Eboncat - back to basics

[MostlyHarmless]

You seem to be doing really well so far, despite life getting in the way.  Keep up the great work!

[BlamedCat]

19%  wow... that's some good progress  Keep it up, EC, you are awesome!

[Eboncat]

Week 2 recap:

 

1.  Workout 5 days/week: Done!  Did YogaX for the first time in a few months as my 5th workout - kicked my butt.  I just wish it wasn't so long, I'd probably do it more often.  100%

 

2.  2L water 5 days/week: 4/5 days.  And was over 1500ml 2 other days.  So better than last week, gotta keep it up. 80%

 

3.  No computer in the evening while kid is awake, find things to do with him:  This is easier now that school's out and it's nice outside.  Spent a couple evenings with him and hubby kicking/throwing balls around outside.  I get up before them now, so I do most of my computer dinking around in the mornings.  I have noticed that I cheat a little if we're watching TV with my iPhone/iPad.  Not sure what to think about that. For now 100%

 

4.  Pretty up the outside:  Did nothing.  Busy week, and I ended up working on Sunday, which cut my weekend down to one day.  I did get outside, but decided cleaning my car inside and out was more important. I hadn't cleaned the inside (vacuum and everything) since before winter and it really needed it.  0%

 

Ok, now to the really confusing thing.  Body Fat %.  Started at 20% and has been trending downward fairly steadily (except the one really low outlier that got me all excited) to 18.8% this last Saturday.  Yesterday and today it has popped back up to 19.8%.  I've been eating fairly clean and actually have lost about 3 lbs since the beginning.  Do you think one Quarter Pounder meal on Friday would sabotage me that badly?  Oh, and last night we had pizza.  Yummy pizza.  I generally eat about 25%protein, 25-30% fat and the rest carbs.  Haven't cut out breads completely, but at most thats a small portion at one meal per day.  Well, except the pizza.  I have a protein shake after most workouts, but other than that I don't drink my calories.  I've been eating about 1900 calories per day - although MyFitnessPal says my net calories have been more like 1400.   I'm not trying to lose weight, I'd like to gain about 5 lbs of muscle.  I'm getting more muscle definition in my torso.  Why is my body fat % all wacky?  And I'd like any advice on how to fix this?

[BlamedCat]

I haven't been watching my body fat percentage.. I'd probably break it on the "blubber" setting and all... but... to be honest... fast food and pizza even as one normal meal screws with me for several days.

 

It all has to do with the sodium and wheat there... First, the sodium in a Micky D's quarter pounder is pretty high.. not to mention all the fillers in that 'beef patty' and the enriched wheat bun...   Though, while I don't think that helped a LOT to your percentage change, I think that coupled with the pizza pushed it back up. 

 

Imho and I'm not a doctor or any licensed professional, but I figure you're just bloated up and retaining some water, which would offset your percentage there.  Give it two days from your last measurement and then check and see what it looks like.  that's when I notice my weight go back to normal, so that should work for you too.

 

Good job on the other goals, and life happens with the cleanup, just get to it when you can

[Eboncat]

I haven't been watching my body fat percentage.. I'd probably break it on the "blubber" setting and all... but... to be honest... fast food and pizza even as one normal meal screws with me for several days.

 

It all has to do with the sodium and wheat there... First, the sodium in a Micky D's quarter pounder is pretty high.. not to mention all the fillers in that 'beef patty' and the enriched wheat bun...   Though, while I don't think that helped a LOT to your percentage change, I think that coupled with the pizza pushed it back up. 

 

Imho and I'm not a doctor or any licensed professional, but I figure you're just bloated up and retaining some water, which would offset your percentage there.  Give it two days from your last measurement and then check and see what it looks like.  that's when I notice my weight go back to normal, so that should work for you too.

 

Good job on the other goals, and life happens with the cleanup, just get to it when you can

Apparently you were right!  Body Fat % back down to 18.9 today (sigh of relief).  So now I know. 

I didn't start tracking BF% until I got close to my goal weight.  It would have been just one more # to stress about.  Now I only look at weight to see if I'm staying in range.

 

So I forgot to mention in my recap that I did find a bunch of body weight routines to use while on vacation next week.  So that goal met.  I'll be trying to get my sisters to do them with me.  Both of them run, but I don't think they do any kind of strength training.

