Live Healthy Forever

So although I have not completed WHOLE 30 in 30 days, I decided to finish it 10 days early. Why? Because I’ll be going to Montreal (my 2nd hometown) where I’ll be eating lots of food!  If I just eat everything there, then this diet would be a waste.  Afterall, isn’t the main point of it to know how each element of food affects our bodies?

I started reintroducing my diet with legumes; in particular, beancurds.  This made my stomach hurt a bit and I got really gassy! Surprisingly, I did not like the feeling of it.  Moreover, I felt tired; although I dunno whether it was the cause of legumes or due to the fact that I had a very busy weekend! Probably, I can do without tofu and beancurd.  I used to eat a lot of it because it was a cheap source of low fat protein.

2 days later, I reintroduced white basmati rice.  No impact in my health.  I’ve grown up eating rice (a Bangladeshi culture), so probably my body is used to it more.  However, I’m not a big rice fan and don’t crave for it.  So in the long term, I’d rather avoid it since I can get better vitamin densed carbs from my vegetables such as sweet potato.  I will however, give into rice whenever I really want it.

After this time, my reintro phases got messed up.  Why? Cuz I got food poisoning. I think I got it from frozen fish that I left out the whole day and cooked it the following day! It was not a pleasant feeling at all and I never want to feel like that again.  Lesson learnt: leave fish to defrost in the fridge!! 2 days went by, and I am still not 100%.  I gained my stamina, but I lost all my appetite.  And guess what? I’ll be flying to Toronto in a couple of hours!! Arghhhh -- I gotta eat there! 

So I couldn’t get round to trying dairy foods - I was looking forward to this the most! I actually got myself a grass-fed 2% yogurt.  it’s just staring at me. For those who don’t know, you cant have dairy when you have an upset stomach.

I jumped into eating bread (gluten food).  This made me feel very bloated, but that’s about it.

Yesterday, my hubby and I went to visit a friend.  They served beef biryani, beef kebabs and indian sweets.  I couldn’t have it so I had to explain :) but it isn’t easy to explain others about clean eating because people can’t understand why someone would do a particular diet if the main purpose is not to lose weight! :) I felt hopeless and did not know what to eat (cuz I had to eat something!).  So i took some beef out of the biryani and ate (I must have had some rice as it was stuck onto the beef and was difficult to get off!).  I also had a few beef kebabs assuming that it was JUST beef until..... I asked my friend and she said it’s cooked with chickpea lentils and coated with a thin layer of breadcrumb! OMG - I just cheated and I had no idea.

Shortly after, my stomach churned and was feeling really awkward.  Stomach bloated and I felt there was gas.  It was an uncomfortable feeling.  Maybe that’s how legumes are meant to make you feel. I haven’t read enough about legumes - nope, I haven’t had the chance to read the book “It starts with food”.  All I know is that legumes are meant to cause inflammation and isn’t nutrient densed as other foods.  It also has higher carbs.  

I felt pretty bad that I cheated -I could not fall asleep easily after that. Oh well.  At least I knew how legumes felt in my stomach- so got that part of the whole 30 post testing out of the day.  

It’s not an easy thing to eat at other people’s houses - difficult to make the right food choices; especially in our culture where food consists mostly of rice, legumes and curries (sometimes cooked with yogurt).

Today, I am feeling sick again. It started after going for my morning swimming class and this is not the first time. 

I wonder whether it is because of the pool (germs etc) or due to lack of sleep the night before swimming.  Whatever it is, I got some cold symptoms.  Honestly, I believed in whole foods so much that I thought I would not get sick :) But then somehow I did.  I still however feel in control and feel better than when I was sick last time e.g. some ability to walk etc.

Food and cravings

I am enjoying what I eat every day.  Every time I eat, I think of the fact that I am FEEDING my body; providing what it needs; rather than just eat anything for the sake of filling my stomach up.  The food is interesting too.  However, eating out is a bit of a pain.  Almost everything has sugar in it.  On the positive side, we’re spending less on eating out.

Day 11

Ever wondered what you should eat before and after a workout?

WHAT you eat before and after workout can make a huge difference in your ability to perform well in workouts and recover quickly!

I used to think a banana was sufficient.  Now after reading the whole 30 book, I followed their advice:

Pre-workout snack 15-60 mins before workout: portion of protein and healthy fat

Post-workout snack within 30 mins after workout: complex carby veg such as sweet potatos and protein.

One day I went with just a banana and I could not do interval training for more than 5 mins!  Another day I worked out with whole 30 approved snack.  I had a turkey burger (homemade) and avocado.  This made a huge difference and I was able to perform longer! In fact, healthy fats make you perform longer.  I also experienced less muscle soreness from having my post workout snack of sweet potato and meat.

I haven’t written for days....and today I finally am..cuz I’m sore and in bed (and it’s my day off!).  Few pointers about my feelings/cravings lately:

- I’ve been craving for greek yogurt so badly :) I’ve always been a yogurt fan since I was a kid - just plain yogurt.  One thing I’m looking forward to having at the end of the month!

