Stumbling To Bethlehem

Monday, March 31, 2008

Week 55, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1327
Fat: 29g (20%)
Carbs: 112g (34%)
Protein: 147g (46%)
Weight this morning: 134.2 (One week ago: 134.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 460

Calorie goal yesterday was under 1400 so I did good. :) Today's calorie goal is the same - under 1400 because I worked out.

Breakfast this morning was a scoop of Muscle Milk Light mixed in a 1/2 cup cottage cheese. It was so thick I had to add water to get it to mix completely, but it tasted awesome! :)

I'm showing a gain of one pound for March from 138.4 to 139.4, but I suspect it's just water weight. April will be better.

Today I went to the gym and did one hour of lower body and core work. On the walking lunges I did two "sets" up and back down the ramp with 2 1/2 lb. weights, and on the third set I carried 5 lb. weights and it wasn't even hard! :D I've never been able to use the 5 lb. weights before, plus I never had to grab the railing to steady myself even once, so my balance is improving too! :D

After the weights I got on the treadmill. I covered 2.9 miles in 30 minutes, but I had to switch treadmills partway through because the one I was on kept jerking and if it was a hard jerk it would break my pace. I ran about 5.7 or 5.8 mph, the fastest pace that is comfortable for me. I didn't want to push myself because I'm tired from doing the 3 miles yesterday. FitDay says I burned 230 calories just on the run.

I got dressed, had my protein and carb snack on the train, and then walked to work from the train station. 1.5 miles and it took 35 minutes because I had to stop for groceries.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, weight,obese, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Week 54 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Total loss: -14.6

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1187
Fat: 24g (19%)
Carbs: 86g (30%)
Protein: 113g (39%)
Weight Thursday morning: n/a (One week ago: 129.6)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 85

Calories eaten Friday: 1479
Fat: 25g (15%)
Carbs: 98g (27%)
Protein: 149g (41%)
Weight Friday morning: 140 (One week ago: 129.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 317

Weight Saturday morning: 136.8 (One week ago: 132.8)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 150

Calories burned in exercise today: 460

Woohoo! Hey everybody! I had a good weekend here.

First, my weigh-in. I was up 1.6 pounds, so I'm exactly what I was two weeks ago, but that's okay. It's just water weight from the binge on Wednesday and my usual Saturday cheat day. Give me a week or two of being on plan and it'll come right off.

Friday Brad and I walked along the Hayward shoreline. We went for 2 hours and 10 minutes, 317 calories burned.

Saturday I ate a few too many animal cookies at church so I asked Brad if we could take a quick spin around the lake. It's 3 miles, took us just over an hour, 150 calories burned.

In the evening we went out and found a half carafe for wine. I've been wanting one for ages and we finally found one. I am so happy.

We also looked at port wines and Brad bought me a bottle of Tawny. It's a very sweet wine meant to be sipped in small amounts. I had a little when we got home.

Dinner was Boca burgers on low-carb bread with fat free cheese and fat free mayo. Plain veggies on the side. We also had tuna melt sandwiches with more plain veggies. It was yummy and very low in fat.

It went downhill from there for me food-wise. Everything I ate was low-fat, and some was even healthy (South Beach meal bar, protein cereal), but it was too much food and some of it was bad stuff (100 Calorie Packs). I am back on track today and hitting the water to get this water weight off.

Today (Sunday) is my Monday and I went back to the gym. I did upper body weight training for 1 hour - arms, chest, shoulders, back, and abs. Some exercises I had a lot of trouble with and some I could go heavier on.

On the Arnold Press I can easily press out 8 reps with the 20 lb. weights, but if I go up to 25 I can only do about 3 reps. I'm wondering if I should go up to 25 lbs. and do what reps I can, or just stick with 20.

After weights I did my cardio. I ran on the treadmill and decided to go for distance rather than time, so I ran 3 miles in 31 minutes. I ran between 5.2 and 6.2 mph. I used my heart rate monitor and was in the 80-90% range of my MHR for most of the 30 minutes, which is what I wanted. 241 calories burned. It's amazing how much easier it is to move my body when I am at a normal weight and am in good shape. Running isn't a strain.

I got dressed and had my protein and carb snack on the train. I got off the train at my stop and walked the rest of the way to work - 1.5 miles, 30 minutes.

Total calories burned: 460.

I'll probably go back to the gym tomorrow and do lower body, take Tuesday off (my upper body needs 72 hours between workouts), then hit upper body again on Wednesday.

