Doing the same thing... eating...

Okay, we're paying attention to Albert Einstein. Doing the same thing and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.

My eating has changed a bit. I'm better about eating protein. I'm making healthier choices in my sweets and snacks.

What hasn't changed: I still use food to stuff, everything.

I'm going to try some of the suggests Kara has been writing about.

I have calcium/magnesium/zinc pills. I'm going to take one every night before bed for this week and see what happens. Maybe nothing. Maybe something. It certainly doesn't hurt to try.

Found this bit of inspiration on FB:
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1647762-carl-edwards-secret-to-nascar-sprint-cup-series-success-physical-conditioning
GO CARL!

Back to it.

It's now only Saturday, and I'm eating horribly. Sigh. A break is coming. Maybe it will help.

Sigh. I really, really, really need an attitude adjustment.

There's no one to blame but me.

How do I fight myself?

Maybe I need to try a complete change in my eating for a while... it couldn't hurt.

I'm going to do it: Shake everything up. I'm redoing my exercise routine, somewhat. I'm eating differently. I'm taking a break from the computer. I'm in the early writing stages of the next project, which I always end up doing with paper and pen. I don't know why it works for me, but it does.

Week One-Hundred One of REAL...

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:

http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

http://military-fitness.military.com/2013/01/the-spartan-300-workout-and-new-variations.html?ESRC=sm_fit.nl

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps (SEALp) consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 50.

Hip lifts

PT ~ Physical therapy using 2-lb weights

UB ~ Upper body exercises

BD ~ Belly dancing (my version of it, anyway)

The 24th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 25th: 4-mile walk. PT. BD. A bit more cat claw clipping.

The 26th: Rest. 

The 27th: 2-1/2 mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 28th: PT. BD.

The 29th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 30th: PT. BD.

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:

Just a thought...

I'm learning about Memorial Day and what it really means. No, I did not grow up knowing. Now I do.

I realize my proposal will probably go no further than this blog, and I'm okay with it. I simply needed to put IT out there.

The President and his administration and all involved in Congress:

*Paid the same as those in our military.
*Same benefits as those in our military.
*Same retirement as those in our military.
*Money saved goes to helping those injured serving in our military.

If you perform your duty, you receive a raise equal to what one in the military receives.

Mr. President and Congress, you are PUBLIC SERVANTS. Act like it.

You chose this.

You don't like it, feel free to leave. If you leave in disgrace, you forfeit everything.

Carpe diem... Charlotte...

NASCAR ~ Carl came in 11th. Carl is still #2 in the Chase. Go Carl!

Today, it's back to my schedule.

Work must be done.

Writing, writing, writing.

With a deadline at the end of the month, I'm focusing my efforts there.

Memorial Day... Some Gave All...

On this day, we remember those who gave all so the rest of us could enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

http://www.unknownsoldiersblog.com/2013/05/hot-dogs-and-hamburgers.html

I found this on FB:

There are also four-legged heroes who give all:

http://khanrahan.com/2013/05/21/a-bond-between-battle-buddies-was-broken/

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #156...

~ Some Gave All. Thank you. May God bless their families.

~ Mark's Grace

~ Good books.

~ Wonderfully supportive friends.

~ Cool mornings, for a little longer.

My Heroes... Robert Morris...

Robert Morris' father came to America first to establish himself in trade and then sent for his family. Young Robert arrived in America when he was thirteen and was put into school. By the time he was fifteen, he was an apprentice for a business associate of his father's. He pursued and became successful. More importantly, his honor grew along with his wealth. He support the cause of American Freedom from the start, solidifying his support after the Battle of Lexington. His good name earned him the trust to place him as Secretary of the Treasury. According to Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, the Revolutionary's war success, financially speaking, was due solely to Mr. Morris and his ability to raise funds. He willing committed his own funds to the cause. He asked no more of anyone else than he did himself.

A good name, in other words Honor. I'm not always as good as my word as I know I should be. It's something I've worked hard to learn and implement in my life. I'm lousy with money, but I'm still trying. I'm always amazed by how early these men started working. Honest work and all with an eye for the future.

Food adventures... trials...

I want to go back to how I was eating a couple months ago. I ate only as much as I wanted, sparingly, never so much I wanted to burst... sounds yucky. Anyway, I don't know how to get back into that routine.

Some days I didn't binge. Some days I did.

My eating is still all messed up, and it's really frustrating.

I have finally found a way to celebrate a book release day without making it about food, and it's truly a reward for me. I allow myself to read whatever I want all day. No pressure to do anything else. I did it this week and was ready to go back to work on the next day.

