2 week challenge
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I don't pay attention to sugar OR sodium. A person could make themselves crazy with the macros, I think. On some level, I think it's all about calories, but I know that I feel better, or am not hungry, or have improved mood from eating better, so I watch the protein, fat, carbs (40/30/30) and fiber (25 grams).
even weight watchers isn't counting fruit anymore!0 -
So great to read up on everyone!!!
Beeps, great loss on the inches woman!!!
Reese, things sound wonderful for you! Glad the positive Reese is back! And of course we would stand by and listen to the not so positive Reese
Chloe, you will totally be right back on track, no doubt about that
KC, anxious to hear what you think of IF!
Kate, great job on the BF loss!! I like your non-adherence day but still logging. I have my cheat day but I don't bother to log, lol!!
Better, from what I've read, sugar is a contributing factor to belly fat. BUT, like Kate said, and as Amy mentioned, it can drive you mad keeping track because sugar from an apple, vs sugar from a Snickers are 2 totally different things. So, I just tend to watch the Big 3...Carbs, Protein and Fat.
Ok, so baby steps for me.
Workouts - I got in all my strength sessions, yay!! I only ran once, was supposed to be twice. Cardio - check!
Logging - last week I made it through lunch Friday. This past week, I Logged everything except Sunday, so a little progress there
Challenge for June:
Workouts - continue strength 3x/week, need to run twice this week, Warrior Dash is Saturday!! And Burpees still going strong!
Nutrition - I am just going to focus on eating as clean as I can and the 40/30/30 ratio, eating enough calories during the week. I tend to have big deficits during the week and then go over on the weekend, which overall may even out, but I don't know...my body is being weird and the scale still isn't cooperating. BUT I am feeling stronger, got a new PR for deadlift today, 125lbs! I'll take it
Let's show June who is boss!!0 -
Amy - I agree! It's enough to drive a person nuts with all the nutrients...I am working mainly on hitting my macros with at least 2 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit in a day (considering I would not touch green stuff growing up this is quite the triumph) that way I figure my nutrients are *close* to what the should be. I watch fiber and sodium simply as proxies for how naturally/cleanly I'm eating. Processed junk has lots of sodium, whole foods lots of fiber so when I am high on fiber and low on sodium it's a good indicator I'm making good food choices.
Jen - way to go on the PR! I haven't straight deadlifted in a while (doing wide grip from box right now) and that made me miss it! Sounds like you're right on track for June! I hear you on the week/weekend thing. I can be good during the week with relatively little problem but the weekends are a different animal. I need to make myself log so that I don't do what I did Sunday and grab a chips ahoy every time I walk through the kitchen...I don't even really *like* them that much. They're just there and I knew I wasn't going to log it so I acted like it didn't matter. Bad news. I gotta be more honest with myself! I didn't even have a hangover as an excuse Sunday.0 -
Thanks for the sugar feedback. I think I knew the answer already; just wanted others' opinions. I'm with you all; macros can drive you nuts. I watch cals first and foremost because ultimately that is what causes gains and losss. A calorie is a calorie. But I feel better when my sodium isn't through the roof and when my fiber is adequate (whole foods vs. out of the box). Jen, I have heard about sugar causing belly fat, which is my biggest problem area (especially since baby....still working that area out). I have also heard alcohol contributes to excess belly fat, which is probably my problem. :ohwell:
So I just switched parking lots at work which gets me home about 10 minutes faster. This is great because last night I was able to get one of my strength sessions in before my husband and baby got home. So I think this is going to be my new plan - get it in RIGHT after work. They only take 20-25 minutes each so very doable. As does my HIIT. It's strange. I used to spend 1.5 hours at the gym. Now I'm just getting these little mini workouts in here and there. Whatever works I guess!0 -
Hi ladies! I am new to this group, and this thread is AWESOME! You are such great inspiration!
I just started the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution (skipped first 2 weeks cuz they were too easy...I have done her other DVD's) and am trying to eat cleaner. Was doing Weight Watchers, but found I wasnt getting enough calories.
My 2 week goals:
1. Workout 5-6 days per week, 4 x's Jillian Ckts, 2 x's Jillian Cardio
2. Eat cleaner
3. Drink more water!!!!0 -
Good Morning everyone
Nemesis welcome! How do you like the Body Revolution so far? I used to do Jillian DVDs all the time I probably own every single one. But, then I got a little burnt out with her.
