A very healthy snack, and strong evidence that I've gone crazy!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Just got home from blowing big bucks at Stop & Shop. I know Market Basket is cheaper, but S&S was on my way home and I figured they'd have a bigger selection (that ended up being only partly true though..) So now I'm sitting here eating organic mixed berries with fat-free Greek yogurt and it occurs to me that this is a very healthy snack! (Yeah, I know it has no healthy fat, but I eat raw almonds and walnuts too so gimme a break.)

Now onto the evidence that I am officially crazy: I have the week off from school, so today I met up with my boyfriend at a park near his office for lunch. The skies were very dark and gray, but I had so much fun running in the city last week that I decided I'd do it again, even after the first sprinkles started coming down. At first the rain was light and felt nice, keeping me nice and cool, but after a while it got heavy and I was soaked! Also, I hadn't charged my iPod in a while so after the first few minutes I had no music - I know I know, call the WAHmbulance, right? Running in the city is entertaining enough that I didn't need the music, but it sure would have been nicer.

For any Bostonians out there, here was my route (maybe I'll mapmyrun.com it later on to get the mileage) - it took me 1hr7min, but I wasn't going for speed at all, just fun:
Albany St. to Mass Ave all the way over the bridge into Cambridge, just so I could say I ran in two cities. :) Then up along the river to the next bridge...not positive about the names of these bridges...only to find that the sidewalk was closed on one side so I had to take a huge detour into Cambridge to get to a place where I could cross the street to the sidewalk that wasn't closed. Back in Boston I took Charles Street and then went through Boston Common to Newberry (sp?) Street, then crossed over at some point to Boylston where some guy promoting something called out to me, "Who needs umbrellas, right? We're tough!" :)

Anyway from there I went through Copley Square to Dartmouth Street and then back to my car on Albany Street! My feet are still wet, but I loved it!! Am I crazy or what??

Oh, totally non-Spark related, but as I was driving through Brigham Circle on my way back to the 'burbs, a guy crossed the street in front of my car and I'm just about positive it's a guy I seriously dated my freshman year of college!!! He transferred to a different school our sophomore year and I never saw him since, but his mom and mine still keep in touch (I have NO idea why, I think it's weird) and I know he lives in the area now! I probably last saw him when we were 19 or 20 and we're 31 now!!! But he looked just the same, and he was carrying the same kind of bag he used to carry, one with the big flap holding it closed. I kind of regret not saying hi...(I was in stopped traffic as he walked by), but how weird!!!

  

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RUN_LIFT_EAT 4/23/2009 6:57PM

Greek yogurt is da bomb! I just used it in mashed "potatos" (half potatos half cauliflower). Random about that guy! You should find out from your mom if he is back in the area? Report Inappropriate Comment

KELSPRETTYGIRL 4/23/2009 12:06PM

You go with your running self! And yeah... I hate those kinds of regrets... I wish'd you had talked to him. Look, call your mom and have her call his mom and just ask for his number and see if it was him. Then let us know... : ) I'm all messed up now... I want to know! Report Inappropriate Comment

KELSPRETTYGIRL 4/23/2009 12:06PM

You go with your running self! And yeah... I hate those kinds of regrets... I wish'd you had talked to him. Look, call your mom and have her call his mom and just ask for his number and see if it was him. Then let us know... : ) I'm all messed up now... I want to know! Report Inappropriate Comment

FRIZGIRL 4/23/2009 6:56AM

Mmmm you definitely make me want to go out and go for a run right now. And your snack sounds delish! Do you live in Boston or just visit? I'm going to be there tomorrow catching a bus to DC! Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 4/22/2009 10:10PM

City running rocks! If you are crazy, what am I then? Sleet, snow, ice, hail.... I bail when it's lightening, single digits Fahrenheit since my lungs start to hurt and "tornado" like winds, even though last year the Cop had to tell me nicely that I was crazy for being out there, after the power line came down and tree branches were falling... Do you still feel crazy???? As long as you dried off so you wouldn't get sick, you are pretty darn sane-LOL! Your greek yogurt with berries sounds great--- I just bought the 32 oz--- my son was like WTH??? I usually eat the whole 16 oz for lunch, but this time I will split it up.... wouldn't it be funny if Costco sold like a 64 oz--- I like it so much, I'd eat it in plenty time before it got bad-LOL- restaurant size..... but they don't, so there is no worry-LOL! Report Inappropriate Comment

BRUIN2 4/22/2009 8:22PM

What an adventure!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KENSINGTONC 4/22/2009 7:48PM

Oh man this makes me miss Boston so much it aches!!! Sounds like a really great run, though! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 4/22/2009 6:39PM

Woah, that's kinda crazy about seeing the exbf!!!! :) But running in the rain is kind of fun... I don't think you're crazy unless we both are! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

Yay!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

I'm back under 160 - 159.6 - yay!

