Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on January 24, 2019, 02:22:01 PM
I'm in the weight loss thread, which is great but... sometimes makes me feel bad, and also I miss having a place to talk about OTHER healthy choices that may or may not be weight loss related. Sleep hygiene! Getting an unpleasant but important medical test! Self care! Whatever!
No shame, no judgments, just appreciating positive steps.
Post by: SquashingDebt on January 24, 2019, 04:02:13 PM
My recent healthy choice/victory is really internalizing how much I enjoy my exercise classes (Jazzercise). I've struggled my whole life with motivating myself to exercise and it's so exciting to have found something I like so much. Yesterday in class I even found myself thinking "I really like doing squats!" Who would have thought?
Now I just need to keep going - my goal is 3x per week whenever my schedule allows.
Post by: oneday on January 24, 2019, 10:01:13 PM
Post by: alleykat on January 25, 2019, 06:25:52 AM
For January, I put a rule in place to avoid desserts so I had no cakes, pies, cookies or ice cream. I am going to continue this for the most part in Feb. but a little more lenient. Maybe something small once or twice a week. If I find I am going overboard, I will get stricter.
I am looking forward to this thread.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on January 25, 2019, 03:21:06 PM
Yes! I've missed this thread!
My recent healthy choice/victory is really internalizing how much I enjoy my exercise classes (Jazzercise). I've struggled my whole life with motivating myself to exercise and it's so exciting to have found something I like so much. Yesterday in class I even found myself thinking "I really like doing squats!" Who would have thought?
Now I just need to keep going - my goal is 3x per week whenever my schedule allows.
Hi there!
Yay Jazzercise! People often don't know (a) that it's still around or (b) that it's a killer workout! I go with my mom and sister when I visit them back home. It's funny, I have literally zero rhythm so I spend the whole class concentrating as if I'm defusing a bomb. Foot, foot, arm thing, repeat. My sister has rhythm and she's one of those people dancing around like it's a party.
Intriguing thread! Sleep hygiene is where it all starts for me. Let's see if I can get to bed on time for a whole week.
Yes, let's! And let us know!
Hi, @alleykat! I struggle with sweets, too--I love cookies and baking with my kids and... Great job giving yourself a beak from them!
Post by: Frugal Lizard on January 25, 2019, 06:13:25 PM
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on January 25, 2019, 09:11:44 PM
I am posting to follow. Not sure how much I will contribute. Giving myself three months of coasting - for grieving. Actually - that is a healthy choice.
Yes! It is! Welcome, Frugal Lizard. If a nice walk and a salad feels good, go for it. If, say, sitting at the counter eating ice cream and reading sewing books is more helpful--no, wait, that was me when I was getting divorced--well, whatever your soul needs. My favorite advice columnist Carolyn Hax often talks about the need to strip away nonessentials in a difficult time. I'm so sorry.
I am excited to go the gym tomorrow! I usually only go on Mondays and Wednesdays but there are some times coming up I won't be able to go, so I want to get an extra time in. I have a new workout regime that I am enjoying. The old one had gotten stale and involved VERY heavy weights, which was fun for a while but then I got burnt out and it was harder to make myself go and put a hundred fifty-whatever pounds on my back time after time. This is more reps, less weight, still pretty heavy and muscle-building but more metabolic. I'm pleased that my choice to change it up is meaning more workouts!
Post by: mspym on January 25, 2019, 10:18:13 PM
Post by: WhiteTrashCash on January 26, 2019, 07:05:08 AM
My healthy choices this year are to increase my sleep as much as possible. I'm trying to get at least 7 hours and 15 minutes of sleep per night. I'm also trying to improve my water intake. Already, I am feeling a difference with some small changes. It helps having a new smartwatch that helps me track these things.
Post by: Frugal Lizard on January 26, 2019, 08:47:05 AM
Got swamped in grief starting around 9pm last night and got completely pulled under by 11:30pm so I had a very hard time falling asleep. Today I am going to putter around with no particular goals except to return some dishes to a distant neighbour so that I get them off my counter and get some fresh air. And fresh it is - 13C at the moment - but with the wind chill it feels more like -20C. But it is bright and sunny. The days high is around 2pm so that it when I am targeting my walk. (-10C)
I might make pea soup or it could wait until tomorrow.
Post by: oneday on January 26, 2019, 08:46:56 PM
- full night of sleep-waking refreshed
- get cheaper parking at train station
- get to work earlier-leave earlier
- more time in the sunshine
- more evening time for personal projects, including healthy choices
- sharper thinking-not so much for work, but for personal projects
- sharper thinking-supports other healthy choices
- satisfaction of accomplishing the goal
There are probably others. I will write them on my white board so I can add to the list.
Today's healthy choice was to ride my bike to pick up the library hold and some groceries. Less than an hour's outing altogether, and really easy to do on the bike.
Curious to see what other choices you all are making!
Post by: soccerluvof4 on January 27, 2019, 04:48:55 AM
Post by: Frugal Lizard on January 27, 2019, 08:26:46 AM
Executed my plan for a low key day yesterday but I did get a fairly long walk in the sunshine. At the same time, I de-cluttered two old beeswax candles to a friend that needs lots of wax for a thing she does the evening before school starts. I also returned the dishes to another friend.
Today I am going to finish the laundry and then walk to an event and then go to a movie with a free ticket with the hubs. So I will get some social time and some fresh air. It is still really cold so I will bring a backpack to put my layers in at the event so I don't get overheated.
Post by: Mongoose on January 27, 2019, 02:04:19 PM
I need to work on food and exercise choices too but only have the mental energy to do one thing at a time.
Post by: soccerluvof4 on January 28, 2019, 03:16:59 AM
I'm in...first goal is to solve our stupid levels of commuting. Was 1200 miles a week (DH and I combined). We've temporarily reduced that to 500. Goal to drop it to 200 or less by April.
I need to work on food and exercise choices too but only have the mental energy to do one thing at a time.
One thing at a time you have a better chance of succeeding and it sticking as opposed to dumping all sorts of things on yourself. Over the course of the year I think we all can make alot of changes for the better if we go one thing at a time. Some will take more time than others to figure out and longer/shorter to stick. Good luck!
Post by: norabird on January 28, 2019, 08:43:19 AM
Post by: oneday on January 28, 2019, 03:34:05 PM
I'm in...first goal is to solve our stupid levels of commuting. Was 1200 miles a week (DH and I combined). We've temporarily reduced that to 500. Goal to drop it to 200 or less by April.
I need to work on food and exercise choices too but only have the mental energy to do one thing at a time.
One thing at a time you have a better chance of succeeding and it sticking as opposed to dumping all sorts of things on yourself. Over the course of the year I think we all can make alot of changes for the better if we go one thing at a time. Some will take more time than others to figure out and longer/shorter to stick. Good luck!
Agree with the above! I need to work on circle of friends too, so will of course "do what I can" as opportunites present themselves, but main focus right now is sleep time, so that is be #1 focus, and friends will just have to see me a little less until I get that under control. This is my process; others might have more bandwidth to tackle more things at once.
ETA: goal update: made it to bed 5 min earlier, even after setting bedtime alarm 20 min earlier. Problem is, I am "doing stuff" and don't want to quit when the alarm goes off. Considering a short meditation 5-10 min before bedtime, so the "stuff" I'm doing has a set end time. I have not meditated before. Anyone have recs for YouTube or something?
Post by: SquashingDebt on January 28, 2019, 04:46:19 PM
I've had good luck with the app Headspace as well. There's some good intro stuff before you hit the paywall.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on January 28, 2019, 05:22:56 PM
I'm not sure about this but I've noticed I tend to get mildly hungover now with a single drink, and of course I've dropped off exercising since winter, so dipping my toes in.
Welcome! I hear all the cool people are going sober. I have not done this myself. Are you drinking enough water? Hangover suggests dehydration to me but YMMV :-).
I'm in...first goal is to solve our stupid levels of commuting. Was 1200 miles a week (DH and I combined). We've temporarily reduced that to 500. Goal to drop it to 200 or less by April.
I need to work on food and exercise choices too but only have the mental energy to do one thing at a time.
Totally understandable! Changes to one's routine are hard.
My biggest goal for a Healthy mental Choice is to start rebuilding a small circle of friends. As our Family is transitioning with Kids moving on I feel I need a wee bit more adult social involvement as everything was always through the kids.
I don't know if you follow @FIRE_at_45 but he used to post a lot about his efforts to make adult friends.
^+1^ @soccerluvof4 - that sounds like a solid plan.
Executed my plan for a low key day yesterday but I did get a fairly long walk in the sunshine. At the same time, I de-cluttered two old beeswax candles to a friend that needs lots of wax for a thing she does the evening before school starts. I also returned the dishes to another friend.
Today I am going to finish the laundry and then walk to an event and then go to a movie with a free ticket with the hubs. So I will get some social time and some fresh air. It is still really cold so I will bring a backpack to put my layers in at the event so I don't get overheated.
I love these self-care steps! I have a lot of faith in the powers of sunshine.
@oneday, hope the bike ride helped you get some better sleep :-).
My healthy choices today:
-Refilled albuterol because the old one had expired. I rarely use it but I know if I don't have a canister, I'll want it for sure.
-Saw doc for sinus infection after waiting the requisite 10 or more days. Received antibiotics.
-Had to skip gym for doc BUT put on my snow boots and went out for a lunch walk, cold and snow be damned. At least the sun was out.
-Eating leftover salmon/potato/cauliflower bake for dinner. Leftover potatoes = resistant starch FTW!
Good luck to the would-be meditators!
Post by: oneday on January 28, 2019, 11:00:48 PM
@oneday , some of us are doing a gauntlet challenge to learn to meditate in February - the thread is "Mustachian Meditation", I think.
I've had good luck with the app Headspace as well. There's some good intro stuff before you hit the paywall.
@SquashingDebt thanks for the rec on Headspace! I will explore the intro stuff. The guy's voice is pretty soothing.
@La Bibliotecaria Feroz I did get pretty good sleep that night. The bike ride probably did help, I didn't think of that!
Post by: galliver on January 29, 2019, 08:58:29 AM
I started a new job and moved in early November last year, with a few thesis corrections still on my plate. Everything critical got done, but I was walking a tightrope for a bit to keep my sanity. There was lots of takeout involved in keeping that balance.
I started this year with the goal of restoring some normalcy. We're still unpacking, but I'm cooking again, and we (bf and I) started going to the rock climbing gym 1x-2x/week. :)
Sleep is the hardest. Ideally I'd wake up at 6 for this job, but I have a hard time getting to bed before 11/falling asleep before 12. :(
Post by: Raenia on January 29, 2019, 09:10:51 AM
Post by: norabird on January 29, 2019, 09:42:24 AM
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on January 30, 2019, 12:27:50 PM
I want to hang out on this cool thread again!
I started a new job and moved in early November last year, with a few thesis corrections still on my plate. Everything critical got done, but I was walking a tightrope for a bit to keep my sanity. There was lots of takeout involved in keeping that balance.
I started this year with the goal of restoring some normalcy. We're still unpacking, but I'm cooking again, and we (bf and I) started going to the rock climbing gym 1x-2x/week. :)
Sleep is the hardest. Ideally I'd wake up at 6 for this job, but I have a hard time getting to bed before 11/falling asleep before 12. :(
Welcome! Ugh, it's always really hard when your work schedule doesn't line up with your natural sleep schedule. Can you shift some things to the evening (I shower after dinner, for instance) to save time in the AM?
I love this idea, I'm in! I want to focus on decreasing screen time in the afternoon/evening, and getting to sleep at the same time every night. I don't think I will be able to push my bedtime any earlier, sadly, I've tried that in the past and it really cuts into time with DH, which is important too! Will strive for more consistency, though.
Hi! I have found decreasing screen time to be really helpful personally--good luck! I have red light apps on my phone and computer, but I try to read a paper book.
Oh actually, BibFeroz, I'm totally always dehydrated! I'm really not sure about building a new workout routine into the dread month of February, but maybe I can just make a goal to drink way more water! I get dehydration headaches even without a drink sometimes. And while I thought about a dry Feb, with valentines day and the super bowl and some weekends away it's not realistic, and I don't find my drinking to be an issue except when one drink has consequences later!
LOL, then maybe drinking more water would be a better/more important goal!
I used to find that having a glass of wine with dinner made it harder to put the kids to bed--I would get annoyed with the minutia of tooth brushing and whatnot. But now that is the Boy's job. Doing the dishes on a glass of wine with YouTube playing is very pleasant and then they snuggled and read with me when they are in their PJs and clean.
I'm gonna make an appointment for a fitness/body composition screening. My city rec center gym does them for $15. I've been focusing on a goal weight because weighing oneself is fast and easy, but I'd like to have a better idea whether my goal weight is even appropriate. I was never a lifter before. I think I'm denser than I used to be :-).
