Danielle's log 03.31.2010

Breakfast:

-whole wheat tortilla with scrambled egg whites and 2 Tbs salsa

Lunch: 

-chicken cobb salad wrap: wheat wrap with grilled chicken breast, hard-boiled egg, and greens in some sort of dressing

Dinner: 

-two flour tortillas with grilled shrimp and homemade salsa verde (tomatillos, onion, garlic, cilantro, avocado, jalapeno)

-1/2 cup charro bean soup

Snacks:

-1 European chocolate square

-2 handfuls chips with guacamole

Beverages:

-green tea

-2 iced teas

-1 iced decaf coffee

-lots of water

Exercise: rode my bike to and from work (10.4 miles total--BAM!  Thanks, nice weather).  Did my trainer set of exercises--20 pushups, 50 squats, 30 dips, 1 min of plank, and 70 punching abs.

Notes:  whoa, heavy on the carbs today with tortillas, wrap, and chips.  Didn't even realize it until I wrote it down just now.  Good thing for this blog.  No wonder I feel so tired!!  Can't wait to get up in the morning and go for a jog in this great weather.  One thing about exercising--once you're on a roll it's hard to get off.  The same is true for NOT exercising.  But right now I'm on an exercising roll and I hope it's several more days until I'm off of it.

RR Log 03.31.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 2 fried egg whites, 1/4 avocado & tomato

Lunch:
-1/2 cup tuna salad with mayo, dried cranberries & pecans over baby spinach with a drizzle of olive oil

Dinner:
-bi bim bap: purple rice with kimchi, fried egg, bean sprouts, fish cake, sesame oil & seeds.... etc?

Snacks:
-1/2 rice cake with 1 tsp. peanut butter (before gym)
-1 cup raw carrots with 3 tbsp. plain hummus
-1/2 cup mixed nuts & dried cherries, apricots & mango
-1 banana
-3 small squares dark chocolate
-4 bites of Matt's leftover spaghetti & meatballs

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea
-1 cup green tea
-1 glass wine
-1/2 a beer

Exercise: Went to XSport with my cousin again this morning. Ran for 20 minutes, did some ab work too. Rode my bike to work, 20 minutes and then to the park 10 minutes.

Notes: What a beautiful, sunshine-filled day! I had a great easy day at work followed by hanging out in Humboldt Park with some friends (I even played catch, unheard of...) We went to a friend's house for homemade bi bim bap, and it was SO GOOD. I think it was especially nice to just sit outside and have someone else cooking! Super tired and I need to hit the sack- I have an early day at work tomorrow!

RR Log 03.30.10

Breakfast:
-steel cut oats with 1/2 tsp. brown sugar, 1/2 banana, 1/8 cup blueberries, 1/8 cup pecans & a sprinkle of chia seeds

Lunch:
-whole grain wrap with 2 slices turkey, hummus, red peppers & spinach
-3/4 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt with 1 tbsp. honey

Dinner:
-good sized bowl of whole wheat spaghetti with meatballs & tomato sauce & a little parmesan

Snacks:
-1/2 rice cake with 1/2 tbsp. peanut butter (before gym)
-steamed broccoli and 1/2 cup wild rice (weird snack! I know!!)
-1/4 cup nuts & 1/8 cup dried cherries & apricots
-1/2 whole wheat english muffin with 1 tsp. peanut butter & 1/2 banana (before 2nd trip to gym)

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea

Exercise:30 minutes running on treadmill interval style- 3 sprints at 7.5. 40 minutes resistance training (including some ab mat work!). Walked to & from the gym with DB in the evening for a 1-hour cardio kickboxing class, and we did a little exercises on our own while waiting for class to start. Yay!

Notes: DRUMROLL PLEASE...... 129!!!!!!! I weighed in at 129 this morning!! This has not happened in YEARS. I knew I had probably already dipped below 130 because I weigh myself with my gym clothes and shoes on, but man, it feels really great to see that on the scale! That means I am at a solid 10 lbs. lost in the past 3 months. This has had me totally hyped all day- I worked even harder on my workout this morning than I had in a while, and I feel super motivated to get to work on these abs! Woo!!! Also, LOVED the cardio kickboxing class. Juan is hilarious and awesome. Even though when he was showing me a move he spit on me a little. Over 2 hours of gym time for me today!

Danielle's log 03.30.2010

Breakfast:
-2 scrambled eggs with cumin seeds and 1 Tbs salsa
-1/4 cup lowfat Greek yogurt with chia seeds, 5 pecans, and 1 tsp honey

Lunch:

-salad with mixed greens, 1/3 cup grilled chicken breast, dried cranberries, sprinkle of blue cheese, kidney beans, olives, almonds, and rosemary vinegar

Dinner:

-grilled salmon

-cucumber salad: cucumber, parsley, onions, olive oil and vinegar

-1 tiny triangle toasted pita brushed with olive oil, curry and cinnamon

Snacks:

-1 apple

-handful almonds

-1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese

-1/3 cup low fat yogurt with honey and pecans (my dessert instead of ice cream)

Beverages:
-green tea

-carrot apple ginger juice (eeee! so good!)

Exercise: Ran from my house to Robin's (~0.8 miles), walked to the YMCA (~0.7 miles), then did 1 hour of CARDIO KICKBOXING WITH JUAN! then walked back to Robin's, then I ran back to my place.  Robin and I also did my trainer set (push-ups, squats, dips, planks, punching abs) together before Juan's class.

Notes: Getting addicted to that salad bar I go to at lunch, although I wonder how good or bad it really is.  I'm low on the blue cheese and the portion of the whole salad itself is relatively small.  But it tastes so good and it feels me up!  Why do I think that's a bad thing?  In other news: exercising felt SO GOOD today!

Danielle's log 03.29.2010

Breakfast:
-whole wheat tortilla with scrambled egg whites and 1 Tbs. salsa

Lunch:
-Salad with mixed greens, walnuts, chicken breast, cranberries, goat cheese, and balsamic dressing
-garlic bread roll

Dinner:
-7-8 hot wings
-handful of french fries

Snacks:
-5-6 raw almonds
-2 dried apricots
-small handful pistachios

Beverages:
-green Jasmine tea
-water
-iced tea
-2 beers

Exercise: I felt tired, sick, and dizzy all day so I opted for an after work nap instead of a work out. Woke up feeling refreshed, but sad I didn't go out and run.

Notes: Feeling really crappy. I think I'm PMSing. All day I felt like I had a 20 lb weight on my head. In the evening we went to Streetside for 25 cent wing night, an honorary night we spend with our neighbors every now and again. One of them is moving back home to Europe so it was a send off dinner. I felt pretty bad that I ate wings and drank beer without working it off ahead of time. Blah...I'm writing this day off...

RR Log 03.29.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with fried egg whites, spinach, tomato and 1/2 tsp. mayo

Lunch:
-whole grain wrap with 2 slices turkey, spinach, hummus & red peppers
-3/4 cup yogurt with 1/4 cup granola & 1 tsp. chia seeds

Dinner:
-Dr. Praeger's California Veggie Burger on a multigrain sandwich thin with 1 tsp. mayo & brown mustard, spinach & tomato
-steamed broccoli

Snacks:
-trail mix: 1/4 cup mixed nuts & 1/8 cup dried cranberries
-4 chips with a little guacamole (restraint!!)
-4 rice thin crackers

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea

Exercise: Did a little bit of strength training while getting oriented at the XSport Fitness this morning with my cousin. Rode my bike to work, a good 25 minute ride.

Notes: It was fun to step into a fancy-pants gym today! I was really wooed by all the fancy weight machines and cardio equipment everywhere... however it is still over 2x what I pay at the Y. Admittedly, I barely pay anything for my Y membership. I went onto Yelp though and saw nothing but horrible reviews of XSport fitness! They make me a little wary, though I have always been one to decide things for myself. I have a free week, so I will let you know how it pans out! In other news, boy- I ate real good today!

Danielle's log 03.28.2010

Breakfast:
-whole wheat English muffin with scrambled egg and jam

Lunch/Brunch:
-3-egg omelet with chicken breast, green and red peppers, and onions
-fruit cup with cottage cheese
-5 bites of my friend's Swedish pancakes (nom!)

Dinner:
-Chaat Papri appetizer (crunchy things with potato and yogurt and tamarind sauce)
-Okra curry with Jasmine rice
-thin dosai bread

Snacks:
-a few handfuls granola

Beverages:
-masala tea
-water
-coffee

Exercise: I completely meant to, but the day passed me by with no time for it. :-(

Notes: I just updated all the food logs from this weekend...I'm good about not spending time on the computer on the weekends, which means I'm bad about updating this blog on the weekends. I kept track of what I ate pretty well though. I'm feeling really tired today (Monday) and as I review this Sunday food log I can see why--way too many carbs...they're weighing me down!