 

Something I noticed this last week... I had cut down drastically on my diet coke intake in the last few challenges and was only drinking one 4 days a week (lunch at work).  Last week I switched to water during lunch trying to meet my 2L goals.  I had a diet coke last Friday (with the bad McDonald's meal), and I didn't like it.  So I guess I've killed that demon.  Yay!  The key was having the goal to drink all the water - I couldn't really fit anything else in during the day.

[PaladinAlex]

Great new ebon! It can be quite surprising how much one bad meal can affect you. I feel crappy when I eat junk now, so I just don't most of the time. And it's also great how you go so focused on meeting your water goal that you just stopped drinking your diet cokes.

[Eboncat]

So I'm off for vacation. Yay!

[BlamedCat]

So I'm off for vacation. Yay!

Woot!  Have fun!!!

[idealistinfire]

I wish I had been following this post all along - sounds like you're doing really, really well and it's fun to read your posts!  Have fun on your vacation and I hope you get to do a couple workouts with your sisters

[Eboncat]

I wish I had been following this post all along - sounds like you're doing really, really well and it's fun to read your posts!  Have fun on your vacation and I hope you get to do a couple workouts with your sisters

Thank you!

 

So, I'm back from Maui.  Had a wonderful time.  I highly recommend it.  If you ever get the chance, go.  The only thing we did that cost more than $10 was the luau, which my parents sprung for (bless them).  I wish I could have stayed another week, or two.  It was lovely.

 

Didn't do any structured workouts - but lots of hiking and swimming, at least an hour each day, usually more.  I did meet my goal of having researched BW workouts by the Sunday before I left and I took workout clothes and running shoes, but didn't do anything.  I can still count my 5 workouts per week, but no weight training.

 

I didn't track any food/calories while I was there, got on the scale yesterday morning (home) and my weight was the same (within 2 lbs) and BF% said 17.5!  Unfortunately it said 19.5 this morning, so I guess the ocean water didn't magically drop my BF without my having to work at it.  Darn it.  3 weeks to go, and it's moved down several times, then popped back up.  I'm not really sure what to do to keep it down at this point.  Which annoys me since it's a goal I set.  However, I'm pretty happy with the way I look and feel, so that's the important part.  BF is just a number. I'll just work harder at my workout and water goals, and hope it makes the difference.

 

Got lots of compliments from my family on how I look in a bikini now - yes, I was brave and bared down for the first time in 8 years.  It felt great.    My husband even told me I looked like a Bond girl walking out of the surf.    My All-About-Me sis noticed my abs and said "yeah, I'm bloated, its my time of the month".  I'm sure there was a compliment in there somewhere.    My un-selfish sis said "Wow, you didn't get those just by running.  How'd you do it?", so we had a nice convo about work outs, weight lifting and cutting out bread/empty carbs.

 

Goals: Workout 6/5, but no strength training.  Still the goal was just getting the exercise in, so 100%

Water: Utter fail.  Didn't get more than 1000ml in any one day.  0%

Computer: Spent all day every day with the fam.  Did do some surfing on ipad, but just a half hour here and there when fam was doing other things like showering or whatever.  100%

House Beautification:  I have done nothing on this since the beginning of the challenge.  It's supposed to be up to 98 F this afternoon, and the inside of the house needs work too.  I need to get a plan set up for what I'm going to work on for the next 2 weeks, instead of the nebulous "something to make the outside nice".  I don't know why this is so hard this year.  Gardening/yard work has always been relaxing for me, and something I've enjoyed.  But this year - I did nothing in the spring to get prepared.  I doubt I'll plant anything in the vegetable garden - it's getting to late to have anything and I haven't even gotten it cleaned up from winter, it's full of weeds.  0%

 

I've got a weight date with my friend today.  So I guess that will actually be 1 weight workout last week and one this week.  The Friday - Friday vacay is throwing me off a bit.  I can't believe there's only 2 weeks left.  Let's hit it!

[BlamedCat]

Welcome back EC!!  I love hearing about the compliments and 'veiled compliments' you're getting!  That's so awesome and kudos for nailing most of your goals while out on vacation.  The house beautification one... it's okay, live and learn.  I'm just tickled to death that you nailed the rest and yes... yes there's only 2 weeks left

[Eboncat]

Thanks, BC.

