Working on Weight Loss During Training—New Year New Us!

[Jen117]

Hey all...I am feeling so much better today, I went to sleep at 9:00 last night!!! At lunch I ate a big slice of pizza.... bluck, mu gut aches now. Note to self, stop eating junk!!!! Tonight is chili that has been cooking in the crockpot.... yum!!!

Maria - Oh those darn computers. Glad you are back online. I have done Flex in the past and agree that snacks are way too tempting. Tho I did OK when I was on it. I tried Flex last fall and had a hard time. I think I struggled more with Core because I don't like being limited.

Cam - Mmmm homemade bean soup. I bet that would be great with a little ham thrown in!!!! I am also struggling with water. I usually get in the 64, but I used to drink so much more. I am thinking the cold weather is doing it to me.

 

[Kristi1357]

Hi Everyone!
a question -- I saw on the news this morning (thanks, Kristi!) that you need to exercise for 60 to 90 minutes daily to lose weight or maintain, just 30 for heart health. But, I understand I shouldn't run for more than 30-45 minutes a day, 3x a week. Would it be considered overtraining if I added 60 minutes of brisk walking to my run/bike days, plus walking 60 minutes on rest days? I'm so confused! I really want to lose weight, and I really want to run the Half in January. Surely they are compatible goals?!

I guess I want to pipe in about two things here.

1. I HATE tv news! Please don't thank me for working a 7, which gets more & more tabloid each & every day! I take no responsibility for what we air. I just type up all the words that are on the screen. I wanted to work in the tv business, not news. I didn't move to LA or NYC, so here I am. Oh well!

2. Give it a few weeks and there will be a study that says you shouldn't exercise more than 30 mins.! We make fun at work since every other week there is a new study about coffee. One week it's great for you, the next it's bad. Repeat. Personally, I wouldn't change anything I was doing, if it was working, based on some study.

I'll catch up more tomorrow - gotta get to bed!

 

[keenercam]

Hi, everyone! Wanted to check back in to let you know I went to the gym to try out the new shoes. Still not completely sold on them, especially since most of my first 2 miles I had shin splints. Most of the first mile I had pain in the fronts of my thighs. I think these force my feet in a bit and change the alignment of my hips, which may be phsysiologically correct, but not sure my body likes it. Jury is still out. We'll see.
Here are my sparkpeople statistics for today:
calories recommended: 1200-1550
actual calories consumed: 1262
cardio daily total recommended 30 mins
cardio actual: 50 minutes
cardio calories burned recommended 222
actual cardio calories burned 472

Maybe it will give me a jumpstart to lose again. I have no desire to eat another bite tonight. Again, an example of core foods being very filling.

Dinner was 2 Dr. Praeger California veggie burgers and 1.5 cups total of kidney bean, corn & salsa mix. UGH, I am stuffed.

Good night, all. Thank you so much for getting me through day 1!

 

[Jen117]

Cam - Question... so for the last, oh let's say almost year you have been talking about the corn, kidney bean and salsa mix. Is that all that is in it? Do you eat it hot?

I love three bean salad, so I think I may like this. I make a black bean, corn, rice, salsa mix that I heat up and eat in a tortilla. I love that too. I may have asked about your mix before, but I have had a mind lapse! THANKS!!!

Great, now I am craving 3 bean salad!!!!

 

[keenercam]

Jen -- I take one of those large cans of kidney beans (2 lbs maybe?) and 2 small cans of whole kernel corn and put them in a bowl that has a lid and pour 1/2 -1 cup medium salsa and then shake it up. It is a really good mix of carbs and protein and it is very filling. Of course, the fiber is very good for you, too. I really like it with the medium salsa because the more flavor something has, the less I need of it to feel satisfied. Oh, and I prefer it cold, but sometimes put it in a lunch container with a turkey burger or veggie burger and heat it all up together.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Good Morning!

Still online just at work. DH took the two hard drives to work today, so hopefully in a few days I will be typing from home again.

I didn't push myself as hard on the bike last night. I actually think I felt better. Today is my rest day. I want to walk slowly for an hour later, but I think time may get the best of me. We're going to church at 7 and we don't get home until 5:30 or so, so the walk gets less likely.

