Athaclena - and this time with MEANING!

[Athaclena]

The below is totally ripped from my last post on the previous challenge.  For more about me (for the curious) - check my signature for previous challenges where I'll have a bio (beyond that I'm a traveling consultant - emphasis on travel LOL).

 

I'm calling the last challenge pretty dang successful.  I mean, I certainly didn't gain any weight back - and there were 0 days when I put on my wedding ring where I realized I needed NOT to due to water retention (well, except for one day due to hormones - f' hormones and water retention and migraines they bring LOL).  I didn't get all of the walking in, BUT everything else?  ACES!

 

SO - this challenge I'm going to keep on keeping on - but focusing on getting on the workout bandwagon.  Starting with walking.  I walked over 10k steps per day at Dragon*Con - granted not all at ONCE - but I did it.  I've set my Fitbit to be 10k steps - and 10k steps is the goal.  I'm tracking that with dragging my a$$ out of bed earlier so that I can get that done in the AM.  Shouldn't be a problem since my breakfast is now (at least during the week) a protein shake.   Severine - I'm looking at you and will at least come close to your step counts starting now LOL.  Any other Fitbit users want to track and keep me honest - my public URL is www.fitbit.com/user/27X45Y - feel free to friend me!

 

So - onto the list:

1) Nutrition - keep up with Probiotic and Breakfast shakes 5+ days per week. Keep working on adding in veggies - and avoid default burger\fries while traveling.
2) Set myself up for success - During the week - drag my a$$ out of bed by 7am (may have to get up a BIT earlier when on the road - but enough time to get in AT LEAST 30 minutes of walking in the AM) - this does mean taking "workout gear" with me when traveling - but that shouldn't be a problem.
3) Exercise - Walk.  Just Walk.  I want to do MORE, but I've got to get some weight off so I'm focusing on walking this challenge.  Goal is 10k steps PER DAY.

4) Sleep - Do my best to keep a sleep schedule\get enough sleep.  This went pretty well this challenge.  Of course last week was awesome since I was on vacation.  I freely admit I was almost hibernating - but I WAS sick and I was totally due!

5) Check in here more.  Even while traveling - I have the technology LOL.  Check in on my thread at LEAST 3 times per week, keep up with the Juice Bar and try to encourage at least 2 n00bs.  If I really have time, try to keep up on fleaball's thread LOL.

[fleaball]

I really really need to dig out my fitbit again. But I have zero clue where it might be. D: So sad. I wouldn't come near your step count, but you could be my motivation. =P

[Wobbegong]

Congrats on your successful challenge last time and welcome back! Looks like you've got some good goals planned out -- it's great to see you focusing on walking. Even though there's always that desire to do more, do everything, and do it all now, it's important to stick with manageable change you can count on! And you're doing a fantastic job with that. 

 

15 hours ago, Athaclena said:

5) Check in here more.  Even while traveling - I have the technology LOL.  Check in on my thread at LEAST 3 times per week, keep up with the Juice Bar and try to encourage at least 2 n00bs.  If I really have time, try to keep up on fleaball's thread LOL.

There's the Level 1 "Guild" this time, so it should be pretty easy for you to find those n00bs. If you're looking for people who are new to Rebel, that might be a bit tougher, but you can do it! Best of luck! 

[zeroh13]

You can do it!

 

Too bad my fitbit broke years ago. I'm stuck relying on the google fit app on my phone to count my steps, which I don't completely trust, but it'll have to do.

[Athaclena]

Somhow this didn't get posted, but was still in my "cache" so posting it (from Last Monday)

Week 0 Monday update.

 

The brief

1) Breakfast shake CHECK.  Probiotic - dang it - I think I forgot it!
2) Failed to get up at 7am - see below.  Wasn't gonna happen - kind of surprised I'm still upright - likely just adreneline and I'll have to crash early tonight.
3) Can't really walk outside and stuff that we pulled in from the deck is piled all around the treadmill.  Definitely won't get in 10k steps...

