Beyond Recovery: Christin's journal of progress (comments welcome)

[rcyannacci]

Friday:
B- ww english muffin w/ peanut butter and strawberries
L- left-over fried chicken (I have to stop my DH from bringing this stuff home)
S- 1/2 c. multigrain cheerios
D- Italian chicken and olive sauce over linguini, slice of sourdough bread (too many carbs!)
S- OK- I hit a low here with sugar cravings...I had 1 c. frozen yogurt that had been in the freezer for a while, so I scraped off the freezer burn from the outside layer to get at the yogurt beneath. What was I thinking!

Exercise- Curves 40 min, abs 5 min. I really had to push myself today because I wasn't into it, and the loud annoying girl was at Curves today...she drives me nuts!

 

[Lesli54]

Just remember for next time, how low you have gone to get sugar and think "is it worth it?" Time to go stock up on some fruits and natural sugars. Does sugar free jello w/ cool whip lite do anything for you? Very few calories and can feel like a treat. Or maybe a sm. slice of angel food cake with fresh strawberries and cool whip lite or sugar free chocolate pudding? These types of things feel like wonderful treats to me and are much lower in calories than the real thing.

Congrats on getting below 210! Keep plugging away and you will be out of the 200's soon.

Have a great day!

 

[pearlieq]

Good job pushing yourself through Curves! I know I usually want to just walk out halfway through the first circuit, but it's always worth it in the end.

Hope you have a great weekend and the sugar cravings don't bother you too much!

 

[rcyannacci]

Saturday-
B- ww english muffin w/ peanut butter and a banana
L- leftover chicken pasta, heavy on the tomatoes and chicken, light on the pasta.
D- for whatever reason, I couldn't get my act together and plan dinner, so we ended up at Cheddar's. I lost my mind! Seriously, I have no idea where my head went because I wasn't even thinking about what food I should eat. I had fried chicken tenders, cole slaw, and fries (DH helped me with the fries) and then chocolate cake for dessert....finally, my piece of birthday cake I've been obsessing over!

Exercise- 30 min walk/jog in the park with the dogs. (I pulled something at Curves yesterday...not my hamstring, but the muscle in the back of my leg above my knee. So I took it really easy.)



OK- time to drag myself out of whatever funk I've been in! Summer always hits me like a ton of bricks...I'm not good without having a set schedule, and now I have no classes, no writing deadlines except the ones I set myself, and a big empty expanse of time that I need to fill. So far I've been filling it with watching season 1 of 24 (Keifer Sutherland is hot!), with comparatively minimal time spent on my writing. And, I have too much time on my hands to think about food...I've been obsessing over my missed birthday cake for days which has set me on a sugar kick again. Enough!

Step 1 (schedule and location)-Once Memorial day is over, I'm going to drag myself out of the house to work, moving all of my stuff to my library office. I just ahve way too many distractions here. 8:00-3:00 work day, then to Curves, then home to make a healthy dinner. Then, Keifer Sutherland after dinner .

Step 2 (food)- go back to weekly menus with DH. Take 1/2 an hour on Sunday to plan a loose menu, and then go to the grocery store and stock up with what we need.

Step 3 (sugar cravings)- make sure there is plenty of fruit and baby carrots in the house...this usually helps me curb the cravings. Also find some recipes I can make with Splenda.

Step 4 (exercise)- I think I've been over doing it...I keep thinking that if I take a day off I will stop altogether. I just don't trust myself for some reason. (How is it possible for me to be so rational about some things but completely irrational when it comes to my body/health?). So, I'm going to commit to 1 rest day a week, flexible so I can take it at any time. And, now that I have my MP3 player, a new pair of running shoes (the last of my birthday $), and will be on campus at the library, I'm going to alternate my Curves with some treadmill/elliptical cardio workouts.

OK- now that I've written it all out, maybe I can think more rationally and pull myself out of this funk before I slide backwards.

Thanks again for everyone's support and advice.

 

[Lesli54]

Jotting down the plans sure does seem to help, even if we get side tracked from them. It makes it easier to get back on track.

Keep up the good work, you have great ideas for moving forward.

 

[joelyfaithsmommy]

Well, now that you're over the birthday cake, things will be better, no more obsessions over sugar, cake, or the like....you're in this for the long haul, right? So just jump back on board, and DO YOUR THING!!!

