This is a question I have been asking myself ever since I downloaded the package from Diet Power. Based on many factors including weight, age, and activity level, the program determines a "food budget" for each day that you are on a weight loss plan. They guarantee, that if you follow the program, log each and every food you eat, and stay within your food budget, you WILL meet your goal within a few days of your target date.
I have never attempted anything this detailed before, but I am having a very hard time with "excess" budget calories earned by exercise. The program really wants you to eat your full budget every day. And if you exercise a lot, you earn a lot of extra "food budget" calories for the day. Which means you can eat more -- yippee!
The main thought is that you must eat in order to lose (go figure), or your body will think it is starving and put your metabolism into slo-mo. (If my colon is any indication, I'm already there, baby!) My initial response to budget calories earned through exercise is a big woo-hoo, I'll just lose faster!!! But no!!! Gotta eat to lose -- MAJOR paradigm shift for me here!
Only, I don't trust it just yet, and I have a specific goal for the end of this summer break. I WANT to be at, or below the "big EVIL number" (read: 200 large). Just how long do I futz with this new program before I decide that it doesn't have a clue WHAT my basal metabolic rate is? And that it is probably overestimating how many calories I am burning through exercise.
I will say that I have been very forthright about my portions and calorie counts. It is hurting nobody but me if I don't record ALL of my intake every day. This detailed accounting of both diet and exercise, combined with daily weigh-ins determines your daily food budget. I'm just afraid that they are giving me just enough rope to hang myself! Plus, the fluid ups and downs are driving me batty. Add the constipation, and it's like a three ring circus!
Been posting a LOT lately, but it helps to see all of this angst in print. Shows what's going on inside my over-active head. You know, racing thoughts and all that......
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, July 7, 2008
Bricks without straw.....
Okay, so here's the thing.....How is it possible to be eating a nearly vegan diet, consuming close to a gallon of fluid every day, and STILL be constipated?!?!?!? I can understand hormonal issues surrounding the menstrual cycle, and I can understand having issues with exercising in the heat. But my Lord, what am I doing wrong??? My colon is taking everything I eat, and turning it into BRICKS!!!
And it's not because of too much bread or cereal. I've been averaging ONE slice of 100% whole wheat bread a day, and MAYBE one ounce of shredded wheat cereal three times a WEEK!
The bulk of my diet has been fruit and brown rice. For every 3/4 cup of rice, I'm having two pieces of fruit. I also try to vary my diet by "eating the rainbow", which means changing up the mix every day. Now that I've added vegetables, I'm doing the same "rainbow" thing with the veg. as well. It all seems so healthful and balanced. But my body is in full-scale revolt!
I fought back last night, and took some senna. That stuff can be a little brutal if you're really backed-up. But desperate times call for desperate measures!
Given that I've been averaging around 1,000 calories a day, it makes absolutely NO sense that my weight should be up by 5 pounds this morning. Now, some of that is definitely water weight because I had Chinese food yesterday (which was completely off-program because of all the sodium, and not because I ate anything that was nutritionally insane). After breakfast, I got my answer -- the senna is doing a right fine "housecleaning" and I wouldn't be surprised if all of this excess weight vaporizes by tomorrow.
Going forward, my major concern is to NOT get hooked on senna as a way of keeping my poor beleaguered rectum from splitting apart. But really, let's be honest here, if that's what it takes until my body gets accustomed to eating this way, I'll do it!!! Sorry if this post was TMI, but that's what's consuming my mind today!
And it's not because of too much bread or cereal. I've been averaging ONE slice of 100% whole wheat bread a day, and MAYBE one ounce of shredded wheat cereal three times a WEEK!
The bulk of my diet has been fruit and brown rice. For every 3/4 cup of rice, I'm having two pieces of fruit. I also try to vary my diet by "eating the rainbow", which means changing up the mix every day. Now that I've added vegetables, I'm doing the same "rainbow" thing with the veg. as well. It all seems so healthful and balanced. But my body is in full-scale revolt!
I fought back last night, and took some senna. That stuff can be a little brutal if you're really backed-up. But desperate times call for desperate measures!
Given that I've been averaging around 1,000 calories a day, it makes absolutely NO sense that my weight should be up by 5 pounds this morning. Now, some of that is definitely water weight because I had Chinese food yesterday (which was completely off-program because of all the sodium, and not because I ate anything that was nutritionally insane). After breakfast, I got my answer -- the senna is doing a right fine "housecleaning" and I wouldn't be surprised if all of this excess weight vaporizes by tomorrow.
