I woke up this morning to an amazing thunderstorm. It was finally cool enough last night to open all the windows in our apartment last night, (no central air!) and we blissfully fall asleep while the cold front moved in. When my alarm went off at 3:30 (yes, that’s really when I get up for the day!) there were enormous rolls of thunder while rain beat down for a solid two hours. We’re talking thunder that rolled for minutes at a time, and lightening that ran sideways across my window. It was magical

There’s just something about a good thunderstorm that calms me. I laid in bed relishing all the big booms and constant “woooooosh” of the pounding rain. Then, at about 5am, it just stopped. Everything was cleansed, everything started over, everything was calmed. The sun is starting to peek through the evening sky, and the birds are softly starting their day.

I have had lots of stormy days on this journey, and I’m sure I’ll have many MANY more. But there’s something to be said about those days. They makes you grow and re-evaluate the path you’re on. This blog has been quiet this week, and I purposefully didn’t post. I needed to weather out the storm on my own and really focus on what was on the horizon. I know this is kind of heavy on the metaphors for such an early hour, but it perfectly describes where I’m at right now. Last week I gained 10 lbs.

This week I did not.

Loss this week : -8.4 lbs

Well, Anda, you were right. As much as it pains me to say it, she was dead-on with her predictions. I upped my caloric intake to what it “should” be; around 1,800 per day, instead of the 1,200 I was striving for. I also watched my salt intake like a hawk and guzzled water like no one’s business. Most of this loss is due to water-weight from detoxing all that nasty salt from my system, but a 8.4lb loss? Yeah, I’m not complaining

Here’s another thing. I didn’t exercise AT ALL this week. I mean, I ran once last weekend but that was it. Losing weight, at least for me, is 90% eating habits and 10% moving. I don’t want to become completely sedentary, but right now getting my food in check is my number one priority.

Next week goals
Eating: Keep tracking, hit as close to daily max as possible and watch carbs. (50% right now. too sluggish feeling)
Moving: Do what you can, when you can. I’m striving to just improve my daily routines : walking during lunch time, moving more at the office, dancing around at home. Let’s get back to basics before throwing in regimented schedules.
Feeling: Get organized! This will help me tremendously over the next few months. I get married in 4 months and we’re moving into our first home in 1 month. Who’s bright idea was that? At any rate, the more prepared and organized I am, the less stressed I will be. Less stress = less opportunity to binge.

 

Happy Friday, friends! See you Monday morning!