The Healthy Living Thread

[pinkcat]

Inspired by some of the comments in the workout challenge thread, I thought we could have an ongoing thread where we can talk anything related to healthy living. AW your workouts, share any healthy recipes you've made lately, or talk about any other healthy choices or changes you're making in your life!

[dashook]

Ugh, I need this. I have been so damned lazy about working out since DS was born. I am unhappy with my body and current fitness level for sure.

That said, I have been eating better the past week and hope to continue! Last night I made mason jar salads for DH and me to bring to work today (clicky for recipes--I made the second one).

Next step: stop eating Oreos with my coffee in the morning. For serious.

[pinkcat]

It's a small change, but one thing I'm trying to do is eat less processed food. I don't think I will ever have the discipline to "eat clean" completely but I am trying to cut back on things like Lean Cuisines for lunches. I've been making tuna, egg salad, or other salads to eat in place of my normal Lean Cuisine.

Does anyone have any other good options for lunch?

[pinkcat]

Sept 21, 2015 9:29:06 GMT -5 dashook said:

Ugh, I need this. I have been so damned lazy about working out since DS was born. I am unhappy with my body and current fitness level for sure.

That said, I have been eating better the past week and hope to continue! Last night I made mason jar salads for DH and me to bring to work today (clicky for recipes--I made the second one).

Next step: stop eating Oreos with my coffee in the morning. For serious.

Those salads look good! I will have to try those for lunches, I have been running out of ideas.

[notagoddess]

I've been exercising most days for the past month. I've been doing a combination of yoga, group aerobics at the gym, biking, rollerblading and walking. It feels great to be active.

I am visiting my parents for a few days. I haven't exercised since I've gotten here and I've already eaten flourless chocolate cake with my morning coffee. It's hard for me to stay on track when my routine is disrupted. Any advice?

[pinkcat]

notagoddess, I have a hard time if I'm not in my normal day to day routine as well. I just try to do the best I can at each meal- I know that I will have meals where I eat some treats, but I try to compensate and say "If I'm going to eat desert with dinner, then I should at least try to be a little more healthy during lunch." That way I feel like I am still getting to indulge some and don't feel deprived, but I don't overdo it either.

[nuggetrn]

Sept 21, 2015 9:47:17 GMT -5 danib said:

I find it really hard to exercise. Between my work schedule, H being gone for half the year, and having a toddler, I just can't find the time. I'm sure I COULD find time, but I feel like this would require me to give up family time (which we have very little of) or neglect the million things I need to do around the house.

I did recently dow load My Fitness Pal to track my meals. I'm not being to strict with it just yet (and I only have the free version so I can't account for exercise or breastfeeding). I'm mainly using it right now to see what i am actually putting into my body (I was surprised to see that I eat WAY more Carbs and Fat than I suspected).

Can you not input exercise on the free version of MFP anymore? I know you used to be able to but since being bought by underarmour I don't know if it has changed? I have been using it sort of sporadically lately but have not input any exercise into it since the switch.

[nuggetrn]

I have actually been thinking about the healthy living check ins recently... we were all going pretty strong earlier this year and then fell off the map.

It was nice to see somebody suggested the 30 day challenges again, I need to go find that thread!

Also, when we discussed the healthy living check in before we had been doing them on Wednesdays for a couple reasons... mainly because there are millions of check ins on Mondays and Tuesdays but also so that we could have some mid week encouragement!

[nuggetrn]

As for me... I have been trying to watch my portion sizes and stick with low carb options. Between PCOS and a family history that is not so pretty It is a change I am really needing to make. The last month has gone really well and I have actually managed to lose about 10 pounds! Woo. I don't really feel a difference but according to DH he can tell. I have had a not so great last week... between not getting in all my meals because of being so busy to the extreme bingeing I did this weekend... I need to get back on track!!

I feel like I am doing pretty well with my diet, now I just need to work on adding in some exercise. I keep saying this but it has yet to happen.

[pinkcat]

nuggetrn, I was actually just thinking of leaving this as an ongoing thread- instead of a "weekly" check in. Similar to the Dietbet thread on Parenting? It just seems like it would be easier then for people to jump in when they'd like, and there doesn't seem to be a reason to make it only a once a week type thread. If the thread starts getting too long, we can just create a new one at at time...

