The lesson learned by a daddy-daughter moment

I have had the Fit Bit on for a while now. V has been nagging me let her wear it for One day. This Sunday, I caved and said- Fine wear it.
The whole day, she excitedly kept tapping to see how well she was doing. She would keep checking on how Sumit's Fit Bit progressed as well. She would walk at a place while we ate food. She was running a patio on a crisp afternoon just to see the five lights of Fit Bit.
We returned home after a long day, and she excitedly went on the Fit Bit app on my phone to realise, she is 590 steps away from her goal of the day. She was super tired, but was keen on completing the steps.

Looking at her tired face, I mumbled to Sumit, let her be. Its okay if she does not finish it.
As usual, she overheard us and was like- I want to feel the 'buzzing on hand'. Once you complete the daily goal, the Fit Bit vibrates and on the wrist it feels like a buzzing sound.
Sumit was super supportive of her and much to my dismay encouraged her to finish the goal. Now in reality, 590 steps is two rounds end to end in my apartment. We have one long corridor. But I was super tired myself and could only imagine how tired V was.
To motivate and encourage V and Sumit headed to the deck. In two minutes I heard sqeals of laughter and delight.

I run up to the deck to realise its V who felt the 'buzzing' on her wrist and completed her goal.
She was delighted and Sumit was happy to see that. She kept saying, 'I finished my steps on the firt day I wore it, yeah'. She hopped to her room and slept with the broadest smile.

I, well I learnt a very important lesson. To complete a goal sometimes is as important to start it and the journey to completion is as memorable and fun as you make it.

Tch Tch- This Lazy Business is bad!

I should keep up: Well for both, blogging and secondly and more importantly for my 'Getting Fit' business and its reporting!

Its been exactly a month, since I bought the 'Fit Bit'.

The journey has been 'up and down' and sadly 'more down than up'. Ok, let me elaborate.

The first two weeks, the novelty of it was awesome. I was keeping up with it, increased my target to 10000 steps and doing good. I didn’t meet it every day, but met it 5 out of 7 days. Yay!

But in the past two weeks, I have been BAD. Last week, I met my target of 10K steps only ONE day. Yes NOT GOOD.

And on top of it, I relished food way too much and in my case it SHOWS, everywhere and more importantly my jeans are more snug than I want them to be.

So another Monday, another resolution!

Well. My aim for this week is simple- I want to meet my target EVERY SINGLE WEEK DAY!

That's it.

Just meet my target and I promise come next week, I will 'display' my weekly report that Fit Bit sends me and puts me to shape.

 Sumit bought a Fit Bit for himself as well. So its two of us now. Our cousins, who introduced us to this, have been insisting we join them for 'Group Tracking' and I am not up for that YET. So the struggle continues.

I think the best and the worst part of Fit Bit is- It really shows how LAZY your day to day life is. If we cant do 10K steps in a day at the age we are, the future looks a bit well 'podgy'. Yes my initial target was 8K which I meet comfortably, but I want to push myself, just a little at a time.

So wish me luck> I want my 10K badges!!

Good Job

It's rare to tell yourself that. Especially when you know you have not reached your goal but still pat your back and say, you are on the right track- Great Job.

I realized it, this past weekend when a friend commended Sumit on being fitter than before. I am proud of him. He has been good with his Getting Fit business on the Fit Bit. But he was not happy since its far far away from his goal of 15K steps every single day.

Learning from this, I am taking a step back and appreciating my self- Good Job.

I met my walking targets most days past week on the Fit Bit.

I recently joined a Yoga Studio and went to class 4 times in a week.

I made a few better choices. For example, ordering salad instead of pizza. I actually walked past from my yummy bagel place and ordered oatmeal for breakfast instead. But yes, I did enjoy a fair share of cake and cup cakes.

I have woken up at an ungodly hour of 5:30 am to make it to my class before kick starting the day. Whist V was in her class, me as a chaperone decided to talk the hour in the passage looking like a fanatic. But oh well. I did meet my target of steps!

For me, I don’t have a specific goal with this Getting Fit stint. I just want to be more active than I really am. I don’t think the jeans are any looser or the tummy is any bit in. Or better yet, I have not lost a single pound. But you know what, I am proud of myself. For just getting off my hinds and moving.

So good Job- Garima`

Getting Fit: Week 6..... Yay!

