Hi everyone!
Last night in school was SO MUCH BETTER than the night before. The best part? I got to take out my aggression and smash my cake. Chef Erin kindly caught this on camera.
I didn’t really eat it. I just sort of smashed it, posed with it and threw it away. It felt nice. Like taking a long run when you are really frustrated about something.
As for last night, my products mixed well and I think I’m all set up for tonight when I make the danish formations and bake everything off. And some great news….my chef instructor sort of “alluded” to the fact that if we bust our butt and get everything done tonight and do the stuff we were supposed to do tomorrow night, we might not have to come tomorrow night!!! 🙂 That means tonight will be a very late night probably, cranking everything out, cleaning and having a discussion…but it would be worth it for a long weekend of course! I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
So, I was telling a reader last night that my friend is a great personal trainer up in Nashville. Her name is Rea and she trains people from 5 am to 11 at night, has written two books on boxing and is in the process of hopefully opening up her own personal training and boxing studio. How lucky am I to have such a friend!!! Luckily for me as well, she was TOTALLY willing to give me advice as to how to gain some more muscle mass. She wrote out a detailed six page “plan” for me that includes meals and workouts. I wrote her an email and gave her an example of my daily eating to start her off. I was pretty shocked when she responded, telling me that she worked out my calories and I was only eating about 1500 a day. I have a super fast metabolism AND am quite active so obviously that’s not enough, especially when I’m trying to put on some muscle. And of course that’s why I recently lost 5 lbs as well. I don’t need to lose any weight! I told her that I do very well with my eating but always, around 3:30, I sort of hit the wall, get starving and crave sugar. So….she told me I need to aim for 1600-2000 calories a day and incorporate more healthy fats, more protein and another snack in my day. So today we are going to try it!
This morning before I went to the gym I had a piece of whole wheat fougasse with about a tbsp of almond butter:
At the gym I did triceps, chest and back. Here was my routine:
2 minutes on the treadmill to warm up
Triceps routine with going straight through three exercises and then taking a 2 minute rest. 5 reps of close-gripped pushup on the bench, 10 reps of cable pressdown (25 lbs), 20 reps of lying triceps extension (15 lbs). 3 sets this routine.
3 sets of pushups-–10 reps each
3 sets of row machine for back—50 lbs, 12 reps each
3 sets of chest press with weights-–15 lbs in each hand, 12 reps each
3 sets of chest press on machine–20 lbs, 12 reps each
3 sets of single-arm dumbbell row—15 lbs, 12 reps each
When I got back, I made some oats n eggies for breakfast :). 1/2 cup multigrain cereal cooked with 1 cup water, 1/2 sliced banana and 1 big spoonful of almond butter. 5 egg whites scrambled on the side with salt n pepper.
And for my lunch today—-I am packing a snack to eat at around 10:30. Celery and almond butter (about 1 tbsp)! I haven’t had the celery/peanut butter combo since I was about six, but I was looking for fiber, complex carbs and protein and this fit the bill. I remember it being tasty so we will see!
And for my lunch I packed a cup of my homemade split pea soup, a yogurt and a peach.
And for a snack later at around 2:00, I packed 1/2 cup cottage cheese with 1/2 cup Go Lean Crunch to mix in. Love this combo!
That should get me through the day just fine. I’ll report back and tell you all how I feel when I post dinner. I’m hoping that this extra snack will give me the necessary push so I can make it through the afternoon without feeling sluggish and resorting to the cherry jawbreakers under my desk (I should throw these away!). 😉
Have a great Thursday!
Emily
August 14, 2008 at 1:02 pmHi Jenna,
I truly love your blog! You have such a healthy live-style and your relationship with food is so realistic.
I have two questions for you:
First, I try to run 4 times each week at about 4 miles per run. I am curious about your suicide sprints after your runs. How many do you do? And, don’t you find yourself tired after your run? I tend to be too tired afterwards to do anymore than a few!!
