Making the Most of the Next Six Months

First, did I wear my dress at opening this weekend? No I didn't. I could have worn it, but I didn't feel 100% confident in it. (A lifetime-long pooched belly is hard to work off, sometimes I think no matter how toned and tiny I get I will still have one.) While girdly/spanx-y type aids may be great in general, I felt like for goal purposes, that it would be a bit of a cheat. I have just a little ways to go before I'll surely be able to wear my dress with pride. I could wear it for closing or to some upcoming holiday parties-there are options. Here are some before and afters.

THEN

NOW

THEN

NOW

THEN

NOW

So I'm getting close.

With six months left to work toward my ultimate goal, I want to fully embrace the time I have left. Like I've always said, this journey is about toning up both my outside and inside, so I am happy to continue forward with two strong tools to help with both: Kind Food and Soul Food.

Kind food:  Like I mentioned last week, I dove into reading The Kind Diet and learning about the benefits of a plant based diet. I have to say that I am really enjoying exploring all of the delicious, healthy, and very satisfying foods associated with kind of eating. There are so many dishes I was already eating that were basically in line, I've just done some tweaking like using soy butter instead of a chemically spray and adding in some essential whole grains that I had been leaving out because I've had the fear of carbs instilled in me like so many people. My favorite delight thus far is freekeh wheat. I stumbled across this at Trader Joe's and gave it a try since it was a whole grain, had a rad name (I like to say "give me some of them freaky wheats"), and the ingredients list contained only two simple things: freekeh wheat and water. It is delicious!!!! Add a dash of sea salt and a little soy butter and it is just amazing paired with some organic beans or sauteed greens. I am stocking up since you never know when TJs will stop carrying things (when they stopped carrying canned curried chick peas a few years ago I was decidedly destroyed.)

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Soul food: I am signed up to begin a monthly women's seminar in January that focuses on the spiritual life cycle of a woman. I am super thrilled about it and can't wait. Think of it as a place to learn all about yourself. How cool is that? There are sections on self esteem, clearing out old blockages from past negative experiences, appreciating yourself, exploring your life's goals. Sound like therapy? Well, I guess it kind of is, the leader is actually a licensed clinical therapist. Ain't no shame in that game. I can't wait to tell you about it next year.

Anywho, now that my show is up and running. I can begin to commit fully to exercise again. I have to admit, I've had three weeks without a proper work out. I've hung in there with some maintainance: arms circles, leg lifts, good eating, but as far as solid workouts, I was so insanely busy with work and the show that sleep was actually the healthier choice. I remedied all of that Sunday with a nice workout on the elliptical finished off with some good belly blasting leg lifts. I am so happy to be on track and thrilled that I was not winded or exhausted. Phew! I am so happy to be back on the work out track and continuing to tone up!!!

I hope all of you are well, and know that I'll be right here with you as we head into high holiday season and all the food temptations it will bring! We will survive!