25/11/09 – Food Journal

Bah today’s food again is in calories… but I just didn’t eat enough fruit and veggies…. so I’m disappointed. I have had all my metformin and I have drunk more than my 2l water, so this is pleasing .

Today I have only drunk water, and I have eaten:

4 rice cakes = 112 cals
30ml sweet chilli dipping sauce = 69 cals
hummus = 175 cals
2 pitta bread = 280 cals

For dinner Philip and I had Quorn fillet fajitas,

227g onion = 92 cals
425g fajita meal kit @ 210/100g = 998 cals
64g red pepper = 20 cals
119g Green pepper = 30 cals
312g Quorn fillets @ 90 cals / 100g = 281 cals
1tbsp sunflower oil = 120 cals
Total meal = 1541
Clare’s consumption = 1541/2 = 771 cals

Total calorie consumption = 771 + 112 + 69 + 175 + 280 = 1,407 calories.

Exercise-wise I’ve been pretty lazy today. I walked to and from the grocery store (carrying a rather heavy load back with me). I think the store is an approximately 1.5 miles round trip. I’m not going to make excuses – I could have done more today, but I chose not to.

24/11/09 – Food Journal

I know I’m a day late updating this, but technical problems yesterday meant that I lost my temper and decided to wait until today… Sorry

OK so here’s a breakdown of what I ate yesterday. Although I stayed within my calorie allowance of 1400, I feel that yesterday’s eating was not quite as ‘angelic’ as Monday. I will strive to do better today, especially since I only took 1 metformin tablet yesterday and only drank about 2/3 of my water requirement. Bleurgh. I did, however, go swimming and swam 625m breaststroke… a length a minute, which took me about 25 minutes.

Onto the food….

Coffee + 20ml ss milk = 10
4 slices wholemeal toast = 320
2 small tomatoes = 20
33g parmesan cheese = 115 (so, I thought that only having an ounce would be OK, but whoa, that’s a lot of calories)
1 packet cheese and onion walkers baked crisps = 99
75g basmati rice (dry weight) = 260
mushroom and red/green pepper = 30
1tbsp sunflower oil = 120
30g bran flakes = 96
80ml ss milk on bran flakes = 40
2 slices toast = 160
2 tsp marmite = 40

Total calories consumed = 1310

23/11/09 – Food Journal

Started well with scrambled egg and veggies on toast. I’m not usually a breakfast person, but I know I need to start eating it. I’ve tried to go for more protein, as I believe this keeps you feeling fuller for longer, rather than crashing and burning after a high-carb breakfast. We’ll see, eh?

Scrambled Egg with veggies on toast

I used caloriecount.about.com for working out the calories. Here’s the breakdown:

2 eggs = 150 cals
40g green pepper = 10 cals
75g celery = 12 cals
10g spring onion = 4 cals
1tbsp olive oil = 119 cals
40ml semi-skimmed milk = 20 cals
2 slices wholemeal bread, toasted = 160 cals
86g tomato (1 tomato, sliced) = 16 cals
1 pint water = 0 cals

Total calories = 491 calories
Balance = 1400 – 491 = 909 cals remaining.

Lunch was interesting. Although I did eat it late (4pm – honestly wasn’t hungry until then! Go protein!). I wasn’t sure at all what to have for lunch, so I ended up cobbling together a pasta, pesto and vegetable dish… and it turned out to be delicious!!

Pasta, Pesto, Veggie Delight

Let’s break it down!

80g Mushroom = 15 cals
138g Yellow Pepper = 50 cals
12g spring onion = 4 cals
40g dry weight penne = 150 cals
1 tsp garlic puree = 8 cals (want to check this, as garlic puree is in vegetable oil and this seems really low)
10g Sacla Basil Pesto = 45 cals
Pint water = 0 cals
Cup of tea + 20ml semi-skimmed milk = 10 cals

Calories consumed = 282 cals
Balance = 909 – 282 = 627 cals remaining

Dinner was another interesting affair. Philip had requested stuffed mushrooms and again, I had to just use my initiative and what was in the fridge. The result was actually pretty pleasing and I will have to write down the recipe somewhere before I forget what I did!

The total dish, which servied both Philip and I contained:

6 large flat mushrooms = 60 cals
10 closed cup mushrooms = 50 cals
150g dry-weight basmati rice = 520 cals
70g celery = 10 cals
2 slices wholemeal bread, crumbed = 160 cals
3 tsp olive oil = 120 cals
100g red pepper = 30 cals
10 cloves garlic (!!) = 40 cals

Meal total cals = 990 cals

Clare’s meal calories = 495 cals + 1 corn on cob = 45 + 1 Alpro Soya Strawberry = 78 cals

Total meal calories = 618

Balance = 627 – 618 = 9 calories!!!!!

