Woot!
First of all, I lost 2.2 pounds this week, bringing my monthly total to 5.4 pounds lost. Yes!
Yesterday, I walked 40 minutes on the treadmill prior to Tone & Fit. Yay exercise!
For all the folks around here who griped about it being nearly 80 at the end of October - we're back to shivering, happy now? It was in the mid 40s this morning. Brr!
I probably have written it every fall since I've had this blog, but I'll repeat it again this year: the seasons are pretty but I really was okay living in Hawaii where there is only 1 season "fabulous!". I dislike both cold and coats - you see my dilemna!
Tomorrow we are riding up to Asheville for the afternoon (a couple of friends are getting awards) and we really want to be there. Hub agreed that we will go AFTER I've gone to the gym. I can't decide if I want to do water aerobics or yoga. Or I could do yoga & then do some cardio on a machine on my own. Hmmm...
Money is a bit tight right now. Hub is working (yay!) but his team just started a new job and the foundations haven't been poured yet. With the rain we had, he isn't working today and didn't work yesterday. He cleaned around the house yesterday and is doing a few things for my mom today. So he's keeping busy, but of course this is unpaid time off, which puts a crimp in the budget.
Despite that, I did order myself a cheap pair of cycling shorts yesterday. My Pearl Izumi's were comfortable 30 pounds ago, but they are horribly uncomfortable now, not to mention I don't want to stretch them out & ruin them. I had a note this morning that they shipped yesterday! This will make spin class MUCH more pleasant. I consider cycling short a must.
I hope you all have a great weekend!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Thursday, October 28, 2010
NSV
Yesterday afternoon/evening/into the night saw storm after storm roll through our area, leaving us popping between tornado warnings and watches - oh, and flash flood warnings. There was a lot of standing water on the roads already as I drove home, so I elected to stay put rather than go to water aerobics. I felt weird doing so, but I worked on lining my bathroom curtains.
Hub decided he wanted some milk (which I don't normally keep in the house except for almond milk) and asked if I wanted anything from the convenience store. I waffled a bit - I was feeling restless (probably due to lack of going to the gym) but said no. Go me!
I don't record my weight until Friday, but I've been weighing myself daily and am very pleased with what I am seeing. As of today's number, if I lose 10.2 pounds by the end of the year (just over 9 weeks), I will have undone the 15.6 pounds I gained this year. While I'm mad I gained, I'm glad I'm doing something about it now.
Yesterday afternoon/evening/into the night saw storm after storm roll through our area, leaving us popping between tornado warnings and watches - oh, and flash flood warnings. There was a lot of standing water on the roads already as I drove home, so I elected to stay put rather than go to water aerobics. I felt weird doing so, but I worked on lining my bathroom curtains.
Hub decided he wanted some milk (which I don't normally keep in the house except for almond milk) and asked if I wanted anything from the convenience store. I waffled a bit - I was feeling restless (probably due to lack of going to the gym) but said no. Go me!
I don't record my weight until Friday, but I've been weighing myself daily and am very pleased with what I am seeing. As of today's number, if I lose 10.2 pounds by the end of the year (just over 9 weeks), I will have undone the 15.6 pounds I gained this year. While I'm mad I gained, I'm glad I'm doing something about it now.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Take care of yourself
This article is well worth sharing. It's from this web site: http://refusetoregain.com/refusetoregain/ and is written by a doctor.
Swallowing the Universe
by Barbara Berkeley
Ever since Jonah was swallowed by the whale, the idea of being ingested remains a terrifying thought. In horror films, aliens gobble people whole. We fear being "swallowed" by the ocean, by storms and by quicksand. Perhaps we have nightmares about our planet being swallowed by a black hole.
We are frightened of being eaten, but we have little fear about what we, ourselves, choose to eat.
Unlike most posts on this site, this is not going to be a diatribe about sugars, starches or calories. Instead, this is a diatribe about safety and why we should be circumspect about the things we choose to swallow.
Aside from breathing, eating is the only act in which we take something from the outside world and make it a complete part of ourself. If you think of it, this is profound. The old saw "you are what you eat" is true in a very real way. The components of the things you ingest become the substance of your body. So too, their toxins...the unexpected hitchikers that accompany foods, drinks and medicines.
As the wife of a gastroenterologist, I can tell you that there is an inordinate amount of food poisoning in our world. Whenever someone gets a GI illness, they say they have the "stomach flu". More likely, they've been poisoned. Think about that: poisoned! While there is the occasional epidemic of Norwalk virus or other gastroenteritis, most of our unexplained bouts of vomiting and diarrhea come from contaminated food. This knowledge has made me think twice about the restaurants I am willing to trust. While it's always a crap shoot, if the chefs are a bunch of 18 year olds in a franchise at a highway exit, you can be sure I'm not stopping.
There has been alot written recently about contaminants that wind up in supplements and medicines. It has always astounded me that otherwise cautious people---people who buckle up when they drive, wear bike helmets, and floss their teeth---think nothing of taking potions they hear about on the internet or peculiar supplements that are not vetted by the FDA. Even vitamins branded with names of doctors, clinics and celebrities. Who is making these supplements and what in the world is in them? Are you really willing to put them directly into your Ferrari of a body?
This week, I saw a new patient who asked me whether she should stop taking her vitamins while dieting. When I asked her what she took, she produced a shopping bag full--literally. There must have been 15-20 different supplements in there, all from manufacturers I'd never heard of. Apart from the question of what these bottles actually contained, there was the larger question of whether healthy people should be taking vitamins at all. No less an authority than the vaunted Cleveland Clinic says no. And I agree. But then again, I'm particularly paranoid about my food sources. I do believe in fish oil, but I'd feel alot better if I knew the Norwegian guy who caught the fish personally.
You can call me crazy, but it only takes so many salmonella and e.coli outbreaks to tell us that we need to look out for ourselves. No one else is going to, at least not until after the fact. Consider the latest example, fines levied against pharmaceutical giant Glaxo for shameful practices in the manufacture of major drugs.
The New York Times reports:
Altogether, GlaxoSmithKline sold 20 drugs with questionable safety that were made at a huge plant in Puerto Rico that for years was rife with contamination. Cheryl Eckard, the company’s quality manager, asserts in her whistle-blower suit that she warned Glaxo of the problems but the company fired her instead of addressing the issues. Among the drugs affected were Avandia, Bactroban, Coreg, Paxil and Tagamet.
The article goes on to specify:
The plant was GlaxoSmithKline’s premier manufacturing facility, producing $5.5 billion of product each year. But Ms. Eckard soon discovered that its quality control systems were a mess: its water system was contaminated; its air system allowed for cross contamination between products; its warehouse was so over-crowded that rented vans were used for storage; it could not ensure the sterility of intravenous drugs for cancer; and pills of differing strengths were sometimes mixed in the same bottles.
Although F.D.A. inspectors had spotted some problems, most were missed. And the company abandoned even the limited fixes it promised to conduct, the unsealed lawsuit says. Ms. Eckard complained repeatedly to senior managers; little was done. She recommended recalls of defective products; recalls were not authorized. In May 2003, she was terminated as a “redundancy.” She complained to top company executives; she was ignored even after warning that she would call the F.D.A.. So she called the F.D.A. and sued. The agency began a criminal investigation and used armed federal marshals in 2005 to seize nearly $2 billion worth of products, the largest such seizure in history. Unable to fix the plant, GlaxoSmithKline shuttered it in 2009.
Who is looking out for you? Only YOU.
