~Oh what a beautiful morning~

I feel fantastic today! Really pumped up and excited to be: 1) alive, 2) blogging, 3) at work for in my previous routine and 4) on track with eating and exercising.

Recall I came back to work on Good Friday for one day; then the agency had a week off for Spring break. It was fantastic to come back for that day, get the ducks in my office in a row after 6 weeks being away, and see clients and co-workers. But it was atypical in every way, because I knew I had yet another week off and subconsciously stayed in the "off work" mode.

This morning, I was back to business as usual from the moment I woke up at 4 a.m. (I'm a chronic early riser - love the early hours!) I got my lunch ready (shredded cabbage salad with lots of good stuff in it, turkey breast strips, tons of carrots and celery sliced for snacking and an orange), took a shower, put on my scrubs, ate breakfast, got gym clothes together and actually got out of the house nice and early so I could make my AA meeting from 7 to 8. Then on to work. As I was driving to work after the meeting, I got a visceral surge of good energy - it felt/feels wonderful to be back in my life as I know it. There's only so much lolling around one can do, and I've been desperately feeling the need for structure for the last few weeks. It was wonderful having time to heel my knee and just be for those weeks. But I'm eternally grateful to have a good job to return to, and be healthy and able to do so.

Also, my knee continues to improve. Yesterday I was able to do a 2.2 mile walk with the dog and our buddies - and it felt good. I'm continuing to ice the knee after exercise just to keep inflammation at bay. But yesterday was a .6 mile increase over what I'd been doing for a week, and I wasn't sure if I'd regret it later or the next day. So far, so good. Today I'm going to the gym after work just to stationary bike ride for 30 minutes. Tomorrow I'm planning on re-entering the pool and doing some walking in place (thanks to Stacia for great swimming advice)and will advance as tolerated.

My Easter eating was not too bad. I did have a piece of the homemade Pineapple Upside Down Cake I made for Hubby, which was indescribably delicious. But the rest of the meal was 5 oz of very lean ham, cole slaw and one small white potato with butter. I generally don't do white potatoes, but Hub doesn't like sweet potatoes and I didn't feel like making extra stuff. Today's food is all planned out, and I'm going to start tracking on Spark People. I did this last year and found it helpful, and more appealing than writing it down myself, though I will have to jot notes (bites) unless I want to strap my laptop to my back!. Tammy has mentioned it a couple times recently and reminded me what a good (free) tool Spark People is, so I'm heading over there after I finish posting and between actual working(!).

I'm thrilled to be participating in Tammy's challenge. It's just what I need to get back on the beam. For far too many months I've been floundering with my weight loss efforts, with one thing after another getting in the way of staying the course. There is so much inspiration here in blogdom for continuing on, no matter what circumstances life throws me. One thing, when the urge to binge hits, I'm committing to writing a brief post to de-energize the urge and tell on myself. I know that's a good tool...talking about it before doing it so that I WON'T do it. In AA you call someone BEFORE you pick up a drink - not after. In this realm, grabbing my laptop will serve the same purpose. I may end up having a lot of 1 or 2 line posts, but I'm going to do it if I need to.

So many times I've had to write posts about overeating the day before - the food confessional. Then I read about remarkably successful "losers", whose only difference from me is that they stick to their programs. Say no to themselves when temptation enters. Exercise even when they don't want to or are tired. And I feel ashamed and embarrassed. That doesn't need to continue happening, and it's not going to. I'm going to turn myself back around and get back in the winners' circle. The challenge is a great starting point.

A lot of bloggers are really doing fantastic, and each of them inspires and energizes me. People who've struggled for a long time as well as people who've been on track from their beginnings are getting great results. I'm also comforted by co-strugglers. It helps to know I'm not the only person who falters. But I want to stop faltering. It's time. I want to be a positive story rather than a "Don't let this happen to you" tale. And I will. Just watch me!