The “S” Word

I’m a numbers person. Always have been. Changing my lifestyle 2+ years ago and losing 30 lbs made me a bit more of a numbers person, for better or worse. As for many people, the scale became my friend and my enemy, depending on the day. It’s really hard to keep yourself from getting caught up in all the hubbub of working out, eating healthy, losing weight, etc. Especially if you’re one to read many blogs, follow people on Instagram, or just plain read magazines.

There’s the comparison trap; feeling the need to eat “perfectly” day in and day out, make sure you log enough miles at the gym, or lift heavy enough weights just so you can look like that other person. That person who posts their breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to Instagram many days.. and then you think, “if they ate it, why can’t I?<– One of my favorite posts!

Food Trap Comparison

Right, Giselle? 😉

You know this feeling, right?

I’m not the only one that gets in these funks, right?

When I was packing up my apartment in Baltimore with my mom, we grabbed a box for the bathroom and she pointed to the scale and said “don’t forget that.” Done. Packed up. Didn’t even give it any thought. Until later that night when I realized I would be scale-less for at least 6 weeks. Make that closer to 9 weeks by the time we get our stuff in our apartment..

A bit of panic set in knowing that I wouldn’t be knowing for quite some time. The last time I was scale-less for an extended period of time was 2 weeks on my honeymoon.. and that didn’t end so pretty! I have to admit that most days, I don’t even give it any thought. But I definitely have my days where I think about what it will say when I finally do see it again. After 6 weeks of living in a hotel and flipping my life and routine upside down, it scares me.

Sure, I’m having a hell of a time exploring this new city I’m in. Nathan and I can’t call ourselves foodies if we don’t take advantage of all of the incredible cuisine there is to offer here! And I’ve shared all of the amazingly wonderful salads I’ve found, but in reality, hotel living is not the healthiest way to go. Especially on a budget.

Kevins Quinoa Kale Butternut Squash Bowl Evolution Fresh

Ohh, Evolution Fresh. I wish I could eat your salads everyday!

What I don’t show you is the glass of wine that I’ve become accustomed to every night. Or the oatmeal raisin cookies that they give out with dinner that sometimes I just can’t say no to. Or maybe having so many options for breakfast everyday that I end up taking “just a little extra” because I can’t decide. And while this may not sound like I’m overdoing it, I often feel that way. Maybe it’s when I’m homesick, maybe it’s when I’m tired, maybe I just get frustrated for no reason, but sometimes it just. Freaking. Sucks.

I know, in the long run, I won’t look back at my experiences and think “damn, I really wish I didn’t eat that extra cookie or have that extra beer.” But I do know that sometimes I get caught up in the moment. And sometimes that moment is with the scale. And sometimes that moment with the scale is total shit. And writing this right now, I’m scared to have that shit moment in the near future. But I also need to remind myself of this..

And I need to focus on getting caught up in these moments..

Pacifica Beach

3 Generations

Melissa Poppy Me

Grandpa

Wedding First Dance Barr & Table

Because those are the moments that really matter.

And to be completely honest, I saw this post going somewhere else. But I’m happy with the turn of events.

Food for Thought

What are your thoughts on the scale?

I’m grateful for…

I have to admit, while I hoped to participate fully in Elf 4 Health, it’s been really tough. I’ve been doing so much running around over the past week looking for a place to live and any downtime that I have is spent searching for more places to visit or skyping with my family. Or doing both at the same time. That said, today’s Elf 4 Health challenge is to make a list of 20 things I’m grateful for. I just couldn’t skip this one.

  1. Skype. Maybe it seems weird that this is first on my list, but since moving across the country, I couldn’t be happier to have this technology. I talk to my parents on skype a few times a day and have been able to see the rest of my family and some friends.
  2. Jilly. Speaking of skype and the rest of my family, the baby is here!! I’m sad I wasn’t able to be at the hospital with everyone but I did, at the very least, get to see the baby girl when she was just hours old. She’s such a cute little nugget and I’m so incredibly happy for my brother and sister-in-law. They couldn’t be happier and I know they’re going to be amazing parents.

    Jilly

    Really, how perfectly adorable is that face?!

