Happy weekend! Wanted to sleep in but changed my mind and got up around 7 after about 7 hrs sleep.
Around total 2700 cal bc of desserts. Hour walk 3 miles at least.
7am I woke up and decided to eat breakfast, do laundry, and get on with my day :). Plan is to also read a little, drive home to get paperwork - walk at park and dinner with friends. Breakfast - oat bran with coconut water and almond milk 150, canned pumpkin with cinnamon and stevia 50, peanut butter 200. 400 - good!
10am Early Brunch / Healthy Lunch: Bean chips 2 servings 300, leftover Thai Basil veggies and chicken around 300, rice 150. and later a kombucha. total around 800.
total: 1200, good. - just maybe a snack later before dinner with friends.
1:30pm - protein bar and small part of grapefruit. 200 1400 so far, good!
3:30 greek yogurt - 150
1550 or so, excellent!
dinner out / with friends: planning on ordering muchos vegetables!
I have accomplished a lot this morning actually. More cleaning & preparing some bills - called to go over my Co-op Insurance plan with Allstate and saved $25 by paying it in full instead of monthly statements.
Also doing some planning for the week - going thru finances more because I am planning what to spend money on in the upcoming month. I want to go to Vegas with a couple friends in April - it will be THE biggest trip I've ever gone on as an adult paying for it myself. I once did a cruise with my best friend, but, this is a bigger trip as it's traveling almost across country. I plan to actually do the traveling alone - meet my 2 friends there since they will be going a longer amount of time than me. I will be seeing Britney Spears in concert while there!
Other trips I have gone on as an adult (and I don't mean a weekend overnighter in a close-by state like for a wedding or something) include:
1. The Cruise 3 years ago April 2012 (it was cheap under $500 weeklong Carnival Cruse to the Caribbean (in detail it was Key West, Jamaica & Mexico) but airfare was a disgrace - $700 round trip for airfare! because it was a trip that was taken during a high-volume travel time when schools had their spring break. My friend is a teacher, so this is when she could go. I was 29 and still living at home.So with airfare and everything else, this trip was around $1400-1500
2. After the above trip, for my 30th birthday in September 2012, I went to visit a good friend living in Toronto. It was a nice weekend trip, two full days and I think 4 nights. It was way cheaper than the cruise, obviously. I didn't even pay for all of it - he paid for the nights in the hotel & I paid the travel portion as well as the attractions. He paid for all food, too. And for travel, we had his car. Airfare was no more than $150 each way, probably cheaper. So, I would say the trip was around $600 at most.
I was still living home in 2012 - it was easier to manage expenses for trips! After the above trip to Toronto, around 5 months later in February is when the leg pain started. And even though I went to Niagara later on, the leg situation really prevented me from doing much of anything from 2013 till now. Finally I've gotten over the hurdle & i'm starting to enjoy life more & get out and do more activities with friends.
3. The following year, again for my bday September 2013, I went again to Canada - same friend, this time Niagara Falls! Again, I paid the travel and half the actual vacation - half for the hotel and half for expenses. I think he paid for food again....so, this trip was probably around $300 at most - for airfare...and $200 approx. for hotel...and let's add in another $150-200...so again - total around $600 at most. and Only trip I went on in 2013. Legs were a problem on this trip and especially shortly after I got home.
4. Went on a local trip last July 2014 with single overnight stay. (still legs were bothersome - even if mentally so - i'll never know if it was mental 100% or physical at this point) I got there in evening with a girlfriend and we went rafting with my family & friends the next day. then we stayed over one more night and left in the morning after breakfast. Was fun, like a 3 hour drive there & 2 hour drive back. Hotel was a little pricey maybe $150 as I paid half and she paid half. The rafting was $70. and then there's gas and food around $50 at most - she paid half too. so, this trip was around $250 for two nights and one day lol - cheaper than the rest & the only trip I went on for 2014.
5. April 2015~!! My goal for this 2-day trip to Las Vegas, Nevada is to make it between $1,000-$1,500 and hopefully way closer to the lower number. But, I've budgeted $1500 - which is definitely doable for a 2-day trip. Can't wait to be there, out of NY, with 2 good friends & see Britney Spears live. I've always loved her! She's my generation. I grew up with her.
