Day 15 - and good things are still happening

I’ve been feeling good and as my roommate is away and the weather is lovely and warm I’ve been wandering around the place wearing less clothes than usual and enjoying checking myself out in the mirror.  *http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-qN6TCY85c (1:57).
 
And even with the expected off-plan days and the day of unstoppable snacking described in the last post, the scale reads 5 pounds less than before I started this whole 16+1 thing.  I don’t remember ever having a healthy type of loss like this before.

Now how much of it is “water weight” and how much loss is stored body fat… no idea, whatever, something’s happening and in a good way. 

I'll continue with my modified plan and then start working in more exercise. My leg is getting better too with physio so I’m looking to get back to TKD in June.

Today was Victoria Day, so a holiday ("the 24th of May is the Queen's birthday!" or nearabouts) I had my family and a good friend over for dinner. I made a greek salad and a chicken coconut curry.  It was fantabulous, if I do say so myself.  Not exactly as perscribed but I did skip the rice.  Recipes like that are pretty easy to adapt, so I can keep to a lower carb plan and still be social with meals.

One down side is my eczema has acted up in the last few days (maybe all the alterna-milks) so I'll keep an eye on that.

Or 16+ infinite of "the Carib-farm diet"

I haven't had time to get to a grocery store yet (none is walking distance) so I've not yet started the 16+1 plan.  However I have reverted back to what I refer to as my Carib-farm diet, what I ate on vacation for two weeks. I came back with great skin, and was temporarily back in my goal jeans.

A few years ago I did a strict no sugar thing (really, the first 10 days were even fruit free) and while it was helpful for health and useful for weightloss, it was hard to be social that way and I found any deviation resulted in a migraine.

The Carib-farm diet (like my Medi-farm diet) was more about simple, close to source food with a good mix of veggies, meat and even breads.  My daily meals at the Carib-farm were predictable -

• 8:30am - bread with butter and jam, dried cranberries (to take with my iron pill) 
• 12:30pm - constant was a big mixed green and veggie salad, rice, and pineapple for dessert. The entre varried (chicken curry, fried fishcakes, frittata, ground beef with fried cheese)
• 8:00pm - often veg and barley soup, or pasta with homemade spaghetti sauce.

And maybe at some point in the day I'd have a piece of fresh fruit (orange off the tree, more pineapple) or coconut...but not every day and I don't remember feeling hungry. I'm sure the heat affected my appetite as well but because of that I was drinking lots of water so I think there was a lot of factors that contributed.  I came back 3 pounds lighter and with that lovely holiday glow that comes from relaxtion (and good, healthy food).

So that's another approach I'm considering instead of the 16+1 diet.  I'll admit part of it is I worry and doubt that I can stick to a rigid plan (even for just 18-1 days) and I've long thought it unfair and pointless to set yourself (or myself as the case may be) up for failture.  So, I am still in the thinking/considering/pondering stage.

One month from my goal date.

Or rather my updated goal as originally I wanted to be in the jeans before 2012. But it didn’t happen so I set a new goal. But no more sliding dates! Here is my “S.M.A.R.T” goal.

Specific – Zoe-style, Mavi jeans size 28, bought April 19, 2011

Measurable – jeans on and feeling good

Attainable – I have the jeans in my closet

Realistic – this isn't just a 5 week effort but several months in the making 

Timely – one month from now – March 31st

To do it, I’ll have to continue to make healthy and enjoyable choices at the grocery store and in the kitchen and keep up the walking, dancing and kicking. 

And keep in mind what this is really about. It’s just a pair of jeans and fitting in them is not a measure of my happiness or worth.  And rather than keep looking back where I was when I first wore them I am instead going to look forward to the fun, and adventures that are ahead and where else I’ll take the jeans (not where they’ll take me). 

The fear factor

At various times in the recent past I've put off exercising.  I've told myself that I've been held back by work schedules, weather, money but the real reason has been fear.

Fear that what was once a fun challenge will be hard, that I'll struggle with even a short run, that my strength reps will be low, that I'll pull something, that I'll be gasping for air. I've held back because I know that for a while I won't be able to do the same speed or distance and I've been afraid of feeling of less.  

Professionally, personally and physically (concussions) I've had a tumultuous two years and so I've wanted to coast, take it easy.  Because I wasn't sure I could keep all the balls in the air and the fear of not succeeding froze me.  

