Health Goal Update for May 25, 2009 (Blog)

[Erin Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Erin Pavlina's blog:

Health Goal Update for May 25, 2009

[StarieEyed]

Good for you. I am on your same mission and have set days which I can kind of cheat this month, and knowing about them ahead of time is really helping me. My daughter's birthday is this week and she is haivng two parties, one this Friday and one next Saturday so I know we will be having yummy foods. Yesterday we had a bbq so that was my day for last week.

I started a woman's bootcamp on Monday its 4 days of hour workouts. I made sure to pair all my meals with some kind of protien, drank plenty of water and made sure to have a green smoothie each day and lost two pounds!! I am so so so happy with myself!! Makes it so much easier to keep on trucking this week. I am going to add three extra walks this week and swimming on friday if the pool is open.

I am now 188. I ended my pregnancy in October at 210 or so and was I think 175 when I got pregnant. My goal is 160-165. Not really sure yet b/c I have never done weight training in my life so Im not sure what I will weigh with muscle!

[TimG]

Hi Erin...

Out of curiosity, how do I work out the calories in your example day of eating? Is there a simple conversion from WW points to calories? (doesn't need to be exact)

It sounds to me like you have the food side of the equation under control, but the exercise part is not at the same place. Is it time to set aside all the "reasons" and commit to a training program?

Cheers,
Tim

[staceyterry]

AWESOME!

I'd do a happy dance in your honour, but the only reason I'm sitting at my computer right now is because I got a little exuberant with dancing/exercising in my living room and managed to roll my ankle. Nothing serious, just sore... or so I hope! I'm just happy I'd managed to get a bit of a sweat going first...

I've definitely felt that reluctance with the weight lifting too, but that's always a pre-feeling. Once I'm doing it, I find I'm okay. And once I'm done, I'm always pretty proud and very pleased with my efforts. There doesn't seem to be any logical justification for not liking weights, so I think those emotions belong to my pool of resistance... and I'm trying to make that pool a bit more shallow these days!

I see Steve's not much of a fan, but I'm experimenting with some EFT to see if that helps me cope with some of my emotions and sense of deserving. It's not a substitute for eating properly or working out, but I'm hoping it's a tool that will get me over those 'blah' or 'I don't wanna today' moments. Even if EFT is the equivalent of Dumbo's feather, I like that it makes me pause and think about my energy when I'm in a rough/weak emotional moment, and I tend to have quite a few of those. But even though I have rough and weak emotional moments, I choose to deeply love and completely accept myself anyway, as the saying goes!

Looking forward to your next update Erin!

[Erin Pavlina]

Weight Watcher points are roughly 1 point equals 50 calories. So the 24 points I'm eating per day is about 1200 calories, but that is not exactly right as fiber lowers the points of a food and fat raises it.

I'll be going back to weight lifting. But I swear, it had better do something for me. I might hire a personal trainer at some point if I'm not getting results on my own.

[Angela]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

I'll be going back to weight lifting. But I swear, it had better do something for me. I might hire a personal trainer at some point if I'm not getting results on my own.

Just be careful not to do that Erin Pavlina thing, where you push yourself really hard all at first and put yourself out of commission. Gentle, gentle, gentle with your princess self, as you ease yourself back into the game!

[StarieEyed]

I would definitly get a trainer. I have a hard time getting into weight lifting with out the bootcamp. you need someone there to push you and to make sure you are doing the moves right or else you may not be doing your body any good and may even be harming it. Maybe even once a week would help?

[rhonda524]

Good job on the weight loss Erin. I started this week and with all my sacrifices it seems so slow. My diet was horrible to begin with. About as bad as you can get. I am going 50% raw. It's a big improvement. I used to lose weight so much easier. Does age have that much to do with it? And I always thought that the fatter you were the faster it should come off because there is so much initial water loss. Has anyone here ever seen the tv show the biggest loser? I mean I know they exercise alot but how do they lose that much weight every week?

[IFeelGood]

Erin,
I know that I have mentioned soy to you before but looking at your daily log, it looks like you have eaten almost half of your calories in processed soy products. I know that many vegans want to substitute the meat with something that might be similar in texture but I have serious concerns about processed soy and have completely cut it out of my diet after discovering it can disrupt the thyroid, is one of the most heavily sprayed crops and one of the foods humans are most allergic to.