Here's what I recommend:
1. Carefully consider your food sources and try to eat in places that you know and trust. Foods that stand out in the open, like salad bars, are risky unless you know they are frequently cleaned and the food kept cold and fresh.
2. Don't eat unknown substances and supplements simply because they have an ad in Shape, Women's Fitness or the National Enquirer.
3. Don't assume that medicines are safe. Take the fewest pills you can. (But DO take meds if you need them!)
Your body is precious. Vet everything that you decide to eat by giving it at least a few moments of consideration. If it's worthy of you and your health, then enjoy. If it's suspect, unknown, or of uncertain value, give it the heave-ho.
This article is well worth sharing. It's from this web site: http://refusetoregain.com/refusetoregain/ and is written by a doctor.
Swallowing the Universe
by Barbara Berkeley
Ever since Jonah was swallowed by the whale, the idea of being ingested remains a terrifying thought. In horror films, aliens gobble people whole. We fear being "swallowed" by the ocean, by storms and by quicksand. Perhaps we have nightmares about our planet being swallowed by a black hole.
We are frightened of being eaten, but we have little fear about what we, ourselves, choose to eat.
Unlike most posts on this site, this is not going to be a diatribe about sugars, starches or calories. Instead, this is a diatribe about safety and why we should be circumspect about the things we choose to swallow.
Aside from breathing, eating is the only act in which we take something from the outside world and make it a complete part of ourself. If you think of it, this is profound. The old saw "you are what you eat" is true in a very real way. The components of the things you ingest become the substance of your body. So too, their toxins...the unexpected hitchikers that accompany foods, drinks and medicines.
As the wife of a gastroenterologist, I can tell you that there is an inordinate amount of food poisoning in our world. Whenever someone gets a GI illness, they say they have the "stomach flu". More likely, they've been poisoned. Think about that: poisoned! While there is the occasional epidemic of Norwalk virus or other gastroenteritis, most of our unexplained bouts of vomiting and diarrhea come from contaminated food. This knowledge has made me think twice about the restaurants I am willing to trust. While it's always a crap shoot, if the chefs are a bunch of 18 year olds in a franchise at a highway exit, you can be sure I'm not stopping.
There has been alot written recently about contaminants that wind up in supplements and medicines. It has always astounded me that otherwise cautious people---people who buckle up when they drive, wear bike helmets, and floss their teeth---think nothing of taking potions they hear about on the internet or peculiar supplements that are not vetted by the FDA. Even vitamins branded with names of doctors, clinics and celebrities. Who is making these supplements and what in the world is in them? Are you really willing to put them directly into your Ferrari of a body?
This week, I saw a new patient who asked me whether she should stop taking her vitamins while dieting. When I asked her what she took, she produced a shopping bag full--literally. There must have been 15-20 different supplements in there, all from manufacturers I'd never heard of. Apart from the question of what these bottles actually contained, there was the larger question of whether healthy people should be taking vitamins at all. No less an authority than the vaunted Cleveland Clinic says no. And I agree. But then again, I'm particularly paranoid about my food sources. I do believe in fish oil, but I'd feel alot better if I knew the Norwegian guy who caught the fish personally.
You can call me crazy, but it only takes so many salmonella and e.coli outbreaks to tell us that we need to look out for ourselves. No one else is going to, at least not until after the fact. Consider the latest example, fines levied against pharmaceutical giant Glaxo for shameful practices in the manufacture of major drugs.
The New York Times reports:
Altogether, GlaxoSmithKline sold 20 drugs with questionable safety that were made at a huge plant in Puerto Rico that for years was rife with contamination. Cheryl Eckard, the company’s quality manager, asserts in her whistle-blower suit that she warned Glaxo of the problems but the company fired her instead of addressing the issues. Among the drugs affected were Avandia, Bactroban, Coreg, Paxil and Tagamet.
The article goes on to specify:
The plant was GlaxoSmithKline’s premier manufacturing facility, producing $5.5 billion of product each year. But Ms. Eckard soon discovered that its quality control systems were a mess: its water system was contaminated; its air system allowed for cross contamination between products; its warehouse was so over-crowded that rented vans were used for storage; it could not ensure the sterility of intravenous drugs for cancer; and pills of differing strengths were sometimes mixed in the same bottles.
Although F.D.A. inspectors had spotted some problems, most were missed. And the company abandoned even the limited fixes it promised to conduct, the unsealed lawsuit says. Ms. Eckard complained repeatedly to senior managers; little was done. She recommended recalls of defective products; recalls were not authorized. In May 2003, she was terminated as a “redundancy.” She complained to top company executives; she was ignored even after warning that she would call the F.D.A.. So she called the F.D.A. and sued. The agency began a criminal investigation and used armed federal marshals in 2005 to seize nearly $2 billion worth of products, the largest such seizure in history. Unable to fix the plant, GlaxoSmithKline shuttered it in 2009.
Who is looking out for you? Only YOU.
Here's what I recommend:
1. Carefully consider your food sources and try to eat in places that you know and trust. Foods that stand out in the open, like salad bars, are risky unless you know they are frequently cleaned and the food kept cold and fresh.
2. Don't eat unknown substances and supplements simply because they have an ad in Shape, Women's Fitness or the National Enquirer.
3. Don't assume that medicines are safe. Take the fewest pills you can. (But DO take meds if you need them!)
Your body is precious. Vet everything that you decide to eat by giving it at least a few moments of consideration. If it's worthy of you and your health, then enjoy. If it's suspect, unknown, or of uncertain value, give it the heave-ho.
Happy “hump” day
Yesterday I spent half my workday enjoying my job, and the other half feeling like I was getting the proverbial shaft. Not a good feeling. I ate Jalepeno Cheetos. Not a good way to deal with stress, but I’m proud of what came next.
I skipped my afternoon snack. I went to Tone & Sculpt & worked hard. I went home and while I made soup I asked the hub to make a big salad, of which I ate a huge bowl and then a smaller bowl of soup. We ate late (for us) – 6:45. I wasn’t hungry for the rest of the evening.
Anyway, one thing I need to remind myself is that I am not the kind of person who can stick to a plan 100% all of the time. Cheetos will happen from time to time. At the end of the day I hadn’t eaten more calories than I planned because I adjusted. I had planned to have a sandwich with the soup, but adjusted and had salad instead. Go me!
Tonight is water aerobics and yoga at lunch.
Yesterday I spent half my workday enjoying my job, and the other half feeling like I was getting the proverbial shaft. Not a good feeling. I ate Jalepeno Cheetos. Not a good way to deal with stress, but I’m proud of what came next.
I skipped my afternoon snack. I went to Tone & Sculpt & worked hard. I went home and while I made soup I asked the hub to make a big salad, of which I ate a huge bowl and then a smaller bowl of soup. We ate late (for us) – 6:45. I wasn’t hungry for the rest of the evening.
Anyway, one thing I need to remind myself is that I am not the kind of person who can stick to a plan 100% all of the time. Cheetos will happen from time to time. At the end of the day I hadn’t eaten more calories than I planned because I adjusted. I had planned to have a sandwich with the soup, but adjusted and had salad instead. Go me!
Tonight is water aerobics and yoga at lunch.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Like a rubber ball
The scale has been bouncing around like mad since last Friday - luckily it's bounced lower (well, not luckily - I've worked for that!), but still, it reminds me to watch trends and not single data points.
I didn't stay for yoga last night. I went to Spin class at 6, and by that time I was tired and really needed to finish my cooking, so I opted to go home and take care of that. I did soak in a tub and my back is fine now.
