Mental and Physical Re-Set

I am again re-setting my fitness goals. I am not apologizing for the gaps--this is just life, right? This whole journey is about making long-term lifestyle changes; not JUST working to lose some weight, but working to be a healthier person overall. I've changed the header of the blog to reflect this. What started out as a 90-day challenge has definitely morphed into something greater than that, which was the whole idea from the beginning. And life will cause periods of inactivity or over-eating or sickness, or any one of a thousand things that can get you off track. I will be glad to re-set as many times as I need to to keep heading toward the goals.

It's been a tough year for getting in shape. I've been sick a LOT, which has been quite frustrating. And then March--well--that was a wash in the name of high end eating and eating. It wasn't intentional to cluster so much high end dining all together, but that's just how it worked out. I can't say I regret that part--food and food experiences can be amazing, and Jason and I have been to Poole's Diner, Chef and the Farmer, The Boiler Room, Beasley's Chicken and Waffles, Mother Earth Brewing Company, and The Oakleaf, all during the month of March, in addition to a few trips to our local pub and out for good local sushi. Whew! April has been about getting back to cookingand eating at home, but we've been really off-schedule, which affects everything. Here's some of what's happening right now:

• You'll see that I've posted all of the pretty things from walks that I've taken since my last post. I like having those recorded here for posterity, and they make the blog way prettier than all my words do.
• I am back to the farmers market every weekend for fresh veggies. Yay for Spring! It makes such a difference in how I think about food, and how I cook and eat to have this wealth of local produce and meat available to me!
• We took the kids for a hike yesterday for the first time in a couple of weeks--we ALL needed it, and it was glorious to be in the woods! Hiking on the weekend really motivates me to keep moving during the week!
• The boys have started swimming lessons. I am giving that a little bit of time to see how it goes, but it sure would be cool if I could swim laps while they have their lessons. Something I am considering.
• This week is Make-It-To-Your-Classes week. I am seriously going to try to get them all in. I have been slack about that the past month because of some relentless stuffiness that MUST be allergies, even though I've never had them before. I can't let whatever it is stop me, though--I am starting to feel gross and sluggish again, and I DO NOT LIKE IT ONE BIT!

Here's what I have realized: I have to track. And the emphasis there should be on the word, "I." Some people don't need to do it. Some people HATE doing it. Some find it DE-motivational instead of stimulating. But for me, tracking brings discipline. For me, if i don't track my workouts and my eating choices, then I somehow don't feel like I am getting credit for them. This may go back to my childhood and my need to get points for all my right answers. I don't know. What I do know is that, when I am actively tracking everything, the self-inflicted accountability keeps me motivated, and it makes me not want to mess it up. So prepare to be re-inundated with everything. I will never meet my goals if I don't record my actions.

With all the craziness of the past few months, I've re-gained some weight. My goal is to get that back off, get headed back in the right direction toward the weight I want to be, and most importantly, to get to a place where I feel strong and healthy!

Rising Up

Goodness. What day is it? I've lost track!

After all my good intentions, I was brought low once again by a bout of acute bronchitis. I am still coughing, but it's finally starting to get better, and I have been trying to ease back since the weekend by walking and walking and walking. And stretching--I went to yoga class on Monday night, and it felt amazing to stretch out my very stiff muscles. I am trying so hard not to over-do it, but that's not really in my nature. I tend to be all in, or not in at all--and i am trying hard to accept that this is not always the right way to do things. I think I keep getting sick because I keep trying to jump back in full throttle before I am really better. Walking and yoga, I can do, though, so I am. And I am trying to rest and make decent eating choices. It's very frustrating! I am finally to the point where I WANT to exercise, and my body is pretty much betraying me.

So. I am walking and walking and walking. And I am stretching and stretching and stretching. And that's it for right now. Next week, I am hoping I can add back all my classes, and really get back at it.

