How am I already a third of the way through my time in San Francisco? I cannot believe how quickly the time has gone!

This fact has hardened my resolve all the more to make a dent in the stack of books that I brought with me. I did some reading while in DC, but really, I bought more books than I read. This time around, I want to ravage through my supply.

So far, I’ve gone through three books and am starting on my fourth. This week, in particular, I finished the last book in the Anne of Green Gables series and thus, suffered what every book-lover must endure when closing the pages on another great story.

That feeling of mourning, as if these characters you’ve fallen in love with, cheered at their victories, cried with them in their losses, has died.

So, why do it to myself time and time again? Because the pain of something beautiful ending is worth the priceless reward of having known those characters and being able to keep them in my heart. “It’s better to have love and lost than to have never loved at all”, right?

The emotions just kept on coming this week, as I began CrossFit Monday. Whew! Let me tell you, it was a kicker!

I had forgotten how badly those initial workouts felt after being inactive for a while. My body basically pulled a mutiny on me, leaving me sweaty and sore.

Worse than that though, I had forgotten how harsh I am on myself mentally when I exercise.

Mind you, I’ve known this quality generally existed for some time. I noticed that it comes out when I make a mistake or say something wrong. I’ll beat a dead horse by mulling over it again and again, replaying the scene, willing another scenario to exist besides the one that actually happened.

Or, it’ll come out when I’m learning something new and I can’t get a hang of it quickly. I’ll get frustrated with myself, willing my brain and my body to understand, and if the stress becomes bad enough, I’ll usually end up shedding some tears.

This health journey of mine is just beginning, but already I can tell that to sustain it, I need to stop willing the desired result to exist now. Instead, I need to:

a) Accept where I’m at and the strengths and weaknesses that come along with it

b) Will myself to be consistently disciplined today so I can be closer to my milestones tomorrow.

Something I’m trying to remember is that everything that was nearly torturous the first two weeks of starting CrossFit became more bearable with every following workout. What I’m doing now isn’t perfection, but it sure is progress.

Though I’ve struggled in the exercise department, I have loved this first week of working with my nutritionist! My meals taste great, I haven’t been achingly hungry, and I even lost 3 lbs between Monday and Saturday. Woo hoo!

Saturday was my “refeed” day, which just breaks up the routine without undoing everything I’ve worked so hard this week trying to achieve. On refeed days, I get free rein with one meal, then am given different meals from the same three meals I’ve eaten all week. For my meal of choice, I went with some seafood (are we surprised?) at the Crab House at Pier 39!

I chose to get one pound of crab legs, which were super yummy!

By the end of it, my hands were covered in garlicy, buttery goodness. Good thing they provided a bib (and such a fancy one at that)!

After my delicious meal, I wandered around the pier, drinking in the sugar-scented air and the yearned-for sunshine. I meandered around different shops, bought a honeysuckle perfume that took me back to the bush that grew by my old Virginia home, and eventually found myself facing a whole bunch of seals.

These little guys were so adorable as they took their afternoon nap and soaked in the sun.

Some of the seals spent the afternoon playing with each other or taking a dip to cool off and mingle with other snuggle buddies.

This guy caused a ruckus as he hopped onto a pile of his friends, soaking them in water. They told him off accordingly.

Altogether, it was a beautiful day that I enjoyed immensely. It might have been one of my more untraditionally-spent St. Patrick’s Days, but it was undoubtedly memorable.

P.S. Anyone who is worried about Big Booty Judy, never fear! She has an inspection scheduled on the 24th, and after some repairs, BBJ will back and ready to rock!