I felt a bit off because I was starting to wear down and get sick.
No one knows your body better than you do. Never second guess yourself.
Your instincts are right. I probably should have been taking better care of myself instead of shrugging off the aching muscles and fatigue as stress.
in theory not being able to swallow anything (including saliva) is technically conducive to dieting.
is that the silver lining here?
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Unsure
I can't be sure, but something feels off.
My body is so tired.
My stomach feels like it's tied in knots.
My thoughts are scrambling.
I can't be sure what is causing this. Stress? Illness? ????
all I know is, I just don't feel like being a dieting drama queen.
today, I am just a drama queen.
My body is so tired.
My stomach feels like it's tied in knots.
My thoughts are scrambling.
I can't be sure what is causing this. Stress? Illness? ????
all I know is, I just don't feel like being a dieting drama queen.
today, I am just a drama queen.
Monday, May 9, 2011
not the best weekend FOR DIETING
I had a fantastic weekend.
...but I basically told my diet to buzz off.
I had more important things to attend to like CHOCOLATE SHAKES WITH HOT FUDGE. (*that sounds way better than yogurt and chocolate cherrios.)
I will attempt to get back to the habit, but I will just have to play it by ear.
...but I basically told my diet to buzz off.
I had more important things to attend to like CHOCOLATE SHAKES WITH HOT FUDGE. (*that sounds way better than yogurt and chocolate cherrios.)
I will attempt to get back to the habit, but I will just have to play it by ear.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Mixed Emotions
I should be proud of the fact that I have lost 5 pounds in the past month.
I should be proud that I have in fact lost 10+ pounds (total) since February. **I was weighing 196-198**
...so then why do I feel like I am failing so much now?
I can't seem to break past certain weights. The stuff is just not wanting to come off as easily now, and to not see immediate progress is starting to wear me down. I honestly say to myself, "Well I'm not losing any weight right now, so I might as well eat these chips."
Why can't I continue to revel in the success I have had, instead of rolling in the self-doubt and pity I have currently? ...because I don't deal well with constructive criticism.
And right now, that is exactly what my body is doing. It is giving me constructive criticism.
By slowly abandoning my healthy choices my body is literally showing me the consequences for my actions. It is saying, "Ok, you can eat that--I can't stop you. But when you do, this is what will happen."
As a self proclaimed drama queen I will admit: I only do well when I feel supported and successful. I do NOT do well with failure and criticism of any kind. I shut down and retreat.
With that said, no one can turn this buggy around but me. I need to keep my reasons for losing weight in sight, not the reasons I am failing.
I should be proud that I have in fact lost 10+ pounds (total) since February. **I was weighing 196-198**
...so then why do I feel like I am failing so much now?
I can't seem to break past certain weights. The stuff is just not wanting to come off as easily now, and to not see immediate progress is starting to wear me down. I honestly say to myself, "Well I'm not losing any weight right now, so I might as well eat these chips."
Why can't I continue to revel in the success I have had, instead of rolling in the self-doubt and pity I have currently? ...because I don't deal well with constructive criticism.
And right now, that is exactly what my body is doing. It is giving me constructive criticism.
By slowly abandoning my healthy choices my body is literally showing me the consequences for my actions. It is saying, "Ok, you can eat that--I can't stop you. But when you do, this is what will happen."
As a self proclaimed drama queen I will admit: I only do well when I feel supported and successful. I do NOT do well with failure and criticism of any kind. I shut down and retreat.
With that said, no one can turn this buggy around but me. I need to keep my reasons for losing weight in sight, not the reasons I am failing.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Cheap Shot
I got on the scale last night and the scale allowed me a glimpse of a beautiful weight.
185.4.
I was beaming. So proud.
Scale this morning: 186.4.
GAR! BAH-HUMBUG! Curse you Battery Operated Digital Scale that weighs both pounds and ounces!
You better give me back 185 OR I will take out your batteries and feed you to the dumpster.
You see, its not that my goal weight is 185, it's just the only progress I have seen in a while. I miss the feeling of success. The feeling of plateau is....well....it's flat.
Today, I blame the scale.
185.4.
I was beaming. So proud.
Scale this morning: 186.4.
