May 24th, "Strides, often painful, always forward"

The title of today's post comes from an article a friend sent me about an amputee ultra-runner. Because 26 miles is apparently not enough, er, fun (read, punishment) for some, there are people in this world who will run, like, a hundred miles at a time. *Pausing to wretch, if only on the inside* The thing is though, this lady runs in these uber-long-distance races with one less leg than most people are blessed to have. Down one of the primary things convention tells us we need two of to run. That's just awesome. If she can run 100 miles with one leg, certainly I can work out my body with two. It just goes to show, sheer will and determination are forces powerful enough to overcome just about any obstacle. Also, circumstances do not have to dictate success or failure.
MIND -- To keep my mind at ease, I will visit the post office before work to air mail my grant acceptance to the forces that be in Germany. Also, I'll review the first two lessons from my teaching English as a foreign language online course. If I begin the third, that's lagniappe.
BODY -- (Input/Nutrition) For breakfast this morning, I had two cups of coffee with soy milk and about a half cup of honey-flavored Greek yogurt. For lunch, I'll have the rest of my Bratkartoffeln (kinda like the Cajun hash browns from Louie's in Baton Rouge, if that tells anyone anything) and maybe last night's remaining salad if the lettuce isn't too wilted. If it is, I can sear up some flounder right quick and have it with some green peas and brown rice. For dinner tonight, I'll have some brown rice and beans (thanks, mouton noir!)
I've got to add, I'm so proud of my water intake of late. I've been doing really well at increasing the amount of water I drink on a daily basis. Way to go, Ms Dee!
(Output/Exercise) I've completed the first half of the Slim in 6 workout I've been doing not as conscientiously as I'd like . . . but I'm getting there. I stopped because I'm starving and wanted to blog before work. I'll finish the rest when I get home and go for a short walk after, as well. I'm working on renewing my relationship with cardio, walking in particular. Me and walking had this special thing going a few years back. We'd been going steady for a while there, but life kinda got in the way for a little while. I'm happy to report, though, that walking is good like few things are and is always there waiting for me when I'm ready to be sensible.
SPIRIT -- Let me take this time and space to give thanks for the many gifts I have. Health. Happiness. Security. Shelter. Wonderful family and framily. A job. Transportation. Boundless potential. I'm using the practice of blogging about my journey to health to set my intention to live the life I've always dreamed of living and to serve the greater good. Also, I'd like to dedicate my lifelong and daily struggle of caring for my Self -- mind, body and spirit -- to all those who struggle with the same thing. It is my sincerest hope that I can some day devote my life's work to helping those who struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle. I pledge 15 minutes of meditation in the name of alleviating the suffering of my family, friends and indeed all of existence.

Namaste!

May 18th, owning up

I've gotta come clean . . . I didn't end up getting any exercise yesterday like I said I would. I am about to get some now, though. My energy has come back to me, thank the lord.
I have to admit to something else too . . . I haven't been as vigilant about my food intake as I have been the past couple weeks. The main reason is that I am running out of supplies. I'm awaiting pay day to go grocery shopping. Before I shop, I'll plan out my menu for the upcoming week. I do have enough to get me through in the mean time. I can do better, though. I just know I can. Tomorrow I can have oatmeal, dried cranberries and an apple for breakfast. Also, I'll pack a sandwich, carrots and an orange for lunch; as well as crackers and soy cheese for a snack. For dinner, I'll have pan-seared flounder and whole wheat pasta with spinach and grape tomatoes. I left my water bottle at work, so I won't have to concern myself with remembering to take it with me.
For exercise tomorrow, I will do my Slim in 6 routine in the morning before work.
Also, to put my mind at ease, I will find time tomorrow to begin reading my grant contracts and work on my budget.
Five minutes of meditation will do my mind and spirit well tomorrow too.
Hate to make this post so short, but Debbie Siebers is ready to kick my ass.

May 17th, new week

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn't able to exercise like I wanted to this past weekend. But I'm feeling very positive about this up-coming week.

MIND -- I've got to get more into the nitty-gritty of saving money this week. Either today or tomorrow, I'll work on budgeting to see in black and white what I'm working with. Also, I signed up for an online course a few months ago and I've got to get all the materials printed out this week so that I don't lose the money I invested in the class. I do want to broaden my horizons and everything, but I can't let that investment go to waste. These are the main things that have been weighing on my mind recently. I've found that the best way to alleviate a stressful situation is to face it head-on. So that's what I'm going to do.

