Together we will succeed!

Husband's blog @ http://www.extrapounds.com/blog/terryhammer

My Profile

  • Name: Akikaze
  • City: Sequim
  • Region: Washington
  • Country: United States

My Weight Loss

Height: 167.6cm
Start weight: 289.40lb
Current weight: 285.80lb
Goal weight: 135.00lb
Lost to date: 3.60lb
Remaining: 150.80lb

My Calendar

23
May '12
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My Photos

Before After
Really Simple Syndication
05/12/2012 12:55

(3/12) A lot has changed in a year!

So, I'm not in school right now.  My goals have changed.  I now have a darling 5 month-old little boy (Wolfie) - even though a previous doctor told me that because of my weight I probably would need the help of fertility drugs!  Well I showed her!  LOL

It hadn't been my goal to get pregnant, but it's been such a blessing.  I'm 30 now and emotionally, I was ready.  Physically, I had a few hurdles to overcome (like gestational diabetes), but I ate pretty healthy while pregnant and gained only about 30 pounds.  In the first month after Wolfie was born, I lost it all.  Then somehow it crept back up.  I'm just around 300 now and it's an all-time high for me.  I'm breastfeeding, which does burn calories, and Wolfie keeps me pretty busy, but I'm really neglecting myself in the food department - eating sporadically and usually convenience foods.  

Goals this week:  

1) Join a meetup group for moms and select a couple events to go to.  
2) Go to the gym (and make use of their child care) at least twice.  
3) I don't care what I eat as long as it's NOT fast food.  I'm sick of it anyway.


 

Posted By: Akikaze Add Comment | Comments (3) Top
03/08/2011 23:42

(3/8) New school session began yesterday

I'm now taking 3 condensed classes for the next 8 weeks and it's going to be tough!  My food blog will be intermittent, but I plan to make good choices every day whether or not you see it here. 

So far today, I've eaten one veggie burrito stuffed with potatoes, onions, green bell peppers, zucchini, yellow squash, mushrooms, tomatoes, a little bit of Morning Star maple sausage, some shredded cheese, and lots of Sriracha hot sauce in a Mission tortilla.  The tortilla and cheese are really the only bad things, but I don't feel so bad considering all the veggies I ate.  (Summer, I highly suggest you give this a try since it's a good way to use up a lot of fresh veggies and it's super easy to make.  Just requires a lot of chopping!)

Oh yeah, I had a big glass of my favorite pineapple orange juice.  And yes, I took my vitamin today, and I'm still working on my water consumption.  Lots of school work today, so I'll try to get back on here and account for later meals, but no promises... 


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03/04/2011 20:57

(3/4) Spring break is almost over! Waaaaaah!

Today I tried a Kashi dark chocolate coconut fruit & grain bar (120 cal) and it was so super delicious!  Also, I recommend giving this a try with some plain instant oats (It's very filling):

PB&J Oatmeal
140 cal - oatmeal
  50 cal - strawberry jam
100 cal - reduced fat creamy PB
+30 cal - half cup sliced strawberries
320 cal total

Life seems to be getting in the way of me posting daily, but I'm eating lots more veggies these days and I feel good.  I'll post a log of my food when I can, but some days will just have to be brief. 

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03/03/2011 20:19

(3/3) Weight Lifting articles

I'm doing well, but I forgot to blog my food for the last few days.  I have been really good about making healthier choices though.  Missed a couple days in the gym because I was so sore, but had a really good workout yesterday:

12 min. - 0.5 mile on treadmill
20 min. - 3.4 miles on the stationary bike
30 reps @ 40 lbs Chest Press
30 reps @ 30 lbs Tricep Extension
50 reps @ 115 lbs Hip Abduction
50 reps @ 115 lbs Hip Adduction
40 reps @ 115 lbs Horizontal Calf
50 reps @ 70 lbs Back Extension
30 reps @ 40 lbs Lat Pulldown

Until now, I've generally just tried to pick a weight that feels challenging but not so much that I can't do at least 50 of them.  But now, I'm thinking about changing that strategy.  I think I can work my muscles harder in a smaller amount of time based on this article I read.  It says to figure out what my 1 rep max is on any given exercise and then figure out what 60-80% of that is.  That's how much I should be able to lift for 8-16 reps.  This article here is also helpful.  It talks about the same principle, combined with lifting slowly. 

"Instead of lifting a weight for 5 or 7 seconds, lift it steadily in a 10 to 14 second movement, then down in 5 to 10 seconds.  The difference is that the muscles are exhausted - brought to momentary muscle failure - in fewer repetitions (reps) - as low as 5 per set. The result - 50% more strength (muscle) built in 8-10 weeks."

