Needless to say, school has been overwhelming lately.  This past week was not a particularly good one for me.  I don’t want to talk (write) about it, because I just need to let it go, but suffice to say, it was quite unpleasant over all.

Now that the week is over, I’m trying to regroup and stop freaking out about life.  My husband and kids are out of the house today so it’s a good opportunity to settle down and wrap my mind around everything.  I went and got a haircut and picked up a few things at the mall while I was at it.  I powered through a quick lunch involving canned salmon, canned peaches, and a couple of slices of bread – look, ma, no veggies!!! – and now I’m trying to find a patient for Monday morning.  So far, it’s not going well.  I think I will make one last call and then move on to studying.

Speaking of regrouping, workouts haven’t really been happening.  My husband went away for meetings for a week the 2nd week of January, and my schedule went all to hell.  It was not pretty.  He was back last week, but the workouts still didn’t happen.  I did meet with my physio, though, and am making progress on the IT band front, so I’ve got that going for me.

Really, I am totally overwhelmed and the last thing I want to do is add any stress to my life by making unrealistic healthy eating and workout promises.

But…I feel better when I eat (mostly) healthfully and am getting some exercise in.  So, really, from a stress management perspective, I think I’d better throw some health and fitness goals for the next 2 weeks out there, so I have something to shoot for and start having more energy/less stress.

1. Meal plan for the next 2 weeks.

2. Fit in 30 minutes of exercise per day (yoga and walking are definitely easy, solid options).

3. Make a workout schedule so that I know what I’m doing and can just shut up and do it.

4. Treat myself with kindness if I don’t get all of my workouts in.  That being said, catching up on celebrity gossip and watching Buffy on Netflix are probably not as beneficial in terms of relaxation and stress management as 30 minutes of yoga.

5. Any snacking after supper will be fruits or veggies.  Chocolate is neither of these.

That’s all I’ve got.  Wish me luck in booking a patient and studying!

What’s your “shut up and get it done” workout?

Sure, I could throw out “lose 20 lbs this year” or “finally run a half marathon,” but when I get down to the core of the matter, I’m not sure there’s anything I really want to resolve to do this year.

If you’ve been reading for awhile, you know that I’m a planner, goal-setter, and list-maker.  New Year’s resolutions are really just goals, and I have no shortage of those, that’s for sure.  But there are certain expectations – that I have, at least – that go along with a person’s annual resolutions, if you’re one of those who’s into making them.  First, they should verge on being grand and life-changing, like “I’m going to stop procrastinating” or “I’m going to start working out regularly.”  Second, I think they should be attainable. “I’m going to stop eating chocolate” or “I’m never going to eat french fries again” are probably not realistic, and you’ll be reneging on that resolution before the month is out.  At the same time, though, they shouldn’t be “just” goals, or what you would normally have on your to-do list anyway.  And this is where I’m stuck.

I have every expectation that 2012 will bring about major changes in my life.  Unless something terrible happens (*knock on wood*), I will be finishing my dental degree and will become a dentist later this year.  I should have my license in my hot little hands by the middle of June.  The rest of the changes that go along with finally finishing school are not so clearly defined.

I need to find a job, and I need to figure out where that job will be.  It’s my understanding, from talking to a few people in the know, that a lot of dentists don’t really hire associates here in Saskatoon until March/April.  Um, I’ll be done school in April, which means there’s a possibility that I’ll be writing exams before I have anything lined up.  The uncertainty is very uncomfortable for me.

We’re also toying with the idea of moving to Australia, where I can work with a Canadian license without writing any further exams.  At this point, the move is intended to be temporary, in the 12 month range, but you never know, right?  Winters are (typically) cold and definitely dark here on the prairies…  Were this move to happen, I would have to find a job that would be sufficient to support me and my family and allow me to start paying off the massive student line of credit I’ve accumulated, and I would probably have to accept it without checking out the particulars in person.  Oh, the anxiety.

