Day 24, Day after Session 10

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Day 24: March 24, 2008

I am 1/3 of the way through the Joseph Pilates Challenge, and I’m already seeing results.

Remember, Mr. Pilates promised that after 10 sessions I’d feel a difference, after 20 sessions I’d see a difference, and after 30 sessions I’d have a whole new body.  Well, after 10 sessions I’ve lost 7 lbs and I feel fantastic.  If I could do Pilates everyday I would.  I’m sure that I would have a body like Madonna’s (who also does Pilates) if I did.  Doing Pilates 3 times a week for a little over 3 weeks now has definitely changed me for the better.  I am more flexible now then I have ever been.  I am strong too, and getting stronger every session as I’m learning to do intermediate exercises, which also focus on the extremities while continuing to work out my core.

Food intake:

Although I have lapsed a bit on recording my experience, I have remained diligent when it comes to tracking my food intake.  I have given up sodas completely and most other drinks besides water.  I have been drinking Trader Joe’s Blueberry Green Tea, around 8-10 tea bags a week.  It tastes great, is rich with anti-oxidants, and I have found it to be an appetite suppresant as well.  Davidson, my Pilates instructor, would prefer that I drink Green Tea without any added flavoring, but for now its better than Diet Coke. 

Speaking of Diet Coke, I recently had one accidently.  My friend has asked me to take her to and from a surgery she was having, and while I packed snacks, I forgot to bring water.  About an hour into the surgery I was thirsting to death, so a nurse directed me to a soda machine that had water in it as well.  It was the only one in the hospital (or so she said), and when I pushed the button for Dasani, it was SOLD OUT.  I stood in front of the machine for a whole minute before deciding that something was better than nothing, and reluctantly bought a Diet Coke. 

BIG MISTAKE.  I felt completely cracked out on the caffeine, only to crash later.  Also, for the remainder of the day I felt like complete crap.  Like I had poisoned myself or something.  It was awful.  On a positive note, it was the negative reinforcement I needed to kick the habit for good.  I no longer long for Diet Coke as I had been.

Weight:
March 10, 2008 - 135.6 lbs
March 20, 2008 - 133 lbs (yay, skinniest I’ve been yet!)

Here is what I’ve eaten since I had last written:

Day 14: March 10, 2008
Apple
Tomato
Moroccan (not sure what this is- but it’s how I recorded it)
Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Chili Dogs (no Buns)
Corn on Husk
Total Calories: 1,262
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  Fat - 32.7% (47 grams)
Protein - 23.9% (77 grams)
Carbohydrates - 43.4% (139 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%Daily Sodium Intake - 2,169 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 41 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 161 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 19 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 19 grams

Day 15: March 11, 2008
Baby Carrots
Orange
Go Raw Trek Mix
Spelt Bread and Peanut Butter
Southwestern style Chicken Wrap
String Cheese
Corn on the Husk
Hotdog
Salad
Samoa
Beer
Diet Coke- awful!!
Total Calories: 1,688
$(document).ready(function() { $(”a.tooltip”).Tooltip({ delay: 0, showURL: false }); });

  Fat - 44.5% (87 grams)
Protein - 13.1% (57 grams)
Carbohydrates - 31.3% (137 grams)
Alcohol - 11.1% (28 grams)
Other - 0.0%Daily Sodium Intake - 1,877 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 39 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 90 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 23 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 28 grams

Day 16: March 12, 2008
Baby Carrots
Go Raw Trek Mix
Rotisserie Chicken
Sauteed Spinach
Wine
Beer
Tomatoes with olive oil and vinegar
Yellow Curry Chicken
Total Calories: 1,181

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  Fat - 42.0% (55 grams)
Protein - 17.6% (52 grams)
Carbohydrates - 24.1% (71 grams)
Alcohol - 14.7% (25 grams)
Other - 1.6%Daily Sodium Intake - 1,066 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 32 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 167 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 15 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 9 grams