Very interesting stuff!  I'm going to have to try this out tomorrow when I do weights again!

Anyway, onto the food blog!

Breakfast:  Jimmy Dean D-Lights Canadian Bacon Honey Wheat Muffin (230 cal), 8 oz. Simply Orange with Pineapple juice (110 cal), Yoplait Delights Chocolate Eclaire yogurt (100 cal)

Lunch: Burger:
  90 cal - 9 grain bun
  60 cal - Lite mayo
  50 cal - lowfat cheddar
150 cal - Jennie-o 99% fat-free turkey
+50 cal - (guess) for the marinade that Terry used on it
400 cal total
 
Dinner:  Lean Cuisine Sesame chicken (330 cal) with added steamed veggies (80 cal)

Snack:    1 slice of Papa Murphy's Garlic Chicken pizza (290 cal) and 3 homemade chocolate chip cookies (55 cal ea? = 165 cal)

Water: 6 (8 oz) glasses
 
Vitamins: 1 NatureMade Liquid Softgel Multi Complete +iron & calcium

Activity: 
0 cal - didn't get to the gym today  :(
Calories
SUBTOTAL: 1705  
BURNED:     - 0
TOTAL:        1705

Daily Calorie Allowance: 1800

*Food Calories estimated with: http://www.calorieking.com/foods/
*Calories Burned Calculator used is: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc 
(I use this and round down because the generalized metrics used in most cardio machines do not take into account that obese people have to work much harder to achieve the same goal as healthy person.)

Posted By: Akikaze Add Comment | Comments (2) Top
02/27/2011 19:11

(2/27) My triceps hurt like heck!

Breakfast:  Jimmy Dean D-Lights Turkey Sausage Reduced Fat Croissant
(290 cal), blueberry oatmeal (150 cal)

...

I did take my vitamin and was within my calorie range today, but forgot to blog.

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02/26/2011 18:08

(2/26) Lost 3 1/2 pounds!

Not feeling sick in my throat or chest anymore, just sore from working out all week.  And my stomach is doing funny things... not nausea, but uh, well you don't need the details!  I just wish I knew what's causing it.  *shrugs*  Oh well, at least I haven't had any cramps all week!  All these other things are just minor inconveniences compared to that!

Breakfast:  Jimmy Dean D-Lights Canadian Bacon Honey Wheat Muffin (230 cal), 8 oz. Simply Orange with Pineapple juice (110 cal)

Snack:  apple slices (30 cal), Yoplait Delights Chocolate Raspberry yogurt (100 cal) Yum!
Mine and Terry's favorite Sbux drink, an alternative to the iced mocha:
    0 cal - Venti iced coffee
    0 cal - 2 pumps sugar-free vanilla
  70 cal - 4 pumps mocha
+80 cal - approx 2 oz. half & half
 150 cal total
Tastes just like a mocha folks!  And it costs much less!  Next time, I want to try lessening the calories in this by forgoing the half&half at Starbucks and adding our own fat free half&half at home. 

Lunch: 
Leftover taco stuff:
  50 cal - 1 taco shell
  50 cal - 1/4 c fat free refried beans
100 cal - 2.5 oz ground turkey
110 cal - 1/4 c mexican cheese blend
  +5 cal - a little taco sauce
315 cal total

Snack:  Velveeta 2% shells & cheese (180 cal) w/ tuna (50 cal), sour apple candy (150 cal)
 
Dinner:  cauliflower & cheese Sauce (40 cal), frozen pizza (370 cal)

Snack:  Chocolate rice cake (60 cal) w/ 1 Tbsp mascarpone cheese (60 cal) & 1 Tbsp strawberry jam (50 cal)

Water: 6 (8 oz) glasses
 
Vitamins: 1 NatureMade Liquid Softgel Multi Complete +iron & calcium

Activity: 
275 cal - 32 min. on stationary bike for 5 miles
Movin' a little slower today since I'm so sore, but at least I still did 5 miles!
Calories
SUBTOTAL: 1895  
BURNED:     - 275
TOTAL:        1620

Daily Calorie Allowance: 1800

*Food Calories estimated with: http://www.calorieking.com/foods/
*Calories Burned Calculator used is: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc 
(I use this and round down because the generalized metrics used in most cardio machines do not take into account that obese people have to work much harder to achieve the same goal as healthy person.)

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02/25/2011 18:47

(2/25) Mew!

Another day...  I still feel a little strange every morning and the in the back of my throat I feel the twinges of that "sick" feeling trying to creep up.  I wonder if the exercise every day this week has been helping me fight this battle?