As part of catching up, I posted all the pretty things from the walks I have taken since the last post. And I'll tell you, we went for a huge hike this past weekend that was just amazing. The boys made it 6.24 miles, which is just great! We have come a long way as a family since we started with a mile and a half at a time last January. I hope we can hit 10 by the end of the summer. Still loving getting us all out into the woods, and I certainly plan to do more of that.

For the next week or so, I am not really logging things, but I am moving. I am working my way back to being back on track. I am trying to kick out the last of my lingering congestion. And once I jerk all the wheels back on the bus, I'll be back to writing more regularly as well.

I am so glad spring is in the air!

Coming Back up for Air

Life happens sometimes.

Since the headache from January 28th,  I have been off. We had house guests for the weekend of January 29th, and a sick kid at the same time. I cooked things like lasagne, and there were biscuits and beignets and beer. Then a friend came for Sunday dinner, and there was a cream sauce and a pie. And what there wasn't was a hike. And well--I am not really all that sorry for that insane, fun, but completely off the chain weekend. However, since then, I have been sick--it's impossible not to catch your little guy's funk when he's sneezing all over you and coughing all the time. It's been at least a week and a half since I have gotten a good night's sleep, thanks to a hacking cough that's been plaguing me. Rest is so important, and I have not had nearly enough. I've managed some bits of activity here and there, but not enough. But the cough is abating, thank goodness. I am so hoping I can make it to at least a couple of classes this week. I have gotten the food part back on track, but I have been a little afraid of working out with this persistent congestion. Here's hoping I can make it to Zumba tonight at the very least--I am playing it by ear.

I find this so frustrating, by the way--I feel like, since the holidays, I take one step forward, and then two back. Every time I start to get a little bit of momentum going, something just derails it all. I am happy to report that my weight is holding through all this, but I want to work on it continuing to go down. I want to get stronger and not keep having to restart! But all that is just whining. I am still determined as ever.

And here's a little bit of inspiration I stumbled across today. For all that this is a Pepsi commercial, of all things, it sure does make me want to get in great shape! (Also, how was this around in 2011, and I just saw it today???)

Day 180: Twice the Days

Today is the end of the second set of 90 days since I started down this path toward a better lifestyle for my health. The first half was focused on weight loss. The second set has been focused more on maintenance,  getting through the holidays without a ton of gain, and setting up some appointments to take care of other aspects of my health--especially the dentist. I have lost only a few pound during this period, but that's OK. I am happy to still be headed down and not having slipped back up to a much heavier weight. That said--it's time to get going again in that steadily downward moving direction. This morning's refusal to get out of bed for barbell class (sorry, Tracy!) notwithstanding, I am feeling pretty motivated.

I had a hair appointment today, which meant missing my lunchtime walk. It also, however, meant that i got to have a spontaneous lunch date with Jason at one of our favorite farm-to-table restaurants in downtown Raleigh. Kimbap is an indulgence, but one I don't feel too bad about. Kim sources her Korean-inspired foods from the local farms we personally know, and her food is nutritious and delicious. I can't recommend her place enough!

But. I was feeling like a slug by 5pm. In a fit of inspiration, I was determined to find some way to do something active, so I decided to walk to knitting tonight. The Panera where we meet is just over 2 miles from my house, so I managed to get in a 4+ mile walk by doing something fun and social. I think I am going to plan to do that again, whenever the weather will cooperate with me. My friend Jennifer even got her husband to drop her off so that she could walk home with me, which was amazing. I hope she'll do it again, too!

