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Getting a Little Help

Mar11

Last time I met with the nutritionist, we were talking about ways that I can eat healthy without stressing out. I realized between day job, home baking business, preparing for my CDA and life in general that I have not been bringing my A game when it came to food prep at home. I’ve been in a bit of a rut. While I enjoy cooking, cooking can be time consuming and it was always at the bottom of my list. I found myself making the same meals in one formation or another week after week. This also led to something that wasn’t meeting all my nutritional goals or needs. She also suggested that I make extra portions for dinner giving me a healthier lunch option the next day. You know the whole one good choice leads to another good choice thing.

My problem was time. My problem as mentioned that I was in a rut. My problem again was getting home at almost 6:00 from work and the last thing wanting to do is spend time prepping and cooking. I also am not a big lets prep for the week kind of person. So that lead me to look for some inspiration.

Now before I go into this, I must say this is NOT a sponsored post. I wish it was, but my little blog is not catching anyones eye to say “Hey lets sponsor this woman” but if they are out there…. Go for it:). Lol

Anywho……

When my son was in college apartment, I signed him up for a food prep service. As his mother, I did like that besides giving him good meals,; it also taught him how to cook. I was going to use this same service, but went with a different one because I got a coupon in the mail. My bad though because at checkout, I forgot to put the code. I didn’t realize because I was getting a first time user discount. The home coupon was better, but it is what it is. Besides, the meals were just what I needed

Case in point…..

Beef Tenderloin & Balsamic Steak Sauce – Now I don’t eat meat, but I got this one for hubby and son. They both loved it. The meat was good quality and I did eat the sides of asparagus and potatoes. The dogs were sad there was not leftovers, but they did get some sauce mixed in with their dinner too. There was no complaints from anyone.

Garlic Butter Shrimp Scampi – I make scampi all the time at home, but this was nice to not have to worry about or plan and I’ve never added broccoli. Garlic bread was a nice touch to go with it.

Falafe Power Bowls – This may have been my favorite meal of the box. I’ve done falafels at home before but usually there is so much work to them that it can be overwhelming. The meal card said 15 minutes and it didn’t lie. Plus making it into a bowl with spinach adds a nice boost of natural calcium! I would definitely order this one again.

Vegan Harissa Apriocot Glazed Tofu – I did not tell hubby this was vegan only that it was tofu. shockingly my hubby who will eat tofu but usually complains, this time said Tofu was really good. So there is that. Plus he wasn’t wrong. It was delish. The tofu was firm and packaged where I didn’t need to press it. So ready to go. This dish had a lemon cilantro couscous which is something that I would never make at home. It had a good compliment to the tofu in place of a rice that I would normally make and it has better nutritional value.

Packaging was perfect where I didn’t need to worry about unboxing the second it arrived. Everything came that was needed except for things like butter and oil. Everything was really yummy. The first box, I may have over ordered with 4 meals doubling some portions for lunch. That being said, I did eat the left overs for lunch and nothing went to waste. Plus having extra for lunch beats a PB&J any day.

I adjusted portions and have a second box coming this week. I am still in need of getting out of my cooking rut. I can’t manufacture more time and I really do want to try to eat healthier. This week I am excited to be getting Toasted Coconut Tempura Shrimp and some other goodies.

Bottom line is I need the help right now and am happy to allow someone else to prep a few of my meals!

Have you ever done a food service and if so, who did you use?

Tell Me Why?

Feb21

I’ve been thinking a lot about my Why?

Why can’t I loose weight?

Why is it so hard to start and so easy to give up?

Why does it matter because I’m at the point as hard as I try it’s not working?

Why are my legs so sore all the time?

Why don’t I have the energy I use to have?

Why does it even matter at this point?

Why? Why? Why? Why????

Some answers are easy enough and may sound like a broken record.

