Work Strikes Again

I was going to try and not get derailed when absorbed in my major work project for the next month, but I realized after trying for a couple weeks that no matter how much I'd like to, it's not realistic. I simply can't spare the time or energy for the next month to do anything but this work obligation, which is 24/7 until it's over. So rather than obsess and beat myself up I think I'll accept that I can't pull off two number one priorities at one time. In April, I can resume, and I'll have more time over the summer to focus as well as more options since the weather will be getting nice and I can do more horseback riding and be outside longer. So, we shall see.

Not A Good Week

Well, I got busy, tired, stressed and lazy this week so I admit that I had a couple meals that were off the diet, and even one non-vegetarian. I did my strength training but not my cardio. I am sure I didn't lose anything and may have gained. But, it's a tiny blip and not a huge mistake, no reason to get totally derailed. I have a massive work project for the next 35-40 days that will be all consuming so whatever I can do to try and maintain healthy habits at ALL and get through that will be good - I have to push myself not to just forget it and go back to my old ways.

Hiking

I've been hiking with a new partner and it has been rigorous. This weekend I went both days on hikes that were tiring enough I felt wiped out afterwards, and I was working HARD on the uphills. Yesterday I also went roller skating, which I did every weekend as a kid, but it is not something I remember well! I was happy I didn't fall down, but it hurt my feet!! I do think it was a good leg workout though - the skates are heavy, and you use all kinds of muscles to balance.

I've done pretty well on diet this week, not as well on exercise, but I continue to make progress to integrate exercise more and more into my life and to push myself.

Making Progress

Today I did strength training and went to the pool to swim. I made it 10 laps, which was about 25 minutes, before I was too tired to go any further. Sorry to say I didn't do as well the last two days, but something is better than nothing and at least I am moving in the right direction. My weights have increased a little at the gym on about 1/3 of the machines I'm using.

This week I made a curried peanut soup that I didn't like well enough to finish, but I also made a garlic broth that was really excellent and I think will become a favorite. Also, I roasted tomatoes and fennel and both were, I thought, very satisfying. For lunch I've gotten used to a multigrain tortilla with refried beans, hot sauce and a little cheese - while I'm aiming for vegan I find cheese by far the hardest to give up! And beans without cheese...are pretty boring. I also usually have an apple, maybe with some peanut butter.

Only about a C+

Well, I haven't had A behavior this week, but probably B - or C +. I didn't get to the gym as much as I intended but I did go on a 4 mile hike yesterday. I've resisted all cravings and eaten very healthy and limited portions, but I gave myself Sunday off and made some non-diet foods. However, I planned the week's menus - all vegetarian or vegan and healthy. I've decided to hook up with a trainer to help with some accountability and making sure I push myself on exercise. I spent more energy this week on planning healthy food than exercise.

Good Food, but No Exercise

I just couldn't drag myself to the gym yesterday, but today I'll do both strength training and cardio to make up for it. I was also really having a hard day yesterday and I didn't get time for lunch until mid-afternoon, by which time I was starving. I was very tempted to have chicken and chocolate - which would have been very bad. But I thought about my chickens at home and their personalities and the desire to eat any chicken went away. I did do vegetarian instead of vegan though, I had multi-grain tortillas with refried beans, hot sauce and cheese, and an apple for lunch. After that, my chocolate craving had died down. For dinner I made a new vegan soup recipe that was Spicy Black Bean Soup. It was spicy but it was also pretty decent, and I paired it with vegan corn muffins (just substituted soy milk for regular in a recipe and used egg replacer for the egg called for).

A Super Exercise Day

This morning I made it to the gym at 5am and swam for about 30 minutes, and then later made it to a different gym for strength training, so I am very happy with myself on both counts!! Plus, my healthy eating is going well. Last night we made Parsnip Chips from Veganomicon, a vegan cookbook. They were truly fantastic! I also tried a new type of bean that has an inherent sweetness, called Chana Dal. It was ok, with complex flavors, and I'm looking forward to trying other preparations of it. We had a kiwi fruit for dessert, and then some popcorn with "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" spray and seasoning salt. It was a very lowfat day in terms of diet. The vegan concept is a great way to focus on healthy foods without focus on calories. Also, it's hard to over eat on veggies - it would take effort.

Another Day of Swimming, and Good Food

I got up at 4:45am and made it to the gym where I have a guest pass to swim for about 30-35 minutes. I swam laps until I was getting really tired, and then spent 5 minutes in the hot tub and headed home to be here by 6 for the morning chores and making breakfast/packing lunch for my husband before he heads to work. I made smoothies and oatmeal again, nothing novel.

For lunch though I tried something new. Last night I made baked tofu, using the recipe for Baked Five Spice Seasoned Tofu from the Vegan Chef website. I put some of the backed tofu in a multi-grain tortilla wrap along with some white bean puree, some finely chopped carrots and some organic baby lettuce greens. That and an apple should do it.

Some Cardio is a start

I went to the gym with a friend today and swam for about an hour today, which actually felt great. I have plans to do it again this week but there is a slight complication in that we don't belong to the same gym, so I can't meet up with her regularly long term.

I planned healthy menus for the week and pre-packaged the supplements I want to take this week so I can toss one in with each lunch, etc. I'll be trying a few new things.