One Month Down!!!

Wow, can't believe we already completed a whole month of P90X!  My hubby and I are both feeling better in general and have totally overhauled our eating habits.  We're still on the "fat shredder" phase of nutrition, which amounts to a lot of proteins and veggies and very little straight carbs.  Not so hard for me since I have to avoid gluten, as well, but a major change for him.  As a result (and probably due to that pesky "guy" gene that makes them lose weight so much faster than women), he has lost more than twice as much as I have so far.  I'm down 3 pounds and he's down 8 pounds at last weigh in.  I know he's frustrated not to lose more, faster, but I'm happy with the fact that we're both going down.  And eating much healthier portions and types of foods. 

We've reduced red meats to about once per meat and are relying more on poultry and seafood.  Yes, that means we *gasp* are buying seafood from the store.  As a recreational fisherman, "buying" our seafood is almost sacreligious to my hubby.  (It doesn't help if I make the arguement that it actually costs about the same or is CHEAPER to buy it as to purchase a fishing license, pay lots of money in gas, fishing gear, and boat upkeep...that's not his point.)  We're eating lots of salads and trying to figure out new, tasty, and healthy ways to give us some variety in our veggie eating.  We've had egg frittatas with just about every meat and veggie combination you can imagine.  And are enjoying fruit and almond milk protein shakes a few times each week.  Dinners have been a little trickier, as my 3 children don't need to be on a carb-restricted diet and are still growing kiddos.  So, I'm sad to say that after 12 years of sticking to insisting that there is no need to cook multiple meals (everyone should eat together and eat the same thing), I am sometimes cooking 2 different main dishes.  Breaded Orange Chicken for the kids, but grilled spicy tilapia fillets for us, for example.  This seems to keep everyone happy and isn't TOO much extra work for the cook.  And, we don't do that every night.  Sometimes I'll have rolls or something else carb on the table, just for the kids...hubby usually okay with not having any, but it is not easy to have them right there in front of us and not be able to eat any.

Overall, I am so very proud of my husband and a little surprised of myself...that we have both stuck to the daily morning workouts and nutrition guide.  Month One down...and on to Month Two!

***On a side note, our dear bunny, Tori, did not make it through her illness and succumbed to the myxomatosis virus.  Our other sweet bunny and her much loved penmate, Jack, began showing signs of the virus and quickly lost interest in eating or moving a few days after her death.  We buried him next to her 4 days later.  Along with the bunny drama, this week presented challenge after challenge to us.  While Tori was sick, our youngest turned 7 and had the accompanying family birthday celebrations, party with friends, and trip to local performing arts center to see Jack Hanna with my mom.  Of course, we had 3 days in a row of 4-H meetings (for 1, 2, or all 3 of the kids).  I cancelled what would have been the 1st of 4 days in a row of meetings, since I am the leader and could not pull it together to do that, too, last weekend.  Then we entered the week and my mom (and daily childcare for my kiddos) got sick...sick enough that she was miserable for the entire week.  My 10 year old also got sick...thought it was the same thing at first, but then turned into congestion and stayed home from school for 2 days.  12 year old stayed home the next day, although his may have been sympathy sickness.  In the midst of that, my 88 year old grandmother got sick, had a variety of similar and also different issues, and so we went in for a brief visit to the hospital (gave her a boost with IV fluids).  Did I mention I was also rear-ended in the middle of my work day, driving between different work sites, also? 

It has been a rough week, but also one that has reminded me of the many blessings in my life.  Here are some of the things I have learned, or been reminded of, this week...some funny, some somber, many related to the recent loss of pets:
1.  Although our rabbits started as 4-H animals, they did turn into beloved family pets and their illnesses and passing was much more tramatic than I had expected.
2.  Hearing a diagnosis of a fatal virus is a huge blow and difficult to adjust to when you thought you were bringing in a bunny with a simple eye infection.
3.  When Mom loses it and cries, the rest of the family, including hubby, falls apart.
4.  Everyone handles death in different, and sometimes unexpected, ways.  I was not prepared for my 7 year old's reaction.  When Tori had had her last breath, I told her she could still pet her.  She first ripped the sign that said, "Do Not Pet (she is sick)" off the cage.  When I pulled her blanket down to reveal her serene and comfortable body, my daughter got in the pen with her.  And then grabbed and shook her.  My mom, who was still their after the Jack Hanna performance, made some kind of noise.  Once I recovered from my surprise, I explained to the 7 year old that even though Tori couldn't feel anything, we are still gentle.  Was not prepared for that somewhat violent reaction.  Maybe it was an upwelling of all of her emotions?  Maybe it was that she just really REALLY wanted her to wake up?  I'm not sure.
5.  It helps to have a "job" to do when a pet is dying.  For my husband and son, this was to dig the hole and make a headstone.  Also for my son to lower her into the hole when it was time.  For my 7 year old, it was to draw a picture to give to and bury with bunny.  For my 10 year old, it was to add a carrot into the grave with bunny.  (Again, not expecting her to break it into pieces and chuck it into the hole, hitting the peaceful bunny with pieces.  Son came unglued with this at first, but then was okay once I reminded him Tori couldn't feel it and that it was okay.)
6.  Kids sometimes have the best words of love and thanks. So impressed at the maturity and composed thoughts, albeit through sobs.  Our 7 year old started with the first words..."She was the best bunny in the world.  Tori was always nice and we really loved her."  Nobody complained that it wasn't fair or asked for anything self-centered.  Just fond memories and asking for God to watch over her in heaven.  And 100% focused on Tori.
7.  Even 6'2" men will sob over the loss of a little bunny.  And bring their wives to tears.
8.  After a loss, sibling fighting and arguements vanish and everyone just wants to sit together on one couch.  No bickering about touching each other.  Just a lot of grace for each of our differences.
9.  Illness and death of a second pet within a few days doesn't seem to have quite the same punch, at the time, as the first.  Was it that we were still a bit numb?  That we knew what to expect?  That Jack and Tori were together again?  Relief that it was over and there would be no more illness, of this particular virus, anyway?  I don't know.  But, while we were still sad and loving with the second backyard burial in 4 day, there was not as much of the sobbing and feelings of raw loss.
10.  We are so blessed to have family close by and so involved with the care of our children.
11.  I am thankful that my mom not only watches my kids, but does so much for my grandmother.  It is also a blessing that she is retired and able to do so much during the day.  While my dad and I both wanted to be there and help my grandmother, it was a challenge juggling our schedules and both of our many meetings to arrange coverage and make sure she was okay.  But it was necessary, as my mom was down for the count with a sick bug of her own.
12.  I am also thankful to have the medical knowledge I have.  It comes in handy with the care of sick bunnies and well as with sick family members, of the people variety.
13.  Reminded, with the many trials we have faced this week and shared thoughts from friends over the past year about the preciousness of life, to enjoy each day to its fullest and remember what is most important in our lives.  Living each day as if it could be your last is more meaningful.  Would I be proud of how I conducted myself or spent my time?  Am I doing my very best to be a positive and praise-worthy role model for my children?  Am I also teaching them the life skills they need to have success and options in their own lives, and with focus on the "right" priorities?  Am I being the best partner, friend, and supporter of my husband?  Am I a good friend and family member to those in my life?  Am I doing my best each and every minute I am at work to make a positive difference in the lives of the children, parents, and educators I work with?
14.  I love my life.  And am thankful for the road that has gotten me to today, including the past week, which has not been in the least bit easy.

Signing off for today...going to fuel up with a P90X nutrition-based breakfast and head out for a mountain bike ride with the man who has my heart, to enjoy our beautiful central coast!