Good morning! A slow start this morning. I slept in until almost 6:30am, even though I went to bed around 9:30pm. I felt that I just needed it.
I was pleased & relieved to see that the number on the scale was heading back down. I needed a sign that I hadn't let things get out of control. As I mentioned to Coffee, I'm really looking for a weight range of 127-133. Oh my, seeing that written down, really looking at it, seems a bit daunting. That is losing 3-6 pounds. Not easy to do as we head into the holidays and the darker, colder months. It definitely has its challenges, but like Horn, I love a challenge, and I think I'm up for it.
I have 2 loads of laundry in process. I am planning to go to the gym today. If I read today & tonight, I should be able to finish my 1st library book tomorrow. I would really like to do this. I should shampoo a few of the stairs in the house soon. It's a bit taxing on the shoulders, but it's actually a relaxing, satisfying thing to do. Something about watching the dirty water being sucked out of the carpet has a meditative feeling to it, lol.
Other than that, not too much planned for today. I need to get my day started.
AFTERNOON EDIT:
I didn't mention this earlier but I have been struggling with sadness and anxiety today. A LOT.
This morning, it was anxiety starting to creep up, which I am sure that was related to knowing that my time off is coming to an end. I started feeling paralyzed and couldn't get my day started because doing so would bring Monday all the more closer. (A warped perception because Monday will be here, when it's here, whether I started my day or not!)
Went to the gym, and that helped a lot with dissapating the anxiety. I haven't mentioned it here, but it continues to bother me about that whole personal trainer fiasco. Wow, I never would have signed up for a "free session" if I knew how it was going to turn out as it did, and linger on and on and on....
It really bothers me to see him - I'm not sure why exactly, I mean, I did what I was supposed to do - and the problem is that he's at the gym pretty much all morning and early afternoon on Saturdays. Bleah.
So yes, he was there this afternoon, and he was training this woman who I have seen him train with before (before I trained with him). Initially, a while back, when I saw these 2, I thought, "Wow, that trainer is tough; he's really working that lady hard! I want that." But today, when I saw them, I thought, "Wow, she looks so miserable working out. At least I'm smiling, even if it's behind this mask." LOL!
I don't feel so bothered any more. And I don't feel so anxious any more either. But I do feel waves of sadness. Maybe it's delayed hormones from TOM? Usually that happens right before TOM starts, not as it comes to an end. I'll ride it out because if it IS hormones, it will pass. And if it ISN'T hormones, it will still pass.
I'm looking forward to cleaning the stairs - with a feeling of accomplishment - and then relaxing with reading my book, maybe watching a little fun TV.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -1.5 lbs to go!
Not much soreness - at all - this morning, from yesterday's barbell class. Enjoyed yoga immensely last night. The teacher asked me what I wanted to work on, and I said neck and shoulders, and she counter-offered with 2 new hip exercises she wanted to show me. So I said, Sure! (because I can always use a good stretch in my hips), and so the session turned out to be more of a full-body stretch, which was really what I needed, after all!
I confess that last night, after dinner, I had a title company cookie. Those things have to go. The 2 or 3 that are left are not the better flavors. Plus, tomorrow is weigh-in, so I think I can hold off eating one today/tonight. After I finished the cookie, I immediately thought I had "blown it", but then I realized, it was just one cookie, and I didn't have to "blow it" by finishing up the cookies or eating anything else. So I was done eating for the day, satisfied, and still on track (for the most part). 200 additional calories is a lot better than 600-800 additional calories.
After the gym yesterday morning, the rest of the day was kind of relaxing and quiet. Read my book, took a short nap, watched CSI with my Husband (now "our show"), rode my bike a little, had yoga.
In about 15 mintues I will be sitting in on the VA Move class today, with Husband. This will probably be the only class I can attend with him, as an observer. We're learning about tracking food today. He has stalled on his weight loss for about a week, maybe 2. This is because he's been eating more. The reasons why he's been eating more are varied and complicated. I get it. It's hard. All of it is hard. Some days we win, some days we lose. And some days, it's a draw.
I do hope to get to the gym today, but we also want to go to the range to shoot. (This is going to be our "date" thing to do.) I also hope to read more of my (1st) library book. Oh, and I have a new episode of Great British Baking Show to watch on TV tonight. Yay! (lol)
I don't know what the Boss is talking about. I could get used to this retirement thing.
Progress as of today: 52 lbs lost so far, only -0.5 lbs to go!
Sounds like a terrific yoga class! Yay!
Don’t frets over one lousy cookie! I’ve been downing a big slice of chocolate mousse cake almost every night. Take Alli to block some of the fat. Too bad it’s only 25%!
On the other hand, because they are "gourmet" (eye-roll), one would be enough to be satisfying for a sweet-tooth. I'm very glad I was able to stop and catch myself.
I never found the medications to be helpful, for me, other than the anti-anxiety drugs knocking me out. I'm not sure that's really a solution though.
The rest of them -- not really very helpful at all.
I never found the medications to be helpful, for me, other than the anti-anxiety drugs knocking me out. I'm not sure that's really a solution though.
The rest of them -- not really very helpful at all.