Post by: oneday on January 31, 2019, 12:03:01 AM
Anyway, I was reminded of SMART goals today, so re-formatting and adding in some missing elements:
Set a goal (bed on time 7 days in a row)
Monitor (will start writing bed times down)
Arrange your world for success (already eliminated books & screens from bedroom)
Recruit a support team (you guys :)
Treat yourself (need to figure this one out)
(https://media.giphy.com/media/i1hiQy3uVZ0KQ/giphy.gif)
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on February 04, 2019, 08:01:18 PM
I made the healthy choice to take a break from calorie counting to enjoy my birthday! Doesn't mean I stuffed myself silly--I planned and thought about what I was eating, and got some exercise--I just didn't log every bite of food. One can only keep that going for so long :-).
Post by: galliver on February 05, 2019, 12:37:06 AM
Not so good: too much food, haven't made time/found energy for additional exercise, not asleep yet...melatonin is kicking in though *yawn*
Post by: oneday on February 05, 2019, 09:15:58 PM
Thanks for calling me back to this thread.
@galliver I relate to your early work schedule woes. I am in almost the exact same position!
On the goal: tracking show I am getting 7+ hrs/night, woot! So it's just a matter of shifting from an 11-midnight bedtime to 10-11 (or ideally 10 pm every night) in order to get up by 6 and catch the train to work. I am not an early riser; never have been. But I've done it before and I'll get there again.
Still haven't figured out what my reward should be. Also need further thinking on if there's any more "arrange your world for success" that needs to happen.
Post by: Frugal Lizard on February 06, 2019, 05:03:48 AM
Post by: mspym on February 06, 2019, 03:01:18 PM
Post by: Serendip on February 06, 2019, 03:11:51 PM
I have a trip coming up so my urge is to 'work more' to stash cash but instead I am cleaning, packing and taking care of health (lots of sickness going around right now so this seems very important).
Post by: Rosy on February 07, 2019, 08:10:18 PM
January
1. Went back to black coffee for good - no milk, no ice cream, no sugar, no fancy syrups ... just good black coffee from fresh ground beans.
2. Started a 12-week Qui Gong class - part exercise, part meditation.
I am surprised how much I like the Qui Gong exercises - they are kicking my butt and who knew breathing could be such a challenge?
Meditation - well, let's say I'm working on it and it is actually slightly improving.
February
3. Eating healthier - joined the Whole30 gauntlet. I'll probably end up with part Paleo, part Whole30 and part Mediterranean Diet.
The Whole30 is easier to do than I thought it would be and is proving very beneficial.
4. No eating after supper or past 6pm. I never used to, but started up this bad habit and I don't like it - too much food, snacking, sweets. Yuck!
5. Sweets are my downfall - caramel - chocolate - truffles et al. Allowing up to three pieces in the afternoon with the intent to whittle it down to just one. However, now that I ate all my caramels and eating "better" I'm not quite as tempted as I thought I'd be.
This months goal: I'll see how all this healthier eating is progressing and take what works and do it again next month.
What I've noticed lately is that I really don't need three meals a day.
Breakfast is fine - then some fruit - minimal something for lunch if at all - and I'm finding I want to cut down on my consumption for supper as well. I just feel better if I do.
The only problem is sweets or overeating at either lunch or supper or too much snacking after supper - so I'm tweaking and experimenting.
There is a detox scheduled at my acupuncturist's healing center around Feb 24 which I am looking forward to. Not entirely sure yet what is involved.
... and I want to walk more and be more social - need to make more of an effort.
OVERALL GOAL I am hoping to have a better grip on my poor eating habits by the end of February and that the detox will be a good thing.
In March, I'd like to finetune our eating habits and walk a whole lot more.
Aside from that I am keeping up with way too many Dr. appointments, acupuncture appts and being tested poked and prodded, ultrasounds and X-rays and blood tests.
So far so good.
Today I ordered two books on CBT-Cognitive Behavior Therapy, I'm studying up on how to give a good presentation (at a local non-profit) and learning more about money and investing - all of it good for my mental well being.
Just wish I'd have more energy to deal with the spring gardening and a couple decluttering projects.
Post by: oneday on February 07, 2019, 11:46:40 PM
Yesterday was my best bedtime/wake time combo so far. I have not consistently moved the needle earlier on the bed time, I keep going earlier/later. But the time swings overall are getting earlier. Tonight my challenge is to get it earlier that yesterday, which has been the earliest by 10 min. I suspect I will go on like this for a time and then one day, BOOM I'll be back on the early schedule.
Post by: Raenia on February 08, 2019, 08:32:12 AM
I do feel bad though, I know DH hasn't been sleeping well recently (even before this change) and I want to help, but I've suggested measures to improve sleep hygiene several times before and he never follows through, so I have to disengage and let him decide what is more important for himself.
Post by: Bird In Hand on February 08, 2019, 11:19:24 AM
For diet, I'm currently participating in the February Whole30 thread (http://February Whole30 thread) since it's pretty close to my ideal diet.
For exercise I'm trying to get at least 1/2 hour per weekday via calisthenics, and (as the weather improves) brisk walks or jogging.
For sleep, I'm trying get 8+ hours, which is really only possible if I'm in bed by about 10PM.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on February 08, 2019, 03:12:00 PM
@Raenia, that sounds frustrating to watch! But beyond your control, sigh.
@Rosy, sounds like you are doing an awesome job keeping up with self-care during a really hard time. I hope the medical appointments lead to some kind of satisfactory resolution soon.
I am in a time of the month when I want to shovel carbs into my face. ALL THE CARDS NOM NOM. Last night I really want to make popcorn, but I knew I had already eaten quite enough food for the day and would be unhappy and bloated if I ate more. I made a cup of herbal tea and went to bed.
But I still wanted the popcorn. The whole damn bag, please. So I had a protein shake and a bag of microwave popcorn for lunch. All macronutrients accounted for and I got to enjoy the very satisfying feeling of eating lots of popcorn without stuffing myself overly. (I will also eat fruits and veggies today! I promise!)
Post by: horsepoor on February 08, 2019, 10:14:03 PM
My horse is laid up with an injury for a couple more months, and I'm finding it hard to get motivated to exercise when I'm not riding (my workouts are tailored towards riding fitness).
I think my small step this weekend will be to get my first set of seeds started because vegetables.
Post by: mspym on February 08, 2019, 11:13:15 PM
Post by: galliver on February 09, 2019, 09:35:33 PM
Post by: horsepoor on February 09, 2019, 09:48:44 PM
Post by: oneday on February 10, 2019, 09:35:56 PM
Today I accepted that even if I can't do the exercise I want to do (ie anything involving my legs) I can still do something so just finished my upper body sets + rehab exercises.
Very healthy attitude!
Bedtime is still trending in the right direction. Earliest bedtime in a week and a half on Friday night! Wake time was settling down into a pattern at the end of the work week. Well that was before the weekend has thrown everything off again. I think it's not going to be as much as a problem as last weekend, since I ran all over town doing all the errands today, so getting into bed should be more appealing later this evening.
Post by: Raenia on February 11, 2019, 07:18:59 AM
Post by: letsdoit on February 11, 2019, 07:51:53 AM
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLj3yWdMwimwmSz4DXwtJkCeQ958RHnOfj
Post by: Tris Prior on February 12, 2019, 08:22:50 AM
I'm in a very different place from last year. Last year I found myself getting really obsessive about calorie counting and weight loss. It was bad, and I couldn't stop even after I hit my goal weight. Then, we adopted 2 tiny kittens, who pretty much immediately started having major health problems.... and somewhere in between the kitty ER runs and the medication doses and the giving of lots of attention and love and checking on them to make sure they were still breathing, I stopped freaking out about every last thing that went into my mouth. I guess because I had the little monsters to focus on and no energy to also obsess over myself?
And since then I think I've managed to keep a pretty healthy outlook around food. Right now I'm basically doing the eat when hungry/stop when satisfied thing, working on limiting sweets and crap, and upping fruit/veg content. Hard this time of year because to me all fruit other than citrus tastes like sand! But I have been batch cooking lots of chilis and curries and stews that are full of veg, and freezing in containers so I can just grab something when I'm busy. That's worked out very well. It saved me during January when my work was really busy and I had no time to cook.
(That being said, cold weather makes me so HANGRY all the time and this morning I found myself inhaling a donut in the breakroom without even thinking about it. WTF. It was half eaten already before I realized, wait, what am I even doing?)
My main challenge right now is sleep. I'm a very light sleeper, I cannot get back to sleep if awakened, and, well, kittens. We don't have a place to shut them away for the night in our apartment, where I cannot still hear them. They can open the bedroom door. I thought about putting a latch on it on the inside but one of them hurls his little body against any closed door, repeatedly, and, well, by that time I'd be awake and up for the day even if it's 4 a.m. so that seems kind of pointless.
Pair this with hot flashes and night sweats that wake me up repeatedly, and my nights are really unpleasant. I have not slept past 5 a.m. since August and it's kind of destroying my mental health. My body does not want to be awake at 3, 4, 5 a.m. and I'm one of those weirdoes that really needs about 10 hours of sleep to feel good (it runs in my family). My doctor changed my pill prescription in hopes that it would help, but now I get more frequent but milder hot flashes/night sweats instead of less frequent but more severe. Which means I'm still not sleeping. Meh. I need to go back to her and see what else she has for me.
Oh, I've also totally fallen off the exercise wagon because I can't afford my dance or yoga classes right now. I miss them terribly. I do so much better with someone else standing in front of me telling me what to do!
Post by: chaskavitch on February 12, 2019, 09:00:37 AM
Chol/HDL ratio (0.00-4.00) - 6.21
Cholesterol (<200 mg/dL) - 379
HDL (>= 40 mg/dL) - 61
LDL (<100 mg/dL) - 257
LDL/HDL ratio (0.00-3.20) - 4.21
Triglycerides (<150 mg/dL) - 304!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My cholesterol has always been high, it runs in my family, AND I'm 35 weeks pregnant, so it should be higher than "normal" by 25-50%, but that's just ridiculous.
I've been eating a lot of simple carbs/sugary foods this pregnancy, and I haven't been exercising at all because I've been tired/achy/lazy in some combination pretty much the whole time, and I'm sure both of those things contributed to the situation.
So, with an impending baby and a hugely unwieldy body, I need to get on it :)
Goals:
1) No desserts during the day, and only at night when I'm with DH. No more random Starburst from the office jar, no eating a pint of fro-yo while I read by myself in the evening, even after there's a baby.
2) Stock up on "healthy" foods for after baby. I've got frozen soup, fajitas, enchiladas, more soup, chicken pot pie, and zucchini bread so far, but I should try to find some easy lower carb options for those first few crazy weeks. Maybe even more soup, just with lots of veggies :)
3) Go for more walks. Set a timer and walk around my office for 5 minutes every hour so I'm not sitting all day every day. I don't know what this will look like post-baby, but I'll at least try to go on walks during maternity leave. Hopefully she loves baby carriers! Once I'm up to exercising again, we have a squat rack in our basement, so I need to make it a priority to go do some lifting maybe 2 days a week? I love weightlifting, but I have NOT been feeling it this pregnancy. Last time I was doing taekwondo 2 nights a week and deadlifting until like 2 weeks before delivery, so I feel super lazy right now.
4) Sleep more. This was a goal last year too, and I still have timers on my phone reminding me to "get ready for bed!" so I'll get at least 7 hours of sleep, but I ignore them :( I'm re-committing to going to bed when those go off if at all possible. Yes, I need time for myself, but I also make questionable food choices when I'm tired, and get less done during the day both at home and at work. I know that's probably going to be impossible with a newborn, but I can't fool myself that I should stay up to have some me-time after she falls asleep if I'm going to be even more sleep deprived the next day and just be mean to my 2.5 year old.
If anyone has any more ideas for how to set myself up for success with these goals even with a newborn who might only sleep for 2 hours at a time, please let me know. I won't have another blood panel until my work checkup next year, probably, but these are semi-measurable goals that will have a positive effect on my life even if they don't help my cholesterol at all.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on February 12, 2019, 11:23:18 AM
Had an excellent weekend of hardly any computer use - I did a little in the morning on Saturday, but in the afternoon I put it away (actually moved it from its place on the table, not just shut down) and we had a bunch of friends over for board games. Sunday I didn't even set my computer back up. I did watch a few youtube videos with DH on his computer, but at least we were watching together and not getting sucked into our own separate rabbit holes. I'm debating if I will set my computer up tonight - it would be nice to stay disconnected a bit longer, but on the other hand I keep my to-do list and most recipes on the computer...
I have this issue, too! I want to model being away from my devices for the kids but it's hard.
@oneday, nice progress!
@Tris Prior, ohhh I'm so sorry. Lack of sleep is the absolute worst. Do videos or exercise podcasts not work for you? Seems like lack of exercise is probably not helping with the sleep.
@chaskavitch, welcome and congrats on new baby! Good luck with cutting back on the simple carbs. Can you manage to walk around or even get out of the office after lunch? (Personally, I like to walk before I eat, but I have moving-around tasks at work that I try to schedule for after a meal.)
