Sleepless in a Chartruese Robe

I can't sleep. The bed was pre-warmed with the wonderful mattress warmer gifted by my parents as a hand-me-down. Q finally made it home and we got to have our ever religious "beer and pizza" night. Although, I enjoyed my pizza with a small serving of Chardonnay. I'm trying to cultivate a taste for wine. It may be slowly evolving, I can't really tell. I'm really a beer chic. 3 beers is good by me, after that it's just about getting drunk. Still young enough to make poor decisions, old enough to avoid making the life threatening or illegal ones at least.

So why can't I sleep? Discontent in the subliminal, you betcha. Not really the reason for my post though, at least not the intention. I just needed to redirect my thinking. While sitting in chartreuse fuzzy bathrobe, yes much like the one you are most likely imagining, hair tossled, glasses and slippers... you know the tan faux suede with fake fluff inside. They may sound/be cheap but they are by far the warmest and comfiest slippers I have had since I don't know when. You can keep yours, I'm sure your feet are cold too.

Speaking of slippers makes me wish for tea, and that wish is easily granted especially as chamomile tea is a wonderful thing for hapless people such as me (and you if you are reading this in the nocturnal hours). Going to put the kettle on...hang on one second. but only use your index and thumb ...


Alright, back again. You can let go now. Where were we? Oh yeah, sleepless in a bathrobe...ever wonder why it is when you go to bed at just the right time - it isn't like those other nights where you are going to bed an hour or two past the time you promised yourself so you could get that good nights rest because you have an early morning? That's usually what happens to me, I get distracted or to a place that I can't actually go to bed and then I miss that opportune bedtime but I can't make it up because my alarm is set to the mandatory latest time possible to roll over and face the cold, dark world of "too early to be human aka 4:30 am".

Here I sit, tea and bathrobe and slippers... and pinterest. Because when in doubt, Pinterest has the answer or is the answer. Care to see what I'm up to? Pop on over, you can find me at http://www.pinterest.com/alicia08/boards/
I'm off to the NeverNever Land of Late Night Pinterest.
Sweet Dreams!

Update

I have written the beginning of this post a couple of times. A lot has happened, so lets start at the beginning and try to see how it goes shall we?

Last fall, I became certified for Personal training and soon after landed a part-time gig. My current work situation was just not a good fit for me and I wanted more than training early in the mornings and a session at night. I started looking and with some encouraging from Q I looked into any openings in Milwaukee. BOOM! Came back with 3 options almost immediately and took one of them for full time. We moved to Milwaukee, which is not easy. I have been working but it doesn't seem to be that I am working hard enough as my full time status is being threatened to be cut back to part time. This could be perilous as I need the health benefits and I need the hours. Also, I am concerned that once I am bumped down to part time that I won't be able to come back to full time status or that they might just cut me or ... and this is the worse for me... I might have to quit.

So basically, my dream has also become a nightmare. Trust me I am none too happy and am concerned. However, sometimes these little growing pains are signals for change. Maybe this is actually a huge flashing red light and siren saying "WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" and that I need to grow some more even if it is unpleasant.

Pity party's are not pretty. Instead of cowering from obstacles, the best thing is to face them head on. A wise person once said,
"The answer is simple, 
the question is complicated."

My question of how do I keep my full time status has the potential to really become a twisted maze of guessing, self-doubt and anxiety. However, if I focus on what I know I need to do and not make excuses to avoid this nightmare. That is how I will conquer it.

Stressin'

I am definitely one of those type A people but I try to keep on the back burner. However, recently the smallest things have sent my blood boiling. I know why also. I am addicted to exercising. I have not gotten in my walks or elliptical circuits this whole week. This is mainly because I have been dosing myself with equal parts benadryl and hydrocortisone cream with a nightly ice pack lounge on the couch. This may sound strange but with a severe reaction to the lovely mosquito bites I got from a day/night out at the lake. It has taken time for me to recuperate which has led to noticeably higher levels of stress. I am very happy that my normal workout routine of evening walks can now be reinstated as of tomorrow. I did laundry and walked and danced today with minimal bite aggravation.

So word to the wise. Start rounds of ice packs, benadryl and bite cream "baths" sooner than as soon as possible to shorten the recuperation period and hopefully avoid unneeded stress.

(I'm stressing about doc visits - vision and girlie - along with the fact my absolute fav pair of jeans is gone for good. With a body like mine good jeans are like finding a needle in a haystack but ending in a very depressed me moping in front a ice-creamless freezer wishing it to appear.)

When I say I understand,... I really do.

I always say I understand how tough it can be. It is hard to finally look down at yourself, know that you are not happy but still not have the willpower to do anything. It is difficult to find the right first step to take so that you don't end up feeling like a failure and quitting before you really even get started. Then it is a whole different challenge to understand how you are to make yourself keep going without getting bored, overworked or worse - injured. When I say I understand all these, .... I really do. Because I feel like I let myself go - I let myself get to how I am today. Because I work all day and I don't always feel like it. Because sometimes getting started is the hardest first step to make, and it doesn't always go the way you envisioned. Everyday is a challenge. When I say I understand, .... I really do.

