Day 6, Week 4 of NEAT Plan

Day 6 activities:

1. Three 30 minute walks, one 15 minute walk, 20 Core Chargers and 8 Sunrise Stretches (2 points for everything)

2. How did your planned NEAT activities go? What would you do differently?

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner, one Fuel Cell Snack. Write down the number of alcoholic drinks you had today. (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for alcohol tallying)

How I did:

Scale: 156

Breakfast / Lunch: fruit and nut bar.

Dinner: We shared three pizzas at Pizzacletta in Flagstaff.

Didn't do much today - it was rainy and we were tired from Coalmine Canyon.

Did do the stretches though.

Day 5, Week 4 of NEAT Plan

Day 5 activities:

1. Three 30 minute walks, 20 Core Chargers and 8 Sunrise Stretches (3 points, 2 for all walks and 1 for the NEAT stretches)

2. Take your molding from yesterday and reshape it into something positive. Promise to yourself that you'll put the negative experience behind you.

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner, one Fuel Cell Snack  (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for fat free eating)

How I did:

Scale: 156

Breakfast/Lunch - Bagel with egg, cheese, bacon and two cups of coffee

Dinner: guac with blue corn chips and rolled tortilla chips, shrimp quesdillas

Walked around Coalmine Canyon

Didn't remake the clay - I wanted to keep the piano to remind me of positive interactions I wrote down  few posts ago.

Day 4, Week 4 of NEAT Plan

Day 4 activities:

1. Three 30 minute walks, 20 Core Chargers and 8 Sunrise Stretches (3 points, 2 for all walks and 1 for the NEAT stretches)

2. Take the modeling clay and mold a representation of one of your bad experiences you wrote down on Tuesday. Once satisfied, put it on a shelf to deal with tomorrow.

Plan another NEAT activity for Thursday.

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner, continue Neat Fuel Cell Snack Challenge, and tally up how many drinks you consume, on average, per day and per week. (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for alcohol tallying)

How I did:

Scale: 156.2

Breakfast was light. Just a protein bar and a cup of coffee

Lunch was at Diablo Burger. I had the Senor Smoke - burger with cheddar, smoked ancho grilled onions, grilled avocado, bacon, cilantro and sriracha mayo.

 I shall attack you!!!

Grraarrrrrrghghmmmmphh!!! Nom nom nom.....

After lunch, we went to a craft store to pick up some modelling clay. For losing the ability to play piano, I molded a piano. For feeling lost when I was doing my first degree, I molded a globe. Sadly, when I was putting Asia down, it smashed the Yucatan peninsula and Florida together.Instead of the Gulf of Mexico, it's a rather large lake. Oh well.

Dinner - brother made delicious hake and mixed vegetables. They were so delicious, I forgot to take a picture!

I doubt I did enough walking to get a point, but I'll do the stretches before I go to bed.

Day 3, Week 4 of NEAT Plan

Day 3 activities:

1. Three 30 minute walks, 20 Core Chargers and 8 Sunrise Stretches (3 points, 2 for all walks and 1 for the NEAT stretches)

2. Go buy some modeling clay. (You'll see why tomorrow.)

Plan a NEAT activity for Thursday. Connect the activity around the person you admire.

 (1 point)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner, one Neat Fuel Cell Snack Challenge. (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for no fast food)

How I did:

Didn't get to the modelling clay. Will have to do that tomorrow.

Got the walks in at the Grand Canyon!

Breakfast/Lunch:

Delicious, delicious omelette with cheese blanket and toast.

Dinner:

Absolutely wonderful sushi!

Day 2, Week 4 of NEAT Plan

Day 2 activities:

1. Three 30 minute walks, 20 Core Chargers and 8 Sunrise Stretches (3 points, 2 for all walks and 1 for the NEAT stretches)

2. Reflection...

Write down three positive experiences that made you stronger or helped you be more successful.

Write down three negative experiences that set you back or prevented you from reaching your goals

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner, Neat Fuel Cell Snack Challenge. (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for snack challenge)

Plan some NEAT snacks. Create three one fuel cell snacks that will satisfy hunger without weighing you down.

