I forgot to tell you my biggest revelation of the year: Thug Kitchen. Or maybe I didn't forget and I'm repeating myself, but I just have to share it with the world (and the limited group of friends who read this blog and already know about it)...
The site is hilariously vulgar (though it can get a bit old), but do not let it phase you: the recipes are killer.
Thug Kitchen is a Tumblr page run by some thug(s) who are vegan and provide funny food memes that also contain the recipes for how to make the dishes shown. So far I've made the potato salad twice and the chickpea/brocoli burritos about three times I think. Hairy and I are minutes away from tasting the stuffed peppers now.
So if you're in need of mostly simple recipes that are effing tasty and healthy, go to http://thugkitchen.com/
Click on Archives at the bottom of the page and you'll then see a page full of small thumbnails. You can click on each one to see the funny description and find the recipe. Go effin' try it.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Friday, August 30, 2013
Runnin' on empty
Finding the perfect state to run in is a challenge for me. I can't have eaten too soon before, nor can I be hungry. I cannot be too tired or sore. I prefer not to run after work and only like weather that's not too windy, cold, grey, wet or humid... when it's humid my knees ache. And above all, if I decide to go running, I must be out the door within 20 minutes or I will inevitably change my mind.
All that has changed though, or at least a lot of that. I have found the perfect routine for me. With Hairy and I doing this 20-week training program (we're ending week 3 this week), we run four days a week: twice on workdays, and twice on the weekend. For the workday runs, we get up at 5:30 am (most of these runs are between 25-40 minutes) and on the weekends, we get up whenever we want (usually 7:30) and usually end up running around 8 - 8:30 (the Saturday run is a short one and the Sunday run, a long one). I do not eat before, I just drink a big glass of water, or two for the long runs. I am really liking this routine and the challenge/goal will be to equip myself to run in ANY weather. Yesterday Hairy thought it was raining, and before looking outside and seeing that it wasn't, I thought, f%ck it, I'm runnin'!
I am finally adjusting to going to bed earlier I think, but so far I've been drowsy in the afternoon because of that.
I am losing weight again and am thrilled. While, like I've said, I originally thought I looked pretty good physically and would not bother losing any weight for the wedding, after seeing a picture of myself, I did not like what I saw. I decided five pounds would make the difference for me, so I am trying to continue eating well during the week (I usually do, but was falling back into the habit of giving myself 'treats' all the time like back in the day). On the weekends, Hairy and I had become pretty overindulgent too, so weekends are still our more relaxed days food-wise, but maybe cutting back on the quantity/variety of junk we allow ourselves (instead of eating fatty food for meals, croissants, mochas, ice cream, chocolate, chips and more, we will maybe choose one or two of those ha!). With the running we can definitely eat more calories and I would still lose weight, but the quality of the food will really influence how we feel about running.
Earlier in the year I had gotten up to a solid 147, and then with a bit of self-control and my 'normal' exercise routine was back to 145, where I felt okay. Now I am 143. I hope to actually get to about 135-137 BECAUSE I know that between Thanksgiving/Christmas and in the winter I will gain back a few, so the total will likely be 5 pounds come wedding time. My focus is actually on running though, and the weight is a welcome side effect of that. For now I just notice it in my chest and belly, but soon I should see a difference overall. Hairy said something to me that I found interesting, something his mom has always told him supposedly, and I found it true based on my experience: weight loss goes with gravity, so from top to bottom basically. Face/neck, chest/arms, belly, hips, butt then legs. I know it's true for me anyway.
My dad has lost 10 pounds in the last two weeks. I'm sure 5 of those are actual pounds and 5 is water weight, but it's fantastic. In my dad's case it's ALL food control, and he is a super dedicated person, but if you knew his eating habits you'd understand why this is pretty difficult for him. He would rather workout 24/7 than ever have to cut back, but I am really trying not to go extreme with him so over the next year his habits actually change in a lasting way. His problem's the same as mine: he gives himself treats all the time, in his case, it's fries and cookies. I really just had to get him to not get fries more than once a week and no bigger than a small, and that's pretty extreme for him. But he has one-upped me and has had NO fries in two weeks. I remind him that those decisions really do make a difference. Every small choice make the MASSIVE undertaking that much less difficult.
Beach volleyball is almost over. I have two more games. I'm sad because I hate the schedule of court volleyball (late), the distance, and it's just not as fun. I really wanna try to run outside as long as I can so I don't have to go to the gym all winter and get completely unmotivated like I did last year. It might turn out to be a real bitch, but it's interesting at least.
All that has changed though, or at least a lot of that. I have found the perfect routine for me. With Hairy and I doing this 20-week training program (we're ending week 3 this week), we run four days a week: twice on workdays, and twice on the weekend. For the workday runs, we get up at 5:30 am (most of these runs are between 25-40 minutes) and on the weekends, we get up whenever we want (usually 7:30) and usually end up running around 8 - 8:30 (the Saturday run is a short one and the Sunday run, a long one). I do not eat before, I just drink a big glass of water, or two for the long runs. I am really liking this routine and the challenge/goal will be to equip myself to run in ANY weather. Yesterday Hairy thought it was raining, and before looking outside and seeing that it wasn't, I thought, f%ck it, I'm runnin'!
I am finally adjusting to going to bed earlier I think, but so far I've been drowsy in the afternoon because of that.
I am losing weight again and am thrilled. While, like I've said, I originally thought I looked pretty good physically and would not bother losing any weight for the wedding, after seeing a picture of myself, I did not like what I saw. I decided five pounds would make the difference for me, so I am trying to continue eating well during the week (I usually do, but was falling back into the habit of giving myself 'treats' all the time like back in the day). On the weekends, Hairy and I had become pretty overindulgent too, so weekends are still our more relaxed days food-wise, but maybe cutting back on the quantity/variety of junk we allow ourselves (instead of eating fatty food for meals, croissants, mochas, ice cream, chocolate, chips and more, we will maybe choose one or two of those ha!). With the running we can definitely eat more calories and I would still lose weight, but the quality of the food will really influence how we feel about running.
Earlier in the year I had gotten up to a solid 147, and then with a bit of self-control and my 'normal' exercise routine was back to 145, where I felt okay. Now I am 143. I hope to actually get to about 135-137 BECAUSE I know that between Thanksgiving/Christmas and in the winter I will gain back a few, so the total will likely be 5 pounds come wedding time. My focus is actually on running though, and the weight is a welcome side effect of that. For now I just notice it in my chest and belly, but soon I should see a difference overall. Hairy said something to me that I found interesting, something his mom has always told him supposedly, and I found it true based on my experience: weight loss goes with gravity, so from top to bottom basically. Face/neck, chest/arms, belly, hips, butt then legs. I know it's true for me anyway.
My dad has lost 10 pounds in the last two weeks. I'm sure 5 of those are actual pounds and 5 is water weight, but it's fantastic. In my dad's case it's ALL food control, and he is a super dedicated person, but if you knew his eating habits you'd understand why this is pretty difficult for him. He would rather workout 24/7 than ever have to cut back, but I am really trying not to go extreme with him so over the next year his habits actually change in a lasting way. His problem's the same as mine: he gives himself treats all the time, in his case, it's fries and cookies. I really just had to get him to not get fries more than once a week and no bigger than a small, and that's pretty extreme for him. But he has one-upped me and has had NO fries in two weeks. I remind him that those decisions really do make a difference. Every small choice make the MASSIVE undertaking that much less difficult.
Beach volleyball is almost over. I have two more games. I'm sad because I hate the schedule of court volleyball (late), the distance, and it's just not as fun. I really wanna try to run outside as long as I can so I don't have to go to the gym all winter and get completely unmotivated like I did last year. It might turn out to be a real bitch, but it's interesting at least.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
It ain't easy bein' cheesy.
Don't ask me what that title refers to, I just felt like using it.
Week 3 of my half-marathon training program started today. I did it. Another 25-minute morning run. The bulk of the program consists of runs from 25-45 minutes long. I'm a little nervous for when I'll get to the 14-week component, but in the 6-week component (the first part of the training), the longest runs are 55 minutes and a test 10 km at the end, but I've done 10 km many times.
As for my dad's bootcamp... he's doing really, really well thanks to and in spite of my mother. My mom basically executes most of my "demands" (buying bread with no enriched anything in it, and using sea salt/fleur de sel instead of table salt / cutting portion sizes) since she is the head of the household. However, she disagrees with me that weighing himself every day is a good idea, so I'm having a hard time knowing if he's making progress. I kindly urged my dad to ignore my mom (not to sound condescending, but why do people so easily ignore the advice of people who have succeeded and instead listen to people around them who aren't in their shoes??!!).
