Day 293

Now for something completely different....haha not really.  I did try something different at the gym today and I might keep it up.  It's called Tabata Intervals.  Basically a 25 minute class where you do a specific exercise for 20 seconds, then rest for 10sec and then go again for a total of 8 sets.  You rest for a minute and then do it again with a different exercise, then rest for a minute and finish out with a different exercise.  So you end up doing three exercises for eight 20sec sets each and that's it.  Sounds easy right? Wrong!  A couple of rules, if you are doing let's say pushups and you go for 20sec doing a normal push up (on the toes not on the knees) you must continue that version for the entire eight segments, no cheating.  The objective is to keep the same intensity all the way thru to the end.  It's all up to you, not trying to keep up with the others in the class, just yourself.  I was sweating as much as I do when I follow my normal cardio workout, that takes an hour and the class only lasted 25min.  Like I said it was different and I'm willing to try again next week.  It would be a good break from my normal routine.  Here's what happened in the food arena:

Breakfast: Turkey and egg sandwich with tomato and guacamole on a skinny bun.  Banana and 20oz of cold water.

1st snack: Apple Pie Larabar

2nd snack: Greek yogurt and almonds

Lunch: Sourdough sandwich with turkey, roast beef, Swiss cheese, tomato, pickle, and peanut butter.

No 3rd snack

Dinner: Chicken meatballs mixed with stir-fried cauliflower and broccoli with salsa.  A slice of sourdough bread and almond butter.  A bit later a bag of 100cal popcorn.

Day 292

It's that time again where I regale you with my awesome accomplishments in the weight loss arena. Of course it's all malarkey but still fun to talk about.  Today is the beginning of a short work week due to Veteran's Day.  I'm quite happy to say that the day went off as planned.  I actually got out of bed with enough time to get in a morning core workout and still felt like I accomplished something other than waking up in time to go to work.  At the gym I did the cardio workout and switched the machines around a little bit.  I did the recumbent second and the stair stepper last.  Instead of the other way around which was the norm up to this point.  I am skipping the afternoon snack as lately I've felt that lunch was so filling that I didn't need to eat anything between lunch and dinner.  Of course the workout comes in there between those two meals but I still feel I'm good without the snack.  I'm going to try this for a few weeks and see.  Here's how I ate my way thru the day:

Breakfast: Egg and turkey sandwich on a skinny bun with guacamole and tomato.  Banana and 20oz of cold water.

1st snack: Apple Pie Larabar

2nd snack: Greek yogurt and almonds

Lunch: Turkey and roast beef sandwich on sourdough bread.  Added tomato, roasted red peppers, peanut butter, and cheese.  This was a big sandwich and it was all I needed.  I was very satisfied.

3rd snack: As I've stated I'm skipping this snack for the foreseeable future.

Dinner: My regular dinner bowl filled with chicken and jalapeno meatballs, stir-fried cauliflower and broccoli, topped with mango-peach salsa.  A bit later had a 100cal bag of popcorn.

I'm still getting belt loop #5 to work and #6 is peeking around the corner but still hiding rather well.  That's okay as I know it's there I just have to work for it.

Day 291

Yay it's another day off!  In the past I've always tried to be a good person and not over indulge.  Quite often though it was not what really happened.  I'd end up eating three or four meals that were, quite frankly, over the top and made me feel guilty and fat.  Combine that with sitting in front of the computer, either watching movies or playing video games and, well you get the picture.  So yesterday was a day to remember in the future.  I got up and went to the gym (lifted weights), came home and then joined up with a friend to go to the movies.  After the movie went out to eat and had a pleasant but not crazy meal.  Came home and spent some quality time with the computer and later ate the rest of the earlier meal (yes I didn't eat it all at the restaurant) and had a great time before going to bed.  Wholly satisfied with my day.  Here's the finer points:

Breakfast: Yogurt and 20oz of cold water.

After workout meal: An egg and turkey sandwich on a skinny bun with spinach and almond butter.

Late lunch: Went to a restaurant and had a turkey/bacon sandwich with tomato and cheese.  Also had a salad bar (8" plate) with no dressing and a beer.  Had some of my dining companion's fries (probably @ 15) and only ate half of the sandwich as I was saving it for later.

1st dinner: Finished the sandwich from lunch along with a bag of Cheetos (quilty pleasure)

2nd dinner:  Stir fried cauliflower, broccoli, and carrot shreds mixed with quinoa.

And then later had a snack of popcorn.

I went to the gym in the morning and did weights.  I ran one of L's routines from a couple of sessions ago.  I walked away feeling good and so am encouraged to continue trying to work in weights a couple of times a week.  I know it's good for me.

I did have a small epiphany as I was eating 2nd dinner.  I'd finished and was satisfied but at the same time still hungry.  I started to think about eating more ( and the eating more was going to bad stuff) but was able to consciously convince myself to wait a bit and if I was still hungry then I could eat more.  So I listened to myself and waited.  Guess what? I decided that I really wasn't hungry after all.  I've actually never experienced the "let's wait and see" feeling as in the past I've always given in immediately and ate more.  I then would feel bad both mentally and physically.  Need to remember that for the future also.

Day 290

I've got an extra day off this weekend so am taking advantage of it and really doing nothing.  I generally don't do anything on the weekends but with the extra day it just makes sense to me to slack off completely.  I still went to the gym in the morning and did some grocery shopping as I'm going to be busy tomorrow (the extra day off).  Otherwise it's a "do whatever" kind of a day.  These are the days that can be problematic in the sense of getting bored and then turning to food to entertain myself.  So we'll be watching out for that.  Confidence is high though.  Let's find out how I did:

Breakfast: Greek yogurt and 20oz of cold water.

