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.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
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!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
What would you have done?
Yesterday my boss asked that we clear our calendars for a planning session & that he'd be ordering in lunch from Salsarita's (a mexican "build your own" bar type deal). having gotten my food planning, prepping, & portioning to a good place, I really didn't want to go there.
I told him I'd been eating more vegan recently (true) and asked if he'd mind if I brought my lunch. He said not at all, so I'm taking my lunch with me. I'll probably grab some guacamole for my carrot sticks, but that's it. I have a really good lunch (my pita) so I don't think I'll feel sorry I can't have mexican.
The office - a dieter's peril!
Yesterday my boss asked that we clear our calendars for a planning session & that he'd be ordering in lunch from Salsarita's (a mexican "build your own" bar type deal). having gotten my food planning, prepping, & portioning to a good place, I really didn't want to go there.
I told him I'd been eating more vegan recently (true) and asked if he'd mind if I brought my lunch. He said not at all, so I'm taking my lunch with me. I'll probably grab some guacamole for my carrot sticks, but that's it. I have a really good lunch (my pita) so I don't think I'll feel sorry I can't have mexican.
The office - a dieter's peril!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Just a bunch of stuff
I went to my Tone & Sculpt class at the work gym last night (it’s more like a mini-me gym wannabe, but it has enough room for (small) classes, a few weights and a dvd player, and 1 each recumbent bike, treadmill, and elliptical). I thought the class was pretty good.
Plusses:
It’s 30 minutes, enough to get a decent workout without getting bored
It’s at work. Hello, convenience!
Minuses:
Co-workers seeing you looking chubby in workout clothes.
I chose too light weights last night, so not too much of a workout, but I can fix this next time.
All in all, I’m glad I signed up! Today I have my first yoga class. I’ll report back!
I’ve watched an hour of Tracy Reifkind’s dvd. It’s not a “workout dvd” per se, it’s more of a seminar to teach instructors how to design workouts, drive progress, etc. for their clients. It’s useful, but it’s a “sit down and watch and make notes” v. “follow along at home”, which leaves my son wondering whether I consider watching people exercise as exercise. (15 year olds say lots of smackable things!) The main disc is 1.5 hours long, with another discussion disc that’s 45 minutes. I’ve learned a lot of stuff so far.
We were able to turn off the air and open the house up this past weekend. It has contributed to my sleeping like a log! I got up a little before 5 this morning to get my walk in and get my lunch box packed. I wanted to leave early since I needed to get 2 dogs to the vet (Butch is having his sutures out and I wanted the vet to check a cyst looking thing on Jordan’s eyelid). The mornings are very pleasant, and luckily I got my walk in before it started raining because it was really raining hard! Juggling 2 dog leashes and an umbrella is pretty comical.
I’ve been doing a smoothie (frozen banana, 1/3 mango, green powder and spinach) and a mini bagel with lox for breakfast. This morning I didn’t have time to sit down & eat (plus it was very early) so I had my smoothie then had oatmeal when I got to work.
Lunches this week are pitas. I found some oat bran & flax pitas that are 60 calories each. They’re pretty thin, but they hold up fairly well. I’ve been stuffing them with hummus, 4 olives, banana peppers, cucumber, and tomato. Also brought a very small cup of vegetable soup yesterday & today since it’s been a bit chilly in the office. It takes a while to get everything packed up, but I’ve just decided to take whatever time I need to get ready instead of rushing like a crazy person. It’s much less stressful.
Yoga is from 12-1. I usually eat at 11:30. I don’t want to eat my whole lunch before doing downward dog, so I have to experiment with eating part of it and finishing it after class. I’ll either have the soup or half a pita. No big deal, just something I need to get used to. I eat breakfast early, so I’ve been eating lunch at 11:30 for the last decade or so!
Hopefully this is hub’s last week working out of town! It’s been tough, I’m glad the end is in sight!
I went to my Tone & Sculpt class at the work gym last night (it’s more like a mini-me gym wannabe, but it has enough room for (small) classes, a few weights and a dvd player, and 1 each recumbent bike, treadmill, and elliptical). I thought the class was pretty good.
Plusses:
It’s 30 minutes, enough to get a decent workout without getting bored
It’s at work. Hello, convenience!
Minuses:
Co-workers seeing you looking chubby in workout clothes.
I chose too light weights last night, so not too much of a workout, but I can fix this next time.
All in all, I’m glad I signed up! Today I have my first yoga class. I’ll report back!
