I don't mean to make a habit of checking in on Wednesdays... I WILL be better next week and do it Monday!
April 4
Weight: 122.6 lbs (+ 0.8)
Body Fat: 23.4%
Measurements: Waist 25.5"; Hips 37"; Thigh 20.75" (+ 1")
Unfortunately I have gained some weight, but this is entirely deserved as I haven't been putting in my best effort recently. Now that the main bulk of thesis-writing is done I'm committing to eating better and finishing Ripped in 30. I joined Jillian Michael's DietBet for an extra dose of motivation.
I would still like to reach my goal weight (115 lbs) by graduation, but 118 lbs might be more realistic. I am going to try really hard to keep checking in here, log my meals every day and get regular exercise.
It's so hard to get back into it after a lot of slipping up, but I am determined! I will finish my thesis and I will lose the remaining weight. I am trying to visualize myself in my graduation dress feeling good about everything.
Showing posts with label weight gain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight gain. Show all posts
Wednesday, 2 April 2014
Tuesday, 1 April 2014
Eleana's Weekly Check In
- Weight: 68 kg (- 2 kg)
- Body Fat:
- Waist: 30" (-2.5")
- Hips: 42" (-1.5")
- Thighs: 23 (- 0.5")
Let me start of by saying, this is no April Fool's joke... I am actually back on the right track again.
Hurrah! So nice to be seeing those numbers going down instead of up. I got a bit of an early April Fool's surprise by my weight on Sunday when the scales informed me I was 67 kg! I was back up to 68 kg the next day, but I SAW IT I SWEAR!
Anyway, my efforts to cut down on diet coke and other soft drinks is going surprisingly well! I haven't "slipped up" so to speak from being desperate for a can of the good stuff. I had one on purpose the other day to celebrate the fact I just turned in my graduation portfolio. Since then, nada. My addiction was clearly not as bad as I feared. It was much worse last year for sure when I was clawing at vending machines when I gave it up for a week.
I have not been eating out very much which has helped massively because I am always lured into buying those 1,600 calorie meals. I am still doing well with my water and I am also doing well by not having dessert after every meal (although I've had a couple brownies in a mug).
Now that it is finally warming up in Mississippi I need to get my running shoes back on and do some more exercise which I have roped my boyfriend into doing with me for company... and competition.
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
A Salad or Fries? Quality Counts
I wanted to write a mini post about calorie counting and food quality. I'm sure Jodie can weigh in with more knowledge than me, but here goes anyway.
I read an article recently where it compared salads you can find in local and chain restaurants and how these actually compare to unhealthy options in terms of calories. Taking Chili's Grill & Bar as the example, their Quesadilla Explosion Salad has 1440 calories. You may as well purchase a greasy burger.
Or should you?
Yes, you do need to be careful what the restaurant is classing as a "salad". The green part can't be a small addition to the plate.
But choosing a Chicken Caesar Salad (660 calories) is still ultimately going to do better for me than a Big Mac (550 calories). The quality of the food matters just as much as the calories, and I don't just mean eating a better quality burger pattie than what is found in the Big Mac. I mean that a salad or vegetables are going to be a better choice than a Big Mac. After all, vegetables and fruit contain calories. It's not as if the foods that are good for you are going to be 0 calories. Diet Coke isn't great for you and yet it's 0 calories. Many fruits actually contain sugars, so even those you still have to eat in moderation. But they are still a better choice than their sugary alternatives at the same calorie count.
It is important to consider what you are eating if you are calorie counting. A great app for that is Calorie Count. This is app is free but it also gives you an idea of how good your choice is, which My Fitness Pal does not do. When you select a food, it gives it a grade from A - F, and then you can judge for yourself whether the choice is going to be good for you, regardless of the calories.
As Jodie has often told us, use calorie counters as a guide, but not as your God. Counting calories is not the be-all-and-end-all of healthy eating. There are many other factors to consider which can considerably speed up and aid your weight loss.
I read an article recently where it compared salads you can find in local and chain restaurants and how these actually compare to unhealthy options in terms of calories. Taking Chili's Grill & Bar as the example, their Quesadilla Explosion Salad has 1440 calories. You may as well purchase a greasy burger.
Or should you?
 |
| Photo Courtesy of article. Article can be found at Shape.com |
Yes, you do need to be careful what the restaurant is classing as a "salad". The green part can't be a small addition to the plate.
