525 days to go - "Aal Izz Well" or All is Well

This past weekend I was not in a great place mentally.  I literally lay in bed for six hours just readign a book because I didn't have it in me to get out of bed.  But then on Sunday night we went over to a friend's home for pizza and a movie (I only had two slices thank you very much!).  The movie that we watch was called "3 Idiots".  It's a Bollywood movie and has a great story.  There are only about four songs in the movie (very small number for a Bollywood film I think) and I have been humming two of them for the past two days.  One is a silly love song called "Zoobi Doobi" and is very cute.  The other song is called "Aal Izz Well" and it is essentially a song meant to cheer you up.  In "The Sound of Music" you get "My Favorite Things" as a pick-me-up song, but I think "Aal Izz Well" works better for me right now.  It talks about things not going the way you want them to go and that you need to calm down by repeating the mantra 'All Is Well'.  

I really have been needing a reminder that things are ok.  I may not be doing everything perfectly with regards to my getting fit efforts, but at least I am trying to do something!  I am not a perfect being - far from it in fact.  I have to remind myself that just getting up and faithfully tracking my food every day is good if that is all that I can manage to do.  If I only do a 10min walk instead of a 60min walk that's ok because at least I did something.  

I am in some pain right now which is severely limiting my activities and this bothers me because I was on a good streak of getting exercise for a while.  Hopefully after my medunit appointment today I will hear some good news or at least get an update on my current situation.

Just remember  -  All Is Well!  (trust me and go watch the movie - it's long, but worth it)

529 days to go – achy, tired, and grumpy

As the title suggests I am achy, tired, and grumpy.  Why am I all of these things?  Well, sit back and read on a spell so I can let you in on my goings on.

Achy

My left ankle is still bothering me.  Yep, the same ankle that was bugging me before is still bugging me.  I went to the Health Unit on Monday to see if there was anything they would recommend.  I was told to take an anti-inflammatory – already do that for my knees.  I was told to avoid high heels – don’t wear them normally.  The nurse said that the clogs I was wearing were perfect as they provide good support to the foot.  Great as I wear them most of the time for work.  Then she told me to do something that made me feel 800yrs old.  She said I should soak my ankle for 15-30mins in warm to hot water every day.  Suddenly I was my dad.  He is 71 and he has to soak his feet every night because of his arthritis and other issues.  I was then asked if my family has a history of arthritis – yep.  And I had already been informed that I had arthritis in both knees when I was 24.  She suggested that perhaps the arthritis went down to my ankle.  I don’t think it works like that, but I kept my mouth shut.  So my left ankle is not swollen or discolored, but it is in constant pain.  My life blows.

Tired

I have not been able to sleep for more than 5 hours each night this week.  Not sure why.  It could be that my body is having trouble breathing because of the extra weight I have on me and the pollution here in HK is pretty bad lately.  It could be that I am stressed out because of the achy ankle.  It could be that I am stressed out over money.  But actually I have set up a debt snowball plan to take care of that so I shouldn’t be worried about that.  I don’t know.  I just can’t seem to sleep very well lately and I am perpetually waking up feeling exhausted.

Grumpy

I am grumpy because of the achy ankle and from being tired. 

I have been doing a challenge on SP and I was doing really well the first 2 ½ weeks, but this week I am not doing well at all.  I am not drinking all of my water, I am not doing all of the exercise that I want to do, I don’t have the energy to do what I want to do, and I really could give a crap less right now. I guess everyone goes through a spell like this, but I am just really disappointed with myself as I had been doing really good and then it all went to pot.  Sometimes I wish I was one of those people who just decides to stop eating junk food or white foods or to completely cut out all beverages except for water.  Unfortunately I am not one of those people.  I am a person who likes to snack. I like coffee and tea and diet soda and beer and wine.  I even really like vegetables.  But I just can’t seem to stop eating.  I don’t think that I have an off switch as I can keep on eating until I feel uncomfortable.  I don’t ever feel full and that is a definite problem for me as I don’t know when to stop.  Others have a full meter in their heads or stomachs, but I don’t. 

