The one good thing that I did during this time was stick pretty close to my budget. I had to say no to a couple of things that I wanted to do including the Warrior Dash and the Color Run. I was really bummed because those were two things that I really wanted to do but by not doing them I saved at least $120. That money went to paying off one of my medical bills, half of another, and finally (though begrudgingly) paying off some money I owed Comcast from when I cancelled my service with them.
So, thanks to my budgeting and the money Ken's been bringing in from work picking up I am ahead of my budget plan. I am even more pleased to say that I am back on track with my eating too. I'm not going quite as rigid with the Paleo this time. I haven't completely cut out dairy but I have limited it greatly and I've kept red potatoes for now. I'm trying to make more of a gradual transition to make it a little easier.
Last Saturday I got up early and headed out to the downtown Memphis Farmer's market. It was a chilly morning. Yeah that's right, I've lived in the South long enough now that I think 40 degrees is pretty chilly. I brought half of my food budget money with me. I got some grass-fed ground beef and brats from Claybrook Farms, organic grass-fed bacon and beef roast from West Wind farms, Butternut squash and spaghetti squash, tomatoes, green onion, yellow onion, apples, and pears from a couple of the other farms. I also got one of the best coconut cream pies I have ever eaten in my life from Downtown Pie Company. That pie was my farewell to sweets. It was a pretty good haul and I left the market feeling excited. I had bought healthy food grown locally and stayed under budget.
I've done pretty well this week. I've had butternut squash casserole for breakfast every morning this week except yesterday and this morning. Yesterday I had eggs, strawberries, pineapple, and grapes. This morning I had eggs and my delicious farmer's market bacon. I would have taken pictures but I practically had to fight the cats off for the bacon.
My lunches were Meatloaf with the farmer's market ground beef. I omitted the ketchup from the recipe and it was great with out it. The apples were my afternoon snack. Monday and Tuesday I had chicken nachos with corn chips (I've read arguments for and against corn chips). Wednesday and Thursday Salmon with roasted red potatoes. Last night I had 2 plain brats and 2 carrots cut into sticks. Tonight I think I'm going to attempt to make the spaghetti squash with homemade pasta sauce. I'm hoping it turns out well.
I still haven't gotten back into my exercise routine yet. I did go to Pilates this week but that's all I've done. I need to get back into my routine of getting up early and working out before work. I really want to go back to Crossfit but it's just not in the budget yet. I have a free gym at my disposal at work so I need to take full advantage of that.
I'm getting back on track and my current goals are 1. No candy this Halloween, 2. Getting back to exercising 1 hour a day 5 days a week and 3. If I lose 10 pounds before Thanksgiving then I will give myself two days of enjoying all of the Thanksgiving goodies I want. If I don't it will just be Turkey and veggies for me.
I feel better when I'm eating better and exercising. I have to remember that no cupcake/Dairy Queen Blizzard/pizza is worth backsliding or more importantly my health. Sure it's okay to indulge every once in a while but it's not okay to let it become habit.
Before I end my post I have to give a shout-out to my sister Sarah. I am so proud of you! You look amazing. Your results have inspired me to keep with it even though it's not always easy. Thanks to you and all the other readers for keeping me accountable.
