Here's the new plan: I only bought food that comes in 100-150 calorie servings. And they have to be packaged that way. (except pretzels bc I know from v1 that 18 of them are 120 calories and that's about as many as I can take at once)
For example,
-sunchips variety pack, 140 Per bag
-bannana, approx 100 per fruit
-light yogurt, 90 per container
-baby bell cheese, 90 per round wax blob
So, without too much logging and counting, I can choose 10 items a day, and stay within 1000-1500 calories!
The trick will be eating out - if I can stick to salads, and do some mental math about how many of my 100 cal snacks all the toppings take up, I may be able to handle it without my brain exploding.
Yes, it's still counting - I'm basically tricking myself into thinking it's not. (self delusion can be a good thing!)
But at least I think I can avoid logging - I can remember where I am related to 10 snacks throughout the day without having to write it down...
... At least I hope so.
So, my official starting weight, though I don't have the videos yet (though I do have the boys, which is the same as a workout: see day 2v1) is 176, on the scale. Gus is playing guitar hero on the wii so I'll check in on that tomorrow.
One last revision to the plan - I don't really have time to blog every day. I'll check in periodically though. :-)
Let the (revised) experiment begin - and let's hope I can at least count to ten! If a purple Count on Sesame Street can do it there may be hope for me :-)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Day 1v2: Going Nuclear...?
About a month ago I went on hiatus after a pointless two weeks of trying to eat less and exercise more without having to count anything like calories or points or minutes...
In the ensuing days I have just gone about my business - eating too much at a series of conferences I had to go to for work, compensating at home by only eating pretzels during the day and not too much at night. Also tried to stay off the soda (which occasionally worked). By last weekend I was actually a little lower than ever!
After another week of a conference with full meals and amazing snacks (ice cream and candy and popcorn - oh my!) my pants are a little tight and I'm afraid to get on the WiiFit: But get on I must.
I REFUSE to walk down the aisle to marry my best friend ever, not feeling my absolute best. He deserves it, and so do I. (Plus, he's on the skinny side and I hate the idea of a skinny husband and a plump wife...)
And so my search for the nuclear solution began: I almost had it narrowed down to the Sensa stuff that you shake on your food so you won't be hungry, and The Firm Express videos.
I did a little research and Sensa is OUT - sounds like a total crock. If you see the adds on your yahoo-mail sidebar, ignore them.
However, The Firm does seem reasonable - and the workouts are fast, 20 minute episodes. That is my speed. They are not for beginners - but I'm very familiar with squats and lunges, etc so think I can keep up. I read a review of it on Adventures in Dieting [a blog I just found that does what I'm doing but a bit more elegantly - check it out at http://katdoesdiets.blogspot.com/2011/04/firm-express-thin-in-30-final-results.html] and ordered it.
I love the variety of WiiFit, but it takes an hour of clock time to get 30 minutes of exercise time, with all the transitions that occurr.
So, thats my nuclear workout solution - but what about food? How do I
-eat less but not starve
-avoid crazy ingredients with annoying or downright dangerous side effects
-keep track of food without spending gobs of time logging and counting? Weight Watchers had the best results for me, twice, but the idea of spending an hour logging points every day sends me into spasms.
And, of course, the fastest and most dramatic weight loss I ever experienced happened during the initial months of my divorce, and when I had that killer 3 day, bowel evacuating flu. Don't want to do THAT again!
Another brilliant woman I know did the medfast thingy, and lost 25 pounds in about three months and now can't finish those amazing conference meals I mentioned... while I licked my filet-mingon and mashed potato filled plate CLEAN. But I worry as she weens herself off that plan whether she'll be able to keep it off. I'll keep an eye on her, but just by definition its a hormone pill or injection or something that blocks some bodily function or other. Her doctor said in short doses, like 6 weeks, its safe enough (his wife did it) - but it is also pretty expensive, and you have to manage what you eat very very very very carefully to follow their plan.
So, I'm going to practice "real science" and only change ONE variable in my junk food and video game diet experiment - the video game part (though I'll still use it to track my progress, but not do the exercise so much... kind of makes it a very expensive scale...).
