Meditation Monday: My body

This is my first Meditation Monday which will basically involve a thought or thoughts I have been thinking about throughout the week or even throughout this whole weight loss.  So this week I have been thinking about my body.

The body is an amazing thing...Like the creepy guy in Saw V said: "The human body, for instance, is an astoundingly durable creation. It contains approximately ten pints of blood. Yet it is still able to operate with just half of that."

Well I hope to not be operating on minimal pints of blood, but my body has amazed me over these  last few months. 

First of all, it can keep going.  I started training for a 5K race back in January and have now ran six since then plus two obstacle-type runs.   The most challenging was definitely the Warrior Dash. It showed me that I am strong and be even stronger when I lose some more weight and build muscle.

After I got back from my vacations this summer, I began training for a 10K.  I can honestly say that never in my life, even at my fittest back in high school, would I imagine running 6.2 miles. We shall see how it goes at the Turkey Trot in 42 days.

The second thing about my body is that even though it changes it stays the same.  I have lost 36 pounds and on most people's body it would be two or maybe three sizes down, but not me.  I have always had big legs and a big butt (Thanks mom's side) because of soccer, skating and gymnastics.  So despite losing weight, I still have curves and I still have big legs.

My final thought about my body is how much I like it.  I have had my fair share of body image issues, not liking how I looked, but surprising I always liked it. It may bother me that I have big legs, but they keep me upright.  Plus it runs well, if that makes sense.  I don't ever have that many issues with it except for the occasional ache and pain, and possibly a cold here and there.  My stomach is extremely strong and not easily upset, I am flexible and besides my vision, everything is in working order.  Funny how when we think about our bodies we always look to the outside.

In my mind, I am beautiful.  Even when I was heavier I thought I was beautiful and made others believe it.  My body is now even better and I hope it keeps getting better because its the only one I have (cliche I know).

Until Trouble Tuesday,
-A

Fun, Flirty Friday: Always a Good Day

When coming up with Friday's theme...I originally had Fitness Friday, but you know what I am gonna throw in fitness throughout the week so I figured why limit it to just one day.  Fun and flirty though is sometimes reserved for just one day of the week...at least when they are together.

Fridays are my favorite day of the week as I am sure they are many others as well.  It is the final day of the work week, the beginning of the weekend, and a day much deserved by many.  Well for me Fridays are sometimes just the fifth day of a seven-day workweek.  Aside from not having to be in the office from 9 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday, I often have to work odd hours because of my profession.  For some reason though I always look forward to Friday.

E-cards...gotta love 'em

Looking at my calendar, I can see that I consistently work out on Fridays more than ANY other day!  And yes I keep track with smiley faces, :) ,  in sharpie on my calendar when I work out.

Anyways, because Friday are for most people, a laid-back day at work, and the same applies here, I come in my sweats with gym clothes under (for those who don't know I work at a University so my gym is in the building I work in.  Lucky, I know) and sit at my computer while my breakfast digests for about a half hour.  Then I am up-and-at-it going hard with a workout.  Normally its a longer run because Friday's are relaxed and not pressed for a lot of time.

Post work out I shower and actually style my hair for the first time all week and sometimes (GASP!) even put make up on.  I did this last Friday and my boss was SHOCKED at the notion, or maybe it was Saturday? But either way it doesn't happen too often unless I'm going out.  Then Friday's in our office is Mancino's day...which means hawaiian calzone.  Yeah, I know what you are thinking -- how the HELL is that Weight Watcher friendly?  Not too sure that it is, takes up a VERY large portion of my daily points, but its worth every one.  Luckily, after eating said-calzone, I don't really eat much of a dinner.

Fridays to me will always be looked forward to because I get to enjoy them.  I actually like waking up kind of early on Fridays, knowing that I have a great workout to get to.

This Friday is a get-out-of-work-early day :)  Every one is gone in the office except me, but luckily I will take my handy lap top and work from home. before heading to State to hang out with my cousin which leads into Saturday tailgate and the MSU/Iowa game.

Here's hoping for a Fun, Flirty Friday!
-A

Next up: Weekend Warrior (to be posted Sat. or Sun.)

Day 2...I could get used to this.

Well day two went well...so far.

Yesterday I was going to go to the beach with my friend for happy hour... that didn't work out so I made my dinner.  It was pretty bland, but I ate it and it was filling and healthy.  Whole wheat pasta (wwp), garlic olive oil, spinach, zucchini and squash topped with a little bit of shredded Parmesan cheese.

On top of that I made dinner for the whole week which included wwp, tuna fish, zucchini, squash, spinach, black beans, fat free cream of mushroom soup and a little bit of shredded cheese. Yeah it looks like throw up, but its pretty tasty.  I made three servings that I plan to last through Saturday.

I went grocery shopping yesterday as well. Got some steak to cook up for stir fry...it was only $2.40 and its definitely enough for two servings so more lunch/dinner.  Turkey and cheese for sandwiches and some eggs that I hard boiled.  I am trying to make food so that I am not aching for something on the way to or from work.

Run down on food today:
Breakfast was a whole wheat bagel and fat free cream cheese.  The bagels were on sale and sometimes I need something other than an egg white sandwich.
Snack - Yogurt with a few pretzels again
Lunch - Turkey sandwich with cucumbers, muenster cheese (my fave!) on wheat bread, string cheese and a clementine...I'm still hungry though uh oh!
Planned Dinner - The smorgasbord left over from last night.

I "worked out" today.  A straight 10-minute run and then I did a stretching class for an hour...yes a whole hour of just stretching. It was quite wonderful.

Well that is all for now...back to work (or looking like I'm working) I go.

PS - I had a MASSIVE headache yesterday and I mean it last through exercise, through food and through cooking until I went to bed.  Luckily, when I woke up it was gone and has stayed away so far.  Fingers Crossed!