It's Hard to Stay On Track...

When You're On Vacation...

Normally when we take long trips we load up on snack and candy. Our trip to Utah this time was a little different. I didn't buy any candy, cookies, or snacks--other then chips (and then we opted for the lower-fat alternative). We stopped at the park to have lunch, instead of eating out, and I planned to bring lots of fruit (but was running behind and forgot). I also brought my workout clothes and running shoes.

So today I made a point of getting on my parents treadmill. I'll admit, this wasn't easy. Eric and I have a new treadmill set up in front of the TV and I set the speed on the treadmill and mindlessly jog through my workout. Here--not so much. I struggled to find a good pace, the basement was hot, and the treadmill smaller then mine. BUT I did it....

And then I went to my brother-in-law's and it all went down hill from there. Candy and pizza. That's all I ate today. I imagine I probably gained back the 5 lbs I've lost over the past 6 weeks.

So much for counting calories! I had been religiously updating my calorie count, but when on vacation it's hard to maintain this practice--and I'd be SCARED to find out how many calories I consumed! Why is it so much easier to gain then it is to lose??!!

I Fell Off the Wagon---Big Time!

How many pounds do you think I can gain in one weekend? How about 5!!!!!! I really fell off the wagon while we were in St. George with all that pasta, pizza, ice cream cake, candy, chips, etc. It was yummy and I ate non-stop. I have no one to blame but myself; but, I'm back where I started at the beginning of August. I have one week to get back to the weight where I wanted to be when we enter the MTC.

Checking In

This week I completed week 6 of the 8-week beginner's running program (which means I work out on average at least 30 minutes a day, 5-6 days a week). After starting the runner's program I lost 2 lbs. When I didn't lose weight the next two weeks I had a night of complaining and feeling depressed about my weight loss--or lack thereof--and decided to give up!

But the next day--September 22--I decided to get serious. Since then I've used Calorie Count everyday--with varied results (http://caloriecount.about.com/). Some days I meet my 1200 - 1500 calorie intake goal and some days I don't (the day lunch was provided at work I was well over 2500 calories!). But it's helpful for me to keep track so I know how I'm doing and don't get too out of control.

I haven't cut out the candy/ice cream all together, but I'm trying to use more self-control. (I try and follow one of the tips I posted below and hold on to the wrapper of the candy I eat. By doing this I'm more aware of what I've had and I'm less likely to eat more candy.) Since I started counting my calories again I've lost another 1.5 lbs.

How's everyone else doing? (I know there's been some 'backsliding', have the new changes helped?)

Backsliding

Just when I was doing so well, I started "grazing" between meals, eating lots of breads and desserts, and having a snack before going to bed at night. This is how I got where I am to begin with.

My new resolution is to drink water when I feel like doing any of those negative things. Its means I may need to take more "pit" stops, but I'm hoping it will keep me from gaining back all of the 15 pounds I lost.

The Skinny Cow

If you haven't already tried Skinny Cow ice cream, check out the website: http://www.skinnycow.com/! Costco carries this ice cream here in Missoula and it's a great ice cream alternative.

Five Ways To Trick Yourself Into Eating Less

Check out this article I came across today: http://www.newsweek.com/id/160495?GT1=43001

Also, check out this website: http://mindlesseating.org/. It has a 'Mindless Eating Meter' that tests your eating know-how. But beware. The .org is misleading...they ultimately want you to buy the book. Obviously its working, I'm thinking about getting the book. :)

Health Screening

Today at work we had a company on site doing health screenings. Here's what I found out:

Blood Pressure:
Systolic 134 (normal range is 130 and less)
Diastolic 73 (normal range is 80 and less)

Body Composition:
Body Fat %: 34.8 (20-21% is normal in women)
BMI: 26.8 (normal range 18.6-24.9)

Lipid Panel:
Total Cholesterol: 152 (under 200 is normal)
HDL (good) 28 (normal range is 40 and above)
LDL (bad) 95 (normal range us under 130 [I'm not sure what it means when you don't have enough good cholesterol but you don't have too much bad cholesterol])

Glucose: 96 (normal for fasting 65-99; non-fasting under 200)

While I don't completely understand what all of that means I understand enough to know some of it isn't good (but not really something I didn't already know). Here's how I would rate my mood after the screening:

Depression:
80 (Normal range on a scale of 1 to 100 is 90. One [1] = the desire to eat vegetables and run a 5k; one hundred [100] = eating 2000 calories from fat in one sitting and throwing away the running shoes.)

Embarrassment:
130 (normal range is 150 and higher)

I'm glad I've already started my 8-week program or I might feel a lot worse about this!