Fitness Fellowship 2024: Week 17 Check-in

[sylvanwitch]

Another week down, my friends! Suddenly, the year seems to be moving very quickly. Time is so strange (and subjective) that way.

How has your week been, fitness-wise and/or otherwise? What's working for you? What isn't? Please feel free to share your progress (or lack thereof--no judgement here).

On the drive to work this morning, I heard a report on NPR about a study that shows that people who climb 6-10 flights of stairs every day tend to live longer and have fewer strokes, etc. That gave me a little boost of pride because I make it a point to climb at least 10 flights of stairs every workday. Now, I'm going to make sure I get in stairs on the weekends and during breaks, too!



Weight: 203.2, down .6 from last week.

Exercise: Every day, yes! Intervals, yes! Weight training, yes! Inclines, yes!

Intermittent fasting: This has been going well. I've rediscovered beans. To be clear, I've always liked them, but for a LONG time, my calorie-counting brain wouldn't let me indulge. (I know--how stupid can one be? Beans are SO good for us!) Last Tuesday, a friend and I went out for dinner at this awesome bazaar that is run by a non-profit and is specifically for immigrants to get their businesses off the ground. They have an amazing food court with all kinds of international foods. I had Congolese rice and beans and fried plantains, and that made me crave beans of all kinds, so I've been eating a lot of rice and beans and intend to continue the trend. I am mostly using premade mixes (and avoiding, wherever I can, the processed-food pitfalls) and rinsed, canned beans right now, but I do intend to start teaching myself some easy bean recipes. SO GOOD!

Meditation/breathing: I do this a LOT more now, especially boxing my breath, and it is paying off. I've noticed my blood pressure seems to be coming down the more cardio and breathing I do. I find it very centering to just breathe, sometimes with a mantra, sometimes a song lyric...whatever the case, I will keep doing it because it is awesome!

Sleep: On this, I failed a LOT this past week. I've been staying up late to read. Part of that is because my husband has had a lot of late shifts, getting home between 10-11pm. I find it hard to relax if I know he's going to be home late, not because I'm afraid to be alone but just because I know he's going to come in and we'll have a conversation, etc. I can't really get into pre-sleep mode until he's home. Anyway, I need to get better about this (and I hope he gets back to his more usual day shifts soon).

For the week ahead, more of the same!


Here's hoping the week ahead is a good one for all of us!

Comments

[luzula]

Yay beans! : )

My goal for last week was to rest away my cold, which I did--it was mild and passed in a few days. My sleep was pretty good, and I kept up the PT for my shoulder. It's taking its time in getting well, though. : (

I went to the May Day demonstration yesterday, which always makes me really tired, because I hate walking and standing around on pavement, and also it was quite hot (for Sweden). Anyway, this week I aim to:
- work out on four days
- spend time outside every day
- go running once or possibly twice
- keep up the PT for my shoulder
- keep to my sleep habits
- keep to the weight I'm at now.

I'm happy at now having reached the weight I'm comfortable with, so my goal is to stay there.

[sylvanwitch]

I applaud you for taking care of yourself this past week and for sticking to your modified goals, so you could get well sooner. I hope the lingering effects of your mild cold are soon a thing of the past! (I've got a mild cold myself, and I am already SO over the sniffling.)

Good luck with your goals for the week ahead, all of which seem quite reasonable and doable! Also, I sure hope the shoulder stuff gets better soonest!

[luzula]

Thank you! And I do hope you get rid of your cold soon, too.