The start of the next phase

So, I made it to 199 Saturday, in case you missed it.

I got there almost by accident. Saturday night at the gym I hurt my finger lifting, nothing too serious. I just got a bruise on the inside of my ring finger and I couldn't grip the weights. So I said screw it and went upstairs to do cardio. I also decided that I needed to take the rest of the weekend off so my finger could heal, and there you have it. Might have never gotten to 199 this week if I didn't do extra cardio and less lifting.

And now that the greatest mental hurdle has been passed, there's really nothing left to do except keep plugging away and keep working hard. My goal is 185 and I really feel, when I look in the mirror, that 15 more pounds will really seal the deal. Everyone keeps telling me how great I look but I still want more - and I think that's a good thing. Complacency is dangerous.

I only worked out 7 times last week, I ended up taking the rest of the weekend off after I hit my target weight. I did manage to have my first 10 mile run before that, though.

I went out for a 5 mile run, felt really good and kept running. Once I made it to 8, I told myself there was no way I was stopping. But as you can see, I never really got tired as my pace was remarkably consistent for the nearly two hours that I was out running.

Last week was a "down" week, usually after I hit my 11 workout goal I plan on going a little easy the next week. That makes this an "up" week - trying to hit 11 workouts. That's already not looking so likely - I missed my morning run this morning, for a few reasons.

1) There was a massive thunderstorm this morning that really would have tested my resolve. I have run in the rain before, which is even harder then it sounds at 6 AM, but never in rain as hard as this morning... but that didn't really come in to play, because...

2) I didn't sleep at all last night! This has happened a few times in the past, always on Sunday and I know why it happens. I took a nap around 5PM yesterday and it's not like in college where I would drift off for mini-naps while studying and still be able to sleep at night. If I nap now, it takes it's toll on me at night. But I was so tired yesterday afternoon! Anyway - I was tossing and turning all night and it really messed me up. I did not want to get out of bed this morning!

I can still hit 11 - I just have to do a "make-up" one of these nights and not miss any more mornings. My finger is healed up and I'm ready to get back in the gym.

Now that I'm starting to be pleased with the way that I look somewhat, it's really important that I stay motivated and keep it up... and thus the second phase begins.