This going back to work thing is KILLING me! I am exhausted! I need to find my grove. Classes start next Monday so I have 1 more week of controlled craziness until the circus really comes to town.
My class schedule is looking pretty bleak, two 12 hour days, teaching 5 classes, 2 I never taught before, ugh it’s going to be a mess. However, I’m still looking forward to a set routine. I want to see how I will incorporate my new workouts into the week. Right now I’m just going when I can in then evenings but once I have 2 night classes cutting into family time, I’m worried I’ll lose my motivation.
I’m also going to take another art class and I want to keep up with this site and the community (of course). Sometimes I think I’m a gluten for punishment but there are just so many things I want to do. It’s better then being a gluten for chocolate cake I guess. ;~)
So I didn’t post my menu yesterday, and you only get an abbreviated one today. I did good overall (except for a small baked Doritos splurge last night). I’m going to weigh in tomorrow and get in my last workout for the week. Which by the way, I can’t believe I have finished 2 full weeks of workouts! I feel great! Actually, I feel better then great. Weight lifting is my new favorite activity. Don’t misunderstand, I’m not going to become some crazed muscle bound body competitor anytime soon but there is something empowering about lifting weights. I feel so confident and strong afterwards. I really recommend pushing yourself on the nautilus machines or free weights. It may not sound fun (I know it didn’t to me just a few weeks ago) but seriously now it’s me, my ipod and the weight. No 2 year old saying “hey momma, hey momma”, no phones ringing asking me advice on what classes they should take, no computer screen glowing in my face with annoying emails from coworkers, no husbands asking stupid questions like “where does this dish go” when we’ve lived in this house for 5 YEARS! Just me, my music and the sense of accomplishment that I lifted a little bit more then last time. I can feel my body getting stronger. For those that told me to do I will forever be in your debt, it truly is a great escape and the epitome of “me” time for a working mom.
Wow, I didn’t except to get on that small rant! :~) I guess I really do like it.
Anyway, here is an abbreviated menu from today. Keep an eye out for a new cold shrimp salad recipe this weekend. I made it tonight and it’s chilling in the fridge for tomorrow!
- Granola bar
- Leftover Summer Veggie Pasta
- Yogurt
- Apple
- Tastes tests of my shrimp salad
- Veggie quesadilla at restaurant and a few bites of the toddlers chicken tenders with broccoli
- Small raspberry sorbet
6 Responses to A Bit Exhausted
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What's Cooking in my kitchen?
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
I have another one for you to try:
Using any combination of the following, I make a vegetable base for “Mock Eggrolls”:
brocoli slaw (very bean sprout like with
carrots, red cabbage, broccoli stix)
sliced mushrooms
diced onion
*sliced water chestnuts
diced celery
pea pods
I stir fry veggies in a very small amount of light virgin olive oil.
I cook chicken breasts or strips separately and then dice them.
**cooked rice.
Steamed (individual) green cabbage leaves. (I smear HOT Chinese mustard on the inside of my steamed cabbage leaves before rolling my own egg rolls.)
I leave all of that in separate containers – so each person can make their own. My two (allotted) cups of veggies makes a LOT of rolled up cabbage egg rolls – even including the cabbage! We cooked the meat and rice separate from the veggies – so I can measure mine.
*the chestnuts are the only canned ingredient that I use because I really watch my sodium intake. If not concerned about sodium, there are lots of other canned Chinese style veggies to consider. I do not use soy sauce – but you could.
** both rice and beans freeze very well. When I use the rice steamer (or cook a crock pot full of dried beans), I then freeze my left over rice or beans in 1 cup allotments. So, for something like the mock eggrolls – I can just grab a packet from the freezer and the rice is ready to thaw/warm/use.
Wow! You’ve got a lot going on, but I’m glad that you will still be incorporating strength training in the mix. It’s so good for you!
For me it’s drudgery, but your observations about it made me realize that I also experience the same goodness from it. Maybe, I can learn to love it as much as you do.
So on your 12 hour days (I assume the ones with evening classes) Do you have a break? You could take a 45 minute break and head to the gym. Another thought is a quick walk around the campus– you will need the energy boost on the twelve hour days. Exercise makes your brain work better. I know on days when I workout, I feel better in the afternoons teaching science to 4th graders. Plus, I make my kids do little energizer activities to promote more brain power. Look at your schedule and see if you could sneak away. Maybe even on your lunch hour– then eat at your desk. (I know, I know, not the best, but it still gives you your “me” time.)
You say you won’t become some crazy muscle woman, but just wait!! lol. I LOVE working out with weights– it is the best feeling in the world, and like I said in a previous post, when you start seeing the results it is even better. There is a really good book called ‘sculpting her body perfect’–I don’t remember the author, but it has some great information!
Roni, You are going to be one of those women in the gym that people like me look at and go “why is she here? She doesn’t need to lose any weight, she looks great, why is she working out so hard?” For people that don’t “know” you, that’s what some of them will think. I admit, I have a tiny shred of dislike for those tiny women at the gym and they look like they have the perfect bodies and they don’t look like they have to work at it. I know the gym is good for anyone and everyone, but that’s who you make me think of. :) Seriously, I mean you look great, but we all know how hard you have had to work…I need to remember that the next time I see some skinny minnie at the gym working her a$$ off… :) Glad you are enjoying it! I like it for my “me” time as well….but I usually have DS with me only he’s at the childcare. Hey, at least I can enjoy the actual workoug part of it.