Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project - Fifty-Nine!

Dear Friends,
Last night, Body made us proud! Not a sneeze, a cough or even a need for Kleenex! It was a very good night for Vanity, as well — dancing with guys in shorts from Nova Scotia and businessmen in suits from Glasgow! 
The best part of last night happened this morning. Regardless of cake and bubbly, not an ounce of weight gain! Dancing and chicken soup must have the same slimming properties as kale! 


12:00 - lunch with the family, at the Ashbridge's Bay Park
In Toronto, nothing compares to having lunch in an authentic Greek restaurant, by the water!
I feel so blessed today, good wishes from every corner of the world; friends, family members and most importantly hugs, kisses and a scribbled card and envelope from my granddaughters!
2 more days left............ 

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Takeover!

Dear Friends,
This morning, Body wouldn't play Mind over Body game! Although too weak to fight the flu, she was strong enough to take control of the day!

  6:35 - Body got out of bed to cancel our training session.
  8:25 - Body got out of bed for a hot beverage.
  8:41 - Body crawled back to bed.
12:00 - Body opened the door for the cleaning lady.
12:45 - Body returned to bed after a bowl of hot, homemade chicken soup.
14:20 - Body closed the door behind the cleaning lady.
14:25 - Body went back to bed with another hot beverage.
15:45 - Body agreed to take Vanity for a manicure.
16:45 - Body planted herself in front of our new flat screen TV, savouring yet another bowl of soup. 
21:00 - Body is not promising any big moves, but she is ready to ring in our 59th year on earth, at midnight, on the dance floor.
3 days left to ring in the new school year! 

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project The Flu!

Dear Friends,
Obviously, we didn't honour Body comme il faut, otherwise she wouldn't have caught the flu! Unfortunately, the next few days don't look too good for her, either! Although I haven't had my back-to-school nightmare yet, I feel the race against time has already begun!

  8:00 - a pouch of healthy, tasteless cereal
10:00 - back to the classroom to tie loose ends (so many of them)
15:30 - spaghetti with meatballs, a glass of red wine
17:25 - while ex-husband is setting up my new TV (a birthday present), I'm writing my "peace" for today and going to bed, with a hot, spicy drink, to sweat!  Hopefully, tomorrow morning, I will get up with a lighter head and Body!
4 days left to recuperate!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Dripping & Sniffling!

Dear Friends,
Body is not feeling well! Either allergic to the humid, hot and dusty classroom or a sinus cold! Regardless of Oregano - 8 and Breathe Easy herbal tea, we are continuing to drip and sniffle!

  6:00 - still another pound to go!
  8:00 - a pouch of tasteless, healthy cereal
  8:30 - took a cab to work
8:45 - 14:00 - pushing, pulling, lifting, washing 
Although I wasn't going to repeat the mistake I made at the end of June, I laboured as hard as my cleaning lady. God Bless her for coming to my rescue!
14:00 - 16:30 - dollars were adding up, had to remain behind, solo
17:15 - went for a pedicure
19:00 - getting ready to go out with friends
Although Vanity is planning to be strict with us, Mind can definitely see alcohol, and perhaps even dessert, in the forecast! All poor Body wants, is chicken soup and the covers!
5 days left to get rid of whatever it is that I have!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project oops!

Dear Friends,
Sinus disturbances, post-nasal dripping, headache, strained thumb, that was never looked into, and leg camps took turns keeping me awake, all night.

  6:27 - weight down by 20 oz
  9:30 - coffee with friends
12:30 - my Trainer back in town!
I was so happy to see him, since I hadn't been to the exercise room or the pool, for days!
15:30 - TMJ clinic for night-guard fitting
19:10 - met my technology guru for last minute details
11:03 - finally home, still dripping and sniffling!

The next 6 days will be packed with physical and academic labour, errands, appointments and outings — lots of cortisol, alcohol and perhaps even sodium! Needless to mention, Body is still waiting to be honoured!  Oops! It seems that we have pampered Vanity, instead! 

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project

Dear Friends,
Today, was a day of hard work! It took a great deal of effort and self-talking to make it to school, to set up my classroom. It was grey and rainy; thus the commute in sandals — slip and slide! 

