Fired up for Fall - Week 7

I had intended to have this post lined up to be published this past Monday, but things got hectic as I was preparing for my surgery, so this is a bit late ...

I guess I'm going to have to reevaluate my goals and strategies for reaching them since I'm dealing with recovery at the moment -- let's see how it goes.

Part I: Positive Picture

Finding a positive picture for this week has proven to be quite tough. I mean there are lots of positive pictures and words out there, but I had a tough time finding something that spoke to me - a picture that showed positivity yet didn't undermine the fact that I'm not in the most positive frame of mind at the moment.

In the end, all I can hear is my mom's voice - whenever I've stumbled, felt down, or just felt totally defeated or heartbroken, I always remember my mom soothing and consoling me saying ...

Sometimes the words are frustrating to hear ... I remember when I was younger thinking - Ok so it'll pass, but what about NOW?! -- Still, these words are also true. Whatever happens, there's always another moment. Each day I get a bit stronger physically ... maybe this is just the way it's going to be for the next few weeks ... and then I'll be able to tackle the mental hurdles - regardless, it will pass and then it'll be on to the next step.

Part II: WEEK 7 QUESTIONS

What have you done this week to work towards your goals?

PhD - Before going in for surgery I finally submitted the next 3 chapters of my thesis for my supervisor to review. I had been working on those chapters for AGES - it felt really good to send them off. I hope he has positive comments. I have almost two full months to completely get it done.

Gym - Well, I know that I went as often as I could ... unfortunately there will be no more gym for the rest of this challenge ... so I'm going to focus more on the nutritional aspect of losing weight and see how much controlling only food (with barely any movement) has an impact on my progress.

NROL4W - Not happening ... I'm not allowed to do serious weights for another 5-6 weeks ... so this goal will have to be put on hold.

Weight loss - It's strange. Even though I've hardly eaten over the past four days, I feel quite bloated and heavy. I think it's partly the lack of movement and partly the bloating post-op plus from the IV fluids. We'll see how it goes. I think I've lost a total of 6 pounds since the start of the challenge - so only 4 pounds left to hit my goal ... just might be able to accomplish this one!

New recipes - Since I've got some time at home, perhaps I'll get a chance to experiment a bit? My enthusiasm for food has kind of waned, but we'll see if that improves over the next few weeks.

Home office - This is practically done. There are a few boxes that I need to sort through, but I'll try to tackle them over the next few weeks.

What have you done to make yourself feel fabulous?

It's hard to feel fabulous when you're in pain! However, this morning I finally had a good, long shower and properly fixed (straightened) my hair - small, but definitely fabulous after being confined in a hospital room for four days!

How do you pull yourself out a slump or prevent yourself from falling into one?

This question is rather appropriate at the moment, isn't it?

It used to be really tough for me to pull me out of a slump. I'd just wallow in self-pity/doubt -- it took a while for me to actually realize and accept that that type of attitude wasn't getting me anywhere.

I think over the past two years I've become much more positive. A large part of it is pure determination, though a fraction of it is also stubbornness. It also has to do with being realistic and also allowing yourself time to grieve/be sad/be complacent ... but only for a short time. I don't think it's realistic to be positive all of the time. The key is not to let it get the best of you.

At this very moment, if I'm perfectly honest, I'm not feeling very positive (or hopeful) - but I will keep moving forward, as standing still in this moment will do nothing good for me. This is not the place I want to be stuck at. For me, what I'm going through is real and it's tough - and I think part of being able to move forward and regain that positive outlook has to do with allowing yourself some time to feel angry and sad - but then move on. If the place you're in right now is not a good one and not making you happy, then there's no sense in keeping yourself stuck there.

Are you naturally positive or do you have to work at it? How do you keep yourself positive?

I guess I answered most of this question above. Again, take the time to acknowledge your feelings and express them ... and then move on. In the end, it's all up to you to feel good.

If you could go away anywhere tomorrow, where would you go?

Italy.

Without a doubt or any hesitation Italy. I've been wanting to go for years - even learned Italian so that I'd be ready whenever the opportunity arose. For some reason, however, I still haven't made it there. I've been to so many countries, but still not Italy. I think part of it is because I want to really spend time there - not just one or two weeks - more like two or three months and really feel like I've lived there and soaked it all up ... I'm sure one day soon ...