Huggies!
Jen

 

[calena]

Sounds like a good plan for the summer. I think you need to take a day of with exercise or you get too worn out... but I know several people who exercise (hard) every day. I think we have to listen to our bodies.
I've been reading the South Beach diet and the issue of sugar cravings is big there... I am considering going on the South Beach diet because it fits in with my "life" plan of fruits/veggies/lean meat/full grain (love my old fashioned oatmeal) less refined stuff plan for life. A lot of the refined stuff we love just sets us up for more sugar cravings... not good for health/tummy! Anyway... still reading on it. I think your weeklong food plan is fantastic. I need to do that.

 

[rcyannacci]

Thanks everyone for stopping by...it's been a trying week, but I'm struggling to get back on track.

calena- what you're saying about the South Beach sounds interesting...I don't want to cut out carbs completely, but am moving toward an unprocessed diet (ideally), so I might have to check this out...I also need to work with my DH who needs a low cholestrol diet, so this could be a good guide. I've just been so leary of the low-carb crusade after hearing about the way Atkins cuts fresh fruits/veggies and allows high fat foods.

Anyway, Sunday:
B- same...
L- (ate too late) 2 leftover chicken tenders and a small serving of pesto tortellini salad. last few bites of chocolate cake...it's gone!
D- 1 pepperoni french bread pizza and piece of garlic cheese toast. Yuk.
(no snacks today...so calorie count shouldn't be too high, but it lead me to unhealthy choices.)

Rest day for exercise.

So, today we are having friends over for a Memorial day picnic. If the sun holds out, I'm going to swim laps...otherwise, I'm not sure what to do since Curves is closed today.
B- same (only 1/2 because I'm not really that hungry)
L- not sure???
D- I'm making chicken kabobs and yogurt dill sauce and a low-fat, vinegar based red potato salad w/ feta. Not sure what other people are bringing, but hopefully no one will be a big, bad dessert!!!

 

[Lesli54]

I totally agree with you on balancing out the carbs, fruits, veggies, and protein. It seems that one should always take caution when a diet tells you to get rid of the items that you know are good for you. Besides, there is a difference between refined carbs and complex carbs. It's the refined stuff we have to watch out for.

Have a good day and hopefully you can navigate through any bad desserts.

 

[Clare]

I know what you mean about dessert, especially homemade. It is my major downfall & they're just everywhere over holiday weekends. Hopefully, you managed okay. And if you did indulge, I hope it was with something really yummy

 

[rcyannacci]

Hooray! Nobody brought any desserts! The only thing on the table was fresh strawberries and melon balls! Anytime I got a craving, I just popped in a piece of cantelope or watermellon.

I had a great day of eating, actually!

Monday
B-1/2 ww eng. muffin w/ peanut butter and banana
L- 1/2 pita pocket with hummus, apple slices, and carrot shredds, w/ leftover sliced apple and carrot, 3 tostado rounds w/ fresh salsa.
D- grilled greek chicken kabobs w/ yogurt dill sauce, 1/2 piece corn on the cob, potato salad (vinegar based dressing, no mayo), a fork-full of pasta salad with tomatos, 1/2 c. baked beans, and some fresh fruit for dessert. Also 3 Rolling Rock low-carb beers- not bad on taste, and I think they had less alcohol because I didn't feel a thing! (Yikes- my friends raided my wine rack and drank a ton! We only have 2 bottles left! Next time I host a party, I'll label the invite BYOW )

Exercise- swam laps 40 min (I really pushed myself and feel a little sore this morning. But it felt really good. I'll see if some of that soreness is better at Curves today.

Writing goals: I have a meeting today with my writing group, and we are exchanging abstracts. I have an editted version, and will submit my last edit today to the conference organizers. Wish me luck! Plus, I will spend 2 hours today reviewing my chapter notes.

 

[Lesli54]

Sounds like you had a great party, with the exception of the missing wine.

At least there was fruit in place of the deserts. I really would rather munch on the fruit anyday, especially when it is in season.

Have a great day and good luck on the writing!

 

[rcyannacci]

Tuesday-
B- 1/2 eng. muffin w/ peanut butter
S- a handful of baby carrots
L- 1/2 pita pocket with leftover greek chicken and yogurt sauce, and 1 c. leftover low-fat potato salad.
D- rest of the leftover chicken/sauce, 1/2 c. leftover baked beans, handful of tortilla chips w/ salsa, and a spinach salad w/ vinegrette.

Curves 40 minutes, 5 minutes on abs. (That completes my May exercise goal!)

