Blogging from the Train

So!

My performance run has come to and end and, like every performer, I am experiencing the all-too-familiar recipe of relief (that it is done and that I survived), a tad of exhaustion, with a pinch or two of sadness thrown in because performers are always looking ahead for the next thing. My food challenge during the rehearsal/performance months went off much better than I had hoped. During that time, I bought only a few meals in town when I was in rehearsals all day and couldn’t store stuff in a fridge or if I was singing out of town. When I bought food, it was healthy stuff such as salads and the like. I dropped the (sniff) Starbucks visits, cut cokes out all together and drank tons of water. If I could chose only word to describe what helped to make it a success it would have to be, “planning.” I literally had to plan and prepare what I would eat and when I would eat it for a 12 hour+ stretch. If I did that, it helped to stave off the temptation and lack of decision-making skills that is usually the precursor of bad eating for me. It’s when I’m tired and busy that it’s the most challenging. On the exercise front, I was always able to get a run in at least 5 days a week. It’s what keeps me sane so I find time at all costs. So, overall, pretty darn good. I am down 12 pounds and wearing 2 pairs of pants that I couldn’t wear all of last year and I rocked a black dress at a wedding this weekend that, although I could squeeze in to before, actually fit properly this time without the muffin-way-up-top. That’s the petruding fat rolls that stick out of sleeveless tops in front of the armpit. HATE!

Biggest Challenge ahead – Pumpkin Spice Latte season has begun at Starbucks and I’m convinced that this was something that started the whole gaining weight mess. I was downing 1 per day – you do the math. I won’t be doing that this year. Instead, I’ll grab fat free pumpkin Spice flavored creamer and make my own. I also need to vary my eating so I don’t get bored. I hope Maren (www.supermaren.com) has had equal success on her end and look forward to an update!

I will be doing a post-in-pictures that shows some great shots from the concert and wedding!