I am composing this for 3-4 days now. Writing down what I do about my weight-loss struggles, well is a huge struggle.Then I thought I would just list it day by day. Some basics, I have an simple $20 pedometer that is clipped on my waistband from the time I wake up to when I sleep. My aim is at least 10K steps per day. Some days I achieve 15k especially if I take a walk but most days I hover around 8000 steps.There are days when I dont even get 3000 steps on my pedometer(like today I am waiting for a delivery and it hasnt come yet.. Stinking UPS) What I do is then walk around the playground. Avasha gets off at 2.35p/m, Ashwina is 1/2 hour later at 3.10. We normally play at the schools playground while waiting for her. So while the younger 3 kids are waiting, I keep walking around the perimeter of the playground, always keeping an eye on Samar and playing with my cellphone. I normally get 1200 steps in 15-20 mins. “Its the little things thats count”–that has become my mantra.
I also have a water bottle that goes every where with me. In the sumer months, I throw in slices of lemon, oranges and mint. It adds a nice flavor.
I am going to break this post into 2 parts, listing what I eat and what/how I workout.
Breakfast
- 2 cups of chai at least
- A packet of Instant oatmeal
- Egg omelet
- 2 Slices of Whole wheat bread
- Special K Cereal
I never deviated from the list above, sometimes NK would make something special on weekends. Thaali Peet, Pooha, pancakes are stuff for weekends. Breakfast is normally about 300-500 calories.
Lunch is whatever the kids and I eat. Rice with lots of dhal. A sandwich wrap, a big bowl of spinach leaves salad, a hot dog, a Mchicken, pasta. I never restrict anything. What I control is the portion or size of the meal. I actually count out 39 nuts to make 90 calories and then put the bottle away. I measure a tbsp of dressing to ensure its 30 calories. NK gets pissed off at my obsessiveness but its very easy to over estimate your calorie intake. I know I have been doing it for years.
I have chai at 5.30-6 and eat crackers or something. I normally get hungry by that time. Dinner is something light..No rice or bread or roti in the evening. Yesterday I made pork chops for the first time.digression, a friend who is a vegan and doesnt even ate onions and garlic called yesterday while I am in the midst of cooking dinner. She asked me what I was doing and I said cooking dinner. She asked what was it. I hesitated. My friends know I eat chicken and fish but they dontknow about the pork even more that I cook it at home. I lied and said chicken. And then I thought to myself later why should I lie about what I cook. Samar can only take pork and beef. Beef I am not going to cook and go to the Hindu hell. So why did I lie. what would you have done? end digression
I try not to eat after 7-7.30. If I am hungry, I normally have a glass of milk with Milo. Now because of Samar’s allergies, I dont have any junk food in the house. No candies, no chocolate, no chips, nothing nada..sometimes I hunt for something to munch on and the best I can find trail mix or canned mandarin oranges or bread with Nutella.
Of course, I cheat alot. Like last weekend, I had the girl’s Multi Cultural night at their school with a potluck dinner and the date night on Sat. I drank wine, had pasta and ate dessert. But I still lost 1 lb at this past Monday’s weigh-in at TOPS. (Total 8.5 since Jan 3rd or something, the first Monday in January when I went for the first TOPS weighing)
Moving on to the working out.
Monday: Drop Neil at preschool at 9.00. Reach 24 hour fitness at 9.20. Take the 9.30-10.30 spinning class. 10.30-11.15, swim, use the weights in the water and sit in the hot tub.Shower as fast as possible. Get Samar at 11.30 and go pick Neil up at 12.
Tuesday: Take both boys to the gym. Do a variety of crunches, squats, pilates move on the floor for 20-30 mins. Use 5 lbs dumbells to work out triceps, biceps. Do the weight circuit. This whole routine takes about 75 mins. I then do 20 mins on the elliptical or the dreaded StairMaster . I do the push yourself till you are going to vomit for 2 mins and slow down for 1 min workout. I hate it.
Wednesday : Same routine as Monday. I take the spinning class and do the swimming and stuff. If I am not in the swimming mood, then I do some crunches and stuff and use the treadmill and watch TV.Spinning is very tiring and I dont have the energy to do much later.