I’m glad you didn’t type a new entry today so now I can get caught up on your Friday one :)
Yoga sounds to be amazing ! I have this new monthly nurse therapist that I speak to on the phone 1-2x month. She’s been bc the other is on maternity leave and will prob stay with a reduced schedule. She recommend I do yoga - haha. I told her I’m good for now as I already have a routine that I like but that I have thought about yoga in the future as my body changes and heavy weights may be less suitable for me then :) after the first phone call, she seems to be a decent nurse / therapist. Due to my former situation, I have an opportunity eith my insurance to continue with this healthcare option as long as I need, for free, no copay. So I just continue as I live alone and do not chat too much so I figure an extra, non friend or family ear is good to have ;)
EXCELLENT job keeping it to one cookie ! Yes !!!! This is how to change a habit ! By changing your thinking. This is truly one of the hardest things I had to do with my own eating and habits. It helps to eat slowly, have liquids available after eating, and I sometimes (actually many times) hold my guinea pigs and cuddle which prevents me from getting up as fast for more….
Anyway, consider remaining open to the idea, if for no other reason than a really nice, structured stretch after working out.
**It's also a great stretch after sitting at a desk all day. 10 minutes is all it would take.
It hit me this morning, as now I'm no longer "on vacation" and am in the "regular weekend", that right about now, my Boss would be recharged & ready to go back to the office on Monday. Not me! I'm feeling a twinge of anxiety about having to go back to face the workload. Yes, I feel relaxed and recharged, but I'm not actually wanting to go back to the job. I'm not even really missing my co-workers much.
It has always amazed me how people just accept the longer commutes. When the kids were little, I was friends with a woman whose husband had a 2-hour commute one-way to work every day. EVERY DAY. Dude, move closer to work! Why would you want to do that? Your commute is a part-time 20-hour 2nd job in itself!
i also never understand people that have those 2hr each way drives without much traffic, on the off hours, ugh!
Happy Veterans Day - THANK YOU all those who have served. My grandpa was in WW II (Navy, Pacific action), My step-father was in the Marines, pre-Vietnam War before it became an official action. My Husband was a Marine (Beruit). My Brother was Air Force (not sure but he spent a lot of time in Saudi Arabia). Someday, my Son will be a Veteran (Air Force).
Thank you for serving our country! (And a big thank you to Candian and British veterans as well!)
I have today off from work - yay! - and I debated whether or not I would go to the barbell class at the gym. TOM is here, so I've been feeling some fatigue from that, but I knew that if I didn't seize this opportunity to take the class, I would regret it. I woke up early, on my own, felt OK, so I decided to reserve a spot and attend the class.
It was kind of neat going to the gym during the week in the morning - definitely not my usual routine! I *AM* really glad that I took the class. I was able to keep up for the most part, except when we put the barbell aside and worked on core muscles. Twisting sit-ups just aren't my thing. I would take the class again, if it were offered at a time that I could attend.
One thing I learned is that if you find a certain exercise has become easy, if you do that same exercise much slower, it becomes more difficult. Oh yes... I'll let you know if my arms confirm this tomorrow!
So... Coffee had touched on this, and I would like to write about it for my own journey, as I am in a similar spot. I thought I was doing a good job with estimating portions and "healthy choices", but I realized that this is not happening. I am eating too much for what I want to accomplish, which is to be at a "fighting weight" for my doctor's appointment on 12/13. Overall, I'd like to at least be a little under goal (135) to have some breathing room. And neither of those things will happen if I stay this course.
I'm not sure what I want to do that will work for me at this time. Do I want to start tracking again? Not really. Can I just practice restraint? Maybe. <<<The correct answer is a confident "of course I can!" but right now, I'm not feeling very confident. That's probably because my leg muscles are feeling a little shaky from the barbell class this morning, LOL!
Progress as of today: 52 lbs lost so far, only -0.5 lbs to go!
Of course, everything is easy when you're in your 20's...
The other easier time was when I lost weight the first time at my current job. I was walking at lunch and then come home and take walks in the evening (in the summertime). My Daughter would walk with me, sometimes, so it must have been 5-7 years ago. Again, I was younger, in my 40's.
I wonder if things get harder with each new decade, LOL. Actually, what made that time "easier" was that that my Daughter was helping me too. It really does help to have a partner or a buddy.
Glad you're in a good place with whatever you were working on :-)
Sorry to hear about male coworkers issues. I’m sure a therapist would be good for him
That is so true that doing slow sets is way harder and challenging and a good way to increase strength further !
Well you can try to keep your selective restraint and resort back to the app here and there when you want to pay which should really motivate abs also help you reach your goal if you need it…
Continue to use that app if you need it bc it will help reinforce the good habits you used for weightloss. Later things will get easier -
I was not able to log in yesterday morning, during my designated DD time (lol), because of internet outages. It's very difficult for me to log in on my phone. I did not have time to write last night. It's hard to come back to my computer in the evenings after being at a computer all day at work. I do not log in on my work computer.
Monday was a good day. Yesterday was OK. Today will be great, because not only is it my "Friday" (since I'm taking the rest of the week off), but New Gal won't be there either, and I'm always a little more on edge when she's around.
Last night, I had a title company cookie. IDK, I felt like dinner didn't have enough carbs, and I was kind of needing some consolation. Monday, I had gone back to a piece of dark chocolate, and that's what I'll do today as well.