Do any of you have this issue? 

Am I the only one out there like this?

I hope that I am not alone in this lack of an off switch, but from what I can see I am definitely in the minority.  I don’t know how to cultivate one.  I have tried drinking a full glass of water before a meal and during the meal.  I have tried putting my fork down between bites and that doesn’t do anything except make me eat even more slowly than I already do (kinda ticked off the hubby as we would take even longer when we were out for dinner).  I am thinking of talking to a therapist about this lack of full feeling to see if there is anything that they can recommend.  I don’t know if there is anything they can do or suggest, but we’ll see.

UPDATE: 100 Mini-Goals (or things I reasonably think I can accomplish in the next year)

100 Mini-Goals (or things I reasonably think I can accomplish in the next year)

Here are my 100 Mini-Goals for the Year 2012 – as I complete them I will update the list with the accomplished on date and will have them crossed out as well.  Some of these goals are a little out there, but most of them are definitely doable.

1.      Organize books. – done 1JAN2012

2.      Organize jewelry.

3.      Jump rope once a week for a month.

4.      Do 10 sit-ups. – Done 15JAN 2012

5.      Do 10 push-ups. – Done 15JAN2012

6.      Drink 8 glasses of water a day for a week.

7.      Have 1 meatless day a week for a month.

8.      Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day for a week.

