Doreen's New Way of Life (comments are welcome)

[littleducksmom]

doreen.........have you read about body for life?.........you are so much the kind of person for this program.......maybe you should check it out....bfl has changed the way my body looks,seriously..i mean look at my sept pic.....i weighed 190# in it....not too many would dare have a pic in a bikini at that wt., but i have changed my thinking....it's not just about what the scale says.......it's how i feel and look.......the way of bfl eating seems similar to what you are doing already.......not trying to push you into this but you really seem prime for this program.........the emphasis is eating equal amts of protien and complex carbs.....exercise-wise you workout with wts 3 days for 45 mins.......and do only 20 mins of interval cardio training the other 3 days........this interval cardio training will totally help you in preps for the marathon whether you walk or run..........i have one other suggestion re: running the marathon........before you switch to running you probably should be able to do a 12-13 min mile walking........this is really tough.....but it is certainly doable if you train with intervals........and it certainly something to set as a goal.

personally, the 20 min interval training on a treadmill has helped me so much with decreasing my times.......and the long runs, which i prefer to do outside, help with the endurance. i only run 5 miles and wont ever run more than that, i am sure, in prep for the half marathon.

hope this helps and doesnt cause you more grief.........we have a whole year........nothing has to be decided right now. please dont put pressure on yourself, this is not what this new lifestyle is about.........

 

[DoeWDW]

Lisa, thanks for stopping by! Always good to hear from you!

Deb, thanks for all the info. I think Body for Life stresses less fat than I'm used to on low-carb and more complex carbs, especially from whole grains - more like the Zone, I think. I got away from eating that way because of bad acid reflux. I'm very concerned about getting too much insulin pumping through my body, and low-carb prevents that, and forces my body to burn fat, but now that I don't have as much fat to burn....hmmm. I do miss my oatmeal in the AM.

I think the Body for Life exercise program is very interesting. I've read about high intensity interval training and its many benefits. I may try to incorporate some of that into my training. I also have used resistance training - large rubber band-type things instead of weights - in the past and it may be time to start that up again as well, once I get my mileage up. Thanks for helping me consider all this!

I think I've met my goals for the day, although I didn't eat as much as I should have. After my walk I had a banana (25 carbs) and string cheese (1 carb). For dinner I ate chicken (6 carbs for the seasoning). I'll probably have 2 Dove dark chocolate Promises (7 carbs) before bed. I'm way under my 60 carb limit and I don't think I ate enough calories. I've GOT to get to the store tomorrow!

It was a good day and I'm feeling great. My legs feel so much better after my 4 mile walk today than they felt after my short running workout on Thursday. We'll see how they feel tomorrow morning!

I'm going to roll over my clippie and head to bed.

 

[lulu201]

Wow! What a great day you had, Doreen. I can feel your strength and positive attitude coming through the computer screen.

I hope you have a good night's sleep. You figured out a lot of stuff today. zzzz

Good night,
Erin

 

[lulu201]

Good morning, Doreen! Just wanted to stop by and offer a and some for your brand new day. Are you helping with Sunday School this morning? Whatever you do, remember to eat enough. Jocks like us have to make sure we eat right!

Lulu

 

[DoeWDW]

It's Sunday, which is official weigh and measure day for me. For those who don't know, first number is today, second is from last time (New Year's Day), third is what I started at in August:

Weight - 130 / 129 / 142 (gained muscle from working out?)
Bust - 38 / 38 / 39.5
Chest - 33 / 32 / 33.5
Waist - 31.5 / 31 / 34
Hips - 38 / 38.5 / 40
Thighs - 39 / 39.5 / 41

All in all, it looks like I'm holding my own. I will see more changes as I continue to train for the h.m.

Goals today - same as usual:
1. Meds & vitamins are waiting for me
2. Have started drinking - am hoping for 4 16 oz mugs - 64 oz
3. Food - Protein bar (2 carbs) for breakfast. No idea what lunch and dinner will bring but I am headed to the store and I want to try some new recipes from my low-carb cookbook.
4. Exercise - Today is supposed to be a rest day. It's hard to NOT exercise, but I know my body really needs time to repair and recharge.

Today I'll focus on creating a food plan for the week. I am at my weakest when I'm tired and have nothing planned for meals. We've been eating out WAY too much lately.

I feel good after my walk yesterday. My muscles are not nearly as sore as after my run on Thursday. I think my body likes walking better. I'll focus on walking this week and may add running later in the year after I've got a solid mileage base built up.

Onward and inward!

 

[septbride2002]

Doe you definately need to do a day of rest when exercising as hard as you have been. Even personal trainers will tell you to switch off every other day on the body parts you exercise. With walking/running you are doing total body

Sounds like you had a great day yesterday! Good for you! Keep up the great work today!