I believe that if you are like me (and my dad and brother have the same food issues I do), it's important to weigh every day, as long as you do not let your weight define your outlook. Weight doesn't matter, it's how you feel and also how you look, but it does provide some indication as to whether you're moving in the right direction. I encourage him to take measurements once a week and weigh every day. This gives him a weekly focus, instead of trying to maintain his willpower for months on end with the goal so far into the future it's easy to lose track... Staying focused on little, everyday goals and victories helps you develop the habit of thinking "this choice DOES matter". So you may be less inclined to eat that little snack, in my dad's case fries, and carry on fighting to get to the finish line.
No matter how good it will be for your health, there are always people resisting the change. Even though my mom is fully enabling my dad's weight loss, in some ways she is also resisting (but I can feel her giving in). She also appeared to have some difficulty dealing with me losing weight too, but after years she is acting normal around me again. It's not just her. While so many random people were impressed or inspired or at least happy with what I was doing, just as many people have commented on my eating habits, exercise, weight, etc. I don't take it personally anymore because I know this happens to a lot of people for different reasons. The real issues are that people 1) project their insecurities onto you; 2) are resistant to change, even in another person; and/or 3) do not understand YOUR situation and the effort/dedication it takes to do the work every day. But that's part of the process for the person losing the weight... learning to do things for themselves and putting their own self-perception above the opinions of others: if you can feel proud of yourself, you don't feel so bad when people bring you down.
These are all things I've said over and over but it's still true. In my case, things have changed because the people around me, and I, too, have gotten used to me as a less large person. Now I am seeing the same things happen with other people who try to get in better shape and it's obviously easier to see what's really happening.
Okay, so on another note, here are the many instructions I've given my dad to date, and he's decided his cheat days will be whenever he is invited to someone's house. Bear in mind, he exercises like crazy so I don't tell him what to do in that respect:
No pop (soft drinks)
No more cookies/scones at his pickleball games
If he buys fries, ONLY once a week and only a small
No more than a pinch of salt on his food (I recommended he use fleur de sel, which goes further with less)
Homemade salad dressings only
Smaller portion sizes
Replace salted nuts with plain nuts for snacks
Eat fruit instead of drinking juice
Drink more water
Weigh-ins once a day at same time / measurements 1xweek
Eat as many veggies as you like (apart from avocado and cut back on bananas)
Natural PB and a more natural jam
Bread with no enriched ingredients
He's lost a few pounds already and I'm pretty proud. :)
Week 3 of my half-marathon training program started today. I did it. Another 25-minute morning run. The bulk of the program consists of runs from 25-45 minutes long. I'm a little nervous for when I'll get to the 14-week component, but in the 6-week component (the first part of the training), the longest runs are 55 minutes and a test 10 km at the end, but I've done 10 km many times.
As for my dad's bootcamp... he's doing really, really well thanks to and in spite of my mother. My mom basically executes most of my "demands" (buying bread with no enriched anything in it, and using sea salt/fleur de sel instead of table salt / cutting portion sizes) since she is the head of the household. However, she disagrees with me that weighing himself every day is a good idea, so I'm having a hard time knowing if he's making progress. I kindly urged my dad to ignore my mom (not to sound condescending, but why do people so easily ignore the advice of people who have succeeded and instead listen to people around them who aren't in their shoes??!!).
I believe that if you are like me (and my dad and brother have the same food issues I do), it's important to weigh every day, as long as you do not let your weight define your outlook. Weight doesn't matter, it's how you feel and also how you look, but it does provide some indication as to whether you're moving in the right direction. I encourage him to take measurements once a week and weigh every day. This gives him a weekly focus, instead of trying to maintain his willpower for months on end with the goal so far into the future it's easy to lose track... Staying focused on little, everyday goals and victories helps you develop the habit of thinking "this choice DOES matter". So you may be less inclined to eat that little snack, in my dad's case fries, and carry on fighting to get to the finish line.
No matter how good it will be for your health, there are always people resisting the change. Even though my mom is fully enabling my dad's weight loss, in some ways she is also resisting (but I can feel her giving in). She also appeared to have some difficulty dealing with me losing weight too, but after years she is acting normal around me again. It's not just her. While so many random people were impressed or inspired or at least happy with what I was doing, just as many people have commented on my eating habits, exercise, weight, etc. I don't take it personally anymore because I know this happens to a lot of people for different reasons. The real issues are that people 1) project their insecurities onto you; 2) are resistant to change, even in another person; and/or 3) do not understand YOUR situation and the effort/dedication it takes to do the work every day. But that's part of the process for the person losing the weight... learning to do things for themselves and putting their own self-perception above the opinions of others: if you can feel proud of yourself, you don't feel so bad when people bring you down.
These are all things I've said over and over but it's still true. In my case, things have changed because the people around me, and I, too, have gotten used to me as a less large person. Now I am seeing the same things happen with other people who try to get in better shape and it's obviously easier to see what's really happening.
Okay, so on another note, here are the many instructions I've given my dad to date, and he's decided his cheat days will be whenever he is invited to someone's house. Bear in mind, he exercises like crazy so I don't tell him what to do in that respect:
No pop (soft drinks)
No more cookies/scones at his pickleball games
If he buys fries, ONLY once a week and only a small
No more than a pinch of salt on his food (I recommended he use fleur de sel, which goes further with less)
Homemade salad dressings only
Smaller portion sizes
Replace salted nuts with plain nuts for snacks
Eat fruit instead of drinking juice
Drink more water
Weigh-ins once a day at same time / measurements 1xweek
Eat as many veggies as you like (apart from avocado and cut back on bananas)
Natural PB and a more natural jam
Bread with no enriched ingredients
He's lost a few pounds already and I'm pretty proud. :)
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Yaaaaawn.
Hi! How are you?
I am feeling like I own the friggin universe right now because guess who got up at 5:30 am for a jog... I did!
Also, Hairy and I are engaged. :)
He wants to train for a half marathon, and since it's the journey and not the destination that counts, I decided to train with him. So far I'm on Day 2 of the program we chose, and he's been sick so is behind me by one training but will surely catch up and then zoom past me.
My dad and his mom want to lose weight for our wedding, and I think that's fantastic, so I decided to put my dad through my kind of bootcamp, the easy kind! Every week I call him and give him one or two things to change. This week it's no alcohol (since he hardly likes it anyway), no pop (soda for non-Ontarians out there), and no cookies at pickleball. If you don't know what pickleball is then look it up on Youtube, it's an awesome sport invented by old folks in Florida.
Gotta run, but happy to report all's well in my fitness world, and wedding planning, so far, is a blast.
I am feeling like I own the friggin universe right now because guess who got up at 5:30 am for a jog... I did!
Also, Hairy and I are engaged. :)
He wants to train for a half marathon, and since it's the journey and not the destination that counts, I decided to train with him. So far I'm on Day 2 of the program we chose, and he's been sick so is behind me by one training but will surely catch up and then zoom past me.
My dad and his mom want to lose weight for our wedding, and I think that's fantastic, so I decided to put my dad through my kind of bootcamp, the easy kind! Every week I call him and give him one or two things to change. This week it's no alcohol (since he hardly likes it anyway), no pop (soda for non-Ontarians out there), and no cookies at pickleball. If you don't know what pickleball is then look it up on Youtube, it's an awesome sport invented by old folks in Florida.
Gotta run, but happy to report all's well in my fitness world, and wedding planning, so far, is a blast.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Hello-lo-lo-lo-ooo
That's supposed to sound like me yelling out into the void.
I took some time off work this week. I only needed a day or two off for my friend's wedding, which was an amazing weekend, but I actually felt like I needed two weeks off from work. I will have had a total of 12 days off by the time I go back on Monday (there are two long weekends in a row here, so I only technically took 1 week off), but I want another week :) I am loving my time being at home.
While I was at my parents' house for the wedding, I ate a LOT, and a LOT of junky foods. I went for one short run with Hairy and that was all. But since I have been back, apart from ice cream I have been eating well and I have run two days in a row (I will run today and plan to run every day til Monday). I played volleyball, rode my bike there, and keep looking for things to do. I just finished season 6 of Criminal Minds and will start watching the seventh today... I had time to go to the local market for fruits/veg, have a BBQ, spend time on my newly equipped balcony (chairs, table, BBQ were my birthday present to me this year). All in all, I'm doing a lot and nothing at the same time. I also plan to take kayaking lessons. You basically learn everything in one lesson, so I'll likely do that next Sunday and then I'll be able to go out on the canal near my place and kayak whenever!! I already know what next year's birthday gift to me will be: a kayak! That is, if I still live in a place very close to the canal of course (without a car it will be tough lugging a kayak around town ha!).