I’m really happy about today’s eating as I have consumed 1381 calories only. I have also drunk more than my 2l water allowance and have only had one cup of tea. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this final update (22.22), I still haven’t done my workout. I need to let my food settle and then I do need to do this before I go to bed tonight, and I need to prioritise this for tomorrow.

HAPPY DAY!!!

Reasons why I’m doing this

1. To feel better about myself.
2. To increase my feelings of self-worth.
3. To be able to run and jump without worrying about hurting myself.
4. To look good in a tight dress.
5. To be able to wear shorts in the summer.
6. To be able to go swimming without being self-conscious.
7. To feel I can go swimming at all!
8. To be able to run with my grandchildren
9. To be healthier.
10. To not have fear going to the doctors, because he’ll make me get on a scale.
11. To be able to wear a bra that actually fits.
12. To not worry about lawn chairs breaking.
13. To not worry about where to sit at a picnic or on an airplane.
14. To not get “those looks” at a restaurant, even when eating normal food.
15. So my ankles don’t puff up and look like there’s half a tennis ball on each side.
16. To be able to use a public washroom comfortably.
17. To be able to go into any store, and buy the clothes I like, not just the ones that fit.
18. To not feel awkward about going clothes shopping, or shoe shopping.
19. To be able to order clothes from a catalogue without worrying if they will fit.
20. To be able to wear something that doesn’t say PLUS on it.
21. To reduce my blood pressure.
22. So I can feel comfortable.
23. So I can run on the beach in a bathing suit and feel proud.
24. So taking a bath is a luxurious thing, instead of taking a shower so I won’t risk overflowing the tub.
25. So my pants won’t wear out between my legs while the rest of them are still in good shape.
26. I want to be able to read the scale by just looking down, straight down.
27. I don’t ever want to feel my fat jiggle again!
28. So I can look in the mirror from the neck down and like what I see.
29. To feel strong and fit again.
30. So I can show off my muscles, instead of just feeling fat.
31. So I can play with my dog again!
32. So I can drive my car and feel comfortable.
33. So I don’t feel like I’m always leaning back while sitting in a chair, because of my butt.
34. So I can walk up a flight of stairs and not feel winded.
35. So I can wear tight jeans.
36. So I can get up and dance and not feel weird.
37. So I can go on rides at amusement parks again, without stuffing myself into the seat shamefully.
38. So I don’t have to worry about the maximum weight an exercise machine can take before I use it.
39. I want to deprive my cats of a perching spot on my chest because it’s too small.
40. So I don’t get that pitying look when I go to a gym to work out.
41. So I can lay outside and suntan on my front lawn if I want.
42. I want to wear underwear that looks cute and dainty, not something industrial.
43. So I can buy lingerie that fits, and looks good.
44. So I can buy lingerie without getting weird looks from store clerks or other customers.
45. I want to be able to at least consider entering a triathlon and have it be a possibility.
46. So getting dressed every morning is a joy and not a dreaded chore.
47. So I can pick the haircut I really want and not just one that is for fat people.
48. So I’m when people start talking about weight loss, I don’t feel they mean me.
49. So no one ever calls me “a big girl” ever again.
50. So I’m not embarrassed to have my picture taken.
51. So when my photo is taken with my family I don’t have to groan inside myself as I know how terrible I am going to make the family picture look.
52. So I don’t get those indents on my thighs from the arms of the chair I’m sitting in.
53. So I can cross my legs.
54. So I can walk in heels without fear.
55. So I can put my jeans in the dryer, have a shower, get out of the shower, walk to the dryer and just pull my jeans on, instead of waiting to really, really dry off and then fight to get the zipper up.
56. So I can put my clothes in the dryer and forget to check the timer, and not worry about them fitting.
57. So my bras don’t stretch on the sides, or get pulled seams.
58. So I can crawl around on the floor hooking up computer cables without wondering how bad I look.
59. So I can look in a full-length mirror with pride, instead of despair.
60. So I can get up from the floor in one smooth move and not a grab and hold on to something move.
61. So I can get on with my life!!!!!!!!!!!!
62. So those stupid gowns at the doctors or chiropractors not only fit, but also are too big.
63. So I can show off my legs, instead of monster ham thighs.
64. So I can look good in a business suit or a short skirt, instead of always wearing loose clothing.
65. So my back doesn’t hurt so much.
66. So I can lie in bed, look down and see my toes without lifting my head off the pillow.
67. So I don’t have to worry about what fits in the closet and what doesn’t.
68. So I don’t have to worry about the seasons changing, and will my summer/winter clothes still fit.
69. So I don’t fear the onset of summer and light clothing.
70. So I don’t crave wintertime, so I can hide under big jackets and sweaters.
71. So I don’t think mean thoughts when I see skinny women.
72. So my doctor will never say, “you really need to lose some weight” to me ever again, but instead says nothing more than “see you next year”.
73. So no one will ever again ask me “when is your baby due”, and I’m not pregnant.
74. So people in the supermarket don’t look in my cart when they think I’m not looking, to see what a “fat person” eats.
75. So I look lean, mean and powerful.
76. So I can say my weight out loud with pride.
77. So the old pictures of the fat lady at the circus don’t look like me.
78. So I can say to other people who are overweight, hey, I was there once too, and maybe help them get to where they want to be.
79. So I don’t wonder if people are saying, “what is HE doing with HER “? (My honey is skinny and can eat anything)
80. So I don’t have to worry about my bathroom scales breaking.
81. So I am in control of what exercise I choose and not what I am able to do as of being so over weight.
82. So I don’t have to give excuses for being over weight.
83. So I can shave my legs in a shower without gashing myself because I can’t see around my fat.
84. So I can ride a horse again!
85. So I can go out fishing with friends, and not be scared to walk inside the boat because I’m so heavy I will tip it.
86. To be able to go canoeing, and my end doesn’t sink real low while the other person is almost in the air.
87. So my Grandchildren never remember me as fat.
88. So I can stand up in a boat again, with balance and grace, instead of hanging onto the sides and wondering how I’ll get back in if I fall out.
89. So I can boat out to the middle of a lake and go swimming, and be able to pull myself back in the boat.
90. No more “beached whale” comments, anywhere.
91. So I can go into public and not care what type of looks I get.
92. So I can sit on a bar stool and I’m actually sitting ON it, not on it and around it too.
93. So a regular towel goes all the way around me, and maybe even looks cute.
94. So my socks pull all the way up.
95. So I can hug my knees to my chest again, and it’s comfortable.
96. So I can sit on a chair, and have my feet on that chair too, and not be sitting on them.
97. So I can wear a low cut sweater and my collarbones show.
98. So I can wear a light blouse or sweater, and there aren’t dents where my bra straps are.
99. So I don’t have to worry about arthritis or joint replacement when I get older.
100. So furniture doesn’t groan when I sit on it, or wear out long before it should because I’m too heavy.
101. So I never have to look at someone else with envy again, thinking, “Wow, I wish I was that thin”.
102. I want to lose weight so that my breasts stick out more than my stomach and not the other way around.
103. I can sit comfortably in the lawn chair all the way instead of sitting on the edge and the arms
pinching me.
104. I can fit into the theatre seats comfortably.
105. I can sit at the booth OR table in the restaurant. I don’t have to be embarrassed because I need a
table.
106. I can look straight down and see my toes instead of bending over to see them.
107. I can bend over comfortably to tie my shoes.
108. So that I can wear all those beautiful heels in my closet without having to take them off after five minutes!

