Worth It!

This morning I got up and went to the gym early.  I'm hovering at the mark for 30 pounds lost! I'm thrilled with my progress.  Of course, with water intake, the heat here in the Valley, and daily living, it can fluctuate from day to day, but ... I'll take the 30.  :) 

 

I hopped on the treadmill today, and thought about those 30 pounds.  Well, first I thought about my reason for being at the gym at 7am on a Saturday.  I celebrated reaching a goal with a Bacon Cheeseburger from Jack in the Box Friday night.  lol I know, I know, that's SO not the way to do it, but 4 months without junk food-- I admit I caved.  And you know what?  It was good, but maybe not as good as I remembered.  I could easily go another four months without one of those again.  Ah, my taste buds are changing :)

 

So back to the gym, I headed there to burn off the extra 500 calories that burger added to my day.  And I realized as I was treading along that I am so much more able, more capable of doing what I've been doing without those 30 pounds.  I imagined six bags of sugar strapped around my waist and trying to reach my time/distance goals that I've set for myself.  And realized how much just those few pounds were holding me back.  My goals switch up as I get into better shape.  On the treadmill, I can either measure distance or time.  I try to mix it up.

Back in March, I would try and push the speed, and my lungs would 'give out' first, I'd be panting so hard, I had to slow down.  I've worked up to building speed, then the leg muscles would cramp.  I was doing this with interval training, knowing that I would walk the majority of my time, but adding sprints in there; at first, one minute at 4mph, slowly increasing the speed and times.  Ok,why the long boring description here?  Because today, I reached a milestone.  3 miles in 47 minutes!!!  And I was able to do three sets of sprints at 4.5mph for three minutes.  Four months ago, I imagine I would have collapsed trying to do that. 

It's the little things that need to be rewarded, 

because we deserve it, because we're worth it. 

..... because I deserve it,

..... because I am worth it!

How am I celebrating?  I'm going to get a a new 'do today!!!