Mr. Silver says "Silver tried to kill me!!!" [Archive]

silver

12-30-2006, 05:47 AM

OK ladies, Silver and I rode together each of the last two days. On Thursday, she took me for a 60 mile ride (:eek: :eek: :eek: not really, it was only 10 miles, but it felt like 60:eek: :eek: :eek: ). I was riding my son's new Trek Pilot (what a kid to share his Christmas present :p :p ).

I hadn't exercised in about two months and the holidays added 10+ lbs:confused: :confused: ...so I guess it's time for a New Year's resolution...

So, bowing to my wife's superior athletic abilities(and those she associates with;) ), I willingly submit myself to the accountability and encouragement of this group.

12/30/06: Weight: 190, Waist 35/36, BMI ~29:mad: :mad:
6 Mo Goal: Weight: 160, Waist 31/32, BMI ~25:cool: :cool:
'07 Goal: Ride the "Hilly Hundred" in Bloomington and hold my own with the athletically superior love of my life a/k/a "Silver" :D :D

I've done this before. I can do this again!

This group (and only this group) has unbridled permission to hold me accountable to this goal. If I am slacking in my progress, you have permission to call me whatever "girly names" you need to get my attention.

I don't want to crash your estrogen laden forum, but can I get my own user name now?:o :o A man's forum is way too macho for me...

Triskeliongirl

12-30-2006, 05:57 AM

Sure, just register as Mr. Silver. No rules against men posting. Good luck with your weight loss goals!

Trek420

12-30-2006, 06:01 AM

.....I don't see why not :)

Plus it's less confusing for me, for eg the "this is Silvers husband and a picture of Silver with her silver bike and tree" and my thinking "wow, he looks spectacular in drag, just like a beautiful woman! oh...wait...ok, hubby is writing, that's Silver in the pic."

Then I'd know who's talkin'

Velobambina

12-30-2006, 07:01 AM

We're here to cheer you on! Keep us up to date on your progress.

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-30-2006, 07:19 AM

Plus it's less confusing for me, for eg the "this is Silvers husband and a picture of Silver with her silver bike and tree" and my thinking "wow, he looks spectacular in drag, just like a beautiful woman! oh...wait...ok, hubby is writing, that's Silver in the pic."

Yeah, that's what I thought at first too- that he looked GREAT in drag! :eek: :D

"As long as you leave the seat down"....FUNNY!!! :D :D :D

As far as I know, I think TE welcomes men posters that have positive attitudes about women. :) Good for you trying to get in better shape!- just what we all are trying to do too.

KnottedYet

12-30-2006, 07:25 AM

"leave the seat down"

Trek my love, you made me snort coffee....

(how do you manage to be so funny so early in the morning?)

Mr. Silver, I look forward to your participation on the board!

Trek420

12-30-2006, 07:33 AM

As far as I know, I think TE welcomes men posters that have positive attitudes about women. :) Good for you trying to get in better shape!- just what we all are trying to do too.

but just one sexist joke buster, and we'll call you girly names :p

LBTC

12-30-2006, 07:53 AM

Welcome, Mr. Silver! Let us know when you've got your new handle....

Now, girls, we aren't going to follow suit and post our weights and measurements :eek: , are we?? Yikes! Some things I just don't want anyone to see in print!

But the objectives he has set are excellent, and we can certainly "help" him out in keeping to it.

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

massbikebabe

12-30-2006, 08:26 AM

Welcome Mr. Silver;

Sometimes it is good to have a man around the house:D :D :D
Good Luck with your goals, we will be mapping and supporting your progress!!

karen

trek...you absolutely kill me, how long does it take you to think up this stuff:D

Bikingmomof3

12-30-2006, 09:02 AM

Welcome Mr. Silver. :) Excellent and reasonable and attainable goals. :cool:

Mr. Bloom

12-30-2006, 09:17 AM

...and I was trained a long, long time ago ... that if I didn't put the seat down ... that I might wind up in a galaxy far, far away...:eek: :eek:

LBTC

12-30-2006, 09:26 AM

Mr. Silver

Welcome aboard, and you have inspired DH and me, too. Although neither of us feel brave enough to post the measurements and specifics online, we will, on Jan 1, record the statistics and design some reasonable objectives. (Not before - no chance to eat right until we finish painting the kitchen!)

Maybe we need a whole new forum for the discussion of how each of us is doing towards said objectives?

Happy New Year to all!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

Veronica

12-30-2006, 09:37 AM

Maybe we need a whole new forum for the discussion of how each of us is doing towards said objectives?

I'm not even sure what my objectives are anymore. :confused:

V.

spokewench

12-30-2006, 09:42 AM

Welcome Mr. Silver - being called by your wife's last name should be payment enough!

I wish you well in your goals - I also need to start really getting with it on the riding!

Mr. Bloom

12-30-2006, 10:26 AM

Maybe we need a whole new forum for the discussion of how each of us is doing towards said objectives?
~T~

Great Idea!

Remember, People do what you INSPECT, not what you EXPECT

I've created a blog on yahoo. Anyone's welcome to post to it (I think...). I also welcome limiting my posts on team estrogen to a specific forum...

My blog is: http://360.yahoo.com/mrsilver1963

snapdragen

12-30-2006, 12:02 PM

I don't see a reason to limit yourself mr silver, although we do sometimes touch on subjects that would give you a high "ick factor". :p If you do feel the need for male companionship, Bike Journal seems to have a good group of guys- not nearly as testosterone laden as some other forums.

Mr. Bloom

12-30-2006, 12:47 PM

Thanks snap...I'll probably avoid the "ick" posts...not that I can't handle it (of course...), I just don't need to...

Veronica

12-30-2006, 12:50 PM

Maybe we need an ick alert icon. :p Sometimes I want to avoid those posts too.

V.

