This week I swapped my workouts. Tuesdays I usually stay home and do the Nike Fitness App and ride the bike on the trainer but my hamstrings were too sore for either activities. I changed my routine and ran at the gym instead. Wednesday when I got home Michael and I worked out together at home.
At first it was really hard. First, I wasn’t feeling motivated AT ALL (I have no idea what’s going on this week with me) but I forced myself to do it. I’m glad I did. The workout ended up kicking my butt in a good way. Second, I was especially sore from Tuesday’s weight lifting session. Every jumping jack made my chest ache!
Michael was on the bike first and I did the “Pioneer” Workout on the App.
The “Wood Chops” was a fun new exercise I’ve never done! I added that move several times to the workout when there was a specific move I won’t do (for example I won’t do Dead Lifts, so I swapped it for Wood Chops).
The “Opposite Arm/Leg Supermans” were really fun! I liked that a lot, although I’m not sure what exactly it’s working on my body…I’m also getting better at the Plank Rows.
I skipped the “Dips with Legs Straight” because I didn’t have anything to use to do it. I also really liked the new move “Opposite Arm/Leg Extension.” Michael was done with the bike so we swapped.
The Pioneer was a success! 319 calories burned. Nice! I will definitely do the Pioneer again. The bike workout was just okay. I was losing steam and what little motivation I had was disappearing. I did about 35 minutes on the bike and quit.
Stats:
Time: 1:15
Calories Burned: 568
Michael and I finished up about the same time and we made dinner together. I steamed the broccoli and made us salads.
A mixture of green leaf lettuce, spinach, red onion, carrots and leftover blue cheese from last weekend’s food bonanza.
I added a little Goddess Dressing to my veggies. The pork chops turned out lovely: crispy and salty.
I had a healthy, satisfying dinner and indulged in a little dessert (measured out) and then all hell broke loose. I started grazing. I was cleaning up the kitchen, making my lunch for the next day and sampled everything. EVERYTHING! I munched on some extra chocolate chips, some pasta salad, a few bites of ham.
UGH!!!!!!
All week long I’ve been nibbling, munching, grazing, sneaking, snacking. All week. I have no idea why. I know better. I’m lying to myself when I do this (especially when I’m not counting those calories–there are NO free calories!). Yet I’ve been having a hard time stopping.
I don’t know why I’m doing it. Or why it’s suddenly so difficult to stop. Last night I decided that I would take a photo of every bite, nibble or taste. Maybe if I post them it will snap me out this haze. Public shame as a deterrent, perhaps?
QUESTION: How do you break the nibble habit?
Emily
Boo, nibbles! It can be tough, I know. One trick that works for me when I’ve got the nibbles is to suck on a hard candy (while making dinner or cleaning up, or whatever). There’s something in my mouth so I’m not tempted to snack, and I can usually make a hard candy last until I’m done with the food. It’s good because it is low cal (like, 20 calories?) and also helps break the “let me put that in my mouth without thinking!” urge.
Lisa Eirene
I often use chewing gum at work to prevent me from snacking on the candy. That is a good tip.
Marie Walsh
I’ve had similar issues lately. I’ve always had a problem with grazing and snacking, but lately I’ve been doing it without abandon. I need to find a solution, but I think posting pictures is a great idea!
Lisa Eirene
I might have to do that! Maybe it will work.
Katherine: Unemployed
I think the snack monster lives in my stomach and brings my fingers to the popcorn bowl and chip bag way too much! I wish I knew how to halt it
Lisa Eirene
Yeah me too…and it’s always things that are “munchie” like crackers, chips, candy. UGH!
jane Cartelli
Nibbles are so hard. If I cannot remove myself from the food area I try a piece of gum. I am not going to eat ham if I have spearmint gum in my mouth. I call someone for support – keeping my mouth busy means I cannot stuff it with food while talking. I leave the kitchen until the urge passes. The cleaning and dishes can wait because my commitment to keeping the pounds off has to come first.
If we keep going back to the food – be it a nibble or a binge, we are giving power over us to that food. We might as well get on our knees and pray to the refrigerator.
You have come so far – just take a few more steps away from the food and give yourself a chance to bring your mind and your willingness back together again.
Jane~
Keepingthepoundsoff.com
Lisa Eirene
Thank you for the perspective Jane. It sounds like you have a healthy relationship with food. You are right–I could have walked away from the kitchen until the urge passed, or gone and brushed my teeth before I made lunch so I wouldn’t snack. Better choices all together.
Becky
Where did you get the Goddess dressing? It looks delicious and very versatile!
Lisa Eirene
I use the Trader Joe’s version! Cheaper and tastier than Annie’s in my opinion.
Meredith Piatt
As spring approaches, even though the weather (in general) might not reflect it – the foliage around us certainly does. For those in tune with the seasons (you are one of those, ya know?) – I have heard “famished” from countless mouths in the last two weeks. Seems we all get super hungry around this time. I am unsure I have any solutions to offer – but I’ve watched your struggle and I feel quite confident you will find a way to incorporate eating less, eating only healthy munchies or working out more. 🙂 Good luck and strength to you!
Lisa Eirene
Mer, that makes a lot of sense. I never thought that the change of seasons could be the result. I’ve had hunger all week long that isn’t satisfied with the norm.
Today so far I am doing much better about the snacking. I ate a good, filling breakfast and haven’t had the urge to munch.
Hope you are doing well!
Leah @ L4L
Maybe the fact that you aren’t motivated and your workout was lackluster AND the grazing go hand in hand? Maybe it is hormones, maybe you haven’t been eating enough, maybe you haven’t been getting good enough sleep. Sounds like your body is trying to tell you something. I say listen. 😉
Lisa Eirene
Sleeping has been okay lately. Could be hormones. Could be that I need to mix up my workouts. Could be that being really sore most of the week made me unmotivated to do much of anything…
Michelle
If I knew how to stop the nibble monster…*I* would be 110 pound lighter! I have the grazing, snacking, nibbles happening every single night after I put my daughter to bed. I’m a single mom so there’s nobody else in the house to keep me entertained and/or on the straight path. I know that I should find things to do but honestly, it’s 9pm before I have a chance to sit down … my brain and body are tired!
Lisa Eirene
I bet, Michelle! After a long day at work, immediately followed by the gym and cooking dinner sometimes I just feel fried.
Lori
I find there are 2 times per month that I get really snacky. Probably TMI here, but oh well. When I ovulate, so about 2 weeks before my period and the day right before my period starts. Voracious nibbles on those days.
I find that keeping a pack of Altoids around really helps cut down the snacking. I will pop one while fixing dinner or in the evening if I have already had my snack and want more.
Lisa Eirene
Not TMI…good observation. My munchies are usually right before my period but often when I ovulate too. I should check that. Most things end up being hormonal for me anyways.
I like the Altoid idea.
Carbzilla
It must be an epidemic. I’ve been FAMISHED this week. I ate out twice last week, and was up 1.2 at WW, the biggest gain I’ve had since I started in Jan, and I’m really certain that even with all my nibbling I didn’t go over my maximum points. But I just know there was food here and there that I under-tracked. My strategy is to add way more water and veggies to stay full in between eating well.
The Opposite Arm/Leg Supermans are working your back, shoulder, and butt muscles. A trainer can correct me if I’m wrong but that’s my educated guess. The Opp Arm leg Extension also works your core. 🙂
Have a great weekend!
Lisa Eirene
It must be an epidemic! Or the weather maybe. I’m sorry you had a gain this week but it was small and you’re doing the right things to correct it.
Too bad you guys aren’t coming to Portland this weekend. It’s sunny and gorgeous!