But choosing a Chicken Caesar Salad (660 calories) is still ultimately going to do better for me than a Big Mac (550 calories). The quality of the food matters just as much as the calories, and I don't just mean eating a better quality burger pattie than what is found in the Big Mac. I mean that a salad or vegetables are going to be a better choice than a Big Mac. After all, vegetables and fruit contain calories. It's not as if the foods that are good for you are going to be 0 calories. Diet Coke isn't great for you and yet it's 0 calories. Many fruits actually contain sugars, so even those you still have to eat in moderation. But they are still a better choice than their sugary alternatives at the same calorie count.
It is important to consider what you are eating if you are calorie counting. A great app for that is Calorie Count. This is app is free but it also gives you an idea of how good your choice is, which My Fitness Pal does not do. When you select a food, it gives it a grade from A - F, and then you can judge for yourself whether the choice is going to be good for you, regardless of the calories.
Eleana's Weekly Check-In
- Weight: 69 kg (- 1 kg)
- Waist:30.5"
- Hips: 42" (-1.5")
- Thighs: 24 (+0.5")
My efforts have slowed down because I have somehow pulled a ligament in my knee, so I have to make sure that heals up first. It feels much better today compared to the rest of the week, but still not perfect. Once my knee is back in order I will be starting running! Yes, I'm actually going to do it. My boyfriend will also be joining me and he is in worse shape than me right now so that'll make me feel good. Plus I always do better when there is a level of competition happening.
I have just finished some important schoolwork! So I can dedicate a time again to working on health and fitness. I am still making some better choices than normal, I have done very well with cutting down on my diet coke consumption, and soft drinks as a whole. Better than I thought actually!
My confessions: I made British flapjacks because I found Golden Syrup in a Kroger in Memphis and fairly attacked those flapjacks with abandon. I also had a red velvet cupcake to celebrate finishing my important project. Guess I have some salads coming my way!
Wednesday, 19 March 2014
Eleana's Weekly Check-In
Current: March 19, 2014
I'm still making up for the overindulgent Spring Break, and have made the decision to cut out Diet Coke which I now severely regret seeing as I need it during my hard slog through my final portfolio, but oh well. I am definitely addicted to the fizzy stuff so I I feel like it could undo all my hard work, and everyone who successfully manoeuvres through a diet always said they cut out the soda.
In order to really convince myself, I'm going to do a little research on the effects of soda when I have a spare moment or want a break from my Masters work. I'll post the results of my research here so keep a look out!
I still want to do Ripped in 30 but until I get a handle on my work I don't want to half-heartedly start it because I'll be able to make up all kinds of excuses not to do it. But I will still go to Zumba so I'll see you on Friday girls!
- Weight: 69 kg (- 1 kg)
- Waist: 30.5" (-2")
- Hips: 42" (-1.5")
- Thighs: 23.75 (+0.25")
I'm still making up for the overindulgent Spring Break, and have made the decision to cut out Diet Coke which I now severely regret seeing as I need it during my hard slog through my final portfolio, but oh well. I am definitely addicted to the fizzy stuff so I I feel like it could undo all my hard work, and everyone who successfully manoeuvres through a diet always said they cut out the soda.
In order to really convince myself, I'm going to do a little research on the effects of soda when I have a spare moment or want a break from my Masters work. I'll post the results of my research here so keep a look out!
I still want to do Ripped in 30 but until I get a handle on my work I don't want to half-heartedly start it because I'll be able to make up all kinds of excuses not to do it. But I will still go to Zumba so I'll see you on Friday girls!
Jodie's Weekly Check-In - late!
I'm long overdue an update on this so here goes...
March 19
Weight: 123.4 lbs (+1.4 lbs)
Body Fat: TBC
Measurements: Waist 25"; Hips 36.5"; Thigh 20.75" (+0.25")
I always let myself go a bit during breaks so this isn't a big surprise! Since my measurements haven't changed that much, it's likely that some of the weight gain is just bloat. I definitely feel like jelly, not firm at all.
I would say that I did good and bad things over spring break. I made an effort to have healthy meals and snacks at home, so overall my diet was good. I didn't consistently track my intake, which led to me giving into temptation a few times when I was out. But it's nice to enjoy a meal out from time to time... now I just need to stick with home-cooked meals for a few weeks!
I did exercise, but I split Week 2 of Ripped in 30 across two weeks instead of trying to keep doing it on my regular schedule. For the remainder of this week, I want to do Week 3, with one day next week and running into Week 4, so I should be done with the program 3/29. I'll be setting a new program to go up until graduation.
I would still love to achieve my goal weight by graduation, but it is going to be a real challenge! I'll need to be really consistent with my diet and make an effort to get in extra cardio at the fitness center. Hopefully by my check in next Monday I will have a better idea of where I'm at weight wise and feel like I'm back to my regular routine.
