OK, so its been a year and I'm in Saint john for 8 weeks again (week 4 now) and the new resolution contest at SFL, K100, organizing connections and the yoga outfit have me excited again.
SO what happened in the last year... Well a stressful year to say the least (private life stuff) and despite maintaining my new low weight (I did make it to 200 pounds from my original 262) until November, December hit me like a tonne of bricks, followed by left over cheap January, Valentines day February and Easter crap march. OK, so I gained my weight back (230 on may 1st) and moved back to Saint john to teach some more at UNBSJ.
OK, so the first day back - right to what I can recall of my SFL menus (I have a large data loss of computer stored information this past year and am using my brains - owwww --- to remember the plan) and right into crossfit.
Both are as fun but as challenging as I remember and some work outs kill me. some scare me away and some food still tempts me. I tend to be strong to resist "wrong" eating, but when i fall/stumble a bit, i fall a lot.
Now its almost June. I'm down around 224 (a start) but have gained a lot of strength back already at the gym which means I'm down more fat than my loss indicates. My clothing feels better again, my life feels better and I'm doing better.
Last weekend I ran into Bruce Sweeney from SFL and I had actually kinda been hiding from him, embarrassed to have believed so strongly in the program , but fallen so harshly. THIS GUY ROCKS. No judgment, but just positive reinforcement (with a strong hint to get my butt into the clinic - this Thursday).
I guess i can sum it up with the following:
I am Jeff McNally, I suffer from over-eating and lack of fitness and I am living my life now, not letting it live me. I have a very healthy attitude, and will once again soon have a very healthy body.
Showing posts with label Simply for Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Simply for Life. Show all posts
Monday, May 30, 2011
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
The end of the Show - Lessons Learned
So the Resolution Solution is now over. kinda sad (as sad as getting a Tim's tea in a brown cup again). Last night we enjoyed a meal at the Mediterranean with the staffs from Crossfit and Simply for Life as well as the Silver Team and Green Team members (missed you being there Cheryl and Carol).
The night was an interesting night. Of course the green team won - duhhhh, but its why we won that matters to me. The entire final team (love you guys - Parris, Lisa, Shirley and Karlene) from day one had no quit in them. I feel quite comfortable saying that each and everyone of us knew that winning entry into this contest was a golden opportunity to radically change our lives, and change them we did. I truly feel that I have made some good friends and can not wait for some Simply for Life BBQ's this summer with the entire groups (even some silver members hopefully) where we put some exercises to the time test.
Karlene is clearly an athlete, and I feel she would say that what she got out of this program was more than physical fitness, but the mental ability to realize her potential. Each and every time we were at Crossfit together she always has a smile on [even when collapsed on the floor] and always cheered on her team mates and competition.
Parris is a monster. For someone to drop 40+ pounds in 8 weeks and change his look the way he did (a Silver member did not actually recognize him after week 4) is a true testament to the successful combination of Crossfit and Simply for Life. The nutrition program packed with plentiful delicious healthy choices that never left you wanting and the exercise experience of a program without routines made a full body change in Parris.
Lisa reminds me so much of me. Mentally tough but not in the shape she wants to be in. Like myself, Lisa showed that no quit attitude despite the natural set backs that happen. Lisa and I had a strong bond in this contest, often communicated by glances at each other which usually meant "is Mike f%#king nuts thinking we can do that". Lisa was there the day I managed my first unassisted sit up and she was as excited about it as I was. I was there when Lisa finally manged hers and on testing day with an original score of 18 sit ups using a ring to help pull herself up, Lisa managed to perform 474 sit ups unassisted. If your reading that, you should gasp. Its a feat to tell the grand-kids about.
Shirley, in my opinion, was always a member of the team despite starting as a spare. I think Shirley reminds me of my wife a lot. Fun, full of positive energy and suffering the side effects of children. Like myself, Shirley always saw the fun in every exercise. I think for me that's why Crossfit works so well. Its always fun. For being a rigorous random exercise routine, there is always that social aspect that leaves you smiling (sure your exhausted but you always love it).
That leaves me - time to self reflect. I, in case you missed this earlier in the contest, am a 36 year old short obese male. I can not even remember a time where is did not think that obese was the defining word about me. Like many obese people I used it as the excuse for any and all failures I might have had in life. I ate at wrong times, ate wrong foods and exercising meant having to go get the remote if I could not get someone to get it for me. Previous to this contest I had every excuse in the book related to being too fat for doing nothing about it and honesty believed nothing could be done. I accepted probably dying one day of a sudden heart attack and worried about leaving my wife and daughter unsupported in the future.
My last measurements were taken in September and I was 260 pounds, 46 inch waist and at my "roundest parts" I was 60 inches around - that's right 5 feet. As of today I am now 209 pounds, 38 inch waist and 45 inch gut. Unless you have been as big as I was, its almost impossible to fathom the change I have undergone. I can honesty say that despite still being in the obese category (well that's only stats anyway isn't it) I no longer feel like that is who I am. I feel 100% (no more than 100% students!!!) like a new person. I feel that I am now on my way to a new body and I can actually see my "future" shape in the mirror more that I can see my past shape. I now envision my future as being long in years and glorious in activity. I am not ashamed to be outside working and sweating or wearing shorts (something I would never do before).
I had an intersting conversation with Mike from Crossfit the other day about my original attitude vs my new attitude on the subject of exercise. Originally my attitude was clear. Exercise was a punishment we did to ourselves for past discretion's on nutrition. MAN I WAS SO WRONG. Now I love the workouts at Crossfit and actually get disappointed when I miss one. I have started to purchase equipment for my home to follow along (none of this fancy stuff - basic things like skipping ropes and kettle bells is all you need) and can not wait to get running as a regular part of my routine. This attitude change is to me the results of the connectivity between the two programs. I was never left on my own to figure out what to do. Bruce (SFL) and Mike (CF) were always available to answer questions, motivate me and help me. I could go on for days about the power of this combination, but hopefully you will give it a go for yourselves.
I would like to thank all the sponsors of the contest including the ones that surprised us with some extra goodies on the final day. An amazing thank you to K100 for getting involved in the lives of some of their listeners. You may never realize that you have made a permanent change that will effect 100's in the long run for each and everyone of us.
A very special thanks goes to my colleagues and my students that asked me about this contest every day and encouraged me each and every time they saw me. Having 100 people want to know about getting healthy and encouraging me to get healthy made a large difference.
Well now its all over and I will be continuing with both Crossfit and Simply for Life . My goal: get healthier... get into the body and weight I deserve to have\be (150-160 pounds, < 34 inch waist) and get rid of my gut in the long term.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog... and don't forget listen to K100 - Today's Best Music .... they might just change your life forever like they changed mine
The night was an interesting night. Of course the green team won - duhhhh, but its why we won that matters to me. The entire final team (love you guys - Parris, Lisa, Shirley and Karlene) from day one had no quit in them. I feel quite comfortable saying that each and everyone of us knew that winning entry into this contest was a golden opportunity to radically change our lives, and change them we did. I truly feel that I have made some good friends and can not wait for some Simply for Life BBQ's this summer with the entire groups (even some silver members hopefully) where we put some exercises to the time test.