I don’t have the energy and my muscles are sore because of the low calcium due to the Hypoparathyroidism. That in leads to the why can’t I loos weight because you have to be mor active for that to happen, but there are other factors in play. You know the “a woman your age” factor. They “your metabolism isn’t what it used to be factor.” Plus I will say that due to the lack of energy and other unknown reasons many in the hypopara community often speak of the difficulty of loosing weight. Although I think based on the massive diet industry that is not unique to us but does add another layer.

I was recently looking at running pictures prior to my surgery.

The days that I was training hard, running fast (sub 2 half) and kicking ass. I had drive. I had ambition. I had the ability to push myself past where I thought it could go. And I’m now in the chicken or egg stage because I don’t know if I no longer have this drive because I know I can’t push myself or if I stopped pushing myself and lost the drive. To be honest though, I think it is because I realized that in order to run the long miles, in order to run the faster paces, in order to expel so much energy that means taking more calcium which in the long run is not what my body needs (the high urine calcium levels show that pretty accurately). I know I can do it. I know I can just pop more calcium and my blood calcium levels will remain stable, but that isn’t something I’m willing to do. You only get one body and I’m trying to do the best that I can.

I have said that I won’t run another marathon until I am back on some (like there are many to choose from) PTH hormone replacement therapy. Natpara isn’t coming back. There is a new one on the horizon (TransCon) but is not FDA approved. Then there is the real worry that even when approved that it will be cost prohibited and insurance won’t cover it. When I was on Natpara, they had a rebate plan to make it “affordable” as when I say it was big money I mean it was big money. Like $10,000 a month money without rebate. Ascendis Pharma owner of TransCon in an earnings call made it seem like there would be no rebate since they literally own the corner of this therapy and it will be a money maker. So there’s that….

Anywho….

Last week when talking to the Nutrionist I said it’s been a roller coaster because I just can’t seem to care because nothing I do is making a difference. I can’t eat my way out of Hypopara. I can’t change my diet enough to not take the calictriol and all the calcium that is so hard on the kidneys. So that lead me to be like….WTF I might as well just eat that pint of Ben and Jerry’s. She got it and she is actually going to do some research on Hypopara to see if there is something we can do for my diet to add more natural calcium that might not be so hard on the kidneys. Between that and FINALLY being able to get an appointment with a specialist who is not only familiar but an expert on hypopara, I have a little hope. Although something the Nutritionist said did stick with me…….

She pointed out (paraphrasing) that while working with her and following the plan might not actually be doing the magic trick I wanted, it is still beneficial. In that it can help to keep other health issues at bay – Keep my cholesterol in check (as it is just under being high). Keep my sugar levels in check. So many other health issues from hypertension to diabetes to even my sleep apnea can benefit from following a healthy diet.

So theres that.

So how am I doing with my goals of dinner and exercise? I’m making progress. I’m being more intentional. Most of all I’m trying.

My why for so long was to reach for something that for now is just out of reach. My why needs to be to just do the best I can with the hand that I have been dealt. Like running a race, life is about learning to bob and weave. I kind of forgot that…

Middle of the Road

Feb16

Showing up for ourselves seems easy enough, yet might be the hardest thing we do in our lives. We always make space for everyone else – For what we need to do for them……. What they need…….. What we can do to make the happy…….. on and on the list goes of what we will and can do for others.

Here is a news flash…….

Not only is it ok to show up for ourselves. Not only is it a necessity, but it should be at the top of the list not the bottom!

Today I had my meeting with my nutritionist. I will admit it, I thought not only more than once but up until I logged into my video appointment of cancelling. I had several very good reasons why cancelling (ok not good, but really good excuses). They all made sense from what does it matter to I haven’t done any of the things I was supposed this last month. I also admit that the only reason I showed up was not for myself but because I figured if I cancelled last minute I would still (rightfully) be charged for the appointment.

So I begrudgingly showed up.

It was the right thing to do mostly for myself even if that wasn’t what propelled me to log in.

I honestly told her that I almost didn’t show up because I wasn’t in the right space and didn’t know if anything we had been doing was even making a difference and worth it…… She’s good and we talked through it. I left in a much better thought pattern than I went in with. She also has my number more than I realized.

