13.58 weeks and counting...

SO glad to be back from Vegas, the land of excess and OVER indulgence!  I actually had fun this go around.  My Vegas experience gets better and better each time I go.  It was nice to get away for a few days and spend time with  my mom, do some shopping, clubbing (although I only went to one club) and some food tasting ;-).  It is always difficult to stay on track from a food standpoint while on vacation.  However, after this past weekend, I now know what I will do the NEXT time I go on vacation.  Being on vacation is definitely not a reason to go crazy with eating and drinking.  It is all about moderation and trade-offs.  While I think it is OK to sample things and maybe even indulge in one or two things, going overboard is not cool.

This past weekend I made some poor choices when it came to sticking to my meal plan.  I did play 4 games of soccer and hit the fitness center in the hotel 3 out of of 4 days I was there, but I failed miserably when it came to practicing my discipline in the area in which I struggle the most.  In addition to feeling bad physically, I felt bad mentally and that is the nagging pain that does not seem to go away as quickly as the physical.  I am learning as I prepare for my first competitive fitness competition that the mind is extremely powerful.  Once we think something, it becomes a reality subconsciously and in turn we act out that particular belief (most times).  For example, I absolutely love sweets and once I see something that catches my eye, I have already eaten and enjoyed it mentally and that is when it becomes a struggle to resist.  Going forward I will exercise better judgement and think about the long and short term effects of my decision.  Changing one's mindset is an ongoing struggle that many of us have, whether it is in relation to how we view ourselves, losing weight, changing careers, etc.  Changing my mindset will not happen over night, but it will happen over time.  So I am writing this blog to say that if you are currently on a path to getting into and staying in better shape and you fall off of that proverbial wagon, dust yourself and get back on it because if you stay on the ground you will never know where you could have gone if you don't get back on!  So don't give up!  Today is a new day and a new beginning and my best today might not be my best tomorrow but at least I put forth an effort.  I have approximately 13.58 weeks to completely transform my body and in during that time I will be changing my attitude and the way I think.  And even after I reach my fitness goal, the mental aspect of training will still be evolving.  In closing fit(ness) foodies, NEVER, EVER GIVE UP ON REACHING YOUR GOALS!