August 28, 2017

What worked and what didn't.

With a new school year, comes new routines and changes. This isn't work related, but is a round-up of what's been working for me over the last two weeks.

1. I attempted to really get back into a solid routine last week. I didn't drink nearly as much caffeine, so that was good. I still ate a lot of candy so that was a pitfall but it's candy corn season and so there's not much I can do about that.

2. I have some sort of sinus infection that has settled in my ears. I'm taking a cocktail of whatever medicine I can find around the house and I will likely call to see if I can get an appointment this week. Trying to pop my ears isn't working, I've bought more Sudafed than Jesse Pinkman, and sleeping is becoming a challenge.



3. In terms of breakfast...I actually attempted to drink protein powder/milk again this week...thinking that if I left out of the peanut butter and the banana I'd be able to stomach it. Barely. I came to the conclusion that I would rather starve than have a chocolate protein drink. Like, being hungry and weak is preferable.
I'm thinking that I would be able to do vanilla with fruit/spinach at some point, but we have a ton of chocolate powder and I don't feel like spending $60 on vanilla. I found that I can eat a Clif bar in the morning and be okay until about lunch time (or at least snacktime at 10:30). This has, clearly, been a very traumatic process. Regular Clif bars don't have a ton of protein (9-11 grams) but they make protein bars that have 14 or 15 grams and those ones taste pretty good.

4. Before these last two weeks, I'd been going to classes at the gym...toning, lifting, cardio, kickboxing...and I really do want to incorporate those things back into my life. However, I also knew that I had to keep doing what I know works for me and shows results, especially during busy seasons. I kept at 20-30 minutes of Pilates a day for the last week and that felt good. I've been trying to do some yoga every Sunday too.

5. I had to stop the Wal-Mart grocery pre-ordering. The reason is actually really simple: I hate the produce at Wal-Mart. I feel like it's so inferior to what I can get elsewhere. Maybe this is just a Colorado thing? The commissary, and even Safeway, has produce that tastes and looks good and lasts too. Plus, I love buying salad mixes and the Great Value brand is awful. I'm saving on the actual trip through the store, but I'm ending up with things I don't want to eat, so what's the point? Wal-Mart isn't really cheaper...just not having to block out two hours to grocery shop was nice.

6. I almost threw away my Erin Condren planner. I even bought a new little $7 one from Target because I was all FRESH START!!! and then I realized I actually kind of liked my EC planner and, even though fresh starts in January aren't really my thing, I'm going to keep getting EC planners in January because I really do love them. There's a reason I came back to the brand after trying a few others over the last few years. They are SO sturdy and that paper quality can't be matched by anything else I've tried.

7. I've been trying the charcoal bar from Beauty Counter and then using my clarifying toner and dual intensive treatment over top of it. I LOVE the charcoal bar. I don't have dry skin on my face (only on my hands) and it leaves my face squeaky clean and ready for toner. It's completely worth every penny.

That's kind of the overview of what I've been trying lately and how it's been working. It's been a super weird summer in many ways and this next year will look different than the last few for us but we've got some changes on the horizon and that, I think, is a good thing.

(I can provide links for anything above that you may be interested in.)

10 comments:

  1. I feel the same about the produce at Walmart! It's so bad no matter where you live.

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  2. I keep trying new-to-me planners, and I always go back to my EC one. I hate that it's pricey, but it works best for me.

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  3. I am a total EC fan. I ordered my 2018 calendar like in April of 2017.
    I love me some protein shakes but I cant do chocolate. They all taste so WEIRD. Vanilla with fruit in it?I'm good every time.

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  4. I get really sick of chocolate protein powder, too. Aside from making choc/pb or mocha shakes, there's not a ton of flavors you can add. I like vanilla better because it's more versatile.

    I neeeeed to start working out again, too. I'm dying to get back to the gym.

    Bad produce is maddening. I get it!!

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  5. I agree -- I can't shop at Walmart because I end up throwing away most of my produce -- and their meat freaks me out!

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  6. Walmart produce is horrible. I tend to do a lot of regular shopping there, but then go to HEB for produce and fun extras. HEB has great, healthy premade meals. I buy them for my lunches sometimes.

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  7. what kind of protein powder do you have? like what brand? i'm sorry it still didn't work out for you. i love it because i don't really like a lot of protein heavy things. like you, i'd rather be hungry and weak vs eating those things.
    bummer about the walmart thing. i've honestly never bought their produce, walmart isn't the closest grocery store to us so that's why we don't shop there, but we have a target and kroger right next door. target's produce is awful, at least this particular store. every time we buy something it's awful, so i don't grocery shop there at all. probably for the best.
    glad you like the charcoal bar!

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  8. i've also heard great things about BCs charcoal bar.

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  9. I'm so happy to hear about the charcoal bar!! If anyone wants one, send them my way! :D:D:D

    Have you tried InstaCart at all? That might be handy for groceries for you!

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  10. Walmart produce is the worst. I think it's universal. My favorite grocery store flooded in the storm and is closed til December and I am currently in grocery store purgatory since I hate everything else. I'm way behind so I hope you're feeling much better now!

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