Fitness Fellowship 2023: Week 25 Check-in
Jun. 18th, 2023 01:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sylvanwitchGreetings from the finally seasonal region of the world I call my home. The sun's out, the temperatures are moderate, and the air is breathable! Huzzah!
How has the week been for you? Have you had fitness challenges and/or successes? What are your plans for the week to come? Please know that you are always welcome to join us and to comment only as and when you'd like.
Wednesday, I hit my highest weight since 2020 and realized I had to make a change, or I would just continue to gain or, at best, hold steady at a point where I'm experiencing physical consequences for my weight gain.
So, I looked up intermittent fasting, which I'd read about before and which I know some of you have also tried/are trying, and I decided to give it a go on Thursday. So, since Thursday, I've been fasting 12:12 (12-hour fasting window, 12-hour eating window). In actual practice, it's more like 15:9. I tend to fast for longer and eat for fewer hours than 12:12. I think I'm working toward 16:8, which is the sort of "gold standard" of IF, but since I'm new to it and since I've had some unhealthy attitudes toward fasting in the past, I figured I'd start with something closer to my usual habits.
And so far, it seems to be working pretty well. I've had various intestinal discomforts as a result of the change, but those are normal and not likely to last once my body adjusts. The worst is being hungry later at night when I'm reading and when I usually reached for sunflower seeds or popcorn. Instead, I've been making decaf tea, and the hot liquid does seem to help lessen the pangs.
I haven't been "dieting", per se, during the eating window, though of course, I am still watching what I eat. I've been focusing on preparing my own food and on eating lots of high fiber content to help feel full, a sensation I'm trying to make last through those aforementioned temptation hours.
The result so far is that I've lost more than a pound since Thursday, even with having a splurge meal of Indian takeout last night. I've been eating more mindfully and not consuming nearly as much processed food and/or snacks and desserts. I've been trying to pack my meals with legumes, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and veggies.
I've also continued to exercise and hydrate as per normal, and I've found that my sleep has been better the last couple of nights. I've also practiced mindful breathing (boxing my breath) several times this week. I'm finding it very comforting.
So, for the week ahead, I'm going to continue with the intermittent fasting, continue focusing on fresh, whole foods and homemade meals, and continue with the exercise, hydration, and meditation/spiritual practices.
I'm sending you all the good vibes for health and fitness in the week ahead, my friends!
How has the week been for you? Have you had fitness challenges and/or successes? What are your plans for the week to come? Please know that you are always welcome to join us and to comment only as and when you'd like.
Wednesday, I hit my highest weight since 2020 and realized I had to make a change, or I would just continue to gain or, at best, hold steady at a point where I'm experiencing physical consequences for my weight gain.
So, I looked up intermittent fasting, which I'd read about before and which I know some of you have also tried/are trying, and I decided to give it a go on Thursday. So, since Thursday, I've been fasting 12:12 (12-hour fasting window, 12-hour eating window). In actual practice, it's more like 15:9. I tend to fast for longer and eat for fewer hours than 12:12. I think I'm working toward 16:8, which is the sort of "gold standard" of IF, but since I'm new to it and since I've had some unhealthy attitudes toward fasting in the past, I figured I'd start with something closer to my usual habits.
And so far, it seems to be working pretty well. I've had various intestinal discomforts as a result of the change, but those are normal and not likely to last once my body adjusts. The worst is being hungry later at night when I'm reading and when I usually reached for sunflower seeds or popcorn. Instead, I've been making decaf tea, and the hot liquid does seem to help lessen the pangs.
I haven't been "dieting", per se, during the eating window, though of course, I am still watching what I eat. I've been focusing on preparing my own food and on eating lots of high fiber content to help feel full, a sensation I'm trying to make last through those aforementioned temptation hours.
The result so far is that I've lost more than a pound since Thursday, even with having a splurge meal of Indian takeout last night. I've been eating more mindfully and not consuming nearly as much processed food and/or snacks and desserts. I've been trying to pack my meals with legumes, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and veggies.
I've also continued to exercise and hydrate as per normal, and I've found that my sleep has been better the last couple of nights. I've also practiced mindful breathing (boxing my breath) several times this week. I'm finding it very comforting.
So, for the week ahead, I'm going to continue with the intermittent fasting, continue focusing on fresh, whole foods and homemade meals, and continue with the exercise, hydration, and meditation/spiritual practices.
I'm sending you all the good vibes for health and fitness in the week ahead, my friends!
(no subject)
Date: Sunday, 18 June 2023 07:22 pm (UTC)Goals for last week:
- 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.
Sigh. I failed at this on several days because of reading page-turney books; once I stayed up until 12 and then had trouble falling asleep. /o\
- Go running twice.
Three times.
- Hopefully go hiking again. : D
Not yet! But hopefully tomorrow.
- Do workouts on four days.
Five days.
- When I eat sweet things, decide beforehand how many pieces of chocolate or whatever that I can have, and then don't eat more.
Yes, that worked well!
Goals for this week:
- 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.
- Hopefully go hiking again. : D
- It's hard to set a goal for running and working out; it depends on how many hiking days I do--I might go out overnight Monday-Tuesday, and then possibly also on the weekend.
- When I eat sweet things, decide beforehand how many pieces of chocolate or whatever that I can have, and then don't eat more.
(no subject)
Date: Monday, 19 June 2023 07:13 pm (UTC)I hope you get to go out hiking as planned and that you continue to do well with your goals! (I completely empathize with staying up too late reading; that is something I do too.)
We got to go out for a dayhike yesterday, and it was wonderful, so I am sending you all that good energy!