HeatherOT’s BodyBlog

Here I go again.  Weight loss, take 2 …. ACTION!

I will be putting up my impressive weight gain numbers and new measurements.  I am trying the HCG protocol and I begin this evening.  Loading phase…something I am good at! 

Today was cardio.  I ran a mile in 9 min 45 seconds which is MUCH better for me (and my foot).  I played around with the incline and realized that is what is bothering my foot.  40 min total of running, jogging or walking depending on how the foot felt at the time.  Today I didn’t pack a lunch!  I was running late for work and flew out the door.  Boy did I realize it at 9:30!  I cheated and grabbed a cookie bar thing that a coworker made (I can’t say no, yet).  My body loved the sugar rush, and then went on attacking my muscle until 12:30.  Pizza and water.  I am not going to beat myself up for it, but I have to admit that it was one of the best damned cheese pizzas (1 slice) that I have ever had!  My Nepali family fed me soup (Chinese noodles, beans and something spicy hot…mmmmm it was good) fresh fruit and of course, the warm milk!  I was VERY glad to see them today.  I am not going to beat myself up, but I know that I should be doing a better job with the eating portion of the transformation.  I am liking the muscle that I am building and I feel better physically and mentally.  I can only imagine how much better I would look if I was stricter with what I consume.  Small steps…  I am most pleased with my ability to stick to going to the gym 5 days per week-Consistently for 4 weeks.  That in itself is a MAJOR improvement for me.

New computer…better speed.  Old computer had Hepegonosyphylaids!  Training is going well, but diet isn’t so hot.  Can’t seem to get my meals in, BUT I haven’t had ANY fast food-making better choices.  Weight is fluctuating between 158 and 161, and I am feeling better and stronger.  I was able to run a mile yesterday without stopping and the day before I did a 5 K with short breaks to catch my breath.  My damned right foot (Bunionectomy last year) gives me problems, but I am trying my best to work thru the pain.  I probably need one of my pins out, actually I KNOW I do…but to have to stay off my foot again would set me back…SO the pin can wait until I achieve my goal (or it comes thru the skin-whichever happens first!)  I see my Triceps split (under the adipose tissue) and my outter quads are looking good!  My fat, globby stomach has decreased some, but it is still gross as hell!!  Gotta run to work!  PEACE!

Today I tried something new, Cell-Mass before and after my workout.  I have a 4 year college degree and I was confusing myself with the directions for use!  My meals weren’t so hot today, but my workout was great.  I felt more focused and a little stronger.  Biceps were easier and I stuck to 20#, there is such a strength differential between my dominant right, and non-dominant Left.  I am not sure if I should over-focus on the left in an attempt to "catch up" with the right.  I may also want to rule out a neck issue, because there was such a difference.  Overall, good day.  I am proud of myself for not eating fast food, ice cream or crap for over a week!!  Except the cheese balls in a heavy sugar syrup that my Nepali patient’s family served me yesterday.  It is an Indian food and I was riding high on a sugar wave for hours after consumption!!!

I hate the gym on Mondays in the month of January.  Who are all those people and why do they dwindle as the week continues?  Today was a much better day for me in terms of eating my meals.  My workout was great and my muscles quickly fatigued, again.  I had been training with my husband doing 2 sets to failure prior to this transformation program, so I am having a little difficulty with finding the right weight as that third set does me in!!  Late workout so I didn’t get in more than 10 min of cardio to be fair to my poor kids who don’t eat dinner tonight until around 8:30!  I think I need to up the cardio to loose some of this fat (OMG and if you have disected a cadaver, fat is soooo nasty!).  I still had my 2 large cups of coffee this morning, but nixed 2 of the usual 10 splenda…. gotta do things gradually…. OMG I am the equivalent of a Crack Head when it comes to sugar! 

Well, I managed to lose a pound this week, but what I have gained is worth more.  The most important thing I have learned is that I MUST write down what I eat.   I slacked off when I fell off the wagon eating garlic toast with cheese and chicken nuggets for dinner Friday night.   You definitely are more accountable for your actions when you are writing them down.  Second, the instant that white bread hit my stomach it started the cravings right back to square one!  A few raisins here, a bite of Colin’s donut there, a touch of maple syrup here.  I can rationalize and say that was pretty good for me as I am addicted to sugar and cutting cold turkey would kill me. 

Another thing I learned (courtesy of my husband) is that sugar-free is NOT good for you.  He pointed me in the direction of several informative web sites explaining studies that indicate sugar substitute (whatever the form) is recognized as sugar and your body then secretes insulin which in the long run may cause insulin resistance.  DAMNIT!  I can’t even get around my sugar addiction.  There goes my coffee addiction, too!  (I hate black coffee)  He explained that I need to think of food as fuel, not pleasure.  He explained how protein from meat/dairy is easier for your body to digest which aids in muscle growth.  He explained beans vs. meat protein.  I am definitely more informed, but I continue my struggle with addiction to sugar and carbs. 

