Ah, the weekend. Chinese food, Mexican food and a little drinking. It is fine, though. Nothing actually crazy, just some over indulgences. Back on track today :) My mom was in town and we had lunch on the lawn at the Capital -- she brought us very healthy deli sandwiches (no mayo, 1 slice of cheese, lean turkey and masses of veggies on whole wheat). Other than that have had a protein bar for breakfast and an XS energy drink for afternoon pick me up :) Will have another protein bar on my way home, then dinner later.
Alyssa, thanks for adding me to the comment thing! I did get your comment.
Rosie, the only place nearby to swim is our local "health club" which charges about $100/month for two people and about $70 for one person (I guess you get a 2 person "discount"). We had a membership there for 9 months and went a total of two times, so we canceled it. There was $900 well spent...I love to swim, but just didn't get my ass in gear to go. Also, I've noticed when I am doing a lot of swimming I eat ravenously afterwards. I was swimming a lot the first year of college and gained like 20 pounds because I would come home after swimming for an hour and eat the entire fridge. I must have some freakish post-swimming metabolism!
I made a huge batch of vegetable soup last night to have for worktime veggies this week, instead of salads. Celery, onions, carrots, red potatoes, zucchini and canned tomatoes (with the juice). Yum :)
Monday, September 22, 2008
it's the little things
Can I just say: I went to the store and I didn't buy salami!! I feel so triumphant. I have an addiction.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Check in
Lyssa, that would be great if you would add my email so I get notified of comments. Thanks!
Rosie, thanks for the tips on Tofu! I think it will have to be a weekend thing - maybe this Sunday...yum. I forgot about Soy Vay - I remember Elizabeth Roesch's family used to use lots of different flavors to season veggies and tofu and other vegetarian dishes.
Update on me -- I'm down a pound from last week and have yet to start exercising. We are going to look at a used recumbent exercise bike tomorrow so I can get back into some cardio. I have a "crunchy" knee and have found the eliptical to be hell and the treadmill/walking to be ok, but not great for 4-5 days/week for 30 mins! Also, we are going to move our weight bench into the living room so it is more accesible (than the hot and stuffy garage!). Have been eating pretty well except for the occassional late night quesadilla (I love me some melted cheese on carbs!!). We have been quite good eating the food we purchased at the grocery store -- versus stocking our fridge and then eating out because it is easier and letting all the food go bad (doh!), which is what we've done countless other weeks. It has been great on our budget to actually use the food we buy - go figure! I think the ease of preparation of the stuff we've been shopping for has a lot to do with it. Especially since we figured out we can microwave those TJ's main courses :) Even the fish, which I thought would be weird. 8 minutes in the microwave versus 45 mins-1 hour in the oven...yeah, I'll take that :)
Rosie, thanks for the tips on Tofu! I think it will have to be a weekend thing - maybe this Sunday...yum. I forgot about Soy Vay - I remember Elizabeth Roesch's family used to use lots of different flavors to season veggies and tofu and other vegetarian dishes.
Update on me -- I'm down a pound from last week and have yet to start exercising. We are going to look at a used recumbent exercise bike tomorrow so I can get back into some cardio. I have a "crunchy" knee and have found the eliptical to be hell and the treadmill/walking to be ok, but not great for 4-5 days/week for 30 mins! Also, we are going to move our weight bench into the living room so it is more accesible (than the hot and stuffy garage!). Have been eating pretty well except for the occassional late night quesadilla (I love me some melted cheese on carbs!!). We have been quite good eating the food we purchased at the grocery store -- versus stocking our fridge and then eating out because it is easier and letting all the food go bad (doh!), which is what we've done countless other weeks. It has been great on our budget to actually use the food we buy - go figure! I think the ease of preparation of the stuff we've been shopping for has a lot to do with it. Especially since we figured out we can microwave those TJ's main courses :) Even the fish, which I thought would be weird. 8 minutes in the microwave versus 45 mins-1 hour in the oven...yeah, I'll take that :)
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Ellen (and everyone else) - if you want I can put in your email so that whenever someone comments on any post, it is emailed to you. Just let me know.
