Tuesdays Never Got So Much Attention

It's Tuesday! Taylor has stuck with her May project, and I am joining in again this week. 

This was the first week since I started exercising and changed my diet that I had a certain monthly visitor. I have to say, my issues must be seriously related to my period. (Sorry! I am talking about my period!) There was a definite noticeable shift for me, as far as my energy level went, feeling motivated, attitude; honestly, it was crazy to note the difference. Yesterday and today were better (even though I have a ridiculously out of whack cycle, it seems like the beginning is the hardest on me).

I stuck with the exercise and the lower calorie diet, drank only water, and resisted things (for the most part) like brownies, ice cream, and extra waffles. (In the interest of full disclosure, I did eat a few small bites of the brownies that I made, here and there. I also licked a couple of ice cream spoons after serving the kids.) I weighed myself today and I was down one more pound from last week. Out of curiosity, I weighed myself earlier in the day and then again tonight, and it was exactly the same both times. I thought that was interesting. 

A couple of days ago, I began Level 3 of The 30 Day Shred. I am still walking/jogging each day. And truthfully, most people wouldn't call what I do "jogging," but it's bouncier than walking. So, I'm bouncing. And I'm doing it uphill. But not when I have the jogger (ironically). When I have Eliana, I just walk fast, and I am able to keep my heart rate up without adding the bounce. 

I have really enjoyed the exercise. It feels good to be doing something that contributes to my fitness. Here are a couple of pictures; I can see a difference, and hopefully it's not just wishful thinking. (I promise that is not a not-so-subtle call for compliments on my endeavors. I hope it doesn't sound that way.)

This is last October. You might look at this picture of me and think I look fine. And I guess I do look fine, but...to me, I don't look like me, at least the me that I am used to. My arms were bigger, my face was bigger, and my tummy was bigger than any other time in my life, other than when I was pregnant. And even then, it was a different kind of bigger. I'm also sure I was holding it in for the picture. When I let my belly go, I looked six months pregnant. And I know I had gained weight even since October. 

A friend took this picture last weekend (Saturday) and sent it to me. I know it's not a great shot as far as seeing anything other than my head,

but I think my face does look different. I am planning on getting a photo taken wearing the same Texas Rangers shirt at the end of the month, to do a better comparison.

So, I know the changes are taking place. I know I am getting stronger, and things like taking the stairs to the third floor at church or even carrying the laundry from the laundry room up to where I fold it don't make me quite as winded as they used to. I still have quite a roll around my middle, and those irritating saddlebag-like pouches on my outer thighs. I am curious to see what happens to those areas, say, in another month.  

I have to keep telling myself that getting to a better place takes a lot of work. And when you start out with this kind of material... 

well, 30 days just isn't that long.

Comments

[The Lumberjack's Wife]

You look great! Keep it up! I did 30 day shred once and did not lose much weight, but I could totally tell my body was slimming down.