A Post a Day Keeps the Januaryitis Away

That's what I'm thinking. I'm writing every day this month just to see. Some of you may want to look away. It could get mesmerizing, oops, I might have meant, mortifying.

I weighed myself a few minutes ago and I was neither horrified nor satisfied! Which means I'm the same and that seems like a New Year Celebration right there. No damage! I am dancing in the form of walking lunges right now. Because, like it or not, January First is a good time to reinforce improvements.

January Pledges

• Write more.
• Read more.
• Laugh more. 
• Stop stressing out about people that you don't even like. Address and dismiss girl. They're fine where they are. Leave them there.
• But be nicer. Guess what? It's nice to be nice. Today was day one - Nice!
• Allow no doldrums this month. No, the sun probably won't shine, but who cares! Life is fantastic! The so-exciting-I-might-pee parts and the it's-Tuesday-and-I-get-to-watch-RHOBH parts. All good. 
• Deep as a puddle can be entertaining, but maybe only to you.
• Chubby and aged is prized in some cultures. You might want to move there! hehehe
• To fight sadness about the above, remember the lovely doctor that repeatedly hit on you during Pup's stay a couple of months ago. Took me until hit #3 to get it. #notverybright #somelikeityourway #itdidtakemymindoffwhatwashappening #deepasapuddle 
• See above and alleviate the #deepasapuddleitis you can have. Find meaning.
• With this thought, leave the hashtags to others. You are annoying more than just yourself.  :)
• Again, with this said, never give up your mad love for the emoticon. Some things are classic. Plonk!

It's a beginning. 

Gathering Moss

Transition.

Are you a lover of that word? Transition.

From thesaurus.com
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: change, often major
Synonyms: alteration, changeover, conversion, development, evolution, flux, growth, metamorphosis, metastasis, passage, passing, progress, progression, realignment, shift, transformation, transit, transmutation, turn, turning point, upheaval
Antonyms: beginning, conclusion, end, finish, introduction, sameness, stagnation, start

Do you love what it might mean? Mean for you? Mean in general? Mean for propulsion? Your propulsion?

I'm not alluding to any major change. Not truly. But of course yes, yes a bit. Change.

Because if you're not moving and changing, you're still. And being still could mean you're stuck. I know this isn't good. I know because I'm a veteran of being stuck. Therefore I've become very very good at kicking my own ass. You know, to get it moving.

I make that effort mostly because it's my nature. I make that effort because I do care to improve. I make that effort because change is not comfortable for me and I need to challenge that portion of me always or I'd just be at home with those I love and never venture out. Although, remarkably, I've done many many things in my past and those that know me may have thought, "Oh! That took some balls." Maybe they thought that.

So hallelujah! Thank goodness that something pushes me. It might be me. It might be circumstance. It might be desire. It might be necessity. Yes! Yes, and yes is my favorite word.

Our little Calvin. Sleep peacefully forever now little dude. Smooches and I will miss your annoying ass. 

What Foods Are Primal/Paleo?

White fish via the Dominican Republic. Not popcorn. I wouldn't mind sneaking this into a theatre though.

I frequent Paleo Hacks and Mark's Daily Apple  for a lot of my help with eating the Primal and Paleo way.

I do a combo of these two philosophies; a mash up.

For example:

• I use heavy cream in my morning coffee - many Primeos (like that? - no?) eschew dairy altogether. I kinda live for my morning coffee so this wasn't going to happen. Nope.
• I love Mark Sisson's 80/20 rule. Which basically means, "Hey, you're a human being and you're going to want a glass of whiskey from time to time. With a splash of ginger ale." How can Mark see me? He's a super-hero, that's how.
• Not all of my meat is from a grass-fed source. Some of it. Not all of it.
• I haven't entirely made the switch up to organic either. I'm picking my battles.

And movie popcorn is an indulgence I am loath to give up. 

Here's what Mark says:

Popcorn is not Primal, but it’s not the worst snack you can have. If you’re buying at a movie theater, make sure they pop it in coconut oil and add real butter (not butter-flavored soy oil). If you’re doing it at home, use a good pot with ghee or coconut oil. And stay away from microwaved popcorn at all costs.

I love going to the movies. I love getting a small popcorn and eating it during the previews. Having to leave that all behind to be Primeo would break my heart. I'm putting this in my 20 column and calling it a day. 

I have found a chi chi movie theatre that uses everything good and that's where I'll be watching.

BTW - has anyone seen Silver Linings Playbook? I want to own this movie it was that good. I went right home and bought a lot of the music from the soundtrack as well.

Check out this link for an at-a-glance reference of basic Primeo foods: Basic Food List

Get your Grok on!

The Kickoff

It's Super Bowl Sunday!

I'm kinda excited about seeing Beyonce sing at halftime today. I shouldn't admit that. She is fascinating!

We opted to not have anyone over (just a couple of friends) for the game. Pup is busy with work this time of year and has to hunker down in his office most of the day although he would have been a willing participant.

We had company last weekend and I'm still recovering because I'm . . . I'm . . . oh hell I'll say it. I'm in a down place at the moment.