  

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STEFANIE822 4/23/2009 3:32PM

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KELSPRETTYGIRL 4/23/2009 12:07PM

Oh yeah! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 4/22/2009 6:15PM

WOOHOO! :D Congrats!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MIMISCA 4/22/2009 1:04PM

congrats! i knew you would get back there quickly!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KSTYLEFITNESS 4/22/2009 12:52PM

Woohoo! You go girl! Report Inappropriate Comment

RA4945 4/22/2009 12:07PM

Yeah! Great progress! Keep up the good work! Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 4/22/2009 11:19AM

I'll tell you-- you have one amazing body! You can loose weight so easily-- you are blessed and I am really happy for you! ( just a bit jealous, of course-LOL!) Report Inappropriate Comment

PAMELA984 4/22/2009 11:05AM

Okay - now you have some momentum - you will do fine! Report Inappropriate Comment

Calories

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Here's a totally "duh" observation I've had recently... when I work out less, I'm less hungry! In the late months of 2008 I was working out a LOT - a few hours a day - and I was hungry until I'd eaten over 2,100 calories. Now I'm working out an hour at most a day, usually less... and my calories have been ranging between around 1,500-2,300...varying a lot because I'm basing how much I eat on how hungry I am.

Anyone just see Bob's team's food diary video on BL? These people are totally starving themselves... 250 calories for breakfast, 175 for lunch, sharing a 7oz fish between three or four people for dinner!? But if they didn't starve themselves they'd have no shot at staying on the ranch...they wouldn't lose enough weight to be above that yellow line. Not good!! How can they not be totally cranky and weak from hunger?

  

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KSTYLEFITNESS 4/22/2009 12:51PM

The low-cal, high intensity workouts of BL are just for the show in cases of extreme obesity like most of those contestants start out. They are under doctor care. Unless us regular folks are under the type of supervision they are, WE CANNOT do those extremes. Not counting the fitness athlete like Jessica stated, and even they need some monitoring in my opinion. Bob and Jillian are GREAT trainers. They would not have these contestants on these diets if it were not safe--I STAND BY THAT. Can they do the same things at home? No! Just like we can't who watch the show. Report Inappropriate Comment

_BECA_ 4/22/2009 11:38AM

It is unbelievable! that they would work out so much I have heard that they burn up to 3,000 cal a day and there in take is 900-1000 daily are you kidding me!!!! who can do that for life? who? and when they get home most of them when it is over (the show) they gain all there weight back and then some. So many of us out there want a quick fix there are no quick fixes period, the body needs fuel to function and we must also eat in in way that is attainable for life. Great blog I think people need to see that although the biggest loser can motivate us it is not realistic how they lose the weight and it is unhealthy too. Beca Comment edited on: 4/22/2009 11:39:18 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 4/22/2009 11:18AM

I would say it's adrenaline response! Once you got that one specific goal, your body just pushes-- which proofs the point that is temporary--- you can keep it up for a long time if you're "obsessed" but a) it'll take over your life and b) eventually, it'll come to an end or you end up with anorexia---- at least that's my opinion! It's a recipe for disorded eating--- been there, done that. I like the idea of exercising less means less hunger---- maybe that's why I'm always able to loose weight on vacation? Not to jinx myself here... Report Inappropriate Comment

KENSINGTONC 4/22/2009 9:42AM

Seriously - hunger is such a powerful urge for me, I can't STAND feeling like I've "undereaten"! Report Inappropriate Comment

RUN_LIFT_EAT 4/22/2009 9:29AM

I don't know about Bob and the ranch and stuff, but I am not a proponent of starvation! I am so with you on the workouts and needing more calories. I think it works for me though cuz I love to eat and I love to workout - lol!! But in all seriousness, I feel like lifting makes me hungier than cardio, as well. I guess because muscles need fuel to grow! Report Inappropriate Comment

FITGIRL15 4/22/2009 8:11AM

FINALLY... someone else who see's that show for what it REALLY is! It's actually quite traumatic to be that heavy and make their bodies do what they are doing (basically they are training and dieting as if they are entering a figure/fitness competition, time-wise!) It's absolutely disgusting that they put that on television for othes to try and emulate! That show is NOT A GOOD ROLE MODEL for anyone obese and trying to "get healthy"!!!! Starving one's self and exercising excessively ISN'T healthy!!!!! ... however, that being said... it's AMAZING how adaptive the human body can be! Since I've been carb depleteing, I too can live on 200 calorie, no carb meals and have MORE then enough energy to train with my PT for a 45 minute weight circuit AND then follow it up by teaching a 50 minute SPIN class afterward! And then wake up the next morning and feel NO SORENESS at all and do it ALL AGAIN the next day!!! But there is DEFINITELY a window of opportunity, I can feel that I'm losing momentum to keep this up for much longer! (I've been training and dieting hard for about 12 weeks!) Eventually we all need to find balance in our diets! Eating restricted calories long term is a formula for disaster!!! Ask any of the women who've competed in Fitness competitions!!!!! Comment edited on: 4/22/2009 8:13:17 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