In talking to her, she pointed out that I am an all or nothing person. She was like that is wonderful on one hand because it propels you to run marathons and do amazing thing, but the flip side is not as good. So the goal this month is to try and be middle of the road and know that it is 100% ok to be middle of the road! Focus on what I can do. What is in my control. So maybe for right now I am not training the way I used to be, but that doesn’t mean that I need to be stationary. Middle of the road…….

I walked away with a focus for the next month not just on my nutrition goals but also on movement goals. Baby steps on both.

Nutrition….. I have breakfast down with my smoothies (yup, still do them). We are not focussing on actual goals this month as far as numbers of proteins vs carb and such. The focus is just to show up. To think about what I can do to meet my meal goals and how to get there. So by focusing on dinner, that might carry over to lunch as I am going to make extra portions to possibly utilize for lunches. I am also going to look into meal prep services to help get me back on track just being cautious of sodium. But one step at a time…. Which leads to movement

Right now my body is constantly sore. Legs often feel like they have done much more than they actually have done….. so lets take a step back. Slow down. Do something daily either a walk, stretching, but something every day. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing….. it can be middle of the road.

So here is to finding the middle of the road and realizing that it is a good space to be

Lastly I am going to send her my latest labs, so she can do some research to see if she can be of better service with nutritional needs. Told you she was good:)

Complicated

Jan25

Complicated Relationships

I have lots of complicated relationships. To be honest, who doesn’t?

I love my blog, but I have not been great about blogging recently…… Complicated

I love to run, but haven’t been running much lately……. Complicated.

I want a clean house, but I hate to waste time cleaning it….. Complicated

I want to be a size 8 or honestly I would take 10 at this point, yet really don’t do what is necessary to make that happen…… Complicated.

I miss running with my friends, yet don’t seem to have the time to meet up with them as our schedules don’t mix….. Complicated.

I have a VERY complicated relationship with food.   To be honest, who doesn’t?

The problem I have is the all or nothing mentality and often we might be the ones complicating things more than they need to be.

As I previously mentioned, I’ve met with a nutrionist a few times now. She has given me some good feedback. We have talked about different food choices, adding more protein to diet and less carbs, and looking at better options overall. Things that most of us all know, but she has given some good tips. Overall it has been worth it.

Here is the complication though……. While I know everything she says is valid, I am beginning to wonder if I have the conviction to actually follow through. So far the answer to that will be a resounding no. I can’t even get myself to track my food choices for a day or two. Now maybe it’s because I know where I’m going off track and I don’t want a paper trail to remind me. Maybe it’s because I’m not determined enough to follow through. Maybe….. Maybe….. Maybe….

There are so many reasons we don’t reach where we think we want to go and I maybe to the point where I, honestly, am not sure I want to got there anymore.

I just had my physical in December. Cholesterol only went up 4 points and blood pressure is still really good. So while I have all the other stuff with my Hypopara going against me, relatively everything else is looking ok.

So now the questions I need to ask……

What do I really want and what am I willing to do for it?

Simple.

Yet, complicated….

Answers will be coming shortly and probably changing as time passes.

I’m Not That Evolved

Nov3

I have a confession to make….. The number on the scale still bothers me. I know it shouldn’t. I know I am more evolved. I know it is just a number, but…. But…. But….

The two sides of my brain fight this one out. I know that the number is NOT important. I know what is more important is overall health. I know that there are other much more important numbers, such as blood pressure (good), cholesterol (fair but in range) and all the other numbers I need to keep in check due to my hypopara. I also know the number on the scale does not affect my quality of life, change the way my loved ones feel about me, nor honestly change anything about my life. It doesn’t keep me from doing things. It doesn’t honestly affect my life in any way…. With the honest exception of that it does make running a little more challenging than it needs to be on my feet.

I’m not blowing smoke. I know all of these things. I know that the scale does not control my life. I know the scale does not change my life. I am a fairly confident person. The scale doesn’t keep me from doing anything and yet….

I can admit that it bothers me.