I STILL struggle with wanting me time after my kids are in bed... and my "babies" are 6 1/2 and 8! And my older child is not a long sleeper.
I am thinking of setting up a squat rack in my basement in my new house, so I would love to know more about your setup :-). My best advice would be to create a dense, short workout so you can get in and get out and get some rest. It has been many years since I had a baby but I remember I had a DVD called something like Erin O'Brien's Postnatal Rescue that you could do as early as a week or two after childbirth to gently get your muscles firing again. Hang in there!
I couldn't get to the gym yesterday as my kids were out of school and they're the wrong ages--the child care doesn't take kids over 8 and I don't want to leave my eight-year-old alone in the building. If they were both 8, that would be different. Anyway, I did a half-hour strength training at home with the chin-up bar and suspension system. This AM I forced the kids out of the house to the park so I could run/walk laps around it. (There's a teachers' strike here in Denver and the kids are at work with me.)
Post by: mspym on February 12, 2019, 03:06:29 PM
Post by: chaskavitch on February 12, 2019, 04:25:33 PM
Had an excellent weekend of hardly any computer use - I did a little in the morning on Saturday, but in the afternoon I put it away (actually moved it from its place on the table, not just shut down) and we had a bunch of friends over for board games. Sunday I didn't even set my computer back up. I did watch a few youtube videos with DH on his computer, but at least we were watching together and not getting sucked into our own separate rabbit holes. I'm debating if I will set my computer up tonight - it would be nice to stay disconnected a bit longer, but on the other hand I keep my to-do list and most recipes on the computer...
I have this issue, too! I want to model being away from my devices for the kids but it's hard.
@oneday, nice progress!
@Tris Prior, ohhh I'm so sorry. Lack of sleep is the absolute worst. Do videos or exercise podcasts not work for you? Seems like lack of exercise is probably not helping with the sleep.
@chaskavitch, welcome and congrats on new baby! Good luck with cutting back on the simple carbs. Can you manage to walk around or even get out of the office after lunch? (Personally, I like to walk before I eat, but I have moving-around tasks at work that I try to schedule for after a meal.)
I STILL struggle with wanting me time after my kids are in bed... and my "babies" are 6 1/2 and 8! And my older child is not a long sleeper.
I am thinking of setting up a squat rack in my basement in my new house, so I would love to know more about your setup :-). My best advice would be to create a dense, short workout so you can get in and get out and get some rest. It has been many years since I had a baby but I remember I had a DVD called something like Erin O'Brien's Postnatal Rescue that you could do as early as a week or two after childbirth to gently get your muscles firing again. Hang in there!
I couldn't get to the gym yesterday as my kids were out of school and they're the wrong ages--the child care doesn't take kids over 8 and I don't want to leave my eight-year-old alone in the building. If they were both 8, that would be different. Anyway, I did a half-hour strength training at home with the chin-up bar and suspension system. This AM I forced the kids out of the house to the park so I could run/walk laps around it. (There's a teachers' strike here in Denver and the kids are at work with me.)
Thanks! It was nice today, but every morning when I tell myself "go out for a walk after lunch!" it ends up being windy or snowing. It's only the days that I don't even think about it that are nice, ha. Colorado weather, right? The "me time" problem is compounded by the fact that I start work at 6, so I should be going to bed MUCH earlier than I do, and our toddler has decided he doesn't like to fall asleep until like 9 most nights. I'm toast by the end of my work week, and it's just silly.
Before I stopped lifting I was pretty much doing Stronglifts 5x5 with a tiny bit of accessory work. I really enjoy it, but it started to feel weird to have so much tension on my torso when I was bracing, so I stopped. I should have started up again with other accessory work once I I hit the second trimester and wasn't so tired, but I just never did. Both times I've found out I was pregnant, I had just reached the same personal best 1RM for deadlift, and it's slightly maddening. I just want to get past that number! But babies :) I definitely need to find something that starts early after delivery so I don't devolve into a lump forever. I know it takes a while to get back to shape enough to lift actual weights, so I'll look around, I'm glad you mentioned it.
We got our setup off of Craigslist, and it's workable, if a little larger than necessary. It was the cheapest that included enough plates, a bench, an Oly bar, and a curl bar, so we got it :) It's some sort of Nautilus cage setup with a single pulley system top and bottom, but also with pins for holding a barbell for squats and bench. No safety for squats, though. It could use about twice as many holes for the pins, because it's not QUITE the right height for either my husband or I for at least one lift, but it's much better than nothing. I also need to have some wooden spacer weights made, because we have older style plates that aren't as large in diameter as regular Olympic weights and the bar sits too low for deadlift.
Post by: Cassie on February 13, 2019, 09:35:44 AM
Post by: Tris Prior on February 13, 2019, 09:56:31 AM
@Tris Prior, ohhh I'm so sorry. Lack of sleep is the absolute worst. Do videos or exercise podcasts not work for you? Seems like lack of exercise is probably not helping with the sleep.
Historically, no - I do so much better if I leave the house and am around people and have someone standing over me telling me what to do (and am PAYING for it so I'll actually go due to not wanting to waste money!). I find it really hard to motivate myself to exercise alone in my own house. I did video yoga for a while but stopped when I found myself loudly cursing out the instructor when she was making me do stuff that hurt - to the point that Boyfriend ran in thinking I'd hurt myself due to the amount of profanity coming out of me! Haha.
I do feel like I'm in a vicious loop of I'm totally exhausted --> so I don't have the energy to exercise --> so I am more exhausted. I just come home, fix dinner, tend to the cats, and collapse. I don't know if exercise would help me sleep better - in the past when I was regularly exercising, I still had the awful hot flashes and night sweats and it didn't enable me to sleep through noise.
Tris, when I was having a terrible menopause experience I went to a health food store and bought a pill that had the ingredient that’s in turkey and makes you tired. All natural and it really helped. We also had a double bed and bought a king which really helped because I could get away from my husband’s heat. I hope you find some relief.
You can buy pills of that? Huh. Do you know if it's vegetarian or does it contain turkey derivatives? Did it help with hot flashes and night sweats or did it just make you more able to sleep? I fall asleep fine, it's getting back to sleep when I wake up drenched (yet freezing, it's really cold in our bedroom due to not having a radiator) at 4 a.m.
God, I wish I could get a king bed. Our bedroom barely fits our queen, I have to inch past it with my stomach sucked in to get at my closet. Boyfriend is like a human battery putting out heat so that definitely doesn't help matters.
Post by: letsdoit on February 13, 2019, 11:46:16 AM
and if possible barbel and plates for deadlift
Post by: Tris Prior on February 13, 2019, 12:39:56 PM
Post by: Cassie on February 13, 2019, 07:53:15 PM
Post by: oneday on February 13, 2019, 10:44:50 PM
Starting to see more of a consistent pattern in sleep/wake times. New strategy: go with this pattern for a few weeks, then start trying to move it earlier in 15 minute increments.
Post by: Tris Prior on February 14, 2019, 09:04:16 AM
@Tris Prior sorry about the sleep problems! I hope dance class helps.
It was so much fun! It actually isn't so much a dance class as, a group thing where they put on music and we all flail about like idiots and work up a sweat. Women only, judgment free space, blahblahblah. I don't know why I can't do the exact same thing in my living room (well, other than our nasty downstairs neighbor who would prefer that we, I dunno, silently levitate around our apartment rather than walking, much less jumping around or playing loud music).
I don't know if it helped my sleep, though I did have the pleasant physical tiredness feeling afterward - but, Girl Kitten let me sleep until nearly 6 a.m. before demanding snuggles and licking my face! A new record!
On the down side, I took Lyfts to and from, because I just couldn't stomach waiting 20 minutes in the ice cold wind and snow (particularly with my hair dripping with sweat afterward) for the bus. I fear this negated any savings that I saw from taking the $5 class instead of my usual bellydance class which is $13 but much closer and right off of the train stop. Oh well.
Post by: Bendigirl on February 14, 2019, 11:40:28 AM
Current issues...when we returned from our trip to India and Nepal I broke out in hives, so bad that I ended up in emergency. I also experienced chest pains so they ran a huge amount of tests and I’m fine, but they think I had a reaction to the antimalarial pills I was taking. A round of prednisone and handfuls of antihistamines and I was clear. Went to Mexico, it was lovely. On the return trip, while sitting at the airport, my lip started to swell. The next day( and another flight) my face was covered in hives and the lip swollen still...lovely. Surprised they let me on the flight, I looked nothing like my passport photo..lol
Been back for a week now, saw the doc Monday for the horrific heartburn pain...oh, forgot to mention that the chest pains are thought to be heartburn, never had it in my life!...
More meds prescribed but I didn’t want them, until yesterday when I thought I was dying...
Last night my lower lip started to swell and my lower torso is covered in hives. Today I have swollen lips, swollen eyes, huge itchy hives on lower torso, shoulders and head. Had to cancel dentist appointment.I am not a happy camper. I have a prescription for prednisone sitting on the counter. I do not want to take them. Will see how bad I am tomorrow...
About me...I eat paleo, yes dairy is out again.... no grains, very limited sugar...I eat a very healthy diet. I am not overweight and never have been. I go to the gym daily, lift weights and do yoga along with some cardio machines. I walk every day. I am retired, No stress in my life.
I am writing here to figure this out, this crazy health issue that is plaguing me. My doc, and she is great, says something triggered in my body and it could take weeks to resolve...ok, on week seven now...
To note, I have had a lifetime of hives...but not for many years.
I am trying something that was recommended to me by someone who had tons of food allergies and gut issues. She went to a very expensive specialist in the states (she is American and lives in Mexico) who suggested this supplement. She is thrilled with the results! It’s expensive, and weird, but I am desperate and it’s not dangerous. If it works I will tell you what it is...right now it just sounds crazy...fingers crossed.
So for me it’s good food, exercise and positive thinking...the rabbit hole is dark and scary and I’m not going there!
I am so itchy!
Post by: Tris Prior on February 15, 2019, 09:20:01 AM
I've been craving bread A LOT despite never having it in the house and mostly having abstained from it for the past year or so except for the very occasional sandwich eaten out. I'd been doing really well avoiding it - it was sort of like when I stopped eating meat decades ago, where meat just stopped even registering as something edible to me so of course it's not going in my mouth! Then this morning I actually just inhaled a bagel from the spread that was set out in the breakroom and I cannot recall the last time I did that! Not sure why, other than lack of sleep sapping my willpower plus us having the worst winter that we've had in a while. Maybe I am medicating my SAD* with carbs? I'd even already had my breakfast that I brought from home. Fail!
I brought Budget Bytes African Peanut Stew for lunch today. Sweet potatoes and veggies and greens in a spicy tomato-peanut butter sauce. Weird, but tasty!
*Seasonal Anger Disorder. In which I am irrationally pissy about the fact that I'm not FIRE yet and therefore have to haul myself in to work and stand on the el platform for god only knows how long getting pummeled in the face by wind when it is TEN degrees out with a windchill of I don't even want to know.
Post by: Bendigirl on February 16, 2019, 04:25:42 PM
Well, two more days of extreme hives...because why just have a few. I toughed it out but this morning I gave in, it was awful. Head to toe new hives, old hives had gone but left big bruises on my hips...so, begging hubby to rub my back to relieve itching I swallowed two prednisone...I am mad. I am doing everything that is suppose to help ...both H 1 and H2 inhibitors...nothing. I just hope this round of prednisone knocks it back.
Poor hubs was horrified when he saw my back and legs...he just said oh sweetie...then took a photo for the doctor. After the prednisone I slept for two hours. It’s amazing stuff but the after effects and side effects are awful. A deal with the devil.
I am just happy this didn’t happen while we were on holidays. Lucky.
So, I’ll continue the good eating, keep doing appropriate dosages of all the stuff I have to take right now and keep my fingers crossed. Hoping to get to the gym tomorrow, it’s the best mood booster.
Then I am going to start detail planning of our next holiday, trying to keep the health concerns out! Zimbabwe in September and thinking of tossing a week in Amsterdam before the safari as the long flight seems wasted on a ten day safari.
Post by: Cassie on February 17, 2019, 10:18:21 AM
Post by: mspym on February 17, 2019, 02:20:42 PM
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on February 17, 2019, 04:41:03 PM
Today's healthy choice was subbing a cup of tea in for my second coffee. The other one I will be trying this week is limiting my time on the forum and reddit - set a window of Browsing Time and then no more for the day.
Nice!
@Bendigirl, that sounds dreadful. I haven't taken prednisone in many years but I remember what awful stuff it is--I hope that you get to the bottom of this and/or feel better soon.
I just got back from a couple days visiting my grandpa in the old folks' home with my mom. Predictably, I ate, drank, and caffeinated too much. BUT, I hit the hotel gym both full days there at 6:45 AM (so as not to miss 8 am breakfast at the home). One day of dumbbells and one on the elliptical. Bonus: I dragged my mom down there with me :-).
