Inspired by aprovechar

I just found a blog that is new to me, but not really new. Its called 'Aprovechar' and I have been inspired. The author is also on a gluten free diet and has lost a great deal of body fat. She is an excellent writer and very entertaining. Aprovechar

I haven't been posting much because I get the feeling that no one reads this. But, maybe I should just in case some person in need of inspiration finds it in the future. Maybe, if I post it, they will come?

My Diet Pyramid

At the top, pointy end, least amount: Sugars (never), refined carbs, starches, legumes.

Second to the top: Whole fruits, unrefined. Unsalted, raw nuts.

In the middle: Protein sources including fish, foul, and any red meat. Plain yogurt (only in moderation.)

Second from the bottom: Leafy greens, cruciferous (cabbage family), herbs,

At the bottom: Fats. Olive oil, coconut oil, cream.

Ok. So try eating like that for a week and get back to me. Let me know how it goes. By the way, don't restrict calories, you can cycle them if you want, but the idea is to stoke the fires of your metabolism.

Steak

Its whats on the menu when you are a low carber. I had steak and eggs for breakfast with a dash of hot sauce. It was so filling and a great way to start the day. I got lucky, it was a slightly older piece of meat and I got it at 97 cents a pound. It was so tender I could have eaten it raw with a fork, no knife needed. So, the next time you ask yourself, what am I going to eat on a low carb diet, just embrace the steak. Love it.

Do Not Eat!

I am constantly working on and refining the 'do not eat list.' I also have a do eat list which consists of foods which seem to aide or help me in my quest for a healthy body weight and physical fitness. My do not eat list is foods that put weight on my body. Seeing the cause in my journal and the effect on my bathroom scale helps me zero in on the culprit or to be honest with myself about what I'm eating. When you have a list you really can't lie to yourself. You know what to eat and what not to eat. Do keep in mind that physical activity, medications, and stress level can also effect the scale. Watch all your factors for a more comprehensive and reasoned approach to your personalized diet. The truth is that once you know what your eating and when you are or are not losing weight, everything becomes very clear. Thats why I really like the daily weigh in, it helps me know what is going on and when to correct it.

My current lists:

Do Eat:

Fats: Coconut oil, olive oil,

Fresh vegetables: leafy greens, cruciferous,

Fresh fruits: berries, avocado, squash

Chicken, pork, or beef

Chicken broth organic, low sodium.

De-caf herbal tea

Do not eat:

gluten

dairy

rice

nuts (sigh how I love thee, let me count the ways!)

balsamic vinegar

pickled foods

ice cream (any kind!)

snacks that come in a bag (a la chips)

caffeine

processed food

Owning all of my choices

Spark just sent out a journal suggestion. They ask, "When you site back and look at the decisions you've made in your life, are you happy with the route you've paved?" My answer is a resounding yes and no. I was able to try something that most people don't even attempt. I discovered it wasn't for me, at least not in the iteration as it exists now. I also am learning that I am not going to be content in a job that is 'dead end.' That idea has produced this never ending hunger which expresses itself as food hunger but really can't be satisfied with food at all. I am hungry for life and I don't know what to eat (purely metaphorically.)

There are doors that are closed to me because of my being human. I'm not cut out to work 20 hour days. I'm just not. I'm not 18 years old. I need to eat regularly, sleep regularly, and to actually earn a reasonable pay check.

There are personal relationships in my life that trouble me. I'm not always sure what to do or if I should do anything at all. I don't have the rudder I used to have. I always knew what I wanted and I don't have a simple or clear path anymore.

People often say, "We will cross that bridge when come to it." Well. Here is the bridge. Now what? I feel as though I've come across half a dozen forks and I have no idea which way to turn or if I should just turn around.

The intent I will set is that tonight I will sleep well, I will wake rested and assured of what steps to take next. Does that sound good to you?

Going off the carbs

Is that like going off the reservation? I guess so. I've been following Jimmy Moore in his egg-speriment. That is just so inspiring.

Oh, I did an oatmeal experiment. I was able to tolerate a small amount without any sensitivity symptoms! Yippee for 'gluten free' oatmeal.

My diet is going to be pretty much as I have planned it for the last year but the thing is I will be following it. This is the first quarter of the year and well its time to get on with it.

My diet (and I mean it this time, I really mean it.)

Low Calorie Day:

Pre-WO 1 hard boiled egg

Post WO: 1 scrambled egg, 1 tbsp. butter, 1/c berries, 1/2 c. steel cut oats

Lunch: Avocado Salad with olive oil and lemon or

1 cup stir fry vegetables in coconut oil

AND protein 3oz.

Dinner: Sauteed vegetable or

Vegetable soup or

Stir fry with olive oil

AND protein 3 oz.

High Calorie day:

Pre-WO 1 hard boiled egg

Post WO: 1 scrambled egg, 2 tbsp. butter, 1 c. berries

Lunch: Avocado Salad with 3 tbsp. olive oil and lemon or

1 cup stir fry vegetables in coconut oil

AND protein 3 oz.

Dinner: 2 cups Sauteed vegetables 3 tbsp olive oil or

Vegetable soup with olive oil or

Stir fry with olive oil or

AND protein 5 oz.

AND 1 cup berries

Protein: pork, chicken or beef.

I think that is an excellent high fat, lower carbohydrate diet for a person who is very active. Life is good and will only be getting better.

Spring 2010: The Diet Adapts

I always am experimenting with my diet and altering everything that goes into my mouth and what I'm doing with my exercise plan. In an effort to avoid allergens I am once again, altering my diet. I tried having a whole "cheat day" once a week and it did not work for me at all. I use Fitday.com to help me calculate my macronutrients.

This is what I'm eating:

High Fat: Olive oil, coconut oil, and butter

Low Carb: 30-50 grams per day

Calorie Cycled: 1300-1900 calories per day.

This is what I'm not eating:

Soy

Nuts

Dairy

Grain

Gluten

Legumes

My eats:

Low Calorie day:

Pre Workout: 1 hard boiled egg

Post Workout: 1 scrambled egg, 1 tbsp. butter, 1 c. blackberries

Lunch: Avocado Salad with olive oil or 1 cup stir fry vegetables in coconut oil

and protein 3 oz.

Dinner: Sauteed vegetable or vegetable soup or stir fry with olive oil and protein 3 oz.

High Calorie day:

Pre WO 1 hard boiled egg

Post WO 1 scrambled egg, 2 tbsp. butter, 1 c. black berries

Lunch: Avocado Salad with olive oil or 1 cup stir fry vegetables in coconut oil

and protein 3 oz.

Dinner: 2 cups sauteed vegetable or vegetable soup or stir fry

3 tbsp. olive oil

and 5 oz. protein

and 1 cup of berries

Protein: pork, chicken, or beef

The exercise plan: in 2008 I was successful in my weight loss when I was focusing on cardio and yoga. I have decided to go back to that rotation. At that time I was also aiming for 60 minutes in my THR. That seems like a good plan. Over the winter I had dropped back to just 30 minutes per workout in my THR. I don't think thats enough to lose weight. I'm going to increase my cardio. I had also been doing more yoga. Over the winter, I was doing about 2-3 yoga sessions a week. I think that needs to be closer to 4-5.

This is my new rotation:

Sunday: Long jog or MMA Boxing, 1 hour Gary Bromley yoga

Monday: off

Tuesday: Step, Yoga Today

Wednesday: Jog or HIIT, 1 hour Gary Bromley yoga

Thursday: Step, Yoga (netflix dvd)

Friday: Jog or MMA, Kathy Smith Yoga Basics

Saturday: Step Circuit

Heres to this working !