Like.

I like that when I weigh myself, the number is going down.

I like getting dressed every day, because I feel like I look good in my clothes.

I like that my husband lets me sleep in and lay in bed and read if I want to.

I like the company of books, often more than the company of people.

I like my major, history moves me.

I like my kids, they are very cute.

I like the milky smell of my baby, which he won't have much longer.

I like music and I like a wide variety.

I like to run, it clears my mind and makes me feel like I could conquer the world.

I like my mom, she's a heckuva gal.

I like living in Washington for more reasons than I can list.

I like my husband much more than I like anyone else.

I like my dog, he's the best friend God could have given me.

I like my mama cat because she's so sweet.

I like food too much sometimes.

I like beer, but only the good stuff.

I like the interwebz, the interwebz iz entertaining.

I like me.

I like today.

On Weight Loss, Running, and My LIfe.

Sometimes I go months without blogging because I fall into a routine and I'm happy and life is blissfully normal. Generally, as far as my blog goes, no news is good news. This is the case right now. I have not written since the beginning of April because life has been great and I have nothing to report.

I ran in my first 5k race. I ran every step and I finished with a time of 41 minutes and 48 seconds. I was the 98th overall female finisher. I was ecstatic. I am registered for two more races in July and I am looking forward to them immensely. I am planning to find one or two to register for in August and I would like to attempt to run a 10k in September sometime. I just have to find the right event.

I love running. It has become a crucial component in my plan to not be depressed and crazy and it keeps me going. Every time I run, I feel like I have conquered myself. It's amazing. All of the demons and bad thoughts are gone and I am whole. I also have no cares beside the next mile. I don't have to worry about diapers or about vacuuming. Homework is on the back burner. It's just me and the road. Nothing compares to the feeling I get when I run. I wish I had the time to run in the morning and at night too. The best thing about running is that I get the wonderful feeling for free. My treadmill is paid for and it's all mine. My running shoes are paid for and have miles to go. Running doesn't require me to look pretty or smell good. It doesn't even require me to have happy thoughts. I just have to show up and pound the payment. The road is free. When there is nothing else for me to do, not a dime in the bank, and I am tired of life, I can run to be with my thoughts and to clear my head. I really love running. In fact, at this moment I am waiting for my husband to get home so that I can run.

Running has aided in my weight loss process, too. However, I think eating right has been the most crucial factor. I have almost completely had to abandon my love affair with sweets. I had to give up my hobby of baking (in favor of running, which is a healthier hobby). I miss baking and I have to fight with myself almost every day not to gorge on candy and sweets but the fact of the matter is that I love myself more right now than I have in three years. I am nearing the 40 pound mark, which will put me 20 pounds from my goal weight and I actually like looking at myself in the mirror these days. There was a time when I actively avoided mirrors and I would have never willingly let my picture be taken. To some, having twenty pounds to lose might seem like a lot but for me, it is marginal. It means that I have lost the majority of what I want to lose. That is me looking at the glass from a half-full perspective. I am over the hump and I can do it. I am big on proving things to myself and I have proved myself to myself. Now I just have to prove to myself that I won't quit until I cross the finish line. I think that when I reach my goal weight, I will probably ceremoniously break my scale. I think that will be healthy and freeing and awesome. Perhaps I will have a party when I break my scale and allow everyone to help me smash it.

That is all.