June Diet and Fitness Thread

[shahla]

I miss the old health/diet and fitness threads, so I thought I'd start a new one. I was away for training all last week and had to eat what was provided for breakfast and lunch. It was very heavy and fattening. Not a fruit or vegetable in sight. Even with eating reasonable meals at dinnertime, I gained 5 pounds in one week. Gasp! When left to my own devices, I make much better choices than what was available.

Today I'm back to tracking on the new version of The Daily Plate that's on Livestrong's web site. I also thought I'd give the Special K diet a try for some extra weight loss boost. I'm using their plan, just modified a bit. I'm using Kashi cereal in the morning, the Special K meal bar for lunch, Protein water for snacks and my usual healthy meal in the evening. I know I can't do it for more than a couple of weeks, maybe 4 tops, but I only need to lose 10 pounds so I shouldn't need to be on it for long.

I'm also going to re-double my efforts to use my elliptical trainer more frequently. I got 4 sessions in last week for 34 minutes each one. I'm going to shoot for 6 per week, plus dancing and any other activity I can work in. On weekends, I usually get an hour walk in at least once.

What's your "Lose in June" strategy?

[Fotia]

I am hoping to buy a bike on sale and get back into riding a bike on the trails. I haven't done it in a few years and it would be a different exercise option for me. I go to a gym during the week and ride the recumbents and stationery bikes but it's not the same. I also do yoga and bellydance but as much as I love doing those, something new would definitely be a fun change. Even if I don't lose weight, in the past biking has always strengthened me and kept me more toned, working on new muscles instead of the same ones.

[shahla]

That sounds good. I think you definitely burn more calories on a real bike instead of an exercise bike. Plus, you use more muscles trying to balance and stablilize the bike.

[Fotia]

That sounds good. I think you definitely burn more calories on a real bike instead of an exercise bike. Plus, you use more muscles trying to balance and stablilize the bike.

Definitely! And then there is the fresh air, not to mention being in the middle of nature too.

[Lauren_]

Oh, THANK you for starting this thread! I'm back on the wagon as of TODAY. Already went to the gym, walked my dog, had lentil soup for lunch, so far so good!

My issues are evening snacking (due to a chemical imbalance, if I remember to take the right supplements it's better) and restaurant food. If I can control those, I'll be doing great. So any advice is welcome.

I bought low-fat microwave popcorn and fixings for homemade hummus and veggies in case the craves hit me at night.

[andalee-oriental]

Hi Guys! I need some support. The last two weeks I have completely bombed. Trying to start up again this week. My vacation through me off, then I got lazy. I hate this! I am off for two weeks and I am ABOVE my starting weigh 5 weeks ago. WTF? If I don't control everything I eat, I gain and gain and gain and gain.

How did I let it get to this place? What was 30 lbs to lose last November is now 40. I just want to be healthy and happy and I have a really hard time coming to term with the fact that diet and exercise will always be a struggle for me. I am fed up.

I am thinking of trying alli. Just to kick start it and cheat a little. Anyone try this? What are your experiences with it? I just feel so overwhelmed and I want a kick in the butt.

Shahla, let me know how the Special K stuff goes.

[shahla]

My issues are evening snacking (due to a chemical imbalance, if I remember to take the right supplements it's better) and restaurant food. If I can control those, I'll be doing great. So any advice is welcome.

I generally don't have snacking problems, but I can so identify with restaurant food. I have two suggestions for you. One, is to only eat half of your entre and skip the appetizers. I try to have the wait staff take it away as soon as possible to avoid picking at it. Second, Japanese restaurants can be quite healthy as long as you stay away from the fried stuff like Tempura. I learned to love Sushi and some of the other dishes.

[shahla]

I am thinking of trying alli. Just to kick start it and cheat a little. Anyone try this? What are your experiences with it? I just feel so overwhelmed and I want a kick in the butt.

Shahla, let me know how the Special K stuff goes.

Will do. So far, I'm not hungry. Forgot to add that I'm also having fruit with my cereal in the a.m. I'm not sure if I'll go with another protein water this afternoon for a snack or maybe a lowfat mozarella cheesestick. I'll have to see what I feel like.

As far as Alli goes, I haven't ever tried it. But, I thought about it once too. After reading about it, I decided against it. The thought of needing to take time off from work so my body can adjust to it and randomly, uncontrollobly pooping my pants made me think no 10 pounds is worth that!

One of my non bellydance friends is having great success on Jenny Craig.

[Fotia]

My issues are evening snacking (due to a chemical imbalance, if I remember to take the right supplements it's better) and restaurant food. If I can control those, I'll be doing great. So any advice is welcome.

