How's it going?

I finished my week long diet thing last Sunday. The soup for the last day was not that great so I ended up eating dinner at my parents' house that night but I was pretty much done with it anyways. Overall it was ok. That's about all I can say about it. I didn't lose the claimed 10 lbs but can't really say if it was something I did wrong or just the diet itself not working all that well for me. Will I do it again? Probably not. 

Benefits from doing the diet, however...

• I have not had a single Dr. Pepper or any soda since starting it (that's huge for me)
• I did lose 5 lbs
• We're drinking skim milk (also huge for me as I drink a lot of milk)
• I am more aware of my food choices
• I have broadened my health food views through Pinterest and can't wait to try some new things

I had hoped to get rid of my sweet tooth but I don't really think that happened. My craving for sweets is less but it's still there. I also haven't been able to cut my carb/bread/pasta cravings. This is going to have to be the next thing I work on. I would like to eliminate all carbs after 6pm and eat healthier carbs all together. I've tried quinoa. It wasn't terrible but I need to find a better way of seasoning it. I have some recipes that use it that I will also be trying. 

My bike has been great. I was a lot disheartened after those first two rides but I've made progress. My second ride with my husband was a 4.8 mile ride where we stopped about every mile or so to allow me to rest and catch my breath. It was exciting when I made it that far even with stopping so often. My next ride on this route was by myself. It was a bit harder without my support and there was an awful head wind coming from the northeast that made the last leg of the ride murder but I made it home. After a couple of days' rest I went out again on the same route but this time I went the whole way in 7th gear (this is an improvement because this means it took more effort on my part to peddle) and didn't make any rest stops! Now that's HUGE! I was so excited when I made it home without stopping and I was no more tired or hurting than the other rides. The next day (yesterday) I did the same route without stopping again. Had to do it in 6th gear because I was still recovering from the day before but still really good for me. Today was a rest day and tomorrow I have school but I plan to get out on Tuesday and make for two loops with stopping if necessary. 

My husband has been so great through this process and he his my loudest cheerleader. He pushes me when he sees me slacking and he motivates me through his own success with his cycling. Today he did Tour de Pink and finished his first metric century (65 miles = 105 km). I'm so excited for him and can't wait to be able to be there with him. My mom has also been great and she's always my go to when I need help getting over my lack of cooking skills or motivations. She's always been there through all of my weight loss trials and always knows how to keep the cooking interesting. I wish I had her ability and energy in the kitchen. 

Even my daughter has gotten in on the cheering. Yesterday when I get back from my ride she ran up to me screaming and gave me a big hug. This is normal for her when we come home in the evenings. I do have to say I love this age (she's 2 and half) because she is always so excited to see me or daddy and she is so open with her love and gives it often. I will miss that when she gets older. Anyways, after my hug she said "Mommy rides her bike! Good job, mommy!" She is so sweet and it's so real. I will also miss the genuineness of her as well.