2015 Health and Fitness Challenge!

[kyuuei]

- Lemon noodles, boiled with a carton of sliced mushrooms, and drained
- Steamed broccoli, onion, garlic, and carrot mixture in the blender
- 1/4 cup chicken stock, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 ounce goat cheese, salt, thumb of ginger, pepper, lemon juice in the blender
- Blend until smooth
- Top with a citrus-based spice (I used lemon zest and Mrs Dash)
- Pour over the noodles.

Awesome dinner for a couple bucks and 10 minutes total.

 

[INTJMom]

Today marks 2 weeks of my 8 week fitness blender challenge, and I have to say I feel pretty good moving around daily. I still haven't mustered up the courage of going out running again. (Oh yeah, btw, I went running and had a horrible allergic reaction that sent me to the ER.. Nothing serious happened, I took antinflammatories + antihistamines and it all went away soon after, but it was really really miserable with angry redness head-to-toe, intense itching, and a lot of coughing and sneezing of which I'm still a little junky in my lungs because of that incident. The result? A pollen up here in NC that I'm apparently hating.. along with most of the people who live here. Solution is zyrtec everyday.) But I think I'll get to running again sometime in the next couple weeks. Maybe when I'm on night shift and a little more adjusted to it.

Night shift change over is definitely going to test my limits, and I'm anticipating for it via prepping dinners and lunches and breakfasts ahead of time so that literally all I have to do is work out, heat and eat, shower, and hit the books before I hit the hay.

I'm not cooking as much since I started working, which I really don't like lately.. Grocery shopping is such a pain here, and I have such a pitiful amount of storage space in my freezer it's impossible to stock up on the ingredients I am used to buying in bulk. It doesn't help frozen vegetables, my namesake at home, are more expensive up here for some reason and with fewer selections. Krogers and HEB were such bad ass grocery stores, not having them feels so naked still.

Ugh!
Sorry you're coming up against such obstacles.
I admire you for getting your meals ready ahead of time.
I don't know where you're located, but perhaps you will find a place to buy the foods you want?
Hang in there! Keep up the good work!

 

[INTJMom]

I did my 45 minute full body workout on Wednesday and today.
I have not done any additional exercise, but I know I need to.
My eating was a little better this week.

I had a very stressful week at work... filling in for someone,
and I'm facing another week just like it.

 

[Kas]

Update. I managed to increase mileage and run 3 miles, but then I got a nasty cold and most of the time I spent under blanket.

I think I can come back to running tomorrow I'm happy to.

 

[Evo]

Haven't posted here in a while. Mostly because i haven't been on much. But also because i've been using the Myfitnesspal app

I usually don't shamelessy advocate something with this much gusto but....
If you dont already know about it I highly recommend it. You can also just visit the website too. But as long as youre honest with what youre eating, i think it's super helpful.

-I learned that i sometimes go over the recommended amount of sodium for *me* each day, so im trying to adjust that.
-Also learned that im *still* not eating enough protein each day, guh

(But seriously...try the damn app, it even has a barcode that lets you scan your food item. How easy is that?!)

 

[fetus]

I've really gotten away from running. It's just so easy to be comfortable, cozy, and lazy. I have no idea how I'm going to get that passion back.

 

[Ivy]

I made an appointment to see a Registered Dietician. I went and she tried to hand me a 1300 calorie meal plan (easily 500 calories under my basal metabolic rate- IOW way too low for anybody, let alone someone with a disordered eating history). So I'm finding a new RD who has experience with disordered eating.

 

[INTJMom]

Hey there! Just checking in.

I did my exercise program today and Wednesday as planned,
though I'm afraid I have not started the "150 minutes moderate cardio" that I need to do.
I just need to get myself on the exercise bike for 30 minutes a day.
My eating is not bad. Thankfully, I am pretty good at portion control.

Hugs and love!

 

[kyuuei]

So, I struggle with IBS. One of the things that triggers it more than anything else is dehydration. Other triggers I've found: too much tomato sauce (but a little is fine.. 1 plate of spaghetti? Cool. 2? Oh hell no she di'nt...) and sodas (I've never been a big fan even as a kid, but occasionally one is nice... too bad my stomach hates them). Yesterday and the day before I probably didn't drink enough water, and I dared have more than a single alcoholic beverage during this (2 mimosas to be exact), so my stomach pretty much thinks I hate it today. I'm drinking a full glass of water every hour until it shuts tf up again.