Sorting Myself Out

A new blog, eh? Again? Well this one’s staying. This one’s primarily for me, but you’re welcome to come along on the journey with me, if you so wish.

So, who am I? I am msclarepear. This blog has been set up so that I have a place to track my health and fitness journey. It complements my channel on YouTube, which can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/user/msclarepear .

Here, I’ll be logging my daily food intake, calorie intake and what exercise I do each day. At the time of writing, I weight 222lbs, which for a 26 year-old woman measuring 5 foot 4 inches, this is classed as ‘clinically obese’ and gives me a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 38.1!!!!! You can check your own Body Mass Index by using the BMI Calculator here: http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/

BMI Categories:

• Underweight = <18.5
• Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
• Overweight = 25-29.9
• Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

As you can see, I fall into the ‘Obesity’ category. If I’m serious about my health and if I care for myself at all, I need to bring down my BMI to within the ‘Normal weight’ / ‘healthy’ range. My initial target weight is 140 lbs. This would give me a healthy BMI of 24.0. This is where I want to be, which means a required loss of 82lbs!!!!!!!!!! My dream weight is 112lbs… but first, let’s get this party started and get the scales moving in the right direction, shall we?

How Do I Intend to Achieve My Goals?

Wrong question. How WILL I achieve my goals. This is non-negotiable. I’ve put this off for far too long and now is the time for action, not procrastination!

Daily Calorie Allowance: 1400

Daily Water Intake: Minimum 2 litres

Daily Exercise: Minimum 30 minutes high/low-impact

 

To be fair, the science behind weightloss is pretty straightforward:

CALORIES CONSUMED < CALORIES EXPENDED = WEIGHT LOSS

You need to consume 500 calories per day less (or burn 500 calories through exercise), each day for a week in order to lose 1lb of fat. Simples. Well OK, it’s easy on paper, maybe less straightforward to achieve on a daily basis. But all that’s about to change and this is the place I’ll be logging those calories consumed and those calories expended, along with my current weight.

I’ll be updating my YouTube Channel regularly, so please don’t forget to check out my videos here: http://www.youtube.com/user/msclarepear and, of course, COMMENT, RATE, SUBSCRIBE.

Catch up with you tomorrow – OK later today, since it’s now almost 3am – for my first food and exercise blog.

<3

msclarepear