TT’s Path to Weight Loss
“I’ve been getting a lot of comments/compliments from people at the Ice Chamber about how my body is changing lately. Thanks for that. I have been turbo-charge motivated by the carrot of 6 months flex time! I’ve lost around 8 pounds and over 2% body fat so far. After a conversation this morning, Maya asked if I would share what I have been doing to reduce… Here’s a partial list of what I am doing and eating, and what I am not doing and eating.
I am:
- Exercising daily, pretty much. On “non-IC days” I am doing a combination of walking and running, sometimes throwing in a bunch of sit-ups, crunches, and maybe some hula-hooping. Whatever I can muster and fit in. Hopefully I sweat.
- Eating carbs in the form of whole grains, legumes, and vegetables. (I have done the low carb diet thing before and felt like crap and gained all the weight back and have since learned how horrible and dangerous it is for you…All I can say is whole grains, whole grains, whole grains. Oh, and legumes.)
- Eating less by about 500 calories less a day, which, as I understand it is the rule of thumb for losing weight. I read labels to help “guesstimate” my intake. You can also find caloric values online. My guidline: Middle aged (47) women who are 5ft. 7 inches should be eating around 1700 calories a day for maintaining weight. (So, around 1200 for weight loss).
- Drinking a lot of water.
- Avoiding standing in front of the dessert table at parties. And the cheese plate.
- Eating lots of salads with things like raw pumpkin seeds and vegetables on it (with homemade vinegrette made with olive oil). And lots of soups. And lots of beans.
I am not:
- Starving myself. If I really get hungry (this is the tricky one to evaluate for me: am I really hungry, or am I trying to feed something else??), I have a piece of fruit, or a carrot, celery, or some jicama, or a whole grain cracker (Rye-Vita Sesame are yummy) with some hummus on it, or a small handful of nuts. Or all of the above, in small amounts. I don’t want to feel starved and deprived.
- Drinking anything but water, and occasional herbal tea. This is pretty much normal for me, and I know some people think it’s weird. Oh well.
- Eating anything with white flour in it. As far as I can tell, there is no good reason to eat white flour products other than convenience. Yes, that eliminates most breads, most pastas, cakes, and so on. I’m training myself and my family to move beyond it. For example: We all love pesto around my house, so I put it on brown rice with veggies. It’s GOOD. Really. (And you can take the cheese out of the pesto, and add it on top for those who want to eat cheese…if you make it yourself).
- Eating very much in the way of meat, chicken or fish. I’d say on average, once a week, and more likely fish than meat…
- Eating any sugar, other than what is naturally found in fruits, vegetables and grains.
Well, I hope this is helpful to some of you. (Though not TOO helpful, ’cause I really do want to win!!) I certainly appreciate the kudos… Like most of the women I know and hear of, I have very deep rooted issues about my body, my eating, my image. It feels really good to have some positive feelings about my body, and to be able to recieve postive comments from those beyond my skin. Good luck! (We all win with this, don’t we?)”
-Tracy Tingle
way to go Tracy! thanks for sharing the tips!
I am loving this challenge, it really has made me think about my choices of food intake, which I always thought about, but then made a bad choice more often than not. I am grateful for the back to basic workouts you guys have been doing, and challenging us to work at perfecting each move. It really is satisying to see progress week to week.
Tracy, thanks so much for your valuable insight. And putting it all on “paper” for us to enjoy. It obviously works!
Thanks again for last weeks pep talk- I need to glean a bit more…about those legumes!
while the “fat loss” for me has ben painfully slow, I’m thankful for the collective conscience at the IC. It’s helping reboot my thinking once again. Food journaling and Danielle’s advise great too.
Hey Tracy, you are one HOT MAMA! It is wonderful to hear how you are doing it. I love the tips that include family feeding. Look out-I am inspired!
Looking good Tracy. There were some contestants this morning that mentioned they were inspired by your progress. They are also conspiring to take your prize
Tracy, thanks for that helpful advice. It all sounds easy for me except for the parts about reducing white pasta, cheese, meat, non-water beverages, wine and caloric intake!
Tracy, I’m so glad to see your beautiful self (inside and out) featured on the blog! It has been so fun to watch you gain strength and lose inches. Lately you’ve had an outer glow … I guess it’s one of good health, great nutrition, and lots of self-care (which is hard for mommies and daddies sometimes). We’re cheering for you!
Tracy, thanks for taking the time to share your experience with everyone. It’s great to hear that your approach is working so well for you (and I secretly hope other contestants begin to “feed” off your sense of urgency too).
Tracy you are looking great!
“I guess it’s one of good health, great nutrition, and lots of self-care (which is hard for mommies and daddies sometimes). ”
Rachel,
You are so right about this.
Fantastic Tracy!!!! You are definitely an inspiration to all of us!!
Thanks so much for sharing the details of your success and giving us the tools along with the hope of new beginnings – very appropriate at this time!!!!
High five to you!
Tracy, you look awesome and congratulations with your wonderful progress. You are looking HOT!
From one Tracy to another – thanks! thanks! thanks! You are on a righteous path and look amazing! I really want that prize too and it looks like I need to try MUCH harder to get it! Can’t wait to see all of our results down the line……
You are doing an amazing job. Thanks so much for your every day inspiration. Go for it, love.