Life is otherwise good. Someone made an offer on my condo and as far as the law is concerned, it's now binding and they will be scheduling an appointment with the notary any day now. When I leave the notary's office I think I will cry out of relief... That was the last remnant of my last relationship and I cannot wait to officially start fresh. Of course he and I will still have to deal with the bank afterward, but we'll cross that [I forget the word in this expression] when we come to it.
My weight is up and down by a bit, but I continue to work on it. I would theoretically like to be 140 and right now I'm probably 146, but I'm not going mad over it, just doing what I can when I can, but also indulging in gelato and such. I need to put my foot down at some point, but I think now's not the time :)
I took some time off work this week. I only needed a day or two off for my friend's wedding, which was an amazing weekend, but I actually felt like I needed two weeks off from work. I will have had a total of 12 days off by the time I go back on Monday (there are two long weekends in a row here, so I only technically took 1 week off), but I want another week :) I am loving my time being at home.
While I was at my parents' house for the wedding, I ate a LOT, and a LOT of junky foods. I went for one short run with Hairy and that was all. But since I have been back, apart from ice cream I have been eating well and I have run two days in a row (I will run today and plan to run every day til Monday). I played volleyball, rode my bike there, and keep looking for things to do. I just finished season 6 of Criminal Minds and will start watching the seventh today... I had time to go to the local market for fruits/veg, have a BBQ, spend time on my newly equipped balcony (chairs, table, BBQ were my birthday present to me this year). All in all, I'm doing a lot and nothing at the same time. I also plan to take kayaking lessons. You basically learn everything in one lesson, so I'll likely do that next Sunday and then I'll be able to go out on the canal near my place and kayak whenever!! I already know what next year's birthday gift to me will be: a kayak! That is, if I still live in a place very close to the canal of course (without a car it will be tough lugging a kayak around town ha!).
Life is otherwise good. Someone made an offer on my condo and as far as the law is concerned, it's now binding and they will be scheduling an appointment with the notary any day now. When I leave the notary's office I think I will cry out of relief... That was the last remnant of my last relationship and I cannot wait to officially start fresh. Of course he and I will still have to deal with the bank afterward, but we'll cross that [I forget the word in this expression] when we come to it.
My weight is up and down by a bit, but I continue to work on it. I would theoretically like to be 140 and right now I'm probably 146, but I'm not going mad over it, just doing what I can when I can, but also indulging in gelato and such. I need to put my foot down at some point, but I think now's not the time :)
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Vrooom!
I ended up signing up for that second 5 km after all, thanks to Hairy's encouragement and favourable circumstances (the having of a car to get to Rosemere mainly). I did it. Ultimately, I am just happy to have done it. BUUUUUT, then Hairy and I checked our times. During the run, I felt great, and MUCH better than I did two years ago during the same race. My time though was 31:22 or something, while two years about it was 28 something...IM-POS-SIBLE (French accent). Je ne comprends rien. Whatevs, I did it.
Feels good to be running again. Oh and I ended up doing that juice-only diet for 5 straight days and felt fantastic. I ate a lotta solid food yesterday and will do one more 5-day juice diet this week. My skin looks fantastic compared to before and I just really needed a break from the routine I'd developed.
Gotta shower and get ready for my open house, eee.
Feels good to be running again. Oh and I ended up doing that juice-only diet for 5 straight days and felt fantastic. I ate a lotta solid food yesterday and will do one more 5-day juice diet this week. My skin looks fantastic compared to before and I just really needed a break from the routine I'd developed.
Gotta shower and get ready for my open house, eee.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring...
Hi everyone.
I thought I'd take advantage of the fact I've been wide awake since 6:30 and my man is still fast asleep, and the fact it's pouring buckets outside, to catch up on blogging. The timing is good too since I just accomplished something that, to me, is super awesome.
When I last wrote, I can't remember where I was in terms of my physical/mental state, but lately I've been running or playing vball when I can, though the weather has been working against me. I kept running knowing that I had a 5 km race coming up and would be horribly embarrassed if I couldn't complete that. I was a little worried because my last few runs I couldn't get to 5 km, even though it's generally easy to do. But come race day, I felt ready.
I just happened to have started a juicing "diet" (not so much a diet as adding some homemade natural veg/fruit juices to my regular diet for Friday and Saturday, and possibly only juice for a few days. I just needed to do something different to feel like I am starting fresh. But man did it pay off! I had my first juice Friday night with dinner, then I had two juices around breakfast before going to run. I felt good but nothing more.
The original plan for the race was that my team would run the 5 km, and then those who wanted to could run an extra 5 km back to my friend's place, who happens to live two blocks from me. I figured I'd see on the day of whether I felt up to it, but I haven't been able to run even close to 10 km this year, and 10 km is the most I've ever run, so I was likely not to join for the second part.
So... the race went well, but I find races hard in general since you don't have a good idea when it'll end. Since 5 km is only about 25-30 mins of jogging though, I knew it couldn't go on forever :). It was about 38 celsius with the humidity, so it was a tough one. But after resting for 5-7 minutes post-race to drink water, have our team picture taken, I suddenly decided I did in fact have the energy to run some more.
Everyone else bailed, but I decided, f%& it, I will run home. Long story short, I didn't exactly know where I was going, so that extra 5 km actually turned into an extra 8.5 km, and about 20 minutes in I was thinking I had made a bad decision, but I committed to my choice and never stopped running, making it home within the hour, for a grand total of 13.5 KM!!! The most I have ever ran. I did get a 5 minute rest in between, but I still consider it a huge accomplishment as I couldn't come close to even 6 or 7 km this year.
Today I begin my juice-only thingy and am feeling so energetic already. I am WIDE awake and just waiting for the man to wake up so I can use the juicer (it is very loud).
Have a great day everyone and keep at it, trust me, it's worth it.
I thought I'd take advantage of the fact I've been wide awake since 6:30 and my man is still fast asleep, and the fact it's pouring buckets outside, to catch up on blogging. The timing is good too since I just accomplished something that, to me, is super awesome.
When I last wrote, I can't remember where I was in terms of my physical/mental state, but lately I've been running or playing vball when I can, though the weather has been working against me. I kept running knowing that I had a 5 km race coming up and would be horribly embarrassed if I couldn't complete that. I was a little worried because my last few runs I couldn't get to 5 km, even though it's generally easy to do. But come race day, I felt ready.
I just happened to have started a juicing "diet" (not so much a diet as adding some homemade natural veg/fruit juices to my regular diet for Friday and Saturday, and possibly only juice for a few days. I just needed to do something different to feel like I am starting fresh. But man did it pay off! I had my first juice Friday night with dinner, then I had two juices around breakfast before going to run. I felt good but nothing more.
The original plan for the race was that my team would run the 5 km, and then those who wanted to could run an extra 5 km back to my friend's place, who happens to live two blocks from me. I figured I'd see on the day of whether I felt up to it, but I haven't been able to run even close to 10 km this year, and 10 km is the most I've ever run, so I was likely not to join for the second part.
So... the race went well, but I find races hard in general since you don't have a good idea when it'll end. Since 5 km is only about 25-30 mins of jogging though, I knew it couldn't go on forever :). It was about 38 celsius with the humidity, so it was a tough one. But after resting for 5-7 minutes post-race to drink water, have our team picture taken, I suddenly decided I did in fact have the energy to run some more.
Everyone else bailed, but I decided, f%& it, I will run home. Long story short, I didn't exactly know where I was going, so that extra 5 km actually turned into an extra 8.5 km, and about 20 minutes in I was thinking I had made a bad decision, but I committed to my choice and never stopped running, making it home within the hour, for a grand total of 13.5 KM!!! The most I have ever ran. I did get a 5 minute rest in between, but I still consider it a huge accomplishment as I couldn't come close to even 6 or 7 km this year.
Today I begin my juice-only thingy and am feeling so energetic already. I am WIDE awake and just waiting for the man to wake up so I can use the juicer (it is very loud).
Have a great day everyone and keep at it, trust me, it's worth it.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
again, still here.
