Day 5 of Week 10 My Hot Date With Gym

Weight Today: same

Total lost: 18 pounds in 9 1/2 weeks

1/2 cup of oatmeal: 150
1 tsp of sugar:15
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 195

vanilla protein shake:110
2 oz banana:50
total:160
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running total: 355

1 large egg:70
1 large egg white:10
1 lefse:30
1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese:80
3 oz of sliced strawberries:27
1 tsp of sugar:15
2 Laughing Cow bites:10
1 Ritz cracker:16
1 tbl of powder creamer with coffee:30
with sweet-n-low:0
total: 288
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running total: 643

vanilla protein shake:11o
1 1/2 oz banana:37
total:147
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running total: 790

2 oz of spagetti:180
3 oz chicken breast:105
1 tsp of Smart Balance light butter:15
1 cup of salad:7
total:307
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running total: 1097
Today's challenge: Staying hydrated and on calorie.

Planned fitness: 3-mile run, My abdominal routine twice

Note on picture: Do you ever feel like the lone pancake trying to be little while the other pancakes look on? We had pancakes the other day and my husband crafting a few little pancakes seemed funny and unnatural when looking at the regular size of the other pancakes. If it's not trying to look smaller, then it's eating smaller portions that will make us stand apart from a culture whose restaurants put enough in one portion to feed three people.

My Hot Date With Gym

How do you all like this title? Does the red color add even more hotness to it?

This came to me after I couldn't think of the one I wanted to use. Gym is a mood changer. He makes you feel better, he gives you good ideas and he helps you lose weight.

Yah, so go make a date with Gym. Your husband won't even mind.

But, actually I've been wanting to write this article for a little while now and after what happened yesterday, well...made it seem like the perfect time.

Life is so hectic. So stressful sometimes. Meeting with Gym yesterday seemed especially tough. The kids (the four younger ones) were being naughty. It was hot and muggy outside, and I'd been with the kids ALL day and was up to HERE with their shenanigans.

So, by the time I got to see Gym and handed Our Darling Kids to the child-watch people, I felt tired and worn out before I even got in to do my work-out. With about an hour and fifteen minutes to work-out, I felt like there was no way I was going to relax enough to enjoy Gym or reap his many benefits.

But, as usual, the most amazing thing happened. After only about five minutes with Gym, I completely forgot about my children. Children...what children...I have kids?

Well, at least the four younger ones. I weight lift with my 14-year-old daughter.

She began telling me about her day at high school. I said "hi" and had small talk with a few regulars who also date Gym and I before you know it I was on my way to a better mood.

After I weight lifted, we ran for a few miles, and I learned even more about my daughter's day. During the run, I calculated in my mind my next goal after this 10 weeks is finished.

When I finally returned 75 minutes later to pick up my naughty children, I noticed thinking that they didn't seem so naughty after all. I felt happy, energized, and had a brilliant idea for my next goal.

Wow. All that with only an hour date with Gym? Now that's a hot date.

I think you all know my point. Exercise is a mood-changer, it makes you think more clearly, plus there's this other side benefit...it helps you lose weight.

So, when you hit one of those days when it feels like your crawling and clawing your way to meet with Gym...keep pushing to get there. Be encouraged.

Gym has sweet little surprises waiting for you.