JULY W.I.S.H. Challenge - Summer of Positive Change

[PollyannaMom]

Great self-care graphic!

I’m definitely reading more books lately - it’s a combination of needing to spend less time on screens for my eye health, the cats wanting to sit outside on their leashes for hours if I let them, and my library opening back up for curbside pick-up. It’s been very good for me!

 

[MickeyMom76]

From that list, I’m going to focus on listening to what my body needs. I’m going to meal plan and grocery shop today (haven’t meal planned in a while!) I am still trying to get myself back on track with eating. And without the meal planning, it’s been tough. Our kitchen is mostly gutted, but I still have access to the sink and stove for now. But I’ll probably plan mostly grilled food. Baseball started back up for my son with his first game yesterday. And he has 3 more this week all at 6pm. So dinner will be a little struggle. Bi can’t wait to eat until after, but he won’t want to eat before. Well, challenge accepted. I’m going to plan each day’s meals today so I’ll be prepared. Otherwise, I’d pack junk to eat during the game and we’d hit a drive they on the way home

 

[sjrec]

I cooked a 1/2 spiral ham last week-it’s leaner in fat and lower in calories. We had it with corn and salads for a couple meals, I made a egg casserole with some of it chopped and have some sliced in the freezer for later. I made a potato salad from drizzlemeskinny we really liked. I also make individual meat loaves that cook in 30 minutes-you could make ahead and eat cold if your family likes it. I will look for that recipe.

 

[sjrec]

https://www.skinnytaste.com/sheet-pan-turkey-meatloaf-and-broccoli/

I have also used lean ground beef.

 

[4Mickeys]

I also am trying to listen to what my body needs... I am still feeling dizzy - I am so conflicted about the cause - but I did find a pharmacy today that has some of the brand name medicine I am after but of course forget to take my prescription with me - so will be heading there first thing in the morning. Its wierd as I know that my muscles have been tight and PT thinks it was my drive to Costco and I kind of agree but then this morning when I first got up I felt good and then about a half hour after taking my meds the dizziness kicked in. So if I switch back to the brand name meds that may help me work out what is going on with me.

I made a southwest chicken soup tonight - yummy - so now have 5 serves sitting in the freezer - I am going to try eating my larger meal at lunch time for the next week and have something simpler for dinner like soup or salmon to see if a lighter meal at night helps to get this weight loss happening again. Although the scale did go down for me this morning by half a kilo - so that is good but I want to keep on top of it - I really want to see me downward movement by the end of the month and move out of this little stalled phase I am in.

 

[sjrec]

I also am trying to listen to what my body needs... I am still feeling dizzy - I am so conflicted about the cause - but I did find a pharmacy today that has some of the brand name medicine I am after but of course forget to take my prescription with me - so will be heading there first thing in the morning. Its wierd as I know that my muscles have been tight and PT thinks it was my drive to Costco and I kind of agree but then this morning when I first got up I felt good and then about a half hour after taking my meds the dizziness kicked in. So if I switch back to the brand name meds that may help me work out what is going on with me.

I made a southwest chicken soup tonight - yummy - so now have 5 serves sitting in the freezer - I am going to try eating my larger meal at lunch time for the next week and have something simpler for dinner like soup or salmon to see if a lighter meal at night helps to get this weight loss happening again. Although the scale did go down for me this morning by half a kilo - so that is good but I want to keep on top of it - I really want to see me downward movement by the end of the month and move out of this little stalled phase I am in.

Hope changing your meds will get rid of the dizziness-that must be very unsettling. I like your idea of a larger meal at lunch time. Especially now when it’s so hot-I’d be happy with cheese and fruit for dinner but my husband not so much!

 

[Zhoen]

not far from Annapolis) one night I'll eat at a place called Mike's which is on the drive from the hotel to the building and sits on a little inlet, so great decks right on the water...

I know this place! Went on a really awkward date there once!

As a local, and married to a Texan who hates all seafood, I rarely go to any of the waterfront places... just too pricey (and he whines the whole time about the "fishy" smell while he eats his kajillion dollar steak...) I also don't eat crabcakes Those are for tourists (and you'll never convince me that soft-shell crabs are anything other than a cruel joke we made up to torture tourists!) So, I'll bring a bushel of steamed crabs and teach y'all how to eat them... but we'll go down on the lawn, too messy for the deck! I love watching people's faces when they hear the shells rip open for the first time, and then you tell them they have to scoop the guts out! Always hilarious, even if they end up enjoying it in the end, which is kind of a 50/50 thing...

However, I *have* pinned a recipe for "poor man's crabcakes" which is basically a zucchini fritter made with old bay seasoning... Going to try that soon when my squash start coming in and I'll give you guys a review!

So dinner will be a little struggle.

Remember the crock pot is your friend! And give yourself some wiggle room for drive-thru...the Wendy's Strawberry salad with grill chicken is reasonable nutrition-wise, and super yummy! Home-bbq chicken chilled and packed in a cooler with watermelon! Anything else you can think of that is good cold... it will be hot sitting out there at those games. Remember your water and sunscreen!

