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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Feb 25 2008 22:24 (UTC) |
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| Hi hi hi Everyone! Wow, interesting stuff going on here while I was away!
I just had a really interesting conversation with my Dr. on Friday because I have been taking a beta-blocker for my blood pressure and also my tendency to get frequent headaches. It helps, but I had also read that it works to keep heartrate low, so heart rate monitors will never read a true number. Because of this, I just use my 'perceived exertion level' and that works great. I now have a resting heart rate of 48 and my Doc said that the beta blocker is actually a benefit to me while running - I will be able to go longer and keep my heart rate at a moderate rate, which is a good thing. So instead of feeling like I am taking a drug that is not allowing me to function quite as well, I now have a bit of appreciation for the little pills. So that was my little attitude adjustment. Also, I ran my first 5k in Santa Barbara yesterday morning. It was so great, even if it did rain pretty heavily on us, I think that just added to the fun of it all. My main goal was to be able to run the whole thing. So far, I have been able to run 3 miles on the treadmill, but haven't been able to quite do it outdoors. I also wanted my finish time to be somewhere in the 33-35 minute range......AND......I did it! I ran the whole way and did it in just over 32 minutes! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! 7 weeks of running progression and I did it!!!!!!!!!! There is hope for everyone else out there if I can do it, you can do it too!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Feb 16 2008 20:49 (UTC) |
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| Hi hi hi!!!!!! Just got home from running with my Saturday morning group. Had a heck of a time getting up and out of the house today, but then was SO GLAD that I got it done. I have been so careful about eating clean and healthy for the past 2 weeks, then had to eat out for both lunch and dinner yesterday. Had a healthy marinated seafood salad for lunch, nothing wrong with it calorie wise, but it was so full of garlic that I felt poisoned for the rest of the day. Then I got home late and tired and my husband wanted to have mexican food. I said OK, the place was packed so we ate more chips than usual, then the owner brought around his "special" roasted tomatillo salsa, which is SO good I had to eat more chips.....I'll tell ya, I felt like a beachball by the time I got home and didn't feel a whole lot better this AM. Got out and met the group anyway and did a nice 3 mile loop through town. Still can't run the entire way for that far, but I was happy with my performance.
Lilreenz - I haven't listeded to the podcast, but it sounds like a great idea. I know when I'm really tired, I can hardly focus on my watch, so it sure would be nice to have a man talking to me and telling me when to start and stop. Yay you for getting through week 5 - you are so right about slow and steady.....sometimes it seems easier to slow way down and still run than it is to break to a walk and then start running again. Manta is so right about using a Shuffle - I just bought one just to use for my runs and it's the best $80 I ever spent. I had been using a regular iPod which was just too big. With the shuffle, I only put music I want to run to on it, and it's tiny and just clips on to my waist. I love love love it! The beat of the music really helps to keep my energy up. I have embarrassed myself a couple of times when I catch myself singing along and I run! Hi Manta - I love getting the morning runs in but right now can only do it on Saturdays or holidays. It's still too dark in the AM for me to run outside before I have to shower for work. I can't wait until it gets light earlier and I can try getting out there before work. It gets really hot where I live, so morning runs might be my salvation! Ya know, I guess the good thing about living in an area of extreme hills is that now when I hit more normal hills they are no big deal - that happened a couple of times on this mornings run, and I made it up - they do tire me out faster though, so I'm just not beating myself up when I have to walk. I forgot my watch this AM so I have no idea what my time was...oh well, I got it done. Hey wow, look at you - if you run this morning it will be 4 days in a row - that is huge! Watch your calf though. Mine have been complaining lately too, partly due to my trainer and the calf exercises she puts me through and also from the hills. We're gonna have awesome legs! Let us know if you do the 4 miler - you're our hero....uh, heroine! Linda |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Feb 14 2008 05:06 (UTC) |
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| Wow Manta, you always have the best advice. Thank you!!! Ugh, I just lost my big beautiful reply so now I'm starting over.....I ran again tonight but will take tomorrow off, just to be careful - so I think I'm doing OK with gradually increasing my mileage. I just want good steady miles between now and 2/24 when I run the 5k - it would be really great to run the whole thing, but I won't be miserable if I have to walk part of it, I'll just do my best. I'm really trying to be aware of the various runs that I do and their physical difficulty. Lowest on the scale is the treadmill at the gym, then the high school track, then the track at the gym which is mildly hilly, then of course the most convenient option is my neighborhood while has seriously steep long hills. I had to walk for my first 15 minutes tonight because the first mile of my favorite loop is so super steep! After that, I ran down the other side and felt really great about it until I realized that it was only 20 minutes of running, mostly downhill! Then I was at the base of another big hill. I guess that the hills are good for strengthening, but I am so envious of my friends who live in beautiful flat or rolling neighborhoods! Don't you live in a hilly area too? I'm thinking I recall that..... That is so great that you did almost 4 miles - Whoo hooo!!!! That had to feel great! When did you first start running? This is my 5th week I think, I started around Feb 5th. Thanks again! Linda |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Feb 13 2008 01:50 (UTC) |
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| Leeser - How funny and great that you already have TJ - way to go! I know it's hard to get up and run in the cold, heck, to run in the cold period (for some reason exercise in the cold always makes me cough like crazy), but it's worth a try! Today was a holiday and I had an 8 AM appt with a trainer at the gym - I needed to run first, so I got there at 7ish and got in a great 3 mile run on the treadmill. Gotta love treadmills, they make it so nice and easy to have a successful run! The hardest part was getting cool and dry enough to not be totally disgusting in the weight room! I grabbed a quick cold shower and dashed into a change of clothes and it was so nice to have that all done by 9:30. Work really does get in the way of my schedule!
