Last time out this project was about re-inventing myself. It started by just wanting to feel better -- lack of energy, mental fog (or is that a "brain cloud", Joe?), and an intense dislike of what I saw in the mirror every day led me to make some dramatic lifestyle changes. It worked. Though I didn't quite reach the weight loss goal I had set (it wasn't really about that, but it was fun to watch the number go down every few days), I did reach the clothing goals and I had so much energy I couldn't believe it -- don't remember ever having more. As an added bonus, I found I was thinking more clearly than I had in ages and that mental clarity helped me make some major decisions regarding what and who I spend my energies on. What a great feeling!
What is it all about this time? Mostly, it's about sleep. I love sleep. More than I love chips. Now, don't get me wrong -- I sleep. Just not deeply and all night -- I'm right back where I was when I started out last June. The mental fog is back, too, and brought with it a great lack of energy and motivation do more than sit on my butt. I also find that I am far more irritable than I was and really need a nap in the afternoons. That is not an option when you're working full time, so what's a girl to do?
Get back in the saddle, that's what! The holiday pre-diet was a spectacular failure but that's not going to be the case this time.
Though I learned some valuable eating and nutrition lessons last time out, I have reverted back into some old habits:
- Coffee -- far too much every day. It's "roll up the rim" time again, and that's not helping, because when you're in line for your daily cup of java, why not get a breakfast sandwich or a bagel with cream cheese to go along with it? Several times a week...
- Vodka coolers -- not necessarily a "bad" treat to have on the weekend if you make sure you drink extra water -- which I don't...
- Red, red wine -- same as the vodka coolers...
- Water -- not nearly enough every day -- been drinking coffee...
- Carbs with every meal -- potatoes, rice, bread = bad, bad, bad...
- Chips and dill pickle dip -- once I get started, a large bag of Ruffles only lasts for two days -- then what happens with the leftover dip? You buy more chips...
- Butter tarts and cookies -- not all the time, but often enough...and always more than one. They go so well with all that coffee...
- Toast -- I love toast, any time of the day, with jam -- not a bad thing, unless it's 11:00 PM and you're craving it to the point of distactability. At least it was the good, multi-grain stuff...
- Veggies/salad -- haven't been going there at all unless someone puts it on my dinner plate for me...
- Fruit -- ditto...
It's going to be very helpful that a friend is starting a cleanse today -- she is a dedicated health and nutrition enthusiast and I always find her Facebook posts to be very motivational. We've vowed that "no crap shall pass" our lips for the next few weeks.
So, as I sit here enjoying the last butter tart for a while, I am cooking up my Chicken Vegetable Soup and Turkey Chili for the week, having laid in a large supply of cleansing vegetables and lemons during the grocery shop earlier today. Planning to buy the workbook on the way to work tomorrow and then I'll be all set for Part 2 of Traci's 17-Day Diet Project!
