Good news, bad news since the last post...
Good news! Chain remains unbroken. Twenty-six days and counting. Rog gave me a bodyweight workout this week that I can use during my wrist rehab. I did it this morning and wow! Kicked my ass quite literally. Since I haven't done any real work other than walking for the last month, I lost some of my fitness. Fortunately, my strength seems to be ok but my wind is lacking. This workout targets the lower body, mostly the glutes, and I need it. I could tell that I have a deficit in my left glute because it doesn't fire as hard as the right. I could feel the side glute firing during the monster walks so this will be good for my lateral stability. A win all around.
Bad news! My sleep is getting bad again. I've been waking up at 3 am every morning since Monday. Last night I woke up at 1:30 am. I got back to sleep eventually but I drag during the day and am exhausted at night. Eating the bulk of my carbs at night doesn't seem to be helping. I think my situation is that no matter when I eat my carbs being low carb for more than two weeks eventually drains my serotonin level. The extra supplements keep it from happening faster but don't keep it from happening at all. I think I'm going to need another carb break soon so I'll ask Rog about doing it on Sunday. If I do it right I can negotiate the party and get a adequate dose of carbs for the next couple of weeks.
In other kind of bad news, the car went into the shop on Tuesday and our epic fail mechanic has not fixed the problem yet. I won't go into details. It has me pissed off enough as it is. It's supposed to get done today so that I can get to my PT appointment but I'm not hopeful. My wrist is feeling better but I need to get back to PT to finish the job. If I miss today, that will be three weeks in a row that I've missed PT. And nobody heals that way.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Sunday, January 27, 2013
News You Can Use
Weight as of Saturday morning: 228.2 lb. (down 0.8 lb)
I'll assume I missed the one pound mark due to the "break" day last Saturday. No biggie. My workouts this week were for the most part 30 minutes on the treadmill. One day I tried a 15 minute circuit of lower body and core exercises that didn't stress my injured wrist. Single leg RDL (with a light kettlebell), single leg glute extension, single leg hip extension, dead bug. It was tough, mostly due to my core. Needs work. Lots of work. I hope this moratorium on weight training ends soon.
Now that I'm used to eating at a lower carb level, I'm going to experiment this week with moving most of my carb consumption to late in the day. I'm planning my meals so that I eat no more before dinner than 20 g. of carb on my low calorie days and 30 g. on my high calorie days. And I'm planning my dinner meals to be around 700-800 calories, with a pre-bedtime meal of 200-300 calories (depending on the daily calorie level). I'd like to see if I'm able to tolerate it and if so, what effect it has on me. I still would like to reach a point where intermittent fasting can be a viable option, or at least at modified version of it. This is me challenging my hunger-phobia at a higher level.
I'll assume I missed the one pound mark due to the "break" day last Saturday. No biggie. My workouts this week were for the most part 30 minutes on the treadmill. One day I tried a 15 minute circuit of lower body and core exercises that didn't stress my injured wrist. Single leg RDL (with a light kettlebell), single leg glute extension, single leg hip extension, dead bug. It was tough, mostly due to my core. Needs work. Lots of work. I hope this moratorium on weight training ends soon.
Now that I'm used to eating at a lower carb level, I'm going to experiment this week with moving most of my carb consumption to late in the day. I'm planning my meals so that I eat no more before dinner than 20 g. of carb on my low calorie days and 30 g. on my high calorie days. And I'm planning my dinner meals to be around 700-800 calories, with a pre-bedtime meal of 200-300 calories (depending on the daily calorie level). I'd like to see if I'm able to tolerate it and if so, what effect it has on me. I still would like to reach a point where intermittent fasting can be a viable option, or at least at modified version of it. This is me challenging my hunger-phobia at a higher level.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
The Day After
So how did it go with my quasi-break day yesterday? Quite well, thank you.
Success:
1. Planned meals on Thursday (two days ahead of time). Looked up the casino steak house menu online to make sure I was planning food they actually serve.
2. Prepared myself for the trip to the casino by laying out all the food I would take with me for snacks.
3. Took a long walk in the morning so I'd have a bit of calorie burn under my belt.
4. Drank lots of water at the casino.
5. When I got hungry (and I did despite the extra carbs) I told myself I could be patient and wait until the time I planned to eat. I could do this because this is a skill I've been practicing over the last three weeks. I know that the hunger is temporary.