There should have been a clause in my first post about this Getting Fit business, I am allowed to slack a bit, since you see, I am a mom. I was really hoping to pull the "puppy face OMG, mother of a toddler can get tiring" and then you'd sympathize, pat me along and let me slack off just a tad bit.
But I know you won’t, since damn my big mouth: I wanted to do this so V's mom (Me) is much fitter to chase her in park!
Urgh... Anyways, back to business. So this week, I was in bliss. Again, my daily walks continued. My yoga and stretches got more strenuous and guess what: Finally I am getting some muscle ache! The good kind, you know the kind when you know, you have finally worked the muscle and not just the flab covering it! It felt painful but good. The pain gave me additional motivation.
Now that I am in my last fortnight of pain, I mean getting fit~ I plan to stretch a bit thin! I plan to challenge myself a bit more. Oh by the way, did you know: doing 30 seconds of walk followed by 30 seconds of jogging is more strenuous than 60 seconds of just jogging. OMG! Apparently, everyone knows it. I learned it from my friend: Natasha's facebook status. She is training for the half marathon. Which by the way is amazing, since in her marriage vows, she had said: ”Her husband should forget about coaxing her to run any kind of marathon with him”. But guess what, she is training, with her husband for her wonderful cause. For this cause, you are allowed to retract from the marriage vow! Do drop in on Natasha’s page and donate what you can for her cause and cheer her along.
Ok, back to my progress now:
Yes, however cheeky it might sound- I do feel lighter. Guess what, I stop eating when I am full!! (I know that should be understood, but when the food is super yum and you didn’t cook it, it’s hard!) Hehe, jokes apart.
Food wise, I stuck to breakfast, spaced out meals (minus snacking) and decent hour dinner. Weight wise, the downward trend on my Wii Fit is still excruciatingly slow. But at least the direction is correct!
One very important thing I am learning is, you dont need to go the gym to do a daily healthy routine. It can be in your living room with a yoga mat or out in the park. Earlier, I would always keep shying away saying, no time for gym, or I have to be home with V, or I dont have time! But it's not that hard to make time!
So now, get back to cheering me along so I can complete my final two weeks and be ready to wolf down on my upcoming long weekend trip~

Piper... how you doing sweetie? I think I have consumed more fruits in these six weeks that in the past six years combined. Ok, I am over exaggerating! But you get the idea!

Getting Fit: Week 7: Almost there man... almost!

I know I know, it’s the last but one week, and I had decided to stretch a bit... But alas, my week turned out to be the exact opposite.
One, I will give an 'excuse' of health> I swear, it’s not fun doing a work-out fun while you are coughing. Second 'excuse' will be of a bit of OMG!
Let me explain the OMG: So towards the end of week 6, I felt that my efforts were paying off: It made me feel good. But it also makes me think, now that I have lost a bit, maybe I can eat 'unhealthy' just a teeny tiny bit.
Here is where all hell breaks loose. Sadly, all unhealthy food options are way yummier and you cannot stop at just a bit. So the next you know: You completed a bowl full of whatever you chose.. and hence the OMG!
So how was my week? Well it was not that good.
I had a lot of work and personal scheduled lunches resulting in me eating outside than home packed. And since I don’t pick healthy lunch choices when I order food, the whole "eat balanced Healthy meals" goes out the roof.
So here is what I am planning to do about it: Order the comfort food, but try managing the portions. Stop when you are full and more importantly, take the remaining to go. You don’t have to finish the ginaourmous portion in one go! Comprendes?
The reason I am taking the above approach instead of ordering healthier food to begin with, is the following: I know I can sustain the former. My whole approach in the "Getting Fit" has been to make subtle changes in lifestyle and make it sustainable. Nothing drastic, but just simpler things that I can incorporate in day to day life.
I love eating out, since it gives me a break from my own cooking. I want to enjoy the process and not resent it. That is my honest explanation.. however lame it might sound.
The saving grace was that with the heavier lunches, I did have lighter dinners. I did something right...
Yes, I did continue my walks religiously, did my routine of stretches.. and had my first: With V enjoying the sun in the park, I managed some yoga on the green grass and you know what: It felt awesome! :-)

In the whole getting fit business, I am surprised; at how much I am learning about myself and eating habits and how they impact my moods.

Now as I gear up for my last week before the long weekend: Here is an irrelevant update: A bunch of our friends are heading off to Galena in the long weekend. Very excited, especially, since this is the first time, I will be using my blogger connections: At a recent Blogger conference, I won a getaway weekend in a brand new Chevy 2010 car. So, I am planning to use the 8-seater car for the trip and write about our trip! You can catch all the details on my Mommy-In-Making blog!

Back to business: Week 8 bring it on.... .....and yes that noise is my happy dancing which luckily you can’t see or hear! ;-)

Getting Fit.................round 2354346593764

See there is a pattern here, I start this 'Getting Fit' business' follow through for a bit and then let it slide. And then another phase comes and then I start something new. I wonder if it’s a follow through problem or just that I get bored problem.

Whatever the problem may be, the weight is definitely not sliding off on its own. The tiny silver line, its not increasing, but I am over my target weight at the rate of 10 pounds each kid.

See what I did there; blame the kids of extra baggage and not myself!

Getting back to the point, I have tried only salads for dinner 4X a week, Fit Bit, Meal planning, 3X a week work outs, walking, climbing stairs, slight modifications to lifestyle etc. And case in point, I just lose track of it, be it a vacation, a busy phase or just life in general.

So in spirit of yet another attempt at "Getting Fit' is using 'My Fitness Pal'. Trust me anyone with a smart phone has this app and people who have tried it swear by it. A dear friend on a lazy Friday afternoon chat session swore by it and said she is only 5 pounds over her pre baby weight. That was motivation enough and of course her nudging me on and saying: Don't do anything just log your food. That's it. Simple enough.

She knows how much I hate dieting since for me it’s not sustainable. I get super cranky! Her punch line was, just do what you do and start noting it down, since the calories of everything you consume are right in front of you, it makes you question the choices.  And so I did, 4 days of using it has made me realize I am eating an average of 600 calories over my target for the day. Hmm.

