Weight Management

It's the hardest thing I've  ever done....lose weight and keep it off.  It's a never ending battle.   If I didn't love food so much, it'd probably be easier.  But nooooo....I love food.  I love to eat food, cook food, smell food, taste food.  

I try and limit carbs.  But...I refer back to the previous paragraph.  I love food. And that means carbs...all kinds of carbs.  Bread?  Oh hell ya!  Pizza?  All bets are off!   See where I'm going with this?

Today I had a banana for breakfast, salad for lunch, protein drink and hard boiled egg for a snack and tonight I had mashed potatoes, gravy and chicken.  Healthy, portion controlled and not laden with carbs.   The trick is, to keep the trend going for more than one day.  LOL

I do a lot of exercising...a lot. Yoga classes four days a week, meet with my trainer two days a week, and in between I try and fit in at least one extra day in the gym to do cardio.  That's what I'm a bit lax on.    Biking season is coming up in a few months, so I'll get more movement an cardio in then as well.  But it seems like my body just won't move off of this one number (give or take a few pounds).  Nick (trainer) always says "you can't out train a bad diet."  Oh blow it out your ear Nick!  lol

So, as long as I have a love affair with food, I'll keep the  whole love/hate relationship with the scale and the constant battle to manage my weight.  

And yes, I'm very grateful that I'm healthy...and a number on the scale doesn't define who I am.   But I've also been a 100 lbs heavier and not so healthy (in mind and body).  

I refuse to go back. 

Energy

So this is what it feels like to feel good!  

My body is finally starting to feel better...which goes a long way towards helping with my mood.  

I took Blaine to work at 9 am this morning, or rather I took him to the Mall so that he could attend a movie (free) as part of the Walmart Christmas Party.   I sound like a broken record, but that guy just brightens my day whenever I'm around him.

From there, I headed to the gym and did some serious cardio.  I haven't done that in a long time since I've been sick.   It felt good to sweat and open up the lungs.  Hopefully my body is on the upswing and I can focus more on getting healthier.

What's on deck for the rest of the day?  A little housework, and going to a friends party this afternoon for a couple of hours. 

I got this

Today was a good day.  I taught two yoga classes and hit the tanning bed for some artificial sunlight.

My mood has been up and down lately.  To be honest, more down than up.  It's the critical time of winter when my S.A.D rears it's ugly head.  A good friend pointed out my mood and said "don't spiral down so far...you know what you need to do.".

They are right.  Winter takes me down.  Last winter it took me down hard...the year before that, even worse.

What I've come to realize is I have a host of tools in my tool chest to help me conquer the winter blues.

I have yoga and the gym.  No matter how bad the blues get,  if I can get on my yoga mat or hit the gym, the blues  are held at bay....if only for a while.

Tanning...while not great for skin (wrinkles) or skin health  (cancer), the artificial sunlight does help with my mood.   Sometimes you have to weigh the good with the bad.  

Stress and worry.   I'm a classic Virgo...I overthink the shit out of everything and everyone.   I HAVE to let go...my sanity depends on it.

I'm an empath  with a big heart...a double wammy.  I have a heart buddy who has helped me tremendously to know and honor this side of me.  I've learned...rather, I'm learning to guard my heart and soul from the hardships others are fighting.  There is a difference between feeling what they are going through and taking their problems on as my own.

Answers.   It's OK not to have them, and not be able to FIX everything.   It's OK..

So...as winter progresses..I believe I've got a handle on it. 

(But I'm still counting down to Spring!)

Tuesday 1-24-17

I think I'm on the mend.  I cancelled my yoga classes early on in the day yesterday.   I went to work when, in reality,  I should have taken another day off.  But, the dang work ethics won out and I went anyways. 

There was no way I could've taught a class last night, let alone two.  My body and mind weren't up to it.

I went home, put on jammies and headed for the couch, where I stayed until going to bed at 830.  Other than waking up once, I slept until 6am.

I am better than I was yesterday,  so I'm headed in the right direction.  The trick is to keep me headed in that direction.

I am going to the gym tonight but I'm not going to kill myself or let Nick kill me either.  I'll be done by 630ish....pick Blaine up from work and take him home...thanks home to eat, bathe and head to bed early.

I'm honoring my body...steady, slow.  I want to stop being sick.  It's not fun and definitely messing with my MOJO.

I'm On My Way

I'm Sick

This is day #3 of powerful antibiotics, being housebound and sick.  My body has been sick since before Christmas.  Gastrointestinal issues, cold and respiratory issues....a vicious cycle that wasn't getting better but worse. Doctor said it was a "bacterial body infection with weakened immune system"...in other words..."crud".