I feel like sometimes the board just has too many "check ins" and this doesn't really need to be one- how does that sound?

[rooskie]

Sept 21, 2015 10:08:41 GMT -5 nuggetrn said:

Sept 21, 2015 9:47:17 GMT -5 danib said:

I find it really hard to exercise. Between my work schedule, H being gone for half the year, and having a toddler, I just can't find the time. I'm sure I COULD find time, but I feel like this would require me to give up family time (which we have very little of) or neglect the million things I need to do around the house.

I did recently dow load My Fitness Pal to track my meals. I'm not being to strict with it just yet (and I only have the free version so I can't account for exercise or breastfeeding). I'm mainly using it right now to see what i am actually putting into my body (I was surprised to see that I eat WAY more Carbs and Fat than I suspected).

Can you not input exercise on the free version of MFP anymore? I know you used to be able to but since being bought by underarmour I don't know if it has changed? I have been using it sort of sporadically lately but have not input any exercise into it since the switch.

I just checked and you can. Hit the plus at the bottom of the screen and choose exercise.
I have a Fitbit and use mapmyride so I just take the credits instead of entering my exercise.

[nuggetrn]

Sept 21, 2015 10:17:03 GMT -5 pinkcat said:

nuggetrn, I was actually just thinking of leaving this as an ongoing thread- instead of a "weekly" check in. Similar to the Dietbet thread on Parenting? It just seems like it would be easier then for people to jump in when they'd like, and there doesn't seem to be a reason to make it only a once a week type thread. If the thread starts getting too long, we can just create a new one at at time...

I feel like sometimes the board just has too many "check ins" and this doesn't really need to be one- how does that sound?

I have no huge preference, starting a new thread if this one gets long is probably wise since lots of people say that too long threads scare them off. Just weighing in on how it was being done in the past. I am here no matter what, lol!

[rooskie]

I think the last time the healthy living thread was resurrected it was on Wednesday as a midweek/stay on the wagon thing.

Could we just start a new one on Wednesday?

[mill23]

I was doing so well in August then fell off the wagon in September with vacations and traveling. I feel like I've reversed all the progress I had made. Im trying to get back in the habit of tracking on MFP and need to find a workout routine for 3x a week since biking season is rapidly ending. Hopefully the 30 day challenge will help, and also being home more!


In terms of threads, I like the one long thread idea for a while since it's less intimidating to jump in randomly during the week. But I'm ok with either way!

[pinkcat]

Sept 21, 2015 10:32:15 GMT -5 rooskie said:

I think the last time the healthy living thread was resurrected it was on Wednesday as a midweek/stay on the wagon thing.

Could we just start a new one on Wednesday?

I'm just really hesitant to make this a  healthy living "weekly" check in because those have always died out in the past. They make it a few weeks and then disappear....I thought we'd have more luck trying a different format and just keeping it as an ongoing chat, if that makes sense? Every time it gets too long we can just start a fresh one. We have so many checkins already too that I wanted to avoid that if possible.

[pinkcat]

Does anyone have good running shoes recommendations? I have needed a new pair for a few months but there are so many choices I am having a hard time making a decision!

[titania]

pinkcat, I have Nike Flex Fury shoes. They are light and I love them. Have you ever been fitted at a running store? They had me run on a treadmill to determine which shoes worked best and it was really great to be able to feel the different types of shoes. They also had me try a special insert which makes them super comfortable.

[pinkcat]

I haven't tried that titania, thanks for the suggestion!

[mill23]

Sept 22, 2015 13:37:08 GMT -5 pinkcat said:

Does anyone have good running shoes recommendations? I have needed a new pair for a few months but there are so many choices I am having a hard time making a decision!

 Currently, I do most of my running in my Nike Free Runs but I know they get mixed reviews. Personally I love them.

When I was training a lot I went to a Running Room and had them fit me for shoes. It was awesome because they look at how you walk/run, what your arch is like etc and recommend shoes that work for you. THe ones they recommended to me were fantastic and I used them for a few years until they wore out. It might be worth you checking out a running store to get some personalized recommendations!