Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

So about a third of the way to work this morning, my handle bars moved, just a little bit within the headset. By halfway to work, they were flopping around and sliding from side to side. I suppose that after not getting on the thing for 2 years, I maybe should have checked some bolts and whatnot. With the headset cranked back down, it's rolling pretty good now.

if you had gotten into an accident, it would have been horrible. But the way you put it, I'm chuckling here at my desk.

Picture a rider on a bike with not so much control.... lol.

Glad you also got back on the preverbial bike.

 

[winger]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

You've got the right idea. You're not making grand, sweeping changes that won't last, but are taking small, achievable steps. You'll get down to 255 again before you know it!
And I had a thought last night: at 28, training for a marathon drained the life from me. 29, it still hurt, but I was getting better. Now at 30, I love going for long runs. Saturday, during my 20 mile training run, I was laughing, giggling, and felt a freedom never felt before. By the time I was at mile 17, I was flying, and at mile 19, I almost forgot I was running.

I agree, although the slow route takes patience, you are making changes that you can sustain for a life time. Why do all the work to lose it, to only gain it back again.

The store I work at hosts a Thanksgiving morning 5K called the Gobble Gallop. Last month, a co-worker suggested we put on a training group--Couch to 5K style--for the race. My boss loved it, and I was assigned the project. (I also added an "Advanced Beginner" group--someone who has done a few 5Ks or is in decent shape but hasn't consistently trained.) We held our informational meeting last night, and 25 people showed up, and I have had no fewer than 10 phone calls/e-mails/store-drop ins that couldn't make it to that meeting ask me about it and sign up. I'm so so so excited!!

That is awesome!

Thanks for the info on the gluten-free stuff. Sugar free, I can use Stevia + applesauce or something to provide bulk. With dairy free, that is a tricky one. The best I could do is to replace butter with shortening and use carob instead of chocolate.

I will have to find some of the paleo recipes I have had. But you are right cooking gluten free, dairy free, or even sugar free can be a challenge. But that being said I have had both some fantastic and some giant failure paleo deserts.
Then again, once your taste buds return to normal from having sugar dumped on them all the time, you will be surprised how sweet fruit is!

Tell me about it. As someone who has been off gluten and sugar for about a year, it is dang tough to bake without them. My wife has found some good mixes, but it is too tough to work from scratch. You need to blend several of the gluten-free flours to get something you can bake with.

I go on and off, but I find the longer I am off, the less I can go on. This weekend I slipped a little. Had pasta, felt like crap. Had some ice cream, felt like crap and my face broke out? Makes you wonder if my body is “clean” of those inflammatory, what they had been doing to me long term when I consumed the stuff day in and day out.

On 9/20, I turn 30. For the last couple years, I had been fighting a dark, dangerous, and near deadly obsession with eating healthy and being skinny. After the Grand Rapids marathon, my weight was down to 146.4. In July of last year, my iron levels were a 6 because of iron-deficiency anemia, a disease I willingly contributed to because I thought everyone wanted me to be skinny and Mr. Healthy All The Time. However, fast forward to this year. In February, I grew tired of this selfish and arrogant way of life, and with the grace of God, kicked Ana (anorexia) and Ortha (orthorexia) out of my life. My chains are gone, I've been set free...

I've already been given the most important gift of all: I got my life back. I got my smile back. I have the joie de vivre again.

Saturated fat not only makes you happy, but it is good for you! I am going with that!

Since it seems like it's update time...
Haven't seen much improvement over the last couple of months, so I'm trying to shake things up a bit.
I'd like to get off the treadmill and run outside a bit more often, but my wife and I like to work out together. Running outside doesn't really facilitate that since we go at very different paces. Instead, I'm varying my treadmill workouts. I've added in some HIIT workouts. Five minute warm up, then crank it up to 11 mph. Go for 60 seconds, back down to 3.5 mph and rest for two minutes. Back up to 11 for 60 seconds, down to 3.5 for 2 minutes. Repeat 7-10 times. Try not to throw up. Cool down. I feel like a radiate heat for about 36 hours after doing that I am also thinking of mixing in some elliptical workouts just to change things up.
The fitness center in my apartment complex is pretty limited, and I'm tired of the four weight machines in there, so I'm adjusting my focus to body weight exercises instead. I'm a fan of nerdfitness.com - plenty of ideas for getting a good workout without a ton of gym equipment there.

