Exercise | BulgingButtons

October 5, 2013
by BulgingButtons 8 Comments

Three Month Challenge Check In

Roughly three months ago I had my 47th birthday and decided to give myself some challenges for my 47th year. Some of them are coming along quite nicely, and others have yet to begin. Here’s a quick overview of how things are going for two reasons. First of all, there’s accountability. If I announce what I’m doing (or not doing) I’m more likely to progress toward my goals. Secondly, I want to give myself a push in the right direction. I have to revisit the goals to get them fresh in my mind again. Hopefully this won’t sting too much. I’ve included several links to posts that address particular goals, so feel free to poke around and read some.

1. Get at least one piece of writing published, in print, not via internet- not yet, but I am published in an online magazine, so it’s a start

2. Commit to eating home cooked meals at least four times a week (eMeals is helping with this one, check them out!)– sometimes yes, often no

3. Leave the house in plenty of time to not rush every morning– this one has been going really great

4. Read 47 books –I’m only at nine (not including books I read to my students), but I’m off this week, so that number should go up! Check the facebook page for my reads.

5. Start a writing group – yes, but not the way I originally thought. I’m doing a writing group with kids. I also belong to a group, so starting a new one right now doesn’t seem to make sense.

6. Reconnect with old friends – I’m attending my college reunion next week, and there’s already talk a a high school reunion for next year. That conversation has gotten me back in touch with some friends from long ago.

7. Take my meds everyday until I no longer need them– Check! I finally figured out a method that works for me and never miss them now.

8. Use the treadmill at least once a week (hey, you have to start somewhere!)– honestly, no. More than before, but still not once a week.

9. Try Zumba (even though I have two left feet)– not yet

10. Finish the charity quilt on my sewing table- mortified to admit, but also not yet

11. Finish one UFO (unfinished object) per month (this would mostly be quilts) – uh, no

12. Eat more fruit– yes! I more or less like fruit now and have some almost every day.

13. Eat more vegetables – doing ok on this one, could do much better

14. Drink less soda-I was but now I’m not. Time to refocus on this one.

15. Teach my son to drive (eeeeeeek!)- not yet

16. Take the dog to the dog park at least once a week – not yet ( it’s been too flipping HOT)

17. Finish the office to make it a nice place to work (clear out clutter and organize) – and again, not yet (I’m seeing a pattern, gulp)

18. Donate unused items (just dropped off a bunch of items today but there’s more to get rid of) – this is ongoing but we could use another round

19. Leave work at a reasonable hour each day – most of the time I do

20. Limit pinterest addiction (it’s embarrassing, really) – I rarely go on Pinterest unless I’m looking for something specific. I don’t surf it though.

21. Keep on blogging! At least once a week share thoughts, ideas, challenges, triumphs, etc through this forum – YES!

22. Learn how to be a better blogger (and a more widely read blogger) – learning slowly but surely

23. Learn to box, really, I want pink boxing gloves and something to hit – I’ve started

24. Try to improve sleep habits – working on this one

25. Save up for a really cool family vacation -working on this one

26. Try to listen to my teenager better instead of just talking at him – this one is so so so hard

27. Talk to mom more – a couple of times a week

28. Discover more of my state (there are tons of hidden treasures I’ve never seen -not yet

29. Take more photos on my actual camera instead of my phone – working on this one

30. Learn some new aspects of the job I’ve been doing for a long time – working on this one too

31. Figure out some additional ways to get income into the household – I have two additional income opportunities I didn’t have three months ago, and the possibility of a third one

32. Take better care of my car (it has over 100,000 miles and it has to last!) – I did make it wait a while for its last oil change…

33. Fit better in my clothes – YES

34. Lighten up mentally! – YES

35. Surprise my sweetheart with a weekend away – not yet

36. Girls only day trip- probably in November

37. Climb that stupid mountain- haven’t even tried yet

38. Read magazines, then recycle (so hard to part with some of them, and no, I’m NOT a hoarder)- zero progress on this one (maybe I do have a few hoarder tendencies)

39. Push my limits in all ways –I could do better

40. Don’t forget to be kind, to myself and others – most of the time, yes

41. Look good in THOSE jeans again – not yet

42. Give myself a reason to replace my sneakers at this time next year – I better put some more miles on them

43. Sing even if I’m not great at it – yes, but mainly when nobody but the dog is around

44. Do more with less – doing pretty well with this

45. Get things done right away when possible- I suck at this, but I have been paying bills early

46. Have fun – I do

47. Enjoy life – ditto

Well, clearly I have some work to do, but on the flip side I’ve made a lot of positive strides in the past three months. I’m not disappointed by what I’ve learned through this little exercise. I know that these are achievable goals, and given a positive attitude and determination, I’m sure the next check in will show even more progress toward completing them.

