Running Progress

So I'm still on Week 1 of Couch to 5k.  It's ok because I finally was able to complete it!  The last few times (maybe 4 times) I couldn't run when it told me to run... I lasted 4-5 run cycles.  This time, I completed 8 of 8 cycles.  I'm quite excited.  I had to slow down my pace, but it allowed me to complete the day's program.  Looking forward to seeing more progress.  Slowly, but surely.

Eating-wise, I'm doing well. On track and focused.  I can't deny that some days are harder than others.

Green Machine

Remember when I mentioned Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead?  I attempted to do the juice fast but failed.  I felt really weak (but they do say that  you will feel that way within the first 3 days).  I didn't even make it til the end of the day! ha-ha! 

So why did I bring up the documentary? Well I really do enjoy juicing as part of my day.  It's a meal in itself, but it gives me a lot of energy and makes me feel full.  Unfortunately, my juicer died.  It's not a new juicer but I wanted it to last another year.  I was going to ask for (a better) one for our wedding registry.  However, I have a feeling I'll have to buy one and not wait til our August 2014 wedding!  Oh well.  At first, I thought it wasn't a big deal not to juice... but I've realized that I need it now that I haven't been juicing.  I was shopping at Target; getting ready for a new school year when I realized I haven't had my lunch. I was starting to get hungry (not starving).  I don't like to make myself "starve" too long as I tend to eat more that way.  I decided to grab a Naked drink.  I purchased the Green Machine and I might say, it's really good!!  I'd buy it again.  I'd rather juice my own but it's as close to juicing as I'll get for the sake of getting it fast.

Running IS hard

image credit: BaddMom.com

So today I began my exercise  journey... it's not easy!

I said it.  I hate it... I want to quit.

I'm following the Couch to 5K program.  Some people (maybe even you) might think Week One is a cake walk... not for me.  I didn't quit... but I lasted 4 cycles... the rest, I had to walk.  It was approximately 30 minutes on the treadmill... 90/60 jog/walk intervals are a lot harder than I thought.

As hard as it is... I can't quit.   

Happy Birthday!

 

image from: Pamela Caves Gifford

Today is my Mom's birthday.  She is my hero... and has shown lots of strength through all the adversities.  I want to fight like her.

Healthy Refrigerator

Today was a little busy, but still on track.  There were moments I did crave something "bad" but knew I was craving it not because of hunger, but because of stress.  I caught myself opening the fridge multiple times.  But good thing, I cleaned out the fridge and stocked up the fridge with lots of fresh goodness. 

I use to have tons of moldy veggies and fruits because they are left in the drawers and are forgotten.  I switched the organization of the refrigerator by putting all fruits and veggies and "immediate-go-to" food visible and the "after 6" items in the drawers - eggs and other dairy products.

With my bad habit of opening the fridge (even though the second, third... fifth time, nothing has changed inside the fridge), snack-proofing my fridge to a healthy zone makes the bad habit not so bad.

In short, these are 2 tips, try one of them!

• Pre-wash and chop all fruits (and some veggies - I heard washing leafy greens too soon before use will make them go bad faster? Not sure how true this is... but with all honestly, I don't easily "snack" on leafy green veggies... I just don't!)  When you pre-wash, it's ready to go into the mouth faster than opening a bag of chips!
• Snack-proof your fridge by making healthy food visible and processed/"after 6" food in the drawer.

 Do you do this too?  What are your refrigerator tips?  How do you overcome bad snacking?

VB6: Days 1-5 Meals

During my first 5 days, my meat intake has decreased incredibly!  I have one meat meal once a day - dinnertime.  My meat dishes weren't over the top indulgences, but I did enjoy going out to dinner multiple times this past week.

 For breakfast, snack, and lunch, I've had a combination of the following:

• Oatmeal
• Fruit
• Veggie Stir-fry with brown rice
• Fresh roasted red pepper hummus from the Cerritos Farmer's Market (I bought one container, I think I should have purchased more!  I can just eat this with veggies, spread in on a slice of bread, or add it to my sandwiches)
• Salad
• Roasted Veggie sandwich 
• Chickpea Ratatouille

My dinners the last 5 days:

• Rascal's Garden Salad with half a serving of grilled teriyaki chicken and brown rice. 
• The Boiling Crab: Shared 1 lb of shrimp, 1/2 lb sausage, and catfish 
• Yasai Japanese Grill: Garden Salad and grilled chicken and brown rice
• Garden Salad with tangerines and a 2 veggies kabobs (muchrooms, zucchini, onions)
• 2 Homemade fish tacos (seasoned fish, cabbage, and spicy fresh salsa)

2 Nights I had dessert after dinner:

• Small Pinkberry Orginal yogurt - so yummy! 
• Tapioca Express Oolong Milk tea with boba

I think the best part of this regimen is that I don't feel so restricted.  The worst thing that I can think of so far is going out with friends and having nothing vegan or vegetarian-like to eat.  The next best thing I can do is use my best judgement to select the healthiest option.

