Active in April
Mihani
Posts: 4,133 Member
Thanks for the topic title idea Lia. My brain is mush lately! Where did March go?
Work is still nuts. Maybe, just maybe, after the 15th things will settle down a little bit. I'm doing pretty well food-wise, sticking with my no snacks rule which is helping to keep my calories steady and leaves me more room to eat a good dinner without going over. Going to work on getting more consistent exercise in April. Now that the weather is finally getting nicer I can get outside and walk again. So Active in April is a good motto for me this month!
My computer was saying it was March 31st and I thought I was losing my mind. It is April 1st right? My computer is playing an April Fool's joke on me?
Work is still nuts. Maybe, just maybe, after the 15th things will settle down a little bit. I'm doing pretty well food-wise, sticking with my no snacks rule which is helping to keep my calories steady and leaves me more room to eat a good dinner without going over. Going to work on getting more consistent exercise in April. Now that the weather is finally getting nicer I can get outside and walk again. So Active in April is a good motto for me this month!
My computer was saying it was March 31st and I thought I was losing my mind. It is April 1st right? My computer is playing an April Fool's joke on me?
0
Replies
-
Mihani, I can STILL feel the 120 squats. I don't advise it!!!
Well the family's stomach flu finally caught up with me, and I was sick Monday and Tuesday. Couldn't get too far away from the washroom, which SUCKS! I went off juice while I was sick and ate bananas and toast, but not a lot of that. I had toast this morning and I'm back to juice for the rest of the day, but I'm only juicing for 2 more days. After that I'm doing a 7-day salad challenge, followed by a 7-day smoothie challenge, followed by a 7-day soup challenge. All challenges from my nutritionist. A different recipe every single day. I'm really looking forward to it - especially the salad one, because I need some good recipes. I've been really bad lately about not eating enough salads...
I did do before pictures; and before measurements. I'm looking forward to the final measurements - this is week 5, so there are still 3 more weeks to go. This morning I registered for the next session, which starts the last week of April - so I'm just going to continue on with no break. !! YAY!!
Yesterday I was feeling really blue. It was a nice night, I walked my kids over to the park. I just felt big and bloated. I'm sure my stomach flu is a little to blame, but I just feel like there's no way I should still be this far from my goal. I REALLY need to smarten up and say goodbye to the carbs. I think I might have to just add a little rice or barley to my soups and leave it at that... No breads - no pretzels. They are the enemy here...0 -
Yay, Active in April!! Sorry it wasn't a more creative idea, but I think we are all working on our exercise habits lately and spring is the perfect timing.
I was so proud - I stayed in town at my parents last night and did my T25 workout there. My Dad was so impressed at how tough the workout was and how well I was doing at keeping up that it made me actually think - my gosh, I am keeping up! I really have improved but unfortunately I don't have much to show for it physically yet. I am hoping that getting back on the ETL train and no mindless snacking will be the perfect combo.
I've been feeling super low lately too, Karrie. Like I'm putting in WAY too much effort for the average person to NOT have more to show for my work. Depressing..but no where to go but to keep trying. Awesome that you are sticking it out for another session after this one, Karrie!
Mihani, pleaseeeeee tell me your boss is noticing you are gonig crazy and hiring someone else? I hope it quiets down after the 15th for you! I am the opposite - I think I will have a bit of less crazy time until the 15th and then it will blow up and continue til October. I'll enjoy it while it lasts.0 -
Thanks for the encouragement, Lia - so glad that it's not just me, even though I feel bad that you're in the same boat... But misery does love company.
I'm holding out hope that one day I will look in the mirror and think WOW - it's an overnight miracle - even though you and I BOTH know this is no overnight thing!!
0 -
Quick check-in. Work work work. I brought some files home to work on this evening. I feel like I'm even more stressed since I started to make a dent in the backlog. Like I can actually see how much is left to do or something.
Lia and Karrie, you are both doing so great with the workouts. I hope some of your motivation will rub off on me.
