Plans for December

Good morning and happy Sunday!

I am still letting that situation at work bother me.  I know I am giving it too much power, but I can't seem to let it go.  Don't you hate that?

This month I have lost 4 pounds.  That's not super impressive, but in a month when a lot of folks gain weight, it's not too bad either.  My goal was 5 pounds, so not too far off the mark.

My goal  of  tracking my food and exercise on Sparkpeople is going well.  Exercise has become an integral part of my life again. I'm exercising an average of 5 days a week.  So, the fundamentals are there for consistent, long term loss, not to mention increased fitness!

I have a new goal for the month of December and it's a simple one - NO beer.  I did that for October, and it went well.  November I let some creep back in.  And not to enjoy - in response to stress.  NOT GOOD!

This is a great time of year, but it's also a stressful one.  And I'm also still dealing with the uncertainty of work.  It would be easy to justify saying "Oh, be kind to yourself.  Indulge a little."  Uh, no. 

Deal with stresses head on, don't try to escape them.  Food will postpone stress, exercise is one way to alleviate it.  Even a good book or funny movie or show is preferable if you feel the need to "escape" the stress.  And you may find laughter robs it of some of its power.

Do take care of yourself - in a smart way.

Have a good day!

Good morning

Just a quick one before I head to spin class at the Y.

Down 1.6 pounds this morning. 

I had a stressful situation at work yesterday and I sent my boss a note about it.  I know we'll be talking about it Monday.  I feel like I did the right thing, but .. ugh.  Oh well.

This weekend is mostly about shopping, food prep, and getting stuff together for our trip to Georgia later in the week.  We will be down there several days, and I plan to take my sewing machine.  I am making some appliqued shopping bags as gifts, sort of like this:

Anyway, I hope you had a good day, good weekend.

Take care of yourself! :-)

Friday

I weighed the same today that I did yesterday morning.  Sadly, that's 2 pounds higher than last Friday. :-(

However, I had a tough day at work - but stuck to my packed food.  I came home tired, electing for a nap.  Followed by a healthy, homemade meal.

I didn't want to go to the gym - but I went and did an interval workout on the elliptical anyway.

It's all about making good choices and doing what will keep you moving forward - toward your goals.

Yes, be smart and rest when you need to.  But be smart and push when you need to.  You deserve your best effort.

A reminder for me

You cannot control other people's behavior.  You CAN control your responses.

Don't give them the power over your food choices.  Actually, don't use their behavior as a justification for making poor choices.

They aren't worth that and you deserve better.

Love,
Me

Not even the holiday and the scale is UP 2 pounds form last Friday.  Le sigh.

Off to do a 5K.  I will make good choices today.  And tomorrow.

And coming Monday, a new challenge to myself for December!

Enjoy your day!  And if you are in US, enjoy your Thanksgiving! :-)

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope you all had a good day.

I went to work.  Then I came home, went to the gym, and had supper.

Not sure about tomorrow's workout, the gym is closed so it depends on the weather.

If I don't post, have a safe and wonderful holiday!

Excellent workout

Just a quick post to say that I had an awesome workout at the gym!  I am really getting my strength back quickly.

I am doing one armed rows with 30 pounds, and bench pressing 60.  Not great, but a lot better than when I started!

Have a good evening!

Taken from Plum Petals - an excellent reminder!!

Doing okay, and workout plans

Thanks for the words Gwen!

Family isn't the same for everyone.  My husband was raised by his grandparents and actually didn't talk to his mom for over a decade. The reality is that my husband (and by extension, my mom and I) are the only people that ever do anything for her.  I think it galls her because hub was her least favorite child, and the one that got it the worst as a kid.

Anyway, she decided to drop it (thankfully).  Hub is goin gup to see his brother and family, plus a cousin and some childhood friends.  I am VERY happy for him and I hope he has a wonderful time.  We generally spend holidays together, but I know this will be nice for him - he hasn't been up to Maryland since before we moved to Florida.

