2/23/11 "hard days night" - 2/24/11 "day of rest!!"

OMG, another long night with a ton of pressure and a small measure of disappointment at the result of all my efforts. City politics, why do I bother with you? All you do is fill me with frustration, anger, and disappointment that most of my fellow politicians are unethical, and care more about power, reelection, and saving face (the big THREE) than they do about getting the job done and being candid with the populace about the state of our municipality and the way that our administration is being run. They are mostly motivated by fear and greed. It turns my stomach (contributing to lack of appetite, making it easier to diet...maybe there is something positive to this??)...

The diet it going well. Yesterday, I had a massive salad for lunch with a side of barbequed chicken breast, which didn't seem to saucy, and a couple of deviled eggs (yummo). For dinner, after the meeting from hell, I had some buffalo wings and celery sticks (my go to, low carb choice for when I don't cook). I enjoyed that with a small glass of white wine. I remained in ketosis when I checked in yesterday morning and before bed. This morning, 2/24, I am still in ketosis. So, maybe an occasional small glass of wine is acceptable, considering, of course, what else I've thrown down my gullet that day.

Tonight, I'm just chilling out. I have to do some grocery shopping, and I'm going to see about going to the gym after Anna is in bed. That's the plan. I think some exercise is called for.

Once again, proud of myself for arising at 6 a.m. and getting into work at 7:30. I'm not as productive as I want to be yet, but I am establishing the habits that will lead to productivity. That's the plan.

I am toying with adding in some meditation for stress relief and focus.

I am researching the controversial Gary Taubes. Check out this NPR interview with him from 2003. Let's see if he wrote a book.

2/23/11, Day 32, exhaustion

My body does not want to get up at 6 a.m.  I fought an internal battle of wills this morning to get out of bed - really, it was more my will v. my desire to sleep in.  I made it, though.  I was at work for 7:30.  It was a close thing.  I am trying to keep foremost in my mind that I can do anything, and that, if I want to make up the billables I missed when I was taking care of my dad, I need to put in an extra 1.5 hours 3-4 days per week, or lose every weekend for the next 6 months.  Plus, two of my bosses (yes, I have several bosses - I think 7 of them) went office to office yesterday to discuss billables and revenues with each attorney.  Pressure! 

I have to push myself, but I know that I have to also take care of myself.  For example, Tuesday was a good work day - up at 6, in by 7:30, billed 8+ good hours before I left early for a City meeting.  But... the meeting went on forever.  I didn't get home for dinner until 7:30 p.m.  Then, I just had no juice left to do anything but relax.  I had no gym in me.  On days like these, something has to give.  I can't have a City meeting, work a 9 hour day, go to the gym and be supermom all in one day.  Something has to give!  Schedule: bend to my will!!  Ugh.  See, I'm totally bonkers.

The diet is going well.  I am in ketosis - I have been in ketosis for 8 straight days.  I don't have any hunger issues, but I'm noticing that I'm starting to have some carby cravings.  There is a mental element to it, too.  I caught myself thinking "I can never eat this again".  Yes, I was talking about fried chicken, and yes, it happened last night when I was exhausted and succeptible.  So, I got myself a low carb cookbook and I'm going to see what I can do about making some fried chicken - there is a recipe in there, but it looks like I will have to get on the internet to buy the stuff I need.  Where do you even get vital wheat gluten flour??!!