Still here

I've been MIA from this space for a while now but I'm still here, I'm still actively trying to craft, to cook and move around and keep healthy.  I still have some Body By Design posts I have yet to publish (they will come) but I  thought I could give you a report of my experience:

The program consisted of three phases, the last one going on for three weeks.  We didn't finish the last phase but completed phases I & II.  I lost 10 lbs total and I also won the Biggest Looser competition at work!

I could focus on why we didn't complete the program or what made us ultimately stop but I will focus on the positive aspects of the experiment.  I believe if I do this, it'll be easier to build on those skills and habits we formed during those 9 weeks and  keep implementing them into our daily lives. 

#1  We shared something healthy and different  as a couple and made exercise a priority:   The fact that we were doing this together, made it more doable.  We had a commitment with each other and when the time to hit the gym came, (sometimes 9:30-9:45 pm...) we just went even if we were tired.  

#2 We started drinking a supplementary drink for workouts:  The program really emphasized the need to give our bodies enough fuel before and after our intense workouts. I wanted to find a protein shake which didn't contain any milk (trying to limit my milk intake to only cheese) and no sugar or anything artificial.  I was so happy to find VEGA products and decided to try their Whole Food Optimizer, which they recently replaced with VEGA ONE.  I must confess, it takes some time getting used to it, but just knowing that your body is getting all those benefits, (chlorella, spirulina, minerals, vitamins and only stevia as sweetener) made it easier to drink and ultimately we just loved how we felt more energy and stamina. 

#3 We started eating more frequently:  The program is designed to keep your metabolism active all day by eating small meals every 3 hrs.  This was hard at first because I had to plan and take all those meals to work.  But we did it!

#4 We ate homemade meals 100% of the time:  I had to include cooking into my daily routine.  No matter how much I wanted to just watch "24" all night or do anything else, I had to allocate the time to cook fresh meals everyday.

#5 We felt proud:  Everyone knew we were doing this and we felt SO PROUD about it.  People would say "wow I could never o that!" or, "that's so committed!"  and we just smiled and eventhough we weren't sure how we were making it happen, it was happening!

So that's my report on Body By Design.It felt good to write this down because as I mentioned, it would be more natural for me to focus on how I "only" lost 10 lbs or how we didn't finish the program or how on earth I would be able to do it again.  By writing the positive, I can see how those 5 points are so doable even if I'm not in the program.  I will follow through on my decision to take care of my health and be more active and those 5 points are 5 lessons that I am sure work, and make me feel good.

Thank you for accompanying me in this journey and I will keep you posted.  Keep looking uner the "Health and Wellbeing" category for upcoming posts on health.

Now back to regular programming....

Body By Design Day #61

I was really good on Friday and went for a walk @ lunchtime and then to the gym after work!  Very proud.  Tired, but proud and ready for the weekend!!!

  

Lunchtime walk findings

 

Hello gym...again...

Body By Design Day #60

Thursday is Day #60 but to celebrate, I watched like 4 episodes of "24"....Arrrghghghg I have to go to the gym straight from work or else I just won't make it.  When I get home, my favorite spot in the house just looks so comfy all bathed in natural light and warmth, it's so hard to resist sitting there to read or watch something good.  Friday will be cardio day and I'll go for a walk at lunchtime!

Body By Design Day #59

On Wednesday I did not cook anything to have for lunch so I went out and got some tofu and vegetables at the Asian Market.

It wasn't good.  At all. It felt so greasy and just not fresh.  I've noticed that since I'm eating home cooked meals 95% of the time, whenever I eat out, if it's not at least fresh, my stomach will reject it.  It was so bad that I couldn't have dinner and just had my VEGA shake before we went to the gym.

The asian market is really cool because they have fresh fish and all the Asian products I love but I'm not eating there again!

I went home and make a chickpeas and vegetable stew. There is such power in cooking your own meals.  You know exactly what's in it, you can customize it according to whatever you feel like eating and most of all, it will be fresh and it won't be overcooked when overcooking will decrease the amount of nutrients that will end up in your body.  Also, as I said in my manifesto at the beginning of the year:

COOK AS A FORM OF MEDITATION AND

AS A LOVE OFFERING TO YOURSELF AND OTHERS

Body By Design Day #58

On Tuesday I on the way to work I took this photo:

I love how the light just takes over everything.  It's a good reflection of my morning commute which is such a peaceful time of my day.  I never listen to radio and I just either pray, quiet my mind and thoughts or talk to my mom on the phone.  A year ago, my commute consisted of rushing out the door to catch the subway, pass out in the subway for 30 minutes, run to catch another train and again pass out for another 30 minutes until my phone alarm went off alerting my that I had reached my destination.  Total time: 1-1/2 hrs.  HUGE change.

