Observations

I swear, running has so many benefits. I mean, walking has so many benefits too, if that's what you like to do, but for me, running is my thing.

A lot of times I've said that I hate running but only because it really is a challenge for me. I'm not one of those people who can just up and decide to run a few miles one day. I have to have capris on (you know, to prevent chafing), I have to have my hair up with a fat headband, I need a good sports bra and a tank and I need good music. Along with that, it can't be too cold and I have to build up slowly starting at about 20 minutes of running.

Even though running is a challenge, I love challenging myself. I don't think I'd do so well if I was training for an event or had a coach, but I love just being by myself & pushing as far as I can go. I'm up to running 30 minutes now by just increasing 5 minutes when I felt like it & the challenge is good. It makes me feel strong and it makes me feel like I'm accomplishing something that's great for my body.  During the run, my mind is so clear. I'm pretty sure I have my best thoughts then.

I'm also very observant while I'm running maybe because I'm so slow and I see things I don't see when I'm in a car, which is how I've seen most of Indianapolis surrounding campus.

Today, I ventured a little farther off campus than I had been before (it was at 4 o'clock, mom & it was in safe areas) and as I was running, I passed by a house that wasn't anything special besides these babies all over the front yard. Tulips & Gerbera Daisies are my favorite so it made my day to see all of these beautiful Tulips in the yard! I hadn't ever noticed them before.

I run with my iphone so I stopped and took a picture & kept going happily. It wasn't long before I came to this guy, standing up on his hind legs munching on an acorn. I couldn't believe how close I was to him and that he was just standing there, so I snapped another picture & then took off again.

I know, I'm not respecting his privacy very well. At least we know he's a boy.

I love running because of how it makes me feel but also because of the things it makes me appreciate like beautiful flowers, happy squirrels and legs that can carry me miles without a problem.

Ps. This being positive thing? It's awesome. So many good things happen when you're paying attention to them.

McFatty Monday

It's McFatty Monday & for the first time in a long time, I'm joining in on the madness.

I think weight will always be an issue for me. I think I'll always be fighting with food. 

Lately, food has been winning & I refuse to let that happen.

I'm a good 20 pounds heavier than I'd like to be & I'm ready to change it.

A dressing room breakdown this week was the wake-up call I needed.

I'm too young to not want to wear shorts this summer.

I'm not gong to focus on the 20 pounds, but the 2 that I'd like to lose this week.

I'm going to keep a food journal, I'm going to do my normal cardio & this week, I'm going to lift weights 4 days.

Next Monday, I'll let you know what I ate, the exercise I did & what the scale says.

I know I can do this, and I know being accountable to all of you will make it even better.

Let the games begin!

What healthy changes are you going to make this week?

Happy Friday blurbs

TGIF, right??

It's 6:36 a.m. & I'm laying here wide awake. I tried to get into the doctor yesterday but since it had been closed for 2 days due to ice, it was completely booked by 9:30 a.m. when I called. Hopefully they can give me some meds so I can get some sleep. I don't know about you, but 6 hours of sleep is not nearly enough for me. You know it's bad when you fall asleep to Jimmy Fallon and wake up to the Sunrise news.

I woke up to 21 followers this morning!! I wasn't sure I'd ever see this day & I'm super stoked. Thank you to the 3 new followers who joined last night. & as always, thank you to everyone who follows. I love having you here.

Despite the fact that I got invited to a big party tonight at the Football house tonight, I may opt for a low-key night. Starting the group-fitness-instructor-program means that I have to be certified in CPR & First Aid, so tomorrow is the class at the HRC 10-3. It will be a long day, but I'm thankful that I can get certified & receive 5 hours of training for $16 for being a Butler student.

I promise to take pictures this weekend to add to my blog posts. I know that words are kinda boring without pictures to go along with them.

Lastly, I'm going to turn anonymous comments back on and just moderate the comments as they come in. I know I have a lot of readers that don't follow & I love to hear from you & don't want you to think in any way that you're less appreciated because I appreciate every last person who spends a little bit of time with me, even just once.

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend .... I'll be back on Monday!

XO

It's Time for an Intervention

Alright you guys, you know that thing called the Freshman 15? Well, its real. Its really, really real.

I don't think I've reached 15 yet, but I'm workin my way up, that's for sure. 

Tonight, I tried on a pair of my shorts from oh ... 5 months ago annndddd needless to say, they were snug. Like um .... I won't be wearing them because someone might vomit. 

I had seriously been trying to deny the fact that I was gaining weight, despite what the scale said. I mean really, I still look cute in pictures if I get in just the right position & I can still fit into my stretchy jeans. ... The other ones shrunk in the wash, obviously.

In my defense, it's really, really hard to eat healthy while living in a dorm. No stove, no oven & a refrigerator the size of a shoe-box makes making & storing healthy food a real challenge.

However, I'm done making excuses for myself. 

I don't feel good about myself the majority of the time & I certainly am not as cute as I was 4 years ago.

Oh yeah, that's something I haven't really discussed on here. I was virtually anorexic in 8th grade, but that's a whole other post in itself.

Here's the Reader's Digest version:

I was a size 2/4 and I remember being so happy that I got the flu because after it hit, I was a meager 126 lbs. I loved it. I loved the attention I got and how great I felt in everything I put on. 

I don't want to go back to the anorexic ways that I used to practice like spending hours on end at the gym & eating only broccoli and a piece of bread for dinner, but I would like to go back to some of the things I used to do like eating Tuna every day for lunch (such a great source of protein & low calories) and only eating sugar on Fridays. 

I've put on a good 30 pounds since the days of 126 pounds and I've gone up at least 2 3 sizes. Of course, my body has changed since 8th grade; my hips got wider, I got boobs & I dunno ... I got my period. But I think losing 15 pounds would be do-able.

It's time for a life-style change.

My old self would be disgusted with me now.

What are your favorite diet lifestyle-change tips?