What's your (PHOTO) Friday Menu?

I've talked to a lot of different medical type people and they say that if you are awake and not tired at X time on a regular basis, regardless of when you go to sleep -- it probably is your natural wake time -- and it's harder to change that!

Once I took that into my mindset and stopped fighting so hard to get 8 hours like everyone else, I find it's a lot less stressful. Now there's not all that much to do at 3 am but I've adjusted to it, lol.

If it's something more recent though, it could be stress or hormones so maybe a doc could help!

I just shared that with Rob - total insomniac who fights for 8 hours and it stresses him out. Thank you!

Getting rid of that stress for me was huge.

I'm going over to my friend's apartment in Lincoln Park that I usually spend New Year's with. We usually go out for dinner and then back to her place in plenty of time for midnight. However, tonight, she's cooking chicken breast, veggies, and potatoes since she knows I'm eating well.

I got my hair cut and beard trimmed yesterday and realized that I didn't have a good picture to show them how I wanted my hair to look like. So I used this photo instead.

QOTD: I don't usually do resolutions but it seems appropriate this year. I plan to continue on the progress I've made losing weight and eating healthy in the goal of getting hip replacement surgery. Also, I plan to finish my associates this spring and transfer to a bachelor's program in the fall. It feels good to have goals.

B: Dannon light and fit coconut yogurt, tangerine, Starbucks iced coffee, sf vanilla, stevia

L: Chicken salad.

D: chicken breast, veggies and potato if there's room.

S: Dark chocolate chips for a New Year's Eve snack

Good Morning! Happy Fri-yay and New Years Eve! I am working today but if things are calm we might get to leave a few hours early. Em works until 9:30 so maybe I'll "nap" and then wake up to bring in the new year at midnight. JB- love the kitty pics!

QOTD: I feel I just need to focus on me a bit more, mental self care- if that even makes sense.

I don't have a complete menu today, we are having a birthday brunch at work and if I'm off early maybe I'll do something for dinner out.

I hope you all have a happy and safe end of one year and start to the next. We are better together-thank you all for being here.

Mornin' All!

the water aerobics instructor is out today, but she's having them play her music for that hour so if anyone in the class wants to come, they can come and do the routine anyway - or just jump around in the pool. I'm game. An hour of jumping around in the pool (and running in place, jumping jacks, dancing around in there) burns a fair number of calories, and I like it better than doing youtube videos. I hate to be so obsessed, but myfitnesspal tells me to eat 1400 calories, which is insane. If I do an hour of exercise most days of the week, I can eat c. 1700 and not gain anything, so I do it. I really wish I could lose 10 lbs, but obviously I don't want it enough to really cut back on calories, or I'd be doing exactly that. I sure wish I had the resolve I had the first couple years after surgery... Meanwhile, I keep trying to find ways to lower my calories without feeling ravenous all the time (like eating more fat and/or fiber). It's a constant battle.

nothing else planned for the day - or the weekend. We're supposed to get crappy weather this weekend anyway (snow tomorrow, bone-chilling temps on Sunday), so it's just as well.

QOTD: as par for the course the last few years, nothing. Just the same old...

B: 1/2 C protein oatmeal topped with 1/2 C plain skyr and cooked, diced 1/2 apple. Coffee with half & half

MS: protein shake

L: butternut squash soup and some kind of protein

MS: protein muffin and a L&F yogurt

D: half a Beyond Burger on half a slim bun, coleslaw made with Asian-style dressing

have a great NYE, everyone!

Morning everyone and 2021 seems determined to go out with a bang. Send all your snow and rain thoughts to Colorado please, it's pretty grim. They are calling for 5-10 inches of snow between today and tomorrow but I would not complain about a couple feet this go around. Also, if you hear about someone punching an idiot for lighting off fireworks today, for saying climate change doesn't exist or why don't they just move if it's dangerous, high likelihood that is me. Fortunately, I don't plan to leave my house today unless they need me to go up see if our office is still standing (I don't think they're going to let people back in to the area today regardless so I"m not expecting that).

QOTD - I don't believe in New Years resolutions but my fitness goal for 2022 is to finish the rehab on my shoulder so I can get back to handstands and pull ups. Before I hurt it (doing handstands), I was able to do 5 handstand pushups, so my goal is 5 handstand push ups and 5 pull ups.

I avoid NYE plans as a rule, I don't like being out with all the drunks so will be a low key evening tonight. Tomorrow will spend NYD with some friends playing games, covid and weather permitting. I already told them that if we get enough snow to force a cancellation, I will happily deal with all the fruit I have here for the winter fruit salad I'm supposed to bring.

Menu today

coffee plus half and half X3

sausage patty

chicken green chile

popcorn and probably a glass of wine

Have a wonderful NYE everyone, stay safe and look forward to spending 2022 virtually with you all!

Photos are of a paperwhite - one close up without my tripod, one with the tripod.

Stay safe!

I know so many people in that area. Two closer friends in Boulder County. One was I do believe on the west side of the fire and it was moving the other way. My other friend still doesn't know if they have a home to go back to.

I'm with you...if I could just drop kick some of those folks(like the ones that say they would move to a safer place...like that exists...EVERYPLACE has hazards...get over yourselves!) it's so maddening. Keeping all of Colorado in my heart.

here in CA, my paperwhite are in the yard!!!