Sep 4

Sep 4 Throwing Caution...Weekly Weight Update

Over the last two weeks or so I have had trouble sleeping. If I wasn't tossing and turning trying to turn of my brain I was watching TV or playing video games trying to distract it. I didn't want to go to sleep because it meant I had to do something I had come to dread; go to work the next day. So after weeks of sleepless nights, long conversations with my family, and deep soul searching I threw caution to the wind and took a leap. On Monday I submitted my letter of resignation, giving six weeks notice that I'm leaving my job.

It's a scary thing to do when you don't have another job in place but I couldn't continue doing what I was doing. It's time to move on when every work day starts with that sinking, nauseous feeling in your gut. And since my contract requires me to give six weeks notice (as opposed to the standard two weeks), I knew I had to pull the trigger sooner rather than later.

The hardest part was knowing I would be putting significant pressure on my coworkers, who I like very much and consider close friends. In fact, my affection for my friends is what kept me going in this job as long as I did but at a certain point you have to be selfish and do what is best for you. If I was planning to continue to be an auditor then these are the people I'd want to work with but it's time to get out of auditing.

I'm pursuing multiple options as I take a flying leap in my career. As of now I'm not certain where I will land but I'm not worried. I have until October 7th; six weeks to find my next adventure. I have a loving family that supports me in my decision. And as of Monday night, after submitting my resignation, I finally have a good night's sleep.

Big decisions don't stop the world from turning so work must go on. That is why I spent the remainder of the work week at a client in downtown DC. I really don't mind going downtown as long as I can take the Metro. The ride gives me time to read or write or listen to podcasts that I normally wouldn't be able to do while driving to the office.

The biggest downside to going to a client site downtown is that I'm forced to dine out instead of bringing my lunch to work. No matter how hard I try I can't seem to get as healthy a meal dining out as I would bringing my sack lunch from home. I did my best but I'm sure I could have done better.

The metro stop in Reston has a farmer's market every Wednesday

I got in my regular Tuesday run in which was very relaxing after the start of my week. However, I didn't make it to OrangeTheory on Thursday because I had(?) to go to work event. I’ll admit that the event was a bit awkward seeings as I had turned in my resignation just four days prior. It was quite uncomfortable replying to the question “who are you with?” when you know the time you are with that organization is limited. It may have been prudent for me to forgo the event but it was being held at Capitol City Brewing Company so I didn’t want to miss out on the opportunity to get a craft beer while earning a continuing professional education credit in the process.

If you have to go out for business it helps for the place to have a good beer list.

Because of the event not only did I skip OrangeTheory but I didn’t get in a workout of any kind on Thursday. I have written before about one of my biggest fears (in the realm of exercise and weight loss) is missing a workout and falling into the trap of not working out. When I got home I thought about going for a run but it was already pretty late and after a beer I was sluggish so I skipped running. I hope that missing a single workout won’t ruin what I have worked so hard for but I believe the fact that I recognize and acknowledge the fear it will be easily overcome.

And the proof came on Friday when I did a make up workout (sort of). Since the holiday was approaching my firm closed the office early which meant I got home around 2:30pm on Friday afternoon. I used these “found” hours to get in a decent run of about 3 miles before picking Cece up from school. It was a beautiful day so I was glad to get out and run among the old, beautiful houses of downtown Herndon.

During my run I was listening to a podcast and the two host were discussing the consumption of soup. Isn’t it weird that simply hearing someone discuss eating a particular dish can result make you crave that dish with the burning passion of the sun? Because of that craving, Cece and I went over to The Wine Cabinet because along with wine they stock some of the best soup you’ll ever have in your life. The family goes there semi-regularly so we are always recognized. The people there are the best in the world and they all love Cece, which is great when going into a beer and wine shop.

Cece and I made our way to be back freezer to pick out our soups for the evening. Imagine our disappointment to see the shelves completely empty. I was sad to be leaving without soup but I couldn’t leave without grabbing a few beers to keep on hand so we went to check out and I asked Dave, the beer man, about the missing soup. He informed me that the freezer had died so all the soup had to be stocked in the freezer of restaurant next door.

I really wanted that soup so I asked if there was any way to grab a couple. I’d be happy to pay and take the receipt next door to grab the soup because it was the day before a holiday weekend and the store was hopping. Dave, being the amazing customer service provider that he is, not only allowed us to buy our soup but then walked us next door to grab the soup out of the freezer. I’m telling you people that this is an amazing store with great people. If you are remotely close to Reston make sure to check out The Wine Cabinet for your beer, wine, and soup needs.

When you pick up the kid early from work you must hang out on the couch and watch some TV.

Saturday was a pretty productive day. I started off with a walk to downtown Herndon in order to get my last eye exam related to my lasik surgery a year ago. Walking is a great thing. Two years ago I never would have thought to walk to downtown Herndon in the morning for an appointment but now I don’t even hesitate.

The rest of the day was filled with a birthday party for a two-year-old, lots of mowing the grass and other yard work, and playtime with the family. It was a rather exhausting day but spending time outside in the beautiful weather was well worth the tired feelings. Sure, I didn’t get in my usual Saturday run but that didn’t stop me from getting in lots of activities which is really the purpose of the whole thing.

With my mind and body elsewhere this week I didn’t keep up or check in with my weight at all. It was a crap shoot as to whether I gained weight, lost weight, or stayed the same. Looking back over the week I don’t think I did the best I could possibly do in order to lose weight but I also didn’t go overboard like I would have in the past. The result was positive as I maintained my weight staying at 206.8 and the total weight loss at 60.2. I'm looking forward to the first full week of September where I'll be able to bring my lunch to work everyday and hopefully keep on a regular workout schedule.

Since I was taking the metro downtown, going to work events on workout nights, and basically discombobulated I knew that I wouldn’t have a good mileage week. Luckily for the challenge Rizzo also was back as school for her first week so it was pretty much a dead heat the entire way. Rizzo already had the month of August locked up so the month ended with Rizzo having 161.7 miles compared to my pathetic 147.8 miles. This week was close, so close that we tied with 34.2 miles each. But a new month is upon us and it is time to get back in action. Rizzo will enjoy her Red Door Spa for the victory in the month of August. I hope to get back on track for September because with a victory I’ll be seeing what is sure to be Ben Affleck’s masterpiece, The Accountant.

P.S. Here are some other random pictures from the week.