There is a guy at my gym that lost a ton of weight doing HIIT, now he is doing crossfit. But he said most of his success came from eating paleo.
That being said, you will be surprised how well it works just eating well and going for walks. Especially if you are still carrying a lot of weight. Going for a run at the higher weights can really do some damage to your joines.
Try this website http://whole9life.com/
Do if for 30 days, see how much better you feel. I am going to start on Oct 10th if you want a buddy. (It is hard to be that strict when I travel). Then once you do the 30 days you can add stuff back in to see what you react to. For me I know it is Dairy for sure, and likely glutten, and whatever the crap is in most pasta. But you need to experiment for you, some people don’t react to any of the stuff, some people to all of it (the grains, dairy and sugar).

 

[duper]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

if you had gotten into an accident, it would have been horrible. But the way you put it, I'm chuckling here at my desk.

Picture a rider on a bike with not so much control.... lol.

Glad you also got back on the preverbial bike.

I definitely considered that. The bike route that is convenient to me for a good chunk of the ride is a bike lane on a relatively busy one way street that is currently under construction, basically taking away the bike lane. This combined with the lack of fine control led me to divert to another street.

 

[bottomdweller]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Try this website http://whole9life.com/
Do if for 30 days, see how much better you feel. I am going to start on Oct 10th if you want a buddy. (It is hard to be that strict when I travel). Then once you do the 30 days you can add stuff back in to see what you react to. For me I know it is Dairy for sure, and likely glutten, and whatever the crap is in most pasta. But you need to experiment for you, some people don’t react to any of the stuff, some people to all of it (the grains, dairy and sugar).

No dairy for 30 days seems like it'd be the hardest for me to do... who doesn't absolutely love cheese. Thinking about trying this though when the wife gets back from India.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

I will have to find some of the paleo recipes I have had. But you are right cooking gluten free, dairy free, or even sugar free can be a challenge. But that being said I have had both some fantastic and some giant failure paleo deserts.
Then again, once your taste buds return to normal from having sugar dumped on them all the time, you will be surprised how sweet fruit is!

I go on and off, but I find the longer I am off, the less I can go on. This weekend I slipped a little. Had pasta, felt like crap. Had some ice cream, felt like crap and my face broke out? Makes you wonder if my body is “clean” of those inflammatory, what they had been doing to me long term when I consumed the stuff day in and day out.

Saturated fat not only makes you happy, but it is good for you! I am going with that!

There is a guy at my gym that lost a ton of weight doing HIIT, now he is doing crossfit. But he said most of his success came from eating paleo.
That being said, you will be surprised how well it works just eating well and going for walks. Especially if you are still carrying a lot of weight. Going for a run at the higher weights can really do some damage to your joines.
Try this website http://whole9life.com/
Do if for 30 days, see how much better you feel. I am going to start on Oct 10th if you want a buddy. (It is hard to be that strict when I travel). Then once you do the 30 days you can add stuff back in to see what you react to. For me I know it is Dairy for sure, and likely glutten, and whatever the crap is in most pasta. But you need to experiment for you, some people don’t react to any of the stuff, some people to all of it (the grains, dairy and sugar).

Saturated fat is good for me! I found that ever since I introduced it back into my diet, my mood is up, I'm full, and I can enjoy life again.

As for finding good gluten free recipes, there are some good books out there, plus I'm going to start with the King Arthur GF mixes, then work from there.

Rather than cut out gluten and dairy, I'm just restricting myself to the good stuff. I buy top shelf cheeses from Britain, Italy, France, and Spain, I use greek yogurt (Chobani for the win!), my breads are truly whole grain, I quit buying processed breakfast cereal, and I use whole grain pasta when possible. And I've added anchovies and sardines to my list of things I will eat. Based on where I came from, I don't want to cut anything out, lest I invite my eating demons back...

 

[walrus]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

No dairy for 30 days seems like it'd be the hardest for me to do... who doesn't absolutely love cheese. Thinking about trying this though when the wife gets back from India.

