Now I'm 65!

In the end, almost my entire day was taken up reading about 'metabolic renewal' for women (a programme based on working with the hormonal changes that happen in a woman's body). It is certainly interesting. One of the important elements is having sufficient rest and renewal - so things like dear old YWA is going to make a come-back for me!

I also bought The Obesity Code by Jason Fung - after reading a blog by @-POOKIE- about the detrimental role processed foods play in our diet!

So - pretty food and exercise orientated day!



PS that lunch dish was tasty - but a bit fiddly to make as it required several pans - I'd approach it differently next time

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 2/16/2020 (15:42)

Well, I posted my run report on the running thread - it turned into quite an adventure!

Sunday - and another grey, wet, windy day. But I've been up to the leisure centre and had a 30 min swim. I was planning to treat myself to a coffee there, but the cafe wasn't open yet. So - home for coffee - and trying to ignore a rumbling stomach!

I'm cooking a new recipe for lunch - it's from the local supermarket (Co-op) magazine: Garlic Cannellini Bean Spaghetti with Courgette

garlic; spaghetti; courgettes cut into ribbons; olive oil; onion; plain flour; cannellini beans; stock; lemon; peas; parsley; pine nuts.

You make a 'sauce' with the blended beans. It sounds nice - I'm looking forward to that for lunch!

The rest of the day will be whatever takes my fancy - maybe some Cornish homework........... a film........... read............. sewing............knitting........... recorder..............meditation.................. nice day of rest and relaxation!

Saturday

My Friday 14th plan went very well. My new PJs are delightfully comfortable too.

The wind is still blowing very strongly - but I'm heading out for a running ramble around the lanes.

When I get back, I've got heart-shaped crumpets for breakfast again........... then volunteering at the library................. then the rest of the day is mine.

It did!

Friday - and after work I went to the gym and was surprised that I spent an hour and a half there! Came home and cooked my tea. Now having a catch-up on Spark.

Then I'm going to watch a film, have a bath, and enjoy my new PJs! No work this weekend.

That is a long shift. Hope the meal planning served you well.

Thursday

I went to the gym last night and enjoyed it.
I went for a run this morning and enjoyed it.

My work shift for today has been changed (due to staff sickness) - so I have the day free until 16.30 - then I'm at work until 15.30 tomorrow. So - I have some food preparation to do for those three meals at work.

Wednesday - and my morning routine seems to have settled into a better groove - thank goodness.

I'm off to work now - until 18.30. This evening I'm planning to go to the gym!

Tuesday - and back to work!

Up at 5.15 am, water, coffee & sit. Stretch. Get dressed. Chant. Breakfast. Spark!

The roadworks are complete and the machinery has all gone - so back to the usual one-way traffic, and parking all the way along. But it's noise I'm used to now.

I added a spoonful of protein powder to my cereal (rice & millet flakes, small banana, soya milk) this morning to see if it helps stave off hunger longer. Yesterday I had to have an afternoon snack - apple slices and sunflower seed butter - because I had that horrible gnawing hunger that comes from a carb-slump. It seems to have worked. And the scale is down 1lb this morning.

You are taking good care of yourself working out, booking holidays, sheltering from storms. Gardens are a good place to stay away from in high winds. I'm very impressed with your new gym and swimming commitments. I'm all talk at this point, no action. I'm glad you found a Cornish language meet-up you liked.

I spent most of Sunday reading (see my blog) and really enjoyed my R&R!

Today, I got up at 5 am, and sat with my coffee for quite a while - and when the coffee was gone, I sat and did some mindful breathing.

Then I set off for the gym. It opens at 6.30 am, so I set off at 6.30 am and got there at 6.50. I stopped to chat to someone walking his dog in town on the way. It was really nice in the gym at that time of day - I thought it might be busy with before-work people - but it wasn't. I was also pleased that the personal trainer there remembered me - he sees a lot of people, so I was impressed with that!

I've worked out my own programme which is:

15 mins on the cross-trainer (5 mins warm up, 10 mins intervals) - it's surprisingly hard on the quads, and I'm working up to being able to do longer (the workout is 60 mins if I did it all!)

- shoulder press 10lbs, 10 reps, 3 sets
- flys (pecs) 10lbs, 10 reps, 3 sets
- reverse flys 10lbs, 12 reps, 3 sets
- leg extensions 20lb, 10 reps, 3 sets
- leg curls 20lb, 12 reps, 3 sets
Cool down on the rowing machine - about 5 mins

I checked out the triceps extension machine too - I might add that one in.

The weather started out windy. Then a shower of heavy rain. Now the sun is trying to shine. Who knows what's next?

Today is the last day of my leave from work. I have a friend coming over this morning to chant. I have laundry in the machine. I have a recorder lesson at 1.30pm, and then CB is coming over about 2.30pm. If it's not awful weather, we've planned to go to Trengwainton Gardens.

