I am home from a crazy and exciting couple of weeks away. I flew out to Utah for a couple of family reunions (one in Idaho, one in Utah), then drove back across the country with my mom, got home just in time to do my laundry and repack, then flew to DC the next day. Back-to-back trips are exhausting, but I had a great time. The not-so-great part is that I did gain about five pounds over the course of those two weeks, but that was to be expected. Now it's really time to get serious again and lose the weight I gained, and then just keep going from there.
It was a lot of fun and see people I haven't seen in a while (both at the family reunions and in DC). It was also quite energizing to hear the comments and compliments face-to-face from people who care about me and are as pleased with my progress so far as I am. I feel encouraged and motivated to get back on track and push forward, and that is just what I needed.
One week from today I will have access to the gym again. I'm looking forward to getting back into strength training and cardio workouts. It will be interesting to see how much I have regressed during the three months I have not done much resistance training to speak of. I think before these last two weeks that would have been a depressing and discouraging thought, but now I'm just excited to get back to it!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Sweet dreams
I'm finally sleeping at something close to a 'normal' time, for a few days anyway, or however long it is before something else comes up to throw my sleep off again. It really doesn't take much. I'm going to make it a priority to try to stay on a healthy sleep schedule now though, because I know how important sleep is in the establishing a healthy lifestyle. Of course, that will probably go out the window while I'm on vacation, but not too far I hope!
I'm getting ready to head out to Utah and Idaho for a couple of family reunions. I'm excited to see my siblings and their kids who are out that way, as well as cousins and aunts and uncles I don't get to see very often. I'll get to see my youngest nephew for the first time (he was born in May), and I'm always excited to see my other nieces and nephews - they're just so adorable, and so much fun! So I'm flying out to Utah next Wednesday (July 18), then I'll be driving back to Indiana with my mother either July 23-24 or 24-25. Hopefully 23-24 because on July 26 I'm flying out to DC for a few days, and it would be great to have the 25th to recover from the long drive home and prepare for the DC part of my vacation. We'll see how it goes.
In the mean time, now that I'm back on a more healthy schedule as far as sleep goes, it's much easier to make myself eat reasonably and plan for exercise. When I'm sleeping during the day, it's even harder to keep up the energy and motivation than usual. -- Okay, I just heard something knock knock knocking above my head. Hopefully just be squirrels unloading our pear tree onto the roof, and not some critter(s) in the attic! Totally lost my train of thought there. Oh well, here's to enjoying the day!
I'm getting ready to head out to Utah and Idaho for a couple of family reunions. I'm excited to see my siblings and their kids who are out that way, as well as cousins and aunts and uncles I don't get to see very often. I'll get to see my youngest nephew for the first time (he was born in May), and I'm always excited to see my other nieces and nephews - they're just so adorable, and so much fun! So I'm flying out to Utah next Wednesday (July 18), then I'll be driving back to Indiana with my mother either July 23-24 or 24-25. Hopefully 23-24 because on July 26 I'm flying out to DC for a few days, and it would be great to have the 25th to recover from the long drive home and prepare for the DC part of my vacation. We'll see how it goes.
In the mean time, now that I'm back on a more healthy schedule as far as sleep goes, it's much easier to make myself eat reasonably and plan for exercise. When I'm sleeping during the day, it's even harder to keep up the energy and motivation than usual. -- Okay, I just heard something knock knock knocking above my head. Hopefully just be squirrels unloading our pear tree onto the roof, and not some critter(s) in the attic! Totally lost my train of thought there. Oh well, here's to enjoying the day!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Bat Crazy...
This is hard for me to write. Harder than the lack of progress from my previous few posts. The last two weeks, I have gained weight. I know it's common for there to be some up and down when one is trying to lose or maintain weight, but for a couple of months I was staying within one or two pounds of the same weight. Then the last two weeks, it was up by four pounds total. I know why. I've been eating junk, skimping out on exercise, and for the last week my sleep schedule has been completely upside down. It's so hard to find the drive to get back to making healthy choices, but one way or another, I am determined to do it.