No grain is hard also, read ingredients on packages and you have to make all you own food. Here is what I was on for awhile last winter,
http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/
I did it for about 2 months, lost alot of weight but I was sick also. I think you have to take supplements to make sure you get your vitamins. This diet is far more regimented than Paleo because its done to heal the gut not lose weight. They're very similar and quite hard to do especially if you're the only one in the house doing it. Almond and Coconut flour become staples, as does homemade yogurt thats been kept heated for 24 hrs to get rid of all the lactose and then drained to get rid of the whey. I'm on my way to trying it again

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

I definitely considered that. The bike route that is convenient to me for a good chunk of the ride is a bike lane on a relatively busy one way street that is currently under construction, basically taking away the bike lane. This combined with the lack of fine control led me to divert to another street.

LOL- you are lucky that passing driver didn't notice, start staring, and utter "what, the..." just as he jerks his head, turns the wheel, and crashes into a pole in front of you. I picture a Benny Hill kind of look steering that bike.

You did the right thing for fellow drivers....

 

[DisplacedCornellian]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Saturated fat is good for me! I found that ever since I introduced it back into my diet, my mood is up, I'm full, and I can enjoy life again.

As for finding good gluten free recipes, there are some good books out there, plus I'm going to start with the King Arthur GF mixes, then work from there.

Rather than cut out gluten and dairy, I'm just restricting myself to the good stuff. I buy top shelf cheeses from Britain, Italy, France, and Spain, I use greek yogurt (Chobani for the win!), my breads are truly whole grain, I quit buying processed breakfast cereal, and I use whole grain pasta when possible. And I've added anchovies and sardines to my list of things I will eat. Based on where I came from, I don't want to cut anything out, lest I invite my eating demons back...

I'm with Bob on this one. Don't "diet", just eat better! That's the main change to my eating habits (along with a healthy dose of moderation). Cut out the over-processed junk, as well as the low-fat/low-carb/reduced calorie this and that. Eat real food. If you're going to indulge in a dessert, go all out. Don't half *** it with some diet crap that isn't going to satisfy you (you'll just eat twice as much of it, anyway).

I'd thought about Paleo before, but I'm skeptical of "diets" in general. You're really setting yourself up to fail - you plan to change your eating habits for a period of time, until you lose weight, and then you inevitably go back to your old ways. Anything that involves cutting out categories of food is a no go for me. If a plan works for you and that you can stick to for life, more power to you. I just know I couldn't do Paleo for the long haul I like dairy/beans/grains too much.

 

[Dirty Bottles]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

I'm with Bob on this one. Don't "diet", just eat better! That's the main change to my eating habits (along with a healthy dose of moderation). Cut out the over-processed junk, as well as the low-fat/low-carb/reduced calorie this and that. Eat real food. If you're going to indulge in a dessert, go all out. Don't half *** it with some diet crap that isn't going to satisfy you (you'll just eat twice as much of it, anyway).

I'd thought about Paleo before, but I'm skeptical of "diets" in general. You're really setting yourself up to fail - you plan to change your eating habits for a period of time, until you lose weight, and then you inevitably go back to your old ways. Anything that involves cutting out categories of food is a no go for me. If a plan works for you and that you can stick to for life, more power to you. I just know I couldn't do Paleo for the long haul I like dairy/beans/grains too much.

I agree to a point - I've went to what I would call a Paleo framework diet but it's not a "I want to lose weight" type of diet - just changing what I eat type of diet. If that makes sense.

By Paleo framework what I mean is I eat mostly paleo but I'm not militant about it. If I want to have pizza once a week I do. If I want to have bread occasionally, I do. But by going mostly paleo I've cut out so much of the junk and high glycemic index foods and replaced them with fruits, veggies, and nuts.

 

[duper]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

I'm with Bob on this one. Don't "diet", just eat better! That's the main change to my eating habits (along with a healthy dose of moderation). Cut out the over-processed junk, as well as the low-fat/low-carb/reduced calorie this and that. Eat real food. If you're going to indulge in a dessert, go all out. Don't half *** it with some diet crap that isn't going to satisfy you (you'll just eat twice as much of it, anyway).

