So, walking may not give me that perfectly toned body that'll land me a spot on the next Baywatch episode, but.... What's that? Baywatch has been off the air for years? DANG IT! Everything I've been aspiring towards. I always dreamed of running alongside The Hoff on the beach.
My mother told me that she read an article that stated, "If you walk 1100 steps per day, you will not gain any weight in your first trimester of pregnancy". So, imagine if you're NOT pregnant and you walk that many steps per day.
I currently walk approximately 2000 steps per day. Some friends of mine found a course, drove it in their car and discovered it was 2 miles long. Another wore a pedometer, which measured approximately 2000 steps on this journey. So we make the journey five days a week together (It's always good to have a workout buddy to keep you motivated). On top of that we all push strollers loaded down with kids. That gives some extra resistance.
CURRENT WEIGHT: 161 lb. Yes, I've lost a total of 4 lb. in spite of being pregnant and that's only from better food choices and the supplements I talked about early on.
Just this last week I started the walking regimen. I picked up an issue of Woman's World off the grocery store newsstand because the main article said, "Walk off 20 lbs by March". HELLO!
Here are the tips they give:
1. "Just by bundling up and heading outside on a cold day, your body burns extra calories by trying to keep itself warm".
2. Walking with snow shoes in the snow or walking in the sand will burn up to 500 calories in a single hour.
3. If you simply walk 15 minutes briskly and then do muscle toning for 15 minutes, you'll eat 517 calories fewer than those who just walked or just did strength training.
4. Using walking poles (can be purchased on E-bay for approx. $50) will help you burn 50% more calories per walk.
5. Using a treadmill with an incline or trying a walking workout DVD indoors occasionally will cause you to use different muscles than regular walking, hence a boost in your calorie burn.
6. Interval walking. It means speed up your walking for a few minutes, then slow down. This tricks your body into thinking you're going full tilt and it has been shown in studies to burn three times more fat than nonstop high-intensity exercise!
And finally - walking just plain makes you want to eat healthier. I crave apples and Subway sandwiches and water when I work out. When I don't, it's junk food all the way. Lots of sweets, etc.
Now get out there and walk!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Don't Like Water?
I LOVE this replacement:
K20 protein water mix by Special K.
For an 8 oz. glass of water, I just add half of one of these packets and stir it in.
I chose pink lemonade flavor. That's my favorite. It really helps suppress my appetite. And I think it tastes great. And it's only 15 calories per 8 oz. glass. I hadn't seen it at the grocery store for a while, but I found a big pack of them last night at Wal-Mart. I just drink about 2-4 glasses of this stuff a day and it helps.
Oh, and one more thing - it has 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Very good for you!
K20 protein water mix by Special K.
For an 8 oz. glass of water, I just add half of one of these packets and stir it in.
I chose pink lemonade flavor. That's my favorite. It really helps suppress my appetite. And I think it tastes great. And it's only 15 calories per 8 oz. glass. I hadn't seen it at the grocery store for a while, but I found a big pack of them last night at Wal-Mart. I just drink about 2-4 glasses of this stuff a day and it helps.
Oh, and one more thing - it has 5 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber. Very good for you!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
The Big Weigh In!
Well, it's been one week since I started this whole diet thing...and then a monkey wrench got thrown into the whole deal - I'm pregnant. But I'm determined to keep up the better eating habits and exercise, so here we go.
My weight today is 163 lb. That's a 2-lb. weight loss and guess what? I didn't even exercise the whole week. I was too nauseated to walk. I did eat regularly, though. In fact, some days I pretty much ate all day long.
HOWEVER, the difference was that I made better food choices. Here's a run down of what one of my days of eating looked like:
One 8-oz. glass of ice water.
1 bowl of cinnamon roll-flavored Quaker instant oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of lecithin granules sprinkled on top.
