Arise and Shine Forth

Today I was supposed to dedicate the entire day to working on my thesis.  I may have put in an hour and a half to 2 hours of real work on it.  Because I didn't want to do it, I let myself get distracted by every little thing, and didn't even use the non-writing/researching time to do something worthwhile!

One of the things that was of benefit was watching some Tara Stiles videos on-line, and deciding that my next post-payday trip to Walmart will include purchasing one of her new DVDs.  I like Tara because she's chill, and real.  And she encourages us to "Cultivate YOU."  I need that.  I'm becoming someone new and different, and hopefully better each day, but I'm me and that's a good and important thing to be and become.  I also like her focus on mindfulness.  So much of my wasted time (and calories!) come from letting myself be mindless about what I'm doing rather than intentional.  When I listen to myself and to my body, I make better choices.  I nourish myself instead of punishing.

One success today:  I stopped doing an exercise video because I didn't like how it made me feel.  My body wasn't happy working out that way, and so I stopped.  I need things that nourish me, not punish me.

Miracles:  Tomorrow is another day (and SUNDAY!:)   Fasting.  Talk with my dear friend Amy F.  A little bit closer to being done with my thesis.  Exercise (cardio and essentrics...LOVE how ess makes me feel...I do need to be more mindful as I do it though. I think it will make me feel even lighter to be present as I do it.)  Delicious green smoothies that my body craves, and the decision to quit tortilla chips cold turkey (as Lindsay suggests).

And my favorite miracle of the day:  Arise: 2012 Mutual Theme Song  This is a video for the youth of my church.  A couple of Latter-day Saint friends had shared it on facebook, so on one of my many distracted tangents I watched it.  And cried.  And shared it on facebook too.  I really love it.  We have so much potential and God wants us to be the best us we can be!  We need to ARISE AND SHINE FORTH.  We can do this! We can be mindful and intentional as a way of worshipping God.

Today's stats:
W: 139 (less than I thought it would be after last night's hummus/chip binge...so I ate more of both for lunch!)
E: 15-30 minutes of cardio (started out with a video that I used to like and stopped because I sure didn't today!), l/b essentrics, pm yoga.
B: small green peach, banana, spinach smoothie.
L: rest of the hummus and lots of chips too
D: large green smoothie: banana, strawberries, spinach, soy milk, agave, cloves and cinnamon.  LOVE!

Good enough for who it's for

The phrase above works when I'm talking about doing things for me, or even for other people.  I try to be dedicated in everything I do.
However, one of the reasons that I've been trying to do EL and exercise is for God.  And what I've been doing is NOT good enough for Him.  I need to ask Him for help in this goal.
Miracles:  I can do and be better tomorrow!

Todays stats:
W: 138.6
E: essentrics a/a, 3 mile bike commute, yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: salad (spinach, tomato, palta, black-eyed peas, banana, orange
S: 2 bananas with peanut butter
S: corn chips with hummus.

Define yourself

As a teacher, professional development is a part of life and work.  On the name tag for one of the meetings, it said "Define yourself."  I've kept the name tag as a reminder that that's what I do. All of my thoughts, words and actions define me.  I've changed SO much in my lifetime, and anticipate many more years of change and growth and definition.  I'm doing and becoming things that I'd never even considered, much less entertained, or saw coming (going to grad school, becoming vegetarian/vegan, owning a house on my own, etc.)
I do want more definition in my body.  My friend Sheri is getting great results with Jackie Warner's diet and workout plan.  I love my diet, so I'm good to go there, but I want more cardio than what I'm getting with my bike rides to school.  Sheri said that she's only doing 20 minutes of cardio...I think I could fit that in! :)  Beth is defining herself too.  She's been doing ETL for just a couple of days, and already says that she feels better.  I can already see more definition in her cheekbones.  She's already gorgeous...she's going to be a knockout!
Miracles today:  I get to be a teacher...I LOVE my kids.  Pizza wasn't a temptation tonight (it can sometimes smell tempting).  My bike ride home in the moonlight was incredible.  Libraries are full of books for me to read when I'm done with grad school.  And just because I haven't done great at thesis work so far doesn't mean that I can't and won't!!!  I need to start my task, so I can stick with it, til it sticks to me!

