I am still on the nutritarian diet and I have lost 9 pounds so far. I’m not really craving junk like I was though I am eating more starch than recommended on the 6-week plan. The starch helps me feel satiated.
I did my next 14 mile ride today and it was much better with a fixed up bike. They pretty much changed out all the hardware except the frame, handlebars and saddle. I was able to get up as fast as 14 mph during some straight stretches but the hills are killing me. If I could lost that 100 pounds quick I think it would be much easier to be speedy.
I also officially committed to the MS 150 by signing up. The people I am riding with are doing 100 miles the first day. 100 miles. I am having a hard time seeing that I would be able to ride so far in a single day especially considering I ride an average of 10 mph and there would be breaks along the way. It sounds like a 12 hour ride if I make it at all. I am doubting my abilities here but I am willing to keep training and see how it goes.
Sunday, January 12, 2020
Saturday, January 4, 2020
New Year New Challenges
I have been overweight a majority of my adult life, and I made a resolution to change that this year.
I started a nutritarian lifestyle on January 1st which means I am eating unlimited fruits and vegetables, 1 oz of nuts or seeds, and 1 serving of starch per day. (See Joe.l F.urhman “Eat to Live” for more info),
This is a huge change. Why am I doing it you ask? I have high blood pressure and am prediabetic. I suffer from inflammation in my joints and lungs. I want to make a smaller carbon footprint on the planet. I want to live as long as I can. With the SAD (standard American diet), I can’t solve any of these problems.
So I embarked on this new journey and went shopping on Dec 31. I have been eating all the stuff I should be eating. My knee pain is significantly less. I am down 6 pounds. I committed to doing it 6 weeks and we will see what has changed by then.
Today, I also officially started training for the MS150, a 150 mile bike ride over 2 days to support multiple sclerosis. I did my first 14 mile run on my old hybrid bike (which needs a tuneup). I am so out of shape. I thought I would die but I finished it. I have until May to get it together.
I’ll try to check in more often.
I started a nutritarian lifestyle on January 1st which means I am eating unlimited fruits and vegetables, 1 oz of nuts or seeds, and 1 serving of starch per day. (See Joe.l F.urhman “Eat to Live” for more info),
This is a huge change. Why am I doing it you ask? I have high blood pressure and am prediabetic. I suffer from inflammation in my joints and lungs. I want to make a smaller carbon footprint on the planet. I want to live as long as I can. With the SAD (standard American diet), I can’t solve any of these problems.
So I embarked on this new journey and went shopping on Dec 31. I have been eating all the stuff I should be eating. My knee pain is significantly less. I am down 6 pounds. I committed to doing it 6 weeks and we will see what has changed by then.
Today, I also officially started training for the MS150, a 150 mile bike ride over 2 days to support multiple sclerosis. I did my first 14 mile run on my old hybrid bike (which needs a tuneup). I am so out of shape. I thought I would die but I finished it. I have until May to get it together.
I’ll try to check in more often.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Attachment disorder
Attachment disorder is no joke. We have been struggling for the last couple years. It is brutal not being attached to your kid. She is always trying to prove why we shouldn’t love her and goes to extremes to make sure she proves she isn’t worth the love. Violence. Hateful words. Destruction of property. Bruises, scrapes, scratches, bites. It is happening regularly and I don’t know what to do. Therapists are worthless. Medication does nothing. Love doesn’t solve anything. I end up triggered and can’t control myself from trying to protect my being in the midst of it. Meanwhile life goes on and I am dealing with loss of friendships (they are moving away), a bad work life, and constant injuries. I am at the end of a rope in a deep well and I don’t know what is going to help anymore. I am exhausted and stressed and waiting for the next shoe to drop. I feel pretty alone despite having my own therapist and psychiatrist. I don’t know if I have the capacity to love anymore.
Saturday, December 2, 2017
Injuries and Walking the line
Any exercise plan is risky for me with my multiple time blown out knees, broken ankles (both), twisted ankles, dislocated ankles, lower back issues, neck issues, shoulder issues, tendinitis, and COPD.
