Tweakin’ Tuesday February 16, 2010

This past week has been rough, full of excuses and thankfully done. Last week my son and I had the flu, I didn’t journal, didn’t drink much water, yada yada yada

Thankfully this is a long process and minor setbacks are just that as long as you catch yourself and turn a new leaf.  This weekend, after we had gotten better, after valentine’s day dinner I went out and bought myself a beautiful journal (please read expensive) and got myself motivated. Then Monday morning I weighed myself – I try to do this only once per week – and was so relieved to see that I had not gained any weight over the course of the week, I had actually lost a little bit. What a motivator to do better this week!

As for yoga – I know I said that I would try to do it at least twice last week. Well, this in my week of excuses did not happen. I did it once on Sunday morning and it felt great! I loved how relaxing it was, I almost felt as if I was walking taller after doing it. During the actual workout though I felt quite inadequate, I never realized how inflexible I was. This instructor was like gumby folding himself in half. I wasn’t able to do some of the stretches fully, but I know that I will get better with time and persistance. The thing I love about yoga (or pilates) is that I can do it at night – most aerobic or cardio will keep me up all night, but this actually will relax me and help me sleep.

So what do I plan for the next week?

write in my pretty & expensive journal

drink lots of water

yoga at least twice

Want a yummy recipe to try out this week? Try this recipe for Tuscan Pot Pie from Chatelaine Magazine. It is one of their tested until perfect recipes. I do have some recommendations to go along with it:

– poach your chicken in advance
– remember to take out your puff pastry to thaw the night before

This recipe makes a delicious dish and can be used as the blue print for many different variations (I’m thinking chicken curry one day). It will take you longer than the recipe boasts, and you will use many different dishes and cutting boards. It makes a super large dish of yumminess.   Enjoy!

Have a great week everyone!

Tweaking Tuesday January 12, 2010

Today I’m going to give you a little insight into my life. It feels like since I was a teenager I’ve struggled with my weight/body image. When my husband and I started dating years ago I was at my highest weight ever, a year later I joined Weight Watchers and lost close to 60 lbs. It was the most success I had ever had with a weight loss program, and the only one out there I feel helps change your habits for life. Granted I’m not at my goal weight anymore, but after two kids I’m not at my highest weight.

This year’s resolution isn’t to lose weight. Nah- that’s too typical and really the number on my scale display bothers me, but it no longer keeps me up at night. I want to feel good. I want  to run with my kids. I want to not cringe when putting on a dress or at the idea of going out. Essentially I want to start taking care of myself. Over the past few months I’ve developed a lot of back pain, my sciatic nerve is pinched, and a lot of that is because of my weight and my lack of core muscles. However, I’m in a vicious cycle.. the more I do the more it hurts, the less I do.. the less chance of recovery I have.  Mix that up with picking up my two little ones and I’m struggling daily.

This brings me to Tweaking Tuesday.. this is the day of the week where I’ll let you know how I’m going to make a small change for myself this week. This week I’m starting to do some stretching, some minor core exercises and pilates. I’m not going to lie and tell you I’ll do this everyday (stretching I will because it’s part of my physiotherapy). If I get down on the ground and successfully workout 3 times this week I’ll be shouting ‘woot – woot’ from the rooftop.

To get into better shape I have to work on both exercise & food.  Realistically, I’m only going to make small changes every week and create new healthy habits. This week, week 1, I’ll do the stretching and make a minor change to my eating habits: drink more water. ICK. For every 2 glasses of water I drink I’ll reward myself with a caffeinated beverage (coffee or diet pepsi). However, I’ll start the day in a deficit because nothing enters my body before my morning coffee.

Good luck to me!

How about you? Are you making any changes for a healthier 2010? What are your reasons?

Cheers,

T