Wednesday, January 27th is the Online Bake Sale for Haiti. CLICK HERE to go to the Chic Life’s site to place a bid! Treat Yourself & Help Others!!
Yawn… it’s been a busy couple days! I only got a few hours of sleep Monday night, and not much more last night, so needless to say, I’ve been dragging a bit. But good news, my mid-term went great, and even better, it’s one of my last as an MBA student, woot woot! And I’m so glad you guy’s liked the guest post 
I’ll pass on all your warm words to my mom
FITNESS
It’s been a great couple days of Yoga & Lifting! Yeah, I was a cardio slacker :0 I usually do my fave Spin class, but due to a meeting, I wasn’t able to make it yesterday. Definitely looking forward to tomorrows class! I worked legs with my trainer today including Side Lunges, Front Lunges, Squats, Leg Presses, Glute Kickbacks and Sissy Squats. After 3 days of great Yoga sessions where I pushed myself a little further than I had before.. the soreness is already starting to sink in. Tomorrow I’m lifting Shoulders & Back with my Trainer, and will do either Spin + 1 hr Yoga or an 1.5 hr Yoga class.. just depends how much I’m limping tomorrow!
Topic: Weight Loss & Calorie Counting
The topic of calorie counting for weight loss has been floating around the blogosphere lately, so I thought I’d contribute my 2-cents. First, let me start by saying that I am not a medical professional (not yet at least, 
), so this is just my opinion based on my personal experiences.
In fact, I consider myself pretty darn experienced when it comes to calorie counting.. the result of years of gymnastics (it was not encouraged, it was by choice, and it wasn’t a particularly healthy choice) and recent fitness competitions. So I have a good idea of how many calories are in most items for any given serving size. But even knowing that.. it’s the little things you snack on that add up throughout the day and suddenly that calorie deficient that’s needed to lose weight has evaporated. Each pound of body fat is equivalent to 3500 calories. So to lose a pound a week you need to be at least 3500 calories in the hole (or below maintenance by 500 a day). The math part is simple, but determining your metabolism in order to know many calories you can eat and still lose, is the hard part. Yeah, there’s all those complicated equations out there, but those are just cookie-cutter.. everyone’s different. Not to mention that when you start playing with dieting and adjust macros, at some point your metabolism will change too.
Does calorie counting and food journaling need to be a part of your daily life?.. it depends on your goals. If you’re dieting for a purpose, whether it’s to lose (or gain) a few pounds for bikini or competition season, then it’s a necessity (IMO). If however you’re just trying to maintain weight as part of a healthy lifestyle, then I would go so far as to say it’s unhealthy. Obsessing over every calorie is not a healthy practice (and this is coming from someone who has done it for years) emotionally. I think food journaling is something everyone should do for a short time, no matter what weight or health goals, in order to familiarize themselves with the nutritional content of what they’re eating. I am still continually shocked that people are sometimes so unaware of how truly unhealthy some items are for them (when eaten on a regular basis.. everything is fine & dandy in moderation), or what an appropriate serving size actually is
Up until fairly recently, I was certainly not eating a balanced diet. I have always eaten pretty healthy, but my diet severely lacked vegetables and fruits. I find it so funny that what finally broke my picky eating habits was even further restriction than what I normally placed on myself.. it only took 25 years! In the last couple months I probably tried more new foods, mostly in the vegetable form, than I have in the last 10 years.. and as you’ve been privy to, I’m loving every minute. Another interesting thing I’ve noticed is how my healthy cravings have changed since starting Yoga. After each Yoga class, without fail, I only crave Vegetables & Fruit.. usually a big Salad I’m sure there are reasons behind this (digestive & detoxifying movements, etc) and I look forward to learning more!
NUTRITION
So I have a little catching up to do. But to be honest, the days look pretty similar Both mornings started with multiple cups of coffee (I’m so weak when I’m tired), and Vega Pudding..
Vega Vanilla Chai Pudding topped with Wheat Germ & Strawberries..
Vega Berry Pudding topped with Wheat Germ, Blackberries & ~1 tbsp Raw Almond Butter..
I picked up Mother’s Natural Toasted Wheat Germ the other day and I am loving it! Although the idea of raw Wheat Germ was great, it spoils incredibly fast, so toasted is a better option, and besides I like the flavor better It’s a bit nutty and is a great flavor & texture addition to yogurt or cottage cheese if you’re trying to limit carbs.
Oh, I ended up hanging out at Starbucks while my car was getting checked out the other day, and tried the new Vanilla Rooibos Tea.. so tasty! I added a little bit of Sugar-Free Vanilla Syrup and a dash of Soy.
Mid-Day Oats
The last couple days oats were deligated to lunch.
First a new combo..
Pumpkin Cheesecake Oats
1/2 c UVAB + 1/2 c H20
1/4 c Oats
2 tbsp Oat Bran
1/4 c Pumpkin (mixed in at end)
1/4 c Cottage Cheese (mixed in at end)
Topped with: 1/2 tbsp Wheat Germ (gotta give the illusion of graham crust!), 1 tbsp no sugar added Pumpkin Butter
I’d seen people around the blogosphere mixing Cottage Cheese into their oats, so I thought I’d give it a whirl. I liked it.. ok.. but prefer Egg Whites or Protein Powder for my protein add-in.