I'd thought about Paleo before, but I'm skeptical of "diets" in general. You're really setting yourself up to fail - you plan to change your eating habits for a period of time, until you lose weight, and then you inevitably go back to your old ways. Anything that involves cutting out categories of food is a no go for me. If a plan works for you and that you can stick to for life, more power to you. I just know I couldn't do Paleo for the long haul I like dairy/beans/grains too much.

Quite so. In my case, it was REALLY easy to start. I cut out excessive amounts of everything, second helpings, and french fries. (I worked at a restaurant that hand cut fries at the time, so that was actually kinda hard.) Dropped about 50 pounds in about three months. Of course, most people aren't nearly as overweight as I was. It's harder now, but I am never ever tempted to try any diet. Through generally healthy eating with modest allowance for bad days and a little exercise I got down to where I wasn't really fat, just big. Not doing a good job of handling a year of living with a roommate who caused a bunch of stress f-ed a lot of that up, but I'm getting back on track.

I believe strongly in not giving yourself absolutes. If you love soda, go ahead and say no soda, but if you REALLY want a soda one day, have one. (I don't recommend diet soda, either. Aside from the horrible taste, I truly believe that it is worse for your health than regular.) I pick soda because that is my weakness, but same goes for cookies, chips, ice cream, beer, whatever. If it is ok to occasionally splurge, then that means that the occasional splurge is not a big deal, and you don't have to feel like you fell off the horse.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Here's a typical day for me:

Morning: Bagel, peanut butter, yogurt, fresh fruit/veg
Lunch: Turkey sandwich on whole grain bread
Afternoon: Fresh fruit/nuts
Dinner: Fish or chicken, roasted or mashed potato, veggies

Tonight's dinner will be chicken liver, baked barley, and roasted beets. Maybe even a glass of wine.

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Speaking of eating sensibly: back down to 215 lbs after letting my weight get up to 227 lbs. Well on target to reach 200 by year's end!

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Chicago results: 5:57:42.

You bet I'm not happy with the results, but every race is a learning experience, and here's what I learned yesterday:

1. Lose 20 more lbs. Knees were starting to b-tch at mile 3 and continued to whine all the way through.

2. Strengthen my hips and core. Everything else works fine, but my hips are unusually weak.

3. Stop taking gels with caffeine. Got a massive headache at mile 18 and it blew my pace well off course.

4. NEVER hesitate to get wet on a hot day. I had the volunteers with hoses spray me in the back just so I would stay cool.

5. If you need a boost, don't hesitate to high-five spectators. If that doesn't work, meet a new friend and run with them. Had it not been for two TNT coaches at the end, I don't think I'd have made it through.

The goal has been set for next year: 10/7/2012, I am running the Twin Cities marathon.

And I also met ultra-runner Dean Karnazes at the marathon expo on Saturday. He comes off like a jerk in interviews, but in person, he seems like a really cool guy.

 

[alfablue]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Bob- You finished. And that by itself is awesome.

Whereas some of us are still on injured reserve.

I'll +1,000,000 the comment about caffenine. Mrs Alfa did that, add in some lack of water, and it was a bad problem. Post event reading showed that it was also very dangerous.

(as for my update, my Dr has told me that weight bearing stuff is ok- so I'm easing my way back into running)

 

[dubbie31]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Started doing a class called CXWorx thats put out by Les Mills. It is a killer core class. 30 minutes of core torture! Still sore from Friday!!!

That and my spin and body pump classes....love em!!!

 

[MissThundercat]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Bob- You finished. And that by itself is awesome.

Whereas some of us are still on injured reserve.

I'll +1,000,000 the comment about caffenine. Mrs Alfa did that, add in some lack of water, and it was a bad problem. Post event reading showed that it was also very dangerous.

(as for my update, my Dr has told me that weight bearing stuff is ok- so I'm easing my way back into running)

Thanks, alfa! As for caffeine, even though my knees were killing me, I was doing well until I took one caffeinated gel. The headache came and I was slowed to a walk. It took 5-6 miles and three TNT coaches to put myself back together, and one coach just told me to get and stay wet. There were volunteers handing out sponges, so she (coach) told me to grab one and hang on to it, then refill it as necessary. Had she not told me that, I don't know what I'd have done...

