How things have changed
Sup bloggies 😀 How are ya?
I’m pretty bueno over here 🙂 It’s been so much fun to read your reader’s quizzes! It’s cool to get to know more about all of you, especially since you know almost everything about me 😉
This morning started off with a bowl o’ oats:
and a booty-kicking Boot Camp class.
One of my co-workers told me I killed her (she did AWESOME though). I like to see people sweat, mmm k? 🙂
Snack was a lovely green juice from my friend Spence at Main Squeeze.
(Viesa was sooo jealous)
I took the puppers with me to get juice and we stopped at PetSmart to get them some treats. The LIVE for the place and start squealing with delight as soon as we pull into the mall parking lot 😀
So a reader suggested that I compare one of my meals from when I first started blogging to today’s eats. I figured breakfast would be an excellent comparison 😀
Today’s breakfast:
Superfood Oats with
-1/3 C oat bran
-1 scoop vanilla Sun Warrior
-1 T goji berries
-1/2 T cacao nibs
-1/2 T maca
-cinnamon + Stevia
-1/2 T almond butter
Nutritional stats: 357 cals, 11g fat, 118.52 sodium, 43.96carbs, 12g sugar, 8.1g fiber, 26.29g protein
Breakfast on August 16, 2008
![009[2]](https://fitnessista.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/0092.jpg "009[2]")
Savory Oats with
-1/2 C oatmeal
– Laughing Cow cheese wedge
-pop egg (what my family calls an “over easy” egg)
-chives and hot sauce
Nutritional stats: 254 cals, 9.5g fat, 324.62 sodium, 28.94 carbs, 1.9g sugar, 4g fiber, 13.49g protein
So what’s changed over the past two years??
Looking back, even though my photography has gotten a lot better (heh heh), I’d still say that the savory oats combo is still a great choice for b-fast. (Note: I had eaten a whole wheat tortilla w PB that day before running and then came back and had oats, so it was more like the 2nd part of bfast- if you were going to have it for a whole meal, I’d add some fruit on the side, a salad, or something else to “beef” it up a little over the 300 calorie mark)
–I prefer goat’s dairy over cow’s now, so I wouldn’t roll with the Laughing Cow anymore (but would sub goat cheese). I think they need to make a Laughing Goat cheese 🙂
-I need to get back to eating *whole* eggs. I’ve been having a TON of whites lately (for protein), but need to remember that most of the nutrients are in the yolk
-I have a LOT more fun with food now. I’ve learned about so many new ingredients (hello, goji berries, cacao nibs, maca, etc) and have been able to experiment!
-I’ve gotten better at putting together filling, whole meals. Look at the fiber and protein in today’s combo! Baller.
-Not sure what changed with my tastebuds, but thinking about savory oats makes me gag now. I used to enjoy them so much, but something turned me off… so I’m hoping I can give them a try again in the near future, because it really is an awesome way to switch up everyday oat combos
-When I first started the blog, I was still getting into my maintenance groove. I was still a little apprehensive of adding sugary things (like dried fruit) and always used fake sugars instead of the real stuff. Switching over to maintenance mode can be a tricky deal, but I’m happy to say that making the switch over to REAL food was way worth it. Food tastes so much better, especially since I got rid of the “diet”, “packaged” and processed stuff
If you looked at your eats from two years ago, what would you notice?
I’m off to lift some weights, then teaching Zumba, Abs, then dinner with the girls <3
See ya tomorrow with that Glass Dharma promo!
xoxo,
Gina
Today’s workout jam: “Anyway You Want It/Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’” Glee Cast (I FINALLY watched the Season Finale today!!! Oh my word. Amazing)
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i would definitely see how my love of food has increased and the FEAR of food decreased significantly! thank God for that 🙂
I love this comparison…two years ago my bfasts were either non-existent or consisted of a small apple or something. Oh how things have changed for the better! 🙂 I like that breakfast can be fun…and healthy at the same time.
You should def. give savoury oats another go…I love them and they are great for lunch some days too.
Two years ago I was just starting to come out of my ED, so breakfasts were pathetic- Special K with skim milk. So glad I’ve moved on to bigger and better breakies!!