BleeckerSt_Girl

12-30-2006, 01:32 PM

Thistle

12-30-2006, 01:37 PM

Mr Silver you rock! I love reading your posts. :D

Mr. Bloom

12-30-2006, 01:53 PM

Hey Mr. Silver,
Apparently a BMI sometimes classifies athletic people with muscles as being "overweight" when it's actually muscle mass being measured, not fat.

Thanks Lisa...I've considered those distortions:
Athletic - not applicable:o
Muscular - not applicable:o
Fat - Unfortunately, Applicable :rolleyes:

You're right...as I progress, I'll be doing well to fall into the classification of being prone to BMI distortion... I look forward to the problem.:) :)

jeannierides

12-30-2006, 03:14 PM

Adding my welcome to the group, Mr. Silver! :D

Offthegrid

12-30-2006, 03:43 PM

Welcome, Mr. Silver! You can certainly do this.

I just wanted to throw out there that my big downfall has always been overeating when I do a lot of exercise. Somehow I think, "Oh, I biked 25 miles today, I can eat whatever I want." Not exactly true. There's some food researcher dude who studied this, and he says that people vastly overestimate the calories the burn through exercise. So hit the bike and weights, but then don't hit the fridge.

Happy New Year and best of luck with your resolution. :)

Xrayted

12-30-2006, 04:42 PM

Welcome Mr. Silver. :D :D

Mr. Bloom

12-30-2006, 04:46 PM

Thanks theav and jeannie for the warm welcome! I'll try to keep things rockin'.

Offthegrid, you're absolutely right. I've experienced it every time. I'm an "On" or "Off" personality...I don't toe lines well at all. So, I have to diet 100% or I know I won't get anywhere.

This is working...I feel that I'll let the group down if I don't succeed!

silver

12-30-2006, 06:05 PM

He does rock!

I wanted to add that you all can add your comments to his blog by clicking on the little tiny "comment" at the bottom of the blog page.

CyclChyk

12-30-2006, 07:39 PM

Testosterone laden forums..... sounds like my kind of hangout ;)

KSH

12-30-2006, 07:49 PM

Thanks Lisa...I've considered those distortions:
Athletic - not applicable:o
Muscular - not applicable:o
Fat - Unfortunately, Applicable :rolleyes:

You're right...as I progress, I'll be doing well to fall into the classification of being prone to BMI distortion... I look forward to the problem.:) :)

Screw BMI.

Go get your body fat % and go by that. Much more accurate.

Otherwise, you can lose the weight! Hey, don't you want to look *hot* for your wifey? ;)

Good luck and welcome to the boards.

KSH

12-30-2006, 07:50 PM

I just wanted to throw out there that my big downfall has always been overeating when I do a lot of exercise. Somehow I think, "Oh, I biked 25 miles today, I can eat whatever I want." Not exactly true. There's some food researcher dude who studied this, and he says that people vastly overestimate the calories the burn through exercise. So hit the bike and weights, but then don't hit the fridge.

Yep. This thinking had me gain 10 pounds this summer, when I was working out more than I ever had in my entire life.

I know now my downfall is eating out. Can't eat out. Must go home and eat healthy.

Wahine

12-30-2006, 08:52 PM

Mr. Silver, you have my best wishes and my husband is also closely watching. He is not overweight but he does have a goal of being able to keep up with his wife. He won't say it out loud but he's pulling for you like a brother.

I like your blog and wanted to comment but you have to be a member of Yahoo 360. And well.... I'm not there yet. I don't think I can over come my technical challenges to start up a page. Although, it would help me communicate with friends and family far, far away.

Wait, I think I sense another New Year's resolution forming. :eek:

HillSlugger

12-31-2006, 10:20 AM

Hey Mr. Silver,
I was reading lately that they are now saying the BMI numbers can be misleading. Apparently a BMI sometimes classifies athletic people with muscles as being "overweight" when it's actually muscle mass being measured, not fat. I don't know a lot about it, but you might want to take BMI with a grain of salt- especially if you start losing fat and gaining muscle. At any rate, BMI is a subject that is being questioned these days.

I think the thing is that lean muscle actually weighs more than fat does (volume-volume). So, two people who both weigh 120 pounds and are the same height, one lean and one fat, would get the same exact BMI calculation but actually have very different percentage body fat. So, it's very possible to increase your fitness, decrease your body fat, add lean muscle, and see no real change on the scale or your BMI calculation.

At my next checkup I'm going to ask my doctor if she has another way to estimate/calculate my body fat. :rolleyes:

LBTC

12-31-2006, 01:05 PM

We bought a Tanita scale (back when DH was making millworker money) that measures fat percentage, muscle mass, calculates metabolic age - very nifty! We both realize that it is probably not an accurate measure of fat, but that by consistently using the same measuring device we will at least see if we are moving in the right direction....

The entry level models were pretty affordable (of course we got the next to highest model available) and there are few brands out there.

I think it's a great measuring tool and intend to use it this winter training, which started today with snowshoeing and the objectives setting will happen tomorrow starting with measurements and scale info. :eek: :eek: :eek:

Hugs and butteflies,
~T~

Mr. Bloom

12-31-2006, 02:51 PM

Silver bought one about a year ago...it puts me at 23%. What's a good goal?

Silver is 19%.:p

LBTC

12-31-2006, 03:54 PM

Well, you're both better than me and DH!! Well done! Maybe just try to catch up with Silver! (and I'm glad those scales are not very accurate. From what I've read Silver is already below the healthy range for fat %age.)
If your's measures muscle mass also, you'll want to set a goal for that to increase, too!

Best of luck,
~T~

silver

12-31-2006, 04:52 PM

LBTC, I think that you don't have to have a 360 page but just a Yahoo account. I'm not sure though. I don't have a 360 page, just a yahoo account.

