I've been battling a head cold/sinus infection since New Year's Eve. Yesterday was definitely the day that I felt the worst I have felt through it all.
I have done SO well with food choices, with working out, and with just generally keeping myself active - and proactive. Not sitting on the couch or the computer doing nothing. I come home and prepare our meal, think about what we'll eat the next day, get both lunches packed and dinner ready as it can be, set the coffee timer and do the dishes. And i've been rocking my workouts.
But last night, I decided what I really needed more than anything was sleep. I worked late and didn't get home until close to 7pm. We had dinner and cleaned up and I was exhausted. I hadn't had a good night's sleep. I was coughing a LOT, and it kept me up. So I skipped the workout. I spent a little time reading (in bed), and then some time catching up with Chris on the day's events. And I was asleep at 9:15. And it was glorious. I needed it so much. I feel world's better this morning. And i'm not feeling guilty. I stayed within my calorie range and made good food choices all day. Hooray.
I am looking forward to returning to the gym tonight though. And putting in a bit of extra effort in case tomorrow morning's workout doesn't happen. A snow storm's coming our way in the morning. But plans can change for tomorrow night! And I must say - it feels darn good to be back on track, eating right and exercising.
Even though i'm sick, i've been feeling so much better than I have in months. And I need to keep telling myself this every day. Every time there's chocolate in the office, or a pizza lunch at work, or happy hour with greasy food. I don't really want that stuff. It makes me feel awful afterwards, and guilty to boot.
Wednesday, January 06, 2010
Monday, January 04, 2010
GOAL: Week of January 3
This week my goal is to finish reading my first book of the year, A Thousand Splendid Suns, and to do something extra nice for my husband every day this week. I'll be sure to report back in on this next week. :)
Sunday, January 03, 2010
LIES...and 2010 Goals
I haven't posted anything in quite awhile. Because I feel like a liar. I got on my high horse about all the hard work I was going to do and about my new herbal teas, and I failed miserably after just a few days and gave up. So now I'm back, and with several days under my belt of doing all the things I said I would do, I'm here to share my resolutions for the year, all of which revolve on the theme of making more time for myself, which I've never been very good at, and ultimately to lose weight:
1. Make weekly meal plans and stick to them
2. Workout 6 days a week (Friday is set as my day off), and schedule this weekly on the calendar.
3. Eat out less. 1-2 times per week max. This is much better than the 5-6 I have been doing.
4. Track all of my food intake on a spreadsheet. Aim to stay below 1200 calories/day, and for workouts to burn at least 400 calories each (I realize this is modest, but it's a start).
5. Save money and pay off looming debt. My goal is to have my credit cards paid off by the end of this year. It's doable. Then we can officially focus on saving money for the adoption fees that are about twice what I expected them to be! (goals 1 and 2 will directly help this goal move along)
6. Incorporate more fun in my life, and concentrate spending free time with people who build me up, not bring me down. In other words - people with good energy who are fun to be around. (Chris and I have already signed up for a ballroom dancing class starting later this month - I can't wait!).
7. Read more. I am ashamed to say I read 2 books (and lots of magazines) in 2009. This year, I am going to change that. I'm already 2/3rds of the way through my first book of the year (which I started on Saturday). I am dedicating at least 30 mins every day to read. A book, a magazine, the newspaper, whatever. My goal is to finish 6 books this year, along with my magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
8. Make a weekly goal aside from these to help aid in these goals, and post them weekly here each Monday on my blog.
Any big resolutions for anyone else? I'm not sure if it's the excitement of one hellish year being over with, but I am SUPER motivated on these this year. I think it's going to be a really really great year!
1. Make weekly meal plans and stick to them
2. Workout 6 days a week (Friday is set as my day off), and schedule this weekly on the calendar.
3. Eat out less. 1-2 times per week max. This is much better than the 5-6 I have been doing.
4. Track all of my food intake on a spreadsheet. Aim to stay below 1200 calories/day, and for workouts to burn at least 400 calories each (I realize this is modest, but it's a start).
5. Save money and pay off looming debt. My goal is to have my credit cards paid off by the end of this year. It's doable. Then we can officially focus on saving money for the adoption fees that are about twice what I expected them to be! (goals 1 and 2 will directly help this goal move along)
6. Incorporate more fun in my life, and concentrate spending free time with people who build me up, not bring me down. In other words - people with good energy who are fun to be around. (Chris and I have already signed up for a ballroom dancing class starting later this month - I can't wait!).
7. Read more. I am ashamed to say I read 2 books (and lots of magazines) in 2009. This year, I am going to change that. I'm already 2/3rds of the way through my first book of the year (which I started on Saturday). I am dedicating at least 30 mins every day to read. A book, a magazine, the newspaper, whatever. My goal is to finish 6 books this year, along with my magazine and newspaper subscriptions.
