Truthfully, the only exercise I got all weekend was the bicep curls I did with my bags of new shoes while walking around downtown San Francisco.
Eat Fresh, Day 8: Paying my penance
Garlicky Steak Salad

Garlicky Steak Salad

Who: Gina Goff, Sunset.com managing editor

This year, I’ve decided to: Pick up the pace on my weight loss by starting an exercise routine, in addition to my low-carb, sugar-free diet.

I chose this because: Every bride wants Michelle Obama arms. Those who say they don’t are liars, I tell you!

This weekend was: not so successful. I didn’t tackle T25, like I told you all I would. Instead I went to happy hour on Friday night, spent a good chunk of Saturday shoe shopping, and then surrendered the rest of my weekend to the NFL playoffs (low-carb beer only, though, I promise). Truthfully, the only exercise I got all weekend was the bicep curls I did with my bags of new shoes while walking around downtown San Francisco.

So, last night I paid my penance with the T25 video. (Technically, it was T19 for me because 19 minutes was my precise breaking point.) Moral of the story? One day off is OK once in a while, but taking three consecutive days off is a bad idea. It’s so much harder to get back into the groove, and you’d be surprised how much stamina you lose in just a few days.

My biggest temptation to cheat: Weekend fun. While my biggest hurdle to exercise (my long commute and lack of time) is not really a problem on the weekends, there is the mental hurdle that weekends = fun, and exercise = no fun.

Coping mechanism(s): Next weekend I’m going to make a point of it to plan a fun exercise outing, like a hike with friends or a trip to the trampoline gym. If it feels like socializing and not punishment, I’ll be more apt to burn some calories over the weekend.

A recipe I’m really digging: A modified version of Sunset’s Garlicky Steak Salad with Chickpeas and Artichokes from the September 2012 issue. Anything with garlic in the title is a winner in my book, so even with a few modifications, I knew I would love it. I skipped the chickpeas, in order to keep the carb count down, and half as much OJ thinned with water helped cut down on the sugar, too. And, yep, it was still delicious!

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