Sat Jan 29, 2005

Health Group- week 33

I’ve been taking it easy this week, not only because of my injection on Monday, but because I’ve been sick. Right now, I’m hoping that the pain in my right ear doesn’t become an ear infection. I don’t need one of those.

My back is feeling really good, for the most part. I don’t think it’s going to hinder my exercise like the last injection did. So now, I’m just waiting for this illness to pass, then I’m gonna hit the treadmill and the weights.

I feel optimistic. I’m ready to get going again. The end of last year was difficult, and I’ve been stagnant for awhile. Now, I’m chomping at the bit.

I made the yummiest chili on Wednesday, and I experimented. I used cracked wheat instead of the ground turkey I would normally have used. I cooked the wheat in chicken broth first, then fried it up with onions and garlic as I would have with meat. Then I added everything else… 1 chopped bell pepper, 2 c cooked black beans, 2 cups cooked great northern beans, 2 29 ounce cans of diced tomatoes, 2 T chili powder, 1/2 tsp cloves, 1 tsp cumin, some tabasco, and cooked it for 30 minutes on a low simmer. Yum, yum, yum. The wheat didn’t taste like wheat, but added a fabulous texture. And I was loving the cloves. We had it with cornbread, which I would have tried making with soft white whole wheat flour, but since I was sick at the time, I didn’t.

How are you doing?

11 Responses to “Health Group- week 33”

  1. Barbara Says:

    Hi laura,

    Following our mail from this week, hereby follows my introduction.

    My name is Barbara, my nationality German but I was brought up in Portugal, I am 40 years of age, married, have 2 children (12 – Daniel + 6 – Susana). I work full time which is quite usual here as money is tight and everything is expensive (sure that Seattle is no different). my weight is 84kgs to a height of 1.67m (sorry but don’ know conversion)

    I lost my Mother to cancer 18 months ago and started an antidepressive and antianxiety treatment about that time and have put on much weight due to bereavement and the tablets.

    I am now trying to reduce weight as none of my clothes fit me and I feel unconfortable. My family also gives me a hard time. I am planning some stuff but will go into more detail on my next update.

  2. Jenny Says:

    Hi Laura! Last Saturday, I did 40 min of my usual on the treadmill, and Sunday I was able to bump it up a bit, both timewise (46 min) and speed. Then starting Monday I did nothing as I ran into asthma trouble. I called the Dr. Tues and got new medicine, which had me feeling better by Thursday, which was good, since I had jury duty! I didn’t do treadmill, but I estimate that I did over a mile of walking downtown on the jury lunchbreak, and walking home from the bus stop. Even though we had a two hour lunch break, and I was at a restaurant, I didn’t over do the food. I had half a sandwich and a cup of soup, along with a large pop. Hopefully, later today, I can get back on the treadmill.
    I hope you guys will be feeling better soon!

  3. Dani Says:

    I’m sorry to hear that your household is sick. I don’t know how we have dodged the bullet for so long. Usually all the kids get sick in December. Anyway, get well soon!

    I didn’t do much this past week. I’m still drinking my water, but I haven’t made it up to 64 oz/day yet. I did a 30-minute Classical Stretch workout on Tuesday, but that was it for exercise. This coming week my goal is to exercise at least twice and drink at least 48 oz of water a day.

  4. Erin Says:

    Today, I loaded my daughter (16 months) into her Burley trailer, and we went for a BIKE RIDE!!! It was awesome. I am trying to get healthier, and if some weight is lost, that would be great. I am dealing with the post baby blues fat, and between thirty and fiftey pounds is my initial goal for weight loss.

    Thank you so much for having this. It is really going to help. Hoorah!

  5. Laura Says:

    Barbara- welcome to the group!

    Jenny- good job! I’m glad the treadmill is working out for you.

    Dani- good job on the water. Don’t you LOVE stretching? It feels so good.

    Erin- welcome! I’ve never used a Burley. Sounds great!