Karlene is clearly an athlete, and I feel she would say that what she got out of this program was more than physical fitness, but the mental ability to realize her potential. Each and every time we were at Crossfit together she always has a smile on [even when collapsed on the floor] and always cheered on her team mates and competition.
Parris is a monster. For someone to drop 40+ pounds in 8 weeks and change his look the way he did (a Silver member did not actually recognize him after week 4) is a true testament to the successful combination of Crossfit and Simply for Life. The nutrition program packed with plentiful delicious healthy choices that never left you wanting and the exercise experience of a program without routines made a full body change in Parris.
Lisa reminds me so much of me. Mentally tough but not in the shape she wants to be in. Like myself, Lisa showed that no quit attitude despite the natural set backs that happen. Lisa and I had a strong bond in this contest, often communicated by glances at each other which usually meant "is Mike f%#king nuts thinking we can do that". Lisa was there the day I managed my first unassisted sit up and she was as excited about it as I was. I was there when Lisa finally manged hers and on testing day with an original score of 18 sit ups using a ring to help pull herself up, Lisa managed to perform 474 sit ups unassisted. If your reading that, you should gasp. Its a feat to tell the grand-kids about.
Shirley, in my opinion, was always a member of the team despite starting as a spare. I think Shirley reminds me of my wife a lot. Fun, full of positive energy and suffering the side effects of children. Like myself, Shirley always saw the fun in every exercise. I think for me that's why Crossfit works so well. Its always fun. For being a rigorous random exercise routine, there is always that social aspect that leaves you smiling (sure your exhausted but you always love it).
That leaves me - time to self reflect. I, in case you missed this earlier in the contest, am a 36 year old short obese male. I can not even remember a time where is did not think that obese was the defining word about me. Like many obese people I used it as the excuse for any and all failures I might have had in life. I ate at wrong times, ate wrong foods and exercising meant having to go get the remote if I could not get someone to get it for me. Previous to this contest I had every excuse in the book related to being too fat for doing nothing about it and honesty believed nothing could be done. I accepted probably dying one day of a sudden heart attack and worried about leaving my wife and daughter unsupported in the future.
My last measurements were taken in September and I was 260 pounds, 46 inch waist and at my "roundest parts" I was 60 inches around - that's right 5 feet. As of today I am now 209 pounds, 38 inch waist and 45 inch gut. Unless you have been as big as I was, its almost impossible to fathom the change I have undergone. I can honesty say that despite still being in the obese category (well that's only stats anyway isn't it) I no longer feel like that is who I am. I feel 100% (no more than 100% students!!!) like a new person. I feel that I am now on my way to a new body and I can actually see my "future" shape in the mirror more that I can see my past shape. I now envision my future as being long in years and glorious in activity. I am not ashamed to be outside working and sweating or wearing shorts (something I would never do before).
I had an intersting conversation with Mike from Crossfit the other day about my original attitude vs my new attitude on the subject of exercise. Originally my attitude was clear. Exercise was a punishment we did to ourselves for past discretion's on nutrition. MAN I WAS SO WRONG. Now I love the workouts at Crossfit and actually get disappointed when I miss one. I have started to purchase equipment for my home to follow along (none of this fancy stuff - basic things like skipping ropes and kettle bells is all you need) and can not wait to get running as a regular part of my routine. This attitude change is to me the results of the connectivity between the two programs. I was never left on my own to figure out what to do. Bruce (SFL) and Mike (CF) were always available to answer questions, motivate me and help me. I could go on for days about the power of this combination, but hopefully you will give it a go for yourselves.
I would like to thank all the sponsors of the contest including the ones that surprised us with some extra goodies on the final day. An amazing thank you to K100 for getting involved in the lives of some of their listeners. You may never realize that you have made a permanent change that will effect 100's in the long run for each and everyone of us.
A very special thanks goes to my colleagues and my students that asked me about this contest every day and encouraged me each and every time they saw me. Having 100 people want to know about getting healthy and encouraging me to get healthy made a large difference.
Well now its all over and I will be continuing with both Crossfit and Simply for Life . My goal: get healthier... get into the body and weight I deserve to have\be (150-160 pounds, < 34 inch waist) and get rid of my gut in the long term.
I hope you have enjoyed this blog... and don't forget listen to K100 - Today's Best Music .... they might just change your life forever like they changed mine
Friday, April 9, 2010
Results and Rollie Pollie Fly Boy Snapping
OK, so first things first, The 8 weeks of the Resolution Solution are basically over. Yesterday I had my final weigh in and my total weight loss for the 8 weeks was 23 pounds on the dot. Considering I had previously lost 28.2 pounds this brings my total weight loss since September to 51.2 pounds.
51.2 pounds is almost inconceivable for me. this is better than I ever expected. However the one thing that the combination of Simply For Life (www.simplyforlife.com) and Crossfit (www.crossfitsaintjohn.ca) has taught me is that I can go so much further than I have. Not only did I sign up for SFL for the next 6 months but I also plan on plopping down cash on Monday for the next 2 months of Crossfit.
When in life you find a winning combination, then don't let it slip away is what I say.
So yesterday was the last "formal workout" for the contest at Crossfit too and what a way to end. A new routine involving 4 new moves which were... well..... too much fun to be considered exercise. We were holding ourselves up, rolling over the floor, snapping our bodies together and doing some hard sit ups with medicine balls. I was sweating up a workout while laughing my head off. Seriously... to me Crossfit Saint John is the best social hour of my day and on top of that I always come out with the exhilarated feeling of having completed a complicated workout that I usually went into thinking I could never manage. Mike and Amy have both shown me my capabilities and I am not even half way to where I plan on being in the future.
Thanks guys, see you Saturday when I surprise you all with my no-quit attitude.
51.2 pounds is almost inconceivable for me. this is better than I ever expected. However the one thing that the combination of Simply For Life (www.simplyforlife.com) and Crossfit (www.crossfitsaintjohn.ca) has taught me is that I can go so much further than I have. Not only did I sign up for SFL for the next 6 months but I also plan on plopping down cash on Monday for the next 2 months of Crossfit.
When in life you find a winning combination, then don't let it slip away is what I say.
So yesterday was the last "formal workout" for the contest at Crossfit too and what a way to end. A new routine involving 4 new moves which were... well..... too much fun to be considered exercise. We were holding ourselves up, rolling over the floor, snapping our bodies together and doing some hard sit ups with medicine balls. I was sweating up a workout while laughing my head off. Seriously... to me Crossfit Saint John is the best social hour of my day and on top of that I always come out with the exhilarated feeling of having completed a complicated workout that I usually went into thinking I could never manage. Mike and Amy have both shown me my capabilities and I am not even half way to where I plan on being in the future.
Thanks guys, see you Saturday when I surprise you all with my no-quit attitude.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
The Final Contest Week
Well its the final week of the Resolution Solution folks (not that I think anyone is reading this blog) and I have to say the results have so exceeded my original expectations.