Mr. Bloom

01-01-2007, 04:09 AM

So, yesterday it said my body fat is 23%.

Today, it says it's 25%; 10 minutes later, it says 24%.

I need to simply get off the scale and let the size of my second chin be my guide :eek:

mimitabby

01-01-2007, 05:55 AM

We spent almost 100 bucks on a scale like that and it says my dh has 7% body fat. that might be true about his feet. we dont believe it about the rest of his body. but it is an accurate weight scale.

Wahine

01-01-2007, 07:22 AM

Those scales work by sending a small electrical current through the body. It then measures how long it takes the current to travel, in the case of the scale, from one foot to the other. Fat is an electrical insulator, so theoretically if you have more fat the current should travel slower. The problem lies in the fact that many factors affect electrical impedance - hydration, dryness of the skin, the way that fat is distributed in the body and what part of the foot the current is going through.

So yes, they are extremely unreliable, even the expensive ones. If you want to make the reading as reliable as possible make sure your feet are slightly damp and that you have no lotion on them, find a way to make sure you are always standing in the same location on the scale (be as exact as possible), and try to ensure that your hydration is the same. The easiest way to do that is to follow a hydration routine and weigh yourself at the same time of the day - morning is better.

It still won't give you a true body fat percentage but you'll be able to use it as a tool to tell if you're heading in the right direction as mentioned by LBTC.

Personally, I don't bother with them. Too inaccurate

SouthernBelle

01-01-2007, 08:02 AM

I personally tracked body measurements. Waist, hips, thighs for me. Guys might not need to do hips. ;) BMI is such an unreliable tracker as it doesn't account for muscle or lack thereof. & I agree with wahine on the scale thing. It is totally dependant on your level of hydration.

bikerchick68

01-01-2007, 08:03 AM

welcome Mr. Silver! This whole post is cracking me up! :D As for me... I'm a life time Weight Watcher (12 yrs!) who this year finally fell off the wagon. I gained 20lbs over 2006 :eek: due to my own negligence, stress and medical stuff... all excuses for eating too much and not exercising enough. So, I am now aware again of every single thing I put into my body...

For me, I don't worry about BMI or percentages... I just want to look and feel good. I know if I walk and ride regularly I will fit into the size clothes I want to wear... not nearly scientific enough for some... but it works for me... and my doc is happy with it too.

Go get 'em Mr. Silver... and I'm with ya on this too! :)

IFjane

01-02-2007, 06:38 AM

Welcome and Happy New Year, Mr. Silver! I'm behind you all the way, cheering you on! I hope you (and I) can both attain our goals for 2007.

As for me, I'm with you bikerchick - I don't worry about weight or BMI - I know what size I want to be and I feel good when I'm there. I let my clothes be my guide. (and right now I'm not there :confused: )

Brandi

01-02-2007, 07:29 AM

welcome Mr Silver! So what happens if all our dh's want to sign up? We can call them Team testosterone! The T T's. I am cracking myself up! Any way welcome and right on with trying to get yourself in better shape. you sound like you will do it. But we are always here. Hey maybe you should go to the "getting to know you" thread we send everyone else new there.

Bikingmomof3

01-02-2007, 08:23 AM

We spent almost 100 bucks on a scale like that and it says my dh has 7% body fat. that might be true about his feet. we dont believe it about the rest of his body. but it is an accurate weight scale.

Mimi I choked on my coffee reading this. I think we have the same scale. :rolleyes:
You are right, it is quite accurate for weight, unfortunately. *sigh*

Mr. Bloom

01-02-2007, 05:04 PM

So what happens if all our dh's want to sign up? We can call them Team testosterone!

I doubt that half the DH's out there are man enough or secure enough in their manhood to hang out on this forum. :eek: :eek:

I'm 5'7" (barely) with a wife who's 5'8"...I had to become secure in my masculinity a long time ago... :) :)

silver

01-02-2007, 06:10 PM

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Are you rounding up again? :p

Luv ya!

PS: you did great at dinner tonight!

Mr. Bloom

01-03-2007, 07:03 AM

Yes Dear, I'm rounding up.

For the record, I'm 5' 6 15/16" tall...not 5'7"

KSH

01-03-2007, 07:28 AM

Mr. Silver- what are your caloric goals for each day? Are you aiming for 1200 calories? 1400 calories? Etc.?

How many times a day are you eating?

I looked at your food logs, and I strongly encourage you to start toying with different foods.

The calories you spend on eating rice, could be used elsewhere on something that is more nutritious, less calories, and fills you up more.

The key is learning what low calorie foods fill you up.

I eat around 1800 calories a day, 6-7 times a day, and I never feel hungry. It's hard to stay on a healthy eating plan, if you are hungry all the time.

I'm not an expert by any means... and maybe I just found what works for me.... but I'm not hungry and I lose weight.

PS- Go to www.calorieking.com, to get the calories for what you eat out.

You logged this meal incorrectly: 1 Wendys Chicken Caesar with only 1 dressing about 310 cal.

It was really 540 calories. Now, that's with the croutons and dressing.

200 missed calories in a day can really add up and equal not losing the weight you are expecting to lose... and discourage you.

On the upside though, you may have miscalculated the Arby's sandwhich. A regular roast beef Arby's sandwhich is only 320 calories, vs the 420 you logged.

mimitabby

01-03-2007, 07:35 AM

Mr. Silver- what are your caloric goals for each day? Are you aiming for 1200 calories? 1400 calories? Etc.?

How many times a day are you eating?

I looked at your food logs, and I strongly encourage you to start toying with different foods.

The calories you spend on eating rice, could be used elsewhere on something that is more nutritious, less calories, and fills you up more.

The key is learning what low calorie foods fill you up.

I eat around 1800 calories a day, 6-7 times a day, and I never feel hungry. It's hard to stay on a healthy eating plan, if you are hungry all the time.

