Hey Guys,
Welcome to the second quarter fitness update/check-in. If you are new to my blog, or this series, you can check out the backstory, my fitness goals for the year, and the first quarter update. But essentially, this year I am working towards one broad goal – developing a healthy lifestyle.
In the first quarter, while exercise was a challenge, I was making progress in the healthy food department. This quarter though, was a complete fail on both fronts. Mostly because, there was just so much going on (excuses, excuses, I know!) that I totally lost focus.
We bought our first house in US (which is currently under construction) and I landed a new job (after a career break of some years) in a field that I am really interested in (yay!). While both these things are good, positive changes – there was a mountain load of work that went in – from job applications to house-hunting, and then once the house was bought – picking out the major and minor design elements, and so on, and so forth.
This meant that I had very little bandwidth for anything else, due to which, I completely lost my footing on the healthy-food-and-exercise bandwagon. And to be honest, I just did not want to write this update. For one, it’s very difficult to admit to failure on a public platform, and also – there was nothing good to report – at all.
But the thing is – failing is a part of life, and success itself. And this is exactly what used to happen in the past. I used to start strong, then stumble, and then just give up. However, I am done with that.
This time I am determined to not make a speed bump, a dead end. Which is why, I am here.. admitting to a train-wreck of a quarter, evaluating the reason behind the failure, picking myself up, and setting goals for the quarter ahead.
Food
For the first two quarters, I had a ban list, which I must admit, worked well for me, and helped me get started. But that was always the short term plan, just to get moving. I wanted to break out of some addictions like soda, chips, etc, and a ban list helped me in that area.
The long term plan was and is – portion control. This is what I am going to work towards in the next quarter. Small portions, in short intervals. Sounds simple enough, but it’s not, especially for someone like me, whose current food habits are just the opposite – few, large portions every day. So it’s going to be a challenge, but it’s one I feel up to (or so I think).
I will also continue drinking 8 glasses of water/ day. Oh and this reminds me – in the last update when I mentioned drinking 8 glasses of water, many people commented saying that they try to track their water intake, but lose count. So I just want to let you guys know that I don’t count glasses/bottles. I would be miserable doing that. And I surely don’t want one more variable to track in my life. I just fill this Arrow Plastics 2.2 litre bottle I found on Amazon, and ensure that I finish it before the end of the day. Easy-peasy. 🙂
Exercise
This. I dream of a time when I will do it, enjoy it, and even miss it, when I don’t do it. So far, this dream doesn’t seem like it’s going to be a reality in my near future (or even the distant one). So in the meantime, I set goals. Same ole, same ole. 30 minutes of cardio – 3 days a week.
The cardio-audiobook pairing is working as great as ever. If and when I do go out, it’s mostly because I am excited to continue listening to my book. They have been such a boon, guys – they not only help with my fitness routine (if you can call it that), but have also transformed my reading life – total game changers these things! (but more on that in a bookish post).
That is all from my end, folks. I would love to hear from you guys. Did you have any fitness goals for the year? How are they coming along?
Travis
With all the exciting things going on in your life, you deserve to cut yourself some slack! The most important thing is you haven’t forgotten about your goals completely and are making an effort to get back on track! Congratulations on your new house and new job to boot!
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Travis. And welcome to my blog. 🙂
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Sanch @ Sanch Writes
I think you should cut yourself some slack with the new job and the new house. Congrats on both by the way! Very exciting! 🙂
Takes a while to get used to new routines.
As for me, winter has been a bit of an impediment in terms of both my diet and exercise. I find it harder to wake up in the mornings for the gym and I’m eating more fatty foods because of the cold.
Hope the rest of the year goes well on the fitness front for you!
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Shanaya Tales
Oh winter is the WORST. Always. I was especially disappointed with my fitness routine, because this was a summer quarter. I had high hopes. In winter my expectations are pretty low to begin with.
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Obsessivemom
I completely empathise. There was a time I loved exercise but it’s all gone now. Oh and the portion control – by God that’s the toughest bit of all. There’s an app for reminding you to drink water every hour. You could try that if you hate counting glasses. Though I find filling and finishing off bottles easy. Good luck with the next quarter. I love how you’re keeping track.
