Friday, May 9th.

Its taken a few days, but I finally am starting to feel back to 'normal", since this last HS groin flare up, and the following sinus infection. I've been on a "Z" pack for about 9 days now, still taking the prednisone, of course my period had to hit at the same time, so I was bloated, cranky, feverish and swollen with stuffed up sinuses for the last few days. lol

I agreed, following advice given here, to take it easy on my body and take a rest from all exercise, and boy am I glad I did! I have  maintained the 11 pound scale weight loss, and have stuck to 'eating clean' for the last week and a half. I plan to get back to the gym the morning of Mother's Day, to do my upper body workout.

The other day I was lying on my bed, arms outstretched in a tank top, and I swear I could see the tiniest bit of muscle under my arm, and a LITTLLE bit less flab. I was so excited lol. I started with the free weights a month ago, with 2.5 lb weights, and have moved up to 7.5-10 lbs. Hopefully I can increase it slowly over time.

 What I did with the Body for Life 12 Week Challenge:

I was just starting week 3 when my flare up happened. So, instead of completely giving up, stopping altogether, I paused the program. On Sunday, May 11, I should be starting week 5, but I will be back at week 3.

I will take my "4 week" pics in two more weeks, so it will actually be a 6 week pic, without two weeks of working out. A little confusing, but this way, I didn't have to stop and start the whole program over from scratch.

Also, I splurged a little on myself (for my health) and got new pink and white gym shoes (with more cushioning for weight lifting). I found "The New Rules of Lifting for Women", written in 2007, and am reading that. It has 6 months worth of exercises and recipes for eating clean (protein and carbs). I ordered the 'wicking' underwear and sports bra from Lands End, that should come next week. I am  so ready to begin again, this time including one day a week at the pool. Heres to getting up, dusting off, and getting BACK on the horse again. *grin*