I'm going to stick with the junk food diet philosophy and hit the grocery store for some new options. I may get a few slim fast bars. I used to really love the peanut butter chocolate ones... But I don't like all the preservatives.
So, for now, going nuclear is still rather undefined. Though I think I'm going to come to the conclusion that I can't do this WITHOUT logging or counting something to stay focused and mindful... and my version of nuclear will be just joining weight watchers again. It is the ultimate in data-driven decision-making diet.
But I'm going to make this last ditch effort to lose weight without it.
Wish me luck.
In the ensuing days I have just gone about my business - eating too much at a series of conferences I had to go to for work, compensating at home by only eating pretzels during the day and not too much at night. Also tried to stay off the soda (which occasionally worked). By last weekend I was actually a little lower than ever!
After another week of a conference with full meals and amazing snacks (ice cream and candy and popcorn - oh my!) my pants are a little tight and I'm afraid to get on the WiiFit: But get on I must.
I REFUSE to walk down the aisle to marry my best friend ever, not feeling my absolute best. He deserves it, and so do I. (Plus, he's on the skinny side and I hate the idea of a skinny husband and a plump wife...)
And so my search for the nuclear solution began: I almost had it narrowed down to the Sensa stuff that you shake on your food so you won't be hungry, and The Firm Express videos.
I did a little research and Sensa is OUT - sounds like a total crock. If you see the adds on your yahoo-mail sidebar, ignore them.
However, The Firm does seem reasonable - and the workouts are fast, 20 minute episodes. That is my speed. They are not for beginners - but I'm very familiar with squats and lunges, etc so think I can keep up. I read a review of it on Adventures in Dieting [a blog I just found that does what I'm doing but a bit more elegantly - check it out at http://katdoesdiets.blogspot.com/2011/04/firm-express-thin-in-30-final-results.html] and ordered it.
I love the variety of WiiFit, but it takes an hour of clock time to get 30 minutes of exercise time, with all the transitions that occurr.
So, thats my nuclear workout solution - but what about food? How do I
-eat less but not starve
-avoid crazy ingredients with annoying or downright dangerous side effects
-keep track of food without spending gobs of time logging and counting? Weight Watchers had the best results for me, twice, but the idea of spending an hour logging points every day sends me into spasms.
And, of course, the fastest and most dramatic weight loss I ever experienced happened during the initial months of my divorce, and when I had that killer 3 day, bowel evacuating flu. Don't want to do THAT again!
Another brilliant woman I know did the medfast thingy, and lost 25 pounds in about three months and now can't finish those amazing conference meals I mentioned... while I licked my filet-mingon and mashed potato filled plate CLEAN. But I worry as she weens herself off that plan whether she'll be able to keep it off. I'll keep an eye on her, but just by definition its a hormone pill or injection or something that blocks some bodily function or other. Her doctor said in short doses, like 6 weeks, its safe enough (his wife did it) - but it is also pretty expensive, and you have to manage what you eat very very very very carefully to follow their plan.
So, I'm going to practice "real science" and only change ONE variable in my junk food and video game diet experiment - the video game part (though I'll still use it to track my progress, but not do the exercise so much... kind of makes it a very expensive scale...).
I'm going to stick with the junk food diet philosophy and hit the grocery store for some new options. I may get a few slim fast bars. I used to really love the peanut butter chocolate ones... But I don't like all the preservatives.
So, for now, going nuclear is still rather undefined. Though I think I'm going to come to the conclusion that I can't do this WITHOUT logging or counting something to stay focused and mindful... and my version of nuclear will be just joining weight watchers again. It is the ultimate in data-driven decision-making diet.
But I'm going to make this last ditch effort to lose weight without it.
Wish me luck.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Day 15: Water is the New Coke
Weighed in this morning and....
GAINED IT ALL BACK! All but .4 of the 2.2 sweet little pounds I thought I had lost. Somehow, in the midst of bizarre thunderstorms and an innocent little bowl of cereal at 10pm because I was STARVING all my hard work is wiped out.