I brought my MP3 player in case I want to walk some before class this evening.
I had roasted brussel sprouts from the cafeteria with my lunch yesterday. I'm not a huge fan, but these were so good I asked the manager for the recipe! I'll be making them this weekend.
The scale has been bouncing around like mad since last Friday - luckily it's bounced lower (well, not luckily - I've worked for that!), but still, it reminds me to watch trends and not single data points.
I didn't stay for yoga last night. I went to Spin class at 6, and by that time I was tired and really needed to finish my cooking, so I opted to go home and take care of that. I did soak in a tub and my back is fine now.
I brought my MP3 player in case I want to walk some before class this evening.
I had roasted brussel sprouts from the cafeteria with my lunch yesterday. I'm not a huge fan, but these were so good I asked the manager for the recipe! I'll be making them this weekend.
Monday, October 25, 2010
1200th post
Wow. That's pretty amazing.
Saturday I went to kickboxing because I am insane, Actually, the class itself wasn't too bad - but I did wake up extremely stiff yesterday, so decided not to do kettlebells.
This morning I signed up for the next session of fitness classes here at work - I did yoga at lunch again, and opted for the Mon/Wed Tone & Sculpt. That frees up Tue/Thur for deep water aerobics and/or spin class.
You know the '11' calculation? That is, you need your bodyweight times 11 in calories to maintain your weight. For my goal weight of 130, I would get 1430 per day to maintain that weight. That isn't very much! All the more reason to work on getting the most food & nutrition bang for my caloric buck, as it were.
After a wonderful weekend which I thoroughly enjoyed, I overate last night. Ugh! I know it's only one meal, but still. Grr.
I think tonight I will do spin and then yoga at the Y, and of course today is lunchtime yoga. Double yoga should help my back!
I hope you have a great day!
Wow. That's pretty amazing.
Saturday I went to kickboxing because I am insane, Actually, the class itself wasn't too bad - but I did wake up extremely stiff yesterday, so decided not to do kettlebells.
This morning I signed up for the next session of fitness classes here at work - I did yoga at lunch again, and opted for the Mon/Wed Tone & Sculpt. That frees up Tue/Thur for deep water aerobics and/or spin class.
You know the '11' calculation? That is, you need your bodyweight times 11 in calories to maintain your weight. For my goal weight of 130, I would get 1430 per day to maintain that weight. That isn't very much! All the more reason to work on getting the most food & nutrition bang for my caloric buck, as it were.
After a wonderful weekend which I thoroughly enjoyed, I overate last night. Ugh! I know it's only one meal, but still. Grr.
I think tonight I will do spin and then yoga at the Y, and of course today is lunchtime yoga. Double yoga should help my back!
I hope you have a great day!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
How lucky is that?
I've thought a couple of times it would be nice to have an extra swimsuit for the pool since I go to water aerobics multiple times a week. But if you've ever shopped for a"sport" swimsuit, you know they are quite expensive.
Anyway, this afternoon my mom was over and she was taking us out to supper. We had a few minutes to kill, so we rode down to Goodwill to poke around. Guess what I found? I brand new (tags still on) Speedo aquatic sport swimsuit in my size. Retail price on the suit $72. Goodwill price $3.50. Sweet!
I've thought a couple of times it would be nice to have an extra swimsuit for the pool since I go to water aerobics multiple times a week. But if you've ever shopped for a"sport" swimsuit, you know they are quite expensive.
Anyway, this afternoon my mom was over and she was taking us out to supper. We had a few minutes to kill, so we rode down to Goodwill to poke around. Guess what I found? I brand new (tags still on) Speedo aquatic sport swimsuit in my size. Retail price on the suit $72. Goodwill price $3.50. Sweet!
Freaky Saturday
This morning I got up and was down another 0.8 pounds. Woo hoo! I had a few leftovers (I got up early) then had half a green drink before heading to the gym. I ended up doing kickboxing (which kicked my butt) and yoga. Then I finished my green drink when I got home.
Hub is gone for the day and I took the boy over to his grandmother's to mow the lawn. He's back now but it made for a very quiet, very relaxing afternoon. I had a nap and fell asleep listening to the birds. It was cold this morning but lovely today.
I wish the weather could stay like this until April! :-)
Have a good day!
This morning I got up and was down another 0.8 pounds. Woo hoo! I had a few leftovers (I got up early) then had half a green drink before heading to the gym. I ended up doing kickboxing (which kicked my butt) and yoga. Then I finished my green drink when I got home.
Hub is gone for the day and I took the boy over to his grandmother's to mow the lawn. He's back now but it made for a very quiet, very relaxing afternoon. I had a nap and fell asleep listening to the birds. It was cold this morning but lovely today.
I wish the weather could stay like this until April! :-)
Have a good day!
Friday, October 22, 2010
As always, TGIF!
Well, today I weighed the same as last Friday. Eh, I'm okay with that. I didn't make Tone & Sculpt last night - I called the pediatrician to get the boy scheduled for a flu shot and they asked if I could be there by 4. Now, getting in to a pediatrician is like trying to get an audience with the Pope, so I said yes and bolted.
Last night's dinner was awesome - it was a take-off on a stuffed poblano chile recipe I found online. I'm lazy, so I roasted the chiles (on the grill) and them used them as the top & bottom of a casserole which had homemade mexican rice & beans in the middle. We had refriend beans on the side, served with salsa & guacamole. Yum-o! Mexican is my go to cuisine.
I haven't been getting enough greens and I've been feeling kinda overfull, so today I am having just green drinks for the day. I'm hoping the super infusion of greens and light eating will leave me feeling better. This isn't something I do often, but occasionally I get the urge and I'm left feeling better.
Not much in store for the weekend - I need to get my living room valences hung since soon it will be really cold and I'll want to be hanging curtains. Of course, that means I need to actually sew them! That was the one project from the house re-do that never got completed. My other project is to line the bathroom curtains. They are vintage and I don't want them to fade, and that room gets loads of very direct sunlight.
Yoga is late Saturday morning, I'm trying to decide whether I want to go to water aerobics or kickboxing beforehand. I'm leaning to water aerobics because I want to do Tracy's kettlebell workout Sunday.
Ah, the thrilling life of a jetsetter!
Mornings are definitely colder - it's 8 am and 38 degrees. The heat still isn't on and I have our bedroom windows and a couple of windows in the living room open. I wish I could have the windows open year round!
I hope you have a great weekend!
Well, today I weighed the same as last Friday. Eh, I'm okay with that. I didn't make Tone & Sculpt last night - I called the pediatrician to get the boy scheduled for a flu shot and they asked if I could be there by 4. Now, getting in to a pediatrician is like trying to get an audience with the Pope, so I said yes and bolted.
Last night's dinner was awesome - it was a take-off on a stuffed poblano chile recipe I found online. I'm lazy, so I roasted the chiles (on the grill) and them used them as the top & bottom of a casserole which had homemade mexican rice & beans in the middle. We had refriend beans on the side, served with salsa & guacamole. Yum-o! Mexican is my go to cuisine.
I haven't been getting enough greens and I've been feeling kinda overfull, so today I am having just green drinks for the day. I'm hoping the super infusion of greens and light eating will leave me feeling better. This isn't something I do often, but occasionally I get the urge and I'm left feeling better.
Not much in store for the weekend - I need to get my living room valences hung since soon it will be really cold and I'll want to be hanging curtains. Of course, that means I need to actually sew them! That was the one project from the house re-do that never got completed. My other project is to line the bathroom curtains. They are vintage and I don't want them to fade, and that room gets loads of very direct sunlight.