RR Log 03.28.10

Breakfast:
-steel cut oats with 1 tsp. brown sugar & pecans

Lunch:
-whole grain tortilla with 2 slices turkey, lettuce, tomatoes & spicy brown mustard
-1 cup white bean & kale soup

Dinner:
-burrito with rice, black beans, greek yogurt (posing as sour cream), salsa and guacamole

Snacks:
-nonfat Greek-style yogurt with 1 tbsp. honey & walnuts
-1/2 cup granola with almond milk
-tortilla chips & guacamole

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea (one with a splash of milk)

Exercise: Not today :(

Notes: Slept in a little today, YAY. Tomorrow I am going to start a 1 week pass at Xsport fitness, so I can go to the gym with a friend and help her out as she starts exercising. I am really excited to have another friend to share with. Yay!

Portion Control

So one thing that I have been trying to address these past 3 months is portion control- probably the most important issue facing a lot of dieters. Like a lot of people, I used to eat whatever and however much of it I wanted, which is why I have this cozy little spare tire.... So yes, I have been addressing this issue in my diet for the first time in my life, trying to make a habit of eating less.

I have the measuring cups and spoons out at all times in the kitchen. I have been measuring most of what I eat so that I can start to understand visually what a reasonable portion looks like. Here are some examples of the portions I allow for certain foods that I think are reasonable, I try to stay within these limits and I almost always measure them:

1 tbsp. nut butter (almond or peanut)
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 cup cooked rice
up to 1 cup yogurt
1/2 cup ice cream (if you can stop at that you are golden! I try to avoid ice cream altogether.)
1 tbsp. salad dressing
1/4 cup nuts
no larger than my fist, usually 1/2 that: meats
1/4 cup granola
8 oz. smoothie of any kind
1/4 avocado


I find when I am tired it is really really easy for me to get off-track. Also the influence of friends! Yesterday at my cousin's tea party I hadn't eaten lunch, so I proceeded to tear through anything that was in front of me. Except for the chocolates, most of the food was pretty healthy but I know I wasn't eating consciously, I was snacking mindlessly. Later we hit an Indian buffet starving, and I do NOT know my way around Indian food. I also rarely eat it, so I decided to just pig out. Done.

I certainly think sometimes you can't think too much or obsess over food. As long as I am eating right majority of the time and exercising, I feel Ok. You should too!

xoxo,

Robin

Danielle's log 03.27.2010

Breakfast:
-breakfast taco: scrambled eggs with soyrizo and 1 whole wheat tortilla

Lunch:
-3 bite-sized bean and cheese quesadilla triangles
-3 bite-sized mini quiches
-small plate of fruit
-2 bites Jamaican jerk chicken sandwich

Dinner:
-homemade Turkish manti: ravioli stuffed with ground turkey, onion, and parsley, topped with garlic yogurt sauce and paprika fried dough

Snacks:
-a few handfuls granola and graham cracker cereal
-a handful of dried apricots
-pita bread with hummus

Beverages:
-decaf coffee with cream
-skim latte
-1 beer
-water

Exercise: after 6 days in a row of exercising I took a day off and it felt great!

Notes: having one day of mental food and fitness relaxation really, really helps.

RR Log 03.27.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with fried egg whites, avocado, spinach & tomato

Lunch:
-grazed at a tea party: mini cucumber & hummus sandwiches, chocolates, blueberries & strawberries, crackers, gummy candies, etc.....!

Dinner:
-Indian buffet........!

Snacks:
-1/2 whole wheat english muffin with 1 tbsp. peanut butter (before gym)
-1 mini cinnamon roll (TEMPTED lately!!!)
-1/2 cup yogurt with 1 tbsp. honey & 1/4 cup walnuts

Drinks:
-3 cups black tea
-1 glass white wine

Exercise: 20 minutes running on the treadmill, 2 sprints at 7.5(!!), one for 3 min. one for 2 min. 30 minutes resistance training

Notes: In a rush this morning (as usual) to get in a Saturday a.m. workout. Shortened the cardio in favor of weight training since I got off track with that due to my achy-breaky abs, which BY THE WAY still are sore. Really felt them on my pull-ups today. Feeling better by the end of the day, though not impressed with my food choices lately. I went to work today and just kept on going- to my cousin's tea party and then straight to a boxing match (so great!) and then out to eat Indian pretty late. It was great hanging out with friends all day!

Danielle's log 03.26.2010

Breakfast:
-Robin-style sandwich: whole wheat english muffin with fried egg white and 1 slice avocado
-1 banana

Lunch:
-salad: mixed greens, chopped grilled chicken, black olives, kidney beans, blue cheese, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and carrots with rosemary and lemon infused vinegar.

Dinner:
-grilled cod with asparagus and hazelnut jasmine pilaf and morels

Snacks:
-5 small chocolate squares

Beverages:
-medium lowfat Teapuccino (black tea steamed with skim milk, no sugar)
-pear manhattan (homemade pear juice and pear-infused vodka)
-water

Exercise: Yeah! Got up at 6AM to attend "Body Tone" at the Y. 20 minutes of spinning (a first for me), followed by 15 minutes of weight lifting and 10 minutes of difficult yoga. Then I hopped on the treadmill for 20 minutes and sweated it out at a high speed. WOOT!

Notes: Went out to eat for dinner and picked the healthiest thing I could find. Boy howdy, though, I'm really hongray all of a sudden from all this working out.

Danielle's log 03.25.2010

Breakfast:
-2 sunnyside up eggs, skipped on the yolks, though
-1/4 cup lowfat Greek yogurt with chia seeds, pecans, and honey

Lunch:
-salad with dried cranberries, small amount blue cheese, apples, and raspberry vinaigrette
-hunk of whole grain bread

Dinner:
-grilled red onions and red, yellow, and green peppers sprinkled with feta cheese
-homemade guacamole (avocados, lime, cilantro, tomatoes, red onion, salt)
-vegetarian refried black beans

Snacks:
-1 banana
-2 Tbs low fat cottage cheese

Exercise: CARDIO KICKBOXING WITH JUAN! The free classes at the Y are amazing! Juan is amazing! I took this hour-long class and worked up a sweat and kept my heart rate up. It was a full body workout. When I got home I did my "homework," which is a quick full body workout my trainer assigned to me on our last visit. My aim is to do it every other day; it goes as follows:

15 push ups
25 squats
25 dips
30-60 second plank
30 'punching abs' (with weights, get in a sit-up crunch position and punch out from side to side)
REPEAT ONCE MORE!

Notes: It's amazing how when you're on a roll, you're on a roll. I notice that the more I work out, the more I want to continue working out. I've been trying to stay conscious about things like bread this week. Today at lunch I had a piece of bread with my salad, so at dinner I opted to go tortilla-less which made my meal extremely low calorie.

RR Log 03.26.10

Breakfast:
-steel cut oats with 1 tsp. brown sugar, crushed pecans & a sprinkle of chia seeds

Lunch:
-1 cup white bean & kale soup
-1/2 cup wild rice
-spinach pie

Pre-dinner?: whole wheat english muffin with tofu cream cheese, green onion & smoked salmon

Dinner:
-3 thin slices of pizza with onions & jalapeno

Snacks:
-handful dried cranberries & 1 tbsp. peanut butter (before gym)
-2 bites cinnamon cake (I was at work, having my tea, and it WAS STARING AT ME saying "I AM DELICIOUS WITH TEA!!!"
-1/2 cup plain Greek nonfat yogurt with 1/4 cup strawberries & 1/8 cup walnuts
-5 whole wheat saltines with 1 tbsp. almond butter
-RUFFLES CHIPS. GROSS.

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea (one was with a splash of Vitamin D milk)
-1 glass red wine

Exercise: 30 minutes on the Summit Trainer interval-style. 15 minutes walking speed 3.5, incline at 3, holding 4 lb. hand weights.

Notes: Bombed out in the snack department. It has been a steady slide downhill this week after starting out working out too hard(?) and then getting my goddamned lady-times. BARF. I am STILL sore in my abs, and tired as hell. Everything crept up on me or side-swiped me this week. What a wreck! BEDTIME.

