I made a plan for this week. I had all my work outs planned out, and mapped out. The only problem is that my plan was a wee bit ambitious. So, I ended up not following the plan, shame on me right?
Well wait a minute, I didn't follow the plan, but here's what I did so far:
Sunday- Plan was to do 20 minutes Cardio, and to do a full body resistance training. I did just that!
Monday- Plan was 45 minutes Cardio, and then a yoga-pilates workout. I was awake at 4am, at the gym at 4:30 where I did 35 minutes moderate-high intensity Cardio. I was teaching until 2 and then working again at 4 at Weight Watchers. Between the two I walked at a fast pace for 1h. After that I worked a meeting and went home. I didn't do my yoga and/or pilates, too tired.
Today- Plan was to do 20 minutes Cardio and upper body workout. I was still sore from Sunday so I skipped that and went to a pilates class (1 hour).
So I didn't follow the plan, shame on me. I can feel defeated about that, or I can look at it differently.
I did do 1h of activity or more everyday so far. I did lift weights and do a hard core training class. I did do a short Cardio session Sunday and 2 Cardio work out Monday.
Did I mention that I ate well also? I didn't deprive myself. I felt like having a naan yesterday and I did. Still I stuck to my chosen food plan and even enjoyed it!
I didn't give up on my plan, I adapted it as the week progressed. I'm moving, I'm eating right, I'm feeling great and who knows, I might even end up not hurting myself!
Be good n stuff!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
New week, new attitude!
Sunday is the "beginning of my week". I start my food log and activity log on Sunday morning. That means that on Saturday I sit down and plan my week.
Until now we were only planning our meals for the week. That made "eating right" a lot easier for both of us because we knew what was coming and could take things out of the freezer the night before, stop by the store on the way home and other such things. It took away the "what's for dinner" at 5:30 pm when everything is frozen solid and half the ingredients are missing.
Last week we had 3 days off together and kind of forgot to plan our week. It showed. The whole week turned out to be a challenge because we had a lot more "system D" meals than usual. System D meals are when both of us make a meal of whatever we can find, usually sandwiches and such. This has not been a good "food week" (other than my home made brown rice sushi!!! I'm so proud!).
My other challenge this last week was activity. After hurting my back, I've had the hardest time getting back into my routine. I have an ever changing schedule and it makes it hard to really plan anything. The only way that has worked lately is to work out very early in the morning. I mean VERY early.
Yesterday I sat down and planned my meals and my work outs. My meals I planned as usual, breakfast, lunch, dinner with references to the recipes (book and page). For my work outs, I planned what I am going to do, and when, in details. That way I can't excuse my way out of it. It's written down in my planner and everything!
Today I got up too late to work out before work, so I went after I was done at the center. I almost talked myself out of it, but then I realized that I wrote it down, so if I'm not going to do it, I might as well give up now.
Also, I knew that my husband would ask when I came home. I couldn't bear to admit that I failed myself again. Accountability, isn't that funny how it never gets old? I know he would never judge me, but he'd be disappointed. I do still think that pride is my best ally, I'll go to any length to avoid scratching my ego. Whatever works right?
So, I went, did a full body work out (Upper and Lower body weights), preceded by a 10 minutes warm up on the elliptical and followed by a 20 minutes Cardio session also on the elliptical.
Tomorrow is Cardio day, so I'll be doing 45 minutes (min.) Cardio work out, with Yoga and Core training. I will do it because it's written down, and I'm reporting to my husband! I will not admit to having skipped it, and I will not lie to my husband... so... He he he
Be good n stuff!
Until now we were only planning our meals for the week. That made "eating right" a lot easier for both of us because we knew what was coming and could take things out of the freezer the night before, stop by the store on the way home and other such things. It took away the "what's for dinner" at 5:30 pm when everything is frozen solid and half the ingredients are missing.
Last week we had 3 days off together and kind of forgot to plan our week. It showed. The whole week turned out to be a challenge because we had a lot more "system D" meals than usual. System D meals are when both of us make a meal of whatever we can find, usually sandwiches and such. This has not been a good "food week" (other than my home made brown rice sushi!!! I'm so proud!).
My other challenge this last week was activity. After hurting my back, I've had the hardest time getting back into my routine. I have an ever changing schedule and it makes it hard to really plan anything. The only way that has worked lately is to work out very early in the morning. I mean VERY early.
Yesterday I sat down and planned my meals and my work outs. My meals I planned as usual, breakfast, lunch, dinner with references to the recipes (book and page). For my work outs, I planned what I am going to do, and when, in details. That way I can't excuse my way out of it. It's written down in my planner and everything!
Today I got up too late to work out before work, so I went after I was done at the center. I almost talked myself out of it, but then I realized that I wrote it down, so if I'm not going to do it, I might as well give up now.
Also, I knew that my husband would ask when I came home. I couldn't bear to admit that I failed myself again. Accountability, isn't that funny how it never gets old? I know he would never judge me, but he'd be disappointed. I do still think that pride is my best ally, I'll go to any length to avoid scratching my ego. Whatever works right?
So, I went, did a full body work out (Upper and Lower body weights), preceded by a 10 minutes warm up on the elliptical and followed by a 20 minutes Cardio session also on the elliptical.
Tomorrow is Cardio day, so I'll be doing 45 minutes (min.) Cardio work out, with Yoga and Core training. I will do it because it's written down, and I'm reporting to my husband! I will not admit to having skipped it, and I will not lie to my husband... so... He he he
Be good n stuff!
Friday, February 22, 2008
My very own sushi!
Today I made my very own sushi at home, all by myself! And it was GOOD!
Last weekend I bought myself a Zojirushi Rice cooker. Today I finally had the time to look it up and try it out. I bought some short grain brown rice (at Olivers Market for the "locals") and threw it in the cooker with the amount of water requested for brown rice. After that I put it some rice vinegar, sugar and salt and gently mixed it up.
I had bought a bamboo mat, bamboo paddle and nori at a local asian market previously and used that.
