Well, it's been a month and I am doing great. I am now down 16 (point something) pounds to 216.6 and the changes are noticeable. I started the new year at a tight size 38 waistline and today, while walking through Walmart, I had to keep pulling them up for fear of walking out of them. If that doesn't make one happy, although situationally frustrated, nothing will.
Watching Headline News in the mornings, they are doing a recurring segment entitled New Year's Resolution Reboot. They have experts one can contact online for advice on fitness, diet, finances and relationship advise in an effort to pull people through the one month slump (or surrender) that occurs each February. While thinking this was both a nice service and a crafty way to keep the viewing public watching, I was even happier by the fact that I didn't need it. Well, most of it anyway.
FYI: If you want a nice sized tax return make sure you don't put in too many exemptions on your W4. Where my income increased due to a full year of work I had a bit of a surprise. The tax return is a funny thing to look forward as we are basically letting Uncle Sam make money off of us throughout the year. Not having as much taken out of my paycheck meant I had more money through the year but there is something very satisfying about receiving that check every February. Especially if you are expecting it. Lesson learned.
My exercise repetitions continue to increase. I can now do 20 push-ups, three pull-ups and we are up to 13 of the Tibetans. For my Army friends: you are probably thinking, "20 push-ups?" Yes, but I am doing them in a four second movement (2 down and 2 up). I have not given myself an Army style PT test for fear of pulling something. As for the pull-ups, I was able to do seven of them when I left the Army. It is amazing how much easier they get when you drop extra weight.
I have made several interesting discoveries diet wise as well. Chocolate is a wonderful treat food and has no effect ( or at least not much) on my weight loss. One Cadbury Milk Chocolate bars week is good stuff and makes things feel significantly less Spartan. I'm still enjoying my salads and and not missing pasta or bread. This still amazes me. While food shopping yesterday it didn't occur to me to get any of my old eats so I guess the attitude adjustment is still running strong.
Sitting here typing, I am consciously aware of the fact that my belly is smaller. My upper abs are flat and while I can't yet "pinch and inch" I can still "grab a slab," although it's a greatly reduced slab. My biceps have increased in size and definition as have my chest muscles and calves. Flexibility is making major advances as well. A month ago I could barely reach behind my back and interlace my fingers with my arms straight but today I can so with ease at at a 45 degree angle to my torso. My legs are more limber and I can easily touch my toes without warming up. My split is widening daily and I can actually do some impressive kicks again (Karate type, that is).
Okay, okay, enough self promotion for one day.
Thanks, HLN, but no reboot needed here.
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