5 pounds

it's been over a month since i started working out with newton.  we do a weigh-in at every session, and i've lost 5 pounds.  the trouble with this 5 lbs, is it's stalled.  i've yo-yo'd between 4-5 lbs of weight loss for a couple weeks.  part of it is the diet...i have my weak moments of indulgence.  part of it is "girl issues".

i really can't obsess over the scale though.  i've made so many improvements to my eating habits...i haven't had a pop since mid-april.  that's HUGE for me!!  i'm eating salad ALL THE TIME!!  i choose healthier snack options (less chips/candy/chocolate, more fresh popcorn, veggies, smoothies)!! i track all my food intake...so at least i'm aware of my bad days, and i'll try offset any slip-ups.  these small changes are definitely helping.  plus the fact that i'm gaining good muscle.

at our first training session, i was cursing up the wazoo, sweating like mad, and just suffering.  but 5 weeks and 12 sessions in, i'm actually feeling really strong.  from a shaky 20 second low plank on day 1, i've now progressed to rolling plank with a balance ball, and single-leg (alternating) high-plank.  i feel like this has been my best success measure. but really, there are so many ways to measure my success:

• using heavier weights
• shorter recovery period between sets
• with shorter rest, means more workout activities. i started with 3 different sets of 3 reps, we're now up to 4 rounds of sets

i've really gotten into a groove with going to the gym.  there are the 2x a week that i see newton, and then squeezing in 2-3 more workouts on my own is easy.  the long hours at the gym really help, and i've taken advantage of the late nights and hit the gym around 10 p.m.  i've also managed to get to the gym for 30 minutes after work, before i have to pick-up G.  i figure 30 minutes is better than 0 minutes :)  this works out well on tues/thurs because then i can hit the track and do some cardio/HIIT in the neighbourhood while G is at taekwondo.
i realize my big goals have a big timeline, so i need to celebrate these small successes.  i've lost 5 pounds (i haven't gained weight), and i'm more aware of the decisions i make (in terms of quantity and quality of food)!