Day 2 - Good Beginnings

I got home yesterday, and followed my own advice. I put on my running shoes, and I got outside. My stomach growling, I started to run. I only lasted 12 minutes before I had to walk. Knowing that this was not going to be a good run, I instead decided to do my own version of intervals. I walked for a minute or two, then ran as far and as fast as I could run, walked again, ran again. I kept it up for almost 45 minutes, which was the only redeeming factor of the workout. I got home grumpy, and was grumpy with Greg because not only was I hot, tired and had a lousy run, but the kitchen was filthy, and I was going to have to start making dinner. (I had secretly hoped Greg would start it while I was on the run, but it was not to be…)

A quick look at my goals from yesterday:

1. No drinks other than water and Emergen-C for the rest of the day, and plenty of water at that.
I did have a cup of chamomile tea with a bit of honey when I was going to bed, but I’m not at all ashamed or bothered by that tiny slip. Tea is good for me, and the honey isn’t bad, either.
2. The first thing I do when arriving home is put on my workout clothes and go for a 30-40 minute jog. No wimping out.
Done.
3. Dinner will be chicken, rice and vegetables. No sauces. No seconds. Keep the portion small.
I had exactly that. No sauces, no seconds. Lots of protein, broccoli and cauliflower. Very small portion of rice.
4. No after-dinner treat. Chew gum or brush my teeth, and be done with it. No more “I’m craving something sweet” as an excuse to eat something stupid.
Again, I did it. I brushed my teeth shortly after dinner, making my mouth feel clean and sweet, and leaving me with no excuse to dirty it up again with something I didn’t need.
5. Don’t think about being hungry, because I’ll have given my body plenty of fuel, and there’s no reason to think otherwise.
I didn’t, and I wasn’t, and I went to bed satisfied and not craving anything.

So today, I’m hell bent on doing it again. I ate a modest breakfast, I’m currently eating a modest lunch. Greg is making chicken curry for dinner, which only has the downfall of using coconut milk, high in saturated fat, but combined with lots of spices and grated carrot, the sauce is delicious and certainly healthier than one I would get at a restaurant.

When I get off work, I’m going straight to the gym to do a Body Pump class – one solid hour of muscle toning. I’m on Day 2 of being good, and I’m going to do it up right. I’m not going to make weeklong or monthly goals, because I just disappoint myself, but rather take it day-by-day to ensure that I’m doing what I need to do to make sure each day counts. So here are my goals for the next 24 hours:

1. Give it my all at Body Pump – Use some higher weights, focus on form, and don’t wimp out and miss repetitions.
2. Drink enough water to kill a camel.
3. Spend the evening on my feet – pack for my trip this weekend, pace the floor while reading for class, and find reasons NOT to sit down.
4. Ask Greg to let me serve myself at dinner. He feeds me well – often too well – and I need to make sure I keep my portions down to a reasonable volume to lose weight.
5. Set my alarm for 5:30 tomorrow, and sit up in bed without thinking. Put on my running clothes without thinking. Go outside and run or walk for 20 minutes without thinking.

This weekend is going to be tough. I’m going on a trip to St. Louis with a friend, which means we’ll be eating out and being lazy. I’m going to have to set some boundaries and goals here, because if I don’t, it could become a weekend of gluttony. I can’t afford that. There are only 57 days until I have to fit into my bridesmaid’s dress, and I’m determined to NOT look like I’m a polish sausage in that skirt.