Day 158 - FAIL

Okay... I went 45 hours with no TV and caved. I have come to find out that I use the TV as a "winding down" tool that helps me quiet my mind, ultimately lulling me to sleep. I did okay without the TV Saturday night but didn't sleep well, and by Sunday night I massively crabby and tired. My mind kept reeling from all the past weeks' issues, and anticipating the upcoming work week woes. I literally felt like I was going nuts! My mind wouldn't stop racing, despite talking to others, reading, and listening to music in efforts to relax. It was around 8:30pm when I decided to stop torturing myself and turn on the TV. My mind began to settle as I zoned out, but then the real torture began as I chose to watch, "Sister Wives". Yuck!

Day 157 - MMOM

Meet Me on Monday

1. What is was the last piece of candy that you ate?

A peppermint "ball". I'm not quite sure what they're called.

2. Do you "read" in the bathroom?

Yes. Sadly, sometimes I sit there for a while reading, long after the use of being in there has ceased!

3. I can't stand when someone _________?

Scuffs their shoes/drags their feet! I just want to yell at them to pick up their feet when they walk! I was never allowed to drag my feet growing up, so I'm sure this is where my disdain for the habit has originated.

4. Do you do daily, weekly or monthly grocery shopping?

I try to shop weekly, but usually end up changing my menus or forgetting something, so it seems that I am picking things up daily.

Day 156 - P.S.

Today I thought I'd borrow an idea from a friend, and post about some positive things that I am thankful for. The P.S. in today's title stands for Positive Sunday!

1) Friends coming from the suburbs to pick me up, and participate in the United Fun Run/Walk for the Zoo 5K with me. As I have participated in many events alone, I have come to appreciate having friends to talk to along the way!

2) I appreciate and am thankful that the scale is finally moving in a positive direction for me! It's been a lot of hard work, but I'm getting closer to my goals.

3) I got asked to work on Sunday, and while working 7 days a week is not a thrill, I'm thankful to have work, and to be active. Also, this helped me get out of the apartment and not watch TV for (most of) day 2 of my self induced "No TV Challenge".

4) I'm thankful and so very blessed to have the love and support of the world's best boyfriend. He understands when I'm stressed with life, and takes a step back and let's me (eventually) come to my own conclusion that I am being a "brat", instead of pointing it out to me.

5) I'm thankful I have the power to break the chain of dysfunctional actions that my upbringing ingrained in me. Despite needing to, and working on change, I am thankful for the challenges I've been put through as they all lead me one step closer to being a better me!

Day 155 - TV

Today was day 1 of no television. Not sure what I was thinking starting off a week long challenge of no TV on a weekend, as that's usually when I have the most "down time" and want to veg out in front of it. Despite temptation to watch the "boob tube", I managed to occupy my time with reading (I'm actually half way through a new book) instead of mindless TV show viewing. To fight the urge to turn on the TV, I found myself eating breakfast and dinner at my dinner table (what a concept!) instead of on the couch and in front of the TV. I found it very peaceful to actually sit at the dinner table, although I think my cats found it rather strange. I was thankful to go to work for a while so my day was broken up, but when I got home the urge settled in again to turn on the tellie. Instead, I did laundry. And continued to read, blog, and surf the internet. I don't know if I'll ever get to the point of not missing a TV, but at least today proved to be more productive without it!

Day 154 - Benjamin

Marcello: By Will Rafuse
(One of my favorite artists)

Sometimes the best things in life are the little things, or maybe not even things at all, but the actions of others. One of the best things about today, besides leaving work, was the fact that the chef in the cafeteria was waiting for me, and had my breakfast in progress. My daily routine (at job #1) has been to work out, shower, and then head to the cafeteria for breakfast. It's about that time that I scan the offered food items, and silently groan at the fact that there are no plain eggbeaters. I usually don't say anything and take what's offered and enjoy my breakfast anyway, but let me tell ya, I'm about fed up with eggbeaters and spinach. Then enter Benjamin.

Benjamin is a warm hearted, positive man that seems to have a contagious, positive attitude. He often asks what it is I want and seems more then delighted to make me an individual batch of plain eggbeaters. In addition, he's made me breakfast burritos, and sandwiches as well. He always recommends what's good, and shakes his head "no" if I am in jeopardy of making a poor food choice. But today was just a little different.

Today, as I walked into the cafeteria Benjamin exclaimed with a smile on his face, "I've been waiting for you!", and then asked "Body for Life?" (a type of lean breakfast sandwich). I smiled and replied "Yes", along with a thumbs up. It was at this moment, I looked to the grill, and saw that Benjamin was just putting the finishing touches on a fresh sandwich just for me, despite the fact there were plenty of sandwiches waiting under the heat lamps. I thanked him immensely.

I know a breakfast sandwich may not make heads turn in awe, but the fact is that someone took the time to think about me, and to do something positive that totally made my day. And for that, I thanked him, and had to write this post. The world needs more Benjamin's! And more importantly, if you have a "Benjamin" in your life, make sure you thank them!

Day 153 - Bye, Bye Tellie

Based on yesterday's post, I am challenging myself to a week with no TV. Yep, starting Saturday, June 4th, I will attempt one full week of no TV. I had to put some rules into place however, as there is one place I cannot really avoid watching TV, and that's at the gym. All of the cardio equipment faces 8 televisions that are constantly "on", so other then attempting elliptical trainers and treadmills with eyes closed (not a good idea for Ms. Clumsy here), I will make the gym the only place TV is allowed (but I promise not to like it!). With that said, the rules I've come up with for myself are as follows:

1) No watching any TV programs on my own personal TV's (or friends, or neighbors!).
2) Viewing TV's in gym acceptable as deemed unavoidable.
3) Internet information is okay (ie: e-mail, social websites), but no watching Hulu, or other TV sites.
4) Any DVD/movie watching at home is prohibited.
5) Going out to a movie theater is allowed.

Wish me luck!

Day 152 - June

I can't believe today is June 1st! The year is close to half over and I think and wonder, "What have I done with my time?". I am thankful I have this blog to remind me of the things I have accomplished, because as of this moment I feel I haven't done enough. Which brings me to the question, "when is enough, enough?".

While I don't insist on filling up every moment of my time with something to do, I look back and think of all the wasted time I've spent in front of the TV, or just not being productive in general. It seems like it takes so long to wait for the good weather to show up, and then when it does, I don't take full advantage of it - anyone else feel like this? I am thinking there is a "no TV" challenge coming my way!