Week 19 - School Hols, Slow Days & Back to STRIP

As we know, this was another recovery week.

And honestly, I’ve realised how important recovery actually is.

Annoying? Yes.

Necessary? Also yes.

But I’m actually really proud of myself because I have been resting way more than I normally would, listening to my body, and not trying to be a hero for absolutely no reason.

Growth.

Monday was the start of school holidays, and all five of us were home.

It was Jason’s rostered day off with Arlo, so we spent the day at home together, which was actually really nice.

I did my meal prep for the week, which was 100g white rice, 100g lean mince cooked with no oil and taco seasoning, plus veggies.

Simple. Easy. Repeatable.

The holy trinity of meal prep.

We also had a great support call on Monday, which I always love.

Other than that, we didn’t really do much.

And honestly? Perfect.

A boring Monday at home was exactly what recovery Casey needed.

Tuesday I had my nieces and nephews, and I took everyone to an obstacle course.

The kids had the best day.

I sat in the sun and read my book!!!

I, however, was definitely quite sore by the end of the day after driving and probably picking up a few things I shouldn’t have.

So that’s on me.

Recovery lesson of the week: just because you can do something does not mean you should.

Rude, but true.

Tuesday was also a busy check-in day, so once again, a lot of the day was spent working away and trying to keep up while still being in recovery mode.

Wednesday, the kids went to their friends’ house for the day, which was great.

Tuesday and Wednesday were both busy with check-ins, and on Wednesday we also had our team meeting and support call.

We’re planning for the next cohort to start, which is always exciting.

It’s such a fun little reset point. New people, new goals, new questions, new energy.

Thursday morning was very quiet at home.

One of the best things about having an eight-year-old and a ten-year-old is that they are so much more self-sufficient now. They are happy doing their hobbies, reading their books, playing games and just doing their own thing.

It is very different to the toddler stage where someone is either trying to climb something, empty something, eat something weird or scream because their banana broke.

So Thursday morning I made myself a nice breakfast and sat down to read my book.

Honestly, this week just flew by.

Friday I went shopping because we had a family birthday dinner that night.

I also bought myself a hard copy of Threshing Day to add to my list, because apparently I am now collecting books like I don’t already have enough things in this house.

But books are different.

Books don’t count.

Friday I had my nieces and nephews again, and we went to Flip Out.

The kids also brought their iPads over and played Roblox together.

Honestly, kids these days hanging out together on iPads in the same room will never not be funny to me.

Like, hello, you are physically next to each other.

But they love it.

Then Friday night we had a family dinner, which was lovely.

Saturday it rained all day, so it became a movie day and a chill day.

I read most of the day while the kids played, and we watched a bunch of different movies and just hung out.

Very boring.

Very recovery.

Very necessary.

Sunday morning we were woken up really early because our neighbour, who was away, said her camera went off, and so did another neighbour’s camera, because someone was roaming around the front of their house.

So Jason went and inspected the perimeter.

Very serious.

Very security guard.

Everything was okay, thankfully.

After that, I went and had breakfast with one of my friends, which was really nice.

Then the kids went to a friend’s house, and I hung out with Jason and Arlo for the day.

Jason was really tired and tried to nap, but Arlo was absolutely not having a bar of it.

Arlo was in one of those cheeky moods where you can tell he knows exactly what he is doing.

Tiny menace.

Very cute.

Very exhausting.

After that, I picked the kids up and we watched the NRL grand final.

It hasn’t finished yet while I’m writing this blog, so to be confirmed who wins.

And honestly, I think it will be bed soon for me. I’m tired and a little bit tender today, so I’m taking the hint.

That’s really it.

A very boring recovery week.

But sometimes boring is the whole point.

Now I’m going to be brutally honest.

I have really struggled with being at maintenance for the past few weeks and pausing my STRIP phase.

I know it was the right thing to do.

I know my body needed recovery calories.

I know healing had to be the priority.

But mentally, it has still been hard.

From tomorrow, I’m going to ease back into STRIP.

My recovery is going really well, and I feel comfortable reducing my calories again, but I’m also not being silly about it.

What I’ll be eating is going to be extremely nutritious.

I’ve put together a meal plan that I can repeat every day because honestly, that’s easier for me. It includes avocado, cottage cheese, rye bread, lean meats, spinach, vegetables, rice, yoghurt, nuts, bananas and apples.

So I can still fuel my body, support my recovery and ease back into my fat loss phase.

I see my surgeon on Tuesday, so I’ll find out when I can start hiking again. But based on how I’m feeling with tenderness, I don’t think it will be just yet.

I cannot imagine walking uphill, swinging my arms and getting out of breath right now.

So for now, I’ll stick to the walking I’m already doing and keep listening to my body.

Now for check-in.

Week: 19 Phase: CONTROL / recovery calories, easing back into STRIP Nutrition adherence: 7/7 Weekly average steps: 10050 Training: 0 - recovery Average body weight change: did not weigh!

The things I’m most proud of this week are:

• Continuing to prioritise recovery even when it feels boring

• Keeping meals simple and prepped

• Listening to my body when I felt sore or tender

• Letting the week be slower instead of trying to force more

• Still showing up for check-ins and support calls

• Being honest with myself about struggling mentally with maintenance

• Planning a nutritious way to ease back into STRIP without being reckless
  

The areas I need to improve next week are:

• Ease back into STRIP carefully

• Keep protein high and meals nutrient-dense

• Don’t rush hiking until the surgeon clears me and my body feels ready

• Keep walking gently

• Keep recovery as the priority even while calories come down

• Don’t let impatience make decisions for me
  

So that was Week 19.

Next week I’m easing back into STRIP, but with a plan that still supports my body.

Because yes, I want results.

But I also want to recover properly.