  3. Nathan. Obviously I’m a fan, but he’s been really great with this move. He has his job and is starting to create his routine while I’m trying to figure everything out. He couldn’t be more encouraging and supportive of me trying to figure out what I want to do with my life. Not to mention he knows how to make me smile and takes me on road trips to breweries!

    Oakland Farmers Market Blue Bottle Coffee

    Our first farmers’ market trip. Many more to come!

  4. My parents. To say they weren’t thrilled about the move is an understatement but they’ve been great. They put us up at their house for a few days before the move and the day after Thanksgiving, they woke up bright dark and early to take us to the airport. They have given all the support they can possibly muster up and I love em.

    3 Generations

    3 generations – baby girl, daddy, and grandpa.

  5. My grandparents. I got to skype with my maternal grandparents when they were at the hospital visiting Jilly and even though everyone was totally confused as to how to hold the iPad and what to do, it was great to see them so happy with their great grandbaby. And I know my grandfather on my dad’s side couldn’t be more excited to visit the new family soon!
  6. Jessie. She’s one of my best friends and knows what it’s like to move all over the country and away from family. She knows what homesick feels like and even though I was texting her last night at 10pm, I have to remember that it was 1am for her. Her texts may have been influenced by a bit of wine, but those are the best kind, right?

    Jessie Heavy Seas Ale House Baltimore Maryland MD

    Miss her.

  7. The gym. The hotel where we’re staying actually has a decent enough gym and my workouts are making me feel more normal. I like to pretend like I have some sort of routine 😉

    Hotel Fitness Center

    I can only use one machine at a time anyway..

  8. FREE FOOD! Our hotel has breakfast included everyday and dinner/drinks included Monday-Thursday. Breakfast is fine.. I always have my oatmeal but Nathan is learning to deal. Dinner is.. well.. we’ve eaten it once. But they do have a decent salad bar so I’ll take it. Free is free!
  9. Whole Foods. There’s one right around the corner from Nathan’s office and I’ve been able to get a few small things to cook up quickly as well as some food from the hot bar and we’re practically living the dream over here! [I’m just happy to eat all of their roasted veggies!]

    Whole Foods Kombucha

    And they have kombucha on tap!

  10. Beautiful scenery. I’ve been loving all of the views of the water and mountains as I’ve been driving through San Francisco by myself, but driving with Nathan yesterday and seeing his reactions really made it even more special.

    San Francisco California CA

    The hills here are terrifying to drive!

  11. Healthy lunches. They’re everywhere in SF! I love trying all of the new places.

    Evolution Fresh Kevins Kale Quinoa Butternut Squash Bowl

    Evolution Fresh has a cafe here and it’s amazing!

  12. Almond milk lattes. Really, they’re just great.

    Almond Milk Latte

    The best.

  13. Chocolate and peanut butter. And marshmallow! This homemade s’mores peanut butter cup was out of this world!

    S'mores Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup

    I need to make these.. genius!

  14. Beer. Nathan and I took a little road trip yesterday to Lagunitas and Russian River. They both make some mighty fine beer and serve awesome food too! We split a roasted veggie pesto sandwich at Lagunitas and then a crispy crust vegan pizza at Russian River. Great way to spend a Saturday!

    Lagunitas Brewing Company Beer Sampler

    So tasty!

  15. Our king size bed. We definitely took it for granted and didn’t realize until we started sharing a queen size bed at the hotel. I can’t wait to get ours back!
  16. The rest of our furniture. I miss the cozy feeling of sitting on my own sofa. Soon enough, though. Soon enough.
  17. PayByPhone. While I don’t love having to pay for parking everywhere I go right now, it’s definitely much easier when I can just pay my meter from my phone when I’m 10 blocks away!
  18. Guest bloggers. Like I said, I’ve been slacking lately and it’s nice to have such a wonderful community to help me pick up some of the slack and keep you all happy 😉 [P.S. I have one more coming!]
  19. Social media. I love reading blogs and haven’t been reading as much lately, but as Caitlin reminded me, they’ll be there when I get back to it!
  20. You all! I’m so happy to have you reading my blog even with my lack of attention lately. Thanks for sticking around 🙂

I’d say that’s a whole lot of marvelous, huh?

Food for Thought

What are you grateful for?