Post by: horsepoor on February 17, 2019, 04:49:50 PM
Finally hit the gym today and enjoyed the workout once I got going.
Enjoyed being outside for the brief time that the sun peeked out this afternoon.
This week I'm going to experiment with taking mason jar salads to work. I've got lots of ingredients and will prep tomorrow.
Post by: chaskavitch on February 19, 2019, 07:26:02 AM
It's a high of 20 degrees today, so 100% no outside walks, but I'll take a turn around the inside of the building a few times, it's just a big doughnut. Setting my hour timer right now!
Post by: FreshPrincess on February 19, 2019, 07:40:22 AM
Post by: Tris Prior on February 19, 2019, 09:08:43 AM
I say it was also a not-healthy choice because it started at midnight and we ended up not going to bed until 4. My cats woke me up at 6. Couldn't get back to sleep. Tried napping a bit later in the day, with minimal success, I just sort of dozed off and had bizarre dreams that jolted me awake. Every time we go to this thing (it happens every 2 months) I basically lose the entire next day to lack of sleep and lying around on the couch. It's SO much fun though!
I did manage to cook a couple of veg-heavy meals so I'm set for healthy lunches for the week.
Also, I'm proud to say that I am limiting myself to 2 Girl Scout Cookies a day and have been for the couple of weeks that they've been in my house. In the past I could inhale an entire sleeve of thin mints in 1 sitting.
Post by: Raenia on February 19, 2019, 09:11:26 AM
Also, I'm proud to say that I am limiting myself to 2 Girl Scout Cookies a day and have been for the couple of weeks that they've been in my house. In the past I could inhale an entire sleeve of thin mints in 1 sitting.
Good job! I am currently having this problem with the box of chocolate caramels my DH got me for Valentines - they're just sooooo good, but I should only have one at a time, and no more than two in a day. I'm trying to be good, and also to share some of them.
Post by: oneday on February 19, 2019, 10:21:00 AM
Speaking of weekends. My bedtime this Sunday was two hours ahead of the prior two Sundays! Win! Even if my daily bedtimes are still "too late" I am moving the needle! I am going to treat myself by making a spreadsheet and graph :)
Post by: galliver on February 19, 2019, 12:36:01 PM
I made a banana-chocolate braided bread Saturday (guess what drove that choice lol) and ate the whole thing by Monday AM. But also made/had lots of veg-rich meals (quinoa tabbouleh, coleslaw w/broccoli, homemade sweet&sour chicken).
Taking it easy also meant we caught up on sleep via naps, which didn't give me the "sleep hangover" I get from 10-12 hr sleep binges. Hmmmm....
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on February 19, 2019, 04:18:24 PM
@galliver, OMG, I do that, too. Well, I think I was just talking about it on here. Accommodating my carb cravings in my meal plan.
I walked by 50% off Valentine's Day candy at the store and couldn't resist... so I bought it to share with my coworkers! I get a modest portion of candy and also warm fuzzies! Win-win.
Post by: galliver on February 20, 2019, 11:05:47 AM
Last night I climbed 2x10b's and 3x 10a's. None of them on the "short wall" (easier bc less endurance). I started on 8s. At previous gyms I topped out at a 9 (this one grades easy by comparison, but I'm at least back to that level, I think). Bf climbs up to 11a/b with like 12" extra reach and extra arm muscle.
TLDR: regular workouts yield progress/results and I feel accomplished!
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on February 22, 2019, 02:28:28 PM
Mentally healthy choice for all of us: Just made a therapy appointment for my eight-year-old. Change makes the poor kid lose his shit and he has had way more change than I experienced in my first 18 years. (This is his second time going.)
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on February 26, 2019, 02:37:48 PM
I find weighing myself OFTEN to be helpful, but daily was too much stress and too much up and down.
Post by: mspym on February 26, 2019, 04:50:54 PM
My healthy choice is not applying for a job that I could walk into but is in the field that I am trying to pivot away from.
Also! all the endless PT exercises are paying off and my leg is finally getting better.
Post by: oneday on February 26, 2019, 11:02:37 PM
Updated my sleep/wake time charts & graphs. It's clear to see that even though I don't hit the target times each night, I am moving in the right direction for both. Also, hours of sleep is trending upwards. I need a lot of sleep usually; that's just my body's way.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on March 04, 2019, 05:24:43 PM
She says the caliper test is much, much more accurate than the current test but that it's weird for them to be so far apart. She is inclined to trust the caliper test.
So 20% body fat is the top of the "athletic" range or the bottom of "fit." "Fit" is plenty good enough for me, thanks. So... I revised my goal weight from 117 (which I used to weigh, but that was 10 years ago when I didn't lift weights) to 121, which is what I weigh now.
When is the last time I wasn't trying to lose weight? Or at least wanted to, even if I wasn't trying very hard. Probably elementary school. I feel a little at loose ends. But in a good way! Now I just need to figure out how much to eat in order to maintain weight.
Post by: oneday on March 05, 2019, 10:51:27 AM
I am still struggling with bedtimes, but reviewing my data collected shows I have hit it three times in the last fortnight. The prior fortnight was 0 times, so still improving, if slowly. Work is at a stressful period and that makes me want to engage in distractions rather than responsibilities, so now I'm fighting my body clock and circumstances as well. I think the work stress will scale back after the 15th. So hoping to hold the current line until then.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on March 05, 2019, 07:05:51 PM
Wow, @La Bibliotecaria Feroz , that's quite a pivotal choice! Will you continue to report on your healthy choices re: maintenance?
I am still struggling with bedtimes, but reviewing my data collected shows I have hit it three times in the last fortnight. The prior fortnight was 0 times, so still improving, if slowly. Work is at a stressful period and that makes me want to engage in distractions rather than responsibilities, so now I'm fighting my body clock and circumstances as well. I think the work stress will scale back after the 15th. So hoping to hold the current line until then.
Yes, I think I will ghost the losing weight thread since I'm not trying to anymore, but there are way more healthy choices than just food! Plus... I have not successfully maintained weight in a long time. I was gaining very slowly for several years. Can I avoid gaining weight without tracking every calorie? I hope so, 'cause that shit was getting tedious. I think it will help that my new husband is not much of a snacker, unlike my first. I am older than I used to be, but my activity level is a lot higher, so... we'll see.
I love your tracking and incremental improvements! 3 is definitely more than 0.
Post by: mspym on March 05, 2019, 08:39:35 PM
For my mental health, I have been doing one (1) job hunt activity a day and calling that a win.
Post by: zygote on March 06, 2019, 09:57:09 AM
I have my phone set to downtime after 11 PM, but I end up ignoring it and accessing apps for 15 more minutes over and over again. Then I end up getting ready for bed too late, scrolling through the phone some more, and all of a sudden it's 1 AM. Ideally, I'd like to set my alarm for 7:15-7:30. So I've got to be in bed around 11 to get 8+ hours of sleep. I've only gone to sleep before midnight...3 times this year. When I was sick. Yikes.
Things that I think will help me accomplish this:
-Start getting ready for bed at 10 if possible, 10:30 at the latest. I need time to wind down and decompress, so this always takes me longer than I think.
-Schedule my evenings with this in mind. I already don't get home until 10 some nights due to after work hobbies, so absolutely no further commitments that will keep me out past 10.
-Skip chores on the nights I come home late, with the exception of the dishes. Other tidying, etc. can wait.
-So can twitter. PUT THE PHONE DOWN. This comes down to willpower, which I don't have much of. Alas.
I'm hoping that having somewhere to hold me accountable will help. I've tried the phone downtime setting, I've tried setting a goal in a habit app, I've tried watching less TV so the DVR doesn't tempt me, I've tried just telling myself to go to bed, nothing seems to work. I'm tired of being sleepy all the time, and it's not good for my long term health. Something's gotta give.
Post by: oneday on March 06, 2019, 12:21:53 PM
Joining in. I generally make pretty healthy choices with food, activity, and hydration (and have noticed the difference in the last year or two!), but sleep is my nemesis. I am great at falling asleep and staying asleep, but I cannot make myself get into bed at a reasonable hour. I'm a night owl and I perk up as soon as it gets dark out, no matter how tired I am. I have a flexible work schedule, and my start time has been creeping later and later as I try to get enough sleep despite getting in bed too late. But it's still not enough, and I don't like getting to work after 10. It makes the day feel so long.
I have my phone set to downtime after 11 PM, but I end up ignoring it and accessing apps for 15 more minutes over and over again. Then I end up getting ready for bed too late, scrolling through the phone some more, and all of a sudden it's 1 AM. Ideally, I'd like to set my alarm for 7:15-7:30. So I've got to be in bed around 11 to get 8+ hours of sleep. I've only gone to sleep before midnight...3 times this year. When I was sick. Yikes.
Things that I think will help me accomplish this:
-Start getting ready for bed at 10 if possible, 10:30 at the latest. I need time to wind down and decompress, so this always takes me longer than I think.
-Schedule my evenings with this in mind. I already don't get home until 10 some nights due to after work hobbies, so absolutely no further commitments that will keep me out past 10.
-Skip chores on the nights I come home late, with the exception of the dishes. Other tidying, etc. can wait.
-So can twitter. PUT THE PHONE DOWN. This comes down to willpower, which I don't have much of. Alas.
I'm hoping that having somewhere to hold me accountable will help. I've tried the phone downtime setting, I've tried setting a goal in a habit app, I've tried watching less TV so the DVR doesn't tempt me, I've tried just telling myself to go to bed, nothing seems to work. I'm tired of being sleepy all the time, and it's not good for my long term health. Something's gotta give.
Welcome! I have almost the exact same struggle. Maybe knowing there's another out there, fighting the same fight, will help us both?
Post by: galliver on March 06, 2019, 12:24:41 PM
Joining in. I generally make pretty healthy choices with food, activity, and hydration (and have noticed the difference in the last year or two!), but sleep is my nemesis. I am great at falling asleep and staying asleep, but I cannot make myself get into bed at a reasonable hour. I'm a night owl and I perk up as soon as it gets dark out, no matter how tired I am. I have a flexible work schedule, and my start time has been creeping later and later as I try to get enough sleep despite getting in bed too late. But it's still not enough, and I don't like getting to work after 10. It makes the day feel so long.
I have my phone set to downtime after 11 PM, but I end up ignoring it and accessing apps for 15 more minutes over and over again. Then I end up getting ready for bed too late, scrolling through the phone some more, and all of a sudden it's 1 AM. Ideally, I'd like to set my alarm for 7:15-7:30. So I've got to be in bed around 11 to get 8+ hours of sleep. I've only gone to sleep before midnight...3 times this year. When I was sick. Yikes.
Things that I think will help me accomplish this:
-Start getting ready for bed at 10 if possible, 10:30 at the latest. I need time to wind down and decompress, so this always takes me longer than I think.
-Schedule my evenings with this in mind. I already don't get home until 10 some nights due to after work hobbies, so absolutely no further commitments that will keep me out past 10.
-Skip chores on the nights I come home late, with the exception of the dishes. Other tidying, etc. can wait.
-So can twitter. PUT THE PHONE DOWN. This comes down to willpower, which I don't have much of. Alas.
I'm hoping that having somewhere to hold me accountable will help. I've tried the phone downtime setting, I've tried setting a goal in a habit app, I've tried watching less TV so the DVR doesn't tempt me, I've tried just telling myself to go to bed, nothing seems to work. I'm tired of being sleepy all the time, and it's not good for my long term health. Something's gotta give.
I got 5.5 hrs of sleep 2 nights ago due to settling down too late Monday (technically in bed, but I had been doing taxes and got "stuck" on the internet after), so I'm not really one to give advice...but as a third party observer...
Your mitigation strategies are mostly negative, I don't see much positive reinforcement like a bedtime routine/ritual to look forward to. My best bedtime routine was right after bf and I moved in together and couldn't wait to snuggle *every night* (didn't last, though). I let myself watch TV and read on my phone or play puzzle games in bed, because at least it gets me TO bed (and honestly thats the bigger obstacle, once I'm there I can conk out pretty fast).
I've found melatonin helps take me from "tired, I SHOULD go to bed" to "unbearably sleepy" even though it doesn't help jet lag or pre-important-event insomnia for me. Check side effects/interactions or consult w/ MD before trying.
On weekends, I've noticed my nighttime mode is "relax" and my morning mode is "do things". Obviously, that makes me not want to stop relaxing to sleep. Allowing myself to continue relaxing after I wake up removes the incentive to stay up (and half the time I don't want to continue TV/phone/book in the AM...I just know I CAN)
So, there you have it...thoughts from a fellow sufferer.
Post by: zygote on March 06, 2019, 02:06:31 PM
Your mitigation strategies are mostly negative, I don't see much positive reinforcement like a bedtime routine/ritual to look forward to. My best bedtime routine was right after bf and I moved in together and couldn't wait to snuggle *every night* (didn't last, though). I let myself watch TV and read on my phone or play puzzle games in bed, because at least it gets me TO bed (and honestly thats the bigger obstacle, once I'm there I can conk out pretty fast).