Rosie, we do grilled cheese with soup all the time, and we usually include a small salad, but some grilled veggies would be nice too. I don't like zuchinni though so I'd have to think of something else.
Thanks ladies for all the input on the alcohol situation. I usually only have 1 small glass a night, but then on weekends we go out and I have way too much. Like last night. And I always get hungry when I drink which sucks.
My plan for tonight is to make a menu for the week. Mark and I always try this and stick to it for about a week then forget about it for a few months. It really does help us to have a plan ahead of time, otherwise we resort to crap food or take-out. Any suggestions? I'm definitely gonna try some of the TJ meals Ellen mentioned. What else are some of your favorite dinner meals to make at home?
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tofu and Alcohol
To answer everyone's question, I am not a vegetarian :-P
Alyssa, I am sorry you are stressed! One donut in how many days (?) is not something to beat yourself up about. <3
Tofu
Ellen, for cooking hard tofu, it doesn't really soak up a marinade, so you can pan fry or steam it and pour some sauce on top, maybe with some veggies cooked with the sauce. I love TJ's green curry sauce (which is kinda caloric, but has lots of flavor so you can use sparingly) or any Soy Vay product.
Alcohol stuff (as far as I know)
The WW stand on alcohol is vague because everyone metabolizes it differently, but they basically treat it as another food that takes up points. One 6 oz glass of red or white is 2 points, so just keep an eye on the size of your glass. Desert wines are an extra point because of the sugar.
Alcohol also stimulates appetite, so depending on your behavior, you can have a glass when you are really full and can't eat anything (although I wouldn't advise stuffing yourself) or have a glass right before a healthy dinner. I usually like wine right after dinner - I will observe myself and see if my eating habits are altered by this.
Exercise
I have met this nice woman who does weight training and is all buff, and she offered to help me with some routines in the gym for FREE! Hooray for my charming smile! I will make her dinner as a trade :-P
So we will see how this goes the next two weeks. I am hoping to take on working-out like rehearsal for a show. I take rehearsal super seriously, and it is a necessity when I am working on a show. So I plan to borrow that attitude for exercise so that I can make it a more solid part of my life.
Weigh-In
I would definitely not be able to do that everyday. I prefer and average over time. Are you keeping track with a chart? or remembering each weigh-in? Another good way to measure progress is to measure your body. Bust, waist, hips, thigh and bicep. Although you do have to make someone help you (make your husbands do it! I guess we are outta luck, eh dawn?) Also, this is kinda gross, but maybe weigh in after you go potty?
Food
Many of the parties for the summer have subsided, so that has really helped me stay on track. My meals have been as follows:
oatmeal with berries
coffee with fat free creamer
salad with some sort of yummy topping (goat cheese, chicken, avo)
fruit or flaxseed chips for a snack
Brown rice and chicken, or the other night I had grilled cheese with grilled zucchini and soup which was amazing! OH and last night I had sushi and beer.
I tend to be a little more relaxed at dinner because it is my favorite meal of the day. I can be a little better with portions and choices for this meal.
Alyssa, I am sorry you are stressed! One donut in how many days (?) is not something to beat yourself up about. <3
Tofu
Ellen, for cooking hard tofu, it doesn't really soak up a marinade, so you can pan fry or steam it and pour some sauce on top, maybe with some veggies cooked with the sauce. I love TJ's green curry sauce (which is kinda caloric, but has lots of flavor so you can use sparingly) or any Soy Vay product.
Alcohol stuff (as far as I know)
The WW stand on alcohol is vague because everyone metabolizes it differently, but they basically treat it as another food that takes up points. One 6 oz glass of red or white is 2 points, so just keep an eye on the size of your glass. Desert wines are an extra point because of the sugar.
Alcohol also stimulates appetite, so depending on your behavior, you can have a glass when you are really full and can't eat anything (although I wouldn't advise stuffing yourself) or have a glass right before a healthy dinner. I usually like wine right after dinner - I will observe myself and see if my eating habits are altered by this.