Back when I won this contest at my First SFL weigh in I was 231.8. Now I believe I am under 210 with my final weigh in tomorrow (Thursday the 8th). If you told me I would lose about 22 pounds in only 2 months having just lost 30 pounds in about 5 months by eating right and exercising well I would have said "yeah yeah yeah, blah blah blah"...
But it happened.
Not only did it happen, but I feel a real change in my attitude about both parts of my life. Eating can be healthy, inexpensive and enjoyable. I feel great about the foods I'm eating, I have more energy than ever and I am more productive at work. Not only that but my wife and daughter love my new look, and I love their new looks. My Wii fit (I love my Wii) now says my daughter is a healthy weight (which gives me a large smile) and my wife has dropped out of the obese category on their chart which means she is very happy (its a small gain, but a mentally powerful one - she has lost about 25 pounds on just Simply for Life with no added physical activity).
So what next... well I might have won 8 weeks of each program, but my no means do I plan on quitting. Tomorrow I sign up for SFL (www.simplyforlife.com) to continue - I am sold on this program as the one out there that works .... and I've tried a few. My goal is to get down to 165-175 and then re-evaluate. I see no reason in stopping what looks like a great trend from continuing. New week, also expect to see me at Crossfit. This program also works and is, in my opinion, the best fitness program out there - and not just because of smiley mike.
Originally 8 weeks ago, I recall standing there and thinking things like "can't they at least get us chairs" or "they can not seriously be thinking we will be doing these things". The next few days we learnt the technical moves and I distinctly remember having to use a ring to pull myself up to get only 3 sit ups completed. Its almost embarrassing how hard it is to do exercise moves we should all be able to do with ease. A week later the original benchmarks made me bean when I managed only 19 sit ups and 7 pull ups. Well this Saturday (www.crossfitsaintjohn.ca) you can see me do my final contest benchmarks when GREEN TEAM will send SILVER into shame
Back when I won this contest at my First SFL weigh in I was 231.8. Now I believe I am under 210 with my final weigh in tomorrow (Thursday the 8th). If you told me I would lose about 22 pounds in only 2 months having just lost 30 pounds in about 5 months by eating right and exercising well I would have said "yeah yeah yeah, blah blah blah"...
But it happened.
Not only did it happen, but I feel a real change in my attitude about both parts of my life. Eating can be healthy, inexpensive and enjoyable. I feel great about the foods I'm eating, I have more energy than ever and I am more productive at work. Not only that but my wife and daughter love my new look, and I love their new looks. My Wii fit (I love my Wii) now says my daughter is a healthy weight (which gives me a large smile) and my wife has dropped out of the obese category on their chart which means she is very happy (its a small gain, but a mentally powerful one - she has lost about 25 pounds on just Simply for Life with no added physical activity).
So what next... well I might have won 8 weeks of each program, but my no means do I plan on quitting. Tomorrow I sign up for SFL (www.simplyforlife.com) to continue - I am sold on this program as the one out there that works .... and I've tried a few. My goal is to get down to 165-175 and then re-evaluate. I see no reason in stopping what looks like a great trend from continuing. New week, also expect to see me at Crossfit. This program also works and is, in my opinion, the best fitness program out there - and not just because of smiley mike.
Originally 8 weeks ago, I recall standing there and thinking things like "can't they at least get us chairs" or "they can not seriously be thinking we will be doing these things". The next few days we learnt the technical moves and I distinctly remember having to use a ring to pull myself up to get only 3 sit ups completed. Its almost embarrassing how hard it is to do exercise moves we should all be able to do with ease. A week later the original benchmarks made me bean when I managed only 19 sit ups and 7 pull ups. Well this Saturday (www.crossfitsaintjohn.ca) you can see me do my final contest benchmarks when GREEN TEAM will send SILVER into shame
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
the Evil of Burpies and the Missing Teammates
OK, so its Wednesday morning, my wife and daughter just left to go back to Nova Scotia, and actually tomorrow I will go there too for the holiday weekend.
Today's blog is about yesterdays workout which was in honour of Coach Mikes 34th Birthday (than goodness he is not 50 yet). The workout consisted of 34 reps of various exercises (8 i think) bookended by 100 skips and 100 flutter kicks. Overall a push through it workout that leaves you wanting to quit. Of course, no two exercises makes me want to quit more than push ups and burpies. The push ups just seem to be my nemesis. Stringing 10 together into a smooth fluid motion seems to be as easy as solving an NP complete problem in quadratic time (OK, that's a math joke, but give me at least one). So 34 push ups - well lets just say that no matter how many times I mutter "I can do it" or Amy yells "push through it" I am mentally defeated before starting this one. I did manage to push through it of course, but at this time in a timed event I am at least one full set of 34 exercises behind everyone else in timing.
After the push ups - you guessed it - 34 burpies. OK now don't get me wrong, but burpies are just push ups in disguise with an additional humiliating move added in (the jump up and clap after each push up). To me its not mental defeat on this exercise, but shear hatred. I see no point in them and this is probably the one exercise that would actually be successful in stopping me becoming a regular member of the Crossfit program. Like many exercise routines they also use this move as "punishment" for saying "I CAN'T" and the punishment factor when I am trying to better myself also does not work for my personality type. My current plan is to keep going with Crossfit after the contest ends next weekend, but burpies could change that.
Well I made it through the routine in about 22 minutes (I really wish I had all my numbers written down) and then went on to the rest of my day (covered in sweat I might add).
A big negative for me this week is missing my team. So far I have always managed to work out at 6pm with most of my team mates from K100 Green team (winning team) even though it was not the best time for me. Well this week, since my wife and daughter were here I went at 4pm instead so worked out with a few regular members instead (and a few K100 Silver team members). Now don't get me wrong, thees guys are great but compared to my regular team members they don't have the desire to see me succeed. On the green team we all want each of us to do our best and make sure we all let each other know. Hopefully next week a few sessions with them will get me re-motivated.
ps: SFL weigh in tomorrow and I'm not excited. I have a feeling after the "weekend of birthday celebrations, friends and family" in which I really struggled to get the right mix of foods into me (way down on vegetable consumption) I will ac tally be up a pound (or two).... sad
pps: this 46 inch waist fat guy (well 44 - 46 depending on cut) is wearing his new jeans today - 38 inch waist.
Today's blog is about yesterdays workout which was in honour of Coach Mikes 34th Birthday (than goodness he is not 50 yet). The workout consisted of 34 reps of various exercises (8 i think) bookended by 100 skips and 100 flutter kicks. Overall a push through it workout that leaves you wanting to quit. Of course, no two exercises makes me want to quit more than push ups and burpies. The push ups just seem to be my nemesis. Stringing 10 together into a smooth fluid motion seems to be as easy as solving an NP complete problem in quadratic time (OK, that's a math joke, but give me at least one). So 34 push ups - well lets just say that no matter how many times I mutter "I can do it" or Amy yells "push through it" I am mentally defeated before starting this one. I did manage to push through it of course, but at this time in a timed event I am at least one full set of 34 exercises behind everyone else in timing.
