sleeplessinsc
New member
I stumbled across your diary, and it is quite intresting.
Congrats on the 11 pound loss! Your doing great!
Congrats on the 11 pound loss! Your doing great!
An American in Africa
- Thread starter BurkinaMom
- Start date
BurkinaMom
New member
I'm so glad the floors of your home are intact, Anna! That would be a little too much drama, IMHO! Sorry you are having a bit of insomnia...but maybe my blog will be so boring, it will put you right to sleep!
Your mom sounds great! Really cool under pressure. Luckily, we don't have tarantulas in Burkina. I don't know how I'd do!
I am here at my computer, drinking a Diet coke (what a treat!) and getting ready to (finally!!) go to work.
I am trying to eat more protein today, as well as watch the calories. I've been going so heavy on the vegetables that I'm not getting much meat or dairy at all these days. Which I know is not healthy.
I won't make it to the gym today, but do plan to walk with my friends this evening....Every little bit helps. Right?
Your mom sounds great! Really cool under pressure. Luckily, we don't have tarantulas in Burkina. I don't know how I'd do!
I am here at my computer, drinking a Diet coke (what a treat!) and getting ready to (finally!!) go to work.
I am trying to eat more protein today, as well as watch the calories. I've been going so heavy on the vegetables that I'm not getting much meat or dairy at all these days. Which I know is not healthy.
I won't make it to the gym today, but do plan to walk with my friends this evening....Every little bit helps. Right?
2Skinny
New member
Wrong kind of drama
Yes, wrong kind of drama with a floor falling.
Just want to tell you I started reading your blog and it most definitely will NOT put me to sleep. It's fantastic. My aunty Lily and uncle Paul live near Durban, south of Johannnesburg on the east coast of South Africa. Uncle Paul had a sugar plantation, but is semi-retired and works as a consultant now. I've never visited them but they've come to Canada.
It certainly takes thought and planning to balance protein, veggies, dairy, etc. Enjoy your walk tonight! My gosh, I'm going to want to talk about Africa with you instead of weight loss! LOL
Yes, wrong kind of drama with a floor falling.
Just want to tell you I started reading your blog and it most definitely will NOT put me to sleep. It's fantastic. My aunty Lily and uncle Paul live near Durban, south of Johannnesburg on the east coast of South Africa. Uncle Paul had a sugar plantation, but is semi-retired and works as a consultant now. I've never visited them but they've come to Canada.
It certainly takes thought and planning to balance protein, veggies, dairy, etc. Enjoy your walk tonight! My gosh, I'm going to want to talk about Africa with you instead of weight loss! LOL
BurkinaMom
New member
Oh no!
I was getting kind of frustrated by my plateau, so I decided to change my food program for a couple of weeks. After looking around on the internet, I decided to do Atkins. It was just for two weeks, mind you, to help me drop a few pounds and get me really motivated. Then I'd go back to my balanced diet of veg, fruit, whole grains, etc....
Well, I lasted three days. I have never felt worse in my life!!!! I felt so weak and feeble- a big change from my energy of the past two months. I have gotten used to feeling GREAT most of the time. Sometimes I get a little hungry, but I always have tons of energy for excercise and whatever. But on a high-protein diet, I was completely changed and not for the better. I "lost" three pounds in three days, but it's not worth feeling so bad. Plus I figure I'll gain it back now that I'm back on my real-life eating program. I had grapefruit for breakfast and it was SO good! I guess I will have to stick with the slow, boring kind of weightloss....which I hope will also be the long-lasting kind!
Saturday is my one day off from excercising. But the weather is breezy and not too hot today. I think I might go for a long walk to celebrate!
2Skinny- let's keep in contact by private messages + email and talk about Africa, Canada, twins, Sharon Stone, and whatever!
I was getting kind of frustrated by my plateau, so I decided to change my food program for a couple of weeks. After looking around on the internet, I decided to do Atkins. It was just for two weeks, mind you, to help me drop a few pounds and get me really motivated. Then I'd go back to my balanced diet of veg, fruit, whole grains, etc....
