Ky's Korner

[Chris55]

Good morning, Ky! I'm here reading journals again, trying to motivate myself to stick to my plan. Ugh!! My meals are fine but the snacking is out of control yet again.

I totally sympathize with your hands being sore. I've been struggling with arthritis the past 2 months and it's really frustrating. Even 3 lb. weights are bothering me. Not sure if the extra weight is a factor but I'm pretty much living on pain relievers. I have my yearly checkup today, so am not looking forward to getting on the scale!

I also end up shopping around to find what I need. I only have two grocery stores nearby (I live in the boonies, but in town at least!). One has really good meats and local produce when it's in season. The other is a large chain that has all the lower fat options, produce from Chile, and high prices. Then I have a tiny health food co-op. I try to hit Trader Joe's or Sam's Club once a month or so. I got to Trader Joe's this weekend so I got some of my favorites. I actually found a very sharp crumbly low fat cheddar that actually doesn't taste like wax. It's even a little too strong, but that means I can use less. Also bought a package of frozen grilled asparagus. Can't wait until we can get some real veggies in the spring! That would certainly help.

I walked for almost an hour yesterday and was rewarded with a nasty charley horse last night, LOL! I guess I needed to stretch even more than I did. This exercise business is pure torture!

[Kyan]

Hey Chris! I love seeing you in my journal! How is the exercising going? Still brutal? (Of course - exercise is almost always a killer! ha ha)

Well things are going ok on my end. On Wednesday my trainer was sick, and on Thursday we got a killer snowstorm - we ended up with about 2 feet of snow when it was all over - so I didn't go to yoga, either. Today I met with my trainer and I had a good workout. There was a ton of people in the gym - I asked my trainer if he thought there was about 75-80 people there working out, and he said "definitely". Out of those people, guess how many were overweight? ....... NONE! I couldn't believe it. I asked him why. My trainer said he believed it was because this gym attracts a more affluent clientele, people who are into fitness and health. Who knows. I got a protein drink from the juice bar and asked that guy the same question and he said that on weekday mornings there are a lot of overweight people, so maybe it is just the times I go. I did see one guy who was a little overweight who was working out on the machines when I went on the Dreadmill (interval training) after my personal training session.

Oh yeah - and what is up with people hanging onto the Treadmill when they are working out? That really cuts down on the effectiveness of their workout. Why do they do that??? About every other person on the Treadmill machines (who is walking - not running!) is holding onto the machine either on the front of the machine or the rails on the side. If you are going to do the work - make it count!! Let go!!

Food has been ok. I need to finish making my menus for next week so that I can go shopping tomorrow night.

My son-in-law and daughter (who eat on the Beach) are looking into the Paleo diet. I love the Beach and think it is the best, but I must admit it is interesting to hear about it. While reading about it I came across this concerning cooking with olive oil:

"Just recently a study on olive oil in this country showed that most olive oil on the shelf is up to 40% refined hazelnut, canola or other vegetable oil. EV cold pressed is the only way to ensure 100% olive oil, as the FDA does not require companies to specify whether or not their oil is a blend. "

also:

"Olive oil actually has a rather poor ratio of (omega 6/omega 3) fatty acids at about 13:1, however if you eat sufficient long chain omega 3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) from fatty fish, olive oil consumption presents few problems and actually is a healthy fat. Cooking with any fat partially breaks down (oxidizes) the fatty acid molecules and may form toxic by products. The amount of oxidation and formation of toxic compounds is dependent upon the temperature during cooking and the types of fatty acids. High cooking temperatures such as searing, broiling and barbequing should be avoided and slow cooking procedures such as low baking, simmering, poaching, crock pots, etc. are preferred. During cooking, saturated fatty acids are more stable than monounsaturated fatty acids which are more stable than polyunsaturated fatty acids. Additionally, the more double bonds in a fatty acid the less stable it becomes during cooking. For this reason most polyunsatured fatty acids (whether omega 6 or omega 3) are poor choices for cooking. From a practical perspective, oils such as olive, coconut and macadamia are much better choices because they produce lower oxidized and toxic compounds.

Always try to buy 100 % virgin olive oil from name brands and reputable companies. Off brands selling at low prices are suspect and may be adulterated with other cheaper oils.

