Oh, and Thanks!

I really appreciate all the support you guys give, especially after a pretty down and out post like I posted earlier today.

Your support means a lot to me! :o)

Growing Silver Lining

Well, the silver lining around my gray mood got so big today it pretty much took out the sad emotions.

I went back to the store to try on a size smaller skirt and IT FIT!!!!!!!!!!! A size 16w fit!!!!!!!

I AM SO EXCITED!! I was so excited I told the saleslady about it and she congratulated me on the loss.

I think it's been about 4-5 years since I've worn that size. In fact, the last time I wore a 16w I was not happy about it, because it meant I was putting on weight I had worked hard to lose.

Now here I am so happy to be wearing that size.

I was so happy I finally decided to buy a new pair of jeans. I haven't bought a new pair since I started losing weight and am happy to report that I could buy a size 16w in those as well.

Both skirt and jeans are a tad snug around my middle, but nothing too tight that I can't wear them right away. I guess I'm so used to things being loose that it's strange to have them fitted again. :)

The scale may show a gain tomorrow, but I will do my best to rejoice in this very significant non-scale victory in my life!

Can't say anything nice...

...then don't say anything at all, right?

Well, I will try not to complain for too long, but let's just say that the world through PMS glasses is not always a nice view.

The main battle I'm having is this:

I'm sure the scale will be up (because it was this morning) as I've managed to drink soda and eat more than normal - both regular food and sweets. I've figured out it is "that time" and I kind of really don't care (probably also because it's "that time"). What bothers me the most is knowing I'm going to post a gain on here and somewhere someone will think I need to just deal with myself and quit giving in to the impulses.

But I'm sorry, I've enjoyed the real soda a few times this week and a dish of ice cream I had last night. My dishes for ice cream hold one cup and I didn't fill them both times I had ice cream.

Last night I was telling myself that if I take three years to lose the weight then so be it...then I went to bed hoping for a better attitude in the morning. I'm still hopeful....

On a good note, last night after I had that small dish of ice cream I was very satisfied. As I turned off lights before bed I almost grabbed some chips, but then I realized I really didn't want them, so I left them alone. I enjoyed my yummy ice cream, but I didn't heap on more and more junk because I really didn't want it anymore.

Oh, another positive thing is that I bought a new skirt yesterday and I think it's too big. Either that or I'm right in the middle of sizes. So, I'm going back today to try on the smaller size (that I didn't dare try on yesterday because I just knew it would be too tight and I didn't want to get depressed.) and we'll see if it fits. I'll let you know later today.

Oh, and I have managed to keep drinking water and get in exercise this week, so I'm not all horribleness. :)

There. I've found a silver lining to this PMS cloud. Now to get on with my day. I'll try to rein in the negative talk and remind myself that this is hormonal and it too shall pass. :)

p.s. My apologies to any men who read this blog. I try and be discreet, but the female monthly cycle truly is a BIG part of my weight loss journey and since this is basically my "diary" I share both the ups and downs of the journey.

Addicted to Sweating

The kids went back to school today and I took advantage of their absence to run a few errands and go to the gym.

As I was doing my jogging on the Couch to 5K program I thought to myself, "I am definitely liking the sweat I get from jogging versus what I get from working out at home to a DVD."

This is just so crazy to me. Now, I know that the workouts I've been doing on my Wii Fit The Biggest Loser game have been strengthening my core, but they don't make me sweat nearly like jogging does.

I'm not sure why I love the perspiration so much. Maybe it's because I feel so strong when I'm done. I know that I was able to accomplish a more intense workout and that makes me feel wonderful!

You know what else is wonderful?

I'm noticing that when I'm jogging I'm feeling it more in my legs than in my chest. That is to say that I'm not as winded as when I started. More of the struggle to get through a jog is to make my legs keep going, but my lungs/heart must be getting stronger because my breath isn't so ragged sounding. Yay! :D

I do have a question for the runners/joggers out there:

Any ideas why my calves would hurt more jogging on a track/road versus a treadmill? I'm thinking because the track is a harder surface, but I'd like you're insights.

That's it for today. Hope you're all having a wonderful week so far.

My First Guest Post

Lori from Finding Radiance invited folks to submit some guests posts for her to put on her blog while she is out of town on vacation. I'm honored that she chose to share the post I submitted. *BIG GRIN*

You can see my first ever guest post by clicking here.

Something Old, Something New

Today I thought I'd share two favorite foods of mine.

The first is a greek salad of sorts. A lady friend of mine used to make this years ago when we lived in Arizona and we always loved it. She makes it with spring greens. My husband doesn't like the spring green, but he loves this salad, so I usually make it with Romaine. I added spinach when I made it this time. This can be a meal all in itself, and even in the cold weather I find myself wanting it.

Greek Salad

Mix a little or all of the following according to your tastes.

• Lettuce - Spring Mix or Romaine
• Roma Tomatoes
• Cucumbers
• Kalamata Olives
• Feta Cheese
• Red Onions
• Walnuts
• Italian Dressing

Then, this a new little food that I saw on Lori's blog Finding Radiance and it looked so good I had to try it myself. It's baked sweet potato with laughing cow cheese on top. She tops it with broccoli sometimes also.

Believe it or not, it's delicious! It's one of my new favorites to have with some fruit for lunch.

That's a Switch

Well, we are still having "inclement weather" that is causing schools to remain closed. In the past I wouldn't care about my kids being home, but last night I was a bit bummed that they didn't have school again today.

Why?

Because I wasn't going to be able to go to the gym and get my jogging done. Yes, I can do Leslie Sansone DVDs or use the Wii Fit and do The Biggest Loser game, but I WANTED TO JOG.

I did end up being able to go after all because my husband got done at school early and could watch the kids. He took them bowling at the base while I was at the gym.

I didn't feel like doing weights, because it was getting later in the day and I wanted to spend some time bowling with my family. But I got the first day of week five in the Couch to 5K program done.

And it felt so good!!!!!!

Oh, and once we were on the way to the gym, and I knew I was getting a chance to workout on the treadmill after all, I confided in my husband that earlier I was bummed that I couldn't jog since the kids were home for another snow day. He laughed and responded with, "You were upset you couldn't jog?!?!" I told him I didn't want to fall behind in my Couch to 5K program. He knows that is definitely a switch from the old Leah. :)