Runners that need some nutritional accountability
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I bought some pre portioned frozen smoothie fruit. The one labled "detox" sounded good. Banana, cherry, and kale... More suffs...
Detox means you'll be running to the bathroom in a scooting fashion.
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Thought I would share this here. One of my other MFP friends found it in the forums and shared it. I think it is pretty great.
This is from fitness blogger Vic Margay.
"“Motivated, motivated, hell yeah I’m motivated. Ooo Ah, I wanna kill somebody. Killlllll!!!”
As part of the Army’s brainwashing process (better known as Basic Training), mantras like the one above shouted in unison by a platoon of young men with shaved heads often made Basic Training feel like some sort of twisted psycho cheerleading camp instead of preparation to become Infantry soldiers. But we were motivated. Or were we? If you include fear of punishment and peer pressure as motivation, then the environment at Ft. Benning was certainly motivating. But were we self-motivated? No, most of us standing in heel-to-toe lines and referring to our new Army buddies by last name only at Ft. Benning, Georgia in the autumn of 1998 were not self- motivated. And it is acquiring and maintaining this self-motivation that I am often asked about in the realm of diet and fitness.
But here’s the thing…
Lack of motivation to follow a healthy diet and commit to consistent exercise is a myth. You are going to die. And neglecting your health and fitness is more likely to hasten your departure. Furthermore, the days you do have will be spent with less energy and more pain if you choose to eat crap and be sedentary.
The motivation, the “why”, to exercise and eat nutritious foods in appropriate quantity is present and strong. The bigger mystery is why we choose to ignore the need for proper diet and exercise in the face of obvious requirement. We do not need motivation. We need decision. We need unwavering non-negotiable decision. And yes, I know that the pic above was not taken during Hurricane Sandy (although I thought it was when I posted it to my Facebook page). But it was taken during a torrential down pour at some point in recent history. It absolutely captures the fortitude and decision of those soldiers to stand by their post no matter what hardship may be encountered. If those soldiers can decide to endure the elements, then we can decide to put down the damned pizza and beer. Or forgo the free bagels at the office. Or wake up a half hour early to exercise. Or keep a food journal everyday. Or what ever else we know we need to do but keep failing to commit to because it is “hard”.
Enduring chemotherapy is hard.
Hitting a fast ball in the major leagues in hard.
Negotiating nuclear disarmament from a hostile nation is hard.
Saying goodbye to a loved one in the hospital or the veterinarian’s office for the last time is hard.
But putting down the cookies and picking up the spinach? That’s only as hard as the story we tell ourselves. What is often called lack of motivation is actually lack of discipline and lack of habit. I’ve posted about discipline and habit before – those entries lack the sexy headlines such as “1 weird trick to lose belly fat” and often do not get more than the cursory glance. And that’s unfortunate because it is discipline and habit that hold the keys to not only losing weight or getting strong, but to anything that we want in life.
You already know what to do to lose weight and get in shape. The smaller details will vary but the big picture is always to eat real food in appropriate quantity and move in a manner that is continually challenging. The problem is not lack of knowledge or lack of motivation. The problem is lack of decision.
Decide. Now. Stay strong"
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"Losing weight is hard. Maintaining a healthy weight is hard. Being overweight is hard. Pick your hard."
That having been quoted, I chose poorly last Thursday and am still working on overcoming those poor choices. Currently maintaining about 3 pounds heavier than I'd like to, and need to recognize that it could be quite a while before I can run again and taking those 3 pounds off becomes easy.0 -
Back in the office today after two weeks away and holy cow am I starving! I swear I will never lose these last 5-10lbs. I wish I had an easy (read: not 8 week way) to figure out my true TDEE. I'm half tempted to switch to maintenance for daily calories and just not eat any exercise calories because donger need food!1
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So here I thought I was being good on Monday making myself a healthy lunch for the week but it turns out I was trying to kill myself!
