And I'm back in that your HRV is too high yellow place. Funny how when I go yellow HRV goes up, saying I'm in deeper recovery. Makes sense given the week I had. Much more standing, lots and lots of steps, a couple days on a bike, drinking. I did get 8+ hours of sleep last two nights. Carb depleted, but pushing off my Carb Nite for birthday cake.

Rays is fun to ride. We were season members for a couple of years. But last year I barely made it up there and of the family I go the most. Didn't renew membership, and this was my first visit of the year. They are open Oct-April. raysmtb.com It does help keep you on a bike. The MKE one is in an old Menards. The CLE one in an old warehouse area. I find the CLE intimidating. Been there once. There's a "cross country" route that goes up and down around the perimeter and in some catwalks across the building. Lots of technical training ladders and obstacles ( split by novice, beginner, sport and advanced) and a bunch of jump lines. As it's gotten more popular with folks its a bit less fun for me. Lots of people riding with no "trail" sense. So they stop in bad spots, blind areas, places where you need to carry momentum...or cut in without seeing who is coming. I've had some close calls due to that, taking the fun away. Still it's a great place to work on skills and technique that does transfer to the trail. But falling onto wood structures or concrete floors is not fun. Trails are generally a bit more forgiving in a fall. And crashes are part of the sport.

So today was day one of another whole30 challenge for me. I wasn't going to do this one but I'm in a very dark place with food and activity right now. Wish me luck. I miss my sucralose but after just one day I'm already feeling better. Big thank you again to TJ, Kevin and Hammer..it's always easier to get to the first week or so with friends. If you want to join us, you can jump in anytime. Your day one can be a few days behind our day one. You won't regret it!

It's Monday folks.
Didn't sleep the greatest last night but the positive thing is I may be back on a more 'normal' sleep schedule. Let's hope I can continue that trend. I didn't get in any jaunting this weekend but I did a lot of stuff around the house. Tonight I'll restart the jaunts, as I know I desperately need them.

Thank you everybody for your encouragements. I think I've said it before, its not that I'm not happy and confident with the way I look its that I want "more" LOL don't we all?.. I also know that I have body image issues that seeps out sometimes. I go through ups and downs and I'm just experiencing more downs than ups recently. Ehh its life, put on my big girls panties and push through my first world problems
Great input on the EDC bag... I carry a "purse with useful stuff/EDC" because I go into the city on a semi regular basis and I take the subway so I need stuff with/on me and it can't be bulky because i need to move through crowds.
Kim I did listen to the episode with Mark Gordon. (is that the one?) Fascinating stuff! John, you if you hadn't you need to check out Mark Gordon and spread the word amongst Vets. He did an interview on Joe Rogan's show with a Vet who was suffering from PTSD and almost killed himself and the writer of American Sniper. The stats on Vets are so sad.
Anyways, learned a lot about Traumatic Brain injuries, stress and hormones. And it sounds like even if you have a hormone imbalance, it'll be hard to find a doctor that can treat you properly. But after listening to that I decide to cut myself some slack lol. I've had 2 concussion from automobile accidents. (my fault I was street racing, young and stupid) I've lost count how many times that I've been hit on the head by a punch, kick or various size/speed of balls and I went through hormone therapy at 21. So on the grand scale of things I'm doing pretty dang good! Perspective... ahhh

Indoor bike park sounds so cool and fun!

Carol, that adventure race sounds fun! I suck at biking but I get the "focusing on the trail" mentalility, I think that's why I like cross country skiing.

John, grow peppers, eggplant or zucchini.

I've had a couple of good night's sleep and boy that felt good, figured out my fatigue issue, I was low on iron. My doctor warned me about that before but I didn't think it was that because I was so dang single minded about my diet. I though it could be my carbs or fat. Too little too much? etc etc and I completely forgot about my old condition of borderline anemia. Back on iron supplements and I feel so much better.

Mark and Kelly. you guys make a cute couple.

Jen, try hemp seed oil.. I hope you you have a good night night's sleep. Oh and try a guided meditation for sleep on youtube. That worked for me 90% of the time.

Hey everyone. It's been a while since I posted, but I'm still here! I'm doing John's Whole30, right now and we're on Day 3. So far, so good.

I made some breakfast cookies, to have a quick breakfast. They have coconut, applesauce, raisin, dried cherries, and nuts. I'll post the recipe in the recipe thread.

Dang, I just realized that the Whole30 won't be done until after NRA!

Darn you John. Making this a real challenge! Haha. That'll be the true test.

Happy Wednesday. Slept better last night again. I'm getting there.

Kim, how was your birthday Carb Nite? Hope you had a great day!

TJ, I'll have to try out that cookie recipe. I love cookies! cookie:

Even though I haven't been doing the best with my eating or exercise, I actually was able to wear another pair of my pants on Monday and found some shorts yesterday that fit (but were a bit snug when I put on my carry gun). Oh on a side note, it was nice to finally be able to wear shorts!

John and Jen, I was actually just eating one as I read your comments! They're really good.

John, I guess I'll have to just watch it with that Tennessee BBQ! Thanks for the support.

Hi everyone! I was away at a conference in Denver - did pretty well on Thurs, Fri, and Sunday, but Saturday I went out of control at the break with little chocolate-covered pretzels. I did do lots of walking in the beautiful weather there. I'm mostly back on track but sad to be bundled up in 30 degree weather again. My kid is at day 24 on the Whole 30 and is doing great. Wish I was as disciplined! She'll be home for the weekend so I know I'll at least be very careful while she's here.

Heron, when I heard Christin's interview, I thought of you.

But I am excited to get back walking tomorrow!

Thursday...on my second day in a row of RED HRV. And day before that was yellow. Coincides with upping the dose on my thyroid meds. I don't feel the symptoms she said to expect as I titrate up every 4-7 days to my full dose. But apparently my body has noticed. I'm just finally not cold all the time. Kinda warm actually.

My birthday present to myself Power Rack arrived yesterday. Need to get it built. Doc pulled me off strength training (really anything other than lots of walking) until I get to full dose plus a week or so. Which will perfectly coincide with returning from Spring Break.

My goal for tomorrow is instead of 3 walks for roughly 20 minutes each to try to work it up to 2-3 walks at 30 minutes each. Never would have thought I could do this rain, snow or shine and that I would miss it on a day where I needed the truck for work and didn't get all my walking in. Love how much better I feel and can breath and sleep

Wow, Equinox already. Yes to spring!

Kelly, keep up the walking. I love that you're doing it consistently outdoors. So good for mind and body.

HRV back to green today. Will be interesting to see in a few days when I do the final dose increase if it goes back red or yellow for a couple days.