Good morning, girls...
And I can say "good morning" with conviction today, because it really is. I'm sorry I was so evasive yesterday... I don't know if I'm just experiencing a mood thing or what, but whatever it is, I seem to be on the upswing. Michelle, you were right, getting back to the gym did help... and I think a few more days of getting myself there will go a long way to improving my mood. (Endorphins and all that, you know.)
Also helping my mood is the fact that our cold snap seems to be over and it's finally, FINALLY getting warmer here. The thick ice/snow combination all over everything is beginning to melt and mornings are no longer 15 degrees, and I think that will go a long way towards helping me jump right out of bed in the morning and get myself to the gym. Ideally, I would love to be able to do five days a week.
What a fine group of ladies we have here! It's so nice to see a great big group for this challenge, and it's very motivating for me!
Shari - welcome back!! You are
so upbeat, even despite all the stuff going on in your life. And I agree with Michelle... it wouldn't be a bad idea to go get your knees checked out. Hang onto all your doctor bills related to the accident, too... because just in case there IS something really wrong and you are injured (G-d forbid), you'll want to have those bills to turn in to the insurance company so they can go after the other driver's insurance company and get your expenses reimbursed. I don't know how it works in your state (I live in a no-fault insurance state), but it mightn't be a bad idea to talk to a personal injury lawyer. I'm not talking about full-scale lawsuit, but you want to make sure your rights are protected, too.
Robin - you are going to be able to close that jacket for the bar mitzvah, I just know it.
My size 12 stuff is starting to get looser and looser on me... I can't wait for the day when I can get my butt into size 10 jeans. I plan to bring champagne and pop it open right there in the dressing room!
Jeni, you did well by not going to the gym last night... not only from a self-care perspective, but also from a preventative one! When I went to the gym last night, there was a guy there who was obviously ill; he was sneezing and coughing and using ALL of the weight machines, no doubt leaving a trail of germs behind him. So thank you for taking care of yourself AND taking care of everyone else by getting yourself well before going back to the gym!
Holyteror, I have trouble with dinner, too. As far as protein snacks go, nuts are a great way to get lots of protein. I'm nuts for nuts!
As far as types of nuts, though, be very careful as some of them are much higher in calories than others. I like almonds; they're very good for you, the recommended serving amount usually is enough to satisfy me as a snack, and they really do keep me feeling full - which helps keep Bingie at bay. As far as low-calorie dinners... do you like to eat fish? There are a lot of great fishes that are low in calories (tilapia is my favorite). Also, marinating/grilling fish (even on the George Forman grill!) is a great, lower-calorie way to prepare fish. Same goes for chicken. Serve it up with a big mixed-greens salad with a little fresh mozzarella cut up over it, and you can make a very healthy balsamic/olive oil/crushed garlic dressing very easily which tastes wonderful over those greens. Everything tastes great because it's all fresh, and my DH loves it and doesn't even realize it's low-calorie. I've been sabotaging him this way... and he is continually surprised when he gets on the scale and discovers he's lost another pound.
Paula - yes, getting the junk food out of your house is a GREAT way to keep yourself from noshing on things that aren't good for you! I met with great opposition from my husband when I stopped buying potato chips and cookies, but he seems to be over that now and is enjoying the healthier snacks I'm buying.
Shelby - "Amazing how great "good" food makes me feel!!" What a terrific reminder! Yes, good food - healthy fuel for our bodies so we perform at peak -
does feel good. Your kids are going to love the planetarium... and good for you for taking them somewhere educational!
ArtsyGirl - yes, this is a time of year where musicians get walloped! It's hard to believe that the Easter season is here already!! I have it easy, but my poor DH has all that music to learn ON TOP of all of the organ tunings he's got to do (some of which I will be dragged along on). In fact, soon we'll be tuning - and likely repitching - the 11-rank Casavant at DH's church, which is a tedious, eight-hour job. It's just a cruel trick of fate that both Christmas and Easter occur right when the weather changes and makes pipe organs unhappy. Thankfully, I just hold keys while poor DH climbs around in the chamber and whacks the pipes! Keep enjoying all of your mini-victories (they add up!) and good luck with learning all that music! Are you doing anything fun and/or very challenging?
Did I miss anyone? I hope not! If so, I'm sorry!!
~*~*~*~*~*~
Okay... brand new day today, and more WEED:
W: 96 ounces
E: I'm going back to the gym today... and I will get at least 45 minutes of some combination of cardio (running/elliptical/bike) and strength training (provided Mr. Sicky isn't there today, germing up all the machines)
E: 1400 calories
D: To enjoy this day and remember that it's a new chance to start again. Also, I think I want to get outside during lunch today, even if it's just for a walk around the block... it's so nice to see the sun and feel some warmth in the air!
Have a lovely, healthy, happy day, ladies - and thank you so, SO much for your kind support (and kicks in the butt!!).