Update: Health

 My Mizuno's are red, but I think I need pink ones for a 10 pound reward, don't you? 

OK...so it's been two weeks since I posted those scary, embarrassing health stats for you and all the world to see.  But, it was really for me to see.  And I saw it.  And I have done something about it.  Here's the scoop.

Activity:

• C25K (Couch to 5K running plan) I have completed through Week 2 Day 1.  So far, my neck and I are getting along with this one, even though it was a rough start with some pain. I do this two to three times per week.
• Abs Diet workout DVD:  This one is circuit training, which I believe is a great help in boosting metabolism and weight loss.  You work your whole body, not just the belly.  Then add cardio to burn the fat.  Awesome..and 20 minutes gets you in and out quickly.  I do this two to three times per week
• Physical Therapy:  Still going twice per week, but I may have graduated!  I might go just once per week for a while now to see how things go.  That being said, I will certainly miss the 30-45 minutes of upper body strength training I get there.  I'm sculpting those arms, ladies!
• Power walking/other cardio at least three times per week, so that I am getting 5 days of cardio.  I alternate to keep my neck in check.

I can't tell you what an awesome effect the exercise has had on my stress level and how good it feels to burn off all that extra energy.  It's awesome.

Food:  

• For the first week, I cut out ALL refined sugar.  The only thing I had was part of a white roll and a slice of wheat bread (but it didn't have any high fructose corn syrup at all).
• This made a huge difference in my craving sweets (and chocolate...gasp!)  and I really did NOT want them.  
• I got my carb needs from fresh strawberries, blueberries, bananas, and watermelon.  Yummmy.
• I eat lots of protein, vegetables, and fruit now.  My favorite snack is 2% mozzarella string cheese with a slice of Hormel naturals ham wrapped around it.  Much better than a pack of donuts or a brownie and a coke, don't you think?

What I didn't give up:

• Sonic diet coke with vanilla (ok, I guess the vanilla is probably sugar)
• Coffee with creamer

Sooooooo.....progress?  YES!

• Weight:  lost 5.8 lbs!  Yay!
• Waist:  one inch of fat gone to date.  Halleluia!
• I haven't measured arms and legs...decided to do those once per month

And how do I feel?  Absolutely fabulous.  And so proud of myself.  So proud.