I love the 8 Minute Ab workout dvd – it comes in a serious with arms, butt and all that but for some reason the abs is the only one that I ever really got into.

I like it because it is quick (yes, it really IS only 8 minutes) and powerful. To start, I can’t quite get through the full workout for each set, but I know it will just be a matter of time as I have done this routine in the past. I will do a full review of this and other exercise equipment that I am using at a later date. For now, I just wanted to make mention of this addition to my routine.

I also feel great because I am sticking to my fitness goals and I’m really happy with the way that I have been working up to them. The ab work is a good example of that as I’ve been building starting with 1 minute of crunches just a month or so ago. You KNOW I will be celebrating here when I can sail through the whole 8 minutes without stopping.

I also love doing ab work because it makes me "feel" so darn skinny! 😉

I know that it is just a matter of time (OK, quite a bit of time) before I am working to not only get the fat off, but to define these muscles so that I could wear a two piece swimsuit if I chose to. 😉

Hey, ya gotta keep a picture in front of you as you are working through these goals.

So 2 months into the challenge and I’m now saying goodbye to the 260’s forever! WooHoo!

Now that I’ve lost 21 pounds, I can really notice in my clothes. Things (even sweats) are not as tight as they once were – well, you can imagine…20 pounds seems pretty significant to me!

I’m pinching myself because of the progress I’ve made and I’m right on track with my monthly and quarterly goals.

Physically, I am feeling awesome! I notice a difference while I’m walking and climbing up the 3 flights of stairs to my apartment seems just a bit easier.

It’s true what they say about momentum. I can really feel that at this point and I cannot imagine going any other direction but the way I am headed. Moving forward towards the next 20 lbs and I’m enjoying the journey along the way. 

Are you still with me? 😉

Day 3 of 3 example food diary:

Cal  
1794 Starting Calories Available  
    
    36 coffee w/skim milk x 3
  150 oatmeal
  121 banana
   45 1/2 cup skim milk
1442

    30 lettuce/spinach
    25 1/2 cucumber
    80 2 Tbs. Lite Ranch
 260 2 tortillas
 160 1/2 cup cheese
   15 salsa
 872
   92 2 kiwi
780
130 English Muffin
  40 1 Tbs fruit spread
610
260 2 pcs. fish
150 rice
  90 bread roll
  40 carrots
  70

1724 – today’s total calories

Day 2 of 3 example food diary:

Cal  
1806 Starting Calories Available  
    
    36 coffee w/skim milk x 3
  200 2 eggs
  100 2 pcs of toast + 1/2
    50 butter
1420
    12 coffee w/milk
1408

    40 lettuce/spinach
  185 5 oz. chicken w/BBQ sauce
    20 parmesan cheese
    25 1/2 cucumber
    80 2 Tbs. Lite Ranch
1058
 152 mashed potatoes (included in cal – butter, milk, parm. cheese)
   60 1/4 cup cheese
846
270 3 oz. spaghetti (1 and 1/2 serv.)
  90 1/2 cup sauce
  90 bread roll
120 1/4 cup parm. cheese
276

1530 – today’s total calories

I thought I would just check in with 3 days example of the kinds of things that I am currently eating.

Day 1 of 3 example food diary:

Cal  
1806 Starting Calories Available  
    
    36 coffee w/skim milk x 3
  200 2 eggs
    80 2 pcs of toast
    17 1 tsp butter
1473

    30 lettuce/spinach
  100 2 serv. turkey slices
    30 parmesan cheese
    15 1/2 bell pepper
    80 2 Tbs. Lite Ranch
1218

   90 1 oz. Low Cal Chips
   80 1/4 cup cheese
   10 salsa
1038
  121 banana
  917

 260 2 pieces fish
 152 mashed potatoes (included in cal – butter, milk, parm. cheese)
   60 broccoli   
   90 bread roll
355

1451 – today’s total calories