Cam -- Thank you so much for your kind words. I feel bad because I can't seem to catch up or get to know everyone on the weekly run/walk thread. There are just too many posters. I'm glad it's so popular, but I feel sort of lost there. This thread is much more manageable, and very relevant for me!Your bean mix sounds great. I think I would do it with black beans, and be in heaven. Here's my new question -- is that a Core item? Your dinner and exercise sound great to me. You are pouring on the effort!

Kristi-- I am so sorry, I did not mean to offend you in any way. My lack of knowing what to do is based on a couple of things -- remember I am very new to running, and also, I find the whole training to train thing confusing. It just seems like it can't be enough effort to lose the weight. Alright, I'm going to 'fess up. I have been sneaking peeks at the scale. I lost 4 lbs. last week. I still weigh so much I don't want to admit to it, but I guess what I've been doing is working. I have been going as fast as I can for every workout, and I'm gathering (and my body feels) like that's probably not my best strategy. I feel like whatever I'm doing it's never enough...

Jen -- Your chili sounds absolutely delicious! Is that a Core food? Sorry, that's what I'm going to be asking about everything. I do have the WW 1st meeting booklet, so I have a general list of Core foods.

I have to do some of that pesky work. Everybody have a great day and a wonderful workout/rest day!

Maria

 

[Jen117]

Maria - The chili mac is not core since it had elbow macaroni in it. If you can find whole wheat elbow macaroni, then I think it would be (Someone please correct me if I am wrong). I have never found whole wheat elbow macaroni tho.

I do make a regular chili that I think is Core. I brown 1 pound hamburger, add that to a large (really big) can of crushed tomatoes, 1 can V-8, and 2 cans mexican or chili flavored kidney beans. I mix it all together and put it on low in the crockpot all day. When I come home it is done! Sometimes I add a little extra spice or cumin to it.

Cam - I think I will make a single can batch of that and give it a try.

OK, I need to print that salad recipe out. I may make it next week for a potluck.

 

[keenercam]

Maria -- My bean/corn/salsa recipe is core, which is why it has become such a huge component of my "I need something fast and filling and carb-y" protocol. I hope you'll like it. I have even put it over a baked potato (also core) and topped it with melted fat free cheese (another core item). It is really important for me to have foods like these that have a lot of flavors and which I really enjoy, so that I don't feel deprived.

Jen -- our local farmers' market has a bulk foods store that has the absolute best variety and availability of whole wheat pastas and couscous as well as quinoa (which I haven't tried yet), barley, and brown rice. I have also found some pre-mixed beans there for bean soup. It is nice to have these staples in the closet. It is the only place I have found real whole wheat lasagna noodles, too.

 

[panthergirl]

All the yummy recipes are so helpful. Although I don't do WW the core plan sounds like it would fit well in my eating plans.

I did not work out yesterday and will not get to do it today either. I think that is OK though because I was getting very fatigued and I think my body needs a small break. I will run tomorrow AM so I'm hoping the rest helped and I will have a good run.

I messed up a little yesterday. I did fine with breakfast and lunch and then made the poor choice of having a great big chocolate chip cookie and a few slices of turkey for dinner. Oh well - we all slip a bit now and then so no biggie.

Today I had Kashi cereal with skim milk and banana for breakfast and turkey on pocket pita with an orange and water for lunch. I am eating out tonight but I am sure I will be able to find something healthy on the menu.

Enjoy the rest of your day everyone!

 

[Jen117]

Cam - We have a bulk foods store, that is where I get my brown rice. I guess I need to re-check the pasta area more closely. My girls like the brown spaghetti, tho I do make regular and whole wheat (for me), the girls always ask for both brown and white. It's cute!!!

 

[Minnie]

Ummm we won't even talk about how bad I was at lunch today

Wasn't going to post it but wanted to be accountable.

WISHing you all the best. Will try to check in later.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Just had to chime in on the brown rice -- my dh call's it "white brown rice", because ds decided he doesn't like brown rice, but it's actually his favorite kind...we say we're fixing white brown rice, and he always asks for second helpings. This really is a case of it all being in the name. We also use whole wheat pasta in our spaghetti, and whole wheat flour in homemade pizza. I'm going to have to look for those whole wheat lasagna noodles!