Well, I lasted three days. I have never felt worse in my life!!!! I felt so weak and feeble- a big change from my energy of the past two months. I have gotten used to feeling GREAT most of the time. Sometimes I get a little hungry, but I always have tons of energy for excercise and whatever. But on a high-protein diet, I was completely changed and not for the better. I "lost" three pounds in three days, but it's not worth feeling so bad. Plus I figure I'll gain it back now that I'm back on my real-life eating program. I had grapefruit for breakfast and it was SO good! I guess I will have to stick with the slow, boring kind of weightloss....which I hope will also be the long-lasting kind!
Saturday is my one day off from excercising. But the weather is breezy and not too hot today. I think I might go for a long walk to celebrate!
2Skinny- let's keep in contact by private messages + email and talk about Africa, Canada, twins, Sharon Stone, and whatever!
2Skinny
New member
Hi Beth
I tried Atkins a few years ago and lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks, but couldn't jog anymore, I was so weak. We really need carbs for energy. I also figure, any diet that cuts out fruit has got to be wrong, because fruit has fiber and naturally occuring sugars. I know that feeling of wanting to take it off quicker and get a jump start. But you're doing great. The thing I always have to remind myself (actually I hammer it in my head daily) is my lifestyle change is permanent, not just this weight comes off. It's permanent changes to my eating habits and activity level. I need a tape recorder stuck to my forehead.THANK you for your email, someone just called me Sharon Stone the other day (I wish). LOL
BurkinaMom
New member
Hi Ms. Stone! Thanks for the good post! I certainly learned a lesson.
RhoRho
New member
lack of variety?
I have to add my two cents. African cuisine does not, repeat, not lack variety. Africa consists of just as many countries as Europe, and foods vary vastly with each region, just as in any other continent. Even BurkinaMom admits that this lack of variety is probably limited to where she is, i.e. Burkina Faso. When I read her statement about lack of fresh fruit and vegetables, I remember thinking 'Is she in Africa?', because fresh fruit and vegetables is what we're all about, fresher than the genetically modified versions we have here in Europe! I second your recommendations on trying out the local fruits and vegetables, which you can never get elsewhere, as they're extremely tasty and filling.
BurkinaMom, keep up with your diet and exercise, and remember that you do not need a gym in order to work out. Walking along the uneven, dusty roads in that kind of heat will melt the pounds away. As delicious as our starchy foods tend to be, I'd say you should keep away from them. Cos they're no good for the waistline. No good at all.
I have to add my two cents. African cuisine does not, repeat, not lack variety. Africa consists of just as many countries as Europe, and foods vary vastly with each region, just as in any other continent. Even BurkinaMom admits that this lack of variety is probably limited to where she is, i.e. Burkina Faso. When I read her statement about lack of fresh fruit and vegetables, I remember thinking 'Is she in Africa?', because fresh fruit and vegetables is what we're all about, fresher than the genetically modified versions we have here in Europe! I second your recommendations on trying out the local fruits and vegetables, which you can never get elsewhere, as they're extremely tasty and filling.
BurkinaMom, keep up with your diet and exercise, and remember that you do not need a gym in order to work out. Walking along the uneven, dusty roads in that kind of heat will melt the pounds away. As delicious as our starchy foods tend to be, I'd say you should keep away from them. Cos they're no good for the waistline. No good at all.
BurkinaMom
New member
Still here!!
It has been...one month (!!!) since I last posted! I have been busy and stressed, and have not lost any weight this month. BUT, I have kept up my excercise (yippee!!) and managed not to gain any weight back. I have been thinking of it as my "consolidaton" period. I've just been keeping up the sports and eliminating stress-eating. So, while losing is good, I'm still going to count the last few months as a victory for me!
Well, that's where I've been. But now I'm ready to move on and lose some more weight. I have a couple of friends here in Ouaga that want to lose 15 lbs each. So, I'm making that a mini-goal. I hope we can kep each other motivated.
What did I eat today?
Breakfast:
Special K cereal
2% milk (Had no skim this morning. But I bought some this afternoon!)
Decaf coffe with Splenda
Lunch:
Two small boiled potatos with sea salt.