  7:35 - Body got out of bed, although the alarm was set for 6:00am.
10:00 - we made it to school, a heavy bag in one hand, an umbrella in another — drenched 

It took me all day to cover four bulletin boards with ripped pages of my French psychology magazines. Everything else had to wait till Wednesday. There was no way I was going to empty lockers, push around furniture and wash desks on my own.  We are done abusing Body! 

17:30 - met my friend for a drink, or two 
Already I can tell, hard days at work will require after-work drinks with friends. However, I'm happy to report that Mind and Body do not succumb to greasy, tantalizing Pub food, anymore! 

20:30 - kale salad

Although I have 7 more days at my disposal, I believe I'm already back at work!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Stabilization!!

Dear Friends,
Regardless of the calories and the inflammatory properties of the failed layered shooters last night, Body's weight has remained stable! 

  7:30 - one microwaved egg
  9:00 - brisk walk to the subway
  9:45 - bartending course begun
12:25 - banana break
14:15 - kale salad break
18:20 - Vanity picked up some more kale (miracle food) on the way home 

Mind enjoyed being separated from the brain, again. Except, I'm not sure how I feel about being snapped at by a twenty-two year-old "bar manager!" Maybe I should remain in the classroom, where I give the orders!

In 8 days I shall return to my domain!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Shooters!

Dear Friends,
No matter how much I weigh at bedtime I'm always 2 pounds lighter the morning after. Thus, I've started weighing myself at night as well!  

  6:35 - still 3.4 pounds to go!
  8:00 - 2 microwaved eggs
10:45 - pushing granddaughters double stroller uphill
12:10 - salad for lunch (resisted both the pizza and the ice cream)
13:15 - couldn't resist 4 for $1.40 shot glasses at the neighbourhood discount store
15:00 - on the way home, stopped at the liquor store
16:19 - bartending homework - recipes and practicum
17:30 - unsuccessful shooter pouring (layering) led to throwing everything in the shaker and enjoying 3.5 oz of delicious alcohol!
19:00 - obviously, kale salad for dinner
20:13 - back to the sink wasting water, working towards 10 out of 10 free-pour accuracy

I can't believe we are dipping into single-digits already — 9!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Granny's Hangover

Dear Friends,
First, severe toe cramps woke Body up. Then, a massive hangover took over her. Finally, abdominal spasms pushed Body out of bed. With two Brazilian Mojitos, two glasses of white wine, dessert and two chocolate Martinis, there was really no need to get on the scale, this morning!
Granny with hangover had to forgo swimming pool and steam room in favour of entertaining her lovely granddaughters.  

The afternoon was spent with a former student, who is slowly becoming more like a niece. 

19:00 - seems to be a good time to go to bed 

10 days left to find better ways to honour Body. 

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Mermaid or Chaperon?

Dear Friends,
Tonight, not only I was subjected to Mexican sodium and alcohol, but I was also in the company of two lovely, tall, slim ladies. Did I mention they are much younger than me?

10:00 - exercise room, my trainer would've been so proud of me
11:00 - dandelion tea
No, I didn't forget the eggs in the fridge, again! Today, I was on a liquid diet, till 5 pm.
13:00 - beautification
14:00 - Mind kept the stomach busy
15:40 - Finally, Vanity managed to squeeze Body into the infamous "mermaidish" black skirt! When out with girls half her age (almost), Vanity needs to look anything but "chaperonish!"
24:33 - the lovely, fun evening cost us 4 pounds! Let's hope by tomorrow morning we have lost at least 36 oz.
11 more days to go!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Lost in Renaissance Project!

Dear Friends,
For the past three days, the weight has remained stable. It's not bad, considering all the Merlots, but it's not good either!

10:30 - exercise room
12:00 - wrote 20 "Welcome to my classroom!" cards
15:00 - back to Gabriel for a trim, making note of people's compliments and proceeding accordingly
17:00 - staring at myself in the mirror
Actually, I'm not sure why I went back to Gabriel so soon. Now, my hair is really too short! And I'm not particularly fond of the back of my neck! I think my malaise stemmed from the return of the frizz, not the length of my hair. Too late! 
19:00 - going to a party
There was a time when I only worried about what to wear to parties, now I also have to worry about what to eat. Outings and gatherings have definitely lost their meanings in Renaissance Project!
19:10 - decided to vaccinate myself against temptations by having a piece of fish and some salad, before leaving.

12 days left to lose the final 3 pounds!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Lucky 13!

