As I am new to the competition diet side of things, I have continued to tweak diet looking for the right balance of foods that will leave me satisfied and meet nutrition goals. I think I am getting close! I'm still playing with things and experimenting with recipes. One challenge has been preparing meals for myself and preparing seperate meals for family as I am the cook of the house. So far, I have been fairly succesful with preparing things we can all eat, or simply making a sauce and a starch on the side that they can eat but I don't touch. It's difficult to cook some things as I don't usually use recipes and I have to "taste test" the foods, which I am not able (or willing) to do at this point. Another challenge I have found on new journey is eating out/social situations. So far I have been successful at that as well. When we chose a restaurant I check the menu to see if there is anything close, then I let the waiter(ess) know that I am on a "restricted diet" and need ___ adjustments made to meal if it's possible. So far, I have been very pleased with how accomodating they have all been. We eat out often as a family, and that combined with occassional eating out with girlfriends adds up to a lot of restaraunt eating! I have decided to allow myself to have 2 glasses of red wine per week (a 3.5 oz glass only has 60 calories), but no more than that. girlfriends are all now taking "reservations" for vino nights!
Something I have found very interesting is the curiousity all girlfriends are showing towards new diet and lifestyle. They are all offering their own ideas (some good ones) and looking for me to share some of "secrets", though we all know that the secret to a healthy lifestyle is a dedicated balanced, clean diet and a solid workout routine! A lot of them have been motivated to work out more/harder and adjust their eating habits, which I am very pleased about!
Since starting the competition diet I am now doing cardio everyday for 30 minutes a day. This will gradually need to increase over time as it gets easier, but for right now it seems to be doing the trick. weight training routine is 3 days a week, but will eventually go to four days a week. Monday was chest, tricep, shoulder day.
Monday was also body scan appointment day. For weeks I have had mixed feelings about doing the body scan ranging from excitement, glee, anticipation, dread, nervousness, and feeling downright scared silly! I was just hoping (but seriously doubting) that I would be under 20%, knowing if I had much more than that I would have a long, hard road ahead of me to be ready for the show by May 1st....not to say that I won't anyways...it's going to be a long, painful, tiring, but ultimately very rewarding experience regardless...
...the results.....19.5%! Hooray! I can do this! I was instantly motivated to work harder, stick to diet, and commit to the long haul after seeing those numbers. I will admit, I have had doubts. I have eyeballed that Reeses peanut butter cup at the checkstand at the grocery store, I have thought about skipping cardio and watching a movie with the family instead...I have considered the sugary cocktail when out with ladies....but NO! I will not give in! I have a goal, and I am going to keep pressing forward.
There are a million excuses I could come up with. I mean, after all, one candy bar wouldn't kill me...but then again, would it really be worth it? Would I know, without a doubt when I went up on stage that I didn't give it all, every 100% of myself to be in the BEST shape I possibly can? Or would I not be quite ready, knowing that if I'd just not had that candy bar....
Exciting news: After weight training session and cardio on Friday I am going to be hitting the road to drive 5 hours to go visit Cassie! I'm sooo excited!
Going to see Cassie.....sweet. Get the two of you's together.....look out....... 
As for your sweet tooth.. have an apple. Or sweeten some greek yogurt.