** Sholezard's "It's About Time I Started a Journal" Thread **

[Sholezard]

Off to a good start this Monday morning. Just came back from the gym, where I did chest and tri's. My strength is definitely improving - I can mostly sense it in my ability to do 30 pushups in a row. My abs are also considerably stronger, even though I am still waiting for the definition to come out. Currently, I'm use 105 lb weights for my rope crunches. Anyway, I'm getting a bit bored of my routine but I'm always too lazy to go in search of new ones. Old habits die hard I guess...

I have that new Madonna song in my head.

Today's meals:

Meal 1: oats + banana + egg white
WORKOUT (50 min weights + 10 min abs + 30 min cardio)
Meal 2: protein shake + yogurt + 5 strawberries + 2 handfuls of Vector cereal
Meal 3: 1 chicken breast + handful carrots + 1 tbsp Baba Ganoosh Dip + 1 ww pita bread + veggies (tomato, mushroom, pepper, cucumber)
Meal 4: 2 handfuls of mixed nuts
Meal 5: smoked white fish chunk + salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, pepper, mushroom, low fat Italian dressing)

[jacqui]

Hi Sholezard!

It's really interesting reading your thread and what you're eating. It's refreshing to know that at your weight (my goal weight!) you watch what you eat. My sis eats a lot of chocolate and processed foods about 3000cals per day in fact (yes I had to count), does absolutely no exercise and stays at 120lbs at 5'8''! So it's great to realize that she is the exception and not the norm, after many years of watching what I eat and feeling somewhat deprived! You are a healthy role model! And you've got great definition in your arms!!! Good luck with your goal for 15% BF. With your dedication I'm sure you'll get there!

[Sholezard]

Originally Posted by jacqui

Hi Sholezard!

It's really interesting reading your thread and what you're eating. It's refreshing to know that at your weight (my goal weight!) you watch what you eat. My sis eats a lot of chocolate and processed foods about 3000cals per day in fact (yes I had to count), does absolutely no exercise and stays at 120lbs at 5'8''! So it's great to realize that she is the exception and not the norm, after many years of watching what I eat and feeling somewhat deprived! You are a healthy role model! And you've got great definition in your arms!!! Good luck with your goal for 15% BF. With your dedication I'm sure you'll get there!

Hi Jacqui,

Thanks for the compliments. Funny thing is that I used to be JUST like your sister -- eating whatever I wanted whenever I wanted without putting on an ounce of weight! That was obviously during my late teens and into my early 20s. I noticed the change in metabolism probably around the time I turned 23. However, I'd still have to say that my metabolism is above average, because if it wasn't I wouldn't be at the weight that I am now (considering all the junk I eat sometimes).

It's great feeling like your feeding your body properly though, with healthy and nutritious food. Whenever I do indulge in "junk," I feel so lethargic and gross after that it almost forces me to get back on the healthy wagon. I'd rather eat more clean food than eat less junk food...know what I mean?

Btw, I'm sure you'll have no problem reaching your goal weight either...just keep doing what you've been doing!

[Sholezard]

Today's my off day from the gym, so I'll need to make the best of my meals (it's all psychological really).

I'm so exhausted these days -- I'm usually in bed by 10 or 10:30pm, whereas I used to go to bed an hour or so later than that. Maybe it's all the workouts that wear me out. Whatever it is, it's making me really sleepy at nights, which isn't good because nights are when I get the msot work done.

Half of today's planned meals:

Meal 1: oats + banana + egg white + handful Vector cereal
Meal 2: yogurt + 1 apple
Meal 3: 1 chicken breast + ww pita bread + tomato + cucumber + handful of carrots
Meal 4: came home starving at 3pm - had 1.5 cup Vector/Shreddies cereal + 1/2 c skim milk + 1 ww pita + 1 tsp organic peanut butter + 1 tsp sugar-free jam. I wonder what else I could've had instead of these? Maybe a protein shake? I don't think I would've been satisfied with that though. Carbs always do the trick for me.
Meal 5: 1 egg + 1/2 c egg whites + salad (lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pepper, mushroom, ff Italian dressing)
Meal 6: Guess it didn't end at meal 5 -- was way too hungry by the time 9pm rolled around so I had a "Low Carb" protein bar to keep me going for the rest of the night

[Sholezard]

I just had a revelation: I'm addicted to carbs. Simple as that. I don't know how people can go through a low-carb ,or no-carb for that matter, diets -- it's insanity I tell you! I've realized that I can never ever go without having carbs in at least my first 3 or 4 meals of the day, regardless of whether or not it consists of fruit, vegetables, whole grain, sweet potato, chickpeas, brown rice, whatever. Gotta have my carbs. Is this a bad thing? I guess OD'ing on carbs is another story but I don't really have that problem!

