Two is the lovliest number...

  I've lost two pounds this week!  And this is the week I started counting calories.  And I worked out 5 days this week.  I don't think that's a coincidence.
  In the past when I've thought about trying to count calories, be on a diet, whatever, I would freak out.  I was always worried that I would be hungry, that it would take up too much time, that I wouldn't be able to keep track, etc.  I started doing it on www.livestrong.com and it was actually pretty easy!  It calculates the approximate number of calories you should be eating and you can even enter recipes and it'll figure out the nutrition facts.
  Trying to lose weight is like taking care of a plant.  I was basically saying, Hey, I know sunlight is good, so I'm going to give the plant lots of sunlight (exercise).  But I was also drowning the poor sucker (too much food, not the right foods).  Sometimes people don't water it enough, it starts to look wilty (you haven't eaten enough, you haven't taken care of your body) and so you end up overwatering it.  I don't know if this analogy makes sense to you, but I thought of it yesterday and thought it made a lot of sense.
  I've found that counting my calories actually made me feel better.  I was able to eat ice cream without feeling guilty, because I knew that I could without going over my calories for the day. It's really educational because you start to see what is good for your body and eating those things more.  Also,  I don't snack NEARLY as much, because I'm more accountable and actually conscious of what I'm eating.
  I'm not trying to be preachy (I'll be honest, this is kind of for a personal progress value experience- lol) but it has really helped me a lot and I hope it can help you guys too.
  Anyway.  I also bought new running shoes that will help stabilize my foot so I don't roll my ankle.  Plus they're kind of cute.

AND for something funny.  I think I mentioned that we got those Zumba dvds from the library.  We just popped in one and tried it last night.  Apparently we popped in the advanced one.  You know me, I'm not super coordinated and Mike is....let's just say his dancing skills aren't awesome.  LOL  I couldn't stop laughing - at myself, at Mike and his robot moves (accidental), at the weird commentary, etc.  My favorite quote of the night was Mike saying, "I'm the straightest guy doing this right now."