TOM is finally here, so now my body can re-set itself. Swelling, inflammation, my back, my moods, my weight -- everything can go back to the way it should be, once I get over the initial cramps.
Yesterday, Male Co-Worker was at a breaking point. He is realizing that he just can't do his job any more, but he feels that he cannot retire. There's always a financial need to work, but he also fears that he wouldn't know what to do with his time if he didn't come to work. He's very creative, and I am 100% confident that he would find things to do that would feed his soul, but he can't see beyond what's in front of him now. Very sad.
Today was lower body weights. I plan to do more of them tonight! :-)
Progress as of today: 52 lbs lost so far, only -0.5 lbs to go!
Terrific you have a LONG weekend!
How old is that coworker? Why can’t he do the job? I always found real estate contacts to be boilerplate, but have only seen ones for residential real estate.
Also, and bear with me because I may repeat this in future writings, but because of the amount of mistakes being made by New Gal and Mistakes Girl, *everything* takes a LOT longer, because every file has to be checked and re-checked.
All in all, I would say it was a lovely weekend, with much needed recovery time from the toxicity of work, to clear my mind and spirit.
With the time change, I changed the 2 clocks that needed it, but forgot to change the clock on the coffee maker! This was actually a positive thing, because I heard the timer beep at 4:10am, meaning that the pot had brewed, and that got me out of bed much earlier. I brewed a peppermint mocha pot of coffee and was very eager to try it out. Oh it's quite delightful!
I woke up to a text message from my yoga teacher, asking if we could move yoga to Thursday night this week. I'm quite OK with not having yoga tonight, because Mistakes Girl is still out of the office, and I figured that I might have to stay late today. However, I'm not sure I want yoga on Thursday night, so there may not be yoga this week.
My back is still bothering me. Once TOM comes, it's sure to improve (I hope). Yoga sometimes helps with that, but sometimes, like last week, it makes no difference. Oh I must be careful with my back! Nothing ages me faster than back pain, and that's the truth.
Queen Bee is coming to work today, to help with phones and monitoring emails. I just have to put up with her for this last day, if she shows up, and then I'll be done with her for a while. Must remember:
Eating last night went so well! I had a smaller piece of chcolate with my decaf, and then I was satisfied, not tempted to eat anything else. You know why I think this was so? Because I had more carbs at dinner. I had a small portion of rice, a half a cup of chick peas, and some slices of seasoned sweet potatoes. I think this made a big difference. I wonder if my night cravings are caused by a dip in blood sugar or something like that, due to the lack of starchy carbs. Hmm...
Finally, I had not realized this, but thanks to Horn - and perhaps others have been trying to say this to me too and I just didn't hear them - I see now that I've allowed myself to become distracted by surrounding negativity, allowing myself to be drawn in by that, rather than holding my head up high and focusing on looking forward in my own journey.
I want to remember and embrace this teaching moment. 
Hey, girl! Thanks for the marital advice! Matt’s been irritating me lately.
Something with carbohydrates and satiation... That's why I can't have just salad for dinner, or I get shaky and binge-y feeling. I feel "hungry" even though I know that I am full.
Remember i'm not in your position and not you, i am only giving opinions that i THINK are helpful and i'm glad if you find them so. :) xoxo My friend, C, always is focusing on everything else, actually, and constantly distracted by those things, but in a different way completely than you. she is NOT affected by other's sadness or stuff like that. not empathetic like you. it's not the same, but i realize she tells me a lot in detail about her work, but that is a bigger part of her life than yours as she's single like me...anyways, back to you bc i'm rambling big time.
the peppermint mocha sounds AMAZING! what brand is it?
yeah, if you do not want yoga, do what you want - not the teacher, it's your valuable time. totally with you there.
i may need to send you a message somewhere else regarding something about me that i have a question on, but will wait till i'm relaxed and not about to work out..
what you mention about the carbs is why i now have a good percentage of my calories from them. they seem to work for me...
I see your opinions as objective observations and not judgments. I also know that you know that not every suggestion will work for every person. Still, it's good to talk things through, which is what I do here, to help me clear out my headspace and get my thoughts organized. And to help me keep an open mind, as I tend to have tunnel-vision with my thinking.
I should have messaged you about my internet outage. Feel free to message me.
Extremely low carb / keto isn't for everyone. And yet for others, it works really well. Go figure that one out.
Good morning! Oh how nice it was to wake up to light in the sky. I went to bed at 9:47pm and got out of bed at around 6am, although my FitBit says that I got up at 4:51am - no, that's not true. We're having a couple of warmer days in the low 60's today and tomorrow, with sun, before the cooler temps come back. (Please come back!) I'm hoping this means that the gym will be emptier with people outside more.
I want to thank you for comments about aging and ability. I realize that the best thing I can do for myself now is to be pro-active in keeping healthy and mobile. Not only do I need to WORK AT keeping an optimal weight, but I also need to keep working on: maintaining strength & muscle mass, balance, and flexibility.
I got my renewal booklet in the mail for my health insurance, with the new prices, and WOW, all I can say is that the lesson learned there is:
It will be very expensive out-of-pocket. Even something like type-2 diabetes would cost me about $3300 a year out of pocket to deal with. Yowza!
