The Sugar Hangover

So after a week of not eating sugar, except for in my fruit, I splurged last night on a scrumptious home made (by me) berry shortcake with homemade pound cake and whipped cream dessert. Only half of the portion I gave my friends, but still delicious, with the intent that I would not allow myself another sugary serving of something for another week.
And today I really really felt it. I was sluggish all morning. The dog woke me at 8am (i usually am up at least an hour before then), and I really couldn't feel awake at all for the next two hours. At 10:30 I dragged myself to Target and then to the gym. And running on the treadmill for 30 mins or so really helped. Chris called this my "sugar hangover" and that's absolutely what it was. I can't wait to get back into the groove of the work week and count calories and eat right. Sounds crazy, but I really am excited about this.

I had the distinct honor of hanging with Fat Bridesmaid this evening. We went for a walk, hung out at a great Northern Kentucky Bar for a cocktail (with a great view of the Cincinnati skyline), and we chatted it up for a few hours. Aside from talking about food and work and life, I told her how I really felt like I was in my groove, and this was how I was going to get to my goal of a healthier me. And I meant it.

It was the perfect lazy Sunday. Sugar hangover and all! More coming soon about healing...stay tuned...

Letting Go of Stress

The past several weeks have helped me to realize that i need to learn to let go of some of my stress. It's certainly one of the causes of my weight struggles, and I firmly believe that it's responsible for the acid reflux I often experience, as well as some of the other health topics i've mentioned lately.

I've been trying hard to take care of myself a little better. REALLY take care of myself. I've been giving myself time to relax. Exercising because I know I need to, not skipping out because I feel like there are other things I NEED to do...like my volunteer work or cleaning my house, etc. That stuff can go by the wayside. And I realize I sound incredibly selfish, but guess what? Right now, it's all about ME!

I'm pretty proud of myself, too! I've started training for C25K, to run with Fat Bridesmaid in the late summer. Training has been going well, though I admit, I've fallen off the wagon a bit this weekend with two failed attempts to run with the dog, and he just hasn't behaved. It's back to the gym, or going it alone this weekend. Tomorrow I'm having a couple of girlfriends over after work for wine and dinner by the bite. Am I stressing about getting the house immaculate? No! I've picked up, I've dusted, I have a clean kitchen and (will have a) clean bathroom. So I didn't get to wash the windows...who cares? My office/desk still have a couple of piles of clutter that need a good hour of my attention to sort through. Whatever! I still have a pile of Garage Sale items to be sorted in the guest room...oh well. Do you think my friends are going to care? Not a lick. I am giving myself a much-needed break from it all!

Work has been okay of late. I've been letting things slide off my back a bit, and venting to my friend and co-worker Tim when I need to. I have been getting to the office on time, and not staying more than 30 minutes late. I get out every day at lunch for at least 10-15 minutes for fresh air and sunshine!

I started seeing an accupuncturist last weekend, and have an appointment with an herbalist next week. I'm making strides toward a healthier me, with a holistic approach to my own well-being. The accupuncture was interesting. I've been off caffeine for 6 days by his request (this is no easy task!), and have been monitoring my diet closely (though I know i'm going to be reprimanded for the 2 beers Sunday, 3 last night, and the wine tomorrow night!). I go to see him again this Saturday, and will see from there how often I want to committ to this treatment.

I hope I can report back a month from now and still say I'm doing this well in my own self-treatment! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Success!

I have been planning a professional speaking event for nine months that happened this past Tuesday. This is one of the main reasons I have been so busy in the new year. I am happy to report that it was a raging success. I raised enough money to bring in five speakers (two local, three national) to speak on sustainability as it pertains to my profession, beginning the night with companies exhibiting their goods, and happy hour with free booze. Who doesn't love free stuff?

We sold out - 130 people. And to boot, the speakers that I had the privilege of entertaining while they were here were fantastic people. Staying up playing pool and having beers with one of your professional heroes - a guy that is WELL known throughout my profession - was just out of this world. I managed to make a few bucks on the event as well for the chapter. I came out of the event totally inspired to set some professional goals for myself and to reach out to a new contact about some insights and opportunities.

On the flip side, I'm feeling a little sad that it's all over. It was sort of like planning a wedding - you plan and plan and plan for nine months, all the people come out that you had hoped would be there, and then it's just over so quickly. And it's a little sad.

But I definitely think it's motivating me to take better care of myself. I really put myself and my health last over the past couple of months, and my body is really feeling the effects.

I'm up today to start the week off fresh with a trip to the public market and a little later, a trip to the gym.

I love the weekend!

A Long Overdue Update

I haven't written here in a long while. I've fallen off the wagon, unfortunately, and haven't been able to get back on just yet. I am trying every day. I just need to DO IT. That's why I've been reluctant to write. Lots of things have been holding me up. I'm taking some medication that's really screwing with me emotionally, not to mention the headaches, the nausea and just feeling down about taking this particular medication at all. I can't say i've gorged myself too much, but I haven't been making an effort to plan my meals as much, and I certainly haven't been exercising.