Today was just standard Protein Pumpkin Oats (1/3 c Pumpkin, 1/2 scoop Vanilla Protein Powder).
Soup & Salad
I’m still eating up the soup I made last week. So dinner last night was the perfect combo.. Butternut & Apple Soup topped with a dollop of Cottage Cheese, and a Spinach Side Salad with crumbled Tilapia Cakes, grilled Portobello and Avocado..
The Quesadilla that Took Over
If you haven’t tried hummus in a quesadilla (as a healthy substitute or addition to cheese).. do so immediately, it’s amazing. Tonight’s dinner ended up bigger than I anticipated, but it was so good!.. and I am soo full! :p
Whole Wheat, high fiber, low carb, Tortilla
~ 2 tbsp Tahini Hummus
<1/4 c Pinto Beans
Spinach sautéed in a little Salsa
4 Sweet Potato Cheetah Slices
1/3 Avocado
Grilled it up on the George Foreman Grill.. amazing! Though it fell apart a bit ..
And of course there’s dessert.. Tofu Protein Pudding in a Cup + 2 tbsp Kashi Go Lean in there.. for the crunch
FUN
Oh, did I mention.. Online Bake Sale for Haiti! Do it, you know you want to! There are tons of fantastic bake goods up for auction.. and what better bake sale, then a bake sale of Healthy Living & Food Bloggers!
Giveaways Galore:
Fun Links
Thanks for the shout out! Glad you are having a good week! I agree calorie counting can be beneficial for short term if someone has specific goals, but obsessing about it too much isn’t the way to go
but like you numbers automatically pop in my head sometimes out of habit and I think it’s fun. All your oat-y eats always look so great! yay, for the bake sale!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
haha, yeah, knowledge is power right!
And thanks.. I can’t decide what I’ll bid on..
Thanks for linking to the bake sale and adding the banner to your sidebar!!
Diana
those pumpkin cheesecake oats look insanely tasty. nice thoughts on calorie counting!
I loved reading your Weight Loss & Calorie Counting paragraph! And thanks for the hummus tip, I’ll use it next time I make quesadillas.
Those pumpkin cheesecakes oats sound fabulous. I’m hanging on to my last can of pumpkin though!! I think it’s great that you’ve started trying so many new things AND that you’re enjoying them.
I completely agree with you about calorie counting. For some people it’s a savior and it really helps, for others it’s just a huge burden and it doesn’t help in the least. Like you said, it’s that small “mindless” snacks that add up and which you forget about, that really have a negative effect on weight. IF you are in control of your snacking, and you know how to fit it into you daily food plan, it’s ok! That’s how I look at it. Like oyu, I have a pretty good idea of how many calories I eat, each day, without writing anything down (although I do mark off my fruits, veggies, and dairy, because I need to make sure I get enough!)
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
Great point.. lately when I count it’s to make sure I’m getting enough protein.. which I’m usually not :p Every time I work out with my trainer the conversation goes something like this:
him: “how’s the diet going?”
me: “um ah.. I could eat more protein..” haha
Honestly I really think it is different for everyone. I don’t think it is always neceassry if trying to lose weight, and I also don’t think that if you are trying to maintain counting is “unhealthy” as you put it. Every person needs to find what works best for them! I get kind of annoyed that some of the more popular blogs are straight bashing calorie counting like it automatically guarantees you an eating disorder…
Gah I wish my stores still carried pumpkin. Did you just stock up when it was in season???
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
I 100% agree that what works, diet-wise, is different for everyone. Being that I said that earlier in the post, I certainly did contradict myself by being so black & white with calorie counting. I suppose saying “unhealthy” was more harsh than I meant it to be. I don’t think it’s an unhealthy activity to do over an extended period (heck, I’ve been doing it for years), but I think it’s not particularly healthy to be in a state where you obsess over it (as in you won’t eat something because you don’t know how many calories are in it and you can’t post it in your journal.. I’ve been there too :/). I certainly should have clarified better. Thank you for keeping me on my toes!
I’ve never had a problem finding pumpkin, I’m always able to get it year round.. thank goodness, speaking of obsession haha
i always have mixed feelings on calorie counting – some people really consdier it to be fuzzy math unless you are really anal about weighing everything, but i find that a rough estimate is better than not knowing, and benefits my weight loss efforts
I’m a supporter of calorie counting with weight managament patients. It’s “old school”, yes, but it works! Bite it, write it! At least that’s what I say!
Everything looks delicious! Thanks for posting the giveaways, too!
Twitter: NourishedFit
says:
I think it’s the best way for a person, who doesn’t know, to really learn the quality (or lack there of) of the food they’re consuming. And I love that saying!
hey!
i just came across your blog and i can’t wait to keep reading
i would love it if you could come check out my blog and follow as well!
Jenna