Monday, August 15, 2011

Monday, August 15, 2011

I am getting a lot more comfortable with the myfitnesspal website. It's really pretty easy to use. The simple nature of the site is very applealing. It's simple and tracks all the important things. It also provides the opportunity to print reports.

I set my goals as follows:

A deficit of at least 490 per day
Consume no more than 1710 calories per day
Exercise at least 4 times a week for at least 30 minutes
Weigh in every Friday and report it here on the blog

I am backing off the daily reporting here on the blog. I think I may be obsessing about my weight, goals and making daily entries. By de-emphasizing the minute details and moving my focus to other aspects of life, I may find balance.

See you Friday!!

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sunday, August 14, 2011

I had a pretty good day yesterday. I started using myfitnesspal to track things. As with any new program, it'll take a while to get used to, but so far, it seems pretty easy. I'm sure that I'll find more useful things as I go along. I haven't completely set it it up, but I did get started.

I set some basic goals and tracked my food. I was 116 calories over goal yesterday at 1826 calories consumed. Not bad, really!

Last night was the third night in a row that I didn't get up and eat in the middle of the night. I feel REALLY good about that.

I will post a new goal set tomorrow. I'm pretty certain of what I'm going to strive for.

Have a great day!

Saturday, August 13, 2011

MIA again...

Truth is, I have been eating enough for two people the past few days.  Can't wait for school to start!  The structure and down time for mom is needed.
Tracy

Saturday, August 13, 2011

I am going to switch my reporting method to myfitnesspal.com tomorrow. Today will be the last day that I use the BodyMedia site.

My weight is up -- 252.8. What? Silly scale. There's no way that I gained 1.8 pound in one day. My guess is salt ...

From yesterday:

Treat myself well = 9
Accurate reporting = yes
Processed carbs = yes
Calories consumed = 1824 (Yay! Under 2,000 again!!)
Fat = 99g 50%
Carbs = 119g 26%
Protein 113g 25%

I am thinking about my goals for the last two weeks of August. I don't think I'll track "treat muself well." That was a good reminder and I'll keep trying to be aware of what I'm doing for and to myself. I'm going to avoid procesed carbs, but not eating them at all is not reasonable. I am going to track whether I make it through the night without nighttime foraging. I am also going to track my actiivty level. I'll be using a new site, so I think that the rest will develop after I get a chance to check out the site.

All for now! Be well!



Friday, August 12, 2011

Friday, August 12, 2011

I had good day yesterday. I controlled my eating and made good choices all day. The only thing I could have done better was get in some formal exercise. I didn't make it to the gym, but did walk at lunch and after work.

My weight is 250.6. Pretty good! I'm down exactly two pounds since last Friday.

From yesterday:

Treat myself well = 10
Accurate reporting = yes
Processed carbs = yes (I had a white bun and white spaghetti)
Calories consumed = 1879 (Yay! Under 2,000!)
Fat = 67g 31%
Carbs = 241g 49%
Protein = 42g 19%

Today, I plan to get in some "extra" steps by walking at lunch and break. I won't be able to go to the gym since I have to pick up some things right after work. I will be switching to another data base to record my food and activity; I just havn't the chance to sit down and check out anything else right now.

Have a happy and healthy day; I plan to! (And we all know that planning is key!!)

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Thursday, August 11, 2011

I didn't wear my armband yesterday because it has stopped syncing itself. BodyMedia won't send a new one and their fixes do not work. As I mentioned yesterday, I will be changing to a new recording method. I have pretty much decided on myfitness pal.com, but haven't done the work to make the thchange yet. Yesterday, I recorded my food on BodyMedia site; at least that part works for me.

My weight is 251.8 today.

From yesterday:

At the gym for 45 minutes. I walked, stretched and did lots of things with the exercise ball.

Treat myself well = 9
Accurate reporting = yes
Processed carbs = no
Fat = 84g 34%
Carbs = 203 g 53% (whole wheat tortilla, tomatoes, bananas and apples)
Protein = 81g 14%
Calories consumed = 2238

I enjoyed my day yesterday. My time at the gym was pleasant and productive. I'm trying to do more stretching and body resistence stuff instead of hitting the weights. I still work up a good sweat and get a good workout. I would like to research alternatives to traditional gym routines. When I have some time sunday or Moday, I will spend some time on the computer checking out those plans as well as signing up with myfitnesspal.com.

Today isn't a gym day. We have dinner plans with family after work. I'm planning on agood day and hope that you have one, too!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

I had another good day yesterday. Two in a row!

My weight is down again. I weighed 250.2. That's the lowest since I started tracking new goal sets in July. I am very excited about getting below 250 and looking forward to returning to 235 where I was in April!!

