Oh how I love thee cheat days!

What can I say, I am human! Each week I stay pretty strict on my diet for 5-6 days, then comes the FUN! Pasta, bread and cheese! Yesterday was my cheat day and it was glorious! I did rather well actually for a cheat day and loved every second of it!

Today I am not going to be as strict as normal so we will call this my mini cheat day number 2! I think I deserve it and I know my metabolism with love it as soon as I go back to my low calorie day tomorrow. For those wondering I cycle my calories so that I have 6 days a week that are low or within the lower range of my allowance. Then 1 day a week I go for a higher range, well above my daily allowance. It works well for me and I have seen great results doing this.

For those of you just starting out on your weight loss journey I think it is important to remember that you need to allow your self meals or treats that you can look forward to. This is after all a lifetime commitment. Have in your mind a restaurant or a favorite dish that you want to indulge in and set a date for it. Everyone is different but for me it works well. Now as with anything in life remember moderation is key! A cheat day does not mean you can take a gallon of cookies and cream ice cream and just devour the whole thing! Never forget that you always have control as to how much you are going to consume, even on days where you are splurging.

I was SO excited yesterday as we went to Metro, similar to Sams and Costco in the states. Every once and awhile you can find some great fresh veggies and yesterday I hit the jack pot!! Fresh broccoli, zucchini and basil. I was also happy to see that they had sweet potatoes, tuna steaks, as well as tilapia!! I bought 4 bags of frozen tilapia! When it is in you better stock up! So now for this week I have such a great variety to choose from. It is funny the things we get excited about over here!

Looking ahead to next week I am pumped! I was reading through my Turbulence Training this weekend and I have found some more great ideas for exercises to fit into my program! I also browsed through some youtube videos of various workout routines. I am always looking for new moves to spice up my routine! Working out in the same place inside of your house for 3 years can sometimes get dull and repetitive! I have said this before my heaven help me the day I step foot in a gym back in the states, I will never want to leave!! I really will be like a kid in a candy store!

My knee is consistently doing better each day. The swelling is going down and my stability is better than ever. I am hoping that after the end of this week I can start to run again. Starting off slowly of course, but just to run period, regardless of the speed will be so great,I miss it so much.

Hope everyone has a blessed weekend and you reach all of your goals!! Keep pressing on!!

Workout Schedule - 11/24 - 11/30

Monday 11/24 -

AM - 45 min walk before breakfast.
PM - Upper body circuit

Tuesday 11/25 -

AM - 45 min walk before breakfast
PM - Lower body circuit and core work.

Wednesday 11/26 -

AM - 45 min walk before breakfast
PM - Upper body circuit

Thursday - 11/27 - Happy Thanksgiving!

AM - 45 min walk before breakfast
PM - Lower body circuit and core work

Friday - 11/28 -

AM - 45 min walk before breakfast
PM - Upper body circuit

Saturday - 11/29 -

Day off

Sunday - 11/30 -

Day off

Daily Intake - 11/22-
Calories consumed - 2,279 - High calorie day.
Protein - 21%
Fat - 38%
Carbs - 41%

Meal 1 - 1/2 cup of muesli and 1/2 cup of milk.

Meal 2 - Stuffed eggplant with garlic, tomatoes, cucumber and onions (a dish served at our favorite restaurant here. It is a Uzbeck restaurant and oh so yummy!) 2 skewers - a mix of chicken, beef, pork and lamb kebabs, side of bread and a cappuccino

Meal 3 - 1.5 slices of whole grain bread with goat cheese! My all time favorite thing!!

Meal 4 - 1/2 of mixed oats cereal (processed) with 1/2 cup of milk

Meal 5 - Whole wheat pasta with grilled chicken breast in pesto sauce with mixed berry yogurt for dessert and a piece of 75% dark chocolate.

Daily Intake - 11/23 -
Calories consumed - 1,510
Protein - 37%
Fat - 25%
Carbs - 38%

Meal 1 - 1/2 cup of muesli, 1/2 cup of yogurt, 1/2 apple and 1 tbsp of ground flaxseeds. 32 oz of water with 3 green tea bags.

Meal 2 - 1/4 serving of whole wheat pasta and grilled chicken pesto. 40 oz of water.

Meal 4- 1.5 scoops of protein powder, 1/2 cup of frozen blackberries and 1.5 cups of milk. 20 oz of water.

Meal 5 - Fajita salad - 5 oz of grilled chicken breast with bell peppers and onions grilled with olive oil and served with lettuce, fat free sour cream and picante sauce. 40 oz of water.

Meal 5 - 2.5 cups of popcorn and 2 squares of Lindt Ecuador dark chocolate 75% with decaf black tea with lemon.