Athaclena applies what she's learned....

[Athaclena]

I'm calling my last challenge a complete success - even though I didn't truly track my food the last week.  I was still mindful and didn't completely backslide.

 

I have an insane schedule the next few weeks between work and personal life - so I'm just rolling my last challenge goals into this one.  Just keep on keeping on!  More focus on getting my steps in and slowly increase those - but there will certainly be days that won't remotely be an issue.  There will be some long road trip days where it won't really be possible - but I'm shooting for "most" days rather than everyday and basically just change my lifestyle to be more active

So - my goals this challenge:

 

1) Continue to Food Journal - try too keep it close to 1500 calories per day - eating more veggies helps here - a LOT
2) Continue to take my probiotic (can't let this fall off - it's KEY to me feeling well while traveling)
3) Work the fitbit - up to 3500 step\day goal - keep increasing it week by weak

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) - the Florida travel week may be a wash for checking in - but the rest of the time I should be able to keep up with it.

Onward and downward (scale and BF% *grin*).  I'm already feeling a difference in energy level.  Still have SLOTH days, but they're not every day either....

[fleaball]

I love "onward and downward." Sounds like an awesome catchphrase. 

[KaitSith]

1 hour ago, Athaclena said:

I'm calling my last challenge a complete success - even though I didn't truly track my food the last week.  I was still mindful and didn't completely backslide.

 

I have an insane schedule the next few weeks between work and personal life - so I'm just rolling my last challenge goals into this one.  Just keep on keeping on!  More focus on getting my steps in and slowly increase those - but there will certainly be days that won't remotely be an issue.  There will be some long road trip days where it won't really be possible - but I'm shooting for "most" days rather than everyday and basically just change my lifestyle to be more active

So - my goals this challenge:

 

1) Continue to Food Journal - try too keep it close to 1500 calories per day - eating more veggies helps here - a LOT
2) Continue to take my probiotic (can't let this fall off - it's KEY to me feeling well while traveling)
3) Work the fitbit - up to 3500 step\day goal - keep increasing it week by weak

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) - the Florida travel week may be a wash for checking in - but the rest of the time I should be able to keep up with it.

Onward and downward (scale and BF% *grin*).  I'm already feeling a difference in energy level.  Still have SLOTH days, but they're not every day either....

Cheers to shooting for most! Also, idk when you are visiting but we are experiencing record high temperatures in Florida this week, so heads up!

[Athaclena]

7 hours ago, KaitSith said:

Cheers to shooting for most! Also, idk when you are visiting but we are experiencing record high temperatures in Florida this week, so heads up!

Week of June 11 - and of COURSE you are - because the gods know how much I HATE the heat (big reason why we're not building a house there on property hubby inherited - the point of the trip is to take care of paperwork so we can SELL that piece of property).  I rather enjoyed my drive to the hotel in San Diego this evening.  It's about 68 here.  It's GORGEOUS.  Just fabulous weather.  Still wouldn't live in CA though LOL.  The weather is just how they suck you in.....

Oh - I got in all my steps and ate veggies today.  YAY!

[Infinity.Creates]

Keep on Keeping on is Good. I need to remember it sometimes. 

 

And awesome job on managing to stick to most of your goals last time! You've got this!

[KaitSith]

15 hours ago, Athaclena said:

Week of June 11 - and of COURSE you are - because the gods know how much I HATE the heat (big reason why we're not building a house there on property hubby inherited - the point of the trip is to take care of paperwork so we can SELL that piece of property).  I rather enjoyed my drive to the hotel in San Diego this evening.  It's about 68 here.  It's GORGEOUS.  Just fabulous weather.  Still wouldn't live in CA though LOL.  The weather is just how they suck you in.....

Oh - I got in all my steps and ate veggies today.  YAY!

YAY VEGGIES! And steps! My fitbit never accurately counts my steps and I have clipped that dang thing to my shoes.  It could just be defective?

 

June 11? Sweet mother of Summer, I have no advice for you.  There were wildfires because of the heat + drought conditions last week, now flooding this week.  