Thursday: Is my Zumba class. I love this class. Its a fast paced set to Latin music and the hour goes by quickly.Very fun and it doesnt even feel like you are exercising. After the hour long class, I do the crunches, squats, and other mat exercises. Sometimes I swim and sit in the hot tub.
Friday: Is my working day at Neil’s co-op preschool. I dont go to the gym today nor do I “do” any form of exercise. I am at his preschool from 8.35-1.00. But the pedometer usually registers about 12K steps on this day. Its the constant running after the kids that counts.
Saturday and Sunday. I do my Nordic Walking on the weekend. I do anywhere from 3-5 miles route.If I am in the mood, I throw in a workout dvd, Arms of Envy is a current favourite. I was trying the Tae Bo but I lack the co-ordination. I am waiting for my library’s copy of Jillian’s 30 day shred.
That has been my routine since Neil started school. Nk again thinks I am obsessed about my weight and I should be happy with the size I am currently at. He says that I am big boned and should be with happy with all the weight I have lost so far and not push myself so hard. We have had arguments when he pushes me to eat something and I accuse him of being a sabotager. I do know I can fitter and slimmer than I currently am. I had the trainer at the gym check my body fat percentage and its still in the overweight catergory. Thats going to be my new goal. Get my BMI into the acceptable range by the end of this year. So who’s with me?
Woah – that is one serious workout plan…I think I see my problem, but I simply don’t have the time to do the kind of workout you’ve posted. I think we’re about the same height, and I’m vegetarian. I also work full-time.
Me:I just re-read my post. I should be a freaking size 2 but yet I am size 12 at the best. I was reading this http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1626795_1627112_1626456,00.html which states only 1/5 of dieters maintain their loss. Also read this ”
My food intake is fine, a lot of veggies and fruits, early dinners most days (7pm), on Thursdays it might slip to 8 pm, (late basketball practice, if I don’t eat before) – now I simply *have* to step up to the plate and start making time for workouts…my problem is working out during the day sucks for me – breaks up my work day, and I hate having to shower etc. Evenings we have kid activities – I did start walking during two of the evening practices, but winter put paid to that…too cold to walk outside.
Me: A lunch hour walk? I guess when the day’s start getting warmer, you could start your walks again.
As for your question abt pork…why would it be an issue? To your vegan friend, chicken and pork probably are on the same scale of bad….to others? I grew up with Coorgie friends and pork was an inherent part of their diet, so no idea if there are pork taboos in the non-veg Hindu world – are there?
M
Me: I dont know but the lie slipped out effortlessly. I shouldnt though, next time. Why didnt she call me on Tues, when I made palak paneer and baigan bhartha.
faarrrrrk….how do u manage the time to do all this??
Me: Dont you know I have superpowers? LOL My next post, I am going to list the amount of reading I got done. That will be even more shocking.
I wish I could exercise in the morning but i try and get as much sleep as i can before leaving the house at 7:30am. Then I am in the office until at least 5:30-6pm and go to the gym for a spin class/body pump class at least 3 days a week.
Me: Do you like the spin class? I swear my legs feel like jelly after getting off the bike.
And my food….urgh…that’s where my challenge is.
Haven’t moved an inch and my BMI is is borderline overweight. A year ago I was borderline underweight. Sucks totally.
Me: Hopefully next year you would be just perfect
Awesome awesome awesome is all I can say! It seems like you are getting much more than an hour of workout a day and here, I can barely manage 45 minutes of cardio and Iam totally dead! I am about 10 pounds overweight for my height(I am 5’8″ and weigh 145 lbs) and I think I should try cutting the carbs out at least for one meal a day!
You motivate me!
Me: Everyone hate Shilpa now. 145 sounds wonderful to me
girl can i change places with you? your work-out plan sounds FANTASTIC. i would stick to it even if weight loss is not a goal (have given up on that. that tire around my middle is mine and i guard it jealously). i even like your friday work-out as right now i am really bugged with the adults i deal with at work.
Me: We should switch for a week. I am tired of dealing with the crap I have been dealing with not mention that I would be called a runner.
“Beef I am not going to cook and go to the Hindu hell”
Before I comment I would like to tell that I m a Hindu.
I think its all in the mind. If a small kid can have few foods then religion has no right to deny him that. My question is directed towards each n every Hindu that eating beef will take us to hell but killing women (representation of Shakti) for dowry wont? Being corrupt wont?
