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Day 50: Homeostasis

I remember a word from biology class way back in my sophomore or junior year of high school. It has stuck with me all this time.  And I'm a musician, not a scientist!

The word is "homeostatis".

Biologyonline defines it as: "The tendency of an organism or a cell to regulate its internal conditions, usually by a system of feedback controls, so as to stabilize health and functioning, regardless of the outside changing conditions."
(http://www.biology-online.org/dictionary/Homeostasis)

And my body is a master of homeostasis!  I say this because I weighed and measured myself this morning. And yes, I will admit I feasted on a southern-style dinner of chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, roll with butter, green beans, and Birthday cake on Sunday.

But really?  I have been exercising for 30 minutes to 2 hours every day for 50 days now.  Plus I have drastically changed my eating habits! And my stats are relatively unchanged. In fact, compared to last week, I am bigger! One pound heavier! And I gained an inch in my waist, but at least I lost an inch in my chest. Those pesky hips stayed the same.  Maybe the heat is making me expand.  Sigh.

Well, look out homeostatis. Because things are about to change!

I'm going to the gym today. I'm going to switch things up a bit.  The walk/jog/runs have been wonderful my mind, and soul, but I need to work the body harder. And I just can't do it in the heat. Yesterday was insanity. I am covered with mosquito bites and a minor sunburn.

But the mother deer and her two fawns made it all worthwhile!


So here are today's stats.  Arrrrgggg:


Stats 06/30/2015

Weight:  198
Neck: 15" 
Chest: 43"
Waist: 40"
Hips: 46
Thigh: R 23, L 22.5
Bicep: R 15, L 14.5

Compared to last week:


Weight: 197 lbs.
Neck: 14.5"
Chest: 44"
Waist: 39"
Hips: 46"
Thigh:  R 22.5", L 22.5
Biceps: R 14", L 14"

Looking at my measurements, it seems like my body is trying to maintain the shape of a pear!

Oy.

Well we shall see about that! I am not giving up. I have come so far!  And it is about the journey right?

So my newly revised plan is to hit the gym 5 days a week. Increasing weights and reps.  I will also do some cardio at the gym, since it is so hot.

As far as eating goes, I will continue my intermittent fasting, by cutting off all food after 6:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. at the lastest).  I will start my eating at 10:00 a.m. most days with 1/2 grapefruit. My day off from this schedule will be Saturday, when I have breakfast with my mom at 8:30 a.m.

What I need to improve on is portions. Yes, I am eating only between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Somedays it has been an even smaller window. For example, yesterday I hit the trail without eating breakfast and just kept walking. I didn't eat a meal until 4:00 p.m. Only water.  But I think I was doing penance for my heavy eating on Sunday.

Today, I started with my 1/2 grapefruit at 10:00 a.m. At 11:00 a.m. I ate a spinach and strawberry salad with a poppy seed dressing with candied almonds. Lots of water. I will go to the gym at noon and plan on having chicken, brown rice and veggies at Terriyaki King for lunch. For dinner, I will have a bowl of the mujaddara leftover from yesterday.

I've got a plan! 

Happy Tuesday!

(Sorry for all the ranting. But it does help motivate!)

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