Week Seven Sunday

So yesterday was blissful.  I sipped on hot chocolate while my cinnamon rolls baked, then snacked on them throughout the day.  I wasn't feeling full, so I had a cup of cottage cheese, but ate it the way I used to- with a spoonful of strawberry jam mixed into it.  I had some chips and a couple Oreos in the afternoon.  For dinner, I cooked chicken broccoli casserole- chicken, fresh broccoli, but with cream of chicken soup, miracle whip, and cheese on top.  It was good, but I really could have done with half the sauce and double the veggies.

During the day, I took Pippin for two separate walks around the park.  It just felt good to move and my little boy was getting ancy and wanted to burn some energy.  On the whole, it was a very nice recharging day.

So now I'm here- Monday morning with a new week looming in front of me.  It's my last week before my weigh and measure morning next Monday.  My coach and I talked about burn out this morning, and I think that's what I've been feeling.  I want to keep going, but am getting a bit tired of all these changes and calculations and the fact that they never stop.  The hours and meals keep coming and I keep having to refocus, rededicate, plan, and prepare.  However, even with all of that constant stress and change, I feel that this is the right time for me to take these steps.  I have simplified a bit at work.  I am doing my best to take time for myself during the day.  I have a husband who supports me and a puppy with energy who keeps me walking.  I have friends and family and coaches in my life right now who are cheering me on.  I am enjoying being able to move more easily.  I like not being out of breath when I walk, or sweating uncontrollably at the slightest effort.  I am noticing that my clothes are feeling looser.  Last week I wore a shirt I bought when we went to see the musical Wicked two years ago that I hadn't been able to wear since I bought it.  I am able to do more around my classrooms and my home because I have energy now that I didn't have before.  These are all really good, wonderful things.

For the next week, here are my goals:
1.  9,500 steps six days of the seven.
2.  Plan and prepare 5 healthy evening meals.
3.  Get three workouts in with the added three machines.
4.  Stick to my eating guidelines
      a.  Drink 8 glasses of water or more a day
      b.  Only 1-2 processed foods/day
      c.  Keep my body fueled by eating five small meals/day.

I can do this.