tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70422813416376351772024-03-14T09:18:00.635-04:00Fat Girl Won't RunJust a woman trying to get fit and healthy. I'm not running toward my goal; I'm doing it one step at a time.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.comBlogger234125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-52315885329681711632021-03-23T21:23:00.000-04:002021-03-23T21:23:51.224-04:00Some Progress...<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">...but still haven't found the number I'm looking for. <br />The nutritionist said I should official weigh-in with her once a month and the result is: <br />Four pounds down from last month. BUT... <br />1.5 inches off my waist and 2 inches off my hips, and I'm very happy about that!!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For this upcoming month, the plan is to:</span></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Strength training four days per week, 2 longer sessions of 45 mins, 2 shorter 20 mins. In an ideal world, I'd hit the gym. It's still not ideal here. But in the meantime, I've got some dumbbells and can do bodywork exercises. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Dust off my bicycle and try it out. Go for short rides in the neighborhood. In May/June *might* cycle to work once all the snow melts here. It is about a 2 hour round trip, and I need to get my stamina and strength up.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keep hitting 5K or more outdoor steps, and keep being active in the house. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: verdana;">Food: Keep on already defined food plan, which is lots of veggies, some protein (fish and chicken or beans), some good fats, low sugar, low salt.</span></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/e3-5YC_oHjE" width="320" youtube-src-id="e3-5YC_oHjE"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-68357019611357643272021-03-12T01:12:00.000-05:002021-03-12T01:12:08.834-05:00Eats<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Being not the best cook, I try and find shortcuts when I can. And I'm cooking for one--no one else in my household is on my plan. I've got a bunch of various frozen veggies stocked in my freezer. Paired with a protein and I'm good for lunch or supper. I bought a bunch of chicken thighs on sale, baked them with some homemade BBQ sauce and added some veggies. Easy peasy! Frozen berries and cubed avocado are useful too. I prefer frozen avocado because I only eat maybe 1/3rd of a cup at a time, or throw a few cubes into a smoothie. Buying whole fresh ones are so expensive here in this area. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">When I make homemade soups, I do prepare my own stock. Commercial stock is way too salty for me, and my nutritionist has me limiting sodium anyway. Tonight, I've roasted a turkey and tomorrow I'll slice it up and use the bones for stock. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">A veggie-laden soup is something I've been having a lot of lately. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Looking up other healthy turkey left overs recipes is my next task.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Lunches or suppers can include prepared salads from the grocery, but I'm careful to read the label to make sure there are few ingredients. I do like having a sandwich using canned salmon or tuna that I stocked up on when on sale.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My morning smoothies are pretty boring, but there you go. My tastes may change as summer comes along. It's still cold and wintery here. I get to switch it up sometimes with cereal and berries. I find the day difficult without coffee.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Protein is limited. In the past, I did have a bit of success with a Paleo diet, but my health issues become worse with excess protein. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Calorie-wise, 1400 or so is what the nutritionist decided. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My collage pic below is out of order, but here's a sample of my eats. If I feel hungrier, I might have an orange or some dates stuffed with pecans and a smidge of nut butter as a snack.</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Breakfast</b>: Pumpkin smoothie (1/2cup oatmeal, unsweetened almond milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pumpkin puree--not pumpkin pie filling, lol!) </div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Lunch</b>: Two hard boiled eggs, sliced on top of 3/4 cup of a prepared grocery store salad form the "healthy aisle" a Royal Couscous salad. Homemade Thai soup, with much less coconut milk than the original recipe called for.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Supper</b>: Chili (black beans, eggplant in addition to my regular recipe) about a cup, with a little bit of lactose-free cheese on top, and a couple slices of fresh bakery baguette. Not my usual bread, took a couple of slices from my man.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqj4pMZbtmLipa-yTJYGnMtXSpOkDtD8EfMqnYqDNVXpMJsz_nVhomq4GRAiVq09kup9DmbqWn0g6qXUNM5fP9MTXu_wz5pC8SpS77R031wQz3aogzmnmTMckLsX-fHMdpQAcGAseziZ9/s2046/2021-03-08+09.04.25-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2046" data-original-width="2046" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJqj4pMZbtmLipa-yTJYGnMtXSpOkDtD8EfMqnYqDNVXpMJsz_nVhomq4GRAiVq09kup9DmbqWn0g6qXUNM5fP9MTXu_wz5pC8SpS77R031wQz3aogzmnmTMckLsX-fHMdpQAcGAseziZ9/s320/2021-03-08+09.04.25-COLLAGE.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm trying to wean myself off of creamer in my coffee but it is hard. About 2 tbsps is what I add... and that adds up to 70 calories. I only have one cup of coffee, usually about an hour after waking up. The nutritionist has me drinking lemon water first thing in the morning. It's supposed to have a lot of health benefits, "alkalizing the system", "detoxing", improving digestion... I'm giving it a good chance anyway and continue to do it every morning. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm working on reducing portions, and not eating supper later than 7pm. Maybe the upcoming time change will help me shift my days earlier. </span></div><br /><div><br /></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-50697330935841685702021-03-03T00:04:00.002-05:002021-03-03T00:04:10.216-05:00Steady as She Goes<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">For the past while, I've been following my nutritionist's plan fairly well, except for some celebratory pizza and pastries that were in there. Although the ultimate goal is to have that Food is Fuel mindset, I'm not there yet. Coping with food as comfort is going much better as in that is not happening as much as before. The true test will be when my hormones get roaring! lol. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The only big issue so far is downing a glass of lemon water as soon as I get up in the morning. She says the main benefits I should see are the flushing of toxins (insert eyeroll here) and improvement in digestion (maybe? Hope so). <br /><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">In terms of exercise, my fave being walking outdoors, that's not great. I had to do more shoveling of snow this week, and tomorrow morning--I just looked out the window :( It burns calories, but I don't get the same mental release as with walking. For other upper body exercise, working out with hand weights has been in my rotation. I have five and ten pounders. I can only cope with the fives at moment--weak I know! Gyms here are starting to re-open but they have high demand. Everyone's been cooped up for months, and itching to get back to fitness classes and personal training. I'll wait until the demand disappears, and I get the vaccine, before signing up. In the meantime, there's plenty of free resources like body weight exercises on YouTube to follow.