spooky

I agree with Presea on the sleep aspect of your challenge, pick the first domino. Sometimes when I try to control too many moving pieces I end up controlling nothing. Maybe a book before bed instead of a screen?

Week 5 Day 1 Daily Template: Exercise: Pilates at 2pm Meditation: 7 minutes complete, will do more later Writing: worked on essay Water: .5L Mindful Eating: low-fat greek yogurt with1/2 scoop protein powder, pomegranate seeds, frozen raspberries, 1/2 banana, 1tsp honey, and 2 tbsp chia seeds Today's inspiration: "Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you." -Aldous Huxley "When a thing is done, it's done. Don't look back. Look forward to your next objective."-George C. Marshall

Thanks! I'd like to do a little better on my food choices but it's better than before I started the challenge and that's the important part The truffles are so good. The only issue I had with making them is that I left them in the fridge too long. They were too solid to scoop into balls . I used a metal bowl so I blasted them with a hair dryer for ~15 seconds

Inventory: Exercise: 50 min weight training, 15 min cardio (7/7) A Meditation: 40 minutes (6/7) B+ Writing: Not yet, will do this next Water: 1.5L down Food: Omelette (2 eggs, 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, 1 shallot, 1 cup kale/chard/spinach mix, 1/2 tomato on the vine, 1 nectarine, 1 snicker-doodle, 3 hershey's mini chocolate bars ( ), 1 whole dill pickle

Hi Heidi! I'm new-ish around here but just wanted to say that you're a huge inspiration to me, especially the way you move with grace under pressure. Keep being your awesome self . I'm a big fan of Pilates, my mom is a certified Pilates trainer (I'm her guinea pig) who specializes in therapeutic techniques. One amazing (and super easy) ways to stretch out your lower back is to put a small squishy rubber ball (about 2.5-5 inches in diameter will work, I linked a couple examples) right in the curve of your lower back then rock your knees up and down. Knees should stay together, the rocking puts different amounts of pressure on your lower back and forces your spine into alignment. It will open up your chest and lower back. After that you can do a butterfly/buddha stretch (feet together, knees out on the floor to either side) with the ball still under your sacrum. Just sit there for a little while while the ball opens up your back and chest. Make sure that you're bringing your shoulder blades down from your ears, it will help with keeping the correct neutral spine posture. If this helps I'm happy to ask my mom for more therapeutic Pilates exercises. Happy Mother's Day to an awesome mom!

Update: Exercise: Yes, C25K (6/7) Meditation: 10 min complete (6/7) Writing: Yes, worked on essay, will do more after meditating Water: 1.25L down Mindful Eating: yogurt with berries and chia seeds, pepperoni 1oz, 1 avocado chocolate truffle (spoiler they're amazing) 1/2 snickerdoodle, 2 hard boiled eggs, 1 minneola, 2 kosher dill halves The avocado truffles are definitely all that and more. Amazing melt in your mouth goodness. I used 99% dark chocolate and 2 tbsp brown sugar. Seriously they are so easy and delicious. I could go on about them for pages. Made more snickerdoodles and savory cheddar/green onion scones.

Thanks! I think I'm doing each week twice for personal pacing reasons.

aaaaaaand C25K week 2 complete! Thanks Iggy for pushing me to do what I needed to! I feel so good after a run, it really loosens up my neck. I also did a little speedwork on the last interval, up from 4.1mph to 4.6mph. Yay for pushing myself!

They sound out of place but they actually taste great in salad. It was somewhat based off of this recipe. You could sub dried fruit, mandarin oranges, or just leave them out. I just love strawberries so I'll eat them in anything haha. The dressing is my go-to dressing, it also makes a great marinade for chicken/pork/whatevermeat.

You are so right! I'll do the previous week instead, thanks so much for the perspective and support!

Have you tried steak in salad? I have a recipe I love: 4-5oz steak (thinly sliced) 1/2 cup strawberries 1/4 cup minced red onion 1/2 cup sliced carrots ( I use a mandolin for thin slices) 2-3 cups spinach+greens mix 2 tbsp grated parmesan, lemon-lime vinaigrette (3:1 ratio of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, splash of lemon juice, splash of lime juice, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, dash of seasoned salt, dash of fresh ground pepper) optional: sliver almonds (or any kind of nut that you like) It's an utterly decadent salad. Maybe something to try next time Great job on the challenge so far! You are rocking it!

