Finding A Balance

After much contemplation I’ve realized that I was slowly regressing back into old habits. For weeks now I’ve felt like I was drowning and just overwhelmed by everything. But that’s ok because I know that the recovery process from an eating disorder is a slow and gradual one. Realistically change doesn’t happen overnight….I feel like I need to constantly remind myself this.

The only thing I’m thankful for now is that I caught myself in time before it became any worse. So I’m taking back control and actively taking the necessary steps to finding the right balance again.

 ’Though no one can go back and make a new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new end’

Feeding The Mind, Body And Soul: My approach for the upcoming month!

Some Affirmations I found to help me along the way

• If I have inside of me the stuff to make cocoons, then maybe the stuff to make butterflies is there, too.
  
• I rest when my body tells me to.
  
• I will not wait to have a good day. I will make one.
  
• I will dwell on the positive affirmations and things in my life, and they will become my aspiration.
  
• My free time can be used creatively, inventively, and imaginatively. I do not need to use it for routine habits, which are unimportant and unhealthy.
  
• I will not be embarrassed by my pain. I will go through it with dignity. It will enhance me.
  
• If I break my habits and shake up my day a bit, I will gain new impressions and understanding.

During November I will focus on the good stuff that happens every day. Making sure I appreciate every moment, because it’s the little moments that make me happiest.

Today I am glad to be ME!

Digging Out Of My Food Rut

For the last few weeks I’ve been stuck in a food rut in regards to pretty much all my meals. Part of the problem for me during my recovery process with my ED is although I’ve gained weight and I eat frequently and often. I still tend to fall into the trap of not varying my diet and stick to foods I deem safe. Even though my food choices are healthy I know I’m still missing out on key nutrients from eating the same foods over and over again. For me personally having too many choices is often problematic and stressful. I wish it wasn’t but sadly it still is for me.

So this weekend I decided to venture off base in an attempt to bust out of my food rut. I challenged myself to fix something different for snacks in between meals.

Some of my Weekend creations

It’s not much but at least it’s a step in the right direction.

From here I plan on varying my Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner’s during the week.

Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

Zucchini’s are fast become a favorite addition to my baked goods. I love how they give cakes and muffins a nice moist texture. It’s also a great way to sneak in extra vegetables into your diet

I decided to make a batch this afternoon to use up the last two zucchini’s I had left in the fridge.

Dry Ingredients:

• 1 cup Wholemeal Flour
• 1/4 cup Cocoa
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 2 Zucchini Grated

Wet Ingredients:

• 1 Egg
• 1/4 cup Milk
• 1/4 cup Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Vanilla Essence

Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. Then combine the two and fold in grated Zucchini.

Fill prepared muffin tins and bake for approx 15-20mins.

Allow to stand in muffin tins for 5mins before serving.

Hope You All Get Out There And Enjoy The Weekend!

Have A Beautiful Saturday

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowline. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

Friday Faves

• Today was all about Yogurt Messes. Breakfast was a Banana & Mixed Berry Yogurt Mess. Afternoon Snack was an Apple Yogurt Mess.

• New Mugs! Say hello to John Lennon & The Beatles They were only $8 each at Target…I couldn’t resist.

• My new Cross Country T-Shirt and Cheerleading Decal!! These sweet gifts are from my twin sister. She sent them over through a friend who came to visit her.

Well I had a terrific Friday! Between doing some shopping and going to my physio appointment, I came out a happy camper I’m allowed to run next week only 2-3km runs and one 5km all on grass. I’m excited to get back into the swing of things again.

What Are You Most Looking Forward To This Weekend? I’m looking forward to sleeping, relaxing, reading, baking and my Grandma’s 75th B’day party

Random Thursday Thoughts

A List Of Silly Thoughts That Run Through My Mind

• I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not
  seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

• I hate being the one with the remote in a room full of people
  watching TV. There’s so much pressure. ‘I love this show, but will they judge
  me if I keep it on? I bet everyone is wishing we weren’t watching
  this.

• I’m always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me
  if I want to save any changes to my ten page research paper that I
  swear I did not make any changes to.

• Why is it that during an ice-breaker, when the whole room has to go
  around and say their name and where they are from, I get so incredibly
  nervous? Like I know my name, I know where I’m from, this shouldn’t be
  a problem….

• Bad decisions make good stories

• I think part of a best friend’s job should be to immediately clear
  your computer history if you die.

Well That’s It For My Thoughtful Thursday!

Only One More Day Till The Halloween Weekend

A Quick Glance At My Day

5am Wake Up: Black Coffee Pre-Workout

5:50am: Workout on the Stationary Bike. 10min warm up, 30sec Sprint/30sec Easy Pace x5, 10mins Easy Pace (I did another set of this). Followed by 30mins at a Moderate Intensity. Then I repeated the above minus the 30min moderate intensity to finish off on the bike. Stretched, Light Weights & Stabilization to end this mornings workout.

8am: Post Workout Protein Shake & Chocolate Milk

8:10am: Ice Bath & Shower

9:00am: Breakfast! Banana & Mixed Berry Oats topped with Goji Berries and Mixed Spice

10am – 1pm: Classes I only live 10mins away from campus so I drive to uni. Yes I know I’m lazy…I could easily walk

My Packed Snacks for the morning

1:30ish -2pm: I head back home for lunch. Blueberry, Yogurt & Muesli Parfait + Veggies, Goats Cheese and BBQ Sauce

This afternoon my classes were canceled. Score!