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">And speaking of body weight, my nutritionist wants me to only weigh in once a month. I started to get a bit fixated on the daily swings up and down. She's reminded me it's not a quick fix weight-loss plan, but a life-long health plan. So I'll post my official weigh-in numbers that I share with her which will be the sometime around March 22nd or so. Steady as She Goes... by The Raconteurs :)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DXAidGQUuns" width="320" youtube-src-id="DXAidGQUuns"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-49844094180848978702021-02-19T00:44:00.004-05:002021-02-19T00:46:08.045-05:00Shovelin' Hard<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've not been a stepping out as much this week. After a couple of good walks in, on Friday and Saturday, the snowfalls rolled in and ever since I've been busy with my shovels. This last one was a doozy, and spent about three hours in total outside working out. I usually do sessions of no more than an hour and then go inside for a little break, warm up, change out of my sweaty shirt, and down a glass of water or two. It helps having some tunes playing. It somehow leaves me less discouraged and gives me a bit of pep in my step when I get tired and snow-weary. A rest-day was needed after that. Lots of sore muscles in the shoulders and arms. And yesterday, I started a big laundry of sheets and blankets, so I was up and down the stairs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Food-wise: You can see some of what I've been chowing down on since Monday on my Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/FatGirlWontRun">https://twitter.com/FatGirlWontRun</a> <br />I remembered my password! lol. I forget why I set up that account way back in 2016. Instagram would probably be a better place for that kind of accountability, and for inspo, but I'll see how it goes for now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Not all liquids get posted, but I try and get in 8 cups of water a day. I sometimes drink sparkling water instead. My nutritionist is a wee bit woo, and believes that lemon water is a great alkalizer and has all sorts of benefits. For the Vitamin C (wards off scurvy, ha ha!) I'll take it, and if anything else positive comes from it... so be it! lol. All solid food gets a pic unless I forget! Then it gets written in with the next meal's pic.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Good news: </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">No hunger pangs this week, but I think a lot my cravings are cycle-related. But... my man bought some pastries for Valentines day and a small box of chocolate bark that we shared. I put a couple of my pieces of chocolate aside for this week.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My next move is to get back to using My Fitness Pal for calorie counting. I might check out a few of the newer apps to see if they are easier to use. <br /> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Weight: Not much change from last week. I'm not discouraged. The scale will tell the tale towards the end of the month.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Love the blinged out glittery shovels in this catchy music video. If I have time for a little project, I'll bedazzle the length of the handle and maybe the top of the blade of one of mine 😆</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B-W0ZAIxJxQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="B-W0ZAIxJxQ"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-78224727524029703452021-02-11T21:41:00.001-05:002021-02-11T21:41:33.415-05:00Steps<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I've been a steppin'!! Consistently getting 5000+ outdoor steps in every single day. I'm usually out walking for an hour or more and really enjoy my time outdoors, with my tunes helping to keep me on a brisk pace and not strolling. Tonight was too cold, even for me, so I did one of those Leslie Sansone Walks inside instead, followed up with an upper body workout with weights, and did laundry. Laundry here means up and down two flights of stairs a whole bunch of times. My man huffs and puffs, but not me. Gotta put that fresh laundry or else it ends up staying in the basket or piled up somewhere. I'm proud that I've been taking a "no excuses" approach here, and it's been working. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As for healthy eating... well... not sure what's up these past couple of weeks. I do great for four or five days, then fall off for two and eat too much, eat too much bread, or go out to "treat myself". Ugh. My nutritionist have been working on balanced meals and how to break this cycle. Starting next week, I've committed to a strict regime for the next two months, with a calorie limit, but all the meals are ones that I've chosen (and like). I will be posting my meals on Twitter for accountability... if I can remember my password there, ha! If not I'll open an Instagram account. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Anyway current weight is 192.2 lbs, so down about 3 lbs since my last post. But to be honest, it's been bouncing up and down but this is the lowest it's been in the past couple of weeks.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SbyAZQ45uww" width="320" youtube-src-id="SbyAZQ45uww"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-81589762484645654942021-01-25T01:43:00.000-05:002021-01-25T01:43:11.290-05:00Got the Blues<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">It's been tough lately, and I basically ate my way through the Holidays. Pandemic Blues. Stay at home blues. Curfew blues. Missing my family and friends blues. Just when I think I've learned how to cope with my feelings, I turn to food for comfort, and procrastinate in my free time. It didn't help that family and friends dropped off goodies, so many goodies. Throwing food away in the compost... seemed wasteful... but I should have done just that. I was able to re-gift some items, like boxed chocolates, to neighbours. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Here I am again at 195lbs. This past week, I started walking outside again, even though this is the coldest time of year, -15C on average. Got up to 5000 steps outside 3 out of 5 days. The other 2 days were just over 3000. I was only able to do a couple of stretching sessions (yoga or pilates) but I should aim for daily. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">My diet has been decent since the end of the Holidays--no more baked goods or chips. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I was able to score a cheap agenda, with a habit tracker, so I've been writing down of my food intake and exercise and step count for my outdoor walking. It seems to be helping. But I might also add back in MFP or some other online tracker.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Just gotta keep on remembering that I feel so much better when I exercise and eat healthy! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-87231823297906546612020-10-18T00:35:00.002-04:002020-10-18T00:49:29.440-04:00Didn't Fall off the Wagon<p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meant to update a bit more frequently, but... eh. Weight-wise, things are still slow and pokey, like some kind of turtle. I'm bouncing between 188 and 191lbs depending on the day. So far, 1 1/2 inch off my waist, and 1 inch off the hips. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">I did hurt my knee stumbling down the stairs last month, so that has slowed my exercise goals. Since I'm mostly working from home during my work week, I need to walk briskly about 45 minutes to an hour in the morning before work, and another 45 minutes to an hour after work. Add in working out with weights three times a week for 20-30 minutes and rotating those workouts. Yeah... I know that's a lot of time to spend on exercise, but that (in combo with a good diet) seems to make me feel good right now. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Had a follow-up with my nutritionist to see if those tweaks helped, and it looks like they have. But, there is a possible issue, in part with nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, potatoes) which might have been causing my eczema, so they are off my menu for a while. Guess what my fave veggies are? lol. <br />Otherwise, I don't seem to be craving chips, cheezies, chocolate bars even though those big boxes of Halloween candy are on sale here. Good thing there is no Trader Joe's here in Canada because those Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups could be too tempting!!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Was able to see my Mom for Thanksgiving, and that was wonderful. She is doing well enough, but is finding it hard not being able to be more social. She still is, but keeps her circle small. She is a card shark, and playing bridge with her friends and others was a good way to keep her mind sharp. She really misses that. But the other women bridge players aren't so careful with the new physical distancing and hand washing rules... so she says she cant trust them. She tried online bridge, but it's not the same kind of fun she says.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Work is stressful. We've a complete and utter slacker on the team, and the rest of us have to shoulder the work he is not doing. H</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">e's simply a con-artist. H</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">e's been able to fool the boss for months and months now, even though the team has been waving red flags. Hope this issue gets resolved soon now that the higher-ups are aware.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Covid-19 has made a return in these parts. Two weeks after school started, the cases started to soar. Even though most of the new cases were not happening from restaurants, gyms and theatres, those are now closed, and restos can only offer take-out. They might re-open next month. Hopefully the government will come to its senses on this one. Most of the new cases are happening to people in the 20-60 age range because of get-togethers at home.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, to keep my mind off of negative stuff, I keep looking for fun music to listen to taking those walks. Gotta say Lizzo fills the bill! Here's her hit from last year:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XaCrQL_8eMY" width="320" youtube-src-id="XaCrQL_8eMY"></iframe></div><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-25498743722697887122020-09-01T12:53:00.001-04:002020-09-01T12:53:58.778-04:00Tweak<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My nutritionist is on the case and tweaking my food plan. I want to try a plant-based diet to see how I feel, and to see if it will help with my latest bout of eczema. I'm so itchy and have welts in a few places, and is especially bothersome around my eyelids. It's like I need a 'cone of shame' to stop from itching my head and face. I've got creams and pills, but they didn't seem to work all that much. Anyway I'm glad I pay the nutritionist make me a plan and to factor in my needs because of my kidney issues. I tried to figure it out myself, but Dr Google let me down, lol.</span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Otherwise things are going fair to middling. I'm moving everyday at least 30 minutes--could do better and bump it up to an hour or more. I did a bunch of squats as part of a workout last week and could barely move the next day. My hamstrings burned! Just goes to show me I have lots of improvements to make.</span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Being back in my office part-time is trippy. Not everyone is back and the building management's rules keep changing. Plus it is busy, so I'm not there cleaning lint out of my belly button. I dunno, that and my commute is stressful, but I'm just trying to go with the flow by keeping my head above water. Doing my best, and keeping my mask on. Pockets of outbreaks are happening randomly so there is no predicting anything around here.<br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8kChXFUaTiiqUluFpGiw2DfcnhI5Dq3ywMvyqPeMPz07ncOe-SXELtaKUp2u8FgF4HwkHQucC9JG2D8CP-JvU6a1csltjkvIXQfPFu3sOVtdp3ctCJTSfwWqZ-iMoxsT12KgKvUqjHBz/s631/Screenshot+2020-09-01+at+12.45.09.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="631" data-original-width="536" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8kChXFUaTiiqUluFpGiw2DfcnhI5Dq3ywMvyqPeMPz07ncOe-SXELtaKUp2u8FgF4HwkHQucC9JG2D8CP-JvU6a1csltjkvIXQfPFu3sOVtdp3ctCJTSfwWqZ-iMoxsT12KgKvUqjHBz/w170-h200/Screenshot+2020-09-01+at+12.45.09.png" width="170" /></a></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I take a reading break at lunchtime and read at least one thing on health or fitness to keep me motivated. Lately it's been a chapter of a Jillian Michaels book. I step away from the computer and just sit at the kitchen table (at home) or my desk (at work) and take the time to enjoy my food and then read my book. I am trying to eat my food more slowly, but stress-eating! Sigh. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Was able to have a picnic with friends, including one who had weight loss surgery. She is doing well and is no longer diabetic, which is great! She still measures her blood sugar, not out of habit but to make sure it doesn't go too low. Loose skin (abdomen, arms, thighs, neck) is becoming an issue, but she says she'll wait another few years to deal with it since it is expensive surgery. She says she still has some issues with food--ice cream in particular, but she physically can't binge so she deals with her problems and feeling, rather shoving them down with food. It was great to see her and my friends in person rather than talking through the phone or Skype.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Weight is super-slow coming off, but a little but less than last time: 193.1 lbs.</span></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-28073803150989574862020-08-15T19:47:00.001-04:002020-08-15T19:47:56.878-04:00Where's that "Whoosh"?<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Been working my plan, and the results are slow coming in. I expected a great "whoosh" of weight falling off, but nope, that's not what's happening right now. I'll give it a couple more weeks then re-evaluate. I think this coming week, as I'm back to work in the workplace and not working at home, I'll see more changes as I get more movement throughout the day. Working from home has been super-challenging, even with using a timer to make sure I get up from my desk!