Sunday, March 13, 2011
Behold, The Magical Bod Pod!
Ok, so 8 weeks have passed since I joined the gym and started working with the trainer, and the scale has gone up and down, and then just stalled. I figured it was just your typical weight loss plateau that most people have, and it would start moving again eventually. Then, my clothes started getting looser, even my underwear. Now I know why:
This week my trainer checked my progress with this machine called the Bod Pod. You may have seen it on The Biggest Loser. It's a big metal pod-shaped machine that measures your body composition. There's a door on the front of it with a plexiglass window so you can see outside, and a little bench to sit on inside. It sort of takes the place of skin calipers and there's a little scale attached that they weigh you on first. It reminded me a little bit of a space ship, and kinda reminded me of an MRI machine too. It even makes the same sort of noises as an MRI! Before you get in it, you have to put on a bathing cap, and strip down to a bathing suit, or sports bra and spandex shorts, and you can't eat or drink or exercise beforehand, because this will cause inaccurate results, I was told. I was first measured about 8 weeks ago; they recommend you only use it every 6 to 8 weeks at my gym, because some people become totally obsessed with it and want to use it all the time.
So here are my results:
I went from 47.6% body fat to 39.8%! (Wow, I was made up of 1/2 FAT! Gross...)
I went from 52.4% lean to 60.2%!
I went from 89.4 lbs of fat to 74.4 and 98.4 lbs of muscle to 112.6!
89.4 lbs of fat - 74.4lbs of fat = 15 lbs of FAT that I lost!
112.6 lbs of muscle -98.4 lbs of muscle = 14.2 lbs of muscle that I gained.
They're nearly even, so that explains why the scale didn't budge but my clothes are falling off. I can't wait to check it again in another 8 weeks. In the meantime, I'm gonna go enjoy a sugar-free popsicle.
To learn more about The Bod Pod, go here: http://www.bodpod.com/
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Diet Soda Conundrum
Some friends and I were debating the recent news that diet soda may be linked to an increased risk of stroke. In a study which followed 2500 people over 9 years, 61%(or so, I'm paraphrasing) of those people who also consumed diet sodas later went on to have strokes. The study implies that diet soda somehow increases your risk for stroke. The study did not mention how many were overweight, had a family history of stroke, or other increased risk factors, so it's difficult to pinpoint whether the diet sodas themselves caused the problem or merely contributed to it. Also, the study was a questionnaire, which asked the participants at one point in time whether they drank diet soda; it didn't ask them again later, so there is no way to know what habits they may changed during those 9 years.
It got me thinking about my own diet soda consumption. I drink diet soda. But I used to drink A LOT of diet soda, so much so that other people knew I was at work when they looked in the staff refrigerator and saw my 6-pack of 12 oz Diet Pepsi in there. Thankfully, I consume a lot less soda these days, opting for less processed food and chemicals as a general rule. But for all my diet soda consumption I was still pretty fat. I mean, it's not like it helped my diet or anything. Maybe all it did was allow me to feel justified in eating all kinds of fattening processed food, since I was cutting out calories on soda. I don't know. Diet soda is a crutch for the overweight masses, it seems.
One thing I did read at the end of that study, was a comment by one of the clinicians who said they think there is a possibility that diet sodas contribute to metabolic syndrome in some way. Now what is that, you ask? Simply put, metabolic syndrome is a group of medical problems that when combined increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Things like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, raised fasting blood sugar, a BMI >30, and abdominal girth. Basically, being overweight and unhealthy. In a NY Times article, a study of 9500 people aged 45 to 64 were tracked over a period of 9 years. They found that people who ate a typical "Western" diet of grains, red meat and fried foods had an 18% increased risk for metabolic syndrome. People who ate a diet of fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry showed no increased risk. "But the one-third who ate the most fried food increased their risk by 25 percent compared with the one-third who ate the least, and surprisingly, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome was 34 percent higher among those who drank one can of diet soda a day compared with those who drank none."http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/health/nutrition/05symp.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1298811640-w5TOVg/D2/QfTvl3IG7v1A
The study doesn't offer an explanation of why this may have happened, but it certainly makes a compelling argument against drinking diet soda.
When I think about what is actually in a diet soda, it mostly seems to be made up of chemicals, carbonation and some food coloring. It's the chemicals part that bothers me. I've decided that I will gradually eliminate diet soda from my diet, my family history being what it is; my Dad had a stroke 2 years ago.
But he never drank a diet soda in his life.
It got me thinking about my own diet soda consumption. I drink diet soda. But I used to drink A LOT of diet soda, so much so that other people knew I was at work when they looked in the staff refrigerator and saw my 6-pack of 12 oz Diet Pepsi in there. Thankfully, I consume a lot less soda these days, opting for less processed food and chemicals as a general rule. But for all my diet soda consumption I was still pretty fat. I mean, it's not like it helped my diet or anything. Maybe all it did was allow me to feel justified in eating all kinds of fattening processed food, since I was cutting out calories on soda. I don't know. Diet soda is a crutch for the overweight masses, it seems.