I cooked the pumpkin today (for pie).  Our meal is going to be pretty easy - we're actually cooking a chicken since it's just 4 of us!

Anyway, yesterday I walked on the indoor track.  Today I lifted weights and swam laps for 30 minutes.  The pool is going to be closed next week.  My plan is to do spin class Monday & Wednesday, lift weights, Tuesday, Thursday, & Sunday.  Friday & Saturday are tbd, I may take a day off.

The week after, I plan to do water aerobics Monday and then take the remainder of the week off.  I've been feel sore & raggedy.  I've been exercising pretty hard, so I'm taking a week.  I'll walk and I may take a kettlebell to Georgia, but I plan to take it easy.

Speaking of which, I will be going to Georgia that week.  I have no idea whether we will have internet, so don't expect to hear from me then!

Anyway, been a good day.  I've had some down time while still doing my laundry & stuff to get ready for the week.  I'm working 4 days this week - just Thursday off.

Anyway, have a good evening!

Happy holidays - let the family dysfunction commence!

My husband's brother invited us (me & hub) up to their place for Thanksgiving (several hours away).  Hub is going and I am staying here.  His mom is pressuring him to come back here after work (4hours) to pick her up and take her with him - even though she wasn't invited.

I'm sorry she has a shitty relationship with her children (whom she did not raise - they were raised by their grandparents), but she always puts the blame on my husband, even though he is the only one that does anything for her.

Let's just cancel Thanksgiving cause if she is here with us (the current plan) it's gonna be a real downer.

Ugh.  Family dysfunction - it's why god invented booze.  Just kidding.  Kind of. :-) 

Good workout - busy with food prep.  Just needed to vent!

The friday report

TGIF.

I've been a bit on the tired side the past couple of days and this week has seemed long.  My workout was not stellar last night - even my trainer commented that I seemed tired.

I plan to get some good rest this weekend!

Lost 2 pounds this week.  More later.

Have a good evening!

Not the post I’d planned

This morning I had planned out a post by the well-known writer “Whiny McWhinerson”, regarding the scale.  Specifically, the complete lack of movement of said scale for the past 3 days.  This morning I found myself experiencing a certain amount of anxiety & frustration in spite of my self-talk that 3 days is NOT a plateau and there is no reason to second guess my behaviors, etc.

But you know, here’s the thing:  I got a great haircut Friday.  I love it!  Last night I went to the Y and swam laps for 30 minutes before water aerobics.  Today at work someone asked me if I was losing weight.  I feel good – good energy, good workouts, and of course the all-important good hair! Lol!  I feel like I am making improvement.

Shouldn’t those things count more than the scale?  I am tracking my food, making good choices, working out hard, getting good sleep.  I feel good about the things I am doing.  I don’t feel good about my weight.  But I guess all I can do is stay the course and ride this bit out, right?

Ugh!  I guess I am still a bit frustrated by the scale, but at the same time, very happy with the other things.

Work food craziness

Today Dewey's Moravian bakery was at work in the lobby (no, I didn't go down).  Friday we are having a team holiday meal (company buys the meat, we bring the sides).  I will have my salad and eat some of the turkey and veggies, and that's it.  Food this time of year is out of control!

Most of it isn't worth it to me and thankfully I'm feeling very motivated and determined right now, so saying no is no problem.

Today was a good day!

Alright, time to eat a little something before I head to the gym.  Last night was weights (and my legs are sore!).  Tonight is water aerobics.

Have a good evening!

What's your Thanksgiving strategy?

Do you even need a strategy?  I do.

Attempting to scale back WHAT is being served has not been successful - my son is BIG on tradition.  I can't remember if I've written about this, but he requested macaroni & cheese.  We have served that ONCE at Thanksgiving when his girlfriend visited.  It was her family tradition and we wanted her to feel at home.  When we reminded him of that his response was "Yeah, but now we've served it once so it's our tradition!"

