Be the Tortoise, Not the Hare
- Thread starter Laura F
- Start date
I'm with Laura! The days I don't go to the gym first thing in the morning are usually the days I don't go to the gym at all
but to each their own, just gotta find something that works! I've been getting up at around 5:45 or 6 am so I have time to go to the gym and get ready for work. And btw I looooove my sleep, so that's saying something!
Sunflower2
New member
Dude, I would love to give the grown man on a scooter a handshake. What a legend. We have an old man in Portsmouth who rides a skateboard. He's awesome.
Kick ass today, girlie.
Kick ass today, girlie.
Laura F
New member
Slickzchik - I'm glad you understand about these diaries being personal! My ex knew I had one but never told me he'd read it even once until months after we split (and that was only because that's how found out about new boyfriend!) Thankfully it wasn't a bad breakup, and I didn't write anything I regretted him seeing, really. On the contrary, I met my current man a (suspiciously) short time after the breakup, and I hope that reading my journal helped assure him that there was absolutely no funny business. That being said, I REALLY hope he's forgotten all about this site in the past two years, haha. I'll share things with my boyfriend now but he's just not going to understand how excited I was to NOT have a snack last night, or how awesome it felt to avoid a bagel this morning.
Ok, shameless segue, both of things totally happened. YES! You know how some days you feel strong and the snacks are silent in the kitchen, so silent they might as well be out of the country tormenting some other poor dieter who is just trying to watch tv in peace? Well last night was not one of those nights. I sat on the couch willing myself to avoid the kitchen before bed. Careful contemplation and then suddenly I made my move. It was practically a sprint, the kitchen was a blur, I hit up the bathroom and bounded up the stairs into bed, lights still on, but that's ok, I was getting comfy, too comfy to go back downstairs for a treat.
Eventually I turned the lights off and stopped thinking about food, and fell asleep easily. Score!
Then this morning I had to take my car into the shop for some repair. The shop is right across the street from a coffee shop (Dunkin Donuts) and the bus stop I'd need to get to work. Bus wasn't coming for more than 15 minutes and that was plenty of time to eat a donut, a bagel, or (my favorite) a sausage egg and cheese bagel. Mmmm, sausage.... It was hard to resist but I walked away with a coconut iced coffee, milk no sugar. And I am happier for it. That oatmeal waiting for me when I get to work will be delicious!
Ok, shameless segue, both of things totally happened. YES! You know how some days you feel strong and the snacks are silent in the kitchen, so silent they might as well be out of the country tormenting some other poor dieter who is just trying to watch tv in peace? Well last night was not one of those nights. I sat on the couch willing myself to avoid the kitchen before bed. Careful contemplation and then suddenly I made my move. It was practically a sprint, the kitchen was a blur, I hit up the bathroom and bounded up the stairs into bed, lights still on, but that's ok, I was getting comfy, too comfy to go back downstairs for a treat.
Eventually I turned the lights off and stopped thinking about food, and fell asleep easily. Score!
Then this morning I had to take my car into the shop for some repair. The shop is right across the street from a coffee shop (Dunkin Donuts) and the bus stop I'd need to get to work. Bus wasn't coming for more than 15 minutes and that was plenty of time to eat a donut, a bagel, or (my favorite) a sausage egg and cheese bagel. Mmmm, sausage.... It was hard to resist but I walked away with a coconut iced coffee, milk no sugar. And I am happier for it. That oatmeal waiting for me when I get to work will be delicious!
Laura F
New member
Way to go Laura!!!!! That's so awesome!!!!
I wish I could go running. I have in the past and tend to enjoy it, but the repercussions are just too much for my knees to handle. I'll cry myself to sleep for days..
Keep up the great work!!!
My brother is the same way. He would love to be out there running crazy distances, but his knee just doesn't agree with that plan. I've had good luck with all of my joints so far, thank goodness. I feel my left hip after tough hills, but let's be honest, I don't do tough hills very often
Laura F
New member
I wish that I could just take away the hour between 9:00 pm and 10:00 pm. I feel like I eat 80% of my calories in those 60 mins. Thank goodness the boyfriend is on days for the next two weeks. I'm going to try and develop a better routine for the nighttime. For one, start brushing my teeth right before hitting the hay. THAT should be the last thing I do before bed, not raiding the kitchen.
