wednesday

Wednesdays. I can't decide if I loathe them or if I'm indecisive about them. They are in the middle of the week, which means, the week is almost over BUT you still have a couple days left. This week of healthy eating has been going well. Chicken and asparagus. So delicious! :] Now my teeth are flossed and brushed, and I'm ready to hit the hay.

I was just sitting here looking at stuff on teeth, and I see how potentially gross and mangled teeth can be and I wonder, why do people even let their teeth get that way. I love brushing my teeth, and I'm becoming more accustomed to flossing once a day. I was more of a few times a week, if that, kind of flosser. It takes 21 days/3 weeks for something to become a habit. I'm really working on making this flossing bit a habit. No need to have gum disease or worse, heart disease. I remember my mom going through gum surgery and I do not want that. I have pretty straight teeth. However, going to the dentist would be a really good idea because my wisdom teeth will probably have to be pulled soon or soon-ish. I keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in my desk, so I should probably add floss to that. Oh and I'm also going to become a sunscreen wearer. Running in the sun (not that there was any today) is going to give me leathery skin. I already try to take very good care of my face and hair (and teeth) so now I need to add my skin to this list.

Words of Wisdom for Wednesday: Take care of your teeth (your smile is everything) and wear sunscreen (thanks Baz Lehrman - probably spelled wrong).

Line after Line after Line

What a terrible way to spend the afternoon. I waited in line at the DMV for over an hour and a half, and that was with an appointment. I can't even begin to mention how often I've read that says the state of California needs to let go of some of its workers. If you do that, these lines will double, triple, or even quadruple that length. People just don't realize the things that state workers do for them. Oh you need to go to DMV because you got married and need to change your name? Take a number and wait 5 hours. You're moving into a new house with your daughter and son, picking a new school, your lovely wife. Then you realize that Mr. Smith next door is inappropriately touching both your children. You throw a huge fit at the police saying that nobody notified me. Well, what do you expect, there was not enough man power at the Department of Justice to update the sex offender records. You find out that he has multiple convictions and that he was recently paroled. And if the AG's office had enough attorneys, he might not have even been paroled. But don't worry, none of this is important. Oh, and did I mention, now you've lost your job and you need unemployment. "Hi sir, we will get back to you in 12 months." "What am I supposed to do until then? I have a family to support." Yep, you should have thought of that before you decided to lobby for the lay off of state workers. Should I go on? You're on a road trip and one of two things happen: 1. You hit a pothole, no big deal, you keep going. The another, and another. Finally your tire bursts and you slam into the guardrail. Oops, I guess CalTrans couldn't get to that portion of the highway. Better luck next time. 2. You get rear ended and the red sports car speeds off because the CHP is taking to long to respond. You have a license plate number, but your car is toast. Well, after 4 hours, finally Mr. CHP man pulls up. That's too bad. Mr. Red Sports Car is long gone and maybe you'll never get a penny. Next time you complain about a state worker, really think about what we, yes we, do for you each and everyday!

Keeping It Real

I'm excited that Chris is with me on this healthy journey. I'm so tired, as mentioned before, of feeling just so lethargic and disgusting when I eat bad. I'm working on not only getting healthy, lean, losing some weight, building some muscle, but also working on my posture. Trying to make good, healthy habits. Less sitting, more moving. More flossing, more moisturizing, just more of it all. More sunblock! This California sun will totally dry out my skin and although the tan will be beautiful, it isn't good for me. I want to be healthy and beautiful inside and out. I want more vitamins, more water, less Diet Coke (my one and only weakness!).

Chris and I will be back to our slim selves. It might be hard, it might be no fun, but if we'll be happy, that's really all that matters. Oh and I'd like no more hip pain, please!

Take Me All the Way

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

I had never heard of this song before today and I thought to myself, what an excellent way to start a Sunday. I think it is so important for all of us. Sometimes we get up and go to church, just to do it, and put not thought into it. We don't do any more than just going to church. It spoke to me, something that happens more often than not, but this one really struck a chord. I just think that sometimes life takes over, we're always trying to work or go to school; exercise or relax; grocery shopping and running errands; and then when it comes time to spending time with God we focus only on Sunday morning. Shouldn't it be more often. We should come together and worship, we should worship in private. Part of the sermon in church today, well, a few words of it, among others, was that "Worship is private; worship is public." It makes sense, you have to strengthen your faith and worship amongst others, but also, all alone. God directed us in both ways:
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. hen your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." - Matthew 6:6
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” - Matthew 18:20

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something
'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,
instead of going through the motions?"

It definitely isn't easy, and we definitely have to ask God for His strength. This song should be a jump start for Christians everywhere. It takes more than going through the motions. Going through the motions can help build a habit, but make it a better habit. Do more than just going through the motions.

"The Motions" - Matthew West

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On a different note, today is/was a BEAUTIFUL day. Nothing inspires me more than the sun shining and warmth on my skin. God is so good, He has given me this beautiful day and He will give me many, many more. :]

ole ole ole

Today was a great day! Usually I can not sit at a Mexican restaurant and not eat a mountain of food. Especially when it is Cafe Coyote in Old Town. Yet, tonight, I did something so good... I ate only about half of what I was served, maybe less, and brought the rest home. And I was full. I was just in awe, I couldn't figure it out. It felt so unusual. I am so happy. Not only that, but I have a yummy lunch for tomorrow. Its my lucky weekend.

We cleaned and cleaned and cleaned today. It feels soooo good. Nothing is better than having a totally clean apartment. It smells good and looks so nice. Other than this, I don't really have much to say about today and this weekend. Just a relaxing weekend after the cleaning is all done.

T.G.I.F.

Yes, TGIF, such a cliche, but it is a three day weekend and I could really use it. I'm exhausted. However, with this whole new work out thing, I'm going to start going to bed earlier so I get more sleep, and therefore have my old lifestyle back. It feels great.

I've made it through one week of my schedule, and I'm so sore. I love the running, love the feeling of being out of breath and then feeling my lungs fill up with oxygen and move that all through my body. It feels so great! I also love my legs for being able to carry me through it all. Sometimes when I get to my turn around point, at mile 1.5, I think, oh legs please don't disappoint me, please carry me back to the office. They always do it.

Other than it being a relatively busy Friday, I really don't have any useful tidbits to mention. Other than my excitement for the three day weekend. An extra day to relax.

California Here We Come... Right Back Where We Started From

I've started to work out again. Brave, I know. I'm tired of my pants not fitting and feeling just so awful. I've enjoyed my running again. Its so enjoyable. And although I'm heavier than I used to be, I actually made it back to work faster than I ever did before. That's a start, right? I'm going to try and blog my feelings on this journey and everything else that comes my way. Although no posts on what I'm eating, unless I'm having an exceptionally crummy day. Then, perhaps, you'll get a taste of that. It's not a diet, it is a lifestyle change. My inspiration for today:

I used to be pretty thin. This was 2 years ago. It was the day after my 22nd birthday. Now, my 24th birthday is way too close to hope to look like this the day after, but I'd like to look like this again at the age of 24. I'm ready and willing. And after week 1, I'm feeling good. As I said before, my running is good. And I'm no longer crazy hungry. Overall, things are good. :)