Getting back in the game.

Hey Anjana, great tips. I've read so much over the last few years and most of the information is all known. But sometimes its just so difficult to stick to the right food. There were quite a lot of good opportunities I missed to get back into shape. I'm back on the waggon now and instead of cutting down on all types of food, I'm learning to choose and substitute. With majority of the family celebrations out of the way, I am now be free of any temptations. While in Las Vegas for 2 weeks 2.5 years back, I had actually lost weight and was looking slimmer and fitter by the time I landed back in Dubai. The walking and the fresh air did wonders for our health. Also, I've made a decision to do my workouts early in the morn (the hardest part is getting out of bed at 5:30) so that I can look after my kids once I'm back from work. I started today with 20 minutes on the treadmill and 20 minutes on the rowing machine. Slowly, I need to increase my time to 1.5 hours of exercise. Any suggestions for the best type/combination of exercise to lose inches and the weight?

Eat Out, Eat Smart

Thanks for the welcome, Meena... although I do have to say that for my second post, I'm not doing too well on the diet/workout routine! My husband and I planned a long weekend trip to Las Vegas and despite all that we promised ourselves, we were just not able to stick to our diets! But exercise was a-plenty with all the walking around and sightseeing that was to be done. We do feel a little bad about it since we just started a week back, but instead of crying over spilt milk, we're steadily getting back to the diet (since I'm in charge of the kitchen!) and workout routine.

Thing is, on a weight loss program, you can monitor your diet as long as you're in charge of your own food. But sometimes you run into situations that just can't be helped- like a birthday party at work, or a friend's wedding, or (in my case) a vacation. It's alright if this happens only once in a while (and by that I mean at least once every 10-15 days!) because you can always make up for it by being extra careful for the next two days. However, if things like that happen more often than that, that's trouble.

Living the student life when I was trying to shed the pounds was also difficult, what with snacking to keep you up late nights. It was even worse because I used to hang out with a bunch of people who weren't fat at all, and somehow hungry all the time. I remember making excuses (which was more like lying) or even feigning illness to get away from their binge parties so I could stay on track. Once, some friends brought along with them some Dalwada (my favorite snack at that point) and I quickly escaped to the canteen where I sipped on sugarless tea until I was sure not even a crumb of the calorific monster remained to tempt me when I got back!

But then of course, there are times when you can't, and just to make sure you don't go overboard, here are a few tips from my personal experience on ways to stay within your diet while eating out:

1. Personally, I choose eating joints with respect to what I can eat which'll help me stay on course. Kebab joints where you can get a half tandoori chicken are my favorites. Try to order only one roti (no butter, no naan) to the side, but it's quite filling even without any form of carbohydrate to go with it.

2. Avoid rice or refined flour: try to stick to wheat as far as possible.

3. If you're a non-vegetarian, choose white meats like chicken and fish. I've heard that some cuts of red meat are lean, but I don't usually prefer those if I'm trying to eat light.

4. Clear soups are a great way to start your meal and make sure you don't go overboard with the main course.

5. If it's an Udipi joint, rava dosai without oil is a good option, and very, very filling!

6. Lastly, STAY AWAY FROM DESSERT. Even if the tag says low fat, don't be swayed!!

There is also one joint you can trust to help you stay on course always - Subway! I was loyal to the only branch in the city that was close to where I lived and it paid off. That guy on the advertisement who lost 111lbs is for real, people. Choose a wheat bread and preferably no sauces, but if you can't do without them, then here are the safe choices: mustard and chilli sauce. Sorry, the rest of them are all Mayo-based.

Well, that's all for me for now. I'll try to post some quick-fix low cal recipes of my own the next time.

Till then, keep at it! :)

Feb update: Meena

Hi all,
First things first: Welcome on board, Anjana! Your post has instantly livened up the blog. But I guess I expected that from an veteran blogger. :) I'm glad you joined and posted your goals & challenges on this blog. For me, this blog has been (and continues to be) a big motivator in my 'battle against the bulge'. There is something about publicly admitting my weight loss goal that drives me harder to try and reach it.

My update: In the last three weeks, I've managed to dedicate 1 hour every weekday to workout. I spend about 25-30 minutes on the bike. I cycle for about 14-17 kms. I'm not a big fan of cardio, but push myself to reach the 17 km mark within 25 minutes. And then I do weights, which I love. I do upper body one day and lower body the next. I do abs and core everyday.