1 multivitamin
1 chromium picolinate tablet
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
Two handfuls of grapes
One grapefruit - no sugar
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
One low-fat yogurt
1 1/2 tuna fish sandwiches (on white bread - would have been better on wheat, but definitely better than my usual cheeseburger and fries)
One 8-oz. glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade (sweetened with regular sugar)
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
One handful of Cheetos
One handful of pretzels
One grapefruit - still no sugar
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
Homemade taco salad
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
One grapefruit - no sugar
One 8-oz. glass of water
So, there you go - I basically ate all day long. And yeah, the Cheetos weren't the best choice, but it goes to show that you can throw in some stuff like that occasionally and you're good.
And because I'm pregnant, I basically need to eat more than normal, so I just eat and eat. I think the keys to the 2-lb. weight loss with no exercise were:
1. The ice water.
2. The grapefruit.
3. The vitamins and supplements.
Has anyone else been trying any of these tips? Anyone else have any results or tips they wanna' share?
My weight today is 163 lb. That's a 2-lb. weight loss and guess what? I didn't even exercise the whole week. I was too nauseated to walk. I did eat regularly, though. In fact, some days I pretty much ate all day long.
HOWEVER, the difference was that I made better food choices. Here's a run down of what one of my days of eating looked like:
One 8-oz. glass of ice water.
1 bowl of cinnamon roll-flavored Quaker instant oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of lecithin granules sprinkled on top.
1 multivitamin
1 chromium picolinate tablet
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
Two handfuls of grapes
One grapefruit - no sugar
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
One low-fat yogurt
1 1/2 tuna fish sandwiches (on white bread - would have been better on wheat, but definitely better than my usual cheeseburger and fries)
One 8-oz. glass of fresh-squeezed lemonade (sweetened with regular sugar)
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
One handful of Cheetos
One handful of pretzels
One grapefruit - still no sugar
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
Homemade taco salad
One 8-oz. glass of ice water
One grapefruit - no sugar
One 8-oz. glass of water
So, there you go - I basically ate all day long. And yeah, the Cheetos weren't the best choice, but it goes to show that you can throw in some stuff like that occasionally and you're good.
And because I'm pregnant, I basically need to eat more than normal, so I just eat and eat. I think the keys to the 2-lb. weight loss with no exercise were:
1. The ice water.
2. The grapefruit.
3. The vitamins and supplements.
Has anyone else been trying any of these tips? Anyone else have any results or tips they wanna' share?
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Minor Setback
Funny story:
My husband's family is French. They don't speak English and I don't speak French. I feel terrible that we can't communicate and that I've never met his mother and grandmother and sister. So, for Christmas I decided to compose a very long letter letting them know that I love them, I can't wait to meet them, and giving them an update on our family. I then asked Bertrand to translate it, which he did. He approached me a while later and asked me how I wanted him to sign the letter. I said, "Just put Love and then each of our names in order." He returned a few minutes later and handed me the translated letter printed out. I looked it over and caught note of how he signed it on the end. It was signed:
Love,
Bertrand, Kristin, John, Sylvie-Faye, Chloe...
I said, "Um, honey. Why did you do dot, dot, dot after Chloe's name?"
He replied, "I don't know. Why?"
I said, "Because it looks like there's more to come...as in more children."
His eyes bulged and his jaw dropped in horror. "Uh, NO! We are NOT having more children!" he retorted adamantly.
"I know. I know. But your family is going to see that and start calling with questions. They're going to think I'm pregnant or something."
A few days ago I was in the grocery store when I realized my family needed more milk. I approached the milk aisle and saw the big sale - 10 for $10 on half pints of milk, so I immediately began to stock it up in my cart. An old lady and her husband approached and smiled as they watched me frantically loading my cart with the milk (everyone was fighting for the milk). The old lady said, "Well, you must be big milk drinkers in your family."
I chuckled and said, "Yeah. I've got a few little ones at home....and another on the way." Then I stopped abruptly and the words that had just come out of my mouth suddenly hit my eardrums. I kind of pulled a funny face and then quickly scurried away.
"And another on the WAY?" I whispered aloud to myself. "What was THAT? How bizarre. Why would I say that?" I glanced back over my shoulder as I rounded a corner quickly and thought, "Well, at least they're complete strangers. I'll never see THEM again."
Well, folks, turns out the part of my brain that speaks knew something before the part of my brain that accepts reality did. I had been having weird symptoms for weeks and pregnancy was not even on my list of things it could possibly be. But here I am - pregnant. I'm due in August.