Day 17: March 13, 2008
Boston Market Meatloaf
Boston Market Mashed Potatoes
Boston Market Green Beans
Boston Market Cornbread
Total Calories: 930

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  Fat - 47.0% (51 grams)
Protein - 15.3% (37 grams)
Carbohydrates - 37.7% (91 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%Daily Sodium Intake - 2,060 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 23 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 160 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 21 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 7 grams

Day 18: March 14, 2008
Crab Cake
Mixed Greens with oil and vinegar
Bread and butter
Bison Meatloaf with Gravy
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Pickles
Squash Casserole
Key Lime Pie
Total Calories: 1,804

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  Fat - 44.5% (89 grams)
Protein - 20.0% (90 grams)
Carbohydrates - 35.5% (161 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%Daily Sodium Intake - 4,574 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 50 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 354 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 28 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 16 grams
Nutrition Grade

Day 19: March 15, 2008
Ham and Cheese Omelette
Bacon
Beer
Gin and Tonic
Brownie
Stuffed Portabello Mushrooms
Crab Dip
Arichoke Dip
Bean and Cheese Dip
Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
Pimento Dip
Triscuits
Tortilla Chips
Total Calories: 2,890

  Fat - 35.1% (113 grams)
Protein - 15.4% (112 grams)
Carbohydrates - 29.3% (212 grams)
Alcohol - 20.2% (83 grams)
Other - 0.0%Daily Sodium Intake - 4,243 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 11 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 292 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 26 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 8 grams


Day 20: March 16, 2008
Shrimp Po’Boy with Remoulade
Celery and Blue Cheese
Wings
Glazed Donut
Beer
Total Calories: 1,483

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  Fat - 44.4% (73 grams)
Protein - 13.4% (50 grams)
Carbohydrates - 22.5% (84 grams)
Alcohol - 19.6% (42 grams)
Other - 0.0%Daily Sodium Intake - 1,652 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 14 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 349 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 14 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 4 grams

Day 21: March 17, 2008
Rotisserie Chicken
Potato with Butter
4 squares Milk Chocolate
Whole Wheat Pita Pizza
Tomato with oil and vinegar
Light Garlic and Herb Cheese Wedge
Blue Moon
Total Calories: 1,385

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  Fat - 36.7% (56 grams)
Protein - 24.6% (85 grams)
Carbohydrates - 32.6% (113 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 6.2%Daily Sodium Intake - 1,249 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 16 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 225 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 23 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 6 grams

Day 22: March 18, 2008
Baby Carrots
Cashews
Orange
Spelt bread with Hummus and olives
Blue Moon
Chicken Mexicali (see recipe)
Corn on Husk
Homemade Choco Chip Cookies (see recipe)
Total Calories: 1,244

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  Fat - 35.9% (50 grams)
Protein - 20.5% (64 grams)
Carbohydrates - 37.9% (118 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 5.7%Daily Sodium Intake - 1,190 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 37 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 164 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 18 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 14 grams

Day 23: March 19, 2008
Apple
Tomatoes
Cashews
Carrots with Hummus
Chicken Mexicali (recipe)
Hard-boiled egg
Eggplant Parmesan (just 1 bite)
Chocolate Chip Cookie (recipe)
Total Calories: 934

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  Fat - 44.6% (46 grams)
Protein - 25.5% (60 grams)
Carbohydrates - 30.0% (70 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%Daily Sodium Intake - 533 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 22 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 377 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 19 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 8 grams

Day 24: March 20, 2008
Strawberries
3 Hard-boiled eggs
Tomatoes
Mixed Greens with oil and vinegar
Blue Moon
Miller High Life
Total Calories: 739

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  Fat - 39.2% (32 grams)
Protein - 13.9% (26 grams)
Carbohydrates - 22.1% (41 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 24.7%Daily Sodium Intake - 278 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 8 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 636 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 8 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 4 grams

Pilates: Days 9-13, Sessions 4 and 5

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Day 9: March 5, 2008

Session: 4

I asked for it.  I had said that I wanted to have my ass kicked and I did.  What’s crazy is that for 30 minutes of the 60 minute session I hardly moved.  I spent the whole time doing mat exercises: articulating my spine, doing planks, etc.  It was killer!  I loved it.

