Suzy Q Rangers On

[suzyQlou]

Time to re-visit my goals since a new challenge month is upon us.  

 

So, this month, I will:

1.  Intuitive Eating:  Continue reading Eat Q by Susan Albers.  Yeah, I said this last month, and I made some progress.  I also found that listening to podcasts kind of filled the need for food thinking.  I finished the Body Kindness series, and started to listen a little to "It's not about the food."  I still think it would be helpful to focus on the emotional eating side of IE...so I will continue reading the Eat Q book.

 

2.  Fitness:  My fitness goal now has a Big Why reason behind it.  For years, I've been saying that I want to get more involved in boy scouts when my youngest son crosses over from cub scouts.  Well, that is happening in March, and I'm slow on the hiking trail these days.  So, fitness goal is leg strength.  Last month, I worked on pushups and planks on my strength days.  This month, I'm going to add squats.  I'll also continue with the stretching, mobility, and getting-steps goals from last challenge.

 

3.  Life goal:  I've decided to add a piano-playing habit to my life.  My son plays, and I played as a kid.  I used to work at his pace as I re-learned.  But now we fight a lot about practicing, and his pace is a slow slog.  Before next year's fancy February recital, I'm going to learn the five Sonatinas kids play in this recital before they move on to more advanced pieces.  I will play every day for at least 5 minutes.

[suzyQlou]

Had a great time snow tubing wih my family and cub scouts last night. It reminded me that being active is what I WANT in life. Not something to grind through because it is good for me. 

[suzyQlou]

Feeling like I should be more resilient when others comment about my size. I decided I’m going to move with a spring in my step wherever I go. 

 

Oh, yeah. Challenge is on point with new squats and piano. The book...well I’ve been sucked into a YA series and may need another month to get back to reading nonfiction.  At least I’m on book 5 of 7 in the series.  It won’t be too long now. 

[Suzaqu]

It's hard when people are jerks, but you got this! You know all the awesome things your body can do, good job keeping it positive

 

Glad to hear the challenge is going well! What book series are you reading?

 

 

[suzyQlou]

On 2/25/2019 at 9:43 PM, Suzaqu said:

It's hard when people are jerks, but you got this! You know all the awesome things your body can do, good job keeping it positive

 

Glad to hear the challenge is going well! What book series are you reading?

 

 

Yeah. Luckily for him, the “people” is a teenager in my family and he has guaranteed unconditional love. Still drives me nuts!

 

I’m reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah Mass. It’s in my library’s teen section. I’m glad I’m reading the whole thing.  Now I know to recommend it to older teens. After the first book, it seems more and more adult. 

 

I’m getting a little antsy for the next challenge to kick off. I’m ready to take some of the ideas of IE with me, but start a more structured eating plan again.  I spent some time looking through old photos, and I remember how good I felt when I prioritized fitness and healthy eating.

[Jupiter]

3 hours ago, suzyQlou said:

I’m reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah Mass. It’s in my library’s teen section. I’m glad I’m reading the whole thing.  Now I know to recommend it to older teens. After the first book, it seems more and more adult. 

 

I love this series! Do you have a favorite so far?

[suzyQlou]

On 3/6/2019 at 7:48 PM, Jupiter said:

 

I love this series! Do you have a favorite so far?

I liked the first book best. I enjoy reading magical stories, but it’s too easy to make impossible things happen when magic solves every plot twist. It’s hard to pick a favorite, though, because I like the character Rowen...and he’s only around in the later books. Which one do you like best?

[Jupiter]

On 3/8/2019 at 6:41 AM, suzyQlou said:

I liked the first book best. I enjoy reading magical stories, but it’s too easy to make impossible things happen when magic solves every plot twist. It’s hard to pick a favorite, though, because I like the character Rowen...and he’s only around in the later books. Which one do you like best?

 

Queen of Shadows is my favorite. :) 

[suzyQlou]

For the next challenge, I’m going back to some old habits and goals. 

 

1. Healthy eating plan. Points for eating fruits/veggies for meals/snacks. Points for reasonable portion sizes. Points for exercise. 

2. Photo-log snacks that are not fruits/veggies.

3. Plan (and do!) one hike every month.

 

Exercise is still ramping up. I will add split squats to my strength days this challenge. 

 

And this challenge falls over lent. My lenten goals include a gratitude prayer and beginner’s meditation every day. 

[suzyQlou]

Best news first. My son’s parkour teacher opened his new gym today. Being in it makes me remember and want fitness again. Taking an adult class is still on my epic quest, so this summer is a real opportunity. 

 

Now the mediocre news. Week one is kinda chugging along. Good feels for daily meditation, hiking last Friday, and split squats. Photo log was supposed to give me a moment pause before eating off plan. That hasn’t happened. But I still feel like there IS a pause before I eat snacks. There was only one day where the emotional eating really took over.

 

I’ve gone back to the scale, and eating feels more under control than the IE way. I think incorporating some IE ideas of checking in with hunger, identifying emotions, and being gentle with my mistakes has helped me stick to my non-IE eating plan better.  

[suzyQlou]

It’s been a rough week fitness wise. A few days of overdoing it in the garden have left me pretty sore. It doesn’t really take too much to overdo it these days. The lack of resilience is frustrating. 

