Posts by sha74

I agree with the above noted.  Its crazy how there are limits even on being healthy.  Fret not though!  There are lots of great ways to switch it up.

Recently, I have come across an excellent way of getting in the right calories in the morning.  I use a high protein plain yogurt(1/2-1cup), one banana sliced, 1/4 c pre cooked brown rice(make a large batch and keep it in the fridge for breakfast during the week), and a few (maybe 8) almonds.  I love it!  its just the right sweetness...you get your protein and your complex carbs (around 350-400cal).

On other mornings I make a filling smoothie.  I use 1 banana, 1 cup light soy milk, hand full of fresh spinache, and 1 tbsp of tahini or cashew butter.  This smoothie is a great source of energy.

I noted that you started school.  You may want to consider taking some small baggies of snacks with you...like multigrain crackers, or just about any veggies cut up.  That way you can eat a small breakfast...but have a second or third breakfast later and still stay within your calories.

thanks yall.  I will try to loosen up a little about my calories.  It's just taken me so long to give myself appropriate boundaries that I am truly happy with.  I guess running kinda throws the rules out the window.  I guess now that I have learned how to eat within my boundaries, I need to learn how to adjust according to specific events in my life (ie running, traveling..etc) without stressing out.

btw, my 1300-1700 cal was at 3:00 in the afternoon.  I always eat at least 1500 cal (sed days) a day....on active days I do not end below 1900.

Oh also, I have never been a big meal person.  I generally have between 6-8 meals a day.  I often refer to my meals like Joey off of Friends, "my second lunch" etc :-)

Live to love- thanks for the perspective on how it can effect my performance if I do not have enough fuel.

U pside down cake

Don't look directly into it!....look away people...look awwwwwaaaaayyyy!

Original Post by jewelsmcblah:

How about my dog eye avatar?  That's gotta be less freaky, right?

 Creepy.

Shnitzel, its not really cows you like right?  Is it icecream and large clanging bells?

Original Post by phylbean:

Would a picture of a divorce lawyer be too creepy?

 creepy, no....sad, mayb....funny, yes!

Original Post by monarch777:

 See...butterfly. :)

 yeah!  right on time butterfly!

Original Post by moonikins:

#27 - You can't shame me into it either.

 ooo hmmm....you are ashamed.  Shame isn't necessary.  Just caring beyond ourselves...which might not be typical.  Moon, we care.  No need to hide behind that tree...come join the group in a healthy conversation about cats...arg...well, can someone change the subject!  How about, dogs eating cats?  Anyone seen that lately?

You are right, the ?'s are mysterious...  You should probably ask the other 50% of profiles left with ?'s to add a picture so you can continue to be mysterious on your own.  Ah, common...not even a picture of a butterfly?  Everyone likes butterflys:)  Hey, maybe you like marbles...they would make a cool pic....or the sky...or a car...or a shoe...or a cup...or a frog...or a lamp...or a tea bag...or a .....

see, the mystery is when we know you like frogs but we have to piece everything else together.  Now thats fun.  But ?'s...well, they are typical, boring...and too trendy.

Interesting.  You cat people....are interesting. 

Thanks for the insight. 

Hmmm...yall watch out for the dog club!

I agree with complex carbs.  Not all are high in calories either.  Some examples of complex carbs:

Spinach, Lettuce, Zucchini, Asparagus, Artichokes, Okra, Cabbage, Celery, Cucumbers, Radishes, Broccoli, Eggplant, Onions, Tomatoes, Whole Barley, Oatmeal, Wild rice, Brown rice, Multi-grain bread, yogurt, skim milk, lentils, soy milk, spelt bread, apples, pears, plums, strawberries, oranges, yams, carrots , potatoes, soybeans, barbanzo beans, kidneay beans (basically any kind of beans!)

Also read this interesting article about how eating a small snack before working out (missing link #5) will increase your performance (better performance = the ability to burn more calories!) 

http://www.active.com/nutrition/Articles/5_Nu trition_Missing_Links__Expert_Advice_for_Athl etes.htm?act=EMC-eNews_Ins_0908&link=5

I get bored easy...and I often eat 6-7 meals a day.

A couple of days ideas might be...