I put in some seedless cucumber, avocado and smoked salmon. I wanted to keep it simple for my first attempt at making sushi. Now that I know how easy it is, I'll be extrapolating on that believe me! I made 3 onigiri (rice balls) with the left over rice and froze them. We'll see how that works!
So there I got to make my own sushi and eat it too!
Oh, and next time... 2 rolls is plenty! We had a lot more than we needed! It was yummy though!
Be good n stuff!
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Do you believe in magic?
In fairies? Why not?
Of course if you ask me "Do you believe that those fairies REALLY exist, and that you'll catch one someday?" I'd say no. I don't.
I do believe there are things that we don't understand, and that we haven't explained yet, but the myths and legends that we humans have come up with through the centuries are often a little over the top.
So, what am I saying? Believe in them, but they aren't true? Yeah, kind of. Reality goes only so far, and if you don't dare dream, believe, use your imagination, life gets pretty stale doesn't it? We do need to keep in touch with reality if we want to function in this world, and that, for most of us, isn't a problem.
I think we also need to keep in touch with the "other world". The world of dreams, and wishes, and fairies and knights. Where you can be whatever you want to be, and do whatever you want to do.
If "reality" wasn't in the way, what would you be? What would you do?
When I work out, I see myself going to the olympics (long standing dream for me) and win! I barely make it, but I do!
I'm over 33 years old, not anywhere near "olympic shape", and I know it's a bit late... to say the least. When I work out though, in my mind, it's real!
When I cook, I'm a pro! I open my own restaurant, and make tons of money because people are all marveling over my meals.
I've been cooking for 5 years, and though I think I've made amazing progress in such a short ime, well... Food Network hasn't called yet.
Of course it's important to keep a healthy balance between dream and reality. I will not kill myself working out in the hope of making it to the olympics. I will not buy myself a crown, and declare myself queen of the fairy world (though that could be funny, really, a cheapos crown, show up at a WW meeting hehehe).
Can I open a restaurant? who knows? I keep THAT dream in reserve, ideas are forming, it might not happen, but it might actually come true, one day.
Dare to dream, dare to think the impossible, some of it might even become true, some might not. It doesn't really matter, what does is that we aren't meant to live like robots, we are meant to dream.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to put some pieces of fruits in the backyard. Somebody's got to feed them fairies!
Be good n stuff!
Of course if you ask me "Do you believe that those fairies REALLY exist, and that you'll catch one someday?" I'd say no. I don't.
I do believe there are things that we don't understand, and that we haven't explained yet, but the myths and legends that we humans have come up with through the centuries are often a little over the top.
So, what am I saying? Believe in them, but they aren't true? Yeah, kind of. Reality goes only so far, and if you don't dare dream, believe, use your imagination, life gets pretty stale doesn't it? We do need to keep in touch with reality if we want to function in this world, and that, for most of us, isn't a problem.
I think we also need to keep in touch with the "other world". The world of dreams, and wishes, and fairies and knights. Where you can be whatever you want to be, and do whatever you want to do.
If "reality" wasn't in the way, what would you be? What would you do?
When I work out, I see myself going to the olympics (long standing dream for me) and win! I barely make it, but I do!
I'm over 33 years old, not anywhere near "olympic shape", and I know it's a bit late... to say the least. When I work out though, in my mind, it's real!
When I cook, I'm a pro! I open my own restaurant, and make tons of money because people are all marveling over my meals.
I've been cooking for 5 years, and though I think I've made amazing progress in such a short ime, well... Food Network hasn't called yet.
Of course it's important to keep a healthy balance between dream and reality. I will not kill myself working out in the hope of making it to the olympics. I will not buy myself a crown, and declare myself queen of the fairy world (though that could be funny, really, a cheapos crown, show up at a WW meeting hehehe).
Can I open a restaurant? who knows? I keep THAT dream in reserve, ideas are forming, it might not happen, but it might actually come true, one day.
Dare to dream, dare to think the impossible, some of it might even become true, some might not. It doesn't really matter, what does is that we aren't meant to live like robots, we are meant to dream.
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to put some pieces of fruits in the backyard. Somebody's got to feed them fairies!
Be good n stuff!
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Setting limits and priorities
There comes a time when you have to stop and look at what you are doing isn't there? To ask yourself: "Am I going where I want to go? or am I just going aimlessly?"
Sometimes you run and run, trying to figure out everything, get everything done, and you realized that though you're running all the time, you never seem to get where you're trying to go. Things don't get done, or get half done, and yet, you never have a second to yourself.
That's when you really need to stop and think: What am I trying to do really? What are my goals? What am I doing to reach those goals? What is standing in my way?
That's where you need to prioritize and set limits: What is important to me at this point in my life? What can I do about it? and what CAN'T I do about it?
The first thing has to be my family. My husband, my pets, I don't have kids, but I still need to invest time and energy in "home". For my sanity, for my marriage. I think that for a couple to be together and remain together, it takes more than love. It takes work, persistence. You have to be willing to put the time and effort into being together, working through challenges. It takes time, time to be together, to do things together, to do nothing together. It has to be a priority, it's so easy to let everything else get in the way and lose sight of each others.
I realize, after trying to quit for almost 3 years now, that Weight Watchers is very important to me. I've been working for the company as a leader for about 4 years now, and I truly enjoy the work, and feel like, in my little weirdo way, I'm accomplishing something. That it matters somehow that I'm there boosting the spirit of my members.
I don't think I want to "make a living" as a leader, but I want to stay connected to the company and the program. Honestly, it's the members that keep me in there. They are so awesome! But I disgress...
So Weight Watchers is important to me too, enough to put some extra time into preparing meetings, drumming up an email letter every week and do the little things that you have to do to be a leader.
What else? I want to teach. I'm a middleschool-highschool teacher. I want to teach history and social science, I want to help teenagers open their mind to the world and it's diversity.
