Jennifer

A different approach to dieting, this is what I am taking. No points and a couple times I wanted that scale and 2x I stepped on it. Nasty validation and it proved NOTHING! But still 2x is much improvement over the past normal times I would get on that little beast. Lena called her fridge the beast, well the scale is a different kind of beast. Anyways. The beast tells me good things this AM. I am down a couple pounds and that is reasonable and surprising too. I know I ate more food then usual but I TRIED to keep things portioned. I am going to do the same thing this week. JUST LIVE and not worry so much! By my old assessments of things I would have said this was a bad week, but it was fine. I upped my activity when I needed to and for the most part did not think about my journal or points. If anything the closer I got to today, I did think twice about eating at night. Since I have been eating as much as I felt was a good amount to just feel satisfied, I have not been hungry at night. Sure I ate sometimes just out of a desire to have a little something, but it was all fine and good. ONLY one night did we eat fast food and that was the strangest night for dreams…..lol Again, balance. I worked out pretty consistently, but I also had the last 2 days off from my workouts. I am back at it today, but I think I needed a breather from the thoughts of weight loss (good advice from a buddy) and indeed, today I do feel so much more refreshed.

NO SCALE until next Sunday. I am putting my foot down, but not on the scale !!!

Keeping things healthy! And of course allowing for my treats. And there are some good choices out there that still feel slightly indulgent.

But this is my relationship with food. When I am good in my mind, food is a breeze. When I am stressed with life or people, all of the not so good foods and huge portions seem intriguing and almost beyond my will power. This week I challenge myself to take as many emotional moments as possible (let there be as few as possible, please *prays*) and just deal better. Maybe this means exercising or taking a little walk, or maybe it means choosing some healthier carbs (the mind and body likes these in stressful times) with protein to settle myself. Having something to eat does not have to be the beginning of a huge binge. Even if it is just a little, it does not have to spiral. I have thought about this, the harder I try not to sometimes it just makes me want more, so why not think that it is okay to have a medium sized bowl (a good cup) of cereal (lots of cinnamon, little protein, both of which will slow those sugars up and ease them into the bloodstream). One time this week I realized when I allowed myself to have something when I was stressed, I DID NOT EVEN WANT IT. If I had said, no that is not what a good dieter does (lol), then I would have wanted it, LIKE ALWAYS. So, this is how I work. GOOD TO KNOW!!! *rolls eyes*

With patience and some commitments all will be exactly how they should be.

I hope that everyone is having a super weekend and is ready to start off a great week. My thoughts and prayers do go out to all who are struggling, especially those who are struggling with health problems or the not knowing and waiting. Hugs to you all.

Tea cheers (Organic White Chai Tea this morning….. )

I realize this blog is very hard to read.  I always see the converse of things, so my apologies for the insides of my head only at this time.  Back and forth…. tis my way to demonstrate BALANCE.  :)  Who knew that I could find balance in some confusion

So there is no magic pill for the legs and behind and that is just fine with me. I am learning that all good things are going to come to this good girl with time and effort. My effort…lol. This really may take some time!!! I do not want to lose anymore up North. I see bones! LMAO. So, I am trying to not go below 1500 calories and I am working my behind off with the following exercises. I am also keeping up with the cardio and flexibilty type exercises like yoga. I should say I have learned of another exercise that helps with improving the bottom. Maybe you have heard of it, squeezing your bottom with every step you take? So they say. Hehe……

1 - Mule kicks (on knees) - 4 x 10

2 - Walking Lunges - 4 x 10

3 - Squats - 4 x 10

4 - Hip Thrusts or Butt Bridges - 4 x 10

5 - Leg raises/Kickbacks - 2 x 20

The gym was great over the weekend meaning I was there and I did not poop out. I really was not feeling like it, but we went. Did not do fabulous, but I think that was because I did not eat my complex carb breakfast….naughty naughty me. Anyways as we were coming home I was chowing down on a 7 grain salad from the deli at Sobeys. Ahh… just a couple bites since I was bitchy and I think my blood sugars were low. Really, MUST eat my oats or something like that before lifting weights. Well that was my Dumb Moment and I learned my lesson.