That's a good point. I totally agree that a positive routine to look forward to is psychologically more helpful. Unfortunately, I already have that and it doesn't work. I always brush/floss my teeth, wash my face (I spend non-MMM money on skincare and it's WORTH IT), and journal before I go to sleep. My problems are 1) dawdling and starting this routine really late and 2) not actually going to sleep afterwards. The journal is something I do in bed, so I'm already there. But then...twitter! Instagram! MMM! I don't want to put my phone in another room because I use an app to monitor my sleep, remind me to take my meds before bed, and a couple other things. I was hoping the downtime feature would help but alas.
This is a lifelong issue for me. I used to crawl out of my bed as a child because I was afraid of missing stuff downstairs. As I got older, I used to get in trouble for sneak reading with a flashlight after I was supposed to be asleep. In college and grad school I would watch too much TV in bed. I just can't put down whatever I'm doing and go to sleep. If you left it up to me, I'd sleep for 8 hours, stay up for another 20+, and repeat that forever. Unfortunately, days do not come with 28 hours. It's very rude. I've tried melatonin and unisom before, but they just make me groggy the next day.
Perhaps if I reframe my bedtime routine as brush/floss, wash my face, journal, and SLEEP, the sleeping itself could be the thing I look forward to instead of something that happens after I finish the good stuff.
Post by: galliver on March 06, 2019, 02:30:49 PM
This is a lifelong issue for me. I used to crawl out of my bed as a child because I was afraid of missing stuff downstairs. As I got older, I used to get in trouble for sneak reading with a flashlight after I was supposed to be asleep. In college and grad school I would watch too much TV in bed. I just can't put down whatever I'm doing and go to sleep. If you left it up to me, I'd sleep for 8 hours, stay up for another 20+, and repeat that forever. Unfortunately, days do not come with 28 hours. It's very rude.
I relate so much...my childhood FOMO (far of missing out) feelings were more around showers than sleep but I totally get where you're coming from! And then staying up reading/Interneting/doing chores when older. It's a delicate balance between a relaxing activity that settles me down (esp overthinking brain) , vs one that sucks me in and keeps me up.
I do think I'm getting better on valuing sleep and putting myself to sleep, but it's definitely show going!
Post by: Raenia on March 07, 2019, 05:29:57 AM
Your mitigation strategies are mostly negative, I don't see much positive reinforcement like a bedtime routine/ritual to look forward to. My best bedtime routine was right after bf and I moved in together and couldn't wait to snuggle *every night* (didn't last, though). I let myself watch TV and read on my phone or play puzzle games in bed, because at least it gets me TO bed (and honestly thats the bigger obstacle, once I'm there I can conk out pretty fast).
That's a good point. I totally agree that a positive routine to look forward to is psychologically more helpful. Unfortunately, I already have that and it doesn't work. I always brush/floss my teeth, wash my face (I spend non-MMM money on skincare and it's WORTH IT), and journal before I go to sleep. My problems are 1) dawdling and starting this routine really late and 2) not actually going to sleep afterwards. The journal is something I do in bed, so I'm already there. But then...twitter! Instagram! MMM! I don't want to put my phone in another room because I use an app to monitor my sleep, remind me to take my meds before bed, and a couple other things. I was hoping the downtime feature would help but alas.
This is a lifelong issue for me. I used to crawl out of my bed as a child because I was afraid of missing stuff downstairs. As I got older, I used to get in trouble for sneak reading with a flashlight after I was supposed to be asleep. In college and grad school I would watch too much TV in bed. I just can't put down whatever I'm doing and go to sleep. If you left it up to me, I'd sleep for 8 hours, stay up for another 20+, and repeat that forever. Unfortunately, days do not come with 28 hours. It's very rude. I've tried melatonin and unisom before, but they just make me groggy the next day.
Perhaps if I reframe my bedtime routine as brush/floss, wash my face, journal, and SLEEP, the sleeping itself could be the thing I look forward to instead of something that happens after I finish the good stuff.
If it's feasible for you, I would actually suggest not doing your journal in bed. Best sleep hygiene practice advises that you reserve the bed for sleep and sex, and do your other evening activities like reading and journaling outside the bed, perhaps in a chair or desk. This trains your body that when you are in bed, it is time to go to sleep. I've noticed this myself, now that I do my evening reading in a chair, I fall asleep much faster once I am in bed.
Post by: zygote on March 07, 2019, 09:44:52 AM
If it's feasible for you, I would actually suggest not doing your journal in bed. Best sleep hygiene practice advises that you reserve the bed for sleep and sex, and do your other evening activities like reading and journaling outside the bed, perhaps in a chair or desk. This trains your body that when you are in bed, it is time to go to sleep. I've noticed this myself, now that I do my evening reading in a chair, I fall asleep much faster once I am in bed.
Hmm, that's a good point. It just takes me a few minutes and it really helps calm my brain to sort through the jumble of thoughts from the day, so I've never noticed doing the journal in bed keeping me up. If anything, it seems to do the opposite because it's part of winding down. I will keep that in mind if I notice that I have trouble falling asleep, though.
Update from last night: I went to sleep at ELEVEN THIRTY and got a full 8 hours. I didn't get home until 10 last night, but I started getting ready for bed at 10:30. I really forced myself to put the phone down, and I also skipped some things on my to do list. I'm still tired from all the 6 hour nights I got earlier this week, but I hope I can make this a habit. It's only one night, but I have to start somewhere.
Post by: oneday on March 10, 2019, 10:44:43 PM
Post by: The Keen Saver on March 11, 2019, 03:41:16 AM
Post by: Raenia on March 11, 2019, 06:00:27 AM
Post by: Bird In Hand on March 11, 2019, 06:36:22 AM
how is everyone dealing with the time change re: sleep issues?
We made sure to get to bed earlier than usual Saturday night and wake up earlier than usual Sunday morning. So we were tired enough when the clock said ~10PM last night, even though it felt like 9PM. Still was hard getting out of bed this morning, but that's true most mornings. :(
Side note: I can't stand the time changes. One of my FIRE fantasies is allowing my sleep pattern to naturally sync to the available daylight, which would mean waking up after the sun rises -- whenever that is. It would also be awesome if the school day started much later than it currently does, particularly for HS. Teenagers are wired to stay up late, and forcing them to be at school at 7AM or whatever is cruel and probably harmful to their health.
Post by: chaskavitch on March 11, 2019, 06:56:15 AM
@WhiteTrashCash @galliver @Raenia @Bird In Hand @Tris Prior @chaskavitch @zygote how is everyone dealing with the time change re: sleep issues? I'm going to try like hell to get in bed at "normal" bedtime & see how that works. XD
Other than the fact that my toddler didn't fall asleep until after 10 last night, it's not going too badly. It helps that I've just been ridiculously tired, so I actually don't think I could stay up super late even if I wanted to. Waking up at 5:30 yesterday morning for work was a little rough, though, not going to lie.
Post by: Tris Prior on March 11, 2019, 07:49:22 AM
@WhiteTrashCash @galliver @Raenia @Bird In Hand @Tris Prior @chaskavitch @zygote how is everyone dealing with the time change re: sleep issues? I'm going to try like hell to get in bed at "normal" bedtime & see how that works. XD
I am dealing HORRIBLY! :( I have an early Monday meeting that I was already struggling to get to on time before the time change.
I have been struggling with sleep for a couple years now - thanks, perimenopause. :( I fall asleep fine but cannot stay asleep, wake up with hot flashes and night sweats or anxiety. Adopting two kittens last fall did not help matters; I'm such a light sleeper that any peep out of them immediately wakes me even if it's on the other end of the apartment.
So yeah, time change is not helping. Getting up in the dark is not helping. I really need daylight to feel awake, and the sun was just coming up when I was walking to the train.
Side note: I can't stand the time changes. One of my FIRE fantasies is allowing my sleep pattern to naturally sync to the available daylight, which would mean waking up after the sun rises -- whenever that is. It would also be awesome if the school day started much later than it currently does, particularly for HS. Teenagers are wired to stay up late, and forcing them to be at school at 7AM or whatever is cruel and probably harmful to their health.
THIS. Sometimes I get really irrationally angry that I've spent my entire adult life forcing myself into a schedule that does not work with my body, a schedule that's getting harder and harder for me to maintain as I get older. As jobs go, my current one isn't too bad, but the early hours (necessary because we have conference calls with India regularly) are killing me.
Unrelated to the time change, I know I have some really bad sleep habits that I haven't been able to break. Chiefly, dozing off on the couch the second I sit down to watch something with my partner. Which is usually around 9 or 10 p.m. I realize this is my body telling me that I need to go to bed then, but - 9 p.m.? Really? I don't get home from work until after 6 and them am running around trying desperately to get things done. That's the only quiet time with Partner that I can have, and I cannot stay awake for it. I am so frustrated with my body most days; I miss spending time with him so much. Another reason to FIRE, I guess. If I wasn't forcing my body into a schedule that does not work for it at all, I imagine this wouldn't be happening.
Post by: zygote on March 11, 2019, 08:58:18 AM
I have been doing a lot better getting into bed since my first post. I've gone to sleep before midnight every work night since. This is unheard of in my world.
I'm still pretty tired, though. Not sure if I actually need more than 8 hours, or I just need more nights of consistent sleep to catch up.
Post by: galliver on March 11, 2019, 09:10:48 AM
how is everyone dealing with the time change re: sleep issues?
We traveled up to see my parents this weekend, and got delayed an hour coming back. We were still home by 9:30ish, and I got straight into bed bc I didn't want to do anything. But then we watched TV instead of sleeping. >_> I ended up gettimg my usual 6.5 hrs. Not loving being up, but I figured out how to get ready in 30 min so at least it was light out (woke/got up at 645-7).
Post by: Tris Prior on March 11, 2019, 09:33:52 AM
The benefit of being chronically sleep deprived is that I have no problem falling asleep whenever I decide to get into bed, even if the time is screwy!!
Ha, yeah, I can fall asleep basically at any time as long as I am not standing up. it's the STAYING asleep that is the challenge for me. SO tired of 4 a.m. wakeups.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on March 11, 2019, 06:14:47 PM
I stopped tracking my macros around end of January and have just been eating what I need. My weight crept up slightly before returning to normal and if anything I have lost a bit of weight and I'm less focused on food.
I JUST stopped counting calories and macros last week! Hoping I can maintain. I was definitely over-focused on food and may now be swinging a little bit in the too-permissive direction, but I am optimistic I can level out.
Ugh, so sorry everyone is struggling with the time change. I had to wake both my kids up this morning, which I NEVER do. Even my "lark" was still out cold.
Post by: WhiteTrashCash on March 11, 2019, 08:15:53 PM
@WhiteTrashCash @galliver @Raenia @Bird In Hand @Tris Prior @chaskavitch @zygote how is everyone dealing with the time change re: sleep issues? I'm going to try like hell to get in bed at "normal" bedtime & see how that works. XD
I had some trouble today after the time change, but I hope it'll be better tomorrow. It felt a bit like jetlag. I suppose daylight savings is good for farmers, but I find it more than a little annoying personally.
Post by: oneday on March 11, 2019, 11:14:06 PM
I have been doing a lot better getting into bed since my first post. I've gone to sleep before midnight every work night since. This is unheard of in my world.
I'm still pretty tired, though. Not sure if I actually need more than 8 hours, or I just need more nights of consistent sleep to catch up.
Fantastic!
I am one of those people who needs more than 8 hours. It was helpful to test this and find out for sure.
Post by: Raenia on March 12, 2019, 04:57:53 AM
I have been doing a lot better getting into bed since my first post. I've gone to sleep before midnight every work night since. This is unheard of in my world.
I'm still pretty tired, though. Not sure if I actually need more than 8 hours, or I just need more nights of consistent sleep to catch up.
Fantastic!
I am one of those people who needs more than 8 hours. It was helpful to test this and find out for sure.
+1! I operate best on about 9 hours, but it's so hard to get more than 8 with any consistency.
Post by: The Keen Saver on March 12, 2019, 05:54:49 AM
I stopped tracking my macros around end of January and have just been eating what I need. My weight crept up slightly before returning to normal and if anything I have lost a bit of weight and I'm less focused on food.
I JUST stopped counting calories and macros last week! Hoping I can maintain. I was definitely over-focused on food and may now be swinging a little bit in the too-permissive direction, but I am optimistic I can level out.
Ugh, so sorry everyone is struggling with the time change. I had to wake both my kids up this morning, which I NEVER do. Even my "lark" was still out cold.
I found that listening to my hunger signals and ensuring I was eating enough protein helped me to level out after a few weeks.