6. Made sure I took all my supplements as scheduled so my neurotransmitters wouldn't get out of whack.
My takeaway from the experience was this. A quasi-break isn't a diet break. I didn't get enough extra calories to prevent hunger or make me feel full after eating. And I lived and felt pretty good all day. Now it's time to move on with the diet.
Success:
1. Planned meals on Thursday (two days ahead of time). Looked up the casino steak house menu online to make sure I was planning food they actually serve.
2. Prepared myself for the trip to the casino by laying out all the food I would take with me for snacks.
3. Took a long walk in the morning so I'd have a bit of calorie burn under my belt.
4. Drank lots of water at the casino.
5. When I got hungry (and I did despite the extra carbs) I told myself I could be patient and wait until the time I planned to eat. I could do this because this is a skill I've been practicing over the last three weeks. I know that the hunger is temporary.
6. Made sure I took all my supplements as scheduled so my neurotransmitters wouldn't get out of whack.
My takeaway from the experience was this. A quasi-break isn't a diet break. I didn't get enough extra calories to prevent hunger or make me feel full after eating. And I lived and felt pretty good all day. Now it's time to move on with the diet.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Christmas Morning
After a couple of conversations with Rog, who is now my nutrition coach as well as my trainer, we decided to take a break today from the diet. Actually, it's not so much a body break as a mental break. Today I get a bit more calories and a change in my macros to favor carbs rather than fat.Although I'm doing well on the diet mentally (better than I thought I would), I felt I was getting to the point where I'd be in danger of losing control to either hunger or cravings. I believe the new supplements I'm taking are helping me tremendously in this area by normalizing my neurotransmitters which tend to go haywire whenever I drop below a certain carb level.
I planned my meals for today after getting my new macros. It worked out to around 2100 calories at 43% carbs. And I woke up this morning feeling like it was Christmas morning and I had a bunch of presents waiting for me under the tree. That's how excited this makes me. What's funny is that this calorie/carb level is what I was eating every day when I was doing my diet on my own. No wonder I wasn't getting anywhere!
I'm happy to say I met the challenge I had set for myself the past three days. I had a goal to drink one gallon of water every day and I did. Actually, it wasn't really that hard. It just took some planning and keeping track of my intake. I have a certain routine when it comes to water but truly it's not enough. I drink a 20 oz. glass first thing after I get out of bed, usually another during the day but not always, a big pot of decaf tea during the day and another 20 oz. glass of water at dinner. I was getting enough fluids but not enough water. I drink 3 cups of coffee with breakfast and caffeine dehydrates so I should be getting much more water anyway. I'm thinking of going totally decaf once my current coffee supply runs out and switching to decaf coffee and tea entirely. But I think after my experience with the challenge I'll only drink tea during the day if I've made my gallon allotment of water first. Happily, all that water flushed my system enough for a weight loss of one pound this morning. Now I'm at 229 lbs. which is 8.5 lbs down for the month so far.
We'll be going to the casino steak house for dinner today. I've got shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, baked sweet potato and asparagus on the food plan. And I couldn't be more excited!
I planned my meals for today after getting my new macros. It worked out to around 2100 calories at 43% carbs. And I woke up this morning feeling like it was Christmas morning and I had a bunch of presents waiting for me under the tree. That's how excited this makes me. What's funny is that this calorie/carb level is what I was eating every day when I was doing my diet on my own. No wonder I wasn't getting anywhere!
I'm happy to say I met the challenge I had set for myself the past three days. I had a goal to drink one gallon of water every day and I did. Actually, it wasn't really that hard. It just took some planning and keeping track of my intake. I have a certain routine when it comes to water but truly it's not enough. I drink a 20 oz. glass first thing after I get out of bed, usually another during the day but not always, a big pot of decaf tea during the day and another 20 oz. glass of water at dinner. I was getting enough fluids but not enough water. I drink 3 cups of coffee with breakfast and caffeine dehydrates so I should be getting much more water anyway. I'm thinking of going totally decaf once my current coffee supply runs out and switching to decaf coffee and tea entirely. But I think after my experience with the challenge I'll only drink tea during the day if I've made my gallon allotment of water first. Happily, all that water flushed my system enough for a weight loss of one pound this morning. Now I'm at 229 lbs. which is 8.5 lbs down for the month so far.
