Erin Does Life.

Adventures in movement Inspired by BenDoesLife. Early thirties, working to get to an average BMI, vegan. Adult-onset runner; completed three marathons with Team In Training and now I can't stop running. Go figure. Let's go do stuff! var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-9379151-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })();

[erindoeslife]

Weigh in day: down 6 pounds in a week! I was expecting like 2… which would be more sustainable. Next week might be tougher…

Starting weight, 4/19: 215.6

Weigh in, 4/26: 209.4

Change: -6.2 pounds

Starting BMI: 35.9

Weigh in BMI: 34.9

Weight to goal: 64.4 pounds

[erindoeslife]

Seared seitan with orange, tomato and avocado

Doesn’t look like much, and I didn’t have all of the ingredients, but man was this tasty. Adapted from “Nutritious Delicious” from America’s Test Kitchen. I wish I had the cilantro and black pepper. Other ingredients: thinly-sliced shallots and lime juice from one lime. YUM! And I even have one starch left over!

[erindoeslife]

I’m grumpy. No getting around it. I didn’t do a great job of managing my hunger and ate a couple of handfuls of granola last night. Definitely off-plan. And I’m feeling the limited protein options available for vegans. The plan calls for very lean and lean proteins but most of the lean proteins (beans and lentils) also have a starch exchange, and I only have two starches per day.

Tofu is a lean protein, and I love tofu, but I can’t have it with every meal. And there’s no seitan on the plan (only because it’s not common, not because it’s not on plan.)

Anyway. I just need to remember I’m in the “reduce” phase of the plan. It won’t be like this forever. And I feel like I’m making good use of my starches using them mostly for bean servings. I have found some tasty recipes and have more on tap. Onward!

[erindoeslife]

Cuban black beans for one from America’s Test Kitchen. Water-sauteed. Delicious!! 2 lean proteins, 2 starches, 1 fat, 1 veggie.

[erindoeslife]

Just a quick check in…

- Yesterday, I felt pretty full on the plan. I was worried about this but I was so full yesterday I skipped dinner and a snack (!!).

- I woke up feeling hungry! (Unsurprisingly.) I don’t feel as full today. I wonder if I can use my snacks from yesterday…??? I should be getting a call tomorrow to see how things are going, so I can ask then.

- I’m still figuring out how to manage lean and very lean proteins. Many of the vegan proteins (yep, I’m vegan) also require starches or fats with them. And it’s a bit confusing figuring out what various seitan/wheat meat product meal equivalents. Hopefully this will be addressed soon.

Six more days to weigh in!

[erindoeslife]

Weigh In day!!

Starting weight, 4/19: 215.6

Starting BMI: 35.9

Weight to goal: 71.6 pounds

My husband is already down 5 lbs! I know it’s water weight but still - wow!!

AND I still get to eat my cereal with berries for breakfast. Score!!

Checking in

Hours slept: about 8

I woke up feeling: Hungry!

Breakfast: Voluminous Oatmeal, shake (100 cals/15 g protein, 1g fiber), 2 cups coffee, 3/4c berries

I feel: full. I was really worried about feeling hungry. I usually graze between 7a-12p, so having lots of options to go through works really well for me. I haven’t even started on my water yet!

Snack: bar - 200 cal, 15g protein, 7g fiber

Lunch: Edamame salad. Very tasty and filling!

Snack: bar

Dinner: none

Snack: none

Water: 64 oz

Activity: none

Stress: medium

Self reflection: I really had a dip of energy after work.

[erindoeslife]

Just a short update. Today I got my oncologist’s ok to participate in this weight loss program!!! Yay!!!

I went through all of the introductory stuff today. Some meals will be shakes, some snacks will be bars, and everything else will be groceries from the store. I have my day 1 body scan done, and the food we need this week in our fridge. My husband is participating in the plan, too. He’s a couple days in. I start tomorrow. Eeeee!!!! I can’t wait!!!

[erindoeslife]

My oncologist is going to decide what plan to sign off on tomorrow. Fingers crossed that it goes smoothly. My weight loss program intake is on Tuesday.

My husband is on the same program so I’ve immersed myself in his introductory materials. I can’t wait to start!

[erindoeslife]

You are so brave and so strong! You’re going to do great! What you have been through is more than anyone should have to. I don’t mean your children, of course, lol. I hope you achieve everything you want to.

Thank you! That’s so kind of you to say. I appreciate the well wishes and encouragement. The fitblr community here is generous, kind and motivational. It was such a big part of my success the last time around - I’m so glad to reacquaint myself with the community here.

[erindoeslife]

Hiiiiiii Fitblrs and Tumblrs!!!!

Has it really been 10 years (!!)??? Oof. Well, a couple of big things have happened since I was last active here. Firstly, short answer - I became a mom. To two kids, as a matter of fact. They’re awesome. I was nervous about parenting but it’s taught me so much about myself and about being human. It’s a tremendous gift. Those little humans are everything to me.