I've also booked myself a week's holiday in my friend's holiday chalet over on the Hayle Towans - in September. So -that's TWO holidays booked this year! Not like me! A week in Bath in May, and a week in Hayle in September. Nice!

In other news, my weight is up this morning - after eating carbs at the weekend. Too much toast! And I just decided to add a 'pounds lost' ticker - to motivate me to lose that 8 lbs. The Spark calendar for February is about heart health - and today it's the benefit of losing 10% body weight.

PS both of my meet-ups today have been cancelled......this morning due to painters & scaffolding, ...this afternoon due to the weather - the gardens have been closed for safety. I also have heavy machinery in the road outside my flat!


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 2/10/2020 (13:26)

Sunday......and I'm following advice to stay indoors unless I really need to go somewhere. So I am missing seeing my friend. I've sent a message and also tried her landline - but haven't been able to get hold of her.

Anyway, I'm making a proper meal for myself, and might get some house cleaning done!

It was lovely to see CB yesterday - she makes a really yummy hummus too!

Saturday - and I went over to Camborne in the bus this morning, to go to a Cornish language meet-up. These monthly meetings are held in several places - my local one is in the pub at 8.30pm after the evening class. I don't like them in the pub - I find it too noisy to hear the conversation, don't want to drink at that time of night, and am usually too tired! So this one in Camborne attracted me as it was 10am - 1pm - in a hotel. We had activities to do, played bingo, and discussed pronunciation issues. There was tea and coffee. I really enjoyed myself and hope to be able to go again.

I got home about 2.30 pm, and then did nothing much for the rest of the day.

Storm Ciara has arrived - and it's very noisy outside my windows - with the strong winds. I'm supposed to be going over to St Ives tomorrow to see SH - have lunch with her and play Scrabble! I'll have to see what the weather is like in the morning - the advice is to stay inside unless you have to go out.

Thursday sounded like a nice balanced day. I'm glad you feel comfortable at the gym. That is like clearing the first big hurdle. I wish you success.

Thursday went well - I had a busy kind of morning, then a gentle afternoon/evening.
The session at the gym went well - and I've organised a plan for myself to work on initially. There was one machine I forgot how to use - and a couple of young women who were on the one next to me were happy to sort me out. I think the gym is actually quite a comfortable place for me to be socially as everyone is there as an individual, working at their own pace, and it's easy to see who's plugged into their technology, and who's not. The social rules seem quite clear - and I like that. So far, so good!

Lunch with C was good - we went to a place that sells nice home-made veggie/vegan stuff and we managed a conversation for about an hour. I was surprised, when we parted, to see that only 75 mins had passed.

I got my laundry done - and spent some time talking to one of my neighbours (SR); she is the one who instigates a daily afternoon coffee meet-up in the community lounge (3-5pm) but there are only a handful of people who meet, and the conversation always seems the same to me - and it's not easy for me to join in. However, she was on her own, so I stayed to listen to her until someone else turned up. I learned that three of my neighbours have spent time in hospital recently for cold/cough viruses that have exacerbated their chronic conditions. I didn't know - I don't see many people where I live, as few people walk past my door. One of the people is a 96 yr old lady - she's in hospital now and very frail.SR is afraid she won't come out again.......... and suffers terribly when people die. I'm trying to figure out if I should make an effort to sit up there for coffee with them from time-to-time, or whether it would be an energy-draining thing to do!

Friday - and I'm off to St Ives to spend a couple of hours with CB - including lunch.

I got a lot into my Wednesday!

I ran
I went to chant with my friend
I did the shopping
I went to recorder group
I went to the gym
I cooked a new recipe
I went to evening class

and that kept me going at a pace all day!

Evening class wasn't TOO bad. One of the students is a very outspoken Welshman - and I'm pretty sure his breath smelled of alcohol. The teacher's pet one who whispers was there, but slightly outshone by the Welshman. I walked back to town afterwards with the fourth person, she's a poet and I like her - she feels like she's the duffer in the group. I'm going to try putting more effort in, rather than dropping it - on the basis that I'll probably enjoy it more if I'm 'up to speed' and able to grasp it better. I'll reconsider at the end of term! Seems to me my choices are either to be good at it, or to give it up - which is probably not the healthiest attitude.......... I feel a blog coming on!

Thursday - and I've a bag packed to head to the gym to see what I remember from what I've been shown/taught. The resistance machine induction wasn't done as well as the cardio machine - the chap doing it (and his apprentice) weren't as personable. However, I've got a better idea of how things work now.

Then I'm going to meet up with my volunteer colleague for lunch - she's also a 'wholefood' type of person, so we may go to Archie Browns - the local wholefood store/restaurant.

Apart from that - it's just food and laundry I need to pay attention to today - and drop a book back to the library.

It's okay to try different things. Strength and aerobic exercise is the true habit you want to maintain. How you do to feed your strength and aerobic habit can change. Specially if change helps you maintain the true habit.

The Cornish question is a tough one. Language learning is good for brain health. Stress is not.

Thanks

I know I tend to get enthusiastic about new things .......... maintaining it as a habit is my goal!