As for the sugar, *crouches in fear* I was not Perfect (lol), but I was better then I ever recall on a weekend. I purchased an energy bar last week (so David and I could share instead of having a rich dessert) that had a little sugar and sucralose in it. The idea being that that would be a better choice because along with a very small amount of sugar there was some good protein too. So I had half of that and last night, no refined sugar, but I did make a small hot chocolate (1/2 c. milk, 1/2 c soymilk, about 3/4 T. of dark cocoa, little sucralose/Splenda and a dash of cinnamon). Gotta say, YUM! So this was a great weekend for me.

Well sometimes I wonder, why write anything? Sometimes I have felt like I should not write because it bothers me that various people might be reading my words from afar and not actively participating on this site. I am not even talking about friends who I have shared with them about this site. There are others maybe who are not so genuine or friendly, but this is life. Should I stop sharing because a few rotten eggs? Nah. Not worth it! CERTAINLY not worth my thoughts. Such thoughts make me negative and that is not where I want to go. So onward and positive. Good food. Good exercise. Good readings. Good thoughts. Great buddies. Love ya all. Have a fantastic week!!!

Tea cheers…….

P.S.:  Wisdom comes, but it sure does take it’s time sometimes.  *sigh* 

I am doing pretty well all things in life considered…lol I need to be realistic with myself in that I have been eating a lot more then usual, but maybe that is okay once in awhile. I have been exercising quite a bit too. Eating so little can be another kind of a stress on the body and plus it could be a way to not have the body plateau (with the idea of zigzagging). Well I am back to eating a little less and once I really ease up on that night time snacking, I will be right on the ball.

I should explain where I come from because I think my ideas come off as “know it all” when really I just care. I use to eat crap and I gained and gained and gained. I see my family and others who also are incredibly unhealthy and this makes me sad. Get this, I fear loss! So I fear that people I care about will not be here because of unhealthy lifestyles. I know it is crazy, because if I worry too much, Stress will take me to the grave long before others who may be eating unhealthy and not exercising. I recognize my silly self, but I think it is important that readers know THIS is where I come from when I write what I write. *wink wink*

NOW, I just finished watching Canada AM and Leslie Beck was on talking about the best diets for the heart and weight loss. I am not here to criticize any diets, BUT IT IS TRUE, SOME DIETS ARE DOWN RIGHT UNHEALTHY LONG TERM! Not going to name any names…nope nope nope. But a diet that is 50-60% Carbohydrate - whole grain/complex carbohydrate/high in fruit and vegetables is critical for heart health. While protein is necessary of course (healing, immunity, muscle formation, weight loss) it is critical to eat the foods that provide energy and nutrients that can only be acquired from Carbohydrates. All 3, carbohydrates, protein and fat (good) are essential for optimum health. The exact numbers that work best for some may be individual, but good health does not come from cutting out entire food groups. I am so incredibly passionate about this. I have been all boo hoo because I did not have that old focus. Well sometimes old is better. I have been okay with the occasional junk, big meal after big meal, only to have everything (diet and goal) become foggy. Well along with me slipping a bit, I have also temporarily forgotten what really works for me. I LOVE WHOLE FOODS. I kid you not, I nearly orgasmed all over my damn self this past weekend when someone said that they are eating a whole foods diet. *DOH!* Truly I am so overjoyed when people want to take control of improving their health. I mean I am not all whole food, because sometimes we have to think about convenience (love my V8, sugar-free tomato sauces and canned beans for example), but I think whole foods are great and the answer to our society’s increasing health problems. I am still curious about these whole food stores in the US. Can anyone explain to me what they are all about? Are they just like farmer’s markets?  Nikki told me a bit, but I really want to see how different they are compared to markets.  These are the things that interest me…hehe

So… Me… Focusing….Back to the basics……

Carbohydrates:

Oatmeal, rolled kamut, spelt flakes, quinoa, buckwheat, amaranth, brown rice, millet, beans, lentils, chickpeas, plain popcorn, soymilk, yogurt, FRUITS AND VEGETABLES….. Does anyone have a good cereal suggestion/alternative for All Bran Buds? Just curious. FROM MY EXPERIENCE, I do not get nasty cravings from complex carbohydrates or fruit. I do start to have them when I have had too many simple sugars/junk.