6. After Vegas - rest of 2015 and all of 2016 - no more plans for such a big trip. It's a possibility - maybe - but I will not have a lot of money. I'm going to take a deduction in salary when I enter the NYPD academy - but not for long. It's around $45K to start & my job now is a salary of $46K if I get NO OVERTIME.
Only the first 2-3 years in the NYPD will be slightly lower than I make now (bc I have a lot of overtime, so I end up making closer to $55K per year), After that, i'll have caught back up. At 3 1/2-5 years on the job, I'll be making around what I make now with overtime. (Arounnd $50K during 3.5-5 years) Meaning, no overtime as a cop but making what I make now without the countless extra hours currently of OT I do now at my job.
And after 5 1/2 years in the academy, money will not be an issue at all. The salary is quite high at that point - over $90K. (basically double my salary now if I didn't work any overtime at my current job).
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
Overall a good day! Lots of caffeine. But will try to skip it this weekend or at least tomorrow!
calories: around 1750.
Half hour walk at lunch!
No overtime! :)
and a yogurt. more like 1950...good.
it's midnight and i'm still up. sleeping is a bit off for the entire week, every night since Sunday night I have not gotten enough sleep. oh well, will catch up tomorrow, gonna sleep in.
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
not a lot of sleep going on this week....but excited for the gym tonight! legs are bothering me a little and i just think its a build-up of stress. a lot of OT this week so far. Busy week, but, its very close to the weekend!!!
Was very tired at work, feeling BAD. almost getting that depressed feeling that comes upon me when i know i have skimped on sleep for a few days in a row. I had a LOT of caffeine during the work hours. I had to. But, good thing is that I am feeling better after my workout and realize that if I think I can do something, I will achieve it. I am doing better with this aspect of my life.
Around 2000 cal. Very good workout at gym too. I did feel a little weaker than normal and used slightly lower weights when exercising. And a walk at lunch.
I am gonna succeed in making this a great year. And live life now. More than I did the previous 2 years.
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
Breakfast and snacks at work: 450 cal. lots of green tea - 4 cups. 2 candies, small cookie, egg with avocado on a wrap
Lunch: chicken 300 at most, cooked veggies with sauce 200? on salad greens 20, banana 120: around 650
1100 cal...
dinner: cooked veggies, some sauce, 300?, a bit too much dark chicken - 350???, kombucha 50. 700??
1850...ok...
walk during lunch :) half hour.
worked till 6:30 - for my own records.
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
Today was a jam-packed day.
I am happy it's over & glad I didn't skip on the gym.
However, tomorrow it's best I relax. I should take off from all exercise, I think. Maybe a short walk around the block at lunch, but nothing more? Depends how my legs feel I guess then. Right now they bother me, but I think it's from stress of trying to do so many things today. It has to be....
Worked 8-5:30
Somehow drove in record time to get to a union meeting from 6pm-7pm.
Gym from around 7:30 until little after 9pm
Home around 9:30pm.
Too late, but what can I do!? If I want to go to the gym sometimes, I'm going to have to pay the price - or skip it. I didn't want to end the day without doing my favorite upper body weights routine, so I did it. I pushed myself to do it (had some caffeine as well) and got it done. Not sure this needs to be the way - but it's my way. It's the only way I know. It's how I operate. I'm different, I don't know what else to say about it.
If I didn't ever push, I wouldn't be the person I am. I wouldn't look like me. I wouldn't be so unique. I don't think it's such a bad thing. That I may not be as social as most folks. Or as funny always. I like my solitude. I like to relax by myself away from people sometimes. It can't be a bad thing. I have my friends, of course. But with life at times being jam-packed, I often look to get away from everything & everyone for awhile.
Calories around 1950, pretty balanced, more carbs in evening around my workout. Pretty healthy overall.
Exercise was a faster 1/2 hour walk on treadmill and it felt good at the time, but legs feel bad now. I think it's stress, like I said above. Also a full weights routine at night at the gym.
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
1150 cal before dinner.
dinner was def not more than 550 at most. prob less.
total: 1700 which is awesome. but my legs are not awesome bc I have been exercising even when they are still a little sore. tomorrow no walking at lunch or just 10 minutes.
Good Morning!
