Coincidence? I think not!

 Just so you know, I am panicked. Today, at least the day that I am writing this marks three months since I have been unemployed. I’m not going to say that I haven’t enjoyed some of the freedom. Being unemployed has offered freedom in terms of time. Being unemployed has allowed me go to my mom’s house multiple times. We have painted. We have cleaned. The house is almost ready to be listed for sale. The time off has allowed me to spend time with my niece and nephews. I have had time to go for walks outside. I have read…a lot. But even with all of those perks, I am panicked.

I am halfway through the allotted unemployment.  Unemployment is for 26 weeks. Yet I do not have a job. It is not for lack of trying. I have completed a lot of applications. So far, nothing has come from them. Panic ensues!

Today, I had my normal morning routine going. I exercised, showered, ate breakfast, took the dog out for a walk and then I went into the office. You see, my job right now is to find a job. So on a daily basis I head into the office to ‘work’.   I have tried to maintain a schedule. It’s good for the dog you know. This morning was no different.  I worked on my computer until about 1:30. I went and ate lunch. And then I drove to a local cemetery and I started to walk. There is something liberating, freeing, mind clearing about walking outside. I noticed it when I ran, I had the most clear mind, amazing ideas, and epiphanies while I was running. Apparently, walking in graveyards gives me the same effect.  (Some gorgeous flowers that had budded on the trees in the graveyard!)

I was feeling sorry for myself today. I was near tears.  I was bemoaning my possible future without a job. I was worried about finances. And then my epiphany came.

It’s not a coincidence that Jason and I met at the exact time we met. Jason had just reached rock bottom in his life when we started talking online. Had I met him earlier before he reached that bottom, I can honestly say that I probably would have walked away. And by Jason‘s own words, if he had not met me when he met me, he may not have been able to dig out of his rock bottom. God brought us together at the exact perfect time. Coincidence. I think not.

Is it a coincidence that when Jason was experiencing a bout of unemployment, that everything lined up perfectly for him to return exactly when his money ran out. Coincidence? I think not. 

I see the hand of God. I can keep going with all of these “ coincidental things”. But I don’t have to. You get the point. So as I walked I stopped thinking about the panic and I started looking at the positive. 

When we got news that we were going to be laid off, my company had just been sold and was now under new ownership.  There was speculation and rumors that they were not going to give us severance. It was a new company, they didn’t have to offer us severance. However, they did. I got three months of severance. Thank you, Lord.

There are states in the United States, who do not allow people to collect unemployment until the terms of their severance have run out. Some of the coworkers I was laid off with  have had to deplete their severance first and only now after the three months have passed are they able to collect unemployment after three months. I was lucky enough to be in a state that does allow unemployment even if you have severance. (There is a cut off for the dollar amount, but I met the qualifications.) Not only have I been able to collect unemployment. The amount of my unemployment is sufficient enough that the general bills have been paid. Now don’t get too excited, I have nothing extra… But the bills are paid and I haven’t touched the severance yet!  What a blessing.

Sure, I’m panicked. Absolutely, I’m worried. But, I don’t believe in coincidence. I’m praying for positive resolution. But in the meantime, I am going to enjoy every day of unemployment and know that something good is coming my way.  I am trusting that this experience actually not only gives me a positive change emotionally but also gives me a positive change financially. I’m trusting.

I’m not gonna say that it is easy to trust. I’m not going to say that the panic won’t creep back in. But I am going to do my best to remember that all of these tough situations were resolved and it wasn’t coincidental.

So there you go, as much as I’m enjoying this time off… I’m ready to get back to work. But in the meantime, I’m going to work hard to continue to enjoy the days off. And even more, I’m going to work to trust.  I am going to trust that good things are coming my way.   

Picture a Day for 365 Days: Days 137-143

When I first started the Picture a Day for 365 Days project, I had grand plans that it was going to bring a resurgence in the use of my good cameras.  I was going to get all artsy.  I was going to enjoy the process of photography once again.   I have to admit, it worked.  I have really enjoyed the process of photography again, when I pull out my good cameras.  But admittedly, it hasn't been often that I've done so.  Isn't that sad?  I still take pictures though and honestly some of what I have shot with my phone have been pretty decent. 

