Starting 2013 off RIGHT

So, tomorrow is it... the last day of 2012.  I get up, go to work, spend the evening with friends and wake up in a new year.
I may try to stay up and ring in the new year but it would be difficult... I have a 5k to run in the morning.  At 9am.  And it's an hour away. Oof.
Oh well.

Today I went grocery shopping and restocked on all the healthy stuff I need.  Then I made a giant pot of stew in the crock pot to allow me to eat well for lunch the 4 days I work this week.  Then I worked out, and worked on flash cards for AFAA Primary Group Exercise and my TurboKick classes.

I paid bills and worked on my budget.  I updated my calendar.  I got my eyebrows waxed.

I taught an awesome, intense, sweaty hour and fifteen minutes of Zumba.

I ate a delicious dinner and FroYo with my best friends. We watched football and hung out.

I finally feel like I've got things in hand.  I have a plan and I'm working the plan and it's working for me.

In the new year I'm doing a couple of cool things.  First up DietBet!

Roni - who I adore - is doing a DietBet with her readers and the internet at large.  It's awesome! I'm totally stoked. And scared.  12 pounds is a lot for me to lose in a month.  I'm going to do my damnedest though! I WANT TO BE IN THE WINNERS CIRCLE!

Then,  Dani - who is on my long list of newly developed girl crushes from FitBloggin - over at Weight Off My Shoulders is doing a Progress Not Perfection challenge - 8 weeks, track all the things, be accountable to everyone else.  I'm excited about that too. I always do better when I feel like everyone is watching my every move.  This is going to be good for me.

Also, I'm adding in TurboKick. Sentao and Toning classes in to my schedule on a weekly basis now.  I will be getting to use all my certifications/licenses  I'm even hoping to get Hustle back on the schedule in the next month or so.  Just something fun and different to switch things up.

The most important thing is that everything is being done on my terms.  I'm taking control and I'm making decisions and I'm not letting myself be second fiddle to anyone.  Not at work, not in the fitness world, not at home.

One of the biggest lessons for me in 2012 is that I sabotage myself by being too nice and not making waves. I avoid confrontation and am afraid to hurt anyone and that's great, it's who I am and it's part of why people like me... I'm a big old softie...but it also lets me get walked on.  I need to be more forward and honest and forthcoming.  I've been working on it for the last few months and I'm getting more confident in it.

I'm ready to get through tomorrow and wave in 2013 with a smile and a rocking time on my 5k.

What are YOU doing to get 2013 started off on the right foot?

Simplifying Schedule and Fitness Goals

In order to simplify my life in 2013 I have been looking at ways to ensure I don't do silly things like double book myself or schedule classes that overlap by 5 minutes anymore.  Enter - iPlan on my iPad and iPhone.

I looked at a number of different applications on the iPad and iPhone to keep my schedule straight.  I hate just using my Google or Apple basic calendar because they do silly things like import everything from Facebook and it gets cluttered and annoying.  I am no good at keeping up with a physical calendar and, really, I don't need anything else to put in my massive purse.

I really like the sleek look at this calendar app and I like that I can bring in my Google or Facebook events with ease and make the go away just as easily.  It's just a very friendly application.

It's also very pretty!! 

So here's the break down of my January in terms of my workout schedule.

Week 1 - 5k, 5 Zumba Classes, 1 TurboKick class.
Week 2 - 9 Zumba classes, 1 Trio 'Commit to Fit' Master Class
Week 3 - 11 Zumba classes, 1 TurboKick class
Week 4 - 11 Zumba classes, 1 TurboKick Class (1 Turbo and 1 Zumba in Feburary.)

So total? 1 5k, 36 Zumba classes, 3 TurboKick classes and 1 Master Class.

Oh, and one of those Sunday's will actually be replaced with Aqua Zumba training.  As long as there are spots open when I try to register on payday.  So I'll be minus 3 Zumba classes in week 4.

And somewhere in there, I will do other short runs and learn choreography and practice choreography and live my life outside of Zumba and do my full time job.

I am so excited about 2013.  I plan on using all of my speciality licenses.  I'll get Aqua and Gold and I'll use them as often as I can.  I'm hoping to pull Hip Hop Hustle back out too, try it out in some of the new locations to see if it will take off.

I'm going to do my best to balance my load and work smarter, not just more often to share the Trio Fitness love!

Gimmie Fuel...

My mom, brother, and niece and nephews sent me the coolest Christmas present.  A Nike Fuel Band.

You see, a year or so ago when I was looking at various tools for tracking activity I glanced at the Fuel Band but ultimately decided on the BodyBugg (which I love!).  Still, I liked the social aspect of being able to compare and go head to head against people on the Fuel Band and I LOVED the look of the band itself.  I was considering buying one in the next few months - when I reached my next goal.

No need, now! Thanks, Mom!!!

I love this little bangle on my wrist! It's the White Ice band and it's SO PRETTY on my wrist. It looks like jewelry from afar and all techno cool up close.   Then, when I click the button to check on my stats, the colors are so bright and pretty that I'm all OooOoo!

Today is only day 3 with it on and I haven't yet worn it for a normal workout but I love the instant feedback and it's one of the more friendly smartphone interfaces I've dealt with as of yet.  Tomorrow when I go to teach class we shall see how I feel about it.

I really like using it in conjunction with my BodyBugg.  I can't wait to see the comparison between what the two read during my workouts.

I think it's also kind of cool that I got it during a break in my hectic schedule.  This way I know what my Fuel should look like on a typical rest day versus a normal workout day versus my heavy workout days.  I like being able to see the difference.

Food, food and more food.

Needless to say, while I was on vacation and newly off my soft food diet I ate a LOT of food.  Some of it was just stuff I missed while I wasn't allowed to eat it - like a bagel! BUT some of it was stuff I just can't find/get here at home.

Let's start with lunch on day one in DC.

Ben's Chili Bowl.  Located a little off the beaten path in DC this place was SO WORTH the extra walking to get here.  After having walked all of Arlington Cemetery we were HUNGRY and this place delivered with gigantic servings and gigantic taste. 

Ben's Chili Cheese Fries

 Marshall and I split this... we couldn't finish it.  Matt took one for the team and finished these off.  Along side the delicious chili cheese fries I had a chili cheese burger and Marsh had 2 chili dogs.  Everything was delicious, fresh off the grill and so bad for me.  Worth it.

The other great thing about the place?  The sign behind the counter that says People who eat for free: Bill Cosby, President Obama and family.  Everyone else pays.  It made me giggle.  I wish I had gotten a picture of it.

On a slightly healthier note - the three of us hit up a tapas bar called Jaleo's for dinner after we hit the Natural History Museum.

