Battling the FUNK...

The kinda depressed feeling, the Funk, is trying to creep it's way back in. I am holding on by my fingertips keeping it at bay. I don't want to be powerless against it and sink into the hole so I'm fighting. Even though I don't want to, I am. It's hard. Hubby doesn't get it. That doesn't help things. What does help? Exercise. Pushing myself to do things even when I don't want to. Mostly, if I get going, get started, I can push through and feel better. But it's a struggle. Food is my friend at these times. Food makes me feel better....but not for very long. After the first initial "feel good", I feel worse because I've just undone a part of the good thing I've been working so hard at. It's a vicious cycle. Yesterday had good parts and bad. Today I'm gritting my teeth and trying to push through. I haven't made any big food mistakes so far, but the thought is there.... wouldn't a candy bar taste good right now? I have a walk scheduled this evening with my sis-in-law. I'm getting things done around the house....slowly, but it's better than curling up on the couch or crawling back into bed. Guess I better get back to it...

A Blogging Award.....for me!?!

Thank you to Greta over at Big Bottom Blogger for giving me my first blogger award! I feel so honored!! (Oh, and thanks for calling me a skinny-mini....you totally made my day).
Feel free to pop over to her blog and check it out....along with the blogs I'm passing the award on to.

The Rules & Regulations are as follows:


-Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass the award on to five most deserving blogger.

-Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and the name of the blog from whom s/he has received the award.

-Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog, and link to The Scholastic Scribe, which explains the award.

-Each blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr Linky List. That way, they'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this prestigious honour. http://scholastic-scribe.blogspot.com/2008/10/200-this-blings-for-you.html

-Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

So, without further ado, these are the 5 blogs I've picked to pass the award on to....

GET OFF YOUR BUTT & GET FIT
NO BROWNIES FOR LUNCH
HEALTH, HAPPINESS & SKINNY JEANS
A DAILY DOSE OF DIETING
PINK SUGAR DESSERTS (This blog is Deadly if you love sweets...but I love to drool over the pictures. Check it out at your own risk)

Movin' In The Right Direction

Ha....149! I saw 149 on the scale. Finally the scale is moving in the right direction again. I feel like I've been bouncing up and down 3 lbs for the last month! I'm a little nervous about staying in the 140's though. I think once I lose a couple more lbs I'll feel more comfortable that the 140's are here to stay. Unfortunately I didn't hit my goal of 147 by the 14th. Since I knew it probably wasn't going to happen anyway, I just concentrated on making choices that wouldn't spiral me downward.
My niece had a birthday party yesterday but I stuck with the veggie tray. I avoided the pizza. I did eat a cupcake and a couple pieces of candy, but enjoyed a nice chicken salad for dinner and went for a run to help offset the indulgences. All in all I'm pretty happy with how I handled things.
Hubby has gone back into sabotage mode (unconsciously)...thankfully I recognize the signs. I have to be strong and say "No Thanks" to the sweets he keeps bringing into the house. If I want to stay in the 140s and fit into size 6, I need to control myself. I had a weak moment this morning when I was very tempted to attack the peanut butter. I was seconds away from shoveling it in when I realized that I just couldn't...not if I want to keep the weight off that I've worked so hard to lose. What's the point in losing it if I'm just going to indulge in bad habits every time I get frustrated or stressed?
So, I set my new weight goal. I'm looking forward to my next race. I figured out my body fat % and it's at 20%....normal is 12-22%. Even though I'm in the normal range I'd like to concentrate on reducing that percent to 17. Tomorrow I start the 2nd month of Insanity. I figure I'll just keep moving forward with the new goals. Just because I didn't hit my goal this time doesn't mean I give up. What it means is that I work harder to hit the new goals I set. So, if you're having a tough time right now, pick yourself up and dust yourself off. Straighten your spine, pick a goal and go full force till you get it! We can do it!!

Why Are Your Eyes Closed?

