I’ve posted previously of how much I’ve been loving this life of self isolation that I have found myself living. There has been no rushing around and quite a bit of relaxation. A bit too much relaxation, really. I’ve still been exercising, and have done some form of exercise every day. I’ve spent a few hours in the garden each day, getting jobs crossed off the long list, which isn’t a chore for me. I love it, and the heavy work is good exercise. As for formal exercise, that has mostly been strength training and walking, with a bit of cycling on the rail trail. Even though the type of exercise I’ve been doing, is very much the same as before self isolating, the intensity has definitely decreased. I put this down to a few things:
- Needing to take time out after feeling stressed at work in the early days of corona virus. I knew at the time that I was stressed, but I didn’t realise just how stressed I was, until I stepped away. As a result, I decided, that just for a change, I would be kind to myself and just accept how I was feeling on any given day without putting any pressure on myself.
- I have definitely been eating more in isolation. There hasn’t just been more food, there has been more unhealthy food than usual. An unhealthy diet makes me feel sluggish after a while, and less inclined to exercise.
- I seem to have been constantly recovering from injury for two years. That leaves me feeling frustrated and exhausted at the thought of a vigorous exercise session.
- Thinking about the future has taken my focus from what I should be doing. My mind seems to have been in overdrive during isolation. I’ve stepped away from work for the moment, and am really not sure whether or not I will return. The past few weeks have given me an opportunity to try out retirement and I have to say that, so far, I am loving it. I need to make a decision soon, so while my mind is taken up with this constantly, it’s less taken up with the things that I should be thinking about or that I enjoy thinking about.
- Because I have more time available, it’s not as necessary to plan every spare hour. As a result, some days seem to have flown by with not much being achieved.
Having said all that, I have decided that it’s time now for me to get back to a healthier way of living which includes exercise and nutrition. I’ve had fun relaxing over the past few weeks, but it’s time now to rethink how I want to live my life. This doesn’t mean that I can’t still have fun, and have down time and relaxation. I’m sure that I can do all of these things without compromising my values. Lately, I haven’t been truly living my values and that leaves me feeling uneasy.
- Exercise – I’ve come to realise that my exercise sessions are more effective with a plan. I need to start scheduling my sessions into my calendar as I did in the past. Also, I need to go back to having each session planned out in my gym journal. This way, I know on any given day when my session is, and what type of session it will be, including the actual exercises to be included.
- Nutrition – I know from previous experience over many years that I need to plan my nutrition. By that I mean, plan what I will be eating for the week and do food prep at the beginning of the week.
From today, Monday 25 May 2020, I intend to do as I have done in the past and follow my exercise and nutrition plans, so I have made my plan for this week.
In the past, I’ve always taken time on Sunday night to plan the week, but this has definitely gone out the window lately. Today I was listening to The You Project which is a podcast by Craig Harper that I listen to, and would recommend. A few days ago, Craig suggested that to get back on track, try using a food diary. Over the years, I’ve used a food diary many times, both an actual journal, and online diaries. I know that they are effective, but usually, I fill them in for a few days and toss it aside when I quickly become bored.
An honest food diary causes discipline, and helps to create new habits. It always gives an increased awareness of what’s really happening. Without a food diary, it’s so easy to forget that piece of chocolate cake or that yummy dessert and wonder why the kilos aren’t dropping off. That’s my experience anyway.
Craig Harper has put out a challenge for anyone who would like to make changes to make a commitment to use a food diary for 100 days. 100 days! This will be a huge challenge for me, but I plan to take it on, and today is Day 1. Just for fun, I’m going to call my challenge The “100 Days of Healthy Eating Challenge” The food diary could be called a life diary, as I will be recording, food, exercise, sleep, how I’m feeling, what went right in the day and what went wrong. Anything else that comes up during the day can be recorded.
The challenge for me will be sticking to the food diary for the entire 100 days. I know that’s going to be difficult but I’m prepared to take on the challenge and do what needs to be done to make it work. I intend to fill in my food diary each night, for the next day, and tick it off during the day. Any changes and unintended extras will be added. In the past, when following a food diary, I would often omit the unintended or unscheduled foods and forget them immediately. I’m commuting to be totally honest with the recording of my food and exercise.