RR Log 03.25.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 1 fried egg white, spinach and a dab o' mayo

Lunch:
-whole grain wrap with spinach, hummus & 2 slices turkey
-1/2 cup yogurt with 1/4 cup walnuts & 1 tbsp. honey

Dinner:
-1/2 cup wild rice
-2 chicken strips marinated in raita sauce
-1/8 spinach pie

Snacks:
-tortilla chips
-3/4 cup yogurt with 1/3 cup granola
-grazing at my cousins house (ladies get-together!): 2 squares dark chocolate, puffed cheddar things, crackers, 2 slices cheddar, some terra chips

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea
-1 whiskey neat

Exercise: Nope

Notes: I got a call at 8 to be at work by 8:30!! I NEED my long, leisurely mornings. I threw my shit together and ran out the door. I still packed my lunch, and I even had my gym bag ready to g0 but ALAS it was insanely busy and by the time I left I was starving and didn't have any snacks on hand. I am STILL sore from the abs and muscle-sculpting classes earlier this week, and I thought a workout would make me feel better but oh well. I went straight home. If I didn't have plans for the evening I would go to the gym later, but that won't work out either. Instead, I am resolved to get up extra early and have a great morning at the gym tomorrow! It will be fine, I just feel a little discouraged when I have two days off of the gym in a row. I know- I know.... it sounds obsessive..... Well, it IS!!! *UPDATE* 11pm and I am still sore. Determined to make it to the gym tomorrow though. So help me.....

Measuring Success

So, to get us all reacquainted with the two folks running this health & fitness blog, Robin is the one on here who really stuck to diet and exercise these past two months and has seen some really GREAT results because of it...and I am the one who started and stopped almost each week due to various interruptions and has seen less results overall. But! It turns out that despite my failure to launch in the beginning, even my little attempts yielded a little success.

My personal trainer took measurements on January 8th and again on March 23rd. Here's how I measured up!

My body composition also went down from 27.04% body fat (poor) to 24.87% (fair). According to my trainer, 24.87% is actually considered good instead of fair.

I was shocked to see that I lost something, and now I can't help but wonder how much better my results would have been if I had stuck to it.

The inch I gained in the chest could be due to muscles forming in my chest or hormonal changes due to my lady days. Hey, no gal will pass up gaining in that area, right?

So anyway, I've become super motivated by these eensy-beensy changes and I can't wait to see what the data looks like in another 10 weeks after really sticking to it. One day at a time!

Danielle's log 03.24.2010

Breakfast: Irish oats with chia, a few pecans, honey, and milk

Lunch:
-AMAZING roasted vegetable torta from Frontera Fresco: roasted zucchini, red and yellow peppers, garlicky mushrooms, poblano rajas, Chihuahua cheese, cilantro chimichurri, black beans, dressed greens and avocado.
-6 tortilla chips with guacamole

Dinner:
-whitefish and goat cheese quiche
-small salad with mixed greens and carrots
-one bite chocolate chip banana bread, one tiny bite oatmeal cookie

Snacks:
-no snacks today

Exercise: Went for another 30 minute jog in the park this morning. Getting out in the fresh air with the sun rising and the birds chirping makes you feel good to be alive!

Notes: Went out to eat for lunch and dinner, but did an okay job of not indulging too much. Really wanted to get something with more oomph at dinner (Birchwood Kitchen), but since I had a big lunch I held back. I think quiche is pretty low fat?

RR Log 03.24.10

Breakfast:
-steel cut oats with 1/2 banana, pecans and 1 tsp. honey

Lunch:
-1 cup white bean & kale soup
-whole grain wrap with 2 slices turkey, baby lettuce, spicy brown mustard & tomatoes

Dinner:
-whole grain wrap with hummus & 2 slices turkey
-party grazing: baklava, chocolate cake, macaroon, chips & guacamole

Snacks:
-1 banana
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cranberries & 1/4 cup mixed nuts
-1 cup yogurt with 1/8 cup granola & pepitas

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-2 glasses white wine

Exercise: A day off thank you very much- I am so sore!!

Notes: Finally a good night of sleep! Party grazing killed me tonight- nothing but sugar everywhere and I was starving. I already have a headache. Goodnight! Tomorrow is a new day..... with no refined sugars. Sheesh.

Danielle's log 03.23.2010

Breakfast:
-Irish oats with chia seeds, blueberries, pecans, topped with honey and milk

Lunch:
-leftover carrot cashew salad

Dinner:
-honey glazed salmon
-brussel sprouts with hazelnuts

Snacks:
-several dried mango slices
-small piece flat bread with goat cheese, basil, and olive (co-worker gave to me)

Beverages:
-hot green tea
-10 fl. oz. apple juice
-diluted lemon ginger echinecea juice
-water
-small green tea latte with low fat milk and no sugar

Exercise: This morning I got up at 6:30am and went for a 30 minute jog in the park, interval style, using the Couch to 5K program. Then in the evening I had my final session with my trainer (for a while). Did a bunch of these mean caterpillar moves and lots of squats and lunges.

Notes: Feeling grrrrreat! I've had those hazelnut brussel sprouts before but for some reason they tasted extra awesome today. With the exception of that flatbread piece someone dropped by my office I did a good job of eating nothing but whole foods today. I got my no-sugar low fat milk green tea latte from Starbucks and it turns out it was free pastry day and I could take any big ol sugary thing I wanted for free. I opted for a piece of reduced sugar banana bread, walked it back to work, and promptly offered it to the first co-worker willing to take it. It's a small step, but trust me that's not what would have happened 3 months ago.

RR Log 03.23.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with baby spinach, fried egg whites, tomatoes and a swipe of mayo

Lunch:
-whole grain wrap with 2 slices turkey, tomato, spinach, green onion, 1 tbsp. hummus & 1/4 avocado
-1 cup white bean & kale soup

Dinner:
-4 fried veggie pot stickers with peanut sauce
-2 small squares of seaweed wrap with rice & tamari
-1/2 cup granola with nonfat milk (whaaa??? i know. SNACK TRAIN.)

Snacks:
-1 banana
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cranberries & 1/4 cup mixed nuts n' seeds
-3/4 cup yogurt with honey, walnuts & chia seeds
-tortilla chips & hummus

Drinks;
-2 cups black tea

Exercise: 30 minutes walking at a brisk pace on treadmill, varying incline. 1 hour Muscle Sculpting class. 25 minute moderate walk with the doggie & the boy around Palmer Square.

Notes: Woke up feeling sluggish today, I think I have it pinpointed: PMS gives me vivid dreams- essentially a restless sleep. Not getting enough sleep means I am sluggish and grumpy, and prone to snacking. What a vicious cycle! I don't really know how to stop my mind from racing this time of the month. Despite my sluggish "out-of-it"ness I went to the gym this morning. Since I was already stiff from yesterday I took it easy with the walking instead of intense cardio. The class was good, nice to switch up my weights routine. The instructor didn't go too hard, I never felt like I was struggling to keep up. Think I need to do some serious stretching though tonight, the pain in my abs is kicking in..... Oh yes, and I think, I am pretty sure... I lost another pound. It has been slow going but I went to the gym like 6 days last week and didn't over-sabotage myself I guess. Whatever way- I will take it as a sign that I am figuring out how to switch up my routines so I can continue to see changes. Good, skinny changes. I rewarded myself today with shopping a little: 2 new shirts, a pair of leggings and a salad spinner! I had to resist major urges to stop for ice cream and I did, made it home to gorge on yogurt instead! All in all, a good day.

Danielle's log 03.22.2010

Breakfast:
-low fat greek yogurt with chia seeds and 1/4 cup granola

Lunch:
-Greek salad with feta, green peppers, and olives
-1 slice sesame bread

Dinner:
-carrot cashew salad (will post recipe soon!): shredded carrots, shredded coconut, cilantro, chopped raw cashews, lemon juice, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, asofoetida, and curry powder
-2 bites oatmeal cookie

Snacks:
-didn't have any snacks today!

Beverages:
-ice tea
-water

Exercise: went to the Y where I was supposed to do Core Abs with Juan (with Robin!) but got out of work too late. So I attended a yoga class on a whim instead. We did a lot of plank type things, it was pretty good! Then I went on a 30 minute fast-paced walk around the neighborhood.

Notes: something about it being Monday and the beginning of the week always makes me have a clear mind about all of this. This week my goal is to do something athletic every day and now that I've tried out one free health and fitness class at the YMCA I want to try them all!