Second, now this question is kind of lame, but, where do you put your lunch at work? Is there a place for it? Or, do you have to bring a ‘lunch box’ type thing? I ask because I am a student in college and have no where to put yogurt or items like that if I want to change up my lunches! If you do, in fact, bring some sort of lunch-box, I’d love to know what kind!
Thanks, Jenna! 🙂
Alex
August 14, 2008 at 1:08 pmJenna,
I am also interested in putting on some muscle. Could we perhaps read this detailed plan? I would like to try and follow something similar.
Thanks!
and as always great job with the blog!
caitlin (see bride run)
August 14, 2008 at 1:20 pmisnt it great to have healthy friends who can give you good advice? i’ve learned so much from my own friends and i think i’ve been able to teach some friends a few tricks, too. it’s wonderful when woman have healthy conversations about fitness and health, not “i’m so fat” “no you arent, im so fat!” conversations 😛
have a great day!
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 1:22 pmEmily,
I don’t really know how far I’m running unless I remember (and its difficult to remember sometimes!) my little pedometer. I just try to run as long as I can without stopping and that usually is about 25 minutes so I’m guessing I just run maybe close to 3 miles. i AM tired after a run but when I think about it, its really nothing like I used to do (when I was training last fall for races I would run 10 miles no prob.) so I just keep going a little more to do suicides. Suicides suck but they really keep my heart rate pumping and make me feel like I just had a great workout other than just jogging around the lake. The key is to keep it interesting and keep constantly challenging your muscles. If I were to run 25 minutes 3 x a week my body would get used to it and it would be like nothing anymore. I need to keep it interesting by incorporating little sprints in it so I feel the max benefit of the workout. As for my lunches, I have a desk at work so I just keep my lunch underneath the desk. I have a lunch box and I have tons of ice packs everyday I pack it full and keep it cool with lots of options for meals and snacks!!!
Alex,
Here’s a sample meal plan that she wrote for me:
7:00a.m. – 1 vegan waffle, 1 tbs. almond butter
8:00a.m. – 6 scrambled egg whites, 2 slices turkey bacon, 1/2 cup oats with walnuts and blueberries
10:30a.m. – 1 apple, 1 handful raw almonds
12:30p.m. – 1 chicken breast, 1/2 cup brown rice, 1/2 cup black beans, 1/3 cup avocado, 1 cup steamed veggies (if this isn’t possible, make a large salad in advance with brown rice, which is actually really good, and divide it up with the chicken for the week)
2:00p.m. – 1 scoop whey protein, 1 banana, ice and water
5:00p.m. – turkey, chicken or fish, steamed veggies, sweet potato, brown rice or pasta
8:00p.m. – Mojo bar (cliff makes them but they are much lower in sugar and filled with organic ingredients), whole wheat crackers, string cheese or hummus, hard-boiled egg whites or dark chocolate, or 1 english muffin with 1 tbs. peanut butter and honey (bring something portable – you can even make your own trail mix with dark chocolate, nuts, organic pretzels, etc.)
Heather
August 14, 2008 at 1:33 pmThanks for posting that meal/workout plan. Very interesting- and how cool that your friend worked that all out for you! I’m excited to see the Mojo bars on there. Love them.
Melanie
August 14, 2008 at 1:40 pmThat’s a great photo! Glad you got to have some fun too! I don’t eat any meat (pork, beef, chicken) so am always trying to get more protein into my diet – I am trying to lose about 5 to 8 lbs so working on that too. Thanks for all of the great ideas!! 🙂
Have a great day!
~C~
August 14, 2008 at 1:45 pmThat pictureis so funny! I am glad you were able to let some of the cake stress out on the cake itself 🙂
hk
August 14, 2008 at 1:56 pmGood plan- i think the muscle is in the works, I’m making it a personal goal as well 🙂 let us know how you feel with the new additions, i totally hate the 3:0pm slump- blarrrg!
Manda
August 14, 2008 at 2:02 pmHi Jenna,
I’ve been following your blog for a long time and I enjoy it. I have to admit I was secretly happy when you went back to eating meat again. I don’t eat a lot of meat – but I really like it now and then!