How did you feel foregoing your favorite snack? What did you eat instead?

How I did:

Scale: 156.6

Didn't walk much today.

Breakfast/Lunch:

My brother's home made fruit and nut protein bars!


Dinner - we went to Pato Thai and had Papaya Salad, Fried Acorn Squash and I had some Pad Thai.

Three positive experiences:

1. Getting a good reception for my band's only gig
2. Succeeding with a job in which I had changed careers
3. Having the kindness and encouragement from my husband to continue practicing music

Three negative experiences:

1. Feeling lost during my first degree
2. (Temporarily) Losing the ability to write music or play piano
3. Losing my former jobs due to layoffs and a firing.

Day 1, Week 4 of NEAT Plan

Day 1 activities:

1. Three 30 minute walks, 20 Core Chargers and 8 Sunrise Stretches (3 points, 2 for all walks and 1 for the NEAT stretches)

2. Name a person whose work you admire. Do some research and answer these questions:

Person's name:
What was their maximum education level?
Who was their principle influencers or mentors en route to success?
What barriers did they overcome to become successful?
What would have you done if faced with those barriers?
How can you apply their lessons to your own life?

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner, one Neat Fuel Cell Snack Challenge. (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for snack challenge)

NEAT Snack Challenge:

Identify your favorite snack. Now, go a full week without that snack. Think about what you're snacking on and why. If you can't reach for your go-to snack, you'll have to think about what else you want, which will lead you to figure out what void the snack is filling. Is it purely fuel or is it emotional?

How I did:

Didn't do the stretches and I don't know how much I walked - but I walked through the Raleigh, Chicago and Phoenix airports.

A person I admire is Paul McCartney. He finished secondary school in Liverpool, but did not pursue further formal education. Paul's principle influencers are his father, which played music professionally, Little Richard, Elvis Presley and other American 50s rock and rollers! He overcame a town that had 'lifers', that never left the community, overcame rejection from Beatles demos to Decca and other record companies, and he worked hard, every day, mastering his craft.

If I were to be faced with these barriers, I would try a different approach - go independent, just try to keep being noticed for my craft.

Paul's love of his work and perseverance challenges me to do the same thing.


As far as food today....

I had hot chocolate and chocolate covered pretzels at the Chicago airport for breakfast

Lunch - bread with olive tapanade, chips with guacamole, and fish tacos

and Dinner - black bean and regular hummus

NEAT snack challenge: giving up ice cream/gelato! It'll be tough.

Day 7, Week 3 of NEAT Plan

Day 7 activities:

1. Two 30 minute walks and one 20 minute walk (3 points, 1 for each 30 minute walks and 1 for the 20 minute walk + the NEAT stretches)

The NEAT stretches are as follows:

Core Charger:

Stand with feet a few inches apart. Bend arms and hold them out to the sides, so they form right angles with your hands toward the ceiling, palms facing forward. Contract abs and pull right knee and left elbow toward each other. Pause, then return to start. Switch sides. Perform ten, five on each side.

Sunrise Stretch:

Stand tall. Reach your hands up toward the sky, taking a full breath and extending body as long as possible. Exhale and sweep your arms out to the sides and body down toward the floor, reaching for your toes. Allow the upper body to relax so you feel a stretch down the back of your legs. Slowly roll up to a standing position. Repeat four more times.

2. How did the planned NEAT activity go?

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner. (1 point for all meals)

Between working a lot then packing when I got home, I didn't get a walk in.

The planned NEAT activity went well - I packed all my clothes and electronics and got ready for my flights to Arizona..

Breakfast: Tea

Lunch: Tuna

Dinner: Bojangles Fried Chicken (Which is quite delicious!)

Day 6, Week 3 of NEAT Plan

Day 6 activities:

1. Two 30 minute walks and one 20 minute walk (3 points, 1 for each 30 minute walks and 1 for the 20 minute walk + the NEAT stretches)

The NEAT stretches are as follows:

Core Charger:

Stand with feet a few inches apart. Bend arms and hold them out to the sides, so they form right angles with your hands toward the ceiling, palms facing forward. Contract abs and pull right knee and left elbow toward each other. Pause, then return to start. Switch sides. Perform ten, five on each side.

