60:00

Phooey.

I thought I could do it. I thought I could magically ease up on the workouts and my body would not be the wiser. Wrong-O. 

There are people who can get away with exercising for only 30 minutes a day. I am not one of them. I need that full hour to keep everything working like a well-oiled machine. And while I have known this all along, apparently it wasn't enough helpful information to keep me motivated. So for about ten months I have taken the easy path - just floating along through various half hour workouts. Each month that passed has brought with it discomfort and disappointment. Granted, 30 minutes is better than zero minutes and it does keep me healthy - but still is not quite enough to keep me happy. And while I continue to eat "clean" during the week and have treats on the weekend, that is only half the battle. The other half is what I consider, the hard part.

So I decided that today would be the day. I was all fired up last night just thinking about it. I woke up very early and was on the treadmill by 6:30. When the display read 60:00 I felt fantastic. For me, getting over the hump of 35 minutes is the hardest. It's not fatigue, it's boredom. Thank goodness for the ipod. I pretty much DJ my way through life and make no exceptions when exercising. Music always keeps me going. It doesn't have to be powerful and upbeat all the time - it just has to keep my mind enchanted and distracted. 

I feel so much better just knowing that I am back on the right track - the ONLY track I should be taking. The benefits are endless and it just takes a week to see results. It isn't all about losing weight, it's more about being comfortable and mentally satisfied. I can tell you from personal experience that if you are feeling unhappy, miserable, blah and in a funk - exercise will always help. When you start treating yourself better - you reap all sorts of benefits. Those little endorphins are no joke...

sweet treat ...

Summer is SO on it's way out but it still has a little heatwave left in it. I found this recipe in a magazine and tried it out over the weekend. It's a much lighter take on Frozen Hot Chocolate. This version has only 150 calories and virtually no fat. 

 

- 1/2 cup chocolate syrup

- 1 cup fat-free evaporated milk

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 3 cups ice cubes

- Garnish with reduced-fat whipped topping and/or dark chocolate sprinkles or shavings

1. Combine chocolate syrup, evaporated milk, vanilla and ice in a blender until smooth. 

2. Pour into glasses and garnish as you wish. 

Variations: 

Mexican Hot Chocolate: Add 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Substitute 1/4 tsp mint extract for the vanilla extract.

Drizzle

I am so completely in love with a rainy day. When I saw the forecast on Friday predicting a sloppy Sunday I was beyond excited. I have been saying for weeks that I've been dying for a nice, rainy day. Well I can die no more. Yesterday was glorious. I was finally able to shut off my central air and open every window and door in the house. My curtains were waving in the breeze with thanks. For an added seasonal twist I lit a pumpkin spice candle. I may be rushing the start of Fall just a bit but the cool, damp air would have had anyone fooled. I actually had to put on fleece pants and long sleeves midday. This wonderful treat-day started off with me in the kitchen prepping a big, fat crock pot full of spicy Turkey Chili. (Spicy is putting it mildly - pun intended).

It is so great when you don't have any plans for the day and are able to just unplug and unwind doing whatever you want. Gregg and I chose the same to-do list: breakfast sandwiches, a workout, watching a movie and playing some PS3. We ended the day with fire-mouth chili and cool-down bowls of ice cream. Heaven.

Heading to bed, we both compared the bedroom to different memories we separately held. The breezy dampness reminded me of a beach house while he thought of his old camping trips. The sheets were so cold and everything felt bizarre. It was perfect sleeping weather. In fact, I had to get up at 5 am and shut the ceiling fan off - the screened windows were giving me all the chill that I needed.

When I pulled up the shades this morning I was more than pleased to find yesterday's puddles being fertilized by today's heavy drizzle. The sky remained a gloomy blend of white and gray. It energized me. Much like the vitamin D that a sunny day has to offer. I again lit my Autumn scented candle and pried my windows open further. Still clad in my fleece, I decided to make a pot of cinnamon infused coffee. I was going the distance.

This day has been lovely but doesn't compare to days that I can spend at home with my soul mate of a husband. While I enjoyed catching up on some of my DVR'd shows and magazines, journal entries, essay writing and even a little Tiger Woods (man, I really need to improve my short game) ... I would have rather spent this "me time" with Gregg. I am thankful for the weather just the same. As far as I am concerned gray is just as good as blue. And clouds are just as welcome as the sunshine. So don't leave on my account, low pressure. You're always a friend of mine.