Its only day 4 and as of yet I have not made any changes to my diet. Small things like: taking the pita on falafel sandwich adds 200 calories, so I skipped the pita. I skipped sugar on my daily coffee mainly so the differential of my target calorie intake and my actual consumption is not that much. One step at a time.

This comes to the next point, is 'One step at a time' the right thing to do? I am young and at a place that I should be definitely more active and fitter than what I am. Do I need the 'Big Bang' approach since the pattern of 'One step at a time' is not really working for me? I wonder.

While I wonder, I start using 'My fitness Pal'

Another Day, Another Try at this "Getting Fit" Thing!

I have documented this business of 'Getting Fit' before and was not very successful. I am all about healthy recipes and the fun stuff. But still, the weighty matters have become integral to me. Mind you, I am not happy about it. But it is what it is.

Luckily or painstakingly, I have come to a point where I don’t have (major) body issues. I am what I am and am comfortable in my skin (most of the times and for the rest, there is Spanx!). With kids, work, life in general, I really don’t get time for working out. Yes, that can be a priority and taking an hour out from my day with such a supporting husband should not be hard.

I get that, but it just falls down the priority list. I can’t even come up with an excuse as to why?

Recently, we had family visiting and my cousin introduced us to this thing called 'FitBit'. Concept is simple, it’s a fancy name for a cooler and more hi tech pedometer. It counts the number of steps you take in a day. Simple.

(Image from google)

But the fun part is, you can set targets for yourself, synch in with the endless possible gadgets to see how far you are from your daily target, challenge with family and friends who have this as well. If you really are into it, you can even include calorie intake in its app and track it from there. The sleep tracking tells you, did you have a restful sleep or now. Somehow this with kids makes me pity myself a bit ;-)

Well, I caved and we bought one for me. I am on day 3. Today

Day 2, I was 1000 steps away from my target of '8000' steps a day.

Day 2: I was 2000 steps OVER from my target of '8000' steps a day.

Hmm> Today, I am hoping to catch up and ensure I meet my target.

Since its new, the novelty factor makes it so much fun. I cant wait to synch it up and see, how I am doing. The cool thing is, you are walking anyways for life in general. This just keeps a tab on it and keeps you accountable. As Sumit says 'It makes you push yourself just a little bit more in your daily routine' And then I am hoping slowly it will encourage me to walk a bit more, to increase my targets slowly and continue this.

I will be realistic; I know I am enthusiastic due to the novelty of the device. But oh well, me being me, lets enjoy the moment and worry about it later!

The only thing I didn’t like about FitBit since I wore it, It's ugly. A black plasticky band on you. The other colors were all sold out. Even this one, took me a good time to get my hand on. Plus with its material, it really looks unfashionable, stocky and eww. But I know it’s for a purpose, so I will suck it up and continue wearing it. But I really DONT like how it looks. It's app for the iPad also has a lot to desire for.

We have ordered a band for Sumit. It should arrive in a couple of weeks and then we will have company in this wonderful misery of the 'Getting Fit Saga'

Getting Fit: Week 1 report

Why is getting fit so hard... well since the results show very slowly.
Now, Week 1 into it, I did hit the gym 3 times, but minus a Sunday, I did some sort of stretches, yoga or excercises all other days. Cool naah? Felt better, was chirpier in the mornings, and super exhausted by nights. Sadly, since I am not a morning person, the gym only fits in my schedule later in the night. Which is fine, since I do have early dinners.Another advantage of going in the night: It ensures I dont have a heavier dinner but a more filling one: Confused: Now, since dinners are the only meal, I can have with my family, it tends to be more elaborate, more creative and well I do tend to eat a bit more. So now to still reap family time benefits and make it better, I am trying to start off with Soup often. This fills me up, and my dinner portion automatically reduces making me feel lighter during workouts. And yes, 3 hours dinner prior to gym is OK. I googled! ;-)
My food chart: Yes, I realised my own worst nightmare. I am a snacker. Since more often than not, I skip breakfast, my mornings are a bit snacky until lunch. And now since I am a bit full at lunch, i dont finish my lunch. Getting me hungry around 4. Thats when i tend to finish the remainder of my lunch. Yes, eating at frequent intervals does tend to increase metabolism. However, I have realised, all my snacking is sometimes not as healthy: So now my packed lunch includes some additional healthier snacks like: extra fruit, dried cranberries, yogurt, a small chocolate (I said before, I am looking at getting fitter and not changing myself over it!Ok!) etc. Now, I know i should start breakfast more seriously... hmm.. For now, lets stick to healthier snacks, am sure I will get around to improving breakfast quality.
Oh my Wii Fit profile... sadly it does not show any weight decrease.. Hmm! Mind you, its on a weekly progress. Oh well, at least, I am doing something about it.
Next week, there better be some pound decrease or clothes loosening!

Thanks for all the support over messages, emails and chat windows. Feels good in a funny way, am not alone. Amongst other things, a dear friend recommended the following: Share your food log with three other people, will keep you honest. Hmm. Though its hard to share your vulnerability, I am doing it! Well with one other person for now.
Now, I must confess, this week was super crazy and I did eat a whole load of desserts which I normally would not! Next week's goal: Resist temptation!
Lets see how Week 2 progresses.

