Badass

Comment from Shana, from Running Away With the Circus, which I felt I needed to address:

"You are so badass, to run in the snow. I can't get over it. I was also super-impressed with the photo of the weather, from the driver's seat, the other day. Tell me you weren't actually operating the vehicle while taking that picture?"

Shana, nothing makes me happier than to be called a badass. Truth be told, running in the snow is great for a beginner because you kind of have to go slower. Once I have the distance thing down, I'll be working on making my speed better right when the snow is melting. Perfect combo.

Regarding the snowy driving picture, yes I was driving when I took the picture. However, I was going 2 mph so I felt it was reasonably save to snap a quick picture. I sort of wanted proof of my dedication to meeting baby Z for blackmail later in life.

On a more serious note, I actually have felt like kind of a badass lately. Something has changed somewhere in my brain which has helped me turn an imaginary corner. I've come to realize that I am an expert at finding excuses to "celebrate", and by celebrate I mean eat my face off. Whether it's a simple Tuesday, the Patriots are playing, I had a bad or good day at work, anything really, I have always turned it into an excuse a reason to eat. No more. I'm only hurting myself with that mentality. Weigh-in Saturdays that are followed by a pig-out Saturday night because it's the farthest time from my next weigh-in only put me at a disadvantage come Sunday. All of the food at a restaurant is good...I don't need to have the cheesiest, fattiest thing there simply because I'm at a restaurant. I've been to one before, and I'll be to plenty again. I can cook healthy food choices which are prettier and tastier than a big fried slab of fill-in-the-blank, and I'll be just as satisfied with the outcome. Thrilled, even.

It's a never-ending cycle that begins with my mentality changing. Eating better and treating my body better go hand in hand. If I eat well, I feel more inclined to exercise. Once I've exercised, I'm more inclined to have a healthy meal. And the one thing I thought was holding me back turned out to be ridiculous. I thought that some of my friends were going to be hindrances. I thought they would resent me for not eating crap with them, and I thought that I would make them feel bad about themselves (something I would NEVER want to do) by choosing a salad instead of the pizza. But you know what? I don't think they noticed. And you know what else? There will never be a friend of mine that would say "no, I can not wait an hour for you to go for a run." I guess they all know it's time for me. This is my year. This is my vision. This is GOING to happen.

So THANK YOU to those who have been and continue to support me, your kind words and helpful tips are keeping me right where I need to be. Please keep them coming!

p.s. Becky, please forgive me for starting so many sentences with prepositions. I know the English teacher in you is cringing...;)