So I made myself Tara’s Super Quick Strawberry “Ice Cream”. Except I made mine with frozen mixed berries and subbed almond milk with soy milk. I also added a bit more milk, hence the smoothie like consistency!

5:00pm: Carman’s Honey Roasted Nut Instant Oats topped with Cinnamon

6:45pm: Packed and ready. Heading out to the pool for my evening workout

Physio Update: I had my appointment yesterday and my injured foot is making progress. I can finally hop on it! I couldn’t do this last week without buckling over in pain. I am allowed to go for a test run on Saturday but only on grass. I’m happy with that so I guess we will see how things go over the weekend.

Happy Wednesday Guys

Final Week Of October Bucket List

October is coming to an end with only 1 week remaining!

A Few Things Ill be Focusing On This Week:

• Bake Recipe’s I’ve bookmarked from other blogs
• Finishing 3 novels that I put on the back burner
• Watch Hocus Pocus…it is almost Halloween after all
• Do the Accent vlog

And these workouts!

Monday:  90mins on the Stationary Bike + Stabilization

Tuesday: Intervals- Stationary Bike + Stabilization

Wednesday: Morning Hill Sprints on the Stationary Bike, Light Weights, Stabilization. Later in the evening I will be hitting the pool to do some laps + kick boarding

Thursday: Morning Intervals -Stationary Bike + Stabilization. Swimming in the evening again

Friday: 90mins on the Stationary Bike + Stabilization. Water running in the afternoon

Saturday: Halloween Club Run (I will be helping out since I can’t run). Water Running in the afternoon.

Sunday: Rest

Tomorrow morning I have a Physio appointment. I am hoping all goes well and I can change my workout plan for the week to include some runs!

Speaking of Bucket Lists you know all those things you say your going to do before you die?! All through High School I was pretty reckless and just went with the flow. I used to live by this quote ‘Don’t Think Just Do It’. I did a lot of stupid things but I honestly have no regrets I enjoyed my teenage years quite thoroughly.

Question:

What Are Some Of Your Bucket List Goals or Stories?

‘Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans. ‘ - John Lennon

Cross Training My New BFF

I had my second physio appointment this morning. I came out of my session utterly and completely frustrated. Running is my life it’s what helps me de-stress and is my ‘me time’. After a week of only cross training and cutting back on the load I am eager to get back into running. But that’s not happening anytime soon. 4-6 weeks was the time frame I was given until my injury will completely heal. The physio is going to try and get me up a running again hopefully in a week or 2 depending on how I go till next Tuesday’s appointment.

So obviously I’m concerned about losing my fitness! Starting this weekend I have been given the all clear to ramp up my cross training. So at least I’ll be maintaining fitness without putting any strain on my injured foot.

To try and keep my spirits up I’m taking this as an opportunity to explore and enjoy other activities

Here’s a little rundown on some of the Cross Training ill be doing.

• Water Running
• Swimming
• Stationary Bike
• Stabilization
• Light Weights

Hopefully by taking this conservative approach will speed up the recovery process.

Not going to lie today put me in a bad mood all day. Being sidelined from running is disappointing and upsetting. I most likely won’t be competing next month either. The physio has told me not to lose hope completely and that I may still be able to make the upcoming races on the 6th & 13th November. But at this point I’m not so hopeful…I don’t think my times will be up to scratch.

I am trying very hard to think optimistically but right now that is a challenge.

Questions:

If You Have Been Injured or Currently Injured What Type Of Cross Training Did You Do?

Give Me Some Tips To Stay Sane!

Breakfast Love

We all know Breakfast is the most important meal of the day! The benefits are endless.

• Controls Snack Cravings
• Re-Fuels Your Body After Morning Workouts
• Jump Starts Your Metabolism So You Start Burning Fat Immediately Instead Of In The Afternoon
• Helps Cut Cravings For Sweet or Starchy Foods
• You Stay Fuller For Longer
• Better Concentration Levels Throughout The Day

But I just love the variety available for Breakfast

Oatmeal

Yogurt Messes

Fruit Plates

A Nutritious Healthy Breakfast packed full of Vitamins, Minerals, Complex Carbs and Protein make me happy!

Question: What’s Your Favorite Breakfast or Meal?

Hanging Up My Running Shoes!

I saw the physio yesterday afternoon and the verdict is no running for a week! Sucks but I’m kind of glad. It will give me a little break to catch up on some sleep and also give my body some time to recuperate. This doesn’t mean ill be doing nothing all week though. I’ve been instructed to use the Bike, work on Stabilization and Stretching! But the intensity of my workouts won’t be strenuous at all.

The Plan for this Week:

Monday: am-90min easy Bike + Stabilization

Tuesday: pm- 1 x 40min Bike Intervals + Stabilization

Wednesday: am 90min easy Bike +Light Weights + Stabilization

Thursday: pm- 1 x 40min Bike Intervals + Stabilization

Friday: Rest + 2nd Physio Appointment to determine whether or not I can run Saturday & Sunday

Saturday: 10k Club Run (only if I have the all clear)

Sunday: Long Run 15-20k (again only if I’m given the ok)

One of my October Goals was to work on Stabilization at least 3-4 times a week. So I guess the good thing about being out of action this week is I’m accomplishing a goal I set myself Thinking with all the free time I have this week I’ll attempt a few new recipes too (another one of my October Goals). Killing 2 birds with one stone this week!?

Yeah so in between workouts my feet will be up and resting. They are thanking me right now

Some of my eats today:

Workouts are like brushing my teeth; I don’t think about them, I just do them. The decision has already been made
Patti Sue Plummer

Have A Great Week