Thank you for the comment on my last post, you who wishes to remain anonymous. It helped put my large lunch into perspective!
Breakfast -
coffee with sugar (Marco made me a cup and forgot to use splenda) and cream
2 whole grain oat crackers (32 calories each) with one tsp of honey between the two of them.
2 (8oz) glasses of water
Lunch-
2 whole grain slices of bread, 1 young cheese slice, 1 thin slice of ham, 1 thin slice of salami, 1 tsp red pepper pesto.
Cucumber slices (1/3 cup)
1/4th of a large red bell pepper, sliced.
2 (8oz) glasses of water
snack -
3 - Sultana Biscuits (165 calories total)
diet coke
2ns snack (there is a 7 hour difference between lunch and supper, I need two snacks)
one delicious orange
2 glasses of water
coffee with sugar and steamed milk
Supper-
Extremely dry, overcooked chicken breast
extremely dry, overcooked baked potatoe slices (size of a small white potato)
un-dry spinach, one serving
And thank you Shawna for revealing your identity and sharing part of your 'story'. Have you thought about starting a blog of your own? It helps me so much in keeping myself accountable. Let me know if you have one and I'll add you to my blog roll.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Food log day #3 - Protien
Okay so another benifit of not only mentally but physically logging myfood intake is that I can see what food groups I'm getting enough of and what I need more of. Veg for example needs to appear more often, which, in my defense, actually does appear more frequenty through the week.
Do you ever have people push protein on you? "Oh eat a handful of ____ (insert nut) and that'll get you some protien which will help you not feel as hungry as soon." Or "you should add some protein to your breakfast so you don't get hunry as quickly". Firstly, I'm not a huge nut fan so eating a handful of them when I can be eating something I actually like, stinks, but I've tried it. Secondly, I hate to argue with the "experts" but protein doesn't have this magic "you're not hungry" effect on me. A handful (16 or so) almonds doesn't feel like I've eaten anything and it sure doesn't hold me off for an hour or two. I do like peanut butter but the high calories just don't pay off for me, plus I really like the jelly or honey with it the best... not good.
Also, there are a couple things which every dieting or weight losing American seems to be eating which I cannot find here in Holland: string cheese, 100 calorie snack packs (which I could obviously create on my own by simply throwing 100 calories worth of whatever I wanted in baggie. Voila!) and Trader Joe's anything. I think my life would be simplified if I had access to these things. Everybody seems to love string cheese with an apple for snack, or Trader Joe's ____ (you name it, they love it). And how great would it be to mindlessly be able to grab a bag of anything (popcorn, cookies, twinkies I even saw while home) with no effort and KNOW you aren't getting 400 calories by mistake.
Anyway... I have to make due with what I have which is okay.
So here is what I'm sticking in my mouth today:
Breakfast-
1/2 cup dry oats mixed with water (oatmeal LOL)
coffee with splenda and 1 tsp creamer
snack-
4 (8oz) glases of crystal light (throughout the morning, not all at once)
18 white grapes
1 slice of cheese
1 orange fruit snack bar (99 calories)
Lunch (speaking of protien)
2 whole grain slices of toast with 3 (yeah, 3) eggs, bacon and cheese
1 diet pepsi
Holy guacamole I really didn't do well with lunch. Supper WILL be better, if I can even eat.
Supper
2 small slices of pizza (so it wasn't better but tomorrow is another day)
several glasses of water and crystal light, maybe 4.
Do you ever have people push protein on you? "Oh eat a handful of ____ (insert nut) and that'll get you some protien which will help you not feel as hungry as soon." Or "you should add some protein to your breakfast so you don't get hunry as quickly". Firstly, I'm not a huge nut fan so eating a handful of them when I can be eating something I actually like, stinks, but I've tried it. Secondly, I hate to argue with the "experts" but protein doesn't have this magic "you're not hungry" effect on me. A handful (16 or so) almonds doesn't feel like I've eaten anything and it sure doesn't hold me off for an hour or two. I do like peanut butter but the high calories just don't pay off for me, plus I really like the jelly or honey with it the best... not good.
