The Holidays Make Me Sick (Literally)

That title makes me sound like the Grinch.  I'm not.  I love the holidays, I really do.  I have great memories of the holidays growing up and I had a great Christmas and I am totally looking forward to the New Year like you wouldn't believe.  BUT, it seems like every year without fail, I get sick, so sick.  As I type this, I sit here with a fever and some serious chest congestion.  I woke up yesterday with the chills, congested and feeling, how shall I say, digestively imbalanced.  Maybe it's everyone in close quarters sharing food at parties but I can't seem to escape the holiday season without getting the flu or a bad cold or bronchitis or the stomach bug.  Oh, the stomach bug.  The only upside to this misery is that it does seem to have a positive effect on weight loss.  I don't think I would have lost weight this week (and I did lose a little more!) if it weren't for this flu.

This week was tough.  I tried really hard to keep the cookies at bay but they just kept finding me.  I worked out as much as I could.  I have been forced to do the bike since I have a pretty nasty shin splint in my right leg.  The left leg seems to be totally healed but the right one just won't give it up.  That's probably another good thing about me getting the flu: my leg is actually getting some real rest and relaxation.  I can't remember another time in my life where I've wanted to run as much as I do now.  I always hated running.  I still don't really love it but making progress in it is kind of intoxicating.  It's amazing how good it feels just not to feel bad running a mile or two.  I plan to get back into running next week for a 5k that I signed up for.  A 5k on January 1st.  I must be crazy but it's definitely a good start to the new year!  I signed up to do the Shoreline Race Series.  There are 9 races in the series and if you complete 8 of the 9 (or 7 if you do the long race) you get a jacket.  I've decided to do my best to run all the races.  They are mostly 3, 4 and 5 mile races with one long 10 miler stuck in there.  I'd like to get that jacket.  It reminds me of that line from Happy Gilmore "Gold jacket? Green jacket?  Who gives a shit?"  Well, I guess I give a shit!  And I'm not even sure what color that jacket is!  Hopefully by Tuesday my leg will be good as new and so will my lungs!

And, drum roll please.... This week, in total thanks to the influenza that set up residence in my system, I am down another 1.8 pounds.  Whatever, I'll take it.  If this is the universe's way of helping me detox from all those cookies, then so be it!

So, my friends, it has been three weeks and I am down a whopping 8 pounds!! I am thrilled!! 37 more weeks to go.  Hoo-rah!!