Banishing the Baby Belly is on Hiatus.

Oh, that dang scale. Sometimes it's my worst enemy and sometimes it's my best friend. Right now, it's status could best be described as "frenemy." Its numbers aren't dropping, but they're not rising either. They're just...there. Taunting me.

But you know what? I really don't have the energy to care.

Life is kicking my butt right now.  I'm still sick. I have the usual mountain of ridiculous deadlines to meet. And my house? Well, let's just say I wish there was something called "get your shit together leave." So, you know, you could take a few weeks off to take care of business.

But since this is the real world, no such thing is forthcoming. So instead, I continue to drag my exhausted ass from Point A to Point B, hoping not to cause any more chaos than absolutely necessary as I go.

I'm sure eventually I'll remember what it feels like to be healthy. And rested. But until then? I don't feel like battling the scale.

BBB Round 2: Four Foods that Make Dieting Doable.

After a two week hiatus, the diet that never ends is on again. And this time it's crunch time. I'm not going to make my deadline (Tori's birthday), but I'm bound and determined to have this weight off in time for my vacation in June (plus, I am not buying a "fat" summer wardrobe).

I'm off to a good start - I'm down three pounds this week. Which is actually only a half pound less than the last time I weighed in (healing from surgery requires lots of ice cream, you know), but I'm going to go ahead and give myself credit for all three.

Helping me along in my pursuit of skinniness are a few key foods. Foods that fill me up, but not out. Here's four of my favorites.

For breakfast, I rely on Yoplait Yogurt Delights. At only 100 calories a pop, this yogurt puts only the tiniest of dents in my daily points allowance, and when mixed liberally with a bowl of berries, actually fills me up.

At lunchtime, Campbell's Select Harvest Light Soups do the job. There are a few different varieties, but none have more than three points for the whole can. Even better, they actually have taste (unlike those Progresso nasties).

When I can't face another meal of soup, I turn to salad.  And these dressings by Bolthouse Farms are pure awesomeness. They're made with yogurt instead of whatever salad dressing is usually made from, so they're both low calorie and filled with the creamy goodness of "real" dressing. I have to get them from my neighborhood co-op, though, so I don't know how easy they are to find.

Even the most dedicated dieter needs to snack. And when the 3 o'clock munchies hit? For me, nothing but chocolate will do. Luckily, these Fiber Plus Granola Bars taste almost exactly like candy bars. Seriously. But they'll only set you back two points (or 120 calories for you traditionalists). So you can have your candy and your shrinking waistline, too!

Those are my current lifesavers. What are yours?

Disclosure: If you know me at all, you know that no one pays me to write about anything. But just in case you don't, let me assure you I received no compensation (not even coupons), for including these products in my blog. I just happen to like them and thought my newest discoveries might make life a little easier for the rest of you.

Dieters unite!

Screw the Baby Belly: I'm Celebrating Over Here.

Six weeks ago, I thought I was dying. I was suffering from a white hot pain so excruciating that I was absolutely convinced my appendix was rupturing. Was, in fact, minutes from exploding and sending me off to meet my maker.

One four hour ER visit and $5000 later, I found out that I couldn't be more wrong. Nope, the source of all that ridiculous pain was just my ovary's new little friend - a tiny little cyst that had claimed squatting rights on its side.

For a moment, I was relieved. After all, a cyst sounds pretty harmless, right?  But then my doctors had to go and ruin it by telling me that my ovary's friend could be cancerous.

Yep, that's right. They put the word cancer out into the universe. They were almost absolutely certain that it was most likely nothing to be worried about - but they were worried, nonetheless.

So they sent me for blood tests. Blood tests to find out if I had cancer. Blood tests that, when they came back, were frighteningly inconclusive. I most likely didn't have cancer, but then again, I might. But, my doctors assured me, I shouldn't be worried. I should just forget I'd ever heard the word cancer, because I probably didn't have it.

Which is, of course, exactly what I did.

I forgot that my body was possibly under attack. That my ovary’s little friend could have invited its entire family to move in. That, depending on what the next round of tests turned up, my life could be turned upside down, filled with surgery and chemo and bone-chilling fear.

Yep. That’s exactly what I did.

I certainly didn't lie awake at night, wondering what it feels like to die. I didn't wonder if it was too late to get religion - and if the powers that be would forgive me for my transgressions.