I was reviewing my frustrations with my friend at work - yet another gorgeous and peppy lady with a heck of a lot of brains, who is also in amazing shape. She shared with me that when she starts to kick it into gear with her workouts, she always gains weight because she drinks more water.
And that's EXACTLY what I did yesterday. I spent 4 hours cleaning the house (and that killed my knees way more than wii fit) and chugged two liters of water in the process. I think water weighs, like, eight pounds per gallon. So that about explains THAT.
Sunchips, take heart. I have a new enemy: WATER.
I suppose that's not entirely fair. My kids also did me in tonight. I didn't make dinner for myself, expecting leftovers. I started on a little chips and salsa but as soon as Gus informed me he wasn't into the hashbrown and sausage scramble with katchup that he requested, I tucked them away and prepared for clean-up duty. I'm sure it only amounted to 2 little bitty links and two hashbrown patties... but if my McDonalds menu memory serves, those are like 6,000 calories each. These were the albertson's frozen variety, and I didn't drown them in oil, so perhaps I only consumed about 2,000. Well, even if that didn't kill me, the desert that Max didn't finish did: angelfood cake with nutella spread and fat free cool whip. He begged me to make this for him, then took about a bite and screamed that it hurt a canker sore in his mouth. Mom to the rescue... of the cake.
On the bright side, I'd hate to think what I would weigh right now if I WERENT trying so hard to eat less and exercise more. I do feel better physically than I did two weeks ago. Seriously. But I'm not used to it being this hard. Another amazing and lovely woman I know at work said she's been reading about weight loss since she was 16, and says that fat cells have memory and THATs why once you got 'em its hard to kill em off for good.
Its time for a nuclear attack. When I figure out exactly how to do that, I'll let you know!
GAINED IT ALL BACK! All but .4 of the 2.2 sweet little pounds I thought I had lost. Somehow, in the midst of bizarre thunderstorms and an innocent little bowl of cereal at 10pm because I was STARVING all my hard work is wiped out.
I was reviewing my frustrations with my friend at work - yet another gorgeous and peppy lady with a heck of a lot of brains, who is also in amazing shape. She shared with me that when she starts to kick it into gear with her workouts, she always gains weight because she drinks more water.
And that's EXACTLY what I did yesterday. I spent 4 hours cleaning the house (and that killed my knees way more than wii fit) and chugged two liters of water in the process. I think water weighs, like, eight pounds per gallon. So that about explains THAT.
Sunchips, take heart. I have a new enemy: WATER.
I suppose that's not entirely fair. My kids also did me in tonight. I didn't make dinner for myself, expecting leftovers. I started on a little chips and salsa but as soon as Gus informed me he wasn't into the hashbrown and sausage scramble with katchup that he requested, I tucked them away and prepared for clean-up duty. I'm sure it only amounted to 2 little bitty links and two hashbrown patties... but if my McDonalds menu memory serves, those are like 6,000 calories each. These were the albertson's frozen variety, and I didn't drown them in oil, so perhaps I only consumed about 2,000. Well, even if that didn't kill me, the desert that Max didn't finish did: angelfood cake with nutella spread and fat free cool whip. He begged me to make this for him, then took about a bite and screamed that it hurt a canker sore in his mouth. Mom to the rescue... of the cake.
On the bright side, I'd hate to think what I would weigh right now if I WERENT trying so hard to eat less and exercise more. I do feel better physically than I did two weeks ago. Seriously. But I'm not used to it being this hard. Another amazing and lovely woman I know at work said she's been reading about weight loss since she was 16, and says that fat cells have memory and THATs why once you got 'em its hard to kill em off for good.
Its time for a nuclear attack. When I figure out exactly how to do that, I'll let you know!
Day 14: Checkpoint Sunchip
Ugh.
Saturday, I was sure I was on the right track. Down three pounds, just needed to get one more off before Sunday and I could claim "2 lbs a week on the junk food diet!"