Exercise
I have met this nice woman who does weight training and is all buff, and she offered to help me with some routines in the gym for FREE! Hooray for my charming smile! I will make her dinner as a trade :-P
So we will see how this goes the next two weeks. I am hoping to take on working-out like rehearsal for a show. I take rehearsal super seriously, and it is a necessity when I am working on a show. So I plan to borrow that attitude for exercise so that I can make it a more solid part of my life.
Weigh-In
I would definitely not be able to do that everyday. I prefer and average over time. Are you keeping track with a chart? or remembering each weigh-in? Another good way to measure progress is to measure your body. Bust, waist, hips, thigh and bicep. Although you do have to make someone help you (make your husbands do it! I guess we are outta luck, eh dawn?) Also, this is kinda gross, but maybe weigh in after you go potty?
Food
Many of the parties for the summer have subsided, so that has really helped me stay on track. My meals have been as follows:
oatmeal with berries
coffee with fat free creamer
salad with some sort of yummy topping (goat cheese, chicken, avo)
fruit or flaxseed chips for a snack
Brown rice and chicken, or the other night I had grilled cheese with grilled zucchini and soup which was amazing! OH and last night I had sushi and beer.
I tend to be a little more relaxed at dinner because it is my favorite meal of the day. I can be a little better with portions and choices for this meal.
Alcohol & Weight Loss
Was gonna put this as a comment to Alyssa's last post, but then I realized it was the size of a small novel (maybe a novella?) and I should put it in a separate post. Also, do people read the comments? I find myself forgetting they are there and just responding in a post...though I do occasionally make a comment, I never remember to see if other people have commented...
Anyway, regarding alcohol: I'm not positive, but I think wine (red or white) is approx 20 cals per ounce. There's all these differences between a "sweet" wine (more sugar, more calories) and a "dry" wine, as well as between white and red, but I think a decent average is 20 cals/ounce. So, if you have a 4-5 ounce glass that's about 80-100 cals.
My understanding is that alcohol is its own category (not one of the three macronutrients: carbs, fat, or protein), and my understanding is that those calories get burned first in your body. Meaning, if there are alcohol calories they will get burned before the protein, carbs, or fat you ate as well as before your body works on burning the extra fat stored in your body. So, theoretically, drinking alcohol will mean you aren't burning as much fat as if you didn't drink the alcohol. I could be totally wrong, though, as I have tried to read a lot on this topic (alcohol) and still don't think I really "get it."
Seriously, though, it seems like as long as you are "counting" it as part of your program (WW, food journaling, conscious eating, whatever!), and noting that it is taking up some calories (points, picks, volume, whatever), then I really think it is just as if you were to eat something else with 100 calories (like a 100-cal pack of cookies or some fruit juice...). Ie., 100 calories is 100 calories. Granted certain things will make you feel better, fill you up more, provide nutrients, affect your immune system, and many other good things, blah, blah, blah, but if you are eating 1,500 calories one day and 1,500 calories the next day (or 26 WW points and 26 WW points, etc.) and one of the days includes 300 cals (or 6 points, or whatever) of wine and the other had those 300 cals (or 6 points) as whole wheat bread, it is still 300 cals (or 6 points)! That is just my understanding, though!
Anyway, regarding alcohol: I'm not positive, but I think wine (red or white) is approx 20 cals per ounce. There's all these differences between a "sweet" wine (more sugar, more calories) and a "dry" wine, as well as between white and red, but I think a decent average is 20 cals/ounce. So, if you have a 4-5 ounce glass that's about 80-100 cals.
My understanding is that alcohol is its own category (not one of the three macronutrients: carbs, fat, or protein), and my understanding is that those calories get burned first in your body. Meaning, if there are alcohol calories they will get burned before the protein, carbs, or fat you ate as well as before your body works on burning the extra fat stored in your body. So, theoretically, drinking alcohol will mean you aren't burning as much fat as if you didn't drink the alcohol. I could be totally wrong, though, as I have tried to read a lot on this topic (alcohol) and still don't think I really "get it."