We'll be going to the casino steak house for dinner today. I've got shrimp cocktail, filet mignon, baked sweet potato and asparagus on the food plan. And I couldn't be more excited!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
It's On Like Donkey Kong
My weight has been holding steady at 230 lbs. since Saturday. Since I didn't get my one day "break" plan for Wednesday, the next high day I have for the break is Saturday. That works out better for me anyway since we are going to the casino and their steak house on Saturday. I can tough it out a few more days.
I thought since my weight loss has stalled and I have low calorie days coming up, I would try to break the stall by drinking more water. Typically I drink about half a gallon of water and a pot of tea each day. But I'm challenging myself to drink a gallon of water every day to flush the system and get things moving again. It may not sound like much but I have to consciously plan otherwise I get so busy during the day I forget. So I've got the Britta filled and my gym water bottle at my side today. I will get this done because I want to close the week with some success under my belt.
I thought since my weight loss has stalled and I have low calorie days coming up, I would try to break the stall by drinking more water. Typically I drink about half a gallon of water and a pot of tea each day. But I'm challenging myself to drink a gallon of water every day to flush the system and get things moving again. It may not sound like much but I have to consciously plan otherwise I get so busy during the day I forget. So I've got the Britta filled and my gym water bottle at my side today. I will get this done because I want to close the week with some success under my belt.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
This Is the Best Day Ever
Well, not quite but it's pretty good.
Color me surprised. I had thought at the rate I was losing weight I would reach 230 lbs. by today. Then things slowed down this week and I thought no way. But I got on the scale this morning and I hit 230 right on the nose. I still have doubts I can make the informal goal I set of 225 lbs by February 1 but who knows. I'm on track, now having 6 days in my chain. I feel pretty good with minimal hunger (or maybe I'm managing it better) and I'm sleeping very well.
The only thing that bugs me is not being able to weight train. I'm bagging for it (family inside joke). With the setback to my hand/wrist rehab this week, I think I might have to wait until the rehab is finished to get back to training. So bummed. I've been walking almost every day but it's really not a substitute. As far as rehab goes, we've switched to ultrasound treatments and I'm continuing with the stretching and icing. We're also focusing on the ergonomics of my workspace. I need to figure out if that's what causing my problem and how to fix it. I've also started doing some trigger point therapy on myself. The PT started probing my upper arm and found some very tender spots. This could be causing referred pain in my wrist. I massage the tender spot above the inside of my elbow and it does seem to lessen the pain.
On another good note, my resistance to carbs is getting stronger. Either my willpower is stronger or more likely the new supplements are doing their job. Our Wisconsin friends are coming this weekend to watch the Packer game and I told them "no brownies!" Brownies are my kryptonite and I don't need that temptation. I'm not ready yet to face the mother of all carb cravings. I'm giving the supps two weeks of evaluation. Maybe the true test will be the Super Bowl party, which we host every year and is a huge trigger of binging for me. All those people in my house and all that food to sooth the anxiety (big parties are an introvert's worse nightmare). I don't want to test my carb resistance too early but that would be the perfect opportunity to see if this is real.
Color me surprised. I had thought at the rate I was losing weight I would reach 230 lbs. by today. Then things slowed down this week and I thought no way. But I got on the scale this morning and I hit 230 right on the nose. I still have doubts I can make the informal goal I set of 225 lbs by February 1 but who knows. I'm on track, now having 6 days in my chain. I feel pretty good with minimal hunger (or maybe I'm managing it better) and I'm sleeping very well.
The only thing that bugs me is not being able to weight train. I'm bagging for it (family inside joke). With the setback to my hand/wrist rehab this week, I think I might have to wait until the rehab is finished to get back to training. So bummed. I've been walking almost every day but it's really not a substitute. As far as rehab goes, we've switched to ultrasound treatments and I'm continuing with the stretching and icing. We're also focusing on the ergonomics of my workspace. I need to figure out if that's what causing my problem and how to fix it. I've also started doing some trigger point therapy on myself. The PT started probing my upper arm and found some very tender spots. This could be causing referred pain in my wrist. I massage the tender spot above the inside of my elbow and it does seem to lessen the pain.