At the beginning of 2016, I had gotten a membership at a gym near work, and I would work out at lunch time that year. Then I broke my ankle and paused it.
After I finished up PT, I tried to resume but by then, I had a new manager, and he really liked lunch meetings or 1:00 meetings. Then, we added team members in India, and suddenly my schedule wasn't working. I tried getting to the gym by 5:30 in the morning and working out, but getting up at 4:45 to be out the door by 5:00 to get to the gym by 5:30 didn't work. We also had a lot of behavioral issues at home because Sofie really needed to see me before school to feel secure. I tried working out after work, and I started getting home at 7 pm which was way too late, and (again) I would end up missing out on my Sofie time. I gave up in July.
After that I tried walking (and Houston in the summer is BRUTAL). I had been trying to walk 10k steps per day, and I wasn't getting the satisfaction from it that I expected. Also, it was REALLY hard to get home before dark after daylight savings, and I can't walk alone in the dark in my neighborhood. If we had a dog I could, but the hubby is so anti dog.
I started body building again a few weeks ago when I got a clear message from the universe. I was feeling down and like my life and health were out of control, and it was a way for me to feel strong and like I achieved something during the week.
I looked up my old trainer from my crossfit days, and I found out she is coaching at a gym that is location friendly. She was willing to work a deal with me so I could afford to workout 3 times a week in group training sessions, and I was elated.
The first visit was so exciting, I was high for days. I had forgotten the rush of lifting. I didn't sleep that first night. Of course I was being a bit cautious, but I discovered I hadn't lost that much strength since summer and I was still strong. I did a back/chest day and it was amazing. Then I did a leg/core day, and I was so strong & stable. The next week, the program changed (we are doing 3 week program progressions), and we do chest/shoulders, arms/back, legs/core and it was fine. I get 'medical' massages every couple of weeks and she broke up the fascia just fine. Then this week, everything started to get out of whack. I used to struggle with my hips and keeping my sacrum aligned, and I had a little flair. Then my feet started to really hurt. I did a lot of ankle stretching to try to loosen things up. Then, on Thursday, I had been sitting at my desk too long, I guess, and when I tried to walk to the car to head home, I had major knee instability. I haven't had knee problems in years (*knock on wood*). Also my lower back/hips felt super tight.
I came home and I lay on a foam roller for a few minutes. I did butt stretches and runner stretches and hip realignment exercises. I did lower back exercises. I stretched my calf someone. I stretched the hamstrings and the quads, and I still felt scared trying to walk down the stairs when I got home. I ended up going to my evening workout session, and it worked out the back stuff but my knee was still a wildcard.
This morning was leg day, and I wasn't sure I wanted to go. I almost chickened out. I went anyway and did a bunch of clamshells to warm up since a lot of the muscle stability in your knee is related to your hips and ankles. I mentioned to the trainer I was having issues, and we worked out a new program for the day. By the end, my knee felt better than it did before we started for sure. After 8 hours, I have stiffened up again on my knee, and I am starting to feel my hammies and quads a bit too much.
I want to be strong and fit, but challenging myself or doing too much cardio tends to lead to injuries. I will continue to walk the line with this, but it is hard. and scary. and I don't want to be hurt anymore. and I want to lose at least 100 pounds but my metabolism is pretty much dead. Sometimes it feels pretty hopeless. People see me and they think I am slovenly and lazy because I am so overweight. I wish it could have been different. I will keep trying to conquer this.
At the beginning of 2016, I had gotten a membership at a gym near work, and I would work out at lunch time that year. Then I broke my ankle and paused it.
After I finished up PT, I tried to resume but by then, I had a new manager, and he really liked lunch meetings or 1:00 meetings. Then, we added team members in India, and suddenly my schedule wasn't working. I tried getting to the gym by 5:30 in the morning and working out, but getting up at 4:45 to be out the door by 5:00 to get to the gym by 5:30 didn't work. We also had a lot of behavioral issues at home because Sofie really needed to see me before school to feel secure. I tried working out after work, and I started getting home at 7 pm which was way too late, and (again) I would end up missing out on my Sofie time. I gave up in July.
