Fit Mommy Friday

The start of my week went fantastic.  I walked 2 days outside and I got up early to do my strength training.  Then, I got sick and spent an entire day on the couch, and today trying to recover as well.  I was really discouraged the day I spent on the couch.  I just couldn't move.  Thankfully, I did not feel like eating much either.  So, I am hoping to try to do a little walking this weekend, but really, just going to the grocery store might be enough. 

Food wise, I've done well.  I am increasing the veggies and decreasing the sugar.  I made it two nights in a row without a bit of chocolate or ice cream.  That's pretty good for me! 

I have had some issues with my health coach's approach to eating which trigger within me some old battles.  She pushes this vegan, no starch (grains included).  I just can't go there.  It's too restrictive.  I really must have an eating disorder, because I feel myself freaking out when I am told I can't have this or that.  All foods should be legal and eaten in moderation.  When I ban a food group, it doesn't work for long term.  I am trying to think long term.  I know I would not manage to avoid dairy, grains, meat, sugar, oil, and whatever else they label as bad for long.  I did that once.  I lost 70# by not eating carbs.  I gained that back and some almost as quickly as it came off.  I need to remind her of my one goal and that is to not do anything now that I don't plan to do for the rest of my life.  I am sticking to my guns on this one! 

So, I did end up loosing 2 beautiful pounds this week, just eating less.  I have only a couple more pounds before I hit the 30# mark.  I am planning to buy a new pair of pants for walking.  That's exciting! 

If you'd like to join in this fitness discussion, please visit Annie Kate! 

Slow Down!

Over the past few weeks, I have been fine tuning my eating style, trying to make it my own and trying to make it work.  It all started with my health coach wanting me to try her preferred diet.  I appreciate her help, however, there is not a one-fits-all solution.  Plus, her diet is rather extreme in my opinion (no fat, no dairy, no meat, no sweets ever), not something I could maintain in the long run or even for a month as it turns out.  I started this journey with the absolute conviction that if I did could not maintain a behavoir for the rest of my life, then it was not for me. 

So, I spent a month, trying it her way and ending up in a war with my food again.  Food was my enemy.  I was grumpy, hungry, and not really loosing any more weight than before.  I do think it did help me to bust through my plateau though.  *yay*  What I learned is that I have to make this journey my own.  OK, I knew that but needed to test that theory to prove it to myself.  

That brings me to this past weekend.  I have always been intrigued with the Mediterranean (French) style of eating.  I love eating real foods:  whole grains, berries, nuts, real fat dairy, beans, and the like.  I am not a big red meat fan, mostly because I cannot afford to eat the healthier variety.  I do love chicken and I am learning to love fish.  The other component to this way of eating is not to worry about amounts and calories.  They enjoy their food, slowly.  This in itself allows them to eat less amounts.

This past weekend, I decided that I had had enough of the low fat, high carb lifesyle.  It dawned on me that my food choices were not really the problem, but my portions were out of kilter.  The reason for that is that I wolf down my meals so fast and guzzle so much water at a meal to wash it all down, that I never taste my food.  I have to fill up a plate so that I know I had something!  The connection between my brain and my stomach is off.  If it takes 20 minutes for your brain to know you are full, then a meal should be eaten more slowly to allow this natural connection to happen.  

So, I did the following: 

• use a much smaller plate.
• put a small amount of food on the plate and know that if I need more after eating slowly,  I can get more.
• eat slowly.
• do not drink water during my meal.
• take small bites.
• put my fork down between bites. 
• if there is food in my mouth, there is nothing in my hand.
• wait 5 minutes after I have finished my food to determine if I want more.
• enjoy the food, really taste it.  
• enjoy my family
• end the meal with a small dessert, eaten slowly, too  (dark chocolate.)  

I am going to continue in this manner, as I think it is the key I've been looking for.  I will continue to eat balanced meals, but focus on slowing down, way down!  Real food is not my enemy. 

Are you a fast or slow eater?  Have you ever tried slowing down?  Did it help you?
~Jenn

Fit Mommy Friday

Social eating

Hooray!  I walked 2 days this week and did my weights 2 days, too.  Tomorrow we'll be up at "our" lake and plan to hike a dune.  I feel as if my knee is really healing up well, although, I still cannot put direct pressure on it.  I cannot put my weight on it when bent.  So, next week, I will try to do a little more and see how that goes.

As for my eating, I kept a journal every day this week.  I discovered that I am more of a  visual person than I even knew.  Each morning I go over the previous day and quite unpremeditated, I found myself marking the day's food with a smiley face or a frowning face.  I also circled the vegetables and fruits.  It makes me happy to see lots of circles and smiles!

I had another good talk with my health coach.  She helped me to see that I am a social eater who "caves" when others around me are eating things I know are not the best choices for me.  I still have to figure out what all this means.  I do not think this means that I can never have food that I enjoy.  But, what it does mean is that I am not going to look to others for my strength to say no, if I really need to say no.

For example, recently we were eating out with family.  The end came and I was perfectly content to skip dessert.  There was cake at home and I was planning to have a very small piece.  Well, the waitress brought a cupcake to the birthday boy and before I knew it, everyone was ordering cupcakes.  I wanted to remain strong, but caved.  And then I had more cake at home because I was defeated at that point.

I can see two negative thinking issues with the previous situation.  I let others have the control and I gave up.  I should have remained firm with my original decision.

Anyway, my coach says I need to take the focus off of food when in a social situation and focus on the people. I also need to think ahead to how making certain choices will affect how I feel afterwards.  Do I want to feel strong and in control or guilt ridden and weak?

She wants me to focus on the positives of my week, which were plenty.  I enjoyed a green smoothie every day.  This pushed my veggie intake up to where it needs to be.  I also got back to moving.  Yay!

If you'd like to read more Fit Mommy Friday posts, visit Annie Kate! 

Update and Rehab

Today, I began my relationship with my new health coach.  Of course, she is very nice and has a lot of great information to share.  The whole process is a bit daunting.  I feel as if I have a lot of pride to swallow.  That's a good thing really!

She pushes a super low fat, plant based diet with very little starches.  I am not so sure that is the way to go for me.  I do agree that I need to eat more vegetables.  Interesting that that was my goal for January!  I think it will be my goal for February too.

In that spirit, I am going to try making a green smoothie recipe she gave me as soon as I have bananas in the house again.  If it goes well, perhaps I will make one every day, increasing my veggies in the process.

Fruit smoothie

2c water

Handful of spinach (you can continue to increase as you get use to it)

1/2c frozen fruit

1/2 banana

blend and enjoy


My leg continues to heal.  It's range of motion is less at the moment.  At least I can now go up and down stairs normally.  The swelling is gone, too.  The worst thing is the scab on the knee.  It keeps getting scraped.  I have a rehab plan for next week.  Monday, I am going to start walking inside and see how that goes.  Tuesday, I am going to do my stretching and toning, but modified, either on the ball or some other way to avoid being on my knee.  Wednesday will be more walking.  Thursday will be back to my stretching and toning.  Friday more walking. 


I am trying to keep positive and not give into my feelings of being overwhelmed by all I have to do!  ~Jenn 

UPDATE on the UPDATE:

I made my first green smoothie and I can honestly say that I loved it!  Now, to make it a daily habit.