Stealthstitcher Staggers In, Out of Breath, At the Last Minute

[stealthstitcher]

So, the timing is not the best for new endeavors. It's show week! Which means I'm working all the hours. 

The goal for the first week of the new challenge is maintenance and planning. I've been walking the dog for half an hour every day, and eating vegetables at two meals a day. That's goal number one.

Goal number two is to plan ... the future.

 

 

Funny story. Everybody said doing a second whole 30 is way harder than the first one. I said, "Nah, not for me, I'm awesome". Turns out everybody was right. Quit almost immediately. However, for various reasons, I believe the time is right to try again. But not without due forethought and planning. The first thing to consider - do I want to jump in the deep end again, or step in gradually by slowly eliminating one thing at a time? 

 

And then secondly, I got completely derailed on fitness and adventure over the summer. I'm pretty nearly back to starting point again in both areas. Do you know, I haven't taken a picture in three years? Not one. Haven't had anything much to take pictures of. 

I need to plan two components (which hopefully will combine into one)  - fitness, and adventures. Suggestions welcome.

 

Oh, as to goals today - got my vegetables, walked the dog. Counting this post as planning. 

[MichiruSedai]

Maybe some hikes to take pretty pictures of the fall colors?

[Sylvaa]

Show time!

 

I am glad you are back with us my friend. Hope that (after this week) everything slows down and you are able to get yourself into a pattern again.

 

[stealthstitcher]

On 9/26/2016 at 8:28 PM, MichiruSedai said:

Maybe some hikes to take pretty pictures of the fall colors?

If only we won't go straight to brown and soggy ... 

 

Goals for this week, still on track. All is well in the land of dog walking and vegetables. 

On 9/27/2016 at 9:41 AM, Sylvaa said:

Hope that (after this week) everything slows down and you are able to get yourself into a pattern again.

 

I do so much better with a consistent schedule! But (I don't know if anyone else has noticed this dark secret) life is not all that consistent. I've been thinking lately about how to have a consistent routine when life is crazy, or unpredictable. It's really problematic that my whole routine falls apart every time I have company, or work weird hours, or have something in the evening. On the other hand, you don't want to be so rigid that you can't rearrange and rethink things. Flexibility of any kind ... not my area of strength.

[stealthstitcher]

Today was a yes to vegetables and a no to dog walking. Didn't get it done before the morning matinee and then there wasn't time, and I won't be home till midnight. 

I'm thinking I will be starting a Whole30 on Monday. The timing feels right, and I'm in a place where physically I think I need it. The goal this time (aside from completing the plan) will be a smarter post-Whole30 plan. The first time I completed it, my whole plan was "Now I will be super healthy all the time always!" Which is more of an idea than a plan. So I ended up pretty much back where I was but with a heightened awareness of how lousy I feel after eating certain things ... that I went ahead and ate anyway. Spiraling forward progress seems to be my thing. Go forward to a good place ... spiral back to a less good place but not as bad as it was ... spiral slightly further forward than I was the last time. 

[mom2sjm]

If you want a little structure to your fitness you might want to try the darebee daily dare (top of screen, usually center).  there's even a NF darebee daily dare PVP for accountability if you want that (okay to jump in anytime).  

 

don't know where you are located but maybe there are some pet friend events near you that you could sign up for.  that'd be adventurous!  and a great time to take some pictures.  and fitness.  

 

good luck with your challenge.  keep us posted!

[stealthstitcher]

On 9/29/2016 at 5:48 PM, mom2sjm said:

If you want a little structure to your fitness you might want to try the darebee daily dare (top of screen, usually center).  there's even a NF darebee daily dare PVP for accountability if you want that (okay to jump in anytime).  

I love darebee workouts in concept, but in practice they tend to be too advanced for me. Nonetheless, I shall inspect.

 

Dog walking and vegetables all accomplished today. I'm planning to start Whole30 Monday, so now I need to consider the fitness and adventure portions of my plan. I don't want to overdo it (I will do Whole30 and work out for two hours nine days a week and go base jumping into a volcano!!!!) but on the other hand one doesn't want to underdo it either. (I will do a pushup every second Tuesday and try a new variety of lettuce!) 

[Loveable_Bouncer]

I really feel your pain on the structure of things. Finding what works for "going with the flow". I just give you some good vibes, to hope find fitness adventure (since happy chemical rushes supposedly makes Whole30 a tad easier... in theory).

[MichiruSedai]

Have a great weekend!!

[Huldra]

Good job on the veggies & dog walking! If it's show week, maket this one a 3 week challenge and do what you can. The show must go on! (ahem...)

 

On 28.9.2016 at 7:09 AM, stealthstitcher said:

I do so much better with a consistent schedule! But (I don't know if anyone else has noticed this dark secret) life is not all that consistent. I've been thinking lately about how to have a consistent routine when life is crazy, or unpredictable. It's really problematic that my whole routine falls apart every time I have company, or work weird hours, or have something in the evening. On the other hand, you don't want to be so rigid that you can't rearrange and rethink things. Flexibility of any kind ... not my area of strength.