I have been so confused by the whole sugar thing as well. I do watch my sodium and try to stay under 1500 mg. I also try to keep my fiber up too. Has anyone ever heard of taking apple cider vinegar daily to reduce stomach bloat, I read about it Tosca Reno's eat clean book. I started doing it Friday twice a day. Tastes pretty bad and I can't really say how its been working, bc I ate like crap the entire weekend anyways.
Yesterday was a good day, back on track! Getting in a speed work run tonight which should be a pretty good calorie burn. I am trying to keep my cals pretty low the next couple days to make up for the damage I did over the weekend, so don't fret if you look at my diary 0 -
ChLoE, I am liking Jillian's BR so far! Like I said, having done her stuff before, workouts 1 and 2 were too easy, but there are 15 workouts. 3 and 4 (what I'm working on this week) are much better. I don't feel like I;m going to pass out our puke, but I feel mildly sore afterwards. I;ll keep you posted!
Also, I have a friend doing the Apple Cider Vinegar thing, she swears by it! She takes a shot glass, puts about 2 oz ACV and 1 tsp of raw honey to it and shoots it back every morning. Apparently raw honey is like icing, so it takes the edge of the ACV, plus its good for you anyway.
Good luck and thanks for the welcome!0 -
hmmm I am intrigued! I have a huge problem with water retention and bloat (I had a great day yesterday and I am up 1.6 lbs from yesterday to show for it...grumble grumble). Chloe let me know how you think it works!
Welcome nemesis!0 -
Hello hello!
Beeps - congrats on your inches lost!! That is fantastic!! May was definitely good to you!! I agree though, I want to see a gala pic
Mama - I'm glad you're enjoying the IF!! Have you noticed any changes in your body yet? I'm also glad that you're feeling so great! I think that's the most important thing here
kc - great goals!
Kate - I'm glad you're liking IF too!! Do you think your bf% dropping has something to do with IF or just because you're awesome and a beast at the gym? :P
Ashley - Sounds like you are doing well with your goals, and that race sounds like it was wicked fun! I agree with everyone else about the sugar too, I tried watching it a while back and it drove me nuts! I do watch my sodium just to make sure I stay under the mfp recommendation, but I don't pay too close attention to it. Also, I agree with how great it feels to do the mini workouts and still feel as if I worked out forever!!
Amy - Great goals!! How do you plan on doing the calorie cycling on the non workout days??
Jen - great job on your goals!! Your June ones sound great too and I'm sure you'll work it!
Nemesis - welcome!! Your goals sound great too! That ACV "shot" your friend takes sounds interesting... I wonder if I have any at home to try!!
Chloe - Let me know how the ACV works for you! if it works well I might add it in next week!
My weekend wasn't too bad. I drank too much on Friday and I paid for it on Saturday!! I didn't go overboard with my eating though, so I was proud of myself in that sense. These next 2 weeks will be strict for me (as long as I can follow it!!) because I get to see friends I haven't seen in 3 years!! Last time I saw them I was a bit heavier from eating all of the delicious food from Italy, and when I see them this time I want them to notice that I'm toned and fit! I'm still doing crossfit and I LOVE it!! Yesterday felt great because one of the coaches complimented me a couple times, once when we were learning cleans he was going around correcting everyone and looked at me and said "i don't even need to watch you, you got this down!" yey! and another time he said I was putting the guys I was next to to shame Nothing like a great confidence boost!! Last nights workout was a leg killer!! Let me know if any of you want the workouts that we do and I'll post them! I have 2 more of the "on ramp" program classes and then 4 more to take whenever. I think I'll get them in next week, maybe do Sunday, Monday, Wed, Thurs?? I'm excited about it I do wish I still had my scale 
I'm not sure where I am in that sense, I just hope I'm not gaining!
Here are my 2 week goals:
No wine Mon-Thurs, limited alcohol on weekend
3-4 workouts (depending on soreness from cf)
Avoid unhealthy snack - no more ice cream and chips!0 -
Beeps & chuisle - congrats on getting results
Chloe - I am with you on the bad weekend. Let's get back on track!
Better - I see you are getting good advice from everyone on the sugar. I would say ditch the cereal for the oatmeal and don't worry about the sugars from fruit
Shander - that's awesome about your crossfit class, great job!
I am doing a two week challenge - take 2 since I failed last time: stay under my calorie goal, exercise every day & log everything.0 -
Hi Nemesis!
Chloe, if you are eating fewer calories (to balance out a weekend binge), it kind of ends up being like 'zig-zagging' anyway, doesn't it????????
chui - your photo looks SO good (as does shanders)....GREEN WITH ENVY here in Canada.
abigail - what I *love* about the 2 week challenge is, if it doesn't work in one particular 2-week block, there's ALWAYS another one to give it a try, lol!!
