Meow....

I had a great little ego boost yesterday...

I moderate a small BM tribe on Myspace and yesterday one of the guys started a thread telling me I looked hot in my avatar... then a handful of others jumped on (some I knew, some I didn't) to confirm.... I know its just the internet, but man... its a nice outta the blue compliment that makes you feel all sparkley.

I'm running 3 miles 3 days a week. Some days I take a nice and easy pace, and I'm able to run the whole 30 minutes without stopping... some days I kick it up a notch and eventually feel like I'm going to die if I don't walk for a few minutes.

My legs feel stronger and more toned already (but I've always had fairly strong legs-- years of soccer and running as a child/teen/ya).... yesterday I also went dancing for a few hours (No drinks, just water and bootie shakin) which was a pretty good workout when the music changes from electro to indie to stompy industrial.

I've been eating good and even moving towards my water goal (which is SO harder than it sounds when you're at a desk job and getting up to pee every 15 minutes isn't cool)...

I wish there was some way to jumpstart the whole weight loss thing... I mean... I might just be bloating due to the cycle or something, but the scale has remained constant, as have the measurements... I don't exepct miracles, but it'd be nice to feel a little change after a few weeks. I don't feel any slimmer, just a bit stronger in the legs. (I know, I know, muscle burns fat... but that doesn't help my waistline... which is where I need the most help!)

I wish there was a high-intensity workout for abs.... which hopefully bellydancing will handle...

I looked into the "body for life" challenge thing, and I bought the book on amazon. (7 bucks!) I think I'm going to start the program as soon as I get it in the mail... which means I'll need to purchase some free weights, but that isn't a problem... I'm going to have to adjust the diet to veganism-- that guy sure likes his animal protiens, and I'm definately not buying into his supplements... but I guess if I can get good results in 12 weeks... why not?? Although I know that if I work hard enough, I'll probably lose closer to 1 lb. a week, not 2... I don't want to set my hopes unrealistically high... and I'll still be trying my very best, but I don't want to set myself up for disappointment.

And I like that some of the literature online focuses on the positives, rather than punishing yourself for the negatives.... the journal asks you to write 3 things that you did well (helping to accomplish your goal) and 3 things you could do better.... its a good mindset.

And even though I'm taking this health thing "one day at a time"... it'll be nice to have a "free day" when can go out to brunch or have a few drinks at the bar at night.

As I run, I keep the image of myself in my head, the two selves, really.... the one... in my perfect "office" look -- a cute red A-line skirt with red polka dot wedges, a white fitted cute blazer and red chunky jewlery... how it will look on me... how people will look at the outfit, how i'll be seen....
Then the other "self"... the mini-skirted, rainbow dreaded self, finally with the tone to pull off a skimpier, form fitted look... the way my waist will look with a 3-inch reduction of a hot leather corset, my silhouette in black latex with giant monster boots.... ready to take over the world...

I find these mediations helpful to get me through the pain of workingout... because that's the pain I hate.. .the endured minute after minute of gasping for breath....and I revel in the soreness the next day. Keeping those images in my head keep me running... keep me from stopping, and hopefully, keep me towards my goals.