Having fruit before working out seems to be working out great. My blood sugar was 90 when I wok up, so on the drive to the gym I had 1/2 a cup of grapes and 1/2 a cup of honeydew melon.
All I can say about the workouts is that I now know I clearly have not been pushing myself very hard. I mean, I watch the people on Biggest Loser and they are all grunting, sweating bullets. Not sure I can say the same thing with my walks around my office. š
So yesterday workout:
- 5 minute warm up
- seated row (2 x 25 at 45 pounds)
- leg curls (2 x 25 at 40 pounds)
- Torso rotation (4 x 10) using 10 pound kettle bell – that exercise looks like this – and I counted both sides as 1:
That one was hard people – you have to leave your feet about an inch off the mat (okay, I may have put my feet down on a few reps!)
- 35 minutes cardio – normal pace was 120 strides per minute for 3 minutes and then a sprint for 1 minute – my last sprint was at 200 strides per minute. Whew!
Literally after 55 minutes of this routine I am actually spent. Feels good though!
I want to apologize in advance for my photography skillz – my camera was in the car and it was raining cats and dogs so my blackberry camera came to the rescue. š
Breakfast was an egg white/egg omelet: 1 egg, 1/2 cup egg white, 2 slices nitrate free bacon, roasted red peppers and baby spinach with salsa and 2 tablespoons acocado. On the side I had a very dry orange on the side.
The above meal was 283 calories, 14 fat, 16 carbs, 4.6 fiber and 21 protein, or 7 WW points.
But by about 11:00, I was starving. So I had a pear and an ounce of hard salami. That did the trick!
Then around 1:30 I was finally hungry for lunch. So simple. I have to tell you that my bag of salad was big enough for me to eat 3 of the bowls you see below!
I realized after I downloaded this picture that I hid most of the good stuff: chopped roasted red peppers, carrots, cucumbers, 1 cup cole slaw mix, chopped romaine, 2 tablespoons avocado and 4 ounces of cooked taco beef (made with 90% lean beef).
But guess what? No salad dressing on Paleo. So I took a baby food jar of salsa and tossed my salad in that (and maybe some extra hot sauce!). Lunch comes in at 437 calories, 22 fat, 24 carbs, 10 fiber and 36 protein, or 11 WW Points.
So see how I highlighed 24 carbs? My blood sugar before lunch was 120. So I took 4 units of insulin for lunch (I take 1 unit of insulin for every 5 grams of carbs I eat – this works for me – check with your doctor š ). An hour after I ate my salad my blood sugar dropped to 47. š
So I had to drink a 10 ounce bottle of orange juice and Reeses’ peanut butter cup to bring me back up – I almost lasted two days with no added sugar! š
The next dish that jumped to mind was chili! My husband is just happy that I made chili without beans. š
Paleo Chili Mac (the Mac part is just for me – pretty sure after Tony nearly threw up when I served him spaghetti squash and quinoa meatballs a while back, that was a red flag: Tony doesn’t like spaghetti squash, meatballs or quinoa!)
Mine made 10 cups – each cup 300 calories, 19 fat, 8 carbs, 2.2 fiber and 23 protein, or 8 WW points per cup.
- 2 pounds 90/10 ground beef
- 3/4 cup beef stew meat (my store sold beef taco meat – looked just the same as stew meat, but smaller chunks)
- 1 28 ounce can of crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 10 ounce can green enchilada sauce
- 1/8 cup almond flour
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon grond cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons chili powder (more if you like it spicy)
- 2 tablespoons ground cumin
- salt and pepper to taste
- my macaroni = spagetti squash!
This one is simple. Since I knew my meat wasn’t that fatty, I just threw everything in the pool, mixed well and let it simmer for 30 minutes, or just until the meat is cooked through.
For some reason, when I reheated it it became much thinner. I think next time I’ll use chunkier meat and ditch the ground beef. Still tasty though! My serving with the spaghetti squash comes in at 375 calories, 23 fat, 10 carbs, 4.4 fiber, 24 protein, or 9 WW points.
So with my pre-workout fruit, the orange juice, Reese’s peanut butter cup and 2 servings of peanuts, my total calorie intake for the day was 1563 calories, 77 fat, 135 carbs, 26 fiber and 92 protein.
- 1563 calories
- 40 WW points
- 55 minute circuit training
- average blood sugar was 92
Three shout outs . . .my sister is hosting BSI this week. . . cranberries! You have until Sunday to get her your cranberry recipes – go back in your archives! š
Another shout out for my friend and diabetes registered dietician Nicole for her lovely email giving me advise on the Paleo diet (and hoping I’ll up my carbs to the 130 carbs – she says that’s what is needed to provide the brain and nervous system with enough glucose that they can perform the daily functions of life without going into ketosis.) I appreciate your concern Nicole!
Since a bunch of you commented and emailed me about my brothers last blog post, you have to go read this one – its my favorite post!
And Sam is having a pre-holiday giveaway – a $25 dollar Amazon gift card!
Make it a great day!