But, we are getting Star Wars land. Hopefully it's Tatooine themed so the intense heat will make sense.

[Athaclena]

The plan was to take care of it in the spring, but we were both too danged busy to take a week off. At least it won't be mid-august, but central Florida is still going to feel like the 8th circle of hell...

 

Got lots of steps and veggies in today. Not a single fry or burger in sight! Gonna crash early though. Jet lag sucks...

[Bean Sidhe]

On 5/23/2017 at 9:51 PM, Athaclena said:

The plan was to take care of it in the spring, but we were both too danged busy to take a week off. At least it won't be mid-august, but central Florida is still going to feel like the 8th circle of hell...

 

Got lots of steps and veggies in today. Not a single fry or burger in sight! Gonna crash early though. Jet lag sucks...

 

IT sounds like your goals are very doable and you are already rocking them. Keep it up and I look forward to hearing how your doing.

[Athaclena]

Not a single burger this trip. But I did have fries. I also had lots of veggies.

 

I am going to thoroughly enjoy this long weekend though. I need a break. I'll get my steps in, but other than laundry, I'm going to totally relax!

[KaitSith]

Fries are totally veggies ;p

[Bean Sidhe]

33 minutes ago, Athaclena said:

Not a single burger this trip. But I did have fries. I also had lots of veggies.

 

I am going to thoroughly enjoy this long weekend though. I need a break. I'll get my steps in, but other than laundry, I'm going to totally relax!

 

I think with everything going on, you deserve that. Have a good weekend and YAy on the no burger thing. its all about steps really.

[Vibrantella]

Well done with keeping on keeping on!

[Severine]

Following! And I like your approach: if it's working for you and you've got good momentum, don't fix what isn't broken.

 

Florida is gross and sticky in the summer. I was in Miami Beach once in August and dear me, never again.

[Athaclena]

Doing so-so on tracking - BUT still on track with diet\walking.  It's just been crazy 'round here.

Speaking of - just got the official word - I'm going to Seattle tomorrow to kick off a project.  And I'm taking a redeye home Friday night - because I have tickets to Wonder Woman at 11:30 am on Saturday.  Priorities you know.....

[Severine]

Oooh, movie tickets hrm? I'm doing Fantasy Movie League with some friends and still trying to decide if I think I should pick Wonder Woman for my lineup...you people can be my hype-measuring market research

 

Have fun in Seattle! Or at least, good luck on the project.

 

[Athaclena]

Quick check in.  Seattle was fun, ate an AMAZING meal (complete with veggies - and dessert - but DAMN it was worth it - and I really was still within reasonable calorie range) with my co-workers Thursday night.  Things went well at the client (even with me as a last-minute switch up - those can sometimes cause disasters with client engagements) - and we finished early enough for me to snag one of the last available seats on the 3pm flight - only because of my status   It was a middle seat, but I managed to be pretty comfy considering and got home early enough to sleep before heading to WW with my friends.  Which was AWESOME!!!!  GO SEE IT!

Back at being more compliant with my goals this week before heading to points beyond for vacation.  It'll be more difficult to stay on plan - but I'll make the best choices possible of the food available.  I fully intend for my jeans to still fit after that week LOL.

I do have some exciting (to me) news.  I took advantage of the Memorial Day sales to get a new stove (to be delivered this coming week) and a new garbage disposal (mine hasn't worked in over a year) was installed while I was en route to Seattle.  I literally cannot wait to pour my coffee grounds down it and turn on it's 3 stage ultra-quiet grinder goodness rather than take the time to carefully scrape them all into the trash LOL.  It was expensive - but WORTH IT - and considering how NICE of a stove I got for < $1000 (my budget) - worth every penny

And the STOVE!  It has a center griddle burner - and 2 power burners - and a slow simmer - AND A CONVECTION OVEN.  Yes.  I'm a little giddy.  I can't wait to use the griddle for pancakes, french toast, etc.  It comes with a griddle, but I opted to also get the grate so I can use my CI griddle\grill as well

[Bean Sidhe]

5 hours ago, Athaclena said:

Quick check in.  Seattle was fun, ate an AMAZING meal (complete with veggies - and dessert - but DAMN it was worth it - and I really was still within reasonable calorie range) with my co-workers Thursday night.  Things went well at the client (even with me as a last-minute switch up - those can sometimes cause disasters with client engagements) - and we finished early enough for me to snag one of the last available seats on the 3pm flight - only because of my status   It was a middle seat, but I managed to be pretty comfy considering and got home early enough to sleep before heading to WW with my friends.  Which was AWESOME!!!!  GO SEE IT!

