Jenn's Daily Blarg

[Jett]

March progress picture. Still not seeing any changes, on the scale, in measurements, or in the pics. Sigh.

 

 

 

EDIT: As of March 26, I actually have seen some change. 216 lbs average now, vs 220 from the beginning.

[Jett]

New recipe to experiement with, a Sichuan Shirataki Seasame Cucumber Salad.

 

I need to try these Shirataki noodles. Apparently they're pure fiber, and pass right through you. I could use a little more fiber in my diet...

[Milo]

Just be patient. You're following steps that will result in progress. And you're four pounds better off now than you were before. 

[Jett]

I found the diet plan information from acaloriecounter.com a while back, but I didn't know there was a sister site for making a workout plan! aworkoutroutine.com

[Jett]

I haven't blarged in a while...

 

Work, doctors, and in-laws are stressing me the heck out. It seems to have manifested in extreme amounts of water-retention. I'm drinking 10-16 cups of water per day, and I'm still thirsty ALL THE DAMN TIME. To the point that I have headaches from dehydration, and my pee resembles highlighter ink. (TMI, sorry.) I seriously gained 3-4 pounds in the last week that I'm pretty sure is 90% water. I'm hoping that as things get more relaxed again, the excess water will drain off, and I'll resume weight loss.

 

For the moment, I'm allowing myself more carbs than usual, though I'm trying to keep away from the simple sugars and refined flours. That may be having an impact on water retention, too...

[Milo]

I'm sorry you're dealing with stress. You'll get through it, just be patient, just keep plugging away.

 

How is that project going at work?

 

You're probably right about the water retention. It will work itself out. This is a perfect time to add weight loss goal to your six week challenge. 

[Jett]

I got a week extension on the project. Kinda figured that would happen, although my manager was not too happy about it. It's coming along, so I should be able to get everything done by next Friday without stressing over it too much. I'm just starting to feel run down, and I really need to sleep all weekend... but I can't, because my in-laws are visiting. Sigh.

 

Lol, adding a weight loss challenge now would be kind of cheating, wouldn't it? I'm up to 219, but I'm hoping that some time next week, the water will start coming off, and I'll drop back down to 215 or lower for the weight loss PVP. I'm not recording the water weight on that spreadsheet, darn it!

[Jett]

Tossing this in here before I forget: Homemade Ranch Mix. (use greek yogurt as base?)

[Jett]

A handy article about the basics of carbohydrates.

[Jett]

Some cool recipes to look into:

 

Low-carb flax bread with added resistant starch

Replacements for ice cream: Raspberry Fool (whipped cream plus pureed raspberries) or raspberry-lemon mousse or Peach Melba Parfait

Low Carb Cheesecake!

Potato salad replacement: cauliflower salad

It's really carby, but maybe some alterations can be made: banana oatmeal smoothie

 

Ideas for low-carb snacks

 

Based on some research into low-carb diets, here is my work-in-progress for a master shopping list:

(spoilered for length)

foods to make up most of my diet:

whole long-grain brown rice

whole barley

quinoa

onions

leeks

garlic

asparagus

rhubarb

raspberries

blackberries

cranberries

strawberries

casaba melons (?)

papayas

nectarines

blueberries

cantaloupes

honeydew

apples

guavas

apricots

grapefruit

flax seed/meal

cottage/ricotta cheese

plain (unsweetened) yogurt

leafy veggies, especially dark green ones

Adzuki Beans

Black Beans

Black-eyed peas

Broad Beans (Fava Beans)

Butter Beans

Calico Beans

Cannellini Beans

Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)

Edamame

Great Northern Beans

Italian Beans

Kidney Beans

Lentils

Lima Beans

Mung Beans

Navy Beans

Pinto Beans

Soy Beans, including black soy beans

Split Peas

White Beans

sprouts

(these are arranged from least to most carb:)

Hearty Greens - collards, mustard greens, kale, etc.

Radicchio and endive count as greens

Herbs - parsley, cilantro, basil, rosemary, thyme, etc.

Bok Choy

Bamboo Shoots

Celery

Radishes

Sea Vegetables (Nori, etc)

Mushrooms

Cabbage (or sauerkraut)

Jicama

Avocado

Asparagus

Okra

Cucumbers (or pickles without added sugars)

Green Beans and Wax Beans

Fennel

Cauliflower

Broccoli

Peppers

Green Bell Peppers

Red Bell Peppers

Jalapeno Peppers

Summer Squash

Zuchinni

Brussels Sprouts

Scallions or green onions

Snow Peas/Snap Peas/Pea Pods

Tomatoes

Eggplant

Tomatillos

Artichokes

Turnips

Pumpkin

Rutabagas

Spaghetti Squash

Celery Root (Celeriac)

Carrots

Onions

Leeks

--

olive oil

chia seeds

coconut (and coconut oil)

shirataki noodles

spaghetti squash

whole oats

eggs

almond/cashew (soy?) milk

fish

bacon (well-drained)

tofu

tempeh

white meat poultry

lean ground beef

boiled ham

loin/tenderloin

low-sugar jerky

low-fat string cheese

 

 

foods to avoid/reduce:

plums

oranges

tangerines

pineapple

kiwi

pears

cherries

grapes

pomegranates

bananas

figs

canned beans

carrots

beets

peas

winter squash

water chestnuts

parsnips

potatoes (except raw)

sweet potatoes (?)

corn

plantains

shellfish

organ meats

goose and duck

[Jett]

It may seem odd, but some things I've been reading lately have made me think I need to start tracking my mood. Starting Monday (when I should be back to more of a 'baseline' for me) I'm going to update every day with a general statement of my mood. Just to see...

