FOOD AND WATER INTAKE-

Sunday, May 25, 2008

FOOD AND WATER INTAKE-IS IT BEFORE, AFTER OR DURING MY WORKOUT?

Okay, so I've worked out with a few friends before and with the random people in the gym and let me tell you some of the things I've noticed personally.

When it comes to food some people do some of the most uncommon things I've ever seen. One of them, eating minutes before and right after a workout. I've even seen some who have sat on the bike and inhaled cookies while peddling along.

Sorry to say it, but I could never do that. One time I tried I got sick. All that food and working out like that is crazy. Don't get me wrong, the body does need the energy. I fully believe that as I'm one who believes that women in labor should be able to eat what they want. I also believe that if they bring it back up then who cares, there's a lot more coming out of them then breakfast, lunch or dinner. But when it comes to working out, I just don't think that getting sick is the idea.

For me, I normally eat about an hour before working out and I try to keep it simple and light. Lately though I've been wondering if this was the right thing to do. I look back at what I did during my track and field days and remember eating things such as bananas and peanut butter before the big event. I began to wonder what exactly should I be eating and when should I eat it?

The research that I found states that: 1-2 hours before a workout you should consume 200-250 calories which should consist of a mix of carbohydrates and proteins and that at about 45 minutes to 1 hour after your work out you should consume the same.

Another thing that I noticed that people do at while working out that makes me question what was going through their heads...Not taking in water!

A good example would be just a few days ago when I was busy doing 100 minutes of cardio. For the record, I had already taken in about 10 cups of water by the time I went to the gym. I finished off the 2 cups in my bottle after the treadmill and put 4 more cups in just for the elliptical and bike. I remember looking at the bottle while I was on the bike and thinking, "I'm not going to make it...not...enough....water...." totally dramatic I know but it didn't last long since my mind went into instant shock because as I sat there chugging down my water and worrying about dying of thirst while on a stationary bike, the woman next to me was looking totally confused.

Yes, confused.

Instantly she picked up her bottle of water, opened it for the first time and took a sip. I couldn't believe it!! I had just spent 30 minutes on the elliptical and this woman was in there before me and she was just now opening up her water. The sip didn't even take her out of the neck of the bottle. I looked around and noticed that no one else was drinking water even though all of them but 2, had been in there before me and I had been in there for almost 40 minutes. So when I got done with the bike I casually walked around the gym.

I don't understand people, honestly I don't. Every machine was filled so about 16 of us were in there and only 4 of us had a water bottle. Mine was a completely empty 33 oz bottle, the one woman next to me and a man who joined in about 5 minutes into my work out had a 20 oz bottle. She left with it more than half full and he left with at least another 8 ounces in his. Another woman had a bottle about the same size as mine and her's was more than half full also.

Do people not drink water?

After I left the gym I got a sip from the fountain and filled my bottle up again and went to the pool for 30 minutes. I didn't drink while in the pool but I did finish up a cup's worth once I got out. I just can't see how people can work up a sweat and do it for so long and not need water. I be too afraid of passing out!

As a reminder, drink about 8 oz of water 1 hour before exercising. I normally have it with my meal and then sip on another throughout the hour before working out. 4-6 oz of water is recommended for ever 15 minutes of working out. For me, I bring about a 32 oz water bottle for my workout and carry an extra water bottle just in case.

-Kat

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

DRAWNTHISWAY 5/26/2008 8:41AM

Food?! Water?! why the heck would the people in the gym be consuming them. They think they are doing what it takes to get healthy. *chuckles as I think of the cookie consuming biker* Seriously. The big food and water situation you talk about is the fact that so many people fail to see how food and water intake are involved in weight maintenance and loss. I'm proud of you for knowing. That is what makes all of your efforts worth so much more than theirs imo. Report Inappropriate Comment

SEESKO 5/26/2008 7:23AM

I am with you. I cant eat before i workout. I need at least an hour between ther two. Report Inappropriate Comment

the other side of the story...and the picture

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Okay, so I went over to a friends house and got a picture done in my new workout clothes. Well see that lovely tree with the white flowers on it? It's sticky as all heck! All the little leaves stick to the bottom of your shoe like crazy. So here I am outside of her house scraping my feet on the ground like crazy, when out of no where I hear "DAMN!"

