2019 WIR Healthy Lifestyle Discussion

[Cookies Galore]

When I started running, I was only running 3 to (eventually) 6 miles, and I was losing weight. Once you go beyond 10 miles your caloric/fuel needs change and running ceases to be about weight loss and more about endurance, at least for me. I needed all the food once I started going past 10 miles.


I love the rowing machine! Such a great workout.

[flutterby]

1/6: 1:30 regular planks
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1/28: 2:50 regular planks

[ohmomto2boys]

Still plugging away.  My goal was to move more and I am definitely doing - even though I want to curl up on the couch under a blanket because of the cold weather.  
Drinking a lot of water and trying to be more mindful of eating.  Walked on the treadmill Saturday, Sunday and Monday.  Today is a rest day.  Shoveled snow on Sunday too.  Also did upper body weights Saturday and Sunday.  

[raeoflyte]

My blood pressure being up doesn't seem to be a fluke.  At my moms its been 111/86 and 134/87.  Today at my appointment it was 130/96 the first time, came back in to retest and 132/88.  I've never paid much attention to the top #, but my bottom # is usually 70-72.  Doctor wasn't worried about #'s in the 80's, but I don't like it being so much higher.  My mom thinks its sleep related and I'm not getting a ton of that right now, but I don't know.  I've been low on sleep for 6 years and my #'s still came down.  I don't know why they'd be back up.  

At least my iron level is normal and my iron stores are in the normal range even if just barely.  That's an improvement from my last blood work.  

[chiver78]

are.you any more stressed than normal? that would elevate steadily. those numbers aren't awful, but definitely a noticeable increase. have you gone back and looked at any changes you've made recently? something you might have missed?

and I'm someone who, when I was told the rate at ER triage that netted me a direct pass back to an EKG, really didn't know how horrifying the numbers were. for the record here, that BP was 196/131. I had presented with "my left (stronger) hand has been numb all day, can't make.a fist strong enough to hold a broccoli crown. I should probably check this out" didn't have even a headache.

[raeoflyte]

That is what dh was saying too, but I'm really not.  Last week school was even going perfectly.  This week a little less perfect, but its all redeemable so I'm not freaking out yet.  

Work is so easy its boring and before I've always had jobs that were 24/7, crazy stress.  I add salt to a lot of my food, but I don't eat much in the way of processed food so my total salt intake is still pretty low. 

Before I started losing weight and getting back in shape my #'s were getting into the mid 80's, but had dropped back down that I was feeling great about all my hard work to get healthier.  I was talking with my other doc about my low #'s late December, so this is such a big change in just 1 month it seems crazy.  School is the only change I can think of.  I'm not getting as much or as long of stretches of sleep, but big picture it's still very normal.  I just had an incredibly good stretch of it for a short while there.  

[flutterby]

1/6: 1:30 regular planks
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1/29: 2:54 regular planks

So ready to be done with this!!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

flamingo, I'm pretty sure you had a massive step-day this last weekend. Then I got sick and forgot to congratulate you. So, belated congratulations!


flutterby, how's your core and your lower back feel? Can you tell a difference?


I got sick on Sunday afternoon; in the midst of it, I lost my FitBit. 
I figured out that it ended up in the washing machine. Apparently, it went through the dryer also, but it tangled up in a pair of DH's shorts' pocket. We just found it tonight when DH put those shorts on. 

Anyway, between that and forgetting my charger for a few days in the middle of the month, January hasn't been a good step count month for me. 

I think I'm feeling well enough now that I'll either do my core workout or cardio tomorrow. 

 I have the five sets of planks down, and I need to increase time on those. That'll be a February goal. 

I think my arms are starting to tone a bit. I don't want them to be bulky, but I do want them to be significantly less flabby. 

[Cookies Galore]

FYI, Trader Joe's cauliflower gnocchi is delicious! An entire package of the gnocchi is only 330 calories, but I had half. It was filling. I made a cacio e pepe with it last night. Yum!
iamafoodblog.com/cacio-e-pepe-cauliflower-gnocchi-recipe/

[chiver78]

I hopped on the scale this am b/c I was curious. I'm going to be doing a before/after for the cruise as well, for salt bloat and ultimate weight loss b/c I barely eat onboard. last week was shark week, and I ballooned a few lbs (and felt it, and looked it) but yesterday felt like I was a little lighter. between the added walking from recent baseline of camping out and keeping quiet at the last job, different hours and a dramatically different meals schedule, and drinking much less b/c I'm in a much better mental state after leaving the train wreck company, this is all in the positive column for me. anyway, we'll call this the "before" for the cruise - 208.4 lbs. last year, I bloated 6lbs of salt that took about a week to flush out. we'll see how that goes this year. I've got pistachios for the cabin, so maybe I won't choke down as much awful food late at night. 

and then, b/c I ran out of cottage cheese yesterday, I needed breakfast here at the office so I went to the caf. today's special was huevos rancheros, so I got it. 2 eggs over a tortilla grilled w/black beans and a little cheese, topped with tomato, onion and hot sauce. not the best option, but I'm full now. that's a win. 

