BB.

I pick things up and put them down.

  • 18th June
    2013
  • 18

Me yesterday before I went for a gorgeous weighted vest walk at 5 am and my lunch today :) salad as mentioned previously with a “one bun” + almond butter sandwich.

Feeling much more sane eating 140g of protein a day than 60g (biiiig difference in satiety). Calories are right where I want them. (1600) and I don’t think I can go much lower than that for sustainable weight loss without turning into a miserable bitch :P I’m feeling about 1000x better and more energetic now that I’m eating decent quality (and tasty) foods that are closer macros to what my body needs to feel nourished.

Trying to keep track of my experience and thoughts, to hopefully help other people gain an understanding of what it’s like to be overweight your entire life and trying to overhaul a complete lifestyle:

Getting used to a new “full”. Speaking as an overweight person, full was always stuffed to the brim in the past - Hoover down your meals in under 10 minutes. Now I wait until my tummy grumbles to start eating meals… And resist the urge to start snacking on my food earlier in the day because I’m “bored”. I feel full (as in not hungry anymore) and pretty light. My energy and focus remains throughout the afternoon. I feel like if I needed to run up 5 flights of stairs I wouldn’t get that roly poly sensation that immobilizes you after a large meal.

I know because science that if I was feeling hungry, and lethargic - I should up my intake as that’s a sign your body isn’t getting what it needs (food, sleep, etc). But, all is good :)

I know it seems like common sense “eat when you’re hungry, not when your full”, but it’s not that black and white. Our digestive/endocrine system are intertwined with our pleasure centers because eating is a social thing. If the pleasure of eating outweighs you’re actual physical hunger, guess what? You’re going to chow down. It takes time to repair pathways that have been neglected my entire life. You shouldn’t feel bad if you don’t know when you’re actually full… Because it isn’t a complete objective response to someone who’s used food as a comfort mechanism for so long.

Lifting should restart tomorrow, as tutoring finishes tonight :) excited to hit the iron.

  • 13th June
    2013
  • 13
Foodzz. So I will admit the last few days have been pretty tough tapering down my daily intake until about 1500 cal per day or so. What I’ve learned: I think I’m pretty sensitive to changes in macro composition. I made a giant pot of the above (ground beef, quinoa, broccoli, onions, kalamata olives, and chickpeas 420 cal/40c/20f/20p) at the beginning of the week for all my Monday-Friday lunches and dinners. It’s pretty delicious, but I think next week I need to put more protein + fat and less carbs, mostly for satiety. And more veggies :) Before I attempted “eating less” in general, my boyfriend mentioned that feeling hungry between meals was a totally normal side effect of eating on a caloric deficit. It’s been a learning curve for my digestive system going to bed not completely stuffed. Also when you’re hungry, suddenly all the multicultural food smells of the city begin to become very distracting. Putting that willpower muscle to work. As much as it is torturous, I know it’s better for my body and my wallet to get rid of impulsive eating habits (even when I’m not hungry). Of course, I’m not banning myself from these things forever, just during the week when I’m working. Food is fuel during the week.. When I need to maintain energy levels through long 12 hour days. All of my life overweight, and that fact never occurred to me - food has always been a source of comfort when your family and close friends can’t comfort you. It was my means of escape, a source of pleasure. I still love eating and probably always will, but at the root of the issue is I’ve been trying to find other things that make me feel “whole” or “full”. Lately I’ve taken comfort in new music, reading, teaching, and warm summer rain. Trying to take better care of myself one step at a time. I would be lying if I said it was easy, and that I don’t miss chowing down on Chinese food and cheeseburgers every day. I have big dreams to change the world, and hope to live a long life - and this is part of the step of building healthy habits. I won’t be lifting this week because I’m basically preparing the entire teenage population for their high school math exams next week (well, 6 students. With my full time job + tutoring I’m clocking over 65 hours of work this week). But soon that’ll be over, and my evenings will be mine again to lift, play guitar, read, and relax❤ Happy Thursday everyone :)

Foodzz.

So I will admit the last few days have been pretty tough tapering down my daily intake until about 1500 cal per day or so. What I’ve learned: I think I’m pretty sensitive to changes in macro composition. I made a giant pot of the above (ground beef, quinoa, broccoli, onions, kalamata olives, and chickpeas 420 cal/40c/20f/20p) at the beginning of the week for all my Monday-Friday lunches and dinners. It’s pretty delicious, but I think next week I need to put more protein + fat and less carbs, mostly for satiety. And more veggies :)

Before I attempted “eating less” in general, my boyfriend mentioned that feeling hungry between meals was a totally normal side effect of eating on a caloric deficit. It’s been a learning curve for my digestive system going to bed not completely stuffed.

