A Bachelor of Arts in Me

During my 30 years of life, I have never really done the yo-yo dieting thing. I have gained and lost weight for sure, but because of simple lifestyle changes (different jobs, income, time, focus, interests, etc.). I have been aware of my weight, and tried to make healthy choices, I have exercised on and off, and tried to eat more veggies and fruit. I have to say though, that this it the first time in my life that I have been so obsessed with my health, mainly my diet and fitness. I also have to say, I am probably the healthiest I have been. I exercise regularly, I can run 2 miles, probably even 3 or 4 without dying. I have also maintained the same weight since October 2004. (Down about 15lbs from October 2003) But a day doesn't go by that I don't analyze what I am putting in my mouth.
Is this a bad thing? Am I too obsessed?

This is what I think. It took me several years of school working towards my degree in Child and Youth Care ... I am still workin on it. I also took two years to recieve my certificate in Early Childhood Education. During these years, my whole life was focused on what I was learning in school, I did presentation after presentation, I wrote paper after paper, I read book after book. I am now considered a professional in my field and my experience in the field has added onto my years of studying. So if I relate this to my health, I can say I am studying to be a healthy me. This may take two years (certificate), it may take four years (degree), I hope to study for the next ten (doctorate) and always be moving toward a healthier me. So I am not obsessed, I am just studying me. And one day I will be the expert. The healthy expert.

Here is part of my learning.

Yesterday I started back tracking my food intake at Fitday.com. I have been exercising regularly and I even started a challenge at my gym to go three times a week for the next 12 weeks. My weight, measurements and body fat was recorded. (150.2 lbs, 27.4% body fat). The person who loses the most and makes it to the gym three times a week wins prizes. I am not super interested in the prizes, I just like the idea of having an incentive... a push. I usually go to the gym three days a week anyway.

Today I will change up my weight routine, mix it up a bit. To challenge and to keep it interesting. I will use my Shape magazines and the internet to find new and exciting exercises to try.

My face is still a concern, it was really bad a the beginning of this week. I have been trying hard to stay away from high GI (glycemic index) and sugary foods. I have been enjoying sugar free treats...and you can find these anywhere now. Slim Fast Carb Zone, Atkins Advantage, Endulge bars. They are pretty expensive twice that of a regualar chocolate bar. The good thing is they satisfy the chocolate treat craving, they don't have the effects of sugar that I think effects my face but... they make me fart like crazy and they don't smell like chocolate, that's for sure. (Side effects of Maltitol) My face is getting better so I'll limit my sugar intake and limit sugar free treats to one or two a week.

I have also been adding more protein to my diet. I have been experimenting with this the last week or so and I find that when I eat fruit and whole wheat bread or fibre cereal for breakfast, I am hungry within 1-2 hours. After eating scrambled egg whites for breakfast I stay full for 2.5-3 hours. I will continue to monitor this and Fitday will help me analyze this.

And with advice from Oprah's challenge, I will stop eating 3 hours before bed.

And as always I need to remember to drink Water, Water, Water.