` summer sun don't leave us now that it's only just begun `.

This blog is only moderately fitness-related; it's more about how happy the sunshine makes me (I truly believe that happiness is a huge part of being healthy)!

Today, for the first time in OVER A MONTH (!!) the sun came out for more than an hour and the temperature exceeded 20°C. While I didn't get too much chance to go out and enjoy it (it was about 3:30pm by the time it got nice), I did go out a little early to get the bus and caught some extra sunshine (wearing sunscreen, of course!) It's been a long time coming. We still haven't had a full day of sun, and it has literally rained every single day for at least part of the day, for the past 35 consecutive. It's got me really stoked for the summer and all the fun outdoorsy stuff that comes with it. I generally just FEEL better in the summer; I'm sure most people do, but I find I am truly my happiest when it's warm and sunny, regardless of any other factors in my life.

This summer is going to be even more fantastic than usual because I have a steady job and some really amazing people to spend it with - for the first summer in about 5 years, I have a boyfriend who will be around for the summer, an amazing new group of friends and tons of plans for things to do! And hopefully chances to catch up with old friends as well, it seems like most of that group has moved or will be moving in the next few weeks - all to the same area of Ontario, coincidentally. I miss them, but I know that that is what happens when everyone grows up and finishes university!

Now on to something relevant. One of my biggest struggles with my lifestyle is my eating habits. I have never really paid too much attention to what I put into my body, but a friend of mine has been paying super close attention to nutritional info on the things she eats, and it got me curious about exactly what it is I put into my body on a regular basis. I know my sodium intake is iffy, purely on account of the amount of processed crap I eat. Anyway, my friend sent me the link to a really neat website, Lose It, designed to help people lose weight, that you just put in what you consumed for the day and it calculates the calories and (for most things) other nutritional values - fat, sodium, etc. You can also enter in your exercise for the day - from straight up working out to things like housework and walking the dog. It subtracts the amount of calories you burn exercising from your total consumed, to help you keep track of your goals on a daily basis.

Now, I am well aware, as I've stated before, that I do not need to lose weight. I've actually gained weight (from 104lbs when I started this journey to 112lbs now) in a healthy way through toning and such. But a huge part of being healthy is what you put into your body, and anything that makes it easier for me to a) keep track of what I eat and b) hold myself accountable for the things I consume that I shouldn't, the easier it will be for me to get and stay healthy.

I still haven't gotten around to posting my turkey burger recipe. I will do that soon, I promise!

` honey i'm weak in the knees for you. `

So it's been a little over a month since I updated. Things got pretty hectic and busy with exams last month and then I picked up a ton of extra shifts at work. I was doing pretty well with making it to BodyFlow class, though I will admit I haven't been to Combat since my last post. I find the combination of two in one night causes havoc for my knees, and with the constant rain we've had for the last 3 weeks I don't need any help making them flare up. I have arthritis in my right knee, and I suspect it's starting to reveal itself in my left as well. I get some pain and weakness when the weather is bad, and swelling after exercising and if it's humid or damp (which is always around here). My doctor has said it's nothing to worry about unless the pain starts to become debilitating or I start losing function. The weakness has improved some since I started getting used to the classes and actually doing something other than sitting on the couch.

My eating habits for the past week have been touch and go...We ordered pizza on Tuesday and went for wing night Wednesday (I had fish and chips) so I ate quite a bit of fast food last week, but we also ate a few really good meals at friends' places as well. The Sunday Matt cooked spinach pasta and tonight I made chicken breasts, mashed potatoes made with skim milk and Blue Menu margarine, and broccoli. I admit, I negated some of the healthiness of that with cheese sauce, but again, it was made with skim milk and cheese so it's not AS bad.

So I missed a week of BodyFlow last week because I was just too damn depressed from the rain and exhausted from working 7 of 8 days to be bothered. I'm also back in school for a summer class so trying to balance everything is a challenge.I went back this evening and I must say, as difficult and painful as the newest release is, I freaking LOVE it! Combined with the late-afternoon sun peeking out around 3pm and a really gorgeous evening, I currently feel content down to my very core. It seems silly I'm sure, but I always feel so much better after I go.

I'm hoping we will get some more good weather soon...it's already starting to cloud over and we're forecasted to get more rain from now until Sunday, then one nice day and more rain. I want to start walking but it's hard to get off the couch when the weather is so crappy!

Anyway, time to stretch and then do some homework before bed! I'm going to post a few of my favorite healthy recipes coming up over the next bit, starting with my turkey burgers next time I remember! :)