Also, there are a couple things which every dieting or weight losing American seems to be eating which I cannot find here in Holland: string cheese, 100 calorie snack packs (which I could obviously create on my own by simply throwing 100 calories worth of whatever I wanted in baggie. Voila!) and Trader Joe's anything. I think my life would be simplified if I had access to these things. Everybody seems to love string cheese with an apple for snack, or Trader Joe's ____ (you name it, they love it). And how great would it be to mindlessly be able to grab a bag of anything (popcorn, cookies, twinkies I even saw while home) with no effort and KNOW you aren't getting 400 calories by mistake.
Anyway... I have to make due with what I have which is okay.
So here is what I'm sticking in my mouth today:
Breakfast-
1/2 cup dry oats mixed with water (oatmeal LOL)
coffee with splenda and 1 tsp creamer
snack-
4 (8oz) glases of crystal light (throughout the morning, not all at once)
18 white grapes
1 slice of cheese
1 orange fruit snack bar (99 calories)
Lunch (speaking of protien)
2 whole grain slices of toast with 3 (yeah, 3) eggs, bacon and cheese
1 diet pepsi
Holy guacamole I really didn't do well with lunch. Supper WILL be better, if I can even eat.
Supper
2 small slices of pizza (so it wasn't better but tomorrow is another day)
several glasses of water and crystal light, maybe 4.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Discovery Channel's National Body Challenge 2009
For those readers who like a bit of competition, even if it's only with yourself... you should check out the Discovery Channels "National Body Challenge"'. It's a free, comprehensive fitness and weight-loss challenge that provides the tools and inspiration – online, on television and beyond – to get in shape, shed pounds and find the real, healthier you inside.
The offerings include a free 30-daypass to Bally Total Fitness, access to customizable meals and fitness plans, over 1,000 healthy recipes and more. Hopefully you caught on January 5-9,2009, Discovery Health aired the inspirational National Body Challenge programming special, a five-part competition series that promises to keep participants motivated and on track to achieve to their goals.
With this link you can find assets with more information, previews health tips, and to register at: http://68.178.158.128/Discovery/NATIONALBODYCHALLENGE/index.html
Also, recently added is 4 new clips to our asset page, "Baggie", "Go Nuts", "Walking"and "Pump You Up", which help motivate, inspire, and encourage you to embrace a healthy lifestyle:
http://68.178.158.128/Discovery/NATIONALBODYCHALLENGE/GINGYTIPS/clips.htm
So check it out!
The offerings include a free 30-daypass to Bally Total Fitness, access to customizable meals and fitness plans, over 1,000 healthy recipes and more. Hopefully you caught on January 5-9,2009, Discovery Health aired the inspirational National Body Challenge programming special, a five-part competition series that promises to keep participants motivated and on track to achieve to their goals.
With this link you can find assets with more information, previews health tips, and to register at: http://68.178.158.128/Discovery/NATIONALBODYCHALLENGE/index.html
Also, recently added is 4 new clips to our asset page, "Baggie", "Go Nuts", "Walking"and "Pump You Up", which help motivate, inspire, and encourage you to embrace a healthy lifestyle:
http://68.178.158.128/Discovery/NATIONALBODYCHALLENGE/GINGYTIPS/clips.htm
So check it out!
Food log day #2
Breakfast-
coffee with splenda and tsp creamer
oatmeal, once again made with water as I forgot milk at the store.. again.
3 (8 oz) glasses crystal light (its actually one huge glass but it equals to 3 'glasses')
Let me preface lunch by saying I didn't have anything in particular in mind to eat, although we JUST went grocery shopping last night, so my sandwich isn't a norm, although it was tasty. Plus it was raining outside so I wasn't about to drag the baby out just to have some chicken slices.
Lunch-
Ones slice low fat old cheese (Dutch have two kinds of cheeses, old and young, this one is an old cheese which is similar to a parmesean), 3 pieces of sun dried tomatoes and 1tsp red pepper pesto (YUM) on whole grain bread. Yeah, not your normal sandwich I realize
1/2 green bell pepper slices
20 green seedless grapes
3 (8oz) glasses of water
snack-
orange snack bar - 99 calories
2 glasses crystal light
1 glass water
supper
4 oz chicken breast, baked, no oil used
1 cup spanish rice (which when I was measuring it out as a "serving" actually was huge)
1 serving green beans
2 glasses water
1 glass diet coke
1 glass water
Do you know what my favorite part of logging my food is? It makes me so much more aware of what I am doing. For lunch I immediately grabbed 4 slices of bread to make two sandwiches and actually stopped and thought about portion size and portion control. I also thought, "do I really want to write this in my blog?" and put the other two slices of bread back. I ate lunch and was satisfied with it. I didn't need the second sandwich.
