YES!! I did it!! I worked out for a minimum of 10 minutes a day for 28 consecutive days!! And, I’m feeling so good, I plan to keep it going for another 28!! I’m really on a mission to lose this weight maaaaaang!!! LOL!

Day 22: C25K – Three run intervals at 5.5, and did the second 1.5 min interval at 6.0.

Day 23: Abs of Steel (10 min) + LB Kettlebell Full Body Blast (12 min). Since I only had time to do it once, I used the 20 lb bell for all but last exercise, the Russian Twists. I was tired and sore this day. But, got a much needed 80 min. stress relief massage! Lovely!

Day 24: c25k Week 3/Day 2 – did same as Day 1 except increased speed of last minute of last 3 min run from 5.5 to 5.7 and then walked at 3.8 from 20 min – 30 min mark increasing incline by 2 every 2 min (2, 4, 6, 8). Cooled down from 30-35. I find that continuing to walk at inclines after I finish running lengthens my stride and increases my endurance, resulting in improved running performance.

Day 25: Abs of Steel (10 min) + LB 12 min Kettlebell Full Body Blast x2 (26 min). Yeah, I looked at the time this day and the 12 min FBB is actually 13 min!! So, I realized, that’s 2 extra min I’ve been doing!! LOL ;)!

Day 26: C25K Week 3/Day 3 – Two 1.5 min run intervals at 6.0, two 3 min run intervals at 5.5 w/last min of second interval at 5.7. Then walked at progressive inclines from 20-30 min (2 min @ 0, 2, 4, 6, 8).

Day 27: Lauren Brooks Kettlebell Sculpt & Condition (40 min). This is a BUTT-KICKER!! It starts out all nice and sweet, then … WHAM!!! Push-ups, lunges, squats, swings, burpies, mountain climbers and … You know what? Do it again!! And, I did!

Day 28: Treadmill walk at 3.8 w/progressive incline every 5 min (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10).

♦

On the diet front, I was really challenged food-wise this weekend too. If you don’t know, I am a massive buttercream icing FIEND!! Like, I’ve eaten it straight out of the tub #dontjudgeme. So, I’m not kidding you when I tell you I had to exercise great will power to not indulge in even one slice of the desserts that abounded at my sister’s house this weekend. I went down for a surprise going away party for my bro-in-laws best friend on Saturday night and a girls’ book club meeting on Sunday. I knew that this would be a real test, but I was dedicated to succeeding as I felt this week 4 was so critical for me in regard to staying on the path to losing this weight. So, I did not partake of the carrot cake, carrot cake cupcakes, banana pudding, vanilla cupcakes or red velvet cake. Okay, wait, I did eat one spoonful of my sister’s low fat banana pudding … no cookie in it though. But that was it!! On Saturday, I mostly ate fruit and veggies and took small portions of shrimp, a spoonful of an Asian chicken salad, two turkey meatballs and two spinach balls. On Sunday, it was fruit and veggies again, one small boneless BBQ wing and the insides of two roast beef, grilled onions, pepper and arugula sandwiches.

Why did my sister make me take the cake to bring to work?!? She’s killing me!!

So yeah, as of this morning, I’ve lost 9 pounds. Woot! Woot!! Have you ever noticed that the same exact weight looks and feels different on the way down versus on the way up? When I’m gaining weight, it is “sloppy,” because I’m inactive and eating badly. So, my stomach protrudes, my posture isn’t great and I’m bloated. When I’m losing weight, my body starts getting tighter, my posture is better because my core is getting stronger and I don’t retain as much “water weight.” So the same exact weight that felt sucky on the way up, feels so much slimmer on the way down. Go figure!!

Anywho, getting through the first 4 weeks of exercising and diet is so critical for me. From here on out, it should get a little easier as I’ve gotten used to the morning exercise routine, I’m getting in bed by 11 pm, I’m not hungry all of the time and I feel good!! So, yeah, I’m pretty psyched and feeling really motivated!! C25K Week 4 starts today and I’m going up from 9 minutes of running to 16 though!! Dang!! They just changed it up on a sista!! But, that’s okay. ‘Cuz, I’m gonna get ‘er done!! 😉

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Time for 28 Day Fitness Challenge, Round TWO!! Who’s with me?!?!