July goals and being mindful

Wow was it cold overnight!  It was 48 degrees 😯   What a way to start July!  I decided to try to sleep in as much as I was able to and got up around 7.  I was going to go for a run, but with a high of 70 or so, I figured I would go later and enjoy.  That meant brekkie time!

Custard style banana cream of wheat topped with almond butter and preserves.

Since it was so cold, this bowl was extra yummy!   I then got an early start with work as I like to do on Thursdays.

Pubsgal asked yesterday how long it takes me to do my strength workouts.  While you all know how much I love my lifting, I don’t want to spend all day at the gym.  My strength workouts generally run between 35-45 minutes.  Yesterday was 45 because of the planks.  Those just add time to workouts because of the long hold times.  I rest for about a minute between sets and don’t dillydally around too much.

Lunch break was tuna with lemon pepper and a veggie egg roll (Kahiki brand and only 70 calories!).

And a golden kiwi!

I’ve never had one of these before.  It was sweet and almost tasted like a banana.  The texture was softer as well.  I definitely prefer the regular old kiwi, but this was fun.

Yesterday I did my wrapup for June and did pretty well for the month.  Here is what I have on tap for July:

  • Continue with at least 1 no-added sugar day a week.  This actually isn’t that hard, I have to say.
  • An 80-mile bike ride.  Gonna do at least that one, and likely finish out the 100 as well.  Kind of need to get that done so we can get back to normal biking 😀  Eeeep!!
  • Big challenge – I am not going to step on the scale for 30 days.  I weighed myself this morning and that is it for the month.  This goes along with the next item.
  • Really practice mindful eating and mindful being.  Funny how I like that term better than intuitive eating, and I listened to the 2 fit chicks podcast today and they called it the same thing!  Of course, I need my Lori rules for it, and I will explore those over the course of the month.  I am going to track calories, but more from the ‘what I ate’ standpoint than planning it out.

I have this book out to read as well:

So, those should be fun 😀  I am going to do a separate post on the whole IE/ mindful eating thing.  I started writing it in this post, but it really needs its own (and then people who are just here for food pics can skip that one!).

Snack time!  I had a latte and a couple dates:

After finishing up work, I decided to go out for a run.  I had half of a Luna bar to get a little extra fuel.

Even though I wasn’t hungry, I knew that I would need something to have enough energy for the run.  Still not sure how that really fits in with honoring one’s hunger, but that’s another post.

My run was really good.  This is about the most comfortable I have felt since before I hurt my back.  I don’t know why, but I’ll take it.  I did 3 miles and have no idea of the pace because I had walked to the post office before hitting the track and didn’t bring a watch.

Pretty happy when finished.  It was so breezy that my hair didn’t get totally matted with sweat, which is always a bonus.

I was hungry at that point, so I finished the other half of the Luna bar while fixing dinner:

In a mindful eating mode, I decided to only start with half a pear, as I thought a whole one might be too much since I had a sweet potato (topped with chicken and BBQ sauce).  I was correct about that – so go me!

It’s a chilly evening.  I am blogging from the front porch and John made cafe au lait for us.  We both have jackets on.  Is it really July??

More what’s blooming tomorrow, and probably an extra post on IE/ME.

Question:  Have you ever stepped away from the scale?

26 thoughts on “July goals and being mindful

  1. debby

    Well, you already know what I think haha! This will be interesting. I saw that book when I was looking around for a book. It will be fun to compare/contrast info. Jill ordered another book that sounds interesting so that will be three of us reviewing three different books.

    I don’t think I’ve stepped away for a month, but I am holding out right now. I also know my weight is up right now, so not that hard to stay away…

    But when I lost a lot of weight way back when, I didn’t have a scale at all. So I know it can be done.
    .-= debby´s last blog ..The Journey =-.

  2. Lisa

    I only weigh myself once a month. I was getting really obsessed with the scale and it was become unhealthy for me. Once a month keeps me in check and I can correct behaviors quickly. Unless I go nuts I’m not gonna gain 50 pounds in 30 days! 😉

    MindFul eating is hard for me. I’m getting much better at it but I still count my calories. That works for me.
    .-= Lisa´s last blog ..Hating Your Body =-.

  3. Shelley B

    I have stepped away from the scale many times…it was just getting depressing, not seeing the numbers move for so long. Now I’m ok with weighing a couple times a week, but if I get crazy again, back in the closet goes the scale!

    Glad you clarified the kiwi – I saw the picture and was thinking “what is wrong with her kiwi???” LOL

    I don’t think fuel for a workout or a run counts toward IE – it’s just something we need to give our bodies in order to complete the workout.

    Oh, and I can’t believe your weather! To go for a run and come back with your hair looking so pretty is a crime…it’s July!!! 😉
    .-= Shelley B´s last blog ..Wednesday Workout Update and New Bike Pictures- =-.

  4. Pubsgal

    Thanks for answering my question about how long it takes to do your strength workout! 35-45 minutes seems pretty reasonable.

    It’s funny. When I first used to see the term “intuitive eating,” I made a lot of assumptions about what that meant. Most of which were not accurate. 🙂 I really loved the 2 Fit Chicks podcast about it; I agree with their definition, too, as “mindful eating”. I think it’s mindful eating practiced to the point of it becoming one’s automatic response.