Early morning snack: small orange 60, lemon water with turmeric 20. 80.
still no cardio exercise bc my calves are still sore (Monday was too many stairs....80 flights wasn't worth it to be sore all week, nope). but a very good weights routine, upper body and some abs.
I need to be more moderate with my cardio so that I don't constantly strain myself and then be limited in my cardio for days afterward. If I continue to do this, i'll get nowhere in my training and my fitness will remain at an all time low.
So, I am resolving to do less in order to do more. Yes, i'd like to be able to run miles at a time like I once was....but no, this will not be happening EVER if I don't start to be more moderate. and less extreme.
Sister is getting married in 13 months....enough time for me to make a comeback.
And i'll be starting the academy after she gets married.
She gets married in April 2016 and i'm set to do the academy in July 2016. This can be a year of all good things, as long as I stick to my goals.
I have everything good ahead of me. My health has improved greatly.
I have boatloads of OT to do in the next few months - but I see a light at the end of the tunnel - in the summer i'll limit my OT for sure.
Either way, let me get this OT (unpaid) 16 hours out of the way so that I can begin to walk outside as the weather warms up after work.
I can make my goals happen, as I always have, if I put my mind to it.
This is the TEST OF ALL TESTS.
LOOK GOOD FOR THIS SUMMER. LOOK GOOD FOR MY SISTERS WEDDING. AND ENTER THE ACADEMY.
ohhhh, yes i'm pumped after this relaxing weekend with a resolve to meet these goals.
Some things will be put to the wayside - like my hair being done all the time for work in the next few weeks especially. I am not going to spend my time on the things that matter least to me. And for the things that matter most i'll be putting the time in.
and as far as getting together with friends - that's great. but when I need some time to recover and recharge, i'm taking it.
I know what I want....and I know how to get it. Only when my mind is fully in the game do I get what I want.
and the plans are there:
1. hold off on most vacation days (they start may 2015- and end may2016 is the start/end date for our vacations) this time around till this coming June / Summer to use some - maybe just the 5 sick days; and then save the rest all the way unitl Feb/March 2016 before my sister's wedding so I can be relaxed and ready for it .
2. Sister's wedding in April 2016 (use remainder of my days old 2015-3016 days or use the new 2016-2017 sick days around this time)
3. Vacation / Use up NEW 2016-2017 Vacation Days in April/May as well as any remaining New sick days for 2016-2017
4. Come back to work after vacation and put in my 2-4 week notice that I will be leaving (quitting) work.
5. Leave work sometime between May 1st & May 15th 2016
6. May15th - July 1st 2016...prep for the academy....hang out more with friends, do things I wasn't able to do as much while working....do any last minute things I won't be able to do while in the academy.
7. Sometime after July 1st 2016 - the academy will begin & last for 6 months.
8. After the academy - work as an NYPD officer as my FINAL career choice. Make the most of life and what I've already earned and plan to earn (referring to my accomplishments). Be as successful as I want to be. Be thankful that my life has turned out so positively. Continue to be courageous and strong.
9. Just continue living my life as I have made it.
10. Perhaps be in a relationship with someone who values me for me. I still have a crush on my former physical therapist (single and 42) who I do stay in touch with and plan to see soon for strengthening exercises once my legs are a bit more back to normal (as now they are sore from the stairs - and I want to do more walking on them before I go back to him).
If not living with a man, I still hope to have a relationship with one. I know this sounds weird to some of you, but I know myself well enough to know what works for me.
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
So far 2015 has overall been going well for me. Finally I've been able to think about my future plans more closely & it looks like although things will mostly stay the same for another 15 months, during this time I will continue to strive for my career goal that I've had for some time. And when I reach it, there will be such a celebration!
Today is a 16:8 intermittent fast day. That means my first meal will be noon and that it's only very low cal or no cal liquids in the morning. After my first meal at noon, I am off to the gym!
It's a slow weekend which is what made this more possible to relax all morning and not worry about getting anything done during this time!!! I did laundry and prepared all paper work for my taxes yesterday. I cleaned and organized all my files in general yesterday.
And good I did bc I found where I put my passport! Not that I need it now :) I only need to food shop a very little bit and then i'llbe ready for this week. Need some canned pumpkin, almond milk, lemons, bananas, meat & veggies, and that should be about it. Trying to save some money so trying to buy just what I need! And I still have some veggies to cook, maybe later. Bok Choy in fridge is waiting for me to cook! The collard greens came out great the other day!
Thru Morning: 50 cal
12:30 snack: fiber one and almond milk 200
3pm meal: oat bran w/ coconut water 170, squash 80, yogurt 150, 150 peanut butter 550
at gym: small banana 120
dinner: around 650-700 at most.
total 1600 or so. very nice for a weekend calorie-count.
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
Breakfast 550 Forgot the chips, 200
Lunch 250+150...400+50... 1200
2pm snack: chocolate coconut vegan protein bar 250 1450 :)
snacking: more chips 200, then more strawberries, 50 (but maybe more) 250
dinner: some cooked daikon (root family) in sauce around 100, Fage full fat yogurt with stevia 200, and an all natural nuts & dried fruit bar 150. total: 450-500.
total: 2200 (oopsie...thought it would be more around 2050, but forgot I had more chips in afternoon, too).
No exercise today, full rest day at home & snowstorm too...going to bed early and excited for the gym tomorrow. if my calves are still sore, it'll have to be a FULL REST day again, cardio-wise.
I can't push the cardio if the muscles are still recovering...i'm not worried at all, but the 2-hour stair exercise on Monday is taking a lot of recovery-time since I never use those muscles with so much exertion like I did Monday.
Would love to do cardio but my calves are still sore. Probably tomorrow too. Must be more moderate with my cardio.
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
around 2050. 30 minutes of slow/moderate cardio after work.
didn't really take a lunch at work....besides the actual time I was swallowing down my food. and then stayed late somehow, but only a half hour. but, that means I sat all day, I was planning to maybe walk on the treadmill for a mile during lunch. so after work I stopped at the gym and just walked on the treadmill at a slow pace for 20 minutes in my jeans from work and also did the elliptical 10 minutes. legs still sore from Monday's 80 flights of steps, so I haven't done any cardio since then except today after work. I just realized it's really not even that many days since Monday....and I hope it clears up by Sunday...and if it does, i'll go to the park even if it's sorta cold for a nice walk with nature!
I think Saturday i'll be taking it easy / catching up on laundry, finding some tax stuff (gym receipts specifically....). and also a receipt for the tires on my car (not that it'll help me with taxes, but you never know).
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
Wednesday: no exercise. went to bed at 8pm. was feeling sick.
Thursday Morning: need to buy cough drops. going to gym after work. leg calf muscles still sore (in a good way) from 80 flights of steps Monday - so no cardio till the soreness is gone - probably fri or Saturday.
Legs still sore Thursday night, but getting better. No worries here. Depending on how the next month goes, I may decide to enter the academy early this July, still thinking about it.
Better to stay in the union the 5 years so I can get the small pension every month when I retire, but not sure it's worth it or not to stay...however, I have to remember, I can quit early...before the summer 2016 academy starts (this is if I stick it out extra for the pension). If I stick it out for the long run, till Summer 2016, I will quit my job even as early as APRIL. I can use the extra months to travel, etc. And maybe even be paid for part of April....OR....I will take vacations and use sick days and quit early May. either way, it's really not that long from now....so I just need to relax, work, take a breath or two!, and say to myself: you can make it one more year!!! No need to enter the academy this summer or this January.....hold thru for the long run. Then you get that nice pension...which may even be an extra $1,000 per month year when I retire....you know what!? I need to call them / go online to figure out how much it is....just used the calculator on the website, and I think it'll entitle me to around $30,000 total when I retire. that's decent (based off of just 5 years work), and enough to make me wanna stay at my job thru 2016. $30,000 could buy me something(s) nice!
been sick for about one week now, but I think i'm on the mend compared with how bad i was coughing last night :) and, not sick enough to skip the gym lol. just a bad dry cough and sore throat. but I made sure to take the medicine before the gym so that it wasn't an issue at all tonight. I didn't look sick and I doubt i'm still contagious.
you see, I like to fit in exercise, so, going to the gym even if slightly feeling under the weather, still makes me feel GREAT during & after the workout!
Progress as of today: 0 lbs lost so far, only 0 lbs to go!
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