Here's what we ordered:

• Pan tomate - toasted sliced of rustic bread brushed with fresh tomato with fresh cheddar
• Cana de cabra - soft semisweet goat's milk cheese paired with raisin walnut bread and fig jam
• Ensalada rusa - salad of potatoes, imported conserved tuna, and mayo
• Flamenquines - traditional pork meat filled with iberico ham and cheese breaded and deep fried
• Chistorra envuelta en palatable frita - slightly spicy chorizo wrapped in crispy potato
• Patatas bravas - potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and aioli
• Croquetas de pollo - traditional chicken fritters
• Pimientos del piquillo rellenos de queso - seared piquillo peppers filled with goat cheese
• Endibias con queso de cabra y naranjas - endives, goat cheese, oranges and almonds

Endibias con queso de cabra y naranjas, Ensalada rusa, and pimientos del piquillo rellenos de queso

It was all flipping AMAZING.  I mean, damn.  The waitress said to order 3-4 tapas per person in order to ensure everyone was full.  We struggled to get the last two eaten.

My favorites were the cana de cabra, the ensalada rusa, and the flamenquines.  The cana ce cabra was just such an interesting dish.  The cheese was delicious, the fig jam was bold and sweet and the walnut bread was just drool worthy. The ensalada rusa was one I wasn't sure I wanted to try but the combination of the fresh tuna, cold potatoes, peas and the delicious red sauce on top was just mouthwatering.  I would eat just that as a meal it was so good.

As for the flamenquines - holy crapballs.  It was the last dish brought to the table and it was just not fair how tasty it was.  Warm, salty, meaty, the cheese was gooey and the flavors just melded so well.  Honestly, it was worth the 18$ we paid for it.

This was only the second time I've ever done tapas and I'm loving it more and more.  Can't wait to try it again!

On day two of vacation we played our food choices on the traditional side. Starbucks for breakfast, lunch was Potbelly's sandwich shop and dinner was at a Red Robin on the way home.

Potbelly's was a new place for me and I loved everything I ate - a small chicken and cheddar sub on wheat loaded with veggies, a cup of baked potato soup and a bag of PopChips.  I would LOVE to have a Potbelly's here in town! I don't do subs very often but if I had a Jimmy Johns or a Potbelly's I think I would.

Red Robin was a bit of a memory lane moment.  We stopped at the Red Robin near Potomoc Mills.  I spent a good amount of time there with my theater friends during my first 3 years of high school.  I had a delicious burger, we shared onion rings, and I nommed on a hot fudge sundae for dessert.  It was a good stop... and the memories in that place were good too!

As you can tell - I didn't stay on plan very well while on vacation.  I ate all sorts of things I shouldn't have but... it was worth it and I regret nothing.

So now that I'm getting ready to go back to work tomorrow, and I've weighed in, I'm getting back on track by cooking and prepping all of my meals for the work week.  Woohoo!

Vacation!

This past week was my sabbatical week from work.  5 days.  No work.  Ahhhhhh.  Of course, that meant the week before I was working twice as hard to be ready for leaving everything at the office for the week.  I did it though.  I left the office on Friday the 7th and shook it off and went about doing stuff that wasn't work related.

My vacation started off with a day of even harder work.  TurboKick Instructor Training with Mrs. Fatass.  That's right... now not only are we Zumba instructors... we're TurboKick Chicks also!

Now... it was no picnic.  That training was BRUTAL.  Amanda, the instructor, had no mercy and we moved almost constantly for the whole 8 hours.  Ouch! And used arms in a way I am so not used to.  I woke up Sunday and I couldn't lift my arms for all the punching we did.  Totally awesome though.

Sunday was the last Trio Fitness Sunday for the month and we rocked out TurboKick and then I taught Zumba while Sue did Zumbatomic.  Then my 75 minute class at the Y.  Then I wanted to crawl in to a hole and let my arms and legs fall off... and I got to start my real vacation.

Monday was a chill day, prepping for travel and going to pub trivia with the guys.  Awesome times were had.

Then the real fun began.  2 days in the wilds of Washington, DC.

Marshall, Matt and I went to DC and totally did the tourist thing.  First up?  Arlington National Cemetery.

This was not my first trip to Arlington, but I am always shocked at the sheer immensity of it.  The fields of fallen servicemen.  JFK's gravesite and the Tomb of the Unknowns still give me chills.  It's just... moving.  I'm glad we got to go again.

Matt riding the metro for the very first time. He was this adorable the whole time.

After lunch, which we will discuss tomorrow, we did the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.

I laughed at this sign for like an hour.

Then we took a nice walk, had an AMAZING dinner and got ready for day TWO of sight seeing.

From afar at sunset.

 Day Two started with a waking tour of the monuments.

Closer, during the day.

World War II

Lincoln Memorial

 This was a big thing for me.  I walked all of those steps and I didn't stop and I didn't feel like my ankle was going to break.  That felt AWESOME.

Vietnam Memorial

Vietnam Memorial Wall

The White House

 Then it was on to the American History Museum.

Julia Child's kitchen!

KERMIE!!

 A quick break for lunch with our friend Todd then it was on to the National Air and Space Museum.

Our friend Todd at lunch.  Looking like an adult!

Coming back home was hard.  Firstly because we walked about 10 miles a day and our feet and legs hurt and sitting in the car wasn't fun but also because there was so much more I wanted to see.  The National Art Gallery, the Holocaust Museum, Library of Congress, the White House.  We're going to make another trip in the spring to see more!

Oh! Hi! Long time no see!

Sorry for going dark for so long there.  Real life snuck up and bit me on the bum! THEN I went on an adventure and now I'm starting to get my life back on track so that I can get through the end of 2012 without too much drama.

So, when last we spoke - I was going on my soft food diet to try to heal up the swelling in my jaw from TMJ.  That went as well as can be expected.  I spent the 10 days I lasted feeling bloated and still not truly full.  My jaw did wind up feeling far better and now I'm far more aware of what I put in to my mouth and how it makes my head feel.  Such a weird thing to have to take in to consideration.  Will this make my jaw angry?  Some times the answer is YES! Yes, it will.  But it's tasty and I want it so Imma eat it anyway! Most of the time though I'll pass on the steak and go with something easier to chew now.

I miss steak. A lot!

I also promised to share the funny ENT story.  So -

While sitting in the ENT's office, in what is actually an OB chair since the office is set up in an old OB office and I'm leaned back and the doctor is staring in to my ears and Hming and ahhhhing as he takes stock and is jotting down notes.

Then he starts talking.  "Have you heard about this book, Wheatbelly?"

I told him I had not and he begins talking about how it's based on this study that due to changes in wheat over the generations that, even in people who don't have a wheat allergy, the human body can react in a weird way that causes more abdominal fat to be held on to during weight loss.

