Taking a bit of a vacation last week when it came to food was a rather enlightening experience. I learned quite a bit about myself and how all of my habits of the last several months are truly impacting me and my health.
The first half of the week, I still kept track of what I was eating, though I wasn’t really trying to stay within a calorie goal. I don’t think I did horrible since I was really aware of what I was doing. The last half of the week (pretty much Thanksgiving day and on), I didn’t keep track at all and I did a pretty poor job of making healthy choices. Hubby wasn’t a whole lot of help with the constant reminders of “You’re on vacation! You can have another dessert!” I realized it didn’t take much convincing on his part for me to just ignore most of the good habits I managed to get myself into. I ate several times when I really wasn’t all that hungry just because it was there. Many times I found myself thinking “I better eat this now because come next week, I won’t be doing this anymore” even if I really didn’t want something, hungry or not. In all of that, I ended up with a horrible case of indigestion by the end of the week for the first time in months and I’d gained a pound and a half. Overall, I felt pretty crummy by the end of the week and it seems to be taking a bit to get back to feeling decent again.
I know now that I will have to change my typical holiday routines and baking as I really don’t want or need all the extra stuff around the house. It doesn’t matter if it is a holiday or a special occasion, there really is no reason to not still try and eat healthy. There is also no reason to deny myself the things I enjoy, but I’m not going to enjoy them much if I’m eating too much of them or forcing myself to eat them just because they are there. I really am much happier and much more satisfied if I just stick to the smaller amounts and be done. There really is such a thing as too much of a good thing.
I didn’t do horrible on my daily challenge last week. With all the decorating for the holidays getting done, I had no problem reaching my movement commitment. The outdoor commitment was about as easy to meet with the exception of the day we were working on the indoor decorating. I didn’t even realize that I hadn’t stepped foot outside all day until we were getting ready for bed. I was really frustrated with myself that I couldn’t even manage the 5 minute minimum that day. I am struggling to remember to connect while doing either of those so I need to figure out something that keeps that in mind.
I knew the daily challenge would be difficult on some days, but I really didn’t expect it to be quite this difficult to get myself outside. The cold is still having a pretty big impact on me, even with all the layers, though they do help. I’ve gotten to the point where I’m almost constantly in two shirts and a zip up sweatshirt kind of thing and I’m still cold. It isn’t very easy to be able to appreciate nature when you are shivering and cursing at it. I am beginning to wonder if starting this challenge at this time of year was the wisest thing for me to do, but I’m in the middle of it and will keep going. I may look like an idiot sitting on the front porch bundled in 10 blankets, but I’m determined to do this.
You might want to look around the Net and sporting stores, I remember little pouches you could buy with chemicals in them that when you shook or kneaded them, they’d give off heat for a couple hours. Thinking a few in pants pockets, and maybe a microwaveable hot pack around the neck might help.
And strange as this sounds, check what type of shoes you’re wearing. A lot of the artificial materials (plastics, fabrics and such) can tend to leak heat BADLY. Canvas boat shoes, while not very high up the ankle, are often good insulators with their rubber soles and canvas uppers. Old leather works good, too, until it gets wet. Then it is REALLY miserable! (For a good grossing out, look up “trench foot”.)
Good luck, I’m pulling for you!
Posted by John Erickson | November 29, 2011, 8:25 pmAside from wrapping myself in an electric blanket (or 4), I don’t think much will help until my body begins to get used to the physical changes (lack of added insulation) and the seasonal changes. It has always been my nature to want to somewhat hibernate in the winter, but I’ve always kind of thought that it was just me having a decent excuse for staying huddled on the couch under a blanket. I’m beginning to see that it is really a natural response from my body, which makes getting up and moving or going outside a whole lot harder to convince myself is a good idea. In the past, I’ve relied on lots of hot beverages when it got too cold, but because I’m a bit of a sugar addict, I’ve been staying away from those in an effort to not take in quite so many empty calories. For now, I’ll dream of winter get aways in warm southern climates. Maybe if I pretend it isn’t frigid inside my own skin, I won’t feel so cold. No? Darn.
Posted by tjfox | November 30, 2011, 9:35 amYou could always run out here for a bit. Our seasonal norm here is in the low to mid 60′s though it was over 80 a few days ago (so wrong to have temps that high in November!).
I think it’s probably good you started this when you did, It’s still too early here for me to think straight, but I’m thinking that the realization of the hibernation thing is a big deal for you and (hopefully) you’ll be a bit more gentle with yourself on why some of those habits got established in the first place.
Posted by dragonfae | November 30, 2011, 11:35 amRealizing I’m really just a grouchy old bear in the winter? Yeah, that is probably about right.
I have actually been wondering if some of this is also hormonal, just a natural shift in my body’s ability to regulate my temperature. I know that when I was younger, I could spend hours and hours outside sitting in the snow sculpting crazy snow figures (the sphinx around an igloo was one of my favorites), but I don’t think you could get me anywhere near doing something like that now so it does have me wondering what exactly is going on.
Posted by tjfox | November 30, 2011, 12:54 pmI’m finding that as I get older I’m less tolerant of temperature extremes so that is probably some of it. When the hormones really kick in, you’ll be appreciating cold weather.
Posted by dragonfae | December 1, 2011, 1:54 pmIs it awful of me to be looking forward to that?
Posted by tjfox | December 1, 2011, 2:39 pmUm … no. I’m sure enjoying it.
Posted by dragonfae | December 2, 2011, 1:54 am