Leah's Lifting Log

[LWilson212]

Originally Posted by Bytsi

Great job sticking to plan even with food everywhere... lot better than I did!!!

Thanks Bytsi! I am truly starting to think that is half the trick with a trainer. You know how much you spent so you better stay on plan!

Originally Posted by stingo

Although named after the Ipod, the podcasts themselves are mp3 files that can be played on any mp3 player. Software such as Itunes allows you to subscribe to podcasts, which will download new episodes as they become available (and, depending on how you set it up, will delete old episodes once you've heard them).

Thanks Tom!

Originally Posted by stephanie932

^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^

Tom did a much better explanation than I would have. If you don't have/want Itunes on your computer you can always go to their site and download many different practices that are on many different levels. They all still come with the .pdf that you can print out, but there is a fee for them for downloading them that way. I originally started with the free ones, but have moved to the subscription plan of getting 6 downloads a month. I really enjoy them.

WTG on sticking to your plan! That's just awesome! And, it was difficult for the situation you were in, but you did it! WTG!

Thanks Steph - I checked out that site and it looks awesome!

Yesterday was a 1500 cal day and martial arts class. Even though I am feeling a little funky from not eating very much (for me) I still was able to do well in class.

I am really happy with myself for logging everything, not picking at anything, and staying on my plan. Some of the stuff I weighed and measured made me realize I was eating even more than I thought before. Anyone who thinks you can't overeat veggies never met me! I was packing my lunch this morning and I set out what I thought was a 25 calorie serving of broccoli. When I weighed it, it was an 82 calorie serving. I guess from doing Weight Watchers I just fell into the idea that veggies are free.

Today's food (1350 cal day)

Breakfast: shake w/1 scoop prot, 1 cup 2% milk, 1/2 banana

Morning snack: peach, broccoli

Lunch: 1/2 leftover stuffed red pepper

Afternoon snack: 1/2 can tuna

Dinner: spicy meatloaf and roasted butternut squash and onions - Anne I can't put in words how delicious this meatloaf is!

I am doing pretty well on managing hunger and staying focused, except I am having trouble falling asleep at night. I've slept only 5 or 6 hours the last four nights and I am dragging. I'm hoping this will be the night I can fall asleep at a decent time.

In positive news, I'm down 3.6 lbs in 4 days. At this rate I'll only have to starve for another week or so. It is weird not to be lifting weights, but I definitely notice myself returning to feeling normal, instead of exhausted all the time.

[realcdn]

Originally Posted by LWilson212

Dinner: spicy meatloaf and roasted butternut squash and onions - Anne I can't put in words how delicious this meatloaf is!

I meant to ask you what you used. The last time I made it I used ground beef and pork italian sausage. Since I've found a really decent turkey italian sausage I think I'll try using it the next time. I've still got two dinner's worth left in the freezer. I think I'll use one of them this weekend. Yum, yum.

[Karen411]

Originally Posted by kfisherx

If I don't use a high contrast setting on my camera, it takes away all the muscle definition.

Is that all it takes for me to get pics like yours--a high contrast setting ? (Just kidding, but I have been getting frustrated at times that I can't get what little muscle I do have in the mirror to show up in my pics.)

Originally Posted by LWilson212

Yeah, this one he kept telling you to sit up on your sit bone. Twice in the DVD he had you spread your butt cheeks to really sit up on that bone.

That's where yoga videos always lose me, too. I'm not bendy/flexible, so it's hard to do them in the first place and then they say things like this where I just really don't get what to do.

Looking forward to seeing your new program.

[LWilson212]

Originally Posted by realcdn

I meant to ask you what you used. The last time I made it I used ground beef and pork italian sausage. Since I've found a really decent turkey italian sausage I think I'll try using it the next time. I've still got two dinner's worth left in the freezer. I think I'll use one of them this weekend. Yum, yum.

Hey Anne-

I used chicken andouille sausage that I found at Costco. The next time I make it I'm going to try it with hot italian pork sausage since that's something I love!

Originally Posted by Karen411

Is that all it takes for me to get pics like yours--a high contrast setting ? (Just kidding, but I have been getting frustrated at times that I can't get what little muscle I do have in the mirror to show up in my pics.)


That's where yoga videos always lose me, too. I'm not bendy/flexible, so it's hard to do them in the first place and then they say things like this where I just really don't get what to do.

Looking forward to seeing your new program.