I still believe whole, unprocessed is best and the best form of soy is probably organic edamame.

All the best to you.

[Erin Pavlina]

Yes I know. Over processed foods bad. But so is being overweight for this many years. First things first. These low fat, high protein items are working well for me. If I had a chef here making fresh, unprocessed foods, that would be great. But at this point in time I'd rather spend my time working than in the kitchen.

[IFeelGood]

In addition to the health aspects of processed foods, part of why I mentioned it is because it may actually be disrupting your thyroid, which often causes weight loss plateaus.

You are such a beautiful woman regardless of your weight but I do know how it feels to not be at the weight you'd like to. I know you will get there. Think about all of the goodwill bags of clothing you will give away!

[PTJohn]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

I'll be going back to weight lifting. But I swear, it had better do something for me. I might hire a personal trainer at some point if I'm not getting results on my own.

Here's how I look at it--if I want the maximum amount of results in the shortest period of time, I hire a professional. Experts help you save time by putting you on the correct path sooner. Last month I started playing tennis again, and I realized that the mechanics of my forehand were off. So, instead of wasting my time (time to me is a precious commodity) practicing bad form, I hired a tennis pro to correct my form and get me where I want to be sooner.

BTW, it will work, but at the same time my intuition tells me that you're gonna have to want it really bad, and when you do, things will then fall into place (sort of like life's way of seeing what you are made of).

[lacinato]

Anyone know why veggies are zero points? I can definately overeat veggies--today I am restricting calories, and still had about 700 calories from veggies alone (NOT starchy veggies like potatoes, either). That's enough to make a real difference! Are they assuming most people who eat veggies don't eat more than a hundred calories worth?

[Erin Pavlina]

Wow 700 calories from veggies? You should be walking around in a halo of health!

Not all veggies are zero points. But things like broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, celery, etc. are. Carrots cost, as do green beans and eggplant. There's a list. But they figure that if you're filling up on veggies you're good to go. A cup of lettuce is only 8 calories. You could eat 10 cups of lettuce for 80 calories and the fiber would be 10grams. That's a good bang for your buck. Add some dressing on there though and you're screwed.

I had a carrot today that was a very large carrot. And it was 90grams of carrot, which had .2 grams of fat and 2.5 grams of fiber. It came to under a quarter of one point. And it was quite filling.

What veggies did you eat that added up to 700 calories pray tell?

[lacinato]

I'm a volume eater What I've learned is, I love to eat. I used to overeat junk, now I overeat healthy food. I can't gain as much weight, but I can gain enough to not fit in my clothes and feel crappy.

Okay...here is a day where I had 600 calories worth. I'm keeping calories low, 1300-1500 total right now (I'm very small).
Normally I would eat more, but I'm getting rid of some fat right now.

With dinner:
1 10 oz package frozen spinach, 109 calories
canned tomatoes, 70 calories

with lunch/breakfast:
5 cups spinach, 35 calories (salad and smoothie)
raw carrots, 200 calories
jicama, 200 calories

I also had beans, fruit, and seeds (fat!). I could trade in some veggies for grains, or more beans or fruit, but then it's not enough volume and nutrients for me and I just don't feel as satisfied. I do rotate my veggies, but always get in lots of greens (one kind or another).

Good to hear they include them! Lettuce is very hard to overeat, but I can with brocolli if it's on top of a million other things. And I will get a physical sign of overeating--digestive distress. Even overeating veggies, I do feel way better than overeating junk, but it still makes me feel bloated, lethargic, etc.

Good luck! It sounds like this is working for you, no matter what anyone else say about WW.

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by Erin Pavlina

If I had a chef here making fresh, unprocessed foods, that would be great.

Why don't you?

Even a person of relatively average means could afford to have someone come in once or twice a week, make up a bunch of meals, put them in tupperware and freeze them.

Even without doing that, I tend to buy lots of precut frozen veggies and steam (and sometimes even microwave) them and eat about a pound or two per day. Very little preparation time or effort required.

