Athaclena - the progress continues....

[Athaclena]

Well - the last challenge was probably the best to date.  Holy cow!  While I'm not seeing\feeling any real progress yet, I know I'm making changes - and that's what this process is about!

I don't slack off and take a "bye" week.  So the tracking starts promptly on 4/16.  Of course I reserve the right to change mid way if I need to tweak.

It looks like I'll continue to have a grueling travel schedule for at least a bit.  But I've also had a little discussion with my new (well, I'm now reporting to someone new - but I've worked with him a while on projects) manager about how they can make that suck less.  And they need to fix my compensation package so I'm not traveling MORE and making less $$.  I indicated the going rate at other companies where 90%+ travel is expected (which is what I'm doing, not the 75% I signed up for) was a nice chunk over my current salary.  I'll give it a couple of months to see if things improve before I put feelers out on said jobs.....

So - my goals this challenge:

 

1) Continue to Food Journal - but NOW try too keep it close to 1500 calories per day (was eat veggies - eating veggies will help here)
2) Continue to take my probiotic (can't let this fall off - it's KEY to me feeling well while traveling)
3) Now that I have my fitbit - increase my daily goal to 2500 for this week - and INCREASE that by 500 each week - and HIT IT at least 5 days per week

4) Do my best to keep a sleep schedule\get enough sleep (doing well here, but need to monitor)

5) Try to check in here at least once per week (again, did well last challenge - need to keep it up)

[WolfDreamer]

21 hours ago, Athaclena said:

I know I'm making changes - and that's what this process is about!

 

Well said! I think your goals are awesome. Let me know if I can support you in any way.

 

 

[Elleme]

I agree with Wolfen, those goals look great! Keep on going strong!  

[fleaball]

Woot woot!

[Vibrantella]

Great goals!  Good luck!  

[Severine]

Good to see you back! If you want to add me as a fitbit friend, the link is in my signature. I haven't used it for the past couple weeks due to feeling sick, but I'm getting back to it. I find it helpful in staying mindful.

 

Also, huge congrats to you for having the gumption to ask about a (well-justified!) salary adjustment. That's a hard thing to do for many people. It's awesome that you know your value and you're willing to speak up in your favour.

 

And grats also on your progress thus far. Build on the success and keep the momentum. I look forward to seeing where this takes you!

[Athaclena]

Quote

Good to see you back! If you want to add me as a fitbit friend, the link is in my signature. I haven't used it for the past couple weeks due to feeling sick, but I'm getting back to it. I find it helpful in staying mindful.

Thanks!  I've sent you a friend link! 

 

11 hours ago, Severine said:

Also, huge congrats to you for having the gumption to ask about a (well-justified!) salary adjustment. That's a hard thing to do for many people. It's awesome that you know your value and you're willing to speak up in your favour.

It'll be the second time I've asked (got the first one).  And I WILL follow through and look elsewhere if something doesn't give.  I used to be TERRIFIED of not having a job or asking for changes.  But I also realize part of the reason women make less $$ and don't move up is because they never ask - so I've made myself not fall into that.  It all kind of started 12 years ago (holy crap - it's been that long) when I found myself with an unexpectedly ended contract 3 days after it started.  I was in a COMPLETE panic (because I did not have the savings to cover anything - and hubby was without a job at the time) and posted my resume everywhere.  I had a new job, for more $$ 36 hours later.  I've since stopped worrying about it LOL.

 

11 hours ago, Severine said:

And grats also on your progress thus far. Build on the success and keep the momentum. I look forward to seeing where this takes

You and me both!  I'm looking forward to the day when I button my jeans and they fall off and I have to go buy a new pair LOL.

[Severine]

58 minutes ago, Athaclena said:

Thanks!  I've sent you a friend link!

 

Accepted!

 

59 minutes ago, Athaclena said:

 But I also realize part of the reason women make less $$ and don't move up is because they never ask - so I've made myself not fall into that.

 

Yes, exactly this!

 

59 minutes ago, Athaclena said:

You and me both!  I'm looking forward to the day when I button my jeans and they fall off and I have to go buy a new pair LOL.

 

Oh man, the best feeling you can have while getting dressed, lol. I want to get back to that.