Hey Karen-

I'm not a bendy person either and it hurts! Leigh thinks that is an area I really need to work on. I've got a stretching routine I do every day.

Today:
Weight 159.2 - I am down 4.4 lbs in 5 days - I'm not sure whether to be happy or scared. I guess I have made a drastic alteration to my diet, probably slashing my calories almost in half, so what do I expect.

Food: 1500 cal day

Breakfast: coffee w/1 tbls 1/2 & 1/2, omelet made with 1 tsp butter, 1 egg, 2 whites, 2 tbls shredded cheddar, 1 cup broccoli

Morning snack: 1 oz soy nuts, 1 cup watermelon

Lunch: spicy meatloaf, roasted butternut squash and onions

Afternoon snack: 1 can tuna and 1 tlbs miracle whip

Dinner: black bean burger and baked fries

This evening is stretching and 1 hour of martial arts.

I have changed my strategy a bit today and am having most of my calories throughout the day and a pretty small dinner. Hopefully that will go okay. I finally got a good night's sleep last night and I feel much better today.

[missjane]

Great job, Leah! Can you post the meatloaf recipe? I can't get to blogs here at work and I'd like to pick up the ingredients tonight. Thanks!

[LWilson212]

Spicy Meatloaf


This is meant to be a cajun meatloaf, but finding andouille sausage here is tough, so it's become a spicy meatloaf using Italian sausage. I think it was a combination of meatloaf recipes that I adjusted to suit me. I always divide and freeze this before baking, so I'm not sure how it would work as a full loaf. For a dinner for 2 - when reheating, I chop potatoes and onions and put them in a 9x13 glass dish and dust them with a little salt, pepper, and non-stick spray. I'll cook these for about 30 minutes at 400F, stir the veg, then add two meatloaves (in pyrex custard cups) upside down - so the loaves are still covered, but the onions and potatoes aren't. Turn the heat back to 350, cook for 30 minutes. Carefully lift the custard cups off and return to the oven for 15 minutes. You can brush the loaves with a touch of ketchup to glaze if you want. I serve this with a big pile of broccoli.


1 1/2 cups chopped onion
3/4 cups chopped green pepper
3/4 cups chicken broth

Drop the onion, green pepper, and chicken broth into a large pot and bring to a boil. Simmer until mixture is quite dry. Cool completely before finishing the recipe.

1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1/2 pound hot italian sausage
100 ml egg substitute (2 eggs)
1 cup oat flakes
1 Tbsp chopped garlic
1 Tbsp hot pepper sauce
1 Tbsp worchestershire sauce
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tsp roasted red pepper mix (we buy it dry, you could probably skip this)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp dried cumin
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Mix beef and sausage together first, then add the rest of the ingredients, including the pepper and onion mixture. Divide into 8 portions and freeze (I use sandwich bags). Using a scale, the last day, this was just over 7 ounces each, although depending on how dry you've made the onions/peppers this will vary.

Lift out of the freezer the morning you're going to cook them and leave in the fridge. Form into loaves (well, round mounds) and bake at 350F, covered for 30 minutes, uncovered for 15. This is really quite a hot recipe, you may want to adjust. If you cook the onions and potatoes around it they will also pick up the heat from the juices.

------

1 (of 8) servings: 369 calories, 23g fat, 16g carbs, 24g protein
Note: this does not include onions and potatoes.

Posted by Anne at 12:23 PM 0 comments
Labels: Beef Dishes





Here it is Jane, courtesy of Anne (realcdn.) I made my first batch as four individual servings, then I made the rest into a 4 serving loaf. I baked the loaf for 45 minutes at 400.

[mel]

Leah, I'm so fascinated with how this is going for you! Wow! I'm getting a good idea of what I'll do when it is time to cut! Congrats on your quick progress and your dedication to the plan.

You rock!

mel

[GinnyLou]

Wow, that is a great loss in a short amount of time. I just finished reading TFLTS after being intrigued with some of you guys progess with Leigh.
Good job and congrats on sticking to your plan, you are already seeing results which is fantastic.

[LWilson212]

Originally Posted by mel

Leah, I'm so fascinated with how this is going for you! Wow! I'm getting a good idea of what I'll do when it is time to cut! Congrats on your quick progress and your dedication to the plan.

You rock!

mel

Thanks Mel! I think I never "got" the concept that dieting down and hard training don't go together too well, at least for me. I'm enjoying this break.

