148.0 - Staying the Course

Last night I got to go to my weight lifting class, and it was excellent. I was pretty strong. Not quite where I was a couple months ago, but I was able to do the Back track (when we do clean & presses--my favorite move of all time--and deadlifts & upright rows) with 3 medium plates, which is a goodly amount of weight. Don't ask me how much though. The plates are in Kg and the only metric I speak is in running terms, ala 5k = 3.1 miles. Last week I only used 2 medium plates. At my peak this summer, I was using 3 mediums plus 1 baby plate.

Food was spot on plan until dinner time. I didn't get home until 7:45, and after the kids were in bed it was almost 9 p.m. I was hungry but not that hungry. It had been a terrible day at work, and I just didn't feel like eating. Weird, huh? This from the chick who a few weeks ago would have plowed through a bag of Chex mix after such a scary day. (If you don't know already, my husband is a financial advisor, I'm his assistant, and this stock market mess is a freaking nightmare right now.)

Anyway, I had a premade Atkins shake at 9, and that seemed to do the trick. Until 10 p.m., when I actually did feel hungry but wasn't about to eat a full meal at that hour. So I had an Atkins snack bar. Not bad choices--just a lot of processed food that is (a) not on the Crack diet plan and (b) not that great for me, health wise. But, like I said, it could have been worse and I'm not beating myself up about it. Just talking through the way things played out.

Today is day 15, the beginning of week 3, and is a carb down day, which is supposed to be when the body goes & gets fat for energy. It makes it easier to only eat one starch serving in the morning when I know it's for a good cause. Plus, I get to have another carb up day tomorrow, so that's something to look forward to.

Tonight I'm going to run. Not sure how long or how far. Mom is picking up the kids, so as long as fortune favors me, I'll be enjoying the weather and getting in a great workout.

For those of you who get the book--I will warn you I've found some inconsistencies. It's a shame she didn't have a better editor or advisor or whoever, because there are some holes in the set up. First of all, I have no idea how exercise is supposed to play into this plan, other than "Just Do It." It may just be my anal retentive nature, but I'd have liked to have had a chapter on how to exercise in relation to the carb cycling--exercise more or less on carb down days? Who knows? Also, on the menu plans she'll say have "a piece of EZ (Ezekial) bread," but a serving of EZ bread is 2 slices. And a couple menu plans don't match other menu plans, so I ignore the ones I know are wrong, based on what she explains in the text. I can live with these issues, though, when I'm getting results.

Also, the Low Carb Friends website is really helpful, to follow a group of ladies also doing this plan. They have links to recipes & their own menu plans, and of course it's a great place to ask questions.

EDIT @ 10 P.M.--FREAKING PMS. I didn't go off plan food wise, but I could not drag my sorry behind out to run. Mom had the kids, so I went to Target & spent way too much money on razor blades, energy drinks (for DH), and granola bar thingys for the kids. On the drive home I just lost all my mojo--it drained right out of me. I went home and laid down on my bed, alone in my house (which never, ever happens) and watched CNBC for an hour and a half. I wanted chocolate BAD and knew it was PMS hormones making me feel lousy. I had an Atkins bar and chilled out, then cleaned the kitchen and cooked some Crack Slaw for the week. Then the kids were home and I snuggled on them and they got to bed quickie quick since they were tired little pups. I just ate dinner at 9:30 p.m. and I've not got any more cravings, but I have that "be still like vegetables; lay like broccoli" feeling. So no running. Dang it. Now I wish I'd made myself go. Another lesson learned. Again.