I'm a little late writing week 7's wrap up because we were busy hiking in the Apennine mountains yesterday. It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it! It was supposed to be a weekend of "active recovery," which is what most of us should be doing at least a few days of the week, but Sunday was quite a bit more intense than that.  We did a hike of 11 miles and around 550 meters (which is about 1800 feet) of elevation gain. It's all good, though, as I'd rather be doing something like that than sitting on my behind wishing I was able to.  (Hint: The more often you do things like that, the more often you're able to.  Therein lies the rub of physical activity - but more on that later.)

Last week wasn't a huge week in terms of emotional breakthroughs or any specific accomplishment, but still it was an interesting week. Information, lessons/homework, and workouts are coming in daily from Precision Nutrition (my coaching program).  I'm still working on establishing a routine for myself that can incorporate what I need to do along with my regular daily life.  Which is kind of a funny thing to say, because I don't really have a regular daily life. That makes the whole thing a different kind of challenge for me, since I'm someone who has had a great deal of structure in my life for as long as I can remember.  It is nice not to have a rigid schedule, though, because it makes me available for my clients when it's convenient for them, gives me time to study, and allows the time I need to make natural cosmetics.  When I was working full-time it was a lot more difficult to fit those things in, so I am grateful for the flexibility.

So, what have we learned over the past week?  There were several good reminders of things I already know but haven't practiced as well as I would like.  The good thing is that this whole program is a huge personal experiment.  Experimenting is one of the things that is most encouraged; there is no such thing as a "One Size Fits All" lifestyle, so trying different approaches and techniques to find what works best is what is making this such a success for me (and others, of course).  For example, on Sunday I intentionally ate too much gelato just to see what it felt like, and I didn't like it.  At all.  (Yes, it is possible.)  Interestingly I did it with a portion size that was normal for me just a few weeks ago, and now I find that I don't want nearly that much. 

As far as a progress update is concerned, it was measurement day on Saturday.  We've all heard dozens - maybe hundreds - of times about how unimportant the numbers on the scale are, and how we shouldn't take them too seriously.  I am now walking evidence of that.  After 7 weeks of the program I was expecting to see some real results because, doggone it, I've been working really hard and making some big changes. However, I haven't changed anything about what I'm eating and drinking, I was curious to see what's happening.  And not surprisingly, I've lost a grand total of half a pound since this all started. However, I have lost a total of 8.1 inches!  And if that isn't progress, I don't know what is!  It tells me that the loss is real loss, not some fluctuation of water weight or whatever. I'm trimming down, finding muscles I haven't been acquainted with for a while, and feeling strong enough to do a hike like the one we did yesterday and feel fine afterwards.  I can't emphasize enough how much better that is than anything the scale could tell me.  I WILL be wearing those clothes I want to fit into next summer.  I WILL be feeling sassy enough to wear the form fitting fashions of Italy.  And I WILL be strong enough to do some pretty serious hikes before much longer.  It's as much as I could want and hope for, and I love the fact that the changes I'm making are real, fundamental changes, rather than something I only have to do for a set period of time until my "diet" is over.  I absolutely don't intend to grow older gracefully, and this is exactly what I need to fight it all the way!

So, enough rambling.  On with this week's Top Ten:

1. Being able to make it through a tough workout and rediscover my "inner pit bull" is a fantastic feeling.
2. Not feeling really full after a meal is wonderfully positive.
3. It's not a great idea to have an evening of eating, drinking, and being merry right before you take your measurements.
4. Eating to 80% full is particularly difficult when you're served a 5-course meal at a posh hotel.
5. It is possible to overeat salad and vegetables, and isn't OK just because it's considered "free" food.
6. Aged Parmigiana drizzled with aged Balsamic vinegar tastes divine.
7. Italians really know what they're doing by serving a "Digestivo" after dinner.  It helps immensely.
8. Tapping/EFT is one of the best habits I've ever started.
9. Hiking in the mountains is one of the best ways I can think of to spend a Sunday.
10. Magnesium is a fantastic way to help tired and sore muscles recover.

So, there it is.  This week will see some cooler temperatures, and hopefully the reintroduction of my running habit for me.  I have a lot of studying to do, and friends are coming back into town from a hiatus in the US, so I will be getting a crash course in balancing my schedule. But now I know what I'm capable of doing, so I just have to get myself out of bed in the mornings to do it earlier.  Fingers crossed.

Have a health of a day!

Juli