Breakfast:  2 servings of bran flakes cereal w/ nonfat milk (225 cal), Jimmy Dean D-Lights Canadian Bacon Honey Wheat Muffin (230 cal)

Snack:  blueberry oatmeal (150 cal)

Lunch:  shared 2 different Lean Cuisine frozen meals with Terry:
  300 cal - Roasted Turkey Breast
+290 cal - Parmesan Crusted Fish
  590 cal ÷ 2 = 295 cal each

Snack:  Weight Watchers ice cream (100 cal), Chocolate rice cake (60 cal) w/ 1 Tbsp mascarpone cheese (60 cal) & 1 Tbsp strawberry jam (50 cal)
 
Dinner:  3.10 oz grilled sirloin steak (200 cal) with vegetable teriyaki noodles (280 cal) & sugar snap peas (50 cal)

Water: 8 (8 oz) glasses
 
Vitamins: 1 NatureMade Liquid Softgel Multi Complete +iron & calcium

Activity: 
400 cal - 22 min. on stationary bike for 5 miles
* I calculated previous entries with "bicycling - leisure" up until now, but what I did today puts me in the 12-14 mph range and this is rounded down from the figure the website gave me.
150 cal - 20 min. weight lifting (30 min - 10 min for changing machines & set-up)
                Routine:
                Back extension     50 reps @ 70 lbs.
                Hip Adduction       50 reps @ 110 lbs.
                Hip Abduction       50 reps @ 110 lbs.
                Horizontal Calf      50 reps @ 110 lbs.
                Seated Leg Press 30 reps @ 110 lbs.
Calories
SUBTOTAL: 1700  
BURNED:     - 550
TOTAL:        1150

Daily Calorie Allowance: 1800

*Food Calories estimated with: http://www.calorieking.com/foods/
*Calories Burned Calculator used is: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc 
(I use this and round down because the generalized metrics used in most cardio machines do not take into account that obese people have to work much harder to achieve the same goal as healthy person.)

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02/24/2011 22:49

(2/24) On a roll!

Snack: 1.7 oz worth of coffee cake (200 cal)

Breakfast:  Breakfast scramble:
    31 cal - 1 red bell pepper
    24 cal - 1 green bell pepper
    60 cal - 2 oz. ham
    60 cal - 2 servings of egg substitute
+110 cal - 1/4 c shredded cheese
  285 cal total
÷ 2 = 143 cal each + I wrapped it in a tortilla (210 cal) and added Sriracha sauce (15 cal)

Snack: apple slices (30 cal), 8 oz. Simply Orange with Pineapple juice (110 cal), 2, celery sticks with 1.5 Tbsp PB (152 cal)  

Lunch:  Caesar salad (210 cal) and
1/2 frozen pizza with additional toppings:
380 cal - Totino's combination pizza
   16 cal - 1/2 red bell pepper
   16 cal - 2.5 oz mushrooms
   60 cal - 1 Tbsp olive oil for sauteing the veggies
 +55 cal - shredded cheese
 527 cal total

Snack:  Chocolate rice cake (60 cal) w/ 1 Tbsp mascarpone cheese (60 cal) & a large strawberry (6 cal)
 
Dinner:  Velveeta 2% shells & cheese (180 cal) w/ turkey dog chopped and mixed in (70 cal)

Water: 5 (8 oz) glasses This is always my biggest struggle...
 
Vitamins: 1 NatureMade Liquid Softgel Multi Complete +iron & calcium

Activity: 
120 cal - 20 min. treadmill for a distance of .8 miles
180 cal - 20 min. on stationary bike for 4.10 miles
   75 cal -10 min. weight lifting (15 min. - 5 min. for changing machines & set-up)
                Routine:
                Back extension   50 reps @ 70 lbs.
                Chest press        30 reps @ 30 lbs.
                Tricep extension 30 reps @ 30 lbs.
Calories
SUBTOTAL: 1973  
BURNED:     - 375
TOTAL:        1598

Daily Calorie Allowance: 1800

*Food Calories estimated with: http://www.calorieking.com/foods/
*Calories Burned Calculator used is: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc 
(I use this and round down because the generalized metrics used in most cardio machines do not take into account that obese people have to work much harder to achieve the same goal as healthy person.)

