Outward changes that aren't physical

A lot of people have told me that my personality has changed since I've lost weight.

It hasn't. It just comes out more.

I feel more entitled to be treated better. I laugh louder. I say silly things that before I was just thinking.

In so many ways, losing weight has reminded me of adolescence. For a while, I was much less steady as I got used to moving my familiar-yet-different body. I had to relearn some appropriate behavior.

I've never been a super-touchy person outside my immediate family. I joke with some friends about my "bubble." When I first lost weight, my bubble got even bigger. Excess weight becomes a physical barrier, and I got really used to that. When I first got smaller, a hug felt almost too intimate, just because people were literally closer. I'm beginning to be more comfortable with less space between me and others. And, in keeping with my tendency to do things I'm frightened of, I purposefully try to push my comfort zone on that front, not in a weird way, I hope.

Toes: My second toenail on my right foot is now nice and purple. I might go up another half size in shoes, but I have some concerns that that might cause other problems.

Today's run: Was a walk with Paul.

Note to self: Stop forgetting why you run

Yes, it's been rainy -- but I've already talked about my fondness my running in the rain.

I did an hour this morning. Who knows precisely how much distance, as I went where I wanted to go, which was off my measured route.

I'm realizing, too, that the measly little half-hour or 15-minute runs just aren't enough to give me the stress relief that was such a pleasant surprise about running.

Today is Day 2 (or 3, or more -- who am I kidding?) of running around like a headless chicken. But this running around is driving and sitting and stressing. All that's easier to take when I've already panted for 60 minutes.

Through rain or snow (I wish!)

I have a new security guard buddy, who was fussing over my running this morning. "You're like the post office," he said, "through rain! Snow!"

Such silliness.

I got 30 minutes of jogging this morning. There was no rain, unfortunately, just the remnants of it.

Love Story writer dies

Paul: Are you too young to remember "Love Story"? The author, Erich Segal, died.
Me: "Love means never having to say you're sorry," right? (insert eye roll)
Paul: Yes. That's why I never say it. (big laugh)
Me: Go. Now.

Yay! My running shoe has been discontinued ...

... which means the price drops dramatically. Of course, I'll need to keep my eyes open for it on the sales racks and in the flyers.

Toe update: I'm rethinking this nail issue. It might not be what I thought it was after all. Of course, I don't want to spend money on a doctor visit when it's not as though anything can be done anyway.

Food jags I'm on

Here are my seasonal food jags ...

1) Greek yogurt with a banana or an apple. What I love about Greek yogurt is that I can eat it without mixing in fruit, since it tastes so mild (yes, this is my palate talking). Most of the plain yogurt I eat has a lot more tang and it really needs the sweetening effect of the fruit. When I first went on plan, I would eat the plain yogurt plain, almost as a spiritual exercise, just to emphasize that I was eating 100 percent for nutrition and not pleasure, as I'd eaten too much for pleasure in the past.

2) Broiled cauliflower with some olive oil. It gets crunchy and a bit carmelized.

3) Decaf with milk. I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but the warming effect of it has been nice lately.

4) Cincinnati chili. I've got some more on the stove right now.

5) Mashed potatoes -- white with skins on or sweet potatoes with coconut oil and some cinnamon.

Exercise: I did the class with homeschooling dad Monday, and my arms are a bit sore today from it. I didn't get in my planned run of the marathon route. I did get in a 15-minute jog.