Hi readers!
I have still been running with some frequency, but I have had little time to post since my only Internet time outside of work has been spent posting listings/ads for my condo now that I dropped my agent, and doing freelance works. I got to translate not one, but two good friends' company websites and it's so much nicer than corporate junk I usually work on (though I do have a 'thing' for occupational health and safety related corporate documents, but don't ask me why).
I will soon be revising a master's level law thesis, now THAT will be less fun :)
So I am completely focused on selling my place before July1, the arbitrary day on which all people in QC moves in hoardes, out of their apartments and into others. That is THE hot date in the real estate industry, so they say. Still after 6 years of living here I find two things about the QC rental housing system absurd: that most people take their fridge/stove with them AND that everyone would rather move on the same day, jacking up the prices of everything and minimizing availability (trucks, boxes, movers). In any case, it's a race against time for me...
I have still been running with some frequency, but I have had little time to post since my only Internet time outside of work has been spent posting listings/ads for my condo now that I dropped my agent, and doing freelance works. I got to translate not one, but two good friends' company websites and it's so much nicer than corporate junk I usually work on (though I do have a 'thing' for occupational health and safety related corporate documents, but don't ask me why).
I will soon be revising a master's level law thesis, now THAT will be less fun :)
So I am completely focused on selling my place before July1, the arbitrary day on which all people in QC moves in hoardes, out of their apartments and into others. That is THE hot date in the real estate industry, so they say. Still after 6 years of living here I find two things about the QC rental housing system absurd: that most people take their fridge/stove with them AND that everyone would rather move on the same day, jacking up the prices of everything and minimizing availability (trucks, boxes, movers). In any case, it's a race against time for me...
Thursday, May 2, 2013
a successful week
Not much time to scribble, but just wanted to say that I ran five times over the past week, for a total of roughly 25 km. I think I'll be fine for my June 1 charity run, but I'm trying to make a habit of 5 km so I can start advancing to my former 10 km runs. For now I'm just happy to be getting out there, getting sunshine and getting back in shape.
Hairy got a new job!! It's a great move forward for him and I'm also happy about the better schedule. Eeee.
My Portuguese classes ended this week, so I will have to push myself to practice until next October. Hopefully I will win the trip to the Azores that I have entered to win through the school.
Have a great day!
Hairy got a new job!! It's a great move forward for him and I'm also happy about the better schedule. Eeee.
My Portuguese classes ended this week, so I will have to push myself to practice until next October. Hopefully I will win the trip to the Azores that I have entered to win through the school.
Have a great day!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Brace yourself, it's about to get hokey in here!
Have you ever felt complete and utter freedom? Some people feel it when they do extreme sports, though neither bungee nor skydiving had that particular effect on me, but rather a sense of peace and admiration at the natural setting into which I was plunging.
Today, for about 1 minute, I had an overwhelming sense of freedom. I woke up at about 7:30, telling myself I had to go running 1) because it is beautiful outside, 2) because I have a million things to do and if I don't do it now I never will, and 3) because it's the only way to calm my mind so I can just start doing all those chores. So, I did all my preparations (eating a very small amount of food, this time a slice of cheese, drinking some water, etc.) and then head out for a somewhat unwelcome run.
About 10 minutes in, I was alone running along the canal and bam! Like that, I felt "this is freedom." I felt what I probably should feel (and be so grateful for) every day. The sense of security, safety, peace so many people never have the luxury of feeling. The sense of well-being that comes with having loving people in your life, a good job, a healthy body and a home.
Alright, alright, enough with that cheesy stuff. So yeah, I hauled ass and ran anout 35 minutes (roughly 5 km) and even stopped at a nearby park for 3 pull ups... though the hipster walking her dog was looking at me confusedly, so I felt awkward and left. Otherwise, I might have done some pushups and other stuff.
It's still a pain in the ass (in my mind) to get myself to workout, BUT, I also still enjoy it when I'm doing it. I can't wait for beach volleyball to start back up.
I have to go take a shower. I am eating last night's dinner for breakfast, since I'll need some fuel to get through a day of shopping. It's quite good:
Quinoa salad with walnuts, dried cranberries, spinach, salt, pepper, orange juice and olive oil. The original recipe called for thyme and pecans instead of walnuts, but I used what we had, and threw in some spinach for good measure. Oh and orange zest... that makes a big difference, can't forget that!
Today, for about 1 minute, I had an overwhelming sense of freedom. I woke up at about 7:30, telling myself I had to go running 1) because it is beautiful outside, 2) because I have a million things to do and if I don't do it now I never will, and 3) because it's the only way to calm my mind so I can just start doing all those chores. So, I did all my preparations (eating a very small amount of food, this time a slice of cheese, drinking some water, etc.) and then head out for a somewhat unwelcome run.
About 10 minutes in, I was alone running along the canal and bam! Like that, I felt "this is freedom." I felt what I probably should feel (and be so grateful for) every day. The sense of security, safety, peace so many people never have the luxury of feeling. The sense of well-being that comes with having loving people in your life, a good job, a healthy body and a home.
Alright, alright, enough with that cheesy stuff. So yeah, I hauled ass and ran anout 35 minutes (roughly 5 km) and even stopped at a nearby park for 3 pull ups... though the hipster walking her dog was looking at me confusedly, so I felt awkward and left. Otherwise, I might have done some pushups and other stuff.
It's still a pain in the ass (in my mind) to get myself to workout, BUT, I also still enjoy it when I'm doing it. I can't wait for beach volleyball to start back up.
I have to go take a shower. I am eating last night's dinner for breakfast, since I'll need some fuel to get through a day of shopping. It's quite good:
Quinoa salad with walnuts, dried cranberries, spinach, salt, pepper, orange juice and olive oil. The original recipe called for thyme and pecans instead of walnuts, but I used what we had, and threw in some spinach for good measure. Oh and orange zest... that makes a big difference, can't forget that!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
I can't believe it took me this long to post
I'm having troubles with procrastination lately. Too many things on my mind, so everything shuts down and all I wanna do is sleep or watch TV. Don't get me wrong, I am still doing a lot of stuff all the time, but the stuff that requires full consciousness is much less appealing these days.
With my promotion, I find that I am simply exhausted at the end of most days. It's not physical fatigue, but mental. I absorb a lot of the problems and have to stay focused on the solution. I do finish every day feeling like I accomplished something though, so it's a rewarding kind of feeling too. The days go by quickly, but more intensely than before and it takes all my energy to keep breathing and moving forward, not letting the moments of stress cloud the "bigger picture." I wish this were as easy for me to do in my personal life as it is for me at work.
In any case, all this to say I am sorry for not blogging for so long.
I have signed up for two, count em', two 5 km races in June. The first one also includes an additional 5 km run from the site to a friend's place who lives near me. I signed up to really give myself a push to run more regularly. It worked: I got home yesterday exhausted, but put on my gear and went for a 30 minute run around my hood.
The other day I did George St-Pierre's workout video Rushfit and was aching for 2 days. I think I'll start doing that one once a week.
I don't have time to say much else except that I am not pleased with myself in terms of exercise, but am walking more. Food hasn't been too great either, but I am still here, still trying.
With my promotion, I find that I am simply exhausted at the end of most days. It's not physical fatigue, but mental. I absorb a lot of the problems and have to stay focused on the solution. I do finish every day feeling like I accomplished something though, so it's a rewarding kind of feeling too. The days go by quickly, but more intensely than before and it takes all my energy to keep breathing and moving forward, not letting the moments of stress cloud the "bigger picture." I wish this were as easy for me to do in my personal life as it is for me at work.
In any case, all this to say I am sorry for not blogging for so long.
I have signed up for two, count em', two 5 km races in June. The first one also includes an additional 5 km run from the site to a friend's place who lives near me. I signed up to really give myself a push to run more regularly. It worked: I got home yesterday exhausted, but put on my gear and went for a 30 minute run around my hood.
The other day I did George St-Pierre's workout video Rushfit and was aching for 2 days. I think I'll start doing that one once a week.
I don't have time to say much else except that I am not pleased with myself in terms of exercise, but am walking more. Food hasn't been too great either, but I am still here, still trying.
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Spring in my step and short-lived dreams
Happy Easter, Pasqua, Pacques, Pesa!
I am celebrating by finally taking the time to do my nails, eating a Magnolia Bakery red velvet cupcake and getting ready to go to Hairy's grandparents' house for Easter lunch/dinner... a Portuguese feast of deliciousness.