Question – I seem to have missed why you have decided to start doing these intense workouts with weightlifting and why you want to put on more muscle mass. Would you mind linking to that post? Or explaining for me?
Thanks!
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 2:15 pmManda,
Why not? That’s sort of how I feel about it and why I started. I think a strong, defined woman is SOOOOO much more attractive than just a frail skinny minny, and I love the way my body feels and looks when I weight train. I love looking at bodies where you can see muscles detailed and I love training my body to new heights. I’ve always been competetive and an athlete so this is fun for me. It’s also a new challenge because I do have a very lean physique and have gotten too thin at times. It’s pretty much my biggest pet peeve ever when people look at me and just see a skinny blonde (a steriotype I have had to deal with my entire life!).
So let’s go strong women!!!! 🙂
Kristin
August 14, 2008 at 2:21 pmI’m trying to build muscle as well, and I have found that recently I have been craving protein!! Egg whites, cottage cheese, tuna fish, peanut butter… is all I’ve wanted! I wonder if it’s my body’s single that I need more to fuel the extra strength training I’ve been doing.
I know it sounds silly, but do you feel as though you’ve been craving more protein as well??
And I SO believe in strong women! I was a martial artist for years when I was younger, and I envied all of the extremely fit women who I would see compete- I always wanted the definition they had in their arms, the tight abs, I think being healthy and fit IS much more attractive than being super skinny! And my guy friends agree! I gained some weight when I traveled to Italy, and EVERYONE has been commenting on how much they like my body more filled out, and now I’m concentrating on toning my new body! So thumbs up to being strong and toned!
Christie
August 14, 2008 at 2:27 pmI think that poeple like us who are concious about eating sometimes think we eat more than we do because we eat every couple of hours… I def am more hungry when I am trainign harder.. and it is not neccisarily thatyou need more protein cause we all know americans eat too much protein… its just getting the right balance and extra calories to support the activity!
Manda
August 14, 2008 at 2:56 pmThanks for the explanation, Jenna. I recently got married and I was doing a lot of cardio and training but then I got back from my honeymoon and started graduate school on top of a full time job. It’s so hard to maintain the kind of healthy lifestyle I want when I am busy constantly.
I’m trying to keep healthy snacks at my desk at work, and make an effort to cook on weekends and fit in some more exercise – although I can NEVER get into weight training. I like spinning and the elliptical and i LOVE yoga.
Anyway – i like watching the changes you make – so keep doing what feels right for you!
arielle
August 14, 2008 at 3:04 pmThe picture of you and the cake is too funny. I would love to smash a cake. Unfortunately, I’d probably eat before I got the chance!
Mandy
August 14, 2008 at 3:13 pmI read your blog every day and have linked from mine as well (I hope that’s ok?)
LOVE the blog – love the pics and especially love the cake pic today. Too funny.
I was wondering – can I get the recipe for your split pea soup? It looks super yum and flavourful – can’t help but love the colour either! Thanks!
Happy Thursday!
~ Mandy
http://minimizingmandy.blogspot.com/
Lisa
August 14, 2008 at 3:18 pmJenna,
I did almost the exact same triceps routine last night at the gym…compliments of this months Oxygen!
It’s good, isn’t it? I felt the burn at the beginning of the second set and normally it takes me a whole lot of sets to feel my triceps.
Good luck with your new meal plan and have a fantastic day!
Lisa
August 14, 2008 at 3:21 pmA breakfast tip for you if you’re interested…
Oxygen has a french toast with yogurt syrup recipe that is great. My husband and I make a whole loaf on Sunday and then just pop them in the toaster each day for breakfast. It saves a TON of time.
tfh
August 14, 2008 at 3:25 pmHehe. If I had a superfast metabolism, I’d be eating like Michael Phelps. 🙂 No, seriously, it definitely feels much better to eat healthfully. Very cool of your friend to draw up an eating plan that looks like “you,” ya know?