[Sholezard]

I had a friend tell me today that her eating habits are horrible -- she only eats 2 meals a day (1 HUGE breakfast and 1 HUGE supper without lunch or snacks in between). This friend has been on every kind of diet imaginable to mankind and has yet to lose an ounce of weight. She apparently has about 10 lbs to lose (she mostly stores the weight on her thighs and stomach). Anyway, I offered to help her out with her meals if she will let me and I told her that I can plan something for her. She was a little hesitant at my suggestion, which took me aback. You'd think someone in her shoes would jump at the chance to get some information on how to at least eat clean food for a week or two, let alone to make it a lifestyle change! :db:

Now, here's my question: do you think it's offensive to someone like her to have someone like me tell you that what you're doing is wrong and that I can help you better it? I didn't think so, but at the same time, I didn't sense any sort of gratitude or anything from her. What's going on in this situation? I don't get it. She already thinks I'm crazy for going to the gym 6x a week and eating as clean as possible. By the way, she always tells me that I'm "addicted" to working out, etc. while stuffing some sort of brownie or muffin down her throat.

[D.A.C.]

Going by the reaction you're saying she had at your suggestion, my suggestion is, don't bother, she's not interested in being helped.

So save yourself some grief, and move on by.

[Bluestreak]

Originally Posted by D.A.C.

Going by the reaction you're saying she had at your suggestion, my suggestion is, don't bother, she's not interested in being helped.

So save yourself some grief, and move on by.

I'll have to agree. Except for this web board, I do not discuss fitness with anyone - unless I believe them to be genuinely interested. Fitness has joined politics and religion on my list of topics I refuse to discuss with people. I tried early on, but when you tell people that weight management is work, you can actually watch the fog descend over their eyes as they tune you out...

Leave her be, walk away.

-R

[guava]

Some people just like to complain. I had a friend that complained every day about how overweight she was, and told me she was trying really hardto lose weight. Once I found out she ate a chocolate bar every day, I no longer felt the need to help her guide her diet. A lot of people just really don't want to change, even if they tell themselves they do.

[TarSeal]

I'm with Bluestreak on this one. I've stopped engaging in conversations regarding nutrition or exercise with regular people. The gulf is simply too wide. When I hear the genius nutritional and fitness ideas from the 80's thrown about at parties or gatherings I just smile and nod. No one has updated their knowledge in about 10-15 years for the most part.

[Sholezard]

You're all completely right - thanks for your advice. I just find it funny that a friend, who has someone with the basic understanding of nutrition and exercise at her fingertips, chooses not to take advantage of such a valuable resource! Is it a pride issue? Is it low self-esteem? I have absolutely no idea! I offered my help to my mom (who's already way above average in her fitness and nutrition regime -- she also goes to the gym pretty much everyday) a while ago and she took it with gratitude.

You'd think someone who NEEDS to lose weight would take any kind of advice that's provided. This really baffles me. I'm going to let her be and she will forever continue bouncing from one diet to the next and still trying to lose the 10 lbs she's always complaining about. Her excuse is that if I give her a "meal plan," she'll "gorge" on everything, hence her reasoning for only eating 2 HUGE meals a day. Ya whatever. What a load of crap!

[Sholezard]

Today was biceps and back day. I absolutely LOVE working out my biceps. It's so satisfying to be able to see your own image in the mirror working your butt off! In the end, it really pays off. I so frequently see people at the gym literally lift for about 2 minutes and then walking around the perimeter of the gym for like 15 or so minutes! I'm thinking, why are you wasting so much time?! Get back to work! Seriously, I feel as if a lot of people just come to the gym, waste time, and then put a mental image in their head outlining the fact that they actually WENT TO THE GYM. Gimme a break! If you're going to the gym, quit the chit-chat, the walking around, and get to work. That's why you're there in the first place, isn't it?!