 

I wrote that up, kicked myself in the butt and went and pruned/pulled weeds for 1/2 hour.  Stopped to get our workout ready - Friend's coming over for weights.  Got about 1/3 of the front yard weeded.  Still a lot of work left, but at least it's something.

[idealistinfire]

Nice work!  Glad you're feeling great too - that's really the whole point to workout and drinking so much water, yes?  The compliments are just bonus points (although we all love them!)

[Eboncat]

So, I did my first weight workout in almost 2 weeks on Sunday, was awesome.  Felt really good, but I'm sore today!  Not too bad, just enough to know I worked out.  'Nother weight workout tomorrow, and I need to concentrate on running for the next 2 weeks.  I have a 5k on the 13th.

 

To try to get my BF% down in the next 2 weeks, I'm going to concentrate on cutting out grains from breakfast, lunch and snacks (which I'm doing mostly, but it hasnt been a goal until now) and concentrate on getting all my workouts and water in.  it was 18.7% this morning.

[Eboncat]

Did my 2nd weight workout for this week yesterday.  DOMS!!  Owie!.  Feels good though.  Love the little bit of muscle ache that means I tried my best in the workout.

 

Had to drop my weight a little for most of the exercises.  Hubby installed a mirror in the bedroom so we could see our form - I was rounding my back way more than I thought, and not dropping down in my squats enough.  It's good to be able to see that - before I injure myself!

 

BF% is bobbing around like usual, but its all in the under 19% range, so I'm making progress.  No breads yesterday at all!  And I've been able to hit my 2L water mark every day this week so far.  I'm trying to watch my macros too - aiming for 25-30% protein and 30% fat.  I've actually been tracking that for several weeks, but not really striving to acheive it.  Might have to make it a goal for next challenge.

 

We're having surf and turf for the 4th, so I just have to be carefull about the snacks (there should be lots of fruit, and I'm taking some almonds) and I'm making Sangria for the family, so I'm going to try to limit my empty carbs to that.

[Eboncat]

BF% has been dropping steadily over the last few days.  This morning got to 18%.  I am encouraged that its been a steady drop and not wildly bouncing all over the place.  Now to keep it there for the next week.  I've decided (since it does bounce) that I'm going to give myself 90% for <18.2, 80% <18.4, 70 % < 18.6, nothing for anything higher.  So whatever I have next Sunday morning will be the final score.

 

Haven't done any yardwork yet again this week.  Was totally unmotivated to do anything yesterday (my only day off this weekend) and am grateful I had a workout date with my friend so I didnt skip that.  I am going to be one workout short this week - assuming I get on the treadmill when I get home tonight.  I have to, have a race this Saturday.

 

I have been eating like I planned (well the 4th was a little iffy, too much Sangria).  I've been packing a salad lunch, or buying a salad for lunch on work days (mine are much better!).  Breakfast is paleo egg muffins and greek yogurt, usually.  I have a 1/2 cup of rice/potatoes with dinner - usually chicken breast, pork chop or steak & steamed veggies.  Some evenings are also popcorn snack night - about 3 cups popped (oil popped).  My family is addicted to popcorn - both of us grew up that way too.   I've been snacking on almonds and dried fruit at work, and cheese.  If I forgot snacks, I'll grab a protein or Kind bar.  I'm trying to eat about 1900 calories/day without grains/sugar - it's hard for me.  The last few years I've been trying to lose weight and eating about 1200 cal/day.  Then I started weight lifting 6 months ago and now keeping the weight off is easy, but building muscle takes calories and I'm plateaued (word?) in my lifting gains - except my triceps, but those were the weakest.  They'll probably plateau now that they're almost as strong as my biceps.  Trying to get enough calories in without eating junk is taking some thinking (and eating til I feel sluggish some evenings).  Remembering to take the almonds to work is helping though.

 

Sorry for the long ramble, just trying to put my thoughts in order.

[idealistinfire]

I've also struggled with eating enough without eating crap foods, which is probably why I passed on doing Paleo for the moment.  Have you tried asking for help in the Paleo threads? 

 

What's the one thing in your yard that has to get done or, you could think of one task that'll take 15 - 30 minutes to complete, and just work on that, especially if time is tight or you're feeling unmotivated.  My mom taught me the 15 minute rule for anti-procrastination - if you're avoiding something, set a timer and work on it for 15 minutes.  When the timer goes off, feel free to stop - but most of the time, I just keep going since I've already started.  Not sure if that will help you, but I've gotten way more things done since I started using that technique.