After that I tried walking (and Houston in the summer is BRUTAL). I had been trying to walk 10k steps per day, and I wasn't getting the satisfaction from it that I expected. Also, it was REALLY hard to get home before dark after daylight savings, and I can't walk alone in the dark in my neighborhood. If we had a dog I could, but the hubby is so anti dog.
I started body building again a few weeks ago when I got a clear message from the universe. I was feeling down and like my life and health were out of control, and it was a way for me to feel strong and like I achieved something during the week.
I looked up my old trainer from my crossfit days, and I found out she is coaching at a gym that is location friendly. She was willing to work a deal with me so I could afford to workout 3 times a week in group training sessions, and I was elated.
The first visit was so exciting, I was high for days. I had forgotten the rush of lifting. I didn't sleep that first night. Of course I was being a bit cautious, but I discovered I hadn't lost that much strength since summer and I was still strong. I did a back/chest day and it was amazing. Then I did a leg/core day, and I was so strong & stable. The next week, the program changed (we are doing 3 week program progressions), and we do chest/shoulders, arms/back, legs/core and it was fine. I get 'medical' massages every couple of weeks and she broke up the fascia just fine. Then this week, everything started to get out of whack. I used to struggle with my hips and keeping my sacrum aligned, and I had a little flair. Then my feet started to really hurt. I did a lot of ankle stretching to try to loosen things up. Then, on Thursday, I had been sitting at my desk too long, I guess, and when I tried to walk to the car to head home, I had major knee instability. I haven't had knee problems in years (*knock on wood*). Also my lower back/hips felt super tight.
I came home and I lay on a foam roller for a few minutes. I did butt stretches and runner stretches and hip realignment exercises. I did lower back exercises. I stretched my calf someone. I stretched the hamstrings and the quads, and I still felt scared trying to walk down the stairs when I got home. I ended up going to my evening workout session, and it worked out the back stuff but my knee was still a wildcard.
This morning was leg day, and I wasn't sure I wanted to go. I almost chickened out. I went anyway and did a bunch of clamshells to warm up since a lot of the muscle stability in your knee is related to your hips and ankles. I mentioned to the trainer I was having issues, and we worked out a new program for the day. By the end, my knee felt better than it did before we started for sure. After 8 hours, I have stiffened up again on my knee, and I am starting to feel my hammies and quads a bit too much.
I want to be strong and fit, but challenging myself or doing too much cardio tends to lead to injuries. I will continue to walk the line with this, but it is hard. and scary. and I don't want to be hurt anymore. and I want to lose at least 100 pounds but my metabolism is pretty much dead. Sometimes it feels pretty hopeless. People see me and they think I am slovenly and lazy because I am so overweight. I wish it could have been different. I will keep trying to conquer this.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Long time - busy mommy - taking a deep breath
It has been such a long time since I did any blogging. Life just rushed by. Our personal computer died, and we didn't really feel the need to get a new one for a long time. Now we have invested in a little refurbished chromebook that I thought would become my writing computer. I am going to try to write more often.
There has been a lot of growing on in the last few years. We have struggled with attachment and a "mild" case of reactive attachment disorder. I have broken both of my ankles and had major health issues. Work has been tough in a very deflated market with round after round of layoffs of friends and coworkers. We survived a tough time in our marriage.
Where I am today - I am still working full time as an IT project manager. My project isn't as busy as it was, and it hasn't been providing the satisfaction it once did. I might be up for a promotion or lateral move one of these days. I have worked hard to limit my working time to less than 50 hours a week. My natural tendency is to work 10-11 hour days. I learned to stop checking work emails incessantly at home. I am working closer to 45 hours a week which is way better.
Our daughter is very busy with extracurricular activities like a.mer.ican ni.nja warr.io.r training and hiphop. She is also a skateboarder and loves to run around and play. My husband has transitioned to the role of dad finally. I accepted that my husband is the nurturer and the traditional 'housewife' role. It was super hard.