I had all my technology turned off by 9pm last night, read for a while, then lights out. I woke around 4 am again (not good!), but went back to sleep - and wasn't on the doorstep with coffee until just before 7 am.

Today, the sun is trying to shine. I'm going to visit a local Buddhist chum, to chant together. Then I'm off to the pool for a swim - and treating myself to lunch there again. It's good for me to linger sometimes, and not just dash off. I also enjoy listening to fitness-related conversations! I'm learning.

This afternoon, I am going to aim to get some laundry done - and catch up on my Cornish language homework. I have been starting to wonder how it would feel to stop trying to learn Cornish. This is due to reflecting on how I've felt the pressure to be studying something all my life - not, perhaps, because I want to, but because it's something that makes me feel worthy (stemming back to my teenage years and being approved of when I was studying).

That is great. The resources are there when you want a nudge in different directions. You do well shifting directions occasionally. The cardio equipment can be good for cross-training, doing lower impact cardio like the bike or elliptical on non-running days. Or, when the weather turns nasty. Equipment needs are different, but relatively simple.

Indeed - I came away realising that I need different kit to my running gear......... and tomorrow I'm going to go and buy some stuff - indoor sports shoes, kit bag for showering, even a softer sports bra/crop top to wear under my t-shirt.

As for the on-going direction - I'm guessing they give as much guidance as you ask for. Initially, they ask about goals and suggest a programme. They have the staff there, but they don't monitor your progress unless you ask for their input - I don't think.

For me it's mainly maintaining muscle and bone-density by doing strength training. The cardio is less important - but I think the different cardio machines will help improve my fitness for running. Tomorrow I'm going swimming!

Oh, you are becoming a gym rat. I didn't go back far enough to read that. It will be interesting to follow how you do. Do they offer ongoing direction on the different fitness goals? What an interesting process to get weighed and measured in that way. You came out with pretty good numbers.

Monday

And I woke up late today! Then had to get dressed, eat breakfast, do essential Spark work, then off to the leisure centre for my gym induction.

I was nicely surprised to find that the young man doing my induction was the son of one of my work colleagues! I was there for almost an hour, but only did induction on the cardio machines: cross-trainer, treadmill, bicycle, rowing machine. But there was more to it than I'd realised - all the different fitness goals there are to choose from.

I am going for another induction session, on the resistance machines, on Wednesday. I got weighed and measured - I was 5'2" on their measure (which is an inch less than I've always thought I was?) and 8 stone 4lbs (116lbs). I asked to have the caliper measurements done for my fat-percentages, but they couldn't find their conversion chart. He took the measurements anyway - and will work out the percentage when he's got the right chart. I stood on their fat-measuring scales though, and that came up with 29.5% which is OK. He said a goal would be 27%.

The charts all seem to vary slightly - but this is about right I think:-

"A body fat percentage of 29.5 is on the low end of what’s average for most women and is characterized by a shape that is neither too slim, nor overweight."

I made myself some healthy tacos for lunch - from BOSH! Healthy Vegan recipe book - they were nice. But, maybe because I'm on 'holiday', I also had some vegan peanut butter & choc chip ice-cream!

I spent the remainder of the day, pretty much, binge-watching a box-set on iPlayer (Last Tango in Halifax).

It's not a particularly 'good' use of my time, but I really relaxed, and really enjoyed it! Maybe I needed that as a total rest from DOING things!

Yes, I'm looking forward to my trip in May - and have done some research on things to do, places to eat, and how much it all costs to do those things. I don't want them to feel they have to entertain me all the time. I am hoping I can meet my son for lunch at the university (where he works) one of the days, and my daughter-in-law for lunch near her work on another day.

I read your blog. You made good use of waking up early. It's good to flow with your natural inclinations sometimes to counter all the imposed work schedules and what not. I'm happy to hear you have a trip to see the family planned.

For some reason, I woke up at 4.20 am. I've just blogged about it on my Spark page!

Today, I started doing YWA February KISS calendar - and it was SO good!


I have a Buddhist morning to go to - and will take a packed lunch to eat there and be sociable for a while. Then I'll scuttle home back to my sanctuary.

I've booked a trip to Bath to visit my little family in May - which is something to really look forward to.

No, I didn't walk alone. After parkrun, my feet and ankles were tired, and so was I. I did my shopping and stayed home for the rest of the day.

I had some extra pay this month (back pay for being under-paid for over a year!). I bought a gold chain for a sweet little pendant that was my mother's, so now I can wear it - I'm wearing it now - it's Victorian.

And I've bought, on-line, a new swimming costume.

I've had a relaxing day.............. it's very relaxing knowing that there's nothing I really HAVE to do today......... and I'm going to make a drink and watch part two of Good Omens (Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett) on BBC iPlayer.

Yes........... the scale was slightly up again this morning, but I'm still encouraged by yesterday's number!

Saturday

And the UK has left the EU. I'm not one who is celebrating. I have a sticker on my coffee carry-cup which says BREXIT IS BONKERS!

