Harley Pasternak has better credentials than most trainers out there. He has the celebrity clientele and a Master's in Exercise Physiology. He apparently has actually researched. But still, I don't know if I buy his philosophy. For one, he claims that you can be healthy only working out 25 minutes a day. Would that it were true!
I haven't entirely finished the book yet but I've scoffed repeatedly. I know that we're constantly learning more about the human body, but even the government has revised its recommendations for the amount physical exercise up, not down! Granted, it is the government but this is still contrary to everything I've ever heard outside of those ridiculous "tone your abs in five minutes a day!" commercials.
Mr. Pasternak holds up Halle Berry's transformation in Catwoman from hot to hotter as an example of what 25-minute workouts can do. Again, I'm skeptical: Halle Berry had to train in martial arts for her scenes, so I'm relatively sure that the shape of her body had something to do with the hours of capoeira she practiced as well as Mr. Pasternak's program.
Despite all this, perhaps I should suspend disbelief and try his program. I just can't believe that five minutes of cardio will keep my cardiovascular system in any kind of optimum health...
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Yesterday's weigh-in
Starting weight, 06/2003: 175 lbs.
Last week's weigh-in, 03/15/2007: 149.6 lbs.
This week, 3/30/2007: 147.2 lbs.
I swear, being busy is the best way for me to lose weight. My kryptonite is snacking--no time to snack means losing weight!
Last week's weigh-in, 03/15/2007: 149.6 lbs.
This week, 3/30/2007: 147.2 lbs.
I swear, being busy is the best way for me to lose weight. My kryptonite is snacking--no time to snack means losing weight!
Spring cleaning, with a side of Quinoa Caprese
I always get excited when spring starts popping up, and it's not just because we actually get more sunlight here in the Pacific NW. I get excited because I automatically eat better. I adore all the summer fruits; I love picking berries, and summer salads are the best! Olive oil and vinegar tastes good on everything, and everyone automatically feels skinnier anyway without all those bulky sweaters and coats, don't they?
In honor of the coming warm weather, I'm already breaking out my summer recipes. This one was originally in Shape magazine a while back. (In May 2006, I believe.) It's light and tasty. Quinoa is an amazing grain: it is chock-full of protein and pretty low on calories to boot. It works well as a substitute for couscous, bulgur, rice, etc, and it's pretty cheap to buy at Trader Joe's. (It can be incredibly expensive elsewhere, so be sure to comparison shop.) Equally important: WASH IT. You have to get the bitter coat off of it.
Quinoa Caprese
1 cup quinoa
14 oz. chicken or veggie broth
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
3 ounces fresh mozarella, diced (or the mozzarella balls, cut in half)
1 cup torn basil leaves2
1/2 tablespoons lemon juice1
1/4 tablespoon garlic oil (OR heat some olive oil with smashed garlic cloves in it for a few minutes)
salt and pepper
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly (IMPORTANT, especially if the quinoa isn't prewashed)
In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce heat and simmer about 12-15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. The quinoa should be tender. Transfer to a large bowl, let it cool down to room temperature.
Stir the cherry tomatoes, basil, and mozarella into the quinoa.
With a whisk or fork beat the lemon juice and oil together. Pour over the quinoa and toss well. Season to taste.
You can serve this over some spinach leaves; arugula would work, too. I like it without, too!
In honor of the coming warm weather, I'm already breaking out my summer recipes. This one was originally in Shape magazine a while back. (In May 2006, I believe.) It's light and tasty. Quinoa is an amazing grain: it is chock-full of protein and pretty low on calories to boot. It works well as a substitute for couscous, bulgur, rice, etc, and it's pretty cheap to buy at Trader Joe's. (It can be incredibly expensive elsewhere, so be sure to comparison shop.) Equally important: WASH IT. You have to get the bitter coat off of it.