The weather has been beautiful lately, so I took advantage to finally get some air and light exercise this weekend. I was down to 140-141 lbs this morning thanks to losing muscle from being in bed all the time. It's a good thing since I feel lighter, but I've been eating whatever I want because I don't like the feeling of losing weight and feeling weaker. Now I will slowly start getting active again. Hairy and I made a deal to run together once each weekend now that the weather's nice. In addition to volleyball (starting in May) this will keep me much more motivated, and I wont mind going to the gym a couple times a week in between.
In food news, the ever impossible task of importing a half dozen cupcakes from NYC for my personal enjoyment was achieved at long last by my friend and former manager who shall be named Foodie for blogging purposes. As a fellow food-obsessor, she truly understands where this need for the cupcakes comes from and was able to deliver the goods. I am sad that Magnolia Bakery changed the icing for the red velvet, but their cupcakes are still the best. I can only chock it up to the fact they have found the perfect icing to cake ratio, and their cake is always soft, fluffy yet dense enough to feel rich. Every other cupcake place I have tried has one good one maybe, but none have managed to achieve this level of cupcakey perfection. I don't really like cupcakes apart from theirs, and a couple of random ones from various locations.
Yesterday I walked 10 km in total. First walking around my hood with Foodie, then walking around another hood with another friend, let's call her Noblet. After walking with Noblet, I walked back home from downtown, and took some time to take side streets and check out a park I'd been meaning to have a look at. In fact, Hairy is looking for some outdoor basketball courts that would be usable for his team or for his own practice. We found one close to home, but when we went to play, it was still covered in slushy snow. We had decided to go buy a shovel and remove the snow ourselves, but ended up stopping for lunch and lost our motivation. Since then though, I have found two other snowless courts, so it's good we didn't waste our time. Soon Hairy and I will go head to head on the courts, where he will witness me butchering his favourite sport. I may have been born athletic and raised to play all sports, but basketball is my worst by a long shot. I was known as Airball in elementary school, which is the last time I ever really played, obviously.
As I walked around those side streets, in an area that I foresee being the place of my future home, I found the street I would LOVE to live on. It had colourful, well-maintained duplexes that this city is known for, but hidden away among many less beautiful streets. For a brief moment, I thought I had found my future street and let my imagination wander. Then, I got home and looked up the homes that are for sale there, and my dreams were dashed. There is no way I would be able to afford a home there anytime in the next 10 years, so that's out. Fortunately, for now, the other less beautiful streets still have many reasonably priced homes. I guess I'll have to just walk that street and dream...
I am celebrating by finally taking the time to do my nails, eating a Magnolia Bakery red velvet cupcake and getting ready to go to Hairy's grandparents' house for Easter lunch/dinner... a Portuguese feast of deliciousness.
The weather has been beautiful lately, so I took advantage to finally get some air and light exercise this weekend. I was down to 140-141 lbs this morning thanks to losing muscle from being in bed all the time. It's a good thing since I feel lighter, but I've been eating whatever I want because I don't like the feeling of losing weight and feeling weaker. Now I will slowly start getting active again. Hairy and I made a deal to run together once each weekend now that the weather's nice. In addition to volleyball (starting in May) this will keep me much more motivated, and I wont mind going to the gym a couple times a week in between.
In food news, the ever impossible task of importing a half dozen cupcakes from NYC for my personal enjoyment was achieved at long last by my friend and former manager who shall be named Foodie for blogging purposes. As a fellow food-obsessor, she truly understands where this need for the cupcakes comes from and was able to deliver the goods. I am sad that Magnolia Bakery changed the icing for the red velvet, but their cupcakes are still the best. I can only chock it up to the fact they have found the perfect icing to cake ratio, and their cake is always soft, fluffy yet dense enough to feel rich. Every other cupcake place I have tried has one good one maybe, but none have managed to achieve this level of cupcakey perfection. I don't really like cupcakes apart from theirs, and a couple of random ones from various locations.
Yesterday I walked 10 km in total. First walking around my hood with Foodie, then walking around another hood with another friend, let's call her Noblet. After walking with Noblet, I walked back home from downtown, and took some time to take side streets and check out a park I'd been meaning to have a look at. In fact, Hairy is looking for some outdoor basketball courts that would be usable for his team or for his own practice. We found one close to home, but when we went to play, it was still covered in slushy snow. We had decided to go buy a shovel and remove the snow ourselves, but ended up stopping for lunch and lost our motivation. Since then though, I have found two other snowless courts, so it's good we didn't waste our time. Soon Hairy and I will go head to head on the courts, where he will witness me butchering his favourite sport. I may have been born athletic and raised to play all sports, but basketball is my worst by a long shot. I was known as Airball in elementary school, which is the last time I ever really played, obviously.
As I walked around those side streets, in an area that I foresee being the place of my future home, I found the street I would LOVE to live on. It had colourful, well-maintained duplexes that this city is known for, but hidden away among many less beautiful streets. For a brief moment, I thought I had found my future street and let my imagination wander. Then, I got home and looked up the homes that are for sale there, and my dreams were dashed. There is no way I would be able to afford a home there anytime in the next 10 years, so that's out. Fortunately, for now, the other less beautiful streets still have many reasonably priced homes. I guess I'll have to just walk that street and dream...
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Checking in and checking out
Hi friends.
I am just providing a brief update so you can know I have a valid excuse for my absence.
After the food poisoning and finally getting back into shape, I caught a horrendous flu. Think skin pain, muscle aches, fever, chest congestion. When all of that started to fade and I went back to work after 4 days off, I ended up leaving early again with a wicked pain in my ear and sinuses. It worsened and I was an emotional wreck by the time I got home. Throughout the night I kept taking Tylenol for the pain and I could no longer hear out my right ear.
When I woke up this morning to a sudden feeling of relief from some of the pressure in my face, I realized there was fresh blood in my ear. I decided it was time to go to the doctor.
Turns out I have developed a severe ear infection that burst and am now on antibiotics. I have never taken so many vitamins, supplements and pharmaceuticals in my life I think. I generally don't get sick much, or when I do it is super intense and quick. This is dragging and keeps changing from one awful symptom to the next. I am relieved to know these antiobiotics will allow me to hear again soon and not relive the stigmata for Easter.
Thankfully, my boyfriend, who is also not well, has been doing a lot to take care of me, since there were a few days where I was non-functional.
I wont be back at the gym probably for another week or more given that my lungs are still so congested. I do hope to start moving more since 5 days in a tiny apartment are enough to make me insane.
I am just providing a brief update so you can know I have a valid excuse for my absence.
After the food poisoning and finally getting back into shape, I caught a horrendous flu. Think skin pain, muscle aches, fever, chest congestion. When all of that started to fade and I went back to work after 4 days off, I ended up leaving early again with a wicked pain in my ear and sinuses. It worsened and I was an emotional wreck by the time I got home. Throughout the night I kept taking Tylenol for the pain and I could no longer hear out my right ear.
When I woke up this morning to a sudden feeling of relief from some of the pressure in my face, I realized there was fresh blood in my ear. I decided it was time to go to the doctor.
Turns out I have developed a severe ear infection that burst and am now on antibiotics. I have never taken so many vitamins, supplements and pharmaceuticals in my life I think. I generally don't get sick much, or when I do it is super intense and quick. This is dragging and keeps changing from one awful symptom to the next. I am relieved to know these antiobiotics will allow me to hear again soon and not relive the stigmata for Easter.
Thankfully, my boyfriend, who is also not well, has been doing a lot to take care of me, since there were a few days where I was non-functional.
I wont be back at the gym probably for another week or more given that my lungs are still so congested. I do hope to start moving more since 5 days in a tiny apartment are enough to make me insane.
Sunday, March 10, 2013
In a new light
Since last weekend things have been good. I got to sub on volleyball teams twice, for early games no less. I was surprisingly good despite months off the sport. I sure was in pain afterward though, but it's a worthwhile kind of pain.
My weight is dropping. I am currently at 144, but again, I have made weight loss only a secondary objective. My main goal is now to be more active, and in that, I am succeeding. In addition to making healthier food choices in general, I now walk every day at lunch again, which has more benefits overall than volleyball or the gym I think. It energizes me, which makes me able to do all the other stuff.
This week I walked a bunch of places: to appointments, to class, home, to pick up produce, etc. Yesterday, since it was so beautiful outside, I went for a long, leisurely walk of about 1.5-2 hours in total I believe. My butt is thanking me by turning upward again and my stomach is getting flatter. People truly underestimate how effective walking is as an exercise, as long as you do a lot of it scattered throughout the day.