I went for a walk but did not go to the gym at night today.

Body By Design Day #57

On Monday we were back at the gym.  Last week on Phase II of Body By Design and after this, is Phase III which will last three weeks and we'll be finished! 12 weeks my friends!

Today  I also went for a walk at lunchtime and found this little surprise (try to ignore how many lines there are in my hand..I know it's weird):

Have I mentioned how much I love lady bugs? They are just so adorable!! So tiny and colorful.

I met a friend for dinner and had a very delicious salad. 

 
I've been craving salad lately and I chopped up a bunch of lettuce and spinach to have ready in the fridge.  Had another salad for lunch that I made with chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, some cranberries ( I love a little sweet in my salad) with a homemade tahini dressing.  It was very good and satisfying.

Thanks for visiting!

Body By Design Day #56

On Sunday I focused on moving around furniture in my office. No gym today :-(

Body By Design Day #55

On Saturday we went to the gym and did our last Saturday workout of Phase II.  I've mentioned how tough it is.  Just long and hard but I get to work on my legs a LOT and I love how strong they're becoming!

I've been struggling lately with what to eat for breakfast.  I understand how important it is and know that if I skip it (which I never do), I'll be tired and hungry all day.  So I always try to have something.  A smoothie, an egg with a slice of bread, some oatmeal...  I want to try to develop a breakfast menu so that I don't have to think about it while I'm trying to rush out the door in the mornings.  I'll be working on that soon.

Thanks for visiting and I promise to post some photos and more interesting happenings around here.  Than you for your patience!

Body By Design Day #54

Friday finally arrived and again, I was feeling bored with the diet... This week was a tough one with all the events at work and the food involved.  Sorry for the lack of excitement lately.  Life's been...happening.

Body By Design Day #53

And the events continue.  Thursday I think I overdid it.  It was one of those days when I felt I didn't do anything right about diet of exercise.  I think we're only allowed to have a very limited amount of those days before you start to see the consequences on the scale.  I didn't watch my portions, I had a couple of very sweet mixed drinks, I didn't walk at lunch time and I didn't go to the gym at night.  Ouch!

Today's Friday and the plan is to eat small portions, go for my lunch time walk and go to the gym tonight.  I'll let you know how that goes by tomorrow :-)

Body By Design Day #52

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are going to be an exception.  There's a series of events at work (which include lunches and dinners) and I'm planning to enjoy them.  It'll all be over on Friday.  So I won't comment of what I'm eating (or drinking) :-)
I did go to the gym today and we did the Wednesday workout after a work dinner and having a divine Key Lime Pie :-)

Body By Design Day #51

I went back into my walking routine.  Seriously, it was like 70 degrees here yesterday.  So lovely!  This week is a bit crazy at work because we're having a series of  big events during the week.  I'm trying to keep my routines as much as I can to get a sense of sanity.   It also helps to feel I do have control at least over things like what I eat, how much I move and making it to the gym.  Even late at night.  This is proof of the time we got home from the gym last night... Tough.  But so worth it.

I had some of the beans with a bit of rice for lunch and when i got home, had some with a fried egg and avocado.  All in small portions!  Then something magical happened: I took a nap!  It may seem odd but I don't usually nap.  I had this strange idea that if I slept at any time other than at night, then I wouldn't be able to sleep later.  Well, I was reading a book after dinner (love having dinner @6pm) and I fell asleep.  For two hours! It felt so good!  And when I woke up at 8pm, the last thing I wanted was to go to the gym.  But then I thought of how I feel when I leave the gym: strong, accomplished, in control, vibrant.... so we went.

15-minute mile on the elliptical:

and 15-minute mile on the treadmill (the 2.0 mph happened during cool down):

Not impressive numbers I know (110 calories?? not fair!), but I went and after I took a shower, I had such a good night's sleep.  Good day.

Body By Design Day #50

Monday I was tired, very very tired.  I think the super intense workout and the fact that I only got about 6 hours of sleep had me craving my bed so badly all day!

I had to run some errands at lunch time so no walk today....that's three days without my walk, ouch.
But, we did go to the gym at night and completed the upper body workout.  Note to self: "Never, ever do strength training two days in a row.  You'll be so exhausted, will not enjoy it and be so cranky that you'll annoy the heck out of your husband".

We learned, to not skip that Saturday workout.  Even if we have to go really early or really late.  We gotta let the body rest and recover.