I nodded, he held my head still and kept looking.

Then I started thinking... he's talking about weight loss while looking in my ears... are my ears fat?  What is so interesting in my ears that he picked NOW to talk about this book which has changed his view on how he eats.  WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY EARS?!???!!

He then just started talking about weight loss in general.  How hard it can be but he knows that anyone can really reach their goals if they want to.  That because of Wheatbelly he plans on going wheat free after the new year once all the partying is done.

I get it, dude.  I'm fat.  WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY FREAKING EARS??????

He then spends a few minutes poking the sides of my head and having me open and close my mouth and looking at my nose and throat.

I told him, that's awesome that he's making those changes.  I tried going wheat, grain, gluten, carb free in different combinations and it didn't work for me but I've lost 200 pounds and am doing just fine without this new miracle cure. That since my thyroid is in check, I'm good.

"Oh! You do have a thyroid condition."
"Yep, Hashimotos."
"Well that explains the lack of ear wax."  *crickets* "You see, your ears itch because you don't make enough healthy ear wax."  Oh! An answer! Awesome!
"Also, your ears are totally healthy... you just have TMD or TMJ.  Read this material and go on a soft food diet for two weeks.  Then talk to your dentist about your cross bite."

Oh... good... answers.

But are my ears fat?  Someone tell me my ears are pretty?  Please??!?!?!?

Up next - posts on vacation, vacation food, an awesome Zumba Master Class and The Hobbit!

Adventures in cooking...

Today I went on a bit of a cooking expedition.  And OW my hands hurt.

Since I'm on this soft food diet, I decided to make some hearty, comforting, soups to get me through the next week and a half.  Here's what I made -

Kristen's Potato Leek Soup - This is OMG good.  Hearty, warm, creamy and very easy to follow instructions.  This made about 6 cups of soup.  I can't wait to eat it topped with just a touch of cheese.

Crockpot Sweet Potato Basil Soup - This is, honestly, a bit overwhelming.  This is not something I can really eat as a soup - the basil is extremely overwhelming and it's hard to eat more than maybe 1/2-2/3 a cup at a time.  Very filling though.

Winter Root Vegetable Soup - This is the soup that tried to kill me.  In peeling and chopping all of those root vegetables I developed a blister on my right index finger which then POPPED while finishing up the chopping.  This is a very hearty soup that tastes extremely earthy.  The celery root really comes out a lot in this.  This was a little hard for me to do the splitting of the soup and blending and recombining was time consuming but worked.

Also cooked this weekend was a giant pot of baked potatoes.  Tomorrow Marshall is going to finish baking the sweet potatoes for me.

I also bought apple sauce, pudding, ice cream, hot cereal, oatmeal and all the fixins' for my Shakeology shakes.  I am going to defeat this soft food diet if it kills me.  And it might.

Last night Matt and I went to see Skyfall and I really wanted something sweet.  I wound up eating M&Ms one by one by holding the M&M in my mouth, cracking the shell and then tonguing it and sucking on the chocolate.  I WANTED THOSE FREAKING M&MS!

I keep trying to look on the positive side of everything and I know this is going to help boost my weight loss but I don't like it.  I want a steak, or a hamburger, or a slice of pizza. SOOOOOOON!

Also, the countdown to vacation starts NOW! 5 work days between me and my vacation. WOOHOO!

30 days...

So NHBPM draws to a close. My recap for the month - this was harder than expected. I found myself feeling like a broken record but its helped to solidify many of my thoughts and convictions about my thyroid, my PCOS, my weight and my overall health.

It also got me thinking about why I started blogging in the first place. Tomorrow I refocus on my initial plan - simplification.

Finances. Nutrition. Exercise. Social life. All the things I've been working on and not talking about as much.

I also want to get in to talking about the great books I've been reading. I want to try to be more interactive. I want to bring in guest posters to talk about their journey in simplification of their lives.

I want to be about whole body, mind and soul health and simplicity.

Time to refocus and get ready for 2014 before it gets here and flies by without a change.

2013 and beyond... and Ow! My jaw!

If I could accomplish anything in 2013 it would be ...

Man, talk about a loaded prompt. My goals and aspirations are many but if I had to pick one thing I want to accomplish in 2013 it would be getting under 200 pounds.

Yes, it's an arbitrary number but losing 70+ pounds in a year would be huge for me. I lose weight so slowly and to average 6 pounds a month would be an incredible success for me both mentally and physically. About 1.5 pounds a week. It's not a lot to ask. 

I'm trying so hard to get out of my own way, to stop psyching myself out and to own my own power and successes but I swear every time I get close to a goal - whether weight, work, financial or personal - I screw it up and set myself back. 

I would love to see 2013 be the year I stop fearing success and just enjoy the fruits of my labor. 

That said, lets talk about my doctor appoinment from yesterday.

I caught a sinus infection the Saturday after my birthday, then got worse the day after Veterans Day. Tuesday made one month of my ears hurting. I finally went to see the ENT.

The problem is not my ears this time. No redness, no fluid, nothing wrong.  My ears are dry - apparently I don't create enough ear wax and I have TMD/TMJ.

FREAKING LOCKJAW! 

Ok, so it's not a horrible thing and it makes sense now but the only thing I can do for the TMD to get better is go on a solid food diet for the next two weeks. 

Soft foods. Christ. I was just getting used to my current lower carb, no sweets diet. Now I have to stop eating things like steak and anything harder than a soft roll. 

Wahhhhh. 

Some of my Facebook friends gave me good suggestions about healthier soft food options and I'm going to have to do a lot of cooking this weekend. I still need help, though! 

What are some of your favorite soft food recipes? Hints and tips for not getting bored with the same consistency for the next 2 weeks? 

Tomorrow - a recap of the nutritional conversation with my ENT and why I now am self conscious about my ears...

This aggression will not stand...

A. I gained 3.8 pounds over Thanksgiving.  This is unacceptable and also shocking as I really didn't eat that poorly.  Super back on plan today 100 oz of water, under WW points and I'm going to b using GoMeals today to see my carb/protein/fat split.  I may take the time to go back and input the last week of data to see if maybe my fat or carbs were just seriously out of whack.  We shall see.

B. That's more or less how I deal with today's NHBPM prompt - how do I deal with bullies/trolls/snake oil salesman.  I have lost all tolerance for people who talk down to people based on stereotypes and preconceived notions. I may deal with it in real life a little less aggressively than I do on the internet but I always make it known that I have heard, seen or otherwise know that someone is being a jerk and that they need to quit their crap.

