Day 11

OK, so its the end of my eleventh day on the Making the Cut challenge. Lets say it hasn't been the easiest, but I am happy with my actions. I haven't missed a day or workout at the gym, and I have added extras in there for a little boost. as for the food, however, I have not followed the menu word for word.
Although the food is edible by my standards, the members of my household seemed to be left wanting. My husband and I are by no means picky, and my children aren't either. But there were 2 meals I prepared from the book, that were returned to the pot, leaving me to eat all the left overs for 3 days..... needless to say I could use to not see shrimp or whole wheat pasta for a while. so I improvise for the fam, and make a separate batch for myself. It can be tough when my family is eating a stuffed crust pizza ( one of my favorites) and I'm eating a roast beef wrap in a whole wheat tortilla that tastes like paper, with low fat cream cheese.
I haven't fallen off the wagon, but I know that I probably have tasted a few of the dieting sin foods. I can now tell if something I try has to much sodium, as Jillians book pretty much cuts any added sodium out. The workouts are insanely tough. some of the exercises she has me do, are so hard it takes everything I have to get 1 out. Try a Scorpion Push up for example. you get in the traditional push up stance, but when you lower yourself to the ground, you raise one leg and twist it behind you. so when you are lowered, your leg is like the scorpions tale, and your side is to the ground, not your flat tummy. when you raise up, lower your leg back to its original position. and repeat with the other leg. Any 'plank' exercise is really tough for me because I have lower back issues and a sad core strength. both of which I am hoping to improve with these crazy exercises. i have been in a constant state of SORE since day 2. I do feel my body is tired, which is probably why I slept most of the day away today. I think I was on the brink of exhaustion with my work, workouts, and family time and duties.
I have many people tell me I need to slow things down, not to wear myself out. But everything in my life right now I feel important and if I were to choose a cord to cut, Id find it near impossible. If a day of napping in 4 weeks is what I need to do to keep going, then thats what I will do. A little insight as to what I am talking about, I currently have 4 jobs. 5 if you count the MOM/ Housewife card. Some are part time and temporary, but I'm the type of person that if my bills need to be paid, kids birthday, Christmas, I will do anything I can to help alleviate that pressure. my jobs are: 'Custodian' (for lack of a better word) for my church building. I clean it 3-4 times a week. its a 21,000 sq. foot building equipped with 6 bathrooms, 5 offices, 2 main worship rooms, and roughly 11 classrooms. I also have my own business cleaning residential homes. I have 5 homes I clean on a bi-weekly basis, and I have about 3 others that call me as needed. I also am a part time receptionist at a local hair salon, which I LOVE. of all my jobs this is one of my favorites. this job kind of fell into my lap. My husbands place of employment was shutting its doors after 20 years of service, and the day we found out I was getting my hair cut at this salon. I was talking with my stylist about it, and she offered me a job. I kind of put it off knowing that I couldn't work there full time like they wanted, but they called me in for an interview about 4 weeks later. They just recently promoted me to manager, which will add 2 evenings to my schedule, but pay a little more. On top of that, my best friend got me to work at a local college football games with her last year. The Missouri Tigers. I LOVED it as well. I work on the media deck checking credentials but really just chit chatting and watching the football game. As this is only a seasonal job, Its good money and great networking. I am hoping an opportunity will arise someday, either for myself or my husband. And on top of all of this, my sister in law and I are toying with the idea of starting our own craft business. Mostly bags and baby items, but really we dab in just about every inch of arts and crafts.
My father in law often tells me I should write a book on entrepreneurship. I don't feel like a successful entrepreneur, but I do like to do many different things. Maybe one day my true calling will come for me. I keep my eyes and ears open and a smile on my face hoping and waiting for that 1 person or opportunity to arise that will take my family and me to a place of comfort and help us put our feet up a little.
The point of that rant was to really say, that although I am tired and sore, working out at the gym is my time to get away from it all, and clear my head. This diet is giving me something to focus my mind on something other than bills, or birthday presents or Christmas. I am challenging myself on a personal level, and I know that when all is said and done, regardless of the amount of weight I loose, or inches that come off, I am proud to be the person I am no matter my size and I know that the people in my life love me the way I am, and that is all I can ever ask for.