Yoga

So second yoga pass this week. My yoga teacher has a class in the village on Thursdays and since mum missed yesterdays class he invited us both to today's class. I did some cardio first thing in the morning as well. My muscles hate me. But I feel good.

And I was right. The food thing is harder with my parents home. It is just harder to plan since I don't do all the cooking.

The noticed!

Today is going to be about one thing. Progress.

My parents came home today after having been on holiday for a month. They were unpacking and we were talking and my Dad pulls out a BIG bag of Jelly Belly's (one of my favourite sweeties) and I groaned "you are totally going to ruin all the hard work I have done" (in a joking way). My mum asked how much I had lost. I told her that the scales say 1.5kg. She thought it was more. She said she had noticed it around my waist as soon as she came in. She thought I looked great. My dad agreed.

I am just so happy someone noticed!!! I have kinda felt like I have been loosing it around my middle but I wasn't sure if that was just wishful thinking or not. Looks like not!

They noticed!!!!!

Article Round-up

Today I bring two things from SparkPeople. The first one is the healthy ranges for Carbs, Fat and Protein. I want to bring it here so that I have it at my fingertips and can check on it when I do my daily summary. I especially need to remember the carbs one since I tend to go "Wosh that is a lot of carbs" forgetting that my body needs the carbs.

• 45% to 65% of calories eaten should come from carbohydrates.
• 20% to 35% of calories eaten should come from fat.
• 10% to 35% of calories eaten should come from protein*.

The second one is just because it makes me laugh. We RARELY eat out. I just think that often it takes longer to eat out than it does to cook at home. So this made me smile:

"1955 – Ray Kroc opens his first McDonald’s franchise. During the next 49 years, eating out becomes less of an event and more of a necessity as people get busier and busier. Full schedules and the demand for consistency make fast food a multi-billion dollar industry."

Now I need to do some free step during Border Security because I have done no exercise today. I lost pace after my exam. I knew I should have gotten up early to do it before but hey to late now.

Early morning exercise

I am feeling mighty proud of myself today. I got up extra early to work out because I had an appointment. I felt really energetic all day. I really should remember this when I am having trouble getting out of bed.

Food worked well today too. I am actually really full now.

Good day.

Week 5: Walk It

Another week with weight-loss. This week I lost 0.8kg (or 1.7lbs). I am really happy about this. I just hope I will be able to keep it up when my parents come home with regards to food. They do know that I am trying to loose weight so I will just have to make sure I continue measuring my food. Also I guess I will have to cook more. *sigh*

Today my sides and arms are hurting, I must have overdone it with the yoga yesterday. So instead of the yoga pass I had planned I went for an hour long walk at a brisk tempo. It was such a nice day I felt I couldn't stay indoors. I did wait until after 10am though to let some of the pollen settle. So far I am doing okay with the allergies. I think taking medication both at night and in the morning is really helping. This afternoon I napped. I was shattered. I should have been doing school work (like studying for my exam) but I just couldn't focus. I guess I will have to wing it. Thank goodness it is a take home exam so I can use my book. And I will need to start reading Carrie either tonight or tomorrow. I will definitely bring it with me to the doctors tomorrow. Maybe I can get a few pages read in the waiting room. I have next weekend to read it too.

I found another site yesterday that has a c25k program. Next week I am going to evaluate the two programs and see which one I like the best. I also need to buy a pair of running shoes. I am thinking of asking for them for my birthday at the end of May but I have other things I want then as well. We shall see.

Exercise band

I woke up ridiculously early today and by 8:30am I was ready to get going with my errands. That was a no go though because some of the places I wanted to visit wouldn't open until 10am. So instead I did an hours worth of yoga. It made me feel so much better. I really need to get back into yoga. I used a routine from Wii Fit Routines, I used the easier one today because I think my body needs some time off from hard routines, the fitness tracker at SparkPeople is yelling at me again.

