So I've seen the number "228" a few times on the scale at varying times throughout the week, so I'm very encouraged by that. I wrote a very long time ago on this that I was going to try to hit 210. I hit 228 almost by accident. Living with Anna and being somewhat mindful of my diet, eating more veggie than not, has enabled me to shed a pound or two. She strong-arms me into running with her and I walk everywhere as much as possible, so this is also nothing but good for me.

I've essentially cut "froo-froo" coffee drinks from my diet, so even though I'm spending a shit-ton on a cup of coffee, it's essentially calorie-free.

Anna and I eat boca often, and we only use skim milk in anything we do, and we skimp on butter when a recipe calls for it.

We eat out fairly rarely, and often split entrees. It saves cash and it keeps us from eating everything in sight.

I'm working on portion control too. Light mayo, skipping condiments altogether, or skipping fast food places as much as I can.

It's amazing how easy it is to drop a dollar at taco bell or burger king just because it's burning a hole in your pocket. That's my own tendency but oh well.

Anyway, something is working. Let's not celebrate yet, I got this way by doing somethign right, don't switch it!
--MCSM

Does Facebook Poker count as "Screen Time?"

Walked briskly for an hour through Illinois' Constitution Trail. Very cool place. Jogged for about 6 minutes of it. Much tougher than the last time I tried this! Gotta start doing it more.

I've been slapped with a very disturbing fit of depression. It's strange. It seems to have no source, other than I feel that I have removed many anchors from my life, and now I seem to be floating. Mental health and Physical health are both at risk here.

I have been eating fairly well, I'm losing weight again, which seems to be good. With the exception of an occasional sweet I seem to be eating extremly well, actually.

I need a lot less screen time. I'm working on it. Today was not a lot of screen time, comparatively, and it seemed to work out well.

I'm officially in Bloomington/Normal, so I need to check out the fencing club, and the Zen group.

Have fun
MCSM

Been Awhile

Out here in Ohio housesitting my fencing coach's dogs and cats. Despite my poor sleep, today is detox day. I had a big salad: Iceberg lettuce, a tomato, 1 serving of cottage cheese, 1 serving of pine nuts, and some spritzed Balsamic Vinaigrette (sp). Drank two cups of hot tea.

I'm about to go into Dayton and say hello to people. Might have some more hot tea. If dad offers me some food I'll make it slight. Vegetarian today.

Feeling a little weird today. Not a lot of people hiring. Not bearded people anyway :) I gotta keep looking for jobs.

I'm really floating right now. It's tough to stay motivated. I'm going to run tonight--skipped last night, just didn't feel like it. So much for commitment?

Lot of emotional stress right now. I'm at the library, it's a gorgeous day out. I think I'll look for some boks, take a walk, come back, apply for more jobs, and get ready for my run tonight.

Found my old fencing foils. Still crooked as shit! I used to love the belgian grips. I'm much more of an american/visconti these days....

Mindfulness Pledge

I'm going to try to wake up every morning and every evening with 5 minutes available to sit on the cushion. I find myself unable to keep on top of the tremendous amount of work I have to do, and I want to be the best I can be. So I'm going to give myself 5 minutes every morning to sit and think about the day. To relax and to organize my thoughts. To just be.

I was naughty and went to chinese again today. I think I need to swear off of that stuff. It's always pretty good, but I don't think it's ever worth it. It's more like binging for binging's sake actually. It's good--it's sugary and fatty and fried and Asian, but I eat it for the same reason I'd gorge on a huge burger. It's a feast, and I don't feel good about it afterwards.

So, Thursday and Friday--I'm going to try to stay on top of my work, eat right, and sit. Maybe if I have a spare minute, I'll do some working out. This was supposed to be a good week. It's a medium week. I want to make it better. This half of the week will be good. I'm over the hump.

Tonight, I'm just going to bust out what I need for Thursday, and then Thursday will be all about preparing for next week.

Namaste
mcsm

Happy MLK day.

Today is my last busy day of my MLK break. The last day, rather. Spent good time with friends and doing stuff I want, and I'm not sure if I got anything done or if I just read a bunch. At any rate, I gotta get my nose to the grindstone now, and hopefully I'll have enough time today to catch up on some house-cleaning issues (no literally, they're about house-cleaning).

Peace!
MCSM

Happy New Year

Hi everyone (dear reader...singular...) it's been awhile. I really felt like I fell off the wagon almost precisely at the onset of the holiday season. It's pretty far into the New Year already. Student teaching is going to be so so busy.

I'm really interested in judo. Have been for awhile, but I really have the bug lately. That's a martial art I can get behind: It's very rough and tumble, but the only injuries anyone should be sustaining would be callouses and scratched feet from others' toenails. I guess I'm trying to say the practice-to-application turnover rate is very quick, so thumbs up.

I'm going to try (try try try) to eat healthier. Once back in BG, I'll be responsible for my own food again, which will be nice. I am getting a little better at saying "no" in the company of others, although that doesn't stop me from hitting a Burger King on the way home. Anna and I always eat well when we make our own food and we have it in the house, so I think if we commit a little to having some food by ourselves things will look better...uh... weight wise.

I haven't really had a chance to let the fact that I'm basically going to be doing what my job is for the next 3 months and then doing it for reals in about 8 months. Wow. I think that removes some of the "tentative" nature of proposed lifestyle changes/experimentation/trials. I keep telling myself that I'm a healthy person. A healthy person is smart about going to Burger King. a healthy person can say no. A healthy person gets sleep!

I'm not looking forward to waking up tomorrow and meeting Em at Java Spot. I'm looking forward to meeting Em, but not the waking up. My sleep schedule has been in tatters since the first day of break. Hopefully it will get back on track soon.

Here's a thought: A significant part of a healthy lifestyle is a combination of the individuals belief that what he or she does matters, and that he or she actually does have the control over exerting that power. A person's sense of autonomy, in all matters of life, likely effects that person's health in an indirect way.

I think that's part of what makes it easy to go on that diet "tomorrow." You didn't do well at 'controlling' today. Tomorrow, you can easily imagine you will. That's certainly true for me it seems.

Peace
matt