Going forward, my major concern is to NOT get hooked on senna as a way of keeping my poor beleaguered rectum from splitting apart. But really, let's be honest here, if that's what it takes until my body gets accustomed to eating this way, I'll do it!!! Sorry if this post was TMI, but that's what's consuming my mind today!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Phase Two
So.....Here we are, several weeks into the Rice program. The diet itself is very simple. Staying on program is really tough. Life keeps throwing curve balls at me, yet I have been able to keep plugging on.
The lack of sodium in this diet is causing me to dump fluid weight like gangbusters. But, it is also causing my blood pressure to drop precipitously. Just getting out of bed in the morning is a room-spinning experience. This should have eased after the first few days, but seems to be about the same, or maybe a little worse this week. So, today I decided to move on to Phase Two, which adds a bit more sodium from whole grain bread, a few olives if I choose, or a bit of Parmesan cheese. WOW! Do I feel better! The added sodium has normalized my B.P. quite a bit, and the whole grains and beans that have been added to the diet are so much more filling, and they stay with me quite a bit longer.
The weight is not coming off as quickly as I had hoped. But I am down about 12 pounds over the past six weeks. I have not felt deprived, nor have I become unhinged if I ate off program. This is new for me. I wonder if the combination of this blog and Diet Power are part of the reason? Both are keeping me very accountable. Yep, Diet Power and my two readers......
The lack of sodium in this diet is causing me to dump fluid weight like gangbusters. But, it is also causing my blood pressure to drop precipitously. Just getting out of bed in the morning is a room-spinning experience. This should have eased after the first few days, but seems to be about the same, or maybe a little worse this week. So, today I decided to move on to Phase Two, which adds a bit more sodium from whole grain bread, a few olives if I choose, or a bit of Parmesan cheese. WOW! Do I feel better! The added sodium has normalized my B.P. quite a bit, and the whole grains and beans that have been added to the diet are so much more filling, and they stay with me quite a bit longer.
The weight is not coming off as quickly as I had hoped. But I am down about 12 pounds over the past six weeks. I have not felt deprived, nor have I become unhinged if I ate off program. This is new for me. I wonder if the combination of this blog and Diet Power are part of the reason? Both are keeping me very accountable. Yep, Diet Power and my two readers......
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Bloody HELL this is HARD!!!
I cannot, in recent memory, recall having SO many social obligations. This weekend was very, very tough. I had two parties to attend, and ate everything they served, including cake. I find myself feeling bloated, depressed, and disappointed. Rationally, I know that tomorrow is another day, and that I can just pick up where I left off and start Ricing again. But, I was making such good progress. And I was feeling so good. And I was exercising every day. But not this weekend. How easily I am derailed.
On a more positive note, I have been logging all of my intake. Because the Rice Diet is so spartan, I have a whole raft of calories in my "bank". So, even with all of the extra calories I consumed this weekend, I still have a nice balance to the positive. This means that I have not done irreparable damage to my extended plan, and can still conceivably achieve my ultimate goal. That is, IF I get back on track!
I am still trying for 21 consecutive clean eating Rice days. The fourth is on Friday, so I don't think this week will be good either. However, I have volunteered to bring fresh fruit salad to our outing, so there is little excuse to quit the program for lack of a suitable option. I can just bring the rice with me. Not sure I am up for that kind of scrutiny from my husband's family. But since we see them so seldom, I am also not sure I really give a rat's ass WHAT they think!!! I'll really have to steel my resolve to eat the way I feel I must in order to withstand the temptation. What will probably happen, is that I will crumble in my resolve the second we arrive, and I will just try to limit the damage. So much for 21 clean days.......
On a more positive note, I have been logging all of my intake. Because the Rice Diet is so spartan, I have a whole raft of calories in my "bank". So, even with all of the extra calories I consumed this weekend, I still have a nice balance to the positive. This means that I have not done irreparable damage to my extended plan, and can still conceivably achieve my ultimate goal. That is, IF I get back on track!
I am still trying for 21 consecutive clean eating Rice days. The fourth is on Friday, so I don't think this week will be good either. However, I have volunteered to bring fresh fruit salad to our outing, so there is little excuse to quit the program for lack of a suitable option. I can just bring the rice with me. Not sure I am up for that kind of scrutiny from my husband's family. But since we see them so seldom, I am also not sure I really give a rat's ass WHAT they think!!! I'll really have to steel my resolve to eat the way I feel I must in order to withstand the temptation. What will probably happen, is that I will crumble in my resolve the second we arrive, and I will just try to limit the damage. So much for 21 clean days.......
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Diet Power!!!
