Things that are too tight

I used to think of things to write on my blog while falling asleep.  Now?  I just go to sleep.  It's not that I don't have anything to say, I just haven't.  A couple of days ago my sister said she missed my blog voice.  I'm not even sure how many people even read this besides her (and my mom and dad) but because I love her so, I'll grace the interwebs with my blogging voice once again...

Last night, as I was getting ready for bed, I had to change my shirt because it was too tight.  It's amazing how much better you feel in that single moment you take off the tight thing and put on something that fits loosely.  It's kind of like when you take your bra off at the end of the day.  It just feels better - like you can breathe.

Then I started thinking about other things that are tight and how it has the same effect.  Since changing jobs, money has been tight.  Now that I'm gainfully (and permanently) employed, that tightening effective is lessening.  I hope that in another month I'll feel that "I can breathe" moment again when I look at my bank balance.

Time is tight.  My very beautiful friend Lori is moving away.  I feel like time is tight with her.  She leaving at the end of June and I wish it was, instead, the end of never.  I will miss her and her freckles.

Maybe not so much tight as it is restrictive - but I've been trying so hard to change my eating habits.  I've been trying to follow a 2:1 protein to carbohydrate diet.  If you've ever tried to do this, you know what I mean by restrictive.  I would love to feel that freeing feeling of eating whatever I want but I don't have that luxury.  I'm still trying to figure out the secret combination that will help me get the body I want.  For now, it just feels a bit like wearing a tight shirt.

Did you hear that I've been working out?  I've been doing circuit training since February.  Every day is something different and that's probably why I've stuck with it.  I think it's safe to say this is the longest I've EVER stuck with an exercise program.  Well, I think there was one other time when I would go and do the elliptical with my friend Melynie at a gym I can't remember the name of back in Missouri but clearly that didn't stick. Anyway, this new exercise program has made my muscles tight.  Underneath the padding of regret, the muscles are getting stronger and tighter.  This is one feeling of tightness I don't mind.  It feels good actually.  Plus, I love that feeling of accomplishment after the workout.  It makes me feel better later when I'm laying on the couch watching TV - no feeling of guilt.

Speaking of guilt - both guilt and regret have a tightening effect.  So does negative self-talk and being in unhealthy relationships.  It should seem like a no-brainer to avoid these things and when you do it gives you that feeling of freedom. And freedom feels good.  Like a long, deep breath.  Here's to feeling that more often...