I don't know what happened, but this last week I actually pulled out my good camera....TWICE!  I know, crazy isn't it.  

Day 137   3.15.25

Jason and I went to Frederick, MD for the day.  We miss a few places from when we lived in Frederick and like to go there here and there to stop into stores or roam the downtown.  One of the stops that was on our list this visit was to go to HMart.  It is a huge Asian grocery store (they have things from so many different countries actually.)   It is always fascinating to go.  You never know what you may find.  We always end up with all sorts of different things to try!    We didn't try the Pigs heads though.  Yes, you can buy a pigs head....all wrapped up and frozen!

Day 138  3.16.25

We had a quite Sunday at home with just a few errands.  Of course we got out for a walk.  The dog went with us as we traveled around in the neighborhood behind our house. 

Day 139  3.17.25

Brrrrr it was cold out in the morning while I walked the dog!

Day 140  3.18.25

I spent the day at the Antietam Battlefield with my oldest nephew.  I took my camera this day and got a few shots.  Both Riley and I like the perfect shape of this tree.  

Day 141 3.19.25

I got my job hunting done.  I finished my outdoor walk for the 75 Hard challenge and the weather was cool but nice.  So I went out with a blanket and laid outside and read.  The dog LOVED being out and having me relaxing with her!

Day 142  3.20.25

There is nothing better than seeing buds on trees in the early spring....unless it is the moment when you first see the flowers appear from the buds!  I was so tickled when I saw this on my walk!

Day 143 3.21.25

Jason was outside with the dog and came flying into the house to grab his phone because there was a fabulous double rainbow.  I grabbed my good camera and headed out.  Of course the double rainbow was gone, but I still got a nice picture of the single....and you can almost faintly see the light area where the second rainbow was!

 I am so happy that the spring temperatures are here with fewer and fewer cold spells!  It is time to get out and work outside in the dirt.  It is time to get out and let the sun warm my skin.  And maybe, just maybe I'll get outside with my camera a bit more!

75 Hard Week 9

I have passed the 9 week mark of the 75 Hard challenge.  I honestly thought that it would get easier with time.  However, It honestly has gotten harder!  Oh my word, I kinda just want this to be over!  I want this to be over so bad that well......I almost cheated!

 

Day 57  3.16.25  

We had a nice Sunday at home.  I enjoy the lazy start that I get on the weekends.  I don't jump out of bed and start exercising within minutes.  I lazily read a bit, play on my computer, watch a bit of TV and eventually when I am ready to head for the shower, I stop and do my 45 minutes of indoor exercise and then shower.  It is so nice!   Now don't think that I am lazing around too long.  On this day I was exercised and showered and back being a bum in the living room by 9:30-10AM.  I  was watching the weather and all the weather forecasts indicated that the skies were going to open and it would rain starting at around noon and then rain for the rest of the afternoon.  So I made the bold statement that I wanted to be out walking by 11AM.   Jason went with me and we were out by 11:15.   We had a few stray rain drops hit us, but the rain held off.  The rain actually held off until quite a bit later in the day! But no worries, I was done with that outdoor exercise and that is all that mattered!  I was able to check everything else off the list, the calories were right below 1500...which is where they were all week long.  Under...so a win!

 Day 58   3.17.25

     Monday was a typical day.  Jason worked and I stayed home and looked for a job.  It was C.O.L.D out there in the morning.  This weather is fluctuating from warm teeshirt weather to cold heavy jacket weather ....so back to the heavy jacket for outside.    I got my first 45 minutes of exercise done at the typical 5AM.  Outdoor was completed when I went to the graveyard to walk for a bit.  Everything else was checked off as successful, even if the calories were right under my limit...they were under!

Day 59  3.18.25

This was a fun day for me!  I started early with my normal 5AM workout.  I walked the dog and I spent about an hour or so on my computer looking for a job.  By 9Am I was heading out!  I met up with my oldest nephew and he and I went and did an official tour of the Antietam Battlefield.  I have run on the roads there.  I have ridden my bikes there.  I have spent scads of time on the battlefield, but it is neat to actually do a tour there.  (I did all that stuff on the battlefield when I lived in Sharpsburg of course).   We walked around and checked out what we wanted to see and I easily got my outdoor activity in.  In fact, my step count for that day was the highest it has been in a LONG time.