Food Bloggers

This woman is obviously getting paid for keeping her food log, I can only imagine the pressure of having to eat right for a magazine! She writes a full post about every damn meal, and includes a picture. Crazy! For the record, I don't think our blog will ever be that intense, unless you want to start paying me? Eh?

http://www.self.com/fooddiet/blogs/eatlikeme

RR Log 03.22.10

Breakfast:
-1/4 cup (uncooked = big bowl cooked, yay!) steel cut oats with 1/2 tbsp. honey, crushed walnuts, 1 tsp. chia seeds

Lunch:
-whole grain wrap with 1 leftover chicken strip from last night, baby spinach, hummus, green onion & tomato
-1/2 cup nonfat Greek style plain yogurt with some strawberries (frozen, thawed)

Dinner:
-pita pizza! whole wheat pita sliced in half, topped with sauce, garlic, fresh herbs, zucchini, fennel, onion, mushrooms & shredded part skin mozzarella

Snacks:
-16 oz. smoothie (8 oz. at two different times): banana, strawberries, blueberries, mango & almond milk
-1.5 bananas (man, a lot of banana today!)
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cranberries & 1/4 cup mixed nuts
-Uhhhh 3 bites of Matt's awesome unhealthy pizza. With hot sauce.

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea

Exercise: 1 hour on the treadmill today, interval training!! I alternated between running at 6.0, walking at 4.0 & sprinting at 7.0 (did about 7 sprints for 2 minutes each, with periods of recovery-walking- and running at a lower speed in between). Went back to the Y at night for Juan's Core Abs class- 30 minutes of KILL ME NOW. Every exercise we did 30-50 reps. Can't wait to feel it tomorrow....

Notes: Resisted and only made 1 pita pizza this time! So good, and if my math is right it clocks in around 350 calories for the whole thing. BAM. Also, what the hell I went to the gym twice today. What a dirty little gym rat..... Also, I am going to be really sore tomorrow. I can already feel it.

Danielle's log 03.21.2010

Breakfast:

-breakfast buffet: 1 small pancake with fresh blueberries and fresh cream, small scoop bread pudding, a sausage link, 1 piece bacon, 1 biscuit with gravy, scrambled eggs, potatoes, a few bites cinnamon roll JESUS BUFFETS ARE BAAAD!!!

Lunch:

-no lunch, breakfast was big enough!

Dinner:

-caeser salad

-penne pasta with marinara

Snacks:

-1/2 pop tart, mixed nuts

-a few dried mango slices

-2 yogurt pretzels

-peanut butter cookie

Beverages:

-decaf coffee

-ice tea

-water

-banana cocoa soy smoothie

Exercise: went hiking up and down hill for an hour at Devil's Lake State Park.  My legs are sore!!  It was a great hike and my heart rate was mighty high.

Notes: Second day of vacation and road trip...the hike was really great exercise and we went early in the morning before eating.  What got me screwed up was showing up at a breakfast buffet completely hungry.  I chose really miniscule portions, but I still ended up eating a lot.  Just did a lot of snacking on the road.  Wasn't the best day but I really didn't go as overboard as it looks.

RR Log 03.21.10

Breakfast: (Totally a Danielle breakfast! Props is UP.)
-1/4 cup steel cut Irish oatmeal topped with 1,2 tbsp. honey, cinnamon & a splash of 2% milk

Lunch:
-1/2 cup plain yogurt with 1/8 cup granola & 1 tsp. chia seeds
-whole grain wrap with 1/4 avocado, yellow bell peppers, 1 slice turkey & baby spinach

Dinner:
-2 chicken strips marinated in raita (yogurt) sauce
-steamed broccoli
-wild rice

Snacks:
-1 rice cake with 1/2 tbsp. peanut butter (before gym)
-1 banana
-tortilla chips with hummus or salsa (too many!)

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea
-1 glass red wine

Exercise: 15 minutes on the Summit trainer (FUCK that thing!!! I love it.) & 15 minutes on row machine set to 5

Notes: So excited I made it to the gym before work on a Sunday! Unheard of! I could only be there for a half hour, but I tried to max it out in intensity. Finally got some of that oatmeal Danielle is always noshing on- been needing to switch up my breakfast options. It was pretty good and kept me fairly satisfied! I would also like to share that a girl I work with who I had not seen in a while said to me today "Are you losing weight or something? You are looking skinny." I will not lie. I LOVE hearing that.

Danielle's log 03.20.2010

Breakfast:

-musili with 2% milk

Lunch:

-caeser salad with grilled ahi tuna

-half a small roll

-bloody mary

-half a slice of carrot cake

Dinner:

-1 'hog' wing (pork rib cooked like a hot wing...not healthy, but amazing)

-four grilled shrimp with grilled asparagus 

-half a corn muffin

-a few bites potato salad

Snacks:

-yogurt pretzels, a few chocolate covered dried cherries and peanuts, dried mango, nuts

Drinks:

-water

-small dark cherry mocha decaf with half the sugar requested

-a few sips old fashioned

-1 light beer

Exercise:  I got a massage, does that count?  On vacation in Baraboo, Wisconsin!

Notes: Did a lot of snacking as we were on a road trip.  Had a long discussion about weight loss and eating right with my significant other and then he followed up with ordering a slice of carrot cake.  Errr...  At dinner I could have done A LOT worse but I made myself order something healthy and it doesn't get any lighter in calories than shrimp and asparagus, even if it is grilled a bit.

RR Log 03.20.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with fried egg white, tomato and mayo

Lunch:
-grazed at an Iranian New Year's party: hummus, chips, pistachios, 1/2 a chocolate

Dinner:
-whole wheat spaghetti with Matt's homemade meatballs
-2 slices garlic bread

Snacks:
-1 rice cake with 1/2 tbsp. peanut butter
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cranberries + 1/4 cup mixed nuts
-6 oz. cup Fage yogurt with 1/2 tbsp. honey
-handful of pretzels and peanuts

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea
-2 glasses champagne (New Year's toast!)
-2 glasses red wine

Exercise: 30 minutes on that bitch-ass Summit Trainer, 35 minutes resistance training.

Notes: Totally upped all my weights today in training, YES! Also, I seem to eat almost the same thing for breakfast every day, but you know, it's good, well under 300 calories, and keeps me full until lunch. Perfect. Dinner was a bit of a splurge but I totally micro-managed that mess: whole wheat pasta, 96% lean beef & I even made Matt use whole wheat saltines for the meatball mixture.

Danielle's log 03.19.2010

Breakfast:
-1/2 cup dry musili with Greek yogurt

Lunch:

-salad with dried cranberries, light blue cheese crumbles, walnuts, and raspberry vinaigrette dressing

Dinner:

-Chicken tarragon sandwich from Starbucks

Snacks:

-yogurt pretzels, potato chips, and sun chips at dinner meeting

Exercise: no time today, unfortunately.

Notes: We had a pizza meeting today but I went to the Starbucks around the corner to get a sandwich so I wouldn't be tempted.  Still screwed up with some potato chips but I could have done a lot worse!

RR Log 03.19.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin, tomato, fried egg white, spinach & a bit of mayo

Lunch:
-3/4 cup yogurt (nonfat plain Greek OF COURSE) with blackberries and 1/2 tbsp. honey
-whole grain wrap with hummus, spinach, 2 slices turkey & red peppers

Dinner:
-1/2 salmon filet
-3/4 crab cake
-wild rice
-steamed broccoli

Snacks:
-1/2 rice cake with 1/2 tbsp. peanut butter (before gym)
-1 banana
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cherries & cranberries & 1/4 cup mixed nuts and seeds
-1/4 chocolate bar- mostly milk choc. with peanuts and a few squares dark

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea
-1 whisky

Exercise: 20 minutes on the Summit Climber (that thang has my heart rate above 155!) 30 minutes on the row machine set to 4.

Notes: Went over to my cousin's and was sabotaged with whisky and chocolate!! So good. NEWS FLASH: I have tomorrow off of work! Hurrah!! I am looking forward to a leisurely morning at the gym if I hurry up and get to bed....

Danielle's log 03.18.2010

Breakfast:

-one cup weird muesli/oat mushy cereal stuff with mandarin oranges and apples and honey

Lunch:

-grilled chicken wrap with balsamic greens and feta cheese

-cup of tomato basil soup

Dinner:

-ceviche with 3 slices avocado

-1/2 cup pinto beans

-10 tortilla chips with salsa

Snacks:

-handful of pretzels

-small apple

-a few wasabi peas

-8 macadamia nuts

-1 chocolate covered cherry

Exercise: rode my bike to work today!!  5.2 miles each way.  In the evening I did 20 legs lifts and 10 situps.

Notes:  starting to feel sore from last night's work out.  Felt great to be on my bike, even though it's an old rusty thing that I can't go very fast on.  I burned a lot of calories making the trek which is where all that snacking came from...it really wasn't that much food though.  Went out for Mexican with friends but besides the 10 tortilla chips I happily enjoyed some healthy ceviche.

