Happy start again Monday

It's been dark over here for awhile, and for good reason. I wasn't in a great place in the early part of the year, and it took some semi-major changes to start feeling like a person again. I won't go into details quite yet, so I'll just say that I'm feeling 500x better than I have in about a year.

Part of what brings me happiness (and happy hormones) is working out. I'm not in any kind of killer shape at the moment, and when I do work out, I haven't been pushing myself as hard as I know I should. I tend to perform the best when my training is planned to the minute, vs. just hopping on a treadmill and hoping for the best. So today I tried this:

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I was able to eek out an extra half mile in the same amount of time compared to last week when I was freestyling my run. The time also seemed to go by waaaaay faster because I was focused on reaching the next interval only a minute or two away, instead of thinking "29 minutes left... 28 minutes left.." and so on.

I wrapped up with some light upper body strength training, again courtesy of a 10 minute video vs. a Morgan freestyle. A healthy breakfast and coffee later (AND back to the blog!!) and I feel like I'm off to a good start for the week.

Goal tonight: do another mini-sweat session, and then mediate. More on that later ;)

Take the money and run

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I don't like knowing that if we sell our house, cars, and stuff, we could easily run away to Thailand or be nomads for a long time. Every day seems to be an exercise in "just hang in there" lately. I know that the longer we wait and save and plan, the better it will be while we're gone, but five years (current timeline) seems like an eternity.

Until then, I desperately need to start taking my own advice. 

Happy to spring forward Monday

A summer walk in the PNW

I love, love, love that time of year when the clocks jump ahead, and all of a sudden my days get a whole lot brighter. It's been tough adjusting to the schedule at my new(ish) job, especially during the winter. I'm usually in the office until at least 6 PM every day, which usually means spending nearly the whole week without daylight. 

The last couple weeks have been STRESSFUL (hence my absence!), but I have to say, walking out after a long, hard day to sunshine is amazing. What's even better is the walk around the neighborhood my husband and I had a chance to take with our dogs who are just as wound up as we are. 

It's only March, so we have a long way to go before the good stuff (HEAT!!) comes in the summer, but the timing of this daylight savings time business was just about perfect to keep me moving.

Decision time

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I need to get a trip on the books. We've hit that dreary time of year where it's still dark and cold, and summer is still so, so far away. Especially up here in the PNW.

"Beach. Sun. Heat. Beach. Sun. Heat," says my brain. Over and over and over.

My short-list:

• Thailand - I'd have to wait until the end of the year until my vacation builds up and husband can join. Not sure I'll make it!
• Belize - beaches and jungles. 
• Costa Rica - surfing and yoga?
• Southwest US - possibly with a girlfriend, which could be fun. 

Husband just started a new job, so I may be looking at another solo trip. I've (sort-of) traveled solo before, and it's really nice to be able to have real "ME" time, whether it's sit on a beach for hours, explore a new town, or read by a pool. If I'm going to jet off by myself, I might spring for one of those rah rah girl-time yoga and surf camps in Central America. I've always wanted to be great at both, and what better way to learn than with (hopefully new!) friends some place new and beautiful. 

This weekend's goal is to have a place picked! Stay tuned!

Choose to be happy Monday

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I'm happy today because I'm one day closer to all of the great things I'm looking forward to and working towards. Today may not amount to much by itself, but what I accomplish day and tomorrow and the day after that and the day after that means that my progress bars are moving.

Have a good day, and think big picture, kids.

Listen to your eating disorder..

..and then do the opposite.

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It's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. This blog plays a small part in my personal recovery, and as someone who been pulled in and out of the destructive mental mind game that is bulimia for the past five years, I can say with certainty that the general public's perception of eating disorders is.. disordered. 

For those of you who know someone close to you with an eating disorder- take some time to educate yourself about the best ways to help. 

I'm in a better place at the moment, but I wouldn't say that I'm recovered. I'm not the best person say that if you do X, Y, Z you'll get past it like I did. Because I haven't yet. 

But I'm getting there.

Why am I so awkward?

WARNING:

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Is a platonic girlfriend finder for girls a thing? If yes, then..

1. That is SUCH a sad thing

2. How do I sign up?

It's been just about three years since I walked away from a really fun group of girlfriends that was unfortunately split by some unfortunate drama. I was basically just a bystander during that tumultuous time, but the experience was exhausting and things were never the same. I made up a reason to take a break and haven't been back since. I still have a few girlfriends, but our lives all seem to be so very different now, we are physically far away from each other, and I see us growing farther apart as time goes on. 

I've finally learned to say no to the things that always felt like "no choice," because everything is a choice and few things are actually obligations. I'm a lifelong introvert and savor the abundance of me-time when I'm not at work. Lately though, I miss have more choices and things to say yes to, particularly when it comes to relationships with other people. 

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Maybe it's not just me. Seattle has a reputation apparently..