From yesterday:

Treat myself well = 10
Accurate reporting = yes
Processed carbs = no
Activity = 1:20
stesp = 12482
Deficit = 767
Fat = 121g 50%
Carbs = 147g 27%
Protein = 124g 22%

I exercised twice yesterday, once in the morning when I took Opal for a long walk and later in the day when Michael and I went to the gym. I also made a good choice at dinner. Michael had tacos and I had a chicken salad instead. My calories could have been lower, but I put cheese on the salad and Michael talked me into making popcorn last night when we watched a show.

I'm working today, so I'll have to walk Opal later in the evening after the gym. I decied to walk Opal every day, at least for a little. She really enjoys it and it helps me, too.

I am becoming increasingly frustrated with the armband and have decided to not renew my membership in October. It doesn't always sync up. Today it took me 1/2 hour to get it to sync data. I have been writing back and forth with the BodyMedia company and have tried all their fixes. Sometimes, their suggestions work, sometimes not. They maintain that it's not a device issue.

I'll probably start using another method to record my progress within the next week or so. Tracy has suggested my fitnesspal.com. I'll probably check that one out first.


BodyMedia FIT data for August 9, 2011
Calories Burned - 2921 | Calories Consumed - 2154 | Total Activity - 1:21 | Moderate Activity - 1:21 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 12482 | Sleep Duration - 7:49 | Lying Down - 9:07 | Sleep Efficiency - 86%.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Tuesday August 9

2791 calories consumed today.  This number is right around the amount of calories I burned today.  Not the greatest day.  Ate too much at dinner and ate one of my kid's muffins.  Bummed I did not control my intake better.
-Tracy

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Good day yesterday. I was very active and I made wise choices.

My weight is down. Today I weighed 251.2

From yesterday:

Treat myself well = 9
Accurate reporting = yes
Processed carbs = no (plenty of whole grains, though!)
Activity = 1:30 (wow!)
Steps = 15072 (wow!)
Deficit = 1360 (wow!)
Fat = 73g 32%
Carbs = 228g 43%
Protein = 135g 25%

I had a very positive attitude yesterday and accomplished a lot. I purged my closets. Hanging in my closet now are only the clothes that actually fit me well. If it was stained, unflattering or hadn't been worn, I tossed it. If it didn't fit, but I like it and thought it might fit within 6 months, I boxed it up. There's now a large tote in the spare closet with enough clothes for a size 16 me. (Right now I wear a 18w.)

I also prepared whole grain oatmeal and froze it for breakfasts. Each container has 1 cup of oatmeal and I added 2 tablespoons of brown sugar to each container. I made and froze spaghetti and meatsauce in portions containing 2 ounces of pasta and 1 cup of meat sauce. At dinner last night, I removed all the skin from the baked chicken and I meaured my portions.

Today, I'll take Opal for another long walk and go to the gym. Opla is looking a bit pudgy. She could use some exercise, too. I heard once "If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise!" hahaha

BodyMedia FIT data for August 8, 2011
Calories Burned - 3456 | Calories Consumed - 2096 | Total Activity - 1:30 | Moderate Activity - 1:30 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 15072 | Sleep Duration - 5:41 | Lying Down - 7:08 | Sleep Efficiency - 80%.

Monday, August 8, 2011

Monday August 8

1948 calories consumed today.  Getting into the swing of things.  Got a slight bit more activity today.  Went for a family walk tonight.  My oldest needs some exercise and getting on her on her bike is the way to go.  Finished with 4600 or steps... Really sad how little I move in a normal day.  These numbers were after a 20 minute walk with the family.  Gotta ramp it up!
BodyMedia FIT data for August 8, 2011
Calories Burned - 2865 | Calories Consumed - 1958 | Moderate Activity - 0:36 | Steps Taken - 4630 | Sleep Efficiency - 83%

Talk to ya tomorrow!
- Tracy

Monday, August 8, 2011

I had an overage yesterday. I had sugar, too. All in all, it wasn't a day that anyone would call a good effort for someone trying to reduce.

Weight is up as well. Today I weighed 253.

From yesterday:
Treat myself well = 6
Accurate reporting = yes
Processed carbs = yes
Activity = 33 minutes
Steps = 8089
Overage in calories = 320
Fat = 178 g 50%
Carbs = 216 26%
Protein = 192 23%

Yesterday was fun day. I went to my mom's for a cookout. I really didn't do too badly at the dinner table. I didn't have any corn or bread. I choose a big steak, green beans, tomatoes, and cucumber salad. Before dinner, I had tortilla chips with peach salsa and after I had ice cream with a brandied peach. The extras were partially responsible for my overage.