And speaking of water... yeah yesterday I totally blew it... gonna have to start over tomorrow. In my defense, I *DID* pack bottled water for myself and my crew for our beach day yesterday, but in all the confusion, everybody else drank it! Yeah, gatherings with my family are always a bit of a cluster. Once of my nieces showed up late after the park was at capacity... AND she had the paper plates (clever me, I brought my own little picnic set, but it's for 4, not 10...) In the end, I was able to rent a campsite that was a last-minute cancellation, and then they HAD to let her into the park, and that section of the island is less crowded. So it all worked out, except that while I was working it out, I wasn't there defending my cooler, and not only did all my water get ganked, but someone (Sis!) put stuff back in a weird way all the food I brought got ruined...

So my self-care for today is a day off. From everything. We got drive-thru fried chicken on the way home from the beach, and just had the last of it cold for brunch. Not sorry! In order to get the campground yesterday, I had to rent it for 2 nights, so I may-or-may not go back there today/tonight... no decision yet. It's the closest thing to options and spontaneity I've had since the lockdown, and I'm savoring having a choice!

 

[Oneanne]

My self care today is to take it slow and read more of the book I just started yesterday, I haven't been able to get going on any of the non-fiction in the to-be-read pile, so I started a novel and it seems like it will be a fast read. I did one of the bigger chores yesterday and if I get one more done today I'll call it good, not the four I had planned but still enough.

The temps have gotten quite high here and will continue for the next couple days, high enough that it really feels like summer, the long lazy part of summer. The do nothing part of summer. I'm down for that.

 

[sjrec]

I know this place! Went on a really awkward date there once!

As a local, and married to a Texan who hates all seafood, I rarely go to any of the waterfront places... just too pricey (and he whines the whole time about the "fishy" smell while he eats his kajillion dollar steak...) I also don't eat crabcakes Those are for tourists (and you'll never convince me that soft-shell crabs are anything other than a cruel joke we made up to torture tourists!) So, I'll bring a bushel of steamed crabs and teach y'all how to eat them... but we'll go down on the lawn, too messy for the deck! I love watching people's faces when they hear the shells rip open for the first time, and then you tell them they have to scoop the guts out! Always hilarious, even if they end up enjoying it in the end, which is kind of a 50/50 thing...

However, I *have* pinned a recipe for "poor man's crabcakes" which is basically a zucchini fritter made with old bay seasoning... Going to try that soon when my squash start coming in and I'll give you guys a review!


Remember the crock pot is your friend! And give yourself some wiggle room for drive-thru...the Wendy's Strawberry salad with grill chicken is reasonable nutrition-wise, and super yummy! Home-bbq chicken chilled and packed in a cooler with watermelon! Anything else you can think of that is good cold... it will be hot sitting out there at those games. Remember your water and sunscreen!

And speaking of water... yeah yesterday I totally blew it... gonna have to start over tomorrow. In my defense, I *DID* pack bottled water for myself and my crew for our beach day yesterday, but in all the confusion, everybody else drank it! Yeah, gatherings with my family are always a bit of a cluster. Once of my nieces showed up late after the park was at capacity... AND she had the paper plates (clever me, I brought my own little picnic set, but it's for 4, not 10...) In the end, I was able to rent a campsite that was a last-minute cancellation, and then they HAD to let her into the park, and that section of the island is less crowded. So it all worked out, except that while I was working it out, I wasn't there defending my cooler, and not only did all my water get ganked, but someone (Sis!) put stuff back in a weird way all the food I brought got ruined...

So my self-care for today is a day off. From everything. We got drive-thru fried chicken on the way home from the beach, and just had the last of it cold for brunch. Not sorry! In order to get the campground yesterday, I had to rent it for 2 nights, so I may-or-may not go back there today/tonight... no decision yet. It's the closest thing to options and spontaneity I've had since the lockdown, and I'm savoring having a choice!

Yes, let’s whack a bushel of crabs! It’s always fun to initiate newbies to a crab feast!
We’re getting a nice breeze on our deck, I think it would be worth heading back to your camp site. Plenty of good places to get dinner-is Stephen Decatur Rd. by the airport too far for you? We love a barbecue place on that road-and it has the best smoked tuna spread. We’re in north OC but it’s worth the drive.

 

[Summer2018]

Ordinarily I would be in the pool on a hot sunny day, but today the air quality is unhealthy. We are having a heat-wave where I live. So I'm taking a break and staying in the air conditioning today. DD and I are watching Disney movies that we haven't seen yet. Once DD got to middle school, we stopped seeing the cartoon Disney movies in the theater. We just finished "The Princess and the Frog" (love love love). which came out when she was 12, and just started "Hercules" which came out the year she was born. If we have time, we will watch "Brave" later. We have Disney on the brain because two years ago, we arrived at the Polynesian for our 25th wedding anniversary trip.

 

[PollyannaMom]

However, I *have* pinned a recipe for "poor man's crabcakes" which is basically a zucchini fritter made with old bay seasoning... Going to try that soon when my squash start coming in and I'll give you guys a review!

Ooooh, please do! They sound yummy.