Sunrise Stretch:

Stand tall. Reach your hands up toward the sky, taking a full breath and extending body as long as possible. Exhale and sweep your arms out to the sides and body down toward the floor, reaching for your toes. Allow the upper body to relax so you feel a stretch down the back of your legs. Slowly roll up to a standing position. Repeat four more times.

2. Finish NEAT project and figure out how to present it to others. Investigate the link with emotional eating. Do you eat for things other than to provide fuel? Why?

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner. (1 point for all meals)

How I did:

Breakfast:

tea

Lunch:

Pho!!!

The picture is blurry because I just wanted to eat it all up right then! I was hungry. Only had tea for breakfast.

Snack:

Apparently someone brought in amazing chocolate cake. I couldn't turn it down.

I mean, look at it!!! It was so super delicious!!

Well, the painting is done, and I shared it with all of you lovely folks, so that's finished.


Emotional eating:

I eat because things are delicious!!!!

Won't be getting walk in today. Things are too crazy with work. Ah well.

Day 5, Week 3 of NEAT Plan

Day 5 activities:

1. Two 30 minute walks and one 20 minute walk (3 points, 1 for each 30 minute walks and 1 for the 20 minute walk + the NEAT stretches)

The NEAT stretches are as follows:

Core Charger:

Stand with feet a few inches apart. Bend arms and hold them out to the sides, so they form right angles with your hands toward the ceiling, palms facing forward. Contract abs and pull right knee and left elbow toward each other. Pause, then return to start. Switch sides. Perform ten, five on each side.

Sunrise Stretch:

Stand tall. Reach your hands up toward the sky, taking a full breath and extending body as long as possible. Exhale and sweep your arms out to the sides and body down toward the floor, reaching for your toes. Allow the upper body to relax so you feel a stretch down the back of your legs. Slowly roll up to a standing position. Repeat four more times.

2. Report Progress on NEAT project. Write down the details of your NEAT activity on Friday.

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner. (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for going fat free)

How I did:

Whee, I painted! NEAT activity accomplished. Friday's NEAT activity? Packing. Heading to Arizona early Saturday morning.

This is my family running on Magen's Bay in St. Thomas island - Max included!

Breakfast: cup of tea

Lunch:

Just tuna. Didn't have time to warm up the peas.

Work has been pretty crazy lately. I walked around Harris Teeter (grocery store) but didn't take the stairs. I won't be able to get my walk in tonight - I'm working remotely most likely until I go to bed.

Dinner: Haven't decided yet. Perhaps I'll snitch a piece of Eric's pizza.

Day 4, Week 3 of NEAT Plan

Day 4 activities:

1. Two 30 minute walks and one 20 minute walk (3 points, 1 for each 30 minute walks and 1 for the 20 minute walk + the NEAT stretches)

The NEAT stretches are as follows:

Core Charger:

Stand with feet a few inches apart. Bend arms and hold them out to the sides, so they form right angles with your hands toward the ceiling, palms facing forward. Contract abs and pull right knee and left elbow toward each other. Pause, then return to start. Switch sides. Perform ten, five on each side.

Sunrise Stretch:

Stand tall. Reach your hands up toward the sky, taking a full breath and extending body as long as possible. Exhale and sweep your arms out to the sides and body down toward the floor, reaching for your toes. Allow the upper body to relax so you feel a stretch down the back of your legs. Slowly roll up to a standing position. Repeat four more times.

2. Work on the NEAT Project. Plan to do a different NEAT activity on Friday.

 (1 point)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner. (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for no second helpings)

How I did:

Usual breakfast, yogurt and tea.

Work was very busy, but I was able to be productive!

For lunch, I went to Another Broken Egg Cafe and had a skillet with eggs, ham, mushrooms and green onions.

