2021 Health Goals: Operation Not Giving Up

I did it!  I set the crazy task of achieving 153.55 miles this last month, so I can have 500 miles for the whole year, and finished yesterday morning with 153.77 miles.  Now, that's counting walking, elliptical, and indoor bike, but on the machines I count an 18 mile minute, even though the machine reads more.  So... yeah, weird brain math out of thin air, but I didn't want to discourage myself from using the machines when they're available.  Walking around the house or on the treadmill for 153 miles would have been unbearable.  

So, goal achieved.  And how do I feel?  Tired.  Really, really tired.  So tired I fell asleep last night at 9:30 pm, making me a fuddy-duddy.  I tried so hard to stay up.  Even the constant fireworks from 9 to midnight couldn't keep me awake.  And then I woke up really thirsty this morning, so I'm not replenishing enough.  I might have drank a good 30 oz this morning.

Before drinking all that water I did weigh myself and get measurements.  In the last month I actually gained 3 pounds, but my measurements are the same, so I weigh what I did last February.  It's frustrating.  Maybe I'm gaining muscle?  Maybe I'm retaining water?  I have had sweets these last couple weeks, but I don't go crazy with them, and I still forbid cereals and juice.  But I've been dealing with stresses and grief, so maybe there's some cortisol action going on.

Now that I've established an exercise habit, I'll scale back a little, but getting miles isn't so overwhelming now, which is good because I'm doing a 2280 Route 66 challenge.  Daunting, but I got a head start a few weeks ago in case I get sick this year, or go on a trip.  As of yesterday I've completed about 7% of the challenge with 148.8 miles achieved, and have 2,131.5 miles remaining.  I'm not converting elliptical or bike miles for this challenge, so bike miles are really going to help.  The goal is to finish by the end of the year.

I also know I need to make new challenges, because the only way I'm going to lose weight is with diet and gaining more muscle, which means a focus on healthy eating and strength training.  I suspect I have insulin resistance, but I don't have insurance so I can't get my hormones checked.  Just guessing in the dark combined with past experiences and other stuff.  I really wish I could get a blood test and see the levels.  It would answer so many questions.  I also wonder if I might have thyroid problems, or the start of one, as it runs on both sides of my family.  But even if I did I couldn't do anything about it, anyway.  So I gotta be smart and do what I can.

So, to summarize, 2021 goals = * Complete the Route 66 mile challenge. * incorporate strength training to increase muscle, which will limit muscle loss while losing weight, and will also increase insulin sensitivity. * Study nutrition, explore already owned but not used cookbooks, and improve my eating. (Throwing in here that I probably should learn to love cooking, because I currently really don't, hence falling back on fast food, quick meals, and bad habits).

Also, I saw in a video, and read online, that if you walk for 15 minutes after a meal it helps with blood sugars, which must also help with insulin sensitivity, too?  Need to read more into it.  But walking after meals would be a good goal, too. 

That's the main focus.  Trying not to get discouraged.  I was hoping to lose weight with all those miles last month which I got by walking, elliptical, and indoor bike riding.  Bummed I gained a few pounds.  But it is what it is. 

I wish people would be kinder to us who are overweight.  I've probably watched too many videos and read too much stuff online.  Just because we're overweight doesn't mean we're lazy and not trying.  Many of us are, and it's so frustrating.  It's a constant battle that's always going uphill and never flattens.

No matter how frustrating this process is, I'm not giving up.

Sarah 

 

July Health Goals: The Sticker Method

Ha! So I did something yesterday.  I threw away my scale.  It was hidden, I found it, weighed myself a few times (lost a pound and then gained it back), and then my scale went crazy: it decided to add random numbers to my current weight, so in the trash it went.  I don't need that mental drama.  The other scale is hidden very well, but hasn't been working right anyway, so it's dead to me.

What is the sticker method?  It's just a simple way to track goals.  Create a main goal, find a wall calendar, collect fun stickers, and everyday you're successful put a sticker on the calendar.  My favorite calendar is by Katie Daisy.  They're super adorable with lovely art.  It has to be a calendar that's not being used for keeping track of events, so that's valuable wall space if you're needing a calendar for said important dates.  I like using a planner for that, which Katie Daisy has also created, and they're even more adorable.  I love cute things.  Then in the corner of the date boxes you can add symbols for other goals, whatever they may be.

June ended up being a flip from May, where I was all over the place in the beginning of May and then got my act together by the end of the month, and then June started strong and ended in a mess.  My stickers represent days where I didn't have sweets, unless it was a nibble of chocolate or something.  Pre-selected treat days are symbolized by cute treat stickers.