 

Good luck on the rest of the challenge and the race this week!

[Eboncat]

I have been stalking the paleo lists for ideas. There are some I'm trying to remember to use. My main problem is no microwave at work, so I can't reheat anything which doesn't matter so much in the summer. I just ate my salad. It was only 400 cal and my stomach feels all stretched!😋

Thanks for the advice on the procrastination. I will definitely try it.

[Eboncat]

Yesterday I did do my workout when I got home.  Which isn't usual for me, on work days if I don't get them done in the morning, I usually end up skipping.  So I'm glad I forced myself to do a short interval run. Yay!   I also ate a lot at dinner trying to make up my calories for the day.  I was still about 200 cal short, but I could not eat anymore! Ugh, I was so full.  (had 2 pork chops, 1 cup broccoli and 3/4 cup couscous).

 

Week recap:

Workout 4/5 days: 80% (2 weights, 2 runs)

Water 2L/day 5/5 days: 100%

Computer: Umm.  I forgot to keep track of this, my work week was really weird.  And now the problem is actually getting the kid off the xbox. 50%?

Pretty up outside: 0%.  Hubby finished weeding the front yard yesterday, so at least it got done. Sigh.  I still have the back yard to go.  Maybe if I make a plan and break it up into small sections.  And use Idealistinfire's advice.  I have 2 days off this week, so I definitely have time to get something done.

[CB3]

Eboncat, you sound like you are doing some rock'n over here!!!

 

and I think you should give yourself credit for getting your hubby to weed the yard, that is no small feat!!

 

Getting the kid off the xbox sometimes you have to resort to being more proactive. Tell him he has 5 or 10 minutes and then actually go turn it off on him. (I give my kids the chance to save their game before I hit the button, I can be nice like that)

 

Keep on rock'n!!

[Eboncat]

I wish I could take credit for hubby weeding - but he thought of it all by himself. 

 

I do give the kid a 5 or 10 minute warning to save his game, then turn it off if he doesnt.  I more meant - I get home, he's playing something, so I give myself more time on the computer instead of interacting with him.  Usually he's playing something I could do with him for a little while til dinner's ready or it's bathtime or whatever.  Or if he's been playing for a couple hours already, I should get him off and we could read or play a board game together or something.

 

Help with accounting please: As I've mentioned, my BF% reading bounces from day to day.  I posted last week that I was going to give myself a percentage for how close my final reading is to 18%.  I'm wondering if it would be more accurate to average my readings for the week and use that as the week score?  I record it every morning as soon as I get up.  Plus it would allow me to incorporate the few readings I've had that were under 18% (or would that be cheating?)  Thoughts please.

[PaladinAlex]

I think averaging it for the week would be a good idea, cause it's such a difficult thing to measure accurately without some stupidly expensive scientific equipment lol. So I think averaging it out would be your most reliable bet, and including the ones under 18 wouldn't be cheating imo.

[CB3]

I agree with PaladinAlex, you really should average it, just like your body weight, it is going to vary, so I think that an average over time would be the most accurate measurement. Just like your calorie intake. It may be over one day but you can make up for it the next

 

Got ya on the kid thing and yeah maybe you should be doing whatever with him, even if it is playing video games. It means a lot to them..... just a thought.

[Eboncat]

Thanks guys.  I appreciate the input.

 

CB3: yeah you're absolutely right.  That was my thought - and why I was upset with myself when I realized what I was doing.

[Eboncat]

Ok, so I've calculated my averages over the weeks:

Week 1: 20,20.4,20.3,20.4,19.2,19.5 = 19.9%

Week 2: 19.1,19.3,18.0,19.4,18.9,18.8,19.8 = 19%

Week 3: 19.8,18.9,19.0,19.8 = 19.4%

Week 4: 17.8,19.5 = 18.65%

Week 5: 20,18.7,17.2,18.8,18.8,18.7,18.0 = 18.6%

Week 6: 18.8,17.8 = 18.3% (so far)

 

So, I'm creeping up on 18% for an average.  This makes me happy and determined!  Week 3 & 4 are short because I was on vacation for part of it and did not take any measurements.  If I stopped right now I'd have a score of 80%.  I have to say, I'm really happy that all of last week and so far this week, all of the readings have been in the 18's or 17's.  Woot!