Day 7: 2/29/16
1 week in. I wouldn't say things are easier. They are clearer, though. I know that through this process, my biggest hurdle, is honesty with myself. That's what these "blog" entries are about, is keeping me honest. How many people are honest with themselves all the time? I know I'm not, I mean, I'm a recovering drug addict, we're notoriously dishonest with ourselves.
Now, I did have a mental breakthrough today. I realized that the idea of health, is bigger than what you eat and what your activity level is. It's about how you see yourself. It's about how you choose to spend your time. It's about being able to set boundaries and goals for yourself, and be able to follow through.
I have decided on 3 short term goals, that at the achievement of them at the end of this week, I want to reward myself with a treat of my choice.
Here are the goals
1: Eat greens with every meal
2: Do a wake up warm up consisting of
50 wall squats
50 situps
50 seconds of planking
25 pushups
3: No eating anything post 7pm
I'll be thinking of what I want that treat to be. The front runner right now, is a chocolate mousse cake from Gandolfo's..... Yep, they're that good. Maybe someone will give me other good ideas to take its place.
TOMORROW I BEGIN MY EXERCISE PROGRAM!!!
Monday, February 29, 2016
Sunday, February 28, 2016
Hurdles
Day 6: 2/28/16
Every journey is riddled with stories of triumph. The reason they're triumphant is because it is due to a rigorous fight against something in the way of the success of that journey.
Today, a kidney stone is that hurdle. It's weird because you would think that a kidney stone has nothing to do with eating healthy. Here's the deal. Whenever I'm in the kind of pain that a kidney stone provides, the only thing that soothes the soul, are pain killers. If I can't have those, then comfort food is my jam!
Despite this being my reality right now, I did good today. I woke up with a zeal to come up with new ideas for healthy, GOOD tasting food. I made a veggie filled egg white omelette. I'll post the recipe, and a picture, below.
Thus begins a new week.... More meal planning. I start my new exercise program. I fight the battle of the kidney stone.
I feel an overwhelming amount of support from family and friends. Thank you for those who read and follow.
EGG WHITE FRITTATA
Ingredients
8 egg whites
2 eggs with yolk
3/4 cup of diced bell pepper (I used red, yellow, and orange)
1/2 cup of diced yellow onion
1 1/2 cup sliced baby portobello mushrooms
1/2 cup baby spinach (ribboned)
1/4 cup shredded colby jack cheese (substitute any type of your choice)
1/3 cup of fat free half and half
1 tsp Lowry's seasoned salt
1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
mix all ingredients together minus 1/2 cup of the sliced mushrooms to be placed on top of the mixture once placed in the pie tin.
Take a standard pie dish, spray with non-stick spray (I used canola oil). Pour mixture into pie dish, lay the last of of the mushrooms in a decorative fashion. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-40 min (or until the mixture is no longer "jiggly")
Every journey is riddled with stories of triumph. The reason they're triumphant is because it is due to a rigorous fight against something in the way of the success of that journey.
Today, a kidney stone is that hurdle. It's weird because you would think that a kidney stone has nothing to do with eating healthy. Here's the deal. Whenever I'm in the kind of pain that a kidney stone provides, the only thing that soothes the soul, are pain killers. If I can't have those, then comfort food is my jam!
Despite this being my reality right now, I did good today. I woke up with a zeal to come up with new ideas for healthy, GOOD tasting food. I made a veggie filled egg white omelette. I'll post the recipe, and a picture, below.
Thus begins a new week.... More meal planning. I start my new exercise program. I fight the battle of the kidney stone.
I feel an overwhelming amount of support from family and friends. Thank you for those who read and follow.
EGG WHITE FRITTATA
Ingredients
8 egg whites
2 eggs with yolk
3/4 cup of diced bell pepper (I used red, yellow, and orange)
1/2 cup of diced yellow onion
1 1/2 cup sliced baby portobello mushrooms
1/2 cup baby spinach (ribboned)
1/4 cup shredded colby jack cheese (substitute any type of your choice)
1/3 cup of fat free half and half
1 tsp Lowry's seasoned salt
1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
mix all ingredients together minus 1/2 cup of the sliced mushrooms to be placed on top of the mixture once placed in the pie tin.