Everything else was in check.  so another successful day (calories were again high but I kept them under the 1500).

Day 60   3.19.25

Back home and another typical day.  Exercise early for the first 45 minutes.  Walk in the Graveyard for outside.  Water down the hatch.  Book reading completed and calories high but in check.

Day 61  3.20.25 

Wash rinse repeat.   This Thursday was a repeat of the typical day.  I got it done.....with more walking in the graveyard.   

Day 62  3.21.25

Busy busy busy.   That is how I would categorize this day.  I was just busy.  I got my first 45 minutes completed early at 5AM.  I got my reading in....and was guzzling water like mad!   I got my grocery shopping done and was home by 10.  I was outside and walking shortly there after and by 11:15 I was back out the door.  I was excited about my afternoon.  You see, when I was with my nephew on Tuesday he had mentioned that his sister was on spring break and would be home at the end of the week.  I didn't waste time and messaged her asking if she wanted to go to lunch.  She said yes!  So I had a lunch date with my very favorite niece (Ok, she is my only niece, but if I had more she would definitely be my favorite!) I knew going into lunch that I would be over my calories for the day.  I was ok with it, I built this into my diet!  I have been finding it so neat to spend time with my niece and nephews as they have grown into adult hood (or growing into adulthood!)   My youngest nephew got out of school early and he and I went out for a nice long drive.  He likes to drive.  He wants more practice on manual transmission.  We also had a nice long talk.   Ahhhh what a good week, time with all three of my brothers kids!  I made it home and I wasn't overly hungry so I have a peanut butter and jelly and called it a day!   I had finished my water though!  

Day 63 3.22.25

Saturday arrived and we had another lazy morning.  And there is where I had some issues.  Here is where it got ugly.  I was hanging out and not paying attention to time and before I knew it the time had passed and it was 11 AM and I had not yet showered!  I had also not yet exercised!   I needed to get my shower in....and I started to head to the shower.  I started to head there without exercising.  I seriously told myself that I was going to skip it!  Honestly, the words I said to myself was 'no one will know if I skip it.'  I am actually ashamed to admit it.  But as soon as I said it I knew that I would know.  I would know if I skipped it that I would know!  So I laced on the shoes and completed 45 minutes of exercise.   We ran some errands and in the afternoon we were busy working around the house.  Time was passing by and I had still not completed my outdoor exercise.   I had that same thought again...just skip it!  But once again I told myself that skipping it was NOT a valid option.  SO while Jason was finishing up his project, I turned some music on, cranked  up the volume and headed outside with the dog.  She and I played fetch.  I raced her to the balls, I chased her down.  And when she was running without me I was marching in place.  45 minutes DONE.  And even better, I had a tired doggie when it was done!   I did it.  I had a successful day.....by the skin of my teeth though!

It was difficult.  I was so tempted to cheat!  But I am proud of myself that I didn't.  I only have a week and a half left!   It doesn't seem possible!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what is next after the 75 Hard

 It is crazy to think that the 75 hard challenge is just about over!   It seemed so long ago when I started it! 

 I mean really.....it was stinkin' cold outside  when I started!

 

I have to be honest and say that there have been quite a few times during this challenge that I have have thought about "the next time"  in terms of doing the 75 hard challenge again.  I would do things a bit differently:

    * I wouldn't give myself the 30 minute bail out option for the outdoor exercise (which was given mostly because it was REALLY cold when I first started this challenge)

    *  I would do this challenge in the summer where cold wasn't an issue and if it did rain where it would be a nice warm summer rain.

    * I would also make myself drink the gallon of water versus reduce it to the 64 ounces.

    * I would build in more rest days. Still exercise and have the two required 45 minute segments of activity, but I would put a plan in place for once a week those would be more 'rest'.  Yoga maybe.  This time I felt guilty when I did something lighter.

    *I would make a more strict diet routine.  I made this one at 1500....even though I know that I don't typically lose weight at 1500. (I also don't weigh my food, so my 1500 is probably a bit higher for those of you how are gasping at the not losing at 1500).  I would make it a more difficult 'diet' to follow.

