Back in the groove
23. Jan, 2012 
4 Comments
Tea. Cannot do without it.
It’s been two weeks now since I started my new job, and, ah, how those memories have come back!
Bagel Friday. The homemade lemon bars on the “sharing table” Monday morning. And waking up at 5:15 AM to get my workout done before work.
It’s not easy staying true to a fit, healthy life. I can understand why so many people have trouble avoiding temptation and skipping exercise.
It takes smart scheduling, a little sacrifice and a few tricks to stay healthy.
Tricks–not willpower
In fact, I think it’s the tricks I’ve used over time that keep me on the straight and narrow–far more than willpower, quite frankly.
For instance, I buy frozen spelt seed bagels at Whole Foods, defrost them one at a time, then toast a half and have it on Friday mornings. So when I see those bagels at work, I’m not even tempted. I’ve already had mine!
Lemon bars? In bygone years, I would have definitely tried one. And, hey, there’s nothing wrong if you DO. But, I know now that they’d put me in that dangerous “sugar zone.” Going back for more and more all day long.
But, wait, that’s not the trick!
I have 5 meals a day. Mid-morning and mid-afternoon they’re small, more like snacks, really. But they do keep my cravings at bay!
In between, I have lots of tea. It helps me stay full, and gives me an excuse to get up out of my chair for a few minutes. (So unhealthy, sitting and staring at a computer screen all day! I try to get up once an hour.)
Another trick–I eat or drink enough healthy ”sweet” stuff to keep me satisfied.
Snack time!
This will no doubt change in time, but right now, this is what I’m doing…
Mid-morning, I have a protein shake that I assemble before I leave for work. In a small shaker, I put unsweetened vanilla almond milk, whey protein and chocolate greens powder. Plus, I have 4 prunes on the side. Don’t laugh. They’re for my bones!
I end my super healthy lunch with a small square of organic, 70% cacao, dark chocolate. It feels like a reward for having so many healthy things already, lol.
Cool thing is, I’ve found that I’m able to enjoy a little chocolate at lunch, so I don’t devour most of the bar the way I occasionally did when I’d have it after dinner.
And, mid-afternoon, I’ve been on a streak in recent months. I’ve gotten pretty fond of tender nuked apples (I know, I know, the microwave will kill me!), sprinkled with cinnamon and Truvia, and topped with a tablespoon of organic almond butter. I usually get this ready the night before and put it in a container so it’s ready to go. It takes care of my sweet tooth quite nicely.
When do you exercise?
I’ve rearranged my workout schedule so I hit the gym on weekends and only 2 days of the week (Tuesday and Thursday) before work.
I may add more eventually. But that’s it for now.
On the job, I take a lap around the building at lunch. But that’s more to blast myself silly with some cold, fresh air!
Of course, being in nature has been shown to relieve stress. Plus, a dose of sunlight perks me up and the vitamin D may help strengthen my bones.
But, really, I just like to move around a bit. It’s a short walk. I don’t do it to “melt calories.” Just feels good!
So, that’s it. I’m not perfect. And I’m not even trying any more to BE perfect.
Actually, I think THAT’s the secret to my success!
I’ve found that, to be consistent, I need to keep things easy. That means not too much time spent cooking and preparing. On the other hand, not getting caught unprepared, either!
What do YOU do to stay healthy? Have any tricks up your sleeve? Please share!
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These are great tricks—I’m not a fan of will power at all, and once I came to terms with that, I was way better at being tricky and keeping it all positive in my head
For a while, I thought putting of breakfast was helpful to eating less throughout the day, but now I just try to have a protein heavy breakfast (like today was eggs with salsa). This trick is similar to your snack trick…I just make sure I don’t wait too long before I eat. I almost eat even before I’m hungry. But it helps me be so rational and not fall for the sugar traps!
I hope everything else about your new job is going great too!
Lisa´s last [type] ..Starting Monday with Lists, Hoping it Carries Over to Productivity!
Thanks, Lisa. All is well with the job. VERY busy, but that’s good. The days, which are long, pass quickly.
Great trick. I, too, have found more success with eating when I’m NOT hungry to keep me within bounds at mealtimes. Once I get hungry, I have a harder time reining myself in! Thanks for your comment!
What great tips! Thanks for sharing! And congrats on having a great outlook, great planning to keep yourself healthy AND a new job!!!
Thanks Kathleen!
Thanks, Lita. I’ve found I’ve got to concentrate on ONE DAY AT A TIME to keep things from slipping! Exercise, meals, work, home stuff. I keep telling myself it’s simpler this time around–no children to say on top of!