Daily Health Confession: 10.14.2012

Today's Date:	Sunday – 10/14/2012
Previous Night Bed Time:	08:15:00 PM
Today's Wake Up Time:	09:30:00 AM
Wake Up Feeling:	5 – My body feels stiff. I had discomfort in my sides right above my “love handles” - I felt better about H.
Exercises:	50 jumping jacks, 30 mountain climbers, 53 second plank, 20 crunches, 15 bridge extensions, 30 sit ups, 30 counter supported push ups.
Feeling:	6 – Hungry, ready for dinner. I've been feeling slightly out of it today. Emotional.
Breakfast:	Chips and salsa.
Supplements/Vitamins:	Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Multivitamin
Lunch:	Elk and wild rice soup.
Dinner:	Brown Rice curry with vegetables and shredded chicken.
Snacks/Desserts/Drinks:	Iced green tea, water, lemonade.
Daily Activity/Accomplishments:	I am completely caught up on my schoolwork and took a test in one of my classes. I wrote the essays needed for my test tomorrow. Washed dishes and did laundry. Exercised.
Bed Time Feeling:	6 – Not very tired. The night felt long. Woke up twice.
What did I do well?	Completed schoolwork and remained focused. No dairy.
What can I improve on?	Reigning in my emotions. Poor H is at my mercy right now. Just feeling emotional and on edge. Not lashing out (thankfully), but on edge.

Exercise:	Feeling/Reaction:
50 Jumping Jacks	Glad I did them. I was contemplating whether or not to start my work out.
30 Mountain Climbers	Good. My back is feeling stronger.
53 Second Plank	I held my abs tight and tucked my tailbone. This made my body more active and I felt this one in my abs more than my legs.
20 Crunches	I started to feel the burn around number 13. Felt great!
15 Bridge Extensions	:)
30 Sit Ups	I didn't have to stop. I went straight through without a break. This is a first in a long time. I felt like I could do more than the 25 so I went forward on to the 30.
30 Counter Supported Push Ups	Felt good although H got on my nerves while doing them.

Daily Health Confessional: 10.13.2012

Today's Date:	Saturday – 10.13.2012
Previous Night Bed Time:	09:30:00 PM
Today's Wake Up Time:	08:00:00 AM
Wake Up Feeling:	7 – Refreshed. My stomach no longer hurt.
Exercises:	50 jumping jacks, 30 mountain climbers, 50 second plank, 20 crunches, 10 bridge extensions, 25 sit ups, 30 counter supported push ups.
Feeling:	7 – I'm glad I woke up when I did and felt productive right away.
Breakfast:	Waffles with boysenberry syrup (too sugary for me) and fresh strawberries.
Supplements/Vitamins:	Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Multivitamin
Lunch:	Chips and salsa, jalapeno bread.
Dinner:	Tater tots, elk and wild rice soup (homemade), mashed potatoes.
Snacks/Desserts/Drinks:	Iced green tea, jalapeno chips, water, a piece of chocolate.
Daily Activity/Accomplishments:	Went to Eugene to go shopping with my friend. Spent the day walking and running around. Lots of good conversation.
Bed Time Feeling:	6 – Tired, full, irritated with H.
What did I do well?	I was a good friend by being patient and allowing the day to be about her rather than me. It was a good day. I called my mom and wished her a happy birthday. :)
What can I improve on?	Not going to bed angry with H.

Exercise:	Feeling/Reaction:
50 Jumping Jacks	Bouncy. I can feel the jiggle.
30 Mountain Climbers	I can feel my arms and back working. My hips are more open than they have been because of Yoga.
50 Second Plank	I am still struggling to hit the 50, but I am remaining focused and not peeking at the timer until I feel I can't hold out much longer.
20 Crunches	I can feel it in my abs around number 13. Feels good. I can certainly feel my body working.
10 Bridge Extensions	I love feeling my back and toosh flex.
25 Sit Ups	My abs are certainly working here. Feels great.
30 Counter Supported Push Ups	My arms need these so bad! :)

Daily Health Confessional: 10.12.2012

Today's Date:	Friday – 10.12.2012
Previous Night Bed Time:	09:30:00 PM
Today's Wake Up Time:	05:00:00 AM
Wake Up Feeling:	6 – I'm always tired, but then again, I'm not a morning person at all.
Exercises:	None.
Feeling:	6 – I was focused on schoolwork and then felt like I needed to hide from a student who seems to be giving me too much attention. I did not feel like exercising.
Breakfast:	Starbucks Veggie Artisan Breakfast Sandwich
Supplements/Vitamins:	Vitamin E, Multivitamin, Vitamin C
Lunch:	Garden vegetable soup with tomatoes, barley, potatoes, broccoli, corn, and peas.
Dinner:	Herb ravioli with homemade tomato sauce.
Snacks/Desserts/Drinks:	A piece of chocolate, iced green tea, jalapeno chips, sparkling apple cider.
Daily Activity/Accomplishments:	Went to class, woke up early, avoided conflict, spent time with a great friend.
Bed Time Feeling:	6 – Tired, ready for bed.
What did I do well?	Bought healthy food from the store, stayed focused in class, did schoolwork and prepped for a test.
What can I improve on?	I need to get my homework done before class rather than emailing my instructor.

