Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Comparisons- good or bad...

Theodore Roosevelt is attributed to the following quote: "Comparison is the thief of joy." When I started looking at pins on pinterest about comparison I kept coming up with the quote as well as this take on it.



While it's so true- that when we compare ourselves to others- we are stealing our joy because we often see things in others that cause us to talk negative about ourselves, look down on ourselves, and even worse- lead us to say things about others that shouldn't be said. 

I have been guilty of this myself- especially recently.  Too often, I look at my runner friends who are scoring huge PR's (personal records for the uninitiated), lean and trim runner bodies, and just an all around confidence that I don't seem to have.    But, it doesn't just stop at my runner friends- it also spills over into the teacher side of things.  I'm going to be honest- nothing bugs me more than when people gloat about their scores- it may be a subtle thing- but it just really bothers me.  I may not be the best, or strongest teacher in the world, but I give it my best- day in and day out- so to be looked down upon by someone who might have scored a "5" causes a lot of angst in my heart.  Especially, when by state standards I am a "rock solid" teacher at a 3- I am meeting my expectations and in some cases am above.  I keep coming back to this pin I saw

Source: google.com via Tami on Pinterest


The mirror that's where I need to look- but unfortunately there's one more place for comparison- and that's society.  It's sometimes hard to accept that I am built the way I am when I am surrounded by images- both of celebrities and "real" people who are considered "pretty" by society's standards- because I am not- I know this- and I accept this but it doesn't make it any easier.  My blog friend Abby wrote this post that really opened my eyes and showed me that even they "need" (not really but you know what I mean) help to look "good".  The following verse has been my source of comfort these last few weeks:


I know this post is long and I have two more things to share- one is another pin that I found tonight that is PERFECT and the other is a song that kind of led to this post.



and the song

Monday, May 27, 2013

Race Recap, Review and Giveaway

School is OVER!  Yes, I am shouting- my plans this summer include quite a bit of running, quite a bit of reading and studying my nutrition school info.  The last few weeks were eh... not a lot of running or exercise.  I even commented to my assistant principal that that was something I struggle with- making time to exercise and he agreed with me- it's tough.  Between meetings, after school events, and working in the room- it just didn't happen.  BUT, school is over and now I can pick back up again with renewed focus.  The first event of the summer was immediate!  Saturday was our local track club's expo- they host a 10K and a 5K.  I originally planned to do the 10K but with the lack of training I just didn't feel comfortable with it so switched to the 5K.  I then spent the rest of the week kicking myself for not even trying... until I hit the branch-off.  At that point I knew I made the right choice.  The weather was a cool- a bit brisk for the end of May- upper 40's but it quickly warmed up.  The weather was just gorgeous- it was the first non-rainy Saturday in quite a while.

Rather than rehashing it- I'll just copy what I put n FB: Today was the first "real" run- longer than 2 miles- since May 4th. I struggled getting going (my quads felt like lead weights) but I did finish what I started out to accomplish. I ended up finishing 10th in my age group (out of 24) and 251/415 in the 5K. My chip time ended up being 35:21. Not my best but considering how I felt, the lack of running time these last few weeks, the physical and mental exhaustion I have been dealing with, and the chill in the air- I'll take it. And the lesson I have learned- running should not be the thing that I give up in those last few weeks of school- that will NOT happen next year. Oh, and second lesson- time to kick it up...

Now, for that review and giveaway- a few weeks ago I contacted pro compression and asked them if I could do a review and a giveaway- they agreed to provide a pair for review and today was the first run that I used them.  They were AWESOME- see, my quads were so dead the first mile or two, but my calves felt GREAT.  No soreness, no pain, they felt strong.  I loved the socks and hope to order some in the future.  Now, if someone would just invent a full leg compression sleeve I would have loved to run on Saturday.  

ETA: I also wore these a few weeks ago with jeans- since I am on my feet all day- other than my feet being hot (which they always are) my legs felt great after the day of wearing them.  I am a believer :)

My answer to the blog comment question- chevron or polka dots in white and fun, bright colors!  Check out the rafflecopter below to win

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

It's Coming (aka the end is in sight)



This is all- I'm holding on to this truth right now! :) 

Seriously though- I have the rest of this week and next.  Hopefully after this weekend I'll be back in a normal routine because I haven't run in almost 2 weeks, haven't consistently exercised in almost 2 weeks, and I am just bleh right now. 