Quinoa Caprese
1 cup quinoa
14 oz. chicken or veggie broth
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
3 ounces fresh mozarella, diced (or the mozzarella balls, cut in half)
1 cup torn basil leaves2
1/2 tablespoons lemon juice1
1/4 tablespoon garlic oil (OR heat some olive oil with smashed garlic cloves in it for a few minutes)
salt and pepper
Rinse the quinoa thoroughly (IMPORTANT, especially if the quinoa isn't prewashed)
In a medium saucepan, bring the stock to a boil. Add the quinoa, reduce heat and simmer about 12-15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. The quinoa should be tender. Transfer to a large bowl, let it cool down to room temperature.
Stir the cherry tomatoes, basil, and mozarella into the quinoa.
With a whisk or fork beat the lemon juice and oil together. Pour over the quinoa and toss well. Season to taste.
You can serve this over some spinach leaves; arugula would work, too. I like it without, too!
Thursday, March 22, 2007
New sites
I found some new sites today. I've been using Fitday.com to track calories for some time, but just found out about these:
Calorie King: another calorie counting site
Fitness Jumpsite: a way to tell exactly how many calories you burn!
Calorie Lab: another website that does calorie counts
iVillage health calculators: calculate your BMI, etc
Calorie King: another calorie counting site
Fitness Jumpsite: a way to tell exactly how many calories you burn!
Calorie Lab: another website that does calorie counts
iVillage health calculators: calculate your BMI, etc
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Oh, Vegas.
Oh, indeed. Vegas is all hustle and bustle, bright lights and spectacle. And it is also about eye-popping amounts and quality of food. I couldn't resist...at least not all the time.
Despite that, I feel much more relaxed and able to take on things now. Like so many other women, I turn to food when life feels difficult (or boring). It's a shame that, unlike men, women get fat when they're not content. Of course, I find it difficult to believe that all the very overweight and obese men I saw in Vegas this weekend are living deliriously happy lives.
I did manage to walk a lot, avoided mindless snacking, and shared my dessert. Sadly, sharing a piece of the creamiest NY-style cheesecake I've EVER had is still pretty bad...My post-vacation weigh-in tomorrow morning is likely not going to inspire smiles.
But things are looking up: I have new workout DVDs to try, courtesy of the library; the weather is slowly improving, making outside workouts compelling again; and I am ready to spend the rest of my vacation scouring my CookingLight cookbooks for tasty new recipes to try!
Despite that, I feel much more relaxed and able to take on things now. Like so many other women, I turn to food when life feels difficult (or boring). It's a shame that, unlike men, women get fat when they're not content. Of course, I find it difficult to believe that all the very overweight and obese men I saw in Vegas this weekend are living deliriously happy lives.
I did manage to walk a lot, avoided mindless snacking, and shared my dessert. Sadly, sharing a piece of the creamiest NY-style cheesecake I've EVER had is still pretty bad...My post-vacation weigh-in tomorrow morning is likely not going to inspire smiles.
But things are looking up: I have new workout DVDs to try, courtesy of the library; the weather is slowly improving, making outside workouts compelling again; and I am ready to spend the rest of my vacation scouring my CookingLight cookbooks for tasty new recipes to try!
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Incentives are important
Muffin top: 1) the tasty part of a muffin or 2) the extra bit of fat that rolls over the top of your pants, resembling the top of the muffin.
In the interest of getting myself back on track, I'm setting up a incentive structure.
For every week that I work out 5 times, I can treat myself to a latte.
If I stay within my calorie goals for 25 days of the month, I can buy a new CD or DVD.
For every 5 pounds I lose, I can purchase a new piece of workout clothing or equipment.
If I reach my goal weight, I can purchase this dress or something similar at Banana.
And the true incentive: a new swimsuit if I complete the Self Challenge in better shape than I started it!
In the interest of getting myself back on track, I'm setting up a incentive structure.
For every week that I work out 5 times, I can treat myself to a latte.
If I stay within my calorie goals for 25 days of the month, I can buy a new CD or DVD.
For every 5 pounds I lose, I can purchase a new piece of workout clothing or equipment.
If I reach my goal weight, I can purchase this dress or something similar at Banana.