Meals for Today:

Meal 1: oats + egg whites + banana
WORKOUT (45 min weights + 15 min abs + 30 HIIT-style running on treadmill)
Meal 2: protein shake + 2 slicea roast beef + yogurt + handful Vector cereal
Meal 3: 1 can tuna + 1 ww pita + 1 apple + handful strawberries
Meal 4: 1 chicken breast + veggies + salad (lettuce, cucumber, pepper, ff Italian dressing) + 7 cal light jello snack
Meal 5: 1 "Low Carb" protein bar

[phillydude]

I offer to help everyone I meet who expresses an interest in my weight loss or my fitness "adventures" or says something like "I need to lose weight" or "I need to start exercising." But on one condition... they PAY me for my advice and assistance. It took me a long time to learn what I know, and I deserve to be compensated for that knowledge. And it's hard enough to keep on top of my own fitness goals and programs, let alone doing the planning and tracking for someone else.

[Sholezard]

Originally Posted by phillydude

I offer to help everyone I meet who expresses an interest in my weight loss or my fitness "adventures" or says something like "I need to lose weight" or "I need to start exercising." But on one condition... they PAY me for my advice and assistance. It took me a long time to learn what I know, and I deserve to be compensated for that knowledge. And it's hard enough to keep on top of my own fitness goals and programs, let alone doing the planning and tracking for someone else.

Hmmm...interesting approach, Phillydude! Maybe I should start considering that! It'll definitely put some decent cash into my empty pockets.

[Julz]

Originally Posted by Sholezard

She was a little hesitant at my suggestion, which took me aback. You'd think someone in her shoes would jump at the chance to get some information on how to at least eat clean food for a week or two, let alone to make it a lifestyle change! :db:

She already thinks I'm crazy for going to the gym 6x a week and eating as clean as possible. By the way, she always tells me that I'm "addicted" to working out, etc. while stuffing some sort of brownie or muffin down her throat.

I wouldn't be surprised if her lack of enthusiasm for your advice/offer to help is rooted with a little envy. She obviously has no problem complaining to you about her situation. And the fact that she wants to criticize you for your healthy lifestyle habits tells me that she lacks the will power and self-discipline to do it herself.

I think it's great that you're willing to use your knowledge and healthy habits to reach out to others. She complained to you about her situation (full-well knowing that's your familiar with the fundamentals of proper nutrition and excercise) - and you offered to help. I think you should be commended for that. Not everyone is willing to go the extra mile for others.

[Sholezard]

Originally Posted by Julz

I wouldn't be surprised if her lack of enthusiasm for your advice/offer to help is rooted with a little envy. She obviously has no problem complaining to you about her situation. And the fact that she wants to criticize you for your healthy lifestyle habits tells me that she lacks the will power and self-discipline to do it herself.

I think it's great that you're willing to use your knowledge and healthy habits to reach out to others. She complained to you about her situation (full-well knowing that's your familiar with the fundamentals of proper nutrition and excercise) - and you offered to help. I think you should be commended for that. Not everyone is willing to go the extra mile for others.

Thanks, Julz, I never really thought about it in that way. You're totally right about her lacking the willpower and self-discipline to take control of her bad habits and to start a fresh diet/exercise regiment. And I also agree that she is somewhat envious of the fact that I am so dedicated to my fitness/diet routine and that I don't let anything stand in my way. My favourite quote says it all:

"Obsession is a term used by the lazy to describe the dedicated."

[Sholezard]

Today was the dreaded leg day. Although it's my most intense workout day, I always dread it, don't ask why. My favourite exercise is the 100 walking lunges that I do (ya right - more like my least favourite exercise, but the most satisfying once I've completed them! ).

So I did about 45 min of leg workout and then followed that with 30 min on the stairmaster at level 8 (which just about killed my legs by the end of it).

