Life Goes On

Between the few lean-protein-and-nonstarchy-veggies meals I’ve TRIED eating lately, I’ve also had…

Jessica’s cake batter pancakes…

…Valentine’s Day Asian-inspired chicken, green beans, and rice (cooked by The Dude! Not unhealthy, actually…I just wanted to brag on him)…

…loaded baked potato alongside bacon-wrapped scallops and peas, leftovers from the parents…

…and DiGiorno pizza, beer, and King Cake this weekend at the lakehouse.  Unpictured due to shame.

I’ve actually done pretty well at working out; I made it to the gym a couple of times last week to do cardio, and I FINALLY made it back to yoga only to realize how much I NEED it.  I had a religious experience during savasana, and I’m not a religious person.  I walked out of there high as a kite and was sore for days…I can’t wait to go back.

I think I’m getting to the point in my new job and new relationship where I’m realizing I MUST put my needs before anything else.  As much as I want to prove myself by being the employee who puts in a 60 hour week to make sure everything runs smoothly, I can’t.  As much as I want to be the Best Girlfriend in the World who makes amazingly lavish meals and lazes around watching movies all day, I can’t.  Trying to be either will compromise my health and who I am as an individual, and I’ve got to make sure I’m being the best person I can be for myself first.  Already I feel myself using food to cope with stress, and I’m trying to stop that in its tracks before it gets out of hand again.

I need to stop making excuses and explanations and start pushing myself to make the right choices, even if they’re not the easiest paths to take.  I don’t have to eat every meal out or try a new baked good recipe every day.  The opportunity will still be there tomorrow or even next week, and I’ve got to make decisions based on the long-term impact it will have as opposed to the short-term gratification it brings.

Furthermore, I’ve gotta say all that to myself 20 times every damn day, or I might never remember.

Do you have a mantra that helps you through the hard times?  Mine’s a little too verbose to get too attached to…

Lunchercize

What’s the best way to unwind on a Friday after a difficult week at work?

Dirty vodka martini.

Lofton and her husband had a gig at a jazz bar in downtown Columbia last night…

…so the fella and I went to enjoy some music and quality time on the squashy leather couches.

 

I look as tired as I feel.

I was really proud of myself this week – we had an INSANE week at work, but I still managed to go to the gym during my long lunch break on Wednesday (we have a 2-hour break on Wednesdays instead of the regular 1-hour break).  I was only able to do 20 minutes on the elliptical, but I wanted to prove to myself that I COULD make it to the gym, and a new one at that!  I tried out the branch of the Y closer to my office, and I felt so much better afterward that I’m going to try it again this week.  Maybe when it gets warmer, I’ll be able to go running on the roads around the office on my shorter lunch breaks, too. 

I don’t remember if I mentioned it, but I lost 3.5lbs at my first weigh-in after starting my new job two weeks ago, and this week, I lost 1.5.  I can tell that I’m slipping a little in my eating habits, but I’m still doing ok, so I’m not gonna complain yet!

I’m really ready to lose these last 30 pounds, especially thinking about warmer weather coming up.  I think as I develop more of a rhythm and routine at work, I’ll be more comfortable going outside of my comfort zone to exercise.  I’m already doing well eating-wise when I bring lunch to the office; it helps that I work for my weight loss physician and don’t want to stray too far from my plan!

Do you have enough time to exercise on your lunch break?  If you do, what routine do you use, and do you have an plans to help fit it in?