I did indeed begin that diet and as difficult as it began, I was holding steady. I went from 145 to 141 so that's nice but I've pretty much been stationed there. Summer began and so did barbecue season. It happens to be one of my favorite times of the year and well, I fell off the wagon. Hard. I haven't been keeping quite to the guidelines of the diet but I have cut down on my portions as well as my intake of sweets. I try to have 5 meals a day. I drink protein shakes. Work out as often as my will allows and I try to stick to mostly whole grains not white flours. So hopefully I'll see more loss even if it's not quite what I had desired.
My birthday passed and I hit the 28 mark. The two years to thirty countdown begins.
On May 10th I participated and completed my first ever Mud run. It was exhilarating! I had initially wanted to create a team, however having no one who desired to join or who could join, I had to abandon that idea. A girl I went to High School with said that I would be able to join her team so I did just that. Day of the Run my boyfriend (thankfully and happily) was able to drive me down and cheer me on. I definitely needed the support. I was so nervous when the day came. I was worried that I may have gotten in over my head. I had never done anything of that nature before. When we got there I realized I didn't know any numbers from the people on the team that I joined. Reluctantly but determined I decided I was just going to have to do it on my own.
It was challenging. It was scary. It was life affirming. Everyone helped one another out and early on I joined up with a two girl team who I didn't expect to adopt me into their team but did. We ended up going through all of the course together but not finishing together. The last obstacle, labeled The Hat Trick, which is a trampoline you jump on that launches you at a net which you climb to an unnerving height had a line wait of an hour and a half. My makeshift team mates had no desire to wait. I did. Having come this far I could not leave without honestly and truly finishing. When you reach the top of this behemoth you sit at the edge of a giant slide that makes you feel as though you will accelerate at such a speed that you will fly like a bird, kiss the sky and then slam into the ground. I took a few breaths and steeled myself for one of the scariest things i've done in life. I figured if I could skydive I could do this as well. I crossed my arms over my chest and scooted forward plunging myself into 5 feet of water. I surfaced with a gasp, feeling as though I were drowning. My heart was beating with such passion I felt tears swell in my eyes. I had to take a few breaths as to not totally lose it. I was scared, I was thrilled. I felt accomplished more so then I have in all my life. I felt proud. I felt happy. I jogged the rest of the course, slipping and falling to a knee at one point because I was so drunk with adrenaline. I felt guilty for leaving my boyfriend alone all afternoon but I also felt such pride with myself for finishing the race. I grabbed my beer, my t-shirt and kissed him with a smile from ear to ear. He was proud of me and that made me even more proud of myself. Just recalling it for you right now, as I type these words, I'm filled with such an emotion that I find I can do no justice to explain it with words.
If you have never pushed yourself to your limits, never tested your abilities I would advise that you do so in whatever means would suit you. The feeling you will get from it is so personal, so grand that you will be greatful. It will be something you have never felt and just feeling it will make you want to experience it again.
I have since signed up for Rugged Manic which I am to be participating in this Saturday coming as part of a very large team started by an Instructor, Vinny, that I met at my gym. I also signed up for one in September called the Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge with some friends and my bocce teammates.
As for the working out, I am fortunate enough to have found not only the gym I attend, CKO, which I absolutely love but also a group started by the Instructor I met and two people who also share his passion, Dana and Sasha. The group is called Camp Core and it is communal and wonderful. The trainers workout along with you and drive you forward. It is not only a physical workout but a spiritual, and emotional one as well. They started meeting once a week but it seems as though they will be trying to accomplish two a week which will be great even though unfortunately I was unable to attend either this week that passed.
I am still hurting when it comes to money and every little bit counts. Still searching for a job and doing cakes on the side. I did cupcakes and chocolate lollipops for my cousin's baptism and a christening cake for the daughter of a girl I went to elementary school with. I also did two smash cakes for photo shoots, one for my best friend's son and one for my co-worker's daughter. Photos to come.
As for the working out, I am fortunate enough to have found not only the gym I attend, CKO, which I absolutely love but also a group started by the Instructor I met and two people who also share his passion, Dana and Sasha. The group is called Camp Core and it is communal and wonderful. The trainers workout along with you and drive you forward. It is not only a physical workout but a spiritual, and emotional one as well. They started meeting once a week but it seems as though they will be trying to accomplish two a week which will be great even though unfortunately I was unable to attend either this week that passed.
I am still hurting when it comes to money and every little bit counts. Still searching for a job and doing cakes on the side. I did cupcakes and chocolate lollipops for my cousin's baptism and a christening cake for the daughter of a girl I went to elementary school with. I also did two smash cakes for photo shoots, one for my best friend's son and one for my co-worker's daughter. Photos to come.
I also binge watched both seasons of Orange is the New Black and when my Boyfriend took me out for my birthday I got free icecream from the Crazy Pyes truck. He also took me to the Avengers Station exhibit in the Discovery Museum in the city and got me a beautiful Alex and Ani bracelet.
I also, thanks to my ex boss and friend, got to watch If/Then the musical with Indina Menzel and Anthony Rapp. It was sad, and thought proving but simply amazing.
Then I got to spend a very nice weekend with my boyfriend at the beach and his parents and siblings at a barbeque.
That pretty much brings us to today. I can't honestly think of anything else to mention except some unsavory moments that fell in between much of all that. However I'm trying to be more positive with my thoughts as to not burden my heart. So I leave you with this:
Laugh until your body Aches,
Cry until you start to Shake,
Live like the world is Yours to Take and
Love as though Your Heart Won't Break.
~Unknown~
