Well, I ran my 5k race today in 28.4 minutes. And then I managed to go to Karate afterwards. After that we went to my grandmother's for an pre-Easter lunch/dinner at which I of course ate way too much. Why do we do that? Probably part of the problem for me was that I was starved by the time I got there. But the other problem (well, there are many) is that I just love food too much. I really enjoy eating and tasting different things. And well, the food was just good. At first when I left I was feeling bad for eating so much, especially since it was clearly more than I needed (and of course there was cake and brownies). But then I came to the conclusion that it is ok to love food and even overeat every now and then (like at the occasional party or social gathering), as long as it is not an every day habit, which for me it is not. Sure, I do eat more each day than I would like to or need to and I am trying to work on that. But it isn't like I totally pig out every day. So I am finished feeling guilty for overindulging at parties.

Anyway, that's it for today. I am tired.

Ok, I have REALLY fallen behind here. I haven't been feeling well all week and in general I have just been really run down. I haven't done much of anything most of the week. I did manage to work out on Monday and run 4 miles on Tuesday, but nothing on Wednesday and only Karate on Thursday. Today I got back to the gym and into my regular work out routing (weight training and 45 minutes of cardio), but I was still feeling run down and it was more challenging than usual. Tomorrow I am planning on running and 5k and then depending on what time I leave the event, I may go to Karate.

TIP OF THE DAY
Don't let others sabotage your efforts.

Do you have people around you telling you that you look fine the way you are, you don't need to lose weight, or, even worse, offer you indulgent foods or convince you to skip your workout routine? I think these people mean well. After all, you probably do look fine the way you are, and they love you as is. I think there are a lot of motives behind their behavior, but what you have to remember is that they don't have to live in your body. Don't let them steer you off the path of a healthy lifestyle.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"To get profit without risk, experience without danger, and reward without work is as impossible as it is to live without being born." -- A.P. Gouthy

TIP OF THE DAY
Don't let the scales dictate your happiness or reflect your success.

Ever had a "thin day" until you stepped on the scale? I actually had one of those days last week. I had been working out consistently 4-5 days a week, and watching what I ate, and stepped on to find the scale wavering between 139 and 140 when I was sure it would read closer to 135. Before stepping on the scale, I was standing in front of the mirror, completely naked, feeling good about my body. It was hard to maintain that feeling after seeing the numbers. But then I realized, that scale is only one indicator (and the least important) of my success. My clothes are fitting more loosely and for the first time in my life, my upper arms are starting to show some definition. Let me repeat, FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE. Isn't that a sign of success? I consider that a great accomplishment, and instead of focusing on the disappointment of the scale, I chose to focus on how good I have been feeling physically as I have been keeping to an exercise routine. I feel strong, healthy and proud, regardless of what the scales say.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Pick battles big enough to matter, small enough to win." -- Jonathan Kozol
This goes back to my tip of the day on April 2, 2003. It doesn't do any good to make unrealistic goals that you can never reach, nor does it accomplish anything to set goals that are not at all challenging. You may reach them easily, but can you really take pride in your accomplishments?

RECIPE OF THE DAY
Speedy Shepherd's Pie (from Weight Watchers), Serves 4

Ingredients
12 oz. extra lean ground beef
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 c. each sliced baby carrots and frozen baby peas (I just use the peas and carrots mixture you can get in the frozen food section)
1/2 c. low-sodium beef broth
2 c. prepared instant potato flakes (prepared according to package instructions)
Dash paprika

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. In 10' nonstick skillet cook beef over medium heat, stirring with a wooden spoon to break up meat, 3-4 minutes, until no longer pink. Add onion; cook, stirring constantly, until onion is softened, 2-3 minutes. Add carrots and peas; continue to cook and stir until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes. Add broth; bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat to low; let simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes.
3. Transfer mixture to 1 1/2-quart casserole. Top mixture with prepared potato flakes, spreading and fluffing with a fork; sprinkle with paprika. Bake until heated through, 15-20 minutes.

(Per serving: 336 calories, 17 g fat, 5 g fiber, 7 Weight Watchers points)
Having spent a semester in Ireland while in college, I love this dish. It is filling and nice on a cold winter's night.

DAILY LOG

8:00 a.m. - 1 c. oatmeal with 1/4 c. applesauce and 1 tbsp light syrup (3 points), 1/2 c. orange juice with 1/2 c. seltzer water (1 point), 16 oz water
10 a.m. - 20 minutes weight training, 45 minutes elliptical trainer (-4 points), 16 oz water
12:00 p.m. - 2 mini pierogies (1 points), 2 handfuls of craisins (2 points)
2:30 p.m. - 1 can (small) of tuna with 2 tbsp light mayo (3 points), 2 slices light wheat bread (1 point), 1 small yogurt (2 points), diet Pepsi, 1 c. half-caf coffee with skim and sweetener
6:00 p.m. - 1 cinnamon stick (4 points)
9:00 p.m. - spicy tofu and lemon grass stir fry with brown rice (9 points)