What a week!!
This week has been one of the toughest weeks I've had in some time. My stress levels have been at a high level for the last seven straight days. Some of it was work rated (and self imposed), some was home life, but mostly I fear it was loneliness.
For the last five months I've worked from the comforts of my home, and at times the local Starbucks. As much as I love the flexibility it gives me - I am now convinced it may be driving slightly insane. Although I'm a shy person most of the time, I crave social interactions. I love catching up with friends, contemplating work with coworkers, chatting up solutions with clients. Being in my house all day, isolated, simply sucks ass. Plus, I miss the sun! Although I blame that part on Illinois - not my job.
This week I went to LA for a day trip, we had a sales meeting with what hopefully will be my next client project. During the meeting I was just so excited to be interacting with people that I actually almost forgot that we were giving a presentation. It was calming, yet odd at the same time. I'm now on the plane, praying we get this project. Id love to have the summer in LA on a kick ass assignment.
Nonetheless, all this stress put me in a mental state where sticking to any diet was just not going to happen. So for the last two days I absolutely let the train fall off the track. In saying that I know I'm going to get back at it, starting at dinner tonight. Not even going to wait until tomorrow. Every meal, every minute, every decision is an opportunity to lose weight. I plan to take every opportunity I get.
Well that's it for me this week. I made it through and on the other side of what has been a tough one. Hitting the gym in the morning!!
Vitamin D
Every winter the same thing happens to me, I get depressed. My energy levels plummet. I loaf around the house and refuse to run errands. I say I'm bored every 10 minutes. I focus on my job and nothing else. I basically have the same symptoms of seasonal depression every year. Unfortunately it typically takes me a month or two to realize what is occurring to me, by that time Spring arrives and I violently spin myself into a small frenzy of excitement at all the possibilities of my summer. When I say frenzy, I mean frenzy. I make myself go absolutely nuts by trying to be everything I was not over the last two months. For example, yesterday, I almost purchased a new gadget just so I can measure how far I "run" - who am I kidding?! I don't run! I hate running. Im an elliptical, low impact kind of person, I'm not a runner.
Anyway, after going back and forth with Lauren, she finally convinced me to stick to my original program. Yes once the weather turns I'll get out and jog some paths and even take the bike out, but I'm not a runner. Anyway, yesterday we booked our summer vacation. We are taking a 7 day cruise from San Juan PR through all these really cool places that I've never been; then back before the 4th of July. I'm very excited as I've always wanted to go to St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados and the like. Should be an awesome trip. It's also great motivation as I now have 90 days to drop more weight. I think I can drop 30-35 pounds in that time. I made further adjustments to my diet and I'm gonna stay as vigilant as possible with a "break" meal once a week, preferably on a Saturday or Friday.
Heading to the gym as much as possible as well. I'm also weeding off my personal trainer. I love her but it's a bit pricey and I need to learn to do the muscle toning on my own. Plus, we are moving May 1st and I won't be able to see her once we move as I'm changing gym companies.
Well that's it for now. I figured I should post an update as I've been out of it for a bit. Seasonal depression sucks!
Everyday, I’m happier….
After a few weeks of not really dieting 100% but just trying to watch portions, I'm still losing weight! It's insane. I fit back into pants that I didn't fit into when I first moved out to Chicago - the pants are two sizes smaller than what I bought for myself this december. I am so happy about my progress that its making me want to really continue. I'm modifying the diet because honestly I can't be 200% nuts when it comes to what I eat. I like food. I also don't like having a "cheat day" in the schedule. I strongly believe that if I want to eat something, I should be able to eat it - of course, keeping in mind that I need to watch portions and remember that I should probably be as healthy as humanly possible 90% of the time 
So officially I'm not off my Four Hour Body diet - I'm doing exactly as the book states: experimenting. I know that low-carb / slow-carb is absolutely what I need to do to continue seeing results. So I'm sticking to that formula. I'm eating a very low-carb breakfast but having my tall Latte in the morning, every now and then as well, just not everyday like I used to.
Officially, I'm down 14 pounds since the end of December. 14!! I thought I was 5 down before but my trainer set me straight... it's actually 14! I can't believe it. I'm just so happy.
Overall I've been really happy with my progress, but can not wait until I can visibly really see the changes. I feel them, but I can't see them. I hate that. I'm still not the person I remember or expect when I see myself in the mirror, and soon I hope that person returns. I'm getting there.
This weekend I have to go dress shopping. I have a brides maid dress to go try on, and luckily I feel so much better that hopefully I wont freak when I try stuff on this weekend. Well see.
That's all for now, still going to the gym 3-5 times a week and remaining as active as possible. It's tough, but I'm going for it! 14% to my goal.... feels great.
Back from vacation and back on 4-Hour Body!
The tittle of this post says it ALL! I totally fell off the wagon on vacation. My intention was to remain totally committed to 4HB but I just fell apart. the first day I got to Atlanta to visit my cousin we went to eat sushi with a friend of hers. I felt like I had to order sushi, I didn't even think twice about it.
Im taking my 5lbs and going on vacation!
In the last two weeks I was able to shed 5 pounds. I can't tell you how happy I am. After three months of working out and not seeing the weight come off I am totally renewed. On the diet I'm on I get to cheat once a week, which I've isolated to one day a week, but only after breakfast. Last Saturday was "cheat day" and it was epic!
6 Days of slow carb mishaps, tomorrow will be a better day!
After six days on the slow carb diet, I am now officially 1.8 lbs closer to my goal! I know it doesn't sound like much, but honestly after 4 months of watching what I eat and exercising and not seeing that needle move, I have new found hope for my future. I did have a few mishaps along the way this week which also goes to show that I might do much better next week. Here is the breakdown of my mishaps for week 1.
4 Hour Body – Slow Carb Experiment
Last week I picked up The 4-Hour Body by Timothy Ferris. It's a captivating and easy read. Essentially the way the book is laid out you only have to read the specific sections that apply to your needs: lose weight, gain muscle, etc. There are about 50 or so topics covered in the book from food to sex. As I said, captivating read.
Frustration.
Frustration has set in. It's been 3 months since I started working with my personal trainer and today was our 3-Month Assessment. I'm an honest person and I know it takes more than a few weeks to lose weight but I've made more than just a change to my workout schedule, I've also started to eat much healthier that I was before. I expected today to show that I've made some progress, but it seems it wasn't meant to be.
Back on the Paddy Waggon
Well now that I've had my mini-breakdown I'm finally feeling like I can do anything!! Over the last two weeks I've seen my personal trainer four times, worked out alone twice and am pumped to get to the gym everyday moving forward. Lauren finally jumped in full throttle with the groceries last week. We generally are pretty healthy at home but could do better, and are starting to.
Some Inspiration or Motivation
My last post was on October 20th. Almost a month and a half ago, which is probably about the same amount of time since I've been able to keep a consistent schedule. My life has been quite hectic the last month or so. I've been all over the place for either work, or personal reasons and haven't really had time to stop and take a breather. I've been to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston.... and back in a matter of 45 days!
Then last weekend I finally caved.