Daily Health Confessional: 10.11.2012

Today's Date:	Thursday - 10.11.201
Previous Night Bed Time:	09:00:00 PM
Today's Wake Up Time:	06:00:00 AM
Wake Up Feeling:	5 – Tired. Needed more sleep.
Exercises:	1 hour, 20 minutes of yoga – Hip Openers.
Feeling:	6 – Worked all day, so a little tired from that. Yoga felt good. I can definitely tell I am out of practice, but improving.
Breakfast:	Garden vegetable soup with barley, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, corn, and peas.
Supplements/Vitamins:	None
Lunch:	Tuna on a bagel with tomatoes.
Dinner:
Snacks/Desserts/Drinks:	Pretzels, Green tea (hot and cold), water
Daily Activity/Accomplishments:	Woke up early, went to work, yoga, NO DAIRY, spent time with H.
Bed Time Feeling:	4 – Tired, ready for bed. My stomach hurt really, really bad. Sharp pains in my stomach.
What did I do well?	NO DAIRY! Remained focused at work. Entered grades right away.
What can I improve on?	I need to bring healthy snacks to work with me. I have been eating a lot of salty foods lately.

Exercise:	Feeling/Reaction:
1 hour, 20 minutes of Yoga – Hip Openers	Taught my class more hip openers. Felt better than the time before. I am slowly getting stronger and more flexible.

Daily Health Confessional: 10.10.2012

Today's Date:	Wednesday – 10/10/2012
Previous Night Bed Time:	09:45:00 PM
Today's Wake Up Time:	05:00:00 AM
Wake Up Feeling:	5 – Tired. Needed a hot shower to wake up and thaw out. Today was a much better day than yesterday.
Exercises:	Walking around the track, 50 jumping jacks, 30 mountain climbers, 50 second plank, 20 crunches, 10 bridge extensions, 10 laps running around house, 25 sit ups, 25 counter supported push ups.
Feeling:	7 – my stomach is water logged. I have been thirsty all day. Tired.
Breakfast:	Small bowl of left over pesto pasta with corn, sunflower seeds, and tomatoes.
Supplements/Vitamins:	Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Multivitamin
Lunch:	Black bean and corn chili, salad with italian dressing, garlic bread, “cajun” tater tots.
Dinner:	7- My arms and legs feel sore which makes me feel good. I can feel my muscles working and it shows me that they are growing. I am definitely ready for bed.
Snacks/Desserts/Drinks:	Granola bar, iced tea
Daily Activity/Accomplishments:	Went walking, went to class, woke up early, spent time with a great friend, exercised. Chose not to eat dairy.
Bed Time Feeling:	Tired, ready for sleep.
What did I do well?	I didn't have dairy today although some ranch for dipping my tater tots was available. It was very tempting, but I refrained. I exercised. Had good conversation with a great friend.
What can I improve on?	I could have done some homework today, but didn't. Tater tots... :)

Exercise:	Feeling/Reaction:
5 Laps Walking Around Track	Cold, but lovely. Beautiful view and wonderful company.
50 Jumping Jacks	I can feel it in my calves. Feels good.
30 Mountain Climbers	Not tired at all with these.
50 Second Plank	I refrained from looking at the timer until I couldn't hold it any longer.
20 Crunches	I started to feel it around 13. Taking elbow to opposite knee. I am focusing on proper alignment as well.
10 Bridge Extensions	I can feel it in my tush and back. Building strength.
10 Laps Running Around House	Ran 4 Walk 1 Ran 3 Walk 1 Ran 3 I feel lighter today than yesterday, but still heavy. My form is out of touch, but I think I am getting better. I paused to drink some water each time I walked. I have been very thirsty today. This made jogging a little difficult because my stomach become water-logged even though I didn't drink very much while running.
25 Sit Ups	These are pretty easy. I have been keeping my arms at my sides, I think it is time to start placing the hands behind my head.
25 Counter Supported Push Ups	I can feel my arms really working at this and it feels really good. I am very happy that I have started doing these again.