4) Sleep - Hah.  Pretty much didn't do that last night.  Just could NOT fall asleep!

5) Check in 1 of 3 for the week - gonna head to the N00b forum for a bit....

So day 0.1 - 1.5/5 for the day. Meh.

Didn't get up at 7am.  Of course, didn't fall asleep until about 5:30am.  Hurricane Irma has me super stressed.  So far (fingers CROSSED) - everyone I know in the impacted areas in Florida are ok and it's been breaking up (good 'ole thermal sink Atlanta is) before the winds get to us.  Hoping that keeps up because I don't need any of these trees to fall on my house!  So far we have power - a few flickers here and there but so far not off more than a few seconds.

Loooong first day back at work.  I waded through most of my email and completed a few tasks and totally trying to figure out how I'm still upright on about 3 hours of sleep (if that).

 

 

[Athaclena]

And now to a Saturday update....

Got a call EARLY from Mom that my grandfather is in the hospital, and likely will not come back out.  Determining now if I'm flying to Charleston tonight.  If he's not coherent, I'd rather remember him as I saw him last in August - but his health has been slowly declining in recent years.  He is 94 and has lived a full life.  I'm mostly concerned about Mom at this point.  Of COURSE I'm scheduled to be in Seattle next week and there is NO ONE to cover for me.  So I if he really has stopped eating and passes this weekend, I'll likely take a red eye back next Thursday and be home for a funeral next weekend.  And then, of course, what happens with the will.  No one knows what's in it at this point - I just hope it doesn't cause yet ANOTHER family incident.  I'm just done with it all....

Ok - drama done - here's my challenge results for this week:

1) Breakfast shake 5 days - CHECK.  Probiotic 5/6 - so not bad.
2) Totally didn't get up early at all this week.  I will next week (I admit I'll be helped by a 3 hour time change)....
3) Not so much this week - but did walk more, on average, than previous weeks - so I'll take progress even if I haven't hit my actual goal.

4) Sleep has been an abysmal failure this week.  Barely made 7 hours 2 nights and 8 (my goal) 2 nights.  So that's 2/6.  UGH!

5) Check in 2 of 3 for the week - and haven't caught up on other threads.  *sigh*

On the good front - my work slacks are looser.  And I made good foot choices.  Just need to focus more on going the f' to sleep so I can get up and walk

[fleaball]

Sorry to hear about your grandfather.  And all the associated stress that comes after it. 

[Athaclena]

Good news on the family front - while it certainly was serious (water around the heart) - it was caught in time.  Once they were able to drain the fluid he was his spry self! They're holding him another night for observation and to make sure he can get around on his own.

But in the meantime - laundry is done and bags are packed for my Seattle trip.  All I have to do tomorrow is some light grocery shopping.  Planning a trip to Sam's next weekend with a friend to bulk by some meat and other staples - especially since I'll be home a couple of weeks.  May be time to try out some British Baking Show recipes.... Hmmmmm.....

[Severine]

Delighted to hear your grandfather is okay! It's so hard with loved ones that age because on the one hand you want them to be around but you also don't want them to be miserable and bedridden. Sounds like he's still quite functional so that's wonderful  Maybe this will be a reminder for people who have been putting off seeing him to get a visit in. And...maybe a reminder for him to make sure his will is the way he wants, and has an executor he trusts lined up?

 

Hope Seattle goes well! I am pretty much in awes of how well you do in keeping your habits going while travelling. I will try to at least match your step count!

[Countess D'If]

On 9/16/2017 at 3:11 PM, Athaclena said:

May be time to try out some British Baking Show recipes.... Hmmmmm.....

 

I heartily endorse this plan!

[Athaclena]

A minor update on my Grandfather - it seems like my step-grandmother WAAAAY over-reacted.  And it has also highlighted some other issues in the family with respect to keeping people "in the loop."  I just want to slap some folks.

So I think we're working on getting them some help a few days a week and have a medical professional make some suggestions to changing the path flow in their house to allow him to move around a bit better.  Unfortunately no one lives very close so no one can be there a few hours every day or a few days a week - but I'm pretty sure that can be arranged and would help all around.....