And another update on the Getting Fit business

 Notice how I call it 'Business' since sadly it does take more of my time 'thinking' about it than I would like.

Two weeks ago, I had made a promise to keep up by 10 K a week and sadly health was not the best (See I already am giving excuses) But in all due honesty, minus the days when I preferred to not move if I didnt have to, I did do my 10K. Every Single day.

This week however, is better. Better because Sumit being hugely disappointed in me, re-set my goal to 8K steps a day. And I am meeting it EVERY SINGLE DAY.

I know I should be happy, but sadly I take it with a pinch of salt, since I am not 'pushing myself'. Oh well, small steps as they say, or in this case I should say- Lots of Steps!

What am I doing differently besides walking a little more than I used to?

1. Having a whole some breakfast, I know its counter intuitive to talk about getting fit and then say, oh I have a bigger breakfast. But trust me, its helping. I dont know how, but it is, since I am not cranky come lunch time. And above all, since I am waking at an un godly hour of 5:45 nowadays, the bigger breakfast keeps me sane.

2. Finishing off last meal by 7:30 pm. It helps that this week is Paryusan and I should not eat after sun set anyways. But its helping. How- This I can answer. Late dinners = Evil Sin! and Point 1: Heavier breakfasts comes in handy, since well how to say it--I am famished!

3. More water. This is easy for me, since I love water and trust me I can down a lot. But I am now making a conscious effort of skipping my afternoon coffee and substituting that with more water. I have skipped coffee 2 out of 4 days. Hehe! So thats 50% reduction ya'll!

And besides that nothing.

Sumit however is doing a lot more and I am proud of him. He takes most of his meeting walking. He will try to walk minimum 12K. He is trying to substitute all snacks with fruits or smoothies or more fruits. And above all, he is resuming tennis or will walk for his weekly volley ball game or will go and play more basket ball in the evenings.

See, now I feel super bad, since compared to all of the above, I am doing hmm nothing. So I guess him reducing my goal to 8K should be slap on the wrist.

Ouch Ouch Ouch

So the saga of the 'Getting Fit' business continues.

A friend asked me recently, whats so great about 'Fit Bit' and I honestly responded: It shows you what a sedentary lifestyle you lead.

Travel & Stay Fit: Yes you can!

There are two things that I am passionate about, travelling and food!

If you have been following my blog, know me or even just met me, i could go on and out about these two things. In addition, over the last year, I have been following through with 'My Fitness Pal' Trust me, this is the longest I have stuck to the Getting Fit business and actually seen some positive results

Like my husband says, before we finish a trip, Garima is already thinking of the next one! Sadly work comes in way of 'my travelling adventures'. I am happy to say, the kids have travelling bug and definitely are showing signs of budding foodies.

One of the things that happens with this is: 'Getting Fit' always goes out the window when on a trip.

I want to eat all the local delicacies and my 'calorie meter' tells me I am way over my recommended amount. Of course after a trip, when I stand on the 'Scale of disaster' the truth is revealed. Yes, ignore the jeans fitting tightly, the t shirts being a little snug etc... I ignore it on a trip, until I get home and stand on my 'Scale of Disaster'

Story of my life!

But with this 'Getting Fit' business, I am trying to figure out and learn ways of Staying Fit, Enjoying local cuisines and continue Travelling and exploring.

Here is my simple and doable three point guide , I am hoping to add more 'points' as I travel more and eat more

1. Portion Control:
Eat everything you want, but do manage to have a little portion control. These 'buffets' are very appetizing, I get it, trust me.
May be take more variety and less portions. This way you can thoroughly enjoy the buffet and still not be 'way over the recommended calories'. Start with a salad, always!

2. Water &  Snacks:
Hydrate, any trip you take, be it beautiful Quebec, The friendly Vegas or the serene mountains of Leh, hydrate up. This way, you are snacking lesser during the excursions.
And if you are snack-er like me, carry healthy nuts, cereal bars, apple, banana or a simple sandwich loaded with vegetables.

3. Don't fall in the trap of 'Cheat Day':
Trust me, its hard. Read point 1, manage the portions so you can eat everything you really want. And at the same time skip the extra slice of chocolate cake since its your 'Cheat Day'. Its a slippery slope. I know since 'My Fitness Pal' graph is all over the place since I use this 'Its my Cheat Day' excuse a bit often.

Got You, didn't I: You were expecting me to blabber about use the gym, use the hotel facilities... haha!
In that case, you don't know me. On my vacations, I am lazier than my normal self.
You never know, sometimes just relaxing does wonders to your system! The stress eating goes away and you are eating when you are hungry and not when you are worried

 Enjoy these shows if you are in Vegas, take these beautiful excursions if you are in Vegas, the Sin City, book a hotel and enjoy the spa, the gym can wait, but truly relax!

Check out this amazing Website for Vegas, and I cant wait to book my next trip and explore all their amazing deals, and the only exercise I plan to do, is really thoroughly enjoy the city and follow  simple and doable three point guide: P-S-E (Portion- Snacking-Enjoy)!


But I do believe in really trying to stay fit and not gain the 'travel pounds'. If I come back at the same weight that i left before the trip, I am happy.

