The Queasy Stomach Question

Day 31 of six weeks

Weight today: same

Total lost: 4 pounds in four weeks

1/2 cup of oatmeal:150
1 tsp of sugar: 15
total:165

1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
2 tsp of sugar in coffee:30
3 oz chicken breast:105
1/2 cup brown rice: 113
1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
total:293
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running total: 458

2 large eggs:140
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of cottage cheese:80
1/4 cup of canned fruit in heavy syrup:45
total:295
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running total: 753

3/4 cup of Reeses Puff cereal:120
1/4 cup of milk:30
1 tbl of creamer with coffee:30
2 tsp of sugar:30
1/2 graham crackers:42
total: 252
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running total: 1,005

1 4 oz banana:100
2 oz chicken breast:105
1/2 cup of brown rice:113
1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
2 tsp of sugar in coffee:30
handful of cheerios:30
total: 423
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running total: 1,428

1/2 cup of Blue Bunny Light ice cream:100
1 tsp of chocolate syrup:25
total 125
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running total: 1553

Today's challenge: Staying on-calorie, hydration and getting in my work-outs. I'm lacking motivation lately.

Actual fitness: 1 mile warm-up at 10 minute mile pace, six 400s with 400 rests inbetween at 10 minute/mile pace, the first 4x400 at 8/min mile pace, the fifth at 7:30/min mile pace, the sixth at 7:03 min/mile pace, 50 minute chest and triceps work-out, my abdominal routine.

Note on picture: What are these things? Someone at work gave them to my husband to bring home for the family. I ate two the other day before I realized there was seven total and only had five left for the kids. Guess I ate my husband's treat. They're made of marshmallows, cheerios and the coating, although appearing like chocolate, I don't think was actually chocolate. Wow, were they good.

The Queasy Stomach Question

So, I mentioned that I am no longer drinking protein shakes because of upset stomach symptoms that may be related to the protein shakes.

Well, to be fair to the protein shake makers, I'm still getting upset stomach and I haven't had a protein shake in over a week. So, that means either I've just got some gastro-intestinal bug, or it's something I'm eating that my stomach doesn't agree with.

So, I've looked at my diet and have pinpointed a possible culprit. And I have to admit, I'm sad that the possible culprit may be the sweet-n-low in my coffee. Or it could be the caffeine in my coffee. To be sure of which it is, I should probably first eliminate the sweet-n-low for a week to see if my stomach settles down and if not, then the coffee itself. However, the idea of drinking unsweetened coffee...well, it's gross.

So, I thought of throwing out coffee altogether and maybe instead drinking some hot slightly caffeinated tea with a teaspoon or two of sugar, which would still keep the calories for that drink at about 30. But if I did that, then I wouldn't know for sure if it was the sweet-n-low causing the stomach upset or the caffeine.

I did a little reading on sweet-n-low. The articles against sweet-n-low blamed it for brain tumors and even said you shouldn't take it if your pregnant because it has saccharin. They also said it increases your cravings for food and makes you gain weight.

An article that denounced these claims said that sweet-n-low was perfectly safe but that it has been known to cause upset stomach and headaches if taken in large quantities. I buy sweet-n-low by the box and use a little dipper to dip it in my coffee and I don't really measure it. But if I were to estimate, it may be three bags ( the pre-packaged baggies you see by the coffees) or more a day.

Another reason, I've thought of throwing out the coffee is because I tend to drink more water when I'm not drinking coffee. And lately I've noticed I'm struggling with taking in enough water. And of course, if I'm already not drinking enough water, coffee just makes it worse.

And with as much as I work out, I need a lot of water.

But the upset stomach thing is bugging me enough that I think I'd like to eliminate sweet-n-low for a week and see how I feel. I mean it's getting to the point, where my stomach feels queasy when I run, or if I'm just sitting around hanging out. That's not normal.

So, I suppose I could maybe cut my coffee intake to two cups a day instead of three so as not to bring on the onslaught of headaches, and just add sugar instead.

Fun stuff. Hope you all have a great day!