Late Night Eating and Core Exercises (a response to Robin's post below)

Robin, I wrote this in the comments section of your post below, but after seeing how long a response it was and full of decent advice I've learned these past two months, I thought it'd be worth it to share with everyone else on the main page!

To help with late night munchies you should try to find a snack you can eat either with or directly after dinner that is good for you but filling. For me it's cottage cheese and adding chia seeds to my dinner. I never get the PM stomach grumblies, ever, when I eat those two things. You may also want to try drinking something like hot tea or just plain old water until you feel full. Another tip is to brush and floss your teeth right after dinner to keep you from wanting to get your chompers all mussed up again. Or, final tip, take up an activity you can do at night that makes you use your hands while you're lounging...I find when I crochet or knit at night it prevents me from wanting to stop my project and snack.

Regarding abs/core exercises, here's a fun core exercise that I think I've told you about. It seems simple enough, but once you get going you'll really feel it the next day. Lay flat on your back and fold your arms behind you so that your hands are resting under your lower back. Point your legs straight ahead of you at about a 45 degree angle and then keeping your legs straight and toes pointed, use your legs to spell out your first and last name. Then spell out a friend's name in the air. Then spell out your pet's name. Towards the end you'll be feeling it! It gets harder if you keep your legs closer to the ground. My favorite thing about this one is that you don't have to do any counting and dreading the fact that you're still 10 lifts away or whatever. Before you know it, your abs are feeling it and you're motivated to not let your friend down by not being able to get through spelling out their name!

RR Log 03.18.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with fried egg white, tomato and mayo

Lunch:
-1/2 cup yogurt with honey & blackberries
-salad with bib lettuce, tomato, mushroom, zucchini & Annie's lite honey vinaigrette

Dinner:
-lemony risotto with asparagus & shrimp

Snacks:
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cherries & 1/4 cup mixed nuts & seeds
-1/2 cup green tea ice cream (dessert really- after dinner)
-1 microwaved Peep!!!! (gross! but I had to try it.)

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea
-1 glass white wine

Exercise: Nope. Boo!!!

Notes: I had to get some extra sleep this morning- when I have to choose I always choose sleep. I am simply unworkable without good sleep. Feeling good about my eating today... No bedtime snacks!

Holding Steady + Ab Check

So, I sometimes I say I have reached a "plateau" but I don't think it is true. I have lost the weight I wanted to lose (I am at my "happy" weight now) and I have been staying there. Since I picked up weight training at least 2 x a week, I have gotten stronger. I really push myself when I do my resistance training, and I am always sore the next day! This seems like a good sign to me. And muscle weighs more than fat right? I also know that the more muscle I have will increase my resting metabolism- I will burn more calories justing sitting around. BONUS! It feels good to be getting stronger, I feel awesome when I can move up the pin on the machines, adding more weight. I used to struggle to lift 10 lbs (the minimum) on the shoulder press, but now I am comfortably doing 25 lbs. and looking forward to bumping up to 30 in the next week. Sexy shoulders!! I am trying not to worry the scale has stopped moving and concentrate instead on how I am toning up.

I keep eating pretty good, I would say my weakness usually manifests at night, where I am prone to snacking HARD sometimes. I am going to try to be more conscious about that, as I know nighttime snacking is a major weight-loss sabotage. I do try to eat good things even when I am overdoing it- but portion is important too. I know the more tired I am and the closer I get to my dreaded "lady-times" the more prone I am to flop on the couch and play video games and snack the night away.... Anyways I am aware of the issue.

The next big issue? Abs. Gut. Core. I have been blissfully neglecting my midsection. I use the ab machine when I do my resistance training rotations but otherwise nothing! Since ab work can be done a lot on your own just using your own body as resistance, I am not sure I have any good excuses.... ab work has just always been my least favorite. BLAH! I have got to step up my training on what is probably the most important part of my body: my core strength. 2 of my best friends are Pilates instructors so what is my deal?? I am having one over for dinner tonight and she is going to get roped into showing me the moves I should do every day. Yup. She doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to put her to work!!!

So this is my new resolve: Step up the ab work. Step down the snacking. Let's see if I can't tighten up this midsection like I have everything else (seriously, my upper arms are GETTING there!)

xoxox

Robin

Danielle's log 03.17.2010

Breakfast:
-1 egg sunnyside up
-1 slice of Latvian bread with a dab of marmalade
-1/4 cup Greek yogurt with honey and chia seeds

Lunch:

-3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese with crushed pineapple and chia seeds

Dinner:

-impromptu quesadilla:  grilled red, green, and yellow peppers with vegetarian refried beans, HARVESTTIME guacamole, and cheese, between two whole wheat tortillas

Snacks:

-handful wasabi peas

-5 or 6 roasted, salted macadamia nuts and small handful roasted peanuts

-literally 1 Tbs rice pudding with cinnamon because my boyfriend ate it all!

Beverages:
-green tea

-lotsa water

Exercise: walked 30 minutes down to the loop to meet my trainer after work, then did 20 minutes on the treadmill going 6.0 most of the time, then did 1 hour of training like the old days.  Ouch!

Notes:  kinda suffered through my training today...it's been over two weeks since I've met with her and it's amazing how out of shape I got.  We were doing some intense things (sundial, anyone??)  I finally got to try boxing and I LOVED it!  It got my heart rate way up and I felt the burn in my upper body.  The biggest shame was that I had to stop because my old back injury started bothering me and I did not want to throw it out again.  All in all great day and I'm so glad to be sticking to this "one day at a time" thing.  I'm not worried about losing weight, just concerned with making each day the best it can be and today was!

RR Log 03.17.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 1 fried egg, spinach and 1/2 tbsp. reduced fat mayo

Lunch:
-1/3 cup brown rice
-1/2 salmon filet
-1/2 cup yogurt with honey & walnuts

Dinner:
-pita pizzas: 1 whole wheat pita cut in half, each round topped with tomato sauce, garlic, onion, mushroom, zucchini and reduced fat "italian cheese blend"

Snacks:
-1 banana (before gym)
-4 bites of cinnamon crumb cake (weakness!)
-fresh blackberries with yogurt
-veggie pot stickers with peanut sauce

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea

Exercise: 15 minutes running at 6.0, 10 minutes running at 6.5, 30 minutes resistance training. Took little old Rosie for a nice long walk, about a half-hour? Lovely night!

Notes: Ok, I should have just had 1 pizza and a good salad, but I am feeling kind of ravenous... which I am going to blame on PMS! Ha!! It's PMS Ok?? Sheesh.

Danielle's log 03.16.2010

Breakfast:
-8 oz orange juice

Lunch:
-3/4 cup low fat cottage cheese with chia seeds and crushed pineapple

Dinner:

-1 cup chicken salad made with yogurt, apricots, walnuts, and grapes

-fresh fruit cup: banana, pear, pineapple, grapes

Snacks:
-3 small squares chocolate and two British digestives (treats brought back from Europe someone offered me)

-one bite black forest cake

Beverages:

-water

-small decaf americano

-several cups roobois tea with cream

Exercise: 30 minute walk downtown before work.

Notes: My snacks section today was slightly bad...it was all offerings from friends that I couldn't pass up.  But jeez louise look at what I ate today!  Very, very low calorie day.  The funny thing is, I didn't feel hungry at all.  It was all nutritious stuff that kept me going through a very busy work day.  Feeling good.  Feeling better.

Calorie Count: best. newsletters. ever.

I am not the biggest fan of daily news blasts in my inbox...it's just too much to keep up with and I find myself frequently hitting the "unsubscribe" button. But ever since I created a profile on Calorie Count and started getting their newsletters: PURE JOY!

Calorie Count sends you a newsletter almost every day and all the information is interesting, motivating, and helpful. A lot of times they'll feature really active conversations on their message boards; recent examples include this "Just Do It" conversation about motivation and this one where everyone was encouraged to post their progress photos.

The website itself is extremely useful and is probably most well-known for its easy-to-use calorie and burn meters, but I personally find the networking aspect of it to be the most encouraging. It's great to see people losing weight in droves just by following the exact same rules I'm trying to follow. I still think buddying up on this blog is the #1 best tool in my arsenal, but this website is a very close second. Check it out.

RR Log 03.16.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 1 fried egg white, 1 Gimme Lean veggie "sausage" patty and 1/2 tbsp. reduced fat mayo

Lunch:
-whole grain tortilla with 2 slices turkey, spinach, red peppers & hummus

Dinner:
-1/2 cup brown rice
-sauteed spinach with olive oil, garlic & lemon
-1/2 salmon filet pan seared

Snacks:
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cherries & 1/4 cup nuts & seeds
-1 banana
-leftover soba noodles with stir fry veggies
-tortilla strips and hummus (shamefully after my good dinner!)