Looking back, I realized that we were all struggling with a lot of acceptance. Being a mother was awesome and wonderful, but I didn't know how to adjust & accept that as a working mother I couldn't do it all. My husband had to learn that he was a great dad and that his heard had infinite capacity to love. Sofie had to learn to accept us, learn to trust us, learn that we weren't going to give her away even if she acted like a maniac. We were all desperately trying to cope and love and give, and none of us felt like we were really doing it well I think.
These days, I still don't think I would win any mom of the year awards - i am a b.a.d mo.m kind of mom - but I do my best to be engaged. I know that my daughter needs to see me both in the morning and at night to have a good day (5 am workouts at the gym won't work). I know that I need to spend a little bit of time with the hubby each day for a check in and cuddle. I know that I need to have quiet time where I am allowed to check out. I need to read great fiction. I also remembered in the last 2 weeks that I LOVE weight training, and I need to do that a few times a week to feel the endorphin rush & to feel strong & to feel like I did something that day. So much of my life is spent shepherding around different people who may or may not do what I need them to do. I don't get to contribute as an individual contributor on many things, and if nothing gets done, I found myself feeling like a failure for the day. I also know that I need to get massages every couple of weeks so I don't get hurt. And I know I should avoid stepping in holes or wearing high heels. On weekends, I get to hang out a lot more with the family and do family activities. I feel like I should spend a lot more time planning structured things to do with Sofie, but I try to keep my eye out for opportunities to do things we can do together (like painting or baking or decorating).
Last week I had an amazing pre-Thanksgiving girls day planned, where we went to a painting & wine (without the wine) for a family paint-a-unicorn day. Then we were supposed to go out for lunch, maybe go rock climbing, and make Thanksgiving pies. Well, when we got to the painting place she was excited, but I forgot about her perfectionist tendencies and she managed to get all worked up about a line not being perfectly straight and had a little mini tantrum with the other families who were trying to paint. She demanded we leave, and she was really annoyed that I wouldn't go. At the end of it, she finally sucked it up and finished a painting (as did I), but she was still pissed that mine looked better than hers. I was FRAZZLED. Then we went to go get lunch, and I went to a hot dog place and she didn't like it. By that time, I was pulling my hair out. I decided rock climbing was out, and we went to the store to pick up borax for some slime recipe that was sure to work (since her last 3 attempts without were a failure). We made the slime and she was finally happy. I really imagined an easy day, and it was anything but easy. Hubby was annoyed that I bought glitter to put in the slime because it gets EVERYWHERE, but I figured a little glitter was going to make the day better.
I guess being a mom is accepting where we all are and trying to make the best of it anyway. Knowing that there is no such thing as a perfect mommy daughter day is a hard pill to swallow. I know I don't remember all the trials that I put my mom through. I guess it could have been just as hard for her as it is for me.
It is so hard not being perfect. And it is hard not being able to control situations. Accepting that the only thing I can control is my reaction to events is a constant challenge.
So, here is my first post in a few years. Hello. Comment if you want. I don't know if anyone is even reading any more. I hope you are having a good one.
There has been a lot of growing on in the last few years. We have struggled with attachment and a "mild" case of reactive attachment disorder. I have broken both of my ankles and had major health issues. Work has been tough in a very deflated market with round after round of layoffs of friends and coworkers. We survived a tough time in our marriage.
Where I am today - I am still working full time as an IT project manager. My project isn't as busy as it was, and it hasn't been providing the satisfaction it once did. I might be up for a promotion or lateral move one of these days. I have worked hard to limit my working time to less than 50 hours a week. My natural tendency is to work 10-11 hour days. I learned to stop checking work emails incessantly at home. I am working closer to 45 hours a week which is way better.
Our daughter is very busy with extracurricular activities like a.mer.ican ni.nja warr.io.r training and hiphop. She is also a skateboarder and loves to run around and play. My husband has transitioned to the role of dad finally. I accepted that my husband is the nurturer and the traditional 'housewife' role. It was super hard.
