Yuck!

Wow have I felt terrible the last few days! Starting to feel a bit more normal today, although still crampy.

I feel like my experiment in 16:8 will be kind of inconclusive—I had thought it was the cause of my constipation, but maybe that was due to PMS? Resolved without any switching up of diet, at any rate. 

Exercise-wise, I am trying to keep on keeping on, doing arm work with dumb bells and that sort of thing, and basically leaving my core out of it this week. Very difficult to feel motivated to do anything. Managed a walk yesterday, will try that again today. My schedule has me going for a run tomorrow morning, but not sure I’ll feel up to it. Don't want to be anywhere but home. 

Which reminds me I’m supposed to be volunteering tomorrow night… ugh, at least it is basically standing around followed by sitting around. Hoping things have settled by then.

The TMI Post

Well, it's been a week of 16:8 intermittent fasting, and the only effect I have really noticed is that I am constipated. Yesterday, for my first meal of the day at noon, I opted for a favourite that can usually be relied upon for the hoped-for result—oatmeal porridge with dried apricots, sunflower seeds, and molasses. And a pot of strong black coffee.

No luck.

Thinking I might go back to the 2:5 version as that has worked for me in the past, with no ill effects.

In other TMI news, I seem to have gotten my period, which is very unlike me. I had a bit of spotting a couple of weeks ago—now it occurs to me, timing-wise, could that have been ovulation spotting? Ugh I have no need to ovulate. Whatever.

Anyway today I am crampy and bloated and uncomfortable. Went for a run; didn't even make 4k because aside from feeling blecch, one of the seams on my tights started rubbing me the wrong way and it was just all around unpleasant. Ugh.

At least I have been keeping up with my mini workouts four times a week. 

I was hoping to go for a bike ride this afternoon, but we'll see what my belly has to say about that I guess. I have been gearing up for biking season (literally) with new shorts, new horn, new gloves, a tune-up and new chain, and a new cup holder (a birthday present from my wonderful son)! New shoes have been ordered, and I'm working on a pattern for a cycling dress with all of the features of a cycling jersey - rear pockets, technical fabrics—but cute instead of ugly (kind of like the shoes - although not “officially” a flat cycling shoe, they have the features of one—room for toes, grippy soles, snug secure fit with some support). I'm going to order some fabric called “chitosante” which is made using a fibre from crab shells, and is supposed to have great properties for wicking as well as being odour-resistant. I hope it lives up to its advertising!

Well that's something

Super stressful day of bsd news and subsequent panic attack, getting home at 10 pm after a volunteer gig I was not in the mood for, really tempted to stop at the corner store for treats on the way home, but the stupid 16:8 fasting kept me from it. Which is the main purpose of the fasting for me, so calling it a win?

3 weeks to go!

 That 10k is just around the corner!

It's been an incredibly stressful time here, as my kid is off to a third world country for two weeks just as the pandemic is ramping up again, and with a war on. Thank goodness they aren't changing planes in Europe st least. All of the vaccines were procured and prophylactic medications taken (if anti vaxxers think covid is rough, I guess they've never travelled internationally?)

But I am trying to make the most of it. No excuse not to run mornings if I'm not chasing him off to school, no reason not to mix up my food habits if he isn't tempting me with pringles and ice cream.

So, I have decided to make an effort to eat less bread (after an Easter weekend of panettone and hot crossed buns), and try 16:8 intermittent fasting. I've done 2:5 before, and it was good for me once I got into it, but easy to say, "this week I can't because..." 

But again, I'm alone now, no excuses. If nothing else it will stop the late night run to the corner store for treats. 

I also got a free week of Hello Fresh deliveries, so starting that today. It's 3 meals for 2, so 6 meals for me. Tonight is spinach salad with blackened barramundi (for all the hot sauce and cajun spice, it was very bland). A lot of the choices were super stodgy (cheesey mashed potatoes, rice, pasta) which is certainly a cheap way for them to fill up the box, but I'm trying something different so chose "carb smart" options. Wasn't very impressed with the menu options generally, though. We'll see. It's free and it's different anyway. 

In other news, I have kept up with doing 15 minute mini workout sessions 4 times a week since signing up for a Strava challenge about 6 weeks ago. So that is something? And I had a good no-walk-breaks 5k last week. 

And I've got some friends to commit to reminding me to take my vitamins since I forget when the kid isn't here. And friends to hang out with. The pandemic has been really lonely for me, and not having my kid makes it harder. I'm fostering a semi-feral cat, so not 100% alone, but the cat doesn't talk much. 

Hoping for a good two weeks and not just moping missing my kid!

Blarg

Ok screw that new medication, it was making me feel worse instead of better. Had a rough few days after stopping it, but starting to see the other side now.

Managed a 5k run this morning - with some walking in the middle! In part because I had accidentally turned off the sound on my phone. I like the little announcement every km telling me how far I've gone. 

I tend to set my alarm for 6:45 and then lie in bed until the news at 7, and sometimes sleep through it... today I told myself, "you can stretch while you're waiting for/listening to the news." Started stretching before I got out of bed! And that really helped to get me going. Finding ways to work with my existing habits really helps, I find.

I also tried something new today - my neighbourhood is hilly, and you can't get very far without encountering traffic lights etc. So today, I just kept going generally downhill, route largely determined by manageable crossings at busy streets, until I hit 5km. Then, I walked to the nearest bus stop, and took the bus home.

Boy, did I feel a lot colder when I got off the bus than when I got on! And a lot stiffer, yikes. Still need to stretch more. Live and learn...

First ride of the year!

First ride since it snowed! December 17 was my last ride - 10 weeks ago! Yikes. My legs are still sore from Wednesday's run (when will I learn to stretch?) so this was a good low-impact way to get things moving without over-stressing the same muscles. And nice to be out on the road! I miss that feeling!

(Lack of) Progress Pics

I went for a run this morning! First in many months. It felt good! Temperature was -1°, so a little bit icy in spots, but a great temperature for me. I swear this run - after months of winter inactivity - was easier than any run I went on last summer/fall. I chalk that up to a combination of climate (the heat and humidity kill me, running without sweating is bliss) and iron levels (last summer my ferritin was 3 or 4, now it's up to 13). Amazing the difference eating meat makes! Or eating more meat I should say; I was never vegetarian, but wasn't making the effort to eat meat every day. 

Anyway, I haven't been good about taking progress pics, but thought today would be a good day, to correspond with my first run of the year.