[Milo]

Because your diet may have chemical affects that are mood-altering? Or more about balancing your caloric intake? What kind of reading?

[Jett]

Because your diet may have chemical affects that are mood-altering? Or more about balancing your caloric intake? What kind of reading?

Not those things, actually. I was reading about Cyclomania/Cyclothymia. I've noticed patterns in how my moods will swing up and down, usually on a 2-3 month cycle. Stress really throws it into a crazy spiral. So with this latest work stress thing, I was noticing how I at first got really depressed, and then in the last few days I've swung to an almost hypomania state. Which is really useful for finishing up the project, but cyclothymia is the first step to serious bipoloar issues, and it only gets worse over time without treatment. So I want to prove to myself that I either do or do not have mood swings in that type of a pattern. Because if I do, then it's in the very early stages, and I can get medical treatment before I have any kind of problem. And if I don't, then I'm just moody, but it's nothing to worry about.

[Jett]

Moodlog:

 

Monday 4/20:

Mood: Oddly irritable, yet optimistic

Weather: Mixed rain and sun all day

Color: White

 

Tuesday 4/21:

Mood: Sleepy and a little sad for no reason

Weather: Lovely sun

Color: White

[Jett]

Some recipes to try:

 

Banana Muffins

Paleo "brownie" bites

 

"Meatza" crusts:

-Lean Beef + Cheese

-Pork + egg

-Beef/sausage

 

Moodlog:

Mood: Foggy brain; very sleepy. (Probably because I had terrible sleep quality last night.) Optimistic.

Weather: Beautiful sunny spring weather

Color: Light Pink

[Jett]

Moodlog:

 

Yesterday (4/23):

Generally optimistic, but very tired (and sick)

Color: Light pink

Weather: pretty nice (sunny)

 

Today:

Sleepy and easily distracted, but happy.

Color: Lavendar (new one!)

Weather: Warm and sunny.

[Jett]

Moodlog:

Sat 4/25:

Tired and lazy.
Weather: Grey

Color: Pink

 

Sunday 4/26:

Extremely tired. Unable to motivate myself. Somewhat irritable.

Weather: Rainy and cold

Color: Rosey pink

[Milo]

What's this color thing all about?

[Jett]

What's this color thing all about?

Ummmm... if you can't figure it out, I can tell you in PM.

[Jett]

Moodlog:

4/27 (Monday): Sort of bummed out all day. Extremely tired, but I think that's because I didn't get much sleep the night before.

Weather: Sunny but cool

Color: Pink!

 

Today:

A bit easily distracted, but in a better mood.

Weather: Sunny and lovely

Color: Pale pink

[Milo]

Mood ring results? Screensaver color for your interocitor?

[Jett]

Here is a different progression to headstands; I don't know if it would be any easier than what I'm trying now, or harder, but it's different, so working on both is probably going to be beneficial.

http://www.doyogawithme.com/content/headstand-pose-against-wall

 

This one is a more advanced version that doens't use a wall:

http://www.doyogawithme.com/content/headstand-pose-sirsasana

 

I may need to start by practicing Plough Pose to get the flexibility in my back and shoulders, first.

 

 

To work on backbends, here are some steps to Wheel Pose.

[Jett]

Haven't updated the mood log in a bit....

 

Tuesday 5/5:

Alert, clear-headed, able to focus. A bit irritable/critical. Confident. Tired, but probably because I only got 5 hours of sleep.

Weather: beautifully sunny

Color: I forgot. White?

 

5/6:

A little less focused, but still very productive. Still really tired, despite 8-9 hours of sleep. Easily annoyed by talkative coworkers.

Weather: Still lovely and sunny.

Color: White.

 

Other: My period started on Monday.

[Presea]

 

5/6:

A little less focused, but still very productive. Still really tired, despite 8-9 hours of sleep. Easily annoyed by talkative coworkers.

Ugh.  The people I actually work with are not annoyingly talkative, but others who sit in adjacent rows most certainly are.  Headphones help sometimes, but it bothers my ears to have them on ALL day.

Other: My period started on Monday.

Maybe why your weight loss is temporarily stalled?

[Jett]

Maybe why your weight loss is temporarily stalled?

That's a possibility, but it's been stalled for like, 3 weeks now. So it's more than just period water weight.