A big thanks to PJ for linking here. If this is the first time you have visited, be sure to read the About Leisa page to find out about me and what inspired me to start the  blog. It’s new and still growing and evolving, as is my fitness journey. I hope you find something useful and interesting, and check back often as I add info not only on my personal journey, but how you can use the simple concept of finding 15 new favorite foods to jump-start fat-burning and life-long fitness.

Photo by jurvetson

Firstly, this is a post more about blogging than about food, fitness and fat-burning – maybe.

I have been noticing in the last few weeks that I have gotten a little off-track with what I want to do with this blog. I’m not talking about the whole vacation, holidays and then getting laid-off my job (oh, ya, in case you didn’t know – experienced, talented technical writer seeking contract or permanent employment – inquire within) distraction.

I am talking more about brooding over what is tone, voice and flavor of the site? What’s my ultimate vision? What do I want to DO here?

Now, since I am a writer by trade, if I have a blog, I want it to be good. No, not even good – I want it to be really good. Exceptionally good. Mind-blowingly good. Ya, I know, no pressure. And, since I am a lover of learning, a natural teacher, and hater of reinventing-the-wheel, whenever I begin an endeavor – especially one at which I want to be exceptionally good  – I look to the experts to learn from the hard knocks of those who have gone before. Here is where I got a little off track.

Yesterday, I did some existential house-cleaning, and shed the weight of the elephant of the undone by telling the truth about what I didn’t accomplish, and by finally matching my words to my action (or inaction as the case may be).

Today I want to share a few of the lessons I’ve learned by looking at the process of NOT reaching the fat-burning goal that I had set in October for January 5th.

“Failures are finger posts on the road to achievement.” ~ C.S. Lewis

The first and main thing I realized is this: I stopped taking my own (and my coaches) advice in three specific areas. Sweet irony, I had even prescribed each of these three points to myself and others in my mini-ebook ‘Leisa’s Losing Ways’ less than four months ago. (If you’d like a free copy, just leave me a comment with your email address.)

New Year – A popular time of reflection, and (something I have always found a necessary correlate for useful reflection) truth-telling. Also known as coming clean, not fooling yourself (or anyone else), out with the out and in with the new, can’t start with a clean slate until you clean it, and in the nautical world – swabbing the decks . ‘Tis the season, so here goes.

Loyal readers may recall that I made a wonderful, inspiring and challenging goal a few months ago – to lose 15 lbs before my birthday (early January).

Yo.  Before I give the goods, please accept my apologies for being away so long. No excuses, just life, and best intentions without action get you….well, they don’t get you good blog posts, that’s for sure.

So I decided in order to get the momentum flowing again, I would share a new favorite recipe that has risen to the top of my 15 faves.  It is a “guest post” of sort – written by a favorite blogger of mine, and shared by permission in its entirety.

Here are my variations: I use flax seed oil instead of olive oil (after greens are heated, right before you eat), squeeze on some lime juice, sprinkle with a few flax seeds, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a little kick.

Also, I use a microwave steamer and steam for about 6 mins. This is so easy and good, there is no excuse not to get a good dose of greens everyday. Please let me know how you like it.

How to Make the Yummiest Greens Ever
by Christine Kane

I’ll bet you didn’t know something.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that a bowl of greens has MORE CALCIUM than a glass of milk!

PJ here again, blogging for my buddy Leisa while she’s gone. This post is about putting protein in more than one place on your 15 favs list. You don’t have to be a carnivore like me either. You can do it as a vegetarian too (although it is more of a challenge), and even a vegan if you really know how (see www.runningraw.com for the expert on that – but know that we are apples and oranges on the protein issue, because he is  talking about minimal needs, not metabolism issues. Now I’m just rambling on because I’ve never put this many words inside of parentheses before, and it’s cracking me up because I know it breaks some rules of good writing and it will bug the heck out of Leisa. Multiple sentences inside the same parentheses is also a no-no, so that’s why I’m still going now. How about a comma in the wrong, place? Ha ha Leisa! This ought to learn you to give me full author privileges on your blog while you are out of town!). OK – that was fun, now back on track we go…

X Gym members sometimes wonder if I will ever shut up about the protein issue. I’m telling them constantly to eat it all day, every day, and especially in the morning and after a workout. I tell them to consume at least 100 grams per day, and for some, up to 250 grams.

I believe everyone should eat at least 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day, and to most, that seems like a lot. To some, it seems utterly ridiculous and simply unattainable, but it’s really not. It’s a learned habit that gets easier with time.