BritishVixen - So sorry to hear that, but lucky you for having those folks looking out for you so that you can stay on a healthy track. So, maybe a walking plan might be better for the time being? Don't give up on changing directions! Good luck to you! Linda |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Feb 12 2008 01:58 (UTC) |
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| Yay, Fair_Varona - Congratulations on your first 5k! How far are you running in a typical week? How many times?
I haven't posted in awhile because I didn't exactly follow the Couce to 5k recipe, but just like you all I just started running about 5 weeks ago - I just followed a slightly different pattern of intervals, but here we all are - YAY! I do my first one on the 24th, and like you will probably do a run walk. This is about my 5th week running and so far I am having a hard time getting past the 2 mile point....and I'm slow, it takes me about 24 minutes to do the 2 miles. I'm really trying to increase my distance without killing my shins, knees and hips so I am trying to learn when I can run consecutive days and when I can't. Manta, maybe you have some tips for knowing when you are pushing yourself safely? Yesterday I headed to the track so that I would have a nice flat measureable distance - I got the first 2 miles done, but the last 2 miles was more walking than running.....oh well, I guess the good part is that I'm just mildly sore today, so I guess I'm getting stronger. The whole 4 miles took 50 minutes.....S L O W !!! But that's OK..... Leeser - Heck, any cardio is better then none! I'm not sure that running in place is the same as running outside, but still it's got you headed in the right direction. Any chance you can find a local running buddy or running club that you could join? Or maybe a gym with child care? Or I guess there's always the running stroller - I bought one for a friend as a baby gift and she wore it out she used it so much to get the baby weight off. I'm thinking about the one program that I did at home that really helped me to build cardio - it was Turbo Jam - it's fun cardio kickboxing and there are a bunch of different DVDs to choose from. That might be something that could help you out. Please keep checking in and letting us know how you're doing! Linda |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Jan 20 2008 19:58 (UTC) |
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| Yay Manta, Way to go, you should be so proud of yourself! I think that your plan for the neext couple of months makes good sense too!!!!
I did my first group run yesterday - we did a 2 mile loop through town that was fairly hilly - I took 2 short walk breaks, and was very happy with that. It was early and very cold, but what a great way to start the day. Can't wait to do it again next Saturday morning. Now I'm one of "those people" that I pass in my car on my way to work. Gotta love that! |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Jan 18 2008 05:34 (UTC) |
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| MANTA - Thanks so much for the great words of encouragement!
I'm so thrilled to actually be running, it's so enpowering! I got the the gym a little late tonight so couldn't get on a treadmill, so went outside to use the track, which is not flat. It was also dark and I had forgotten my digital watch with the big bright numbers, so it was nearly impossible to go by time. I was amazed, I was able to go a mile during my second interval, and about a mile and a quarter on my third. Whoooo hooooo!!!! Just one step at a time and it gets done! KMKIRKSEY - Yay on the new shoes! I plan on getting some too. I learned tonight that I also need running tights and a different jacket for running in the cold! |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Jan 16 2008 19:07 (UTC) |
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| Lilreenz - Hee hee, guess it's my day to post bigtime. I have Nike Shox and think they are OK, but I don't actually like the fit as well as my old pair of New Balance shoese.....they are fine, but not the 'be-all and end-all' that I thought they would be. I am looking at getting a new pair of shoes and a second pair of Shox is not in the running.......Everyone is different, though, so give them a try and see how you like the feel.
