150 Days Down, A Lifetime To Go . . .

I am officially 150 days into my life change. I feel amazing. I am playing soccer again. I am absolutely thriving in school and in the rest of my life. I can't believe I am already 150 days into it, and ya know what? It's never going to change, there is no end to my staying healthy and taking care of myself mentally, physically, and emotionally. I will reach my goal weight, but that will just be a mile marker in my journey because now that I have taken control of my life I am not going to give it up. I feel like I am actively and productively living my life. I was out to dinner with Cassi and Nancy last weekend and I was explaining to Nancy how I don't just feel a change in my body. I am living consciously; in my education, in my relationship, with my body. This thing that started out in the kitchen has changed every aspect of my life. I have lost 28 lbs., I still have plenty to lose but I am on my way. On top of my weight loss I have proven to myself that if I put my mind to something I can do it, this gives me strength and confidence knowing that I am going to graduate in June and will be out in the real world.

After Tuesday's soccer game I already wrote that I feel amazing, but I can't stop thinking about how much better I feel now than last April when I injured myself. I was heavy, unhealthy, I wasn't applying myself fully in school, and I felt ashamed about all of it. I remember talking to my mom after I got injured, I didn't know yet that I had torn my ACL but I knew that it was bad. When I got home from Las Vegas I told her I thought maybe this would be a wake up call for me to take care of my body more than I have been. That tournament in Vegas was a low point for me, and I have been thinking . . . I want the chance to redeem myself.

Cassi and I have been doing a lot of talking, as our team continues to plan the trip to the same tournament. Cassi and I first answered that we would not be going, that we couldn't afford it and that it wasn't in the cards for us. The tournament and hotel are actually quite affordable, it's that darn airfare that's tricky. However, we are thinking about it again . . . I want to do it right this time and come full circle on the 1 year anniversary of my injury. Also, thinking about my thesis project this would be a fantastic wrap up to my story. I talked to my thesis advisor yesterday about the idea of this being the final act of my project and she was blown away.

My next step is to talk to my doctor and ask him whether or not he thinks it is smart for me to do this, obviously if I am not ready to play in the whole tournament I won't push it. I need to be realistic but really, my doctor and I are the only ones who can make that call.

We haven't committed to anything yet, but I am in better shape than ever and my knee feels amazing, I want to prove to myself that I can do it.

Day 149

For Breakfast: Toasted Peanut butter and Banana sandwich, coffee.

We woke up nice and early today. I was up at about 5:30. I have been so bad with sleeping through my cycling class that I woke up early to give myself extra time. I got my Geography Mid-term back today. I got a 91%. I feel good, but honestly I thought I did better so I am just a bit disappointed. Oh well.

I got home from school and did the dishes and made some food for Cassi and me.

For Lunch: steamed broccoli and shrimp with slivered almonds.

I helped Cassi make scones for her class tomorrow and I made an orange-honey butter to go with. She is doing a project in her nutrition class, she has to make and bring something that is something from her heritage, she is English so we made English scones she used to have growing up.

I ate a small dinner before work.

For Dinner: The last of the eggplant I made earlier with pesto marinara.

I got called off work tonight because it's s slow. :( so now I am home and going to catch up on some school work.

Day 148

For Breakfast: Peanut butter, banana and honey on toast.

Went to class and took my midterm in my Vikings class, I did really well! I love going into a test knowing that I am prepared, this is something I didn't used to value, but now it is so comforting! I came home and made myself lunch and relaxed a bit before Cassi got home.

For Lunch: Sauteed Eggplant with julienned zucchini (made to substitute pasta, like zucchini spaghetti strands!) with a pesto marinara. 

Cassi and I rested up for our soccer game this evening. We went and I played the first half at defense, but when I came in for the second half I played my usual position, Stopper. I felt amazing, and completely comfortable being in my own position, it made a big difference in my confidence! We won 2-1 and Cassi had another amazing goal. After the game a couple of soccer girls came back to our apartment to watch the biggest loser with us, I made a little something to eat. . . 

For Dinner: Romaine lettuce with spicy chicken, black beans, and salsa, yummy! Finished the night with some hot tea.

I took a really hard soccer ball to the thigh in the game and I have a huge ball imprint mark and bruise, I have never felt happier about that stinging pain, it's evidence that I really am back in it!

Day 147

 For Dinner: Sauteed eggplant rounds with a garlic pesto marinara and plum tomatoes. Yummy.