9.      Lose 2lbs. – done 9JAN2012

10. Lose 5lbs.

11. Lose 10lbs.

12. Lose 15lbs.

13. Lose 20lbs.

14. Lose 25lbs.

15. Lose 30lbs.

16. Lose 40lbs.

17. Lose 50lbs.

18. Lose 60lbs.

19. Lose 70lbs.

20. Lose 80lbs.

21. Lose 90lbs.

22. Lose 100lbs.

23. Drink 8 glasses of water a day for a month.

24. Do 50 jumping jacks. – done 15JAN2012

25. Eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day for a month.

26. Sew a pillowcase.

27. Sew a tote bag.

28. Sew an apron.

29. Get eyes checked. – done 16JAN2012

30. Get new pair of glasses. – done 20JAN2012

31. Go to Thailand.

32. Throw a chili party.

33. Throw a Wii party.

34. Do a blog entry a week.

35. Go to Australia to visit my mom and step-dad.

36. Throw a poker night.

37. Throw a Rock Band party.

38. Go down the stairs in my building in less than 5 minutes.

39. Go up the stairs in my building in less than 30 minutes.

40. Bake Finnish Cardamom Tea Loaf.

41. Walk from home to the Hopewell Centre. – done 16JAN2012

42. Walk from home to the Hopewell Centre and walk home.

43. Pay off La-Z-Boys.

44. Pay off oldest credit card (Visa).

45. Pay off car loan.

46. Pay off second credit card (Visa).

47. Pay off husband’s credit card (MC).

48. Pay off joint credit card (MC).

49. Pay back father.

50. Get dress made for ball.

51. Get new vest made for hubby for ball.

52. Watch all 8 Harry Potter movies in one day.

53. Add calendar reminders to update my 100 mini-goals.

54. Meal plan 3 days a week.

55. Meal plan 4 days a week.

56. Meal plan 5 days a week.

57. Start taking Mandarin lessons. – done 4JAN2012

58. Start taking Finnish lessons.

59. Get a manicure.

60. Get a pedicure.

61. Get a facial.

62. Go swimming.

63. Go to the dentist.

64. Sew a quilt.

65. Sew a skirt.

66. Sew a tunic top.

67. Get new pillows.

68. Get twin sheet sets for guest room.

69. Clean kitchen.

70. Clean dining room.

71. Clean living room.

72. Sort out den.

73. Play Biggest Loser on the Wii.

74. Use Walk Away the Pounds dvd twice a week.

75. Use Walk Away the Pounds dvd four times a week.

76. Do 10 minutes or more of exercise a day.

77. Buy a steampunk hat.

78. Buy a watch. – done 9JAN2012

79. Wear a dress or a skirt once a week.

80. Get a massage.

81. Put together a steampunk outfit.

82. Get some “Chinese” clothes made.

83. Watch all of the Lord of the Rings movies in one day. – done 24JAN2012

84. Watch all of Firefly and Serenity in one day.

85. Eat vegetarian for a week.

86. Organize a karaoke night.

87. Organize a girl’s night out.

88. Bake a cake from scratch.

89. Bake a pie.

90. Set up the sewing machine. – done 25JAN2012

91. Make a homemade pizza.

92. Have a spa day in Shenzhen.

93. Get a lotus flower tattoo.

94. Jump rope twice a week.

95. Do 10 lunges a leg four days a week.

96. Do 10 squats daily.

97. Get a mount for my bike so I can make it a stationary bike.

98. Make a shepherd’s pie.

99. Make a casserole.

100.   Make baked macaroni and cheese.

one major step accomplished for 2012

Thanks to a 5-day weekend (gotta love Hong Kong and Chinese New Year break!) I was able to do a few things at home in between epic sleeping.  Seriously - never say no to a 13 hour solid block of sleeping!  Your body will thank you for it later.

So far I have managed to accomplish the following this weekend:

1. set up my new sewing machine (thank you to my little bro for this gift - it rocks!!)
2. watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy back to back
3. watched Star Wars IV - VI back to back (original trilogy)
4. took stock of all of our debts and put them into a snowball spreadsheet
5. wrote into my date book every pay day and what amount goes to what debt
6. discussed the debts with my hubby and agreed to the current financial plan
7. changed the sheets on the bed
8. got new glasses (actually got 2 pair for under USD $50 with lenses)
9. got a hair cut (about USD $10 for a good hair cut)
10. finished off a book

So I feel fairly accomplished - several things are now off my 100 min-goals list which I will be updating tomorrow for you all.

On the finances front I feel pretty solid now.  Hubby and I have agreed to the payment plan and if nothing major happens between now and Christmas we should have 3 of 6 debts completely paid off,  the other 3 will be paid off by Christmas 2013.  The scary thing is that if I didn't have my current job we would not be able to do this.  Hopefully hubby will get a job soon out here and we will have even more money to be thrown at this mountain of debt.  But all in all we will be paying things off AND still be able to do stuff out here in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

Kung Hei Fat Choi!  Happy Year of the Dragon to you all!

Be well,
        Buttercupp

561 days to go

So I feel like a big bloated blob.  Good alliteration right?  I managed to gain 3.5lbs in two weeks - Merry Christmas to me.

Starting Weight: 283lbs
Current Weight: 286.7lbs
Total Weight Lost: none
Highest Weight: 289lbs
Weight Lost Since Last Week: none

I feel a  little disappointed in myself for the gain, but considering that I have not been exercising or eating as I should I guess the gain is to be expected.  I am also feeling out of sorts in general, but I think that may be a PMS related thing. 

Anyways - here's hoping that tomorrow is a better day and I can stop being little miss grumpy pants...

Be well.
       Buttercupp

562 days to go

So here it is - the first day of 2012. I had a very laid back new year's - playing the Wii at a friend's house, watching fireworks on the roof of our building, and only having 2 glasses of wine and one small glass of champagne. I played Just Dance for the first time and it was so much fun! I was really sweating by the end. I really want to get it, but right now I can't really justify the expense.

I have decided that my weigh in day is going to be Monday. This is mainly so that I am not tempted to overeat on the weekends or slack off. it should keep me honest.

And one quick update to my mini-goal list - I accomplished mini-goal #1 today! And I am almost done with mini-goal #69 - just need to mop the floor and clean the fridge.

I hope that everyone else had a great new years and that you too have come up with your own mini-goals for the coming year.

