It was a gorgeous morning.  Already 66 degrees by the I left the house and I thought “do I even need a coat?”  In the end I threw a light sweater into my backpack.

Guys – I didn’t meal plan this week – I know!  I have plenty of food to use up, so this is going to be a bit of a mishmash.  Leftover steak (2) leftover air fried potatoes (2) eggs and fruit.

I hadn’t seen Jenn since last Tuesday!  She’s back from her New York trip and I am just so proud of her adventuring out in a city she doesn’t know by herself.

Being the older sister (I know, it’s only 30 minutes, but I took the big sister role very seriously) I made decisions for us growing up.  I talked for us, and while we did separate activities (her pom pom, me sports), I was the leader and she was the follower.  I thought I was doing her a favor, but never dawned on me that I wouldn’t always be with her – so while it took her a while longer to stand on her own two feet, I was just so happy she didn’t spend the time in the hotel while her husband was working. 😀

Since I had the grill going on Sunday for my brunch, I used that opportunity to meal plan a bit – I grilled up some chicken breasts to use later in the week – remember my rule of thumb – if you don’t plan on eating the chicken right away and will be reheating it, don’t cook it all the way through the first time. 

I cooked the chicken about 75% – a quick 45 seconds in the microwave at work and I still had hot juicy chicken for my fried rice.

1/2 cup rice (3), peppers and carrots and the grilled chicken.  I used Marion’s Kitchen sticky ginger sauce (10 calories, so I don’t count that) so my lunch was only 3 points.

I had my first training session with a personal trainer at 5:30 after work last night.  It was free, so I took advantage of it.  I wanted my blood sugar a bit higher so I enjoyed a plate of fruit.  By the time I got to the gym it was 225 – nice!

I really didn’t know what to expect, but it was a 45 minute workout – we did lower body, upper body – only using my body weight.  Wall sits, etc.  It was hard, but I was able to keep up – even held a plank for 2 minutes!

But then came the hard sell came for the personal training package.  “I think you still have that inner athlete in you Biz, but I think you’d benefit the most with 12 sessions a month to get you to your goals faster.”  That cost?!  $550 A MONTH!

Then he got down to the 4 sessions a month – which including the enrollment fee that he had no control over – so if I just handed over my debit card for $329, I’d be all set for my first four sessions.  Um, no thank you.  I was in control and didn’t let someone coerce me into doing something I didn’t want to do.  I am a true people pleaser, so this was an awesome #nsv.

I got a ton of suggestions on where to find gym workouts online on Instagram, so I’ll stick to my $29 a month gym membership, thank you very much.  

My train is not express, so I didn’t get home until 9 – and I was hungry.  I was happy though that I was in control and bought an apple for the train ride home, instead of gummy bears. 😀   And I was freezing because the temps dropped to 42 degrees.  😛

I am loving these Chosen Foods avocado sprays.  I found the regular avocado spray at Jewel, but I had an Amazon gift card and bought three more flavors online – chipotle, ginger and I can’t remember what the other one is right now.   They can be heated up to 500 degrees – Pam will burn at that high of a temp.

I used more leftover grilled meat to make beef, pepper and kale tacos.   This hit the spot at 9:20 at night – quick, and easy!  One of the best things about eating that late at night?  There is zero desire to raid the pantry.  I am full and it’s so close to bed there is no temptation.  If I were to eat at say, 7 – by 10:00 p.m. I’d be stalking the pantry wanting something to eat.

It makes my food blogger self happy when my Momma sends me pictures of her dinner – she made a chicken thigh, chick pea and tomato stew.  Looks delish – she held back on the spice a bit, but would definitely make it again.  Let me know if you want the recipe. 😀

With this DietBet I am doing, I am focusing not only what I am eating, but WHY I eat like an asshole at times.  I am trying to shift my mindset, and yesterday for me was the perfect day.  I walked passed the donuts at work, the muffins the size of my head at the train station – the gummies!  

My mantra (besides don’t eat like an asshole) is that I AM IN CONTROL.  Not the emotions, or external shit that is out of our control.  It reminded me of the quote from the Infertile Summit I went to:  “You can’t change the outcome, but you can change the outlook.”

I am in control of creating the life I want to lead.  And if I continue with that confidence, that I am smart enough to figure stuff out, the skies the limit on where I can go. 

Question of the Day:  Are YOU the only person holding yourself back from the life you want?