And there are images on the news of convoys of coaches carrying people who've flown in from China to NHS quarantine centres - the drivers are going to 'stay at home for 14 days on full pay' - doesn't sound like a very good plan to me! What about their families? The threat of this virus is very serious - especially for a small country like the UK where population density is higher. I can't help thinking that it might be Nature's way of solving the population crisis! I'm only half-joking - I think the Planet has a homeostatic impulse as well as us.

Gosh - where did that come from? Guess because it's all fresh in my mind, and I live alone so don't have a sounding-board!

Let's start again! Saturday - and I'm up, dressed in my running gear; bag is packed; coffee is being drunk; breakfast has been eaten - off to the bus in 20 mins - to go to Penrose parkrun at Helston. I can't hear any rain - so, well, it's February so it'll be a bit chilly, and probably a bit grey, and possibly quite muddy - but it's not raining!

And that's as far as I'm even thinking or planning at the moment...................

My friend JM and I were going to go for a walk this afternoon - I'm more adventurous than her, so I'd offered a walk which took just a slightly different route. Sadly, she messaged me yesterday to cancel - she's not feeling well.

Will I walk alone?

I think we are all recovering since December...

I didn't do much at all on Thursday evening - just messed about on Spark People, then went to bed! Well, I was tired....... at least I didn't snack or anything.

Friday - and I pressed 'snooze' twice before I finally got out of bed. It's my last day of work before 8 days off - and I have a mission to complete something at work today - so the time will fly!

The scale showed me a lower weight this morning - hooray! I last saw it on 22nd December. I feel so encouraged by this. I had a protein shake for breakfast yesterday, and just fruit and coconut yoghurt for dinner. Lunch was a sandwich and a salad and a Nak'd Bar. I can't eat like that every day without getting too hungry, but it is encouraging.

I went to my evening class. I took my own decaff with oatmilk in a carry-cup, and avoided the noisy tea-break by just strolling around with my coffee in the church. I still found that I'd had enough after an hour really, the last 40 mins or so of the class is hard work for me; hard to stay engaged with it.

Thursday - and when my alarm went off I found it hard to believe it was already morning! But I'm up - lunch is packed for work, coffee is here by my side - Spark is what I'm doing.

My phone is charging. My Garmin tracker is charging. Am I charging?

Today's a straight 9.5 hrs shift. So this evening will be home-based, with hula-hooping, and perhaps some Cornish homework! And an early night.

I need to look after myself as I have a 10.5 hr shift on Friday. Then I have a week off - hooray!

Wednesday

and after a second sleep-in shift, I dragged myself home at 10 am feeling completely exhausted.

However, I had a decaff coffee, Sparked, re-arranged my schedule for the day, and went off to the swimming pool. I had a good swim (16 lengths today) - and then stayed (as planned) there for lunch. They have several enticing vegan dishes on the menu, but sadly they weren't available. So I had a jacket potato with vegan cheese and baked beans, and a side salad. I also had a nice coffee with oat milk. It was very nice.

After swimming I had a craving for aniseed twists - so I went into the 'weigh-in' shop and purchased TWO boiled sweets (aniseed twists) which I really enjoyed. It's great to have a shop like that where you can buy one boiled sweet (if you want to) or just a couple of figs, or 10g of cocoa powder. Love it! I was aware that it was sugar, and that it might set up a craving - which it kind of did; later I was fancying something like cheese straws (wheat, dairy, salt) - but I managed to over-ride the craving.

While I was there I also booked myself in for a gym induction session at 8 am on Monday!

I came home and then remembered that I still had to go to the library to do the banking - which I did. After which, I returned home and rewarded myself with a guided relaxation 'body scan' on YouTube which was really good.

It stopped me from eating - when what I really needed was rest.

Going back to the cheesy craving - I've mixed a load of nooch into a red-bean kind of hummus that I made the other day - and am having it on some high-protein toast, and eating it with miso soup.

Tonight I have to go to evening class because I promised I would!

Tuesday

And I've been out for a run - which is a great start to the day. I've managed to keep to my exercise goals since I started putting them on the calendar in my phone - it gives me a realistic picture of the time I need to set aside for fitting exercise in.

I've got a sleep-in shift again today - and LT coming over this morning to chant, chat, study Buddhism with me. Then I must get a bit of grocery shopping - eat, and get ready for work.

(just had a message from LT who couldn't remember if I was coming to her or she was coming to me - so looks like I'm heading up to her's now!)


Later: we had a great session together - study and discussion. I got my shopping on the way home. I found a really nice ready-made miso/kale/mushroom soup (made in Devon - fairly local to me) and had half for lunch (half tomorrow). There was also an offer on ripe mangoes (from Peru!) - so one of those is chopped up with coconut yoghurt, hemp seeds and chia for breakfast at work tomorrow morning.