Well, I had to hit a cardio class, last night, to pay PENANCE for the stupid choc-covered almonds I ate yesterday afternoon. That's right, after a PERFECT performance in the "end-of-May" challenge, I decided to reward myself with some of the yummies yesterday. So stupid! (They just gave me a tummy ache, actually....) So, I decided I had to burn off what I ate and that meant (dreaded) cardio.
I need 'rest' more than I need 'cardio' right now, I think. But, I did it. No more "treats" for me - my tummy ends up hurting and I just beat myself up for HOURS afterward. Dumb.
Today it's HIIT on the bike, abs and stretching. I'll get back to the heavy lifting tomorrow - it will be my LAST work-out in Stage 5 and then I move onto Stage 6 on Friday.
COLOUR ME EXCITED!!0 -
OK ladies I am back. I stepped on the scale this am and was *not* happy. :P My goals for this and next week:
Run / elliptical / crossramp 60 miles (30 per week) so far I have 9 down.
Eat clean - no candy or ice cream, 2 cheat drinks / items (1 per wk) Fruit and coffee are ok.
8 cups of water per day
Stay within my calorie goals
Yoga and / or Pilates 6 times (3x a week)0 -
Also, I have a friend doing the Apple Cider Vinegar thing, she swears by it! She takes a shot glass, puts about 2 oz ACV and 1 tsp of raw honey to it and shoots it back every morning. Apparently raw honey is like icing, so it takes the edge of the ACV, plus its good for you anyway.
I used to take a straight shot of organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar every morning for about a year or more I guess. It is rough to do that, however I am a pro at taking shots because of it. I took it to keep me regular, as I have always had issues with that. (I have also heard it helps with reflux issues). At the time I thought it worked, but in retrospect I was going through very stressful time in my life, and stress tends to keep things regular, so I'm not sure that it really worked. Maybe if I took it twice a day, and maybe if I was eating better and not drinking like a fish I'd have seen some good results. I do know it has been used for a long long time historically and was used to cure many ailments. I'm sure there are benefits. Let me know how it goes! 0 -
Asjerven - so today is day 8 for the burpee challenge? I will write it down so I don't get confused again!!!
chuisle- You do a great job with protein. I did a weight check-in today and I am up a pound since Fri, my normal weigh in day.
Jen- great nutrition goals!
Nemesis- Welcome! I was going to get body rev, but then my dad gave me P90X.
All of you ladies are AWESOME!!!!
I feel like IF gives me control of my eating, which I LOVE. I hope it helps with the weight loss. I'm fasting from 6 to 10 and I have to stay busy that last hour because I sit there thinking about food, especially when I'm cooking breakfast fro the kids!!!0 -
I think so, but I might be the one confusedAsjerven - so today is day 8 for the burpee challenge? I will write it down so I don't get confused again!!!
but let's go with 8 today. I did the 7 last night. Sometimes I tried chest to floor but sometimes just plank. I had to catch up so I did some before Stronglifts and some after.
Shan, supposedly my maintenance is 1600 cals, so I eat maintenance on workout days and lower on rest days, 12-1400.
As far as the apple cider, I thought it must be silliness but apparently there is some truth/science behind it. I just googled and it said that the acid helps digestion which helps with bloating. Also, the potatassium might counteract sodium water retention.
Interesting... Not sure I could handle it but it might be a good experiment.
Welcome Nemesis! I have only done 30 Day shred, but that one always kills me.0 -
I just bought a smaller bottle of it, so I figure if I feel a difference after this is gone I'll buy more, I figure this bottle should last me a few weeks. You have to get the one with the "mother" in it, Tosca recommends Bragg's organic acv. It really hasn't been too bad I do one when I wake up and one before dinner. I put in a little truvia, but honey would help too. The smell is bad and the after taste is gross, but only lasts for a second.
Totally forgot about burpees I missed yesterday and Sunday, so to make up I would have to do 21.....I will get them done after my run tonight.0 -
Chloe, what does it mean "with the mother in it"?
And 21 burpees-that'll teach you to fall behind;) you can do eeeet!
