Archive | Lets Talk Fitness RSS feed for this section

Watermelon Icy Pops!

By on May 20, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

As a kid growing up, I remember the ice cream truck would come down the street near our park and as soon as we heard the jingle, all of the kids would run over to the truck. One of the popular items on the ice cream trucks were frozen ice pops which I am sure are filled with tons of sugar and other artificial crap.

Since the summer is already here in Texas, I wanted to find a way to make some fruit ice pops that I can enjoy during the day or after a workout. First up is the Watermelon Icy Pop!

I purchased these silicon ice pop makers on Amazon – I liked this one over the other ice pop styles because they are a bit more adult looking – last thing I need is for company to come over and I take out a tray of spaceship pops. The package came with 4 of them (you can see one below) and while they are a bit small, for a quick, frozen treat, they seem like the perfect size.

To make the Watermelon Icy Pops I took some watermelon and a couple drops of Stevia and blended. The blending only took about 10 seconds and the solution was nicely liquified. I filled up the icy pop holder and left a little room for the mixture to expand when frozen, put one of the included caps on it and stuck it in the freezer.

Two hours later and the icy pop was ready. Even though the holder is silicone, I had to run it under hot water for 5-10 seconds to loosen it up. It tastes SO GOOD! While you will probably need to eat more watermelon to get the true health benefits, if you need something to cool you off, this will totally hit the spot. And it’s a perfect treat for kids too.

I can’t wait to try all sorts of different icy pop mixtures.

Comments { 0 }

The Jeans Difference

By on May 18, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

The other day I posted about a some new jeans I purchased. Well they arrived yesterday. I ordered 2 different sizes – the 2 smaller size and the 3 smaller size than the biggest pair of jeans I’ve ever purchased a year ago this month. I just started wearing the 2 sizes smaller last week and what an amazing feeling that has been.

So I tried on the 2 pairs of pants and the 3 sizes smaller jeans close! They aren’t super comfortable yet but I am sure I could wear them outside without any issue. The 2 sizes smaller jeans fit fine. I was planning to keep both pairs.

Then late last night I was looking at the two pairs of jeans and made a decision. I will be returning the 2 sizes smaller option – if I keep that pair, it will be easy – I don’t want easy. I want the 3 sizes smaller option to keep getting looser and fit even better.

To show you the difference in sizes between May 2011 and May 2012, check out the image below. The bottom pair are the larger jeans and the top are the 3 sizes smaller pair – look at the difference in material! This is freaking crazy! To think that I barely fit into that bottom pair a year ago.

Now that the engine is going with all cylinders firing, I can’t wait for the next jeans difference photo when I move down more sizes.

Comments { 0 }

Changed Priorities Ahead!

By on May 18, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

I was going through my very old backup drives tonight trying to see if I could find any old photos of myself so as I work on my healthy lifestyle, I can do a comparison over the years… I came across the sign below – it’s from London – I shot the photo in 2005 or 2006. I think it is perfect for the changes I’ve made in my life in the last few months.

Sometimes we have to change our priorities to get ahead. And as the top sign says, there will be no stopping at any time!

 

Comments { 0 }

The Spiralizer Is Here!

By on May 16, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

My new gadget is here! It’s funny how priorities change – never did I think I would be excited to get a spiral vegetable slicer (also called a spiralizer). I will be heading to whole foods today to get things like zucchini and cucumber to spiralize.

I bought it on amazon where it is ranked #1 for slicers. It kept going out of stock and even today it has a 2 week delay for shipping.

I have watched several videos where people take a zucchini and make it look like pasta. They say that since pasta basically has no taste, it should be a great replacement. Here is an example from Kristina Carrillo-Bucaram where she creates “Raw Fettuccine Alfredo”. I have never tried a zucchini so I am looking forward to testing out a new veggie on my new gadget.

Comments { 0 }

Ordered New Jeans Today

By on May 15, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

Today I did something I haven’t done in a decade. I ordered a pair of jeans in a smaller size. Since I lost all the weight 12 yrs ago, I’ve bought jeans one size larger as I gained all the lost weight back plus a ton more. I checked my Amazon invoices and it seems like about every 2 years I moved up a size. Eventually I ended up with the largest size I have ever worn when I purchased a pair of jeans on May 5, 2011.

And today I purchased a pair of jeans that are 3 sizes smaller than those May 2011 jeans. THREE FREAKING SIZES SMALLER. I know these new jeans will be very tight or might not be comfortable to start with but I wanted a new pair and didn’t want to buy something that will be too large in a few weeks.

I still remember the day in 2000 when I went into the Gap, picked out some clothes, took them into the dressing room and tried them on. I broke down and a store clerk asked me if everything was ok. I told her that all my life I haven’t been able to shop in a normal clothing store and this was the first time I was able to put on a pair of Gap pants and a shirt and it looked good. I spent a ton of money there that day and I remember how great it felt when I went to work in the new clothing. I want that feeling back.

In the movie Fat Sick and Nearly Dead, Joe gives the trucker an Aussie football shirt that is a much smaller size than the trucker’s current size. Joe told him that the goal was to get the trucker into that shirt. At the end of the movie, the trucker is seen running wearing Joe’s shirt. I kept a small bag of the clothing from 2000 – even as I moved around the country. I can’t wait for the day that I put those items on – this time knowing that it is for life and that the whole package is perfect.

Comments { 0 }

It’s a Watermelon Forest!

By on May 14, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

On Friday afternoon I grabbed a 1/2 watermelon at Central Market. It was so tasty that I decided to buy a whole watermelon today! I want to try making a watermelon sorbet in the blender. I better be quick about it because this watermelon is so juicy that I could easily eat the whole thing today.