No such luck. Up a pound and not sure why. Wii fit has a little quiz if you gain weight asking if you partook of various naughty activities. Then, on your chart, the dot for that day is a different color. If you roll over it you get your message to yourself about what you did wrong. I didn't use that tool very well, and have a lot of "I don't know"s. What I wanted to say was "I have no freaking clue how I can feel like I'm starving and not lose weight! AND ITS NOT MUSCLE!!! AARRRGGGG!!!"
ok, I'm better now.
So, Sunday weigh in and I'm only down 2.2 points total for the two weeks since I began this experiment. Technically, that's within the 1-2 pounds a week of healthy weight loss. So, I figure I just need to get a little more intense and make a few adjustments.
1. Do the more intense routine on wii fit. No more stepping while watching netflix. I also need to take a few of the tools more seriously, like the weight-gain-excuse-quiz.
2. Log my food better. Originally I was going to do that here, but as people have told me they enjoy this blog, I've wanted to stay entertaining and not bore you with my menu. Unfortunately for you, dear reader, I need to really look at what I'm eating. I think I'm probably sneaking in larger snack portions.
3. Really, really try not to eat at night. That's one of the tidbits of info my little scale friend told me and its something I know I'm really bad at. Its just so relaxing to chill in front of Eureka or Sanctuary or Top Chef with a nice bag of Sunchips. But they are the enemy, at least after 8pm.
So, I'll start with that and see how the next two weeks go. Of course, this week work is CRAZY and I'm not sure how I'm going to fit in the exercise part. I may have to take a hiatus and then start my clock next Sunday. If I get to bed now, maybe I can sneak in four hours of sleep and have time to get everything done...
I've heard that getting more sleep actually is better for weight loss, but it was related to sleeping less and eating more because you thought you were burning calories. I'll have to check that theory out too...
Saturday, I was sure I was on the right track. Down three pounds, just needed to get one more off before Sunday and I could claim "2 lbs a week on the junk food diet!"
No such luck. Up a pound and not sure why. Wii fit has a little quiz if you gain weight asking if you partook of various naughty activities. Then, on your chart, the dot for that day is a different color. If you roll over it you get your message to yourself about what you did wrong. I didn't use that tool very well, and have a lot of "I don't know"s. What I wanted to say was "I have no freaking clue how I can feel like I'm starving and not lose weight! AND ITS NOT MUSCLE!!! AARRRGGGG!!!"
ok, I'm better now.
So, Sunday weigh in and I'm only down 2.2 points total for the two weeks since I began this experiment. Technically, that's within the 1-2 pounds a week of healthy weight loss. So, I figure I just need to get a little more intense and make a few adjustments.
1. Do the more intense routine on wii fit. No more stepping while watching netflix. I also need to take a few of the tools more seriously, like the weight-gain-excuse-quiz.
2. Log my food better. Originally I was going to do that here, but as people have told me they enjoy this blog, I've wanted to stay entertaining and not bore you with my menu. Unfortunately for you, dear reader, I need to really look at what I'm eating. I think I'm probably sneaking in larger snack portions.
3. Really, really try not to eat at night. That's one of the tidbits of info my little scale friend told me and its something I know I'm really bad at. Its just so relaxing to chill in front of Eureka or Sanctuary or Top Chef with a nice bag of Sunchips. But they are the enemy, at least after 8pm.
So, I'll start with that and see how the next two weeks go. Of course, this week work is CRAZY and I'm not sure how I'm going to fit in the exercise part. I may have to take a hiatus and then start my clock next Sunday. If I get to bed now, maybe I can sneak in four hours of sleep and have time to get everything done...
I've heard that getting more sleep actually is better for weight loss, but it was related to sleeping less and eating more because you thought you were burning calories. I'll have to check that theory out too...
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Day 13: Muscle Mystery Solved
First off, huge drop in weight. Excited to see if it holds steady for Sunday, my official "weigh in day."
Second, I had dinner with a very smart woman - an engineer at Boeing - who is in great shape and health conscious. She let me know that it takes at least 10 days if not a month for fat to turn into 1 pound of muscle.