 

[Texa]

Hi everyone! Kind of a quick drive by here to see how everyone was doing.

I was the same way on the FLEX program. I would save points for those slim bear ice cream sandwiches and such. I'm much better on a whole foods plan. Unfortunately I think I'm a little insulin resistant, either because of my body type or all those years of eating poorly. However, I have a work mate that does FLEX beautifullly. Do whatever works for your body and training!

I signed up for a race in May here in town. It's the Lions 5K. They also have a 1K and 1/2K for the kids. My 4 year old wants to run so bad, I went ahead and signed her up. It's 7 and under for the 1/2K so she'll be running against some kids that are older. Oh well. Gotta start some where!

I made to week 5 of couch to 5K. Yesterday I did the 5/3/5/3/5 combo. Today was cross training, spinning ouch!

Hope everyone is hanging in there!

If you've never tried it you have to go to fitday.com. It's free and will tell you exactly what your nutrition ratios are.

Have a great week!

 

[Kristi1357]

I am just so down on myself, I need to vent.
(I know I am always complaining lately, so please bear with me!)

I do fabulously at work. Then I come home. And it's like there is a switch & I just don't care anymore. For awhile I got away with it. Now I am over 9 lbs. above where I was in Sept. at the DL half. I just don't know why I am in this really long rut. I am probably really sick of worrying about every little thing I put in my mouth. I've been at this for well over 2 years! I am still eating 'junk' points, and lots of them.

I didn't think so before, but I am wondering if Chad being out of work is getting to me more than I know. He gets unemployment, but I wonder what is going to happen in July when that runs out. And he has not done one single thing to look for a job. All I want is for him to do some pt thing for now - a little extra cash, and it would be good for him to be out of the house & have somewhere to go. But he won't do it. Gee, after reading back what I just wrote - I know this is bothering me more than I thought!

Also, Zack stopped napping in December. Since I wake up in the middle of night to go to work, I used to put him down at 2pm when Chad left for work. Then I'd get a nap. I'd still go to bed around 8-9pm. Now, I get no nap since Zack isn't sleeping & Chad doesn't go to work (they are around & I just don't sleep in the afternoon now) - and I am still up until 8 or 9pm or later. So, I think this is huge for me since sleep deprivation lowers metabolism. And I eat more just to stay awake - even if it's safe foods or 'junk' points.

Water also used to be so easy for me. Now, I hardly ever get the 48 oz. min. in. I am drinking diet coke all day long to stay awake. I have been better about this lately though.

So, I am now kicking my own butt! --->
My pants are so tight I can barely stand it!

I broke down & bought WW oatmeal at my meeting tonight. $6 for 4 cups is outrageous, but it's core. I have been using 2 pts. per day on oatmeal since I cannot find the core WW cereal anywhere!

Speaking of the Core WW Vanilla Puffed Wheat cereal...in frustration, I emailed the company. I can order 6 boxes from them directly for $27 shipped. This is WAY more than this coupon queen pays for any box of cereal, but I am desperate! So, I am going to call & order tomorrow. So, FYI to anyone else who enjoys that cereal (or any other WW products) - you can order directly from the maker.

I am finally out of light ice cream. I think I have one WW smart ones dessert left. These are really bad for me and I think I need to cut them out for awhile to break the habit.

Water, water, water!

I bought 3 boxes of WW cookies tonight too. I know 'junk' pts. are an issue. BUT, I will *need* something - or it will be reg. tortilla chips, cheetos, or something else a whole lot worse than 2 pt. cookies.

I need to stick to my exercise/training program. There's not really a problem here, just need to keep it up.

I need to start cooking. I am really bad about that. I tend to eat the few prepackaged things that you can on core. Still not nearly enough fresh food for dinners.

Sorry for the long ramble - I just needed to get it out.
I promise to stop whining and just do it! (really, I mean it this time! )

Thanks guys - I need you all to stay accountable - I need all the help I can get!

 

[keenercam]

Oh, Kristi, I am sorry you are feeling so badly, sweetie! I know the stress of a spouse being out of work. We have certainly been there. I have a tendency to overeat when I am stressed, especially at work if I haven't laid in provisions! Just know that we are here for you to vent to. And you MUST talk to Chad about facilitating a nap for you every workday. You are just going to wipe yourself out, kiddo!
I wish there were some way I could help. If I lived near, I'd "borrow" Zach for some fun time as frequently as possible and force you to nap!

