Monthly Archives: January 2010

January 26, 2010


Calories & Me

2

Like a lot of people in this little blogging community, I have noticed quite a bit of talk about calorie counting. Whether or not you should do it. The long lists of pros and cons. Is it really healthy mentally and physically? And what makes it so hush hush? Most of us have been there and done that, and for many it has worked.

It has worked for me in the past. This is why I am currently counting calories every day to get a good understanding of my portion control and to help me stay on track. I know for a fact that if I hadn’t started watching my portions and calories, I would not be 10lbs lighter. It works for me. It has and will work for many people.

I will continue to count until I am at my goal weight. After I’m done with maintaining for at least a year, I will work on not counting anymore. It will be a slow and steady process, but I know I can succeed.

I won’t be putting calories up when I put food on my site, unless it’s a recipe, and will not be documenting everything I eat. But, I will try to get the camera out whenever I can and take a picture of what I eat when I’m home.

So, that’s most of my thoughts on the subject. If it works for you, do it! You are not alone, and definitely have support here!

After work, I came home and put together a quick dinner.

I had a Mozzarella and Tomato Sandwich with Hummus and leftover Roasted Brussels. I didn’t have time to make a better dinner because my writing class that I took last fall was having a little “reunion” tonight. We all got together at Borders and talked about how our writing was coming along and if anyone had submitted anything to be reviewed.

We talked for almost two hours! I sadly had to leave early because I needed to get to the gym. So glad I went though! It was great catching up with people and hopefully there will be another one in the near future.

At the gym I headed straight towards the weight training:

Seated Leg Press

Hip Abduction

Chin Assist

Dip Assist

Hip Adduction

Lat Pull Down

Glute Machine

Row Machine

Torso Rotator

Ab Crunch

3×15 @ 180lbs

3×15 @ 130lbs

4×5 @ 150lbs

2×10 @ 150lbs

3×15 @ 160lbs

3×15 @ 60lbs

2×15 each leg @ 40lbs

3×10 @ 45lbs

2×10 each side @ 65lbs

3×8 @ 10lbs

I then hopped on the Elliptical for about 20 minutes and then did some Sprints on the Treadmill for about 10 minutes.

My stomach started to get hungry while I was driving home and I knew I needed to eat something otherwise I wouldn’t be able to get to sleep. So I put together a little snack.

The new Chocolate Oikos (that I found at my local grocery store yesterday!) with some Strawberries and FiberOne cereal mixed in. All I can say is that it’s definitely a great treat after a long day! Plus it has a good amount of protein for an after gym snack. I will be buying more of these!

Now I need to get to bed, but not before reading a chapter or two. :)

Have a great night!

January 25, 2010


That Much Stronger

2

This weekend included some Flash design, a marathon of Season 1 of Lost, and the gym of course. Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the free yoga class on Saturday because I slept through my alarm. Oops. But I was still able to get out of the house for awhile and drop of another bag of clothing to Goodwill.

Yesterday, I went over to a friend’s house and helped him with some Flash design and then headed to the gym. While there I got in about 40 minutes of Strength Training which included:

Seated Leg Press

Hip Abduction

Chin Assist

Dip Assist

Hip Adduction

Lat Pull Down

Glute Machine

Row Machine

Torso Rotator

4×15 @ 180lbs

4×15 @ 130lbs

4×5 @ 150lbs

3×8 @ 150lbs

3×15 @ 160lbs

3×15 @ 60lbs

2×15 each leg @ 40lbs

3×10 @ 30lbs

2×10 each side @ 65lb

I added a few more sets, and even more weight to some of them. Which is great! I remember when I first did the Leg Press over a year ago, I could only do 115lbs, now I’m at 180!

After finishing the weights, I did 20 minutes on the Elliptical with some speedwork, and 20 minutes on the bike.

By the time I got home and showered, I had about an hour before Todd and I left for dinner at the White Rose Restaurant before heading to see Under Our Skin.

