This was in my journal a year ago today when someone asked how I stay motivated. Wanted to put this in my journal here as a good way to start and as a reminder to myself.
When I need motivation I go right to the mirror and look myself in the eyes and ask myself how I want to live, eat and exist. I remind myself of all the ugly feelings out of control eating results in and I begin to reconfirm what I must do to achieve my goals. Take a minute and grab your own self by the shoulders and decide to stop overeating now because you choose above all else to be healthy.
????: South Beach Diet Forums http://www.southbeachdietbulletinboard.com/journal-your-way-thin/2215-world-wiley.html
I think this may be a healthy way to share my experiences with anyone who dares to read or lurk. For you see, I have been on a three and half years journey to healthy living. For most of my married life (sixteen years) I have been overweight and very focused on anything but healthy eating and exercise. I achieved success in many ways as a teacher, principal and college professor yet weight was always out of control. So on June 10th, 2005 I decided enough was enough and gave up eating sugar and white flour and began to exercise. I began playing tennis, paddle tennis and then began to run. Was up to 7/8 miles and faced some compulsive running behavior and plantar and Achilles issues. Headed to a yoga studio in my village that had heated power vinyasa. Took a class from Mary and could barely move for two weeks but somehow returned. It has been a haven ever since. Food continues to be a battle even after losing over 100 pounds. I am fit and healthy but some days I just want to eat Frito's and a diet coke! I don't but I do think about it. (and tiramisu and creme brule...) (Stolen from my blog but tells my tale)

Today I am playing paddle tennis at 11:30 and then power vinyasa at 4. This means that I stop eating two hours prior to yoga which is 2:00. Figuring out when to eat and what to eat prior to and after exercise becomes complex on double exercise days. Trying to eat my grain in the morning often makes me hungrier throughout the day. Hoping burning it off will help playing tennis and give me the energy I need. Need to fit a salad in between that and yoga. Took on a challenge of eating 5 fruits/veggies a day for the month of November. As always I am working it!!!!

Today I have a periodontal appointment and then advising undergrads on campus. Swim season officially starts today and this weekend I graduate and have family coming to join in the celebration. We have about 45 coming to a party after Commencement and I am hoping we planned everything well so that I can be a gracious graduate! Would love to find a hot dress to wear instead of the executive type look I had planned. May have to find a window to shop. Food is good altho ate more carbs than typical yesterday due to a double exercise day. Getting the fruit and veggies in is key to me feeling sated. Yoga or paddle tonight-not sure if I am subbing yet.

I've found with my crazy schedule over the past month or so and the increased yoga schedule that I'm eating more grains too. They just hold me better and it's easy to put some PB and agave on a piece of my fave Great Harvest blueberry walnut whole wheat bread and eat it in the car or on a break and it works well. No weight gain and several people have commented that I'm either looking more buff (the wife) or look like I'm losing weight, although I remain in the 177-180 range very consistently. So maybe I'm lowering my BF% or something? Whatever it is I've been avoiding the fall weight gain so far which is a good thing. But I think it's also the natural body cycle to want more carbs as we head into winter as storage for "hibernation" in our primal bodies/cells/mind.

Anyway, keep working it as always and enjoy the upcoming celebration and commencement!! You earned it!! So stop the worrying and enjoy it!! That's an order!! And ya know depending on the fantasy, the "executive type look" can be kinda hot too! It's just in what you project with it!!

Hmmmmmmm...as always Rox, great food for thought!

Power Vinyasa was great tonight. A full room and the electricity was apparent in our Ohhhhmmmmms! I love the collective energy that occurs through breath and motion. It must be very fulfilling to lead a class like that.

I think so too. Although I also think it's probably fulfilling to lead any kind of class for that matter! Finished up 8 days in a row tonight. Think I've got a day off coming tomorrow!

I took a day off after three days and played paddle on Day 4. Eight days is great!!!!Must be feeling strong and looking great!!!!

feeling better today. was pretty tired yesterday. tues nights are always late getting home from cleaning the studio down south. And last two Wed.'s I've volunteered in the morning as part of a karma yoga project at a city school mentoring and showing/demoing/teaching some yoga stuff. They like the inversions! So not a lot of sleep and yesterday I was dragging a bit.

Anyway, feels good to not even have it on my schedule today! hope you had a good one yourself!

You should take a teacher training. Just saying!