Gratitude...

The attitude of gratitude has been a huge influence on how I view life.

It has helped me gain perspective

feel joy

and taught me to be content.

Our bungalow has been a "gift" in so many ways.

We have embarked on many projects over the years to improve and maintain 

the interior and exterior in the historic arts and crafts style.

I had to learn to be patient as all the projects took time and money.

Time and patience have afforded me the opportunity to weed out and prioritize what is most important and helped me to figure out what I really wanted to focus on next.

I have been lusting after linen bedding for several years...

linen as you may already know is not an inexpensive undertaking.

I saved up for several months to purchase sheets and a duvet cover with shams.

When I found these at Lands" End on sale at 20% off I quickly placed my order.

We plan to redo our bedroom and build in a closet with drawers and doors.

The room is small and we plan to use wainscotting and paint the walls white.

The floor is dark fir and the bed and side tables are dark oak.

Blue and mocha will fit right in...

We slept on the linen bedding this week and I can say that I am so happy with the comfort and coziness of the sheets and they will just get softer with every washing.

Chester and Pepper are enjoying playing in the boxes...

I leave them in the kitchen on the floor for a few days as they love them so much.

How is your week going?

Are you following along with the new eating regime?

Have you been walking every day?

My leg muscles are a wee bit sore after amping up the pace on my walks.

  The scale is not rapidly reflecting my new habits but I am not discouraged

as it is going in the right direction!

Try not to be obsessive about weighing every day.

I know the temptation is there...

when you do step on the scale do it at the same time every day

and try to wear the same clothes so you get an accurate reading.

( you may want to weigh in wearing only your "birthday suit")

Remember to drink lots of water.

Hope that you have some fun activities planned for the weekend.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

The "battle of the bulge"...a group effort.

"Women of a certain age" frequently find themselves at a crossroads when it comes to their changing figures.

Many of my over 60 friends have been commiserating about their thicker mid sections and those persnickety "wobbly bits." Several of my friends who work out regularly at the gym have complained about their "muffin tops" and "back fat."

It would appear that these areas become problematic as we advance in age...

Our bodies change...
we must graciously accept these changes and press on.

Making the best of what we have
accepting our limitations
working at maintaining our health
mindful of the foods that we eat to fuel our bodies
enjoying meals that are attractive, colourful and full of nutritious elements.
I guess what I am trying to say is that we need to opt for a happy balance.

While we are focusing on slimming down...
we might need to reassess our clothing choices.

Dressing in flattering clothes definitely makes us feel better about ourselves.

Consider looking at "camouflage dressing" to disguise our figure flaws.
We may wear a bright scarf at the neck to draw the eye upward...
or wear the same colour separates on both the top and bottom for a longer line.

It is important to choose clothing that is not too sheer, too tight and does not cling. Opting for heavier fabrics with more "body."

I prefer denim, bamboo and crisp cottons and linens in styles that follow the curves of my figure but are not too tight or too baggy.

Light cottons, sheer knits and some silks are not that forgiving as they tend to be on the clingy side
Make sure to buy the size that fits and flatters...
ignore the tag...
if you get all hung up on whether you think that you should be wearing a certain size you might be choosing a garment that is going to reveal more of those wobbly bits than you would like.
Check in the mirror...and do not forget to look at the front and the back views.

We cannot expect that our bodies will stay the same as they were when we were in our youth and we need to gracefully embrace the changes that come with age...

Keeping active is important for many reasons...
maintaining flexibility
bone density and heart health,
lower blood pressure and warding off adult onset diabetes.

Weight gain is inevitable when our metabolism slows if we keep eating as we did prior to menopause we will naturally put on weight.

I read somewhere that estrogen is stored in fat cells
and that is why nature adds the fat to protect our hearts...
I cannot remember what publication this was or even if it is backed by scientific evidence...perhaps one of your readers knows more about this and can comment.

We must be proactive if we want to keep those extra pounds from piling up.
Mother who is 89, eats smaller portions and avoids cakes and pastries and walks for 20 minutes each afternoon.

My hypothyroid condition that results in a sluggish metabolism is an issue that affects my weight and a constant reminder that I need to take charge of my eating and exercise habits.

Weight has crept up on me while I was turning a blind eye...

I was much more successful when I was actively attending Weight Watcher meetings and counting my points.

So I am back to tracking my daily WW point allowance and amping up the walking. Many of you are joining me on this journey and I hope that you are starting this process with a positive realistic and optimistic attitude.
We can succeed if we put the effort into the project.
My goal is to lose about 1 pound each week...the first week we may see more weight loss but it usually slows a bit after the initial phase.

My morning indulgence is a cafe creme.

Espresso coffee and foamed skimmed milk.

Breakfast 

1/2 cup 1% cottage cheese and a cup of berries

Lunch is a salad with about 3 ounces of protein and a light dressing.

Dinner

3 ounces of lean protein and lots and lots of vegetables.

Daily brisk walks of about 45 minutes to an hour along the seafront

provide me with plenty of fresh air and movement.

The scenery is quite lovely 

so while I walk I soak in all the beauty and as a result I feel joyful.