For dinner, I made a quesadilla with cheese and black beans.

Got my hair cut at 6pm and didn't get home until 7:30 and went to Kroger, so I got in my walks. I'll have to postpone my painting project until tomorrow evening.

I'm going to do the stretches and head for bed.

Day 3, Week 3 of NEAT Plan

Day 3 activities:

1. Two 30 minute walks and one 20 minute walk (3 points, 1 for each 30 minute walks and 1 for the 20 minute walk + the NEAT stretches)

The NEAT stretches are as follows:

Core Charger:

Stand with feet a few inches apart. Bend arms and hold them out to the sides, so they form right angles with your hands toward the ceiling, palms facing forward. Contract abs and pull right knee and left elbow toward each other. Pause, then return to start. Switch sides. Perform ten, five on each side.

Sunrise Stretch:

Stand tall. Reach your hands up toward the sky, taking a full breath and extending body as long as possible. Exhale and sweep your arms out to the sides and body down toward the floor, reaching for your toes. Allow the upper body to relax so you feel a stretch down the back of your legs. Slowly roll up to a standing position. Repeat four more times.

2. Assemble the supplies for the NEAT project (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner. (2 points, 1 point for all meals, 1 for no fast food)

How I did:

Breakfast - tea and yogurt.

Lunch: peas and tuna

Dinner: Sushi

Thought I might have a kidney stone, so instead of working out, I went to to the Duke Urgent Care. they couldn't determine if I had one or not conclusively, so they gave me some pain meds and sent me on my way.

Day 2, Week 3 of NEAT Plan

Day 2 activities:

1. Two 30 minute walks and one 20 minute walk (3 points, 1 for each 30 minute walks and 1 for the 20 minute walk + the NEAT stretches)

The NEAT stretches are as follows:

Core Charger:

Stand with feet a few inches apart. Bend arms and hold them out to the sides, so they form right angles with your hands toward the ceiling, palms facing forward. Contract abs and pull right knee and left elbow toward each other. Pause, then return to start. Switch sides. Perform ten, five on each side.

Sunrise Stretch:

Stand tall. Reach your hands up toward the sky, taking a full breath and extending body as long as possible. Exhale and sweep your arms out to the sides and body down toward the floor, reaching for your toes. Allow the upper body to relax so you feel a stretch down the back of your legs. Slowly roll up to a standing position. Repeat four more times.

2. Pick a NEAT project:

Draw a picture of your dream house
Paint a picture of yourself and your family
Make a piece of clothing
Make a piece of furniture (model or real)

Write down what tasks need to happen to accomplish it.

 (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner. (1 point for all meals)

How I did:

Breakfast:

Yogurts!

After breakfast, I'm heading to the gym for a while. Not a 1750 calorie burning while. Maybe a 750 calorie burning while.

My NEAT project:

Paint a picture of myself and my family. I won't be very good at any of them, and I haven't painted for a while, so painting sounds the most attractive.

Tasks:
Get paint (done)
Get paintbrushes (done)
Get canvas (done)
Get easel

Almost ready!

Lunch:

Ramen!

After going to the gym, I walked around the complex for a few hours and hit 13,000 steps!

Dinner:

I forgot to take a picture of it before I ate it.

It was peas and tuna with cayenne pepper and onion powder. Excellent!

Day 1, Week 3 of NEAT Plan

Day 1 activities:

1. Two 30 minute walks and one 20 minute walk (3 points, 1 for each 30 minute walks and 1 for the 20 minute walk + the NEAT stretches)

The NEAT stretches are as follows:

Core Charger:

Stand with feet a few inches apart. Bend arms and hold them out to the sides, so they form right angles with your hands toward the ceiling, palms facing forward. Contract abs and pull right knee and left elbow toward each other. Pause, then return to start. Switch sides. Perform ten, five on each side.

Sunrise Stretch:

Stand tall. Reach your hands up toward the sky, taking a full breath and extending body as long as possible. Exhale and sweep your arms out to the sides and body down toward the floor, reaching for your toes. Allow the upper body to relax so you feel a stretch down the back of your legs. Slowly roll up to a standing position. Repeat four more times.