Take a standard pie dish, spray with non-stick spray (I used canola oil). Pour mixture into pie dish, lay the last of of the mushrooms in a decorative fashion. Place in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-40 min (or until the mixture is no longer "jiggly")
Saturday, February 27, 2016
95% Of The Time, It Works Everytime
Day 5: 2/27/16
Imagine this. You wake up, fully knowing what it is you're going to do, feel, say, act upon, eat, drink.... You know that you'll feel strong. You know that you'll perform to the best of your abilities; whether it be your job, or a task at home...... Now imagine me, Aaron, A A Ron (that's my name at work).... I'm the exact opposite. I don't know what I'm going to do, or feel, or say... let alone what I'm going to eat, or drink.
Today, I woke up, knowing what I WASN'T going to eat. I had some great conversations about food. I told my wife, Alysa, that for me, I feel like I have to be the extreme. I can't say "Oh, today, I can have a cheeseburger." That's not because I truly feel that one cheeseburger will make or break my journey. However, what will break my journey, is the mindset that I can justify, at anytime, eating something that does not align with my end goal. Today it's just one cheeseburger. That one, turns into one the next day..... and the next.... and the next. So for me, it's not one cheeseburger.
If 80% of weight loss is what you eat, then 95% of that 80, is mental. You can go to the store and buy only vegetables and lean protein. You can eat a vegan diet, or gluten free. You can whatever fad diet you want, but the largest factor in your success of execution of that diet, is mental strength.
One of the things I would like to start doing for the log of this journey, is to post certain recipes that I come up with that help with eating a high protein diet.
I roasted a turkey last night to use in dishes. Here is that recipe.
ROASTED TURKEY:
You will need the following
1 - 8 to 12 lb. turkey (completely defrosted)
3 - large parsnips (peeled and chopped)
4 - large carrots (peeled and chopped)
4 - celery stalks (chopped)
1 - yellow onion (chopped)
2 tbsp - course sea salt
2 tsp - poultry seasoning
1 tsp - black pepper
1 tsp - Extra virgin olive oil
6 - garlic cloves (whole)
2 - sprigs of fresh rosemary
4 - leaves of sage
2 - sprigs of thyme
3 cups - low sodium chicken stock
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350f
place chopped parsnips, carrots, onions, celery, and chicken stock in bottom of roasting pan, set aside.
rub olive oil over the body of the turkey, after that rub your spice mix (salt, poultry, pepper) on the body of the turkey (reserve a couple of pinches for the inside of the turkey.
place remaining spice mix, garlic cloves, rosemary, thyme, and sage inside the turkey and set on top of veggies in the pan
Cover tightly with foil
Place in oven. Plan on 20 min per lb of turkey.
about 40 min before the planned end of cook time, remove foil from turkey to allow the outside of the bird brown. after you take it out of the oven, allow to rest for 30 min to an hour before carving.
I chose to refrigerate mine prior to carving as I'm using the meat for many different recipes.
Imagine this. You wake up, fully knowing what it is you're going to do, feel, say, act upon, eat, drink.... You know that you'll feel strong. You know that you'll perform to the best of your abilities; whether it be your job, or a task at home...... Now imagine me, Aaron, A A Ron (that's my name at work).... I'm the exact opposite. I don't know what I'm going to do, or feel, or say... let alone what I'm going to eat, or drink.
Today, I woke up, knowing what I WASN'T going to eat. I had some great conversations about food. I told my wife, Alysa, that for me, I feel like I have to be the extreme. I can't say "Oh, today, I can have a cheeseburger." That's not because I truly feel that one cheeseburger will make or break my journey. However, what will break my journey, is the mindset that I can justify, at anytime, eating something that does not align with my end goal. Today it's just one cheeseburger. That one, turns into one the next day..... and the next.... and the next. So for me, it's not one cheeseburger.
If 80% of weight loss is what you eat, then 95% of that 80, is mental. You can go to the store and buy only vegetables and lean protein. You can eat a vegan diet, or gluten free. You can whatever fad diet you want, but the largest factor in your success of execution of that diet, is mental strength.