Sunday, May 12, 2013

A Special Day


I'll be honest, I almost didn't write this post- don't get me wrong- I LOVE my mom.  She is my support, my friend, and everything that I would want to be if I were a mom- and therein lies the reason why I almost didn't write this post.  I am not a mom- that's the bottom line- it takes nothing away from my love for my mom but knowing that I am not at the place where I thought I would be at almost 38 (yes, dad I'll say it) is a little bit heartbreaking.  And yet, as heartbreaking as it is, I know that God's plan is better for me.  Through the death of that dream- because yes, as the years tick by that dream is dying a fast death- I am learning to depend on God, I'm learning that I have to let go of what I envision and just trust that as the tears fall He is sovereign.




You might say- well, you are a teacher so that means in some way you are a mom- yes, in some way I am (and I do get called momma quite often by accident) but when a well-meaning parent says Happy Mother's Day to you at dismissal it leads to a little bit of heart sadness- because while for 5.5 hours I am momma, teacher, auntie, and everything else to those little ones- at the end of the day they, along with all other students, go home to their own families- while I go home to an empty house.

So, while I praise God for a mom who I LOVE with my whole heart, I'm learning to praise God for the aching to have something that I don't, I'm learning to praise God for trusting when it's the hardest, I'm learning to praise God when my heart breaks.  I'm learning- but I am not fully there yet.  So, to those who long for children (whether married or single) my heart feels you.  For those who long for their children (or mothers that they have lost), my heart aches for you.  For those who will have reminder after reminder tomorrow of those dreams that have died/are dying/struggling to hold on in the "mom world"- I will pray for you.



*I know this post has been a little bit disjointed- my heart is little achy tonight (I'm attributing it to the fact that my allergies- while they were clear at the beginning of the week have hit again at the end of the week and I'm just weary)

Friday, May 10, 2013

Food, Food, Food...

As I mentioned a few weeks ago I was selected as a Diet to go ambassador.  I gave a few of my food "issues" to them (no soy, no spinach and no nuts) and then waited anxiously for the box.  Once it was delivered I dove into it!  They ship the frozen/cold meals in a styrofoam cooler packed with dry ice.  It was shipped Fed-Ex on Monday and arrived on Wednesday.  Attached to it was a box that was packed with  carriers that had all kinds of other foods in them, specifically breads, crackers, and non-refrigerated juices.  There was a slight problem with my shipment (it included spinach- I can deal with the soy since that is in a lot of bread stuff- honestly I just steer clear of "meatless" meals and tofu but spinach is a huge no- especially when it's a good portion of it).  Anyway, they shipped another whole shipment to me asap and did what they could to make it right. 

Below are a sampling of the foods that I had in my package- some of the "loose" stuff (yogurt, muffins, and such were labeled to go with things but due to some of the days/times I was eating them I sort of broke up the packaging...  My thoughts on the specific meals will be under the picture.

The first meal I tried was the Stuffed Shells with cheese and carrots (it also had chocolate pudding with it but since I can't eat chocolate I can't tell you about it).


Verdict- I was impressed- it had the right amount of cheese and sauce and the carrots were cooked perfectly.  I'll be honest- I am NOT a fan of cooked carrots but these were really good.






 Turkey Barbecue Melts- these were also really good!  I loved them and was trying to figure out how to recreate them once I am no longer an ambassador...  As for the side, I "think" it was some kind of potatoes (and I honestly can't remember what I thought of them)



Now this- oh my- this was good too- I will admit that I am a fan of breakfast for dinner so this egg and broccoli pie was calling my name one night.  It was very cheesy (which I like) but this also had spinach in it.  Now, it was not as much so I ate 1/2-3/4 of it and then drank some extra water.  I think this is one of those meals that had a side to it (like applesauce or something of that nature). 





Whole Wheat bagel- I try to stay away from the wheat and gluten as much as possible but Saturday morning I was running a 5K and needed some fuel.  So, I toasted one of the bagels that was in my package, added a little sunbutter and went to town- it was really good and honestly, the perfect fuel!  I actually received two so on Sunday I used the other one as my "bread" for a turkey sandwich for my lunch (I was in a class all day for a life coach/holistic health consultant certification).  


