General Conversation Topic

NorthernGirl 11/02/09
Hello!
Dannah19, I am sorry to hear about your sprained ankle...but it doesn't have to cause the same results as last time. Even if it limits your ability to exercise, maybe you could try keeping the exercise time slotted in your calendar/life and put that time toward another aspect of health... Maybe use it to focus on stretching and improving flexibility, or panning meals, or learning about a health/nutrition/fitness topic. This way you don't lose the progress you have made in establishing good habits (setting aside time for exercise), but only are changing the content/topic. This way once your ankle does get better, it will probably be easier to slip back into the exercise regime... Just my thoughts and encouragement.

Dannah19 11/02/09 replied to NorthernGirl
Thanks for the encouragement! Your advice about finding a way to reserve those workout hours is great! When I'm not out of town on business trips, I try to go to the gym directly after work on the 2 days my boyfriend has to work nights, and other days we go together. Depending on how I feel tomorrow (I also caught a cold on my business trip last week, which is actually helping my ankle by keeping me off of it!), I may go to the gym and try to find some light exercises that I can do, that don't require too much pressure on my ankle.

I'm interested in learning more about your strategies and things you enjoy doing for exercise, and ways you cope with trying to be healthy in the workplace. If you feel like sharing, that is!

NorthernGirl 11/04/09 replied to Dannah19
Hi! Yes, I am happy to share and hear new ideas. Talking about helps me to stay motivated and do a better job at turning my thoughts and ideas into actions. I am writing this on my phone right now, but will write more when I am at my computer tomorrow.

Dannah19 11/04/09
I almost got an iPhone a few weeks ago just so I could have constant internet access to track calories. Two years ago, I lost 40 pounds counting calories, and I decided that I did it then without an iPhone and I can do it now without one. Is your phone an iPhone or other data phone that you can access MND all the time? Anyway, looking forward to your next post :)

NorthernGirl 11/05/09
Yes, I did just get an iphone two weeks ago because the management team where I work is using them for calendars, contacts, leads, etc. It has been great, certainly not a necessity but a real nice-ity. I find that it is really easy to enter in what I am eating throughout the day. This way I can see where I am at, and make better on going decisions as opposed to adding it all up at the end of the day and making adjustments / better decisions the following day.

Obviously, I have a lot that I am working on and trying to get in some better and healthier habits. One of the things I struggle with is that I am very detailed oriented and like having a plan. The trouble is I put a lot of time and energy into the plan, and then don't end up actually doing it. Or, the plan I make is not realistic or inflexible, setting myself up for failure (giving up). So this time around I am trying to meet some broad goals and taking it a bit at a time. I am also trying to not be so hard on myself and recognize the small achievements I am making as opposed to being disappointed because I didn't eat the exact right mix of nutrients that I had planned for the day, etc. Somehow, I think things seem to go better when we are kind to ourselves.

One of the other things I am trying to work on is how to consistently take care of my health, even when my schedule / daily routine is extremely inconsistent. It sounds like you travel a lot for work, and I would imagine you experience this similar challenge.

I manage a restaurant, so my work day takes place anywhere between 7am through 2am depending on what is on my agenda for the day. Meanwhile my one year old wakes up everyday at 7am, which can make for a very short night. I then find my tiredness creates a snowball effect and I lose my ability / motivation to stay on track with eating well and exercising.

How does the saying go...inch by inch life's a sinch, yard by yard life is hard. I guess I am trying to make it an inch at a time...just some of my thoughts..

NorthernGirl 11/07/09
Nice work Dannah19 on continuing to meet your exercise goals!

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