After workout meal: Torta (Mexican sandwich) with Carnitas (pork) and a banana.

Dinner: A Panini sandwich and a deli chicken salad with cabbage and fried chicken.  Also an adult beverage.

Later that night snack: 100cal bag of popcorn and an apple. 

So I did quite well in the food department as I didn't really go crazy when I got bored.  I guess I kept myself distracted without getting "hungry".  At the gym I did a cardio workout and plan on a weight workout for tomorrow.  I'll use one of L's plans and start the week out right.

Day 289

238.  So again no movement on the overall weight.  It really seems to be a thorn in my side at this time.  My clothes fit great though so not going to stress.  I'm sure L is thinking that I'm a bit of a whiner (if you could see me I'm grinning).  It seems every week I'm complaining about no weight loss and then talk about all the food I ate during the week.  For example this week it was PIZZA on Mon, Tues, and Weds.  Then Friday nite I ate the onion rings, breaded shrimps, and drank two adult beverages among other things.  So not a lot of room to complain or pull out the Oh Woe is Me card. 

Something I wanted to discuss with L was the fact that I generally don't feel hungry.  I bring this up because I've been around other people who were losing weight and they all complain about being hungry.  Due to not eating as much as they normally do.  So am I eating too much?  I might be but not sure in reality how to judge.  Of course is it real hunger?  That's another question that needs an answer.  I feel like I'm not eating that much (discounting the PIZZA situation) so I'm thinking I could cut back somewhere.  Something else to consider in the program.  Not breakfast though, as L and I have discussed.  Breakfast is the one meal I should always eat a generous (not huge) helping of food.  Wow it seems like I'm always making adjustments to my overall plan.  I guess that will keep it interesting if nothing else.  Okay here's what I put on the plate and consequently in my body:

Breakfast: Since I was going in early (for me) to work out I just had a Cherry Pie Larabar and because I had left out the water pitcher no cold water for the first time in 3-4 months.

After workout meal: Fratata with two eggs, spinach, quinoa, carrot shreds, and yellow zucchini , along with some cheese.  Had two slices of whole wheat toast with almond butter and lemon curd.  Also had a cup of Market Spice tea.

In the evening I went to friends for a get together.  A friend's birthday was the occasion and we had BLT's and cake with ice cream.  I had three BLT's and quite a few handfuls of chips along with a couple of adult beverages made with grapefruit and orange juices. 

The workout with L was a lower body workout as we'd been focusing on the upper body.  The focus was upper body because we'd been cautious of the knees after I seemed to hurt my knee's a few month's ago.  Everything felt fine and it was a good workout.  I did stay and get in a ride on the recumbent bike for an extra bit of exercise.  I was preparing for the BLT's later in the evening. 

Day 288

The day before weigh in.  I'm quite curious as to the numbers that will show up.  It's been a week of pizza and belt loop #5's.  At one point in the week I noticed that even though I was eating pizza on a daily basis for a while, my clothes still fit very well.  I even wore the skinny pants and slimmer shirts.  Today will be no different as I will wear a t-shirt that's an XL and pants that are a skinnier waist size.  So here's the list for today:

Breakfast: Egg and turkey sandwich with tomato and guacamole on a skinny bun with cheese.  20oz of cold water and a banana.

1st snack: Apple Pie Larabar

2nd snack: Normally a Greek yogurt and almonds but forgot the yogurt so am having a half of a Peanut Butter Larabar instead.

Lunch: Chili Releno from TJ's mixed with quinoa and cheese.

3rd snack: Nothing, spaced the fact I'd brought a slice of whole wheat bread to eat with peanut butter

Dinner: A hodgepodge of falafal, onion rings, breaded shrimps, and pot stickers.  Also a bit later ate a handful of baby carrots.  Plus two adult beverages to add to the mix.

Day 287

It feels weird, no pizza. Also old school morning routine. I didn't really do any exercises just did the basic workout that's not a workout. More body movements and stretching. At the last minute I realized I was ahead of myself in terms of my days. So was able to remember to actually take a lunch instead of thinking lunch was going to be provided. I was having a brain fart in thinking a program I'm part of was today instead of it actually being next week. I just am too literal some times. So again a good day with the belt loops and feeling like I'm getting there. I was supposed to make this a "eat less" day but didn't really happen. Will try again next week, even though I might incorporate the eating program I went with yesterday. I might consider it a reward in a sense (that is if I deserve a reward). I will have to think about that next week and maybe give it a try. I'm thinking I will allow myself to sleep later and get up with just enough time to shower, shave and drink my 20oz of cold water and then an hour or so later eat a Larabar. I want to start experimenting with eating. I know I should always eat breakfast, but how much and when could be adjusted to possibly alter my metabolism. Possibly. It could also be disastrous to my goals.


Here's today's log:

Breakfast: Egg and turkey sandwich on a skinny bun with tomato, cheese, and avocado. Banana and 20oz of cold water.

1st snack: Peanut Butter Larabar ½

2nd snack: Greek yogurt and almonds

Lunch: Spinach salad with quinoa, yellow zucchini, roasted veggies, and dressing.

Dinner: Quinoa salad with cheese and cauliflower. ½ of a dark chocolate bar and a small glass of eggnog.

Went to the gym after work and did weights. Did a bit of body weight squats and lunges but wasn't feeling it so stuck to the upper body workout.

One day away from weigh in day and the next 24hrs will have temptations lurking in the shadows. Got to be strong but again the life is calling and I'm sure I'll answer. I just hope I answer sensibly and with moderation. Oh yeah it's the start of a three day weekend with a birthday party one night and a lunch date with a couple of work friends to spice up the temptations.