I know what you’re saying about people looking at you and making assumptions based upon how you look. I like thinking that men look at me and think, “damn! she looks like she could beat the crap out of me! i better not mess with her!” ha.
raybelle
August 14, 2008 at 3:30 pmhey jenna,
i am curious about your protein intake. do you know how much it amounts to be? the recommended plan you listed above includes 2 meat servings + a protein shake + a mojo bar + peanut butter etc…
on your faq’s you cite an article that says:
“In the United States and other developed countries, getting the minimum daily requirement of protein is easy. Cereal with milk for breakfast, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch, and a piece of fish with a side of beans for dinner adds up to about 70 grams of protein, plenty for the average adult”.
I am just a little confused about protein recommendations;) Could you clarify? And do you think the weight training coupled with the protein intake recommended in the plan is sustainable?
Thanks for your advice and posts! Rachel
SDF
August 14, 2008 at 3:32 pmUgh-I hate when people assume things based on how you look (or what you do)!
I bartend while going to school (I’m in my final year for accounting-so not to toot my own horn-but I like to believe I’m fairly intelligent) but because I’m behind the bar making drinks and I’m pretty-people assume I’m stupid all the time. I once had a guy order a chicken with no potatoes, extra vegetables and then ask me “Can you remember that?” I wanted to bring out his plate with extra potatoes and no vegetables and respond with a “oops-guess I can’t”….but I didn’t think he would tip me if I did.
I’m feeling a bit better about that after my rant though 🙂
I also agree with the comments about being athletic vs. super skinny. My sister models (and is 6 feet tall and 125 pounds) and I work out (so I’m 5’11 and 140 pounds) and all my friends (so slightly biased opinions I’m sure) tell me I look way beeter than my sister and that she’s way too skinny. However, typically female, I look at my sister and think she looks great. I guess it’s all perception.
Mandy A
August 14, 2008 at 3:44 pmJenna –
Is there any way to get your personal trainers info? I live in Nashville and have been thinking of working with a trainer… you can email it to me if you don’t want to give it out on here… mandyarostegui@Yahoo.com
or i understand if you’d rather not give it out at all! Thought i’d ask!
Thanks 🙂
Pam
August 14, 2008 at 3:50 pmI’d love to see a detailed description of this plan as well! I think you have us all intrigued…
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 3:53 pmraybelle,
Certainly. I am trying to GAIN muscle mass and to do that, I am for about 100 grams a day. Yes, this might seem like a lot but when you spend time tearing your muscles down you must rebuild them with adequete protein. There’s always tons of debate circling every nutritional fact but I go by what personal trainers and dietitions have told me. Its very difficult for women to gain muscle and we need to eat more protein than the average person if we are working our muscles out. If I were sedentary, I would not obviously eat as much protein but I’m definitely not sedentary in the least it. I aim for more protein on the days that I lift than the days I do cardio or my rest days. When you say the “minimum protein intake” you are talking about the “average american”, which sadly, is overweight and sendentary. Atheletes and people that train with weights need more than the average American and personally I don’t want to be the average American anyways 😉
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 3:55 pmPam,
See above for a recommended diet plan. I put it earlier in the comments. I will copy and paste some more info that she told me later on today for you all! 🙂 SHe is very precise and VERY knowledgable on the subject. I trust her opinion very much!
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 3:55 pmMandy,
Let me check with her and get back to you!
Alex
August 14, 2008 at 4:05 pmThanks Jenna!!!
mel
August 14, 2008 at 4:12 pmwow 6 ft tall and 125 is way too skinny!! I am 5’6 and 125 but with a lot of muscles and I look lean..I cant imagine what I would look like if I that tall! even 5’11 and 140 seems really skinny, but at least you work out and are fit! I love fit bodies!
erica
August 14, 2008 at 4:15 pmI really admire how dedicated you are when it comes to your workouts jenna.. I wish I had half the amount of motivation that you do!