Oh, well, I had another good core day, thank God, though I did not get in the workout I'd hoped to do tonight. Just too tired, still recovering from the migraine wipeout and dealing with sinus pain and pressure.

Made DS hamburger helper crunchy taco tonight and it looked so good that I threw together an imposter version -- chopped up boca vegan burgers seasoned with taco seasoning, mixed with some of my corn/bean/salsa mix & mixed with brown rice. Topped with fat free cheese. Nowhere near as delish as HH, but pretty good and very filling.
For a sweet dessert, I just made fat free sugar free instant vanilla pudding for DS and me. Good thing I don't have any FF cool whip. Not sure I could resist that!

 

[deekaypee]

Quick post, because I have insomnia & I know being on the computer makes it worse...

Jen: Thanks for the info on the chili mac; I feel stupid for not knowing. It certainly sounds like a tasty twist on my comfort food! I'll try to ignore the Pandora's box you just opened for me. The same goes for everyone else--I have to quit reading your tasty recipes when I'm up late at night, fighting the munchies monster!

Minnie: Oh, I was hoping WW flex would work for you. But it's good that you're able to assess your diet and adjust for your needs.

Cam: Glad to see you're back, feeling fine, and back on track. Your points about Core and Flex are very useful, thanks for taking the time to post them. My mantra is increasingly "be self-aware" thanks to you. It's hard, but hopefully worth it.

Maria: I think you can safely add low-impact cardio/XT to your workouts, if you have the energy and time. For me, the big question is whether I allow extra exercise to con me into eating more. (The short answer is, yes, darn it all!)

Susan: Sometimes a break in working out is just what the body needs, isn't it? And congrats--you're doing so well with your eating.

Texa: You're doing great with C25K--and you've signed up for a race?

Kristi: I'm sorry you've been having such a rough time. I'm sure Chad's umemployment, Zack's changing sleep cycle, and the Diet Coke are all factors. Remember, though, confession is good for the soul (and the pants) and that's what us WISHers are here for!

Interestingly, I do better at home than at work most days, in part due to job stress and dissatisfaction. Tuesday, though, was an exception. Remember Tuesday, Fat Tuesday.? DH suprises me by special ordering a King Cake for us. I love him, but it seems like ever since I've announced that I need to take these regained pounds off there's more junk food in the house than there was before! Okay, so the Valentine's Day cake was my fault, but it was his request. But then he also bought me/us Vosges chocolates for Valentine's Day.

And then I think about junk food, especially sweets, being such a weekly if not daily part of our lives. DH and mine, but all of ours. Following the holiday food-fest and the New Year's parties, we move into the Superbowl parties, Valentine's Day, Oscar parties (I love my film, so it's practically a holiday for me), St. Patrick's Day, Easter. Then there's the three-day weekends with MLK, Jr. and Presidents Days-which offers extra "weekend" opportunities to socialize. Arrrgh. I've got to stop associating every single holiday or social situation with the opportunity to indulge.

I did work out today, even though I came home late. As for today's food intake, I'm not even posting. Let's just say that I did things in pairs, including two desserts. I'd like to tell you it was because of a desire for balance and symmetry in my life. But the best I can say is that all that food helped me keep my mouth shut at some very contentious meetings. This so-called coping strategy is so not worth it.

The best thing I can say is that today, which is actually yesterday, is over and done with. Tomorrow is a new day, and I'll be working on a new attitude. (Boy, that phrase just dated me, didn't it?)

 

[Kristi1357]

dkp & Cam - thanks you guys!

I am feeling better today, although very tired as usual. The WW oatmeal was really good & I made it this morning with milk (I usually use water). I don't know if I want to make a habit out of paying $1.50 for one serving of oatmeal though!

Cam - you are too funny! You would babysit for me? You are a lawyer! A partner! You work WAY more than me! I really do appreciate it though.

Ok, instead of searching the internet until I reach the end (as I do most work days), I am going to try to find something on tv to watch now & do some cross stitching. Maybe the cross stitching will keep me from wanting to snack all morning long.

