Fitness Fellowship 2023: Week 17 Check-in

[sylvanwitch]

Hello, fellow fitness fans!

Can you believe we're ushering in May tomorrow? I'm not sure where the time has gotten to. I hope it's been good to you.

As always, please share your ups and downs with us here. How's the fitness journey been for you this past week? What're your plans for the week ahead? We'd love to hear it.



This past week turned out to be unusually stressful at work and particularly emotionally heavy. I spent a lot of time eating my feelings, with the predictable result that I've regained almost all the weight I'd managed to lose over the past two weeks.

My sleep was also disrupted--I had a lot of difficulty falling asleep and then staying asleep. *sighs*

I did not meditate because I am a jerk. Honestly.

And even my hydration was down, largely because work was very busy, and I didn't take the time I needed to make sure I was getting enough fluids.

The only thing I *did* manage most days (6 out of 7 of them) was focused exercise, and even on the day when I had little deliberate exercise, I still got more than 10K steps in.

I'm proud of myself for sticking to the exercise, which I know is helping me to maintain some sort of grip on my equilibrium. But I really must do better on the eating, sleep, and hydration. And...*sighs*...the meditation.

So, for the week ahead: Eat less. Sleep and drink (water) more. Meditate once. Exercise daily.



Wishing you a week full of only the good kind of surprises!

Comments

[ljm]

I know I haven't been checking in as much lately, but I wanted to say I've stuck to the "some exercise every day" goal I set at New Year's. I'm doing the same things I was before (walks, push ups against the bath tub), and making use of my ankle weights.

Best of luck with your goals, and thank you for posting the check-ins so diligently every week!

[sylvanwitch]

YAY for sticking to daily exercise goals--that is AWESOME! And you are SO welcome to check in as infrequently or frequently as you like. I will keep doing this because it helps me but also because I enjoy our little community. :-). Thank you for the kind words of encouragement and support.

[oschun]

I hear you about work stress. Jeez, this time of year is insane. I don't know how I'd be coping with the workload without the strike days and public holidays. I spent most of today marking. We've got a public holiday tomorrow and a bonus one next Mon for the coronation. We also had a strike day last week and there's another one on Tues. The union has encouraged flexibility with exam classes and schools have agreed to pay teachers for coming in just for their exam groups. I'm not striking this round. I don't feel like I can do that ethically (or financially! My pay was so reduced last month). My school is closed for all other year groups for the strike days so I'm using the additional time to catch up on coursework with my A level group. Holy god, some of their independent essays are so bad.

I did manage to get in a 5 mile walk this afternoon. The bluebells are out and everything is so pretty! I'm also doing well with wine avoidance and having a can of cider as replacement when my internal booze monster growls too loudly. (Fuck you, booze monster.)

I made such a great Indian-inspired hearty vegan bake last night (just replace the ghee to make it vegan). It's an Anna Jones recipe. You should try it. It's full of the stinky spices your mom would disapprove of :) https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/saag_aloo_shepherds_pie_00935

[sylvanwitch]

That recipe looks aMAzing! Yum! I'm so inspired by your continued experimentation with cooking new things. I tend to get in a rut with the few things I do well-ish (e.g. stir-fry, chili, other one-pan inventions) and not really feel like branching out, yet I also get bored with the lack of variety (go figure). Your suggestions always make me hunger for something new.

Good luck getting your essays graded and your students prepared. It sounds like it's been a real roller coaster there and not likely to improve any time soon. I hope you're able to get some more walking time in because that walk with the bluebells sounds sooooo good!

Sending you energy and patience for teaching and grading in these last few (LOOOOOOONG) weeks of school!

[batdina]

I'm still trying to get back on track after a week's vacation, where I paid exactly no attention to what I ate, I simply ate what I wanted. I did manage to exercise, but food ...

Anyway, my week was a mixed bag, but since it was my first time away in years, I figure it was fine for me to do whatever I wanted. I am, however, steering clear of the scale this coming week. I usually weigh myself at the beginning of the month, but not this week.

[sylvanwitch]

I think it's marvelous that you ate what you wanted to without thinking about weight or whatnot. I think we need those experiences to reconnect with our bodies and appetites. For me, anyway, meals are something I look forward to and cherish, especially if I'm letting myself enjoy something in a new place or from a new restaurant or whatnot. I hope the whole experience was enriching in all sorts of ways for you.

I don't blame you for not getting on the scale now. That would feel almost punitive, wouldn't it? No need to punish yourself for being on vacation!

I hope the week ahead provides you with the balance you might be looking for and that you have all the good meal choices you can hope for. :-)

Also, I've been enjoying your gratitude posts even though I've been pants at replying. *hugs*

[luzula]

I did not meditate because I am a jerk. Honestly.
Awww, no, you are not! Be easy on yourself; you had a hard time this week. <3 I do hope next week is better for you.

Last week's goals:
- Do not do things related to my environmental organization (or to work) after 9 pm, or 8 pm if I can.
Yes.
- Turn off computer at 10 pm every day.
Yes.
- Go to bed and turn out the light at 11 pm every day.
Yes, except for one day when I stayed up reading until 11.40. /o\ Bad me.
- Go out in the woods all days in the week, even if just a short walk.
Yes.
- Go running three times.
Yes.
- Do workouts on four days.
Only three. But that's fine, my week was a bit disrupted by the whole capercaillie expedition thing...

This week's goals:
- Do not do things related to my environmental organization (or to work) after 9 pm, or 8 pm if I can.
- Turn off computer at 10 pm every day.
- Go to bed and turn out the light at 11 pm every day.
- Go out in the woods six days in the week, even if just a short walk.
- Go running three times.
- Do workouts on six days.

[sylvanwitch]

Your steadfastness is honestly inspiring, and it occurs to me that I was better about maintaining my goals when I stated them explicitly and was specific about them. I think I’m going to try that at our next check-in. Also, yay for camping out to watch birds’ mating displays!