I'm not an expert by any means... and maybe I just found what works for me.... but I'm not hungry and I lose weight.

KSH, I am hungry a lot. I don't have a weight problem, but I have noticed the last year or two that I can eat all day easily and then I could develop a weight problem. What is it that you eat that keeps you from being hungry?

KSH

01-03-2007, 08:53 AM

KSH, I am hungry a lot. I don't have a weight problem, but I have noticed the last year or two that I can eat all day easily and then I could develop a weight problem. What is it that you eat that keeps you from being hungry?

Let me preface this by saying... that by "not hungry" I mean that my tummy isn't growling loudly and I'm not getting mean because I need food.

Sure, at times there is a small rumble, but nothing that I can't ignore. When it's time to eat, I am ready to eat, but I'm not starving. I also tend to go to bed with a little rumble in the tummy- and I really think this is the *key* to it all.

Well, for each person, it's different.

For example, I found out that eating a bagel with PB lasted about 1 hour, and I typically had a dip in my sugar levels after eating one. It was around 400 calories, and not sticking with me.

So, I now eat 2 packages of low sugar oatmeal, at around 320 calories. Sticks with me and fills me up. Much better choice.

That works for me, but maybe not for someone else.

I also know that fruit tastes yummy, but my calories are better spent elsewhere. For the same calories as a large bananna, that won't stay with me longer than 30 minutes... I can get a Kashi Chewy Trail Mix bar that will stay with me for close to 2 hours.

It's really a matter of trial and error and seeing what works and what doesn't. For me, the key when shopping is looking for items with low calories, high protein, and some carbs. Low carb dieting doesn't work for me at all. Just makes me really dizzy all day.

I have found a lot of yummy items that are low in calories, and fill me up.

Good luck!

Mr. Bloom

01-03-2007, 12:49 PM

Thanks KSH...Silver chastised me earlier for maintaining a starvation level of intake. So, as always, when my wife speaks, I jump...particularly when she gives me permission to eat!

As to calorie counts...The MEDIUM Arby's is 420 calories...the regular is less.

On the Wendy's salad, you're right...I think I picked up the weigh in grams (350), not the calories...ooops...how convenient.

Keep the accountability coming...keep me honest...keep me healthy

Triskeliongirl

01-04-2007, 06:19 AM

I also looked at your food logs, and saw too much rice and meal replacement bars, and too little home cooked meals. Try to up the protein AND vegetable content. Veggies are great to fill up with, low cal, and good for you. I am concerned that this is not a diet you can follow for life, which is what you need for long term success. Silver is slim so obviously she is doing something right. Why not eat the same food as her, and just moderate your portion sizes when in uber weight loss mode? Its easy to count calories in homemade food. Just add up the calories of the ingredients divided by the number of portions. Some computer programs (I use balance log) even let you enter entire recipes and then do all the calculations for you. Also, you can't react every much to daily changes in weight, its the weekly and even monthly changes that have meaning. For those of us that are slow losers daily weigh ins can be discouraging, but one good suggestion I read is to average your daily weigh ins each week, and then plot those averages as a function of time in a spreadsheet, and you should see changes over a period of months.

silver

01-04-2007, 06:23 AM

You ladies are wonderful!!!! He actually listens to you all when you say the same things that I've been telling him for years! Thank you! And now I don't have to worry that I'm nagging him. :)

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-04-2007, 06:47 AM

I found a delicious hot cereal that cooks in only 10 minutes and a large serving fills me up ALL MORNING, for like 5 or 6 hours. Bob's Red Mills 7 grain cereal:
http://www.bobsredmill.com/catalog/index.php?action=showdetails&product_ID=18
They have the 12 grain variety as well, but that has more corn which I don't really want.
I just love Bob's 7 grain, and it keeps me from getting hungry again for a lONG time. It's WAY more nutricious for you than just rice...
I eat it every other day or so. Sometimes I cut up a banana on top. I think whole grains tend to keep you from getting hungry again right away, ...plus they keep your plumbing working well! :cool:

I do love steel cut oats and Irish oatmeal, etc, but they tend to take too long to cook for my liking.

mimitabby

01-04-2007, 06:54 AM

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-04-2007, 08:03 AM

Mimi,
The red mills cereal is roughly ground.
In food labels, "whole grain" simply means that they use the whole (entire) grain in the product- the whole grains can be ground, as in this cereal. Like "100% whole wheat" bread- they do grind the whole grains in order to make the bread.
Happily, I haven't had any of this cereal sprout out my ears yet. :D

Wahine

01-04-2007, 08:56 AM

Lisa,

Red Mills has a scottish oatmeal made with whole grains that is roughly ground. It's great with dried berries thrown in and a little honey, stays with me for a long time and cooks up in 10 min like the other cereal you mentioned.

I'm sensitive to wheat (not celiacs or full on allergic) and I have no problems with this cereal.

Everyone has contributed some great food suggestions. I've really enjoyed reading this thread.

mtbdarby

01-04-2007, 09:01 AM

Any tips for "learning" to eat hot cereal? I know it's benefits but I simply can NOT stand the texture - oatmeal makes me gag. As does cheesecake, tapioca, rice pudding, etc. Can this be learned or do I just have to find muffin/bread recipes that I can add the oatmeal too or find cold cereals with the same types of ingredients?

mimitabby

01-04-2007, 09:06 AM

Wahine

01-04-2007, 09:10 AM

I also had to learn how to eat hot cereal. It all started when I got a triathlon coach. At that time I didn't eat breakfast at all, just a latte in the morning then a mid morning snack usually. She insisted on breakfast, ie threatened to give me the boot if I didn't start to eat breakfast. When I told er that most morning foods make me nauseated she suggeted instant oatmeal with yogurt and berries or other fruit mixed. I found that the coolness of the yogurt and the chunkiness and solidness of the add-ins kept my nausea at bay. Eventually I learned more about glycemic indexes and healthier food and decided that instant oatmeal is not a good choice, so I tried the Scottish Oatmeal I mentioned above and I was fine with it. Maybe I got used to the texture, maybe I've just changed. I don't know. I still have lots of add-ins. I buy dried berries from Trader Joes - blueberries are my favorite - and sometimes I still add yogurt if I want something cooler and refreshing.