Wow, thinking about it, mine breakfasts have changed a lot too – I used to have a ‘diet’ cereal like Special K with cow’s milk and a cup of milky tea…now it’s porridge and fruit and green tea usually (thought I’ve been a bit slack of late). Can’t beat oats! 🙂
Two years ago I was already about one year into losing the weight that I’ve been losing but I was still eating a lot more pre-packaged meals, I was eating far too little fat and protein and I was the “diet” queen, I’d only eat anything with “low fat” or “low calorie” in it.
Now I eat REAL food, very little processed and I actually forgo the “low fat/calorie” unless I find it tasty and wholesome. I started adding more healthy fats into my diet (i.e., I’m not afraid of avocado anymore) and I definitely experiment more with food I would never thought to eat (like millet).
Can you do an update on insanity soon?! I’m dying to hear about it.
Thanks 🙂
Thinking back to my eating habits two years ago I am
SO thankful that i’m no longer scared of “real” food Like you mentioned.
No longer depriving myself but listening to my body has helped me the
most.
2 years ago? I was eating of cereal for breakfast. A LOT of cereal. Now, I like rotating my breakfast foods, such as oatmeal (which I never used to like until I discovered I could “doctor” it a little, haha), waffles with fruit on top instead of syrup, or my own version of “parfaits”: 1/2 cup granola with Greek yogurt and strawberries. Yum.
Very interesting! When I first read “pop egg,” I misread it as “pop tart,” and I thought, “Wow!! She really HAS changed!” Ha! Not so much 🙂
laughing goat cheese is brilliant!!! 😉
What a fun idea thinking about how things have changed in two years! I was a non-breakfast eater, fast-food frequenter, and junk food enthusiast! Boy, things sure have changed!
I am so inspired by your booty kicker, can’t wait to get to the gym.
I was much more raw til dinner two years ago, need to get back to that!
What an awesome comparison!!! I feel like I am still in the stage you were in 2 years back…I don’t have nearly as much fun with food and I know I can do better. But for now, I’m sticking with simple. I am getting married in one month and to be honest- too many ingredients put this mind into overdrive. 🙂
Love the bootcamp notes!! Fabulous moves you have in there…reminds me of Pure Cardio! 🙂 Heisman and 1-2-3 is my fav for some reason. I feel strong and fast when I do those moves.
I was only eating egg yolks too for a while and now I’ve taken to mixing egg whites with whole eggs. So I’ll make a 2 egg white omelet with 1 whole egg. Try it out =)
2 years ago I was in college and probably eating cereal or coffe/muffin for breakfast. Or chocolate *cough* I mean…granola bars. Not the healthiest of choices really. College was killer.
Now I’m dabbling in oats and usually eat granola with fruit.
Two years ago, the vegetable love was not nearly as strong in my life as it is now. I ate more meat. I ate more processed stuff and never looked at nutritional stats/labels. I ate more fake sugary stuff and only had snacks if they were low-fat and low calorie. Now, I embrace fat! Hello avocados and nut butters!
Maintenence from South Beach??
yeah but at the time, i was calorie counting, too which was a totally different beast
Gina – what is your take on calorie/points counting? i’d love to hear your thoughts…
i think if you can achieve the goals you are looking for and can exercise portion control without it, life is better off without calorie counting. it’s too easy to turn eating into a science project.
I eat a lot more oatmeal now! So glad for that too 🙂
Oh I loved this! My breakfasts two years ago were the same as now: oatmeal. I guess that’s what happens when you eat breakfast at work and can only microwave your food.
2 years ago I was the processed diet food queen. I eat a lot more whole, natural foods now. So much better this way! 🙂
I ate a ton more processed food two years ago.. and a lot more cow’s milk cheese, etc. I am much more of a “whole food” eater now!
Glee was amazing last night… bawled my eyes out during ‘Faithfully’ 🙂
Two years ago my breakfasts were bagels, cereal, or bars. Still healthy-ish, but nothing like today 🙂
Glad the bootcamp class went well!
I used to eat dry Smart Start cereal every single day for breakfast two years ago – no idea why! Now i enjoy eggs, fruit, bagels, etc in the mornin’ – muuuch better than that dry cereal!
Two years ago I ate pretty much the same meals that I deemed to be “safe” on rotation. Now I experiment a lot more and include a source of fat in my meals. I’ve also replaced a lot of the meat I used to eat with beans and tofu.