Today, though, was a break through of my own. Today I was not some supernaturally gifted fitness professional. Today I was a girl, walking a circuit with my little hand weights in search of the person I am under all these layers of laziness decisions. My first decision was to convince myself to squeeze in my workout before nightfall because I have a full schedule today. My second decision to change as quickly as possible as soon as I got back home so I couldn't change my mind. My third to actually walk out the door and start my circuit. Making my circuit (which is 1/2 mile) 4 times over to make up 2 miles, while switching from walking to jogging to walking again every 1/4 mile. My clincher today, making the full 2 miles.

I am sweaty, I am sore, but I am better for it.  It doesn't matter who you are or where you started. It just matters that you do. When I say I understand how difficult it is to drag yourself out there and finish what you started ... I really do. Because today was my struggle.

Fall down eight times, Get up nine.

Q (my wonderfully amazing fiance) and I have been gradually converting our eating habits and training habits. This alone makes me so proud, it is never an easy task changing what we eat. Our plan was not to take away everything we loved (P&B nites - aka Pizza and Beer nights) but to make small changes to our every day life.
1. I went through our grocery list and started there. First priority was to be sure that we got our fruits and veggies before others.
2. We ate fresh. Fresh fruits for snacks, fresh veggies (LOTS) with dinner). I strive for 3/4 plate of veggies but it ends up being half with 1/4 meat and 1/4 carbs.
3. We stuck to meal times. Breakfast in the morning (UGH - I hate eating in the morning). Because I have such a hard time with breakfast I sometimes make my classic Xpresso Shake - a coffee shake with protein supplement that is fortified and very similar to meal replacement shakes. Q rarely has a hard time eating in the morning, as long as he has his cereal he is good. Lunches are simple and usually leftovers. Dinners are a little different as I try to make enough to eat for that night and the next day for lunch. Or sometimes make enough to remake into something still good but still delish. Other times it is about trying to find the strength to leave some of the leftovers.  Always important, leave yourself leftovers. (4)

I have been going for walks, it started with 1/2 mile. Now I am up to 2 miles walking and jogging the last straightaway. Jogging the straight away is a little tough currently. I'm also trying to work in some strength training to tone.

Overall, I have to say I am so frustrated. 3 years ago I was running 6 miles and currently I cannot even run 1/2 a mile. This is what I chose and I am changing my mind. I screwed around for 2+ years, it's time for NO EXCUSES! And no matter how many times I feel I missed an opportunity, I will try - try - and TRY again. Because....

Memorial Day 2012 - Thank you

First and foremost, THANK YOU to all the men and women in the military for everything you have done and will do. So that I might be able to believe what I choose to believe, dream any dream and love my family. I appreciate all of you so that  across the country we may all have different opinions and belief systems. I nothing but the utmost respect for the sacrifices many of you have made and may have to make in the future. My parting thought is that may you and yours be blessed.

(image available through clker.com)

Finding my rhythm

Sleep is one of those consistent past times in my life that I have always loved. However, how much is too much and how much is not enough? Those mornings I wake up and feel completely rested leads to a day I feel on top my game. I love those days. However, sometimes I do things that get in the way of a good nights rest. That is why I did a little looking around and found what helps getting a better nights rest.

I'm a list person, but I found this information through the following article from the National Sleep Foundation.
http://www.sleepfoundation.org/article/sleep-topics/healthy-sleep-tips
Because I like lists, here are the pointers -
1. Have a specific time to get up and go to bed, keep it consistent even on weekends. - your body relies on consistency
2. Do the same relaxing activity the hour before you go to bed. - helps you wind down
3. Keep the bedroom - dim, quiet and comfy. - promotes peaceful sleep
4. Don't sleep with a lumpy pillow, or bed. - your body can't relax if is in an awkward position
5. Only water 2-3 hours before bed. - digesting food is work, make sure your body is done working for the day.
6. Exercise regularly, avoid right before bed.
7. Stay away from nicotine or caffeine. - revving your engine before bed is a bad idea.
8. Avoid alcohol before bed. - it's recommended however, even 1 beer sometimes makes me sleepy.

These are just general tips. I've already started working on the first one, and been doing pretty well (except for Friday movie nights). That along with the fact that 3 and 4 are automatics for me. I will have to work on numbers 2, 5, and 6. I can say with confidence that when I woke up early in the mornings to exercise I did feel like I slept better.

I'm hoping that finding this rhythm will help me get into other ones also. It's all about putting one foot in front of the other. Healthy living doesn't happen overnight.

For now, though, sweet dreams!