mrsdagle's Journal

this isn't working

Oct 29 2009 12:40

So, I'm worried my weight gain is becoming semi-permanent. I'm researching used/refurbished laptops so that I can have 24/7 access to CC and have the ability to log my calories and activities. I keep telling myself that I can do this offline but I'm not doing it. I'm off the wagon, so to speak.

A lot of my problem is depression. I've sunk again and am overeating in response. I'm working almost everyday and not working out as much. I'm also sleeping in late.

Today I'm making a batch of beans in the crockpot. Hopefully that will help curb the impulse eating.

Food labels, my take

Oct 07 2009 10:32

Reading the blog entry on food labels, I disagree with a lot of the comments. People think that the information is too confusing or uninteresting. I think people need to take control of their own health. I have been reading labels since I moved out from home.

At first, I read them to get the most calorie-dense food for my dollar. I bought cheap frozen dinners and the highest calorie food I could get, the better. I worked and played hard and needed a lot of calories.

When I was married, I read for sodium levels for my husband. Then I read for sugar amounts for my son.

Now I read the labels and ingredients for health reasons. I check for everything and compare products.

I think the only way to encourage the non-readers to read is to decrease the misleading packaging. A lot of people see the big print and stop reading there. If you think the big print has amply described the food, why read further?

I agree with some people that including food label education in school is a great idea. That should be taught with teaching the food pyramid and throughout the grades, not just one health class.

logging calories again

Aug 04 2009 18:41

This is embarassing. my weight is going up and down like a yo-yo. So, I've started counting calories again. Starting today. I had to guess because I ate out a lot. But the fat calories are 47% (!). Yikes!!!!!

I just got NROLFW the other day and reading it. I need to prepare some foods at home so I can have leaner (cheaper) fast food. I need to rekindle my relationship with Billy Blanks too. . . .

I'm still in a size 4, just getting a bit snuggier. I'm probably the heaviest size 4 around. (138)

Update

Jul 31 2009 08:37

My weight keeps going up and down. The job is really early in the morning and so I'm eating a lot of carbs to keep awake and alert. I need to find a balance for this. The facility provides an industrial strength meal for free.

I'm back up to 138.

I have this next month's schedule so I can plan to work out. OH! I just got New Rules for Women (weightlifter book highly recommended at our fitness forum). So I have to deal with and start.

I am not able to meet my running club as much as I wish. I have a new walking buddy that joins me here in my neighborhood though.

The heat has been shocking. Luckily the coastal fog rolled in last night and has cooled us off. Which means the sun won't be able to nuke us this afternoon.

Any questions?

Seattle after one month

Jul 21 2009 17:54

It's been one month and I got confirmation that I got the job!!! I'm stoked for many reasons. My ex and I got in a blow up yesterday and a lot of it had to do with the fact that I don't have a work schedule and they think I should be more "flexible" than they are. The job is WALKING DISTANCE from my place!!!!!!!!!!

Also, I have 2 days left on my antidepressant. A lot of my mood issues are currently rooted in my lack of schedule, a sense of listlessness and a panic that I could be very financially desperate soon.

I have learned a lot in the past month. I have met a lot of people and seen tons of things. I'm not a Christian but I feel a sense of being "blessed".

I gained 5 pounds and lost that. Now I have a thumbs down on my homepage. Whatever. I guess I can stop the endless wandering and start up on the Billy Blanks Bootcamp again.

Seattle, week 4

Jul 12 2009 17:28

So, I'm counting calories again, well, sort of. I can't count calories in the restaurants-accurately. But I'm on top of the intake and I seem to be doing alright.

The main thing is to not leave the house starving because I will go overboard once I find a feedingtrough. Oatmeal, yoghurt, whole grain bread, soups all help keep me in check. I am buying local cheeses for snacks and wow! Fun stuff!

I'm also forcing down an ounce of nuts at home a day.

I was at the beach yesterday and I got the idea it would be fun to go kayaking. I bet that would be great on the arms. I'm still doing hard walks and bike rides. It's harder on the weekends because I have my son and he is recovering from a terrible asthma attack. He can't walk far or do much without getting wiped out.

Still job-hunting. Y'all will be the third person I will tell once I find work.

oops!

Jul 08 2009 21:10

I guess I''m not burning as many calories as I thought. I weighed myself today and I gained 5 pounds since I last weighed.

I admit, I near binged on carby foods the past few days. It's really hard to walk the neighborhoods without stopping to eat. I try to eat at home to prevent that but I find room somewhere to eat more. Not to mention my long-running membership in the "Clean Plate Club".

It's possible some is water retention but still, 5 pounds is a lot. I did get a mini cycle exerciser. It's a pedal-thingy that sits on the floor (or tabletop). It doesn't have a strenuous tension but it's something to do if I can't get outside or find myself slacking in my apartment.

So, I have to restrict the treats and the feasts.

I sneak in a couple of miles at least everyday. Even on my rest days. But like I've mentioned before, I need to watch that I'm not eating more than I'm burning. I need to mellow out on the beer too.

real exercise

Jul 07 2009 08:52

I walk up and down hills a lot, for transportation and recreation. I burn lots of calories everyday but I noticed I was itching for a cardio work out last night. I don't know exactly how far I walked, but it was intense for about an hour. I was able to shove some jogging in there too. So, I got my heart rate up into the 150's.

I need to do calisthenics soon. I've been waiting because I don't want to be too sore while I'm job hunting.

Later this week I might rent a bike to see how I do on the hills with gears and handbrakes.

Day 3 1/2 in Seattle

Jun 24 2009 18:05

I took the bus to Ballard (neighborhood to the north) and walked around. Found food and had Salmon Chowder for the first time. Great stuff. Didn't think I would like it but I had to try it because I've been here over 3 days without trying fish.

So, yesterday I rode/walked my bike up and down hills over 4 miles to the shopping center where there is a Target. The whole round trip trek took about 2 1/2 hours. I found a Bed, Bath and Beyond and weighed myself. I haven't gained any weight at all!! I have been eating like I can afford it, nonstop. But the hills and getting lost helps burn endless amounts of calories.

Crumpets, cheese curds, hum bao, chowder, burgers, coconut cream filled buns, it just doesn't stop. And the foods that I skipped! Piroshkies, potstickers, breads.

I love this place! I feel like Yakov Smirnoff. "What a country!"

Seattle

Jun 22 2009 18:32

Well, I made it here yesterday in one piece. Almost unscathed. I woke up on Saturday a bit dizzy and thought nothing of it. Had too much to drink in a short time the night before. Then I drove all day and had to stop just short of Seattle. I woke up Sunday morning head-spinning dizzy if I moved my head up or down. I'm fine until I bend over or stand after lying down. It got worse yesterday afternoon. It was better but still around today.

I am covered in bruises from lifting awkward stuff and it dawned on me that the dizziness may be from taking aspirin while on my anti-depressants. That combined with sitting for 4 days in a moving truck may have screwed up my circulation/blood pressure. So, I have been walking all over this place, up and down hills and eating salty foods. I was adding MSG to my food just before I moved and during the trip, ate a lot of carbs and not so much meat. Just easier to eat in a truck.

It's really cold here (duh) and so it's easy to keep moving around. I need to because of the lack of exercise and bloated feeling I have. Plus, there are a googlezillion amount of restaurants around here and I'm frothing at the mouth just thinking of them. I haven't had a bad cup of coffee yet.

When I start formally exercising again, I will report how it's going. I think Wednesday, I will start job-hunting.