Originally Posted by GinnyLou

Wow, that is a great loss in a short amount of time. I just finished reading TFLTS after being intrigued with some of you guys progess with Leigh.
Good job and congrats on sticking to your plan, you are already seeing results which is fantastic.

Thanks Ginger! I am pretty excited because I am already seeing results. I am having a lot easier time sticking to it when I'm not pushing my body so hard.

Last night:
Martial arts class went well. There were not too many people there and we got a lot of individual attention.
When I got home I did my stretching and foam rolling. Some of the stretches that were so painful at the start are getting easier, so that's good.

Today:
Weight 158.8

Food Plan: 1350 cal day

Breakfast: oatmeal w/brown sugar and strawberries

Morning snack: 1 small peach and a string cheese

Lunch: spinach salad w/chicken, tomatoes, alfalfa sprouts, mushrooms, blue cheese dressing

Afternoon snack: the other 1/2 of my salad

Dinner: glazed salmon, small sweet potato w/1 tsp butter, 1 cup green beans

Before bed snack: 1/2 cup cottage cheese

I am planning a very relaxing evening including getting a pedicure and doing my stretching and candlelight yoga DVD. I'm so glad it is Friday!

[stephanie932]

Originally Posted by LWilson212

When I got home I did my stretching and foam rolling. Some of the stretches that were so painful at the start are getting easier, so that's good.

Leah...........Your progress is awesome! What a boost, huh? It's so nice to hear that you aren't struggling with the eating like you thought you would........and learning what you were doing wrong. That's a total bonus!

Those foam roller stretches killed me at first. I totally dreaded them. I imagine that you are really tight due to the heavy lifting and all of your activity. It will get better but I don't think it ever stops hurting.....lol

[LWilson212]

Originally Posted by stephanie932

Leah...........Your progress is awesome! What a boost, huh? It's so nice to hear that you aren't struggling with the eating like you thought you would........and learning what you were doing wrong. That's a total bonus!

Those foam roller stretches killed me at first. I totally dreaded them. I imagine that you are really tight due to the heavy lifting and all of your activity. It will get better but I don't think it ever stops hurting.....lol

Thanks Steph!
I'm not too crazy about the foam rolling either, although it feels better afterwards. The weird thing is, I started to notice that one side of my body is a lot tighter than the other, all through my lower body. The right side doesn't hurt that much to foam roll or stretch compared to the left.

Today:
158.4

Food plan: 1500 cal day
Breakfast: english muffin w/peanut butter

Snack: 1 scoop prot, 3/4 cup milk

Lunch: spinach salad w/sprouts, tomatoes, leftover salmon and blue cheese dressing

Afternoon snack: 1/3 cup cottage cheese w/1 cup sliced strawberries

Dinner: skillet lasagne

If tennis practice is not rained out, I'll do that today. If it is, I will probably go to the Y and do the elliptical for 45 min.

I started to feel kind of crummy yesterday. I had a headache all afternoon that I couldn't kick and I really just wanted to go to bed when I got home. I made myself stay up and cut the grass and it felt so hard! I have a push mower and my whole body was just aching and it felt like I didn't have the strength to turn the thing around the corners and up the hill. Then I went in and did my stretching and my candlelight yoga dvd. I haven't done that since I started daily stretching and I was really impressed how much deeper I was getting in some of the stretches.

This weekend may be somewhat difficult because we are going over to Shawn's mom's for father's day dinner. It seems like my best strategy for sticking to this plan is to put everything into fitday the day before and then just pack what I need and stick to the plan. I really don't want to go somewhere not knowing what I'm going to eat beforehand, because then how will I know what to eat for the rest of the day. She said she is serving steak, but that's all I know. I am thinking I should just plan on eating steak and veggies and maybe having a beer, since I know she'll serve veggies.

[nutbar]

Leah, congrats on the new program and its success so far!! I'm taking notes of your eats because you always have the yummiest-sounding meals and mine are starting to bore me again!

[shari3boys]

HI Leah

I am excited for you and your results thus far. I too am doing what your doing and taking a break from lifting right now. I have only been doing some cardio and trying to get my calories in check.
You are doing a great job with that . I am going to focus more on the calories this week as mine have been too high this last week.

Anyway just wanted to say hello!

Take care
Shari

[kfisherx]

LOL!!! I hear ya on sticking with the plan because you are shelling out so much money for the trainer. Seriously that is one of the most incentives for me to not cheat. I mean it hurts not only my waistline but also my wallet.