I'll do the same with my calories this week as last - on gym days I'll keep it under 1400 and on non-gym days I'll keep it under 1300. So my goal for today is under 1400.

Oh...Saturday was the anniversary of my changing my way of eating! It's been 4 years since I started Atkins and gave up all the bad stuff in my diet. I live alone so I totally purged the cupboards and gave all the food in there away. Even though I am no longer on strict Atkins, the lessons I learned there will always stay with me. :)

Another milestone is that as of Saturday I have walked 3,000 miles since I started logging steps on August 22, 2006! :)

I'm working on getting some old photos of me up on Flickr, so keep checking my account for those. :)

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, fat, overweight, Atkins, weigh-in

Thursday, March 27, 2008

More NutriSystem drama

Calories burned in exercise today: 85

I'm going to show a gain this week after my binge yesterday. I'm bloated and my fingers are puffy. I had to take my ring off with hand lotion. I was too scared to weight myself this morning. I am just drinking up and eating light and lower carb.

I'm better today, but still feeling bleh (a pre-coffee feeling even though I have had coffee) so I skipped the gym and slept in. I walked to work from BART for some exercise (30 minutes, about 85 calories burned), and stopped at WalMart for their store brand of Crystal Light, Special K Protein Water, and bread.

I know. Only two gym workouts this week. Slap me.

My protein and calories are on the low side today. Other than veggies all my other food is protein and I am still low on protein. Breakfast was a half cup cottage cheese with 1 scoop of Muscle Milk Light. Lunch will be a soy burger with fat free cheese (I never use a bun). Dinner will be a half cup cottage cheese with 1 scoop whey protein. Snack will be the NS nacho crisps. I'll have another half cup cottage cheese before bed.

Friday:
Brad and I will go for hopefully a very long walk. I'd like to go over 2 hours to burn off my liver glycogen.

Saturday:
Church. Dinner will be Boca cheeseburgers and tuna melts with fat free cheese on low-carb, whole wheat bread with fat free mayo. Veggies on the side and red wine (for me) and beer (for Brad).

Sunday:
I *will* go back to the gym.

ANewYouin2008 attacked me on the NutriSystem forums today. Here's what she wrote and my response in red.

"Umm Victoria, your post is sort of freaking me out. Not sure anyone knows how to respond to it, hence the silence on the thread today? Eating then making yourself throw up, esp when you plan to overeat, is bulimia. Have you ever thought of or talked to the counselors at NS or elsewhere about this practice you have."

It's not bulimia. I was sick to the point of pain. I have NEVER thrown up before. But you don't know me, so you seem to assume this is common.

"Someone stop me if I am making too much of this, but...it sounds like you found an excuse to overeat (taxes), had guilt about all you ate so you made you ate something else yourself sick feeling, then literally sick, to purge the food and the guilt. Then , right after, rationalizing that you needed to to feel better, then mention that this is not the first time this has happened."

No guilt here, honey. I always eat whatever I want when I do taxes. I gave up the guilt long ago. :) I didn't throw up because I felt guilty. I threw up because I was SICK. I physically felt better after, not mentally. I had some Diet 7-Up and a shortbread cookie to settle my tummy.

I did feel better, managed to get off work early and had some bad food when I got home (and didn't throw it up!).

"I am not saying this at all to judge you. All of us americans have to file our taxes or have in the last few / coming months. But, very few need a xanax to do it, and do a binge and purge cycle based on its event. And the tax company actually did your taxes, so I am not sure where the stress came from? I admire you and the weight you have lost. I am just worried for you and your health. This sounds like a very unhealthly cycle, both mentally and physically, that you discuss, even if it only happened once or a few times."

I did take Xanax. I suffer from depression and anxiety, professionally diagnosed and am under treatment. I take Xanax as needed for those stressful situations that might cause an anxiety attack. Surely you're not suggesting it's better to have an anxiety attack at the tax office??? Don't take this the wrong way, but unless you suffer from anxiety you can't understand what it's like and how little it can take to trigger it. I also take Celexa (an anti-depressant that also helps anxiety) every morning. Before I got on these meds my life was a living hell.

For the last time, I don't do a binge and purge cycle. This is the only the second time in my life I've been that sick (the first time was LONG ago and I didn't throw up)! Good grief. You don't even know me and are making all sorts of assumptions about my life. And because you don't know me, all your assumptions are wrong. My best friend was with me during the whole thing and he would say something if he felt there was a problem. I don't think I belong here. The Race to Goal and TLFC threads were much kinder to me. They know me so don't make false assumptions.

