Diet, Day 36

I know that I am feeling better, mentally & emotionally, about myself right now. So I don't know if the fact that I seem to feel better physically is just an extension of that, or if I am actually feeling better. I have more energy, which I attribute to 2 things. First, B12 shots. Simple medical fact- they increase energy levels. Second, I am just excited about the progress I am making. Even when my knees ache, I am eager to get on the exercise bike because I continue to see results. No matter where the root of my improved outlook & seemingly improved health may lie, I am glad for it.

Oh... in a few weeks, from April 25 thru May 5, I'll be on vacation. For part of that time, will be going to North Carolina with many of the nation's MINI Cooper clubs to take on U.S. highway 129, a.k.a. "The Tail of the Dragon." 318 hairpin mountain curves in 11.8 miles. This trip has become an annual tradition for me. Even though I now drive a Mazdaspeed3, the MINI club (at least here in FL) is still very welcoming, and it's not really about the cars for me anymore- I've made a lot of good friends and have no plans to leave them behind, so I am glad they still wnt me around, too.

The reason that comes to mind now is that I know I won't be able to stay on this diet while I am in the mountains of NC/TN. So I am planning to take that week or so of from the diet and enjoy myself a little. I'm not going to go eat 3 pints of Ben & Jerry's every day, but I will probably enjoy my first Guinness of 2009 and eat some old favorites like pasta, Chinese, Mexican, and sushi. All in moderation, of course- just enough to enjoy each one.

So I ran this by the medical assistant at the doctor's office yesterday & asked her if all I would need to do is revert to Phase 1 of the diet (all protein) until ketosis kicks in again. She said that's exactly how to handle it. So I am going to ask for some more ketosis test strips in the next few weeks and see if I can escape 10 days of vacation time without gaining weight while I enjoy some of my favorite foods. Anyone wanna start a pool? LOL

Today, 3/31/09:

All supplements taken as directed

Water: 1 gallon +

Cardio: 30 minutes

Meal 1- 8 oz tilapia (8 vlp) ad 2 cups raw broccoli (2 veg)

Meal 2- 2 hard boiled eggs (2 vlp) and 1 cup raw red bell pepper (1 veg)

Meal 3- 4 oz ground sirloin (4 lp), 1/2 cup cooked green beans (1 veg) and 12 black raspberries (2 fruit)

Meal 4- 2 oz turkey bacon (2 vlp)

Freebie: 1 dill pickle spear

Totals: 12 servings very lean protein, 4 servings lean protein, 4 servings veg, 2 servings fruit. Holy cow, you huckleberry!!! (RIP Phil Rizzuto)