INSANITY - NO, NOT THE WORKOUT PROGRAM!

You know, this week has been a tough one for me...which really frustrates me because the week started out GREAT!  But it took a turn.  The last few days I have felt emotionally insane and that has made it really difficult for me to stay on track.  Although this may be TMI, I have to tell you, when I realized I have been feeling this way due to my monthly visitor (I know, that sounds so stupid - IT'S A PERIOD, JUST SAY IT), I honestly felt relieved to realize that I am not seriously going crazy - just dealing with a rough bout of PMS.  I am not joking when I say I was starting the think I might need to seek some professional help.

**DEEP CLEANSING BREATH** **DEEP CLEANSING BREATH**

Anyway, I have struggled more this week to keep myself from a complete diet melt down.  Technically I have stayed on track.  When I say that, I mean I have tracked my food intake every day AND I have stayed within my calorie range.  Where I have struggled is with eating out.  Even on days when I have taken my lunch with me to work, I have found an excuse to go out to eat.  I am paying for it, boy, let me tell you.  Eating out, as we all know, is usually a meal BRIMMING with sodium.  I guarantee that my eat outs this week have been of this variety.  I usually have some swelling during this time of the month, but I am CRAZY swollen in my ankles and it is so frustrating to know that I have done that to myself!

So why the obsession with eating out?  I couldn't really tell you - except maybe that it has been easier and in some ways comforting.  I truly have been feeling really manic this week and I guess that eating out has been my way of soothing myself.  BAD HABITS DIE HARD!  I guess I'm pleased that I haven't gone on an eating binge - but I know long term success cannot come from eating the way I have this week.  I'm trying not to beat myself up for it - seriously, if you could crawl inside my head for just a second to see how crazy I have been feeling, well, you would tell me not to beat myself up too.  I mean, it has been just overwhelming this week.

Now, on the REALLY positive side, I have been working out this week!!!  Three times so far! OH YEAH BABY!  I mentioned in my last post that Chris and I were going to head over to Gold's Gym to try out their Cardio Cinema...that is a whole story unto itself that I will save for a later date...we ended up REALLY loving the cardio cinema!!! It was such a nice way to get a work out in!  We didn't have the best experience with the gym overall, and so we really weren't anxious to go back.  SO, I turned my basement into my own personal cardio cinema.  It has been FANTASTIC!  This week, while working out, I have watched 'Top Gun' and 'Chasing Mavericks'...both great movies!  I'm trying hard not to overdo it.  30 minutes  and I'm done.  If I overdo it, I will hate it and then before I know it I will be trying to give it all up!  So I'm holding myself to 30 minutes, even if I feel like doing more.

ALSO, I ran 1 minute during each of my workouts!  Look, I know that sounds a bit pitiful to get excited about running for 1 minute, but let me tell you, I have not run in I don't know how long - so running for 1 minute without stopping is a MAJOR accomplishment. I am really proud of myself for doing it!  I am going to keep that up and increase the amount each week!  Before I know it, I will be crossing the finish line of my first marathon (is that wishful thinking??? MAYBE, but I am going to keep on wishing!)

This week has also been filled with a lot of evening activities.  Tuesday was the girls maturation program at my daughter's school.  It was a fairly long, and unfortunately BORING program.  Although we had given my daughter "the talk" long ago, she was still scandalized by some of the pictures they chose to share.  It was funny!   Wednesday was volleyball practice for one daughter, tonight is for the other.  Tonight we are also going to a wedding reception for a darling girl from work, where I hope I don't completely tank on the food front.  Tomorrow night I have an all hands work meeting that will last 4 hours, in the evening...on a Friday night!!  BUMMER!!

Anyway, I think the constant go go go this week has added to my mania, and I am most definitely looking forward to a less action packed week to come!

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Just got back from the wedding. My goodness...what a beautiful bride and a fantastic reception!  Congrats Kristen!  I had to share one of your bridal portraits! SERIOUSLY - STUNNING!  So happy for you!

You can find her photographer here.