Exercising is going great! I need to bite the bullet and buy some dumbbells.. I think I can steal the 8lb dumbbells my friend has at her house that she literally never uses ever, but I need 12s and 15s and even higher than that sometimes. Deadlifts feel so easy with 15's (which is really just me holding the 10's and 5's at the same time and hoping I have enough grace to not drop them during the exercise...) so I'm still hunting around for a decent compact dumbbell weight system for cheap.

Eating has been going better I feel like. Definitely less parties, less eating out overall, etc. Having the hospital's heart healthy food at my disposal if I forget my lunch is definitely awesome. Just ask the tray lady/dude, "Hey, you have any extras?" "Sure, always! Here, free hospital food." Dry chicken, mashed sweet potatoes, and broccoli and cauliflower? I'll take that all day over going down to the cafeteria for a $10 meal of dry fried chicken (how is that possible?!), french fries, and a drink of something I probably hate. The one thing I'm still weak on is making the actual food myself. Stuff comes up, things go bad in the fridge before I can use them, mice get into things (those damn mice) and ruin ingredients I needed for a recipe.. etc. I did buy some frozen mixed bags of veggies, beans, and rice + sauce things that seem overall pretty healthy and just require steam-heating from the microwave. Those have kept me on track with my lunches more than anything else lately.

I'm trying to plan my eating right now with my going to night shift because I know if I don't do it now I'll eat like garbage (i.e. not at all because who feels like eating in the middle of the night?) once I switch over on Wednesday. I suspect exercise will have little change.

I completed my first 1000 calorie fitnessblender challenge day and I really enjoyed it actually. It really was just a longer work out to help set up some endurance. I'm at the point now where I can complete the exercises completely, I just need to work on getting up my strength and speed. I'm officially 1/2 way through my program today. It's a pretty good program too. I've changed days around as I need for my schedule (trading rest days/stretch days, or looking ahead and doing more difficult days on a day off vs during a 2 day work stretch) but I've always found my way back and stayed on track.

I made an appointment to see a Registered Dietician. I went and she tried to hand me a 1300 calorie meal plan (easily 500 calories under my basal metabolic rate- IOW way too low for anybody, let alone someone with a disordered eating history). So I'm finding a new RD who has experience with disordered eating.

I cringed when I read this. Really unfortunate.. But the thing is, I used to be a registered nutritionist and it really is based on how dedicated you are to it. Dietician's are a bachelor's degree, and as long as you get through the course work you're golden and registered.. Much like nursing, the books and material is far behind modern knowledge and studies. You really need to be dedicated to what you do and have a passion for it to not be sucked into the formulaic "This is what the government and my textbook recommend" bs. I ran into a situation recently at my hospital where they were still using auscultation to determine placement of a feeding tube (shown to be pretty much useless in studies) and that was our only way of testing it at the hospital. It was annoying to say the least.

I think working with someone that helps people heal from eating disorders is probably a good step in the right direction. It probably wouldn't hurt to tell them ahead of time the programs you have been reading about online that have been helping you as well so that they get some insight into what you're looking at and expecting as well. I'd definitely tell them about that situation you experienced when you do find someone.

Hey there! Just checking in.

I did my exercise program today and Wednesday as planned,
though I'm afraid I have not started the "150 minutes moderate cardio" that I need to do.
I just need to get myself on the exercise bike for 30 minutes a day.
My eating is not bad. Thankfully, I am pretty good at portion control.

Hugs and love!

Yay!! Sounds good! Maybe you can get yourself on that bike soon

 

[Ivy]

I cringed when I read this. Really unfortunate.. But the thing is, I used to be a registered nutritionist and it really is based on how dedicated you are to it. Dietician's are a bachelor's degree, and as long as you get through the course work you're golden and registered.. Much like nursing, the books and material is far behind modern knowledge and studies. You really need to be dedicated to what you do and have a passion for it to not be sucked into the formulaic "This is what the government and my textbook recommend" bs. I ran into a situation recently at my hospital where they were still using auscultation to determine placement of a feeding tube (shown to be pretty much useless in studies) and that was our only way of testing it at the hospital. It was annoying to say the least.

I think working with someone that helps people heal from eating disorders is probably a good step in the right direction. It probably wouldn't hurt to tell them ahead of time the programs you have been reading about online that have been helping you as well so that they get some insight into what you're looking at and expecting as well. I'd definitely tell them about that situation you experienced when you do find someone.