</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I'm feeling some stress before heading back into the office this week: lots of new rules are now in place. How to correctly enter and exit the building, how to circulate through the building, washrooms, and an implicit ban on socializing. In the "before times", I'd stop at people's desk to chit-chat, ask how things are going, but now we've been told to "stay at your desk as much as possible". Use of the kitchens are being discouraged--even though there just a couple of microwaves, a big fridge, and a kettle. At least it's summertime, so a packed lunch can be my norm--salad or sandwich and veggies. No more stinky items like fish nor devilled eggs that I used to make for my lunch, ha ha! </span></p><p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The commute is another stressor--the buses have been reduced and schedules changes. No speedy buses to get me in and out of the downtown, but lots of "milk runs". Sigh. Thought about riding my bicycle into work, but there are no showers. I get into a muck sweat no matter the time of year when riding an hour or so. My friend told me her work has closed off their showers and change rooms as budgets are tight, and those facilities would require lots of deep cleaning. </span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Anyway, we'll see how goes. </div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Weight is 194.3 lbs. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">For inspiration, I'm still reading through the health, fitness, and weight-loss books I've got in my collection. Jillian Michaels is what's on my nightstand at the moment. My e-Reader has some fiction and biographies, so I'm enjoying <i>Queenie</i> by Candice Carty Williams and <i>The Chiffon Trenches </i>by André Leon Talley.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Music-wise I've been listening to a lot of fun tunes. Weird Al, and just stuff that makes me laugh and groove with big bass-lines while I move. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aYDfwUJzYQg" width="320" youtube-src-id="aYDfwUJzYQg"></iframe></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-43975200656984486822020-08-04T22:09:00.001-04:002020-08-04T22:09:38.740-04:00Drips and drabs<font face="verdana">Scale is about the same this week, but I've lost an inch off my waist. Clothes are slightly looser. Things are headed in the right direction, so I'll keep on doing what I'm doing. I was looking for more weight off but I'm sure it'll happen next week.</font><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Home-wise things are status quo: Still working from home. Trying to keep the clutter bugs at bay. The clutter bug is my own self who gets lazy and doesn't put things away!</font></div><div><font face="verdana">I've been playing cards online with some friends--keeps the boredom of not being able to get-together at bay for the moment.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Food-wise: I've been pretty good at getting lots of veggies in, some fruit, protein has varied from fatty to lean. A bit too heavy on the processed carbs--pasta that is. Indulgences: One chocolate bar. 10 chips. That kept me from pigging out, whole hog style. </font></div><div><font face="verdana"> <br />Exercise-wise: Three one-hour workouts (cardio then body weight exercises), but could do more. Everyday is stretching of some kind. Walked for about an hour in the heat--was a bit too much. Went swimming in my friend's pool--lots of fun.</font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Health-wise: I've got some eczema that has cropped up--not sure if it's a food sensitivity or other allergy cropping up. Will see if it dies down, and if it doesn't will cut all all dairy, even my lactose-free milk for my morning coffee.</font></div><div><br /></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-36476659291689526572020-07-25T16:22:00.000-04:002020-07-25T16:22:22.436-04:00Make the Connection<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Years and years ago, I picked up Oprah Winfrey's and Bob Greene's book </span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Make The Connection: Ten Steps To A Better Body And A Better Life</i> and the accompanying <i>A Journal of Daily Renewal. </i> I was sure I was going to lose the weight for good that time. And the time after that, and the time after that... Reading through my old entries in the journal really hit hard. I had logged my weight and measurements in there on the first day of restarts to only fail to follow through. It's been a cycle of ups and downs for so long. Lots of good intentions at the beginning, "Will make daily exercise part of my lifestyle!". Then quickly come excuses. Then, "There's always tomorrow" And then, "Ugh, why did I do this to myself, again".</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Going back and looking at those entries, and the entries here on my blog, remembering those feelings and actions, and lack of follow-through on plans is probably the best thing I've done to keep myself on track this past week. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana">At this point, I'm tired of this weight, and my body is too. </font></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana">One non-scale victory this week, at the last minute, my man asked if I wanted to go for a drive out to the country and see the Neowise comet. It was already 7 p.m., I had just finished working late on a report, and I hadn't yet exercised. I chose to exercise. I could have said, I'll do better tomorrow, but I've that to myself way too many times already. Although I missed a nice time (I've already seen a comet), I have no regrets about 30 minutes of cardio, and 30 minutes of yoga, and a wonderful shower afterwards.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana">Food-wise: Made a big pot of healthy chilli: some ground turkey and some beans, lots of veggies, lots of spice. No beer (my usual special ingredient). And n</font><span style="font-family: verdana;">o cheezies on the side. Ate small meals on plan.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana">Weight-wise: Scale is a couple of pounds down. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana">After re-reading</font><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Oprah's book, s</span><font face="verdana">ome of the information is waaaaaaaaaay out of date, especially the recommendation of non-fat foods. She herself is now a member Weight Watchers and is/was a part owner. </font><span style="font-family: verdana;">Bob Greene had his <i>The Best Life Diet</i> for a while, I remember seeing his sticker on a box of cereal a long time ago, but I have no idea what he is up to now. <br />But the nutrition aspect aside, the essentials remain. Examine your life, find out what your triggers for overeating actually are and deal with them. </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">Get up, focus, do what it takes to be healthy every single day.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-66289289424841508822020-07-16T11:51:00.000-04:002020-07-16T11:51:14.429-04:00Just Do Right<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Still working from home, and counting my blessings that I have steady employment and income. Cases of Covid are still popping up in clusters here, like from people working in manufacturing/production, those getting together with people outside their "bubble", those hanging out at bars, and larger outbreaks in old age or nursing homes. I heard a couple of friends of friends passed away from it last month--both in their 30s and 40s, both in good health. This is so sad and so scary.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">My stress levels have been high lately, mainly because when I have to go out for groceries or essentials, very few people are wearing masks indoors, and coughing like nothing is wrong. That will change soon when it becomes mandatory for those inside any building to be masked up. In many places, I've heard stories of </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">non-compliance, </span><span style="font-family: verdana;">conflict, and violence. Why not wear a mask if it can help protect someone else? I'm doing the right thing, but some simply don't give a flying *uck about others. A friend was espousing conspiracy theories, I told him I'm making him a tin foil hat/mask combo for his birthday--he was not amused. Another Covidiot added to the growing number.