Got carbs?

Back in springtime, I started using an app (Lose It) on my phone to track what I eat.  It lasted three weeks before I fell off the wagon, and I just recently got back to using it regularly.  I find that it not only helps me see what I eat, but also how many steps I take in a day.  It's kind of a hassle to do the log, but if I keep up on it, I have a very clear picture of how my consumption and exercise patterns are changing.  It syncs with the iPhone Health app, which I'm using to track my sleep, or lack of.  I intend to make using it a habit by October 15.   The first rule of creating a habit is to commit to thirty days.  I am at Day 4.
I came across an article through that app about the basics of carb digestion and what happens inside the body.  You can read it here.  Tracking carbs has been a real eye-opener for me.  I've never done it before, and was surprised to find that I'm in the healthy carb range of 45-65% of my diet in spite of my love for wine, beer, bread, and desserts.  I must be getting my share of fiber because my other half says I fart enough for two people.  I am craving bread like crazy today and purposely denying myself that pleasure after having two dry pieces of sourdough toast as part of my breakfast.  Tonight, I'll get a nice chunk of carbs in a well-deserved Squatters IPA, some black beans and quinoa, and just skip the bun on the lean burger.
Tons of tomatoes in the garden along with a harvest of over 15 spaghetti squash mean lots of antioxidant-loaded veggies and some good yellow veg fiber coming my way.  Hopefully, we don't get slammed by frost for a few more weeks and the red globes of love keep coming.  Thanks to a late nip of frost in mid-May, the himrod and concord grapes are sweetening later than usual this year for a sweet fall treat.  Yum.  The fall radishes and salads have been planted, too.

Freaky Friday stat of the week:  I'm minus-2 more El Bees for the week, which featured a killer Millcreek hike with the dogs and two decent suburban hikes in the foothills of the Wasatch.  Averaging just over 5 miles walked per day with one day off.  Started light stretching again to prep for a Monday night yoga class.  Habits and stuff...

Looking ahead:  Off to San Jose for work this weekend and a quick visit with my cousin who is super health conscious.  I'm sure I'll eat sensibly while there.  Sunday is my work day and it will be hard to get my 10K steps in unless I walk the stadium at lunch.  I will be away from home seven of the next nine days, so it might be a challenge to stay on track.  However, I'm enjoying seeing the changes my body is going through and want to see more of it.  I just need to pack my walking shoes and get out of the hotel right after I wake up.  My new motto...  JUST.  DO.  SOMETHING.

Happy weekend to you, my week's just beginning.

Back on the tracks

A very busy summer full of nearly 80K miles flown and 100+ days spent working on the road since June 1 have made it extremely difficult to remain committed to the process.  Now things have begin to slow a little bit, I've began to raise my own awareness of how important it is to log food and drink every day, and make a conscious effort to walk more.
June and July were a weight loss disaster, as I ate and drank my way through close to 60 days on the road, including a much-craved double BBQ meal day in Kansas City, that must have left my body asking WTF.  In August, I went to France for three weeks and came back eight pounds LIGHTER than when I left. It must have been the fact that I walked an average of four miles per day, every day I was there.  I also ate far less for most of the trip than I do at home, so I have tried to keep that going.  Since August 1, I am down 11 pounds and feel like I am in the correct frame of mind, but having trouble executing the exercises.  My doc says I am more on track, but would like to see better results.  The key is to log my food each meal, and then see where I can cut carbs and fat.  Also, I need to watch late night eats after work, and limit myself to one beer instead of three.
I've set a goal of losing 60 lbs by March 15, and I am 11 pounds closer today than I was the last time I posted in this blog.  Time for a hike...