When I was teaching, in Canada, a student came to me after a very (VERY) trying contract. It was june, my job was done, she was graduating... she walked up to me and said:
"You know, when you took over the groups, you told us that all you wanted, was for us to look at the world with an open mind. That we could say "School sucks" if we wanted to, as long as we could back up our statement with a solid argumentation."
Not knowing where this was going, I smiled and I said "yeah".
"Well it worked, she said, I understand what you meant, and now I think before I take position on things, I try to look at all side of an issue before I take a position. I think this will help me a lot through Cegep and University."
I'm translating from memory, but that's the gist of what she told me. From that day on, I was hooked to teaching. I want to take those kids whereever they are, and bring them forward. A little, a lot, it doesn't matter to me, as long as they DO move forward.
I'm still a sub teacher, and I have to work at becoming a teacher. So that's one "spot" where my time and energy has to be focused.
Finally I need to put some focus on myself. I want to take the time to take care of myself, body and mind. To get out of this work out rut that I've been stuck in for way too long. Also I want to put some time on my hobbies. I think that if you don't have something to "escape" the stress eats you up. That's what hobbies are for! My main one is cooking, I love to cook, to research recipes and find ways to put them together. It's my creative outlet, since I sure can't draw. ;op
So where does that leave me? I have those 3 different things that are very important to me. Everything else is excess right? Things that I put my energy into, without bringing anything positive back.
This week I realized that my 3rd job wasn't bringing me anything anymore, worse than that, it was becoming a burden. It just wasn't worth the effort anymore. I quit. I felt guilty at first, but I'm not responsible for the whole planet, and I don't think I should continue to leave my family aside for whole evenings, for a job that doesn't pay, and that I don't enjoy anymore. I finaly found the strength to say no, and to set my priorities straight! I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders.
With that out of the way, I can sit down and re-organize my priorities. Where do I start? My husband and I are both making an effort to "be together" putting quality time over quantity of time. Slowly but surely, we are finding each others again. Weight Watchers pretty much takes care of itself. I've been doing it for a long time, and know what I'm doing.
Now to the teaching stuff, that's where I am at right now. I need to sit down and plan. Figure out what I need to do, to get this dream of mine on track. I have set my limits, I have reorganized my priorities, now I can move forward!
Have you looked at your life lately? How are you spending your time? How do you need to be spending your time? Where can you cut? Where do you need to put your focus? C'mon, you can do this, all you need is a little organisation!
Be good n stuff!
Sometimes you run and run, trying to figure out everything, get everything done, and you realized that though you're running all the time, you never seem to get where you're trying to go. Things don't get done, or get half done, and yet, you never have a second to yourself.
That's when you really need to stop and think: What am I trying to do really? What are my goals? What am I doing to reach those goals? What is standing in my way?
That's where you need to prioritize and set limits: What is important to me at this point in my life? What can I do about it? and what CAN'T I do about it?
The first thing has to be my family. My husband, my pets, I don't have kids, but I still need to invest time and energy in "home". For my sanity, for my marriage. I think that for a couple to be together and remain together, it takes more than love. It takes work, persistence. You have to be willing to put the time and effort into being together, working through challenges. It takes time, time to be together, to do things together, to do nothing together. It has to be a priority, it's so easy to let everything else get in the way and lose sight of each others.
I realize, after trying to quit for almost 3 years now, that Weight Watchers is very important to me. I've been working for the company as a leader for about 4 years now, and I truly enjoy the work, and feel like, in my little weirdo way, I'm accomplishing something. That it matters somehow that I'm there boosting the spirit of my members.
I don't think I want to "make a living" as a leader, but I want to stay connected to the company and the program. Honestly, it's the members that keep me in there. They are so awesome! But I disgress...
So Weight Watchers is important to me too, enough to put some extra time into preparing meetings, drumming up an email letter every week and do the little things that you have to do to be a leader.
What else? I want to teach. I'm a middleschool-highschool teacher. I want to teach history and social science, I want to help teenagers open their mind to the world and it's diversity.
When I was teaching, in Canada, a student came to me after a very (VERY) trying contract. It was june, my job was done, she was graduating... she walked up to me and said:
"You know, when you took over the groups, you told us that all you wanted, was for us to look at the world with an open mind. That we could say "School sucks" if we wanted to, as long as we could back up our statement with a solid argumentation."
Not knowing where this was going, I smiled and I said "yeah".
"Well it worked, she said, I understand what you meant, and now I think before I take position on things, I try to look at all side of an issue before I take a position. I think this will help me a lot through Cegep and University."
I'm translating from memory, but that's the gist of what she told me. From that day on, I was hooked to teaching. I want to take those kids whereever they are, and bring them forward. A little, a lot, it doesn't matter to me, as long as they DO move forward.
I'm still a sub teacher, and I have to work at becoming a teacher. So that's one "spot" where my time and energy has to be focused.
Finally I need to put some focus on myself. I want to take the time to take care of myself, body and mind. To get out of this work out rut that I've been stuck in for way too long. Also I want to put some time on my hobbies. I think that if you don't have something to "escape" the stress eats you up. That's what hobbies are for! My main one is cooking, I love to cook, to research recipes and find ways to put them together. It's my creative outlet, since I sure can't draw. ;op
So where does that leave me? I have those 3 different things that are very important to me. Everything else is excess right? Things that I put my energy into, without bringing anything positive back.
This week I realized that my 3rd job wasn't bringing me anything anymore, worse than that, it was becoming a burden. It just wasn't worth the effort anymore. I quit. I felt guilty at first, but I'm not responsible for the whole planet, and I don't think I should continue to leave my family aside for whole evenings, for a job that doesn't pay, and that I don't enjoy anymore. I finaly found the strength to say no, and to set my priorities straight! I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders.
With that out of the way, I can sit down and re-organize my priorities. Where do I start? My husband and I are both making an effort to "be together" putting quality time over quantity of time. Slowly but surely, we are finding each others again. Weight Watchers pretty much takes care of itself. I've been doing it for a long time, and know what I'm doing.