I didn't worry about what would happen to my family if I died. I didn't think about my baby girl growing up without me, or about Brian having to cope with single parenthood, or about my mom and dad having to bury their youngest child.

Nope, I didn't worry. Not one little bit.

So, because I wasn't the least bit concerned, I didn't get half-drunk on Thursday night, just so I wouldn't have to think about the next day's appointment. I didn't wake up feeling sick to my stomach, or down half a bottle of pepto bismol for breakfast.  I certainly didn't spend my working hours staring vacantly at my computer screen, sending up half-formed prayers.

I didn't hold my breath all through the ultrasound, or almost break down sobbing when the test revealed what I already knew - that my ovary's friend was still there. I didn't almost puke when I was sent back out to the lobby to wait for the doctor's verdict.

And when my doctor told me that it wasn't cancer? That it was just a weird cyst that had to come out - but a decidedly non-malignant one? I didn't make him repeat himself ten times, or have to pinch myself to resist the urge to jump off the table (half naked or no) and hug him.

Nope, that wasn't me. And if you believe all that? I've got some directions to a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow somewhere to the left of sunrise...

I don't have cancer. I do have to have surgery, but I don't have cancer. The idea of surgery, which would normally scare the shit out of me, has never sounded less worrisome than it does right at this moment. Because I don't have cancer. You hear that? I don't have cancer (if I repeat that enough, I'm sure I'll start to believe it).

And because I don't have cancer? I'm not getting anywhere near the scale this week. I. Just. Don't. Care. My body isn't killing me. So it can be just as fat as it wants to.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go hug my baby  (the one I get to see grow up) and kiss my husband (the one I get to see all old and wrinkly) another time or five hundred.

But don't worry. The regularly scheduled weigh-ins will resume next week. After all, my skinny jeans are waiting to celebrate my cancer-free status with me.

Banishing the Baby Belly Round 2: Week 5

This week, the scale gave me a Valentine's Day present - it told me I'm down a pound. Which, considering the amount of food I consumed last weekend, I'm calling a major victory.

Generally speaking, I had a pretty good week (after the weekend, that is). I only ate one meal of junk food (sometimes, a craving for Penn Station can not be denied). And before indulging, I checked Calorie King  for a healthy (okay, healthier) option. So, I think I can pat myself on the back for that one.

As a side note, have I mentioned how much I love my iPod Touch? That little doodad has an app for everything - calorie counting, nutrition values, you name it. The only thing better would be an iPhone, but until Verizon has one, my iPod will have to do.

Anywho, now that I'm making progress with the food thing, it's time to get serious about exercise. So, as I mentioned on Wednesday, I signed up for a 5K. If that doesn't get me motivated, nothing will. Well that, and the knowledge that I've got a beach vacation scheduled. I'd like to be able to rock something like this:

 

Hey, a girl can dream, right?

Are You Sure I Can't Take the Couch With Me?

For months, I've been saying I'm going to get back into the habit of going to the gym. I've been looking at my jiggly thighs and flabby arms and thinking, "damn, I  really need to do something about that."

The weight loss efforts (now that they're actually happening) are helping, but no amount of point counting and calorie watching is going to firm up those triceps or rid me of my cellulite.

Nope, to make that happen, I'm going to actually have to move my butt. Away from the couch (and preferably in the direction of the gym).

I've started a few times, but something always comes up. A sickness. Or a deadline. Or a convenient snowstorm. Or a good TV show. You know. Stuff.

So I just went and signed up for a 5K (sorry, mom).

Now, I have bad knees. Make that horrendous knees. Running is probably the very last activity I should be engaging in. But you know what? I love running. I'm not very good at it (in fact, I suck rather badly), but there's nothing quite like the feeling of freedom that sets in about halfway through (in between the I-really-don't-want-to-do-this and the oh-my-god-is-it-over-yet phase).

So I'm going to try again. I'm going to get through that whole dang Couch to 5K app that I downloaded for my iPod if it kills me (and it might). I know I can do it - especially since I just told you guys I'm going to.

So, on  Saturday, May 1, you'll be able to find me at the starting line of the Coach Hep  Cancer Challenge.

And if I don't make it? Well, then, I just made a $35 donation to a good cause. That's not so bad, is it?

BBB Round 2: Week 4

Remember how excited I was about my weight loss accomplishments last week? Yeah. That was nice.

