaters, so I would be wasting my time preparing a huge meal. I have been eating light sandwiches, and eating fruit. I haven't been eating cookies or junk, so that is a plus. However, it isn't PMS time either.

Drinking water is still an issue with me. I just don't get enough in me. I really have to focus on it more. One of these days . . .

Anyway, I hope the rest of you have had a great week as well. It's only a matter of time before the days get even more shorter. So get out there and do something while the weather is nice as well.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by funnybone
By the way, any exercise is better than none. And those swim lessons count as exercise as well.

Hee, hee - I would definitely count the swim lessons, only it was lessons for my kids :D . The lessons only last a 1/2 hour (and their lessons are at two different times), so running back and forth between the pool and the exercise room to make sure they get where they are supposed to be going takes up quite a bit of my exercise time.

Oh, and great job on your exercising!

[funnybone]

TOO FUNNY LINDRUSSO!!!

I should have known better since I have had the same lessons for my kids. However, I may have thought that you were taking swim lessons to enter a competition or to build up endurance. Oh well, let's count the running around and taking them to the lessons, as exercise, anyway!!!

[Gina O]

Alysha- I have been really hesistant to try Soy milk, mainly because I HATE any form of regular white milk. The closest my body ever sees to plain milk is chocolate milk and a few drops that soak into my cereal. (I do love ice cream though). So, seeing your post about soy milk made me realize that it just might work for me as well. Thanks for the inspiration! (now, I just have to actually be brave enough to purchase it!!!)

Staying on the soy theme for a bit, I have been the Luna bar queen lately. I will have one for breakfast or lunch. My original inspiration was not necessary for the soy, but simply for the protein. The soy is a major added benefit.

I mention water because I have really been trying to focus on that lately. I find my runs are so much better when I a completely hydrated. My latest method is to keep several bottles in the fridge, the bigger ones, then as I drink them leave the by the sink so that I can moniter exactly how much I have had during the day. At night I refill them (my fridge filters the water) and start over the next morning. Since I have been home the last three days, it has worked quite well. We will see what happens when I spend tomorrow at the office.

I have had a pretty good week exercisewise... only made it to Curves twice (I was out of town 3 days), but did run 4 times, for a total of 17 miles (5 today!) Eating.... nothing horrible or spectacular during the week. This weekend overall has been great, really paying attention to everything and focusing on grains and fruits and veggies. Only one MAJOR problem..... the two :eek: hot, fresh, Krispy Kreme doughnuts I ate at 10:30 p.m. last night!!!! I could go into a long explanation about how it was my DF's fault, but you (and I) would not believe it anyway!

Okay, enough for now.... please tell me how horrible I was, I deserve it!!!! :) Gina

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Gina O
Okay, enough for now.... please tell me how horrible I was, I deserve it!!!! :) Gina

You won't hear it from me :) ! If you had two doughnuts every night, now that would be cause for alarm!

I really thought I would gag on the soy milk, but it wasn't bad at all! I did use the vanilla kind (I thought the vanilla kind would be good for smoothies), so maybe it is a bit sweeter than the other kinds of soy milk.

[Sara Emily]

I'm really tickled to hear of your good experience with soy milk, lindrusso, and of your spirit of adventure to give it a try, Gina! You didn't mention what brand you were using, but my favorites, by far, are the Silk or Sun Soy brands that come in the refrigerator cartons. Before they came on the market, I reluctantly drank the long shelf life stuff in the cartons, but it's not nearly as good. I am majorly SOLD ON SOY since big time peri-menopause symptoms hit! Soy and flax DOES make an enormous positive difference where this is concerned, as well as providing the other important benefits we are all familiar with! Take the plunge, Gina, and let us know how it turns out for you. ;)

funnybone, I was intrigued by your taking the Tae Bo 21 day challenge, and am pretty tempted to follow suit in the near future, especially since you seem to be realizing such good results already. Are you using several different tapes alternately or just the basic one?

Overall, this has been a good week for me. DH and I made it to the gym 4 times last week, doing alot of strength training/toning work as well as the cardio stuff. I watched my little arms tremble noticeably as I did some of the upper body work, increasing my weight and reps, but not so much as to make me overly sore, so I feel that I'm definitely making progress and doing some good! :D

Eating was also better this week, as I stayed home for my meals and cooked some excellent, flavorful meals including the rum, pineapple, mango, and chicken kebabs from CL that are being so favorably and widely discussed on the food board. YUM! LOTS of fruits, veggies, and grains. Water consumption was down somewhat, as things were busy, busy. Not a good excuse, but an opportunity to determine to do better this week.