Treat stickers are already placed for July.  Treats with a hint of red to go along with the cherry theme.

I could hang my head in shame and give up simply because I plateaued a whole month, but I won't.  On the plus side I didn't gain back the weight I lost in May, so that's good!  Nah, I did spend the last few days beating myself up for it, but I'm trying again on Monday after getting passed the Fourth and celebrating a family birthday.

So what are my goals?

1. Sticker everyday from Monday the 6th onward, because I may have had treats these last few days.  I'm human!  These things happen!  And it's my way of coping with the insanity in the World, plus it's a holiday and family birthday weekend, so it is what it is, but Monday I will focus.

2. Keep trying to get to bed before midnight. -_-;;  Heh, it will happen, and I will be consistent.

3. Walk three miles a day.  I did walk a total of 42 or so intentional miles last month, which is a little less than I planned.  Intentional miles are steps with purpose, above a half mile, no casual steps are allowed.

4.  Try out strength training with circular strength training bands.  Don't know what they're called, but resistant bands in a circle.  I got some off Amazon, so I'll blog about it next month.  I tried the HiiT workout, and my IC flared up a little, so I'm pulling back from that to reassess.  I haven't had bladder pain in a super long time, and I worked really, really hard to heal, so I just need to experiment to see if it was anxiety causing the slight pain, the exercise itself, or if it was all in my head due to fear.  I actually like doing high impact, I just have to make sure it won't make me sick and completely make me stop all together, so low impact stuff is all I can do for the time being.

And you know what?  I think that's good!!  Also, I should mention I've been intermittent fasting for the last couple months.  It's not a goal.  It's not something I was meaning to do, I just don't like breakfast, so I've been skipping it and only eating two meals a day.  Only twice has my hunger attacked, but it's been helping the way I feel.  No sugar sickness, as I call it.  Breakfast really is an annoying meal.  I really should have oatmeal in the morning, though.  Ah well, we'll see.

Later!
And good luck with everything you're trying to improve upon!

A New Change of Mind; Journey for Health

So, back in October I gave myself a Holiday Health Challenge.  The goal was to not gain weight during the Holiday's and develop positive habits.  Walk 3-6 miles a day, strength train 2-3 times a week, go to bed before 11:00 pm, drink lots of water, increase fiber/magnesium, and have one treat day a week.  How successful was I?  Well, it's been an interesting journey.

I didn't accomplish per say what I wanted.  Towards the beginning I gained weight, more than I have in quite awhile, freaked out, got depressed, and then was able to lose that weight.  As of a couple weeks ago I weighed where I did last October.  Then I did something I should have done a long time ago.  I put the scale in the cabinet and haven't weighed myself since.  Around Christmas and these last few days I have had sweets, and I haven't a clue how it affected me.

Maybe this sounds reckless, but honestly it was needed, because I realized how much I was dependent on a number for self worth.  It goes up, I binge on sweets out of frustration.  I lose weight, and I eat sweets out of celebration.  Stupid, I know!  So stupid.  But, dang, it's my addiction, and one I will conquer.  How long will it take?  I don't know, honestly.  I've got ideas.  Plans.  But for now I'll keep those to myself.

Even though I didn't have the results these last few months I wanted, it was still good.  I learned a lot.  Verified that when I don't have sweets my heartburn and sugar swings stabilize.  I don't feel nauseous between meals.  And I've noticed that it's affecting my throat as well, which in turn is affecting my singing.   If I can't give up sugar for my weight, somehow giving it up for my singing is proving crazy motivating.  Sugar is just bad, period.  It's such a vicious cycle.

What it comes down to is this: I want to feel good.  Sugar, though nice in the moment, doesn't make me feel good in the long run.   Around Thanksgiving I gave up sugar for a few weeks, and comparing how that felt verses what I've felt these last few days, focusing on that and not a number on a scale, has been really positive.

What are my goals this year?  They will be ever developing.  I love the symbolism of the whole New Year, New Decade and all that, but in the end the only way to be successful is to start new goals and reevaluate as time goes along.  I complicate.  I try to do way too much right out of the gate.  So I'm letting that go.  I'm changing the way I think about things.  I'm changing the way I feel about myself, which is most important.

"Finish each day and be done with it.  You have done what you could.  Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day.  You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

My Holiday Health Challenge

I keep gaining and losing the same 5 pounds.  This has been happening for the last several years.  It's frustrating.  Aggravating.  And after life stresses, this last trip to Disneyland, and my car needing four tire rims and tires, I'm on the upper end again, just in time for the Holiday's!  Yay!! :P

Enough's enough.

I'm tired of it.

