#AbsForApril Update

#AbsforApril is coming to a close. I’ve been at it for three weeks.  There’s a new ab routine every week and its been amping up each and every Sunday. This is the start of the last full week in April and I’m surprisingly still going strong.

I have been clean of all sweets, alcohol, and fast food.

Of course, for April, Whataburger (best fast food place EVER) introduced a Dr. Pepper Shake and I’ve had to be without for the last three weeks, and I have to make it one week longer.  As a Texan, missing out on Whataburger AND Dr. Pepper is a travesty. But I’m doing it.

I even made it through Easter without my favorite candy: Reeses Peanutbutter Eggs.

The hardest part, which I knew would be the hardest, is no one-the-way-home-pizza pickups. I’ve managed, and I’m actually pretty damn proud of myself for it.  Pizza is a huge weakness for me and I’ve not stopped by Little Ceasars all month. When I have had to stop at the grocery store for something for dinner, I’ve not gotten a frozen pizza. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not pizza free for a month, but I’ve only had pizza on my day off after going to the gym.

Speaking of the gym I’ve made it three days a week every week and it’s getting to be routine. Routine is exactly what I wanted, what I need, so I’m glad that it’s working.  I’m already plotting what I’m going to do in May to keep it going.

So far I’m declaring my intended gym days on the calendar on the fridge.  After I get my work schedule I plan my three days and color the days in on the calendar. I get them figured out weeks in advance and stick to them.

As far as self-care this month has been amazing. Usually, on a day off I’d be sleeping in, drinking wine, taking a salt bath and eating chocolate. This month, I’ve been getting up to hit the gym, gardening, taking a salt bath, and Netflix.  I’ve also put in a time off request at work to have some downtime and I’m planning active things to do on my week off.

As far as the dementors of depression, I’m still feeling them. I’m in a want-to-sleep-all-day no drive to do anything funk, but I’m able to get myself to the gym as required.

I’m not only seeing changes on the scale (down 7 pounds) and in the mirror (gone are the love handles, and I have teeny tiny biceps muscles) I’m seeing changes on the mat.

I can do burpees now.  I can do push-ups.

I still can’t make it all the way through the 15-minute warm-ups, but my right front kick can knock over a heavy bag.