H-E-Double Hockey Sticks Week

Perfect week never happened. Why I always insist on setting up impossible goals for myself and overloading myself is beyond me. That being said, this week has been complete insanity.

But! One - there is light at the end of the tunnel. More on that in a bit. Two - this is about the time during my last Masters program that I gained about 12 pounds in a month. I have lost and gained a little, I.e. Stayed consistent. At the end of the day, NO gain. Frankly, I'm pleased. This is a freaking miracle, considering I haven't worked out in a week and a half and I've eaten out more than I should.

So here's been my week...

At the September board meeting for the DC Cal Alum (I sit on the exec board as secretary), I was told I head up the annual newsletter. Rock on. Let's just say, today was to be final review day, not a single page has been created. Yup. That insane. I have designers, but I was told only yesterday they have not been working together, hence nothing has been done. I flipped a lid on a few people yesterday, including our president. This is just not the time to be messing with me.

Then there's that huge project I have to complete. I have straight A's, but if I don't pass this project, I don't graduate. So that's been driving me insane. It's due on Friday. So yesterday was crunch day. And guess what? Rough draft is done!!! I have little pieces to fix, but it will be submitted on Wednesday. I want todo it early just in case there's a technical glitch or something.

I was told Wednesday by my guiding teacher to lesson plan the next four weeks. Uuuhhh! What!? For those of you teachers, you get this. Plus on top of the last two items I just mentioned? So we all know what I'll be doing today and tomorrow!

Plus, of course, teaching now and school. I might have had a paper due yesterday. I'm not entirely sure. I emailed the professor, but haven't heard back. I have clearly not yet turned in this paper or even started it.

I had a Cal event on Tuesday. I met the chancellor! At an event at night in the Capitol! How often does someone get to say that?! But that also means I lost an entire night of work. On the bright side, I looked super cute and good. I'll post some pics when I can. Today is a newsletter meeting. If diva designer gives me lip again, I'm kicking some royal booty.

Then, hang out with two sparkers, lesson planning, workout, then... I'm taking a few hours and going to go see my beloved Bears hopefully kick some Utes butt. Are we sensing I'm a proud alum? Hahahaha.

More later. Time to get back to it.

Fat in the Classroom

I am in class right now, having a discussion about personal ideology in the real world.  There was this discussion about allowing stereotypes in the classroom, with negative verbiage regarding race, disability, and religion.

I brought up the problem with fat comments.  That when a student is called fat (or some version thereof), it is a problem and it needs to be stopped just as much as anything else.  I find this to be just as horrifying.  Body image issues that are just so rampant today, leading to all sorts of eating disorders and self-perception issues.  These issues expand numerous ages and across all races.  So why is this ok?  Why did my classmates look at me a bit askance?  Because this is a country that so idealizes a skinny stereotype, when it's just not necessary or feasible. 

I personally love being female (except when I get my monthly visitor and really need to pee outdoors).  I love my curves (sometimes a little too much... :P).  Having boobs means I have a butt.  So what?  We are all capable of being beautiful.  But when we allow comments that are negative about fat and the like is becoming complicit in allowing the stereotype.

What are you willing to tolerate and at what cost?

School Craziness

School craziness leads to difficulty holding the line on working out and eating.  But I'm working on it!  Slowly, but surely!

So I will for sure start the marathon in a few weeks.  Will I finish?  Nope!  But that's ok.  Look how far I've come and how well I've done.  This is all that matters!

Illness Update

Well this lovely challenge that I'm on is even more of a challenge with what is most likely a sinus infection.  It appears that this uber long illness was in fact quite the illness.  I'm on tons of meds and my doc is now keeping me doped up.  But I'm remaining healthy now and figure Friday should be a good day.  I hit a massive milestone last week and lost a lot in the process.  I don't expect this week to be quite as good as I've eaten at odd hours and lots of sodium, but I'm excited to see if I stayed under the milestone at the very least (which I'm confident I have).  So that's that for the moment.

Total Life Changes

I have been sick for coming up on two weeks now (doctor appointment on Tuesday). What normally happens when I'm sick?
*Ice cream
*Pizza
*Eating out a whole lot
*No working out
*Sleep A LOT (even when I'm not actually tired)
Shall I go on??? Nah, I think you get the point.

What have I done?
*Eat better (although still overdoing on the Starbs, but I count it!!!)
*Worked out
*Didn't nap an inordinate amount

For instance, this morning. I was "supposed" to run 10 miles... yeah, right. I started hacking up crap at about half a mile in. Did I stop then? NOPE. Did four miles total. Hey, better than nothing! AND, I saw an ad for a 5K tonight yesterday. I was like, you know, I need something to do Friday night. Old Friday nights? Pizza. With Sprite. Maybe even some wings. Yup! All by myself! Tonight? Protein shake and a run. (Lunch will be my bigger meal with broccoli, a lil cheese for dairy, and some beans). Don't worry - I'll take it slow and take care of myself. But I'll be getting out there and doing it! That's what really counts.

Here I have been thinking I really haven't made all that many changes and that's why I haven't been particularly "successful". I don't know about y'all - but those changes right there sound pretty successful to me!

90 Day Challenge

Today is Day 1: September 28, 2011
Day 90: December 26, 2011

What is my goal?  Funny you should ask.  I have three.
Nutrition: To eat 5-8 servings of freggies a day
Fitness: Maintain 3 days a week of running and 4-5 days of strength training
Wellness: Take 20 minutes a night in bed to read

If you aren't a water drinker, drink it!  I'm lucky, I can handle water like nobody's business.  It's the goals above that I am TERRIBLE about and seriously need to get cracking on.

I have to check in at least three times a week here, to let you know how I am doing.  One of those times a week I have to let you know how much weight I have lost and how many inches I have lost.  For the week AND overall.  I weigh in on Fridays generally, so look for that.

Here's to making this work and last!

Updates!

I have been uber remiss in updating about training - my bad!!!  School started and teaching started and life is just crazy.  I'm still training, but health problems still run rampant.  The asthma remained difficult, including having to go on a steroid inhaler.  I have weird chest pains still that aren't necessarily heart problems, just annoying and something else to be dealt with.

At this rate, I have yet to be faster, which means my chances of actually finishing are zilch.  But I did what I set out to do - start training, stick with training, and get healthier.  I'll finish one someday - in fact, I'm considering doing either Honolulu next year December or Walt Disney World the January after.  It all depends on what job I have and when I can take a week in the location after the race (i.e. when can I get time off?).  Don't worry - I won't be harrassing anybody for money again!  This time I'll get myself to the race using my miles and pay for the hotel room using my points and and and, um, who knows.  I definitely want to finish one now, but I want one that doesn't need to be done at a pace I currently can't handle.

So that's that.  It's only a few weeks away!  This week is a 23 mile run... this could get interesting!

I'm starting a 90 challenge today.  More deets on that soon!