Is that gonna' stop my weight loss attempt? HECK NO! I'm already at least 40 pounds overweight. I don't need to get any bigger. Therefore, I will continue eating healthy, drinking lots of water, taking vitamins, using my supplements and exercising. Obviously, I'll go easy on the exercise. I wouldn't want to cause my baby any harm. But I get big from packing on tons of unnecessary calories found in things like french fries, cheeseburgers, Panda Express, and soda. That's not going to be part of my diet this time.
I'm already awaking in the middle of the night feeling half starved. Instead of grabbing chips or cookies or two slices of buttered white bread, I'm keeping the fridge and fruit baskets in my kitchen stocked full of fresh fruit and veggies. A carrot stick or an apple are what I choose now.
SO, I'm not gonna' look hot in a tankini this summer, but I will not be a huge pregnant woman. I'm determined this time. This is gonna' be a GOOD pregnancy.
My husband's family is French. They don't speak English and I don't speak French. I feel terrible that we can't communicate and that I've never met his mother and grandmother and sister. So, for Christmas I decided to compose a very long letter letting them know that I love them, I can't wait to meet them, and giving them an update on our family. I then asked Bertrand to translate it, which he did. He approached me a while later and asked me how I wanted him to sign the letter. I said, "Just put Love and then each of our names in order." He returned a few minutes later and handed me the translated letter printed out. I looked it over and caught note of how he signed it on the end. It was signed:
Love,
Bertrand, Kristin, John, Sylvie-Faye, Chloe...
I said, "Um, honey. Why did you do dot, dot, dot after Chloe's name?"
He replied, "I don't know. Why?"
I said, "Because it looks like there's more to come...as in more children."
His eyes bulged and his jaw dropped in horror. "Uh, NO! We are NOT having more children!" he retorted adamantly.
"I know. I know. But your family is going to see that and start calling with questions. They're going to think I'm pregnant or something."
A few days ago I was in the grocery store when I realized my family needed more milk. I approached the milk aisle and saw the big sale - 10 for $10 on half pints of milk, so I immediately began to stock it up in my cart. An old lady and her husband approached and smiled as they watched me frantically loading my cart with the milk (everyone was fighting for the milk). The old lady said, "Well, you must be big milk drinkers in your family."
I chuckled and said, "Yeah. I've got a few little ones at home....and another on the way." Then I stopped abruptly and the words that had just come out of my mouth suddenly hit my eardrums. I kind of pulled a funny face and then quickly scurried away.
"And another on the WAY?" I whispered aloud to myself. "What was THAT? How bizarre. Why would I say that?" I glanced back over my shoulder as I rounded a corner quickly and thought, "Well, at least they're complete strangers. I'll never see THEM again."
Well, folks, turns out the part of my brain that speaks knew something before the part of my brain that accepts reality did. I had been having weird symptoms for weeks and pregnancy was not even on my list of things it could possibly be. But here I am - pregnant. I'm due in August.
Is that gonna' stop my weight loss attempt? HECK NO! I'm already at least 40 pounds overweight. I don't need to get any bigger. Therefore, I will continue eating healthy, drinking lots of water, taking vitamins, using my supplements and exercising. Obviously, I'll go easy on the exercise. I wouldn't want to cause my baby any harm. But I get big from packing on tons of unnecessary calories found in things like french fries, cheeseburgers, Panda Express, and soda. That's not going to be part of my diet this time.
I'm already awaking in the middle of the night feeling half starved. Instead of grabbing chips or cookies or two slices of buttered white bread, I'm keeping the fridge and fruit baskets in my kitchen stocked full of fresh fruit and veggies. A carrot stick or an apple are what I choose now.
SO, I'm not gonna' look hot in a tankini this summer, but I will not be a huge pregnant woman. I'm determined this time. This is gonna' be a GOOD pregnancy.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Learn From My Mistakes!