[JeffInJax]

Kyan,

Id actually prefer a gym like yours. At mine there is a guy who about 1/2 the time he is on the treadmill he has snacks with him. Yup...you heard me right. I have seen him there over the past year eating cheetos, lays potatoe chips, cheesy popcorn and various other things while walking on the treadmill. Can we say redundant? I think seeing a lot of in shape people while it could be intimidating, would also give me something to strive for and motivate me.

Sorry to hear about the snowstorm, out of curiousity what time do you go to the gym? I know when i was hardcore into lifting weights that it was packed with fit people first thing in the morning because thats generally the best time to work out, but afternoons after work had the opposite end of the spectrum. Sounds like you're doing well, stay strong!

[Chris55]

We heard about your snowstorm on the news! Sounds like you're having a whopper of a winter. Meanwhile it's 47 degrees here, the little bit of snow we have is turning to puddles. They had to cancel a big ice fishing derby because of lack of ice! I can't complain, though, I'm saving a bundle on oil this year, but it would be nice to have snow to play in. It makes me mad when it's freezing and there's no snow - like what's the point?

I walked at the gym for an hour this morning while it was still freezing out. Now it's pretty and warm and I'm tired and ready to just relax after a day of shopping and driving around. I got myself some new strap-on wrist weights with a hole for the thumb. Now I won't have to use my hand weights when I exercise - they were really bothering my arthritis. I was strapping on ankle weights the past few days and they were too big and clunky, so these will be wonderful and now I'll be able to use my ankle weights where they belong when I want an extra hard workout.

I've never belonged to a fancy gym, just the Y or rec center or Planet Fitness, so I'm used to seeing all kinds of people working out. The track where I walk is just painted stripes around the basketball courts. Some days there are little kids and moms playing basketball, another group in the corner doing a weight class and trying to use balance balls (all 50+ladies), sometimes dogs being walked before their dog obedience classes - yes, dogs!, and an assortment of senior citizens who hobble along after hip surgery or heart attacks. Definitely a low key place to work out! They have a room with weight machines, dreadmills, and hellipticals and a separate weight room for the really serious people. They go in there with their gloves and their sports drinks and torture themselves in private!

[dene]

The gym I belong to was originally a women only gym and that's why I joined it. After a year, they had to sell to Workout Anytime which is open 24/7, but it is now co-ed. I don't feel comfortable around all those guys, but there is a room we have called Cardio Cinema. Lights are dim and we have a TV on the wall where we play dvd's. We have bicycles, treadmills and ellipticals in there. That's the only place I go now. I'm afraid if I tried to work on the machines in the big room, those guys would laugh.

And I don't know why some people hold on to the treadmill, but I know why I do. I can't keep my balance. Just walking on solid ground I stagger and can't walk a straight line. And no, I don't drink!!! hahaha. I just don't walk straight, so I have to balance myself a little by holding on. I keep hearing Dolvett in my ear yelling..."get your hands off my treadmill!!!" but I have to give myself a little security or I end up on my rear. True story.

[Kyan]

Hey Chris and Dene!! You know, I'll bet both of you belong to a gym that is perfect for what it needs to do. And I'll bet no guys would ever laugh at you, Dene!! I used to go the small Rec center near me that only had 2 Dreadmill machines, 3 hellipticals, some free weights and a few other weight machines - and an ancient rowing machine. That was it! And there was always tons of guys there and only a few women. I just ignored them and they pretty much ignored me, too! Hey Dene - did you try out your new tenny stompers yet???

Chris - your hands sound just like mine - except we have different issues! But same results! Sometimes I can hardly drive my car, hold a phone to my ear, crack an egg - pick up something small from the floor!!

[JeffInJax]

I can say almost for a fact, besides the random groups of kids around 16 or so, most guys that are in the gym will only encourage you. Saying this from a guys point of view, ive never once ever given a woman any grief in the gym and have only seen it happen once with a boy (not calling him a man) that was about 16 and was really rude to a lady who was on the treadmill to get her off it so she could get on. We all chased him out of the gym and he never came back, unfortunately neither did she, but most of the people going to the gyms especially smaller ones would never laugh at you, you're in there working hard and improving yourself

One thing i can say about the fitness community is if you're new, people wont laugh or tease but they might not talk to you too much. Generally after a few weeks of seeing you constantly they tend to introduce themselves and you get to make friends you enjoy seeing when you go to the gym.

