Woe is me!

Sun, 19 May 2013 08:48:36 EST

#1 on my to-do list today is visit a CVS clinic regarding the sinus infection that came on last night. I have no energy at all, and my head feels like it's stuffed tight with cotton wads. I'll spare you the other details.

But I did drag myself out the door to walk to the PO with husband who didn't mind my snail's pace. The sun is shining, it's a beautiful day, and I was hoping that some movement would clear my head a little. It didn't. Clinic, here I come. 198

Grocery Store Workout

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:04:20 EST

Yesterday's shopping stop turned into some bonus fitness minutes by simply

Walking briskly through all aisles twice
Reaching/stretching for items highest or lowest on shelves
Taking items out of cart for checkout one at a time, good twist
Smiling and saying "No, thanks!" to bagger's offer to take groceries to car
Returning cart to inside of store

Monday's goals CAN DO

Mon, 6 May 2013 12:33:22 EST

30 min exercise - 3 min to go. I'm staring at lots of small print at work, have to take stretch breaks, and went for short walk on lunch break. I'll get those other three min in easily! Did it - 27 + 25 more walk = 57 min. 67

STAY WITHIN CAL RANGE TODAY. Have been stressed and struggling. So far, so good. 380 cal for breakfast, 380 for lunch. On my 4th cup of coffee; it's REALLY Monday! Using fat free half & half--or the cashew almond coffee cream I picked up ye...

What's in [my] name? Requiem for Sable

Sun, 7 Apr 2013 19:42:23 EST

He was a big beautiful Maine Coon, black with a thick double coat that needed lots of brushing and an especially long handsome set of whiskers. We met at the SPCA when a volunteer handed me an armful of year old, still gangly, but very large substantial cat. It was love at first sight.

I'd gone looking for another cat since our current kitty's sibling and littermate had died, leaving him so lonesome and grieving that we thought we might lose him, too. I brought Sable home to che...

Day 86 Better than expected dr appt!

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 22:02:00 EST

Surprise--in spite of a month of not so great eating, my bloodwork looked good. This doctor's scale showed two pounds less than the one I saw Monday. Was I wearing two more pounds of clothes??? Are all doctors' office scales made so as to give you the highest numbers possible??? Whatever, I don't care; I'll continue using my home scale as my standard because it's what I use all time. Whether it's spot-on accurate doesn't matter to me as much as seeing it move in the right direction.
...

Day 85 Never mind those other days; today was GOOD!

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 20:16:38 EST

Oof. Bad week; stress eating; dragging through the days after a couple nights of insomnia. I'm sure my bloodwork will reflect all that at tomorrow's dr appt. However, that being said--

Today has been really good. It's spring break, and after resting up on the weekend followed by a Monday full of appointments, I feel really good today. I've eaten well within cal range, got lots of housework done--and took time out to drop some books at the library and work on a puzzle. That wa...

Days 76 & 77 turning around

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:33:33 EST

Having some computer issues, GRR. Good meals today and out for a walk on break to clear my mind.

Days 71-75 MIA almost a WEEK???

Sat, 16 Mar 2013 18:33:52 EST

THANK YOU, friends, for comments, goodies, encouragement on being in the Meow Spotlight. I appreciate every one of you.

I had choices to make this week that boiled down to rest--or Spark. I've lost my consistency streak because I needed to simply sit and be still or go to bed really early after a week of filling in at another office. I have not done well with food or exercise; being tired throws my motivation right out the window.

I've been working FT for 5 months, ...

Day 70 ASK for help when you need it

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 12:25:54 EST

After nearly a month that included being away for an 8 day retreat, daughter moving across the country, and big workload, "I'm so far behind, I think I'm first!" Not original with me; I spotted it a in co-worker's cubicle.

Bright idea: GET HELP. Why is it so hard to a) admit you need help and b) ask for it? I did both and hired Char Lady for three hours. This dear soul is a pleasure to work with, doesn't make me feel bad about my mess, does everything beyond thorough. :-) My chande...

Days 67-70 Ready? Set for Monday

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 06:57:41 EST

Where did the weekend go? After a day of exhaustion, I worked hard on getting caught up. I made crockpot chili, hardboiled some eggs, and the house is much cleaner. I was sitting in the silence of my Quaker Meeting when it occurred to me that--duh--against all cultural programming, I could ask for help. I hired a friend to come give me a hand with stuff I simply hadn't had time to do. It worked out great for both of us, and we finished with a bowl of chili and KALE CHIPS!

I'...

Day 66 Almost Friday!