Apparently, I jinxed myself because this week I didn't lose anything. Nothing. Nada. Not even .1 pound.  Of course, that might have something to do with the plethora of restaurant meals I ate. Wendy's. Penn Station. And let's not forget Cracker Barrel and its biscuit topped pot pie.


All wonderfully healthy options, wouldn't you agree?


What can I say? When the deadlines stack up and the stress piles on, it gets hard to eat well. Especially when you live in the backwaters of America, as I do, on the side of town where the populace seems to live on fast food and not much else (I am often horrified by the carts in Kroger. Who knew there was that much frozen fried food out there?).


What's that, you say? Enough with the excuses? Okay.


I'll just resolve to do better. Starting tomorrow. Right now, the in-laws are in town, which means another Search for More Food. I'm trying to make good choices, but those choices are still being made in bulk.


Wish me luck.


Now it's your turn. Who has good news...or a confession to make?

BBB Round 2: Week Three.

At long last, my sisters and brothers in weight loss, we've reached the last weigh-in of January. By now, according to all the weight loss "experts," we should all be finding it easier to stick to our healthy (okay, healthier) habits.

After all, three weeks is supposed to be the magic number. That's how long they say it takes to re-train your brain. So, in other words, we should be starting to find it easier to pass up the ice cream in favor of a yogurt by now, and less difficult to haul our butts to the gym instead of to the couch.

How 'bout it? Are you finding this to be true?

I've yet to have three weeks of good health this year, so I'm not really sure it applies in my case. However, I did feel guilty about the ice cream I ate last night (and only had a small bowl). And when picking up a rotisserie chicken for dinner the other night, I got some sweet potatoes and salad stuff to go with it instead of potato salad and cole slaw.

So I guess I'm learning (again).

The scale says I'm doing something right. I was down 3.6 pounds this week. I'm pretty sure that fleeting stomach bug I had was at least partly to blame, but still...it gives me hope. Maybe I really will be back in my skinny jeans by April.

Talk to me, people. How did you do this week?

BBB Round 2: Week 2 (Seven Ways To Stay Motivated).

January is winding down to a close. You know what that means, don't you? Most people who made New Year's Resolutions to lose weight and get fit are...losing their resolve.

Not me. I'm still going strong. And the scale rewarded me - I'm two pounds lighter today than I was this time last week (you can all clap now). Those descending numbers are, in and of themselves, motivating, but lord knows, they're not always enough to keep you going.

So I thought I'd take a few minutes to share some of the things that help me stay strong when I want to quit.

Take your measurements - The scale doesn't always give me the positive feedback I need. But that doesn't necessarily mean I'm not slimming down. That's why, at the start of any diet, I take all my measurements: bust, waist, hips, arms and thighs. Sure, the numbers make me want to cringe, but when I slide that tape measurement around my waist and see a smaller number peeking back at me, I can't help but smile.

Track your food - I know, this might seem counter-intuitive. After all, there's nothing more discouraging than realizing that you've blown your calorie budget five days in a row. But, if you keep it up, you'll notice that your habits are getting healthier. That you're learning how to eat better. So, even if you have to admit to eating three pieces of cheesecake, you'll have all that written proof that your dessert overload is an aberration, and not the beginning of a pattern. Sometimes, that's all it takes to stay strong.

Schedule workouts - and tell someone about it  - Penciling a workout in isn't enough for me. Because when I'm tired? I don't really care that my calendar says I'm supposed to get to the gym. My husband is my secret weapon. I tell him I'm going to go, and then I tell him to make me do it. Sometimes, this forces him to call me some fairly nasty names, but in the end, I go.

Every once in a while, slide on those skinny jeans - At first, you may not be able to get them over your thighs, let alone button them up. But over time, they'll get closer and closer to fitting. And that? Is sure to make you feel good.

Set mini-goals, and reward yourself when you reach them - Right now, I'm shooting for a 5 percent loss. When I get there? I'm going to treat myself to a salon color job (instead of reaching for a box). That gives me something to look forward to...and motivation to get there before my roots start showing (Tori's turned me gray!!! But that's a gripe for another post).

Put a picture of your skinny self on the fridge - I have this photo of me in a bikini. An honest to god string bikini. And I look good (which is hard to imagine right now). But proof that I can look that hot will (sometimes) keep me from reaching for the ice cream.