Drat.
Double drat.
So, my new theory on the fluctuations comes from my aunt Kim, another brilliant, beautiful woman, who also has wii fit experience. She says there are little wii feet that will stabilize it and make weigh ins more consistent.
So, I'm off to Game Stop for some feet...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Second, I had dinner with a very smart woman - an engineer at Boeing - who is in great shape and health conscious. She let me know that it takes at least 10 days if not a month for fat to turn into 1 pound of muscle.
Drat.
Double drat.
So, my new theory on the fluctuations comes from my aunt Kim, another brilliant, beautiful woman, who also has wii fit experience. She says there are little wii feet that will stabilize it and make weigh ins more consistent.
So, I'm off to Game Stop for some feet...
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Day 12: The Saga Continues
A very wise man once said, "Either do or do not. There is no try."
Ok, he was more of a green puppet, but none the less Yoda had a point.
I have slacked off. I just did step aerobics again this morning watching Gordon Ramsay on my iPod.
The bright side: my knees haven't clicked since I started this experiment, so I must be strengthening my legs and protecting them.
And, I knew that I just needed to find some way to get motivated. My goal was 30 min, 4 times a week and I've done that.
I may not be happy with the results yet, but I need to respect myself for finally getting off my butt. And I do thank the wii for making that part easy.
But I'm about ready for an intervention. Time to increase time and intensity (some of you Ed folks might get what I mean...)
Its not enough to say I tried. I must DO.
That's what I love about Gordon Ramsay and his latest cooking competition - Best Restaurant. The teams all take their defeat as a learning experience in their quest for excellence. It's always about bouncing back better than before.
And doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Not just trying, but DOing.
I wonder if I could manage 30 minutes of super hula hoop?
Now, THAT'd be Excellent!
Ok, he was more of a green puppet, but none the less Yoda had a point.
I have slacked off. I just did step aerobics again this morning watching Gordon Ramsay on my iPod.
The bright side: my knees haven't clicked since I started this experiment, so I must be strengthening my legs and protecting them.
And, I knew that I just needed to find some way to get motivated. My goal was 30 min, 4 times a week and I've done that.
I may not be happy with the results yet, but I need to respect myself for finally getting off my butt. And I do thank the wii for making that part easy.
But I'm about ready for an intervention. Time to increase time and intensity (some of you Ed folks might get what I mean...)
Its not enough to say I tried. I must DO.
That's what I love about Gordon Ramsay and his latest cooking competition - Best Restaurant. The teams all take their defeat as a learning experience in their quest for excellence. It's always about bouncing back better than before.
And doing whatever it takes to get the job done. Not just trying, but DOing.
I wonder if I could manage 30 minutes of super hula hoop?
Now, THAT'd be Excellent!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Day 11: Monkey Business
I have been betrayed.
By a childhood staple, trusted by toddlers everywhere.
My go to Sweet snack
My beloved animal cookies
Have twice as many calories as I thought! (the horror!)
No wonder they taste so buttery! And that may explain a little of my unhappy fluctuation. (alas, the muscle theory is exposed... That's how the cookie crumbles!)
Nevertheless I am headed back down again. Did free step this morning, minus the hair dye drip, watching a Gordon Ramsay cooking show. If you can't eat it, watch it!
I've decided Sunday is a "progress monitoring" day and I may have to adjust my strategy if my total weight loss and clothes fitting tests are not registering results.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
By a childhood staple, trusted by toddlers everywhere.
My go to Sweet snack
My beloved animal cookies
Have twice as many calories as I thought! (the horror!)
No wonder they taste so buttery! And that may explain a little of my unhappy fluctuation. (alas, the muscle theory is exposed... That's how the cookie crumbles!)
Nevertheless I am headed back down again. Did free step this morning, minus the hair dye drip, watching a Gordon Ramsay cooking show. If you can't eat it, watch it!
I've decided Sunday is a "progress monitoring" day and I may have to adjust my strategy if my total weight loss and clothes fitting tests are not registering results.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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