This week, on top of the intentional, good stuff I've been doing for myself, I've had to do a lot of outside walking during my work days. I've had meetings here and there so I've had to bundle up and make my way through the frozen tundra (not really tundra but definitely frozen).
I should be embarassed to admit this but, I tell ya, recently, I've become so lazy and out of shape that I'd been very carefully planning these trips so as not to take one extra step than was absolutely necessary. Part of the reason for this strategy was that I have been feeling so slow and bulky and out of shape that it actually was difficult for me to make some of these treks.
This week has been marginally better. I had more treks out into the world. The more little trips I take, the better I feel. I noticed on Wednesday, that on my way back to the office (through a particularly icy patch) my hips were hurting me. This morning, I didn't have that happen. I think I actually felt good when I got back to my desk. My lungs had been filled with some frosty air, my cheeks were a little frost-bitten (again not really but they were really cold) and I felt good. The really kind of cool thing (for me anyway) about this morning was that this particular meeting was about as far away from my office as I would normally have to go, it was uphill, against the wind and it wasn't something that I absolutely had to attend.
Now, again, this all might sound a little silly to a fit person but for an unfit, typically lazy soul like myself, it was an accomplishment that I'm feeling pretty good about. I'm also planning to do my exercise thing when I get home tonight as well so, yeah, yay me. Big frosty walk and exercise. Not bad for a lump huh?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
grumbly tummy
I've been pretty busy this morning so I didn't realize that it was time for lunch until my stomach told me. I like days like this.
Whatever happened on Monday, the clicking thing is still working. Looking back on last night, I didn't even think about having a snack after dinner. This is odd but not, I guess. I didn't flop out on the sofa last night, like Monday night, I did some chores and some blogging and kept myself pretty busy. The snacking trigger for me, in the evenings, is completely related to boredom. It's so easy to do a little mindless nibbling when you're in a fog in front of the tube.
Anyway, whatever happened, it's still happening and I'm happy about that. As always, the weekend will prove to be the big challenge. I have to say, I'm enjoying this feeling of having more energy so much, I may be inspired to just keep my head together and not oink out all weekend. We'll see.
Whatever happened on Monday, the clicking thing is still working. Looking back on last night, I didn't even think about having a snack after dinner. This is odd but not, I guess. I didn't flop out on the sofa last night, like Monday night, I did some chores and some blogging and kept myself pretty busy. The snacking trigger for me, in the evenings, is completely related to boredom. It's so easy to do a little mindless nibbling when you're in a fog in front of the tube.
Anyway, whatever happened, it's still happening and I'm happy about that. As always, the weekend will prove to be the big challenge. I have to say, I'm enjoying this feeling of having more energy so much, I may be inspired to just keep my head together and not oink out all weekend. We'll see.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
wednesday wrap-up - week 1
Today was day 2 of my deliberate exercise program. Yesterday was one of our "off days." This week that's Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday (although I may do something on Saturday and Sunday). I rode just as long tonight but not quite as far. I put 3.51 miles on the old bike this afternoon.
Yesterday, with my hunny being sick, we ended up going for a bowl of soup after work. I ordered wisely I think. On the way home, I needed to pick up a few things at the store and treated myself to some PMS chocolate. It was good, I enjoyed every bite and it's done. Fear not the binge! It was controlled chocolate.
Even though I really didn't get my shit together properly until Monday (and normally I do this Wednesday to Wednesday) I'm doing a weekly wrap-up today. Let's take a look at my progress so far... here's my weekly wrap-up:
summary - week ending February 27
Yesterday, with my hunny being sick, we ended up going for a bowl of soup after work. I ordered wisely I think. On the way home, I needed to pick up a few things at the store and treated myself to some PMS chocolate. It was good, I enjoyed every bite and it's done. Fear not the binge! It was controlled chocolate.
Even though I really didn't get my shit together properly until Monday (and normally I do this Wednesday to Wednesday) I'm doing a weekly wrap-up today. Let's take a look at my progress so far... here's my weekly wrap-up:
summary - week ending February 27
- I took my vitamins 7 out of 7 days this week - I even remembered on the weekend! At least I did something good for myself this week!!
- once again, this one was not a problem - I met my daily water intake goal all week!
- gave into a couple of stupid cravings: some ketchup chips on the weekend and some cadbury mini rabbit caramilk things last night (PMS is starting)
- so far, have posted here each week day this week (so far)
- kept my ass OFF the scale all week!
