Leaving my Problems in my Footprints

Today, I found solace in my run. I haven't gone for one for over a week because I'm really, really good at coming up with excuses. I decided to start my normal route backwards, and then instead of taking the short stretch of trail to the right that quickly circles back into the neighborhood, I decided to turn left on the trail. I felt slightly embarrassed with myself for being so excited at the thought of this. My body felt great running in the woods, with rotten leaves and mud forming a cushion- much easier than running on concrete. It was better for my knees.

It was easy to run today, because Mick and I had this ridiculous argument and quite frankly, I didn't want to go back to the house. I just kept going, and couldn't believe how good it felt in my body to be running. I of course walked a good bit, but I think I ran more on the whole. It was a beautiful route and I think I'll make it my regular jog.
The woods offered multiple little trails, but I wasn't that worried about getting lost because I could still see the houses the entire way (the woods are essentially right in the middle and on the edge of the housing development). I took one little trail that shot off the main one and it led me to a beautiful clearing.

 The trail wrapped around the edge of the circular clearing and led back to the entrance into the woods from where I came. I came upon a woman wearing wellies and walking her chocolate lab who slobbered on me happily. I circled around the clearing and disappeared into the woods again, my anger being eaten away with every step I put between myself and the house.

By the time it started to get dark and I turned for the house (it was very difficult to turn around), I felt pretty excited about running this route every day. This trail is good for my soul. And by the time I reached the house, my real husband (and not the growly bear I left) was waiting for me (now the nice version of myself after a beautiful run) and we were able to talk things over calmly.

Looking forward to my run tomorrow.

Where do your runs take you?

Damp, damp, damp!

A very wet and slippery trail near the house.

Whew! It feels like ages since I've actually sat down and written a real post in here. Life has been in that state of not really busy, but of time flying and you can't really remember what you've been doing. We're still working on getting the house unpacked and sorted. Slowly but surely, it's happening.

I'm a bit baffled by the weather around here lately. The sky is perpetually grey. In fact, I can't remember the last time I saw the sun. Perhaps sometime last week? And even then it was a brief glimpse. I'm not bothered by this, though. I had 14 years of constant sun in Arizona. I like the change. But what really confuses me is the damp. It hasn't really been raining exactly, but it looks like it has. The ground is wet, the grass is covered in little beads of moisture, as are the trees, leaves, berries and twigs. The cars are wet. I don't understand! It's just so damp. You can almost see the moisture in the air, coming down, but not as rain. I'm sure this all seems really normal and unextraordinary to you, but I'm completely nonplussed!

And now it's time for a confession. Sigh.
Last night Mick and I were watching a movie and a guy picked up a girl and spun her around. My heart sank. I've always struggled with my weight, but especially since I was about 18. I'm not one of those people you see walking down the street and go "whoooa!" (no offense to anybody who is, I don't mean to sound rude there). Not by any means, but I am definitely obese, clinically speaking. Anyway, last year I lost loads of weight, mostly due to depression, but once I got happy again, boom! It all came back. I've been talking about working out and eating right again for ages, making promises to myself and to Mick. He doesn't mind that I'm this size, but he supports that I want to be slimmer and healthier. So, when I saw this guy spinning this girl in circles, I made last night the last time I would ever consume an entire pack of anything that was more than a serving (Fig Newtons, in this case). It's not even that I eat horribly, or obscene amounts. I just have this ridiculous metabolism that makes it impossible for me to not gain weight unless I work out. So, it's time I start listening to my body instead of my lazy brain and do what it takes. So today, I woke up and MEASURED MY OATMEAL. Then I went for a jog/walk.
And I have to say... I feel better today than I have for a long time. I feel good about myself because running has always been something that I wanted to do. I envy people who can just throw on a pair of sneakers and get their workout without paying a gym membership or listening to Billy Blanks shout at me on his Tae Bo DVDs to do some ridiculous mixture of steps ONE MORE TIME. Yet he tells me to do it just ONE MORE TIME like FIFTY TIMES. Even though I walked more than I ran, I plan to shift that ratio. It'll just take some practice. So, yeah, my legs felt like wobbly jelly and it felt like I had a chunk of ice in my chest (it was cold out) when I was done, but I felt good about me. I guess I just have to remind myself of that feeling every time I tell myself that I don't feel like working out. And remember to stretch! So that by this time next year, Mick can easily pick me up and spin me around.

How do you motivate yourself to be active? How do you find ways to enjoy it?

And I'm going to leave you with this quote because I've found a few grey hairs in the past year or so (I blame middle school students!). And this sort of puts it in perspective...

"Worrying about gray hair when your weight's soaring out of control is like mowing your lawn when you house is on fire."
-Edward Ugel

This weekend should be good- Mick and I are going to dinner at a friends house. And then house-sitting for his dad again. 
Hope you're all well :)

Mick and Pepsi and wiggly noses, these are a few of my favorite things!

Sorry for the lack of interesting posts lately. To be honest, not much is going on really. Wedding planning is dwindling down because most of it is taken care of, just a few finishing touches to take care of- fittings, pay the flower deposit, book a photographer, burn the disc for the ceremony music. Stuff like that.

We got two beautiful days of warm golden sunshine and blue skies. Today I got out of bed to pull open the curtains and find another grey sky. I don't mind this so much. It's nice for a change to not know what the weather will be like. It's more fun than knowing it's going to be hot. Then hot. And hot again. And oh, my! Hot once more! It breaks up the monotony.

The other day, Mick's mum made me feel great about all the hard work I've been doing with calorie counting and exercising. Mick and I had gone out to get hay for Harley and Truffles and when we got back she said hello and looked me up and down while talking and stopped herself mid-sentence and said, "you've lost weight!" I think that is vital in working on losing weight or just getting in better shape. When people start noticing the differences in your body and compliment you on it, it makes you work even harder. You feel like it's paying off and you want it more. I've been using a website to track my calories eaten and burned through exercise. If you're interested, check it out. It's called Shapeup Club.

We're having fun with the bunbuns. Each day Harley comes out of his shell a little bit more. Last night we put the blanket on the bed and watched a movie while they played around, jumping in the air and twisting (which is happy bunny body language) and eating carrot tops. Harley was peeking over the edge of the bed and slipped off. At first all he would do was hide behind a pillow. I'm happy to see that he's getting braver! Truffles is doing great. They're both starting to know who we are, I think. When we go up to the cage they come over to see us. I think it's mostly because we've been feeding them veggies by hand a lot so they think we have treats. Here are a couple videos I thought you'd like of them eating treats!

I think spinach is definitely their favorite, though the carrot tops are more fun to watch them eat. It's like Lady and the Tramp with the pasta. I should edit some romantic Italian music into the background of the second video.

Harley going to town on carrot tops. Oddly, they don't seem interested in the actual carrot just yet.

Oh, Truffles. You even eat with attitude.

And lastly, here are two of my favorite things.

Mick and Diet Pepsi <3

I need to kick myself in gear and get on the elliptical machine for 35 minutes. But I feel so lazy today...