But all that said, an immediate repeat of the 75 hard challenge is not in the cards for me right now.  I want to rest my body and I want to focus on getting this weight off.  The 75 hard challenge built a good foundation.  Now it's time to build upon that foundation.

I know that I am not going to continue with 7 days a week exercise because I think my body needs rest days.  But I also know that I don't want to go to nothing.  I need to find the happy middle ground.  I enjoy the outdoor walks...especially when it's not brutally cold....or windy....or rainy...or snowy.  I may not be as intent on doing it each day but I do believe that I will be continuing my walks (most likely in graveyards) at least until I get a job.  

Post 75 Hard I am going to lower my daily allotment of calories to 1400 and start working on 'weekly' calories and not daily.  So I will start with 9800 calories for each week.  I believe I am also going to adjust my weigh in day.  

I used to weigh in on Fridays.  But I stopped that.  My weight was always so much lower on Fridays and I thought that I was 'cheating'.  I figured my Wednesday weigh in would be the most accurate.  But after reading the book Eat It  (Technically listening to it) I decided that the up and down and the low weight on Fridays/Saturdays is perfectly normal for someone that will be doing a diet that is more closely in tune with calorie cycling (typically one day up one day low....or in my case...all weekdays low and weekends higher).  I want my higher days at the beginning of the caloric week, so that I know what I can eat the rest of the week.  And I want my weigh in at the end of that caloric week.  So Friday/Saturday it is.  

I know that I need a challenge.  So I am taking all of this information and I am doing a challenge for the month of April.   Yes, I will be starting it on the first of April (The weekly calories actually start on March 30th to coincide with my shift in weigh in days.) and I am aware that the first of April will only be the 73rd day of my 75 hard challenge.  But my  new challenge, the 'One Month of Winning' challenge really does go hand in hand with the 75 hard.   It actually has so many of the same principles, just offers a bit more flexibility and freedom!  SO as long as I don't utilize the flexibility during hte first three days of April, I will be find with sharing those days with both challenges!

One Month of Winning

* Weekly calorie goal of 9800.

* Formal Exercise (like with a video) each weekday.  Furthermore, two days  must include strength training.  (I am aiming for Tuesday and Thursday at this point)  Each session must be at least 30 minutes. Two rest days

* Informal Exercise (walking, working in the yard, etc) 5 times a week. It doesn't matter what days...I just need 5 days! Two rest/lazy days.

* Water - 64 ounces daily

* Steps - I need to clock at least 5K steps.  I originally was looking at more, but I know for me that if I focus too much on steps that I will pretty much ignore strength training because it doesn't generate as many steps!  So I am pushing for a lower step count.

So each day I have 5 things.   5 possible check marks on my calendar.  For the weekly calorie  goal, as long as I am under that goal at the end of the day it is a win! 

  If it is a perfect day, I will be putting a sticker on my calendar.    Perfect would obviously be 30 stickers at the end of April.  HOWEVER, I am not worried about perfection.  So to WIN will be to have 80% perfection.  So my magic is 24 stickers at the end of the month!!!!

 I am on a roll with the 75 hard.  I have exercised more consistently (I have never not taken a rest day) in the last 10 weeks than I ever before! While I know I need rest and I know that the 75 hard is a bit extreme, I also know that I don't want to lose the momentum that I have gained.  So Here goes the One Month of Winning!

 

 

 

Picture a day : Day 124 -136

 The picture a day.  Some days it's so easy.  I have the pictures and it's there.  But admittedly, some days I kinda forget!!!

Day 124   3.1.25

Jason and I went for a walk. It was cold and windy, but we persevered.   When we were done walking we decided to go geocaching.  Typical of geocaching, we discovered some neat things right in our backyard, er...downtown!  

Day 125 3.2.25

 It was a Sunday so Jason and I went for a walk in our neighborhood.  I reached into my pocket for my phone so that I could take a picture of us and low and behold my phone was not there.  The second half of our walk was full of panic for me as I didn't know where my phone was.  I did find the phone (in the car where I had left it after our errands).  So I snapped a picture after I found my phone!

 Day 126 3.3.25

While out and about and roaming graveyards with my nephew, we discovered the whereabouts of an African American Graveyard.   Of course we had to visit!

