The good, the bad and the ugly (food)

I hate eating, lately.  The good-for-me foods make me gag.  The foods I'm excited to eat make me sick.  Some days eating isn't about fun.  Some days eating is about getting it done.  So, here are some reminders to myself about why I need to eat well.

The Good -

In our household we are semi-paleo.  Semi because we don't shun all legumes, starchy root veggies or even grains entirely.  Plus, I'm the only dairy-free member of the family.   But the goal is to focus on eating lean meats, fruits, veggies and little else.  When I eat this way, I feel energized, healthy, and most of my other health issues stay in check.  But in order to continue to eat this way I need to remember to do the following

1) Plan ahead! 
I need to plan all meals, all snacks, every bite that will go into my mouth with no exceptions.  If I know what I'm going to eat, then I can't use lack of planning as an excuse to eat junk

2) Keep healthy foods everywhere.
This morning I forgot to pack healthy snacks.  I also forgot to eat enough protein for breakfast.  The end result?  Scarfing down a Mounds bar in a desperate attempt to keep myself from blacking out when, inevitably, my blood sugar crashed.  If I'd only remembered to pack some nuts, I'd have spared my macros and my health.  But, no.  Left them at home.

3) Research the recipes!
I get bored with food quickly.  And when I'm bored, I either refuse to eat, or I seek out exciting food.  Which to me means full of sugar and carbs.  Time to crack those cookbooks and stalk Pinterest and come up with an arsenal (aka indexed list) of recipes so I won't have to "fall back" on pancakes because I couldn't come up with anything else to make for breakfast.  If I'm excited about trying something new, I'm much less likely to pine for the pizza or hibachi tofu or other forbidden foods.  Plus, if we happen to run out of something I was planning to cook, I'll have lots of ideas for substitute meals.

The Bad-

This is the category with which I struggle the most.  Foods that aren't SO unhealthy and don't make me feel too bad, but if I continue to eat them regularly not only will I gain weight, but eventually my health will suffer.  Grains, sugar, and sometimes dairy fall in this cattegory.  If I eat one bagel I'll be fine.  If I eat a bagel and a sandwich and make pasta and throw in a few more grain-filled meals I'll have a miserable tummy pretty quick.  If I eat too much sugar then I crave even more sugar and suddenly I'm having trouble sleeping and my weight is skyrocketting and I'm a big cranky screwed-up-bloodsugar mess by dinnertime.  And dairy - well - some accidental cheese on my drive-through salad won't kill me but I'd sure as heck better pass up Grandma's cheesy potatoes if I don't want to head over to the land of....

The Ugly -

These are the foods that are either just plain bad for everyone (processed junk food and sweet treats) or on my list of "trigger all the autoimmune disorders" foods.  Corn, dairy, 'questionably' gluten free  -  these foods will make me itchy, crazy, bloated, exhausted, achy and a host of other kinds of uncomfortable.  So why oh why do I continue to allow myself to "splurge."  Splurging is adding an extra square of chocolate to my day when I'm already at my calorie limit.  Splurging is not drinking a big root beer full of corn-syrup that's going to give me depression/anxiety issues and make me itch for days.

So my plan for the forseable future -  pause before I put anything in my mouth and slap it with one of these labels.  If it's ugly, avoid it like the plague (that it is).  If it's bad, heavily reconsider.  And if it's good - plan, store, research and enjoy!  If I can finally get this right I'll have a much healthier family as well.

I'm back

It's been forever since I've been here, but I think it's time to come back.  I've learned a heck of a lot in the last 6 months.  I've learned how to lift heavy weights.  I've learned to like (or at least not hate) running.  I've learned how to eat for the optimal health of my body.  I've returned to my ideal body weight.  I've added muscle.  I've accomplished almost all of my major goals.

