Fitness Fellowship: Week Two, Better Late Than Never Check-in

[sylvanwitch]

Friends, I apologize for the delay! I'm still unable to post if I'm using my usual browser, Chrome, but my laptop came with MS Edge, so I'm using that for this posting. I'm not the only one having issues with posting, and I've put in a help request, so we'll see what happens. In the meantime, I can post this way.

How was your last week (and this one so far), in terms of your goals for fitness (or in terms of anything else you'd like to share)? I hope it was a good one for you.




My weight is up a little this week, probably because I've been eating like it's a holiday. That's because we've had a snowstorm bad enough that not only has school been closed, but they've cancelled midterm exams. That is an enormous relief because I'd have had to grade handwritten exam essays in a truncated window of time, and now I do not have to worry about them. YAY!

I've been getting plenty of exercise each day (today, I did 60 minutes on the bike, for example), but I've also been eating more than usual. I'm still only eating within my window, however, so the intermittent fasting is in place. It's just that I've been making big, hearty breakfasts and such. (This morning it was whole wheat pancakes with pecans.)

I have been good about hydration, been getting lots of extra sleep (SO GOOD!), and I even spent some time praying and meditating while walking out in the snow in the far back yard. (It was wild and lovely out there!) If I had managed to rein in the amount of food I've been consuming, I'd likely have seen a drop on the scale. As it is, I'm up a bit, but c'est la vie. I've been enjoying the extra time to cook good things and consume them with the snow falling furiously outside. :-)



Have a great remainder of your week!

Comments

[delphi]

Congratulations, especially on the extra sleep! Being well-rested, having some time with your thoughts, and being able to cook good things and enjoy them is a wonderful state of being, in my opinion.

Last week wasn't quite as successful as the week prior, but so far this week's going better after some adjustments. The issues were mostly down to me having an apartment inspection last week. It was just routine, but after getting kicked out of my last place when the owner sold it, I realize I've got some lingering anxiety around housing security. I ended up skipping a couple of walks for cleaning (less relaxing, but at least it was active) and had some difficulty getting myself to bed on time.

I was aiming for:

Goal #1: Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.
Result: 7/7, with some marked improvement on what qualified as a meal and how they were spaced out. I've been enjoying some really good oat bran porridge this week through the cold weather, made with coconut milk, with toasted coconut and nuts in it.

Goal #2: Take at least a 30-minute walk every day (weather and health permitting).
Result: 4/7, although I once again managed longer walks on the weekend.

Goal #3: Turn off electronics and start getting ready for bed by 10:30 every night.
Result: 4/7, this time with three weekday nights being the issue. I still managed to get at least eight hours of sleep a night, though, even if one of them was just squeaking by.

Goal #4: Cut out caffeinated drinks.
Result: 7/7. This one's not hard to stick to when I stay on top of it. I'm not attached to the effects of caffeine, I'm just partial to the taste of some drinks, and I need to keep remembering that I pay for the deliciousness with sleep issues.

[sylvanwitch]

I'm glad your inspection is done and over, and hopefully that has eased your anxiety on that count. Your porridge sounds delicious! I gave up breakfast for fasting, but the other day I was home, and it was late enough, so I made a big bowl of oatmeal with pecans and raisins and maple syrup and it was divine. I do *love* that kind of hearty, thick hot cereal in the winter. I'm so glad you had such a nutritious start to your days, as well.

Also, go you for the long walks on the weekends! It's been too snowy and slippery here to walk outdoors, but on Tuesday, before the storm moved in, we went to the local outlet mall and got in a couple of miles, and then I was able to walk in the backyard, which is about a half-mile for one lap. But I miss taking longer walks outside and am hoping for a thaw later next week, so maybe I can get a walk in.

I struggle on worknights sometimes with getting ready for bed on time because I feel so resentful that my precious free time has to come to an end for something sensible like getting enough rest, so the struggle is definitely real where that goal is concerned!

[delphi]

Crossing my fingers that you get that thaw! We're transitioning back into rain here this week, and I got out for a nice long walk-and-chat after work with a friend, which wasn't too impeded except for some slushy crossings and some bumpy-ice spots where people hadn't cleared their sidewalks.

I struggle on worknights sometimes with getting ready for bed on time because I feel so resentful that my precious free time has to come to an end for something sensible like getting enough rest

Oh, do I ever hear you. Obviously the real solution is a proper increase in free time, but barring that I've been noticing—and trying to remind myself—that the quality of my free time gets better on more sleep even if the quantity is reduced. I at least have more energy to chat with people and work on some creative projects, rather than just watching videos or doing other more passive things like when I'm tired.