Post by: chaskavitch on March 12, 2019, 06:16:27 AM
@WhiteTrashCash @galliver @Raenia @Bird In Hand @Tris Prior @chaskavitch @zygote how is everyone dealing with the time change re: sleep issues? I'm going to try like hell to get in bed at "normal" bedtime & see how that works. XD
Other than the fact that my toddler didn't fall asleep until after 10 last night, it's not going too badly. It helps that I've just been ridiculously tired, so I actually don't think I could stay up super late even if I wanted to. Waking up at 5:30 yesterday morning for work was a little rough, though, not going to lie.
Aaand last night was awful. I laid in bed for probably an hour trying to fall asleep, getting kicked in the ribs and singing snippets of songs from Moana and Frozen on repeat in my head, while also thinking about my to-do list. I FINALLY fell asleep, and our toddler had a meltdown because he had to go potty, but wasn't actually awake, so he didn't want to go potty, take off his wet pants, put on new pants, put on a blanket, or let me go to my own room to sleep. Then we woke up again like 45 minutes later and cried because he wanted me to "pet his back".
It's so much harder to fall back asleep now than it used to be, partially because I keep listening for any abnormal noise that might be him waking up. I think I got like 4 hours of sleep total? Today is going to suck, I'm 100% taking the key to the lactation room over lunch and taking a nap in there. It's so nice and dark with the lights off.
Post by: Frugal Lizard on March 12, 2019, 07:08:50 AM
Post by: Tris Prior on March 12, 2019, 07:54:26 AM
I drank so much water in lieu of eating yesterday, I was floating by day's end. At least I got lots of steps in running to the bathroom, haha.
Sooner or later my body will adjust and I will stop feeling like crap. This happens every year. Though it is STUPID.
Post by: zygote on March 12, 2019, 08:48:15 AM
Tonight I won't get home until 10 and I know I'm going to end up watching part 2 of the Bachelor finale. Because, you know, priorities.
This is why I have trouble with consistency. There's always something that seems more important to me than sleep. I don't even regret staying up too late last night because I enjoyed myself.
Post by: Tris Prior on March 12, 2019, 09:49:39 AM
This is why I have trouble with consistency. There's always something that seems more important to me than sleep. I don't even regret staying up too late last night because I enjoyed myself.
I so hear this - I get in this loop of "I already have to say no to so many things I like to eat and drink, I have to say no to buying things I want or going places/doing things I would like to do because of cost, and NOW I also have to say no to MORE things I enjoy because my stupid body needs what to me seems like a ridiculous amount of sleep?"
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on March 12, 2019, 05:10:56 PM
I stopped tracking my macros around end of January and have just been eating what I need. My weight crept up slightly before returning to normal and if anything I have lost a bit of weight and I'm less focused on food.
I JUST stopped counting calories and macros last week! Hoping I can maintain. I was definitely over-focused on food and may now be swinging a little bit in the too-permissive direction, but I am optimistic I can level out.
Ugh, so sorry everyone is struggling with the time change. I had to wake both my kids up this morning, which I NEVER do. Even my "lark" was still out cold.
I found that listening to my hunger signals and ensuring I was eating enough protein helped me to level out after a few weeks.
Thanks for the tip! My experience counting macros gave me a MUCH better idea of what constitutes sufficient protein than I ever had before.
Today I ate Chick Fil A chicken minis, an entire 3 oz bag of Cheetos, and most of a donut (in addition to my nutritious meals). I feel like this was a healthy choice. All that counting threw off my awareness of my own signals a bit. Guess what? I felt kinda sick. Shocking, I know. Now I am craving nutrient-dense foods :-).
@chaskavitch, I'm soooo sorry! I hope the little one is sleeping better and elsewhere soon :-).
Post by: oneday on March 14, 2019, 06:29:00 AM
Blargh. I've just sort of accepted, I think, that until my body gets over time-change jetlag, I am going to cope by eating more and drinking more coffee. I mean, it's either that or sitting at work (where I have nothing to do, which is not helping) white knuckling it and thinking "don't eat, don't eat, don't eat, no more coffee, no more coffee, no more coffee" over and over again until I can't stand it any more and give in and then feel bad. Better to accept that this is a rough patch and I need to do what's necessary to avoid falling asleep at my desk.
That actually sounds like a healthy choice!
Yeah, I definitely spoke too soon. Last night wasn't great. I didn't get home until 10:30, and then I watched the Bachelor finale. Didn't go to bed until 1, and couldn't fall asleep until 2. Delayed effect of the time change?
Tonight I won't get home until 10 and I know I'm going to end up watching part 2 of the Bachelor finale. Because, you know, priorities.
This is why I have trouble with consistency. There's always something that seems more important to me than sleep. I don't even regret staying up too late last night because I enjoyed myself.
I wouldn't say "spoke too soon". You really did get to bed earlier on those days. The last few days might be an anomaly. You can get back on the prior schedule, I know you can!
I had the worst nights sleep last night. Laid down at 11, awake by 2:30. Still awake at 5:30. I don't even know what is going on. This is so abnormal for me. Well I'm making use of the time: packed lunch for today and tomorrow, catching up on forum time...I bet I crash tonight!
Post by: galliver on March 14, 2019, 09:51:33 AM
I had the worst nights sleep last night. Laid down at 11, awake by 2:30. Still awake at 5:30. I don't even know what is going on. This is so abnormal for me. Well I'm making use of the time: packed lunch for today and tomorrow, catching up on forum time...I bet I crash tonight!
I don't usually have traditional insomnia (I have trouble with going to bed, not falling asleep, usually), but I have started to have issues the night before a presentation/interview/etc. Last time (November) I was freaking out, I had done everything I could...stretchy-yoga before bed, melatonin, reading a book...still tossing and turning for hours. What finally put me to sleep was meditation-like breathing and counting breaths. And as in meditation, returning my thoughts to this when they strayed. IDK if this may help, just sharing.
Last night I thought of this thread and started getting ready for bed at 10ish. After getting cozy in bed fitbit says I passed out at 11:30. Then I was wide awake 30 minutes before my alarm at 6:10, for a total of only 6.5h sleep again...
At least I managed to make coffee this morning?
Post by: oneday on March 17, 2019, 07:33:30 PM
You may have hit the nail on the head. There was a huge work deadline on Friday and wasn't sure I'd make it, probably the stress interfered. Saturday was another weird early-wake morning, this time a couple hours later, though. Probably a stress-hangover. At one point, a coworker had said "UPS doesn't come at 5:30, they come at 5:00" and I tell you I could feel every blood cell in each of my veins. I got the project complete and packaged for mailing and ran it over to the UPS pickup area on Friday just as he was walking in the door! Talk about a close call.
Still trying to hit target bedtime and not always successful; will keep trying!
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on March 18, 2019, 05:29:27 PM
Sometimes it's about the small wins like a cup of joe, @galliver
You may have hit the nail on the head. There was a huge work deadline on Friday and wasn't sure I'd make it, probably the stress interfered. Saturday was another weird early-wake morning, this time a couple hours later, though. Probably a stress-hangover. At one point, a coworker had said "UPS doesn't come at 5:30, they come at 5:00" and I tell you I could feel every blood cell in each of my veins. I got the project complete and packaged for mailing and ran it over to the UPS pickup area on Friday just as he was walking in the door! Talk about a close call.
Still trying to hit target bedtime and not always successful; will keep trying!
OMG what a nightmare! Good for you, though!
I have been just a seething ball of anxiety because my husband and I have bought a new house and moved in this past weekend. Packing and kids and ugh. The good news is our new bedroom is reeeeeally dark, which helps with sleep! Yay!
Today in minor wins, I claimed my free Chick Fil A breakfast entree of the week (hashbrown scramble, which I ordered in burrito form) because this makes me unreasonably happy. BUT I have treated it as an early lunch rather than a second breakfast :-).
Also, we got Chinese food last night because of the move and I am teaching my beloved about my portion sizes--he sometimes serves my food and on this occasion he wanted to save my leftovers--and my beef and broccoli is going to make FOUR meals! Score!
Post by: galliver on March 18, 2019, 06:09:27 PM
We spent the weekend finishing moving in/unpacking and cleaning because bf's folks are visiting this week. I was reminded that moving is terrible... (I unpacked like 3 of our remaining 15ish boxes, bf did one but dealt with other clutter).Sometimes it's about the small wins like a cup of joe, @galliver
You may have hit the nail on the head. There was a huge work deadline on Friday and wasn't sure I'd make it, probably the stress interfered. Saturday was another weird early-wake morning, this time a couple hours later, though. Probably a stress-hangover. At one point, a coworker had said "UPS doesn't come at 5:30, they come at 5:00" and I tell you I could feel every blood cell in each of my veins. I got the project complete and packaged for mailing and ran it over to the UPS pickup area on Friday just as he was walking in the door! Talk about a close call.
Still trying to hit target bedtime and not always successful; will keep trying!
OMG what a nightmare! Good for you, though!
I have been just a seething ball of anxiety because my husband and I have bought a new house and moved in this past weekend. Packing and kids and ugh. The good news is our new bedroom is reeeeeally dark, which helps with sleep! Yay!
Today in minor wins, I claimed my free Chick Fil A breakfast entree of the week (hashbrown scramble, which I ordered in burrito form) because this makes me unreasonably happy. BUT I have treated it as an early lunch rather than a second breakfast :-).
Also, we got Chinese food last night because of the move and I am teaching my beloved about my portion sizes--he sometimes serves my food and on this occasion he wanted to save my leftovers--and my beef and broccoli is going to make FOUR meals! Score!
All that to say, hang in there! Eat Chinese food! Allow breaks! Good luck!!!
Post by: zygote on March 21, 2019, 08:36:29 AM
I also downloaded the Cronometer app. I've been eating a significantly reduced amount of meat lately for a lot of reasons, and I wanted to see what my nutrition profile looks like. Turns out that I'm getting all the micronutrients I was worried I was missing, but I am way low on protein and way high on fat. Especially saturated fat. It was eye opening. High cholesterol runs in the family and mine was right on the edge of the range last time it was checked. I should really pay more attention to that before it gets worse. I've been craving a lot of cheese and using a lot of coconut oil in baking. Maybe I need to consider upping my lean meat intake with some chicken and fish to balance things out. Unless anyone else has vegetarian/vegan ideas? I already feel like I eat a ton of beans and tofu. I don't know what other foods are high in protein and low in fat.
The other thing I noticed is that I am eating like 2700 calories a day, whoops. I am absolutely not active enough to justify that kind of intake. I used to be underweight due to chronic nausea, and I have slowly gained it back over the past 8 years or so. I'm at a good weight now (smack in the middle of normal BMI) and am thrilled I can eat, so I'm not really interested in dieting or restricting. But I imagine if I keep this up my weight will keep creeping up gradually until I'm overweight without realizing it. So I'm glad to be aware of it. I honestly think that I've been so tired that my body wanted more food to replace the energy. I'm not going to put a calorie limit or anything, but I am going to watch my dessert portions and see if getting more regular sleep makes me less hungry later in the day.
Why is health so complicated.
Post by: Tris Prior on March 21, 2019, 09:26:56 AM
I honestly think that I've been so tired that my body wanted more food to replace the energy.
This is absolutely true in my case; I am forcing my body into a schedule it does not like and it is leaving me constantly HANGRY. The energy's gotta come from somewhere and if you can't sleep, yeah.
I've been fighting sugar cravings, badly. This morning I actually got in line at the Dunkin' Donuts in the train station because my inner 2-year-old was screaming DONUT DONUT DONUT. Got nearly to the front of the line. Saw the calorie information on the donut I wanted (360). Sighed, got out of line and went to work. Ate my healthy breakfast. Still starving. Sigh.
On the plus side, I'm doing a good job of limiting my wine consumption to weekends only. I'd been doing that before but completely fell off the wagon during the winter due to being angry over the polar vortex, haha.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on March 21, 2019, 11:39:29 AM
I also fond that I was eating a lot less protein than I thought. I've definitely been eating more chicken since then. I am partial to things like taco bowls that have a little meat but also beans. I also like to slow-cook chicken breasts with taco seasoning in a little chicken broth, then shred it and use it on salads. Yum!
@Tris Prior, I'm sorry you felt donut-deprived. Sadness!
I took my husband's advice and caught up on rest yesterday. I let him help me.
Post by: galliver on March 21, 2019, 07:55:58 PM
Turns out that I'm getting all the micronutrients I was worried I was missing, but I am way low on protein and way high on fat. Especially saturated fat. It was eye opening. High cholesterol runs in the family and mine was right on the edge of the range last time it was checked. I should really pay more attention to that before it gets worse. I've been craving a lot of cheese and using a lot of coconut oil in baking. Maybe I need to consider upping my lean meat intake with some chicken and fish to balance things out. Unless anyone else has vegetarian/vegan ideas? I already feel like I eat a ton of beans and tofu. I don't know what other foods are high in protein and low in fat.
...
Why is health so complicated.
I know right?
I tend to find myself protein deficient whenever I track food in spite of eating meat, probably because I'm not a huge fan of beans or nuts.
