A Little Extra Support

Not my actual steak salad.

So, it's been a few days.  I realize that.  Yes, I'm fine.

Today is the first day I feel like I'm in the fat burning zone again.  I was still hungry yesterday.  But...I made it!  I did it!  I stuck to the plan.  Because I KNOW it works.  And I love how I feel when I'm doing it.  It's nice to have that point of reference. 

The first time you're going through the "detox phase" (as I like to call it) it's not so bad because you're so ready to just get started and you know that it's going to be difficult.  But this time.  Well, I had been doing this for eight weeks and the temptation to "cheat" was stronger, because it wasn't new and exciting.  Does that make sense?  But what I did have this time that I didn't have the first time was perspective.  I knew it would get better in a few days.  I know that I love this plan and it is totally worth staying on it.  I was well aware that by cheating I would just make matters worse and make this detox phase take even longer.

I also learned something.  That NOT eating what you need to eat is just as bad as eating what you shouldn't eat.  (That's right.  Read it again, if you need to!)  I had to detox because I was fasting.  My body needed to be reminded that it was okay to use my fat for fuel.  I didn't need it to store it and save it for later.  I wasn't starving.  But...isn't it cool that God made our bodies in such a way that they protect us like that?  Don't hate the body for not wanting to give up that fat too quickly.  If we were in a famine, that's a pretty good trick!

Anyway...I digress.

With resolve, I dug in my heels!  I stuck to the plan.

I was thankful for the help and support I got over the last several days.  Like my friend Melody who had us over for dinner on Friday night.  She put out a fabulous salad bar spread, including grilled salmon or chicken for protein.  She didn't even judge me for loading up my plate with spinach.  What a friend!

And then, I have to acknowledge my amazing husband.  We went to the Fireside Tavern for dinner on Saturday night to celebrate my mom's birthday! (Happy birthday, Mama!  I love you!) 

Not on TSFL, I would have loved that menu.  Lots of things dripping in cheese and loaded with carbs.  But, on TSFL, it was probably the most difficult menu I've faced so far.  Even the salads were decadently off plan.

I had studied the menu in advance.  I knew what I was going to order and how I needed to say it.  I even practiced a few times, so I didn't forget to omit the corn or the cheese.  But I wasn't prepared for one thing.  An unhelpful waitress who was driven to take everyone's orders in record time.

The order started fine.  And then I asked how the flank steak was marinaded.  She proceeded to tell me about soy sauce and oils and juices and...nope, no, no, no.  Can't have it.  "Can I get that without marinade?"  Clear that she is annoyed that I am slowing down her speed, she shakes her head no.  "It's already marinaded.  Sorry."  (She wasn't sorry)  "Okay," I said with a frown.  And she moved on.

"Okay?" Dan said.  "It's not okay."  He waits patiently and then gently grabs the woman's elbow.  "The marinated steak is not okay.  What are her options?  She can't have all the oils and juices."  I'm not even lying, I think the waitress rolled her eyes.  (I'm painting her to be terrible. Besides this moment she was a very good, very efficient waitress.  But it was clear I was disturbing her rhythm.)

"You can substitute a different steak...but it will cost more."

Dan says, "Fine.  That's what we would like to do."  And then the waitress rapidly lists off my choices.  I picked the flat iron steak because I had researched it beforehand and knew it was a lean piece of meat.  I wasn't sure about the other cuts.  And then Dan interjects again, "And don't put anything on it.  Keep it plain."

I'll be honest.  It came out much rarer than I would have liked and it was tough.  But I savored it.  My salad looked beautiful.  The dressing was spicy, which I love!  I ate it slowly and made each bite something special on my palette, because I wasn't going to let the toughness of the meat ruin my evening.  And it didn't.

Now, I ask you...am I a blessed woman?  Yes, I am!  I am supported and loved.  I have friends and a family that are willing to stick their neck out for me--especially my husband!

Sometimes we all need a little extra support.