Feeling good

As I was driving home yesterday, I realized I felt more positive & happier than I have in well over a year. It was great!

Yesterday was a good day. I put my food into SparkPeople, I went to the gym, I drank my water and stayed within my calorie plan. It felt good. I don't know whether my mood made that easier or taking control of my choices left me feeling more positive - but I'll take it!

Today is on track to be more of the same - food is entered into Sparkpeople, I've been to the gym, and I walked some on break with a friend just to get some fresh air.

I'd like to share a post with you: http://www.runsforcookies.com/2017/10/motivation-vs-determination.html  I think it does a great job of differentiating between motivation and determination. I'm not sure I've completely flipped that switch, but lately even if I mess up, I just keep trudging on. That feels really good.

Take care.

Quiet weekend achieved

It was a lovely weekend.  I didn't get everything done I'd hoped, but we rested! It was so nice. I am feeling so much more relaxed and positive - it's awesome.

I dropped a pound last week, slow start but heading in the right direction.

Food is logged into SparkPeople, gym bag is in the car. I am increasing my time on the elliptical to 25 minutes this week. My low back and abs are still sore, so they are resting up and I will get back into it much more slowly! It's sad to see how much fitness I've lost. Oh well, I will improve from where I am today.

Still sore

My midsection is still pretty sore from the fitness test Monday plus 400 kettlebell swings I did over the course of 2 days. I did 40 swings this morning and I was very uncomfortable. I think I will drop back a little. The object isn't to hurt myself to the point I don't exercise!

I am working at home again today. I am so thankful I have this flexibility with my current job.

I don't have a lot to say today. Very much looking forward to a quiet weekend.

Take care.

Do your clothes bring you joy?

Today I plan to use my lunch break to pull out and organize my winter clothes. Pants are pretty much pants and my shoes are where they are, just need to check for knee highs to go with shoes  - I'm still in sandals but it's time to put them away :-(

It's mainly shirts and sweaters - I haven't really used them since we moved in this house (I wasn't working last winter). So that's on my list. I think I have enough, just need to organize so they are easy to find in the morning.

Jeans are a bit problematic. I have 3 pair that theoretically fit, but one pair? I just honestly hate them. They are labeled "boyfriend cut", whatever on earth that is. I think it means your boyfriend has the legs of a elephant - the legs go straight down and are wide. I am short, so you can imagine. They look beyond awful. I am seriously thinking of just donating them - I hate them so much I cannot imagine ever leaving the house in them.

I am far from a clothes horse. I was perfectly fine in the Army when the toughest fashion choice I made in the morning was whether to wear jungle or jump (combat) boots. I view clothes in a fairly utilitarian fashion unless I am going out on a date. But even for me, one of the more frustrating things about being overweight is lack of choice in clothing. Do I wear the back shirt or the one that looks like it's covered in cat puke??? Ugh.

So I ended the day yesterday doing 9 laps around the building at work, going to the gym, and 200 kettlebell swings. I am taking today off since I pushed it pretty hard 2 days in a row.

Last night T went to a Toastmasters meeting. I texted him and asked him to call on his way home. My plan was to ask him to stop at Sheetz and pick me up an order of fried cheese curds. Thankfully the meeting ran late and by the time he called I was already in bed asleep.

Fall weather is here

Yesterday was rainy and yucky - we actually had tornadoes! But today is lovely and the air is so fresh and nice. I love it!

I did go to the gym to lunch today, even though I really truly did not want to go. I've done 3 of my 5 sets of swings, and 3 laps around the building and it's not even 12:30. Go me!

Sunday I didn't snack after dinner at all, last night I had 1 cookie. Our friend brought us Tim Tams from Australia - I generally don't even bother with packaged cookies because I think most of them are yucko, but these are good. You can buy them at Target, but those are made here in the USA with high fructose corn syrup and are a not half as good as the real deal. So once in a while I will go in and get one. So good.

Anyway, all in all I am feeling good, and positive. Much less stressed and wrung out. This weekend we are going to do some house and yard work. I'm looking forward to it. Tomorrow I work at home and I'm looking forward to that as well.

Take care.

Wellbeats

Yes, this is really happening. Ugh. I haven't even gotten my fall decorations up yet!

We went to the event for about 5 hours Saturday and had a lovely time.  Saturday night T fell out of bed and really hurt his hip. We were both out of sorts yesterday and it wasn't pretty.  Luckily we both slept better last night so hopefully this evening will be more pleasant!

I am on track to complete my 200 kettlebell swings before I leave the office.  It's raining so we only got in 4 laps around the building.  I did go to the gym.

The gym has this small-ish room like most gyms have for classes.  Instead of instructors, they have a computer kiosk with a system called Wellbeats . You click into the system and select from a menu of classes on demand.  If you go to their website, they have various programs made up from the classes. I selected their "get started" workout plan. It's 4 weeks, 4 days per week, with a guided program laying out what classes to take. Most are less than 30 minutes.

Today I did the "basic fit test" and wrote down my results. It will repeat at the end of the program. I like that I have something organized to do rather than just randomly selecting a class. I've never seen anyone using the room, so I don't think access will be an issue.

Meals are planned and I have an ambitious goal for the end of the year: 20 pounds in the 10 weeks left. Even if I don't make it, if I only get halfway there I will be proud of me!

Take care.

Less stressed, but it was a close thing

Okay, kind of a long story.