Hmm from omnivore to mostly vegan (sushi being the only non-vegan part on occasion) and a whole lot more raw foods. I’d say that’s a pretty massive change!!
I am much more aware of portion sizes now. Before I would fill a bowl with cereal and probably eat two-tree bowls at one sitting. I would also put butter (lots of it) on toast and call that breakfast. Now I try to eat more whole foods, and be aware of how much a portion is.
Gina,
I had baingan bharta for lunch today and it. was. phenomenal. I’m usually a channa masala girl but I may have jumped ship to eggplant boat 😉 Completely random, but I couldn’t think of anyone else to tell than you! But 2 years ago, I probably would not have been eating this “ethnic” – I’ve really expanded my horizons within the past year. Woohoo flavorville! 😉
Hey Gina, I don’t know if you’ve done a post on this before… but how about a post on maintaining weight? I’m at my goal weight now and have been dieting for so long that “maintaining” is like a whole new world to me! I’m super nervous to up my calories, confused on how much/when/what I can eat, how much I should still work out etc. in the fear that I’ll be back up to my old weight!
Just thought it’d be a helpful post for those of us in that confusing stage… Keep up the great bloggy :)!
two years ago, i would have been eating a lot more processed fast foods. It was quick and easy and when i was living at home, it was the easiest thing to have in the middle of the night!
Hi Gina! I really loved this post 🙂 I totally agree!!! Once you rid the diet-y stuff, you’ll never go back 😉
I agree, making the switch from frankenfood to REAL food is a major change, but it’s soo much better. I still eat junk food now and then, but mainly real food. I love all the new discoveries that have been revealed around the blogosphere. 🙂
Jenn
Two years ago I was trying to gain weight… so I was eating a MUCH bigger breakfast! But mine are more natural and nutritioally sound now 😀
xo
K
i’m such a gleek. its pathetic but beautiful at the same time haha
hope you have a great night
love love love– bec
I’ve given up counting calories and focus on clean eats. I feel so much more in tune with what my body needs this way. I actually think my total daily calories are a little lower than then but I am eating so much more food. BTW I never liked savory oats until I tried Angela from Oh She Glows cheesy savory oats with nutritional yeast, topped salsa and avocado, they are so good!
Two years ago at this EXACT time I was coming off my first fitness competition. It sparked my love for dance and competing again and I’ve never been the same since!
Ahh I’ve pretty much changed EVERYTHING about how I eat! I used to be the queen of Atkins/Weight Watchers/South Beach/Fiber One bars and products… literally at least 50-75% of what I ate probs had one of those brands on it… so pathetic!! I used to be really into low carb/low fat/high protein, which meant I never touched things like sweet potatoes, avocados, etc… Now, I try to rarely buy anything processed (but definitely still find myself lured into pretty boxes at Whole Foods!) and instead opt for as natural and unprocessed as possible… and sweet potatoes and avocados are now two of my fave foods!! And I certainly eat a TON more carbs and healthy fats, and much less protein. It really is crazy how much things can change, and in this case, definitely for the better! 🙂
Two years ago, I did not know about overnight oats, almond butter (!!!), or chia seeds. I am a changed woman! Hehe.
I think I once went back to one of your first entries and you ate a Kashi granola bar. I know that would be a rare inclusion in your diet now!
The weirdest thing that has happened to me in the past 2 years since eating WAY more whole foods and less processed foods is that I’m always craving sweetness. Always….pretty much every meal. What gives?
If I had to look back at my meals from 2 years ago I think I’d notice that I was a lot more constrictive with what I ate. I was so afraid of gaining weight that I deprived myself from a lot of great food!
I love doing exercises like this….seeing how things have changed. I found an old Xanga I used to keep recently with my daily eats and excessive calorie counting…oye. Now I try and eat foods that do not need to be counted. See how much fruits and veggies improve, and calorie counting has gone away is great!!The things we learn over time, also as things change! Thanks for sharing!