Yoga is late Saturday morning, I'm trying to decide whether I want to go to water aerobics or kickboxing beforehand. I'm leaning to water aerobics because I want to do Tracy's kettlebell workout Sunday.
Ah, the thrilling life of a jetsetter!
Mornings are definitely colder - it's 8 am and 38 degrees. The heat still isn't on and I have our bedroom windows and a couple of windows in the living room open. I wish I could have the windows open year round!
I hope you have a great weekend!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Decisions, decisions
I can hardly believe it, but next week is the last week of the 6-week fitness classes I signed up for here at work. Monday is sign-up for the next session, which starts immediately after this one. I am definitely going to do the Mon/ Wed lunchtime yoga. The Tone & Sculpt is being offered at 4:30 on Mon/ Wed or Tue/Thur. I am currently doing the T/Th which allows me to go to shallow water aerobics Monday followed (after a long break) by yoga and then the deep water aerobics with Jane at 6:15 on Wed. I like Jane’s class a lot, but I don’t like the Monday class, and the break between water aerobics and yoga is long.
Also, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Y they offer a deep water aerobics class at 5:10 (I don’t know who teaches) AND a 6:00 spin class. In talking it through with hub, even though I’m not totally thrilled with doing both work classes on the same day (but it does have the plus of not having to bring in my gym bag so often!), I think I’m going that route simply because I have more options at the Y on Tue/ Thur and I can still get home on Monday in time to eat and have a break and then go to yoga.
The scale was back down to last Friday’s weight today. I made some good choices and some not so great choices this past weekend, and the result is that I’ll likely finish up this week where I was last week. I wouldn’t mind so much if I were farther along results-wise. Luckily, we don’t have anything similar coming up between now & Thanksgiving, so I have time to (hopefully) make up for the “lost week”. Ugh. Done can’t be undone – moving on now.
I am very happy that last night I told my husband I didn’t want to go to water aerobics and he told me I needed to and then I did! No excuses – just went. I keep telling myself “This is my life now.”
Last week I ate too big of a snack prior to class and felt a little pukey. This week I ate too small a snack and was starving! I called hub and told him to heat up some of the soup because I was so hungry! I had a bowl of soup & a small piece of leftover lasagna when I got home and it was wonderful.
I can’t decide if Saturday I want to do shallow water aerobics or kickboxing prior to yoga at 9:45.
I can hardly believe it, but next week is the last week of the 6-week fitness classes I signed up for here at work. Monday is sign-up for the next session, which starts immediately after this one. I am definitely going to do the Mon/ Wed lunchtime yoga. The Tone & Sculpt is being offered at 4:30 on Mon/ Wed or Tue/Thur. I am currently doing the T/Th which allows me to go to shallow water aerobics Monday followed (after a long break) by yoga and then the deep water aerobics with Jane at 6:15 on Wed. I like Jane’s class a lot, but I don’t like the Monday class, and the break between water aerobics and yoga is long.
Also, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Y they offer a deep water aerobics class at 5:10 (I don’t know who teaches) AND a 6:00 spin class. In talking it through with hub, even though I’m not totally thrilled with doing both work classes on the same day (but it does have the plus of not having to bring in my gym bag so often!), I think I’m going that route simply because I have more options at the Y on Tue/ Thur and I can still get home on Monday in time to eat and have a break and then go to yoga.
The scale was back down to last Friday’s weight today. I made some good choices and some not so great choices this past weekend, and the result is that I’ll likely finish up this week where I was last week. I wouldn’t mind so much if I were farther along results-wise. Luckily, we don’t have anything similar coming up between now & Thanksgiving, so I have time to (hopefully) make up for the “lost week”. Ugh. Done can’t be undone – moving on now.
I am very happy that last night I told my husband I didn’t want to go to water aerobics and he told me I needed to and then I did! No excuses – just went. I keep telling myself “This is my life now.”
Last week I ate too big of a snack prior to class and felt a little pukey. This week I ate too small a snack and was starving! I called hub and told him to heat up some of the soup because I was so hungry! I had a bowl of soup & a small piece of leftover lasagna when I got home and it was wonderful.
I can’t decide if Saturday I want to do shallow water aerobics or kickboxing prior to yoga at 9:45.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Oh the frustration!
So, last week after working hard and eating well I lost 2 pounds. After a weekend spent on the road - making reasonable choices but eating out a lot, I'd gained 2 pounds. (Some water - my fingers were seriously swollen, but still). So frustrating.
That weight STILL hasn't come off. Big picture, I'm not freaking out. I don't go out of town regularly, nor do we eat out often.
The really frustrating part is that my knee is really hurting. It was stiff from the car ride, then I did something in water aerobics Monday, and it's still hurting. I really wanted to go to Tone & Sculpt, but it was hurting enough that I decided to stay off it. We do squats & lunges & I was afraid that would be too much - those are the movements that hurt.
Can I tell you how nerve wracking it was to decide not to work out? I felt like I'd never lose weight if I didn't go to the gym. Not a good feeling - forcing myself to exercise when something is hurting is not smart. (And I know the difference between hurt and sore.) I have yoga and water aerobics today, and I'm going to do both. Yoga will be fine, and I can be careful in aerobics.
Breakfast this morning was a vegan bean burrito, lunch is lentil burgers & a green salad & some beet salad, dinner is vegetable soup (I love my crockpot) and a salad.
So, last week after working hard and eating well I lost 2 pounds. After a weekend spent on the road - making reasonable choices but eating out a lot, I'd gained 2 pounds. (Some water - my fingers were seriously swollen, but still). So frustrating.
That weight STILL hasn't come off. Big picture, I'm not freaking out. I don't go out of town regularly, nor do we eat out often.
The really frustrating part is that my knee is really hurting. It was stiff from the car ride, then I did something in water aerobics Monday, and it's still hurting. I really wanted to go to Tone & Sculpt, but it was hurting enough that I decided to stay off it. We do squats & lunges & I was afraid that would be too much - those are the movements that hurt.
Can I tell you how nerve wracking it was to decide not to work out? I felt like I'd never lose weight if I didn't go to the gym. Not a good feeling - forcing myself to exercise when something is hurting is not smart. (And I know the difference between hurt and sore.) I have yoga and water aerobics today, and I'm going to do both. Yoga will be fine, and I can be careful in aerobics.
Breakfast this morning was a vegan bean burrito, lunch is lentil burgers & a green salad & some beet salad, dinner is vegetable soup (I love my crockpot) and a salad.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
I'm back!
The family and I had a great weekend in Maryland. We visited friends, the hub ate blue crabs, and the weather was awesome!
Last week I lost 1.8 pounds. I probably re-gained a bit over the weekend, I tried to make good choices, but it's hard when you are eating out so much. But he had a great time and that's what it was all about.
Spnding so much time in a (small) car meant my knee was sore Monday. Then I went to water aerobics and I think I may have done something because it hurt - a lot. I stayed home from yoga last night. This afternoon is tone & sculpt. I'll le tthe teacher know it's bothering me and do as much as I can. We'll see how it goes.
For lunch this week I made some yummy lentil burgers. I'm having them with a bit of sauce along side a spinach salad. I also made a marinated shredded carrot & beet salad that's yummy.
Breakfast this morning was oatmeal - my fall back plan.
Hope you have a good day!
The family and I had a great weekend in Maryland. We visited friends, the hub ate blue crabs, and the weather was awesome!