I’m going to use MyFitnessPal as my food and exercise diary. I’ve used it on and off for years, and am very familiar with it, and I know it works for me. I did think of using a book journal which I love the idea of, but past experience tells me that I get tired of actual writing, and then quickly give it up. I think if you’re about to choose a food diary, you’re best to go with what you know will work for you. The My Fitness Pal app has a place to put in food notes or exercise notes, so I will be able to record the other things about my day, other than the hard facts. I have promised myself that I will record my treats.
This might sound like some kind of hell to some people, but I know from experience that when my exercise and nutrition are spot on, I feel much better about myself and within myself. After a few weeks of relative R&R, I’m ready and happy to get back to my old ways.
Have you used a food diary either in book form or online? Do you enjoy the process of daily recording or does it become a bit of a chore? Please feel free to join me if you think this is something that you’d like to do. I’d love to hear you comments and promise to reply to all.
Links to my other blogs: Best Bookish Blog and Tracking Down The Family |
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Hi Jennifer, I’m sure your self-awareness and commitment will get you back on track. Logging exercise and nutrition plans is a good idea as long as the admin is not too labour intensive. I keep track of my exercises on a simple sheet and plan meals ahead of time so I can do my grocery shopping quickly (less lingering in a supermarket during the pandemic). #lifethisweek
I agree Natalie. The supermarket is not somewhere to linger these days. Thanks for visiting again
I really, really hear you on the injury front. In the past 15 months I’ve hurt myself in 4 places and just when you think you’re recovering…bam… something takes you back a step. I was really feeling the frustration of this over the weekend when all I wanted to do was go for a walk but I had to go to bed.
I’m sorry to hear you’re having injury concerns Vanessa. Hang in there and try to stay positive.
It certainly sounds like some kind of hell to me Jennifer – but as they say…”different strokes for different folks”. I’ve never kept a food diary in my life, and I’ve never sat down to plan a week of exercise and nutrition – but I’m sure it makes you a much healthier specimen than I am. I’m just grateful to eat healthily 90% of the time and to walk my 6 km a day – the rest doesn’t grab me at all (although I’d love to LOVE to exercise – but nope it hasn’t happened).
Good luck with deciding whether to return to work – I was planning to until time and circumstances made me realize that I’d worked for long enough and the rest of my time here on earth is going to be on my terms – not someone else’s!
Please don’t think I’m a ‘healthy specimen’ Leanne. I’m just an ordinary persons n trying to do my best. I must admit that I do love planning and a list.
Jennifer you are an amazingly healthy specimen (and I’m not even going to add the “for your age” disclaimer) – you put a lot of 20 year olds to shame with your fitness and proactive approach to life!
Thanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I’ve shared on my SM 😊
Thanks for your very lovely comments Leanne. I wish I was ‘an amazingly healthy specimen’ as you say. But no, I’m just an ordinary ageing person trying to stay fit and healthy. Thanks for visiting again
Lots to think about Jennifer! I have found using a food diary to be helpful in the past and have also used My Fitness Pal too. I need to look at what I’m eating as the kilos aren’t shifting downwards at all. I keep thinking I’m exercising every day but it’s different to my usual as my knee is still painful and the physio has said no walking. Riding my bike has been good and doesn’t hurt my knee but I need to do it more often and for more intense sessions. Life is a bit mixed up so it’s not surprising our attitudes and capacity are feeling off kilter. I keep telling myself I’ll be fine in a few months time! Take care and good luck, 100 days is a real commitment. #lifethisweek
Deb I keep saying the same too. I think we shouldn’t make ourselves wrong about dropping our standards during Covid. This too shall pass
That’s so true Jen! back for #mlstl and sharing.
