Ok, so baseball season is over and things have settled some. I have made numerous meals at home and have gotten a couple of good workouts in. Since I'm following the Eat More to Weigh Less philosphy of eating a 15-20% cut from my TDEE (Total Daily Energy Expenditure) and trying to lose fat/gain muscle, I figured I'd better get my goals written down.
1. I will not eat below my BMR of 1700 calories. That is a net number. If my exercise cals bring me to 1400 cals/day, then I gotta eat something to bring myself up to 1700. The rationale is that this is the total number of calories necessary for me to be sendentary. Basic living...breathing, etc. I plan on putting it all in the gym, so I need to fuel my workouts. I also don't want to potentially lose the fabulous, metabolism-fueling muscle that I already have.
2. I will eat below my TDEE. That number is 2300 (some calculators relay that it is 2500, but I'm skeptical d/t a thyroid condition, I'm going to go with the lower number). So my general plan is to eat around 2100/ day.
3. I will try to focus on protein. That is so tough for me!!! I would rather eat a bunch of carbs or a bunch of veggies than a portion of meat most days. However, I know that when I eat protein, my blood sugars say more stable, I tend to feel leaner, and I will definitely gain more muscle that way.
4. I will eat less starchy carbs and more veggies! 'nuf said.
5. I will drink 10 or more glasses of water/day.
6. I will exercise 4 days/ wk at a minimum. The plan is to strength train 2 days/ wk, yoga at least once/wk and zumba at least once/wk.
7. I will increase my NEAT (non-exercise activity) calories to help build a larger defecit between my TDEE and BMR.
8. I WILL NOT OBSESS!!!!
With a thriving marriage, an active family, a full-time job and a thyroid condition, I have to plan and focus on maintaining balance. This is my key to success. I will be slower than most in my accomplishments, but I really believe that my results will be sustainable.
I have been doing all of these things to a certain degree, but not all the time and not all together. I think that having this written down can help to reduce my backsliding and keep me on track!!!
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Friday, June 21, 2013
My Motivation
Yesterday I was driving my kids here and there. It ended up being close to a 2 hour commute just between leaving work and getting my sons to their ball games. In this process of driving sometimes your mind wanders, you know? I started thinking about how it was stressful doing this...not running them, but doing it alone with little help from outside family members. My husband usually tag-teams the running with me, but he was having a busier-than-usual day at work, so he had to leave me to it on this day. I started thinking about how our other friends have grandparents that pick up and take the kids and go, go, go. We don't have that.....and it makes me sad.
It seems like when I look at things these days, it's often through the frame of how to grow spiritually or to improve myself either spiritually or mentally or physically. So in my thoughts yesterday, I began to think about why we are missing what we are. A lot of it is because in their younger years, my parents didn't take care of themselves...and it makes me sad, but it starting to make me angry as well. I change things when I'm angry so that's a good thing.
My dad lived hard and died young. He smoked and drank from a very young age. Had a heart attack before 50 and was dead of Cancer before 60. Too young. He stole life from himself and a future with him from me and my brother and our children. My mom is still alive and I love her dearly. She is dealing with a multitude of ailments including morbid obesity, Hypertension, Kidney failure (no dialysis yet), COPD and a general inablity to move freely. She feels miserable.
Now, as I process this, I think to myself...one day my sons (20, 16, 12) will have families and will need our support. My husband and I have to take care of ourselves so we don't steal this future from our family. My motivation is me and how I feel, but it is also for those I have yet to meet. I want to leave a legacy of change...of positive energy....of taking care of the temple that God has given me so I can enjoy every bit of my future. I cannot wait!!!!
It seems like when I look at things these days, it's often through the frame of how to grow spiritually or to improve myself either spiritually or mentally or physically. So in my thoughts yesterday, I began to think about why we are missing what we are. A lot of it is because in their younger years, my parents didn't take care of themselves...and it makes me sad, but it starting to make me angry as well. I change things when I'm angry so that's a good thing.
My dad lived hard and died young. He smoked and drank from a very young age. Had a heart attack before 50 and was dead of Cancer before 60. Too young. He stole life from himself and a future with him from me and my brother and our children. My mom is still alive and I love her dearly. She is dealing with a multitude of ailments including morbid obesity, Hypertension, Kidney failure (no dialysis yet), COPD and a general inablity to move freely. She feels miserable.
Now, as I process this, I think to myself...one day my sons (20, 16, 12) will have families and will need our support. My husband and I have to take care of ourselves so we don't steal this future from our family. My motivation is me and how I feel, but it is also for those I have yet to meet. I want to leave a legacy of change...of positive energy....of taking care of the temple that God has given me so I can enjoy every bit of my future. I cannot wait!!!!
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
Patchwork
This is my story. I've been feeling a pull on my life to begin exploring things from the past and the present so I can clearly see my future. Maybe it's a part of getting older, but I look at it more as a way of clearing the way. Pushing through the muck and seeing that it all is really there for a reason. All of it. The amazingly joyful times and the times that are saddening. It is all put in my life to make me who I am to be and to share that with others.