As you may also know, I have been rehabbing my left IT band for a while now.  It’s slowly improving, but it’s still not 100%.  My physiotherapist is amazing and his approach is definitely working for me, but it is a chronic injury, so a quick fix was never what I expected when I first saw him back in October.  While I have been running the past couple of weeks (we spent several days in Arizona after Christmas – so much better than Saskatchewan in December), I am not running very long or very far, and as much as I’d love to throw a half marathon into the mix this year, I think I have to wait and see how the rehab plays out before I commit to any races.

What does that leave me with for resolutions?  I would love to work on losing 20 lbs, commit to lifting weights 2 times per week, find a new personal trainer that I love, do a sprint triathlon, run several 5k’s, do yoga 3 times per week, organize the house, finally hang pictures, and get the mud room finished, but I am writing my licensing exams in exactly 2 months (March 3 and 4) and will have to be studying like a woman possessed (by motivation fueled by fear of failure, if by nothing else).  Can I add the stress of a firm commitment to weight loss, regular training, and household organization to the mix?  Frankly, I just don’t think I have it in me.  That’s not to say that I won’t be trying hard to fit in regular workouts and focus on healthy eating, because I intend to, but New Year’s resolutions, to me, mean that you are motivated and committed from the moment they are made – usually at least until that burst of “I can do it” wears off, but preferably in accordance with a well-laid plan you’ve made in order to stay on track throughout the year.

Is this an excuse?  Yeah, probably.  It it valid?  I think so, otherwise I wouldn’t have bothered to write it all out.

Maybe my resolution this year should be to cut myself some slack and treat myself with kindness in 2012.  Dental school + motherhood + running a household + being a wife + finding a job and making life decisions = a lot on my plate.  I’m sure I’ll be better off mentally and physically if I just do what needs to be done in order to get through school and take care of myself and my family.  I’m not sure exactly what this will look like, but for now, it means not adding anything to my plate in terms of health and fitness and household resolutions.

What’s your number 1 resolution/goal for 2012?

Today, I got a ton of stuff done:

• slept in – aaahhh
• had my TB skin test checked (it took 2 seconds to have it assessed, but it ended up being a 25 minute endeavour, what with the driving and hauling the kids with me)
• took the kids to see Santa and got a picture
• did a little Christmas shopping while at the mall
• took the kids for lunch and let them have a special dessert (because they won’t be getting enough sugar the next few days – haha!)
• picked up some groceries
• had a mom meltdown in the store
• enjoyed a little TV while the kids “enjoyed” some post-bad-behaviour-in-the-grocery-store time in their rooms
• met with our financial planner for a yearly review (which we didn’t want to do, but basically had to)
• took my daughter to the bookstore, where I picked up some Starbucks gift cards for my son’s hockey coaches and we each enjoyed a hot drink
• bought some more Christmas presents at the bookstore
• ran 3 flights of stairs
• baked some Double Chocolate Chip Cookies and packaged them up for my son’s coaches/team managers
• made Honey Garlic Chicken using this recipe, but made it in the oven, not the slow cooker (served with quinoa and steamed broccoli) – it was really tasty, and I plan to try it in the slow cooker soon
• my husband took the kids out, so I did 6 sets of pushups (I just finished week 1 of One Hundred Pushups), went for a walk/run for 35 minutes, adding in some walking lunges and squats at the end
• did some yoga and core
• took a relaxing bath
• baked some Double Chocolate Cookies with a Peppermint Patty Surprise from Rachael Ray, as recommended by Deana over at Soles of a Mom.  Haven’t quite finished them yet – they still need white chocolate drizzles and crushed candy canes – but had to taste-test one straight out of the oven and it was delicious
• ran another 3 flights of stairs

It was a fun day and I hit my goals (9 minutes walking, 8 cups of water, 7 minutes core, 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and a yoga workout on my TV), so I’m feeling pretty pleased with myself.

I’m also really happy that I’m running again.  It’s slow going and my left hip still feels tight, but I’m getting better, definitely.  Saw my physio the other day and he said to keep doing my strengthening exercises and start foam rolling a lot.  He’s noticed improvement in my range of motion and in my ability to stabilize laterally, so that’s good.  He gave me the okay to run and said to continue on with yoga (which I’ve been doing for a few weeks now).

And can I just say that finishing up a run with a nice, easy walk while listening to Diana Krall’s “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and enjoying the lights in the neighbourhood is so, so good?  Highly recommend.

