I haven’t posted in awhile, because things have been rather busy, and also rather status-quo in my life. I couldn’t think of any new recipes to post or anything too exciting, frankly. So today I’m forcing myself to post a few musings that have been on my mind lately:
1). I’d like to set a goal to lose 20 lbs. For me, that would mean I would weigh 135. That seems perfectly reasonable (I am 5’5″), but for some reason, mildly unachievable. I have never weighed this amount in my adult life – ever. Not that I’ve tried and failed, it just isn’t my average. Luckily I carry my weight well and am a pretty strong person. I will not kill myself to get there, but I’m going to give it the old college try anyhow.
2). In order to achieve the previous goal, I am going to make a real commitment to fitness this fall. I’ve got the eating thing down for the most part and don’t want to restrict myself any further for now, so I am going to ramp up the fitness. What this means for me is a commitment to do something active every day, and push myself at least 4 days out of the week. I sit at a desk Monday-Friday, so I have to counter-act that somehow. I already “walk” quite a bit…to work, to the train, at lunch hour, so now it’s time for something different. I’ve found some great classes in kickboxing and regular boxing, so the goal is to go to one of those every night I have “off” during the week, and reserve the weekends for “play.” In other words, no gym obligations on the weekends, unless I want to (and I probably will if I can get into a more active routine).
3). I’ve been thinking a lot lately on the phrase “don’t let perfection be the enemy of the good.” I think it’s absolutely true. My blood sugars are better, I feel pretty good, my health is in good shape, so why stress about the fact that I’m not perfect?? And yet…being the ambitious person that I am, I still do! I am going to repeat this mantra in my head often, in order to remind myself to chill out. (This does not negate goals 1&2, as even at 135 I will not be perfect but I think I’ll feel pretty darned good about myself).
Finally, I’ve been obsessed with Coconut Ice Cream lately (and all things Coconut). It really is a wonder product. Here’s a recipe I whipped up last night in my ice cream maker – as an afterthought, I flavored it with cinnamon and it was a great choice:
1 can organic coconut milk (make sure it is not “light”, but rather, the fatty version)
1-2 TBS raw honey (really just a touch of sweetness, I find it doesn’t need much)
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla
That’s it – throw it all into the ice cream maker and voila! I make a ton of variations on this recipe – berries, chocolate, what-have-you. It totally solves my ice cream craving and fits right into my idea of healthy living, too!
P.S. Is anyone else so grateful for this awesome early-Fall weather we are having in Chicago? I love this season!
Don't Call Me Sugar 
I really like your new mantra. I’m still thinking about what it means, and how it applies to my life, which I’m very certain that it does. Thanks for the “food for thought”. š
Hey, BEST of luck! It really all comes down to consistency. When I need to lose weight, I do weigh my food for a few days, JUST to be sure my portions and calories are in perspective…but too much counting makes me loony, so once I’ve put everything in perspective, I find I can portion things pretty well on my own.
Kickboxing is amazing. It’ll kick your ass and make you beg for more! I’m so sad there’s no club at my university.
Hey, I don’t have an IC maker…but I do have a Vitamix. If I blended chilled coconut milk with ice and flavorings, do you think it would work?
I am also loving the Fall weather – my favorite season. AND coconut ice cream sounds awesome!!
I like that phrase “don’t let the perfection be the enemy of the good.” Totally true. You’ve never been an unhealthy weight at far as I can remember. I’ve never thought of you as even remotely overweight. I swear! It’s just a body type thing. I firmly believe that weight is a terrible measure of health. Healthy is beautiful no matter the body specific weight that it projects. But, exercise is fun too, and if you feel good doing it — then even better! Mely hates coconut, but I love it! The ice cream sounds great!