Clearly last night was not a win for me. But I am going to start my day off with a bowl of steel cut oats and keep my chin up.
Clearly last night was not a win for me. But I am going to start my day off with a bowl of steel cut oats and keep my chin up.
thedietplate
New member
Running 10k
Firstly well done on running 10k whether you came last or not is not really important, what is important is that you were there and you did it - I was probably in bed snoozing! So well done!
Re -smoothie - whoa, all good stuff yes, but as I am the inventor of the worlds first portion plate, I have to think about the concentrated calories and high sugar content. A portion of a fruit smoothie is a shot glass - yep about 50 mls. Otherwise your calories can go well over your BMR and stop or slow down weight loss. You would be better to eat a conference pear and a slice of pineapple. Conference pears are about 50 calories and low GI and pineapple is a fat cutter.
And like I said earlier a slice of ham is preferable to starchy carbohydrates last thing at night as the protein keeps your metabolism burning that little bit longer as the starch says, "Hmm energy, what! I am in bed ready to sleep, well alrighty then if I don't need this energy tonight, I will just store it as fat for tomorrow!"
Calories count - portions counts, exercise counts.
best
Kay
Thanks for dropping by Mands and thedietplate. You both mentioned eating out of boredom... that is definitely a downfall of mine a lot of the time, but the worst habit I have is raiding the fridge right before bed. And I mean RIGHT before, as in I carry whatever darn treat(s) I decided I wanted up a flight of stairs, crawl into bed with the lights off, chow down, and hide the evidence. It is a terrible habit. The good news is that I HAVE managed to find ways to avoid this, thankfully, but I haven't found a way to fully commit.
One method I've used is bringing some lemon ginger tea up with me for my half hour or hour of tv time. Or for a few weeks I was doing good about having a nice thick smoothie on hand (made with fruit, soy milk, oatmeal, and chia seeds), so I could stand in front of the fridge and have some smoothie right before heading upstairs, but I didn't have to feel guilty about it at all.
Had myself a little bedtime snack last night, via the previously mentioned method. Boyfriend left, and I immediately started doing housework. I cleaned the piggy cage (we have two adorable little guinea pigs!) and finished gluing a puzzle (you guys asked about hobbies - I love puzzles!), and straightened up a bit. Being alone actually gives me time to be MORE active, for the most part, rather than snuggling up on the tv, but I guess as soon as I sit down to watch tv by myself I don't know what to do. And that's where food comes in! I headed off to bed last night and wanted to catch up on one of my half hour shows (New Girl) and brought snacks up with me. I've gotta work on drinking more tea, I'm thinking. No food in bed!!!! Check back in with me tomorrow, and we'll see how I do tonight
Firstly well done on running 10k whether you came last or not is not really important, what is important is that you were there and you did it - I was probably in bed snoozing! So well done!
Re -smoothie - whoa, all good stuff yes, but as I am the inventor of the worlds first portion plate, I have to think about the concentrated calories and high sugar content. A portion of a fruit smoothie is a shot glass - yep about 50 mls. Otherwise your calories can go well over your BMR and stop or slow down weight loss. You would be better to eat a conference pear and a slice of pineapple. Conference pears are about 50 calories and low GI and pineapple is a fat cutter.
And like I said earlier a slice of ham is preferable to starchy carbohydrates last thing at night as the protein keeps your metabolism burning that little bit longer as the starch says, "Hmm energy, what! I am in bed ready to sleep, well alrighty then if I don't need this energy tonight, I will just store it as fat for tomorrow!"
Calories count - portions counts, exercise counts.
best
Kay
Sunflower2
New member
That's my worse hour as well, Laura. Already eaten dinner but it's not quite bed time and could probably eat MOARRRRR. Try downing a pint of water--makes ya feel so sick you don't want to eat! 
blues
New member
Since I've started (not long ago, admittedly!) if I've wanted something to eat around that time I usually go for a hot drink of some description. It's usually enough to distract me until sleep time and stops me just pounding a bunch of carbs which is usually what I want around that time!
