I just thought I’d report on my progress with my lifestyle changes I mentioned in the post A New Plan.  I know it’s only been a week, but I feel like I’ve been doing great so I want to toot my own horn for a moment!

First, I have lost three pounds! :D I’m so excited that my hard work is paying off.  I’ve been keeping my calorie intake to 1200-1700 calories a day and I exercised every day this week, except Sunday.  I also have increased my water intake.  I drink about 9-11 cups a day.  (If you know me, that in and of itself is an accomplishment.)

I thought I’d be hungry, but surprisingly, I’m not.  Special K has protein bars and protein water mixes that help you feel full longer.  I usually eat one bar a day and use one packet of protein water mix a day between meals as a snack.  The nice thing is they taste great, not awful like the Atkins crap!  They’re also sweet (with little sugar and calories), so they help curb my sweet tooth.  I haven’t eaten a single Oreo or a piece of chocolate cake, even though they’re both in my house right now.

The exercising is kicking my butt!  I get so winded because I’m so out of shape, but my muscles are sore the next day, so I know it’s working.  Each time I do it, it gets a little easier.  I just need to get coordinated enough now to do the arms and legs together! :?

I’ve also been going to bed at 10:00 pm like I wanted to.  I don’t usually fall asleep until 11:00 pm or later because Dax decides she wants to chase light streaks on my blanket.  (That’s another story for a later time! :x ) But, I’ve been able to get up and be on time to work every day since Thursday.  In fact, I’m normally 15 minutes early and the first one on my team to arrive.  I’m quite proud of myself.  On Friday and Saturday, I stayed up until 11:00 pm, but I felt that it’d be okay to do that since it’s only an hour difference.

I’ve never felt better than I do now, except maybe when I was a child and could go for hours on end without tiring.  Even if I hadn’t seen a three-pound weight loss right away, I’d still realize these changes are making a difference because I feel better, I have more energy, and I seem happier.