[Cookies Galore]

Jan 30, 2019 7:52:23 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

I hopped on the scale this am b/c I was curious. I'm going to be doing a before/after for the cruise as well, for salt bloat and ultimate weight loss b/c I barely eat onboard. last week was shark week, and I ballooned a few lbs (and felt it, and looked it) but yesterday felt like I was a little lighter. between the added walking from recent baseline of camping out and keeping quiet at the last job, different hours and a dramatically different meals schedule, and drinking much less b/c I'm in a much better mental state after leaving the train wreck company, this is all in the positive column for me. anyway, we'll call this the "before" for the cruise - 208.4 lbs. last year, I bloated 6lbs of salt that took about a week to flush out. we'll see how that goes this year. I've got pistachios for the cabin, so maybe I won't choke down as much awful food late at night. 

and then, b/c I ran out of cottage cheese yesterday, I needed breakfast here at the office so I went to the caf. today's special was huevos rancheros, so I got it. 2 eggs over a tortilla grilled w/black beans and a little cheese, topped with tomato, onion and hot sauce. not the best option, but I'm full now. that's a win. 

Maybe not the best in terms of healthy meal, but damn it, huevos rancheros is the best! That and salmon Benedict are my favorite brunch meals, just add bottomless mimosas! 😃

Good luck with snacking on the cruise and have fun!

[chiver78]

bottomless mimosas for sure onboard, we've got unlimited drinks. 

one of my favorite things to do for brunch, you'd probably really like as well - I stuff roasted poblano peppers with a veggie/egg scramble and bake to melt the cheese topping. super easy. 

[greeniis10]

Jan 29, 2019 22:22:37 GMT -5 flutterby said:

1/6: 1:30 regular planks
.
.
1/29: 2:54 regular planks

So ready to be done with this!!

Sorry, I'm sure you've already mentioned it, but is this a 1 month challenge? Inquiring due to the "ready to be done" comment. The long planks are impressive! Good for you. I got to that point and was bored so I downloaded a plank challenge app to my phone. It has several programs and I alternate between Advanced I and Advanced II. The type of plank and time is set every day, including rest days (very few). The first couple days of the challenge I'll do several days at once until I get closer to my level. You may give it a try just for variety and more importantly so that you don't lose all that you've gained from your long planks.

[ilovedolphins]

Just out of curiosity...how long do you work out when you work out?  I only manage to get in 30 minutes a couple times a week then wonder why I am not making any headway.  I don't know if I need to exercise longer, more intensity, etc.  I do know I need to work out more often.  I don't ever feel like I am ever going to make any headway.

[Lizard Queen]

A quick weeknight workout might be 1/2 hour. My full lazy one (I skip parts I don't like), 45 minutes. When I really made progress, an hour 6 days a week, sometimes an additional 1/2 hour of yoga at night.

[andi9899]

One of the girls at the gym told me yesterday that I've been looking rather svelte lately. The number on the scale hasn't changed, so I must be gaining muscle. Yaaaaasss!

[Cookies Galore]

Jan 30, 2019 20:28:11 GMT -5 ilovedolphins said:

Just out of curiosity...how long do you work out when you work out?  I only manage to get in 30 minutes a couple times a week then wonder why I am not making any headway.  I don't know if I need to exercise longer, more intensity, etc.  I do know I need to work out more often.  I don't ever feel like I am ever going to make any headway.

I'm pretty much only streaming barre3 at home right now, I'll venture outside again when it's warmer. I will do a variety of videos - I aim for at least one 10, 30, 40, and 60 minute video per week. The last two weeks I did 170 minutes of barre3 workouts each week. If I have a busy evening then I will do a 10 minute video if I can spare the time. It may not do a whole lot in the grand scheme but I always feel better after doing one.

[andi9899]

My workouts are 2 hours long. But I workout more than some.

[flutterby]

1/6: 1:30 regular planks

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1/30: 2:57 regular planks

One more day!

Knee Deep in Water Chloe I can't say I've really noticed a difference in my core, but my back and shoulders seem more muscular. And there's no way I could have done 3 minutes a few weeks ago, so it must be doing something!

greeniis10 Yes, I was just doing this as a month challenge, but now I think I'll continue, just maybe not every day. I want to get up to 4 minutes by the end of February, but like you said, it's getting boring, so I may look into a plank app. Good suggestion!

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

Jan 30, 2019 20:28:11 GMT -5 ilovedolphins said:

Just out of curiosity...how long do you work out when you work out?  I only manage to get in 30 minutes a couple times a week then wonder why I am not making any headway.  I don't know if I need to exercise longer, more intensity, etc.  I do know I need to work out more often.  I don't ever feel like I am ever going to make any headway.

My answer has changed in the last year.
Pre-June 2018, I’d do 35 minutes of sweating cardio four to five days per week. That level of cardio keeps me from gaining weight.

