Since school has started getting a little more hectic and final projects and one hundred page papers are due sooner than we know...working out has fallen to the bottom of my to-do list. I usually try and work out at least three times a week for a good hour or two each time. Lately , I have neglected working out all together and have had to improvise by eating healthier and drinking a lot more water.
I now have to spend more time to think about what I can eat that won't add on the pounds while I am not working out as much. I have started to get a lot more foods that are high in fiber when I go to the grocery store. High fiber cereals, breakfast bars and even high fiber lemonade packets to add to my water keep my metabolism up to speed. Another personal favorite is the Steamers bags of veggies...if you like vegetables they are so convenient!
Longer hours on campus during these last few weeks of school can also mean you have limited options for a snack or a decent meal. If I know that I am going to be on campus for a long time I try to pack a small portion of either cereal or another healthy snack along with a couple waters or crystal light energy drink(10 cals total and ZERO grams of sugar and it's delicious!). Most importantly, I leave the debit card AT HOME! When I bring it with I am tempted to buy cappuccinos, bagels..which are secretly terrible for you, snacks from the convenience store, etc. Healthy snacking throughout the day is great for your metabolism and lowers your appetite.
During these last few weeks of school, be prepared and make healthy decisions. Although you may not be able to squeeze in an hour of cardio, you will feel better knowing you picked the apple over the bag of chips from the vending machine today! Plan ahead, don't let school completely take over your ability to live healthy :-)
Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!
Jenna
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Response for Sara
When I work out I like to do a mixture of cardio and weights.
I Always begin with at least 20-30 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical. I found that trying to maintain 45-60 minutes of cardio each time I would work out, and adding weights on top of it, made me look forward to working out less, so I shortened the cardio time but increased the intensity. You want to make sure you work up a sweat and get your blood pumping.
After a cool down I move on to weights. For arms I focus on three main muscle groups: Biceps, triceps and deltoids. I use free weights or machines depending on the kind of mood I am in I guess. Usually I work all three groups in one session. Since muscles need recovery time, I spend the next day toning my legs.
Sara, since you are interested in toning your arms, you may want to just work on a specific muscle group or two each day and just alternate between workouts. As far as what exercises to do….good lord there are so many. When I first started toning my arms I did your basic bicep curls, lateral raises for deltoids and triceps extensions. I do four sets of basically however many reps possible.
Since I started, I have added on different exercises to my routine to target the different muscles in each group as well as back muscles (I feel like they are neglected). But those three exercises were a good starting point for me and it didn’t take long for me to notice changes.
I know you said you have your diet set, but I usually drink a protein shake right after a workout.
Hope it helps,
Margot
I Always begin with at least 20-30 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical. I found that trying to maintain 45-60 minutes of cardio each time I would work out, and adding weights on top of it, made me look forward to working out less, so I shortened the cardio time but increased the intensity. You want to make sure you work up a sweat and get your blood pumping.
After a cool down I move on to weights. For arms I focus on three main muscle groups: Biceps, triceps and deltoids. I use free weights or machines depending on the kind of mood I am in I guess. Usually I work all three groups in one session. Since muscles need recovery time, I spend the next day toning my legs.
Sara, since you are interested in toning your arms, you may want to just work on a specific muscle group or two each day and just alternate between workouts. As far as what exercises to do….good lord there are so many. When I first started toning my arms I did your basic bicep curls, lateral raises for deltoids and triceps extensions. I do four sets of basically however many reps possible.
Since I started, I have added on different exercises to my routine to target the different muscles in each group as well as back muscles (I feel like they are neglected). But those three exercises were a good starting point for me and it didn’t take long for me to notice changes.
I know you said you have your diet set, but I usually drink a protein shake right after a workout.
Hope it helps,
Margot
wedding weight
Hey all!!
Because of school conflicts, Brian and I set our wedding date pretty far in advance (Sept. 9, 2011). And because we have so much time, we haven't planned anything besides booking our hall. This summer I plan on picking my dress, which is why I'm writing this post.
My plan is to (hopefully!) lose another 15 pounds by then. I know from experience that the last leg of weight loss is always the most difficult, so I need to get a head start. My goal is to go down 1 dress size before I go dress shopping. Now I know what foods to eat that will help the process, but I need help in the exercise department.
I loathe working out! My whole life I've been waiting for a switch to flip that will make me one of those crazy women that enjoy running and going to the gym, but it's never happened. I know that I could lose the 15 pounds faster if I incorporated exercise. What I really want are some tips or specific work outs that I could benefit most from. And who doesn't want toned arms for the big day?? I WANT TONED ARMS!!! =]
To my other livinghealthy5 ladies who love to work out---any advice?