I also run on a treadmill a couple of times a week because the area where I live is extremely hilly. The treadmill is nice because it is a cushy surface and you also know exactly how fast you are going and how long it's been (without having to squint to check your wristwatch) but I have also read that unless you set the grade to at least 1 or 2%, then the motion of running on the belt is like running a bit downhill....Running outdoors gives you more environmental factors as far as wind, footing and elevation.....but it's also more interesting. I say mix it up! What have you been running on? |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Jan 16 2008 17:46 (UTC) |
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| The right shoes absolutely make a difference. Many running stores will help you to match the right shoe to you by watching your gait (on a treadmill) and then making recommendations.
You can also go to the Runner's World website and enter a bit of information about yourself and they have a 'shoe finder' that may help you to narrow down your selection. My only dislike of that software was that it didn't seem to contain the latest models of shoes in it.....but that could also be a good thing, as older models can often be found on sale racks. Good luck! |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Jan 16 2008 04:08 (UTC) |
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| So the plan that I'm on kicked it up a notch tonight - I think I am on week 4 and they added in 8 minute runs, so it was 5 min run, 3 min walk, 8 min. run, 3 min. walk, twice. I did it!!! My ipod was on the fritz, so I had to listed to the smarmy gym music, but I still did it. Love the way that makes me feel, even if I do only go 5 mph. My calves are really sore, I think from the hills on Sunday. My hips are sore too, but not so bad that I need to stop.
I would love to run to the podcast you guys are talking about, but it sounds like the plan I am on is slightly different than the Cto5k....so the timing would be off. I may download it though just to give it a try.... |
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| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Jan 16 2008 04:04 (UTC) |
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| I think that they want you to take a rest day from running while you are on the program so that you are not stressing your body. I strength train on the alternating days and then make sure that I get one day off. If you want to do cardio on the alternating days, spinning, swimming, or even walking would be good alternatives. | |||
| Fitness | Starting Couch-to-5K...anyone want to start with me? | Jan 15 2008 04:19 (UTC) |
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| Hi Everyone - This is perfect! I joined a group that is following a similar plan and the goal is to run a 5k the 3rd week in February. We run on our own all week, and will be meeting on Saturdays for a little coaching. I started a few weeks late, but am happy to say that after 3 tries, I am caught up to them
Last weeks intervals were 5 minute runs with 3 minute walks for 30-35 minutes, and a warm up and cool down on either end. I am just so pleased that I am able to do it, but the real test will be if my knees and hips allow me to continue with the program - a few months ago I tried and at about the 3-4 week mark, the pain was unbearable. I am just keeping the pace slow (5 mph when on a treadmill) and not doing the hilly area near my home more than one time a week. On the alternating days I am doing my Power 90 DVD at home - I LOVE that workout, it's super effective. Anyone else do Power 90 or other home workouts? A friend of mine gave me this great technomix called Thrivemix that just really fuels my energy, what would we do without our iPods?? |
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| Foods | favorite bars | Nov 06 2007 22:45 (UTC) |
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| Oh so funny, the bar that I love the best isn't loved by all I guess! Heck, that's why there are tons of options out there! | |||
| Foods | favorite bars | Nov 06 2007 22:44 (UTC) |
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| I am not a big bar eater, but have been traveling a lot lately and good bars have been a lifesaver for me! My favorite one is the Snickers Marathon Low Carb in Peanut Butter. It is so satisfying that I can easily eat half as a snack and save the other half for later. One bar is 170 cals, 18g of protein and 8 g of fiber and it's really chewey and yummy!!!!!!!! | |||
| Foods | Walden Farms! | Nov 05 2007 19:34 (UTC) |
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| I have tried the Bacon Ranch dressing and it was just OK to me, a little too fake tasting - there are other great tasting light dressings out there, so I won't go down that path again. It's also proven that you absorb more nutrients from the veggies in your salad if there is a moderate amount of fat eaten, either in the form of dressing or avocado, so I'm a Newman's light Balsamic vinaigrette girl.