~Amanda

 

[Castillo Mom]

Doreen, looks like you've made some really steady progress since August, good for you! You ladies are making me consider walking as a form of exercise. Hope you got some rest today so that you're ready to take on the rest of the week. I agree that planning ahead makes it easier to stay on plan. Have a great week!

 

[DoeWDW]

Gotta post these carbs before I forget 'em!
B = protein bar (2 carbs)
L = frozen fish filet (19 carbs) - not a great choice but it was handy
S = organic trail mix (11 carbs)
Total so far = 32 carbs for today.

Now I'm off to cook dinner - a new recipe involving ground beef, tomato sauce and green beans?

I also have to finish putting away groceries....LOTS of groceries!

I got my new workout shoes - they're actually running shoes but for the mileage I'll be putting on them and for the fast paced walking, the guy at the store thought they'd last longer and feel better than true walking shoes. They're Saucony Grid Omnis, or something like that....in a 7 1/2 wide.....sooooooo comfy!! Were they worth the $80.....I'll let you know in a week or two.

 

[septbride2002]

Let me know how that recipe works out - sounds interesting.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Well, it got so late that I scrapped the "Green Bean Spaghetti" and made "Dana's Tuna Salad" instead - really good! She uses lots of veggies so it has a nice crunch! I had one serving of tuna salad on a Wasa fiber rye cracker - 9 carbs total, and I'm full! I packed the rest up to take to work the next two days for lunches.

I even bought some of the Breyer's low-carb strawberry ice cream AND the Klondike Carb Smart ice cream bars at the store - and I am too full to even want to try them tonight!

I'm getting these recipes from Dana Carpender's 500 Low-Carb Recipes cookbook. I'm trying new recipes every night this week!

So, the green bean spaghetti is on tap for tomorrow's dinner - I'll keep you posted!

It's time for me to update my adorable cheat free bear clippie and head to bed. Tomorrow it's off to another work week and I'm prepared with yummy food!

 

[A1A1]

What you are doing is so wonderful! It is so exhilarating to read your posts. For now, I will walk vicariously through you, but see that I am headed in that direction.

I am now out of work----finished my assignment, and am looking for another. I will have more time to walk. Think I will just get outside and see how it goes. I have a treadmill, but never use it. It is collecting dust. I never thought about walking a half marathon, but now see that it is a possibility.

Thanks for the inspiration. Keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lulu201]

Hi, Doreen! Happy Monday! You sound like you're raring to go into the new week. . .you've got all those yummy menus planned. Good for you!

Keep your chin up and head bravely into another Cheat Free Day!
What kind of exercise are you doing for today?

, girlfriend--
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

The whole family is back to work and school today. There were some long faces at my house this morning - especially the puppy, who has been spoiled with lots of attention during the holidays. I did feel bad leaving her this morning.

Other than enduring the puppy's sad eyes, I am happy to be back in the routine. I feel like I'm prepared for the week ahead. There is no mystery about what's for dinner on any given night - all the menus are planned and the ingredients are in the kitchen waiting to be turned into yummy healthy meals. It's funny how menus can make my day feel lighter and brighter.

Goals:
1. Meds taken, vitamins on the desk.
2. Water - 24 oz down, 36 oz to go
3. Food - protein bar (2 carbs) for breakfast. AM snack is an apple (26 carbs). Lunch will be tuna salad on fiber rye cracker (9 carbs). Afternoon snack will be trail mix (11 carbs). That will make 48 carbs during the day. Dinner is green bean spaghetti - don't remember how many carbs but it's pretty low. I may go over 60 carbs today because of my apple but I'm considering it a cheat free day, because it's all healthy food.
4. Exercise - I brought my new running shoes & a pair of white socks with me to work. It's raining today, so I figured I'd walk inside around the capitol building. My goal is 3 miles during lunch hour, but I can't afford to get all perspired since I have to be back at my desk all afternoon. My coworkers wouldn't appreciate that! We'll see how I do!

I feel so sunny today. It doesn't extend to my work, however - would rather not do the stuff on my to-do list. Oh well, that's what they pay me for, right?

Onward to another cheat free day!

Edit: 1 PM
1. Meds & vitamins taken.
2. Working on my last mug for 64 oz - will end up drinking more!
3. Had my apple around 10 AM, and was hungry by 11:30! Now I remember why I don't eat carbs without fat or protein. Had my tuna salad on a rye cracker for lunch at 11:30. I'm on track today!
4. Walked 3 miles at lunch in about 50 minutes. LOVE my new walking shoes!

On days like this, the healthy living thing feels so natural and so easy. However, I know tougher days are coming. I'm going to savor this feeling of having it all under control!