Thanks, all!!!
*sara
Because of school conflicts, Brian and I set our wedding date pretty far in advance (Sept. 9, 2011). And because we have so much time, we haven't planned anything besides booking our hall. This summer I plan on picking my dress, which is why I'm writing this post.
My plan is to (hopefully!) lose another 15 pounds by then. I know from experience that the last leg of weight loss is always the most difficult, so I need to get a head start. My goal is to go down 1 dress size before I go dress shopping. Now I know what foods to eat that will help the process, but I need help in the exercise department.
I loathe working out! My whole life I've been waiting for a switch to flip that will make me one of those crazy women that enjoy running and going to the gym, but it's never happened. I know that I could lose the 15 pounds faster if I incorporated exercise. What I really want are some tips or specific work outs that I could benefit most from. And who doesn't want toned arms for the big day?? I WANT TONED ARMS!!! =]
To my other livinghealthy5 ladies who love to work out---any advice?
Thanks, all!!!
*sara
Thursday, November 19, 2009
My weight struggle
Hello! My name is Liz and I am the last member of the Healthy Living group. You may wonder why my post is so late compared to the others, their is a reason for this. The reason is that it is difficult for me to discuss my weight and the struggles that I have with it. I have been overweight my entire life. Growing up I never really realized what weight was and how the food choices I made would eventually impact the way I look. I remember as a child my dad would tell me to go to bed and set a good example for my younger sister, but once she was asleep he would allow me to sneak downstairs and watch television with him and eat chips and dip, while enjoying his company. It wasn't until I was in 5th grade that my body began "changing". I was getting taller and heavier, but I just felt it was a normal change. I felt this way until fellow classmates started poking fun of me for my weight and the way I looked. I didn't let this bother me too much.
I was entering middle school, and the kids that once teased me about being a "giant" had "changed" as well. In middle school I was happy with who i was. I was active in three sports and felt good about myself. In 8th grade I was 5'10" and 180 pounds, not too heavy, but not too skinny either. As I finished middle school, I had to transition to high school. I still stayed active throughout my four years of high school, but there were more changes to my daily routine. Those changes were that I had my license and I had a job. The reason i mention this is because when I had a craving, something like McDonalds, Taco Bell, Hardees, etc... I would drive to satisfy my craving. Even though I usually ate what I wanted, I stayed pretty "solid" at 5'10" and 180 pounds at a size 16...or so I thought I was staying "solid".
There were many experiences throughout my high school years that destroyed the image I had of myself. One in particular that really sticks with me and still is painful to think about dealt with basketball. As I was coming off the basketball court, a group of boys from Berlin, the visiting team, started "moo-ing" at me and calling me a cow. This was just the "tip of the iceberg" the taunting and teasing continued up until I graduated. Then I had a fresh start.
I was now in college, where no one knew me nor knew my past. I commuted everyday and because of this I really didn't have a chance to make many friends. I felt lonely, so I turned to food. Everytime I would have a break between classes I would drive to a fast food establishment and buy food. I had gained a lot of weight. It wasn't until the summer between my sophomore and junior year of college where I started working out and running about 5 miles three times a week. Along with running, I also made better food options and I felt great about it. I had lost thirty-five pounds in three months. It was a positive life transformation, but then winter came and I gained all the weight back. Not only did I gain the weight back, but I also gained additional weight as well.
To date I have gained over 100 pounds since high school and I really want to do something about this. I hope that with the help of my family and friends that I can loose the weight and feel great.
Until next time!
Love--Liz
I was entering middle school, and the kids that once teased me about being a "giant" had "changed" as well. In middle school I was happy with who i was. I was active in three sports and felt good about myself. In 8th grade I was 5'10" and 180 pounds, not too heavy, but not too skinny either. As I finished middle school, I had to transition to high school. I still stayed active throughout my four years of high school, but there were more changes to my daily routine. Those changes were that I had my license and I had a job. The reason i mention this is because when I had a craving, something like McDonalds, Taco Bell, Hardees, etc... I would drive to satisfy my craving. Even though I usually ate what I wanted, I stayed pretty "solid" at 5'10" and 180 pounds at a size 16...or so I thought I was staying "solid".