[zeroh13]

23 minutes ago, Athaclena said:

And it has also highlighted some other issues in the family with respect to keeping people "in the loop."  I just want to slap some folks.

My family is the same way. The number of times I hear about things days or weeks later (and normally very sparse on certain details)... So frustrating! 

[Wobbegong]

Late to the party but glad to hear your grandfather is ok! And I hope you have fun in Seattle!!! (I'll tag in for you over the weekend Heading up there for a wedding)

 

Also happy to hear you're gonna get to be home for a couple weeks. That's pretty unusual for you, isn't it? 

[Athaclena]

4 hours ago, Wobbegong said:

Also happy to hear you're gonna get to be home for a couple weeks. That's pretty unusual for you, isn't it? 

Without taking vacation, pretty rare this year

 

Did great on food today. I do 4 small meals when I head out west. Today was my shake, shrimp tacos, the Delta cheese plate and a Caesar salad (very light on the dressing) with salmon. Now to keep that ki d of eating up for the rest of the week!!

[Athaclena]

Yes, it is probably cheating by gaining 3 hours due to flying from the East Coast to the West Coast, but I was up before 7am and got some walking in. WOOT.

 

So far, totally on track today!  I'll try to get in 10k steps if I'm up to it when I get back to the hotel tonight....

 

And I'll be sure to log my steps\water intake on the mini challenge!

[fireandlight]

On 9/18/2017 at 8:12 AM, zeroh13 said:

My family is the same way. The number of times I hear about things days or weeks later (and normally very sparse on certain details)... So frustrating! 

So reassuring to hear that this isn't just my family... 

The worst part is getting the side-eye later on like "Why aren't you more involved with the family?"

[Athaclena]

Just now, fireandlight said:

So reassuring to hear that this isn't just my family... 

The worst part is getting the side-eye later on like "Why aren't you more involved with the family?"

Oh - my family knows.  I'm 5.5 hours away by car and CONSTANTLY traveling.  I can't keep up with FB - and that shouldn't be the only avenue of communication!

[Athaclena]

Checking in now that I'm back from the West Coast (and HOME for 2 weeks - STRAIGHT).
 

1) Breakfast shake 5 days - CHECK. M - F this week - not a problem - and got my probiotic in too. WOOT!
2) Was up by 7am 4 days this week - definite improvement (and perhaps cheating a bit since I gained 3 hours going west - but normally I'd have slept in and "changed" my hours - I was collapsed in bed by 10pm every night this week instead).  And it's 10pm on the east coast - and I'm heading to bed in a few minutes (will read a bit first, but should be "down" by 11pm local)
3) I'm walking MORE, but not hitting my 10k goal.  I will really stress this while I'm home and start working on making it a habit.

4) Sleep was MUCH better this week.  Only 2 days < 8 hours and ALL over 7.  I'm at a just over 8 hour average (which is where I need to be to be at "peak" function).

5) Plenty of check-ins this week - although haven't been following other threads - but I'm not going to stress over this as much as my walking goal...

[Countess D'If]

3 hours ago, Athaclena said:

2) Was up by 7am 4 days this week - definite improvement (and perhaps cheating a bit since I gained 3 hours going west - but normally I'd have slept in and "changed" my hours - I was collapsed in bed by 10pm every night this week instead).  And it's 10pm on the east coast - and I'm heading to bed in a few minutes (will read a bit first, but should be "down" by 11pm local)

I find I get much MUCH worse jet lag coming back home to the west coast from the east coast or further. It's been years since I did that, but I could never quite figure out why that was. Put me on a plane headed east though, and I'm complete normal until i head back home (normal of course is complete relative here).

 

I'm glad you're starting to get your internal clock back on track!

 

I've been a mess, checking on other people's threads. It's been a long week

[Athaclena]

8 hours ago, Countess D'If said:

I find I get much MUCH worse jet lag coming back home to the west coast from the east coast or further. It's been years since I did that, but I could never quite figure out why that was. Put me on a plane headed east though, and I'm complete normal until i head back home (normal of course is complete relative here).