WHY am I suddenly RAVENOUS for warm, sugary, delicious doughnuts??!!??

[AZLorena]

This week has gone okay. I am still working through the exhaustion of the change in schedule that occurs when school starts. I forget how much energy it takes to do my job. Those kids just suck the energy right out of you....and I see about 150 of them a day.

I did keep up with my walking, for the most part. I went 4 times this week including when we hopped out of town for this weekend to see my nephew who is visiting with my parents from New York. He actually came out on my walk with me which was really nice. Most of my walks have been shorter, but I am at least keeping up the frequency.

Eating has been good. I have packed my lunch every day this week. I pack a snack for my morning break, lunch, and then I have a snack when I come home from school.

I am not sure whether I have lost any more weight this week because I only weigh myself at the gym, but my tape measure is reading a 1/2-1 inch smaller than last week, so that is something.

My challenge for this week is to do a 2.5 miles or more for 6 evenings in a row. If I do, I can buy myself a new something. I am not sure what. New work out shorts.....maybe a new hat. Anyway, that is my goal.

Water To encourage myself to drink lots of water, I have been buying the Sparklets 2 liter bottles. I am supposed to drink the whole thing during my work day. I haven't managed that yet, but I get really close. Anyway, Funnybone, that might be something that you could try to boost your "agua" intake.

Soy Milk... My DH and I both enjoy soy milk. He pours it on his cereal in the morning. My only issue with it is the price and that the containers are too small. Other than that we are big soy milk fans.

At the moment, DH and I are cooking a pot of the Brazillian Seafood Stew from the September CL. We are modifying a bit because sometimes I don't think the recipes in the magazines are as light as they possibly could make them. I guess that is just because I am getting really picky about what goes into my stomach these days. I'll let you all know how it turns out.

I will write more when I have some more time. Glad to hear everyone is keeping up and challenging themselves to do better.

[AZLorena]

By the way.....

now I can't stop thinking about Doughnuts.......mmmmmm krispy kreme.....

[Kristine]

I had a pretty good week for both exercise and eating, so all is good over here. :) I've noticed that I haven't been munching so much lately when I'm at home (yay!), and so I've been more interested in eating a better lunch/dinner. Also, a friend and I have decided to walk a marathon (are we crazy?) in December, so we've started "training" for it. It should be an interesting experience I suppose, and we'll just see how it goes. Today--Sunday is the "long" day-- we walked about 8.5 miles (we're just starting the program) and had no problems at all so hopefully we'll be able to manage. The way I look at it....if others can run a marathon in 3 hours, I better be able to walk one!!

[Gina O]

I am sooooooooo sorry for the doughnut longing I have caused!!! ;) The one remaining doughnut was given to my neighbor yesterday evening... he was thrilled! Gina

Oh, one more thing... about 4 years ago I made a deal with myself NEVER to eat "sweets" for breakfast. I attend a lot of conferences and meetings and there is always a plate full of doughnuts and danish. If there are no bran muffins or bagels, I just have hot tea. I actually have a doughnut, at the most, once or twice a year. (btw, Marriott hotels make the BEST bran muffins)

[funnybone]

Originally posted by Sara Emily

funnybone, I was intrigued by your taking the Tae Bo 21 day challenge, and am pretty tempted to follow suit in the near future, especially since you seem to be realizing such good results already. Are you using several different tapes alternately or just the basic one?



I actually started doing Taebo at the end of June, I believe, but this is the first time I will be able to take the challenge (no trips or forseeable interruptions). I was averaging about 4 or 5 times a week before. I finished day 8 yesterday.

I've only been doing the one Basic tape. I find that 1/2 hour is enough. Also, I can keep the kids away for that time, but its hard for an hour. But then again, I don't know that I could last the 1 hour, or that I am ready for the advanced. It takes awhile to get the "hang" of the moves, so I am at the comfortable stage with the tape. I don't find it boring or repetative - not yet. There is another basic I got with the set, but I didn't like it as much as the one I am doing now.

Sara Emily - have you tried TaeBo before? I am enjoying it - DH doesn't like it, but that is okay. He was more of a distraction when he tried to do it with me.:)

AZLorena - about the water - I have bottles everywhere, but I just don't drink enough of ANYTHING. I don't drink soda, and really don't drink juices either, so it's not like I am loading up on other liquids. I just have a kind of "non-drinking problem" I guess.:)

Gina O - Oh, how horrible that you should be like the rest of us and indulge in donuts or cakes/cookies from time to time! Just enjoy them when you have them, because there is no point eating them unless you are enjoying. :D

lindrusso - do you find the soy milk to have an odor? My oldest son had to drink soy formula when he was a baby, and I remember it having a different smell from regular. I was just wondering if the milk was that way too.:confused:

[Gina O]

Oh Funnybone-

Don't worry, I eat sweets all the time!!!! I just do not want them as my breakfast... if I went down that road, I would never return! Gina

[GayeC]

There is a Krispy Kreme factory-store just a few miles from my office. I bet the "Hot Donuts Now" sign is on right now....