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02/23/2011 18:17

(2/23) Feeling a little funny

I dunno why, but I've been feeling a little odd lately... Not outright sick, but just that something's not right.  Maybe I'm fighting something?  It's usually only in the morning or at night, this sort of yucky feeling in the back of my throat and a lot of fatigue.  :(  Terry and I were both so tired yesterday that we lied down for nap around 6pm, don't remember hearing our alarms, and woke up the next day at 6am.  I guess my body needed that, but why do I still feel so lethargic???  I'ma drink some tea and let my tummy settle after the big breakfast we had (cuz we were famished!) and then maybe going to the gym will make me feel better. 

Breakfast:  Shared a meal at Shari's. Estimated cals for the whole thing (using quite a few estimates based on Denny's and rounding up):
  520 cal - 2 buttered pancakes
  220 cal - hashbrowns
    90 cal - 2 pieces of bacon
  190 cal - 2 sausage links
  200 cal - 2 eggs
  130 cal - 1 slice of buttered toast
+150 cal - syrup & some extra cals added for misc. butter and whatnot
1500 cal total
÷ 2 = 750 cal each

Snack: echinacea tea with honey (66 cal)

Lunch:  3 med-large strawberries (15 cal), 1 pkg of Subway apple slices (35 cal), 6" Subway turkey sandwich on wheat, with no cheese, and fat free honey mustard (280 cal), + meager sprinkling of olives (20 cal), + avocado spread (70 cal)

Snack: small drip coffee (0 cal) with half &half (40 cal) and 2 Splenda (8 cal)
 
Dinner:  Shared a Chipotle burrito bowl with Terry:
130 cal - cilantro-lime rice
120 cal - pinto beans
190 cal - chicken
  40 cal - hot salsa
100 cal - cheese
+10 cal - lettuce
590 cal total
÷ 2 = 295 cal each

Snack: 3 baby carrots (10 cal) dipped in about 1 Tbsp of peanut butter (100 cal)

Water: 4 (8 oz) glasses ???  (We've been out for much of today and while I've had sips of water here and there, I can't be sure of what it added up to.) 
Vitamins: 1 NatureMade Liquid Softgel Multi Complete +iron & calcium

Activity: 
120 cal - 20 min. treadmill for a distance of .8 miles
170 cal - 20 min. on stationary bike for 3.8 miles
Calories
SUBTOTAL: 1689  
BURNED:     - 290
TOTAL:        1399
(Not so bad considering that we ate out all day!)

Daily Calorie Allowance: 1800

*Food Calories estimated with: http://www.calorieking.com/foods/
*Calories Burned Calculator used is: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc 
(I use this and round down because the generalized metrics used in most cardio machines do not take into account that obese people have to work much harder to achieve the same goal as healthy person.)

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02/22/2011 16:54

(2/22) Morning People

Terry and I are morning people now!  We go to bed between 9-10pm and wake up between 5-6am.  We've been on this schedule for a week now and it feels great!  Never thought I could do it, but it's soooo much better to get our gym-time out of the way before we have time to come up with excuses! 

This past weekend was beautiful!  We went to our new gym together on Saturday (my first time there) and did some walking on Crystal Mountain on Sunday.  My workouts are pretty pathetic right now by most people's standards, but I'm trying to acclimate my body to being active again.  As long as I feel the burn every day and have that familiar muscle ache the next, I'm satisfied. 

Breakfast:  Strawberry Instant Oatmeal (130 cal), 8 oz. Simply Orange with Pineapple (110 cal) 

Snack:  Baby carrots (25 cal) with Sabra Roasted Red Pepper Hummus (70 cal), 6 crackers (90 cal) with a little more than 2 oz. of Pecorino Fresco Verde - Italian sheep's milk cheese (300 cal) and olive oil drizzle (120 cal) OMG so delicious!  I love cheese!

Lunch:  Easy mac& cheese (220 cal) Yes, I needed more cheese!
 
Dinner:  Tacos:
150 cal - 3 taco shells
100 cal - 1/2 c fat free refried beans
160 cal - 4 oz. ground turkey
110 cal - 1/4 c mexican cheese blend
+5 cal - lettuce, tomato, & a little taco sauce
525 cal total

Water: 6 (8 oz) glasses - Must do better!
Vitamins: 1 NatureMade Liquid Softgel Multi Complete +iron & calcium

Activity: 
60 cal - 10 min warm-up on treadmill, .4 mile
150 cal - 20 min stationary bike, 2.44 miles
Calories
SUBTOTAL: 1590    
BURNED:     - 210
TOTAL:        1380

Daily Calorie Allowance: 1800

*Food Calories estimated with: http://www.calorieking.com/foods/
*Calories Burned Calculator used is: http://www.healthstatus.com/calculate/cbc 
(I use this and round down because the generalized metrics used in most cardio machines do not take into account that obese people have to work much harder to achieve the same goal as healthy person.)

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