What's the haps? - Wednesday

Thought I'd jump in here while I've got the time...

Things here are busy, busy.  I'm still running, just did a "fun" 5k this morning for National Running Day.  I also started fitness camp (think boot camp) this week, it goes Mon-Thur for 5 weeks at 6 AM.  I'm still trying to train for a half-marathon in October on top of this, too... this first week is killing me, though.  I warned all my coworkers today that if they smell something weird, it's me since I'm lathered up in Mineral Ice.  I can't wait for the weekend so I can get a couple days off, thank goodness.  Otherwise, I'm trying to keep up with all my kiddos.  They're out of school now... gotta keep the little sweeties out of trouble!

Here's what I ate yesterday.  It adds up to about 1500 cals, and I ate closer to 1800 the day before.  I haven't seen the scale move significantly in a while, though I hear that happens the closer you get to goal.  Do you all think I'm eating enough or too much?

Banana
3 strawberries
oatmeal with protein powder

Tea latte with skim milk
Coffee

Lean Cuisine meal

Tea Latte with skim milk

mini bagel w/ laughing cow cheese

protein bar

Gardenburger riblets

Banana
Protein drink

Wow Wendy,
I am so proud of you. I have never been a runner. Don't like it. But I think that it is so great that you are able and want to do it. I'm sure it makes you feel younger!!!!! Keep it up and you go girl.

In my opinion, NO!!! You are absolutely NOT overdoing it!!! Girl, you are my hero and I would do anything to take your place... I have tried running a couple of times, and wanted to do a 5K, And my dad told me no because he was too worried I was not ready... But thats ok, Im not quite ready yet but getting there. 

As far as what's  eating me, Not very much today.... and not very much to drink either(BAD ME)
wE HAVE BEEN On the LAKE ALL DAY, Unfortunately not boating or fishing, but working in the hot sun on the new boat that wasn't supposed to have any problems....

HERE'S WHAT I'VE  HAD.................

B: 1 EGG, 1 WEDGE TOAST(VERY SMALL) 1 SAUSAGE PATTY SMALL, AND A BITE OF HASHBROWNS

L: NOTHING

D: ITS LATE, BUT I HAD STEAMED BROCOLLI, AND 1 SMALL FILLET OF CRAPPIE

AND IM SIPPING A 32 OZ. BOTTLE OF WATER NOW.......

Thanks, Court!  You be careful with your intake, girl.  It's not good to go that long with no food or drink!  And don't give up on the exercise... just take it slow and easy.  Listen to your body (yes, it's a lesson I'm currently learning, too!).

I increased to around 1200 calories per day (per Dr Baker) @ around 6 months out, then up to about 1500 per day (again per Dr Baker) @ about a year out, then up to 1700 per day (again per Dr Baker) @ about 17 months out when I was still losing and down to the lower 120s.  After increasing to 1700 per day, the losing stopped and I started gradually gaining (SUPER SCARY!!!).  I decreased down (with Addie's ok) to 1650 calories per day.  I've maintained between 125 - 130 since then with no trouble. 

I've been walking almost every day lately with my hubby, so I'm closer to 125 now than 130 - but even with no exercise, I maintain between 125 & 130 (just closer to 130 w/ no exercise). 

So I don't do that many calories even now.  BUT (and this is a big but with no pun intended on the but), I do not now NOR HAVE I EVER worked out as much as you do. 

I really recommend (not just for you but for ANYONE) who is getting close to goal to have a MedGem test done.  In my opinion, it is invaluable.  This is especially true as we get farther out and our bodies start ABSORBING more of the calories we are ingesting. 

Volume wise, Dr Baker's instructions say to never go over 1/2 cup.  Even when he told me at a year out that it is okay on occassion to go a little over 1/2 cup (especially on soft foods), I rarely do.  (I don't count a cup of frozen yogurt because it melts to fluid, so I count is as a fluid.)  So honestly, VOLUME wise, I'd say a whole Lean Cuisine meal is too much volume.  (Although I don't eat them - so they may not be if the whole meal IS less than or equal to 1/2 cup.)

Calorie wise, it just depends on how many calories you are expending (and how fast your metabolism is, etc) and that will be different for every person.  That's why a MedGem test is so important.  It will tell you that sort of stuff.  If I had to guess, I'd say your good on calories.  If you're still losing steadily (even if it's slowly), you're okay on calories.  My last few months of losing were very slow (1 - 2 pounds per month) - but it just wouldn't STOP until I increased my calories.  So you may find that you need to increase your calories even more (although I wouldn't do that if I were you until you overshoot your goal a little - that way when you start adding more calories to stop the loss, you won't go too far back onto the gain side and get above goal - IF that is important to you). 

Sorry I know this is full of run-on sentences, spelling mistakes, etc.  But I'm so tired and really just wanted to stop in for aminute. 

You are doing GREAT and we are all so proud of you.  You are an truly an inspriation!!!!!

Here was my Tuesday...

FOOD / FLUIDS	CALORIES	FAT	CARBS	PROTEIN	FLUID OZ
1/2 apple sliced w/ 4 tbsp PB2	161.40	3.94	21.40	11.60	0.00
1 ounce cocoa roasted almonds	150.00	13.00	6.00	6.00	0.00
20 ounces skim milk & 2 tbsp SF chocolate syrup	225.00	0.00	32.00	21.00	20.00
16.9 ounces water	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	16.90
Large Atkins Advantage Chocolate Chip Granola Bar	200.00	8.00	18.00	17.00	0.00
16.9 ounces water	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	16.90
4 SF candies	35.00	0.00	16.00	0.00	0.00
16.9 ounces water	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	16.90
chicken soft taco w/ only chicken & lettuce w/ extra lettuce (Taco Bell)	60.00	1.50	2.00	9.00	0.00
8 ounces water	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	8.00
1 cup Kroger Del Vanilla NSA Frozen Yogurt & 2 tbsp GNC banana protein pwdr	225.52	3.62	31.66	16.28	0.00
1 cup Kroger Del Vanilla NSA Frozen Yogurt & 1 packet lite blueberry protein	210.00	3.00	36.00	13.00	0.00
8.9 ounces water	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	8.90
2 slices turkey bacon, 1 medium egg, 1 slice 2% american & 1 slice Delightful whole grain	200.00	10.00	12.00	17.00	0.00
2 cups skim milk & 2 tbsp SF chocolate syrup	185.00	0.00	26.00	17.00	16.00
total	1651.92	43.06	201.06	127.88	103.60

Thanks for the input, Wen!  I feel better now about the measly couple pounds I've lost this month, ha ha.  I knew the darn Lean Cuisine was too much volume, but arrrgh, I've got to be more careful.

I'm making a note to check out the MedGem test... thanks again for the reality check and the feedback. :)

MedGem testing is $100 at the Conway Regional Health System. Call Kellie Turpin, 501-450-9292 ext 23 for more details. For that, you get the test and an one hour consult with her. She's great. The original nutritionist for the bariatric programs here in AR.  She really DID write the book!