If you’re a runner, have you been getting your miles in outside or on the treadmill? 

Do you enjoy the holiday light displays in your neighbourhood?

So, yes, got a good workout in this morning.  If you recall in my last post, I put together a healthy Christmas countdown.  While I did miss yesterday, I have been sticking to it otherwise.  Today, I was at “With 8 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.”  It’s been unseasonably warm here – just below freezing today, I think – so I wish I could have done my running outside.  Alas, my husband was helping a friend out this morning, so I had the kids.  As such, I hit the treadmill.  It’s been a long time since I’ve run, what with school, rehabbing my IT band, and making excuses for not working out (ha!).  I didn’t know if I could even run for 5 minutes straight!  So sad, but that’s what happens when you sit on your butt and study a lot.  I feel like I’m starting over a little bit – my own fault, I know – but at the same time, I’ve run enough in the past to know that as long as I persevere, I will improve.

Here’s what I did:

Treadmill: 5 min warmup, (1 min 6mph @ incline of 2, 4 mins 3.5 – 3.7 mph @ incline of 2) x 5, with the last walking interval at 2.5 – 3.5 mph @ incline of 0

2 sets of squats with 15 lb dumbbells

3 sets of lunges with body weight

20 minutes of yoga (can’t remember the video…. part of Beginner Flow Yoga with Shiva Rea, I think?)

I wore my Garmin, of course, and my heart rate was so high while I was on the treadmill.  Good thing it was only 1 minute running intervals!  You can do anything for 1 minute, right?

As for the rest of the day, I got myself a cut and colour in the afternoon, did a little Christmas shopping, took a nap on the couch, and then we decorated the tree and played Sorry and with Perplexus – it was family game night!  It’s definitely looking and feeling more Christmas-y in our house now. I also just finished off my 4 sets of pushups, and added in one set just for good measure.

But now, I’m ready for some more sleep.  My daughter has power skating tomorrow and I’ll be getting in 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and a yoga workout on my TV.  We’ll also be taking in a local light display in the evening, which I know the kids will love. We missed it last year because we headed to Arizona pretty much right after my last exam, so I’m looking forward to seeing their faces as they ooh and aah over all the lights.

Have lots of other stuff going on this week.  I’ll plan on sharing some cookie recipes and my plan for getting fitter rather than rounder during the next 2 weeks.

What family traditions do you enjoy in the week leading up to Christmas?

As of tomorrow, though, there are only 12 days until Christmas, so I thought I’d add some fun into my life, rip off the traditional holiday carol (The Twelve Days of Christmas, of course) and do a reverse 12 healthy days till Christmas thing.  No turtle doves involved.

With 12 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, a yoga workout on my TV.

With 11 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 2 sets of squats, and a yoga workout on my TV.

With 10 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and a yoga workout on my TV.

With 9 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

With 8 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

With 7 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

With 6 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 7 minutes core, 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

With 5 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 8 cups of water, 7 minutes core, 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

With 4 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 9 minutes walking, 8 cups of water, 7 minutes core, 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

With 3 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 10 fruits and veggies, 9 minutes walking, 8 cups of water, 7 minutes core, 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

With 2 days left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 11 extra squats, 10 fruits and veggies, 9 minutes walking, 8 cups of water, 7 minutes core, 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

With 1 day left till Christmas, I’m giving to myself, 12 walking lunges, 11 extra squats, 10 fruits and veggies, 9 minutes walking, 8 cups of water, 7 minutes core, 6 flights of stairs, 5 minutes running, 4 sets of pushups, 3 sets of lunges, 2 sets of squats, and yoga workout on my TV.

How have you been fitting in exercise these busy days of December?