I was dropped off at the Studio so that I could walk home, which is about 5-6 miles.  Since my workout finished at 6pm, I really had to book it so that I’d get home before dark.  I sped walked for 1 hour and a half. 

Davidson gave me some pointers for my diet, like

  • No sugar
  • Atkins had the right idea about low-carb
  •  If I have to eat bread, make it spelt bread
  • Your carbs should come from veggies
  • The first thing you should eat in the morning is Fat and Protein
  • Eat Fruit early in the day.  Beer, too.

What I’ve eaten:
Go Raw Trek Mix
Strawberries
Baby Carrots
Taco Salad
Orange
Tuna Salad
Blue Moon
$(document).ready(function() { $(”a.tooltip”).Tooltip({ delay: 0, showURL: false }); });

  Fat - 22.9% (33 grams)
Protein - 24.0% (77 grams)
Carbohydrates - 44.5% (143 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 8.6%

Daily Sodium Intake - 1,798 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 43 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 132 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 6 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 19 grams

Day 10: March 6, 2008

Session: 5

Had my ass kicked again today.  I learned a few new exercises, which was great.  Today I used leg and arm springs, which work you more in your extremities while still working out your core.  So far the springs are my favorite.  I am learning to transition between exercises by myself, so I should be ready for duets soon.

What I’ve been eating:
Go Raw Trek Mix
Baby Carrots
Apple
Milk
Pepperoni Pizza
Chicken Salad with Asparagus
Beer
$(document).ready(function() { $(”a.tooltip”).Tooltip({ delay: 0, showURL: false }); });

  Fat - 23.8% (46 grams)
Protein - 16.5% (72 grams)
Carbohydrates - 40.7% (178 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 19.1%

Daily Sodium Intake - 1,626 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 59 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 153 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 15 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 13 grams

Day 11: March 7, 2008

What I ate today:
2 hard-boiled eggs
Bacon
Baby Carrots
Mini pizza
Baked Potato with Butter
Wine
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  Fat - 22.9% (29 grams)
Protein - 14.7% (42 grams)
Carbohydrates - 35.8% (103 grams)
Alcohol - 26.6% (44 grams)
Other - 0.0%

Daily Sodium Intake - 1,569 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 12 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 495 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 11 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 9 grams

Day 12: March 8, 2008

I went to a yoga class today and found out that the yoga teaching is resigning because she became a grandmother.  I was a little bummed since all 4 times I’ve been to her class, I left feeling awful.  I was really cleaning out those toxins…

What I ate today:
Tuna Salad
Spelt Bread with Goat Cheese and Olive Tapenade
Baby Carrots
Spaghetti
Beers
Tequila shot
Gin and Tonic (it’s Saturday)

$(document).ready(function() { $(”a.tooltip”).Tooltip({ delay: 0, showURL: false }); });

  Fat - 17.7% (40 grams)
Protein - 11.2% (57 grams)
Carbohydrates - 29.0% (148 grams)
Alcohol - 31.0% (91 grams)
Other - 11.1%

Daily Sodium Intake - 1,726 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 15 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 94 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 11 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 12 grams

Day 13: March 9, 2008

I can’t stop eating these damn Chocolate Chip Cookies.  They are Trader Joe’s Chocolate Chunk, are 190 calories a piece and are loaded with sugar and wheat carbs.  If they are in the house, I eat 1, sometimes 2, everyday.  I need to stop this.  I wouldn’t buy them, but my boyfriend loves them.  He eats like crazy to try to PUT ON weight.  Right now I hate him.