We went grocery shopping (perimeter 1st-but we have been doing that for some time) together last night.  I obtained a few different types of Salsa and lettuce for salad with meat on it (which would be better than a shake).  I felt most sorry for the boys because we didn’t get anything crappy at all for them (because I would probably eat it and it isn’t good for them, anyway).  At least we are headed on a path of healthier eating.  Boy did I love Kraft Mac & Cheese my whole life.  Now the Mac & Cheese has parked itself on my ass and stomach and is a S.O.B. to get off!!

I am proud of myself for doing my cardio yesterday.  I did 40 min walking up an incline (manual) between 2.5 and 8.0% at between 3.5 and 4.0.   My glutes were KILLING me from Friday’s workout!  (It’s a good hurt, though…) I wanted to do more, but my asthma kicked in and I forgot my inhaler.  Today I am going to do the Wii Fit with the kids for my cardio.  Believe it or not, Wii Fit kicks your butt!

Shawn (my husband) and I also got these almond crisps/chips things.  He said that it would satisfy my need to crunch and I’d get the "good" fat benefit.  They taste really good!

This morning I decided to get my act together and learn from last week’s mistakes.  My STG’s for this week

1) To wean myself down from 2 Large cups of coffee with 5 Splenda and 2 Tbsp of sugar free creamer to 1 large cup with 1 less Splenda (4)

2) Perform Cardio in the morning before work

3) Consistently document in my notebook everything that I put in my mouth

4) Eat 5-6 meals per day….NO excuses!

So, my day starts off with being frozen out of my car.  I lost my key that opens the door, so all I have is the Valet key.  In a frantic hurry to keep to my schedule, I get the extension cord and my hair dryer…

Breakfast was good and I had a shake before my 9:30 eval.  11:30 I am at my Nepali patient’s house and they cooked the egg and noodle thing (OMG there is MSG in the stuff that they mix in!), and then they pull out more food yellow hot spicy calliflower and rice/milk/sugar that was hot.  There goes my insulin level!  So, I didn’t get to eat real food because I was so behind all day.  I got home and took my pre-gym supplements, but then had to run an unexpected errand (there goes the work-out "boost") and to make matters worse, I forgot my stacked shake for after my workout.   Ahhhhh!!!!!!!!! And I locked my house key in the house! 

The legs, shoulders and abs workout was KILLER!  My calves were still hurting from 2 days ago, too! 

In summary:  Good workout…bad eating day!

BUSY DAY AT WORK TODAY AND CRAPPY WEATHER, TOO.  I GOT MY SUPPLEMENTS IN THE MAIL YESTERDAY AND I LOVE THE WHEY (CHOCOLATE MINT).  I HAVE BEEN DRINKING THE SHAKES IN BETWEEN MEALS AND THAT IS MUCH EASIER THAN ATTEMPTING TO EAT FOOD.  I GOT MY 45 MIN OF CARDIO IN (ALPINE CLIMB), ALTHOUGH I REALLY FELT LIKE COMING HOME, BUT THAT WOULD BE CHEATING MYSELF.  I GOT SOME ABS IN AND CALLED IT A NIGHT.  I WASN’T TOO GOOD AT KEEPING TRACK OF WHAT TIME I ATE TODAY.  I HAD TO DRINK A CUP OF WHOLE MILK, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STAY FOR THE INFAMOUS NEPALI FOOD   THEY LOOK FORWARD TO FEEDING ME EVERY TIME I GO AND WON’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER, BUT I HAD TO TEACH A CLASS AND WAS ON A TIGHT SCHEDULE.  THE GOOD THING IS THAT I PASSED ON THE MOST DELICIOUS CHINESE BUTTER COOKIES TODAY…WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR ME AS I AM ADDICTED TO SUGAR!  THE LONGER YOU GO WITHOUT EATING IT, THE LESS YOU CRAVE IT (THANK GOD!) 

Today was another challenging day to try to get my meals in.  It seems that I go just a little too long and then I am hungry sooner for the next meal.  The shake didn’t seem to touch my hunger pains, so maybe my husband was right about eating real food.  I had to stop at a truck stop for a protein bar, but it had so many carbs that I didn’t think it was worth eating in the long run.  Before I hit the gym, I had a 1/2 of some kind of protein-energy bar that BB.com sent with my supplements…not quite sure about the whole energy thing, but it did take the hunger pains away.  Today’s workout kicked my ass!  Biceps gives me trouble because I am too strong for 15# and too weak for 20#.  Well, better go choke down my shake with dextrose sugar before I crash!!

Today was a little nuts for eating.  I brought a protein shake which worked out really well for when I needed to eat but only had a minute.  My biggest issue is that my Nepali patient’s family insists on feeding me everytime I am there and won’t take no for an answer.  So, about 40 min after my cottage cheese and blueberries, I had egg, chow main noodles, onions and I am not quite sure what else.  Actually tasted great but then I had to drink hot whole milk (and perservere through the rest of the day!).  I don’t want to offend them and I tried to explain to them my goals, but they don’t really speak English.  So, I guess I am going to have to factor my Nepali thank you meals as one of my 6.