Also, about two and a half years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. To say I was shocked was an understatement. Being a vegan marathon runner apparently wasn’t enough.

When I was first diagnosed, I had a reaction to a trial drug that put me in the hospital with what became acute respiratory failure. I ended up needing intubation and ICU care - very scary. By the time I got out two weeks later, I could barely walk with the assistance of a walker. I’ve gotten stronger since then but feel like I don’t have the leg strength to run. Hopefully physical therapy can change that!

The disease is stable, I take over a dozen medications a day, and I get regular infusion treatments. But I have gained a considerable amount of weight, which is scary with my cancer diagnosis if I were to catch covid. Also, I would like to prolong my life as long as I can with this diagnosis. I don’t know how long I have, but I know this weight is a complicating factor. Not to mention that I’d love to be more active for my kids!

All to say it’s been quite the roller coaster. But I’m glad to be back here.

Going forward:

For the first time, I am signing up with a real weightloss center. I plan to post here for accountability.

I want to run again. When I run, I feel free.

I am so excited to pass on a good relationship with food and activity to my kids.

I’m also looking forward to sharing this journey with you all, and being inspired by your accountability and commitment, even when (especially when!) things are hard.

My first appointment with my intake person is on Tuesday 4/19. More soon!

[erindoeslife]

Strength class

Man, I finally did it. We still have a small person waking up more often than not at 3am, so an early morning class is tough but consistently the best time of the day to make sure it’s done.

Classes are so far out of my comfort zone. 

- Music, choreography, coordination, and dumbbells/bar bells/hand weights/mat/step. What could possibly go wrong?

- 80s workout music is not my jam. At all.

- I don’t mind individual workouts around people, but trying to do it as part of a group? Yikes.

Things that went well:

- I think I did a good job of gauging effort - hopefully not so sore tomorrow that it’s hard to move. I remember one time doing a class with my old running coach and my arms being so rubbery I was worried about the drive home. Nope.

- Friendly person who helped me figure out what I needed even though I was 10 min late to class (gah!)

- I like feeling strong (sometimes I felt strong during the class, though it was mostly awkward as hell), and it’s great to know that I got it done this morning.

My Y offers varied programs five days a week in this early morning timeslot, and it seems less scary than spinning, so - onward.

Off to work. Have a great day fitblr-dom!

[erindoeslife]

Weigh in Thursday

Weigh in results: -3 pounds

Monday 12/26ish: BMI 31.8 (obese) Today, Thurs., Jan. 5: BMI 31.3 (obese)

Change: BMI -0.5

A strong first week! Feeling good! Figuring out a strategy for evening snacking.

[erindoeslife]

Sweet Potato Medallions with Almond Sauce and Chickpea Salad

It may seem too good to be true, but it’s not: This impressive, full plate requires only 5 ingredients (water, oil, salt, and pepper are considered freebies). Microwaved sweet potatoes are sliced into medallions, brushed with oil, and lightly seared so they become satisfyingly steak-like. The creamy, nutty sauce adds richness, and the lemon-dressed arugula-chickpea salad bulks up the plate beautifully. In place of almond butter, you could substitute any nut butter you like—peanut, cashew, or sunflower butter would be delicious. And if canned chickpeas aren’t in your pantry, you can use another mild legume; try cannellini or navy beans.

Tonight’s lunch-that-became-too-late-for-lunch-and-thus-was dinner. Either way, it was pretty fast and tasty, and Little Human loved the sweet potato medallions! I dressed the greens with a bit of the almond butter mixture, because that’s how I roll.

[erindoeslife]

Hey guys! Don’t you hate the obligatory gosh-it’s-been-awhile-but-I’m-recommitting-and-am-here-to-stay schitck post? Yeah, me too. Suffice it to say, I am well off the eating habits I worked so hard to establish a few years ago, both in part due to pregnancy and post-partum. 

BMI: 31.8 (ugh, it hurts to write that number) - obese

Goal BMI: 24.9 - normal

Time is really at a premium right now, as I’m working, and when I’m at home, doing chores or spending time with our little human. I’ve tried to get back on track (especially with my eating habits - the biggest bang for my effort), but simply got overwhelmed by the enormity of making healthy decisions day after day. So, I’m focusing on the doable - the next meal. Not the next day, or the next week, just the next meal. So much more manageable. 

[erindoeslife]

It’s been a long time posting, and now you know (in part) why - we have a little human! LH is quite the adventurer, as you can see, and loves pushing the button on the record player that makes it go faster. She just started going up and down stairs. Look out, world!

[sassymommy]

SO PROUD of my FHB's today!

This guy is so great I have to post him again. 

[erindoeslife]

Woohoo team FHB!!

[erindoeslife]

Yesterday in Tumfitland. Go Fearless Honey Badgers!