Most veg protein sources are seeds or nuts...which means they tend to either have fat or carbs...Some of the fats are food though? You could try more grains (quinoa, wheat/farro, oats, etc...rice is pretty low), peas (a legume!), edamame, nut butters, and hummus. Also chia seeds-my bf would put them in water to make a gooey drink but I prefer them in baked goods? They're a bit like poppyseeds that way...
Not sure what the extent of your vegetarianism is, but...low fat dairy? Nonfat Greek yogurt? Eggs?
I will now go eat red meat, since bf is making a roast for his mom
We haven't done this in a while, I'm excited!
Post by: Tris Prior on March 22, 2019, 08:24:56 AM
Eggs? Except now those apparently are killing us? Oh well, that will change tomorrow. :P
Tempeh is supposed to be good for protein too. I tried it recently and found the texture weird, but maybe there's a better way to prepare it (I marinated and baked). I vastly prefer tofu.
Post by: zygote on March 22, 2019, 09:27:44 AM
I've been fighting sugar cravings, badly. This morning I actually got in line at the Dunkin' Donuts in the train station because my inner 2-year-old was screaming DONUT DONUT DONUT. Got nearly to the front of the line. Saw the calorie information on the donut I wanted (360). Sighed, got out of line and went to work. Ate my healthy breakfast. Still starving. Sigh.
There is nothing like a Dunkin' Donuts donut. On St. Patrick's Day I got Irish creme iced coffee, and couldn't resist a donut to go with it. Heaven. Luckily this was before I started tracking my food, haha.
@zygote, better sleep helps EVERYTHING! I totally believe that you have been craving calorie-dense foods. Seems like now that you know, you can swap in some, like, fruits and so on for some of it without feeling hungry or deprived. I've also heard that it takes a lot of calories to gain weight and your appetite may adjust naturally.
I also fond that I was eating a lot less protein than I thought. I've definitely been eating more chicken since then. I am partial to things like taco bowls that have a little meat but also beans. I also like to slow-cook chicken breasts with taco seasoning in a little chicken broth, then shred it and use it on salads. Yum!
Yeah, I've already noticed my hunger going down after a few nights in a row of 7+ hours of sleep. I do keep getting a big hunger pain around 4 PM, right when I am craving an afternoon nap. I really do think it's correlated. And thanks for the chicken suggestions! Those would be an easy way to get a little extra protein.
Most veg protein sources are seeds or nuts...which means they tend to either have fat or carbs...Some of the fats are food though? You could try more grains (quinoa, wheat/farro, oats, etc...rice is pretty low), peas (a legume!), edamame, nut butters, and hummus. Also chia seeds-my bf would put them in water to make a gooey drink but I prefer them in baked goods? They're a bit like poppyseeds that way...
Not sure what the extent of your vegetarianism is, but...low fat dairy? Nonfat Greek yogurt? Eggs?
I will now go eat red meat, since bf is making a roast for his mom
Thanks for the ideas! I like pretty much all of those foods. I'm definitely open to eating dairy and eggs. As with most things, my desire to go vegetarian/vegan is complicated. I prefer it for ethical and environmental reasons, but not at the expense of my health. I spent so long being nauseated all the time (and slide backwards if I'm not vigilant) that I don't want to totally cut out things that agree with me. Chicken, fish, and greek yogurt are all pretty safe. So I am definitely not fully vegetarian or vegan, I just try to cut down on meat and animal products if I have other choices that work. Introducing meat or dairy a few times a week to improve my protein intake is still a lower level of consumption than before, when I didn't think about it. My wife made beef tacos last night and I gladly ate them, so.
Post by: oneday on March 31, 2019, 10:59:44 PM
Next order of business is to follow the physical therapists edicts (started last Wednesday). Right now it's gentle stretching and one simple, pain-free exercise. This is aimed at getting my back and core in shape to eliminate back pain. Not sure I need encouragement; being in less pain is itself a pretty great motivator!
Oh, I just realized sleeping is tied to this; the stretches are supposed to be first thing in the morning so I need to go to bed on time or a bit early to allow for waking early to do the PT!
Anyone else have some updates?
Post by: galliver on April 01, 2019, 09:40:06 AM
We wanted to show them cool stuff (Hearst Castle and desert superbloom), and fulfill their requests (wine tasting), but by cramming all that in one weekend we spent a lot of time in the car (at least 14 hrs in 3 days?) But we did take some good walks, and everyone seemed pleased with the experiences overall... We also ate too much, but most of it was good (turkey and fish tacos on diff nights, vegan restaurant w/ friends, roast w/ potatoes and veg).
Now trying to return to a semblance of normality in spite of lots of local work travel (~1hr away) in next 2 weeks, and my parents visiting on the weekend!
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on April 01, 2019, 12:49:36 PM
@galliver, WOW that is a long visit! It sounds like a lovely few days.
I am still working on modulating my eating and activity levels. I haven't been getting to the gym much with the move and various schedule changes but I've tried to pop by even for some quick, greatly-reduced-weight workouts so I don't lose a bunch of muscle mass (I find that I need to be careful with weight when I am going very irregularly, or I will get KILLER sore). And getting used to eating the right amount of nutritious food without counting calories.
I made a double-batch of mashed potatoes last night so we can have leftovers because leftover mashed potatoes contain resistant starch! I mean, I'm not suggesting they're a health food or anything, but if I happen to want some for Sunday dinner, I might as well add what nutritional value I can, right?
Post by: mspym on April 01, 2019, 01:51:12 PM
Healthy choices - finding the meditation classes that I can make and fitting them in even if they are off my regular schedule. And I am about to get up and head to the basement gym for my workout. I am so pleased to be able to do this again
Post by: galliver on April 01, 2019, 01:58:58 PM
@galliver, WOW that is a long visit! It sounds like a lovely few days.
It was initially 6 full days (arrive late/leave early on neighboring days), but they got delayed by 2 due to cascading cancellations from the Max8 stuff. It was a whole thing. So I guess I was exaggerating w/10 days. It made it easier to squeeze in all we wanted to do, and it's great to see family...but also hosting is always work.
Post by: galliver on April 05, 2019, 12:14:47 PM
Post by: oneday on April 06, 2019, 08:56:45 PM
Post by: zygote on April 08, 2019, 10:00:06 AM
Sadly, I got home late enough last night that I only got 7 hours of sleep. I really feel the difference. It's made me realize how important it is that I prioritize getting 8 hours.
Post by: oneday on April 08, 2019, 07:58:48 PM
Sadly, I got home late enough last night that I only got 7 hours of sleep. I really feel the difference. It's made me realize how important it is that I prioritize getting 8 hours.
That's really good feedback from your body. Do you have a plan yet for getting the 8?
Post by: zygote on April 09, 2019, 09:33:15 AM
Sadly, I got home late enough last night that I only got 7 hours of sleep. I really feel the difference. It's made me realize how important it is that I prioritize getting 8 hours.
That's really good feedback from your body. Do you have a plan yet for getting the 8?
Sort of.
As I'm making more of an effort, I'm learning that 8 hours of sleep requires the alignment of a lot of factors. My life isn't really structured around it, so it's taking a lot of adjustment (big and small). The biggest one is that I often don't get home at a reasonable hour. It leaves no time to do the little chores that come up in daily life like cooking, cleaning, etc, let alone relaxing and getting ready for bed. There are little things I can do, but I'm basically setting myself up to fail most nights with my schedule. This will require some long term changes.
Things that are helping:
-Scheduling worknight hobbies at 7, not 8. If I have a choice, always aim for 7. If not, really consider how important it is before committing. I'm going to keep all the commitments I've already made in the next few months, but really stick to this moving forward.
-Prioritizing what needs to get done at home and being realistic about how long things take. The to-do lists I have in my head each evening are usually too ambitious. Some of it can wait.
-Limiting TV to shows I am already watching. I used to watch a lot of TV to unwind, but my evening hobbies have become more important to me. If I've already spent the evening doing something fun, I don't need to watch TV too.
-The downtime function on my phone. I'd rather get something productive done than waste time on social media if I only have a little bit available at night.
-Thinking of bedtime as earlier than it really is so I start getting ready sooner.
Got 7 and a half hours last night. Not perfect, but better.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on April 09, 2019, 03:56:49 PM
I have been eating more junk good than feels good, so I did a little detox meal today where I had shredded taco chicken breast on a kale salad tossed with dressing made of yogurt and lime juice. (With some refried beans and exactly one serving of tortilla chips.)
Post by: oneday on April 10, 2019, 03:30:07 PM
@La Bibliotecaria Feroz that sounds like a good, healthy meal to balance out the junk. Yum!
Second PT appointment today. I am to continue the stretching; this could go on for 3-6 months before I don't have the "rebound" effect where the muscles tighten up again each day. It's a long time, but I'm glad to know at some point I won't be as broken! 2 weeks down, 11 (or 24) to go.
Also got assigned a few more strengthening exercises. I'm excited about these. They are what I've always needed but never knew what to do.
Post by: Raenia on April 24, 2019, 06:10:15 AM
Post by: oneday on April 29, 2019, 07:33:44 PM
I've been struggling with healthy choices over the weekend, which was a long one for me, and travelling. Not that I've gone off the rails, but it's much harder when the routine is changed. It might mean that it would be better to change up the routine more often...
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on April 29, 2019, 07:38:44 PM
@oneday, routine changes are the pits! Maybe you need, like, some backup routines :-). Some go-to easy healthy choices that don't take too much thought.
My healthy choice today is that I got up and went to the gym even though I didn't have to be at work until 10, and the kids did not have school, so I could have just not set an alarm. But I knew I would regret not going.
Post by: oneday on May 05, 2019, 12:21:37 PM
Sleep habits are still in the "slipping" category, not "reasonably in control". It shows up as reduced productivity at work and a vegging on the couch at home. This is not the life I want! Got a few extra hours of sleep last night, so will use that to springboard back into an earlier bedtime tonight.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on May 05, 2019, 01:46:00 PM
LBF, it's admirable that you went to the gym in those cirmcumstances. I admire that!
Sleep habits are still in the "slipping" category, not "reasonably in control". It shows up as reduced productivity at work and a vegging on the couch at home. This is not the life I want! Got a few extra hours of sleep last night, so will use that to springboard back into an earlier bedtime tonight.
Good luck with finding that routine!
I have been experimenting with keeping a time diary to see if I am using my time as productively as I would like.
Post by: mspym on May 05, 2019, 03:00:30 PM
Post by: Raenia on May 06, 2019, 10:42:35 AM
Post by: galliver on May 06, 2019, 01:36:59 PM
Mostly recovered now, but will probably continue evening bed rest a few more days (maybe finish another book!) before returning to my previously well-maintained active lifestyle!
Post by: Frugal Lizard on May 06, 2019, 02:10:56 PM
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on May 06, 2019, 03:52:02 PM
My healthy choice today was to pack adequate nourishing food for a late work day after a big lifting workout. I got to work about 11:30 and immediately wolfed down a chicken bacon ranch on kale salad with some tortilla chips. I had a banana AND a clementine AND cashews for a snack, because hunnnnnngry. I'm on until 8:15, so for dinner later I have pesto soup with chicken and white beans and whole-wheat garlic toast. Mmmm.
Post by: oneday on May 06, 2019, 08:12:44 PM
galliver that sounds no fun. Glad you are on the mend.
Focusing on sleep time again worked, I got to bed only 5 min after bedtime and up only 5 min after alarm time! That's about 25 min earlier than I had been getting to bed on average. I will report in here more frequently for a bit, as that seems to help (being accountable).
Post by: mspym on May 06, 2019, 08:28:28 PM
Post by: oneday on May 08, 2019, 11:15:28 PM
Went to bed way late last night, even though I needed to get up early for work today. So basically shorted myself an hour of sleep at bedtime and another hour in the morning. Not good. So I spent the morning hour awake in bed, but unable to get up. I hate this, it's such a waste as I'm not getting rest for that hour, but I'm too tired to get up and do anything. So got up at normal time, which puts me behind schedule for the day. Wander into the kitchen and lo & behold. There on the counter is my reminder card for today's PT appointment. Which means I didn't have to be at work early, the PT is closer to home & was scheduled about a half hour later in the morning.
So dum-dum (me) lost 2 hours of sleep for nothing. Tonight's healthy choice is signing off now and trying to start eliminating that sleep debt!
Post by: galliver on May 09, 2019, 09:19:53 AM
mspym, thanks.I totally do the "too tired to get up" thing, too! >_>
Went to bed way late last night, even though I needed to get up early for work today. So basically shorted myself an hour of sleep at bedtime and another hour in the morning. Not good. So I spent the morning hour awake in bed, but unable to get up. I hate this, it's such a waste as I'm not getting rest for that hour, but I'm too tired to get up and do anything. So got up at normal time, which puts me behind schedule for the day. Wander into the kitchen and lo & behold. There on the counter is my reminder card for today's PT appointment. Which means I didn't have to be at work early, the PT is closer to home & was scheduled about a half hour later in the morning.
