How Do They Do It?

How do people do it? How do they balance everything going on in their lives? When I was unemployed working out 4-5 days a week was easy. I had little else to do so it was my top priority. Now that I'm back in the working world I'm finding it difficult to find a balance.

I worked 5 days last week and after having my evening shifts tonight and tomorrow I will have worked 6 days in a row. I only went to the gym 3 days last week with a goal of 4-5 times a week. I get up for work at 5:45. I cannot make myself get up any early than that to work out. I'm already exhausted. Which is also causing me problems when it comes to making myself work out. When it comes down to it 95% of the time I will choose sleep over working out. Maybe not the best decision, but running myself into the ground won't help me lose weight either. 

Because I'm working my appetite has been out of control. Granted, I don't sit around all day. Some of my shifts are only four hours and even if I only work four hours I get to 10,000 steps in that short amount of time. Between being hungry all the time leading to poor eating choices and lack of exercise, I feel like I'm drowning. 

My to do list is about a million miles long and there is always something more important than going to the gym. I go to the gym for my health, both my mental and physical health. But when it comes down to it I'd rather spend time with my fiancee or checking things off my to do list than going to the gym. I can't figure out how to make it a priority even though I know it should be. 

I can't figure out how people who work 5 days a week, have spouses, kids and other commitments find time to work out. Hopefully as I adjust to being back in the working world I can perfect the balancing act. 

New Fitness Toys

When I was in the states I had a few new toys gifted to me. Lauren got me a fitbit one as my bridal shower gift. Unfortunately my parents got me one for my birthday, so I had to return the one Lauren got me to Target, and ended up buying lots of fun new workout clothes. My parents also gave me a Garmin Forerunner 10. 

The fitbit one is one of those new hip pedometers. It tracks your steps, stairs climbed, distance and calories. It's pretty cool and highly motivating. My daily goal is 10,000 steps. That puts my weekly goal 70,000. My weekly step count today is 84,800 and my daily average is 14,000. That's a lot of steps. That's a perk of now having a job, and a job that requires lots of walking at that. I've gotten to over 20,000 steps 3 times and I've only been using the fitbit for 9 days. I say I'm doing pretty well. 

The Garmin Forerunn 10 is a running tracker. It's the lowest Garmin model and it's all I need. I ran twice at my parents and because it was much easier and much more satisfying than running on a treadmill I decided I would start trying to run outside. I decided I wanted the Garmin because even though there are all those free apps on the iPhone for running I cannot run with an iPhone strapped to my arm. I don't have any music on my iPhone, I have an iPod shuffle thats super tiny and can just be attached. It's a weird pet peeve I know, but I can't have something that big attached to me while I'm trying to run. 

I was hoping to use my Garmin for the first time today, but it's raining. It's been raining here for pretty much 36 hours straight. Cool. Not. I'm over it. Anyway, hopefully on my next day off I can get out for a morning run. 

I've been to the gym three times this week and I'm already starting to feel better about myself because of it. One day I'll learn that even though I hate going to the gym, it makes me happy to do it, and hopefully someday I'll actually enjoy going. 

I'm working the next 6 days. Four morning and 2 evening shifts so my posts will be intermittent at best. 

In preparation for those four morning I made breakfast burritos. I love breakfast burritos. The first few times I was working I found myself insanely hungry by the time my morning break rolled around. I was eating a boiled egg, cereal and a banana. It wasn't keeping me satisfied. So the last time I worked I decided to make a breakfast burrito and it kept me fuller. I was still hungry around my break, but not to the point that it was almost intolerable like it had been. 

Breakfast burritos are ridiculously easy to make. I made 7 this morning and it took me maybe 15 minutes. 

There's really no right or wrong way to make breakfast burritos and you can basically mix anything you want into them. I started by sautéing red pepper, onion, and mushroom in a  little bit of oil. After the veggies had softened I added some lean ham.

Doesn't that look delicious? 

Then I added the eggs. I used 10 eggs to make 7 burritos. I cracked the eggs and mixed in a little bit of almond milk, salt, pepper and cayenne to add a little kick. 

Then all you have to do is cook the eggs until they're done and scoop into a tortilla shell. 

You can seriously put anything in these. You can sprinkle cheese on top. You can use turkey sausage or bacon. Any veggie will do. Seriously. Spinach would also be great. They're also perfect for an on the go morning. I wrap mine in foil, then freeze them. The night before I plan on using one I take it out of the freezer and put it in the fridge overnight and just pop them in the oven for 20 minutes in the morning. Voila. Breakfast. Most importantly it's healthy and delicious. 