GAR! BAH-HUMBUG! Curse you Battery Operated Digital Scale that weighs both pounds and ounces!
You better give me back 185 OR I will take out your batteries and feed you to the dumpster.
You see, its not that my goal weight is 185, it's just the only progress I have seen in a while. I miss the feeling of success. The feeling of plateau is....well....it's flat.
Today, I blame the scale.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Happy Calories
Every diet is different. The Yoplait diet encourages you to cut out all "Snacks, Potatoes, and Corn". Add MORE dairy.
Slim Fast doesn't encourage real food at all. Drink your meals or eat a meal bar.
SELF Magazine is promoting a new "DROP 10" diet program. They have a specific diet plan for you to follow for every single day (recipes included), as well as exercise suggestions and other diet tips. One of their dieting tips is a thing called "HAPPY CALORIES".
Now as a person that has been attempting to watch calorie intake **with success and failure both** I can't imagine a "Happy Calorie". For me, there really isn't much happy about them.
According to Self, you should dedicate 250 calories a day to something you are craving. So you can continue to stay on track, but don't completely fall off the wagon. Here is a list of the typical foods you crave and how many "Happy Calories" they mean to you.
SMALL McD's French Fries=230cal
Chocolate Chip Cookie=52
1 oz of Chips (usually about 12)=150
1 slice of CHEESE pizza=272
3/4 Cup Ice Cream=195
2" Square of brownie=128
As I was reading this all I could think is: "Yikes. I guess that poptart I ate this morning was my happy calories for the day!" I guess in reality I shouldn't try and justify a Strawberry Poptart as a fruit and a grain.
For more information about Happy Foods and their nutritional content go to NutritionData.Self.com
Slim Fast doesn't encourage real food at all. Drink your meals or eat a meal bar.
SELF Magazine is promoting a new "DROP 10" diet program. They have a specific diet plan for you to follow for every single day (recipes included), as well as exercise suggestions and other diet tips. One of their dieting tips is a thing called "HAPPY CALORIES".
Now as a person that has been attempting to watch calorie intake **with success and failure both** I can't imagine a "Happy Calorie". For me, there really isn't much happy about them.
According to Self, you should dedicate 250 calories a day to something you are craving. So you can continue to stay on track, but don't completely fall off the wagon. Here is a list of the typical foods you crave and how many "Happy Calories" they mean to you.
SMALL McD's French Fries=230cal
Chocolate Chip Cookie=52
1 oz of Chips (usually about 12)=150
1 slice of CHEESE pizza=272
3/4 Cup Ice Cream=195
2" Square of brownie=128
As I was reading this all I could think is: "Yikes. I guess that poptart I ate this morning was my happy calories for the day!" I guess in reality I shouldn't try and justify a Strawberry Poptart as a fruit and a grain.
For more information about Happy Foods and their nutritional content go to NutritionData.Self.com
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
extended yuckies
no real energy to partake in much today. Food will be the least of my worries.
I have two meetings so I must return to work.
However...
I barely feel like lifting my fingers to type. I feel like laying down to take a bath because standing in the shower sounds like a lot of work.
My hair aches.
My shoulders and back are sore.
My head is still pounding.
...and I could care less about yogurt or carrots.
I have two meetings so I must return to work.
However...
I barely feel like lifting my fingers to type. I feel like laying down to take a bath because standing in the shower sounds like a lot of work.
My hair aches.
My shoulders and back are sore.
My head is still pounding.
...and I could care less about yogurt or carrots.
Monday, May 2, 2011
SICK DAY
It is my first day encountering a day of the yuckies while on the "diet". I am not sure how appealing yogurt and vegetables will be today.
For now my hot coffee and tea will suffice and I will fill in the details later when my tummy stops tumbling.
...wheres that can of chicken soup when you need it?
(**I know, MOM, "you should always keep one in the cabinet just in case.")
Weight this morning=186.2
For now my hot coffee and tea will suffice and I will fill in the details later when my tummy stops tumbling.
...wheres that can of chicken soup when you need it?
(**I know, MOM, "you should always keep one in the cabinet just in case.")
Weight this morning=186.2
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Veggie Straws
Have you ever heard of them?
