40 Days and 40 Nights

I've now been in this box for 40 days and 40 nights.  Aside from the alcohol I had Thursday at the Saints game (a very special occasion), I've been in the box pretty much the entire time.

Some days it's very easy. I love how I don't have to make decisions and on super busy work days it is so easy to just do shakes.  The physical activity component is also easy for me.  We're asked to get in 2000 calories of it a week.  I always get over that. Many times I'm near 3000.  But, this week's trip to NOLA made it a little difficult for me to get as much in.

So here I am 40 days and nights later and 20 pounds lower.  That's huge!  It feels like the last 10 pounds flew off, honestly. And, I'd say 70% of the time, being in the box easy.  Very easy, actually.  But, that 30% of the time that it is hard, it can be really hard.  Sometimes it's just plain ol' cravings.  I want popcorn, peanuts or pretzels, alcohol or triscuits.  Mostly, as you can see, I just want a salty crunch.  I try to distract myself with a walk or another project.  But, sometimes it's unbearable trying to get past the cravings.  The other part that can be hard is dealing with social outings.

This Thursday we went to the Saints game.  I had already decided I was going to enjoy the night.  We had planned this evening for months.  I felt like I deserved a bit of a break.  But, at the same time I didn't want to see all the hard work I'd done go down the drain.  I was also worried about how my stomach would take foods out of the box.  I have heard stories from other that the stomach doesn't digest them well - and it hurts!  So, I planned all my meals.  I ate entirely in the box.  I brought a small, single blender for shakes (which I only had to use once), cooked the entrees before hand and kept them in a insulated container.  So, I didn't eat -- just had a couple of drinks in celebration.  And, that first glass I had of wine (see below) after nearly 40 days without tasted so good.  Can you tell by my expression? 

Here's hoping the next 40 days are as good.  Cheers!!