1. Study like a crazy fool until the 16th.  I’ve got a schedule laid out in my calendar, so now it’s just a matter of following through.  I’m feeling rather overwhelmed, though, because several of the exams are comprehensive in the sense that they cover prior years’ material.
2. Fit in 30 minutes of exercise (yoga, walking, running, strength, etc.) everyday for the next 12 days.  On the 17th, set out workouts for the rest of the month.
3. Wrap presents and finish off my Christmas shopping.  Truth be told, I did almost all of my shopping online this year and only have a couple of gifts left to buy (brother-in-law, husband, Dad).
4. Do family stuff! This includes: a family game night, trimming the tree, baking cookies, making sucre à la crème (brown sugar fudge), taking a drive through The Enchanted Forest, and going skating (weather dependent).
5. Re-read The Hunger Games trilogy.  I’m sure there will be other things to read over the holidays, too, but I raced through this last Christmas and want to read it again, savouring it a little more this time.

That’s all I’ve got for now.  Must get back to studying.  Only a few more days until the Christmas break!

What are some of your favourite things to do this time of year?

I’ll let you in on a little secret: there is something that bothers me about the fact that I’m now officially closer to 40 than to 30.  I know it’s just a number, but really, I don’t like getting older.  I’m just that much closer to death.  I’m ever the eternal optimist – ha!

When I was younger, I had thought that by the time I reached 36 I would be a grown up, but I sure don’t feel like one.  I still procrastinate, I still have trouble getting out of bed in the morning, I still have trouble not eating too much chocolate.  I occasionally still have tantrums (just ask my husband) and I’m not that mature when it comes to dealing with people who irritate me.  Maybe in another 36 years?

Speaking of another 36 years, my natural instinct is to look ahead and make plans for the next 4 years leading up to 40.  And, yes, goals are good.  So later today, I’ll probably spend some time pondering what I want to accomplish by the time I’m 40 (like getting this IT band rehabbed!), but for now, I think I’ll get spend some time NOT thinking too far ahead and try to enjoy the day (as much as I can, considering I’m at school).  After all, even if you ARE a grown up, birthdays are special, right?

Wish I were here...

I’ve definitely been feeling blah lately. Whether it’s the lack of daylight or just end-of-term burnout, I’m feeling a definite lack of energy lately.  I’ve been doing a good job staying away from the treats, but the exercising part of the equation is not going so well.  I  don’t actually remember the last time I got my sweat on, which is sad to me.  I’ve been getting some studying in, though, and I put together a study schedule – just haven’t been following it as closely as I’d like to.  Feel like I’m falling behind, since I’m only a couple weeks away from exams.

This week, I’ll be focusing on:

1. Limiting my treats (it’s my birthday Wednesday, so I’ll be indulging for sure)
2. Getting in 3 x 30 minute workouts (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
3. Food journalling every day for the next week.

Spent the weekend out of town for a hockey tournament.  My son got his first goal!  The team enjoyed the waterslides at the hotel, and I fell asleep before my kids did last night.  My daughter wanted to watch a movie, so we went back to the room and I got Netflix going on my computer for her.  The next thing I knew, my husband was shaking me awake, asking me what was wrong with me, as it was 9pm and I was asleep (the rest of the parents and kids were still socializing).  What can I say?  I’ll take my sleep whenever I can get it.

I’d love to write more but it’s late and I’d better get to bed.  It’ll be another long week as I get down to studying for Christmas exams.  I am dreading the whole process already.  Can’t wait for December 16th to be over!

I was sorely tempted at various points this past week to scarf down some chocolate or indulge in some baked goods while picking up a tea a Starbucks, but I resisted.  As a result, the weight creep I’ve been experiencing over the past few months has halted, which is a relief.

On the other hand, I could definitely pull up my socks in the healthy eating department.  Since I started doing more studying a few weeks ago (had a mock oral test last Thursday – went okay), meal planning/preparation and grocery shopping have all gone out the window.  This, combined with less regular physical activity, probably contributed to the migraine I experienced Thursday (lingering into Friday and Saturday).

Ever have the feeling that your body is trying to tell you something? I do.  Migraine late last week, and now have some swollen glands and a touch of a sore throat.  Clearly, I haven’t been treating my body with respect.  Must do better!

