Holidays and Prep... Pure EVIL!

No amount of dessert flavored sugar free gum will ever help with the temptations that Holiday eating and treats are pushed in front of us.  How strong am I really?  I guess today we find out!

I am avoiding the break room at the office.  Once a month, we have a 'Birthday' party for those employees celebrating their birthday which usually involves, cake, ice cream or some other treat.  For day-to-day maintenance, I can partake and enjoy these little treats on occasion, but being in prep for a contest is a whole different matter.  Everything counts...  There is no "I will just do a little extra cardio" because you are already working out so much and are so exhausted that you just can't do anymore!  I forgot that the little celebration was going to be this morning in conjunction with Valentine's Day and as I walked by the break room to deliver some paperwork, I saw it...  The plethera of goodies...  Donuts, rice krispie treats, cupcakes, crackers, cheese and some fruit and a small veggie platter.  I stopped, gawked for a few seconds and then told myself to "move along!".  I didn't go to the party...  Even though there are many people here at the office that know what I am doing, I couldn't take the "Oh, you can't eat this, huh?"  While I try to keep to the thought that this is a choice to not eat items that aren't on my plan, it really boils down that even I find myself using the word can't as well.  Good ole reverse phsycology...  You tell me I can't do something and then I want it even more!  Fortunately, there is a separate break room upstairs where I work in the office, so I can fill my water bottle, make my lunch, etc. and not have to put myself even near the goodies...  Now, to just get them out of my mind!  Where is that Strawberry Shortcake gum?  That will help for about 5 minutes!

The last two weeks have been kind of crazy.  Work has been busy, which helps to keep my mind off of food (I eat when I am bored, and sitting at an office desk all day doesn't help!), but has also made me mentally fatigued.  Workout intensity has increased for my prep.  Cardio is now up to 5 x's a week at 40 minutes and I strength train 6 days a week.  Cardio is first thing in the morning, weights in the evening and still trying to find time to spend time with the family, prep food, etc. 

Usually on Wednesday and Friday, I get a bit of a break (no dance class for Trinity), but last week, Trinity had a basketball halftime performance on Wednesday and was in her school talent show on Friday night.  Then, she had a dance camp on Saturday and performed again Saturday night at the BSU basketball game.  We tried to enjoy my cheat meal after the game, but I was so exhausted it didn't matter what I ate at that point!  This week, on my Wednesday "night off" I spent the evening making treats for Trinity's class Valentine's party.  It never fails...  it seems there is always something going on!  I have tried to make Sunday a complete rest day from training and cardio, but when I do, then I am a sluggish mess and don't even get out of my PJ's for the day!  Thank God for my husband who picks up the pieces for me.  He cooks dinner every night for the kids and usually my dinner as well.  He reminds me of things that I need to get ready for the next day, especially since lately, I have been so forgetful.  He does the laundry so the kids have uniforms for school and I have workout clothes (two a day workouts makes for lots of laundry!).  When I get home from work, the dishes are always done and then I come into the kitchen and dirty them again when I prep my food for the next day and he never complains when I am too tired when I am done to wash them again.  With all this being said, I have been receiving so much help and support and I have been terrible at returning any sort of gratitude.  I have heard so many stories of women quitting because their significant others couldn't handle the time it took away from them or the family, but Lance has been a rock solid support and I can't thank him enough.  I know he will be there for me for this whole process and it makes me realize just how lucky I am!

I keep trying to tell myself that it will get better...  But, the more I think on it...  things are just getting started!  Lias is a Senior this year, so we are busy with college stuff, he will have Senior projects and presentations (I felt so bad that yesterday was History Day at school and I didn't even know that he was presenting a web page that he created for his project.  Note to self...  ask to see his project!) and Trinity's dance competition season is starting and will run up until two weeks before my first show (including some out of town travel).  This in turn, may mean extra rehearsals, working on solo, etc.  She competes her solo this Saturday and I still haven't finished her costume!

Breathe in...  Breathe out...  That is about all I can do right now!  Accept whatever help I can get from family and friends and put forth my best effort.  My situation is nothing special...  Everyone has obstacles in their lives that they need to work through, whether it is work, family, finances, etc.  We just keep trucking forward and give it our all whenever possible.  I love the comment my new friend and fellow competitor (Lyndsay) made the other day...  One day at a time, one meal at a time, one workout at a time.  So true!

Now time to focus on Valentine's Day being about showing appreciation for those you love...  it is not about sugar and sweets!