The Challenge Update

In case you've been wondering about me and my digital friend in the midst of the Bun Bar Challenge, I'm here to tell you that I'm still in the battle, making steps and winning small victories here and there.

Like what, you ask? 

Well, for starters, I finally bought an analog scale and have begrudgingly stepped on it every morning for 5 days in a row.  This was not something I was looking forward too.  In fact, I began to resent it when the number crept up ever so slightly 3 days in a row. What gives?? I was feeling slightly defeated but thought to myself, surely this is going to turn around and go the other way. I've been very selective on my food choices denying myself on most choices and going along with the healthier option.  How dull, I thought, but oops! That's the stinkin' thinkin' I'm supposed to be changing.  

Secondly, each day I'm thinking more about adding vegetables throughout the day which isn't a typical thought for me.  In my typical habit, I was more apt to buy a bag of chips out of the machine to go with  my lunch but now I'm bringing celery sticks (big whoop!) instead.  If they could make celery sticks taste like a good old Better Made Potato Chip, then we'd be in business!

This weekend wasn't all lost as I found a new chicken recipe that was so easy, with only 5 ingredients and it was delish!! I have to say that when I have time to fiddle making viddles, I enjoy the reward of eating so much more.  The recipe was really super simple and definitely will be on the remake list again. I'm also noticing that when I have something as simple as cherries which are in season, along with 1/2 of a toasted english muffin with peanut butter on it for breakfast,  it's tasting really good. My tastebuds are awakening as I turn from old habits to new.  And, I'm rather proud to say that I haven't made one fast food stop in the last 10 days. 

Except, Arby's.  Just one time.  They have the meats. 

As I mentioned last week, I am moving more and for that I'm glad! I feel more energetic throughout the day just by adding some extra steps here and there.  And my knee, which is turning 65 in November, was beginning to do the senior shenanigans whenever I would go up and down the stairs. But now I noticed, I'm not having that little issue any longer.  That's a big yay and testimony to the reward of moving more. 

So that's my little recap and now I'm marching into a new week with a little more confidence in this plan than when I first began.  It hasn't been perfect and an Oreo or two may have jumped into my hand on occasion, but all and all it's far more favorable than I thought it would be. 

Oh, and you might be happy to know, the scale numbers went down this morning. Now, I'm heading in the right direction of this challenge and that's more encouraging than anything else at this moment! 

Day 3 of The Bun Bar Challenge

Isn't it amazing how quickly you can become deterred from the thing you vowed to do?  Oh, I haven't given up on my Bun Bar Challenge, but I realized how much of a non-planner I am.  I'm a jump into the puddle with both feet and no boots kinda girl, which often leaves me walking home with wet feet and squishy shoes.  Now, I contemplate a long time about decisions as a rule. But I don't map out the way to get there, if you know what I mean.  I suppose some would call that foolish and immature behavior but I call it spontaneous and impulsive in a fun sort of way.  Let the reader use discernment,  as I ask for grace on my impulsiveness.  Yesterday, a villainous vendor carrying cookies to die for, stopped in and I let them pass me by. I put them near the coffee machine next to the homemade pound cake someone else brought to share.

By now, according to the challenge, I should have weighed myself 3 days in a row.  I was sure I had a bath scale tucked away somewhere in the house so on day 1, I began to go on a hunt, when voila, I found a scale!  Oh wait, it's a digital scale with a dead battery?? Yikes!  On day 2,  I picked up the proper battery and as soon as I got home, I replaced the battery with fervor as if I wanted to step on the scale and see my weight. Not!  But, I was eager to put all the pieces in place to make this 14 day challenge all it can be.  Once I put the battery in, the scale came alive, but I don't get it! It's a scale that reads in metric and has some other options that don't make any sense to me, because of course I don't have the manual any longer, and it must be older than I thought because I can't come up with any online details. At least not yet. 

Browsing the cabinets to determine what to eat has also become a bit like foraging.  I'm feeling like my sons when they were young and would shout "there's nothing to eat in this house!".  It's not true but why is it when you shop at the store and the idea in your head looks like a culinary delight becomes unidentifiable when it's time to create something edible and enjoyable?  Hmmmm, perhaps I may have signed on a little prematurely but these are fixable situations, for sure! 

I have to admit that I'm moving more than I was even one week ago and I can already feel the benefit from that choice!  I've discovered my 4-legged girl is not a morning dog, but yesterday and Monday when I grabbed her collar and leash, she obligingly accompanied me on a sweet morning walk. The last two days have been so beautiful weather-wise that walking has been a pleasure.  I've been accompanied by the singing of some fine-feathered friends, chirping with delight at the cooler, welcomed temperatures. It's been grand! Both mornings upon returning home after each walk, my furry friend high-tailed it right back onto the couch to grab some more zzzzzzzzzzzzzz's. 

Today, however,  when I arose Ms. Laney  was nowhere in sight at 6:00 am.  She chose to sleep in my son's room last night,  possibly in an effort to avoid me and to sleep-in just a little bit more. Humph. So, I chose to put on a little music and moved to the groove of the 70's for 15 minutes instead.  A fun way to start my day! On the job, which is quite sedentary, I'm purposefully getting up and walking more and when I have to go make copies or take paperwork or a package to the lab, I'm sashaying every chance I get. 

I haven't turned the switch off the little digital challenge man yet and I've avoided indulging in Mr. Bun Bar, so I'm going to keep trialing for a few more days and tonight I will make a quick stop to pick up a good old-fashioned scale and few other edible items to make eating a little more satisfying for the remainder of this week. 

 One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus!