Results!!

I am finally seeing some results! It's not much but it is enough for me--for now. It is very difficult to continue working so hard when you don't see results. The idea of passing up the foods you love, getting up early to fit in a workout, the workout itself, is all frustrating if it seems in vain.

Finally I am showing signs of losing weight. I know it is not visible to anyone else because it is such a small amount of weight loss but I can feel it. Isn't it funny how we can wake up one morning and feel like we just lost 20 pounds. Excitedly we get on the scale to discover we did lose weight but, only 1 pound. Although it is a great feeling to feel like you have lost a ton of weight, the results of only 1 pound can be frustrating. I can't say it has totally discouraged me from going off my diet but it is a disappointment sometimes. I have to remind myself that it comes off slower than it goes on. We all know this but that doesn't keep us from thinking we are going to do something no one has ever done before--lose it all over night. Admit it, you think it sometimes. Well, maybe not all of it but a lot of it.

I feel like I have a good start and this is the year I am finally going to get rid of this excess weight for good. It is taking every waking moment to concentrate on my "lifestyle change." One thing that really helps is logging in everything I eat. There are lots of different websites and apps that help you. I have discovered--thanks to my friend Diana--"My Fitness Pal" that is www.myfitnesspal.com What I like best about this site is at the end of the day I hit the complete button and it will tell me what I will weigh in 5 weeks if I continue like I did today. Everyday the weight changes based on what you eat and the exercise you do. It is really encouraging at the end of a good day. On bad days, you can look at what you did wrong and know you have to correct it. Yesterday was an especially good day for me. I want to do everything the same for the next 5 weeks.

Yoga

Don't let Yoga fool you! Seriously, it is a workout. Gold's Gym has a class called Cenergy. It is a Yoga class. I decided to take this class because I need to be more balanced. Have you ever met someone who has been doing Yoga for years who was in bad shape? Yoga shapes and tones you, stretches you, increases your flexibility, balances you and it is a form of meditation. I think this is what threw me off all these years. I always thought of Yoga as a form or meditation and not a form of exercise. Certainly not something that would keep you in shape.
Keep in mind all those things Yoga does for you--takes years of regular Yoga. During my class yesterday I am sure the teacher strained from laughing out loud. I believe I was the only round student in the class. When you tell me to lay on my stomach and raise my arms up and my legs up don't expect a lot. I am pretty sure most of my body remained touching the floor. Standing up and grabbing my toe and stretching out my leg is another thing that does not happen gracefully. To be honest--it doesn't happen. I must say I struggled the entire class but I did it. I was having trouble keeping my laughter from bursting out. I know I looked ridiculous and I am putting it mildly. I struggled and strained throughout the class and kept one eye on the clock. I was eager for the torture to end. I even sweat some. As I drove home I thought, "damn, I feel good!" Really, I felt awesome. I was all stretched out and felt great. Today, I ache all over. I never expected this. I feel like I worked so freakin hard yesterday. Now I cannot wait to do it again because I know I will feel good when I am done.
Years from now it will be easier but it will still stretch me, shape me, tone me, increase my flexibility, improve my balance and I will be more relaxed.

ZUMBA!!

I am starting this new year with a new routine, Zumba!! I went to a Zumba class once before and really liked it but it never fit in my schedule. This year I am going to make it fit. This year will be all about me. I have got to get a hold of my life and do things that benefit me. That's right, this year is going to be a selfish year for me. I am going to think of me first. Zumba in now on the calendar-- and I cannot interfere with that. If I don't take care of me who will? Number one for this year is to take off this weight for a healthier me. I have to plan my meals and I am starting off with no fast food for the month of January. I know it won't be easy but I need to be tough and make new better, healthier habits.

Zumba is a Latin dance aerobic exercise. Who doesn't like to Cha Cha or Salsa, maybe a little Samba or Merenque (it's spelled right--I checked) I could do this at home but I would stop when I got tired. There is no wimping out when you are in a class. I am sore already but going to another class today. It's all about shaking your bootee. I noticed some of the girls in the class had those belly dancing hip scarf's. I can't wait until my hips are small enough to tie one around me. Wait til I get in better shape. I am so wearing one of those.

Looking so forward to a selfish me in 2013!!