"Great achievement is usually born of great sacrifice." -Napolean Hill

So. I finished that 3 day diet on Thursday. I only lost about 4ish pounds (not quite 4). Was it worth the 3 days of deprevation? I'm not really sure...Sure, 3 point something pounds is OK, but I'm not sure if that small of a result is worth what I had to go through for those 3 days. I know, I know. I'm making it sound like it was absolute torture...it wasn't that bad, it just wasn't that great either. It was a super healthy diet and I like all of the items I ate, but it just didn't feel like enough food at each individual meal, and I HATED not having an afternoon snack! Oh well, lost pounds are lost pounds. Maybe it is worth it..

It may sound ridiculous to some that I consider all I do a sacrifice, but it is to some extent. Yes, I enjoy everything I eat. Yes, I eat a lot of the things I loved before I started this. But I have given up so much more than just food to get where I am today. I have given up time, effort, and focus to this way of life... And some foods that I love (brownies, cake, pie, brownies, bread, chocolate in most forms, brownies...). I hate that it's almost all I can think about and that I can't really eat without thinking about what I'm doing, but being healthy has made it all completely worth it. It is a huge sacrifice to change the way you live and the way you think, but what I've gained throughout this process has seriously out-weighed what I've given up. Once I'm done losing and moving on to just maintaining, I'll be able to relax a little more, breathe a little more easily, not feel so attached to food. For now, however, I will continue to sacrifice myself to become a better me.

I'll just be honest with you, I went out of town this past weekend and probably gained at least 2 of those pounds back. I didn't over-eat or eat often, but the things that I did eat were not necessarily the best options. I didn't go crazy, I just didn't care nearly enough and I ate several items that I normally wouldn't even consider ordering (hamburger, sandwiches, way more bread than I normally eat). I don't really regret it because it was an awesome weekend and it was an entire weekend (4 days, actually) that I didn't have to cook a single thing. That right there was a vacation in itself. I also didn't exercise one bit the whole time. Also quite a vacation. Of course I'm going back to normal today. I'm eating like I normally do and when I get home, I'll jog. My workout will still occur during Addie's nap today. Prime example of getting back on the horse. Just because you falter for a day, 2 days, a week, whatever; It's NEVER too late to jump back on and get it right again!

I'll probably do the diet Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This will at least maybe allow me to get back to where I was before I left this past weekend. I'm so close to another milestone: going from the 150s to the 140s! I can't believe it! Before I left, I weighed in at 153! I'm so excited to be so close to my goal. Once I get back to that, I'll only have about 13ish pounds left! I'll probably ultimately get down to 135ish or maybe even 130, but my goal is 140. It depends on how I feel about myself once I get down there. SO. FREAKING. CLOSE. I might consider doing to the 3 day diet once a week just until I do get down to my goal, but I haven't decided yet. We'll see after I finish the next round. And of course, I'll keep you updated and let you know how the diet is going and what effects it has on me. I can tell you right now, though, that second and third day without caffeine = cranky Rachel. Not fun, but hey, losing a few extra pounds? Sure why not?