SaraRuns Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 The runs felt great! Well, except I had some issues with my breathing on Sunday. But that was probably weather/humidity related. Knowing how easy it was to put on 30 pounds, I feel like the scale keeps me honest. Plus, my weight really tracks with how my clothes fit and measurements. If that tracking stopped, I might feel less inclined to weigh myself. And like Jen, I'm an accountant! I think the interesting question in all of this is: Am I at a healthy weight? I know I am much more healthy than I was 30 pounds heavier. I'm running, up to 10 miles. I don't hesitate to run up the stairs for something. I'm eating much less processed food. I'm eating lots more veggies. But none of that answers the question of what is a healthy weight for me. My BMI is just in the normal range - like 24.9 with the high end of normal being 25. Is BMI a definitive way to track a healthy weight? I'm not sure of that. Somehow, if I weigh two pounds more, I'm no longer healthy? I'm about 5-7 pounds heavier than my doctor would like. I wear smalls and size 4 pants, but I'm 5' tall. I can pinch way more than an inch anywhere on my body. And I've been at this weight for about three years. I lost the 30 on WW and then stalled out. I had hoped that W30, losing grains would get me over that hump to lose a bit more. Beyond the vanity weight, I honestly believe that I'm heavier than is healthiest for me. But is it healthy enough? Should I strive for more? What is the balance between living life and being healthy (one factor of which is a healthy weight)? Big questions, as I question whether staying off grains is something I should consider a goal. Staying away from heavily processed packaged foods, desserts, etc. makes sense to me, but I'm not sure about the rest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjena Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I think healthy is enough, especialy if striving for more makes you crazy (like it does me). That balance is what I'm going for right now. I feel mentally more stable eating this way. I don't care much about grains and when I want something (like the cabin cinnamon bread), I have it. I just don't have it unless I really want it. It was just filler anyway. I'd rather eat kale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraRuns Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Jen - It sounds to me like you are in a good place mentally. I'm not in a bad place, I'm just not satisfied. I think for me with grains it is that feeling that I'm doing something wrong. That's what I did like about WW. I didn't feel guilty about eating any particular food, I just had to fit it into that framework. I don't want to beat myself up over food. Aargh! I have a stomachache today, I'm not sure why. I am getting back on the salad/broccoli horse, so maybe it is the increase in fiber? Last meet of the season tonight. My son didn't make championships (which are on Saturday), but he seems fine with that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted July 22, 2014 Moderators Share Posted July 22, 2014 Sara, it sounds to me like your body is in a very good place. To have maintained a 30-pound loss for three years and be wearing a size 4, I'd say you've arrived! But what matters is that you feel that way, and therein lies the rub. It's as much a mental game as anything else, and getting to self satisfaction and the opposite of guilt is a good aim. We're all striving aren't we? And I agree that Jen's in a great place mentally. She's an inspiration like that! I have my good and bad days, though what's key for me with guiltless off-roading is that the occasions are rare and worthwhile. I'm getting better and better at that in practice. It all takes time. I looked at some Weber grills online and found the perfect one, I think. I inherited my last grill and therefore had no idea what an investment a decent one is! The one I'm looking at is $400, though it promises to last at least 15 years. It's so pretty I'm worried someone might steal it from my backyard! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjena Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I agree with M - it's a mental game. I just got tired of thinking about it so much and am making a conscious choice every day to aim for balance when it comes to physical and mental health. I'm glad I can be an inspiration (though I don't feel like one - M is the beautiful writer and you are the awesome runner and so on). I have good and bad days, too. I am just trying to make the bad days fewer and the days where food/body/weight aren't really a factor more. M - Weber is supposed to be the best. Go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted July 22, 2014 Moderators Share Posted July 22, 2014 I am just trying to make the bad days fewer and the days where food/body/weight aren't really a factor more. Yes. This! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physibeth Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 Jen - It sounds to me like you are in a good place mentally. I'm not in a bad place, I'm just not satisfied. I think for me with grains it is that feeling that I'm doing something wrong. That's what I did like about WW. I didn't feel guilty about eating any particular food, I just had to fit it into that framework. I don't want to beat myself up over food. Aargh! Please don't beat yourself up over food. You shouldn't feel guilty about eating any particular food because the choices we make about what we eat do not make us "bad" or "good" people. Yes some choices make us more healthy and some choices make us less healthy but if you make those choices with your eyes wide open then there is no reason to feel guilty about the choice. One of the major points of Whole30 is knowing how we feel when we eat certain foods both physically and emotionally so we can make choices based on health. Like for me I know that it is going to be harder for me to lose fat while I eat a lot of fruit and allow for extra sugar...but I also know it is summer and I am actually craving fruit and want to enjoy frozen treats while it is hot. Over the winter I don't generally feel that pull so those treats are not as worth it for me. I also know that I can have a slice of real pizza from time to time and feel mostly fine, but if I eat gluten every day I start feeling foggy and tired. Know thyself and make conscience decisions and own the decisions without guilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraRuns Posted July 22, 2014 Author