hillbilly79’s BodyBlog

Wow!!  I can’t believe I went for three weeks with no sugar/sweetners what so ever.  I really believe this is a turning point for me in accomplishing my goals.  The first three days were horrible.  Not only did I not eat any sugar, but I also gave up my three-cups-per-day coffee habit.  Once I got passed the sleepiness and head aches, I felt wonderful–like this was how I was supposed to eat all along.

 The first week was really tough and I probably ate way more than I should have in order to keep from feeling like I might cave into temptation and have something sweet.  Second week still seemed pretty long, but third week was rather easy–almost enjoyable.  This has taught me the vicious cylce of eating sugar leads to craving more sugar.  It has also taught me to scrutinize the labels more carefully as sugar and yeast appeared in so many things that I never would have realized if not for this diet.

 I have also changed to a morning high intensity routine instead of lifting in the afternoon.  I recently read Jillian Michaels (from biggest looser) first book.  The nutrition wasn’t all that new, but two weeks into the training routine, I love her exercise plan.  The plan is an hour workout four days a week with cardio on Saturday.  You do a 5-minute warm up and (sometimes) a five-minute cool down along with a 50-minute circuit routine.  She has grouped the exercises so that each one is an upper body coupled with lower body.  She says it makes you work harder to have to supply blood to muscles on opposite ends of the body.  She also incorporates flat out cardio conditioning like jumping jacks and jumping rope each day.  I did not realize how out of shape I was because a minute of jumping jacks would have been relatively easy 6 months ago but they are pretty difficult now.  Oh well I am glad that I am working up to again before actually going down the dojo and finding out.  Had to switch to 5:30 AM workouts because her routine requires such a variety of equipment with no resting in between.  I would be impossible to access that much equipment in the evenings.

Wow!!  I can’t believe I went for three weeks with no sugar/sweetners what so ever.  I really believe this is a turning point for me in accomplishing my goals.  The first three days were horrible.  Not only did I not eat any sugar, but I also gave up my three-cups-per-day coffee habit.  Once I got passed the sleepiness and head aches, I felt wonderful–like this was how I was supposed to eat all along.

 The first week was really tough and I probably ate way more than I should have in order to keep from feeling like I might cave into temptation and have something sweet.  Second week still seemed pretty long, but third week was rather easy–almost enjoyable.  This has taught me the vicious cylce of eating sugar leads to craving more sugar.  It has also taught me to scrutinize the labels more carefully as sugar and yeast appeared in so many things that I never would have realized if not for this diet.

 I have also changed to a morning high intensity routine instead of lifting in the afternoon.  I recently read Jillian Michaels (from biggest looser) first book.  The nutrition wasn’t all that new, but two weeks into the training routine, I love her exercise plan.  The plan is an hour workout four days a week with cardio on Saturday.  You do a 5-minute warm up and (sometimes) a five-minute cool down along with a 50-minute circuit routine.  She has grouped the exercises so that each one is an upper body coupled with lower body.  She says it makes you work harder to have to supply blood to muscles on opposite ends of the body.  She also incorporates flat out cardio conditioning like jumping jacks and jumping rope each day.  I did not realize how out of shape I was because a minute of jumping jacks would have been relatively easy 6 months ago but they are pretty difficult now.  Oh well I am glad that I am working up to again before actually going down the dojo and finding out.  Had to switch to 5:30 AM workouts because her routine requires such a variety of equipment with no resting in between.  I would be impossible to access that much equipment in the evenings.

Stumbled into the local health food store last week asking for some help with some odd but mild heartburn.  Sales lady mentioned that over-abundance of yeast could be the culprit.  Went home and researched it and I have all the symptoms of too much yeast.

 Well, started that yeast fighting diet Monday April 9 in order to "heal" myself.  For some reason, adopting this diet to loose weight has been impossible, yet I jumped on the bandwagon immediately since I think it will accomplish a medical goal.  Basically, I must avoid all sugars, all dairy, and all products with yeast in them for 15 days.  Additionally, no coffee, no peanuts, and only one fruit per day.  This is really the diet I should be eating anyway to slim down like I want to be. 

Thus far the coffee is the hardest part to live without.  Yesterday experienced several periods where the abscense of sugar had slammed me down the a crawl.  Had to leave and go to the gym last night or I might have sucummed to temptation. 

I sure hope this works.

Since last post, have felt like I have made improvements.  Got the OK to really run–still no cutting–not that I can really run; a 1/4 mile was difficult this week, but that will change.  Have decided to add a morning cardio session in addition to afternoon workouts.  So far so good; they are energizing and I remember how good it felt to start every day with a workout.  Also did my 4-week weights program this week.  Let me just say that I had forgotten how hard I used to work in the gym.  The workouts this week have been like they used to be when I was skinny.  It really showed me that I have been playing at the gym for a very long time.  The workout consisted of at least four sets of everything with 12-25 and in some cases 30 reps each.  I was surprised that I didn’t get more sore than what I did.  I guess that shows that I can really work much harder than I have been.  Due to time constraints for the next three weeks, I will resume the program’s requirements of 3 sets of regular workouts. 