I cooked two meals in record time thanks to having a menu and all the necessary items ready to go!  I made red beans with a super easy recipe that my friend Andrea gave me a while ago.  She's a great cook and one of her specialties are beans.  I really like her recipe because it's simple, relatively fast (if you remember to soak your beans) and nutritious (only way to make me eat three carrots).  Here's her recipe if you want to try it:

Andrea's Beans
1 lb of dry pinto beans soaked overnight
3 carrots
Salt, pepper & spices (I use cumin, cayenne pepper and a little liquid smoke)
About a cup of chopped onions
3 tomatoes, chopped
A bunch of cilantro, chopped

•  Cook the beans with the carrots in a large pot with plenty of water (add a lot if you want a soup or less if you like the beans more loose) until the carrots are cooked through
• Add the carrots and some water and beans to a blender or food processor and blend to a paste-like consistency and add this mixture to the beans
• In a pan, add onions, tomatoes and lastly, the cilantro and simmer until it becomes saucy.  Add this to the beans when they're done and season with your favorite spices
• Let it simmer for about 10 minutes or until you feel that all the flavors are nicely mixed together
• Enjoy with rice or a nice avocado salad!

 

 Andrea's Beans in all their glory.  See all that cilantro....HEAVEN!!

 I also cooked some Tilapia using a Mediterranean recipe from Tessa Evans' blog here.  I want to introduce new ways of eating the same things we buy every time we do grocery shopping.  This recipe is fantastic over a bed of brown rice or even over a layer of mashed potatoes.  Yum!!

 Mediterranean Tilapia casserole
As this is a Mediterranean dish, and in the Mediterranean family is key, this dish serves 8 people. It is a wonderful dish to use if you have got 8 hungry mouths to feed, as it is beautifully rich in color and texture, and easily made and served with rice. Alternatively adjust the ingredient quantities to suit.

(Preparation time approx 30 minutes, cooking time approx 20 minutes)
Ingredients
* 8 tilapia fillets
* 5 tablespoons olive oil
* 6 cloves of garlic, chopped
* 4 onions, chopped
* 2 lb fresh ripe tomatoes, skins removed and chopped
* 2 tablespoons of sun dried tomato paste
* 2 small glasses of white wine
* 20 black olives, halved and stones removed
* Freshly ground sea salt and pepper to season
* Bunch of chopped fresh parsley
Method
* Pre heat the oven to 350F (180c) and lightly grease a large oven proof dish.
* Dry the fillets on a piece of kitchen paper, and place into the dish, set aside.
* Heat the oil in a pan, and fry the garlic, onion and 3/4 of the parsley over a low heat for 5 minutes.
* Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and wine. Stir, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
* Gently simmer for approximately 20 minutes.
* Add the olives to the sauce, then pour over the fillets, coating each one well.
* Bake in the oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the fish is cooked.
* Serve on a bed of rice, and a sprinkling of parsley.

The fillets waiting for the magic sauce

Garlic, olives, peeled tomatoes and parsley

They're all getting to know each other here :-)

The final product ready to be devoured!

Body By Design Day #49

On Sunday we did go to the gym and proceeded to do the hardest workout since we started this program.  10 weight lifting exercises from Body By Design (most of them for legs, which I LOVE), three sets of crunches on the bench and three sets we wanted to do on the pectoral fly machine to strengthen those chest muscles :-)
Yikes... I know we'll feel it all on Monday....

We weighed ourselves like we do every week and I gained muscle mass but only lost .1 lbs.  That had me a bit discouraged.  My husband actually gained weight and muscle mass! At least one of us was a total winner!
After I had a fight with my body, arguing that I was making such a big effort so that it should deliver big results, I apologized and thanked God for letting me do this.  I am becoming so strong and I know everything I'm doing is beneficial to me health, independently of what the scale says.

We then went grocery shopping, with a menu and list in hand.  This is the first time we do this.  We usually go and buy the same things week after week.  With no menu in mind.  The result is lots of things don't make it into the pot and they get ruined sitting in the fridge.  This time, we bought less, but of much better quality (90% organic).  It felt like a prize or an indulgence to get all of these pesticide/hormone-free goodies!

When we got home, the hubby did his magic with the help of a kitchen knife and some containers:

Red & White onions, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, zucchini, mushrooms, celery and 

red & yellow peppers!

Please ignore the two wine bottles in the back... :-)

I LOVE an organized fridge!  I made a lentil stew and cooked some rice to begin the week!

Body By Design Day #48

Saturday I volunteered at the Latin American Coalition.  They hosted another monthly workshop to help community members become US citizens.  I went with my friend M and we had a really good time.  There's something about doing work because you want to and not because you have to, that makes us feel good and in control.  I also made a friend at the workshop so it was a really good day.

