Putting food in its place

[amalfi_girl]

Hey Lisa! I started a thread on the Phase 1 section of the forum on the 29th, but I didn't go back yet because I knew no one else wanted to start yet. I'm up for starting on Monday--I'll revise that re-do post in the P1 thread so it will be higher up in that forum. I'm excited not to have sweets cravings anymore!

[amalfi_girl]

So many people are keeping up their journals right now, it's great to see! I did another run this morning--I'm up to 4 minutes running and down to 2 minutes walking. I am so close to my goal of running 5 minutes and walking 1 minute, I can't even believe it! It's pretty amazing, too, how my actual running has changed. Instead of breathing heavy and feeling exhausted after seconds of running (which used to be the case), I can run at an easy pace for up to 2 minutes and 30 seconds before I start to increase my breathing at all, before I get even a little bit tired, before I really feel the difference between walking and running. 2:30!!! That was, at one point, a running time that I thought would be impossible, and now it is easy. Unbelievable. DH says that, sooner than I know it, 5 minutes will feel that way. I am hopeful he's right!!

[chefk]

Just checking in. It's been a long time. I've been one of those that slacked during the holidays with my journal. Glad things are going well with you!

[amalfi_girl]

Thanks, Chef! How is the raw challenge going?

[lakegran72]

Congratulations on the running.........You are awesome.......

[corimac]

Congrats on the running! I've been running for 5 years. I couldn't make it more than a minute when I started. I slowly worked my way up to a 5k and ran my first marathon two years ago. I've done several races- but nothing compares to how I felt after I completed my first 5K! You can do it!!! I'm excited for you. I was just reflecting this morning on how good it felt when I began running and how accomplished I felt.

[chefk]

There are positives and negatives, but decent overall.
Negatives:
Raw "cooking" takes a lot more time and planning. My caffeine withdrawal headache is still hanging on but fading. I miss hot foods. I'm looking forward to a big juicy burger and an adult drink and that CAN'T be good.
Positives:
I'm learning a hell of a lot about a way of food preparation that I new nothing about. I feel clean. A lot of what I'm making is REALLY good. (some not so much ) I love all the colors and pictures. I feel adventurous. I'm at 186. (been bouncing for almost 5 months between 185-190 and I'm on the low end again.)

[amalfi_girl]

Thanks so much Cori & Lakegran!

Congrats, ChefK! I am with you in that I loved learning about raw foods so that I could incorporate more of them in my diet--but I have no interest in only eating raw foods for the rest of my life. Case in point:

B: Ezekiel sprouted grain english muffin with 1 egg, 1 oz. 50% less fat cheddar, 8 grape tomatoes
S: large skim latte
L: Stir-fry veggies (tons of mushrooms, green pepper, onion, broccoli and artichoke heart) with 2 small meatballs, 1/2 cup marinara, 1 slice provalone (YUM!)
S1: (will be) leftovers from lunch (trust me!)
S2: 1 T chocolate peanut butter (Justin's all natural), 1 banana and 1/4 c scottish oatmeal
D: TBA

[Marie324]

Hey amalfi girl! I got caught up on some of your journey. First off, congratulations on all that you've accomplished, including the running!! I myself am a runner, but i definitely never used to be. I used to be a smoker! Little by little, slow and steady, you can train your lungs to run, and once you do, it is an empowering feeling. you are doing a terrific job by setting exercise goals for yourself. slow and steady wins the race with not only diets but with workouts as well! Keep up the great work!

Also I wanted to commend you on what you have overcome from your past at a young age. You are clearly a very strong person, with a great head on your shoulders. Best of luck to you.

[amalfi_girl]

Thank you so much, Marie, and welcome to my journal! I am definitely not in a race with the weight loss or getting to my goal with running (pun intended), I am in it for the long haul, trying to learn how to eat healthfully and incorporate exercise into my routine for the rest of my life. The journals have really helped me so far--I'm glad you've started one, you'll see just how helpful everyone on here is!

[chefk]

No doubt. Raw for life would just kill me. I'm actually feeling pretty done now and that's okay. I've gotten what I wanted out of it and I'll begin incorporating cooked food. There are definitely things I will keep making from this experience. The soaked oat groat cereal with cinnamon and apples and the dressing...oh the dressing. Yep, some good one's but I'm so happy to be moving back to Beach life.

[Hellonurse23]

Where have you been? Your slipping off the first page- thought I'd drag you back up to the top, haha. I haven't been keeping up with your blog but i have read it a few times, is that where you've been? Everything good?

[amalfi_girl]

Thank for the bump, Hellonurse! I've been on my blog mostly but also I've been doing the new Weight Watchers "Simply Filling Technique" and not South Beach for the past two weeks, seeing how I like it, so I didn't want to post here while I am not doing a strictly SBD lifestyle. I hope everything has been wonderful for you and all of my other fabulous SB friends on here--I do miss everyone!

[lakegran72]

bump......have you forsaken us? We want your bubbly self here too.

[lawn_gnome78]

Thank for the bump, Hellonurse! I've been on my blog mostly but also I've been doing the new Weight Watchers "Simply Filling Technique" and not South Beach for the past two weeks, seeing how I like it, so I didn't want to post here while I am not doing a strictly SBD lifestyle. I hope everything has been wonderful for you and all of my other fabulous SB friends on here--I do miss everyone!

Uh, oh.... I'm bad at doing strict SBD too... should I stay away till I get on track and focused?

I, for one, would still like to hear how you are getting along, no matter what eating plan you are doing! Is that allowed (moderator reading this now?)?