THEN I got to run my errands. One of them was to buy a fitness band for the new Bootcamp at SparkPeople. I thought I had bought one yesterday but it turned out to be WAY to big for me so I am going to have to return it on Monday. Today I got a much better one. It actually adjusts so I can get it to be more or less resistant as well as fitting me. I tried finding it on Amazon but they don't carry this brand. I was recommended on SparkPeople to get a collection of resistance bands so that I what I will recommend here.

Bright sunshiny day

Had my annual *tmi* exam today. My blood pressure was 110/60. Good apparently. Since I hate that particular exam even though my midwife is awesome I rewarded myself with a trip to town. It was such a beautiful day. I had lunch, chicken and feta cheese salad sitting on a bench by the river just below the castle. It was great. Then I ambled around town for a while. It was so very very nice. I also had a really great dinner. Appley pork chops, roasted sweet potatoes, red onions and green beans and now I am going to have some sorbe. yummy!!!

Tired Tired Tired

Today I am ever so tired. I still managed to work out for half an hour. I did free step on the wii fit while I watched Top Model. I could probably have kept going if wasn't so sleepy. I am going to take it easy over the weekend. I should be studying for my grammar exam but I think I will just dust off the flash cards from last year. A lot of the stuff seems to be overlapping. I need to focus on diagramming sentences and verb tenses and aspects.

I have eaten pretty well today. I did have toast with jam for my snack. I needed the sweet boost. Now I am having shrimp for dinner. It kinda balances :D

Wiinjuries

An interesting article in The New York Times regarding Wii injuries. As someone who has sustained a few of those I can understand why people do it. One day last summer I played Mario and Sonic Olympic Games. I could barely lift my arms the next day. I had been to focused on trying to beat the game that I had forgotten that I have no arm muscles.

I loved the game. It really gave me a work out while still being fun. It is on my wish list for my upcoming birthday.

Wise Choices

So today was a test of my eating healthy plan. I had a meeting at my placement school. I chose water and green tea and declined the sammich at the morning "fika" and then for lunch I chose the falafel with bulgur and veg for lunch rather than the beef patties, potatoes, sauce and lingonberry jam. I didn't have the post lunch coffee and cookie either. I am so incredibly proud of myself. I ended up well within my calorie range. In fact I could probably have had that cookie but I didn't

Wii stuff

Had a good workout today and managed to unlock a new running distance on the Wii. I also discovered a new website thanks to the people in the SparkPeople Wii Forum. It is called Wii Fit Routine. It looks great as it had different routines for working out. I was starting to think that I had gotten into a rut with my workout so this should be great. Another thing I am looking at getting in the fall is the Wii Sports Active that is due out on May 21st. I am not going to get it when it comes out since I am going to the states on June 7th. I might just get it when I am in the states so that I have it when I get home. Just to vary things. I am also still considering the My Fitness Coach. Lots to think about.

Week 4: ? Down X to go

Lets start with the good news:

*I lost 0.7kg this week (that's 1.5 pounds)

*Exam is over and done with (I really think I passed so no resit)

*Essay of Doom is almost done (just editing left)

*I feel less stressed and like I have more energy. Getting up in the morning isn't a chore.

*Drinking 8 cups of water is EASY PEASY LEMON SQUEEZY

Left on the to do list:

*Outline for next essay

*Grammar midterm (need to study for that)

*Write next essay (with all research attached to that)

*Defend Essay of Doom

*Defend other essay

*Regular course work

*Grammar final

Then I am off to the US for the summer!!!!!! So excited. Still have some details left to finalise (like buying the tickets) but my work from last summer are really excited to have me back and I am super pumped about being back! It is also going to be great to see my friends again. I do just have to be careful about going to the AMAZING cheesecake place to often (it is evil except not because the guy who has it is so cool).

7 more weeks of school left (thanks for reminding me sis)

With all the stress and general suckiness over the last few weeks the end of this week has been such a relief. Now if I could just have smooth sailing for the rest of the term that would be grand.

Bronze Piggy

I got my bronze Piggy on my wii fit today. That means I have done 10 hours on it. It also told me off for not using it for two days. I'm not really concerned I was so busy over the last two days.