Lia, the wedding is coming up fast now, seems like the first 3 months of 2015 went by in a flash. How are the plans coming along?
0 -
New thread! Work is nuts for me. And menopause symptoms shifted again (it's like punctuated equilibrium!).
My focus right now is on my adrenals, both to keep up with the nuttiness at work, and menopause.
cheers!0 -
Sabine, nice to see you!! Sorry about the menopause symptoms though, ugh. I hope this weekend gives you a rest...
Mihani, are you getting to enjoy a long weekend at all? Or even a day or two? lol. Have you been able to do any tai chi? I know, I can't believe it's April already!!! I have three months til the wedding! Finally sent out invitations (which was by far the worst part) and most of the planning is done, except for the little picky things here and there. I am looking forward to it but it'll also be nice when all the planning is done lol.
Karrie, I know, it's true, I KNOW it's not overnight. But I still expect after a week of ETL to be thin lolll.
Actually last night I took a progress photo of myself (the first one in my 7 weeks) because I have been griping so much about how little weight and progress etc. But holy moley, there was a big difference in the shape of my midsection!! I looked a lot less bulgy. That made me so excited! So I have a bit more cause to be patient and also throw away the scale lol.
Is everyone off tomorrow? We are heading to my in-laws for the weekend!0 -
Good topic title, Mihani. I'm ready for April. I still struggle to squeeze in exercise. Best if it doesn't seem like exercise; tricks me into thinking it's fun instead. :-)
Whats_her_name, bread and starches like rice and potatoes are not conducive to weight loss for me. I limit grains to a cup or less a day, and many days I have none. Took me awhile to get off the bread treadmill but I can go weeks now without bread of any kind. A cracker here and there seems fine, but keeping it in check is too hard, so mostly it's abstinence for me.
liapr, I'm glad you're seeing results even if it isn't on the scales. All I can say is that, for me, the ETL train allows me to eat till I'm full without weight gain, and with minimum exercise. Not that Dr. F doesn't stress exercise -- he does. I'm just lazy. But to be able to eat real food without killing myself in a gym, that is gold to me.
Sabine_Stroehm, I feel very grateful that I breezed through menopause. Hardly noticed, in fact. The more I read about it, the more grateful I get. I'm sorry you're having a harder time. I like that phrase: punctuated equilibrium.
I only lost a pound from my 36-hour fast. Bummer. I ate that back the next day, I was so hungry. But actually, fasting wasn't as hard or as uncomfortable as I thought it would be, and I may try it again. There is a group here that does intermittent fasting. I'd never tried it before because I didn't have to, but I may check it out again. It doesn't seem to do much for weight loss, but it certainly didn't hurt me. And while unpleasant, the procedure was tolerable and everything was normal. Yay!
Easter won't be a food problem this year. We'll have a daughter, hubby and grandkids over on Saturday to go hiking some local trails instead of eating sweets, celebrating her birthday with small sugar-free cupcakes. (I try to stress family activities like hiking, biking, skating instead of family sit-down meals nowadays.) Family knows I won't eat sweets anymore, so birthdays and holidays are attended but I don't have the pressure to eat stuff I consider unhealthy. Seems that if I am committed and consistent, the pressure to conform just dissolves. I'm sure part of it is that my results speak for me.
0 -
Lisa - it's great having you around here - you're our wisdom from experience! I keep thinking "one day I won't be expecting sweets on birthdays?!" haha. That is an ultimate goal. I like the emphasis on family activities too! My family goes for a long walk on holidays, but unforuntately, my in-laws are less active (but don't food push). Have a nice Easter
0 -
I second Lia's appreciation of Lisa's wisdom and experience! I am completely the same with the starches/grains. Once I start on them I want more and more. It's just easier to avoid than try to limit.
Another long ugly 11 hour day in the office after working here at home past my bedtime last night. I am sliding on my snack rule, fatigue and stress are getting to me. I need to remind myself constantly, eating does not help! I am really going to try to stay out of the office this weekend, even if I bring work home. I need a break.