March 19
Weight: 123.4 lbs (+1.4 lbs)
Body Fat: TBC
Measurements: Waist 25"; Hips 36.5"; Thigh 20.75" (+0.25")
I always let myself go a bit during breaks so this isn't a big surprise! Since my measurements haven't changed that much, it's likely that some of the weight gain is just bloat. I definitely feel like jelly, not firm at all.
I would say that I did good and bad things over spring break. I made an effort to have healthy meals and snacks at home, so overall my diet was good. I didn't consistently track my intake, which led to me giving into temptation a few times when I was out. But it's nice to enjoy a meal out from time to time... now I just need to stick with home-cooked meals for a few weeks!
I did exercise, but I split Week 2 of Ripped in 30 across two weeks instead of trying to keep doing it on my regular schedule. For the remainder of this week, I want to do Week 3, with one day next week and running into Week 4, so I should be done with the program 3/29. I'll be setting a new program to go up until graduation.
I would still love to achieve my goal weight by graduation, but it is going to be a real challenge! I'll need to be really consistent with my diet and make an effort to get in extra cardio at the fitness center. Hopefully by my check in next Monday I will have a better idea of where I'm at weight wise and feel like I'm back to my regular routine.
Saturday, 15 March 2014
Eleana's Weekly Check-In... only slightly delayed
I checked my measurements on Wednesday, but I've been putting off posting them out of busyness... and shame.
The weekly challenge was a lovely idea and very important to those who suffer from low self-esteem tied to their weight, but for me I don't want to lose weight because I feel ugly or unattractive. It's not about looks, it's about general health, mostly related to my hypothyroidism and my high cholesterol.
This week classes at the gym were cancelled so I did not attend any, and I have not done any Jillian Michaels since my first day a couple week ago. I know, I'm terrible, but it's hard to find motivation when you absolutely loathe exercise (no exaggeration) and your personal trainer and motivator and... guilterer (sp?) has skipped town to South Carolina. I'm making excuses. I'M SORRY.
I can't promise to change my ways immediately as I have a lot of homework and a lot of deadlines this week, but hopefully soon I can work again on my motivation and determination. I'm still drinking my water! And I did a big shopping spree yesterday with lots of walking, so that counts right? Right? Okay yes, I also ate at an Indian buffet and had Red Robin, but I chose the smaller sized burger for once. I'm not sure if this counts as baby steps as much as they are tiny pigeon steps...
Another motivating factor did occur to me yesterday, however. I do not need a beach body for summer because I hate the beach and won't be going, BUT I am graduating in May. My pictures from graduation a couple years ago are of me with really short bleached hair and a slight pooch I forgot to suck in. I am going to aim to take a better picture this year. FIGHTING!
- Weight: 68 kg (- 2 kg)
- Body Fat:
- Waist: 31.5" (-1")
- Hips: 42" (-1.5")
- Thighs: 24 (+0.5")
The weekly challenge was a lovely idea and very important to those who suffer from low self-esteem tied to their weight, but for me I don't want to lose weight because I feel ugly or unattractive. It's not about looks, it's about general health, mostly related to my hypothyroidism and my high cholesterol.
This week classes at the gym were cancelled so I did not attend any, and I have not done any Jillian Michaels since my first day a couple week ago. I know, I'm terrible, but it's hard to find motivation when you absolutely loathe exercise (no exaggeration) and your personal trainer and motivator and... guilterer (sp?) has skipped town to South Carolina. I'm making excuses. I'M SORRY.
I can't promise to change my ways immediately as I have a lot of homework and a lot of deadlines this week, but hopefully soon I can work again on my motivation and determination. I'm still drinking my water! And I did a big shopping spree yesterday with lots of walking, so that counts right? Right? Okay yes, I also ate at an Indian buffet and had Red Robin, but I chose the smaller sized burger for once. I'm not sure if this counts as baby steps as much as they are tiny pigeon steps...
Another motivating factor did occur to me yesterday, however. I do not need a beach body for summer because I hate the beach and won't be going, BUT I am graduating in May. My pictures from graduation a couple years ago are of me with really short bleached hair and a slight pooch I forgot to suck in. I am going to aim to take a better picture this year. FIGHTING!
Tuesday, 4 March 2014
Amendment to Weekly Check In
I weighed myself again this morning out of curiosity and my weight came up as 121.2 lbs, which would mean I was up 0.4lbs rather than 1.2lbs. I changed my numbers on the Progress Tracker page because I think that is more accurate!
I skipped my workout today because I felt so cold and awful, will probably have to skip tomorrow's too with travel buuut the day after I will get back on track!
I skipped my workout today because I felt so cold and awful, will probably have to skip tomorrow's too with travel buuut the day after I will get back on track!
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