Have a great day!
runjess
August 14, 2008 at 4:18 pmWow, that meal plan she drew up looks like way more than I’m eating and I run around 40 miles per week. I’ve been concerned with calorie intake lately (as in getting enough to fuel. Definitely not trying to lose weight). Is there an easy way to do this? I don’t want to have to add up all my calories every day, nor do I want to eat 7x a day like in the plan she gave you. I eat very healthy food, so I think most of my meals end up low in calories, but I do eat dessert each night for a treat and to try to keep my intake up.
Suggestions?
ModelBehavior
August 14, 2008 at 4:35 pmGlad your feeling better, smashing a whole cake would be so fun, no matter if your stressed or not 🙂
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 4:54 pmRunJess,
Well the thing with that eating plan is that it is specifically for me. She knows me body type, my weight, height and metabolism. It is very different for everyone, which is why I hestitated to give it in the first place. To get a full plan for you specifically you would either need to meet with your RD or a personal trainer so they can take all your stats and draw one up for you. Every body is very different and I happen to have a very FAST metabolism even at a resting pace. I get hungry very often and can eat a ton of food and not gain weight. I do realize that other people do not have this same “problem” (haha) and so you need to realize that when you read this meal plan. The easiest way to tell if you are getting enough calories in your day without all that yucky math is just to test yourself: do you feel sluggish in the afternoon and sometimes hungry but feel “you can’t eat because you just ate”? I used to feel like that but then I added more calories and didn’t gain weight. Just by reading you intense cardio workouts I would say you absolutely need more fuel for you body if you are even questioning it at all. I HIGHLY doubt you would gain weight since you run so much and I don’t think that should be a concern at all. You need to be more concerned with keeping your body fueled for the long runs you do!
angelcubbie
August 14, 2008 at 4:58 pmHey Jenna,
Just curious, how accurate do you think the online calculators are for calories needed per day? Is it possible you could ask your friend for a formula that she thinks is pretty accurate for someone to determine how many calories they need per day? I’m pretty active and lean, like you, and I’ve been wondering if I’m getting enough calories. I often seem to hit a wall when I get home where I’m suddenley starving but it’s hard to know how many calories per day I should be consuming to maintain weight and maybe build a little more lean muscle. Thanks for your input!
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 5:01 pmAngelcubbie,
I really think those are crap because it doesn’t exactly know your body type and activity level. We have our own personal trainer, Kelly, that I know is a lurker around here and her website is http://www.groundedfitness.com so I’m sure she would be willing to help with that! I just go on how I feel and if you feel like are hitting the wall you, without a doubt, need more food!!! An extra snack goes a long way….
Kat
August 14, 2008 at 5:28 pmThanks for sharing this with us – I often think that I should eat more throughout the day because I get that same “NEED something sweet in the afternoon” thing. I have been thinking of going to a nutritionist for a while now to get a personalized “plan” – I wish I had a friend like yours because it can get expensive!
runjess
August 14, 2008 at 5:41 pmThanks Jenna. Based on personal experience and the fact that I have lots ‘o muscle, I believe myself to have a somewhat high metabolism as well. How did you determine your metabolism?
hk
August 14, 2008 at 6:22 pmI agree, runjess- most likely if you’re concerned with maybe not getting enough to compensate and fuel you’re workouts than you’re not. 4O+ miles id pretty substantial, and I would doubt that you’d find any trouble maintaining with the addition of healthy caloroies balanced throughout the day. Just from experience, I relly improved my running and overall health/how i feel throughout the day, upon the addition of 200-300 calories. It’s worth trying for 2 weeks to see how your body responds. Just in case you DO (doubtful) gain unwanted weight, 2 weeks is not enough time to do real damage- you’re totally in control 🙂
ClaireDille
August 14, 2008 at 6:49 pmI have a super fast metabolism too and it has been hard at times to keep on the muscle, especially my arms! It was great to see what a trainer recommended. Do you really think that much protein is necessary to add muscle because I have been eating vegan this summer (lactose anyway) and feel fine energy wise? I have been contemplating adding eggs (mostly whites) into my diet for some straight protein but nothing milk derived…ideas?
cindyrae
August 14, 2008 at 7:36 pmI already posted this on Kaths website, but I thought you guys might enjoy this too.
