Hello weigh-in Wednesday!  First off- my body is not giving me a “get out of jail free card” on my weekend calorie increases.  I am at 150 STILL.  However, this is the week…I can feel it!  I really believe by next Sunday’s weigh-in, I will be saying bye-bye 150’s!

Also, this morning I measured my waist circumference and it was at 37 inches.  When I began this process in January, my waist circumference was at 38, so it is down one inch.  I was hoping for a greater reduction by now.  When I was in high school my waist was smaller even in the 140’s.  Fast forward nineteen years and four kids and my body is in all different areas and I would not classify any of these “updates” as improvements! 

I really cannot complain though…this life is good and I am happy to have this body.  I have to make it the best I can- it is the only one I’ve got!  Speaking of physical happiness, I have enjoyed running this week.  I got up and ran each weekday so far this week.  This morning I was running past a local high school (HS) and the track lights were on at 6:00 am.  I was running past when I noticed I was running parallel to a group of boys obviously doing warm up laps or working a certain technique at a slow pace.  I was on the sidewalk looking at them and one of the boys waved at me.  I waved back as runners often do when they see others. It took me back to a conversation I once had with a HS track coach.  He had told me that he loved it (coaching HS track) and he really felt he gave the kids something of value they can use their whole life versus football or other team sports.  This conversation took place after he finished a ten mile Saturday morning run.  He said other sports can end after HS, but not running.  It is something you can continue to work at and enjoy well into your adult life as he obviously had.

I often think of what that coach said.  The thing is…for myself and a number of other runners I know, we did not actually begin to enjoy running until our thirties.  Running in HS was a chore that I had a love hate relationship with- heavy on the hate, light on the love (much like food).  Now that I am in my mid-thirties I have a much healthier relationship with both running and food.  It really did all start though when I was in HS.  So this morning I felt like I was witnessing some of the magic that helps shape young people.  Young kids pulled themselves out of bed for a 6am track practice and that could not be all happiness for them!  But their relationship with exercise has begun and it looks like they are off to a great start!  I was so moved this morning, I yelled “Keep up the good work” as I ran past.  No doubt if they did hear me beyond their ear buds, then they probably won’t grasp what I was saying.  I was saying- your whole life you will be working at this…dragging yourself out of bed for some physical exertion.  What they really don’t know is how much easier, enjoyable, and successful it can be if they keep it up; and I really hope they do. 

As for food today, it is fasting Wednesday.  So I have made a pot of beans (baked beans with molasses) for dinner.  I am going to make a side of rice to go with it and salad.  So since that is my only meal, I should be find on calories…I just hope I can keep my portions in control.  I get pretty hungry by the end of the day; especially when I have to prepare three meals for other people.  It is a form of low-grade torture for sure.  But the season of Lent is almost over, and Wednesdays will be like any other day of dietary challenges soon.  In the meantime, I am sure looking forward to dinner!