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Did I mention stress levels? Yeah. Also I'm pretty worried about my family members, and their health issues. And about going back into my workplace in a month or so. Some colleagues in adjacent sections have in the past have come in to work while sick because their manager hates to juggle who works on the front lines with the public. I'm hoping that manager has wised up?</span></div><font face="verdana"><br />What happens when stress is up, and I fall back on old coping mechanisms? Weight is up. 197.4 lbs, making it about a 15 lb gain. Why the gain... pretty simple really:<br /></font><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><font face="verdana">I've not been moving much at all.</font></li><li><font face="verdana">I've binged on crap (chips and cheezies) to eat my feelings.</font></li></ul><font face="verdana"><div style="text-align: justify;">And I feel so much unhealthier, with an aching back and joints, and being out of breath doing easy tasks, like bringing up a basket of laundry up two flights of stairs. I even look different! My body literally is screaming at me to stop my behaviour. Now.</div></font></div><div><font face="verdana"><br /></font></div><div><font face="verdana">Plan: <br /></font><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><font face="verdana"><u>Mind</u>: <br /><b>+</b>Balance/Perspective:<b> </b>Once a week talking with a counselor over the phone to get help with coping with stress. Thankfully my work pays for some of the sessions.<br /><b>+</b>Inspiration/Motivation: Reading a health or fitness book from my collection (Jillian Michaels, Tosca Reno, Dr. Yoni Freedhof, etc)</font></li><li><font face="verdana"><u>Body</u>: Move intentionally 30 minutes per day to start back into a routine. Even if it's a Leslie Sansone <i>Just Walk </i>dvd!</font></li><li><font face="verdana"><u>Food</u>: Stick to the food plan devised my nutritionist. It's full of great options and not terribly restrictive.</font></li><li><font face="verdana"><u>Water</u>: Keep track of intake. It's been slipping downwards and that lack might contribute to feeling hungry when it's simple dehydration.</font></li><li><font face="verdana"><u>Accountability</u>: <br /><b>+</b>Bringing out my old Oprah Winfrey <i><i>Make the Connection</i><span style="font-style: normal;"> </span>Journal of Daily Renewal </i>and will fill pages from Day 10 to day 92<i>. <br />(I'll post the story of pages 1 to 9 next time)<br /></i><b>+</b>Posting here weekly to update<i> <br /><br /></i></font></li></ul></div><div><font face="verdana">Getting inspiration in all aspects in my life from the late great Dr. Maya Angelou's wise words. Listen to her version of The Golden Rule, "Just Do Right".</font> ❤</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sr6LMr-rXEc" width="320" youtube-src-id="sr6LMr-rXEc"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-71843208832389707932020-04-01T23:47:00.000-04:002020-04-01T23:47:13.714-04:00Been Staying the F*** Home<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My job is one where working from home is mostly possible so I'm in my 3rd week of doing just that. Some of my tasks get put aside until we get back into the workplace. So far, schools are closed here until early May or longer--assuming about the same for my workplace? We'll see.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our federal and provincial government has been quick to enforce a lot of hard rules. I'm surprised that some parks are closed. Since it's still cold here, we still have to bundle up for a walk around the neighbourhood. It's boring, but there's not too many other options. The price of gas is lowest its been in ages, but road tripping it is out of the question. Police are deployed on some roads discouraging travel.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am worried about my mother, who has had one hospital visit last week for heart issues. She doesn't want anyone coming to stay with her at all at her apartment, and her doctor agrees. She does have a lot of support there and a legendary freezer and pantry stockpile, so that is a relief. I'm not stress eating too much, but I find it very hard getting into a new routine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As for food, after an initial panic around here, things have calmed down quickly and the grocery stores are back to stocking toilet paper, and most everything else. They did put limits on some items since some people got into panic stockpiling mode. All stores close on Sundays and the store hours are shrinking, so it's getting harder to avoid people and stay six feet away.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My weight hasn't changed too much since I've been cutting down on calories knowing that I'm getting a lot less steps in. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, I did get a phone call from my doctor to discuss some test results related to my kidneys. Upshot is I've got to lower my protein, sodium, potassium, and phosphorous. The wait list for a nutritionist/dietician to work out a meal plan is long, and at the moment not happening. Muddling as best as I can through this one. At least we have the interwebs with some good authoritative info out there.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thankfully my Internet Service Provider took off the data caps and everyone has unlimited data for the March and April. Hello Netflix and AcornTv!! Not going stir crazy just yet. :) <br /><br />Stay safe everyone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-7153630202042043252020-03-08T16:06:00.000-04:002020-03-08T16:06:29.066-04:00I'm Still Standing<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">January: I was a plague-ridden mess! Some awful cold virus decided to set up a new home in my sinuses, and ears. It lasted a good five weeks. Five. I'd feel like crap for four days, then revive for a couple of days and get some stuff done, then crawl back under the covers with a hacking cough with mucus, and a big box of tissues. The doctor swabbed my throat a couple of times of the course of the month to make sure it didn't turn into a bacterial infection. But I felt like I'd been hit with a ton of bricks.<br />Food: Appetite was less than usual. Soups. Whole wheat bread. Sometimes roast chicken and roast veggies. Lots and lots of tea.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Exercise: Huh. Nope!<br />Weight: Slid downwards into the 170s. This was not a good thing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">February: Since I missed so much work in January, February was catch-up month. BIG TIME STRESS!!! And with my big work project, due at the end of the month, I had missed some soft deadlines, and had tons of e-mails to send out. Living out of a hotel for the last two weeks didn't help.<br />Food: Up and down. Some stress eating, then reigning it in.<br />Exercise: Every other morning for the first two weeks, I'd hit the eliptical. After work: only two cardio workouts--I felt as weak as a kitten! The other two weeks I was on the road working--so early meetings, and no time after work for the hotel exercise room.<br />Weight: Slid upwards at the end of the month.