Today is Day 5 of Hammer and Chisel and I have to be honest, I feel GOOD. Yesterday was a rest day and it was painful. It is crazy. A couple years ago, I dreaded having to workout and now, I dread not working out. I know rest days are important, so I stuck to the plan. Pretty proud of myself because I worked from home the last two days and I stuck to my meal plan 100%. I added in 1 red each day because the plan tells you to add in a red and/or a green when you feel hungry. But, I measured every little thing I ate and I only ate things that were approved on my meal plan.
I weighed in again this morning at 148.3 pounds, same as yesterday – which I am happy about. I think it is safe to say my bloat is completely gone. I feel lean and I am noticing some muscle growth too in my arms, buns and my abs. One thing that I really think is helping my body lean out is water. Water is something I have always underestimated. I hate having to constantly go to the bathroom, so it is easy for me to skip over. The last 5 days, I have drank 100 ounces or more each day. My skin seems to be clearer, I feel less tired in the mornings and I definitely feel lean!
Tonight is my first real temptation since starting Hammer and Chisel. We are having our Christmas celebration with my family and then with Tom’s family tomorrow. Holiday get togethers usually always include lots of food and wine. When I am with people and around a spread of appetizers with a glass of wine in my hand – nothing good comes of it. It is almost guaranteed that I will over eat and make poor decisions. I usually always go with a plan, but I usually always find a reason to not follow the plan. Sometimes, I get really frustrated that I even have to follow a plan. Like – why can’t I be one of those people who can eat and drink whatever they want and still look amazing?! I love my healthy lifestyle, don’t get me wrong. But, sometimes it gets old and I wish it wasn’t something I had to do in order to maintain my weight. As I was thinking this earlier this week, I reminded myself that I am not doing this JUST to lose weight. I am doing this to be confident in the way I look, to be able to wear whatever I want, to live a healthy life, to set a healthy example and to be in control over my food addiction. That is why I am doing this. Plus, those people who can eat and drink whatever they want, even if they don’t appear overweight, it doesn’t mean they are healthy on the inside!
I refuse to let those frustrating feelings make me feel the need to go off track this weekend. I worked so hard all week, kicked butt with my workouts, drank a ton of water and didn’t go off plan once. I owe it to myself to stay on track so I can feel good come Monday morning. I used to let the peer pressure from others – whether it be friends, family, coworkers, etc, get to me. I would give in to please THEM and then the next day, it was ME who felt guilty and pissed off. So, I will never let the feeling of pleasing others convince me to go off track because they aren’t the ones who have to deal with the aftermath of trying to get back on track after a cheat.
I am switching my meal plan around today so I can take a salad to my get together tonight. I wanted something that was quick, easy and didn’t have to be reheated.
Today’s Meal Plan – 1,200-1,400 calorie bracket
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Before workout: energize preworkout (free)
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After workout: recover post workout shake (free)
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Breakfast: two over easy eggs with a gluten free waffle (1 red, 1 yellow)
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Snack: banana (2 purples)
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Lunch: chicken marinated in peanut sauce vinaigrette (trader joes), brown rice, broccoli (1 red, 1 tsp, 1 yellow, 1 green)
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Snack: vegan strawberry shakeology (1 red)
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Dinner: salad mix with chicken, toasted almonds and sweet onion citrus vinaigrette (2 greens, 1 red, 1 blue, 1 orange)
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Before bed: recharge vanilla shake and a tsp of peanut butter (free, 1 tsp)
I am doing way too well to get off track tonight. I cannot wait to blog through the weekend and check in with you on Monday gushing about how incredible I did over the weekend – and maybe even telling you about some more weight loss!
Jess