    I was wondering about the eating to fuel up for a workout when I’m not feeling hunger at that moment, too. I think that falls into the category of supporting what you know your body will need in order to do the things you want it to do during your workout. I think we have enough experience with exercise and eating to trust our choices there: we’re proactively honoring our “hanger.” 😉

    I haven’t stepped away from the scale during the past couple of years for very long, only when on vacation, pretty much. I thought I wasn’t attached to the numbers–that I truly view it as a tool, not a judgement–but the thought of going a whole month without one makes me feel a little twitchy inside. Curious!
    .-= Pubsgal´s last blog ..Race Report- Tri the Coast Sprint Triathlon Relay =-.

  5. Diane Fit to the Finish

    Your weather is amazing. It was cooler here too – only 72 in the morning and 90 in the daytime! 🙂 I have to admit I am still a daily weigh”er”. After all these years I don’t let the fluctuations bother me and can just use it as an accountability tool.
    .-= Diane Fit to the Finish´s last blog ..I Have a Bad History =-.

  6. april

    A 70 calorie egg roll?? How cool! I eat a lot when I’m not hungry- sometimes my stomach isn’t always the best at telling me when it needs energy!

  7. South Beach Steve

    I haven’t really stepped away from the scale, but I also don’t think I have the same issues with it that some people do.

    BTW, the pear slices look so good!

  8. Desert Agave

    I weigh daily right now, though I did recently take a week long break from the scale after a trip. My dietitian ordered me to. She said I’d almost certainly be up, so why upset myself. For the most part my daily fluctuations don’t bother me right now though. If I’m up half a pound but have been eating right, I just figure I’m retaining water or something.
    .-= Desert Agave´s last blog ..Believing in Impossible Things =-.

  9. John

    Good luck with your July goals! Now your inspiring to me for another reason…80&100 mile bike rides! I need to get biking 🙂

  10. Shelli Belly

    Feels like July to me. I’m melting in Hawaii. Atleast there is a cool breeze or a short spinkle to cool things down. When I left Alaska my toes were cold. Now I’m sweating just typing this.

    Love the fruit. I’m on a hunt for pineaple tomorrow.
    .-= Shelli Belly´s last blog ..Day 293 – A Tweet from Jillian =-.

  11. Leah

    I was seriously considering stepping away from the scale this month as well, but it still makes me nervous. Great minds think alike…. except you’re actually doing it.

    I’m looking forward to what you have to share on mindful eating/IE. 🙂

    July with a jacket on? My husband would be miserable…. 😛
    .-= Leah´s last blog ..Let Freedom Ring- – Day 4 =-.

  12. Fran

    I’m interested on your thoughts about mindful eating, so look forward to that post.

    I have never stepped away from the scale for more than 2 weeks or so. The scale doesn’t really influence my mood, not even at a gain, it’s just a number.
    I know when I’m doing things right or wrong and that influences the mood.

    An 80 mile bike ride? So impressed!

  13. Anonymous Fat Girl

    80 mile bike ride? You are such a fitness warrior! 🙂

    To answer your question, yes I have stepped away from the scale. It does not determine my mood or how I will eat today no matter what it says. It has taken me a very long time to get to this place, but I realize it’s just a piece of metal that takes a snapshot of that very moment. Best thing for me is to weight in every couple of weeks or month instead of obsessing like I used to multiple times per day.
    .-= Anonymous Fat Girl´s last blog ..I’ve joined the Green Monster Smoothie Movement =-.

  14. MB

    I’m so happy you had a good run. It seems to take forever to recover from an injury. Glad you’re getting back to full power now.

    The only time I’ve stepped away from the scale is when I was too afraid of seeing the numbers and not being able to deny how much weight I gained. I’m not even sure if my all time highest weight is correct because I was too scared to see the numbers higher than they already were. It’s just a wildly fluctuating number these days but luckily it’s heading in the right direction.

    Enjoy the cool weather and have a great weekend.

  15. Joanne

    Love the look and sound of that golden kiwi. I’ve never seen one before.
    Don’t you just reading books about nutrition and exercise? There are so many tips, tricks and various points of view. It is really helpful to gain as much knowledge as possible so you can make it all fit you and your lifestyle.

    As for the scale, I rarely weigh myself. It comes down to how I feel within myself and in my clothes. Mirror images are misleading. I think we all realize if some cutting back or increasing nutrition is necessary. It’s a matter of if one cares enough about themselves to do something.
    .-= Joanne´s last blog ..Orange Chicken Salad with Sweet Potato Croutons =-.

  16. Ari

    Oh boy. The first thought that popped into my head when I read your question was, “Holy cow, that sounds terrifying!” Sadly, I think that says it all. :-/ Hopefully one day I’ll be in the right place mentally to Step Away From the Scale!
    .-= Ari´s last blog ..Spectator-ing- and Muzak =-.

  17. Jody - Fit at 52

    I can’t wait to see how your July goals go, especially IE/ME. I definitely do the mindful eating BUT in conjunction with portion control & mini meals. I try to eat slower & pay attention to when I feel full.. giving it time. I also try to pay attention to when I am really hungry vs. when my mind is hungry! 🙂 I am actually taking a snip from one of your posts to talk about portion control & such next week so that may interet you since it comes from you making me want to talk about it! 😀

    Big congrats on the run!!!!

    As for not weighing myself.. no, never gone there. For me, I need both the scale & the clothes & especially since my bod has been doing crazy things during “this change”, I find I need both….
    .-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Recipes for July 4th- =-.

  18. michelle

    That looks like an interesting read – I will see if my library has it. I am reading Breaking Free from Emotional Eating right now and it’s really good.

    I am going to try to be just a weekly weigher (from being a daily weigher). Next time will be next Friday …

    Have a great weekend Lori!!!

Comments are closed.