Now to the teaching stuff, that's where I am at right now. I need to sit down and plan. Figure out what I need to do, to get this dream of mine on track. I have set my limits, I have reorganized my priorities, now I can move forward!
Have you looked at your life lately? How are you spending your time? How do you need to be spending your time? Where can you cut? Where do you need to put your focus? C'mon, you can do this, all you need is a little organisation!
Be good n stuff!
Friday, February 15, 2008
Victory!
Since it's past midnight, I guess it's not Valentine's Day anymore, but still...
Today (or yesterday) turned out to be a successful day!
I was working tonight, so my husband and I decided to meet for lunch at a simple little cafe we like a lot. It's not fancy or anything, but the food is good, the staff is nice and we just feel at home there. It's called Aram's Cafe, on Kentucky st in Petaluma, for the locals.
It was very nice to sneak away from the day's craziness to be together. We ate mediteranean fare, the speciality of the place, which is fairly healthy, and we shared a side dish, so we didn't overeat. Our big splurge was an oatmeal cookie at the end of the meal.
Tonight I was working a cooking class, and I did awesome! I barely ate anything in fact! Pasta isn't my thing, and the amount of butter was scary!
I had a little bit of a hard night, and I came home to a bouquet of pink roses and a nice home made card from my husband.
Other than work tonight, it was a very good, love filled day, without overdoing it, without chocolate!
Happy Valentine's day!
Be good n stuff
Today (or yesterday) turned out to be a successful day!
I was working tonight, so my husband and I decided to meet for lunch at a simple little cafe we like a lot. It's not fancy or anything, but the food is good, the staff is nice and we just feel at home there. It's called Aram's Cafe, on Kentucky st in Petaluma, for the locals.
It was very nice to sneak away from the day's craziness to be together. We ate mediteranean fare, the speciality of the place, which is fairly healthy, and we shared a side dish, so we didn't overeat. Our big splurge was an oatmeal cookie at the end of the meal.
Tonight I was working a cooking class, and I did awesome! I barely ate anything in fact! Pasta isn't my thing, and the amount of butter was scary!
I had a little bit of a hard night, and I came home to a bouquet of pink roses and a nice home made card from my husband.
Other than work tonight, it was a very good, love filled day, without overdoing it, without chocolate!
Happy Valentine's day!
Be good n stuff
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Dog Therapy
Stress is a major lifestyle buster. No matter how much we try to take care of ourselves, and leave our worries at the door when we come home, things sometimes gets ahead of us.
In my house we've found a fail proof way to bust out stress, we call it Dog Therapy.
Grace, our 3 year old puppy, is always ready for a cuddle. 5 minutes of playing and/or cuddling with her is guaranteed to relieve you of any stress.
Here's my husband practicing Dog Therapy.
Aren't they just too cute together?????
So there, when people ask me how I can deal with the dirty floors, cleaning the poop in the backyard, the walking, the feeding and everything of having pets... I have one answer: Dog Therapy!
In my house we've found a fail proof way to bust out stress, we call it Dog Therapy.
Grace, our 3 year old puppy, is always ready for a cuddle. 5 minutes of playing and/or cuddling with her is guaranteed to relieve you of any stress.
Here's my husband practicing Dog Therapy.
Aren't they just too cute together?????
So there, when people ask me how I can deal with the dirty floors, cleaning the poop in the backyard, the walking, the feeding and everything of having pets... I have one answer: Dog Therapy!
Now for the cat it's another story. Grace boost our self esteem by making us believe that we're the center of the universe. Gaya (my 10 year old cat) put our ego back in its place by making it clear that we matter only at HER convenience.
There's something to learn from any situation right? ;op
Be good n stuff!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
The age thing and other convenient excuses
Ok, I've had enough!
Being overweight or not, in shape or not, healthy or not, doesn't depend on your age, it depends on how well you take care of your body! Sure the body, like any machine, accumulate wear and tear along the years, and it's harder to muster the same energy at 60 years old, than you had at 20 years old. As you get older, keeping fit demands a little more effort. That doesn't mean you can't do it, just that you have to work a little more at it!
It seems like each age is "the worst age to get in shape":
In highschool it's hard because of school food, because of peer pressure, because they are too busy!
In college, well, they can't afford it! It's cheaper to grab a super-duper burger at $1 than to buy fruits and vegetables, not to mention that you have to cook those...
After college, they start having babies, and baby weight is the absolute hardest weight to lose. So is sympathy weight for that matter.
As the kids grows, well, there's just too much going on, no time to take care of oneself, one has barely time to take a shower and find clean underwear. Food has to be fast, easy cheap. Notice that healthy didn't make the list.
Then the kids leave, and it's menopause. Hormones take over, and there is no way one can fight back. There's even a male version (andropause I think) which doesn't have as strong an effect as menopause do on women, but still...
After that is all done well, one's too old right? Like somebody can get in shape in their late 50s early 60s and even after that. Ridiculous right?
This whole thing is becoming ridiculous. I'm not saying that any of those complains, and many others, are not true, I'm saying that any obstacle can be turned into an excuse to quit on yourselves. I'm saying that if you want to take care of yourself, get yourself in shape, healthy and fit, you CAN... No matter how young, or old, or busy, or bored you are, you can always make a change.
Take a good look at what you are telling yourself, and others. What is your excuse? Why aren't you working out? Eating right? Taking time to relax and recharge? Finding an escape from the daily stress?
What's your excuse and how can you turn it around? It's not about age, it's not about how busy you are, it's about how much you want it. It's about how important it is to you to be healthy mind and body, to be solid and whole, so that you can be strong when you need to be, so that you can be well balanced and happy the rest of the time.
Let go of those excuses, don't sell yourself short. You are worth the time, you are worth the effort, just list your priorities, and make sure you are high on the list. To fail to do so is selfish, what kind of future will your family have if they have to take care of you because you didn't take care of yourself?
