Last weekend was so great. I finally got down to Tuscaloosa to see my friends. I really miss all of them very much.

Thankfully, Nicole and I partook in some wonderful retail therapy. Not to mention, she gave me two pairs of shoes! Since I’m on a break from shoe buying for a while, that was a real treat. I had almost forgotten how much I loved shopping with her.

As we were trying on clothes this weekend, I came to the realization that I had not even realized how big I’d gotten. Unless, my favorite stores started sizing things smaller. (Doubtful.) But, on the plus side, I’ve already lost 7 pounds since Christmas. Wahoo!

Despite all that I have been feeling really icky this week. I don’t really know what kind of funk I’ve gotten into, but I was ready to get out of it. So tonight when I got home I sat down for an hour or so and then I got to work.

I cleaned my entire apartment. It looks good, if I do say so myself. And now that my space around me is clean, I’m feeling very relieved. It’s amazing how much of a difference it makes.

Tomorrow night, I’m cleaning out the fridge and pantry. Soldier on!

So as a new year’s resolution, and really as a life resolution, I’ve decided that I wanted to get healthier, lose some weight, and really just quit being so down on myself. Feeling bad about yourself all the time is no way to live, I know I don’t want to. But anyway, I have started to consciously think about what I’m putting into my body. This week I have already made a few changes that have already made a difference, not only in how I look, but how I feel.

First I’ve cooked every dinner we’ve had this week. It forces me to know exactly what is in it and not load it down with sodium, fat, and preservatives. While doing that I’ve tried to add more vegetables and fresh ingredients. I’ve noticed that with using more veggies and lean proteins that it really does make you full with less food. And then whatever leftovers I have, I put in a tupperware container and take for lunch. It takes the rush out of my morning too, not having to pack a lunch.

Also, I’ve started trying to drink as much water as possible. I had gotten to a point where I was drinking like 4 diet sodas a day and about 3 cups of coffee every morning and maybe one glass of water. It was just so easy because at work we have a soda foutain and a coffee machine and you just walk straight past the water cooler to the delicious caffeinated soda. Yum! Now this is something that I’ve always heard works, but I’ve never tried it. Every time I feel just a little bit hungry, like I want a snack, I drink a glass of water. I always thought, “Load of Crap!” , there’s no way that works. It does. The plus side to all the water consumption is that my skin is already starting to look better and I’m not getting as many headaches as I used to. WooHoo!

I’m definately feeling very encouraged and excited. I just hope that in the long run these have become lifestyle changes and not just a means to an end.