Quick Food Fix : A salad transformed

I am really bad at following through on the 'Getting Fit' business. When Fit Bit was new, I was completely hooked on and then health became a bit unmanageable, the first thing out- Being healthy. Sad as usual, but true.

But once again, trying to make better choices, a day at a time. In addition, we are contemplating a beach vacation which is motivation enough.

This weekend we had our besties in town and needless to say we pigged out. Every single meal. So by Sunday night, we all were done. Salad- Juice was the way to go.

Sumit made one of his delicious Juice concoctions and I decided to make salad.

My chatter box said- Salad is not going to fill me up. So I decided to twist it up.

Calling it

Transformed Salad: Cross between torta and Open Sandwich: Or just Something Delicious

Ingredients:

Finely  chopped

1. Zucchini - 1/2 cup

2. Carrots - 1/2 cup

3. Peppers - 1/4 cup

4. Onions  - 1/4 cup

5. Parsley- 1/4 cup

6. Lettuce - 3/4 cup

7. Garlic  - 1 clove

8. Shredded Cheese  - Per taste (Or substitute with Goat Cheese)

9. Hummus  - Per taste

10.Spices: Chili Pepper, Black Pepper, Dried Basil, Salt

11. Pita bread/ Any flat bread

To make:

1. Sauté onion garlic in olive oil.

2. When translucent add the spices per your taste

3. Add all remaining vegetables except parsley and Lettuce

4. Cover and let the vegetable steam

5. On a pan, let the pita bread get warm

6. Sprinkle cheese and then add vegetables on half of sandwich (Just so you can close it)

7. Add lettuce and parley.

7. Close sandwich and Enjoy when crisp.

We ate it with hummus dip and sriracha!

It was our dinner last night and lunch to go today. And needless to say this will be on our dinner rotation menu.

What I loved about it was, its like a warm salad. But the pita (I used whole wheat with sundried tomato) helped transform it in a complete meal. The simplicity of the spices bring out the complete taste of the vegetables.

The cheese helps close the sandwich really well and I cut it in Pizza shapes for lunch for the kiddos.

Welcome to try out the 'Transformed Salad: Cross between torta and Open Sandwich'

Getting Fit: Week 4 Update

As I coughed and coughed a bit more, I was sad to see the week slip by. Last week, nothing major, but a bit under the weather.
Call it excuse, whatever, but no gym, only my walks every day. I did manage doing stretches a few times. I have added something to my mix. I always take stairs to my office- second floor ;-) But now, even when I go up to cafeteria or meeting rooms, be it sixth or third floor, I have been taking stairs consistently. Doing just a bit more for daily movement. In addition, I have switched to drinking slightly warm water after meals. Heard it benefits digestion, don’t know about that yet, but I like it, one its soothing to my sore throat and two, I feel good. Don’t ask why.
Food wise, I have been pretty good. My afternoon snack of healthy choice has been consistent. It varies from fruit, to dried cranberries to yogurt. I am learning, Life will continue to happen, by making subtle changes on my approach, I am feeling more energetic. At a friend’s amazing party over the weekend, I snacked on yummy fruits before going; this resulted in less attack on the appetizer tray and saving my appetite for the main course. Plus reduced guilt on binging on the amazing dessert and the chocolate fondue!! Hehe...

Balancing you see and still managing to eat all the yummy food but not over do it. This week, I do want to step it up. Health permitting, I do want to get back to my gym and carve out sometime for Wii Fit. Keep you posted.

Finally a good sign

Put on the dancing shoes... or may be the dancing dress.

If I could, I would somersault today. As vain as it may sound... I fit almost perfectly in my favorite pair of jeans today. Yippie Yeah!

No holding breath to button it up, no wearing larger t shirts to cover the bulge, no keeping it lowest in my stack of jeans!

Yay!!

I have been quiet diligent in my 'MyFitness Pal' journeythat’s about 8 weeks old now. I have been tracking it, weighing in and definitely working to follow through. I have not started 'working out' or made drastic adjustments to lifestyle yet. But the one thing I have been doing quiet diligently is 'portion control' and more protein and less carbs. 

If you read my first post or actually any post regarding this whole business: You know I love my carbs, The roti's, the bread's, the pasta's.They are my staple meal.

This tool classifies your meals in' 50% Carb, 30% Fat, 20% Protein. In all honesty, I am generally over in carb and less in protein. In the 'Fat' content depends on the day :-).

The toughest part of using the 'MyFitness Pal' is reducing the carb intake.

Regardless today is the day to celebrate, I am almost fitting in my favorite part of jeans. I will take that.

The really nice part of this tool (and the key reason I have been able to follow through this) is that it does not say: don’t do this, don’t do that. I can eat everything and still lose some of the weight and above all fit into my jeans!

I love my food and I love the fact that I can eat everything, enjoy the flavors and just manage controlling the portions. It so far has been sustainable. Of course I go over my 'recommended calorie' intake generally on weekends. There have been days where I have consumed twice the number of recommended calories (We just had Diwali season, I mean come on!!!).

But the good thing is weekdays it’s fairly easy to follow through. Brown bagging lunches, skipping on sugar in coffee, no eggs in desserts have all helped me a little bit.

The biggest help has been Sumit and his sweet compliments :-) It is quite a motivator I tell you.