Daily Health Confessional: 10.9.2012

Today's Date:	Tuesday - 10/9/2012
Previous Night Bed Time:	09:30:00 PM
Today's Wake Up Time:	05:10:00 AM
Wake Up Feeling:	Started at a 6, slept most of the night. Left the house feeling a 2. I was boiling over with frustration to the point of tears. It was not a good morning for me... the worst I have had in a very, very long time.
Exercises:	Walked around the track, 1 hour 20 minutes of yoga (hip openers), 50 jumping jacks, 20 mountain climbers, 40 second plank, 20 crunches, 10 bridge extensions, 10 laps running, 25 sit ups, 25 counter supported push ups.
Feeling:	6 – I feel really heavy. I've lost any toning I gained over the summer and can feel I have added some weight to my body. I feel uncomfortable in my clothes.
Breakfast:	Split pea soup.
Supplements/Vitamins:	Vitamin E, Multivitamin, Vitamin C
Lunch:	Left over seafood pasta (dairy free)
Dinner:	Rice and vegetables
Snacks/Desserts/Drinks:	Water, 3 oz. Herbal mint tea, a few pretzels, 4 small york peppermint patties.
Daily Activity/Accomplishments:	Exercised, got up early, went to work, visited with a friend.
Bed Time Feeling:
What did I do well?	I went walking with my friend even though it was cold out. I signed up for Staff Fitness to have access to a weight room on campus. I stayed on task at work. I ate healthy meals.
What can I improve on?	Remaining motivated to exercise. I need to bring healthy snacks to work with me rather than spending money on convenient snacks. Drink some green tea.

Exercise:	Feeling/Reaction:
5 Laps - Walking Around Track	Even though it was really cold out, it felt great to get moving so early in the morning. Spending it with a very close friend was great, too. This turned my mood completely around from being angry and frustrated to being light hearted and happy.
Teach Yoga - 1 hour 20 minutes (hip openers)	My flexibility is minimal. I know I am starting, for the most part, at square one for myself having taken the summer off of yoga. I feel weak in my legs and arms. My abs are non-existent.
50 Jumping Jacks	Felt good. Started to get winded by the last 10.
20 Mountain Climbers	I did these in front of a mirror. My alignment looks great. Felt good.
40 Second Plank	Struggled to get to 40 seconds, but I did better than I thought.
20 Crunches	Wow. Started feeling these at about 10. I definitely need to get back into doing these.
10 Bridge Extensions	Enjoyable. Nothing special. I can feel my back working.
10 Laps Running Around House	Ran 4 Walk 1 Ran 3 Walk 1 Ran 2 Walk 1 Ran 1 My legs were tired from yoga. I can feel myself jiggle as I run and can feel how heavy I really am. Rather than be discouraged, I am motivated to keep going. By the last lap I could feel my legs becoming lighter and my body reach proper alignment.
25 Sit Ups	These weren't as hard as I thought they would be. Definitely need to keep going with these though.
25 Counter Supported Push Ups	My arms got tired at about 15. I have some work to do.

Daily Positive Thought: 10.9.2012

Confessional: 10.9.2012

I know. I know. Look at the last time I posted which, honestly, looks like I haven't been exercising in the last 2 months. Sadly, it is nearly true. When we went to Arizona I lost my focus and got out of my routine. I did go to a gym and ran through as many of my exercises as I could without getting down onto the dirty floor. I let my diet go as well because I thought, "Hey! I'm on vacation, let's splurge." I can happily say, though, that I drank LOTS of iced green tea and spent a lot of time with long lost friends. 

For the last two weeks I have been teaching yoga, an hour and twenty minutes twice a week at the college. This is great because it is getting me back into my yoga-zone and letting me know how much my body has changed in the last 2 months. 

I have some serious work to do.

That being said, I have reached my limit. I cannot wait any longer. I MUST do something about this body and the way I have been feeling. 

My energy level has been low, I've been feeling despondent and easily distracted. Emotional doesn't even cover it. PLUS, I feel terribly bloated because I've been consuming dairy at a rate comparable to a calf and salty snacks. 

My diet needs to change.

I have signed up for Staff Fitness at the college allowing me to use the weight room and exercise equipment. I am really looking forward to doing this on the other days of the week that I'm not doing yoga. 

Yesterday marked my first day dairy free. I am saddened because that means no more cheese and I really, really love cheese. But I will survive. Now I need to find some healthy, crunchy snacks to keep in my office while I work. 

This is progress. I am excited to get back on the path to feeling amazing and healthy. Please join me in the adventure!

--JM