After the push ups - you guessed it - 34 burpies. OK now don't get me wrong, but burpies are just push ups in disguise with an additional humiliating move added in (the jump up and clap after each push up). To me its not mental defeat on this exercise, but shear hatred. I see no point in them and this is probably the one exercise that would actually be successful in stopping me becoming a regular member of the Crossfit program. Like many exercise routines they also use this move as "punishment" for saying "I CAN'T" and the punishment factor when I am trying to better myself also does not work for my personality type. My current plan is to keep going with Crossfit after the contest ends next weekend, but burpies could change that.
Well I made it through the routine in about 22 minutes (I really wish I had all my numbers written down) and then went on to the rest of my day (covered in sweat I might add).
A big negative for me this week is missing my team. So far I have always managed to work out at 6pm with most of my team mates from K100 Green team (winning team) even though it was not the best time for me. Well this week, since my wife and daughter were here I went at 4pm instead so worked out with a few regular members instead (and a few K100 Silver team members). Now don't get me wrong, thees guys are great but compared to my regular team members they don't have the desire to see me succeed. On the green team we all want each of us to do our best and make sure we all let each other know. Hopefully next week a few sessions with them will get me re-motivated.
ps: SFL weigh in tomorrow and I'm not excited. I have a feeling after the "weekend of birthday celebrations, friends and family" in which I really struggled to get the right mix of foods into me (way down on vegetable consumption) I will ac tally be up a pound (or two).... sad
pps: this 46 inch waist fat guy (well 44 - 46 depending on cut) is wearing his new jeans today - 38 inch waist.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Friday March 26th and Monday March 29th
So had a great weekend this "last" weekend of March. Turns out the Resolution Solution contest will have one more week and that the final testing day will be April the 10th (a Saturday). I encourage anyone following the blog or just following the contest to pop a head in crossfit and encourage the listeners to win win win.
Fridays work out was deceptive. Looked challenging at first as the description was "row 500m as fast as you can - 3 reps for average time: in between rows work on double unders". However I am learning to fear the easy sounding ones. Turns out it was row 500m as BLOODY fast as you can and then do 30 double unders and 20 knees to elbows while the rest of the people there do their rowing. As soon as you are up to row again you need to have your in between work done because you go again.
So 150 double unders, 60 knees to elbows and 1500m of rowing at full pace.
This one exhausted my tank big time. My wife and daughter are in town this weekend, so they showed up and I have to admit when I was really empty with 150m to go in rowing, Dela yelling "go daddy go... go daddy go..." did help. My first row was 1:50. then 1:57 and then 2:02 for an average time of 1:57 (at least it was under 2:00 but not quite the 1:42 mike hinted I could do.)
Saturday I planned on going to the gym for a 6th day in a row, but time did not help on this one.
So Monday I was back in the Gym for a new week and a nice hard pace workout. Between kettle bell swings, push ups, SDHP's farmers walks and pistols it was a challenge. I recognize that push ups are by far my weakest exercise. Even pull ups seem to be coming but mentally I can not get around this push up block. Maybe one day....
Fridays work out was deceptive. Looked challenging at first as the description was "row 500m as fast as you can - 3 reps for average time: in between rows work on double unders". However I am learning to fear the easy sounding ones. Turns out it was row 500m as BLOODY fast as you can and then do 30 double unders and 20 knees to elbows while the rest of the people there do their rowing. As soon as you are up to row again you need to have your in between work done because you go again.
So 150 double unders, 60 knees to elbows and 1500m of rowing at full pace.
This one exhausted my tank big time. My wife and daughter are in town this weekend, so they showed up and I have to admit when I was really empty with 150m to go in rowing, Dela yelling "go daddy go... go daddy go..." did help. My first row was 1:50. then 1:57 and then 2:02 for an average time of 1:57 (at least it was under 2:00 but not quite the 1:42 mike hinted I could do.)
Saturday I planned on going to the gym for a 6th day in a row, but time did not help on this one.
So Monday I was back in the Gym for a new week and a nice hard pace workout. Between kettle bell swings, push ups, SDHP's farmers walks and pistols it was a challenge. I recognize that push ups are by far my weakest exercise. Even pull ups seem to be coming but mentally I can not get around this push up block. Maybe one day....
Thursday, March 25, 2010
2 Days of Crossfit and Simply for Life Results
OK, so with only a week to go in the Resolution Solution contest, I have been very busy lately (not to mention the end of the University terms is approaching fast).
On Tuesday I went to Crossfit and the workout was probably one of my most rewarding. No it did not leave me gasping, or sore, but it left me feeling great about my accomplishments. The workout was about strength so involved clean squats (or something to that name effect) which means take a barbell with weights and 5 times lift it from ground into a squat, pause then stand up bringing the weight to your neck line. So the week before, in a similar lesson I had managed to lift 75 pounds which made me real happy. I had tried 85 but struggled. This day I managed not only the 85 pounds, but also to do 5 reps of 95 pounds.
the next day was FGB - fight gone bad named and designed around how you should feel after you exert the energy you would in an ultimate fighting match. There are 5 exercises set up - wall balls, sumo high pulls (or something to that name), box jumps, push presses and rowing. This workout is exactly 17 minutes. As soon as the clock starts, you start exercise number 1 counting how many reps you manage. Then as soon as the next minute hits, your move to the next exercise (and your minute is already going down in time). After 5 minutes (i.e. one of each exercise) you get a minute rest. Then "rinse and repeat" until you have done three rounds in total. The score is the total number of reps done where rowing counts as calories burned (the rower tells you this number). I scored 165 which I really don't know if that's respectable or not, but except for lowering the wall ball medicine ball weight from 20 pounds to 16 pounds to 10 pounds, I managed to do both other weight lifting components at the prescribed 85 pounds and the box jumps at the prescribed 24 inches.
I was beat afterwards of course, but also ecstatic about my willingness to do the prescribed numbers (mostly).
then this morning (Thursday) I weighed in and had lost 4.7 more pounds bringing my 7 week total to over 19 pounds. WOOO HOOOO
On Tuesday I went to Crossfit and the workout was probably one of my most rewarding. No it did not leave me gasping, or sore, but it left me feeling great about my accomplishments. The workout was about strength so involved clean squats (or something to that name effect) which means take a barbell with weights and 5 times lift it from ground into a squat, pause then stand up bringing the weight to your neck line. So the week before, in a similar lesson I had managed to lift 75 pounds which made me real happy. I had tried 85 but struggled. This day I managed not only the 85 pounds, but also to do 5 reps of 95 pounds.
the next day was FGB - fight gone bad named and designed around how you should feel after you exert the energy you would in an ultimate fighting match. There are 5 exercises set up - wall balls, sumo high pulls (or something to that name), box jumps, push presses and rowing. This workout is exactly 17 minutes. As soon as the clock starts, you start exercise number 1 counting how many reps you manage. Then as soon as the next minute hits, your move to the next exercise (and your minute is already going down in time). After 5 minutes (i.e. one of each exercise) you get a minute rest. Then "rinse and repeat" until you have done three rounds in total. The score is the total number of reps done where rowing counts as calories burned (the rower tells you this number). I scored 165 which I really don't know if that's respectable or not, but except for lowering the wall ball medicine ball weight from 20 pounds to 16 pounds to 10 pounds, I managed to do both other weight lifting components at the prescribed 85 pounds and the box jumps at the prescribed 24 inches.
