I'm back!

Sorry for the long break in blogging.  I've since had the flu, sinus infection and ear infection all in the last couple of months.  Coupled with work, kids and life in general, it's needless to say that I've been absent.  


I was told by my doctor recently that I need to lose a ton of weight and due to my height (5'0") I should weight between 95 - 110 lbs in order to meet my BMI.  This is apparently very important due to my mom's underlying health issues - stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes and recently diagnosed liver disease (NASH).  And of course, I weigh significantly more than 110 lbs.  


Since that appointment with my doctor, I've gone on a diet for the first time in my life.  I've always just worked out with the thought that since I work out so hard, I should be able to eat whatever I want.  Well, my doctor very sternly put me in my place and said that with all of my mom's issues, it's only a matter of time that I develop some of her symptoms if I don't take care of myself through diet and exercise. I can work out hardcore for days but my downfall is my diet.  I love food and being told I have to eat less of it made me super sad.    


To help me in my quest to lose weight, I've given up white rice completely and at first it was TORTUROUS.  I mean, if you know me, I love my rice.  I would eat rice for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and with everything.  I swear I was having rice withdrawals and even had dreams of sticking my face in the rice fields just to be close to it again.  But, I am very proud of myself because the last time I had white rice was on 04/19/2010.  I've only had about 2 servings (1/2 cup portions) of wild brown rice.  I think I'm over my period of missing rice, although I do crave yummy foods such as shrimp fried rice and congee.  I really, really, really love congee.  I mean, what's dim sum without congee???  Maybe that's why I won't go to dim sum anymore :(   


Additionally, I've also really tried to eat a very clean diet.  Instead of having a whole egg,  I now eat only egg whites.  I usually don't eat sweets either but the few occasions where I would indulge in banana bread or chocolate chip coffee are even more far and between.  I've also measured serving sizes to keep track of my calories.  I also try to make everything from scratch and the only way I've stuck to eating really clean is to pack my breakfast, lunch and snacks for work the night before.  I also log everything into www.fitday.com or in my blackberry app.  I'm allowed approximately 1600-1700 calories a day in order to lose about 1-2 lbs a week and tracking every morsel of food has really helped me stay on course.  A sample of my diet has looked like this: 


Breakfast:
1 egg yolk, 4 egg white omelet with handful of chopped spinach, 1/4 cup red bell peppers, 1/2 chicken w/ sausage apple.
1 red delicious apple

Snack:
1 cup Fage greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon of honey bunches of oat cereal and 1/4 cup frozen blue berries

Lunch:
2 cups Chicken stifry with chicken, red bell peppers, ginger and garlic

Snack:
1 large fugi apple w/ 2 tablespoons of Adams peanut butter

Grande soy hazel nut latte (iced)

Dinner:
Baked chicken breast with sauteed spinach, papaya salad and cucumber salad.

1.5 Gallons of water consumed. 


In addition to the "STOP everything you want because you want" diet I've also stepped up my work outs.  I've signed up for another half marathon on 06/27/10 and have followed a pretty strict running regime.  In order to balance my time and life the running now takes place daily at 5:00 AM instead of directly after work.  I only have 1 hour to get in my running since my gym doesn't open til 5:00 but this is enough time for me to get in 4-6 miles every morning.  I save my long runs for the weekends and if weather permits, I run outside at Green Lake or around Lake Washington.  I also love weight training so after work, I will accompany my mama or my sister to do at least a half hour of weights.  I also took up hot yoga and it has been fantastic for my running game because I have really tight hip flexors.  The yoga has helped to loosen them up and I find that I can run longer and faster.  I'm definitely incorporating it into my work out as much as I can during the week.  




Incorporating these changes have allowed me to lose 8 lbs since the end of March =)