Fit with the Flyer, Installment 4: Getting back on track

Up until a couple of days ago, I was feeling pretty disheartened by the progress in my quest to get fit.

I’ve gained back a few of the pounds that I had lost, and I’m struggling a bit when it comes to making food choices. I’ve pinned so many recipes that I don’t know where to start and I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. And because I’m a vegetarian, it’s a bit more involved to find lean proteins.

So I went to see Diana Sugiuchi of Nourish Family Nutrition again. I had told her I needed help with meal planning and knowing exactly what to eat. And I mean exactly. When I arrived, she had a 6-page printout for me of protein-rich vegan options. I’m not vegan, only vegetarian, but it’s still a great list.

Then we focused on breakfast and snacks. I’d been snacking on things like a handful of nuts or an apple. But those don’t have both carbs and protein, which is what a healthy snack should have. (Clearly, I should already know this, cough “Treat or Snack? A dietitian’s back-to-school vocab lesson” cough, but sometimes you need someone to sit down with you and just spell it all out. And then print it on a piece of paper and hand it to you. … If only she’d shop for me, too!)

So now for my snacks I’ll be pairing carbs (fruit, veggies, Triscuits …) with proteins (seeds/nuts, peanut butter, hummus …). My lunch will be things like vegetarian chili or a big salad with lots of veggies and some protein (beans, edamame, tofu, tempeh, etc.) And the key — and no, I haven’t done it yet — is to plan all this out and have the snacks ready to go in baggies or containers so that I don’t grab something that’s easier or closer but not as healthy.

As for my p.r.e.p. program at the ACAC gym, that’s going well. I’m increasing the weights in my strength training, and I’m figuring out what works for me. I have osteoarthritis in my knees (FU, middle age!) and it’s been acting up lately so I’ve been cautious about trying new things.

Main side of ACAC in Timonium

But I talked to my orthopedist yesterday and he said that I need to stop putting the elliptical machine (my main cardio workout) on an incline and then my knees will start to feel better. I’m also taking an anti-inflammation drug that’s supposed to help.

Boxing class at ACAC in Timonium

The best news is he said that I shouldn’t do any step classes but that most others should be OK — even the boxing class I wanted to take but was afraid would be too much. I also really want to try BodyPump and Barre Conditioning.

I’ve never been much for exercise classes — I always feel like the doofus that doesn’t know what’s going on. But part of all this is getting out of my comfort zone, so here’s to making an ass of myself and not caring!

-Kris Henry,
The Towson Flyer

Fit with the Flyer, Installment 3: Progressing but stalling

Getting fit with the Flyer