BODY -- (Input/Nutrition) This week is going to be tight. I think I've got just enough food to carry me through the week. And it's all healthy too, so that's good. I think this week will be a practice in rationing, among other things. Also, one of my primary focuses this week will be to make sure I'm getting plenty of water. Staying hydrated is key for the brain and body to function healthily. It makes me feel awesome, as well. And it aids in weight loss.
(Output/Exercise) Like I said, I didn't exercise as much as I would have liked this past week. But last week is behind  me and the only place to go from here is forward. I will be continuing with the Slim in 6 program, though I've decided to work on the different phases for as long as I feel I need to. For instance, the second phase workout is very challenging, so I'm going to keep doing it until I feel ready to move on to the third phase. Also, I bought a new workout DVD -- Yoga Booty Ballet: it's sounds ridiculous, I know, but I previewed it and it looks like SO much fun! -- with store credit recently and I'm excited to try it out. I'd like to do that one today. I wanted to go on a hike this past weekend as well, but the weather was not in agreement. So hopefully I'll get to go this upcoming weekend, when one of my very special homegirls is in town to visit. I'd like to keep in mind, too, how wonderful exercise makes me feel. After a great workout, I feel renewed and stress-free. It helps me feel sane and more like myself. It helps me to let go of things I've no use hanging on to. It helps me feel good about myself.

SPIRIT -- What I really really really want right now is to welcome wealth into my life. I want to do everything I can to remove the mystery from staying financially responsible. I will do everything I can to "set the stage," for ushering in financial wealth. I offer thanks and gratitude for the gift that is this day, as well as the many many blessings I have in my life already. I humbly ask the Universe to guide me in serving my highest purpose.

I dedicate my efforts today and all the days that follow to everyone who suffers with the burden of carrying excess weight. May they find their way to lasting and vibrant health.

Namaste!

PS

I cannot believe I almost forgot to post the thing that inspired me to post something in the first place.
The pants I hemmed with needle and thread today were purchased to my chagrin, as I didn't really have any pants that fit comfortably. At first I thought that maybe I was imagining things, but this is mainly because I have a terrible habit of assuming that anything I intuit is a product of my imagination. At any rate, I'm fairly certain that the pants are looser now than they were when I bought them a few weeks ago.
Awesome.

May 14th, DAY OFF

It's been quite the indulgent day! Not in terms of what I've eaten thank goodness, more in terms of what I've been doing. Namely, only what I've wanted to do all day long, which has entailed: watching almost the entire first season of Arrested Development; hemming my new pants (with a needle a thread, people, all 19th century-style and everything); picking up around the house; and doing laundry. Granted it's not the most thrilling day, but I've certainly been enjoying myself . . . :)

MIND -- I've been drinking Kava relaxation tea pretty much since I woke up this morning. Needless to say I feel great! I've been burning stick after stick of Nag Champa. Also, I've been doing a lot of food-prepping, which sets my mind at ease, in that I know the veggies (and hard-earned money) won't be going to waste. Last but not least, I'm taking the time to blog, which is a sign of my commitment to take care of myself.

BODY -- (Input/Nutrition) It's been a good day. Earlier, I feel like I did eat a few things when I wasn't hungry. The good news is that I didn't go crazy and I stopped. I started drinking more water and tea and decided to not eat until I felt hungry again.
(Exercise/Output) I'll do my Slim in 6 again and I am going to do it before, say, 7:30 this evening. It's a real challenge, this phase two. I decided that I'd allow myself the entire summer to do this program as opposed to the recommended 6 weeks. What could it hurt?

SPIRIT -- I'll allow dedicate between 5 and 15 minutes before I go to sleep this evening to meditating.

Sorry to keep it so terse . . . I've gotta make dinner!

Namaste, everyone!! I sincerely hope that your own journeys to optimum health are where you want/need them to be!

May 13th, persistence

Dear Bloggy-readers,

I'm hereby making a commitment to blog more often! I could use the excuse of working more hours to blame for my infrequency, but the truth is that I am lethargic and whiny in the morning. Resistant to pretty much anything that's not a bowl of breakfast, a cup of coffee/tea and some awful morning show. But I'm pretty sure I'm being a tad dramatic . . . OF COURSE I can (and will) set aside twenty to thirty minutes each morning to blog about my up-coming exploits in the realm of getting fit.
In slightly unrelated news, I've found out that I will be sent to Hamburg to fulfill my Fulbright award! I'm in power save mode and brainstorming ideas to make extra money. Also, I've been fretting a little recently . . . wondering if I have any business buying the kinda pricey groceries I've been buying recently. Shouldn't I just be eating beans and rice and salads? I haven't decided yet. While it is of utmost importance that I save between 3 and 4 thousand dollars between now and late August, I also happen to believe that putting healthy foods into my body are even more important and far-reaching in impact. What say you, dear readers?