So that's my anecdote. There is absolutely no scientific basis for this method and you might end up gagging it all up just the same but I hope it gives you some ideas.

silver

01-04-2007, 09:17 AM

mtbdarby

01-04-2007, 09:34 AM

What is Scottish oatmeal? And am I reading that right - you made hot cereal and added yogurt and berries to the cooked cereal?

Silver, now that might work. I could try that one.

How does heated grapenuts fare on the healthy chart? I can eat that if I slice up some apple and add it after the cereal heats up.

Bad JuJu

01-04-2007, 09:36 AM

I have an unusual way of eating oatmeal. I mix dry oatmeal (not instant oatmeal) into cottage cheese (fat free) and then mix in a little sugar free strawberry jam for flavor. I don't like hot oatmeal either.
I've done pretty much the same thing with plain lowfat yogurt instead of the cottage cheese. It's delicious, and not just for breakfast--a nice afternoon pick-me-up, too.

Thorn

01-04-2007, 09:51 AM

Glad to hear there are other raw oatmeal affecianados out there. I mix up oatmeal (thick cut, extra chewy is best) with walnuts, cashews, raisens and some ground flax seed to eat with my yogurt in the morning. Solid, satisfying and is good for my cholesterol levels.

But I have been known to take flack from some--e.g., "That *might* be good if you cooked it up with milk and served it with brown sugar and cream"....sigh....just steps to take something that is low fat, healthy and satisfying and up the fat content and reduce the health level.

Mr. Bloom

01-04-2007, 11:03 AM

OK, here's the rest of the story:

My commute is 120 miles one way...I live in two cities...

Home cooking? Not an option...I am willing, but have no time.

So, I need quick, easy, nutricious.

Silver and I discussed me simply stopping and buying fresh veggies on the way home each night. But, would that give me protein?

I love Kashi Bars, Oatmeal, dried fruits...but if a lot of time is required for prep...it's just not in the cards for me. I honestly detest veggies, but I'm willing to try adding more to my diet...probably steaming them in the rice cooker that no one wants me to use:)

So, what to do??:confused: :confused: ??

mtbdarby

01-04-2007, 11:10 AM

Mr. Silver, we are oddly similar (in a good way). For portable protein I like raw nuts - almonds, filberts, walnuts, cashews, etc. If you have an insulated cooler you could bring yogurt, cottage cheese, etc. Raw carrots are a staple for me. I can eat raw broccoli and cauliflower to. A little ff dip is good with that but hard to do whilst driving. My fav? Raw sugar snap peas!

For a special I-feel-like-a-kid treat: core an apple and fill it with a mixture of peanut butter and raisins. Yummy!

And you're just a hair taller than me but you have a cooler car.....:D

five one

01-04-2007, 11:11 AM

I've done pretty much the same thing with plain lowfat yogurt instead of the cottage cheese. It's delicious, and not just for breakfast--a nice afternoon pick-me-up, too.

I have an unusual way of eating oatmeal. I mix dry oatmeal (not instant oatmeal) into cottage cheese (fat free) and then mix in a little sugar free strawberry jam for flavor. I don't like hot oatmeal either.

I do the same thing with vanilla soy milk (Silk is one only brand I like). Dried fruit, like cranberries or blueberries, 1/2 cup old fashioned oats, 1 packet of Splenda, cover with the soy milk and let soak in the fridge overnight. I take this to work and eat it at my desk with my cup of Morning Thunder tea. Yum :D . I never get tired of it and it really does get me through the morning.

Thorn

01-04-2007, 11:21 AM

[[Warning: I am vegetarian and sometimes a bit rabid]]

Protein, schmo-tein! :-) Seriously, eating a balanced diet that contains nuts, whole grains, legumes, and veggies will provide the average couch potato with sufficent protein--even with no meat in the picture. Hey! I warned you :-)

Now, if you work out significantly, you may need more than just a balanced diet will give you. Since I have high cholesterol (yep, even without eating meat--I got really bad genes), upping our cheese intake wasn't a real option. Instead we've done things like adding TVP to our spaghetti sauce, tossing nuts into stir fries and cereals, and added blocks of tofu to some of our soups.

But, I don't think we felt ourselves low on protein until we were riding upwards of 100 miles/week and then only after rides of 50-60miles. Of course, this is only my opinion and I don't lay claim to be anything more than an amatuer when it comes to nutrition.

Mr. Bloom

01-04-2007, 12:18 PM

Offthegrid

01-04-2007, 12:31 PM

Grape Nuts are good (man, I miss them), but keep in mind that they have a lot of calories so you really need to watch your portions. Measure it every time.

I LOVE oatmeal, but now I can't eat it because it makes me sick. :( I have been trying to adjust to quinoa, but it is not the same texture.

I know what it's like to be on the go and dieting because I workout before work 2-3 days a week and 2 nights a week I go straight from work to another activity.

The key is planning. If you wait until you're hungry and driving home and you have nothing with you, then you're going to be far more tempted to grab some fast food. If you have prepacked and planning for this occassion, then you're set and it'll be easier to resist temptation. Try to have a super secret craving food with you, too. When you're starving and passing McDonald's, some baby carrots aren't going to do it. But peanuts or baked potato chips or a small portion of whatever food you love might.

mtbdarby

01-04-2007, 12:41 PM

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-04-2007, 12:56 PM

If you get a hankerin' for something sweet, and you can have one without eating them all, try a square of dark chocolate with at least 60% cocao in it.