This weekend has gotten off to a better start. I made whole grain blueberry pancakes yesterday and froze them for breakfasts over the next several weeks. Tonight I'm making a new asian dish from my Bon Appetít magazine. I bought the stuff to make my favorite turkey chili recipe today, baby spinach salad ingredients, along with some good grab and go snacks for work like baked tostitos and salsa, and yogurt. I know if I get back on track i'm bound to pop out of this mental fog that I have been in. I have downloaded two episodes of Flight of the Conchordes for working out either later tonight or tomorrow. Menstrual cramps be damned!

*****
The guy at the gym update: Thanks to everyone who expressed their concern and advice about the situation. A few days later, i went back to the gym, and the same gentleman was sitting at the desk. As I checked in and said hello, he stood up and looked at my left hand as I scanned in. He did this very deliberately but looked right at my wedding band and said "OH, Nicole! I'm so sorry!" He then proceeded to apologize saying that he didn't realize i was married, and that he shouldn't have said what he said to me. I told him I appreciate the apology, and that I thought he was aware that I was married (afterall, I have specifically mentioned my husband to him on more than one occasion). And I haven't been back to the gym in two weeks. I'm sure he thinks i'm avoiding him. Which isn't the case (i'm just lazy and well...see above:) ), but it amuses me to think that he may be fretting it.

A Very Quick Update

I started back on Weight Watchers about 10 days ago, and weighed in Friday with a 4 pound loss that I was VERY proud of. I'm experimenting a bit with some things this time to help myself stay on track. And I'm figuring out a few things about myself:

• I do better staying on track if I don't deprive myself. I'm allocating Saturday's as "cheat" days. That basically mean's i'm working to keep my flex points for Saturdays so I can enjoy a glass of wine or two, and nibble on an appetizer before a meal out.

• I've realized what I don't like about my workout routine: weight machines. I'm okay with not doing them everytime. Right now i'm doing 45 mins on the arc trainer 4-5 times per week, and weights one day a week. I even took a Pilates class last week (which I skipped today because my back was hurting for some reason). I'm very proud of my commitment to the gym so far!

• In a little under two weeks I've already felt a difference in my jeans. And it's motivating me to keep going. I need to keep trying on clothes that were tight or couldn't wear to see how i'm progressing and really feel the difference!

Putting My Money Where My Mouth Is

I've taken on a new responsibility outside of work. As a board member for this organization it is my job to raise awareness about environmental issues as they pertain to my profession as well as the world we live in.

Last night I had the wild realization that I need to make some more changes in my own daily life to truly perform this role at my best. Cincinnati is a huge commuter city. In a survey released by Forbes, I found out that Cincinnati is the sixth most expensive commuter city in the nation.

I'm going to go outside of my comfort zone tomorrow and ride the bus to work. This is a big deal in this city because my commute is short (5 miles), and I have free parking at my office. So i'll walk a few blocks to the bus stop from home, and a few blocks from the bus stop into my office. It will make my day a little longer, but it will be an interesting experiment. Like a wise philosopher once said "it's not easy being green."

I'd like to keep the momentum and do this at least twice a week on my way into work. I often have activities planned for after work that will last beyond the bus schedule. But reducing my carbon emissions by 40% every week is a big deal, I think.

We'll see.

Going Green

We are making a concerted effort to go green in our home. It's a slow process, mostly because of the adjustment to our budget, but we definitely feel good about it. Here's a list of some of the things we're doing:

• We now use energy efficient light bulbs in every place we can in our home - these last 10 times longer than the other type, and use 2/3's of the energy.

• We support local business.

• We buy organic food products. This has not been a complete transition yet, mostly because the stores near us don't have enough options yet. We are buying only organic milk, yogurt and eggs. We buy our meat from a local butcher shop, and the meat comes from local resources. We buy organic produce as often as available. Always on our greens, apples, oranges, mangoes.

• We've expanded our garden. It's a completely organic garden. This year we'll be growing Tomatoes, Zucchini, Red Peppers, Green Beans, Parsley, Basil, Cilantro (possibly a few other herbs, tbd once I get through my herb book!).

• Plans are in the works to make our home more energy efficient. Big plans for the tax return this year. We are getting glass block windows in our basement (finally), and blowing insulation into our eavespace. If money allows, we'll be insulating our basement ceiling as well. Eventually, i'd like to purchase energy efficient storm doors. Our front door is particularly old, but it's beautiful and adds to the character of the house. A new storm door will help us keep it.

• We purchased an energy efficient refrigerator in December. We have vowed to research our energy efficient options on all of our purchases. It was particularly important with a purchase this big. I am researching sustainable flooring options for our kitchen (particularly interested in bamboo and cork) as well.

• I am starting compost bins in our yard (and i am VERY excited about this).

• I have purchased compostable and biodegradable (ethanol free!) waste bags.

It's really all been quite simple to do. I just wish everyone would consider making some effort for a greener lifestyle. It would make a world of difference.