I haven't been sleeping well the past week or so. I've been waking up several times each night and when I do, I always get a snack from the fridge. I believe that this is responsible for most of the extra calories that I've been consuming.

I am honestly becoming very tired of trying. Maybe it's more like I'm tired of hearing myself make noises about trying. In truth, I really am not trying ...

BodyMedia FIT data for August 7, 2011
Calories Burned - 2883 | Calories Consumed - 3203 | Total Activity - 0:33 | Moderate Activity - 0:33 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 8089 | Sleep Duration - 6:37 | Lying Down - 8:10 | Sleep Efficiency - 81%.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

Sunday August 7

Calories consumed 1982.  Not much activity as I worked all day.  

Got my steel cut oats made yesterday for the next 2 weeks.  That is a big accomplishment.  It takes about an hour to get that all ready.  Gtg for the next 14 days or so.  It depends on how much my kiddo eats.

Tomorrow it is a full work day.  Off at 2:30 though.  I will try to get some activity in, even if it is just house cleaning.
- Tracy

Background Change

In honor of all of your garden efforts Diana, I changed our background.  I would love it if you would post more about your garden here too!  That is so related to our weight loss and healthy efforts.  I only wish I had the space and motivation to have a garden!
- Tracy

Sunday, August 7, 2011

I had a pretty good yesterday. My best choice was to NOT go to my High School class reunion. There was lots of hand wringing and I went back and forth about attending, but finally decided against it. I guess I wasn't in the mood to be judged by people that I don't really care about any more ...

I weighed in at 252 this morning. That's the lowest since the beginning of the new August goal set.

I don't think I'll have a goal of no processed carbs for the second half of August. It's just too difficult to manage. I think a more reasonable goal would be no white sugar and only whole grain.

From yesterday:

Treat myself well = 8 (NOT going to the reunion was THE best choice!)
Accurate reporting = yes
Porcessed carbs = no
Activity = 100 minutes
Steps = 9594
Deficit = 335
Fat = 162g 57%
Carbs = 129 g 20%
Ppotein = 143g 22%

BodyMedia FIT data for August 6, 2011
Calories Burned - 2831 | Calories Consumed - 2496 | Total Activity - 1:00 | Moderate Activity - 1:00 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 9594 | Sleep Duration - 5:11 | Lying Down - 6:45 | Sleep Efficiency - 77%.

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Breakfast!

Breakfast for the next 2 weeks!


I'm back! (Again!)

OK, so as soon as I start using my armband again, my computer dies!  Talk about a blow to the old motivation.  So, I am now hooked up with my kiddo's computer until we decide a long term computer solution for me.  So, I am back in the game again.  I will be posting daily again as of tomorrow!
Tracy

Saturday, August 6, 2011

High school angst revisted last night ...

More later ...

BodyMedia FIT data for August 5, 2011
Calories Burned - 2764 | Calories Consumed - 3113 | Total Activity - 0:41 | Moderate Activity - 0:41 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 8180 | Sleep Duration - 5:31 | Lying Down - 6:34 | Sleep Efficiency - 84%.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Friday, August 5, 2011

I'm feeling very tired this morning! I haven't slept well the past two nights. I don't expect to get much sleep the next few days, because we're going to be busy porcessing corn. Michael picked 247 ears yeaterday. All that has to be husked, blanched, cut off the ears and frozen. I sure like having the products we end up with at the end of the season, but boy, it's a lot of work!!

I had an okay day yesterday. It would have been better without the fried zucchini I made for dinner last night. Fried food is high in calores and I used some flour to coat the zucchinin slices. I did have good step numbers and a good activity level and a good deficit, though!

From yesterday:

Treat myself well = 7
Accurate reporting = yes
Processed carbs = yes (again, goal is no)
Activity = 54
Steps = 8972
Deficit = 612
Fat = 150 g 62%
Carbs = 112 g 20%
Protein = 100g 18%

My weight is steady at 252.6. I expect a loss to show up soon!

Have a happy and healthy day!

BodyMedia FIT data for August 4, 2011
Calories Burned - 2813 | Calories Consumed - 2201 | Total Activity - 0:54 | Moderate Activity - 0:54 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 8972 | Sleep Duration - 5:51 | Lying Down - 7:09 | Sleep Efficiency - 82%.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Good day yesterday in regard to activity, burn, and consumption! I did have some processed sugar and flour yesterday, though. I had a small piece of zucchini bread as a midnight snack about 3 am. Since it was officially on Wednesday morning, it's in the totals from yesterday.