Funny story. I mentioned my sleep schedule. Last Saturday night, I was sitting in the living room, doing something on my computer. It was pretty late, the house was totally quiet (more so than normal since I was the only person here), when I see a dark blur and a big shadow fly across the kitchen doorway. My immediate thought was, "Oh great, there's a bat in the house." So I watch for a minute, then go back to what I was doing. A few seconds later, the bat comes flying through the living room, into the dining room, then through the kitchen again, and around and around in crazy circles trying to find a way out. I started to freak out a little, because it was flying about halfway between the floor and the ceiling, and I was feeling a little trapped.
Then it flew about two inches above my head, and I really started freaking out (for me). It was pretty late by then, and I was the only one in the house and had no idea what to do. I called my mom, she's in California for a visit, so it wasn't near as late there. While I was on the phone with her, the bat flew close to my head a couple more times, and each time I hunched farther down on the couch, until I decided it would be better to crouch down on the floor and figure out a way to get down the hall and shut myself up in one of the bedrooms. Mom suggested I run to her room, since it has the attached master bathroom. Problem was, I didn't dare move for fear of the bat. Even while I was crouched on the floor, that darn bat was swooping down entirely too close to me for comfort. I ended up lying down on the floor in the shadow of the coffee table, still on the phone with mom trying to calm down enough to get to the relative safety of the master bedroom. At one point while the bat was flying through the dining room and kitchen, I gathered up my things and made a dash down the hall, closing doors to the other rooms along the way.
I was still too freaked out to do anything about the bat, and too on edge to get any sleep at all that night. I never considered myself a wuss before when it came to creepy, crawly, or flying things, but apparently I am terrified of bats! It took me a couple of days to recover, and even though I didn't see the bat again after that first night I spent most of that time shut up in the master bedroom.
Funny story. I mentioned my sleep schedule. Last Saturday night, I was sitting in the living room, doing something on my computer. It was pretty late, the house was totally quiet (more so than normal since I was the only person here), when I see a dark blur and a big shadow fly across the kitchen doorway. My immediate thought was, "Oh great, there's a bat in the house." So I watch for a minute, then go back to what I was doing. A few seconds later, the bat comes flying through the living room, into the dining room, then through the kitchen again, and around and around in crazy circles trying to find a way out. I started to freak out a little, because it was flying about halfway between the floor and the ceiling, and I was feeling a little trapped.
Then it flew about two inches above my head, and I really started freaking out (for me). It was pretty late by then, and I was the only one in the house and had no idea what to do. I called my mom, she's in California for a visit, so it wasn't near as late there. While I was on the phone with her, the bat flew close to my head a couple more times, and each time I hunched farther down on the couch, until I decided it would be better to crouch down on the floor and figure out a way to get down the hall and shut myself up in one of the bedrooms. Mom suggested I run to her room, since it has the attached master bathroom. Problem was, I didn't dare move for fear of the bat. Even while I was crouched on the floor, that darn bat was swooping down entirely too close to me for comfort. I ended up lying down on the floor in the shadow of the coffee table, still on the phone with mom trying to calm down enough to get to the relative safety of the master bedroom. At one point while the bat was flying through the dining room and kitchen, I gathered up my things and made a dash down the hall, closing doors to the other rooms along the way.
I was still too freaked out to do anything about the bat, and too on edge to get any sleep at all that night. I never considered myself a wuss before when it came to creepy, crawly, or flying things, but apparently I am terrified of bats! It took me a couple of days to recover, and even though I didn't see the bat again after that first night I spent most of that time shut up in the master bedroom.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Commitment
It's been too long since my last post. I'm still struggling with getting back on track and staying the course - I've stayed around the same weight, within a pound or two either direction, for two months now. That's certainly better than gaining back what I lost, but if I don't get it together I will start gaining. I haven't been tracking my nutrition or even trying to eat healthy or sensibly, though I have at least tried to keep from going overboard most of the time. I also haven't been exercising hardly at all, other than the little I get when I water the garden or a walk now and then. In other words, more of the same I've been writing about for a while now.