In real life I've gotten very good at giving someone an evil eye or just staring at them with a "go ahead, say something" glare when I hear the tell tale snickers or see the finger pointing.  Which, by the way, is something I don't get.  What happened to manners?  Anyway.  When I actually hear the comments I have gotten very good about straight up saying "Look, I've lost an entire YOU in my weight loss journey while fighting against my body every step of the way.  Your snickering and pointing and laughing are dually noted and only serve to prove what a jerk you are.  Have a lovely day." Sometimes, if the person is a real jerk that is laced with profanity, but the sentiment remains.

I'm also totally comfortable with telling people that they don't know what they're talking about.  I have no patience for anyone who thinks they can tell me they know all the answers.  People who look at me and say "You need to eat more celery because it's a negative calorie food," or "If you only drink green tea your body will readjust and you'll lose weight super fast" often get a head pat before I shake my head and walk away but, more often than not, I tell them why they are wrong and that they are morons.  

I've learned that even though I don't WANT to be direct and evil that's the only way to really deal with people and so I do it.  People want to be mean and judgemental, that's fine, I'm just not going to let them do it in front of me anymore.  

I bet you didn't know...

That there are times I don't know what to say. I bashed my head in yesterday over the prompts and nada. Oh well. Free pass two.

Things you may not know about me ...
1. I have a horrible fear of sand that I basically conquered this past year.
2. I gag if I can feel the texture of mushrooms. I hate them! Stupid textures.
3. Eggs are ditto above. It kills me because I know eggs are good for me - high protein, a staple of breakfast foods. Can't do it.
4. The reason my anxiety doesn't keep me from teaching Zumba is because its like acting to me. I do my best Loretta like acting job every single class.
5. I have the worst feet in the world. I had to have sections of my two big toenails removed because of terrible in grown nails. My toe nails break if I even remotely stub my toe and I have broken all my toes at least once.
6. I had both nipples pierced until a bench press accident scared me and I removed them. I miss them. It was awesome!
7. I suffer from Reynauds syndrome - my hands and feet to blue or white from cold even on a hot summer day!

There you go! Now you know me even better!

Evolution of goals

So, yesterday will be one of my get out of posting free cards. Not because I didn't want to post or I was too busy but because I hurt my calf, took a muscle relaxer and human sentences were not possible. Sorry, folks.

Today's prompt - how have your goals evolved/changed is an interesting one.

I think the biggest change is that my goals have become more concrete and less about numbers and more about truly measurable/visible tangible things.

I no longer want to be thin or weigh 160 pounds or less - I want to be able to shop for clothes in normal clothing stores, not have to go plus size specialty stores for everything. 

I no longer want to have a healthy BMI.  I want to be strong and fit - able to bench press 100 pounds, do full push ups, be able to do burpees with correct form, run a sub 30 5k.

The reason for the shift in my goals is the realization that, as a patient with thyroid issues and PCOS I can't hold myself to standards like BMI - they may never apply to me as healthy is going to look different on me. 

Cleaning out my closet...

Zoom in on my closet in the bedroom. Small, cramped, a white three drawer dresser in the bottom. The clothes on the hangers fall in to four categories.

1. Work appropriate pants. Black or khaki colored. 

2. Work appropriate blouses and sweaters. Jewel tones - mostly green or purple. Also, a lot of black.

3. Work appropriate or fancier dresses. Also jewel toned or black. Rarely worn.

4. A multi tiered hanger with scarves and belts. Also rarely worn.

In the drawers there are underwear in the top drawer, bras in the second and various nightgowns and shorts in the bottom drawer.

Zoom in on my larger closet in the bathroom. Full of magic hangers, 5 hangers to each.  On these hangers is a vast array of workout and hangout clothes.  

1. T-shirts from woot.com - cute animals, geeky references, cooking and food related and exercise related. 

2. Race t-shirts.

3. Zumba wear - the brighter the colors the better! I love the green!

4. Sweat pants. Big, comfy, sweats in grey, black and jewel tones

5. Workout pants. Sweat wicking materials - mostly black. I wear yoga pants a lot. 

6. Comfy pants and big shirts that are matched pajama sets. 

In the hall next to the bathroom is a four drawer dresser with a top drawer with my jewelry, very unorganized.  The second drawer has tights and trouser socks while the third has sport and cute patterned socks and the bottom has overflow shirts that I rarely wear but may use for cleaning or lounging if it the mood strikes.

So, what do my closets say about me? I compartmentalize. My work persona and my home persona are very different.  My work outfits are bland, worn in rotation and not mixed up very often.  After hours? I am in bright colors, comfy and functional. I often wear two to three pairs of clothes after work.  Usually, an actually workout outfit for teaching Zumba, followed by something to lounge around the house and sometimes, something totally different to sleep if I'm having a night where I don't want to sleep in pants. 

My Zumba outfits, in particular, have gotten more loud and proud in the last few months. I'm not scared of showing off my flabby arms, or a little bit of jiggly belly when I move.  I'm just not hiding the way I used to. 

I guess the one thing both closets say about me is that comfort is my number one priority.  I hate feeling constricted. I hate skirts and dresses because I spend the day worrying I'm going to flash someone. 

Comfortable and relaxed.  In work and at home.  

Giving Thanks

I've been participating in a month of thanks a long with many other people on twitter and facebook and I feel  the need to continue the trend here.  And not JUST because that's one of the NHBPM prompts, things need to be said.

To the health and fitness blogging community at large - Thank you for lifting me on the days when the world seems darkest.

Days like today, when the whole world is centered on food, I find myself feeling lost and scared.  Food shouldn't make anyone feel like that, but it totally does.  And there are people out here in the wilds of cyberspace that totally get it, and get me and the feel the same stress that I was feeling going in to today.

I did it though, I survived, and part of that reason was all the amazing words of support, wisdom and humor from my blogging friends over the last week.  HECK I even survived 7 days of no sweets because of the support from y'all.  Thank you!

Then I want to say a few specific thanks

To Mrs. Fatass - When I met her briefly almost 2 years ago I had no idea that she and I would become such good friends.  I feel totally honored to dance beside her, hang out with her, travel with her, and make an utter fool of ourselves together.  She's kind, open, honest, generous and an absolute hoot to have a drink or two with.  She's become part of my family over the last year... I can't imagine not having her by my side going forward! Trio Fitness happened because she believed we had the power to do it.  She's totally Trio Fitness' baby mama!

We're hot, we know it.

Then there is my Matt - Matt is my best friend, workout buddy, confidant, coworker and all around amazing guy.  Every time I have an idea, formulate a wild plan or evil scheme he's by my side saying LET'S DO THIS! He's held my hand through five 5k races, multiple Zumbathons, master classes and training weekends.  He is forever, my rock.  I don't know that I would be where I am personally or professionally without him by my side.  He's both the angel and the devil on my shoulder and I'd be lost without him. Every girl should have a best friend like Matt.  For serious.