- got my butt back on the bike this week. Miles rode this week: 7.10
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
clicked
Something in my head clicked yesterday morning. I wrote about the exercise plan and that was just part of it. For the first time in a really really long time, I feel good about getting healthier.
Last night, as soon as I got home, I put on some track pants and an old t-shirt and went downstairs to ride the recumbent bike while my hunny made dinner. I honestly can't tell you how long it's been since my butt's been on that bike but it's been a while.
I turned the tv on (Oprah had Valerie BertandErnie on) and decided that I'd ride for 15 minutes or 3 miles, whichever came first. That may seem like not a lot but it was my first day back and I really didn't want to hurt myself. I chose the 20 minute program on my bike and started peddalling. I could really feel it in my thighs and behind my knees but I kept going. When I got to 3 miles, I thought, well hell, I am going to keep going until my 15 minutes are up. When I got to 15 minutes I was more than ready to stop and I'd rode 3.59 miles.
After dinner, my hunny went for a ride. He was feeling really crappy last night (and this morning I think he has the flu - he's home from work) but he rode for 10 minutes while I did a bunch of little chores upstairs. I was shocked actually, at how energized that little ride made me. Normally, after dinner, I'd flake out in front of the tv and leave whatever it was I did until the weekend. If this keeps up, I may have no chores to do all weekend!!
As far as eating goes, I've now stopped journalling. That really helped me out but I don't think I need it for now. My basic rule of thumb, and it feels like it's working, is this: as low fat as possible, lots of raw veggies and fruit and water. I've decided to avoid junk food as much as I can but, if I really need something (like a bad hormonal craving), I'm just going to give in and have a small (SMALL) amount of it. This is not a diet I'm on, seriously, I'm just trying to have a healthier life. In the long run, if I meet that one-size-smaller goal, that'll be good but ultimately, I want to have more energy and just feel better.
I think if I post here more often that'll help me. The posts will likely be boring but that's okay. It's my blog and I can be boring if I want to!!
Last night, as soon as I got home, I put on some track pants and an old t-shirt and went downstairs to ride the recumbent bike while my hunny made dinner. I honestly can't tell you how long it's been since my butt's been on that bike but it's been a while.
I turned the tv on (Oprah had Valerie BertandErnie on) and decided that I'd ride for 15 minutes or 3 miles, whichever came first. That may seem like not a lot but it was my first day back and I really didn't want to hurt myself. I chose the 20 minute program on my bike and started peddalling. I could really feel it in my thighs and behind my knees but I kept going. When I got to 3 miles, I thought, well hell, I am going to keep going until my 15 minutes are up. When I got to 15 minutes I was more than ready to stop and I'd rode 3.59 miles.
After dinner, my hunny went for a ride. He was feeling really crappy last night (and this morning I think he has the flu - he's home from work) but he rode for 10 minutes while I did a bunch of little chores upstairs. I was shocked actually, at how energized that little ride made me. Normally, after dinner, I'd flake out in front of the tv and leave whatever it was I did until the weekend. If this keeps up, I may have no chores to do all weekend!!
As far as eating goes, I've now stopped journalling. That really helped me out but I don't think I need it for now. My basic rule of thumb, and it feels like it's working, is this: as low fat as possible, lots of raw veggies and fruit and water. I've decided to avoid junk food as much as I can but, if I really need something (like a bad hormonal craving), I'm just going to give in and have a small (SMALL) amount of it. This is not a diet I'm on, seriously, I'm just trying to have a healthier life. In the long run, if I meet that one-size-smaller goal, that'll be good but ultimately, I want to have more energy and just feel better.
I think if I post here more often that'll help me. The posts will likely be boring but that's okay. It's my blog and I can be boring if I want to!!
Monday, February 25, 2008
plan the work
Okay, so I have devised a simple exercise plan to get us started this week. Up until now, it's been hit and miss with no routine at all to speak of.
Over the weekend, while I scrubbed and scoured the upstairs, my hunny sorted out the basement and got our exercise area set up again in the basement. We're both feeling rather large and sluggish at the moment but I think my plan will help us not feel so much like that. We're going to get our butts back on that recumbent bike and supplement it with some mat exercises. I'll ride the bike while he cooks dinner, he'll ride the bike while I clean up. I figure that if we do this every other day for a week or so, that will gently get us back into the groove of things. The floor exercises (crunches and stretching, etc.) we can do on the off days.