She came back and attacked me after that again. This time she claimed that to make up for my supposed bulimia I undereat and overexercise. I really hate people who think they know you better than anybody else. Making a diagnosis over the Internet! What lunacy!

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, weight,obese, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Week 54, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1250
Fat: 25g (17%)
Carbs: 102g (32%)
Protein: 144g (46%)
Weight this morning: 130.2 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 57

I was going to go to the gym today, but I woke up this morning and called H&R Block. They could fit me in this afternoon, so I spent the morning washing laundry and then went to get my taxes done.

Traditionally taxes are stressful, so I take a Xanax pill to deal with any anxiety, and I also go off my diet for a day to console myself. So today is a true binge, eat-anything-I-feel-like day, and I won't make apologies. It's something I do anytime I have my taxes done. My last true binge was back in mid-January (my birthday) so I think not having one for over two months isn't too shabby. :p

Evidentally I ate too much and got pretty sick. I asked my friend Brad at work about a way to throw up since I knew if I vomited I would feel better. He gave me warm salt water. It tasted horrible and made me sicker and sicker over about an hour before I finally vomited. :o

After that I ate a small shortbread cookie (carbs to settle my tummy), Brad ran across the street to the gas station to get me a Diet 7-Up, and I started to feel better. I think I just ate too much and made myself sick. It's happened a few times but not like this.

I'm feeling better now and on the mend. I am hoping to hit the gym tomorrow if I feel okay. When my tummy settles down a bit more I'll have my dinner of bad foods. ;) Back on the straight and narrow tomorrow.

At any rate the highlights of today are: got my taxes done (yay!), pigged out, and got sick and threw up. I did about 20 minutes of walking between the grocery store and work.

Yesterday's calorie goal was to be under 1300. I don't have the numbers in front of me but I think my calories came to about 1250. Today is out the window calorie-wise.

I'm at work tonight, but I am trying to work out to get off early. I was over an hour late arriving and then spent my first three hours at work running to the bathroom. Luckily Brad was here staying late so he covered for me. My tummy is getting better but I still feel woozy so I'd like to go home.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, weight,obese, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Week 54, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1399
Fat: 30g (20%)
Carbs: 105g (31%)
Protein: 150g (44%)
Weight this morning: 132 (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise today: 86

Went into the City today. I did always take the stairs. From the BART platform to the street it's 97 steps (I counted). Walked to work from the station I get off at (1.5 miles, 30 minutes).

I felt better yesterday and didn't feel like I would starve to death eating a little more. I think the need the extra calories when working out so hard, so I think I will continue adding those extra 100 calories on workout days. Since I didn't work out today my goal is under 1300 calories.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, weight,obese, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Monday, March 24, 2008

Week 54, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1279
Fat: 24g (18%)
Carbs: 112g (36%)
Protein: 142g (46%)
Weight this morning: 134.2 (One week ago: 136)
Calories burned in exercise today: 488

Went to the gym this morning. The Diet Rock Star totally kicked my ass and gave me energy.

I did lower body weight training today for 1 hour. I forgot my watch so I couldn't do many exercises that required holds. Bleh. I did three sets of walking squats on the ramp, the last two sets holding 2.5 lb. weights in each hand.

For cardio I ran on the treadmill and made one of my goals! I just felt better and had more energy than yesterday, probably because I didn't have to get up so early. I ran 3 miles in 30 minutes!!! I started at 5.5 mph, and got as high as 6.6 mph. Overall it averaged to 6.0 mph - a 10 minute mile! I am pleased as punch.

After the gym I had my protein/carb snack on the train and planned to walk to work. I had to buy a bunch of groceries on the way and almost decided to take the bus partway, but managed to arrange my groceries well enough that I was able to walk the whole way.

I have a cool link to share. It compares your weight with other people of your gender, age, and height.

I'm ready. Compare me!

I'm at 17th percentile, so 83% of people my age (37) and height (5'7") weigh more than me.

At my high weight of 206 when I started losing weight at about age 33 I was in the 81st percentile which means that at that age and height, my weight was greater than 81% of others. Frightening.

Post a comment and tell me where you are.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, weight, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Week 53 Weigh-In, Easter

Friday:
Attended Good Friday services. They were really short this year and I was out by 1:30 pm. I had time to kill so I walked over to my gym (10 minutes), dropped my bags, and took a walk around the lake (about 1 hour). I ran across the street to the bank. Eventually Brad picked me up and we went to the chiropractor, then to Safeway, then to Cosco (I bought $160 worth of stuff), then walked along the Hayward shoreline for about an hour. We dropped off something at a co-workers house and THEN finally went home and had a late dinner.