There were many experiences throughout my high school years that destroyed the image I had of myself. One in particular that really sticks with me and still is painful to think about dealt with basketball. As I was coming off the basketball court, a group of boys from Berlin, the visiting team, started "moo-ing" at me and calling me a cow. This was just the "tip of the iceberg" the taunting and teasing continued up until I graduated. Then I had a fresh start.
I was now in college, where no one knew me nor knew my past. I commuted everyday and because of this I really didn't have a chance to make many friends. I felt lonely, so I turned to food. Everytime I would have a break between classes I would drive to a fast food establishment and buy food. I had gained a lot of weight. It wasn't until the summer between my sophomore and junior year of college where I started working out and running about 5 miles three times a week. Along with running, I also made better food options and I felt great about it. I had lost thirty-five pounds in three months. It was a positive life transformation, but then winter came and I gained all the weight back. Not only did I gain the weight back, but I also gained additional weight as well.
To date I have gained over 100 pounds since high school and I really want to do something about this. I hope that with the help of my family and friends that I can loose the weight and feel great.
Until next time!
Love--Liz
Monday, November 16, 2009
How I lost 73 pounds
Hello again!
In this post I wanted to share some hints/tips I learned during my time spent with L.A. Weight Loss. Even though I'm no longer in the weight-loss phase (although I still want to lose 15 pounds!), these are tips I'm confident I will utilize for the rest of my life. They really keep me on track!
*Eat 6 small meals per day.
--Breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner, mid-evening snack. L.A. recommends you eat 2 protein bars/day (one for mid-morning snack, one for mid-afternoon snack). These bars should have 7-10 grams of protein and no more than 210 calories. Some brands I recommend are South Beach and Special K. They recommend protein bars as a snack because protein makes you feel full. Sometimes I get sick of the bars so I eat an apple with a tsp. of reduced-fat peanut butter (it tastes the same as regular pb, I SWEAR!) because of the protein. Also, fiber bars do the same trick as protein bars--both leave you feeling full, and taste GREAT!
*Drink 64 oz. of water/day.
--This was hard for me to do at first because I wasn't a water drinker. But I learned to love it, and now I can't live without it. Keeping hydrated with H2O prevents me from over eating because I never have an empty stomach. My counselor advised me not to go too far over 64 oz. because I would then just be flushing out essential vitamins I'm receiving from all the fruits and veggies I'm eating. If you're not a water drinker, those single-serving Crystal Light flavor packets do the trick. Most have just 5 calories per serving.
*Don't follow the food pyramid (*during weight loss)
--When I was in the weight loss phase, I was allowed to eat:
2 servings of fruit
2 servings of vegetables
1.5 servings of starches (carbs)
1.5 servings of dairy
2 servings of protein
1 fat (olive oil, margarine)
2 protein bars
64 oz. of water
L.A. provides you with a book that lists all the food groups and what is considered a serving for each. For example, a serving of lean protein, such as chicken, fish, or turkey is 4 oz. A serving of dairy, such as milk, is 8 oz. A serving of vegetables, such as spinach, is 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw. Following these menu guidelines is essential to losing weight.
*All vegetables are not created equal.
--L.A. really opened my eyes when it comes to myths and realities of healthy eating. For instance, I always thought that all vegetables were fair game, which is not always true. Carrots and corn are pretty much a starch, so much so that eating them counted towards my starch intake, not vegetables. How vegetables are cooked is important as well. L.A. always pushed all-green RAW veggies as the best as far as vitamins and nutrients. Heating drastically destroys the nutrients of the vegetables, but if you steam them (I couldn't go a day without my steamer!) all of the vitamins stay in tact. Oh, and speaking of vitamins---my counselor told me how important it is to use "Light" salad dressing instead of "Fat-Free" salad dressing. In order for your body to absorb all of the vitamins from the salad it has to have fat lipids to absorb it. If you're eating fat-free dressing, the vitamins have no way of absorbing into your body. You may be getting away with a slightly leaner meal, but you're missing out of the nutrients.
*Fill up before you fill up.
--When I go out to eat I usually try to start my meal with a salad or broth-based soup before my main course. My counselor taught me that if I fill up on either one of those choices, I'm likely to reduce my caloric intake during the meal.
*Water isn't just for drinking.
--Yeah, you heard me right. L.A. taught me to choose foods with higher water content to help me feel full. For example, I choose grapes over raisins, cucumbers over pickles.
*Watch your portions!
