ketchup

Haven't updated in a minute, readership. Also, I haven't been food-journaling and I don't think I am going to, at least not on this blog - I may do it IRL, though I haven't fully decided if I'll do that either. One of the reasons I decided it against it is that I'd like for this blog to be less of a tedious read, which I've found it can be after having reviewed old posts recently.

Quick note about work before I get to the meat and potatoes: it is still a challenge but I am getting better and better at handling it. I assume this will only continue to get better, rather I'll keep getting more adept at managing at work. Which is all I need to eventually excel.

I am smack-dab in the middle of the 21-day detox (this is similar, but I found the detox I am doing in Whole Living magazine) and this past week has been riddled with food cravings. I have adjusted to not having caffeine, but I sincerely miss a good cup o' joe and have found myself gazing longingly at the various coffee machines I pass at work on a daily basis. But my life without caffeine is subtly yet noticeably better. I sleep more deeply and awake more refreshed. I have plenty of energy and can maintain focus for extended periods of time. When my concentration and energy flag, my knee-jerk, Pavlovian reaction is to want a cup of coffee. It's occurring to me now that sometimes I am just going to be tired. It's normal, especially after multiple hours of being absorbed in my work. Also - and this is a biggie - I feel so much more relaxed, I am able to let go of nagging thoughts more easily and for the first time maybe ever I often do not feel anxious at all.
The food has been, by and large, super flavorful, satisfying and delicious, which I am convinced is the only reason I am still in it. Were the food disgusting, I doubt I would have lasted a week. I will say that the meals require loads of planning and preparation and I have been scrambling to keep up with it all. I think food-planning and -prep (in addition to different and sometimes new foods) take some getting used to and it has been one of the more unexpected, trying demands of the detox.
I still eat too quickly and too much sometimes. My thought or hope is that I will learn how to manage that over time, as well. First, I think it's enough to get used to an almost-entirely-vegan, gluten-free diet.
And then there's alcohol - yeah, what should I say about alcohol? I miss it and then again I totally don't. Not drinking affords me the following securities - no hangovers ever, lower caloric intake, saves money, fewer situations that I regret or feel ashamed of in retrospect. Also, and I hate to say this, but people fucking reek when they are drinking. On the other hand, abstaining from alcohol is socially isolating. Try telling pretty much anyone that you are not drinking at the moment or that you flat out don't drink at all. 10 bucks says they look at you like this. (see confused dog)
Last week I hung around for free beer Thursday at work and it was totally fine. I had fun, did not want for one drop of alcohol and enjoyed people's company - side note: depending on the person, drunk people can be downright enjoyable, save the shittily sloppy ones. But this week I have been craving whiskey so I thought it best to avoid being around alcohol all together. In the mean time, I have turned down opportunities to hang out with my Berlitz buddies and to bond with my new co-workers at BP. First world problems, I know. There will be more opportunities, I get it. It's just new for me to turn down the chance to hang out people I love/people I want to get know better. It would appear that that will take some getting used to as well.
I cannot help but wonder from time-to-time what will stay and what will go at the end of the detox. I am not worrying about it, just considering it with as much curiosity and as little fear as possible. I hope my decisions are based solely on what's best for me, with little regard for what other people think or expect of me.
Working out has gotten off to a slow start since having joined my new gym, but that's kind of the way I want it. I don't want to come out of the gates at full speed only to peter off just as I am making real strides. I went at the beginning of the week and didn't find time to go the rest of the week because of a few movie dates with friends (a nice excuse, I think). But, I have been doing a good job at following this fab abs February plan at home before I leave for work in the mornings, as a sort of ersatz mug of java. I missed yesterday, but I can totally make up for it today. Also, I want to work out today and tomorrow.

At any rate, readership, that's about it for what's been going on with me. Have a nice weekend!