And it's good to hear you're getting back on your feet!

 

[winger]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

I agree to a point - I've went to what I would call a Paleo framework diet but it's not a "I want to lose weight" type of diet - just changing what I eat type of diet. If that makes sense.

By Paleo framework what I mean is I eat mostly paleo but I'm not militant about it. If I want to have pizza once a week I do. If I want to have bread occasionally, I do. But by going mostly paleo I've cut out so much of the junk and high glycemic index foods and replaced them with fruits, veggies, and nuts.

I agree, it is a frame work for eating and it is not something I am plan on changing once I lose the weight, there are numerous health benefits to limiting the grains, dairy and refined sugars.
I have been making the changes slowly over the last year or so, learning what my body works best on. And while some people can do the "anything in moderation" I have noticed I have some triggers that just don't work well for me and then I eat crappy and I dont feel good. So there are some food that are just not worth it for me, even as a splurge.

Chicago results: 5:57:42.

You bet I'm not happy with the results, but every race is a learning experience, and here's what I learned yesterday:

1. Lose 20 more lbs. Knees were starting to b-tch at mile 3 and continued to whine all the way through.

2. Strengthen my hips and core. Everything else works fine, but my hips are unusually weak.

3. Stop taking gels with caffeine. Got a massive headache at mile 18 and it blew my pace well off course.

4. NEVER hesitate to get wet on a hot day. I had the volunteers with hoses spray me in the back just so I would stay cool.

5. If you need a boost, don't hesitate to high-five spectators. If that doesn't work, meet a new friend and run with them. Had it not been for two TNT coaches at the end, I don't think I'd have made it through.

The goal has been set for next year: 10/7/2012, I am running the Twin Cities marathon.

And I also met ultra-runner Dean Karnazes at the marathon expo on Saturday. He comes off like a jerk in interviews, but in person, he seems like a really cool guy.

But you did it!!! It was pretty warm on sunday, I was going to try to trek into the city, but New Orleans really wore me out (I slept 15 hours saturday and woke up at noon on sunday)! Someday we shall actually meet!

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

So there are some food that are just not worth it for me, even as a splurge.

Two words for this: Ice. Cream. I love it, but it has started to not love me back. I've tried ignoring it and splurging, but I really, really wind up regretting it. The only dairy I eat much anymore is Greek yogurt (love it, and as I'm not much of a meat eater this is how I get the majority of my protein) and a small amount of cheese here and there. Cheese doesn't bother me in small amounts, and yogurt doesn't at all, but anything else dairy based? Forget it.

 

[nmupiccdiva]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Whelp, I'm done with half marathons for the year, and was unsuccessful in my bid to hit/break 1:45.
However, I have at least 2 more 5Ks on the year, and I am embarking on another mission: to break 22 minutes. I hit 22:48 in June during a Midnight race in which I had a "well, lets see what I can do" mindset, so while the goal is lofty, I don't think it's entirely out of reach provided I throw a bit of speedwork in here.
Attempt #1 will be on 10/29. Attempt #2 will be on 11/24.

 

[Patman]

Re: Diet and Exercise 2011: Better Than This.

Suppose I'll post something in here... I've been having some issues that I'll leave off boards... I've decided to take a different approach in the gym... while I don't necessarily agree with it, i will follow it and it'll get me down to shape... basics of this is that i let the personal trainer at the gym take over. So, I do a bunch of cardio and free weight type stuff... I don't believe in the application of weights (in barbell we trust)... but in doing this what i get is somebody who is keeping track of my progress and somebody who feels responsible to see that i get somewhere. This is why I can generally disagree with the methods used... either way it'll do a lot for me even if I lose significant strength and I will drop to size assuming I can keep diet in check... which they're also monitoring. Thankfully, the trainer is doing this for free at this point... guess she just likes me as a person Eh, both of the girls there like me... but I'm a goof.

Anyhow, dealing with a bunch of things but plugging my way through... diets suck though... I'd say that much... I want tacos so bad right now. Time to right the ship that is my life. I deserve it.