Now I am not saying that it bothers me enough to do a drastic life altering diet change. I also admit that while I have started to track my food. This is honestly based on the fact that I am trying to meet nutritional goals. Lean proteins. Less Carbohydrates. Meeting calcium and nutritional goals for overall health. My nutritionist pointed out that while weight is not our goal that by meeting my nutrional goals while also adding strength training and balanced exercise regime, the wight loss will be potential possible side effect. There is no calorie counting. There is what are the best calories to consume.

So why knowing all of this does the number on the scale still bother me? Can I blame society as much as I blame my non existent metabolism? I know things are slowly changing. Companies are using models based on “real” women. Disney just had a short with a bigger protagonist. People keep fighting back against body shaming…. Yet, these are the exceptions and not the norms because if they weren’t they wouldn’t make the news. Top “influencers” (still don’t get that one) are still using filters to get unattainable goals. Plus, I am of the age of barbie, I Dream of Jeanie, and grew up the “fat kid.” Not sure you can every fully get away from those forces.

Yet…… I try…….. not enough that I stopped stepping on the scale. That I don’t have a weight goal. That I wouldn’t love to wake up tomorrow and be 135 pounds again. Once again not enough to take the unhealthy (for me) drastic steps to reach these goals. Part of me would love to drop the 20 pounds. That being said, realistically I will be very happy if I drop 10 pounds which would still leave me in the overweight category but take my BMI out of the obesity category.

Life Goals…..

Health Goals

Too Much of a Good Thing

Oct2

I’ve met with the registered dietician on Friday. This was our second meet up after a consultation with her last month to see if we would be a good fit. She is a registered dietician and nutritionalist who also has a focus on endocrine and kidney disorders (Hello Hypoparathyroidism!). After our first meet and greet, we thought food tracking might be beneficial as it is hard to really make changes until you know what needs to be changed. Seems resonable!

So tracking I have tried to do. I even bought a year of myfitnesspal as a motivator. Now tracking is NOT hard because they really do make it easy. What is hard is telling yourself that you will track something later and then not doing so. Then the days where you know you are going to eat like a High School wrestler hoping to bulk up for his weight class. I have not been perfect but I have been fairly constent and as with everything in my life, I am trying to do better

Here is to trying to do better!

One thing that was very obvious is that I am not eating enough protein. Now for kidney issues, I am really supposed to avoid animal proteins which as a pescatarian I was already doing. That being said, plant based proteins are important especially when trying to create an exercise routine with good muscle recovery….

My bad.

Another thing that became VERY obvious is that I am eating way, way, way too many carbohydrates. Let me just say way one more time. Let’s admit it though. Carbs are tasty. Carbs are easy to grab on the go. Plus not all carbs are bad, but too many carbs is still too many carbs especially when not paired properly.

Case in point a random day in September where I tracked my whole day.

Not necessarily hitting my targets. Sometimes even when we think we are eating heatlhy, overal we are not getting all we need or too much of what we need. In talking with the dietician, it became apparant that there is too much of a good thing. Such as my morning smoothie. I was going with the add as much fruit as possible which is not really the way to go.

Sonal, dietician, asked me; “If you had to sit down to eat everything that you put in your smoothie for one meal, could you?”

The answer was a resounding no. The baker in me loves creating and I was using my smoothies for an outlet, but it really was too much. I am normally a too much kind of person. Lol. She suggested limiting the smoothie to 2 fruits taking into account the could I eat it all in one sitting mantra. Also making sure to add some protein to the smoothie in the form of a powder or food source (chia seeds, nut butters). Also adding some filling fiber such as oats, flax seeds and spinach. I can work with that! Kind of have been doing it, but in an over the top way.

Sometimes less is more of what we need and I’m trying to remember that.

While this morning smoothie was carb heavy, I also knew that it would be followed by a long bike ride and run. But it was also a good balance of protein and fiber. Balance.

Just Doing My Best

Sep29

I wake up tired.

I am tired all day.

I fall asleep on the couch…..tired

I don’t always sleep well in bed though.

Could be age. You know having to get up for the bathroom.