On another good note, my resistance to carbs is getting stronger. Either my willpower is stronger or more likely the new supplements are doing their job. Our Wisconsin friends are coming this weekend to watch the Packer game and I told them "no brownies!" Brownies are my kryptonite and I don't need that temptation. I'm not ready yet to face the mother of all carb cravings. I'm giving the supps two weeks of evaluation. Maybe the true test will be the Super Bowl party, which we host every year and is a huge trigger of binging for me. All those people in my house and all that food to sooth the anxiety (big parties are an introvert's worse nightmare). I don't want to test my carb resistance too early but that would be the perfect opportunity to see if this is real.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Biding My Time
I've been very busy over the last few days and much has happened.
First the good...I've had five good diet days in a row and my chain is now one link longer than previously. I think I've finally settled into the diet. I've been off the sugar and wheat for 10 days and feel pretty good. The other thing that seems to be a success is the new supplements. I have more energy in the morning and my sleep at night has been more restful. The 5-HTP and magnesium I take before bed seem to give me sleep that feels more natural. The other sleep supplements I was taking always made me feel as if I was drugged out and I would wake up groggy. I think this is a winner but I'm giving it two weeks to really make a judgement on that.
Now the bad and not quite so bad...my hand and wrist felt much better Tuesday when I went to PT. She made me a custom hard splint to wear for support and it seems to have made things worse. I wore it to bed Tuesday night and when I took it off in the morning everything was so sore. I continued the stretching and ice during the day, wearing the splint while working, but it was so sore at the end of the day Wednesday that I decide not to wear anymore. I see her tonight so we'll see what she say. I sure would like to get back to weight training again!
I went to my primary doctor for my annual physical yesterday morning and all is well for the most part. I had asked for another RA test since the last one was at the high end of normal. The second test came back abnormal and so I'm off to see another doctor, a rheumatologist, for more specialized testing and assessment. That appointment is in early March. It might not be anything since I have no other symptoms of RA but who knows.
First the good...I've had five good diet days in a row and my chain is now one link longer than previously. I think I've finally settled into the diet. I've been off the sugar and wheat for 10 days and feel pretty good. The other thing that seems to be a success is the new supplements. I have more energy in the morning and my sleep at night has been more restful. The 5-HTP and magnesium I take before bed seem to give me sleep that feels more natural. The other sleep supplements I was taking always made me feel as if I was drugged out and I would wake up groggy. I think this is a winner but I'm giving it two weeks to really make a judgement on that.
Now the bad and not quite so bad...my hand and wrist felt much better Tuesday when I went to PT. She made me a custom hard splint to wear for support and it seems to have made things worse. I wore it to bed Tuesday night and when I took it off in the morning everything was so sore. I continued the stretching and ice during the day, wearing the splint while working, but it was so sore at the end of the day Wednesday that I decide not to wear anymore. I see her tonight so we'll see what she say. I sure would like to get back to weight training again!
I went to my primary doctor for my annual physical yesterday morning and all is well for the most part. I had asked for another RA test since the last one was at the high end of normal. The second test came back abnormal and so I'm off to see another doctor, a rheumatologist, for more specialized testing and assessment. That appointment is in early March. It might not be anything since I have no other symptoms of RA but who knows.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Hard Truth
Well, here it comes. The first set of pictures for 2013. And they are not pretty. I just have to say I don't like having my picture taken. Ever no matter what reason. Just sayin'...
Ok, here goes. The only positive thing is that it will get better
Ok, here goes. The only positive thing is that it will get better
Monday, January 7, 2013
I'm An Experiment of One
My new supplements came today and I couldn't be more excited. If the literature is correct, I'll soon stop having carb cravings, be sleeping better and have more energy. Sounds too good to be true.
So here's my new regime.
Before breakfast:
Probiotic
Phenylalanine
At breakfast:
Mult-vitamin part 1
Vitamin D
Vitamin B6
B vitamin complex
Omega 3
At dinner:
Probiotic
Multi-vitamin part 2
Omega 3
Before bed:
Magnesium
5-HTP
Anytime during the day:
Glutamine 5 mg with a protein shake
I'll post every day over the next few weeks how this affects me and what tweaking if any I do.
