Yes, yes. I am still here!
I have a big meeting tomorrow to discuss my future as a graduate student (graduation dates?). Thus, my nerves have kept me from wanting to think about food. I am working a ton and thankfully TE, our families, and our friends have been amazing and supportive throughout my dramatic roller-coaster of moods. Which I am sure will not end tomorrow...
The Woods family made us an amazing meal on Sunday night and forced me to stop freaking out for a few hours (not a small feat!). I have never had BBQ chicken that was so good. Really. I would eat it everyday. :) Maybe we can coax a guest recipe out of them!!
I have big plans to relax this weekend. "Relaxing" will involve scouring our apartment (we will be hosting my little brother and his girlfriend and pup next weekend- I think the King is going to be more excited than I am- he LOVES his cousin pup!), drinking tequila and tonics out in T&S's back yard (T made homemade tonic!! AND calculated the calories in a drink for me!! He is so sweet!!), some yoga and some running. Annd... very minimal work. Maybe only 5hrs or so!
So with that, I promise to return with stories of food and nutrition and hopefully some good news on the graduation front...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Why CR?
In my attempts to re-motivate (counting is not going as well as I would like...) I am going to dedicate the next few posts to why I want to maintain this seemingly (to me) labor intensive diet.
1) Weight loss/maintenance.
Really what more is needed to say? I lost 20lbs throughout the study and I would like to keep it off, and keep my body in a negative energy state. Good things happen when you are in a negative energy balance. Like what, you ask?!
2) Improved health functions.
If we can correlate the animals studies to the preliminary human studies*: if one were to maintain a CR diet for life (all benefits lost once you stop dieting- not that you would get unhealthy immediately, but the "protection" is lost) you would
*None of this has been proven in humans, but the evidence is clear in animal studies.
3) Awareness.
It is a good thing when you know how much food you actually need on a daily basis. And anther good thing when you can look back at the end of the day and know you ate what you needed. It may seem strange, but awareness and control can be a good thing. Self control is one of the hardest things I am still learning...
1) Weight loss/maintenance.
Really what more is needed to say? I lost 20lbs throughout the study and I would like to keep it off, and keep my body in a negative energy state. Good things happen when you are in a negative energy balance. Like what, you ask?!
2) Improved health functions.
If we can correlate the animals studies to the preliminary human studies*: if one were to maintain a CR diet for life (all benefits lost once you stop dieting- not that you would get unhealthy immediately, but the "protection" is lost) you would
- Not get sick as often-- when I did get sick it was never that bad
- Be more protected from getting diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, immune diseases, and cancer
- Have improved muscle and bone structure
*None of this has been proven in humans, but the evidence is clear in animal studies.
3) Awareness.
It is a good thing when you know how much food you actually need on a daily basis. And anther good thing when you can look back at the end of the day and know you ate what you needed. It may seem strange, but awareness and control can be a good thing. Self control is one of the hardest things I am still learning...
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Bad First Day
So I went over my calories yesterday. Way over.
What went wrong? Where to begin!?
Poor food planning (lunch/snacks), evening delays (the King Pup), and reduced kitchen access (all of our porch furniture is in our kitchen while they paint/stain the decks) all led a "starving Liz" to order Chinese food last night (oh, the drama!).
Which in theory is fine, since I have my favorite healthy order now: hot and sour soup with steamed mixed veggies (you get 3 meals out of that order and it is pretty low calorie. High salt, low calorie) with a side of scallion pancake (you have to have some fried yumminess!). But then I also ate some lo mien and a few pieces of General Tso's chicken (very small amounts but still calories add up quick in fried foods!). AND then(!!) ice cream!! I was insatiable yesterday.
I will blame the half marathon. Yep, that's it :) the blame game which got me into trouble before CALERIE. I know better now.
Usually when I get back "on the wagon" after a blow-out day-- I like to have a few very high fiber days (45g). I feel fuller. I am less likely to have starving fits that go out of control like that. But that requires planning, which I did not do yesterday. Today will hopefully be better. I have my leftover soup, bran buds for my yogurt, fresh berries, and some fiber one bars on hand. Many better choices to keep me satisfied throughout the day.
Here's to a better day today!
What went wrong? Where to begin!?
Poor food planning (lunch/snacks), evening delays (the King Pup), and reduced kitchen access (all of our porch furniture is in our kitchen while they paint/stain the decks) all led a "starving Liz" to order Chinese food last night (oh, the drama!).
