Kicking Butt and Taking Names: jesca's NROL4W log

[jesca]

Ok, without confusing everyone, including myself, I'm going to attempt to do two days of logging in one log. Both days were fairly similar, except that I started increase yesterday.

This is from Wednesday and Thursday
Activity:
Aerobic day #2(from "last" week) and #1 - first one this week (I start my new weeks on Thursdays)

Food: Wednesday that was supposed to be a normal 40/30/30 was far too low in protein and looked more like an increase day and Thursday looked much the same. High on carbs, too low on protein, a little high on fat. Ah well. Back on track today.
6pm-6pm
2108/2374 calories
76/70g fat
204/289g carbs
106/141g protein

Sleep: 8ish hours/9ish hours. Good night's sleep, but not enough since I worked so late on Wednesday night.

Water/Potassium/sodium: good.

Probiotics/enzymes/fish oil/multivitamin: Pretty awful both days. Things have gotten so hectic, I have spaced on everything. Mostly the enzymes are the worst. The probiotic and fish oil usually gets taken, except today that I totally forgot to bring them.

Emotionally: Ok. Tired and grumpy for the most part. Annoyed at having to work so much and slightly anxious - probably due to lack of sleep. Got home late (11:30pm!) on Wed. and it's pretty much ruined the rest of the week. I've been very emotional and had a short temper. Again, just lack of sleep. I'm fairly certain if I go home and take an hour nap like I did last Friday, I will wake up a new woman. I can't want to go home!

Weight: 169.2 both days
Waist: 35.25/35.5

[jesca]

So, I guess I'm going to have to do a lump post again tomorrow, since I didn't get to Friday today. Oh well.

Today was very busy. I had Pilates class, ran to the farm to get the produce, and then we tailgated the Baysox game all afternoon and watched the game. Of course there was a lot of food involved, and I tried to be good, but the chips and dip got me. Plus it was a firend's birthday so there was (moderately healthy) cake and we brought cookies - giant cookies, and I had one of those. By the end I was feeling fatter than fat. Everything is kind of tight lately, and the scale was back up again. I feel enormous and very self concious. I'm guessing it's all the carbs, but I'm not particularly happy about any of it. I am retaining water from the carbs and it's also making me want to eat all the time. The more starch and carbs I eat, the more I want to eat in general, and I hate it! I feel like if this was stuff da' face week, I'd be good to go, because I seem unable to control myself to 2300 calories! Which is madness. Before this week, when I was eating 40/30/30 I was totally stuffed all the time and pretty content, but the shift up in carbs is rocking my world, and not in a good way. I'm not entirely sure what to do, either. I'm trying to do the plan, but eating this extra bit of carbs, is making hard for me to control myself around any food. I feel sort of hungry and miserable all the time. Like even when I'm full, I want to eat more. It's really frustrating, because eating a better ratio of calories makes me feel content and comfortably full, but this extra makes me eat the way I did before I lost the weight. This is the feeling that I had to fight and fight in order to lose the weight the first time and I am frustrated at eating so.much.food and then still being hungry or craving food in general afterwards. I'm also reaching for sugary things that never really did it for me before. Like I may have a small sugar craving after a meal, but nothing I couldn't get over, now boom, it's in my mouth before I know it. Awful. I feel so out of control.
Ugh, I'm going to stop bitching now and get some sleep that should help. Any suggestions on where to go from here are greatly appreciated

[Bytsi]

Have you talked to Leigh?

I know that for me, eating carbs leads to more hunger instead of fullness (not ALL carbs, but eating lots or processed carbs)... Could you maybe eat more veggies / whole grains kind of carbs instead of cookies (I know it was a party!)...???

Hang in there!

[jesca]

Originally Posted by Bytsi

Have you talked to Leigh?

I know that for me, eating carbs leads to more hunger instead of fullness (not ALL carbs, but eating lots or processed carbs)... Could you maybe eat more veggies / whole grains kind of carbs instead of cookies (I know it was a party!)...???

Hang in there!

