Choose-Day Again

Hey Lovelies!

It has been awhile since I have done a “Choose-day” post–and I’m not entirely sure why…because they were sort of fun.

Initially I used them as a way to break out of my bleak outlook on days where things were just not going right.  I sorta treated it like my own, personal wake up call to realize that things aren’t so bad and that I can choose how I handle it and how I behave.

A running blog reminded me of that yesterday afternoon as I was winding down from work–I clicked on a link that brought me to Hungry Runner Girl.  I read a few of her “Favourites” posts and one was all about changing your mental game and increasing your mental strength so you can hit your goals.  This couldn’t have come at a better time as my mental strength and running have been on an almost year-long low and I was in need of a mental strength refresher.

Last night I wasn’t in the mood to run…more so than most days of late.  But I got up on that treadmill and I made up my mind that I was going to do it…and I did.  Thanks to some of her advice, I managed to make it through the five miles I had planned.  I was rather shocked…I mean, the run was hard, but I did it and all I kept saying was “I’m not tired–it’s all in my head,” which HRG’s aforementioned post inspired:

Our bodies are wired to have our minds give up before our bodies do.  It is made that way so that we don’t run so long and so fast that it does actually kills us, the mind sends us warning signs to slow down or stop LONG before our bodies come close to reaching fatigue.  (I know I am probably wrong with all of this but it is what I tell myself and it seems to work for me).  Basically, our bodies are so much stronger and can do so much more than our minds want us to.  So….that means we can train ourselves to tell our minds to be quiet for a little while and PUSH IT.  –HRG

I kept up with that attitude last night.  I got home, did all my meal prep for today, stretched and foam rolled and managed to get into bed around 11:30 (though I didn’t fall asleep until 4:30am….and in light of my 90 minutes of sleep, I made sure choose to push past the discomfort and just do my best.

I did my hair, I did my make up.  I wore a dressy, brightly coloured outfit and pumps to work even though it is raining and I don’t have any external meetings.  I feel much better than I would’ve normally felt if I schlepped myself to work in far less dressy attire.  I am also choosing to treat myself to an amazing coffee at my favourite hipster coffee joint, Parlour.  Otherwise it might be nap day in the office.

I hope this first attempt at mental exercises is the beginning of a far stronger, sleeker, sexier brain…followed by an equally stronger, sleeker and sexier body! Woot!

Much luv and happy choose-day!

Leesah

 

 

Gratitude Challenge 2013-Week 18

Allo Lovelies!

Lots of things made me happy this week.  Here’s the list:

Sunday: 04/28/2013

1. Got to hang out with my adorable adopt-a-neice.  She is so much fun and walks like a drunken monkey.  LOVE her.

2. Managed to get up early and get in a workout–wasn’t a good one, but I got up early and did something nonetheless.

3. Enjoyed a buttery bowl of popcorn while I watched Mad Men.  I had totally forgotten how good popcorn is.

Monday: 04/29/2013

1.  Is surviving Monday something to be grateful for?  lol.  I thought so.

2.  Managed a somewhat high level of productivity today.

3.  Helped my dad file his taxes for the first time online (the government made it mandatory).

Tuesday: 04/30/2013

YUMMERS!

1. Parlour Coffee with my lovely friend CL.  Even better–I am auctioning off one of my key lime pies at her wedding social in a few weeks!   Can’t wait! P.S. If you want to know what a wedding social is, click here as it is the best link I could find.

2.  I finished my 30 Day Blogging Challenge!  WOOT!

3.  I received my first match from my matchmaker and we had our first chat.  Unfortunately, this guy isn’t quite right for me, but he didn’t seem like a deadbeat, which is a nice change from any of my online dating experiences.

Wednesday: 05/01/2013

1. Had an empty seat next to me on my flight to Calgary–WOOT!  Such a wonderful luxury!

2. No dramas once in Calgary–a major bonus given how many people we were dealing with for my meetings.

3. Found an excellent BBQ place for our group to meet and have dinner at.

Thursday: 05/02/2013

1. Got up early for a pre-work run with a friend of mine in Calgary–she was even nice enough to bring me some homemade lasagna she had made the night before so I could have dinner for breakfast.  So kind.

2. Dropped off my newlywed friend T’s surprise bachelorette party scrapbook before she and her hubby flew back home to Ottawa.  I’m pretty sure she liked it and it was lovely to see her once last time.

3.  Made two delicious key lime pies when I finally arrived home from the airport and my friend T’s parents’ place.  One for my dad, the other for my hairstylist’s birthday.

PINK!

Friday: 05/03/2013

1. Got to sleep in–yay for banked overtime.

2. I have mildly rebellious hair–one bright pink streak–woo!  Not sure why I look so pissed off in this photo–as I am totally excited for my hair. lol.

3. Had a delicious lunch with my colleague.  Yummy gnocchi and this….

Saturday: 05/04/2013

1. Amazing dinner with my friend L.

2. Followed up with driveway beers with her neighbours, who are also my friends.

3. Slept in until 8:30–felt like heaven.

What things made you happy this week?

Luvs ya,

Leesah