Not so bad

Today I started in again with my light weights/workout. It takes a lot of positive self-talk to do it, but once I get started, it's not so bad and doesn't take as long as I imagine. While walking (for warm up) I can think of many reasons to skip the workout. There are also reasons to do it, strong compelling reasons, just not as many in number as excuses! Today, anyway, might was greater than number. What makes the decision for you: compelling reasons or number of reasons to exercise?

Not quite war

Some might declare war on sugar.  I doubt I'll ever be one of those people. I won't even go cold turkey.  I'm thinking the approach that might work best is to decrease my sugar intake gradually.  Any who want to march with me?

Health in Community

Yesterday our ladies Bible study group(s) enjoyed special speakers at our spring event: a personal trainer, a dietician, and a counselor. I especially appreciated the practical tips they gave us for incorporating nutrition, fitness, and emotional and spiritual health into our daily lives. The pieces I'll be focusing on in the next week or so will be making sure I have an element of fun in the things I choose to do -- that makes it easier to stay with the routine. I've got this down pretty well, except for the light weights/workout routine. Hard to make myself do that, especially if I'm tired, busy, and it's Gray outside. Any ideas for making it fun?

A new salad idea

Well, new to me anyway. Yesterday I had lunch with a friend and she served a delicious salad. Easy, too. I'll call it Sherry's salad in my files:

Sherry's Salad

pink lady apple, diced
raisins
celery, minced
miniature marshmallows
mayonnaise for dressing

 I thought if I didn't have marshmallows I might put a few drops of honey in with the mayonnaise for the sweetness in the dressing. Often these salads use common ingredients, but they're put together in a way I haven't thought of before. In this case, less is more: just a a few ingredients allow each one to be a star.

Routines

Some times it's all I can do to just keep doing what I've been doing. That's where routines come in handy. I know what to do and how to do it -- for eating as well as exercise. When I don't want to take the time to figure out ways to change things up, I can fall back on things I know work. This week, I'll focus on keeping meals within the Weight Watchers suggested point range and follow my exercise routine. This will carry me through the days ahead when eating and exercise routines will due to other (fun!) planned activities.

Trying new foods

I'm not sure how healthy it was, but the salad I tried last night when we went out was tasty! It had a base of watercress, smoked trout, shaved fennel, and hazelnuts with a vinaigrette. My favorite part of the meal. We also tried oat groats -- will have to read more about that. For dessert we had lemon semifreddo--I had to look that up--with huckleberries. Bob enjoyed the huckleberries and I enjoyed the mousse-like lemon. Delicious! New ideas for me to research and try here at home.

Lightening up old-fashioned favorites

It's not a new tip. I've heard it before, most recently just before the holidays at a Weight Watchers meeting. Last night I tried a new-to-us recipe from my cast iron cookbook for Macaroni and Cheese. With bacon! First, I was trying to reduce the number of servings from several to no more than 4. I think I managed that. I don't know how many pieces of bacon the recipe called for originally, because it gave the measurement in weight, but I used only 3 pieces and we had plenty of flavor. Let's say I was cutting the recipe in half. I used less than half of the cheese called for in the recipe. I also reduced the flour for the sauce and the amount of bread crumb/cheese topping suggested. My notes for next time: use sharper flavor cheese to get more flavor with reduced fat, and leave out the bread crumbs altogether. In the cast iron skillet we had plenty of crunchy topping without the bread and I felt it detracted, rather than added, to the overall flavor of the dish. Looking forward to our leftovers tonight! It would be great if others could share tips for lightening their favorite recipes!

Rest assured

That's what I'm having a hard time doing right now: figuring out when to take a break from exercise without losing the consistency of routine. Hubby has heard it's good to take one day a week off from the intense exercise. Haven't done quite that, although I think the routine changed a bit on the weekend. I did keep up with the elliptical, though. All of that to say, I'm tired! But sometimes it seems if I quit exercising I would have to quit eating, and I know I'm not ready to do that. :-) And I know I have some time coming during which I won't be able to maintain the treadmill and elliptical routine for a few days, but I will be able to walk. For now, I'll balance the exercise times with rest times. After the elliptical tonight, I'll be on the couch. :-) How do you balance rest and exercise?

Keeping on

Sometimes that's what we do each day: keep on eating healthy, following an exercise routine, try to get enough sleep. Last night we had one of my new favorite healthy recipes using a cast iron skillet, roast chicken and vegetables. So good, so easy! This time we had carrots and asparagus. The asparagus would have to be added much later in the cooking time to not get overdone. Next time maybe I'll try broccoli with the carrots. (The recipe calls for onion as one of the main vegetables, which I can't eat in large quantities like that.) I saved the seasoned broth to use for roast vegetables at lunch. What's not to like about good food?

Good for what ails you

Exercise, that is. Especially walking. No matter what I think isn't quite right, walking doesn't hurt and usually helps. And, whenever possible, I also try to maintain the more intense parts (elliptical, treadmill, light weights) of my routine. This adds up to a chunk out of the day, you say. True. But if I'm more efficient during those remaining hours, I consider it worth it. What's your healthy cure-all for the ailing moments?

Planning for health

Sometimes that's what it takes to stay on course, as they say at Weight Watchers. Last night I planned what I might eat today that would be healthy but give just a bit of "treat" to keep going. Just finished banana and on my way to roasted vegetables. Doesn't that sound exciting. But I also planned in a 3 point cookie for this afternoon. :-) How do you balance treats and healthy food? That's part of what makes healthy eating fun -- hearing new ideas!

Monday morning

and I feel like I've been run over by a truck. Not too much exercise--maybe not enough? :-) This week I'll be able to maintain my regular exercise routine, I think, even with the forecast of consistent rain. What do we think? Is it easier to maintain routines when it's raining, when it's sunny, or when the weather changes from day to day?