A baked potato (cut holes and pop it in the microwave at work) with low cal sour cream/cottage cheese...some veggies...or even a little low cal cheese

Some lentil soup and crackers.  They come in all kinds of styles-dried(just add water), boxed just heat up, or if you have to-canned

I like to throw a bunch of chunks of veggies (squash, celery, cherry tomatoes, chunks of corn on the cob, onion, garlic, chickpeas, mushrooms, red potato, asparagus...etc) in a pot with double the amount of water, season...cook for about 20 min = yummy low cal soup (sometimes I add some meat) (can last a couple of days...and if you make it spicy, will taste better the second day)

Whole grain bread grilled with turkey breast and a slice of good cheese...reheat in the toaster oven at work

Dont forget to get some good fat in...like avocado.  I sometimes like to make an avocado sandwich (1/2 avocado, low fat mayo, seasoned on wholegrain bread)  Its higher in calories...but sometimes good on a day you have some extra left over

Sometimes, for lunch, I like to eat cereal.  Its easy to throw some Kashi GoLean granola into a baggie, put some milk in a tupperware...yum!

I like to grill veggies (asparagus, garlic, onion, zucchini, red potato, etc) on the stove and throw them in some low cal tortillas

You can make some spring rolls using rice paper (most grocers carry).  I personnally do not like cold noodles...but I like them with veggies

I often leave one serving from dinner the night before that I can take into work.  Sometimes for dinner I might use whole wheat spaghetti grill some vegetables, black olives, capers and shrimp in a little olive oil for a topping.  If you get good at it, you will come up with all kinds of concoctions.  My friends laugh at me because I often stare into my fridge asking "hmm, what looks good over spaghetti"  and they always love what I come up with.

And believe it or not, there are some terrific low cal frozen meals out there...Lean Cuizine, Smart Choice etc.  I like to switch up my days occasionally with them.

Anyways, I look forward to seeing what some other CC'ers ideas are. 

Good luck, and have fun!  It doesnt have to be so intense and monotonous.  If you come up with some great ideas, I look forward to reading them...

Paula knows her stuff!  I remember when I started my spin classes (about 5 years ago)...I felt very akward.  But within a couple of weeks, my body relaxed into position and I started taking on the challenge.  I was just thinking about it yesterday...how wierd certain postions on the bike felt and how self conscious I was.  Spinning isnt quite like outside riding...but it is the next best thing.  I am certain with a couple of short weeks you will get a charge out of it.

Also, I disagree with the "men dont like classes" thought.  I think it really depends on the class...and the instructor.  I have an awesome weight lifting class- at Gold's gym (called Body Pump).  I have been going for several years.  And it has been within this last year that we transitioned to a newer instructor that has turned out to be the best instructor ever.  He started from the same postion that most have...overweight and inactive.  In a one year period, he lost 40 lbs by going to Body Pump, and then decided to become an instructor.  Now, he is in terrific shape.  And he knows how to encourage others to their success (lots of yelling, kidding!).  My point, there are several men in the class that benifit just as much as the ladies.  They are pretty hard core.  It really depends on the individual...what motivates you...what do you seek to accomplish...how you gonna get there?  If you have tried free weights and havent been comfortable, try a class.  Sometimes having an organized program and community (hence why cc is so successful), really charges an individual.  I know it did me, 5 years ago...and still going strong.

I would try it all...find out what works for you. 

As far as riding options...you should check out some organized rides in your local area.  Often they have routes of 15miles up to 70miles...you pick and chose what you are ready for.  Its great to be in a community of other riders.  If you get really serious, you might want to check out an MS150 (long distance ride that benefits Multiple Schlorosis).

Good luck to you!  Keep with it...remember, there are no rules!, find what works for you.

I love my morning workouts.  I would roll out of bed into my workout if I could (allows me less time to try to talk myself out of it;-)).  I have been doing my early morning workouts for about 5 years...and I would say that if you want to sustain your energy, you should eat something.  Normally, I eat a rice cake with cashew butter or tahini...or I have a serving of Naked juice...or make my own smoothie.  It depends on the workout though.  I don't like a lot of accidity in my snack before an intense cardio workout.  I say that you play around with it.  You will figure out what works well for you.

Good luck fellow Sunshine Star!