Myself, on fire.

"The only thing that I see distinctly different about me is that I’m not afraid to die on a..."

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:58:33 -0400

““The only thing that I see distinctly different about me is that I’m not afraid to die on a treadmill. You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me… but if we get on a treadmill together, there are two things: you’re getting off first, or I’m gonna DIE. It’s really that simple.””

- Will Smith (via memadesmaller)

this week insofar:

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:10:34 -0400

This week has been difficult; still, I prevail.

Work has been exceptionally stressful this week, and I was so exhausted from yesterday that I skipped the gym. I’m working late tonight, but I brought my bag in case of some miraculous second wind. There is a boy I need to have a chat with, but I might put body over mind today. Exercise the lungs, not the tear ducts.

I have brought my lunch every day this week, and stuck pretty well to the gluten-free plan. I am currently on a sunny side up kick with eggs. I think I’ll give my breakfast pizza (corn tortilla, avocado and egg) a try this weekend. If I make it to the weekend.

Correction: I WILL make it to the weekend.

"You just do it. You force yourself to get up. You force yourself to put one foot before the other,..."

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:25:13 -0400

“You just do it. You force yourself to get up. You force yourself to put one foot before the other, and God damn it, you refuse to let it get to you. You fight. You cry. You curse. Then you go about the business of living. That’s how I’ve done it. There’s no other way.”

- Elizabeth Taylor (via dulcetdecember)

Photo

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:18:58 -0400

a return

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:59:47 -0400

This week marks the first week of health insurance from my new job. I figured this was as symbolic a time as any to pick back up from where I fell off. Boy, did I fall.

It’s all right though. After years of fighting myself on every calorie - I’ve finally learned one big lesson: guilt doesn’t work on me. I don’t want to feel bad every time I look at a dinner menu; I don’t want to feel bad any morning I choose to sleep in. I want to feel healthy and content. So I’m coming back to this blog, and this lifestyle, from a new place. A much less manic place.

I’m excited to make the little, positive choices every day. Packing my own lunch means I don’t scramble to find *whatever* to eat, which will probably be carb-loaded and much to heavy for the middle of my day. My body needs fuel that it can burn - I know this because of how exhausted I get after a heavy lunch. Bringing my gym bag means I can hit the gym right across the street from work before I get on the road home. My motivation tends to drop from 10% to -35% as soon as I open the front door.

I’m excited to take baby steps. Gym three days a week. Cardio, light weights lifting. On off days, I’ll cook a good dinner. On weekends, I’ll start with one hike. I’m excited to invest in hiking boots that I will use.

I have already made the adjustments in my sleep schedule and drinking habits. No alcohol during the work week. Reading before bed. Turning the television off. Simple, smart choices to better prepare myself for the stresses of every day life. With my gluten intolerance and anxiety disorder, I need to start making life easier on myself. Clean living = clean thinking.

I’m ready to embrace my mistakes, and learn from them. Find healthy solutions for my unhealthy “weaknesses.” I’ll do my best to track my trials and tribulations here. Spring is about the right time to try something completely different. I’m excited.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 17:38:38 -0400

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

- Winston Churchill
( daringtofocus.tumblr.com )

My breakfast, one an a half weeks gluten free today!

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 14:56:48 -0400

My breakfast, one an a half weeks gluten free today!

My new self-diagnosis

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:08:48 -0400

“Eleanor, get off Web MD.”

“Oh, it’s too late for that.”

My whole life I’ve always been pretty sensitive to breads and pasta. Cutting them out of my diet has not only helped me lose weight, but feel so much lighter and healthier. Then a couple months ago, my dad got diagnosed with a gluten allergy.

I take after my father’s side of the family a lot.

Lately I’ve just been feeling so run down. I’ve been working 60-70 hours a week, and with little time or energy to cook or grocery shop, I’ve been eating pretty lazily. Skipping meals, and then binging on nutrient-less snack fests. So today I went to the grocery store, finally, and shopped all gluten-free. I’m really looking forward to feeling the results.

Anyone else in the mid-twenties dealing with gluten allergies? Any recommendations for gluten-free meals? This will be an uphill battle, I’m sure.

First week of planned meals and exercise. Part of me is really...

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 12:19:54 -0400

First week of planned meals and exercise. Part of me is really excited, and part of me already expects to not keep up.

Me Made Smaller: An Open Letter to Special K

Fri, 31 Aug 2012 21:00:00 -0400

Me Made Smaller: An Open Letter to Special K:

memadesmaller:

Dear Special K:

This is bullshit.

Since I can remember, your advertising has been nothing but body-shaming fluff that makes women feel bad about themselves. You create campaigns that hinge completely on losing your cover-up at the beach, or your insecurity about your jeans, or 2 inches from…

Apart from a workout, today’s goal is to drink all 34oz of...

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 16:05:30 -0400

Apart from a workout, today’s goal is to drink all 34oz of this water. Baby steps.

Photo

Sun, 05 Aug 2012 16:31:29 -0400

Now that I’m embarking on a big change in my work situation, it seems like the perfect time to...

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 17:43:14 -0400

Now that I’m embarking on a big change in my work situation, it seems like the perfect time to embark on a whole life change.

So in July, my roommate and I are signed up to run a 5k in San Francisco. My only goal is to run the whole way. I have one month to get my mind over my matter.

And of course get covered in multi-color paint.

memadesmaller: Well Amen to that, brother.

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:52:23 -0400

memadesmaller:

Well Amen to that, brother.

Photo

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:38:33 -0400

Most Common Running Mistakes

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 17:01:25 -0400

Most Common Running Mistakes:

Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise, because besides burning major calories and toning your tush, it costs pennies compared to other sports. If you’re a runner at heart, be sure to avoid these three most common mistakes.

Today's (exhausted) mantra

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:14:43 -0400

I will not stress eat.

I will not pity eat.

I will not sleepy eat.

*repeat*

THIS is dinner tonight. And it’s gonna be...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:52:46 -0400

THIS is dinner tonight. And it’s gonna be amazing.

memadesmaller:

sleepingwithghosts:

broccoli and red pepper quesadillas

(click the photo to get the recipe)

Oh, hello, delicious.

Currently Reading: “Born to Run” by Christopher...

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 20:42:26 -0400

Currently Reading: “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall

So far? Loving it. Super-athletes whose economic system involves bartering with booze? I might have to run off and join them. If I can run there. And find them. These are very small obstacles on the way to alcohol bartering.

Getting my mind in the game today.

There's a victory in here somewhere.

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 20:53:57 -0400

Today was not an easy one.

Lack of sleep, and forgot to grab breakfast on my way out. Had to deal with some personel issues at work, and then again afterwards.

Victories were in not eating all the Easter candy sitting out on the table. Not even a piece.

Off to the gym, as it is raining. Then home to make a vegetarian dinner, and keep working. Eesh.