Shock!

My internal alarm went off just before 4am, as usual. A surprise, however, since I was too hyped up to sleep until after 11 last night. As I opened my eyes, I expected I had actually been asleep since I dozed off around 7 and being woken to the contest news had just been part of a dream.

I grabbed my phone, fully expecting I had imagined the results, but there it was. It actually happened. I won the NG contest. I had already cried at the news last night, but my swollen eyes had a go at it again. I am so, so grateful to you all. I did not, for even a moment, think I would win anything. And to see my picture next to those of such superstars… what a feeling. I am completely blown away and cannot wait to be able to pay off a loan that is weighing us down heavily. That will be life changing for me, and will improve my mood even more. If I have anything left over after that and taxes, it’ll go back as money for Disney memories in December. I misunderstood the prize amount, whoops, so my E2M scholarship idea will have to wait for my next contest win. And boy, I’m coming for it this round 2. Round 1 was just practice, baby.

My stomach was still, let’s say “uncooperative” this morning so I opted out of another risky pool venture. I don’t like rest days. I especially don’t like unscheduled rest days. But I have learned to listen to my body, something I was way out of touch with when I started here. Today, my body said I was dehydrated and healing so I didn’t push it to take energy from recovery by making it work hard. Light activity today and lots of fluids and I’m feeling much better. Energy still isn’t completely back but I expect it will be after a full night of sleep tonight. I had rice for my treat meal tonight. My stomach handled it well but ooooh man am I tired! Can’t wait to curl up in bed! I eat the carbs because that’s the process, but my body loves to eat the way the rest of my meals are. The plan is the treat, and the treat meal often feels like the workout. I’ll take feeling good over something tasting good any day.

My husband and I got some real quality time together today thanks to my Nan and my dad. We have a date night each week but it is almost always time used to run errands or doctor’s visits. Today we actually got to just go out and enjoy ourselves. His new job starts next week and our time together will be very limited by his schedule so I am sincerely appreciative of a nice, restorative day together, tummy grumbles and all.

NGs, I remember how day 3 felt. The cravings, the headache, the fatigue and the rebellion your body is trying to instigate. I remember feeling like I’d vomit if I even took another sip of water. HOLD STEADY, WARRIOR! It does pass. It does fade. It does get more agreeable. And when it does, you’ll feel better than you did before, no doubt. I never realized just how tired I was until that energy kicked in after detox. What. A. Difference. So, push a little harder! You still have a lot of grit left to dig from.

I’ll be spending the remainder of my evening with my precious daughter, where I will likely be taking on personas of various cartoon characters because my little one is the make-believe master. I may have birthed the best actress of her time. I hope you all rest well and make a plan for being even better tomorrow than today!