Feeling awfully good about myself!

So, I've been working really hard at losing weight these days. I joined Weight Watchers in July and I'm down 31 pounds since then. I think I've mentioned, Alex and I have joined a gym and I've been pretty faithful about going there at least three times per week. I do thirty to forty five minutes of cardio (treadmill, cycling and sometimes elliptical) and sometimes I throw in some weight circuits just for good measure. I HATE working out. I really do. Well, actually, it's the getting motivated to go work out that gets me. I'm not motivated, not really.

But I keep asking myself how badly do I want this? How much do I want to lose this extra weight once and for all and what am I willing to do to lose it?

Tonight, Alex was worn out. His sleep pattern is always weird and off and on and tonight he was too tired to go to the gym. It would have been easy for me to use that as an excuse to stay home. But I didn't. I went. On my own. And I did my full work out.

The thing is, once I am there, it feels good. I do like it. I feel better working out and it's fun. It's just getting there that's the hassle. But, oh well, I did it!! And that makes me feel pretty damn good about me.

My overall weight goal is big but I can't think about that. That would be too much to handle and I would be frustrated and quit. So, I am taking it one pound at a time, one meal at a time, one work out at a time. And it's working. I have two newish pair of jeans that I can no longer wear. And not because they're too tight. They're way too big! I can put them on and take then off without unzipping them! Hahah! So, I'm making a box load of clothes to give away.

Also, since the holidays are looming. I'm going to take part in a Food Collection Challenge. For every pound I lose between now and Thanksgiving, I'm going to donate a pound of non-perishable items to a local food bank. It's gonna be good seeing that food donation pile grow as the pounds come off!

My ultimate fitness goal is to be able to run. Oh, I can run now but I mean to run...like a long way...outside. Just for fun! It's coming. I know it is. Until then, one pound at a time. I'll get there!

OUCH!

I'm hurting today. A low ache has o'er taken my body and it's not letting up. I know this is because I may have overdone the whole working out thing this week. I worked out nearly every day. Now, for some, that might not mean a lot. For me, a consummate couch potato, it means my legs and ankles are throbbing and my ass hurts. Sorry to be so blunt, but it does!

I am a firm believer that "no pain, no gain" does work though. So, I just keep thinking that each ache means I have worked off another ounce or two and, for that, I should be grateful. Still, I'm not so sure that I should have to wait for a few seconds when I stand up just so I can let everything settle and stop hurting before I can take a step! Lemme tell ya, getting out of bed this morning was a lesson in physics. I stood up, held onto the table and counted, "One-one thousand, two-one thousand..." before I could get any momentum going. Oh, once I did I was okay. But for a moment...just one fleeting moment...I thought I was going to have to stand there for the rest of the day.

There is a downside to all this physical activity. I mean, I KNOW I actually feel better having taken on this "working out" persona. But, as it happens, I have a problem with my right foot and Achilles. I had several heel spurs on my right heel. One HUGE one on the bottom and two on the back that were aggravating my tendon. The spurs are almost gone but the tendon took some wear and tear. I have to ice it and take an anti-inflammatory medication, and wear this cockamamie elastic brace for a couple of hours each night. The brace is a killer too. It keeps my foot in a flexed position and it HURTS LIKE HELL! Make no bones about it, I am a whiner and a wimp when it comes to this brace. So, you see, while I am getting into shape I am slowly breaking down too!

Is that called "multi-tasking"? LOL

Working it out...

I think I mentioned that I have joined a gym and started Weight Watchers. Haven I mentioned that? Well, if I haven't - there it is - I have. I've been working out for 30-45 minutes at least every other day. On the alternate days, I've been swimming laps in my sister's pool.

I know the length of those works out may not seem impressive to some but, for me, a full blown couch potato, they have been paramount to kick starting a whole new me. I've even been eating five servings of fruits or vegetables each day. And drinking plenty of water. All of this has led up to a weight loss of 18 lbs in the last 7 weeks. I'm on a roll here and I love it.

I won't tell you how much I have to lose. That's my secret. But when I get there, you'll hear about it. Lord, everyone will hear about it because I'll be screaming it from the roof tops! Hahaha!