October 4, 2013
by BulgingButtons 7 Comments

Please Save Your Good Advice

Low carb, no carb, eat all the carbs you want, it really depends on who you ask, doesn’t it? I’ve eaten for my blood type, counted my points, and gone walking with Jenny’s cassette tapes in my pseudo-walkman. I learned how they eat in South Beach, and I’ve consumed gallons of cabbage soup, which I happen to like very much. Still, I’m fat. I’m fat because my head and my heart just aren’t buying it. Whatever the current craze is, I’m not likely to be on board, at least not all the way.

I know I need to eat better, but for me the idea of fat substitutes or gluten free anything sends chills down my spine. The thought of tracking down stevia and recreating recipes completely repels me. Even fruits and vegetables are a little difficult for me to make peace with. I’m not a complete non-believer though. Here are the things I do know I need to do:

1. eat less crap

2. eat more good stuff

3. exercise more

That’s about it. Simple. But the fact is that for whatever reason, no matter how simple it may be, it’s not easy. I have so many bad habits that breaking them seems an impossible task. Not only that, but new bad habits threaten at every turn. An addiction to gas station brand bagged cinnamon bear candy comes to mind. Yes, really. Where has this delight been all my life? And why do I like it so much? And why, once I open the bag, do I feel the need to eat every last one of those deliciously soft and chewy-spicy red bears? I know there are people who actually close the bag up and save some for later, but that’s not me.

In my defense, though, I have played around with exercise more in the past several months than in any of my previous attempts at body (and mind) reshaping. Yes, it’s still really difficult for me, and yes, I totally suck at it and don’t want to do it, but I do. Now don’t go telling me which exercise I’m going to love, because I will probably shut down and only hear the Charlie Brown teacher voice. Feel free to tell me what you love, though, in a non-threatening way, of course. I’m glad you’re a runner and did several miles along the canal. I envy you that. Crossfit is your thing? Fabulous. You’re a monster and I bow to you, and no, there’s no sarcasm in that statement, in case you weren’t sure. I enjoy hearing how others truly enjoy working their bodies, and I hope some of that positive spirit will rub off on me.

So even though I enjoy hearing about your bike race and your new personal best time, I won’t be joining you for hot yoga or spin class anytime soon. Do they even still do spin class? I’m still such a novice at moving my body that my workouts haven’t yet evolved past my front door. That’s ok. I’ll get there. Just please don’t push me, I’ll do it when I’m good and ready.

October 3, 2013
by BulgingButtons 2 Comments

Daily Passion Prompt 28: Off to the Fat Farm!

Today’s Prompt:

If you could drop everything and go somewhere, do something, and get something right now, what would those three things be?

Congratulations! You have won an all inclusive trip of a lifetime guaranteed to improve your health and well being. We have arranged for you to take a leave from work and from your home life and what’s more, there will be no negative repercussions as a result of your temporary absence. In fact, your family, students, and colleagues are all extremely excited about the opportunity you’ve been given, and are 100% supportive. Lucky you!

You will be whisked away to our state of the art facility, near the Pacific Ocean, where our team of doctors, trainers, nutritionists, and life coaches will work with you to finally shed those extra pounds in a safe, supportive, and fun way. We’ll explore the reasons you overeat and teach you new ways of thinking. We’ll help you find the snacks and meals that satisfy you without causing harm to your body. We’ll help you tap into your strengths, and work on overcoming issues that are holding you back from success. We’ll teach you the correct ways to work your body, and help you find physical activities that you find fun and can commit to.

All of this will be medically supervised, so no need to worry about training injuries or any other health related issues. The medications you are currently taking will be monitored, and, as your become healthier, dosages will be adjusted accordingly.

Naturally your spiritual needs will be met as well, in our Zen like complex, just steps from the beach. You will have time to relax and renew your spirit, explore your surroundings either alone or with like minded new friends, and connect with nature. You will be encouraged to write about your experiences, and will participate in a top notch writing group as part of your ongoing personal growth experience.