[Athaclena]

Quick "nearly the end of the week update".  tldnr; On track to a unreal degree for me!

 

Food Journaling with Calorie Limits

So far, so good.  I've journaled EVERY DAY.  Went over my calorie goal of 1500 on 2 days, but the other 3 days under make it a wash - so 100% so far as I'm concerned.

 

Probiotic - REMEMBER IT

So far - I've missed one day. 5/6 (83%) ain't bad

 

WALK

So far I've met my goal each day.  Yes, I was pacing around the house at 11:45pm last night to get in those last 200 steps - but I DID IT LOL

 

Sleep

Monday night I only got 6 hours - BUT - because I've been getting at least 7.5 hours of good quality sleep - I didn't have any issues on Tuesday.  I DID go to bed early, but Fitbit calculates my ACTUAL "got to sleep and woke up" time which is more accurate than my phone's "started to TRY to go to sleep" time.  So I'll actually count it as 6/6 so far.

 

Checking in here
So far so good - and trying to follow a few other threads to offer support.

 

[Athaclena]

Week one roundup - on the cusp of all A's!

 

Food Journaling with Calorie Limits

Averaging the week, I'm over my goal by 300 calories.  So I'm giving this an A-.

 

Probiotic - REMEMBER IT

Missed 2 days.  B

 

WALK

Made my 2500/day goal every day (ok, a couple of days I was pacing around the house before bed to hit that goal - but I DID IT). A+ and upping to 3000\day.

 

Sleep

1 day I didn't hit my sleep goal.  B

 

Checking in here
Keeping up, checking in and following a few threads. A

[Athaclena]

Since I'm also working on relaxation - I love relaxing to a cup of chamomile tea with almond biscotti.  I've had a DEVIL of a time trying to find actual biscotti recently - so I'm trying a recipe that I found.  It's in the oven.  And assuming I actually get 20 pieces out of it - they're 110 calories each (3g protein to boot) so totally reasonable as a snack.  I'll post back how they turn out!

[Hymnusal]

2 hours ago, Athaclena said:

 I'll post back how they turn out!

Please do! (and if they turn out good, could you maybe share the recipe too? )

[Athaclena]

The biscotti are yummy! Even hubby liked them! At 120 calories each (I got 18 servings rather than 20) - not bad for an indulgent snack with an afternoon chamomile tea!  SO much better than store bought.  I may have to make a double\triple batch and freeze next time, they're a bit involved.

 

Recipe is here: http://www.food.com/recipe/almond-biscotti-51936

Warning - I'd call this recipe intermediate (need to be familiar with dough) and it does take a while since you bake, cool, slice and dry.  Since I've worked with all kinds of dough, I knew immediately it was too dry and that I needed to add water.  If I make this again, I'll do pictures for a tutorial.  Some day when I have time I actually hope to have a cooking blog and maybe even livestream\vid.  Hubby's been pushing me to do that a while now LOL.

 

Changes I made:

• Used 1/2 c. raw, sliced almonds, toasted them quickly in a dry pan, allowed to cool a couple of minutes then ran a knife through them a couple of times
•  I don't have amaretto, so I used the substitute almond extract and rum (spiced rum - Kraken to to be specific)
• Skipped the anise extract (since I didn't have any)
• My dough was definitely too dry , I slowly added a bit of water (probably a total of 1/3 cup) and kept mixing with a rubber spatula until I got a wet, shaggy dough which was what I was expecting from the instructions.  Turned it out onto my pan and patted\shaped with floured hands into a rectangle.

[Stonie]

Love these goals (and those recipes!) Following

[Erick the Red]

20 hours ago, Athaclena said:

Week one roundup - on the cusp of all A's!

 

That looks like a successful week.  Just consistently tracking your food is a great accomplishment.  And your progress on both the sleep goal and the walking goal is great as well.

[Njumoona]

Good luck

[Athaclena]

Oh yeah.  Almond biscotti with an afternoon herbal tea is JUST what the doctor ordered!  Chamomile this afternoon, but I'm eyeing some herbals I haven't had in a while for tomorrow....