You deserve better, your family and loved ones deserve better. Forget the excuses and start taking care of yourself. NOW!
Be good n stuff
Being overweight or not, in shape or not, healthy or not, doesn't depend on your age, it depends on how well you take care of your body! Sure the body, like any machine, accumulate wear and tear along the years, and it's harder to muster the same energy at 60 years old, than you had at 20 years old. As you get older, keeping fit demands a little more effort. That doesn't mean you can't do it, just that you have to work a little more at it!
It seems like each age is "the worst age to get in shape":
In highschool it's hard because of school food, because of peer pressure, because they are too busy!
In college, well, they can't afford it! It's cheaper to grab a super-duper burger at $1 than to buy fruits and vegetables, not to mention that you have to cook those...
After college, they start having babies, and baby weight is the absolute hardest weight to lose. So is sympathy weight for that matter.
As the kids grows, well, there's just too much going on, no time to take care of oneself, one has barely time to take a shower and find clean underwear. Food has to be fast, easy cheap. Notice that healthy didn't make the list.
Then the kids leave, and it's menopause. Hormones take over, and there is no way one can fight back. There's even a male version (andropause I think) which doesn't have as strong an effect as menopause do on women, but still...
After that is all done well, one's too old right? Like somebody can get in shape in their late 50s early 60s and even after that. Ridiculous right?
This whole thing is becoming ridiculous. I'm not saying that any of those complains, and many others, are not true, I'm saying that any obstacle can be turned into an excuse to quit on yourselves. I'm saying that if you want to take care of yourself, get yourself in shape, healthy and fit, you CAN... No matter how young, or old, or busy, or bored you are, you can always make a change.
Take a good look at what you are telling yourself, and others. What is your excuse? Why aren't you working out? Eating right? Taking time to relax and recharge? Finding an escape from the daily stress?
What's your excuse and how can you turn it around? It's not about age, it's not about how busy you are, it's about how much you want it. It's about how important it is to you to be healthy mind and body, to be solid and whole, so that you can be strong when you need to be, so that you can be well balanced and happy the rest of the time.
Let go of those excuses, don't sell yourself short. You are worth the time, you are worth the effort, just list your priorities, and make sure you are high on the list. To fail to do so is selfish, what kind of future will your family have if they have to take care of you because you didn't take care of yourself?
You deserve better, your family and loved ones deserve better. Forget the excuses and start taking care of yourself. NOW!
Be good n stuff
Friday, February 8, 2008
Busy Day
After Being "grounded" for a few days, I was teaching all day today. It was a good day at a fun school.
I brought in my bento lunch and made an effort to walk around in the classroom while the students were working. After I came home I had some leftovers and water.
I found that bringing not only lunch, but my snacks and water along for the day makes a big difference. I don't stop anywhere for snack and/or water, so I avoid temptation.
They had a birthday cake in the teacher room, but I didn't stick around to see if I was going to be offered any. For one thing, subs aren't very "included" at that school, and I didn't want any anyway.
So, I planned ahead, avoided temptation, walked as I could, and kept my head when I came home. This was a good day!
Tomorrow I'm off to San Francisco to go bento shopping. Hopefully we can find a lunch that isn't too calorie rich in Japantown!
I brought in my bento lunch and made an effort to walk around in the classroom while the students were working. After I came home I had some leftovers and water.
I found that bringing not only lunch, but my snacks and water along for the day makes a big difference. I don't stop anywhere for snack and/or water, so I avoid temptation.
They had a birthday cake in the teacher room, but I didn't stick around to see if I was going to be offered any. For one thing, subs aren't very "included" at that school, and I didn't want any anyway.
So, I planned ahead, avoided temptation, walked as I could, and kept my head when I came home. This was a good day!
Tomorrow I'm off to San Francisco to go bento shopping. Hopefully we can find a lunch that isn't too calorie rich in Japantown!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Starting to feel better...
My back is starting to feel a little better, not as much as I would like, but I can move around and do my thing. You don't appreciate "moving freely" until it's taken away from you!
Today I finished the laundry, did some thinkering in my paperwork and did some reading.
I've found a wonderful overview of what becoming vegetarian is all about. What to look at, what to look for, what to avoid. I'm not for or against being a vegetarian, but I think that done right, it can be as healthy as an omnivorous lifestyle. It's not my lifestyle, I'm more of a "part time vegetarian".
Anyway, all this to say that I found this "Vegetarian Starter Kit" on the Vegetarian Times website and thought it was intersting. You can find it here (It's a PDF document, 16 pages):
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/
You just click on the "Vegetarian Starter Kit" in the orange tool bar at the top of the page. I just thought I would share. Unfortunately I still see people decide to "go vegetarian" and eating carrots, lettuce and mushroom only there is more to being a Vegetarian than "just eating veggies". Be safe, and be wise!
Today I was feeling more optimistic and positive. I took a shower early and put on a clean pyjama! I wasn't working, so I decided to do a pyjama day in style! I did my hair, put on my face, everything! Then I plopped down on the couch! He he he
For lunch I just grabbed a frozen meal. I actually found the last chicken curry that was hidden behind other stuff. AH! I ate it over leftover bulgur, delicious.
This afternoon I went shopping, didn't buy much, but I walked for nearly 2 hours. It felt good to be outside (mostly) and to walk around.
On my way home I stopped by Olivers to buy green beans for a side dish I had planned, and discovered that they had yummy looking brown rice sushi. I bought 2 rolls for dinner.
So we had Shredded Green Beans, Citrus-Chives Whole Grain Couscous, and brown rice Sushi.
It was pretty and delicious! My husband liked it also, so I know I had a winner! :o)
Today I finished the laundry, did some thinkering in my paperwork and did some reading.
I've found a wonderful overview of what becoming vegetarian is all about. What to look at, what to look for, what to avoid. I'm not for or against being a vegetarian, but I think that done right, it can be as healthy as an omnivorous lifestyle. It's not my lifestyle, I'm more of a "part time vegetarian".