I am continuing to stick with my exercise and eating plan and am slooowly losing weight. I went to Charlotte with my sister this weekend but still managed to eat reasonably well. We also went to the exercise room in the hotel and worked out twice.

My grocery store finally started selling Kashi cereal again! Yeah. I had a bowl of Go Lean Crunch for breakfast and am hoping that all that fiber will stick with me until lunch (black beans and yellow rice -- yum).

I am intrigued by the discussion about soy milk. I had never even thought about trying it but may do so based on your comments.

Have a great week. Gaye

[daner94]

I posted a couple of weeks ago that I am training for a 150K bike ride at the end of September. We have been riding every weekend now and going further each time.

Saturday I went 49 miles!!!! It was the hardest thing ever. It was sunny and blazing hot, but I got through it somehow. We planned poorly on the water thing so I got real dehydrated, but we will do better next time.

Other than that, I have been doing 45 minutes to an hour of the stationary bike in addition to yoga classes twice a week. And a yoga tape or walk another day after that.

The problem now is that I am hungry all the time, and temptation is everywhere here at work. The other problem is that I am really really hot all the time too. Only 5 weeks left until this ride and I am getting really excited!!

Dana

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by funnybone
lindrusso - do you find the soy milk to have an odor? My oldest son had to drink soy formula when he was a baby, and I remember it having a different smell from regular. I was just wondering if the milk was that way too.:confused:

I didn't recall an odor, so I had to go check :) . I don't detect an odor and my nose is pretty sensitive! I think all baby formulas have an odor - eww.

I have Soy Dream which is one of those non-refrigerated kinds in the tetras pack. I'm intrigued by Sara Emily's preference for the fresher, refrigerated kind and might have to investigate (assuming I can find the fresh kind around here - I think they have it in the produce section of my store??). I would also like to compare the different brands for fat and sugar content.

[BevP]

My goodness it's busy here this week. I guess I'm lucky, I hate Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Bad flash backs to a high school doughnut sale. Now, my favorite grocery store sells them too, yuck.

My week was ok. For the first time, I let a friend and my DH convince me I culd get away with just wearing the exercise clothes. No long t-shirt to hide behind. If that's not enough motivation to not eat too much, I don't know what is. Definately don't want to start gaining back.

Water was good though, after realizing part of the reason for my headache one day was thirst. Started being extremely consious of how much I drank. I like the suggestion of keeping the empty bottles out where you can see them.

By the way, this message board is part of the reason I can wear the exercise clothes with out hiding. Thanks all, especially Lindrusso, who, if I remember correctly, started the HLSG just as I was really getting serious.

[Julia1Pin]

Ok, I have been horrible these past couple of weeks, with both exercise and food.

Last week was ok with food, I spent 2 lunches with a girl who's on WW, and so I was a little more reflective about my eating. But my exercise has been dismal, at best. I kept coming home and just vegging (granted 2 of the days, it was because my tooth was killing me).

Tonight I'm hoping to hop on the rowing machine for 3+ kilmoeters, and then walk on our treadmill for a little while (while talking to DH, since treadmill is in his office).

Maybe now that it's in writing.....

[MelissaAS]

Here I am to own up: Did I ever have a PMS binge last night! Without going into too much detail the following was involved: Wheat Thins, LF Peanut Butter, Hershey's kisses, chocolate ice cream, pepperoni pizza and LF Ranch dressing. You do the math...

On the up-side, I had a fabulous exercise week last week! 300 minutes (my goal)! And my eating (overall) was much better. I'm feeling pretty good, but a little blue about being able to fall so completely off the wagon sometimes.

One thing that I've found to work for me is to replace a habit/situation that leads to overeating with something else. For example, we always used to go out to eat on Friday night and I would tend to "reward" myself after a tough (or not-so-tough) week with unhealthy food. Friday has now become fish night. Now I splurge on sometimes pricey fish and cook an easy, yummy dinner. Plus I don't feel sleepy etc. after dinner so it leaves time to play!

Just an idea...keep up the good work folks!

Melissa

[MKSquared]

Officially, I lost a whole .... half pound. Grrr. On the upside, I do feel much better. I've been eating vegetables like nobody's business. I even bought some new and exciting produce -- well, it's exciting for me. The two coolest: jicama and cherimoya .