Aside: Here's an interesting read about yet another dodgy industry: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2013/03/08/f-vp-crowe-big-sugar.html
Aaaand, back to me.
So, as I told you a few weeks ago, I have been taking Evening Primrose Oil and waiting to see what kind of effect it will have on me. So my short-term report is that it makes me sleep soundly, which was an unanticipated but enjoyable side effect, and it definitely lessened the bloating/cramps I typically get just before and after Aunt Flo arrives. The primary reason I am taking it though is to see if it will make me more regular (so that, in turn, I can better predict/manage my emotional state at specific times in my cycle). I will only know if it's working after about three cycles, so I'll keep you posted.
Walking = feeling more energetic = less down about eating well/exercising (more into it = doing more of it) = weight loss and better overall mood. All that combined with putting less pressure on myself is a good thing. I have to remember that the VERY FIRST thing that made me able to lose all that weight years ago was when I decided to stop with the guilt over being fat, eating garbage and being lazy. To let go of the negative thinking and instead focus on doing something about it. And THAT is something to feel good about.
My weight is dropping. I am currently at 144, but again, I have made weight loss only a secondary objective. My main goal is now to be more active, and in that, I am succeeding. In addition to making healthier food choices in general, I now walk every day at lunch again, which has more benefits overall than volleyball or the gym I think. It energizes me, which makes me able to do all the other stuff.
This week I walked a bunch of places: to appointments, to class, home, to pick up produce, etc. Yesterday, since it was so beautiful outside, I went for a long, leisurely walk of about 1.5-2 hours in total I believe. My butt is thanking me by turning upward again and my stomach is getting flatter. People truly underestimate how effective walking is as an exercise, as long as you do a lot of it scattered throughout the day.
Aside: Here's an interesting read about yet another dodgy industry: http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2013/03/08/f-vp-crowe-big-sugar.html
Aaaand, back to me.
So, as I told you a few weeks ago, I have been taking Evening Primrose Oil and waiting to see what kind of effect it will have on me. So my short-term report is that it makes me sleep soundly, which was an unanticipated but enjoyable side effect, and it definitely lessened the bloating/cramps I typically get just before and after Aunt Flo arrives. The primary reason I am taking it though is to see if it will make me more regular (so that, in turn, I can better predict/manage my emotional state at specific times in my cycle). I will only know if it's working after about three cycles, so I'll keep you posted.
Walking = feeling more energetic = less down about eating well/exercising (more into it = doing more of it) = weight loss and better overall mood. All that combined with putting less pressure on myself is a good thing. I have to remember that the VERY FIRST thing that made me able to lose all that weight years ago was when I decided to stop with the guilt over being fat, eating garbage and being lazy. To let go of the negative thinking and instead focus on doing something about it. And THAT is something to feel good about.
Sunday, March 3, 2013
A nice end to a rough week...
... well, one horribly rough day anyway.
I asked a friend if she'd be willing to escape the city with me this weekend, and she gladly obliged. We spent Friday brainstorming and only came up with one car rental and an idea of where we would go. Separately, at home, we had both ended up looking up things to do and where they are, so when the next morning came, we didn't even realize we had a full day already planned.
We stopped for the best croissants in town to get the trip started right. The first stop on arriving at our destination was tube sliding :) I was amazed at how frightened I was of even the beginner slopes. How embarrassing, when parents are practically chucking 2-year-olds down those very hills with no fear. In any case, we "manned up" and got to sliding, which was a lot of fun... especially what they call a tornado, which is like a bucket in which about 8 people sit and slide down, but under the weight, the bucket begins to spin as it descends at lightning speed. It would have been more fun had we not ended up with little kids who weigh nothing, because it was obvious the heavier buckets spun much faster.
Then, we had intended to have a light lunch since I had carefully selected a fancy dinner place for us to try, but when I saw that the sugar shack opened that VERY day, I could not resist: it has been maybe four years since I've been, and fortunately this friend is a fan.
Afterward, we drove around a bit on the hunt for a place to go snowshoeing, something neither of us had ever done. The weather was not as sunny and warm as in the morning, but when we did finally find a place, the weather couldn't have been more perfect really. It was grey and heavy snowflakes fell as we trekked alongside a partially frozen river, in a forest with probably 5-6 feet of perfect, fluffy snow cover and no one around. We only did one hour of snowshoeing since it was getting chilly and late, but I would love to go back and explore more of the area. What a great invention snowshoes are, especially the modern ones with the metal spikes :)
Next, it was time to visit the factory outlets very briefly. I picked up one Nike workout T-shirt and some fruit at a grocery store. Then we were basically done with that and went up to the main street in the village, where there is a good coffee place I like. We stayed there having something called a mochalattecino... it was good to warm up a bit and digest the heavy lunch before moving on to dinner :)
Good restaurants in this ski/tourist resort town are few and far between, so I dared to try a newer, fancier and "hipper" place than the usual places I try there. My friend and I shared a foodies plate that included: pate, proscuitto, salami, salad, tartiflette de roblochon (don't ask, it's so fat and it's good, but not great), a mini-poutine, and three varieties of crostini: a pair with calamari... very nice, a pair that was standard bruschetta, and the final duo being a mushroom/chicken combo. We each topped that off with a glass of Portuguese wine, hers white, mine red. The owner came out to see if all was edible, and the staff were very friendly. Overall the food was enjoyable.
All in all, a perfect day. Oh and I came home to Hairy, who had been in the U.S. with friends for the day, and who bought me a pack of super awesome flourescent workout socks and a Bluth banana stand shirt to sleep in, which is one of the coolest things I have ever received... For those who don't have any clue what a Bluth banana stand is, it's a reference to the TV show Arrested Development, which is a big favourite of mine.
This morning my stomach isn't feeling so hot because of all the fatty food, but I'm about to bring the rental car back then likely hit the gym for a light workout. My weight is still under control too since all I ate yesterday probably made up for the calories I did not consume Thursday.
I hope you enjoyed reading a more positive blog than my usual. It really was a much-needed escape.
I asked a friend if she'd be willing to escape the city with me this weekend, and she gladly obliged. We spent Friday brainstorming and only came up with one car rental and an idea of where we would go. Separately, at home, we had both ended up looking up things to do and where they are, so when the next morning came, we didn't even realize we had a full day already planned.
We stopped for the best croissants in town to get the trip started right. The first stop on arriving at our destination was tube sliding :) I was amazed at how frightened I was of even the beginner slopes. How embarrassing, when parents are practically chucking 2-year-olds down those very hills with no fear. In any case, we "manned up" and got to sliding, which was a lot of fun... especially what they call a tornado, which is like a bucket in which about 8 people sit and slide down, but under the weight, the bucket begins to spin as it descends at lightning speed. It would have been more fun had we not ended up with little kids who weigh nothing, because it was obvious the heavier buckets spun much faster.
Then, we had intended to have a light lunch since I had carefully selected a fancy dinner place for us to try, but when I saw that the sugar shack opened that VERY day, I could not resist: it has been maybe four years since I've been, and fortunately this friend is a fan.
Afterward, we drove around a bit on the hunt for a place to go snowshoeing, something neither of us had ever done. The weather was not as sunny and warm as in the morning, but when we did finally find a place, the weather couldn't have been more perfect really. It was grey and heavy snowflakes fell as we trekked alongside a partially frozen river, in a forest with probably 5-6 feet of perfect, fluffy snow cover and no one around. We only did one hour of snowshoeing since it was getting chilly and late, but I would love to go back and explore more of the area. What a great invention snowshoes are, especially the modern ones with the metal spikes :)
Next, it was time to visit the factory outlets very briefly. I picked up one Nike workout T-shirt and some fruit at a grocery store. Then we were basically done with that and went up to the main street in the village, where there is a good coffee place I like. We stayed there having something called a mochalattecino... it was good to warm up a bit and digest the heavy lunch before moving on to dinner :)
Good restaurants in this ski/tourist resort town are few and far between, so I dared to try a newer, fancier and "hipper" place than the usual places I try there. My friend and I shared a foodies plate that included: pate, proscuitto, salami, salad, tartiflette de roblochon (don't ask, it's so fat and it's good, but not great), a mini-poutine, and three varieties of crostini: a pair with calamari... very nice, a pair that was standard bruschetta, and the final duo being a mushroom/chicken combo. We each topped that off with a glass of Portuguese wine, hers white, mine red. The owner came out to see if all was edible, and the staff were very friendly. Overall the food was enjoyable.