Last week I lost 1.8 pounds. I probably re-gained a bit over the weekend, I tried to make good choices, but it's hard when you are eating out so much. But he had a great time and that's what it was all about.
Spnding so much time in a (small) car meant my knee was sore Monday. Then I went to water aerobics and I think I may have done something because it hurt - a lot. I stayed home from yoga last night. This afternoon is tone & sculpt. I'll le tthe teacher know it's bothering me and do as much as I can. We'll see how it goes.
For lunch this week I made some yummy lentil burgers. I'm having them with a bit of sauce along side a spinach salad. I also made a marinated shredded carrot & beet salad that's yummy.
Breakfast this morning was oatmeal - my fall back plan.
Hope you have a good day!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Keeping it real
My dogs all have theme songs:
Bess: "Tiny Girl" sung to "Barbie Girl" (spoiled little chihuahua!)
Jordan: "Cute Stuff" sung to "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer. I always loved Donna Summer.
Butch: Actually has two, as "Butchieman" may be sung to either "Spiderman" or "Candyman" from the original Willy Wonka movie, depending on which aspect of his personailty is being conveyed. Considering how much I hated that movie, I'm amazed I remember that song!
Maya: "Sweet Maya Girl" sung to "Sweet Caroline". I know, Neil Diamond, but she is so sweet and loving that she deserves a theme song as sweet as she is.
Last night I got home from water aerobics and I was so tired I had 1 Reece's peanut butter cup and a beer for dinner. I hope I don't get scurvy or rickets or anything. Le sigh.
Last night was deep water, which thoroughly kicked my butt. Good lord it was hard!!!
I was hungry all day. I mostly made good choices, but really too much beans & not enough vegetables. Must eat more vegetables!!!
My dogs all have theme songs:
Bess: "Tiny Girl" sung to "Barbie Girl" (spoiled little chihuahua!)
Jordan: "Cute Stuff" sung to "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer. I always loved Donna Summer.
Butch: Actually has two, as "Butchieman" may be sung to either "Spiderman" or "Candyman" from the original Willy Wonka movie, depending on which aspect of his personailty is being conveyed. Considering how much I hated that movie, I'm amazed I remember that song!
Maya: "Sweet Maya Girl" sung to "Sweet Caroline". I know, Neil Diamond, but she is so sweet and loving that she deserves a theme song as sweet as she is.
Last night I got home from water aerobics and I was so tired I had 1 Reece's peanut butter cup and a beer for dinner. I hope I don't get scurvy or rickets or anything. Le sigh.
Last night was deep water, which thoroughly kicked my butt. Good lord it was hard!!!
I was hungry all day. I mostly made good choices, but really too much beans & not enough vegetables. Must eat more vegetables!!!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Too pooped to pop!
Last week I did 25 minutes on the treadmill prior to Tone & Sculpt. I was tired but it was a good workout. Yesterday I did 35 minutes on the elliptical and when I got to class I felt like I hit a brick wall. There were a couple of points where I really wanted to do what she was saying, but there was just no way. Clearly, that was too much to do before class. So I need to ease back, or do that at another time. Hmmm.
I was so tired last night. I fixed & ate supper, took a soak in the tub, and sat on the sofa, exuding crankiness. This morning I absolutely did NOT want to get out of bed!
Yesterday I ended up buying an afternoon snack because I was very hungry. I realized that breakfast was about 250 calories, and lunch was the same. Not enough food for me to be satisfied. I ate an extra 200 calories in the snack. This morning I brought the same food, but I also bought a burrito in the cafeteria - veggies, no oil. It did have an egg and the wrap, both are things I'm trying to avoid. Given that I'm doing an hour each of yoga and water aerobics today, I'm not too worried about the calories - I just feel like I could've added a more nutritious choice.
Next week I definitely need to plan, but also have a back-up plan if I need to adjust. As I've said before, it is a realy challenge at times to make a healthy choice (by my standards) in the cafeteria.
Last week I did 25 minutes on the treadmill prior to Tone & Sculpt. I was tired but it was a good workout. Yesterday I did 35 minutes on the elliptical and when I got to class I felt like I hit a brick wall. There were a couple of points where I really wanted to do what she was saying, but there was just no way. Clearly, that was too much to do before class. So I need to ease back, or do that at another time. Hmmm.
I was so tired last night. I fixed & ate supper, took a soak in the tub, and sat on the sofa, exuding crankiness. This morning I absolutely did NOT want to get out of bed!
Yesterday I ended up buying an afternoon snack because I was very hungry. I realized that breakfast was about 250 calories, and lunch was the same. Not enough food for me to be satisfied. I ate an extra 200 calories in the snack. This morning I brought the same food, but I also bought a burrito in the cafeteria - veggies, no oil. It did have an egg and the wrap, both are things I'm trying to avoid. Given that I'm doing an hour each of yoga and water aerobics today, I'm not too worried about the calories - I just feel like I could've added a more nutritious choice.
Next week I definitely need to plan, but also have a back-up plan if I need to adjust. As I've said before, it is a realy challenge at times to make a healthy choice (by my standards) in the cafeteria.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Good things come in threes
First of all, about last night. Yesterday was lunchtime yoga at work. After work I met the hub at Lowe’s to pick out a new dishwasher (you have no idea how happy this makes me!). After that I realized I didn’t have time to make and eat dinner if I wanted to make water aerobics. So I put dinner in the oven for the guys, I ate some leftovers, and then headed off to the Y.
Water aerobics was okay – not as good as Saturday’s IMO. It was a different teacher, and it didn’t seem as intense. After that I had nearly 40 minutes until yoga (we finished a little early). I sat in the hot tub, took a shower, sat in the sauna. It was really nice, but it did feel like a lot of down time. However, the Restorative Yoga class was worth the wait. I thought it was an excellent class. It was taught by the same lady that taught Saturday, and I have to say I like her much better than the lady who yoga teaches at work. Work lady is okay – she just doesn’t come across as inspired or inspiring to me. But it’s solid yoga, so I’m glad to be taking it.
It was 8:45 by the time I got home from the gym. I ate a sweet potato and went to bed! Needless to say, I slept like a log! I didn’t get up & walk this morning – I was too wiped out. But I’m okay with that. Getting plenty of rest is important to. Which brings me to my title.
IMO, there are three components to good health & fitness: nutrition, exercise, and rest & recovery. If I had to rank order them (which I know isn’t really fair since they are all critical) I’d put nutrition first, then rest, then exercise. I read a quote once “You can’t out train poor nutrition.” With that in mind, I am making myself make the time to not just plan my meals, but prepare them! This weekend I had planned a lunch for myself that, frankly, came out yucky. (I pitched it). I bought lunch yesterday (veggie burger & a salad) and got up this morning to make lunches for the remainder of the week. I could have been walking, but I felt having lunches made was more important.
Second: rest & recovery. Sunday night at 2 am the neighbor’s dogs started barking. Amazingly enough, he actually let them in after a mere 45 minutes of them barking. Our bedroom windows are open and his yard is at that end of the house, so it was like having 4 dogs barking right under your open window. Needless to say, we were awake for an hour or so in the middle of the night. Monday my alarm was set to get up & walk at 5, but I turned it off. I realize that NOT exercising – skipping exercise – seems counterproductive. But in that instance, I was exhausted and needed the sleep more than I needed the walk. Making sure my body gets enough rest is imperative.