Laura F
New member
Sunflower, I've gotta start drinking more water at home anyway, so maybe a bunch of water before bed will kill two birds with one stone. Last night I took your advice, blues, and had a mug of lemon ginger tea around 9pm. When I watch tv I just get antsy sitting still for so long, I think, so having a nice comforting (and calorie free!) drink should help that. Admittedly the boyfriend and I both fell asleep on the couch, so that lessened the temptation to nosh before bed.... But whatever, I'll take a good night of avoiding foods however I can get it.
I headed out early this morning for a little jog. GPS said four miles, but it's not always accurate. Time was 43 minutes. Not bad before 7 am! I'd only done cardio once since my 10k, and that was on the elliptical. I'd never been on a machine like this one.. I thought it was a standard contraption like I'd been on before, but there were these different "modes" you could choose. Either arm blaster, glute kicker, or a combo of both. I've got to spend some more time figuring it all about, but it ended up giving me different things to do every 60 seconds. It might tell me to squat down a little, to go extra fast, to use only my legs and no arms, to go in reverse, to focusing on pulling the arms back rather than pushing them forward.... It was pretty cool. I never spend much time on ellipticals but that day thirty minutes flew by FAST. And my arms were definitely feeling it the next day. I'm excited to try it out again soon.
This is not related to diet or exercise, but I can't end this without asking that you all keep Boston, Massachusetts in your thoughts and prayers. I work in Boston - and for those who may not be aware, yesterday our world was rocked by two homemade bombs at the finish line of the world's longest-running annual marathon. It is nearly impossible not to know people who were somehow affected. I had many friends in the vicinity, either as runners, supporters, or people working their everyday jobs. Thankfully everyone I know made it home safely yesterday, but so many people cannot say the same. So please send out whatever positive vibes you can to our city and state.
I headed out early this morning for a little jog. GPS said four miles, but it's not always accurate. Time was 43 minutes. Not bad before 7 am! I'd only done cardio once since my 10k, and that was on the elliptical. I'd never been on a machine like this one.. I thought it was a standard contraption like I'd been on before, but there were these different "modes" you could choose. Either arm blaster, glute kicker, or a combo of both. I've got to spend some more time figuring it all about, but it ended up giving me different things to do every 60 seconds. It might tell me to squat down a little, to go extra fast, to use only my legs and no arms, to go in reverse, to focusing on pulling the arms back rather than pushing them forward.... It was pretty cool. I never spend much time on ellipticals but that day thirty minutes flew by FAST. And my arms were definitely feeling it the next day. I'm excited to try it out again soon.
This is not related to diet or exercise, but I can't end this without asking that you all keep Boston, Massachusetts in your thoughts and prayers. I work in Boston - and for those who may not be aware, yesterday our world was rocked by two homemade bombs at the finish line of the world's longest-running annual marathon. It is nearly impossible not to know people who were somehow affected. I had many friends in the vicinity, either as runners, supporters, or people working their everyday jobs. Thankfully everyone I know made it home safely yesterday, but so many people cannot say the same. So please send out whatever positive vibes you can to our city and state.
Laura F
New member
I'm headed into work right now and I've already had a glass of water today. Now this might not SOUND like an accomplishment, but trust me, it is. At work I'm good about it... I've got my twenty ounce mug with a straw so I drink water mindlessly and enjoy the mini breaks to get up and refill. But at home I am pretty bad about staying hydrated. By Monday I'm usually so dehydrated, and I was out of work for a state holiday this Monday so I had an extra day of slacking. Gotta get that water level up today!
This past weekend was even worse than usual because for some reason boyfriend I drank a little more than we should have for three nights in a row. That's rare, thankfully, but the damage is done. It threw off my sleeping habits, too. I'm still recovering from that.
Food choices have been fine the past couple of days. On Monday there was no snacking after dinner, and the only snacks during the day were a no-bake butterscotch cookie and maybe 6 oz of a smoothie I made. The smoothie had oatmeal, chia seeds, lots of fruit, and a good amount of spinach. I made a big mug and just drank a little at a time, 4 ounces or less I'd say. I've got to play around with the flavors, though. I don't want to add any sweeteners if I don't have to, but this one was really bland. Maybe too much spinach and oatmeal for the amount of fruit.
