Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Day 10

Breakfast: strawberry-banana smoothie (strawberries, banana, protein powder, qephor, raw milk)

Snack: banana bread

Lunch: black bean tostada

Snack: cereal

Dinner: chickpeas, roasted potatoes, steamed carrots and broccoli

Workout: Callanetics warm-up and legs

I've never enjoyed exercising. It's also been something I've had to force myself to do. But because I'm seeing so many visible results so quickly, I'm actually looking forward to working out for the first time in my life. I wish I was able to do more. I never thought I would say something like that.

However, I do think it is making me twice as hungry as normal. I guess as long as I'm getting smaller, it may not matter how much I eat. It just that I'm constantly hungry. I've increased my protein and food intake, but it's still like I'm burning through food as fast as I eat. Oh well, how often can people complain that they're clothes are getting loser even though they're eating twice the amount of food?

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Day 9

Breakfast: strawberries, cereal

Lunch: leftover pasta, pickled cucumbers, salad

Snack: peanuts

Dinner: black bean soup, slice of bread, steamed broccoli with tahini sauce

workout: Callanetics 10n10

I was very hungry today. I don't know why. I felt like I could have ate non-stop all day. I think that would have taken too much energy, so I didn't do it. I can really feel the anemia today.

I was so tired today I almost didn't workout. I think if the time didn't go by so quickly I wouldn't have. I do have a lot more energy after working out, not mention that I'm very relaxed now. It's weird how some workouts can leave you exhausted, while this makes you feel so calm and centered.

I can't believe how much more flexible I am. It feels like it's doubled since I started Callanetics. Is it possible for flexibility to double in a week? A lot of the moves felt easier to do today, like my form was better, but I couldn't enough do half of the stomach reps I normally do. Maybe I was working that area deeper. I don't know. My stomach does need all the help it can get.

Monday, April 28, 2008

Day 8

breakfast: pint of strawberries

snack: qephor, banana bread

lunch: Greek zucchini layer, salad

dinner: brown rice pasta with mushroom-marinara sauce, cucumber

workout: upper body, 45 min walk

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Day 7

breakfast: pint strawberries

snack: banana bread (vegan, wheat-free, naturally sweetened), raw milk

lunch: asparagus, black bean burrito w/half a sprouted tortilla

dinner: Greek zucchini layer, slice anadama bread with butter

Workout: spent all day gardening and doing housework. Does that count?

Well, this is the last day of observing what I eat. I definitely see some changes that can be made. Simply cleaning up my eating, adding some more variety, more vegetables.

I'm glad it's now spring with all the fruits and vegetables starting to show up at the farmer's market. Soon there will be more than strawberries, although they are really good. I can't wait for what's to come. Too bad fresh black-eyed peas aren't in this area.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Day 6

Breakfast: strawberry-banana smoothie

Lunch: baked tofu-tomato-avocado sandwich, chocolate knib cookie

Snack: banana bread

Dinner: cucumber salad, sauerkraut, black bean tostada

Workout: Callanetics legs

My legs are so tired and sore today from yesterday's workout. I must have done something right. I worked them again today anyways... I must enjoy the pain.

Friday, April 25, 2008

Day 5

Breakfast: soy sausage sandwich, sauerkraut

Lunch: soup

Snack: coconut and mint chocolate coconut bliss ice cream

Dinner: rice, cucumber salad, asparagus with garlic sauce, tofu with salt, pepper and lemon

Workout: Callanetics

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Day 4

Breakfast: strawberry-banana smoothie (strawberries, banana, qephor, raw milk)

Lunch: avocado bruschetta, ricotta tart without crust

Dinner: chickpea and tomato curry soup, roasted potatoes

Workout: Callanetics 10n10

I'm really amazed at how quickly Callanetics works. I did T-Tapp for a couple of years, even worked with a trainer, but the only improvements I noticed were better posture and my back felt great. The workouts were so physically and mentally draining. It truly isn't easy. I kept at it because of all of it's promises about health benefits. Obviously after a couple of years of doing it without results, it wasn't the promise of losing a size in two weeks.