This morning I was talking to my grandma, and I asked her if there was one thing in her life that she would do more. Do you know what she said? Eat more dessert! She said that when she was in her 20’s she was so worried about her weight and eating too many sweets. She said now she just realizes that, although she is happy that she lead a happy healthy life, she wished she would have just relaxed a bit more a not worried about those 5 extra pounds she thought she had to lose. I just love that!!!!
Eat more sweets! I am going to have a bag of M&M’S TODAY!
MUSC
August 14, 2008 at 7:44 pmthat looks a lot like natural peanut butter on the toast than almond butter. it’s more ground up.
Laurel
August 14, 2008 at 7:48 pmHi Jenna,
I read your blog often and I just wanted to say that you are such a great inspiration to me. I am 17 years old and have struggled with my weight and eating for a while now. A couple years ago I got way to thin (5’7″, 105 lbs) and bordered on an eating disorder, but since then I’ve gained alot of weight back and feel as though I’ve finally found a healthy balance. Because I was so thin, my metabolism has slowed so now I put on weight easily and its hard for me to lose, so every day is still a struggle, but blogs like yours help me realize that a strong, muscular, healthy, well-nourished body is SO much more attractive than a super super unhealthily skinny one. So basically THANKS for helping me see how to live a healthy lifestyle!! And I also have a question for you (this post DOES have a point!):
I recently got my wisdom teeth out so I can only eat really soft foods and I cant exercise (!!!). I’m afraid that I’m gaining weight because I’ve been eating a lot of sugary things like smoothies and can’t exercise (which is driving me CRAZY). Do you have any suggestions??
THANKS SO MUCH
Michelle
August 14, 2008 at 7:49 pmHey Jenna,
I was going to comment and ask you about your daily diet! I see that you posted it. My question is, though…it really seems that you eat ALOT throughout the day!! I mean the breakfast you eat, for me i think would hold me most of the day???? I am a runner too! I run 5 miles a day and i am on a running streak now!! I am on day 18 of consecutive running and i am going till the end of august and if i feel good i may keep going. I just wonder if i am getting enough calories or protein??? Any thoughts??
njrunnerGirl
August 14, 2008 at 8:14 pmJenna… Was your nutritionist anti-dairy, or did the sample day you showed just happen not to have any yogurt, cottage cheese, etc…?
Amanda K
August 14, 2008 at 8:18 pmGee… I wish I had a lightning speed metabolism. 🙁
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 8:26 pmMichelle,
Like I’ve said in the past, your diet is unique to your body. I guess do eat a ton? I don’t like to feel hungry and I’ve always been quite thin. I create and plan my meals to last me about 3 hours and they always do. Your diet really depends on your metabolism and all that stuff so that’s why what I eat might not work at all for you or may be too much. I really cannot tell you if you are getting enough nutrients because I’m not a doctor. To do that you would need to go see an RD and have your diet analyzed. I can only give suggestions from my own experiences!
njrunnergirl,
Nope but she knows I drink soymilk and don’t really eat a ton of cheese as is so she worked with that. I love cottage cheese the only thing you need to watch is the sodium levels because too much can make you bloated and she is very into “natural foods”.
Laurel,
This might be a bad suggestion, but when i had my wisdom teeth out a couple years ago I pretty much survived off Velveeta shells and cheese. Not your healthiest but when you are down and out its sometimes the only thing that will do. Don’t concentrate on calories right now, concentrate on eating anything that will go down smooth. Yogurt, frozen yogurt, SOUP, eggs….
ClaireDille,
Honestly I’m not sure about your particular situation. You would need to ask an RD that. Sorry! 🙂
runjess,
I know i have an uber fast metabolism because I’ve always been very skinny but love to eat. Doctors used to think I had a thyroid issue because of all the food I can pack down. I had tests done and it turns out I just have a fast metabolism. If I don’t make sure I get enough calories/food in the day I will lose weight and I don’t want to do that! But then again..if I go on a drinking binge I will GAIN weight and I don’t want to do that either. Everything in moderation! 🙂
Christie
August 14, 2008 at 8:50 pmYou have to take into account that you are tall and like your friend said you really dont eat all that much for someone your height and activity level. I would consider also adding a calcium supplement
jenna
August 14, 2008 at 8:58 pmChristie,
I have one I “should” be taking in the fridge…I need to be better about it!!
