Ups, and my First Down

First, a quote from my mother.

"Berries are like God's little gift to us." -my mom, regarding the wonders of berries and how they can be so sweet, low sugar, low calorie, and high in vitamins/minerals/antioxidants, etc. They are really just awesome.

Next on the agenda, bad news. I failed yesterday. I went to a fancy grocery store with a friend of mine yesterday and purchased (and subsequently ate) a red velvet cupcake loaded with cream cheese icing. The resulting stomach ache was both from guilt and poor nutrition. Old habits are hard to break, but they MUST be broken. I also purchased some chocolates that are now hiding in my closet. I have had one. I felt the guilt of buying those, too, but since I did anyway and I hate wasting food, I'm hiding them for when I really need something sweet, and can budget it in my caloric intake for the day. They are a test for me. Today, I pass.

Now for good news!! 

The guilt of yesterday was rather empowering today, luckily. I woke up and exercised for the fourth consecutive morning, went to work, and cleaned and painted some floors. Yes. Active, enjoyable work (note:  not glamorous.) I went to the break room to get some water, when I noticed the two huge boxes of fresh Krispy Kremes. One of the contractors brings them in once a week, and I usually have one, wait till everyone else leaves, then have two more. While I was in the room, I wanted one more than anything else, but then I remembered. Probably by looking at my gut. I don't need the sugar, I only want it because it's free and in my face. I RESISTED!!

Success #2 for today. On my commute home, which lasts five minutes when traffic is bad, I contemplated my snack. I was hungry. I had been four hours since food touched my stomach, so it wasn't surprising I was hungry. I came home, downed a glass of water (I've been having about 10 a day, maybe more), then went to prep the snack. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. All of them fresh and so very sweet. I topped them, just for a touch of added decadence, with some fat free Redi Whip (which, by the way, is delicious and 2.5 cal/tbsp.) The snack was as yummy and filling as it was beautiful. I think I may repeat it tomorrow.

Exercising. I never, EVER thought I'd say this, but each morning, I honestly can't wait to do it, and when I come home from work each night, I want to exercise some more! Who am I? I've always been the lazy, pudgy (now technically obese) one. I ran up the stairs at work today! I am energetic, I am happy, I am better rested, I have a more reasonable sleeping schedule, my stomach has stopped hurting every time I eat, and I actually feel stronger and I get better at the workout each day, noticeably. Why on Earth did I never do this before? I can't wait to get back up to school where it's cooler and less humid so I can start my Couch to 5K program, to train for the 8K I want to run in the spring.

I hope tomorrow is as satisfying as today was, because I am pretty ecstatic just to be alive right now!