It was nice and comfy in my bed this morning when my alarm went off at 6. I had the urge to exercise, but I didn’t want to just go to the gym and do my usual. But after checking the group exercise schedule, I’d have to wait until the 8am hour to find one. It was still dark out so I didn’t want to run outside. So mostly by default I found myself on the Stepmill 30 minutes later. I ended up having a great workout – I sweated buckets!! 40 minutes at level 12 had me dripping from head to toe. I followed with a 10-minute cool down on the ET and some stretching. My shoulders have really been bothering me the past 2 days. I’ve had a near constant headache in them (ok, shoulderache Haya!) Not sure if it’s coffee withdrawal (I had coffee on Monday and that’s when they started to hurt) or stress (while I have a lot of pressure on me this week, I don’t feel stressed?). But the point of the story is that I didn’t do any lifting today because they didn’t feel up for it. Whew!
I enjoyed this oatmeal by candlelight with Xmas music playing and 2 big mugs of coffee = total comfort.
The mix:
- 1/3 cup oats, milk, water, pinch salt, 1 whole medium-small banana
- 3 tbsp wheatberries
- Vanilla
- 1/4-1/3 cup cranberry sauce (heated in microwave)
- Heaping tbsp greek yogurt, mixed with a half tsp or so of maple syrup and heated for 10 seconds to take the chill out
- 1/4 crumbled Vanilla Macadamia Luna Tea Cake (I like this about as much as I like Z-bars – they are good and fun, but not totally aswesome)
- Coconut butter flakes
With my tiny Duke spoon to slow me down 
And I had TWO cups of coffee today -
We’ve got a rainy day here. I’m under house arrest until 2pm when I head to Winthrop with Kesley for our foodservice exam. Then tonight is cramming for Nutrition in the Lifespan, which is tomorrow at 8am. I would LOVE to get in some Organic studying today, but I don’t see it happening. That only leaves me with tomorrow to study. Yikesssss!
STUDY TIME!!!!!!!!!
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck with the food service exam! Remember it’s all about public health, baby!
comfy cozy bowl! good luck study, I need to lock myself up today too!! time to hit the books
What a cute title for this post!!
You do have a lot of reason to be tight in the shoulders with all the stress of exams. That is where I keep all my stress. You’re almost done with the semester, keep up the good work
P.S. I bought “Fit From Within,” based on your rave reviews and I can’t wait to dig into it on my upcoming vacation! Thanks for the recommendation!
today’s oatmeal looks so festive!
i’d bet that the shoulder pain is partially stress, partially caffeine withdrawal. it’s possible that even though you don’t feel stressed, your brain is still busy worrying about a lot of stuff that can result in some tense muscles.
Hi Kath! It’s so nice to hear from you on CK. It sounds like your headache is definitely stress-related. I know I have a constant, dull ache in my head/neck all through finals (and on really busy days in general). I can’t believe you have four in one week…that’s unreal! Good luck!
Love the festive holiday oats. Good luck with all your studies and tests, and I hope your shoulders start feeling better soon!
PS – When do you find out the winner of the Quaker Oats recipe contest? Did I miss the results?
Good luck on your exam!
wow, you can really see the banana in there!
I always sweat buckets on the Stepmill. I have a routine down that really gets me through – because otherwise I go a little crazy on that thing! I switch off 5 minutes relatively easy (switching off levels 10-11) with 5 minutes hard (1 minute of 12, 2 minutes of 13 and 2 minutes of 14). It really helps knowing I’m going to have that easy 5 minutes, so I last a little longer. I just thought I’d share
Love the oats!
Have a great day!
Such a comfy start to your day
Don’t let the studying and rain get you down!!
We started with rain but then got snow last night. Considering it only snows about once every ten years here, that’s a big deal.
Good Luck on your exam!!! Your oats look beautiful… and I have to tell you, every single time I see that Duke spoon, I think it’s making an obscene gesture at me! Then I realize, no, its a building.
Great idea to put the luna cakes on top of the oatmeal!
Good luck with all the studying!
your post titles are really creative lately! LOL
I agree with caitlin! So creative! That bowl of oats looks amazing!
I was having similar shoulder tension a few weeks ago. Try Exedrin Tension Headache. It worked miracles for me!
First time poster here. I am so excited to try your cranberry recipe, Kath. Thanks for all of the fabulous oatmeal ideas!
love the title! I had two cups of Joe today, it must be one of those days:) HAVE A GREAT hump day KATH!
I think you ARE feeling stress…in your shoulders! I think a lot of people don’t realize they are stressed because they don’t really know what it feels like. But tension headaches and tight shoulders is a sure sign. It might also be all that studying with your nose in the books! ;p Good luck on your exams. I am sure you will do great! How about booking yourself a massage after your last final as a reward? You and your body will be VERY grateful.
Hi Kath!
As a massage therapist can I suggest that maybe you try to get a head, neck and shoulder massage? I work on a lot of students, especially during exam weeks and it helps every time.