Okay, 

Bye

Vacation Recap and Getting Back into a Rhythm

Hi! So I've decided that instead of doing multiple posts about my visit stateside I'll just do one long one and get it over with. This will help me get back on track with my blogging and focusing on what this blog is really all about, my weight loss journey. 

My trip started on June 13 with a flight from Amsterdam to DC. Then continued with an 8 hour drive from DC to Lansing, New York, where my bridal shower was. It was a long day and by the time I finally got to sleep I had been up for 26 hours. Traveling is fun. 

My bridal shower was on Saturday June 14 and it was amazing, except for the weather. Up until that morning it had been forecasted to be 75 and sunny, but ended up being 60 and cloudy. It was cold! Nobody was prepared for the cold weather because the weather man screwed things up so bad, but other than the cold it was great. My maid of honor did an amazing job! 

Everything was pink and white! I had a really cute white dress on, but due to the weather had to cover it up with a leather jacket. The sign says 118 days 'til she's hitched. Now that number is 94 days! I can't even believe it. 

We played some games, but not too many like you have at some bridal showers. 

Isn't that a beautiful cake? It was chocolate cake with buttercream frosting and it was covered in pink roses. My new initial is also there :) 

It tasted as delicious as it looks. 

By Tuesday I was in North Carolina with my parents. This was my real vacation week. I spent a lot of time lounging in the sun by the pool. That was relaxing. 

The following Tuesday I was in Richmond and had meetings with wedding vendors all week: DJ, bakery, wedding planner, photographer, florist. I won't bore you with all the details, just know I was very productive! 

Friday the 27 I went with some friends to Busch Gardens! I love roller coasters. Well let's correct that, I have a love-hate relationship with roller coasters. We had an amazing time! The weather was perfect and because it was a weekday there was hardly any lines! 

Taking inappropriate pictures on the rides is kind of our thing. Notice how Michelle (on the right) is pretty much all the way out of her seat. Good times. 

Saturday we went to brunch! Naturally there were mimosas involved, also kind of one of our things. 

And then I left on Sunday June 29 :( 

I had an amazing trip. 

So here's the breakdown/highlights of my exercise and horrible eating. 

I only exercised 3 times while I was home. Horrible, I'm aware. I ran once and swam laps twice. 

Eating. Well I went out frequently. I had McDonald's for breakfast once, ate at panera too many times to count, went to Logan's Steak House once with my parents, Cheesecake Factory, Cold Stone, Sweet Frog, Joe's Inn, The Whaling Company, and finally dinner with my parents for my dad's birthday at some hole in the wall BBQ joint, who's name I can't remember. Oh, and wayyyyy toooooo many veggie sticks. I have a problem with veggie sticks. They're amazing. 

I gained two pounds, one of which is already gone. 

It took me awhile to get back on track with the gym, but it's Tuesday and I've already been to the gym twice this week, with plans to go again tomorrow. 

I'm sure most of you already knew what I had done while I was visiting, but just incase I do have any readers out there who don't know me, I hope you enjoyed my recap. If you are a consistent reader that I don't know personally leave a comment and say hi :)

Okay, bye. 

Long Time No Blog

Hi everyone. I know it's been a long time since I've blogged but since most of you know me personally you know that I've been on vacation, sort of. 

I've been in The States for the past two weeks, having my bridal shower, doing wedding planning, and visiting family and friends. 

I have lots to blog about but need to do some planning and figure out everything I want to say. 

I'll leave you with a piece of good news, my wedding dress is too big and needs to be taken in.  

I'll post a real post soon :) 

Veronica 

Balance

Man, I forgot how tough this working thing is. Finding a balance between work, life, working out, and all of the other things I would like to get done on a daily basis, seems impossible. 

Because of this blogging has fallen to the wayside. 

The good news is that my working out hasn't. I made it to the gym four times this last week, and made it today. Starting off the week right is always a plus. I work tomorrow, Wednesday, and Thursday. I have plans to go to the gym everyday after work because I cannot go again until at least Monday and more likely Tuesday next week. 

My eating has been mostly eh, not the worst it's ever been, but there's room for improvement. The other trouble I've been having is that because I've been getting up insanely early (by my standards after 18 months of unemployment) I'm feeling exhausted and as a result of that feeling hungry. Constantly hungry. I'm working on it and trying to fuel myself with foods high in protein and fiber. 

I think adding the stress of leaving for The States on Friday isn't helping my balancing act. We'll see how things go. I've got lots of plans for exercise on my vacation. 