Which in theory is fine, since I have my favorite healthy order now: hot and sour soup with steamed mixed veggies (you get 3 meals out of that order and it is pretty low calorie. High salt, low calorie) with a side of scallion pancake (you have to have some fried yumminess!). But then I also ate some lo mien and a few pieces of General Tso's chicken (very small amounts but still calories add up quick in fried foods!). AND then(!!) ice cream!! I was insatiable yesterday.
I will blame the half marathon. Yep, that's it :) the blame game which got me into trouble before CALERIE. I know better now.
Usually when I get back "on the wagon" after a blow-out day-- I like to have a few very high fiber days (45g). I feel fuller. I am less likely to have starving fits that go out of control like that. But that requires planning, which I did not do yesterday. Today will hopefully be better. I have my leftover soup, bran buds for my yogurt, fresh berries, and some fiber one bars on hand. Many better choices to keep me satisfied throughout the day.
Here's to a better day today!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I am baaack!
Yes!
Finally!
I had a nice two month break from thinking about calories. I ran a half marathon. I did a lot of yoga. And I gained about 2lbs...
Not terrible. But if I keep gaining 1lb/month I will be back where I was in less than two years! Not something I want. I want to keep up with the CR. I like how I feel when I am restricted. It is cheaper to eat less (usually!). If I eat what I know/standards there will be no room for questioning and I won't have to think too much about food while I am over stressed writing my thesis. Packaged foods. The same favorites. This will keep me going for the next 3-4mo until I graduate!!
So I will get back to blogging and keeping track of my calories. Either on CRON-o-Meter or on the Calorie King website. I have not decided yet. I think I am going to try out the CK website, since I can do it on any computer. Or maybe Google...
Today is Day One!!
I am going to attempt a comical Bridget Jones diary format. We will see if I can pull it off :) It may get back to the boring same old.... I am thinking about not retelling everything I eat here (for the sake of my readers) but to highlight things that went well or not so well.
Let's start this journey again!
Thanks for sticking with me--- if there is anyone left out there reading :)
Finally!
I had a nice two month break from thinking about calories. I ran a half marathon. I did a lot of yoga. And I gained about 2lbs...
Not terrible. But if I keep gaining 1lb/month I will be back where I was in less than two years! Not something I want. I want to keep up with the CR. I like how I feel when I am restricted. It is cheaper to eat less (usually!). If I eat what I know/standards there will be no room for questioning and I won't have to think too much about food while I am over stressed writing my thesis. Packaged foods. The same favorites. This will keep me going for the next 3-4mo until I graduate!!
So I will get back to blogging and keeping track of my calories. Either on CRON-o-Meter or on the Calorie King website. I have not decided yet. I think I am going to try out the CK website, since I can do it on any computer. Or maybe Google...
Today is Day One!!
I am going to attempt a comical Bridget Jones diary format. We will see if I can pull it off :) It may get back to the boring same old.... I am thinking about not retelling everything I eat here (for the sake of my readers) but to highlight things that went well or not so well.
Let's start this journey again!
Thanks for sticking with me--- if there is anyone left out there reading :)
Monday, March 1, 2010
It's all over now, baby blue
I know I have not had any time to blog about the sad ending of my role in the CALERIE study. Things have been crazy with being at the study, getting ready for a conference, and getting ready for a vacation.
So the short version of the story is that I am/was very sad to be finished with the study. The last morning was a grueling one --I think that I have to claim the biopsies are the least fun part of the study-- but as I told the doctor performing them, I entered the study because I saw the impressive pictures of the calorie restricted mouse muscle- so I should have to participate in this part of the study for that reason alone! But as I was done, and eating breakfast, I started sobbing. I did not know why I was so upset. I would think most people would have been thrilled to be finished with the study- but no- there I was blubbering over my English muffin and peanut butter.
I was getting some very good/supportive text messages though at this time. AMH helped me justify that the study was a major part of my life for 2 years and I am allowed to mourn it's end. And so I did. All day. Every time I thought I was okay, something would trigger the tears. At one point it was hearing Bob Dylan's- It's all over now baby blue on the radio.
But I could not mourn for long. I needed all pistons firing for the effort of making my poster... if any of you remember the last poster I made (October) I pulled an all nighter (nothing like the last minute- procrastination Liz). I promised my counselor I would try not to ever do that again. I failed this week in keeping that promise. So without going into any of the awful details, I made a poster, it got printed (after many hours of IT intervention), I cleaned my apartment, did laundry, packed, baked muffins, and actually slept last night :)
So we made it. We have arrived safely and pretty much without any trouble, settled into the hotel with TE, and just returned from food shopping.