And the true incentive: a new swimsuit if I complete the Self Challenge in better shape than I started it!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Apple Harvest Oatmeal (tweaked)
1/2 cup quick-cooking oatmeal (NOT those packets of instant)
3/4 cup water
1/4-1/2 Tbs. butter
One medium apple, cored and diced
1/2 Tbs brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Dried cranberries, golden raisins, whatever is on hand
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the diced apple and cook until soft, about 2 minutes.
Add the cinnamon and brown sugar; cook until dissolved.
Add the water and cranberries/golden raisins; bring to light boil.
Add the oatmeal and cook for two minutes.
Remove from heat.
For extra protein, you can add almonds. I usually add a little bit of nonfat milk.
3/4 cup water
1/4-1/2 Tbs. butter
One medium apple, cored and diced
1/2 Tbs brown sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
Dried cranberries, golden raisins, whatever is on hand
Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Add the diced apple and cook until soft, about 2 minutes.
Add the cinnamon and brown sugar; cook until dissolved.
Add the water and cranberries/golden raisins; bring to light boil.
Add the oatmeal and cook for two minutes.
Remove from heat.
For extra protein, you can add almonds. I usually add a little bit of nonfat milk.
The SELF Challenge
Last year, I half-heartedly did the SELF Challenge. I was already in pretty good shape, despite my knees still rejecting my every attempt at running. This year, things are different. I started the Challenge with the best of intentions. Those intentions went quickly south when some family members had some issues and disappeared completely when I was hit with the flu.
Sometimes, life just does not cooperate with a girl on a mission.
Today, I have to study for my next (LONG, TORTUROUS) exam. But to prove to myself that my health is still a priority, I'm going to make time to work out today. I'll be doing at least 35 minutes of cardio AND the Self Challenge's strength workout.
I started out the morning with my favorite breakfast; well, my favorite breakfast that doesn't count waffles or french toast: Apple Harvest Oatmeal. I've tweaked this recipe to accomodate a single serving, and taken out a few items I don't have on hand. I'll post the tweaked recipe later.
Sometimes, life just does not cooperate with a girl on a mission.
Today, I have to study for my next (LONG, TORTUROUS) exam. But to prove to myself that my health is still a priority, I'm going to make time to work out today. I'll be doing at least 35 minutes of cardio AND the Self Challenge's strength workout.
I started out the morning with my favorite breakfast; well, my favorite breakfast that doesn't count waffles or french toast: Apple Harvest Oatmeal. I've tweaked this recipe to accomodate a single serving, and taken out a few items I don't have on hand. I'll post the tweaked recipe later.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Starting over, yet again
Three and a half years ago, I graduated from college. Like so many other college graduates, I was bewildered, confused, and overweight. Having been chubby for several years, I finally packed on about fifteen or twenty pounds during my senior year bringing my weight to somewhere over 170 pounds (from my best estimates, around 175). But I didn't know that then; I was so focused on my lack of a post-grad job that I didn't notice my weight creeping up until I tried on a pair of size 14-16 pants...and they were tight.
Unlike so many others, my weight loss journey didn't actually start there. There was never one moment when I decided, "This is the time." It sprung from a series of unintentional decisions and lucky situations. My new roommate (now known as ex-roomie) after graduation joined my gym; I started going more. She drank nonfat milk; I switched from 2%. She subscribed to Glamour; I started a subscription to Self. My dad sent me a BBQ.
That first summer, I lost about 7 pounds. Suddenly, things clicked: I was not destined to be overweight. I could be healthy! Ex-roomie started running, and I started--slowly--to jog a few minutes at a time with her.
The good things only continued: I found a job with a bunch of health-conscious men who provided valuable information gleaned from losing weight and starting running programs. They were always supportive and never judgmental. I signed up to run a 5k, and then starting training for a 10k. When I got below 150 pounds for the first time since my senior year of high school, I started to cry. While on the scale. At the gym. Needless to say, people were cutting some startled glances my way!
