Day #112 - Unrestricted vs. Unhealthy

Today was my unrestricted day.  That should not be confused with an unhealthy day.  I started my day with 2 Bagels with some peanut butter.  6 Days a week I eat oatmeal, blueberries, and 2 hard boiled eggs, so I never feel guilty about bagels on Sunday morning. 

From breakfast straight up into the master bath to grout the tile floor.  I'm getting close to done now so I'm motivated to push through to the end.  I worked hard all morning and by 1 PM I had finished grouting and had finished my gallon of water as well, thank you very much.  Lunch was a simple leftover meal with some grilled chicken and rice with some veggies mixed in.  Nothing unhealthy about that. 

After lunch it was a trip into town for more remodel supplies.  We stopped at a store for a couple snacks.  OK I got a root beer to wash down my packet of almonds; probably the worst thing I had all day.

Home for dinner; Mrs. FogDog made pulled pork barbecue and macaroni salad.  I had only one pulled pork sandwich and a bowl of macaroni salad.  It was delicious and I wanted more, but only had a small second helping of the salad.

I probably had less calories today than any other day this week.  I also got plenty of exercise working on the remodel and I got my gallon of water in.  Just because it's an unrestricted day it doesn't mean I have a license to be a pig. 

I'm excited for tomorrow morning as it's time to get back on track.  Today was a great start!  112 Days down, plenty more to go, but let's just look towards Day 113.

Stay Strong!

Day #105 - Great Falls

Kids at Great Falls

Did you go to a park today?  For those of you in the USA, did you know that this was opening weekend for National Park Week and that park entry was free?  I love to hike and you would think that I would encourage anything that promotes hiking and parks, but you would be wrong.

You see, I like to hike because a lot of people don't.  I love to get outdoors into nature and take it all in.  I love to spend time with the family but I also enjoy the peace and quiet.  I enjoy being able to let my dog roam (mostly) free because there's no one around to worry about.  I enjoy that most parks are empty when we visit them and those that are there are hikers and nature lovers like us that understand the rules 

Today we went to Great Falls National Park on the border of Maryland and Virginia.  It is fairly close to Washington DC so it's not very far from a lot of population.  The combination of the great weather, the proximity to DC, and the no fee weekend made this trip less than desirable.

When we arrived mid morning it was all we could do to find a place to park.  I have never seen so many people at a park before, people were literally driving around the parking lot searching for spaces like it was the local Walmart.  The trails were also packed with mostly people that don't get trail etiquette.  I kept my dog close to me, but couldn't begin to count how many kids passed by and just reached out to pet my dog (good thing she's friendly.  I also spent plenty of time weaving in and out of other trail-goers who decided to stop and talk with someone and chose to just let their dog run out to the end of their 30 foot retractable leash.  Yes, it was a frustrating time.

We only hiked about 2.5 miles before I decided to give up.  We left at around 1:30PM; as soon as we approached our vehicle we saw another vehicle impatiently waiting for us to vacate our parking spot with their blinker on.  When I see that my instinct is to wave at them and then sit there in the parking spot until they give up and drive away, but my wife wasn't in the mood for me being a jerk so we just pulled out.  On the way past the entry gate I counted 40 more vehicles lined up just waiting to get in, what a madhouse!

Anyway, I'm glad these free activities only happen occasionally.  Next weekend we'll go to a park and probably have the whole place to ourselves. 

It was a very mild unrestricted day, I ate well and got some decent exercise in to boot.  105 Days in the books, on to a new week and Day 106.

Stay Strong!

Day #91 - Another Candy Holiday

Happy Easter to all!  Another holiday filled with tons of delicious candy.  So how did you do?  Did you restrain yourself or did you call it a "special occasion" and then let loose gobbling up jelly beans and Cadbury cream eggs? 

I didn't mention it yesterday, but I actually gained a pound last week.  Mrs. FogDog proved that her week before was an abnormality as she dropped 2 pounds this week (Bravo!).  I'm not all too worried about the gain because I know how well I did last week; my best guess is that I'm retaining water probably due to being sick.  Time will tell as I'll be back on the scale again next Saturday.  The good news is that I woke this morning completely congestion free; my illness is over.

My gain on Saturday annoyed me at first, but it also gave me resolve.  Resolve to stick with it this week to see the results I deserve.  The answer to my questions above about candy?  On Saturday night I ate 2 Hershey kisses and on Sunday each of my kids gave me a miniature chocolate egg (the size of Hershey kisses).  5 Small pieces of chocolate total, not bad at all.

I will also have a small piece of the cake above tonight (today is my unrestricted day).  My 11 year old daughter made it so I have to try it because she said it "might not taste good but it's made with love".  She also told me that the one bunny "fell in the mud" while the other "lost it's ear after being attacked by a fox".  After that comment I didn't dare ask where all the babies came from.

I hope everyone had a great Easter! Another day done, on to day #91.

Stay Strong!

Day #84 - Fighting the Most Common Excuse

I've read a lot of blogs and I've talked to a lot of overweight people.  Without a doubt one of the most common times people make excuses about not doing well is when they are sick.  Being sick takes a lot out of you and you don't feel like yourself.  Quite often it usually results in doing things that we know will make us better (like eating poorly).

When I went to bed last night I suspected I was coming down with something.  This morning I woke up and I knew I was sick.  I don't get sick very often, but when I do it's usually a bad cold and I spend 2-3 days in a total fog.  I don't think today was the worst of it so I'm expecting full force sickness tomorrow.

Today was also my unrestricted day for eating so at least I didn't have to worry about that.  I didn't eat great and I didn't eat terrible either.  I did not do well on my water, but I had plenty of orange juice!  I was planning on working on my bathroom today, but being sick, I decided I would put my best foot forward for the week and spend the day resting.

The last thing I want to do right now is a lose a week of healthy eating and weight loss to being sick.  I know the next couple days will be rough, but I'm thinking of it as a test.  I want to come out the other side having stayed on my path despite being sick.  Remember, no more excuses.

On a different note, this marks 2 consecutive weeks without drinking...my success is building.

84 Days in the books, On to Day #85.

Stay Strong!