No damn reason for it. Except I live in Minnesota and it is dark for a good portion of the day and it's been gloomy for days and I might veer towards down times here and there. More here than there at the moment.

I am climbing out from this down place.

My friend Alli McBeal reminded me I have a tanning bed and to get my ass in there for a recharge. She's right! It helps beat the blues since I can't live in Mexico for the entire winter season. Although I swear I will someday. Love you Mexico.

FitFluential plan for the day is a little work, a little working out, some game and commercial watching, and a little cooking.

Here comes the sun.

Supplements for Complients

Or something?

I take a lot of supplements.

sidebar - holla Vitacost.com!

But I have a hard time taking them. I forget. I procrastinate. I ignore. I gag.

Blech . . .

I want to take them. I have spent money on these bad boys. I have obviously decided I need these. I have millions - well at least dozens - of reasons to take these.

So why don't I?

What do y'all do to take your supplements. Tricks? Tips?

Right now I scoop them all out and plop them into a zipper baggy. Then I tuck it where I am. In my handbag, in my tote bag, on my desk, on the kitchen island, in the bathroom.

Some days I win. Some days they win.

Ideas needed!

When I've had to give pills to George (dog) I cover them with peanut butter. Hmm . . . I may be on to something.

Looking for Help in All the Right Places

I am in a funk.

I want to post details. I better not post details. Believe me when I say the details are not interesting.

But the funk it leaves behind is. Interesting. Or at the very least, a tool. Learning tool.

I'm kinda puzzling through it this early morning right along with you dear grokker. Or dear mocker. ;)

So, I am pushing through. I think I am? I am! The sugar of yesterday becomes the resolve of today?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I was doing some reading this morning about cravings and resolve and depression and how biology affects these seemingly willpower-based behaviors. Kinda amazing how damaged internal systems will spiral our bodies into an even more damaged state. I can see that these things are not a simple fix.

Leptin resistance and adrenal compromise seem to be key in all of this. My insomnia and cravings seem to be only symptoms of a bigger problem. I have flirted with all of this in the past, but have not taken most of it seriously enough. I think it may be serious. You'd think just the insomnia would be incentive enough!

I am researching a local resource to help me as wading through all of this information is a bit overwhelming!

I am looking for the start. It isn't as easy as you'd think.

This plant seems representative in a way today. This is my cat's contribution to the decor. He seems to need some greens!

Summer

Poutine - eh - damn Canadians

Minnesota State Fair

Now that summer is nearly over it's time to assess.

1. busy summer - yes
2. many less than stellar choices regarding fitness and nutrition - check
3. workout schedule abandoned - check
4. helping parents top priority - check
5. hanging out in cool little/big town - check
6. happy nearly always - check
7. still loving coffee - check
8. managing to fit in some incredibly fun events  - check
9. which included buying a camper - check

Alright! Not so bad.

While going to the fair is a questionable item in the fitness world, it can mark a beginning on the calendar. Fall is considered by many to be a beginning.

• school is starting
• the new Vogue is here (haven't cracked into it yet) - my mailman must hate me
• temps will be falling - yes - eventually
• cleaning - yes - eventually
• organizing fitness schedule

I will eat some Poutine today and a Pronto Pup or two, but I will walk miles and think about the fall plan.

What is your fitness plan for fall?

If I Knew How to Get There . . .

. . . I wouldn't have to ask.

Another one of my phrases I may have heard somewhere, but I don't know where; so I claim it as my own. Yes, it's mine. I gave birth to it. I pushed that out. I need a push-present. A push-present for writing! Brilliant!

The phrase means a lot to me. I believe in lifelong learning. Without it I'd still be thinking that mall-bangs are a good idea. They were never a good idea!

So, along with all the nutritional and health research I do, I've stumbled on a new idea for my chronic insomnia. Seems there is a link with liver problems and insomnia. Una qué sorpresa enorme!

When I was seven years-old I contracted hepatitis.  My memory of the whole event is being told I got sick because I didn't wash my hands thoroughly enough after peeing. I was a weird little kid and nearly washed off my skin thereafter. And having hepatitis compromised my liver a little bit.

When I was 18 years-old I caught mononucleosis. Romantically called "the kissing disease." I was an incredibly healthy young woman and kicked it in about three weeks. I do remember the doctors being a bit surprised. But again, my liver was mentioned as having a few "down" spots. I never really paid much attention.

So I'm doing some reading the other day and, just as a BTW moment in the book, it is thrown out there that liver issues cause insomnia.

Holy Hannah.

I started jumping for joy; which is a bit over-reactive, but insomnia will do that to people! Ha!

I'm beginning a quest to detoxify my liver. I have a bad feeling pinot noir won't be involved. Sad!

Here is the list of things to try so far. The first thing is my diet may be too acidic.

• juice wheat grass (this one makes me want to poke out my eyes with hot sticks)
• green juices (what the hell are these?)
• tissue acidity equals toxicity
• alkaline water in glass bottles
• exercise

I'll report back!