Today I am grateful that I'm inside my cozy house while the wind is howling outside!

Had dinner last night at friends' house - roast beef, roast potatoes, gravy, Yorkshire pudding, veggies, rolls, apple tart w/ice cream, cheese and crackers, lots of vino, many bite sized chocolates.  I was so full I thought my belly would explode!! 

Tried out my travel workout routine yesterday. My calves are in knots today! I have good definition in my calves and thought they must be quite strong with all the spin biking, etc. But this routine must have used different calf muscles. I'll have to do the cardio portion of this routine at least once a week before we go to Uganda so I don't end up having problems with sore calf muscles while we are there! I can't do any exercise that requires lying on the floor as all will be concrete and I'm not packing a mat. I'll try to do the cardio on dirt or grass instead of hard concrete floors. Here is the routine and it took me about 40 minutes then 5 minutes of stretching:

CARDIO:

• run in place w/high knees - 3 mins

alternate:

• jumping jacks – 3 sets of 25
• jump rope - 3 sets of 25

 (laps in Lakeview Hotel pool?) 1 week

STRENGTH:

• wall pushups – 3 sets of 15
• full planks - 3 sets at 20 seconds each
• triceps dips using chair - 3 sets of 10
• squats - 3 sets of 20
• lunges with water bottles - 3 sets of 20
• side dips with water bottle - 2 sets of 20
• hula hoops move – 4 sets of 10
• standing abs - 3 sets of 12 each leg
• standing side & backward leg lifts/fire hydrant - 3 sets of 10 each
• standing calf raises – 10 each leg
• tae bo side kick – 2 sets of 16 each leg
• arms routine 7 mins (set timer and do all the ones I remember)

Just doing some housework today although I'm not feeling energetic for some strange reason.  

Had 2 oatmeal raisin cookies this morning but otherwise plans are for clean eating today.  

Today I am grateful for a leisurely breakfast in bed with my hubby listening to the radio and looking at our view.  

I changed my current weight to reflect today's reading. Guess the chocolate and other snacks caught up with me. Not going to freak out, but will do something about it. I will enjoy our trip to Uganda more if I arrive with the option of gaining a few pounds. I consider 128 the very lowest weight for me (at least until the muscles start to make a difference on the scale, which I'm surprised they haven't yet). I predict we'll be drinking quite a bit of cold beer while we are there. In most places the bread, sweets, cheese and bacon are awful there, so those won't be a big problem. The chips/fries are good though. Traditional meals there are seriously high carb and as seen outside the cities, huge portions of matooke (cooked, mashed plantains) result in very large women!

I've got a travel routine worked out and I'm going to do it today to see how long it takes and what needs to change. I'll use water bottles for dumbbells. If I buy some 1.5 litre water bottles in Uganda, even better. That's what I used when we lived there. 

We've been invited to dinner at our friends' house tonight. Lots of vino. I'm going to bake them some oatmeal-raisin cookies as they liked those and they are low sugar. The hubby is diabetic. I used to bring them bottles of wine as a gift but I believe they buy wine by the case as they always have a huge stock.  Same for whisky.  (they have a B & B). 

Menu:

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• L:  grilled cheese sandwich (low fat cheddar on multigrain), yogurt, clementine, banana
• D:  at friends' house

Have a lovely and healthy weekend, ladies!  

Edit: Just remembered that today it's been 32 years since the death of John Lennon. I remember it very, very well. I was overwhelmed with sadness. 

Today I am grateful for clean air and clean water!

Yesterday I went grocery shopping after spin class and tried to resist all the baked goodies displayed everywhere. Made it to the last aisle and bought a box of bite sized chocolates.   I've just been wanting to snack non-stop for weeks especially sugar. Sometimes I resist, but more often I don't. I ate that entire box of chocolates last night!!!    I really need to get ready for our trip and want to have a 'credit' before we go and get down to 128. It seems no matter how much I indulge my weight stays stable between 130-132.  

My neighbour came over earlier today and she keeps making comments about how skinny I am.  Today she said I looked gaunt. Hmm....  Last time I heard that was when I was 45 and got down to 119 and I did look gaunt as many tried to tell me but I didn't listen.

Workout at gym:

• 15 mins treadmill
• 10 mins rowing machine
• about 5 mins on the elliptical while I waited for a very selfish man who stayed on the only spin bike in the gym for a solid hour!! 
  