The only thing I've managed to negotiate off the menu is my great aunt Edith's dinner rolls (the recipe is in storage).  I'm sure the next day my son will be asking for some to build his sandwiches on.  No white bread here! :-)

So, we have agreed to make reasonable amounts of the sides (I have a 20 pound turkey - leftover turkey is always good!).  I've also asked that the leftovers be taken home by someone else so they aren't left here (besides the vegetables).  Luckily most of it wouldn't tempt me anyway.

My strategy is the one I employ every year: eat a plate of food, enjoy, be done with it.

I need to make a quick run to K0hls to return a pair of shoes after dinner then go to the gym a bit early to pay for my personal training and water aerobics. Tonight is weight lifting and the elliptical.

I got a hair cut and I really like it!  I used to have stick straight hair, but after I had a baby it is now wavy when it gets shorter than shoulder length.  Weird!  Anyway, it's long enough to put in a pony tail, but short enough to wear down and look professional - perfect!

Have a good evening!

Monday of crummy weather

Today was cold and rainy.  It was a day that left me grateful I have a warm home, office, and car.  It's a day where going to a pool doesn't sound like a good time.  Too bad though.

I think we all have days when we aren't motivated.  We don't want to go to the gym, or we are tired at work and want a snack.

At those times, I hang on to my vision of how I want to look and feel, and the things I want to be able to do.  I ate an extra serving of almonds (12 extra) because I was genuinely HUNGRY today.  I had a couple of cups of herbal tea, and later had a cup of Earl Grey - I find that does a good job of staving off that snacky feeling. 

Having that very detailed, real, tangible vision of what I want for myself is like an instant "visual" reminder that does help me keep on track.

It was a good day.  I was at work nearly 10 hours and my only 'extra' consumption was 12 almonds.  Not too bad on a day when I wanted to nosh!

Have a good one!

Oh, hi

Yesterday we compromised.  I did go with hub and hang out with friends, but first we went to the gym and got some stuff ready for the day.  And came home by supper.  We ate lunch before we left, so no food was consumed outside the home.

Today I went to the farmer's market and bought pie pumpkins, then to K0hls for a few more winter clothing items for me (mittens, trouser socks, scarf, new pair of black shoes) and a set of flannel sheets for Mr. husband.

I have food prep to do today, and I will go to the gym and work out.

Mom went to the dr. yesterday.  She has compressed a disc in her back.  Not sure what all that will mean, but right now she is taking pain meds and doing okay.  Worried about that.

Thought about trying to make 2:30 spin class, but decided to just go & use the elliptical.

Have a good day!

Equilibriium

Eh, rough week.

The stress of a long trip over a short period of time, hormones, work stress (interviewed for a full time job, waiting to hear), and stress over the fact that I knew I needed to sit down and have a serious conversation with hub about sticking to the budget (he works hard and spends hard, le sigh).

I'm doing better.  It's just been a busy week where I've felt a step behind all week.

Finished the week 0.2 pounds higher than last Friday.  Given the circumstances, I'm cool with that.

Not sure what I'm doing tomorrow.  Hub wants to go hang out with friends, but honestly I feel frazzled.  Can't decide what I want to do - go anyway, or just relax at home.  I'll see how I feel tomorrow I guess.

Anyway, hanging in there.  Lifting weights is a great stress reliever!

Take care!

stress

I am feeling very stressed this week, for a number of reasons.  I went to the gym, feeling a little better.

Being honest

The trip would've been challenge enough.  But I am having the worst period I've had in 20 years.  It's bad.  And I am crazy.  Crying, ugh.  Anyway, the last couple of days I've been a mess and we won't talk about my eating.  It has been a perfect storm of stuff.

I got on the scale this morning .  I'm up 4 pounds in 4 days.  I doubt I will have all that off by Friday, which means a probable gain this week.  I am so mad at myself.

