More Exercise=More Hunger=More Ass Fat

Well, not your ass fat.  My ass fat.  And really, I'm ok with the ass fat.  Baby got back.  I just want Baby to have less thigh.  Baby got back, but lean thigh.

So I have a subscription to Fitness magazine.  I like to read it in the bathroom.  I'm not ashamed.  You do it too.  The bathroom is the only place us moms can justifiably lock ourselves in a room while our children scream and pound on the door and not have CPS called on us.  Plus, you get to read.  Score.

Anyway, while in the bathroom reading, there was an article about how working out can actually cause weight gain.  So should we stop working out?  A smarty pants at Harvard says no.

"No, but it's not a panacea for weightloss either, because it does increase your appetite.  The food- exercise equation is imbalanced.  It may take an hour to burn 500 calories but only five minutes to eat them back."-Kendrin Sonneville, R.D., a researcher at the Harvard School of Public Health

Sorry fellow lazy asses-I was hoping for a get out of jail free card too. Actually, I'd still workout because I actually like it.  And I think it makes me sane.  Almost.

And then I read one thing that I've experienced over and over again.   Exercise suppresses the appetite.  Brilliant!  Burn calories and eat less.

"But later that day, your body's hunger hormones can surge, making you want to eat.  At the same time, your body's satiety hormones-the ones that signal that you're full-may decrease." -Barry Braun, Ph.D., professor of kinesiology and director of the Energy Metabolism Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts. 

So that explains the Oh-My-God-I-Need-A-Paula-Dean-Meal break down about 3 hours after a long run.  And I can't stop eating.

Their advice?

On regular workout days:

• Take a few bites of an energy bar before or during workout

On intense workout days (more than 60 mins):

• Focus on carb rich foods (not garlic bread) the meals before.  So if you're running 10 miles at 7am tomorrow morning.  Eat some whole wheat pasta with chicken and a sweet potato and your body will use it to push through the run.  
• Bring along some electrolytes along for the post 60 mins.  Gatorade or Gummy chews.  

And if I'm running 10 miles and gaining 10 lbs- I'll be one very Grumpy Jen.  And you don't want a Grumpy Jen.

Sursly.

Running is Hard

I'm waiting for running to become easy for me.  I won't hold my breath.  It's always been hard with splashes of that "runner's high" here and there.  And that's ONLY after I run 3 or 4 miles.  Around mile 6 or 7 I start feeling it.  But who the hell runs after 6 or 7 miles??!

Me

Ed

We dropped the kids off at Ed's parent's and headed out for our 7 miler.  I was dreading it.  It's hot.  It's hilly.  And I'm so so lazy.  But I know I love it after I'm done.  And I walk around in an endorphin haze for a couple hours after.  All giggly and peaceful and sore.

And so we did it!  And I will never run at noon again.  Ever.  Never ever.  So hot and I had to walk a lot more than I normally do because I was feeling the sickies.  But I did it.  And that counts for something, right?

Our new plan for long runs is to spend the night with Grandparents and run at 6 or 7am to beat the heat. 

In other news:

I have this pumpkin vine that I was this close to pulling out because I thought it was a weed.  But then it looked like a zucchini vine.  But then I realized I didn't plant zucchini under my front porch.  But I did throw out my old pumpkins from last Fall under my porch!  And so I've weaved the vine every which way along the white picket fence in my front yard.  It's like Charlie Brown's Pumpkin Patch.  Except smaller.  And realer.  And more fun.

My first pumpkin harvested:

A poor little rotten fella':

And a bebe pumpkin with squash blossom:

Linus reminds me of Shepherd and his blanket toting ways:

Nerd Alert

I was coaxed by a friend this weekend to go to the Dragon Con parade.  I immediately declined until I heard there would be real life Storm Troopers and Fischer would lose his friggen mind if he saw one.

And so we went.

This is the only picture I had of Fischer.  He and his friend wedged their way to the front and actually got to fight Real Life Storm Troopers with their lightsabers.  And I could not hold my iPhone high enough over the people in front of us to catch it.  