SDF
August 14, 2008 at 9:17 pmLaurel,
I haven’t had my wisdom teeth removed, but when I had my tonsils removed I was kind of in the same situation. I personally found I ended up losing weight because when you can’t eat solids, you’re total food intake ends up being pretty small. But then again that’s with tonsils so it takes about 2 weeks to recover.
The best thing I found to eat was muesli (I missed oatmeal but I couldn’t really handle anything warm) and chicken noodle soup broth (I couldnt have the noodles to begin with) but again, the soup was just barely room temperature. Beyond that I had freezies, pudding, and a ton of water (it’s really important to drink a ton of water when you’re not eating as much).
Good luck! Remember that you’ll be better in about a week/2 tops, and that’s too short of a time to really do any damage (especially since you can’t have huge “Calorie offenders” like chips and chocolate)
Monica
August 14, 2008 at 11:36 pmThis discussion has been very interesting. Thanks for posting the example of your diet. I wish I could eat that much right now, but I’m trying to lose a few.
M
August 14, 2008 at 11:45 pmI’m surprised that people think you eat a lot, J. You certainly don’t restrict, but it’s pretty obvious you’re very moderate with portions, treats, snacks, etc.
I think you’re the epitome of balance.
As for working out, you have another good balance of weights and cardio. I can’t believe people would call that excessive and think it means you have no room for fun in your life (and I don’t mean that in a nasty passive aggressive way — it seems like a healthy amount).
I am embarrassed just thinking about what people would say about how much i eat. *laughs*
Kelly L.
August 15, 2008 at 1:37 amCindyrae- LOVE THAT! What a good mentality to have.
Everyone else- As for the discussion going on, I don’t particularly think Jenna eats that much. She eats balanced meals that aren’t big so she eats more throughout the day. Everyone is different. Some people like to have one or two huge meals (not recommended). She doesn’t even hit 2000 calories most days. Perhaps those that are trying to lose weight and say they don’t eat that much aren’t eating ENOUGH? Think about that. So often women feel they need to restrict to lose weight but they only end up slowing their metabolisms. If you listen to your body and give it what it wants (along with treats) you’ll get to where your body wants and should be.
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)
August 15, 2008 at 2:43 amThat first picture is priceless!
Lauren
August 15, 2008 at 3:40 pmThe skinny vs. fit and the stereoptying discussions are really interesting! Like Jenna, I have always been seen as the “skinny blonde girl.” People CONSTANTLY assume that I don’t have a deep thought in my head, and I really hate that I’m put in the position where I have to prove them wrong. (Which I do…I have a Master’s degree in creative writing!) It truly is unfair that people make snap judgments about others based solely on their looks. I have always been slender and a fairly healthy eater, but I have always been active, too. I love running, Pilates, swimming, strength training…these forms of exercise make me feel strong and capable. But, the fact is, I will always be lean–that’s my build. I do my best to maintain my weight and give myself some shape through weight training, but there is no changing my body type. So, I feel that people who do not know me, and therefore aren’t familiar with my exercise routine, usually view me as “skinny” instead of “strong.” But I know that I’m both these things; the two aren’t really mutually exclusive.
Also, Kelly L. is totally right in that restricting your cals will only compromise the efficiency of your metabolism. The one time in my life where I gained weight was when I’d just moved to a huge city, started a new academic program, and was so stressed that I did not have an appetite. Strangely, I gained about 4 pounds during this time. Once my appetite came back and I ate normally again, I was back to my usual weight.
Anyway, lots of rambling, but Jenna, I think your meals always look great, satisfying, and balanced. I’ll be interested to see how they change to reflect your need muscle-building goals!