I'm guilty in not taking care of myself.  I go, go, go, go until I crash and burn....which I did Thursday morning.

I attempted to work.  I lasted 15 minutes and just couldn't do it.  After going home to crawl in bed for a few hours, I made the trip to the clinic where a very nice young Dr. gave me Azithromycin with orders to rest and get plenty of fluids.  He didn't need to tell me twice.

I haven't moved from the house since my appointment on Thursday at 11.  I cancelled all of my yoga classes and have been doing plenty of sleeping and watching TV programs including all day coverage of the Inauguration of our 45th President  (more on that in future posts).

I'm hoping to start feeling better soon.  Day #3 finds my body tired, gastrointestinal issues re-emerging.  I took my last dose of meds a new hour ago.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed but also learned a lesson or two 1) my 54 body doesn't bounce back like it did when it was 25 2)I need to take better care of myself and slow it down a little.  Sometimes life in the fast lane needs to take the "slower traffic to the left" lane. 3) I get bored ...quickly and easily.   This could be problematic in my later years

~Sherry

Life in the Fast Lane

It's not just an Eagles song.  I'm talking about Life.  It's already the 17th of January.  Holy Smokes!

While I'm anxiously counting down the weeks until the 1st day of Spring (9 for those interested), I don't want time to go so fast.

I have so much to do, things to get organized, projects to do, places to go and people to see.  But when?  I blink and my days are over. 

I take each day as it happens.  I try not to schedule too much ....but I'm not one to sit in my chair either.  Life is meant to be lived!

I've been helping my nephew Blaine take care of his apartment, cleaning, organizing and doing a bit of purging too.  He's so proud of his apartment and living independently, he just needs a little help.  

That had taken up some free time of mine, but I'd do it a hundred times over if it meant Blaine would be happy.

As of February,  I will no longer be doing yoga on my Fridays.   I'm doing That for me.  I need some quality ME time to unwind, go for bike rides, pampering, helping Blaine if need be.  It'll be nice to have the free time...I just have to remember to not put any more obligations in that time. 

I'll continue to live life in the fast lane, but I'll set the speed.  I'll be in control. Hopefully

Treasured Sunday Conversations

My brother's wife, Ron/Pearl, passed away before Thanksgiving.   I have made it a weekly date on Sundays to call him and check in....see how he is doing.

We don't get to deep in conversation.  We talk about weather, his kids and grandchildren, what he did to occupy his time.  Occasionally he mentions his late wife, Pearl, and going out to the cemetery to visit her. They were "in love"....inseparable.

We don't go too deep in conversation but tonight he said, "it's starting to set in that no one is here, she isn't coming back"

I could only respond with, "when it gets too quiet, you're always welcome here. A temporary diversion, I know."

I've come to treasure these weekly conversations with my oldest brother (and Godfather).   He reminds me so much of my father....mannerisms and look.  He has incredible insight  and yet is a man of few words.  These weekly talks are quickly becoming the highlight of my weekend. It's my connection to my brother that warms my heart. 

Sometimes something good does, I deed, come out of tragedy.   While I'd give anything to have Pearl back, I do treasure our very  special time together.  Love you, Ron!

Thursday Musings

It's cold. Dang cold. -9 without windchill.  I'd like nothing more than to hibernate the rest of winter, but that's a bit unrealistic.

I have started counting down the weeks until the first day of Spring....11 weeks!  I hope I last that long.  My seasonal depression always hits me hard in January and February.   I'm trying hard to fight it, but the weather and being "under the weather" are taking a toll.  I know going to the gym more often is integral to my well-being so I have already scheduled in more workouts in to my weeks.  It's all about planning.

I've also started looking at cutting back on some yoga classes.  Taking a look at what I want to do in 2017.  I'm not going to lie....I'm getting a bit burnt out.  My first night back after a two week break was brutal.  I enjoyed my down time from teaching...which is an indication that I need to make some changes.  I feel bad, but my health needs to come first....without that, I'm no good to anyone.
~Sherry♡

Thoughts

  Thoughts...here goes.
1).I'm a positive person, really...I am.  But I'm a little fed up with how winter is sucking the life out of my dunny disposition.  Now, being Ms Positive....it's only 11 weeks until the first day of spring.

2) Some people should be held to a higher standard

3)my winter cold will probably last 11 weeks at the rate it's going

4)time...I need more of it

5)I don't have a new years resolution, but I'm trying to make each day a good one (despite my whining)

6)tomorrow is already Wednesday and I get to teach yoga to amazing peeps!

7)I bought new tunes on Itunes...can't wait to listen to the new Playlist

8)messages from friends make me smile

9)my family is my heart

10) I have amazing friends!