Lia, 3 months... eeeeekkkkk! So much to do, so little time. I can't wait to see the wedding pictures. That is awesome that you are seeing a difference from your workouts, you are going to feel great by the time the wedding rolls around.
Sabine, menopause didn't seem to bother me other than a period of time with brutal hot flashes. That was awful. I felt like people around me would be able to feel the heat radiating from me lol.
0 -
I do okay with hotflashes (night sweats are worse). I'd say my ongoing issues are irritability and fatigue. I suspect both are intensified because of the insomnia. So basically: sleep isn't great (and has night sweats) which leaves me tired and cranky.
Hot flashes are about a once a month thing for me these days, which is good.
All that being said: I've been extra careful about what I'm eating, and to not have much of any caffeine and my sleep has been pretty good the last few days.0 -
Sabine, I had to give up coffee and chocolate (at least straight up chocolate) due to it causing acid reflux symptoms. I'm surprised how much better I feel.
Okay ETL'ers, on a whim I bought a kabocha squash. Anyone had them? Any suggestions on what to do with it? I am thinking about this recipe chow.com/recipes/30268-thai-red-curry-with-kabocha-squash but I am open to suggestions!0 -
Oh and p.s. ya'll, I took the day off. Seriously. I had lots of things I intended to get done around here. So far none of them have been accomplished other than grocery, a load of laundry, and I took the old pup to the vet for her arthritis injection. I am okay with my lack of productivity. A nap may be on my list of things to do as well.0
-
Hi everyone Happy April and happy Easter. April title is very apt as I was registered to complete a 13 mile hike for charity in June but have had a change of plan and will now be doing 29 miles option instead which will include one of the heighest peaks in Wales! Have a need for some serious training coming on which is not easy when youre dieting at the same time! Walked 14.5 miles today and was pretty hungry by the end. Seriously hope I can reach goal in next 2-3 weeks so I can up my calories as need them to fuel some 20 + mile walks over coming weeks.
Well done everyone, you're all doing great and continue to spur me on0 -
Wow Sharon, 29 miles is impressive!! That's awesome.
I kinda went off the rails here the past few days. Eating too much, starchy cravings mostly. Plus a few cookies here and there. But I'm nipping it in the bud and getting back on track today not letting it get out of hand. Have my day planned out...
B: smoothie (frozen spinach, frozen mixed berries, chia seeds, plant protein powder)
L: BIG salad (lettuce, tomatoes, hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds, nooch, balsamic)
D. Leftover eggplant and polenta casserole, strawberries
The eggplant and polenta casserole is from the Forks Over Knives cookbook. It's good, but I don't know that I would make it again. I am going to try to make one new thing every week and find some more things that I can put into regular rotation. I'm looking forward to the summer produce.
Enjoyed my day out of the office Saturday. Didn't do much. I went to the office yesterday and got through some stuff. Speaking of work, best get going!0 -
I had to give up coffee a few years ago (long story). Now I just drink 1 cup of tea or less a day.Sabine, I had to give up coffee and chocolate (at least straight up chocolate) due to it causing acid reflux symptoms. I'm surprised how much better I feel.
Okay ETL'ers, on a whim I bought a kabocha squash. Anyone had them? Any suggestions on what to do with it? I am thinking about this recipe chow.com/recipes/30268-thai-red-curry-with-kabocha-squash but I am open to suggestions!
0 -
-
Hi everyone! Hope you all had a good long weekend. Mihani, so happy you had a nothing day! I was off to see cousins, in-laws, and my own family. It was a really nice but really busy weekend. Our office is closed today which was good because I spent the entire day doing mega kitchen prep and house chores.
Delicious sounding dinners here! Tonight I'm having the Braised Kale & Tofu from the ETL cookbook. Anyone else tried this?
Sharon, I'm in total awe of your hiking goals and achievements!!