I thought my sweet potatoes were still good, no smell, no sprouting, a couple of dark spots on one that I cut out. But yesterday and today after lunch I get sick. The only thing seems to be the lunch. UGH. And therefore I did not run either yesterday or today because I thought I was dying.
Setting my alarm for 4 am to do a strength workout tomorrow AND make a different healthy lunch.0 -
RunsOnEspresso wrote: »So here I thought I was being good on Monday making myself a healthy lunch for the week but it turns out I was trying to kill myself!
I thought my sweet potatoes were still good, no smell, no sprouting, a couple of dark spots on one that I cut out. But yesterday and today after lunch I get sick. The only thing seems to be the lunch. UGH. And therefore I did not run either yesterday or today because I thought I was dying.
Setting my alarm for 4 am to do a strength workout tomorrow AND make a different healthy lunch.
Oh no! I had a subway tuna the other day that seemed to bother me. But I think I'm fighting a bit of a stomach bug. Everything tastes like plastic.
I'm still not on track. DH made brownies. I ate them. But I wasn't in the uncontrollable sugar monster mode. I just snacked. So that's improvement. I heard that the pool should be open, like TODAY! I'll have to investigate that ASAP. I need exercise. I think that's the only way I'm going to keep my weight in check.
I went to the orthodontist yesterday. I have a space that's been resistent to close, so he weaved some power thread around, in addition to the power chains. Let me say that its definitely closed the space over night, and I'll be having liquid for breakfast and lunch. Then something mushy for dinner.
Eat healthy my friends.0 -
Oh man brownies are my favorite! There's a place in Vegas that has the best gf brownie. I didn't get to go there last trip and I was so pissed because every place has creme brulee or ice cream as gf desserts. Um hi we like more choices.
Oh that dental work doesn't sound fun.
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I haven't checked in in awhile. Because my weight sucks. I know what i need to do. I haven't been as disciplined on the food log. I need to make sure to weight EVERYTHING and log EVERYTHING! Duh. If I know what needs to done, why don't I just do it?2
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@seanevan10 I am the same way. I've done this before but I have problems following through. Right now I am focusing on logging everything, even if it's an entire package of cookies. Yup, did that on day 2 of the year.0
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RunsOnEspresso wrote: »@seanevan10 I am the same way. I've done this before but I have problems following through. Right now I am focusing on logging everything, even if it's an entire package of cookies. Yup, did that on day 2 of the year.
@RunsOnEspresso Yes...I started this a couple of times so far since Christmas. I get to about 3pm and then all hell breaks loose. I'm down 50 and I am getting complacent and not sure why. Granted, this is the lowest weight I have been at in over 10 years but not goal. Oh well, refocused...have some accountability and WILL get my butt in gear!2 -
I had some blood work done to check my hormone levels. I think it's a scam. They only tested estradiol and testerone. My estrogen is normal, testerone zero.
I went 75 days with out a period. I figured menopause was here. Now I'm not so sure. Maybe this is how it starts? Irregular, right? But my estrogen shouldn't have been normal?
So now I'm considering that it could be, 1) a low calorie issue, or 2) my doc took me off the cymbalta, which messes with my cycle. But I was only taking like 5-8 mg/day, not the prescribed 30. And had no issue at the low dose.
I still made the appointment for the hormone pellets, because it's just gotta be low. Maybe I should see my real doctor- not the gynocologist that's selling the pellets?
ETA Does this sound like it could be a calorie issue?0 -
RunsOnEspresso wrote: »@seanevan10 I am the same way. I've done this before but I have problems following through. Right now I am focusing on logging everything, even if it's an entire package of cookies. Yup, did that on day 2 of the year.
That's the major issue with food discipline, it's more mental and behavioral than educations. It's pretty easy to learn what we need to do to lose/maintain weight. Actually doing it is considerably harder.
On another forum, I followed a discussion of "things that come in single serving packages, regardless of package size." One of the consensus items for that list was Girl Scout Cookies. One box = one serving. Another was potato chips. One bag = one serving, regardless of bag size. I can leave the potato chips alone, but I'm better off not talking to any Girl Scouts during cookie season.0 -
I know my triggers: job stress, which I knew when I grabbed the box of cookies. I just shut that voice out.