Protein:

Fish, yogurt, tofu, soymilk, food combining from grains and pseudo veggies, meat probably/occasionally

Good Fat:

nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), seeds (pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, sesame), olive oil. Does any one have a suggestion for a good oil that is good for salads and veggies? I will not be cooking with it.

Condiments: sugar/fat free salsa, Bragg soy sauce, herbs, spices, mustard, sun dried tomato puree,….. anything I know is good.

Thinking ahead will equal success for me. SO this week (until next Friday), my treat is 1-2 meals with cheese (1-1.5 oz of cheese). At present we have a couple different kinds in the house and so I will be making a casserole that has this in it. But this is my treat. I am off sweet things. Plus I am craving things so I am working to get back into balance and good health. I really do not want bread or pasta. Like I said, I am aiming for whole foods this week. I will not be kicking myself if I have a pasta dish… lmao

Thank you to all my sweet buddies for your encouragement. I can not say I have been a bad dieter as I have really been matching my intake with some good workouts. But now I want to feel good again. So, my plan is set. Nothing big, just good and real food.

I guess I am doing Core, but I am keeping track of my points. Love my journal. I have not missed a day. Even if I did not keep track of the numbers I still have been recording the food. It keeps me honest and aware.

Love you all. Tomorrow I catch up with you. I hope you have been doing well. *hugs*

I had a little slip up yesterday. With a little stress, and there has been a bit in the last 4-5 days, it was the wrong time for me to forget my B6 vitamin yesterday AM. Bad girl! lol My whole day was great until last night when I turned into a Twink and loaded up on carbs and too much fat (good and bad and too much!). No guilt. Shit happens. I am aware of what the trigger was and though that is no excuse, it does explain things a little. Anyways, all is well. Today is a better day and it is all semi-planned with work. I will record my intake here just for shits and giggles (lol…. I wish I made that up, but it is from a movie… “shits and giggles”) and return if anything changes.

Intake:

Breakfast- Shake: 3/4 c frozen unsweetened cranberries, 3/4 c blueberries, about 1 T. fresh ginger, 2 T. flax seeds, water (vitamins, including my B6 !), …….Chlorella

Snack- 1/3 c oatmeal sweetened with cinnamon, 1 c. of a shake I made for David - water, pomegranate juice, protein powder, flax, blueberries, cherry yogurt (w/splenda)

Lunch- Veggies, open faced veggie sandwich with veggies, 1 oz. of Colby cheese, pickle, mustard/yogurt/dill dressing, 1 c. homemade carrot/sweet potato soup, (did not have the yogurt b/c I felt full), green tea

Snack- apple, red pepper, Vega, Ca. supplement

Supper- 3 oz salmon steak, 1/2 c. lentil curry, veggie salad (many different kinds, no lettuce), Earl Grey tea

I BINGED !!!

I am giving myself complete freedom these days to know that 28 is likely where I function best with my activity. That is 1400-1500 calories and specifically my metabolism may function optimally here. But I am still “listening” for that hunger and feeding it. Also, this is enough carbs to keep me thinking well, functioning, feeling happy and so anymore points/food will come from protein… well that is the plan. No more thoughts about last night. The Twink has left the building!

Activity: 30 minutes on the elliptical, free weights & leg lifts (about 30 minutes), walk to work (40 minutes)

Actual Workout: 30 minutes of the elliptical, 15 minutes of free weights and leg lifts (hopes to do more later after work… we will see.) and I will walk 40 minutes.

ALL GOOD WORDS, BUT I BINGED….. Moving on!

Well, I have not been bored this week or lost in my head and so food has not been on my mind. I kept busy, ate healthy (treats of course) and exercised including incorporating some new work outs like my Get Ripped 1000. I ate portioned balanced meals and specifically ate a little more meat/fish then usual and ate tons more Raw meals (veggies, fruit and nuts/seeds). I ate my complex carbs usually early in the day though not always and really found that oatmeal, spoon size shredded wheat and muesli are really good treats for me - I added cinnamon and a little stevia usually. Dates are too addicting to be in my house…lol Just kidding. I am learning that it is OK to have a guilt free snack right after a workout. Infact some experts even say it is darn right necessary to get some fast absorbing sugars/simple sugars (a little protein too) into your blood stream, especially after a hard workout. I read in my Oxygen Magazine last month that they recommend chocolate milk. (a portion! not the whole 1 litre! ) Fascinating!!! I bet they paid good money to have that add placed in that magazine… half joking I can not say, I LOVE chocolate milk and can NEVER have it in the house. I wonder if one day when I am all fit, will I safely be able to have certain foods in the house with out being tempted? I bet not, but perhaps? Anyways, it is fine going out for treats especially if you walk to get they hey? I might make that my goal for the coming week. If I want a treat, I have to walk to get it. My entire food and activity plan is the same so need to repeat it. It is ingrained in me…hehe

