Time to Get into Shape!

As if trying on workout clothes equates to working out actually.

Sigh.

I swear it’s not because of New Years’, but lately I have been feeling really out of shape.  Ever since final exam period, I’ve been totally slacking in the fitness domain – probably because I realized I could get away with it.

Since overcoming my running addiction (you can get addicted!), I actually lost around 6-7 pounds – although this may also be attributable to the fact that it was around this time that I simultaneously transitioned from being a vegetarian to being a high raw vegan.  I definitely know I didn’t lose muscle.  Regardless, I went from running 7 days a week (one and a half hours to two hours at a time) to running once a week and doing intervals or the elliptical either once or twice  a week.  I was OK initially – perhaps my body needed the rest and energy to assimilate the dietary changes – but now I feel like I’m ready…

I’m ready to get back into shape!

(Now that I’ve typed that out…I realize how little I actually know about goal-setting – because I have no concrete plan other than : exercise more! Exercise a lot!  I think I need milestones…ya know? Like those stickers that we used to get in grade 1 for completing dictation every week.)  To be clear, I’m pretty OK with my current weight, but I’m thinking I need some kind of quantification to motivate me.  I have decided rather unofficially to set myself a goal of losing 10 pounds.

Internet, hold me accountable.

Interestingly enough, I’m looking forward to going back to school and feeling the pressures of work and life.  It’s a curious thing (I’m a curious creature) but I find that being busy actually forces me to become more desperate for making effective use of my time – for example, setting aside time for exercise!  It’s weird that now that I have no excuse NOT to exercise, I just don’t do it!  Terrible, isn’t it?

But I’m working on it.  I’ll be a fitness addict soon enough – once an addict, always an addict, right?

In the meantime… since I enjoyed the remnants of yesterday’s Red and Orange Hemp Soup so much, I thought I’d spread the love.

Red and Orange Hemp Soup

1 1/2 red peppers, diced

½ big carrot, diced

½ cup hemp seeds

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp turmeric

1 tsp soy sauce

2/3 – ¾ cup water

salt and pepper to taste

Blend all ingredients together, adjusting water as necessary to achieve desired consistency.  Enjoy scooped into kale wraps, on top of eggplant “nachos”, or just plain jane!