Easy Peasy

This week I decided to be gentle on myself and make this week as simple as possible.  With all of the Christmas celebrations and goodies going around I didn't want to add to my stress.  So.  For this week's group challenge I simply bought some prepackaged salads and veggies so I could dump them on my plate next to my dinner.  Lazy, yes.  Effective?  Yes. 

One of my favorite ways to eat veggies is a tomato and cucumber salad.  Slice your tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion, layer on a plate, drizzle with olive oil and sea salt.  Tah-duh!  In the summer I add basil from my garden (nothing like fresh basil leaves) and sometimes I add fresh mozzarella to the mix.  MY FAV.

Also, for my own personal goal (which I now believe I neglected to send to Heather!!) was to stay within my calorie allotment....and that was all.  In the weeks past I put restrictions on when I could eat certain things (no sweets after lunch!) and things I could not have at all (no soda!!!).  But because I knew friends would bring by Christmas treats I didn't want to do that to myself.  Someone brought by some delicious looking sugar cookies/toffee/chocolates?  Why yes, you can have some, as long as you can stay within your calorie goal!  Invited to a Christmas get together and a diet coke is staring you in the face?  Well, have just one!  Basically I allowed myself to indulge without straight up pigging out.  I do realize the scale might not be as kind for me this week, but it is a sacrifice I decided I was okay with.  Go through the Christmas season without any fudge?  Are you crazy??  BAH!  HUMBUG!

                                               (This is Sariah when she gets no fudge)

This week I also had the opportunity to take a few kickboxing classes in addition to my regular workouts.  I have taken these particular kickboxing classes before, and they are KILLER.  But when I participated this time I didn't want to fall over and die a half hour in.  The class was still challenging and I was plenty worn out and sweaty by the time it was over, of course.  But all of the exercising I've been doing in the weeks leading up to it made a difference!  It felt so good to be able to (almost) keep up with the energetic and super tough instructor.  I haven't noticed much of a physical difference in myself (and neither has the scale, honestly) since starting this challenge, but the proof was in the pudding in this instance, and it bolstered my enthusiasm for sure.

I hope everyone has had a successful and PLEASANT week!