Motivational Music Monday… and stuff

50 Replies

May is a busy month in this house.  This past week we’ve celebrated a birthday and Mother’s Day (and we still have an anniversary coming up).  We also did a happy dance when the child returned home from Hawaii.  AJ is the one buried in the sand (his father did his laundry, 😀 ).

The day before AJ came home was James’s birthday.  I bought him… (notice I said him, not us)… I bought him a nice dinner and dessert on his birthday, and when AJ got home, we celebrated properly.

It’s Sunday night, so I’m on day 12 of The Whole 30.  All of my cravings stopped on day 6.  I wasn’t even tempted with cake or naughtiness even with all the celebrations going on.  I will admit, as I hate cooking, I’m a bit tired of spending time in the kitchen, but again, it’s all in the planning.  I made enough food on Thursday and Friday to last me the weekend, and the boys were on their own.  Mostly.  I’ll always share my veggies and chili.  (#spottedtheGroot)

I also did my long run today.  It went well.  I felt strong and full of energy.  At mile 4, I ate a few too many raisins (portion control matters) and my stomach cramped up; however, as I was doing an out-and-back, I had no choice but to power through.  Sometimes not having a choice is a good thing.  I also had the trail mostly to myself.  Nice.

Although… sometimes being on the trail alone can wreak havoc with the imagination.  I wore my hydration pack, kept hearing the sloshing of water, and thought someone or someTHING was stalking me as it sounded like the bushes rustling.  I don’t have a clue what bedded down in this huge patch of grass the previous night, but I’m glad it was gone (the grass is actually as high as my hips).  The blades were clearly flattened right smack in the middle:

A successful week in eating and a successful week in running (with even some cycling thrown in for good measure), so now on to Motivational Music Monday by 50 in 50 Marathon Quest.

Tonight (Mother’s Day), U2 are here in concert, so James opted to pay tribute to them.  I’m not a big U2 fan, so I’ll pass on playing a U2 song.  I will, however, follow suit with the title. “It’s A Beautiful Day” has helped me pick up my step during many a long run… and it’s Michael Bublé. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Hoping all y’all have a happy week!!

50 thoughts on “Motivational Music Monday… and stuff”

  1. wanderwolf

    Lovely recap of a busy week/end! Glad to see AJ is back and it looks like he had a really good time, but I bet you’re both happy to have him home. That’s a nice shot of the two of them.
    It’s great that your Whole30 diet practice and running are going well. Putting in the work for marathon #1. Also, it’s comforting to know that the cravings stop around day 6, since I’m on day 1. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Oh awesome Dorothea! I wish you much luck with it! If your mind is set that you will complete it without failing, then you will succeed! I do have to admit that after yesterday’s long run, I was dying for some chocolate milk, I really was. Luckily I had something already made for post run, but it took all my will not to make that chocolate milk. I hope you share your experiences on the program, then we can compare notes. 😁

      Liked by 1 person

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  4. artisticsharon

    So glad your cravings stopped!! I’ve thought about doing Whole 30 a couple of times but never got past that stage 😉 I totally get what you said about ‘hearing someone or something’ behind you! I used to think the same thing when I was alone …and it was just my half empty water bottles – still, very creepy feeling!!

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Oh it really is creepy being alone out on that trail. Wildlife is a common occurrence so sometimes it freaks me out. And sometimes I have to turn around and run amongst the cars and people, which I hate, 😛

      Liked by 1 person

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  5. Chocolaterunsjudy

    I have to admit — I feel pretty strongly about home cooking. I know it’s not easy, but even healthy convenience food tends to be not super healthy.

    I do get tired of cooking sometimes, though, I won’t lie. Never of baking though. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Yeah, I don’t think I have the cooking gene in me. My mother hardly cooked, and while I wanted to and even took 2 years of it in school, it’s not a forté. I admire people who are able to make something from nothing.

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Chocolaterunsjudy

        My mom was a good cook, but she didn’t teach me. I took home economics way back in the day, but could barely boil water!

        But I do like to eat, so I taught myself. Like anything, you gotta want to! And you gotta pay attention to it.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. benjaminpeach

    Yay! It looks like we are both getting our running groove back (maybe??).
    Definitely impressed with your stick to it ness with the diet. After my run today I had the STRONGEST urge/craving for Coca-Cola…I caved and went to the store. I never drink crap like that but it was life or death apparently! I have that same thing with the water sloshing in my bag, drives me crazy but fortunately there really are no dangerous animals around here (well, except for one…). I really wonder what kind of critter left such a big “foot print” maybe a deer? Elk? Yeti??

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Thank you Ben! The diet is ongoing work, but I’m getting through it. And soda may be crap, but boyyy, sometimes, after a long run, they do hit the spot, don’t they! 😉

      A Yeti! Yes! They’re all over the place here, so I will bet that’s exactly what it was! I’m really going to have to keep my eyes open just in case I get a photo op! 😅 (Okay, but seriously, I’m hoping it was only a deer, although I’ll never know, darn it, ☺)

      Liked by 1 person

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  10. Darlene

    I can’t imagine not craving sweets. I’m with you on the cooking thing. It takes too much time to shop, prepare, and clean up. I love home cooking. I wish my hubby were a cook or I could afford to hire one.