Yesterday's non-meal foods included a Kashi granola bar after lunch, a KIND fruit and Nut bar and a clementine for a snack, and a small bowl of gelato after dinner. As far as bars go, KIND and Kashi are great options. They aren't overly sweet, with 5 and 6 grams of sugar, respectively. And my work provides the KIND ones, which is great because they aren't cheap
This past weekend was even worse than usual because for some reason boyfriend I drank a little more than we should have for three nights in a row. That's rare, thankfully, but the damage is done. It threw off my sleeping habits, too. I'm still recovering from that.
Food choices have been fine the past couple of days. On Monday there was no snacking after dinner, and the only snacks during the day were a no-bake butterscotch cookie and maybe 6 oz of a smoothie I made. The smoothie had oatmeal, chia seeds, lots of fruit, and a good amount of spinach. I made a big mug and just drank a little at a time, 4 ounces or less I'd say. I've got to play around with the flavors, though. I don't want to add any sweeteners if I don't have to, but this one was really bland. Maybe too much spinach and oatmeal for the amount of fruit.
Yesterday's non-meal foods included a Kashi granola bar after lunch, a KIND fruit and Nut bar and a clementine for a snack, and a small bowl of gelato after dinner. As far as bars go, KIND and Kashi are great options. They aren't overly sweet, with 5 and 6 grams of sugar, respectively. And my work provides the KIND ones, which is great because they aren't cheap
Justina
New member
Hey it takes some time to get into the routine of drinking water - but once you got it - it gets easier - second nature!
Your smoothie sounds super healthy! I was making a smoothie for my husband yesterday & I had maple syrup on the counter - just in case it's not sweet enough for him - he just decided to add some more fruits in too! So i think more fruit is a good solution!
Your smoothie sounds super healthy! I was making a smoothie for my husband yesterday & I had maple syrup on the counter - just in case it's not sweet enough for him - he just decided to add some more fruits in too! So i think more fruit is a good solution!
Hey Laura - I'm not from the Boston area but I have lots of family & friends who live there. I also knew a bunch of people out there to run the marathon. Hearing stories from friends...like being on the last mile when they went off, then being diverted...It's so sad. I can't even watch the news about it. So I am definitely thinking of all of you!
On a lighter note, I know exactly what you mean about the water! At work it is sooo easy to stay hydrated. But at home it takes extra effort from me. Oops!
Hope the rest of your week is fantastic!
On a lighter note, I know exactly what you mean about the water! At work it is sooo easy to stay hydrated. But at home it takes extra effort from me. Oops!
Hope the rest of your week is fantastic!
Sunflower2
New member
Have certainly had Boston in my thoughts--it's all over the news in the UK. Just hope people don't start pointing the finger without proof..
Really pleased about the water! I read your post and got Yank to bring me a huge glass of water and some herbal tea! All before 7am Now to start running like you! Don't see that ever happening before 7am! You are dedicated lady!
Really pleased about the water! I read your post and got Yank to bring me a huge glass of water and some herbal tea! All before 7am
Now to start running like you! Don't see that ever happening before 7am! You are dedicated lady!
Laura F
New member
Justina: After reading your post yesterday, I have to admit I put a little maple syrup in my smoothie this morning I know that wasn't the goal of your comment, haha, but it was delicious!
Camila: I'm so sorry to hear you had friends and family in the area. It was a tense few hours as everyone tried to contact anyone who could have possibly been in the city... Sounds like everyone you know is physically fine, thank goodness.
Hana: Water AND herbal tea? Whoa! Double the goodness! I can say the pre-7 am running desire comes and goes, haha. And for that matter, so does the post 5 pm desire!
Food yesterday was mostly good.
Breakfast - A big bowl of steel cut oats with brown sugar and maple syrup. It wasn't quite sweet enough for me, which probably means I used the right amount of sweeteners!
Lunch - Greek yogurt and a KIND bar. The oatmeal really did fill me up.
Snack - 2 clementines
Dinner - Boyfriend made homemade sushi rolls. Mostly avocado and cucumber, and some with Spam (ick!) I ate a few with Spam, but mostly I had the veggie ones.
Dessert/Snacks - 1 Unreal peanut butter cup (75 cals) and two servings of Cheeto's (300 cals).
I was feeling so good about the day until those Cheeto's! Sooooo incredibly processed. We try to keep only tortilla chips in the house, but we DO have a secret obsession with trying new flavors of potato chips (and rarely re-buy once we try them). A Sriracha flavor was the most recent, and then we stumbled upon a Cheeto's mix that included salsa verde and jalapeño flavors. And the dumb things were buy one get one free, so we grabbed a bag of regular ones, which I have a weakness for! But it's ok, my calories were still fine for the day I'm sure.