Also when you’re hungry, suddenly all the multicultural food smells of the city begin to become very distracting. Putting that willpower muscle to work. As much as it is torturous, I know it’s better for my body and my wallet to get rid of impulsive eating habits (even when I’m not hungry). Of course, I’m not banning myself from these things forever, just during the week when I’m working. Food is fuel during the week.. When I need to maintain energy levels through long 12 hour days. All of my life overweight, and that fact never occurred to me - food has always been a source of comfort when your family and close friends can’t comfort you. It was my means of escape, a source of pleasure.

I still love eating and probably always will, but at the root of the issue is I’ve been trying to find other things that make me feel “whole” or “full”. Lately I’ve taken comfort in new music, reading, teaching, and warm summer rain.

Trying to take better care of myself one step at a time. I would be lying if I said it was easy, and that I don’t miss chowing down on Chinese food and cheeseburgers every day. I have big dreams to change the world, and hope to live a long life - and this is part of the step of building healthy habits.

I won’t be lifting this week because I’m basically preparing the entire teenage population for their high school math exams next week (well, 6 students. With my full time job + tutoring I’m clocking over 65 hours of work this week). But soon that’ll be over, and my evenings will be mine again to lift, play guitar, read, and relax❤

Happy Thursday everyone :)

  • 11th June
    2013
  • 11
  • 10th June
    2013
  • 10
Took this photo of James pre-pancake feast ❤ This man brings out my best qualities and inspires a desire to be the greatest I can be. So proud at his awesome work with the LRB 365 program so far :D

Took this photo of James pre-pancake feast ❤ This man brings out my best qualities and inspires a desire to be the greatest I can be. So proud at his awesome work with the LRB 365 program so far :D

  • 6th June
    2013
  • 06
The only takeout meal I’ve had in a couple weeks. Splurged for a “healthier” option because I don’t want to fall asleep at my desk this afternoon. Added some roasted sunflower seeds as a snack. :)

The only takeout meal I’ve had in a couple weeks. Splurged for a “healthier” option because I don’t want to fall asleep at my desk this afternoon. Added some roasted sunflower seeds as a snack. :)

  • 5th June
    2013
  • 05
  • 3rd June
    2013
  • 03

Bar is Loaded at 5am

This morning I lifted for the first time in just under a month. 5am, home rack. What occurred to me as I pulled myself put of bed, threw on some sweatpants, and crawled downstairs to our garage - was that life is full of opportunities for success and only you are the one who can make it happen. I’ve gotten pretty restless recently, and I don’t think I could’ve handled it much longer waking up each day & knowing I wasn’t making an effort. It helps that I’m living with some incredibly ambitious, intelligent, and athletic people (all entrepreneurs!) who inspire me everyday :) I had a conversation with Jane (my Asian soul sister/roommate) this morning on my way out the door. She was prepping for a bike ride and she told me how admirable it was that I was able to get my ass in the gym at some ungodly hour. Definitely started off this work week feeling pretty good about myself <3 

“Bar is Loaded” is written on the back of our U of T Ironsports hoodies, and for those not familiar with the sport, that’s the command you receive when the bar/platform is ready for you to perform your attempt. You could be breaking world records or maybe it’s just your first meet. Either way, you’re seizing the opportunity to make yourself better.

Some training days are just going to feel like work, and maybe i’ll be a little weaksauce as I get back into things…but lifting will always make me feel like I’m alive.

Happy Monday :D

  • 7th May
    2013
  • 07

So sore…

But my work jeans fit a little better today & I think I look cute. I told my mom what I ate yesterday and she’s like “Holy crap that’s a lot”…to which I just said “I AM A MACHINE”. Woke up really hungry though. I guess my metabolism has started working again…awww yee. Brb getting shredded.

  • 6th May
    2013
  • 06

Lifts/Food - May 6th

Good energy today. Still a bit hungry, so I may have a slice of toast with nutella before bed. Lifting was basically the shittiest ever after an 8 hour day of lifting heavy shit. Also - lifting during peak hours = ew. So I guess it’s 7 a.m. lifting for me (before work tires me out). I’ll only have 30 minutes, so I’m going to just do starting strength…easiest way to make the most out of that time :) Pictured above is the sunrise - 5:30 a.m. wakeup time for me, left photo is me enjoying my break & left is my prime rib dinner. Awesome monday :D

Food:

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 cup of my sweetpotato hash (onions, peppers, mushrooms, sweet potato + balsamic vinegar), small coffee with milk and sugar from Second Cup

Snack #1: Banana

Lunch: Two small wraps, filled w/ about 3 oz. Grilled Chicken & a spoonful of baba ganoush, roasted kale salad, Oikos 2% greek yogurt

Snack #2: Fiber bar, Apple

Snack #3 (On the way home - after the gym): Chocolate chip cookie from Timmies, Small iced coffee

Dinner: 5-6 oz. Prime rib, ~cup of portugese rice

Snack #4: Nutella on Toast :)

Lifts:

  • Barbell Bench Press:
    • 45 lb x 8 reps (+54 pts)
    • 65 lb x 8 reps (+62 pts)
    • 65 lb x 8 reps (+62 pts)
    • 65 lb x 8 reps (+62 pts)
    • Crappy lifting day, but now I understand that my strength after the end of an 8-hour day of moving heavy shit is pretty nil. Going to try and lift before work on wednesday ( 7 a.m.). I have 30 minutes, so it’s just going to be SS for the next while because I think that’s all I can manage. When I mov
  • Barbell Squat:
    • 45 lb x 5 reps (+46 pts)
    • 95 lb x 5 reps (+65 pts)
    • 95 lb x 5 reps (+65 pts)
    • 95 lb x 5 reps (+65 pts)
    • Depth/flexibility was no problem…just exhaustion.
  • Barbell Deadlift:
    • 115 lb x 3 reps (+60 pts)
    • 115 lb x 3 reps (+60 pts)
    • 115 lb x 3 reps (+60 pts)
    • No chalk @ this gym. Will remember for next time.
  • 4th May
    2013
  • 04
UpdatesUpdatesUpdates! :)So yesterday was my first day at work (at the machine shop). So glad to be back :) My entire body is broken lol Drilling through stainless steel all day with a cordless drill = dem isometrics be working baby. I almost passed out at 4pm when I was done&#8230;I think the greatest challenge will be finding the energy to lift after 8 hours of manual labour each day. Buuttt I got through third year mechanical engineering and I&#8217;m still alive so I&#8217;m convinced I can do anything :)I&#8217;ve made it a personal goal of mine this month to eat out as little as possible &amp; find out an actual nutrition profile that keeps me energized and full. What you see above is my pre-work breakfast which worked quite well - except I think I&#8217;m going to skip the toast and actually just eat more of my breakfast hash thing &amp; add more veggies &amp; possibly some egg whites. It&#8217;s sweet potato + peppers + onions &amp; bacon :) cooked in coconut oil. I cooked enough for three servings, and it actually tastes pretty good just zapped in the microwave for 30 seconds. For lunch I made wraps with chicken cooked with apples, carrots, onions and a baba ganoush spread&#8230;complete with a roasted kale salad. I just was looking for a change, and a shift in focus&#8230;I think the weight loss will come naturally as a result of more daily physical activity &amp; eating of home prepared food instead of food-like products. Oh, and a HUGE decrease in stress&#8230;plus no birth control pill, and likely more sleep each night. Of course, I&#8217;m not going to &#8220;ban&#8221; foods or call certain foods &#8220;bad&#8221; or &#8220;good&#8221; because ultimately I&#8217;m in it for the long run&#8230;and if I want to go out for a fancy dessert crepe/waffle once a week with the roomies&#8230;then I certainly shall.  Currently sitting in the backyard with a tall glass of ice water, enjoying some sunshine &amp; lounging before I head off to my weekend burger-place job. I feel like I&#8217;m in paradise. It feels so nice to just sit and listen to the birds and read :) You&#8217;ll hear moar about lifting on Monday, when I plan to return to the iron. For now - have a great weekend everyone :D

UpdatesUpdatesUpdates! :)

So yesterday was my first day at work (at the machine shop). So glad to be back :) My entire body is broken lol Drilling through stainless steel all day with a cordless drill = dem isometrics be working baby. I almost passed out at 4pm when I was done…I think the greatest challenge will be finding the energy to lift after 8 hours of manual labour each day. Buuttt I got through third year mechanical engineering and I’m still alive so I’m convinced I can do anything :)

I’ve made it a personal goal of mine this month to eat out as little as possible & find out an actual nutrition profile that keeps me energized and full. What you see above is my pre-work breakfast which worked quite well - except I think I’m going to skip the toast and actually just eat more of my breakfast hash thing & add more veggies & possibly some egg whites. It’s sweet potato + peppers + onions & bacon :) cooked in coconut oil. I cooked enough for three servings, and it actually tastes pretty good just zapped in the microwave for 30 seconds. For lunch I made wraps with chicken cooked with apples, carrots, onions and a baba ganoush spread…complete with a roasted kale salad. 

I just was looking for a change, and a shift in focus…I think the weight loss will come naturally as a result of more daily physical activity & eating of home prepared food instead of food-like products. Oh, and a HUGE decrease in stress…plus no birth control pill, and likely more sleep each night. Of course, I’m not going to “ban” foods or call certain foods “bad” or “good” because ultimately I’m in it for the long run…and if I want to go out for a fancy dessert crepe/waffle once a week with the roomies…then I certainly shall. 

Currently sitting in the backyard with a tall glass of ice water, enjoying some sunshine & lounging before I head off to my weekend burger-place job. I feel like I’m in paradise. It feels so nice to just sit and listen to the birds and read :)

You’ll hear moar about lifting on Monday, when I plan to return to the iron. For now - have a great weekend everyone :D