I bought low-fat microwave popcorn and fixings for homemade hummus and veggies in case the craves hit me at night.

Sometimes snacking is better if you turn it into mini-meals. During the week I eat five times a day, but they are more like snacks with healthy foods. On the weekends though I am not so good and eat one big meal with one snack in the morning. But I have heard that snacking for meals is actually better for you and so far I have had success with it.

[_Tanya_]

I am thinking of trying alli. Just to kick start it and cheat a little. Anyone try this? What are your experiences with it? I just feel so overwhelmed and I want a kick in the butt.

Well, if you eat a high fat meal while taking alli, a kick in the butt is exactly what you will get ,r:;

I'm always wary of chemicals that block absorption of anything into the system. I just feel like the studies on this drug aren't long term enough.

I highly reccomend weight watchers (go to the meetings) I know everyone has their own success but at one point at 5'1" I weighed 180lbs. I'm now any where between 120-130 (I don't know for sure I threw out my scale when I got close to my happy weight) and I judge my body based on how I feel and my clothes fit. Obsessing over numbers is not the way to go trust me

[maranajla]

Yay, us!

A few years ago I tried Alli~ I didn't have any *ahem* issues, but the fear of them is what kept me on the straight and narrow and that might be really what it's all about.

I became vegan and wheat free in February and have unexpectedly lost weight. This made me very happy!! However, I have plateaued in the past month which started me at the gym 3-4 days a week, usually on the treadmill for half an hour. That started to get boring so I dusted off P90X which my bf and I purchased in January and have been doing it for a week. Ouch, yo. The workouts are about an hour each. I have only done half an hour of each* and will continue this way for the remainder of this week and next. Beginning the 22nd, I will start doing the whole workout except yoga as it is really tough to find a continuous time period of 92 minutes-though if I can, I will do it.

I am keeping with the half hour: A) bc I can always find this period of time in my day and I wanted to be consistent, even more important in the next couple weeks where I have gobs of commitments after work and B) the workouts are really stinking tough- one day is crazy weight training and the next is crazier cardio (Kenpo is one cardio- I did half an hour on Sat and I'm still sore).

[andalee-oriental]

We have P90X at home. My boyfriend bought it. He's a skinny little thing, but wants to bulk up. Maybe I should try it.

I really like your idea of 30 min increments Mara. That's usually how I approach practicing belly dance, but I should do that with work outs too. Of course, I had a nutritionist tell me that I need to work out for an hour a day 5 times a week to lose weight. YUCK!

Oh, and my new favorite gluten-free vegan snack is Cedar's Zesty Lemon Hommos spread on Tamari Rice Crackers. YUM!

[penguinberry]

If anyone out there is looking to start weight training, I can't recommend Stumptuous highly enough. It's a terrific resource for general conditioning and health, and its focus is weight training for women. Just wanted to mention it for any ladies who are nervous about training with free weights - it's helped me in a big way!

[RaqOn]

I'm down from 157 to 149!

[suzyq52]

I was down eighteen pounds and have slacked off a bit - this thread will be good for me. I need to get back to doing more cardio at the local gym!

[Azhia]

I'm on my 2nd round of P90X Classic.

I traveled for 6 weeks in the States and it pretty much counted as a rest period. Did "maintenance yoga" for much of that time.

I noticed that the rest period was very good for adding definition. I've never looked like this before.

I highly recommend a read through of Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food." It advocates against "nutritionism" and orthorexia in favor of eating real food, however you can manage it, speaking as a recovering orthorexic/dysmorphic.

I also resonate with the suggestion above (Fotia's) to make snacks into mini-meals.

For some reason we have become so accustomed to snacking, rather than allowing ourselves to feel a little hungry (being objective/comfortable with that sensation) until we are able to sit down at a table and eat a meal.

I noticed that I felt mentally uncomfortable with the "empty" feeling. But it's just a sensation and it's actually good to feel a tiny bit hungry before you eat a meal. In conjunction with a regular eating schedule, the body starts to anticipate eating a meal, producing the food-digesting enzymes ahead of time so that when you eat the meal, you'll be able to process it properly. That short period of hunger also allows the body to take a rest from digestion. That being said, don't let it go too far or else your bod will go into starvation mode.

[Lauren_]

Weird, Azhia, I've been thinking about that very thing lately.