Soy Milk -- I love soy milk. I really don't care to drink regular milk. The last carton I bought had a beetle's body in it, so that sealed it for me; I've been buying soy milk since. I admit that I buy vanilla, but I always buy low-fat, enriched versions. I look for sales and stock up, since I buy the long-shelf life version. Just discovered something wonderful last night: Bailey's and vanilla soy milk. (So what if it defeats the purpose a little?)

Exercise -- I went to the gym quite a bit this week, and I'm proud of that. Soon, I'd like to start incoporating some resistance training. Next week is MOVING week, so I'm preparing for a good workout then.

Thanks for all your support!

[AZLorena]

Well, I think I have already blown my 6 day straight challenge that I mentioned in my earlier post.

This has already been a tough week at work and it is only Tuesday. Tonight I had a short notice late meeting with someone coming over for dinner afterward. Thursday is parent orientation night at school.......

And....on top of all of that, I was told that my newly reconstructed classroom would be ready a couple of weeks after the start of school. I was instructed to hold off on setting up my temporary room because of the impending move. Now I am told that it will not be done until OCT. So, now I have 20 million boxes of new books, etc to unpack and find room for and instruments (I teach elementary school music) that need to come in from home. It is going to take a couple of evenings this week to do it....cutting into my exercise schedule. I think my modified goal is to walk 5 times this week. At least one of the walks will be 3 miles.

I AM JUST TRYING TO MAINTAIN MY SANITY!!

[AZLorena]

Oh...I did weigh myself at the gym last night....and I am down about 3 lbs since school officially started.

[MelissaAS]

AZLorena-

Congratulations on your weight loss...I have to commiserate about setting (sometimes) unrealistic goals and then having to come back to reality. Each day, I just have to do the best I can- life does get in the way sometimes! Enjoy your success!

Melissa

[KLynn]

This is the first time I have posted on one of these threads - I have been encouraged by reading them in the past, though!

I am trying to make some serious changes. I have been back and forth - eating well, eating bad - for all of this year after losing 15 pounds at the end of last year. I haven't gained any back, but I haven't lost any of the additional 30 that I would like to lose, either. I am contemplated going back to WW, but our budget is kind of tight right how - can't really afford $11 a week to weigh in!

I want to get more consistent with exercise as well. I would love to walk 2-3 miles 4 times a week (such a small goal compared to what some of you are doing!! But, that is where I am...).

What keeps you all motivated?? I can be completely in the zone for a week or two, but then I want to eat everything I see!

[funnybone]

Welcome KLynn. Glad you decided to join in.

You asked what keeps us motivated. I am sure it is different for each of us, but I can tell you for me the motivation is "RESULTS". I get discouraged when I don't see any. I don't mean in terms of lbs lost, but more in slight changes in the body - seeing some muscles where there weren't any, or putting on a skirt that was a little snug the last time I wore it. Or, as in my case, it's just a general "feeling better" thing and not getting the migraines I used to.

Mental motivation is hard. I am doing my exercises at the same time each day - when the time comes, I just go put my clothes on and get started. If I think hard about it, I would discourage myself. You just have to get into a routine and continue. I find that once I get out of a routine, it is harder to get back into it too.

I am also proud to announce that I am on day 11 of my "21 day challenge" (TaeBo). I PLAN ON MAKING IT!!!!! It's getting harder with the kids soccer practices starting already, and back to school next week - but I WILL DO IT!!!!!

[AZLorena]

I am with funnybone on this one. Seeing results keeps me motivated. I have started and stopped and started and stopped working on losing weight for the past I don't know how many years. This summer I decided to get serious about. That's when I started walking and changing my dietary habits.

Anyway, the first 4 weeks or so were very frustrating because I was not seeing any results yet. Every day I almost quit.....but I forced myself to keep at it. That is when I started to notice some inches coming off.....then more inches coming off.

That is when I figured out that you have to stick with any program for at least a month before you see any results. That is why I had failed in the past. I would work out consistently for 2 weeks or so....then get frustrated and quit.

I am not on weight watchers. I have just been working on reducing the size of my portions and eating a low fat diet. I find that one thing that is helpful for me to keep on track with my eating is to plan occasional food splurges. Meaning, every couple of weeks or so eat one meal where I do not worry about fat content or calories. That is usually a meal out somewhere. That has helped me through a few rough spots. Looking forward to the splurge keeps me from making a bad food choice on a non splurge day.

