Michael, I could eat with you - your menu for the day looks wonderful!
I have not logged any food on my Fitbit - how is the program they have on their for tracking as opposed to MyFitnessPal, myplate, etc.??? I should try it for a day or two to see what kind of data I can view.
Weight loss supplements for runners? At first, I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me,” but as I read on, the list made sense:
http://running.competitor.com/2014/08/nutrition/should-runners-supplement-for-weight-loss_18256
Common sense. 
Abasket, I have not used the other trackers, but I found that Fibit Dashboard for Windows is super easy to use. You can enter your own food if it is not in there. I double-checked the info on packages versus Fitbit data - seems to be accurate. It also matched my mental calorie math well. It had lots of Kirkland Signature stuff in their database! I have not tried their smartphone app, because my smartphone is going senile and does not have much memory to upgrade the iOS. I am waiting to upgrade - I will upgrade it with the phone. 
Ah - so you have been entering via computer? That would probably be quicker anyway since 2 of my meals - breakfast and lunch - are usually at work, near my computer.
abasket, you probably already know this but you can link MFP to your Fitbit. I am still getting the hang of the whole Fitbit thing. I think I need a tutorial!
Inspired by MOWC, I am giving up diet soda. I only have one or two a week now - I just need to make that final commitment to it.
I had Pilates this morning and was chatting with a woman who takes the circuit class on Friday as well. She mentioned that she had weighed over 280 pounds at one point - so we had a nice little chat about health and the importance of loving yourself and taking care of yourself, which was really nice. I think at times many of us become too focused on the needs of others and make them a priority over our own needs. It was an unexpected and welcome discussion.
Mr. Sabaray and I are celebrating Valentine’s Day by attending a workshop a PT is giving at the studio. We both want to learn more about foam rolling and myofascial release, and this seems to be the perfect opportunity to do so. Who says romance is dead?
Sabaray, I think that’s a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Lol, MOWC.
Haven’t used FitBit app so I can’t comment on it.
Regarding the article on supplements and runners, interesting and informative with some good info. Let me offer a few additional comments. Fiber, which cannot be digested, helps with weight loss because it helps give you a feeling of fullness with your meal. There are also other health benefits. Here’s a good summary article. http://www.acefitness.org/acefit/fitness-fact-article/2642/fantastic-fiber/
Creatine will cause you to gain weight through water retention and later through increased muscle mass. It has little utility for long distance endurance athletes (there are even some studies that suggest it cuts back on endurance performance) but can be beneficial for athletes whose sport involves, strength, power, and other shorter bursts of high intensity efforts. Body builders, power lifters, and athletes involved in short distance or high intensity track and field events can benefit from it.
Whey protein supplements are great for assisting in building muscle. It’s high quality protein that can help assure that you are getting in enough protein for your needs. But if you already are getting enough protein from your meals, added protein from whey powder will not provide added benefit. Also, the article’s reference to 30% is misleading. What counts is whether you are getting in sufficient quantities in gms to maintain nitrogen balance related to the break down and rebuilding of tissue and additional protein to promote more muscle growth if that is your goal. It could be 30% of your caloric intake or less. A flat percentage is very misleading and inaccurate. Also, contrary to the article’s suggestion, sufficient levels of protein and carbohydrates are not mutually exclusive. You can always cut back on fats which have more than twice the caloric value of carbs and proteins per gm. There’s plenty of room to play with macronutrients within a given caloric range so that you are getting what you need of all of them. That’s why I target gms of protein and carbs in my nutrition plan and then just backfill remaining calories with fats. If you look at my post with the break out of my macros, I have a ton of room to increase carbs when the riding season hits and reduce fats but still be getting adequate fats while maintaining my protein levels. Plus when the riding season hits, I will up my caloric intake which will provide even more room to play. So getting enough protein does not mean an athlete will be carb deficient!
Sabaray, you crack me up. Love that you are doing that on V-Day. Much better than a sappy Hallmark card!!
Good, sabaray. We can hold each other accountable. I am so disappointed that I couldn’t get to Ash Wednesday church this morning because of the snow and ice. This is the 2nd year in a row. It always serves to “reset” me for the 40 days. My priest-daughter said she could do “ashes to go” (that’s really a thing) and bring ashes to the Vanderbilt game tonight! I think she was kidding.