So over all- Yippie Yeah

Do you know how I celebrated my fit in the jeans: Over a bowl of Sriracha Flavored Potato Chips!!!

First Goal: Continue using the tool till October Trip: Done

Second Goal: Increase protein and use the tool till December Trip: Almost There!

Third Goal: Re-start the tool after December trip and get to my target weight by end of first

quarter 2016: Hmm, Will report in 2016.

But I love the compliments and the confidence I have that I can get to my third goal as well.

Week 3 update.....

Rollercoaster... has its highs and lows. The rush of OMG OMG; and the feeling of: Am I crazy doing this? That's how this whole "Getting Fit" phase is coming along!
This attempt is for me to choose a healthier lifestyle, make better choices and at the same time, continue to be me. Since, knowing me, if I do anything drastic, I will not be able to sustain it. Yes, losing the extra pounds is definitely a motivation!
This week went off better. Sadly, I could hit the gym only one day. BUT, I walked from office to home (Just over a mile and a half) on the remaining days. Mind you, I wear my sneakers and it's a brisk walk. The Chicago tease of spring is not helping, but you got to do what you can. Plus every day, I managed doing basic stretches etc. So though not the perfect week, it was a more consistent one.
My learning’s this week: Try having early dinners. If you have guests and you know it's gonna get crazy, it's okay to eat a bit before! Like you, when I cook a lot, I don’t feel hungry until much later and then I do tend to eat a bit more than normal. This time, I cut my fruit up before I started to cook. Felt fuller and more cheerful.
And yes, do make your food chart! It does wonders. I just realized, this week I snacked more on the yummy Namkeen than the fruit ;-)
My tempo is setting in, and I am realizing, it's not that hard. :-D Week 4.... Here I come!

Updated title: it's actual Week 3 update.. Man I am getting ahead of myself!

Acad versus Artsy

Recently I was talking with a friend about two different day care programs and approach. He went to research two schools with very similar background but completely different outlook.
One school focussed on creative arts and music. The other school focussed on academia and music.
The first school, taught the ABC's with art projects. The kids would draw or color and Apple and know that A is for apple. They would sing the "A" song and learn the sounds of the alphabet. The other, would show pictures of Apple, Ankle, Ant and relate it to real life. It would instill 'A' sounds like "aa" and then the kids would learn to recognise the alphabet. And then both schools would move on to the next alphabet.
The kids in both school seem well rounded. Probably the kids from the first school come home more messy thanks to the color overflow! But teaching the same thing in pretty different approaches.
As we both discussed pro and cons. We were both at a loss which one is better. I studied in a very academia focussed system. I did have paint, dance and sport classes as well. But still the focus was math and science. The friend of mine put it aptly..... untill 3 years, all the fun and frolic is great, but after 3, the kid needs to learn the way of the world.
I was a bit taken aback. Though, I still understood his point. One always wants the best for the kid, let the kid explore his best fit, but then there are norms or what you think are norms for the kids. You tell me, which conversation will go better: Oh my kid can add single digit numbers, or that my kid can draw entire beach scene.
Is three the new threshold for learning the real stuff? Art is an expression of the creative mind. The brush and the paper has no boundary. Academics is the best gift a child can ever receive.
I am at loss. My daughter V is coming close towards the threshold age! I probably will face the same conundrum soon- The Art way or the Acad way! Or may be.. I can figure out a way for V to have both.
Which route would you take for yourself, for your kids, your cousins.... does it really matter?

2016: Wishing you a Happy Balanced Year Ahead

Of course it started with our crazy (bad) flight experience coming back from India via Turkish Airlines, getting stranded with the two girls on foreign soil in winter for 4 days is no fun for anyone!

That debacle aside, I was a bit nervous getting into this year..... I still believe what you do on the New Years Day(s) sets a pace for the rest of the year... and this was not a good pace.

For once, I was the one who asked Sumit, no fancy travelling this year, I really was shaken up!

But the year went off really well and kept improving.

 

The girls are growing to be very fine young women now... if I can say so myself. 

Little Lady (Now 4) is charming and is filled with sillyjokes and fun anecdotes. Her highlight is always skipping around the house. She is one 'Happy Soul' 

The Miss Chatterbox (Almost 9) is getting more mature, testing our boundaries a little but still her passion for learning is infections! She is now hooked to Harry Potter Series and is finishing up Book 4. She is definitely wise beyond her years

Sumit and I professionally have had a change of pace all in the right direction. It's gotten busier for us, more challenging and above all more satisfying for both of us. Which is always a really good thing.

A few key highlights, a WONDERFUL relaxing Spring Break trip to Florida and meeting cousins in Everglades. The kids enjoying their summer in India while we traveled up here- Yosemite, Montreal, Quebec and Pittsburgh. All this with a life altering trip to the wonderful 'Leh and Laddakh'. The serenity of that place still mesmerizes me. There were a few more quick getaways from the city, but all in all a nice pace of travel.

We are finishing off the year to a lovely road trip: Chicago-St. Louis-Memphis- New Orleans-Nashville-Chicago

What do I say, travelling and trips are more for memories and really spending time with the family to enjoy, relax and learn something new

This year health wise and 'Getting Fit' has been better than last 2 years for sure. I went for my annual check up and even my doctor commented, am glad you ending this year strong!