Anyway, all this to say that I found this "Vegetarian Starter Kit" on the Vegetarian Times website and thought it was intersting. You can find it here (It's a PDF document, 16 pages):
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/
You just click on the "Vegetarian Starter Kit" in the orange tool bar at the top of the page. I just thought I would share. Unfortunately I still see people decide to "go vegetarian" and eating carrots, lettuce and mushroom only there is more to being a Vegetarian than "just eating veggies". Be safe, and be wise!
Today I was feeling more optimistic and positive. I took a shower early and put on a clean pyjama! I wasn't working, so I decided to do a pyjama day in style! I did my hair, put on my face, everything! Then I plopped down on the couch! He he he
For lunch I just grabbed a frozen meal. I actually found the last chicken curry that was hidden behind other stuff. AH! I ate it over leftover bulgur, delicious.
This afternoon I went shopping, didn't buy much, but I walked for nearly 2 hours. It felt good to be outside (mostly) and to walk around.
On my way home I stopped by Olivers to buy green beans for a side dish I had planned, and discovered that they had yummy looking brown rice sushi. I bought 2 rolls for dinner.
So we had Shredded Green Beans, Citrus-Chives Whole Grain Couscous, and brown rice Sushi.
It was pretty and delicious! My husband liked it also, so I know I had a winner! :o)
It's a double victory because it's going to be part of my bento lunch tomorrow! The sushi is gone, but we have leftover chicken and mini-frittata to go with the two side dishes.
I'm feeling upbeat and ready. I'm waiting a few more days to hit the gym again, but I'm walking, and moving and doing things.
Mainly I'm me again!
I'm feeling upbeat and ready. I'm waiting a few more days to hit the gym again, but I'm walking, and moving and doing things.
Mainly I'm me again!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Slow Day
Today I didn't work until later and to be honest didn't do much. My back still hurts and I was feeling a tad sorry for myself.
It's ok though, I think sometimes everybody needs a slow day to recharge and refocus.
This is not to say that I did not follow my chosen lifestyle, but just that I took it easy.
I made myself a "chili" with half a red onion, left over black beans, lentils, frozen corn, frozen soybeans and left over turkey. I added chili powder and coriander.
It turned pretty good actually, we had the rest of it for dinner with lentil soup.
Other than that I didn't do much. Movement hurts so I went and worked this afternoon and that's about it.
I'm not very good at being patient. I sure hope this ol' back of mine gets back into it's own shape fast!
Until then, I'll be home trying to keep from going nuts.
It's ok though, I think sometimes everybody needs a slow day to recharge and refocus.
This is not to say that I did not follow my chosen lifestyle, but just that I took it easy.
I made myself a "chili" with half a red onion, left over black beans, lentils, frozen corn, frozen soybeans and left over turkey. I added chili powder and coriander.
It turned pretty good actually, we had the rest of it for dinner with lentil soup.
Other than that I didn't do much. Movement hurts so I went and worked this afternoon and that's about it.
I'm not very good at being patient. I sure hope this ol' back of mine gets back into it's own shape fast!
Until then, I'll be home trying to keep from going nuts.
Monday, February 4, 2008
This day is full of victories!
This was a very full day, with quite a few challenges, but I think I worked my way through them very sucessfully. I started this blog to help people out, but it's already helping me a lot! It keeps me thinking.
First the less fun stuff:
My back is still hurting a lot, and since it hurts from my shoulder blades to my knees, I decided to forgo my work out again. Put this in the chapter of "things I've learned along the way" pushing myself through an injury leads to a worst injury which has me grounded and extremely unhappy.
Not to mention that I get bored easily, and I'm very hard to live with when I'm bored... so I'm also doing my husband a favor by being careful. ;op
Now to the good stuff:
I had a full day of teaching today, and it was in a rather difficult class. I brought my bento lunch (will post on my Bento blog about it in a little bit) and 2 mini bars as snacks. I was offered other things, but I declined and stuck to my plan.
After a day of teaching, I tend to have the munchies a lot. It's like the stress catches up with me at the end of the day. So today I didn't want to just go home and munch, I went back to the Asian Market and bought me a second box an dividers. The second box is for me so that my husband can use my other one. Then I stopped at Copperfields to look up books.
My trip to Copperfields had two goals: looking at books keeps me busy, and away from food; also the Copperfields in Santa Rosa has the coolest little Cafe, so I went in and had myself a cup of soup.
The thing is, I was off school at 2, and worked at Weight Watchers at 4. Too early for dinner, but too late for me to get through without being overly hungry. So a cup of soup was just what I needed to tie me over until after work!
I got to work early so I walked around in the trails behind the traveler, about 25-30 minutes. That's not much, but since I'm pretty much "grounded" it's something at least. So far today I've walked 7400 steps!
Came home to a delicious Chili my husband made out of the Shortcut Cookbook (Weight Watchers).
So I had a great day. I'm working very hard at being patient and good to myself until my back is better. I'm so not good at that. Oh well... guess I'm still learning, even after 5 years! :o)
First the less fun stuff:
My back is still hurting a lot, and since it hurts from my shoulder blades to my knees, I decided to forgo my work out again. Put this in the chapter of "things I've learned along the way" pushing myself through an injury leads to a worst injury which has me grounded and extremely unhappy.
Not to mention that I get bored easily, and I'm very hard to live with when I'm bored... so I'm also doing my husband a favor by being careful. ;op
Now to the good stuff:
I had a full day of teaching today, and it was in a rather difficult class. I brought my bento lunch (will post on my Bento blog about it in a little bit) and 2 mini bars as snacks. I was offered other things, but I declined and stuck to my plan.
After a day of teaching, I tend to have the munchies a lot. It's like the stress catches up with me at the end of the day. So today I didn't want to just go home and munch, I went back to the Asian Market and bought me a second box an dividers. The second box is for me so that my husband can use my other one. Then I stopped at Copperfields to look up books.
