Monday, March 4th

First full day done!

I tried oatmeal for breakfast today...for like the millionth time in my life and Surprise! I still don't like it.  :0)  Luckily they had other options after my first breakfast was a failure.  I've decided to try the foods I have written off before in my life while I am here...yogurt, oatmeal, cottage cheese.  I probably still dislike them all, but might as well try them, right?

After breakfast I went to a class on the basics of what we are doing here and to learn what it means to be a mindful eater.  Most of the program is all about becoming in tune with your body again.  Something that a lot of us lost a long time ago.  Having a structured eating plan, three meals a day plus a snack at specific times so your body knows food is coming and you don't become starving and overeat.  It's also about paying more attention while you eat and knowing when you are hungry, full, thirsty, etc.  It means putting your cell phone down during meal time, not watching TV, not working...all things I am guilty of doing.  And while, they don't give you a list of No-No's, they feed us here 'real' foods and that is what we should be striving to do in our daily lives as well.  Ultimately, you can eat anything you want, but as long as you enjoy it and know when your body is done eating.  Sounds simple enough.  :0)  I really like this 'mindful' approach to living because it is to get us out of our 'dieting' mentality.  I know it will take me some time to really grasp this approach and to learn how to live like this, but I am excited because I really think I can do it.  It makes sense to me.

I then went to a class to learn how best to exercise with modifications and how to strengthen my ankle.  I have been given ankle exercises to do each evening and morning to help get my ankle stronger so I am less apt to fall down...often.

Lunch was at noon.  We had a Greek Bean Patty, sauteed mushrooms and onions, a green salad and a pasta salad.  It was very good and filling.  I have yet to grasp the whole "eat until your full" thing as I ate my whole plate for fear I would be hungry later...I will work on that.  It's only Day 1, people!

I then had a class about exercise and it's importance in our lives.  And actually, we were told it's not about exercise, it is about 'becoming more active'.  Our instructor, Lynn Ann talked about making ourselves first in our lives and taking the time to be active.  She said that we don't need to be crazy gym rats, and that we should 'step out of the gym and back into our lives.'  If we over work ourselves or do activities we hate, then we will stop and learn to resent it.  We got some basic guidelines and will use our time here to find out which movements/activities we enjoy the most and will want to continue even after we leave.

This was followed by a strength training class (my first in the studio!).  We did upper, lower, and core exercises.  It was nice.  Nothing too crazy.  I am sure my muscles will feel the work tomorrow.

At 3:30p we had a snack and then I went to learn how to meditate and how to be mindful in stretching.  This was lead by Diane the program director for the facility.  She has a very 'do what feels good to your body' approach to movement.  Tomorrow I am going to her Body Movement Fitness class, which should be interesting.  Apparently people get into some pretty crazy movements.  It's nice because while she has this approach, Lynn Ann, has a more structured cardio approach.  We again, we can choose what we like once we have experienced the different instructor's methods and classes.

Dinner was a turkey meatloaf, garlic mashed potatoes, and roasted broccoli.  Again, very good.  It's nice to not have to be worried about the food.  So far it is just good.

We then watched a stand up comedian show on Netflix called, "John Pinette: I'm Starving".  It was pretty hilarious.  Especially to those of us who have had a number of the dieting experiences that he jokes about.  I highly recommend you watch it yourselves.

Back to my room and I have talked to Joe, showered, and am now blogging!  Will probably head to bed soon.  Busy day tomorrow!  I'll put my schedule up again.  :0)