Nutrient Timing

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

In my search for the perfect balance of muscle building and fat burning my quest is seemingly reaching fever pitch but gaining momentum with some good information.

My nutritionist suggested more whole grains for carbs (like replace instant oatmeal with steel cut - which I began this morning) and to also increase my cardio and ensuring that I eat better quality meals prior to working out.

In addition, my Brazilian Booty instructor suggested that I don't eat carbs after my evening workouts to force my body to burn fat. Since that is surely working for her I will give it a try - the theory being that if I've had a bit of a meal just prior to my 6:30PM workout I should be able to make it through to bedtime without eating any carbs after the workout.

Usually I am really hungry and will tend to have something with a bit of carbs when I return home at 9PM ish. In the past I was advised to do this - but I will give it a try now. Also in the past I tended to cook for the family but maybe only have a small amount of Greek yogurt before hitting my evening classes vs partaking with the family in the full meal I prepare (which is sitdown takes time that I don't have at that point to eat - lest I miss my 6:30 class). And apparently that is not enough.

So I am starting to have some ideas about what changes may have an impact. Was down by a pound on the scale this morning so I am getting encouraged. We'll see if I've been able to break through with a combination that can work for me...

It has been a while of spinning, spinning, spinning, rather than progressing forward. So fingers crossed!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SARALEIGHM 2/16/2012 8:57AM

This sounds like great information! It makes sense and is what I've read (though haven't digested, forgive the pun). Keep us posted on your progress. Maybe it'll inspire the rest of us to follow your lead. Report Inappropriate Comment

LYNDALOVES2HIKE 2/15/2012 4:24PM

I hope the new routine works for you - I've been almost totally stalled for a few weeks and looking for something to 'get through' to my body. Keep us posted! Report Inappropriate Comment

Whitney Houston Was My Neighbor!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

How weird is that? I was listening to the news and a story was led into with the phrase "orange county neighbors remember Whitney Houston"...they then talked about how she lived just a few miles from my home...or had a house there where she spent at least some amount of time. It is a very upscale residential neighborhood and I know there are several Hollywood types with nearby homes, but I hadn't heard of her living here. It is about an hour drive (maybe a little less) from where the major record studios and Hollywood studios are...a much tamer place traditionally than LA County. So I presume she would have moved here after her divorce to try to get away from the fast pace and drug culture up there.

Makes you wonder. It would have been a good place to raise her daughter. So many unanswered questions. And such a sad story.

I had never imagined that the story might tie so close to home. Such a bright and shining light dimmed too soon.

Just another reminded that moderation and balance in everything are so important. And that you never know what tomorrow will bring and so must cherish each day and love the one you're with!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

YICHE12 2/15/2012 10:27AM

I was very much saddened by this loss. My youngest daughter, who has a wonderful voice, used to sing her songs all the time at home. Therefore, I am very familiar with all her music. Such a loss... Report Inappropriate Comment

COMEONMA 2/15/2012 9:15AM

Very sad ending for someone with so much promise. My prayers are with her daughter and I hope like others have said, she is not plagued with the same issues. Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 2/14/2012 9:16PM

Goes to show that money isn't everything and sometines it is the evil because too much can get people into problems. Sad, sad, sad - just hope her daughter doesn't have the same problem. Pat Report Inappropriate Comment

LYNDALOVES2HIKE 2/14/2012 4:39PM

I knew she had a place here but wasn't quite sure where - there are so many celebrities around this county, it's not really surprising that one or more would be 'neighbors' but it's particularly sad to know how the story of this one ended - you are absolutely right that we never know what tomorrow will bring and your advice to cherish each day and love the one you're with is excellent! Thanks!! Report Inappropriate Comment

IAMWINNING 2/14/2012 3:36PM

God blessed her with a magnificent voice, and she shared that with us for awhile. Report Inappropriate Comment

WORKTHEGOAL 2/14/2012 9:36AM

A lovely blog Christine, and yes, loved ones are so precious and today of all days is a fab opportunity to show it. Its also curious that no matter who our neighbours may be, we don't always now they are there! Love Mandy x Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETYOUNGTHING 2/14/2012 6:20AM

It's so sad that she threw her life away to drugs/alcohol. I know the autopsy report isn't in yet but she really destroyed herself over the years with substance abuse. How much of that can a person's heart take? So sad and tragic; my heart goes out to her daughter. Report Inappropriate Comment

MCNC72 2/14/2012 1:34AM

such a beautiful voice Report Inappropriate Comment

Valentine's Day Cookies

Monday, February 13, 2012

DD decided to make cookies and decorate them for her friends. I opted to let her handle this on her own. Interesting results. Her attempt to double the recipe almost ended in disaster when the butter wasn't doubled and the dough looked like sawdust. But after some thought she realized the error. Lesson learned I hope. I might mention though that creaming butter isnt as easy in the mixing bowl after the fact. There is a reason why creaming occurs early in the process. I am hoping that she remembers this in the future!

At least the only flour we have in the house is whole wheat...so they were a bit healthy lol.

No decorated shoeboxes anymore...but heart shaped cookies shared with friends apparently live on.