My trip to Copperfields had two goals: looking at books keeps me busy, and away from food; also the Copperfields in Santa Rosa has the coolest little Cafe, so I went in and had myself a cup of soup.
The thing is, I was off school at 2, and worked at Weight Watchers at 4. Too early for dinner, but too late for me to get through without being overly hungry. So a cup of soup was just what I needed to tie me over until after work!
I got to work early so I walked around in the trails behind the traveler, about 25-30 minutes. That's not much, but since I'm pretty much "grounded" it's something at least. So far today I've walked 7400 steps!
Came home to a delicious Chili my husband made out of the Shortcut Cookbook (Weight Watchers).
So I had a great day. I'm working very hard at being patient and good to myself until my back is better. I'm so not good at that. Oh well... guess I'm still learning, even after 5 years! :o)
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Had a good day today!
Yesterday I hurt my back carrying bags of pellet for our stove. So I didn't get to work out today, I wanted to give my back a rest. That in itself is a victory for me as I tend to work through injuries and make things worse *blush*
I was doing a WI today, so I brought breakfast in, and since I was going shopping after work, I also brough lunch (See my Bento Box Blog). Both breakfast and lunch turned out to be very satisfying, I didn't even finish my lunch!
I was shopping all afternoon, walked over 10 000 steps and came home to make my planned dinner a Curried Red Lentil Stew I found in a Weight Watchers cookbook.
We did indulge on an icecream treat, but after such a good day, it was all good!
This is the first day of my "week", so I'm happy to have started the week the right way. One day at a time!
I was doing a WI today, so I brought breakfast in, and since I was going shopping after work, I also brough lunch (See my Bento Box Blog). Both breakfast and lunch turned out to be very satisfying, I didn't even finish my lunch!
I was shopping all afternoon, walked over 10 000 steps and came home to make my planned dinner a Curried Red Lentil Stew I found in a Weight Watchers cookbook.
We did indulge on an icecream treat, but after such a good day, it was all good!
This is the first day of my "week", so I'm happy to have started the week the right way. One day at a time!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
My first Bento Box!!
I went around and found myself a bento box!
It's bigger than I wanted, but I figured I could start with that, and use it for a "full day" thing and include my snacks in there as opposed to just a "lunch box".
It's going to be perfect for those days when I sub and then work at Weight Watchers on the evening.
I also got myself a "spork"! The concept of a spoon and a fork making a "spork" just cracks me up! But I thought that it'd be better for the environment to have one of those and clean it, than use those throw away ones.
I have a little sauce container and paper dividers. I can't wait to go to San Francisco to get little goodies, but this is a start!
My husband is tolerating my new obsession remarkably well. I wonder what's up with that!
So here we are, I'm ready to start playing around in the bento world. I don't plan on making traditional Japanese foods as they don't really fit in my food plan, but I'll be playing around with ideas. How about a Mediteranean bento? An Indian one?
I'm having so much fun planning this I can barely bear myself!
To know more about my adventures in the world of Bento lunch, look in here: Willow's Bento Box
It's bigger than I wanted, but I figured I could start with that, and use it for a "full day" thing and include my snacks in there as opposed to just a "lunch box".
It's going to be perfect for those days when I sub and then work at Weight Watchers on the evening.
I also got myself a "spork"! The concept of a spoon and a fork making a "spork" just cracks me up! But I thought that it'd be better for the environment to have one of those and clean it, than use those throw away ones.
I have a little sauce container and paper dividers. I can't wait to go to San Francisco to get little goodies, but this is a start!
My husband is tolerating my new obsession remarkably well. I wonder what's up with that!
So here we are, I'm ready to start playing around in the bento world. I don't plan on making traditional Japanese foods as they don't really fit in my food plan, but I'll be playing around with ideas. How about a Mediteranean bento? An Indian one?
I'm having so much fun planning this I can barely bear myself!
To know more about my adventures in the world of Bento lunch, look in here: Willow's Bento Box
Planning the week
So it’s Saturday again! Time to sit down and plan my week. For some reason, it doesn’t work to do it any other way. Saturday is planning day! :o)
When I first started on my “healthy lifestyle”, I religiously planned every week in great details, and then I got a little cocky and stopped doing that. A few weeks ago I reviewed the results and decided it was time to start planning again!
Planning ahead just simplify my life by taking out the whole “what’s for dinner” dilemma every night. Also, since I have 3 jobs and a schedule that keeps moving around, it permits me to keep trying new things without having to spend a lot of time on it. If I know what’s coming, I can just take food out of the freezer the night before, stop by the store on my way home and be ready to cook as soon as enter the house. This sure beats coming home at 5:30pm with everything frozen and half of my ingredients missing.
The first part of planning my week is to take a good look at my planner. Once I have a good sense of what the week is going to be like, and how it might change around, I can decide which nights I have time to cook, which nights I need a quick fix, and which night my husband is going to have to cook.
Once I have reviewed my week, I can plan in the meals. Breakfast is generally steel cut oats with different toppings. Still I try to plan in 2 or 3 different breakfasts that will make it more interesting (see previous post!).
Lunch up to now was more often than not frozen fare. I like to cook soups, curries, stews in bit batches and freeze them in 1 portion containers. That way I can just grab a container and bring it to work. This has worked for both of us for the last 3 years.
My new lunch obsession is Bento boxes. I’m just starting to look into it, and will share my exploration of them in this blog. So keep an eye out for that! If you want to sneak a peak at what Bento boxes are, look this blog up http://lunchinabox.net/ There is a lot of good information, tips and ideas on how to put together a bento, gear you need, where to shop. Only down side is she make me regret leaving San Francisco!!
Dinner is my favorite meal to plan for. That’s the meal my husband and I sit down to eat together, and that when we have more time to experiment with different foods and recipes. We have favorites, of course, but we both enjoy trying new things and playing “mad scientist” in the kitchen.