He's so devious... and adorable!

And then there's my Sarah.  Sarah is the other part of Trio Fitness.  The less vocal of the three of us but only because she works so hard at work, school and Zumba that she doesn't have time to speak.  When I took my first Zumba class with her I had no idea that she would become one of my dearest friends.  I totally stalked her at first, I wanted to be her friend, but if I had known what I do know I would have been more aggressive so we could have bonded earlier.  We don't get to coteach as much any more as our schedules have changed and it's gotten harder to coordinate but every time we get together - whether in class or outside of it - good times are always had. She's one of my best friends and I consider her my sister.  We love each other, we get annoyed with each other but LOVE always comes first.

She's also so pretty she makes even me look good!

Today was a success in terms of food.  It could have been far, far worse.

Marshall and I went out to K&W Cafeteria with his folks for Thanksgiving brunch today.  A serving of turkey and stuffing, mashed potatoes, peas, a soft roll and a slice of apple pie started Thanksgiving off right.  I was full, but not overly so, and because I had given up sweets for the 7 days leading up to Thanksgiving the apple pie was almost too sweet from the cinnamon sugar on top of it.  

After brunch had time to settle I started working on dinner and dessert.  I had been slow roasting two turkey roasts in the crock pot since late last night with onion and gravy.  So all I had to do was make the sides to go along with it.  I made mashed sweet potatoes (made with maple syrup which was genius) and sourdough stuffing with extra celery and onions.  Marshall made roasted butternut squash.  Then I heated up some yeast rolls.  

The big cooking event of the day was making pecan pie.  From scratch.  By myself.  With no help. EEk!

I also decided I wanted to add English toffee bits to the pie.  Just because.  In a little bit I'm going to heat it up and eat it with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate covered pecan as garnish.  

Then tomorrow - back on no sweets, basically.  I will allow myself to have a latte once a week but that's it.  I'm also considering a 7 day vacation from breads again.  But not until the Thanksgiving left overs are gone.

I hope everyone out there reading this has had an amazing Thanksgiving and is as filled with love as I am today.  I may be far away from my biological family but I am very blessed to have my chosen family right next to me today.

And tomorrow - Sarah, Sue and I will be dancing together in a Turkey Burn Master Class where we rock Sentao, Toning and Zumba for 90 minutes.  I can't wait!

FundaMentals...

Write about mental health.

I could write about my anxiety or my life long fight with depression. I think, however, that I'm going to talk about the horror that is Seasonal Affective Disorder.

While SAD is most common in winter, it can hit at different times of the year for different people.  Winter centric depression is often brushed off as just being blue around the holidays but it can be so much more than that.

Personally, even though I prefer the fall and winter, my anxiety and depressive symptoms are far worse this time of year.  During the spring and summer I take brief breaks at work that I lovingly refer to as Vitamin D breaks - fall and winter?  Doesn't do me much good. 

Common treatments for SAD include light therapy, typical SSRI medications or melatonin supplements.

For me though?  This time of year is all about the Vitamin D supplements and my B complex vitamins.  It's taken years to find the right combination for me. 

I hope that anyone reading this who find this time of year to be difficult for themselves will do the research and consider some of the natural treatments before jumping in to the doctor prescribed medication route. 

I take my daily dose of Zoloft. Every day, like clockwork, but it's just not enough to combat the hell that my body goes through this time of year.  The addition of my vitamin regemin is the only thing that makes these short days tolerable. 

But it's different for everyone.  Do what works best for you and keep trying till you find the right combination!

Regret...

A health moment I regret...

Easy - when I didn't stand up and make my doctors take care of me when I was 16.  My hair fell out, I was winded brushing my hair and rather than force the issue I stopped taking my medication.  Cold turkey.

It was the start of 5 years of my life where I felt bad, not terrible, but bad every day of my life.  I caught every cold, flu, stomach bug and otherwise infection I could.  I gained weight no matter how little I ate. I worked out to no avail.

It SUCKED.

I stayed miserable until I got my first job.

And as much as I regret it, it helped me become who I am and allowed me to help others NOT make the same mistakes.

I regret it, but I'm not sad about it.

Life and Death

This prompt is a hard one for me today. Upon checking Facebook this morning, I found out a friend and fellow Zumba instructor passed away over night.

Keith was an amazing man - vibrant, full of energy, always welcoming with a hug and kind word, hilariously funny and always a joy to see and chat with.  We chatted just a week or so ago about a song I was working on choreography to for him. 

He had lost a lot of weight - 160 pounds I think. He looked amazing and was so full of energy that I'm in total shock that he's gone. Heck! Just yesterday he taught 2 hours of Zumba.  

It just goes to show that life, death, and health are so uncontrollable.

It's just not fair. 

strengths and weaknesses

Since I goofed up and did today's prompt yesterday. Today I will do yesterday's prompt.

Strengths

Driven - I see a goal and I go for it. I don't stop unless I am going to die. Seriously. I do so much stupid shit sometimes in the interest of keeping moving towards my goals. I've taught classes on broken toes, injured Achilles' tendons, colds, ear infections - basically if I'm upright, not puking, or running a fever, I'm in class. I go to work in all of the same conditions. I don't stop until I have to. 

Smart/Intellectually Curious - I know a lot of things. I have a BA in English and I nearly minored in everything. I read a lot and play games that use my reasoning and language skills. I like to learn about a million different things - health, fitness, history, sports, culture, theater, technology, medicine. I love to learn and retain information well and I am always finding new connections between things to make my life better.

Flexible - If something isn't working I have no problem flipping things around and trying something new. I am always ready to expand my horizons and do something network in a new way. 

Weaknesses

Stubborn - see: Driven above.

Overly Emotional - I cry at the drop of a hat. I will wither up and hide from the world over the smallest things. I get angry and can not be reasoned with. I am working on this but it's part f my anxiety issues. I'm medicated - it helps.

Easily Distracted - I am not ADHD but I do suffer from OH LOOK SOMETHING SHINY syndrome. This goes hand in hand with my curiosity - I am always ears up for something new to learn/use.

NON-SCALE VICTORY - today I bought an outfit at Walmart because I saw the shirt and it was cute and the nice black slacks looked nice so I grabbed them as goal pants/shirt. THEY FIT! Pictures to come when I don't look like dean warmed over from all the chores. 

Ch-ch-changes...

"I want to change THIS about healthcare..."

The focus on weight with regards to health. As a thyroid patient and a woman with PCOS I will ALWAYS have a problem with my weight.

I gain weight easily, it's hard for me to shed pounds and my weight fluctuates heavily from day to day. It's just so easy for my body to freak out and hold on to water weight, to hit a plateau, or to go against all reason and gain or lose weight when my calorie in versus calorie out equation says I should be doing the other.

