Saturday, May 28, 2011

Healthy Competition...Day 85 (Does anyone care about what day anymore, lol)

Healthy Competition, this is a term I have heard and used many times in my life...I'm now beginning to understand it though.  Most people who know me know that I am not really all that competitive.  I could care less whether or not I win a game (unless it's Disney Scene It, I become downright evil when playing that game, lol), I have more fun just playing the game than winning or losing.  Really the only things I have ever been competitive about have been things most people would consider strange, auditions for theater or musical groups top that list.  Recently though I have been "competing" with friends and family.  Allow me to explain.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tornado Weather, and the Indy 500

So, anyone who lives in the Midwest knows that occasionally in the Spring we get a few tornado's.  It's a fact of living in the area of the country, just like it's a fact that the east coast will get hurricanes, and the west coast will get earthquakes.  So tornado season has begun in central Indiana, and although I like to think that I am a smart and prepared person, there is just no preparing for Mother Nature sometimes.  Recently she's be kicking our butts!  I don't care what the news said, I strongly believe that a tornado went over my house Monday, and several went around my town last night.  I also had to sleep last night with no power.  So how does any of this tie into me figuring out how to love myself?  Well read on after the jump to find out.  ;-)

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Recipes...Day 79

I thought I'd share some of my favorite recipes that I've found.  Although there are many that have become staples in my diet, all of them use a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables, and grains.  As I've now taken myself off of Alli (I only began using it to help me get this whole thing started), I'm finding that the eating habits that I began because of taking the pill have continued.  There are a lot of resources out there for great low-fat, low-calorie meals that taste great, and although you have to wade through a few that are pretty bad, you will begin to find the ones that are great.  I'm giving you some approximations of nutritional information as well.  Remember different brands have different nutritional values so exact nutritional information depends on what brands you use as opposed to what brands I use.  These are just generalizations to start with.  So these are only a few of the recipes I love, but I strongly recommend them!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Sick...Again...Day 73

Well after a great workout on Friday I thought I would reprise my day of 5 on Saturday running 5 miles again...that didn't quite work out.  I woke up early with horrible pain in my ear.  After years of dealing with ear infections my entire life I knew my Saturday had other plans in store for me.  Sure enough, after paying an insane amount of money to see a doctor who told me what I already knew, and getting antibiotics I came home and fell asleep.  Sunday held much of the same thing in store for me, sleep.  Although I'm still not great, today is the first day I've begun to feel better, at least my fever broke!  So unfortunately my eating habits haven't been the best again, and working out hasn't happened since Friday, and I imagine won't get back on course again for a day or two.  I have to wonder though why my body is punishing me like it is, the flu last week and now this.  On top of my normal seasonal allergies which are crazy this time of year.  I'd just love to have a span of two weeks where I feel as good physically as I do mentally, because all the physical stuff is beginning to affect me mentally too.

Friday, May 13, 2011

Photographic Proof

In Honor of small victories recently I thought I would post some pictures that I have been taking on this journey.  Mostly it's food that I've made, but there are a few of me.  So enjoy the photographic proof of my hard work.  =) 

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Legs...Day 68

We've all gotten those e-mail surveys where you fill out the questions and send them to your friends, then await their reply to the same questions.  One question that I have seen on many of these surveys is "if you could change one physical thing about yourself what would it be?"  Immediately everyone one of us has a body part, or aspect of their body that pops into mind.  "I'd change my nose", "I'd be thinner", "I'd want brown eyes", etcetera, etcetra.  Although I admit that I've often thought of my weight as the big thing I'd change, I'd also say the same about my legs.  It seems silly I know, but allow me to explain.

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Happy Mother's Day...Day 65

First of all, Happy Mother's Day to all the mother's I know.  My mother is a very special person, she is not only my mother, but my therapist, pastor, editor, and best friend!  We have a very unique relationship, and I am so thankful for that.  We talk almost every day, and some days more than once.  She has really been supporting me on this journey, asking me when I'm home what would be good for me to eat so she can have it around, and making sure that I have time to run.  She is a wonderful and amazing woman!

All right enough with the mushy stuff!  Recently I've been having a hard time, it seems that there is just one thing after another piling up on me, and it's taken a pretty big toll on me not only physically, but emotionally as well.  As I said in my last post, my computer crashed...during finals week...and the hard drive seems to be gone until I can find someone skilled enough to attempt to save anything off it.  Needless to say this caused A LOT of stress this past week.  On top of that I had the stomach flu, which knocked me out basically Monday and Tuesday.  I also still had all the stresses and worries I've had for some time weighing me down, you know where am I going to live when my lease expires, am I going to be able to find a job, how am I going to pay my bills the next few months if they're not going to give me student loans for summer, how am I going to pay for my prescriptions when I don't have health insurance and it costs $150 a month, and all the friend and family drama too!  Needless to say this week has been one I would rather not repeat anytime soon!

Sunday, May 1, 2011

Time to Focus...Day 58

Weigh in day!  Well as I said in my last post as long as I didn't gain after being home for Easter and the stresses of having my sister in the hospital I'll be happy.  Surprisingly though, I lost, 2 pounds!!!  Not my biggest loss ever, but considering I wasn't in my routine, and eating out a lot more than I should have been I'm really happy with it!  This makes my total loss to date 15 pounds in two months!!!  I can't express how happy I am, and how proud of myself I am.  I've found things I love to do, I'm living a healthier lifestyle, and making better choices for myself.  I'm never going back to who I used to be!