Take It Off Mondays

This is the first time I've enjoyed the process of losing weight. I don't feel like I'm working that hard to do so - which I'm guessing is due to two factors: 1 - I am still breastfeeding and that helps burn some extra calories each day. 2 - this is the first time I've actually changed my eating habits and perspective on food. So often you hear it's about diet and exercise and I used to only focus on the latter, while still eating high quantities of junk. And when I was younger, that method did have some success for me. But now that I'm older, I really truly need both. But guess what I learned? If you eat a sensible diet, you do not have to kill yourself in the gym. Case in point: I took 3 walks last week, and only did 1 short cardio session (I had Eva with me and after a short nap in the stroller, she was ready to leave the fitness room). So I didn't expect to hit my goal of 160 this morning. What did I see on the scale today?

159!

I EXCEEDED my weekly goal. Can you believe it? First milestone reached, no - SURPASSED!

Another thing I realized this week was changing my idea of 'treating' myself. I can have daily treats, if I just change my perspective on what that actually is. Since I've been eating my greek yogurt every night for dessert, I don't miss the cookies, cake and candy as much as I did when I first started. Last night we went to a local ice cream shop that is self-serve, and you can add your own toppings. Normally, I would have gotten a large serving of vanilla and loaded up on the toppings. Instead I had a small serving of strawberry lemonade sorbet and it was sooooooooo good! And I think it was about 120 calories, which is AWESOME.

Now does this mean I have given up cookies, cake and candy for good? Heck no! But I now think of those as 'indulgences', meaning I'll eat them sparingly, for special occassions, holidays or birthday parties. I think it's totally doable, now that I've found good replacements for my daily/weekly 'treats'!

So here's the stats this week:

Starting Weight: 167.5

Weight loss this week: 3 lbs

Weight loss to date: 8.5 lbs

Weight left to lose: 4 lbs

First Goal: 7.5 pounds (REACHED 4/4/2011)

• Reward: I've decided I need to organize my craft supplies before adding to them. :) I'm waiting on a coupon for Michael's, then I'm off to get my prize!
  

Second Goal: 12.5 pounds

• Reward: A new bathing suit.
  

Final Goal: to fit in size 10 pants!

• Reward: A new outfit for my new bod ;)
  

Success: Hitting my first goal!

Set-Backs: Not enough physical activity!

Exercise: Keeping my exercise goal the same, hopefully I'll finally achieve it! I'm aiming for 3 walking sessions, 3 cardio workouts and 2 weightlifting or ab routines.