This should get us feeling limber enough that when the ice finally melts, we can get into a walking routine. I feel good about this plan and doing it together means that we'll drag each other along, even on the days when we may not want to do it.
Over the weekend, while I scrubbed and scoured the upstairs, my hunny sorted out the basement and got our exercise area set up again in the basement. We're both feeling rather large and sluggish at the moment but I think my plan will help us not feel so much like that. We're going to get our butts back on that recumbent bike and supplement it with some mat exercises. I'll ride the bike while he cooks dinner, he'll ride the bike while I clean up. I figure that if we do this every other day for a week or so, that will gently get us back into the groove of things. The floor exercises (crunches and stretching, etc.) we can do on the off days.
This should get us feeling limber enough that when the ice finally melts, we can get into a walking routine. I feel good about this plan and doing it together means that we'll drag each other along, even on the days when we may not want to do it.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
bok choy joy
We had a really veggie heavy stir fry for dinner last night and it did me a world of good. Today is the first day in about two weeks that I am actually feeling normal.
All day yesterday, I was in terrible pain and ran a bit of a fever. Whatever I had is now gone and I feel so much better. Terrible as it sounds, when I feel normal, it's easier to stick to my guns and eat well than it is when I'm sick. When I'm sick, I should want to eat well and feel better but I don't. I'm a dummy, I know.
I've deliberately avoided weighing myself for a few weeks now and I think I'm going to stay away from the scale for a little longer. I did have a small NSV though. Last fall, I bought this cute black blazer on eBay. I wore it once before the holidays but wasn't able to button it up. Well, I shouldn't say that I couldn't, I could but it looked dreaful, gaped and tight. This morning I put it on and was able to button it up without it looking terrible.
Not bad huh? it's a start. My first short-term goal is to be one size smaller by the time the nice weather arrives. I'd love to buy some new spring / summer pants and capris in a smaller size. This would also mean that stuff I have packed away would fit me much better than it did last summer. I think that this is a reasonable goal and again, should keep me off the scales.
All day yesterday, I was in terrible pain and ran a bit of a fever. Whatever I had is now gone and I feel so much better. Terrible as it sounds, when I feel normal, it's easier to stick to my guns and eat well than it is when I'm sick. When I'm sick, I should want to eat well and feel better but I don't. I'm a dummy, I know.
I've deliberately avoided weighing myself for a few weeks now and I think I'm going to stay away from the scale for a little longer. I did have a small NSV though. Last fall, I bought this cute black blazer on eBay. I wore it once before the holidays but wasn't able to button it up. Well, I shouldn't say that I couldn't, I could but it looked dreaful, gaped and tight. This morning I put it on and was able to button it up without it looking terrible.
Not bad huh? it's a start. My first short-term goal is to be one size smaller by the time the nice weather arrives. I'd love to buy some new spring / summer pants and capris in a smaller size. This would also mean that stuff I have packed away would fit me much better than it did last summer. I think that this is a reasonable goal and again, should keep me off the scales.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
crap
At the moment, I am at my desk, eating my healthy sammich which is on bran bread and munching on carrot sticks. Over the weekend (we had a long weekend here - I'm just back to work today), we didn't eat so "well." I could have, easily. The healthy stuff is in the house, I just chose to ignore it.
Last week, I came down with a weird cold / flu thing. I felt really shitty and did very little in terms in activity. Over the weekend, we made some crap food choices and both of us felt horrible yesterday. Why is it that when you're sick, you can rationalize the bad choices? Well, maybe not everyone does this but I know that we both did it over the weekend and I really wish we hadn't.
Yesterday wasn't so bad, probably because we both felt crappy but honestly, Saturday was a terrible day. We had chips and take out food and brownies. Not smart at all.
I think I'm going to bookmark this post on my desktop at home and make myself read it everytime I start to rationalize a bad food choice to myself. Nothing is worth feeling as lousy as I do right now. I know that only part of it can be blamed on my cold, I take responsibility for the rest of it.
Last week, I came down with a weird cold / flu thing. I felt really shitty and did very little in terms in activity. Over the weekend, we made some crap food choices and both of us felt horrible yesterday. Why is it that when you're sick, you can rationalize the bad choices? Well, maybe not everyone does this but I know that we both did it over the weekend and I really wish we hadn't.
Yesterday wasn't so bad, probably because we both felt crappy but honestly, Saturday was a terrible day. We had chips and take out food and brownies. Not smart at all.
