As many of you know, my grandfather is in the hospital. How could you not know, that's all I have mentioned on here, but in my defense, it has been my focus for the last month. This blog is not about that BUT about how I plan to reel it all back in. I am a planner. I like to be in control. I like to have a schedule and while I may not abide by the schedule given, it's there and it gives me a certain level of comfort. I know what I'm doing, when I'm doing it and with whom it involves and I have the option to blow it off it I want... crazy, I know. The last month, because I've spent a lot of time at the hospital on top of the millions of other things I normally do, I feel VERY out of control. I haven't been eating in my normal way, it's included a lot of eating out and getting something quick.. luckily, a lot of subway! I haven't been sticking to my financial plans, and really have been out of control with that since December, and lastly, I have NOT followed a strict workout schedule. Some of that happens when I'm done with a major race, part out of rebellion, part out of not having a goal in mind yet. This is my attempt at getting it together again.
1) Meal plans: I have to go back to making meal plans. I have been winging for the last couple of weeks and it's not working because I AM HUNGRY. For breakfast, I've just been grabbing something from home like a bagel and without having some kind of protein or something, I'm hungry within the hour. Then I eat all of my snacks by 11:00 am. I have been reading a new blog (the blog's not new, just my interest in it) www.fitfoodiefinds.com . I LOVE IT!! She talks about Oats a lot, but she makes them look so good. They always have like oat bran, bananas, peanut butter, etc etc etc in them. I think that would have enough density to keep my full longer and satisfy a couple of different food groups. Breakfast = solved. Snacks... this is hard for me. I love fruit but sometimes, it's not enough. I guess I need to start adding nuts back into my diet. During my crazy Zone diet, measuring days, I burnt myself out on nuts, so I have been fighting using them as a snack again. Yogurt can only go so far so this would be a good addition. I'll try that and see how it goes. Lunch... this one is difficult. Half of the time, I eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at work, half the time,we go out to eat. Either way, it's not working out and I've got to figure something out. I need to do some research on this. I'll have to take a look at some blogs and get back to you. I don't know. Lastly, supper (as we call it here in SC). I am usually pretty good at picking out delicious meals, but there are only so many meat/veggie combos before you get tired of sweet potatoes and asparagus.... well, I never get tired of sweet potatoes and asparagus but I feel like my husband does, so let's venture out. My friend, Jeanne, made me some lentil soup and it was DELICIOUS! Maybe I'll play around with some different soups, casseroles, pasta dishes but still focus on keeping it healthy. Again, research is needed... At least I have a plan. I already feel better
2) Finances: I began my lunch break by getting caught up on where we are. I balanced my checkbook, paid bills up to the 15th and made a budget for April. My husband and I both have inconsistent income because he owns his own business and my income is primarily commission. I have to alter our budget each month based on expected monthly income, fixed payments, and disposable income. I break the disposable income into a daily amount and establish a weekly budget based on the days in that week. (it can vary if the month ends). We have been exceeding our weekly amount every single week since December.. and I do NOT like it. Luckily, We have brought in more than expected but I've got to reel it in. My husband never spends money, so we don't have to worry about him. We have to worry about me! New rule, I can NOT buy a product until the old one is out. Example: running shoes.. I bought a pair of trail running shoes and racers in the past 6 months... no more running shoes. Another example: I really want some new foundation. I am not out of my old foundation. According to my rule, I cannot buy any new foundation until I'm out of the old. No more clothes unless I'm willing to throw away old clothes and the same goes for purses, face washes, toothbrushes, thank you notes, wrapping paper and all of the other crap I can talk myself into buying just to spend money. DONE!
3) Workout schedule: This will be solved as soon as I find out which marathon I am running in November. I signed up for the NYC marathon and because this is my first year, the likelihood and me getting in are slim. So, my back up plan is the RocknRoll Savannah on November 5th. I LOVE the RnR series. The bands on the side make it so fun, the cities they pick are awesome, and they are put on well. So, once I get the date, I'll start my marathon training 20 weeks from that date. In the meantime, I am starting over on half marathon training just to keep me in a 3 day a week running schedule. I have a little more liberty with other things and I've decided I want to get stronger. Stronger muscles help reduce injuries. I want my body to be strong so that it get me through anything I decide to do. So I am cutting back on cardio cross training and increasing days in the gym. I'm thinking I want to do 2 days of weight training (crossfit style) and maybe 1 day of spin class or, now that it's getting warmer, BIKE BIKE BIKE BIKE! I love my bike. I have to get it summer ready so maybe I'll try to do that this weekend.
My plan is set. My comfort level is high. I'm ready for Sunday where I will be diligent in my planning and through the week... we'll see how it goes :)