Italian sausage potatoes (and maybe this was the rice pilaf dish- I honestly don't remember- I was having internet issues so the pics have been on my ipad for a week).  This was my least favorite out of all of those I tried.  I thought I would like it but I found that the taste was too strong- but I also don't like italian sausage on my pizza for the same reason :)  The potato and the cheese part were GREAT!  

My consensus- this program is GREAT for busy people.  The packaging of the black trays are both microwave and oven safe and there are directions for how to make the dishes in both types of ovens.  I chose conventional for mine!  I was able to stick it on a cookie sheet, cover with foil, set a timer and walk away.  Perfect for when I got home late.  I like how it comes packaged and that it can be mixed and matched if needed :)  They were willing to work with my dietary needs and I would LOVE for them to get to a place where they can offer a select your meal type of thing so that if I wanted a couple of meals from the Vegetarian menu I can do that, then a couple of traditional and a couple of low-carb.  Because of the various food issues I stuck with the traditional :)  And through this- I am already learning a few things about myself!

3 things to take note of:
  1. For a limited time only, Diet-to-Go is offering readers a 25% discount on their first week of meals. Simply plug in the coupon code "summer25" at check-out for 25% off your first orde
  2.  Be on the lookout for some fun Diet-to-Go opportunities- where you can win fun prizes including free meals!
  3. There is not a gluten-free option and a lot of the meals do incorporate bread of some sort.  
Oh, and I also tried a few other things but didn't get pictures- the muffins- cranberry orange- so good!  (and there was one other important thing I was going to share but I can't remember what it is at this point in time- LOL)  In the meantime make sure to like Diet to go on Facebook and twitter

Oh- I just remembered :) I am even planning on getting a small deep freezer because between the stuff I normally keep in the freezer and these meals I have no room!  :) (good problem to have because it means I am blessed!)  Thanks for sticking with me!

**I was provided meals by my ambassadorship through Diet to Go but all opinions/reviews are mine.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Wasted Week...Or Was It?



This was one of those weeks- if anything could have gone wrong- it did.  I was sick with sinus/allergy issues- headache, serious pressure, and my nose couldn't decide if it would run, stop up, or sneeze (and sometimes it was all 3)!  I also had "life" happen with my schedule, oh, and I forgot to mention the car issues- so much so I had to take a day off of work (at the busy time of year) in order to get it taken car of (thankfully it was covered under my extended warranty and it was only $100 instead of $400).  Anyway, with all of that there was absolutely NO training that went on- no running, no boot camp, no walking, absolutely NOTHING.  So that meant, when I went to run my 5K on Saturday morning (Run for the Deaf 5K) I was running on a week of no training so I went in with no expectations.  I figured I would use it as a training run and just take the time to enjoy the area (it's a beautiful neighborhood).  There was a horrendous hill at the end (it really wasn't THAT bad but to end a race...) and by the time I got to the hill I had absolutely nothing left in my legs- of course that's when you have to dig down and give a bit more ;)  When I crossed I looked at the 'gun time' and knew that I had done better than last week but was it enough (even though I knew that as long as I had done my best then it was enough)?  I finally got the official chip time late yesterday afternoon and was so excited to see that my time was 33:31.6!  That was a personal best for me and about 24 seconds faster than last week (on a tougher course)! 





So- lesson learned last week- sometimes, rest is good for a weary body and soul.  This was part of the 5 by the 5th and also number 9 out of 13 in my quest for 13 in 2013. 



Oh, and those for this week- not so much- no exercise, plus realizing that I need to not make a "can't have" statement (especially in a stressful week) means that the only other goal that I had was the only one that I met.  And that was to make some healthier choices (portion control, food choices, etc.  I did do much better with that!  So one out of three accomplished.  Hoping for a better week this week (even though schedule wise it will be just as crazy)...

Exercise Goal- Get some form of movement at least 5 out of 7 days (including completing my squats and plank challenge)
Healthy goal 1- Drink at least 80 oz. of water per day
Healthy goal 2- Due to my schedule I am going back to my 10:30 lights out bedtime (I have slacked off on this).