You know what? My labs are freaking awesome. My blood pressure is normal, a little high when taken with an automatic cuff but even that's only slightly. My cholesterol is good. My HDL is a little low but I've made enough changes to my nutrition and started taking flaxseed and it's gone from 23 to 39 in a year. Thats genetics not bad nutrition or laziness. My glucose and A1C are perfect.  Perfect, not good, perfect.

And my cardiovascular system? Fit as a fiddle.

Quarterly I go visit a nurse for what they call Peak Health. They check my body fat, weight, blood pressure and talk to me about stress, nutrition and my overall wellness. Then they put you on a stationary bike and measure your pulse and blood pressure during moderate activity. As you reach certain benchmarks, you get higher discounts on your insurance. 

All of my labs are at level 5 levels. My readings on the bike are great, excellent fitness. But because of my weight I'm only a level 2. 

I don't expect to be a level 5 while still obese, but I would think everything I've done and the fact that all my other other health markers put me at a level 5 I should be rewarded in kind.

I get this from others places too. New doctors who think because of my weight I'm lazy and unhealthy.  

I know this is the case for other people too. Different health issues lead to varying pictures of health.

Will I ever be a size 2-4-6-8? Not likely. Aside from my health issues, I'm just good Irish breeding stock. I'm blessed with wide ribcage, shoulders and hips. I will, however keep fighting till my insides are as healthy as they can be. 

That should be the goal, not some weight related, one size fits all BMI bull hockey. Health. Inside and outside. 

Challenge Accepted.

  

This is how I feel about every meal right now.  The last month has been rough nutritionally.  Since my birthday, even my best laid plans have fallen short. My sweet tooth has been uncontrollable and I've been eating more and more "off plan" stuff. 

On top of that, I've had a nasty sinus infection and ear infection that has held on for over two weeks now. Two Saturdays ago I woke up at 1:00 in the morning with a fever of 101 and dragged myself to urgent care and promptly started a Z-pack for the infections. I wasn't feeling well on Friday at work still and wanted to go back to the doctor but work was too crazy so I didn't.  After running a 5k and 4 hours Zumba on Saturday, classes on Sunday, and shopping and more Zumba I woke up Tuesday morning with vertigo and my face felt like it was full of lead. So back to the doctor for more antibiotics and a shot of steroids.

So feeling sick, being full of steroids, and already off plan I was making really poor decisions.  I ate ice cream, chocolate covered cherries, cake and a McFlurry in the span of three days. 

I slammed on the brakes and said "Hey! This isn't right! I don't do this anymore!" And put myself on a 7 day, no sweets challenge. I've done this before and it's hard for me. One nutritionist I saw put me on a no sugar, no carb, no dairy, gluten free diet and it was hard. I think chocolate/sweets and potatoes are tied for hardest things to give up.

And they're equally as bad for my body. With PCOS and the insulin resistance it causes they both make me feel so good at the time and so bad a few hours later. It's terrible how bad the mental addiction is. 

Today is day 2 and I'm hurting. I finished dinner and am dying for just a smidge of something sweet. One square of dark chocolate is all I really want. Just one! It almost feels like the meal is incomplete without that smidge of something sweet. 

I won't give in though and I know that when I do have something sweet on Thanksgiving it will be even better since I abstained leading up to the holiday. I won't over indulge either! Apple pie or pecan pie - just one slice. That's all! 

Until then very meal is a challenge, and one I've willingly accepted. 

Game on!

My favorite blogs

Today's post ideas were either to write about why/why not health professionals should use social media or to post about someone I nominated for a Health Activist Award.  I drew a blank on the first and the second... I'm mulling over.  I want to nominate everyone for something!  So, I decided to do a wrap up of some of my favorite health/fitness blogs.  I may wind up nominating a ton of people for a ton of awards... because the fitness blogosphere is full of amazing, awesome, talented people who awe me on a daily basis.

First - the blog that introduced me to many of the other blogs I currently read.  Peanut Butter Fingers.  Did I mention that meeting Julie at Fitbloggin was like meeting Prince?  Because it totally was.  Her blog is awesome, full of healthy information, great workout ideas, and one of the most adorable dogs ever.

Next -  Gotta give love to my partner in crime, Mrs. Fatass.  Not only is her blog one of the most raw and honest blogs I've ever read, she's a laugh riot... when it's appropriate.  Also, very creative linguistics.

Then there's No Thanks to Cake. Another genuine, funny and fun blog about living the healthy life.  Even when her posts are on the sad side, I always feel uplifted by her sense of pride and purpose.  She rocks!

How about Redefining Kim.  Prepping for a figure competition, full time mom, eating disorder survivor and all around badass.  When I met her at Fitbloggin I was just drawn to her - she's just one of the nicest people I've ever met and I could, and did, talk to her forever!!  I'm glad to call her my friend and I stalk her blog like woah.

There's like 10000 more blogs I love but I am finally getting in to bed early.  This ear infection is finally clearing up and since I can hear again now even my typing hurts my poor ear drums!

Mean people suck...

  A post about dealing with negativity within the community.

Ok, easy enough... But I can't promise I will be very nice in this post. 

One if the worst aspects of the thyroid community is people who think they're being helpful and constructive when they point out your flaws or call you out for being overweight or underweight and have no understanding of what the hell is going on in your body.

And this is not just outsiders who come in trying to be helpful, but it also includes others in the community that think they have found the right answers regardless of what their specific type of thyroid issue is and will try to force their plan on everyone.

Thyroid disorder is incredibly complex and no one has all the answers and that one stop shop mentality can keep people from trying new things to try to feel healthy.

I would never tell someone with basic hypothyroidism that they need to take cytomel because it works for me it must work for everyone.  I would tell everyone to explore all of the options with their doctors but I would never push my medical plan on anyone else.

I also would never go in to a thyroid community and start telling people that because they don't do 8 hours of Zumba a week that they're fat by choice,  I see this happen all the time.  People saying if you don't do what I do you're lazy.  And that pisses me off.

A lot.

I see red when people disparage other people who are trying to make healthy decisions one step at a time.  People who do that infuriate me,  

Mean people suck even if they think they're being mean with a purpose. Be helpful or shut the hell up. kthx.

taboo.

Write about something taboo... Ok... Let's talk about sex, baby.

Specifically, lets talk about sex and overall health.

Sex is good for the skin, it releases the happy chemicals in your brain, it releases chemicals that help you bond to other people, and there are studies that say that semen may even be a slight antidepressant in some women.

Also, it just feels good and things that help us feel good are just a good thing overall. 

Sex is a good thing. It just is and I hate that people so often feel the need to whisper about it.  Especially people who have kids.  The jig is up, you've had sex.

