The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Let us go with the good news first.  My new challenge this week was to venture back out into the world of restaurants.  It can be hard to make good choices in these environments, but I made very good choices at least this time.  Being the social butterfly that I am, I don't want to miss opportunities to socialize with friends, but at the same time I do not want to sabotage myself.   I need to find a way to merge my social and health lifestyle into one.  My very important first step is to make healthy (though sometimes difficult) meal choices.  I decided to share the restaurants and my meal choices in hope that  the you are out and about maybe they will help you.

Restaurants: 

Burgers & Blues- Portobello Burger with a side salad.  A Portobello cap only has 25 calories

Subway- Turkey and Ham on wheat with veggies and mustard which was approx. 350 calories

Cracker Barrel- Grilled Lemon Pepper Trout with green beans, carrots and a side salad.  I skipped the yummy biscuits and cornbread muffins.  

Newk's Express Cafe- Shrimp Salad with the dressing on the side.  The salad has about 250 calories, but the dressing has 120 per ounce.  I used the dressing very sparingly.

No one wants bad or ugly news, so let me put it to you quickly and simply.  I only lost .20 lbs.  this week.  Your eyes are not deceiving you and no, it is not a typo.  It is the truth!  I know some of the other contestants found themselves at this disappointing place, too.  I am sure not all, but some.  We were encouraged to press on and we will.  The silver lining is that I know that I made the effort this week with my meal choices, calorie counting and regular exercise.  I feel better and I can tell in my clothes that my body is changing.  While the numbers were not what I wanted them to be, I will not give up.

The three things I learned (or was reminded of) this week:

1.  If the shoe fits, wear it.  You ladies will appreciate this so much more than the men.  I bought some shoes at Macy's (my favorite store) and after I got them home they hurt my feet terribly, therefore, they were thrown into the shoe abyss in my closet until I would give them away.  On a whim,  I decided to pull them back out this week and they fit comfortably and there is no pain.  Apparently, my healthy lifestyle has shrunk my feet.  No complaints here.  Yea, for cute shoes that don't hurt your feet.

2.  I can take risks...at least when forced too.    Saturday while at the Healthplex for my workout, I saw a friend in the aerobics room.  I smiled, waved and kept walking.  The next thing I know, she is holding me at gun point forcing me into the room...okay, I exaggerate, but she did come out and invite me into the class.  Of course, my first reaction and I quote, "Oh, no, I don't think I am ready for this.  Really, I don't think I am ready."  Linda Collins is a tenacious one and would not take no for an answer.  A few minutes later she had my mat and weights out and I was ready to "body sculpt".  Yes, me!  I survived.  It actually was fun and I could feel the results for days and days and days.  She is a good friend to encourage me to try something new.  In addition, this week at boot camp we did spinning.  It was hard, but as is always my goal, I did not fall out and die.  My legs were like noodles afterward and I nearly had to crawl down the stairs to go home.  However, I must admit it was kind of fun and I could certainly feel the burn.  I predict I will be feeling this workout for days and days and days. 

3.  Good health and exercise have limited value.  "Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.  This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.  That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe." 1 Timothy 4:7-9 NIV 2010