We try very hard to plan in at least 3 new recipes every week. Sometime we try something new almost every night! We both like ethnic cuisine, I love Indian foods, and though my husband likes it too, he has a liking for Asian fare. Pitch in some good Mexican recipes and we’re happy campers! I’ve also been looking into vegetarian recipes lately, not to become vegetarians, but to add to the variety of what we eat.
Did I mention that I have more than 140 cookbooks now?
I also plan my activity. Again, it helps by taking the “what do I do?” out of it. I know what I’m doing, when I’m going to the gym, when I’m working out at home, and I can work the rest of my life around that.
I’m an early morning bug when it comes to going to the gym. I’m still getting back into my routine, but it’s much easier for me to get up early and hit the gym (before I wake up he he he) than to make a side trip after a long day.
My plan is to go to the gym 6 mornings a week, alternating cardio and weight lifting. When I know what I do when, I can prepare my gym bag the night before and not have to look for my socks or my gloves at 5:15am. That’s the back bone of my activity.
Because I’m a substitute teacher, I never know if I’m going to work or not on any given day. The rest of my work outs (a yoga and a pilates DVD) are on a “whenever I can” basis. I plan the day, but not the time that I’m going to do it.
I also have a general plan for non-sub days, which is to hit the road early in the morning and take the dog for a long walk (90 minutes minimum).
The idea here is not for you to follow my plan, but to understand that you have to take a good look at what your day to day life looks like, and see where you can fit those healthy behaviors. That way you can make your own plan, one that will fit your own life.
I hate the feeling of “what do I do now?” even more the question “Honey, what’s for dinner?” At the end of the day, when I’m tired, or at the beginning of the day, when I’m not yet awake, I don’t want to have to figure out what I’m supposed to do.
I’m often asked how I fit everything I do into my days and still go to bed at 10pm the latest. I plan ahead, that’s how. I know what’s coming, I can prepare for it, and I can organize myself so that I rarely end up standing in front of the freezer with 30 minutes to make dinner and everything frozen solid!
I can hear the “well it’s easy for you, you don’t have kids.” True… I don’t have kids; I have 3 jobs though, to each our own challenge.
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
When I first started on my “healthy lifestyle”, I religiously planned every week in great details, and then I got a little cocky and stopped doing that. A few weeks ago I reviewed the results and decided it was time to start planning again!
Planning ahead just simplify my life by taking out the whole “what’s for dinner” dilemma every night. Also, since I have 3 jobs and a schedule that keeps moving around, it permits me to keep trying new things without having to spend a lot of time on it. If I know what’s coming, I can just take food out of the freezer the night before, stop by the store on my way home and be ready to cook as soon as enter the house. This sure beats coming home at 5:30pm with everything frozen and half of my ingredients missing.
The first part of planning my week is to take a good look at my planner. Once I have a good sense of what the week is going to be like, and how it might change around, I can decide which nights I have time to cook, which nights I need a quick fix, and which night my husband is going to have to cook.
Once I have reviewed my week, I can plan in the meals. Breakfast is generally steel cut oats with different toppings. Still I try to plan in 2 or 3 different breakfasts that will make it more interesting (see previous post!).
Lunch up to now was more often than not frozen fare. I like to cook soups, curries, stews in bit batches and freeze them in 1 portion containers. That way I can just grab a container and bring it to work. This has worked for both of us for the last 3 years.
My new lunch obsession is Bento boxes. I’m just starting to look into it, and will share my exploration of them in this blog. So keep an eye out for that! If you want to sneak a peak at what Bento boxes are, look this blog up http://lunchinabox.net/ There is a lot of good information, tips and ideas on how to put together a bento, gear you need, where to shop. Only down side is she make me regret leaving San Francisco!!
Dinner is my favorite meal to plan for. That’s the meal my husband and I sit down to eat together, and that when we have more time to experiment with different foods and recipes. We have favorites, of course, but we both enjoy trying new things and playing “mad scientist” in the kitchen.
We try very hard to plan in at least 3 new recipes every week. Sometime we try something new almost every night! We both like ethnic cuisine, I love Indian foods, and though my husband likes it too, he has a liking for Asian fare. Pitch in some good Mexican recipes and we’re happy campers! I’ve also been looking into vegetarian recipes lately, not to become vegetarians, but to add to the variety of what we eat.
Did I mention that I have more than 140 cookbooks now?
I also plan my activity. Again, it helps by taking the “what do I do?” out of it. I know what I’m doing, when I’m going to the gym, when I’m working out at home, and I can work the rest of my life around that.
I’m an early morning bug when it comes to going to the gym. I’m still getting back into my routine, but it’s much easier for me to get up early and hit the gym (before I wake up he he he) than to make a side trip after a long day.
My plan is to go to the gym 6 mornings a week, alternating cardio and weight lifting. When I know what I do when, I can prepare my gym bag the night before and not have to look for my socks or my gloves at 5:15am. That’s the back bone of my activity.
Because I’m a substitute teacher, I never know if I’m going to work or not on any given day. The rest of my work outs (a yoga and a pilates DVD) are on a “whenever I can” basis. I plan the day, but not the time that I’m going to do it.
I also have a general plan for non-sub days, which is to hit the road early in the morning and take the dog for a long walk (90 minutes minimum).
The idea here is not for you to follow my plan, but to understand that you have to take a good look at what your day to day life looks like, and see where you can fit those healthy behaviors. That way you can make your own plan, one that will fit your own life.
I hate the feeling of “what do I do now?” even more the question “Honey, what’s for dinner?” At the end of the day, when I’m tired, or at the beginning of the day, when I’m not yet awake, I don’t want to have to figure out what I’m supposed to do.
I’m often asked how I fit everything I do into my days and still go to bed at 10pm the latest. I plan ahead, that’s how. I know what’s coming, I can prepare for it, and I can organize myself so that I rarely end up standing in front of the freezer with 30 minutes to make dinner and everything frozen solid!
I can hear the “well it’s easy for you, you don’t have kids.” True… I don’t have kids; I have 3 jobs though, to each our own challenge.
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
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