Never eaten fresh blueberries before? Until recently, neither had I. And I made some rather huge mistakes, which ended up costing me - not so much financially. Let me explain:
"Fresh" blueberries (I put quotations around fresh because they're in the produce section of my local supermarket, so I am smart enough to realize it's not the true meaning of freshness - still, they're not frozen, so...whatever) are a dangerous minefield, my friends. You don't just buy some fresh blueberries and go home and dump 'em in a bowl and rinse 'em off and sit and snack on them in the dark during a new episode of your favorite TV show. Below is a simple tutorial to help you understand - The Blueberry.
Now the blueberry is a product of Mexico, see. And I don't have problems with Mexico, but I do have problems with blueberries jammed in crates, being driven by truck for who knows how many days before they end up in your local supermarket. Though these blueberries have been supposedly hand picked, you must now "hand pick" them, once again.
Always, ALWAYS have your kitchen lights on to their full capacity so you can get a clear view of these little fellas. They look so juicy and tasty and inviting, but there are some evil little buggers hiding in the bunch and you must locate and dispose of them immediately.
Always inspect the bottom of the blueberry. The color will tell you if it's okay or not.
Let's try a little rhyme to help us remember what's okay and what's not okay, okay? Okay. Here we go:
If it's turning white, better toss it out of sight.
It it's brown or blue, it's okay to pass it through.
If it's feeling kind of mushy, it'll come right back out your tushy.
If it's looking just plain weird...I have nothing that rhymes with this. Just don't eat it, okay?
And seriously, guys, if you touch it and it collapses and becomes a liquid right before your eyes...do you really need me to tell you what to do about it? Okay, good.
Also, if a blueberry looks perfectly fine, but was touching against a pretty rotten blueberry, which has now left it's rotten, putrid liquid on the side of the good blueberry, I wouldn't chance it, not even with a rinse off...unless you've got some good reading material you've been looking for a chance to sit down with. 'Cause you're gonna' be spending some quality time that day on your porcelain throne, ruling over the Land Of Putrid Stink.
And if this tutorial has completely put you off from blueberries, you now have two options:
1. Eat frozen blueberries.
2. Eat a grapefruit - NO SUGAR! Aw, stop your whining. You'll be fine, you big baby. The acid will eat whatever you just ate right back out of your stomach. Mmm. Appetizing. I think I'll go eat something now.
"Fresh" blueberries (I put quotations around fresh because they're in the produce section of my local supermarket, so I am smart enough to realize it's not the true meaning of freshness - still, they're not frozen, so...whatever) are a dangerous minefield, my friends. You don't just buy some fresh blueberries and go home and dump 'em in a bowl and rinse 'em off and sit and snack on them in the dark during a new episode of your favorite TV show. Below is a simple tutorial to help you understand - The Blueberry.
Now the blueberry is a product of Mexico, see. And I don't have problems with Mexico, but I do have problems with blueberries jammed in crates, being driven by truck for who knows how many days before they end up in your local supermarket. Though these blueberries have been supposedly hand picked, you must now "hand pick" them, once again.
Always, ALWAYS have your kitchen lights on to their full capacity so you can get a clear view of these little fellas. They look so juicy and tasty and inviting, but there are some evil little buggers hiding in the bunch and you must locate and dispose of them immediately.
Always inspect the bottom of the blueberry. The color will tell you if it's okay or not.
Let's try a little rhyme to help us remember what's okay and what's not okay, okay? Okay. Here we go:
If it's turning white, better toss it out of sight.
It it's brown or blue, it's okay to pass it through.
If it's feeling kind of mushy, it'll come right back out your tushy.
If it's looking just plain weird...I have nothing that rhymes with this. Just don't eat it, okay?
And seriously, guys, if you touch it and it collapses and becomes a liquid right before your eyes...do you really need me to tell you what to do about it? Okay, good.
Also, if a blueberry looks perfectly fine, but was touching against a pretty rotten blueberry, which has now left it's rotten, putrid liquid on the side of the good blueberry, I wouldn't chance it, not even with a rinse off...unless you've got some good reading material you've been looking for a chance to sit down with. 'Cause you're gonna' be spending some quality time that day on your porcelain throne, ruling over the Land Of Putrid Stink.