 Day 127 3.4.25

I fell into the trap of a pancake mix.  I have been trying to up my protein and saw a pancake mix.  I love pancakes so decided to get the mix, even though I typically make them from scratch!   Let me tell you, having the mix caused me to eat pancakes.........Ever. Darn. Day!

Day 128 3.5.25
    I spent the day working on important things such as job hunting, financial budgets, taxes.  Etc.  Kinda boring, but necessary!

Day 129 3.6.25
     Such a creative headstone in a graveyard.  Sad though to know that some young child lost their life way too soon!

Day 130 3.7.25

Errands errands  errands.   Grocery day!

Day 131 3.8.25 

Another walk through a graveyard.  This time, since it was a weekend Jason was with me!

 Day 132 3.9.25

We worked around the house a lot today.  Cleaning, laundry, power washing the bird cage...all those things that get pushed off to the weekend.  While I was changing the sheets on the bed, I decided to change the quilt!  It was time for a different quilt...something more summery in colors!

Day 132 3.10.25

Fabulous weather! I was down to a teeshirt as I took a walk, in the graveyard of course!

Day 133 3.11.25

    Nothing exciting about this day....and honestly, this was pretty much the only picture I took!

Day 134 3.12.25

Of course I went walking in a graveyard....and well, another day where I only have one picture to account for my day!

Day 135 3.13.25

I have been walking a lot at graveyards.  Typically I don't see a soul.  That in some regards makes me feel secure and safe, but on the other hand I sometimes feel so secluded that if something were to happen...well.....  So I walk with 'minty'  my mind colored pepper spray!

Day 136 3.14.25

A fun time with my nephew as we went for a drive. (He has recently learned to drive stick shift and I currently have the only manual transmission car in the family for him to practice on).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75 Hard Week 8: Days 50-56

 As I write this post, I am in awe that I have actually completed 8 weeks of this challenge.  (Spoiler alert, I did successfully complete week 8).  Has it been utterly perfect?  No, but have I pushed through?  Absolutely!   Some of this stuff actually is starting to feel, dare I say it; routine.  

Day 50   3.9.25

There was nothing too exciting about this day.   It was a Sunday so I was able to bypass the 5AM workout.  I still did get it done before my shower, but it was a lazy slow starting morning, so it was completed at closer to 8AM.   I did some things around the house and then we went to a local park to walk.   My food was in line at 1480.  At least in terms of this challenge.  I also got enough water and I read in my non fiction book!  Nothing too exciting...just a nice lazy Sunday.  

Day 51    3.10.25

 Monday.  It is crazy how much Mondays really still drag me down.  I am not working yet still 'live for the weekend.  I drug myself through my 5AM workout.  I kinda dreaded my outdoor walk, but I did it.     This was the day that I picked up the book Eat It, the book that I talked about in my recent post. I rarely listen to audio books but this day I did....I walked and walked at the graveyard because I wanted to keep listening!

The weather was fantastic though and I ended up taking off my hoodie/sweatshirt and walking in a teeshirt!  YAY to spring like weather!  My food was nicely in line at 1011 calories (a little low actually).

 Day 52  3.11.25

Seriously, another routine day.  Indoor exercise was completed.  Outdoor walk was done (at the graveyard of course) .  Water down the hatch and reading easily accomplished. My calories were right in line at 1242.  It was a good day....but nothing exciting!

Day 53   3.12.25 

I had to plan a bit for today, in terms of exercise and eating.  I knew that I was probably going to go over in my calories for the day, but I was ok with it.  It was planned.  How did I know I would probably go over?  I was meeting my brother for lunch.  

I got my 5AM exercise done as usual.  I did my job hunting and all that and then I headed to Hagerstown.  We ended up at Arby's for lunch.  It just feels good to be with my brother.  When lunch was over I went up the stairs in his workshop and started grabbing boxes and loaded my car.  I have been storing stuff in his workshop since 2014 when my previous marriage ended.  While he has told me that there is no rush, I figure that since I am not working that it is the perfect time to get some boxes and sort through it.  Seriously though, if I haven't used it in 10 years and haven't missed it, is it necessary in my life?  