One thing I did read at the end of that study, was a comment by one of the clinicians who said they think there is a possibility that diet sodas contribute to metabolic syndrome in some way. Now what is that, you ask? Simply put, metabolic syndrome is a group of medical problems that when combined increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Things like high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and triglycerides, raised fasting blood sugar, a BMI >30, and abdominal girth. Basically, being overweight and unhealthy. In a NY Times article, a study of 9500 people aged 45 to 64 were tracked over a period of 9 years. They found that people who ate a typical "Western" diet of grains, red meat and fried foods had an 18% increased risk for metabolic syndrome. People who ate a diet of fruits, vegetables, fish and poultry showed no increased risk. "But the one-third who ate the most fried food increased their risk by 25 percent compared with the one-third who ate the least, and surprisingly, the risk of developing metabolic syndrome was 34 percent higher among those who drank one can of diet soda a day compared with those who drank none."http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/05/health/nutrition/05symp.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1298811640-w5TOVg/D2/QfTvl3IG7v1A
The study doesn't offer an explanation of why this may have happened, but it certainly makes a compelling argument against drinking diet soda.
When I think about what is actually in a diet soda, it mostly seems to be made up of chemicals, carbonation and some food coloring. It's the chemicals part that bothers me. I've decided that I will gradually eliminate diet soda from my diet, my family history being what it is; my Dad had a stroke 2 years ago.
But he never drank a diet soda in his life.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A Quick Update
Yesterday was Monday, new day, new week. I resolved to go to Boot Camp and I went! I spent the first 45 minutes on the treadmill, then went to Boot Camp and worked hard for another hour. I really like the trainer there on Mondays. His name is Seth. He's very motivational and takes the time to show me what to do, unlike some of the trainers there. And it doesn't hurt that he's easy on the eyes...
This morning I got on the scale and it had budged another 3 lbs! Seeing results like this is also motivating me to keep going. Tomorrow I see my personal trainer Sarah, and she will kick my butt then too. I think I see a 180 in my future...
I've lost 14 lbs since October 1st. :)
This morning I got on the scale and it had budged another 3 lbs! Seeing results like this is also motivating me to keep going. Tomorrow I see my personal trainer Sarah, and she will kick my butt then too. I think I see a 180 in my future...
I've lost 14 lbs since October 1st. :)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
FAIL
What do you do when you want and need to work out, but are just totally exhausted after a long day at work? That's what happened to me today. I spent most of the day standing on my feet during procedures at work, and the soles of my feet were (and still are) sore, and I just felt worn completely worn out. It took all my strength not to go home after work. I forced myself to drive to the gym and I went inside. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking now that I was there, I couldn't leave, and would follow through with my workout. I had planned to go to Boot Camp class, but I got there at 4:10pm and Boot Camp doesn't start until 5:30 pm. I jumped on a treadmill, assuming I'd stay on there until it was time to go to class, but I could only do 45 mins and I hit a wall. I went home.
All the way home, I felt bad about not staying for the class. I really enjoy the class, and it's a really tough workout. I've been seeing some results already. This morning I was excited about going, but all I could think about now was getting home and taking a nap. FAIL.
Once home and in bed, I thought about ways to prevent myself from becoming a gym dropout, since I'm sure there will be plenty of times like this.
Take a Nap and try again later. Wasn't really an option for me on this particular day, but it's something to think about for the future.
Get Up Early and go work out. There's a Boot Camp class at my gym at 5:15am. Hmmmm....
Go Anyway. That's what I did today, and even though I only did 45 mins of cardio, I used to do no exercise at all, so I consider this progress.
The main thing I've learned is that for exercise to work, you have to be consistent. If I miss a day, I have to make it up somewhere. And if I do it long enough, everything will even out.
All the way home, I felt bad about not staying for the class. I really enjoy the class, and it's a really tough workout. I've been seeing some results already. This morning I was excited about going, but all I could think about now was getting home and taking a nap. FAIL.
Once home and in bed, I thought about ways to prevent myself from becoming a gym dropout, since I'm sure there will be plenty of times like this.
Take a Nap and try again later. Wasn't really an option for me on this particular day, but it's something to think about for the future.
Get Up Early and go work out. There's a Boot Camp class at my gym at 5:15am. Hmmmm....
Go Anyway. That's what I did today, and even though I only did 45 mins of cardio, I used to do no exercise at all, so I consider this progress.
The main thing I've learned is that for exercise to work, you have to be consistent. If I miss a day, I have to make it up somewhere. And if I do it long enough, everything will even out.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Hey, Where'd My Plan Go?
I've been remodeling lately, so I guess somehow I lost some content from this page, like my previous post, "Always Have A Plan". That's ok, it will be back soon, with improvements. For that is what this blog is about, changing and improving things. See you tomorrow!
Cupcakes Ahoy!
Today is National Cupcake Day!
So we honor it with a Weight Watchers recipe for 2 point cupcakes:
Ingredients
- 1 Package Pillsbury Moist Supreme Reduced Sugar Cake Mix (Classic Yellow, Devil's Food Cake, Classic White, or Lemon)
- 1 12 oz. can of diet soda.
Instructions
Preheat oven and prepare pan for baking as directed on cake mix box. Slowly pour the can of soda into a mixing bowl. Empty the contents of cake mix into the bowl. It is important to introduce the mix into the soda and stir gently. While baking, the effervescent soda helps the cake to rise. Pouring the soda into the mix or stirring too forcefully will result in a flatter cake. Batter should be stirred just until moistened.
The flavor of soda used, should be adjusted according to flavor of cake batter used. For example, for a lemony cake, use diet Sprite or 7-up. For a chocolate cake, look for a diet chocolate soda, like Polar or Waist Watchers. You get the picture...
Frost with Fat Free Cool Whip. YUM!
Read more at Suite101: Weight Watchers Two Point Cupcakes: Low Calorie, Reduced Sugar Dessert Cake Recipe http://www.suite101.com/content/weight-watchers-two-point-cupcakes-a98891#ixzz18EobLale
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