Yes, release days are stressful. Will people buy the book? Will they like it? What if something happens? Even so, I still ate too many chocolate cupcakes. However, I think the cupcakes were related to all the other insanity going on in my life.

Thursday wasn't great, but it was the best day so far this week.

Sleeping doesn't appear to make any difference regarding my eating habits. It does make a difference in my ability to think clearly. A habit to cultivate.

A new week, a new chance to take care of me in healthy ways.

Week One Hundred of REAL...

REAL - Reduce stress Exercise Adequate sleep Lower caloric intake

What Navy SEALs are required to do to make it into BUD/S:

http://navyseal.s5.com/requirements.html

http://military-fitness.military.com/2013/01/the-spartan-300-workout-and-new-variations.html?ESRC=sm_fit.nl

RIght up front: Never in a million years could I do what is required. However, I needed to start somewhere. Considering how fit the SEALs are, I figured it was a good place to start. So my SEAL puppy reps (SEALp) consist of girls' pushups, crunches, and flutter kicks, a SEAL training basic. I started with doing one of each. I've worked up to 50.
Hip lift, to strengthen my back further

PT ~ Physical therapy using 2-lb weights

UB ~ Upper body exercises

BD ~ Belly dancing (my version of it, anyway)

The 17th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 18th: 3-mile walk. PT. BD.

The 19th: Rest. 

The 20th: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 21st: PT. BD.

The 22nd: 2-mile walk. SEALp. PT. UB. BD.

The 23rd: PT. BD.

To be honest, I find it quite amazing I've so faithful adhered to my workouts.

The first picture was taken in February 2012. The second picture was taken in June 2012. Inspiration, at least to me:

Phoenix Rising series...

Gail R. Delaney is one of those authors on my must read list. I love her humor. Her characters are vivid, and her world building is reminiscent of Star Trek and StarGate. It's different enough to call her own, and yet a similar enough flavor I feel comfortable stepping into her world without difficulty.

Phoenix Rising is the next series after Phoenix Rebellion. The books are not stand alone, but for those who love series, these are satisfying reads. As each book ends, I want to go onto the next. I finished Janus. Triad is out next month. Not fast enough, but what do you do?

There are twists and turns... reminiscent of a roller coaster ride. I laughed and cried and fretted and cheered.

Note to self: Next time I read one of Gail's books, I will not plan anything else for the duration because once I start reading, I cannot put the book down.

The Silver Locket Sisterhood series book 2 is here!

Mark's Grace

Carpe Diem... All-Star Race...

NASCAR ~ Carl came in 10th. Go Carl!

What needs to be done, today?

Writing, writing, writing...

A bit of reading to distract me when I need it.

Practice prioritizing my time better.

Thank Goodness It's Sunday... #155...

~ Inspiration found in blogs. Holley Gerth's blog:

http://holleygerth.com/who-do-you-say-he-is/

~ Brainstorming with my BFF. Blessedly helping me work through a mental block.

~ Yummy blackberry jam.

~ Unexpected opportunities.

~ Mark's Grace coming out on the 21st.

My Heroes... Dog, Soldier, and Firemen...

I read this, last night, from AP, and wanted to share the heartwarming story:

http://news.yahoo.com/marine-dog-reunited-surprise-ceremony-205112134.html

Follow up on food stuff...

No, I'm not going back on my decision to not follow my food intake so closely. I do want to share what I'm learning about myself. Maybe something will click with someone else. Maybe not.

It's Friday the 10th. I woke up knowing I would not be following my diet as closely. I wanted to do a happy dance. THAT tells me a whole lot.

Because I finished the rewrite, yesterday, I made cookies, jello, and spaghetti. It was fun!

I tried using half coconut oil and half butter, and the cookies aren't the same. The richness in the depth of the flavors is lost. I used 1/4 coconut oil and 3/4 butter, last time, and it was still yummy.

This time, I made raspberry jell-o and used the can of peaches that were "expiring." I saved the peach juice and will use it in pancakes in a few days.

Usually I divide up the spaghetti sauce with the pasta. This time, I saved a little out. I have discovered I enjoy using spaghetti sauce instead of ketchup on my hamburgers. Really.

I've actually eaten incredibly well today, particularly compared to what I have been eating.

I've also noticed that I'm listening to K-LOVE again. This begs the question: Is my improved outlook due to listening to K-LOVE or am I listening to K-LOVE because my outlook has improved?

After trying to find a meal plan that works for me, I'm turning to the scriptures, starting here:

http://unitedwithisrael.org/shavuot-why-we-eat-dairy/