I saw this on a clean eating thread question, thought some of you might appreciate it:
http://www.wannabebig.com/diet-and-nutrition/the-dirt-on-clean-eating/0 -
I'm not sure why they call it that, but it means there is stuff at the bottom, so you need to shake it up. I think thats where all the nutrients are.0
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Oh and I know!!! Not looking forward to doing 21 burpees after doing 50 minutes of speed work and then I will still have to walk the dog! Major calorie burn today. Good thing I splurged on a little ice cream at lunch (was totally craving it and its TOM)0
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GREAT article Amy!! Read, it everyone!
I really like that it points out how confusing and contradictory some of these "rules" can be!
First thing I like: it takes about "discretionary calories" and how they can account for 10-20% of your diet without much harm. So 10-20% of your cals can be on whatever you want. It then references linear vs. nonlinear intake of discretionary calories. This scientifically justifies my one non-adherent day policy *if* I am adherent for the rest of the week. That's what works for me mentally (and physically) so it's nice to see it being echoed here.
Second, I like this part:
"In 1997, a general physician named Steven Bratman coined the term orthorexia nervosa [21], which he defines as, “an unhealthy obsession with eating healthy food.” It reminds me of the counterproductive dietary perfectionism I’ve seen among many athletes, trainers, and coaches. One of the fundamental pitfalls of dichotomizing foods as good or bad, or clean or dirty, is that it can form a destructive relationship with food. This isn’t just an empty claim; it’s been seen in research. Smith and colleagues found that flexible dieting was associated with the absence of overeating, lower bodyweight, and the absence of depression and anxiety [22]. They also found that a strict all-or-nothing approach to dieting was associated with overeating and increased bodyweight. Similarly, Stewart and colleagues found that rigid dieting was associated with symptoms of an eating disorder, mood disturbances, and anxiety [23]. Flexible dieting was not highly correlated with these qualities. Although these are observational study designs with self-reported data, anyone who spends enough time among fitness buffs knows that these findings are not off the mark."
I'll never quite let go of this whole idea of good/bad food just because some food IS better for you! But - association of MORAL qualities with food is an unhealthy habit (lest you mean directly, eg, you are vegetarian because of cruelty to animals not because red meat is bad for you). To be perfectly honest, I got frustrated with a certain former member of this group who I think did this sometimes. Food is food. We need the right amount and right kind to make our bodies run correctly. *But* eating ice cream for lunch or pizza for dinner isn't INHERENTLY bad if it's in CONTEXT. That's the key.
Thanks again Amy!0 -
Excellent article, I only got half way through, but I will finish later. It's kind of a reality check for me to stop obsessing over screwing up on the weekends. Kate- I hope that comment of ice cream for lunch wasn't for me I enjoyed every bite of it! 0
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Yes, it seems like with the recent discussions about sodium and fructose, this article came along at a good time for me to read.0
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Agreed. Thanks for the article.
I *do* think I OBSESS about ALL sorts of (wrong) things when it comes to food.
:sad:0 -
Ha, Chloe that was just example of what you SHOULD be doing You're always working on your diet so if one day you ice cream for lunch I say that's great and it just goes to prove you have a good outlook that you enjoyed it! 0
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Hi everyone, I'd like to join if I can.
I've done P90X before and 30 DS. right now, I'm nursing a sore tendon in my ankle, so have to be careful with what I do. No running or jumping/explosive stuff. But I can still strength train, and if I stand on it the right way I can still do squats and shallow lunges. I am not giving up, not letting this sideline me.
My 2 week challenge:
1) to do 4 strength workouts a week (P90X or ZWOW or Bob Harper)
2) avoid added/processed sugars as much as possbile (natural sugars are ok-fruits, honey etc...)
3) finish JM's Master your Metabolism and start reading Dr.Oz's You, and owner's manual [does this work as an ok goal?]0 -
Amy, very interesting article! I learned a couple things!! I'm off to do my burpees!0
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Hey Sasx I've also done P90x and Jillian Michael's 30DS! Anyway, hello to everyone on this thread! I'm new too and would love some buddies if anyone is interested.
For the next two weeks I'd like to start my new Jillian Michael's videos (Banish Fat and No More Trouble Zones). I think I'll just alternate them. I am also looking to start couch to 5K sometime this week. I have at least 10lbs to lose and it's not going to lose itself so wish me luck!0 -
welcome ginger and sasx, your goals sound great!
I got my 8 burpees in and a pretty good day of eating, am still a little under cals and no drinking last night or tonight!0 -
I did my 21 burpees now I am caught up and I have no idea how the heck I will get up to a hundred!0
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as soon as I can heal I'll be with you doing the burpees, just a little late on the challenge. I love to hate them...question: do you do them with a push up, or just plank, or is it a personal preference as long as you are consistent?0
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