Theresa's quest:)

T

Theresa

0
Ok - It's time to get down to business. I've been working out hard for two months with great progress everywhere except my abs. After an ever so brief period of denial (hehe), I've accepted this is related to my diet - thanks to all who helped me come to terms with this:) Since ya'll have helped me so much, I felt it may really help me to try to keep track of my progress so I'm more likely to acheive my goals.

I am small to start with, and in okay shape. Here are the stats I know -
5'6"
110lbs
age 34
w 26
h 36
t 19
c 12.5
wrist 9

The biggest stat (in my humble opinion) - two kids (ages 3.5 and 1.5) - thus, the abs are just not the same as they used to be. I've never paid much attention to what I'm eating...I do everything in moderation when it comes to eating. Although I have learned so much about nutrition in the last few weeks, I am still learning something new everyday -

Morsel of knowledge learned today: EGADS the fat in an egg yolk!!! it's thrown me off for the whole day!! next time I will be sure to toss the yolk and eat the whites alone - I thought I was doing myself a favor by having extra protein this morning. Oh well, lesson learned!!!

Today -
B 2 eggs (made me sick)
blueberries
a small piece of french toast at my husband's urging (he slaved over it)

L chicken caesar wrap with minimal dressing

Sn - yogurt with strawberries

and gobs of water...so far to 914 calories today...goal is 1200 and that is increasing it more than I am used to by a mile.....but the five meals help - it's just sometimes the thought of eating when I'm not real hungry is very unappealing and makes me feel sick. Like today I wanted to have a piece of chicken breast for my snack, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I'm trying to keep my percentages at 40p/30c/30f - I wasn't far off yesterday, but my attempts to get more protein today threw my fats off (bummer)

Workouts for me are daily and when I started this adventure, I was doing only 20-30 minutes of workout videos/day, but have upped it to 30-60min/day. I have also changed the balance of my workouts a little. I was doing Pilates more often and Gilad's Total Body Sculpting workouts (on FitTV) on my other days, but now I have reversed it as I get more "burn" from Gilad's workouts and they seem to give me much better cardio. I also bike three times a week with my little one (27 extra pounds:)) for about 30minutes or so...it's too hot for him to do much more at this point.

Anyway, I hope you will all feel free to chime in and help me out - I have been thriving on the advice so far:)

THANKS.
Theresa
 
Good for you, sounds like you're on the right track (though I'm by no means an expert). I'm also in the same boat with you as far as needing to INCREASE caloric intake. I have the sneaking suspicion that if I actally start eating more AND keeping up with exercise, I may actually have more energy! (In fact I already seem to). Good luck and keep us posted. :)
 
okay, today will be a better day - my percents were way off yesterday.

so far,
B Special K Red Berries cereal with 2% milk

Working out will be interesting this week as I will be out of town. I won't have my shows I've DVR'd or my bike, but I will bring my Pilates sculpting videos and do what I can from memory from Gilad's workouts. I just have to remember to push it past the burn (always easier to do when someone else is telling you to!!)

Menu planning will be interesting as well...we're in the south and DH's parents are good southern cookers, they usually put fatback in all their veggies - It will be a challenge:)

Anyway...I think I"ll have internet access so I can still keep track:)
 
Good luck when you eat all that good southern down home cooking. If they are anything like Paula Dean, you're in trouble now.:D
 
Well- so far not so bad:) yesterday was insane, I didn't get time to exercise (aside from a brusk walk with my dog) until 11:45pm!!! So, you can imagine how much sleep I got...I thought about taking a day of rest, but I knew each day would just get harder and harder on vacation and I better not do it the first day.

yesterday:
L - turkey sandwich w/ basil and pesto (lettuce, red pepper)
Sn - 3 slices canteloupe
Sn - 2 slices of wheat bread
D - 2 chicken strips grilled
squash casserole (made by my mother-in-law and TO DIE FOR)
roll with butter
black-eyed peas
boiled red potatoes
(No fatback in anything , whew!!)
Sn - cheerios and less than half a cheeseburger left over from my baby's lunch:) for once, I was craving protein!

