Siam's Spring Journal

[Siam]

Hey everyone. I'm insecure about starting this, but I need some accountability to my nutritional choices and am keen to be honest in a forum like this. I have started journals in the past with great enthusiasm, only to abandon them shortly thereafter... with that same enthusiasm. It's not a sad story, just kind of a pathetic one.

I'm 25 and I've carried around an extra 15-20 pounds pretty much since puberty. I'm on the taller side and am somewhat athletic so I can kind of hide it to a certain extent, but my downfall is that I've always used my activity level to justify my "relaxed" approach to regulating my diet. I'm an emotional eater too. I use food to create experiences, to celebrate everything, and to congratulate myself daily. I don't want to be like this anymore. As a graduate student with diabetes on both sides of my family, my cheat/reward habits have become both nutritionally and financially irresponsible to my greater good.

I want to drop 15 pounds by the end of June, and I want to do it through exercise and a responsible diet that is considerate of my body's needs. I want to stop putting my moods first, and think more about my body as a temple right now - not in some hypothetical future where I like the way it looks a bit more. I don't want diabetes, and I don't want to feel trapped in this layer of excess body fat this Summer. I want this to be my Summer, and it starts with some hard work in the Spring.

For the next 50 days I want to keep a log here of my daily diet and exercise accomplishments and downfalls, and I'm going to write about what was easy and what wasn't. Reading about what others have gone through here has really helped. Stay with me, if you can!

Photos are forthcoming.

 

[Siam]

Day 1

Okay so I'm making my first entry today, even though it's not a typical day, because waiting for typical days is usually what gets me into trouble with journalling, fitday, the buddy system, and everything else.

Exercise:
Usually I work out before work or after work, but I didn't have time today because of a doctor's appointment and some errands that couldn't wait. So zero exercise today, just walking to work and doing the stairs to the laundry room.

Nutrition:
1/2 cup of oatmeal for breakfast, with 1/4 cup of mixed berries and 1/4 cup of skim milk.

Lunch was 3 oz of baked salmon with ginger and soya sauce. 3/4 cup of brown rice, and a cup of green beans.

Afternoon snack was a light Java Chip frappuccino from Starbucks (200 calories).

Dinner was a cup of bison chili (extra lean ground bison, diced tomatoes, red kidney beans, corn, peas, and chili seasoning packet) on a piece of sprouted grain toast.

I drank about 1.5 litres of water today, which is definitely not enough. Normally I eat more than this, too, but since I didn't work out today it was unnecessary. Oh man, I'm annoying myself already...

 

[Siam]

Day 2

Today was better than yesterday. I ended up eating about 400 calories worth of caramels that my husband brought out while we were watching tv later in the evening, and really disappointed myself. I just had one, and then before I knew it I was sitting next to a little pile of wrappers, and topping it off with a cold glass of skim milk. That's like another big meal right before bed. But that was yesterday, this is today.

Exercise:
30 minute swim - 100 meter sprints with 25 meter recovery laps

Nutrition:
1/2 cup oatmeal with 1 cup of skim milk and 1/2 cup of mixed berries
4 oz salmon with a 1/4 cup of brown rice and 1.5 cups of green beans
light java chip frappuccino from Starbucks
1 cup of bison chili with a piece of sprouted grain toast
500 ml organic honey bush herbal tea
about 1.5 litres of water

I was happy that I finally went to the gym today. This was my first time swimming since I broke my ribs 7 weeks ago, and it felt great... a little sore, but good overall. Today I added a ticker to my signature. I don't like looking at it, but it makes me feel like the goal is more concrete now that I have committed to making it move!

 

[Siam]

Day 3

Alright so, I haven't been honest in this journal already, I guess that's why I didn't enter anything yesterday. Last night I binged on cheetos and M&Ms.... I don't buy them, my husband does, and he keeps them in his own cupboard, but I go for it when I get in the mood and destroy a whole day of good eating. It's like a slippery slope - once I eat something regrettable, I decide I have to "make it worth it" and pig out. On Day 1 I did it with toffees, and on Day 2 I did it with lots of junk. I have also stopped drinking coffee this week because I just haven't felt like drinking it.... I used to rely on it pretty heavily, but I'm waking up feeling well-rested, and I don't feel that I need it during the day. That's been one interesting development this week.

Anyway, here's yesterday:

oatmeal with berries and skim milk
grilled salmon with brown rice and green beans
sprouted grain toast with peanut butter and skim milk
bison chili with 1/2 slice of toast
2 bowls of cheetos
1 bowl of m&ms
2 cookies

I didn't use amounts because it's the same as before. I didn't measure the binge, either.

 

[Siam]

Day 4

I haven't screwed up yet today! I think I'm going to make it!

Exercise:
20 minutes - 100 m freestyle sprints and 25 m recovery laps

Nutrition:
oatmeal with berries and skim milk
whole wheat pita with 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 tbsp honey mustard, and 1 cup of veggies
1 tin hardwood smoked oysters with one serving laughing cow cheese and a 35 calorie yogurt cup
1 thinkprotein bar (post work-out)

1.5 litres water