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea
-1 glass white wine

Exercise: Nope!

Notes: Another busy day at work- travel season is finally picking up! Whew!! Was supposed to hit a yoga class tonight but hit up some good conversation with a friend instead! Definitely waited too long ot have dinner, which is why I hit those chips post-dinner.... I just felt so huuuuunnnnngry. And this hummus is soooooo goooood.....

One Day at a Time

Well, hello.  After yet another hiatus I'm back.  What happened?  Well, I've been discouraged.  I haven't been feeling as gung-ho about everything.  I haven't lost any weight...I haven't had a single good week since I started this journey and it has brought me down.

I spent more time on a treadmill these past two months than I have any other time in my life and I have nothing to show for it.  It's not a good feeling, but then again I haven't made a habit out of any of it.  Just when it stopped feeling like work and started feeling natural something major in my life would happen to keep me away from the gym for a while.  I've been having a hard time facing this blog because I felt like a sham--I have nothing good to contribute if I'm not playing by the rules.

Right?  Actually, not really.

It took me all weekend, but I finally convinced myself that despite my crummy start I actually still have something critical to contribute to this blog:  I'm just a normal joe.  I'm just like many of you reading this who have wanted to get fit for years but have never finally sucked it up and kept at it.  It's god damn hard!  It's not all fun!  But the rewards are tremendous...which is why I refuse to throw in the towel no matter how difficult it is for me to turn this hobby into a habit.

When I do reach my goals I hope it inspires someone just like me to do the same thing.  I've always been the kind of person who needs the timing to be juuust right, and I also have a very prominent "all or nothing" attitude about everything.  Getting thrown off just makes me want to quit instead of try harder...but I'm trying to change my outlook.  It's best to take things one day at a time.

Even though I keep saying this is more about long-term fitness than weight loss, I ain't gonna lie:  I'm packing at least 15 pounds that weren't there before that I desperately want to go away.  And I hop on the scale *every* day hoping I'll find it melting away.  And every time I see that it's still there, it greatly discourages me and makes me want to give up.  But this week I'm going to do something different...I'm going to focus on "today," every day.  The goal for the day is easy:  eat nice and exercise.  And by nice I mean avoid sugar and fat, watch the portions, get lots of whole foods in.  And by exercise I mean g.d. exercise, even if it is just a walk around the block...whatever I can squeeze in for the day.

So, thanks for sticking with me.  I hope there's someone out there who has at some point felt like me and I hope to wind up with some great results, despite this rough beginning.

Danielle's log 3.15.2010

Breakfast:

-Naked Juice green machine

Lunch:

-chopped salad with grilled chicken, avocado, blue cheese, corn, tomatoes, and vinaigrette

-two small cheese pop-over type thingies

Dinner:

-homemade falafel sandwich with grilled eggplant, French feta, sliced cucumbers, parsley, hummus

-1/4 cup garlic bulgar and couscous

Snacks:

-four tortilla chips with homemade guac

Beverages: 

-water

Exercise:  went for a brisk evening walk in Palmer's Square for 25 minutes

Notes:  I will have to write my notes in a separate blog post.

RR Log 03.15 10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with fried egg white, spinach, tomato & avocado

Lunch:
-whole grain tortilla with hummus, spinach, red peppers & 2 slices turkey
-1/2 cup yogurt with blueberries & honey

Dinner:
-some canned Indian food (potato dumplings in spicy buttermilk)
-brown rice

Snacks:
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cherries & 1/4 cup mixed nuts
-1 banana
-4 bites of leftover soba noodles
-a couple of handfuls of popcorn

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 small glass OJ
-1 glass chocolate soy milk

Exercise: 25 minutes on row machine set to 5. 30 minutes resistance training

Notes: I HATE going to the YMCA at night. The douchebag quotient is through the roof, HOWEVER it was an insane day at work and after work was the only time I could go. Poop. In other news, my dinner was gross.

RR Log 03.14.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with fried egg white, avocado, tomato & spinach

Lunch:
-1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt with blueberries & 1 tbsp. honey
-whole grain tortilla wrap sandwich with hummus, spinach, 2 slices turkey and sliced red pepper

Dinner:
-soba noodles with broccoli, red peppers, onion, garlic, ginger & tamari sauce
-2 chicken breast strips sauteed in sesame oil with garlic chili sauce (mixed into noodles & veggies)

Snacks:
-cheddar sun chips
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cherries & 1/4 cup mixed nuts
-a few handfuls of stove-popped popcorn

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea

Exercise: Nope!

Notes: I HATE the weekend hours for the YMCA. It makes Sundays almost impossible because I always have to work! When I move to Bucktown in June I am thinking of joining XSport Fitness, because it will be walking distance to my new place, a lot of my friends go there AND it is 24 hours. Whoa. In other news, this sinus infection sucks my soul and is aggravating my asthma.

BOO.

RR Log 03.13.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with egg whites, avocado, tomato & spinach

Lunch:
-whole grain tortilla with spinach, tomato, hummus & 2 slices turkey
-1/2 cup nonfat Greek style plain yogurt with 1 tsp. honey & chopped walnuts

Dinner:
-half of a romaine salad with dried cranberries, walnuts & blue cheese
-3 slices of veggie pizza made on a goddamned tortilla

Snacks:
-3/4 cup dried & salted green beans
-hummus and veggie straws

Drinks:
-small glass of super smoothie: OJ, banana, ginger, lemon, carrot & pineapple (before gym)
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea
-1 glass red wine

Exercise: 25 minutes on the Summit Climber, 30 minutes resistance training

Notes: Ok, it is a goddamned sinus infection!! I woke up feeling like shiiiiiiiiit. I attacked my sinuses with allergy meds & my neti pot and went to the gym where my workout actually made me feel better! YAY. I didn't have long at the gym though because I had to get to work a little earlier today. Oh. Hey. Let's talk about my gross dinner. I got my dumb little pizza and went for what I thought was a big 'ol shaker of parmesan on the table and proceeded to dump it on. FAIL. It was a sugar shaker!!! This is a new diet strategy: ruin your food as soon as it gets to the table.

RR Log 03.12.10

Breakfast:
-barely any yogurt left, so we'll say blueberries topped with yogurt, walnuts and a dab of honey

Lunch:
-3 sauteed chicken strips
-1 small baked sweet potato
-steamed broccoli

Dinner:
-asparagus, shrimp & lemon risotto

Snacks:
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cherries & cranberries with 1/4 cup mixed nuts & seeds
-handful of dried& salted green beans
-granola with almond milk

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea
-2 glasses sparkling wine

Exercise: Not today, feeling this cold or sinus(???) infection in my chest. Uggghhhh.

Notes: Good grief did I fix myself a "diet lunch" or what? Sheesh. Anyways, dinner was good. I have actually never made risotto before.... What? I KNOW. So anyways I found this recipe and checked the reviews- took the advice to roast the asparagus with olive oil and garlic in the oven, and cook the shrimp with lemon, garlic and butter separately. Added some crushed red pepper and used lemon juice instead of zest, vegetable broth instead of chicken.... and since my cousin was coming over we used vegan earth balance instead of real butter and no parmesan (GASP) and it still came out really great! Adding risotto to my list of comfort foods.

RR Log 03.11.10

Breakfast:
-whole grain tortilla with scrambled egg whites, avocado, salsa, black beans
-1/4 cup yogurt with a little blueberries, a little honey, and a little walnuts

Lunch:
-1 cup white bean & kale soup
-whole grain tortilla wrap with 2 slices turkey, spinach, mayo & spicy mustard

Dinner:
-2 small pieces baguette with BUTTER
-salad with avocado, ground beef with walnuts
-shrimp ceviche
-lettuce cream soup
-salmon with small polenta cake and more salad
-pineapple rice pudding with fresh berries

Snacks:
-handful of peanuts & 1 banana (before gym)
-10 almonds
-a couple of tortilla chips with cheese

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea
-2 glasses white wine

Exercise: 15 minutes running on the 'mill, 15 minutes on the summit trainer, 10 minutes walking, 10 minutes on a bike

Notes: Took advantage of a RIDICULOUSLY good deal at a local restaurant: Sabor Saveur. Tonight they served their prix fixe menu for half off- so... a 5 course meal for $20!!! SHUT UP. I KNOW. It was so delicious! And BYOB to boot! I haven't been eating out much at all, so when I saw this special I had to jump all over it. No regrets. Everything was actually pretty tiny, but rich and delicious! That soup was to DIE for.... I wished the bowl would never end!

