Week 4: The Trouble With Birthdays

"Let them eat cake!" -Unknown/Marie Antoinette/nobody

Well as most of you know, this past week was my birthday.  I had planned in advance and knew that I would let myself eat whatever I wanted for my big day.  And I did! It was fabulous! I ate chocolate chip cookies (that I made for my students), a delicious chocolate peanut butter cupcake, yummy chicken and mushroom crepes covered in cheese and french bread--all things that I haven't had since the start of the year. Yes, I had planned well for this day, doing the calculations in my head and reasoning that even one crazy day would not set me back if I stuck to my exercise and plant based diet for the rest of the week.  

My plan would have worked out just perfectly except for one little thing--I got sick.  I was fine on Saturday and I woke up on Sunday with a very sore throat.  Thinking it would go away, I went to work as normal.  But by the end of the day, my throat was so swollen I could barely swallow or talk! I went to the doctor who told me I had pharyngitis and gave me antibiotics.  I stayed home and rested on Monday and was feeling much better by my big day on Tuesday.

I was glad that I had not gone overboard when I was sick.  I wanted comfort foods like no other--biscuits, gravy, fried chicken, pizza, everything.  But I stuck to my guns and ate pretty well! My downfall was that I missed 3 days of exercise, which is a big deal for someone who works out 6 days a week!

So what was the result of all this eating/feeling sick/not exercising? A gain of 1.8 pounds.  Admittedly, it could have been much much worse.  I am glad that I had gotten so ahead of myself in the past two weeks that I didn't even feel bad about the gain! After all, it was my birthday!

I am also feeling good because this time last year was a turning point for weight gain.  I had done well until my birthday, then went crazy for a whole week.  A few weeks later, I was on a cruise, eating like a queen. Then Paris in April just kept the feast going! I am so glad that this year, my birthday will be a turning point for weight loss, because next week, I am leaving for a week long boot camp in England! I am so excited to rev up my weight loss and fitness! 

Because I am leaving in the middle of the week, I will do a weigh-in and post on Wednesday before I leave. Then I will post again after the camp and let you know the results! Until then, it's at least 1.5 hours of exercise a day along with healthy eating! 

Have a healthy week!

Pounds lost: 5.6

Pounds left to lose: 24.4

Love,

Candace