Seriously, though, it seems like as long as you are "counting" it as part of your program (WW, food journaling, conscious eating, whatever!), and noting that it is taking up some calories (points, picks, volume, whatever), then I really think it is just as if you were to eat something else with 100 calories (like a 100-cal pack of cookies or some fruit juice...). Ie., 100 calories is 100 calories. Granted certain things will make you feel better, fill you up more, provide nutrients, affect your immune system, and many other good things, blah, blah, blah, but if you are eating 1,500 calories one day and 1,500 calories the next day (or 26 WW points and 26 WW points, etc.) and one of the days includes 300 cals (or 6 points, or whatever) of wine and the other had those 300 cals (or 6 points) as whole wheat bread, it is still 300 cals (or 6 points)! That is just my understanding, though!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
thanks Ellen!
I'm definitely going to try some of those TJ dinners! That sounds like our kind of thing. Something easy prep-wise along with a salad or side dish. Dawn is actually eating chicken and fish now, not sure about Rosie.
Unfortunately I caved and had a donut for breakfast this morning, but otherwise have been pretty good the past few days. How bad is a glass of white wine, out of curiousity? Been having more of those in the evenings lately.
The donut thing this morning was one of those moments of "I deserve it" because I've been so stressed and overwhelmed lately. It was so annoying because I was very conscious of the thought process and yet still went through with it. I'm definitely an advocate for treating yourself once in a while, and I believe that if you deny yourself what you like then you end up craving them more, but I just hate succumbing to those "deserving" thoughts!
Weighing every day is hard!
I even put the scale on the bathroom floor (as opposed to under the sink) and I STILL don't remember! What's up with that? Hmm....whatever, I'm working on it. It has actually been quite reassuring to do this daily thing (when I remember), since I see the crazy fluctuations and know for an absolute fact that it is not physically possible to gain 4 pounds in one day. I would have had to eat 14,000 extra calories the previous day. So, no big deal, maybe it is water, etc. Especially if I know I did pretty well the day before. If I had seen that kind of gain after 1 week I would have freaked out -- "Is it possible I ate an extra 2,000 calories every day for the last 7 days?! Well, there was that pizza, and I didn't work out so I didn't burn calories, and we did get Chinese..." and then I would freakout, "OMG I can't do this!!!" So, this is better :)
We are starting to shop more and more at Trader Joe's for dinner protein and veggies. Don't know if you guys have ever tried them, but they have these crazy 2 serving frozen main course things that are really good options. Lots of chicken options which are usually like 2 chicken breasts (or chicken breast pieces) with some sort of toppings (chopped peppers, spices, pesto, etc.) -- I think we've tried 4 or 5 different chicken ones. Also there's two fish ones we've tried and loved -- Citronelle Tilapia and Mojito Salmon. The nutrition varies depending on the toppings, with some better than others, but all quite decent. We split the package over a little brown rice and then have a salad or some frozen bagged veggies for a quick dinner. Only thing is the things take like 45 minutes in the oven so if you are in a hurry it is lame. But, if you are home and just don't like stirring and preparing for 45 minutes, it is 45 minutes of "do some else time"! [My recommendation would be to watch Eddie Izzard clips on YouTube!] Anyway, I'm loving it because it is easy, healthy, whole foods, and I don't have to deal with raw chicken!!! Guess this would only be an option for Alyssa, though, because Rosie and Dawn aren't you both vegetarian? I know Dawn (right?), but Rosie, too, yes? Or just not a lot of meat?
Recipe Request
Does anyone know any good baked tofu recipes? I was thinking of trying to bake or dry-pan-fry some firm tofu (not silken, ha, ha!), but am wondering aboout marinating and/or flavoring. I've heard that miso and soy are pretty good for flavorings, but am wondering if any of you have a favorite tofu recipe or any tofu ideas you'd like to pass on...