I didn't have problems with weight when I was younger, and I had a much healthier relationship with food then. I can still remember what that relationship was like -- I'd get hungry, but I'd be busy.. sometimes by the time I finished what I was doing, the hunger sensation would've gone away completely. I was rarely thinking about food when it wasn't in front of me, and I often ate whatever I had on hand -- can of soup, turkey sandwich -- regardless of whether I found it really appealing that day or not. (now if I can't find something yummy in the kitchen I'll hop in my car and drive thru someplace. Bad!)

Candy, cookies, chips, whatever were a treat maybe once a week, not something I had to fight the urge to nibble on every time I went into a gas station or grocery store!

Dunno what happened. I think my metabolism slowed down, weight became an issue, and I became WAY too aware of food.

Anyway.. hunger. I think of it now as my body's way of saying 'Hey, if you don't eat something soon, I'm going to have to digest some fat!' So letting it go, keeping busy until the sensation disappears once every day or two is GREAT. Being hungry continuously would be very bad for the metabolism, I'm sure.

[maranajla]

We have P90X at home. My boyfriend bought it. He's a skinny little thing, but wants to bulk up. Maybe I should try it.

I really like your idea of 30 min increments Mara. That's usually how I approach practicing belly dance, but I should do that with work outs too. Of course, I had a nutritionist tell me that I need to work out for an hour a day 5 times a week to lose weight. YUCK!

Oh, and my new favorite gluten-free vegan snack is Cedar's Zesty Lemon Hommos spread on Tamari Rice Crackers. YUM!

Some of the weight vids are easier to do half- one does the same routine, forward and back; one does 3 diff exercises in 2 rounds before moving on. The cardio is harder, but I just stop it at 30. I do give it my all for that half hour! I decided to do it this way just to get in the habit. One hour is a lot for me to keep the focus; I realize it will take me longer to lose weight but I keep reminding myself the more important goal is to become healthy and fit, regardless of the scale, and at this time the best way for me to achieve this is to do what I'm doing. I do look forward to "Bringing It'' for the whole video!

That hummus sounds yum, I'll have to look for it! I've been into plain rice crackers but I always think of forcing myself to try a different flavor...maybe I'll take a leap thanks to your recommendation.

[maranajla]

I'm on my 2nd round of P90X Classic.

I traveled for 6 weeks in the States and it pretty much counted as a rest period. Did "maintenance yoga" for much of that time.

I noticed that the rest period was very good for adding definition. I've never looked like this before.

I highly recommend a read through of Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food." It advocates against "nutritionism" and orthorexia in favor of eating real food, however you can manage it, speaking as a recovering orthorexic/dysmorphic.

Thank you for the reminder! I remember you mentioning this book in previous posts and I had wanted to read it.

[maranajla]

Oh~ wanted to mention that while the weight loss was a happy bonus, I became vegan for personal reasons and wheat free for physical. Wheat and its friends won't kill me but I don't feel well when I eat them thus I don't. :)

[Azhia]

Weird, Azhia, I've been thinking about that very thing lately.

I didn't have problems with weight when I was younger, and I had a much healthier relationship with food then. I can still remember what that relationship was like -- I'd get hungry, but I'd be busy.. sometimes by the time I finished what I was doing, the hunger sensation would've gone away completely. I was rarely thinking about food when it wasn't in front of me, and I often ate whatever I had on hand -- can of soup, turkey sandwich -- regardless of whether I found it really appealing that day or not. (now if I can't find something yummy in the kitchen I'll hop in my car and drive thru someplace. Bad!)

Candy, cookies, chips, whatever were a treat maybe once a week, not something I had to fight the urge to nibble on every time I went into a gas station or grocery store!

Dunno what happened. I think my metabolism slowed down, weight became an issue, and I became WAY too aware of food.

Anyway.. hunger. I think of it now as my body's way of saying 'Hey, if you don't eat something soon, I'm going to have to digest some fat!' So letting it go, keeping busy until the sensation disappears once every day or two is GREAT. Being hungry continuously would be very bad for the metabolism, I'm sure.

Amen. I am the same lately. Though I'm convinced that a lot of my food obsession (thinking the next time I get to eat, feeling "sad" when my bowl or plate of food is coming to an end, not liking the empty/hungry feeling, etc.) is due to some emotional issues and food is a tangible symbol for it.

I noticed that when I travel in the States and I'm doing something different everyday or I'm in a different environment for short periods of time, I don't focus so much on food. I make the best choices I possibly can and even if I have to eat a Snickers b/c that's the only thing around, I don't feel upset by it. My attention is diverted to other things (my unfamiliar surroundings, work, etc.) so food plays a different role. Hmm...more things to ponder.

[stardancer]

I went back to the gym today after my month long bout with pneumonia. My stamina is in the toilet right now. I could barely make it through my 30 min of cardio before my weight training session. Then I had to reduce all my weights. I feel depressed about the back slide.

