Fabulous Randoms

Wow, 10 years. Sometimes that sounds like a long time; others, only a moment in time. Little did I realize just how happy that man at the end of the aisle was going to make me. Not everyone is lucky enough to find their soul mate and to get to live a life that fairytales and adventures are written about. I am that lucky. The Husband makes me that lucky. In the past ten years, we have seen many changes. We have followed each other all over the country, chasing our dreams and making them our reality. When we got married, I don’t think either one of us really knew where the next ten years would take us. But we knew that we wanted to do it together. I am sure a lot of people frowned upon the decisions we made (and continue to make), believing that, with the world and the economy in the shape it is, we were crazy to make such drastic choices. But I have never second guessed anything in the past ten years. I knew in my heart that if our choice did not work out like we hoped, we would still have each other. And that’s all that really matters. Happy ten years Michael and thank you for walking through this life with me.

I have always struggled with the dieting stuff but I think I have finally found the secret.  You always hear people talking about how Americans are overweight and that it is due to all of the processed/convenience foods and fast foods that we eat.  I now see just how true this is.  We have been in Chicago for almost 9 weeks and I have lost about 20 pounds since we got here.  And to be honest, it’s been the easiest 20 pounds I have ever lost.  I am not following a strict diet, I am just simply eating healthier.  Because we live in the city, we do not have cars so there is no “drive thru” lunches/dinners.  We don’t really eat fast food at all.  But we still enjoy a good greasy hamburger.  You probably think that this is the same thing right.  Wrong.  Fast food establishments use a lot of processed foods and preservatives.  I don’t know what all of the processed stuff is made out of and I can’t tell you why it’s bad for you because I am not a scientist, but I can honestly say it’s bad for me. When we eat those not so good for us hamburgers now, it’s fresh meat being thrown on a grill with fresh ingredients.  And it tastes so much better!  The Husband even said to me the other day “You know, food in Chicago tastes better.”  I think this is because we are eating fresher food, not frozen processed stuff.  I shop differently here also. Because the market is close and I only buy what I can easily carry, I shop more often.  Which means I am only buying for a couple of meals at a time.  And it’s fresh, quality ingredients.   I know, I know….you are probably thinking “oh here she goes, talking about all organic, expensive stuff”.  Not at all.  I just don’t (or usually don’t) buy frozen or packaged foods.  I buy the fresh produce, fresh meats, breads, pastas, etc.  Not the organic stuff (I have never really bought into that fad), just fresh.  And I cook meals from that. And they taste amazing!!  Granted I like to cook, and The Husband thinks I am pretty good at it, but I think anyone cooking with such fresh ingredients can make wonderful tasting foods.  And my body feels satisfied and full.  And much more healthy!  I feel much healthier now than ever have and I am not even at my lowest weight.  I once had a nutritionist tell me that the best way to shop at a grocery store/market is to shop the perimeter.  She said that is where you find the healthy, fresh foods.  She said the inner isles contain the processed, less healthy foods.  What a simple concept!

Now I will not lie and say I am not working out, I am, but nothing majorly intense.  I am mainly walking the city, lakefront, and the park.  Walking is an amazing workout all in its own.  It’s very therapeutic for me and I get to explore my new surroundings!  I am also trying to do the Couch to 5k training.  I am at the end of Week 3 of the program and it’s going okay so far (but I still prefer the walking!)  I lift weights but only as little as possible (ask The Husband, he will vouch for me on this one ;).  But this really has been the easiest 20 pounds to lose.

I think that we all like to make eating right harder than it is and we are all looking for the miracle diet that will magically transform us into super models.  Not gonna happen, sorry.  First of all, we are not all made to be super models (thank goodness, that would be boring).  But we can be healthier and lose weight in the process.  I think it simply boils down to eating fresh foods and being active!  Easy enough right?  See ya on the perimeters!

Usually I would be fixated on tomorrow’s date.  April 20th.  The day my mom passed away.  But I have decided to focus on today’s date instead.  April 19th.  The last day I spent time with my wonderful mom.  Sometimes I think we become obsessed with the negative dates and occurrences in our lives, forgetting to celebrate the happy days.  So today I will focus on being happy and thankful for the time I had with my mom and celebrate all of the memories.  That’s what she would have wanted and that’s what I want people to do as well.  Too many times we let negativity take over our lives and forget to be thankful and happy in the moment.  Don’t get me wrong, I still miss my mom and I wish she was here to be part of my life, and to be enjoying hers.  But if nothing else, her early and unexpected departure from this life has taught me to be thankful for every moment that I have.  The good and the bad.  And focus on the good because those are the memories that will take us through the tough times. I have become the person that I am today from all of those good and bad days.  And I am thankful for the person I have become and the life I live.

So tonight, The Husband and I will go out to dinner and celebrate life and happiness.  I will use the gift card that I have been saving for a special occasion.  Because life and happy days should be celebrated.