02 January 2019

Happy New Year everyone!  May 2019 bring you everything your little hearts desire.

Today was my first day back to work after 10 glorious days off.  I didn’t go far.  My only goals were to catch up on my sleep and to kick start a new healthy routine.

I did some research on body types, metabolism, eating and exercise.  Long story short, there are three body types.  They are: ectomorph, mesomorph and endomorph.  Each comes with it’s own unique work out and food regimen.

Was it an eye opener? Hell yes.  And no.  Being an endomorph, there are certain things I’ve always just kind of “felt” in my body.  One of them is long periods of high intensity workouts are just not for me.  So now that I’m armed with all this knowledge, I am so pumped to work out again.  I don’t feel guilty for not killing myself on the treadmill any longer.

While on vacation I averaged about 3 times per week at the gym and I loved every second of it.  I plan on going a lot more, too. Like my son said, “Mom, you’re single – you can live at the gym if you want.”  He’s right, and I just might.  Slow and steady will win this race.  I’m more motivated now that I have been since I began this ridiculous “non weight loss” thing.  Time to make it happen.

If I can average one pound per week, I will be able to lose a total of 50 by September.

So my new mantra – bored? to the gym.  Falling asleep on the sofa? – to the gym.  Broke? – to the gym.  Want to meet new people? – to the gym.

So, wish me luck.  I know I sound like a broken record, but there’s something different in the air this time around.

Here is an honest start – my weigh in.  I am 3 pounds heavier due to the workouts, but it will even itself out.  This always happens, but this time I’m not letting it discourage me.

 

 

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Hey y’all!

How’ve you all been?  I’ve taken some time off from blogging to rest, realign my priorities and to ponder over what my upcoming goals will be.  Not sure if it’s just me, but I find work has a way of keeping me in hamster-on-a-wheel mode and life seems to just slip by, week in and week out.

So while I’ve been away, I’ve been practicing a lot more self care.  Honestly, did I ever really?  I’ve been taking time to try new products, splurge a little on myself and read up on diet, fitness, nutrition, fashion.

I seldom post selfies because I am so self conscious; I don’t photograph well.   I did take one that I’m kind of ok with and I’m putting it out there. I changed my hair, got new glasses and I’m loving it; it’s all part of my self improvement plan – to put myself out there more.

I am ready to let someone in my life again, but it’s not going to happen if I sit in my apartment every weekend, or by working late every night.

That being said, do you know what I did last Saturday night?  I went to the gym.  At 7pm.  Yes! I know, right?  Turns out that is one of my favorite time of the day to work out.  It’s also a great place to meet single guys who enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Win/win!

Hope you had a great Christmas and all the best for the new year!

My Achin’ Back

Hey folks, I’m back from my little hiatus.  Sorry for not having posted in a while. Things here have been more than hectic with work and family.  I really don’t want to stop writing and lose what little amount of followers I have so far.

So the latest in this battle of the bulge….I’ve developed what I’m pretty sure is sciatica.  I sit for long periods of time and since having started the new job, I’ve gained 10 pounds. There you have it. If you ignore your body long enough, it will take over and send you very clear messages that you need to do something. Mine is saying “dude, your heft is fucking killing me. Me being your back. Move it, sister”.

I’ve been making a concerted effort to leave the office by no later than 6:00pm.  Even that is too late if you ask me. Long story short, the extended amount of time sitting has triggered this horrible pain down my back/butt/right leg. Sigh….it never ends, does it?

All I seem to do lately is sleep when I do get home, the nagging pain 24/7 is exhausting.

Well, that’s all for now.  The numbers really haven’t moved all that much on the scale.  Big surprise, huh? However, I have started up my old routine of stretching and exercising again in the morning.  I used to do this religiously back in the day.  For some reason that all came to a screeching halt after a bad breakup in 2010.  Not sure if I ever told you about this?  I still have nightmares about him every once in a while.

Have a great day, all.

Trimming the Fat Part 1

Although you’d never tell by the numbers on my scale, my life as of late has been about getting rid of excess.  That not only refers to excess weight, but excess “stuff” also.

Since moving in to this flat about four years ago, I have purged so much STUFF.  I kind of had no choice.  Although my humble abode has two bedrooms, it is small. It took me a little bit of time to get used to it.  Why did I take it?  The price was right and I knew the landlords. They seeked me out when their previous tenant decided not to renew her lease.

What I love most about this place is that I have a stairwell occupied only by yours truly.   It’s an upper duplex with a front and back balcony.   The back balcony runs from the kitchen all the way to my bedroom.  I can sit on my bed in the evenings reading and watch the kitties as they lounge on the patio furniture. I love it.  I can also sit on the front steps with my fur babies while they sniff the breeze, munch on grass, then inevitably hurl said grass, repeat.

