Health & Fitness Thread - 3/23

We are headed back to DH's hometown for Easter weekend, and one of his best friends owns a Chinese restaurant. His famiy has owned it since they were kids. So we always make a point to go, the food is delicious. I will be getting Sesame chicken and crab rangoon! I stay away from the rice and only eat one rangoon and half the chicken, but totally worth it. I may see about having the chicken steamed instead of fried, but it is doable even fried. Although I just realized we are going there Friday, and Saturday morning is my WW meeting (they have a really small but friendly meeting in the library basement on Saturday mornings in the next town over from his hometown), so I better chug water after dinner!

Tonight my WW friend and I are going to a 90s sing along at Alamo Drafthouse, will be getting dinner there too but already Pre-tracked it. I guess the summare of the week is lots of eating out.

We did rent a house on airbnb instead of staying at the Super 8 - it was only a few dollars more per day, and it's a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom house really close to everything. Much nicer to have a kitchen, separate living room, space to have friends over, etc. We have stayed several different places when going back since his mom passed away - a bed and breakfast, super 8 (best hotel in town, seriously...), and some cabins. But the cabins are kind of pricey and no wifi, and not that well kept up last year vs prior year. I hope this house works out, it would be perfect. Having a kitchen makes eating decently so much easier than staying in a one room hotel room with a mini fridge (which I do all the time for work but hate it on "vacation").

Good morning! I am trying to focus on some mindless eating/snacking that I think may be slowing down my already slow weight loss. I usually have tea in the afternoon and every blue moon, I would have a bit of honey in it. Fast forward six months and more often than not, it is automatic to have something sweet in the afternoon. I gave up Diet Coke over the summer and leading up to that, I eliminated all the artificial sweeteners I could find in my diet. The good news is that they all taste funny to me so I don't want them, but sugar is so appealing! Lol.

I am also trying to drink water (which makes a huge difference to me in terms of snacking) and all the basics that I paid so much attention to when I started. I haven't gained any weight, but I've only lost 3-5 lbs since Jan 1st and I think it is a bit of fatigue on my part. I just want to hit goal weigh and eat what I want! LOL! I know, the elimination of sugar over two days has made me delirious:-)

The weather is getting a bit warmer and there is more sunlight, so those things always increase my activity level.

That's awesome!

Yum! I haven't made those in a while. I need to get that back in the rotation!

I'm checking in! I have been busy with running. My 10K training group had our last group run last night and we have our graduation race on Saturday. I'm excited and nervous!

Triathlon training officially starts this week. Yikes! Bought a bike helmet yesterday so I can get outside for some rides. Maybe this afternoon if the weather cooperates. Swimming is progressing. I just need more time in the pool. I'm aiming for two days a week right now and I will hopefully up that to 3x soon.

I bought a Fitbit Alta, but now that I read what Patter posted on the Fitbit thread, I'm not sure I want to make the switch. So it arrived last night, and is sitting in its box. I'm thinking of returning it and buying a Garmin Vivoactive. Then I could sell my Garmin Forerunner 220 and have everything in one - step tracking and running. Still unsure though ...

STBC, I do LOVE the size of the Alta but getting the screen to work is terrible. It is not easy to get the screen on and to switch views. I have seen lots of complaints about it. Some have suggested it works easier when tapping near where the band attaches. I have not gotten that tip to work any better than just tapping the screen. And the steps still seem off to me. Trying to figure it out. I am still going to give it a go before I give in. And good luck with the triathlon training. WOW!

My Chinese restaurant has a few "special diet" options. It's steamed protein and veggies, with white rice and sauce on the side. My family loves Chinese, so that's my goto dish. Even if it's not on the menu, it might be worth asking if they can steam and put the sauce on the side. (It would be even better if my restaurant had brown rice...and some do.)

I did a crazy cooking session on Sunday and cooked all of my meals for M-F. (It was a meal plan for 22 Minute Hard Corps from the Beachbody site.) My husband just kinda shook his head...but he's being supportive and not offering me anything.

