June 12…How in the hell did I gain 2 pounds?

Happy Friday to all! And it was for me…until I got on the scale this morning and declared WHAT THE F&$K!

June 12

Weight = 150.4

I’m not sure how I gained 2.2 lbs in a day, but whatever!

Last night I ended my workday with a delicious afternoon snack:

• Snack: Organic Gala Apple (80 cals) & Horizon Organic String Cheese (80 cals) = 160 calories

After work I headed to the gym.  My new goal, which started last week, is to get 300 minutes of cardio in per week(at work, the girls and I usually take a walk during our lunch a couple days a week, but I am not counting this towards my minutes).  I did 25 minutes on the elliptical, 15 minutes on the treadmill, and then 20 minutes on the stepmill (total = 60 minutes).  By the end of my workout I was sore and sweaty as hell.

For dinner, John (my boyfriend) made this chicken dish (we call it Ginger Chicken) which is made with garlic, honey, and a variety of spices…soo yummy! He eats his over white rice, and I opted for quinoa with a little bit of rice.  I’m not sure how much damage was done with the chicken, but I estimate that I ate about 16oz of chicken plus 1/2 cup of quinoa for about 780 calories! Yikes! I just did the math on that…

Later on that night I had a Newman’s Dark Chocolate PB Cup (60 calories) and some fruit pop (55 calories).  You see how my problems add up after work! No wonder I saw gains this morning.

Today, has been much better.  This is what my meals have looked liked today prior to my depature from work:

• Breakfast: Protein Shake w/ flax seeds = 300 calories
• Snack: Fiber One Bar = 140 calories
• Lunch: Subway…Turkey and Ham Sub on Wheat with spinach, tomatoes, onions, pickles, green peppers, and spicy mustard with 1 cheese trianlge = 350 calories & Barbecue Bake Lays = 140 calories
• Snack: Organic Gala Apple = 80 calories & Almonds = 80 calories

• Total Calories Before Dinner = 1090 calories

Not too bad! Now I am headed to my other job which is waiting tables.  I get a nice little workout in there! Unfortunately,  I will not be officially working out today! Wish my luck…I have a bad habit of picking when I’m working in the restaurant.

Trying to Lose Weight…Day #12,303

Hi all!!

I decided that I am going to try to blog about my journey to lose weight by posting my food journal, workout routine, weight, etc.  I was hoping to keep up with this a little bit better, but hopefully this will keep me honest and on the right track!

In a way, it will be like Bridget Jones’s Diary <great book!>…

Today’s Starting Weight = 148.2

• Breakfast: Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sandwich

• Ingredients/Calories = 1 whole egg (70 cals) + 2 egg whites (30 cals) + 2 pieces of  Food Lion brand turkey bacon (70 cals) + 1 slice of law fat Sargento’s Provolone Cheese (50 cals) + 2 pieces of Nature’s Own Double Fiber Wheat Bread (100 cals) = 320 calories
  

I feel like I have done really well the past 2 weeks in not snacking after dinner.  That WAS <positive thinking> my downfall! The thing that has helped me cope is eating dinner later.  All dieting aside, I prefer to eat around 7 or 8pm anyways.  I have also been busy with my graduate school work, so I have been reading, etc.  I have found that being around my computer at night can also trigger those unneccesary cravings. Reflecting can really help you see what behaviors trigger your cravings.

After reading Jillian Michael’s book, Master Your Metabolism, my plan was to go completely organic. Well, those plans got a little derailed when I realized a few things: 1) eating organic is really expensive; and, 2) it is REALLY HARD to have a completely organic diet.  So, what’s a girl to do?  After a lot of searching and contemplating, I have come up with a plan that works for me and is in large part organic.

As I said, eating organic is incredibly expensive.  I scoured the WWW and various grocery stores trying to find the least expensive means of eating organically.  I have found that Kroger has been my best bet for inexpensive organic finds.  In fact, at the Kroger I go to, they have a seperate organic section and a wide-selection of organic produce.  The thing I am having a rough time with is eating organic meat.  It is nearly impossible to find organic deli meats, and organic chicken is significantly more expensive.  I usually only buy this when it is on sale.

Eliminating diet soda from my diet has also been a challenge.  I LOVE Diet Dr. Pepper.  I really do.  But, I have decided to limit myself to 1 soda per day.  I tried taking it out completely, but that was just too hard!  I have found that by drinking less soda I do not feel as bloated or gassy <sorry, TMI>.

