SweetNightshade’s BodyBlog

Or: WOOHOO CHEMICALS.

The Unisom/5 Hour regimen is going wonderful. I take half the 5 Hour in the morning, and the other half around 2 or 3. It doesn’t make me feel jittery or anything, just very very awake. And it’s amazing how much I’m actually capable of when I’m awake. Not only do I feel more effective in my workouts, but I have the energy to get so much more done creatively. In my spare time on the bus and in-between classes this morning, I got out 3 pages of prose and a solid sense of direction on a new project. I’ve also been able to relax and read more. I’ve always known I’ve had a problem with fatigue, but till now I never knew how much it was holding me back. I don’t want to rely on energy drinks post-finals, so I need to figure out what my body needs to have high energy levels naturally. That’s easier said than done, however, as it’s a problem I’ve had for years. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
B: Protein Shake
S: Protein Snack Bar
L: Protein Meal Bar
S: Sugar Free Pudding Cup, Handful of Mini Wheats
D: Chicken, Yam, Carrots
S: Banana w/PB
Liquid: Less than a gallon.
Exercise: 30min. Power Shred 2

But I’m better now.

I had a not-so-minor meltdown over the weekend. I have my last week of classes this week and then finals next week, and you’d think that the homestretch would be comforting, but I couldn’t for the life of me see how I was going to get through it. I’ve been working my butt off at school and, academically, it has been paying off. Yesterday was my induction ceremony into the Golden Key International Honor Society. But I was so effing exhausted that I had trouble mustering up the energy to care. Anytime I was around sweets this weekend - and I was, a lot - I couldn’t help but stuff myself with sugar. There was a lot of coffee involved too. It took me a couple days to realize what was going on: it wasn’t simply a matter of willpower, but a matter of survival. My body was desperately reaching out for anything that would boost it. I broke down crying for half an hour yesterday because my body was teetering on the edge of functionability. After 50 billion M&Ms and a cappuccino last night the zombie-like haze lifted and I could think clear enough to realize all this. So I nixed my earlier plan to take a break from workouts and diets till school was over and decided to become chemically dependent instead - just joking (hopefully). I took an OTC sleeping pill last night, and it gave me some solid rest without waking groggily. For the daytime, I bought a six-pack of 5 Hour Energy so I can slam one around siesta-time each afternoon. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this’ll work.

Time to go workout.

I’ve been learning to judge when I need a rest from my body’s signals. There’s a definite difference between the kick-butt workout sore, and the all-encompassing, pervasive sore. When I start to feel that second one in my muscles, I take a day or two off, which is what I’ve just done. I’d rather rest a day or two then end up with some gnarly injuries.

Going back to the workout tomorrow morning. Planning to flush the fluids all weekend.
B: Protein Shake
S: Protein Snack Bar, Sugar Free Pudding Cup
L: Protein Meal Bar, Milk
S: Apple w/PB
D: BBQ Antelope Sausage, Broccoli & Carrots, Sugar Free Pudding Cup
S: Apple w/PB
Liquid: 1/2 Gallon
Exercise: 30min. Power Shred 2

B: Protein Shake
S: Protein Snack Bar, Sugar Free Pudding Cup
L: Protein Meal Bar
S: Banana w/PB
D: Jerk Chicken, Cauliflower, Yam, Sugar Free Pudding Cup
S: PB
Liquid: 1/2 Gallon
Exercise: Rest Day

As my last class ended yesterday I was exhausted. I told myself that I had to get some energy or else I wouldn’t be able to workout. I thought of coffee - then I thought of my budget. I told myself I’d wait to see how I felt when I got home. The whole ride home I was thinking of excuses, like, maybe my brother won’t want to give the tv up. I asked him anyways, and he said to give him a few minutes. I was pretty famished, so I had a snack, telling myself the whole time that I’m supposed to workout on an empty stomach. Then more people got home, and the living room was pretty packed. I had just about as many excuses to skip the workout as I could’ve wanted.

But I did it anyways.

And then I had an asthma attack. But that’s besides the point.

Ian watched my whole routine and told me how impressed he was, and said my workout is pretty hardcore. I was beaming. I also got to try out a new healthy recipe: Chicken Chowder. I loved it, because it tasted so much like my mom’s cheesy potato and ham soup, but much better for me. I felt like, despite yesterday’s setbacks, the day was a great victory for my willpower.
B: Protein Shake
S: Protein Snack Bar
L: Protein Meal Bar, Apple
S: Banana w/PB
D: Chicken Chowder, Wheat Bread Slice, Apple
S: Sugar Free Pudding
Liquid: 1/2 Gallon
Exercise: 30min. Power Shred 2

What is wrong with my body? I’m starting to think that I should take some OTC sleep aids to regulate my sleep cycle. Over break there were several nights that I slept close to 12 hours. And I slept-in not 1, but 2 hours this morning. I missed my window to workout - but! - I’ve decided I will still workout when I get home today. It’ll suck, but I’m not letting myself skip.

My family has a tradition of making smores on the day of our first snow. I’m a sucker for tradition, and I knew I was going to indulge. But I cut way back on the chocolate and graham cracker parts, and had less in general than I have in years past. Plus, I opted for water instead of hot cocoa.

Between committing to make sure I get my workout in despite time crunches, and consciously moderating and modifying my treats, I think I’m doing a pretty good job of making the shift from diet to lifestyle. I’m going to make this maintainable for the rest of my life. Now if I could just up my liquid intake.
B: Protein Shake w/Banana
S: Protein Snack Bar
L: Protein Meal Bar, Sugar Free Pudding Cup
S: Apple & Banana
D: Hamburger Patty, Cauliflower
S: 2 Smores & Some Extra Mallows
Liquid: Less Than a Gallon
Exercise: 20min. Power Shred 2

What happened last night? I actually got my paper finished at a decent time, so I assumed I’d get some sleep. Nu-uh. I suppose that’s what I get for throwing my time schedule off over break. But nevertheless, I got up after 3 hours of sleep and did my workout. I had to stop 2/3rds of the way through due to time constraints, but I still worked up a good sweat. Somehow I’m still functioning.
B: Protein Shake
S: Apple w/PB
L: 2 Eggs Scrambled w/WW Cheese, Wheat Toast
S: Banana w/PB
D: Mandarin Chicken Salad
S: Sugar Free Pudding Cup
Liquid: Less Than a Gallon
Exercise: Rest Day