weight loss journey

atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Google Books?

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While I was using my desk peddler, I was thinking of other places where I could sell my work and a post in one of the many writing groups I’m in reminded me that Google has a self publishing platform. I don’t know why I never did so before but I’m going to set up an account there; since D2D doesn’t partner with Google.

But as for this workout and the fact I’ve been pretty good about doing 50 squats at least once a day, my legs are the best kind of sore. I know I seem to be pretty focused on cardio and lower body with only a few minutes on upper body but I am trying to get my stomach trimmed down. Yes, the long range goal is to be healthy and strong but while I was cleaning out old clothes to ship to ThreadUp, I saw a bunch of summer dresses that are so fucking cute and I would LOVE to be able to fit into them and wear them out and about. Perhaps it’s shallow but there’s also the element of I already spent money on clothes I’m not wearing and that bothers me.

Tomorrow I discuss my blood work results with my doctor and I’ll be honest that I’d gotten the results from the lab on my own and already made a bunch of dietary and activity changes. I also have my first mammogram this week! Yay… Gotta love getting older…

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Filling in the Blanks

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There are so many reviews I have to type up and books I need to read that I sat back and worked on both while I was pedaling today. And this time, I felt my heart rate go up and I was breathing faster so nothing like my previous workouts for this week. I was WORKING. My muscles are burning!

I went extra hard since I had noodles with my lunch today and that’s a lot of extra calories (and salt). I know it’s not the healthiest way to see things; balancing out a non-healthy food with a workout but in terms of sheer calories in versus calories out, this is better.

Later I’ll still be doing my squats and maybe some weights. Absolutely going to have a light dinner after work since I had the ramen. With the Saxenda, there just isn’t room for much after such a big lunch. And I plan to treat myself to an end of the week beer because something about the last 5 days has been exhausting and I deserve a treat.

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workouts: Multitasking Fail

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You can tell from the heart points that I never really got my heart rate up to where I was actually burning any fat. I was talking to people, checking orders, emails, messages, all sorts of stuff for work while I was trying to pedal so, I wasn’t going as hard as I could consistently. It’s better than sitting but not by much.

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I did make a trip to the farmer’s market on my lunch break so I could hit up the little Italian stand for broccoli rabe ravioli and small batch marinara to have for dinner tonight. I spent more than I wanted to (because they also had small blocks of parmesan cheese and I needed some for Caesar salads) but I haven’t been to this market since before COVID and I want to support it.

I didn’t take any pictures of it before I snarfed it down. You’ll just have to imagine it.

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: I forgot to do weights…

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I thought I was going to do so good today, do the peddler at work then remember to get the kettlebell but I got home and completely forgot. I made some writing progress (updated on Patreon) so when I got home, I went right on to the next story. All of a sudden, it’s ten at night and I’d lost track of time. I didn’t even have a cup of tea before bed or do my squats; I just went to bed. Later on in the week, I’m gonna have to have a long weight day to make up for this.

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Meh…

wp-1652721184588I had all these hopes for a productive day today and I was just not feelin it. I sat here for 30 minutes deciding whether or not to even post today even with the blank page up right in front of me. It’s a special kind of tired/unmotivated to have the thing open right there and still wanting to say fuck it and post later. But it’s gonna thunderstorm so, I want to get this posted before the power possibly goes out.

I was obviously distracted while I was doing the bike today and I was watching the clock. I was able to get my cardio in but it was an absolute chore. I’m glad I didn’t skip but ugh, what a slog… 

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Biking While Reading

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All those manga and graphic novels I ordered are coming in and I’m so excited for a lot of these titles. I had to pick some out to read before they make it to the shelves (reviews will be coming) and it’s easy to just pedal while I read. The time just flew by and since it’s always so cold in the office, I got my heartrate up high enough that I was actually hot. 

Friday I’ll probably to a long weights session since I haven’t done enough of those this week. I really wanna tone up my abs and arms before I start to consider heavier lifting. I heaviest weights I own are 10 pounds and I’d like to get stronger but I’m not willing to spend the money on heavier stuff until I hit my first weight goal. 

I have been thinking of getting back into running soon as an extra workout three days a week. I honestly just miss doing it and I wanna know what happens next in Zombies Run. I’m one of those nerds who’s invested in the story.

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: I Earned the Sausage

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I figured I needed to do a full 40 minutes today since not only did I have that turkey and potatoes for lunch but I needed to use the Italian sausage I bought and now have 4 packs of…

Don’t ask…

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I browned the sausage and saved some of the pasta water (I keep forgetting to do this) to mix with a splash of olive oil and two pats of butter. The result was a delightful creamy texture without feeling oily. Honestly, this didn’t need to sprinkle mozzarella on top. It was fine as is. And of course I threw some sliced garlic in there. I’m gonna have to keep this dish in my rotation in the future if the sausage is on sale again.

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Triple Threat

In addition to using the under desk peddler, I had to walk up to the store to get hot sauce (my kid is obsessed) and some sesame oil (that’s getting expensive so not buying that for awhile…), I picked up the kettle bell after a super light dinner. My only cheat was a small portion of Tipsy Scoop for dessert. Raspberry Limoncello Sorbet, if you’re curious. Very nice as a cap to the evening.

I am really feeling these arm workouts. I think I’m back in the head space where the soreness is letting me know I’m doing a good thing for my body. The sad part is I’d skipped weight training for so long, I have a moment where I think “Wait, why am I sore again?” before my stupid brain makes the logistical leap.

All I need to do is my 50 squats and stretch before bed and the day is done! I have the feeling with more days like this I’ll get back on track.

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Just the bike today

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All those graphic novels I’ve been ordering have started to come in and I am so excited! I can revise (and sneak and read a few) while I’m pedaling.

I did notice today that I didn’t feel as self-conscious doing this as I used to. I’ll be honest, I felt a little silly at first but not anymore. It’s not like I’m jumping rope in the middle of the office. I’m burning calories and getting my work done. And other coworkers are asking me about it because we’re becoming more aware of how long we’re sitting all day and we’re busy people who don’t really have time to go to the gym or workout at home. There’s always stuff to do (I spent three days in shifts trying to clean the damn tub. The fun of having a stinky teenager…) and places to go. If you’re stuck at the desk anyway, might as well move your body somehow.

I didn’t do any weights since you’re not supposed to do weights every day, I hear. Your muscles need to recover. Still gonna do my squats, though.

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atthequillsmercy

Today’s Workout: Numbers

I went in for my annual and they did my regular blood test. I clearly got too complacent in always getting great numbers because this time was not good. My bad cholesterol went from 155 to 177. Holy shit. I guess I treated myself a bit too many times here…

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Now, my plan is to do extra workouts daily. I have the desk bike at work and I grabbed my kettle bell today. I know I do have a weight loss goal for the scale but it’s more important for me to get healthy and have a better quality of life as I age. I may not be able to run like I did in my 20’s but I want to be able to walk when I’m in my 60’s.

One of my little tricks is to do 50 squats whenever I brush my teeth and considering I’m gonna try extending my desk peddler time to at least 40 minutes, my legs are gonna be burning. My arm muscles are already trembling from just 10 minutes of kettle bell so I am CLEARLY not in as good a shape as I could be. I mean, I have good endurance that I can walk for long distances and the bag I carry daily has to be about 20 pounds and I don’t struggle much to lift it. I have a lot of work to do.

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