So the other day when I was talking to a student if mine and she made a joke about her husband telling her to go to Zumba because she was grumpy and he wanted Zumba sex I got to thinking.

Zumba sex? Ok, I can see it. In Zumba we use the body in ways that could be seen as sexual. Lots of hips and booty shaking.  I love songs with a story, a chance to act like someone I'm not so I love burlesque or strip tease style routines so, yeah, I can see how sex post Zumba class, can be awesome.

Heck, sex after any type of workout that makes you feel good is generally better than average sex.  Your body is already awake, blood pumping, you're probably going to feel things more because of increased blood flow from the start.

So, I posit, people should have more post workout sex.  Sweaty, excited, stinky, awesome sex.  

Just do it. 

My BodyBugg and Me!

Another post where I expound in my love of a piece of technology?

Oh BodyBugg... What would I do without you? 

When I bought the BodyBugg I had no idea what a big part of my life it would become. 

Why is it the bees knees? 

First of all, I love having my daily stats at my finger tips on my iPhone. I just tap and can see how many calories I've burned and how many steps I've taken. It makes fitness a bit of a game.  I think to myself "How many steps have I walked by lunch? What can I do to make that number higher tomorrow." 

Secondly, the visual representation of my calorie burn makes more sense to me than just numbers. I can look at the graph and see oh I walked here, ran here, here's my Zumba class and why was I on my butt for this long stretch of time.  

Thirdly, knowing a closer approximation of my calorie burn has made a huge difference in how I eat and how much I eat.

I took 6 weeks worth of BodyBugg data to my nutritionist and she agreed with me that below 2000 calories was a bad idea.  I had been trying to stay below that due to bad advice and it made sense why I felt so bad.  She said that on my 2-3 hour of class nights I definitely need to make sure I get my carbs during the day and front load with protein afterwards to ensure that I recover correctly. It was nice to have feedback based on actual data. Not just wild guesses based on how everyone else does the best.

What I really love it mashing my output from the BodyBugg against my my fitness pal data to see what my net calories for the day are. That's a pretty cool tool. 

Oh, and other, cool thing, the arm band comes in some cute styles. I love my Zebra print arm band!

A few of my favorite things...

Today's post prompt "Write about your favorite things that is not health-related but likely improves your life" got me really thinking.

So much of my life centers around health and fitness now I really struggled to think of things in my life that aren't health related.  I'm such a connoisseur of health and fitness right now, that this was really difficult.  Here's what I came up with.

My iPad -  I named her Gizmo.  She goes everywhere with me.  She does help out with my health and fitness goals but she also does the following.

1. Functions as my collection point for all my calendars and schedules.  I am super forgetful and over commit myself and the awesome calendar app I found has helped me out significantly by giving me a graphic vision of my day at work and at home.
2. Keeps all of my financial data in one location and it's not as easy to fat finger numbers on the iPad as it is on the iPhone.  I use two different applications Mint.com and HomeBudget.  Mint.com is new to my phone but I like some of the financial advice and information it provides.  HomeBudget is on both my iPhone and iPad and it's so much easier than keeping a physical checkbook, I lose those!!
3.  Podcasts - I wouldn't get through my crazy workdays without the amusement of podcasts and videos on my iPad.  Sometimes I work best with music and other times I need mindless chatter going on in my ears to keep me on track.  I am in love with the How Stuff Works family of podcasts.  They're amazingly informative and often hilarious!
4. The Kindle app.  I admit it, my Kindle is collecting dust.  Since I got my iPad, the Kindle hasn't come out but it's because the screen on the iPad is so much bigger.  It's easier on my eyes and I've been reading a ton more lately because it's there.  I get bored, open the app and keep reading.
5. Update my blog on the go.  I COULD do it from my phone but it's such a tiny screen!!
6.  Keep important files at my fingertips with DropBox.  Life is so much easier with that one tiny cloud storage app!

So yeah, as lame as it is, my iPad is pretty much my favorite thing right now.  Apart from all of the above I also use it to:

1. Log my food into the My Fitness Pal and Weight Watchers apps.
2.  Keep up with my Gorilla Workouts.
3. Use the WW Kitchen App to find new stuff to cook.
4.  Read other blogs.
5. Keep my Zumba music and playlists for class handy.

Basically, Gizmo is my personal assistant. Health, fitness, finances, entertainment, education, it keeps everything at my fingertips.

I'm such a consumer but... whatever.  I love my iPad!

5k + Master Class + Jam Session = Dead

So, my morning started out with the Robin Run 5k.  I blew my personal record out of the WATER!  I cross the finish line in 49:33.  Over three full minutes quicker than my best record.

It was OWIE, but AWESOME!!!

Then I showered, got pretty, and went to lunch at Cracker Barrel. I ate all the things.

Then I went to the new studio and got ready for a Master Class and Jam Session with the AMAZING Erica Dixon.

75 minutes of Zumba. Then a THREE HOUR Jam Session.

I said EFF IT and shared and cheese fry and milkshake after dinner tonight.  I think it was worth it though.

Not a bad day over all.

More details when my brain is not FRIED.

Facebook and sharing...

Should people post about their, or their loved ones health on Facebook/Social Media...

That's a tricky thing and something I've been thinking about a lot lately.  It's weird the way people can view, and misconstrue pieces of, our lives through the lens of social media.

I think that what we choose to put out there, whether on our blog, Twitter, or Facebook page is ultimately a personal decision.  I talk about my health, my workouts, my daily nutrition all the time.  It's kind of expected of me at this point, my students, my friends and my weight loss compatriots all share and we discuss and it's a large part of the community I find myself a part of.

I don't, however, talk about other people in that respect unless I have express permission.

I guess that comes as part of working in health care so long.  HIIPA! HIIPA! RAH, RAH, RAH! I feel awkward talking about other peoples health issues unless they tell me they want me to.

Heck, I have a hard time sharing it even after I've been given permission.

I think that it's all so personal that unless it's about yourself, or someone has said go for it, you should keep your fingers away from the keyboard.

Living a memory.

I wish I could be more upbeat with my memory but I'm feeling a little introspective and melancholy tonight.  I'm worried about tomorrow and thinking about all the ways I have tried and "failed" over the years.

When I was a senior in college I took a water aerobics class for the easy A and for the PE credit.  I was excited about the class.  It was a good way to get my workout in and I didn't have to look at myself in the mirror like in aerobics, yoga or other dance classes.

Then I got mono at the start of the semester, and it wasn't a little case of mono... I really thought I was going to die.

The inflammation in my spleen made the doctors act overly cautious and I could only do a third of what the water aerobics class called for.  So I got my only C in college because my stupid immune system picked that moment to catch mono.

