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**shauni** re: weight loss
Thought I'd start another post, so as not to jam up the Thurs post.
Here's a typical week (breakfasts, snacks and lunches most usually the same):
Monday:
Breakfast: 2 egg whites or turkey sausage, or Odwalla protein shake, or egg muffin sammich (whole wheat english muffin w/ 1 egg and low fat cheese), banana
Lunch: 3 oz chicken or lean steak, low-fat yogurt, Bear Naked Granola, fruit (usually an apple or grapes), sometimes salad
Dinner: Stir fry w/ chicken, brown rice, fresh peppers/onions and soy vinaigrette dressing and corn on the cob
Snacks: granola bar, sugar snap peas with hummas, babybel or string cheese, carrots
Exercise: Zumba class 1 hr
Tuesday:
Breakfast/lunch/snacks: same
Dinner: whole wheat pasta w/ pesto & veggies
Exercise: Nonone or minimal while watching TV (squats, lunges, crunches)
Wednesday:
Breakfast/lunch/snacks: same
Dinner: Romaine & spinach salad with chicken, egg whites, veggies, and lowfat ranch. Cinnamon shredded wheat and whole milk
Exercise: Step class 1 hr, Lift class 1 hr
Thursday:
Breakfast/lunch/snacks: same
Dinner: Soup or Chili within calorie range (usually about 300-400 calories total) if I still have calories left maybe some hazelnut butter on half an english muffin
Exercise: none or minimal while watching TV (squats, lunges, crunches)
Friday:
Breakfast/lunch/snacks: same
Dinner: Usually eating out, try to get a salad w/ no dressing and some sort of protein
Exercise: none at all
Saturday:
Breakfast: Clif bar before gym
Lunch: Usually egg muffin sammich
Dinner: Usually eating out or at MIL's. Watching portion control and getting protein
Snacks: same as usual
Exercise: Step class 1 hr, Lift class 1 hr
Sunday:
Breakfast: egg muffin sammich
Lunch/Dinner: any leftovers from the week
Snacks: same as usual
Exercise: Easy walk with pugface or bike ride
I drink at least 64 oz of water/day, more so when I work out. SparkPeople has my calorie intake at 1370-1720. I've gone over a few times (weekends), but I track religiously and watch labels religiously. If/when I eat out, I alway google nutritional information. And I haven't missed a workout in 6 weeks. But I have no idea how many calories I'm burning when I work out. I'm always a sweaty mess and usually can barely walk or move my arms the next day (after step/lift) cuz I'm trying to maximize my time at the gym. I have noticed I'm much stronger (and even hovered at a porta-potty with no problems) and my clothes fit better, but I shouldn't be hitting a plateau for at least 2 more months or so.
Any pre-packaged food I eat is always natural or organic; all veggies, meat and fruit are fresh. It's hell on the planning and the pocket book, but I feel I have a good handle on it.
This isn't brain surgery, but I can't figure out what the problem is. Like Mom said though, I do need to measure for Oct (arms, thighs, waist, hips, etc). I'll be sure to do that tonight...
Re: **shauni** re: weight loss
Hmmm, that is tough. It sounds like everything is proportionate and healthy and that you are doing everything right.
Here are my (non clinical, only from experience) suggestions:
Maybe switch stuff up? Switch up your lunches and breakfasts (which are all healthy and sound perfect, but sometimes just switching can help). Make your own soup on Sunday night (broth, onions, garlic, VEGGIES) and then portion it out during the week. Throw in a handful of tortellini's for some cheesy protein or some ground turkey sausage for the same reasons. On WW a CUP of that stuff is 1 point. Or make a salad at home with fresh veggies and some chicken and make your own dressing. Are you buying your lunches at work or making them? If you are buying them, that could be part of the problem. There are often hidden fats and calories in even the healthiest looking foods.
Also switch up the exercise? I would add one more day in there, even if it is for just 30 minutes. Start running, maybe? Introducing a new cardio could really help, and after a few months, running REALLY has helped me tone my legs and it is the only logical reason I can account for losing 2 pounds a week when I eat like crap.
My last suggestion is to talk to a nutritionist. It could really help. I love my nutritionists (I have had 3!) and they are so helpful. Even if you go just once, I would say it is worth the money to have them help you out.
Lastly, do not get discouraged. I was doing the same thing you were--eating right, exercising. And watching my friends treat their bodies like crap and still lose weight. How is it we can work so much harder than other people but not lose an ounce? Or GAIN instead? It is so hard and frustrating. Seriously, Not to keep harping on this, but WW really helped me. It is so helpful to go to the meetings, to talk to people who are goign through the SAME thing, who encourage you adn clap when you lose even 1/2 a pound...have you considered double dub?
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I haven't seriously considered WW. I think the general less calories in more calories out approach is the same type of thing w/ WW, just w/ points instead of calories. Why pay $$ for that?
However, why pay $$ for a body bugg and not WW? Such the devil's advocate I am.
And to answer another one of your questions, no, I don't buy lunch at work. I've become a tracking nazi and I like to know exactly what is going in my body as much as possible.
Next week I'll be switching up the exercise, I just love my zumba and step so much, I don't wanna miss it. We'll see how the knee handles running...
Oh and I might add, I'm INSANELY impatient. I know it's a marathon and not a sprint, but I need that instant gratification. Buying regular sizes instead of plus sizes was great last week, but what about this week? I need more! Maybe I need to try yoga or pilates to better center myself. It's not just about food/exercise change, I need a mental health makeover too.
It sounds like you are on the right path, and for most people, it is a SLOW path. Grrr, I have lost 16.4 pounds, but it has taken me MONTHS to do it. MONTHS to do what takes a stupid celeb. to do in one month. It isn't fair. Keep sticking with it, try switching stuff up, but otherwise know that you are healthy! You are totally doing things right. And continuing to talk about it and what you are doing and what you ARENT doing are also good ways to keep yourself accountable and get encouragement.
Good luck!
And TOTAL side note: i cannot wait to get together in a month. SERIOUSLY so pumped
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Me too!!! I can't wait
What's your work vs. play schedule look like?
Um, Saturday I believe most of the afternoon is available starting after 2 or 3, Sunday I am done at 5, Monday I am done at about 3 again. I have family I am meeting with for dinner one night, and another night some friends are driving over from Keystone as well, so let me know which night works best for you!
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And it doesn't matter when we meet up. I get off work at 3 too, and my weekends are almost always open. I can work around your schedule
Oh and PS, I lost 3 lbs last week! I was obsessing over nothing. But I ate more calories from Weds-Sunday and I think that's why.