Log: 

Exercise:

• Walked to and from knitting: 4.08 miles
• Day 10 of the 30-day Abs Challenge: 50 sit-ups, 30 leg raises, 50 crunches, 38 second plank

Nutrition:

• Breakfast: steel cut oatmeal with slices almonds and dried cranberries, tea with milk and raw sugar
• Lunch: Kimbap with Jason: 2 pork and ginger dumplings, beef bulgogi tacos with kimchee fried rice, Asian sauteed collard greens, 2 tiny beignets with semi-freddo and chocolate for dessert with a small cup of French press coffee with sugar and cream (SO DELICIOUS!)
• Dinner: Panera for knitting: 1/2 a chicken soba noodle salad and a small apple
• Snacks: no snacks today

Stats:

• Steps:11,637
• Calories: 1583 consumed, 537 burned
• Weight: 188--maybe even a little bit under

Day Ninety-Three: Continuation

I am going to have to change the name of this blog, since I am not past the 90 days, but have no intention of stopping. I like the idea of keeping the day numbers for the daily log posts so I can keep track of how long it takes me to get into the shape I want to be. Things have been going well, and I think all the tracking I am doing has been a big part of that, so I am keeping it up. I think I will plan to take another picture in another 20 pounds, too. I like the visual tracking of progress.

Log: 

Exercise:

• Lunchtime walk was aborted due to pouring rain. AGAIN! :-(
• Yoga with Beth at the Apex gym
• Evening walk, in my living room, feeling slightly like a fool: 2.02 miles

Nutrition:

• Breakfast: spinach and mushroom frittata, 1/2 a pices of Great Harvest honey whole wheat toast with farm butter, 2 cups of tea with milk and raw sugar
• Lunch: leftover potatoes gratin and roasted brussels sprouts from Saturday's date night at Peak City Grill with a boiled egg. It wasn't a ton, but it enought, and it was delicious and comforting on this cold rainy day.
• Dinner:butternut squash soup with rosemary honey goat cheese, walnuts, and fresh sage, Trader Joes pumpkin cranberry crisps
• Snacks:N/A

Stats:

• Steps:12,317
• Calories: 1129 consumed, 571 burned
• Weight: 192.5 - up a couple of pounds from low activity weekend and date night!

Official Weigh-Out and Pictures

Starting weight on August 9, 2015: 211.5 on the home scale, 214.3 on the gym scale
Weight on November 7, 2105: 190 on the home scale, 192.9 on the gym scale
Current Loss: 21.5 pounds

Before Pictures:

Progress Pictures:

There are definitely some differences, but I certainly don't want to call the second set, "after pictures," because I still have a long way to go. I think the biggest difference is in my waistline. I didn't take full body measurements when I started, but I wish I had. There's a big difference in my waistline, which is most apparent from the side and back.

Jason and I are heading out on an actual date, and I am wearing these amazing bright green linen pants that I bought as a goal over a year ago, and I have to say--that's pretty awesome. I tried them on as a test, with very low expectations, and they aren't even the slightest bit tight. So exciting! I know it's November, and WAY past linen season, but people, I cannot help it--these things have to be worn!

Day Eighty-Eight: 20 Pounds!

I had another one of those mornings where I stepped on the scale, and I truly thought it was broken. I re-tared it to make sure it was OK, and then weighed again to find myself soundly at the 20 pound mark! I was hoping to lose 2 pounds during this challenge, but given all the unexpected difficulties, I am very glad to be crossing this milestone. I am sure that if I continue along this path, and keep trying to make good decisions about my healthy most of the time, then I will see my goal weight on that scale in just a few months. Whoo hoo!

 

Log: 

Exercise:

• Lunchtime walk with Finn: 1.8 miles
• Ab work: 40 sit-ups, 24 leg raises, 50 crunches, 45 second plank
• Evening walk to finish steps: 1.38 miles

Nutrition:

• Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs with cheese and microgreens, half a honeycrisp apple, 2 cups of tea with milk and raw sugar
• Lunch: turkey and avocado wrap on a whole wheat tortilla with havarti, lettuce, and a tiny  bit of mayo, 1 small navel orange
• Dinner: Salem Street Pub's tuna salad wrap and a side salad with thousand island dressing
• Snacks: N/A

Stats:

• Steps: 11,432
• Calories: 1353 consumed, 442 burned
• Weight: 191.5 - TWENTY POUNDS, Y'ALL!