It seems like with Callanetics I'm getting everything I had hoped T-Tapp would deliver: my posture is improving even faster, my waist is smaller, my arms are becoming more defined, I feel great... I think the best thing is that it's so relaxing and easier than T-Tapp. Rather than watching the clock, dreading how much time was left, dreading certain moves, dreading even working out, the time flies by. I'm done before I know it and the workout is the same amount of time. I wish I had tried it sooner.

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Day 3

Breakfast: strawberry-banana smoothie (strawberries, banana, qephor, raw milk)

Snack: peanuts

Lunch: pizza

Dinner: steamed broccoli with tahini sauce, ricotta tart

I didn't workout today because I felt really tired. I do feel better on days that I workout. I think the Callanetics really makes my back feel better all around. Maybe if I were to do the warm-up even on off days I'd get similar benefits to my back. I'll have to try it and see if it's too much.

I can't believe it!

I can't believe the difference I am seeing and feeling my body today. My posture is so much better. My stomach is shrinking. Callanetics really does work. If this is what's happening after two hours, I can't imagine after ten.

I'll post more later today. Just had to share my excitement!

Suzan

Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Day 2

Breakfast:
Kika's Treats - chocolate covered chocolate nib cookie
1 pint strawberries
1 banana

Snack:
Peanuts

Lunch:
avocado maki
pickled cucumber

Snack:
finished off avocado maki

Dinner:
slice of ricotta tart
glass of raw milk

Workout:
Callanetics 10n10
25 minute walk

My muscles were shaking throughout the workout today. I think I figured out how to do the hip/bun moves. I can't believe how much they work the back. Now I just need to figure out the pelvic moves. You're not supposed to use the stomach, but it's the only way I can do them.

Suzan

Monday, April 21, 2008

Day 1

Breakfast:
Chocolate covered honey cake from Kika's Treats - these things are so addictive!
glass of raw milk

Snack:
2 cups strawberries
1 banana
cream

Lunch:
3 zucchini fritters
asparagus
atter kik (Ethiopian split pea dish)
piece of bread with butter

Snack:
qephor
peanuts

Dinner:
avocado-asparagus maki and avocado-tofu maki (both made with brown rice)
cucumbers

Workout:
Callanetics 10 years younger in 10 years
25 minute walk

I've been on a sushi making kick lately. It's so easy and filling. I love sushi made with brown rice. The nutty flavor of the rice is so delicious, especially with avocado.

This is my first time doing Callanetics and I can't believe how much tougher it is than it looks. I don't know if I'll ever get up to 100 reps of the stomach exercises. I still haven't quite figured out the positioning for the bun/hip moves. However, the amazing before and after pictures shown at the end of each segment definitely make the workout inspiring.

Suzan

Sunday, April 20, 2008

My Diet Story

This is the beginning of my adventures to a size 6. I have struggled with weight all my life. I have never been the thin one. I've always had more than my fair share of weight.

I weighed around 200 pounds from the time I was 13 until I was 23. At 23, I suddenly lost 50 pounds. I'm not sure how or why, but the weight miracuously disappeared. Unfortunately, it still left me about six sizes too large.

That was 6 years ago and my weight has stayed roughly the same. I've tried diets - food combining, Weight Watchers, low carb - but have never been able to stick with anything for more than a couple of weeks. I now weigh 148 pounds and wear a tight size 10. My goal is a size 6.

I know diets don't work, at least not for me. So I'm going to shed the weight by following my hunger signals, eating healthy, and exercising. To start, I'm going to do a 1-week food diary to see what my eating is like and how to improve it.

I'd really like to know what it like to be thin and not be self-conscious. It's scary to be putting this out where people can see it. Hopefully, it will help me get the results I desire.

Suzan