Give yourself a deadline - For me, that's Tori's first birthday. I'm hoping to fit into my pre-preggo jeans by then, but really, my goal is to just not look pregnant anymore. Because on her first birthday? There will be pictures. Lots of pictures. And I don't want to cringe every time I look at them.

Those are my tricks. But I'm sure you guys have your own. So spill it. What keeps you motivated to lose weight?

BBB Round 2: Check In.

Yes, I know. This post is late. After being non-functional for a week, a girl's kinda got a lot of life to catch up on, you know?

So yeah, that's the good news. I'm back to feeling like a h421u563+.... sorry, that was Tori's contribution. What I meant to say was human. I feel like a human again. So I can get back to doing all those things that are meant to make the pounds drop off.

But this week? Was a wash. My scale says I lost 23 pounds...but I'm pretty sure it just needs batteries. You'd think with a baby in the house, I'd have plenty of those, right? Yeah. Not so much. I'm just not going to count this past week.

If all goes well, I'll head to the gym to re-start the Couch to 5K program a little later on, but I've got a teething baby today, and all she wants is mamama. So we'll see.And since I'm typing one-handed, I'm going to go ahead and cut this short again.

Who's got news to share?

Banishing the Baby Belly Round Two (BBBR2): Week One.

Well, we're one full week into the new year. How did you guys do? I'm down three pounds. Which is pretty awesome. However, I can't take all the credit. I've been having some health issues that sent me to the ER last night...and have made it impossible to eat.

But, hey, I'll take what I can get.

However, that's a story for another post, and right now, I'm too drugged up to do it justice.

At any rate, I was having a good week before all that went down. I stuck to the healthy eating regime, and even hustled my butt into the gym twice. I think I'm off to a good start. Think I can lose ten pounds by the end of January? That's the goal. I think I can do it (especially if I continue to not be able to eat).

But, as I said before, I'm not exactly clear-headed right now, so I think I'll cut this short. Discuss among yourselves, and tell me what you've been up to this week.

Or just tell me a joke. I could use some cheering up.

Who's Ready for Round Two? Banishing the Baby Belly Returns.

The holidays are over. It's time to put down the eggnog, throw out the cookies and start focusing on the big picture again. For me, that means getting my ass in gear and getting small enough to toss these damn fat jeans out the window.

For reals.

And this isn't some stupid New Year's Resolution. I don't do those. Everybody knows the only reason to make a resolution is to have an excuse to quit three weeks later. For instance, I guarantee you when I go to the gym tomorrow, it will be packed. But come February? It'll be a ghost town once again.

That's the way it goes with New Year's Resolutions.

So this is not that. This is...just getting down to business. As Jillian Michaels says, if you want a good body, you've got to fight for it. So in the Page household? It's on.

For me, Plan A was to spend the next 30 days Shredding. Like 584492070549670543 other people before me, I went out and bought the 30 Day Shred DVD. I popped it in and got ready to sweat like there was no tomorrow. But the Shred? Does not work for people with blown knees.

I got oh, maybe five minutes into it and my knee started clicking and clacking and threatening to pop. And since, as I may have mentioned a time or 500, The Great Knee Blowout wins for worst pain ever in my book (and people? I was practically cut in half about nine months ago), any protest from my knee brings all activity to a halt.

So instead, I popped in my new Leslie Sansone DVD, of Walk Away the Pounds fame. This one is some sort of five mile walk, and let me tell you, it kicked my ass. I know she's not nearly as cool as Jillian, but I've used her DVDs for years. When you do them consistently, you really do see results.

So Leslie continues to be my girl.

I also signed up over at Spark People. Have you heard about this site? If you haven't checked it out, you should. It's huge. I haven't had a ton of time to explore it, but there's a food tracker, a weight tracker, an exercise tracker and a whole bunch of community type stuff. Plus it's free. Free is good, right?

That's my plan. And this time there is no room for failure. Anyone with me?

Oh, and just to be politically correct, I guess I ought to tell you I was not compensated in any form for mentioning any of the above products. Just in case you hadn't guessed that already.

Banishing the Baby Belly: The Don't Ask Don't Tell Edition.

This week, I have consumed brownies, Christmas cookies, fudge, hamburgers, pizza and junk food galore. Not to mention copious amounts of wine and beer.

Yep, it's the holidays.

You know what that means, right? I didn't get on the scale this weekend.

But you know what? My husband weighed himself, and he's all like, "Gee whiz, I seem to have lost two pounds. I wonder how that happened?"