Danielle's log 03.10.2010

Breakfast:
-two eggs sunnyside up
-1 piece toast with honey
-half a clementine

Lunch:
-Broth-y teriyaki chicken soup
-two kung pao chicken hot buns

Dinner:
-two teeny fried soft shell crab legs
-6 or 7 pieces edamame
-1 sushi rolls with ginger seared tuna, rice, and mango

Beverages:
-black tea
-water
-1 sapporo beer

Exercise: I'm feeling guiltier and guiltier by the day that I don't post something here.

Notes: Finally went a day where I didn't completely over do it with food. Lunch was really light and dinner was too--thanks Japanese cuisine! Maybe I should eat more Asian food...

RR Log 03.10.10

Breakfast:
-whole grain tortilla with scrambled egg whites, black beans, 1/4 avocado, salsa
-1/3 cup yogurt with 1 tsp. honey & sprinkle of pecans and chia seeds

Lunch:
-1 salmon cake & 1/4 cup brown rice over baby spinach with Annie's lite mustard vinaigrette

Dinner:
-big bowl of brown rice pasta with leftover homemade pasta sauce, veggie "meatballs" & parmesan

Snacks:
-1 banana
-4 veggie pot stickers (pan fried, boo!) with peanut sauce

Drinks:
-8 oz. favorite smoothie: OJ, pineapple, lemon, ginger, banana & carrots (before gym)
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup chocolate soy milk

Exercise: 30 minutes on row machine set to 5. 30 minutes resistance training.

Notes: Still a little under the weather, that's why I made super energy vitamin C awesome delicious smoothie this morning! Woo!! When it got around dinner time, my sluggishness translated into a feast of carbs. Those pot stickers Matt had made for his dinner, and he made extra and so I totally bombed out on them. Too yummy to pass up. Weakness! I find I can do pretty good all day but the time that is my biggest challenge is at night. Probably because I am tired and my willpower is weakened. Speaking of tired, I have gone to bed before 10 pm the past 4 nights! I have been missing my afternoon tea most days in the past week, and I mean I miss it.

Danielle's log 03.09.2010

Breakfast:
-2 eggs, sunnyside up (although I only ate one yolk)
-2 slices homemade multi-grain toast with honey

Lunch:
-Turkish pasta stuffed with almonds and pesto, topped with garlic yogurt
-two slices bread with olive oil
-1 piece baklava

Dinner:
-1 kidney bean veggie chorizo wrap with Monterrey Jack cheese
-small slice cherry pie (it's from an Amish community!) and 1 Tbs vanilla ice cream

Snacks:
-3 dried mango slices
-4 dried peach slices

Beverages:
-water
-Turkish cay tea

Exercise: Still not feeling it. Hey, at least I'm honest.

Notes: so obviously went out for Turkish food at lunch, with my boss, and I was glad I didn't get some fatty lamb plate like I usually do. The baklava was a regret but he ordered it and the pressure was on. Plus I always have to compare everyone else's baklava to my own. I'm still just readjusting to life and me and the boyfriend are spending a lot of time together in general but also trying to go through boxes of all the things he brought back. Anyway, I need to get mentally back in the game but I've hit a wall with the exercising. Meeting with the trainer on Tuesday so I better get some preliminary work in or that visit is going to killl meeee.

RR Log 03.09.10

Breakfast:
-whole grain tortilla with 1.5 scrambled egg whites, salsa, black beans & avocado
-1/2 cup nonfat Greek style yogurt with 1/2 tbsp. honey and sprinkle of walnuts

Lunch:
-another whole grain tortilla but this time with spinach, 2 slices turkey, hummus & tomato
-1/4 cup raw nuts & seeds + 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Dinner:
-1 bowl of white bean & kale soup (man, we make that a lot!)
-2 homemade salmon cakes (ghetto-style with whole wheat saltines, egg & red onion) over chopped fresh spinach with a little Annie's lite mustard vinaigrette

Snacks:
-1 banana & handful of peanuts (before gym)
-couple of chips & hummus
-2 cups stove-popped popcorn with olive oil, salt, pepper & parmesan

Drinks:
-2 cups black tea

Exercise: Treadmill: 10 minutes walking, 15 minutes running at 6, 5 minutes running 6.5. 15 minutes on row machine set to 5. 10 minutes on THE NEW HELLFIRE the "summit trainer" and I did some chin-up and dip assist for the hell of it. Bam! After a conversation with a friend today about yoga, I was inspired to do some stretching while watching LOST. I threw in some ab work (planks, crunches, the "hundred.")

Notes: So tired this morning, and a bit of a sore throat! I hoofed it to the gym anyways, and instead of busting it out too hard on one thing I mixed it up. I definitely wanted to get my cardio in today, I just wasn't feeling as energetic as usual. Ho hum!

Danielle's log 03.08.2010

(Note: This is probably the most embarrassing food log I've ever submitted. I screwed up early in the day at a lunch meeting and it all went downhill from there)

Breakfast:
-Kashi 7-grain honey cereal with 2% milk

Lunch:
-Polish kielbasa with grilled onions, mustard, bun
-french fries and ketchup
-1/2 slice chocolate cake (this meal happened at Portillo's and the chocolate cake definitely lives up to the hype)

Dinner:
-9 hot wings with blue cheese
-5 bites cherry pie for dessert

Snacks:
-4 double chocolate covered peanuts
-1 chocolate covered cherry

Beverages:
-water
-1 Bell's beer

Exercise: yeah, no.

Notes: TOTAL BOMB. Not ready to get back in the swing of things. Wincing at the possibility of getting interrupted once again. Trying to gain confidence in this attempt at hot body-ness. Tomorrow is a new day, I hope. Yeeeah...

RR Log 03.08.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 2 fried egg whites, avocado, spinach & tomato

Lunch:
-leftovers: sauteed garlic, leeks, fennel, carrots & zucchini with brown rice
-1/2 cup yogurt with blueberries, 1/4 cup nuts & 1 tbsp. honey

Dinner:
-3 "mexican pizzas" made with baked tostadas, fat-free refried beans, salsa, reduced fat mexican blend cheese and greek yogurt with cilantro

Snacks:
-veggie "straws"

Drinks:
-1 glass OJ
-1 cup black tea

Exercise: Running on the treadmill: 3 min. warm-up, 10 minutes running at 6.0, 10 minutes at 6.5, 10 minutes at 6.0, 5 min. cool-down. 30 minutes resistance training

Notes: Still tired today, but felt good to get into the gym. Hoping for a more regular week, and really, a normal weekend! No more partying. Thanks.

RR Log 03.07.10

Breakfast:
-everything bagel with avocado, egg, bacon, cream cheese

Lunch:
-grazed on junk food all afternoon while cleaning up after my cousin's party: peanut m & m's, chips, pastries

Dinner:
-whole wheat thin spaghetti with homemade sauce, vegetarian "meatballs" & parmesan

Snacks:
-just my afternoon grazing/lunch

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 sip of whiskey (post clean-up crew toast)
-1 glass white wine

Exercise: I had good intentions this morning, but didn't really make it happen! It was so nice out and I tried to go for a run outside, only to be reminded that cool air being forced into my lungs triggers my asthma. FAIL. At least I ran a few blocks and got some walking in.

Notes: Tired, hungover, and a lot to do today!

RR Log 03.05.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 2 fried egg whites, tomato, romaine, 1 tsp. mayo

Lunch:
-Grazed salad/hot bar at Whole Foods, a spoonful of each: spinach, lemon & lime quinoa salad, white beans, cabbage with almonds and sesame, broccoli "crunch" with bacon and raisins

Dinner:
-roasted chicken
-roasted potatoes with onions and garlic
-sauteed tofu, asparagus, fennel, leeks, carrots & garlic

Snacks:
-trail mix: 1/4 cup cranberries & 1/4 cup mixed raw nuts & seeds
-wheat toast with peanut butter
-2 mini cinnamon rolls (damnit!)
-chips with hummus or salsa- not too many

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea
-1 can lemon sparkling water
-2 glasses white wine

Exercise: Nope

Notes: Got caught at work with no snacks or food today, which accounts for the peanut butter toast and cinn. rolls.... bad planning on my part. Had a fun night though! We cooked for 5 friends tonight. It is always nice to feed friends, especially when they travel in from out of town (or back from across the globe!) We had a great time, lots and lots of laughing. So good.