FRIZGIRL 4/22/2009 7:04AM

That is crazy that they aren't eating more. I agree, I would go crazy. I have a hard time figuring out how "hungry" I am when I work out less or more. Sometimes when I work out, it takes me a good 2 hours to get hungry. I think I usually get hungry the day after a hard workout the most. But then sometimes that is my rest day... I guess it all evens out. Report Inappropriate Comment

TRACYZABELLE 4/22/2009 5:59AM

Better to eat realistic amounts then to get shocked after the DIET to try to stay slim on NORMAL food servings. Report Inappropriate Comment

MIMISCA 4/21/2009 11:19PM

oh man i didn't know you could read their food diaries online. don't tell me that - or i will get totally sucked in - haha! yeah, what you're saying makes a lot of sense. it just seems like the best advice is to eat until satisfied, which sounds so easy but something i struggle with daily. talk soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

SKYFYRE 4/21/2009 10:44PM

hmm, yeah, i dunno about the BL, I think we are on a better track for long term sucess! Report Inappropriate Comment

LISS327 4/21/2009 9:54PM

Oh I'm sure they are!!!! It might have something to do with the camera, the nation watching, the editing and all the benefits when the show is over... There is a happy medium between what they are doing and eating everything we want, we just need to find it, be comfortable in it and the hardest part...just do it. Happy Tuesday! Report Inappropriate Comment

Marathon watching and Jillian Michaels' reading

Monday, April 20, 2009

Today we went downtown and watched the Boston Marathon close to the finish line. I was so impressed that so many people were able to run so far, so fast. It was a lot more meaningful now that I am a bit of a runner...I know that these people worked so hard to prepare for this!

I still wasn't feeling that great from my little bug - it actually switched over to a stomach thing today unfortunately. So while my boyfriend went in a bar to meet up with friends, I went to Barnes & Noble to read, which is one of my favorite things to do. I read several chapters of Jillian Michaels' new book about how to eat. I could relate with her first few chapters about being overweight as a kid, and then getting thing only by meticulously counting calories and working out long hours. And I agreed with her premise to eat unprocessed foods.

But then I got to her chapter on what to avoid, and got overwhelmed! So many things that I thought were good for me, or at least neutral or not that bad, are unhealthy according to this book! Here's a few things that I eat/use on a regular basis that are off-limits according to this book:
*soymilk! yikes - I use a LOT of this
*artificial sweeteners, including the ones in gum, but yeah, I kind of already knew that, but still I hadn't cut them out completely
*plastic containers for food - I eat a LOT out of plastic
*canned food...there's unhealthy chemicals in the liner of the can...yikes
*the outer layers of lettuce, tops of apples, etc - pesticides
*starchy vegetables and tropical fruits (I eat a lot of sweet potato and mango!)
*alcohol
The list goes on and on...I wish she'd put the list of things you CAN eat before the list of things you can't because this list just depresses me. I thought I was making healthy choices...I knew to avoid HFCS and partially hydrogenated oil, but a lot of this list I thought was okay when it really wasn't - according to Jillian, anyway.

No gym today, but we walked around Boston at a pretty brisk pace - it was cold! Plus I'm still definitely sick so I don't feel bad taking it easy. And I had salad for dinner last night, lunch today, and dinner today!

  

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SWEATONCEADAY 4/21/2009 2:09PM

i have also read this book is a bit extreme. also that she hates anything that starts in anti..... antidepressants/antiflamatory (sppp???). i think i may read it later. Report Inappropriate Comment

KENSINGTONC 4/21/2009 1:35PM

Whoa...I'd be left with nothing to eat! So do you recommend the book? Report Inappropriate Comment

FRIZGIRL 4/21/2009 8:01AM

Yeah... I definitely think you are ok with the sweet potatoes and mangoes. Good luck! You are looking fantastic! Report Inappropriate Comment