So, have I lost weight? I don't know yet! Following a moment of weakness after my commitment to do monthly weigh-ins, I hid my weighing scale somewhere in my house (it was rather difficult not to weigh myself every week) and I cannot, for the life of me, remember where I put it. So, we'll have to assume I'm losing weight. But I do feel like I'm losing inches. Meanwhile, the search for the weighing scale is still on at home.

That's it from me for now. Will update you more soon. :)
Meena

Another One Bites the Dust

Hello all!

I'm a little late in joining the weight-loss rally that's been going on here, but better late than never as they say.

So here's my story: I've always struggled with weight loss from an early age... what can I say? It's genes, baby! Somewhere between ages 11 and 12, I must have gained most of the weight that hasn't left me to this date. I've suffered low esteem issues because of it, and not just in the teenage years, but well into my early 20s as well. I have tried all sorts of things to lose weight, some were successful, others not. But it never got me to the weight I'm actually supposed to be at.

My last venture into weight loss saw me lose upto 13 kilos, but I was just about halfway through to my goal weight. I haven't consciously pursued a diet plan since then (which was 2.5 years ago) because I felt largely comfortable with my body having gone from obese to slightly overweight. But then again, comfort is not a good thing. I also stopped watching my diet, and in the 3 weeks following my wedding earlier this year, I don't remember a single healthy meal at all.

My husband had earlier followed a workout and diet plan where he lost something like 15 kilos in the span of 3-4 months. But like all plans, if you don't maintain it, you're lost. And so he gained most of that weight back because of commitments at work that didn't give him the time to hit the gym often.

This time around, we've both decided to start it together. Well, here I am, documenting the process, which I hope will take me to my target weight!

What we'll be doing is an intensive workout regime that involves resistance training 3 times a week and intense cardio 3 times a week, and a six-meal a day diet that involves intake of a lot of protein. We started this Monday, and all I can say is.............. OW!!!! IT HURTS!!! MY WHOLE BODY ACHES...!!!!

Resistance training is my pet peeve at the moment. I used to work out with 1 kilo weights in my previous gym because I couldn't handle heavier, but here all that the gym at our apartment complex has is 2.5 kilo weights. At the end of my workout I'm as stiff as a post!

But then my husband said it's no picnic, so back to the, um, chopping board! It's dinner time and on day 3 it's difficult to look forward to bland food when we're already craving all sorts of fatty food. This is really, really turning out to be a challenge.

However, the plus point of this plan is that it allows you to go all out on Sundays. No gymming and definitely no diet!! Now, isn't that a relief?

So I'll be weighing myself in a few days time and I'll post the progress that I'm making. I don't think I'll see any results for a month, but hey, I'm hopeful :) and determined!! :D

Till then,

Toodles!

Fallen off the wagon

Hi all,
I just seem to have fallen off the wagon. With anniversary, B'day, V day etc straight, it was difficult to say no to so many things. It didnt help that I was fighting stress & depression (which makes me eat), I've put on weight instead of losing it. I never seem to find the time to exercise (which is no excuse), but with work, a baby and also having to take care of school work fir my older daughter, it just gets so exhausting to do anything.
Well, I'm hooping to start afresh from next week. Lets see how it goes. I'm so tempted to take the easy way out and go to a slimming place, but the fear that it would affect me in the long run (may be after I turn 50 or even younger) keeps me away.

Hope you guys are having better luck.

One month down! 11 more to go!

Hi there,

Sorry to have been radio silent for the last few days, but I had way too many things to juggle and the blog updates had to be pushed back. However, I’m happy to say that I’m one month down in my war against weight gain. Only 11 months more to go! Woohoo!

So what have I achieved in one month? I’m 5 kilos lighter! Naah…I’m kidding. I haven’t seen the scales yet as I’m now doing monthly weigh-ins (next weigh-in is up on Feb 7th), but I have had some success in food discipline. It is a lot easier now to not reach for a chocolate or soda. I like snacking on sprouts and carrots. And I’ve been off chips and crisps for a whole month now. I’ve also managed to stick to portion sizes (which is a lot easier than I thought).

Also, I’ve been able to make time for working out. I spend about 20 minutes on cardio (elliptical/cycle/treadmill) and then jump to the machines (arms & abs on one day, legs, back & abs the next) for 40 minutes. Liz, I know you read this blog: I’m still not falling in love with lunges….:(

And it looks like I’m losing a few centimeters (or should it be millimeters) here and there. So that’s what is happening with me. See you on the 7th with my weigh-in.

Cheers,

Meena