If you are following along on this journey to improved health please feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts.

How is your week going?

Have you had cravings?

Are you walking or working out?

Do you have any tips for the group?

My journey may be very different from yours...

happiness and contentment within each of us is very personal 

what works for one may not work for another.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

The weight loss journey begins...

After gaining 10 pounds over the course of the summer it is time for me to take action and get back on track. To achieve a 10 pound weight loss I will keep track of my daily food intake, track my weight watcher points and keep an activity journal.
Writing everything down makes me more accountable and in my experience has made my progress so much more successful.

Getting on the scale recording my weight and hopping on every few days to see how things are going also helps me be more mindful of how I am doing...monitoring my progress helps keep me motivated.

Before embarking on a regime it is important to rid the cupboards and fridge of anything that might derail my progress...no hidden stashes of chips, chocolates or cookies. We all know what foods we crave and must avoid as quite possibly they are loaded with calories and fats.

Next up the grocery store shopping keeping to the aisles at the perimeter of the store...the dairy, meat, seafood, produce sections are where I need to focus my attention by choosing fresh vegetables, fruits in season and lean proteins.

I use skim milk in my morning cafe creme as it foams better.
Eggs are a great source of protein and they are also very versatile.
I love a poached egg atop a pile of greens or an omelet with fresh herbs for lunch. Hard boiled eggs make a great snack if you are feeling hungry between meals.

Fresh fruit counts as zero points on the Weight Watchers program so I load up on bananas, apples, pineapples, oranges, peaches, plums and berries...
opting for fruits that are "in season."
I will eat several fruit servings each day.

One of my favourite breakfasts is a 1/2 cup of low fat yogurt or cottage cheese with sliced fresh fruit. My appetite is controlled better when I have protein with each meal...it keeps me satisfied until the next meal and rarely do I get hungry in between.

If am extra active and feel hunger pangs I will have a couple of tablespoons of hummus with carrots and celery sticks or a wedge of Laughing Cow Light cheese with an apple.

I avoid most breads and will opt for 2 slim slices of "Little Big Bread" if I want a sandwich. This bread is made with sprouted grains and made by the Silver Hills company.

Potatoes are my weakness so I try to limit my intake of them especially in the initial phase of my program.

Lean meat (not fried) or protein is limited to about a 3 ounce serving.
My dinner plate will be heavy on the veggies and lean on the protein portion.
A plate loaded with lots of luscious colourful veggies is satisfying and beautiful.

Green salads with sliced mushrooms, onions, radishes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and colourful peppers are an easy way to fill up as there is lots of chewing involved. The action of chewing sends a signal to the brain that one is sated and full.

Be careful not to load up on creamy dressings...simple vinaigrettes are best and if you like vinegar you might be able to skip the oil and just have a drizzle of balsamic vinegar on top.

No pop or sweet drinks will pass my lips...
I will opt for tea, coffee, and several bottles of Perrier each day.

I enjoy a glass of wine but find that it has "empty calories" so it can derail or slow down my reduction plan.
Perrier in a champagne flute or a glass with a wedge of lemon or lime is festive enough and guilt free...getting plenty of fluid really is important...aim for 2 litres every day.

If you are tempted to snack...keep your hands busy...read a book or call a friend to chat.
Knit, crochet, do some embroidery whatever helps calm your thoughts.
Go for a walk or work outside in the garden.

Exercise!
Yes I will be out pounding the pavement every day for at least 45-60 minutes.
Walking is free and easy to do...no gym fees, you can do it anytime that suits your schedule and it is much more fun when you walk with a friend.

If you do not have a good pair of supportive walking shoes invest in some right away. My former knee problems were linked to a pair of sneakers that had no real structure or support.

If you are motivated by looking good while walking perhaps you will want to buy a cheerful coloured jacket or pants...something that makes you feel energized and happy.

I wear black yoga style skinny knit capris and a tee top with a light jacket by Mondetta that I purchased from Costco...inexpensive but very neat and functional.

If you have never walked much before start with 15-20 minutes. Do this for a week and soon you'll be able to add increments of time and distance and you will feel so much better and the movement is also so good for our aging bones.

If you prefer to exercise at the gym or pool because of weather or personal reasons you can ask the staff for suggestions of which routines and classes that will suit your goal. Zumba is very popular here among ladies of a certain age!

So let's begin...our journey together.

Getting healthy, trimming a wee bit of body weight, toning up and doing it together...are you ready?

I welcome comments and tips as we move through this together.
Good luck.

Goals...

leaner, lighter, fitter, more energetic.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

What I packed for 18 days living out of a tote bag....and a weight loss series.

Summertime holidays cruising on our Sea Ray
are simple, easy and streamlined.
We avoid any drama or stress.

Living in small quarters means that we both must live out of our large Lands' End canvas tote bags.
I take another small tote bag with my toiletries and books.

OOTD's fall into the category "comfy casual."

I wore the grey baroque pearls that darling daughter gave me every day.

Storage is at a premium on our 27 foot Sea Ray Sun Dancer so we pack light.

