I like how when I start low-carb (and I have lots of experience starting) I get an immediate boost and quickly drop a pound or two. It is encouraging, but it is a false positive. It is just my body adjusting to things and in particular shedding the bloat. I call it a false positive because while it is a good thing, it is not an indication of how things will go from here. But I am now on Day 3 of Atkins, and while it is a shakey Day 3 I have:
- gotten rid of all chocolate, ice cream and baking that was in my kitchen
- two days with 45 minutes of hard exercise each day (if I was baseball team that would be a winning streak)
- set up the online tracking and Nike+ exercise challenge
On a side note, I never understood the phrase ‘well, you are just losing water weight.’ Hello? Aren’t we 90% water? So if you are going to change the size of your body you will be getting rid of a lot of water in the process. Recycle it, I say. Give it back to the fishies.
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It is early evening and I had a great day. it was mission accomplished all-round. Son #1 is joining me for dinner on New Years Day, and he requested a roast dinner so I now have all the fixings and one giant hunk of cow. Way more than is needed for 2 people but I am planning leftovers. He and I are struggling right now so this will be a good chance to just spend time together without pressure. I got a picture from his graduation framed and will be giving it to him to remind him of what he is capable. And I got a copy for me, because I think it bothers him that I have a picture of his brother but not of him on my shelf. (Now, his brother gave me that photo, already framed…lol). He’s a smart young man but a bit of a lost soul right now.
With Sailorboy out of town I am on my own, which is not a bad thing. I will be watching ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ this evening. Every time I watch that movie I cut my bangs, so I have put a note with the scissors reminding me of the last fiasco…lol. I am planning a full antipasto plate sans bread as my evening treat. Also I will be painting my toenails bright blue, just for fun. Or maybe rainbow colours - it is winter, no one will see them anyway…why not, right?
Georgian Bay December moods
Aargh - sabotaged by the protein powder mix. Who knew it had so much sugar? well, I guess I would have, if I had read the label. And the wheat bran in the shake will throw off the carb count but since it is almost all fibre I will just ignore it.
Dog is stretched out on his back with his feet in the air, enjoying being king of the castle again. Or maybe co-king, as the cat is still in control of the fireplace.
More snow came down overnight, the streetscape is every shade of white and grey. I have a few chores to do and then I am going to head out for another snowshoe hike. On Jan 1 I am planning to try a wilderness trail in the national park as an all day adventure. I have far less fear of being out in the bush in the wintertime - I guess I always think I can follow my tracks home, and also the bears are all asleep…lol.
December Beach
Alright, back in the saddle, as they say. Sailorboy is heading out for a two week business trip, all the way to Australia and back, so I have some time to get myself sorted out and back on track.
- First, low carb - second day and I am STARVING, which, ok, is technically impossible because I have had so much to eat, really, but for some reason my body isn’t going along with the program. Early days though, and given the abuse I have put myself through the last few weeks I have to expect my system to resist.
- Second, exercise - really it is embarrassing now. My nieces got a Wii from Santa and the fake bowling was tiring me out! So today a nice long snowshoe hike and then a good walk this evening with the dog. Winter is bearable if you bundle up, or so I keep telling myself.
- And finally, numbers…grrr…ok, back on fitday and back with that d**** ticker.
Best of intentions and all that…I am still being a slug. Nothing else to report.
All I can say is that IF I was in charge, I would have made some significant adjustments to the female anatomical/reproductive design. Mother Nature was obviously having an off day, or her original plan somehow got snookered by that snake (yes, I know I am mixing stories, give me a break).
I am going to have to break out the snowshoes to walk the dog. I like to take him down behind the high school, where he can run in circles on the track field. Well, there’s about 6″ of snow there already, and more on the way. It has just about reached my trudging limitation. I am thinking I can bring the snowshoes over there and tramp around in circles for an hour each night. The dog will be delighted and I will finally get some exercise. I have turned into a veritable slug.
I am feeling very bad about how good I feel about someone resigning from my workplace. There’s a German word for that but I can’t spell it - it means taking joy in another’s misfortune. Doesn’t fully apply to this situation, but it is close. And the catholic nuns who live in the back of my head are very unhappy with me about this. Oh well.
This is going to be a very busy week. I have done NOTHING to prepare for xmas - no gifts, no presents, nothing. I am saving it up until the week before. I have been to a lot of parties though.
Lots of parties = lots of party food. Enough said. Except also = very little exercise.
Snow snow snow snow
Well not that much really, it just feels like a lot because I just finished shovelling the drive. The dog supervised. The son showed up to help with the edges…huh. But at least I won’t get stuck tomorrow morning, I very nearly did not make it in when I got home earlier tonight. That’s always entertaining for the neighbours.
I have been working on identifying and owning my bad habits. By owning I mean acknowledging their impact on my life, in whatever way is important. The key is to try to be objective and not turn it into a total self-torture session about how bad you are and how you deserve all the bad stuff to happen to you. Sometimes I have to give myself a good shake. But I know I can see the good and the bad in someone and love them so I should be able to do the same for myself.
This is one of my busiest December’s ever and I love it. I have work and social obligations filling up my calendar until The Big Day.
Ok, update (cringe)
Weight: 181.4
Exercise yesterday: 25 minute walk (IN A BLIZZARD. Extra credit please. The dog did not even want to go)
Food: well, moderately high carb, low sugar, and portion size under control
