The stars are aligning!

So, in the past few months, I've had some ups and downs, but it's looking up right now and I wanted to share some good news. As of today, I've lost a total of 19 pounds since the fall!

I'm totally proud of myself for getting this far and looking back makes me motivated to keep going. It's a slow, slow process, though. I've learned that I average about 4 pounds of weight loss per 2 months. It slowed down a bit through a stressful spring, but I think it will pick up again if I keep on the Couch-to-5k program.

I started it 3 weeks ago. I run either around my neighborhood or at the park early in the mornings before work (and yeah, even on weekends). It's good to go early because there are less people to dodge. It's quiet and peaceful. Plus, as it's summer now, it's much cooler. (I learned the hard way this week when I went for a midday run...85 degrees is not fun to run in.) My guess is that pretty soon I'll need to get back on the treadmill, but I'm going to keep trying to run outdoors because I hate having to speed up and slow down the treadmill and also I'm starting to enjoy running outdoors.

The only issue I've come across is that I'm getting shin splints. A while ago, someone told me that a person that weighs as much as I do shouldn't run so as to prevent injury. But, I think now that I've lost some weight, have gained muscle mass, and have become more used to moderate to heavy cardio, I think I can ignore that advice. Just this morning I talked to my trainer and she gave me some good exercises to help me strengthen the muscles in my legs. She said shin splints are the result of a weak muscle... I think it's just behind the shin bone, but don't quote me! I'm going to start doing calf raises and using a stretchy band to work the muscle out so the shin splints will vanish.

Um, what else? Oh yeah! The fancy dress that I'll be wearing in September...I tried it on at my mom's house a few weekends ago, but it wouldn't zip up all the way. Without holding it closed, it appeared that I had 4 more inches to go...I was pretty disappointed about that! It did zip with some struggle back when I bought it in February, and I've lost weight since then! Soon after that, I contacted a seamstress in Ellicott City who told me that it would probably be a few hundred dollars just to alter the fit of the dress, not to mention altering the hem and cutting off the train! I was distraught because that's a lot of money to spend!

BUT THEN, I called this other seamstress in Arbutus (note the location change!). She is a straight-talking, down-to-earth lady who told me she's altered my dress for two other brides before. To know that she had experience with my dress was comforting to know! But then, she pulled the dress closed on me and said I really only had 1 more inch to go...not 4!! AND THEN, she told me the total alteration amount would be much less expensive than the other lady. If I needed to alter the fit at all, it would be $50. NOT SHABBY, right?

But this post isn't about my wedding plans. The point is, I only have 1 more inch to fit into my dress! And as of today, I only have 7 more pounds to lose before I reach my 10% goal. And if I keep up my new running routine (which in the past 3 weeks has led me to lose 5.2 pounds), I think that I can reach my 10% weight loss goal and fit into my dress at about the same time! See, the stars are aligning. (And if they don't, that's ok, because I'm on the right track anyway!)

There are a few obstacles ahead, though. There will always be parties to attend, for one. I have a few coming up this weekend, in fact, that I have to plan ahead for. And at the end of this month, I'm going to the beach with Dave's family. I'll have to be extra careful there, making sure I work out and track my consumption. Alcohol always gets me into trouble (the four beers I had at Camden Yards [tall beers, mind you] definitely led me to indulging on more food), so I may have to enforce a 2-drink limit for the next few months... I'll only break that for special occasions. :)

Okay, I think that's enough for now. I'll try to check in again in another few months. Between healthy life planning, work outs, wedding plans, volunteering, and work, I rarely have time to blog any more. :(