Confessions of a Carb Addict

Looks delicious doesn't it? Well, today’s tip doesn't sit well with carb addicts like me, but I must confess that this does work and can be a great booster when once reaches a plateau.

5. Cut the flour. The short-term elimination of floury foods like white bread, pastries, processed carbohydrates, etc.  can efficiently kick-start your weight loss plan, or as I said before, help you over plateaus you may encounter.

Exercise report: Long leisure walk today while shopping. The best way to work out and enjoy the spoils of one’s efforts!

Old School Workout, New Tip

Old School Workout, New Tip

Today, I kicked it (literally) old-school and did 1 hour of Sweatin’ to the Oldies with Richard Simmons and the Gang. 

I remembered loving to “sweat” with my mom as a child and let me tell you, I got a good workout today as I did back “in the day”.  Moreover, as a treat, I watched the entire Season 1 of Robin Hood (2006, BBC) and thoroughly enjoyed gazing at my latest fan girl crush, Richard Armitage!

A few images for your pleasure (and mine)!

Now, without further ado (and I want to start Season 2), Day #4 Tip:

4. Not so sweet secrets.  Everyone knows sugar consumption unchecked isn't healthy, but when you start reading labels, you find it in unexpected places, like pasta sauce and frozen entrees. Being aware of and cutting the sugar in your diet will mean healthier meals overall.

Day 3 of 40: Time for a Nap

This image says so much, I thought it was worth sharing. 

Well, it’s Day 3 of 40. So, far, my body and brain haven’t been getting along, but nevertheless, I was able to hit the treadmill and free weights today before my back gave out.

I also thought more about Day 1’s tips and found some great recipes to try out for those who don’t like drinking plain water. I can’t wait to go grocery shopping!

Flavored Waters (compiled from various sources)

1. All Citrus Flavored Water -- Slice 1 orange, 1 lime, 1 lemon into rounds, then cut the rounds in half. Add to jar, press and twist with a muddler or the handle of a wooden spoon. Press enough to release some of the juices, but don't pulverize the fruit into pieces. Fill the jar with ice. Pour in water to the top. Stir it with the handle of a wooden spoon or a chopstick. Put a lid on it, put it in the fridge, and chill.

2. Raspberry Lime Flavored Water -- Quarter 2 limes; with your hands, squeeze the juice into the jar, then throw in the squeezed lime quarters. Add raspberries. Press and twist with a muddler to release some of the juices (don't pulverize the fruit). Fill the jar with ice, and then add water to the top. Stir, cover, and refrigerate.

3. Cinnamon Apple Flavored Water—Slice 1 apple of your choice (thinly). Drop apple slices in the bottom of the pitcher (save a few to drop in your glass later) and then the cinnamon stick.  Cover with ice about 1/2 way through then with water. Place in the fridge for 1 hour before serving. Re-fill water 3-4 times before replacing apples and cinnamon.

With all these recipes, you can drink the water right away, but the flavor intensifies if it's made an hour or two ahead. It's even better the next day. 24 hours later straight from the fridge, the ice still hasn't melted completely in mine. The ice at the top serves as a sieve so that you can pour the flavored water without getting fruit bits in your glass.

Now, for Day 3’s tip.

3. Diet two days a week. If you can't stick to a program all the time, try slashing your calories by half two days a week and then eating normally the other days. One study suggests this offers protection from breast cancer as well as assistance with weight loss. In order to find out how many you should consume in general, try using an online basal metabolic rate calculator. Basal metabolic rate or BMR is the amount of energy expended daily by humans at rest i.e. the release and using of energy in this state is sufficient only for the functioning of the vital organs, the heart, lungs, nervous system, kidneys, liver, intestine, sex organs, muscles, and skin. As such, you use energy no matter what you're doing, even when sleeping.  A good site for this calculator is http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/, or you can do it the old fashion way. 

For example, my BMR is 2038.2, the number of calories I'd burn if I stayed in bed all day.  Calculate yours and the answer might just surprise you!

Getting Back on the Wagon

If you are getting back on the wagon, you might as well have a great red one and a cuddly companion.

Okay, so one day into the Lent Season, and I've already failed miserably. Yesterday I didn't work out one bit (major pain day) and I didn't blog any tips or tricks. Today is a day for getting back on the wagon, so I fully intend to hit the gym (shortly after finishing this post) and of course, blogging 2 tips.  The original inspiration for the second challenge came from an article I read entitled “50 Ways to Lose 10 Pounds” by Joy Manning.  Some of the tips and tricks I really liked, so I thought I would share them.

1. Water, water, everywhere.

Research shows that persons who guzzle plenty of water lose more weight than those who don't. I also had a friend who drank nothing but water while trying to lose weight and she was able to lose over 70 pounds! Pretty good results for something so basic. It’s also pretty economical too J

2. Halve at it.

Divide your normal portion by two and save the rest for later. You are likely to feel full on less food than you think. I've tried to get into the habit of doing this all the time, but especially when I dine out. The portion size at most restaurants is so massive, that it’s almost a necessity to get a to-go box even before you order. I also like the idea of cooking once and eating twice, so this tip is just right for singles like me!

A Goal Reached! Well, Half-Reached.

Well, it’s been a long, hectic, crazy time since I last updated this blog. During that time, I've moved into and renovated a new condo and been desperately searching for post-doctoral opportunities. I've also been teaching my chemistry class, tutoring, and participating in clinical research trials (which have been very educational).