Dear Friends,
What should you do if your apartment building doesn't have water for the whole day? Hit the streets with someone in whose building the fire alarms are being tested!

10:00 - met my technology guru, better known as my lifesaver

Since I'm teaching grade three in September, I thought, a least my class newsletter should be transmitted electronically. No need to alarm parents with my shortcomings in technology! 

19:45 - returned home to grumpy pipes

Time flies when you are in good company! Teachers can talk with each other endlessly, regardless of their age or personal interests. 
Thanks to my wonderful young friend and mentor, my desktop is clean, updates installed, documents properly filed, pictures stored, and most importantly, my website — up and running! As long as no one asks me any questions, I should be able to pass for an electronically savvy grade three teacher (wink wink, nudge nudge)! 

Luckily, I still have 13 more days to educate myself! 

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Lilibody-friendly!

Dear Friends,
Body didn't wake up without grievances! The two early morning cramps, one in each leg, were most probably courtesy of dehydration. And the weight gain? Starbucks protein bistro box, lack of movement, sample cocktails, late dinner, and of course water retention! 

  9:00 - swimming pool, steam room
10:30 - temporary insanity 
I defrosted an Iranian rice dish with meat and cabbage, and gobbled it down with pickled garlic. It felt awesome! I'm hoping the "homemadeness" of the meal, can prevail its calories and inflammatory properties.  
14:00 - a long, very long walk and lots of water
16:00 - stopped for lean, mean chicken breasts, vegetables, fruits and a few other necessary items
17:00 - lined up my newly purchased bar tools on the breakfast counter, to practise 
19:00 - Although the eye hasn't mastered the art of "free-pour" yet, the right shoulder is already complaining about turning bottles upside down by their necks. Perhaps, I shouldn't have cancelled my physiotherapy sessions for this week. 

14 days left to find "Lilibody-friendly" activities. 

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project - Virgin Cocktails!

Dear Friends,
Spending a full day without myself, except for a very short lunch break, was quite an amazing experience (Mind is asking for an encore)! The bartending course, however, was what I had expected — a bar full of people half my age (minus a few years), loud music and alcohol.  
Instead of boring you with course details, I rather tell you what I did last night, after I posted my blog. 

21:00 - put a pot of water with two eggs on the stove 
21:09 - the water started boiling
21:10 - turned off the stove, let the eggs sit in hot water, to harden
21:25 - went to bed
21:40 - jumped out of bed in panic
20:41 - put the pot in the fridge, although hardboiled eggs keep well in room temperature
20:43 - crawled back into bed
  
  7:00 - put the pot back on the stove to reheat the eggs
  7:18 - turned off the stove
  7:20 - drained the warm water
 When I reached for the eggs, there were no eggs! I had basically boiled, refrigerated, and reheated just water!  Unless I start taking a mixture of Ginkgo biloba and Panax ginseng, all my cocktails might remain virgin! 

How many days left to work on my memory?

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Noteworthy!

Dear Friends,
Considering the fact that, last night, we feasted on gluten, dairy and a double dose of Merlot, Mind decided, no weight-gain, meant weight-loss! However, today, we are back on the "project." Hopefully, the extra pounds will come off before the next round of playing it by ear!

12:00 - running shoes on feet, a bottle of water in hand
The September issue of In Style magazine is my cue to go "back-to-school" shopping!
Amongst my lifelong struggles, my lack of satisfaction with my shoes, brasiers and dentists is noteworthy. Mostly because certain body parts that follow me to stores, end up not being the ones residing with me. In case of my dentists, they always hand me down to their new associates.

16:30 - linner (lunch/dinner)
Although Vanity rather buy smaller size skirts than brasiers, seeing less bulges around the band, straps and wings motivated her to enjoy the dry chicken breast and vegetables.

20:30 - going to bed early, and very excited! Tomorrow is our first lesson in bartending!

16 days left to do as we please!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project No More Gluten!

Dear Friends,
Stomach pain and leg cramps kept us up most of the night. At 7:05, Vanity dragged Body to the scale —  up by 8oz. Body crawled back into bed, to wake up an hour later, miraculously 6oz lighter!