 

[Jen117]

Kristi - I hope Chad eventually sees that he needs to find a job. Maybe the thought of no more Disney is he doesn't have a job will work. I really hope this works out for you. Maybe try cutting back a little on the Diet Coke and drinking more water. All that caffeine is probably messing with your body also.

Cam - Last night I made your bean/corn/salsa mix.... YUM!!! I brought it to work today. Last night before bed I had to have something, so I had 2 spoons of it and I was satisfied. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DKP - oh the snacks... they do me in also. I don't buy as many as I used to. I had the mindset that if I was running, I could eat more snacks... so not true. Before the 1/2 I went up and down the same 5 pounds while I was in training (for 4 months). Now that the 1/2 marathon is over, my mindset had a major makeover and I don't snack as much.... I'm down 10 pounds and it feels great. Freeze the cake if there is any left and clean out the chips!!!

 

[keenercam]

dkp -- you are another person who spoils us with individual attention. Thank you! I am really fascinated by the fact that you find yourself eating more in business and social situations. You are obviously so much more self-confident than I am. I have always perceived myself as so huge that I think the first thing anyone notices about me is my size and that people are always paying attention to what I am eating. So, I tend to be self-conscious about eating in public or in business settings. Instead, I go home from some function and "pig-out" thinking I deserve it for being good, or because I am depressed about how I was the largest person in the room or at the function. I am hoping to someday see myself as 65.6 pounds smaller than I used to be (and hopefully, sooner or later, even smaller than that), but it is hard to change that self-image and to gain the self-esteem. I think I am getting better at it.
Anyway, I know you have the challenge of a sweets-loving family, and that must be hard. Howard is so conscientious about his lack of training time and his need to, therefore, watch his food intake, that he isn't usually the one bringing junk into the house!

Kristi -- I am glad you like the oatmeal. I picked some up this morning, myself, thinking it is a quick breakfast option at work. And of course I'd babysit Zach for you! And I am SURE Andy could wear him out so that he'd NEED a nap!

Jen -- I am really glad you liked my concoction. Isn't it amazing how just a couple bites of it can satisfy that late night carb urge? It is almost magic for me!

I went to WW this morning just to weigh in, so that I can go to a meeting with a friend in NJ on Saturday without having to pay again (they don't honor the monthly pass at her franchise). I was up .4 over the past 2 weeks. That is what my little flex experiment wrought. And believe me, if I'd gone Tuesday night it would have been a bit worse. So, I've lost 2 weeks worth of potential progress toward my Minnie weekend goal, but I've learned a lot, too, about how my body reacts to different kinds of foods. I am really excited to be fully committed to core and I am actually looking forward to Tuesday night's WI.

Food today:
B: coffee w/skim milk; fat free yogurt with unsweetened frozen fruit
L: leftover "taco" helper from last night (all soy & veggie, all core); bean/corn & salsa mix over garden salad

I need to find some fruit when I go to pick up my salad. I've been relying on an apple and/or banana for snacks. I want to get to the gym tonight since I am leaving work early to take Andy to boy scouts (Howard has MBA group meeting and then a decompression session at a pizza/burger joint on campus). Since Andy will only be in his meeting for an hour, I'll have to settle for getting in 30 minutes on the TM (if one is available). Hoping to really make the time count though by working on intervals of run one song/ walk one song. I am going to work on my ipod list this weekend to alternate a long run song with a short walk-fast song.

WISHing you guys a great day and thanking you profusely for the support and accountability I find here.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

This is truly a drive-by today. Probably no home computer for some time to come -- the one we bought won't work for dh's work, so "Dude, we're gettin' a Dell!"

Although my boss is "on vacation" this week, I have more and more work. Her idea of "vacation" is to only come in three days of the week for a few hours. That's enough to generate a mess for me! It was kind of funny. Her boss asked me to meet with him this morning, and she had no idea why. Boy, was she curious! It was nothing, he just wanted some further input on a few reports he asked me to write. I have the best boss in the world, but she is overworked, which makes me overworked as well.

Anyway, thanks for all the great input. I'm off for the day, I'll be back tomorrow morning. It's time for my 30 min. run this afternoon!

Maria