I’ve watched an hour of Tracy Reifkind’s dvd. It’s not a “workout dvd” per se, it’s more of a seminar to teach instructors how to design workouts, drive progress, etc. for their clients. It’s useful, but it’s a “sit down and watch and make notes” v. “follow along at home”, which leaves my son wondering whether I consider watching people exercise as exercise. (15 year olds say lots of smackable things!) The main disc is 1.5 hours long, with another discussion disc that’s 45 minutes. I’ve learned a lot of stuff so far.
We were able to turn off the air and open the house up this past weekend. It has contributed to my sleeping like a log! I got up a little before 5 this morning to get my walk in and get my lunch box packed. I wanted to leave early since I needed to get 2 dogs to the vet (Butch is having his sutures out and I wanted the vet to check a cyst looking thing on Jordan’s eyelid). The mornings are very pleasant, and luckily I got my walk in before it started raining because it was really raining hard! Juggling 2 dog leashes and an umbrella is pretty comical.
I’ve been doing a smoothie (frozen banana, 1/3 mango, green powder and spinach) and a mini bagel with lox for breakfast. This morning I didn’t have time to sit down & eat (plus it was very early) so I had my smoothie then had oatmeal when I got to work.
Lunches this week are pitas. I found some oat bran & flax pitas that are 60 calories each. They’re pretty thin, but they hold up fairly well. I’ve been stuffing them with hummus, 4 olives, banana peppers, cucumber, and tomato. Also brought a very small cup of vegetable soup yesterday & today since it’s been a bit chilly in the office. It takes a while to get everything packed up, but I’ve just decided to take whatever time I need to get ready instead of rushing like a crazy person. It’s much less stressful.
Yoga is from 12-1. I usually eat at 11:30. I don’t want to eat my whole lunch before doing downward dog, so I have to experiment with eating part of it and finishing it after class. I’ll either have the soup or half a pita. No big deal, just something I need to get used to. I eat breakfast early, so I’ve been eating lunch at 11:30 for the last decade or so!
Hopefully this is hub’s last week working out of town! It’s been tough, I’m glad the end is in sight!
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
What do you think?
Last night I was watching “Thintervention” with Jackie Warner. I had never watched it before, but hub and I came across it while channel surfing and I was curious. I had watched a few episodes of her previous show. Based on the eyes wide apart “horsey” look she has going on in the face, I suspect she’s been using steroids (that’s a side effect).
ANYWAY. That’s not the point here. They were having the therapy session at the end of the show and Jackie talked about overweight people using food as a form of self punishment. How we talk negatively to ourselves and hurt ourselves with food.
I’m not sure I agree. Most emotional overeaters do so to comfort themselves – to make ourselves feel better. Does overeating have negative consequences? Yes, but they aren’t generally immediate. If you overeat when you’re young, your body can cope with a lot. As you get older you may gain weight, but other side effects may not show up till middle age (high cholesterol and blood pressure). Sure these things show up earlier in some folks, but as a general rule the gratification is immediate and the down side seems far off in the future.
Do I dunno. Do we overeat because we love ourselves or hate ourselves? Or both? Or neither?
Last night I was watching “Thintervention” with Jackie Warner. I had never watched it before, but hub and I came across it while channel surfing and I was curious. I had watched a few episodes of her previous show. Based on the eyes wide apart “horsey” look she has going on in the face, I suspect she’s been using steroids (that’s a side effect).
ANYWAY. That’s not the point here. They were having the therapy session at the end of the show and Jackie talked about overweight people using food as a form of self punishment. How we talk negatively to ourselves and hurt ourselves with food.
I’m not sure I agree. Most emotional overeaters do so to comfort themselves – to make ourselves feel better. Does overeating have negative consequences? Yes, but they aren’t generally immediate. If you overeat when you’re young, your body can cope with a lot. As you get older you may gain weight, but other side effects may not show up till middle age (high cholesterol and blood pressure). Sure these things show up earlier in some folks, but as a general rule the gratification is immediate and the down side seems far off in the future.
Do I dunno. Do we overeat because we love ourselves or hate ourselves? Or both? Or neither?
Monday, September 27, 2010
My triumphant return!
I had a wonderful time on vacation. I didn’t use an alarm clock, I took afternoon naps as needed, and at the end of it all I had what feels like a brand new, larger, space.
I painted the hall, entryway, living room, and dining room. Everything is a neutral light khaki (think of sand) except under the chair rail in the dining room is aqua. Since the new slipcovers (yes, I did that too) are a neutral color (they were made from painter’s tarps from Lowe’s. Hey, they’re inexpensive and can stand up to dogs) I painted the bookshelves in the living room the same aqua. It matches my new lamps I bought when we got the sofas right before Pennsic.
I re-arranged artwork and framed some prints I had and hung them as well. Oh, and I steam cleaned my carpets.
