Day 34 is here

So I am (just about) a third of the way through my "100 (plus 4) Day Challenge" and things are going fairly well. Yesterday I finished week two of the Couch to 5k program. I've been getting up at 5 AM to do the runs and seems to go pretty well. I don't seem to sleep that good those nights, I think my body is worried that I will oversleep. Shin pain is there, but much milder than when I tried the program last summer. New shoes, better technique, more icing all seem to help.

Eating / losing weight is going a little slower than I planned. I hit the minus twenty pound mark early this week, then the scale bounced back up. I do allow myself some little cheats and I need to keep those in check. Last night had a Rudy's Double Cheeseburger (BIG cheat) it was okay, but I think the guilt factor kept me from enjoying it too much. I know with the exercise that I'm including I am most likely adding some muscle weight so that does effect the speed of weight loss. My goal is to lose 45 pound total - but the key is improving my cholesterol numbers.

I've been reading the "Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren, and while it is interesting, I haven't had any big "a ha" moments. Occasionally there is a line that kind of hits you between the eyes. I'm also trying to listen to motivational tapes or CD's in the car instead of music or ESPN radio - every little bit helps, right ?

I decided to take the summer off from school and concentrate on the house. I plan on continuing work on my Lifelong Learning Portfolio so I can submit it this fall. If I can find 10-15 credits to pull out my life experiences, that would make a huge difference in this college journey. Only a couple weeks of spring classes left and after this semester I think I should be on the Dean's List. That would be cool.

Next week is my birthday and that can be tough sometimes. I tend to get very introspective and then somewhat depressed about where I am in life. This year I'm going to try very hard not to let that happen. I'm changing my life. It's going slow, but I am changing. Think of me this week. Send me an encouraging note. But don't wish me Happy Birthday, please.

Goals for this week: 1) Stay on track when travelling for a couple days. 2) Set Doctor, Vision, and dental appointments. 3) Go to confession. (Never got there before Easter)