So here's my new regime.
Before breakfast:
Probiotic
Phenylalanine
At breakfast:
Mult-vitamin part 1
Vitamin D
Vitamin B6
B vitamin complex
Omega 3
At dinner:
Probiotic
Multi-vitamin part 2
Omega 3
Before bed:
Magnesium
5-HTP
Anytime during the day:
Glutamine 5 mg with a protein shake
I'll post every day over the next few weeks how this affects me and what tweaking if any I do.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Broken Chain
As I feared, the low carb flu hit me last night. Even after taking ZMA and a GABA/melatonin combo that normally would whack me out for the night, I was wide awake and restless. These are the same symptoms I had when I tried to do the paleo Whole30 back in August. I believe what happens is that a very low carb diet quickly depletes whatever serotonin I normally make (which isn't much I think), resulting in wakefulness, anxiety and restless leg type symptoms, especially at night. Which is why I've been so eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new supplements that are supposed to elevate serotonin levels.
I decided to go ahead and break my diet chain last night by eating one of my pumpkin muffins and one of my low carb brownies. That added around 375 calories and 40 g of carbs to my 1800 calorie day. It was enough to sooth my night restlessness and help me sleep but not add too many carbs (especially of the sugar or wheat variety). My carb macros have been working out to be 20% on the 1500 calorie days and 30% on the 1800 calorie days. This is much lower than I would normally eat (35-45%) to feel completely "normal" serotonin-wise. I'm totally willing to keep following these macros once I start using the supplements. My hope is that the supplements will raise my serotonin levels enough to offset the depletion of the diet.
So my chain lasted 4 days. I start a new one today and my goal is to keep the chain going longer than 4 days.
I decided to go ahead and break my diet chain last night by eating one of my pumpkin muffins and one of my low carb brownies. That added around 375 calories and 40 g of carbs to my 1800 calorie day. It was enough to sooth my night restlessness and help me sleep but not add too many carbs (especially of the sugar or wheat variety). My carb macros have been working out to be 20% on the 1500 calorie days and 30% on the 1800 calorie days. This is much lower than I would normally eat (35-45%) to feel completely "normal" serotonin-wise. I'm totally willing to keep following these macros once I start using the supplements. My hope is that the supplements will raise my serotonin levels enough to offset the depletion of the diet.
So my chain lasted 4 days. I start a new one today and my goal is to keep the chain going longer than 4 days.
Saturday, January 5, 2013
Quick Saturday Update
I'm down to 231.2 lbs this morning. When I weighed myself on New Year's Day at 237.4 lbs I thought 230 lbs was a worthy goal for the month. Now I think I'll be there by next Saturday. So the inside-my-head goal is 225 lbs.
I am hungry this morning even after eating breakfast. I've had two 1500 calorie days in a row and I'm feeling it. I'm sure my weight loss is still mainly water since I'm getting up to go to the bathroom about 3-4 times a night (and peeing a bunch each time. TMI). This is what I was doing when I did that Whole30 back in August so I need to be mindful of this so I don't get into that depleted state again. I've been taking ZMA every night which is helping me sleep and hopefully helping the electrolyte balance as well. My new supps are supposed to be here Monday and I can hardly wait.
I'm doing 1800 calories today even though I won't weight train due to PT restrictions. I will go to the gym anyway for rehab and cardio work. Maybe I'll play with a machine I've never used to see how I like it.
Pictures for sure tomorrow.
I am hungry this morning even after eating breakfast. I've had two 1500 calorie days in a row and I'm feeling it. I'm sure my weight loss is still mainly water since I'm getting up to go to the bathroom about 3-4 times a night (and peeing a bunch each time. TMI). This is what I was doing when I did that Whole30 back in August so I need to be mindful of this so I don't get into that depleted state again. I've been taking ZMA every night which is helping me sleep and hopefully helping the electrolyte balance as well. My new supps are supposed to be here Monday and I can hardly wait.
I'm doing 1800 calories today even though I won't weight train due to PT restrictions. I will go to the gym anyway for rehab and cardio work. Maybe I'll play with a machine I've never used to see how I like it.