• Snack: Clif Kid Z -Bar (organic), Honey Graham = 130 cals
• Lunch: Cafe Carolina with Shannon, looking up nutritional information beforehand…I guess I will be getting the Garden Veggie Wrap (394) with a fruit cup(69) = 463 calories
• Calories before Snack & Dinner = 913 calories

It’s been a while…Master Your Metabolism by Jillian Michaels

It has been a while since I have posted…I have been wrapped up in school work, working, and traveling! I wanted to take this opportunity to rave about Jillian Michael’s latest book, Master Your Metabolism.  I read it while embarking on my various trips and I really, really enjoyed it!

I will first say that I don’t think this book would be well-suited for those with little knowledge about nutrition.  I think having a basic understand of nutrition is essential to understand the message of the book and the concepts, theories, etc that are presented.  Jillian partnered with several doctors to write the book and they do provide definitions, analogies, etc. to help you understand the book to your best ability.

The main focus of the book is to educate you abou your hormones and how chemicals found in processed foods, produce, meat, etc. can disrupt your hormones and metabolism.  Jillian urges you to eat organic and buy organic foods whenever possible.  She gives you countless resources to help you eat organically.

I found the book to be thoroughly enjoying and had trouble putting it down.  My favorite part of the book was learning about Jillian and her past.  I found that to be my favorie part of the book.

The Biggest Loser (TV Show, not competition @ work)

Tuesday is probably my favorite night to stay in and watch TV because of the tv show, The Biggest Loser. Surprisingly, this will be the first season that I will see in it’s entirety.  I started watching about midway through last season and was immediately sucked-in.  For me, there are a number of elements about the show that I love and keep me watching .

Why I Love, The Biggest Loser

1. Jillian Michaels:  For some reason I just think she is badass.  One of my favorite memories/quotes from Jillian came from this season’s preview that they showed during the Season 6 finale.  Either Aubrey or Mandi (I know it was a yellow shirt) from this season was doing push-ups and cries to Jillian, “My arms hurt.”  Jillian looks at her very sympathetically and goes, “Ohhh, I’m sorry…Well, guess what? Your whole bodys gonna hurt!”  I thought to myself, if I’m ever a trainer I would want to be just like Jillian.  She doesn’t take people’s crying, and she doesn’t play games.  I love it.  Bob is cool, too.  I mean I wouldn’t complain if he was my trainer, but for my taste, he’s too nice.
2. Inspiration:  If you have ever been overweight, you can totally relate to what these contestants are battling, have battled, etc.  I have never been a weight that would be classified as obese, but I have definitely been tormented for my weight.  It has been one of the hardest things to overcome and I did not have nearly as much to lose as these people.  Its very uplifting, motivating, and inspiring to see these people make such dramatic changes.  Watching the contestants make these dramatic transformations really instills you with the “anything is possible” mantra.
3. Motivation to Exercise:  As odd as it sounds, I feel more of an obligation to exercise because I watch the show.  I think if they are doing this 6-8 hours a daily, then I can spare an hour or so to work out.  I wish I had some of the motivation then have to get up in the morning and workout immediately, but I have not conquered that area as of now.
4. Ali (Hostess): I love Ali! My favorite thing about her is that she shows emotions and seems to have a relationship with the contestants.  If Ali starts to tear up, I’m probably sobbing.
5. Speaking of sobbing…Emotional Release: I cannot watch this show without crying.  Those of you who can–I don’t know how you do it! Especially at the end when they have to decide who’s going home. Ah! So moving….And I love seeing the “Transformation” at the end.
6. Tips: I love that in between segments there are tips about training, nutrition, etc.  I find that I already know a lot of the things that they discuss, but I feel like unless you have a background in exercise science or nutrition, what they’re sharing is news to you.
7. Shameless Plugs: Extra Sugar-Free Gum, Subway, Brita…the list goes on! I find it so hilarious how shows of late are doing these plugs in the middle of their shows.  With The Biggest Loser they at least make the product tie-in relevant to what is happening on the show at that second even if it is staged.

I love this show and it really makes my Tuesday nights.  Many of you probably watch American Idol, but I’m sooo over that show.  Watch The Biggest Loser and cheer on Tara!! I hope she wins it all….

How one weekend can adversely effect your weight loss…

This past weekend was fabulous: Atlanta to see Britney Spears, Wilmington, NC for a Bachleorette weekend, food, fun, & alcohol.  And then, this morning I step on the scale, only to find that I have gained about 2lbs since my first weigh-in. Great.