Thanks for stopping by :) 

Veronica

Meal Prep and A New Diet

Yesterday I started doing some research on the "if it fits your macros" ( IIFYM, as the cool kids call it) diet. This was formerly known as flexible dieting, and it's not really a new concept, but I did some extensive research on it yesterday and thought I would give it a try. I'm a little concerned about the amount of protein I need to be eating. I can't imagine getting that much protein every day considering it's more than double my current intake, but I'll buy some protein powder and go from there. 

If you don't know what IIFYM is or want more information about tit, google it. There's tons of information on it, and I'm not knowledgeable enough to explain it adequately, but basically the concept is that if it fits into your macro nutrient goals (fats, carbs, and protein) then you can eat it. Of course it shouldn't be used as an excuse to stuff your face, but it's designed so that you can indulge and not feel deprived in your new lifestyle. 

I'll keep you posted on how it goes. 

I work the next four days, granted Friday-Sunday are only four hour shifts, they require me waking up at 5:15. That's too early. Even though they're only four hour shifts, they're the busiest four hours and my body is just simply not used to turning, bathing and cleaning people anymore. I used to work 12 hour shifts 3-4 times a week and now a 4 hour shift terrifies me. A year and a half of unemployment has not been good to me. 

Anywaaay. I know myself and I know that I am not going to be up to cooking meals. I also know that because I will be exhausted I will feel hungry. In order to avoid complete derailing all the progress I've made this week (the scale is trending down again! woohoo!) I will be making healthy snacks and planning meals today. 

I'm going to make roasted chickpeas to take to work: 
recipe here
I'll be making the garlic parmesan and spicy blend. 

I'm going to make parmesan garlic flatbread 
recipe here

I'll also be making whole wheat pizza crust and whole wheat tortillas.

I need to plan meals for the next four nights as well. Planning is the most important part of weight loss. I know this, I just need to keep reminding myself of that. 

Okay, I need to get to work! 

Happy hump day :) 

Gym Annoyances

this was me this morning 

There are several things that annoy me while I'm at the gym. Things I try to ignore and stop myself from seeing. A lot of the time because it involves me judging people. Like the women who jack up the incline on the treadmill and then hold on for dear life for an hour and a half while they "work-out." Or the women who lean on the elliptical and move at a crawl pace. People talking on the phone, and taking too long on the equipment when they're not really using it. Those things annoy me, but I can ignore them because it's not my business and I should be nicer. (Be nicer has been on my New Year's resolution list since I was 11). Still needs improvement. 

The one thing that I absolutely can't stand is when the gym is messy and people don't clean up after themselves. I get to the gym every morning right when it opens. It's my humble opinion that whoever is the last employee at the gym at night should clean up after the people who don't do it themselves. That seems like it would be in the job description. And honestly, how hard is it to rerack the weights you use?! It's not. 

Today I got to the gym right a 8am. Usually the employee working opens the doors around 7:55, but there's one guy who won't open the doors until precisely 8am. That's fine, except that today he didn't open the doors until 8:05. Usually this wouldn't bother me, but today I wanted to get to yoga at 9. That gave me only 55 minutes to get through my work out. By the time I had my shoes on and was in the workout area it was 8:10. 

There is a little section of the gym with yoga mats, a stability ball, a bosu ball, and some other equipment. I choose to do my free weights here as to avoid the muscle men who like to throw weights around in the free weight section. It was a disaster. The mats were not in order, weights were everywhere, the step up blocks were turned over. So with my minor OCD habits I had to fix everything before I could start. 

By the time I finished it was 8:15 and I needed to do my entire arm workout and try and squeeze some cardio in before 9 am. 

So I powered through 8 upper body exercises: 

pushups 3 sets of 10 

tricep dips 3 sets of 10 

chest press on the stability ball 3 sets of 10 with 10kg weight in each hand 

shoulder press on the stability ball 3 sets of 8 with 7kg weight in each hand 

hammer curls 3 sets of 10 with 10kg weight 

lying tricep press 3 sets of 10 with 7kg weight

barbell bicep curls 3 sets of 8 with 20kg bar 

overhead tricep extension 3 sets of 10 with a 10kg dumbbell

Also, I ALWAYS rerack my weights. Always. Even today when I was super short on time.  

I then only had 20 minutes left for cardio. I did 10 minutes on the stationary bike and 10 minutes walking on the treadmill. Since I've stopped trying to run my ankle hasn't given me any more problems, so for the mean time I'm going to put my running goals on the back-burner. 

I made it to yoga in with seconds to spare and then did a 45 minutes yoga class. 

My weight climbed from yesterday :( It's continually frustrating especially when I'm calorie counting, eating healthy, and working out hard. 

We'll see how things play out. I may have to go back on medication for my PCOS, regardless of the horrible side effects if I can't get back on track.