This is totally true. Only one or two little squares of that stuff will satisfy your cravings. (by squares, I don't mean BARS!!)

silver

01-04-2007, 01:40 PM

Let me clarify....Mr. doesn't commute every day. We have a condo there. He stay there during the week. And comes home on the weekends. This week he has been working from here mostly. He does that occasionally.

And now to you, Hubby! I don't agree with carbs are bad calories. You need carbs to exercise! The key is that you need balance. Always balance carbs with protein. And choose your carb calories well. Meaning, choose carbs that have some benefit (vitamins and nutrients) and a lower glycemic index

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycemic_index

For instance, I often snack on frozen blueberries and strawberries for their high antioxident value. Both blueberries and rice have carbs but the blueberries have more nutrient value.

Another thing is that, you know that I study the nutrient and calorie content of all the fast food p0laces that we go to to find out what's best. It would be good for you to do that too.

Mr, I think that you might really benefit from learning more about vegetarianism (did I spell that right).

Bikingmomof3

01-04-2007, 01:45 PM

Mr. Silver please listen to Mrs. Silver. She is wise. :)

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-04-2007, 02:31 PM

I just want to say one thing, and it's not a comment on anything anyone has said so far, just a general thought that I try to keep in mind myself-
I'm not sure it's realistic to expect a guy to suddenly start eating nuts and berries and carrot sticks and yogurt as main meals when he's spent a lifetime eating completely differently. Yes, we need to make CHANGES in what we eat and how much we eat. But if we had put on extra weight slowly over a period of several years due to bad eating choices, we can hope to make reasonable changes and thus tip the scales in the other direction, SLOWLY losing that weight we had slowly accumulated.
The idea is to make permanent changes to your eating style, not go on a "diet". The very word "diet" seems to carry a stigma with it of self-deprivation. In contrast, small changes are much easier to incorporate naturally and permanently into your lifestyle. If we find success with a few small healthy changes, then we are inspired to try more. This has worked fairly well for me. Diets are hard to stick to and can feel more like suffering. I'm sure most of us agree with this concept anyway. :)
Small choices add up over time: one less teaspoon of sugar in your coffee, less butter, less or different dressing, a salad on the side instead of french fries, yogurt with fresh fruit instead of ice cream and/or pie for dessert, a banana instead of a donut, a second helping of green beans with dinner instead of another piece of bread, a glass of water instead of a can of soda, a granola bar for a snack instead of that bag of chips, etc etc.

Keep up the good work and the enthusiasm, Mr Silver! :)

P.S. I love the title of this thread- I crack up every time I read it.

KSH

01-04-2007, 03:02 PM

So, what I'm hearing is:
- it's not the number of calories, it's the composition

- carb calories are bad

- protein and fiber calories are best

Well, I would not agree with what you have said above.

I eat only by calories. Now, when I first started logging my calories, I analyzed the protein and fat, and figured out that what I eat is healthy, and I meet my requirements daily. I do not pay attention to carbs. I did try to eat lower carbs, and it just made me really dizzy and miserable all day long.

The truth of the matter is that if you aiming for low calories, healthy and filling food... you tend to get the rest of it balanced out. Now, if you eat 1600 calories a day in fast food, you probably are NOT getting a good balance of carbs/protein/fat.

The key here is that you eat food you enjoy and can eat daily. Like Lisa said... this can't be a "diet". This has to be a lifestyle... and new way of eating and looking at food.

I'm not going to tell you it will be easy. I have been eating "heathly" for about 10 years now, and it wasn't until a few months ago that it really clicked. Don't get me wrong.. I still love pizza, Mexican food, etc... I just eat it in moderation... and I enjoy eating the healthy food I eat daily. It's all about finding a balance... and really "bad for you food"... being seen as a treat... not a common occurance.

OK, take a hard look at what you are consuming... and ask yourself if you really LIKE eating it and does it FILL you UP?

If you don't like it or if it doesn't stick with you... toss it and try something else in it's place... that has the same amount of calories. You really have to enjoy what you are eating.

For example, you ate 300 calories of rice cakes. Did you love those rice cakes? Were they yummy? Did they stick with you? If not... ditch them. Go try other bars out there. I can just about bet that you will find something that is easier and healthier for the same amount or less calories.

PS- Mojo bars... YUMMY! I get a sweet treat daily with these (some have chocolate chips and peanut butter chips in them!)... and they are only 200 calories and 10 grams of protein.

made a huge mistake eating my 'breakfast' at about 5AM...made it nearly impossible to get to lunch without serious cravings and hunger. Then I waited too long and likely exceeded my target consumption because I was so hungry. Smaller, more frequent meals are what I need.

If you can switch to many small meals a day, you will be A LOT happier. I eat every 2 hours. I eat before I get hungry, so I don't feel deprived or like I need to "pig out" to make the hunger go away.

By looking at how many calories you want to consume a day, you can then space out your meals according to calories. Here is how I do around 1800-2000 calories a day (I don't nit-pick to the exact count anymore):
8:00 AM, 220 calories
10:00 AM, 320 calories
Workout from 11-12 ish
12:30 PM, 300-400 calories
2:30 PM, 200-350 calories
5:30 PM, 200 calories
May workout from 6-8 ish
8:00 PM, 300-450 calories

Triskeliongirl

01-04-2007, 03:40 PM

Keep the ideas coming...I think I'm getting the message, but I grew up in Alabama, so I'm not real quick on the uptake...