8. Make a weekly goal aside from these to help aid in these goals, and post them weekly here each Monday on my blog.
Any big resolutions for anyone else? I'm not sure if it's the excitement of one hellish year being over with, but I am SUPER motivated on these this year. I think it's going to be a really really great year!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Holiday Slump
It's been a funny holiday season in our house. I've really been in the holiday spirit, moreso than years past, but not so much in the spirit to concentrate on myself, as my plans included in my last blog posting. I have lost a few pounds in the last month or two, but not because of a healthy plan for living - because I haven't been snacking, and most weekends i'm only eating one meal a day. I'm thinking about food far less as my mind is consumed with other things these days.
The more I think about it, it makes sense to me why I don't want to devote that time and energy. I am keeping myself busy, but I am doing anything I can to avoid really thinking about what's been going on in my life for the last year. When I have the down time, I get really down. I've been keeping myself busy with Christmas baking, holiday cards, gift wrapping and decorating.
Now I can say my baking is nearing an end (only 4 more batches to make - I should have them done by the weekend), my Christmas cards are out, my house is decorated and my shopping is done (most of the wrapping is done, too!). Yesterday it all hit me like a ton of bricks as I took the evening off to relax and found myself lounging on the couch with some sappy movies and a box of tissues.
As I approach the New Year, i'm preparing for reality to hit. I'm working on a household budget, and trying really hard to talk myself into a healthy diet an exercise plan that I can settle into. I've started a list of creative projects for myself, including an Etsy shop to sell some of these projects (I am thinking birthday, birth announcements, wedding and baby shower and thank you cards, mostly). I'm trying to carve out some time to market myself as a freelance designer as well. I think keeping busy is going to be the key to staying on track.
Not exactly a New Year's resolution yet, but I'm getting there. What are you working towards this Holiday season?
The more I think about it, it makes sense to me why I don't want to devote that time and energy. I am keeping myself busy, but I am doing anything I can to avoid really thinking about what's been going on in my life for the last year. When I have the down time, I get really down. I've been keeping myself busy with Christmas baking, holiday cards, gift wrapping and decorating.
Now I can say my baking is nearing an end (only 4 more batches to make - I should have them done by the weekend), my Christmas cards are out, my house is decorated and my shopping is done (most of the wrapping is done, too!). Yesterday it all hit me like a ton of bricks as I took the evening off to relax and found myself lounging on the couch with some sappy movies and a box of tissues.
As I approach the New Year, i'm preparing for reality to hit. I'm working on a household budget, and trying really hard to talk myself into a healthy diet an exercise plan that I can settle into. I've started a list of creative projects for myself, including an Etsy shop to sell some of these projects (I am thinking birthday, birth announcements, wedding and baby shower and thank you cards, mostly). I'm trying to carve out some time to market myself as a freelance designer as well. I think keeping busy is going to be the key to staying on track.
Not exactly a New Year's resolution yet, but I'm getting there. What are you working towards this Holiday season?
Sunday, November 15, 2009
The Herbal Option
For several weeks I've been moping. I haven't been going to the gym regularly. I've been eating out far too often, and though I am certainly not overeating, I have not been making good food choices. Not nearly enough vegetables, far too much sugar and carbohydrates in general, and fried foods galore.
Today I talked myself into stopping all of that and putting my best foot forward again. I met with my herbalist today. We've been working together for several months, but because she had major surgery and major recovery that followed, I just got my teas today. I'm really excited about it. She concocted a loose tea blend just for me. It's called "Nikki's Tea." :) The herbs and roots in it were combined to help me in three areas that we identified to help my body: Weight loss, mood enhancement and digestion. My first batch of tea is steeping now, and since it contains various roots, it's supposed to steep overnight. I can't wait to try it in the morning. 1-2 cups per day.
Along with it, she gave me a list of recommendations for eating and supplements to keep up. I took a trip to whole foods and stocked up on organic foods for the week. I spent a good portion of the day cooking in preparation of packing my lunch at least 4 times this week, and being prepared to cook meals that will be easy to make after work. I went to the gym and hit the arc trainer for an hour tonight. And it felt fantastic to be there and to be back. I've even turned down two invites for things to do this week knowing that it's not about what I want to look like or what size I want to wear, but that my body needs me to do what's right and get my own care in check.
I don't expect these teas to work miracles. But I do expect to see some small improvements in my energy level, my cravings, and hopefully my digestive problems. I have promised myself that it's okay to slip up sometimes, or skip a day at the gym if my heels are bothering me (which i am certain is because of excess weight, and why I had to stop my running training), but I have to get right back on the path afterwards. Not the next day, but the next moment.
I think I make it too hard for myself sometimes, and if I focus less on how food makes me feel and more about what it does for me, I should be able to maintain this focus.
Today I talked myself into stopping all of that and putting my best foot forward again. I met with my herbalist today. We've been working together for several months, but because she had major surgery and major recovery that followed, I just got my teas today. I'm really excited about it. She concocted a loose tea blend just for me. It's called "Nikki's Tea." :) The herbs and roots in it were combined to help me in three areas that we identified to help my body: Weight loss, mood enhancement and digestion. My first batch of tea is steeping now, and since it contains various roots, it's supposed to steep overnight. I can't wait to try it in the morning. 1-2 cups per day.
