I am officially one month into the program and I have had a great time keeping up the routine. I am gaining muscle and although I am not losing weight as fast as the last time I am not worried about that. I am on a cut as of this month. I had quite an interesting day today. I had to go for a shoot to a client’s office which is a 30 minute drive away from my house. Before I went for the shoot I had taken my progress picture and finished my reading task. Then I went to the gym for my first workout. I did 60 minutes of abdominal exercises and I can feel my abs for the first time in my life. I think I have enough muscle to start the process of “cutting” in which one becomes leaner over time to reveal the muscle beneath the fat. In addition to the abs, I did 20 minutes of elliptical training with periods of zone 2 and zone 3 throughout the session. I did not go for a swim today. I went home from the gym and before I left for the shoot I had some Green Tea.

I went for the shoot on my scooter. The shoot went well or so I thought until later in the evening when I sent the client images and they started nagging me about how the pictures were not well lit. But I managed that situation by finding a better lit picture. The issue is that I cannot carry a bunch of equipment for the price they are paying. Plus the client is also a friend so he let that go as long as the end product is good. I am grateful that the video I shot came out better in terms of lighting because I was afraid the lighting in his office was not adequate. I can make the end product work for him and for me since I don’t want to spend the time and fuel to go back there for a reshoot. But with things like this, luck is usually not on my side and I may have to pay for it at the cost of experience. Part of the business I suppose.

On my way back from the shoot I was driving and had to stop at an intersection for the signal to turn green. Just then a transgender human came by me and kept her cold water bottle on my arm and gave me a flying kiss before she walked away. In India the Hijra community is quite prominent and they are known to give blessings to people in exchange for cash or kind depending on the giver. They are usually at the signals asking for money in exchange for blessings but this time nothing was asked only given. I smiled awkwardly but I was not sure how to react to the flirtation because I had several feelings about it at the same time. I was happy that someone gave me a compliment, I was shocked because it was a transgender person and I was confused because I did not know how exactly to respond because I did not want her to think I was being rude. I have no problems with the trans community because they are the way nature made them and they really can’t do anything about it. But I lean slightly towards the conservative side. While I have no issues with dealing with people from different walks of life this particular situation left me a little bit out of my comfort zone. Having never been flirted with by any person, let alone a transgender person- it was quite an unusual and might I say funny experience that left me chuckling for a long time on the way home. When I told my mother about this, she roasted me by saying that it was a blessing because if no woman chooses to marry me at least that transgender person was there to look out for me. Obviously I was embarrassed but I wondered if women do flirt with me and I never realise it because there is no direct indication of it. Its strange how I go by life oblivious to what is happening around me.

While I was busy with my inadequate shoot, my mother was busy cooking up some serious cuisine. She cooked a meal that will leave even the heavens looking down in the hopes of a taste. I was greeted by some boiled Eggs with masala sprinkled on top (better than deviled eggs in my opinion), Chicken Sukka (pan roasted chicken with spices), Rice, Dal made with multiple types of lentils and the softest Naans I have ever had in my life. After the meal she even served dessert and it was less than 100 calories because it was made from sweet potatoes, milk, a little bit of sugar, cinnamon powder and a sprinkle of salt. That combination was truly heavenly. Plus there were some nuts on top! She had intended to add dark chocolate and raisins on top as well but we were out of chocolate and raisins. But it was a great meal nonetheless!

After lunch I still had a lot of time and I was tired from the commute so I took a short nap and woke up to the crows of crows. I looked out side my window and there were two crows. They were mother and child because one of them fed the other and waited for it to drink some water before they flew away. After them another crow came by and dipped a piece of meat in the water bath to wash it before gulping it down. I was a little surprised but I clean the bath regularly so I was not worried about it.

I worked for a little bit after that and went for my evening walk. I did not walk a lot but I did my 45 minutes. I headed home from there. I finished my gallon of water soon after. I had an interesting day to say the least and this program keeps bringing me new experiences. Day 30 was a success.