So, what I'm hearing is:
- it's not the number of calories, it's the composition

- carb calories are bad

- protein and fiber calories are best

Am I starting to understand or am I still missing something?:

No that's not it at all. Again, listen to your wife. She gets it! It is about calories, but different foods make it easier to stave off hunger and be satisfied on a reduced calorie diet. For many of us, too many high glycemic carbs, not balanced with protein, make us hungry a few hours later. For example, if I eat a subway sandwich for lunch, I will get hungry again in the afternoon, but if I eat a grilled chicken salad (dressed with a little olive oil and vinegar), it will hold me until dinner. But, if I don't eat enough carbs, I'll have trouble exercising, so I target the timing of eating my carbs to support my cycling. Veggies help fill us up, and give us the nutrients we need without consuming a lot of calories. You need to listen to your body, and learn how it reacts to differernt kinds of foods, as KLH suggested in an earlier message.

Mr. Bloom

01-04-2007, 04:38 PM

I've read and noted every comment posted on this and am learning alot (including an affirmation of what my lovely wife has been preaching for years!). So, let me go on the record saying something that I've not often said:

Silver Darling, you are right :p :p :D :D

OK, so why will you be proud of me?

Arriving at Home #2 tonight, I braved a severe rain storm, without umbrella, to stop at Kroger (no excuses due to the weather)to get:

-1 crown of broccoli

-a handful of snap beans

-a small can of chicken meat

I came home and used my new RICE cooker to steam my veggies while I exercised (20 minutes) and visited with a neighbor.

Then I sat down to a sumptuous, healthy repast! Wow! It was great! And it only cost $4.30!

:) Are you proud of me? Am I getting the message?:)

Do I get a SILVER Star!

emily_in_nc

01-04-2007, 06:06 PM

Arriving at Home #2 tonight, I braved a severe rain storm, without umbrella, to stop at Kroger (no excuses due to the weather)to get:

-1 crown of broccoli

-a handful of snap beans

-a small can of chicken meat

A lovely meal! Good going! :)

Also, on the rice front. Since you obviously like rice, eat whole brown rice, not white. Since it's a whole grain, it has extra fiber and nutrients, and will stick with you longer than white rice. Just make sure to eat veggies and protein (like chicken or fish) along with the rice so that you're getting some protein and more vitamins, minerals, and fiber along with the rice carbs.

Lots of good advice here, and you're a great sport for listening to all us gals and for actually changing based on what you're hearing. Best of luck in your lifestyle change and weight loss goals!

Emily

silver

01-04-2007, 06:20 PM

A big silver STAR for Mr. Silver!!!

LBTC

01-04-2007, 06:51 PM

I totally agree with Lisa (not that any else is wrong, but this approach should *work*)

When DH and I found we had gotten depressed and packed on more weight than we thought (never get depressed in a house with no scale and no full length mirror!); we started small....change one habit, get it to stick, move on to another. Our start was carrot sticks for a morning snack. Eventually I realized the glycemic index was all wrong, but it was still a good start. Little bits at a time, get used to what you are doing, get comfortable with it, then add something new to your routine.

When we get a chance to cook, we cook a big batch of something, then freeze individual sized containers. Over the years the containers have gotten smaller for both DH and me. We aren't exactly counting calories, but we are trying to reduce our portion sizes which will definitely mean less calories.

Remember the 80/20 rule. Be absolutely as healthy as possible 80% of the time, and 20% of the time eat what you like. Eventually, as Lisa and KSH both said, you'll so enjoy your healthy food and be used to not being overfull, that even the fun foods you usually avoid will be a nice little enjoyable snack and you won't even want to overdo it!

Of course, for me, now suddenly I have to figure out what I *can* and *can't* eat. I was loving sugar snap peas every morning, but I suspect it aggravates my Crohn's, so I gave them up. A friend just recommended a naturopath who really helped him with changing his diet for a similar condition, so I'm hoping that will help figure out which foods are triggers. Once I know what I have to avoid and what I can eat, I will be all over it!!

And exercising while the veggies cooked - that is true multi-tasking! Way to go! Tonight I rode the bike on trainer for 33 minutes while I helped DH study for his test tomorrow. A perfect combination.

Keep going, man, you can do it!

~T~

KSH

01-04-2007, 07:53 PM

Arriving at Home #2 tonight, I braved a severe rain storm, without umbrella, to stop at Kroger (no excuses due to the weather)to get:

-1 crown of broccoli

-a handful of snap beans

-a small can of chicken meat

I came home and used my new RICE cooker to steam my veggies while I exercised (20 minutes) and visited with a neighbor.

GREAT JOB!!!!

Sounds yummy and healthy... very nice! Working out... while cooking... perfect!

Keep up the great work *pats Mr. Silver on the back*. You are trying and working hard at it... and even putting up with all of our advice and detailing of everything you eat! You are one mentally strong man! :D

Tuckervill

01-05-2007, 07:47 AM

Nice thread. I have a few things to add. Some of the incremental changes I've made over the last few years:

1. Season up! Herbs don't have enough calories to matter. Steamed veggies are better tasting with some combo seasoning sprinkled on. Get a few different ones to vary the taste. Use flavored oils to saute them.

2. Use the smaller plates instead of the big dinner plate. We have 8 inch plates and 12 inch plates. I regularly use the 8 inch plates. It makes it harder to pile on, and I barely have enough room for 4 oz of meat when I put on the two cups of salad. I recently saw a study that said we eat more if we are served on bigger plates.

3. Stick to the best. I only use real butter, the best olive oil, and the highest quality cuts of meat. Because I like to be thrifty, this helps me be more aware of how much I'm using up. I never buy anything that says "light" or diet, because that doesn't help me learn anything about portion control.

4. I cook up a bunch of diced chicken, and sliced bacon, once or twice a week, so when I'm fixing a lunch salad, I already have the chicken ready. The bacon is for crumbling over a baked potato or a BLT, heavy on the Lt, for lunch.

Also, think of this as a learning curve. You're ascending the curve right now, and you won't learn it all at once. Incremental changes are the best. Good luck!

