Weekly update, 5/5/09

Feliz Cinco de Mayo! It's been rainy in my corner of the world, which is a bit unusual for May. Luckily it stayed dry enough to run yesterday morning...after days of gray, I sure didn't feel like going, but I went. We had a good friend come over for dinner on Saturday, and Sunday was the marathon Red Wings vs. Ducks hockey game. Sadly for us, the Wings lost at the start of the 3rd overtime.

Thing 2 and I enjoyed a "puddle walk" on Sunday afternoon, much needed after being cooped up in the house. How did she get so much splash out of such small puddles? She also collected snails and handed them to me. I think I had about 20 twining over my hands and making their way up my jacket. We piled them on the grass next to an old rose tree between our yard and the neighbor's, where they untangled themselves and started oozing for cover. I feel kind of torn about snails: they're cute (albeit slimy), but they can wreck havoc on a garden. Most of our plants are snail resistant, but they keep chomping down my broccoli sprouts and eating the strawberries. The things we do to make kids happy....

Last Friday, I exercised my "social muscle" (vs. my "resistance muscle" or my *cough* "spinning muscles" like I'd planned) and went to lunch with co-workers. I have no regrets (except, maybe, picking up an order for Mr. Handsome-and-Handy to enjoy for dinner). (Which is why I started doing more workouts at lunchtime.) We went to the fabulous "Piccadilly Catering" and were served the best fried chicken I have ever eaten, lovingly prepared by Pam the Funktress (who's also a local DJ). It was better than bacon...AND chocolate. I was also delighted by the fresh green salad: mixed greens, cucumber, and tomato, with the dressing served on the side (without one having to ask for it that way). Hmmm...is ordering fried chicken with a side of salad sort of like having a diet coke with a cheeseburger and fries? ;-)

Speaking of less-than-optimally-healthy food, want a visual on how much sugar is in a pint of Ben & Jerry's (and other foods)? Check out "Sugar Stacks". (Ice cream is under the Dessert link).

Progress last week

7-day blood glucose average: 97 (met goal of less than 120)
7-day fasting average: 94 (met goal of less than 120, 100% of days)
Weight goal: +.8 lb (did not meet goal of maintain or lose)

Food goals:
- Consumed 8 meatless, low-fat meals and 0 fish meals. (met meatless meal goal; missed fish meal goal)
- Met goal of 30 grams of fiber or greater 4/7 days last week.
- Met coffee goal 3/5 week days. (not so good)

Exercise goals:
Met goal of 30 minutes/day for 4 out of 5 days. Did 1 run and 1 half-runs, one swimming workout, and one walk. Missed spin class and strength by 1 workout (made my BodyPump class, missed my home workout).

Misc. goals: Got adequate sleep all but one night. I didn't always brush and floss right after dinner, but will leave that on the goal list.

Goals for this week

7-day blood glucose average goal and fasting numbers: below 120.
Weight goal: Maintain or make progress toward goal.

Food goals:
- 4 or more meatless, low-fat meals and 2 or more fish meals.
- Keep the good coffee habit going on week days: 1 coffee/day, with 2T fat-free half-and-half and 1/4-1/2 cup almond milk. Switch to tea and plain water after that first cup.
- Track fiber. Minimum 30 grams fiber/day and work up to consuming 50 grams fiber/day. (Include both insoluble and soluble sources.)

Exercise goals:
Minimum of 30 minutes of workout 5 days/week. Workout to include at least 1 bike, 1 run, and 1 swim per week, plus 2 strength training per week.

Misc. goals:
- 7 or more hours sleep/night.
- Brush and floss teeth right after dinner!