2. NEAT plan check in - how's the plant looking? How are you doing with your NEAT belt? Which of your previously sedentary activities have your NEAT-ified? If you have more to do, which one will you tackle today? (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, two Fuel Cell dinner. (2 points, one for both breakfast and lunch, one for dinner)

How I did:

Point totals from the first two weeks:

84 out of 90. As long as I got  75% of the points (68) I can have my first reward.

It's going to be these:

Bach Chorale I and Bach Chorale II.

It'll help me with voicings and not as difficult as most other books I have.

NEAT Belt - I discarded it after two days - it wasn't working for me.
NEAT Plant - looking good!

Dinner:

New Japan Hibachi. Eh. It was alright.

I did the NEAT stretches. They weren't very difficult. Walked around Kohls for an hour.

My usual activities from before:

WEEKDAY
Time	Activity	Sitting/Inactive	Standing/Light Activity	Moving/Active
7:00 AM	Shower/Dress/Brush teeth		x
8:00 AM	Commute to work	x
8:30 AM	Cubicle work	x
12:00 PM	Walk to lunch			x
12:30 PM	Cubicle work	x
4:30 PM	Commute back home	x
5:00 PM	Exercise			x
6:00 PM	Dinner	x
6:30 PM	Reading/Surfing Internet	x
11:00 PM	Sleeping	x

WEEKEND
Time	Activity	Sitting/Inactive	Standing/Light Activity	Moving/Active
8:00 AM	Shower/Dress/Brush teeth		x
9:30 AM	Exercise			x
11:00 AM	Reading/Surfing Internet	x
12:30 PM	Lunch	x
1:00 PM	Reading/Surfing Internet	x
7:00 PM	Dinner	x
8:00 PM	Laundry		x
9:00 PM	Reading/Surfing Internet	x
11:00 PM	Sleeping	x

My usual activities as I do them now:

WEEKDAY
Time	Activity	Sitting/Inactive	Standing/Light Activity	Moving/Active
7:00 AM	Shower/Dress/Brush teeth		x
8:00 AM	Commute to work	x
8:30 AM	Cubicle work	x
12:00 PM	Walk to lunch			x
12:30 PM	Cubicle work	x
4:30 PM	Commute back home	x
5:00 PM	Exercise			x
6:00 PM	Dinner		x
6:30 PM	Reading/Surfing Internet		x
11:00 PM	Sleeping	x

WEEKEND
Time	Activity	Sitting/Inactive	Standing/Light Activity	Moving/Active
8:00 AM	Shower/Dress/Brush teeth		x
9:30 AM	Exercise			x
11:00 AM	Reading/Surfing Internet		x
12:30 PM	Lunch		x
1:00 PM	Reading/Surfing Internet		x
7:00 PM	Dinner	x
8:00 PM	Laundry		x
9:00 PM	Reading/Surfing Internet		x
11:00 PM	Sleeping	x

The standing desk at home has made a huge improvement and I rarely sit down with my laptop anymore. I spoke with my manager about getting a standing desk at work, and it seems that I'll get it in about a month. Great!

Day 7, Week 2 of NEAT Plan

Day 7 activities:

1. Two 20 minute walks and one 30 minute walk (2 points, 1 for both 20 minute walks and 1 for the 30 minute walk)

2. Count the number of home cooked meals you had this week. Add here a new two Fuel Cell recipe and plan when to make it next week. (2 points)

3. Two Fuel Cell breakfast, two Fuel Cell lunch, eat only Fat Free. (2 points, one for both meals, one for eating fat free)

How I did:

Scale: 155.9
Still sliding!

Due to my knee pain yesterday, I decided to not take the stairs today.

Breakfast:

Yogurt and tea.

Lunch: PHO!!!

So, so very delicious.

Dinner:

Didn't want to leave the cuisine of the east, so I had ramen:

Had 13 'home cooked' meals this week. Next week's recipe:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/easy_miso_ch
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/722637/japanese-ramen-noodle-soup