Change of Plans

So I didn't get up this morning and go to the gym. Instead I slept in and got 9 hours of sleep. When I woke up? I felt the best I had felt in a week! No puffy eyes either. I also didn't have to drag myself out of bed to get ready either. So I packed my gym bag, made my lunch, and had a great breakfast of a bagel thin with almond butter and a banana and I was only a few minutes late to work!

Immediately after work I high tailed it to the Y with my US Weekly and my iPod. My 60 minutes and the arc trainer flew by and I just felt better. Sweat and all. I headed home, but not without a quick stop for a diet coke, to start dinner. No clue what I was going to make either. I ended up cutting up a yukon gold potato, coating with olive oil, and a spice mix of garlic, cayenne pepper, and salt and baking in the oven. So, so good. So good when my roommate came home she tried one and then I told her how she could make it and she made the exact same thing. I also had some leftover salad with tomatoes and a garbanzo/green bean/kalamata olive/balsamic vinegar combo I put together.

Now I know a lot of you read The Pioneer Woman. But, I am not sure how many of you have seen her Thanksgiving throw down with Bobby Flay. I watched it last week and the Pumpkin Bread Pudding totally caught my eye. I didn't make the bread pudding tonight, but I did make his pumpkin bread recipe used in the bread pudding. I added chocolate chips to one loaf (I made a double batch.). And this might be one of my favorite pumpkin breads. And it would be simply decadent if you used it for french toast!

And even though I made not one, but loaves, I had two tiny slivers with a glass of milk. The rest of it is going to work tomorrow!

Oh, and I have issued myself a challenge of sorts. I weighed myself this morning and it wasn't pretty. At. All. And I have decided I am going to LOSE weight this holiday season. Anyone else with me or am I the only crazy one?

The Carrot in Front of the Horse

Confessions:

• I bought a magazine (US Weekly) in order to make myself go to the gym tomorrow morning.
• I don't remember the last time I went to the gym.
• I didn't go on my long run this morning...my running buddy bailed, I have been sick, and my feet have been bothering me.
• I have been sick since I got back from NYC. I have been going to bed early...some nights before 10 and sleeping until about 7, if can.
• Something is not right with my feet, they have been sore since my run on Wednesday. Today was the first day they started to feel better.
• I made banana bread and it was only ok. My roommate thinks it's awesome, but she can't bake, so anything homemade is awesome to her.
• I am going to Springfield, MO this year for Thanksgiving. While Thanksgiving is my FAVORITE holiday, I'm a little nervous about the unfamiliarity of Springfield. I've never been there and I don't know my way around. It's not like I really hung out with any high school friends in Charleston, but at least I knew where things were. I guess I need to get used to it...I'm going to Springfield for Christmas too. And I am dreaming of a flight to Springfield at Christmas. 7 hour drive. One.Way. UGH.
• I am still suffering from post vacation depression, but at least I have Thanksgiving this week!

A To Do List

I have fallen off the exercise/nutrition wagon hard. I am surprised my body isn't bruised. Well, there may not be any purple or blue-ish bruises, but the bruises of my clothes not fitting are starting to make their mark.

So I have a to do list:

• Get back into a normal exercise routine
• Find a yoga class to go to. My beloved teacher was fired...
• Finish the Memphis half marathon in 2 (TWO!) weeks. I once had lofty time goals, but now I just need to cross the finish line.
• Drink more water.
• Lose about 20 lbs.

And now I leave you a video of one of my favorite new bands. The Head and the Heart.

I am Caught in a Love Hangover

Seriously. I love these people.

I just got back from a long weekend in NYC, where I got to see my beloved Dave Matthews Band. (These were my 95th and 96th shows, but shhhhhhhh. Let's just keep that between you and me.)

LOVE!

I feel a post-vacation depression coming on soon...