Days 163 - 167 aka HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM

Houston Weekend.ugh

I have pretty much been on the road since Friday.  My mum, Abby and I decided to head to Houston for a girls weekend - we spent our time at Ikea, the Galleria Mall and eating....yup.  It was my best worst few days of eating in over 162 days.  I stayed away from the dreaded gluten, but managed to eat mashed potatoes, ice cream, gluten free crackers with a variety of cheeses and chocolate.  The damage has been done- I gained three pounds.  That brings my weight loss from 67 to 64 pounds.  In some ways I feel awful about it but in other ways I feel like that is life.  I splurged and, when the weekend was over, I got back to healthy eating and exercise.  Yes, I know I could have made better choices......but I didn't.
 

post crossfit workout



When my alarm went off on Tuesday, I did not want to exercise.  I think I was still detoxing from eating bad on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  And I was tired because Lucas got up at 3:00am on Sunday night and was ready to party....I was really exhausted.  But I forced myself to go - so I ran 1.25 miles and then did a killer workout at Geaux Crossfit (jack). 



When I was done, I had just enough time to get home, shower, put my luggage in my car and head to the airport.  I am in Little Rock for the week attending a conference.  After my horrible eating during the weekend, I knew I had to come prepared.  I called the hotel and, unfortunately, they do not have fridges in the room.  Sooo....I packed up my perishable paleo treats (aka sliced boiled eggs and shredded chicken) and loaded them in a cooler with plenty of ice packs...my cooler went into my checked the luggage and made it to Little Rock still ice cold!  Since there is no fridge, I have been getting ice to put in the cooler every morning and evening.

No lasagna for me, thank you.



Paleo on Ice



The folks that planned this conference have been super accommodating by providing me with gluten free dinners and lunches.  While the opening reception meal was not paleo (aka rice was served), I know my colleagues were jealous because while they were shoveling in cheesy lasagna and garlic bread and brownies, I ate a delicious and healthy meal that included fresh veggies and chicken.



This morning my alarm went off at 5:30am even though my conference didn't start until 8:00am....I am not going to lie, it was hard for me to get out bed to workout.  Then I thought of my fabulous trainer Amber...she works so hard to help everyone live a healthy life and is great at pushing all of us to reach our goals.  I couldn't let her down.  My plan was to go to a beautiful running path along the river by my hotel but it was pitch black out.  So instead I went to the gym at the hotel.  This was just another reminder that I am so incredibly lucky to have found Crossfit.  A "normal" gym is just so boring...I cannot stand it.  I forced myself to run on the treadmill for 1/2 mile and then I climbed 10 flights on the stairmaster.  I did the circuit of weight training and came back to my room and did 50 sit ups.  I am so sad that I forgot my beloved jump rope at home....but am trying to make the best of it.

Tonight I went out to dinner with some of my fabulous colleagues from across the country.  How lucky (and rare) it is to be surrounded by such intelligent women who share the same passions.  Ordering made me a little stressed - I wanted pasta, or nachos, or fries....luckily the restaurant I went to had a great paleo option - a 90% lean beef hamburger patty covered with amazing sauteed vegetables.  I reluctantly ordered this, thinking I would be disappointed.  It was DELICIOUS!  I cannot wait to get home and try to replicated it in my kitchen!  On the way back to the hotel, I almost had a moment of weakness that included ice cream, but managed to pull myself together just in time.

Soooo...tomorrow's a new day.  I am about 14 days away from the 6 month mark of this journey!