As I get older, and I see & feel the signs of aging, I am torn between acceptance and fighting it every step of the way. I'm not talking about dying my hair or wrinkle treatments (beyond a good moisturizer & sunscreen). I mean, healthy eating, yoga, weights, etc., that I talk about here.
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I had written some harsh words about my co-workers who do not take care of their health, but decided to delete what I had written. Let's just say that it's frustrating to be with people who could be doing more to increase the quality of their lives, and yet choose not to. I will allow myself to say that it is especially disconcerning to me to see my Boss, who had a heart attack, but has not done nearly enough to rehabilitate from that. It's very sad.
On the other hand, I'm so happy that my mom works very hard to stay healthy. I wouldn't say that she's fighting old age, but she is doing a lot of pro-active measures (diet, exercise, mental exercises, etc.) to stay active and healthy. Way to go , Mom!
This morning, I attempted to try some barbell movements using a broom, just to learn the movement, without any taxing weight to lift. Well, first, let me say that my back was none too happy about this. (Ha ha) Also, I now understand why weightlifters drop a heavy barbell with weights, after lifting it. So I do want to take the class on my stay-cation, so that I can learn proper technique. I hope that my back will allow me to participate.
I did upper body weights at the gym. I am learning that I can lift/pull/push heavier than I usually think I can. My Husband had an interesting comment to me. I can do cardio at any time, so more of my gym time should be focused on weights. I do 25 minutes of cardio (includes a cool-down) before I work on weights, just to get moving. Maybe that's too much? IDK, I love using the cardio macihes at the gym, but Husband has a GOOD point, especially with my limited time. Hmm... I might consider this as a December goal.
I made really good progress on my library book. I plan to read more today. I must, because the other book I have on interlibrary loan has come in, and that's a huge book too. So I'm delaying picking book #2 up, so that I can make as much progress on book #1 first, LOL.
Eating was OK yesterday, although I had a little extra peanut butter last night. This needs to stop. I will not be at my "fighting weight" for my doctor's appointment, if I keep this up. Also, my lax eating is taking away from what I want to achieve. So this stops now, and now starts a better eating. Title company cookies will need to remain in the freezer for now. No more peanut butter at night -- go brush my teeth instead. (This is not deprivation, as I am still planning to have a small piece of dark chocolate with my evening decaf.)
OK, I guess I've chatted enough here for now. I am grateful for my DD friends :-)
Progress as of today: 52 lbs lost so far, only -0.5 lbs to go!
Years ago I stumbled across a bodybuilding book for women over 50, many featured were much older. Of course it was all the same free weight moves anyone would do, guess seeing the terrific shape these women were in would be more motivating than looking at Mr. Universe. Anyways, barely 30, I vowed I couldn’t prevent getting old, but I would never get fat & old. Therein lies heart, liver, lung disease & numerous obesity linked cancers.
I hope I didn't sound too arrogant or conceited. I guess it's like that meme/quote that I see on FB a lot: Everyone is fighting a battle inside, so be kind.
It IS startling when you realize that things have changed. I'm already getting surprised like that in significant ways: reading glasses, loss of coordination -- well, look at the recent revelation about no longer able to jump without pain and consequences.
I'm so sorry to hear about your neighbors. It really highlights how quickly things can change for any one of us. This example has reminded me to have a grateful heart, always.
as you know, not everyone makes the best choices and this happens in every field, every office. know that if you were to work somehwere else, you'd say it all over again. i honestly think that this part of what you are saying about your office is kind of a distraction to what is really the focus - your destination / steps to next job. and you do NOT have to have it all figured out per a schedule. keep being kind to yourself.
yeah, husband has a good point about your weights at the gym and the time, but, i think you have your good weights routines and cardio (in my honest opinion) may be THE most important exercise. if your body can do it, i wouldn't eliminate it all ffrom the gym, maybe a little bit, but i'd say every bit helps...like even 20 min is a whole mile or so.
it's great that you are reading. i haven't been reading much if at all...without the public trans. I may start to push myself to really take public, in order to read. OR, i can push myself to do it at home, in the evening, by changing my habits to me more constructive..... ;)
try not to beat yourself up. be kind to yourself....! you are very worthy.
I appreciate your input on the cardio/weights. I like my routine now. I am mulling Husband's comment though, if I wanted to try (again) going to the gym during the week. If I just went in, warmed up for 5 minutes on the rowing machine, and then hit the weight machines or cables. I would still get my morning bike ride at home, PLUS my lunchtime walk.
That might work. Hmm...
That (distraction) is not what I want. That is not what I need. I do not need this negativity in my life -- so why am I creating more of it by my constant criticism? I guess I'll say that in a way, it's storytelling -- maybe showing myself "This what NOT to do" or "I don't want my old age to be like theirs"!
And that's OK, I guess, but brings nothing constructive or productive to my own journey, my own struggles and triumphs. Wow, I am SO GLAD that you pointed this out. GAME CHANGER!!!!
The change, though, is very positive. It keeps me from wasting too much time watching reruns on TV or flipping through social media on my phone -- both non-productive wastes of time that keep me up too late.
So by reading, I turn off the lights earlier and get more sleep. Plus, reading is a much better "exercise" for the brain than watching TV.