10:00 - exercise room
10:55 - added some cardio, thus paid ourselves the full amount
11:20 - leftover chicken loaf
11:45 - Body solved the mystery of last night's stomachache — 1 tbsp of bread crumbs in the chicken loaf! 
As I, mentally, shifted bread into the "NO" list, next to cheese, I thought, might as well! What's bread or pasta without cheese! Bread crumbs, I can live without!
14:30 - Mind taking advantage of Body's stomach pain and Vanity's lack of social life, worked on her plans for September, anticipating a meagre dinner with no wine! 
16:55 - an impromptu phone call from a good friend led to a wonderful evening of pizza, tiramisu and 12oz of Merlot! So much for our dairy/gluten-free aspirations! For sure, tomorrow! 

17 days left to play it by ear

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Go Vanity Go!

Dear Friends,
This morning, the scale tipped to our favour by one pound (still 32oz heavier than last Thursday morning). The joyous news rekindled Vanity's obsession. She dragged Body downtown, on foot, and kept her hungry till 5:30 pm! Once and for all, Mind and Body have to accept that they live with a narcissist! As superficial and frivolous as it may sound—nothing makes me happier than looking my best! 

  9:13 - swimming pool, steam room
11:00 - 2 hardboiled eggs, a cup of dandelion tea
13:00 - a brisk 50-minute walk to the ophthalmologist 
16:30 - stopped for chicken breast, kale and more eggs
18:00 - Mind convinced Vanity to enjoy a glass of red wine 
19:00 - to Vanity's dismay, Body insisted on having 2 squares of dark chocolate, as well 

There was a time in my life, when before doing anything, I would ask, how much money is it going to cost me. Now, before doing anything, I ask myself, how many oz is it going to cost me. 

Vanity has only 18 days left!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Playing It By Ear!

Dear Friends,
Body is still struggling to neutralize last weekend's indulgences. As the impatient Vanity remains unimpressed with Body's limited progress, Mind thought, perhaps, financial gain might motivate everyone to go to the exercise room, solo. Since we didn't sweat, we wrote ourselves a cheque for half the amount of trainer's fee.

15:00 - Physiotherapy
16:00 - had an epiphany, while sitting in the sun, sipping water
I am tired! Very tired of the Renaissance Project. I've missed out on so many outings, restaurant gatherings and physical activities. I've suppressed so many cravings, from eating red meat to a slice of bread, or a bowl of pasta, drenched in butter and cheese. I thought, by now, I would be what I wanted to be — slim, toned and strong. Alas, I'm only midway! 

16:20 - cancelled all my appointments for next week, planning to play it by ear 

19 days left to the end.............. 

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Cortisol Effect

Dear Friends,
This morning, as the 18oz-lighter Body parted water with vigour, I realized that my morning swim and steam room routine will be greatly missed, once school starts.

12:45 - left home for TMJ clinic 
16:30 - since already downtown, met a friend for drinks
While sipping my 9 oz Merlot, in slow motion, to make it last forever, I gave my listener a full account of last weekend. As a variety of emotions surfaced, I could taste cortisol rising from my guts, blending in with the sweet taste of wine, and then taking up residency in my midriff.

Tonight, since Body is functioning painlessly, Mind has become more eager to tackle the rest of our compartmentalized life. Our relationship with the father of the boys came up first for reviewal. It seems that, family has left the family gatherings. Mind believes he might be under the impression that his gifts (some larger than a bottle of wine) entitle him to take pictures of my cleavage when I bend down to fasten my granddaughters' shoes. When I mentioned to my mother that grandpa has crossed the line, she said I should be flattered. However, even 59-year-old Vanity, a freelance crowd pleaser, can't find being sexualized, while attending to her grandchildren, complimentary.
Mind feels pressured to make a decision; regain self-respect by disconnecting, damaging family ties, or redefine self-respect and remain indifferent to an old, familiar aggressor's assaults.

After much deliberation, the reasonable, logical, fair Mind realized that we are not as manipulative and calculating as we thought we could be. Refusing all gifts (incentives to tolerate a man long forgotten but never forgiven), is the only solution. However, we are not rushing to make a decision, yet. 
20 days left to see where the chips may fall

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project 3D

Dear Friends,
At 7:18am, an eager Vanity jumped on the scale, only to be severely disappointed — back to 4 pounds away from our target! If two relatively small and healthy restaurant meals, one birthday party with 1/2 tsp ice cream cake, and a few glasses of wine equal 4 whole pounds, I have to check myself into a nunnery to stay slim.