It's past time I commit to a definite workout schedule and recommit to balanced nutrition. I'm not sure what time I'll be finished working for today, but I should have time this evening for a walk, so I'll start there and then walk tomorrow evening as well. I'll start with 30 minutes a day, five days next week, and work my way back up from there. I'll try mornings next week to see how that goes, then decide where to go from there. I'm going to start using SparkPeople to track everything again, and post here periodically to report my progress and update my goals.
It's past time I commit to a definite workout schedule and recommit to balanced nutrition. I'm not sure what time I'll be finished working for today, but I should have time this evening for a walk, so I'll start there and then walk tomorrow evening as well. I'll start with 30 minutes a day, five days next week, and work my way back up from there. I'll try mornings next week to see how that goes, then decide where to go from there. I'm going to start using SparkPeople to track everything again, and post here periodically to report my progress and update my goals.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Getting back to work
I mentioned before that I had been sick. I ended up getting worse after my last post, and I'm still sick now but nearly better. My exercise for the last week and a half has consisted almost entirely of watering the grass and vegetable garden. It really is a pretty decent workout, wrestling with the hose and getting everything watered, but I'm ready to start walking again too. Over the last week, I lost what I had gained back the week before, which is encouraging. Now to just keep moving in the right direction.
I really want to get in good enough shape to try running, but that will be a while. I've been looking at some tips for getting started, and I know there's a lot I can do now that will make the transition to running easier. Pushing myself harder, either faster or farther, during my walks is one big thing. It's something I need to be doing anyway just for the sake of getting enough exercise. Strengthening exercises are another plus, and though I will not be going to the gym again until fall, I'm planning some things I can do on my own at home. And finally, eating healthy, balanced meals so that I'm getting the proper nutrition is essential. Nothing new, I know, but definitely things I need to remember and keep working on. And while it will be several months at the earliest before I can even start running, it's good to have goals to look forward to!
I really want to get in good enough shape to try running, but that will be a while. I've been looking at some tips for getting started, and I know there's a lot I can do now that will make the transition to running easier. Pushing myself harder, either faster or farther, during my walks is one big thing. It's something I need to be doing anyway just for the sake of getting enough exercise. Strengthening exercises are another plus, and though I will not be going to the gym again until fall, I'm planning some things I can do on my own at home. And finally, eating healthy, balanced meals so that I'm getting the proper nutrition is essential. Nothing new, I know, but definitely things I need to remember and keep working on. And while it will be several months at the earliest before I can even start running, it's good to have goals to look forward to!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Another week slipped by
So, I have let yet another week slip by me. I did make a decision about what I'll do for the summer for resistance training, but I didn't follow through with it yet, and now I'm having second thoughts about spending the money on it. I probably don't have the money for it now anyway. It's not so bad, as long as I keep doing -something- on my own. A few basic strength training exercises at home, plus cardio five or six days a week for the summer would be fine. Then I can start up at the rec center again in the Fall.
On Monday I had to make an emergency dentist visit. I got a temporary filling, and tomorrow I'm supposed to get foundation work done for crowns, but I might have to reschedule because I'm sick. I'm going to have to have two crowns - there goes all the money I had managed to save, and then some. That was supposed to go toward tuition in the Fall. I'm just hoping at this point that I don't have to have a root canal too. We're doing a wait and see game for that. I won't know for sure until the visit after
Oh right, I've been sick all week with a nasty head cold, which doesn't help anything. I really need to just push through and make myself get moving again. I know I won't be able to go full speed ahead until I'm well, but I'm not sick enough that I can't do anything at all. So I'm going to start small again. I'll take a leisurely walk this evening after I do the watering (newly planted grass and a vegetable garden). Tomorrow I'll walk a little harder, either faster or father or both, and progressively work my way back up to where I should be. I need to start blogging more often too. Maybe then I'll have more incentive to actually follow through with my exercise plan so I'll have something positive to write about!
