‘Fooded’ Out in February!


I never thought I’d admit it, but I’m ‘fooded’ out. Stuffed to <<bursting>>. Move over the laughing Buddha and enter the laughing pig. Except I’m not laughing. I feel fat. February has been a month of celebration, experimenting with new and healthier recipes–which I’ve shared on my blog–and eating out. Eating out three/four times a week posed too much of a temptation, and the little voice in my head that encouraged me to eat dessert refused to be silenced, so my 80/20 diet rule became 20/80. The pounds have no doubt piled on. I’m not stepping on the scales. I daren’t look. I think I already know the outcome because I can’t see my toes when I look down. We will see.

February started well, but I lost momentum, so as I waddle into March, it’s time to pump up the tyres and climb back on the health bike. Talking of bikes, it’s also time to stop using my static bike in the lounge as an ornament and get pedalling. Yes, Mr Piglet. That’s correct.

Exercise and Mindfulness: On a positive note, I’ve pushed myself to maintain the ‘Get Fit With Rick’ exercises on YouTube. I have decided to try out a new routine for March. It’s tougher. We will see. My body is a finely tuned slug and does not react well when I push its boundaries too far.

I have also continued line dancing and walking.

Walking, I set a new personal record. YaY!! 2.4 km in one hit. That’s a biggie for me as normally my walks are short bursts of around 1km or less. Yep, my body rebelled. I suffered the next day.

The Yoga for Seniors class for my mental well-being is also going well. I recognise I can be a ball of stress and need to practice meditation and relaxation. However, now that a couple more people have joined the class, the instruction is all in Portuguese, which is fine. I need the practice, but I’m sure I’m breathing out when I’m meant to be breathing in, and I still get my left and right mixed up.

Food Diary: I started a food diary in February, but after a couple of weeks of recording what I ate, I realised that I do not eat enough dark green leafy vegetables such as Arugula (rocket), Spinach, Kale, Collard Greens, Romaine Lettuce, Chicory, or Swiss Chard. We also eat waay too much red meat and not enough fish and veggie mains. I plan to address this during March.

My lifestyle goals for February were:

How Was Your Week? Buddha Belly and Fado

Lifestyle Goals for March?

I sucked in courage on March 1st and stepped on the scales. Much to my surprise I’d only gained a few pounds and not enough to justify the bloated belly. A friend suggested I may well have a food intolerance such as gluten. ?Hmmm …

  • Gradually ramp up the exercise. Complete the track and/or shore walk.
  • Continue to avoid Ultra Processed Foods
  • Get back on the 80/20
  • Weekly recipe
  • Research gluten intolerance as a starting point.

Overall, my mental and physical health is improving. My thanks to Sue for creating The Women Living Well After 50 – Daily Exercise Challenge FB group

Quote from Deb’s Blog

Take small steps each day.
You might not get there today but you’ll be closer than yesterday. Anon

Check out the Health Benefits of Dark Green Leafy Vegetables

Anyone else with a food intolerance?

Featured Image: Image by Julien Tromeur from Pixabay

My health journey is part of the wellnessreimaginedlinkup.

25 thoughts on “‘Fooded’ Out in February!”

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  1. Pingback: How Was Your Week? Three Wheels on My Wagon and an Anti-Snoring Plant – Piglet in Portugal

  2. Hi Carole, it’s so good reading your posts and getting to know you better through the Facebook group! Well done on getting on the scales and not chickening out, as I tend to do! You’ve been honest and that’s a good way to continue, you are moving and making progress. I’m glad that quote from my post resonated with you and it’s great to have you join us!

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  3. I so so so know that fat feeling.. and as someone else said it’s so hard to climb back on the “wagon”. Small steps, be kind to yourself and make good choices. The things I tell myself ALL the time.

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  4. Eating out is fun, but it does come back around! good to enjoy it while you did, March is a great time for a fresh start. I like that and this is a great reminder to get in the greens.

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  5. Thanks for this great post, Carole and congratulations on your ongoing quest for better health! I don’t have any food intolerance that I’m aware of. I do, however, have a severe allergy to preservatives, so I have to be extremely careful to thoroughly wash all produce and I carry an epi pen everywhere I go.

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      1. It took allergy testing by a specialist after two severe anaphylactic reactions. And Yes, I’m feeling better every day, thanks. I won’t be power walking for a long time but otherwise not too bad.

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  6. Hi Carole, sometimes life happens and celebrations or eating out more often are part of that. I’ve learned to accept those times when in the past I would have berated myself. I look at it as sharing good times with others and making memories. After the party I get back on track and like you follow an 80/20 eating plan. Over the last couple of years we have reduced the amount of red meat that we eat to only occasionally and mainly have chicken or salmon. I have to watch our diet as Mike has Type 2 Diabetes so we need to keep an eye on what he eats. On a positive note your movement and exercise has increased so there are plenty of ticks there. Thanks for the shoutout re the group. I think we have a great core group who are happy to share and inspire each other and that includes you. I’m so pleased you joined us for Wellness Reimagined and let’s march forward into March with enthusiasm. xx

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  11. Regular walking and line dancing is some good habits. I used to do line dancing years ago but had to quit because I worked full time and wanted my evenings free, and line dancing was one of the least important things I did at the time. But it was good fun!

    A food diary is helpful! I’m coeliac and have all sorts of problems but didn’t start cleaning up my diet (other than not eating gluten, obviously) until about 2 years ago when I became more ambitious with my strength training and overall fitness. Now I use a tracker app and track my food in periods. It’s helped me learn what micronutrients are in certain foods, and actually how easy it is go get a good varied diet.

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    1. Hi Susanne, thanks for stopping by. Yes, linedancing is great fun and exercises the body and mind as well. We have now learned so many dances over the last two years it certainly challenges the memory.

      Food, I have suspected an intolerance for some time because even when I lose weight I always had a Buddha belly. Now I am more tuned in to what I eat I am suspcious of gluten or dairy. I will start with Gluten. What is the app you use?

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      1. I use one called Cronometer, it’s one of few apps that has a food database that includes European products and even specific Irish products. I’m trying the premium version now which has more parameters (such as bone health, immune support etc) but the free version is very good too. If you suspect an intolerance, definitely track your food as well as write a diary of how your body feels.

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