The PinK Tiger is back! It seems like a long time since I wrote a blog, so my creative process is a little stiff today....just like when you don't exercise for a week and then come back the first day. Oyyy. Not walking quite as straight. Not quite as smooth as when you are in the groove and got some momentum behind you. :)
But allow me to give you a quick update: My off-week was consumed with 12-15 hr days traveling and working in Flint and Grand Rapids, MI. With no days off, I didn't have much time to exercise and it was a struggle to eat clean. Fatigue got its grip on me and as I've mentioned before that is my demon. I need to avoid fatigue at all costs, because it will take me down faster than anything.
Has anyone ever heard of HALT? In the recovery communities, it stands for Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. These are the danger zones that can take us off course if we get too deep in any of these quicksands. So if you are feeling any of these emotions, brace yourself and get hyper vigilant about your environment, triggers, and people who might take you off your stride. Uh huh, you heard me right. I read it in the newspaper and Brian sent us an email.....Your friends and associates can have a huge influence on whether you are fat or not, too! Hmmmm. Yet the worst culprit is just plain ole isolation. I had an abundance of that on the road.
Regarding my exercise, I brought my exercise bands and I did some resistance training in 15 minute segments; morning and evening when possible. I didn't have much chance for cardio, except to take a few brisk walks around the parking lot compound. Because of the traffic, I only tried to jog 2x on the weekend. It will be interesting to see if I lost much conditioning when I get tested for the mile run on Friday. I tell myself, "not to worry". If I have lost the small gains I made, this will be a sure fire test to prove what happens when I take a week off from training my lungs! :) I can make this into a learning opportunity....eh Brian? :) lol
The food factor was another matter. I was fortunate to stay at the Residence Inn at the Marriott. I had a small kitchen. I didn't have time to cook, but it was very handy all the same. I ate lots of eggs, scrambled, poached and hard boiled. I loaded the fridge with lots of yogurt, and I brought my Isagenix for shakes and quick on the run meals. I ate a few good salads made with vinegar and olive oil. I also ate apples when I craved something sweet and crunchy.
The other days I mostly ate fresh turkey from a place next door that carved it whole every day. It was called Turkey Hill. I did very good the first 7 days. The last 3 days were marginal. I stumbled on a place that made hand made ice cream - more than homemade! And that was when I was faced with making a choice.
I walked away from it the first day. On the 2nd day, I hesitated a long time before I decided to go for it, but it was a decision not born of "out of control" eating. I simply wanted to try it! :) So I got myself a one dip cup. And yes folks! If you have an epicurean taste for ice cream, this was some delectable stuff! Yum, yum!
Fine. No problem in enjoying an occasional, scheduled treat. I didn't even go over my calorie limits. It was the next day when things were getting frustrating with people and work, and I had to kill an hour with nothing to do, that my mind started wandering towards Uncle Ray's. I was doing lots of business in the neighborhood of Uncle Ray's Ice Cream and that is when I made an impulsive decision that didn't feel good. Yes, it had to be the very best, most sumptuous ice cream I ever ate in my life! The first dip was worth every calorie, but not the second. :( I knew I was racking up trouble.
After that, as I was trying to locate a few clients, I happened to find my way into the Historic Village of Fenton, and saw a craftsman hand make these chocolates. The people were going in this little shop in masses. What could be sooo good? I tried 3 chocolate samples that were extraordinary. Another impulsive decision. But at least I didn't go back! Yippee for me!
I think I made excuses for myself after I gave in to the 2nd treat of ice cream. It goes back to that mindset , "when we work extremely hard, and are very stressed, alone, tired....can't we reward ourselves with something we enjoy once in awhile?"
It reminds me of that cliche that says: "Don't judge a character when things are going well. Judge a character when things are going bad." Same with temptation. Sure its easy to say no when there is no temptation!
For me, I saw first hand when I was taken out of my ordinary habitat, that visual cues are real triggers for me. Watching other people enjoy food can also whet my appetite. I almost sound like Pavlov's Dog don't I? LOL :D That is just how easily programmed any of us can get without even realizing it!
The good news was that I never once stopped at a fast food restaurant, no matter how hungry I got. I managed to primarily sustain on eggs, yogurt, turkey, whole wheat English muffins, and Isagenix shakes.
Fast forward to the first thing that I was facing when I came home; the scales and measuring tape at the hands of Kim......... to be recorded and posted on the bulletin board! I was petrified that I had gained lots of weight. This was a moment I dreaded more than you can imagine! I have issues with my body anyway, so I just wanted to hide under the covers and pretend I didn't have to do this. Something called Denial wanted to rear its familiar head. But I knew I had to suck it up and face the consequences.
Well, not so bad, folks! :) I was actually quite pleased considering that it is an accomplishment if I can lose anything. I've struggled with significant thyroid problems since beginning menopause which has definitely contributed to the challenge of losing weight.
But guess what friends! I lost 5 lbs and an inch off my booty! Hey, hey!! I've lost 2 inches off this overly abundant, bootylicious backside since I started with Adventure, so I was thrilled! :D Psyched is more like it! I knew at that point if I had eaten clean the whole time, I might have seen a 7lb loss in one month! That is simply beyond awesome!
Of course, there is always the chance that the weight gain is lurking in the shadows, but won't show for another week or so. But it is quite a motivating thought to think of the possibility of a 7lb loss, and all the more reason to tighten up my food game! No more pennies in the blue jar this segment of the Transformation Contest. We are in a new month, baby, and the slate is clean! :)
When I look back at my "out of" Adventure BootCamp experience, I learned some valuable lessons and got a chance to test myself. I know I am not ready to be thrown out of the nest quite yet. I need to stay where I am and continue to practice new behaviors so they become 2nd nature. I held on quite well for the majority of the week, but I am still taking baby steps. I think one obstacle I need to overcome is my old identity with food. Food has had more power over my life than I care to think about, but having power over food almost feels like an out of body experience. It doesn't quite feel like me yet, but wouldn't it be just awesome???!!! I plan to get familiar with that experience! :)
One thing I can say is that the tools I used did keep me on track for the most part. I just didn't have enough of them. I kept a basic food diary, and I had some basic good foods available in the hotel. I made use of healthier substitutes. I had apples, and I made myself cocoa with skim milk with a teaspoon of sugar when I was craving something sweet. It was very satisfying for me at the end of a hard and cold day.
What I didn't have was a support system, an accountability partner, or a structured exercise class. I looked all over for a gym but none were accessible to me.
So how 'bout you? How did you do on your off-week? Hope you will also reevaluate and assess your success and failures as equal teachers that will give you your answers. As Brian has always said, "Failures are opportunities to learn".
Tomorrow is a new day. The pinK tiger will see you in camp! :)
the pinK tiger.....
....ready to paw her way to the top! :)
Terrific post, pink tiger!
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