If You're Catholic and You Know It, Raise Your Hand...

...because this means today is extra un-fun. Normally, I prefer NOT to talk about this but it is diet related so I have decided to bring it up. For many Catholics, today is a day of strict fasting. This means that all of your meals should add up to one normal meal and there should be no snacking in between--not even gum! You should avoid alcohol and meat, except for fish. As I'm sure you've guessed, I love to eat and I LOVE to feel full. That is absolutely not what this day is about and I can honestly say that I stress about it all Holy Week. "What can I eat to make myself feel fuller longer? When I get hungry in between meals, which is inevitable, how can I distract myself? How many glasses of water do you think you'll drink before the end of the day? What am I going to do if I feel like my stomach is revolting against the rest of my body because i am so incredibly hungry?" Really, I've been freaking out since at least Monday!

So here is my menu today:
Breakfast: glass of water, 2 pieces of high fiber bread with peanut butter and slices of banana, V8 juice
Morning Snack: glass of water
Lunch: 1/2 sandwich with lettuce and tuna, raw veggies (green pepper slices, cucumber slices, and baby carrots), an apple and a Naked Power-C drink
Afternoon Snack: glass of water
Dinner: Cafe Napoli--house salad with dressing on the side and 1/3 serving of Penne San Remo (spicy tomato sauce with shrimp, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, and fresh basil), glass of water

Now, I'm a huge supporter of snacking so my actual meals have more calories than I would normally intake on a daily basis. As I was obsessively planning out my day, I wondered if other people plan out their meals like I do. I always know what Patrick and I are going to have for dinner during the week and I basically eat the same thing everyday for lunch. However, as is evidenced by the nutrition above, planning meals is key to any well-balanced and successful diet. When you are trying to eat better/healthier, you will probably be cutting calories but you want to make sure you leave in the stuff that's important which means you have to think ahead! What a good lesson being Catholic has taught me.

When Patrick got home from his workout last night, he was all smiles. "What are you so happy about? Did you have a good workout?" He responded, "Yeah, I did. I did what you said and lifted and even stayed longer and did some abs. When I wanted to quit, I was like, 'No. You always quit." and I pushed through all the pain." I am so proud of my husband and all of the hard work he is putting into his diet and exercise plan. What was even more important (and impressive) is that my husband, the Big Dipper, managed to eat the hummus I set out for our raw veggies in moderation. I watched in awe as he lightly dipped his green pepper slices and didn't even finish his bowl of chili. When questioned, he said, "I'm full." That aboy Patrick!!! He's doing awesome!

Easter weekend will prove to be a challenge I'm sure but I know he'll pass with flying colors!