Shape-Up 2009 general discussion

I'm doing great, apart from a bloody cough.

Not too bad

Everything was running to the plan until yesterday - had a god awful and stressful day at work so missed out the evening cardio and had the cheat meal early :/

Really need to get a bit stronger and making sure I don't give in.

LOL I'm starting monday ;-)

Am tired today as I haven't slept well all week but otherwise everything is good...plus I get to eat carbs tomorrow!!!!

I've done pretty well all week - i'm going out for dinner tonght so I've had an extra 3 mile run just now (all of 300 cals burnt...).

I'm back to running 7 miles a day now, it's reallllllly fun.

Ah yes... The Goat, might read his journal and try his routine out next week
 
 
Some good finalists last year, its motivating to see the before and after pics!
 
 

Wasp


a bit annoying i have to spend 1 - 2 hours a night prepping my food for the next day
 

This is the hardest part for me, I get home from the gym  then immediatly prepare my PPW meal, eat that wash up if thats where it ended it would be o,k but I then spend about an hour preparing bland but nutritious meals for the next day when all I want to do is jump in the bath and veg out and watch junk TV or go on the internet for an hour before bed.
Love the training but not the preparation and diet part of it.

what takes so long with food prep, you guys making 4 course meals?

I tend to prep my main lunch on a Sunday, cook a load of it then freeze it in little tupperware pots.

I only spend about 10 mins on a weekday prepping food for the next day

theiopener


what takes so long with food prep, you guys making 4 course meals?

Nah, i've just not ever had to make 3 meals at the end of a long day as well as my dinner & eggs before i go to bed. I'm sure i'll get used to it.

So dont make multiple meals, make less of them but still get in the cals.

Or go for options that are more grab and go?

theiopener


what takes so long with food prep, you guys making 4 course meals?

LOL, a 4 course meal would be nice but I live mostly on sandwiches while at work, wholegrain ones.
I think its boiling eggs- usually about 6 and then cracking the shell, slicing them up and putting them in sandwiches to snack on during my "tea breaks" that I find boring and time consuming, for lunch its usually chicken with rice or tuna pasta it probably doesn't take an hour though coming to think of it, I'm time-poor and lazy though
Might have to do as Welshy does and start making things in bulk on sundays, what kind of things are we talking here welshy? I'm crap at cooking and I'm scared of giving myself food poisoning or something thats why I'v never really thought of freezing meals, its o,k if you freeze them straight away though I'm guessing?

theiopener


So dont make multiple meals, make less of them but still get in the cals.

Or go for options that are more grab and go?

In your opinion, is it vital to eat every 2-3 hours/5-7 meals a day.. or is it not so important aslong as your getting the cals in?
 

theiopener


So dont make multiple meals, make less of them but still get in the cals.

Or go for options that are more grab and go?

Nah, then the meals are too big - I'm happy slogging along anyway.

Aim4

theiopener

So dont make multiple meals, make less of them but still get in the cals.

Or go for options that are more grab and go?

In your opinion, is it vital to eat every 2-3 hours/5-7 meals a day.. or is it not so important aslong as your getting the cals in?

Maybe if youre at the top of your game, been training for over 10 years and need every single miniscule amount of optimal increase then yes. To be more direct, no it isnt vital. Ive got to where i am currently on 3 meals a day, doesnt seem to have affected me in any bad way.

The only time ill eat more than three times a day is due to comfort levels. This is usually when i am carbing up and eating 3 large carb heavy meals will send me to sleep and make me feel bloated and not very nice. SO its easier for me to split them up. Same end result, just its more comfortable for me.

Well, if its good enough for you its good enough for me its served you rather well...
 
I think I would find it easier if I wasn't religiously trying to eat every 2-3 hours but rather just eat at times that are practical and when I'm genuinly hungry and just eat bigger poprtions when I eat so maybe I will go with that aproach.
Just take care of the big things before I start trying to refine things....

Aim4



Might have to do as Welshy does and start making things in bulk on sundays, what kind of things are we talking here welshy? I'm crap at cooking and I'm scared of giving myself food poisoning or something thats why I'v never really thought of freezing meals, its o,k if you freeze them straight away though I'm guessing?

I make a mahoosive pot of mince stuff.

I put in there :-
1Kg lean mince
Onions
Peppers
Mixed herbs
Garlic
Celery
Kidney beans
Chopped toms
Brown rice
1 veg oxo and 2 beef oxo
Flaked chillis
Cayenne pepper

I cook the onions and garlic in a smidge of olive oil, then add the mince and brown it.
Add in oxo cubes, chillis and pepper and cook for about 2 mins
Then add in everything else ( inc rice )
Bring it to the boil and add in enough water to cover and cook for about 30 mins

You end up with a nice chilli and rice type dish, I cook the rice in it and it absorbs all the flavour

Divide it into little pots and once cooled chuck them in the freezer, I just take one out the night before for the next day

That sounds tasty!!

I have just started making big bowls of salad, all prepared with 1 of those hand processors that chop them up real small.

the contents are.

1 apple
raisins
Sunflower seeds
cucumber
celery
red and green peppers
red and green finger chiles, seeds included
cherry tomatoes
grated carrot


I can then just have a couple of big spoonfuls with tuna or salmon and cottage cheese.

Well I've upped cardio, not really been lifting as I've been feeling rubbish recently. going out for a big night in Brighton tonight so any progress I have made will be destroyed with the meal out then few kebabs or chicken burgers and chips after.

Welshy

Aim4



Might have to do as Welshy does and start making things in bulk on sundays, what kind of things are we talking here welshy? I'm crap at cooking and I'm scared of giving myself food poisoning or something thats why I'v never really thought of freezing meals, its o,k if you freeze them straight away though I'm guessing?

I make a mahoosive pot of mince stuff.

I put in there :-
1Kg lean mince
Onions
Peppers
Mixed herbs
Garlic
Celery
Kidney beans
Chopped toms
Brown rice
1 veg oxo and 2 beef oxo
Flaked chillis
Cayenne pepper

I cook the onions and garlic in a smidge of olive oil, then add the mince and brown it.
Add in oxo cubes, chillis and pepper and cook for about 2 mins
Then add in everything else ( inc rice )
Bring it to the boil and add in enough water to cover and cook for about 30 mins

You end up with a nice chilli and rice type dish, I cook the rice in it and it absorbs all the flavour

Divide it into little pots and once cooled chuck them in the freezer, I just take one out the night before for the next day

Sounds simple enough, might just give this a go, sounds like a tasty work lunch, better than just chicken with rice anyway!