Something went wrong with my plan last night, because I woke up in the middle of the night sweating. Not a hot flash, but rather from eating too much and my body turned up the metabolism to burn up what I had eaten. We had this very sweet pulled pork, with slaw that my Husband made. Oh the slaw was soooo good, that I had a large 2nd helping. I also had a small 2nd helping of pork. I guess both of those were a mistake, although I didn't feel overfull or stuffed. I felt like it was a good dinner.
I had my usual cup of decaf and a frozen cookie. I probably didn't need the cookie, especially before weigh-in the next morning. So I don't think that the cookies should be a nightly thing. I will resume having a small piece of dark chocolate most nights, and then save cookies for 1-2 times a week, and not the night before weigh-in.
Woke up to lower back pain. I do not think this was the result of Chair Yoga last night, but that this is hormonally related, since TOM is soon. Oh hormones: you are a blessing and a curse. So I must take care with my back today, because when the hormones are swirling and swelling up my body, it's very easy to injury the hips/back.
Barely made it to bed before 10p (November goal) because everything in my evening routine was delayed due to Chair Yoga. Perhaps I *did* overeat and not realize it because dinner was so late (for me). Hmm... Aside from the slaw, I think everything else was in moderation. Oh well, moving forward.
I had a conversation with Male Co-Worker and the Boss Friday morning. What a couple of bitter old men.
It's just so sad to see these old people stuck in their thinking. And not so much that they are "stuck" but that they are stuck AND UNHAPPY.
Well, time to get my day started. I definitely need to read this weekend. During the week, this week, the week before -- I've just been so empty and DONE at the end of the day that I don't have it in my to pick up my library book to read. I have one more week to finish it. It's a good read, and not a difficult read. I just have very little brain power at the end of the day.
I'm so glad that we get to turn back the clocks tonight. And I've already started to look ahead to my mini Staycation next week. There is a barbell class that I want to take at the gym on Thursday morning. It's offered only during the day during the week, so I'm going to try it out. Hopefully by then, my back will have settled down, so I will wait to make my reservation until I'm sure I feel 100% about bending and lifting. I could also take daytime yoga classes at the gym. I might try that too!
Progress as of today: 52 lbs lost so far, only -0.5 lbs to go!
Many older ppl work far past typical retirement ages because they enjoy the continued challenges. Recent story in NYT on people over 90 working. They had careers, not jobs to pay the bills: physicians, lawyers, research biologists, professors etc. I think that’s cool! Also much press on people over 65 working, some out of necessity & some because it beats daytime TV. Seems like people with big hobbies like traveling do well with early retirements.
There has got to be more choices to retirement besides TV and no retirement. That, or there truly is no hope.
I also try to bring enough veggies for my lunches at work to be satisfied. it's usually my healthiest meal of the day, lunch, in terms of a mix of protein/veggies/carbs. And a good lunch makes me able to avoid snacking in the afternoon at work in most cases. I love that period of giving my body a break from ingesting things (besides usually tea/coffee/water in the afternoon) and i feel good about having food again once i get home from work.
by keeping with your eating/exercise, your later years will be better for YOU. look at those healthy older folks; and then look at the unhealthy ones. you don't want those struggles..by working at the polls, i SAW myself having more trouble than some of the older women working the scanners (they were in their lower 50's - 3 of them that did well). and i know it's totally due to lifestyle. aside from taking a break today, i am still eager to keep moving despite a desk job too. running i shouldn't look to do, but i should continue to add in periods on my feet and walking more....perhaps by adding more public transportation days little by little.
When I look at my Boss, I see someone who never had a weight problem and completely took his health for granted. Old age hit him like a brick after his heart attack, but instead of DOING something about it, he's just fallen back like he's given up.
For yourself, one of the benefits of taking public transportation is that all of your cardio is accomplished. Kind of like a 2-for-1 deal: get to work AND exercise out of the way. That way, you would only need to do weights in your free time.
Would this mean cardio - oh I mean public transportation ;-) - 2-3 times a week? LOL... I understand it's not as easy as it looks on paper. There's a lot of effort in the execution, e.g. getting up way early. It's just fun to talk about options and alternatives, I think :-)
however, the young 24 yr old girl (with the 3 hour commute that prob includes at least 30 min fast walking each way if not more), asked me how it was working on election day. I told her it was physically challenging. she understand my answer. she has had surgeries due to a car accident and bad back due to all that. she's a former gymnast and pursued it a little even after recovering from car accident in part of high school years. she doesn't know / hasn't experienced my particular struggles with pain in my legs/ankles that you are aware of and possibly others here. she doesn't understand what it's like not to be able to walk as fast as her (or want to!) or to be out of shape cardio wise compared to her level. she told me i cannot actually believe that working at the scanners could be called difficult! she meant it. she said, "look at these electricians working outside all day and heavy lifting, and you think standing at a scanner is hard?" and after a bit of back and forth with her, the general foreman who i don't work with too much but he is in the trailer and she does a lot of work for him - he said, "that's it, enough, stop discussing it!" to both of us. so, yeah. she's 24 and not about to understand how something was for me that she cannot relate to herself. she compares the job and the person doing it to having the same fitness and routine as someone who does the job daily. but when you don't, like i was saying earlier, it can be more of a challenge.. i could have stopped explaining myself earlier to her...