All-in-all I feel like I'm doing well at the moment, even though my weight is higher that it was a couple of months' ago. I have been totally on my 3 meals a day, no sugar, for 80% of the last three weeks - fulfilling the 80/20 guidelines.



Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 1/28/2020 (10:22)

Monday - I had a work appraisal this morning, which went well. After I got home from work, I went to put some items in the food bank, then came home and had lunch. Then off to a recorder lesson, where my current achievements are hitting top 'C' - it's quite a squeak! Such fun though!

I am following my recorder teacher to the gym - our paths cross in three places now - park run, recorder, gym. She's quite a round person actually - but she works out every day and I admire her for that. She must be over-eating when she's alone.......... must be......... I've never seen her eat - and that's usually, ironically, a tell-tale sign in my experience.

When I got home I read for a while, then fell asleep for a couple of hours. I had a slight headache when I woke up this morning, and I've just taken a couple of paracetamol tablets before I go off to a Buddhist discussion meeting.

I managed to meet my goal of doing 10 mins on the rebounder when I got home from work.

When I went to read that article later, I found I'd previously saved all three in the series from Dean Anderson. It was good to re-read it.

I watched a neat video about leptin which confirmed that I'm pretty well on the right path with the eating plan I've gradually developed:

1. 5-6 hours between meals
2. eat three meals
3. don't snack
4. don't eat after dinner
5. keep carbs low

youtu.be/NwdxTRAH_Gs

That led me to check out the references to leptin in the other books I've got. The books that I've kept in my collection are all helpful still.

David Kessler - The End of Overeating
Gillian Riley - Eat Less
Refuse to Regain - Barbara Berkeley

and the No S diet support this plan too

Sunday - and I had a really enjoyable run - I had FUN! (see the running thread for more info)


Today I am off to work at 16.30 for an overnight sleep-in shift. So, a good main meal around 2 pm is on the cards. And I'm defrosting some red kidney beans to make a kind of tex-mex dip to take to work for tea later. I think I'll go for a smoothie for breakfast on Monday (banana, protein powder, milk, cinnamon).

Better get on with it!

Saturday

Here we go again - off to work. I finish at 15.30 today.

The scale just doesn't seem to want to go down again! Up until November I was maintaining around 115 lbs. Now I seem stuck around 117 lbs. I know it's not a big deal - but it is a drift upwards which I want to reverse!

Something for me to read later; some psychology from Dean Anderson

www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_arti
cles.asp?id=497

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 1/25/2020 (01:39)

Thanks - I didn't go out on my bike today - it was too cold for me.

Instead I spent the afternoon 'relaxing' aka binge-watching Life on Mars on iPlayer and drinking tea!

I'm good with my meal plans at the moment - I've made a banana protein shake for breakfast tomorrow (as I can't use my blender at 6 am!) - and have toasted a few nuts to mix with apricots to go in my lunch-box with my sandwich and apple.

All is well.

Enjoy the rest of your day off.

I was glad to be able to go and spend an hour or so being a listening ear for my friend. The benefit of having older or less-well friends is that I learn about things - which will help me if I find myself facing similar things in 10 years' time.

I slept well and have a day off today (I think those two things go hand-in-hand!). My Buddhist buddy, LT, is coming over this morning to do some chanting, chatting, study with me. This afternoon I've promised myself to get my bicycle out for a ride.

It's chilly this morning.

I'm glad someone is here Sparking!

I agree with your closing paragraph. Have compassion for your friends, but don't follow the same path. Continue on your own path, because you are already serious about your health and fitness. Keep moving.

J bought the new Blue Zone Cookbook then left it at my house. I made a couple recipes from the Costa Rica chapter. Then I took her some food. What just happened?

Thursday

and a grey, overcast, but milder morning today. I slept well and don't have to be at work until 15.30 h today.

One of my friends, JM, who lives a mile up the road, is suffering with acute cystitis/bladder problems and I'm going to go up and see her this morning.

Then swimming; pick up my new book "BOSH HEALTHY VEGAN"; pick up a salad box for lunch (or I might take it to work this evening and swop my meals round); get a bit of shopping - then home for a while before going to work.

The bad state of my friends who are older than me is galvanising my determination to get more serious about my health & fitness programmes! I realised I don't have a single friend who is still capable of accompanying me on a hike or good walk, or run, or cycle ride. I have also realised that most of them don't walk more than a couple of hundred yards from their cars. How did I not notice that before? I guess we're all getting older, and they're ahead of me in years. I don't want to get like that. The discomfort warning shots I get in my big toe joints worry me the most - I'd hate to be 'off my feet'.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 1/24/2020 (03:10)

Wednesday

and it's back to work today. So, of course, I didn't want to get up with the alarm went off! And the time is rushing by this morning - packed lunch to make, hair to wash etc.

But, I'm here and I'm Sparking!

Tuesday

......... and the scale is going down again - 2lbs less than yesterday - phew!

I had a good day yesterday - stayed on-track with eating; had a nice uphill walk with my two friends.

