I saw David today and had a LONG conversation/discussion about my question from yesterday, “Why am I delaying the inevitable?” I left my session feeling extremely validated. I told him I felt like I was doing the work on my own that we do together; I was taking time to think about the bigger questions and answering them honestly, not stopping until my gut feeling was peaceful with my responses. It was nice to talk about my process and not totally focus on the issue. It was even nicer to know that my process is valid and truthful and helpful. We are all looking for validation in some way every day. We want to know that we are doing things right or making the best decisions or wearing the cutest shoes of the season…validation can be a great motivator. It lets us know that we are on the right track…that we are doing something positive…and that our feelings and insights matter. It also lets us know that we are still sane 🙂 No one wants to be crazy.

I am feeling more motivated today than I was yesterday. I was on plan today 100%. I have not been able to say that in a long time. I am still hungry and sick of 30/10 food but I turned down all temptations today and am feeling good about my decisions. Tomorrow is my weight in and my goal is to be down 3 pounds from last week. I stepped on the scale this morning and weighted exactly the same as I did last week. I might not meet my goal this week but I know why- I was not dedicated to the plan. Tomorrow starts a new week of dedication. I even told my Grandma that no dessert was necessary at their house on Sunday…she asked if I was sure 3 times. I said YES I was sure 3 times 🙂

I had a nice practice today at yoga and had the most wonderful treat as I was walking out of the hot room. I scoped up a seat on a bench in the foyer without looking at who was sitting to either side and was overjoyed to find a work colleague sitting right next to me!  She has practiced before but her busy life and health has prevented her from practicing lately. She was recently given that all clear from her doctor to pick up practice again and she was going to do it at MY studio! I am thrilled. I really enjoy my friend…we have a lot in common without having a lot in common. What I told her is that I am most excited about spending time with her in a situation that does not involve drinking. That statement kinda shocked me when I realized that I had said it but it is kinda true. This requires a preference: I LOVE DRINKING! I enjoy discovering new cocktails….girls nights…wine tasting adventures…good old fashioned weekends of lounging on the dock and enjoying our newest booze creation at the Lake. But these occurrences have turned into a rarity for me and I am ok with that. Being a teacher…Happy Hours are QUITE common. The job is beyond stressful and sometimes the only people you can talk about the stresses with are your fellow teachers. Some Friday’s margaritas are the only thing that keep you from falling into a deep dark depression. Sometimes I feel like I am missing out on my teacher time only because I dont want to put myself in a situation where it is hard to say no. And when I drink I can drink a ton without feeling much of anything. Genetics…I have the alcohol metabolism rate of accordion player in a Bavarian folks band. So its a catch-22…I miss my teacher friends and bitching about everything their is to bitch about in education but I have just not found the avenue to do that yet without it involving drinking ALL the time. That is until tonight!!! Ahhhhh yoga….I knew there was more too it than just stretching!

Dinner tonight included a new creation that I am quite thrilled with! I’m calling in “Spinach Sauté'”…Grady called it “Yummy”. It’s NOT a salad, is 100% on plan, and gets in your green and veggie requirements for the mea; TRIPLE BOUNS!

Spinach Saute’

• 3-4 cups baby spinach
• 1 large white or sweet onion, chopped so that you have long pieces
• 2 cups sliced mushrooms
• 1-2 tablespoons of garlic from a squeeze tube- sounds weird I know but it makes the dish creamy (We like garlic so adjust to your preference)
• 1 tablespoons of Basil from a squeeze tube- it seriously makes it creamy
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Pinch of salt

1. Dump in your 2 tablespoons of olive oil and salt in a LARGE skillet and turn that baby on to medium!
2. Chop your onion and place it the skillet. Add in your mushrooms, garlic and basil and mix it all up. Let that bad boy cook away for about 6-10 minutes- until the onion gets a little soft. Continue to stir and mix as its cooking.
3. Add in your spinach and saute’ for just 1-2 minutes…until the spinach leaves start to wilt.
4. Remove from the heat, let cool a bit and enjoy! If you want to get REAL fancy cut up some cooked sausage or chicken breast and throw that in the mix! 

It was seriously delicious….and a NICE break from nightly salad. Next time I make it I will post some pictures of the process AND the squeeze tubes of garlic and basil! 🙂

So I hope tomorrow shows some releasing on the scale. If it does not I can at least say I have released some anxiety about getting back on plan and am feeling better and better about the whole thing. I am really trying to approach the inevitable here…