Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
This Time Last Year...
I am not ashamed to admit that I love food. I watch the Food Network constantly, I love buying cookbooks, and I happily spend entire Sundays in my kitchen.
That being said, I've recently read about "swap-outs." You take inventory of what you eat in a day, for each piece of not-so-nutritious fare, you figure out why you are drawn to eat that food at that time and try to find a healthy substitute. So I figured I'd take inventory of what I was eating on a given day this time last year and compare it to what I had yesterday.
Then:
Breakfast: Zip. Zero. Zilch.
Snack: A bagel with cream cheese (consumed around 10am)
Lunch: A cheese-filled frozen dish
Snack: Oreo minis
Dinner: Whatever fast-food trash my hubby-to-be decided to pick up.
Breakfast: A fresh fruit/canned pumpkin smoothie with protein powder
Snack: One small apple & half a cup baby carrots
Lunch: 1 cup homemade chili (with extra spinach/mushrooms)
Snack: Home-roasted almonds dusted with cinnamon and cocoa powder
Dinner:Tilapia with fresh salsa and two cups steamed veggies with parmesan cheese
I won't lie, I was pretty proud of the progress I've made-- though I haven't lost much weight yet (thanks to jumping on and off this wagon), I've started putting actual effort into what I eat. I steer clear of processed foods (usually...) and I try to incorporate lots and lots of produce into my daily diet.
I think it's so far, so good for me. The main trick to making any diet stick, for me at least, is to make foods that I actually like (I know, very novel idea). For me, the idea of chugging some chalky shake and eating lettuce for dinner are ridiculous and unreal. Anytime I've tried a crazy diet like this I have been happy to go back to the dark side. I'll still eat chili, but now I puree spinach and throw in chopped mushrooms and add a bit of flax oil. I'm just starting to learn to take things I enjoy and make them a lot healthier.
There will never be a 100% healthy substitute for my guilty pleasure foods but I'm hoping the more I incorporate nutrient-dense delights into my daily menu, the less I will crave those awful things.
That being said, I've recently read about "swap-outs." You take inventory of what you eat in a day, for each piece of not-so-nutritious fare, you figure out why you are drawn to eat that food at that time and try to find a healthy substitute. So I figured I'd take inventory of what I was eating on a given day this time last year and compare it to what I had yesterday.
Then:
Breakfast: Zip. Zero. Zilch.
Snack: A bagel with cream cheese (consumed around 10am)
Lunch: A cheese-filled frozen dish
Snack: Oreo minis
Dinner: Whatever fast-food trash my hubby-to-be decided to pick up.
Breakfast: A fresh fruit/canned pumpkin smoothie with protein powder
Snack: One small apple & half a cup baby carrots
Lunch: 1 cup homemade chili (with extra spinach/mushrooms)
Snack: Home-roasted almonds dusted with cinnamon and cocoa powder
Dinner:Tilapia with fresh salsa and two cups steamed veggies with parmesan cheese
I won't lie, I was pretty proud of the progress I've made-- though I haven't lost much weight yet (thanks to jumping on and off this wagon), I've started putting actual effort into what I eat. I steer clear of processed foods (usually...) and I try to incorporate lots and lots of produce into my daily diet.
I think it's so far, so good for me. The main trick to making any diet stick, for me at least, is to make foods that I actually like (I know, very novel idea). For me, the idea of chugging some chalky shake and eating lettuce for dinner are ridiculous and unreal. Anytime I've tried a crazy diet like this I have been happy to go back to the dark side. I'll still eat chili, but now I puree spinach and throw in chopped mushrooms and add a bit of flax oil. I'm just starting to learn to take things I enjoy and make them a lot healthier.
There will never be a 100% healthy substitute for my guilty pleasure foods but I'm hoping the more I incorporate nutrient-dense delights into my daily menu, the less I will crave those awful things.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
"My closet is like a store...
it carries a wide range of sizes - most of which don't fit me."
I decided to finally clean out my closet today - the parts of the closet which hold treasures from the past...a brief (but thinner) one. As I opened up the box, aptly named "Pants," I soon discovered a number of blows to the self-esteem and an ounce of motivation. Looking at the size 12 short shorts and size 10 dress pants, I longed to go back to the moments in time when I actually WORE these items of clothing on my frame. I couldn't remember a single instance, but I know I wore each of them at least once.
It saddened me to think that, had I just stuck to my original original plan A, I would be looking at these sizes as my "Fat Pants" and wouldn't be considering a re-do of plan Q. I lingered over this box and opted to save three items for (hopefully) future use - the rest were FINALLY gone after many scans with my eyes and the thought that, "Perhaps I will wear ALL of these again."