What I packed in my large canvas Lands' End tote bag:

Two bathing suits ~ Lands' End

serape black ~ white seashell and starfish print 

(also used as a shawl with the bamboo dress)

two bras 

6 pairs of knickers

(I washed these and hung them discreetly inside the boat head to dry)

6 pairs of bamboo sox to wear with my walking shoes

2 linen tank tops ~ one in a light grey shade and the other a lime green

striped blue and white nautical Tee

Adidas skort in a black knit 

(I do not like wearing shorts)

two pairs of black yoga style skinny knit cropped pants

DKNY faded denim boyfriend jeans

Banana Republic ~ faded blue chambray shirt that doubles as a jacket

Gelco bright yellow warm puffy jacket 

yellow rain slicker 

(always keep it on the boat)

Columbia lightweight walking jacket black "Omni-Heat" technology

Saucony walking shoes

Clark flip flops

Sperry deck shoes ~ espadrilles

for dinner and lunches out I wore:

Click ~ white linen short cropped wider capri style pants 

Royal Robbins ~ white long cotton top with a V neck and an asymmetrical line

Gilmore ~ black bamboo dress

black cardigan style jacket with a 3/4 length sleeve

Waterproof Tommy Hilfiger watch.

I leave my silver bangles at home as they are a safety risk.

I wear my wedding rings and two pairs of diamond studs in my ears.

Hand washing is quick and easy.

A few pieces of the laundry hung on the rails of our boat

in the hot sunshine and most things were dry within an hour.

Dressing in appropriate clothing for boating safety and ease of movement is necessary as there are situations that require that I climb around on deck and hop off with ropes to tie up when we arrive at the dock.

I insist on neat and tidy outfits that work together in a similar colour palette.

This casual nautical wardrobe is not unlike what I wear in my day to day life here in The Humble Bungalow.

Classic black and white were the colours that made up this holiday wardrobe.

I could have used a second bamboo dress in another colour as it was the coolest item I wore on the hottest days...

I will check out the sales and see if I can find another one!

Stay tuned for a new series...

I am going to focus on losing 8 ~10 pounds...

The Weight Watcher's weight range for my age and height is 132 ~134 pounds.

(I am currently weighing in at 142)

I am not trying to lose weight for unrealistic "vanity" reasons...

I want my clothes to fit better as they are currently tight 

and ensure that my blood pressure stays in the healthy range.

Besides I worked diligently for 2 years to shed 30 pounds...

if I let myself slide 

I will be back in the unhealthy obese range...

my doctor will be admonishing me as he doles out his advice

plus I will feel disappointed in myself.

I am embarking on upping my walking and counting my WW points,

tracking what I eat and how I move every day.

I may even write down how I feel and when and if I get hungry between meals.

Perhaps we can do it together and share tips and encourage each other along the way.

Enjoy your weekend!

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~

Holiday snippets and snapshots...part three.

We met up with friends who have a boat and we all cruised to Genoa Bay.
The Marina is quaint and small but very protected from the wind and is quite near Cowichan Bay where they hold a sailing regatta every year.

The winds were blowing about 25 knots so the sailors were happy.

Spinnakers made an appearance on part of the race...

the reason these photos are rather blurry is that I took them from inside the window of the GrayLing shuttle boat.

The wee lapstrake hulled boat ferries passengers (and dogs) to Cowichan Bay.

The main street is not long but is jam packed with

shops, a chandlery, several eateries, a bakery, deli and a small grocery store.

We spent about an hour and a half perusing the shops and eating lunch before hopping back on the shuttle to Genoa Bay. 

It was super hot in Genoa Bay so I used my personal fan...

O 2 Cool

which mists water and helped me stay cool.

We ate simple fare...

fresh home grown tomatoes from The Humble Bungalow Garden were harvested before we left and carefully spread out in a basket so they would not bruise.

The taste of these heirloom varieties are out of this world!

I was "roughing it" and had to use a soup bowl for my cafe creme every morning.

It tasted good but looked quite tacky!

You know what they say...

Necessity is the Mother of Invention.

(so much for keeping up standards...it has gone to the dogs)

Walks in the morning were kept short due to the extreme heat and it was uphill all the way from the marina. 

I saw a family of quail with about a dozen babies and a couple of wild bunnies that were nibbling in the gardens.

Flowers catch my eye and turn my head every time I go walking.

We ate lunch out with darling daughter and her husband.

They had the loan of Mr. HB's BMW and drove up from Victoria to show us the elopement pictures.

Sipping an icy cold margarita on the deck of The Genoa Bay Cafe.

It is a fabulous place to dine, most of the boaters go up for a meal or two while they are tied up at the docks and many other diners come by car.

Our friends joined us for dinner on the deck on another evening...

Impromptu concert from the boat on the dock across from ours...

we were asked to sing a line and be the chorus.

I am not sure that our sound was in tune but what we lacked in sound quality we made up for with enthusiasm!

all the great food and beverages have added some extra pounds and I will be starting a series of posts on what I plan to eat and do to get rid of the holiday weight gain...

I also plan to write a post on what I wore and how I packed for 18 days on a boat living out of a canvas Lands' End tote bag.

~ Be Well and Be Kind ~