Which is really the topic I want to discuss the most right now. We had to go to a gas station grocery for our food. We are trying to save money by not buying more than one meal out each day-- we wanted to take a bus to a supermarket somewhat nearby, but we are tired and did not feel like having to deal with public transport in a confusing non-city. So off we went to the gas station nearby.
We spent $56 (!?!? I know, right?! When you see the list below you will ask if we are really saving any money!)-- here is what we got for breakfasts and lunches for TE and lunch/snacks for me.
6 Bananas
6 Bagels
Raisin Bran cereal
JIF peanut butter
Strawberry Jelly
Plain corn Doritos (TE has been talking about their existence for years, no one believes him. We had to get them...)
Salsa
Beef Jerky
Bag of mixed mini candy bars
Milk
4 6oz- yogurt (not the ones I would want but at least they are low-fat)
Red Fat Cream cheese
25% reduced fat cheddar (impressive for a gas station!)
Ziploc "bowls"
Plastic utensils
Yep- so I will keep you all posted on my CR eating at a conference. I did well tonight, steered clear of any and all cheese (I can not have one piece) and just drank tea/decaf coffee and ate fruit. They only give us breakfast here so I am going to make the most of it.
So the short version of the story is that I am/was very sad to be finished with the study. The last morning was a grueling one --I think that I have to claim the biopsies are the least fun part of the study-- but as I told the doctor performing them, I entered the study because I saw the impressive pictures of the calorie restricted mouse muscle- so I should have to participate in this part of the study for that reason alone! But as I was done, and eating breakfast, I started sobbing. I did not know why I was so upset. I would think most people would have been thrilled to be finished with the study- but no- there I was blubbering over my English muffin and peanut butter.
I was getting some very good/supportive text messages though at this time. AMH helped me justify that the study was a major part of my life for 2 years and I am allowed to mourn it's end. And so I did. All day. Every time I thought I was okay, something would trigger the tears. At one point it was hearing Bob Dylan's- It's all over now baby blue on the radio.
But I could not mourn for long. I needed all pistons firing for the effort of making my poster... if any of you remember the last poster I made (October) I pulled an all nighter (nothing like the last minute- procrastination Liz). I promised my counselor I would try not to ever do that again. I failed this week in keeping that promise. So without going into any of the awful details, I made a poster, it got printed (after many hours of IT intervention), I cleaned my apartment, did laundry, packed, baked muffins, and actually slept last night :)
So we made it. We have arrived safely and pretty much without any trouble, settled into the hotel with TE, and just returned from food shopping.
Which is really the topic I want to discuss the most right now. We had to go to a gas station grocery for our food. We are trying to save money by not buying more than one meal out each day-- we wanted to take a bus to a supermarket somewhat nearby, but we are tired and did not feel like having to deal with public transport in a confusing non-city. So off we went to the gas station nearby.
We spent $56 (!?!? I know, right?! When you see the list below you will ask if we are really saving any money!)-- here is what we got for breakfasts and lunches for TE and lunch/snacks for me.
6 Bananas
6 Bagels
Raisin Bran cereal
JIF peanut butter
Strawberry Jelly
Plain corn Doritos (TE has been talking about their existence for years, no one believes him. We had to get them...)
Salsa
Beef Jerky
Bag of mixed mini candy bars
Milk
4 6oz- yogurt (not the ones I would want but at least they are low-fat)
Red Fat Cream cheese
25% reduced fat cheddar (impressive for a gas station!)
Ziploc "bowls"
Plastic utensils
Yep- so I will keep you all posted on my CR eating at a conference. I did well tonight, steered clear of any and all cheese (I can not have one piece) and just drank tea/decaf coffee and ate fruit. They only give us breakfast here so I am going to make the most of it.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Morning Over
So the worst of it is over... well mostly. Tomorrow I have my biopsies, that is not terrible but not fun.
This morning I was woken up at 6am (I told this to TE, and he asked "Do they know you?!" Ha!) for my weight, blood pressure, and set up for the resting metabolism test. Set up for me involves staying in bed. Fun!