Now if only she can resist eating them before the fourteenth!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AMYNYNJ 2/14/2012 12:48AM

great idea to teach them how to cook while they're young. Report Inappropriate Comment

KRIS415 2/13/2012 8:33PM

So cute. I'll bet she'll never forget that experience Report Inappropriate Comment

LYNDALOVES2HIKE 2/13/2012 8:17PM

I'm so glad your daughter can make them on her own - my mom wouldn't 'let' me cook so I never learned the first thing until after I was living in my own place. Fortunately, I've had plenty of practice now but also made sure my son learned to cook from a very early age. I think it's sooooooo nice of your daughter to make cookies for her friends - what a great thought! Report Inappropriate Comment

NEWNAC304 2/13/2012 3:10PM

I'm glad she figured it out before she tried to bake the cookies! Report Inappropriate Comment

IAMWINNING 2/13/2012 12:30PM

Good for your DD to make the cookies, and I have no doubt that she learned a valuable lesson regarding the butter. Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 2/13/2012 11:30AM

Ah, lovely to look at and oh so tempting. I don't even bring them inside the house anymore! It was tempting when I was at radiation to take a cookie Fri-they always have them in a covered plate every single day! Most days I just sit in the car and then I am not tempted. So far I have just drank the V-8 juice they have!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Loose Rings

Sunday, February 12, 2012

I was sitting at lunch today with a table full of ladies and one, whom I don't know well but who is a new member of my Soroptimist group commented on how my rings were loose and that she wanted to admire my diamond. I held my hand up as the diamond was on the palm side, having had gravity pulled it down. She asked if I had lost weight since I was married.

Now, since I have lost the weight my rings have been very loose and I have considered having them resized..but her question got me to thinking. You know, I haven't lost weight since I was married. Now, granted, I was 5 months pregnant with my son at the time...but I got the engagement ring well before that. So I am thinking that it is really a matter of a change in body composition. My theory is that I probably actually weigh about the same as I did when I was married, but I am betting that my fat percentage is much less. I bet I have much more muscle now and much less fat although my weight is about the same, this would explain why my rings are so loose.

I think my water intake is better now and I dont think I was retaining water before...never really had any health or weight issues back then.

Anyway, I think that is the story of the loose rings. Less fat. It's all good!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

YICHE12 2/12/2012 10:32PM

Fantastic! Feels good doesn't it? Report Inappropriate Comment

LYNDALOVES2HIKE 2/12/2012 2:40PM

Good for you and if you don't want to get the rings resized quite yet, you can get 'ring sizers' to slip on them so they don't rotate. The aging process can change your finger size again, either through water retention or arthritis or other things so even though my ring is getting loose, too, I plan to use a resizer band to adjust it rather than have a permanent change that I might regret in 20 years. Report Inappropriate Comment

IILAAD65 2/12/2012 1:28PM

My guess is that you are WAY more tone than you used to be... time to resize the rings!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SARALEIGHM 2/12/2012 9:57AM

Fabulous! If I could get my rings over my arthritic knuckles, I think they'd be looser too, but I'll never know. Hahahahaha. Your better BMI and healthier eating have brought you to this point, weight difference or not. Kudos! Report Inappropriate Comment

IAMWINNING 2/12/2012 8:48AM

Woo-Hoo! Let's hear it for loose(r) rings! Mine are looser, too, even though I weigh a ton more than I did when I had them resized. Go figure! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEETYOUNGTHING 2/12/2012 8:34AM

Yes, things shift and change as we age - but you're "holding it together" really well! since I've been on SP and, subsequently lost weight, my left ring finger went from an 8 to a 6 and my wedding band actually shot off my hand a few times - twice in front of my husband On colder days, when my hands might not be a bit swollen from humidity, I wear an imitation diamond engagement ring (size 6) and that holds my wedding band on. I just need to go get my original rings re-sized but hesitate to - this just seemed like an easier solution and people actually admire the fake engagement ring more than the real thing - go figure! Report Inappropriate Comment

FROSTY99 2/12/2012 8:04AM

Report Inappropriate Comment

VEGEFARMER 2/12/2012 12:58AM

awesome, regardless of why they are loose, the big deal is that they are. :)) Well done regardless. karyn. :)) Report Inappropriate Comment

A Day of Rest

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Today I am taking a break...need to attend a meeting most of the morning and into the afternoon. Saturdays are normally heavy gym days for me...probably too heavy. I start at 730 with an incredible hot yoga sculpt class that I really love. Then I do a bit of elliptical until body pump (strength training) starts at 930 and then I take the 1045 Zumba class. That has been my routine for the past year. It has to be my favorite day for exercise because I am done before lunch and join my family (who are normally just getting out of bed and dressed when I finish at 1145) for a healthy lunch. Afterward I often go for a leisurely walk on the beach or take the dog for a walk with the kids.

But not today. I will skip all the morning exercises and instead be sitting on my butt after a continental breakfast and then a sitdown lunch. A few months ago this would have had me very unsettled as I would be compelled to not miss my classes...but now I am able to function as a normal person without obsessing about missing my usual routine. I really do feel like I'm still recovering from the heavier weights I used on Sunday and Monday before my 'fateful' meeting with the gym nutritionist. Since then I haven't done any strength training but I still feel the burn from that so I probably do still need a bit more recovery time anyway.

Anyway, the meeting will be lots of fun and many of my good friends will be there...so I am looking forward to seeing them - and that is just as important as keeping my date with the gym...in fact, friends are even more important, aren't they?

Balance...very important! Everything in moderation...important for me to remember!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

FROSTY99 2/11/2012 9:37PM

I hope you have enjoyed your day of rest and it didn't stress you out. Report Inappropriate Comment

LYNDALOVES2HIKE 2/11/2012 11:14AM

Have a great day and enjoy your 'rest' - yes, balance, moderation and all that - most important! You have the right idea!! Report Inappropriate Comment

AMYNYNJ 2/11/2012 1:11AM

Yes it is good to take a break once in awhile. Enjoy your day of rest! Report Inappropriate Comment