ow ow and ow

[verbicide]

It's so unfair how fast one loses muscle definition. I just lifted weights today for the first time in... well, apparently way too long. I guess I shouldn't have been so surprised how weak I am now, but I was genuinely startled. I guess because my performance isn't that bad in things like swimming or blazing around Greenlake with Sarah, I just figured I could pick up a few steps back from where I left off.

NOT. SO.

And also: ow. My arms have no definition and no strength. It's pathetic!! But, that said, I'm really glad I've started this again. The nice thing that I remember is that if I do this consistently, improvement is pretty quick.

So as part of my plan to get back on my diet/workout thing, I swam and Greenlake'd yesterday. I stayed on points for WW despite going out to eat twice. Today I didn't blow off working out, though I did try to take it easy, because I don't want to shred my arms since I'm swimming tomorrow. I've stayed on points, and have added some fish and veggies to my weekly repertoire (tilapia!) and didn't run to Safeway to buy all kinds of forbidden snacks which I was dying for. I was hungrier today, for sure. But I need to suck it up for this first week, since I've been funneling whatever I want into my mouth for too long.

The big goal is to not blow the diet this weekend in Sequim. I think it's going to be okay as long as I make some menu plans in advance.

Tomorrow's goals: get up at 6:30 to go swimming. Come home, pack lunch (best chicken salad recipe ever, see below) and get to work early. Dinner tomorrow night is the spectacular peanut chicken curry, portioned out so I can take leftovers for lunch on Thursday.

I also made a decent loaf of brown bread with sunflower seeds, sesame and cumin seeds. I think I'd leave the cumin out next time. Must bake something for this weekend trip. Most likely the rosemary French bread. I wonder if I can shape it into a proper baguette. Hrm.



This is something Kathleen threw together, and it is now among my favorite things to eat. And I'm just going to write down how I make it, though I think how you get your chicken breasts is up to you. With all the ingredients, it's obviously a matter of how big your green onions or grapes or chicken breasts are. I always adjust to my own tastes.

Cashew Grape Chicken Salad
- chicken breasts from rotisserie chicken, chopped into small pieces
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 4 oz chopped cashews
- cup or so of red grapes, grapes should be halved
- 4 T mayo (I use Kraft Fat Free to make this less pointy, but it's fabulous with whole fat mayo)
- salt/pepper to taste

Combine everything. Tastes great immediately, but is even more fabulous chilled.

Also, obsessively playing Kingdom Hearts II, which I'm glad I paid attention to the reviews which said to just get past the slow Prologue part, and I really like it. Very fun!

Comments

[archaica.livejournal.com]

Heh. Yeah, I estimate I have been an incredible slacker this past year with the working out. Which is my way of saying "I haven't really done it at all and ZOMG I am getting a belly." So, yeah. I feel you on the "ought to be doing this" train.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Something about summer is just a solid reminder, I think. I know I dress much better in flaw-hiding fall-weather.

Sigh.

[andhereirant.livejournal.com]

i respect that you even swim and walk around greenlake every week or so. i sooo need to be doing some form of activity other than walking to and fro at work. not because i need to lose weight, but simply because it is healthy (will up my metabolism, make me go to sleep at night, supposedly make me not be cold when it's 70 degrees out (like sally hehe) and stuff). and lifting weights... another thing i should certainly be doing. i honestly think i am the most physically weak person i know.

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Awww. It's so hard to start, though. I don't get it. Once I'm in a routine, I'm pretty happy with it and I feel better, etc. But somehow starting is the most difficult thing known to man.

I can't recommend weight lifting enough, though. I walk around roaring afterwards because it makes me feel strong!!

[trtle.livejournal.com]

That salad would be good with a bit of curry powder too.

I've been very lax on the exercise this year (bad Amy, no cookie)...the good news is I didn't gain anything on the anniversary trip..I didn't lose anything either :/

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I'm not crazy about curried chicken salad, but I know it's the thing to do.

Still--not gaining on trips is always a bonus!

[trtle.livejournal.com]

Well then, if I make it with curry, I won't share with you :P

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

I'll do my best to get over it.

[trtle.livejournal.com]

You can talk toiugh all you want, I know you're crying on the inside :P

[verbicide.livejournal.com]

Not just on the inside, babe.

[trtle.livejournal.com]

awww...poor poopie :P