Who ya gonna call?

DeLorean....

Scary ass alien thing that apparently everyone in Nerd Fantasy Land "got."

Millie was alarmed.

And last, but not least....Chewy.

After the parade I laced up my running shoes and set out for 6 miles.  I had Ed drop me off 6 miles from home.  For some reason it feels shorter or easier or something to run towards something, instead of back tracking.  I did the first 3 miles fine.  Then I got jittery.  Low blood sugar.  Not cool.  I tried to keep my run 5 min/walk 1 min ratio going but I couldn't.  Got the shakes and felt queasy.  I should have a good protein/carb/fat combo beforehand.  Lesson learned.  I needed to get home- so I just kept walking/running until I got there.  Then I devoured some pretzels with chocolate peanut butter.  It took me about an hour to get back to normal.  I hate that feeling.  And I was bummed because it was such a pretty day and I was really excited about getting that 6 miles in.  Felt like a waste.  Oh well.  Fall is coming and there will be many more running days to come.

But.. I'm trying to figure out some good pre run snacks.  I don't like running on a full stomach because it makes me sick.  But I need a snack a hour before.  Any of you runners have some snack ideas??  

And Then There Were None

Back from the mountains with not one picture to prove I was there.  I survived the car ride with the kids without any major meltdown from myself or the kids.  (Score)  I had dreams of going to parks, walking through creeks, feeding ducks, horses, etc.  Then it snowed 3 inches.  


And I was pissed enough about it that I didn't take pictures.  


It was in the upper 20's to lower 30's the whole time and snowing or raining.  Yuck.  I got in zero, zilch, nada workouts.  Not one.  I'm a complete wimp about exercising outdoors in cold weather.  And I didn't have any of my indoor stuff that I use here at home.  I hate being cold.  Hate, hate, hate it.  You know how they say the hardest part of getting out there and working out is putting your shoes on and getting out the door?  Not so.  I've done that before and it was so cold I ran back to my house.  In fact, I've run my fastest mile when running back to my house-fleeing the workout. 


So this weekend was filled with 24/7 HGTV.  Holmes on Homes, Househunters, International Househunters, Property Virgins, Divine Design, and Designed to Sell.  It's how my mom and I bond.  (you take what you can get) Yes, I went to the Great Outdoors to sit in the Great Room Indoors and watch TV.  The good news is that my mom took the other kids back with her to her house (The mountain house is just her vacation home....  I know.)  So the kids should get some fun filled, sunny days outdoors at my mom's house that is set on a huge lot with lots outside play time.  And I get a break and only have one kid.  

ONE KID!  It's like a dream vacation!  I can see it now: waking up, going to starbucks, playing some blocks, changing a diaper maybe, and then....what for it.....NAP TIME!  


So this week I have no excuses.  I have ample time to get some good, sweaty stuff in (that's what she said) and burn some calories.  


I'm reading a book called "The End of Overeating" by David A. Kessler, MD.  Really enjoying it.  Learning a lot. Will share more on that later.


I'm also reading "So Long, Insecurity" by Beth Moore.  Good, good stuff.  Solid.  These days I'm all about dealing with issues deep down to the root.  Not a fan of putting a bandage on a big, gaping wound.  Learned my lesson- definitely worth dealing with your junk.  Like: what motivates to have the goals you have?  Are they healthy goals?  


Another book my friend told me about and is on hold at the library is : "Women, Food and God" by Geneen Roth.  Sounds right up my alley.  :)


I'm also reading an Agatha Christie book called And Then There Were None.  About a bunch of people that were invited to an island by a mystery host.  Then they all get murdered, one by one.  That settles it, I'm never going to an island if someone mysteriously invites me.  No way.  


That has nothing to do with this post.  But maybe I'll work it into the title.   


Okay-so off to throw a load in the wash.  Settle myself back into homeland.  Missed my husband.  Looking forward to some movie nights with him this week.  With cheese and crackers.  Because, without fail, he gets snacky at night and that's his snack of choice. 






