“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.” ― Walt Disney Company, Mulan

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Ah I love Mulan! I swear that movie started my obsession with Asian culture. And the movie delivers a great message to little girls that you can be whatever you want to be...even if you have to dress up like a guy to get there. Hehehe.

So how's the human injury machine doing today you ask?

Healing. I haven't run since Monday and hope that I can bust out a mile this Monday to get back into it. My arch, top and bottom of foot as well as my ankle is still rather sore, but I'm not letting it stop me completely. I did some of the recumbent bike and upper body weights on Wednesday, and yesterday I, somewhat reluctantly, started Ripped in 30.  I managed to find a stretchy ankle brace so I don't make the pain worse and so far things are okay. I really love Ripped in 30. I did the 30 Day Shred, which really kick started my weight loss and since it ended the weight loss has been slower. Thankfully the first week of Ripped in 30 is much lower impact than the first week of 30 Day Shred, so I don't have to modify much. The only thing I'm not comfortable with is the butt kicks and so I do an extra rep of punches during that exercise. I FINALLY found a doctor and have an appointment for my annual physical so I'm excited to get some answers with this evil leg of mine. 

Even with all these little pains, I'm feeling strong. Really strong. I can do so much more than I used to 3.5 months ago. I fit in ALL of my clothes again! The clothes I can't wear are too baggy. My goal pants were tight on me even when I was 20-30 pounds lighter so it'll be a really great feeling to finally zip them up and wear them with pride. Another thing I'm noticing is the absence of my multiple times a week heartburn. I only get it now when I eat 2 acidic foods in a day ( my last bad heartburn was 3/2/13 due to ziti for lunch and BBQ pulled pork for dinner). I'm challenging myself to take it a step further and I'm starting Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30 meal plan. Normally I don't like to follow meal plans because they require weird ingredients and are just not realistic. The meal plan uses foods I already eat and just combines them in different ways I haven't thought of. And if I start getting bored (it's only 30 days so I don't see how that's possible, but it happens!) I have a  Jillian Michaels recipe book Joe bought me for Christmas so we're covered! I'm curious to see if it will make a difference or not. I still plan to eat out once a week. Got to have a day to let your hair down food wise! 

My awesome husband won us tickets to an orchestra tomorrow night so I will be enjoying an evening of lovely music! My music teachers through the years always said to me that I'd always come back to music in my life and I didn't believe them. Well, they were right. I'm excited to start community chorus in April and get back into music again. 

Time to start the weekend! TGIF!

Days until new Doctor Who: 15

Days until new Game of Thrones: 16

Doctor Who and the Tardis by Craig Hurle