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 20:39:13 EST

1) What new habit you wish to develop? DONE
2) How will you do that? DONE
3) What are you doing to encourage yourself and keep on track? DONE
4) How are you doing day by day? DONE
5) What can you improve upon? DONE
6) Do you need some motivation or advice? Ask for it! DONE
7) Anything else you would like to share with your Team

A daily blog topic has been one of the best ever 5% Challenge assignments ever!

Asking for motivation or ad...

Day 65 Feeling worn

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 21:25:08 EST

1) What new habit you wish to develop? DONE
2) How will you do that? DONE
3) What are you doing to encourage yourself and keep on track? DONE
4) How are you doing day by day? DONE
5) What can you improve upon? DONE
6) Do you need some motivation or advice? Ask for it!
7) Anything else you would like to share with your Team

What can I improve upon? Hard question tonight. Only a few min exercise today, not so good meals on the run, a class after...

Day 64 Gotta be a better one!

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 07:17:26 EST

1) What new habit you wish to develop? DONE
2) How will you do that? DONE
3) What are you doing to encourage yourself and keep on track? DONE
4) How are you doing day by day? DONE
5) What can you improve upon?
6) Do you need some motivation or advice? Ask for it!
7) Anything else you would like to share with your Team

Did NOT do well first week of challenge; too much going on around daughter's move. This week is going much better with food and ...

Day 63 cont'd: And I thought last Monday was hectic

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 19:57:34 EST

Whew. I was thinking this Monday had to be better than last. Work got crazy, I was sent on runs to south and north county, got back 15 min after I'm supposed to go home, and got a phone call that took up the next hour. Here we go again: I AM SO TIRED.

Did I add that while driving from one end of the county to the other, my engine light came on? And that my home phone stopped working? Had to call husband in Seattle to see what to do about the phone, asked my mom to come meet m...

Day 63 How to encourage myself - got it!

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 09:33:52 EST

1) What new habit you wish to develop? DONE
2) How will you do that? DONE
3) What are you doing to encourage yourself and keep on track? DONE
4) How are you doing day by day?
5) What can you improve upon?
6) Do you need some motivation or advice? Ask for it!
7) Anything else you would like to share with your Team

Another Sparker's blog reminded me of something I did when I first very successfully started SP. I added daily positive notes to my nutri...

Day 62 strategy

Sun, 3 Mar 2013 17:57:00 EST

1) What new habit you wish to develop? DONE
2) How will you do that? DONE today
3) What are you doing to encourage yourself and keep on track?
4) How are you doing day by day?
5) What can you improve upon?
6) Do you need some motivation or advice? Ask for it!
7) Anything else you would like to share with your Team

OK, question #2 How am I going to develop my new/rerun habit? JUST DO IT. I've taken advantage of spare minutes for a bit of stretc...

Day 61 All on my own

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 09:14:57 EST

Week 2 Blog topics for Winter 5% Challenge

1) What new habit you wish to develop?
2) How will you do that?
3) What are you doing to encourage yourself and keep on track?
4) How are you doing day by day?
5) What can you improve upon?
6) Do you need some motivation or advice? Ask for it!
7) Anything else you would like to share with your Team

Starting with #1 today: new habit....hmm. I guess what I really want isn't so much a new hab...

Day 60 Daughter's moving day

Sat, 2 Mar 2013 08:53:53 EST

Bittersweet day. I am proud of how my daughter has handled her move, organizing details, researching her new home and area, lining up job possibilities. No matter what age they are, it's hard to see them go. I'm glad my mom came to the airport with us to see her off. We went out for breakfast before I had to get to work. I had a generous Greek omelet, knowing it would probably do for both breakfast and lunch, and it did. It helped too that I had another very busy day at work and less ti...

Day 59 counting down...

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 20:15:05 EST

After having had such a wonderful time of retreat that I haven't had time to blog about, it's been hard having a really hectic week. Tired has been a chronic state, meals and exercise on the run with little time to plan. It all wraps up tomorrow when I see my daughter and husband off early tomorrow morning with lots of luggage and her cats. I have packed every last bit of her overflow into husband's luggage. I sure hope no one decides to inspect his bags; they might pop apart!

Day 58 midweek peak and heading for the weekend

Wed, 27 Feb 2013 21:33:27 EST

Food - good
Exercise - 10 min snatched here and there

We had a low key family dinner this evening, just me and my husband and our two daughters. It was good to have this family time together before our older daughter's move.

I'm running on tired; off to bed. 102

Day 57 Tues catching up

Tue, 26 Feb 2013 21:32:59 EST

food - so-so. I know I'm doing some stress eating, but less than yesterday. Doesn't help that I'm having dental issues that affect what I can eat, no crunchy or cold, till I get to the dentist on Thurs.

exercise - on the run mostly, some stretching here and there, some heavy chores I hadn't had time to do since I got home. I haven't gotten off to a very good start on Winter 5% Challenge.

