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Year Two, Day 354: Monday Stats. έμπνευση!

I popped up in time to do a vigorous 10 minute run on the eliptical machine.  It is cold, and overcast outside. I thought about doing my vigorous walk to the corner gas station to get a cup of coffee. But instead, chose to hit the snooze and pull the covers over my head for another half hour.

I think it is good to alternate strenuous activity with low impact walking and weights.  I also read that intermittent fasting is healthy for the liver.  So my plan to not eat after 8 p.m. is a sound one! I usually do not eat again until after 10:00 a.m., when I have a cup of oatmeal and tea.

I found an article that recommends three solid meals a day. They say that snacking or "grazing" is actually not a good idea. This made me chuckle:

"For years, nutritionists have been telling us to graze - eat little and often - to keep up our energy levels and as a tactic to avoid overeating unhealthy food.
The problem with grazing is that many people ignore the bit about eating only a little, hearing only the message to 'eat often' - the result is we've become a nation of snackers."

"If we can hold out for four to five hours between meals, we burn more fat. 'Fat is burned as soon as your carbohydrate stores fall and you start the mobilisation of fat for energy,' explains Professor Atkin.Snacking also means that organs such as the liver and pancreas are under greater stress, as blood sugar and fat levels stay higher throughout the day, says professor Sattar. This also increases stress on blood vessels and, perhaps, the heart."




Ok. After I had a good laugh, I realized that I am one of these snackers! I unfortunately, used to believe everything I read.  Long before the internet, which taught us to be skeptical about EVERYTHING.

So I have years of snacking behind me. I could be a professional snacker!

Funny, just last night I was thinking about how weary I was becoming with this thing called "eating". So much preparation. So much clean up. So much concern about ingredients, calories, carbs, etc.  What a pain!

Think of all the time and stress we would save by just getting rid of it! Maybe just taking a pill every day for all of our nutritional needs and be done with it!

But then again, there are the tastes. The textures. The smells. The feelings.

Food is not just for survival, it also is wrapped up in many other layers.  Pleasure, comfort, entertainment.

Ok. So for now, I am just demoted food.  Three square meals.  For sustenance. Once in awhile for fellowship and entertainment.  And I am learning to consider a grumbling tummy a good sign. I am burning calories, not starving!

And on that note, here are my Monday stats. I am going to include mood, so I can monitor my depression. I am also starting to count calories.  I am going to aim for 1,500 a day. But according to "authoritynutrition.com" I would lose weight at 1,791 cals a day. If I wanted to "lose weight fast" I would have to consume only 1,343 cals a day. (https://authoritynutrition.com/how-many-calories-per-day/)

 "An average woman needs to eat about 2000 calories per day to maintain, and 1500 calories to lose one pound of weight per week" 

Weight
192 pounds
Measurements
Neck:    13.5"
Chest:   40"
Waist:    37"
Hips:      45"
Thighs:   22"

Biceps: 13"
Calves:   16"
Ankles:   8.5"

 

Mood 
(scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being extremely depressed, 10 being overjoyed!)
6

Food Log
10:00 a.m. 1 serving Umpqua Oats (gluten free, Maple Pecan Harvest) and 1 T butter:
(312 calories)
10:30 a.m. Black tea (0 calories)
12:00 1 rice cake, 1 slice turkey spam, 1/2 teaspoon mayo, 1/2 teaspoon mustard
(140 cals)
12:30 sliced carrots and 1 oz LaTerra Fina Greek Yogurt Dip with spinach, artichoke and parmesan (50 cals)
4:00 Beef taco, chicken enchilada, rice, beans, sour cream, guacamole, sliced radiah, and jalapenos at Don Pedro Restaurant. (approximately 800 cals. But only $6.30!)
6:00 Grande Green tea, soy latte at Starbucks - one pump of vanilla sweetener. (230 cals) One small orange (45 cals)

Total Calories: 1,477

Stats: May 26, 2015

Weight: 213 lbs
Neck: 15"
Chest: 47"
Waist: 41"
Hips: 48
Thighs: 23"
Biceps: 14
I think my mood has just been elevated! In comparing my stats today with my stats nearly 2 years ago, I have lost (and kept off!) 21 pounds, 1.5 inches off my neck, 7 inches off my chest, 4 inches off of my waist, 3 inches off my hips, and 1 inch off of each thigh!

And this is two years of not always giving it my best.  Definitely not 100%!  Sometimes barely even 50%!

So, NOW I am inspired. And as I am coming up on the beginning of Year Three of my self improvement plan, I feel improved!

YAY!

Happy Monday!
 
My Greek word of the day is "έμπνευση" (inspiration!)
And my fruit of the spirit today is "JOY"!
 Talk to you tomorrow.

Love,

Zita

 
 


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