When I work on my photog business I'm the opposite... I forget to eat. I have to set timers for lunch and snacks.0 -
RunsOnEspresso wrote: »@seanevan10 I am the same way. I've done this before but I have problems following through. Right now I am focusing on logging everything, even if it's an entire package of cookies. Yup, did that on day 2 of the year.
That's the major issue with food discipline, it's more mental and behavioral than educations. It's pretty easy to learn what we need to do to lose/maintain weight. Actually doing it is considerably harder.
On another forum, I followed a discussion of "things that come in single serving packages, regardless of package size." One of the consensus items for that list was Girl Scout Cookies. One box = one serving. Another was potato chips. One bag = one serving, regardless of bag size. I can leave the potato chips alone, but I'm better off not talking to any Girl Scouts during cookie season.
@MobyCarp me too. I can leave the chips, but don't get me with a package of Girl Scout cookies. At least the Thin Mints come in two sleeves now. LOL0 -
@RunsOnEspresso you have a photog biz? I used to. I did it for years, but now work at a job that takes more time and I make more money, so I stopped. I still do some for fun and have a wedding I am actually doing for a friend in Mar.0
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@seanevan10 I am trying to have one. I mean I have it, but so far I am struggling. Because I'm a weirdo and want to do landscapes and documentary family sessions (which people don't *get* and don't want to pay for - I hate selling digitals and want people to have prints and albums and stuff).0
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RunsOnEspresso wrote: »@seanevan10 I am trying to have one. I mean I have it, but so far I am struggling. Because I'm a weirdo and want to do landscapes and documentary family sessions (which people don't *get* and don't want to pay for - I hate selling digitals and want people to have prints and albums and stuff).
OMG @RunsOnEspresso !!! So why I got out of most of it. 1 - there are a ton of "cheap" get what you pay for photographers that give away rights, files, whatever. 2 - I still had to work a full time job and take care of a house, hubby, 2 kids, animals. And then be gone most weekends to shoot. Too much time away. 3 - Everyone wants their stuff "RIGHT NOW". We are such an instant satisfaction society and just like processing film, processing digital takes time. And then people would want the most ridiculous fixes. Like "can you move my brother over here?" um....nope. I mean, I can, but I'm not going to in post. I can rant on and on. So, anyway, I take some for fun and friends and stuff now and do it on my time. Then I don't have to have the expense of a website and paying taxes on the business that isn't really making that much money. I wish you the very very best! I do have friends that are very successful photographers and do very well. I am super happy for them.
I love the actual shooting and lighting and all the set up part. I hated the business part. I guess that is why I ultimately shut it down. Just keep doing what you love and don't let the haters get you down!!!0 -
@seanevan10 I belong to a ton of Facebook groups and I've decided to never do weddings because OMG. Brides. Or Mom's. Nope. No. Never. I have in my contract that additional edits (not color correction and basic skin touch ups) are $75 per photo. I keep wanting to make it higher every time I read someone tell me what their customer asked. But I love the business side so I already have all this in my contract, website and price lists. Where as a lot of these people seem to be just winging it as they go. (Plus documentary is all about keeping it real).
I also want to add film back in but that's an even more obscure/weird. I still have my little rebel I bought in high school and some film I need to get developed (and one roll I started shooting this summer & need to finish).
I assume at the rate I'm going I'll either keep the full time job or just make photography a hobby but it's my where my heart lies.0 -
RunsOnEspresso wrote: »@seanevan10 I belong to a ton of Facebook groups and I've decided to never do weddings because OMG. Brides. Or Mom's. Nope. No. Never. I have in my contract that additional edits (not color correction and basic skin touch ups) are $75 per photo. I keep wanting to make it higher every time I read someone tell me what their customer asked. But I love the business side so I already have all this in my contract, website and price lists. Where as a lot of these people seem to be just winging it as they go. (Plus documentary is all about keeping it real).