What I ate today:
Milk
Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Rotisserie Chicken
Tomatoes
Chili Dogs (no buns)
Corn on husk
$(document).ready(function() { $(”a.tooltip”).Tooltip({ delay: 0, showURL: false }); });

  Fat - 29.6% (41 grams)
Protein - 38.7% (120 grams)
Carbohydrates - 31.7% (98 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%

Daily Sodium Intake - 1,660 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 37 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 312 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 18 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 15 grams

Pilates: Day 8

Day 8:  Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Weight: 137 lbs

Today I feel fine.  I am not sore at all.  As a matter of fact, I suggested to my trainer that we amp it up and really work me out hard tomorrow and he stated,

 ”Just because you don’t feel it doesn’t mean it’s not working.” 

 I trust him.

I’ve noticed is that I am much more aware of my body since beginning Pilates.  I find myself sitting taller and standing straighter.  I also try to keep my core engaged more of the time, especially when I’m walking while carrying something heavy, like today when I walked to the grocery store for an 8 lb bag of catfood. 

I have also noticed found that eating organic whole foods allows me to feel much more full while eating less calories.  I suppose foods that haven’t been manipulated in any way are more filling, which makes sense to me.  I purchase most of my groceries from Trader Joes.  Whole Foods is another place you can find orgnanic foods, although it is much more expensive.  The items I can’t find at the smaller TJ, I can find at Whole Foods.

What I ate today:
Bananas (2)
Go Raw Trek Miz
Smoked Turkey Kielbasa
Potato and Cheese Perogies
Burrito (ground beef, salsa, taco sauce, black beans, tomatoes, lettuce, flour tortilla)

Total Calories Consumed: 1,343
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  Fat - 25.2% (38 grams)
Protein - 26.5% (90 grams)
Carbohydrates - 48.4% (164 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%

Daily Sodium Intake - 2,080 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 46 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 186 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 11 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 8 grams

Additional Exercise:  I walked for about an hour today to, through, and back from, Georgia Tech University.  Then I walked down to the grocery store for the catfood (2 blocks).

Days 3-7, Pilates Sessions 2 and 3

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Day 3: Februaray 28, 2008

Session: 2

Weight: 138

I am still a bit sore from the first session, but mostly I’m feeling great.  We did most of the same exercises as we had during my first session, only I was working with a different instructor, so some of the language was different.  This did not make it more confusing, but better clarified what the goal was during each exercise.  Since Pilates concentrates on strengthening your core, engaging your abdominals for the entire 60 minutes can be difficult to do, at least properly.  After this session I have a better idea of how to do it. 

What I’ve eaten today:
Instant Oatmeal
Banana
Spaghetti
Chocolate Chunk Cookie
Smoked Turkey Kielbasa
Potato & Cheese Perogies
Beers (3)

Total calories consumed: 1,542


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  Fat - 9.5% (16 grams)
Protein - 7.5% (29 grams)
Carbohydrates - 27.7% (107 grams)
Alcohol - 6.3% (14 grams)
Other - 49.0%

Daily Sodium Intake - 540 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 32 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 35 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 6 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 7 grams

Day 4: February 29, 2008

It’s Friday and I don’t work today.  A friend of mine flys in tonight and we’ll probably go out and get some beers while she is visiting.  I am a little sore in my abs and back.  My rotator cuff and my quads are also sore.  My next session is Monday, so I have plenty of time to recover if I have a few too many cocktails tonight and tomorrow night.

What I’ve eaten today:
Banana
Milk Chocolate (8 squares)
Whole Wheat Pita
Garlic Hummus
Go Raw Trek Mix
Multi-Grain Pasta w/ Flax
Meatballs
Organic Marinara

Total calories consumed: 1,412
This does not include the alcohol I consumed in the evening.  By the time we went out Friday night, it was midnight, so technically it was Saturday. 

