Sick mommy :(

Lucky for me with some healthy habits I've picked up on my quest to become more fit, I tend to not get very sick a lot.  Sore throats - I used to get plenty of those.  Since I've been eating healthier and working out when I can, I've actually not gotten sick.  Until now. :(

I caught G's cold.  Surprisingly G is also a really healthy kiddo.  She eats her veggies and is really active too.  She's only gotten one other cold this year in early winter despite the stomach bug, strep throat, pneumonia, and other random colds going around at daycare and in the family.  I'm sure it helps that she's also obsessed with washing her hands just like Daddy.

Washing hands hasn't kept Daddy from getting sick though.  Recently he's had illness after illness.  He just got over a sinus infection, before that a cold, before that a minor stomach bug, etc.  Hmmmm.  Proof healthy living keeps you healthy?  Maybe not 100% but the fact that we managed not to catch it from him is really impressive.

Unfortunately now that I am sick, it kind of sucks.  Cough, super runny nose, achy body, dry/scratchy throat.  I'm wondering if I might have an ear infection too - I get occasionally pains in my ear.  Nothing constant though.  Blah.

I'm also kind of anti-medicine.  I try not to take any if I don't have to.  My theory has been that as a population we are over medicated.  So I convince myself that if I only take meds when I really need them they'll have a better chance of working.  Well, this cold was enough for me to take meds and give G some meds too.  I picked up a homeopathic cold medicine - Hyland's Cold & Cough.  It's mostly honey, but it's at least something.  And I'm taking an extremely low dose.  It seems to help somewhat.  Seems to really help G.  This is only the second time she's had to take medicine - the only other time was for an eye infection.

I tend to eat weird things when I'm sick - I get weird cravings.  This time around I'm craving carbs - which is odd because I'm not a big bread eater.  But today alone I probably had 6 or 7 servings mostly all whole grain wheat - got to at least eat it the healthier way. :)  Also dairy. I like dairy, but I probably don't eat enough of it normally - I hit it in spurts.  I get plenty of calcium from other sources based on the white calcium spots in my finger nails and my blood work.  Today I had a cup of chocolate milk for the first time in a while.  It just sounded fantastic.  Guess I needed the extra calcium and energy to fight this off.

Typically when I'm sick I crave salty foods and green beans.  I guess getting some of the crap I was eating previously out of my system I've improved my sick cravings  Kind of like a cleanse of sorts I guess.

So, I'm off to do some R&R.  Drink plenty of fluids.  Hopefully kick this bug before going away in a little over a week.

Back to blogging

Sorry for the long hiatus...between this little thing called Hurricane Irene that destroyed our connection to the outside world for almost a week and then I FINALLY just this week had my mole and scar tissue removed.

So, due to all of that, I've fallen off of my path to a fitter mommy and gone back to my unfit ways.  But I'm back in action and going to give it another go.

Unfortunately, while I recover from my procedures, I'm out of commission physically.  I've got quite a few stitches in my foot and it's rather painful.  My thigh piece went deeper than expected, so they have taken me out of the physical exercise rotation until that one healed.  So I've been trying to eat better.

Trying.

I feel like I started to gain weight again...I doubt its true - probably more bloat than anything else.  And, my water bottle broke.  So I'm doing awful on water intake and need to do better eating.  So that's my plan for the near future.  More water intake again and increase in the fruits and veggies. 

At least it's a good time of year for both.  I'm loving my farmer's market produce lately.  Just finished a large plate of asparagus.  Not quite as good as the early summer asparagus, but still yummy.  I also have a fridge full of cauliflower, butternut squash, and corn I'm looking forward too. :) 

Today is the first day of fall, so I'm thinking my wonderful produce will come to an end soon.  I didn't get to freeze anywhere near the amount of produce I wanted...so maybe I can do some farmer's market stock ups in the next couple of weeks for colorful winter foods.

We'll see I guess.

In the meantime, fellow mom and blogger Dodging Acorns is also on the path to fitness so I'd like to give her a quick shout out and tell her I'm proud of her!  Thanks for re-inspiring me M! :) ...And you Go Girl! :)

~A

And walking, and walking...

