Lent reflections.

Happy Easter. Happy Belated Passover.  Happy Sunday. 

Today is the end of my experiment to see if I could give up bread for Lent and I was, shockingly, successful. What did I learn about myself in the process?

That I have far more self control than I give myself credit for.
That food is not the answer to any of my problems. 
That some people really don't take well to making major diet changes 'made around a religious holiday.
That I really can do anything I want if I put my mind to it.

I turned down rolls and bread sticks and biscuits and stuffing and croutons and pizza and sandwiches.  I agonized over watching my best friends devour a loaf of home made garlic cheese bread. I gritted my teeth and turned away free bread with my meals almost every time we went out to eat. 

It was harder than I expected it to be... at first... about halfway through I stopped craving those go to foods.  The warm, tasty allure of bread just wasn't gnawing at me the way it once did.

Until my car accident.  When I finally got home the night of the accident I wanted nothing more than to devour a pizza and cry myself to sleep.  I wanted to be lost in the tasty warm bread smothered in sauce and cheese and dipped in garlic sauce.  I wanted to smell the fresh Italian seasonings and the warm delicious dough. 

It was remarkable just how much I craved those things in those moments of fear and doubt.  It was even more amazing that I was able to stay inside my mind enough and not give in.  I cried, a screamed, I panicked, I clung to Marshall and Chip and Matt and totally ate Girl Scout Cookies for dinner but I didn't give in and ruin my lenten promise so close to Easter.

Today I woke up to delicious waffles and fruit for breakfast.  We were going to do biscuits and eggs but we got lazy and forgot to go to the store. 

For lunch I had a delicious plate of ham, broccoli, lima beans, mashed potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes and 3 bean salad and I went back for seconds on all the veggies. I ate 3 delicious rolls too.  With butter.  They were heavenly. 

Shortly I will be indulging in pizza and I cannot tell you how much I'm looking forward to it.  Tomorrow I'll go back to eating bread normally, sparingly, and infrequently. 

I honestly felt better without all the processed white stuff in my diet.  I still got some of it from potatoes but taking the other major source away I definitely feel my nutrition was better over all so I think the bread stays away for the most part.

The week that sucked and yet didn't suck.

So let's start with the most important thing - I was in a car accident that caused the very noble death of my dear 1993 Oldsmobile 98.  Onslow the Oldsmobile died protecting me in a 5 car collision on I-440 in Raleigh.  I was coming home from a large meeting and a combination of rain, congestion and bad luck caused the accident and I'm just lucky I walked away from it.  I've got a sore shoulder and a handful of small bruises from my seat belt. 

What's left of my poor,  beloved, steed.

I had a major panic attack when I saw this for the first time in daylight the day after the accident.  The fact that i wasn't injured more than I was is... unbelievable. I was touched by an angel.

I probably won't be saying that in a few weeks once the bills start rolling in from the driver I hit. Plus there's that nasty business in that I need to get another car for myself.  So stressed about the whole thing.

Aside from the emotional wreckage left behind by feeling that I probably should have died this week really has been pretty good.

My big presentation at work went really well.  I've gotten a TON accomplished. 

Zumba has been AMAZING this week.  We finally added Toning in to our rotation and our first class was Thursday night.  It was SO AWESOME.

I also taught my first class at a new gym on Thursday night and that was fantastic as well. 

I'm really feeling strong and proud of where I am and what I'm accomplishing, personally and professionally.
I'm starting to put more effort in to my BeachBody business and the challenge groups I'm developing.  I'm really excited to see the changes in my team members.

Tomorrow is a Zumba marathon.  Class from 9:30-10:30, Toning from 10:30-11, and a Zumbathon from 2-5. I can't wait!

I'm also stoked for weigh in this week.  Ready to see the weight drop closer to the 300 mark! I know I can do it this month!