I haven't calculated the percentages yet, but I think given the circumstances it was ok.

I also did my pilates video for about 30minutes...not a great workout day, but I'm doing better today.

Today:
B - 2 egg whites
1 slice of canteloupe
cinnamon raisin toast with butter

Sn - 1 piece whole wheat bread

L - UGH - don't laugh - double cheeseburger with french fries - I will have few choices for dinner now:)

I already did one workout for an hour after kids went down for nap and hope to get another one in later tonight (although not as late as last night:)

Thanks for all your support:) I'm going to visit fitday.com while the kids are still napping and see how my percentages are...

Hope everyone has a great day!
Theresa
 
Thanks:) It's so funny how I feel guilty when I don't find time for it. You are absolutely right, though:) I think today I feel like I need to overexercise after that double cheeseburger - haha....I won't, but it's funny how the guilt sets in...I guess in a way that's what keeps me motivated.

Theresa
 
I need to find ways to get in more protein. I think this would be easier if I were home this week and not on this so-called "vacation". We are down at my in-laws (who I adore), but not really my idea of a vacation. We are in the middle of nowhere where my husband grew up and because the kids are here and we are all staying in different places, it's lights out at 7:30/8:30....hmmmm...last night my husband and I slipped out for a movie after bedtime while Grammy stayed with the boys (and i DID resist the movie buttered popcorn which smelled oh so good). That was a treat...but tonight here I am by myself...DH is fishing with my brother-in-law...kids are asleep....I'm lonely. I think I'll go do my last workout and then work on some reports before I go to bed.

How exciting, huh?

My percentages are not what I was hoping...I can't seem to get in enough proteins. I like tuna but haven't been able to get out to get any here. I think I will make a point of it tomorrow. I also need to go to a GNC to find some protein shakes just to supplement on days here and there...anyone else have any suggestions or advice on protein shakes?

My other problem is my fat intake is higher than I would have thought (there in lies the problem - haha). Despite my efforts, my fat percentage has been higher than my protein percentage for the past two days - ugh! I think being a novice at this, I didn't really understand how it worked, either. I thought if I consumed more protein grams than fat grams my percentages would reflect in the desired manner - WRONG! ok...I'm thinking I understand now that it's how many calories are from fat or protein - is that right - or am I still confused?????

Well, I've rambled enough. I know the answer is probably "yes, you are clearly still confused because you can't even get your thoughts out clearly" haha - I know you all understand! :)

Thanks:)
 
I'm of the opinion you should be able to get all of your nutrients from natural whole foods, without needing supplements. Chicken, turkey and fish (salmon especially) are great lean sources of protein. Also don't forget beans, as they have not only some protein but some fiber to go with it. Milk and yogurt (nonfat versions of course) also have good proteins in them. Egg whites (and the egg yolks, but the yolks are significantly higher in calories) are up there too for proteins. Hopefully this gives you some options...

Edited to add: Oops forgot to put the most obvious one on... lean cuts of red meat have proteins too.
 
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Well, I've rambled enough. I know the answer is probably "yes, you are clearly still confused because you can't even get your thoughts out clearly" haha - I know you all understand!

You're not rambling, just typing in your diary what how your day was and how you feel. I still don't understand all the food things myself, but the people on here will help you. Just ask the questions.
I also need to go to a GNC to find some protein shakes just to supplement on days here and there...anyone else have any suggestions or advice on protein shakes?
Click to expand...

Walmart has inexpensive protein shakes that come in 3 flavors, strawberry, vanilla, and chocoalte. My boyfriend, who is Greene on here, drink those plus we have the powder to make shakes with. Don't know the prices at GNC, but I'm sure they are reasonable.
 
thanks guys! I appreciate the support. I feel good this morning - although there is no food in this house. I found a box of cheerios, but there is no milk...I wish my baby would wake up so we could go to the store -hehe:) How ironic - when do I ever wish for them to wake up earlier:)

So...