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Shanaya Tales
True, Tulika. Portion control is the worst. Which is why I kept putting it off. But it was high time to face this particular demon. Fingers crossed.
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Athira
I have been trying to adopt one healthy habit each week and focus on only that for the entire week. With the hope that that habit will stay in place during the next many weeks. So far, that has happened, except I stopped doing anything new for the past few weeks. Same reason – busy, too much stuff going on, tired, work, did I say busy already? I think documenting the progress, like you are doing here, is a great idea! Will definitely keep you true to the goals. Cheering you from the sidelines! Even if this past quarter didn’t go that well, hopefully the next one is better!
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Aathira. That actually is a good idea – one habit a week – baby steps. Always works. I am hoping to have a better quarter ahead. Fingers crossed.
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Sulekha
Congratulations on your new job and house. You will get into the rhythm and go back to your healthy lifestyle soon. It was a small happy bump in the road, good to see you didn’t lose hope. I too am trying to get healthy, will keep you motivated and updated on my progress.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Sulekha. And yes, I look forward to hearing from you. We’ll cheer each other on. 🙂
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Shailaja Vishwanath
Congratulations on the new house and job. Love the idea of fitness and audio books. I’m miserable at maintaining a fitness routine unless it’s swimming. Must get back to it soon.
Glad to see you’re being honest on a public platform. Nothing quite like it.
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Shanaya Tales
Swimming is on my ‘someday’ list. Which is a pretty big list, I tell you. But better than not being on the radar, right? Right? 😛
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Rajlakshmi
hey congratulations on the house and the job !! awesome news 😀 I too keep track with a water bottle rather than glasses … Good luck with the next quarter 😀
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Raj. And also, thank you for those YT channel recommendations. I am following some of them now.
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Shilpa Gupte
Congrats for the new house and the new job, Shantala! So happy for you!
Yes, amidst all that activity, it must be tough sticking to fitness goals..but you will get there in good time.
I am sticking by my fitness plans pretty well. Yoga every day, for an hour, followed by healthy diet all day long. I do indulge my sweet tooth every once in a while, but am planning on making changes there too, coz the tooth complains of aches and pains! ? So, in all, yes, am doing fine. Need to start working on the mind now, and also the self esteem. Yup!
Shanaya Tales
Oh you are doing more than fine. 1 hour Yoga is pretty good, especially coupled with a great diet. One day, I hope to get there. One day.. 🙂
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Tarang Sinha
Wow! Congratulations, Shantala!
It’s good to set a goal but it is okay if you can’t achieve due to some other important things.
Unfortunately, I don’t enjoy exercising. I like to take brisk walks though. I think controlling your sugar intake helps.
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Shanaya Tales
The thing is – I suck at both – exercising and food control. Which is why, I am taking baby steps now. Hopefully, I will have a much better update next time.
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Parul
Congrats on the job and the new house. Both, exciting and something to look forward to. I keep health on my list and I don’t make goals mainly cos i was to health a part of life as much is work and home. So, I track my progress over a month and try to spend at least 60 mins on any physical activity – yoga or walk. That works cos I push myself to do better than the last month. Regarding food – yes, no to junk and fried stuff but I indulge and I don’t feel guilty about it. I want to eat everything in moderation and not crave so much that I end up overindulging. I am overweight cos I am very short but as long as I can stay out of illness, I feel good 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
True. Weight is relative, but health is important. As long as that is good, all is well. 🙂
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Rachna Parmar
New home and new job! Yippee! So happy for you. You have already read my June roundup so you know what’s happening of late. About fitness, l am doing good overall. Working out 5-6 days a week, l am in a happy place. Do the usual mix of Yoga, strength training and brisk walking. Food is good too. Indulge sometimes but mostly eat balanced. Just have a time in the day assigned to exercise. That normally helps!
Shanaya Tales
Yes, balance is key. Attaining it isn’t always easy though. But I am sure I will get there.