Day 147

I am one sore girl today! That soccer game did a number on me, not my knee, my knee is fine, a little tired but good! The rest of my body, my abs, my thighs, my arms are killing me. I haven't used my muscles to run up and down a field for so many months, I am so tired! I slept in for my cycling class, which I am thoroughly upset about, I don't want to miss class often, but I have already missed a few, I better stay on top of it!

For breakfast: Two egg frittata with zucchini, green bell pepper, shitake mushrooms, and basil. Hot Tea.

Came home from class and made lunch for Cassi and myself.

For Lunch: Grilled Tofu on a Bed of romaine with red onion, capers, slivered raw almonds, dried cranberries and sauteed shitake mushrooms, and a homemade pesto vinaigrette. (I made homemade
vegan pesto and then used a little to make a vinaigrette for the salad.) To make the Pesto (Garlic, fresh basil, raw almonds, salt, pepper, and Extra Virgin olive oil)

I'm Back In The Game!!!

Today I played with my soccer team for the first time since my knee injury! I am 8 months and 2 days out of surgery and I feel amazing! This is a big deal folks! I am in the best shape I have been in since high school and I felt pretty good during the game. I can tell I have to work on my confidence and agility, there were moments that were painful, but now I can play again, and I am back on the field after only 8 months! Yay for me!

Day 146

For Breakfast: We went to 14 carrot cafe up the road for our apartment. I had coffee and a benedict with two poached eggs, roasted bell peppers, spinach, ham, and pesto. with fruit and a little bit of hashbrowns.

We visited a friend who was having a superbowl party but we left early to go to our soccer game, guess what. . . . I PLAYED!!!! The Whole Game! It felt good, I was pretty nervous but I thought I was ready to get back on the field. I woke up and thought, maybe today is the day. 8 Months and 2 days after surgery!

After the game, which we won, Cassi had the winning goal, we went to Nickerson's to watch the 2nd half of the game and ate some good food!

For Dinner: Veggie burger made with eggplant (and other things) with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onions on a ciabatta roll, with a green salad and a great house made vinaigrette. Iced Tea.

Now I am at home and super tired from the game. I have some serious studying to do and I have to get up nice and early for the cycling class. Good Night!

Day 145

For Breakfast: Two Eggs, Coffee.

Woke up and made breakfast for Cassi, she went to take her GRE today. I felt pretty crumby all day, and laid low. We had dinner plans with Nancy tonight, and I wanted to feel up to it. I just snacked on grapes and a couple of crackers for lunch.

For Dinner: We went to Icon Grill in Seattle, we were going to go a couple of different places but everywhere was packed. I shared a pear salad with mixed greens and spiced pecans for a starter and had grilled salmon and broccoli for my entree. For dessert we all shared an ice cream sunday, it was sinfully good. We also had some wine, what can I say it was a special occasion, we were celebrating Cassi's GRE completion.

Day 144

For Breakfast: Handful of cheerios as I ran out the door to go to the gym, after spin class I had a non-fat vanilla latte.

Went and took my mid-term for my Immigrant America class. I was well prepared and I think I did pretty well, we will see! After class I went home and fixed lunch for the both of us . . . leftovers!

For Lunch: I took the extra veggies I grilled for last night's dinner, along with the left over brown rice medley with black beans, and sauteed everything together with fresh tofu, almost like a fried rice!

Pre-work Snack: I had an apple and a peanut-butter banana, and honey sandwich on toasted oat bread-bran bread. It was awesome, and took forever to eat,

I made good money tonight at work, and I finally feel like I am not playing catch up anymore with my bills. I feel absolutely awful. I think I was telling my body to hang in there at least until the midterm was over, because I have felt progressively worse as the day has gone on. I should have told by body to hold out a few more days . . . I have another mid-term on tuesday!

For Dinner: Toasted seeded baguette sandwich with tuna, capers, artichokes, dill, salt pepper, olive oil, lemon, with stone ground dijon mustard, and fresh arugula.

Good night!

Day 143

For Lunch: Sauteed tofu, broccoli, and shitake mushrooms with a spicy sauce.

I have been laying low since I got home from school, I don't feel good. Cassi had her orientation today for volunteering at the UW medical center. She is super excited! We are going to do some studying and hopefully be done by the time Grey's Anatomy starts, I do indeed love my shows! We decided to have an early dinner so we don't have to worry about it tonight and we can go to the library or a coffee shop.

For Dinner: Chicken and Vegetable skewers with brown rice medley (from Trader Joe's: long grain brown rice, black barley, and daikon radish seeds) I added some black beans to the rice. I drizzled the dish with Salsa Authentica, a great salsa from Trader Joe's.

Evening Snack: Non-fat Frozen Vanilla Yogurt.