Cmon now Kyan, i know deep down you hold a secret love for the elliptical machine just like i do ok ok maybe not but they do work! I know what you mean about an ancient rowing machine, the one at my gym is made out of wood and actually has an oar on each side lol or at least you would think so from the shape it's in!

[dene]

Ky,
I've worn my new shoes to the gym a few times and they are okay. The guy told me my last ones were too big, so it's an adjustment to a half size smaller. I guess I just don't like shoes, period. Even though they're not really tight, the tops of my feet kind of ache like they are tight. Hard to explain. Only made it to the gym once this week.

My life doesn't fall into a set pattern, so I don't really have a routine. Went to the gym three times last week, but this week it just didn't work out. I think if I went more regularly, I'd feel more comfortable. I used to do some machines when it was all women there, so some time I may venture out into the big room and try to remember what to do. Thanks for the encouragement from you and Jeff.

Finally watched this week's BL and commented over there.

[Kyan]

Jeff - bite your tongue!! Hellipticals are... well... HELL! ha ha

Dene - I know exactly what you mean about your shoes! I end up taking mine off to see if my socks are scrunched up or something - but usually they aren't - my shoes just kind of feel tight in places!

Not much new with me. Ham fricos for breakfast (man those are good!) and I made a new recipe for lunch - asparagus soup with parmesan cheese. Really great! And dinner was fantastic - lemon caper chicken, crisp yellow/red/orange sweet pepper strips, and an orange for each of us. SOOOO tasty!!

Today is Valentine's Day and I realized something. Many of our holidays seem to have candy and sweets as an integral part! Halloween - well that's a given! Christmas. Valentine's Day. Then Easter! My ex gave me a small box of chocolates. My ex is VERY overweight and he KNOWS I am on the Beach. My boys ate the majority - there were only about 6 chocolates in the entire box I think - but still!! I ended up eating a couple. Then I had neighbors and friends bringing over the damndest stuff! One friend took marshmallows and dipped them in different colors of chocolate and rolled them in different things - candy sprinkles, mini-chocolate chips, nuts, etc. etc. Others brought baked goods and candy. EVERYONE knows I am on the Beach. EVERYONE! I was mostly good but everyone ALSO knows I have a huge sweet tooth! Or lots of sweet tooths in my mouth! The thing is, they did it to be nice - not to sabotage me..... so it's hard to then reject their gifts. So I thank them and give them to my boys so I can ruin THEIR health and rot their teeth. Or else throw the stuff out! What a waste. No wonder America is fat fat fat FAT!

And ANOTHER thing since I am on a roll. (Whole wheat!)

What in the WORLD makes almost every parent think their kids have to eat every time they step foot into a vehicle? Every parent I know who has children under the age of five can't drive them ANYWHERE without feeding them in the car. Why?? I never fed my kids in the car unless we were driving across country on a trip. I guess there are times you have to be somewhere and you don't have time to feed a hungry toddler - but EVERY single time they step foot into the car? They feed them on the way to day care even though the day care then feeds them breakfast. And then a morning snack. And then lunch. And then an afternoon snack. And then the parents feed them in the car on the way home where the child eats dinner. And then dessert. And then probably another snack after that, before bed. And somewhere some experts said that kids need to eat every two hours because they have little stomachs or something.... but you know..... back in the 1920's... 30's.... 40's.... (and all the centuries before THAT) - kids ate three meals a day and the majority of people were at decent weights. You had some overweight people, but not like today.

So yes. It's the convenience of fast foods and our hectic lifestyles. It's WHAT we eat and what tastes good to us and the freaking gargantuan portion sizes. But why do people think they have to constantly feed their kids? I know anyone who is reading this has seen it - you go to a friend's house and their kids walk around with a sippy cup of juice or something and snack continuously. One thing after another. And maybe the kids are at a normal weight NOW - but I think it is setting up eating habits that are going to be difficult to deal with later on in life.

That is one thing I REALLY miss by living on the Beach. Something I can snack on to my heart's content while I watch TV. Chips. Popcorn. Snacks. Something crunchy and salty and fun - and something I can eat until I don't want anymore.

And I was born in a time when parents didn't give their kids snacks except maybe after school.

