Challenge Completed

The Challenge is over! We made it to the other side! I feel good!

And here is how it went: I ended the week really missing a lot of foods that I wasn't allowed to have (sweets, pasta, bread). But my body felt strong and healthy. I don't usually think about how certain foods make me feel. But I can definitely tell now that there are foods that make me lethargic and blah. Overall, I'd say this Challenge was a good experience. It helped me be disciplined when it came to food and exercise and helped me think about how I am taking care of my body. But I am still a strong believer in "everything in moderation". I don't do well when I completely cut things out of my diet. I become grumpy and can't stop thinking about it. 

I'm very proud of us for sticking to it, even when we were severely tempted! And for sticking to it, we decided we earned a reward on Sunday! We had date night at Chili's and ordered the molten chocolate cake! Yummmmmmmm YUMMM!

This was a fun weekend on the shore! Saturday morning, we went to Easton's Farmer's Market for the first time. It was so fun with all the different vendors. They had local produce, flowers, crabs, baked goods and soaps. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming. I loved everything about it. While I was there I picked up some flowers for our table. 

Later that night, we found a beach that we could take Josey to. When we first got Josey, she was not a big fan of the water. She seems to be warming up to it a little bit. Though she spent more time trying to get into everyone else's business. She's a stinker, that one. 

The Eastern Shore is a bit of a snooze in the winter, but come Spring and Summer it is one of my favorite places to be. We love our home and everything it is teaching us!

P.S. Hubbs, gardening this morning was a new experience for me. But if it means I get to watch you use a machete like a samurai sword I am a fan!

Update a Million Months Later

Hey all! How's everyone doing?? It's been forever and I figured I should check in. Ok, ok, I totally gave up blogging and I'm the worst. I know. But let me tell you, I have been in the biggest slump and I just now feel like I might be coming out of it. 

This week, Hubby and I are doing a 7 Day Challenge. Today is Day 4 and it has been a roller coaster day. First off, I'll tell you what the challenge is. 

For 7 days you can NOT have:

 Soda

Bread

Red Meat

Alcohol

Pasta

Sweets

Each Day you must:

Eat a citrus fruit 

Drink 6 or more cups of water 

Eat a green vegetable

Eat fish or chicken

Work out for 30 minutes

Basically, we are using this challenge to reset our minds to making healthy choices and trying to control my addiction to all things chocolate. Something I do want to state is that I am not a huge fan of diets and I am especially not a fan of cutting things completely out. (I may write a post later about why I think these things. I don't know. Want one?) 

This challenge is only 7 days long and you best believe I will be adding all of these things back into my diet come Sunday. I am just hoping they will be added back in with a little more moderation and better thoughts toward what I am putting into my body.

Anyway, we are half way there and I have actually seen some significant changes!

1. I am tighter and more lean. I am actively converting fat to muscle with each work out and I feel GOOOOD!!!
2. I am less bloated. Bloating is something I struggle with a lot. It is completely under control! My thoughts on this is that I am actually properly hydrated and have cut out a majority of my simple sugars and carbs. 
3. I have all of the energy! All of it! Right around 2 or 3 in the afternoon, I am usually dragging. But without the sugar highs and lows I am maintaining a constant energy level and there is no crash! Also, I know it sounds so weird, but working out will energize you! 
4. I am craving sweets like it is my only job in life. Ok, so this isn't a great thing. I was hoping after Day 3 I wouldn't crave sweets so much but I was wrong. Not going to lie, I had a dream about a cinnamon bun. Yes I did.
5. Guys! This challenge is kicking my stress in the butt! I feel so calm and genuinely happy! Feeding your body good, clean foods and working it out is so much better than any antidepressant you could ever find. 

I'm so happy to be getting my body and mind into a better place. I have found my joy for exercise and fitness again. And being stress free is something priceless to me. I plan on checking back in on Sunday after the challenge is over. Hopefully, these positives will continue throughout!

Thanks as always for reading =)

P.S. Johnathan, thank you for agreeing to do this challenge with me. I would never have been able to do it alone. If you had been eating an ice cream cone today I would have tackled you to the ground and cut your fingers off for it.