Well I’ve not been bloging 2 years yet….or anywhere near that, BUT if I think back to what I used to eat 2 years, it definitly has changed!! I used to think a granola bar was breakfast. Who am I kidding? And your photography has gotten a lot better!! 🙂
OMG 2 years ago…. I was 18 pounds heavier than I am now (crazy…) and ate things like Fiber One bars (omg), Sugar Free Jello (omg), Cool Whip (omg), Dannon Yogurt (omg), Snickers (omg), and organic was not in my vocab. YIKES!!!!
haha i hear ya. i ate an entire container of cool whip light once. 🙂
Love this comparison! I definitely have noticed that I would rather have a full fat treat now and again over something like a sugar free pudding cup. While my weight hasn’t changed, I *FEEL* so much better. I noticed that my outlook is so different now. Before it was all about weight, but now it is all about health and making sure my body is about feeling good and strong and healthy for life.
two years ago…my oats were eaten plain with cinnamon and never left me satisfied…now I have been introduced to SO many delicious things to add to my breakfast to keep me more satisfied…I have really embraced the fat, protein, carb ratio in every meal to keep me more satisfied as well! my taste buds have been introduced to SO much!!
GENA thank you SOOO much for suggesting the shakira song “Waka Waka” for working out! Today, i ran farther than i have EVER been able to run on a treadmill before (6.6 miles!) and i partially attribute it to listening to that song about 10 times! love the blog by the way, all your yummy meals and exercising inspire me so much! “waka waka, ay ay, this time for Africa!”
ahhhh so glad you liked it! i’m OBSESSED!!! 🙂
I am eating a lot more variety than two years ago. Food blogs have opened me up to a lot of new tasty and healthy foods.
I’ve been crying over a running injury for a month now, and I’ve gotten sick of the elliptical. But today I tried your Boredom Buster workout-OHMYGOSH. It was BRUTAL, thank you so much! I’ve never felt so good after the elliptical!
I just looked up in fitday what I ate June 5, 2008
Breakfast was Old Fash. Oats with butter buds and Splenda. 1 serving
Friendship 4% cottage cheese 1/2 cup
Spectrum Cod Liver oil (haha)
This morning, I had Whole wheat toast with Sun Butter and All Fruit.
Two years ago I was obsessed with eating 5-6 times a day, a protein and a carb whether I felt like eating or not, counting everything I put in my mouth. Now, I eat whole foods, whenever I’m physically hungry rather than forcing a meal when I don’t really want it, I don’t count anything and thanks to finding this blog, I eat and learned about so many more satisfying, real foods. I’m a happy camper! Thank you! One big change was protein bars for Larabars…can’t believe I ate those little bricks of chemicals. Thank you for introducing me to a Larabar! 🙂
two years ago breakfast would have been cream of wheat topped with brown sugar, sometimes half a serving (about 60 calories, yikes!) if I was in “restriction” mode… Overall, I was the queen of processed diet foods. Definitely glad that phase ended! I am loving whole natural real foods now :O)
Those superfood oats look so yummy, I’m going to have to give them a try!
Hey Gina! This is the first time I’ve had internet in a week, and so natch one of the first things I do is catch up on my FAVE bloggy. Happy belated blogiversay! Huzzah! loooong time reader here. I woulda nailed your scavenger hunt, had I seen it at the appropriate time. Here are my answers:
1. What’s your husband/significant other/cat or pet’s name? Not going to answer to preserve my ananonymity.
2. What’s your favorite kind of cheese? Cheese(cake)…heh…heh….no, but seriously,…cheesecake…..okay fine and/or parmesan
3. What’s one thing you’re afraid of? If one day one of my children has a serious health problem.
4. Where’d you go to school? Not going to answer to preserve my ananonymity.
5. What’s a type of workout that you LOVE? It is a tie between ballet and hiking some gnarly mountain.
6. Celebrity crush….whoever played the character vaughn on the show alias a few years back, him. Oh, man.
7. Where’d you go on your honeymoon? Or where would you want to go on your honeymoon? I’d like to go on a safari in Africa.
8. What state is your familia in? All over!
9. Have you met any bloggers or fellow bloggies? Nope.
10. What’s your favorite type of protein powder?? Biochem unflavored because you can bake with it (protein pizza crust, word up!)
congrats again on your kickass seabass blog xoxo
What are savory oats?
And I just didn’t have fruits or veggies in my life. period. It was all chips/crackers/soda. I’m wondering how I was such a successful athlete back then.
Oatmeal that you cook or top with things that would go in an omelet like mushrooms, peppers cheese etc instead of fruity things. It helps to think of oats as a grain like quinoa or polenta.
explained it better than i would have 🙂 thanks, dana!