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today: The big work project came to an end mid-week and I'm coming up for air. Routine: So glad to be back home and getting back to what works. A 30 minute workout in the morning, and making sure meals are planned and prepped in advance.<br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weight: 182lbs, about the same as Christmastime. </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm still standing... </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-88096078929115620622020-01-12T18:57:00.000-05:002020-01-12T19:11:34.640-05:00Holidaze recap<br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Made it through the Holidaze period fairly well! I thought it'd be more challenging, but since I dropped out of a couple of friends' pre-Christmas parties due to having a bad cold and was able to avoid some temptations. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">While at my Mother's place, using the exercise equipment every morning really helped both with stress levels, making wise food choices, and generally feeling better. Although there was a lot of chocolate flying about, not much of it ended up in my mouth. Meals were healthy: Roast turkey, roast veggies, green leafy salads. Ham. Roast beef. The tourtiere, a French-Canadian meat pie, has a nice pastry crust which is quite carby, so that was one exception to my low carb plan I decided to make! But my Mother is also trying to slim down, so fresh fruit was always on the table and she had tons of healthy options for us all.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">My in-laws and out-laws get togethers were more problematic in terms of food choices, but I did my best without offending anyone. My Sister-in-law is now more health conscious, so meals at her place were very much less junk-filled than in years past. In fact, no junky bowls of chips were in evidence anywhere! A big change.</span></div>
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New Year's Eve was interesting! No chips in sight, but my friend (who had WLS two years ago) really fancied the evening up. For apps: Cold cuts like prosciutto and salami, cheeses, crackers, french bread grapes, walnuts. I stuck to the grapes and walnuts. Supper: pasta shells, so cheese again. She also made chicken breasts, so I had a couple of those. Desserts were everywhere afterwards! A minefield of them. I went back and had some grapes and indulged in the alcoholic cider I brought along. My man had a blast since he is a big mouse who loves cheese!</div>
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For New Years goals, aside from getting healthier, I'm continuing on decluttering paper, and stuff around the house. It's a continual process. Stuff comes in, and I get bogged down with other things, then go on decluttering sprees. Marie Kondo inspo can only go so far! :) </div>
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Weigh-in yesterday was 180.7 lbs, so down about five pounds since last month. </div>
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</span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-18936562033260330292019-12-15T01:02:00.004-05:002019-12-15T01:02:53.030-05:00Finding a Routine that SticksI've had to work longer hours at the office lately, and will continue to do so until a huge project and presentation is complete at the end of February. I'll reward myself with a nice little vacation then. Soooooo looking forward to that. My biggest challenge is keeping my stress levels down. It's imperative that I do so. Exercise definitely helps with that, but those longer hours make finding room for exercise very difficult.<br />
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I've technically been getting 10K or more steps per day. Using the stairs at work instead of the elevator, and taking walking breaks in the building. But that, combined with clean eating has not translated into weight loss. By the time I get home, it is past 7pm and I have to prep and then eat supper. I should be in bed by 11pm, but that doesn't happen often. I get sidetracked by the interwebs. Or a bit of stress-induced insomnia creeps in.<br />
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The only thing I can think of that will fit my schedule is exercise first thing in the morning. At least I can hop on the elliptical I have here, and not have to schlep to the gym in the dead dark cold of Winter. If I can also do a quick DVD workout with weights if too. I'm really not a morning person, but I've got to change this (at least temporarily), knuckle down, and get it done!! That new routine will start Monday morning.<br />
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Eating is not 100% perfect by any means, but I've not been binge eating or eating when not hungry. Navigating the Holidaze is always full of pitfalls. Carby and chocolatey pitfalls. I've stayed away from my main trigger food at parties this time of year: namely chips and dip. I just find something to drink, like sparkling water, tea or coffee. And at work, if I get hungry, my first instinct at work is no longer to head to the vending machine for chips. Instead it makes more sense to grab a banana or carrots and hummus, which I always have handy at work. At home, I keep the cabinets and fridge stocked with only nutritious food. I know I feel awful if I eat before bed, so that doesn't happen anymore. My portions have been too large. I know this all too well.<br /><br />These next few weeks are going to be hard. This coming week at work with work parties, during and after. Then two weeks off work, traveling to relatives, in-laws and out-laws, and New Years with friends. At least at my mother's apartment, there is an exercise room.<br />
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Interestingly my friend throwing the big NYE party this year had gastric bypass about 2 yrs ago to help control her diabetes and thyroid... but she still serves loads of junk food, or high-fat high-carb food when she hosts parties. She's under 200lbs now, but still has another 30-40 to go. And another friend just had bypass surgery. In her case, I think that it might not work since she really loves food, especially ice cream. She even has a foodie Instagram!! I hope she can turn things around with therapy, which is required with her program. <br />
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I've never thought seriously of getting surgery myself, since for me my weight is a completely mental issue--overeating junk especially is my default coping mechanism. Building new coping mechanisms, surgery or no surgery is essential to my recovery. Exercise is a big part of this.<br /><br />I weighed in this morning at 186.1 lbs. So up a tiny bit from last month.Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-2530326234825122412019-11-15T17:25:00.000-05:002019-11-15T17:25:03.374-05:00First Steps (again...)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">First thing I did was an inventory of my kitchen pantry. Any snacks I had (a box of crackers, a box of cookies and some left-over Halloween candy) went to the office kitchen. My co-workers are like vultures so I can count on them to swoop in and eat anything left on the table!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The fridge and freezer were up next... not too bad... but a bag of forgotten carrots that could have made a nice soup :( A few ended up outside for the wild rabbits, and the rest into the compost bin. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />The only "dirty carbs" I have left are some fancy slow-dried pasta, and a half a loaf of whole-wheat bread. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So not bad there either. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm slowly finishing those off and transitioning back to low-carb clean eating. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">No cheap chocolate this week, no chips, no cheezies. I didn't crave them at all. I've been drinking a lot of tea but still keeping to my one cup of coffee per day rule. I need the energy in the morning!<br />Did a mini-shop and got some fish fillets, some chicken breasts, salad, tomatoes, squash, and a bunch of fruit.<br />Meal-prep is this weekend, so it's back to looking at my recipe books and online.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Exercise has been a bit slow going since we hit the deep freeze here and I slipped on a patch of ice and fell on my caboose. My well-padded caboose. So I picked up my hand weights and have been doing upper body workouts, and slow walking for the moment. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />Weight: 185.7 lbs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-78015375429861357642019-11-05T01:26:00.000-05:002019-11-05T01:26:01.985-05:00Waking from my Carb Coma<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last time I checked in here I was doing pretty well--finding it hard, but still doing okay. I decided to do a detox, an Internet detox as I was spending way too much time online, and procrastinating. By Midsummer, I was down to 150 lbs and feeling great. I was working my plan, mindful eating, not gorging, eating whole foods mostly plant based, low carb. Regular exercise every single day. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What happened? A stress-storm: Being the only caregiver for a Mother with congestive heart failure, working full-time but being given more responsabilities for the same pay, struggling with bills, not being able to save money for a house, struggling with infertility... all that sent me back into a carb coma. White flour, processed foods, pizza, chocolate, large portions. Not making time for exercise. Not asking for help when I felt myself backsliding.<br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Current weight: 189.6 lbs </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">t's easier than you think to gain weight. It didn't take much time at all to regain. And then some. I feel sluggish and tired all the time: carb coma! I've got to get back to being healthy again!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm back in the saddle again, starting now.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-49718370024571738562019-02-27T22:38:00.000-05:002019-02-27T22:38:25.182-05:00Good choices=Good results<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pretty simple, no? In practice, it can be tough. Tough braking habits, and patterns that I seem to want to repeat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm feeling better since last posting. But even while recovering, I made consciously good choices every step of the way in terms of food purchasing, prep, portions, and consumption. Seriously, baby steps from the Mindful Eating way of life. As in eating at the table with no distractions (no TV, book, phone, device). Chewing slowly, thoroughly, stopping halfway through to gauge hunger levels, etc. Yeah, during my sick days at home, I checked a lot of books out on my e-reader about mindful and intuitive eating.<br /><br />I'm still trying to eat lots of veggies, and will have maybe 1/2 my meals vegetarian. So meals like chili without the carne, Indian-style chickpea stew are staples this time of year. I discovered cashew cheese, and that is a wonderful little treat with a small glass of red wine: just delish. And I've finally been able to master my cranky oven to make non-burnt roast chicken. I did re-stock my freezer with some homemade chicken soup just in case...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Exercise has generally been on the minimal side, but I do the stairs inside at home and at work. It's just still too cold outside to walk like I like (-10 to -20C brrr). Unfortunately my hockey skates got lost/stolen after lending them to a friend, so skating on the Canal is out for a while until I can find a comfy new pair, which is actually very difficult. Since she is paying for the replacement I'm taking my time choosing the right pair. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did check out an Orange Theory class with my sister-in-law on Sunday, and I am still feeling twinges today! It's very expensive, very intense, but very good. I was a sweaty mess at the end. Too bad it's far out of my way, or I'd be tempted to join. I'm saving my money for a down payment on a house so: priorities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weight 174.8 lbs</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-49464074147241560322019-02-06T03:18:00.000-05:002019-02-06T03:47:00.190-05:00Sicko<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On my third cold of this year, yep, number three of 2019! Hopefully it's three strikes and it's outta here? For good? I did get the flu shot, but can't they invent the cold shot? I blame my idiot colleagues who come to work coughing and sickly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've not succumbed to crackers with my soup, no drive-thrus, nor ordering in. Very sorely tempted to do it! I did have groceries delivered once which cost me six dollars. I'm cheap, so that hurts my budget, ha ha.<br /><br />I've tried to keep lunches and suppers fairly simple. A protein, lotsa veggies, and a nice low-gi carb. Chilli is a staple. Or home-made veggie or chicken soup, or eggs and peppers if I'm in "cold virus attacks" mode. I've not been into breakfast lately, but sometimes I'll have a meal replacement shake like Vega One.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The only regular exercise that I've been doing lately is shovelling. Sometimes it's 20 minutes, other times it's a couple of hours. I think I've hit the eliptical maybe once a week or so. I do still walk outside, but lately it's been too hellishly cold (-20C/-4F) or colder. Or it's freezing rain! So... just to and from the bus stop on my way to work--if I'm not sick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">My weight has stayed the same. Sigh. I know I lose if I'm focused, tracking/watching portions, and getting in a good dose of sweaty daily exercise. </span><br />
<br />Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-28445469312971023572018-12-18T00:00:00.002-05:002018-12-18T19:55:42.701-05:00On the weigh down<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Weight 181 lbs. So far so good. It's been hard to resist a lot of the good food and treats flying around. Not going to lie, I've hard more than my fair share of salted caramel shortbread cookies. But, they were a unique homemade treat that I made room for in my calorie budget. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Writing </span>a few quick sentences in my journal first thing in the morning, really helps. I just set out my intentions for the day. Exercise goals, eating strategies, feelings, whatever comes to mind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This is crunch time. The next few weeks, I have some sort of event involving food almost every single day. My goal is not to gain over the holidays. Reading over some old posts, I remind myself when selecting food from a menu or pot luck to think "Is it worth it?". </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On the exercise front, the holidays usually involve a lot of sitting, eating, and talking. I do have plans to hop on the treadmill when I'm visiting my mother since her apartment has a gym. I do hope the weather is cold enough to go ice skating on the canal. Sometimes it's hit and miss. I could head down to NYC and do Rockefeller Center for some skating... just like Snoopy! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to anyone who passes by here :) </span></div>