Just had time for 2 miles on the treadmill this am because I thought I was going to an eye appointment but it cancelled because of the weather. I miss being outside, although it’s only been since after Monday morning that I’ve been stuck inside.
Oh- FitBit world news. I got up, went downstairs to the treadmill and was .1 mile into my run when I discovered I left the FitBit on the charger upstairs! I shut down, went up and got it and continued. But just think of those steps that weren’t recorded!
^ I had the opposite morning, MOWC. Was able to go to Ash Wednesday service, but then no time for treadmill. I’ll go to yoga tonight, and extend treadmill time tomorrow. It’s my work from home day - no commute.
Yoga class today–had a chat with the instructor after class and she’s going to help me get ready for the yoga retreat. Setting up some private sessions to work on balancing poses. She is an excellent teacher–always positive about one’s yoga practice. I left yoga feeling great!
Bromfield- the retreat sounds fabulous. I think the key is to just pace yourself.
A very nice, convenient job perk today - Newman Club Ash Wednesday mass at noon on campus. Attended mass and probably got 1500 steps or so walking there and back!
Now just sitting down for a nice diet Coke…ahhh!!! (Just teasing!!! - not a pop/soda drinker!!)
Actually walked back to the office with the gentle flow yoga teacher at our fitness center - oddly, we attend the same church but both were at the campus Ash Wednesday service! Yoga has always seemed to me to be something I haven’t wanted to do - BUT - after talking with her, I might give it a try on a day that I have her class time free. I don’t always have the best balance and I’m thinking this might help me out. We’ll see if I actually get there!
I thought you were our friend, abasket!
I came back from lunch and there’s an open bag of Dove chocolates sitting on the break room counter. Lent is already feeling really, really long.
abasket- How perfect that you could go to the mass and that you talked to the yoga teacher! I’ll ignore the Diet Coke thing.
I got up early this morning, and decided to take the dog (my personal trainer) for a quick run before I met a friend to swim. The dog was feeling fast, and the sunrise was gorgeous, and I was feeling light on my feet, and we both just flew through a mile and a half on my favorite little piece of trail. I kept him in his gorgeous floating trot (which is very fast by my standards–usually he’s doing a fast walk)–it was so much fun!
(Interesting little article in today’s NYTimes about running injuries: http://nyti.ms/1V39zJA)
Trying to get psyched up for a 7 mile run tonight. Current temperature is 16 degrees, windchill is 3 degrees. On the positive side, it isn’t snowing so that will be good. The alternative would be to go to the gym and wait forever for a treadmill and likely have somebody kick me off before I’m done because they try to enforce a 20 minute (usually gets a grace period to 30 minutes) rule when there are people waiting. So maybe get halfway done then have to wait forever for one to open up to be able to finish. I think I’d rather just endure the cold. See, I have talked myself into it. You guys are great, haha! (Let’s hope my resolve will last another two hours until I’m home!)
Well, my body has stumped my PCP lol. Appointment went well. She gave me a stronger (different) anti-inflammatory med which should help with my joints. Now we wait for the Rheumatologist.
Still on the right track and feeling a little better today. Dog has been going stir crazy so I’ve been trying to play around with her a bit. As always, saying to her “mommy can’t throw the ball because her joints hurt” is greeted with a head tilt and her dropping the ball at my feet
Good luck, romani. That must be so frustrating to hurt like that. I’m sure the doggie understands!
Thanks, MOWC
I have always been a firm believer that dogs are smarter and more perceptive than we tend to give them credit for. She seems to know when I’m having bad days and is generally content to just lay around with me. Other times, she just can’t contain her puppy energy (she is somewhere around a year old) and whines until I play with her. But this is good because without her I’d be moving around much less. She keeps me in check so that I’m not a complete slug, even on my bad days.
Oh and I’m also cleared to go back into the water! Now I just need to find somewhere around me with a less hectic pool. The one I usually go to is mostly for lap swimming and I’m just not quite up for that yet… and the ones at the U are always packed.