I can't believe it's October already. Things have been getting more and more hectic recently as things at work are picking up, the social scene is starting to come back to life, and of course having to deal with the endless, ever-expanding to-do list.
I'm just finished Day 17 of the Whole Life Challenge. So far I've got a perfect score, but that's going to change this coming weekend as I'll be in Germany for my best friend's wedding. I'm not intentionally going to stray from the nutrition guidelines as set by the challenge, but I'm foreseeing a few meals where I may not have much of a say about the ingredients that are used. Still, I'm not taking this as a 'What the hell, I might as well indulge' kind of trip. I hope to stay on track as much as possible, and if I happen to lose 3 points each day because of things that are out of my control, then that's just the consequence I'll have to suffer. We'll see.
I'm definitely pleased with how I'm feeling so far - much lighter on my feet, more energetic (despite not getting enough sleep), and just generally healthy. Each day I'm more convinced that I'll try to keep this up even after the 8-weeks are over. However, I don't want to speak too soon.
After returning from Germany there are a few things I want to tweak with my routine in general and with my eating.
I think I'm still getting too much sugar - though this time from fruits. Still, I want to cut my fruit portions down (how ironic that over the spring and summer I was struggling to eat even one piece of fruit each day!) to 1, maximum 2 servings a day. Plus I want to stick with foods/fruits that have lower glycemic index values as a whole. I also want to cut down how much olive oil I'm using to cook. I'm generally using 1 tablespoon of olive oil to cook a 3-portion meal, but once in a while I use more. I just want to be a bit more careful about how much I'm using. There may be a few other things that I will change, but these are the main things right now.
These modifications are not for the calorie count; they're actually more about necessity - do I need more olive oil? Do I need more fruit? Again, just because something is 'allowed' by the challenge doesn't mean that I should just abandon all caution and gorge in it (slight exaggeration here).
As for my routine - I know I don't use my time efficiently. I do have a lot of stuff going on, but I need to be better with my time management. I've definitely made my exercise a priority, and I don't want to change that at all. At the moment I'm averaging 14 hours of exercise per week (I'd actually love to be able to squeeze in another hour or two per week). However, I'm slacking with other things. Hopefully I'll come up with a good plan that I can implement and that will help me achieve my non-fitness/health goals.
We'll see how it goes!
Happy October :)
I'm just finished Day 17 of the Whole Life Challenge. So far I've got a perfect score, but that's going to change this coming weekend as I'll be in Germany for my best friend's wedding. I'm not intentionally going to stray from the nutrition guidelines as set by the challenge, but I'm foreseeing a few meals where I may not have much of a say about the ingredients that are used. Still, I'm not taking this as a 'What the hell, I might as well indulge' kind of trip. I hope to stay on track as much as possible, and if I happen to lose 3 points each day because of things that are out of my control, then that's just the consequence I'll have to suffer. We'll see.
I'm definitely pleased with how I'm feeling so far - much lighter on my feet, more energetic (despite not getting enough sleep), and just generally healthy. Each day I'm more convinced that I'll try to keep this up even after the 8-weeks are over. However, I don't want to speak too soon.
After returning from Germany there are a few things I want to tweak with my routine in general and with my eating.
I think I'm still getting too much sugar - though this time from fruits. Still, I want to cut my fruit portions down (how ironic that over the spring and summer I was struggling to eat even one piece of fruit each day!) to 1, maximum 2 servings a day. Plus I want to stick with foods/fruits that have lower glycemic index values as a whole. I also want to cut down how much olive oil I'm using to cook. I'm generally using 1 tablespoon of olive oil to cook a 3-portion meal, but once in a while I use more. I just want to be a bit more careful about how much I'm using. There may be a few other things that I will change, but these are the main things right now.
These modifications are not for the calorie count; they're actually more about necessity - do I need more olive oil? Do I need more fruit? Again, just because something is 'allowed' by the challenge doesn't mean that I should just abandon all caution and gorge in it (slight exaggeration here).
As for my routine - I know I don't use my time efficiently. I do have a lot of stuff going on, but I need to be better with my time management. I've definitely made my exercise a priority, and I don't want to change that at all. At the moment I'm averaging 14 hours of exercise per week (I'd actually love to be able to squeeze in another hour or two per week). However, I'm slacking with other things. Hopefully I'll come up with a good plan that I can implement and that will help me achieve my non-fitness/health goals.
We'll see how it goes!
Happy October :)
Hi Plum. Your personality reminds me so much of my little sister. Go, go, go and never settling for anything but a perfect score. She is an accomplished Ph.D also, so I recognize the traits. Try and have a fantastic time in Germany, (I know I would) even if you drop 3 points now and then (which somehow I doubt):)
ReplyDeleteThanks Marc!
DeleteDoing (and finishing) the PhD definitely was a turning point in my life when I thought all those things that were impossible are finally possible.
I hope Germany goes smoothly!
I'm always tweaking too. I need to keep it interesting so I don't get bored and eat. Any excuse it seems.
ReplyDeleteWeight Watchers recommends we get a minimum of two teaspoons of "good" oil each day. No, they are not the final authority on nutrition, but I do try to be sure I have that amount of oil in our dinner each night. I do know people who have had gall bladder problems that their doctor suggested was caused by going from a fat laden diet to almost no fat diet. Have fun in Germany. :)
Thanks Caron :)
DeleteI'm definitely going to research a bit more about good fats/bad fats and the correct quantities in a healthy diet. Like you, the tweaking helps keep meals interesting.