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. Fallon @ Slacker Runner

    Oh, wildlife is my big concern sometimes. We have a tendency for mountain lions. Every now and again I hear the occasional gun shot on my long runs in more back roads areas and I start wondering what they are shooting at. One time, we had an escaped wolf to be on the lookout for. I don’t think my pepper spray would do much against that. 😛

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  13. breidengale

    Oh how can you not like u2!?!?!?!?! I told Keith that I don’t think I could be friends with Paula anymore. 😉 #neverhappen #youarestuckwithme I think it is fabulous that your cravings are gone and way to stay so consistent and on track! Something I struggle with all the time….like right now. I want a quesadilla really bad! Ha… Long run and you managed alright with the raisins. yuck but awesome for you. Yikes that is some tall grass flattened in the middle, moose? We run into moose a lot out here. This whole blog made me very happy today. Thank you my friend! ❤

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      I know, I know… I’m the anomaly when it comes to U2, lol. I think I just got tired of hearing them in the eighties.

      I think I attribute the lack of cravings to the fact that zero processed sugar enters my body. Once the sugar is purged, it doesn’t want it anymore. I can actually look at chocolate now and not have to have it. It’s an amazing freedom! And zero bloat! No gluten! And no hormone issues! I feel great! It’s a wonderful detox, Renee! I can’t say I feel 18 again, but my body is happy with me and is cooperating with what I want it to do! And I know you get what I mean, 😊

      I’m so glad I made you happy today!! You made me happy too! ❤

      Liked by 1 person

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  14. Doctor Jonathan

    I wish more families were this ACTIVELY busy. I’m used to cell phones and computers taking up most people’s “entertainment.” Glad to see the nutrition plan is going well. What are your plans as you finish it? It’s good to plan ahead to prevent slipping back to older (less desirable) patterns.
    Hope you have a great week!

    Liked by 3 people

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Thank you so much for the kind words!!

      I was thinking about what I was going to do after the 30 days, and to be honest, I feel so good right now, I don’t think I’ll change the way I’m eating. I can’t even fathom eating a bowl of pasta, and all I can see when I look at a donut or rich dessert is a stomachache. Chips/crisps aren’t even appealing as I’ve replaced them with kale chips that I make myself. My brain has actually taken over and has put major warning signs in front of some of my favorite foods. It’s incredible how the mind and body can work together, I’m finding.

      I hope you have a great week too!! ☺

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      1. Doctor Jonathan

        One of the suggestions I used to make to patients was to determine for themselves whether the lifestyle they were planning to follow (be it exercise, nutrition planning, etc…) could be maintained for the next 30+ years. It was my belief that a plan of action based on short term changes would eventually lead the patient back to a “known” pattern of behavior that typically failed them. If they were following a lifestyle plan and wanted to implement a short term plan of action to overcome a certain plateau, I encouraged it. The average person, however, tries to follow the latest and “greatest” method for change. I am a huge fan of the Tortoise (from the Tortoise and the Hare.) Gradual, realistic changes implemented over time prevent deprivation while imprinting new behaviors on the brain that become doable FOREVER.

        I am NOT trying to tell you what to do. I just wanted to share a strategy I used in practice that effectively helped create long term success. I wish you only the best on your continued journey.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. neveradullbling Post author

        I’m a big fan of the Tortoise, too, especially during my races, hahaha! Okay, but seriously, you’re absolutely right and I hear what you are saying. This was more of a sugar detox than anything else as I had been eating way too much of it. The Whole 30 is more about improving your relationship with food as opposed to a fad diet. You learn how your body reacts to various ingredients. For instance… I was adding stevia into my hot tea. I didn’t realize how much that artificial sweetener was affecting me, such as increasing my appetite and sugar cravings. I won’t go back to drinking hot tea as I’m enjoying my iced tea more and I don’t have the nasty effects of the stevia. The same with oatmeal. It used to just sit in my tummy and churn a bit. My high protein breakfasts don’t do that. And all of this matters to me. Enough to make a break from it. It’s all about how I feel. (see, baby steps, :D)

        I do absolutely appreciate all the advice and info you give! I will always take it to heart! And thank you so much for your well wishes! Surprisingly, this isn’t a struggle, nor is it hard. I guess I’m in the game mentally, which makes all the difference in the world. Those who want to change their life, will. 😀

        Liked by 1 person

  16. Lady G

    Nice veggies! I spied some nice red potatoes! I love to roast those. I had a friend try the Whole 30. She was getting married so there was that for motivation. LOL!
    I’m very interested to hear your opinion after the 30th day.
    As always, I enjoyed having a peek into your family’s life 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      So Gwin, how’d your friend do on the program? Was she happy with the results? And are you still going low carb? I will definitely give an update at the 30-day mark, plus 6 months, plus a year. I’m kind of excited to see what this brings! Really happy to see you, my friend!! 😁

      Liked by 1 person

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      1. Lady G

        She did okay but she really didn’t have much weight to lose.
        As for me and low carb? Well….Er..um…What had happened was…LOL!!!!
        Always happy to see you too love!

        Liked by 1 person

  17. thehangryrunner

    I’m impressed that you are able to beat the cravings. I want to run through that tall grass but don’t want to go anywhere near it because, well I’ve seen Jurassic Park and that’s where raptors live. I found that flipping my bladder once I’ve filled it and sucking the air out before I put it in my pack helps to get rid of the sloshing. I even spent a crapload on soft water flasks just to get rid of the slosh it makes me that nuts.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. neveradullbling Post author

      Thank you! And thank you for the advice! It sounds like a great trick for the sloshing. I’ll definitely give it a try! Ooooo, yeahhhh, Jurassic Park. Super glad that one didn’t come to mind on Sunday!! 😁

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