I did a double workout this morning because yesterday I had ALL the chocolate!! Oh my gosh. Also, at my in-laws, I was expecting a lot of veggies but this time, there were soooo many bread foods. For breakfast and lunch! So I am feeling super puffy today. But back on track today.
B - strawberries & orange; protein smoothie with greens after workout;
L - veggie burger with avocado; trail mix; fruit
D - braised tofu and kale dish from ETL cookbook
I washed a TON of lettuce because I notice I really need to be getting in more raw greens... I got a couple new cookbooks with some interesting salads. Making a big green and a tabbouleh salad tonight!
0 -
Sabine_Stroehm wrote: »
This was LOVELY. I adapted a few things, but it was quite yummy.0 -
Lia how was the braised tofu and kale? I am struggling with starchy cravings again. It doesn't take much to get them going again. You're amazing doing double workouts! Glad you had a fun weekend.
Sabine that sounds really good, I love brussels sprouts.
Yesterday was good, back on track. Stayed up until 11 p.m. last night working which wasn't a wise idea, but I got a lot done.0 -
Hi everyone - I hope you all had a good Easter weekend. I know we did! It's really great to just hang out around home and be lazy together.
My hubby wasn't so lucky - he spent 2 days of the weekend out at our cabin installing new flooring. Sure does look good - so much more clean and cozy!!! The flooring that was there was the original flooring from 1960. While it was definitely cool to have the original flooring, it was certainly old and shabby looking. Cracked, stained and plain old worn out. Can't say that anymore!!! Looks amazing - like a whole new cabin!
Mihani, I'm very happy to read that you took a day off. Did you fit in that nap!?!? I sure hope so!!
On Sunday I decided that I *really* needed to get outside and do a long run. After all, my half marathon is only 8 weeks away, and I haven't run more than just a couple minutes at a time so far. So I set my goal to run 1km without stopping, but my real goal was to run/walk a full 10km (with mostly walking, to be sure). I was really wondering if was going to be able to do it - seriously, I have only run 90-120 seconds at a time this year!!!
So I set up my Zombies, Run! app and off I went.
I got to the 1km mark without really thinking about it. It was easy, so I decided to set my goal for 2km instead.
Then I got so wrapped up in the Zombie storyline and in my music (while always being aware of traffic, of course), that I was truly surprised when I realized that I had already hit the 3km mark!! AND I STILL FELT REALLY GOOD. (Score 1 for strength training class!!)
So I decided to go to the 4km mark, and still feeling strong, changed it again to 5km, which would make my workout half run and half walk. So that's exactly what I did. Except that I couldn't find my 5km landmark, and by the time I realized that I must have passed it, I ended up doing 5.5km as per my gps on the Zombies app. WOWZA!!! All those squats have sure paid off!!!
My total distance was 11km, with a non-stop run for the first half - 5.5km!!! I'm definitely feeling better about my ability to improve my distance over the next 7 weeks... Yay strength training!!!
And the Zombies, Run! app is a lot of fun. The mission I was doing was "A Lost Child", and they have a small child babbling and crying and shrieking during the mission - I had to try to get to her before the zombies. I had chills running through my whole body when that little toddler voice was crying and screaming and I actually did pick up my pace - made my inner momma bear all twitchy!!!
It felt so good to be running outside and I was SOOOOO proud of myself when I made it that far without stopping!!!
Now don't get me wrong. I'm all kinds of sore!! But today isn't as bad as yesterday, and I walked an easy 2 miles this morning to loosen up my muscles even more.
And now that I have evidence that the strength training is REALLY making me strong, I am feeling confident that I can increase my distance by 1-2km each Sunday and I WILL finish this half marathon -- yahoo!!! EXCITING!!!0 -
Karrie, that is awesome! So impressed with how committed you've been to your fitness goals. You're going to be in great shape by the time of your marathon.