Why do we as women keep every size clothing we have ever owned in our lifetime? As if our life is defined by weight stages? "I was this thin when I got married, so I required this size. Then after my children, I wore this and when I met my husband, I was the skinniest I ever was." When we opt to change, why do we keep the clothes that are so baggy on us, they all look like sweats and when we gain weight back (that we know won't leave for a while), we keep the clothes that probably will NEVER fit us again?
I cleaned out my closet from all the shoulda, woulda, couldas. My next step is to remove all the pieces of clothing that are: 1. Out of style, 2. Too big, 3. Never worn. My hope is that this will motivate me to keep the weight off and strive to lose more. When I don't have any bigger sizes left, perhaps I won't have the urge to fill them.
I decided to finally clean out my closet today - the parts of the closet which hold treasures from the past...a brief (but thinner) one. As I opened up the box, aptly named "Pants," I soon discovered a number of blows to the self-esteem and an ounce of motivation. Looking at the size 12 short shorts and size 10 dress pants, I longed to go back to the moments in time when I actually WORE these items of clothing on my frame. I couldn't remember a single instance, but I know I wore each of them at least once.
It saddened me to think that, had I just stuck to my original original plan A, I would be looking at these sizes as my "Fat Pants" and wouldn't be considering a re-do of plan Q. I lingered over this box and opted to save three items for (hopefully) future use - the rest were FINALLY gone after many scans with my eyes and the thought that, "Perhaps I will wear ALL of these again."
Why do we as women keep every size clothing we have ever owned in our lifetime? As if our life is defined by weight stages? "I was this thin when I got married, so I required this size. Then after my children, I wore this and when I met my husband, I was the skinniest I ever was." When we opt to change, why do we keep the clothes that are so baggy on us, they all look like sweats and when we gain weight back (that we know won't leave for a while), we keep the clothes that probably will NEVER fit us again?
I cleaned out my closet from all the shoulda, woulda, couldas. My next step is to remove all the pieces of clothing that are: 1. Out of style, 2. Too big, 3. Never worn. My hope is that this will motivate me to keep the weight off and strive to lose more. When I don't have any bigger sizes left, perhaps I won't have the urge to fill them.
The Cellufight.
Allow me to make a liberating and somewhat embarassing announcement: I have cellulite. Lots of it. PHEW, what a relief! After so many years spent hiding and covering those little bumps and lumps, it's nice to just admit it.
Let's clear up a myth right here and now: you don't get cellulite just because you're overweight. I first noticed my cottage cheese when I was 15 and well within my healthy weight range. Most people are just genetically cursed (thanks DNA!). Genetics play a big factor into cellulite and, rest assured, even the size 2 next to you probably is dimply. Yes, weight gain will make cellulite more apparent and there is no real "cure" for it but it's nice to know almost everyone has a little bit of it.
That being said, I also hate my cellulite. For the past few years I've done almost everything I can to get rid of it.
These are some of the "solutions" not worth anyone's time:
Firming creams-- Yes, they reduce the appearance of cellulite a tiny bit but you typically have to use them three times a day and they are pretty expensive (I bought from a well-known cosmetics/beauty line, the cream was $35 and only lasted me 2 weeks). Waste of time AND money (that's the worst kind!).
Coffee Grounds-- The science behind it makes sense, caffeine stimulates blood flow (which is why it's typically the biggest ingredient in those expensive potions and lotions). I did notice my thighs were firmer (as long as I scrubed with the grounds in circular motions for about five minutes daily in the shower). Here's the deal: the grounds are kind of a pain in the neck and they STINK. Plus, if you have a white tub? Don't bother, this "solution" is a total mess.
Brush Strokes-- Again, the idea (getting blood flowing by sweeping a hairbrush upwards over troubled areas) makes complete sense. Plus this remedy didn't stink, cost a ton of money, or require me to use bleach on my shower floor. But it also didn't do much. I did Brush Strokes three times a day for a month and saw....nada, no reduction, no difference (aside from lots of little pink brush marks from irritation).
Green Tea-- Okay, this bad boy is SUPER healthy and pretty amazing for you. Green tea is a fat burner, metabolism booster, and aids in general health and beauty. But cure your celly, it will not. The idea is that you blend pure green tea with ice and sea salt. You take the mixture out of the blender and rub into troubled areas (in the usual circular strokes toward your heart) My main issue? This is FREAKING cold! In summertime, I can imagine it's very refreshing and quite nice on a sticky morning. But at 6am on a Midwest morning in December? Not so refreshing, just torture. The sea salt's texture, when rubbed in a circular motion, promotes blood flow and the green tea soothes skin. The concept? Pretty awesome. The results? Pretty much nonexistent...though your abs get a bit of a work out from all the shivering.