I do get the SF chocolate syrup, though, and really like it - it's great drizzled over sf jello and Cool Whip free or a 100 calorie cup of ice cream with a little sliced frozen banana. Yum, Not everyone is able to tolerate the artificial sweetners, but in small quantities they don't bother me. Please do not give these products to your dog, though, they really do not tolerate them well at all! |
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| Games & Challenges | ***OFFICIAL WEIGH INS HERE!!!*** - November Weight Loss Challenge | Nov 05 2007 18:35 (UTC) |
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| Weight Loss | Diet plan smaple menus? Etc. | Nov 01 2007 18:18 (UTC) |
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| Well, I just started following the LA Weight Loss plan to try to lose my last 8-10 pounds. Like you , I started at 164 and am trying to get down to 155. I am 5’11 and went with LA Weight Loss because they offer a pretty healthy eating plan. Basically it amounts 2 eating the following exchanges daily:
2 Proteins (each P exchange is 4 oz of lean meat, 3 ounces of low fat cheese, 1 cup of cottage cheese, etc) 2 servings of vegetables (non starchy) 2 servings of fruit 2 serving of dairy (8 ounces of low fat milk or yogurt) 2 servings of starch ( look for each serving to contain 80-100 calories of a high fiber starch like 2 slices of low carb bread, one low carb English muffin, ½ cup of cooked oatmeal, ¾ cup of Fiber One or one serving of high fiber crackers). 1 serving of Fat (for me, this is where I use 2 Tablespoons of low fat dressing on my salads or eat 4 walnut halves. I also eat one protein bar a day that contains no more than 180 calories and has at least 5 grams of protein. Luna bars work well. This is my snack and helps to keep my sweet-tooth under control. All tallied up, it comes to around 1200 calories and is pretty well balanced. Here’s what I eat in a typical day: Breakfast is coffee with soymilk (1D), ¾ cup of Fiber One (1S), 6 oz. Of nonfat greek yogurt (1/2 P) and a chopped up half of an apple (1/2 fruit) stirred together with cinnamon. Morning snack is another quarter of apple and half of a Luna bar. Lunch is a salad made of fresh spinach, arugula and cabbage with a little cucumber and a small tomato and 2 ounces of chicken breast and low fat dressing (1V + 1/2P and ½ Fat) Afternoon snack is same as morning snack. Dinner is 4 oz of lean meat (1P) and a steamed veggie and small salad with lowfat dressing (1 P and 1.5 veggies and ½ fat) After dinner I have a cup of tea and an orange. Hope this helps! |
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| Foods | Oatmeal - too good 2 B true? | Oct 31 2007 23:02 (UTC) |
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| Okay, okay, I have to make one more post here - I was in a hotel most of last week - the hotel had a variety of breakfast foods out every morning, but many of them were not good diet choices. I came up with a great breakfast that was low calorie, filling and nutritious:
I mixed on packet of plain instant oatmeal with some hot water and a half of a packet of cocoa, then i stirred in one of the little packages of peanut butter - it was about a tablespoon. Man, that was great!!!!!! Chocolate peanut butter oatmeal. YUM! |
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| Foods | Oatmeal - too good 2 B true? | Oct 31 2007 22:03 (UTC) |
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| Rainhana - Thanks, but I haven't tried it with Steel cut oats, just the Old fashioned oats.......if you try it with Steel cut, let me know how it goes - I'm not kidding, I get the best tetured oatmal doing it the overnight way!
I am just not patient enough to cook and stir in the microwave or on the stove Dont'cha love the Almond Breeze?? |
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| Foods | Fiber that tastes good........anyone know of anything? | Oct 31 2007 21:53 (UTC) |
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| I am loving the Gnu Foods fiber bars (gnufoods dot com) - the flavors are great and they are so good, they are like a treat. Each bar has 130-140 calories and half of your daily amount of fiber. They are worth the effort to mailorder - I especially like the Banana Nut flavor. | |||
| Foods | Oatmeal - too good 2 B true? | Oct 31 2007 21:44 (UTC) |
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| Another way to get a nice bowl of oatmeal is ti start the night before.....measure your oatmeal into a bowl and pour boiling water on top. i don't even measure the water, I just pour enough to lightly cover the oatmeal. Then just lay the lid (or plastic wrap) across the bowl and the oatmeal will absorb the water overnight. In the morning, stir in whatever you desire (Cinnamon, walnuts, plain pumpkin, chopped apple, etc) and just warm the bowl in the microwave for 30 or 40 seconds. No muss, no fuss and really nice hearty oatmeal! | |||
| Games & Challenges | Roll Call ***NOVEMBER WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE*** SIGN UP HERE!!! | Oct 31 2007 20:10 (UTC) |
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| Weighed in at 160.5 on 11/01/2007 - Goal weight to lose in November is going to be 3, but I am secretly hoping for 5... but will cut myself some slack because we're gonna be traveling from 11/13 through 11/26.
