Off to the Gym

To the gym, to the gym, to the gym I go. Vertigo manageable, so off to the gym today. I feel much better when I exercise and eat well. Amazing the difference it makes. Wonder what took me so long to figure this out.

Slip-Sliding Away

Finding it really, really hard to get back in the grove of lifestyle changes now that I am away from the stress of trying to work through parental illnesses. I am eating better, but now I am addicted to Greek yogurt that I seem to be eating like candy. HAVE to get back to the exercise in the evenings routine because, as always, eating in the evening  is proving to be my downfall. I may have to give up TV and go to strictly Hulu computer watching. Of course, then I miss the lovely interactions with my kitties who like to sit on me while I watch TV.

Also, cannot wait for spring! The sun is out today, but cooler. I really enjoy sitting on the back deck with a cup of coffee in the mornings. Just gets the day started right. Come on, spring!!

Back Home and On Track

Okay, back home and back on track logging food and exercising. Going to water aerobics this afternoon and eating healthy today. The last couple of days in Arkansas were a bust in terms of healthy eating. Baked a pie, ate chocolates, and in general did things I am trying to learn to control in an uncontrolled fashion.

Just watched my cat go nuts trying to get into the treat pouch–cat crack. That is what chocolate is to me this time of year to me. I feel for the little fella, but he has had enough cat crack for now. Now if only someone could do that for me. Although I am sure I would complain mightily if it was tried.

Healthy eating

Well, still in Arkansas. Think my mother’s pain is transferring to me. Can barely stand from a sitting position due to back pain. However, watching her struggles makes me more aware than ever of the need to get my life back on track in terms of eating healthy foods and exercising regularly. I simply feel better when I eat right and exercise. Have been eating okay here, but no exercise to speak of. Should be able to go home in a couple of days once things settle down over here and get back on track. I am not far enough along in my own journey to do as well away from my routine.

Stress Levels

Both parents sick, so an 8-hour drive to help out. Stress levels high. Limited exercise. Trying to still eat healthy food though.

Wish Me Luck

Wish me luck. I am off to take care of my mother who is in the hospital and stress is the most likely thing to start a downward spiral. However, I am taking my gym clothes and want to teach her to eat healthier food. Have already checked gyms in the area and can use the Y there as a guest, so here’s hoping I stay on track. I had a moment of “Oh my god, I am going to eat a bag full of chocolate covered peanuts. I don’t care.” Then I got on the scale and I had lost a pound. I am NOT going to gain that hard-lost pound back.  As they said in Star Wars, “stay on target, stay on target.”

Evening Exercise = A+

Okay, the evening exercise choice is working for me. When I exercise at night, I am able to control my evening food binges. YEAH!! All this means is that I have to go to the gym 7 days a week or risk a binge. Not sure I like that idea, but I am feeling good and like the exercise, so why not keep it up for awhile.

I have to go out of town next week, so I am worried about my gym time. I don’t do as well exercising on my own though I know I can with resistance bands, etc. I am going to have to gear up for some type of “at home” exercise plan, especially since I am staying with friends who are junk food junkies. I am going to be better this time about planning/preparing food to take with me, finding a way to exercise, and staying on track. Fingers crossed!!

Exercise Timing

For me, exercising in the evenings works. I managed to stave off food binges yesterday evening because I did water aerobics for 75 minutes, then sat in steam room just for fun, and came home to a crockpot meal. YEAH!! I had a high protein snack before exercising to get me through, then ate dinner later (around 7:30). I know some people say you shouldn’t eat after 7 p.m., but I think what it really boils down to is whether your calories spent exceed your calorie intake, so I am ignoring the don’t eat after 7 p.m. rule.

I have to admit that the Lime Cilantro Chicken was not as good as I hoped it would be. It is not a toss-away recipe yet, but definitely needs some tweaking. I will not add two limes or or use fresh salsa next time. Had way too much liquid. Also, I will add more spices. For the remainder of the chicken, I am going to add fried (in 1 tbsp of olive oil) onions and peppers. I think that will help a lot.

As for exercise, I’ve decided timing is the key for me. I would prefer to exercise in the mornings and get it done. I have heard that for better sleep you need to finish exercise 4 hours before going to bed, but to avoid evening food binges, I have chosen to exercise in the evenings. It works for me. I believe we all have to decide what works best for us through trial and error, and not just from what we read about general health.