and get this, she went on a very quick vacation to florida (orlando) last week only Wed-Weekend and was back Monday at the office. Fast Vacation, she said it was a little cold (low 70's-which is normal for Orlando, i think, this time of year!)...but i guess she didn't realize when booking? anyways, she did a lot, i'm sure it was a struggle, she starting to get a cold early this week...and didn't do anything about it. she never sleeps enough as she can't even if she tried due to her early wake-up for her 3hour commute and to be at work around 6:30-7am (so she can get outta there at 2:30-3pm or so). anyways, she also has asthma so when she gets any cold, it can turn to bronchitis she was telling us. she avoided taking any days off after her trip, pushed herselp, didn't take care of the cold/cough as it got worse...and on friday a coworker and her left during the morning to drive her to an urgent care...where of course she was diagnosed with bronchitis (which definitely is a challenge when having!) so what i'm saying is, it's like she recieved what she was due...she told me she couldn't believe what i did was such a challenge, but then she didn't take care of herself and met her own challenge. she tends to let things go to far before taking care of herself - and she's had quite a few health annoyances this year bc of it...anyways, we learn from this as we get older; and she hasn't learned that one - to take care of herself a little better to avoid bigger health issues.
Maybe it's because I'm older, or because I have a Husband who moves slower, but these jam-packed vacations are NOT a vacation for me. I don't mind sight-seeing, but vacations for me are about relaxing, and not so much having fun-fun-FUN.
Actually I don't think it's because I'm older. I think that's just who I am.
So you'll need to be content with knowing that she'll learn this lesson one day.
Also, in conversations like that, I usually give it 2 tries and then I quit, because you just can't change narrow-minded people. This is applicable to political conversations too.
i've had a meal today of slight overeating. habits are hard to keep when you are tempted! BUT, we must push to stay on good streak for life.
perhaps your boss fears retirement bc his wife is a MESS. it would mean his being around her, MORE. that sounds like a demotivator to retire, for him, indeed...if she were healthy, they could have enjoyed walks and a typical retirement...instead, he doesn't have her to enjoy typical activities with like most retired couples...oh, hence a similar comment from Male Coworker in the next paragraph. ...and then i am SURE you can relate to those things; and also be somewhat glad you are working; maybe you wouldn't want to be home all day (at this point in your life) either with your hubby, though he is younger than those two so perhaps it would be nice to be together during this time with hubby...so perhaps me writing that isn't right.! (the part about you, not the others).
there are two ways people are motivated in their life and thinking. it could be a positive set of ideas and personal beliefs or negative ideas that cause them to act. seems they are motivated by the latter, which means LOTS more negtaive thinking and motivators. i am trying to turn that around with myself too...because thinking in a negative manner will hurt a person in the end as well as usually deteriorate their relationships with people (friends, cowokers, family). a more positive outlook helps people in all aspects of their life, including their health...
the barbell class may include an exercise for your hamstrings/back...the deadlift...
i should start with deadlifts at home...i think that's what they are called; as i DO have my weighted barbell!! hmmm, thanks for mentioning the barbell, i never thought to do deadlifts...i may revamp my exercises a little or on and off...would be good for me to add in antoher back/hamsstring exercise too.
I think his plan all along was that he would get to this point and they would do a lot of traveling. That's not going to happen. And he had no real Plan B for himself.
I'll write more about what you've mentioned here and above in today's entry. I think we're on a similar wave lately :-)
I have been doing very well with my bedtime goal -- lights out before 10pm. Because of this, I've been getting a lot more sleep, and sleep scores in the 90's. This morning, though, I woke up on my own at 4:20am, because Alexa had stopped playing the white noise we use at night. (I sleep better, and it helps Husband drown out the sound of his CPAP machine.) We must have lost the internet connection. I was awake so I just got up, and restarted the white noise for Husband.
Today is his VA Move class (weight-loss support group), so I think I hear him waking up now. I'm not able to attend the 8:30am class with him, because we're too busy at work for me to come in late, but I am doing the "homework" assignments with him, at least so far. Today is class #2, so I'm not sure how the "homework" thing will continue, but my goal is to try to work the program with him.
Yesterday at work was hard. HARD. I was doing so well until the end, when Male Co-Worker corrected me, and rightly so. (I guess I was excited/exhausted and speaking too loud. OK, whatever...) Some things are hard to hear, especially when you know in your heart that they are true. At least I think they are true, or that he's right. On the other hand, maybe he's just trying to get rid of me...
The gist of it was that he said, Why would you want to work here forever? (Like he's done, I might point out.) He said that after the Boss goes/retires/dies, everything will fall apart, and the firm will no longer exist as a cohesive group. All of this was basically prompted by New Guy, who has a very different approach in things, and this was a HUGE wake-up call for me, and I completely 100% am sure now that I do not want to work for him in any capacity in the future.
Also a wake-up call this week (sort of, because I already knew this and mentioned it yesterday) is that Associate Attorney is too mediocre to consider working for in the future, if the firm were to split/dissolve. I mean, I might be able to tolerate him in a part-time capacity, doing menial tasks (for just some extra cash), but I would never want to be his Number One paralegal.
So these are some decisions I've made:
I feel pretty good about these decisions, but I welcome any constructive feedback and input, because I realize that there may be some aspects that I haven't thought through. The only thing I can see changing my timeline is if the Boss decides to make a drastic decision (intentional or inadvertently) with the future of the firm.