10:09 - 2 damned hard-boiled eggs and 1 cup of miserable dandelion tea
12:30 - physiotherapy, Body's lack of flexibility is aggravating 
14:30 - last workout with trainer
Just as I'm beginning to see shadows of definition, my trainer leaves me to my own feeble devices to go to his brother's wedding! At this point, without my fitness guru, only a new romance can make me go to the exercise room, twice a week! And I don't see a beau in the horizon!  

17:00 - a dry piece of skinless chicken breast, salad (lettuce, cucumber, red pepper, cilantro, green onion)

20:05 - hungry, grumpy — ready to call it Tuesday! 

Today was a day of gigantic efforts and very little motivation which left Mind in 3D — Disappointed, Depleted and Depressed. It felt as if walls were closing in on me. I wondered whether Body will ever be restored to Mind's satisfaction. Whether Mind will ever behave in Body's favour. And Vanity, will she ever give up her obsession with the dated black-skirt, to accept and love what's left of us?

21 days to figure out whether my strides will always be out of proportion to my feet.

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project - R & R

Dear Friends,
This morning, Mind and Body welcomed the return of routines, at 7:35am.

  7:38 - still afraid of facing the scale
  9:00 - swimming pool, steam room
10:30 - 2 hardboiled eggs, a cup of dandelion tea
12:00 - Mind stopped fighting and sat with Body to watch two movies. 
16:30 - grilled chicken breast, kale salad
17:00 - Mind made a sad attempt to work on lesson plans for September 
20:50 - watched two more movies, while snacking on Brazil nuts and raspberries  
21:00 - Both Mind and Body are ready to go to bed
With only 22 days left, and still many territories to cover, anxiety is beginning to poke out its head.

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Lucky Me!

Dear Friends,
This morning, I woke up with the same immoral thoughts that I had gone to bed with last night. 
As a mother, offering condolences to any grieving parent always involves selfishly thanking God and God forbidding, in silence. For the next while, I will not look at anything with the same eyes. However, I know, as life will never be the same for my old dear acquaintance, it will pull me back into its clutches and demand I attend, once again, to my insignificant needs and frivolous wants. 

******************************************

Magic show, face painting, dozens of balloons, presents and a big ice cream cake with the image of Rapunzel — my older granddaughter turned four today, and her favourite colour is purple. I am the luckiest woman alive.

23 days left of my holidays

Honour Thy Body Renaissance Project Twist

Dear Friends,
The hardest, but wisest thing to do this morning, was to ignore the scale. After a pleasant evening of Mexican sodium and alcohol, there was no point in disappointing Vanity!

  7:30 - a troubled shoulder woke up earlier than anticipated
11:00 - assumed responsibility for granddaughters
11:15 - running around the park with granddaughters
12:10 - almost fed granddaughters 2 hardboiled eggs, kale salad and a cup of dandelion tea
13:45 - pushing double stroller uphill to the neighbourhood toy store
14:35 - concluded Birthday shopping spree
16:00 - handed granddaughters over to their mother

Unfortunately, my pleasant day had a sad twist. I found out that an old and dear acquaintance lost her son to heart attack, a few days ago. He was forty-five, but I can only remember him as the teenager who sometimes played with my young kids. My ex-husband and I went to pay our respects. After such a heartbreaking visit, on one hand, nothing seems to matter anymore, on the other hand, you want to grab on to everything that you have, and live, just live! 
20:00 - took our older son out to dinner, by the Lake Ontario.

24 days left of summer holidays.

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Jinx!

Dear Friends,
In my culture, you never "Brava, Encore!" yourself without knocking on wood, burning wild rue or casting a spell on evil eyes! Alas, this morning, I paid dearly for being infidel.

8:00 - Body woke up, tired and in a great deal of pain
8:04 - weight down by another 8oz
9:00 - Mind spent the whole morning trying to make sense of our disjointed dreams, but came up empty-handed. Even, our book of symbols didn't clarify the meaning of, being in a trailer, hiding in a bathroom, being found out by a deceased friend, washing hair under running water with soap, then finding a small tube of egg-shampoo and arguing with mother for not being helpful, a visit to the doctor who found a knot in the stomach and advised immediate operation. There was also a train turned into hotel, with a strange man hiding in a compartment smoking, with whom we exchanged a few meaningless words. 
Body spent the morning blaming her frail state on Mind, for sending her to bed depleted, last night. She insisted on being fed every four hours. 
Vanity, spent her time putting together a "look" for dinner with the boys' father. 

