I was shopping yesterday, in search of a nice business casual outfit, and came to an exciting realization. Size 18W pants were too damn big! This has happened before... so I didn't make too much of it at first. My tendency has been that when an 18 is too big, the 16 (the next size down) is still too tight. I had my partner find me a pair of 16's anyway, to try them on. When I did, I was ecstatic to realize that the button wasn't straining and about to snap off... the hooks were easy to clasp, and the zipper didn't bulge. THEY FIT!!!!!!! I have been in the 18-20 size hell for a few years now. I haven't been able to wear a 16 in a loooong time. Not only that, but they were almost loose! I may not stay at this size for long. I did a little happy dance, and bought the trousers, along with a nice dressy tank top and a black cardigan. I got some pretty killer looking shoes too, but they ended up cutting my foot. ;(
Things have been chugging along. I have continued to eat well. It was a little harder to do so on vacation, and there was some accidental non-veganism that happened. But overall, I did pretty well. We also had a very active holiday (or at least I did). While staying at the beach, I got up and took walks on the beach in the early mornings. The alone time was blissful, listening to the pounding surf, watching the wildlife. In addition to the usual seabirds, one morning I was graced with the sight of a pair of bald eagles hunting their breakfast. It was amazing. I didn't have my camera to capture the moment, but I will remember it forever, I think. My partner saw a bear, when we were driving, but I didn't look up in time to catch it. :( But on these walks, I racked up many steps and also did some short runs. I walked out as far as I felt I should, then turned and came back towards the hotel, and took off at a jog and would run until I didn't feel like I could continue. I was able to sustain a run for about 5 minutes. That seems to be my ceiling at the moment that I need to break through.
We also took some hikes, 2-3 miles each, and lots of elevation changes. I was climbing over and ducking under fallen trees at times, walking through overgrowth, and so on. I was doing things that I have up until recently lacked the strength to do. Saw some beautiful sights, and felt so calm and happy and at peace.
When I got home and weighed myself, I found that I had not gained any weight while gone, and had in fact, lost the pound or 2 that I had put on over a few days of careless eating. I am back under 240 now...just. My partner is going to clear out my workout space so I can get back to my Hip Hop Abs, and I have Focus T25 on order (Love me some Shaun T!!!) and I will be getting after that when it comes in a few days. I have been exercising or being active in some form or fashion at least 2-3 times a week since I started with the trainer. I am hoping to continue that streak.
I have other things going on in other areas of my life that I am not ready to put down for public consumption just yet. The stars seem to be aligning for me right now, though. Starting with just one positive change is leading to another, and another, and yet another. I am hoping the these good things continue to flow for a while. There is something else I am working very hard towards, and I feel like I am right on the edge of getting where I want to go, and doing what I need to do. Perhaps I'm turning a corner, or I'm at a crossroads, or some such thing. I will definitely have more to say about it as time progresses.
Overall, I'm feeling pretty damn good about things right now. I have been very upbeat, my anxiety is not super high, and I am loving life at the moment.
