Catching Up

I think I may finally be caught up on the majority of my sleep. I am struggling just a little to stay awake to write this right now, but at least my eyelids are not fluttering closed involuntarily like they were the last couple of days!

Our anniversary was incredible! We had an amazing trip and made many new memories that we will always cherish. Spending quality time with my wonderful husband is something that I can never get enough of, so after such a long busy stint – which will be continuing for another month or so yet – it was absolute bliss to escape with him for a couple of days.

However, I must confess (you all knew it was coming) that I did poorly with my eating the entire time we were away. It wasn’t a binge-type of experience though, which is good, but more a sense of simply giving in to whatever we wanted because we were finally away. I would say that while I definitely overate that I did not feel like it was in a way that was out of control. This is very different from the last time I went away and I am already feeling like I am back on plan and doing well. Unfortunately, I am quite certain that such a quick turn around will not be enough to prevent me from seeing a gain come Saturday’s weigh-in, but I am okay with that. Maybe I shouldn’t be – I know that I have been fluctuating around these same numbers for about a month now – but I just can’t bring myself to feel bad about having a relaxed time with my hubby.

On the more diligent front, I did do something new to try and help me see more consistent losses in the coming weeks. I went to one of my local gyms and asked for a free one-week pass. My plan is to give it a try and investigate all that they have to offer, and then go to one or two other gyms to see if I can do the same there too. I am not totally sure if I will join one or not – this past month excluded, I have done very well sticking to an exercise regimen on my own – but I am going into them with an open mind and the thought process that at least I am getting temporary access to an entirely new set of equipment and tools which may help me get back on track.

Today, for example, I attended a Core Fitness class. It seemed pretty intense to me although I managed to keep up with those people performing in the top half for most of it. I did better on the cardio components than the actual core work, but I did do everything and felt good about my performance. It was really interesting to try something so different from any other workout that I have done so far on this journey!

One last thing I need to note is that I did not complete Midlife Swimmer’s fabulous Pre-Summer Pool Challenge. I am disappointed in myself for this because it was a great idea and something I know I would have enjoyed completing. My only excuse is the lack of time that I have been contending with for the last couple of months, but even that very valid reason does not feel like a good enough one to have missed out on participating in this fun challenge. I did do one small component of it though. I spoke with my husband about the benefits of exercising in the water. The main part of it however – actually going swimming three times prior to June 21st – did not happen. I think that to make up for not finishing this challenge I will make a personal commitment to go to the pool at least three times before the end of summer. Besides, swimming is just so darned fun!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 9 glasses of water
- 1 pan-fried banana and light peanut butter wrap on a soft tortilla shell
- 2 cups grapes
- 1 gala apple
- 3 1/2 cups spinach salad with cubed cheese, croutons, dried cranberries, yellow pepper, and calorie-wise Greek feta and oregano dressing
- 1 cup honey nut granola cereal
- 1/2 cup corn with margarine
- 1 cup steamed broccoli with margarine
- 1/2 cup brown rice
- 1 cup of a pork chop
- 1 small mug caramel cinnamon dolce steamed skim milk

EXERCISE:
- 25 minutes of walking completed in 2 outings (15 minutes and 10 minutes)
- 50 minute Core Fitness class