I am a daughter, a mother, a wife. A sister, a friend, and employee I'm a child of the Most High. I came from a life that is now like a dream to me. We had it hard growing up and I feel that it is meant for something. God chooses to use those times and my current times..the good and the bad to glorify Him. This is my way of sharing the days He's given me. All days...normal days, or not so normal days. I venture that some posts will be about baseball or pie or some wierd thing that affected me. some posts will (hopefully) be deep, exploring the story He has given me to share with others.
I have run from this stuff for a long time. I have processed my story internally and given God the glory for where he has brought me from. But I think it's time to begin sharing the gifts He has given me in both the good and bad times.
I chose the title patchwork because I really didn't know what I wanted to blog about. I have varied interests: my Lord, my wonderful husband and three amazing sons, cooking, fitness, wine, reading, movies, travelling. I also wanted to explore some heavy topics along the way. Some important people in my life have been crafty. They sew, quilt and knit. (I don't). I was thinking that Patchwork was a good starting place.I plan to piece together things so the beauty shows. The beauty in my flaws, the loveliness of my weakness, The allure of the grace that has enveloped my life.
I am a daughter, a mother, a wife. A sister, a friend, and employee I'm a child of the Most High. I came from a life that is now like a dream to me. We had it hard growing up and I feel that it is meant for something. God chooses to use those times and my current times..the good and the bad to glorify Him. This is my way of sharing the days He's given me. All days...normal days, or not so normal days. I venture that some posts will be about baseball or pie or some wierd thing that affected me. some posts will (hopefully) be deep, exploring the story He has given me to share with others.
I have run from this stuff for a long time. I have processed my story internally and given God the glory for where he has brought me from. But I think it's time to begin sharing the gifts He has given me in both the good and bad times.
I chose the title patchwork because I really didn't know what I wanted to blog about. I have varied interests: my Lord, my wonderful husband and three amazing sons, cooking, fitness, wine, reading, movies, travelling. I also wanted to explore some heavy topics along the way. Some important people in my life have been crafty. They sew, quilt and knit. (I don't). I was thinking that Patchwork was a good starting place.I plan to piece together things so the beauty shows. The beauty in my flaws, the loveliness of my weakness, The allure of the grace that has enveloped my life.
Peacemaker
I've spent some time trying to figure out why I am the way I am. I am a peacemaker. The one everyone goes to for support. I like that role. I feel it is part of who I am. I remember as a child, my mother would tell me that I stand up for people too much. I always make excuses for their bad behavior. I guess that it is true. I tend to try to see things from other's standpoint. I try to walk a mile in their shoes. I know what it is like to be the odd-one-out and I know what it's like to be in an inclusive group.
I think it's good to have empathy. To try to see things from a perspective that is not your own. I know where this came from. I am an Adult Child of an Alcholic and a firstborn. Whoah! Uh-oh. Bad combo, maybe, but I believe that through lots of self-help and God's grace, it has worked to my advantage. When you don't always know what to expect, you are able to adjust your expectations of others accordingly. None of us are perfect, and we tend to expect that of others...or at least close to perfection. Putting yourself in someone else's shoes forces you to admit your imperfections and allows you to cut another some slack. It is not always successful and not always well-received, but it is worth it to try to do so. It is freeing for all parties involved.
The whole basis of musings on this subject started today as I was praying. I have been rather focused on prayer lately. Having some time to recover after a gallbladder surgery's recovery that didn't go as I had imagined, I have had some time to focus and really develop a prayer list. Among this list is the desire for family members to develop a better relationship with God and one another. As I was praying, it came to my mind that most likely one will follow another. If we are developing a better relationship with our Creator, we will develop better relationships with our family and loved ones. It all fits. Makes perfect sense.
So, with that epiphany, I am continuing to pray...continuing to empathize and be there for others. It is my role. All of the things that have happened that make me be the one who excuses others for their not-so-spectacular behavior were a part of the big plan. I can continue to be the peacemaker. I will continue to be the peacemaker.....the one who tries to see things as others do. I hope that I can help to change the world just a little by this.
I think it's good to have empathy. To try to see things from a perspective that is not your own. I know where this came from. I am an Adult Child of an Alcholic and a firstborn. Whoah! Uh-oh. Bad combo, maybe, but I believe that through lots of self-help and God's grace, it has worked to my advantage. When you don't always know what to expect, you are able to adjust your expectations of others accordingly. None of us are perfect, and we tend to expect that of others...or at least close to perfection. Putting yourself in someone else's shoes forces you to admit your imperfections and allows you to cut another some slack. It is not always successful and not always well-received, but it is worth it to try to do so. It is freeing for all parties involved.
The whole basis of musings on this subject started today as I was praying. I have been rather focused on prayer lately. Having some time to recover after a gallbladder surgery's recovery that didn't go as I had imagined, I have had some time to focus and really develop a prayer list. Among this list is the desire for family members to develop a better relationship with God and one another. As I was praying, it came to my mind that most likely one will follow another. If we are developing a better relationship with our Creator, we will develop better relationships with our family and loved ones. It all fits. Makes perfect sense.
So, with that epiphany, I am continuing to pray...continuing to empathize and be there for others. It is my role. All of the things that have happened that make me be the one who excuses others for their not-so-spectacular behavior were a part of the big plan. I can continue to be the peacemaker. I will continue to be the peacemaker.....the one who tries to see things as others do. I hope that I can help to change the world just a little by this.
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