Hello hello ladies. I'm running around like a crazy person today... I just have so much energy today. It's great! I think it's because this diet is so well balanced and I'm taking all kinds of vitamins. LOL I'm sure I won't feel as amazing 12 weeks from now so I'm going to enjoy it while I can.
I'm doing laundry and stuff around the house today, and I did a bit of 'fitness shopping' as well; I got myself a new pill organizer and supplement baggies (for powders) because I'm taking like a million supplements now, a new travel cooler because my other one was falling apart, a new gym bag because I was using a backpack and it's not cutting it, and a new heart rate monitor strap to go with the friggin awesome Suunto watch my husband got me for Christmas... last year.

OOps!
In my defense, the strap was $130! I used the watch but just never got the accessories for it. Anyway, my trainer wants me to make sure I keep my heart rate in a certain range during my cardio sessions so I decided to get the HRM strap that went with my watch. I could have gotten a cheaper one but it would have been sort of an insult to my hubby in a way.
I tried it out today, and it was pretty cool! I think I'm a convert.
Here is my giant pill case!
(and this doesn't include the 4 powder supplements I take)
Another small drop on the scale today, so that probably wraps up the water weight (I've been back on track 3 days and so far today) but I'll take it. I just want to continue to see a downward creep, even if it's .1 pound at a time. Fortunately thats what the trainer is for... to keep things moving!
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Alex - Well the cool thing about Panera is that their calorie counts are listed right there on the wall, and if you need more data their website has a 'meal builder' where you can find out exactly how many calories your meal would be in any way you customize it. It shows you each component to an item and you can remove them as you see fit and get an accurate calorie count.
You can do it!
So what happens after you make it past 17 days on this program? I have to admit I am not in the know with this one... and congrats on the progress so far! Thats awesome!
Turbo - Yay no babies! LOL... I do miss that part of having a period, but none of the rest of it. I guess it's not really an issue anyways since I don't get any booty on a regular basis. $hit, I just realized I'm going to be celibate for like 9-10 months starting in June! Whaaaaah!
Your chalet trip sounds like fun, and much more fun knowing you'll be TOM free during it!
Good luck staying on track this weekend. Risotto and smoked meat sammiches sound like they would test anyone's willpower!
How does your hip feel today? Any more thought about getting it checked out?
Krampus - Do you warmup at all before you lift? You might benefit from some simple arm circles (you know, like in elementary school P.E. class) and a few arm/shoulder/neck stretches. You seem to tweak things in your upper body somewhat often!
Wing wars sounds awesome! I know you said you need to rein it in a bit, but considering how often you go out and eat delicious things and drink alcohol your weight is pretty stable... it's fantastic! I say if it aint broke...
The workouts and diet are great so far, thanks for asking! I feel really great, and even though the workouts look boring on paper they definitely are challenging. I'm not doing anything on autopilot; I feel each and every rep and really have to think about every second and count out the tempo. It's different for me to do it that way, and it decreases the amount I can lift somewhat considerably!
I AM down a bit of water weight and I hope it continues.
FOR EVERYONE; How long does it normally take for you to shed all the water weight after a huge weekend? I'm wondering how much more, if any, I have hanging on. I know we're all different but I'm wondering what trends you all see.
LockItUp - PM for you.

My life in a nutshell... haha. You know, I find blueberry muffins to be yummy (I'm a breathing human being after all) but they're not one of those foods I would ever think about unless they were put in front of me (sorry
Turbo!) and I think thats going to be my test for myself when I want to eat something in the future; If this weren't here in front of me now, would I even have thought of it? Would I want it at all?
I think you'll find that it might work for you too!
Bayzee - I'm totally a morning exerciser... I love it!
As far as protein, let me do some research and get back to you. There has to be some out there without any artificial sweeteners, but they might not be tasty. I have used unflavored whey in the past and would add a bit of truvia to it and some extracts to change the flavor, but of course the truvia wouldn't work for you. What about trying an unflavored protein and mixing it with Crystal Light? Can you have that? What about adding a tiny bit of real sugar? Its going to cost a few calories but sugar is great post-workout anyway.
Sontaikle - Let us know when you hear from them! I think it could be an adventure.
Olehcat - Would it help to have dinner prepared for you and ready when you got home? I know you went with the pizza because it was convenient, but anything can be convenient if you plan ahead. You can cook a batch of something and put it in the fridge before you go to work, or even keep some healthier frozen meals on hand that take just as long to make as a pizza but won't make you feel so guilty.
Kashi makes some decent ones, but there are like a bazillion options! If being tired and hungry is a trigger for you to eat badly just set yourself up for success so it's not so easy to do.
I like my Greek yogurt plain too!

Maybe a touch of cinnamon, but I'm generally a purist.
Jessica - How did the rest of the day turn out for you? I think recognizing your patterns is HUGE, and a great way to overcome them. Awareness is no small thing.
Dorian - Did you guys get any snow up there? It was icy here in Spring Lake, but that's about it.
Any more thoughts on how to jump into a weight lifting program?
Is your dog a black lab? I LOVE LABS!

(And I want his cupcake). What kind of plans do you have for the weekend? I'm definitely relaxing as you said (getting my nails done tomorrow and a massage on Sunday) but staying fairly busy today.
OhThePlaces, Kakers - hi!!