Another successful week at doing things I don’t want to do.

First thing – The gym. I was sick (still) this past week, but went to the gym once anyway. A shorter workout than normal, but still a workout. And I found a new stationary bicycle – a recumbant bicycle where my feet are at about the same level as my hips. Comfortable, and works my legs the same as the typical bicycles. Doesn’t work my lower back the same way, though. Good for certain types of exercise, though.

Second thing – I went to a baby shower. That doesn’t sound like much, but I haven’t been to a baby shower in about ten years. As a woman who deals with infertility and who has suffered through fetal loss, I started avoiding baby showers. I certainly don’t mind celebrating others’ families, that’s not the issue at all. I cheerfully purchase gift certificates, presents, and cards for expectant parents. I bring food to families with new babies. The issue is the baby-crazy atmosphere often present at the showers themselves.Tw0 hours of being in a room full of women, only half of them known to me, who only want to talk about babies. For those who have suffered fetal loss, the worst question in the world is “how many children do you have?” An incredibly common question in that environment, it opens up a huge thing that just shouldn’t be dealt with in the celebratory atmosphere of a baby shower. That said, I went to this one. It was important that I go. I didn’t want to go. I survived.

Third thing – On a lighter topic, I love eating at restaurants. Soooo luxurious to have someone else make my food, serve it, and clean up after it. Now don’t get me wrong, I love to cook, but I love restaurants too. I have a certain amount of cash each month that I can spend as I see fit, and the majority of it always goes to eating out. Buuuuutttt… that’s not the best choice I could be making. Restaurant meals often have too much fat and sodium. They certainly don’t usually use the well-kept, cleanly-fed, humanely slaughtered types of methods that I think best and that I practice at home. And there are better things I could do with my money. So my third success of the week is NOT eating out with my personal money. Whew! It was difficult, but I did it. I was even at a restaurant with some friends and didn’t order anything! Yay, me!

Bonus thing – I have continued my success at not agreeing to more than I might be able to deliver. My ability to stick to my priorities has been much better.

Seven weeks down, and three to go. I still see a lot of working out in my future… maybe I better not think about that too much!

(New to my Growing Pains challenge? Here’s the original post that explains it: https://rantingaboutrectangles.com/2012/09/25/ten-weeks-to-a-better-me/)