And if this tutorial has completely put you off from blueberries, you now have two options:
1. Eat frozen blueberries.
2. Eat a grapefruit - NO SUGAR! Aw, stop your whining. You'll be fine, you big baby. The acid will eat whatever you just ate right back out of your stomach. Mmm. Appetizing. I think I'll go eat something now.
Two Important Tips
Okay, here are two good tips I've learned about weight loss:
1. If you mess up and eat something that's kind of fatty or just plain not good, eat a half cup of blueberries as soon as you can afterward and it will prevent your body from turning the bad eats into fat cells. YAY!
2. According to a health magazine, people who eat yogurt three times a day have a higher percentage of weight loss. Why? They did not explain. Just eat your yogurt! It's on sale right now at Fry's - 2 for 88 cents. I would recommend the fat free or low fat, but it didn't specify in the article, so I'm assuming as long as you're having yogurt, your body is going to lose weight faster. I guess I'll find out...
Oh, by the way - lecithin granules help your body reduce the number of fat cells it produces. Tastes like cereal, folks. Give it a try!
***Just to let you know, I will be recording my weight and measurements once a week. I have to report to you. That's how I stay motivated. If you wanna report to me in the comments, feel free to do so. I will ride your behind and keep you on track! Let's all help each other. Oh, and "Jax" - good luck with the weight loss WHILE you try to quit smoking. That's a toughie! But it can be done! You can do it!
1. If you mess up and eat something that's kind of fatty or just plain not good, eat a half cup of blueberries as soon as you can afterward and it will prevent your body from turning the bad eats into fat cells. YAY!
2. According to a health magazine, people who eat yogurt three times a day have a higher percentage of weight loss. Why? They did not explain. Just eat your yogurt! It's on sale right now at Fry's - 2 for 88 cents. I would recommend the fat free or low fat, but it didn't specify in the article, so I'm assuming as long as you're having yogurt, your body is going to lose weight faster. I guess I'll find out...
Oh, by the way - lecithin granules help your body reduce the number of fat cells it produces. Tastes like cereal, folks. Give it a try!
***Just to let you know, I will be recording my weight and measurements once a week. I have to report to you. That's how I stay motivated. If you wanna report to me in the comments, feel free to do so. I will ride your behind and keep you on track! Let's all help each other. Oh, and "Jax" - good luck with the weight loss WHILE you try to quit smoking. That's a toughie! But it can be done! You can do it!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Getting My Big Start
Here's what I'm trying starting today:
1. Drink a nice big glass of water before each meal. I prefer ice water because the taste of water is not good to me unless I'm dying of heat in the middle of summer or just finishing up a workout. Other than that, it literally makes me want to gag.
2. Sprinkle lecithin granules into one of my meals. I prefer to sprinkle it into my instant Quaker oatmeal. There's actually a Weight Management box of flavors with Banana Nut Bread, Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar, and Cinnamon. I think they're pretty tasty and one package (120 calories) keeps me full a good 2-3 hours....sometimes more.
Sprinkle one full tablespoon in, stir and eat. The lecithin granules taste like cheerios. It's like dry cereal. You can put it in yogurt, cereal or anything else you think you can handle cheerios taste with.
It's cold outside, so I'm doing hot oatmeal.
3. Take one chromium picolinate tab a day.
Okay, so I'm no nutritionist or personal trainer or anything. I've simply picked up information over the years and a bit just over the past weeks or days and I have NO idea why lecithin granules or chromium picolinate are helpful, but my friend, Ashley, went to GNC, I think and some lady there told her that without even working out, just eating healthy and using these supplements, you should actually lose inches, so I'm trying it.
1. Drink a nice big glass of water before each meal. I prefer ice water because the taste of water is not good to me unless I'm dying of heat in the middle of summer or just finishing up a workout. Other than that, it literally makes me want to gag.
2. Sprinkle lecithin granules into one of my meals. I prefer to sprinkle it into my instant Quaker oatmeal. There's actually a Weight Management box of flavors with Banana Nut Bread, Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar, and Cinnamon. I think they're pretty tasty and one package (120 calories) keeps me full a good 2-3 hours....sometimes more.