We are starting to shop more and more at Trader Joe's for dinner protein and veggies. Don't know if you guys have ever tried them, but they have these crazy 2 serving frozen main course things that are really good options. Lots of chicken options which are usually like 2 chicken breasts (or chicken breast pieces) with some sort of toppings (chopped peppers, spices, pesto, etc.) -- I think we've tried 4 or 5 different chicken ones. Also there's two fish ones we've tried and loved -- Citronelle Tilapia and Mojito Salmon. The nutrition varies depending on the toppings, with some better than others, but all quite decent. We split the package over a little brown rice and then have a salad or some frozen bagged veggies for a quick dinner. Only thing is the things take like 45 minutes in the oven so if you are in a hurry it is lame. But, if you are home and just don't like stirring and preparing for 45 minutes, it is 45 minutes of "do some else time"! [My recommendation would be to watch Eddie Izzard clips on YouTube!] Anyway, I'm loving it because it is easy, healthy, whole foods, and I don't have to deal with raw chicken!!! Guess this would only be an option for Alyssa, though, because Rosie and Dawn aren't you both vegetarian? I know Dawn (right?), but Rosie, too, yes? Or just not a lot of meat?
Recipe Request
Does anyone know any good baked tofu recipes? I was thinking of trying to bake or dry-pan-fry some firm tofu (not silken, ha, ha!), but am wondering aboout marinating and/or flavoring. I've heard that miso and soy are pretty good for flavorings, but am wondering if any of you have a favorite tofu recipe or any tofu ideas you'd like to pass on...
general thoughts
1- food obsessions suck
2- americans obsession on thin sucks, esp. in California...not to hate on our state...
3- chile does have fat people, but not too many obese, don´t have big humungous portions, but also I have yet too see the large diet section in the supermarket..
4-as the only single broad, I get to talk about the market, I like the dating market better, not that I am dating anyone, but I feel sexier...am I being crazy?
5-yes lots of folks look white here, so I am not that exotic...only whenI talk, ooo lal la
6-that´s all, and sorry I am not eloquent, I cannot speak-write in English and Spanish... so I am learning Chinese
2- americans obsession on thin sucks, esp. in California...not to hate on our state...
3- chile does have fat people, but not too many obese, don´t have big humungous portions, but also I have yet too see the large diet section in the supermarket..
4-as the only single broad, I get to talk about the market, I like the dating market better, not that I am dating anyone, but I feel sexier...am I being crazy?
5-yes lots of folks look white here, so I am not that exotic...only whenI talk, ooo lal la
6-that´s all, and sorry I am not eloquent, I cannot speak-write in English and Spanish... so I am learning Chinese
hello from down south
OK, first so I read all the blogs for the past week or so and random comments..notthing to get too excited about...thinking about you all...
I would say my food is about the same as the last time I chatted with you all..but I am doing great on walking around lots and I almost always take the stairs on the metro, which is like, a lot...I felt a pair of pants being loser yesterday which is good...night eating has basiclly decreased to zilch! ya...men here love me ! yha...so I am not super obsessed...ya!! I do want to make some changes as finding clothes and want not is hard, and ain´t so happy with my kangaroo baby...
but doing OK
today
piece of bread with margerin
tea with nf milk (2 cups)
oatmeal
bring some eggs and rice to work
apple
plan on having bannana and 1 piece of toast later
love you all!!
Dawn
ps not sure how much I weigh, its in Kilos...eck! but will go by pants and pinch factor...currently up, but doing OK..did this make sense?
I would say my food is about the same as the last time I chatted with you all..but I am doing great on walking around lots and I almost always take the stairs on the metro, which is like, a lot...I felt a pair of pants being loser yesterday which is good...night eating has basiclly decreased to zilch! ya...men here love me ! yha...so I am not super obsessed...ya!! I do want to make some changes as finding clothes and want not is hard, and ain´t so happy with my kangaroo baby...
but doing OK
today
piece of bread with margerin
tea with nf milk (2 cups)
oatmeal
bring some eggs and rice to work
apple
plan on having bannana and 1 piece of toast later
love you all!!
Dawn
ps not sure how much I weigh, its in Kilos...eck! but will go by pants and pinch factor...currently up, but doing OK..did this make sense?
Friday, September 5, 2008
Yo, yo...
Hey, Chicas!
Past few days have been "ok" -- not great, but not too bad, either :) I'm really trying to get into this "dimmer switch" idea, where it isn't all or nothing, just different levels of intensity. Tonight is a date night and we're getting pizza, so dimmer switch is very low tonight!
