Well its been a while since I last blogged. What would like to update you on?
First our new eating lifestyle is going well. We have worked to blend in a mix of normal life, eating out, cocktails and dinner parties into our mix. We want to be able to do these things every once in awhile without stressing out over what we are eating and also while maintaining a healthy diet. I would say overall it has been successful. Often times we will find ourselves at one of these normal situations and we will find our reptile (that is the part of our brain that fears it may starve tomorrow so one should consume all calories within sight at any given moment) takes control. That looks like one piece of bread into your mouth, and then another piece of bread, and then perhaps bread with butter, and then if there is bread left after the meal one more piece for good measure. Considering bread is not one of the things we would commonly eat any more that becomes pretty entertaining. We have worked though to enjoy those moments, be aware of the feelings, and not beat ourselves up about it. Most rewarding and what keeps me going was I did go shopping again and I found that I easily fit into a size 4. I used to wear a size 8, a solid 8, and on bad weeks a 10. I think I rarely wore a 6 and now I am easily a 6 and on good weeks a 4, pretty cool.
So it was a good thing we practiced this diet flexibility because last week we went to Texas for one week. We visited Elliott’s grandparents, his mom’s mom and dad, and his dad’s mom, his uncle, and his dad (who has three kids, two who are half siblings to Elliott). I can honestly say Texas and California might as well be in different country’s! Ok that’s a little dramatic. However I don’t think vegetables and fruit are a common part of the Texan diet. I tried explaining to someone that potatoes aren’t really a vegetable, at least in my book, vegetables are leafy and non-starchy. We ate more meat than one can imagine including bacon and dried sausage. We watched the kids eat lots of candy, and Elliott even broke down for a flash back moment and had a snow cone. I don’t mean to sounds snobby about it… its just when you focus on eating lots of veggies (3 times as many veggies as protein) and minimal carbs and instead you find yourself eating eggs, sausage and toast for breakfast you wonder what your body is going to think. Well my body did ok. Fortunately we ran quite a bit while we were there so I think that helped. I managed only to put on about 2 pounds, which considering what I know that’s not bad. That was the result of some Oreo cookies (you just can’t say no to grandparents), brownies, banana cake, a huge meal at a Brazilian BBQ place (oh my), and I can’t even recount what else but it got sketchy there, oh… I did even have a donut, again you can’t say no to grandparents.
I told Elliott by the end of the trip I didn’t feel as good, he said it was all in my mind but my pants definitely fit tighter. We have been home for a few days and I think I have just about repaired the damage made and I am feeling better and better.
Ok I need to go soon, I know these get too long to even read. The only other thing I will say is I don’t think I am allergic to spandex. I think it might be my soap that and stress. All I know is right now it is gone. I am going to my annual check up soon, to a new dr who I believe is also a dermatologist, I am going to review it with her then, although I am not sure what she can say about looking at clear skin where I used to have a problem although I am hoping she might be able to pin point what it could be so I can be sure to avoid. Anyway at this point its 100% aloe vera soap and I am hoping that continues to do the trick.
All in all life is good right now. Work is pretty busy, billings are great. Elliott and I are healthy. I am working on writing down my goals and focusing on achieving them this year in search of fulfillment and balance. We are looking at a summer calendar full of friends, family, some running, some music, even camping. And right now I am pretty excited. We have some exciting things coming up that I will work to take time to document here later. Till then…