Be well,
        Buttercupp

100 Mini-Goals (or things I reasonably think I can accomplish in the next year)

Here are my 100 Mini-Goals for the Year 2012 – as I complete them I will update the list with the accomplished on date and will have them crossed out as well.  Some of these goals are a little out there, but most of them are definitely doable.

1.      Organize books.

2.      Organize jewelry.

3.      Jump rope once a week for a month.

4.      Do 10 sit-ups.

5.      Do 10 push-ups.

6.      Drink 8 glasses of water a day for a week.

7.      Have 1 meatless day a week for a month.

8.      Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day for a week.

9.      Lose 2lbs.

10. Lose 5lbs.

11. Lose 10lbs.

12. Lose 15lbs.

13. Lose 20lbs.

14. Lose 25lbs.

15. Lose 30lbs.

16. Lose 40lbs.

17. Lose 50lbs.

18. Lose 60lbs.

19. Lose 70lbs.

20. Lose 80lbs.

21. Lose 90lbs.

22. Lose 100lbs.

23. Drink 8 glasses of water a day for a month.

24. Do 50 jumping jacks.

25. Eat 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day for a month.

26. Sew a pillowcase.

27. Sew a tote bag.

28. Sew an apron.

29. Get eyes checked.

30. Get new pair of glasses.

31. Go to Thailand.

32. Throw a chili party.

33. Throw a Wii party.

34. Do a blog entry a week.

35. Go to Australia to visit my mom and step-dad.

36. Throw a poker night.

37. Throw a Rock Band party.

38. Go down the stairs in my building in less than 5 minutes.

39. Go up the stairs in my building in less than 30 minutes.

40. Bake Finnish Cardamom Tea Loaf.

41. Walk from home to the Hopewell Centre.

42. Walk from home to the Hopewell Centre and walk home.

43. Pay off La-Z-Boys.

44. Pay off oldest credit card (Visa).

45. Pay off car loan.

46. Pay off second credit card (Visa).

47. Pay off husband’s credit card (MC).

48. Pay off joint credit card (MC).

49. Pay back father.

50. Get dress made for ball.

51. Get new vest made for hubby for ball.

52. Watch all 8 Harry Potter movies in one day.

53. Add calendar reminders to update my 100 mini-goals.

54. Meal plan 3 days a week.

55. Meal plan 4 days a week.

56. Meal plan 5 days a week.

57. Start taking Mandarin lessons.

58. Start taking Finnish lessons.

59. Get a manicure.

60. Get a pedicure.

61. Get a facial.

62. Go swimming.

63. Go to the dentist.

64. Sew a quilt.

65. Sew a skirt.

66. Sew a tunic top.

67. Get new pillows.

68. Get twin sheet sets for guest room.

69. Clean kitchen.

70. Clean dining room.

71. Clean living room.

72. Sort out den.

73. Play Biggest Loser on the Wii.

74. Use Walk Away the Pounds dvd twice a week.

75. Use Walk Away the Pounds dvd four times a week.

76. Do 10 minutes or more of exercise a day.

77. Buy a steampunk hat.

78. Buy a watch.

79. Wear a dress or a skirt once a week.

80. Get a massage.

81. Put together a steampunk outfit.

82. Get some “Chinese” clothes made.

83. Watch all of the Lord of the Rings movies in one day.

84. Watch all of Firefly and Serenity in one day.

85. Eat vegetarian for a week.

86. Organize a karaoke night.

87. Organize a girl’s night out.

88. Bake a cake from scratch.

89. Bake a pie.

90. Set up the sewing machine.

91. Make a homemade pizza.

92. Have a spa day in Shenzhen.

93. Get a lotus flower tattoo.

94. Jump rope twice a week.

95. Do 10 lunges a leg four days a week.

96. Do 10 squats daily.

97. Get a mount for my bike so I can make it a stationary bike.

98. Make a shepherd’s pie.

99. Make a casserole.

100.   Make baked macaroni and cheese.

Be well,

          Buttercupp