Buff DM #5 - Approaching Completionist

I knew this day would come.  It's the close of week 7 and I can feel it.  I've hit all my muscle groups, with extra days allowed to hit arms a second time and *finally* get a bodyweight-only workout...and I feel awesome.  But I've noticed a few things.

1) My weekly pushup count plummeted

Clearly a product of placing weight training (and for good reason) at the forefront of my exercise regimen, as opposed to the other way around.  Now that I'm hauling weights four times a week with Kickboxing and karate spliced in and a full bodyweight day on Sundays...woof, buddy.
  I checked my numbers yesterday.  I went from averaging 750 pushups a week to 340.  I'm tired, yo.
But here's the kicker.  This is EXACTLY what I need.  Think about it.  
​  IF I can achieve the level of consistency I am right now: 
Mondays - Chest and Triceps
Tuesdays - Back and Biceps
Wednesdays - Legs and Shoulders
Thursdays - REST 1
Fridays - Bodyweight or Rest 2
Saturdays - Kickboxing, Karate, and Arms
Sundays - Bodyweight or Rest 2

...AND get my pushup count back up to 750 a week, I'll be goram unstoppable.  Here's to the hill I'm climbing.

2) I don't care for ice cream, or dessert, much anymore...

I mean, I still have them, but they're once in a LONG WHILE.  Ice cream?  Once every two months, if that.  I know I've said this before, but cake just doesn't do it for me anymore.  Sometimes pie, or a cookie, but these are cravings, not habits, and they need to be the RIGHT KIND of quality to make it worth it.

It's like my wife and gluten.  She can't eat it, but she isn't allergic.  It's an intolerance; and I remember in the beginning of making the appropriate changes to our lifestyle - those little moments when cravings struck - but if we're going to go through the discomfort, it has to be worth it.  High quality food that includes gluten might be worth a bite or two, but that's it; just to satisfy the craving.  ;)

And even then, when I've found the "great" slab of sucrose...all I want is a little.  Not a whole slice; not a whole pie.  Just enough to satisfy, and that little bit...tastes AMAZING.  It's funny, the longer you go without something, the better it tastes once you have it again (as long as it wasn't junk to begin with).  And really, isn't that...better?

It's the same reasoning I have difficulty with the idea of building up a "tolerance" to certain drinks.  If the reason is to get buzzed...then wouldn't you want that to happen sooner and more efficiently than longer and less?  I know that's an entirely separate debate, but I appreciate that because of my other health issues, one drink is all I'll ever need, so I need to make sure it tastes good, too.  If I'm going to have something special, I need to make it SPECIAL.  

This entire experience has helped me treasure the foods and treats I took for granted, and has reminded me how to separate my needs and wants, while still enjoying my life.

3) Eating right...isn't that hard.

Chicken.  Broccoli.  Rice.
With me, sometimes rice is too much, so I double up on protein and vegetable, with some healthy fats.
This is what I have most days of the week, and I'm sure peeps would poo-poo that.  "What's the point in living" you say, "if you can't eat all the other good stuff?"  
  Yes, food is a social thing, it is a pleasurable thing; the culinary arts are an essential part of our core humanity.  ...But that doesn't mean I should gorge myself on pastries in lieu of a decent steak and vegetables.  You can still eat flavorful, filling, and amazing food without hurting yourself.  Breaking it down to the basics above keeps things cheap for me (budget's been tight lately, go figure) 5 days of the week.  The other 2 days?  I eat what I want.  And what I want, though with a little more cheese, a little more grease, still includes Protein, Vegetable, and Carb.  Does it mean that I can't have that milkshake if I really, really want it?  Nope.  ...But I might be paying for it later (especially without a Gall Bladder) during my next workout.  
This whole process makes me acutely aware of my own dietary consequences, and sooner or later in this, a choice has to be made.  Do I want to get better, or not?  Do I want to lose weight/get stronger, or not?  Yes?  Then changes start happening.
  Listen to experience.  Don't go cold turkey on this stuff.  We are creatures of habit.  One day per week - eat clean.  Dedicate yourself to that one day.  Then make it two.  Then three.  Then five.  Keep it there for a bit, and watch your sabotage cravings melt away.  Trust me, the first little bit's gonna' be tough, but you got this.  
  And then, after weeks of hard work, and that little craving sneaks in...try a little bite.  See if it still tastes good.  If it does, take one more bite.  Then put it away.  Save it for your next rest day.  Make it SPECIAL.  
Eating is a part of our joyful lives, but be aware of how much of something you're putting in your body.  Moderation is key, so whatever you eat, just make sure it's worth it.

See you at the table.
​- Adamus