I'll be back later today or tomorrow to log the rest of my day and any exercise I manage to sneak in today.
coffee with splenda and tsp creamer
oatmeal, once again made with water as I forgot milk at the store.. again.
3 (8 oz) glasses crystal light (its actually one huge glass but it equals to 3 'glasses')
Let me preface lunch by saying I didn't have anything in particular in mind to eat, although we JUST went grocery shopping last night, so my sandwich isn't a norm, although it was tasty. Plus it was raining outside so I wasn't about to drag the baby out just to have some chicken slices.
Lunch-
Ones slice low fat old cheese (Dutch have two kinds of cheeses, old and young, this one is an old cheese which is similar to a parmesean), 3 pieces of sun dried tomatoes and 1tsp red pepper pesto (YUM) on whole grain bread. Yeah, not your normal sandwich I realize
1/2 green bell pepper slices
20 green seedless grapes
3 (8oz) glasses of water
snack-
orange snack bar - 99 calories
2 glasses crystal light
1 glass water
supper
4 oz chicken breast, baked, no oil used
1 cup spanish rice (which when I was measuring it out as a "serving" actually was huge)
1 serving green beans
2 glasses water
1 glass diet coke
1 glass water
Do you know what my favorite part of logging my food is? It makes me so much more aware of what I am doing. For lunch I immediately grabbed 4 slices of bread to make two sandwiches and actually stopped and thought about portion size and portion control. I also thought, "do I really want to write this in my blog?" and put the other two slices of bread back. I ate lunch and was satisfied with it. I didn't need the second sandwich.
I'll be back later today or tomorrow to log the rest of my day and any exercise I manage to sneak in today.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Weeeeeeeeeee! or should I say wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!
We got the wii fit with the balance board! We finally found a store that had them in stock. We've been playing since we got home and it's a blast. I've already logged 32 minutes of "moving" which is probably more than I've done since November 15, 2007 when I found out I was pregnant. I am really glad to have something in the house that gets me moving. If you don't have time to go to a gym or just want something different to do to mix things up a bit you really should get a wii. Of course I'm probably one of the last people in the world to get one. HAHA!
Food Log Day #1
So today is the first day I am logging my food intake. I'll admit, I can't be bothered to look up calories for my food but I never did count calories or points. I'm more about portions of each food group and getting a variety of food.
Oh and I re-read the tip (in Redbook magazine) about people who log their food intake versus people who don't log and it says that people who log their food for at least 6 days a week lost TWICE AS MUCH WEIGHT as people who didn't log or only logged 1 or 2 times a week. WOW! That's a significant difference!
I will add to this blog as my day goes on but so far...
Breakfast -
1 cup coffee with splenda and creamer
1/2 c dry Quaker oats mixed with water (I usually use 0% fat milk but was out)
1 tbsp brown sugar (yea, that's a tablespoonful)
1 glass of Crystal Light
1 glass of water
Lunch-
1 can of diet coke
a tuna sandwich (tuna was fairly dry, not dripping in mayo but still had mayo in it) on a whole grain roll with lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber slices
Supper (ugh!)
1 can diet coke
Nachos with chicken and way too much cheese on them
2 glasses Crystal Light
1 glass water
Yeah, the supper killed me. We went to my favorite restaurant, The Taco Shop, and I told Logan I wanted something healthier than my usual deep fried chimichanga so I ordered the nachos with chicken instead. Didn't think about the cheese on it until it was sitting in front of me. It was also a huge portion but I didn't eat all of it. Would a quesadilla with chicken, light on the cheese be a better option? What do you all get at Mexican places that keep you in check?
Oh and I re-read the tip (in Redbook magazine) about people who log their food intake versus people who don't log and it says that people who log their food for at least 6 days a week lost TWICE AS MUCH WEIGHT as people who didn't log or only logged 1 or 2 times a week. WOW! That's a significant difference!
I will add to this blog as my day goes on but so far...