I HEAR you!! I struggle with the same thing. I plan and I plan, but it turns out life has other plans more often than not... Recently, I've been thinking I should make plan B's and even C's as well...can one plan too much? I know, sometimes you just gotta go wit da flo, but you can't flow all the time either?! I am very good at flowing...not much else gets done that way, though, and it's time for me to hold myself accountable to my goals. (Love your quote - I just copied it and put it on my inspiration board above my desk)

 

I will be looking into the Whole30 program, especially the meal plans. (I need all the help I can get in that department...) 

 

I have faith you will find a balance that fits you and does not include volcanoes or single push-ups. Looking forward to reading what you come up with! Staying tuned...

[stealthstitcher]

Dog walked and vegetables eaten.

7 hours ago, Huldra said:

 

I will be looking into the Whole30 program, especially the meal plans. (I need all the help I can get in that department...) 

 

Actually, if you don't get food boredom, the meal planning can be really easy. All you have to do is cook some meat or eggs and then fix some vegetables and maybe grab a piece of fruit. Last time I did it, I usually scrambled some eggs and steamed some broccoli, or put some chicken or something in the crockpot and then steamed or roasted some vegetables. But if you get bored with food easily, that wouldn't work. The trick is to eat the food you fixed and not other off-plan stuff ... 

[Huldra]

Thank you, that is a great tip! It goes well with a good tip my chiropractor recently gave me: "Eat meat & vegetables with every meal. 5 servings of veggies every day, 2 fruits as snacks with nuts. When you want to eat something bad, and you will want to, then do it. Just make sure you drink a large glass of water and eat a veggie first. Don't ever tell yourself No, because then you'll just want it more".

 

Hey, we can do that...! Plan a bit ahead, marinate the meat in some good oil & herbs/spices beforehand and vary the meats/veggies throughout the week/month to keep that food boredom (good name!) away, yeah! We got this.

 

What kind of veggies do you like to munch on? 

[Tziganette]

On 9/28/2016 at 10:09 AM, stealthstitcher said:

I do so much better with a consistent schedule! But (I don't know if anyone else has noticed this dark secret) life is not all that consistent. I've been thinking lately about how to have a consistent routine when life is crazy, or unpredictable. It's really problematic that my whole routine falls apart every time I have company, or work weird hours, or have something in the evening.

 

So true! In the spring, I was doing so great with the Academy! My friend stayed with me all summer, and even though she cooks healthy food and loves to hike, just having a buddy around all the time was enough to derail any progress. My current goal is to create a new baseline, so that when I fall off the fitness wagon I won't revert back to 0. Instead, I'll revert to one LHT session per week. And hopefully I can keep getting that baseline higher and better.

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Ugh at life and the constant derailing of consistent routines. I swear as soon as I think "wow I think I finally made this a good solid habit" life throws a wrench in the plans

 

Although I guess life would be way more boring without all of the wrenches to dodge..... (alright metaphor broke a little bit there).

 

Following (and cheering for) you as a fellow dog-walker this challenge

[stealthstitcher]

Super quick update - life got all busy on me again. The big choir concert got pushed back a full month. Which means I have one week instead of five to get the choir outfits ready. Yeesh. 

Anyway, Day 1 of 30 went just fine. Day 2 seems to be running along the same. I'm keeping walking the dog every day as my exercise goal for this week, and that's 2/2 as well. Will return as soon as I get the latest crisis off my hands!

[MichiruSedai]

Losing four weeks, yikes!  Good luck!

[stealthstitcher]

4 days out of 30, success! I do have two challenges to continued success coming up. My dad is coming up weekend after this one - that's a small challenge. He won't eat much on plan, but it doesn't bother him at all if I do. Just as long as he gets his cheeseburgers, mac and cheese, and so on, and doesn't have to eat any icky vegetables or gross things like eggs or anything that looks weird ... 

The other is, a friend wants to go out on Tuesday, but it needs to be someplace kid friendly, so probably fast food. She's one of those people who gets very worried that she's upsetting people, or they're mad at her, or I'll think she's a bad mother for letting her children eat chicken nuggets ... so I'll have to step carefully around this one. The weather's supposed to be nice, so maybe I can suggest we picnic at the park or something. 

Dog walking, also success. Going to try to add a slightly more intense fitness goal next week.

Adding a challenge for myself for this weekend - clean the basement! It's not very exciting, but it seriously needs done. I haven't cleaned out the basement in two years. I don't have that much stuff down there but I know I dumped the Christmas decorations in the middle of the floor and I've got a couple of boxes of things "to deal with later" and my tools are all in a mess. Not to mention spider webs all over everything. And I need to make sure the furnace is good to go for winter. 

[MichiruSedai]

So if by kid friendly you mean the food.... kids can eat anything. They won't die if they can't have mac and cheese or french fries.  I feed my (recently turned) 7 year old mostly healthy food with very little "kid food".  If you mean in terms of the atmosphere, maybe you can find a cafe of some sort that is a step above fast food in terms of healthy-ness? Even a Panera or something?