However, like so many other things I've been afraid of it's seldom as awful as I think it'll be. And regardless it's better to just face it and get started and get through it.

Ever hear the legend of the buffalo?  As told to Donna Brazile...when storms hit and other animals run from them...buffalos charge at them and get through the storm faster.

So that's what I'm going to do...put on the sneakers and go for a run, the first of many.

No going back

I just shrunk my "lee-way" jeans. They were a little loose in the behind and thighs and so not flattering - now they'll be "fitted" but this will also mean less "expansion" room for me.

Back at it!

We are all only human and it’s not just about me

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about why people sometimes say and do the things they do.  Correction, I often think about this but I think I’m coming to some realizations. And one of those is that everyone else isn’t perfect.   I know I’m not, but I have a habit of putting people on pedestals.  I don’t think about the fact that others are also still figuring out life and making mistakes along the way.  Which means I set unreasonable expectations for others and are disappointed and also is harder on myself than is healthy.   

I have a colleague that came to me the day before the valedictorian address and wanted to discuss the content of the speech.  Though she hadn’t read it, she was quite adamant about the complaints she would receive (she did my job years ago) if certain elements weren’t included and that I was new and didn’t know how things go.   I tried to assure it was a quality speech and that I consulted two managers (she is no longer one).  It was frustrating until in a sudden flash I realized this was more about her than me or even the speech.  Her worries, her sense of responsibility, her lack of trust in others.  It’s not pleasant to get complaints in the past.  And I think she’s still holding on to that and not recognizing it’s ok to let go of it – to pass the responsibility on.  And so I was able to say  if you get any, direct them to me and I’ll respond.   I'm quite willing to take that on and respond if necessary.

Source: http://www.notefromlapland.com/2011/01/only-human.html

So while previously I would have taken this as a slag to my capabilities or arrogance on hers.  I am rethinking that this colleague is also still figuring things out, learning to relinquish control and responsibility and finding her own role at work.  I have to remember that we all are and to be understanding and accepting of that. 

I’ve long known that I will make mistakes, though I am still learning to be accepting and forgiving of that.  And now I see how freeing it is as well to see others in a more understanding and accepting light.  

Now what does this have to do with fitting a pair of jeans bought in April…I dunno but I know every time I lighten the weight on my mind and spirit – it can only be a positive – and that’s the bigger goal and mandate of this blog.

Enjoy the song - Jason Mraz's Only Human

Truthful hips

Motivation

Well to get to goals, beyond a plan I need motivation/inspiration. First people help – fellow bloggers – you do, your comments and your posts.  Eeven if I don't always comment it's more my lack of creativity than appreciation. 

Secondly, sometimes motivation is as simple and doing/keeping my job (see work related goals below) but for others I need something more. I've come across the last couple of points/tabs/links lately and thought I'd pass them on.

This video makes me tear up every time – clip of Derek Redmond finishing the race at the Barcelona Olympics, despite injury.

Getting past excuses – not sure if this is original or from another source but good stuff in there. “It will never be: easy,perfect, the right time...”

A post about lessons lived, reflections following a memorial service 

And another bit of excitement for me – I just registered for a belly dance class...I am a huge fan of Shakira and floaty scarves and my belly (it's soft and round – like a pony or a cupcake). The class doesn't start until January so until then – I'll do some practicing with this bit of excitement and energy and truthful hips. 

Enjoy!

What are your favourite expressions, videos, pictures for motivation?

Goals down

• grocery shopping
• 1 shared meal
• confirmed entertainment for convocation ceremony
• confirm speaker 

Goals

What are yours?

As I asked earlier (why blog?) what is the purpose of writing a blog.  And for many it is to help the writer state and realize a goal. The goals are varied - some weight related, or physical measurements or race times or distances run, and some are reading lists or financial planning or health related or artisitic.   Some are a life's or month's to do list of activities and achievements. 

 I've seen some awesome lists go down "strike-through" font, bullet by bullet. And the satisfaction from them has got to keep us all going.

I know of some women who have a goal to get pregnant or become a surgeon or be a millionaire by age 40.   And maybe they aren't all going to be met, life happens, priorities change (stocks plummet), but I think there is something very intrinsic in our nature to set goals. To reach for what seems impossible sometimes.