I also want to add film back in but that's an even more obscure/weird. I still have my little rebel I bought in high school and some film I need to get developed (and one roll I started shooting this summer & need to finish).
I assume at the rate I'm going I'll either keep the full time job or just make photography a hobby but it's my where my heart lies.
YES! I actually love weddings! They are my favorite. I love capturing the moments that mean so much. I have a friend that does birth photography for the same reason. I love weddings because it is probably the only thing from that day that they will actually keep.
I want to go back to film too! I have an old Minolta that was my great-uncles and would love to get back into shooting that again. My heart was in it, maybe just not enough time. You definitely have a good start on me that you like the business side. I used to have in my contract that I had to have a list of requested shots before the wedding or I take creative liberties. The funny thing about weddings, especially small ones, you end up kind of directing the whole day. It was fun.1 -
@seanevan10 and @RunsOnEspresso - 1st I think the two of you need to go into business together... one loves the business side the other one dislikes... one likes to shoot weddings and the other wants to do documentary! Just sayin, between the two of you, you have it all covered
The photographer at my daughter's wedding in September was amazing. It was a husband and wife team and they do everything on film only. They then process it to digital but all of the prints and albums are direct from the film. They also did a documentary style 'engagement' photo shoot that showed all the favorite places in Seattle where my daughter lives and of course lots of pictures with her chocolate lab who totally stole the show - cmon, he knew it was all about him anyway!
@Elise4270 - it could be lots of things... Low calories can definitely have an impact but I think it has to be pretty severe calorie deprivation to disrupt your hormone cycles. Yes, it typically starts with irregular and missed cycles. I think you should ask your regular doctor to run a full hormone panel to see how the levels of everything are in comparison to each other. Your estrogen may be close to normal but lower than it was before and your progesterone levels could be way low. Testosterone is also important and shouldn't be too low either. I do know it can cause all kinds of physical issues with muscles and tendons and of course things like osteoperosis.
I thought this was a pretty good article too from Runner's World - https://www.runnersworld.com/run-matters/menopause-and-running-what-you-need-to-know
I don't know anything about the pellets or how they work. I was not a candidate for any kind of HRT because of the cancer risk (BC survivor). But if there is no reason you shouldn't use them I would say try it and see if they help. I definitely would have if I could have.
So back to eating - I forget to eat... I need to eat... especially breakfast and lunch that seem to get lost in the morning shuffle, work and running schedule. I am trying but I think I need to set alarms too... one to get me out the door earlier for my run so I can then eat breakfast when I get back and not at lunch time or later...
I am not a chip eater typically but I do love cookies, especially homemade. So I do bake them and then I freeze them (out of sight out of mind). If I want some I have to first find them in the freezer, take a few out and then wait for them to defrost and by then my interest has usually greatly diminished. It works for me and I don't feel deprived because I could have had them...frozen.1 -
@shanaber @seanevan10 I love the idea of weddings (from a documentary stand point) and think smaller ones would be fun. I'm sure most brides are great, seems the bad are just really bad. I've been thinking a second shooter role where I'm not responsible would be better. Dogs always steal the show. LOL My parents had a minolta when I was younger and started my love of photography.
I set alarms and build in food breaks during the day. Weekdays are easier because of my day job structure and I have built in 15 min breaks so I eat after those. It's days off when I have to make my own structure.0 -
@shanaber I have never forgotten to eat. But I do get not eating due to being busy. I definitely prepare things ahead of time. Like having egg muffins ready in the fridge. Easy to reheat and eat on the way. Things like that. And if we lived closer, I would love that idea of @RunsOnEspresso and I having the business together.
I did second shooting for weddings for awhile and yes smaller weddings are SOOO much better. I only shot one "big" one with a wedding planner and all that and it wasn't fun. Not as much freedom to move around and really catch great candid shots.