The RMR test started at 8ish, they put this hood/mask thing over your head (clear plastic- you can see out of it) and it makes this wonderful white noise. Wonderful because it makes you want to sleep like you have never slept before. Buuut you need to stay awake for it- I try counting ceiling tiles, telling stories in my head, and this time I actually watched the screen measuring my metabolism. Always when I caught myself falling asleep it was the lowest. It kept things a bit more interesting than ceiling tiles.
I would say, just from my observations this morning- my RMR is around 1100 calories. That is to say - if I stayed in bed all day, I would need 1100 calories to maintain my weight. I think it is pretty much what I have been all along.
After that-I fell back asleep, had some crazy dreams about the King Pup (he has been acting out of sorts) and got re-woken up at 8:30(?) to start my glucose tolerance test. I won't go into the gory details- it is not terribly fun- especially because I am a big baby about blood lines in my hands. I am fine with lines in my arms, but I hate getting blood drawn from my hand. Regardless, my nurse was amazing and noticed that once my vein started to seize she needed to move the line. Fantastic!! I was also chanting (in my head) about my veins being rock-stars not disco dancers (okay, now I know I have not eaten/had coffee at this point-- but where do I come up with this stuff!?)
The glucose test was over by 12 (early!) and I got to have lunch (turkey and cheese on wheat bread) and head back to my room.
At 1pm I did about an hour of computer testing, which always make me feel like a dummy with ridiculously slow reflexes.
And that, my readers (if you are still reading), brings you all up-to-speed. I am about to start in on some work setting up my poster layout/outline for a meeting with boss-man tomorrow afternoon. Fun times at CALERIE high :)
This morning I was woken up at 6am (I told this to TE, and he asked "Do they know you?!" Ha!) for my weight, blood pressure, and set up for the resting metabolism test. Set up for me involves staying in bed. Fun!
The RMR test started at 8ish, they put this hood/mask thing over your head (clear plastic- you can see out of it) and it makes this wonderful white noise. Wonderful because it makes you want to sleep like you have never slept before. Buuut you need to stay awake for it- I try counting ceiling tiles, telling stories in my head, and this time I actually watched the screen measuring my metabolism. Always when I caught myself falling asleep it was the lowest. It kept things a bit more interesting than ceiling tiles.
I would say, just from my observations this morning- my RMR is around 1100 calories. That is to say - if I stayed in bed all day, I would need 1100 calories to maintain my weight. I think it is pretty much what I have been all along.
After that-I fell back asleep, had some crazy dreams about the King Pup (he has been acting out of sorts) and got re-woken up at 8:30(?) to start my glucose tolerance test. I won't go into the gory details- it is not terribly fun- especially because I am a big baby about blood lines in my hands. I am fine with lines in my arms, but I hate getting blood drawn from my hand. Regardless, my nurse was amazing and noticed that once my vein started to seize she needed to move the line. Fantastic!! I was also chanting (in my head) about my veins being rock-stars not disco dancers (okay, now I know I have not eaten/had coffee at this point-- but where do I come up with this stuff!?)
The glucose test was over by 12 (early!) and I got to have lunch (turkey and cheese on wheat bread) and head back to my room.
At 1pm I did about an hour of computer testing, which always make me feel like a dummy with ridiculously slow reflexes.
And that, my readers (if you are still reading), brings you all up-to-speed. I am about to start in on some work setting up my poster layout/outline for a meeting with boss-man tomorrow afternoon. Fun times at CALERIE high :)
Monday, February 22, 2010
Update
Well I am not quite sure if this is actually live blogging... but hey, it is what it is :)
So I did some work (some of my many experiments actually worked!?), watched According to Greta (eh), and 3 episodes of Ab Fab. Oh and ate. Something about being in here makes me starving!! Like insatiable.
And I am avoiding scratching at my arm where the allergy tests are planted. I have photos. They are gross.
Anyway- I thought you all may like this clip. If you have not ever seen Ab Fab before- you should. This episode is called "Fat" and if you do not want to watch the whole beginning you can fast forward to 2:35 when Edina asks why she is so fat. Enjoy and goodnight all!
So I did some work (some of my many experiments actually worked!?), watched According to Greta (eh), and 3 episodes of Ab Fab. Oh and ate. Something about being in here makes me starving!! Like insatiable.
And I am avoiding scratching at my arm where the allergy tests are planted. I have photos. They are gross.
Anyway- I thought you all may like this clip. If you have not ever seen Ab Fab before- you should. This episode is called "Fat" and if you do not want to watch the whole beginning you can fast forward to 2:35 when Edina asks why she is so fat. Enjoy and goodnight all!
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