What I haven’t been doing much of is working out (I finished my contract with my trainer and lack the funds to continue), socializing (no rest for the working poor), or taking needed medication (no job + no health insurance = no medicine). Many of you may or may not recall previous blog reports about my fibromyalgia and thyroid problems; those issues require medication. Instead, I took the view to “heal thyself” and pledged to lose 31 pounds by my 31^st birthday. I wasn't able to weigh myself before now as with the move, I was without a scale and honestly, who wants to weigh at the gym where everyone and their brother/sister can see how much you weigh? Anyway, I was gifted a scale recently, so I can now report that while I didn't reach my intended goal of 31 pounds, I did lose 15 pounds!

I’m still working daily to lose the weight and have made a new pledge for Lent. My latest goal is to work out every day from Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday.  Now, I’m Baptist, so Lent is relatively foreign to me. What I've learned regarding Lent came mostly from my college roommate, Stacey, and the Internet. If you aren't familiar with the Lent season, here is a short summary of what I know. 

Lent is an observance of many Christian denominations, lasting for a period of approximately six weeks leading up to Easter Sunday.  The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer and is heightened in the annual commemoration of Holy Week (the events of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday, which then culminates in the celebration on Easter Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ). During the Lent Season, many commit to fasting or giving up certain types of luxuries; my roommate used to give up just about everything! Instead, I choose to DO something instead of FASTING as that is a harder commitment for me.  Besides, many reports indicate that a habit is formed in 30 days or less, so hopefully, by the end of 40 days, I should be a work out addict!

I’m also going to post a new tip or trick for weight loss for each of the 40 days. Given my track record for updates, that will be a challenge too!

Here’s to FAT TUESDAY—my last lazy day!

See you again soon J

Sweat It Out

Well, it's been a while since my last post, so I thought I would do a little updating on my birthday goal progress.

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to weigh myself, so I don't know if I reached my goal or not. I do know however that I've lost some inches as my clothes have gotten bigger. Either that or my clothes stretched out a couple of sizes.


My mom is attempting to flex her muscles. She was super excited to try on all these cute clothes.



This was my favorite look of the day. The striped fitness tank wasn't my thing, but the colors were beautiful.

Anyway, I hope that after the holidays I will be able to hit the gym and finally weigh myself. I haven't been to the gym at all, but that doesn't mean I haven't been working. I actually purchased a new home just after Thanksgiving, so I've been working on remodeling it. Don't fret...I will definitely be writing about that soon.

During my remodel (cleaning is a health hazard),  I also had a bad relapse on my carpel tunnel syndrome and will be going under the knife (or small laser endoscope) after Christmas. I will probably write about that as well as soon as I can.

Today, I really wanted to share with everyone how my mom and I celebrated by birthday (and an early Christmas). I was fortunate enough to be selected to participate in another Old Navy Sample and Share as a member of the style council.

My mom and I were able to take home a complete fitness outfit (active top and bottom) for free!! She choose a pair of Old Navy Active boot cut compression pants and an Active fleece jacket. I picked a pair of  Old Navy Active reversible gray and white straight-leg pants and a neon blue jacket.  Given all the great sales and coupons (I love my coupons), I was able to go home with lots more stuff for little cash (just under $8.00 for everything) :) At the end of the day, I have several workout outfits to show off at the gym!

I hope these new clothes will help me continue with my fitness goals for the new year and hopefully, will inspire my mother (and others) to make those important new year's resolutions (and keep them).

Everyone have a great Christmas and an awesome New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Thyroid Gland: A Bane to My Weight Loss Goal

So, I've been worrying more and more about why I’m not losing weight even though I've been eating better and working out multiple times a week. I went to the doctor with my concerns, and of course, it was my fault and I just wasn't doing enough. He actually suggested I go to a weight-loss clinic and be put on a special calorie restricted diet (under 800 calories/day) to help me lose weight. Given that I've studied endocrinology for my degree, this scenario didn't appeal to me regardless of how “fast” the weight loss would be. I know my body and I knew something was wrong, so I wanted blood work to see what that could be. Long story short, 2 rounds of blood tests later, my concerns were validated as I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. 

Hypothyroidism is a condition in which the thyroid gland does not make enough thyroid hormones that control metabolism in addition to other functions. Hypothyroidism, or under-active thyroid, is more common in women and people over age 50.  Early symptoms of this disease range from constipation, cold sensitivity, fatigue, heavier menstrual flow, joint or muscle pain to dry skin, depression, thin, brittle hair or fingernails, and weight gain.  

Well, I pretty much had all of those!  I had also started to suffer from some late symptoms like decreased sense of taste and smell and hoarseness. If you think you may have this or a similar problem, talk to your medical provider. He or she can conduct a physical examination and order lab tests to determine thyroid function (TSH and T4 tests). Other tests that may be done include cholesterol levels, complete blood count (CBC), liver enzymes, prolactin, and sodium tests. Thankfully, treatment for hypothyroidism is pretty simple and painless. The purpose of treatment is to replace the thyroid hormone that is lacking and relieve your symptoms bringing your hormone levels back to normal. 

Unfortunately, most people with an under-active thyroid will need lifelong therapy.  I should start treatment soon and honestly I’m looking forward to seeing how I feel afterwards. I’ll keep you updated!