Breakfast -
1 cup coffee with splenda and creamer
1/2 c dry Quaker oats mixed with water (I usually use 0% fat milk but was out)
1 tbsp brown sugar (yea, that's a tablespoonful)
1 glass of Crystal Light
1 glass of water
Lunch-
1 can of diet coke
a tuna sandwich (tuna was fairly dry, not dripping in mayo but still had mayo in it) on a whole grain roll with lettuce, tomatoes and cucumber slices
Supper (ugh!)
1 can diet coke
Nachos with chicken and way too much cheese on them
2 glasses Crystal Light
1 glass water
Yeah, the supper killed me. We went to my favorite restaurant, The Taco Shop, and I told Logan I wanted something healthier than my usual deep fried chimichanga so I ordered the nachos with chicken instead. Didn't think about the cheese on it until it was sitting in front of me. It was also a huge portion but I didn't eat all of it. Would a quesadilla with chicken, light on the cheese be a better option? What do you all get at Mexican places that keep you in check?
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Not much to report really. I didn't weigh in Tuesday as I forgot but I did weigh myself the day before and the numbers hadn't moved in either direction.
I honestly don't know how Moms of babies find time to workout (although probably 80% of my weight issues are food related I still find working out to be important for many reasons). I am just so exhausted from working, being out of bed multiple times through the night with the baby and trying to carry on somewhat of a normal life as a wife. It's just overwhelming sometimes.
I am working on a solution currently for the sleep issue. I am reading No Cry Sleep Solutions (thanks Jennifer) and hopefully within the next month or so we'll be able to get Sadie sleeping more consistantly through the night. Lack of sleep creeps into every aspect of your life so if we can get her to only waking up twice a night it will make a huge difference in everything we do I believe. I'm not even shooting for sleeping for 8 hours solid... but if it happens, yay for us!
I think I am going to begin a food log or maybe even log my daily intake of food/drink here. I read that people who actually log their food have a higher success rate of weight loss. I can't remember the exact percentage of people who were more successful but it was a significant amount, enough to make me change my mind about food logs. I have always hated them as they seemed to make me focus (read: obsess) over my food but maybe a little extra focus (and I do mean a little, I don't want to make this an obsession) is exactly the kick in the pants I need.
So starting tomorrow, food log it is!
I honestly don't know how Moms of babies find time to workout (although probably 80% of my weight issues are food related I still find working out to be important for many reasons). I am just so exhausted from working, being out of bed multiple times through the night with the baby and trying to carry on somewhat of a normal life as a wife. It's just overwhelming sometimes.
I am working on a solution currently for the sleep issue. I am reading No Cry Sleep Solutions (thanks Jennifer) and hopefully within the next month or so we'll be able to get Sadie sleeping more consistantly through the night. Lack of sleep creeps into every aspect of your life so if we can get her to only waking up twice a night it will make a huge difference in everything we do I believe. I'm not even shooting for sleeping for 8 hours solid... but if it happens, yay for us!
I think I am going to begin a food log or maybe even log my daily intake of food/drink here. I read that people who actually log their food have a higher success rate of weight loss. I can't remember the exact percentage of people who were more successful but it was a significant amount, enough to make me change my mind about food logs. I have always hated them as they seemed to make me focus (read: obsess) over my food but maybe a little extra focus (and I do mean a little, I don't want to make this an obsession) is exactly the kick in the pants I need.
So starting tomorrow, food log it is!
Friday, January 09, 2009
big sigh
So I have been avoiding the blog lately and not for the reasons you may think, although my weight is partially to blame a larger part of the avoidance is just my state of being right now.
I did weigh myself Tuesday morning and threw up a little in my mouth when I saw the mighty number 129 kilo on the scale. yuck. I am not discuraged though. I fact I am feeling quite the opposite about my ability to lose this weight. I did it before and I'll do it again and this time there will be no pregnancy to throw a wrench in my plans and I will finish, meet my goal and do my victory dance (and buy that really nice dress in the really expensive shopping street).
But honestly, the real reason I've been MIA is because I'm having severe bouts of homesickness. It has been especially hard for me to adjust being back in the Netherlands this time round. I always have a little bit of sadness after returning from the US but this time is so much harded than any of the times before. I've been here in Europe 5 years now and have never cried so much post-vacation. In fact I don't know if I've ever cried once getting back into work and life as usual. Maybe it's still pregnancy hormone fluctuation but whatever it is, I am Debby Downer in a big way.