Morning Inventory: Exercise: not yet, I'm so tired from cooking all day yesterday. Might have to skip C25K and just walk. I'll see how I feel in an hour or so Meditation: not yet Writing: Started work on the essay for today Food: low-fat greek yogurt, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 scoop unflavored protein powder, 2 tbsp chia seeds, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 cup frozen raspberries, 1 tbsp honey. This ends up being 2-3 servings. It's delicious and decadent. I get so full so fast and end up saving at least half for later. The frozen berries work well in it, but they need some time to thaw. Wish I'd grabbed the full-fat yogurt but oh well. Water: 1 cup of tea Daily inspiration: "Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit." -e. e. Cummings "The power of imagination makes us infinite." -John Muir "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot

When I move back to CT for school it may be more of an option . One of my favorite parts about cooking is sharing food with people, it's good for the soul . I'm going to make the truffles today, I'll let you know how they turn out! Also another recipe I want to try is http://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-spiced-lentil-sweet-potato-and-kale-whole-wheat-pockets-181100 they would be super great to have in the freezer if I need a healthy meal but am pressed for time/on the go.

Note to self, I want to make these: http://apple-of-my-eye.com/2013/08/06/dark-chocolate-avocado-truffles/

If you lived closer I'd invite you to dinner

Thanks! I've had a lot of practice . My parents don't like to cook so I taught myself. I really enjoy it, even though I'm exhausted after all day lasagna prep. I'm stocking the freezer for my parents for when I go back to school

Ragu for the lasagna is in progress. Need to roll out the pasta dough and make the béchamel. I also got a whole chicken and I'm going to roast it. Walked on the treadmill for 20 minutes, worked on my paper, meditated for ~5 minutes (would like to do more later). I'm going to sleep well tonight.

Morning Check-In SO PROUD OF MYSELF. Dealt with annoying/aggravating insurance calls first thing today. Got them to admit they should have covered certain doctors visits and they are sending a substantial refund check. Great start to the weekend. There are more appointments we should be re-imbursed for but this is a great start. Going to make Lasagna Bolognese to celebrate! And do all my other stuff too! I forced myself to do something onerous with a good result. Major Win. Other stuff: Exercise: Walking and Yoga. Going to take Jenn's suggestion and do some Hatha yoga. Meditation: Not yet Writing: Next thing to start on Food: 1 smoothie (1 cup milk, raspberries, strawberries, pineapple, mango, banana 1 scoop protein powder) Water: .25L

Afternoon Update Exercise: 30 minutes, C25K complete Meditation: 30 minutes, complete Writing: Worked on essay, would like to do some more today. Water: 1 L down Mindful eating: So far so good. Therapy was good.

Hey, I know this doesn't help right now but it does get better. Treating depression is a long road, like weight loss there is no instant fix. It has taken two years for me to get to the point where sadness doesn't overwhelm me the second I wake up. The best thing I did was accept that I was sad, that fixing it was going to suck, but that I had to start somewhere. That was the hardest part. You are worth the time and effort, you are worth your own love and support NO MATTER WHAT. That will always be true. What changes is if you believe it or not. If moments of happiness can be fleeting so can moments of sadness. The key is discovering the mechanism. For me it was learning to take care of myself like I did others. That self-care became self-respect, I respect myself for taking time everyday to show myself I care about myself by meditating, exercising and eating healthy. I know you'll figure out what it is for you. It may very well be the same things; meditation and exercise are just as effective at treating depression as medication. You are on the right path you just need to continue your journey. I am here to support and help if you need it. Please don't hesitate to contact me, I understand some of what you're going through. Happiness is built from the inside out.

I agree with petefeet about the self awareness. Recognition is the biggest step to changing something. Also as someone who does work out every day I will tell you that when I started exercising I started with one day a week. Then two. Then three. Gradually increased it to every day and now it doesn't feel like work to make myself exercise. Let the habit creep up on you. Think manageable rather than aspirational and then go from there. We all need to start somewhere.

Today's template Exercise: C25K Meditation: Writing: Food: chocolate greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds, strawberries, raspberries and protein powder Bonus: Double therapy day- 12:30-1 psychiatrist, 2-3 therapy

Inspiration for the day In harmony with the Tao, the sky is clear and spacious, the earth is solid and full, all creatures flourish together, content with the way they are, endlessly repeating themselves, endlessly renewed. When man interferes with the Tao, the sky becomes filthy, the earth becomes depleted, the equilibrium crumbles, creatures become extinct. The Master views the parts with compassion, because he understands the whole. His constant practice is humility. He doesn't glitter like a jewel but lets himself be shaped by the Tao, as rugged and common as stone. Quotes of the day: "Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you." -Walt Whitman "We must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is waiting for us."-Joseph Campbell

Yes this is it exactly! I'm starting to get the difference between wanting food, and needing it. Food is becoming fuel rather than feelings. I struggled with an eating disorder for several years and it's amazing to watch my attitude towards food transform as I take care of myself in other ways (exercise, meditation). Mind, Body and Soul fitness it what my challenge is about. It's been empowering to discover I don't need food as an emotional salve.