On Monday I had to make an emergency dentist visit. I got a temporary filling, and tomorrow I'm supposed to get foundation work done for crowns, but I might have to reschedule because I'm sick. I'm going to have to have two crowns - there goes all the money I had managed to save, and then some. That was supposed to go toward tuition in the Fall. I'm just hoping at this point that I don't have to have a root canal too. We're doing a wait and see game for that. I won't know for sure until the visit after
Oh right, I've been sick all week with a nasty head cold, which doesn't help anything. I really need to just push through and make myself get moving again. I know I won't be able to go full speed ahead until I'm well, but I'm not sick enough that I can't do anything at all. So I'm going to start small again. I'll take a leisurely walk this evening after I do the watering (newly planted grass and a vegetable garden). Tomorrow I'll walk a little harder, either faster or father or both, and progressively work my way back up to where I should be. I need to start blogging more often too. Maybe then I'll have more incentive to actually follow through with my exercise plan so I'll have something positive to write about!
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
One hurdle down
Semester grades were made available online today, and I ended up faring better than expected! Two As, two Bs, and I have never been more thrilled about Bs than for those two classes. Especially Econometrics. That is the most challenging class I have ever taken. I am ecstatic that the semester went so well!
Yesterday and today, I have been so lazy, but that's not going to continue. I need to get back into a routine as far as meals and exercise are concerned, and especially sleep schedule. Tomorrow is decision day for what resistance training I will do through the summer. I'll also be spending time workout out some menu ideas tomorrow for the next few weeks. I'm working from 9am to 9pm on Friday, so that should help keep me from going too crazy with my sleep schedule - this week at least. When I'm at work is when I'm worst about what I eat though, so I'll need to plan carefully. I am determined to do better than I have in the past few weeks, doing more each day to improve my health and happiness.
Yesterday and today, I have been so lazy, but that's not going to continue. I need to get back into a routine as far as meals and exercise are concerned, and especially sleep schedule. Tomorrow is decision day for what resistance training I will do through the summer. I'll also be spending time workout out some menu ideas tomorrow for the next few weeks. I'm working from 9am to 9pm on Friday, so that should help keep me from going too crazy with my sleep schedule - this week at least. When I'm at work is when I'm worst about what I eat though, so I'll need to plan carefully. I am determined to do better than I have in the past few weeks, doing more each day to improve my health and happiness.
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Summer!
Well, I am finished with the semester! It feels great to have it done and behind me. I should know my grades tomorrow. I'm feeling pretty good about the semester. I have really loved being back in school, but I'm glad to have a break for the summer. None of my classes are offered during the summer, so I'll just focus on work and working on my health.
I still haven't settled on what to do for strength training for the summer. I keep going back and forth between paying $90 for a summer pass to the student rec center or buying a program my cousin recommended and working the program alongside her. The rec center works well for me, when I actually make myself go, but it might be nice to have more at-home workout options.
I still haven't settled on what to do for strength training for the summer. I keep going back and forth between paying $90 for a summer pass to the student rec center or buying a program my cousin recommended and working the program alongside her. The rec center works well for me, when I actually make myself go, but it might be nice to have more at-home workout options.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Realizations
As I lose weight, I keep finding fun little changes to be amazed about. A few weeks or months go by, and one day I suddenly realize, "Oh hey, my nose is getting smaller!" or "Wow, even my shoes are too big!" One day this week, my realization of the day was that for the first time I can remember, I can now cross my legs comfortably. It is always heartening to have such reminders along the way of the success I am achieving one day at a time. My weight loss has slowed down a bit over the last few weeks, but mostly because I haven't been eating as well or exercising as much as I should.