Linda |
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| Foods | Breakfast Ideas -- ANYTHING goes! | Oct 19 2007 23:11 (UTC) |
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| Yum! That one of my favorite snacks: Plain rice cake with cottage cheese on top and a sprinkle of green tabasco....I'll have to try the buffalo sauce! | |||
| Games & Challenges | ***OCTOBER WEIGHT LOSS CHALLENGE*** Official Weigh-Ins HERE!!!! | Oct 19 2007 18:58 (UTC) |
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| Uh Oh Dee! Turns out I've been posting in the wrong thread! The one that is now closed, big geek that I am!! Oh well, I just copied it all over here now: Goal 5 punds by October 31. Current Weight 160
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| Foods | Breakfast Ideas -- ANYTHING goes! | Oct 19 2007 18:46 (UTC) |
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| Crunchy Carrot Cake Cup:
Mix about 1/3 cup of plain canned pumpkin, one container of Dannon sugar and carb control vanilla yogurt, cinnamon and a handful of packaged shredded carrots. Add about a half cup of Fiber One and 2 or 3 walnut halves, broken up. Stir it all together and enjoy. Sounds wired, looks wierd, tastes great and is really filling for right around 200 calories. |
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| Foods | Pimp My Salad | Oct 13 2007 00:13 (UTC) |
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| GIASBASH - I love your idea about roasting the zucchini and squash, that would be so easy to do with a little olive oil and balsemic and italian seasoning or just a little pour of light cheese fastastico dressing - it's a great marinade. I am going to use this idea this weekend. Thanks!
FYI - My favorite salad lately consists of mixed iceberg (for crunch), spinach and arugula topped with sliced mushroom and maybe some cucumber. The key ingredients are: 1 tablespoon of dried cranberries, 1 tablespoon of bleu cheese crumbles and a half of a ripe pear, diced. Garnish with some sliced fresh basil and a little balsemic dressing. Maybe a couple of walnut halves, crumbled. My husband loves this salad! |
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| Foods | Crystal Light flavors | Oct 05 2007 20:51 (UTC) |
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| I don't have it too often, but if I'm working in the garden on a hot day I like to make a mix of the Sunrise ruby red grapefruit and the lemonade - yum!!!!!!
Also, I sometimes mix crystal light and some vanilla protein powder in a big cup if I am going into a long meeting - it keeps me from starving to death and doesn't look like I'm eating in front of everyone, and I sort of like the combined flavor. |
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| Foods | When you eat HALF of the banana... | Oct 05 2007 20:44 (UTC) |
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| I have a horrible time eating a half of a banana.....but I've found that if I freeze it, I get a lot more satisfaction out of it! I slice the banana, wrap in saran wrap, put in freezer and then use a few slices on top of sugar free jello with some cook whip, or stick a few in sf pudding - love them so much!!!!!!!!
You could do the same, eat your half, then freeze the rest of it. |
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| Foods | All bran cereal vs. Fiber One | Oct 05 2007 20:40 (UTC) |
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| Hi - The oat and wheat varieties of All Bran are the flake type cereals, they are really good, but quite different from the Fiber One. I love a bowl of the wheat bran flakes with banana and soymilk.
AllBran also makes a 'little squiggle' cereal that is more similar to Fiber One. There is also an extra fiber version....I go for the Fiber One because of the low calories (half a cup is 60) and I really like the texture. I stir it into plain nonfat yogurt and either add chopped apple or some canned pumpkin and some cinnamon. The All Bran is just a little higher in calories that the Fiber One. It's good, but it's just a matter of personal preference. |
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| Weight Loss | Healthy cereal? | Oct 05 2007 20:34 (UTC) |
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| Sweet_Tart -
That is interesting to mix in the fat free cottage cheese.......do you stir that into your cereal and then pour the milk on top??? Hmmmmmmm - I typically stir plain nonfat greek yogurt into my cereal (Usually Fiber One and sometimes Nature's Path granola, but I can waaaay overeat that one it's so good!) instead of milk because it makes it more substantial and really boosts the protein.... |
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