Daily reporting for 14th January

Started new schedule today...Got my treadmill work in and my push-ups in the afternoon. Really freed up my evening!

Still going strong. You really have to committ to complete

Only read five minutes, as it was around midnight and I was tired...But read on the train earlier, so that's okay.

Day 9: 10 minutes for reading a fiction book.

Day 14: Did zazen again today. Again, I am surprised that I notice the difference between 5 and 7 minutes. It's a good difference, it challenges me slightly more. I'm starting to understand that when the bell rings and I feel like, 'but I was in the middle of letting my mind wander, I just want to finish on a good note of following my breath,' the simply accepting that it's over and bowing is perhaps the most important part of the whole meditation.

I was exhausted - had worked till 2:30 - so I am proud that I still did it. THAT is why I am starting with 5 minutes and not half an hour. I never would have had the willpower to sit for a half hour last night. Not in my present state.

Sarrah, I'm sorry to hear that. Do you think there's any way you could simply go for a walk around the block? Sometimes just getting out for a minute or two is better than pushing yourself too hard. It sounds like you're going through a hard time and getting outside and just paying attention to squirrels or the sun or the way your feet feel on the pavement could be a good way to live outside of that for just a few minutes. There's always tomorrow for the gym.

I made it yesterday -- probably overate during the rest of my meals to compensate not eating more than one afternoon snack (my habit), but I made it. That's what counts, right??? I kind of like this method. Although I may actually end up GAINING weight from it rather than losing. Let's hope not!

Day 10: Another day of meeting the goal -- oranges after breakfast and dinner.

Up at 6:30 am, wrote 30 mn, and no chocolate for 2 days now. A thumb up to myself! And all of you too!