And I think I need to get more concrete in my goals and how I'm going to get there.  I've been reading about goal setting and know the whole "SMART" goal trick (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) and so I'm going to do some additional revisions as I go along.  (the jeans are still waiting!)

So in the next week (7 days)- I will a mix of home and work

• buy a gym membership (no more weather excuses to not exercise)
• go grocery shopping (I've been slacking and eating out or making meals out of canned food regularly)
• 3 shared meals
• go to the farmer's market
• move blue dresser
• 7 sets (usually morning) exercises - leg and core
• confirm entertainment for convocation
• confirm speaker
• pick and prepare outfits for convocation and banquet
• find/arrange background music for banquet
• arrange two practices with valedictorian

I'll report on them next week.

 

So go on with your goal-setting, big dreaming, list makin, record-smashing selves.

I forgot until I remembered

Oh I should use that heading sometime for something deep and meaningful but today it refers simply to lunch. I had a good lunch veggies steak noodle stir-fry. I just got busy and forgot to break for lunch and then suddenly I was sitting at my desk staring at my screen and felt woozy and when a student came to my office to ask a question I had trouble focusing on his face. And while I momentarily tried to figure out if I was having a stroke (minor-hypochondriac...but don't act on it. Usually just in my own thoughts or google) And then I realized it was 8 hours after I'd eaten something...and I was just having a low-sugar dip. So I ate and felt much better.

I remember once hearing a comedian's (Caroline Rhea perhaps?) blurb on never forgetting to eat...something along the lines of “I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name, my keys. But I've never forgotten to eat...you have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat.” I guess today I had a moment or two of being a special kind of stupid. 

Along with some other things I've read recently remind me of a vital truth...food is necessary. It's as simple as that, and I can choose how tasty and nutritious my food will be but I can't ignore it. I'm going to have to eat, to make good choices, to take time to buy the good stuff, to cook what I like (as I'm too frugal to eat out at the places that make healthy food) to put lots into it so I get lots out of it.

I used to know that, I guess I forgot, until I remembered

So that's today's thoughts

And as I was thinking about songs with remember in them – this one came to mind (don't click music snobs you won't be impressed)

Why blog?

This is my first blog, though I've been a reader of blogs for years – mostly artistic based blogs (a singer who posted as she recorded her first solo album, a writer getting feedback on chapters of a book she was writing) or travel blogs and then came some food blogs. And as you know there are tonnes out there – luv 'em (one of my faves)– so appreciate the recipes and pretty pictures and gosh food – luv it. And I commented from time to time but it still felt like a reader/audience relationship rather than a fair exchange. 

A friend of mine who knew that I wanted to get back into good habits and shape (and the jeans) encouraged me to start a blog as she had and we could support each other in this. And I took her up on it. I started in September and have not been a very regular blogger. Lately my work is mostly on the computer and so once I leave the office I prefer to not type another word.

 

Also I am still not sure of the tone and information (just about nutrition and fitness) or even if the design and structure is what I want to maintain. And I overthink before I write sometimes.

But, but, but the biggest reason I haven't been posting regularly is I haven't really committed (read walking the talk) to making changes. I say I'm too stressed, tired, achy, (lonely, bored,), busy to make the changes – changes that I know will alleviate the previous complaints (the lonely thing being that I get myself into a group activity). 

Not so smart. Anyone have a BB gun I can borrow to shoot myself in the foot while I'm at it?

And so I don't want to write...today nothing doing, tomorrow nothing doing. But I think that is one of the big reasons why people blog about fitness, health, weight-loss, finances, to be accountable, to record goals and plans and efforts towards those and to be accountable.  And it's keeping me at it - so thanks for all the comments and advice and for sharing your own efforts - keeps me motivated too.  

Let's get started

So, my plan is to move more and eat less, simple eh? Because it works. 


Specifically start jogging again, walking more and I'd like to try a dance class again.  I say again but my last one was 27 years ago. And I'll be cutting back on sweet stuff and bland carbs - talking about you dinner rolls.  I like food but I really like good food so this shouldn't be too hard. I just need to get back to my old habits, when an arugula sourdough sandwich was my ultimate treat. 
And away I go. 


Today's post is brought to you by the black eyed peas
Or if you are more old-school and prefer this MC Hammer's version

Day's highlights:
40 mins walking (20 at a fair clip)
Grapefruit - yummy grapefruit
High five from colleagues for project success
Talking to an acquaintance about her dream job