But I'm not happy.  I still don't like how I look.  I miss being skinny.  I want to lift heavier.  My current goals are:

Deadlift and squat bodyweight
Get my 5K under 30 minutes
Bring down bodyfat %
Learn to live without sweets

Which is hard to accomplish with nothing but dumbbells, a kitchen full of junk food, no kid-free time to run and zero willpower.  It was so much easier when I just didn't eat. Although that made me pretty grumpy, too.

So - I come here to vent, but also to plan.   This week's goals are:

1) Start the bodyweight section of Strong Curves 
I think the training in there will help a lot with some of the posture and pain problems I've been having

2) Run in the evenings
As often as I can get the chance. Even a mile or two on the runway will help.

3) Limit treats to 2-3 squares of dark chocolate/day
No baking.  No buying junk.  No eating the whole bar.

4) Weed out my closet
If it makes me feel fat or awkward, it at least needs to go in a box to forget about for a while.

5) Stick to my macros
NOT exceed my 1450 calories.  Try to hit my protein.

6) NOT OBSESS
Getting in shape is great.  But not if it takes over my life.  My family is important, my faith is important, keeping my life running smoothly is important - looking better in a bikini or getting "strong for zombies" is a hobby.  And that's that.

We'll check back next week to see how it goes.  Feel free to check up on me to see how I'm doing, cheer me on, tell me stories, send me recipes - whatever.  :)

Oh, and current stats:

Weight: 110
Hips: 35
Waist: 28
Bust: 33
Arms: 11.5
Legs: 18

Measuring Up

Ok, I'm back.  And I'm serious.  I want to get in shape.  Both endurance-wise and in terms of toning.  And to get that started, I need a benchmark.  So - here are my starting-out weight and measurements.  Lets see how much progress I can make!

Arm: 11.5"
Bust: 35"
Waist: 31.5"
Hips: 38"
Gut: 36"
Thigh: 21"

Weight: 122

So, here goes nothin!

p.s. tomorrow I'm going to try for the endurance benchmarks like pushups and running a mile -we'll see how I do :)

Frustrated But Blessed

I had a bit of a Facebook argument this morning.  Those of you who know me at all know that I have no censorship of myself when it comes to Facebook. If I think it or feel it, it's out there for all 200+ of my friends (or acquaintances, or people who just hit "add") to see.  And, as usual when I'm feeling bad about myself, I posted another flip message about losing weight (or, rather, how losing weight won't make me happier - right?) And my friend, who is a personal trainer and nutritionist and a total inspiration health-wise, totally called me on it.  In short, she told me to quit whining and focus on being healthy and in shape (because the Hollywood starlet diet is not advantageous for growing muscle, and this negative, self-hating anorexia talk is really going to screw up my daughter some day).  And she's right.  If I'm having "issues," I need to see a therapist, or, at the very least, keep it a private conversation between myself and one of my "support group" of formerly anorexic friends.  I don't need to trip up or drag down anyone else with my own neuroses. 

That being said, I think my issue at the moment isn't so much that I want to "get really skinny," because I don't.  I'm not looking to be Angelina thin.  I want to be "chick on the cover of my Shape magazine" toned.  But I'm frustrated.  Really frustrated with where I am right now. 

Before I list off all my frustrations, I want to list the blessings of which I try to remind myself each day. 

1) I am a lot healthier now than I have been in a long time.  I wake up every morning generally pain free.  I have the use of all my limbs and all 5 senses.  I have energy and I'm usually not sick.  I've resolved or at least diagnosed some of the issues that bothered me in the past (i.e. food allergy, skin issue, etc).  My body works in all the ways it's supposed to, and I am so grateful for that.

2) I have 3 kids who love me and keep me super busy.  They want my attention and want to be with me 24/7. 

3) I have a husband who likes to hang out with me, and who thinks I'm beautiful just the way I am.  If he wishes I were still my college weight, he wisely doesn't say so :p

4) I enjoy life.  I enjoy food.  I enjoy my activities.  I'm even enjoying this cold, snowy morning.

