Daydreams

I totally passed out after my shower last night! I was nearly dead after I ran almost a half hour on Gina's treadmill... which isn't a lot for most people, but Jesus, considering this is the beginning of my second week, that's crazy. I'm pretty proud of myself. :)

Yesterday morning I went to what I thought was a cardio class at the gym... turned out it was mostly muscle toning and flexibility exercises. I walked outta there sorer than ever-- more proof that I should be doing more weights! I can't help but stick to cardio though, I just like it better. But if I'm going to get my limp stringbean arms into shape and my tummy and butt flatter and toned, I need to suck it up and work on my muscles. It'll be worth it!

Afterwards I went to Bob Evans with my mom and my siblings. While they ordered enormous stuffed omelets loaded with hash browns and biscuits on the side, I ordered the light platter which included scrambled low-cholesterol egg whites, a single turkey sausage link, and a small fruit and yogurt parfait. In comparison to everyone else's food, it seemed like a measly portion... but once I finished it, I was stuffed! I can't imagine eating much more than that for breakfast anymore. Weird, right? Lunchtime came and went as we went about our daily errands, so I had a banana to hold myself over (I know I know, bad habit! But we eat dinner early around here.) Dinner consisted of grilled tilapia over white rice, spinach, and salad. I had a small helping of white rice but it filled me up so much that I was still stuffed three hours later. I can't believe I used to go for seconds!

After dinner I took a dip in Gina's pool and actually got a little sun! We contemplated not working out at all because we were both tired, but we stuck it out and got dressed anyway. After the class this morning all I could handle was cardio, but that's ok. We only ended up working out for 45 minutes total, but it was more than enough for me. I don't want to do too much too fast. I ran 1.67 miles on the treadmill... next time I'm going to get to 2 miles, then eventually 3.

I find myself facing temptation with much less agony than I did a week ago. I guess I've realized that I don't depend on ice cream and cake to feel satisfied every day, and as long as I have some form of fruit in my diet, it's all the sweets I need. As wonderful as hash browns or fries or mashed potatoes or baked potatoes smell (and oh yes, I've smelled them all within close range in the past week), I know I don't need to eat them to feel full. My stomach doesn't rumble at night anymore. I don't compulsively check the fridge for leftovers when I'm bored. I think my body is starting to get the hang of healthy portion sizes! I never thought that was possible!

The mind has so much more power than we realize. I never thought I could resist my own cheesecake, but I did. I never thought I could stay focused enough to endure a full workout, but all I had to do was convince myself that I could handle it, and usually I just do what I do best-- daydream! When I'm on the treadmill I imagine myself on a sunny Italian beach with a lean healthy body. I imagine the Italian boys tripping over each other when they see Gina and I tanning on our towels, and especially when they hear our American accents. I imagine taking jogs along the water in my bikini at sunrise (since I'd have the energy to wake up that early), and meeting other friendly morning joggers along the way. According to The Secret, since I'm perfectly capable of conceiving all of these things, they are bound to actually happen. I totally believe it.

Three things I was thankful for yesterday:

-The vet for assuring us that Grace isn't too sick, all she needs are antibiotics and some rest.
-As much as it hurt, the fitness class at the gym. I really really needed to work on my arms, abs, and butt, which was 90% of the class! Whew!
-Gina's family for not getting sick of me yet haha!