I research, get good ideas, and when my plans start working a fall is close behind. Self sabotage? Perhaps.  I've mused over the possibilities.

Regardless of the reasons it all comes down to this: It's the Holiday's now, with Halloween around the corner, pumpkin goodness everywhere, Thanksgiving and Christmas close behind, and I don't want to face New Year's Day with goals I can start now.

Why not start the New Years on a positive note?  Better yet, what if I can actually lose those first 10 pounds that would lead me to positive growth in 2020.  Hindsight's 2020, what about a little foresight, pre-hence?  (How many times are we going to hear that hindsight is 2020?  Especially going from 2020 to 2021?)

So this is what I'm going to focus on, these main six things.  It's going to be a roll out.  A process.  Somethings will take immediate precedence over others as these new habits form:

1. Walk 3-6 miles a day, 15-30 miles a week.  Cardio is important.  This isn't too crazy.  Getting those steps in and it's also easy on the joints.  Walking on the treadmill really is a good workout, especially when you start throwing in inclines and intervals, and I'll finally catch up on some shows and listen to all those audible books I've downloaded.  Win/win.  Cardio isn't just good for building endurance and helping the heart, but it's also a powerful tool for mental health and the mind.
2. Strength train 2-3 times a week, allowing one to two rest days in between.  Two times a week building up to three, mixing it up.  I have resistant bands and basic free weights, plus a ton of DVD's focusing on different styles.  Maybe I'll try a new one each time, or keep to one for a few weeks before moving on.  Keep it interesting. (I'm working the treadmill, so I'll need it.)  Strength training and toning helps with metabolism, burning calories at rest, also builds endurance, and is just positive all around.
3. Get to bed before 11:00 pm!  Some people are night owls, I'm not.  My mind works better when I get to bed before midnight and wake up before eight.  And since I don't drink coffee I have to get my hours.  Plus good sleep = greater control over cravings and keeping cortisol levels down, which is important to weight loss.
4. Drink lots of Water.  Self explanatory. 
5. Increase fiber/magnesium through natural foods, not supplements.  Not going to get too much into this, but the majority of Americans aren't getting enough of both.  They're found in the same foods, a lot of foods that get demonized by modern fad diets.  Fiber is good for bowel health, sustaining a feeling of fullness, and combating sugar spikes.  Magnesium is brain food, good for mental health, good for muscles, and also helps the body with calcium.  
6.  Have one treat day a week.  ONE!!  I have a sweet tooth.  I love sugar.  I probably just like the serotonin/dopamine/whatever spike.  But this is my Achilles heel in weight loss.  And I'm not allowing artificial sweeteners of any kind.  Done the research, haven't found one I'm okay with, but really it's the principle of the matter.  Creating self control.  Man, if I can just conquer this one thing alone I'd see major improvement in the next 2 1/2 months.

And bonus!!

• Keep a gratitude journal
• meditate/visualization 

It's a long list.  That's why I'm building on it and not going full out immediately, but if I can conquer these six points plus two bonuses I would be in an amazing place by New Years Day.

I'm not going to keep blogging about this challenge, but on New Years day I'll let you know how I'm doing, positives and/or negatives.  But I'm aiming at positives!!!

Talea Studios Update: January 26, 2019

I haven't done one of these in a long time.

New Year, New Focus.

Last week I had a meeting with my siblings, and it went very well.  There are a lot a projects we're working on, and in the process we found much needed new footing.

There's not much I can say.  There are smaller projects that will roll out.  But, most important, what gets me excited, is that there is a major project that will take a bit of time that we've decided we're ready for.  It's a project that we never felt ready for, but as we've grown and worked on our talents, we're finally ready to tackle this awesome goal.  It's a passion project.  And that's all I want to say! 

There's a quote that's been popping up in my life recently.  I've mentioned it twice in the last month: "It's kind of fun to do the impossible."  Walt Disney.  Sometimes words or sayings will show up in our lives as a beaconing message.  I'm going to heed this wisdom.

Last May I got to visit Disney's private apartment at Disneyland, and at the end the hostess talked about Disney being a storyteller, and how there are still storytellers.  I wish I could remember the words she said, but it touched me.  And I realized in that moment how much I want to be a storyteller.  So I'm getting to the basics.  Working through some Great Courses Plus lessons.  I think I just have this love of stories.  I've always loved stories.  My music is a form of storytelling.  When I perform, it's storytelling as well.  And I just think of Kermit the Frog, sitting on his log in the swamp, playing his banjo and wanting to make millions of people happy.  That impressed me so strongly as a kid.  The idea of making people happy through art.

So those are the goals.  A lot of secrets!!!  I can't tell you how much I hate keeping secrets.  But as time moves forward and things finalize more will be revealed.