<br />Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-46993461994113138722018-11-22T22:27:00.000-05:002018-11-22T22:27:07.081-05:00And so it begins...<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The daily journaling is going well. I honestly didn't think it would. I just write a line or two in the morning to set out my intentions for the day, and a few of lines at night as a recap of actions emotions for the day. It's keeping me from thinking food is a solution for my issues.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I think this is going to be important in the next month and a half... it's that time of year of get-togethers, parties and temptations everywhere! This is going to test my resolve!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weigh-in: 185.5 lbs</span><br />
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<br />Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-9472896546457895062018-10-13T14:56:00.000-04:002018-10-13T14:56:34.084-04:00Status Quo<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hoped I could write I've made tons of progress, but no. I'm in the same spot as ever. Weight swings from 180s to low 190s and I'm a size 16. Definitely lack of sleep, teamed with fighting the Black Dog of depression saps all energy and motivation. Days seem to melt into one another. Temptations flow in. And here I am again.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weekends have been difficult. After seemingly long days at the office, and insomnia at night, I'll sleep in Saturday and Sunday morning. Then we go out for supper--could be restaurant, could be with at a family member or friend's house. And overeat there. Sometimes I do cook something, it's usually a healthy balanced meal, but I overeat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Although I've stuck to walking to the store get groceries, I've sabotaged that by having a meal delivery kit to bring three big suppers to my door for the week. The portions in those are huge so even though the meals are supposed to feed two, I could, and should, divvy them into four meals to suit my nutritional and calorie needs.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daily walking has not happened in a consistent way over the summer and my flabby thighs show it. On average I guess I walked outdoors maybe twice a week. This past Thursday, I walked about 30 minutes uphill after work and felt so much better for it afterwards. I did go on some bike rides this past summer but not enough for it to be called a workout in anyway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plan for the week: Daily writing in a paper journal. Ten minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Might seem simple, but it's a start. One day at a time. Sitting down (not in front of tv, or device, or laptop), taking just ten minutes each day to write initentions for the next day (re:family, food exercise, work, hobbies), feelings, what happened during the day, and a food log. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food Plan for the month: Limiting food box delivery to once a month. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Why restart again now? Winter is coming, it's getting colder, and the sunlight here has shifted. I tend to hibernate in winter already and absolutely don't want to let the Black Dog have free reign. </span></div>
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<br />Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-27881960465145372132018-05-08T23:58:00.001-04:002018-05-08T23:58:36.300-04:00Back Home for Good<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After all the trips I've had to take for work this past while, I wasn't sure what kind of number would pop up on the scale. It reads seven pounds gained. Sigh. I knew this past month or so would be tough. Not just with navigating eating and exercise, but also stress. Being "on", and having to pretend to be interested in whatever presentation, or to produce fake enthusiasm while presenting; it all takes a toll. Fortunately, there are no more business trips scheduled until the next fiscal year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While away from home, I did try to make better choices, but when faced with stale bagels, powdered eggs and canned fruit in syrup as the hotel's complimentary breakfast... well I had to find an Sbux or Tim Hortons for a quick brekkie. Some meals were provided by the company, some meals I had to eat out with colleagues. Not much was vegan or vegetarian. I was not always in hotels that had mini-fridges so I did have a small cooler that could keep a salad cool for a few hours. Plane food? Forget it. Eating more processed food and restaurant food than I'm used to as well as being extra sedentary is where the seven pounds come from. </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVVuxE65Aiz5_wur2YVVpMOquY8_f3v_RHWQ9jt8xOtcBaRfhf6dF1A3i-qLtVgV3WzjHtK3OUgtjwhGY1W-ilTokKAug7lskXTaunN4v4mViROnQRCVGYO_uRRMsZ2d8ILc26F1tlXU0/s200/IMG_0455.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pretty lake in British Columbia.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was able to get away from meetings or the hotel once in a blue moon, so I'd take walks outdoors as much as I could. Right now, I feel more bloated and tired than weak.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Plan</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food: Track everything! Lots of veggies, lean and plant protein (</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">easy on the red meat). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Exercise: Walking everywhere! Ride bike more after work to build up endurance to ride to commute to work (there's a new bike path that would make it a a 25K ride total... about 2 hours or so, which is the same as the bus).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mental: I haven't taken the time to meditate or do yoga regularly. For the sake of my sanity, I'm getting back at it!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Current weight 185.3 </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">lbs</span><br />
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<br />Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7042281341637635177.post-90451662092137699362018-04-02T13:07:00.003-04:002018-04-02T13:07:49.194-04:00Post-Easter<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I didn't really overdo eating any food over the Easter holiday, but I did indulge in chocolate. Moderation seemed to work fine. Sometimes it doesn't... A bag is filled with little chocolate eggs which were given to me, will go onto the share table at work tomorrow. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Keeping active, working out every day is important. Walking outdoors, or in bad weather I worked out at the gym. My first visit there, the only piece of cardio equipment available was the dreadmill. Oddly enough, it wasn't so bad. Even on an incline, I was almost jogging! A workout with weights came after. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the family gatherings I was the one doing the dishes. It's much easier to keep busy, than to sit on my behind and eat another piece of pie. There were lots of opportunities to visit, gab and catch up on life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weight this morning: 178.5 lbs. </span>Nikkihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11133209982557200052noreply@blogger.com0