Fitness Fellowship 2024: Week 47 Check-in

[sylvanwitch]

How did the past week go for you, friends? Did you enjoy the bounty of the season (wherever you are, whatever season that might be), or did you struggle with what you ate, how much exercise you got, or with your other personal fitness goals?

Of course, I hope it was a good week for you, but in any case, please do share if you're so inclined.



Weight: I gained around 1.5 or 2 pounds (ish), and I call that fine.

Eating plan: I made way too much stuffing, so we've been eating that for almost every meal. (I made mashed potato and stuffing "pancakes" for breakfast yesterday--quite tasty but not what you'd call healthy.) We also ended up with four desserts (pecan pie, apple pie, carrot cake, and vegan pumpkin spice cheesecake). I actually haven't been overeating or indulging in too many desserts, etc., and I've mostly kept to my eating/fasting windows too.

Exercise: I was very good about this. During my epic LotR extended-version rewatch, I used the elliptical for ten-minute sessions several times throughout the day and early evening. I got a long ramble in on Wednesday and Sunday, too, and did yoga five times last week.

Sleep: I fell back into my night-owl ways, but I got to bed on time last night and am only a little sleepy today.

Hydration: This is easy when I'm home, as I was for five days last week. Lots of tea, ginger juice, etc.

The week ahead: Less stuffing, more veggies!

Wishing you a week of wonders!

Comments

[oschun]

I made a spiced cheesecake for Christmas last year with speculoos biscuits. It was very good.

I swear I'm losing my memory (and possibly my mind) but I can't really remember last week, and I'm pretty sure I said that the previous week too. It's possibly the result of brain-drain from marking and moderating over 100 essays in the last ten days. Anyway, looking forward rather than backward - today I fasted a full day and I'm planning at least one more fast day this week. Pilates tomorrow and at least one more organised exercise of some sort. Maybe this is why I'm getting myself confused - I'm planning forwards rather than reflecting backwards. Anyway... have a good week.

[sylvanwitch]

That cheesecake sounds AMAZING! This is by a company called Daiya, who make all sorts of plants-based stuff. It's not healthy, of course--packed with sodium and super processed. But it is yummy!

I think you've been going like a steam engine for so long now that the days must blur together. I just had a bit of a break, which was much needed. Before said break, I was definitely struggling cognitively--just too much going on and not enough time to process or think. I do hope you're able to get on top of the blurriness and am also glad you're back into a fasting habit because you get so much out of that!

Here's wishing you a good week!

[china_shop]

All those desserts sound amazing. <3

I aced the exercise last week (six days out of seven on my exercise machine). This week started off well, but today I used the exercise time to wash my hair, and now I have no inclination to get hot and sweaty. Maybe I'll do some stretches instead. :-)

(I've been eating so much, including tons of sugary snacks. I'd blame it on Christmas, but that's weeks away... Oh well.)

[sylvanwitch]

I didn't make any of them, so I can't take credit, but I certainly can appreciate their deliciousness by eating them! Lol! :-)

YAY for so much excellent exercise! I hope the stretches made you feel good--I do enjoy my yoga for how it makes my muscles all warm and tingly.

As for the sugary snacks, same here, sister. We can have solidarity in our sugar indulgence! I hope you find the willpower if that's what you need, however. *hugs*

[delphi]

That sounds like some wonderful Thanksgiving food. :D

My biggest challenge last week and one I'm continuing to work on this week is getting my walks in now that we're in the darkest part of the year. The plan was to prioritize getting out at lunch now that it's too dark (and usually rainy) to go in the morning, but work hasn't been conducive to that. I know we've just got a few more weeks to go before the days get longer, so I think I'm just going to bundle up in the morning and tough it out.

[sylvanwitch]

It was delicious and SO high in sodium! I just made a "chicken" stew with jarred sauce and frozen veg and am looking forward to, for example, spinach and peppers. :-)

I am sending you all the good weather for those dark morning walks. It's not safe to walk in our neighborhood after dark (narrow shoulders, no sidewalks, very few streetlights), and I almost never get home before the sun goes down, but sometimes we drive to a neighborhood across the island where there are sidewalks, so we can walk there. This time of year, it's nice because there are so many houses with decorations. I'm a sucker for holiday lights, even if I know all that energy consumption is bad.

All of that is to say that I, like you, am trying to look forward to when there's a bit more light around by the time I'm home from work. (It's always just getting light when I leave for work in the AM.)

[delphi]

Oh man, I've lived in similar areas where there's no safe walking space after dark, and I sympathize. I'm lucky enough to have good sidewalks and lighting, but my usual walking route is also where a lot of people unfortunately have to shelter overnight, and I don't want to disturb or startle anyone who's getting that last hour of sleep before the sun comes up. I did get out for a nice long walk this afternoon, though! (Mostly because I had book returns due at the library. :D)

[luzula]

Late reply, and I guess I am not in a place where explicit goals seem useful!

But I'm pretty good. I work out a lot (got to put that energy somewhere), and am really enjoying having no lingering injuries/pains to keep me back. I've also started tree climbing again, in the oaks on my property! I am also sleeping well despite the feelings I am feeling, which is a relief. Weight still low and stable. I wonder if all the physical work I did this fall affected my metabolism to use more energy?

[sylvanwitch]

I completely understand about the goals thing. You've definitely had significant achievement and have also maintained your weight loss and level of fitness. (And, too, it's not a focus of your life at the moment for other reasons.)

The tree-climbing sounds AMAZING! How wonderful! And I'm glad your sleep isn't affected.

As for your metabolism, I don't know, but it does seem like if you teach your body new things, it's likely to change? (That's total speculation--talking out my butt, as we say here in the US--but I think you may be on to something!)