My first week on the Slow Carb diet (aka The 4 Hour Body) went extremely well. I lost 2.4 pounds in the first week of the eating plan.

Then I went on vacation. I spent all of last week near Cancun, Mexico at an all-inclusive resort.

I thought about waiting to start the Slow Carb diet until after vacation, but I didn’t want to wait, I was too excited about it. When I got to the resort I knew I wouldn’t be able to follow it perfectly, and frankly I didn’t want to worry about following it perfectly. I did take the principles of it, and incorporated it into my food choices. And it worked. I felt great and did not lose my momentum.

I also was able to run 4 out of the 7 days I was there. I got up most mornings and went out for 2 to 3 miles each day. The days I didn’t run were days that we were going out on excursions that would be strenuous, so I felt good about not running.

On Friday, our last full day in Mexico, I was unsure whether I was going to run. When I woke up I felt crappy, sluggish and lethargic. So I did the one thing I knew could fix that. I ran. I ran 2.5 miles before breakfast and it made me feel so much better. We spent the day body surfing the large waves and I had tons of energy.

I ran along the beach and realized how lucky I am to have discovered running. All I had to do was bring my shoes along and I could be out there doing something not many people were doing. I could clear my mind and energize my body.

And it was easy. I didn’t have to convince myself to work out, I just laced up and left the room. I paid good money to be here and enjoy this view, so my route was agreeable.

This is the first time I have ever felt better after getting home from vacation than I did before I left. I did not have a vacation hangover. I didn’t feel regret for eating too much, and I didn’t feel gross and bloated like I had gained 10 pounds. The running really kept me happy and healthy. What can I say, I’m hooked.