I was a grump today, not enough sleep last night and then lost about an hour and a half of productive time fixing computer problems this afternoon. I'm off to bed.0 -
Thanks, Mihani. I'm feeling pretty good this week (although this morning's workout really kicked my butt...) I can't believe that I've been going to that class for 6 weeks already. It's crazy. But I can definitely feel a difference, even if I can't see one in the mirror yet (but maybe my before/after pictures will tell a different story).
I am doing a 2nd round until the 2nd week of June, but I'm taking the summer off from this class because I'd miss too many classes (out at the cabin too much).
Yesterday I found another fitness challenge for the summer. It's called TerraFit and it's a 12-week challenge. A friend from work just finished her 12 weeks. She was already thin and fit, and she STILL lost 4 inches around her waist. She was showing me some of the exercises, and they look HARD!!
There is a TerraFit DVD for exercise, and that's what I'll be doing. The challenge is $25 and the DVDs are somewhere around the order of $75 or $80, so all-told, a first round would cost someone about $100. My fitness class is $300 for 8 weeks. So it's definitely worth it for me to try it out and see how it goes!! If it's really challenging, I might do a 2nd challenge (which would only cost $25, 'cuz I'd already have the DVDs).
My friend at work is actually a TerraFit coach now, and I've asked if I could be on her team - if anyone else wants to play along, let me know and you can be on my team too!!
Today was shoulder and back day and I'm really having a hard time reaching my arms up or out for anything.
I'm going to try another run tomorrow morning, but this time I'm going to scale it back - I'm only going to shoot for 3km nonstop, followed by a 3km walk back home. I'll try to push further on Sunday.
Now I just REALLY need to focus on healthy eating and not eating so many darn carbs.
B: banana, pear, orange
L: black bean zucchini quinoa quesadilla
D : big salad & green smoothie0 -
Hi guys. Blech I am super sick again. I went the whole winter with nothing, and then had a baby cold a couple weeks ago, and then suddenly on Monday night, I feel like I got hit by a truck! I stayed home yesterday and slept for most of the day; today is much better though, so that's good. It's pouring here and bed sounds lovely though!
So I had a double workout Monday, which was good because I had none yesterday and will not do one today since I can't breathe. Hopefully tomorrow.
Karrie you are blowing us all away with your dedication! You are having an awesome Active April! Woohoo! Such a good feeling. Also, I found when I was running before that my running game was definitely improved once I started with strength training too!!
Mihani, I hope today is a more cheery day! (Where is sloth to teach me how to do "cheerful" emoticons?!?) Also the Spicy Thai Braised Kale was surprisingly delicious!! It had a nice salty flavour (no salt but maybe because of the tomato paste?) and was just really yummy and easy! Does anyone else hate prepping kale though? Seems to take forever lol.
Sabine, going to save that recipe, thanks!0 -
Sorry to hear you're sick, Lia - get better soon!!
Double workout - good for you!!!! I haven't doubled-up yet. But I guess I'm going to have to start real soon. I'll have to run every day whether it's a strength day or not... (oh dear!!)
Yeah - where is sloth!?!?!?! I miss his fun comments and gifs. 0 -
If I mention Sloth too maybe he will appear. Like saying Beetlejuice 3 times.
Lia, I have some kale, I think I will try that recipe this weekend. I hope you are feeling better!
Once again I am changing things up. I'm finding that eating during the day just ends up making me feel tired and then I want to eat more. For the past two days I've made a double batch of a basic smoothie (greens, chia and flax seeds, frozen fruit, plant protein powder, water). I have half for breakfast and take half to work with me. By lunchtime it is really thick from the chia seeds and really fills me up. I've given myself permission to have unlimited fruit during the day if I want it, so I had an apple and some strawberries after my smoothie at lunchtime. Dinner I figure can be whatever I want as long as it is ETL, or ETL-ish. Tonight I had some leftover soup that I pulled from the freezer last night, a big salad, and a couple stalks of celery with almond butter. I feel like this routine will be sustainable for me, so I'm going to give it a fair trial of a couple weeks before deciding whether or not it works. If I am hungry later I will have a grapefruit.