Here's the only real solution worth the time and effort:
Drink your weight in ounces of water and exercise at least five times a week-- no explanation needed, it takes the most work out of any remedy but is the only thing proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite long-term. You can spend all day wishing away those little lumps but at the end of the day if you really want them gone? Get up, slam a bottle of water, and do some squats.
The moral of the story? For cellulite--and general health and weight loss-- there's no quick trick. I'm learning (more everyday) that the only real solution to my weight battles and general beauty concerns is hard work and dedication. For so long I wanted to be skinny and still be able to eat whatever I wanted and watch Project Runway on the couch instead of while jogging on the treadmill. Slowly I realize this will never be a reality for me. If I want to become the person I've longed to be (physically and mentally) I have to work for it. Things don't just fall into your lap, you have to struggle a bit and put the effort in.
So, there's no day like today to hit the gym and chug my daily dose of water and choose carrots over french fries. I'm working for what I want, as opposed to just sitting around waiting....and waiting...and waiting...
To my lumps and bumps, cottage cheese, and dimples-- I raise my massive water bottle and my five-pound dumb bell to you (thanks for the lesson)!
Let's clear up a myth right here and now: you don't get cellulite just because you're overweight. I first noticed my cottage cheese when I was 15 and well within my healthy weight range. Most people are just genetically cursed (thanks DNA!). Genetics play a big factor into cellulite and, rest assured, even the size 2 next to you probably is dimply. Yes, weight gain will make cellulite more apparent and there is no real "cure" for it but it's nice to know almost everyone has a little bit of it.
That being said, I also hate my cellulite. For the past few years I've done almost everything I can to get rid of it.
These are some of the "solutions" not worth anyone's time:
Firming creams-- Yes, they reduce the appearance of cellulite a tiny bit but you typically have to use them three times a day and they are pretty expensive (I bought from a well-known cosmetics/beauty line, the cream was $35 and only lasted me 2 weeks). Waste of time AND money (that's the worst kind!).
Coffee Grounds-- The science behind it makes sense, caffeine stimulates blood flow (which is why it's typically the biggest ingredient in those expensive potions and lotions). I did notice my thighs were firmer (as long as I scrubed with the grounds in circular motions for about five minutes daily in the shower). Here's the deal: the grounds are kind of a pain in the neck and they STINK. Plus, if you have a white tub? Don't bother, this "solution" is a total mess.
Brush Strokes-- Again, the idea (getting blood flowing by sweeping a hairbrush upwards over troubled areas) makes complete sense. Plus this remedy didn't stink, cost a ton of money, or require me to use bleach on my shower floor. But it also didn't do much. I did Brush Strokes three times a day for a month and saw....nada, no reduction, no difference (aside from lots of little pink brush marks from irritation).
Green Tea-- Okay, this bad boy is SUPER healthy and pretty amazing for you. Green tea is a fat burner, metabolism booster, and aids in general health and beauty. But cure your celly, it will not. The idea is that you blend pure green tea with ice and sea salt. You take the mixture out of the blender and rub into troubled areas (in the usual circular strokes toward your heart) My main issue? This is FREAKING cold! In summertime, I can imagine it's very refreshing and quite nice on a sticky morning. But at 6am on a Midwest morning in December? Not so refreshing, just torture. The sea salt's texture, when rubbed in a circular motion, promotes blood flow and the green tea soothes skin. The concept? Pretty awesome. The results? Pretty much nonexistent...though your abs get a bit of a work out from all the shivering.
Here's the only real solution worth the time and effort:
Drink your weight in ounces of water and exercise at least five times a week-- no explanation needed, it takes the most work out of any remedy but is the only thing proven to reduce the appearance of cellulite long-term. You can spend all day wishing away those little lumps but at the end of the day if you really want them gone? Get up, slam a bottle of water, and do some squats.
The moral of the story? For cellulite--and general health and weight loss-- there's no quick trick. I'm learning (more everyday) that the only real solution to my weight battles and general beauty concerns is hard work and dedication. For so long I wanted to be skinny and still be able to eat whatever I wanted and watch Project Runway on the couch instead of while jogging on the treadmill. Slowly I realize this will never be a reality for me. If I want to become the person I've longed to be (physically and mentally) I have to work for it. Things don't just fall into your lap, you have to struggle a bit and put the effort in.
So, there's no day like today to hit the gym and chug my daily dose of water and choose carrots over french fries. I'm working for what I want, as opposed to just sitting around waiting....and waiting...and waiting...
To my lumps and bumps, cottage cheese, and dimples-- I raise my massive water bottle and my five-pound dumb bell to you (thanks for the lesson)!
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