• 25 mins spin bike
• 3 sets of 12 on 6 resistance machines
• cables/pulley for triceps - 3 sets of 12
• back lifts on half ball - 3 sets of 10

Menu:

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• S:  post workout:  oatcakes w/pb
• L:  grilled cheese sandwich, yogurt, grapes, clementine
• S:  2 oatcakes and nutella (wasn't on the plan for today!)
• D:  veggie curry & rice, salad/ 1/2 pint hubbys home brew
• S:  will try to avoid snacking tonight due to the unplanned nutella snack
• Teas & lots of water

TOTAL:  1715

Today I am grateful that the snow is nearly melted!

Although it's rainy and windy and cold...

Making plans to visit stepdaughter and her husband and baby son, probably the end of next week. They live in Inverness which is 200+ miles away.  We expect they'll spend xmas day at her mother's house.  

Workout:

• 30 mins spin bike class

Menu:  (whether I stick to it or not is the question)

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• L:  1/2 pbj sandwich, oj
• S:  2 clementines, banana
• D:  veggie curry & rice, salad
• S:  yogurt 1/2 pint hubbys home brew
• Teas & water

TOTAL:  1413

Today I am grateful that I don't hate my body like I did for years and that I feel 20 years younger than I am!

Just under 5 weeks before we leave for Uganda and I'm honing my travel workout routines keeping in mind that most, if not all, of the floors will be hard concrete. I will only bring my smartphone with internet, no computer, no DVD players.  My biggest concern is not building more muscle but keeping what I've worked so hard to build. I know from previous trips/illness that not working out for as little as 2 weeks can make things start to get flabby. Got some good abs tips from V so I think I've got it pretty well worked out. 3 times a week.  I will do short posts on DD while we're away so I'll feel I'm accountable.  

Workout at gym:

• 30 mins treadmill
• 15 mins elliptical
• 3 sets of 12 on 6 resistance machines
• cables/pulley for triceps - 3 sets of 12
• back lifts on half ball - 3 sets of 10

Workout at home:

• 7 min video routine for triceps/arms
• dumbbells - 3 sets of 12 - 7 routines
• side dips with dumbbell
• squats
• lunges w/dumbbells
• thighs/glutes with ankle weights
• planks (full and alternating)
• push ups
• triceps dips
• thigh master
• abs-5 routines
• bridge (for glutes)

Menu:

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• S:  2 oatcakes w/pb
• L:  tuna sandwich, yogurt, 2 clementines
• S:  oatcake
• D:  leftover pasta and French bread, salad
• S:  oatcake

Teas, water, diluted juice.  Trying to stay away from the diet coke, etc that I've been drinking a lot of again. I think it's giving me heartburn and indigestion

TOTAL:  1639

Today I am grateful that I saw these scenes from my window/porch today (although I'm not fond of snow!).

Rest day. Giving hubby a break from cooking and making French bread and pasta with homemade sauce.   

Menu:

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• L:  tuna sandwich w/extra light mayo on multigrain bread, yogurt
• S:  2 clementines
• D:  pasta w/homemade sauce & Quorn mince, salad, French bread
• S:  oatcake
• Teas, water, Lilt Zero

TOTAL:  under 1500 depending on how well I resist eating too much warm French bread!

Today I am grateful for Kahlil Gibran and his wisdom!

We woke up to snow.    It's about 38F right now so it should melt.  It's a slushy mess right now.  

Workout at gym:

• 35 mins intense spin bike
• 15 mins treadmill
• 3 sets of 12 on 6 resistance machines
• cables/pulley for triceps - 3 sets of 12
• back lifts on half ball - 3 sets of 10

Workout at home:

• 7 min video routine for triceps/arms
• dumbbells - 3 sets of 12 - 7 routines
• side dips with dumbbell
• squats
• lunges w/dumbbells
• thighs/glutes with ankle weights
• planks (full and alternating)
• push ups
• triceps dips
• thigh master
• abs-5 routines
• bridge (for glutes)

Menu:

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• S:  oatcake w/pb, picked up some spices at the shop and a bag of Maltesers (malted milk balls) jumped into the basket.  
• L:  grilled cheese sandwich, yogurt
• S:  2 clementines
• D:  chickpea curry & rice, salad - also going to try making some spice-crusted tofu
• S:  oatcake
• Teas & water & diluted juice and some evil diet Coke.  

TOTAL:  1631

Today I am grateful for a warm house!!

Rest day, but I'm sorta doing an extra thorough cleaning of the master bedroom. So far I got the thick dust off the top of our wardrobe.... Better get away from this computer and finish it, or at least get most of it done.  

