[Gemme]

Once the weight loss ball started rolling, I was able to loosen the ties a little. Now, I can indulge in a couple cookies or some candy and go on without it totally consuming me or spelling disaster for my diet. But I had to get myself beyond that point where I focused so much on the treat and whether I strayed or not from the 'plan'.

I'm a planner. I had a plan. My longer hours at work and my commute have significantly changed my plans and I think it's for the better. Instead of saying, "Here we go again...", my body screams, "Yessss!" when I work out now. I'm lucky to get in 3 days a week now, instead of 6-7 days. I am lucky to spend a couple of hours there each time instead of two hours being my minimum.

I think this is a good break for me. Next month, I should have someone else at my store, so I won't be the only one working there. I can go back to working out more. Also, Ebon changed his work schedule to be more cohesive with mine and we're going to switch to evening workouts, which I tend to loathe. That's going to be another jolt to my system.

All of these changes have added up to something good. I know life gets in the way for all of us at one point or another in time. I used to see that as a strictly bad thing. Not anymore. Change is what you make of it. I don't obsess about working out so much anymore and my workouts feel richer when I do them now. I appreciate them more. I still log my food intake and I still try to keep in mind the potential ramifications of the things that I do and eat, but it's shifted a little left of center now and I think that that is a good thing for me, especially with the stress I have at work. The last thing I need is to be hard on myself when I'm already carrying a heavy load.