Back to Winter

Well, overnight the weather is wintry again. At least the ground is too warm for snow to stick!

Last week's weird hours wreaked havoc on my strength training sessions, so this week I am going to make a real effort to meet my goals. Two times for abs/core and two times for the weights. I think I did okay food-wise, though. Lots more veggies/fruit and plenty of lean protein. It was PMS week, which explains the cookie and chip cravings. I do hate being in the erratic phase of perimenopause. PMS sorta sneaks up on me! Although, I really do have to say that since I have changed fields of work, my stress level is so much lower and I really think it has minimized most of the unpleasant aspects of perimenopause. Hot flashes aren't as hot or as frequent and even the cravings are a surprise, not a routine!

This week, I plan to make some nice bean soup. Actually, I have a nice Parmesan rind, white beans and some ham. I'm going to add some carrots, celery and onions to the mix, too. And some frozen cooked spinach. I'm going for a pasta e fagoli thing just minus the pasta. That will travel well to work and with the wintry weather, it will be soothing and a good way to meet my "more veggies and fiber" goals for the week. I am also going to cook one of the steaks my friend Lisa's mom sent me for Christmas. It's from Omaha Steaks, and the one should give me enough for a nice steak dinner and some leftovers for a main dish salad. I'm also going to stir-fry some tofu this week. That should round out the meals. Breakfast is going to be oatmeal or whole wheat toast with milk or an egg.

Yesterday was payday, so I made good on my $10/week to savings promise. I know it sounds like a small amount, but I need to start somewhere just to prove to myself that it *is* possible to save. I can always learn to save more.

Going to get dressed and run the few errands I didn't run yesterday. Then I am coming home and getting started on my housework. Today I want to clean my kitchen and get my trivets hung in there. I'd also like to get the bed in the spare room cleaned off. My friend Meg is coming over for a "girls night in", and in case she feels like staying over, I'd like to have the bed ready for her. Besides, it is a goal project!

Off to shower up and run errands. After I finish my coffee, that is......

Working the Night Shift

Let's see.....today I managed to sleep and eat! I made sure I took a nice nap because I am working overnight this evening. One of my co-workers and I are going overnight to give each and every checklane a thorough cleaning. I'm taking my coffee cup to work, let me tell you! I should be able to conk out when I get home because then I'll work tomorrow evening.

Dad wrote this morning that Dogzilla was worn out last night after I left. Poor boy laid in his chair all evening and wouldn't even open his eyes when Dad talked to him. Then he laid in bed until 5:30 this morning, which is almost a record for Dogzilla. Of course, at 11 y.o., he is nearly 90 according to the real age site for pets. He's still a pretty spry little guy when he IS awake. I suppose at 90 I'll be happy to sleep, eat and take the occasional stroll outside.

Weather is freakishly warm for January. Makes me wonder what meterological nightmares February will bring. Anyhow, it does make for nice strolling outside. Of course, it is supposed to "rain/snow" this weekend, so it will be perfect for aerobic housecleaning. One of my projects is to find somewhere to take the junk I don't want. I think there is a Salvation Army nearby and I am going to see if I can find one of those AmVets dumpster things. If it isn't good enough to donate, then I am just pitching it. I'd like to get the living room and the spare room well and truly squared away. Clutter is EVERYWHERE.

That's it. Just another sorta boring day.

Goals for the year

I know it's well into 2006, but I've wanted to take some time before making commitments to goals. I'd like this to be a more thoughtful process because I figure it will lend itself to greater success.

On the fitness front, I intend to add weight work to my weekly routine at least 2X and I intend to add core strengthening 2X per week also. I am not going to set a goal weight. Recent reading leads me to believe that the GOAL has to be adopting and incorporating better eating habits, not necessarily weight loss. I think that it is a whole lot like the attitude that if you do what you love to earn a living, then the money follows. To that end, I intend to do the following:
1. Pay attention to portion control;
2. Aim for 6-9 servings of fruits and vegetables every day from a variety of sources, focusing on what is actually in season;
3. Fish 3-4 times a week;
4. Vegetarian 3-4 times a week, and not just a steady diet of Boca burgers;
5. Experiment with new food products and try at least one new recipe every week;
6. Pay attention to meeting recommended fiber intake by focusing on whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

I think all of the above are attainable habits. I am not going to incorporate them all at once, but I do believe that using menu planning is going to help me adopt these habits gradually, so I am definitely commiting some time each week to planning menus. In the short term, this will mean using what is already on hand in the pantry and the freezer. If it's not useable, then it will get tossed. I am definitely cleaning out the cupboards.

Some other things I want to work on this year are developing a closer bond with my brother. After all, when Dad is gone (and I hope that's not for a long time!), Mark is my immediate family. We get along, but we tend to just not stay in close touch. I want to improve that. At work, I want to develop better coaching skills. I think I will ask if a couple of the execs that I like and respect will help mentor me in this area.

Other projects: get my address book computerized; put $10 a week into my savings account; finish assembling a family cookbook

Those are my general goals for 2006. I intend to track my progress weekly here and longer term in my daily planner.