We got an email last week saying that our insurance enrollment period had been moved forward 2 months to align with our parent company. My life event doesn't give me the usual 31 days to make a change since it falls within the enrollment window. Adding my son and new husband to my work insurance would cost a lot of money. Right now they both have insurance from the exchange (ACA), but enrollment for that doesn't open until a few days after our work enrollment period closes, so I can't compare the plans and costs. (Not to mention what a mess ACA is thanks to gov't trying to sabotage it). ANYWAY. When I asked if I could have 31 days from my wedding date since it was a life event and was told "no" I got VERY upset. I sent a letter to HR just saying how much their out of the blue change with no notice was hurting my family and potentially our bottom line. The head of HR called and we talked about it. He double checked and confirmed that if we elected not to renew either through ACA that would act as a "qualifying life event" and I could add them when that insurance runs out. Thank goodness. For a while I was really sweating where on earth we were going to come up with over $600 more per month for health insurance!! And I still may have to if the ACA goes belly up, but at least for now, we will have the chance to compare and make a choice.

Anyway, it's been a very stressful week at work and at home. The dog has decided to destroy the house every time she is left alone, and T worked 3 days this week. We've gone through 2 dog doors, but we think steel screws may save the 2nd door.

We were supposed to be going to an event this weekend, but we are just going for the day Saturday. I am too exhausted to do any more than that.

I'm tired.

Today

Today I am feeling stressed and worried about money. I need to work on just accepting things that I cannot change. T is looking for a job, I can't control when he will find a job.

It's just hard.

Road trip!

Okay. Yesterday I went to the gym and did 20 minutes on the elliptical, did 200 kettlebell swings with a 15 lb bell, and walked 5 laps around the building (15 minutes). I tracked what I ate.

Today I got to work 30 minutes early so I can leave at 4:30. I walked 3 laps and knocked out a quick 40 swings so far (not too shabby for 8 AM).

Last night we planned meals through Monday and T is prepping my breakfast (turkey meatballs).

I am happy, and I feel good.

And..... we're back to baby steps

This has been a wonderful, crazy, hectic week. Mom and I are leaving for Georgia as soon as I get home from work tomorrow.

Tonight, T and I will sit down and make a meal plan and a grocery list. He will do the shopping while I am gone. I will come home to a house with groceries, clean laundry, and he will prep any food I request. (Yes, I do know how lucky I am. I lived in opposite world for many years.)

Baby step 1: Be prepared. Have a meal plan and the food to execute. Have something realistic for our schedule. T is working 3 days next week so that means crock pot, casserole type stuff, or quick and easy.

Baby step 2: Use the gym I signed up for. Bag is in the car and I am headed out soon.

Baby step 3: Keep liquid calories out of the house. Enough said.

You eat an elephant one bite at a time.

Crazy week

So, we're not having a honeymoon (obviously). We don't have the money and I don't have the time. We are looking at going to DC next month though.

Our friend from Australia is a former professional chef who loves smoking meats, making his own bacon and sausages, and food tourism. In other words, T's long lost twin! Lol

Monday I had the day off so we went up to Boone and Grandfather Mountain. Yesterday they went to Asheville. Today I am working from home so we went and had bbq in Lexington. I think they've both had a wonderful time. S is flying out tomorrow afternoon.

Mom and I are headed to Georgia this weekend to visit Alma - she is definitely slowing down and her memory gets a little flaky. It's been 3 months so we are definitely due a visit. I used to really look forward to them, but honestly not so much any more. I love her very much and it's hard to see her sad. But I know our visits are very important and I am thankful I am able to help her in some small way.

Mischief managed

We did it!  The day was beautiful. And as a surprise, a friend flew in from Australia!!! Now I am back at work and back to reality.

Yay!

Working a little longer, then headed to the beach. Pictures to follow.

Coming together

The final pieces are coming together. I found my spanx (what????), picked out which shoes to wear until I remove them at the edge of the sand, and got my nails done.  My natural nails are very thin and brittle. Add to that the facts that I have short, chubby fingers (not matter what my weight) as well as shallow, wide nail beds. Overall I don't like the way they look. I'm sure we will want pictures of our rings, and I want to feel pretty. So I went and got gel nails. I have no idea whether I will keep them, but probably not for long.

It's been a super hectic morning, trying to whip up a casserole before work so I had it ready (going to get my hair cut this evening), and getting a few things organized while on breaks (I'm working from home today).

We are going this afternoon to pick up our marriage license. In the midst of the sadness and helplessness, I am trying to focus on being grateful and happy for what I have right now.

Take care.

Intentions thwarted

I went back to Anytime Fitness today. My original intention was to go and check out the weight room. it was full of guys (well 4, but it's small), so I ended up doing 15 minutes on the elliptical (Yosemite) and 5 minutes on the bike (Loire valley).  Why did I feel uncomfortable going and using the weight room? Because I'm overweight? Female? Both?  Oh well, at least I exercised.

T is subbing today - PE at an elementary school.  I suspect he will go to bed by 8 PM.

Take care.

Happy Monday

We spent the weekend reclaiming the house and generally getting a lot of stuff done. The weather was amazing, and I woke up refreshed. Then I turned on the news. The whole planet seems to be destroying itself, or we're destroying each other.

And amidst all of that I'm putting the last minute touches on my wedding planning - a time that should be joyful. And is, but still, it's hard when there is so much bad happening to so many people.

I went to Anytime Fitness at lunch today even though I didn't want to. It's less than a mile from the office.  The equipment is very nice - the cardio machines have individual televisions. Have you ever seen those "scenic walk" videos where it looks like you are running/ biking/ hiking through nature? They have that - I did a virtual hike through Arthur's Peak National Park in New Zealand - it was lovely.

Work is still crazy. I got my jewelry picked out. Hold on to the good stuff.

Take care.