What I have started to notice about my splurge days as I continue with changing my lifestyle, is that those days have become fewer and far between and my splurges are not as heavy as they were before. We went out last night with the inlaws last night. DH's dad is a really picky eater, so we usually end up going to a steak place. We figured out that it has been about a month and a half since my last splurge....so, I decided to give myself the night off. Then I ended up ordering a pasta with shrimp and marinara......and barely making a dent in the bowl. I guess I am learning.

Anyway, there are a few thoughts from someone who is determined to lose the weight this time. (I am now 23 lbs down since the beginning of June.)

[lindrusso]

Welcome KLynn!

I agree with AZLorena about splurging. If I allow myself to splurge a bit (versus trying as hard as I can NOT to splurge), it helps my mindset. Just knowing that nothing is off limits makes me not want it as much - well, I still want it, but I don't get those urges to eat everything in sight! Does that make sense? I also try to not limit calories and fat so much that it leaves me with cravings. One thing that has helped me as well is to make sure I get enough protein and fiber - this helps me feel full and not get cravings as often.

And don't think of your less-than-healthy weeks as failures. It is unrealistic to assume that every week is going to be stellar, so you have to realize that there will be times when things don't go as well as you'd like. Instead of beating yourself up about the "bad" times, plan our strategy for the next week and don't look back. This has helped me tremendously. In the past, I would feel so bad about what I had or had not done that I'd end up eating even more and exercising even less - thus starting a vicious cycle. Now I focus my engergy on how I can improve and I almost always find renewed enthusiasm!

Even when I'm having a good week, I think about the next week. What new exercise can I try? What new food can I introduce into our diet? What new healthy recipe can I try? This helps me keep up my enthusiasm and interest.

For more ideas that might help, check out the thread about changing to a healthy lifestyle. http://www.cookinglight.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12737

[KValley]

I've been avoiding this thread since returning from vacation (Tuesday night), but I'm so glad I glanced in- once again I am motivated and inspired.

Our mini-vacation was so wonderful and fitness-wise we couldn't have done better. We hiked everyday- between 8 to 11 miles of intense trail hiking through the Olympic Mountains. My soul was restored and my calves burned!

Food....ohmigosh did we eat!! Amazing seafood, breads, great wine, luscious desserts every night with dinner; omlettes, scones, cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Despite the exercise, my waistband was tighter by Tuesday. No regrets, just back to keeping my food journal and back to the gym.

Gina I hear you on the hotel pastries at conferences/meetings! I am now bringing baggies with Kashi Go-Lean with me when I travel so I have something to munch on in the morning if I don't have time for proper breakfast.

I also ask myself pointedly "Will I take any pleasure or feel any better if I eat this (bagel, sweet roll, doughnut etc)?" The answer is always no- it's the act of stopping long enough to ask myself and wait for an honest answer that does the trick. If I'm going to indulge, it had better be incredible (see comments on vacation food above).

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by KValley
I also ask myself pointedly "Will I take any pleasure or feel any better if I eat this (bagel, sweet roll, doughnut etc)?" The answer is always no- it's the act of stopping long enough to ask myself and wait for an honest answer that does the trick. If I'm going to indulge, it had better be incredible (see comments on vacation food above).

I am realizing more and more that I need to do this. Several times lately I have eaten something "bad" and realized that I really didn't enjoy it and that it wasn't worth it at all - so, then, what's the point??? It really irks me when I eat badly just because it's perhaps more convenient or because I just don't stop long enough to come up with a better alternative. Thanks for mentioning this Julie, I think maybe this should be my goal for the next month or so - no mindless eating!!!

[AZLorena]

I just have to say that I really enjoy when the posts on the HLSG threads last almost all week long. I enjoy hopping on here for a little encouragement, advice, or information every day.

Thanks everyone for being a major part of my support system.

Lorena

[MelissaAS]

lindrusso,

You're such an inspiration! Thanks for the comments about mindful eating. I've been eating like a machine lately and not enjoying a bite of it (all related to other personal stress stuff, not the food at hand) and just trying to put the brakes on has been really tough. The idea that instead I can just focus on eating deliberately (and living that way too!) really helps. Thanks for the attitude adjustment.

Melissa

[AZLorena]

The other thing about "splurge nights" that I forgot to mention is that when I am not on a splurge and I have some sort of temptation in front of me.....I think to myself....is this something that can't wait until a planned splurge. Usually it can.

[lindrusso]

Melissa,

Thank you for your kind words and thanks to Julie for getting us started on this topic! It's nice to have this outlet that enables us to feed (excuse the pun!) off each other's ideas/attitudes and encorporate them into our own lives/routines. Now if only I can be better about actually doing it instead of just saying it!!! But perhaps the more time you spend talking/writing about it, the more likely you are to do it. I sure hope so!