On track for the day.  My goal today is to not be walking around the house just before bed to get 700 steps in for my daily step goal

[fleaball]

1 hour ago, Athaclena said:

My goal today is to not be walking around the house just before bed to get 700 steps in for my daily step goal

I'm glad I'm not the only one who does this!

[Athaclena]

Monday, Monday, Monday - yeah - I was pacing around the house at 11:30pm getting my steps in - which means I got to bed late - but I got my steps in!  Still got 8 hours of sleep though - working from home rules   Today I'm training remotely - and everything that COULD go wrong with the online environments has - so I had to rush through the material - they HAVE to be done by noon because I start up the next class this afternoon *EEEK*

Food Journaling with Calorie Limits

SQUEAKED in - while eating good food

 

Probiotic - REMEMBER IT

Remembered it (around lunch - but remembered it)

 

WALK

Made my 3k steps (at 11:45 pm)

 

Sleep

Got in 8 hours - barely

 

Checking in here
Since I'm home this week - not having any issues here

[Severine]

21 minutes ago, Athaclena said:

I was pacing around the house at 11:30pm getting my steps in

 

Hahaha I totally do this. I tend to do it in the basement so my insanity is less obvious...

[Athaclena]

Decided I wanted a heartier bread (but skip the jam) for breakfast - so I made my version of a Publix bread mom buys.  I LOVE by 2 lb bread maker!  Recipe below - cut into 18 slices is 150 calories each (but also 4 g of protein).

Cranberry\Walnut Whole Wheat Bread
2 c. Whole Wheat Flour

1 c. All Purpose Flour

1/2 Tbs Kosher Salt

2 Tbs Honey

1 Tbs Cane Sugar
1 egg (beaten)
12 oz (1.5 c) water

1/2 T (or 1 packet) Dry Active Yeast

1/2 c. chopped walnuts

1/2 c. dried cranberries

If doing by hand or using a bread maker without a pre-heat setting, you want the egg to be room temp and slightly heat the water (should be about same temp as your wrist).  

In a bread maker, put in the following order: water, honey, egg, flour, salt, sugar, yeast - set for Whole Wheat, add the walnuts\cranberries at the "mix in" beep.

If doing by hand, mix honey\water\yeast to proof (it should get frothy while you put together the rest).  Add flours, salt, sugar, walnuts & cranberries into a large bowl and mix to combine.  Make a big well in the center, pour in the beaten egg then the proofed yeast\water.  Mix until it forms a dough (I love a swedish dough hook for this).  Knead on a flour'd board for 5 - 10 minutes.  Let rise until double (about 1/2 hour).  Punch down and EITHER form into 2 loaves and put in buttered pans OR if you like a rustic look, form into rounds on sheet pans with parchment.  Let rise until double again - cook 50-60 min hour in a 350 degree oven.

If you've never seen a Swedish Dough hook - here's one from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Danish-Dough-Whisk-Size-Large/dp/B002PABWJQ/ref=sr_1_2?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1493133439&sr=1-2&keywords=swedish+dough+whisk

 

[Athaclena]

Totally didn't get my steps in yesterday - but 100% on everything else.  Huzzah!

And hubby really liked the bread.  I'm gonna have to make another one.  Maybe in a few days so he slows down on it LOL.

[Erick the Red]

3 hours ago, Athaclena said:

100% on everything else.  Huzzah!

 

Good job focusing on your successes.  You've earned them.

[Athaclena]

So... uh.... one of our managers has taken a lateral outside of our group.  Which means we have an opening in management (really more of a Director level in our company).  I'm considering throwing my name in the hat.  I know I can DO the job - but it involves stepping back from being technical - and puts me in a role of cat herding (more or less).  BUT - some of the things that frustrate me is my inability in my current role to actually impact real change to make the consultant's lives better - but if I move up - I have a reasonable ability to do that in a million small ways, and maybe even some big ones.  AND it makes me infinitely more hirable outside into Director positions - meaning when I'm ready to jump ship and stop traveling, I won't have to take a HUGE salary cut to do so (in the area we're looking to move to).

So my stress level just went up THINKING about this.  I mean, I know I SHOULD go for it.  Even though the last 2 women in this position were shoved out.  Which again makes me pause....

GAH!  

[fleaball]

Is it worth it just to get your name in now and think it over while you're waiting for the process to get started?