Sprinkle one full tablespoon in, stir and eat. The lecithin granules taste like cheerios. It's like dry cereal. You can put it in yogurt, cereal or anything else you think you can handle cheerios taste with.
It's cold outside, so I'm doing hot oatmeal.
3. Take one chromium picolinate tab a day.
Okay, so I'm no nutritionist or personal trainer or anything. I've simply picked up information over the years and a bit just over the past weeks or days and I have NO idea why lecithin granules or chromium picolinate are helpful, but my friend, Ashley, went to GNC, I think and some lady there told her that without even working out, just eating healthy and using these supplements, you should actually lose inches, so I'm trying it.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Diet Starts Monday!
No really. It does. And this time I won't give in so easily. This time I have a game plan. Right now I have other things I need to do, so I can't say much more than - Diet Starts Monday.
But, if you tune in, I'll share with you what I've discovered about successful weight loss and you can watch my measurements shrink. Feel free to follow along, if you want to.
And thanks for your support.
But, if you tune in, I'll share with you what I've discovered about successful weight loss and you can watch my measurements shrink. Feel free to follow along, if you want to.
And thanks for your support.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
The Rundown
So here are my stats:
Height: 5' 4".
Weight: 165 lb.
Waist: 42 inches
Arms: 11.5 inches
Thighs: 25 inches
Hips: 44 inches
Bust: 40 inches
Go ahead. Pull out a measuring tape. It's big.
And here is my goal:
Weight: 120 lb.
Waist:.....aw, who am I kidding? I don't know and I don't care. I just wanna' be 120 lbs. , okay? I just wanna' be skinny and be able to wear my cute clothes. That's all. Is it asking too much to be out of my maternity clothes now that my baby is 2!?!?!?! Huh!?!?!
All righty then. Let's get to it!
Height: 5' 4".
Weight: 165 lb.
Waist: 42 inches
Arms: 11.5 inches
Thighs: 25 inches
Hips: 44 inches
Bust: 40 inches
Go ahead. Pull out a measuring tape. It's big.
And here is my goal:
Weight: 120 lb.
Waist:.....aw, who am I kidding? I don't know and I don't care. I just wanna' be 120 lbs. , okay? I just wanna' be skinny and be able to wear my cute clothes. That's all. Is it asking too much to be out of my maternity clothes now that my baby is 2!?!?!?! Huh!?!?!
All righty then. Let's get to it!
Hello! My Name Is Kristin And I'm Overweight!
So, here's the deal. Bottom line - I'm fat. Perhaps that's a bit harsh. Not so politically correct. I don't really care. I'm not here to sugar coat. I'm here to be honest.
I'm 33 years old and mother to a 12-year-old, 3-year-old and 2-year-old. Here's a typical conversation between me and whoever I'm whining at:
ME: I'm so fat. I'm so sick of it.
OTHER: (Patronizing tone) You're not fat.
ME: Ummm. Yeah. I am.
OTHER: Well, you just had two babies in a row.
ME: I know, but they're not babies anymore. My youngest is 2. There's no excuse. I shouldn't still be fat after two years.
OTHER: Well, you're in your thirties now. It's harder to lose weight.
ME: Tell me about it!
OTHER: (Sighs).
ME: Now say it! Say I'm fat.
OTHER: (Sighs). Okay, if that'll make you happy. You're fat.
ME: Thank you. Now, let's go get some ice cream.
I'm 33 years old and mother to a 12-year-old, 3-year-old and 2-year-old. Here's a typical conversation between me and whoever I'm whining at:
ME: I'm so fat. I'm so sick of it.
OTHER: (Patronizing tone) You're not fat.
ME: Ummm. Yeah. I am.
OTHER: Well, you just had two babies in a row.
ME: I know, but they're not babies anymore. My youngest is 2. There's no excuse. I shouldn't still be fat after two years.
OTHER: Well, you're in your thirties now. It's harder to lose weight.
ME: Tell me about it!
OTHER: (Sighs).
ME: Now say it! Say I'm fat.
OTHER: (Sighs). Okay, if that'll make you happy. You're fat.
ME: Thank you. Now, let's go get some ice cream.
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