- Cravings for fresh/real ingredients ice cream has kicked in.  I’ve been thinking of the ice cream I had in Italy - really miss that

-Chocolate cravings? - I get that once in a while. It comes for a second, then it leaves. I realise that I can easily get chocolate off my mind. But what makes it hard is that it keeps coming into my head like around 10 times a day! Whether it’s chocolate or cakes.  That’s what makes it tough.

Mind you, I had the biggest torture of my life: the evening when my hubby had a chocolate bourbon cake right in front of me. It looked so good.  My cravings are a little higher this week - perhaps cuz of my PMS?

Overall, I’ve really been enjoying my food without feeling guilty; my scrambled eggs and salads in particular.  Home made mayo is just amazing! Will post some pics shortly.

It was a rainy, cold morning again and at first instance I thought “I need a treat”...urghhh... I wasn’t hungry at all, nor was I really craving. I realise though that around 10 times a day, I think of “treats!”.  Actually Sunday evening, I thought “treat time” after my dinner :D I think there’s a voice in my head that say these words.

Apart from that, I realise that my health is feeling better.  Last few weeks, I’ve had the virus (flu/cold).  But I’ve been sneezing a lot less since day 1! More energy too! 

One other challenge is that whenever we have our meals, we should focus solely on the food (i.e. no watching tv while eating).  I find this so boring...it makes me not wanna eat :) especially if I eat alone. So sometimes I feel like to delay my food because I have other things to do, but on the other hand I get excited to eat something different!  However, I feel every bite, taste and really enjoy the food.

Overall, I realise that my “treats” were not actually tied to my cravings, nor was I hungry.  Certain environments trigger my sweet treats such as: watching TV, rainy or cold weather, weekends, “because I deserve it” after a hard week etc. Occasionally? Yes, it’s ok to have a treat. However, I made this a daily habit depending on the above circumstances and this sugar addiction can be detrimental to my well-being in the long term!

I have not written for a while, but I needed to tell you this: I am a sugarholic.

I am a person who loves to workout: swim, weight train, run, dance - whatever it is. I love challenges!  However, when it comes to food, I just can’t say NO!

Yes I generally eat healthy throughout the day: a big breakfast (mainly of eggs), wholesome lunch and dinner (packed with proteins) as well as snacks (mostly nuts and fruits).  Yet still every day I feel like “I deserve” some treat...

It is like a rollercoaster ride.  Once I start having something sweet, I keep craving for more, then more and more.  It takes me days of mental strength to stop sugar and when I do, I don’t crave.  Yet there are voices in my ears that says “Roxy - you deserve something sweet!” Ha-ha!  So I get tempted into it and make myself something sweet.  The fact that I love baking does not help. I enjoy for a minute until after, I feel so crap!  No wonder, despite all the training I do, I still have that belly!

First, I have to really try hard as to what causes it? Perhaps, I’m drinking lack of water, not getting enough sleep, not eating the required amount of protein, carbs and veg.  I have decided to use FitnessPal and actually track my macros, which compose of eating 40% carbs, 20% fat and 40% protein each day.

Are you feeling achy, sleeeeeeeeeeeeepy and coughing,sneezing etc?  Then the chances are that you may have a cold.  After coming back from my 1 month vacation, this is the last thing I want...just when I wanna start into my healthy routine back again!...but the last thing u can do is beat yourself about it; take rest, recover and get back..Here are the golden rules to flight the cold!

1) Sleep and take rest - if you want to sleep for 12 hours, then sleep for 12 hours! Just make sure to hit the bed earlier than usual

2) Have chicken soup - chicken gives you the strength to fight the cold and garlic helps get rid of it as well as the hot water.  Making it spicy helps too!

3) Stay away from sugar - when I have a cold, i always turn to chocolate...but really you shouldn’t.  Sugar slows down the process of fighting the virus.  Instead, have fruits.

4) Stay warm - don’t be in chilly environments; if you are, then wear a sweater or a scarf around your neck

5) Avoid caffeine - this has been a personal long life battle for me. Every time I have coffee, I get sick (due to being caffeine intolerant).  But truly caffeine is the enemy.  When you have a cold, you must drink a lot of fluid, but caffeine dehydrates you and does not aid the process. So stay away from it.   I recommend homemade lemon ginger tea.  Boil water with ginger pieces (with its skin on), cloves, black pepper and cinnamon.  Boil it and then simmer it for about 15 mins at least.  Then pour it into a mug with a squeeze of lemon and some honey... it is the best drink - certainly it’s my 911 to cold :)

I lacked motivation..I have been eating cookies, muffins and all kinds of sweets even though I’ve been working out.  And guess what? My stomach has been growing and the distance between me and achieving my goal has also be moving further away.

Sometimes having a long term goal is not enough...yesterday however, I decided that I should treat myself to some clothes (work clothes in particular) if I lose at least a cm from my waist in the next 2 weeks! And guess what? That was a huge motivation for me!  So this morning I worked out before work (knowing that I had other plans in the evening) and did not have a single muffin or cookie. It is because I had that short term goal of 2 weeks in my head..that is something that I look forward to.