Find a happy place!

In an effort to improve overall health, decided that I would try some beginner's yoga. Gigi has a DVD with an morning and evening routine. Just about 20 minutes a piece. I did the evening last night. Wow! There are some parts of me that haven't had much stretching in a long, long time. It felt good. It was a good stress reliever and I think I got to sleep more comfortably--not that I have ever had much trouble getting to bed. Additionally, the routine really seemed to, uh--how do I word this delicately--move things along?

This morning I tried the AM which focuses on rejuvenation and meditation. I enjoyed it also. It finishes with the meditation and I really liked that part. Very relaxing.

I spoke with my chiropractor about it and he thinks the yoga is a great idea. By gaining some flexibility and strengthening of the joints and limbs, you prepare your body for additional exercise--which is something I hope to do more of.

So, love the results, but will I take the time to do it daily? That remains to be seen.

Miles

Results of the no soda pop decision--so far, bad news...

It's been nearly 20 days without soda pop. And it really sucks. Not only have I really missed the Dr. Pepper when I eat pizza, I have seen no visible benefits. In fact, I have gained weight! Now, part of that is that it is Christmas time and so the holiday treats have really been tasty. But I think the bigger impact has been the fact that there hasn't been something (i.e. soda) to take care of the sugar cravings and so I end up eating more in the evenings than I might normally, trying to satiate them.

I have decided that on January 1, 2010 at 12:00 AM I am going to have a big glass of Dr. Pepper. And I am going to love it! (although I am curious about the potential caffeine effect)

Miles

My commitment for December 2009

So, I made a spur of the moment goal just over a week ago. I decided that I wasn't going to drink any soda for the rest of the month. I knew it was going to be hard and I even realized that I really set myself up for a hard time by doing it in December when the number of tasty food opportunities increases significantly, and therefore the accompanying beverage. Yes, it has been hard and it has been easy. I am on day 10. So, for the most part it has been fairly easy. I have never really had a regular soda habit. There is no routine around it. I simply drank it with meals or because it was there. So, because I don't spend a lot of money on things like that, I don't usually have it at work (except for meals as I said). Home is where it comes up more.

There are times when a cold glass of caramel-flavored carbonated water just tastes good--like with pizza--that is when it is hard. Or when there is a lot of food like at a Christmas party. That was hard too.

But you know what else is hard? Seeing the rest of the family drinking it--not because I choose not to, but because they are putting that into their bodies. I know that for my family that if we stopped drinking pop, it would make a huge difference to our health. That is why I am trying it out first. I want to see the impact and then hopefully share that with the family.

So, what will happening in January when I have finished the goal? Will I start drinking it again? Well, I don't know. I don't think that I will go back to drinking it as much as I have, but I think it is unrealistic to say I won't ever drink it again. Still, I am prepared for the fact that after so much time NOT drinking it that I really could be adversely affected by drinking it. And that's fine too. It can only really help me in the long run.

Apologies to Chris

I have failed my friend, Chris. We are supposed to be doing this effort together to be healthier. I haven't made any progress really. Mostly due to the fact that I haven't set any goals around it. Sorry Chris!

So, the bad news is that we haven't been doing very well with this. The worse news is that Thanksgiving is tomorrow! Yeah! So I am not going to really be doing much healthy eating until next week. :)

Benefits of Breakfast

I am still eating breakfast (mostly). I find that my need to eat late at night tapered off a little. Although my oldest son does not help with the late night eating, he is usually preparing 2 packages of ramen noodles after 10pm...he is a growing boy and I am not.

I am getting better (modifiying this behavior) and I think it is helping. My coke intake really has not changed. I guess one step at a time is best. Once breakfast consumption becomes habitual, I will start on coke, or carbs, or rest, or vitamins, or exercise. Such a long list.......

I am still more self aware of the things that I am eating. It has not changed my consumption but is helping my education of food.

Chris

Traveling is hard on commitment

Eating out really does a number on eating healthy! Now that I am more cognizant of what I am putting into my body, I realize "this is hard"! I went to DC over the weekend and my intake of Coke, chocolate, and carbs galore were unending. The one good thing about DC is that I probably walked a totaly of 20 miles in three days. My feet were sore but I got a lot of good pictures.

Right now I am back to eating my yogurt and granola, with limited Coke on hand. It feels like I need to flush my system out and begin again (sorry for the graphic material). Back to the grind.

Chris

Breakfast...gag

I had to force feed myself this morning. I made scrambled eggs, sausage, bread and juice for the children. They loved it....coming down the stairs WOWing. There probably will not be any more sausage left. I had my yogurt, granola, some juice and a little sausage. I was battling my gag reflex (almost). This is a habit that will take some time to get used to! I need to start off the day with good food!

I had a really good talk with a friend over the weekend and he is on the South Beach Diet. He talked mostly about white flour and white rice and that he is not eating them anymore. I get the rational (complex carbs). Now to modify....just a little....my eating habits in that vein also. My Coke addiction is still there! :0)

That is my report for this weekend. Miles and I had a great talk on Sunday also, thanks Miles for the pep talk!

Chris