SweetNightshade’s BodyBlog

So, after the withdrawal period, I was healthy as a horse about a week. I was experimenting with veganism (been vegetarian since Februrary) and working out every day. Even got my endurance so I high that I walked to the bookstore 2.3 miles away, and back, in the middle of the day. My tolerance for heat, and my asthmatic lungs normally aren’t too happy about something like that. But I used to be super athletic and outdoorsy as a kid, and being able to do that made me feel amazing, like I’m making real progress. And then I went back to school. And now I think I have the flu. Now, I got a flu shot, my symptoms include stomach issues, H1N1 is going around campus, and yesterday a girl in class was coughing like crazy - right next to me. So my guess is it’s H1N1, which sucks. Not to mention, it’s Friday, so the doctor’s office is now closed and I’ll have to wait till Monday to get checked out. I’m sure you understand that I’m about ready to pull my hair out with all the health issues and set-backs. At least I’m steadily making progress in the endurance area, but all the interuptions are leaving me with little progress in the toning or weight-loss departments. It’s especially difficult for me not to feel inadequate when I have friends who work in warehouses and get beautiful bodies just by going to work. I’m not giving up, and I’m trying to focus on all the health benefits I’m reaping, but I want so much to be ripped. On the upside, at least my writing can be done from the bed. My first column hit the university paper today. I should be thrilled. I am thrilled. It’s just hard not to let so much sickness get me down. But that’s why I’m posting to you guys. I’m keeping myself accountable, even through all these issues. The moment I stop reporting to you guys, stop saying "one day soon, I’ll be able to hit the gym again," then I’ve given up. I might not be there now, but I’ll have my BB body some day.

Life just keeps throwing ‘em, but I’m still here.

I had a very severe and very rare reaction to the anti-depressants called "tardive dystonia." Physically, it’s like having seizures except you are conscious the entire time. Needless to say, I’ve started weaning myself off the meds. Now I’m dealing with withdrawal symptoms - nausea, lightheadedness, etc. - but hopefully they won’t last way too long. It’s been next to impossible for me to workout while going through this, but I’m refusing to let myself be beat by anything anymore. I’m just going to weather the storm, and then get right back to my routine when it’s over.

How do you guys make the most of sick time?

So, I kind of got sucked into the weekend. I was barely home, but I did my best to stay on track with nutrition. Working out was harder, though I did get to play some laser tag. I’ll be out of town again this weekend, and it would have been real easy for me to not post for quite some time, but I didn’t want to get that far off track again. Staying accountable to you guys keeps me going.

Exercise: Moving boxes, hanging heavy pictures
Liquid: 4 cups
B: Oat bran w/cinnamon, honey, soy milk
S: Peaches, PB
L: 2 soy patties w/BBQ sauce
S: Apples, PB
D: Pancake, soy & egg hash

And every muscle in my body was sore when I woke up. It’s good though; it means that I’m pushing myself for my body to change itself. Had to take a major dose of Advil to do it again today, but I’m sure that’ll change with time. Just need to keep up with it and give my body time to adapt. Also went to a party last night. Everyone was drunk and there was a lot of free alcohol. I didn’t have any though. I just kept thinking, "How would that affect my muscle development and my ability to workout tomorrow?" My body is so much more important than booze.
Exercise: Power Shred Lvl. 1
Liquid: 5 cups
B: Oat bran w/cinnamon, honey, soy milk
S: PB
L: BBQ veggies & couscous
S: Skinny cow
D: Soy patty w/bbq sauce & couscous
S: PB & honey sandwhich

As I’m sure you can tell from my food log, yesterday was grocery shopping day. It was also the first rest day I’ve had in a while. I was actually itching to workout, but the soreness in my muscles hasn’t eased up and I figure I need to ease back into my routine. If I pull a muscle, I’ll be resting much longer than one day. It feels good to be craving it again, though.
Exercise: Rest day
Liquid: 5 cups
B: Raisin Bran
S: PB
L: Raisin Bran
S: Raisin Bran
D: 2 soy patties & BBQ sauce
S: Skinny cow

Those of you who’ve been reading my blog for a while know that report deadlines and I don’t get along. I usually end up staying up late jacked up on coffee, eating horribly all night and the next day, not to mention skipping workouts to get my work done. I’m happy to report that that was not the case last night! I was up semi-late, but not ridiculously so, and I snacked on fruits and veggies when I got hungry. Plus, I got my workout in, even though it was 1:30am when I finished working. Now that my internship is over, I can set my own schedule (I work from home) and can start upping my workouts. I’m feeling pumped.

Exercise: Abs
Liquid: 5 cups
B: Raisin Bran
S: PB
L: Steel-cut oats w/honey, cinnamon, soy milk
S: Smart pop
D: Alfredo pasta, cake
S: Fruits, veggies

So, since I’ve gone back to tracking my food, I’ve noticed how many sweets there are to pull me off track. You wouldn’t know it, but I don’t even buy myself baked goods. It just seems that everywhere I go this summer, someone has cupcakes, brownies, or a whole freakin’ cake. Sometimes it’s for birthdays or barbecues, sometimes it’s for no reason at all. It’s difficult to turn them down when I’m offered them nearly every day. On the other hand, knowing that they’re available pretty much every day, I don’t feel as desperate to take one when it’s offered.

Exercise: Arms
Liquid: 6 cups
B: Steel cut oats w/cinnamon, honey, soy milk
S: PB
L: Pasta & veggies in olive oil
S: Raisin bran
D: Black bean soup, cake

Yesterday was a good day. I went out to eat with a bunch of friends at Red Robin’s. They have endless fries, so if anyone in the group orders fries, they bring out several baskets for the table. I didn’t have a single one. What’s more, I ordered my veggie burger without a bun and without sauce. It was a proud moment; my lifting goals are once more a higher priority than what might be tastiest. 
Exercise: Legs
Liquid: 5 cups
B: Steel-cut oats w/honey, cinnamon, soy milk
S: PB
L: Pasta salad
S: PB
D: Lettuce-wrapped veggie burger, melon, fruit smoothie

Yesterday was a bad day for nutrition and a good day for working out. I went to a barbecue AND a friend’s birthday party. Knowing that I had to report back to you all kept me from the Doritos, pretzels, potato chips, and soda. But I did end up indulging in some sweets. At least you guys kept me behaving better than I might have otherwise. I’m excited about my workout yesterday though, because I had very little free time and yet I squeezed it in anyways, between events nonetheless. What’s more exciting is that I squeezed it in because I WANTED to, not because I felt I had to. I feel like I’m starting to get back on track, even if it is a slow process. Today I’ll be focusing on getting the nutrition back on track and continuing to up my liquid intake.

Exercise: Ab work
Liquid: 7 cups (so close!)
B: Steel-cut oats w/honey, cinnamon, & soy milk
S: Potato
L: 2 soy patties w/BBQ sauce, apple
S: Cookies
D: Pasta & green beans in olive oil, slice of bread
S: Cupcakes

I bought a little black dress yesterday while I was out - size 5. It’s a great reminder of how far I’ve come. When I was in middle school, I was a size 16. Besides, since I’m trying to focus on toning up my limbs, I decided I needed something to show them off when I reach my goal. It’s all about keeping up the motivation.
Exercise: Quick weight set, lower-body focus
Liquid: 4 cups (I’m going to get 8 today!)
B: Steel cut oats w/honey, cinnamon, & soy milk.
S: PB
L: 2 soy patties w/BBQ sauce, bell peppers, & onions.
S: PB
D: Spaghetti
S: PB (up late, needed more food)