Could be damn Cpap machine that gurgles, hisses and is stuck on my head.

Could be the hypopara muscle aches and all the fun that goes with it.

Could be mind spinning and spinning.

Who knows. Sleep is a mysterious thing which is why I assume there are so many books about it. That being said, all this tiredness makes for an unmotivated not moving as much as I should be person.. All I know is that I am not alone in my struggle. The struggle is real and so many of us go through it.

i will be honest too…… Staying on track is hard. Staying motivated may be even harder. The why bother it never works devil is real. The does it really make a difference voice is loud. The does it even matter whispers are shouts. What is the point is the biggest struggle. Round and round and round it goes till you are paralysed into doing nothing.

nothing.

nothing

nothing.

No plan.

No blogging to keep yourself honest.

No coming up with goals but finding so many excuses.

Now here me out……… Some of these “excuses” are vaild. Many of them are real making what feels like an impossible situation like climbing a mountain without gear. I often forget though…..

I can do hard things!

I have done hard things.

Now the question I have to seriously start asking though…….

Do I want to do them?

What is the benefit of doing them? What is the detriment of not doing them? And the absolute hardest question….. Why am I afraid of doing them? Of making a plan…… of sticking to it…. Of being willing to falter….. of doing something even if I am the only one who cares that I am doing it?

The truth boils down to….. Fear of failure. Fear of stating that something I strive for might be out of reach…. We don’t stop growing because we fail, we stop growing because we stop trying.

I, once again, might be ready to face reality and try. There are some truths to. I have medical condition that makes trying harder some days them others. I am a home baker. There will be snacks but I can adjust. I am a middle age woman with the metabolism of a dead person. I need to move more and make excuses. I need to at the very least try.

Goal #1

I need to eat healthier.

Goal # 2

I need to move in a more constent manner and come up with a plan.

Goal # 3

I need to make myself accountable. For me that will mean documenting it all. The struggles. The small (and hopefully) big victories and just be real that it isn’t always going to work. So I need to adjust and not give up.

While this morning, I did weigh myself and take measurements, weight is not the goal. More importantly, the numbers that I need to improve…. Cholesterol, calcium, kidney function and the rest will work itself out.

so here is to trying!

Holding Yourself Back

Sep6

In trying to figure out. Trying to come up with a plan. Trying to put the pieces together when I always feel like one is missing. Trying… Trying… Trying……One day I might know until then, keep working on –

How to move forward….

How to get back and stay on track…. (Does anyone ever stay on track?).

How to reach goals that I have been putting off setting….. ( Because if you set a goal, then that means you have to make a plan. If you make a plan, then you need to be accountable for following that plan)

I realized something…….. Once again, I was putting myself in a holding pattern.

Hear me out……..

I realize that once again I’ve been living in fear. I’ve been waiting for the shoe to drop. Funny thing is once started to drop, I realized that while there is a lot that I have no control of that by pretending the future is now that I am missing the present.

Point one…..

When you have Hypoparathyroidism, you have to usually take boat loads of calcium, prescription forms of Vitamin D on top of other things. Anywho…. As I’ve mentioned before, this is hard on the body. Kidneys especially. I’ve had high levels of calcium in urine which is not good. I’ve had some things indicating that maybe this was heading where I didn’t want it to go. I’ve also been lucky not to have had kidney stones and other issues, but it was always there in back of my mind.

Waiting

Waiting

Waiting

Get some results back and shows that my eGFR rate is dropping. 2 years after being Hypopara it was 73 (still in normal range) but enough that I worried about my kidney health which made me feel like I was being a hypochondriac. Guess I wasn’t because now 6 years in my eGFR has continued to drop 56 which is out of normal range and indicates that kidneys are not working properly otherwise known as CKD. As a side note, for a woman my age it should be in 90’s. So not great but not as bad as it could be!

Now the thing is doctors don’t seem overly concerned at this stage, but I am. You know, you only have one body thing. Also might be reason to switch to a nephrologist who doesn’t wait for things to get bad before thinking it’s a big deal. Anyway, these numbers while not great also were the wake up call that I needed to realize that…..