Thank you! I ended up asking my therapist for advice, as well as an RD friend who moderates in the Facebook group for ED recovery I'm in (you know the one). My therapist recommended someone, and I asked my RD friend to take a look at that recommendation as well as the place I already went to. Her advice was super helpful. She said that the place I went to was what they call a "nutrition mill," just a big corporate place where they crank through clients. Like a diet center, kind of one step above Weight Watchers or NutriSystem or whatever. Good for the most uncomplicated of cases only. RDs there are largely new and inexperienced (definitely the case with the one I saw- she was sweet as can be, but clearly had no experience with BED). The RD my therapist recommended is a small, independent practice that is much more in line with my philosophy and has my ETF RD friend's enthusiastic seal of approval. The new RD has taught public health at UNC and has been a practicing RD for over 20 years. And she cites flexibility as a major goal on her website, and flexibility is really important to me.

I'm sorry your IBS is giving you trouble. My husband has it, too. He has also had to cut out soda entirely which is really hard for him since he's a Dr. Pepper fiend. (Yet still manages to keep his girlish figure somehow!) I'm amused and impressed with your hospital food solution- free, inoffensive (if not exactly delicious), and nutritious!

 

[kyuuei]

Thank you! I ended up asking my therapist for advice, as well as an RD friend who moderates in the Facebook group for ED recovery I'm in (you know the one). My therapist recommended someone, and I asked my RD friend to take a look at that recommendation as well as the place I already went to. Her advice was super helpful. She said that the place I went to was what they call a "nutrition mill," just a big corporate place where they crank through clients. Like a diet center, kind of one step above Weight Watchers or NutriSystem or whatever. Good for the most uncomplicated of cases only. RDs there are largely new and inexperienced (definitely the case with the one I saw- she was sweet as can be, but clearly had no experience with BED). The RD my therapist recommended is a small, independent practice that is much more in line with my philosophy and has my ETF RD friend's enthusiastic seal of approval. The new RD has taught public health at UNC and has been a practicing RD for over 20 years. And she cites flexibility as a major goal on her website, and flexibility is really important to me.

I'm sorry your IBS is giving you trouble. My husband has it, too. He has also had to cut out soda entirely which is really hard for him since he's a Dr. Pepper fiend. (Yet still manages to keep his girlish figure somehow!) I'm amused and impressed with your hospital food solution- free, inoffensive (if not exactly delicious), and nutritious!

Omg that all sounds like a great resolution. And congrats for not only standing strong for what you know you need for yourself, but for also not feeling kicked down and discouraged by running into that situation. Please keep us updated on how it all goes, as much as you're comfortable with anyways.


Also, hunger is the best spice.. people complain about hospital food, but it's similar to army food and so I can handle it easily... and I carry three things on me at all times that arm me with delicious everywhere I go: Fruit seasoning (Amazon.com : Valentina Fruit Seasoning 140 Gr : Mexican Seasonings : Grocery & Gourmet Food Ignore that price tag, they're $2 a piece at the local mexican grocery store!) which gives a tiiny hint of spice but no real heat and lots of citrus-y flavor aaaand won't explode and get everything wet when the lid pops off unlike hot sauce... Mrs. Dash for very similar reasons... And a truffle oil food spray and truffle salt (Amazon.com : QO Infused TRUFFLE Olive Oil Spray - All Natural - 125 ml/4.2 fl.oz - Product of Italy : Grocery & Gourmet Food this is the closest I could find that compares... but it is a different brand and I got them discounted at the resell grocery store).. I keep a make-up bag with this stuff, plus some sauces I like (like whenever I go to chik-fil-a I get an extra sauce or two to stick in my bag) so that whenever I get food I don't have to worry about if it's bland or not. It's always in my backpack at work with me.


Theoretically, I could just stop spending money on food entirely on the days I work, and steal all the meal trays from the hospital that would be trashed anyways. But for now, I'll be going to night shift, so I won't get meal trays anymore when I switch over. Boooooo..

 

[Hawthorne]

Does anyone know of some calorie dense snack ideas?

Two that I've been using are toast + olive oil and peanut butter + bananas but I need more variety.

 

[Ivy]

Nuts and nut butters (I think macadamias are especially dense)
Avocado (good on toast with salt & pepper)
Raisins and other dried fruits
Cheese and other full-fat dairy

A snack I like but don't have often since it's calorically dense and that doesn't meet my personal goals right now, is a spoonful of PB with raisins stuck in it, and a glass of whole milk.