This morning I got up and went for a run - 28.5 mins 4.8 km. It was brilliant to be out there just before dawn. Not raining ......... I don't think I'd have gone if it had been raining.

Today - a day off. GW (used to be GH but she got married to her partner before he died, and has taken his name) is coming over at tea-time. I'm going to serve her vegan sausages, baked spuds, organic baked beans - pure comfort food! I know what she likes to eat. I'm not making her an apple crumble though - I'm going to make some dates stuffed with peanut butter and cocoa powder for a 'dessert' treat.

It's bright and cold. Cold for here anyway, not cold compared to cold places in the North America! (6c feels like 2c).

I have a list of things to work through today. Making the decision to NOT go to the work team meeting (the text arrived on Saturday morning) on my day off is not an easy one for me........... I hate to miss out. BUT, I need to have the rest from stress. My Garmin tracker shows a very clear pattern of higher stress on work days!

Monday - another really sound sleep, and another day without work stretches in front of me. I'm meeting up with CB and our mutual friend JB - to visit Godolphin (National Trust estate) where we can walk & talk. Fresh air and trees - nice!

The scale was up this morning, which shocked me a bit - although it's obviously due to eating more than my usual amount of bread, pastry, cake. No chocolate or cookies this weekend though.

I'm taking a little package of dried apricots out with me today - because I think I might well get the munchies before lunch - and rather than pretend it won't happen, I'm going prepared. The whole package is only 100 kcals so it's OK to eat them all if I need to. I don't want snacking to become a habit again - but, just for today, as I'm out and about with friends, I'm taking precautions against getting ravenous. Especially as the other two are those who will have a light lunch and eat their main meal in the evening (opposite of me).

However, I'm feeling positive. I seem to have bought another cookery book

BOSH healthy vegan
youtu.be/xopCxJMhU4U

I also enjoyed watching Dr Rupy's inspiration video this morning.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAEAQvOa700

How fortunate we are to have all these great inspirational, healthy, positive, happy people!


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 1/21/2020 (04:43)

Sunday

I slept like a log last night - amazing what a couple of work-free days can do!

The sun is shining - it's cold, but the sky is blue.

SH is coming over for a vegan brunch - I have tofu scramble, vegan sausages, smoked tempeh strips, cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, rye toast.

Then we're going to go for a walk!

My weight is as high as it's been for quite a while. I need to do some adjusting!

Later: I had a good day with my friend - she arrived at 11 am and left at 5 pm - which is a long day for me to be sociable. I was tired by 5 pm! We enjoyed our brunch together. Drank coffee and chatted. Then went out for a walk along the prom and sat on a sunny bench for a while. It was a delightful day weather-wise.
Then we came home for tea and cake (my left-over Xmas cake) and played Scrabble!

What I did notice (from my tracker) was that we were walking very, very slowly - (about 2 km per hour). She is 76 and has sciatica on/off too. Yesterday with the other friend, who is also 76 yrs old, I had to slow down a lot when we were walking together - she was very slow on any incline. It quite shocked me actually. And made me more determined to keep exercising!

Part of our brunch - she said that the tofu scramble was indistinguishable from scrambled egg!


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 1/19/2020 (15:35)

Friday evening ended up being a bit nibbly! After dinner (a three bean & spinach stew) I wanted something crunchy - so had some rye crispbreads with vegan butter, then some more. Then I decided to make some banana 'brownies' for the friend coming to coffee today - and ate a portion of those too! They were sugar-free and wheat-free.

(bananas, almond butter, cocoa powder, vanilla essence, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, plant milk - then because I didn't have any chocolate protein powder, I added coconut flour. It was supposed to have non-dairy choc chips - but I didn't have any of them either)

But I woke up feeling much happier this morning - so whether it was the extra food, or the fact that I know I don't have to go to work today, I'm not sure! It's a little brighter today too.

So - volunteering at the library this morning, then the friend coming for coffee (she's my partner volunteer at the library - not quite a friend, but we're getting to know each other better).

I've been conflicted about what to get in for coffee - nothing? something I know she likes (oat biscuits), something sugar-free that I've made? nuts and fruit? something from the wholefood shop? anything I have that she doesn't eat, I'm likely to eat later - and I don't want the sugar.

Later: I served my sugar-free banana brownies - and she loved them, being of a similar mind to myself in terms of eating! woo hoo - so no dilemma over buying something special for her. I bought a pack of cashew Nak'd Bars (like lara bars) which I can keep in the cupboard.


Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 1/18/2020 (14:02)

Friday

I did go to the recorder group last night, and it did do me good.

Today - cold, wet, grey again.......... I'm home from work now (almost 5 pm) and am just feeling floppy and tired still.

I have four days off now - with some kind of social activity planned for each of those days - it just happened that way.

I've had some interesting insights - I'm reading a book called "When the body says NO - The hidden cost of stress" by Gabor Mate. It's bringing up stuff for me. One of the big things is realising that I never trust anyone who says "I love you". I've had too many hurts - I never really believe that anyone loves me. That's very sad - but possibly true of a lot of people. A deep sadness. I'll work on it - having compassion for myself and others is a start.