I turn to see a cutie in a car who is completely checking me out. I was horrified!!! Yes I should have been happy or something but I was just telling my friend how I was hoping no one mistook me for the hamburgler or barney in my my purple pants (reason why I went for the pink top instead of a matching purple).

My butt is huge! It's scary!! People are blind...or maybe blinded by it, and I couldn't believe someone was looking at my rear end! That's like my trouble spot, butt and thighs and hips. ACK crazy fool! LOL

So on about today's event's. I went to work out but ended up on the potty for most of the day. Didn't even get to take the kids swimming. So I did some house work and we ran in the sprinklers and did some gardening.

I had some cookies...and some ice cream but not a lot of either
.....okay so i did on the cookies but the ice cream was under control.

*sigh* tomorrow is a new day. Overall my eating was better even though my mood wasn't. I just couldn't get out of the funk...

Dh is coming home and I'm heavier than the last time he saw me in Nov. I was hoping to have lost at least 50lbs from then to Sept. A total of 80lbs during his deployment...It looks like 30 will be a stretch for me at this point.

I got to get my butt moving and get it moving fast.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

AROCHFORD 5/28/2008 6:34PM

hey flaunt your assets girl! People would LOVE to have that:) Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMAJO1958 5/25/2008 10:36AM

Good for you on having a pic taken! I hate having mine done, but probably should! Now get that fannie out there and exercise the heck out of it...when hubby gets home he is gonna wonder where you went! Report Inappropriate Comment

DRAWNTHISWAY 5/25/2008 8:42AM

How many times have I told you that Lee loves looking at pics of your rear? I mean its like you post them just to taunt him! Its a good thing we don't live closer or I would have to deal with him asking you over so he could admire in person! Now if my married hubby will admire your rear whilst i sit at the computer, what makes you think other men wouldn't admire it too? some men just like a fuller trunk than we (women) like to believe. So congrats on getting a "damn!" Now if i could get a compliment out of my hubby instead of a complaint. I know your hubby will be happy to see you regardless of your size. If i recall correctly he wasn't happy with you trying to get smaller anyways, so not meeting your goal may save you a few harsh moments ;-) I'm still sure everything will work out for teh best. Just give it time and effort Report Inappropriate Comment

Weigh in

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Well, I had a weigh in today and didn't lose a single pound. I'm not at all shocked even though I've been working out like crazy, I've also been eating out like crazy and ice cream has been my down fall. The kids are really stressing me out.

I took pictures though and will use the same outfit for my next set of pictures too. Hopefully I will be 200lbs or less by then.

I mowed my lawn for the first time and also did my neighbors too. She's having a rough patch and so we thought we help each other our and take turns with the yard. It was tons of work and I still need to do my back yard! One thing we talked about was her weight loss. I noticed it last year but thought maybe I was wrong but she did lose weight...85 lbs and has kept it off for a whole year now. It had to take her less than 2 years to lose it because I've not been here for 3 years yet. She totally looks great and motivates me to work at even more. She did WW and worked out for 3 days a week. I would do WW if I could afford it but I can't so I will stick with what works for now.

Yesterday I not only did the elliptical for 30 mins but also did strength training. I haven't done that forever!

On the terms of the elliptical, I set up a goal to work out for 30 mins and bring in 4k strides each time. I met the goal twice this week but not today. I think I was just distracted by the new machine and the girls bugging me again. I also am on an elliptical team and the goal there is to get in 600 mins. I think i might be able to do that. I'm at about 125 right now and just started on the 19th. I think I can do it or at least get close to it.

Also I've started doing some running. I managed to do 30 secs running at 5.0 on the treadmill and today I managed to do 1.30 mins running at 4.0 on the treadmill. I don't know if I can keep it up because my shins are killing me now.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SEESKO 5/26/2008 7:28AM

I think you are doing great. I am proud of you for starting to run. Keep it up! It is wonderful that you neighbor lost all that weight and weight watchers is a pretty healthy diet. However, it isn't for everyone. I did weight watchers and yes it is expensive, but that aside still not fo r me. Spark is better than weight watchers in my opinion because its free...lol and it makes me see everything I put in my body. I also never felt comfy talking at a ww meeting. I obviously talk a lot here. Report Inappropriate Comment

KATRINIA17 5/24/2008 10:01PM

LOL MARY YOU CRACK ME UP! it's a pretty decent picture though....it's got a story to it too and I'll make that part of the next blog, with another pic that is. Report Inappropriate Comment