--My problem was and always will be portion control. I never finished eating when I was satisfied, I finished eating when I was full. It should always be the opposite! During the weight-loss phase and now I'll eat a Lean Cuisine (or something comparable) paired with a vegetable and a serving of dairy to make it a full meal. My counselor always told me to observe the serving sizes of the frozen dinners--that's what the servings are supposed to look like! When I would go to restaurants or make dinner at home, I would (apparently) intake 5+ servings of food! And take your time when you eat. A little trick I use is to eat with my less-dominant hand (in my case, my left) because it's a little more complicated. My right hand allows me to shovel in my food!
*Sodium, sodium, sodium.
--I read EVERY nutrition label on all food items I buy now. L.A. taught me to check sodium levels first and foremost because no matter how healthy you think you're eating, if the sodium levels are high the number on the scale will not get smaller. For instance, a can of light Progressive soup may only have 100 calories per serving, but a can of light Progressive soup with 50% less sodium is a much better choice. L.A.'s menu book also has a section of foods in every category that should be eaten infrequently throughout your week because they tend to have higher levels of sodium (pork, tomato juice, jarred or dried fruits, ketchup, etc.) Also I use low-sodium salt now, which tastes like regular salt. I also enhance the flavor of my foods with salt-free blends, like Mrs. Dash.
*Kick the alcohol.
--This one was very easy for me, but I know some people may need help with it. I just simply remembered: If I were to have a 12 oz light beer, it would take away 1 of my 2 starches I'm allowed during that day. Would I rather eat a light english muffin or drink a beer? Easy decision.
*Shop smart.
--I always try to eat a meal or snack before I grocery shop to avoid impulse buying and the free samples. I also try to plan my menus/meal plan before I go so I don't purchase items I don't need (this is rather difficult with my schedule, however.) I stay on the outside aisles of the stores, because this is where the fresh produce, meats and dairy are usually located. The inner aisles contain the snacks and processed foods. When purchasing light bread, I make sure I choose any bread with 40-50 calories/slice (Sara Lee makes a great 45-calorie per slice bread, and it comes in 3 different varieties.) I also try to shop 2x a week to avoid running out of fresh produce.
*Weigh yourself. And often.
--There are critics of this technique that say doing so will drive you crazy and make you fanatic of the number. I view it as a tool that keeps me in line. I weigh myself probably 3 times a day, the first being right when I wake up. This shows me how I'm going to eat throughout the day. If I'm a half-pound heavier from the day before, I know that I need to focus a little harder on my food that day. If I'm a half-pound down from the day before, I know I can sneak a piece of chocolate or a handful of chips.
*Take a day (or two) off.
--During the weight-loss phase I was in weight-loss mode 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Now that I'm in the maintenance mode I (try my hardest!) to eat on the plan Mon-Fri and then I relax a little bit on the weekends. If I didn't, I'm sure I would go CRAZY!
I hope all of these tips help you like they've continued to help me. There are weeks where I have a challenge every day, but L.A. has educated me enough that I feel I can overcome any weight issue. It will be a life-long process; the hard work doesn't end after the weight loss phase (in fact, for me it really began then!). Good luck to you all.
*sara
p.s. A few web sites I visit daily:
www.hungrygirl.com
www.healthyeatsweekly.com
In this post I wanted to share some hints/tips I learned during my time spent with L.A. Weight Loss. Even though I'm no longer in the weight-loss phase (although I still want to lose 15 pounds!), these are tips I'm confident I will utilize for the rest of my life. They really keep me on track!
*Eat 6 small meals per day.
--Breakfast, mid-morning snack, lunch, mid-afternoon snack, dinner, mid-evening snack. L.A. recommends you eat 2 protein bars/day (one for mid-morning snack, one for mid-afternoon snack). These bars should have 7-10 grams of protein and no more than 210 calories. Some brands I recommend are South Beach and Special K. They recommend protein bars as a snack because protein makes you feel full. Sometimes I get sick of the bars so I eat an apple with a tsp. of reduced-fat peanut butter (it tastes the same as regular pb, I SWEAR!) because of the protein. Also, fiber bars do the same trick as protein bars--both leave you feeling full, and taste GREAT!
*Drink 64 oz. of water/day.
--This was hard for me to do at first because I wasn't a water drinker. But I learned to love it, and now I can't live without it. Keeping hydrated with H2O prevents me from over eating because I never have an empty stomach. My counselor advised me not to go too far over 64 oz. because I would then just be flushing out essential vitamins I'm receiving from all the fruits and veggies I'm eating. If you're not a water drinker, those single-serving Crystal Light flavor packets do the trick. Most have just 5 calories per serving.
