Before & After

I have been out of work since April 2. It probably isn't a stretch to imagine how relieved I was to be "kicked off the island" of that dreadful, awful place. For the first two months, I was practically euphoric. With my newfound free time, I decided it was the perfect time to give my life a makeover. I took advantage of six free nutritionist visits through my soon-to-be-stupefyingly-expensive-but-for-now-still-paid-for health insurance carrier. By complete dumb luck, I was able to hire a life coach-in-training for only $10 per session. I had every intention of spending my days sweating at the gym, creating succulent yet healthy recipes, catching up on my reading and transforming myself into an athletic, healthy domestic diva -- complete with spotless baseboards, mildew-free tiles in the shower, organized closets, and a spiffy new coat of paint in my kitchen, bathrooms and living room.

Well, that didn't exactly happen. Sure, I cleaned out my closets. I even scrubbed my shower stalls free of mildew (Magic Eraser...you're the bomb!). And I certainly expanded my cooking chops beyond grilled chicken and salads.

But I haven't worked out for two hours every day. At best, I make it to the gym three times a week.

I haven't judiciously recorded every item I ingest in a neat journal and tallied up my calories every day. I don't eat my recommended three servings of fruit and five servings of veggies each day. And in no WAY have I been able to shake my habit for drinking really good beer....really high-calorie beer.

So, in essence, I have lost maybe 1.5 pounds in the four-plus months since I became unemployed.

But I have slept outside more times than I can count.
I have developed more endurance for hiking than I thought I ever could (granted, it still isn't great, but far better than before).
I have triceps.
I have a pretty good tan.

And, ladies and gentlemen, I have awesome kitchen cabinets!

BEFORE

AFTER

Just wanted to share. I really needed to have SOMETHING to show for all this freakin' free time!

OB