Two Weeks Later...

     So, be honest.... were you thinking that I probably gave up by now? Were you thinking that I maybe kicked ass on my self-improvement mission for like a day or two, and now I could be found on my couch, sucking down some Ben and Jerry's and considering deleting my original blog post? Cuz I was thinking those things for sure. I was NOT thinking this.....

     Whaaaatttt? Right???? Two weeks in and I have lost almost 17 pounds and I am pretty friggin amazed at myself. I'm telling you, something is different. That light... the big, bright, shiny Jenn-light that shines so bright... it's coming back. A little at a time. Now, no, I am not seeing any big differences yet, but I do see little things here and there. My ring is loose and actually spinning around my finger at times, which it never does. It's basically been melded onto my finger for the past few years. Clothes fit ever so slightly different. The bigger differences though, are in the way I feel. I feel healthier. I have more energy. I feel... powerful. I feel like I can so totally do this. 

     So what have I been doing? I started tracking what I eat on the Lose It app, which I love. It gives me a clear view of what I am eating, how much nutrition I am getting, and what I can do better. I am trying to be more active, which isn't hard to do, since my previous activity level was stationary, with occasional child-chasing. I do have a challenge in that I ruptured a disc in my back a few years ago, and that, plus carrying around a toddler for a couple of years, have made life pretty painful for me at times. But, I have done what I can, in small doses. I have been swimming laps at the pool, instead of just lazing while my kids try and drown one another. (Don't worry, I'm still watching them!) I have been walking where and when I can. I have also been listening to a kick ass, self-motivating soundtrack that I created for myself on Spotify. It's very "girl power"-y and every song makes me feel happy, energized and ready for anything. I mean, how can you feel bad listening to Kesha sing, "I'm a mother fuckin' woman!"? I am more than happy to share my playlist here, but I will forewarn you, this is not a playlist for those who blush at swear words.... then again, neither is this blog, I guess. Screw it, here it is... Get It Girl on Spotify. (Oh, and you will find a couple of Aaron Tveit tracks thrown in there, since he was the one who told me to "get it girl" in the first place. Thanks again, Aaron.)

     Here's the craziest thing ever though... I have not cheated, at ALL. I mean, technically, I am not dieting, just being healthier, so there isn't really anything to cheat on, but what I mean is that I have not done any middle of the night Oreo assaults or grabbing a bite here and there of my kid's mac and cheese. I haven't wanted to, and THAT is a weird feeling for me. I have never once met a diet or weight-loss plan that I didn't want to cheat on, heavily. All I can figure is that I'm starting to remember that I am actually worth it. I'm worth being faithful to. How's that for some self-love mush for ya?

     This week, the plan is to move my gym-quality, super expensive elliptical trainer back into the house from the garage. The Hubs bought it for me when I went on another "I'm gonna get healthy" crusade a few years back. That quest ended before the elliptical got delivered, and the old gal's pretty much been in the garage since. We will see if this time I use it for something other than drying clothes on it.