Today's stats:
W: 140.8 (I was disgruntled about it this morning:(...just have to keep going and trying, and NOT stress eat.
E: essentrics l/b, 3 miles of bike commuting, pm yoga
B: green smoothie (LOVE it: spinach, strawberries, banana, cloves, agave nectar, cinnamon, soy milk)
L: can of black beans (bloated now)
D: green smoothie
S: banana with peanut butter

Vegan Junk Food

So I haven't been totally true to Eat to Live.  Beth and I had hummus the other day, and I couldn't just let a few corn chips go stale in the cupboard, so I let myself stress eat by getting another container of hummus and finishing off the chips.  I will do better tomorrow.  Any suggestions on how to de-stress quickly?
Miracles:  The bike riding is still happening!  My students are doing well with the new study guides that I instituted for Literacy.  The weather is still clear!  My class work seems more manageable, and I trust that with good planning, hard-work, and uber-planning of schedule, I can graduate in August! (Found out tonight that that means I have to defend and submit my thesis in June...less time to work on it, but more time to play when I get it done!!!:)

Today's stats:
W: 138.4
E: essentrics arms and abs,  6+ miles of bike commuting, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: classic salad (spinach, beans, mushrooms, palta, tomatoes)
D: green smoothie, 2 bananas with peanut butter and 1 slice of bread
S: 2 bananas with peanut butter
S: hummus and chips

I'm back in the saddle again...

Literally.  I rode Principessa to work and back for the first time today.  (Yes, I name my possessions...my new purple bike bequeathed to me by Mandy is named Principessa because she's purple and girly and strong, and so that when I go out in the morning not wanting to face the ride, I can say "Buongiorno Principessa!" and remember to look on the bright side of things!) It was lovely. Besides the cold hands, (need to wear my new Canadian mittens as well as my gloves) and nose that started to run as soon as I got inside again, it was perfect.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be, I felt accomplished and stronger, and more in touch with my body and my surroundings.
(Confession:  I don't wear a helmet.  I grew up riding around our rural neighborhood, and part of the joy of riding a bike to me is the wind in my hair as I'm floating down a hill.  Do I HAVE to wear one?)
Being a teacher is a blessing.  I LOVE my kids and have a good time.  I don't love all the politics, gossip or mandates (but my school, and especially my team are remarkably drama-free on all of those counts).  I walked to my meeting for FHE...why drive when you can ride or walk?  Not having a car gives me time to think, breath, notice.  It helps me slow down and be.
Miracles:  My car didn't break down until after I was released from being Relief Society President; it hasn't snowed, which is highly unusual for this time of year!; I can CHOOSE to not have a car in spite of what others are doing; I LOVE what I've chosen to do! :)

Today's stats:
W: 137.2
E: essentrics l/b, 3 mile bike commute, pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: green smoothie
D: bread with honey, banana, corn chips with hummus
S: banana with peanut butter

Marathon (of the Harry Potter variety)

Today I spent almost all day with friends playing Quidditch and watching movies 3 and 6 of Harry Potter.      It wasn't a productive day in terms of getting things done for school or grad school, but it was lovely.  I think one of the greatest miracles in life is when people know us really well and still like and love us anyway!  And Beth ate a salad today instead of doing IP, which is big.  She's committed and it's going to work for her!  She made me laugh though...she said something about how if she eats like this, then she'll look like me.  I honestly think she's already prettier than I am.  Love my sister!

Today's stats:
W: 137
E: essentrics a/a, 1.25 mile run (in my fab vibrams!), pm yoga
B: green smoothie
L: classic salad
D: Sister Nelson's delicious bread (with honey on one piece)

I choose!

It's amazing how much of a difference CHOOSING to be happy, flexible, calm, etc. makes.  My brother and new sister in law came to church with us today.  I've had bitter moments about them (and all of my brothers/sister-in-laws before their weddings) but it was fun to go to church with them and I wish we could every week.  After church I had a 2 + hour meeting about FHE.  My former crush was there, and because I decided to be normal, it was normal, and we had a good time!  I don't think of myself as an influential person, but what I decide to focus on, think, etc. does have an effect on how my life goes, and influences others as well.

Last night I used my new scale and weighed in at 142. something.  That was a little higher than I was hoping/thinking,(and 4 pounds higher than this morning's weigh in) but I'm not in the freak out about weight gain mode.  I know that what I'm doing and am planning to do is good for my body:  Eat to Live, run (with my fabulous new Vibrams Esperanza and Libertad) and do essentrics and yoga.  It feels right and things will work out.  I'm confident that I will lose another 20 pounds by May 8th because I'm sticking to the plan.  Beth started her first day of Eat to Live today...I shared my favorite salad combo idea with her and she liked it :)  She's going to go for 6 weeks and see how she does.

Miracles today:  Church!  Family, friends, serving with amazing people, house with the Little Women clan, Beth getting on the ETL bandwagon, a NEW YEAR!!! So happy for a fresh start!

Today's stats:

W: 138

E: yoga

B: banana

L/D: fasting (didn't go 24 hours this time because I didn't know until church that it was fast Sunday...I'll try again next week:)

S/D: 2 bananas, peanut butter, avocado, BLACK-EYED PEAS (have to eat them New Year's Day for good luck...my girls (Beth and Amy) and I are going to get married in December...that will be our luck:)