Just be

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Happy Friday! At least it will be Friday when this post goes out to the world. How are you doing? Are you eating well? Getting enough sleep? Doing something besides working, sleeping, and on repeat?

Over here, the garden is taking shape it’s getting toasty out, the dog has the zoomies, her head met my good knee, sleep is literally on and off, and once again, I was awake before 6 am. This is not intentional. At all. My earliest weekday alarm is set for 6:17 am (slightly off from hubster’s alarm to help me get up before 6:40 am), so this wide awake before sunrise bull has to stop. I am not a morning person and not getting a decent amount of sleep makes it worse.

How do you cope when your last nerve is at its limit? We all have those days, spoonie or not. I disappear. I get lost in silence or music. Why? That few minutes a day keeps me from going from annoyed to tearing a new one into whoever or whatever made that last nerve break. Try it. You don’t need to make music your thing. Just hide for 10 minutes. Pick a shady spot outside, a bathroom, or even a closet. Let everything outside of your thoughts go. If your thoughts are part of the problem, then listen to music (lo-fi or whatever you like) or relaxing sounds (rain, thunderstorms, waves, or white noise). Set a timer and just be. It won’t necessarily solve any problems you have to face, but it may help you get more focused and ready to tackle them.

And on that note, I need to get to my to-do list. Until next time, be good to yourself. Peace!

August is here!

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Yes, it’s a new month complete with a new tropical storm (hi, Bertha).  Kids are heading back to school, tax-free shopping weekend sales are starting,  and the thought of a quiet house between 8 and 3 pm is making parents giddy.

Sorry, kids.  Well, no, not really.

To me, the start of a new month is time to reflect on the gains of the previous month and set new targets for the current month.  Notice I said gains?  It’s my way of focusing on the positive.  In July I increased resistance, speed, and strength.  I hit a smaller size.  I wanted to shop for clothing instead of just grabbing whatever I thought would fit.  It sunk in that I need to eat if I’m going to succeed.  No more drastic cuts to calorie intake.   For August I want to increase my aquatic therapy sessions.  I want to wear a certain top and have it look good.  I want to improve on July’s fitness targets.  See, all positive and also realistic and attainable.   It took years to fall apart and it takes time to fully recover, heal, and thrive.

What are your August targets?  You can reach them.  I’ll be right here, cheering you on.

A week after weighing and measuring

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I’m still annoyed by those measurements, but still energized by them. I’ve been getting in more protein and less refined carbs. I’m not going back to my ultra low carb days, just getting more balance in my food. And keeping portions under control.

I think I’m annoying hubby a bit. Even my junk food runs have been healthier – veggie sub at Subway, no cheese, vinegar, no oil. Fresco style bean burrito at Taco Bell. It makes him crazy. This afternoon when DD offered her last slice of pizza to us, hubby told her I wanted it. I told her I didn’t and to just put it away from later if hubster wasn’t interested. It’s typical of the routine when I’m eating differently. I’m not thrilled about it, but I’m used to it. He only gets this way when he’s feeling like making a change in his habits. He doesn’t like eating alone and sometimes considers it eating alone of I’m eating something different.

He makes me tired, but I love him.

I have a knot in my shoulder that refuses to quit, so exercise has consisted of the modified yoga and pilates routine and watching the dogs race around the yard. Yep, I let them run instead of walking them; sue me.

So far so good as far as food today. I’m getting in lots of veggies and protein and small amounts of fat (only what was used in cooking and occurs naturally in the ingredients). I’m not sure what we’ll have for dinner tonight, but the rest of the day has gone like this –

B: 1/4 c scrambled tofu, 1/4 cup veggie/nut burger, jalapeno, 2 TBS diced tomato, TBS shredded cheddar; cinnamon flax muffin; decaf, water, supplements

L: Tandoori tofu, sauteed spinach-onion-garlic; cup veggie soup

Hubby’s not thrilled with the low sodium levels, but my heart is thanking me. I’m craving sugar and am not sure what I’m going to do about it. We’re headed grocery shopping in a bit and I’m going to throw Greek yogurt into the cart. I love this stuff! 1/4 to 1/2 cup of it with some fruit, ground flax, and drizzle (or sprinkle) of a sweetener is so very good. It feels decadent and that helps trick these jaded taste buds of mine.

Did I mention that I’m reducing caffeine again? Yep, 1 cup of regular only, and that’s only when we’re out. At home it’s either 3/4 decaf or full decaf. Hubby hasn’t realized it yet. He’s up when he’s up and crashes at the drop of a hat.

Hubster is actually ready to go, so I’m out for now. Here’s to a great week!