I am down on this early Friday morning. That is, I am down on the scale! I was only somewhat worried because it does happen that you can have a really good week and still not progress. I was semi-prepared….hehe. I had the measuring tape out to tell me “it is ok! You have done good things this week. Keep at it!” Anyways, this is an early weigh in for me and the scale read 157.5 lbs and so I will take 157 since I have not even gone to the washroom…. “Ahhh, the ever revealing Jenn!” Well some secrets are good kept untold hey?

I wish everyone a great weekend. I work Saturday, but do plan to get out a little and enjoy some of the events going on. All the best Buddies. *hugs*

Well we are doing well. But I am determined to not use more then my 35 points, but at the same time I am exercising my behind off, literally. So I am listening to the hunger and feeding myself. I have had 2 really good days. The first 2 I used them rather liberally, but that is ok. I believe my metabolism is working hard. Things have been crazy and busy, but I am not choosing to fail in these times. Now that is progress. I set my ticker back one and am weighing in Monday. I checked my measurements and my waist/hips/thigh are at 29/39/23 and that is also progress. My old measurements are somewhere in an old blog (not on the new site) and they were something like 36/43/26. I am not sure if those numbers were a year ago or when I started here. Grief! The memory is going too…lol Anyways, it is another long day and I am thinking if there is a god, he will grant me some patience and understanding to deal with all that I must do today.

I wish all success who are doing the challenges and team thing. Cheers to you and 3 cheers to all the team leaders who help so many stick to their plans. I am finally listening to that little voice inside my head more often then not. The voice that tells me NO when I need to hear no and YEH BABY when I am a good girl. When there is no computer around and no human voice to encourage me, I still have me to depend on. I have places I want to be and clothes I want to wear.

The things that are helping me…… All my protein powders (Vega, Naturade’s Veg & Equate’s Whey Protein Isolate (no aspartame or Ase-K!!!), my teas - herbal, green, matcha, chai, and rooibos (variety is good), water, veggies and a mostly veg. diet, fruit, oatmeal in the AM to keep me going throughout the day, 5-7 meals/snacks, recording, Oxygen magazine (I SUBSCRIBED even with all the pathetic supplement ads …*SPITS* - but it does make a 2 year subscription CHEAP!), cardio, strength training and flexibility exercises, fish, calcium, B6, multivitamin. I have some strong supporters too and that helps me tremendously. I am very thankful. But one of them wants his breakfast “meow, meow” so I am off. I will see my 2 lovely guys in 12 hours. And I need to connect with my buddies so that will have to be Saturday or Sunday when most are away. Well, this is the life. You do what you can when you can and always try to smile, eh ? lol

Wishes for peaceful thoughts…..

P.S.: Today I was asked what I thought about low carb diets. It may seem like I may not be eating carbs, but I so am. I personally could NEVER go low carb. For instance today I had my oatmeal, soybeans, sweet potatoes, fruit, veggies, crackers, hummus and sea salt and vinegar (Cheecha) Krackles along with plenty of protein and some good fat. If I go low carb, I am moody and depressed. It just happens like “that”. Some meals or snacks might be lower in carb, but in a day I get my carbs. That works for me. I know some do almost no carbs, but the brain needs the break down of carbohydrates into sugar to do it’s many tasks. That is just the way it is. Some people are more prone to low blood sugar and depression so I think Carbs are the best and necessary for combating these issues/ailments. Of course sometimes more is needed such as meds (Screw Tom Cruise!) or therapy, but how we feel in our day is so often due to our diets. A healthy diet of carbohydrates, protein and good fat works very well for weight loss if portions are remembered.