Gosh I was tired by 7 pm last night - I managed to stay awake until just before 9 pm, then went to sleep. I think, maybe, there is a slight cold virus kicking around in me - I felt a bit miserable at work yesterday - and that's often a sign that my body is struggling with a virus.

Thursday - another chilly, windy, grey day. I am working 10.00-16.00 today with one person, and it's a manageable shift. I'll be OK. It's supposed to recorder group tonight - and I'm not sure about going to that at the moment - although it would probably do me good. I think I'll make myself go!

My back is a bit achey - I guess it's probably the swimming I did - different muscles used.

Yes, it's the dealing with all the wet outer-gear when you get to the pool - cramming it into a locker etc. Anyway - the swim happened, and I managed perfectly well - I had two large plastic bags (one for wet, one for dry) inside a hold-all. That system seemed to work alright. The pool was much more pleasant than I'd anticipated - the water not as chlorinated as it used to be, nice and warm. I actually enjoyed myself!

Wednesday - and I'm off to work for the 10.5 hr shift today - so not a lot else happening. I took the decision NOT to go straight on to the evening class afterwards.

I slept really well last night - which must have been due to the physical exercise done in the pool - it's different for my body. I did notice, when swimming, that my hips are more level - I have a bit of a twist in my kick. I can only attribute that to running and the yoga-type spinal exercises I've been doing.

I would hate for you t get wet on the way to go swimming. I completely understand. The weather is really cold and miserable here right now. I noticed last night that some of the solar-powered road signs are going dim from too little light during the day. Stay comfortable and you will get through the dark, wet weather.

Tuesday

and another dark day out there - it's grey, wet, windy.

The front door was replaced yesterday, and I really appreciated it last night when I missed the sound of the letter-box flapping. There is one little spot where the wind gets in - around the lock - and, boy, that feels really icy!

I was in bed with the lights out by 8.30 pm last night, trying to make up on the sleep lost the previous night. I slept well.

Today I'd made the decision to go to the swimming pool. I'm now feeling very hesitant as I watch the rain falling out there!

Monday

and I had a tiring shift, not least because I was woken just before 4 am by one of the residents talking to SIRI on her iPad! Jeez!

I'm home now, and the wind is ferocious today - Storm Brendan. The noise of strong wind really exhausts me - it's the buffeting sounds I think. It sounds really bad.

I'm having my front door replaced today - hope it doesn't take too long - the flat will be freezing if the wind blows all the heat out.

I'm not very 'together' today - we were supposed to have a team meeting, which has been cancelled (again) as our manager is not well. We really NEED a team meeting!

I just had to uninstall/reinstall my Garmin app as it wasn't synching. Then remove and re-add my 'device' - it seems to be OK now, thank goodness.

I'm not inclined to go outdoors again today, to be honest. I will do some knitting, and reading, and maybe do a puzzle to relax my mind later.

The good thing is that I've done 7 days without sugar, or snacks. I'm aiming for 21 days, but next Sunday SH is coming over for the day, and I think I might allow myself one small slice of my Xmas cake (which is in the freezer) with our afternoon tea.

Sunday - and another nice day to myself before going to work at 16.30 (overnight this time).

I got up and went into town about 9 am intending to do a couple of things - use a voucher in The Works and buy some card-making stuff, and go to the Co-op and buy things for the food bank. But I was too early! Things not open until 10.30 am on a Sunday - shows how often I try to shop on a Sunday!

So, instead of going home, I decided to keep walking. My Garmin isn't synching as well as it should onto my phone, but I know I did about 8 km and was walking for about an hour and a half! It started raining a little, and I almost turned back, but I'm glad I didn't because the sun came out and it was lovely.

Then when I got back to town, I did the two things I'd wanted to do earlier. This week it was UHT milk and jam to the food bank (their choices, not mine).

I've enjoyed having these chunks of daytime time to myself - I feel a lot more relaxed than when I have to be up and out for work early.

It is great that the podcast allows organization like the BBC to post a wider variety of material since it's not taking up limited airtime. They can let their talented people some freedom.

I have to go look at yur beach pictures.

Yes. I had a long walk yesterday - on the beach (see my blog for a few pics) - it was a glorious day and I really enjoyed being out, relaxed and free!

The Buddhist meeting wasn't really very uplifting - there was too much vociferous political dialogue going on! I contributed a couple of sunny bits and determined not to let it get me down.

Today, Saturday, I found it hard to get up in the dark and go to work. When I'd been there half-an-hour, another person turned up who thought she was working from 8am (on the rota for 16.30-22). So, I offered to swop with her - so she could stay, and I have come home, and will go back at 16.30. It doesn't matter to me today.

So - today is not like yesterday - the sky is grey and overcast, it's quite windy, a bit rainy. I have a chilli to make (which was for dinner, but will now be lunch), and a soup to make for dinner tomorrow. I'm listening to classical music on BBC Sounds 'Mindful Mix' podcast. I love these podcast things. There's much better stuff on the BBC iPlayer and Sounds than on the TV! More of a forum for alternative and eclectic stuff.