Danielle's log 3.04.2010

Breakfast:
-Agave sweetened sunflower granola with 2% milk

Lunch:
-Grilled panini with chicken breast, spinach, avocado slices, and provolone cheese

Dinner:
-1/2 cuban sandwich, yuca potatoes, black beans, fried plantains

Snacks:
-1 clementine
-miniature Maya Gold orange dark chocolate bar

Beverages:
-green tea
-water
-2.5 glasses red wine

Exercise: nope...

RR Log 03.04.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 1 fried egg, spinach & 1 Gimmee Lean veggie sausage patty

Lunch:
-whole grain tortilla wrap with spinach, hummus, sauteed chicken & tomatoes
-1/2 cup nonfat plain greek style yogurt with 1 tbsp. honey

Dinner:
-1/2 cup brown rice
-sauteed tofu, asparagus, fennel and mushrooms with olive oil, salt & pepper

Snacks:
-2 bananas
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cranberries, 1/4 cup mixed nuts

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea
-1 deeeelicious DeKonnick beer

Exercise: 25 minutes running at 6.5! Straight through!!! A new personal best. Followed with 15 minutes on row machine set to 4 & 30 minutes resistance training.

Notes: I have been feeling sore almost every day this week, in a GOOD way! I am into this whole "mix it up" thing, and also, motivation city.... I CAN SEE MUSCLES in my arms. Amazing. I swear. I see them. Also, I feel great for fitting the gym in today, I am trying to be more flexible. I definitely prefer going in the morning first thing, but anytime is better than no time.

Danielle's log 3.3.2010

Breakfast:
-oat cereal with 2% milk

Lunch:
-1 eggroll
-Pad See Ew with tofu

Dinner:
-Agave sweetened sunflower granola cereal with 2% milk
-two slices organic multigrain bread (like, real bread), one slice with honey, one with raspberry jam

Snacks:
-3 small slices honeydew, 5 grapes, small piece watermelon

Exercise: Does spending two hours on Chatroulette count??

Notes: Just overall blah, feeling okay but lonely and not sure what to cook so I've been eating like a college student again. Cereal for dinner? Yup.

Rowing!

Let's talk about the beautiful and amazing my-new-favorite-thing EVER the row machine! I was on it today for a smooth 30 minutes, seriously, the minutes melted away. I think the reason why is because unlike the elliptical and treadmill, where I have to psych myself up with party jamz to power through, the row machine just takes even, concentrated resistance. It still gives me the burn, and it uses my upper body and shoulders- things that need more using! So anyways... instead of hot party jamz (like the TREADMILLIONAIRES mix) I was able to put my iPod on shuffle, and row to Magnetic Fields, sexy soul music, Beach House and other such delightfulness. I didn't have to have a stomping beat, which is a nice change of pace!

On the row machine I can imagine myself in a boat. This is also a kajillion times better than imagining myself, I don't know, running somewhere? Sometimes I would close my eyes for a minute and pretend that is exactly where I was... on a boat. In a placid lake. Aaahhhhhhh..... It helped that the row machine is sort of in a corner by itself, and the sun was right on me while I was using it. So good.

Definitely getting Spring Fever over here!

xoxo,

Robin

RR Log 03.03.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 2 egg whites (topped with turmeric, paprika & pepper, see notes!) spinach, tomato & 1/2 tsp. mayo

Lunch:
-1/2 cup yogurt with blueberries, walnuts, chia & pumpkin seeds
-whole grain tortilla wrap sandwich with 2 slices turkey, 1 tbsp. hummus, spinach & tomatoes

Dinner:
-gluten-free brown rice pizza crust topped with olive oil, garlic, rosemary, tomato, mushroom, asparagus, spinach, sliced fennel & parmesan.

Snacks:
-12 oz. smoothie made with banana, frozen strawberries and Organic Valley chocolate soy milk- lawd that shit is deeeelicious!

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea

Exercise: 30 minutes on row machine set to 4, 15 minutes running on treadmill at 6.5 with one 2 min. sprint at 7.0, AND 10 minutes on the fucking devil: the stairmaster! Tried to mix it up today since I have hit a plateau- if you trick your muscles with new activities you burn more calories.

Notes: I was looking at the sodium content on a bag of chili ramen our friends gave us (they just got back from Korea) and saw the sodium: if you ate the whole package, is 2,400 mg. I knew this was high so I decided to check on recommended sodium intake. Now, as someone who cannot smell very well (if at all) I tend to rely on sweet, salty, sour & spicy a LOT. I have slipped into a bad habit of pinching salt onto everything. Seeing that the recommended daily amount is just over 1 tsp. is a major wake-up call!

In other news, I ate my entire pizza for dinner. I think it wasn't too devastating as far as pizza goes, but the crust itself was 420 calories. I barely used any cheese and loaded it with great veggies though! YUM. YAY. PIZZA!!

Danielle's log 03.02.2010

Breakfast:
-oat flake cereal with 2% milk

Lunch:
-3 small cups soup: turkey chili, turkey wild rice, and gumbo
-2 pieces cornbread
-a few crutons

Dinner:
-grilled cheese sandwich

Snack:
-small handful chocolate covered espresso beans

Beverages:
-water

Exercise: Last night I went to an indoor pool with friends and did laps and underwater exercises. It was fun! Didn't get as intense as I wanted to due to a cold I'm trying to get over.

Notes: Dave's still out of town, I don't have a car, and I'm getting over this cold so for the moment I'm making do with what I can food wise. I'm really bad about making myself full meals when it's just me in the house. I'm still emotionally drained from last week, but apparently I only gained 1 lb while I was away despite all the comfort food I ate with the family last week.

RR Log 03.02.10

Breakfast:
-whole wheat english muffin with 2 egg whites (that's right DB!), spinach, tomato and 1 tsp. mayo

Lunch:
-baby spinach and mixed greens with 2 sauteed chicken strips, tomato, raw zucchini & mushrooms with 1 tbsp. Annie's lite mustard vin.
-1 cup white bean and kale soup

Dinner:
-sauteed salmon
-roasted root veggies: sweet potatoes, beets, turnips, parsnips, garlic, shallots
-1/2 cup wild rice blend

Snacks:
-trail mix: 1/4 cup dried cranberries with 1/4 cup mixed raw nuts & seeds
-1 banana (after gym)
-guacamole and tortilla chips

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 cup green tea
-1.5 cup chocolate soy milk

Exercise: 1 hour at the gym: 30 minutes on the 'mill mostly running at at least 6.0 with sprint sessions at 7.0! Shazaaam!! 30 minutes resistance training.

Notes: Oh man, it feels good to be back on track right now. I got a TON of sleep last night- much needed. I was majorly groggy this morning though, so I made myself hit the gym after work, around 4. I took my gym clothes with me so I would be sure to go straight there.

I'm back

Last Monday I was hit with some awful news, my boyfriend's father had died. It was completely unexpected. In fact, it's been a week and we still don't know the exact cause and probably won't for some time.

This event halted everything we had going on...work, food, exercise. There was a lot of comfort food from neighbors and a lot of low moments, but some good ones too. Surprisingly I did get some exercise last week as we had 4 days to completely pack and load up Dave's father's apartment so there was a lot of heavy lifting. I also took some time to use our hotel's swimming pool one afternoon when I had a little free time to de-stress by swimming some laps.

This face-to-face encounter with sudden, unexpected death has reaffirmed my desire to get where I want to be as far as health and nutrition go. I not only want to live a long time, I want to feel great doing so and the only way to do so is to treat my body with respect. Feed it right. Hydrate it. Use my muscles. Feel good mentally.

So, I've gotten knocked off the horse for the fourth or fifth time since we started this, but I'm not going to give up. Life is too short for that!

RR Log 03.01.10

Breakfast:
-everything bagel with cream cheese
-apple yogurt muffin

Lunch:
-grilled chicken sandwich

Dinner:
-1 slice of pizza

Snacks:
-dried salted green beans
-a few snap pea crisps

Drinks:
-1 cup black tea
-1 diet coke

Exercise: Boo!

Notes: Drove my friend Heidi to the airport this morning and she treated me to some Letizia's bakery goodies, which accounts for my breakfast! Lord that muffin was divine.... I was SOOOOO TIRED today, it's like I didn't even try. Going to bed early to try and recharge. I feel like all I did was snack all day. I did get to the grocery store and I am looking forward to getting back on track! I feel like I have been really lazy lately and straying form my healthiness goals. Boo on me! It is bound to happen now and again though, I suppose, so as long as I bounce right back I won't beat myself up about it.

RR Log 02.28.10

I'll just be honest: this day just slipped away from me. There was a lot of Maker's Mark towards the end.... Celebrations!