Things will calm down--too much--after daughter moves on Friday. We packed a sui...

Day 56 Monday Monday

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 21:41:17 EST

Over cal I'm sure, but no idea how much; no time to track.
Exercise 5 stretch + 18 walk = 23

Had a really hectic first day back to work. I got in the walk only because I did an errand on foot to the building next door; glad I got that in. Off to bed in hopes of a more restful Tuesday.

Day 55 Packing

Sun, 24 Feb 2013 22:50:43 EST

Calories 1494
Exercise 120+

I worked hard today helping my daughter with her packing. The movers are coming early tomorrow, and you truly don't know how much you have till you have to move it. It felt so good to get home and take a shower. It's way past my bedtime; I'll sleep as late as I can tomorrow.

Praying friends, please pray for my daughter who moves to Washington state this week and needs a job--and for her mama who's going to miss her very much.

Day 54 Back at it

Sat, 23 Feb 2013 22:42:39 EST

First day of Winter 5% Challenge; also first day back from retreat. Lots of catching up to do today, so my real efforts start tomorrow.

Winter 5% Challenge: I'm a Cat this time! To quote one of mine, "errrrrrrrOW!

Day 44 till Day 54 Happy Valentine's Day to all my friends

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 17:41:44 EST

Day 44 and checking out till Day 54, if I figured it right. Day 54 will begin the Winter 5% Challenge, and I am a 240 this time. How appropriate! Here's to success to everyone doing the Winter Challenge, whatever team you're on.

Food today - great. No time to eat, and when I did, I wanted good stuff.
Exercise - active day, making deliveries and lugging boxes around.

Off to Eastern Point Retreat house; can't wait to get there to enjoy the beauty a...

Days 42 & 43 Every other day on a roll!

Tue, 12 Feb 2013 20:01:50 EST

Day 42 good exercise, bad food

Day 43 not much exercise, great on food. Avoided breakroom goodies altogether.

I may be checking out for a bit. Tomorrow will be very full at work and at home, getting ready to be away for my retreat. So far, my flight is still a go. It will be easy to eat well with good choices in the dining room, and I will be doing plenty of walking.

For some beautiful pictures, google Eastern Point Retreat. I was there when what looks ...

Days 40 & 41 This has been a good day!

Sun, 10 Feb 2013 19:55:19 EST

Sat 2/9 Day 40. SO tired. Took a 2 hr nap and didn't get nearly as much done as I needed to.

Sun 2/10 Day 41. Wonderful what extra rest does for you. I'm glad I chose to sleep yesterday. I'll be in better shape Monday morning for having gotten caught up some. I'm working my way down the To Do list before I leave on Thursday for my 8 day retreat.

Good choices today - only coffee and fat-free cream after Meeting (Quaker), and tasty healthy fare with guests for lu...

Day 39 Dancing With...the copier???

Fri, 8 Feb 2013 12:25:50 EST

Hugely busy day; two girlfriend dates after work, so this may be my only chance on lunch break to check in.

Food - more for breakfast than I realized, but I wasn't hungry all morning, and I really needed it to fuel me for work. I WILL MAKE GOOD CHOICES LATER. You hear me???

Fitness - nothing first thing, too tired, dragged self out the door. Did some stretching in office and then...was given a large copying task. Hm. The office is pretty much empty today except for ...

Days 36, 37, 38 Oh I can't wait for the weekend!

Thu, 7 Feb 2013 20:14:40 EST

This week has felt so long, ever since Monday. I've had a hard time keeping up with things. Work has been mentally tiring, and I finally got in a short nap today when I got home. A couple of times I've had to choose between staying up and keeping up with SP or letting it go and going to bed. I've chosen bed knowing I can do only so much, and that when I'm stressed, whatever rest I can get is priority.

I've managed to get in at least a couple of short workouts, better than none,...

Day 35 Tired tired tired

Mon, 4 Feb 2013 21:05:24 EST

Food - good
Fitness - OK, not as much as I'd have liked, and I sat too much at work.

Being out of my main office for a week has left me a backlog of small time-consuming odds and ends to catch up on. Forgot to take my breaks today, and it was lunchtime before I knew it.

Off to bed. 102 247 to all my 223 s.