I think I'm going to bookmark this post on my desktop at home and make myself read it everytime I start to rationalize a bad food choice to myself. Nothing is worth feeling as lousy as I do right now. I know that only part of it can be blamed on my cold, I take responsibility for the rest of it.
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
kicked
All day today I have felt like a wet dish rag. TOM started today and I feel really crappy, more crappy than last month. Last month though, TOM started on the same day as my new job and the excitement of the new job may have masked things. At the moment, my ass is feeling well and truly kicked.
Right now, I'm operating on way too much ibuprofen. Well, if it was too much I would probably feel better and be asleep so I'm guessing I'm operating on not quite enough but it might be working better soon.
I had forgotten that I was hormonal (yes, it can happen) over the weekend. I had a wicked craving for chocolate all last week and I indulged (just a little) on the weekend. On Thursday evening, I went to the bulk store and bought a small number of little chocolate hearts which were full of caramel, a small number of hershey kisses and a couple of pieces of crispy crunch (the mini kind). I had a few pieces of each, each day of the weekend (I had a long weekend - was off on Friday) and they seemed to satisfy my craving without creating a binge.
One thing that we did this weekend that I wanted to share, was to make pizza at home. I love ordering a pizza on a Friday evening. It's bad though, even when we order the mulit-grain crust, mango, whatever pizza, it's still a lot of fat. When we got groceries on Thursday evening, I picked up a package of these huge pitas. There were 5 in the bag for $1.99 and they made the most awesome, super thing crust, medium sized pizzas. We used salsa for the sauce and fat free cheese and tonnes of veggies and only a little bit of meat. It was delicious and we're definitely going to do that again. It was a huge savings on calories and fat and it was also a bargain.
I know that the best thing I can do is to not deprive myself. We're trying really hard to be creative and modify stuff we like to eat. Fortunately, so far, we're making some progress on that score. I know I'm always saying but it's true, baby steps will get me there a lot faster than giant old leaps that make me fall down!
Right now, I'm operating on way too much ibuprofen. Well, if it was too much I would probably feel better and be asleep so I'm guessing I'm operating on not quite enough but it might be working better soon.
I had forgotten that I was hormonal (yes, it can happen) over the weekend. I had a wicked craving for chocolate all last week and I indulged (just a little) on the weekend. On Thursday evening, I went to the bulk store and bought a small number of little chocolate hearts which were full of caramel, a small number of hershey kisses and a couple of pieces of crispy crunch (the mini kind). I had a few pieces of each, each day of the weekend (I had a long weekend - was off on Friday) and they seemed to satisfy my craving without creating a binge.
One thing that we did this weekend that I wanted to share, was to make pizza at home. I love ordering a pizza on a Friday evening. It's bad though, even when we order the mulit-grain crust, mango, whatever pizza, it's still a lot of fat. When we got groceries on Thursday evening, I picked up a package of these huge pitas. There were 5 in the bag for $1.99 and they made the most awesome, super thing crust, medium sized pizzas. We used salsa for the sauce and fat free cheese and tonnes of veggies and only a little bit of meat. It was delicious and we're definitely going to do that again. It was a huge savings on calories and fat and it was also a bargain.
I know that the best thing I can do is to not deprive myself. We're trying really hard to be creative and modify stuff we like to eat. Fortunately, so far, we're making some progress on that score. I know I'm always saying but it's true, baby steps will get me there a lot faster than giant old leaps that make me fall down!
Monday, February 04, 2008
hits and misses
So the journalling was hit and miss last week. It was good while I was working but not so good over the weekend. I guess that the lack of routine, and the less frequent visits to the computer, both conspired against me.
Exercise over the weekend was pretty good. Not anything structured but good nonetheless. We had a massive snow storm over the weekend so there was much shoveling to do, both on Friday and Saturday. I know that I have said this before but I totally don't hate to shovel. There is something about the lifting and twisting and throwing, in the crisp clean, ice cold air, that is invigorating. If there was a machine which could recreate that particular kind of exercise, I'd be a happy kid.
Exercise over the weekend was pretty good. Not anything structured but good nonetheless. We had a massive snow storm over the weekend so there was much shoveling to do, both on Friday and Saturday. I know that I have said this before but I totally don't hate to shovel. There is something about the lifting and twisting and throwing, in the crisp clean, ice cold air, that is invigorating. If there was a machine which could recreate that particular kind of exercise, I'd be a happy kid.
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