I'm still standing

Well, today was day 1 and I’m still standing.  I’m sore….but I’m still standing.  I’m a little hungry…but I’m still standing.  I actually took pride in my healthy meals.  I even took a picture of my lunch before I ate it because I have never before voluntarily eaten such a healthy meal and enjoyed it!  (I’ll include a picture and the recipe later if you’re interested!)  I decided my goals for the week would be#1  to not eat in front of the television because it’s just too easy to hork down my meal in a hurry and not even enjoy it and #2 I decided I would work out for at least 30 minutes every day, no matter what.  I’m blessed to have a YMCA less than a mile from my house so I took advantage of that and used the elliptical for 30 minutes.  Now, I need to qualify that statement because the elliptical and I are not exactly friends.  We’ve had our ups and downs, the elliptical and I (pun totally intended)  I try it every few weeks thinking that surely this time I’ll enjoy it more than I have in the past and then I always hear myself mutter as I get off “why do I keep trying this instrument of torture?!”  Today, however, was really not so bad.  I didn’t even mutter as I got off!  I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet that I’ve been participating in a couch to 5K program over the last 5 weeks and apparently all of that walking and jogging has helped.  Go figure….exercise makes a difference?!  Alert the media!

My original plan was to go back to the Y this evening and walk/jog on the treadmill for 30 minutes while my husband was in spin class. (Which, by the way, while we’re discussing instruments of torture, let’s talk about how a 45 minute long spin class could possibly be a really effective means of getting information out of prisoners!!)  Anyway, an unexpected work meeting came up that I had to be at during the time I was going to go back so I am rolling with the punches and chalking up my 30 minutes of exercise as a success.  Why am I telling you this? Well, because as we all know, sometimes life gets in the way and we have to figure out how to roll with the punches.  The old me may have said “I can’t work out tonight so I’ll just stay home and eat bon-bons” but the new me says “Thank goodness I had time to work out this morning instead!”

And then the new me asked if it was time for bed yet because that elliptical made her tired!

I’m optimistic and ready for day 2!  I pray every day goes as smoothly as today did!

Molly

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OK, if you made it through all of that and still want my healthy lunch here it is:

Chicken Spinach Salad with Feta and Strawberries

1 cup washed spinach

1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries

1/4 cup reduced fat feta cheese

1/2 cup diced, baked chicken breast

2 TB fat free balsamic vinaigrette 

(isn't it preeeety?!)