The not so great part of it, is the size of my closets.  Whoever designed this place had either a cruel sense of humor or was a man.  Enter the great purge.  Have I worn this in the past year? Nope. Out.  Does it fit?  Bahaha..ridiculous question…out! Do I even like this? Uhm…it seemed like a good idea at the time? Wow I remember buying this 15 years ago..out.  WTF is this thing? OUT!

The rule of thumb now when I do shop is simple – if something new comes in, something old must leave. Lately a lot of stuff has been leaving in the ole wardrobe as my girth is out of control (sigh….menopause….I both love you and hate you at the same time) and I’m also changing up my style.

I’m going for more of a minimalist wardrobe.  I don’t mind plunking down a little extra cash on higher quality stuff if it pulls together several different outfits. Not having to take take anyone else in consideration anymore when it comes to my spending habits is so liberating.

If buying an item means my grocery bill will be adjusted, then so be it.  I don’t mind getting creative and making do with what’s in the cupboard and freezer.

At the risk of sounding like a little old lady, I’ve found that keeping a little notebook on items I either “need” or want and slowly but surely make my way through the list has been helpful and incredibly satisfying.  It keeps me focused and has really helped in not bringing home more useless STUFF.  My ADHD brain can go to some faraway places in a store if I’m not focuses.  Hhhm…this pith helmet is on sale. MUST HAVE! Erhm…no.

STUFF I have received over the years as gifts that I never use or just don’t want anymore usually end up at the goodwill store in my ‘hood. Do I feel bad about giving it away? Nope.  It’s better than adding to a landfill or being tucked away in a teenie tiny closet forever. If someone can use it and it makes them happy – win/win. Am I right?

Stay with me as I walk you through the next level of my purging process.  You might see yourself in that post.

A Blustery Day With My Thoughts

Hello my lovelies!  I have missed logging on here. Work has been taking up a little too much time lately.  I rarely leave the office before 7pm anymore. Last week I was there until 9pm….on a FRIDAY. Ugh. Sick.

However, I left work at 5:30pm last night and joined some former colleagues for dinner. Did I behave myself? Hell no and neither did they.

This might be true for Edith Piaff, but as for me….not so much this morning

I hopped on the scale this morning and miraculously, it did not shatter under my girth.  Sadly though, the numbers have gone up again.  This morning’s reading was 197.4….I have no words except…help.

All kidding aside though, work has been the excuse I’ve been using to not go to the gym.  That stops now.  Everybody else is out there enjoying their lives and I’m being a slave to the grind.  I need to find a better work/life balance. Why do I feel like I have to put in so many hours and try to look like a superstar at work?

I like the feeling of getting something accomplished and that has always transferred into my work life without a problem.  My personal life though, not so much. Interesting.

Enough about that. Today is one of those chilly, crisp air days.  I’ve just finished my bowl of oatmeal with a smidge of brown sugar and chopped apples. Sigh…I truly am addicted to sugar. I had such a hard time scarfing this down.  Anyhoo…I’m going to make amends for last night’s meal and go for a walk around the neighborhood.

I have a couple of little projects around the house I’d like to tackle.  If I’m feeling generous, I might post a couple of before/after shots.

This time of year is good for my soul. It forces me to nest a little more, to take care of things I have been neglecting, and to read, write, reflect.

I realize that I have not been taking all that good care of myself.  Example – I’ve been saying for two weeks now that I want to give myself a manicure/pedicure. Excuse after excuse and still no polish on my tooties or fingers.

I’ll stop now because I really do want to go for a walk.  I will write more later. Stay with me.  I want to share some thoughts on the upcoming holiday parties and how I’m going to cope.

Have an awesome day.

 

Monday Weigh-in

Haloooo from the ladies room at work. It’s a full house today so I could not log on at my desk.

Although i have no pic to prove it…the scale read 194.4 this morning. Yay! I will take it! A loss is a loss.

Wish me luck in the upcoming week!

Friday Night Plans

Hey all. I’m taking a quick five minute break from work to pop in and give you an update on how things are going.

I worked out Sunday, Monday and Tuesday so far this week.  Two of them were home work outs and one was at the gym.

Guess what I’ve got planned tonight? I’m going to the gym! I know, right? So not like me.

I went out for dinner with some girls from my old job on Wednesday and so I’m not sure what the scale will have to say come Monday morning.  I indulged in a bloody ceasar (how did I not ever try one of these before? Dee-lish!), controlled myself when they brought that lovely fresh baguette with olive oil and balsamic vinegar, and did not order any dessert.

I brown bagged my lunch everyday except for yesterday and today.  I am planning on picking up a salad at noon.

On Sunday morning, I will be stopping by the prodigal’s place and we will batch cook a couple meals for the week.  It’s so much easier when you have food already prepared when you get home at night.

You know what?  I think I am finally really inspired to do something about my weight. Wish me luck!