13:00 - workout in slow motion 
14:30 - mani/pedi and a mini massage (Body insisted)
18:00 - we didn't limp out without knocking on wood, casting a spell on anonymous evil eyes, and burning a bit of wild rue

25 days left to learn to protect ourselves from every angle!

Honour Thy Body Renaissance Project - Brava! Encore!

Dear Friends,
Finally, the TMJ clinic called back with a date! Now, the ratio of positives to negatives is 6 to 0! I'm not sure whether my lower back, gone from positive to negative back to positive could be considered a sixth positive, but we are counting all our blessings, old and new!

11:00 - left home
19:00 - returned home 

Since August has this annoying habit of flying away (it's already the 7th), I've started to fit into one day as many errands as possible. 
A glass of Merlot with a friend at 11:45, physiotherapy at 14:30 exchanging a gift at 16:45, shopping for my classroom on the way home!
Body believes her day was hardly noteworthy (she was exhausted and hungry); however for the rest of us, sitting in front of a basket of Fries cool as a cucumber, was a triumph. Later, lunching on a banana was another victory. Since the slightly paranoid Mind doesn't like to visit unfamiliar (questionable) neighbourhoods, going to a store, across town was also an act of bravery. Buying complementary tools for our grade three program was the fattest positive of the day. It brought to our attention that we are looking forward to going back, after all!
26 flourishing days left in our basket!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project "Come On Body, Keep Up!"

Dear Friends,
Although we are only 8oz away from our target, Vanity feels we need to lose another 2 pounds, leaving room for inevitable indulgences. Losing weight was really Vanity's project, thus she is over the moon! Body, sadly, doesn't feel as good as she looks. Mind, delighted to have already memorized the top 10 cocktail recipes, keeps reassuring Body that she still has time to make big strides. However, the limited range of motion in the jaw, right shoulder and now lower back, predict otherwise.

  9:00 - 1 hardboiled egg, 1apple, 1cup of dandelion tea
11:45 - oven-baked chicken breast, salad
13:00 - a light work out with trainer, mostly stretching
14:45 - went for a long, but slow walk, with a Merlot stop, to fight "the looming stress of feeling the summer is slipping away," as a friend put it
17:00 - spent some time reviewing the Ontario Curriculum, fighting the looming stress of not being well-prepared for September
18:48 - oven-baked chicken breast, salad, 1 cup of strawberries 

27 days left to help Body straighten herself up and out!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Body on Strike!

Dear Friends,
The day was shaping up to be perfect — sun up, weight down. A coffee date with a friend was the cherry on the top. But then, boom! God decided to test me.

  9:30 - Body pulled a muscle, while bending down to pick up a shoe.
10:00 - Body limped to the coffee shop, without breakfast.
12:30 - Body had to take two muscle relaxants.
13:00 - Body lunched on baby arugula salad with cucumber, tomato, avocado, hardboiled egg, cilantro and ginger.
13:45 - While drowsy Body ran errands in the neighbourhood, Mind enjoyed her own disabled mode.
14:20 - Body threatened to sue, if not put on the sofa, in front of the TV set! She also felt entitled to 3 squares of dark chocolate (150 calories). 

Body spent the entire afternoon jumping channels. She took two more tablets, promising to be as good as new for tomorrow's workout session. Both Mind and Vanity are keeping their fingers crossed. 
28 days left to look after Body!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Flourishing Zone!

Dear Friends,
I believe we have entered the "Flourishing Zone!" At long last, we hit the 5 positives to 1 negative ratio! Today, Mind really had to dig deep to find that one negative (TMJ clinic hasn't called back yet).

10:45 - finally Body got out of bed
10:48 - a significant drop in weight
Mind couldn't help but analyze. Was it the vigorous babysitting, the energetic dance moves or the pleasure of running into an ex-lover, on the way home? 
Last night, I had difficulty understanding why people say, revenge is sweet. Sweet is the blissful state of indifference, when a man whom I once adored, buys me two glasses of Merlot, and tries to sweet-talk me into taking him back. This morning, however, as Mind congratulated both Body and Vanity for remaining dispassionate, she questioned destiny's intentions in regard to our romantic life. Was back-pedalling (to an ex-husband or an ex-lover) our only option?