Edit: 4 PM
2. 76 oz for the work day!
3. 48 carbs so far, just as planned

 

[littleducksmom]

doe,

wow what a great day you are having!!!!!!!! very inspiring to see how you are doing today!

funny how my house was the same way this a.m........poor kids i feel so sorry for them........not!.......hehehe.

keep up your positive attitude and what the heck is green bean spaghetti?.........sorry if i missed a post about this.

 

[septbride2002]

What do you put in your shake?

Hey Doe - I make my shakes with 1/2 cup cottage cheese and 1/4 cup plain vanilla yogurt the 1/2 cup frozen strawberries and pinch of either strawberry lemonade crystal light or splenda. Blend - It is yummy, full of protein from the cottage cheese, and only 9 carbs.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Final entry for today.

I had green bean spaghetti for dinner (14 carbs) and a Carb Smart Klondike ice cream bar (5 carbs). Total for today = 67 carbs. It's a little over my 60 carb limit but it was all good food and none of it was eaten in binge mode, so I'm considering it a cheat free day.

Green bean spaghetti is from Dana Carpender's 500 Low Carb Recipes cookbook. You make french cut green beans and top them with a concoction of ground beef, onion & green pepper in a light tomato sauce with parmesan cheese on top. I liked it OK and will happily eat the leftovers. DH is NOT a fan of ground beef, so he tried it and then made himself an omelet. The kids shun anything that contains tomato sauce so they made their own stuff for dinner.

It was a good day for me. Time for bed....

 

[Castillo Mom]

Oh Doreen, you're killing me with low carb Klondike ice cream bar!! I'm reducing the amount of low carb ice cream from my diet this week and now I hear about Klondike. Next week I'll be on a quest for Klondike after I get over this hump.

But enough about me. You sound like you had quite a spring in your step today! It is nice to have menus planned out for the week, no staring in the fridge or inside the cabinets wondering what to cook and less temptation to cheat.

I hope the rest of your week is as sunny in spirit as today Doreen!

 

[DoeWDW]

Sorry, Lisa (Castillo Mom)! I am not eating those kinds of treats on a daily basis - am going to try to limit them to once or twice a week. I hope that makes you feel a little bettler.

Thanks, all, for dropping by my journal! Your presence helps encourage me and keep me on the healthy living track!

Today's goals:
1. Meds taken. Vitamins out for lunch.
2. 64 oz water at work.
3. Food under 60 carbs or at least very close to that, no trigger foods, no binging (boy that word looks funny! - maybe it's bingeing?). B = tuna salad on rye cracker - 9 carbs - YUMMY! Lunch will be leftover green bean spaghetti. Dinner will be ham steaks with mustard sauce, broccoli piquant and homemade coleslaw. Snacks - string cheese and macadamia nuts as I need them.
4. Exercise - did my 20 minute Pilates workout this morning - felt so good to stretch my legs! My hamstrings are noticing all this walking. I don't know if I'll do anything else today or not. I do have my pedometer on so I'll keep track of my steps.

I'm hoping to make a nice dinner in spite of having lots of running to do tonight. I may put that yummy dinner on hold until tomorrow night if things get too hectic. It's our turn to drive the carpool for baton / dance lessons for DD & her friend and we need to stop by the mall to get birthday presents for DS who turns 16 on Sunday. Leftovers may have to suffice if I'm too tired to cook after all that running. Gotta be good to me!!

I'm feeling pretty good again today. I feel like things are on track and under control.

Edit: 9:15 AM
3. String cheese (1 carb) - total so far = 10 carbs.

Edit: 1 PM
1. Meds & vitamins taken.
2. Only 24 oz so far - gotta drink up!
3. Lunch - green bean spaghetti (14 carbs) - Total so far = 24

Edit: 9:45 PM
2. Finished up with 48 oz water
3. Dinner - green bean spaghetti (14 carbs), trail mix (11 carbs) and an ice cream bar (5 carbs) - Total for the day = 54 carbs

Another cheat free day for me. They're getting tougher, though. The Munchie Monster tried to sneak up on me this afternoon, but my trusty Trident gum sent him packing. It's that time of month, though, when he'll be lurking around every corner. It's good that we have our cheat free challenge for January - it will help me stay strong!

 

[septbride2002]

Hi Doe sounds like another fabulous day! I love String Cheese and it is great to grab for an extra snack, I also usually stock up on cheese cubes for snacks. I know what you mean about the Pilates my hamstrings were thanking me for the extra stretching that it allows for.

~Amanda

 

[LAinSEA]

Sounds like your doing great - I agree, it's good to be back to a normal routine after the holidays for a bunch of reasons. The green bean "spaghetti" sounds like something to put on the list to try. I've been missing fruit...and that apple sounds so tempting...

More sunshine to you!

-Laurie