I've decided to weigh myself daily instead of weekly. I have been having too many random weight fluctuations and on a weekly basis it is hard to know if it is a random fluctuation or a true loss or gain. This way I'll just keep an eye on how the trend is going, not the specific number for the week. I'll check back in soon :)
~Ellen
Past few days have been "ok" -- not great, but not too bad, either :) I'm really trying to get into this "dimmer switch" idea, where it isn't all or nothing, just different levels of intensity. Tonight is a date night and we're getting pizza, so dimmer switch is very low tonight!
I've decided to weigh myself daily instead of weekly. I have been having too many random weight fluctuations and on a weekly basis it is hard to know if it is a random fluctuation or a true loss or gain. This way I'll just keep an eye on how the trend is going, not the specific number for the week. I'll check back in soon :)
~Ellen
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Thursday
Rosie - you are so smart! Our 10 year reunion is a great motivator! Wow, that's going to come up quick. Congrats on the weight loss!!
I know exactly what you mean about not wanting rich foods anymore. When I was being really good before the wedding, it was actually easy to just say "No cake", and after a bit it was like that stuff didn't even sound good anymore. Unfortunately I've back-stepped a bit, but I'm still doing better about keeping cravings under control.
Lately I've been super hungry after work. I'm eating the usual amount, no changes, but for some reason at 2:00 I'm starving! I really need to stock up on snacks. I'm thinking about getting a mini-fridge for my classroom.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
I unsuccessfully went 10 days with just veggies, fruit and whole grains, but came very, very close! Weekends were hard, but work was easy. I can stock the fridge here with good things, and there are not many distractions. I am so glad I am at the front desk - no candy here!
Announcement: I have lost 3 lbs in one week
Teaming up with someone is a major help. I am a horrible person if I leave my work-out buddy stranded at 6am, so, I exercise! I know when I am losing weight, because my elbows have to travel a little farther to reach my sides. Kind of a weird feeling. But all my clothes fit the same.
Over the past week, I think because of our conversations about cravings, I have felt a disconnect from food. I haven't thought about what I am going to eat for lunch at 8am in a while. Although I think "mm, a burger sounds good" I just simply don't go get one. There is like a split second where I have to decided to go to in n' out or not, and lately I have taken control in my head and it's been not.
Another weird revelation: because I have been eating kind of bland things like oatmeal, brown rice, and salads, incredibly rich food is hard for me to eat. I took a bite of my boyfriend's fettuccine alfredo and nearly gagged on the sauciness. At weight watchers they told us a good tip to brush our teeth or have a mint right after we eat, that way we don't crave for more. Well, I haven't had a lot of strong tastes in my mouth lately, so they are hard for me to eat altogether. Kinda interesting....who knows if it will last?
Another great goal to set for ourselves is to look really good and healthy for our 10 year HIgh School reunion! We are so old...
Announcement: I have lost 3 lbs in one week
Teaming up with someone is a major help. I am a horrible person if I leave my work-out buddy stranded at 6am, so, I exercise! I know when I am losing weight, because my elbows have to travel a little farther to reach my sides. Kind of a weird feeling. But all my clothes fit the same.
Over the past week, I think because of our conversations about cravings, I have felt a disconnect from food. I haven't thought about what I am going to eat for lunch at 8am in a while. Although I think "mm, a burger sounds good" I just simply don't go get one. There is like a split second where I have to decided to go to in n' out or not, and lately I have taken control in my head and it's been not.
Another weird revelation: because I have been eating kind of bland things like oatmeal, brown rice, and salads, incredibly rich food is hard for me to eat. I took a bite of my boyfriend's fettuccine alfredo and nearly gagged on the sauciness. At weight watchers they told us a good tip to brush our teeth or have a mint right after we eat, that way we don't crave for more. Well, I haven't had a lot of strong tastes in my mouth lately, so they are hard for me to eat altogether. Kinda interesting....who knows if it will last?
Another great goal to set for ourselves is to look really good and healthy for our 10 year HIgh School reunion! We are so old...
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