I just wanted to let you all know we're still working and wanting to make incredible things possible.

Rethinking My Blog

I've been contemplating the idea of starting two new blogs, one focused on travel and the other movie reviews, only to rethink some things.  What is it I want out of life?  What do I really want to accomplish?  What would happen if I tried to manage three blogs at once while working on other things?

And then I realized, my music, the games I'm working on with my brothers, and the fictional stories I'm working on is more than enough, and more important.

One blog, for now, is more than enough.

I was tempted to start the other blogs simply because the eclecticism of this blog may prevent me from gaining a bigger audience.

So what does it come to?  I like to write, take pictures, think about stuff, experience, and share.

And when certain projects are ready to share, I'm going to enjoy writing and posting about these dreams turned reality.

This blog needs a little more focus, but in an eclectic way.  I Just Like Way Too Many THINGS!!  Ah!!!!!!!

So I've been working on a form:

Movie Mondays
Travel Tuesdays and Thursdays
Whatever Wednesdays
Fun Fridays

Though Wednesdays could also stand for Work, Wisdom, and Writing (when I start posting poetry again, or short fiction).

Friday could also be Family and Fantastically Random, because it's Friday.  Friday's should be random, but no day of the week starts with an "R".

And I'm thinking of not blogging on Saturday or Sunday, using those days to prep for the week.  The main goal is to aim for 5 blog posts a week, but 4 minimum, and if I miss a day it will be a Wednesday, to keep it balanced.

So lets see how this goes!!

Oh, and when I start getting music going to where I'm ready to share again, Monday will be Music Monday, and my movie reviews will be bumped to Theater Thursday.  Because, why not?

This is the plan.

New Year's Fresh Starts and Things To Accomplish Before I'm 40

I remember remarking a year or so back that New Year's resolutions are silly and that resolutions should be made all year long.  Though I do agree with this sentiment, partially, there is something nice about a complete fresh start.  The last week in December I've been figuring out how I want to deal with New Year's resolutions for 2018.  Weight loss?  Ah, yes.  Learning new languages? Kinda sidestepped last year, will be better focused this year.  Music goals? Still a ton.

Also during Christmas and News Years I binged the last 2 seasons of Fuller House on Netflix.  Grew up on the show and it's been fun seeing what the Full House gang is up to.  The character DJ pulls out a vision picture board of all the things she wanted to accomplish by 40.  What a cool idea!  And then I realized I'm going to be 40 in 4 1/2 years . . . 0_0

Also a while back I once did a 101 goals in 1001 days.  It was fun, but I accomplished about 15%.  15% is better than 0%!!  Just throwing that out there.  My 40th B-day is a little over 1500 days from now in 2022. 

So now I'm coming up with some goals, my by 40 bucket list.  And every New Years I'll reevaluate and base New Year's goals on where I am each year with my bucket list.

One thing I do want to do this year is write a poem every week starting this week till the end of the year.  I haven't written a poem in over a year!  A poem that's not tied to songs I'm working on.  That part of me needs to come out more.  It wants to; I keep stifling it.

Other things I want to do this year is start tapping again.  As in Tap dancing.  Get a portable tap dance board and follow along with lessons on YouTube.  Highland dance is another thing I need to start taking seriously.  Goal: get a dancing kilt and full outfit by the end of the year.  Then there's learning French, Japanese, and Irish.  I've got Duolingo and book goals with these languages.  Start uploading music on YouTube again.  Haven't done that in a REALLY long time.  And get comfortable composing game songs and jazz songs.

The last major goal, or goals, is to get virtual reality games uploaded on Steam with my siblings.  We're finishing up a game next week, and it takes a few weeks approval from Steam.  (I don't really know what that all means; that's what my brothers have told me.)

Oh!  And I did sign up to do a 1000 mile challenge this year from I Love To Run along with my Gryffindor team at Hogwarts Running Club and Companion Team on Whovian Running Club.  Multiple accountability.  I did 27 miles last week.  And this week I'm aiming for 30.

But mostly I want these goals to be a good variety.  Some easily attainable.  Some beyond my wildest dreams.  Self improvement.  Adventures.  New Skills.  Health.  Etc.

A lot can be done by 2022.

What I've Learned So Far in Taekwondo: Earning My White/Yellow Belt

 I received my white/yellow belt in my Taekwondo class yesterday.  There was an awards ceremony of sorts last Friday, but I was up in Park City helping set up the Utah State Odyssey of the Mind tournament that night, so I didn't know I had earned a special award: Outstanding Basic Tester.  This award is given to an individual in each age category and level bracket, so I earned this award for the adult category (teenage+) and basic level (white though yellow/green).