Day Eighty-Seven: Determination

Today it rained all day again, so no walks. This drives me insane. I got up this morning and went to my barbell class, which was good, but then it seemed clear there was no way I was going to make all of my steps today. Frustrating. Further, Jason has to do some training tomorrow, which means no Zumba tomorrow either. Also frustrating. My solution: skip knitting and go to Zumba tonight. I have mixed feelings about skipping knitting--it's and it's purely relaxing girl time, and I don't get much of that. But I REALLY don't want to miss any classes this week if I can help it, so I went. And it was great! The woman who was teaching turns out to be a Zumba education specialist, and she was amazing--so much energy!

My food was ok, though the Indian food I had for lunch was a bit of an indulgence. However, going to the gym twice in one day burns enough extra calories that I think I could probably eat a cupcake and still be alright. Here's to more exercise!

The rest of the week promises more rain--I am so hoping there are some good breaks for walking. I am utterly determined to make the rest of my planned classes this week.

Log: 

Exercise:

• Barbell Strength class with Joy at the Apex gym
• Zumba class with Loretta at the Cary gym

Nutrition:

• Breakfast:2 boiled eggs with microgreens, 1 slice of honey whole sheat toast with butter, 2 cups of tea with milk and raw sugar
• Lunch: some Indian food from the hot bar at Whole Foods with a little mixed fruit and an unsweetened iced tea
• Dinner: London broil and grilled asparagus/red pepper/mushrooms
• Snacks: N/A

Stats:

• Steps:12,257
• Calories: 1368 consumed, 1049 burned
• Weight: 193 on the home scale, 198 on the gym scale (which, by the way, the trainer weighing me told me is known to weigh high--um, get that fixed, y'all!)

Theme for Tuesdays and Thursdays

Day Seventy-Nine: Where Did the Time Go???

The fact that it's day 79 is a revelation. I have been overwhelmed the past two weeks with life's complications that have left me with little time or motivation. I am determined, however, to climb back up onto the hill and finish this thing strong. I can't believe there are only 11 days left to go!!!

Since I last bothered to track anything, I've packed and unpacked my office at work, spent a tremendous time with my 5-year-old, who was expelled from his school, worked and met a bunch of end-of-fiscal-year deadlines, maintained basic care for myself and my family, dealt with a sick dog, and been to the gym like twice. I haven't been walking enough or exercising nearly enough, though I have tried to maintain the weekend hiking with the family. I have been eating OK, but not great, and that needs to change. The day we spent at the NC State Fair was particularly bad in the food department. So I am sure that I have gained back a few pounds, but I can't tell you how many, because I completely forgot to weigh this morning. The last time I stepped on the scale, it was an astonishing 193 pounds. Tomorrow morning, I will find out how much backsliding the past two weeks have wrought.

Today is a reset. 11 days left. I will kick their butts. :)

Log:

Exercise:

• Lunchtime walk with Finn at Hemlock Bluffs: 1.99 miles
• Yoga Class at the Apex gym
• Short evening walk to finish steps/miles: 0.67 miles
• Note: I had planned on some ab work, but man, did yoga take care of that for me. And then I ate too much for dinner...ab work sounds like a disaster right now.

Nutrition:

• Breakfast: steel cut oats with brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans, and banana, 2 cups of tea with milk and raw sugar
• Lunch: lunch at Toast Cafe with Finn: omelet with avocado, tomato, turkey bacon, and parmesan, a little bit of fruit, and half a piece of whole wheat toast with butter (Finn at the other half.)
• Dinner: quesadilla with crock pot chicken/onions/tomatos/peppers, beans, cheese, and cilantro on whole wheat tortillas, guacamole (Note: I ATE TOO MUCH AND AM SO FULL!)
• Snacks: N/A

Stats:

• Steps:
• Calories: 1386 consumed, 641 burned
• Weight: ask me tomorrow...