One of the things I would like to start doing for the log of this journey, is to post certain recipes that I come up with that help with eating a high protein diet.
I roasted a turkey last night to use in dishes. Here is that recipe.
ROASTED TURKEY:
You will need the following
1 - 8 to 12 lb. turkey (completely defrosted)
3 - large parsnips (peeled and chopped)
4 - large carrots (peeled and chopped)
4 - celery stalks (chopped)
1 - yellow onion (chopped)
2 tbsp - course sea salt
2 tsp - poultry seasoning
1 tsp - black pepper
1 tsp - Extra virgin olive oil
6 - garlic cloves (whole)
2 - sprigs of fresh rosemary
4 - leaves of sage
2 - sprigs of thyme
3 cups - low sodium chicken stock
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350f
place chopped parsnips, carrots, onions, celery, and chicken stock in bottom of roasting pan, set aside.
rub olive oil over the body of the turkey, after that rub your spice mix (salt, poultry, pepper) on the body of the turkey (reserve a couple of pinches for the inside of the turkey.
place remaining spice mix, garlic cloves, rosemary, thyme, and sage inside the turkey and set on top of veggies in the pan
Cover tightly with foil
Place in oven. Plan on 20 min per lb of turkey.
about 40 min before the planned end of cook time, remove foil from turkey to allow the outside of the bird brown. after you take it out of the oven, allow to rest for 30 min to an hour before carving.
I chose to refrigerate mine prior to carving as I'm using the meat for many different recipes.
Friday, February 26, 2016
Mind Over Butter..... Or Something Like That
Day 4: 2/26/16
I seem to be in a state of robotic-like forward motion. As my toe continually gets better, I feel as if I'm ready to jump into a montage of an 80's movie hero exercise. Today was a win. Although my cravings for food that leads to my current state was still present, I felt like I was easily able to say no. Food addiction is such a strange thing. I remember being a drug addict, and craving heroin the same way I crave crappy food. I went shopping, and planned for healthy, protein filled meals. I'm roasting a turkey as I write this entry.
Things of note:
Confidence in this process is growing.
I don't think this is right, but since I weighed in at my Dr's office about a month ago, I have lost 21lbs...... Kind of crazy.
I seem to be in a state of robotic-like forward motion. As my toe continually gets better, I feel as if I'm ready to jump into a montage of an 80's movie hero exercise. Today was a win. Although my cravings for food that leads to my current state was still present, I felt like I was easily able to say no. Food addiction is such a strange thing. I remember being a drug addict, and craving heroin the same way I crave crappy food. I went shopping, and planned for healthy, protein filled meals. I'm roasting a turkey as I write this entry.
Things of note:
Confidence in this process is growing.
I don't think this is right, but since I weighed in at my Dr's office about a month ago, I have lost 21lbs...... Kind of crazy.
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Gumption
Day 3: 2/25/16
Today has been a day of mental struggles. My addiction to food is real. I wish it weren't, but it is. In the morning, all I want is some McDonalds breakfast. I want my coffee with whole fat cream. I want a lunch that has fried goodness with it. I wanted a dinner filled with pasta and butter..... It's as if my brain runs only on those things.
During my day, there were temptations all around me, I refrained! No donuts, no candy, no fried foods. I had oatmeal with raisins and almonds for breakfast, For lunch, chicken and shrimp bowl with brown rice and veggies, some salad with some raspberry vinegar. I did well!!! until I came home. I made myself homemade whole wheat pancakes. They made me ill to eat, so I threw them away. I haven't eaten anything else. I have kicked up the water intake a great deal. Taking in around 120oz a day for the last few days. I also picked up a new "at home" workout. Hopefully it all helps. I feel gumption. GUMPTION!!!
Things of note:
I'm feeling the weight of those food temptations.
My headaches are decreasing
Toe is getting better
Feeling more motivated
Today has been a day of mental struggles. My addiction to food is real. I wish it weren't, but it is. In the morning, all I want is some McDonalds breakfast. I want my coffee with whole fat cream. I want a lunch that has fried goodness with it. I wanted a dinner filled with pasta and butter..... It's as if my brain runs only on those things.