I quote
“Hindu dietary laws are not, properly speaking, a part of religion, and there is nothing in Vedanta philosophy that favors one kind of food over another. Hindu social custom, however, has banned beef for centuries, considering the cow a pet animal more useful alive than dead. Just as most Americans would consider eating their pet dogs a horrible idea, even though dogs are perfectly edible as some east asian culture know, most Hindus raised in a traditional way in India consider eating beef a horrible idea.
In Vedic times Hindus did eat beef. It was considered mandatory for kings to serve beef to their most honored guests. Beef eating was also thought to stimulate sexual passion, so eating beef was advised for those wishing to conceive children.
Non-ethnic Hindus, or Hindus by choice, often retain the dietary customs of their home country, so many American Hindus eat beef as their parents did before them. As a parent you might consider how other ethnic Hindus might view beef eating on the part of your children, but you do not lose your religion by eating or not eating any given food. You and your children would likely be banned from entering some orthodox Vaishnava temples if it were known to the priests that you eat meat of any kind, what to speak of beef.
Swami Vivekananda criticized Hindus for what he called “kitchen religion,” obsessive concern with what to eat and not to eat and with whom and in what setting. Real religion is about realizing God/Self through meditation, prayer, worship, reason, and dedicated action. If eating beef gives you the energy to do spiritual practice, more power to you.”
Me: Thanks Reema for that information. Thats what NK keeps telling me that Hinduism has never dictated what one should eat or shouldnt. I highly doubt we would be entering any Vaishnava temples so it shouldnt really matter to me. My mum knows I eat and now cook porlk at home and she hasnt said anything much. If its for her grandson then I guess its okay ..
Man that’s INTENSE!!! and you actually shared that with everyone. I bow to you, madadme. I wouldn’t be able to keep up with that at all … but u are doing it and doing it so well (saw ur pic in date night )
my saluts!
Me: Thanks Roop. I love the 2 hours I get in the morning.
(a) How much do you think walking contributes to your calorie deficit? It’s barely exercise, IMHO, especially compared to the other exercise you do. The rest of your routine sounds gruelling, if a tad formal (try switching things up now and then?).
Me: I do Nordic walking. Youtube ExampleI do a 3-4 mile route in 45 mins so it is a good workout. In fact, last year I started by just walking and then walking faster. We didnt have the money to sign up for a gym membership so walking it was. I know quiet a few women who walked their weight off. Its not like walking in the mall, but at a fast pace and with arms pumping side by side. Well I do change my routine, thats why I take all the different classes at the gyms.
(b) What is ‘spinning’? For a while I thought it was something to do with making clothes.
Me : Spinning from wiki “Indoor cycling is a form of high-intensity exercise that involves using a stationary exercise bicycle in a classroom setting.” So you adjust the resistance according to the instructor, and it almost seems like you are cycling up a hill and your calves are like jelly.Supposedly one burns upto 400 calories in an hour.
(c) Weights in the water?!
Me: Yup Made out of foam and shaped exactly like weights.And its hard to do a bicep curl in 4ft water.
Me!!! I am with you. Gone are the days when I dreamt of being slim like Aishwarya Rai!
I’ll be happy to stay within my acceptable BMI range now – I am just slightly off right now and that’s my goal for the year. Also, I’ve given up on dieting, doesn’t work for me, I give up and overeat within a few weeks. Portion control and regular exercise works better for me – results are slow but I’m hoping they’ll stick
I think you have it all worked out beautifully S. Way to go!!!
Me: Thanks D.What do they say, slow and steady win the race
If, after such a workout and if your calories are within limits (don’t know what your limit is) – and you are a size 12, I think I agree with your husband on the large boned theory. I have, what is politely known as a desi-nari figure (big boobs, big butt!) but am now a size 8 and was a size 6 before the latest addition of weight (brought on by indiscriminate binging on parle G biscuits – I went berserk for about a month and ate pounds of them I think!
) But even at my smallest size, I never dropped below 145 lbs – my mom always said I was “heavy boned” and I’ve come to accept that…plus after the kids, my shape is just different, and there’s no way I’m going back to my pre-baby shape without surgery!
