-25 + 5 = 20

I read a statistic a few weeks ago that Americans gain an average of 4-10 pounds over the holidays.  I woefully report that I did my part to keep these stats so high, as after I forced the Spicy Chicken onto the scale yesterday I stepped on it myself.  It took me over 6 months to lose 25 pounds and only a few weeks to gain 5 back.  Wow.

So I'm back at my halfway point which a few months ago was really exciting.  Now, however, it feels pretty pathetic. 

Today, however, is a new day and I was back at Clay this morning with a smile on my face.  I'm fairly certain I won't be able to get out of bed or wash my hair tomorrow, but I really don't care because it felt so good to be back on track.  It's amazing how just one workout can change everything.  I ate a healthy breakfast this morning (banana with peanut butter, half cup of OJ and two big glasses of water) - took the dog for a 3 mile walk this afternoon after completing an enormous amount of work and finished off the day with a healthy meal of baked chicken, steamed sugar snap peas, and a salad.  Where this sensibility was the last 4 weeks I don't know, but it feels great to have it back.

Missing

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS GIRL??

Ok, so I admit it.  I've been missing from here, the studio and most forms of exercise for a few weeks.  That doesn't mean I've fallen off the wagon - not completely at least.  I've managed to run a little, walk a little and I totally kick butt at Just Dance 2 on the Wii during our little holiday vacation, but you're right, I let myself down this holiday season.

No worries, though. Hyam returns from vacation tomorrow and thus, so do I. I can't even imagine how sore I will be on Friday (she's had an entire week to plan and scheme!) but I'm SO ready to get back in the studio.  Who knew I'd miss those killer workouts so much? I did!  

Side Note: The girl in the that picture above is also Missing in the "I barely recognize her anymore" way, too - hooray!

Friendship Buffet

I saw the term "friendship buffet" on the front of a magazine the other day and decided I was going to adopt it as my theme for the holidays. 

Since so much of the holiday season centers around eating and drinking - two things I am trying to control - I've been a little apprehensive about how I was going to deal with all of it.  A "friendship buffet" seemed like the perfect solution.  Instead of indulging on cookies and cocktails at get-togethers this month I will focus on filling myself up with my friends.  

Sometimes, despite our best intentions, our lives get in the way of the things that are most important to us.  After a difficult week that left me feeling pretty low I was fortunate to be able to spend time with several of my really good friends over the weekend.  Though we've all been extremely busy lately we carved out a little time to share with one another.  It was exactly what I needed - and I ended the week feeling fabulous. 

In class sometimes Hyam talks about the exercise "filling up your tank" rather than depleting it.  I love that analogy, and think it can be transferred over to so many aspects of our lives.  The holidays sometimes become so full of hustle and bustle that they leave us feeling stressed, tired and drained. But that is the antithesis of what it's really supposed to be about - it's supposed to lift us up - make us feel incredible.  So that is what I'm going to focus on.

That is also my challenge to you.  Find a way to fill up your buffet with friendship, love and laughter this holiday season.  Include a few cookies and cocktails along the way, but focus on the blessings that you have - and on being one to those around you.  It will leave you full in a whole new way - and you won't even have to unbutton your pants to enjoy it!