So why do I obsess over it to such a degree? Why do I eat 300-500 grams of it per day myself? My body can only absorb about 200 grams of that anyway, so aren’t I “wasting” the rest? These are questions I get asked all the time, so here are my answers.

Hello. PJ here, doing a guest post while Leisa is on a boat with no internet access.

I don’t have the “mad skills” she does when it comes to writing, but I do have a very useful message to tell you, so bear with me and open your mind, because what I have to say is usually a first for most people when they hear it.

It’s really not about the number of calories you eat. It’s all about the TYPE of calorie, and the TIMING of that calorie.

After a midnight-ish snack of processed cheese-like product (1/4 oz), 4 crackers, and some nuts (for 170 calories & a whopping – not – 5 grams of protein) for which I was privilaged to fork over four US dollars, I went on a protein hunt in the Miami aiport.

Totally passed right by a Saborro’s (which in lifetimes past would have drawn me in like a 25th Century tractor-beam), and finally settled on the unlikely, Burger King.

Crisandwich(sp) – ham (NOT bacon or sausage), with egglike & cheeselike product, and only ate half the bun. Keep the deepfried potatoes TYVM, even though they are ‘free.’

May not sound like the ideal meal, but considering the options, and how in my former life airline travel was used as the ultimate excuse to ’splurge’ (surprisingly to me, I don’t even think in those terms anymore) – I am more than satisfied by my choices.

PJ – what do you think? Good strategy given the circiumstances? Any ways I could have done better?

All the conventional wisdom says if you want to reach a goal, make a change, or start a new path – the only time to start is ‘now.’ You’ve heard all the cliches: “No time like the present.” “Nothing ever happens tomorrow – whenever something ever actually happens, it’s always now.” “Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” I am sure you could help me come up with a dozen more.

And all those things are true. They are valid. They are time tested and not to be ignored. However, I am gonna make the case for starting your diet ‘later.’ Here’s why:

When I started my fat-burning and getting fit journey in earnest, with complete commitment and focus back in June, I did one thing thing right. It was different from how I had ever approached weight-loss before, and I think it played a big part in the success I have had — I took time, plenty of time – a couple weeks at least – to psych myself up for the challenge.

Like almost everyone (and I am willing to bet everyone reading this), I had tried many times before and failed. I had gotten excited about the idea of losing weight & getting fit, and then dove in with great enthusiam, without giving much thought to what impact the changes I needed to make would have on my life, or how I planned to overcome the challenges that would inevitibly arise.

So with great hope and a plan (except a plan for overcoming challenges and small failures) I forged ahead. You can guess where this is headed. Inevitably, at the first sign of trouble – unable to resist the office snacks, up a pound after being really, really good for the week – I would get profoundly discouraged and quit, resigned that there was something wrong with me, I just couldn’t do it, and I should just concentrate on loving myself the way I was.

It wasn’t until I took those weeks to really solidify my comittment to myself, and figure out things
like how much extra time did I need in the morning to pack a lunch, when was I going to do my shopping, how would I handle the party & girls night out, and most importantly, how would I handle myself if/when I slipped up, or I didn’t see the results right away – it wasn’t until I had answered all those questions that I finally said “ok, I’m starting today and going for two weeks. No quitting, no excuses.”

And, finally, those first two weeks of my diet were nothing less than triumphant. Not only did I lose 8 pounds, but I proved to myself that I could do it, and this was only the beginning.

This is all coming up now because I have been at a standstill. But now I am getting really excited because I am also gearing up for phase 2 of my fat- loss fitness jouney, beginning November 16.

I guess my point is, that while it’s true that you won’t get results by fooling yourself that you will start on some perpetual ‘tomorrow’ – there is also some value in waiting to start until you know you are ready, willing and able to do whatever it takes.

(another iPhone post)

Here’s what I’ve been wondering about recently: How do I maintain my high-protein, low-carb ways when I am on a vacation where food is pre-planned? I am going on a sailing vacation that includes meals, and just a couple days ago I realized, woops, wonder what the meals will be like.

Sticking within the 15FaveFoods guidelines when going out takes special creativity and determination. That is why it is so nice to stumble across a hip & fun restaurant that has a perfect 15Fave dinner, right in my neighborhood.

The Paragon on the top of Queen Anne Hill in Seattle is that place for me. It has been there for 14 years, but has probably been 10 since I’d been there for dinner. My parents and I chose it purely for convenience for an early dinner a couple ago and walked away unexpectedly impressed by the value, gracious service and the quality of the food.