[suzyQlou]

My epic quest is calling to me. The gym down the street is re-opening under a new name this summer.  One thing they offer is crossfit which is on my epic quest. Just one lesson. I already feel comfortable in this place because I joined it with my 10 seconds of courage a few years ago. I was lifting heavy things before they closed. Now I have one more thing that seems possible if I just ger back on track!

[suzyQlou]

Wrapping up this challenge with an April hike today. It was a short one, but really nice to get out on the trail. 

 

I had some mild success using an app called YouAte to photo log variances. I’m still not consistent with the photos, but it’s good to have a process in place. 

 

Lenten challenges are so-so. The meditation kind of fell by the wayside, but I have a reminder for the gratitude prayer when I pack lunches. Even if I’m having a crummy morning, there’s always SOMETHING to be thankful for. 

 

Sadly, the scale has not budged over the past week. Ok. It nudged ip slightly, which was not the direction I was shooting for. Next challenge will need to be a little less forgiving and a little more productive. 

[suzyQlou]

Second hike in April.  This one was a steep climb to a scenic overlook.  It was a pretty windy day for a lovely vista.  I stayed close to the rock!

 

[suzyQlou]

May hike through lovely buttercups. 

 

Looking forward to an actual start to the next challenge. I’ve rediscovered the 8fit app on my phone and it will be nice to commit to 4 weeks of accountability so I make it a habbit. 

[suzyQlou]

New challenge. Time to revisit goals and post them for accountability. 

 

1.  8fit workout at least four days a week. These are only 10 minutes. Surely I have 10 minutes a day for strength and stretching. 

 

2. Bike to work once a week.  Surely I can plan one day when I’m not carting kids or supplies to work. Unless it’s storming. I’m exempt from this goal if my planned day is stormy. 

 

3. Fresh fruit for dinner. It’s been a while since I sneaked in a healthy habit for the whole family.

 

4. Step challenge. I’m shooting for a monthly average of 10,000 steps. This is a lot for me, but since the weather turned nice, I’m hitting a 9,000+ average. I bet I can do it!

 

Piano practice and monthly hike goals are sticking. I will continue these. I’m glad prior challenges helped me make them habits. 

[suzyQlou]

Thanks to the mini challenge, my average step count bumped up to 10,109. One goal met...now I just need to keep it there. 

[suzyQlou]

Procrastination is half conquered. Did my 3rd strength workout at a weird time today. I still need to get a second one in this evening to reach my goal of 4 a week.  Next week I do them earlier!!!

[suzyQlou]

June hike at the lake. 

 

Doing great on step count and mini challenge. The rest could use some work. I am trying some extra reminders to see it they will help with the exercise and fruit. Biking is scheduled for tomorrow...as long as the weather cooperates. 

[suzyQlou]

I’m having a real hard time adjusting to the new summer schedule. I thought I’d have more time to focus on exercise in the morning since I don’t have to get my kids on the bus. Somehow, I lost that old exercise time when I lost the structure of the old routine. 

 

I do feel good about being active and feeling healthy lately. Goals are just not working out as I had planned. 

[suzyQlou]

July hike is a nature trail at scout camp. The trail itself was short but peaceful. All of scout camp seems like a big hike!  Lots of reasons to walk and enjoy being outside. 

 

I am struggling a bit with healthy habits and choices. Gardening is a great active hobby, but it has replaced (instead of enhanced) morning exercise. Food choices are often rushed lately, too.  Knee pain is annoying.

 

Good things to report include active days (average step count is still up above 10,000) and eating garden fresh fruits and veggies every day. 

 

[suzyQlou]

Since I skipped last challenge, I figure I may as well start at week zero of the next one.

 

1. Stretch and 5 pushups while listening to suzuki sonatinas every night before bed. 

 

2. Read/listen to “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat”. Complete the book by end of challenge. 

 

3. Sunday brunch at home instead of eating out (except for week of vacation). 

 

Looking forward to an August hike in Denver, Colorado. Piano is fun. I took over my son’s lessons for the summer while he “takes a break” and decides if he’s ready to retire for good.

 

Knee is feeling better, but I’m still going to see the doctor and maybe get a cortisone shot. Arthritis is no fun. Makes me question my Intuitive Eating strategies, too. If I weighed less, my knees would not have to work so hard. IE has helped me with emotional eating, and I’ve stopped gaining weight back. But it’s not helping me get back to a healthy weight...yet.

[suzyQlou]

I tried a recipe Harriet recommended from the Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat website: https://www.saltfatacidheat.com/fat/benedettas-ragu I am seeing a long road ahead of me. It seemed like the food should have been amazing...especially since I spent a long time fussing over it. The meal WAS good. Somehow it was a bit too rich for me to enjoy. Adjusting recipes to taste is going to take a lot of practice!

[suzyQlou]

Exercise at night has been really helpful. Stretching is a good way to wind down, and I remind myself that they feel good!  Pushups are just a touch of strength, and I feel good starting small so they become a healthy habit. 

[suzyQlou]

On vacation. Loving being active.  I’ve kept up with stretching either nightly or with yoga. The hiking/biking paths in Denver are so inviting.  I’ve explored them daily since I am always the first one awake.  

 

August hiking photo below. The Rockies are amazing!