Back at being more compliant with my goals this week before heading to points beyond for vacation.  It'll be more difficult to stay on plan - but I'll make the best choices possible of the food available.  I fully intend for my jeans to still fit after that week LOL.

I do have some exciting (to me) news.  I took advantage of the Memorial Day sales to get a new stove (to be delivered this coming week) and a new garbage disposal (mine hasn't worked in over a year) was installed while I was en route to Seattle.  I literally cannot wait to pour my coffee grounds down it and turn on it's 3 stage ultra-quiet grinder goodness rather than take the time to carefully scrape them all into the trash LOL.  It was expensive - but WORTH IT - and considering how NICE of a stove I got for < $1000 (my budget) - worth every penny

And the STOVE!  It has a center griddle burner - and 2 power burners - and a slow simmer - AND A CONVECTION OVEN.  Yes.  I'm a little giddy.  I can't wait to use the griddle for pancakes, french toast, etc.  It comes with a griddle, but I opted to also get the grate so I can use my CI griddle\grill as well

 

Wow, it sounds like you had a great trip and a great weekend planned. ANd its okay to treat yourself once and a while, just not all the time. I am glad you got home to see the WW movie with your friends.

I am sure you will do great on your vacation. And i understnad the fun of a new stove and a garbage disposal. Its things like this that make me all giddy too so I will be giddy with you. Congrats. I am kinda jealous actually of the garbage disposal. Ours may be on the way out.. booo.

[Athaclena]

The garbage disposal is DA BOMB!  And the stove - YES!  I've only made eggs & made a hot ham & cheese sammy for lunch - but when we get back from Florida there will be ALL THE COOKING!

I'm in - just don't backslide mode at the moment.  Too much shiznat on my plate.  Not getting my steps in, but keeping a handle (at least) on everything else.  Eating veggies, taking my probiotic, trying to get good quality sleep.  I'm afraid that's all I'll be able to manage this challenge due to life.

But I WILL keep up with probiotic and eating healthier (or as healthy as possible) and sleep goals dang it!  The rest will come!  But keeping up with those are the key to everything else...

[fleaball]

If you don't mind my asking, what kind of probiotic do you use? The folks at the student health center recommended I take one but I got super overwhelmed googling them and couldn't figure out the differences.

[Bean Sidhe]

On 6/7/2017 at 2:37 PM, Athaclena said:

I'm in - just don't backslide mode at the moment.  Too much shiznat on my plate.  Not getting my steps in, but keeping a handle (at least) on everything else.  Eating veggies, taking my probiotic, trying to get good quality sleep.  I'm afraid that's all I'll be able to manage this challenge due to life.

But I WILL keep up with probiotic and eating healthier (or as healthy as possible) and sleep goals dang it!  The rest will come!  But keeping up with those are the key to everything else...

 

Sometimes that is where we are the best at. Trying to make sure that we get don't lose our way. And if your at least getting that first set, that is still 3 goals you are working on daily. That is a good day. Then you can add one or 2 more slowly as it works out. But sometimes life just says "Hey, focus on where you are right now.  The rest will come."

[Athaclena]

Doing ok so far.  Had a snag in our itenerary - hubby got a major migraine after our 100 mile jaunt down the Blue Ridge Parkway so had to make an unexpected stop last night at a small town in N. Ga.  Made it home today and am now rebooting laundry and such and we'll head to FL tomorrow.

