Thursday, June 10, 2010

Useful tips- To Do & Not To Do list

How to Lose Fat “To Do” List
  • Set one 30-day goal to kick-start your progress. For example, “I will lose six pounds this month.” One goal, that’s all I want you to focus on.
    ==> Losing 10 lbs this month
  • Perform cardiovascular exercise three days per week for 20-30 minutes. Nothing fancy, just something you enjoy or can at least tolerate every other day.
    ==> No problem
  • Weight train two days per week for 20-25 minutes. This will help stimulate the metabolism, increase strength and make muscles tighter. You can do it the same day as your cardio if you wish.
    ==> Hmm, let me think..
  • Focus on the type of physical activity that you find enjoyable. Most people stop exercising because they get bored. So decide if your exercise consistency will best happen with the use of video tapes, spinning classes, cardio classes that are instructor-led, dance classes, etc.
    ==> walk/run works for me.
  • Get outdoors. Power walk, jog, hike and take advantage of longer days, sunshine and warmer weather. This will alleviate the boredom factor for those who hate to exercise.
    ==> No problem

How to Lose Fat NOT To Do” List
  • Going home after work before going to the gym. Take your gym clothes with you and go straight to the gym after work.
    ==> Makes sense.
  • Making excuses such as “I’ll start tomorrow,” “I don’t feel like working out today” and “I just can’t get into it yet.” Stop the excuses already!
    ==> Makes sense.
  • Even though you know you’ll be working late and only have the morning to work out, deciding to stay in bed longer and miss the opportunity to get even a little exercise time in.
    ==> Alternative?
  • Postponing physicals and other important doctor appointments. This is the time to get a check-up.
    ==> Obviously!
  • Going to a fast-food restaurant at lunchtime when you can easily pack a healthy lunch, eat at your desk and then go for a brisk walk with co-workers.
    ==> Makes sense.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

The first day - too much fruits!

Breakfast - Buff smoothie as planned. It was delicious although I was a bit alarmed about the thickness of Acai juice. It was my first time to try Acai juice and it tastes a bit sweet but okay.
Lunch - chicken breast soup with sweet potato and a little bit of leafy green
Dinner - avocado/sardines sandwich with whole grain bread

Daily Review
  • Good for Daily: Fruits, Whole Grains, Leafy Greens, Nuts, Green Tea
  • Missed: Carrots
  • Good for 3 * Week: Oily Fish, Sweet Potato, Avocado 
  • Exercise: 1 hour walking

Monday, May 31, 2010

Grocery Shopping for this week

Following Alton Brown's advice, I stopped by a couple of grocery stores to stack up the pantry and refrigerator for this week with the following items.
  • Fruits: watermelon, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry,blueberries, banana, pineapple, oranges, kiwi, Acai juice
  • Whole Grain: whole grain bread
  • Leafy Greens: lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Oily Fish: salmon can,2  brisling sardines can
  • Yogurt: 6 Greek yogurt
  • Broccoli
  • Sweet Potato
Boy, it was heavy to bring all items to home by myself, but luckily, there are huge grocery sale for the Memorial Day weekend, so I spent less than I expected, total $40 or less.

By the way, I'm wondering whether I can eat white meat such as chicken or turkey breast. He didn't mention it or seafood other than oily fish in his 'Live and Let Diet' episode in Good Eat show. It would be a big plus if seafood and white meat is okay to have at least 1 or 4 times a week since I like them a lot.

Anyway, since I am a planner, I developed a draft meal plan for this week. Considering that I am a big eater, God knows how well I can stick with this meal plan.

Current Weight: 162
Goal Weight for the end of this week: 160


Daily Breakfast (~ 9AM) Lunch
(11AM~1PM)
Dinner
(4~7PM)
Snack
(Anytime)

Monday

Buff Smoothie

Sherried Sardine Toast

TBD

Fruits

Tuesday

Greek Yogurt + Blueberries

Chicken Almonds Salad
Salmon Burger + Coleslaw
Fruits

Wednesday

Homemade Whole Grain Scone + Egg

Turkey Burger

Avocado Roll

Fruits

Thursday

Buff Smoothie
Sweet Potato + Chicken Soup
TBD

Fruits

Friday
Greek Yogurt + Blueberries
TBD

TBD

Fruits

Saturday

Buff Smoothie

Sherried Sardine Toast

TBD

Fruits

Sunday
Homemade Whole Grain Scone + Egg
TBD

TBD

Fruits

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Alton Brown's Principle

The following is the basic principle of how Alton Brown lost 50 lbs for 9 months. He is a great inspiration and I will follow his diet principle as well as additional my own rules.


Daily 3 per week 1 per week Never

Fruits
Whole Grains
Leafy Greens
Nuts
Carrots
Green Tea

Oily Fish
Yogurt
Broccoli
Sweet Potato
Avocado

Red Meat
Pasta
Dessert
Alcohol

Fast Food
Soda
Processed Meals
Canned Soups
"Diet" anything


My goal is simple: losing 50 lbs to get 110 lbs.  Now, it's time for grocery shopping!