Nikina70's Journal, 06 Oct 23

We had a wonderful time on holiday in Turkey (you guessed right Booty), and it's taken me some time to get back to tracking calories, which started last week. I've also started taking 5g of Creatine on weekdays and consciously trying to up my protein, which is going well so far. I'm averaging about 80g of protein a day, which is nowhere near my target of 110g, but it's much better than the 65-70g I was getting before. I will work on that.

What isn't going well is the desire to do more strength training. I did two 20-minute YT workouts last week with good stretches afterwards, but this week, although I've felt physically capable, the mental desire was just not there. I don't believe in leaving it up to motivation, but I also know that I probably won't stick to any kind of strict schedule. I need to get back to a point where I'm enjoying it again and then I know I'll naturally just 'fit it in'. It's much easier to find those essential gaps in my day when I'm in a generally happy place, but it's been tough this week. The grey and gloomy weather and cold temperatures are already getting me down so I need to push past that. I also haven't managed a daily walk so my step count is down and I think that affects my mood too.

I've been dwindling at taking ACV because I hate the taste, but I can tolerate a teaspoon in my oats sometimes or mixed into salad dressing so I'll continue to try to work that in. Just not doing the tablespoon in the mornings anymore. I've been doing IF on some days when I feel like it, but it's anything from a 10 to 14-hour fast so it's just a tool to help reduce calories somewhat sometimes and that's fine.

It is just about 12 weeks to Christmas now and I've drawn up a 10-week calendar starting on the 16th. I want to make these weeks count - the time will pass anyway, but I'd love to put in some effort to be more consistent and try to do 2-3 strength workouts a week along with at least 7k average daily steps. It's not really about the scale although I always do still track that. A slight bit of upper arm muscle development along with a firmer mid-section is on my Christmas wish list so even if I can make some small, measured strides in that direction I'll be happy. I also have a fleeting hope of visiting SA to escape some of the UK winter in early 2024 so that is an incentive to improve tone as well.

I've been meaning to post some of my holiday pics and write about it for ages now, but I am somehow not in the right mental space lately so if I do it will be a complete retrospective. It's been a bit of a strange time lately of feeling disconnected from the world in general with no good explanation or excuse, but I hope I'll get back to engaging properly here on FS again soon. I do love reading and seeing everyone's posts and I miss 'being here'.

Temperatures are meant to be 23-24 degrees C this weekend so I'm hoping to soak up some rays to last me through the week. Sending positive energy your way in the hopes that some will come back to me too! Wishing you all a fabulous weekend! xxx

66.9 kg Lost so far: 19.1 kg.    Still to go: 1.9 kg.    Diet followed: Reasonably Well.

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1851 kcal

Fat: 67.56g | Prot: 82.65g | Carbs: 226.76g.   Breakfast: Meridian Organic Pure Blackstrap Molasses, Grape Tree Omega Seed Mix, PhD Diet Plant Belgian Chocolate, Acti Leaf Vanilla Soya Pot, Sainsbury's Smooth Peanut Butter, Sainsbury's Strawberry Jam, New York Bakery Co Bagel Thins, Fig. Lunch: By Sainsbury's Sweet Chilli Sauce, Asda Free From Mature Cheddar Alternative , The Deli Caramelised Onion Houmous, Aldi Lighter Garlic & Herb Soft Cheese, New York Bakery Co Bagel Thins . Dinner: Sainsbury's Thin & Crispy Margherita Pizza. Snacks/Other: Nescafe Instant Coffee, Harvester Mocha. more...