Day 13 & 14 -- Preparing for the Week Ahead

My apologies for not posting anything the past two days, but Ted and I have been busy running around.  This week, the hubster and myself are ditching the snow and "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" cold for the sun-kissed shores of Puerto Rico.  Yes, you can be jealous.  I'll allow it. 

Needless to say, I've done just about everything the past two days to prepare -- from getting last-minute items at Target and CVS to pulling out summer clothes, doing laundry, and packing two suitcases full.  And yes, we'll only be gone 5 nights.  Seems I've done just about everything with the exception of blogging. 

And to be quite honest, I'm not that motivated to be sitting here in front of my computer after running ragged all day, especially when I know I have to be up in seven hours.  That's right -- 4:00 a.m. wakeup call.  Wahoo!!!

However, I did want to leave you with something before I left -- just in case I'm kidnapped by Puerto Rican Drug Cartel Lords and never return :-) 

All weekend I've been mentally preparing myself for this week.  Vacations are synonymous it seems with cheating.  No, not on your husband or wife.  On FOOD!!!  It's like the word "vacation" is all we need to hear to justify our outrageous eating habits.  Enormous country breakfast every morning?  Sure!  Why not?  I'm on vacation!  Margaritas, Daiquiris and Cervezas from midday on?  Absolutely!  And dessert every night after your three-course dinner?  Well, that's a given! 

And the old me, Jumbo Nicole, would definitely have given into all of the above.  Something about vacations used to siginify a free-for-all for me.  But not anymore!

Part of the reason I have two suitcases?  Because one of them is half-filled with my gym clothes alone.  No need for a double-take.  You did read that right.  I am going to work out on my vacation.  Sigh.  I'm packing gym shorts, sports bras, my running sneaks, and lots of T-shirts.  I'm not sure whether I'll be running in the hotel gym, in the streets of Old San Juan, or for an extra calorie burn, on the beach.  But I know I'll be running. 

You can laugh now, or think I'm crazy, or form whatever opinion you'd like.  But this is what this challenge is all about.  No more excuses.  No more justifications.  No more of what my old life used to be like.  Instead, this vacation, I'm going to be active.  In fact, there's a rainforest, El Yunque, which Ted and I plan to hike.  We're also hoping to add a kayaking tour through a bioluminescent bay and exploration of the Camuy Cave Park to the itinerary.  This, of course, is in addition to the plentiful walking we'll be doing shopping, um.... I mean sightseeing.... in San Juan. 

And as for meals -- well, I'm hoping that the culture of this little island really doesn't agree with me.  Now, I know that's a long shot, because I thoroughly enjoyed Spain and love just about every locale where the Spaniards have left their touch.  That said, I'm also hoping that if I happen to hate the food, I'll be a lot less likely to eat a lot of it.  If my plan fails, however, I'm aiming to keep my meals small, and healthy.  I'll do my best to look for fish and chicken on the menus and steer clear of fried foods.  Oh, and let's not forget -- ice cream is not allowed this week. 

I'm not sure how this vacation is going to really turn out.  I have great intentions -- but then again, I always do.  I'm well aware I could come back, weigh in on that scale, and curse myself for eating that extra burrito because I gained three pounds.  Or, maybe I'll return only to find that I've maintained my weight, which I'd be more than ok with after a week away from my normal routine.  Obviously, I hope that I'll come back and have lost.  But with the travel, crappy airport food, and "vacation mode" mentality which I'll be trying to fight off, I know that's not all that realistic. 

Either way, I'll be doing everything I can to ensure I stay active and eat healthy on this trip.  And don't worry, my #1 Accountability Partner will be with me - and he does NOT like to see me stray.  :-)  I'm sure he won't even hesitate as he pushes me out of the bed early in the morning to go run while he snuggles himself back under the comforter.  And I'm also positive he won't mind eating my dessert, should I order one. 

So, pray for me this week -- that I don't gain, that I don't over-indulge, and that I don't find myself getting kidnapped.  I'll be thinking of all of you while I'm sitting back on a lounge chair, staring out at the surf.  Try not to miss me too much!

P.S. -- Weigh-in numero dos was a success!  I'm down another 1.8 pounds, which puts me at 249.4!  Yay for being under the 250s!!!

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
Multigrain Cheerios with 1% milk
Snack
None
Lunch
Cheese & Crackers, 1 stuffed shell, hummus and pita slices, a few Scoops and Spinach/Artichoke dip, and 1/2 slick of cake, 1 Portuguese fried dough (the menu is a little off today due to a surprise birthday party we attended)
Snack
None
Dinner
Quaker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
Dessert
See above crappy foods

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Some information for you on Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) and how to calculate it for Men and Women.

http://weightloss.about.com/od/eatsmart/a/blcalintake.htm

This is simple math and it really works. Once you figure out how many calories you need to maintain your weight, taking away calories will take away pounds. Eating less and exercising will shed the pounds.

I know, I am down 15 pounds since Jan. 4th and still going.

Stay away from the empty calories, like cookies, candy, ice cream, fried foods, etc.

Kali said...

looking forward to seeing you when you get back next week... I have some thoughts about food for you:) seems like you are getting a lot from this blog which is great! i seem to remember trying to get you off ice cream a look time ago and got a laugh in my face:)

Anonymous said...

you can have ice cream just get a very small bowl and only have one small scoop at a time. My motto - taste everything, eat nothing!

Anonymous said...

HI NIKNAK, If you're reading this, tell your hubby that we are leaving "treats" for him at work.

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