I have found the ANTI-DRUG!

Saturday Morning:

I first woke up at about 6:30. The sun was coming up and the sky looked like rainbow ice cream. It was cold but I knew it was going to be a beautiful fall day. Still I went back to sleep! I woke again a little before 9, and although I could have slept a few more hours, I crawled out of bed, blinked a few times and got going. Things looked and felt clear. I had made plans to do a loop at Burke Lake with one of my best friends. It would be the first of my training run/walks for the 5k that I registered for in April. We parked near the playground and I said, "Ok this is how I see this. I want to walk to warm up and then run to one song and see how it goes."

We got to the first break in the path about a mile in (Burke Lake is approximately a 5 mile loop), stretched and found our fight songs. Mine was some fast JLo dance tune - no need to make fun - its a good workout tune! I made it through the song no problem and ran a little more. We walked some more and after that I intermittently walked and ran through three more songs. Then I was like let's run through two songs. The first song was Black Eyed Peas' Where Is The Love followed by Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Hawaii rendition. Two songs - I did it! Then before you know I was running to three songs, my summer song Someone Like You by Kings of Leon, Sing a Song by Earth, Wind & Fire, and Rock and Roll by Eric Hutchinson.

I moved a total of seven miles today, over 18,000 steps, over 11,000 of which were aerobic and get this I can still move! I feel great! I truly enjoyed the walk/run even though my run was more like a jog. I think my friend was actually able to walk faster than I was jogging but that's ok. I could care less how long it takes me. This first 5k is about running and finishing for me. I can work on the speed after my first 5k.

My point is this. When I was thinking about my next entry and the title, I kept coming back to Gateway Drugs. See on Friday night all I wanted to do was eat. I wasn't hungry. I just had a bad case of the munchies. We went to Moe's for dinner. I got a burrito bowl, no rice, just chicken, the beans and lots of veggies, some cheese, about a table spoon of quac and the same of sour cream. Not bad right? Well then I had some chips and salsa, and the leftover pieces of Tommy's cheese quesadilla. Then I had hot chocolate and a sweet n' salty Nature Valley peanut bar. I ended up using all of my extra points for the week on Friday. For me Moe's burrito bowl was the gateway drug. I felt like I was spiraling out of control with just one meal. I knew in the back of my mind that I was going walking/running the next day but still I wanted to save those extra points for Saturday night and football Sunday. Friday night an all too familiar feeling came back to me... the feeling that I couldn't stop eating and that the next day would be the same. I almost panicked.

But the next day, as I was jogging to my music, I could still hear the crunch of the fallen leaves under my feet. Sun was beaming down through the barren trees and I looked out onto a glassy lake. Sparkles danced on the ripples as the wind took my breath away. Everything was glowing orange and the air was crisp. It was beautiful. I chose health that morning. I chose to start on a journey to accomplish something I've never accomplished before. There was a moment when it clicked - I had found and taken the anti-drug!

After our walk/run we went to Starbucks. I got a two-pump skim mocha, found a seat outside in the sun, propped my feet up and enjoyed a well-deserved treat.We talked until my husband and son arrived to join us for a healthy lunch at Jason's Deli. I had the salad bar and a sandwich from their light menu. It was delicious - their salad bar is chocked full of fresh, organic vegetables, dressings and toppings. But I must warn you if you go, beware of the crack muffins at the end of the bar. They make these amazing mini gingerbread and cornbread muffins. They are deadly!

So my Saturday was not a repeat of Friday night. I now know that today does not have to be a repeat of yesterday unless you want it to be. I can choose to make healthy decisions at every turn. There is tremendous new-found freedom in this realization. Have a great week everyone! -- Nikki