Week 1 continues
Day 5 and things are going good. Down around 1.5-2 lbs. so far. After the first few days of detox, I am able to feel when my body is starting to dip into my fat stores. If its not too late at night, I try to eat a little something so I don’t binge on naughties which is what I would’ve done before. Peppermints have been helping. I realize its not a long term solution, but sometimes changing habits just enough so that they take hold without these little crutches takes time. I feel like I’m quitting smoking or something. I know I won’t ever be able to fully quit sweets, and really would life be worth living if I had to? I just can’t let them rule my life. Boundaries must be reset. All this coming from a girl who would love to own her own cupcake shoppe!
A lot of dieting initally is getting used to not enjoying food as much as you used to. The first bit is all about getting through the day not hungry. Sure I’d like to enjoy every low-cal/fat/carb etc. meal, but right now enjoyment leads to eating more than necessary. I really think right now I have to get my stomach to shrink back to normal size. 
Next week the local aquatic center opens back up after yearly maintenance and I plan to start taking water aerobic classes next week. I took a course in uni. and remember how wiped out it would make me (esp. deep water). I can use the extra boost. If I like the classes enough, I can get a cheap pass (something like $70 for 3 months) and use the gym/cardio facilities as well.
I’m planning meals for the weekend already. I’ve seriously spent the last 2+ years going through the same cycle. Eat well during the week, lose a pound or two, then go nuts over the weekend, and by Monday that pound or two is back. Lather rinse repeat. Thus after so many weeks of this, I’ve permanently kept on an extra 10ish pounds. Not horrible for 2 or 3 years, but I’m not happy with my reflection. My tone from daily workouts doesn’t show with this extra padding.
More new FIRM workouts should be arriving today (I hope!). So far I’ve tried Allie’s Cardio Dance Slim Down and Ultimate Fat Burning. I highly recommend them. The sets are sparse, but I thought they were fun and it was nice to not have to lug all the usual equipment along. These will work great when traveling!
Anyway so the ones that should arrive to are the new FIRM Resistance Cord, Pilates Band, and Sculpting Ball workout. There is also a Stability Ball workout and a Yoga one (with mat), but I haven’t ordered those yet. It is a lot of side equipment, but I ordered the workouts with stuff I didn’t have (the 8 lb. sculpting ball and resistance band one most notably).
9/28: 
9/27: