Almost at the end of this challenge! It’s crazy how quickly it’s gone by. Today I set out to be really good and I was….for the most part. But I went over my points. That being said I ran for 40 minutes yesterday in the morning then did CrossFit in the late afternoon. So I was hungry and therefore allowed myself to eat more but still staying within my goals of eating healthy. I just went over points wise, but in Weight Watchers you get points for activity. So in a sense I’m within my points. It’s just not the “really good” I was hoping to be on my last few days. But I still resisted a lot that I normally wouldn’t have which was good.

One day more! Going to try and make it count. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving so that’s when I’ll provide the update although it may be slightly delayed as we are traveling.

Date: November 26th, 2013

Days Complete: 29

Tracked: Yes

Worked Out: Yes – 40 minute run, 60 minute CrossFit

Feeling: Excited! 1 day left!!

A solid day. Didn’t get a work out in but stayed within my points. Good balance of food. Only 2 days left!

Date: November 25th, 2013

Days Complete: 28

Tracked: Yes

Worked Out: No

Feeling: Good

Day 27 was a very active day. In the morning we took the dogs out for a walk that turned into a 2 hour walk. In the afternoon I ran for 60 minutes as well so it felt good to get a lot of activity in. Eating wise I was pretty good. We went out to breakfast pretty early so I felt like I made good decisions (scramble with egg whites, no cheese fruit instead of potatoes). Allowed myself a glass of wine with dinner last night. I feel like I’m getting into a groove with maintenance. These next 3 days are my last so I’m focusing on being very strict to finish strong.

Date: November 24th, 2013

Days Complete: 27

Tracked: Yes

Worked Out: Yes. 2 hour walk in the morning then 60 minute run in the afternoon.

Feeling: Excited to be almost at the end of my challenge

Today was officially my cheat day although I was very good for breakfast and lunch. But Kevin and I went to dinner with his friend Stephanie at 25 Lusk and I splurged a bit. Mind you it was still relatively healthy but I had a couple pieces of bread with butter and 2 drinks over the course of the night. At only about 2/3rds of my ahi tuna dinner and didn’t feel like I stuffed myself which is good.

Next few days I’ll be pretty strict to finish strong.

Date: November 23rd, 2013

Days Complete: 26

Tracked: Yes but had to guess on points

Worked Out: Yes. Crossfit and a 40 minute walk

Feeling: Excited to be almost at the end of my challenge

I’m not going to lie….day 25 did not go as well as I’d hoped. After such a wonder day 24 and feeling like I made great choices, I sort of flopped on day 25. I didn’t go crazy, mind you. But I ended up being around too many buffet choices at an offsite and I didn’t resist as much as I should’ve. In hindsight I should have brought my own food. That would’ve solved for a lot. But I had a rush to get ready that morning and I didn’t have time to pack up. That being said, I DID make an effort to walk for 20 minutes after lunch and then managed an hour on the treadmill in the evening. It didn’t completely make up for it, but it helped.

I’m not too down on myself. I think you take these things in stride. I don’t have an expectation that I’m perfect 100% of the time. Just that I try to be good most of the time. And despite overindulging in some items, I still resisted anything that was fried or processed. And there were definitely opportunities to go there. So even though I didn’t do as well as I set out to, I still didn’t completely fall flat on my face.

Date: November 22nd, 2013

Days Complete: 25

Tracked: Yes but had to guess on points

Worked Out: Yes 20 minutes of sprints, 55 min of fast walking

Feeling: Amazing, still determined after 25 days. 🙂

Day 24 was a proud day. I was concerned all week about a work dinner at a nice restaurant. I made sure I worked out in the morning and ate lightly throughout the day. I had already decided I wanted to enjoy the dinner. It was a special dinner that was great recognition for a small group of people at our company. We had a 4 course meal and I did an amazing job of enjoying the meal without overindulging. For me it felt really good because even though the portions were small, I ended up eating only about half of each course. I left feeling sated but not guilty or full. The truth came this morning where I got on the scale and I was down a pound from the day before, despite not having worked out this morning (I usually weigh AFTER I work out). Made me feel very accomplished and proud of myself.

Date: November 21st, 2013

Days Complete: 24

Tracked: Yes

Worked Out: Yes.30 minute run.

Feeling: Proud!

Finally back home and on track. It felt good to have control over my meals. I got a run in as well which helped make me feel better. Not a lot to say, it was a good day from a challenge perspective.

No other updates….tonight is a celebration dinner with a small group of work people and our president. I’m a little nervous around the menu. I’ll report tomorrow how it went.

Date: November 20th, 2013

Days Complete: 23

Tracked: Yes

Worked Out: Yes.30 minute run.

Feeling: Happy to be back on track.

Day 22 was more difficult than Day 21. It started off well. I got in a 45 minute run before heading to meetings. We stopped at a bagel place for breakfast. I did an eggwhite and veggie bagel with no cream cheese – even tore out the soft pieces of bagel to cut down on the carbs. Lunch was relatively good. Sandwiches and salad was ordered. I ate half a turkey sandwich and threw out half of the bread. I had salad that had some cheese on it and meat from another half of a salad. I had one tiny bite of a brownie to satisfy my sweet craving. Dinner was the real issue….I had a healthy sandwich and pop chips from a deli in the airport. But then dinner came in first class too….I didn’t eat much of it, but probably more than I should’ve. I try to justify it that my body was hungry and I did work out hard that morning. But then I sat on a plane for 6 hours. Positives were I didn’t drink any alcohol the entire time I was traveling….but still, I could’ve done better. Today is easier as I’m home….tomorrow the big planning comes for tomorrow night’s dinner at Aquerello. I believe it’s a set menu….I have no idea what to expect so all I can do is work out in the morning and eat smart throughout the day. And do my best to control portions of whatever is served to me while still enjoying it as it’s a celebration dinner.

Date: November 19th, 2013

Days Complete: 22

Tracked: Yes although had to guess all my points for the day

Worked Out: Yes. 45 minute run.

Feeling: Disappointed…but unsure if I should be. Guess that means I’m confused!

So I mentioned traveling is hard, right? A lot of things out of your control. Well I’m pleased to say I did REALLY well for 2 out of 3 meals. I also managed a short walk before dinner. I slightly bombed dinner though. Well, maybe bombed is a bad choice of words. But I didn’t go with my gut instinct for food and ended up with a meal that wasn’t the best in terms of calories. That being said, I still managed to do pretty well considering.

Date: November 18th, 2013

Days Complete: 21

Tracked: Yes although had to guess on my dinner points

Worked Out: No. 20 minute brisk walk.

Feeling: Annoyed. Could’ve done better.

Wow. 2/3rds of the way in. 10 days left. I’m sitting at SFO right now awaiting my flight to Washington DC. The start of a very busy week ahead of me. I’m nervous….it’s the final stretch and I want to do well. But this week is full of meals out and travel. I know it’s possible to stay focused and on track, but it’s going to be much more difficult than normal. Keep me in your thoughts and send encouraging messages.

Day 20 was a lazy Sunday. Walked with my boys for about an hour in the morning and then did a 10K run on the treadmill at the gym. As suspected, my crazy weight loss has normalized and I was a bit heavier than the 10 lbs down I was on Saturday. I’m okay with that as it seemed weird to lose 3.5 lbs in 3 days. Goal is to hit it again on Wednesday’s weigh in. Upped my carbs a bit today but still stayed on track. Still fighting a cold but no doubt exercise and good eating is helping.

Date: November 17th, 2013

Days Complete: 20

Tracked: Yes

Worked Out: Yes. Ran an hour

Feeling: Good. But nervous for this week….still.