All in all, a perfect day. Oh and I came home to Hairy, who had been in the U.S. with friends for the day, and who bought me a pack of super awesome flourescent workout socks and a Bluth banana stand shirt to sleep in, which is one of the coolest things I have ever received... For those who don't have any clue what a Bluth banana stand is, it's a reference to the TV show Arrested Development, which is a big favourite of mine.
This morning my stomach isn't feeling so hot because of all the fatty food, but I'm about to bring the rental car back then likely hit the gym for a light workout. My weight is still under control too since all I ate yesterday probably made up for the calories I did not consume Thursday.
I hope you enjoyed reading a more positive blog than my usual. It really was a much-needed escape.
Friday, March 1, 2013
recovery
Well, it was definitely food poisoning since I feel MUCH better now.
Yesterday, after posting on the blog, the situation got worse again. I was writhing in pain, my muscles and lower back aching, and felt nauseous, dehydrated and underslept. Hairy went to get me Gravol, which made it possible to quell the nausea a few hours at a time, and helped me sleep. Eventually, Advil killed off the back and muscle pain, and Gatorade seemed to bring my brain back to life.
I have never felt so awful before, but thank god I had Hairy here because if I didn't have someone to go to the store for me I couldn't have left the house myself.
Today I will bring oatmeal for lunch since I want to stick to plain foods and rehydrating. I am a little nervous about eating something that might trigger it all again.
And I was really pumped about the gym this week for once too! Oh well, another day another try. I'll go back once I am eating normally.
Have a good one.
Yesterday, after posting on the blog, the situation got worse again. I was writhing in pain, my muscles and lower back aching, and felt nauseous, dehydrated and underslept. Hairy went to get me Gravol, which made it possible to quell the nausea a few hours at a time, and helped me sleep. Eventually, Advil killed off the back and muscle pain, and Gatorade seemed to bring my brain back to life.
I have never felt so awful before, but thank god I had Hairy here because if I didn't have someone to go to the store for me I couldn't have left the house myself.
Today I will bring oatmeal for lunch since I want to stick to plain foods and rehydrating. I am a little nervous about eating something that might trigger it all again.
And I was really pumped about the gym this week for once too! Oh well, another day another try. I'll go back once I am eating normally.
Have a good one.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
uggghhh. what a night.
I am blogging right now because I am exhausted and need ways to stay seated upright and distracted from what I've been suffering through since about midnight.
I believe it is food poisoning, though the two-way tango makes it evoke much more amusing mental pictures.
I have had three big episodes of painful heaving and other less shareable experiences, interspersed with a brief moment of relief afterward followed by hours of nausea. To get any sleep at all, there was only one position that sufficed: sitting almost completely upright in a ball, leaning to the left... not the right, the left only. I have been trying to stomach glasses of water and boiled water with salt and honey. Soon Hairy will wake up and go get me ginger ale and crackers and I'll eat some bland food today. I'm really excited for ginger ale and crackers at this point.
I haven't had a stomach flu since just before moving to this city, 6 years ago. I do rather well at being all organized and proper through the messy stuff, but I especially hate the dull, lingering nausea in between spells. The heaving only matters for a few seconds.
Anyway, the bright side is that I just took a shower right after my third episode and brushed my teeth and feel a lot cleaner and my skin doesn't hurt so much with my temperature more normal now. Since it's a decent time to be awake, I will try not to sleep in that uncomfortable position and wait til the bed is free for me to setup a TV watching nest and sleep space that's more comfy.
I hope you're all having a better day than I.
I believe it is food poisoning, though the two-way tango makes it evoke much more amusing mental pictures.
I have had three big episodes of painful heaving and other less shareable experiences, interspersed with a brief moment of relief afterward followed by hours of nausea. To get any sleep at all, there was only one position that sufficed: sitting almost completely upright in a ball, leaning to the left... not the right, the left only. I have been trying to stomach glasses of water and boiled water with salt and honey. Soon Hairy will wake up and go get me ginger ale and crackers and I'll eat some bland food today. I'm really excited for ginger ale and crackers at this point.
I haven't had a stomach flu since just before moving to this city, 6 years ago. I do rather well at being all organized and proper through the messy stuff, but I especially hate the dull, lingering nausea in between spells. The heaving only matters for a few seconds.
Anyway, the bright side is that I just took a shower right after my third episode and brushed my teeth and feel a lot cleaner and my skin doesn't hurt so much with my temperature more normal now. Since it's a decent time to be awake, I will try not to sleep in that uncomfortable position and wait til the bed is free for me to setup a TV watching nest and sleep space that's more comfy.
I hope you're all having a better day than I.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Another good day
Yesterday I managed to do my old favourite lunch walk, up a really steep hill and back down. It did me a world of good, as did chatting on the phone with a great friend, which put me extra out-of-breath. These walks really make the day go by much more calmly.
I also had the energy for Portuguese class. Last week I ditched because a sudden bout of the blues hit me. As I explained, I've been dealing with some tough moments on and off, and have often been choosing to spend all my time in bed watching stuff on Netflix, because it's the only thing that requires nothing of me but staying awake, and is an effective distraction.
This is coming from someone who had all but stopped watching TV completely for the last few years, apart from movies and the occasional series. I just usually feel that if you turn on the TV for even 30 minutes, those are 30 minutes your brain could have actually been relaxing with quiet time, music, a conversation with a friend, catching up on emails, blogging, reading, exercising... or just NOT having that feeling like your schedule is so tight. I love a good TV show (and lord knows I probably spent 2/3 of my youth 19 watching TV), but the advertising gets to me as do the messages that get across. Despite being AWARE of the fact the messages we get from the media are unrealistic, it still has a big influence on what I perceive as normal to look like, how people age, how people's homes look, and the list goes on... For me, it's undue pressure. For others, they may not ever notice and live happy lives.
Okay, back to the point though: I am watching a lot of TV and not playing sports, and the combination has completely halted my energy momentum.
Momentum is absolutely key to motivation. To stick to something, you have to keep doing it. May sound redundant but it's true.
I went to the gym again today and had a very good workout. I did 30 minutes of treadmill, in a fairly passionate run, and then pull-ups, jumping squats, sideways leg lifts and stretching. I feel good since yesterday. I never know if that will continue but I don't really care. I am so relieved for me and for Hairy that I'm doing better right now.
Speaking of which, I told you I was taking baby steps to get help: well today, after years of putting it off, I finally got myself and my man on a list to get a family doctor. Soon a nurse will call us to assess our state of health, because the list is by health priority and not first-come, first-served. I hope they will agree that my need to consult someone for anxiety/depression is actually urgent-ish and does not constitute an emergency (since for serious stuff they say just go to Emergency). It could take years to get a doctor, but at least at some point I may have one.
I'll see what they say when they call, and depending how long it will take I may seek more immediate remedies.
By the way, the Evening Primrose Oil, so far, appears to be doing nothing (though I'll really know after my next T.O.M.), except it makes me sleep very soundly, without any feelings as though I took sleeping pills at all. I don't even know if they're intended to help with sleep, but they really do in my case.
To wrap this up, I went to buy my lunch today at a place that's far enough to count as a lunchtime walk, there and back. It was a tomato/basil pizza that is fairly light. I just are two organic eggs (there is a slight and enjoyable difference compared to regular eggs), and a spinach salad with cucumber and tomato, olive oil, salt, pepper, squeeze of lemon and a dash of balsamic. I will keep myself some room for a decaf espresso and a little sweet treat. Gotta go.
I also had the energy for Portuguese class. Last week I ditched because a sudden bout of the blues hit me. As I explained, I've been dealing with some tough moments on and off, and have often been choosing to spend all my time in bed watching stuff on Netflix, because it's the only thing that requires nothing of me but staying awake, and is an effective distraction.
This is coming from someone who had all but stopped watching TV completely for the last few years, apart from movies and the occasional series. I just usually feel that if you turn on the TV for even 30 minutes, those are 30 minutes your brain could have actually been relaxing with quiet time, music, a conversation with a friend, catching up on emails, blogging, reading, exercising... or just NOT having that feeling like your schedule is so tight. I love a good TV show (and lord knows I probably spent 2/3 of my youth 19 watching TV), but the advertising gets to me as do the messages that get across. Despite being AWARE of the fact the messages we get from the media are unrealistic, it still has a big influence on what I perceive as normal to look like, how people age, how people's homes look, and the list goes on... For me, it's undue pressure. For others, they may not ever notice and live happy lives.