The game plan:

1. Indulge in a treat or 2 tomorrow, and then keep away from the sweets for another 7 days.  Next weekend will be tricky, because we’ll be at a hockey tournament with my son’s hockey team and I’m expecting there to be snacks and stuff afterward, as the parents will be getting together.  I do plan to have a couple of drinks (I’m usually a G&T drinker), but am committing now that there will be no sweets, chips, or fries crossing my lips!
2. Meal plan.  For the week.  I’m keeping it simple because I have GOT to get studying for finals, but there WILL be a plan, regardless.
3. Go grocery shopping!  Tomorrow night.
4. Bring a water bottle to school.  I’ve been better at consuming liquids during the day, but with this sore throat thing in the works, it’s no time to be slacking in that department.
5. Put together a study plan.  By Tuesday at 9pm, I will have a study plan put into place for now until I write my board exams (dental licensing exams) March 3, 2011.  Hoping having a plan will = less stress.
6. Get my body moving.  Run, walk, or stationary bike 3 times this week (Mon, Weds, Fri).  Strength train 2 times this week (Tues, Thurs).  Think I’m going to try out the strength training plan in The New Rules of Lifting for Women for now.  I’m not fully committing to the whole plan, but the moves are very basic, they allow for some variation, and the workouts are quick – exactly what I need right now.

Okay, those seem like some mighty ambitious goals to me, considering there’s also kids’ hockey and regular school stuff to contend with, plus I’m feeling stressed.  I think this calls for a “carrot.”  If I meet all 6 goals, I’m taking time to go shopping for a sweater dress.  If I meet 5 of 6, I’m taking the night of the 30th off (it’s my birthday) and not studying.  If I meet 4 of 6, I’m putting aside 30 minutes to put on nail polish.

Have I mentioned that winter arrived here last weekend? I am seriously considering getting some Yaktrax so I can run outside.  Here’s the view out my front door last weekend:

Since then, we’ve had a “semi-” storm (with more snow) and temperatures have really dropped.  I think it was minus 25 Celcius the other night, and the wind chill was really nasty for a few days this week.

How’s the weather in your neck of the woods?

]]> http://mostlyfitmom.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/goals-goals-goals/feed/ 4 mostlyfitmom Winter Front Door http://mostlyfitmom.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/sorry-for-slacking/ http://mostlyfitmom.wordpress.com/2011/11/13/sorry-for-slacking/#comments Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:18:16 +0000 mostlyfitmom http://mostlyfitmom.wordpress.com/?p=1079 ]]> It’s been a little while since I’ve blogged.  I’ve been busy studying for a mock oral exam I have coming up later this week, while trying to keep up with kid activities and my regular school stuff.  I’ve also been feeling low on energy, so when I’ve had downtime, I haven’t been blogging.

So about a week and I half ago, I committed to cutting out candy, getting several runs in, and doing my physio exercises daily.  Here’s a summary of how that went:

1) 7 days straight without candy – check

2) 4 days running – uh, didn’t happen.  Nixed my Saturday run after I had an extraordinarily bad night of sleep and didn’t plan my eating well, so that I felt terrible later in the day.  Was hit by a migraine Sunday morning – a result of Saturday’s lack of sleep and bad nutrition – which made a run out of the question for Sunday.  Went for a run Monday, hit the treadmill for some incline walking on Tuesday, and then went for a run on Wednesday.  Was going to run Thursday, but my IT band was feeling a little sore, so decided rest would be wiser.

3) Physio exercises daily – got them in Friday – Monday.  Then saw my physio Tuesday, where he gave me – and had me try out -  some new exercises, which are more strength than stretching type exercises.  Frankly just forgot to do them Wednesday and Thursday, as I was focusing on studying for my mock oral exam next week.

Overall, felt pretty good about how the week went, even though I didn’t quite hit all of my targets.  Once the week was up, though, I wasn’t feeling as motivated about keeping the sweets out of my diet.  Clearly I’ll be documenting my goals to stay on track for the next little while, yes?

I already know that this week will be crazy-busy with preparing for my big mock oral exam Thursday morning, plus kids’ hockey, plus husband’s work schedule, so I’m going to focus on 1 thing this week: NO EATING TREATS FOR THE NEXT 7 DAYS.  That’s it.  Of course, I plan to get my physio exercises in and do some running, but my main goal will be going back to cutting out the sweets again.  When I’m eating better, I feel better overall.

What are your goals for the next week?