I think what ACTUALLY happens is Jet Lag stage 1 hits - so you quickly adjust to going to bed earlier - then you get back home and Jet Lag stage 2 hits, but you've gained 3 hours LOL.

I generally adjust TOO quickly heading west (when I should really only adjust an hour or 2 - MAX) then head back east and I'm toast.  I was actually OUT about midnight and up at 9am this morning (which is unusual for me).  I did make a "date" with a friend this morning at 10 so I'd have more reason to drag my a$$ out of bed to help out  So essentially, I kept the same "hours" overnight as I had the previous day in Seattle - out at 9pm/midnight and up at 6am/9am.  Now to drag my butt out of bed 7am Monday like my plan states!

[Athaclena]

Woke up to 5 alarm migraine - complete with nausea and - that thing nausea leads to.  Just kill me.  Stop reading now if you don't want details.

Took 2 aleve and 3 or 4 (honestly, I didn't count) Formula 303 and a zantac at 6:30 (because I wasn't yet nauseous and I wanted to counteract the aleve hitting an empty stomach).  At 8am went for my LAST zofran because the nausea was real.  9am everything came up (but I know the meds were all in my system by then at least).  Semi-passed out and had to run to the bathroom again a few minutes ago (although there was nothing left).  I'm up and sipping something cold right now hoping at least the nausea is over with.  I'm pretty sure the actual headache portion will be back before long and I'll have to dig into my stash (only 2 left) of Fiorcet.  I guess it's time to head back to the doc for a refill.  It wouldn't be so bad if my damn head would stop making me think of food while I'm nauseous.  FFS.

 

I was doing so GOOD this weekend getting stuff accomplished.  GAH! And all I want to do is curl up and die.....

[Athaclena]

I survived the migraine.  Actually - once I had the fiorcet on board for a few hours, I managed to clean the kitchen, do menu planning, cook dinner AND clean up after dinner - meaning all I missed for my weekend "chores" was a trip to target and laundry - not bad considering the shape I was in yesterday morning.

I was totally dragging this morning so I didn't get in the planned morning walk (I kind of figured that would happen) - but all of a sudden I have serious energy.  I mean like can't sit still energy.  I'm waiting on my client to fix some credentials so I can login and do some serious coding this afternoon.  In the meantime I've got some prep work on dinner started, a load of laundry started, caught up on my expense reports and working on clearing some crap off of my desk (shredding\tossing\scanning\etc).  I thought about taking a walk at lunch, but I have lots of things to do around the house - I'll just do lots of laps of the house and get stuff done while I can.  I'm sure I'll crash at some point - but I must take advantage of this

[Athaclena]

Well - I'm doing great at the work thing - had a ton of work to do this week and making progress. I'm developing some custom stuff for a client - it's kind of nice being technical again.  BUT - when doing this type of work, my brain goes into overdrive and doesn't like to shut down.  So I'm having trouble sleeping, which means getting up early isn't happening, which means I'm not getting my walking in.

 

Other than that - things are going well.  I'm sticking to my meal plan, taking my probiotics, etc.  Now if only I could re-master this sleep thing and get workouts going again.... Still - could be MUCH worse!

[Athaclena]

Never once got up at 7am this week and no walking.  Yesterday (Friday) - I laid down after work and slept for 3 hours.  Crashed at midnight and didn't wake up until just after 9am this morning.  Got breakfast and went grocery shopping.  It's now 2:30 and I feel like I need a nap. WTF body?  THIS is why I need to sleep more during the week, so I'm not dragging all weekend.  GAH.

 

So, other than not getting enough sleep and walking - everything else is on track.  My pants are still loose so I haven't gained any weight back - and I was totally awake and alert through Thursday.  I need that to carry into the weekends though - I've got stuff to do around the house!

[Vibrantella]

Sleep is good, and so are naps   Housework can wait!