B - cheerios ...yes, that's it, until I can get out of here! If he sleeps much longer, I will probably just have another cup of dry cheerios.

I tried to take advantage of this time to get in an early workout, but I can't get the TV working to play my videos. I tried to do it on my own, but I really get so much more out of my videos....hard to explain why really except they keep my on track and motivated.

Well...here's to going to the store today and getting some GOOD FOOD:)

morsel of knowledge for the day - cheerios taste like cardboard without milk:)
 
Sounds like you don't have a lot of time you may want to look at the ready made protein shakes like Slim Fast high protein as a supplement for when you can't get a good meal. They taste pretty good and can help if you are on the run. I do agree with stingo that you would be better off with whole foods if avalable.
Just remember your diet is a work in progress, as you get more knowledge you can adapt and adjust. Keep it up!
 
Thanks for those tips. I do want to do as much of a natural diet as I can, but reality will dictate occasions when a shake or protein bar may be helpful. My goal will be to minimize that as much as possible, and use them only when I feel I have to. I bought some today! YEAH - I finally got to the grocery store today! I picked up some tuna and cottage cheese. Since my husband went fishing...we are having fish for dinner. Just an FYI - I HATE fish. The only fish I like is shellfish (and canned tuna - I know that doesn't sound right), but I am going to force it down. Of course, they want to fry it...why oh why does it have to be so difficult. I asked them to bake or grill some for me and they said it wouldn't taste good but that they would do it.

Today I did an upper body sculpting video from my Pilates series...My arms are burning a little and it feels good. I'm hoping I will time later to do one more for maybe 30 minutes or so.

I think I already posted breakfast, but to have it all in one place...

B: 2c cheerios (pre-shopping trip)
S: yogurt smoothie
L: TUNA (salad) ON WHEAT!! yeah! with lettuce and cheddar cheese
S: I tried my first protein bar (not bad - but not something I want everyday)
D: plan is fish, squash, potatoes, bread
EDIT: D: fish (fried, but I picked off as much as I could), salad with fat free dressing, cottage cheese, one french fry, one hush puppy - you wouldn't believe this meal - EVERYTHING WAS FRIED!!!!! I had to improvise without offending.

and lots of water (as usual)

I'm feeling better today. At least I have food to work with now...it was gettng very frustrating having no access to groceries. The closest store to my husband's parents house is a good 30 minutes! Well...the closest store with any kind of selection:)

DH and I will return home tonight and leave the boys here with Grammy and Granddaddy for 2 nights...that way we can work Wed and Thurs and enjoy some time together before we come back to SC.

I look forward to my own bed:)
 
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Hey Theresa I was wondering where about in NC you are?

Its is hard when you are left without options but just keep your head high, you will get there for sure.
 
thanks theleip:) it was hard, but considering, my caloric intake was 1186 and my percentages were good (even counting the one french fry and the one hush puppy) - they hardly impacted since the portion was SO small:)

I'm in the Charlotte area....we love it here:) are you from NC?

Anyway...here are my percentages/grams for today, I feel MUCH closer to my goal:

1186 calories
36g fat 28%
133g carbs 40%
95g protein 32%

ALMOST 40/30/30, except the protein and carbs need to be reversed...getting there!
 
Oh nice, yeah I am in greensboro, don't get down to your neck to much but do every once in a while.

And i have to say if I had hushpuppies in front of me right now I woul d be in trouble, they are one of my most favorite foods. I even came up with a healthy way to make them, i call them hushmuffins. One of the biggest helps for me seriously is getting learning about various foods and getting creative in the kitchen. I am a person who loves to eat, I couldn't do anything of this if i didn't enjoy my food, and i looove my food.
 
Good job on the intake and percentages! You're going to be there before you know it! Sometimes a little cheat/ bite gets you alot closer to goal, not to mention keeps you sane:) , than totally white-knuckling through it and then spurging the next day. Good job on keeping balance and perspective, that's that hardest part you know.
 
Yea..I wouldn't mind having it too.
 
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