CELESTE5104 5/24/2008 4:48PM

Katrinia You are doing such a nice thing with your neighbor:) It also sounds you are doing well. You are making progress on the elliptical and running too. Keep working at it and I am sure you will be going farther and faster in no time at all! Kids, I have no suggestions on that subject. Mine are driving me NUTS right now too. I have no idea what to do with them any more. Love them and pray to God for some help, lol:) You keep up the good work that you have already done. Have a nice weekend too. Celeste Emotiona l Eaters Co-Leader Report Inappropriate Comment

DRAWNTHISWAY 5/24/2008 8:01AM

OMG its a super rare treat a pic of the almighty Kat! I'm sorry you didn't lose this week. Get that dang ice cream out of the house hon! I have been craving it all week with it sitting in the freezer, but I'm doing my best to avoid it since it gives Ame tummy troubles. I'm sorry the kids are stressing you out. Hopefully the time flies until Hubby is home and they are swarming him. I think it is great that you and your neighbor are helping each other out during this difficult time. It is always nice to have someone in person to talk to. You can do this. I know we have been on this site forever and are battling the same pounds. I'm not sure why it happens but it does. I'm sure that many times before your neighbor was successful at her weight loss she had a similar battle. Use her as inspiration and real life assistance to obtaining your goal. I wish you the best on your elliptical training and the attempts to run. I want to start running again. But first I need to get Lee to watch the kids, because i just can't run with Ame in a carrier and Jere screaming about being in a stroller. Report Inappropriate Comment

Little things that you can do too...

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

LITTLE THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO TO...

Here's my starter list of little things I can do and you can do too, that can help make a big difference in reaching your life style goals.

My husband taught me this trick for the morning. Instead of one alarm clock, try two! It's always easy to hit that snooze button over and over or just turn the whole thing off. It's a lot harder to turn one alarm off and then have to walk to the other alarm clock five minutes later. So leave one alarm clock within reach and have another one across the room and in short, force yourself out of bed.

Once out of bed, working out in the morning is most likely the goal that you've been wanting to tackle for a while. Push yourself into that workout by leaving your workout clothes on the edge of your bed (in my case my dresser) every morning. I had a major issue with just getting out of the house and started with dressing in clothes every morning when I woke up, if I planned on leaving or not! Then I switched to gym clothes and low and behold, I was at the gym everyday by 9:30 am!

When I was pregnant with my last child, I bought an exercise ball to sit on while watching T.V. Just this week a friend was telling me about how she needed a new desk chair and I said I did too. Then it suddenly hit me "Why not just sit on the exercise ball and forget about messing with chairs and stuff?" I've not tried it yet but I plan on doing so since it worked so well while T.V. watching and was way comfy!

Of course they say that a full body workout is great if you have the time but that breaking it up is just as good. I've tried it and it's a burst of energy sprinkled through out my day! In the morning when I don't work out at home or go to the gym I remind myself to stretch and do my tapping. I also do a little something such as squats or shoulder press with can goods as I'm waiting for food to cook in the kitchen,, while taking laundry down stairs I'll run up and down a few times or stand at the bottom step and do some stepping and I've even managed to do some toning while reading blogs right here on sparks.

Yoga can be a great way to start the day and it can even be a great way to end it! I love doing yoga poises right on the bedroom floor before jumping into bed. I keep it light and simple and just use it as a way to stretch and calm down for the day. Couldn't ask for a more peaceful way to end what could be a stressful day or in some cases it's the icing on the cake of an already sweet one.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

SEESKO 5/22/2008 11:32AM

I have a hard time working out int eh morning. Thanks for the tips. I will give the second alarm clock a try. Report Inappropriate Comment

What a way to start the week!

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Okay so I was 500 over on cals but...I worked out for 100 mins! I burned a total of 912 cals. My goal is to work out for 45 mins and burn about 350. I've been coming in at 300 and under though. Today I did water cardio, the elliptical, tread mill, the bike and walking!

On top of that I had 17+ cups of water!

and...I got 100 sparks points today!

I'm totally happy with myself and I'm okay with that ice cream I had...and the cookie. LOL.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

NICKEYH 5/20/2008 10:11AM

Way to go!!! Sounds like you are ding an amazing job at balancing the little mishaps with exercise! Good luck with your goals!!! Report Inappropriate Comment