Third is exercise, which I also view as having three components: cardio, strength, and flexibility & balance. I am addressing the third through yoga, and the older I get, the more important that component seems to be. In the past I haven’t stuck with yoga for a couple of reasons: 1) it doesn’t come naturally and who enjoys practicing something they aren’t good at? And 2) it seemed like a waste of time since I wasn't burning massive amounts of calories. Time spent on yoga could be spent on the elliptical! This time around, I am treating yoga with equal importance. I have Monday & Wednesday at lunchtime at work, Monday night Restorative Yoga at the Y, and every other Saturday after water aerobics. On the alternate Saturdays it competes with water aerobics – I may try that one sometimes but 3 times seems like a good amount.
For strength I have the 30 minute Tone & Sculpt on Tuesday & Thursday at work. This Friday I am trying the kettlebell class at the Y – this is normally during my work hours, but I’m taking Friday off. I need to do kettlebells on my own at least once per week – twice would be ideal. But I have my 2 days guaranteed with the class.
Cardio is where I’m on shakiest ground! Tone & Sculpt also has some cardio component, and I am going down to do 30 minutes on a piece of cardio equipment before class on days when my schedule permits. I like the Saturday AM water aerobics, but there will be times (like this upcoming weekend) when I’m out of town. Monday night was okay, but not a great workout. I have heard good stuff about Wednesday’s deep water class and am looking forward to trying that tomorrow. I think that will be a definite part of my week.
I don’t know how long the water aerobics (except Wednesday) will stay on the schedule. I like the fact that I can do that AND yoga and have energy for both – not to mention get them done in a single trip to the gym. And I like the fact that I’m in my swimsuit which encourages me to use the sauna etc., which I really enjoy. So we’ll see. Wednesday water aerobics and cardio equipment as I can.
I’d like to fit in a spin class, but not sure about that one. And I plan to continue to walk in the morning, but I view that as more for my mental well being than exercise per se, so if I need to rest then rest it is. I can tell the difference between being lazy & being tired! Hee hee
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned the fourth quarter challenge being run by the on- site nutritionist: “Maintain Don’t Gain”. You weigh & get your measurements taken, then participate in various classes & healthy activities (you earn points per each one). You need to earn at least 6 points. Then you get weighed & measured again at the end of January. I weighed & got measured last week. This is just an extra bit of incentive to keep on the path!
Right now I’m feeling very good. I told my husband that for now (at least) I intended to treat health & fitness as my primary hobby: I intend to learn about it, practice it, and try out new variations. Outside of work, that’s my thing. If it means we don’t eat together as a family Monday & Wednesday then that has to be okay. We still sit down & eat together most other nights. I think my son seeing his parents being active & trying to get fit is probably even more important than those 2 nights of eating together.
First of all, about last night. Yesterday was lunchtime yoga at work. After work I met the hub at Lowe’s to pick out a new dishwasher (you have no idea how happy this makes me!). After that I realized I didn’t have time to make and eat dinner if I wanted to make water aerobics. So I put dinner in the oven for the guys, I ate some leftovers, and then headed off to the Y.
Water aerobics was okay – not as good as Saturday’s IMO. It was a different teacher, and it didn’t seem as intense. After that I had nearly 40 minutes until yoga (we finished a little early). I sat in the hot tub, took a shower, sat in the sauna. It was really nice, but it did feel like a lot of down time. However, the Restorative Yoga class was worth the wait. I thought it was an excellent class. It was taught by the same lady that taught Saturday, and I have to say I like her much better than the lady who yoga teaches at work. Work lady is okay – she just doesn’t come across as inspired or inspiring to me. But it’s solid yoga, so I’m glad to be taking it.
It was 8:45 by the time I got home from the gym. I ate a sweet potato and went to bed! Needless to say, I slept like a log! I didn’t get up & walk this morning – I was too wiped out. But I’m okay with that. Getting plenty of rest is important to. Which brings me to my title.
IMO, there are three components to good health & fitness: nutrition, exercise, and rest & recovery. If I had to rank order them (which I know isn’t really fair since they are all critical) I’d put nutrition first, then rest, then exercise. I read a quote once “You can’t out train poor nutrition.” With that in mind, I am making myself make the time to not just plan my meals, but prepare them! This weekend I had planned a lunch for myself that, frankly, came out yucky. (I pitched it). I bought lunch yesterday (veggie burger & a salad) and got up this morning to make lunches for the remainder of the week. I could have been walking, but I felt having lunches made was more important.
Second: rest & recovery. Sunday night at 2 am the neighbor’s dogs started barking. Amazingly enough, he actually let them in after a mere 45 minutes of them barking. Our bedroom windows are open and his yard is at that end of the house, so it was like having 4 dogs barking right under your open window. Needless to say, we were awake for an hour or so in the middle of the night. Monday my alarm was set to get up & walk at 5, but I turned it off. I realize that NOT exercising – skipping exercise – seems counterproductive. But in that instance, I was exhausted and needed the sleep more than I needed the walk. Making sure my body gets enough rest is imperative.
Third is exercise, which I also view as having three components: cardio, strength, and flexibility & balance. I am addressing the third through yoga, and the older I get, the more important that component seems to be. In the past I haven’t stuck with yoga for a couple of reasons: 1) it doesn’t come naturally and who enjoys practicing something they aren’t good at? And 2) it seemed like a waste of time since I wasn't burning massive amounts of calories. Time spent on yoga could be spent on the elliptical! This time around, I am treating yoga with equal importance. I have Monday & Wednesday at lunchtime at work, Monday night Restorative Yoga at the Y, and every other Saturday after water aerobics. On the alternate Saturdays it competes with water aerobics – I may try that one sometimes but 3 times seems like a good amount.
For strength I have the 30 minute Tone & Sculpt on Tuesday & Thursday at work. This Friday I am trying the kettlebell class at the Y – this is normally during my work hours, but I’m taking Friday off. I need to do kettlebells on my own at least once per week – twice would be ideal. But I have my 2 days guaranteed with the class.
Cardio is where I’m on shakiest ground! Tone & Sculpt also has some cardio component, and I am going down to do 30 minutes on a piece of cardio equipment before class on days when my schedule permits. I like the Saturday AM water aerobics, but there will be times (like this upcoming weekend) when I’m out of town. Monday night was okay, but not a great workout. I have heard good stuff about Wednesday’s deep water class and am looking forward to trying that tomorrow. I think that will be a definite part of my week.
I don’t know how long the water aerobics (except Wednesday) will stay on the schedule. I like the fact that I can do that AND yoga and have energy for both – not to mention get them done in a single trip to the gym. And I like the fact that I’m in my swimsuit which encourages me to use the sauna etc., which I really enjoy. So we’ll see. Wednesday water aerobics and cardio equipment as I can.
I’d like to fit in a spin class, but not sure about that one. And I plan to continue to walk in the morning, but I view that as more for my mental well being than exercise per se, so if I need to rest then rest it is. I can tell the difference between being lazy & being tired! Hee hee
I don’t know if I’ve mentioned the fourth quarter challenge being run by the on- site nutritionist: “Maintain Don’t Gain”. You weigh & get your measurements taken, then participate in various classes & healthy activities (you earn points per each one). You need to earn at least 6 points. Then you get weighed & measured again at the end of January. I weighed & got measured last week. This is just an extra bit of incentive to keep on the path!
