I am back, too. I returned Sunday night, or rather, Monday early a.m. My flight was 2 hours late as there was a huge thunderstorm in Chicago (which I hoped would move over to Ontario but it did not). We got some rain overnight but not nearly enough.
I did not do as well, while in Chicago, as I would have liked. I did get some exercise in, 2x (one was by a DVD, the second was mostly cardio. The townhouse complex where BF lives has a small gym which has a few basic pieces of equipment but it enough. Three treadmills, two ellipticals (although not as sophisticated as those at my gym), a few benches, recumbent bike, the machine for back exercises (whatever it’s called) – where you can you wide grip pull downs and arm exercises with cable pulleys), a decently supplied weight rack. I did 20 minutes on an elliptical, some exercises on the back machine, tricep extensions, etc. and 20 minutes on the treadmill, 15 minute out of which I was running. (The PF foot has calmed down since the flare up in the hot yoga class and did not complain after the treadmill exercise which made me happy).
But, I will have to have a discussion with BF regarding how to handle our eating during our future visits. He does not understand I need to eat every 3 hrs (he is the type who eats three square meals a day and says that more frequent eating causes him to gain weight [but I don’t think he realizes that my more frequent meals don’t mean more calories]). He does not cook much and never has any fruit or veggies in his house. We want to do some fun stuff when we’re together as we don’t see each other that often and our planning has big holes – we always leave later than planned, don’t make it to the grocery store and as a result, eat out.
That’s gotta change.
On top of that, there was a visit to his mom on Easter Sunday, where the only thing to eat were boiled eggs (we already had had eggs & turkey bacon that morning) and hot cross buns and other assorted, equally horrific, pastries. And that was before me having to get to the airport at least 2.5 hrs before the flight, and then a 2 hr wait for the delayed flight.
I am not saying I am completely guilt-free. I could have gotten off my butt and driven to the grocery store while he worked on Friday (he works from home on Fridays) and make something. Except I am bit scared to drive his car (it’s much bigger than mine and almost new and the thought of me driving it terrifies me. I have to get over it).
My crimes against humanity consisted of
- a raspberry brownie and a latte with what definitely was not non-fat milk (although I have to admit I entirely forgot to ask) at the Milwaukee Art Museum;
- - an Italian Beef sandwich with fries (at least the beef was real beef and not cold cuts);
- a half of a hot cross bun and a few jelly beans;
- - a grilled chicken sandwich (but with too much cheese on it) and FRIES again (at Chili's, while camping for 4+ hours at the O'Hare airport);
- and a Coffee Crisp yesterday at work which is completely inexcusable becuase I was already home.
Ugh, sorry for the litany but having confessed makes me feel better.
We went to visit the
Milwaukee Art Museum – very groovy architecture – my most favourite painting was
Noah and the Animals Entering the Ark ( a huge piece). From a distance, it looked like those two dogs are salukis. Up close, I didn’t think they were but they still looked very close.
On the way back, we drove through the country as BF wanted to show me the greyhound kennel where he used to board his previous greyhound (who is now at the Bridge). It’s a kennel that keeps the greyhounds available for adoption through one Chicago greyhound adoption group plus it provides boarding. We were invited in (the owner is an elderly gentleman who is very friendly) – there were almost 50 greyhounds in there! 15 boarders and approx. 30 who were waiting for a couch of their own. Lots of long noses wanting to be petted through the crate door. That was so nice. Of course, I wanted to adopt about half of them.
45 minutes in the pool yesterday and tonight I am heading to some core class – something new to replace the Pilates class. I am still trying to catch up on my sleep – yesterday, I arrived to work after some 4 hours of sleep – I don’t function too well under that circumstances.
Hopefully, I will be able to get to the gym for a real workout tomorrow. I am glad that I planned before leaving so I had some frozen portioned food to fall back on when I returned – there were enough veggies for a salad as well so my eating is back on track.
Alena