I was reading an entry over at SeattleRunnerGirl’s blog about taking credit for our success and it dawned on me that I’ve not really ever given myself credit for what I have done success wise in the last few months. And as a matter of fact I’ve not given myself enough credit for my successes over my lifetime.
Today I’m going to have a gratitude adjustment. If you haven’t had one in a while and you’ve been beating yourself up over something trivial I suggest you do the same.
Here are some of my success:
- I am the survivor of an alcoholic mother. One of my brothers died due to his drug abuse and another brother is close to being on the way out because of his alcoholism. It’s in our genes. I will not follow in their footsteps today.
- I am a recovering meth-head. That’s saying alot considering I have many friends (or at least they were my friends during the time of using 20 years ago) that did not survive their use/abuse. Again, I will not be following in their footsteps.
- I put myself through school and do what I love to do. Not many people can say “I want to be a (insert fantasy job here) when I grow up” an actually do it. When I was 12 years old I said I wanted to be a sign language interpreter and here I am today doing it…and doing it very well.
- I quit smoking 2 years ago. It’s been an ongoing battle for my entire adult (and not so adult) life. I started when I was 12. Even after my mother was diagnosed and subsequently died of lung cancer, I continued to smoke. I have quit before (5 years is my longest time as a non smoker) and I hope to never quit again.
- I paid off all my credit cards. I did it during the financial downfall of 2008/2009. Not many people can say the same.
- I’ve lost 22 pounds since December 29th 2009. It may not seem like much but I’ve done it solely on eating less and moving more. NO pills. NO diet fads. NO Tony Little. Just eating less and moving more.
- I have completed 5 of the 8 weeks in Couch to 5k. What I couldn’t do 6 weeks ago was run 60 seconds. What I can do this week is run 8 minutes. This will not be what I can do next week. I will be running longer, guaranteed!
For all of these things I say “Job well done, Tara!”
What’s your gratitude adjustment look like?
Fage:
I’ve heard people talking about it.
A lot!
So I tried it tonight with blueberries and some honey (2 tbsp just in case I didn’t like it)…
Not only did I like it, but I loved it. And at 160 calories for a tasty bowl of fage, 3 oz fresh blueberries and 2 tbsp on honey (which I know I don’t need all of that so more like 120 calories), this is going to be my new favorite treat.
Tell me how you eat your fage!
I eat my fage with peaches and honey.
I love it and I have never loved any yogurt before now.
That is really good to give yourself credit for tough spots..and you are right.
Alot of people don’t get past those things.
Keep truckin’.
I want to get myself a big old semi truck horn now to blow like mad crazy!
What’s the difference between fage and yogurt? Besides one being foreign…
I’ll respond to your gratitude with a post. But! Amazing that you’re a sign language interpreter. I think you’re the first little kid I’ve ever heard that aimed to be an ASL interpreter. Pretty bad ass. Keep up the running! I ran a 9:30 mile today and damn that thing killed me. I thought I was going to collapse but I pulled through! It’s an amazing thing to finish a good run 🙂 Makes you feel accomplished and productive. Stick with the C25K!
And, don’t say you won’t be able to run a 5k straight. That’s underestimating your successes 😛
My understanding of the difference is that greek yogurt is strained of its water so more creamier and dense than traditional American yogurts. The texture is more like pudding.
Never had Fage. May have to try it.
And kudos on your accomplishments. That’s a pretty impressive list. I’ve worked in corrections before, and some of the things you’ve given up are pretty hard to do, based on what I’ve heard. Good job. 🙂
Now I just need you to teach me how you paid off your credit cards… 🙂
Here’s how I paid them off…I was always paying more than the minimum on all my credit cards. I decided to take all the over payment and place it on one card, while paying the minimum on the rest. Once that card was down I took the over payment + what I was paying on the card recently paid off and applied it to the next card…you see where this is going right?…by the time I got to the fourth card I was making was would essentially equate to 5 monthly payments onto one card each month until paid off. 18 months later…credit card free.
I use my gas card once a month and my home depot card every 6 weeks (I pay them within 24 hours of use) to keep them active and to keep my credit score up but other than that the only plastic I have is a debit card.
Great post, Tara. I *love* Greek yogurt! But I use it as a savory side to foods (like people use sour cream) rather than something sweet. It’s just how I grew up eating it!
My gratitudes for today:
1. I had a kick ass workout yesterday!
2. I got 8.5 hours of sleep last night, which makes a HUGE difference in my day.
3. We are supposed to get some more sunshine here this week – Saturday will be outdoors!
As much as I love the rain (washintonian native here..you?) I am missing the sun too. I’m going on a hike with a friend on Saturday so keeping fingers crossed for that sunshine!
It’s supposed to be beautiful Saturday! I’m as native as you get without being born here. I was born in Michigan but we moved here when I was 10, so I’m definitely a Washington girl!
I absolutely adore Fage; I’m glad you found it and liked it too. It’s a perfect treat that’s also good for you. It’s definitely an indulgence that’s worth the calories.
Thank you for sharing those things accomplishments with us. It’s a good reminder to all of us.
Stumbled across your blog – congrats on the 20 minutes. Here’s one of my favorite Greek Yogurt dishes. I use Trader Joe’s brand same thing and lots cheaper.
1/2 cup (3.5 oz) Cooked Quinoa
1/2 cup (70) grams Frozen Sweet Cherries (no sugar added) -chopped
25 grams 0% Fat Greek Yogurt – Trader Joe’s Brand or Fage
1/4 oz raw or dry toasted slivered almonds
Optional – couple drops of Vanilla Creme flavored Stevia
Mix together the quinoa, cherries and yogurt. I add the almonds when I’m ready to eat it. I usually mix it ahead and refrigerate it as I like it cool rather than room temperature.
Calories 237
Fat 7.7
Carbs 30.9
Fiber 6.3
Protein 13.3
Enjoy
SJ
Thanks SJ!!! It sounds delicious!