And while I am REALLY on a roll here - does anyone remember Pillsbury Space Food Sticks? Boy those things were good!! lol

[masm2]

Space food sticks....loved them but my mom would not buy them very often!

I read your rant and I sooooo agree with all of it...in fact it made me conduct a little kitchen experiment that I have thought about for a long time. I had some time on my hands this morning while I was roasting some butternut squash. So I got out some dishes and went to work.

Soup/Cereal bowl circa 1980 holds slightly less than 2 cups of water filled to the top.

Bowl from mid 1990's holds 2 & 2/3 cups of water.

Bowl from 2009 holds 4 & 1/2 cups of water.

Serving Bowl from 1980-slightly less than 4 cups of water.

Seriously kids today are eating cereal out of serving dishes! My family did laugh at the new bowls and none of us fill them up. Dinner plates are the same size, but every other dish and bowl are supersized now. A coffee cup from 1950 exactly one cup of water filled to the top. I am not even going to test my usual mug!

[dene]

My Valentine gave me red roses and a gift certificate for a massage....no candy! You are so right about feeding kids everywhere. You go to the movie, what's the first thing the kid says...."I'm hungry." I see kids eating during church, like they will starve in an hour or something. And the car...people pack a snack for the car like they're planning to trek across the continent and they're just running an errand.

Watched BL tonight but am heading to bed so I'll comment tomorrow if I have time.

[Kyan]

I keep trying to reply but I'm having some issues apparently.... so this is my last effort for tonight!

Masm - that is sooo interesting about the bowls! What a smart "experiment"!! I would never have thought of that!

Dene - I watched BL but haven't gone over to reply because I really didn't know what I wanted to say, lol. It's a fiasco!!!

I will try to post more tomorrow when I don't keep getting booted out of the forum!! Grrrrrr!!

[smay]

Resurfacing from my ocean of carbs to say Hi!

Been back on P1 for a week now and doing good with the exception of Valentine's Day extremely good quality chocolates from the husband. Been going to the gym twice a week too for over a month now (except for this last week since I was battling a cold) just doing the elliptical. Need to rejoin my crew here!

I'm terrible at journaling lately...

[Kyan]

Hey Smay!!!! So awesome to see you! Working out twice a week is GOOD - more than a lot of people on the Beach, I would bet! Valentine's Day was hard - chocolate is sooooo tempting! But now it's over and you are half-way through Phase 1 so that is great! Just keep it up!

I actually found an exercise I kind of like! Rowing! I am going to challenge myself to see how miles I can row in a month. Yesterday my personal trainer did a Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde thing and was BRUTAL!! My last trainer was always brutal so it wasn't anything I couldn't handle, but it was a huge change from how he HAS been every week! Wowee he worked my butt off!! I was never so glad to see my session end - and then I tried to see how far I could row. I only made it a mile (1609 meters) and I had to call it a day. My heart was pounding out of my chest! I also had blisters on my hands. I know it will get better and better each time I do it.

I am having a heck of a time POSTING anymore, and I think it's these stupid ADS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every time the ad above the box I am typing into changes, my screen clicks and it almost throws me out or DOES throw me out. At the very least my typing skips and my screen jumps down and I have to backspace over what I typed in the wrong place and scroll up to resume typing. I do NOT like this a bit!

Has anyone heard of the Beyond Diet program? I found it by accident and listened to the entire video they had. It sounds like the Beach except not as good. I decided to read reviews on the program just for grins - people said that they get bombarded constantly with crap for sale from the program. Ewww I would hate that! I was tempted to join ($47 ONE time fee- supposedly) JUST to get the dessert cookbook - but then I came to my senses. WHAT THE HECK? $50 for a cookbook? It was the thought of chocolate... and sweet stuff... and gooey stuff... I wasn't in my right mind at the moment! ha ha
One thing they do say is that you should avoid all artificial sweeteners. I always kind of wonder about that - and try to use them sparingly. Chemicals is chemicals.

I can't type anymore - this jumping thing is driving me nuts!!!

[Chris55]

Glad I'm not the only one getting jumpy from the ads. It's driving me nuts. Why on earth do we need to see ads for diet pills when we're trying to eat healthy?! Yeah, I know, because people buy them evidently.

Rowing sounds painful. I don't even kayak without gloves - I'm very prone to blisters. Maybe you need some biking gloves or some other kind of fingerless ones.