  Fat - 33.2% (58 grams)
Protein - 22.8% (89 grams)
Carbohydrates - 44.0% (172 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%

Daily Sodium Intake - 2,586 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 42 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 141 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 16 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 13 grams

Day 5: March 1,  2008

It’s Saturday and I’m a little hung over.  I am going to use my friends visit as a freespace and allow myself to indulge in the empty carbs and sugars that you’ll find in Corsendonk and Grand Marnier.  I haven’t gone out like that in a while and my body isn’t too happy about last night.  A bunch of us got together again today for lunch at a local sushi bar and had rolls and sake bombs.  It continued like this until about 4 am, so my calories are not logged accurately today. 

What I’ve eaten today:

2 sushi rolls total - there were 9 of us that shared in all the rolls, so I had a total of 2 rolls, but from 9 different types of rolls.  Only 1 roll was fried.  All the others were basic rolls (spicy tuna, candy maki, etc.)
A chili cheese dog- this was around 1am Saturday night after my inhibitions and will power had taken a backseat to my hunger and love of chili dogs.  I have no idea went into making the dog, but it wasn’t nearly as good as the heathier ones I make at home.
Lots of beer, sake bombs, and shots- bad news for tomorrow

Total calories consumed:  No idea.  Maybe 3,000.
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  Fat - 0.0%
Protein - 0.0%
Carbohydrates - 0.0%
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 0.0%

Day 6: March 2, 2008

Ahhh… a day of recovery.  I sleep most of the day away.  I need to prepare for my session tomorrow, so I do a whole lot of nothing.  I spend time with my friend, and drink a glass of Chimay (hair of the dog…)  I go to bed early as well.

What I’ve eaten today:
Homemade Burrito (ground beef, salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, black beans
Taco Salad (no taco shell) with Ranch dressing
Beer (3)
Fat Free Pudding

Total calories consumed: 1,486
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  Fat - 30.9% (51 grams)
Protein - 25.4% (95 grams)
Carbohydrates - 33.2% (123 grams)
Alcohol - 0.0%
Other - 10.5%

Daily Sodium Intake - 1,334 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 28 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 232 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 13 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 12 grams

Day 7: Moday, March 3, 2008

Session: 3

Weight: 136

For this session I worked with an apprentice.  An apprentice has been trained in Pilates Instruction, but is still earning her 600 hours necessary to be employed as an Instructor.  Most of the exercises we did today I had familiarity with, but again the language was a bit different, so it was easier for me to add her expanations to the existing ideas I had.  All in all, I am getting better at engaging my core, lengthening my body with each exercise, and controlling my movements.  Pilates is all about slow, controlled movements.  You are working yourself hard, but not vigorously.  The training is difficult, but never straining.  After every session I am drenched in sweat from slowly using resistance and opposition with my body to build long, lean muscles. 

Having one-on-one instruction is necessary when you are beginning Pilates.  The instructors are making sure you are getting the most out of each exercise.  Once I am familiar with transitioning between exercises and I am holding proper form during exercises, I can begin working out with another client, so that there will be two clients and one instructor.  The ultimate goal for there to be 3-4 clients per instructor.  It takes a while to get to that point, but once you are capable, it says a lot about how far you have come.

What I’ve eaten today:

Banana
Edamame (2 servings)
Sourdough Roll
Olive Tapenade
Goat Cheese
Go Raw Trek Mix
Boars Head Ham
Wheat Wrap
Provolone
Beer (3)
Cilantro Yogurt Dip

Total calories consumed: 1,389


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  Fat - 36.6% (57 grams)
Protein - 17.7% (62 grams)
Carbohydrates - 30.9% (107 grams)
Alcohol - 7.0% (14 grams)
Other - 7.8%

Daily Sodium Intake - 1,798 mg
Daily Sugar Intake - 29 grams
Daily Cholesterol Intake - 98 mg
Daily Saturated Fat Intake - 20 grams
Daily Fiber Intake - 19 grams