Life has been good to us in general, we have parents who dote us and inspire us even today. We have kids who remind us that tomorrow will be even more beautiful. We have each other giving support, holding when we fall and laughing as we go along. We have wonderful friends who are there for us when we need them and are there for us even when we dont know we need a shoulder. We are blessed and happy!

2016 was definitely a better balanced year, what I learned is a Power of No.

If you really think that place is not letting you achieve your potential, say NO and have the courage to walk out.

If you really think that relationship is getting heavier, then say NO and maintain the peace for yourself.

If you really think your family needs something else, then say NO and do what makes the core happy.

To a more balanced year ahead!

Wishing you and your Family a very Happy New Year

A little of this... and a little of that!

It is almost the end of February and time as usual seems to be flying, kids are getting cuter and more mature with every passing day. I am sort of keeping it together in the busy work lives and amazing family times.

They do say, time passes quickly when you are having fun. However, to be honest, not all has been fun, work has been crazy stressful, resulting in off-moods at home a la moi. It should be out of sight, out of mind. Somehow work wise, it’s not happening.

Slowly but surely, I am getting to a point of 'Being Stressed about the fact that I should not be stressed!'

On not so good news, I am at a plateau 'Getting Fit' business. On the up side, I am still using my app for tracking my food intake, but on the other side, I am not 'leveraging' the tools.

This implies, on a daily basis, I blow through my calories quickly and the real downer is that my ‘fat intake’ is still higher than ‘Protein’, which has been my biggest failure!

Yes, I continue to blame the delicious Indian snacks we got from our December vacation!

Oh well, the aim of getting to my target weight by my birthday seems a bit far right now. Its only 5 pounds away!!! So close yet so far!

Let me clarify, my 'true target weight' is still a far, however, you know me, I need to take small steps... So by end of Q1, I had a weight in mind and as of today, I am 5 pounds away from it.

I know I still have a month and it’s achievable within a 10% range. Still, since I am not doing anything about it, I am getting to a stage of self-pity!

On happier notes, life has been busy but good. This week, a friend of mine booked me in for a massage and then later this week we are planning to start the yoga classes together. 

We finally visited the MSI, started playing the game ‘Clue’ with my older Miss Chatterbox and playing the ‘Memory Game’ with the Little Lady. 

I have a series of baby sprinkles that I am helping host, implying many smaller babies coming in that I could play with. With the weather warming up, the Evening Park and picnic trips with the kids is 

not that far!

Warmer Weather = Happier Me!

It's Just Hair? Right? ... May be not

It's hair, its vanity, beauty, identity, depends on whom you ask. For my almost 7  6 year old, Chatter Box, 'It's my decision'

Let me elaborate.

For the last year, Miss V has been patiently growing her hair. For as long as I remember she has sported variations of the 'Dora Hairstyle'. They have been short, manageable. However most of the girls in her class have long hair. When I say long, waist long hair sporting buns, fish braids etc. Playing 'Salon Salon' in break time was the thing for the girls. And Miss V wanted in!

So she grew her hair, went for the customary 1/2 inch trims, but she grew them.  She understood the importance of good hair, so let me oil them, wash them, tend to them.

And oh yes, I was happy. It was like; I have a little doll who tells me each day what she wanted. One pony, two ponies, side pony, open hair, buns. I was happy waking a little bit earlier just to play comb her hair for being school ready.

She enjoyed the pampering as well.

Then one day, in art class, the hair came in way of painting. The hair started bothering her and she was not enjoying the detangling each morning and my nagging of 'lets keep them tied' (Gosh I am turning into my mother)

She said, I need a haircut.

I delayed it; oh let’s wait for Diwali Party. She agreed.

She said, I need a haircut.

I delayed it; oh let’s wait for our DC trip.

She said, I need a haircut.

I delayed it; oh let’s wait for the Dance Recital

She said, 'I need a haircut. It's my decision'.

And I agreed.

We went for her hair cut, removing 6 inches off her lovely long hair and she was happy.

She spent time on my phone looking for the cut she needed, decided the length she wanted and the minutia details of it all. I asked her 20 times at the salon ‘Are you sure?’

She said, I need a haircut.

I think one hair cut taught an important lesson to both of us:

'It may be just hair, but one does not need to conform to fit in' And I completely am enamored by my strong kiddo….. and No I am not looking forward to the teenage  years.

Her friends still sport the long hair, but she is happy. They still play ' Salon Salon' and she comes home with 'funky' clips. But she is happy.

But I am thoroughly enjoying watching her rocking the awesome A line bob!

Before:

After

Indo-Chinese Cooking: Kung Pao Noodles

Another gathering, another fabulous munch bunch and another recipe!!

My blog has two distinct genres recently, one about getting fit and the other about recipes... I guess its pretty evident why I need both.

Not such good jokes aside, recently my foodie buddies and we got together for a munch bunch: A gathering of like minded foodies who meet periodically on a pre-decided theme to attempt at cooking different cuisine, styles of cooking for the sole purpose of 'Eating it' and definitely hopefully learning something on the way

Theme this month: Chinese that ended up being Indo-Chinese!