It was during this part of the day that I encountered my tragedy.  I was coming down the stairs with a box in my hands and miscalculated how many steps I had left.  Luckily I only miscalculated by one so my tumble was not down a complete flight of stairs.  But I still took a tumble to the ground, landing on.....my bad knee.  I am happy that I landed on the bad knee.  Because I wouldn't want to have both knees screaming in pain.   

I didn't let it stop me.  When I was done loading the car I headed to....you guess it.....a graveyard!  I walked in the graveyard!  It was another nice day where I just needed a teeshirt!  I was out there for about 2 hours or so!  Even with the bum knee it felt fabulous!

Water and reading were easy but my food ended up to be right at 2000 calories.   Like I knew....high!  But I allow one high calorie day a week!

Day 54   3.13.25 

Exercise at 5AM, check.  Outdoor exercise/activity in the afternoon at a graveyard, check.  The temps dropped a bit and I had to wear my sweatshirt, but it was still pleasant outside.  I also finished the book Eat it during this walk!

I kept my calories at 1381.  I got my reading done.   I drank my water.  So while it wasn't an exciting day, it was a successful day.

 Day 55 3.14.25

This was a busy day.  But I was SOOO TIRED!  I was struggling to stay awake!  I started early and got my exercise done.   I got the grocery shopping completed.  And then I headed into Hagerstown. I had a few errands to do.  So I stopped and got a few more boxes from my brothers workshop.  I spent some time at the graveyard.....walking (of course a graveyard) and then I met up with my youngest nephew and he and I took a nice long drive.  He is just gaining practice with driving stick shift. He is pretty good now, but I think he just wants to 'perfect' and become more natural (probably so he doesn't look like a putz when/if he test drives a car that has manual transmission).  Of course I think it is also because he wants to spend time with his fabulous aunt!  

My calories were capped at 1317 and every thing else was checked as as success this day,

 

Day 56 3.15.25

Ahhhh, finally Saturday.  I made a conscious decision this day. I decided to forego the indoor exercise.  I know how many steps I usually 'gather' when I have my indoor exercise and my outdoor exercise.  I knew that I would get the outdoor exercise for sure, but I decided that as a rest day for my body that I would call it a win as long as I was in that range of steps that I have been falling in when I do both indoor and outdoor exercise.    Cheating?   Some may say that, but I was ok with it.    We went to Frederick, Maryland and walked around some stores and various places.  HMart (an Asian grocery store) is always a fun one.  I found the pigs heads to be interesting.

I got my steps.  I read my book.  I drank my water, although it was iffy for a moment as I picked up a strawberry soda from wawa without thinking....and then realized that I still had a fair amount of water.  I didn't allow myself to take one sip of the soda until I finished my water though!  I capped my day with 1443 calories.   Another win!

The knee pain was annoying this week.  But I pushed through it and didn't let it stop me!  Everything else was on autopilot.  I am starting to consider what my plan should be when this 75 Hard is done.   I am busy  with all sorts of thoughts and plans.   And honestly, I am somewhat excited about some of those plans!   But in the meantime, I still have a few more weeks of this 75 Hard.  

 

Mind Blowing

 I had my mind blown this past week.   Literally blow out of the water!  As I just wrote that line I almost started laughing though, because what I am going to share is not exactly rocket science.  But it is a shift in my thinking....and kinda earth shattering for me.   You see, I read a book.......

 About a week or so ago, I wrote a post about my guilty pleasure and a concept that I had picked up from watching you tube videos.  (You can read that post here.)  One of the comments on that book as to recommend a book, (the comment was made by Mrs.Swan....who has a great blog to read)  or specifically she recommended an author.  I researched it right then and there and saw the book was called Eat It.  Mrs. Swan had kindly offered the audible, as a loan but I logged on immediately to the library app and saw that they had the audio book available right then and there.  Sadly, the book form was not available.  Not feeling very patient that day (or any day actually), I got the audio book and grabbed some headphones when I went out to my graveyard walk. (Because you know me, I love me a good graveyard walk!)  

The book is called Eat It (You can find the books here....amazon link.)  

 Oh. My. Word.    This book makes so much sense.  The author kinda debunks quite a few of these fad diets, myths and ideas.  He give science behind his thoughts and he also adds personal stories to his beliefs to give the reader real life.   But lets not delay and instead lets talk about what he does believe or to be specific what I learned from this book.   