But here's what's frustrating me:

1) I want to be more active, but I just can't seem to make it work.  Part of the reason I'm so frustrated with the shape my body is in, is because I can't properly celebrate it the way I want to.  If I want to work out, my options are doing the elliptical or situps while the kids nap (or first thing in the morning), or going for a walk/run after the kids are in bed.  Sure, those get me in shape, but they don't make me love my body and what it can do.  I want to dance!  I want to run around the farm with my kids and wear myself out playing tag and chasing a ball.  I want to splash around in the pool in the summer and not want to die because someone will see me in a swimsuit.  I want to work out mid-morning when I'm really feeling energized instead of forcing myself through it when I'm exhausted.  But we don't live on the farm and I can't find a dance class and I don't have time to go to the Y, so I have to plug away on the machines alone when I'm wiped out and I hate that - so I don't do it.

2) I want to cut the junk out of my diet.  I hate that I not only eat candy all the time and bake whenever I feel like it, but that I keep on buying the flour and sugar and chocolate every time I'm at the store.  I plan all these healthy dinners, and then chase them with biscuits or chocolate cake.  Of course I'm not losing the weight. 

3) I talk too much about being fat around my kids.  I don't want them to grow up hating themselves and the beautiful bodies God has given them the way I did.  I want them to celebrate themselves and celebrate the things their bodies can do for them.  If my daughter ever complains about being fat, I'm going to look at her and say "honey, you are gorgeous just like you are.  Would you like to join me for a run/walk/swim/dance class?"  I want to teach my kids to be healthy and take care of themselves, and then love whatever shape that makes them.

That's where I am right now.  If I say "I'm so fat" what I really mean is "I'm so frustrated."  I'm working on these issues - I'm looking for a dance class, I'm trying to squeeze in the toning while the kids are playing around me, I'm trying super hard not to buy the junk in the first place.  But in the meantime, I'm just going to struggle with the emotional stuff. 

I have learned, however, where that emotional stuff belongs.  It belongs here, it belongs in my head, or it belongs in confidence between myself and the small group of friends who have said "I get you, I'm here for you, I love you."

Dressing Room Disaster

I would be a lot thinner if I tried on clothes in a dressing room more often.  I've mentioned before that I think I have a 'skinny mirror' in my bedroom.  I look great in that mirror every morning - then I see myself in a window or mirror in public and don't even recognize my chubby self.  It's frightening. 

Today, I finally broke down and bought new underwear.  I hadn't bought any in over 3 years (before I had kids) aside from a pack of cheap Walmart cotton undies which are hardly flattering.  Target, however, is selling some super cute coordinating sets.  I was in a huge hurry because I had 20 minutes to pick things out and try them on before I had to rush off to the doctor, but I filled up my cart with what I thought was my size and ran to the dressing room to try things on.

The good news - I fit into the smallest size I selected.  The bad news - not only did Target not have 'skinny mirrors,' they had wrap-around mirrors.  Meaning I could see all the chub on every side clear as day.  Since I was 105 lbs the last time I tried on undies, I was used to seeing myself look cute and trim in cute underthings.  Not this time.  All I saw was chub here and jiggle there and that 'mommy belly' staring right back at me.  Ewwwww.  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to go run 10 miles.  I wished I could un-eat the piece of cake I chased my yogurt with at breakfast (thankfully the cake is all gone now).  But it did give me more resolve.

However I may feel, and whatever the scale says, I am NOT thin.  Moreover, I am definitely NOT toned.  I can't actually get away with eating a candy bar or dessert every day.  I can't eat off of brimming regular sized plates.  I can't sit around and blog or nap or read or otherwise be lazy during naptime when I need to be on my elliptical or (especially!!) doing strength moves to get my muscles back. 

I miss going to the store and being excited to try clothes on because they actually looked cute in the mirror.  I miss knowing what size I wear.  I miss going to the beach without terror of being seen in a swimsuit.  I miss looking in the mirror without being sad.  I miss being strong.  I miss being able to run around all day without getting tired, lifting heavy items without wanting to die, standing up straight because my abs could hold me up.  