Of course, disaster struck: my knees developed "patellofemoral pain syndrome" or some such nonsense. I kept working out but I wasn't able to do the activity I had become addicted to; yet, I managed to keep off the 30 pounds I had lost. I was
When I left my job to head to law school, my weight was steady around 142 pounds. I bid a fond adieu to Ex-Roomie, packed up my things and found myself without a gym buddy, without a truly regular schedule, and with a stressful seven months ahead of me. I did alright at first. The exercise was the first to go, but I was so busy the first few weeks that I actually lost weight because I simply didn't have time to snack. I didn't feel great, energy-wise, but I thought, "Hey, I'll work out, eat on a regular schedule, and I'll be happy and healthy."
And then, I adjusted. And all that lovely muscle shrunk, taken over by more and more padding. I sunk back into the habit of eating when I was bored, of not eating healthy portions, of relying on sweets when I was in a bad mood.
I have two finals left before this quarter ends, and I have gained back the weight I lost at the beginning of fall quarter, plus five pounds. It sounds so ridiculous: five pounds. But what matters is NOT the weight: it's how I feel. I am tired and stressed out, and I'm not making healthy choices. I have high cholesterol; even when I lost the 30 pounds, my levels were too high. My family has a history of diabetes and high blood pressure.
I am starting this blog because, yes, I don't want to regain those 30 pounds (for one thing, losing and regaining weight is as bad if not worse than not losing weight at all). But it's about more than that: it's about being stressed out and still making healthy decisions.
I'm making a (semi-)public declaration here: I'm getting back on track. Starting right now.
Unlike so many others, my weight loss journey didn't actually start there. There was never one moment when I decided, "This is the time." It sprung from a series of unintentional decisions and lucky situations. My new roommate (now known as ex-roomie) after graduation joined my gym; I started going more. She drank nonfat milk; I switched from 2%. She subscribed to Glamour; I started a subscription to Self. My dad sent me a BBQ.
That first summer, I lost about 7 pounds. Suddenly, things clicked: I was not destined to be overweight. I could be healthy! Ex-roomie started running, and I started--slowly--to jog a few minutes at a time with her.
The good things only continued: I found a job with a bunch of health-conscious men who provided valuable information gleaned from losing weight and starting running programs. They were always supportive and never judgmental. I signed up to run a 5k, and then starting training for a 10k. When I got below 150 pounds for the first time since my senior year of high school, I started to cry. While on the scale. At the gym. Needless to say, people were cutting some startled glances my way!
Of course, disaster struck: my knees developed "patellofemoral pain syndrome" or some such nonsense. I kept working out but I wasn't able to do the activity I had become addicted to; yet, I managed to keep off the 30 pounds I had lost. I was
When I left my job to head to law school, my weight was steady around 142 pounds. I bid a fond adieu to Ex-Roomie, packed up my things and found myself without a gym buddy, without a truly regular schedule, and with a stressful seven months ahead of me. I did alright at first. The exercise was the first to go, but I was so busy the first few weeks that I actually lost weight because I simply didn't have time to snack. I didn't feel great, energy-wise, but I thought, "Hey, I'll work out, eat on a regular schedule, and I'll be happy and healthy."
And then, I adjusted. And all that lovely muscle shrunk, taken over by more and more padding. I sunk back into the habit of eating when I was bored, of not eating healthy portions, of relying on sweets when I was in a bad mood.
I have two finals left before this quarter ends, and I have gained back the weight I lost at the beginning of fall quarter, plus five pounds. It sounds so ridiculous: five pounds. But what matters is NOT the weight: it's how I feel. I am tired and stressed out, and I'm not making healthy choices. I have high cholesterol; even when I lost the 30 pounds, my levels were too high. My family has a history of diabetes and high blood pressure.
I am starting this blog because, yes, I don't want to regain those 30 pounds (for one thing, losing and regaining weight is as bad if not worse than not losing weight at all). But it's about more than that: it's about being stressed out and still making healthy decisions.
I'm making a (semi-)public declaration here: I'm getting back on track. Starting right now.
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