 

......I just read the line about your friend being worried you judge her if she lets her kids eat chicken nuggets, so I guess nevermind.  Though Panera has plenty of junk food in addition to the health food so maybe something like that is a happy medium?

 

Good luck with basement cleaning! 

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Aaah basement cleaning is scary (or at least mine is....). Best of luck with that and the choir costume time crunch.

 

I feel you on the pressure to eat healthy vs social norms. Most of my family members are veggie-phobic (which is okay, just means more broccoli for me). Sounds like a picnic where you and your friend can pack your own ideas of food is a great idea if the weather behaves for it. Picnics are awesome, and kiddos get some time to run around and play which is cool too. 

 

Sounds like you are doing fantastic with the dog walking! Have you noticed any changes in the puppers? As in them (not so) gently reminding you that it is time for walkies as it becomes a more consistent habit?

[stealthstitcher]

On 10/8/2016 at 8:40 PM, MichiruSedai said:

So if by kid friendly you mean the food.... kids can eat anything.

Agreed! But you can't very well tell other people what to have their kids eat ... although I admit to worrying slightly when people say that their kids only eat special "children's" foods - like your kid is three and they only eat pureed stuff and toddler meat sticks or whatever? 

Oddly enough, my friend suggested a steakhouse, which is one of the easiest places to eat whole 30 style. I was surprised, since she usually talks like her children are holy terrors who cannot be allowed near adult society (they aren't). But it worked out great. 

 

20 hours ago, Garjan said:

Sounds like you are doing fantastic with the dog walking! Have you noticed any changes in the puppers? As in them (not so) gently reminding you that it is time for walkies as it becomes a more consistent habit?

Ah, the gentle reminders of whining and running in frantic circles, pointed looks at the leash and my shoes, and sighing heavily when it's taking me too long to get ready? Yup. Or on weekends, when I want to sleep in a little, trotting back and forth between the door and my bed and nudging my arm with a cold nose? 

 

I didn't get the basement cleaned - two friends from college decided to pop in for the day, and I felt it would be a bit tacky to say "So glad you came, let's clean the basement!" Aside from that, still on track with Whole30 and dog walking. Didn't give an additional exercise goal for this week any thought at all. So I'll consider that today.

 

 

[MichiruSedai]

Huh, well, steakhouse sounds good!  I know you can't tell people what to feed your kids, but I do think its okay to speak up when someone is always suggesting McD's/etc "for kids food".    Good luck!!

[stealthstitcher]

13 hours ago, MichiruSedai said:

I know you can't tell people what to feed your kids, but I do think its okay to speak up when someone is always suggesting McD's/etc "for kids food".   

Isn't it weird how people act as though children are some other species rather than merely younger humans? Small humans can eat human food! 

 

Decided to do something different for breakfast and made pumpkin custard. It was good, but my taste buds are still at the point where they're moaning "needs sugaaaar ..." No, taste buds, there is enough sugar in coconut milk and pumpkin. You will live. 

Aside from taste, I'm not really having any problems with cravings. Which makes me feel like it's quiet ... too quiet. Like I must be doing something wrong or else I would have cravings all over the place. But I'm eating meals on plan and according to the meal template, and I'm not snacking. So I don't know what's going on. Success makes me suspicious ...

It's dark in the morning now when I walk the dog, which doesn't bother me. The dog, however, is very jumpy. I think she may be afraid of the dark. 

Oh, nearly forgot - my plan to increase exercise. I decided to move gradually, so every day I will add one strength or stretching/mobility exercise until I have a reasonable routine built up. Yesterday I did squats. Today ... hmm, haven't decided yet. I should probably work on back strength (I'm prone to pull back muscles) and flexibility (cause I have none) the most.  

 

[Sylvaa]

Ranting about Panera: I hate how because they tout their food as being antibiotic free and whatnot that it's deemed healthy. Many of their salads have as many calories as a McDonald's value meal. Now, yes it has more veggies, but come on. /rawr.

 

Very glad your friend chose a steakhouse so you could stay compliant!

 

FWIW, when my kids were little, I would suggest McDonald's for a few reasons. First of all, it was cheap (which was a big consideration!), secondly, because there were things for the kids to do, it was easier to sit and talk to my friends, and finally, because we went out to eat so rarely, that kind of food was a treat for the kids. Just saying there are more considerations than just, "I need to feed my kids 'kid food'"

[MichiruSedai]

Sorry Sylvaa, I'm a Panera-aholic, lol.  But I do the whole counting calories thing and just make it work for the day, same as if I went to grab a burger!

[Rebel Pilot Gar]

Woo sounds like you are doing awesome! I have the opposite problem with dark morning walks - my pup is more than happy to walk but I'm still a coffee!zombie until the sun comes up. 

 

Glad your friend picked a Whole30 friendly menu. I haven't taken the jump into Whole30 yet.... so much respect from my corner of the internet.