Pictures for sure tomorrow.
Friday, January 4, 2013
Things Change In The Wink Of An Eye
And...here it is in front of me. I haven't written much about the problems I've been having since August with my hands and wrists. Long story short, I somehow got inflammation in both hands mostly likely due to overuse with the computer. After much time spent running through various tests to pinpoint the problem, I wound up at a hand specialist who diagnosed tendon sheath inflammation in the palms of my hands. I got cortisone injections in the right hand which pretty much stopped the inflammation in my right hand, although I still have stiffness and weakness there. The left hand is still a problem and I started with a physical therapist at the doctor's recommendation.
Yesterday was my assessment. The PT wants to treat me with stretching, ice and rest to start. Then she'll move into ultrasound, a splint and whatever next week. But the thing that totally brought my world to a halt was her request that I stop weight training while I'm being treated which will be around 4-6 weeks. I almost had a twitchy fit right there in front of her. I didn't say yes but I think it would be counterproductive not to follow her advice. What was that fourth step of the New Year Revolution? Oh yeah, shut up and listen! Well, I guess I need to do that if I want to get over this thing. I'm assuming I'll wind up getting injections in my left hand anyway when I see the doctor again in three weeks, but I'd like to give the PT a chance to work since I'm paying good money for it.
So Rog and I will be discussing this next Monday. I really have no idea what to do instead or how this affects the nutrition plan he gave me. I really don't want to do 1500 calories of low carb every single day for the next month or so but I guess if I'm not training I might have to. But I'll let the guru make that call (step four again!). So for now it's stretching and ice packs three times a day and we'll see how it goes.
Just as an update, I haven't mentioned anything about weight stats (and still haven't done pictures, sorry!). So...my starting weight on January 1 was 237.4 lbs (darn Christmas goodies) and by January 3 it was 234 lbs. The low carb has taken out a lot of water pretty quickly. I'll weigh again tomorrow and then twice a week thereafter. I don't want to be a slave to the scale but I think this diet will take the weight off fairly quickly so I want to keep track of the progress. And maybe pictures once a month will be more revealing this time so I'll do that too.
Yesterday was my assessment. The PT wants to treat me with stretching, ice and rest to start. Then she'll move into ultrasound, a splint and whatever next week. But the thing that totally brought my world to a halt was her request that I stop weight training while I'm being treated which will be around 4-6 weeks. I almost had a twitchy fit right there in front of her. I didn't say yes but I think it would be counterproductive not to follow her advice. What was that fourth step of the New Year Revolution? Oh yeah, shut up and listen! Well, I guess I need to do that if I want to get over this thing. I'm assuming I'll wind up getting injections in my left hand anyway when I see the doctor again in three weeks, but I'd like to give the PT a chance to work since I'm paying good money for it.
So Rog and I will be discussing this next Monday. I really have no idea what to do instead or how this affects the nutrition plan he gave me. I really don't want to do 1500 calories of low carb every single day for the next month or so but I guess if I'm not training I might have to. But I'll let the guru make that call (step four again!). So for now it's stretching and ice packs three times a day and we'll see how it goes.
Just as an update, I haven't mentioned anything about weight stats (and still haven't done pictures, sorry!). So...my starting weight on January 1 was 237.4 lbs (darn Christmas goodies) and by January 3 it was 234 lbs. The low carb has taken out a lot of water pretty quickly. I'll weigh again tomorrow and then twice a week thereafter. I don't want to be a slave to the scale but I think this diet will take the weight off fairly quickly so I want to keep track of the progress. And maybe pictures once a month will be more revealing this time so I'll do that too.
Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Do What Scares You
Second day of the Revolution and I'm still alive. I have to admit when I saw the macros Rog gave me it scared the shit out of me. My first thoughts were calories too low, carbs too low...I'm going to suffer. But I stamped on that fear, knowing that I'd committed to doing it Roger's way instead of my way which totally has not been working.
The first two days have not been that bad. Yes, I've been hungry. Yes, it's been a challenge to figure out how the food I normally eat fits into the macros. And so far I've found ways to overcome these challenges. Step number three of the Revolution is Don't Break the Chain. For me the chain is consecutive days of meeting my macros, no cheating or fudging the numbers. The links in the chain are each day on my calendar with a sticker of mission accomplished. One link so far...