I was thinking the exact same thing about upping your carbs to the minimum for the health & well being of your brain & nervous system š
I really love that you address your diabetes here. I have said it before, but I think the awareness and the comfort readers have to ask questions here is invaluable. So many people suffer from this disease and it is so poorly managed and misunderstood.
I’m not sure what to make of the Paleo diet as a non-meat eater. However, I always say whatever works for you. Your recipes so far have been very creative and you seem to be adapting quite well to the plan. Awesome workout! I’m definitely going to try some of those strength training exercises.
You’re a doll, Biz! I’m glad you didn’t take my email the wrong way. I truly believe there’s something out there for everyone, and it’s very dependent on the person. I never like to stick my RD nose where it’s not wanted š I really do respect others’ decisions to eat however they choose! You are just a diabetes ROCK STAR and love you to pieces!!
I had some water almost shoot out my nose when I read about the spaghetti squash and quinoa meatballs and Tony’s reaction. Mark would’ve done the SAME thing. I wish I could get REALLY creative with stuff like that, but I know I would be eating solo!! LOL!!
Hi, Biz’s wonderful readers! You guys rock!!
Is it weird that I am now drooling over the pictures of your salami and pear snack. I am going to need that to the snack list for next week. YUM!
Yay! to chili with no beans š
ooh that omelet looks so good!
I just got caught up on the last few posts and am loving all your paleo meals. They look super good and healthy. J. Alabama has been eating mostly paleo these days too so i like getting new ideas on what to eat that doesn’t involve bread or tortillas.
You will have a six pack if you keep up the ab work Vat!! sounds like paleo is going well. Take care.
I hate that exercise! I do it with my 8 lb ball and I just want to throw the ball at someone. Anyone. I have a couple more I do with that stupid ball too. And this crap better work. And soon! LOL
I’ve never used a kettle ball but it looks like a great work out. I could use some tummy firming exercises.
I love that ab exercise – I use it all the time when I teach my 15 minute abs class. Always gets people groaning! š
You really have a challenge with this, and I’m glad you’re getting some extra advice (hi Nicole!) with the carbs and insulin, etc. As for being spent after the workout, yeah, I do the same thing…get into a routine and don’t push myself like I should, so this new thing sounds great (in an exhausting way, lol!).
My trainer calls those Russian Twists and I love them! I love workouts where I can feel what I’m working and those are definitely it!
Thanks for the shout out…I’m so clueless when it comes to carbs…i really should do my homework on them with my PCOS.
I am of the theory of it doesn’t take a ton of sweat to make a difference with exercise…lol but then again, I am not an expert…THIS is just what I want to believe…and some day i will be proved! Of that I am convinced! haha
I am glad Nicole is advising you on the diet. Just a nurse here…and one that only worked in L&D and has very limited knowledge of diabetes, but it would seem to me, you need those carbs to function. You process sugars a little different than the rest of us non diabetics, and considering you are taking insulin can put you on a very slippery slope. so anyway…I am glad she contacted you with some advice. š
Yep, I am in good hands – I probably received 20 emails from concerned readers – thanks! š
ugh those torso rotations are challenging! I’ve been trying to do them more often.
I love spaghetti squash, meatballs and quinoa! Tony is missing out!
Loving seeing your new workouts! And the chili sounds yummy. The almond flour is an interesting add in!
I was weary of this diet but it looks like you are eating tons of veggies and some fruit and no sugar or processed foods, awesome! It seems to me you are eating carbs in the form of all your produce.
You have totally inspired me to cut down on sugar. I have been super aware for the last 4 days and have only had a few squares of dark chocolate. The more I stay away from it the easier it is.
chili looks amazing!!!
I always can count on you for creative and new and exciting recipes. Seriously, I have been contemplating paleo (I cannot just dive right into full-on paleo because I just cannot waste – but after thanksgiving I am going to try to do it) and your recipe and pictures and daily food log really help!
Also, my husband is diabetic (pills, not shots – yet) and he is ready to make some changed and lose weight. Your blog is really helpful. I get your blog in my email so I have been forwarding it to Big Man.
thanks Biz!
Thanks for the comment Jen! š
Hi Biz- question! Is there a reason you only do 2 sets of each exercise with high reps over say, three sets of 10 reps? Just curious!
It’s the first week, so we are taking it slow. Next week will be 3×20 reps with 70 seconds, week 3 will be 4×15 reps with 60 seconds rest, week for 5×12 with 50 seconds rest in between and the last week 5×10 with 40 seconds.
Today is a rest day from cardio, which I am thankful for – I am sore today! š
I got my carbs up quite a bit yesterday by adding in more fruit. I have to say I feel a bit better today. So maybe more fruit and the occasional sweet potato or a starchy squash like butternut or acorn would help you with the carb/sugar/insulin thing. Nicole is a good friend/blog reader to have – here’s to hoping you two “friends” get to meet IRL soon!
Morning Biz! I’ve already gotten 5 submissions for BSI this week!
I would love that chili – sans the beans too. I have to try spaghetti squash again – it’s been a while. Can you have acorn squash? My friend Olivia made acorn squash fries and she said they turned out great
Yep, I can have acorn squash – love it! š