Allow me to write though that it was quite amusing to watch Queen Bee yesterday. She's not a morning person, so she didn't get to the office until 10am. And when she got there, she was non-stop talking. It was funny to watch her waste so much of Male Co-Worker's time. And I watched her trying to find a file for about 20 minutes, when I knew I had the file, but she just wouldn't ask me. About 20-25 minutes later, she finally comes up to me and asks if I have the file. Yep, sure do. Ha ha ha ha!
I'm waiting to see if Husband wants to do Chair Yoga tonight with the disabled veterans group. He's in a lot of pain today. Perhaps the Move class today will inspire him to go. If we go, we will most likely get take-out for dinner. I told Husband that having take-out before weigh-in day is difficult. But I guess I'll deal with it. Donkey can deal with anything on a short term basis. Yes, I'll be just fine today, whatever happens.
Just keep my mouth shut. <<<Ha ha, that is applicable for work and dieting!
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -1.5 lbs to go!
THANK YOU, though for reviewing my plans and your feedback :-)
Sorry your husband isn’t feeling well. Can you two fo the same Chair Yoga exercises from home?
One thing I've made up my mind about though is that if Mistakes Girl takes a sudden leave of absence for maternity leave, that will probably not change my mind in my timeline -- much.
For Husband, I think it really needs to be an in-class experience. For me, it needs to be a live experience, although it can be streaming/Zoom - not sure if that counts as virtual or not.
I like your goals for a new job / closing of this current job. I once asked someone at my current job, the older woman than me (44) why she left her job to come here when jobs at the union are difficult to have right now as admin assistants...i did it because i also felt of her as competition to me. still feel that way, a little bit, though it doesn't seem to be the case and there does seem to be good room for all three of us ladies in the trailer (with enough work.).
so, reason that your coworker asked you if you intend to stay is bc he may intend to stay and sees you as competition (this is based on my own experience i just told you about).
if you want to keep the money flowing longer, try to stay at this job longer past februrary. like we were saying, at some point or another you may not have a choice rather than to leave the firm. so your end date is still flexible.
i do like that you are trying to help yourself in advance of the final end date that may be your end at the firm...and you never know, perhaps new guy would like you working for him? but i know you don't want to work for him.
i was listening to the news today, many jobs are available but many online and by robot/screening of just terms on a resume can overlook many candidates just due to missing terms/wording in a resume: the lack of human eyes on resumes.
anyways, you have great experience. if you are without a job between jobs and during applications, the reason of dissolution of a firm causing your loss of a job is a pretty solid reason to be out of work!
Today should be interesting. I must remember to bring lots of snacky vegetables and fruit to work, because Mistakes Girl is off today and tomorrow, and Queen Bee is coming in today to "help". So if nothing else, I know it will be a louder day because Queenie likes to talk a lot, and loudly. Ugh... Queen Bee will be "helping" today and Monday.
Oh well, at least I know I'll be off next Thursday and Friday, so I just have to hold on and get through it. Must remember to keep my mouth shut. My co-workers don't want my help and suggestions, so I must hold off on making such contributions, unless I am specifically asked for them.
And one positive out of all of this is that seeing Queen Bee makes me want to be all the more successful with eating & exercise. I know that's something she's struggled with, failing repeatedly (after making a HUGE, obnoxious deal over starting a new diet program). Normally, I would empathize and not be mean about it, but she is so toxic & nasty that I find it hard to be sympathetic. The most I can feel is indifferent.
Eating was interesting yesterday. So I did not make consolation cupcakes last night, because at work, we got this HUGE cookie basket from a title company, from Cheryl's Cookies, and I took one of each kind of cookie to bring home. I kept the "grown-up flavors" for myself -- the cookies are in the freezer in the garage -- and gave the fun ones to Daughter. The cookies are wrapped and will freeze quite well. They are about 160-200 calories, which is just a little more than what the cupcakes would have been.
So instead of baking, I did more leg weights last night, to complete what I wanted to accomplish on Leg Day. And felt NO ache in my legs this morning, even though I had increased the weights significantly. I'm not sure what it's going to take to see any progress in my legs.
Also, knowing that I could have a cookie helped me delay the gratification, and worked it into a dessert, rather than a snack. <<<I really want a good weigh-in for my December Doctor's appointment, LOL!
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -1.5 lbs to go!
The website was down for about an hour this morning - thank you, DD Webmaster for resetting whatever needed to be reset. However, that left me with about 20 minutes to comment and post a new entry.
I'm so disgusted with work. I'm just done. I won't go into it here, except to say that I'm extremely PROUD of myself that when I discussed this with my Husband, I was very calm and unemotional about expressing my frustration, so I didn't convey the negative energy, but just talked about my frustration. Needless to say, the Boss is doing everything to set up the New Guy for a successful practice, while actually neglecting his own. A lot. I don't really want to work for the New Guy, so there I have it. Right there in front of me.
Eating went faily well. I did do some upper body weights last night - using my new dumbbell handles - and had 1/2 a protein shake, and then a teaspoon of peanut butter, afterwards, to just satiate my hunger and satisfy my craving, but not go off the deep end. I was in a good place mentally, where I felt that I could have a bite and be done with it. I have a plan to make gluten free cupcakes tonight, after dinner, for my evening sweet, so I know calories, etc. I foresee this going well. And I think it will be a nice surprise for Daughter, who will have a busy, difficult day at work today.