[WildAnmar96]

Honestly, I stopped caring about my weight and decided to focus on body fat. I gained weight but I dropped my body fat percentage from to 26% to 19% in two months. I found that the combination of weight lifting, spinning, and kick boxing melts off the fat fastest.

[Ahmber]

I'm on my 2nd round of P90X Classic.

I traveled for 6 weeks in the States and it pretty much counted as a rest period. Did "maintenance yoga" for much of that time.

I noticed that the rest period was very good for adding definition. I've never looked like this before.

I highly recommend a read through of Michael Pollan's "In Defense of Food." It advocates against "nutritionism" and orthorexia in favor of eating real food, however you can manage it, speaking as a recovering orthorexic/dysmorphic.

I also resonate with the suggestion above (Fotia's) to make snacks into mini-meals.

For some reason we have become so accustomed to snacking, rather than allowing ourselves to feel a little hungry (being objective/comfortable with that sensation) until we are able to sit down at a table and eat a meal.

I noticed that I felt mentally uncomfortable with the "empty" feeling. But it's just a sensation and it's actually good to feel a tiny bit hungry before you eat a meal. In conjunction with a regular eating schedule, the body starts to anticipate eating a meal, producing the food-digesting enzymes ahead of time so that when you eat the meal, you'll be able to process it properly. That short period of hunger also allows the body to take a rest from digestion. That being said, don't let it go too far or else your bod will go into starvation mode.

P90x is an awesome program! Even if you are in super shape. I stole my sisters and I tried it out and I was sore for days! I kept it up after I had Lucian and so far I have lost a bunch and more importantly gained my energy back. The guy on the video is real annoying but I mute the tv and play some kick butt music.
As far as diet, I don't do dairy and I eat as much roughage and fruit as possible. I do make sure I take a good supplement, fish oil, and pro-biotic. I also do regular cleanses. (not while I'm still breast feeding of course)

[jesennia]

Did some excellent walking trails in Sedona but my daily walks are now every other day..I'm in bay area on 'vacation' and it's really tough to walk fast with one of those cheapie strollers for baby..we take walks but I miss my old jogger stroller

have been eating a LOT of berries, the friend I'm staying with stocks the house with organic everything..there's nothing white and processed here.

'bad' carb consumption is also waaay down. no cookies in the house! been learning how to make my own salad dressing and eating a lot of salads, fruit salads, etc. been having high protein meals

i think it was a shock to the system at first, not sure if i was experiencing jet lag, lack of sleep, or lack of carbs but things seem to have stabilized..still need more sleep at night (toddler still wakes a lot) but my diet feels great

when I return to hawaii i'll be tossing a lot of food and only allowing in good stuff, will urge husband to not bring home the discounted donuts anymore. Will be spending more money on good food and eating more organic instead of trying to save money and eating quick carby crap

[ZanaRaqs]

has anyone seen 'cook yourself thin' on lifetime? i saw a bit of it this morning and it was actually a pretty good show with a variety of yummy looking foods! it wasn't focused on getting skinny (altho the title says otherwise) but rather getting healthier. i think i might have to take down a recipe or two when i go abroad next month cuz i'll actually have to cook there .w.: *gasp!* lol

[midnight_star56]

has anyone seen 'cook yourself thin' on lifetime? i saw a bit of it this morning and it was actually a pretty good show with a variety of yummy looking foods! it wasn't focused on getting skinny (altho the title says otherwise) but rather getting healthier. i think i might have to take down a recipe or two when i go abroad next month cuz i'll actually have to cook there .w.: *gasp!* lol

I was just looking at the cookbook for this show on Amazon last night. Looks yummy!

[ssipes]

If anyone out there is looking to start weight training, I can't recommend Stumptuous highly enough. It's a terrific resource for general conditioning and health, and its focus is weight training for women. Just wanted to mention it for any ladies who are nervous about training with free weights - it's helped me in a big way!

Word. Krista and friends rule!

[Fotia]

I went back to the gym today after my month long bout with pneumonia. My stamina is in the toilet right now. I could barely make it through my 30 min of cardio before my weight training session. Then I had to reduce all my weights. I feel depressed about the back slide.

30 minutes the first time is a lot after pneumonia! Try 15 minutes next time and work your way up. The same with weights. Your body has just had the proverbial crap kicked out of it so don't over do it!

[penguinberry]

Word. Krista and friends rule!

I had a few personal training sessions with her last year, and I've taken a few of her workshops. She kicks your ass in the best possible way.