Right now I’m feeling very good. I told my husband that for now (at least) I intended to treat health & fitness as my primary hobby: I intend to learn about it, practice it, and try out new variations. Outside of work, that’s my thing. If it means we don’t eat together as a family Monday & Wednesday then that has to be okay. We still sit down & eat together most other nights. I think my son seeing his parents being active & trying to get fit is probably even more important than those 2 nights of eating together.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Easier than I thought
This weekend I tried somethng really radical and daring: I went to back to back classes at the Y. Granted, these were not the toughest of classes - I did AquaFit (aka water aerobics) then had time for a sit in the sauna and nice shower before going to yoga. It was great!
A girl in AquaFit recommended the Wednesday deep water class, and a lady in yoga recommended the Monday "Restorative yoga" class (which I've been wanting to try). It meant I spent all Saturday morning at the gym, but that was okay by me. Yeah, I didn't get all my chores around the house done this weekend, but oh well.
I am really enjoying yoga a lot. I get a little impatient at times, but I just keep trying to focus on the moment and the pose we're doing. This is something that I don't quite view as "exercise" in the sense of burning calories, but I view it as important.
To me, fitness has 3 components: strength, endurance, and flexibility/balance. So if my workouts comtain a combination of cardio, weights, and some flexibility training, I will improve more than if I just focus on one or two components. Especially as I get older, I think that the flexibility is increasingly important. And yoga is relaxing. I think in the past it's been hard for me to justify time spent doing yoga since it doesn't burn a lot of calories.
So, meals this week: breakfast is quinoa and pintos, lunch is an asian flavored cabbage & noodle salad, I'm bringing 2 prunes with peanut butter for the afternoon. Dinners are varied.
The weekend was very nice. I didn't get accomplished everything I wanted to, but I think I simply had too much on my list. Gee, that seems to happen on a regular basis! :-O
Weather here was lovely, maybe a tad warm yesterday (air conditioner is OFF), but really good. Our windows are open as long as possible. Once they get closed and the curtains are shut, it feels like a long time till spring!
Have a good day!
This weekend I tried somethng really radical and daring: I went to back to back classes at the Y. Granted, these were not the toughest of classes - I did AquaFit (aka water aerobics) then had time for a sit in the sauna and nice shower before going to yoga. It was great!
A girl in AquaFit recommended the Wednesday deep water class, and a lady in yoga recommended the Monday "Restorative yoga" class (which I've been wanting to try). It meant I spent all Saturday morning at the gym, but that was okay by me. Yeah, I didn't get all my chores around the house done this weekend, but oh well.
I am really enjoying yoga a lot. I get a little impatient at times, but I just keep trying to focus on the moment and the pose we're doing. This is something that I don't quite view as "exercise" in the sense of burning calories, but I view it as important.
To me, fitness has 3 components: strength, endurance, and flexibility/balance. So if my workouts comtain a combination of cardio, weights, and some flexibility training, I will improve more than if I just focus on one or two components. Especially as I get older, I think that the flexibility is increasingly important. And yoga is relaxing. I think in the past it's been hard for me to justify time spent doing yoga since it doesn't burn a lot of calories.
So, meals this week: breakfast is quinoa and pintos, lunch is an asian flavored cabbage & noodle salad, I'm bringing 2 prunes with peanut butter for the afternoon. Dinners are varied.
The weekend was very nice. I didn't get accomplished everything I wanted to, but I think I simply had too much on my list. Gee, that seems to happen on a regular basis! :-O
Weather here was lovely, maybe a tad warm yesterday (air conditioner is OFF), but really good. Our windows are open as long as possible. Once they get closed and the curtains are shut, it feels like a long time till spring!
Have a good day!
Friday, October 08, 2010
Rawr!
A co-worker and I agreed to start going to the fitness center a half hour or so before Tone & Sculpt to use the cardiio equuipment before class. Yesterday afternoon we got in a 25 minute workout - I used the treadmill (someone was on the elliptical - curses!) and S used the treadmill and then the bike (she has bone spurs in her heels, so could only do the treadmill for a bit). I didn't kill myself but I pushed it pretty good.
Class was the hardest we've done so far! it was total body and very intense - lots of compound movements. I had sweat dripping off my nose and onto the dumbbells. Yes!
After class S looked at me and said "Aren't you glad we came down & did cardio first?" We were both toast, but I felt great.
Scale was down 1.5 pounds this week. Best of all, I'd forgotten just how fantastic I feel after a really great workout.
A co-worker and I agreed to start going to the fitness center a half hour or so before Tone & Sculpt to use the cardiio equuipment before class. Yesterday afternoon we got in a 25 minute workout - I used the treadmill (someone was on the elliptical - curses!) and S used the treadmill and then the bike (she has bone spurs in her heels, so could only do the treadmill for a bit). I didn't kill myself but I pushed it pretty good.
Class was the hardest we've done so far! it was total body and very intense - lots of compound movements. I had sweat dripping off my nose and onto the dumbbells. Yes!
After class S looked at me and said "Aren't you glad we came down & did cardio first?" We were both toast, but I felt great.
Scale was down 1.5 pounds this week. Best of all, I'd forgotten just how fantastic I feel after a really great workout.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
What’s working, what’s not
Food is going pretty well. This week for breakfast I’ve been doing oatmeal – this makes a great plan “B” since they sell a 12 oz. bowl of plain oatmeal (add your own toppings – I bring mine from home) for 85 cents in our cafeteria. But I’m not that wild about oatmeal, so I don’t want to get burned out while it’s barely fall! Next week I was thinking bean burrito, but I’ve decided to do a bowl of pintos & quinoa with salsa or pico. Better grain than a tortilla, and with some real staying power.
Lunches this week have been a version of VeganEpicurian’s “deconstructed sushi salad”. It’s good, but I think I strayed too far from the basic recipe for it to be great. The way I made it, it’s essentially a marinated raw vegetable salad. The up side is you can eat a lot! With yoga at lunchtime, I’ve been doing lunch in 2 parts, a small portion prior and the rest after. It’s been working okay. And with Tone & Sculpt after work 2 days a week, I’ve been doing an afternoon snack to keep me going.
So, food is going well, but I decided to add back in an afternoon snack. I tried eliminating snacking altogether, but I have such a long break between lunch and dinner that it wasn’t working for me.
I’m using FitDay to help me figure out the calories in what I’m eating. I need to be more diligent about this, but I am making an effort.
Evening snacking still happens at times, I’ve been trying to eat less/better. I don’t make optimal choices 100% of the time, but I’m improving. The nice thing is that exercise helps me feel better helps decrease my desire to eat too much junk in the evenings.
Exercise is going very well. I have a new pair of New Balance walking shoes and I’m walking in the mornings, doing yoga twice a week, and Tone & Sculpt twice a week. That’s my minimum.
This weekend I plan to finish my living room valences and do a bit of tidying up. Other than that, just the usual shopping & cooking.
There is a water aerobics class Saturday morning at 8:15 I want to check out. I’m hoping hub will get up and go with me to the gym (I know he won’t do water aerobics!)
Anyway, that’s about it. Fall is definitely here – I’m wearing a jacket for my morning walks.
Have a great day!
Food is going pretty well. This week for breakfast I’ve been doing oatmeal – this makes a great plan “B” since they sell a 12 oz. bowl of plain oatmeal (add your own toppings – I bring mine from home) for 85 cents in our cafeteria. But I’m not that wild about oatmeal, so I don’t want to get burned out while it’s barely fall! Next week I was thinking bean burrito, but I’ve decided to do a bowl of pintos & quinoa with salsa or pico. Better grain than a tortilla, and with some real staying power.