SEEHOLZ 4/21/2009 1:31AM

I'm jeaulous you got to watch them all-LOL! As for the book--honestly, I'd love to read about the metabolism, but I don't want to be like her--- or eat like her. Don't get me wrong- I think she's a true motivation to so many people and so hugely successful---- she deserves a ton of credit, but she's not for me- I don't want to live like that and maybe I'll always be "unhappy" with my body, because of it or whatever, but in my heart, I do know that one. Anyways, I'm also one for being able to JUST read at the book store---- it's free and it's so fun! WOW- three salads today--- now that is also inspiring. As for soy milk and other healthy things she does not like---- when I read the zone a long time ago, it kept taking about bananas- a superfood, indeed- and how you should not eat them. Everyone has a different opinion and you know what? If we followed all those plans combined, we'd be reduced to like 5 foods I think- if we are lucky-LOL! And that would equal total ANOREXIA-LOL! So, no thanks! Report Inappropriate Comment

SKYFYRE 4/20/2009 10:42PM

That list is also in herMaking the Cut book and it is overwhelming. I know we all have to make up our oun minds about what level we are going to take all this information to. I'm trying moderation, I let you know in 50 years how it goes! Report Inappropriate Comment

KJNE8O 4/20/2009 9:39PM

Hmmmm.... I don't think I agree 100% with Jillian. First of all there are tons of nutritional benefits to foods like mango and sweet potatoes. I think that there isn't any "whole" food that should be off limits ever! I just don't buy into that whole theory. But, as for the plastic - I've been hearing a lot about that and would tend to agree but it sure is hard to avoid! Canned foods? Really? I've never heard of that and pretty tapped into the whole this is bad this is good avoid this avoid that thing - I'll have to research and let you all know. BUT, canned veggies are very high in sodium, so I avoid those but I still do canned beans, canned olives, garbanzo beans and from time to time fruit. Apples - I buy organic. I've been meaning to switch over to buying organic lettuce. Actually, I'm meaning to switch over a lot of stuff to organic. In that case it would be fine to eat the outer layers and/or tops of the fruit/veggie. Oh My - didn't mean to turn this into my own blog but it's a topic that I totally get into! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 4/20/2009 7:43PM

UM WOW. WTH??? I'd still like to read her new book, but feasibly how is a person really supposed to stop using plastic containers and canned food? I mean maybe I can see switching back to cow's milk and noe ating outer layers of some stuff.... but yeah -- that's a lot. P.S. -- I was amazed at how into the running stuff I was this last Olympics. It really MEANS something now that I run to see people finishing marathons in a little over 2 hours or whatever. Ya know??? Comment edited on: 4/20/2009 7:45:06 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

Checking in

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Not much new to report, but it had been a while since my last blog entry. Today was my "official" weigh-in...I'm exactly two weeks into my latest weight-loss effort...and I am down another pound. Three pounds in all.

I've been feeling a bit off since Friday night - sore throat, headache, and drowsy. I didn't work out yesterday, and today I just did strength training at the gym for a half hour and then went for a 20-minute walk outside. My appetite's been down a bit too - at my boyfriend's sister's shower yesterday I ate very little portions just because I wasn't in the mood to eat a lot, which almost never happens to me. Tonight I'm hanging out alone though and the thought of being naughty and munching on junk crossed my mind, but there's nothing around that would make good naughty food, thank goodness. Plus when I tallied up all my calories for today I'm barely over 1,400 so I could still have a few nice and healthy snacks... and then it's off to bed so I can get over this bug!

  

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ZIRCADIA 4/20/2009 6:19PM

The freedom of having a house without junk food! HURRAH! :) hehe. Congrats on losing another lb. Hope you get to feeling better ASAP!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

SWEATONCEADAY 4/20/2009 11:03AM

get better soon! Report Inappropriate Comment

MARLIE13 4/20/2009 10:50AM

So you can flush that bug out of your system. Way to go on three pounds down and not having naughty food in the house. Report Inappropriate Comment

SKYFYRE 4/20/2009 6:39AM

Hey you! I hope you feel tip top by morning! Congrats on another lb down! Report Inappropriate Comment

FRIZGIRL 4/20/2009 6:34AM

I hope you feel better! Good choice on taking it easy at the gym but still making an appearance. Hope you had a great sleep and woke up feeling 10 times better! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRACYZABELLE 4/20/2009 1:45AM

I got a cold/sinus infection but I am feeling a little better- been eating soup! I hate feeling horrible- I think it was the kid I kid sit for that got me sich as he was sick Thursday and Friday .I hope to feel beter fast! You feel better too! COngrats on the loss! TracyZ Report Inappropriate Comment

FITGIRL15 4/19/2009 10:59PM

Sounds like you are on track, Susan! Make sure you are eating enough though! 1400 seems low for someone as tall as you! (I eat more then that when I'm in LEANING mode!) I'm just curious, but have you ever visited a nutritionist or a dietician? Report Inappropriate Comment

BRUIN2 4/19/2009 10:12PM

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KJNE8O 4/19/2009 10:05PM

Three pounds is great! Slow and steady is awesome. Get some rest and I hope you feel better soon! Report Inappropriate Comment