[rpu3]

I started June 30 with weightlifting, more consistent aerobic exercise and logging every bite I put in my mouth and having my work-mate keep tabs on my exercise (and vice versa - we are pushing each other to get down to the gym).

I'm down 3.5 lbs total. I was down 4 lbs, but somehow I put on two pounds in one day on Saturday, and only 1.5 came off this week. I don't know if its hormonal or from weightlifting, despite trying only to tone, not build muscle.

I'm not terribly worried about it because inch-wise, I seem to be doing okay. I've lost 2.25 inches from my waist, 2 inches off my lower hips, 2.5 off my upper hips, and 1 inch off the mid-hip. Unfortunately, I've lost 1.5 off my bust (band size portion - I've not measured for change in the cup size portion - I'll let Victoria Secret figure that one out when I have to go buy new properly fitting bras).

The weightlifting is going well - I've upped everything (except the deltoid machine) 20 lbs in one month. I have no idea why my delts are not improving weight-wise. I'm still struggling to get my reps in on the lowest machine weight or using dumb bells.

Aerobic exercise is also improving. I've upped the treadmill speed when I run once a week now, and I never do the same aerobic machine two workouts in a row so there's a variety of muscles being used. I've started interval training on these machines - it's supposed to help with fat burning.

I think the exercise is helping. I have issues with getting a decent night's sleep. I've only had maybe 2 nights of sleeplessness as opposed to 4-5 nights a week. And I sleep HARD now. I'm asleep like the dead from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. consistently.

The food tracking has helped. I've stayed within my recommended levels for fat and protein and total calories 6 out of 7 days a week. But Saturday is a problem every week for some reason.

So, it's not a terrible struggle. I know that I'll have a couple days each month where the food and exercise are not going to be in goal range, but you know - it's okay. I'm not going to deprive myself all the time. Everything in moderation, I guess.