Today's Meals:

Meal 1: oats + egg white + banana
WORKOUT (45 min leg workout + 30 min stairmaster)
Meal 2: protein shake + 2 slices roast beef + handful Vector cereal + yogurt
Meal 3: 1 ww pita + 1 tsp Baba Ganoosh spread + 1 tsp sugar-free jam
Meal 4: 1 salmon chunk + 1/2 chickpea salad (chickpeas, onion, cucumber, ff Italian dressing)
Meal 5: 1 apple + handful Shreddies/Vector cereal
Meal 6: other 1/2 chickpea salad
Meal 7: 1 "Low Carb" protein bar

[Sholezard]

TGIF!!!!!!! I love Fridays! But then again, who doesn't!? Anyway, this gym was dead this morning - I guess most people decide to take Friday off for some reason or another. Regardless, I worked on my shoulders and abs. I'm running out of shoulder exercises! Any ideas on some good exercises? I always love learning new ones.

Well, off to do my fave activity on Friday mornings: grocery shopping! Hehe...so lame but so true!

As for today's meals:

Meal 1: oats + egg white + banana
WORKOUT ( 40 min shoulders + 10 min abs + 30 min HIIT-style running)
Meal 2: protein shake + yogurt + handful Vector cereal
Meal 3: handful of mixed nuts + 2 slices rye bread + 2 tsp sugar-free jam
Meal 4: 1 curried chicken breast + mushrooms + handful carrots + 1 tsp Baba Ganoosh
Meal 5: 1 can tuna + 1 whole egg + salad (lettuce, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, low fat mayo) + 7 cal light jello snack
Meal 6: 1 "Low Carb" protein bar - yes, I'm trying to get rid of 'em!

[Sholezard]

Man was I tired this morning! But I still got through my 50 min fasted cardio (30 min on elliptical + 20 min on stationary bike). Dontcha just love the "high" that you get after a great workout? I think that feeling is what's so addictive and what gets me out of bed every morning.

The other thing I love about morning cardio is that I can get it out of the way and start my day at a time when everyone is just waking up! It feels great knowing that I just busted my butt in the gym for 1 - 1.5 hours, have showered, changed, and ate breakfast, while the rest of my friends are just waking up! Early morning exercise also give you so much energy throughout the day so there is no need for a morning coffee, whereas all my friends come to school groggy and are holding their java like it's their only source of fuel! To each his/her own I guess...

Okay, today's meals:

WORKOUT (50 min cardio, fasted-state)
Meal 1: protein shake + omlette (1 whole egg + 1/2 c egg white + spinach, mushroom, green pepper, tomato, onion, 1 tsp spicy salsa)
Meal 2: handful Vector/Crispix cereal + 1 slice rye bread + 2 tsp Baba Ganoosh + coffee
Meal 3: 1 curried chicken breast + handful carrots + broccoli + ff cucumber dressing + 1 slice rye bread + 1 tsp sugar-free jam
Meal 4: 1 apple + yogurt
Meal 5: handful of nuts/seeds
Meal 6: sushi dinner

[Sholezard]

The sushi didn't sit with me too well last night, don't know why. My body should be used to eating sushi by now - I practically have it once every week or two. Anyway, maybe it was the combination of the different sauces I used (soy sauce and sweet chili sauce).

So this morning's routine consisted of 30 min on the stairmaster followed by 20 min jogging on the treadmill all done fasted-state. I seriously felt like I could've jogged forever. Is it possible than the body can adapt to 50 min of cardio and demand more in order to produce desirable results? Does this mean that I have to crank up my cardio to over an hour (or else increase the intensity/incline) just so that I feel exhausted and then associate that with enhanced results? Please enlighten me if you know the answer to this.

Tomorrow, which is usually my chest/tri's day, will not take place like it normally does in the mornings. I have to go out of town for some business, which means that I either have to cancel my workout for the day altogether or else do it in the evening. Hmmm...I vote for the evening since Tuesdays are my off days anyway.

As for today's meals:

WORKOUT (50 min fasted-state cardio)
Meal 1: protein shake + omlette (1 whole egg + 1/2 c egg whites + spinach, green pepper, tomato, onion, mushroom, 2 tsp hot salsa)
Meal 2: coffee + 2 slices rye bread + 2 tsp sugar-free jam + yogurt + handful Vector cereal
Meal 3: 1 loin pork chop + veggies (mushrooms, cucmbers, carrots, and broccoli + 1 tsp ff cucumber dressing) + 1 apple
Meal 4: handful Shreddies cereal + 1 banana
Meal 5: 1 can tuna + salad (lettuce, spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, green peppers, low fat mayo) + 7 cal light jello snack