Hub liked it too, so I am glad. I can’t get over how much airier it all feels. Well worth the effort.
I didn't get to the gym as planned, but honestly I was exhausted from all the physical work I was doing.
Nice to be back to work and back to a routine. I have yummy food planned for the week, heavy on the raw veg. And the 2 classes I signed up for here at work (yoga and tone & sculpt) starrted last week, so I'll let you know how they are once I've been.
I had a wonderful time on vacation. I didn’t use an alarm clock, I took afternoon naps as needed, and at the end of it all I had what feels like a brand new, larger, space.
I painted the hall, entryway, living room, and dining room. Everything is a neutral light khaki (think of sand) except under the chair rail in the dining room is aqua. Since the new slipcovers (yes, I did that too) are a neutral color (they were made from painter’s tarps from Lowe’s. Hey, they’re inexpensive and can stand up to dogs) I painted the bookshelves in the living room the same aqua. It matches my new lamps I bought when we got the sofas right before Pennsic.
I re-arranged artwork and framed some prints I had and hung them as well. Oh, and I steam cleaned my carpets.
Hub liked it too, so I am glad. I can’t get over how much airier it all feels. Well worth the effort.
I didn't get to the gym as planned, but honestly I was exhausted from all the physical work I was doing.
Nice to be back to work and back to a routine. I have yummy food planned for the week, heavy on the raw veg. And the 2 classes I signed up for here at work (yoga and tone & sculpt) starrted last week, so I'll let you know how they are once I've been.
Friday, September 17, 2010
Happy Friday!
Woo hoo!!! I made it to the end of the week!!!! It's been one of THOSE weeks, where you fantasize about stabbing people with a fork, you know? (If you don't, then I guess that means I'm farther gone that i thought...)
Anyway, other than 1 meeting next week (yeah, ugh) I am free!!!! Weather looks to be good - a tad bit too warm to have the house open full time, but cool enough that I can open it up some to let the paint smell out.
I doubt I'll be posting much, but I'll try to check in.
Have a great weekend!
Woo hoo!!! I made it to the end of the week!!!! It's been one of THOSE weeks, where you fantasize about stabbing people with a fork, you know? (If you don't, then I guess that means I'm farther gone that i thought...)
Anyway, other than 1 meeting next week (yeah, ugh) I am free!!!! Weather looks to be good - a tad bit too warm to have the house open full time, but cool enough that I can open it up some to let the paint smell out.
I doubt I'll be posting much, but I'll try to check in.
Have a great weekend!
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Quick
Butchie's surgery went fine - he had a couple of fibroids that were bothering him, so we had them removed. They were just fat deposits, but he was really scratching at them.
I was so tired last night. I took the boy & a friend to a field hockey game at the school, then picked him up later. I was in bed at 9 and decided to sleep in this morning. I woke up at 6:30! Clearly I needed to catch up on some sleep!
My weight is steady at 10 pounds less than last year and 15 pounds higher than the beginning of this year.
Here's what I find aggrivating - I went to the cafeteria and bought a veggie wrap - no meat, and it was nearly $6. But a hurger would've been $2. How crazy is that?
Plans have changed some this week with the boy and my dinner plans have been tossed out the window. I hope next week is a bit more organized. Ah, life with a teenager.
Luckily I have healthy leftovers for myself. Thank you crock pot!
Did I mention I finally purchased a pressure cooker? I've been wanting one for a while and I got a great deal on one. I am looking forward to trying it out!
Butchie's surgery went fine - he had a couple of fibroids that were bothering him, so we had them removed. They were just fat deposits, but he was really scratching at them.
I was so tired last night. I took the boy & a friend to a field hockey game at the school, then picked him up later. I was in bed at 9 and decided to sleep in this morning. I woke up at 6:30! Clearly I needed to catch up on some sleep!
My weight is steady at 10 pounds less than last year and 15 pounds higher than the beginning of this year.
Here's what I find aggrivating - I went to the cafeteria and bought a veggie wrap - no meat, and it was nearly $6. But a hurger would've been $2. How crazy is that?
Plans have changed some this week with the boy and my dinner plans have been tossed out the window. I hope next week is a bit more organized. Ah, life with a teenager.
Luckily I have healthy leftovers for myself. Thank you crock pot!
Did I mention I finally purchased a pressure cooker? I've been wanting one for a while and I got a great deal on one. I am looking forward to trying it out!
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Am I serious?
Sometimes I wonder if I really want to lose weight. As miserable as being overweight makes me, you’d think this would be a no brainer. And yet I go along, making foolish choices. Why did I buy sweet knots when I stopped in at the product stand yesterday? Cause I ate them after dinner – with a beer. Sigh.