Me: I have given up on being “skinny” I doubt I would go below a size 6 and 140 lbs. My goal is pretty realistic, a BMI of 25%, size 8 and/or 160 lbs.I am about 22 lbs away from that right now. NK is being jealous, is all I can say. As long as I am not starving myself.
As for walking – no, lunchtime won’t work – I work through lunch, so I can leave by 5 and get to the kids. it has to be during their activity time, so need to figure out how to fit that in…..
But thanks for posting this.
M
Thanks for posting your workout plan. Good job! I see lots of similarities in the sense that we are both big boned etc. You’ve motivated me to try out more things in the gym (swimming/classes etc).
Me: It took me a good 6 months of going to the gym and then finally getting the courage to try the classes. Seeing all the skinny size 0 women put me off. I finally told myself I dont care..I want to try the class. Try Spinning, I like it because you go according to your pace and you dont look like an idiot trying to see which step to do next.
I used to do the no carb for dinner thing and it really worked. Now my MIL is here and there is rice and chappatis every night (and no protien besides daal). I have almost resigned to the fact that when she leaves is when I can get my kitchen back and get me and my hubby back in shape!
Me: When does she leave? Enjoy homecook meal till then
How do you make pork chops? That sounds good!
And for the breakfast…do you eat all of those listed under that or do you choose one? I’m thinking the latter right?
Me: I sauted onions, red pepper. The browned the chops and rubbed in a bit of lemon and olive oil. Baked at 350 for 30 mins. The recipes out there called for soy sauce or can of mushroom soup both of which Samar cant have, so I . And yes one food from the list for breakfast each day.
You go girl! I have to figure out a routine between getting the kids back home after work, setting dinner, their activities…
The only way I figure I can do anything is go the Michelle Obama route! I read somewhere that she and a friend used to hit the gym at 4:45 am! Right now my BMI is fine, but I do know that if I do not pay attention I will gain weight. The horrors of being called fat during my childhood have not yet left me
Me: I have a friend that does that. She has 3 young kids and she gets up at 5.00 a/m every single morning to get to the gym and workout. She sleeps at 9 every night. I just read a fun book called “The Adultress Diet”. The lady finally loses 40 lbs when she wants to have an affair with her high school sweetheart. In that book, you have to want to lose weight the most and she says that you have to fight against the food temptations, the half assed attempt at working out and everything else that comes between you and your “ideal weight”
Oh this is all kinds of awesome! way to go!!
Me: Thank you..
You know what…145 might sound wonderful, but it is in all the wrong places…..I have a tummy that looks like I am a ‘fairly-thin’ person who is 3 months pregnant!
Count me in! I am aiming for a 35 pounds loss. Your workout regime sounds military but is definitely working.
Mine is as follows:
I do squats,crunches etc for 20 mins in the morning then a 20 min workout from cable tv in the late afternoon and a 45 min run on the elliptical/treadmill in the late evening. Plus cutting on carbs and focusing on portion control.
Weight loss is going really slow. Lost about 5 kgs from Dec to now. Starting South beach diet additionally from next week.
Lets go girl!
Me: Your workout sounds just as painful as mine. You know what I keep telling myself, I didnt gain all this weight in a month or a year even. I had almost 6 years(3 pregnancies) and I should give myself that much time to lose as well.
Turns out I have some infinite wisdom to dispense. Pls feel free to ignore it. About NK- well the N is the same way- tells me not to be so hard on myself and relax. I just see the positive intention behind it- he is in effect telling me that he loves me just the way I am and I dig that. He is also the same guy who will drag me to the gym if I go 2 continuous days w/out exercise. So for me this is a win- win.
Me: Good advise. I am going to keep his intention in mind next time he comments something.
i officially hate you for being so focuseed and doing such an awesome job of it!
i am not even gonna dream of revealing my weight or talking about how i dont exercise at all and i SO need to!
cheers!
OOOOOOOhh S, this is Awesome!!And I have to admit..you ARE one of my inspirations..really!! Everytime,I thought I couldnt get much done with the Pipette around,I thought of you too…that you did it with 4 kids around toh ek Pipette kya cheez hai!
hugs and lets go workout!
I am with you girl!!your comment on my post,left me so overwhelmed
Here’s to getting that BMI below the obese range!