I had a new high step count for the day - 25,464 steps, 11.25 miles total! Whew and woohoo!

Saturday:
After church we walked around the neighborhood passing out Easter tracts, doorknob to doorknob. We had 300 tracts, but quite a few people so we made short work of it. I did get in about 45 minutes of walking, though.

My mess up for the day - someone brought donuts and I caved and had 1 1/2 donuts.

Dinner was healthy - steak and veggies, and Brad gave me the leaner cuts.

Sunday:
Went to Easter Sunday services. They let out early so I skipped the brunch they offered and walked to the gym (a 10 minute walk from the church I went to) and managed to get a FULL workout! Woohoo!

I did upper body for an hour with some core work. I went up to 25 pound dumbbells on the Arnold Press, but could only manage 4 reps at that weight. I'll keep at it until I can do 6-8.

For cardio I ran on the treadmill at 5.2-5.8 mph. I ramped it up to 6+ mph during the last couple of minutes, and did a 7 mph sprint for the last 30 seconds. I covered 2.75 miles.

I had my protein and carb snack, and then walked from the train station to work, another 1.5 miles and 30 minutes. FitDay says 450 calories burned.

I was really hungry yesterday, I guess because of how strict I was last week. After church I had all my regular snacks and then ate lunch, too! I ate healthy except for a small serving of leftover rice and lasagna (and the donuts!).

Plan for this week:
Non-workout days - keep my calories under 1300 (excluding wine on Thursday and Friday).
Workout days - keep my calories below 1400. I starved on workout days last week so I'll allow myself a little extra.

I think my loss this week is due to two factors - 1) I really restricted my calories last week, and 2) I behaved better food-wise yesterday - one banana instead of three, no Cheese-It's, and fewer animals cookies and trail mix than usual. The tract distribution also gave me some exercise to burn off those donuts, lol!

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, fat, overweight, NutriSystem, weigh-in

Walking With the Master, Day 8, Easter Sunday

Alleluia! He is risen!
He is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Walking With the Master
Day 8

We come to our last readings today. Rejoice in the risen Lord! He is risen indeed!

The empty Tomb, Jerusalem, Sunday

Matthew 28:1-10 (KJV)
Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10 (KJV)
Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-10 (NIV)

Mary Magdalene sees Jesus in the garden, Jerusalem, Sunday

John 20:11-18 (KJV)
John 20:11-18 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 16:9-11 (KJV)
Mark 16:9-11 (NIV)

Jesus appears to the two going to Emmaus, Sunday

Luke 24:13-35 (KJV)
Luke 24:13-35 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 16:12-13 (KJV)
Mark 16:12-13 (NIV)

Jesus appears to 10 disciples, Jerusalem, Sunday

Luke 24:36-43 (KJV)
Luke 24:36-43 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 16:14; John 20:19-25 (KJV)
Mark 16:14; John 20:19-25 (NIV)

Lastly, here's an Easter poem I wrote:
Easter

Technorati tagged: religion, church, Holy Week, Easter, health, Jesus, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, Matthew, Easter Sunday, resurrection

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Walking With the Master, Day 7, Holy Saturday

After the long readings the last couple of days, we slow down today with just one short passage.

Walking With the Master
Day 7

The Bible is fairly silent about what Jesus did on this Sabbath, but there is one obscure passage in Peter that sheds some light.

Jesus preaches to the spirits in prison, Sabbath

1 Peter 3:18-20 (KJV)
1 Peter 3:18-20 (NIV)

Here's an untitled poem I wrote on Holy Saturday.

Technorati tagged: religion, church, Holy Week, Easter, health, Jesus, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, Matthew, Holy Saturday

Friday, March 21, 2008

Walking With the Master, Day 6, Good Friday

Walking With the Master
Day 6

Jesus' crucifixion and death, Golgotha, Friday

Matthew 27:27-56 (KJV)
Matthew 27:27-56 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 15:16-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30 (KJV)
Mark 15:16-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:17-30 (NIV)

Ever wonder what Jesus went through his last 12 hours? Well, if you haven't seen The Passion, here's an article by a medical doctor explaining it:

Medical Aspects of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ by David Terasaka, M.D.