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Eloquent Mind
That’s ok Shantala. Failures happen but they never refrain from teaching us valuable life lessons, however small. So just take it in your stride and head along. Purchasing a home, starting a new job are all big changes in life and we definitely take time to settle around it. The commendable part is how you have acknowledged the shortcomings and have an action plan in place to start over. That’s what counts at the end of the day. I haven’t defined any detailed fitness goals this year other than not exceeding my current weight mark and staying healthy with food choices.
Here’s wishing you all the best to complete the second leash 🙂
Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, EM. I am sure once life settles back into a routine, I will have a better handle on this fitness thingy. Until then, I am trying to enjoy the glorious mess! 😀
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Damyanti
All the best. The only thing to do is to keep on keeping on.
Shanaya Tales
Thank you, Damyanti. And yes, that is the mantra I am trying to follow.
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Bellybyted
Ah Shanaya that’s the story of all our lives! But I’m sure yours will have a positive end simply because you are so motivated and have the whole world following your progress via your quarterly updates. This is a brilliant way to ensure that you stick to your goals. In the meanwhile don’t be hard on yourself – it’s tough transitioning through life with a new house, job etc. Good luck with both and of course the exercise program
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much. You guys have been so incredibly supportive, it’s a large part of what keeps me from giving up. Thank you. <3
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Nidhi
Congratulations! That’s life, I guess. You had too many things on your plate and so you prioritized. Best thing about the whole thing is that you are determined. Way to go!!!
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Shanaya Tales
Oh yes. I am not giving up. Not this time. Hoping to have a much better update next time. 😀
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Hema
Congratulations on the new house and the new job! This July is definitely a month of new beginnings for you 🙂 Good luck!
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Shanaya Tales
Yeah, it surely is. 😀 Btw – the house is under construction – tentative move in – Oct.
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Avada Kedavra
Congrats for the new house and job. 🙂 I am sure you will get back to exercising not once you have settled down. I have been meaning to exercise and still haven’t lost my baby weight. Hey where are you located in US? I am from Bay Area. We can meet sometime if you are in the same area.
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Shanaya Tales
Oh yes. We should totally catch up. I would love to meet you. Though I am in the east coast. 🙁 Virginia. 🙁
But hey, whenever you come to D.C. or anywhere close, let me know. We can catch up then. I will also keep you posted if and when I make Bay Area plans.
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Geets
Congratulations for the house and the new job Shantala 🙂 Keeping and maintaining fitness track is quite a task in itself. I too did Yoga this year for a couple of months and here I am back, back to having a stiff body. Again!
But I am going to start it again, I’m determined to do it.
And writing took a back seat at my end. Hopefully, this month it should be back!
All the best for your goals and will wait to read more details 🙂
Cheers
Shanaya Tales
Yep, I am just about getting into yoga myself. Fingers crossed. Wishing you too a much better quarter ahead. 🙂
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Lata Sunil
More than disaster, the post sounds like a lot of good news – new home, new job.. must be fun. You can go back to routine again once settled. Or try to eat healthy during work hours. As for me, I was off the exercise path due to my surgery. But, it was my very determined 1 hour walk which brought me back to my earlier self only to not being able to do it regularly nowadays. But, I have started on yoga again. First few days were tough but now getting into routine. I get the hubby also to do it. That way, we push each other to be regular. So, get on to exercise again.
Shanaya Tales
Good news, yes. Loads of it – on the life front. On the fitness end, I hope things get better soon. With the new job, time is a constant struggle. Though it’s only been a week, I will figure something out. 🙂
P.S. What surgery? How are you doing now?
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Rekha
I have failed miserably multiple number of times and so I have quit making fitness plans. Now, I just go with the flow. Walking and drinking lots of water and cleaning up the house by myself are some of the tactics adopted by me to keep my muscles from becoming stiff. Your list looks great. And by the way, congratulations on the new apartment and the exciting job. My best wishes! 🙂
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you so much, Rekha. Yeah, water is a win for me; cleaning too (thanks to audiobooks). But that doesn’t impact my fitness at all. 🙁 Hence the plan. Let’s hope it sticks this time.
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