One week of happy

On Friday, I looked back at the week and thought; This week really wasn't all that happy.

Then Saturday came and the completion of my 10K pretty much took me to a new level. I have new goals and new dreams and I'm the only one standing in my way. I was nervous to get on the scale Monday morning to see how the week had treated me in the weight loss department. I've been focused on fitness, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't desperately wanting to lose these last 45 pounds.

When I got on the scale the Saturday before, I weighed 199.8 pounds. That was almost devastating to me. If you remember, I hit ONEderland some time ago. I had made no progress and I knew exactly why. Eating out, having cheat days (or weeks), and ignoring rules for myself that I had originally put in place, had left me just under the 200 mark for weeks.

This week I followed my 1200-1500 calorie diet plan, avoided my sweet teas, worked out five times during the week and aimed for seven hours of sleep a night. I hopped on the scale yesterday morning to a really alarming number.

189.4

I got off the scale, let the scale think about it for awhile and then tried again. Same weight. I confirmed at my doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon. I realize it is mostly water weight, but this sort of loss was just what I needed to remind myself that I can do this. I can eat healthy, feel better, and be happier without binging. I had a couple difficult days last week, but mostly my diet left me feeling satisfied. Kayla and I had fun trying out new ways of cooking, and really workin it at our workouts.  I'm excited for this week.

Here we go!

Just run

6:30 A.M.

I woke up at 6:15 this morning and I was out the door by 6:30. I did my last run before my 10K on Saturday. It felt like a long twenty minutes, but I only ran 1.7 miles. I'm guessing I'll probably be struggling on Saturday, but I don't really care. I had planned on this short morning run being miserable, but it was actually pretty nice. I hurt a little, but there's something about the sun rising while you run that really seems to cancel that out.

I was home,showered, and off to work by 7:15. I've been feeling a lot like an adult lately. This isn't college anymore. I don't skip breakfast or sleep in past 9...ever. I work almost every day. I watch what I eat and I run. I run at six in the morning sometimes and I like it.

But on these thirty days to happiness, I want to remember that I'm still young. Life is short. While I'm sliding into my late twenties and starting to enjoy a life that is laced with schedules, work, and anti-aging cream...I'd like to remember that I'm still spontaneous, fun, and easy-going. Sometimes you have to do things that make you feel like a kid again.

Today, I think I'll go to the zoo.

Kayla Day 3: Great

Today was GREAT -- well mostly. I got up this morning and had my Spark, the fiber drink wasn't horrible and I made breakfast! I went on a 3 mile walk, the first 1.5 miles was dry but I did come back soaked. Mother Nature decided to down pour on me. It was kind of fun though, although I'm sure everyone thought I was a homeless person walking around in the rain. After my walk, I dried off then Katie and I went to Pinnacle to workout. I wasn't in the best mood and my body hurt, I was just feeling drained but I pulled through it. My cravings were pretty controlled today although at dinner I had a bite of ham and mashed potatoes because it was my client's birthday and I made her one of her favorites. I didn't think a bite would hurt me. Anyways, today has been pretty great! Tomorrow will be better, I'm taking a break from working out and Katie and I are going to the zoo and then to Trader Joe's. I will still be doing my walk tomorrow though!

-Kayla

Katie Day 2: Sore

On day two I could barely move my arms. It's the beginning of day 3 and I'm still struggling. Kayla wants to do another arm workout tomorrow, but I can barely turn my steering wheel so we'll see how that goes.

Day two was pretty successful. I cooked spaghetti for myself and my younger sister and went swimming for awhile. Perhaps the most exciting part of my day was my 20 minute jog. I have my 10K on Saturday so I'm chillin on the running, but it happened to be my best run in weeks. I felt great. My knee felt fine, and my hip didn't give me problems until the end.

I ran the jogging trail at my apartment. It was actually a very beautiful trail, but all the rain made it very slick. I almost fell on my face a few times. That being said, I returned to my apartment content and that's all I can ask for at this juncture.

Looking forward to Day 3! Here we go!

Katie Day 1: Painfully Unhappy

I woke up yesterday on the wrong side of the bed. I went to bed unhappy and I woke up...you guessed it...unhappy. I think it's important for me to be honest here, and tell you that even though I launched the "Thirty Days to Happy" campaign, I was anything but happy Monday morning. It's all about attitude, choices, and fully embracing the, "This too shall pass" mentality. But for some reason, I just couldn't grasp it. I was close to tears the entire morning.

Kayla gave me the goal to write down ten things I like about myself. I decided to spend the day thinking on that because at 9  in the A.M., I could come up with nothing. We went and did a killer arm workout at the gym and then I got called into work. I was angry, for no good reason.

I got back from work in time for lunch and a three mile walk. All of a sudden things started taking a turn for the better. I had absolutely no reason to be upset about anything. Nothing in my life is bad enough to take me to rock bottom. So I changed my attitude and then in an instant life became a lot less sad. Our hip-hop classes got canceled for the month. I was bummed. But we spent the money we would have spent on classes and spent the evening at World of Fun last night.

Ten years ago I went to Worlds of Fun with some friends. I went to ride the Timber Wolf. When I sat down, I couldn't fit in the seat and I couldn't buckle the seat belt. I embarrassingly left the ride, left the park, and never went back. I was really nervous waiting in the short line fort he Timber Wolf. Kayla asked me if I wanted to skip it. But when it was our turn, I had no trouble fitting in the seat and buckling my seat belt. It was a huge victory for me.

Then I went home, wrote out my list of things I like about myself, gave them to Kayla and called it a night. I went to bed happy...and I woke up happy. Funny how that works.

Kayla's motivation wall

Kayla is trying AdvoCare this month. Here is how she is staying motivated. Read her post below. You can also follow her journey at www.mylastplan.blogspot.com.

In order to be successful, you have to be motivated.

I found this idea on Pinterest and I've wanted to make it for awhile. I finally did today. It took awhile to make but it's definitely worth it! It's filled with my favorite quotes! All you need is Post-Its to make it! I also made a countdown chart for my 24 Day Challenge! Katie and I are also going to set weekly goals for each other so I made something to help with that also.

30 Days of Happiness is off to a great start!!