Today's weight is steady at 252.6

From yesterday:

Treat myself well = 8
Accurate reporting = yes
Report weight and blog = yes
Processed carbs = yes (goal here is a "no"!)
Activity = 52 minutes
Steps = 6896
Deficit = 765 (!)
Fat = 110g 30%
Carbs = 82g 17%
Protein = 143g 53%

Feeling pretty good this morning and have my eyes on another good day. I hope that you have a good day, too!!

BodyMedia FIT data for August 3, 2011
Calories Burned - 2652 | Calories Consumed - 1887 | Total Activity - 0:52 | Moderate Activity - 0:52 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 6896 | Sleep Duration - 6:27 | Lying Down - 8:02 | Sleep Efficiency - 80%.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

I felt very negative yesterday for some reason; I'm not reallly sure why.

I left my armband at home during the day because I was frustrated with it. When I came home, I was able to get it working again and put it back on around 4:00pm. I sent a letter to the company requesting a replacement. The warrenty is good until October 25th. Hopefully, they will replace it.

I did record all my food, so I am able to report some numbers. Since I didn't have the armband on, I'm spotting myself averages for a normal day when I don't work out. I have enough knowledge to be able to do that with some degree of certainty.

My weight is up a bit more. Today, I weigh 252.6. I feel that this a temporary set-back and that I will report losses again soon enough.

From yesterday:

Treat myself well = 7 (I was in a bad mood, but didn't dwell in negativity.)
Accurate reporting of food = yes
Report weight and blog = yes
Processed carbs = no
Deficit = +47
Activity = 20 minutes (est.)
Steps = 5k (est)
Fat = 142 g and 58%
Carbs = 72 g and 13%
Protein= 166 g and 29%

I am feeling more postive today. Michael said something that made me snap out of my bad mood yesterday. He didn't even really know that what he said helped as much as it did -- he was just talking to me. "All we can do is plan for what we know we can control. Don't think about negative hypotheticals." He's pretty wise!

Have a happy and healthy day!!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

I did well with the new goals yesterday.

Treat myself well = 10 (I did lots of good things for myself yesterday!)
Report all food = yes
No refined sugar, rice, pasta wheat or white potatoes = yes
Deficit = 644
Steps = 8519
Activity = 22

I ate lots of protein yesterday -- boiled eggs, deli turkey, lean pork roast. I also had vegetables -- summer squash, cucumbers, sauerkraut, and green beans. I felt satisfied all day.

I've been noticing some things that worry me about my armband. I think it might not be reporting all my data. Four times in the past couple weeks, it reported very low activity numbers when I'm sure that I've been more active. It also doesn't always sync up to the computer. I try and try, but it doesn't. I've written to BodyMedia, and have tried all their suggestions but none seem to fix it permanently. I think it may be dieing. In October, I will have had it for a year.

My weight today is a bit higher than it was on Friday. Today, I weighed 252.2. I expect that's due to the extra calories I consumed on Saturday and Sunday and the salty sauerkraut that I had for dinner last night.

Have a lovely day!!

BodyMedia FIT data for August 1, 2011
Calories Burned - 2876 | Calories Consumed - 2232 | Total Activity - 0:22 | Moderate Activity - 0:22 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 8519 | Sleep Duration - 6:32 | Lying Down - 8:05 | Sleep Efficiency - 81%.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Monday, August 1, 2011

Happy August!!

I'm starting the new goal set today. I'm thinking of it as a sort of sugar busters meets South Beach meets Adkins thing for the next couple weeks. Processed sugar and grain are empty calories and so easy to eat. They are not the least bit filling and are unhealthy. I also think that eliminating things that my body doesn't really use a true fuel is a good idea. It will be interesting to see how it effects my weight and the break down of my food.

I finished making my yearly allotment of zucchini bread. I now have frozen 14 loaves of bread to use for gifts, parties, potlucks and gatherings. The bread is wonderful and it freezes very well.

I'm going to can a few green beans today. There aren't many beans this year to process. All the rain caused the plants to mold underneath and most of the wax and green bean pods are ruined. Michael is planning to do a final picking on Thursday and he'll pull the plants then. Last year, I put up about 30 quarts. This year, I'm canning beans in pints and will have less than 30. The bean harvest is dissapointing this year!!

Did you notice the activity level, calorie burn, and steps from yesterday? I was VERY active! We went on an early bike ride and then worked at home the rest of the day.

BodyMedia FIT data for July 31, 2011
Calories Burned - 3435 | Calories Consumed - 2770 | Total Activity - 1:04 | Moderate Activity - 1:04 | Vigorous Activity - 0:00 | Steps Taken - 10076 | Sleep Duration - 5:35 | Lying Down - 6:19 | Sleep Efficiency - 88%.