I thought my last post might inspire a few comments...but alas no.  I have one follower - Hi R!  Hopefully you're reading my posts when I post...for the rest of you "lurkers"...follow me already.  Make me feel good.

Anyway.  So I was a good little trying to be fit mommy and remembered my pedometer today.  Guess who got to 10K steps again?  This girl!!!  Yay!  I ran again at lunch.  I really pushed myself in the beginning and got more distance in.  But it was hot and humid, so I took the rest of the run really easy and did a lot more walking.  Finished up my running area and was only at around 5,500 steps, so I took the long loop again and walked more. 

It's so funny - I still find myself trying to find excuses not to run or to just walk, but I think this blog and having bad days thinking about myself really keep me going.  I really hope the more I do this, the more of a habit it becomes vs. feeling like work...still don't have a plan for cooler weather and rain for getting in the 10K steps...I guess I could walk around all the floors of the building and explore...

Did well eating today despite my high stress level and anxiety and the little G being a cranky face tonight and this morning.  Lots of veggies.  I really need to get to the farmer's market tomorrow though - running very low on produce in the house and need more selection.  Plus I'm way overdue for a grocery shopping trip.  It's sure easier to eat healthy and plan meals in advance when you have a lot more on hand.

Still finding that I'm really thirsty.  Now that I'm getting in more exercise, I'm drinking a lot more - way more than 64 ounces.  But I feel better and my skin is starting to not look so my like a teenager's.

Until next time,
Amber

Just keep walking...

Wow...I'm kind of sad I got no love for meeting my goal...no comments congratulating me?  :(  I think I need more followers or something.  Follow me people...comment.  Keep me accountable!  If not, it's just me and I'm not sure how long I'll keep it up if I don't feel like I'm impressing someone or someone is actually interested in what I have to say.

Anywho - so the day after meeting my goal, I not only met my goal again, but surprised it with an impressive 12,600+ steps.  I know, I know - I deserve an award or something.  It was actually easier than the day before - I just made sure to make more trips up and down the stairs - had to keep up my hydration you know since I was working out more and burning more calories, I'm apparently needing more water since I'm rather thirsty all day.

Then rather than running (I'm taking two days off between running days to heal appropriately), I decided to talk a couple of walks.  It was rather nice out so I got in two walks.  Very nice.  Then I came home and ran around with the kiddo.  Fun times!

Unfortunately for me, today I forgot my pedometer at home so I was forced to try and gauge my steps myself.  I didn't get to go up and down the stairs as much as I wanted, so I took a longer walk than normal after working on some stressful projects at work.  I then came home and ran around with the kiddo some more.  I don't think I got 12,000 steps and I'm not even sure about the 10,000, but I feel pretty good.  And got in way more steps than I would have just a few days ago.

Of course, I didn't eat as well today as I could have, but I'm getting better.  I feel like I have really good eating days and some not so good, but I'd still like to think I eat better than a lot of people most days so that follows my 80/20 rule and works for me.

Until next time,
Amber

Time to step it up

So thanks to a new reader/old friend, I realized it's time for me to step it up again.  I've been focusing way too much lately on eating rather than physical fitness which was more my original intent.

So I'm back...

The stress I've been under lately and the busy work life due to the markets has kept me from the physical side of things...which ironically has added more stress.  So I need to find a way to get back into it more.

So I wanted to do a post about walking today.  Taking a few more steps a day can quickly help you change your habits.

Have you ever heard the ol' 10,000 steps a day thing?  Yeah, I like that idea.  I always figured I was making it easy...I mean, I take the stairs (I work on the 4th floor of a building), park in the back of the lot, etc.  But when I actually strapped on a pedometer, I was sorely mistaken.

Let me back up a minute though.

Where did the 10,000 step marker come from?  I've seen different tales to this and it seems no one really knows for sure why that number was picked other than it's easy to remember.  For the average person, this would equate to about five miles a day apparently (learned that by googling...this seemed like a helpful site: http://www.thewalkingsite.com/index.html).