Then, I ended up with a bulging disc in my lower back.
Post-June 2018, I’ve worked back up to 20 minutes of almost sweating cardio three to four days per week and two days of 15 minutes of arms weight lifting and three to four days per week of 15 minutes of core work.
Since that happened, I’ve put on ten pounds.


I also get in at least 20 minutes of yoga per week, but my goal is 60 minutes. Sometimes it’s ten minutes in one day. Sometimes it’s 30 minutes in one day.

[Knee Deep in Water Chloe]

I’d like to do another plank challenge for February. I need to increase my times.

[ohmomto2boys]

Just out of curiosity...how long do you work out when you work out? I only manage to get in 30 minutes a couple times a week then wonder why I am not making any headway. I don't know if I need to exercise longer, more intensity, etc. I do know I need to work out more often. I don't ever feel like I am ever going to make any headway.

I am working out 4-5 days for 30 minutes.  I walk on the treadmill and incorporate hills.  I know I should go longer if I really want to see faster results, but this is working for me and I feel good.  I am also doing upper body weights 3-4 days a week.  These segments are only about 15 minutes long.  
I don't have a lot of weight to lose - 10-15 lbs, but I really want to work on better eating, move more and increase muscle.  For me this pace works and I'm hoping in another month to really start seeing some changes in my body - mostly how my clothes fit and how I feel.

Good luck!  

[raeoflyte]

Losing weight is mostly about diet.  Exercise is important for overall health, but it's the exception that exercise is going to make you lose weight.  According to my doctor, studies show that people who maintain their weight exercise on average of 150 minutes a week, and those who maintain a "significant" weight loss exercise 300 minutes a week.  But no talk of how much exercise makes you lose weight.  Which sucks, because I like exercise way more than I like not eating everything I want when I want it.  

[debthaven]

I hit a new low today! A pathetic 100 g lower but I'll take it. 61.1 kilos/ 134.4 lbs.

Goal weight still 60 kilos/132 lbs.

My play opens two weeks from tomorrow. At this point we are rehearsing 3 times a week (two nights + Sat). I know I need to make a plan to NOT eat crap and gain weight both in the run-up and during Play Week. I still have to figure out the plan though. 

Any suggestions for SUPER quick/easy low-carb meals that I can eat on the run, ideally cold? I'm OK with cooking once or twice a week. I started cooking MUCH MUCH less 2.5 years ago when DS3 (our youngest) left for college. Now I only cook when my kids are home/come over. DH is a much better cook than me but I tend not to eat dinner, only lunch.

After 30+ of years of feeding four kids home-cooked meals, I needed a VERY LONG break from cooking. That long break is still ongoing LOL.

ETA: I have a pork tenderloin in the freezer, I'm going to defrost it and roast it with a ton of veggies on Sun. That should last for a few days. 

I'm also thinking hard-boiled eggs, tuna salad, rotisserie chickens. 

raeoflyte I hope you can get your BP under control. I know it's scary, my DH has the same problem (but he's a lot older than you).

[raeoflyte]

Lettuce wraps.  Fill them with tuna salad, chicken salad, or chicken seasoned like pei wei's.  

Soups/stews that you can take with you in a thermos (so not cold, but no prep at destination, but open and eat).  

[debthaven]

Thank you raeoflyte ! Great ideas!

I edited my previous post to tag you.

[debthaven]

Also there is an great Japanese restaurant literally a 1 min walk from the theater. I am not a huge fan of Japanese food (I prefer Chinese or Thai) but it's very fresh so I will probably get take out from there once or twice during Play Week.

Play Week = Mon-Thurs rehearsals + Fri-Sun performances, so, 7 days in a row, no breaks (plus work).

I'm hoping that if I eat reasonably that week, with all the running around/stress, I will finally lose that last 1.1 kilos/2.4 lbs.

[flutterby]

Those packets of tuna you can eat right from the pouch, summer sausage/salami with cheese, cheese stick wrapped in lunch meat, chicken Caesar salad.

[debthaven]

summer sausage/salami with cheese, cheese stick wrapped in lunch meat,

Thank you flutterby ! But after 6 months of keto I am SO SICK of cheese and salami/ham.

I'm trying to expand my repertoire LOL!

ETA: The local supermarket sells a small tray of raw veggies. I never buy it because it's obviously much cheaper to buy the veggies and clean them yourself.

But I'm thinking I may well buy it once or twice that week. I know everyone would appreciate it. So that's another idea.

[raeoflyte]

One thing I love that is great for a low carb diet (not so great since I'm not low carb lol) is the "crack" chicken crock pot recipes. 

3 chicken breasts, 2 packets of cream cheese, 1 or 2 ranch seasoning packets.  Cook on low for 8 + hours and then shred it all together.  You can add crumbled bacon and cheddar cheese and chives to it.  mmmm.....  Good to dip veggies in, salad topper, veggie wrap, etc.  Very high in fat obviously but that isn't a bad thing on keto.  

Also spinach/artichoke dips with lots of veggies.  Good enough for a meal.