*  Weight loss is strictly calories in versus calories out.  It doesn't matter if you are eating junk food, as long as you are eating in a calorie deficit for your body, you will lose weight.   This made sense....and to back it with my own personal story, I once knew someone that was losing weight.  She had lost a fair amount of weight.  She did it by drinking pepsi!  Yup pepsi.   For 6 days a week she drank pepsi....and ate nothing.  ON the 7th day she feasted.  She wasn't tracking calories, but I am sure she was in a calorie deficit and she even admitted that on her 'feast days' she wasn't eating crazy.   Pepsi...pure junk.  Yet she lost weight because she was in a calorie deficit!

*  While weight loss is all about calories the macro nutrients are important for other reasons.  Most notably, heath  and bang for the buck.    Protein builds muscles and boosts metabolism.....Carbs give a temporary burst to fuel you for an intense workout or activity....etc. So if you are eating good calories with lost of macros you are actually helping aid your body.   I loved the analogy he used.  We can walk a mile.  A mile is a mile is a mile.  BUT you can walk a mile on flat ground or you can walk a hilly mile.   The flat mile still gives you the benefits of a mile, the same benefits of the hilly mile, but the hilly mile gives you added benefits.      For me, I don't need that temporary boost that carbs gives me all that often, but I do need the protein for muscles and to boost my metabolism.....especially at my age when muscle loss is a real thing.

* Lets talk about metabolism.  It doesn't permanently slow down when you we weight.  He said Pure myth!   His answer to this was, "Well if our metabolism slows down with weight loss the Jews that lived in concentration camps would have remained skin and bones even after their liberation.  But no, their bodies gained weight and their metabolism didn't show major adversity in the years following, they maintained normal weights after that time. (In most cases, because of course there are always extenuating circumstances) 

*The whole 'calories for the week"that I picked up in my guilty pleasure of youtube videos?  Yeah calorie cycling is what it is called.  (I've actually heard it before but always ignored it because it sounded more confusing to have high and low days and whatnot).    Their first recommendation is to go high day, low day, high day, low day with calories.   But they said that many of their clients do the low calories all week so that they can indulge on the weekend.  They talked about how many of their clients adjust what days are high to match the craziness of life (birthday parties, weddings, vacation days, etc).    They basically said the exact same thing.  Know what you need weekly, multiple it by 7 and divide it up any way you wnt for each day of the week.    (BOOOM....there goes my mind!)

* Exercise.  They do recommend strength training (that's been a sore spot with me....I don't like strength training)  but they don't advise super high intensity with training.  THey said a walk is just fine.  The important thing is to DO IT, and do do something that you actually like to do (or at least halfway enjoy doing!)

*They absolutely do not preach perfection.  They strive for the 80-20 plan.  Try to be on target 80% of the time and stop stressing about the other 20% of the time.     They set a challenge to get a calendar and two pens, one black and one red.  They say that at the end of every day they recommend that you look at your day.  If you stayed within your calories, drank your water and did whatever exercise was planned for the day that you should put a big red X in the day.  If you missed something then you put a black circle.  At the end of the month you can then easily see how you did overall.  When prescribing to the 80-20 thought process, you should have about 24-25 big red X's at the end of the month.

*Stop stressing about a half pound loss....that is what sabotages so any people. People get worried and upset about only losing a half pound and in their panic they decide that their plan is not working so the switch before their bodies really get settled into a plan.   And furthermore, maybe a half pound a week IS what a person will lose each week.  That is not a bad thing either.

The book had lots of really good tidbits and I will be making some adjustments in the near future.  I thought about making some adjustments now, but I want to finish out my 75 hard Challenge first since that has a 'diet plan' that I am following.  and while the adjustments that I am planning on making are not earth shattering or really even far off of what I am doing for my 75 hard the changes would cause me to break from my set plan and I have come this far and I don't want to break from that.  I want to finish it!  So since I am actually on day 58 out of 75 (if you don't like math, that is only 17 days away from the end) I am going to finish!  In the meantime, I am laying out my plans.  I am getting my calendar and pens ready!   Stay tuned and I will definitely be  sharing my plan going forward!