Successful #Whole30 and February's Challenge

Done. Done. Done. Done. Done. On February 7th, I completed my last day of the #Whole30 Challenge. All in all, I lost 20 pounds since Jan 3rd, 15 of which were during the challenge. I learned how to cook new foods and broke up with sugar (though we reunited recently with the hopes of breaking back up again). I learned how to eat when I'm hungry not just when I'm stressed or bored. I'm really glad I did the challenge even though parts of it were tough. 

For February, I've entered the #RunStreakPhl challenge...run a mile every day in February. I mean, we only have 28 days, right? At first, I was on FIRE. I would look forward to my runs and I was so excited to see my progress run after run. I could run longer, faster and easier with each day. Until a few days ago...when days of running turned into a bad case of shin splints. Now running is extremely painful. I'm trying to stick with the challenge, rolling my shins/calves and stretching more, wearing compression sleeves and socks, and taking it a little bit slower. I'm determined to finish, I just want to get back to where I was enjoying the stress relief of the run and not the painful stabbing in my legs. 

Halfway there. 

I registered for the Hot Chocolate 15K in April. It is a month before the Broad Street Run (I find out if I made the lottery for that one tomorrow morning) so I figured 9 miles is a good benchmark to see how I'll fare with 10 miles in May. 

Work is busy and at times hectic but I'm making through my days and learning a lot in my new role. I'm currently the Corporate Communications Manager, a promotion I received on Christmas Day. Navigating the Public Relations landscape has been an adventure but turns out it is not that far off from reverse journalism, so the skill set is there. 

Life? Um. It is ok. I've been keeping busy with the challenges I'm doing each month and trying to continue to lose weight so I can skydive for my 30th in August. Been trying to be more social. Not that I'm anti-social, but sometimes a work week exhausts me to the point where I just want to be a hermit in jammies watching Netflix with Bronx. 

Bronx celebrated his 4th birthday last week! 

Little nugget enjoyed a trip to Pet Smart where he picked out (with help from Mom) that flat squirrel toy. He had a birthday cookie and also kindly posed for a few 4th birthday photos in his birthday hat (which he hated and promptly pawed off of his head). His goes to his new vet for his annual checkup this Saturday and then on Feb 21st, we'll celebrate our TWO YEAR adoption anniversary. This little (big) pup has brought so much joy to my life. He is the perfect dog for me and we love going on adventures together. Just this past weekend he came to Valley Forge with me for a nice 5 mile hike. 

That is about it. Here's to hoping I can run pain free soon. It was good stress relief for awhile there. 

Until next time...