Bastard.

Don't worry, he knows I'm kidding (mostly).

Oh, and I probably won't be getting on the scale next weekend either. See, I'll be seven hours away from my scale, and I don't know about you but I don't trust other people's scales. I just don't (also, it's a good excuse).

So that's my total cop out. Anybody out there share my pain?

Banishing the Baby Belly: The Holiday Edition (Week 1)

I know, I said I wasn't going to think about my weight this month. I lied.

I just got on the scale, and it told me I'm up two pounds. I'd be more worried about that if I hadn't eaten enough for three people yesterday.

First we had our holiday potluck at work. Sure, I tried to stick to veggies and fruit, but the dessert table? Would not be denied. Then my husband and I went out for dinner, and I filled my belly with yummilicious steak (and a to-die-for piece of flourless chocolate cake).

So those two pounds probably aren't completely real. And if they are? Oh well.

Yeah, I'm feeling pretty mellow this morning.

Later today, we've got to head up to the Real City to go car seat shopping for Tori. Which means fast food somewhere along the way. So there's challenge #1 for this week.

And given the fact that it's officially less than two weeks before Christmas, the office is likely to be a minefield of goodies this week. I'm going to limit myself to noshing on one munchie a day (or that's the plan, anyway).

Capping it all off will be the office Christmas party, which is traditionally followed by a pub crawl that lasts until no one can stand up anymore. So next Saturday? Is probably not going to be a good one.

But I'm just going to do the best I can knowing that come January 1, I'm going to pay for any sins I commit now.

So that's me. Anybody else want to confess their sins?

Banishing the Baby Belly: Holiday Break.

You know what, kids? It's the holiday season. I'm busy, you're busy...the whole world's busy.

I did get on the scale today, and it reported no loss. But no gain, either. But given the season (and the fact that I've had house guests two weekends in a row), I'm going to call that a victory.

I'm also going to call that the last official weigh in (at least that I'm going to admit to) until after the holidays. That's right. Banishing the Baby Belly is going on break until January.

When January comes? I'm going to hit it hard. This weight is going to come off.

But for now, I'm happy with maintaining a holding pattern. I simply don't have enough energy to keep up with it right now.

Yeah, that's a cop out. But it's my blog and my challenge, so I'm allowed, right? Don't answer that.

So how about you? What are your holiday goals?

Banishing the Baby Belly: Week 11

Remember that post I wrote yesterday? The one describing all the delicious foods still residing in my refrigerator? If not, just scroll on down. It's right there.

That would be why I'm not getting on the scale today.

That's right, I'm taking another pass. It wasn't a bad week, but after the last couple of days, I just don't think I need to do that to myself. That would take some of the joy out of stuffing your face with...stuffing, don't you think?

Instead, I'm going to go to the holiday market downtown (one of the benefits of living in a quaint little town), let Tori pet some live reindeer, and maybe, just maybe get myself a big old mug of hot chocolate.

Mmmm, hot chocolate...

Anybody out there braver than me? Who's got some news from the scale?

Banishing the Baby Belly: Week 10

Today is a good day. I got ten hours of sleep, the sun is shining, my hair is cooperating, and the scale? Says I'm down two pounds.

Hooray!
Even better, I'm finally feeling like I can do this. Get this weight off, I mean. For the last few months, I've been going through the motions, telling myself I need to lose the pregnancy pounds, but not really believing I could make it happen.

Although I didn't want to admit it, I was kind of convinced that I was doomed to look like this forever. That my days of feeling sexy, of feeling pretty - of not hating what looks back it me in the mirror - were gone.


But something's changed. Suddenly, I have momentum.

Yesterday, there were doughnuts in the office. My favorite kind of doughnuts. And I was hungry. But you know what? I wasn't even tempted (okay, yes I was, but only for like five seconds). My inner voice, the one I call the Diet Captain, took control, and I realized that I would only hate myself later if I gave in.

So I didn't.

I'm feeling good. I'm feeling strong. And not even the holiday season is going to stop me.


I mean, sure, I'm going to eat my share of treats (it's not Thanksgiving until I consume a pile of stuffing as big as my head), but I'm going to keep it in check. I'm going to keep the scale moving down (if only slightly).

Because my skinny jeans? Are waiting for me. And I fully intend to wear them to Tori's first birthday party.