...Veggie Straws, I mean?
Maybe you should. They are made with Potato Flour, Tomato Puree, and Spinach. You are allowed to consume 38 straws (which are the approximate size of french fries) for 130 calories/60 fat calories. They taste just like Original Lays Stax chips.
BONUS: you can double the amount you get to eat AND still save at least 20 calories/10 fat calories compared to eating real potato chips.
DOUBLE BONUS: You feel a little less guilty about eating them because you can say the phrase VEGGIE straws instead of potato chips.
DRAWBACK: There are still 7g of fat per serving, 290 mg of Sodium per serving, and there only 7 servings per bag for $2.88.
So...I guess the real questions are, should something like this be in the house? Is the calorie intake really worth it? Can these truly be used in a dieting scenario to justify health and wellness?
My answer? If they keep me out of the Pringles can--hecks yeah! The veggie straws can stay. I am certainly better off consuming a product that is cholesterol free AND lower in calories, than eating my way through an entire cylinder of pringles.
However, some products are merely a beard. They are advertised and showcased as a "healthy" product but when you look at the labels and actually consider the factors, they are indeed bad for you. Examples: Chef Salads, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, etc. Here is a list of foods you may think are healthy but in reality are not:
GRANOLA BARS Granola bars got their wholesome, outdoorsy reputation as the mountain climber’s snack of choice. They’re filled with whole oats, nuts, seeds and bits of dried fruit — how could that be a bad thing?
The downside: Many granola bars are dipped in sugary syrups or loaded with chocolate chips, highly processed or artificial ingredients and aren’t much better than high-calorie candy bars. Even the less sugared-up varieties have only a little protein, a smidgen of fiber and a small amount of vitamins and minerals.
If you can’t resist: Make your own trail mix with whole-grain, ready-to-eat cereals, such as shredded wheat, with whole nuts, seeds and chunks of unsweetened, dried fruit. Otherwise, stick to bars with a short ingredient list, essentially whole grains, nuts, seeds and real fruit. Pick ones with 4 or more grams of fiber, less than 150 calories per serving and no more than 6 grams of added sugars.
PRETZELS They’re the go-to snack food for school kids. One serving of pretzels contains 1 gram of fat, compared to potato chips’ 10 grams. The downside: Pretzels are mostly nutritionally empty. Sure, they’re lower in calories and fat compared to chips, but they really are not a healthful snack. One serving provides nearly a quarter of the sodium a person needs each day. Because pretzels are basically bland, seasoned varieties pump up the flavor, but also the calories, sodium and fat content.
If you can’t resist: Pick a whole wheat brand. Or, how about a handful of nuts, instead? They offer a variety of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, plus they pack some protein and fiber. Seeds, such as sunflower or pumpkin, are an option. Or try subbing-in any type of veggie sticks and a dollop of zesty dip.
RICE CAKES Low-fat, low-cholesterol, virtually tasteless – they must be good for you, right? After all, one lightly salted, large-sized cake contains a mere 40 to 50 calories, no fat and no cholesterol.
The downside: Light and airy describes their taste — and their nutritional content. You won’t find much on the nutrition facts label beyond calories and sodium. Even those that boast whole grains typically remove the germ, one of the more nutritious parts of a whole grain kernel. Flavored cakes only add fat, which can be the bad “trans” kind.
If you can’t resist: Choose a plain version, but add hummus spread and sliced veggies on top. A little peanut butter adds healthy protein.
FROZEN YOGURTS Yogurt is nutrient-rich. Live and active cultures are beneficial for the intestines and immune system.
The downside: Not all frozen yogurts are created equal. Some contain live, active cultures, others do not. Unless labeled fat-free, many frozen yogurts contain nearly the same amount of fat as a reduced-fat ice cream, as well as the same number of calories.
If you can’t resist: Find lower-fat frozen yogurts that have live, active cultures. Some brands carry the “Live & Active” seal from the National Yogurt Association which ensures the product contained a certain amount of beneficial bacteria when it was produced.
(**Information provided by www.msnbc.msn.com)
With that said, I will continue to evaluate my dieting choices. I won't be perfect, but with additional knowledge comes power to make informed decisions.
...Veggie Straws, I mean?
