11/20/2023
Just like any older person, I have gotten away from my yoga practice, not meditating, and have had injuries which resulted in my gaining weight. I am holding myself accountable by recommitting myself to myself by working on my fitness level.
But to start-
weight- 175.6 lbs
This is not a number I aim to change. If it changes because I've put on muscle mass or lose visceral fat, I'm only aiming for health and fitness. I'm just putting it here to show the start of my physical fitness regime.
Calf- (R)15 "(L)15" (I hope to increase this number)
Thigh- (R) 25" (L) 25"
Hip- 47"
Waist- 37"
Bust- 43"
Upper arm- (R) 13" (L) 13" (I hope to increase this number)
Neck- 14.5"
My eating is OK. I have somehow managed to remove most of my snacking on empty calories (fun size chocolates, or potato chips).
I am drinking around 80-100 oz of water a day.
I'm trying to add more protein into any of my meals, while not putting unnecessary processed sugar or flour into them. I'm not eating double portions of anything, or trying to add sugar to things.
I am now trying to reduce the amount of dairy milk. This morning, I used Laird Hamilton's coconut milk creamer (cinnamon) into my coffee but not the 1-2 TBS that was suggested. I think I used 4 TBS for 12 oz of decaf, medium roast. I will try to cut back to 1 1/2 TBS in the future. Baby steps, folks.
(Dairy isn't bad for everyone. I just noticed that I was leaning too hard on it in my diet. Also, if I notice that inflammation is reduced by taking in less dairy, that will make me re-think certain types of dairy.
I have been told that parmesan or hard cheeses are the least inflammatory while still reaping the benefits of dairy. But then again, I'm used to putting Brewers Yeast on pasta dishes instead of parmesan, because it adds B vitamins to a diet that usually needs more if you aren't eating that much meat. And I like the taste of it.)
I have gone back to my twice a week intermittent fasting. On my fasting days, one meal at noon; either a fresh salad with protein added to it (like nuts or chicken or sliced beef) and dressing or a soup with those same things (bouillon with a protein, tofu or chicken, and add the steamed veggies to it to serve).
Lots of water, before and after lunch, during those fasting days.
Exercise-wise: I am doing a body wake-up stretching routine (5-10 minutes), 5000+ steps a day, with a dance or weight routine after work. I will be adding more time or vary the exercise (swimming!) as I get stronger.
Meditation- I will be adding 5 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes during my lunch, and possibly 5-10 minutes after work but before I start my exercise routine at night.
I already meditate at night for 10 minutes. It's a good way to transition from the work mentality to resting and being-at-home mentality. It's either that, or I start singing "It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood" from Mr. Rogers, for 10 minutes straight (all while taking off my outside shoes, and changing out of my work clothes into comfier, lounge-ier clothes) Meditation can sometimes turn into a nap, if I don't manage to shoo the cats out of our room, where I meditate sitting upright. I swear, put a cat on my legs, or near me purring, and it is like taking a sleeping pill; I'm out!
Anyway, if you've made it through this long post, please join me by telling me if you are exercising, just introduced a new food, or found out a food was not serving you well, if you are doing meditation at all or something in its place, and tell me when you started.
I'm interested in conversation about this. At 61, I'm doing what I can to increase the quality of my life. Tell me if you are doing anything to increase yours.
Photo is from earlier this year. I will be trimming/cutting my hair when I get back from NC. Enjoy this photo of my crazy hair.
