18 Pounds

I have lost 18 pounds since February 27th.  I can't believe it.

This the first time in my life where I have lost a significant amount of weight in a completely healthy way - eating real, healthy foods and exercising.  In my high school/college years I tried a lot of fad diets, some of them made up by me (like "I'm going to eat as little food as I can during the day so I can eat a lot of ice cream at night!" Yeah, that one didn't last long but I did lose a few pounds.  I must not have been eating enough ice cream).  There were many times where I did lose weight.  But I never kept it off, because I couldn't make my eating habits a lifestyle change.  It just didn't work for me when there were too many restrictions; not for the long haul.

But this time is different.  Over the past year, we have cut out fast food, fried food, and processed foods.  I am eating REAL food, and any of that real food that I want - I am just watching my portions carefully and only eating when I'm truly hungry.

This past week, I also began exercising regularly.  I made it to the gym 6 days last week, giving myself Sunday to rest.  I lost 3 pounds that week, and sweating felt great.  I never thought that I would say this, but I am truly enjoying it, and I look forward to going every afternoon.

On Saturday, Jon and I signed up for a 7 day guest pass at Bally Total Fitness.  The gym in our complex isn't too exciting, and I am interested in some classes.  We went on Saturday, and I went again today.

Don't mind the splattered lovebug guts on my window.

The class they were offering today after work was salsa.  I was planning on going, because I felt that I needed to try as many classes as possible to see if it was worth joining.  However, other than tap, I am a miserable dancer.  I can't move my hips to save my life.  So I was all in a panic, equating this dance class to going to the doctor.  I thought that I surely would not survive the class.  Until I realized that I didn't have to go.  So I didn't, and I enjoyed a calm, stress-free "jog" on the elliptical trainer.

 I think tomorrow's class is Boot Camp.  That sounds scary too.  I will try not to panic this time.