45 pounds - FORTY FIVE POUNDS

I tracked EVERY bite. 

 I measured, I weighed, I counted.  (I've asked for an electronic scale for Christmas)

I worked out EVERY DAY

(my typical workout is between 400-500 calories, here I ran 5 miles and used interval inclines)

 I drank my 100+ ounces of water daily

ate endless vegetables, at least one banana everyday (yuck).  I was never hungry, and I even indulged in one of our favorite local restaurants, Parker's Smokehouse and BBQ.    

I ate EVERY BITE.

I wish I had screen captured my loss this week, I was JUST SO excited.  I wish I could have seen my face.  I looked at the scale and said 'no, no way'.  I stepped off, put my hands over my mouth, tapped the scale again, then stepped back on.  It said the same weight.  I really just had a five pound loss this week.  Tracking works.  (thanks to http://www.weightwatchers.com/ )

I joined a gym and I like it

Now, when you read that title, I hope you're channeling your inner Katy Perry and saying it like "I kissed a girl and I liked it".  If you don't sing the title of this post, then it's a pretty lame title.  Anyway!

I joined a small local gym, "yes!" we have a gym in Smalltown, Nebraska!  I looked for one month specials online and found a special for ten bucks.  TEN DOLLARS!  Lucky for me (not really) we've already had two significant snowfalls this season, 'with the local street departments rule of not even going out to plow unless it's 2 inches', well, it's a mess here.  The shoulders of the roads that I typically run along, are nicely stacked with snow and ice and extra nightmares.  I didn't want to stop running, so I researched and scored a really nice deal.   It was actually an 'online only' deal, but I went in and talked to someone (an angel sent from above) and he said if I wanted to continue my monthly membership ($34.00), he'd waive the $75 registration fee.  HOLLA.  So, I think maybe I've found my new 'home' away from the snowy roads, maybe even until March or so.

Still?  I miss road running, I miss jumping off the sides for cars, I miss the endless 'waving of hello' to each passing car.  I miss the never ending fields, the pastures of animals, the creeks...heck, even the gravel roads.  I just think I will get outside when weather permits and when it's not so treacherous and until then, I will enjoy watching tv, listening to my tunes, and running inside on a treadmill with a giant fan on my head.  Who knows, I may even start some weight lifting to build some muscle.  (so I can burn more fat and maybe, maybe even run faster).

Also?  I freaking love the elliptical machine.

And?  I'm about to register for a half marathon in May.  What-the-what.  I'm crazy and excited and crazy-excited.