Oh Oh Oh October

I love Fall and everything about it... the changing colors in the trees, the cooler mornings and evenings and sunny warm days... I am glad the tennis courts and golf courses are less busy with kids and teachers back in school.

I am glad to see the prices of squashes, pumpkins, and root veggies dropping in our local markets. And I love to see the fields full of orange and white pumpkins.

But this Fall really snuck up on me, because it seems like our Summer has not really ended!  Even though it is October, we are still enjoying beautiful flowers, lovely hot and sunny days, and warm nights.  And it has also been unusually dry... very little rain since Spring, really.  I am not complaining!

But October has begun and my calendar is jam packed!  We will be volunteering at the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon again this year... at the expo handing out race shirts to entrants as we have done the past 2 years. I love being part of this event even though not running.

And this coming weekend is also Thanksgiving in Canada... so that means a big turkey dinner with all the trimmings... I like to do it on the Monday.  Planning the menu and shopping this week.

We have scheduled a few rounds of golf in the next couple of weeks, too.  I am really looking forward to that.  And it won't be long till we start playing tennis regularly for a few weeks, too.  We are about to start the third and final phase of the Metabolic Aftershock program tomorrow. That lasts 3 weeks and then we will be changing gears and lifting weights again.  And I sill have to figure out where we are going to fit in some runs!  I think I need more hours in my day.

I am coasting right along with my food plan. I have found my groove and really loving the lower carb way of life.. I won't say no-carb as I am definitely eating lots of veggies... but overall less fruit and little to no grains or starchy veggies such as squash and sweet potatoes.  It works for me. I feel lighter and have dropped that pesky couple of pounds and I am sleeping like a baby again.  I have also dropped the Greek yogurt and am only eating very small bits of cheese occasionally.  So what AM I eating? Well, to start, lots of protein in the way of lean meats, fish, and eggs/egg whites, ENERGYbits,  and a variety of protein powders.... also lots of vegetables, some fruits, nuts and seeds, bits of dark chocolate, avocadoes and other healthy oils with limited vinegar. My food plan allows for red wine although I can honestly say I am not really inclined toward it at present, but I am enjoying a wide variety of teas, and also limited coffee.

I have been using My Fitness Pal to track my calories/macronutrients and fitting it all into my Weight Watchers tracker! Yes, it takes time but it's worth it to me.

October is also going to bring some medical tests my way... a mammogram and a Pap smear... it's Breast Cancer Awarenss month after all!

All in all, I am excited to get outside and enjoy this great weather as long as it holds.  How about you?  What are you looking forward to in October?