Maybe you should. They are made with Potato Flour, Tomato Puree, and Spinach. You are allowed to consume 38 straws (which are the approximate size of french fries) for 130 calories/60 fat calories. They taste just like Original Lays Stax chips.
BONUS: you can double the amount you get to eat AND still save at least 20 calories/10 fat calories compared to eating real potato chips.
DOUBLE BONUS: You feel a little less guilty about eating them because you can say the phrase VEGGIE straws instead of potato chips.
DRAWBACK: There are still 7g of fat per serving, 290 mg of Sodium per serving, and there only 7 servings per bag for $2.88.
So...I guess the real questions are, should something like this be in the house? Is the calorie intake really worth it? Can these truly be used in a dieting scenario to justify health and wellness?
My answer? If they keep me out of the Pringles can--hecks yeah! The veggie straws can stay. I am certainly better off consuming a product that is cholesterol free AND lower in calories, than eating my way through an entire cylinder of pringles.
However, some products are merely a beard. They are advertised and showcased as a "healthy" product but when you look at the labels and actually consider the factors, they are indeed bad for you. Examples: Chef Salads, Grilled Chicken Sandwiches, etc. Here is a list of foods you may think are healthy but in reality are not:
GRANOLA BARS Granola bars got their wholesome, outdoorsy reputation as the mountain climber’s snack of choice. They’re filled with whole oats, nuts, seeds and bits of dried fruit — how could that be a bad thing?
The downside: Many granola bars are dipped in sugary syrups or loaded with chocolate chips, highly processed or artificial ingredients and aren’t much better than high-calorie candy bars. Even the less sugared-up varieties have only a little protein, a smidgen of fiber and a small amount of vitamins and minerals.
If you can’t resist: Make your own trail mix with whole-grain, ready-to-eat cereals, such as shredded wheat, with whole nuts, seeds and chunks of unsweetened, dried fruit. Otherwise, stick to bars with a short ingredient list, essentially whole grains, nuts, seeds and real fruit. Pick ones with 4 or more grams of fiber, less than 150 calories per serving and no more than 6 grams of added sugars.
PRETZELS They’re the go-to snack food for school kids. One serving of pretzels contains 1 gram of fat, compared to potato chips’ 10 grams. The downside: Pretzels are mostly nutritionally empty. Sure, they’re lower in calories and fat compared to chips, but they really are not a healthful snack. One serving provides nearly a quarter of the sodium a person needs each day. Because pretzels are basically bland, seasoned varieties pump up the flavor, but also the calories, sodium and fat content.
If you can’t resist: Pick a whole wheat brand. Or, how about a handful of nuts, instead? They offer a variety of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients, plus they pack some protein and fiber. Seeds, such as sunflower or pumpkin, are an option. Or try subbing-in any type of veggie sticks and a dollop of zesty dip.
RICE CAKES Low-fat, low-cholesterol, virtually tasteless – they must be good for you, right? After all, one lightly salted, large-sized cake contains a mere 40 to 50 calories, no fat and no cholesterol.
The downside: Light and airy describes their taste — and their nutritional content. You won’t find much on the nutrition facts label beyond calories and sodium. Even those that boast whole grains typically remove the germ, one of the more nutritious parts of a whole grain kernel. Flavored cakes only add fat, which can be the bad “trans” kind.
If you can’t resist: Choose a plain version, but add hummus spread and sliced veggies on top. A little peanut butter adds healthy protein.
FROZEN YOGURTS Yogurt is nutrient-rich. Live and active cultures are beneficial for the intestines and immune system.
The downside: Not all frozen yogurts are created equal. Some contain live, active cultures, others do not. Unless labeled fat-free, many frozen yogurts contain nearly the same amount of fat as a reduced-fat ice cream, as well as the same number of calories.
If you can’t resist: Find lower-fat frozen yogurts that have live, active cultures. Some brands carry the “Live & Active” seal from the National Yogurt Association which ensures the product contained a certain amount of beneficial bacteria when it was produced.
(**Information provided by www.msnbc.msn.com)
With that said, I will continue to evaluate my dieting choices. I won't be perfect, but with additional knowledge comes power to make informed decisions.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)