The burial of Jesus, Joseph's Tomb, Friday

Matthew 27:57-66 (KJV)
Matthew 27:57-66 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42 (KJV)
Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:31-42 (NIV)

And here's a poem I write on Good Friday. I consider this one of the best poems I have ever written.
Thorns and Scarlet

Technorati tagged: religion, church, Holy Week, Easter, health, Jesus, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, Matthew, Good Friday

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Week 53, Day 5

Calories eaten yesterday: 1299
Fat: 30g (21%)
Carbs: 103g (32%)
Protein: 148g (47%)
Weight this morning: 129.6 (One week ago: 128.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 113

Happy first day of Spring! The days and nights are now equal length. :)

Slept in today. Did the 30 minute walk to work. It took 40 minutes because I made two stops that both required crossing large packing lots. Tried to stop at McDonald's for a Diet Coke, but they were out. They asked if I wanted "something else." I said no because the other drinks have sugar, so I asked for my money back. 113 calories burned.

I'll be offline Friday/Saturday so here's the plan. This is Easter weekend so I'll be in church every day. I love Easter, but the word "insanity" doesn't begin to cover it.

Friday:
I'm attending Good Friday services from noon to about 3 or 3:30 pm. Brad will pick me up and take me to the chiropractor for my 4 pm appointment. Then we will go to the bank because I have to cash a check. Then we will do our walk (hopefully we'll walk about 2 hours), then hit Safeway so I can buy my bus and train passes.

Saturday:
Go to my usual church in the morning. Possibly help distribute Gospel booklets in the neighborhood around the church afterwards (hanging stuff on doorknobs). Hit Costco in the evening. Brad has a membership and is taking me as a guest so I am stocking up on things - Diet Rock Star, cat litter, etc. Possibly shop earlier in the day or Friday night and go to Easter vigil Saturday night.

Sunday:
Attend Easter Sunday services. The will hopefully go from 10 am to noon. If they let out at noon I will hit the gym and do weights, but there will not be time for cardio. Walk to work from the train station.

I'll see you all on Sunday, but will keep posting my "Walking With the Master" series in the meantime.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Walking With the Master, Day 5, Maundy Thursday

Walking With the Master
Day 5, until evening

The Last Supper, Thursday
Matthew 26:17-29 (KJV)
Matthew 26:17-29 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 14:12-25; Luke 27:7-20; John 13:1-38 (KJV)
Mark 14:12-25; Luke 27:7-20; John 13:1-38 (NIV)

Jesus Comforts the Disciples, Thursday

John 14:1-16:33 (KJV)
John 14:1-16:33 (NIV)

Gethsemane, Thursday

Matthew 26:36-46
Matthew 26:36-46

For further study:

Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46
Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:40-46

And here is a Maundy Thursday poem I wrote:
Staying the Course: A Poem for Maundy Thursday

Technorati tagged: religion, church, Holy Week, Easter, Jesus, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, Matthew, Maundy Thursday

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Week 53, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1279
Fat: 30g (22%)
Carbs: 98g (32%)
Protein: 141g (46%)
Weight this morning: 132.6 (One week ago: 131)
Calories burned in exercise today: 457

My calories were higher yesterday (and will be today, too) because I worked out and have a Diet Rock Star (20 calories) and a Special K Protein water mix (30 calories) on workout days.

I left home early this morning because I had to stop by the bank and order checks. It took quite a while and I got to the gym late. I spent one hour on upper body and core. Push-ups are easier. Yay me! I felt better than yesterday, but my butt was really sore from doing lower body.

For cardio I struggled through 30 minutes of running between 5.5 and 6.0 mph, but I can't sustain 6. My heart won't let me. I wanted to cover 3 miles in 30 minutes. I managed 2.92. Then I got dressed, had my protein and carb snack, and walked to work from the train station (35 minutes since I stopped at WalMart and that's a huge parking lot to walk across).

Tonight is laundry so I'll sleep in tomorrow.

Today I starting chatting with a guy at the gym. He said he hadn't seen me in a while and that it looked like I'd lost weight and bulked a bit. I have lost some weight, but I don't know about the bulking part. Still, I'll take the compliment. :) I know I am stronger. I just don't think I've put on much (in any) actual muscle.

I'm eating the last half of my last Atkins peanut butter bar today! I only have the almond brownie bars left, and I already sold them to Brad so I am officially done with the Atkins bars. I'll have the South Beach bars from now on. They have fewer calories.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Walking With the Master, Day 4

Walking With the Master
Day 4

The plot against Jesus, Jerusalem, Wednesday

The Bible doesn't say what day Judas betrayed Jesus. Since there is no other reading today and yesterday's was so long, I've placed the plot against Jesus today.

