Missing: 5 pounds. Do not send back.

So woot! I've lost 5 pounds....sort of. I had gained two pounds - going from 220 to 222. Then I dropped to 217. (Hell, I am posting my actual weight)

Today, I am very sore all over. We worked biceps and triceps on Sunday. I never realized you could ache on the underside of your arm. I went for a long bike ride yesterday (well, it seemed long to me, but it was really only 20 minutes) and my calves hurt today. I slept funny last night and now my neck and back hurt. I could really use a massage.

Yes, I am whining. Because if I didn't whine, it wouldn't be the truth. But I gotta say, seeing 217 on the scale was pretty cool. (Hey! It's the small victories!)I still have a long way to go though. And that's okay. I've been at this for 3 (?) weeks and I've been increasing my exercises. I've started watching my food. (That's going to be blown out of the water because hell-o! BBQ when I'm in Bama.)

I have felt discouraged and frustrated and this past week I've had to really push myself to go at the exercise. So I'm no longer in the honeymoon phase. But also, I've been shopping for my trip and trying on clothes and when you're under those bright ass lights in the fitting rooms, in front of those huge ass mirrors, you really get a look at your body. I really didn't like what I saw. So I gotta keep pushing myself. Keep going at it.

Here's where I tell you that my quest isn't just to be healthy. It's to look better. Yes, I'd say 90% of this is vanity. 10% health. Actually, I probably consider health a bonus. Kind of like when you buy your favorite body wash and it has a bonus size attached. That bonus size will come in handy. You know?

Also, I've never been a skinny girl. Never. And I don't expect to be skinny. But 220 is unacceptable. I have to do something about it. So I just keep that in mind as I push myself - however grumpy it makes me - to do what I have to do.

I couldn't do this without Kim and Jess. Really, I couldn't. Without them in the back of my mind I probably would give up and quit or "think about it tomorrow." Or "I'll start on Monday. Monday's a good day to start" and then Monday comes around and I "forget" and well......

So anyway, here I am - 5 pounds lighter and kicking my own ass. woot!