Friday, April 16, 2010

Operation Get Fit!

OGF has been frustrating to say the least. I have been counting calories and working out everyday for two whole weeks and the scale has not moved one bit. I have had it. I'm sick of counting calories. I am sick of watching what I eat. I am sick of not seeing the results I want. I am sick of not being at my goal weight. Basically, I am sick of not feeling 100% comfortable in my skin.
So I went to the library and checked out a few books. One of them was Body for Life by Bill Phillips. He doesn't believe in calorie counting because it isn't something you can maintain for your whole life. Well this sounded like just the book for me because I'm so sick of calorie counting! His philosophy is you choose a portion of protein and carbs from each column to make a meal and add a serving of veggies to at least two of your daily meals. Sounds simple enough to me!

Here are the three columns:
PROTEINS: Chicken breast, turkey breast, lean ground turkey, swordfish, orange roughy, haddock, salmon, tuna, crab, lobster, shrimp, top round steak, top sirloin steak, lean ground beef, buffalo, lean ham, egg whites, and low-fat cottage cheese.
CARBS: Baked potato, sweet potato, yam, squash, pumpkin, steamed brown rice, steamed wild rice, pasta, oatmeal, barley, beans, corn, strawberries, melon, apple, orange, fat-free yogurt, and whole-wheat bread.
VEGGIES: Broccoli, asparagus, lettuce, carrots, cauliflower, green beans, mushrooms, spinach, tomato, peas, burssel sprouts, artichoke, cabbage, celery, zucchini, cucumber, and onion.

I threw out my food journal and am ready to try this new approach to eating. Garth is on board so we're going grocery shopping tonight. I hope next week I have better results to share!

33 comments:

SusanD said...

Sounds much simpler, but don't throw out your journal. Keep recording what you're eating. It incentive to keep your portions smaller and not snack so much. Plus you can track your veggie (fruit) colors. Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange. Add a daily exercise log too. I use www.dailymile.com cause it's easier for me. Keep it up. You'll see results. Blessings, SusanD

Brittney Galloway said...

Let us know how it goes!

Becky said...

I read this book years ago and didn't get a ton out of it. However, I was on Prevention.com (a FANTASTIC site for all weight loss tips!) and saw "The 400 Calorie Fix" which looks great! There's even a fun game on the site where you have to guess between 3 meals, which one is closest to 400 calories. Give it a try! AND you can also track your progress by quickly building your profile. Have you checked out that site? I just love it!

Natalie said...

Let us know how it goes! I am fighting the scale as well!

Alphabet Soup Momma said...

I LOVE Body for Life. I did it is college right before I got married and it is a great program. Hope that scale starts to move for you again soon. There also is a Body for Life book for women, you should check that one out too.

Patience said...

I would never be able to count calories, this approach sounds more up my alley. Good Luck Girl. Just focus on how much you have obtained thus far..that is pretty amazing.

Mrs EyeCanSee said...

That's sounds much easier to follow. In all my years of on and off dieting I've never been able to count calories...drives me crazy!

That Fresh Feeling said...

excited to see how it goes. I am not doing any HFCS or processed foods. It has been hard but i don't see dramatic changes but feel sooo much better.

have a great weekend.

Jessica Hilton said...

Well that new system seems much easier than counting calories. I could never really understand counting calories ... And thts because I like numbers! Lol. Best of luck to you and Garth! Can't wait to hear about how it turns out for your guys.

Anonymous said...

It sounds like you need a break from counting calories, sometimes I just say to hell with it with counting points, and then the results turn out good. I hope it works for you and Garth - keep us posted! :)

AmyT said...

That sounds so much easier!!! I've stopped counting myself...and just eating 'healthy' and not over doing it on portion control. so far so good! let me know how this works!! It really looks a lot like the foods I'm eating right now anyway...

Jen Caputo said...

Can't wait to hear how it goes!

Lauren said...

That definitely sounds doable & so much easier than counting calories. Good luck & let us know how it goes!

5th Belle Avenue said...

I loved reading Body for Life! It really is such a great and inspiring book. And those pictures, oh my goodness - seeing all the transformations is enough to get anyone motivated! Don't get discouraged, you WILL see progress!! HUGS!

Anonymous said...

Bill's philosophy sounds much simpler, so I think it's worth a try. Maybe this new approach to eating will trigger your body to burn more fat. Maybe the scale has not moved because you're burning fat and building muscle, so don't be upset, keep going! You're so beautiful (I'm sure Garth is going to agree with me), so be confident and comfortable in you own skin! Have a Great Day and remember: you are beautiful!!!

Unknown said...

How frustrating :( But if it makes you feel any better, you look great!!

I tried the Body for Life program a few years ago and failed miserably :( I needed more flavor in my food and found that I was constantly moody because I never felt satisfied. Let us know how it goes for you...maybe you can give me a few tricks to making it work! You can do it!

ELP said...

Im sorry you're upset. I hope this new lifestyle works!!! Ill cross my fingers for you!

Perfectly Imperfect said...

I am HORRIBLE at calorie counting. Let me know how this goes. I guess I need to get back on the fit train now!

Brandi said...

I am right there with you girl! I have been soo frustrated! The list of foods you put down sound exactly like the sheet of paper given to me at the nutrition shop! I can say the only way I have seen the scale move here recently was by greatly reducing my calorie intake. I'm not journaling like before or anything like that, just sticking with specifics! Good luck!!

Gwen said...

Girl!!! I can't wait to hear how it goes for you!!! I finally got back on track this week but today I'm extra hungry. I'm trying hard but I'm so worried I'll fail. Hopefully we both have a loss to report tomorrow. :) XOXO

jules said...

Sounds great. I just might give that a try....

Kate said...

I'm so glad you're switching things up. I actually have found that when I'm so so cautious about counting calories that I can't lose anything - but when I just focus on eating healthful foods and working out, and switch up my workouts to be FUN, that I do better!

Sometimes a workout change can help as well - if you do the same workout a lot, those muscles get used to it and won't burn as much.

Shanny said...

Sounds like a sensible doable plan, wishing luck with it :)

Mrs. Lukie said...

It sounds very similar to The Zone Diet (which is how my husband and I eat). If so, combined with exercise, you will see & feel results QUICKLY. Just be prepared for some adjusting going on and stick with it :)

LWLH said...

Sounds good, good luck with it.
I don't know if I could count calories, it just seems like too much work

Lauren said...

Girl, I know it's frustrating but I know you will find what works for you. Can't wait to hear the report of how this works!!

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Brittany Ann said...

I think that's smart! You're going to totally get that last little bit taken care of! Never fear!

JennyLee said...

Can't wait to see how this works for you. I knew a man that followed this plan and saw great results!

Tori said...

Good luck! Keep us updated =)

saucyminx410 said...

I totally feel your pain - hitting plateus suck and are very frustrating! I'm at one right now and it makes me want to call the whole thing off! But I remind myself of how far I've come and try to keep from getting discouraged. You've done an amazing job thus far and you look great- I know that you've set your own goals and that you won't be happy until you succeed - but you do look great and I'm sure if you really thought about yourself now compared to before- you feel pretty great too! But good luck on your new journey- maybe this will be just what your body needs to get those last 10!

Mrs. M said...

I have read most of the book and it seemed like it focused more on the exercise portion. so I didn't really understand the nutrition part as well. the muscle confusion part works great! It really works the muscles!

Naturally Caffeinated Family said...

that sounds like a great plan! i am not good at calorie counting! maybe you're gaining some good muscle too so that is canceling out other loss :) we just got home from being out of town for three weeks and I have more work to do now! ahhh :) hope you're doing well!