So dum-dum (me) lost 2 hours of sleep for nothing. Tonight's healthy choice is signing off now and trying to start eliminating that sleep debt!
I've been doing better since starting a job that had an earlier/firmer start time...but it still happens.
ETA: Update: I have gone through 2 lbs of honey in 10 days...so tired of residual coughing... Thanks for the well-wishes, everyone!
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on May 31, 2019, 03:43:15 PM
I also seized this opportunity to cut out my morning coffee, made from the gross communal coffee maker and sweetened with fake Oreo-flavored nondairy creamer. I miss it a little, but arriving at work after a pleasant bike ride rather than a soul-sucking car commute make a biiig difference.
Also took the week off from the gym because I have been too busy crawling all over my yard with a hand cultivator, loosening thatch and planting seed in the bare patches. Super hard work and it was nice to feel a different kind of strength!
Post by: chaskavitch on June 24, 2019, 02:41:08 PM
Oh, no! Feel better @galliver! That's about the amount of honey my children usually consume in their daily routine... I did draw the line at putting honey on HONEY NUT Cheerios. Dudes.
My healthy choice today was to pack adequate nourishing food for a late work day after a big lifting workout. I got to work about 11:30 and immediately wolfed down a chicken bacon ranch on kale salad with some tortilla chips. I had a banana AND a clementine AND cashews for a snack, because hunnnnnngry. I'm on until 8:15, so for dinner later I have pesto soup with chicken and white beans and whole-wheat garlic toast. Mmmm.
@La Bibliotecaria Feroz Do you happen to have a recipe for that soup? I don't generally like beans, but that soup sounds tasty. I'm trying to work beans in more as a nice cheap protein source, and pesto sounds like a good way to do it.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on June 24, 2019, 02:47:33 PM
Oh, no! Feel better @galliver! That's about the amount of honey my children usually consume in their daily routine... I did draw the line at putting honey on HONEY NUT Cheerios. Dudes.
My healthy choice today was to pack adequate nourishing food for a late work day after a big lifting workout. I got to work about 11:30 and immediately wolfed down a chicken bacon ranch on kale salad with some tortilla chips. I had a banana AND a clementine AND cashews for a snack, because hunnnnnngry. I'm on until 8:15, so for dinner later I have pesto soup with chicken and white beans and whole-wheat garlic toast. Mmmm.
@La Bibliotecaria Feroz Do you happen to have a recipe for that soup? I don't generally like beans, but that soup sounds tasty. I'm trying to work beans in more as a nice cheap protein source, and pesto sounds like a good way to do it.
It is this recipe:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252453/chicken-spinach-soup-with-fresh-pesto/
I have made it with kale or power greens as well as spinach. I have even used kale to make the pesto! I also often use pre-cooked shredded chicken or leftover roasted/rotisserie chicken. And I always reduce the broth to 4 cups... otherwise it is very liquid-y. Hope you enjoy it!
Post by: chaskavitch on June 25, 2019, 08:13:32 AM
Oh, no! Feel better @galliver! That's about the amount of honey my children usually consume in their daily routine... I did draw the line at putting honey on HONEY NUT Cheerios. Dudes.
My healthy choice today was to pack adequate nourishing food for a late work day after a big lifting workout. I got to work about 11:30 and immediately wolfed down a chicken bacon ranch on kale salad with some tortilla chips. I had a banana AND a clementine AND cashews for a snack, because hunnnnnngry. I'm on until 8:15, so for dinner later I have pesto soup with chicken and white beans and whole-wheat garlic toast. Mmmm.
@La Bibliotecaria Feroz Do you happen to have a recipe for that soup? I don't generally like beans, but that soup sounds tasty. I'm trying to work beans in more as a nice cheap protein source, and pesto sounds like a good way to do it.
It is this recipe:
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/252453/chicken-spinach-soup-with-fresh-pesto/
I have made it with kale or power greens as well as spinach. I have even used kale to make the pesto! I also often use pre-cooked shredded chicken or leftover roasted/rotisserie chicken. And I always reduce the broth to 4 cups... otherwise it is very liquid-y. Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks! That looks delicious, I'm excited to try it. My husband loves all things pesto, so he'll enjoy it too :)
Post by: horsepoor on June 28, 2019, 11:06:11 PM
Post by: Raenia on June 30, 2019, 05:36:16 AM
Post by: mspym on June 30, 2019, 02:25:12 PM
Post by: Tris Prior on July 01, 2019, 08:00:37 PM
Post by: Raenia on July 02, 2019, 05:39:49 AM
Post by: zygote on August 01, 2019, 08:07:26 AM
While I do celebrate that progress, it's still not where I need to be. Yesterday I forgot to set my alarm. I woke up 3 hours after I was supposed to, and only because my wife woke me up wondering why I was still home (she's on a later schedule than I am). Good thing my job is flexible!! Obviously my body is telling me I'm still not getting enough sleep.
Yesterday I felt well rested but groggy, and couldn't fall asleep very well last night. So now I'm tired today. Still trying to find that sweet spot where I'm not chronically tired, but I'm tired enough to go to bed at the end of the day.
Post by: oneday on August 01, 2019, 10:50:58 PM
Also, thanks for reviving the thread. I've been looking for it!
Sleep is going just OK. I'm not quite where I want to be, but my life is mostly working, so I'll take it for now. Of more urgency is food cravings that need to be quashed. Somehow on 4th of July, the sugar monster within was awakened. Tonight's health class reminded me that 25 grams of fiber is a good goal to shoot for, so I've made that a goal in my app and can start to replace chocolate calories with fiber rich foods.
Post by: Raenia on August 02, 2019, 05:52:45 AM
Post by: zygote on August 02, 2019, 09:35:24 AM
As for fiber, did you know pure cacao powder is actually very high in fiber? ;) Throw it into a smoothie with some raspberries and you can trick your body into feeling like you've had ice cream when it's actually healthy and full of fiber.
Post by: Raenia on August 18, 2019, 02:44:10 PM
Post by: oneday on August 19, 2019, 11:47:33 PM
Reporting on the goal of fiber. Found that the app was not giving me credit for any fiber in my roasted veggies! So it's skewed low. Even if I add in few grams for that, I'm in the 15-20 range. Decent, but still work to be done to get up to 25 grams/day. Chugging along in the right direction, at least.
Post by: mspym on August 20, 2019, 01:59:47 AM
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on August 20, 2019, 01:04:22 PM
@oneday, I have also had trouble with apps not giving me credit for the potassium in yogurt, things like that. They just don't know everything. Good luck with adding fiber!
@mspym, that's so smart! I try to do this, too, although today it is 94 degrees, so maybe a day to skip! I did ride my bike to work and there is a tree-lined stretch. It's good for ya.
I've been happy to see this thread reviving! I have been up and down a little on the healthy choices. I was down to one cup of coffee a day and briefly cut out wine, but then I found out the reason I can't get pregnant isn't (AFAIK) me (which I assumed because I'm 38), but the other half of the equation.
So I have not been so motivated to skip that extra cup of coffee or the wine with dinner, BUT I am still taking good care of myself. The Boy and I starting trying to eat salmon every week (ideally twice), which we've been doing pretty faithfully, and upping our fruits and vegetables. I was probably only getting 3-4 servings and he was only getting one or two. Delicious and healthful.
Post by: Raenia on August 21, 2019, 08:23:22 AM
Post by: oneday on August 22, 2019, 04:28:52 PM
Yesterday, I ate no fruit or veggies of any kind...it was moving day and it was hectic. But, back on track today, at 14g after lunch, so will be in the right range after dinner. I'll have to sit down once everything's unpacked and strategize, as my current eating plan is just not *quite* adequate on the fiber front.
And sleep. Been having trouble getting to sleep and staying that way. I'm hoping it's just the disruption of the move, so hope to be able to report that I'm back on track soon. Good sleep is just so foundational to a well-run life, I've found.
Post by: Mongoose on August 24, 2019, 08:54:47 PM
Post by: oneday on August 25, 2019, 06:40:55 PM
Moving has been intense and disorderly, I've been stressing myself trying to impose order on the process. Because disorder disturbs me and it's been affecting sleep. But, got a good 6 hours last night and will go down early tonight most likely. Returning to the work week routine will probably be a good thing.
Veggies consumption has been up and down, but that should stabilize in the work week routine as well, even if not at goal.
I feel like I'm hanging on to sanity by my fingernails.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on November 21, 2019, 05:42:08 PM
Yesterday was four. Today was three--it was going to be two, but I am getting over a cold and couldn't do it. Tomorrow needs to be two. Two should be plenty!
On the plus side of the spectrum, I was feeling starved for exercise this morning so I did a little! I did some Turkish Get Ups because I never have time when I'm at the gym lifting to do abs, and I know I need to sometimes, and then I rode my bike to work even though it was cold and gross. It felt good.
How has everyone else been doing? Sleeping? Eating fruits and vegetables?
Post by: mspym on November 21, 2019, 06:54:18 PM
My most recent healthy choice has been to radically cut down on household meat consumption and almost entirely cut out dairy. I'm feeling really good! Both Ofpym and I have been losing some weight! My weird skin condition is clearing up! [it's the dairy, I have alwasy known it's the dairy, I have still been eating way too much cheese for someone who can't digest lactose]
Also I have started doing meditation on the train on my way into work. It sets my day up better than when I fritter around on youtube and the forum.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on November 22, 2019, 02:51:22 PM
I love this thread so thanks for reviving :) I believe you can do it on the coffee!
My most recent healthy choice has been to radically cut down on household meat consumption and almost entirely cut out dairy. I'm feeling really good! Both Ofpym and I have been losing some weight! My weird skin condition is clearing up! [it's the dairy, I have alwasy known it's the dairy, I have still been eating way too much cheese for someone who can't digest lactose]
Also I have started doing meditation on the train on my way into work. It sets my day up better than when I fritter around on youtube and the forum.
Good job cutting down on the dairy and meat! That's hard to do but so important. I've been trying to get the Boy to do less beef cooking and more poultry and beans. (He has been making tacos with a mix of ground turkey and lentils, for instance.)
Meditation sounds great, too! I arrive at work feeling better when I have been riding my bike (quasi-meditative) than driving my car pushing radio buttons.
So far, so good. I drank my second cup, put the mug in the dishwasher, and didn't make more--if someone wants PM coffee, they can make some, but sometimes it goes to waste if you make it too late and no one in the break room wanted any at that time. I feel really tired but am managing this by getting up out of my chair a ridiculous, borderline unprofessional amount!
I haven't been sleeping all week but hopefully less coffee and being off pseudophedrine for the first time in days will help.
Post by: mspym on November 22, 2019, 03:19:17 PM
I used to ride to work and then they changed offices so now I ride my bike to the train station. Both are better than sitting in a car!
Post by: oneday on November 29, 2019, 04:25:45 PM
Everything has gone off the rails since my move three months ago, so time to reign myself back in. Starting with veggie consumption.
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on November 29, 2019, 04:42:59 PM
LBF, thanks for bringing this back. I'd forgotten all about my finger goal.
Everything has gone off the rails since my move three months ago, so time to reign myself back in. Starting with veggie consumption.
Welcome back, @oneday! Moves are SO disruptive, aren't they? It changes your whole routine and then getting back into one is so hard. I had trouble getting into a gym routine when I moved back in March. Good luck! Hopefully you will come back tomorrow or the next day and you will have eaten a nice fresh vegetable.
I am pleased to report that I have limited myself to 2 cups of coffee a day since my post here. I also got out for a walk today even though it was super cold and cloudy and I had to walk down a hill in several inches of snow. Very invigorating.
Post by: oneday on December 01, 2019, 08:13:48 PM
Lunch yesterday was veggie soup, and Mom's husband showed me how he makes it, so I can do it too (probably). Taught Mom to make roasted veggies, so that was included in dinner. Progress!
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on December 01, 2019, 10:48:44 PM
Good job keeping it to 2 cups this week, woo! The walking will hopefully help with your sleep, too.
Lunch yesterday was veggie soup, and Mom's husband showed me how he makes it, so I can do it too (probably). Taught Mom to make roasted veggies, so that was included in dinner. Progress!
Ooh, roasted veggies and veggie soup... winter comfort food.
At this time of the month I always sleep poorly and have bad dreams, so I popped a little benadryl last night. Tonight hopefully the hot bath and reduced caffeine will suffice:-).
Post by: oneday on December 03, 2019, 11:45:15 PM
Up late today to finish up some work from home: I chose to go to the dentist during the busy time of month, then I chose to hang with friends this evening even though the work was not done. At least I didn't "lose" the time to random internet browsing.
Post by: Luz on January 04, 2020, 06:41:36 PM
Post by: La Bibliotecaria Feroz on January 05, 2020, 02:00:44 PM
Will there be a 2020 edition? I'm hoping to work on a few health goals this year, and this thread seems to be the best fit for that. I need some accountability in order to make consistent progress!
Let's do it, @Luz! It is here: https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/throw-down-the-gauntlet/healthy-choices-2020/#new