Day 34 Ready for a new week

Sun, 3 Feb 2013 19:24:06 EST

4 Food: reasonable, including potluck. Good decision - have another bowl of soup and a small bit of a single dessert instead of going overboard on desserts.
291 I tried an interesting carrot casserole recipe both for the potluck and for dinner at home.
1 bag baby carrots. Steam and mash.
Mix together 3/4 c light mayo, T deli mustard with horseradish, T dried parsley, salt & pepper, small diced onion, 2 oz shredded reduced fat cheddar, and 14 crushed whol...

Days 30, 31, 32 &33 Has it really been that long???

Sat, 2 Feb 2013 21:49:43 EST

WHEW. Second long week in a row is over, work project as complete as I could get it, and I'm finally beginning to catch up at home. Did laundry, put away last week's laundry, cleaned closet and a few drawers, loaded 4 boxes and a bag for thriftshop, made a crockpot meal to last a couple days--and went out for fun to a Depression Glass show.

Cleaning out clothes was fun! This was a great time to get rid of summer clothes that fit last summer, or at least weren't indecently loos...

Days 28 & 29 MIA

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 18:49:09 EST

Food Day 28 bad
Food Day 29 excellent

Fitness Day 28 so-so
Fitness Day 29 excellent

Gratitude list:
1. I am SO grateful that I'm not among the first to arrive at work and the last person out of the building on a regular basis.
2. Tomorrow is the last day of this intense schedule.

I'm going to run the tub full of water and stay in it for an hour.

Day 27 at the end of it; YAWN.

Sun, 27 Jan 2013 21:00:59 EST

Don't know how many calories, but had birthday fare at daughter's party.
33 fitness minutes: 2 videos + 15 min stationary bike at full speed, knowing I'd be partying

It's been a long and full but good day. Best part - Reiki on other daughter's new massage table. The first three days of work this week will be intense like last week, and then I can slow down a bit. It was lovely having Reiki done this evening, and I'm heading for bed. No lunch to prepare; we have party left...

Day 26 Where did my energy go?

Sat, 26 Jan 2013 18:23:51 EST

I'm a bit over calories today, simply didn't have the wherewithal to worry about it. I can say though that such a day would have been considerably more calorie-filled in the past.

No energy at all this morning, slept an hour extra, went back to bed for some more, convinced myself I could stand 10 min of today's bootcamp video and did it but without the usual energy. I did well to accumulate 31 fitness minutes, even though I was moving slower. Doing my normal Saturday chores ha...

Day 25 Long day and good everything!

Fri, 25 Jan 2013 20:02:38 EST

67 fitness minutes - videos, stretching, walk, heavy lifting/carrying
1262 calories

It's not quite 8:00, but I think I'm going to be in bed within the next 45 minutes. This has been a LONG day, worked extra hour and a half same as yesterday. I will likely have two if not three more days of the same next week. I took a 10 min brisk walk on break, had to get out the building and clear my head. I'm getting a good workout just doing my job at the moment; it's usually not so ph...

Day 24 All day on the ball and then some

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 19:31:04 EST

Calories today: 2012. I may have a small snack, but at the moment am not the least hungry.

Fitness: 50 min of video, stationary bike, a walk on the Pinellas Trail at lunchtime + whatever you get out of sitting on a ball all day. I can tell I'm using different "sit" muscles.

I worked late tonight, may need to do the same tomorrow through a Wed deadline. I'm really glad I don't do that all the time.

Things to be grateful for today:
1. Too busyat wor...

Day 22 & 23 Ball on the go!

Wed, 23 Jan 2013 17:02:50 EST

Day 22: No internet at home yesterday. A coworker and I talked about SparkPeople and did half the qi gong video together. Everyone likes my ball idea!

Cal 1353
Fitness 30

Day 23: Took my ball to my other work location. I may be spending the next week working there, and I don't like the chair in that office.

Coworker at location #2: "What's that?"
Sableness: "The latest in office furniture!" 322

Calories so far: 1206. ...

Day 21 "On the Ball" at work!

Mon, 21 Jan 2013 21:37:16 EST

357 OK, I took my new 30 " ball to work, and had a ball, so to speak! I did not get laughed at; instead got comments such as, "I've heard that's really good for you" and "I should try that." So maybe I've started a new fashion in office furniture!

334 It was lots of fun! I discovered I can't sit still, not to keep my balance, but just to move something. I rocked back and forth and sideways while watching an online class. It helped to be not too close to t...

Day 20 ups and downs

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 19:44:10 EST

UPS
Fun Fitness: 311 + 403 + 319 = 58 min
Bought new larger balance ball to try as a chair
Bought new resistance bands that are the right size for me

DOWNS
2132 calories. Yes, I tracked every one. 198

Balance Ball trial! LOL

Sun, 20 Jan 2013 09:10:23 EST

Glad I asked! Good suggestions, folks. After reading your about your experiences, I decided to try out my own right here right now at my home computer. 17
YES, I definitely would need the tallest one I can find. I feel like a little kid peering over a restaurant booth. 183 I need a booster seat!