Share Posted July 22, 2014 Weber grills are a bit of an investment, but I really think worth it. And you can always chain it to something with a bike lock, if theft is really a possibility. I will concede that I don't think I'm unhealthy at this point in my life. I just think losing a bit more weight would be healthier. As would getting back on track with lifting weights. The funny thing is that I know that lifting weights may very well help shift my weight or even make me healthier at the same weight, and yet it is something I find myself resisting against. I do it for awhile, but it is something I let go of so easily. With swim meets ending, I want to focus on that and getting back up to my normal days of running. Keeping my food consumption where it is, upping exercise, and increasing "the days where food/body/weight aren't really a factor". And also keeping guilt to a minimum. Guilt for eating, really ridiculous. I like this alot "Know thyself and make conscience decisions and own the decisions without guilt." I really appreciate how we can all support each other and be inspired by the things we see in each other. Even when I question W30, I never question the support I get here. Thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjena Posted July 22, 2014 Share Posted July 22, 2014 I'm not a big weights fan, either. I've always preferred cardio. Right now, I think yoga is helping my strength, but not as much as weights would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted July 22, 2014 Moderators Share Posted July 22, 2014 I LOVE weights, but I keep injuring myself. Argh. Nothing quite does for me what strength training does. I especially think it can translate into emotional strength for women. Just one more little bit of encouragement in that direction! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraRuns Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 I also think lifting is very empowering for women. I know I like the idea of thinking of wanting myself strong, instead of thin. I have a friend who is really into lifting/crossfit/working out. She is so amazing and strong. She inspires me to lift. But the actual doing of it, meh. It might help if I had someone to lift with, but since I do it in the basement, I don't think that's going to happen. Although it would be good for my husband to be working out... Last meet of the season! He went out well, coming in second in backstroke. Tonight is karate. We'll also need to check the garden. We didn't check mid-week last week and we ended up with two of the largest zucchini I have ever seen. Although impressive in size, they are never very good when they get that large. My goal this summer is to harvest them before they can't fit in my spiralizer. I found a new recipe for kale chips, so maybe I will try again. Both times I made them, they were soggy within a half hour out of the oven. And I used very little oil. The new recipe has a longer cooking time with a lower temperature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjena Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Agree with all - I wish I liked it more. I did like BP when I did the Y last summer. If I had more time and $, I'd do that. But, since I have to choose, I'm choosing yoga. Congrats to your son on 2nd! That's great. Reminds me I still have to call on karate. I'll try to do that today. Also reminds me to buy some zucchini. I need zoodles! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted July 23, 2014 Moderators Share Posted July 23, 2014 Ha! So true about giant zucchini. They're terrible! Kale chips are a staple for me. Curly kale works best, make sure it's dry, massage the oil into the leaves a little, sprinkle with salt, and it should work. I think I generally bake them at 375 or so for about twelve minutes, but I mostly do it by feel anymore. They've got to be crisp but not turning brown. Good luck! When they're good, they're so good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraRuns Posted July 23, 2014 Author Share Posted July 23, 2014 LadyM - Do you have any luck storing the chips? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted July 23, 2014 Moderators Share Posted July 23, 2014 I usually just make enough to eat in one sitting, but yes, I have in the past had no trouble storing them in a big ziplock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraRuns Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Jen - Did you get in touch with the karate place? LadyM - I wonder if the issue is my kale? I don't have curly. We grew a flat, purplish strain. I'll have to remember to grow curly next year. Tonight is the end of season picnic for swimming. I'm hoping to keep it under an hour. Again I'm feeling like I'm never going to get my running up to speed! Tomorrow I have an early doctor appointment, so running will have to be postponed until I get back. I did schedule in a couple of weekday runs next week. That half is coming up very quickly. Today my goal is no snacking on nut butters. I have switched out my yogurt/berries for broccoli/carrots/hummus. But I've been having some nut butter, and I'm sure it is more than I think. So today I will not have it. The reason I cut the yogurt is I want to see if I do any better with a few more veggies and a little less dairy. Also hoping to switch out something a little more calorie dense for something a little bit less calorie dense. Tweaking, tweaking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjena Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 Sara - not yet. It's on my list for today. I think the curly kale works much better for chips than the flat kale. Maybe buy some and try it out and if it works, grow that next year? Good luck getting your runs in. You are now in the prime "no time for mom" years. Enjoy. I think they last until the kid can drive. One of my employees was telling me that she really wants to go back for her masters but is thinking of waiting until her preschool age kids are a little older. I told her to do it now because if she waits, she'll end up waiting until they're in college. Your evenings aren't your own once they start activities! For the yogurt, if you mix it with avocado could you dip veggies in it? I have a really yummy yogurt avocado dip recipe (Eating Well, I think). How is the swap for hummus affecting your digestion? Hummus sadly doesn't agree with me anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted July 24, 2014 Moderators Share Posted July 24, 2014 Yep, the type of kale makes a huge difference. I've tried them