Weight loss and swim times

I used to have the same problem -- especially with lettuce. I would get home from the market, put it in the crisper drawer and forget about it. Two weeks later the drawer would contain a pool of brown, rotten lettuce soup. YUK! Most of the time, my fridge looks like nobody lives here. I go to the market almost every day and find the freshest, most beautiful things I can get my hands on. With lettuce and greens, I wash and spin them dry, then put them in a Ziploc bag before they go into the fridge. This way, I'm ready to just pull them out and fix a meal without going through the whole process of washing, etc. You can probably figure out a way to shop once a week and still have fresh things on hand. There are a lot of vegetables that keep for a week or longer, although I prefer to consume them within a day or two of purchasing them. If you clean your veggies and do a little prep before putting things away in the fridge, it really helps. Also, if you store these things within view, you will not forget about them as easily. So anyway, I go to the market every day, if possible. I stay on the perimeter of the market, where all the fresh produce, fruits and vegetables, meats, dairy can be found. There is very little processed, packaged, or canned food in my home -- but there are some staples around (jars of roasted red peppers, canned tuna, dry pasta, frozen chicken breasts, frozen homemade pizza dough, etc.). So, if I don't have time to get to the market, I can whip up a healthy meal with what I've got on hand. And, I swim much faster when I'm eating better!! ;) How's that for staying on topic?

I use a Zyliss salad spinner. It cost less that $20.

Originally posted by Fitswimmer04 I started Weight Watchers in January and got the nerve up to get into the pool in March after I'd lost the first 10 pounds. ( I still have people asking if I'm pregnant.-Word to the wise, don't ask unless you know the person well, it can be a hurtful thing) I had been swimming a mile straight, but I've learned from all of you that interval training is the way to go. My real problem on the diet end is that I just do not like the taste of most vegetables. I find them bitter. I eat salad, but I dont' enjoy it. Have you tried the low calorie vineagrette dressings that make salads taste great?

Congratulations Bill on your success. Some fast swimming too. I think most swimmers will agree that the by-product of heavy training is an overactive appetite, which makes it easier to pack on some pounds if you're not careful. I find it very easy to graze all day, rather than three square meals. Some say that this actually helps the metabolism stay revving. Did you find yourself at all hungry during the weight loss period? Or does the greenery act as a filler?

Great thread and great job Bill, You mentioned the Zone which I've been doing for about 3 months now. Lost 30 pounds and my swimming has improved drastically. I'm not a Master's member and I don't usually ( ok, ever ) keep times on myself so I can't give any stats on my improvment. I'll say that I was only able to a few laps at a stretch, now I manage a few sets of 300,400,500 yards. In fact, I'd say my weight and diet has ceased to be what's holding me back from making progress, rather my schedule is the big culprit. There is no such thing as a daily swim for me, I'm lucky to get in the pool twice ( maybe three ) times a week.

Originally posted by ced357 Out of Curiosity Bill, how often do you buy your veggie’s and fruit? The reason I ask is because when ever I buy fresh veggie’s and fruit, it always seems to go bad, or lose its freshness before I can eat it. Yes! Me too! I find I have to grocery shop 2-3 times a week very small amounts or I buy to freeze before they go bad... You know every time I get back in the water I tell myself I will never get out of shape again. I just hate that feeling before the endorphin rushes take over...

Any time, Alison (swimshark)! First stop, the Apple Store. Gotta look at iPods. Last stop, Whole Foods!! :)

Has anyone heard (this is for real), that Krispy Kreme are coming out with 'cooling summer drinks' & one of the flavours is 'Kreme' which is supposed to taste just like their original doughnut. Now, I do have a sweet tooth, but that is enough to make me eat brussel sprouts!

I've lost 40 pounds in a year and a half and I am much faster now. Of course, I started swimming a year and a half ago to lose weight. I was in terrible shape (except for my remote control thumb which got lots of exercise) when I started so my increase in speed is probably in large part due to technique that continues to improve and being in better shape. Bill, I am with you on the veggies. We eat a lot of them around here. Especially between April and October when the garden is in full swing.... asparagus, many kinds of lettuce, green peppers, hot peppers, black berries, straw berries, blue berries, cucumbers, zuchinni, tomatoes, beans, peas, onions, radishes.... Another thing I have learned about weight loss is that I lose in bursts. I may not lose for a month or two - just maintain. Then in a week I drop five pounds. I think many times, when people don't lose continuously, they get frustrated and stop.

I started Weight Watchers in January and got the nerve up to get into the pool in March after I'd lost the first 10 pounds. ( I still have people asking if I'm pregnant.-Word to the wise, don't ask unless you know the person well, it can be a hurtful thing) I had been swimming a mile straight, but I've learned from all of you that interval training is the way to go. My real problem on the diet end is that I just do not like the taste of most vegetables. I find them bitter. I eat salad, but I dont' enjoy it.