I'm considering this a wake up call.  I have them all the time and they last all of 2 or 3 days on average.  But this time I have a secret weapon.  Any time I'm getting too complacent about my weight or my appearance - I'll hit the dressing room.  I'll try on a swimsuit or a new bra.  And if I want to cry, it's time to hit the pavement and log some miles. 

It's all about perspective and today I got a healthy dose.  At least I learned!

12 Week Challenge: Week 5

How did you do with your water intake?  I carried my cup with me everywhere and, as much as possible, tried to increase my consumption.  I did ok most days, though, as usual I sometimes got so busy I'd forget. 

This week, we're stepping it up and stepping out!

Week 5: Make Each Day More Active

Pretty simple.  Be mindful about moving your tush a little more each day.  Get up out of your chair at least once and hour to stretch and move.  If you can take a short walk, great.  If not, do some quick squats or wall-push-ups.  Park farther from the door, take the stairs instead of the elevator, chase the kids in the park instead of sitting on the bench while they play.  Do plies while folding laundry, situps while watching tv, or grapevines while brushing your teeth.  Wander the house/office while you're on the phone.  Turn on some loud music and power-clean the house.   Add random jumping jacks to your daily routine. 

If you're really ambitious - track your week.  When you sit down, jot down the time.  When you get up to move, note the time again.  At the end of the day, tally up all the time you spend sitting.  You might be surprised that you're not nearly as active as you thought.  Or, you could be pleasantly surprised to see that you're more of a mover than you realized. 

Are you a planner?  Do you live by your calendar?  Schedule in regular exercise sessions, even if it's only for 15 minutes a day.  Stick a casserole in the oven, crank up the resistance on the elliptical, and rock out to a couple of your favorite tunes.  Run around the block once or twice when you get out of the car.  Challenge the kids to a dance-off.  Look for the little opportunities.  Putting in a long, hard workout is great - but if you don't have the time (and really, these days who does?) then every little bit counts. 

I can't wait to hear from you next week to see what sneaky little workouts you squeezed in!

This week's stats:

weight: 120 (yay down 2 lbs - though I think these V-day cupcakes will nix that loss)
Days I worked out: 1 (and it was intense.  and the next day I was sick as a dog.  bummer)
Days I ate junk: 7 (the candybar habit just won't be kicked)

Put Down That Fork and Go For A Run

This was me about 5 years ago.  That's not so long ago.  I think I'm around 105 lbs in this picture.  I can't even squeeze into this dress anymore, let alone look good in it. 

What do I do differently now than I did then? 

1) bake all the time
2) eat a candy bar pretty much every day
3) eat 3 HUGE meals a day
4) not work out one minute of the day

Before kids, I'd eat a cup of yogurt for breakfast (if anything at all), a salad for lunch, and a small dinner.  If it were a really special occasion, I'd have a cookie or a piece of cake.  I didn't care much about food.  I'd take long walks in the afternoon, put on some upbeat music and strength train.  I'd go to the gym, or dance - just move!

I tend to blame my kids for my current weight.  When do I find the time to work out when I have them home all day?  I can't let that food go to waste, so I'll just clean their plates.  They love cookies, so let's bake!

No one is forcing me to buy another candy bar.  No one is forcing me to blog/nap/craft during nap time when I've scheduled my workout.  No one is forcing me to watch tv instead of tracking my calories.  No one hid my lettuce and replaced it with mac'n'cheese.  It's my own lack of willpower that's keeping me fat.  It's my own laziness and gluttony.  Some day I'm going to have to stop blaming others and just do it!

I'm armed with a printer and a stack of 5-year-old photos.  I will post them around the house as a reminder of who I want to be.  And by summer, I will be able to wear that dress again (maybe not quite that well, but it will fit).

This is my new resolution.  Here we go.