all. The flat leaf is much more delicate and doesn't crisp up nearly as nicely. The sacrifices y'all make for your kiddos! It's got to be good karma even if they never know or appreciate you for it. I don't seem to be able to do legumes anymore, either, though I think the type matters. Mung beans, for example--an old staple in my kitchari made with rice--is more easily digestible. I'll probably return to eating that in the winter. But that makes me think maybe I should do proper reintros. I've never done them. Instead, I just avoid all the offenders until I don't and then I get back on it. In some ways I think this is an effective psychological strategy. If I got the green light on dairy, for example, I might go for an ice cream every week! But this way, dairy doesn't interest me. I've had a tub of organic whole milk yogurt in my fridge for months. Probably time to toss it, huh? Jen's dip and veggie idea is a good one, I think. But if you enjoy hummus, go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraRuns Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Jen - It really does seem like my evenings have vanished. Honestly, other than my running, I don't mind. That's why I keep going back to trying to run in the morning during the week. Ugh! I acquired my MBA while working full time. I am SO glad I did that before I had a child. Pre-school years are exhausting in a lot of ways, because they need you so much. But the activities really take up so much time. Wow, that is very interesting about the hummus and digestion. Things haven't been quite right the last few days and I was blaming the pizza I had on Sunday, although that hadn't bothered me in the past. But maybe too much hummus? That recipe looks great and I will definitely have to try it. Ah, the hazards of trying to tweak! LadyM - I hear you on the permission thing, hello Wine! I don't mind dairy, and my body seems to do fine on it. I'm just trying to come up with some tweaks that might allow me to lose a bit, without having to go hungry or count all calories. And yes, toss that yogurt, do not open it! Aw, thanks. I know he appreciates me in his kid appropriate way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Physibeth Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I also think lifting is very empowering for women. I know I like the idea of thinking of wanting myself strong, instead of thin. I have a friend who is really into lifting/crossfit/working out. She is so amazing and strong. She inspires me to lift. But the actual doing of it, meh. It might help if I had someone to lift with, but since I do it in the basement, I don't think that's going to happen. Although it would be good for my husband to be working out... This is why I'm addicted to BODYPUMP...I get bored and confused working on the floor by myself, but throw me in a class (or in front of a class) with a bunch of other crazies and crank up some awesome music and give me a good structure to follow and it becomes fun not just work. I have been working with a personal trainer as well which is also enjoyable and gets me different kind of work than I can do in BP. There is an at home version of BODYPUMP you can buy, but nothing beats a live class if you can find one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjena Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 I finally called on karate and have a tour schedule for the 7th. Exciting! I hope he likes it, but, even if he doesn't, I'm glad he's willing to try something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraRuns Posted July 28, 2014 Author Share Posted July 28, 2014 Bethany - I do think I would like a class better than working out at home, but right now it is just not in the budget to do classes. At my son's karate they offer something called Cage Fitness that looks like a lot of fun, but again, not in the budget right now. And even if it was, I'm not sure how I would fit it in... Jen - Let me know how it goes! It is definitely great that your son is willing to try out something new. And maybe it will end up being a good fit. We had a good weekend. I wasn't feeling very well, I've been having trouble with my sinuses. I went to the doctor on Friday. She thought that it did not look like a sinus infection, more like allergies. She gave me a prescription and told me to hang on to it. So I am still hanging on to it. I'm finally feeling a bit better today. Ugh, so miserable! I did get to run on Friday and Sunday (Saturday I really didn't feel well enough). We spent lots of time outside, eating, swimming, gardening, reading, etc. I plan to run tonight. Somehow it is another busy week, even without swim team. And work is stressing me out, big time! I better make sure I get that run, I really need it. We had friends over for dinner on Friday night. I had one of the mini cheesecakes they made - so delicious! But I gained 2 pounds. Ugh, really!?! I also had a banana for the first time since last November, I'm not sure if that added to the weight gain. I'm not stressing out about it, I know that overnight weight gain means nothing but water retention, but it is interesting how our bodies react to food. I'm hopeful that it will disappear as quickly as it appeared. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted July 28, 2014 Moderators Share Posted July 28, 2014 Well, bananas and cheesecake are two of the densest foods I can think of. Those two pounds may simply be hoe much those foods weigh! Get that run in and enjoy it! I hope you continue to feel better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraRuns Posted July 29, 2014 Author Share Posted July 29, 2014 LadyM - That's true and thank you. Regularity is still off, ugh! But I did get in my run, 4 miles on the treadmill due to a summer storm. It helped with some of my tension from work, although I am fighting letting the stress of the latest email get to me. Deep breaths... Tonight I have a hair appointment and my son has karate. I would love to get a run in, but I don't think that is realistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators LadyM Posted July 29, 2014 Moderators Share Posted July 29, 2014 Deep breaths, yes. One of the reasons cardio helps calm us is because it increases oxygenation--we breathe more deliberately and methodically while running, foe example, because it's what the body requires. Even if you can't get in that run today, seriously doing some deep breathing will help in a similar way! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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