I have a few minutes of quiet time at work, so here is an update.

First of all, remember those pains in my side I had? Well, they seem to be gone - I haven't had any since then. I'm suspecting they might have had to do with my herbal weight loss tea, and/or attempting to do too much and too fast after eating. When I was little, I used to get stitches all the time - because my mother had a habit of stuffing a huge warm dinner into me, and then making me run to catch the bus (her thinking was that why leave a bit earlier and have a pleasant walk, if you can do other things and then run and still make it...).

The sleep thing is also something I've had issues with for years. Sometimes it's not being able to fall asleep, other times it's waking up many many many times at night. I've also had periods when would fall asleep fast and have a good, restful sleep.
The 8 months or so have been rough for me sleep-wise. I had a severe boust of depression when I slept all the time - up to 16 hrs/day, and I had no problem going back to sleep shortly after waking up. There was also a period when I just couldn't sleep, no matter how tired I was - that had to do with stress and anxiety. I did seek doctor's advice at that point, but all the "help" I got was a sheet with tips for better sleep... sleep troubles are not considered a health issue at my university (where my doctor is), and I had previously been refused a referral to a sleep clinic.

In the past few months I developed somewhat of a habit of taking long naps during the day - not so much by choice, as by necessity. You do have to sleep when you can't function, right? I've been working on breaking out of this, and in fact haven't taken a nap recently. I used to never take naps, and I'm intending to go back to that. And working on it.

As I've mentioned before, the next 3 weeks or so might be stressful for me, so that will likely contribute to my sleep troubles. So just bear with my whining. My upcoming move is a big one - I'm moving to another country, and there is about a million things I have to deal with as a result of that. The move should be a start of a new lifestyle, as I'll be starting from scatch and everything will be different, so I'm hoping for new, good sleep patterns as well.

Have to go now, but I'll be back later.

hmmm... no idea why my post shows up before Mscat's? Hers was already there before! :stu:

Morning Chickies!!! It's hump day for the working girls but hump day for the week is really Thursday - so stay strong

Cheers for the week go to . . .
haleys - for Monday - stop in if you can and let us know how the rest of week is going.
Sushi - for Monday and Tuesday - Sushi - have you seen a doctor about your insomnia?
Bev - for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday - Congrats on day 12! Hang in there.
and me - for Monday - my birthday was Tuesday and the cakes and bd luncheon made me not even want to put in my points but I will go back and do it today!

carla - safe traveling - hope you are getting some of your goals accomplished - we know it can be challenging when you are away from home!

Bonnie and Casper - hope you are doing well - check in and let us know what is going on and how we can help!

mscat
All that we have is right now.
Yesterday is gone, Tomorrow is not promised, and Someday is not a day of the week!

It's me again...

I had to eat after 7 pm today - I didn't take enough food with me for the whole day, boyfriend was to bring some, but unfortunately forgot... and I was hungry and knew that I'd be starving later at night, so I had something at 8 pm. Still, it was a decision dictated by necessity, so I think I won't consider this a slip.
I'm not done with today's water yet, that's more of a slip!

Sleep & get up times this week so far:
Sunday trouble sleeping
Monday: up at 1 pm, bed around 10 pm but trouble sleeping, fell asleep around 3 am
Tuesday: up 7:15 am, bed 10:10 pm and slept ok but woke up many times in the last hour before the alarm was to go off
Wednesday: up 7:15 am, aiming to be in bed by 10:10 pm

Exercise:
No AM gym so far.
Monday: swam 2 laps only, Aquafit
Tuesday: skating
Wednesday: 14 laps, Aquafit, skating and a long walk (does shaking in the dentist's chair count )

Evening Chickies - Where is everyone??? Oh well - hopefullly all of you are out there kicking butt on your goals!

Did great on points so far - getting ready to finish tracking. Horrible on water again - I think I am just going to concentrate on water for the next couple of weeks.

Well Sushi - for you for Wednesday - you are the only poster for the day.

Hopefully, we will be in force tomorrow. Have a great evening ladies.

mscat

Happy Friday everyone - I'm so glad it's Friday! For some reason, I've been very tired this week and am looking forward to the week-end.

Did walk yesterday (Thursday) but it was a struggle! Got absolutely drenched in the morning - was just about 10 minutes from the house and the skies just "opened up". My pup kept looking up at me like "what in the h**l are we doing out in this????" So then I had to walk last evening and it was so hot and humid (and my legs ached so bad!) - didn't go far but did make my daily 35 minutes. I know that the time is coming when it won't be light enough for me to walk in the morning before work - but at least it will be cool enough to enjoy an evening walk.

Everyone have a good day --

Yesterday was a flop, didn't meet my goals. That included messing up my sleep again - after such a good start to the week!
Hopefully today will be better.

Bev, isn't it too bad that the days are getting shorter? Last evening it got dark very early and very fast (it rained the whole night, maybe that's why). For some reason early morning summer-time walks are best, aren't they? Wow, you've been doing the 21 Day challenge in secret! Good luck! I'm on Day 15 today myself.

Mscat, I've been wondering where everybody is as well! Congrats on your points, and I'm sending you good vibes for the water drinking. I might struggle with this a bit myself today - it's colder here, so it's harder to drink so much!

Saturday report - Nice 50 minute walk this morning. It was such a pretty, quiet morning. Mist was rising off the river (Mississippi) and lying in all the low areas so when we got up on the ridge it was like we were in the clouds. Yes, Sushi - I hate to see the days start to get shorter. I really love early morning and will miss taking my walk then.

I'm not really doing the 21 day challenge in secret - just don't have time to post on all the threads so haven't really joined the challenge. It just seems like a "fun" thing to do -- just to see how far you can get. I know the only reason I made myself walk on Thursday night was because I didn't want to have to start over! Kind of silly to admit that - but it's true.

Hope everyone is having a nice week-end. It was a nice day here so I did laundry and ran errands including groceries. I like having that job out of the way.

Hi Ladies - I have missed you! Was running all day Friday picking up DD in OH (been gone all summer visiting her Dad), doing school shopping at the outlet store, then out to dinner with DH and DD to celebrate my birthday. I was so tired when we got home that I was out before I had a chance to post. Saturday a.m. I went to last bellydance class and had a grueling 2 hour workout. Then all day until 10:00 DH and I worked on construction project. My legs are killing me Anyway - getting ready to track my points for the day - I am sure I stayed under and water is so so.

Bev - isn't amazing how that 21 day challenge makes you not want to screw up?

Hang in there Sushi - I'm sending good vibes for you to get some sleep.

Walked 35 minutes this morning and mowed the lawn for 90 minutes. We've had quite a bit of rain and the grass was way too long so got plenty of exercise just re-starting the mower!

Am anxious to start next week's challenge - am going to still do 30 minutes of walking every day but am going to add 60 oz of water EVERY day as a goal. I work all five days and never drink enough water when I'm working.

Wow -Bev - What an awesome goal. I am going to take on a water challenge too! I have really been struggling with it but not really owning it as a part of a challenge. I am going for a whole week too! to us both.