As I mentioned in a previous blog, I was down and out for quite a while -- both with school and with health problems. Thankfully, the health problems seem to have been resolved. As for school, I had to drop my Japanese course this semester because I was feeling too bad to attend and I was falling behind. This means I won't be able to graduate next semester as I planned.. but I am finally OK with this. Sh!t happens, and my health is more important. Due to this turn of events, my school schedule is cut in half -- I am only doing 2 classes now, which gives me a bit more wiggle room to work in my healthy cooking and workouts.

This week I've been running again (3 times!) and it feels amazing -- I've struggled lately with motivation, binge snacking, muscle aches, depression, etc... but I already feel these symptoms lessoning since getting back into the amazing sport that is running. I feel like it helps my body and my mind function better...in a way that no other form of exercise makes me feel. Plus, it's very very motivating; I really want to get back into doing 5ks, so I'm training to do the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. Since I lost some progress, my goal is just to finish in less than 60 min (which should be easy and give me an idea of where I stand).

Support -- real life support -- is something I don't get much of from my family (except for my wonderful boyfriend), but it's something I've decided I need. Last week, I took a huge plunge and joined a therapy/support group on campus intended for women who are trying to lose weight and live healthier lives. I've also begun individual counseling to deal with emotional eating, as well as to learn coping strategies for my family, stress, school, etc.

All in all, nothing is going as expected -- but that's ok. I am not superwoman, and I did not meet my goals (school nor weight)... but I think that taking this path is going to lead to a healthier and happier me. I WILL reach 299 lb, no matter how long it takes.

And you know, I have maintained an over 65 lb weight loss, even throughout the health issues that I've had this summer. I think I should give myself some credit for that. Good job, self! I am on the right path, so I will stop being so hard on myself and just put one foot in front of the other.

For now, my goals are simple: keep running 2-3 times per week and do a bit of strength training. Stretch often. Attend therapy. Don't overdo it.

Everything else seems to fall into place when I am consistent with my workouts--I crave healthy foods to fuel my runs, I lose my anxiety and thus urge to binge. My diet is already good--I just need to be careful with emotional eating and I will be losing weight again in no time at all. I said before that I was in this for the long haul, and I meant it!