Progress

As of last Sunday (1/12/14), I have lost 5lbs. It's not much, but to see any progress at all when you're starting out is a huge accomplishment. It makes me feel like I'm actually able to achieve some goals. It's feels amazing to look back at all my hard work these last couple weeks and to know that it wasn't in vain. 

Too often I think I get so caught up in instant gratification that even when I know my long term goals are the more important ones, I still become overwhelmed when I don't see the needle move at all. I have to remember at these times that progress will happen, but I have to be patient. The important thing is that I feel good about myself when I'm working hard. 

This week, there were days that I didn't want to go to the gym after work. I was tired, I was in a bad mood, I just wanted to stay home and relax instead of feeling like I go straight from work to working out, to coming home to shower, to eating and then straight to bed to do it all over again the next day. But a strange thing happened- about midway through the week, I wanted to go to the gym. (Now, I still WENT to the gym at the beginning of the week, I just didn't want to go.) I distinctly remember around 3:00 on Wednesday, I couldn't wait for the day to be over just so I could go to the gym. I've always heard that working out gives you more energy, makes you happy, makes you sleep better, etc. Now I haven't quite been feeling the benefits of energy and sleeping well, but for the first time this week, I made the connection between working out and lifting my mood. I was just on a grumpy mood this week during the day. But after I put in a good hour at the gym, I felt infinitely better. I didn't snap at Katie, I didn't become overwhelmed with my stir-crazy dogs, I didn't become emotional about how I looked and felt. In fact, I felt great! I was sore and tired and able to eat a small portion of ice cream even! I know it will only get better. And right now, I'm just really happy about that!

So now I have a 3 day weekend and how will I spend it? I'm very excited to hit the gym tomorrow- it felt almost wrong not going today! I want to get in a good workout and then take some laps in the pool- it's a great workout and it also relaxes me at the same time. Then hopefully the weather cooperates and I can take my crazy dogs on a walk or to the park or something. 

And since I owe myself a 5# reward- it's movie marathon weekend! We're gong to spend a day just relaxing and watching movies. Right now it's between a Twilight marathon and Disney movies. So excited to get a good workout in that morning and then do nothing else for the rest of my day!

Progress. That's all I need- progress!