As far as exercise goes, I went for a walk at lunch. I met up with a friend and between walking to her and walking with her, I got an hour in. It's not a run but it's better than nothing!
I know that wasn't the goal of your comment, haha, but it was delicious!Camila: I'm so sorry to hear you had friends and family in the area. It was a tense few hours as everyone tried to contact anyone who could have possibly been in the city... Sounds like everyone you know is physically fine, thank goodness.
Hana: Water AND herbal tea? Whoa! Double the goodness! I can say the pre-7 am running desire comes and goes, haha. And for that matter, so does the post 5 pm desire!
Food yesterday was mostly good.
Breakfast - A big bowl of steel cut oats with brown sugar and maple syrup. It wasn't quite sweet enough for me, which probably means I used the right amount of sweeteners!
Lunch - Greek yogurt and a KIND bar. The oatmeal really did fill me up.
Snack - 2 clementines
Dinner - Boyfriend made homemade sushi rolls. Mostly avocado and cucumber, and some with Spam (ick!) I ate a few with Spam, but mostly I had the veggie ones.
Dessert/Snacks - 1 Unreal peanut butter cup (75 cals) and two servings of Cheeto's (300 cals).
I was feeling so good about the day until those Cheeto's! Sooooo incredibly processed. We try to keep only tortilla chips in the house, but we DO have a secret obsession with trying new flavors of potato chips (and rarely re-buy once we try them). A Sriracha flavor was the most recent, and then we stumbled upon a Cheeto's mix that included salsa verde and jalapeño flavors. And the dumb things were buy one get one free, so we grabbed a bag of regular ones, which I have a weakness for! But it's ok, my calories were still fine for the day I'm sure.
As far as exercise goes, I went for a walk at lunch. I met up with a friend and between walking to her and walking with her, I got an hour in. It's not a run but it's better than nothing!
Laura F
New member
Thanks, Munch! I let myself enjoy the Cheeto's that day, but I pretty much just felt guilty about eating them the next day
I just got back from a 4 mile run and I feel great! Had a nice big bowl of steel cut oats to fuel up. That is my new favorite breakfast... I tried to make them a looooong time ago and couldn't get the texture right. Then I read somewhere to use a rice cooker and now I'm hooked. A little brown sugar and maple syrup, and some milk to thin it out..... Delish!
Anyway, usually when I run my first half mile or so just SUCKS. I know this, and expect it. I fight to catch my breath, my legs fight this weird fast pace they don't want to do, and then a few minutes later it just clicks and I'm good to go. Well today just started out awesome and thirty seconds in I thought "this is gonna be a good run." And I was right! I wasn't necessarily faster than usual, but my body just felt like it was doing all the right things. The weather was great, too. The wind was enough to keep me cool without making me feel like I wasn't going anywhere, and it was the first time I've been able to go out in short sleeves this year.
Now let's hope I can keep this positive attitude up with my food choices for the day!!
I just got back from a 4 mile run and I feel great! Had a nice big bowl of steel cut oats to fuel up. That is my new favorite breakfast... I tried to make them a looooong time ago and couldn't get the texture right. Then I read somewhere to use a rice cooker and now I'm hooked. A little brown sugar and maple syrup, and some milk to thin it out..... Delish!
Anyway, usually when I run my first half mile or so just SUCKS. I know this, and expect it. I fight to catch my breath, my legs fight this weird fast pace they don't want to do, and then a few minutes later it just clicks and I'm good to go. Well today just started out awesome and thirty seconds in I thought "this is gonna be a good run." And I was right! I wasn't necessarily faster than usual, but my body just felt like it was doing all the right things. The weather was great, too. The wind was enough to keep me cool without making me feel like I wasn't going anywhere, and it was the first time I've been able to go out in short sleeves this year.
Now let's hope I can keep this positive attitude up with my food choices for the day!!
Laura F
New member
Boyfriend *just* discovered I opened the bag of Cheeto's, haha. My new secret to splurging on things like that should be to take out the tiniest bowl I own and tell him to give me "just a little." This is by far the smallest amount I have ever eaten in my life!
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