Nutrition, Diet, and Exercise: Notes, Goals, and Resources (these people just keep talking about crossfit)

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My summertime go-to are the Popsicle brand sugar free tropical popsicles, 15 calories each.

 
My wife is getting us back on the get-back-in-shape train.  Left up to me, I'd just exercise and eat "less".  I've done it several times in the past few years and gotten stronger, but didn't lose weight.  However, since she is spearheading this effort and said she'd take care of all meals (I don't have to worry about anything), I'm ok eating like a bird.  I haven't had bread in four days.  I haven't had second helpings of dinner or finished my boys' dinners in a week.  I haven't had any dessert in four days, and I'm no longer grazing the cabinets for snacks.  I'm eating MUCH less, near-zero carbs / refined sugars, but lotsa protein / fruits / veggies. 

Also I'm running.  I haven't run since I trained for a Spartan race seven years and 25 lbs ago.  I'm not the fastest (9:30 per mile average), but 2.5 - 3 miles four times per week is working well for me and my knees.  I'm now able to do the entire distance with no walking (yay me!).

This isn't easy, and the first few days sucked, but it's a lot easier than I thought it would be.  Now, assuming the scale isn't broken, I've lost seven pounds in the last week and I feel a lot better, too.  As soon as I see a "1" as the first digit on the scale I'll be stoked.  Just thought I'd share. 

:bananalama:

 
My wife is getting us back on the get-back-in-shape train.  Left up to me, I'd just exercise and eat "less".  I've done it several times in the past few years and gotten stronger, but didn't lose weight.  However, since she is spearheading this effort and said she'd take care of all meals (I don't have to worry about anything), I'm ok eating like a bird.  I haven't had bread in four days.  I haven't had second helpings of dinner or finished my boys' dinners in a week.  I haven't had any dessert in four days, and I'm no longer grazing the cabinets for snacks.  I'm eating MUCH less, near-zero carbs / refined sugars, but lotsa protein / fruits / veggies. 

Also I'm running.  I haven't run since I trained for a Spartan race seven years and 25 lbs ago.  I'm not the fastest (9:30 per mile average), but 2.5 - 3 miles four times per week is working well for me and my knees.  I'm now able to do the entire distance with no walking (yay me!).

This isn't easy, and the first few days sucked, but it's a lot easier than I thought it would be.  Now, assuming the scale isn't broken, I've lost seven pounds in the last week and I feel a lot better, too.  As soon as I see a "1" as the first digit on the scale I'll be stoked.  Just thought I'd share. 

:bananalama:
Keep at it! And congrats!

 
1) I don't think the stores around here even have enough fruits/vegetables to do that, and 2) I don't think I consume that in a year, never mind a day, LOL

 
I really think our stores are back to normal, produce sections are very well stocked, even the TP aisle is back to normal..

But yeah I guess the idea is you get full on nearly zero calories, my fear is I will just be hungrier?  I think pre covid we were at the point where there wasnt much more we could do in the gym and had to turn it up in the kitchen!

 
This sounds really bad, but hear me out: I bought meatballs at Costco (already cooked) and I've been using them to help me get more protein in my diet/make me less prone to snacking on carb-y snacky snacks.  A serving of 5 meatballs does have a bit of sodium (20% daily value), but I don't add that much salt to the rest of the food I do eat, since I'm cooking everything myself, and it did stop me from binging on  goldfish or tortilla chips last night.  

I'm using them more as a protein supplement because I find myself being "too tired" after work to meal prep.  I usually meal prepped after going to the gym (filled with energy) and now that I'm no longer going to the gym...meal prepping isn't happening as much and I'm turning to crap snacks in my cabinet.

 
Those things give me major heartburn and indigestion...I can eat groundbeef without problems though.  Its the same way with the precooked chicken.  

 
Hard boiled eggs.  Either suffer peeling each one from the traditional methods or buy one of those electric egg boiler things that supposedly make it easy.

 
Hard boiled eggs.  Either suffer peeling each one from the traditional methods or buy one of those electric egg boiler things that supposedly make it easy.
Note:  the electric boiler things do NOT make it any easier to peel an egg.  It just makes you have to eat them sooner because you have to poke a hole in the top before cooking.    We bought one of those for that very reason because my sons loves hard boiled eggs.  very disappointed

 
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Those things give me major heartburn and indigestion...I can eat groundbeef without problems though.  Its the same way with the precooked chicken.  
Yeah, I have to specifically look for beef-only meatballs (allergic to pork), and I've never gotten heartburn from them...but I also eat them plain/straight from the microwave.  Costco, surprisingly, had "Italian-style" beef meatballs, which I was def like "This is a lie.  Italian-style means there is pork..." but, they didn't, and the little bit of cheese + peppers mixed in with the meatball makes it taste a little like stuffed peppers and not one-note meatball.

 
... ,surprisingly, had "Italian-style" beef meatballs, which I was def like "This is a lie.  Italian-style means there is pork..." but, they didn't...
Sounds like my life of "Cajun Style" anything... 

giphy.gif


 
I cant even get mudbugs here :(

*not that I would be an expert at cooking them, but I sure do miss em!

 
Success!  Been eating like a bird, keeping carbs low, and running.  Yesterday I fasted and it wasn't as bad as I was expecting.  In all, I lost seven pounds last week and officially weighed in this morning below 200 lbf.  I feel better and I noticeably pinch less around the midsection.  Onward and upward!

Motivation --> 
5lb-fat-brick.jpg


 
^- Are you using an app that guides you on when to fast and when to eat?

I irritated my knee with some running in January when the weather was nice, had told myself I wasnt going to to do much running until it healed, I spent the last 3 weeks getting re acquainted  with my road bike and the knees felt good, then the wife talked me into going for a short 4 mile with her Saturday, that was a mistake cause now its back to where it was a month ago..  ( I also went back to the gym some and did some 24 " box jumps and even those felt good, but not the running..

I think I am just going to be done with running until its 100% - this is just annoying.. Sucks because truth be told I would much rather run for an hour versus bike for 2 to burn the same calories but maybe at 46 thats what I need to do :(

 
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I personally hate "apps".  I'd rather not worry about tracking every last thing I do.  I did that on my first get-ripped spree 12 years ago.  I went from 226 to 178 by swimming (first 20 lbf) and P90X (next 28 lbf).  Now that I have two kids, more responsibilities, and the want for "slower", I just make a plan and try to follow it (with the wife's help).  My plan is simple:

  • Small breakfast (two fried eggs and coffee)
  • Low carb lunch (today is cabbage and beans, hard-boiled egg, and a cutie)
  • Simple snack (hard-boiled egg)
  • Dinner (usually what ends up being the leftovers-for-lunch the next day)
  • Run 3x - 5x per week between 2.5 and 4.5 miles
"Eat Less, Move More".  And I no longer graze for snacks or finish what my kids don't eat.

I'm rather surprised by my ability to run.  I highly suspect both my knees have torn meniscus, but I'm making it.  My knees are typically dang sore the morning after any run and they pop more often than before.  Any squats, lunge, or jump stuff is no bueno.  Should probably get it checked out, but I don't feel like destroying my HSA fund.  :dunno:

 
weird, running agitates it, but went in to the gym today and did some 3 rep front back squat (no PR :( ) but that doesnt seem to bother it like running

also did some sumo dead lifts and barbell glute bridges and man am I going to be walking slow for a few days..

glad to get back in a semi normal gym environment - ( no one is signing up for lunch time spot so Ive been getting semi personal training)

 
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