VB6... What is it?

photo credit The Vancouver Sun

VB6* in a nutshell:

• Eat whole grains, fruits, and vegetables
• No meat or dairy
• No processed foods

After "6:00"**, you can eat anything you want in moderation.

According to Mark Bittman's website, "[the VB6] eating plan involve[s] no gimmicks, scales, calorie-counting, or point systems—and there were no so-called forbidden foods."  This is the reason I gave it a go.

Here's a video of Mark Bittman on The Chew to explain his book and eating method:

Disclaimer:
*VB6 stands for Vegan Before 6.  I think the title is misleading because the word vegan is used loosely.  This may be offensive to true Vegans, however, let me explain.  I think Mark Bittman is trying say a "vegan-like-diet" or plant-based diet.  I don't mean diet in the terms of losing weight, but rather as the intake of food.  I respect the discipline of Vegans and Vegetarians.  I do not claim to be either. 

**6:00 pm is just an arbitrary time.  Basically, you can eat your "normal" meal at any time you choose.

To Vegan or Not to Vegan?

 

 photo credit: The Secret Advice of a Vegan CrossFitter

I knew I wanted to lose weight.  Rather, I know I need to lose weight.  A couple days ago, I got my blood test results from the doctor's office and it wasn't the best of news.  I knew I had to do something right away. 

After watching Vegucated and Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, I knew the direction I wanted to go in.  I considered becoming vegan.  Although, the thought was daunting.  It was a huge leap, but I knew it had to be taken... but that severe?! No meat?!!!

I hesitated.

A couple times I visited Target, I kept seeing the book VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore your Health for Good by Mark Bittman.  First thing that came to my mind... Wow! Another Atkins Diet book.  VB6 meant: Eat like a rabbit during the day and when the 6:00 pm bell rings; have an all-you-can-eat-until-your-sick kind of diet!  But each time I visited, I glanced at it and even picked it up.  But I said, eh, another book to read... BLAH, who has time for this!?  I think I was drawn to the book's (pretty) cover!!

But the last straw was drawn when I knew I couldn't juice for more than half a day.  I was hungry and dizzy!  I probably would have drooled if I just saw a commercial for McDonald's or something.  It was bad.  I could juice as part of a regimen, but I couldn't do what Joe Cross did!  I didn't have the will power, but I was in need of intervention.

"Let's go vegan!" I thought to myself.  If I just ATE the foods I juiced, I would be happier that I get to chew on something!  I picked up my Kindle and read the reviews on Amazon for Dr. Joel Fuhrman's* book: Eat to Live.  The reviews were great...and I was almost tempted to hit "Buy Now".  Something scared me.  Can I do this?  No meat?!

I hesitated again.

Then, a thought came in!  What about that book at Target?!  So I looked it up... all I could remember was VB6.  I read the reviews... and overall, they were good.  So I knew I should just give it a go.

So I did.

I read the book... in one day.

*Dr. Joel Fuhrman was the doctor consulted in both Vegucated and Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead.

Get Vegucated before you become Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead!

Have you seen the documentary Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead and Vegucated?  If you haven't, you should. 

In Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead, Joe Cross, an Australian, documented how he went from being overweight and sick to healthy and fit.  He cured himself by juicing across America and influenced some of those he met.  By the end of the documentary, I had to juice too!

Watch the trailer:

Vegucated has changed my mind on how I look at meat products.  It's not about how a sausage is made; rather, it documents how animals are treated in the process.  Also, they discuss how having a diet filled with meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy affects our body.  The documentary encourages people to consider becoming a vegan.  For a split second, I wanted to!

Watch the trailer:

Both documentaries convinced me to change something about how I ate.  The only problem is that both cases are very extreme to how I currently eat.  I think my body will hate me in the short run!

What are your thoughts on the documentaries?

I hate DIETS!

I've always had a weight issue.  Yo-yo-ed my way through my early adult life.  I remember being in my early 20s and was at my healthiest weight.  I often used the excuse of getting a master's degree made me gain all the weight back..and then some.  But enough excuses...  it wasn't the master's degree that got me here.  It was me.

I've done Weight Watchers before and it truly does work.  I highly recommend it if you want to lose weight and have support of the meeting group.  However, I've realized I need something totally different.  Weight Watchers works if you stick with it and follow the PointsPlus plan. But, for me, I felt a little trapped.  I constantly counted.  I had nights where I had no more points left and I still haven't had dinner.  I felt guilty eating over my points. Yes, I know you get extra weekly points and extra activity points... but guilt still hit me.  Does anyone ever feel like that on WW? 

I just gave up... and gained the weight back.  The program works, but it just wasn't for me.