SELF Magazine, what? That's nonsense!

I can finally tell you my super secret news!

On Saturday, I got a phone call from a friend shortly after getting home from work. "YOU'RE FAMOUS" she screamed into the phone. I wouldn't go that far, but it is pretty cool to finally be able to share my super secret news with you.



That's me, down at the very bottom, sharing a magazine page with Jessica Alba in SELF Magazine's April issue! I was asked and the pictures were taken back in November (well, except the running picture which had to be retaken...still not fond of that one) and I didn't want to tell anyone until the magazine was on the shelves. We all know how these things can fall through.

How did it happen? Well about 9 months ago SELF asked a question on Twitter (I don't remember the question or my answer) and I answered. They didn't use my answer for whatever it was but several months later I got an email from one of the editors telling me about their new "My SELFy Day" column. They thought I would be a good fit and they wanted me to submit some tweet-like updates about a day when I did SELFy things, healthy and balanced. I used a day when I was in Greensboro as an example. They liked my submission and therefore made me the first My SELFy Day in print form.

It's really surreal, but I have to say, it's a pretty awesome way to turn 30...which will happen on March 31st. :) Speaking of that, on Friday I leave for Savannah for Girls Weekend and I couldn't be more excited! My meal plan for the week is pretty lame because of it, but here it is:

Meatless Monday - Healthified Three-Chesse Manicotti from EatBetterAmerica.com
Tuesday - Boca Burger and French Un-Fried Potatoes
Wednesday - Butternut Squash Orzo
Thursday - Tuna Cakes and some vegetable side

Since I'm leaving Friday morning I have no idea what my Friday night will be like!

Oh and just in case you're interested, on Sunday I had a kick ass 6 mile run. Yes "Kick ass" is needed to describe it.



How was your weekend? Did you do anything active? Cook any crazy good healthy recipes?

Sometimes, you just have to run.

Yesterday, I had a really bad day at work. I was stressed to the max and at 2pm I got the sudden urge to run. I couldn't of course because I was at work, but I held onto that feeling and when I got home...I ran. I ran my best 4 miles ever, averaging 11:13 per mile. This for me, is a great time! I felt awesome afterward...

I am so hooked on that endorphin rush! I've really been missing it lately because of my calf and knee problems and of course, they had to come in and rain on my parade after I stopped...

But after some icing, I don't have much pain today, so I'm going to hit the treadmill again tomorrow and hope for the same great results. I may not be the best runner, and honestly, I'm more of a jogger/walker, but I do love it.

Today I finished Week 2 of the Sit Ups, Push Ups, Squats Challenge and boy was it tough! Each week gets tougher, but each week I feel stronger and that keeps me going. I still don't know if I'll make it the whole 6 weeks, but I'm going to give it my all! Here are my Week 2 results:

Push Ups:

Level	Performed at	Max
Week 2 Day 3	2009-09-10	17
Week 2 Day 2	2009-09-08	16
Week 2 Day 1	2009-09-06	17

Sit Ups:

Level	Performed at	Max
Week 2 Day 3	2009-09-10	40
Week 2 Day 2	2009-09-08	30
Week 2 Day 1	2009-09-06	30

Squats:

Level	Performed at	Max
Week 2 Day 3	2009-09-10	32
Week 2 Day 2	2009-09-08	32
Week 2 Day 1	2009-09-06	30

My weigh in is tomorrow and I have no idea what to expect. I had a pretty decent week, so I'm hoping that if I didn't have a loss, I at least maintained. However, regardless of my weight, I am proud of myself this week. That alone, is worth more than the weight loss...knowing that I made good choices and made activity a priority even when things got tough. It helps remind me that this is my new life, not just a passing phase.

Now, I'm off to have a guilt free beer with the husband person and some friends. Happy Thursday! :)

So, the Tweet, Eat, Post tool is working great for me. It's something new and different and it's keeping me on track. As evidenced by the fact that I am down 1.6lbs...which is awesome because on Tuesday when I weighed, I was up 2lbs. I don't weight myself constantly. Just once on Monday or Tuesday to check and make sure I have no big shifts and then on officially weigh in Friday.

So, my current weight is 166.4lbs!



There's my little thing. I'm almost to my first goal! Of course, I've been almost to my first goal for awhile now, but still, it's exciting! It's been slow and steady. I started in January, but I know by doing it the way I have, making changes to the way I think about food and exercise is the right way and I know it will stay off. I have my set backs, we all do. I have my days where I do not want to be healthy. I don't care. But, the next day, I stand up, brush the oreo crumbs off my shirt and head to the gym. It's not the end of the world.

This is my life now. Do I just give up whenever I don't feel like working? Paying my bills? Doing laundry? No. I do it anyway because these things are essential. Working out and being healthy has become essential to me.

Ok, /end pep talk to self. :)

I do have to share something that I think you guys might understand. Over the past 2 days I've seen 5 people that really haven't seen me much since February. They all were astonished by how much weight I've lost. I mean, they continued to talk about it. The first compliment or two are awesome and they are motivating! However, when they continue to talk about how great I look and how hard I must have worked...it's giving me a complex that I must have been as large as a cow or possibly a house. Was I hideous then? Was I repulsive? I do like the compliments that come with my new body, but sometimes my head turns it into a negative. Maybe I'm just programmed that way, I don't know. Just been thinking about that. :)

Anyhoodoodle...

I hope you have all had wonderful weeks and I hope that all of you with weekends have happy ones!