I non-fat, non-sugar prune yoghurt
Decaf coffe with Splenda
It was a very light lunch, but I was too hot and miserable to eat much....plus the cauliflower I'd planned to eat was so over-cooked that I couldn't stand to eat it.
Snack:
I Diet Coke
Water:
Drank a liter. Which is good for me, as I never drink enough!
Excercise:
50 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes free weights
So far, it's been a great day. I usually eat more, but I've been so busy! But I'll have to watch myself at dinner tonight. I am so hungry right now.... I better go figure out what I'm going to eat tonight, so I don't get out of control!
It has been...one month (!!!) since I last posted! I have been busy and stressed, and have not lost any weight this month. BUT, I have kept up my excercise (yippee!!) and managed not to gain any weight back. I have been thinking of it as my "consolidaton" period. I've just been keeping up the sports and eliminating stress-eating. So, while losing is good, I'm still going to count the last few months as a victory for me!
Well, that's where I've been. But now I'm ready to move on and lose some more weight. I have a couple of friends here in Ouaga that want to lose 15 lbs each. So, I'm making that a mini-goal. I hope we can kep each other motivated.
What did I eat today?
Breakfast:
Special K cereal
2% milk (Had no skim this morning. But I bought some this afternoon!)
Decaf coffe with Splenda
Lunch:
Two small boiled potatos with sea salt.
I non-fat, non-sugar prune yoghurt
Decaf coffe with Splenda
It was a very light lunch, but I was too hot and miserable to eat much....plus the cauliflower I'd planned to eat was so over-cooked that I couldn't stand to eat it.
Snack:
I Diet Coke
Water:
Drank a liter. Which is good for me, as I never drink enough!
Excercise:
50 minutes elliptical, 15 minutes free weights
So far, it's been a great day. I usually eat more, but I've been so busy! But I'll have to watch myself at dinner tonight. I am so hungry right now.... I better go figure out what I'm going to eat tonight, so I don't get out of control!
Nice to see you back and with some victories too - that's great
and with some victories too - that's great
RhoRho
New member
Hey BurkinaMom,
Welcome back. I'm glad you feel positive about it all, cos it won't do for you to feel you're not progressing. I think it bodes well for the lasting change that you've been engaging in sports and eliminating stress eating as you said. Well done.
You did undereat today, considering you exercised as well - I hope you feel better soon. How much more do you usually eat?
Great to have you back.
Welcome back. I'm glad you feel positive about it all, cos it won't do for you to feel you're not progressing. I think it bodes well for the lasting change that you've been engaging in sports and eliminating stress eating as you said. Well done.
You did undereat today, considering you exercised as well - I hope you feel better soon. How much more do you usually eat?
Great to have you back.
BurkinaMom
New member
I'm Back!
I had a great vacation in the USA! We went camping for nearly a month! In a tent! With our FOUR kids! It was amazing and the United Staes is just SO beautiful! The food is good, too. Unfortunately. Despite the fact that we walked a lot and had to get that huge tent up and down about six zillion times, I managed to gain about 11 pounds. Ooops.
I enjoyed myself, but what a shock to get home and have to "deal". I pretty quickly got back into my healthy habits here and am managing to get rid of the weight. I've lost 12 pounds since Sept.1. (Yay for me!) So, now I'm back to square one and ready for action.
I'm eating fresh veg, fruit and whole grains, little sugar, low fat. I'm counting those calories and excercising about five times a week. Six, if I can manage it.
Glad to be back!!!!
I had a great vacation in the USA! We went camping for nearly a month! In a tent! With our FOUR kids! It was amazing and the United Staes is just SO beautiful! The food is good, too. Unfortunately. Despite the fact that we walked a lot and had to get that huge tent up and down about six zillion times, I managed to gain about 11 pounds. Ooops.
I enjoyed myself, but what a shock to get home and have to "deal". I pretty quickly got back into my healthy habits here and am managing to get rid of the weight. I've lost 12 pounds since Sept.1. (Yay for me!) So, now I'm back to square one and ready for action.
I'm eating fresh veg, fruit and whole grains, little sugar, low fat. I'm counting those calories and excercising about five times a week. Six, if I can manage it.
Glad to be back!!!!