So How IS it Going?

It has been almost 4 months since I have stepped on the scale. Ben hid them in mid-December, and I decided to continue not weighing myself for a year.

So, here is a little recap.

I feel great.  I am no longer working out because the scale tells me to. I AM working out because it is good for me.  Am I getting to the gym 4 times a week.  Hell no.  Am I working out hard when I do work out?   Yes.  Today Ben and I went for a run.  Instead of stopping at the end of the park (3.5 miles according to my handy Garmin) I kept going.  We went 4.2 miles.  My left hip is hurting some; I have been working on not crossing my legs as a friend of mine explained the impact that can have.  I am listening to her. However, it is damn hard.  I always cross my legs!  This is a real adjustment.

Anyways, the hip hurt at the beginning of the run, but got better.  The first 3 miles were ok, but I really bonked during the last one plus mile.  My prerun snack was a piece of white bread and Crofter's jam, but this was apparently not enough!

Anyways, I do feel really great!  Each week when Nutrimirror tells me it is time to record my weight, I am doing it based on how I feel, how my clothes are fitting.  I am not doing this when I am trying to lose weight. I really do just want to tighten up as best as I can, as well as not feel deprived.  I have been quite successful at that! Ben and I go out once a week, I am eating WHOLE eggs a few times a week, I drink, I eat...sometimes all on the same day!

I joke with Ben that I have gained 10 pounds, but we all know that is not true.  I went shopping yesterday and today and think I look damn good.  I am not saying that because of a huge ego (believe me).

I feel amazing.  My energy is good.  My skin is glowing.

So far so good!

I like to take pictures when I try on clothes!

I bought this one - SALE!  

It is Funny to Me

If you read TGIF with Kel each week, you already saw this picture yesterday.

I am having a hard time with this picture.

I am going to be honest here, and perhaps you will know how crazy I am at times.  Don't be too frightened, ok?

I keep looking at it.

I was certain Ben had edited it. I mean, I knew he had not reshaped me at all, but I was certain he had played with it.  I love this picture.

This was taken last weekend before we went on a Surly Beer Tour.  (Local beer that is freaking awesome!)  Ben kept telling me all day that I was beautiful, and as usual, I told him he was sweet.  I can't say I look in the mirror and ever feel I am beautiful.

There are times I feel I have put myself together better than other times, like this one last summer:

That is my oldest son Alex.  Cute kid, huh?

I have had such negative thoughts about myself my whole life.  It is pictures like this that snap me out of my low self-esteem moments.  I think I look beautiful.  

What I realize about both of these pictures is the common theme; not that my hair was perfect, or that I am wearing a favorite outfit.  I am happy in these pictures. I am with those I love more than anything.  In both pictures I am looking at the man that inspires me to be the best person I can be.  Words cannot describe the joy I have in my heart for him.

When I look at pictures of me from my past, I think it is the joy that was missing.  I can look at pictures from moments in my life, after the births of my children, for example, and know that I had joy in my heart, but it just did not come out in the picture.

Ok, I guess that is enough crazy thoughts for a Saturday.  I am going to get up off the couch now, and stop staring at my picture.

Have a great day!

Eggs!

Eggs.

They taunt me.

They beg to be added, poached, to almost everything I cook it seems.

I think we had eggs with dinner 4 nights last week; one of those nights was at a restaurant.

See, they are following me.

As I lay in bed this morning, I thought about our breakfast options. Eggs, of course, came to mind. But if I have an egg for breakfast, I can't have the Bok choy and egg pizza for dinner. Well, technically I could have it, but knew it would make my logs screaming red.

Pancakes? Oatmeal? Cereal? Every option simply was too sweet. I wanted something savory.

With Lynn's challenge to eat more veggies I wondered how I might incorporate some into my breakfast. Spinach and poached eggs. A natural fit.

Yet I have no english muffins, no bread even.

What's a girl to do?

Why, cheesy grits of course!

I ended up making quick cooking grits, added in a little butter and cheese, topped with sauteed spinach, and topped with my beloved egg.

I nixed the bok choy and egg pizza; instead I am making one with cannellini beans, caramelized onions and sage.

It will be a fruit and veggie fest the rest of the day, along with a delicious m.o.m. scone too!

Lesson learned here? How to have your egg and eat it too.