Blog before bed

Saturday, March 05, 2011

Today positively flew.

I think I thought about a million things to blog about today including (in no particular order)

- How my shopping habits have changed thanks to SP
- The challenge of eating healthy surrounded by 20-something year old guys
- My feelings on Wii-Fit
- How I don't gain weight on vacation
- My foe the snooze button
- Chewing gum to avoid eating so much

Topic I've picked? What vacation means to me.

You see, I think a lot of people go on vacation to relax. Makes sense, right? You're taking time from a job or other responsibilities and nothing sounds better than sitting back and doing nothing, right?

That's so not me.

In fact, when I go on vacation I plan a million things I want to do. I pick out tours and destinations and I make sure I have comfortable shoes. I've done a lot of travel in the last two years, mostly international. In a week and a half I'm headed to London again and I just know it's going to be a boost to my lifestyle. Imagine, spending days getting up around 7:30 where you just don't stop walking until around 8:00 PM? I don't log my vacations as exercise, but I'm sure they are.

Really, I don't even eat as much on them, either. I'm so focused on enjoying being in a foreign place that while I might enjoy a meal out - I'm not stopping to pick up things to fill my mouth with.

So, here's to my birthday in London this year, hopefully a great compliment to my new lifestyle!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KAZINMICH 3/7/2011 12:51PM

That Totally sounds like me on Vacation!!! I want to move, explore, visit, find, get in trouble.. i mean.. um.. lol!!! Vacation is a way to get away from my reality of every day living, and find new places, people, and things to laugh about, take pictures of, and enjoy. I'm jealous of your birthday in London. I will do that some day. My daughter has 2 more years of High School left, I'm hoping once she's in college things will settle down for us and we can begin really enjoying life, traveling, having fun. of course we will try to have a vacation with her every year, but all the possibilities open up! Report Inappropriate Comment

TECAVINESS 3/5/2011 11:59PM

Sounds like you have a plan. I think you will have a great time on your vacation. I am jealous. Here's to your new healthy lifestyle. Enjoy. Report Inappropriate Comment

For yesterday

Saturday, March 05, 2011

So, I needed to do a blog for yesterday.. today.

Why? Because it's a commitment I made to myself.

So, yesterday was my usualy half-day friday at work. I was done at 11:30AM.

At a couple of points during the day I came up with a few things to do. I thought about treating myself to a massage or maybe going out for a pedicure. I also thought about going to the movies. However, I did something I rarely do - I chose to be active. While I wasn't as active in the formal sense (I didn't go for a jog or do a work out video) I spent from 12:00 until 6:00PM cleaning. I didn't stop moving. I did my windows, polished my furniture, vaccuumed my car. I just went balls to the walls trying to keep on moving.

The side effect of that was come 8:30 or so all I wanted to do was sleep.

And sleep I did.

Until 8:00 this morning.

For the first time in ages I woke up before 11 on a Saturday and I Felt like moving.

I'm actually starting to feel healthier.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

GEMINI-ROSE 3/5/2011 7:45PM

I always sleep better after a day of eating heathly and exercising. Isn't nice? Report Inappropriate Comment

2011.03.03 Weekly Video Blog

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Just a daily thought and saying Hello!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RACKETMOM 3/4/2011 5:33PM

Hi, saw your post about restaurants-your username caught my eye because I'm a SH Lewis too! I'm glad you told your name-I'm not a Shannon but a Shelia! Keep SParkin-sounds like you're definately headed the right direction! Small changes will lead to huge successes later!! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELSDAWNING 3/3/2011 8:54PM

Great BLOG!! I love the videos where I get to really see you! It is ! Okay so way to go on incorporating extra movement in your day! whoo hoo on the boot camp day 2 !! Go you!! You keep it up! SAUCE!! Comment edited on: 3/3/2011 8:54:55 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

Comparisons

Thursday, March 03, 2011

It's easy to think I won't compare myself to other people - I mean, really, they have their own lifestyle and what they do to be healthy. On the other hand, it's hard not to compare myself to myself.

I wasn't always 'obese.' I mean, I have been overweight my entire life, but I was 'healthy' once upon a time. I could run, and do football style field drills, and I felt good. I know that this was over a decade ago now, but I can still remember how that felt.