The day was foggy and grey so I went home, took a really nice nap and read The 4 Hour Body for the rest of the afternoon.  This is what a perfect day looks like to me: Interacting and meeting people, resting, enjoying my home and learning/making something.  As you might've guessed, there was no cooking so we ordered some greek food.  Not stressing about this diet.  I'll go to the gym tomorrow :-)

Body By Design Day #47

Friday I took the day off from workouts.  I didn't go for a walk at lunchtime either.  Could it be I'm loosing motivation? I hope not.  I must confess I am getting a bit bored of the food.  So I went and had chicken with broccoli for lunch.  And I didn't eat the rice! Good girl!  and yes, I said I had chicken.  Something really strange has been making me crave chicken....  I almost never eat it and I NEVER buy it.  I've had a love/hate relationship with this bird.  Since I started Body By Design, my protein sources have been limited to fish, eggs and tofu.  I'm tired of eggs! And I don't even want to see a pack of tofu.... I think the chicken cravings come from being bored.  I'll think about how to address this during the weekend...

Thanks for visiting!

Body By Design Day #46

Hmmm the traffic on this blog has increased dramatically in the last couple of weeks! So if you're reading me, thank you and again, please don't be shy and leave a comment once in a while!

75 degree weather, sun, breeze...beautiful day.  I went to Panera and had a wonderful salad and ate outside.

I don't know if you know but I don't habitually eat chicken (the reasons why, will be on another post).  But this week I've been craving it.  So much.  Maybe my body asking for more protein, I don't know.  But I wanted that Thai Chicken Salad.  And it was so good.

I also tried something different today.  I wore my Polar heart rate monitor all day.  I was curious to see how many calories I spend per day.  At the end of the day, it read that I had used more than 3,000 calories????  I did work out at the end of the day but 3,000 seemed like too much.  I did some research and found that the HR monitors are good for measuring training sessions but not for all day use :-(  Oh well, it was worth a try.

So I'm sticking to my BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) calculation which says I should be using 1,649 calories.  If you're not familiar with BMR, it is basically a calculation of how many calories you burn (acording to weight, height and age) if you just laid in bed all day doing nothing. 

Starting tomorrow, I'll start to log in my meals into My Fitness Pal on my phone and see how I'm doing in respect to calories.  Want to know how many calories you burn per day? go here

Thanks for visiting!

Body By Design Day #45

I ran outside for the first time EVER.  The day was just perfect.  Nice and sunny 60 degrees and my co-worker J (who introduced me to Body By Design and I am eternally grateful for) inspired me to go jogging at lunch time.  Wow was it tough!  I can already run at the gym for 15 minutes without stopping but running outside is a whole other deal.  The wind, the terrain, the sun, all very enjoyable factors but they affect you capacity and I found catching for breath earlier than I thought.

At night we went to the gym and did the upper body workout.  We've been either increasing the weight or the reps and we usually do 4 sets of each exercise.  When I try to lift the dumbells I started with, I feel they're weightless!!! I feel am so strong!

I've been really slacking this week with the food :-(  I mean, I've been eating sensibly but haven't cooked in a couple of days.  So today's lunch was a case of sardines and a slice of bread...I know, nutritious but...sad lunch.  I think I'll treat myself to a yummy salad tomorrow.  It's supposed to be 75 degrees! whoo hoo!!!

Body By Design Day #44

I've been following the weight lifting part of the program with my husband but on the days we don't strength-train, I go by myself to do cardio.  Tuesday, he wanted to join so we went together. And I have to confess, we just started doing serious ab workouts.
The BBD (Body By Design) program, Phase II asks that you do ab workouts on the days you do cardio only.  I do them...sometimes but we decided to attack those muscles (which I haven't had the pleasure to meet...yet) and see what happens.  Stay tuned...

Body By Design Day #43

Monday was so tough to get back to work. But in the words of Four Hour Body author, Time Ferris: "The decent method you follow is better than the perfect method you quit".  We've completed more than half of the 12-week program!

Nothing eventful on Monday, except that we did realize that we're not intimidated by the "perfect" bodies at the gym anymore.

There's a section where they do free weights, dumbells, etc.  And the people that hang out there are always the same: overgrown muscles, weight-belt-wearing, and "I-grunt-when-I-lift" type of people.  We always looked at them and didn't dare to go to that area with our bodies in progress and our Body By Design book (which we carry everywhere to make sure we're doing the exercises correctly).  Well, on Monday we found ourselves there.  I had a barbell with tiny weights the size of a CD and we didn't care.  We actually felt we belonged.