As for getting up and down, I can see what you mean about your legs getting a workout. You have to stand correctly, leaning forward slightly, or you fall over...

Day 19 Has anyone used a balance ball instead of a chair at their desk?

Sat, 19 Jan 2013 20:32:23 EST

I've had a busy Saturday, lots to do. I'll be in bed easily by 9. Lots of cleaning to add to fitness minutes--and completed Bootcamp Week 2, starting 3 tomorrow. The challenge was to double a video a couple of days, and I doubled several. I'm pleased that I'm managing the early AM workouts; it does help me get going and ready to start when I get to work.

Four loads of laundry clean, but not put away yet. :-) I spent some time on fixing, stain-removing, etc. I was SO relieve...

Thanks, CHANGING4ME! I've never copied and pasted a blog before!

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 21:39:04 EST

Friday, January 18, 2013

Help your Spark Friends get to know you better. Copy and Paste the following into your own blog, and change the answers to suit you. Here goes…

Where is your cell phone?
In my purse which is in my tote bag on kitchen counter--I hope!

Spouse?
Yes, married 38 years. He's definitely a keeper.

Your hair?
Short, dark blonde with only a stray gray or two so far

Your mother?
DEEPGAPQUEEN, Tea P...

Day 18 and TGIF

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 20:50:36 EST

Ooof. Spent much of the day sitting in a workshop. I managed some leg lifts under the table without kicking anybody, walked around the back of the room on a short break, and did tummy tighten/releases while putting gas in my car. Those were freebie extras in addition to:

3 SP videos: Bootcamp video + cardio + qi gong this evening.
my 2nd 30 min walk this week. I set a goal of three, and I'm almost there.

Total 85 fitness minutes. Not bad at all for another b...

Day 17 at peace with myself today

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 20:17:47 EST

1260 calories or somewhere thereabouts. I had to estimate dinner out, but it was definitely within range

34 fitness minutes. Rain sabotaged the walk I hoped to do, but considering how busy I was, 34 min was really good!

I just read UNIQUEDRAGONFLY's blog on zen, and it reminded me of how I felt earlier today when I had to decide about whether to do or not do something important. The words I heard in my mind were, "Don't think; feel." That sense can be trusted especia...

Days 14, 15 and Sparkling 16!

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 21:06:02 EST

Days 14 & 15 - In spite of an upset stomach, I got in some gentle exercise, nothing abdominal, but took a break from Bootcamp videos.

Day 16 - Back on track!

1423 calories and resisted a salty treat I wanted really bad

82 fitness minutes. I want to get in three 30 min walks this week, did one after dinner with husband.
342

Thanks, friends, re: last night's blog NOT on track

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 09:38:04 EST

Ugh. Had a bad night thanks to yesterday's over-rich food. I slept till the last possible minute this morning because I'd slept so poorly, definitely not up to Bootcamp videos, but did 5 min gentle stretching to get myself going.

I'm drinking ginger tea this morning and had some Greek yogurt for breakfast. I'm planning to go for a walk on break in a bit.

THANK YOU, friends, for the reassurance that one bad day is not fatal.
247 220

Day 13 NOT on track

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 20:54:24 EST

Unexpectedly hectic day, too many calories, too few fitness minutes. I'm really glad I doubled my Bootcamp Challenge video this morning. Will carry on tomorrow.

Day 12 mostly good and learning

Sat, 12 Jan 2013 21:55:38 EST

Interesting day.

40 really good fitness minutes

1206 tracked calories PLUS making up the deficit. To explain:

I ate a good breakfast, factoring in the coffee and half & half, not light, that I'd have at a workshop. Lunch was manageable; I ate half a tuna-filled pita, no chips, no cookies, a bit of yogurt with pomegranite seeds, and raw veggies. Dinner was half a Greenwise pizza at 315 calories with some broccoli from the garden. Now...I'm hungry, really ...

11 Days & Brought my own sprinkles!

Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:06:08 EST

I worked today near a shop with homemade ice cream. I always stop when I'm there. Today I planned for indulgence on a reasonable scale. Instead of my usual huge deluxe choc-dipped and sprinkled cone, I had coconut frozen yogurt in a small cup, not cone, and brought my own sprinkles to add to it. My mom laughed when I took the shaker of sprinkles out of my purse, but the result was far fewer calories than the deluxe cone would have been! And, I'm ending the day well within my calorie rang...

SABLENESS's SparkPeople Blog