"Effort is only effort when it begins to hurt."

I am so sore...Tuesday, I wasn't able to get out and run so I did this ten minute workout that I found online: 50 jumping jacks, 15 squats, 15 push ups, 15 reverse lunges on each side, 15 dips done, a full set is all of this done three times. On top of that, I did my usual 300 crunches....Oh. my. Gosh. That was quite a workout. But I had to do something. It works your entire body, like, no muscle goes unflexed. Yesterday, since the kids are back in school (happy dance), I went out around 10 and did a four mile run. Because I was so sore, it was a struggle, but I burned 500 calories so I'd definitely say that it was worth it. I decided that doing at least 2 sets of that workout would be good for me, not only because I did less running, but also to keep my muscles working and burn a few more calories. Added up, I burned around 600 yesterday; the equivalent of a 5 mile run. I feel good about that. I'm really glad that I did as much as I did yesterday because we ended up going out for dinner to celebrate the first day of school. I made wise choices and enjoyed some super yummy shrimp, broccoli, and a salad. Good day :)

I'm still 10 pounds down and working hard to keep going, but it's a little disappointing that I haven't lost more yet. However, I can see a difference, especially in my tummy. I'm not feeling bloated and not feeling like it's sticking out and I just feel light. I can see some difference in my face, as well. I'm trying to follow MamaLaughlin's advice for not relying so much on the scale and that number. She has stopped weighing herself, heck, she's even gotten rid of her scale and is just judging her progress on how well her clothes fit and how she looks and feels about herself. I'm starting to realize that it's a good way to go. Yes, I still have a goal weight, but more importantly, I'm working toward that goal size. I'm still in an eight and the ultimate goal is to fit comfortably in a 6. Not sqeezed into a 6, but in a comfortable fit. I'll admit that it's really hard not to focus on the number on the scale, but I'm trying to let go of that at least a little bit. And ya know what? My clothes do fit better and I feel better in them. After all of these workouts and such, I know that I'm gaining muscle mass. I'm eating right, not cheating (too much), and I'm exercising my butt off (literally), so I know that I'm losing more than the scale would suggest. Darn that scale. Darn those numbers!

So, let's go back to the kids being in school. WOOOOOO! It's just that I'm the kind of person who absolutely must have alone time. I love hanging out with them, but I have to be by myself for a little while each day. For the entire Summer, that only happened at night before bedtime, but now I have the entire first half of the day to myself. *sigh* Their school kind of eases kids into kindergarten and that means that for the first month, Isa is only in school until 12:35, and then 1:30 for the rest of the year. I've never heard of a school doing this, and I gotta say that I'm not sure that I agree with it.....They're going to have to go full days eventually, just do it from the beginning to get them used to it! I know a lot of preschools do it, but I'd never heard of Kindergarten doing it...Oh well. I still have the mornings to be alone and get everything done that needs to be done :) 

I completed another 4 mile run today and burned 515 calories, 15 more than yesterday and I shaved off 6 minutes for the same distance. As tired and sore as I am, I can feel my legs getting stronger with the running and these workouts I've added. I had actually been looking for a good way to work my arms out and other areas of and this one is doing the job, I think. But for real, I'm tired....Adele has been on call this week, therefore I have had to work longer hours and was technically on duty over night on Tuesday. I'm not a fan of when she's on call because the kids miss her and I do work those longer hours, but I also love it because she always gives me an extra day added to my weekend to make up for it. Having Friday night, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday off will really help me make up some rest for all of this work.

Adele also said that she'll actually be receiving the keys to the new house tomorrow which means we'll start moving pretty soon! I've got all of my decor ready for my new bathroom and even made a few changes/additions for my bedroom. I will of course post pictures when everything is ready. There are just lots of good things happening for me right now, y'all. And it's already feeling like Fall here! It's still pretty warm in the late afternoons, but up until about noon it's cooler and then from about 5-6, it's cool again for the rest of the day/night. I'm willing it to be Fall by wearing Fall clothes. It's my favorite season, my favorite wardrobe, favorite food (time to pumpkin spice all the things), just favorite everything. Yay FALL!!! I just hate that'll I'll miss it in Alabama, especially in Jacksonville. It is so incredibly beautiful in the area of the South. But hey who knows, maybe I will end up seeing some of it after all ;)