Thanks. That is totally the problem. Since I increased my calories, I gave myself psychological license to go nuts. Which is not good. This is sort of how I got fat in the first place and how I yo-yo'd up and down all over the place. The mental with this diet is WAY more difficult than the physical. Worrying about gaining weight and trying to focus on all the different aspects is kind of overwhelming me at times. I'm trying to jump back on the horse today.
I did a psychological reset today, and just ate sensibly. I stepped away from the computer and ate pretty fine for the day, except not enough, which is typical for me on the weekends. Starting at dinner I started tracking again, and instead of tracking my dinner "tomorrow' in my daily plate log, I'm tracking my breakfast and lunch "yesterday". This is WAY better for me, because I can see how my dinner and evening played out and play around with foods when I have the calories left to "fix" my macros, instead of trying to get the % right when I only have 500 calories left (totally impossible some days). So, not tracking for three meals paid off for me in that aspect.
I'm going to try to get back on with the logging too. This week is pretty easy with work for me, so it's a good time to get back on track. The next four weeks after that, though, are a nightmare. I only have two and a half more weeks of Repair, though, so I need to get myself in order now, so I know where I'm going when it's over, or I will be a right royal mess.
Lastly, my half assed attempt at logging for the day.
Good on eats. Metric ton of chores done. I'm going to log in here, because I think it would be interesting to put into the daily plate some time and see what it adds up to. More than a half hour of DDR I'd imagine. Didn't get nearly as much resting or fun time in this weekend as I wanted to, but groceries needed to be bought, etc. With the fourth of July (my favorite holiday - aside from my birthday ) being this week, I will get a long weekend, which will be nice. Hubby is also off for this whole week, so hopefully he will be doing some of the cooking so I can have a chill week before I begin my decent into hell!
Anyhow, I hope everyone is doing well. Have a good week!

The chores:
2 loads of dishes
3 loads of laundry
Washed one stinky dog - plus nail trimming and brushing
Cleaned up bathroom after said stinky dog
Got groceries
Baked a pie
Cut up a watermelon

Dood, I'm tired just looking at this. Time to go to sleep!

[Bytsi]

Originally Posted by jesca

Since I increased my calories, I gave myself psychological license to go nuts. Which is not good. This is sort of how I got fat in the first place and how I yo-yo'd up and down all over the place. The mental with this diet is WAY more difficult than the physical. Worrying about gaining weight and trying to focus on all the different aspects is kind of overwhelming me at times. I'm trying to jump back on the horse today.
I did a psychological reset today, and just ate sensibly. I stepped away from the computer and ate pretty fine for the day, except not enough, which is typical for me on the weekends. Starting at dinner I started tracking again, and instead of tracking my dinner "tomorrow' in my daily plate log, I'm tracking my breakfast and lunch "yesterday". This is WAY better for me, because I can see how my dinner and evening played out and play around with foods when I have the calories left to "fix" my macros, instead of trying to get the % right when I only have 500 calories left (totally impossible some days). So, not tracking for three meals paid off for me in that aspect.
I'm going to try to get back on with the logging too. This week is pretty easy with work for me, so it's a good time to get back on track.

Your reset sounds sensible... I know that, for me, attempts to be "normal" (my weird definition) have backfired because when I just decide to "be" and not use any caution, I don't do well. I eat badly and gain weight. Maybe there are some people who can naturally not think about food, but at least for now, I'm not one of them. The rationalization that works better for me is this:

When I was fat and sedentary, I knew where every drive-thru was, what time they opened or served breakfast, etc etc. I spent effort on hiding what / how much I ate (even though I never admitted that to myself at the time). Now, yes, I focus a lot of time and energy on food. But I was always focused on food. Now it's just a focus on being healthy instead of being unhealthy. Much of America is focused on food, so maybe that is normal - FOR ME.

I'm not sure I completely understand how you're using Daily Plate, but that's ok ... I might try logging dinner from the previous or next day and counting macros from dinner - dinner instead of breakfast - breakfast... Hmmmm... Food for thought (pardon the phrase!)

Glad you're back on track Jess!!

[marthand99]

Oh My God I love that picture!!!! So cute

I totally agree that the mental is WAY harder than the physical. It sounds like your psychological reset really helped and that you did well eating sensibly. I agree with Bytsi about trying more whole foods, I stay satisfied a lot longer. Maybe you could try bringing your lunch or bring healthier alternatives to parties and stuff? If that doesn't work, maybe PM Leigh?

I'm glad the 6pm-6pm thing (or whatever) is working for you! Yay! And yay for a long weekend! I can't wait, either.

[GinnyLou]

Hang in there, Girl! I am also a fan of the melatonin and take my 3 mg everynight. I seriously helps me get my mind shut down and get some quality sleep to support the workouts and everything else.

The mental part is so tough.

[jesca]

Originally Posted by Bytsi

Your reset sounds sensible... I know that, for me, attempts to be "normal" (my weird definition) have backfired because when I just decide to "be" and not use any caution, I don't do well. I eat badly and gain weight. Maybe there are some people who can naturally not think about food, but at least for now, I'm not one of them. The rationalization that works better for me is this:

When I was fat and sedentary, I knew where every drive-thru was, what time they opened or served breakfast, etc etc. I spent effort on hiding what / how much I ate (even though I never admitted that to myself at the time). Now, yes, I focus a lot of time and energy on food. But I was always focused on food. Now it's just a focus on being healthy instead of being unhealthy. Much of America is focused on food, so maybe that is normal - FOR ME.