Matthew 26:14-16 (KJV)
Matthew 26:14-16 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6 (KJV)
Mark 14:10-11; Luke 22:3-6 (NIV)

Technorati tagged: religion, church, Holy Week, Easter, Jesus, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, Matthew

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Week 53, Day 3

I said I would keep my calories under 1300 each day this week (excluding Saturday of course). On the days I have wine, my "before wine" calories will be under 1300.

Calories eaten yesterday: 1207
Fat: 34g (26%)
Carbs: 96g (33%)
Protein: 119g (41%)
Weight this morning: 133 (One week ago: 132.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 444

Today was one hour of weight training, lower body. Did four rounds up and back on the ramp for walking squats. When I did the ball wall sit (3 "sets" of 30 second holds) I could actually see some definition in my thighs! On the standing calf raise I can do the max of 495 pounds though the shoulder pads hurt my collarbones. On the inverted leg press I started at 60 pounds on each side (120 total) and worked my way down to 45 per side (90 total). I'm doing reverse pyramids, remember?

I felt really tired and even my Diet Rock Star was only a little help. I wondered how I was going to get through my cardio.

I started out running on the treadmill at 5.2 mph, and eventually settled into that pace and started to feel better. I worked my way up to 6 mph with a final 30+ second sprint at the end at 7.0. I covered 2.8 miles and felt GREAT afterwards.

I got dressed, had my protein and high-GI carb on the train, and then walked the last 1.5 miles to work (30 minutes).

Tomorrow I'll hit the gym again and do upper body.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Walking With the Master, Day 3

Walking With the Master
Day 3

This was a long day of teaching and arguing for Jesus. I have to wonder if this day wasn't one of the turning points that turned the people against Him.

The authority of Jesus questioned, Tuesday

Matthew 21:23-27 (KJV)
Matthew 21:23-27 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8 (KJV)
Mark 11:27-33; Luke 20:1-8 (NIV)

Jesus teaches in the temple, Tuesday

Matthew 21:28-23:39 (KJV)
Matthew 21:28-23:39 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 12:1-44; Luke 20:9-21:38 (KJV)
Mark 12:1-44; Luke 20:9-21:38 (NIV)

Jesus anointed, Bethany, Tuesday

Matthew 26:6-13 (KJV)
Matthew 26:6-13 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 14:3-9; John 12:2-11 (KJV)
Mark 14:3-9; John 12:2-11 (NIV)

Technorati tagged: religion, church, Holy Week, Easter, Jesus, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, Matthew

Monday, March 17, 2008

St Patrick's Day - Week 53, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1189
Fat: 32g (25%)
Carbs: 86g (29%)
Protein: 136g (46%)
Weight this morning: 136 (One week ago: 134.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 101

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I'm working overtime today - 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. - so no time for the gym. I dragged myself out of bed an hour early and came to work. The walk from BART burned 101 calories and that's it for exercise. Hopefully I can get back to my normal schedule and hit the gym tomorrow.

I was pretty much on plan yesterday and hope to be today. My personal goal this week is to keep my calories under 1300 Sunday through Wednesday. Thursday and Friday will be a little higher because I allow myself some wine.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obese, fat, overweight, NutriSystem

Walking with the Master, Day 2

Walking With the Master
Day 2

Jesus curses the fig tree, Monday
Jesus cleanses the Temple, Monday

Matthew 21:18-19 (KJV) and Matthew 21:12-13 (KJV)
Matthew 21:18-19 (NIV) and Matthew 21:12-13 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 11:12-18 (KJV)
Mark 11:12-18 (NIV)

Technorati tagged: religion, church, Holy Week, Easter, Jesus, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, Matthew

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Week 52 Weigh-In, Palm Sunday

Walking with the Master, Day 1, Palm Sunday

Welcome to Holy Week and the annual tradition of Holy Week readings as we walk with Jesus through the last week of His life. We will be using the Gospel of Matthew this year, with links to the parallel passages in the other Gospels. The first link will go the the KJV version and the second to the same passage in the NIV. I chose these two versions because they seem to be the most popular. These devotions are arranged chronilogically. I will get them up as early each day as possible.

Walking With the Master
Day 1

Today's reading: The Triumphal Entry, Jerusalem, Sunday.

Matthew 21:1-11 (KJV)
Matthew 21:1-11 (NIV)

For further study:

Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19 (KJV)
Mark 11:1-10, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19 (NIV)

Technorati tagged: religion, church, Holy Week, Easter, Palm Sunday, Jesus, God, faith, Christianity, Bible, Matthew