I was beat afterwards of course, but also ecstatic about my willingness to do the prescribed numbers (mostly).
then this morning (Thursday) I weighed in and had lost 4.7 more pounds bringing my 7 week total to over 19 pounds. WOOO HOOOO
Friday, March 19, 2010
5 Days in a row???? - Lots to blog about...
OK, so as the title says I managed 5 days in a row at Crossfit Saint John this week. And it was a hectic week. In my last blog I told you about the K100 sabotage/revenge. Well it was a great laugh for everyone involved actually. OK, lets go over what I have not told you about this week 9could be a long post)
Jay and Steph (and Deb - K100) asked me to be on the air Thursday and loving being the center of attention, of course I agree (this is probably not good for my out of control ego as I get my body and diet in check). This was actually asked on Tuesday when I was on the air with Nancy and on Wednesday morning when I delivered the cake Jay asked me to come up then for a bit (which I declined only because I had a bit of work to do before my 9:30 class that morning).
Cut to 12:30 , the Pizza.... still laughing about it
Cut to 4:00pm, I decided to go to the gym (3 days in a row that would make it) for a routine I knew was called Death by pull ups. I did okish at this workout but disappointed that I really believe i could have done better. You know 95% of this workout success is just frame of mind. Basically I managed minute by minute to increase my pull up ate to 8 pull ups in one minute. (1 in first, 2 more in second, 3 more in third.. get the drift). I failed epically on the 9th but did manage 9 after I was out in the 10th minute to prove to myself I could. The original sets 1 to 8 were on a 3 band but the overtime final 9 was on a 3+1 band. first time managing on just a 3 band at all.
Thursday morning I weighed in at SFL and had lost 4.3 pounds this week (I believe my best result yet) bringing my total SFL weight loss to 14.5 pounds and my total New Brunswick weight loss to 42.7 pounds.. WOWSERS
It was also at SFL that Bruce (my coach and the SFL owner/creator) scolded me for eating the Pizza. I said "well turn around is fair play and good sportsmanship said I must eat the pizza as the told me (and my class) that they ate some cake. THEY LIED. Turns out they did not eat a bite of cake (they will pay - but i have to admire their strategy) and instead gave it to Michelle for her Birthday (your welcome Michelle.... make them buy you something too for being re-gifters.. something EXPENSIVE)
So this did bother me quite a bit (its all good though) and drove me to go to the gym for 2 more sessions this week. THAT'S RIGHT 5 days in a row for Crossfit. Thursday was not that bad a workout (mentally i mean - physically challenging) but todays (Friday) had mentally beat before I even got there as it starts with 60 push ups which I hate. Well I made it through but I probably had the worst time in teh gym I often do) but I made it through. I even ran 2 laps today . On to next week
Jay and Steph (and Deb - K100) asked me to be on the air Thursday and loving being the center of attention, of course I agree (this is probably not good for my out of control ego as I get my body and diet in check). This was actually asked on Tuesday when I was on the air with Nancy and on Wednesday morning when I delivered the cake Jay asked me to come up then for a bit (which I declined only because I had a bit of work to do before my 9:30 class that morning).
Cut to 12:30 , the Pizza.... still laughing about it
Cut to 4:00pm, I decided to go to the gym (3 days in a row that would make it) for a routine I knew was called Death by pull ups. I did okish at this workout but disappointed that I really believe i could have done better. You know 95% of this workout success is just frame of mind. Basically I managed minute by minute to increase my pull up ate to 8 pull ups in one minute. (1 in first, 2 more in second, 3 more in third.. get the drift). I failed epically on the 9th but did manage 9 after I was out in the 10th minute to prove to myself I could. The original sets 1 to 8 were on a 3 band but the overtime final 9 was on a 3+1 band. first time managing on just a 3 band at all.
Thursday morning I weighed in at SFL and had lost 4.3 pounds this week (I believe my best result yet) bringing my total SFL weight loss to 14.5 pounds and my total New Brunswick weight loss to 42.7 pounds.. WOWSERS
It was also at SFL that Bruce (my coach and the SFL owner/creator) scolded me for eating the Pizza. I said "well turn around is fair play and good sportsmanship said I must eat the pizza as the told me (and my class) that they ate some cake. THEY LIED. Turns out they did not eat a bite of cake (they will pay - but i have to admire their strategy) and instead gave it to Michelle for her Birthday (your welcome Michelle.... make them buy you something too for being re-gifters.. something EXPENSIVE)
So this did bother me quite a bit (its all good though) and drove me to go to the gym for 2 more sessions this week. THAT'S RIGHT 5 days in a row for Crossfit. Thursday was not that bad a workout (mentally i mean - physically challenging) but todays (Friday) had mentally beat before I even got there as it starts with 60 push ups which I hate. Well I made it through but I probably had the worst time in teh gym I often do) but I made it through. I even ran 2 laps today . On to next week
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Simply for Life... Bruce??????
You know, just because he is amazingly successful and just because Mexico is so inviting, does that really mean Bruce should pawn my SFL meeting this week on someone else.... oh yeah, that's right, its not all about me.
Well now more about me.
Weighed in today. I get lower weights at home, so its really time to stop looking at my home scales and start waiting for the SFL weigh ins as it annoys me when I weight at home [220.0] drive to SFL and weight [221.6]. Well I guess I did add 4 egg whites, 2 clementines and a large Tim's (winner #4 this week) to my body, but 1.6 difference? hmmmmm
Actually the weight today 221.6 is one I should be very happy about. It means 10.2 pound loss since starting SFL (no mum, i did not cut of my useless brain holding head!!!!!). Considering I was stagnant at 231 for almost 2 months before starting SFL while trying to lose weight it proves to me that the SFL way of life (not a diet for sure) really works. Lori (my loving wife back in Nova Scotia) has now lost 20 pounds on the SFL plan without incorporating any additional physical activities (missing out on a few normal ones too ...nudge nudge wink wink).
Big news today is the mid-contest Crossfit results. Keep in mind that its really about about personal gain and not about killing K100 Silver team (is killing too harsh a term...nahhhhhh). Well originally when we first tested, K100 Silver 9missing a member) had a lead of more than 100% our combined team score. AND BOY DID WE COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. We thought as a team (or at least a few of us did) that we could never ever catch up to them while both teams were improving. We requested a new scoring system and everything.
Boy were we whiners...
now I think we must revert to the original scoring system as SFL and crossfit have both proved to the listeners team that we can do it. The new results are at
http://crossfitsaintjohn.ca/?page_id=570
and our team improved our score by more than enough not only to catch up with the K100 Silver team, but also to now be beating them by 300+ (by my re-calculation due to a simple error on the table 700+) points. WOWSERS
SO ANYWAY, needless to say, we are all pumped and really can not wait to see what the next 4 weeks brings. For me, I want to work hard on my push ups and pull ups to get my numbers on those two categories into triple digits if I can.
wow.. never thought I would say that
Well now more about me.