Oh, and the internet's favorite thing: Bacon (in moderation of course)

 

[Hawthorne]

Nuts and nut butters (I think macadamias are especially dense)
Avocado (good on toast with salt & pepper)
Raisins and other dried fruits
Cheese and other full-fat dairy

A snack I like but don't have often since it's calorically dense and that doesn't meet my personal goals right now, is a spoonful of PB with raisins stuck in it, and a glass of whole milk.

Oh, and the internet's favorite thing: Bacon (in moderation of course)

Oh! I forgot about yogurt though it's hard to find full fat greek where I live. That plus almonds and honey was a good snack though.
And I never thought about adding raisins.

Awesome, Ivy. Thanks very much.

 

[kyuuei]

Does anyone know of some calorie dense snack ideas?

Two that I've been using are toast + olive oil and peanut butter + bananas but I need more variety.

Trail mix pretty much any variety of fruit+nuts are going to give you calories that are both quick and slow burning
Things I typically use, which tend to be sweet: Chocolate milk, yogurt, nutella/any nut butter on toast, hummus + chips and veggies (probably the only one that isn't sweet haha), bean-based cookie dough dip or bean-based brownies, avocado mousse, avocados + salt and pepper on some dense crackers, tuna salad on calorie-dense crackers.

 

[INTJMom]

Does anyone know of some calorie dense snack ideas?

Two that I've been using are toast + olive oil and peanut butter + bananas but I need more variety.

I did a Google search and came up with a couple web sites...
I didn't just want to hurl ideas at you without some authority behind them...
because I didn't really know the answer personally.

High Calorie Meal Ideas for Weight Gain
High Calorie Meal Ideas for Weight Gain | LIVESTRONG.COM

High Calorie Nutrient Dense Food Ideas to Gain Healthy Weight
High Calorie Nutrient Dense Food Ideas to Gain Healthy Weight | Empower Your Body With Food

Anyhow... I hope these two websites give you some good ideas. :hi:

 

[INTJMom]

Just checking in...
I only did half of my workout on Wednesday and Sunday because I ran out of time.
Must.do.better.next.week.

 

[kyuuei]

Whoo! 3 more weeks left and I'll have completed my entire 8 week work out session! I don't think I've lost/gained any weight, but I feel my muscles are more built which is what I really wanted.

Night shift has totally thrown off my eating habits--I'm not as hungry as usual, and I've skipped "dinner" (at 3am) entirely twice now in a week's time. I'm not too worried about it because I am eating enough calories still.. not quite at the 2,400 I need, but I almost never make that without loading up on high-fat low-nutrition foods anyways.

I DO have my data for september, I just haven't had time to compile it because I'm working 6/8 days right now.. Two more days to go and I'll get some serious down time so I can meal prep again, plan it out, and see how I did. I do know I stuck to my work outs 100%, which is pretty awesome.

Now, time to go make use of that "An Unexpected Cookbook" I rented from amazon and make some baked scotch eggs.

Edit: They came out delicious.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

I haven't posted here, but since July I've been getting back into exercise seriously.

Starting out, I just went to the gym mon weds Fri and hit the elliptical for 35 minutes. After three months of being consistent with that, I decided to start lifting again. I would lift after I was done on the elliptical three days a week, but I havent haven't been at it long enough to see any real results yet.

When I got back from Europe last week I decided that on Tues and Thurs I would run on the treadmill even though I greatly dislike it. I started that last week and jogged for 25:00. Yesterday I made it 27:30.

My gf prompted me to get back at the exercise this summer since I'd gained a lot of weight over the last year when my sleep apnea kicked in. Last time at the Dr's office he said my heart rate was the lowest he'd seen since I had been going to him but I was too damn heavy. 261lbs with all my work clothes on, so abt 255 or a little more. I know weight is all about eating right and that's where I struggle the most.

While we were in Europe my gf and I decided to start a food journal and write down everything we eat. We would also cook healthier stuff. That started on Sunday and I haven't cheated once yet, I had some jambalaya rice and root vegetables last night for dinner. I probably lost some weight walking all the time in Europe.

This morning I weighed 245lbs. Yesterday morning I weighed 247.5 (I've got a really accurate doctors scale). I'm already down 10lbs!!!

I'll keep yall updated on my progress. I figure eating right and exercise 5 days a week will equal pretty quick weight loss.

Just wanted to share my small victory.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

I blew my diet up this weekend, but I'm getting a better hold on things.

Ran two miles today, the farthest I've gone yet!