Okay, back to the point though: I am watching a lot of TV and not playing sports, and the combination has completely halted my energy momentum.
Momentum is absolutely key to motivation. To stick to something, you have to keep doing it. May sound redundant but it's true.
I went to the gym again today and had a very good workout. I did 30 minutes of treadmill, in a fairly passionate run, and then pull-ups, jumping squats, sideways leg lifts and stretching. I feel good since yesterday. I never know if that will continue but I don't really care. I am so relieved for me and for Hairy that I'm doing better right now.
Speaking of which, I told you I was taking baby steps to get help: well today, after years of putting it off, I finally got myself and my man on a list to get a family doctor. Soon a nurse will call us to assess our state of health, because the list is by health priority and not first-come, first-served. I hope they will agree that my need to consult someone for anxiety/depression is actually urgent-ish and does not constitute an emergency (since for serious stuff they say just go to Emergency). It could take years to get a doctor, but at least at some point I may have one.
I'll see what they say when they call, and depending how long it will take I may seek more immediate remedies.
By the way, the Evening Primrose Oil, so far, appears to be doing nothing (though I'll really know after my next T.O.M.), except it makes me sleep very soundly, without any feelings as though I took sleeping pills at all. I don't even know if they're intended to help with sleep, but they really do in my case.
To wrap this up, I went to buy my lunch today at a place that's far enough to count as a lunchtime walk, there and back. It was a tomato/basil pizza that is fairly light. I just are two organic eggs (there is a slight and enjoyable difference compared to regular eggs), and a spinach salad with cucumber and tomato, olive oil, salt, pepper, squeeze of lemon and a dash of balsamic. I will keep myself some room for a decaf espresso and a little sweet treat. Gotta go.
Monday, February 25, 2013
So here's the thing.
Weight = Of no consequence at the moment. Fluctuates regularly but stays in the same ballpark and is not trending upward anymore.
Height = I suppose gradually diminishing with age and regular slouching induced by deskwork and curling up in balls care of depression.
I feel like every time I get on here to proudly say I took one more step in the right direction, the next few days are spent moving backward. It has been a roller coaster.
I discussed my state of mental wellness with Hairy yesterday, and his thinking is that I need to find the same drive I had a few years back when I was in a pit of chubby despair. I need to delve into the depths of my inner strength and commit to making myself the person I will feel good about being.
The hitch is this (while not an excuse, I think it's a valid point): Back then, I was fighting outer forces. I was fighting money problems, a bad relationship, poor past choices, weight issues, and so on. All of this RESULTED in depression/anxiety, but once I started to sleep, eat and exercise well, and taught myself the counter-intuitive art of patience/denial, all was well.
Now, I wont explain the details, but life is as I've always wanted it to be: simple and filled with love. Now my mental problems have become more apparent than ever. Without other negative forces in my life, all the bad inside me has free reign. All I can say is that even though I'm not treating it like an emergency, I am taking baby baby steps to get help. I need time and mental preparation every time I have to call / visit a doctor, go to a health store and ask questions, etc. I need time to prepare to go shopping for new clothes even.
I'll look at it this way going forward: instead of aiming for 3-5 days of working out intensely, I am aiming just to make it to the gym more than twice a week, and if that means 15 minutes of treadmill then home, so be it. I did my long walk at lunch today and it gave me energy. I think a big part of my problem is without my lunchtime walks, I get home wiped out mentally. When my brain is tired, I have less emotional control.
Today what worked was repeating over and over (if you think it's stupid, try it with something that scares you to death and then talk to me): "it's not a beauty competition, and that would be a losing/neverending battle. Hairy is with me for who I am and there will always be someone prettier, but they won't be me." It's really hard to find things that work when all your mind wants to do is bash yourself, but today, this is what worked.
Height = I suppose gradually diminishing with age and regular slouching induced by deskwork and curling up in balls care of depression.
I feel like every time I get on here to proudly say I took one more step in the right direction, the next few days are spent moving backward. It has been a roller coaster.
I discussed my state of mental wellness with Hairy yesterday, and his thinking is that I need to find the same drive I had a few years back when I was in a pit of chubby despair. I need to delve into the depths of my inner strength and commit to making myself the person I will feel good about being.
The hitch is this (while not an excuse, I think it's a valid point): Back then, I was fighting outer forces. I was fighting money problems, a bad relationship, poor past choices, weight issues, and so on. All of this RESULTED in depression/anxiety, but once I started to sleep, eat and exercise well, and taught myself the counter-intuitive art of patience/denial, all was well.
Now, I wont explain the details, but life is as I've always wanted it to be: simple and filled with love. Now my mental problems have become more apparent than ever. Without other negative forces in my life, all the bad inside me has free reign. All I can say is that even though I'm not treating it like an emergency, I am taking baby baby steps to get help. I need time and mental preparation every time I have to call / visit a doctor, go to a health store and ask questions, etc. I need time to prepare to go shopping for new clothes even.
I'll look at it this way going forward: instead of aiming for 3-5 days of working out intensely, I am aiming just to make it to the gym more than twice a week, and if that means 15 minutes of treadmill then home, so be it. I did my long walk at lunch today and it gave me energy. I think a big part of my problem is without my lunchtime walks, I get home wiped out mentally. When my brain is tired, I have less emotional control.
Today what worked was repeating over and over (if you think it's stupid, try it with something that scares you to death and then talk to me): "it's not a beauty competition, and that would be a losing/neverending battle. Hairy is with me for who I am and there will always be someone prettier, but they won't be me." It's really hard to find things that work when all your mind wants to do is bash yourself, but today, this is what worked.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Back in the game
I am still anywhere from 145.5 to 147 lbs on any given day, but I'm trying not to care so much about this. My real concern is my lack of consistency. I have been going to the gym maybe two to three times per week on average, while this time last year I was playing volleyball twice a week, working out four times a week and sometimes doing other kinds of workouts.
I've been standing a little more on the metro and taking the stairs on occasion. And I've tried to start walking again at lunchtime. I think my new role at work makes it hard for me to take a solid 30 minutes to walk and eat my desk before, because I get a lot of last minute requests and changes that are hard to set aside. I'm really trying, but I just need the nice weather to come back and at least for that I will be very motivated.
It's been an emotional roller coaster for the last little while, but now it's more like a kid ride than a big, scary one. I am trying out evening primrose oil as a natural supplement. It's not EXACTLY designed to do what I need it to, but it may help. I was also recommended Vitex Combo for the PMS-related depression, anxiety, and other things. I took it the first day I got it, and I must say I was wired and upbeat all day while I should have been grumpy because of a mild hangover (which ALWAYS leaves me grumpy in the afternoon). Based on my reading, primrose oil is much less 'traumatic' for the body than this herb combo for hormone balancing, so I am sticking to just the former for the next few weeks. I think consulting a doctor before taking the other would be wise.
I worked out last night, and it was a good one. I still feel lethargic whenever I think about doing exercise, but I'm getting there and doing it anyway. I just wish I could be as motivated from Friday-Sunday, when it isn't part of a strict routine. If you remember, I absolutely need routine to stick to anything...
Off to vurk.
I've been standing a little more on the metro and taking the stairs on occasion. And I've tried to start walking again at lunchtime. I think my new role at work makes it hard for me to take a solid 30 minutes to walk and eat my desk before, because I get a lot of last minute requests and changes that are hard to set aside. I'm really trying, but I just need the nice weather to come back and at least for that I will be very motivated.
It's been an emotional roller coaster for the last little while, but now it's more like a kid ride than a big, scary one. I am trying out evening primrose oil as a natural supplement. It's not EXACTLY designed to do what I need it to, but it may help. I was also recommended Vitex Combo for the PMS-related depression, anxiety, and other things. I took it the first day I got it, and I must say I was wired and upbeat all day while I should have been grumpy because of a mild hangover (which ALWAYS leaves me grumpy in the afternoon). Based on my reading, primrose oil is much less 'traumatic' for the body than this herb combo for hormone balancing, so I am sticking to just the former for the next few weeks. I think consulting a doctor before taking the other would be wise.
I worked out last night, and it was a good one. I still feel lethargic whenever I think about doing exercise, but I'm getting there and doing it anyway. I just wish I could be as motivated from Friday-Sunday, when it isn't part of a strict routine. If you remember, I absolutely need routine to stick to anything...
Off to vurk.
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