Menu:

Appetizers: Sweat Corn Soup, Chili Paneer

Main Course: Fried Rice with Schezuan gravy

                       Kung Pao Noodles

                       Schezuan Noodles

                      Gobhi Manchurian

                      Manchurian Style: Mushroom stuff with Potatoes

Dessert:         Mango Dofu

                      Strawberry Dofu

Drinks:          Lychee-Ginger

And of course my friends infamous homemade chili oil as a perfect complement to these dishes!!!

I massive spread, hell yeah :-)

We were left content and with a lot of left over which was happily gobbled up the next day by the kids and adults...

Before I share the recipe of the noodles, let me say: Cooking Indo-Chinese is a pain- Just so many vegetables to be julienned and then some to be finely minced and then some to be pureed, its annoying. But oh so worth it!!!

And yes: long Post Alert

Now here is the recipe of the Kung Pao Noodles very hastily devoured by the kids and adults alike!!

Quantity: A lot!! I made this proportion for 8 adults

Vegetables to be Sautee’ d (All Julienned)

1 Cup green cabbage

1/2 cup red cabbage

1/2 cup celery

1/2 cup Brussel sprouts

1 cup beans

1/2 cup red/green pepper

1 cup onions

1 cup carrots

2 tsp ginger- minced

2 tsp garlic- minced

3 tsp Oil

1 tsp Vinegar

2 tsp Soy Sauce

Kung Pao Tofu

1 package firm tofu

2 tsp oil

Ready To Eat: Kung Pao Sauce 1 tsp

1 tsp Soy Sauce

Kung Pao Sauce

2 tomato - blended to form a puree

1/2 cup onion, Garlic finely chopped (Minced)

3 tsp Soy Sauce

1 tsp stoneground mustard

Ready Made Kung Pao Sauce: 3 tsp (Any brand works)

Noodles

Any wheat noodles- this is the one I used this time, was super hit~~

Rice noodles tend to get really sticky, and hard to toss for me!

Toppings & Voila

Crushed Peanuts: 1 cup

Bean Sprouts: 1/2 cup

Shallots: 1/2 cup

Finely chopped cilantro: 1/2 cup

Sesame seeds: 2 tsp

Lemon Wedges

PROCESS: 

To Saute Vegetables

1. In a wok, heat oil and then add onion, garlic, ginger, and Saute till translucent

2. Add all julienne vegetables in no particular order

3. Keep stirring in the wok till all vegetables are slightly tender

4. Add the soy sauce and vinegar and take off the flame.

5. Add 1 tsp of salt/ chili

To make Kung Pao Tofu (Optional)

You are more than welcome to skip 'crisping' of tofu and use it as is, I like the flavored tofu more so went for it

1. Take the tofu out of packaging and leave on paper to dry for 4-5 minutes

2. Meanwhile in a flat pan, heat oil on a medium flame

3. Chop the tofu to desired size, i prefer cubes, and then add to the oil

4. Every 4-5 minutes keep moving the tofu so no side gets burned

5. In about 25-30 minutes, you will have the tofu crisp

Now you can definitely add more oil in the start and shallow fry the tofu to quicken the process, well I was trying to use less oil!

6. Now, in a separate bowl mix the kung pao and the soy sauce and add to tofu and coat evenly.

7. Take off the flame; however let it stay on pan to crispen further

Noodles:

1. Based on package instructions, cook noodles and allow to cool

2. Recommendation: Cook just a little over al dente!

Sauce:

Hey, i warned you, this process is long

Alternatives: Just use the readymade sauce and mix with water, soy sauce, vinegar, mustard!!!

The longer process

1. Heat oil, add the minced onion, garlic.

2. When slightly browned, add the tomato puree

3. On medium flame, let it cook (until the portion becomes half) and the sauce look deep red!

4. Now add the ready made sauce, soy sauce, mustard, salt per taste

5. And my secret ingredient: A little bit of black pepper

6. Let it cook, for another 5-10  minutes

All you have done so far, is cook your noodles, Sautee the vegetables and make the sauce... but for serving your noodles, you cant just mix them!!! You have to stir fry them all together to let it be one uniform taste!

Stir Fry of Noodles

1. In the wok, heat 1-2 tsp of oil, add noodles and toss!

2. I like personally to get my noodles slightly crisp here, but your choice!

3. Add the Sautee vegetables and the sauce

Note: My portions above are to feed a mini village, so I had to do this 7 times!! Yes, I made that much!!

4. Any ways, let is cook and simmer for 5-10 minutes

Dishing it out!!

1. Place warm noodles in the serving dish.

2. Sprinkle all the toppings & Voila!!!!

Your 'True Kung Pao' noodles are ready for consumption!

Note:

Yes the process above is long and tedious, but for everyday cooking feel free to follow this recipe or the simple 'cheat sheet' below

1. All vegetables can even just be chopped in your food processor/ alternatively use any of the readily available frozen stir fry mixes.

2. Tofu can be used as-is or just lightly toasted

3. Sauce can Just using the ready-made sauce and mix with water, soy sauce, vinegar, mustard!!

4. Assembling it all together and munching on it.

Yes, there is a difference in flavor, the long-ish process results in more flavors (Or at least I think so, since I spend 2 hours preparing them!). But on a school evening after a long day at work, I am completely fine with the 'simple' yet delicious noodles!