Karen

Mr. Bloom

01-05-2007, 04:35 PM

I agree that quality food is best...tonight when I got home, Silver had gotten Chinese to go from a pigfest buffet that we resolved to not go back to years ago...alas, the meat quality was ****.

So, today, I did reasonably well:

First, a local accounting firm had sent holiday chocolates to me while I was out of the office yesterday. I sent specific instructions by email that they were to be placed in the break room and eaten before I returned;) They were and everyone was happy including me:D I'm a great guy to work for.

So, I exercised (elliptical) for 35 minutes this morning.

Ate:

-2 South Beach Meal Bars 420 calories
-Wheat Cheese Crackers 200 calories...(I forgot to bring healthy snack!)
-Teriyaki Chicken w/Rice & Broccoli about 550 calories (?)
-Carry Out Chicken/Beef/Broccoli about 500 calories (I skipped the rice to avoid a team estrogen scolding:eek: )

So, I don't think I've been perfect, but I've been balanced with carb and protein...haven't I?

Wahine

01-05-2007, 06:17 PM

Mr. Silver,

I think you're doing great. You had a day today that was not well planned out in terms of snacks etc and you managed to keep it pretty balanced and kept your total caloric intake pretty low. I'm also really impressed with how you handled the chocolates. I don't think that I would have been so restrained.

Good work.:)

silver

01-05-2007, 07:20 PM

Hey, you know I would never have gotten Chinese Takeout if it was up to me! I only did that 'cause my sister asked for it!

SouthernBelle

01-06-2007, 04:27 AM

I've tried to post this twice already, but my cat keeps sitting on my mouse.

Just a couple of additions to the good hints already received.

Avoid the pre-packaged stuff. I know it's convenient with your commute.

Make up big pots of soups and chili on weekends. They travel well and reheat easily. A favortie trick is to add some fresh spinach to my chili when I reheat.

Rice: Lundberg's Wild Blend. Kroger has it. I cook it in ff chicken broth. Make a big veggie stir fry to serve over it. It travels well too. Doesn't clump up like white.

jeannierides

01-06-2007, 05:14 AM

Mr. Silver, I'll chime in with my .02 as well. I think you're on the right track! Congratulations on giving away the chocolate! I received 10 lbs. of pink M&M's - from my SO at Christmas - can't give those away, so I've hidden them. Kind of "out of sight, out of mind". Well, maybe.

You have gotten loads of great advice from the others...and some of mine may be redundant but here goes...

Anyway, I would also say to watch your sodium. All (and I mean ALL) prepared meals/snacks etc. are extremely heavy with sodium. That can cause more than just weight issues.

As the others have said, take a little time on a day off and cook ahead... several chicken breasts or tenders for adding to a salad or brown rice. You can find frozen tilapia & salmon filets that are individually packaged for fast thaw and cooking at the groc and Costco (I always buy mine from costco). That way you can pull them out of the freezer, drop them in some cold water for 20 minutes or so (or use your microwave to thaw) - and they're ready to cook. Every time you cook, prepare more than for just one meal. Always make enough for leftoveres either for lunch - or the next night if you are both just too tired to deal with cooking.

As for snacking, I agree that carrots by themselves might not be what you need, but my personal trainer/ nutritionist at the gym said that just a tablespoon of pnut butter on some apple slices, or a piece of string cheese (you can get the low-fat mozzerello), a cup of low fat organic yogurt (stay away also from aspartame if you can). All of those things will give you carbs and protein.

Well, I guess that was more than .02.;) Good luck, you're doing great!:D

BleeckerSt_Girl

01-06-2007, 06:50 AM

You'd probably be healthier and less hungry if you spread a tablespoon or two of natural apple butter between two slices of 100% whole wheat bread and eat that instead of those over-processed diet "meal bars". And I heartily second the recommendation of little dabs of peanut butter on an apple (or a pear)- yummy!!
There are some really DELICIOUS rice blends with wild and brown rices available- so nutty, flavorful and chewy and wonderful compared to nutrition-stripped white rice. Lots of fiber and nutrition there. You can make up a pot and divide it into several servings ahead of time.

Bikingmomof3

01-06-2007, 09:38 AM

You are doing really well. Lifestyle change is difficult. I really like Larabars and keep them with me, incase I get tied up and miss a meal (I eat 6 meals, like LSH).

It took me awhile to get used to eating different. Going to 6 meals was difficult at first, now I cannot think of eating any other way. It does keep you from feeling hungry. Aside from that, I did not do anything drastic. I still eat food I like, even chocolate. :) I would not stick to it if the food were not something I truly loved. If I do have a yummy, decadent treat, I make certain it is something decadent. No cady bars-not worth it in my book. I will go buy something truly wonderful once a month. It makes it that much better. :)

You have received some wonderful suggestions. A few examples. Oatmeal is great, sadly I *only* like it in cookie form. So no oatmeal for me.

Apple butter has been sugggested-again, not something I like, so I will not use it.

Cottage cheese-nasty, vile stuff, IMO, so I skip that. I know it is wonderful for me, still the texture-I cannot get beyond the texture.:rolleyes:

Long post short-find healthy foods you truly enjoy eating. That way, you will stick to your new lifestyle. This is for life and life is too short to eat foods we do not like.

What works for one person may not work of another. Same with exercise. Some work out 30 minutes a day other 3 hours a day. I persoanlly do not have 3 hours to devote to exercise. Does that make it wrong, no. It just does not fit into my current life style (I do have a husband and 3 teen boys :D).

Ah, my post is getting longer (ignore all typos and gramatical errors). Take the wonderful advice and figure out what foods you truly enjoy. Same with exercise. Whe you find the right balance that works for you (and that is the key point, what works for you) stick with it.

Last point, drink lots and lots of water. You may spend a lot of time in the bathroom the first week :eek: , but your body will thank you.