Thinking

and planning improvements for these upcoming wintery months. 

About Food:

I changed up what I eat last year and tried the Whole30. Lots of veggies, some meat, but more fish and fowl and eggs. Some fruit. Very little processed food, very little refined sugar, limited fats, limited grains, low sodium. I feel better eating this way but I do go off the rails once in a while... I'm far from perfect and some days (less than before) I do still find comfort in food.

I've started:

• Measuring portion sizes on meats and fats
• Having as regular meal times as possible with no snacks of fruit or Larabars between meals
• Keeping to my food template 
• Staying completely away from nuts. These days I just can't control myself around them.
• Experimenting eating a new veggie once in a while. Organic if possible. This week was tomatillos. Not bad!

About Exercise

CONSISTENCY! I've been lacking in consistency. 

I've started:

• Being active 6 times per week. 
• Using the exercise equipment I have! Even though the streets are so icy here, so few chances for walking outdoors at a brisk pace, I've got a perfectly good elliptical in the basement. 
• Making the basement a nicer environment to work out in. Right now it's your standard 70s wood-paneled fluorescent-lit cave... blah. I'm just happy the previous owner removed the shag carpeting!
• Strength training with my free weights and using the exercise ball to strengthen my core
• Yoga/Pilates for flexibility and stress relief

Someone suggested printing off a blank calendar for each month, posting it on my fridge at eye level to log the exercise I do. A smiley face for a workout or activity completed and a frowny face for slacking off. 

A planned non-scale victory once there is no more ice:

Conquering "Mo-Fo Hill". This is a hill in my neighbourhood that rises 150ft at a steep angle. In 2012, I would be gasping for breath not even mid-way, now I'm almost able to walk up it quickly only taking deep breaths. I want to be able to do it with ease!

Had a talk with my brother who had these words of wisdom, Star Wars-style, as only brothers can come out with: