"Holy" Thursday? "Good" Friday? Oh, Holy Badness (Days 28 & 29)

The Easter holiday is celebrated in a big way in Belize, with much of the celebrations similar to week-long "spring break" parties. The so-called "Holy Week" kicks off early in Placencia with everyone starting the party on Thursday, and I was tempted to just take the day off and enjoy the celebrations. I wasn't feeling very motivated, especially since I had been feeling discouraged with my lack of progress. But I was determined to keep going, and somehow I dug deep and found the will to exercise. 

Wanting to change things up a bit and add a little more cardio, I dug out the hated P90X "Plyometrics" dvd and popped it in the blu-ray player. It's the most challenging set of exercises for me, but I managed to keep up for the first 38 minutes before I had to take a break for a few minutes, and then managed another 10 minutes. It seemed like the longest 48 minutes of my life, but I was happy that I slogged through it as best I could, and earned myself another point in the "win" column. 

Good Friday dawned sunny, hot, and beautiful. Since many of our friends were off work and celebrating the holiday, we joined them for a day cruise on the Placencia Princess, our local party boat. We had so much fun, dancing on the upper deck on the long boat ride to the island, swimming for hours at Robert's Caye, and dancing even more on the return trip, but sadly, that was all the exercise I did Friday.

Unfortunately, I fell off the "healthy me" wagon, and got dragged behind it for a few miles too.   

Yes, I admit it. I was actually very bad. I didn't exercise at all, unless dancing and swimming counts. Or if trying to hold my drink above water while the waves crashed around me can be considered exercise. I also consumed a lot of alcoholic calories and indulged myself with several, terribly delicious cigarettes. And I didn't care. I was having FUN! And it felt sooooo good to be so bad! 

The tailgate on my wagon was already a little loose, and the siren song of orange juice, vodka, and Pall Malls was too strong to resist. And once the tailgate fell free, I jumped with abandon, happily and unapologetically, off the wagon. Screwdriver in one hand and cigarette in the other. And fell flat on my crybaby "I want to get healthy" face. 

I don't know how many screwdrivers or cigarettes I had, I can only say it was a lot of each. My e-cig, "Bud," lay forgotten in the pocket of my beach bag, reprimanding me silently with his darkened blue light every time I reached for my towel or another Pall Mall. That is, until I finally rolled him up inside my shirt at the bottom of the bag to hide his sad, judgmental little blue eye. 

My only saving grace, if there is such a thing, is that I didn't really eat anything too terrible, but only because I am too picky to eat a sausage on a stick or a gnarly hotdog, standard fare on the Princess day cruise. And at least when we returned to the village and stopped by the Purple Space Monkey for dinner, I did make a somewhat healthier choice with the shrimp and vegetable curry. 

But over all, it was not a healthy day. And I know, I know, I've already read myself the riot act for smoking.

Bad choices, we've all made a few. I know I made a few on Good Friday, at least if I want to be healthier. I guess I am only human, after all, and I will never be perfect. I'm just a girl who wants to join the party when the rest of her friends are having fun. And I did. 

I know the world won't end, but I also know the ramifications of the choices I make. And I realize it will take me longer to reach my goals each time I choose to make those "bad" choices. 

I can only forgive myself for being "bad" on Good Friday, and simply try again to do better tomorrow. Sometimes I think it's all any of us can do. See you then!