I felt like such a failure and, at the same time, I couldn't have cared less.  My pretty awesome academic record was tarnished by that one stupid C and yet... I'm proud that I got through it.

I still feel like a failed.  I should have found a way around the participation to get the B I needed to have all A's and B's on my transcript.  I should have done more to plead my case.

It' a weird thing to think about how I felt seeing that grade.  Proud that I was done with college, depressed to see the C and angry that I let my body win.

It's weird the pressures we put on ourselves.

Tomorrow I run my 5th 5k and do a master class and Jam session with my Zumba family.

If I never post again, I loved you all and you can fight over my stuff.

Kthx!

Dear Body,

Dear Body, 

It's been a long crazy road but I really feel like we've reached an tough place in our relationship. I've been giving you everything I have as of late and you're not playing fair. I feel it's time to vent.

I try to control my carb intake and your mental addiction to potatoes, pasta and bread makes me angry, grumpy and sad. Our friends don't much like us when we really try to keep our carb intake to a minimum.  This is not fair to me as I'd really like to try to keep my insulin resistance in check and see if the low carb thing will work for me in terms of weight loss.  I hate when I eat one carb too many and wind up drowsy and nearly sedated. It's weird. We need to keep working on this.

I am also not okay with this whole being starving all the time no matter how much I eat or drink. I'm giving you all the fuel I can and you just want more.  I am giving you a well rounded diet and you're still hungry for crunchy, carbohydrate laden things like pretzels, toasted bagels, crackers and nuts. Those things are awesome, but I'm trying to change my diet again. This is counterproductive.

I'm also displeased with how all of a sudden my hormones have changed and I feel like I'm going brought puberty all over again. Acne at 30? Really? 

Then there's the weird things you're doing like the bleeding from my belly button every Time I should be having a menstrual cycle, the weird injuries, cuts and bruises that take forever to heal and the lack of making sense so the doctors can fix me.

I'm not saying we should go our separate ways, it's not really practical, but you need to get in line. I've fought 6 long hard years to get you to where you are. We've lost 200 pounds together. We've changed our life and helped others change theirs. Let's get on the same page. Please?

Thanks. 

Love, 

me.

Taking care of me...

Today's NHBPM prompt was about redesigning a doctors office. All I'd really do is make it colorful and fun. It's an office, as long as it's functional I don't much care how it looks.

So, I'm taking on a bonus prompt as it's important to where I am today.

How you take time for yourself.

So, this is something I'm not great about doing. I will run myself in to the ground if people don't tell me to slow down. I've been running myself ragged the last few weeks. Work stress, Zumba, extra workouts, training for my 5k this weekend, it's been a lot of stuff going on.

To top it off, I got an ear infection and upper respiratory infection this past weekend.  I woke up Saturday morning with a fever and immediately went to immediate care when they opened.  They gave me antibiotics and told me to rest.  Not so much. I'm not good at that.  I felt better by Monday, but still drained.  Then I wound up working until 2:30 this morning and didn't get home till almost 4am and was worn out enough that everything feels worse today.  

I still taught my Zumba class tonight because that's part of how I take care of myself.  My workouts are very important to me.  I get both physical and emotional therapy from getting sweaty and losing myself to my music or the cadence of my run.  If I don't get my workout, I feel awful. It's just not negotiable anymore. I need my workout.

The other ways I take care of myself include trying to find time that is truly me time.  As much as I'm a social person, I am still kind of an introvert. I do need time alone to recharge my batteries so I can be chipper, happy me when I deal with people. 

Of course, also important, is a good diet, taking my medications regularly, and my multivitamin regimen, and Shakeology. 

Shakeology has saved my tail so many times.  So good for my stomach, my skin, my hair, my nails and it helps to curb all the bad eating habits. It's one of the linchpins of my healthy lifestyle, 

I've been bad and only doing shakes a few times a week at most for a while and this infection and the general sense of ice lately has renewed my vigor around my Shakeology. Can't wait to get back in to my normal schedule with it.  Tomorrow, Vegan Strawberry with berries and ice and blueberry acai fruit juice, mmmm

Most important in taking car of myself is sleep! Sleep is so important and I will skimp when things are crazy and I cants d that anymore. Sleep is non negotiable! 

Taking the High Road...

There are so many times that I've had to take the high road with regards to weight loss, my thyroid and general issues that aren't anyone's freaking business anyway.

One specific event that springs to mind - a conversation with a random person at my previous place of employment.

It was a Friday, people were coming in to get checks, this lady comes in with an employee and engages me in conversation.

First words out of her mouth "My sister had gastric bypass surgery and it changed her life."

I stared at her, said something about how wonderful that was for her and went back to doing my job. For the next half hour or so this lady outlined for me all the reasons I should have gastric bypass surgery done immediately.

She told me I couldn't possibly be happy being so obese. She told me I'd find a man if I lost the weight. She told me I didn't have to be fat and miserable.

I smiled, thanked her for the information, and tried to end the conversation tactfully. It wasn't easy.

At that point I'd lost 80 pounds. I was, and still am, happily in a relationship. I was and am plenty happy. The only thing that made me sad or upset was dealing with the bitch who was telling me about my life who only met me 10 minutes ago.

I couldn't be rude or mean, I was at work, but I wanted to lash out at her so badly. I didn't though. Talk about self restraint!!!

List of 3?

Write a #ListOf3 Things that you’re thankful for / excited about / or inspired by.  That was one of the options for today's NHBPM prompts.  I like this as it goes along with my month of Thanksgiving I'm doing over on Facebook.  So, here's 3 lists of 3.. because I'm indecisive.

Thankful For:
1. My friends and family - real and adopted - who make me feel loved and special every day.
2. A job that I love and, though stressful, I am excited to go in to every day.
3. Blankets.  I swear, I was never this cold before but now nothing is better than a big fluffy blanket curled up next to Marshall or Matt watching football or a good movie. Blankets are the best!

Excited About:
1.  Raising money this week for Hurricane/Super Storm Sandy recovery.  I'm so glad Sue and I are working together on this project!!
2. The Robin Run AND the Carribean Heat Master Class coming up next weekend.  Holy crapballs, it's going to be amazing!
3.  The big data jam session tomorrow at work.  Going to Raleigh, getting this piece of the project finished and moving on to the next big task.  So cool!

Inspired By:
1.  My students.  Watching them grow and change every single class makes me want to work harder to help them reach their goals. It also makes me fight to get better to reach my own goals! Hooray for cyclical inspiration!
2.  My fellow NHBPM participants.  I'm loving reading what folks are writing and I'm learning so much that is helping me fight my own battles over here.
3.  Daylight savings time.  I'm inspired to get up and get stuff done.  I love falling back!! :)