  6. Suzy Says:

    Hi Laura. I’m glad to hear that you’re injection is a bit easier to take this time around. Hope you’re all feeling better as well. We’re headed to the dr. tomorrow for my son…he was there two weeks ago and still isn’t feeling well. It’s been a rough winter for him.

    I’ve had a pretty good month as far as exercise goes. I’ve decided to make it my “job” to exercise at least 1 hour a day m-f. I’m shooting for 1.5 hours mon-fri. I haven’t lost weight, but I’m feeling awesome. I also started strength training this month and I think that has really made a difference in how my body feels. It’s little things that are encouraging me to continue fighting the good fight. Today it’s the fact that my bra is fitting better…lol

  7. Suzy Says:

    Geez..I forgot to metion that the chili sounds yummy!!! I’m going to make some tomorrow. Thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂

  8. Laura Says:

    I SO hear you on the bra thing. Mine isn’t fitting better, but I long for the day when it does. When I go shopping, have to get the biggest cup I can find, and I still poke out of it. Blah.

    Good job on the exercise. I’m glad it’s helping you to feel better. I can’t wait to get healthy so I can start again. I miss it.

  9. Katie Says:

    Hi Laura,
    Even though I “cheated” a couple of days this week of my diet, I still lost 3 lbs! I’m shocked, but I’m still exercising 3 days a week so I know that’s really helping. I’m not doing so good with the caffeine purge though – it’s such a social thing for me too so it makes it hard to say no when someone offers me a cup – I’m like, sure! Also, on the weekend there is no way my husband is drinking decaf… I’ve been drinking the decaf on weekdays though, and as soon as that bag’s done – no more daily morning coffee for me. I’ll just be able to get an occasional latte/mocha at the grocery store which is just about how I want it to be. 🙂
    Hope your family is feeling better soon!

  10. FYRKRKR Says:

    I’ve been absent from this weekly meeting for too long, and really missing it! It is funny how reporting in to a friendly group of ladies, most of whom I don’t know, really helps! Thanks, Laura for this wonderful addition to your site. I might as well admit right now there are no stars on my calendar recently either…

    For the past few weeks I’ve been working the Boat Show. That may not mean a lot to most of you, but for me, and my family, it consumes my life and most of the month of January, as Art & I both work in the boat industry. I can honestly say I FEEL like I have had the most strenuous, exhausting, torturous workout in my life, at least for the lower body. My legs and feet have NEVER hurt this badly and this is my 12th Seattle Int’l Show and I can’t say how many total “shows”. ANYWAY, PAIN, although I really can’t speak about GAIN or LOSS for that matter as this isn’t a SOLOFLEX commercial. Ha ha. I will say, I haven’t voluntarily walked that much in…22 years? Probably.

    As for diet … Duke’s Chowderhouse on Lake Union makes a fabulous Clam Chowder! They also make a great Lobster Chowder! Their sourdough bread is to die for! Their Seafood Chowder is OK, but I wouldn’t (didn’t) have it again and I don’t do Cajun so I didn’t have their Chicken & Corn Chowder. I guess I don’t need to explain why the scale didn’t budge a lot in spite of all my walking, do I? It was COLD out there in the tent in January, ladies…we had SNOW and HAIL and monsoons…OK, I’ll stop…but a salad just wasn’t going to cut it…honestly!!!

    (ahem) I have returned to sensible eating now that the show is over, but I badly twisted an already unhappy knee at the show so I am icing and hoping to resume working out this week.

    Jenny – I have asthma too – bad deal. Are you on Advair or Flovent/Serevent? I have allergy & exercise induced asthma & have run the gammut on the drugs and am always interested to hear what others have had work for them.

    Hmmm…bike riding…sounds delightful!!!

    P.S. BIG THANKS TO NATE!!! His help and contribution to my show made it special and really made me shine!!! Nate, you’re awesome and talented!

  11. Laura Says:

    Katie- wow, good job! Congratulations.

    Gayle darling- you poor thing. I sure hope your leg gets better.

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