Yes, I got my upper body weights in last night. I think I ended up doing push-ups twice, once in the morning and once in the evening because I couldn't remember for sure (LOL), but I did not do jumping jacks. I'm going to have to scratch that goal. My back was just complaining too much.
Did lower body weights this morning, and I plan to do 1-3 more exercises tonight, depending on how I feel.
So my plan is to go into work today, focused on just doing MY work, keeping my mouth shut, and listening to Christmas music to keep me happy.
Progress as of today: 53 lbs lost so far, only -1.5 lbs to go!
Congrats on sticking to your exercise regimen. Way better than I could ever do consistently. Which is sad because no excuses. We have an absolutely incredible home gym. Every weight machine you can think of & all kinds of cardio. And here I sit on my butt for hours peddling a recumbent bike & slowly at that.
So January is a test, I'm sure. We all used to joke that he would end up being like a Weekend at Bernie's, where he dies at his desk, and we all just keep on working. But yesterday, I overheard that he's warming up to the idea of spending more time in Florida. So we'll see.
But I had clear evidence yesterday that after 8+ years with Associate Attorney, he is still pretty much at square one when dealing with real estate problems that are really routine.
i don't think that it's calling defeat if you have to rethink a goal that you implement and realize that it's not a good one...we have to listen to our bodies especially as we get older; and doing jumping everyday of a month after one day trial would be a mistake if it bothers your back.
you are better off doing a back strengthening exercise?
I would be much better off doing a back strengthening or back stretching exercise. There are exercises that I learned from physical therapy that aren't exactly yoga, but very helpful in "resetting" my hips, to help my back.
Oh it just puts me in a much better mood :-)
On the other hand, there's a less productive side to that, mostly relating to anxiety.
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I also think a weight range makes a lot of sense... and today is laundry day here too.
I think a 6 pound range - with 3 pounds either direction - is OK. Not too narrow, but also not too generous. At my height, there is a significant difference between 145 and 135. I know this because my pants tell me so. (oof!)
Horn_of_plenty on 11/14/2021:
I also think of my weight as having a range. i do not weigh often; just when i feel it's either lower or higher. I do not have much reason to think it is lately, as my calories/diet hasn't changed much overall. i thnk i also don't weigh much bc i'm deep into maintenance...you are doing great, and i'm SO GLAD there's no talk of you giving up. no reason to, you can do this and you DO a great job with challenges. like when you lose all the weight in like 2 months...just recently i'm talking about. you've got this. you are a very strong person (character!), trust me - i know!
it's ok to feel the sadness and anxiety re going back to work. i CAN relate. when i was teaching, my FIRST year, after Christmas break, a week off teaching (for the first time), i couldn't do anything that Sunday at the end of the week off before giong back to work Monday. i couldn't think at all or do any work. I remember i think i had planned to, but couldn't..same kinda scenario as yours. i know what it's like good and well. try to breathe thru this - you said it best - no matter what, however you use today, you will be at work Monday. That kina of thinking that you implemented by writing that is something that helps me LOTS now.
Also, it could be your body just wanting to relax rather than do nothing due to anxiety. that is what i did yesterday, it actually stretched my day, by relaxing and then finally wanting to be productive cooking. like you say, it's a delicate balance..
of course it would bother you to see the trainer (you were supposed to have one more session with him?) if that's the case, don't feel bad about speaking up and planning it - unless you want to just let it go?
also, people like me and you don't really need trainers at the gym (in my opinion) if we are looking to maintain muscle/build but just for ourselves...if we know the basics, that's enough. we can do research and look up on youtube and online new videos and info on new exercises to expand our repertoire. i had around a year of personal training when i began (i think i was 23yo, working as a teacher in my first big paying gig and it gave me a great understanding of the basics. very helpful. if oyu do not have the basics, you could always do a couple months with a trainer...maybe this one is the wrong one. however, it's up to you. once you have the basics, that'll all you need...and then you can go to the gym and do your exercises when YOU want to and not work into a trainer's schedule. i'm glad you are smiling underneath your mask while working out!
it's def an accomplishment to clean the stairs. i'm sure they stay that way for awhile, but then again you have cats....so who knows! :)
i'll be doing my workouts this AM, before the day starts with family and errands!
I really want to do more with the weight training. I'm not sure how to formulate that into a goal, other than to continue to do it regularly.
I want to do more with yoga, but I don't. I would much rather practice it at a studio dedicated to yoga, rather than the gym, but that costs money and takes time.
To see the results I want, though, I probably need to focus mostly on nutrition, more than anything else. This is boring, though. LOL. It's boring because it's inaction and not action.
Saturday afternoon I got myself into a better mindset about going back to work, and I feel that I am ready to do so tomorrow.
The personal trainer thing feels uncomfortable because it feels unfinished. It IS finished though. I know I would not want to work with him, and like you mentioned above, at this time, I don't really NEED TO work with him or any other trainer, at this time.
Once I figure out what I want to do next, THEN I will be able to make a better decision for myself. Thank you for saying what you said about this. It has helped me reset my perspective properly.