Now I struggle to do moutainclimbers.

Goodness.

I'm having a bit of a down day - nothing terrible. I mean, I accomplished a lot today! I admitted that maybe now wasn't a good time to eat out. I did a good amount of cardio and I did my bootcamp vid. I also took the stairs even when I wanted to be lazy. I'm taking small steps, and I feel like I can keep this momentum going.

It took me a decade to get out of shape, it's going to take me more than two weeks to get back in.

Today's BEST thing: Not eating out.
Today's CHALLENGE: Not being too hard on myself.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KAZINMICH 3/3/2011 8:56PM

I hate mountain climbers! I still can't do them after a month of biggest loser dvds! I am getting there though. My favorite high school basketball thing was those suicide drills - start line, free throw line, start line, half court, start line, other teams free throw line, start line, end line, then race to start line.. that and those squat stance, running sideways with your hands up, then backwards, then sideways the other way, then back up.. lol.. following the lines. I'm planing on cleaning up the basement enough to do some of those same drills. Anyway, one step at a time, one day at a time, and pat yourself on the back. It wasn't until I lost 30 lbs that I actually felt like I started to accomplish something!!! Ugh!!! Wishing you the best! Report Inappropriate Comment

Of Starbucks Coffee, 28 days, and the munchies

Wednesday, March 02, 2011

So, today started with visiting the snooze alarm again. I had such high hopes of maybe making another day! Oh, well, tomorrow is another chance at not snoozing. I think part of the problem was that I had stayed up so late last night. Well, tonight is another night and tomorrow another morning.

One thing that has improved is my timeliness to work. Usually I'm about 20 minutes late - lately I've been right on time! I don't know if I'll ever be the sort to get there -early- per se; but, this is certainly an improvement!

Speaking of work routines I have to say that I think my taste buds are changing. I'm a Starbucks Junkie. My friends and family know that I love the place. Well, loved. I don't even usually get the over priced crazy specialty drinks, either. No, just a Tall (small) coffee in a grande (medium) cup and I'm happy. Throw in two splendas and a couple ounces of half and half and I'm usually ready for my day,

Not this morning.

This morning I had my coffee and it just didn't taste like what I wanted... Maybe I just got a bad batch. Please don't take my love away from me!


In other happenings I've joined a bunch of challenges. First is the MARCH challenge through the Determination and Accountability group. Points are earned as follows (1 point per letter) M: Motivate 2 members per day; A: Accountability through blogging; R: Rest at least 7 hours; C: Crunches (25); and H: Hydrate with 8 glasses. So far I've got eight points. The Motivation bit was the hardest for me because I hadn't interacted with anyone in the group. I hope I haven't creeped anyone out with my random notes! Oh, and I totally stowed away in a conference room to do my crunches over lunch...

The other challenge I joined was the 28 day bootcamp. I'm super stoked for this one. After 10 minutes I really feel like I can do something. Though, I can't say I'm too pleased with my performance so far. It was disappointing to think I used to be able to do squat thrusts and mountainclimbers and now I'm struggling. Well, in time, I'll get those skills back.

Last topic of tonight is the munchies. The worst sort of munchies I realize are just boredom. UGH. Well, I'm trying to curb them by eating only fruits and vegetables as snacks. Here's hoping it works. Well, that's kind of a lie.. I wanted chocolate like a fiend today. So, I broke into one of my favorite Swedish chocolate bars (I had like twelve once upon a time, let's not speak of the deceased...) and curbed myself at six squares. Sure, it was indulgent, but it tasted so good...

Now for the Best thing of the day and my challenge

The Best thing of Today: Discovering Orange Bell Pepper. OMG, how have I lived my life without it?

Today's Challenge: Staying out in the cold to walk the dog!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

IRONGRANNIE 3/3/2011 7:40PM

Sounds like you are doing really well. I hate those late night munchies. I go clean my teeth because it makes everything taste awful! Report Inappropriate Comment

ANGELSDAWNING 3/3/2011 10:51AM

on your decision for new challenges! Report Inappropriate Comment

EVILPASSION 3/2/2011 8:14PM

ah....i find that things i liked.....i don't. vienna sausages are pretty much gone for me :-(( I feel your pain Report Inappropriate Comment