Food wise I did well today, except I went way under on the carbs. Seems I can't win. I do definitely think that yoghurt is the way to go in the morning though. Gives me lots of protein which gives me a head start. The new yoghurt I bought yesterday was really good as well. Lots of fruit. I will be asking/ getting that again.

Did okay on my essay. Really need to buckle down tomorrow I just really felt I needed a day off from it. Still wrote a bit on it though but none of the lit review.

Brain dead

So very tired. Body is tired. Brain is tireder. Sometime around hour 2.5 of a 5 hour exam I lost the will to live*. I almost walked out of the exam room. But I persevered. I do have to admit though that my answer to the Macbeth question sucked. But maybe I can get some points for it.

After the exam I went into town and got a fantastic haircut. I am loving it. I cut off about 20 cm of hair. My head feels so much lighter. At least I should weigh less *snickers* I also feel quite proud of myself as well because I parked further away than I normally do and walked. Got in my exercise that way. *g*

Studying

No exercise today.

Not much studying after study group.

I am just hoping that all goes well tomorrow.

At least I did well with the food.

Coffee!!!

Nap and coffee. I could not have done without either today. So tired. Couldn't keep studying this afternoon. I was just so tired and feeling stupid. Now I feel better. I am starting to fall into the "what will be will be" mentality now. I have study group tomorrow morning. Lets see what the girls say. Tomorrow I will need to concentrate on Macbeth and poetry. Read through the poems again. I think I can wing the different time periods well enough. I hope.

It will get done. It will get done in time. It will be great.

Do Not Disturb

Super busy. Eating, Exercising, Revise. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

Exam week

I'm heading into a major study week this week. Exam is Friday morning. I got up early today so that I would have time to work out before studying. Last week when I worked out before breakfast I became so hungry I felt faint. Not good. So today I had a slice of whole wheat toast and half a banana before I worked out. It worked great. I wasn't starving when I was done but I also didn't have any cramps. I still need to do my strength training. I'll do that when I watch Border Security later.

Week 3: Everything Goes to Pots

Stressful week. Lots to do in school. Ate to much yesterday. Probably all week because I gained 0.5kg. I am feeling really frustrated. There is so much going on. I hope things settle down after next week. I just want it to be summer.

Might write a less frustrated post when I am feeling less frustrated.

Easter Candy Coma

I was doing so well. I chose my food well. No creamy sauces. Ham. Small potatoes. Dinner rolls with seeds in them. Then came the candy. Man with the candy. I ate to much. I feel sick. Ugg. Oh well I suppose falling off the wagon once isn't that bad. Getting back on it tomorrow.

Water and walking

I realised today that I am struggling less with water now than I did three weeks ago. When I started 8 cups seemed insurmountable. I had to force myself to drink it. Now all of a sudden I realise that I have had 9 or 10 cups without much effort. The increase in exercise has certainly helped. I just need more water. But I also think that I have found a good bottle. It is very deceptive. It fits 2 cups but it is quite skinny so it doesn't look like much.

I went for a walk today. It is still very muddy along my walking route. It was still very nice though. Can't wait for it to dry out a bit more.

Recipe Submitted

I submitted a recipe to SparkPeople today. I really just wanted the nutritional information for the Chili I made. It was yummy. I added grated carrots and lentils to my regular chili recipe. It made it more stewy.

Zee's Chili
140 Minutes to Prepare and Cook

Ingredients

300g Ground Beef 1 Medium Onion (chopped) 1 can Chopped Tomatoes 1 can Red Kidney Beans 2 Cloves Garlic 1/2 Red pepper 1/2 cup grated Carrots 1/2 cup Lentils 1/2 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp cumin 2 tsp cayenne pepper 2 tsp oregano 10 cups water (more or less add as needed) salt and pepper to taste

Direction
1) Brown minced beef with onions and garlic.
2) Add crushed tomatoes, carrots, herbs and spices and water to cover.
3) Let cook for at least 2 hours (more is better). Add water as needed.
4) 15-20 minutes before serving add lentils and beans.
Makes approximately 7 cups. 1 cup= 1 serving.