 I’m sure that I have read this before, but for some reason, I guess I forgot, but was reminded that it takes 12 weeks on a consistant lifting program to really see results.  Therefore the no changes that I continue to see are right on schedule.  Also have noticed that increased cardio has resulted in decreased appetite.  Something else that I’m sure I used to know, but have forgotten.

Since last post, have been starting to jog twice a week.  All outings have been to the track for a pattern of run-the-straights, walk-the-curves ranging from five laps up to ten laps.  So far no pain and no swelling.  I am really concentrating on my movement–I take each step carefully as a turned ankle or stumble could be disasterous.  Bought new shoes which really help–it is amazing how a little education on a subject improves performance.  Now that time has changed, am hoping to complete four-mile loop 3-5 times per week (at a walk).

 Diet has taken a turn for the worse.  Realized at the gym last night that I am not making strength gains–at all.  One single reason for this being lack of sufficient protein.  Must get back to drinking shakes daily.

Of course no change in scale number.  Although likely due to the fact that I still haven’t worked up a decent sweat even though I have the go ahead to jog.  All in due time.

Although I usually wait til Fridays to post, I’m so estatic that I had to do a mid-week blog.  Got the OK to jog in a straight line this morning.  Took left-leg vs right leg test this morning and I got the necessary 70% strength needed to safely run.  Therapist recomended up to three times per week either jogging on treadmill or at the track jog the straights walk the curves for as much as a mile!  Bought my new shoes this weekend and after some education on overpronation and orthonics, feel like I am read to go.  Cannot wait to melt the fat off!

Missed my post last week and forgot to weigh last night, however, I am feeling pretty good.  Next week is my second leg strength comparison test at physical therapy.  I am almost postive that I have the 100%–>80% ratio in my hamstrings that I need, but I am still pretty worried about making the necessary 100%–>60% for my quads.  I am still seeing consistent gains in strength and size on right leg and have much less knee cap discomfort.

 I have just finished reading the Makers Diet this week, which reaffirmed the need to buy orgainic.  It has also lead me to want to try some new, more Mediteranean things like goat milk and lamb.  I havel also tried to include more vegetables in my diet this week.  It was more accidental than intentional until I started noticing how fulfilling eating more fruits and veggies was.  I also think my tastes and tolerance for healthier foods is increasing; its all in what you get used to.

Even though the scales have not budged, I feel as though  I am firming up.  Will remeasure body parts again soon.

I have neither gained nor lost any body weight from this week to last.  I am somewhat disappointed, but atleast I’m down from last Friday which actually was up to 161.  I am eagerly awaiting my eat-clean diet book which should be here by next Saturday.  I am looking forward to the advice especially since it is written by a woman.  It seems as though most of the diet info I’m finding is to help you eat to get huge.  Which I am certainly not afraid of muscle, I just want to focus on fat loss as I asume most women do.

I seen noticeable gains in leg strength week.  Most notably are balance postures in yoga and increased weight in therapy exercises.  I believe next week is my second leg strength test in order to determine whether I am ready to jog.  Am going to workout hard to try to get there, but am not sure I will make it to 60%.  I would be happy to see myself at 50% (obviously the goal is to make 60%), but an increase of even 30% in two weeks is kinda tremendous in my opinion.  When I can jog again, I am hoping that will be the beginning of a fat meltdown.

After loosing last weeks extensive and detailed post about my two pound loss, I will keep this week’s post minimal, especially since I have gained my two pounds back.  Cheese fries are the culprit combined with heavily breaded chicken fingers.  I knew I should have just ordered a sweet potatoe, but I indulged.  Bottom-line, portion size was huge–probably 10 servings instead of something two people should have shared.  Then came the chicken fingers which weren’t very good–not as good as they should have been for the calories they added.  I did  pick off some of the bread, but there was not enough chicken.  (Sigh)  Lesson learned: If you are going to fall off the wagon, it should be for something truly worth it but it still has to be a reasonable amount.

Even though I am up two pounds, I also feel like I can visibly see muscle development in the right leg have done three tough leg workouts this week and am increasing legs to everyother day.  Have gone up to level six on stairmaster so I am sweating a little more.  Report from Catterson is that everything is normal on the knee, just get it stronger.

Have had an atypical week from standpoint of workouts.  Not really sure why.  Have not felt as energetic, nor have I felt as satisfied from my diet as prior two weeks.  I think my portion sizes have crept up at all meals/snacks which is also a factor in the two lb regain.  Will attempt to destress and return to habits that allowed weight loss.

Although I have read about it countless times, this week I started trying to eat a large breakfast and lunch, with a much smaller dinner.   I have also started eating six times a day.  Old habits are hard to break and I am sure that I still eating more than I should in the evenings, but I am not gorging myself till I can hardly move at any of my meals.  That feels so much better.  I have not consumed as many protein shakes this week as I should have.  Boy could I tell the difference in my workouts–no energy, no drive.  I must make it a priority to get those protein shakes, especially on days when I have salad for lunch.  Spiniach is great but is not enough fuel.

 As for my workouts, as previously mentioned, this week has felt less than encouraging.  Right quad vs left quad test this week revealed that right is only 20% of left leg strength.  No wonder I can’t go down stairs.  Got the go ahead for the stair master this week–maybe that will generate a little more sweat than the treadmill, which still poses a challenge at 2.5 mph.  Must do some leg work every day in order to be 100% by April.