13:20 - took the light Body for a long brisk walk
14:10 - stopped to buy a few brainy magazines
It's so hard not to spend money on ourselves when we feel so good about ourselves! 
14:45 - bought kale, carrots and skinless chicken breasts 
15:00 - bought a colourful binder and some paper 
16:57 - ready to memorize the top 10 recipes for mixology class

Looking forward to a 29-day stay in "Flourishing Zone!"

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Viva La Body!

Dear Friends,
Although the left hand still helps the right shoulder out of bed, today was a proud day for Body!

7:35 - woke up before the alarm
7:37 - 4oz lighter
8:30 - back to hardboiled eggs and dandelion tea
As creative as I can be, I'm a creature of habit. I like my signature renaissance breakfast. I'll have to cut out cholesterol elsewhere.

10:30 - 14:00 
The 20-minute brisk walk from the subway station to my granddaughters' house was just a warmup. Pushing the double stroller uphill (with two passengers) was the exercise. Bouncing around the music class for an hour — the warm down! However, my claim to fame was to fit between my granddaughters' carseats, on the ride back home! Vanity was pleased to hear that their other grandma cannot do it!
Did I stick to a salad and a banana for lunch? Of course not! What kind of a "grandmali" would I be if I didn't have pizza and ice cream with my grandchildren?!
20:43 - As we are heading out the door, all invigorated and dolled-up, we are counting on Body to lose the calories on the dance floor!
30 days left to admire Body's achievements!

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Prefrontal Cortex

Dear Friends,

As I was reading an article in Idea Fitness Journal (compliments of another cheering friend), I realized my prefrontal cortex is not carrying out her responsibilities, properly. While impulsivity, impatience and irritability are running loose, all my prefrontal cortex knows to do, is plan creatively! 

  
  8:00 - Body woke up without pain

  8:05 - scale has become our #1 enemy 

  9:30 - swimming pool, steam room

11:45 - a piece of grilled Tilapia (empty fridge and cupboards)

12:30 - physiotherapy, kinesiology black tape  

14:00 - walked into a new bar tending school

Toronto Institute of Bartending didn't bother processing my registration form, either because of their poor office management, or my grey hair.
14:30 - walked out of "Bartending One" much happier, ready to start August 18
My age didn't seem to "shock" the young man in the office. My energy and enthusiasm must have impressed him.
15:00 - since in the neighbourhood, walked into King Edward Hotel and treated myself to High Tea
The last time I had High Tea, in King Edward Hotel, I was in my mid-forties. In the golden olden days, the scones were freshly baked and the sweet plate included a few petits fours. Today, the pastries were just petits, the scones stale and the champagne flat! I Didn't raise a fuss over the scones or mock petits fours, but sent the champagne back! 
16:00 - left a 20% tip for the waiter, for pouring me another glass, from a virgin bottle of Moët & Chandon. 
19:00 - Was the inexplicable impulsivity worth the money and the calories? No! Do I feel guilty now? On both accounts, yes, yes and yes! 
31 days left to teach my prefrontal cortex to attend to ALL her supervisory duties. 

Honour Thy Body - Renaissance Project Dangerous Managing Zone

Dear Friends,
According to Maureen Gaffney, psychologist and author, in order to be happily flourishing, we need a ratio of 5 positives to 1 negative. A ratio of 3 positives to 1 negative will only take us to the "managing zone!" And that's where I am — in the dangerous managing zone, where lurks the monotony of stability.
It's already August, and I haven't reached the "flourishing" zone yet! It seems, so far, all I've done is keep myself from going on downward spiral. Of course, considering the amount of force needed to prevent oneself from letting oneself go, I'm sure many will applaud my efforts; however, clearly, I'm not one of those people. I expected more from the first 31 days of my Renaissance Project.
Body is not pain-free yet, Vanity still doesn't see herself wearing the 5-year-old black skirt (although she can do up the zipper). Even the overworking Mind hasn't figured out how to implement her innovative grade three program, yet.
Exerting so much willpower cannot be good for either Mind or Body. Can Vanity save us from the plateau we have reached? Your guess is as good as mine!
32 days left to place your bets.