And I love engagement shoots. The couples are so in love and we go to their favorite places and incorporate their personalities. So fun. And sometimes get some great landscape/environment shots. @RunsOnEspresso come up on Mar 10th and be my second shooter for my best friends wedding!!! Seriously! I have plenty of room at the house (if you don't mind crazy animals and twin boys) and it's a great little country (out in the forest) type of wedding!0 -
Thanks for the info @shanaber . I had read that article. There's just not much info online. Least not exactly what I'm looking for. Which is probably blood work answers, like you said.
I scheduled an appointment to test my resting metabolic rate in a few weeks. This constant upwards gain is killing me. Figured that'll help me find a better calorie goal. Something is wacked.
IDK if I'll see my regular doctor, if I complain about the weight gain, he'll likely just say eat better, exercise more- fact of aging.0 -
@shanaber I think I figured it out what's going on! Yay!!! I think my estrogen is high, progesterone and testerone low. Why? Age. So I'm gonna do the testerone and progesterone replacement as planned and beg to not add any estrogen, least until I do another blood work analysis in a month.
Yay! So happy! I'm just old.1 -
@seanevan10 Where are you located? I don't think I'd be able to make it the 10th due to finances but that's very sweet of you to offer! And I don't think my skill level with people and equipment is near wedding level yet. I've only seriously started in 2017 and did 3 or 4 shoots for friends/family.0
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@Elise4270 - so glad you figured it out! I am really surprised your OB/GYN didn't run a full panel because just estrogen and testosterone give an incomplete picture.
It's just like when I had those tests for the nutritionist that showed my cortisol too low, nonexistent really, with no variation (along with other hormonal inconsistencies) that I really started to question my doctor. For months I was complaining about how dizzy I was with no energy to run anymore and all they could tell me was don't run, it is probably hypoglycemia (no medical indication though), etc... I love my doctor but she never really put it all together until I showed her the results from the nutritionist...
I do think I am going to start setting timers - timers to get out and run and timers to eat... This week and today especially I did terribly! Then I want to eat everything at dinner...
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@shanaber Timers sounds like a good idea. I may go see my regular doctor and show him my weight gain chart and overlay average calories.
I don't think there's any way I should be gaining consistently at 1300-1400 average calories. Even if I'm not exercising, which is probably why I'm gaining.
I'm up 6 pounds in 9 weeks. That's an extra 2330 calories/week, or 333/day. So I need to cut my calories back to 1000-1100... That's kinda hard without exercise. The pool finally opened. So maybe I'll be able to get some exercise and stabilize my weight. Of course, I should get serious about adding weights.
I've never been not able to stop this upwards trend. It's running away and I have got to get serious. It's fairly nice today. Maybe I can tolerate a long walk. And cut carbs back.
ETA my diary is open. I stopped running, and stopped eating salad at lunch. Easiest explanation.
I have a plan, now I gotta implement it.0 -
@Elise4270 - Sometimes the weight moves for no reason I can identify. Sunday through Thursday, I weighed in at the precise same level 4 days of 5 (and 0.2 lb. heavier on Monday). Then I lost 0.8 lb. to Friday, and again to this morning. The only thing I know is different is I got a new coffee maker and I'd drinking more black coffee than when I was brewing it one cup at a time.
So as of this morning, I was back down to about where my weight was before the disaster binge day I had Thursday December 28. Just have to keep watching it, and control my food while I can't run. Except I managed a short run today, and I'm optimistic that I won't need to wait a week for the next one.1 -
@Elise4270 To me, those numbers seem really low. Everyone is different but I wouldn't survive on less than 1500 on a regular basis. If you are short and older (assuming so based on menopause questions) you may have to eat less.
I do think strength training could be beneficial. I am one of those oddballs that loves her long distance running and throwing weights around. I think more women could benefit from even just body weight exercises.
Cutting carbs could help as well. Increase protein/fiber to help you feel fuller longer and more satisfied? If you can walk it's not a bad idea. I know I hate walking but I do it anyway especially when I can't run.
I can relate to the fast weight gain. It happened when I went gluten-free and it was so depressing after having worked my butt off to get to a happy point with my weight. It sucks.0
