Nov. 21: These Boots Were Made for Walkin'.....

I feel amazing.  I took a looooonnnnggg walk with the dog today.  My back didn't hurt, my leg didn't hurt, and the cold crisp air felt fabulous against my cheeks.

Ever since I moved, at the beginning of October, my back has steadily gotten worse.  Exercise has gone done the toilet.  I've been seeing a chiropractor and the improvement is nothing short of miraculous.  Before this treatment, after about 10 minutes I was dragging my numb, tingling right leg behind me like Quasimodo.  Today, I felt really good and did some stretching.  I took a short walk to the store and when I cam back, I decided to leash up the pup and go for it.  We wound through all sorts of little streets in our new neighborhood (I say new because we haven't really seen that much of it so far."

Now the pooch is laying on her favorite chair, pooped out, and I'm here typing, feeling inspired about health and fitness again!

(I couldn't get rid of the freaky eyes - I promise, she is a normal brown-eyed doggy!)

Every week, it seems like there is a challenge, standing in the way of healthy eating.  Sometimes it's my schedule, sometimes it is roadblocks and temptations thrown in the way by others.

This week, it's "brokeness."

I've got very little money for groceries this week.  We won't starve to death or anything, but fat seems to be the world's cheapest ingredient.  Everything inexpensive seems to be quite high in fat and carbs.

I have tomorrow off, so I will be looking for some bargains, and I will adapt my menu around them.  My veggie intake has not been what it should be lately either, something else I need to rectify.  This week you can expect a lot of stir fries.  I'm also going to be looking for some less expensive protein options - I'm very partial to skinless boneless chicken but it may not be in the budget right now.  I may also make a beef and cabbage soup.  We've really been enjoying a nice bowl of soup at the end of a long day - and it's another effective way to get the veggies in.

I'll be back after grocery shopping tomorrow to post the menu!

Nov. 6: Still Going Well!

So far, so good.  I have finally stayed on plan for a few days in a row!

I managed to stick to my menu this week.  As well, when I got faced with grabbing something on the go, I got the healthiest options possible. At a workplace lunch, I only had two very small pieces of pizza, skipped the wings and breadsticks, and didn't feel like I was deprived.  On the go, I grabbed a bean burrito and a bottle of water.  I was pleased with that.

My calorie intake has been under 1800 all week, but so far, the scale isn't showing it at all.  It is so hard for me to budge the scale (downward at least).  On the bright side, I feel much better.  I feel lighter and more energetic when I eat healthy unprocessed foods.

My challenge this week is finding time to exercise. I don't know how on earth I am going to fit it in, but that is the missing link in my "get back to a healthy weight" plan.  I'm going to ponder that today and post my plan.

This morning, I'm taking my girls to the mall to wander around while I get my haircut.  Lunch will be at the food court.  I'm going to get a Greek Salad with grilled chicken at the souvlaki place - a pretty good option from the choices available.  This weekend will be a rush of birthday parties and chauffeuring kids, but I plan to get out on at least two long walks with the dog.

I'll be back this evening with an exercise plan!

April 14: Spring is the perfect time to get started!

Spring.......aaaahhhh.

Why is it that people start their diets and exercise programs on New Year's Day, in the dead of winter, surrounded by leftover holiday treats and gloomy gray skies?

It's clear to me that SPRING is the time to make a fresh start to your lifestyle!  If you have already begun your journey to a healthier you, now is the time to recommit, and if you are contemplating making some positive changes, there is no better time to do so.

Why?  Lots of reasons!

#1

The beautiful  weather entices you  to lace up your sneakers and go for a walk to see what's blooming!  And just like that, you've begun your exercise program!

#2

Delicious spring vegetables are at their peak!  It's a great time to try asparagus (my favorite), fiddleheads, baby peas, and spinach.  Another good reason to buy them now is this is the lowest price of the year because you are able to purchase them locally.

#3

Spring fruit is here in all it's mouth-watering goodness!  It's strawberry season here in Ontario.  Other goodies you may find locally are rhubarb, and soon, apricots and cherries.

#4

Great selections are now available at your local farmer's markets.  Now is the time of year to abandon your grocery store and buy your food fresh from the grower.  Not only will you get excellent prices but you learn about how the food is raised and help the local economy.  Win-Win-Win situation.

Spring is a time of year that just makes me feel good.  The warmth and sunshine make me happy.  The looming aspect of swimsuit season also helps me to get my butt in gear.  So walk, work in your yard, and enjoy moving in the fresh spring air.  Feast on the delicate delicious produce that spring has to offer.

Spring is Nature's fresh start - let it be your start too!

April 2: A Little Ray of Sunlight

Finally, I'm starting to feel like a ray of sunshine is getting through the cloud of depression.

I had to go back to the doctor recently because the depression and anxiety have been winning out over my intentions.  I have had a lot of trouble getting out of the house.  My medication was increased.  For the first few days, of course, nothing happened.  I still made myself get out and walk everyday, telling myself the dog needed it.  But in truth, I'm the one who needs it.

For some reason, going to a public place, like the bank, is really difficult for me right now, but in the woods near my house, I can follow those circling trails for miles, just accompanied by my dog and some good tunes on the Ipod, and get away from that anxiety.  It feels like the very trees are sheltering me from the bad feelings, the shortness of breath, the nausea, the overwhelming feeling that people are staring at me.

Some days I walk out there alone and cry.  I cry for my Dad, whom I miss more than I ever thought possible.  Because his illness was long, and he was suffering, I thought that his death would bring relief.  I thought I had prepared myself for losing him.  I'm glad he isn't in pain anymore but I wasn't prepared for the ache in my heart that is never far from the surface.  Sometimes when I am out there, alone but for the dog, a bright male cardinal lights in our path and stares at us, lets us get amazingly close.  I think of my dad, because he loved birds and the cardinal was always his favorite - he always pointed them out anytime he saw one.  It feels, just for a quick second, like he is saying hello.

The past week, I've really increased my mileage.  I feel nearly compelled to seek the solace of the woods and walk until I can hardly move my legs to carry me another step.  I've been walking 6 kilometers through the woods every afternoon, and then after dinner, I've taken a shorter walk, less brisk, with the dog, and sometimes my daughter.  If I walk far enough maybe the cloud of depression will get tired of following me.

Yesterday, for the first time in recent memory, I felt good.  I felt like my sense of humor was present.  I was actually hungry.  I had a bit more energy and I sat outside on the front porch and chatted briefly with a neighbor, instead of ducking into the backyard to enjoy fresh air.

When I was out in the woods I thought of Dad, but I didn't cry.  I smiled.  I remembered going with him to Wal-Mart, on one of his morning walks, when he was 85.  He was getting very feeble, taking short steps where he hardly lifted his feet, and using a cart for support, yet he made his laps around the store until he succeeded in completing his mile.  If he could do that, I have no right to give up and cave to how I'm feeling. 

So I'm trying to make today better than yesterday and will continue to do that everyday from here on out.  I'm sure there will be bad days where I regress a little, but step by step I will recover from this.  If I just keep walking, the depression will get tired of following, and give up, and let more sunshine in.