Feeling Sick

Ugh. Not sick in the “coming down with yet another illness” way, rather in that “why did I do/eat that?” kind of way.

Yes, I ate six pieces of Dove Dark Chocolates (see Chocolate Wisdom). Great “wisdoms” inside each wrapper. I ate them over the course of the day. I had too much coffee (3 cups, rather than 1). My eating schedule (such as it is) was a bit off though. The rest of my eating really was not bad. Right now, I feel a little sick to my stomach, probably from more chocolate than I have in a day anymore and too much caffeine in the same day. That and sitting around in my pajamas all day (yes, truly!) even though I did shower and get “made up.”

However, I have small victories in my day today. I made my meal plan for the entire week (including snacks). I made my schedule for the entire week which is comprised of workouts, eating schedule, “stuff” time (play time, ‘net time, etc), and bed time. Honestly, I think the bed time part will be the most difficult thing for me this week. I also incorporated my “Mindless Eating Challenge” items into my schedule. Meaning that, the dining table is cleared (making way for the “dining”), my workout “gear” is centralized and waiting for me, my water bottles are at the ready, and my menu is set (like I already said).

I am, in fact, ready to start tomorrow morning. My waking time is depending on my dear hubster. While the kids do not have school this week, thus I do not have to get up before the sun, hubby still has work to get to. I will be getting up sometime between when he gets out of bed and when he returns to the bedroom from his shower. That should be roughly between 7:30 and 7:45 am. Saturday and Sunday I will be on my own with that one.

Ready? I am. Let’s do it. The only thing I have left is to take all the usual measurements in order to see my progress. I will do this in the morning, first thing. Before photo, scale weight, and tape measure measurements. I tend to go WAY overboard when using the tape measure though. This is what I measure: neck, biceps (both), elbows (both), forearms (both), wrists (both), upper chest, bust, lower chest, waist (natural), hips (over hip bones at top), butt (you know, lower than the hips), upper thighs (the biggest part, both), lower thighs (above the knee, both), knees (both), calves (both), and ankles (both). It’s a lot, but I will sure be able to see where I am losing first and/or fastest!
Ready? I am. Let’s do it.

Mindless Eating Challenge

Have you ever read Mindless Eating by Brian Wansink, Ph.D.? Basically, it is about how we go through life eating, mindlessly, grazing, snacking, stuffing ourselves at mealtimes. It’s a good read, read it.
I have decided to jump into yet another challenge, The National Mindless Eating Challenge in which you answer a few questions that seek out your goals and challenges, then gives you recommendations for each month. The changes that are suggested are fairly small changes. The idea is that you make small adjustments and over time they add up to big differences. Each week, you’ll respond on how that week went for you. Each month, you’ll give a report as to how you did. Then you have a new set of challenges for the next month.

I am going to give it at least the first month….

Here are my personal changes/challenges for month 1:

1. Eat meals sitting down at the dining table!
2. Drink more water every day (at least 24oz…up from none).
3. Do not skip breakfast!
4. At least 10 minutes of walking of biking twice daily

These are the problems which could break my goals:

1. Not pre-planning meals, and therefore, being rushed.
2. Again, not planning and being rushed.
3. Water-jut not doing it.
4. Timing and/or foot pain*.

These are the solutions I have for the above problems to MAKE my goals:

1. PLAN PLAN PLAN!
2. Again, PLAN PLAN PLAN!
3. Pre-measure out my water and just drink it!
4. PLAN, SCHEDULE, DO IT! AND, see a doctor about my foot*!

Off to a good start…

…for this week.

I had a good breakfast (egg white omelet with a little extra sharp cheddar).

I did my 20 minutes of HIIT on my recumbent bicycle.

I just finished my snack of cottage cheese and yogurt. I think I prefer the large curd cottage cheese… (I have small curd right now.)

I feel good. I feel motivated. I have 48 days until my birthday. I WILL make a change (for the better) that will be noticeable by then.

So today starts my new exercise streak.