I'm not sure I completely understand how you're using Daily Plate, but that's ok ... I might try logging dinner from the previous or next day and counting macros from dinner - dinner instead of breakfast - breakfast... Hmmmm... Food for thought (pardon the phrase!)

Glad you're back on track Jess!!

Thanks! I love the pictures! The hamster with the I has a carrot, still makes me smile.
My problem on the weekends is usually that I don't eat enough. Before I started NROL4W I would actually not eat enough for days on end and then binge like crazy, then try to exercise it off, which is what got me into this mess. Then I went on NROL4W, but I wasn't tracking correctly, so I over ate a lot and didn't lose any weight. So, clearly I need tracking too, but if it's a weekend and I need to eat lightly, I just don't track, and it takes care of itself. This goes back to me getting obsessed with food when I'm dieting. Hence the needs for the breaks every once in awhile - which are becoming all too frequent now.

Originally Posted by marthand99

Oh My God I love that picture!!!! So cute

I totally agree that the mental is WAY harder than the physical. It sounds like your psychological reset really helped and that you did well eating sensibly. I agree with Bytsi about trying more whole foods, I stay satisfied a lot longer. Maybe you could try bringing your lunch or bring healthier alternatives to parties and stuff? If that doesn't work, maybe PM Leigh?

I'm glad the 6pm-6pm thing (or whatever) is working for you! Yay! And yay for a long weekend! I can't wait, either.

Thanks. I got it back together today. I ate a lot of whole foods and I'm much better now. I should know better than to eat overly refined carbs and then bitch about it I was just being silly. I think that when I get to stuff da' face, I will be trying to PM Leigh. I'm worried about what to go on after this is over. I am going through some programs now looking at what I would like to do, so I want to get myself straight. Honestly, I seemed to be losing weight around the beginning of the program (even if some of it was water) and I think that I can stand to keep those calories again, but maybe not work out, so it's going to be tough for me to find a balance. I'm sure it will be a rocky start, trying to diet down the right way for the first time, I dunno', ever, but I will get there.

Originally Posted by GinnyLou

Hang in there, Girl! I am also a fan of the melatonin and take my 3 mg everynight. I seriously helps me get my mind shut down and get some quality sleep to support the workouts and everything else.

The mental part is so tough.

Thanks! I am seriously loving the melatonin too. It's one of the only things that doesn't give me a hangover in the morning. I just need help falling asleep, not staying asleep, but most sleeping pills work on both. Hence the massive hang over I would have in the morning. I'm so glad to have found something that works!

Also, I don't know how you do it, Ginny. I was looking at your calorie counts and your workouts, and it seems to be what I should be doing too, but I don't know how you keep it up. When I started this and I was at 1600ish calories, I could barely get down the street to my office, let alone imagine working out. I would love if you would post a day of eats or PM it to me, so I can get an idea of how you're doing it!
The same goes for Bytsi - I dunno how your girls keep it up!

I am beat so the logging is going to have to wait. I did a very good job today of keeping up the good whole foods and I did DDR tonight, so I'm right on track. I think it will be a lifting day tomorrow, and I have most of my eats already planned out and my macros are on their way to being perfect. I wish I would have figured this out sooner, but at least I know now how to manage my food best to hit my cals and macros.

I'm so glad for this board and all you wonderful ladies (and gents - if any ever visit). You gals are helping me keep it together

[jesca]

Info from Monday

Activity:
Aerobic day #2

30 mins of DDR and some stretching afterwards. I really need to do mobility and foam rolling. I like the rolling but I just abhor the mobility work. Not sure why, but I have the hardest time motivating myself to do it anymore.

Food: Back on track! Macros are a little off, but I've sorted out how to manage them better now. I was 70 cals under yesterday, though.
6pm-6pm
2310 calories
75g fat
298g carbs
121g protein

Sleep: 8ish hours. Had weird dreams of throwing up, and woke up with an upset stomach. It was very strange.

Water/Potassium/sodium: good.

Probiotics/enzymes/fish oil: Um, not so good. I keep forgetting the enzymes before meals. The multi is always a given, so I'm taking it out of here, but I'm just spacing on everything lately. I know if I can get back on track, I'll be fine. This weekend just threw me totally off.

Emotionally: After I got over the grumpy morning tummy, it was a pretty good day. Congress is in recess this week, so it's been very slow - which is a nice change. It's also a nice prep for next week. Otherwise I was pretty happy.