 

[sjrec]

Ordinarily I would be in the pool on a hot sunny day, but today the air quality is unhealthy. We are having a heat-wave where I live. So I'm taking a break and staying in the air conditioning today. DD and I are watching Disney movies that we haven't seen yet. Once DD got to middle school, we stopped seeing the cartoon Disney movies in the theater. We just finished "The Princess and the Frog" (love love love). which came out when she was 12, and just started "Hercules" which came out the year she was born. If we have time, we will watch "Brave" later. We have Disney on the brain because two years ago, we arrived at the Polynesian for our 25th wedding anniversary trip.

What a lovely example of self care!
Summer2018, my daughter and I did this when she was home one year with mono over Christmas break from college! I loved Hunchback of Norte Dame. I need to watch several I missed before my grandson got old enough to watch movies-I’ve never seen Wall-E or Up. Great idea for these hot days!

 

[MickeyMom76]

Thanks for all the meal plan suggestions everyone! All great tips! I’m planned and went shopping for the week. On the meal plan for this week is @sjrec crab cakes and @Zhoen the bbq chicken is already made . I asked my husband to grill extra chicken with dinner 2 nights ago so I could have grilled chicken on my salad every day for lunch this week. I’m a creature of habit...just need to get back to those good eating habits! The bad habits have taken over for long enough!!!

 

[MickeyMom76]

What’s motivating you this week?

We have 2 weeks left in July and sadly I’m not near reaching my goal yet! But I saw this quote and it spoke to me. It’s never too late! I started yesterday eating better. But I know I started that a couple times throughout the last few months. So my goal is to stick to my meal plan trough this whole week. Motivation is its still not too late to reach my monthly goal of losing 5 pounds! Even if it’s losing the 5 pounds from going to the beach & camp.

 

[4Mickeys]

I need this to be my motivation this week - I indulged in some emotional chocolate eating today - just when I saw the scales move down - I ate in a way to sabotage my loss and in the long run it won't help me. So I am resetting myself ready for the week to think of fueling my body and finding other ways to take care of my emotions Had a reminder of why I need to get serious about looking after myself - DD came home this afternoon and told me her best friend's mother has just found out she has breast cancer and has some surgeries ahead of her - and possible other treatment I imagine

 

[sjrec]

I want to stay active these next two weeks even though it’s hot. I need to get out earlier before it gets too uncomfortable. Also have to be mindful about snacking.

Going home today so will do some meal planning and shop tomorrow.

 

[MickeyMom76]

View attachment 511884

I need this to be my motivation this week - I indulged in some emotional chocolate eating today - just when I saw the scales move down - I ate in a way to sabotage my loss and in the long run it won't help me. So I am resetting myself ready for the week to think of fueling my body and finding other ways to take care of my emotions Had a reminder of why I need to get serious about looking after myself - DD came home this afternoon and told me her best friend's mother has just found out she has breast cancer and has some surgeries ahead of her - and possible other treatment I imagine

Sorry to hear about DD friend’s mother.

 

[PollyannaMom]

@4Mickeys, that's an excellent quote! And best thoughts to your DD's friend's family.

What’s motivating you this week?

I have my yearly physical appointment on Wednesday, so I'm focusing on not being stressed. I'm not good with anything medical to begin with, all the coronavirus precautions only make it worse, and I don't want my blood pressure to appear artificially high out of nerves.

On a lighter note, the cats have been providing plenty of motivation (in the form of meowing loudly) for me to get outside in nature early every morning.

 

[Oneanne]

That's my motivation for this week... to not add sugar to it. I also had a very chocolaty weekend, which is strange because I have not been attracted to chocolate at all lately. But I made up for that and then some. So this week is going to be working my way back to doing the right things and making a success out of the remainder of the month.

Friday I have a hair appointment at an actual hair salon, I've been going to a barbershop, but decided I wanted to start doing the salon experience again. Other than that this week is going to be about doing the little things and enjoying the long lazy days.

 

[Summer2018]

@4Mickeys, that's an excellent quote! And best thoughts to your DD's friend's family.



I have my yearly physical appointment on Wednesday, so I'm focusing on not being stressed. I'm not good with anything medical to begin with, all the coronavirus precautions only make it worse, and I don't want my blood pressure to appear artificially high out of nerves.

On a lighter note, the cats have been providing plenty of motivation (in the form of meowing loudly) for me to get outside in nature early every morning.

I feel your pain. My blood pressure rises as soon as I enter the doctor's office, sometimes even driving there. (TBH, sometimes I wonder if my high blood pressure diagnosis is BS.). The last time I went, I played a relaxation CD as I drove to the office, and then I found a YouTube video of ocean waves crashing on the shore. I brought ear buds, and I watched it in the waiting room. I also smiled a lot which probably made me look wacky, but smiling lowers your blood pressure, so I did it. By the grace of God, my blood pressure was normal for the first time in a doctor's office. I plan on doing the same when I go in August for my annual physical. My weight loss should also help. The one thing that my dental appointments has done for me is to get used to the new procedures, and I don't think that will freak me out as much as it did on my first visit. Let us know what time your appointment is so that we can all send you good vibes.