Gratitude, Day 9

I can go on for a good long while about how I’m looking forward to this school year.  I get to work in a school with a focused and enthusiastic staff – I just can’t wait!  I am going to spend the year working with a first grade student every day after school on reading – that is going to be fabulous!  My journey to health and wellness is ongoing and on track!

Today, I’ll be spending the afternoon with my grad school colleagues as we spend the week training for our reading practicum.  I’m so excited for this!  The practicum is our final course(s) requirement in our program and we are on our way to doing better by our students.  How lucky we are.

30 Days of Gratitude, Day 9: 1. Education  2. Books  3. Music

Go get’em, tigers!

Does Grad School NEED to Equal Weight Gain?

Originally Published April 28, 2012


First, I want to say that I have lost weight this semester.  Thank you, Medifast! 

Shortly after my first official attempt at losing weight, I started graduate school.  This was in the spring of 2001 and it was also just my second semester teaching.  For the first three months of the "diet" I was successful, had started spinning, lost just over 20 pounds and was feeling great!  Then, I started classes.  And gaining the weight back.  And adding more on.  By the end, I weighed more than I started before I started that "diet."

I am back in graduate school again - new degree & new weight-loss plan.  While my slip from round 1 of Medifast had nothing to do with grad school, the timing was a little too much for me to ignore.  So, I grabbed the bull by the horns and am now happily back on Medifast and down 12 pounds from where I was 12 days ago.  This morning I finished up my class for the semester.

As I was filling out my course evaluation, someone got up to get a donut from the "treat" table - we all signed up for a day so that there'd be some food in class every week.  Some days it was bagels and donuts and juice and cookies.  Some days it was a deli tray with veggies, sausage and cheese.  Some days there was fruit and vegetables.  But, we all know - most days it was bagels, donuts, juice, cookies, kringle and all sorts of sugar-laced tasty treats.  And the juice.  Juice boxes, juice pouches, fancy combo juices...you get the picture.

I sat at my table today with my bottle of iced green tea (which I made last night while strengthening my resolve against the treat table) and kindly ignored the table of bagels and donuts and cookies.  I had a bar in my bag if I decided I needed to eat something.  I was prepared.

I declared victory over the treat table this morning.  I had my coffee & MF cappucino this morning and my trusty Camelbak of green tea in class.  I planned, I prepared, I prevailed!

The past few weeks have been full of stress.  HOW would I finish my final project in time for the presentation?  HOW would I get my paper done before today?  HOW will I pay tuition for the next three semesters?  WHY am I putting myself through this?

I've found answers to all of these questions.  I've been logical and mature and made decisions that will allow me to continue to be successful.  

I didn't find the time in the bottom of a pint of Ben & Jerry's.  My paper was not hidden beneath a pile of Buffalo wings.  Tuition money is easier to scrape together if I'm not stopping at Starbucks, Dunkin' Donuts or the local frozen custard stand.  And, just as I am doing Medifast so that I can live a better and more fulfilling life that includes the things and people I love, I am in graduate school again so that I can live a better and more fulfilling life that includes the things and people I love.

Graduate school does NOT need to equal weight gain.  Stress does NOT need to equal weight gain.  Life does NOT need to equal weight gain.

We have the tools right in front of us to get everything we want out of our lives.  We just need to make that decision for ourselves and go after it like our lives depend upon it...because it does.

Go get 'em, tigers!

Week One Results

Originally Published April 23, 2012


Good Morning & Happy Monday, Friends!

I've been up for nearly two hours, have had my morning walk and my Hot Cocoa with Coconut Cream coffee.  Being up that early may not necessarily be my favorite thing, but the walk and the hot cocoa are right up this medifasting girl's alley.  Mmm mmm...yum!

So, I did my week one scale jump this morning.  And, I'm down 10.2 pounds.  I'd like to put that in flashing lights right here, but I'll save that for something better...like...GOAL!

Now, on to the rest of my regularly scheduled day: shower, drive to work, sing along to the radio and look like a lunatic in the morning commute, a wonderful day teaching 16-18 year-olds the fine art of literature, stairs and laps during my lunch hour, fly home to shower and change for an interview, back home for a tasty L&G of buffalo chicken over salad, and then a dvd to close out the day.

Okay...can I go back to bed now?

Have a fabulous Monday!!!

Go get 'em, tigers!

To Fly Over Hurdles

Originally Published January 18, 2012

Oh, how life has a way of keeping things interesting.  Well, in this case it's me shaking things up just a little bit more.

Yesterday I registered for my next grad class after taking the summer and fall semester off to deal with life.  Now, I'm ready to get my head back into the academic game - for myself, that is!

My class starts this Saturday.  Yep!  Saturday morning class.  Actually, this is a good thing.  I do much better in class when I'm refreshed and focused than after a long day teaching.

Of course, this Saturday was the day I was going to attend an open Crossfit class that is welcoming newcomers.  And, while my classes are biweekly, class will push two scheduled - and paid for - races off the calendar.  It may also force me to reschedule when I'll be doing my first half-marathon...fortunately, there are a number of those around the same time, so I can probably find one within a few weeks of when I was planning.

So, off I head to Amazon to order the books I need for class.  I think I'll need to get to the office store before Saturday...new school supplies are in order!

As I add another challenge to my plate, I'm committing to doing a small thing that will help keep me focused on the other challenges I'm already juggling...I will walk to class.  Okay, I live about a half mile from the college, but I think it's something that will keep me focused on balancing my priorities.

I just hope there's not a blizzard on Saturday!

Here's to flying over the hurdles along our path!

Sweet September

Originally published on September 1, 2011

In my parts it is the first day of school for most of my teacher friends and the children in my life.  Nevermind that I'm about to finish up my fifth week of teaching this school year.

I'm excited for September first because it's a fresh start for so many different things.  It's when our brains start preparing for autumn - my favorite season, the temperatures get a little more comfortable, the central air is off most of the time, and young minds are focused (most of the time) on learning new things.

This September first is special for a completely new reason.  My first Medifast order is coming TODAY!!! 

Yes, I've been following a modified version of the plan since Monday. Yes, weight has been coming off.  And, yes, I am prepared. 

Last night I reread some important plan information, connected with a few more people on the discussion boards, made a few more friends, followed a bunch of Medifast folks on twitter, added my health coach as a facebook friend, and planned my first week of Lean & Greens. 

Yes, the shopping list is ready - with a few important additions - and so am I!

In preparing for my first order and tomorrow being my first day of 5 & 1, I also shared my new journey with my three closest friends.  They have been by my side for many years, through many dating escapades, through a few apartments, through my almost-over marriage, and they all helped me move into my beautiful new flat two weeks ago.  They've been my cycling, running, swimming, triathlon pals over the years - my teaching partners, classmates, inspiration - they're my besties. 

I was a little concerned about how the reactions would go. WHAT was I thinking?

This is my favorite response...

"I was eating lunch Sunday at the Chicago Aquarium and watching the triathalon along the lake through the windows. One of my favorite thoughts of you is that one summer when you were constantly stripping down and jumping in Lake Michigan to swim. I never got to see it for myself, but the thought always makes me smile. I'm excited for you to be in a position where you can start moving that strong body of yours again."

I'm excited, too.