Monday, December 7, 2009

GMST Challenge-Day 9&10

Ups and downs...

Sleep:
I was in bed at a decent hour last night and I am still exhausted today. I had trouble sleeping through the night. First, I was hot. I cannot sleep when I'm hot. Second, the cats were running around at 2:30 AM!!! Once I ripped off the comforter and the cats settled down again I was able to sleep.
Food:
Day 9: I got a little off track. I had ice cream...a lot of ice cream and I feel like crap!! Not so much emotionally as physically. My body felt great without the crap and then to put all that ice cream in it...not good! I feel bloated, heavier, lethargic, less focused and I have a wicked headache coming on. Looking back at the act of eating the ice cream I notice that it wasn't the usual binge. I wasn't sitting around inhaling it like it was my last chance to eat ice cream...ever. It actually took me a while to eat it. I enjoyed the rich, creamy flavor; savored it. I am not sure if this is a good thing or not but it's definitely different.
Day 10: It's a new day and so far so good. I am eating as I normally would. I am not cutting calories or restricting myself in any way. Whatever happened with my food yesterday is in the past and I cannot change it. All I can do is treat my body with love and respect by giving it nourishing foods today.
Workout:
Day 9: Yoga and a little walking
Day 10: 2 mile jog/walk
Self Care:
I am scheduled to volunteer tonight but if this headache keeps up I will have to cancel. I really don't want to cancel. Either way, I plan on getting to be early.

Until tomorrow...

Saturday, December 5, 2009

GMST Challenge-Day 7&8

Happy Saturday everyone! It's Day 8 and I'm feelin great!!

Sleep:
I need to work on getting to bed earlier. If I don't, I am worn out by the end of the week. When this happens I am more likely to eat unhealthy foods and ditch the workouts.
Food:
I let myself indulge in a piece of flour-less chocolate cake last night. Whole Foods sells it by the slice so I didn't have to buy an entire cake (which would be dangerous!). It was yummy and totally worth the splurge.

In the past 7 days I have not had any fast food and only ate outside of the home once for breakfast (Day 6). 
Workout:
Day 7: I went to the gym and did weights for about 40 minutes. I feel a little sore today which feels great!       
Day 8: Most Saturdays I walk with disabled people in Central Park. Today however, it's cold and rainy. Rather than going back to bed, which was tempting, I got up and did a Tae Bo and Pilates video. My abs are tired!!
Self Care:
I worked out 6 out of 8 days...even when I didn't feel like it!

Since it's cold and rainy I am going to stay indoors and tackle my to-do list. I need to purge, organize, clean and get my Christmas cards ready to send out. Crossing things off my to-do list always gives me a sense of accomplishment.

How do you feel about your to-do list?

Until tomorrow...BeWell!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

GMST Challenge-Day 6

6 days down!!!

Sleep:
Went to bed earlier than Tuesday night but not early enough. 
Food:
I had to buy breakfast b/c I got up too late this morning. I had eggs w/cheese on whole wheat toast. I thought about a muffin but decided eggs would be better. The rest of the day was good.
Workout:
Today was a day of REST!!! It's important to schedule in some down time or you may burn out.
Self Care:
Gave myself a day off from the workout and my eating was decent.

Tomorrow is Day 7!!! I am thinking about working in a treat...maybe a cookie or something. To deprive myself will eventually cause a binge. Planning in an occasional treat is necessary for me as long as it really is occasional and of a reasonable portion. I'll let you all know what I end up getting. Until tomorrow...

Surviving the Holiday Party



Tonight I am attending my first holiday party of the season. I find it so easy to get sucked into all of the excess this time of year. Here are my top 5 tips to surviving the holiday party.

1: Remember all the hard work you have done this year. Make a list and review it before you head out the door. Thinking about all you have accomplished will help you stay positive and focused on your health goals.

2: Think about where you want to be at this time next year. If your goal is to fit into your favorite little black dress then eating an entire cookie tray and downing a bottle of wine just because it's the holiday season isn't helping you work towards your goal.

3: Eat something healthy before you go out. If you arrive hungry you will be more likely to binge.

4: Set an alcohol limit. Making a conscious decision about how many drinks you will consume will help you stick to your health goals.

5: At the dessert table ask yourself what you really want?  Is a cookie what you really want? And if so, what kind of cookie? If your favorite is double chocolate chip and they only have oatmeal and sugar then skip the cookies. I find that if you don't eat what you really want you will overeat to compensate. Scan the dessert table and find something you truly desire and eat a reasonable portion. This will leave you satisfied and feeling guilt-free.

If after all the planning you happen to overindulge don't beat yourself up. Tomorrow is a new day. Do think about why you overate and what steps you can take next time. Remember, we are all human and we all make mistakes.

Be Well!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

GMST Challenge-Day 5

Day 5!!!!

Sleep:
Went to bed too late again and was tired all day. I need to work on this.
Food:
I ate more for lunch and it made a difference. I had the desire for a vending machine treat but it wasn't b/c I was hungry. The desire was b/c I was tired, bored and needed comfort food. I did not go to the vending machine though. Instead, I drank water and then about 4:30 I had an apple with pb.
Workout:
Went to the gym and barely made it 2 miles on the treadmill. I started out doing a jog/walk and ended up walking most of it. I was so tired...this is why I need to get to bed on time!!
Also had a 1 hr Pilates private lesson and it was fantastic!
Self-Care:
Avoided the vending machine and worked out.


Cravings

Got cravings? If so, you may be lacking something in your life. Maybe your life is too boring or stressful. Maybe you are overwhelmed and not able to schedule in enough "me" time. Whatever it may be, a craving is a signal from your body telling you that something is out of balance. A craving for something sweet could mean that you need more love or sweetness in your life.

No person, book or dietary theory can tell you how and what to eat. Listen to your body. The next time you have a craving, try these tips: 
  • Have a glass of water and wait 10 minutes.
  • Eat a healthier version of what you crave. For example, if you crave sweets try eating more fruit or sweet vegetables.
  • Create a nourishment menu. A nourishment menu is a list of things that nourish you. Yoga, Pilates, mani./pedi with the girls, long hot bubble bath...these are just a few on my list. I keep this list on my refrigerator to remind me that food is not the answer.
  • If you do decide to give into a craving do not punish yourself. Ask yourself what was going on at the time you had the craving. Were you stressed? Overwhelmed? Lonely? Notice what is out of balance in your life and works towards creating balance in those areas.
Listen to your body and it will tell you everything you need to know.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

GMST Challenge-Day 4

My day was so-so. I went to bed a little later than I should have and got up late. I managed to eat breakfast at home and get to work on-time but I was rushed and felt a little "off" all day.

Sleep:
Went too bed too late.
Food:
Had to hit the vending machine this afternoon b/c I was STARVING! My vending machine choice...animal crackers. Animal crackers are low in fat and calories but high in processed stuff. In my mind it was a better choice than M&Ms. Tomorrow I am going to try to eat more at lunch and see how that works.
Workout:
I was tired today and did not want to go to the gym but I did. When I feel lazy I usually do the bike. I did 30 minutes on random hill program with 10 resistance. Woo hoo!!
Self-Care:
I went to acupuncture after work. I started going about a year ago to help with sleep and now I go monthly for a tune-up.
I also managed to go to Whole Foods and leave without 1 bakery item. For those who know me, this is a HUGE deal. I always pick up 1 or 2 or 5 (not proud of the 5) items from the bakery. Not only did I leave empty handed but I didn't even browse. I had no desire. This could be due to my relaxed state after acupuncture or maybe these last 4 days without the junk has started to diminish my cravings for sweets. Whatever the reason, I am happy!!

Be Well!!