For the Outstanding Basic Tester adult award, it was between myself and a teenage girl who is seriously fierce and has such a wonderful, friendly personality.  We both ended up getting the adult award, the only tie, because the black belts who tested us couldn't come to an agreement.  Mainly we both had the same intensity, but I had better technique and she had better mobility.  Yeah, the mobility is something I'm working on.  There's so many ways I can grow.  Great motivation :0)

But still, I was so worried last week!  Thinking I may not even advance!  Goodness, I worry over things I shouldn't worry about. Got to stop that.  At the same time worrying kept me focused and passionate over what I was doing, and making sure I was doing it right.  So there's room for worrying, just within reason and sanity.

I also completed the testing last week in pain.  On my left big-toe, doing the first kicking pass in the beginning of testing, a couple layers of skin peeled off, reveling a raw under-layer.  Technically I should have asked for a band-aid, since everything is done bare foot, but I didn't.  I completed every skill in testing regardless of how I felt.

Maybe that was stupid.  Maybe I should have said something, but I never did.  And I didn't just survive, I scored really high on all the components.

It's been awhile since I've fought through pain like that, but I'm actually glad for it, because the experience reminded me of who I am and what I'm capable of.  It feels good completing a difficult task and facing fears.

 Mainly I'm learning to trust and push myself.  I feared the dive roll during testing, but I didn't just perform the task, I did so with good technique, rolling along my shoulder just as I'm supposed to.  I am nervous, though, for when I'm expected to dive roll over objects, which I believe is around the green belt.

Another thing I've learned?  Doing Taekwondo isn't going to help me lose any weight.  In these three months I've lost 0 pounds, for realzies.  It's my eating.  You can't lose weight without combining healthy exercise with healthy eating.

But I'm realizing how much my focus shouldn't be about weight loss.  I tell myself it's not my focus, but it is.  My focus has got to be health.  Plain, simple health: Energy, strength, positivity, endurance, flexibility, feeling good, etc.

Yesterday my Taekwondo master brought her 83 year old Mom to class.  She has really bad sclerosis of the spine, and yet she's able to stand up straight.  Technically, according to her Doctor, most people with her condition are confined to a wheelchair.  I worked with her on blocks, taking turns, and I was really inspired.

I have goals like fitting into smaller jeans and so forth, but I realized what my main goal is: when I'm 83 years old I want to be healthy, have vitality, and be strong.  I don't like where I physically am at 32, but starting now, focusing on positive and proper health goals, I can totally be rocking it as I venture into age 33 and beyond.  Health starts now, no matter where I am or what I've done.  Health starts now. 

And I'm going to put God first in this process.  I haven't yet, depending entirely on myself.  I have a health journal and on the cover are the words: "Love God and live with joy!"  Isn't that wonderful?  I love it.  Everyday as I cursive my thoughts I'm going to see this phrase, and it will remind me what's really important.  Of what my priorities should be.  Loving God and living with joy.

101 Goals in 1001 Days, Take Two

Back in January my Sister-in-law Krista introduced me to the Day Zero website, where you aim to make 101 goals that you'll accomplish in 1001 days.  It's a 3 year bucket list.  Back then I spent several weeks planning out perfectly what my 101 goals should be.  I was meticulous, but overwhelmed, and not honest with myself with what I really wanted.  There was a problem of making some of the goals too big, like learn 500 Japanese Kanji.  So, in many ways, I didn't allow myself a chance for succuss.  I did complete 14 goals before giving up, so it wasn't all bad.

Recently I decided to reevaluate my list and start anew, and decided that my greatest chance for success was to keep many of my goals private, so that I can create a list more honest to what I need at this point in my life.  And I devised a way to keep myself on track.

This time around I typed out my goals into categories.  As I'm working on a goal I'll keep track of the details on regular lined paper, but as soon as I finish a goal, I'm going to type out a journal like entry about my experience, what I learned, and maybe include some pictures.  Even with all this I still may not be able to finish all the goals, but if that happens those goals will bump over to the next 1001 days, which will start June 2, 2015.

Some of the goals I'm working on:
Read 6 Young Adult/Young Reader book series
Read 100 Sci-fi/Fantasy Short-Stories
Learn Amigurumi
Learn Wire Art Jewelry
Compose an Original 8-bit Song
Learn to Edit Videos
Take a Cooking Class
Attend a New Exercise Class
Make a Visual Goal College
Have an Original Star Wars Marathon
Lean the JLPT N5 Kanji
Visit Another Country
Etc

This time around I'm going to have fun with this!  And learn a lot at the same time:0)

Sarah