I always miss my family but now I miss them more, I think for Sadie's sake. I loved having my Mom and Dad be with her, play with her, sing to her... it was so very special for me and to know I probably won't have that with them again for another year or so really breaks my heart. When I married Marco I knew our lives would be different than I ever imagined my life would be growing up but I don't think you can ever really prepare yourself for this kind of thing, these kind of feelings, no matter how open and honest you are with yourself about the challenges you will face as an "international couple". Babies do that to you I guess.
As always, there was not enough time with the people that we love. I felt like I hardly even saw my sister Jill. I didn't get to spend enough time with my nieces and nephews. My visits with my friends were too short and not frequent enough. It just wasn't enough... but I don't think it can ever be 'enough'.
So that's where I am right now. Really overweight and really sad. I don't need a pity party but I have always been very open with "you guys" so I thought I'd let you know where I was both physically and mentally.
On a brighter note... we got our Wii but the Wii Fit is sold out everywhere. We're stalking the toy and video stores like maniacs and will surely have one by the end of the month. I can't wait! In the meantime I have been doing well with my eating (well, better), definately better with my fluid intake, and have even been exercising a little with some brisk walks.
So if you're still with me, please have patience with me and my blog until I can snap myself out of this funk.
*************
please note the new link on the right hand side under "weightloss inspirations" called "Weight Loss Pictures" and check out their site!
I did weigh myself Tuesday morning and threw up a little in my mouth when I saw the mighty number 129 kilo on the scale. yuck. I am not discuraged though. I fact I am feeling quite the opposite about my ability to lose this weight. I did it before and I'll do it again and this time there will be no pregnancy to throw a wrench in my plans and I will finish, meet my goal and do my victory dance (and buy that really nice dress in the really expensive shopping street).
But honestly, the real reason I've been MIA is because I'm having severe bouts of homesickness. It has been especially hard for me to adjust being back in the Netherlands this time round. I always have a little bit of sadness after returning from the US but this time is so much harded than any of the times before. I've been here in Europe 5 years now and have never cried so much post-vacation. In fact I don't know if I've ever cried once getting back into work and life as usual. Maybe it's still pregnancy hormone fluctuation but whatever it is, I am Debby Downer in a big way.
I always miss my family but now I miss them more, I think for Sadie's sake. I loved having my Mom and Dad be with her, play with her, sing to her... it was so very special for me and to know I probably won't have that with them again for another year or so really breaks my heart. When I married Marco I knew our lives would be different than I ever imagined my life would be growing up but I don't think you can ever really prepare yourself for this kind of thing, these kind of feelings, no matter how open and honest you are with yourself about the challenges you will face as an "international couple". Babies do that to you I guess.
As always, there was not enough time with the people that we love. I felt like I hardly even saw my sister Jill. I didn't get to spend enough time with my nieces and nephews. My visits with my friends were too short and not frequent enough. It just wasn't enough... but I don't think it can ever be 'enough'.
So that's where I am right now. Really overweight and really sad. I don't need a pity party but I have always been very open with "you guys" so I thought I'd let you know where I was both physically and mentally.
On a brighter note... we got our Wii but the Wii Fit is sold out everywhere. We're stalking the toy and video stores like maniacs and will surely have one by the end of the month. I can't wait! In the meantime I have been doing well with my eating (well, better), definately better with my fluid intake, and have even been exercising a little with some brisk walks.
So if you're still with me, please have patience with me and my blog until I can snap myself out of this funk.
*************
please note the new link on the right hand side under "weightloss inspirations" called "Weight Loss Pictures" and check out their site!
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
sick
it sucks but I'm sick. I can't breathe, am nauseated and pooped out. I'm sure it's a combo of jetlag, lack of sleep and flu/cold. It sucks though. I was sent home from work today almost as soon as I walked in the door. Didn't really make sense to go but I always feel like I should "try" to go and see how I feel later. Ugh, sometimes I just need to realize I'm sick and that's it.
So I'll be back soon. Happy New Year to you all!
So I'll be back soon. Happy New Year to you all!
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