DAY 4: *INSERT ROCKY THEME*

As predicted last night - DAY 4 KICKED ASS!

So, my day started off with a message from my friend L.M., who has already pledged $1/lb for August to ALS research.  Thanks to her word-of-mouth, another of her friends also pledged $1/lb as well.  Then today, she messages me to tell me that her brother-in-law, R.M., has pledged $2/lb for August!  Isn't that generous?  That brings my weight loss for August up to $6.40 a lb for charity!  I'M WORTH AS MUCH AS HAM!  (And, fittingly so.  lol)

Between failing miserably yesterday and recieving this news this morning, it was just the kick in the ass I needed to really get going.

I started off by going grocery shopping.  Some healthier choices should help me to navigate around my cravings for the junk food that are still in the house.  Chocolate was a necessity, so I picked up a box of Slim Fast Bars.  I already knew I liked the Peanut Butter, but the Double Chocolate was a terrific surprise.  That list of super foods included almonds, so I bought a box of 100 calorie packs that I can grab quickly and take with me as needed.  I like yogurt - specifically activia - but all the sites are STRONGLY recommending Fat-Free Greek Yogurt, so I picked up a small pack of Oikos to try.  We'll see how that goes.  I stocked up on Chocolate Slim Fast Shakes, as those are always a great option when I don't have time for a full meal (instead of skipping it completely), and they are also a great snack.  Also threw in a few bottles of vitamin water - mostly energize, revive and attention to help boost my energy and focus.

Then, I got adventurous.  As I said in my last post, I really need to broaden my culinary horizons if I'm going to get through this.  I can't just give up on all the things I love and expect to succeed; I need to also find new things to love.  So, don't judge me, but I bought berries for the first time.  I love blueberries in baked goods (Mmm...blueberry muffins!  Delish!), but have never tried them fresh.  I was surprised that the one berry I tried didn't have nearly as much flavor, but its ability to stain my entire mouth blue was amazing.  Other "to-try" items from my super foods list: raspberries, blackberries, grapefruit, a fresh pear and hass avocado.  I've tried some of these things many, many years ago, or I've tried them canned, etc.   I've also been curious by the star fruit, so I popped one of those in my cart as well.  In the rice aisle, a friendly cuban woman helped me to find a can of pre-seasoned black beans that are supposed to be ready to eat.  Supposedly, I just pop the can open and pour it over the brown rice I bought and it should be just like my favorite restaurant.  We'll see about that.  I found an easy Latin Red Bean and Rice boxed meal that is supposed to be really easy to fix and, since couscous is highly recommended, I found one that was preseasoned and easy to fix.  Once  I know what the hell it is I'm eating and how it tastes, I can start worrying about going back to the fresh items and trying to make it myself.  Also bought a bag of Kale so that I can finally make a batch of the kale chips I've been hearing about.

My prize for the day?  *Drum Roll Please*  GREEN TEA!  I can't believe it!  After all the years in my past that I tried green tea and it immediately made me throw up, I actually found one that I ENJOY!  I don't know if it is the particular tea that made the difference, the fact that I am older and my tastes have changed, my DESIRE for it to work, or maybe a combination of the three, but I had a bottle of Lipton Diet Green Tea with Citrus, and it was fantastic!  Furthermore, No Calories, No Carbs, No Fat, No Sugar....Can it get any better than that?!  I bought a case of it from BJ's and I couldn't be happier with my purchase.  I really was determined to drink that damned case no matter what...to drink it till I grew to like it...but this is SO much better than that plan!  I can't believe I'm this freaking excited over green tea, but there you have it.

In doing research, I've noticed something different this time that I don't remember ever seeing a focus on before.  Fiber.  The 25 superfoods said it over and over and over again.  "Fiber" this and "fiber" that.  So, I figured it wouldn't hurt for me to look for a fiber substitute as well, just to make sure I was getting my daily recommended dosage (since that apparently makes a difference).  I jumped for joy when I saw the Fiber Gummies.  Seriously?!  I can get my fiber from a gummy bear?!  You can't be serious!  But, not only could I get my fiber from two delicious, 5 calorie gummies - it provided more fiber than all of the other choices!  The other maxed out at 10% of the daily value while the gummies provided 20%.  Hell yeah, sign me up for that!  Needless to say, I had two of them in my mouth before I finished loading my groceries into the car.  lol  (Don't worry, I know not to over do it.)

By the time I ate dinner - ordered beef with brocolli from my favorite chinese restaurant and skipped the rice - I was still 2,016 calories under my recommended daily intake.  Can you believe that?  I didn't starve myself AT ALL today - in fact, four hours after dinner I am still completely sated.  Plus, I was totally honest on the myfitnesspal.com calculator.  In fact, I'm under all of my daily maximums - I'm under carbs and fat as well.  Of course, I don't want to do this every single day because going under all the time can cause it's own set of problems, but it is exciting to see that I can be fully satisfied and happy AND under my counts for the day.  It IS possible!

So, I went for my first walk today.  The last time I went for a random walk, I really pushed myself.  It was about two years ago and, I think I went for a walk cuz I was just stressed or energized or aggravated or something.  I ended up walking for over two hours - with regular breaks to catch my breath - and calculated that I walked close to three miles.  Sure, I had mild heat stroke and exhaustion when I came back home, but I was proud of myself to an extent because it had been so long since I had challenged myself physically.  Of course, I wanted to be smarter about it this time.  I prepared my ice water, wore appropriate clothing and shoes, sprayed sunscreen on my exposed skin and walked as close to sunset as possible.  But, the truth was, I intended to walk that same path and push myself for at least an hour.

It was less than ten minutes in when I came to realize how terribly out of shape I was.  I walked from my home, down the block to the park where there is a track and, before my feet touched the track, I was already out of breath.  I wasn't even rushing...just walking at my normal pace...and yet, I was gasping for air.  I was saddened by how very bad my condition was, but determined to push myself as much as I could.  I finished one lap around the long track and made it home at exactly 30 minutes.  I was hot, my face beat red, my skin slick from sunscreen and perspiration, but proud for having pulled through at least what I had.  It was slightly disheartening when I entered the information into myfitnesspal.com to found that I had only burned an estimated 208 calories out of the recommended 403, but - I don't think anything can bring me down today.  Instead, I realized that - with my exercise, I am currently 2,224 calories under for the day, and with two hours left till midnight, I have no desire for food at the moment.  Now, I know what my physical limit is and I can begin to work towards improving it, a little at a time.

Last night was rough but today...I just feel like I can do this.  I know this feeling is fleeting...I've been through this before...but that's not going to stop me from just taking a moment and enjoying it while it lasts.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to take a much deserved shower and, maybe cool down with a nice Green Tea.  Ha, never thought I'd here myself say THAT.  ;o)

UPDATE:  I like the pear.  Star Fruit isn't bad - a little tart, but otherwise unforgettable.  Kale Chips are HORRENDOUS!  Tried some with garlic salt and some with a nacho cheese popcorn topping, but NOTHING can seem to cover the bitter taste which stays with you for hours afterward.  Who in the hell would recommend that?