I know I'm not the only one to find that reaching 10K steps isn't as easy as you'd think.  I read a "Parenting" article from an old edition about a doctor who decided to put a pedometer on his son to see how many steps his son was taking.  It just so happened when they did this, they were at Disney World.  The first day - 30,000 steps.  Second day - 23,000 steps.  Then they got home.  First day back to school - should get plenty of exercise right?? Wrong - 2,300 steps.  He quickly realized his son had a very short recess due to the time lining up, etc. and then spent most of his time sitting in a desk.  How scary!

So back to me...

So I got a pedometer for Mother's Day.  Well actually, it was an iPod, but I use the pedometer tool most.  I decided being the positive, competitive person I am, I'd set my daily goal for 11,000 steps a day.  Ha ha.  Easy right?  Nope.

The closest I've ever come is 9,200.  And that wasn't one of the days I ran...nope.  It was a random Saturday that I spent chasing G around the house.  Average work day, if I hit 5,000 steps I'm lucky.  When I run, close to 7,500.  Yep, I feel pretty pathetic.

I do a lot of stuff to increase my step count too...small stuff that should add up.  Apparently I need to step it up though.  For beginners or those up for the challenge, here's a few ideas:
1) Park in the back of the garage/parking lot etc. so you have to walk farther to get where you are going
2) Take the stairs - might be slow at first, but it will get easier, I promise.  I'm living proof.
3) Get up and get a drink of water - walk there. :)  It gets you more water, gets you away from your work area, and you are walking more.

That's a few things.  Give it a shot.

My big challenge for you - put on a pedometer, see where you are at and then try and reach a goal.

I plan to really pump myself up and plug in the iPod to charge it and I've got 10K steps as a goal for tomorrow...come hell or high water. 

I'll try and post updates tomorrow if I can.  Wish me luck.

Amber

Tip #1 - Drink more water

Water, yes water. 

I've heard this a billion times.  Drink more water.  You probably have too.

Well, I'm hear to tell you about how much it REALLY does help. 

You may hear 64 ounces thrown around and myths that coffee and tea don't help.  I've been told and read otherwise from my doctor and other sources.  What you really want to focus on...are you ready for this...is the color of your pee.  Yes.  Your pee.  Yes, you need to look in the toilet.  Don't worry...I'm not posting a picture for reference...if you're curious...google it I guess.

Your urine is a great indicator of your hydration level.  It's supposed to be almost colorless.  The darker it is...the less hydrated you are.

So next time you go, take a look.

If it's colorful, you need to drink more.  If it's not, then you're doing good.

When you feel thirsty, your already behind.  So go drink until you're no longer thirsty, and then a little more.

You're best off drinking throughout the day though.

For me, drinking water is easy.  I found a water bottle I like and I keep it near me and drink frequently.  I like water.  It may be tasteless, but it's satisfying to me.  For the hubs though...he can't drink plain water.  So I make him Crystal Lite at home and at work he makes his own lemonade out of water, lemon juice, and Splenda.  The hubs isn't healthy either...but this is a good step for him.

If you have trouble keeping hydrated, try different water bottles - that really helped me.  Or set reminders on your phone or calendar.  I actually think there's an app for it now too for those of your with smart phones.

When I'm drinking enough water, I can tell.  I find that I fall asleep better and stay asleep better.  Then I get more sleep, feel more rested, have less stress, and am happier.  Wow! 

I also have more energy, think clearer, and am more optimistic.  Yay.

And drinking water helps you feel full.  So you don't crash and eat worthless calories in the mid morning or afternoon.  No extra calories needed.  That's another good trick...if you think you're hungry, drink some water.  You might not really be hungry and the water will fill you up.  Or at least keep you from eating as much.  I've read online that they suggest drinking a full 8 ounces of water 10-15 minutes before a meal to help you eat less.  All great tips.

Now, I'm not saying go drink gallons of water...it won't do you any good.  You'll spend way too much time looking at your pee.  Drink enough to keep more urine near colorless.  I think 64 ounces easily satisfies that for most people.  I actually drink closer to 48 or 50 ounces most days because I eat a lot of food that contains a lot of water and I like iced coffee.

So, challenge #1 for anyone following my advice...go drink some water.  And repeat.  Until your pee is almost colorless or colorless.

Until next time!
Amber