Happy Veteran's day.  I am doing some Christmas sewing (gifts).  I hope you all have a good day.

All I can do is eat well today, work out hard tonight, and move on.  I'm learning, just slowly. :-)

Have a good day.

eh

Doing ok, lost 2 pounds last week.  Just kinda blah, nothing to say.

back soon.

Well hello there

Another long day at work, thankfully not capped by a flat tire!

I missed going to the gym last night (big surprise) and I ended up eating dinner out (I finally got home at 8).  My MIL picked me up from the car place (she lives a couple miles down the road and I was 4 miles west of the town she lives in when I got the flat - much closed than home so I went there).  We went to the cafeteria and I had a chopped steak and turnip greens.

So, no exercise yesterday.  Food has been good, and I have tracked.  Tonight I am lifting weights.

I've also weighed every day.  The scale bounced down from that bounce up.

Thursday night will be busy as I need to pack, go to the gym, and I have a meeting a little later than normal at work.  Are you sensing a theme for this week???

Hub is picking me up from work (its on the way) to drive up to Pennsylvania Friday afternoon.  I am kind of looking forward to it, but at this point I'm just feeling a bit draggy.  So thankful I early voted!

Hang tough bloggy friends.  Eating healthy foods (especially plenty of vegetables) and regular exercise, along with allowing plenty of time for quality sleep is worth any effort.  It feels so much better than the alternative!

Now the day I planned

It's been 25 years since I had a flat tire, so statistically speaking, I guess I was due. Had a flat on I-40 on the way home from work. I am fine, the car is fine, the credit cards is only slightly melty. The dogs are incensed that they had to wait 3 hours for dinner.

It was a good day up to that point and I had things I wanted to write about.  But I am wiped out. Gonna go collapse now.

Tomorrow!

November Goals

I decided I want to lose 5 pounds this month, which is now 7.4 after this weekend. :-(

In any case, that is my weight loss goal.  To that end I commit to 2 behaviors: track my food every day on sparkpeople, and do intentional exercise every day.

They might be a bit difficult next weekend since we will be out of town, but I will make an effort! 

Keepin' it real

This weekend was long, stressful, and tiring.  I thought I was doing okay until I wasn't.

the scale was up 2.4 pounds this morning from Friday.  No excuses.  I made some poor choices and reacted to things with poor choices.

I'm not going to dwell on it.  It's going to be another busy week and I have a trip to Pennsylvania next weekend.  Today I have a lot of Cinderella duties, but I plan to take some breaks and get everything done before I go to the gym at 2:30.

Anything not done by then won't get done because I am going to relax this afternoon to be ready for a very long day tomorrow (I'll be at the office for 10 hours).

Have a good day!

And then I cried

How are you?

So, it's been a long week around these parts.  Work was extra busy and stressful - lots of fires to put out.  I like my job A LOT.  Honestly a lot better than my last job.  But it doesn't come without its stresses and hassles.  This week seemed to have an extra serving of them.

Added to that was the fact that my mom was out of town.  That meant a couple of things.  For one, I had to come home and get the dogs fed, get supper together, and then get to the gym.  Added steps in there I don't normally do.  Also, it meant her dogs slept in the bed with me & Jordan.  That made for lower quality sleep.  And third, my mom generally does at least half the grocery shopping.  But she wasn't here, so that meant that last night (and then again this morning), I was doing the grocery shopping.

All of that plus some other stresses led to a very grumpy me!  Which in turn led to a meltdown this morning.  I cried, and then I felt a little better.

I can't figure out how to rip CDs any more on this newer version of Media Player, which sucks.

Anyway, I am just feeling burned out.  Last night I watched exactly 1 scary movie "Fright Night" (the original with Roddy McDowell) and went to bed.

I have some weight loss goals for November, which I plan to discuss tomorrow.

For now, I'm outta here!