Category Archive for "Diet Schmiet"

The Domino Effect

Friday, January 27, 2023 Permalink

In returning to a more challenging role in government late last year it felt like I was finally find my feet again. Regaining some momentum.

I actually thought everything else – that frustrated me about the life I’d been living – would fall into place… akin to the domino effect. I’d be based in an office (with others) most of the time so would spend less time grazing on snacks all day. I’d be forced to move a little – walking from my car to the office at a minimum and even during a quick break at lunch. I thought eating healthier and moving more might then motivate me to start exercising again.

2023, the year of salvaging me

Saturday, December 31, 2022 Permalink

This past year has seen me settling into new full-time work and finding my financial feet again. My job with a not-for-profit was fairly low-key and I was able to work from home – on someone else’s dime rather than as a contractor working for myself. There was a lot I enjoyed about my job and some stuff I didn’t. I’ve mentioned before it wasn’t necessarily as challenging as I’d hoped so, just after my one-year anniversary I successfully applied for something that would take me back into the type of work I did pre-seachange.

You say potato, I say potato…. bread

Monday, August 8, 2022 Permalink

I realise I’ve been living under a rock… or at least far too ensconced in my little house on the outskirts of town, but I’ve only just discovered potato bread.

We first met about three years ago when my mother was having her (latest) hip replacement. I was waiting at the cafe of the private hospital and ordered a gluten-free ham & cheese toasted sandwich from the canteen. The staff member explained it’d be a while as they didn’t have GF bread there, but would get it from the hospital kitchen. “No worries,” said I. Cos I’m zen like that. (Well, I’m not but whatevs.)

On not losing weight

Thursday, October 21, 2021 Permalink

TW: Weightloss, dieting, self-loathing

I’ve been trying to be healthy. I’d slowly gained some weight after my weightloss surgery in mid 2016. I knew why. I was home all day. Feeling bored and despondent about my lack of employment (and increasing weight). Which led to comfort eating and more despondency about my weight and apathy towards life and my health. My weightloss surgery meant I couldn’t eat massive amounts. Just regularly and badly.

New sneakers. Who dis?

Monday, January 11, 2021 Permalink

I have new sneakers. I know that’s not a big deal for most people. Indeed once it wouldn’t have been for me either. When I was a regular gym-goer and exerciser I used to get new sneakers (aka: sandshoes, runners, joggers) each year. I was – back then – a Nike addict so the brand was usually a no-brainer and often I had several pairs, cross-trainers for sport or gym classes; and running shoes for… well for walking.

Regular readers would know however that my exercise regime has been sporadic over the last decade (or two). When I’m on a fitness roll – as I was before my seachange – I attended gym classes 4-5 days a week. And sometimes walked as well.

Of course since then, I’ve basically done SFA.

Half full or half empty?

Saturday, January 2, 2021 Permalink

[TW: Disordered-eating]
I want something from food that it’s not giving me.

It’s been two years since I was employed full-time and I’m fairly sure I’ve spent most of that eating. In fact, it increasingly feels as if I am constantly scouring my cupboard and fridge for fodder but it’s finally come to a head.

Because nothing is tasty enough. Fulfilling enough. Nothing lasts long enough.

I often feel uncomfortably full. Over-sated but unsatisfied.

Post hoc fallacy – exercise, fitness and ageing

Monday, November 16, 2020 Permalink

I was going to call this Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc but the title I’ve used is an abbreviation of that. Apparently. It’s a phrase I only know from watching The West Wing. I don’t think it’s actually the right phrase for what I’m trying to say here, but the only other one I can think of is something from the lessons we had at school when computers were first being introduced in the mid 1980s… IF <something> THEN <something else>. Clear as mud?

Which doesn’t bring me to my point which is actually about exercise, fitness and ageing.

I started going to over-50s exercise classes a couple of months ago. My main motivating factor was that they were being held IN MY SUBURB…. or at least the neighbouring one. Small group, low impact, inexpensive. So, perfect.

Exorcising the exercise demons

Monday, July 13, 2020 Permalink

See what I did there? In that title? Anyone who read my (former) Diet Schmiet blog knows food, fitness, exercise and I have a long and tumultuous history. You wouldn’t know it now but I was fairly athletic when young. I played representative basketball and netball and at one point exercised obsessively for hours a day.

Self-care: cutting yourself some slack

Monday, August 26, 2019 Permalink

I was struggling a little on the weekend. There was nothing major, just a few things colliding Bermuda Triangle-style making me edgy and irritable. The ongoing unemployment thing is obviously ever-present… as it’s almost a year since I finished my contract. Interestingly a similar position has come up with the same government agency but my confidence isn’t quite what it was, and I continue to ponder on how I was perceived.