Thursday, May 16, 2013

Real Food, Running, and Weight Loss

Remember that post I wrote a few months back about trying to learn more about real food?

Yeah, that hasn't happened.

I started Weight Watchers in March so I've cut out some processed foods and have added more fruits and veggies. I'm staying away from sugar, fat and fast food. So I suppose its a step in the right direction. However, if you want to take my asptertame-filled Diet Dr. Pepper from me you'll have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

Sometimes I have read comments like this on certain message boards: "We eat real food and it's awesome! I can never go back to processed foods again! I ate McDonalds yesterday and I felt sick all day!" I admit that I would always roll my eyes and think they were being a wee bit dramatic.

Well, I was wrong.

Like I said, I'm not all about real food, but I'm eating better since starting Weight Watchers. However, I've been totally pigging out these last few days. On Mother's Day I had three Krispy Kreme donughts and chocolate milk for breakfast, Winsteads for lunch and did NOT use portion control on the BBQ we had later that night. Weight Watchers allows you to have treats now and then, but I went a little overboard.

On Monday night I had my chemistry final. He said we could show up at 6:00 to take it early so I got there at 5:30. He didn't show up until 6:30 and then told us we had to wait until everybody arrived. We didn't start until 7:15. I was on edge and the final was a little more difficult that I had anticpated. So when I got home I had a giant bowl of ice cream.

On Tuesday my brother and I went to visit my mom and ate at the bar and grill. I could have had a salad. But no- I ate a hamburger and some greasy fries instead.

Later that night I felt like complete crap. I felt like my tummy was going to explode in more ways than one. I just wanted to crawl in a ball and cry- that's how bad my stomach hurt. Thankfully when I woke up I felt a little better. I had slept off my food hangover.

So I apologize to those I thought were being drama queens when they complained about their aching tummy after eating crap food. You were soooo not joking.

In other news, I've decided to run. I can be very ambitious sometimes, and I fear that this may fizzle away like my plans to freelance write or teaching myself to sew. But I downloaded the Nike Run app and Couch to 5K app so we'll see how it goes. Yesterday Ryan and I took the boys out on a walk. I tried to run to see how far I could go without feeling like I was going to die, but a certain 2 year old would scream bloody murder every time I would take off.

I am not a runner. I know everybody says that, but I just cannot breathe when I run. I sometimes wonder if I have exercised induced asthma. I know that sounds like some excuse a kid comes up with to get out of gym class, but it's a real thing. I have the lung capacity of a kitten. Needless to say, I'd be screwed in a zombie apocalypse.

Still, I'm going to try my best to get moving. I have a few blogging friends who talk about how they never used to run and they are running 5Ks and half marathons. That sounds like an awesome feeling to cross that finish line. Maybe someday.

My weight loss is going well. I'm about 9 lbs away from my goal weight. The weight has been coming off steadily and I haven't had any major setbacks besides my 3 day pig out festival.

I'm not sure why I haven't been all gung-ho on my weight loss journey this time. I wrote about it like crazy the last time. Maybe because I've already met my goal before so the thrill isn't quite as exciting. Plus, I not a big fan of going to meetings at Weight Watcher centers. The meetings I went to before were independently held and much smaller. The encouragement and camaraderie was great. I suppose if I was actually going to meetings consistently I might think differently.  For now I just go and weigh in and leave and get pissy when the receptionist forgets to give me my 5lb star sticker!

I can tell my energy levels have taken a boost since starting WW. I'm not quite as lethargic as I was before. I feel I have more stamina and endurance. I can wrestle around and play with my kids. I know I am taking a step in the right direction.

I'll let you know how the running goes. If I don't blog for awhile it's because I'm still on the corner of Brooktree and Bales Avenue trying to catch my breath.

9 comments:

Allison said...

We can be running buddies :) I decided to take up running too. Actually, I did track one year in high school (but I only can do sprints) and I went to the doctor and they said I had exercise induced asthma, so I believe you, it's real. Running is hard though. I do Zumba 2-3x a week and running is so much harder than that, so if you stick with it, give yourself some credit!

Anonymous said...

You should check into that exercise-induced asthma. I actually had a bout with it before I got pregnant with Helen. I remember Dr. H prescribing me an inhaler to use before I started my runs and I think it helped...but I can't remember now. anyway, yes, it's a real thing. but remember, too...you JUST got started. Make sure you're not starting out too fast...seriously. a slow jog is faster than a walk but probably slower than you think it is. If you build up slowly, you may find you get over that, but definitely take it seriously if you are unable to breathe with just a slow jog.

Also...On the food front. I'm not even going to lie -- since I went grain-free, legume-free and dairy-free (this means no diet coke either because there is gluten in it -- yes, really) I feel so much better. REally! The first 4-5 days were torture, but I started to feel better after that and then now I'm almost 3 weeks in and I feel amazing. I mean I am still tired -- wothm to 5 active kids, duh :) -- but it's a different kind of tired...like I know it's just that I didn't get enough sleep and it's not also because I feel yucky from eating grains (I swear I have a gluten-intolerance) or coming off a diet-coke-hight.

okay, sorry I wrote a book!!

Rebecca said...

You KNOW how excited I am that you are starting running! Michelle's advice about the inhaler is great.

And wha?!?! Michelle, you are off diet coke? You GO GIRL!!!!

Bonnie said...

Good for you on the weight loss and healthier living!

Lacey R said...

I'm with Endless Strength - Hubs and I tried going with a *mostly* paleo diet a few months back (actually during Lent, so it was perfect time) - and we both felt such a difference -- we felt better, had more energy, slept better. Hubs won't give up bread, it's his favorite but I have mostly given it up....I am quite sure I have dairy & gluten sensitivities as well, so I'm trying not to go overboard on the consumption! Good for you with the weight loss and the running.

Anonymous said...

I simply couldn't depart your web site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information a person supply to your visitors? Is going to be back frequently in order to check up on new posts

My web page; Liposom facts

Colleen said...

Great job Maggie! When I started running, it was my lungs that hurt, then that went away and it was my legs that would hurt, then my hips, and then finally nothing hurt (unless I go on a ten plus mile run). So what I'm saying is...you're normal, and its a slow process, but I know you can do it!

Anonymous said...

Thank you, this is а issue that is near to my heart.
Where are your contaсt іnfοrmation thοugh?
My namе's Tarah Montenegro and I'd get into this more deеply.



my website - 45110

Catholic Mutt said...

Way to go!! There's no need to be perfect with eating right off the bat. You know you're moving in the right direction the day you have that realization of how crappy you can feel with bad foods. I have been there as well!

Good luck with the running! I wish I could join those that are running the races. Maybe I need to get some new shoes and give it another try if my knees don't get too mad. I agree with Michelle, though, start slow.

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails