I love fall - it's my favorite season and I always equate it with starting over. I don't seem to have ever ridded myself of that student mentality. Fall can also be a challenge because it's the start of the holiday season and all the scheduling and eating that's involved with it. Now October does start off with my birthday. While the world doesn't revolve around me (no matter how much I think it should), October always seems to be the kickoff for a lot of get-togethers for celebrating. Here's the breakdown for this year:
- Weekend 1: My birthday weekend with a day of brunching and dining with friends
- Weekend 2: Friends' wedding weekend celebrating their 10th anniversary with festivities (and probably some yummy RennFest food)
- Weekend 3: Mother-in-law's birthday dinner (her birthday is just a few days after mine, but our schedules make it difficult to get together any sooner. This is a joint celebration, so two dinners in one)
- Weekend 4: Friend's birthday probably with a fun dinner out somewhere
- Weekend 5: Mom's birthday with a trip to visit my parents so I can celebrate with Mom
Then there's November with another friend's birthday, Grandpa's birthday, Thanksgiving, and a going-away party. And December is filled with holiday gatherings, including our infamous Gingerbread Party and all the baking and preparation That go into it.
Another aspect of fall is the extra layering of clothes. I love to bundle up in sweaters and scarves. When this happens, I'm also hiding any of the weight gain that goes along with the season. I know my weight has crept up a little during that 3-month window just with everything that's going on.
So what am I going to do this year? To start, I'm focusing on staying on plan during the week. Even if I'm not exercising because of busy schedules, I know I can plan my meals and eat clean. I think each weekend will be limited to one gathering, and that's going to be my cheat. On weekends where that's not feasible, I'll try to keep both cheat meals as clean as possible given the options available to me. Even with going to my parents' house, I may prep all my meals except dinner and bring along the cooler. My parents generally eat healthy and I'm sure they'd have clean foods on hand, but it may just be easier to bring all my own stuff than try to take over their kitchen.
I think my main goals are to enjoy the company of others and to maintain rather than regain. Each January, my weight seems to creep back up to the 165 range. If I can keep it in the 150 range, I'll be happy. If I can reclaim the 140s, that's a bonus. I want to have a good balance between caring for myself (physically and emotionally), enjoying the company of others, and taking care of the things that are important to me.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Sunday, October 2, 2011
36 + 1 = ME!
Yes, I know I've been missing for quite some time. Just because I haven't been posting doesn't mean that I've fallen off the face of the Earth or given up on my efforts to be healthy. For the most part, I've been sticking with my plan. Since starting my rotation of fat and carb days, I've followed the plan with anticipate cheat meals. Yesterday was a cheat day, but I had expected that what with it being my birthday and all.
The area where I've been struggling more is with the exercise. My schedule has been really busy, as. September (and October) tend to be at way at work. Honestly, if given the choice I'll often opt for the extra sleep and the time with my husband. I've been at work late and don't have the energy to climb on the elliptical when I get home. I stay at work to get "one more thing" done instead of working out.
Basically, my "all-or-nothing" approach that often helps me be so successful has been working against me. If I don't have the time for a full 60 minute workout, I'll opt to not workout rather than get a shorter workout. This past week, I've been challenging this. Instead of a full hour, I'll take 45 minutes. Instead of 5 days of cardio, I'll take 3 days and be happy with it.
I probably sound like a broken record here, but perhaps if I keep repeating it I'll be better able to practice it - BALANCE! The eating is easy enough. When I've got a plan in place I'm able to follow it. I'm really happy with the cycling plan and finding ways for it to feel interesting and fresh each day.
Here are the main points I'm trying to keep in mind:
It's all about the long-haul, not the short race
I'm not a superhero and can't do everything, no matter how much I wish that were true
I'm trying to manage a lot of different things (though no more than most people) and it's important that I give myself where credit is due
Life will always have its compromises
The top goals in my life are:
Make time for my husband
Take care of my health
(Get pregnant - a combination of the above two)
Make time for friends and family
Maintain and advance my career
Allow time for rest, relaxation, and entertainment
At 36 years, 1 day, I must say that I'm happy and content with my life. Sure, there's always work to be done. I don't want to stall or stagnate. But I feel good about myself and what's going on in my life. I think this year going to be pretty good for me!
The area where I've been struggling more is with the exercise. My schedule has been really busy, as. September (and October) tend to be at way at work. Honestly, if given the choice I'll often opt for the extra sleep and the time with my husband. I've been at work late and don't have the energy to climb on the elliptical when I get home. I stay at work to get "one more thing" done instead of working out.
Basically, my "all-or-nothing" approach that often helps me be so successful has been working against me. If I don't have the time for a full 60 minute workout, I'll opt to not workout rather than get a shorter workout. This past week, I've been challenging this. Instead of a full hour, I'll take 45 minutes. Instead of 5 days of cardio, I'll take 3 days and be happy with it.
I probably sound like a broken record here, but perhaps if I keep repeating it I'll be better able to practice it - BALANCE! The eating is easy enough. When I've got a plan in place I'm able to follow it. I'm really happy with the cycling plan and finding ways for it to feel interesting and fresh each day.
Here are the main points I'm trying to keep in mind:
It's all about the long-haul, not the short race
I'm not a superhero and can't do everything, no matter how much I wish that were true
I'm trying to manage a lot of different things (though no more than most people) and it's important that I give myself where credit is due
Life will always have its compromises
The top goals in my life are:
Make time for my husband
Take care of my health
(Get pregnant - a combination of the above two)
Make time for friends and family
Maintain and advance my career
Allow time for rest, relaxation, and entertainment
At 36 years, 1 day, I must say that I'm happy and content with my life. Sure, there's always work to be done. I don't want to stall or stagnate. But I feel good about myself and what's going on in my life. I think this year going to be pretty good for me!
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