C3D8-14 Bye Bye Vaca Hello Lily Pulitzer

     Sorry I disappeared friends from my blog, but we were enjoying fun in the sun in cape cod and Boston weds-today.  That's 5 days of being away from home, 5 days of restaurants and 5 days of attempting to stay on track when not in the comforts of my own kitchen.  I did try to be prepared.  I brought power cookies, roasted chick peas, a veggie tray, cut up fruit, cheese sticks, nuts, yogurt and sliced deli meat for snacks and in between meals as well as several breakfasts but the majority of my meals were eaten out.
     Thank GOD I was on cycle 3, that's all I have to say.  Being able to have carbs and additional choices made life easier but, I did not completely stay on track.  I had a scoop of frozen yogurt one afternoon and a scoop of REAL ice cream another (that was the day my period came).  I never had that dark chocolate that I so desperately had been craving but I had ice cream.  I am going to have to pay the piper tomorrow on the scale.  I tried to make healthy choices like grilled fish, salads, lean meats, veggies etc.  But I did actually have a piece of bread at dinner one night...UGH!  It wasn't even that good, but I was starving.  And last night I just sorta threw in the towel and we ordered pizza.  I had salad and pizza.  I had 3 freakin pieces too.  The pies were small though only 14" so the pieces were not like planet's size of your head that I could have had.  But still 3 pieces was prolly 2 too many.  Again, starving, out of my element and just kinda gave up.  All breakfasts and lunches I stayed on track.  Well I guess the reality check will be tomorrow morning.  I did get a lot of exercise and activity while we were away and did not eat any fried fish which I so desperately wanted.  I felt like cutting my left arm off for a clam strip sandwich or a lobster roll but I didn't do it.  I honestly tried, and have to remind myself that in years past the damage would have been worse so I need to keep that in perspective, but secretly I am so relieved to be home, in my element and my kitchen and back in the drivers seat.  I am actually looking forward to facing the music in the morning whatever it may be and continuing on.  If I gained back 2 pounds, oh well I'll lose them again and keep going.  This is a lifestyle change and despite a few less than stellar choices, I really didn't do bad overall and they were CHOICES.  I never felt out of control or binge.  I brought along what I could and made the best of a tough situation eating out 5 days in a row.  Depending on the scale between tomorrow and Th, I will decide whether I'll go back to cycle 1 or 2.  If it's a bigger gain than I thought, I will hop right back to cycle 1 and not look back but if not 2 it is.
   I decided what my reward will be when  I reach a big goal of mine.  I walked into the In the Pink store in Chatham.  Anyone who knows me well, knows I adore Lily Pulitzer.  I desperately wish I could walk in grab a dress off the rack put it on, zip it with ease and walk around like I owned the joint.  When I reach that personal goal of being in a dress size (blank), I will walk in and do just that.  I am not going to look at the price tag, I am just going to treat myself and then I will walk around with my head a little higher.  So that my friends is the next BIG goal.  I am not sure when I will reach that...but lucky for me I have 2 lovely choices of In the Pink lily boutiques nearby so there's no shortage of rewards nearby.  And I will keep going one meal and one day at a time till that dress zips with ease and continue on and on.