The TFP Health Club

Goal was something myfitnesspal generated for me, based on weight, activity level, etc. The calories I'm eating now are actually based on a lighter body weight, since I've gained a little back. It's possibly water weight gain. I have noticed swelling in my guts, which is oddly not symmetrical. I've been drinking plenty of water, in fact I've replaced some of my usual tea for plain water lately. I'll figure it out. There may be one other confounding element. I have recently had a medicinal change. I'll ask the doc next week if it has anything to do with this.

 

NOTHING is more motivating than accidentally getting regular leggings instead of compression pants. Yeesh.

 

I finished week five of Couch to 5k today...20 minutes of jogging with no walking. I was dreading it, but once I pushed through the first ten minutes, it wasn't so bad. Next week breaks into intervals again, then 22 minutes straight on day three. BRING IT ON!

 

Only the second day of cutting back on processed food and eating more fresh fruits & veggies, and I'm channeling Madmartigan:



I caught a nasty cold last week, so I'm doing week 6 of Couch to 5k AGAIN...hopefully, third time's a charm, and I can move on to week 7. My mom brought my step aerobics stuff down when she visited, and I've broken that out a couple times. Man, I love step.

 

I hate being in hotels for long periods of time. I'm on day 3 of 12.the food choices suck. But this time, I'm approaching it from a better perspective. Ordering a few sides of veggies sans butter (bonus that I then know they're made fresh) for lunch or dinner instead of the $20 salad topped with crap. Luckily, the hotel in Cali is a half-mile from Trader Joe's. Wraps, trader krispies, almond milk and bananas for breakfast and lunch, lean cuisines or other frozen healthier meals for dinner as able. Unfortunately the freezer compartment is about 2" wide, so it'll mean daily walks, but that's a bonus. And water. This time I'm committed to keeping up with my water drinking.

 

Water is your friend.

 

I finally got through week 6, and started week 7 today-- 25 minutes of jogging, no walking at all. And I did it!

I bought some new workout clothes over the weekend, so I don't have to do as much laundry now. Sa-weet. I got medium pants this time around (size 8-10, which put a big smile on my face), and a kickass jacket from Old Navy. Pretty color, wicking fabric, and perfect for cool-but-not-too-cold days like today. Huzzah!



Edit: I am very optimistic that I'll be able to do the 5k Color Run in March. And that means the Warrior Dash in June is a possibility. I'm super-excited about that.

 

So after 13 days in hotels, my pants still fit.

S has been juicing and eating proteins after watching "Hungry for Change" among other documentaries. It's been 6 days and he's lost 8 pounds. I watched it last night and have been learning about the science of radically shifting my relationship with food and my own body. I'm going to do vegetable juicing for breakfast, and protein packed lunches with sensible dinners and change my attitude. Back to the gym when I get back from Miami on Tuesday... Okay, I'm going to go Wednesday after that 6 hour drive on Tuesday night.

I'm not buying into the JUICE FOR LIFE AND LOVE YOURSELF!!! weirdness cult, but the nutrient absorption and sugar stuff makes sense. And sleep. Sleep is important. I need a change. I hate counting calories and grams because it shows me what I'm missing. And then I get pissy and want whatever it is I "can't" have. But I am making a commitment to myself regarding whole v processed foods when possible and juicing at home.

 

I found a pretty cool app called "Lose It!" . I like that I can scan things into it and keep count of my carbs, helps with controlling my sugars.

 

I don't care about counting carbs anymore, that's the cool thing. It's about beingmindful of ewhat I'm putting g in my body in regards to health aspects and origins. But I'll check it out

 

I recently watched "Hungry for Change," as well. Definitely reaffirmed my "get rid of processed food" goal, and made me take a closer look at how much sugar I was consuming. (the bit where they compare sugar to cocaine? Wow.)

I can't afford a juicer, but I've been blending a fruit & veggie smoothie every morning for a couple weeks. It's such an easy way to get those extra servings. Today's is kale, broccoli, strawberry, blueberry, and kiwi. It sounds weird, but it's not bad.

 

I agree, but that app got me on the right track. I have to watch my sugars, since they have a tendency to drop out of nowhere. This happens to some of us older people, young man.
You can also record exercise, gives protein, fats. You can scan foods into the program. Makes it really easy.

 

Been accidentally losing weight recently, and I'm not complaining! I think it's being on my feet all the time at work, and being too busy in the lab to snack. If this is what happens when I get frustrated and don't try, I'm excited to see what happens when I start trying again!

 

I'm curious about suppliments.... currently I'm taking fish oil, glucosamine and a variety pack that is supposed to boost my energy, metabolism and has multivitamins as well... but I'm tired of the caffeine kick/crash these pills provide... is there something I can take that will aid in boosting my metabolism, or a food, my energy level has always been high so I don't think I'd be adversely affected that way. As well, I do a protein shake after my workout, low sugar, low calorie, just to maintain mass and not really much of a gainer. Any info would help in finding a better suppliment....

Also.... I find working out my upper back harder and harder to do, the gym where I'm working is very very limited... one machine, one bench and free weights up to 30 lbs... anything simple that would allow that upper back workout.... Push-ups would be enough, I was thinking of putting a 45 lb plate between my shoulders to provide added weight but I don't know what would would best.

 

If your gym doesn't have pullup bars or cables for pulldowns, find a park with a jungle gym and knock out a few sets of chins a couple of times a week. In the gym, if you have a bar to work with, bent over rows kick much arse, and have been good back work for me.
View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boxbOSGwD4U

 

So this bent over row.... when I was doing it, I really didn't 'feel' what it was working out. I could feel strain in my lower back but as for upper back or arms, not much was going on. Also, I found it hard to get completely bent over at the waist as in the video and arch my back at the same time, most of the time I thought I was thinking about proper posture more than the sets I wanted to get in.

Any other suggestions?