During my day, there were temptations all around me, I refrained! No donuts, no candy, no fried foods. I had oatmeal with raisins and almonds for breakfast, For lunch, chicken and shrimp bowl with brown rice and veggies, some salad with some raspberry vinegar. I did well!!! until I came home. I made myself homemade whole wheat pancakes. They made me ill to eat, so I threw them away. I haven't eaten anything else. I have kicked up the water intake a great deal. Taking in around 120oz a day for the last few days. I also picked up a new "at home" workout. Hopefully it all helps. I feel gumption. GUMPTION!!!
Things of note:
I'm feeling the weight of those food temptations.
My headaches are decreasing
Toe is getting better
Feeling more motivated
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Journey Start Setbacks
Day 2: 2/24/16
Well, day one was in the books. I had completed the day without ingesting simple sugars, or consuming bread. I calculated my intake and successfully made it through the day with and estimated 1300 calories. I was excited to begin the exercise portion of my new journey, but then, the universe was like... "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!"........ I slipped on my stairs and sprained/crushed my right, big toe. Now, good thing is, it's not broken. Bad thing, is that I can barely walk on it. So..... I'll be focusing on the 80% portion of the weight loss pie, and be diligent on eating healthy.
Things of note:
I want to eat all of the bad foods, regardless of my desire to be healthier.
I feel sluggish, and lethargic without caffeine (I haven't had any today)
Well, day one was in the books. I had completed the day without ingesting simple sugars, or consuming bread. I calculated my intake and successfully made it through the day with and estimated 1300 calories. I was excited to begin the exercise portion of my new journey, but then, the universe was like... "YOU SHALL NOT PASS!!!"........ I slipped on my stairs and sprained/crushed my right, big toe. Now, good thing is, it's not broken. Bad thing, is that I can barely walk on it. So..... I'll be focusing on the 80% portion of the weight loss pie, and be diligent on eating healthy.
Things of note:
I want to eat all of the bad foods, regardless of my desire to be healthier.
I feel sluggish, and lethargic without caffeine (I haven't had any today)
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The Hardest Part is Starting...
Day 1: 2/23/16.....
So it begins. The logging of my journey isn't really meant to be a thing of public note. It's mostly so that my honest thoughts have an outlet.
Being healthy is one of those things that for some people, ISN'T a thing. It just sucks that for me, food has an effect on my state of being.
I feel embarrassed..... Shamefully embarrassed. I look at pictures of me about a year after my GB surgery in 2011 and I looked like a happier, better me.... I went through hell with it. Puking, feeling ill, pain, losing my hair, being cold all the damn time, NOT EATING AMAZINGLY TASTY/FATTENING FOODS!!!
Anyway.... Here I am. Fat, uncomfortable, not fitting into any clothing I own, and I'm hungry. I want a cheeseburger with a deep dish pizza as the bun. If I could have bacon wrapped with bacon with bacon sauce, it would be a good day. I have 180 lbs to lose.... holy shit.
I know in the long run, I'm going to be happier, but right now, this sucks.
So it begins. The logging of my journey isn't really meant to be a thing of public note. It's mostly so that my honest thoughts have an outlet.
Being healthy is one of those things that for some people, ISN'T a thing. It just sucks that for me, food has an effect on my state of being.
I feel embarrassed..... Shamefully embarrassed. I look at pictures of me about a year after my GB surgery in 2011 and I looked like a happier, better me.... I went through hell with it. Puking, feeling ill, pain, losing my hair, being cold all the damn time, NOT EATING AMAZINGLY TASTY/FATTENING FOODS!!!
Anyway.... Here I am. Fat, uncomfortable, not fitting into any clothing I own, and I'm hungry. I want a cheeseburger with a deep dish pizza as the bun. If I could have bacon wrapped with bacon with bacon sauce, it would be a good day. I have 180 lbs to lose.... holy shit.
I know in the long run, I'm going to be happier, but right now, this sucks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)