Jen

Get fitted for running shoes!

I had a full day yesterday committed to running. Ed stayed at home with Amelia and I took Fischer out with me to get fitted for some running shoes. I must have tried on 10 pairs. I didn't realize how important it is to get fitted. A sales person at the running store (Fleet Feet) watched me run and then suggested pairs based on my step. I would have just bought any pair that looked cool had I not researched and realized you have to get fitted. And I ended up spending less money! I picked up some socks too. Apparently you should never run in cotten socks. Learn something new every day...

After buying my shoes, Fischer and I headed to the YMCA to get my membership activated (Thank you Mom for the membership gift). I got on the treadmill and ran 2 miles without walking!!! That's big for me. The treadmill is much easier than running outside. But I know I need to mix it up with both to get my body used to it. I can't complete a 5k race on a treadmill. But I can increase my indurance and strength by doing gym and outside runs. :)

Well, still haven't made it to a meeting. Maybe tonight... I need to look at a meeting schedule. But I have been a very good girl the last two days. Stuck to the plan- not a point over. And exercised both days. Scale still says I'm 148 lbs- so maybe by the grace of God my Christmas chow fest didn't affect me too badly.

We're having some old friends over New Years Eve that are in town. SO my only challenge will be the food with that. But since I'm hosting- I can have some point friendly options.

I'm going to do my best to get to a meeting soon and post results!

Run, run, run! So, I've run 3 days in a row. I have no idea how far exactly- but I'm guessing 1 mile. I'm actually impressed by that because a couple months ago I couldn't run a block, much less a mile. I ordered a book called The Complete Book of Running for Women. It arrived here this afternoon and I got a chance to skim through it. It's really motivating. And it functions sort of like a "go to" manual for women and fitness. Everything from beginning to run, menstrual cycles, body image, kind of shoes to wear, to finding "the hero within" (giggle). It really does touch on women issues. What I like about it is that it teaches you the practicals like technique and what to wear, how to breathe, ete. But it challenges you to love running. To resurrect the athlete within. To find solitude and rejuvination in running. And that's something that I really need right now. I was an athlete all through childhood and in high school, but it fizzled out in adulthood. I really want to get back in touch with that athlete in me. (That sounds so "motivational speaker" ish- but it's true!) :P

Well, to heighten my new fitness focus, my mom sent me a gift certificate for a 6 month membership to the YMCA for Christmas! I can't tell you how excited I am about that. I had a membership when Fischer was a baby and I loved it. I really want to take advantage of the classes offered and the indoor pool. I'm going there tomorrow to get my membership card and reaquainted with the facility. My goal is to get a class schedule for the various aerobic activities and go to them! When I was member before I never left the treadmill. This time I need to mix it up a bit. I can't really take advantage of the childcare yet though because both my babies have colds, but as soon as they are well- I'll start a weekday routine. Another advantage is that I can go at night and early in the morning if I want to. Yipee!

Okay, I'm tired and (as always) sleep deprived. I'm going to bed!

I did something really stupid! I registered to run a 5k on March 11! (http://www.shamrocknroll.org/10k/) Yikes! I've been telling myself for months now that I want to start running again. Well, who am I kidding, I never truly ran before- more like walk fast while hoping a bit. But the point is that I was capable of *jogging* a very slow 5k some years ago. So- I've got roughly 2.5 months to train for this 5k. I figured this would kick my butt out of the door in the morning since I actually need some motivation. I'm starting a plan from coolrunning.com called "Couch to 5K." It basically maps out baby steps to running that 3.1 miles.

I feel so foolish registering because I have no idea how far I can actually run right now since I've not run (for real) in years. But, I know I need to up the anty a bit and get my body and fitness level up to par with my Weight Watchers success. I was so inspired by a woman who also did WW and also began running. Her site is : http://www.msteechur.info/. Truly inspiring stuff on that site! This lady signed up and just started. And she started when she was around 225 lbs (and that already after she lost a significant amount of weight on WW). ANyway- now she's probably around 115 lbs or so. She looks great. All muscle and endless energy. I enjoy her blogging- dry humor. I tend to find little "nuggets" of wisdom that stick with me when I go site searching for weight/fitness inspiration. With this site it was this: "Don't plan your runs around your life. Plan your life around your runs." Good stuff. In other words: stop making excuses and do it!

