So far, so good.

I instituted the rules on Sunday and so far things are going well this week.

I started my regime with a 45 minute run on the most amazing, sunny Sunday. I followed up that brilliant run with a class at the gym on Monday night. Don't even get me started about the class and it's "circle of trust" but I will say that I'm still feeling the effects in my abs today so something good must have happened. I took a break on Tuesday night and then I was back at it today. I came home from work at 5:30 and immediately threw on my gear and headed out for a 30 minute run and mixed in some hills.

Even though I'm still up and I mean way up in the weight department I'm feeling great! Really, really great!!! This almost makes me mad when I think about it. Why do I give up on the exercise? WHY?!?!?!

The update on food is as follows: I'm still eating! HAHA But not as much as before AND I'm not feeling the urge to binge on peanut cups anymore. I've also managed to eat a fruit or vegetable at 98% of my meals.

With all that said, I'm really hoping I manage to keep this up...

Some rules...

I've decided to institute a few basic rules for myself it hopes of curb my out of control diet. And the rules are:

1. if I go to a restaurant/pub etc I will not order the fries if I can get salad instead.
2. I will exercise at least 4 times per week.
3. I will eat some produce with every meal.
4. No more cream in coffee (this might seem minimal but I drink lots and lots of coffee)

So far that's it. I'm certain new rules will make their way into my every day life but I think the ones I've already decided on can be managed. I'm not denying myself restaurants or imposing an unrealistic diet/exercise regime and that's a really good start. '

Well got to go, I'm off for a run. Fingers crossed it goes well.

More Motivation...

It looks like in the near future I may be working for/with an IronWoman. How's that for motivation?!?! Yikes. Now nothing is for certain but I think it's about time to turn my chubby train around and start taking some life changes a bit more seriously.

I've decided to start by throwing out the leftover pizza from last night, the box of Joe Louis I recently acquired and the box of almond brittle I've be shoving in my face each day at my desk. I would call that a good start.

An IronWoman can you imagine? I'm already in awe of discipline and ashamed of my lack thereof. If our relationship does come to be you can be damn sure that she will never, NEVER see me hustling back a pumpkin spice mega muffin from the coffee shop on the corner!!!

Take a Deep Breath

I`m feeling better then I was yesterday and exponentially better then the day that I found I weighed oh so very much. Like I mentioned yesterday I won`t be making any promises this time round. I`m going to try and find my motivation somewhere and I think this afternoon I discovered a small but very distinct motivator. It`s called `oh my God, my bra is so tight I believe a wire just punctured my sternum `!!!

Last March a friend and I went for a professional bra fitting. During that fitting I discovered a few things: 1. I`ve been wearing the wrong size for a very, very long time; 2. Bras that fit properly cost lots and lots of money; and 3. When a bra fits properly it`s super duper tight compared to ill-fitting ones you`re used to. Needless to say because I was now fitted for the proper size I went a little overboard buying expensive bras that restricted the air flow to my lungs.

Fast forward about six months and definitely 10+ pounds and on the days I wear a bra (everyday) my lung capacity is the equivalent to that of a five pack-a-day veteran smoker.

As it turns out the prospect of spend a thousand more dollars on bras that allow me to breeze freely again is enough motivation I needed to get through a run last night and a 50 minute walk home today.

Photo from: www.i.ehow.com

I'm Disgusted and Getting FATTER?!?!?

It goes without saying that I'm going to spew out the same complaint today that I have done many, many times before. There is no difference today save for the fact that I'm no longer deluding myself that I have a problem and that my eating habits are now putting my mind and body in jeopardy.

After weighing last week only hours post vacation (always a HUGE mistake) I discovered; however, wasn't surprised to see that I'm now a whopping twenty (20) pounds heavier then I was 18 months ago. For those of you who will say that I look fine, what am I worried about, this means that I've managed to gain back one third of the weight that I spent the better part of 2004 trying to lose. I'm familiar with the slope I'm on and it's very, VERY slippery.

I don't know what to say. I'm not even sure what course of action to take. Needless to say I'm disappointed in myself but I'm also completely petrified of becoming the plus size girl that I was some years ago.

Since weighing myself last week I have managed to refrain from eating out and I've also exercised twice. Now save your pat on the back for when I make some real progress. This time around I will make no promises, I have secret tool I'm going to use and I won't hang my hope on some points counting system or herbal remedy. Instead I'm going to try to make some positive changes. I will think twice about fries with that and I will recognise and acknowledge that it's only me that can make the changes that I want to see.

My pants are too tight and my alarm bells are sounding!!!
Ding, ding, ding...

Here is a link to 101 Greatest Running Tips. I realise not everyone is a runner but maybe something in the article will resonate with you and give you one more reason to keep going. People find inspiration in the most unlikely places.
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/running-tips-beginners-guide