I just downloaded a two week trial package from Diet Power.com and have watched all of the tutorials and logged my foods for today. It also allowed me to log my intended foods for tomorrow as well as my exercise. What a powerful tool! It minds not only your input, but your output, your water intake, your nutrient quotient, and calorie deficit/excess for each day. Seems like a lot of work, but could become pretty routine over time. I'm not sure I want to buy the program yet, but I plan to utilize the tool over the next two weeks to see how difficult it is to use. I also want to watch what it has to say about my nutrition. It will be interesting to see what is has to say about my weight loss goals (and how long it may take me to reach them).
I think this program may be a good tool to keep me accountable for what I plan to eat, and then what I actually consume. Sort of like O/A?
It's getting pretty late, so I'd better turn in for the night. After all, sleep is a very important component in this whole equation.
I think this program may be a good tool to keep me accountable for what I plan to eat, and then what I actually consume. Sort of like O/A?
It's getting pretty late, so I'd better turn in for the night. After all, sleep is a very important component in this whole equation.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
When life gets in the way......
It's amazing how many social situations come up when you're trying to work a new program! I can sometimes go MONTHS without a single social obligation. But, just let me try to start a diet -- and WHAM! -- several invitations per WEEK!!!
I must say that my mind has been in a good place in spite of the various outings that I have had since becoming a "Ricer". When I have a situation that is not "Rice friendly", I just eat what is served, and go back to Ricing at the next meal. I simply refuse to give up on this new plan. But I am realistic enough to know that it is nearly impossible to follow Phase I in social situations. So, I just try to stay sane around the non-Rice foods, and pick up where I left off the next day.
The only really negative thing that has happened is that I tend to hold fluid for a day or two following the non-Rice meal. I find it a little disappointing to break Phase I for any reason, because I wanted to see just how effective this plan would be for me. And, I had planned to do a solid three weeks on Phase I. So far, this Phase has been broken three times! Not that I've gone crazy or anything, it just messes with the whole induction to the dieta.
I kind of have a plan in the back of my head to keep up with Phase I until I finally add up 21 consecutive days. No breaks, no cheats. Wonder how long that will take? My son's birthday party is tomorrow, and the 4th of July is only 13 days away, which will mean another break! I hope I can get a solid 21 days by the end of summer break!
Should be an interesting summer! Happy solstice to you! Is anyone else in a radical place like me?
I must say that my mind has been in a good place in spite of the various outings that I have had since becoming a "Ricer". When I have a situation that is not "Rice friendly", I just eat what is served, and go back to Ricing at the next meal. I simply refuse to give up on this new plan. But I am realistic enough to know that it is nearly impossible to follow Phase I in social situations. So, I just try to stay sane around the non-Rice foods, and pick up where I left off the next day.
The only really negative thing that has happened is that I tend to hold fluid for a day or two following the non-Rice meal. I find it a little disappointing to break Phase I for any reason, because I wanted to see just how effective this plan would be for me. And, I had planned to do a solid three weeks on Phase I. So far, this Phase has been broken three times! Not that I've gone crazy or anything, it just messes with the whole induction to the dieta.
I kind of have a plan in the back of my head to keep up with Phase I until I finally add up 21 consecutive days. No breaks, no cheats. Wonder how long that will take? My son's birthday party is tomorrow, and the 4th of July is only 13 days away, which will mean another break! I hope I can get a solid 21 days by the end of summer break!
Should be an interesting summer! Happy solstice to you! Is anyone else in a radical place like me?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
One week down.......forever to go!
One week into the Rice Diet, and I'm feeling pretty good! I've dumped ten ugly pounds (of mostly water) and have reigned in my appetite. There has only been one occasion where I could not eat "on plan" and I chose to have a simple grilled chicken salad with some dried fruit and nuts. I must say that it was one of the most delicious salads I have had in some time.
Because I have been eating nothing but fruit and rice, my taste buds seem to have been "re-booted". When that first bite of grilled chicken and salad hit my mouth -- POW!!! Did that ever taste good! It was so satisfying, and stayed with me for a very long time (mostly thanks to the nuts and protein). Today, it was back to rice and fruit, and did not seem overly difficult.
Tomorrow night, I must attend a function for one of my children which will include dinner. They are having grilled chicken and baked potatoes, so as long as I take off the skin, and eat the potato "naked", I should be alright. Hopefully, there won't be any desserts to tempt me!
Because I have been eating nothing but fruit and rice, my taste buds seem to have been "re-booted". When that first bite of grilled chicken and salad hit my mouth -- POW!!! Did that ever taste good! It was so satisfying, and stayed with me for a very long time (mostly thanks to the nuts and protein). Today, it was back to rice and fruit, and did not seem overly difficult.
Tomorrow night, I must attend a function for one of my children which will include dinner. They are having grilled chicken and baked potatoes, so as long as I take off the skin, and eat the potato "naked", I should be alright. Hopefully, there won't be any desserts to tempt me!
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