I know, I know...it's been way too long since my last post. Please accept my apologies. Here is a recap to what I have been up to:
1. My sugar ban continues. Since my last post, I have successfully taken control of my sugar addiction and I have made it through the Lenten season without ONE Reese's Peanut Butter Egg. Shocking, I know. There have been a couple cheat moments, but nothing close to a full on relapse. For example, when I was in DC (more on that in a moment), we went to an amazing brunch place called Ted's Bulletin where they make homemade Poptarts. I tried the various kinds around the table and was satisfied. In fact, those 3-4 bites had me shouting, "Sugar High!" a line from my favorite show, Parks and Recreation. (Check out the clip here.) It was great to feel control that day. I didn't regret not having a full Poptart myself.
Every now and then I do feel a tinge of sadness when I look at a muffin or a cookie, but I tell myself that I don't need it this moment and if later I feel like I will die without it, then I will go back and get it. 100% of the time, I forget about said pastry and move on with my life. I think by telling myself that I always have the option, I don't feel like I am depriving myself, but instead I'm making a choice. Every moment (and sugary temptation) is a choice.
I am still eating bread on a regular basis, but have mostly switched over to bread I make at home, sprouted wheat bread, or seed heavy bread. I am trying to transition over to no carbs after lunch, but this is a struggle that may take me a while. I have also stocked up on berries...the perfect treat for my sweet tooth. Berries are naturally lower in sugar than other fruits and I love all kinds. Great for dessert.
2. Two weekends ago, Ellie and I flew to DC to join our friend Julia for the George Washington Parkway 5K. It was a really fun weekend full of Cherry Blossom viewing and awesome warm weather. We even got a bonus visit with my cousins, Amanda and Jos, who also ran the race and joined us for brunch. I'll be honest...I did NOT train one bit for this race. I decided going into it that I would just walk the whole thing and enjoy the day. The excitement of the beginning had me running about .25 miles and then walking the rest until the excitement of seeing the finish line. My official time was 51:26 which is about 30 seconds over my Boston 5K...the one I ran all 3.1 miles. It just goes to show that I can fitness walk and still get a good time. I really don't enjoy running, so I think I will focus on fitness walking for a while and try to get a better time that way.
Side note: This 5K was also paired with a 10 mile race that started at the same time as the 5K. I had a feeling that I would meet some of the 10 milers along my route and I didn't until the final stretch to the finish line. This was actually really awesome because as the winner of the 10 mile race was nearing the end, the crowd cheered really loud, so I started running and imagined they were all cheering for me. :0) I waved and thanked them for their support. It was awesome.
3. I think I am going to take away the goal date of October 2014 to reach my 2000 meals for Feeding America. As I continue on my path to reaching this goal, I realize that my timeline is not attainable. I don't want to give up completely, so I am just going to take out the end date and keep walking. I think I should give myself a reward to work toward. Like maybe when I reach the goal, I will treat myself to a pedicure at my favorite spa and I will also donate the amount of the spa pedicure to Feeding America. There is a really luxurious pedicure package at the spa that is like $90 (crazy, I know...but so amazing), so I would give myself the pedicure and then donate $90 to Feeding America as well.
4. Some changes I am currently working on. A. Drink a glass of water before each meal to stay hydrated in this dry Denver air and to fill up a little before I eat. B. Eat a large spinach salad every day (if not twice). I was really good at this last year for a while, but I have veered away and need to get back on track. I can really tell a difference in my digestion when I neglect this. C. No complex carbs after lunch...like I said, a hard one for me, but I'm working on it. D. Walk, walk, walk. It's is beautiful out most days and I need to be out there enjoying it. I had a great walk this morning at Washington Park and got in 2.5 miles!
5. I bought a bathroom scale. I was against this for a while, especially after Green Mountain taught me to not put so much weight (note pun) onto what the scale says. I am not a number. I can focus on how I feel and how my clothes fit to see how my new lifestyle is going. While I still agree with all of that, I was finding that not knowing my weight at all wasn't keeping me accountable enough. More and more little bad habits were coming back and it would be weeks before I noticed how crappy I was feeling. I'm hoping the scale will just keep my mind in the game, so to speak. My scale has a phone app that I can sync and it will allow me to track my weight and will help me to see right then and there if I need to refocus my energy. I've only had the scale a week, and it has already encouraged me to eat my veggies and move my body.
Okay, I think that is all I have to update on at the moment. I look forward to using this beautiful spring weather to keep my spirits up and to keep me motivated to eat well and move often.