So I guess my new goals are obvious: get out the door and run! Tomorrow is Monday. I start training tomorrow. I'm going to try and get up early so I can do it alone without the kiddos. My WW meeting is at 11am. So it will be a packed morning but it will feel so good to do it all.

I'll post running result and WW results tomorrow!!

Well today was nice. Ed let me sleep in until 9am (when the baby woke up) and I fed her and then took my 2 yr old to Starbucks to get a mocha. Fischer gets a chocolate milk and I get a mocha- it's our little tradition. A fat free, no whip grande mocha is 4.5 pts and I'm totally willing to spend them because I LOVE mochas! We got home and got ready for church. Good sermon. It was about money and how to be good stewards of your money. But I kept feeling like it was for me in relation to food. Kris (pastor) kept saying "slow, steady, hard work pays off." I'm such an instant gratification girl that it's hard for me to stay committed to something if it doesn't have an immediate pay off. Alas! There's my problem with diets! I love them when I get that initial big loss and then I get bored and think there has to be the "next best thing" just around the corner. In the mean time I fall off the wagon and gain back the 5-7 lbs I just lost. *sigh* Anyhoo- it was just a good reminder of sticking to something and being patient. I read somwhere that it's important to "have faith in the plan." That's a revelation for me- I tend to lose faith in the plan easily. It will work if you stick to it. It's that simple.

After church we went to Willy's Mexican Grill. I tried to look up points prior (I knew we were going there after church) but couldn't find it on Dottie's site (www.dwlz.com) or any nutritional info on Willy's site. So I looked up another Mexican Grill and it averaged 15 pts for a veggie burrito. So that's what I got. Plus a diet coke, plus chips (roughly 3 pts). I let myself spend those points because I love eating out after church and that's the only time we really go out to eat. Tonight I'll make a 2-3 pt soup for dinner and a salad. Then a snack at bedtime. I spent all my flex this week already. My flex points renew Monday so I have to stay OP (on plan) today and not go over. No exercise today. It's pouring rain here and I'm tired anyway. I jogged 20 mins yesterday and my muscles are sore. I think they need rest. I'm still trying to find a Weight Watchers meeting that will work for me and baby and Ed's schedule. I have to sneak it in between feedings and Ed's work. Most of the one's near me are at 6:30pm or during the day. And I can't really see myself dragging my 2 yr old and infant to a day time meeting- so it's either 6:30pm on a week night or an 8am meeting on Saturday. I think it will be the 8am one. As much as I want to sleep in- I also want some time for myself and that meeting weekly. I guess I'm mulling over it so much because I don't want to skip around- I want to stay with the same meeting each week so I can get to know my leader get connected.

I've been on WW now for 2 weeks. According to my scale I've lost around 5 lbs. But my scale sucks and is always off. So I have no idea how much I actually weigh. This morning my scale put me right at 179 lbs. That made me happy because it's always nice to be out of one range and into the next lowest. Hello 170's! My mini goal right now is to be 175 by July 4th. It's June 25th today- so that's 10 days away. I wonder if I can.....

My goal for this next week is to try and avoid my flex points. This past week I gobbled them up quickly. It's kinda like having a savings account- it's not good to be constantly taking money out of it. I'd rather wait until the day before my flex renew and maybe use half and splurge. Besides- I'm nursing and I have 34 points a day to work with. That's a lot. In reality- I don't need the flex. I can usually do pretty well and not feel deprived if I spread my points out sensibly. My other goal is to drink 5 16oz bottles of water per day. I'm drinking easily around 4. I figure 5 would be even better and keep me hydrated and keep my true hunger in check.