MIND - As per usual, I am blogging to tend to my mental health. Writing is so incredibly therapeutic for me . . . I find that it helps me to stay focused and committed. To ensure mental stability, I'd like to remind myself for at least the remainder of the day, "It's nothing personal." See, I have a tendency to be hyper-sensitive. I get agitated when the way people are -- totally aside from how they feel or what they think about me -- is other than the way I think they should be. This is rather hard/embarrassing to admit, but it's the truth. For instance, I can have a strained relationship with my Father for lots and lots of reasons besides my hypersensitivity, but in truth, my Dad makes no bones about the type of son-of-a-bitch he is. And I know VERY WELL the type of son-of-a-bitch he can be; yet, his antics never fail to upset me. I'm not saying that that's unreasonable, but I am saying that it's my non-acceptance of WHO HE IS that causes distress in my life. He'll never change. He was the way he is before I was even the proverbial twinkle in his eye. Therefore, when he's not the Dad I wish he were, it's nothing personal! My disappointment is a direct result of my expecting him to be someone he's not.
So, especially at work, it's nothing personal. Disneyland (a coworker) is nosy and inappropriate ALL THE TIME. It's not a special brand of behavior he reserves for annoying me. It's nothing personal. It's nothing personal. It's nothing personal.
A silent "Namaste," directed at all my daily players couldn't hurt to maintain mental stability either.

BODY (Input/Nutrition) I've been very focused on eating fewer calories recently. I've done VERY well with not eating dairy (patting self on back) and slightly less well with not eating meat. I just LERV seafood! Which I knew going into this . . . but that's OK. 80% rule, always and forever. I have some meatless and dairy less sandwich options, which is exciting. I've eaten some chicken and definitely fish. However, I have cut out a lot of meat from my diet . . . not that there was much to begin with, but you get the idea. I've still been doing the four to five small meals a day. Not eating two hours before bed has proved to be more challenging since I've been getting home close to 8. However, I do the best I can . . . I generally don't eat snacks at night any more. I can do better about drinking more water, as well as not eating in front of the TV. I know that I eat mindlessly when I watch TV, but it helps me feel less alone. BUT there's a wonderful screened-in porch on the side of the house that is perfect for eating meals -- especially when I get us some TV trays.
Anteeway, to give you an idea of what I've been eating on a daily basis, I'll let you know what today's menu looks like: Breakfast - 1 cup of cereal with dried cranberries and 3/4 of a fresh apple; Snack 1 - 1/4 c. roasted almonds with dried cranberries; Lunch - 1 cup of curried lentil soup and a meatless, dairy less sandwich; Snack 2 - medium orange; Dinner - 1-1.5 c whole wheat pasta with eggplant and marinara. I may also allow myself some Greek yogurt, the ONLY dairy I've been consuming . . . it's so unbelievably delicious that it had to make the cut.
(Output/Exercise) - For exercise today, I'm going to do more of my Slim in 6 program . . . I've been feeling resistant to phase 2, but I'm taking this time and space to let that go. I'd also like to reaffirm that I can do ANYthing I set my mind to. The goal is to have all aspects of my Self unite in the name of achieving optimum health . . . that takes time, conditioning and debunking lies I've been telling myself for a long time. I don't know why I am so scared to believe that I'm on my way. I'm on my way! I'm on my way! I'm on my way!
See? Nothing bad happened.
PS - I want to go hiking in the mountains at some point this weekend for exercise.

SPIRIT - To tend to my spirit, I am going on a hike at some point.
Also, I'd like to use this space to create with the Universe the things I really, really, really want:


Alright, peeps. I gotta motor . . . my responsibilities call. NAMASTE!!

May 9th, purpose and direction

Apologies for taking so long to post again.
I've finally come up with the purpose/direction for this bloggy. There's an ancient, probably Chinese, proverb that states: The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. As a nod to this aphorism of persistence, I'd like to take you with me on my journey of 1,000 steps to optimum health. I haven't decided yet if each day will be a step or if each post should be a step . . . what do you think?
I would blog about the things I've done today to tend to my mental, physical and spiritual health today, but Sunday's feeling like a wash on those fronts. Which is fine. Those days are going to happen. The absence BLAH days is not necessary for a successful journey to good health. In fact, I think they are to be expected. It's how quickly you pick yourself up/find your way back to your path that's more indicative of progress.
I did want to share that I purchased a workout series last weekend and started last Monday. It's called Slim in 6 by Debbie Siebers and when I workout this evening, I will have -- more or less - completed the first phase. I'll talk more about it later and be sure to fill you in on my small victories/findings. So far, I can detect a slight increase in my energy level, but am anxious to see some results in how my clothes are fitting. My main goals in doing this series are to: speed up my metabolism and drop a size in clothing (God-willing, two).
More later.

Happy Sunday! Happy Mother's day, too!