Looking back, I realized that we were all struggling with a lot of acceptance. Being a mother was awesome and wonderful, but I didn't know how to adjust & accept that as a working mother I couldn't do it all. My husband had to learn that he was a great dad and that his heard had infinite capacity to love. Sofie had to learn to accept us, learn to trust us, learn that we weren't going to give her away even if she acted like a maniac. We were all desperately trying to cope and love and give, and none of us felt like we were really doing it well I think.
These days, I still don't think I would win any mom of the year awards - i am a b.a.d mo.m kind of mom - but I do my best to be engaged. I know that my daughter needs to see me both in the morning and at night to have a good day (5 am workouts at the gym won't work). I know that I need to spend a little bit of time with the hubby each day for a check in and cuddle. I know that I need to have quiet time where I am allowed to check out. I need to read great fiction. I also remembered in the last 2 weeks that I LOVE weight training, and I need to do that a few times a week to feel the endorphin rush & to feel strong & to feel like I did something that day. So much of my life is spent shepherding around different people who may or may not do what I need them to do. I don't get to contribute as an individual contributor on many things, and if nothing gets done, I found myself feeling like a failure for the day. I also know that I need to get massages every couple of weeks so I don't get hurt. And I know I should avoid stepping in holes or wearing high heels. On weekends, I get to hang out a lot more with the family and do family activities. I feel like I should spend a lot more time planning structured things to do with Sofie, but I try to keep my eye out for opportunities to do things we can do together (like painting or baking or decorating).
Last week I had an amazing pre-Thanksgiving girls day planned, where we went to a painting & wine (without the wine) for a family paint-a-unicorn day. Then we were supposed to go out for lunch, maybe go rock climbing, and make Thanksgiving pies. Well, when we got to the painting place she was excited, but I forgot about her perfectionist tendencies and she managed to get all worked up about a line not being perfectly straight and had a little mini tantrum with the other families who were trying to paint. She demanded we leave, and she was really annoyed that I wouldn't go. At the end of it, she finally sucked it up and finished a painting (as did I), but she was still pissed that mine looked better than hers. I was FRAZZLED. Then we went to go get lunch, and I went to a hot dog place and she didn't like it. By that time, I was pulling my hair out. I decided rock climbing was out, and we went to the store to pick up borax for some slime recipe that was sure to work (since her last 3 attempts without were a failure). We made the slime and she was finally happy. I really imagined an easy day, and it was anything but easy. Hubby was annoyed that I bought glitter to put in the slime because it gets EVERYWHERE, but I figured a little glitter was going to make the day better.
I guess being a mom is accepting where we all are and trying to make the best of it anyway. Knowing that there is no such thing as a perfect mommy daughter day is a hard pill to swallow. I know I don't remember all the trials that I put my mom through. I guess it could have been just as hard for her as it is for me.
It is so hard not being perfect. And it is hard not being able to control situations. Accepting that the only thing I can control is my reaction to events is a constant challenge.
So, here is my first post in a few years. Hello. Comment if you want. I don't know if anyone is even reading any more. I hope you are having a good one.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Gutted
I thought I was over the fertility issues. BAM!
I have had weird bleeding for awhile. Analysis found a big cyst in my ovary. 2 months later and it is bigger.
I am scheduled for surgery and they are taking out the 'bad' ovary and both Fallopian tubes to stop the problem.
I am in pre-op and it hits like a rock. I will never get lucky and get pregnant. I will never have a child with my DNA. Damn. No more pregnancy tests. No more hoping in the back of my mind.
It feels bleak without hope.
I have had weird bleeding for awhile. Analysis found a big cyst in my ovary. 2 months later and it is bigger.
I am scheduled for surgery and they are taking out the 'bad' ovary and both Fallopian tubes to stop the problem.
I am in pre-op and it hits like a rock. I will never get lucky and get pregnant. I will never have a child with my DNA. Damn. No more pregnancy tests. No more hoping in the back of my mind.
It feels bleak without hope.
