We’ve all been a bit stressed lately, whether due to exams, insomnia, potty hurdles, or ill loved ones. The pressure has been evident and contagious.
Today we tried to leave worries at home and get outside to blow off some steam. We went for a walk, a game of soccer, and some badminton at the park. Afterwards we cooled off under a tree with some iced tea. It was just what we all needed.
This beat the heck out of dancing in my living room today. “Running amok with the family” as exercise wins hands down.
I also just had my no-pint-iversary. Although I’ve downed the odd frosty ale with friends (and still relish the occasional tasty cocktail), for the most part I’ve banished the “relaxing with a beer” habit, and I’m sure it’s made a big difference.
Aug 04, 10:39PM PDT | 17 cheers | 1 comment
I’m back to Bhangra for the morning dance workout (during which I’m still frequently forced to wear funny hand-puppets so Isak doesn’t feel left out), and walks whenever I can. I try to get out for at least an hour wander daily, but if I can’t drag my ass outside, I’m moving it in the living room.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve really managed to keep my food on track, and at the TDP recommended cal level, which is better than my previous jagged intake. I got my 60 day badge on TDP last week.
I’m having lots of water, a little less coffee/a little more green tea, and I’m currently on a blueberry binge. I’m so pleased I’ve been managing to keep all this up. Onward, onward…
Jul 29, 09:51PM PDT | 1 cheer | 0 comments
Not only am I keeping up with my daily dance workouts and TDP recording, but the other day I tried on bathing suits. No luck, but it was another step in the right direction. I’d really like to start swimming again – it’s been years.
Then today after a half hour latin dance workout, I spent 45 minutes skipping rope. Killer workout, I think I’ll try to do that more often (though I can sure feel it tonight). Later I took Isak out for a long walk too. Lots of exercise today. I chock-o-splurged a bit after dinner as a treat. That 10 pounds hasn’t shown up again, so I think whatever I’ve been doing lately is paying off.
Jul 08, 11:40PM PDT | 14 cheers | 3 comments
This continues to go well. Monday rolled around and I was happy to find an extra week of Bollywood dance in the mornings, and today I got my 21 day fitness logging & food tracking badges on The Daily Plate. This is definitely inspiring me to cut down on extra snacking, pay attention to what goes in my mouth, and move more. I’m even getting used to low sodium V8. We’ve searched out healthier choices and had lots of fruit around. I still need to find a good food to use up uneaten calories, but I’m keeping in the range.
I tend to “hover” around a weight, and for the last week I’ve been hovering about 10 pounds less than I was before. This is good. I think I’m looking at my body in a different way now too. Less critical. This is intentional… I should actually probably send it flowers or something, I’ve said some mean things to it in the past. Sorry body. Let’s be friends?
Jun 19, 11:05PM PDT | 15 cheers | 2 comments
I’m getting such a kick out of these Bollywood workouts. I really threw myself into it today and ended up with my blood pumping & a sweaty brow. Great fun. Then lots of water.
No walk for me today, it’s absolutely filthy out, and my netherbod is girl-grumbly, so I think I’ll take it easy and try to ignore the other half of the rum-raisin-hazelnut bar hidden in the kitchen cabinet.
Daily plate… it’s going better, but when I cut back on the not-so-healthy things I find that even with decent meals and snacks, there are too many calories left over at the end of the day (especially if I’ve had a lot of exercise), and I’m not always hungry enough to top them up.
I need to find a good way to fill my quota (without eating junk). Something low carb/low sodium. I also want to pick up smoothie stuff next time we go shopping (yogurt, frozen berries, vanilla soy milk), de-staple that morning half bagel.
All in all, it’s going much, much better. I feel like I’m getting into a rhythm of movement and attentiveness, and I finally seem to have lost 5 pounds without it creeping back on again. More than that, I feel healthier, have more energy, my mood is up and I’m sleeping better. MOST of the time. Frankly, that sweet, sweet chocolate is calling my name rather seductively and sometimes you just have to say yes and sink into delicious indulgence. Especially on stormy, pms riddled days when you’ve danced your ass off.
Jun 05, 04:30PM PDT | 18 cheers | 5 comments
And that would be: BOLLYWOOD WORKOUT!
Workout to some of the hottest Bollywood moves this side of Bombay. Each half hour workout is lead by professional dancer Rohan D’Silva. Rohan has studied with India’s number one choreographer Shiamak Davar whose award winning work can be seen in many Bollywood films. Rohan has also been featured in Bollywood films and elaborate stage productions and is the primary instructor and choreographer at Shiamak’s Indo Jazz Dancer Movement. Get ready to burn up the floor in Bollywood Workout.