So that's me. Anybody else have anything to report?

Banishing the Baby Belly: Week 9

You know what? I'm taking a pass this week. That's right, I'm not getting on the scale.

You're allowed to do that every once in a while in Weight Watchers, if I'm remembering correctly. I had a bad week this week for a number of reasons. Plus, I ate heavily yesterday, so I know the scale's going to lie to me, so I'm just not. Going to do it, that is.

Instead, I'm going to finish eating my 100 calorie yogurt and take advantage of the fact that Tori's supposed to be napping to go for a run. Outside. Then I'm going to come back and put my gardens to bed for the winter.

And I'm not going to think about that dreaded scale at all. Do you believe me? Nah, me neither.

But I'm still not getting on. Not this week. I don't think I could take it if it's a bad number.

So that's me and my cop out. Anybody have anything to report this week?

Banishing the Baby Belly: Week Eight.

This week, I declare victory over Halloween. Despite having 150 pieces of leftover candy at my house, and being surrounded by chocolate goodness at work, I actually managed to lose a pound.

This does not mean that I did not indulge. On the contrary, I had a piece or two every day. But this week, I decided not to eat anything  after dinner. No junk food, no candy, not even a healthy snack. And that seems to have made a difference. So I guess I'll have to keep it up?

I'm still slacking hugely on the exercise front, though. I know I need to just man up and make myself go straight to the gym from work, but it's hard to do it. I don't get off work till about six most days. So if I go work out, I don't get home until it's just about time to put Tori to bed.

That kind of sucks.

I did buy a jogging stroller last weekend. It was the steal of the century—only $45 for a stroller that was easily $400 new. But it's dark by the time I get home. Who wants to jog in the dark?

People who want to get thin, that's who. Right? Right.

You know what's really motivating, though? Taking a stroll through the center of a college town on a warm, sunny day. All those skinny sorority bitches...they're enough to make a person want to perform some emergency liposuction on themselves.

Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything.

Anyway, that's it for me. How did you guys do this week?

Banish the Baby Belly: Week Seven

You know, by the time I'd been doing this for six weeks, I thought for sure I'd have something momentous to report. Like, maybe a total loss of ten pounds or something?

Yeah. Apparently, in order to make that happen, you have to, I don't know, actually try? Hard? Instead of engaging in the half-assedness I have been guilty of lately?

You've probably guessed this already, but I have nothing to report. No loss, no gain. So it could be worse. Could be better, though. I've lost a whopping four pounds in six weeks. Whoooooo. That's not exactly fantastic.

I might be just be a tiny bit disappointed in myself, can you tell? At this rate, I will, in fact, end up seeing all my relatives at Christmas looking like I'm baking a baby. Which was cute last year. Not so much anymore (because I'm not preggers, you see. And, if I have anything to say about it, I will still not be preggers at Christmas).

In other news, a ladybug just fell into my coffee. That is so not cool.

Anywho, there's nothing I can do but keep on keepin' on.  So, exercise. I should do some of that this week. Definitely, for sure, I should do some of that. And brownies. I should stop eating those this week. That would probably be a good idea. Also, candy. I should actually give away all the Reese's Peanut Butter cups tonight instead of hoarding them, as I usually do.

FYI: that last thing I said? Probably not going to happen. I luuuuuurve peanut butter cups. Love them. Those trick or treaters couldn't possibly appreciate them the way I do. What? Yes, I know keeping the PBCs falls under the category of half-assed dieting. Sigh. Okay, fine, have it your way, maybe I'll just keep a couple...

Happy Halloween, everyone! How did you do this week?

Banishing the Baby Belly: Week 6

I'm happy to report that I finally seem to be making some progress. I'm down two pounds this week. A legitimate two pounds. Hurray for me!

Now there's only...23 pounds left? Until, that is, I reach my pre-baby weight? Then we're looking at at least another ten? Oh, brother. That doesn't sound so good.

Okay, let's not look at the big picture. I think I'll just go back to thinking about those two wonderful lost pounds.

And, I didn't even work out. That whole bending-down-to-plug-in-the-vacuum back injury had me down and out most of the week. It's finally starting to feel better, though, so I'm hoping to get to the gym tomorrow.

So we'll make this week's challenge the same as last week's. That is, to make it to the gym at least three times. I might have to put off weights for a little bit though. Who knew back pain could be so persistent?

That's me. How did you guys do?