The newness has worn off. Like most New Year resolution makers, as we come to the end of January, I feel the drive to accomplish my goal waning. It is no longer new and exciting. Now is the test: Will I embrace new habits or fall into old ones? The battle is real.
I am nearing the end of Whole30. Just 5 days to go. At this point in the game most people say their craving for sugar is completely gone and they feel great, etc, etc. Well, I feel great. That is for sure. I feel healthy. I've eaten delicious food over the past 25 days. I truly love the program. But the only thing that has been on my mind for the past week is the sugar/junk food binge I'm planning for February 6th. All I can think about is where I want to eat and what I want to eat, food that has been restricted for the past 3 weeks. I know it is a bad plan (going on a junk food bender after a month long cleanse) but, I also know that I refuse to live a life in which I can't experience the joy of food. I love food! The plan: eat as much crap as I can on Friday and Saturday; Return to program Sunday. I won't jump into another Whole30 immediately but I will live a mostly-Paleo lifestyle with a free meal here and there. As I've said many times before, meal planning is the key.
The struggle this week came in the form of not wanting to and not making time to complete my workouts. I only got two in this week. I had the time. I just didn't have the commitment. The workouts have gotten stale as they are mostly repetitive since day 1. This week's workouts were definitely a challenge. The length has increased so planning more workout time into my schedule is necessary. Laziness was my only excuse this week.
Lately the call to return to running has been loud! Now that I am feeling a bit stronger and a bit more fit I feel a bit more ready to pound the pavement. I hate running but I love the runner's high that comes every time I finish a run. I need that feeling. I also love how my body responds to running. Several years ago when I was dedicated to the sport I slimmed down to 203lbs. I loved participating in races and being a part of the runner's culture. I miss that. My only concern with running is my knee. My old ACL is aggravated. I don't know if I've retorn it or what but it is causing me a lot of pain, strangely, only when I'm lying down in bed or sitting in the car. I'm wondering if it is inflammation. I will incorporate my old PT exercises into my workout to strengthen it and maybe take up running again at the beginning of March.
Overall, I am starting to feel the difference. I can't see it just yet but my core feels stronger. I feel my muscles there working and my waist slimming. My clothes fit better. I was able to comfortably wear a pair of pants to work on Friday that I haven't been able to wear in a few years. I have a pair of jeans in my closet that is my goal. I can't even get them up over my hips at the moment. Every week or so I try them on to see if there is a difference. I cannot wait for the day they slide on easily!My other motivation at the moment is the impending 25 year reunion for the MVHS class of 1995. Holy. Cow. How did this happen? How did 25 years of my life flash by? All I know is I will be one of the few non-marrieds. It will be awkward and uncomfortable and I will probably hate being there for most of the time. But I will look good, dangit! I will work my butt off so I can walk in there
confidently!
