So things have been going really well!

I started my new job and it's been busy, busy, busy. I'm really enjoying the work so far, and I'm feeling good about the decision. I'm challenged, I'm given a lot of responsibility, and I feel like what I'm doing matters and makes a difference. Really good stuff! I've also been getting the wheels turning to make some moves on the other career-related stuff I want to do, which is really exciting.

I've managed to maintain my fitness routine (which is, at this point, REALLY rigorous) and not drop anything despite adding work. I've got two more triathlons I'm training for--one on September 11th and one on October 9th--and then also the Philadelphia half marathon (which will be my first!) the Saturday before Thanksgiving. I'm really excited about all of those! I feel really settled and happy with my current training routine, and I've done a lot of focusing on form--I've settled into the fact that the speed and distance will continue to grow from there.

I've also managed to clean up my eating even a little more than I had. I see a lot of people who talk about "eating clean" here on sparkpeople who have, what seems to me, rather loose and varrying definitions! To clarify, my diet consists of, almost exclusively at this point, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and a little bit of fish. I've managed to abstain from eating chicken, beef, turkey, etc. for almost a year now (I do still eat fish about once a week). I've recently dramatically decreased my wheat and dairy intake. One of the gifts that came from losing weight was/is being more in tune with how foods make my body feel. Wheat makes me feel sluggish, bloated, and tired. Dairy makes me feel sick and sluggish. I'm not much fun to invite over for dinner these days, but I AM feeling better than I've felt... well, ever.

I'm also making progress towards dropping those few extra pounds I wanted to drop to make running in Philly more comfortable. I'm sitting at 137.2 this morning (goal weight by November is 133-134ish).

And I've kicked up my strength training routine a little bit and am seeing great results! I'm going to take some pictures for myself to track progress, and I'll be sure to post some here. But I'm excited to say I have definition everywhere, loose skin be damned--legs, arms, abs. A friend/mentor said something to me the other day about how different I must feel from two years ago, and I told him that while the weight loss is a big difference, it's actually the strength that I'm most grateful for. Doing everything is easier because of it--walking, sitting at a desk, standing around, running--really, everything. I used to have a lot of pain, even when I'd shed as much as 100 pounds, even when I was considered a "healthy weight." Don't skimp out on this part, sparkfriends! It's made a HUGE difference and I wish I'd added it in sooner than I did even!

I've also made great progress on the friend front. I'm proud to say I've managed to NOT spend so much time with--or be available to--people who drain me or use me. Instead, I've managed to fill my life and my time with people who energize me, who bring out the best in me. What a lovely change that has been! It's been gradual, but I'm really so thrilled about it since this has been in my consciousness since my early twenties.

Am also making great progress on my non-weight-related goals for the year--budgeting, being mindful of spending, purging "stuff," being less wasteful. Am feeling balanced!

Guess that's all I have to report. Things are solid and good here. Will be preparing today for Irene, which is coming through our area this weekend. We live in the woods, so 80-100mph winds are never good news. We will prepare how we can and hope for the best. It's been an amazing year in my area, weather-wise. We've had a heatwave, extreme cold (the kind that comes with warnings), a blizzard, tornados, an earthquake, and now a hurricane!

Love and light.