Good morning ladies! I really enjoy checking in here in the morning - you all motivate me, thank you.

I did the gym at 6am this morning, and it wasn't so bad.

Kikipea mentioned yesterday about how exercise can slow the scale - I admit I am not doing any strength training or weight lifting, even though I know I really should be. If the scale moves any slower, I'll scream (and give up), so for now, I'm just doing cardio and yoga several times per week. If I can get to my main goal, which is about 16-17 pounds away right now, I'll take up weights and strength work again, immediately. I have a friend who has lectured me extensively about "chronic cardio" and I know I need to do other things, especially since I am not 25 anymore, but I am prioritizing fat loss over strength for right now. My muscle mass at the moment should be safe, I eat a lot of protein.

On the calorie adjustment, I've read not to trust MFP. I use another calculator that goes with the way I eat, and I update it every 10-15 pounds. My daily goal went down 200 calories about 10 days ago and I was sad. It was 1800 and 1600 is just fine now, but I felt pretty oppressed in the beginning!

Anyway, have a great day all! I'm going to do yoga tonight even though I went to the gym because my right buttock is on strike and hurts so bad for some reason, I can't lie on that side at night. I've considered calling the doctor or scheduling a yoga consultation, but I don't know how to phrase it: can you squeeze me in for an appt? My right buttcheek hurts. Thanks.

My Dr. told me 1/2 of your body weight.

sharlag -you are right on- it's not a little sweetened tea that is a problem. For me, that sugared tea leads to snacks and little treats. The worst part isn't the treats, it is that they are not planned treats and I'm not even hungry, I'm pretty just mindlessly eating. I'm just trying to cut that stuff out. I still have a planned snack in the afternoon  . 

Patter - I am so glad you daughter is okay! 

AN - any news on your biopsy? My appointment is finally tomorrow. Travel safe! 

Larabars are my new favorite! I'm eating one right now They are so good. I like to have one in the afternoon as a little pick me up. Sometimes, I'll make myself an English muffin w/peanut butter right after work if I know I'll be running later that night.

Today has been a good day. Got my workout in. I would like to get a run in yet this evening, but I don't see it happening.

Rain is forecasted for tomorrow, so I know I won't get to do it then. Bummer!

IT'S FINALLY SPRING BREAK!

I've been waiting for this day for WEEKS!
Our school had a basketball jamboree today to raise money for one of our students (and one in my class!) who was dx with osteosarcoma (I have no idea if I spelled that right). He had his leg amputated and unfortunately, after being cleared last spring, it came back--with a vengence. He's been through so many procedures, chemo, clinical trials...he's a tough cookie, but he looked so tired and "over it" when I saw him at the game. Broke my heart. But I was so proud of our staff and students. $4000 was raised for his family. We can complain about the youth, but the youth at my school ROCKS! I'm so proud of them.

Seeing my student made me realize that I have a healthy life--that I'm lucky and blessed far beyond what I deserve. I need to start taking very good care of myself so that I can be there for all those who are important to me. Seeing him put a lot of things into perspective--I get to choose whether I eat something...he doesn't--he has a feeding tube now. I get to choose whether to move my body or not...he doesn't--he's not only lost his leg from below the knee, but he's so sick, thin, and frail, he's just not able to. I have choices and I need to make better ones.

Food-wise has been pretty good. We had a last minute mom-to-be shower for our fellow foreign language teacher. I had some snacks, but didn't have any cake. What I did have, I had small amounts and found I was full much faster than I'd anticipated.

Making spaghetti for the kids for dinner. Not sure what I'm having...not in the mood for pasta not to mention I can't figure out how many points I used for the snacks that I want to keep it on the lighter side tonight. We'll see.

Yes, I should have tagged you! All clear, got the results the next day. Fibroadenoma, only needs to be removed/ablated if it is bothering me. I am going to keep an eye on it because I suspect it is growing and over 4 cm you can no longer ablate it, but no immediate action needed!

Good luck at your appointment!!!