Day 451: Strong Women

"Strong women don't play victim, don't

 make themselves look pitiful, and

 don't point fingers. They stand and

 they deal. 

~Mandy Hale~

It's Day 451 of Nutrisystem and Day 14 of staying at home. I chose this quote today because it's something I  saw in myself and I'm working on changing. I spent too many years playing the victim instead of taking the steps needed to change my circumstances. All that time I spent pitying myself would have been better spent actually working on solutions ! Some people play the victim outwardly for the sympathy it garners and some do it inwardly, suffering in silence. I was the latter and eating was my coping mechanism. Changing my relationship with food is slowly changing my ability to also manage whatever life throws at me. I may not instantly spring into action but I don't let it keep me down for long. I don't think I was ever one to point the finger. I've said before that everything I put in my mouth was my choice - no one forced me to eat myself to 304 pounds. Staying in my marriage was also my choice. I've always owned the decisions I made, bad or good, and it has always irritated me when people don't own their mistakes. I'm also continuing to work on letting go of things I cannot change, like this virus. I can whine and cry and wring my hands but at the end of the day nothing will have changed on that front. The virus will still be there. All I can do is try my best to follow the recommendations of social distancing and make the best of it. I'm only in control of me so that is where I need to keep my focus. I may be working from home full time but ironically enough that is something I've wanted for years and I am grateful every day to still have a job, so I'm not going to complain ! Really the only thing I'm missing is the ability to see my family and do things with my mom. I'll be keeping her busy when this is over, that is for sure !! As of today there are 15 cases of the virus in my county (with 342 people tested) so the number is slowly growing. Our population as of 2017 was 118,478 so statistically speaking the impact is still minimal. Let's hope it stays that way ! News came today that the stay at home order in NY has been extended to April 15, which was not a surprise, and the Federal guidelines are in place until at least April 30. I'm glad I bought 3 bottles of wine ! Don't worry ... I'm not planning on becoming an alcoholic !

Breakfast was a 2.8 ounce 150 calorie package of homestyle pancakes with sugar free syrup. Power fuel was a 5.3 ounce 80 calorie key lime yogurt. Morning snack was a 155 calorie vanilla shake with peanut butter powder. Lunch was a 4 ounce 230 calorie four cheese melt with a chef salad. Dressing added 30 calories. Afternoon snack was a new item, a 1.3 ounce 180 calorie Jif Power Ups chocolate peanut butter chewy granola bar. I had it with a cup of coffee and it was delicious ! Dinner was a 4 ounce 180 calorie artichoke & spinach stuffed chicken breast with a bowl of roasted veggies. Evening snack was a 2.2 ounce 140 calorie lemon zest cake. Total calories for the day are 1155 and I got 64 ounces of water in.

I got up around 9 this morning and was motivated to get in an early workout, but iFit was down. Go figure ! It was back in service by noon so I hopped on the treadmill for the first workout of the day. It was a 33 minute hike in the Swiss Alps with iFit trainer Tommy Rivs. This workout checked all the boxes: endurance, incline and cardio ! There were 2 short jogs at 4.5 mph and the walking pace hovered around 2.8 mph the entire way, regardless of incline. The last 17 minutes was at max incline and although I struggled a bit I had no doubt I could do it. I've learned to do the tougher workout first on the weekends because I have more energy and I like to get some Total Gym time in after dinner. My second workout was a 28 minute interval walk in Iceland with iFit trainer Jonnie Gale. It had 6 intervals of varying lengths at 3.2 mph with recoveries at 2.4 mph. I bumped the speed up to 3.3 mph for the last few minutes just to make it a bit more of a workout. I logged 61 minutes, 2.6 miles and 398 calories. After dinner I spent a half hour on the Total Gym. 

It was a damp rainy day so I opted not to go out and poke around the garage. I watched tv, exercised and did some online shopping. I bought some hand soap, shower gels and body lotions from Bath & Body.  Being at home alone I can slather on all the scented stuff I want without triggering anyone's asthma or other respiratory disorders. There's a lot to be said for aromatherapy !

On that note it's about time for a shower and bed !