Here is my first attempt at “food art”  — it’s a Watermelon Forest:

Update: Here is a photo of my watermelon balls – it’s amazing how good this watermelon tastes!

Comments { 0 }

Did I Move To The Next Level?

By on May 14, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

As I was traveling around town yesterday, I started to wonder if I have moved to the next level in the whole “healthy nutrition/lifestyle” game. I know I am nowhere near rescuing the princess yet, but I really do think I have moved up a level.

The reason why I say this is because in my latest session with Linda last Friday, she gave me new options and new behaviors to add to my daily health routine. Sure she has given me new ideas in each session but this session was definitely different.

I don’t plan to ask Linda to confirm my theory but I know that I have some new weapons in my arsenal to tackle the next level and eventually, one day save the princess. In any event, I feel better today than I have in a very long time and perhaps forever.

Comments { 0 }

Here’s What 2.5 Pounds of Salad Looks Like!

By on May 13, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

Today I stopped at the grocery store and they had their Central Market Organics salad mixes on sale. I just couldn’t resist even though I have about 1/2 of the smaller container in the fridge. So I picked up one pound of spring mix and one pound of the spinach. Looks like the next few days the morning smoothie will be even more spinachified!

Of all of the packaged organic salad mixes, I think the Central Market Organics brand is my favorite. It always seems super fresh and tasty. If you are looking to keep your salad mixes fresh, check out this video from Elizabeth Rider where she provides some methods for extending the life of the salad mixes. One of her tips is to cut some holes in the tubs to allow the air and moisture to escape.

So here is what 2.5 pounds of salad mix looks like – 2 one-pound tubs and a half-pound tub. I had a talk with my chompers and they are ready to go on this! This will be a great test for the new bowls and dishes.

Comments { 0 }

Is It Just a Plate?

By on May 12, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

I had my latest session with Linda today – we are starting to approach the one-year mark. I really wish I didn’t have the “muffin months” – because I know how much farther I’d be today but at least we are there now and really kicking butt.

I find that since I’ve been eating healthy food, I sit and eat meals for a long longer period of time than eating a mcdonalds meal. It’s almost as if I enjoy taking time to look at the food and slowly consume it versus just woofing down the meal on a paper bag.

Last week I decided to buy new dishes and it’s been really enjoyable browsing tons of Internet sites to see what’s available. For reference, here are the dishes I was using — I purchased them when I arrived in Austin since I sold everything I owned before I moved from NYC… these dishes are basic Corelle dishes and while they are fine, they didn’t seem to get me jazzed up (note the amazing food stylist quality here!):

I wanted to get dishes that are modern/contemporary in design and also look good for taking food photos. I finally decided on a set from Crate & Barrel and headed over to the store here in town. Melissa helped me for about thirty minutes as we walked around the store checking out different items and ideas. The set that I liked online was also nice in the store but Melissa suggested that I check out two other sets they have – also square plates. I decided on the middle of the road plate in terms of “squareness” and “border thickness”. It’s called “Court” and I think it looks great. I want to add on some pieces in color – but I am not in a rush – maybe I can find something cool to add to the set on my travels.

I also added a set of these little bowls for sauce – I found them on Gina’s chicken nuggets recipe.

Tonight was my first dinner using the new setup and I swear it just made me feel better inside – not sure why – maybe it’s because I spent a few dollars on myself? I put the sauce in the little bowl and it seemed so much nicer to use than just plopping the sauce on the old plate next to the chicken. I can’t wait to try some new vegetable-based dishes and cook for friends and family.

Maybe the plate has some sort of energy that makes you feel good inside. Maybe it is just a plate and the good feeling really comes from finally taking care of myself. Frankly I don’t care which…I know I feel damn good.

Now the only thing left to do is find a dryer rack that holds these plates – so far I have tried two of them and neither hold the plate!

Here is a photo of the plates:

Comments { 0 }

I Am So Cool!

By on May 10, 2012 in Lets Talk Fitness

I know what you are thinking…”yes you are cool, funny, sexy, smart, on and on…” well thanks, but this post has nothing to do with any of that!

All my life I’ve lived with the air conditioner on nearly all the time. As a kid I grew up in a very, very tiny room yet the window a/c unit was on all the time. I keep the a/c on in all seasons including days when it is freezing outside. I run the air conditioner in the car nearly all the time as well.

Yet the past three weeks I’ve noticed that I have been turning off the a/c and yet I don’t feel hot. The thermostat in my apartment keeps going up and up and yet I still remain cool. I drive around town and find myself turning off the a/c even when it is 90 degrees outside.

Now I’ve felt cold inside before when I have been sick but this is different. I think this change in my temperature has to do with two things:

  • better eating
  • losing weight

I assume that as I continue to lose weight, the more I will be able to deal with hotter temperatures without running to the a/c. Clearly if you are moving about with 30, 50, 100 pounds less on the frame, it has to keep your body cooler.

I have absolutely no idea if eating better plays a role with how you feel temperature-wise but I want to assume the answer is yes. One of the things Linda has mentioned in our sessions is that horseshit “food” like McDonalds and other processed foods take more for the body to break down than a tomato or lettuce. I wonder if as I eat healthier and healthier, if my body needs less energy to process the food so since there is less work, I remain cooler.

All I know is that I love how I feel lately – I think I feel better than I have ever felt in my life. I look forward to seeing how the 100+ temps here in Texas will hit me once we get into the middle of the summer.

Comments { 4 }