Those of you who watch The Biggest Loser know that The Black Team dealt with temptation this past week and it caused their trainer to get a little stressed out.  The Black Team was given 24 hours of luxury and wisked away to a posh hotel in Southern California.  There they indulged in high calorie foods, alcohol, massages, and pedicure.  I am not saying there is ANYTHING wrong with this, but if you’re trying to lose weight, 24 hours of luxury may not be the best prescription.  As their total calories consumed added up on the screen, I was immediately flashed back to my weekend of “luxury”.  In this “luxury” weekend beer and sangria flowed like water, cupcakes provided me the will to carry on, and macaroni and cheese filled my belly before drifting off into dream land.

There are NUMEROUS reasons why you should put down the booze if you’re trying to lose weight. However, one of the first things you need to understand is that ALL ALCOHOL CONTAINS CALORIES.  I think there is a myth that if you drink liquor over beer you’re saving a ton of calories.  No. You’re not.  Let me explain….

1 “drink” =

• 12 oz of beer (about 90-200 calories)
• 5 oz of wine (about 105 calories)
• about an ounce/shot of liquor (about 100 calories)

Alcohol contains about 7 calories per gram–there is no calorie-free alcohol!  So let’s just walk through a typical night on the town, drinking it up, shall we??

8pm: Start drinking…1 light beer = 95 calories

9pm: Socializing with friends… 2 light beers = 190 calories

10pm: Laughing and continued socializing, decide that everyone will take a shot… 2 light beers, 1 shot + chaser (juice) = 340 calories

11pm: Take a cab to the bars, buy a beer immediately… 1 light beer = 95 calories

12am-2am: Started to get tired so only drank 2 more drinks the rest of the night… 2 light beers = 190 calories

2:30am: Have a buzz thus triggering hunger…Make macaroni and cheese upon arriving home….1/2 box Mac & Cheese Prepared =400

TOTALS: 8 beers, 1 shot, 1/2 box of Mac & Cheese (I’m sure many of you do much more damage) = 1310 calories

Keep in mind that total is just the damage you did drinking and eating late night.  So you can see, just from this depiction how much alcohol can effect your weight loss efforts.  Even engaging in drinking ONE night a week can really screw up your weight loss.

If you are going to drink, make sure you set limits for yourself and make smart drink choices.  Try to avoid high calorie mixers and regular beer.  Also, make sure you work out on those days to burn a few of those extra calories you will be consuming.

In reflecting back on the weekend…it was sooo much fun! But, it did set me back in my weight loss efforts.  I will just have to work extra hard this week to burn off those extra calories!

“It’s Britney B*!%CH!…”

Yeah… I went there, because tomorrow I will be there: FRONT ROW WITH BRITNEY SPEARS! I’m so pumped.  Me and my friends made very special shirts to wear to the concert tomorrow night. It’s going to be AMAZING!

But anyway… Below are my “Before” pictures that were taken the day we started our Biggest Loser Competition at work.  You can see how incredibly pigeon-toed I am.  In my defense, I tore my ACL in 9th grade and my left leg does weird stuff because of it.

If I make some significant progress I will DEFINITELY post (ie six pack abs).

I wanted to use my blog time today to rave about one of my favorite things in the whole world, that I discovered accidentally: Exercise on Demand.  If you are a Time Warner Cable customer you can access this channel within your other “On Demand” options.  In my area it is Channel 557.

For those of you who hate going to the gym, do not have access to a gym, despise lifting weights, etc. –this is perfect.  Exercise on Demand is organized in various categories, from areas of the body you’re wishing to target to specific specialists (ie Jillian Michaels) to specific time frames (ie 10 minute workouts).  It is such a great tool to use as a supplement to your exercise routine or to center your daily exercise around.

When I was in high school, I used to do minimal cardio and a lot of weights (mostly machines).  Now, I am the complete opposite.  The programs on Exercise on Demand have been a great addition to my workout routine because I am able to incorporate weight lifting in new and unexpected ways.  If you’re interested in doing some weight training things I high recommend Jillian Michael’s No More Trouble Zones and Jackie’s Workouts for Upper, Lower, and Core.  They are really awesome and can also be purchased on DVD.

Of course Exercise on Demand offers an array of Ab/Core segments.  My co-worker and I use these frequently and often do various rotations of them.  There are also several segments with Yoga and Pilates routines.  There is something for everyone in the realm of fitness.  If you have Time Warner Cable you should definitely utilize this tool.

