100 Days Left

So today marks the 100 days until the end of the year. I read this on a social media post and the site that posted the information also challenged their readers to do something. The site asked what do you want to accomplish? What do you want to feel? What did you plan on doing this year but haven't? What do you want to do with these 100 days.

So I pondered this post for a bit and decided to take up the challenge. What will I do with these 100 days. I could do so many things. I decided to focus on a few things some I will list here and others that I will keep to myself.

As many of you know, I have some ongoing GI Issues/IBS. Always working on settling the stomach and have become a bit lackadaisical on my sugar intake. It is the one thing that when my intake is too high I feel miserable and I get sick. So over the next 100 days I am going to eliminate sugar, if it is listed in the first 5 ingredients I don't eat it! Don't worry I have already done some research on pumpkin dessert recipes that don't have sugar in them! Sugar is always a trigger for me and I will feel better without it.

The next area I have become a bit lazy, and I worked so hard to make this a positive habit, is my morning workouts. I have been hitting the snooze button too often and then I don't up in time to get my workouts done. This needs to change. Going forward next 100 days I am making this a habit again and part of my routine. Up early to get the workouts done, no excuses. This helps me in so many ways, one being it gives me more time in the evening to focus on my school assignments if the workouts are done.

The next 100 day challenge item, is a true challenge for me. While figuring out my GI/IBS issues I have noticed how often I eat cheese. All kinds of cheese, in recipes or on its own. It really doesn't help me so I thought I would try and give it up for 100 days. This will be a challenge and could be tough but what doesn't hurt you only makes you stronger, right?!?

I am sharing this with you so you know what I am up to over the next 100 days. And keep in mind now that you know, if you see me eating something with too much sugar or any sort of cheese, I give you permission to yell at me!!

The next thing has to do with meditation. Several years ago my cousin and I read the book 10% happier by Dan Harris. In order to deal with stress and anxiety, Dan started meditating. He wrote the book to tell his story and his journey with meditation. After I finished the book I became very curious about meditation and I started to read more books. Meditation is often referred to the practice of meditation. It is called a practice because you are never perfect at it you are always practicing it and trying to get better.

After sharing with my coach that I started the practice of meditation she suggested a book called The mindful Athlete by George Mumford. This was a great book and showed how meditation can help with sports, athletes, and during competition. I really got into and enjoyed it. However, a few months ago I noticed I was completing the meditation for the wrong reasons. I found myself doing it just to check it off the to do list instead of really enjoying the process. I walked away from it for quite some time.

Now I miss it and I think it is time to bring it back into my life. What better time than now to bring it back into my routine. I have found through my marathon training that I get too much into my head during my runs. I become my own worst enemy and just beat myself up for miles. I recently picked this book up and I am curious to see how this book could help with my running and hopefully with other endurance sports. Stay tuned for that...but over the next 100 days I will being the practice of meditation and hopefully it will not become a choir!

There are other little projects I have that I would love to tackle, maybe I will try to get things off that to do list over the next 100 days.

Do you want to join in? What is your challenge? What would you like to accomplish over the next 100 days? This could be fun!! Embrace the next 100 days!

A Work in Progress Can be Frustrating!!

I always said I would be completely honest on this page. I would tell the truth and not sugar coat it and today I will continue that promise. Today's post is my constant struggle with my weight and the scale!

The other day I jumped on the scale, trying to do this only once a week, and I saw the number. Once again not going anywhere but staying where it has been for quite some time. No I will not share the number with you! Yes, I always promised I would be honest but God doesn't even know that!! I decided after I saw the number I would look back and see how much I weighed a year ago and then two years ago.

A year ago I was 7 pounds lighter than I was this past Friday. Two years ago I was 17 pounds lighter than I was this past Friday. I know this because I add my weight to the app My fitness pal. I have been using My fitness pal, tracking my weight and food for over five years. Seeing the two different numbers over the last two years frustrated me because every day I work at this. Every day I do my workouts, trying to get stronger and faster, and along with that I record what I eat, I actually weigh and measure my food, and the scale, that stupid magical box HATES ME!! Yes I know we are human and we are not perfect every day...we have our cheat meals etc...but due to my GI issues I can't have too many cheat meals or I am paying the price for days.

The only saving grace to all of this is that even though the scale has changed in the wrong direction, my clothes sizes have gotten smaller. I have had to purchase smaller sizes over this past season. And I am wearing many of the same clothes that I bought two years ago.

I know what you are about to say...Celebrate that Maura!!! Don't pay attention to the number on the scale, Maura!! Use a different measuring stick Maura!!! I know all these lines so well but if only the stupid scale would agree!!

I am not asking for much ... I would be happy with the number from one year ago. It is a constant battle and maybe someday I will accept where I am but I am not ready to give up the fight. That magical box will not win! It is a constant battle, the struggle is real, and I am a work in progress.