If Life Gave Out Gold Stars...

I would definitely have had my hand out today :)  Last night I made a small batch of pork enchiladas. I portioned them out into three containers for lunches this week. This morning I made some fresh pico de gallo and cut up an orange to go with today's lunch. Even better, I actually remembered to take the lunch with me to work and eat it. I didn't figure out the actual calories. it may be a little higher than I want to have for lunch every day, but certainly better than I have been doing (eating out, grazing all day at my desk). I had made pulled pork the other day. To make it healthier, I trimmed as much fat as I could from the pork before I slow cooked it. I also added a good amount of peppers and onions. Then when I assembled the enchiladas I used corn tortillas and placed them on a bed of freshly chopped spinach. Then I poured on the sauce and sprinkled it with a little low-fat cheese. They were yummy!

On my way home from work I had to stop at Walmart to pick up some things for a workshop at work tomorrow (the dreaded candy and some bottled water). I was super hungry when I got there - never a good thing in a grocery store. As soon as you walk in the door at Walmart there is a hot food department. Did I mention I was very hungry? I considered some popcorn chicken or maybe a slice of pizza...I actually stopped looked at and even thought the prices were reasonable. They were packaged in slightly over-sized individual servings. Somehow I managed to move on. I hurried through the store to get the items for work and a couple things we needed for home.

I promise this is all I bought for us... The guy at the checkout asked what I was making. Nothing special, my husband just loves his spicy :) It is a near crisis when he is out of habanero sauce!

My original plan was to walk on my lunch break today, but my lunch break didn't happen. We have a big event Saturday and I am up to my eyeballs in preparations. The whole way home I debated excuses why it would be okay for me to skip doing anything 30 day Ironman related. However, I knew I hadn't done anything yesterday and I couldn't justify two days of nothing in a row. So, I made myself hop on the bike as soon as I got home. The biking was MUCH better today! There may have been a few contributing factors.  I didn't bike or walk yesterday so I had "fresh" legs. I rode a different route for most of it. I had the promise of either a back rub or a leg massage if I did at least 5 miles.  I did 6!  I am going to try to collect both prizes :) There were times throughout the ride I did want to stop, but NOTHING like the last time.  UPDATE: For the record, I chose the foot/leg massage. It was excellent :) I am a lucky girl.

I must have been feeling better during the ride. I was able to appreciate the spring beauty. I love flowering trees and baby leaves. This was one of my favorite yards. Yes, I did take this while riding...I make myself nervous sometimes.

Meal prep, sticking to the plan, avoiding Walmart junk food and biking 6 miles - that completes my appeal for a gold star today :)  Now I need to string together about 4586 more gold star days!

I have also been toying with tracking. One day, I actually tracked the whole day! If you are familiar with My Fitness Pal you know when you complete you entry for the day it tells you if you continue to have days like that day how much you will weigh in 5 weeks. It was a cruel reminder when my weight came up 30 some pounds less in 5 weeks. Oops! I forgot to adjust for the weight I gained. When I adjusted it, it came up with about 12 pounds less in 5 weeks. I would totally be happy with that.

So, all that to say, I am back to recording weigh-ins. I weighed myself when I started by 30 Day Ironman challenge and this morning I am down 3 pounds. Today,will be counted as my first official weigh-in. Sadly, I am only 9 pounds under my starting weight when I started blogging last May. At least, I didn't gain it all back (or more). And I am back on track. I am moving forward without further condemnation :)

Just for fun I am sharing a few pictures of TRASHormation projects on display in our county administration building. Each year the county sponsors a contest for local students. The goal is to make something out of trash. I think they might have changed the rules this year - it is the first time I have seen "purpose of invention" listed. The purpose of some is art, but I did enjoy seeing creatively useful pieces as well.

It was difficult to get a good angle of this one, but it was super cute in person. It is a dog made of various plastic jugs/bottles. It serves as a dog dish - see the food in its belly?

I think it is a fun program and each year I enjoy looking at the entries. Hope this makes you look at your trash in a new light.

Wishing you all a gold star day!!