Thoughts: I can always tell when my PMS (and DMS–During Menstrual Syndrome!) symptoms have passed because I suddenly don’t have any urges to consume extra carbs. Unfortunately, this usually takes a week or so to happen (3-4 days before the pink pills run out, and 3 days into the green ones), during which all innocent, unsuspecting carb-heavy foods in my vicinity had better beware.

I am so happy and content eating 2000 calories a day that it’s going to be very annoying to have to cut back down to fat loss range when I’m done bulking. I don’t think I could ever go as low as I did in my first challenge again, though. 1200-1300 calories are just too low for me now; I’d be perpetually hungry. Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle will be my next fat loss experiment. More calories, more cardio, more carbs. I just contacted eDiets after ignoring the site for the past 2 months to have them raise my calories to 2000-2100 on the EFL plan. It’s so funny to see my snacks go from a paltry 160 calories all the way up to 280 in one fell swoop, LOL.

It’s exciting times for me today. My $3.59 portable karaoke machine from the Sharper Image just arrived, and I am dying to give it a try. (I used my $20 Discover Card cashback bonus to get a $40 gift card for the Sharper Image, and picked up the reconditioned player at half price. The total with shipping came out to $43.59 - $40 gift card = $3.59) Yes, I know I already have a JVC stereo component karaoke machine at home, but this one can be lugged around to house parties with a lot less hassle since it’s the size and shape of a small Foreman grill, and it comes with two microphones and five free discs. There might be NEW SONGS! (For those of you just joining me here or unfamiliar with this side of my personality, I’m a complete karaoke lunatic. I go to bars, drink bottled water all night, and sing voluntarily without a single drop of alcohol in my system. I also put the same song on repeat 20 times on my MP3 player at the gym and car to memorize it for my NEXT karaoke night out.)

Woohoo!

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Nutrition (1800-2000 calorie maintenance day)
1: 2 Puffed millet and kamut protein bars
2: Cajun spice haddock filet, fresh spinach, and apple (Strawberry chocolate shake)
3: Cottage cheese and blueberries
4: Apricot cheesecake protein bar
5: Toojay’s Mandarin chicken salad with 1/2 dressing
6: 3×1 spinach and tomato omelette with 1/3 c. (dry) oatmeal

Supplements:
Multivitamin with iron
Calcium 500 + D
1 T. flax seed oil

Calories eaten / deficit for yesterday = 2037 / -93 (target 0)
Water: 20 cups
Ratios: 44% carb / 40% protein / 17% fat

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Workout:
7:30 am Tai chi (60 minutes)
8:30 am Half HIIT/half steady-state cardio - Treadmill (Intervals 4.5, 6, 7, 8 with 10 mph max, with steady-state at 6 mph for 10 mins)
3:00 pm 1 mile walk (4 mph, 15 mins)
10:00 pm 20 minute yoga cd

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The Awful Truth:
1. Tried to stay at 1800 yesterday, but got the munchies when I got home from work and had an extra crispy protein bar. At least it was authorized!

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Brownie Points:
1. Did the dishes during lunch.
2. Made it to tai chi this morning for the first time in weeks.

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Short-term Goals:
1. Clean the kitchen.
2. Put new graphics card back into old computer so I can at least format the drives and reinstall the OS.
3. Take current bulking progress pics.
4. Do not play with karaoke machine or Sims until all of the above are done.