This Monday marks the beginning of my first week back on a normal schedule. I slept almost 8 hours last night, as I have for the entire weekend.

I feel recharged, re-motivated, and ready to get back to my old regimen.

My goals for November:

1. Stay under 1,400 calories daily. Normally I aim for 1,200 or less, but I’ve been in the (bad) habit of eating upwards of 2,000 per day with the two-job schedule, so bringing my consumption down in increments seems the most achievable route to take.
2. Workout at least 5 days per week. My goal is 6, but 5 is doable and should get me back in the habit.
3. Vary my workouts. With the limited time I had the past few months, my gym trips were generally dedicated to cardio, as I felt it was giving me the most caloric bang for my buck. I know, I know – muscle burns more calories throughout the day, but I was on sleep-deprived logic. My goal now is to commit to 60 mins cardio, 45-60 mins strength/calisthenics/stretching with each workout.
4. Keep protein/veggie consumption high, sugar low. I became a severe sugar addict the past few months, so I’m going to wean myself off of it over the next few weeks. I know I *should* go cold turkey, but I’m not good with extremes …so cutting it out of my diet 100% is a bit too much for me. I’m going to allow myself ONE piece of candy per day (today is a single Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup – yum!) and otherwise avoid refined sugars. I’m not going to limit my fruit, but I won’t have any fruit juices or anything that unnecessarily raises my sugar consumption.
5. Avoid “empty” foods. I have a tendency to eat breakfast bars and other snack items with low nutritional value – even though they claim to be organic, all natural options – so my goal is to replace those snacks with raw almonds, 100-calorie oatmeal packets, and veggies with dip.

I’m starting the week at 131.2 lbs, which I attribute to a weekend of delicious (fattening) food and craft beer as we celebrated my husband’s 31st birthday. I’m a bit upset to be in the 130s again, but I know that I will finally have the power to control my appetite (it’s amazing what a good night’s sleep does for will power and self-control) and stick to a workout plan.

I will post my weight weekly on Wednesdays (accountability!) and will do my best to get measurements/pictures up to show my progress.

Here’s hoping to ending 2014 at a healthy – and strong – weight!

Bon appetit, my friends!

~ Tori