I really wanted pizza tonight for dinner! We've been trying to eat out less or get sandwiches from the deli instead of eating fast food. Well, I was starving and the idea of chicken salads for dinner was just not cutting it (since that's what I had for lunch). Running out and grabbing something, anything, just had so much more appeal. Then the thought of PIZZA popped in my head. Oh man, we haven't ordered a pizza in forever. So what's a girl to do? Well, instead of ordering a pizza....I made one. Thankfully I remembered that I had crust mix and sauce in the cupboard. Throw on chicken, mushrooms, tomato, caramelized onions & a little feta and cheddar cheese and we had a delicious pizza that's so much better for you than any pizza parlor could ever make. It tasted so good I literally closed my eyes in ecstasy....which made my 5 yr old look at me funny and ask "Mommy, why are you eating with your eyes closed?". I couldn't help but laugh. It just reinforced the point that I can eat well and enjoy my food. Obviously I won't be making pizza all the time, but making a healthier version from time to time is acceptable. I was able to enjoy it without feeling like I was "off the diet" and I satisfied an urge that could have turned very ugly, very fast. I even controlled myself when hubby went out and bought dessert. I enjoyed two bites (again with the eyes closed), and then removed myself from temptation with a cup of sweet tea. Go me :)
So, think about it. Is there a situation you can handle differently like I did. In the past I would have been on the phone in two seconds ordering up a pizza. Coming up with alternatives to make our lives healthier is important.
This is my war. I know I will not win every battle, but I triumphed this time. And that's good enough for me.

I Touched the Ceiling!?!

So this is my recovery week for my DVD workout. I'm still working out, it's just not pounding my body as hard. Next week we go into MAX Insanity which is a little scary to think about. Anyhow one of the drills on the recovery DVD is vertical jumps. Stand with feet together and jump up as high as you can. Well, I did. And I hit the ceiling with my fingertips! Out of curiosity I measured the distance and there is a 12 inch gap between my hands and the ceiling if I just stand with my hands up. A foot! Yay! How cool is that?
In addition to the workouts I've been making time again for my power walks or a run. This seems to be a big key to a positive mindset for me as well. And, I registered for the local Turkey Trot. I can't wait. Running a 5K Thanksgiving morning should be a blast! Something to look forward to beside the food...

Take stock and analyze...

Today was great! It was one of those days where everything clicked along pretty well. I'm figuring out some of my "environmental" triggers that help keep me in a funk. Things like an unmade bed, a dirty house or hanging out in my pj's ALL DAY LONG. I'm paying more attention to how things affect me. If I roll out of bed and turn around and make it, it puts me in a better mindset than if I walk away and come back an hour later to make it. I'm finding that clutter and disorder overwhelm me and help lead me down the path to the dark side of comfort eating. Now, don't get me wrong, I am not a clean freak (my sister will attest to that). But I do like things straightened up- shoes piled by the door (not strewn across the floor), toys in the basket after the kids are done playing with them, etc, etc (you get the point). When my life is more organized and ordered my eating is more controlled. When my home is in chaos my eating generally is too. The thing is, while some of these thoughts were rattling around my head, it's not until I sat down and started writing this post that some of it coalesced. It's amazing what we can learn about ourselves when we stop to think, analyze, and for me, write.
Originally this post was supposed to focus on the great day I had, but the writing went another direction. I did have a great day. I did eat really well. I did go for an awesome run tonight. Mostly though, I wrote something that made me, and hopefully you, think.

Awww, COME ON!!

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, want to see 140 something on the scale! It's just not happening. Grrrrr. I know I need to be patient, it's just hard to be patient. Even though I know the reason for the "plateau" I still get frustrated by it...every stinkin' month. For a week or so I stick at a certain number then the next week I usually see a significant drop. This time however it's a little more irritating than normal. Seeing 150 is just pissing me off. Getting into the 140's would be a huge milestone for me. Since frustration many times "makes" me eat, I am going to try and stay off the scale till Wednesday at least....Saturday if I can stand it.

Mantra of the week: Stop obsessing