A basic meal plan for myself and my girlfriend: put 1.5 cups quinoa in bottom of rice cooker with 3 cups water, add tbsp of olive or coconut oil, fill top of rice cooker steamer with various veggies, turn on, and when it's done in ~20 minutes, add a tbsp or two of butter and enjoy.

[StarieEyed]

What is quinoa?

[openeyes]

Originally Posted by StarieEyed

What is quinoa?

WHFoods: Quinoa

It's often treated as a grain, and can be cooked following the same directions as white rice. It's relatively nutrient dense and is a complete protein. Plus it tastes good

[Erin Pavlina]

We tried having a personal chef. It was awesome, initially. Problems came up leading to food going to waste and no one being on the same diet, etc.

[EmbodyFitness]

Hi All - new to the forum and thought I'd post. Lots of good responses; seems like there is always a lot to say about food, exercise, and dieting. For the most part the rules are pretty simple - consume less food than you use or use more energy than you consume. Key word being FOOD - which is where we get all mixed up - especially here in the good ole USA.

From the body's perspective, food is fuel and medicine. Food provides the body with energy to do what it needs to do for the day and vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to ensure everything is working properly. All else it considers poison or junk, hence the term "junk food."

Food being defined as unprocessed, organic, as is found in nature - vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, naturally occuring oils - olive, coconut etc. for those who are not vegan include fish, poultry. Noticeably absent: pizza, chips, crackers, pasta, bread, cookies, rice cakes, additives, preservatives, artifical and processed sweeteners, etc.

When the body takes in only those products defined as food as needed, it will begin to function at an optimal level - ideal weight, feel good, look good. If a body is transitioning from a modern diet consisting of processed foods and sugars to a diet consisting of real food, it will eventually correct existing maladies and begin functioning at an optimal or near optimal level depending on the underlying issue.

The point being to not over complicate it - yes - every body is different but the fundamentals are pretty basic: take in real food in the amount your body needs.

Note: to lacinato - you said were a volume eater - couple of things could be going on: I suspect there may be some issues with your digestive system and blood sugar levels. May want to look into probiotics, digestive enzymes, and see if these are for you. Assuming you exercise? - if you stick to eating real foods, things will eventually balance out and your mega appetite will subside a bit.

[lacinato]

Hi, thanks for the input. I do eat only real foods, exercise and have taken probiotics and digestive enzymes. If I eat well and not too much, digestion is a non-issue, so I don't find either necessary (real food and exercise, I do!).

For me, it comes down to what is discussed in this article:
Do I wish that we could walk through life “listening” to our body? Actually I think we do, and I think that is exactly what the problem is.

* The best natural suppression of stress based upon sedentary work? Eating, specifically carbs.
* The best natural suppression of stress based up lack of sleep? Eating, specifically carbs and caffeine.
* The best natural suppression of depression and anxiety? Eating, specifically carbs.
* The best natural suppression for making up for lack of social interaction? Eating, specifically carbs.

Guess what folks, we ARE eating intuitively. We ARE fulfilling the needs our bodies feel that have in this new day and age.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At any rate, I'm not overweight, but I am not as slim as I like when I am sleep-deprived and over-stressed. My appetite just goes through the roof (maybe since I don't self-medicate with caffiene or alcohol?). Also, if you're active and eating your veggies, you have to eat a ton of food to get enough calories (so I do add in things like nuts to balance it all out).

[EmbodyFitness]

"Hi, thanks for the input. I do eat only real foods, exercise and have taken probiotics and digestive enzymes. If I eat well and not too much, digestion is a non-issue, so I don't find either necessary (real food and exercise, I do!)."

It's not just a matter of digestion but digestion coupled with absorbtion; both of which may be corrected, improved, and maintained thru enzymes and probiotics.

Regarding intuitive eating - did not suggest this in my original post as I agree that most are addicted to sugar and carbs and therefore will crave sugar and carbs.

In any event, glad to hear that you are doing just fine.

[Laura Bruno]

Congratulations to everyone losing weight.

It just occurred to me that this new blog post might help some people with cravings: Sugar Cravings, Salt and Minerals « Laura Bruno’s Blog

Blessings!
Laura