I thought I knew a lot about Lyme Disease, but I was wrong. There were so many things that brought questions to my mind and made me really upset with insurance companies in America. It tells the story of few families who have been struggling with the disease. How their life has changed, how it has become almost impossible to be treated for it, and some doctors who are trying to help them. If you have an extra 2 hours in your day, I recommend seeing it.

Now I have a fun evening planned of grocery shopping before tonight’s new episode of House!

January 22, 2010


Karma Does Exist

0

Last weekend, after putting it off for months, I finally went through my entire collection of clothing to donate what I hadn’t worn in over a year to Goodwill. I did, however, save some jeans and a few shirts that I wore back in 2008 and hope to fit back into when I reach my goal weight.

I honestly couldn’t believe how much clothing I had! The donations filled up two huge garbage bags! I also put together two smaller bags full of clothing that I’ll take to a consignment shop and hopefully get a little extra cash. Todd already dropped off one bag to Goodwill, and I’ll probably drop off the other one tomorrow when I can stop by the consignment place.

Best part is that my drawers are no longer overflowing – I actually have three empty ones! And I think the donations gave me a little boost of good Karma because I just found out that I won something!

A few days ago, I went to the library to return a book and I saw a box to enter to win 2 tickets for a viewing of Under Our Skin this weekend. I thought, why not? I didn’t think anything of it until a lady called me today and told me I won! So I will be going with Todd on Sunday night. A little background on the movie:

“A gripping tale of microbes, medicine and money, “Under Our Skin” exposes the hidden story of Lyme disease, one of the most controversial and fastest growing epidemics of our time. Each year, thousands go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed, often told that their symptoms are “all in their head.” Following the stories of patients and physicians fighting for their lives and livelihoods, the film brings into focus a haunting picture of the health care system and a medical establishment all too willing to put profits ahead of patients.”

It sounds really interesting and has gotten great reviews. The viewing will also conclude with doctors and people who were in the film answering the audience’s questions.

Friday is usually my off day for exercise, so I’ll probably spend the evening running errands and playing with the dog. Not a bad way to start the weekend. :)

Tomorrow I may go to a Yoga studio for a free session in celebration of National Yoga Day. Although I have done yoga at home, I have always been a little scared to do it in public. I’ll see how I feel tomorrow.

Hope you’re having a great Friday!

January 21, 2010


A Veggie Burger Day

0

In between multitasking this afternoon, I broke for lunch and had a Morningstar Veggie Burger on a Sandwich Thin with some strawberries. I also had two Medjool dates.

A few hours later I had an apple and one of Oikos’ new flavors, Caramel.

This yogurt is amazing! Just a little hint of caramel flavor and it worked great as a dip for my apple. I found these at the local Whole Foods yesterday, but sadly they were out of the Chocolate flavor. Maybe next time.

After finishing up some work I realized I couldn’t really head to the gym for another hour or so because the gym is usually extremely busy between 5-7pm. So, I went ahead and made a quick dinner.

I had a Asian Veggie Burger with some steamed Squash and some Crackers with Sabra Hummus. I didn’t eat all the hummus, just split it in half and saved the rest for another time.

While eating, I worked on the new layout a bit and it’s finally coming together! I really hope I can get it up before the weekend.

I headed to the gym around 7:30 and luckily, there weren’t as many people there like there was on Tuesday. I went ahead and did some strength training.

Seated Leg Press

Hip Abduction

Chin Assist

Dip Assist

Hip Adduction

Lat Pull Down

Glute Machine

Row Machine

Torso Rotator

4×15 @ 165lbs

3×15 @ 130lbs

3×10 @ 165lbs

3×10 @ 165lbs

4×10 @ 160lbs

3×15 @ 60lbs

2×10 each leg @ 40lbs

3×10 @ 30lbs

2×10 each side @ 65lbs

And finished up with some cardio – 25 minutes on the Elliptical doing speed intervals. Now I’m relaxing and watching the new Grey’s Anatomy. Have a great night!