*Don't follow the food pyramid (*during weight loss)
--When I was in the weight loss phase, I was allowed to eat:
2 servings of fruit
2 servings of vegetables
1.5 servings of starches (carbs)
1.5 servings of dairy
2 servings of protein
1 fat (olive oil, margarine)
2 protein bars
64 oz. of water
L.A. provides you with a book that lists all the food groups and what is considered a serving for each. For example, a serving of lean protein, such as chicken, fish, or turkey is 4 oz. A serving of dairy, such as milk, is 8 oz. A serving of vegetables, such as spinach, is 1/2 cup cooked or 1 cup raw. Following these menu guidelines is essential to losing weight.
*All vegetables are not created equal.
--L.A. really opened my eyes when it comes to myths and realities of healthy eating. For instance, I always thought that all vegetables were fair game, which is not always true. Carrots and corn are pretty much a starch, so much so that eating them counted towards my starch intake, not vegetables. How vegetables are cooked is important as well. L.A. always pushed all-green RAW veggies as the best as far as vitamins and nutrients. Heating drastically destroys the nutrients of the vegetables, but if you steam them (I couldn't go a day without my steamer!) all of the vitamins stay in tact. Oh, and speaking of vitamins---my counselor told me how important it is to use "Light" salad dressing instead of "Fat-Free" salad dressing. In order for your body to absorb all of the vitamins from the salad it has to have fat lipids to absorb it. If you're eating fat-free dressing, the vitamins have no way of absorbing into your body. You may be getting away with a slightly leaner meal, but you're missing out of the nutrients.
*Fill up before you fill up.
--When I go out to eat I usually try to start my meal with a salad or broth-based soup before my main course. My counselor taught me that if I fill up on either one of those choices, I'm likely to reduce my caloric intake during the meal.
*Water isn't just for drinking.
--Yeah, you heard me right. L.A. taught me to choose foods with higher water content to help me feel full. For example, I choose grapes over raisins, cucumbers over pickles.
*Watch your portions!
--My problem was and always will be portion control. I never finished eating when I was satisfied, I finished eating when I was full. It should always be the opposite! During the weight-loss phase and now I'll eat a Lean Cuisine (or something comparable) paired with a vegetable and a serving of dairy to make it a full meal. My counselor always told me to observe the serving sizes of the frozen dinners--that's what the servings are supposed to look like! When I would go to restaurants or make dinner at home, I would (apparently) intake 5+ servings of food! And take your time when you eat. A little trick I use is to eat with my less-dominant hand (in my case, my left) because it's a little more complicated. My right hand allows me to shovel in my food!
*Sodium, sodium, sodium.
--I read EVERY nutrition label on all food items I buy now. L.A. taught me to check sodium levels first and foremost because no matter how healthy you think you're eating, if the sodium levels are high the number on the scale will not get smaller. For instance, a can of light Progressive soup may only have 100 calories per serving, but a can of light Progressive soup with 50% less sodium is a much better choice. L.A.'s menu book also has a section of foods in every category that should be eaten infrequently throughout your week because they tend to have higher levels of sodium (pork, tomato juice, jarred or dried fruits, ketchup, etc.) Also I use low-sodium salt now, which tastes like regular salt. I also enhance the flavor of my foods with salt-free blends, like Mrs. Dash.
*Kick the alcohol.
--This one was very easy for me, but I know some people may need help with it. I just simply remembered: If I were to have a 12 oz light beer, it would take away 1 of my 2 starches I'm allowed during that day. Would I rather eat a light english muffin or drink a beer? Easy decision.
*Shop smart.
--I always try to eat a meal or snack before I grocery shop to avoid impulse buying and the free samples. I also try to plan my menus/meal plan before I go so I don't purchase items I don't need (this is rather difficult with my schedule, however.) I stay on the outside aisles of the stores, because this is where the fresh produce, meats and dairy are usually located. The inner aisles contain the snacks and processed foods. When purchasing light bread, I make sure I choose any bread with 40-50 calories/slice (Sara Lee makes a great 45-calorie per slice bread, and it comes in 3 different varieties.) I also try to shop 2x a week to avoid running out of fresh produce.
*Weigh yourself. And often.
--There are critics of this technique that say doing so will drive you crazy and make you fanatic of the number. I view it as a tool that keeps me in line. I weigh myself probably 3 times a day, the first being right when I wake up. This shows me how I'm going to eat throughout the day. If I'm a half-pound heavier from the day before, I know that I need to focus a little harder on my food that day. If I'm a half-pound down from the day before, I know I can sneak a piece of chocolate or a handful of chips.
