PROGRESS!!!

Not much, but every little bit counts.

First and foremost, my first official weigh in (I weighed in on 1/7/2009, but that was my 'baseline')

1/14/2009: -3 lbs

Holy cow, 3 lbs in a week. I was actually pleasantly surprised. I have been working out and dieting, but when I was really working out a year ago, the scales never seemed to budge. Of course I was nursing then and G was only a few months old, but yesterday I was genuinely surprised with what the scales told me.

So how's it going??? Not too bad. I am really enjoying my work outs. I have so much energy just from the last week and a half. It is awesome how much of a difference being active makes. I am also increasing my stamina in my strength training and cardio workouts. I moved up from a 5 lb weight for my upper body strength training to an 8 lb weight. THAT felt awesome! My heart rate on my cardio workouts is much better too. I was maxing out at 167-170 in the height of my workout, and now I am not even breaking 160!

The diet I do not enjoy. I am doing it, but it definitely is not something I prefer to do. I think I'm finally over my break up with Coca Cola...it was a rough one (one that gave me a headache for 4 days straight), but I made it. To be honest I don't really miss caffiene much, except when I am out with friends and they all get coffee. Is it ok to be a social drinker ;) I will most likely reintroduce caffiene in small amounts in another month or so, but I really want to give my body a good cleansing.

While the diet isn't fun, it has made me feel better. I don't get that heavy feeling in my gut after a meal because I use major portion control. Sunday I even skipped the rice from my mom's delicious Chicken n' Rice meal. I am also discovering what a difference having a diet with tons of fruit and veggies in it can do. I also discovered (I'm a bit behind the times) VitaminWater. I love that stuff. It does have 125 calories per 20 ounces, so I only get one each day, but it is great! My favorite is the XXX (acai, blueberry, pomegranete). It is yummy and chock full of antioxidants. I am not good at taking my vitamins, so hopefully this helps a little.

So here are my goals for the next week (or two):

1. Continue dieting, consuming 1500 calories/day (no more AND no less)
2. Continue working out at the gym 4 days a week but increase the resistance and incline on my cardio workouts. I want to keep my heart rate right at 160 for the maximum cardio workout.
3. Move up a level in my strength training. Currently I am using the beginners video, but as I have moved to heavier weights I feel I am ready to get more of a challenge.
4. Walk more during the day. I have many days that are busy, busy and I am out and about all day. Then there are other days I am at my desk and mostly sedentary all day long. On those days I want to get up at least twice (15 minute breaks) and walk the building or outside if the weather permits.

Ok...I'll report back on how it is going. Good luck, everyone!!!