Weighed in today. I get lower weights at home, so its really time to stop looking at my home scales and start waiting for the SFL weigh ins as it annoys me when I weight at home [220.0] drive to SFL and weight [221.6]. Well I guess I did add 4 egg whites, 2 clementines and a large Tim's (winner #4 this week) to my body, but 1.6 difference? hmmmmm
Actually the weight today 221.6 is one I should be very happy about. It means 10.2 pound loss since starting SFL (no mum, i did not cut of my useless brain holding head!!!!!). Considering I was stagnant at 231 for almost 2 months before starting SFL while trying to lose weight it proves to me that the SFL way of life (not a diet for sure) really works. Lori (my loving wife back in Nova Scotia) has now lost 20 pounds on the SFL plan without incorporating any additional physical activities (missing out on a few normal ones too ...nudge nudge wink wink).
Big news today is the mid-contest Crossfit results. Keep in mind that its really about about personal gain and not about killing K100 Silver team (is killing too harsh a term...nahhhhhh). Well originally when we first tested, K100 Silver 9missing a member) had a lead of more than 100% our combined team score. AND BOY DID WE COMPLAIN ABOUT IT. We thought as a team (or at least a few of us did) that we could never ever catch up to them while both teams were improving. We requested a new scoring system and everything.
Boy were we whiners...
now I think we must revert to the original scoring system as SFL and crossfit have both proved to the listeners team that we can do it. The new results are at
http://crossfitsaintjohn.ca/?page_id=570
and our team improved our score by more than enough not only to catch up with the K100 Silver team, but also to now be beating them by 300+ (by my re-calculation due to a simple error on the table 700+) points. WOWSERS
SO ANYWAY, needless to say, we are all pumped and really can not wait to see what the next 4 weeks brings. For me, I want to work hard on my push ups and pull ups to get my numbers on those two categories into triple digits if I can.
wow.. never thought I would say that
Monday, February 15, 2010
Week 2 Day 2
So how was today ---- Awesome... and crappy
The food thing was depressing today. Breakfast was good (had toast and marmite which I love) and snack was good too (I actually like these fiber bar things and wish I could eat more per week). At lunch - chicken, pasta salad, salad carrot sticks I realized I forgot my dressing so after an attempt at each food bland (I need flavor) I went and bought two packets of low fat Italian dressing (my least favorite dressing but low fat).
Dinner was not so nice. This past weekend I made a "vegetarian chili" from scratch and whereas I'm sure its a great recipe I think It is probably the worst "textured" food I have ever had to endure [and it made three servings too :( ]. I hate boiled skinned veg (like tomatoes, peppers, cucumber etc) and so this concoction of peppers and tomatoes and chili's tasted acceptable (needs something, more garlic and maybe some no salt chili powder) but felt horrible and as a result becomes a never make again food [I also think it needs meat big time]. However I still have to eat it tomorrow and Thursday.
Crossfit tonight rocked. I was pumped and scared at seeing the workout on the web, and relieved and disappointed both when mike decided we would not do it (Steve, Lisa, parris and I). So instead , three rounds of warm up, the the benchmarks
1) As many pull ups as you can til you can't no more..... with the rubber band - i think i did 3 (maybe 7, i can not recall).
2) As many sit ups as you can til you can't no more with options of unassisted, weight on foot, or rings. Last week I was using the rings to get more than 2, but tonight I did 19 unassisted. I was amazed.
Next
3) As many push ups as you can til you can't no more .......either on toes, or on knees, but choose one. I went with on knees (now I wish I had not) and pulled a few out, but not a great number (maybe 13?).
4) As many squats as you can til you can't no more. OK so last week I really struggled with this exercise as I was not very flexible. Today I felt good doing them and managed 31. I also disappointed myself here as I feel I should have done more but i was getting light headed.
So anyway, looking forward to tomorrows exercise but not to tomorrow dinner -- even my mums burnt pork would be better :)
The food thing was depressing today. Breakfast was good (had toast and marmite which I love) and snack was good too (I actually like these fiber bar things and wish I could eat more per week). At lunch - chicken, pasta salad, salad carrot sticks I realized I forgot my dressing so after an attempt at each food bland (I need flavor) I went and bought two packets of low fat Italian dressing (my least favorite dressing but low fat).
Dinner was not so nice. This past weekend I made a "vegetarian chili" from scratch and whereas I'm sure its a great recipe I think It is probably the worst "textured" food I have ever had to endure [and it made three servings too :( ]. I hate boiled skinned veg (like tomatoes, peppers, cucumber etc) and so this concoction of peppers and tomatoes and chili's tasted acceptable (needs something, more garlic and maybe some no salt chili powder) but felt horrible and as a result becomes a never make again food [I also think it needs meat big time]. However I still have to eat it tomorrow and Thursday.
Crossfit tonight rocked. I was pumped and scared at seeing the workout on the web, and relieved and disappointed both when mike decided we would not do it (Steve, Lisa, parris and I). So instead , three rounds of warm up, the the benchmarks
1) As many pull ups as you can til you can't no more..... with the rubber band - i think i did 3 (maybe 7, i can not recall).
2) As many sit ups as you can til you can't no more with options of unassisted, weight on foot, or rings. Last week I was using the rings to get more than 2, but tonight I did 19 unassisted. I was amazed.
Next
3) As many push ups as you can til you can't no more .......either on toes, or on knees, but choose one. I went with on knees (now I wish I had not) and pulled a few out, but not a great number (maybe 13?).
4) As many squats as you can til you can't no more. OK so last week I really struggled with this exercise as I was not very flexible. Today I felt good doing them and managed 31. I also disappointed myself here as I feel I should have done more but i was getting light headed.
So anyway, looking forward to tomorrows exercise but not to tomorrow dinner -- even my mums burnt pork would be better :)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
First Nutritional Meeting
So I met with Bruce this morning (man, I Love this guys smile and enthusiasm). It was a great meeting in my mind. Bruce seemed a little confused by my weight today as it was not down that much from before, but I am not concerned at all (me, not worrying about numbers???). I asked tons of questions this time and got most of the answers I wanted (Bruce was shocked when I mentioned there were now Chocolate Fiber wafers - he is looking into them) and the only answer that I did not want was that Grapes are not to be counted as a berry (blueberries are best it turns out).
Bruce was very understanding about my fullness all the time (expected) but did have no problem with me reducing the meat potion of my meals by 1/3rd as I just do not eat that volume of meat normally. Other than that, my menu stays the same which is good for the grocery shopping. This excites me endlessly.
Imagine that, me, full of energy every day, excited every day, and happier than ever all because both SFL and CF excite me. I can't wait for tonight session (both the exercise and the company). On top of that, I will say that I think my Stress levels are way down right now, knowing that this "prize" is really going to change my life.
Ok, so now its 10 hours later and home from Crossfit. Loved it and learning cool stuff but can't wait to push my self more. Thats when it becomes a real workout. Dinner was good tonight but its almost 9pm by the time i get home and cook it. Need to see about eating before gym (dinner at 4:30... seems early to me and that would mean lunch at 12:30 two days a week and 1:30 another day)...
i wonder how bad it is to eat a big meal before gym?