Since my calories are much lower than what I've been used to, I decided to decrease the weights lifted in my workouts. I'm glad I decided that because I was definitely getting fatigued at the end today. My new supplements haven't come yet and I'm anxiously waiting so see how they work for me. I'll update with my supplement plan once I have it all sorted out. And pictures are on my to-do list as well.
The first two days have not been that bad. Yes, I've been hungry. Yes, it's been a challenge to figure out how the food I normally eat fits into the macros. And so far I've found ways to overcome these challenges. Step number three of the Revolution is Don't Break the Chain. For me the chain is consecutive days of meeting my macros, no cheating or fudging the numbers. The links in the chain are each day on my calendar with a sticker of mission accomplished. One link so far...
Since my calories are much lower than what I've been used to, I decided to decrease the weights lifted in my workouts. I'm glad I decided that because I was definitely getting fatigued at the end today. My new supplements haven't come yet and I'm anxiously waiting so see how they work for me. I'll update with my supplement plan once I have it all sorted out. And pictures are on my to-do list as well.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
New Year Revolution
Welcome, 2013! So glad to see you at last. Your sister 2012 was good and bad, as many years are. The bad was the six months I spent in misery at my old job, dealing with a level of stress I've not experienced in a long while. The good was that I landed my dream job and have a new life as a stay-at-home worker. Unfortunately my fitness plans were collateral damage and I wound up so not where I wanted to be at the end of the year.
Hence, the title of my post. It's a new year and mere resolutions are not going to cut it this time. I have goals which I'll get into in more detail but what this year requires is a REVOLUTION! A 180 degree turnaround. A change of earth shattering portions. It means digging deep into my strengths and my faults so I can leverage the former and improve the latter. It means changing how I think about myself and the world. It means going against the grain and being the weird one, the one that doesn't go along with the crowd. It means standing up for what I believe is right and true for me and not caving to what I think will make someone else happy or at least not upset with me.
Sounds like a lot and it is. It's not without precedence in my life. I'm not the girl I used to be. If you could meet the me I was 20 or 30 years ago, you would be surprised at how different I am. I've had many "lives" in this life and I know I have one more in me.
So...what constitutes my revolution?
1. Inspiration - drawing daily from the world around me and the good things people do and say to inspire my own efforts. And doing and saying things that might inspire others as well. It's a two-way street.
2. Overcoming weakness - identify it, name it, own it, find a strategy to change it to a strength.
3. Don't break the chain - do the one thing day in and day out that will achieve my goal. Create the links of that chain and commit to not breaking it.
4. Shut up and listen. I'm not always the smartest person in the room.
5. Where there is work to do, do the work. Otherwise it is an opportunity missed.
There's more of course which certainly will be the subject of future posts. For now, today is a day to reflect and look ahead. Good things are a-coming.
Hence, the title of my post. It's a new year and mere resolutions are not going to cut it this time. I have goals which I'll get into in more detail but what this year requires is a REVOLUTION! A 180 degree turnaround. A change of earth shattering portions. It means digging deep into my strengths and my faults so I can leverage the former and improve the latter. It means changing how I think about myself and the world. It means going against the grain and being the weird one, the one that doesn't go along with the crowd. It means standing up for what I believe is right and true for me and not caving to what I think will make someone else happy or at least not upset with me.
Sounds like a lot and it is. It's not without precedence in my life. I'm not the girl I used to be. If you could meet the me I was 20 or 30 years ago, you would be surprised at how different I am. I've had many "lives" in this life and I know I have one more in me.
So...what constitutes my revolution?
1. Inspiration - drawing daily from the world around me and the good things people do and say to inspire my own efforts. And doing and saying things that might inspire others as well. It's a two-way street.
2. Overcoming weakness - identify it, name it, own it, find a strategy to change it to a strength.
3. Don't break the chain - do the one thing day in and day out that will achieve my goal. Create the links of that chain and commit to not breaking it.
4. Shut up and listen. I'm not always the smartest person in the room.
5. Where there is work to do, do the work. Otherwise it is an opportunity missed.
There's more of course which certainly will be the subject of future posts. For now, today is a day to reflect and look ahead. Good things are a-coming.
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