Number of Servings: 7

I haven't done that much exercise today. My knees are a bit sore from yesterday. I did some time on the wii fit. I tried the new step exercise I unlocked yesterday. I am not great with the easy exercise and the new one has me kicking my leg out, turning and all sorts of complicated things. Oh well practice makes perfect.

Sore joints

Ugh...I thought giving a few days off from a particular exercise would help my sore hip joint. Unfortunately it does not seem to have helped. I am going to have to give it a few more days. It is so hard to find a balance between doing the exercises to help build muscles to get away from the pain and not doing them to stop the pain.

I wonder if maybe it is time to play another round of "diagnose this" with my doctor seeing how my visits are free right now...hmmmm.....

Carbs are NOT my friend

Why oh why do I like carbs so much????!!!!

Why was I brought up to believe that a meal had to contain carbs to be a meal????!!!! (and we have ALWAYS eaten "healty")

Why can't I get the balance right between calories, carbs and protein????!!!!

Ugh!!!

I think I am doing so well with the food thing and then I run the report and there it is 60% of my nutrition is in the form of carbs and I miss the protein goal again!!! How on earth can this be!!!!!

Frustrated!

So sore

Had a really good work out today. 18 minutes of yoga, 20 of cardio, and then several strengthening exercises and the Bootcamp day two video. Now my inner thighs and knees are sore. I am a bit concerned by the knees so I will see how they feel tomorrow.

Week 2: Feeling Good

So week 2 is over and I have moved from the fast break to the diet stage. I am really excited about moving on. I feel like I have already started getting a hang off the portion control thing. Although it was quite a shocker to see exactly how much I was off on some things. The one thing I really need to invest in this week is a set of scales. I have no idea how much something weighs.

Weight wise I haven't made any progress this week but I knew that was going to happen as I have changed scales. I am now using my wii fit for my scales rather than my old bathroom scales. The wii fit measures to .1 of a kg while my bathroom scales was me guesstimating between the pips. This will be better and therefore I see this week as a new benchmark. This is the kitchen scales I am considering getting:



But I am going to do some more shopping around before I make my mind up.

Yesterday and today I only did some yoga but I think I might have done some mischief on my groin. I have identified the yoga pose that caused it and I will avoid that one for a few days and then only do one repetition of it every other day until I have built up those muscles. This is a very old injury (a birth defect actually) so I have to see if I will be able to build up to where I can use it or if it is simply one I have to avoid.

Looking forward to next week. I am finding it so much easier to get up in the morning. I actually look forward to my morning exercise. I think the sun is helping

Good day

Today was a good day. I got up fairly early but felt rested and ready for the day. I did 20 minutes of yoga. Had breakfast and got a fair chunk of next weeks class work done. Tomorrow I've got to read the short story for class after Easter and answer the questions. I want to get it done tomorrow because I want to work on my socio-linguistics essay during the week. The week is going to be really fragmented because I have two doctors appointments in the city that means I loose two afternoons. And then I am meeting my best friend in town one day as well. That is the only thing I really want to do. I don't really want to go to the doctors. I am really not in the mood for it. I am not in the mood for driving all that way. It is just really annoying that they wouldn't schedule them for the same day. *sigh* Today was a good day.

Protein

Really struggling to get enough protein in my diet. I have asked on SparkPeople for different ideas on how to get more protein in my diet. So far I have gotten suggestions for cottage cheese which I can do and peanut butter which I can do as well. The problem I have with peanut butter is that it is so high in calories. It is such a difficult balance. I'll just have to keep working on it I guess. More beans, more cottage cheese, and more chicken. Sigh. So hard to balance it all.

My Wii Fit Arrived

My Wii Fit arrived today!!!!! I've done half an hour today. I love the hoola-hoop exercises but apparently I am unbalanced. I didn't really need a machine to tell me that :D.

This is going to be a great complement to my other routines. This is great for my balance. Also I will be using this for my weight as it is more accurate than my scales. It did make me gain weight but I am not going to take this to accurately today since I had just eaten dinner. I'll do it again tomorrow morning.

Tired

Still feeling icky for various non bloggable reasons. But instead of heading for the ice cream I went to yoga. Feel much better now. Although exhausted. Sleepy time.