Day 80: Don't Eat Before You Swim

Okay, so I have jumped off the deep end this week.

Monday I went to Strike at 530a and then spinning at 545p. Tuesday I went to the gym at 515 and stayed until 8p. Today, I went to kickboxing at 530a and went again at 7p.

I'm finally seeing the numbers drop a little. Not much, but enough to get me hella motivated to finally getting to my goal. Slowly but surely.

Today, however, I learned a very valuable lesson that pop culture has told us over and over again it's a myth. Don't eat before you swim. Now, in my case, I wasn't swimming, but working out with D in hard core kickboxing. I can never figure it out. Do I eat before I go to the gym so there is something in my system? Do I eat afterward to "optimize my 45" (eat something within 45 minutes of your workout so your next work out works for you instead of against you).

Well, I got home at 515p so I thought if I ate before the 7p class I would have plenty of time to let it digest. WRONG! I had the worst cramps through the class. It made it very difficult to make it through the class without quitting, but damn it, I made it through.

Tomorrow, I will go to the gym at 530a and just work out on a machine. Then go back at 530p (haha 12 hours later) for a 30 minute core conditioning class, and then a 60 minute Strike! class. God help me. If I can make it through this week doing this insane schedule, then I'll definitely consider making it a habit for 2010.

If I could do it, I can do it. :D

Looking back, I'm very disappointed in my lack of weight loss in the last 80 days. But I understand as well. I didn't work as hard as I should have. And I definitely took some serious liberties with my diet. I'm sure sleep has something to do with it as well. I haven't slept well in weeks. But also my stress level has skyrocketed since things are changing at work. So those factors are definitely working against me. It's the constant uphill battle, but I'm armed now and prepared to fight.

And one day, I'll get to writing this stupid book that's in my brain. One day at a time.

Day 73: Long Break

Okay, I've taken a long break from this. I'm very bad. Sorry. Well, the commit to fit program has taken a little break for Thanksgiving, but I'm back on track and have lost 3 lbs. That's something during this holiday season. I guess the loss of appetite is good. I haven't been very hungry lately. My stress level has elevated exponentially. And I'm doing so much to curb my appetite and not stress eat. I'm sure I'm burning calories stressing and concentrating.

But I'm doing okay. Four months and three pounds. Talk about massive failure, but in all honesty I have not been very loyal. So there is that.

I do have a wonderful recommendation, however especially for the holidays. I have found a "digestif" or after dinner drink. It's heavy on the liquor, but it numbs the holiday stress and makes your kitchen smell amazing. Also, if you have trouble sleeping, it's a good way to knock yourself out to sleep through the night.

Family Therapy Cranberry Rosemary Digestif (From the Food Network)

1/2 cup water
1 cup cranberries (fresh)
1 cup sugar
3 inch cinnamon stick (whole stick)
or one teaspoon of ground cinnamon
2 sprigs of rosemary
or 2 tablespoons of rosemary
Pinch of salt
1 lemon, zested

Add the water, cranberries, sugar, cinnamon stick, rosemary, salt and lemon zest to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Lower the heat and simmer until slightly reduced in volume and thickened to a syrup. Remove from the heat and strain through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl. Discard the solids. Refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes.

To make a drink:
Put a handful of ice in a drink shaker along with 1 1/2 ounces of whiskey and 1 tablespoon of the cranberry syrup. Shake gently a few times and strain into a glass. Repeat for the remaining drinks and serve.