So - a day at home! My win I think.

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 1/11/2020 (04:46)

January is a bleak time to start a running habit. It's hard enough to keep up an established habit in these dark, cold, wet days. As I wrote about wanting to run again in my journal today, a voice from back of my brain asked if it was really reasonable before March.

Do what feels good. Just keep moving in some capacity. Keep taking care of yourself.

Interestingly my environment has responded! I had a message to say recorder group was cancelled because there were so many people off sick. So I just played my recorder on my own at home. Then today I had an early text from work to say the team meeting has been moved to Monday. So - I have my day off after all.

I woke at 2 am thinking it was morning; I was wide awake! However I did just go back to sleep!

Today I am going to go for an hour's walk before lunch. The desire to run has gone somewhere. And the courage to get my bike out is hiding somewhere. But walking feels ok.

There is a Buddhist women's meeting this afternoon, only 10 mins from home.

I think I have a tickly cough .......... hopefully it won't become a problem.

Good self care, Gill.

Thursday

After two of those long day-shifts at work, then evening class last night - I felt wiped out. I'm not going to do evening class after a day at work next week, or the week after that. It's too much for me - I don't have the head-space left.

I wrote this in my blog, but I really hit my social boundaries at evening class last night - firstly in the lesson, there was only one other student in my group and she drives me a bit crazy - she talks very quietly, but also butts in when it's my turn - a bit like someone always finishing your sentences for you. After a while, I just turn off and go quiet - can't be doing with it. Then in the break - even though I'd helped set up the urn and set out the tea things, I couldn't face everyone (about 40 people I suppose) all in a small room talking and trying to get tea/coffee and eating biscuits. I couldn't cope with the cacophony, so I took myself back into the empty area (we do our classes in a church!) and listened to music on my phone with my eyes shut. I was socially over-loaded!

Today I have L coming over to chant with me and do some Buddhist study. Then I have the day free until this evening when I have recorder group. Those are both enjoyable and restorative things.

I had running on my list today - but I've crossed it off. I'm having a bath instead!

But, really, I am going to go for a walk after lunch.

It's nice you a leaning into your spiritual practice and that it's bringing you peace.

Wednesday

The time is slipping by faster this morning - my second long day of work. And straight after work I'm going to evening class.

But all the essentials are done - I'm happy to say that chanting has resumed it's place of priority - that feels good.

At least we past by the shortest day of the year. We are getting heavy cloud cover and rain. It was still dark half and hour after sunrise this morning.

Tuesday

Gosh these dark mornings are hard to get going in! I'm up - lunch and tea packed, coffee drunk, chanting and Sparking done, now to the exercise mat, then breakfast, then off to work. 8-18.30 today.

Yea, Trump throws me for a loop on a regular basis. I feel your pain.

Monday

and I've woken to the sound of very strong winds out there! and some really terrifying news coming from Mr Trump.............. terrifying. It's thrown me temporarily off-course with my morning routines.

I have coffee. I've had my breakfast. I'm going to set the 100 DWL team up for Day 1 of the new book. I'll do my back stretches. I'll go and meet up with CB. And at the end of the day I'll see how many things are not ticked off my list!



in other news - the scale was down again this morning

Edited by: SWEETENUFGILL at: 1/6/2020 (03:20)

Yes, they were REALLY nice!

My dinner this evening was quite a perilous event! Firstly I discovered that I'd put my fishless fishcakes (tofu 'seacakes') in the freezer, when they should have been in the fridge - so they were frozen solid. Then I put some potatoes on to par boil, and went to take down my Xmas decorations - next thing I know, I can smell burning! The pan had boiled dry - so I dashed out into the garden with the saucepan in one hand, and my Xmas 'tree' in the other! I managed to salvage the potatoes and baked the frozen tofu seacakes until they were done!

I then steamed my little Xmas pudding that I didn't have at Xmas - and had that with some coconut cream and some vegan chocolate ice-cream!!!!!!!!! and a half-glass of red wine!!!!!!!!!

It felt a bit like the last day of the feast before the 'diet' starts tomorrow!!!!

Day off tomorrow - I swopped it out with someone who wanted more shifts. I'm going out for the day with CB - to Trelissick Gardens near Truro. There is lots to explore there - I wonder how much we'll do. We've agreed to try to have more days out like this this year; made possible by her car!

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/trelissick

Enjoy those fresh greens. So healthy.

Thanks, Brian! I've missed your more frequent posts, but hope that 'no news is good news'.

Sunday - and I was up at 5.30 am to pack my breakfast and lunch. Today lunch is a lovely fresh green-leaved salad bowl with vegan cheese and a few peanuts. I have a Bounce protein ball to satisfy (I hope) any cravings for something sweet and chewy.

It's Sunday-quiet/Winter-quiet here at the moment..................... nice!