I will not be present for this weeks weigh-in, but will probably weigh myself tomorrow mornig.  The weekend brings not only Britney Spears, but a bachleorette party as well.  I am going to try very hard not to gain weight this week.  Pray for me!

On Your Mark, Get Set….

So….We did our measurements, BMI, body fat %, and weight to start our office Biggest Loser competition.  In addition to these measures, we also took “Before” pictures that I will post.  My stats are as follows:

Body Fat = 24.2

BMI =24.3

Weight = 148.4 (at home when I woke up)/151 (at work @ 9:30am)

I have an Omron, which is a little device that shoots electrical impulses through your body to determine your body fat % and also calculates your BMI for you.  The most effective means of determining body fat % is through under water weighing, but the Omron typically gives a fairly accurate estimate.  It is also relatively inexpensive.  I bought mine off Ebay two summers ago to use with my Health Class.

According to the Northwestern Health Sciences University (http://www.nwhealth.edu/healthyU/keepLean/bmi.html), the follwoing is a “framework” to see how you fair in regards to your body fat %:

Females Males

Athletes < 17%                   <10%

Lean 17-22%               10-15%

Normal 22-25%                 15-18%

Above-Avg. 25-29%                  18-20%

Over-Fat 29-35%                20-25%

Obese 35+%                       25+%

I was very surprised that my BMI fell within normal range because I usually fall in the “overweight” classification.  BMI isn’t the best indicator of how you stand with your health, but it is an easy formula (weight kg/ height m 2) to compute.  The following is a BMI chart, so you can see where you stand:

Underweight: <18.5

Normal: 18.5-24.9

Overweight: 25-29.9

Obese: >30

We also took body circumference measurements in 7 different areas: upper arm, chest, waist, abdomen (@ the belly button), hips, inner thigh, and calf.  We took the measurements in centimeters (vs. inches) in hopes to see a more significant change and keep our motivation charged.  For example, my abdomen measures 86 cm is equivalent to 33.86 inches.  If I was to lose 2cm in my abdomen in say 2 weeks, that would only equate to .78 inches lost.  I would much rather see “-2″ than “-.78″.

Today the girls (minus 1) and I walked to Subway for lunch: Walk + Healthy Lunch = Happy Face!!  So far today I have done really well eating.  This is what my days has looked like thus far (it’s about 4:15pm):

Breakfast: 3 egg whites, 2 pieces turkey bacon, 1 slice fat free American Cheese, 2 pieces of Whitewheat bread = 290 cals

Snack: 1/2 serv. Strawberry Frosted Mini-Wheats = 90

Lunch: Subway 6in Oven Rstd. Chicken on wheat with spinach, tomatoes, pickles, spicy mustard, and light mayo & 1 bag of FF Lays = about 415

Snack: Medium apple = 80 cals.

I have to wait tables tonight, so I won’t get any other exercise in.  I would like to wear a pedometer to work one night though, because I do walk quite a bit.

My friend will be here tonight, and we’re going to Jazzercise in the morning!!

Biggest Loser @ Work

Tomorrow will be the start of our Biggest Loser competition at work an and I am hopeful that it will motivate me to work a little harder, eat a little less, and stay away from cookies (not completely, but more than I normally do!).

I am friends with Amy from last season’s Biggest Loser on Facebook, and looking at her pictures and how far she has come is really inspiring.  For some reason I have the worst time trying to lose weight.  I’m not really overweight, but I could definitely stand to lose some weight.

The hardest thing for me is eating right:

1.  I eat when I’m bored.  This happens quite frequently at work.  I’m sitting at my desk, staring at the computer screen, and then suddenly I’m starving.  I have to find a way to overcome that habit.  I have read several studies that say chewing gum can help to control cravings, so today I actually tried that and I think it worked well.

2. I can’t say no to cookies/brownies/etc..  Let’s just say I’ve never met a cookie, brownie, or cupcake that I didn’t like or eat just because it was “there.”  My brother loves to bake and I see the cookie dough and go bananas!  I don’t know how I will overcome this.  I think it is going to take some crucial self-discipline.  I think I must have some sort of emotional connection to these types of foods??? Any insight would be helpful.

I’m hoping this office competition will help me get over these hurdles.  They are things I have dealt with forever I feel like.  I have battled my weight for as long as I can remember and would like to see 130.  Hopefully I can stay focused, disciplined, and motivated to make it there.

Jamie

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