Bruce was very understanding about my fullness all the time (expected) but did have no problem with me reducing the meat potion of my meals by 1/3rd as I just do not eat that volume of meat normally. Other than that, my menu stays the same which is good for the grocery shopping. This excites me endlessly.
Imagine that, me, full of energy every day, excited every day, and happier than ever all because both SFL and CF excite me. I can't wait for tonight session (both the exercise and the company). On top of that, I will say that I think my Stress levels are way down right now, knowing that this "prize" is really going to change my life.
Ok, so now its 10 hours later and home from Crossfit. Loved it and learning cool stuff but can't wait to push my self more. Thats when it becomes a real workout. Dinner was good tonight but its almost 9pm by the time i get home and cook it. Need to see about eating before gym (dinner at 4:30... seems early to me and that would mean lunch at 12:30 two days a week and 1:30 another day)...
i wonder how bad it is to eat a big meal before gym?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Day one of the New Menu
So today was the first day of my "cleansing menu" and overall I think things went very well (OK, not 100%, but very well). I was nervous about the new food types and the "low fat, high fiber" alternatives but as the day went, a great success.
Breakfast: I have avoided wheat bread my whole life as much as possible. I recall getting really upset at Swiss Chalet once when they brought wheat rolls and said "we are low on white so you had to choose white when you ordered - despite assuming white was still the default"... Well the breakfast this morning was a grain break with natural peanut butter and some berries... and I loved it. It also included some skim milk (a 2% drinker for life I always said)... and it was fine. I know this sounds like nothing, but these were the first two fears I had and they turned out to be irrational fears.
Snack : one of my favorite foods, so no complaints there.... well maybe it seemed weird to have a snack between breakfast and dinner, but then again its just because its a weekend day. On weekdays at work, I kinda do snack to much.
Lunch: Here I kinda wish I had gotten a number to call and ask for help. We made a choice from my plan for lunch that 1) scared me before making it due to the cooked tomato content and 2) sounded like a lot of food (three cups of vegetables and my two favorite vegetables were on the no list). Well the tomato based product (trying to be cryptic) was DELICIOUS...well better than tolerable and easily will become a like I believe.... however I did not eat it more than a few bites. The reason here was stomach capacity. I know I overeat bad foods, but overeating good foods seemed to fill me up too much. I think in part it was due to choices of veg (raw carrots, raw celery today) but 3 cups is a lot no matter what choice i had made.
Snack: I managed to squeeze it in, but it is a favorite food of mine again.
Dinner: OK, late dinner due to prep time and a game of catan that seemed to take forever to call it off after about half time we suspect. Delicious dinner, but again three cups of veg. Its a lot and i need to seek clarification on how this is measured as 3 cups of cabbage and 3 cups of carrots are very different.
Snack: its optional.... did not really want it but a sweet taste at night and a three year old daughter made it a great finish to the day... well maybe time for one more Tea
Excited about how this will go tomorrow. Work, Crossfit, and eating like a pig it feels.. wait don't pigs eat healthy and then get fat too....
Breakfast: I have avoided wheat bread my whole life as much as possible. I recall getting really upset at Swiss Chalet once when they brought wheat rolls and said "we are low on white so you had to choose white when you ordered - despite assuming white was still the default"... Well the breakfast this morning was a grain break with natural peanut butter and some berries... and I loved it. It also included some skim milk (a 2% drinker for life I always said)... and it was fine. I know this sounds like nothing, but these were the first two fears I had and they turned out to be irrational fears.
Snack : one of my favorite foods, so no complaints there.... well maybe it seemed weird to have a snack between breakfast and dinner, but then again its just because its a weekend day. On weekdays at work, I kinda do snack to much.
Lunch: Here I kinda wish I had gotten a number to call and ask for help. We made a choice from my plan for lunch that 1) scared me before making it due to the cooked tomato content and 2) sounded like a lot of food (three cups of vegetables and my two favorite vegetables were on the no list). Well the tomato based product (trying to be cryptic) was DELICIOUS...well better than tolerable and easily will become a like I believe.... however I did not eat it more than a few bites. The reason here was stomach capacity. I know I overeat bad foods, but overeating good foods seemed to fill me up too much. I think in part it was due to choices of veg (raw carrots, raw celery today) but 3 cups is a lot no matter what choice i had made.
Snack: I managed to squeeze it in, but it is a favorite food of mine again.
Dinner: OK, late dinner due to prep time and a game of catan that seemed to take forever to call it off after about half time we suspect. Delicious dinner, but again three cups of veg. Its a lot and i need to seek clarification on how this is measured as 3 cups of cabbage and 3 cups of carrots are very different.
Snack: its optional.... did not really want it but a sweet taste at night and a three year old daughter made it a great finish to the day... well maybe time for one more Tea
Excited about how this will go tomorrow. Work, Crossfit, and eating like a pig it feels.. wait don't pigs eat healthy and then get fat too....
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Simply for Life: Menu Number 1
OK, so i got my menu today (which i won't be posting specifics about as I assume its very "classified") and I think its only fair to share my thoughts as they progressed.
First, since my meeting with Bruce on Friday I have been excited about what to expect. I really did not do my homework on this one and should have had a lot more questions in my first session than I asked (a function of winning the prize instead of signing up i think).
So the biggest thing I did not know was how detailed would the menu be? Suggestions of meals? specifics? variety? i really had no idea.
So I didn't get my menu until Saturday afternoon by logging on at a friends house and have learnt one big lesson..DON'T LOOK AT IT AT ALL UNTIL YOU HAVE TIME TO REALLY LOOK AT IT. My first impression was that there were lots of foods on the list I disliked. I realized i should have submitted an appendix with my dislike section as there are lots of foods we probably all dislike that we don't see much so don't think of (for example I have tried tofu, strongly dislike tofu and think it is not a "real food"). I noticed a lack of junk food, greasy meat and breads...so when I saw tofu, tofutti, canned tomatoes..... I thought - great... here I go...Shirley is probably in.......
The menu was also not suggestive, but explicit. It said the exact foods I would be eating for the next 7 days each and every meal (leaving me the choice on which three days to eat breakfast #2 and the other four days are breakfast #1 for example). And as a logical person I unfortunately see numerous ways to interpret some of the statements in it (is it the same 4 meals, or could i pick 2-1-1 from the choices to make my four ---- i went with a picked meal was picked for 4 [or 3] days). Then I went out to think about it at a "last" family dinner which had been planned a while ago for my daughters birthday (I had a chicken wrap which I though was probably not so bad compares to a panzerotti).
Eventually I got to my office, printed the menu and grocery list (don't find the list useful as it includes everything and depends how you interpret the menu) and headed to the grocery store.
This was a nightmare. YOU CAN NOT GO TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH THE MENU AS IT COMES. You need to plan your choices and cut down the suggested item. I will be assigning a menu to grocery list converter to my programming students this term now. On top of this - these are parts of the grocery store I do not go to.
Well we were shopping for more than one hour.... often because I was changing my choices on the fly and I needed everything... but actually, except for an item I could not find (Metamucil fiber wafers) and an item I assume is not there (dry white wine) I was shocked to spend only $76.92 for a weeks full meals. I mean I usually spend $12 a night on a meal since I'm busy and used to easily spend $10 a day at Tim's. Not to mention the normal $100-150 grocery bill. I did also, however, spend $60 on other related items for the kitchen (scale, spice rack) and $40 on gym clothes... but that just breaks me even for the normal week.