Writing- finished and submitted abstract, receive confirmation, only 30 minute reviewing chapter stuff because I got sidetracked at the library by my advisor and some difficulties renewing my study for the summer.

 

[rcyannacci]

Hooray!!! I fit into the cute capri pants I wore at Disneyland the summer of 2001!!! They were a bit tight last month, but now they fit like a dream! And I went shopping today at the outlets with my friend, and I fit into a size 16 bathing suit! It was even a little loose. I didn't buy it because the cut revealed WAY too much cleavage, but it looked really good (if a little trampy ).

B- light yogurt w/ handful of grapenuts
S- 1 c. multigrain Cherrios
L (ate too late...starving!) a salad at Chili's w/ grilled chicken, corn, black beans and tortilla strips w/ some sort of a southwestern vinegrette. It was really good!
D- haven't eaten yet, but I've set out some steaks and will make green bean onion stirfly to go with it.

Exercise- swam laps for 40 minutes...this really wore me out today because I tried to increase my pace and really push myself.

 

[calena]

Congrats on fitting into the capris! That is such a motivator. Keep it up!!!! I wore a pair yesterday that were a bit tighter than I would like so they will be my measure for the next while! I do feel bad about the swimsuit though because I go for the trampy look Then again, I am older than you and we 40-year-olds need all the help we can get! I'm glad you are doing so well.
I started South Beach today. You should look at the book sometime and read the info - it makes sense to me. I always thought Atkins sounded too bizarre, but South Beach makes sense, so I started. I'll keep ya posted on my progress

 

[pearlieq]

Congrats on making it into the capris on on the 16 bathing suit! That must feel so awesome!

Hope you have a great day. Green bean onion stirfry sounds awesome! Care to share the recipe?

 

[rcyannacci]

calena- I'd love to hear your thoughts/progress on the South Beach...keep me updated. I think I'm about ready to give it a go myself. BTW- the swimsuit was really nice, I just didn't have the guts yet to do it! As proud as I am of what I've accomplished so far, I'm still super self conscious about my body.

Here's the recipe, pearlieq:

Sauteed Onion and Green bean stirfry (our own recipe, trying to simulate what we had at O'hana's

1 lb or so Fresh green beans, snap off stems but keep long
1 large red onion
1 T olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
a few shakes of terriaki sauce for flavor

Heat a pot of water to boiling, then throw in the beans. Cook in boiling water 5 minutes. While the water is heating up, chop the onion into long strips (I half the onion then cut strips along the grain) and throw into a skillet with the oil. Saute slowly with seasonings so the onions carmelize.

After 5 minutes on the beans, strain out the water and cool quickly with a rinse. Then, toss beans in to onions (beans can still be wet because the water will help loosen the seasonings from the pan and coat the beans w/ flavor.

Very simple, very quick, very tasty!

 

[pearlieq]

That sounds heavenly! Thanks for sharing it!!!

 

[rcyannacci]

Thursday:
B- bowl of multigrain Cherrios (no milk) and a no-fat iced coffee
L- 1 1/2 ww pita pockets w/ hummus, carrot, and apple, handful of chips and salsa
S- 2 baby carrots
D- out with friends, Tex-mex place (whatelse, it's Austin!) Way too many chips w/ salsa before the meal came probably because I had a margarita and it was STRONG! I told myself I could have a drink tonight as a treat. Dinner was chicken fahitas- grilled chicken, onions, and peppers, 2 flour tortillas, and some cheese, sour cream (I limited here) and quacamole.
S- We went out to what is called "1st Thursday on Congress" in Austin, kind of a monthly street festival, and I had 1 chocolate chip cookie w/ mini m&ms sprinkled on top.

Exercise- Curves 40 min., abs and legs 10 min.

Writing- took some reading notes from a source I'd been ignoring and got some great information. Still working my way into this chapter. Goal for today: Library, sources on cultural geography of New York modern artists. Goal for Monday: 3 pages to show to writing group.

 

[rcyannacci]

Friday-
B- multigrain cherrios and no-fat iced coffee
L- baby carrots and hummus, an apple
S- rest of the cherrios I didn't finish for lunch, and a handful of chips and salsa while making dinner...starving!
D- pork loin and rice, left-over green beans and onions, and a salad w/ lite honey mustard (Newman's Own dressing...really, really good).

No exercise today...I was at the library until 7:00.

Writing- did great today! Had a very productive research trip. Will spend part of today reading some of the xerox copies from sources I pulled.