EVERYTHING IS NOT OUT OF MY HANDS!

  1. Being overweight is not good for many things including kidney health. Now, there was a time when I could say that my extra weight wasn’t effecting my health and at the time that was true; but that is no longer the case.
  2. My nutrition could be better. I’m not talking about nutrition to loose weight. I am talking about making sure that I am eating the right foods. Getting the right proteins, carbs, healthy fats.
  3. There might come a day where I can’t do the things that I want, but I am not even close to being there now or in the near future!

so what to do….. what to do……

Well one and two go together. While I’ve met in the past with a functional nutritionist , this time I wanted to meet with someone who focused on kidney health. I found a Registered Dietitian with all the right credentials who among other things works with endocrine, kidney and weight loss issues. (All the boxes and then some checked).

I could (not easily) go on a diet to loose weight but if it is not the right diet for my health than loosing the weight means nothing. Last time I dropped a decent amount of weight it was between son 2 & 3. I did it with the South Beach Diet which is very much not the type of diet I should use now. My goal is not so much the weight loss but finding the right diet for kidneys and hypoparathyroidism. Loosing 20 pounds would be the bonus and one I am now actively working on.

My goal though is to change my numbers around as it’s early enough to do that and if I can’t turn them around, slow them the (beep) down!

So with all of that weighing on my mind, I’ve been acting like I am already at the point where I can’t run anymore. Now that’s just crazy talk…… Like Serious crazy talk……. Maybe…. Maybe…. Maybe….. one day, but not yet.

Now I know that just with Hypopara, my running has changed but I’ve been getting it done. I’ve been doing what I can but I’ve been holding back because I was waiting for what I don’t know. Kind of like when you put off cleaning out your closet because you just don’t want to deal with it. Then you realize that once you start tackling it, it’s not so bad.

So it’s not so bad!

Plus I’ve been training for my triathlon. I’m not trained trained. I feel like I never am anymore. What I am is trained enough to know that I will make it out of the water and still be able to bike and while not run, will be able to at least walk to the finish line.

oh did I mention that event is 12 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Not Obese, Just Fat 😉

Dec5

This week I had my annual physical. Numbers are looking good. Cholesterol is going in right direction. Bad number is going down. Good is going back up. Super good blood pressure…. like awesome 96/60. My doctor even told me…. ”You are no longer in the obese category. You have moved down to just overweight.” lol

Seriously though…. she was happy because I lost 11 pounds this last year. She said whatever I was doing to keep doing it. I will also admit that I was shocked that the number was 11 pounds. Pleasantly surprised. Who wouldn’t be? So I think I will, but I know since Thanksgiving I’ve been sliding a bit. Haven’t we all? That is what happens to everyone over the holidays. Time to find my balance again. Time to readjust and get the wheels back on track. It takes so much work to loose the weight but so easy to put it back on. It sucks how unfair that is!

When told a friend I lost 11 pounds this last year, they asked what I was doing and if I thought my smoothie game was a factor. So here goes….

I do think that the smoothies have helped. For a few reasons. I start my morning of every day with a nutritionally balanced smoothie. It is never the same but always packed with lots of vitamins, filling fiber, and protein. It sets the tone for the day. Some days that works. Some days maybe not but at least every morning I get to start over.

No While I have been working with my Functional Nutrionist and it has been helpful, food wise she really has just been reinforcing what I already know. Cutting down dairy, processed food, and bad carbs is really the answer for me. Also thinking about what I am eating, when I am eating, and why am eating has been helpful.

It also helps to know what workds for you as each person is different. I have never been one to track food, count calories, or any of those things. Some that works for them. Not me. Also for me, I really am not looking at this as a diet plan to loose weight but as a healthy more natural way of eating. Seriously it is a lifestyle change and it really is about meeting my nutritional goals and just eating healthier. The thing about that is that means cutting out processed foods and cutting back on unhealthy carbs and dairy.