I had a lot of fun doing this today. I’ve also taken to jogging in place when I’m watching TV (not all the time, but if I can’t get outside or don’t want to descend into potato-girl-land).
Food wise, I’m still going strong with The Daily Plate. Our grocery choices are getting better all the time and I actually managed to lower my calories, fat, cholesterol, sodium, and carbs this week. Keeping track like this is really inspiring me to eat healthier and get more exercise. There are specific times I can think of where I didn’t eat a handful of cookies or I picked Isak up and danced around for 20 minutes simply because I’m logging it all. (And dancing around with 30 pounds burns about 600 calories an hour, if anyone’s interested.) Booya!
Jun 02, 10:01PM PDT | 6 cheers | 7 comments
Perhaps I judged Diego too harshly. I gave him another shot and lo and behold he was decked out in a pinstripe suit. Ah, why not. I didn’t even mind the pink sequin shirt. He seemed a bit more together and I felt like I got a great workout, later followed by a self imposed smattering of step, ripcord, aerobics, and a long walk pushing the stroller.
A great addition to this goal I’ve started (at the suggestion of my brother) is using The Daily Plate. I’ve never been able to get into the “food diary” thing, but this site makes it really, really easy (I was surprised). It tracks your food & exercise, water, breaks it down, gives you different charts, offers suggestions for healthier options, helps with meeting whatever your goal is, offers forums & groups… I LOVE it. I’m only on my third day, but I think I’m going to stick with it this time. Having the right medium to keep track really makes me a lot more mindful of what I’m eating. I’ll try to whip up a TDP goal/challenge for June.
Exercise wise, I’ve been more motivated too. Other than the morning dance, I’ve been really picking up the pace when I take Isak out (I actually jogged the bike path with him yesterday) and am trying to fit more into life at home. Today I was watching TV and pulled out a chair to step up and down on. Isak joined me on his little ikea stool and kept shouting “one more, mommy!” – my tiny personal trainer. The family games (badminton, soccer) are great, and I’m hoping to brave swimsuit shopping soon (shudder).
My scale is starting to budge again.
Go go go!
May 28, 08:15PM PDT | 7 cheers | 2 comments
I’ve tried really hard to get into this one. I gave Diego the benefit of the doubt late last week when things started getting weird. I suffered through Friday’s sudden appearance of sparkly cowboy outfits, even though I had trouble understanding what it had to do with Latin dance, and his style switches were making me feel schizophrenic.
Today it was pure Las Vegas, down to the backup showgirls with plumes on their heads and high heels. Diego was wearing spandex and purple sequins and “rockin’ the baby”. I got halfway through the show and ran screaming.
(Oh Tink… I’m sorry about this one. I didn’t know. Trying to keep up is still quite a workout though)
I’ll make it up elsewhere. Maybe the running & screaming counts as half decent cardio?
May 26, 11:55AM PDT | 8 cheers | 3 comments
Goodbye to Jacky and hello to Diego.
I almost forgot yesterday, what with all the excitement around getting the cable hooked up. Now I can work out in front of the big TV. We’re back to Latin dance, but with a different instructor. I think I’ll also see what other options I have now – there seem to be several much more appealing yoga shows than the few I have on tape.
“Latin Workout introduces you to the traditional Latin dances. Diego Sanchez leads you through this hot, sizzling workout of full out fun! Diego has been dancing since he was a child growing up in his grandparents Salsa school in Columbia. He and his sister Erica run Grupo America Dance Group with 26 dancers who regularly perform around the world and repeatedly win international competitions. The company also has 500 students that come to learn from the best. This is a workout for all those with a passion for Latin dance.”
I also picked up a bag of fresh apples, an ocean’s worth of V8, and some lovely low fat salmon & brown rice meals that I can nuke on lazy days. (And for the record, the other day I noticed my back is looking a little more like Kansas, if you know what I mean.)
May 20, 02:15PM PDT | 5 cheers | 3 comments
I’m still keeping up with the morning workouts. I really love the African dance ones, and actually look forward to it daily, it wakes me up. I throw yoga in when I can, and today I had two long walks, a kicking sprint through a huge field of fluffy dandelions (I highly recommend this for fun and stress release) and an absolutely fabulous hour-long badminton game in the park with my family until the sun went down.
I had (and used up) a lot of energy today. And I could swear some things are a bit smaller.
May 15, 11:33PM PDT | 5 cheers | 0 comments