Karrie, the challenge sounds like fun, and you're already off to a great start. I'd give it a try but my vet bill is continuing to grow and now the IRS wants money from me so my budget is tight tight for a bit. I'm with you on those starchy carbs. I hope my new plan will reset my cravings again. Once I get through a few days without them I'm usually fine.
I am sooooo tired, going to go take a nap I think. We had awful thunderstorms last night and the young dog was a nervous wreck so he didn't let me sleep much.0 -
Sloth, Sloth, SLOTH!! ... (did it work??)
I went for a run last night. Just a short 3km, followed by a 3km walk back home. As before, I managed to do the whole distance nonstop, although I wasn't quite in the zone like I was earlier in the week. It was a bit more of a struggle to keep myself going...
I almost didn't go at all, because today was leg day, and I knew I'd probably suffer for my run. But I did it anyway...
And I wasn't wrong. I did suffer. We did 140 squats, some other leg stuff and then 100 lunges for a finisher. Box jumps were part of the other stuff, and I thought the set was to do 20 each time, but it was actually only 10 each time, and I only figured that out in the middle of the 3rd set, so I ended up doing 20 extra box jumps just for sh!ts and giggles... The 100-lunge finisher really did me in, though. First of all, my core strength obviously sucks. Everyone else holds dumbbells. But if I try to, I can't stand back up. So I go without. And on my left leg, I had to start swinging my arms for momentum to help me get back up. AND I was the last one there. Everyone else was done and gone. And I still had 27 to go. And now I had the instructor's undivided attention and an audience of the next class coming in. I did 14 of my lunges and I was really pushing. For whatever reason, I just totally lost it at that point and started bawling. I couldn't hold it back. I was crying uncontrollably as I finished the last 13 lunges. I tried to avoid looking at anyone and I was trying to control my breathing so I could calm down. I felt like such a loser... But I finished.
I'm having trouble on stairs now. Especially down. But whatever. Maybe it'll be 3 weeks until the next time I cry...??
Half marathon is in 51 days. There's no time to sit around and feel sorry for myself. I'm gonna hafta get out there again tomorrow and see if I can eek out another 3km... Wish me luck.0 -
Wow Karrie, that sounds so intense. So sorry you had that experience. If I were you, I would have skipped the last ones so AMAZING for you that you even stuck it out, despite the stress!!! No wonder you cried, that's a lot physically and mentally. I foresee you going down stairs on your bum for the weekend, lol. If nothing else, you are inspiring the cr*p out of us here!! Seriously. I'm feeling like my T25 is maybe baby exercise lol.
I am feeling better. Not 100% and still sniffles, but I made myself try a workout. The good news is that I didn't notice my breathing at all! The bad news was because I did it after my bean burrito dinner and oMG was that a bad idea... My stomach was not happy that I was jumping around with all of that in me lol. But I did it.
I am feeling pretty good and dedicated today.
Speaking of inspiring, Mihani you are totally motivating me with all your food dedication!!! Wow. So impressed. I like the smoothie idea too. I have been having smoothies for most breakfasts, but I STILL don't have a green smoothie recipe that I really love yet.
Yesterday I blended frozen mango, a navel orange, and hemp seeds and poured it over cut up strawberries and blueberries, like a fruit cereal! It was actually so delicious! No greens, but I loved it (I never deviate from recipes either lol). Happy Friday guys!!0 -
Thanks for the kind words, Lia. That's so nice of you to say that... I'm all weepy today - I can't stop!!
Now if only I could get Mihani's food dediciation - I'd be set!! 0 -
Totally understand. I cried three different times on Wednesday for various (mostly) insignificant reasons, haha. Maybe it's one of those weeks! I'm happy it's Friday 0
-
Huh....
I just checked in, to try to catch up a bit.... and find my name in multiple posts. It's nice to be missed. I just don't really have anything to contribute. I'm so far off the ETL wagon, I don't even know which direction it's headed in, anymore. 
0
This discussion has been closed.