Win Win.

Eating this way does not in any way feel like I am giving up anything. It also allows flexibility and I never feel like I am missing out. I will also say that if I want a cookie that I will have a cookie. If I want something that I will not deprive myself but maybe instead of having a plate of cookies that I will have one or two.

Balance.

It’s not easy to find. It is often easy to get out of it and sometimes you are going to fall. As long as you keep getting up, dusting yourself off and getting back on the balance beam all is good.

As I said before….. This is about my health, meeting nutritional goals and trying to be the healthiest that I can be.

Perfection is a Myth

Oct21

I will be the first to admit that I am not perfect. I am far from it. I have many faults but I really don’t feel the need to list them. I also have many positive traits that I don’t feel the need to list. All that being said, we all know those that put forth the ”perfect life.” They have the perfect home. The perfect style. The perfect this the perfect that….. Blah…. Blah…. Blah….

Let’s be real, there is not such thing as perfect in the real world. Usually when you peel back the mask of perfection, you will see how imperfect it all is. The problem is that often no one bothers to look past the initial layer to see the reality of what striving for perfection cost. Perfection is an unattainable goal and often leads to frustration, giving up, or in some cases drastic measures (think of those celebs who went one cosmetic procedure to far).

In our workout routine or diet, the strive for perfection often leads to people walking away feeling like a failure. We think that we have to follow a strict diet and if we don’t follow to the letter T that we cant do it. Many times people who decide to get fit go gang busters…. Going to gym every day. Starting strong as they say. Then they get sore. They miss a workout. They can’t hit a pace in a run. They feel like they are too slow. That why bother because we just aren’t good enough. The strive for perfection often sets us up for failure.

I am to the point that I am realizing that striving towards “perfection,” towards unattainable goals, to comparing myself to not others but old versions fo me were setting me up for failure. My goal is no longer perfection, but only to be better and the best version of me. A realistic version. A version that I can live with. A version that is sustainable. A version that will never be perfect, never be more than it can be, and one that I can say I did my best.

I’ve been thinking along these lines with my nutrition. I have always said that my problem with diets is that if I get hit by a bus that I don’t want my last meal to be celery. Not that there is anything wrong with celery as I actually had it for snack last night, but you understand. I do not want to live my life feeling deprived. Striving for things that long term will not keep. So as I started thinking about my nutrition, I’ve realized that sometimes change while hard doesn’t always mean depriving myself. I want to develop a nutritional plan that I can live with, feel good about, that is healthy, and most of all sustainable. Also I know for a fact that I am not going to be giving up certain things and that is ok. Embracing the imperfection of moderation.

So far. So good.

The morning smoothies are still a thing and one that hubby and I look forward to. The thinking about what I am eating, when I am eating and why I am eating has been helpful. To be honest, the cravings for certain foods is lessoning. My boss gave me 2 caramel chocolate bars 2 weeks ago that are still uneaten. Not because I am depriving myself but because i just dont want them. That would be unheard of before. My morning coffee is now filled with an almond creamer instead of half and half or such. If you know me, you know I take my coffee seriously so this was a big step. But once I took that step, I realized that it was more in my mind than in the cup because my morning coffee still tastes like my morning coffee. This past week, I also made homemade cinnamon rolls for my family. They are delicious but I didn’t have one because I really didn’t want one. On the other hand, when I made Pumpkin donuts I did eat one. Just one and that was enough. No shame. No Guilt….. Balance.

I have also been taking this approach to my running. I have continued to walk the first few miles of my long run and the first of pretty much all. Then my goal is to keep the pace in the 12’s because that is where I realistically am. In being real with what I can do, how fast I can run, and what my body can do; I have actually been able to run better Striving for unattainable goals has been my downfall with my running. Working towards being the best I can be on each run has been making running both enjoyable and sustainable.

To be the best version you can be on any given day either in your nutrition, in your running or in your life will change day to day. The trick is to give yourself the grace you need to be that version. Accept the version that you are today and if it doesn’t live up to your expectations know that tomorrow is another day!