Good luck!
Lovely bowl of oats, per usual! Good luck with studying and your exams!
Hey Kath, maybe you’ve answered this before, but can you explain why you add wheatberries to your oats? Do they have some sort of nutritional benefit you aren’t getting from your other grains throughout the day, or do you just like their taste/texture? Just curious – I’ve never tried them before, but I’m intrigued…
Ive been having the same shoulderache. I think its because ive been studying so much lately and when I write/study at the desk I think I lean over to much and curl my shoulders in.
Good luck with your finals! Especially Organic, I hated organic and Orgo II killed me, well not as much a biochem I dont know if you have to take that but it sucks!
I love the title for this post; ComfOat – how clever! And plus, it looks delish!
Good for you for waking up to a good sweating session, and good luck with your studies
My shoulders have been aching too. I blame the desk job.
I totally get the shoulder thing, I think it has a lot to do with sitting and studying (at least that is when I always get it). Maybe try doing shoulder rolls and neck streches while you study. I find when I am typing a lot it gets even worse!
aww its rainy here too
good luck with your studies. i have finals this week and for the first time i opened an account on QUIZLET.COM because i remember you mentioned it. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! it is so helpful 
Love the yogurt maple syrup combo..I had it on my oats this morning too, although I didn’t think to heat it up, which made my oats kind of cold….hmmm.
I was checking the FAQ page for some understanding of calories requirements.
I am 114 lbs (gained over pst 6 monthts – new job and school stress, less workouts). I am 5 ft 1 in and my “feel good” weight was 108 lbs. I am trying to lose some weight. The calorie calculators show my RMR as 1165. So my maintenance calories would be 1.2 times RMR, around 1400.
In order to lose weight, if I create a deficit of 500 calories, my net is 900, quite less than 1200. A deficit of 200 will take ages for ard 6lbs loss. What is the best approach to take?
I workout Mon-Fri at a boot camp for one hour burning around 300-400 calories. How much should I eat daily for weight loss?
That’s a cute bowl! Glad to hear you Wednesday is off to a great start!!
I keep all my stress in my upper body- especially the shoulders. When I have gotten a massage in the past the therapist couldnt believe how many knots I had….!
I find when I used to study for exams, taking frequent breaks (even for 5 mins.) and do something fun (make your fav. tea, walk around, play with the pet) helps so much.
Goodluck!
Angela
http://www.ohsheglows.com
Aw, this post makes me want to drink coffee and listen to Christmas music!
Ok…I have 2 questions for you.
Why are your 2 cups of coffee such different colors? Hmmmm…..
Are your candles scented? I love scented candles, but I can’t eat if they are burning—I don’t like the scent of my candle competing with the scent of my food! Does anyone else have a problem with this????
Have a great day, everyone!
Looks good! I need to make that cranberry sauce soon!
westtoeastcoast.wordpress.com
What can I say, good luck studying!!!
It sounds like you need a massage!!!! I give you permission to indulge =D Cranberry sauce on my oats-I need to do that!I’ve been putting it on ham sandwiches and that, my friend, is delish!
LOL! I just wanted to say I love your post title! hehehe! And homemade cranberry sauce + plainyogurt = get dessert ever!
Cute post title! Your bowl of oats seriously just looks like Christmas in a bowl… I bypassed by regular oats this morning for an oaty breakfast cookie instead a la Gina from “The Fitnessista”. So good!! Have you ever tried that? I meant to post about that when your stove was broken… would’ve been the perfect thing for you!!
Adorable post title! And those oats sound delicious, I love how you put on christmas music.
Your so totally killing me with the comfort oats. I need to make some and just relax and put my feet up. Hey maybe I’ll even take a nice hot bath and play some music. I’m suddenly excited for my kids to take their naps now.
Heather McD,
I think I answered your question in yesterday’s comments
Susannah ,
Thanks for your first-time comment!!
Chez ,
I add them for their wonderful chew. But of course it doesn’t hurt that they are a nutritious whole grain.
Fancy ,
1) Different amounts of milk
2) That particular candle is not scented. But some of mine are. They don’t bother me much.
sonia ,
I am not qualified to give personal diet advice and also would want to get a much more detailed glimpse into your lifestyle. Perhaps you can see an RD in your area?
Chelsea ,
If you insist!!
Cat ,
I haven’t tried the breakfast cookies because I don’t use protein powder….I’m not sure how it would work without it?
Jen ,
Oh no, I hope biochem isn’t as hard as organic has been!!
Kath
Mmm…Kath, your oats look so yummy! I used macadamia nuts today too…we must be on the same wavelength! Ha.
Sheila
http://www.livewell360.com
Have we ever seen a pic of your house? (Or is that too creepy/stalkerish? hehe!) I love remembering anniversaries like that.
Alison ,
I’d love to show you, but I think that’s one of those better-to-keep-hidden safety things.
K