I did update my blog which I don't do often enough:  

http://solasachanalba.blogspot.co.uk/

We leave on our trip to Uganda in just over a month and I'm trying to figure out how I will manage to do strength training while there. Some is obvious, but others are not. I won't be able to bring my exercise mat, and carpet is rarely used in Uganda. Floors are most often concrete. I can still do planks, pushups, leg lifts, but what about abs? I have yet to find good abs routines that don't involve lying down. Do abs while lying on the bed?? I'm not worried about cardio but am most concerned about my muscles disappearing like they have before on trips. 

Menu:

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• L:  4 slices turkey bacon on multigrain bread with mustard, fresh pineapple
• S:  2 clementines, yogurt
  
• D:  chickpea curry & rice, salad
• S:  Sesame Snaps
• Teas, water, diluted juice

TOTAL:  1486

Today I am grateful for the gorgeous scenery outside my window!  

We had a nice two days in Glasgow. Temps were about 2C/35F but it was sunny most of the time and stayed dry and I had my long Michigan down coat, and cashmere scarf. Thursday we met for lunch with my husband's brother and his wife whom we haven't seen for ages even though they just live in Glasgow. I think lunch and chatting lasted about 3 hours.  We are all going to Thailand for our niece's wedding early in 2014 and will likely combine this with a trip to Australia (where niece lives). 

We really enjoyed the classical concert Thursday night as well. We were amazed by this 20 year old guitarist who was the soloist. http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/artists/aa231e7e-3672-4600-ac19-0d936c79dc06  The concert was live on the radio so everyone was very careful not to cough!  

We also got our flu jabs/shots on Thursday and did some shopping. Friday morning we went to a couple of museums, one of which was the anatomy museum at the university. Lots of emm...interesting bodies and body parts which was preserved or pickled or whatever they did.

Won't mention the food/beers. 

Since we were gone I missed my usual grocery shopping day and I avoid Saturday shopping like the plague... but I shopped this morning and got out early. I was at the shop by 9:00 and the crowds hadn't hit yet. 

Workout at home:

• 45 mins tae bo/jump rope
• 7 min video routine for triceps/arms
• dumbbells - 3 sets of 12 - 7 routines
• side dips with dumbbell
• squats
• lunges w/dumbbells
• thighs/glutes with ankle weights
• planks (full and alternating)
• push ups
• triceps dips
• thigh master
• abs-5 routines
• bridge (for glutes)

Menu:

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• S:  picked up a 2 serving packet of Nutella at the shop and ate it on 2 oatcakes (yummy but loads of calories!)
• L:  2 slices turkey bacon, 1 egg on multigrain bread
• S:  2 clementines, grapes
• D:  chickpea curry & rice, salad
• S:  yogurt, Sesame snaps
• Teas, water, dilute juice

TOTAL:  under 1800 

Today I am grateful for another day of sunshine!  

Temp is about 41F, but it's dry. Got myself an early xmas gift from hubby. Told him I was long overdue for a quality, long, hooded raincoat. Picked it up today. Now I have no excuse not to go for walks in the rain.

Early tomorrow we go into Glasgow for an overnight stay. We're meeting hubby's brother and his wife for lunch. Also getting our flu jabs. Concert in the evening is the Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Rodrigo's Guitar Concerto.  A bit of shopping while we are there as well.  And of course sampling different ales and beers. 

Workout at gym:

• 35 mins spin bike - intense!!
• 15 mins treadmill - 10% incline at 6kph for the final 5 mins
• 3 sets of 12 on 6 resistance machines (increased the weight on 2 of the upper body machines)
• cables/pulley for triceps - 3 sets of 12
  

Workout at home:

• 7 min video routine for triceps/arms
• dumbbells - 3 sets of 12 - 7 routines
• side dips with dumbbell
• squats
• lunges w/dumbbells
• thighs/glutes with ankle weights
• planks (full and alternating)
• push ups
• triceps dips
• thigh master
• abs-5 routines
• bridge (for glutes)

Menu: (some indulgence coming up next 2 days so being good today) - need to have husband hide the oatcakes!

• B:  porridge/cinnamon/raisins/chopped almonds/skimmed milk, tea w/milk
• S:  post workout:  2 oatcakes w/pb
• L:  seeded multigrain toast w/pbj, yogurt, fresh pineapple, clementine, oatcake
• D:  veggie curry & rice, salad, drink
• S:  yogurt
• Teas & water

TOTAL:  1499