I did feel like I was failing myself on a few occasions over the last few weeks, like when I gave in and had a binge on cookies, or put off going to the gym again (and again, still haven't been back for about three and a half weeks). But I have to put things in perspective. Considering how stressful school has become, I should be proud of myself for keeping it together as much as I have. If you let yourself, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that if you're not perfect on your diet or with your exercise plan (or whatever goal you are working for), you are a failure. I am not a failure. In spite of less than perfect diet and exercise, I have still continued to lose some weight, just not as much as I did when I was better about both. And sure, there have been a few times when I have been irresponsible about eating in the last few weeks, but I am still keeping track of everything I eat and keeping things under much better control than before I started making changes at the beginning of the year. So no, I'm not perfect, but I should not expect myself to be perfect either. The important thing is that I am moving in the right direction in spite of obstacles.
It's also important that I recognize the obstacles I face and the mistakes I make along the way, because if I'm not learning from my experiences what good is it all? The simple fact that I am monitoring my nutrition and activity level helps me to learn so much more as I go. I feel so much more encouraged today than I did last week or the week before.
I did feel like I was failing myself on a few occasions over the last few weeks, like when I gave in and had a binge on cookies, or put off going to the gym again (and again, still haven't been back for about three and a half weeks). But I have to put things in perspective. Considering how stressful school has become, I should be proud of myself for keeping it together as much as I have. If you let yourself, it's easy to get caught up in the idea that if you're not perfect on your diet or with your exercise plan (or whatever goal you are working for), you are a failure. I am not a failure. In spite of less than perfect diet and exercise, I have still continued to lose some weight, just not as much as I did when I was better about both. And sure, there have been a few times when I have been irresponsible about eating in the last few weeks, but I am still keeping track of everything I eat and keeping things under much better control than before I started making changes at the beginning of the year. So no, I'm not perfect, but I should not expect myself to be perfect either. The important thing is that I am moving in the right direction in spite of obstacles.
It's also important that I recognize the obstacles I face and the mistakes I make along the way, because if I'm not learning from my experiences what good is it all? The simple fact that I am monitoring my nutrition and activity level helps me to learn so much more as I go. I feel so much more encouraged today than I did last week or the week before.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Excited for Summer!
It has been three weeks since I made it to the gym for resistance training. I have been super busy with school and work, but that's really just an excuse. I could have planned my time better and made working out a higher priority, but I just didn't. Definitely need to work on that. I have still been getting some walking in, but not as much as I should. I'm still undecided about whether to pay for a summer pass to the rec center (since I'm not taking classes and therefore not paying the mandatory fee to use the facilities over the summer), or find another workout program. I had better make up my mind soon though, since there are only two days left of classes and then a week of finals, then the semester will be over!
This morning I had a group presentation in my English composition class, which was the last major project for the course. All that I have left is to attend one more class period, and then show up for the final to get my last paper back and do an easy writing activity. I didn't have time to think about that right away since I have my Computer Science class right after English, but as I was heading to my car and then driving home after CS, I just felt giddy. A huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders - I finished my writing class, which is something that I have been struggling with for a while, and I did really well in it! I still have a good bit of work to do for my Math Software and Econometrics classes, but nothing that I can't handle in the time I have to do it. I am so excited about finishing the semester!
This morning I had a group presentation in my English composition class, which was the last major project for the course. All that I have left is to attend one more class period, and then show up for the final to get my last paper back and do an easy writing activity. I didn't have time to think about that right away since I have my Computer Science class right after English, but as I was heading to my car and then driving home after CS, I just felt giddy. A huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders - I finished my writing class, which is something that I have been struggling with for a while, and I did really well in it! I still have a good bit of work to do for my Math Software and Econometrics classes, but nothing that I can't handle in the time I have to do it. I am so excited about finishing the semester!
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