More fast food burgers then I wanted, but travel food is what it is and sometimes there really are no choices when out in the middle of nowhere.  We'll be on major interstates for the Florida trip, so will have some better choices the next few days

[Bean Sidhe]

59 minutes ago, Athaclena said:

Doing ok so far.  Had a snag in our itenerary - hubby got a major migraine after our 100 mile jaunt down the Blue Ridge Parkway so had to make an unexpected stop last night at a small town in N. Ga.  Made it home today and am now rebooting laundry and such and we'll head to FL tomorrow.

More fast food burgers then I wanted, but travel food is what it is and sometimes there really are no choices when out in the middle of nowhere.  We'll be on major interstates for the Florida trip, so will have some better choices the next few days

 

Well, I hope your hubby is feeling better. Glad you made it home and are starting to tackle the laundry and things. Good luck with your trip. Hopefully the travels further south have better options. I know I have that same concern about going on our trip in a few days. Trying to find a good place when options are limited is very hard.

[Athaclena]

OMG.  I need a vacation. Yes. You heard me.  I've now taken 3 weeks of PTO this year, but have yet to actually take a VACATION.  The July 4th 4 day weekend - I ain't doing SQUAT.  Maybe grill out one day.  But other than that - I swear to all deities that's IT.

 

I didn't login to work AT ALL until this morning (well, I checked my calendar inbox yesterday afternoon and saw I had an 8am meeting *sigh* - that I made it out of bed for).  Just finished wading through all of my email and got together my task list.  I did block THE ENTIRE FRICKING WEEK so that I can get the work done for a client - because I know if I show "free time" that people will schedule meetings.  I've got about 5 things on my task list to do - then I can get rocking on that - I hope.  Just - blargh - too much to do!

SO - I did as well as I could food wise.  I got in my steps according to my fitbit (and then some).  We have some friends in somewhat of an emergency situation - right where we were this week in Florida.  So Saturday we helped them pack up everything in their trailer (gods SAVE me from trailer parks - it's just like you imagine), filled up their car, gave them cash for food and gas for the drive up to Atlanta and hauled their trailer up here with the truck.  Their stuff is packed into my father-in-law's house (being fumigated) and their staying with us until we can safely put them in that house.  I've got their resumes and am putting them in the hands of every recruiter I know.  I'm so pissed at parents that convince adult children to "move home, we miss you, we'll help" - then don't and leave their kid + spouse + grandchild in third world country conditions (I'm not even kidding) in a town with no jobs and cry when they leave - which they could only afford to do because we helped.  Her mother did EVERYTHING she could think of to stop them from moving - guilt them into "coming over one last time" so they couldn't pack - convince the family member that was going to help them pack the big stuff not to go help - 0 monitary help - etc. So hubby and I waded in, helped them pack what was salvagable - left the appliances (because they don't need them) and hauled them up here where they can get jobs.  I now know why their 4 year old daughter really, really, REALLY didn't want to leave when she was up here a few weeks ago.  It's not like I haven't seen the type of environment they were living in - but if I'd known THAT was where they were living.... just GAH!!!

Anyway - perspective - I'm continuing to plug along while I juggle life.  My jeans still fit - so HUZZAH!

I will be upping my workout goals next go 'round.  Time to stop putting that off and just do it!
 

[Sloth the Enduring]

Yay for jeans fitting

[Athaclena]

I can't wait to see the "back side" of this month.  I'm calling this challenge a solid B.  Mostly because I didn't fall COMPLETELY off the wagon with everything going on.  I'm working on what I'll have for the next challenge - but it'll likely look a LOT like this one - because I need to keep plugging away at these fundamentals with my insane schedule.  I do need to focus a bit more on 2 things: Food (specifically MOAR VEGGIES) and Moving (specifically my step count).

So when I do my big grocery shop tomorrow (probably hitting up Sam's Club - because I have a LOT of people I'm cooking for in my house) - there better be some MF veggies in the basket.  Hopefully by the end of the week my guests will be in their new (to them) house and good leads for jobs in tow (and EBT until said jobs are landed).  Until then - I'm glad they like chicken, sandwiches and cereal

Ok - back to the last item on my task list - that I've been avoiding.  I HATE sitting on the phone with support to access a client via VPN.  They always turn something that should be simple into rocket science.  And yes - it CAN be simple AND secure.....