Along with it, she gave me a list of recommendations for eating and supplements to keep up. I took a trip to whole foods and stocked up on organic foods for the week. I spent a good portion of the day cooking in preparation of packing my lunch at least 4 times this week, and being prepared to cook meals that will be easy to make after work. I went to the gym and hit the arc trainer for an hour tonight. And it felt fantastic to be there and to be back. I've even turned down two invites for things to do this week knowing that it's not about what I want to look like or what size I want to wear, but that my body needs me to do what's right and get my own care in check.
I don't expect these teas to work miracles. But I do expect to see some small improvements in my energy level, my cravings, and hopefully my digestive problems. I have promised myself that it's okay to slip up sometimes, or skip a day at the gym if my heels are bothering me (which i am certain is because of excess weight, and why I had to stop my running training), but I have to get right back on the path afterwards. Not the next day, but the next moment.
I think I make it too hard for myself sometimes, and if I focus less on how food makes me feel and more about what it does for me, I should be able to maintain this focus.
Monday, November 09, 2009
My Guiltiest Pleasures
I figured i'd start a little meme up here with some of my guilty pleasures. Things I don't normally admit too much to. Just for fun. Here goes:
1. 90210 (the original, and preferrably the high school years). It's on SoapNet nightly, and I watch it far too often!
2. Justin Timberlake. For real. Love him. And I'm such a music snob otherwise.
3. Crocs. I'll admit it, they're ugly as sin. But they are comfortable and I wear them around the house and the neighborhood all the time. But I will often deny their existence to my designer friends. :)
4. Michelina's Lean Gourmet Buffalo Chicken Rolls. I know they're packed full of preservatives and even though they say they're low fat, they're not good for me in any way. But once in awhile, they sure do curb that craving for buffalo wings instead of fatty greasy wings!
5. Target. Yes, I'm all about supporting local businesses, buying green products, whole foods and sustainable items. But a girl can't find plus size organic cotton/hemp/whatever clothing in boutique shops, unfortunately. I've always had a secret love for Target. It didn't always used to be so secret. But I definitely only make about 3 trips yearly, as opposed to the weekly trips I made previously.
What are your five guiltiest pleasures? Share them here or post them to your blog!
1. 90210 (the original, and preferrably the high school years). It's on SoapNet nightly, and I watch it far too often!
2. Justin Timberlake. For real. Love him. And I'm such a music snob otherwise.
3. Crocs. I'll admit it, they're ugly as sin. But they are comfortable and I wear them around the house and the neighborhood all the time. But I will often deny their existence to my designer friends. :)
4. Michelina's Lean Gourmet Buffalo Chicken Rolls. I know they're packed full of preservatives and even though they say they're low fat, they're not good for me in any way. But once in awhile, they sure do curb that craving for buffalo wings instead of fatty greasy wings!
5. Target. Yes, I'm all about supporting local businesses, buying green products, whole foods and sustainable items. But a girl can't find plus size organic cotton/hemp/whatever clothing in boutique shops, unfortunately. I've always had a secret love for Target. It didn't always used to be so secret. But I definitely only make about 3 trips yearly, as opposed to the weekly trips I made previously.
What are your five guiltiest pleasures? Share them here or post them to your blog!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
A Letter to My Family and Friends
Dear Family and Friends:
If I've worked up the nerve in the last several months and specifically in the last week to talk to you and confide in you about the news that we cannot have children, I have one simple request for you. While I know you're trying your best to be supportive, show concern, and be sensitive to a situation that more than likely causes you to be uncomfortable, please do us one favor: do not let the first question out of your mouth be "have you thought about adoption?"
The answer is, yes, we've thought about it. But the point is that when you ask that question you completely dismiss our feelings on the matter, and the fact that we are mourning a loss in our lives. Adoption is not easy. It's not an easy decision emotionally, financially or physically. And even though we want to proceed with the process, it requires a LOT of thought and decision making. Simply telling us you love us, you're keeping us in your thoughts, and making us laugh is what we need most.
Love,
Nikki
If I've worked up the nerve in the last several months and specifically in the last week to talk to you and confide in you about the news that we cannot have children, I have one simple request for you. While I know you're trying your best to be supportive, show concern, and be sensitive to a situation that more than likely causes you to be uncomfortable, please do us one favor: do not let the first question out of your mouth be "have you thought about adoption?"
The answer is, yes, we've thought about it. But the point is that when you ask that question you completely dismiss our feelings on the matter, and the fact that we are mourning a loss in our lives. Adoption is not easy. It's not an easy decision emotionally, financially or physically. And even though we want to proceed with the process, it requires a LOT of thought and decision making. Simply telling us you love us, you're keeping us in your thoughts, and making us laugh is what we need most.
Love,
Nikki
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