Weight: 169.4 both days - I have to keep reminding myself that this is awesome. I have been eating a ridiculous number of calories and haven't gained any weight this week. I should be ecstatic.
Waist: 35.5ish

[GinnyLou]

Also, I don't know how you do it, Ginny. I was looking at your calorie counts and your workouts, and it seems to be what I should be doing too, but I don't know how you keep it up. When I started this and I was at 1600ish calories, I could barely get down the street to my office, let alone imagine working out. I would love if you would post a day of eats or PM it to me, so I can get an idea of how you're doing it!
The same goes for Bytsi - I dunno how your girls keep it up!

Just now seeing this. I will post a day or two of what I am currently eating in my log. I just need to go grab it from SparkPeople.

[Bytsi]

Originally Posted by jesca

Thanks! I love the pictures! The hamster with the I has a carrot, still makes me smile.
works!

I would love if you would post a day of eats or PM it to me, so I can get an idea of how you're doing it!
The same goes for Bytsi - I dunno how your girls keep it up!

Ok... first my "confession" - I have rediscovered my Starbux addiction . But, I also have realized in the past 3 days of drinking it that I am SO much happier and active when I get my morning fix, it's worth the extra 110-130 kcals to me...

Today:
Breakfast:1 slice Ezekiel bread raisin toast w/ spray butter & 1 string cheese (lowfat).
1 starbux grande espresso frappucino light (110 kcal)

snack: laughing cow cheese on multigrain crackers, tuna

lunch - huge salad - lettuce, carrot, avocado, artichoke hearts, mushroom, red peppers, egg, shrimp, dressing (on the side, dip fork)

snack: greek yogurt (oikos) and diced fruit (watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries)
other half of crackers 'n' cheese

dinner: not decided yet, but I have 400 kcal left, which isn't quite as much as I'd like to get through the evening too (I might skip the crackers 'n' cheese this afternoon to make room).

This is a pretty typical day for me aiming for 1500 kcal... dinner is often chicken or tuna or even oatmeal... turkey burgers (I usually skip the bun), eggs or egg beaters... I'm a little low on veggie snax cuz I ran out of time to dice this morning.
I also love cherries, edamame, popcorn for snax... and I often have a fudgesicle for dessert.

Hope that helps! I've also posted other days of food in my log, but you'd have to go back a few pages to find 'em...

[jesca]

Originally Posted by GinnyLou

Just now seeing this. I will post a day or two of what I am currently eating in my log. I just need to go grab it from SparkPeople.

Originally Posted by Bytsi

Ok... first my "confession" - I have rediscovered my Starbux addiction . But, I also have realized in the past 3 days of drinking it that I am SO much happier and active when I get my morning fix, it's worth the extra 110-130 kcals to me...

Today:
Breakfast:1 slice Ezekiel bread raisin toast w/ spray butter & 1 string cheese (lowfat).
1 starbux grande espresso frappucino light (110 kcal)

snack: laughing cow cheese on multigrain crackers, tuna

lunch - huge salad - lettuce, carrot, avocado, artichoke hearts, mushroom, red peppers, egg, shrimp, dressing (on the side, dip fork)

snack: greek yogurt (oikos) and diced fruit (watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries)
other half of crackers 'n' cheese

dinner: not decided yet, but I have 400 kcal left, which isn't quite as much as I'd like to get through the evening too (I might skip the crackers 'n' cheese this afternoon to make room).

This is a pretty typical day for me aiming for 1500 kcal... dinner is often chicken or tuna or even oatmeal... turkey burgers (I usually skip the bun), eggs or egg beaters... I'm a little low on veggie snax cuz I ran out of time to dice this morning.
I also love cherries, edamame, popcorn for snax... and I often have a fudgesicle for dessert.

Hope that helps! I've also posted other days of food in my log, but you'd have to go back a few pages to find 'em...

Thanks gals! This really helps. I'm always in the market for good ideas for snacks and meals. I can totally do the same thing every day for a couple of days, and then I freak out, so I try to mix it up as much as I can stand so I don't go crazy.

[jesca]

I haven't been very good at logging lately, which is kind of silly because work has been pretty boring this week (thankfully), but I shall log for today. Yesterday I did DDR 35ish minutes and was 8 calories over on my diet. Macros pretty good. Let's call yesterday logged now

Activity:
Resistance Day #2

Warmup - Mostly running up and down the stairs because I kept forgetting things!
Setsxrepsxtotal weight
Squats - 3x15x16 (lowered from last time)
Swiss ball jack kni