*Take a day (or two) off.
--During the weight-loss phase I was in weight-loss mode 24 hours/day, 7 days/week. Now that I'm in the maintenance mode I (try my hardest!) to eat on the plan Mon-Fri and then I relax a little bit on the weekends. If I didn't, I'm sure I would go CRAZY!
I hope all of these tips help you like they've continued to help me. There are weeks where I have a challenge every day, but L.A. has educated me enough that I feel I can overcome any weight issue. It will be a life-long process; the hard work doesn't end after the weight loss phase (in fact, for me it really began then!). Good luck to you all.
*sara
p.s. A few web sites I visit daily:
www.hungrygirl.com
www.healthyeatsweekly.com
Monday, November 9, 2009
My Dieting Tips for Busy Days
Halloween has come and gone, and that means the busiest time of the year (especially for us students) is upon us.
This is the time of year where all of our end of the semester final projects and papers start to receive our attention. With a little over a month of school left, these become priorities to take care of before our super busy week of finals. Now, most of us don’t buckle down over thanksgiving break to do schoolwork because we are busy traveling and seeing family…so it tends to cut into the free time (haha…right) that we generally have during the school week.
For me, an overload of papers/projects/exams = less time to work out. It is a tradeoff I hate. But what this means is that the way that I am eating becomes so much more important.
In a few days I have to go and get surgery on my middle ear. After the procedure I am not allowed to do any vigorous workout/heavy lifting for two weeks (I can’t even blow my nose…). When those two weeks are up the final two weeks of school are upon me and that means I will be wayyyy too busy to pick up with a steady exercise routine.
If you did the math, this means I will be relatively inactive for AN ENTIRE MONTH. The thought of it makes me cringe. But with my simple diet rules I follow, I should be fine. Here’s what I do:
When selecting food to eat I look at five main nutrition facts (I love nutrition facts!). If the food is low in fat, sodium and sugar (which generally means low calorie too) and high in protein and fiber, I am sold. As long as I don’t over eat from stress or boredom, I am sure I won’t gain any pesky weight.
Here are my favorite things to eat:
For Fiber: Raisin bran, oatmeal, whole wheat bread of pasta, beans, corn…ok any veggie I suppose
For Protein: Boiled skinless chicken, egg whites, fat free cottage cheese!!, protein shakes (love them), fish, yogurt, milk
Other: apples, bananas, no alcohol and A LOT OF WATER!
Unfortunately I can’t live without coffee.
PS- Does anyone know of an effective workout that isn’t considered vigorous and won’t affect the pressure in your ears?
Cheers!
Margot
This is the time of year where all of our end of the semester final projects and papers start to receive our attention. With a little over a month of school left, these become priorities to take care of before our super busy week of finals. Now, most of us don’t buckle down over thanksgiving break to do schoolwork because we are busy traveling and seeing family…so it tends to cut into the free time (haha…right) that we generally have during the school week.
For me, an overload of papers/projects/exams = less time to work out. It is a tradeoff I hate. But what this means is that the way that I am eating becomes so much more important.
In a few days I have to go and get surgery on my middle ear. After the procedure I am not allowed to do any vigorous workout/heavy lifting for two weeks (I can’t even blow my nose…). When those two weeks are up the final two weeks of school are upon me and that means I will be wayyyy too busy to pick up with a steady exercise routine.
If you did the math, this means I will be relatively inactive for AN ENTIRE MONTH. The thought of it makes me cringe. But with my simple diet rules I follow, I should be fine. Here’s what I do:
When selecting food to eat I look at five main nutrition facts (I love nutrition facts!). If the food is low in fat, sodium and sugar (which generally means low calorie too) and high in protein and fiber, I am sold. As long as I don’t over eat from stress or boredom, I am sure I won’t gain any pesky weight.
Here are my favorite things to eat:
For Fiber: Raisin bran, oatmeal, whole wheat bread of pasta, beans, corn…ok any veggie I suppose
For Protein: Boiled skinless chicken, egg whites, fat free cottage cheese!!, protein shakes (love them), fish, yogurt, milk
Other: apples, bananas, no alcohol and A LOT OF WATER!
Unfortunately I can’t live without coffee.
PS- Does anyone know of an effective workout that isn’t considered vigorous and won’t affect the pressure in your ears?
Cheers!
Margot
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