So tomorrow I begin...if i can find my soup pot!!!
First, since my meeting with Bruce on Friday I have been excited about what to expect. I really did not do my homework on this one and should have had a lot more questions in my first session than I asked (a function of winning the prize instead of signing up i think).
So the biggest thing I did not know was how detailed would the menu be? Suggestions of meals? specifics? variety? i really had no idea.
So I didn't get my menu until Saturday afternoon by logging on at a friends house and have learnt one big lesson..DON'T LOOK AT IT AT ALL UNTIL YOU HAVE TIME TO REALLY LOOK AT IT. My first impression was that there were lots of foods on the list I disliked. I realized i should have submitted an appendix with my dislike section as there are lots of foods we probably all dislike that we don't see much so don't think of (for example I have tried tofu, strongly dislike tofu and think it is not a "real food"). I noticed a lack of junk food, greasy meat and breads...so when I saw tofu, tofutti, canned tomatoes..... I thought - great... here I go...Shirley is probably in.......
The menu was also not suggestive, but explicit. It said the exact foods I would be eating for the next 7 days each and every meal (leaving me the choice on which three days to eat breakfast #2 and the other four days are breakfast #1 for example). And as a logical person I unfortunately see numerous ways to interpret some of the statements in it (is it the same 4 meals, or could i pick 2-1-1 from the choices to make my four ---- i went with a picked meal was picked for 4 [or 3] days). Then I went out to think about it at a "last" family dinner which had been planned a while ago for my daughters birthday (I had a chicken wrap which I though was probably not so bad compares to a panzerotti).
Eventually I got to my office, printed the menu and grocery list (don't find the list useful as it includes everything and depends how you interpret the menu) and headed to the grocery store.
This was a nightmare. YOU CAN NOT GO TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH THE MENU AS IT COMES. You need to plan your choices and cut down the suggested item. I will be assigning a menu to grocery list converter to my programming students this term now. On top of this - these are parts of the grocery store I do not go to.
Well we were shopping for more than one hour.... often because I was changing my choices on the fly and I needed everything... but actually, except for an item I could not find (Metamucil fiber wafers) and an item I assume is not there (dry white wine) I was shocked to spend only $76.92 for a weeks full meals. I mean I usually spend $12 a night on a meal since I'm busy and used to easily spend $10 a day at Tim's. Not to mention the normal $100-150 grocery bill. I did also, however, spend $60 on other related items for the kitchen (scale, spice rack) and $40 on gym clothes... but that just breaks me even for the normal week.
So tomorrow I begin...if i can find my soup pot!!!
Friday, February 5, 2010
First Nutrition Visit
Ok, so went for my first Nutrition visit with Bruce Sweeney. I think that I'm really going to like this guy (and his wife and whole team too....well maybe not mike).
I think I know (as we all do) what Bruce knows and I think of him right now as my coach. Eat healthy, eat often, eat right... and ask questions when you have them. He had some good advice for me..
1) tea is OK - [well OK i have to cut to skim milk but in tea that's not even a problem... drinking skim milk is not my fave though].
2) EAT.. as simple as it sounds, its my biggest problem. I mean i showed up for my consolation and it had been approximately 16 hours since I ate anything (cup of tea excused of course). So i know i need to eat more.. yet i never do.. hence weight gain. So perhaps once I get my menu (scared what it might be actually but trying not to get over nervous about it - that's a trigger for me.. nerves) i will do my best to eat at the right frequencies (stats!!!!).
3) STOP weighing yourself. OK, so I have a fixation with numbers (hence PHD in Mathematical CS and a teaching load in Statistics). I weight myself.... oh i dunno. three maybe four times... per day. Seriously i do.. i know its not going to change but i get excited if its do from 5 minutes ago (and i know its random fluctuations in the variable too).
So looking forward to my menu.. need to hit grocery store but waiting for the menu on that too.... and to all those that say eating healthy is too $$$$.. add up what you normally eat is what i say
I think I know (as we all do) what Bruce knows and I think of him right now as my coach. Eat healthy, eat often, eat right... and ask questions when you have them. He had some good advice for me..
1) tea is OK - [well OK i have to cut to skim milk but in tea that's not even a problem... drinking skim milk is not my fave though].
2) EAT.. as simple as it sounds, its my biggest problem. I mean i showed up for my consolation and it had been approximately 16 hours since I ate anything (cup of tea excused of course). So i know i need to eat more.. yet i never do.. hence weight gain. So perhaps once I get my menu (scared what it might be actually but trying not to get over nervous about it - that's a trigger for me.. nerves) i will do my best to eat at the right frequencies (stats!!!!).
3) STOP weighing yourself. OK, so I have a fixation with numbers (hence PHD in Mathematical CS and a teaching load in Statistics). I weight myself.... oh i dunno. three maybe four times... per day. Seriously i do.. i know its not going to change but i get excited if its do from 5 minutes ago (and i know its random fluctuations in the variable too).
So looking forward to my menu.. need to hit grocery store but waiting for the menu on that too.... and to all those that say eating healthy is too $$$$.. add up what you normally eat is what i say
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Resolution Solution - Week (-1)
Ok, so I decided to keep a journal here of whats happening in my attempt at the Resolution Solution.
For those that don't know, I entered and won the opportunity to be on the "Green" team (listeners only) of K100's Resolution Solution Contest (did i mention K100 is tops). This is a chance to keep the eat healthier and live healthier promise we always make to ourselves each new years. It includes an 8 week membership to Simply for Life and an 8 week membership to Crossfit Saint John... not to mention the chance to beat (and get to know) some great K100 people (on and offline)
For those that don't know, I entered and won the opportunity to be on the "Green" team (listeners only) of K100's Resolution Solution Contest (did i mention K100 is tops). This is a chance to keep the eat healthier and live healthier promise we always make to ourselves each new years. It includes an 8 week membership to Simply for Life and an 8 week membership to Crossfit Saint John... not to mention the chance to beat (and get to know) some great K100 people (on and offline)
So introductory session was nice (even if cold). The SFL crew seems great and really addressed whats important to me.. food planning and life control. Ill have my first consult with them this friday. Have to say im nervous. I mean can I manage what they recommend? Will i have the "will".... And can i eat and or prepare enough for this program.
The crossfit team seems great too (ok,maybe a little nuts). I think mike talks more than I do if thats even possible. I have always had a strong resistance to exercise.. usually its the concept of not knowing what to do and just being told lots of opinions. I want a person (or group) to take control of me in a gym and tell me what to do, when, how hard ad how long.... seems crossfit might finally be the place for me... im dedicated to do it (very time consuming though) and want to make my self healthier for my girls as well as to help make them healthier. Felt silly asking what a burpe is... perhaps being academically deemed too smart to need gym was not a good life choice (of course, there were other reasons i wanted to avoid gym)
current: (Nkd)Weight = 231; Waste is 42-44 (no tape). I'm sure i'll have better measurements later in the week.
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