I want to lose weight, but clearly I don’t seem able/ready to do the hard work to change my behavior in a permanent way that is required for that to happen.
That said, I watched a really great documentary last night called “Spirit of the Marathon” – so much so that I purchased the book, which was a follow-up book to “First Marathons”, which I also purchased. So much for my “don’t spend money” resolution for the month (Butchie is in surgery this morning, plus of course we’re still paying off serious amounts of car repair).
I keep looking for the thing that will inspire permanent change, rather than a never ending series of temporary changes.
Sometimes I wonder if I really want to lose weight. As miserable as being overweight makes me, you’d think this would be a no brainer. And yet I go along, making foolish choices. Why did I buy sweet knots when I stopped in at the product stand yesterday? Cause I ate them after dinner – with a beer. Sigh.
I want to lose weight, but clearly I don’t seem able/ready to do the hard work to change my behavior in a permanent way that is required for that to happen.
That said, I watched a really great documentary last night called “Spirit of the Marathon” – so much so that I purchased the book, which was a follow-up book to “First Marathons”, which I also purchased. So much for my “don’t spend money” resolution for the month (Butchie is in surgery this morning, plus of course we’re still paying off serious amounts of car repair).
I keep looking for the thing that will inspire permanent change, rather than a never ending series of temporary changes.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
TBTB (too busy to blog)
Don't worry, I'm doing okay. ;-) If there's anyone still reading, that is!
Work is busy, hub is still working out of town. I'm getting by, thanks to my crockpot! I am walking some, but the gym ... not so much.
Recently a small "fitness facility" opened here at work. There's not much in it yet - a few bands & dumb bells & a place to show a video. On the other side is a space for classes. I have signed up for lunchtime yoga and late afternoon tone & sculpt. Yoga is an hour & the tone/sculpt is 30 minutes. I'm here, so there's no excuse not to go. Well, except they start next week and I'll be on vacation!!! But, other than that! Seriously, I'm glad I signed up. It's nothing huge, but it's a start and something I can do consistently without a lot of extra effort - which seems to be lacking these days!
My plan is to take next week off and paint & make that seconds slipcover, maybe to a bit of re-arranging furniture. I am very much looking forward to it.
We went to Ga this past weekend (14 hours in a car is a lot!) to visit my great aunt. I really wish we could move her out of where she is & back to the place she liked where she was before & can't afford any more. Sigh. My mom is looking into the price difference to see what we can do. The place she is just kinda sucks....
Well, that's all I got for now. Just wanted to let folks know I'm doing okay, and my absence doesn't mean I fell into a vat of cheese dip! ;-)
Don't worry, I'm doing okay. ;-) If there's anyone still reading, that is!
Work is busy, hub is still working out of town. I'm getting by, thanks to my crockpot! I am walking some, but the gym ... not so much.
Recently a small "fitness facility" opened here at work. There's not much in it yet - a few bands & dumb bells & a place to show a video. On the other side is a space for classes. I have signed up for lunchtime yoga and late afternoon tone & sculpt. Yoga is an hour & the tone/sculpt is 30 minutes. I'm here, so there's no excuse not to go. Well, except they start next week and I'll be on vacation!!! But, other than that! Seriously, I'm glad I signed up. It's nothing huge, but it's a start and something I can do consistently without a lot of extra effort - which seems to be lacking these days!
My plan is to take next week off and paint & make that seconds slipcover, maybe to a bit of re-arranging furniture. I am very much looking forward to it.
We went to Ga this past weekend (14 hours in a car is a lot!) to visit my great aunt. I really wish we could move her out of where she is & back to the place she liked where she was before & can't afford any more. Sigh. My mom is looking into the price difference to see what we can do. The place she is just kinda sucks....
Well, that's all I got for now. Just wanted to let folks know I'm doing okay, and my absence doesn't mean I fell into a vat of cheese dip! ;-)
Thursday, September 02, 2010
More argh.
This has been a difficult week, no 2 ways about it. Not in a "my child is ill" or "my house burned down" way - no, difficult in that "nibbled to death by cats" kind of way.
HOWEVER.
I have walked in the morning, and I have followed my eating plan. Hopefully by the end of day today I will have ordered a replacement SS card and we'll have some news on getting the minivan fixed besides "We can't get it to make the noise."
This has been a difficult week, no 2 ways about it. Not in a "my child is ill" or "my house burned down" way - no, difficult in that "nibbled to death by cats" kind of way.
HOWEVER.
I have walked in the morning, and I have followed my eating plan. Hopefully by the end of day today I will have ordered a replacement SS card and we'll have some news on getting the minivan fixed besides "We can't get it to make the noise."
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