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Keeping it all together
My moods tend to oscillate between joy and despair, and I haven't been feeling like what I have to say will really affect the world in any specific way. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother blogging since I haven't really found a compelling voice that keeps people coming back.
I am struggling to find balance. I know I should eat healthy. I know I should exercise regularly. I know I should be consistent. I know I should be a role model to my daughter and "not let myself go". I know I should play with her and do her hair and be there for her. I know I should put my heart into my work. I know I should change my priorities at work and be the corporate automaton. My focus should always reflect on the company's profitability. Not people. Not teams. Continuous improvement in the context of profitability. I should have dates with my husband, get my hair and nails done, plan amazing birthday parties, coordinate family trips back home to both countries. I should meditate every day and feel my life's purpose & feel like I am fulfilling my purpose. I should have direction and work towards it. I should be polite to everyone. I should be more flexible. I should be more rigid. I should follow the rules. I should break them. I should have been boundaries and have my shields up. I should catch up on the news, and the new movies, and the TV shows everyone is watching. I should read more - especially non-fiction. I should be able to talk about the literary meaning of everything. I should do my best every day. I should worry more. I should worry less. I should question things more. I should make judgement about what things mean to the world. I should find my voice and use it. I should tell my family about how alcoholism in the family affects me. I should tell my family how I don't want to be around alcoholism openly. I should talk to my family how domestic violence is not the answer. I should not be judged and "hated on" when I try to express these views. I should get some respect. I should be happy and grateful for what I have. I should thank god every day for everything. I should be a good friend, wife, mother, daughter, sister, child, colleague, leader, manager, coach, and global citizen. I should have more energy. I should sleep more. I should help out around the house more. I should do the gardening in the yard. I should sit outside and drink wine and watch life go by. I should listen to the voices in my head and tell the obnoxious ones to ef-off. I should prioritize music in my life and dance.
Today is actually a good day. I didn't work out, but I am eating healthy. I am being a coach, a mother, a mentor, an executor, and a troubleshooter. I did my daughter's hair for crazy day and made her breakfast. I am planning my work around surgery my husband is having next week & preparing to be super mommy/super wife.
I am struggling to find balance. I know I should eat healthy. I know I should exercise regularly. I know I should be consistent. I know I should be a role model to my daughter and "not let myself go". I know I should play with her and do her hair and be there for her. I know I should put my heart into my work. I know I should change my priorities at work and be the corporate automaton. My focus should always reflect on the company's profitability. Not people. Not teams. Continuous improvement in the context of profitability. I should have dates with my husband, get my hair and nails done, plan amazing birthday parties, coordinate family trips back home to both countries. I should meditate every day and feel my life's purpose & feel like I am fulfilling my purpose. I should have direction and work towards it. I should be polite to everyone. I should be more flexible. I should be more rigid. I should follow the rules. I should break them. I should have been boundaries and have my shields up. I should catch up on the news, and the new movies, and the TV shows everyone is watching. I should read more - especially non-fiction. I should be able to talk about the literary meaning of everything. I should do my best every day. I should worry more. I should worry less. I should question things more. I should make judgement about what things mean to the world. I should find my voice and use it. I should tell my family about how alcoholism in the family affects me. I should tell my family how I don't want to be around alcoholism openly. I should talk to my family how domestic violence is not the answer. I should not be judged and "hated on" when I try to express these views. I should get some respect. I should be happy and grateful for what I have. I should thank god every day for everything. I should be a good friend, wife, mother, daughter, sister, child, colleague, leader, manager, coach, and global citizen. I should have more energy. I should sleep more. I should help out around the house more. I should do the gardening in the yard. I should sit outside and drink wine and watch life go by. I should listen to the voices in my head and tell the obnoxious ones to ef-off. I should prioritize music in my life and dance.
Today is actually a good day. I didn't work out, but I am eating healthy. I am being a coach, a mother, a mentor, an executor, and a troubleshooter. I did my daughter's hair for crazy day and made her breakfast. I am planning my work around surgery my husband is having next week & preparing to be super mommy/super wife.
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