Lunches this week have been a version of VeganEpicurian’s “deconstructed sushi salad”. It’s good, but I think I strayed too far from the basic recipe for it to be great. The way I made it, it’s essentially a marinated raw vegetable salad. The up side is you can eat a lot! With yoga at lunchtime, I’ve been doing lunch in 2 parts, a small portion prior and the rest after. It’s been working okay. And with Tone & Sculpt after work 2 days a week, I’ve been doing an afternoon snack to keep me going.
So, food is going well, but I decided to add back in an afternoon snack. I tried eliminating snacking altogether, but I have such a long break between lunch and dinner that it wasn’t working for me.
I’m using FitDay to help me figure out the calories in what I’m eating. I need to be more diligent about this, but I am making an effort.
Evening snacking still happens at times, I’ve been trying to eat less/better. I don’t make optimal choices 100% of the time, but I’m improving. The nice thing is that exercise helps me feel better helps decrease my desire to eat too much junk in the evenings.
Exercise is going very well. I have a new pair of New Balance walking shoes and I’m walking in the mornings, doing yoga twice a week, and Tone & Sculpt twice a week. That’s my minimum.
This weekend I plan to finish my living room valences and do a bit of tidying up. Other than that, just the usual shopping & cooking.
There is a water aerobics class Saturday morning at 8:15 I want to check out. I’m hoping hub will get up and go with me to the gym (I know he won’t do water aerobics!)
Anyway, that’s about it. Fall is definitely here – I’m wearing a jacket for my morning walks.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
The answer to life, the universe, everything!
My husband turned 42 yesterday. ;-)
He had a good day - he's happy to be working local again, which was probably the best birthday gift of all. Next weekend we are headed up north to celebrate and visit with friends - first to Springfield Va then to Laurel Md. (Not this coming weekend - the weekend of the 16th).
The weather is cooling off and soup is turning up on the menu for often. Yum!
After a ringing endorsement from my walking buddy, I tried a pair of the Sketchers toning shoes. Hated them! She said it took a while to get used to them, but since I consider my morning walks to be more for relaxation and meditation than exercise, I'll be sticking with my old fashioned New Balance. :-)
I picked up a stretchy yoga band at Target - that's the kind the teacher has and I tried hers and really liked it. This evening is tone & sculpt. Woo hoo!
This weekend I am skipping my medieval plans to putter around the house and to try a couple of new workout videos I haven't used yet. I feel badly on the one hand, but I feel like I need some quiet time, so why make myself feel guilty for doing what I want????
My husband turned 42 yesterday. ;-)
He had a good day - he's happy to be working local again, which was probably the best birthday gift of all. Next weekend we are headed up north to celebrate and visit with friends - first to Springfield Va then to Laurel Md. (Not this coming weekend - the weekend of the 16th).
The weather is cooling off and soup is turning up on the menu for often. Yum!
After a ringing endorsement from my walking buddy, I tried a pair of the Sketchers toning shoes. Hated them! She said it took a while to get used to them, but since I consider my morning walks to be more for relaxation and meditation than exercise, I'll be sticking with my old fashioned New Balance. :-)
I picked up a stretchy yoga band at Target - that's the kind the teacher has and I tried hers and really liked it. This evening is tone & sculpt. Woo hoo!
This weekend I am skipping my medieval plans to putter around the house and to try a couple of new workout videos I haven't used yet. I feel badly on the one hand, but I feel like I need some quiet time, so why make myself feel guilty for doing what I want????
Monday, October 04, 2010
Monday? Already??
Mom and I had a nice time at the beach. It was a very quick trup - we drove down Saturday morning and got there about lunch, then left Sunday after breakfast. We did have time to look at some townhouses for her, take a long walk on the beach, and poke around in a couple of antique stores.
I am feeling stressed again at work, which all too often translates to poor choices Sunday afternoon/evening. I need to think of a way to keep me occupied and/or out of the house. There is a 2 pm spin class every other Sunday afternoon at the gym - maybe I should start going to that?
Mom and I had a nice time at the beach. It was a very quick trup - we drove down Saturday morning and got there about lunch, then left Sunday after breakfast. We did have time to look at some townhouses for her, take a long walk on the beach, and poke around in a couple of antique stores.
I am feeling stressed again at work, which all too often translates to poor choices Sunday afternoon/evening. I need to think of a way to keep me occupied and/or out of the house. There is a 2 pm spin class every other Sunday afternoon at the gym - maybe I should start going to that?
Friday, October 01, 2010
Hmm
I'm back at a place where I'm frustrated with my work. I've posted for a couple of jobs in other departments, but no offers yet. I've been in my current dept a while and it's time for change. I would prefer not to switch companies - benefits (which are nice, especially after over a decade there) aside, it's a good company and I'm happy there.
Anyway, it's left me feeling frustrated.
Today I am getting my groceries bought and picking up around the house because tomorrow I am getting up and heading to the beach for a quick all expenses paid overnight trip, courtesy of my mom! Just the 2 of us - boys are staying at home! :-)
Walking was lovely this morning. I finished watching Tracy's kettlebell dvd - I thought it was very good and will be very useful. I'm glad I bought it.
Went shopping (I had a 30% off a Kohl's coupon) - I got a new pair of walking shoes (needed!), bedroom slippers and a wallet (not needed as badly) and some new tops for fall (needed - old stuff is getting old). Thankfully nothing has sequins, sparkles, or designs reminiscent of cat puke. I call that a victory.
Going back Monday to pick up some more stuff for the boy (he needs jeans) and a pair of sneakers for MIL, if she can find a pair she likes. My coupon is still good plus I have $20 in "Kohl's cash", so mom is getting her shoes for her b-day gift. Being diabetic, she needs to have a good pair.
Other than that, not too much going on around here. I like my body sculpt class and yoga was okay - she didn't go around & check form, and it's been a while since I've done yoga so I wasn't confident I was doing stuff correctly. I am going to ask her to please check my form during the next class. She's an okay instructor - I've had better, but she's not bad and the convenience of at work is hard to beat.
I hope you have a great weekend!
I'm back at a place where I'm frustrated with my work. I've posted for a couple of jobs in other departments, but no offers yet. I've been in my current dept a while and it's time for change. I would prefer not to switch companies - benefits (which are nice, especially after over a decade there) aside, it's a good company and I'm happy there.
Anyway, it's left me feeling frustrated.
Today I am getting my groceries bought and picking up around the house because tomorrow I am getting up and heading to the beach for a quick all expenses paid overnight trip, courtesy of my mom! Just the 2 of us - boys are staying at home! :-)
Walking was lovely this morning. I finished watching Tracy's kettlebell dvd - I thought it was very good and will be very useful. I'm glad I bought it.
Went shopping (I had a 30% off a Kohl's coupon) - I got a new pair of walking shoes (needed!), bedroom slippers and a wallet (not needed as badly) and some new tops for fall (needed - old stuff is getting old). Thankfully nothing has sequins, sparkles, or designs reminiscent of cat puke. I call that a victory.
Going back Monday to pick up some more stuff for the boy (he needs jeans) and a pair of sneakers for MIL, if she can find a pair she likes. My coupon is still good plus I have $20 in "Kohl's cash", so mom is getting her shoes for her b-day gift. Being diabetic, she needs to have a good pair.
Other than that, not too much going on around here. I like my body sculpt class and yoga was okay - she didn't go around & check form, and it's been a while since I've done yoga so I wasn't confident I was doing stuff correctly. I am going to ask her to please check my form during the next class. She's an okay instructor - I've had better, but she's not bad and the convenience of at work is hard to beat.
I hope you have a great weekend!
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