Thanks for popping back in Deb and for sharing
Good luck with the project. I find photos snapped with my phone a great way to keep track of what I have done and from time to time pictures of the food I am eating. I think if I stopped and photographed everything I ate it would be a great way to keep track. I have in the past kept food diaries and they were illuminating. I used those paper ones by Allan Borushek. I should probably join you on your challenge 🙂
Anne I’ve noticed people photographing their meals and I think it’s a greT way to track. Unfortunately my meals often don’t look fantastic. Happy for you to join me in this
I wish I had the discipline to keep a food diary for 100 days but I fear I would fall off the wagon! That said, I can totally relate to the comfort eating in isolation. That said, my dog has kept me on track with 10,000+ steps every day and I’ve joined some online zoom fitness classes. Committing to those classes and paying a joining fee has kept me accountable and committed to turning up. Like you I have loved isolife and I have many new happy habits that I’ll take forward into this brave new world!
Sounds like you have iso life sorted Sammie. My dogs big eyes have kept me on track too
Hi Jen, I need a plan for most things in my life and it really does help to commit to a challenge and also tell others about it. Once you’ve told others you feel like you need to do it even more. I’ve just finished a 30 day yoga challenge with Adriene. One of my Saturday Sisters joined me and we would text each other everyday when we had done our practice. I look forward to supporting you and reading about your 100 days and know you will do it! Thanks for sharing at #MLSTL and have a great week. xx
Planning and commitment are essential for me too Sue. Well done on completing the yoga challenge. I’m still stretching as I promised you I would
Last year I lost 18kg, and one of the strategies I used was to record my food using apps. I have a Fitbit so I use it to record exercise, food, sleep, weight and body fat percentage. Keeping on track like this was instrumental in my success. I still use it today even though I’ve been at my ideal weight for over a year. During lockdown I have slipped from my usual routine but I’ve also had 4 surgeries this year and I know I’ll get back on track when I’ve recovered
Well done on your weight loss Christina but I do hope all is well after your surgeries. Like me, you have probably needed a little time out. And like me will get back to the normal routine
Like you I’ve used My Fitness Pal in the past for logging and rarely make it past a week. It does, however, make you mindful of exactly what you eat. I look forward to following your progress. Here’s to commitment and recommitment.
Thanks Jo. Hoping boredom doesn’t kick in here too
Oh you reminded me of my decades of diaries, weight loss routines, feeling like a failure or success depending on what the scales said. Yes, my story is that.
My recent five years though are quite different. My oral cancer surgeries have let me see how well I “can” eat and what I can choose to eat. I also like to be more active since getting my apple watch so I keep a record daily walking/movement by setting a target each week.
I am doing my best to enjoy what I have now, and eating more for enjoyment and nutrition but a little more of eating to calm has been happening (COVID blame!) but the limits I can place on myself are based on literal limits that my mouth and body can take.
All that said, each person has to do what seems right for him/her. I spent far too long disliking myself and my body and now at 70, and surviving the cancer so far, I tend be far kinder. Mind you, I was never into fitness so I have not got the kind of yearning in my background.
Whatever works for you Jennifer…go for it.
Thank you for linking up for #LifeThisWeek#190…I hope to see you back next week with the optional prompt: 22/51 I Saw 1.6.2020. Take care, stay safe, Denyse.
Thanks for your interest Denyse. These days I’m not extreme as I was in my younger days.
Great post and I understand. I have been working from home, but not much of a schedule, much more of a crisis mode. I love that you are including a note about what went right, etc. That almost makes it more of a life journal than a food diary. I think great role models are the ones who are honest about failures as well as successes.
Getting caught up late in the day but shared this to my Facebook page.
Thanks for your comment Michele. I hope you’re enjoying isolation and working from home
Good luck with your 100 days of healthy eating, Jennifer! I can definitely relate to relaxing the level of your exercise and eating more comfort food. I’ve done the same. My Orangetheory Fitness studio has re-opened, but I feel nervous to go back. Yet I know that I need something to push me at this point. I’m looking forward to hearing how your journey goes. Take care!
Thanks Christie. Just relax and enjoy Orange Theory. I do understand that it’s a bit stressful getting out